As Long As He Gives Me Breath!

My dad at my daughter's birthday.

My dad had a stroke on Mother’s day.  It seems weird to see that sentence typed on my screen. Eight words that are just letters from the alphabet, but those little letters arranged in that certain way have changed my family.  Right now there are so many questions and “what if” thoughts rolling around in my head.  There are simply not enough answers to solve all the problems that my mom and dad face right now.  At times all these circumstances can leave me feeling overwhelmed and inadequate.

Since Easter, my daughter had an emergency appendectomy.  My father-in-law had an emergency gallbladder removal and now my dad’s stroke.  We are all so thankful that they are with us today.  I cannot put into words my deep gratitude to God for His hand of protection.  But, I have been traveling on an emotional roller coaster and I am ready for the ride to be done.  When life hits hard like it has my family or when we find ourselves being attacked by the enemy, how do I react?

Easter 2011

During times like this, it becomes very clear what I cannot do.    I cannot keep bad things from happening.  I cannot control outcomes.  I even cannot kiss it and make it all better.  I feel so helpless and at times frustrated.  There is only one sure thing I can do or control through all of "life" stuff and that is my reaction.

My reaction is a choice.  Sure I have many feelings that flow through me during rough, discouraging, and hard times some of them not so good…hey I am only human.  But how I express those feelings is what I can control.  I choose to react the way God would have me to react.  Sometimes that can be genuinely hard to do, especially when you are really angry or hurt.  Gods just simply asks us to trust even in the middle of tough things.

Christmas program 2011

The last few days, I have been reminded about how much God loves me.  Not only does He love me, but He also gives me everything I need.  He provides for me spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally.  He brings friends and family to carry my family and encourage us.  He is all and does more than we can imagine.  He holds us in the palm of His hand. 

Starting a new church in the months ahead is a lot of work.  All these seemingly bad things that have happened in the last month and half could really discourage John and I and distract us.  However, I have to know that no matter what we face God is on our side.  He has strengthened my resolve.  He has strengthened my determination.  And when I have done all (Eph. 6), I have decided …..I will stand firm.

Bay City last fall 2011

I was told during boot camp that we would face difficult times and attacks from Satan.  I really did not like hearing those words.  I cringed just at the thought of it.  In fact, I quickly buried those thoughts.  Of course, nobody wants to deal with stuff like that, I am no different.  I really like what George Wood posted on his facebook recently, “Paul does not say, "Everything that happens to us is good." Rather, the apostle declares, "God works good in all things." (Rom 8:28) (Man, I needed to hear that today!)

I read this verse about a week ago and I think God gave it to me for this very season of my life. I've been meaning to blog about this verse.  I just did not know this is how this blog would unfold.

Psalm 116

¹ I love the Lord because he hears my voice
    and my prayer for mercy.
² Because he bends down to listen,
    I will pray as long as I have breath!

I have prayed this as a prayer constantly since I read it. Little did I know how much I needed those few words written on paper so long ago and how they would impact my life right now.   I love the image of God in this passage.  I see Him as a dad bending down to help His daughter.   My Father not only loves me, He bends down to me, hears me, and takes care of me.  He is working all things together for my good and for my family’s good.  He has called me and I will answer that call.  

In bad times, good times, I will pray to my Jesus as long as He gives me breath!

GET JOY!

God is Bringing People Together!

Have you ever played organized sports?  I did once.  I played girls softball in the 8th grade.  Hahahaha I laugh just thinking about myself playing that year.  You probably would have laughed at me as well.  Let's just say I am not a very sporty kinda girl.  I do much better with a paintbrush than a bat.  But can you imagine me being the only person on that team???  I was bad enough on my own.  Me.... being the only player would mean certain disaster. It just couldn't be done.  I need others to make up a team to play the game.   Actually, if were just me, my sorry one person team would just be disqualified and I wouldn't even be able to play. 


Well, church planting is the same.  I cannot build a new church all by myself.  The thought makes me actually shiver.  My hubby, as brilliant as he is, cannot do it by himself.  He would probably drop dead from a heart attack or have a nervous breakdown.  Ask yourself this question,  "Should one person start a new church all by themselves?"  You would probably come to the conclusion that the answer is NO!


Why? For two reasons...


#1.  It is God's job to build His Church! I love this verse...

Psalm 127

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.

¹ Unless the Lord builds a house,
    the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
    guarding it with sentries will do no good.

If we try to do any building on our own it is in vain.  I do not want anything I do to be useless.  I want it to have value.   I want God to be glorified. 


Because of reason...
 #2.  It is not about me!


It is about the body of Christ reaching out to those who do not know Him.  I cannot reach everyone; because of so many reasons.  The main reason that it is simply impossible for me to connect with 14,000 lost people in our new home town.  We need a team working together to accomplish such a task if we are to reach others with the good news of Jesus. 

