"And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul...."Isaiah lviii. 11.
" Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh,
His sight is never dim,--
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him."
A. L. WARING.
"Abandon yourself to His care and guidance, as a sheep in the care of a shepherd, and trust Him utterly. No matter though you may seem to yourself to be in the very midst of a desert, with nothing green about you, inwardly or outwardly, and may think you will have to make a long journey before you can get into the green pastures. Our Shepherd will turn that very place where you are into green pastures, for He has power to make the desert rejoice and blossom as a rose."
H. W. SMITH.
This morning these quotes were a soul refresher. Married life is exciting and I'm so blessed already in this new life with James! Yet I've never been here before. There are new areas to trust God. New moments to strengthen faith. New moments to be guided....continually. I feel like I'm in a wildly green pasture full of lush garden flowers and joys abounding (even though we're smack dab in the middle of the Northern Nevada desert.) Right now life is rich and I'm so thankful. Last night James and I read a devotional that we can't trust our hearts but we have to lead our hearts. My heart is learning to abandon all to His care and guidance as a married woman now. I'm learning to lead my heart in marriage. Exciting!!! Let the journey begin. He cares for us. He is so trustworthy. Continually, through every changing season.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Our story and proposal
The story starts in the biggest little city in the world!
The first date takes place at a Reno Ace's game in June of 2009. The Ace's won that night, but James had the biggest win with Jen that evening when he showed his generosity by donating an XBOX to a youth group.
The date was almost over as quickly as it started when Jen whipped out her new Iphone (James is a Microsoft employee)! Fortunately for Jen, James was the bigger person and proceeded to play around with the weather settings. Jen's been keeping track of weather patterns around the world ever since!
Jen thought James was quite intriguing, having lived in Europe for a few years. She loved his desire to be outdoors, to travel, live an active lifestyle and serve Christ. Jen thought it was admirable that he served in Kid's ministry at his local church and volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital. James was impressed with Jen's desire to serve Christ, her missions work, her worldly travels and outlook, and her active lifestyle; and he hoped for a second date, even if she was an Apple fan!
After returning from an East Coast trip with her mom, Jen agreed to a second date and the adventure continued. They enjoyed getting to know each other in their travels to Yosemite Park, Napa, Oregon, Washington and a plethora of other places! As Jen's Mom once said to them as they returned from a hike, 'What oceans and mountains did you guys cross today?'
For almost a year and a half this adventure continued until. . .New Year's Eve, just after a family dinner with both family's meeting for the first time. James and Jen drove back to Reno to watch the fireworks from Keystone Canyon in Northwest Reno.
Just after the last fireworks went off, James asked Jen to get out of the car.
Although it was a chilly night with snow on the ground, .......
James got down on one knee in that glistening snow and proposed!
and with smiles between them, a sense of excitement and joy, Jen said YES!
Thank you for sharing in our joy as we look to exchange our vows this summer!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
All the days of your life....
Sometimes the best thing to do is remember "I only have today." Instead of thinking about the myriad of possibilities the future holds, hold steady both mind and heart and contemplate the reality that the essence of life is summed up in the moment.
"I only have today."
I can and will make plans for tomorrow but there are no guarantees. I can reminisce about the good old days or mourn the pain of the past, but at some point it's fruitless since I can't change a bit of it. This is the moment that counts.
As a Christ follower, my soul is strengthened by the truth that God will never leave my side. As I consider that I only have today, I realize that no matter what I feel or think, He is complete in mercy, love, power and strength so that all of who He is becomes available to me since He is by my side. He is faithful as the sun that rises in the morning and He will never give up on me. Today He is with me to call me into more of His ways and less of my own. Every day He waits to shower fresh perspective and understanding on my soul so that I'll shed my own. These are the attributes of His character that I lean into and they are more than enough FOR TODAY. What I need tomorrow will be provided.
I'm in the mix of some very exciting changes! Getting married, moving back to Reno, changing jobs, taking classes.....All of it is good. All of it is exciting. I'm blessed and holding these moments close. And this perspective that I only have today ultimately leads me to the promise God made when I was just a crazy teenager! It's about every day but it's also about all my life. God wants to be with me until my last day, my dying day, through good and bad days, through dark and bright days. So that all the days of my life are summed up in Him. But all the days must start with today.
A friend ends her voicemail recording with "Make it a great day!" I absolutely love that! Can we stop long enough in the busy lives we live to realize we just have today and we can make it a great day? Hug a little longer, read a few more nuggets for the soul from the good book, do a few things you wouldn't normally do for someone else. Love with His love. Make it a great day!
"I only have today."
I can and will make plans for tomorrow but there are no guarantees. I can reminisce about the good old days or mourn the pain of the past, but at some point it's fruitless since I can't change a bit of it. This is the moment that counts.
As a Christ follower, my soul is strengthened by the truth that God will never leave my side. As I consider that I only have today, I realize that no matter what I feel or think, He is complete in mercy, love, power and strength so that all of who He is becomes available to me since He is by my side. He is faithful as the sun that rises in the morning and He will never give up on me. Today He is with me to call me into more of His ways and less of my own. Every day He waits to shower fresh perspective and understanding on my soul so that I'll shed my own. These are the attributes of His character that I lean into and they are more than enough FOR TODAY. What I need tomorrow will be provided.
I'm in the mix of some very exciting changes! Getting married, moving back to Reno, changing jobs, taking classes.....All of it is good. All of it is exciting. I'm blessed and holding these moments close. And this perspective that I only have today ultimately leads me to the promise God made when I was just a crazy teenager! It's about every day but it's also about all my life. God wants to be with me until my last day, my dying day, through good and bad days, through dark and bright days. So that all the days of my life are summed up in Him. But all the days must start with today.
A friend ends her voicemail recording with "Make it a great day!" I absolutely love that! Can we stop long enough in the busy lives we live to realize we just have today and we can make it a great day? Hug a little longer, read a few more nuggets for the soul from the good book, do a few things you wouldn't normally do for someone else. Love with His love. Make it a great day!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Celebrate it all!
This month our family is celebrating it all! From Jeremy's high school graduation to more than one birthday (Emma, Chloe, Jeremy, Izzy, Savvy), an anniversary (Scofields), a wedding (soon to be Simmons), it's hard to stay on top of it all!
In the midst of these wonderful life moments, the kind of moments you look back on in years to come, I'm also experiencing some other celebrations. There is the grand move from Carson City to Reno and all the transitions surrounding the move as my stuff is officially at my soon to be residence :). No longer will I commute to Minden and live in Carson City and drive to Reno to be with James.... the transition of starting a life in Reno has begun!
I've officially moved stuff over. Now I'm getting familiar with the neighborhood. I'm super excited to discover all the running/cycling trails in the Northwest.
Wow. It's been almost a decade since I lived in Reno. And things have changed! I have changed. This month I'm celebrating and thankful for all the people who have been a part of my life from the beginning of my faith walk in Christ. I'm celebrating how Christ has brought me to this place and excited to see what God has for James and me in the future. I'm blessed. I'm celebrating!!
In the midst of these wonderful life moments, the kind of moments you look back on in years to come, I'm also experiencing some other celebrations. There is the grand move from Carson City to Reno and all the transitions surrounding the move as my stuff is officially at my soon to be residence :). No longer will I commute to Minden and live in Carson City and drive to Reno to be with James.... the transition of starting a life in Reno has begun!
I've officially moved stuff over. Now I'm getting familiar with the neighborhood. I'm super excited to discover all the running/cycling trails in the Northwest.
Wow. It's been almost a decade since I lived in Reno. And things have changed! I have changed. This month I'm celebrating and thankful for all the people who have been a part of my life from the beginning of my faith walk in Christ. I'm celebrating how Christ has brought me to this place and excited to see what God has for James and me in the future. I'm blessed. I'm celebrating!!
Monday, May 9, 2011
And this is why I love Jesus....Thanks John Piper for breaking it down!
In Awe of Jesus Christ
by John Piper
"One reason to admire and trust Jesus above all other persons is that he knows more than anyone else. He knows all people thoroughly, their hearts and their thoughts. "He knew all men" (John 2:24). "You, Lord, . . . know the hearts of all men" (Acts 1:24). "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, 'Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?'" (Matthew 9:4). There is no one who perplexes Jesus. No thought or action is unintelligible to him. He knows its origin and end. The most convoluted psychotic and the most abstruse genius are open and laid bare to his understanding. He understands every motion of their minds.
Jesus not only knows all people thoroughly as they were and are today, he also knows what people will think and do tomorrow. He knows all things that will come to pass. "Jesus, [knew] all the things that were coming upon Him" (John 18:4). On the basis of this knowledge, he foretold numerous things that his friends and enemies would do. "[Jesus said] 'There are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him" (John 6:64). "From now on," he said, "I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am" (John 13:19). The reason he foretold these things, he explains, is so that we might know that "he is" - is what? That he is the divine Son of God. "I am" is the name for God in Exodus 3:14 and the designation of deity in Isaiah 43:10. Jesus knows all that will come to pass, and, to help our faith, he says, "Behold, I have told you in advance" (Matthew 24:25).
Jesus simply knows all things. Thus his disciples said, truly, "Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God" (John 16:30). The extent of Jesus' knowledge was a compelling warrant for faith in his divine origin. At the end of his time on earth Jesus pressed Peter, "'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You' (John 21:17). Peter did not conclude from Jesus' knowledge of his heart that he knew all things; rather he concluded from the omniscience of Jesus that he knew his heart. "You know all things," is a general and unqualified statement that John's gospel presses on our minds.
The greatest thing that can be said of Jesus' knowledge is that he knows God perfectly. We know God partially and imperfectly. Jesus knows him like no other being knows him. He knows him the way an omniscient Person knows himself. "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27). No one but Jesus knows the Father immediately, completely and perfectly. Our knowledge of the Father depends wholly on Jesus' gracious revelation; it is derivative and partial and imperfect.
Nothing greater can be said about the knowledge of Jesus than that he knows God perfectly. All reality outside God is parochial compared to the infinite Reality that God is. What God has made is like a toy compared to the complexity and depth of what God is. All the sciences that scratch the surface of the created universe are the mere ABCs compared to Christ's exhaustive knowledge of the created universe. And this knowledge of the created universe is as a dewdrop on a blade of grass compared to the ocean of knowledge that Jesus has of the Being of God himself. God is infinite. The universe is finite. Knowledge of the infinite is infinite. Therefore to know God, as Jesus knows God, is to have infinite knowledge.
Therefore let us bow down and worship Jesus Christ. If we are impressed with the scholarship of man and the achievements of scientific knowledge, then let us not play the fool by trumpeting a tiny chirp and ignoring the thunder clap of omniscience. Jesus alone is worthy of our highest admiration. Jesus alone is worthy of our trust. He can show us the Father (Matthew 11:27). He can give us irresistible wisdom (Luke 21:15). He can see how to make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). None of his judgments about anything is ever mistaken (John 8:16). He teaches the way of God with infallible truthfulness (Matthew 22:16). Trust him. Admire him. Follow him.
In awe of Jesus,
Pastor John"
by John Piper
"One reason to admire and trust Jesus above all other persons is that he knows more than anyone else. He knows all people thoroughly, their hearts and their thoughts. "He knew all men" (John 2:24). "You, Lord, . . . know the hearts of all men" (Acts 1:24). "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, 'Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?'" (Matthew 9:4). There is no one who perplexes Jesus. No thought or action is unintelligible to him. He knows its origin and end. The most convoluted psychotic and the most abstruse genius are open and laid bare to his understanding. He understands every motion of their minds.
Jesus not only knows all people thoroughly as they were and are today, he also knows what people will think and do tomorrow. He knows all things that will come to pass. "Jesus, [knew] all the things that were coming upon Him" (John 18:4). On the basis of this knowledge, he foretold numerous things that his friends and enemies would do. "[Jesus said] 'There are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him" (John 6:64). "From now on," he said, "I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am" (John 13:19). The reason he foretold these things, he explains, is so that we might know that "he is" - is what? That he is the divine Son of God. "I am" is the name for God in Exodus 3:14 and the designation of deity in Isaiah 43:10. Jesus knows all that will come to pass, and, to help our faith, he says, "Behold, I have told you in advance" (Matthew 24:25).
Jesus simply knows all things. Thus his disciples said, truly, "Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God" (John 16:30). The extent of Jesus' knowledge was a compelling warrant for faith in his divine origin. At the end of his time on earth Jesus pressed Peter, "'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You' (John 21:17). Peter did not conclude from Jesus' knowledge of his heart that he knew all things; rather he concluded from the omniscience of Jesus that he knew his heart. "You know all things," is a general and unqualified statement that John's gospel presses on our minds.
The greatest thing that can be said of Jesus' knowledge is that he knows God perfectly. We know God partially and imperfectly. Jesus knows him like no other being knows him. He knows him the way an omniscient Person knows himself. "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27). No one but Jesus knows the Father immediately, completely and perfectly. Our knowledge of the Father depends wholly on Jesus' gracious revelation; it is derivative and partial and imperfect.
Nothing greater can be said about the knowledge of Jesus than that he knows God perfectly. All reality outside God is parochial compared to the infinite Reality that God is. What God has made is like a toy compared to the complexity and depth of what God is. All the sciences that scratch the surface of the created universe are the mere ABCs compared to Christ's exhaustive knowledge of the created universe. And this knowledge of the created universe is as a dewdrop on a blade of grass compared to the ocean of knowledge that Jesus has of the Being of God himself. God is infinite. The universe is finite. Knowledge of the infinite is infinite. Therefore to know God, as Jesus knows God, is to have infinite knowledge.
Therefore let us bow down and worship Jesus Christ. If we are impressed with the scholarship of man and the achievements of scientific knowledge, then let us not play the fool by trumpeting a tiny chirp and ignoring the thunder clap of omniscience. Jesus alone is worthy of our highest admiration. Jesus alone is worthy of our trust. He can show us the Father (Matthew 11:27). He can give us irresistible wisdom (Luke 21:15). He can see how to make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). None of his judgments about anything is ever mistaken (John 8:16). He teaches the way of God with infallible truthfulness (Matthew 22:16). Trust him. Admire him. Follow him.
In awe of Jesus,
Pastor John"
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Wendi's beautiful life
There's a lot that can be said about Wendi Lehman. And a lot was said this past Saturday in Grass Valley as we celebrated all the things we love and appreciate about this woman.
Wendi's laugh. So contagious. So unforgettable. And her passion. For people, for Christ. Some people just live their life in such a way that their solid, firm way of living just speaks. Wendi lived this way.
This past weekend we were all reminded that the passion and principle that lived inside of Wendi is living on well beyond her own life.
I think the most memorable moment for me as we celebrated her life this weekend was the story from the woman in Los Angeles. Wow! So powerful.
My friend Wendi worked tirelessly for the unborn. She was passionate about leading women to other options, even doing things that others might call radical to make a point. And this weekend, as we celebrated her life in Grass Valley with her parents and other friends/family who knew her, her passion was made crystal clear......
Sitting in the church building listening to words about a woman he hardly knew, a young man heard how his mother went to a clinic in Los Angeles and was going to abort him but was greeted by Wendi, who encouraged her to know that God loved her and the child in her womb, that there were options. Through a course of events, the woman kept the child - Wendi threw her a baby shower, loved this woman the best she could. The woman had her son and then years came between them until a few years ago when they reconnected through Facebook. Now, at Wendi's funeral, this woman and her son were there to pay tribute to a woman who God used to changed the course of their lives.
Wendi and I worked together in college campus ministry in Los Angeles. One thing that stands out to me most often is her authenticity and her love for God. She was a very real person, no pretense, no falsehood, and I loved that about Wendi. She was also a prayer warrior. She could pray for things with fervor and I appreciated that about her.
Over the last few years when she found out she was sick with cancer, she made the effort to connect with me since she moved back to Northern Cal and I was in Reno. James got to meet her at Shakespeare on the Lake as we met up with her and Adrea and the following year in Sacramento with another mutual friend, Lara. My final time to see her was in Genoa, Nevada, when she came to visit along with Leo, Pat and Julianne Lawson. A brief reunion in an ice cream shop and we talked about making it to Jeremy's wedding in October. It never happened, as I got busy and her health was still failing.
God, thank you for saving Wendi in High School. Thank you for placing her in my life and for her quiet, subtle but strong witness for you. I rejoice that she is with you today as to be absent from the body is to be in your presence. We will miss her life here on earth but will cherish the gift you gave us in her. Please comfort her family now and speak your words of comfort to them. Wendi, you lived a beautiful life. Thank you for being obedient to your creator, for caring for the things that he cared about. You are a gift, a blessing, a treasure. I celebrate your beautiful life.
Wendi's laugh. So contagious. So unforgettable. And her passion. For people, for Christ. Some people just live their life in such a way that their solid, firm way of living just speaks. Wendi lived this way.
This past weekend we were all reminded that the passion and principle that lived inside of Wendi is living on well beyond her own life.
I think the most memorable moment for me as we celebrated her life this weekend was the story from the woman in Los Angeles. Wow! So powerful.
My friend Wendi worked tirelessly for the unborn. She was passionate about leading women to other options, even doing things that others might call radical to make a point. And this weekend, as we celebrated her life in Grass Valley with her parents and other friends/family who knew her, her passion was made crystal clear......
Sitting in the church building listening to words about a woman he hardly knew, a young man heard how his mother went to a clinic in Los Angeles and was going to abort him but was greeted by Wendi, who encouraged her to know that God loved her and the child in her womb, that there were options. Through a course of events, the woman kept the child - Wendi threw her a baby shower, loved this woman the best she could. The woman had her son and then years came between them until a few years ago when they reconnected through Facebook. Now, at Wendi's funeral, this woman and her son were there to pay tribute to a woman who God used to changed the course of their lives.
Wendi and I worked together in college campus ministry in Los Angeles. One thing that stands out to me most often is her authenticity and her love for God. She was a very real person, no pretense, no falsehood, and I loved that about Wendi. She was also a prayer warrior. She could pray for things with fervor and I appreciated that about her.
Over the last few years when she found out she was sick with cancer, she made the effort to connect with me since she moved back to Northern Cal and I was in Reno. James got to meet her at Shakespeare on the Lake as we met up with her and Adrea and the following year in Sacramento with another mutual friend, Lara. My final time to see her was in Genoa, Nevada, when she came to visit along with Leo, Pat and Julianne Lawson. A brief reunion in an ice cream shop and we talked about making it to Jeremy's wedding in October. It never happened, as I got busy and her health was still failing.
God, thank you for saving Wendi in High School. Thank you for placing her in my life and for her quiet, subtle but strong witness for you. I rejoice that she is with you today as to be absent from the body is to be in your presence. We will miss her life here on earth but will cherish the gift you gave us in her. Please comfort her family now and speak your words of comfort to them. Wendi, you lived a beautiful life. Thank you for being obedient to your creator, for caring for the things that he cared about. You are a gift, a blessing, a treasure. I celebrate your beautiful life.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Stay with it....
In the morning, I've been listening to the Message Bible on my Ipod. It's a great way to multi-task.
This morning I listened to Matthew 24. In light of all that's going on in the world, I found this scripture as one to hold on to. The Best part??
"STAY WITH IT TO THE END. YOU WON'T BE SORRY AND YOU'LL BE SAVED." - Again, you earn your ending! (See my last entry!)
"...His disciples approached and asked him, "Tell us...What will be the sign of your coming, that the time's up?" Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming....In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in—nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes. Staying with it—that's what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved. All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.....(v 32) Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner. So it is with you: When you see all these things, you'll know he's at the door. Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for all of you. This age continues until all these things take place. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out. But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.
This morning I listened to Matthew 24. In light of all that's going on in the world, I found this scripture as one to hold on to. The Best part??
"STAY WITH IT TO THE END. YOU WON'T BE SORRY AND YOU'LL BE SAVED." - Again, you earn your ending! (See my last entry!)
"...His disciples approached and asked him, "Tell us...What will be the sign of your coming, that the time's up?" Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming....In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in—nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes. Staying with it—that's what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved. All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.....(v 32) Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer's just around the corner. So it is with you: When you see all these things, you'll know he's at the door. Don't take this lightly. I'm not just saying this for some future generation, but for all of you. This age continues until all these things take place. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out. But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)