Philippians 2:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

² Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

What is our mind and purpose.   

Here is our mission statement... 

It has been so cool to see God bring together people that would never have worked together on their own.  God is building a core group of people to come and work with us in Bay City.   He is bringing together the right people, with the right skills, with the right personal stories to come together and do something amazing in our new town.   Here are some of the most wonderful people already coming to work with us.

 Pastor Chris and Pastor Elaine Hooton are both ordained ministers with the Assemblies of God.  They already live in Bay City and are so excited about partnering with us in this new church plant.  Pastor Chris is the coffee guru.  So expect an amazing cup of coffee when you come and visit our church.    He has such a passion for children's ministry it just makes my heart feel happy.  Pastor Elaine is very creative and full of talents.  She is a very remarkable woman of God.  She knows her way around a computer and graphic design too...thank goodness.   God knew we needed that kind of wonderful help.  John and I are so pleased to have them as part of the Riverfront team. 



Angie has been working with us at our home church here in Gladwin for a few years now and she will be commuting to Bay City to help out.  She is so energetic and so about building God's kingdom.  She has the biggest, most kind heart I know! She spent a year in Australia at Hillsong's school.  There she learned a great deal about ministry and God's plan for His church.  She is just one of those kind of people that make you feel so good after being with them.   

Even my family is joining in on the fun.  My parents just sold their home in the Detroit area and will being moving north.   They have so many talents and abilities that I would be writing on and on and on and on.  I think you got the picture.   My parents have been Christ followers for so long.  It will be fun to be in the same city working together doing what God has called us all to do. 

There are more people that I am sure will be joining us that I know about and do not know yet.  I cannot wait to introduce you to them in the future.  But for now we have the makings of the most remarkable team.  

I can hardly wait for launch day!  I am so excited!

GET JOY!

I Hate Waiting!

One of my all time favorite movies is the Princess Bride.  There is a scene that keeps coming to my mind this morning. 

Inigo Montoya: I donna suppose you could speed things up?
Man in Black: If you're in such a hurry, you could lower a rope or a tree branch or find something useful to do.
Inigo Montoya: I could do that. I have some rope up here, but I do not think you would accept my help, since I am only waiting around to kill you.
Man in Black: That does put a damper on our relationship.
Inigo Montoya: But, I promise I will not kill you until you reach the top.
Man in Black: That's VERY comforting, but I'm afraid you'll just have to wait.
Inigo Montoya: I hate waiting.


Hahahaha I just love this funny scene between those two characters.  What a casual conversation between a guy arduously climbing the cliffs of insanity and a guy waiting to kill him?!  Inigo Montoya just had to "wait" to do his job and that was to take care of the man in black once he reached the top.

There is this unexpected "waiting" in church planting.  Now I am not waiting around ready to enter a sword fight with the man in black....but I am hating the "waiting".  God has a job for us to do in Bay City and that is to reach those who have never heard His name.  He wants us to go and be His arms stretched out to those in need.

 But, it is so hard to do that and hour away.  

I am so excited about the vision God has placed in our hearts.   I am so excited about the ideas and dreams He has given us to do in our new town.  I feel like a kid waiting to open their gifts at Christmas.  Honestly, I want to be moved over there now.  I want to be busy doing what God has called us to do.

But, we have to sell our house. 

We have plans.  We have goals.  We have dates and dead lines.  We have a team that is growing.  We have people already there wanting an Assembly of God church in our new city.

But, we can't leave yet .....we have things to finish here first.

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting....it can be frustrating!  I hate waiting!

Waiting is a part of life!

Ugh!

 BUT, learning to wait on the Lord is a virtue a virtue that is very hard lesson for me to learn. In some ways, waiting is like waiting for my spring flowers to bloom.  It seems like forever for those sweet little flowers to peek their petals out from their green buds.  But when they do it is perfect, beautiful and so fragrant. 

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.

Psalm 62:5

Waiting is an act of OBEDIENCE!

When I wait on Him, I show Him that I am willing to allow Him to move in His perfect timing.  If I try to make things "move faster"  then I am doing what He has called me to do in my own efforts.  That is not God building His Church that is me building mine.  Ouch!  There is obedience even in the waiting.  Huh... I think I will chew on that for awhile.

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Psalm 27:14

Waiting is an act of TRUST!
When I wait on God, I learn to trust Him more.   There are something's I cannot make happen, no matter how hard I try.  I cannot make someone buy my house.  I have to trust in God's call for us to move to Bay City.  If he has asked us to move, He will provide the buyer at the right time.  I have to trust Him for that!  No options...just trust! 

But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently

Romans 8:25

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Romans 15:4

When I choose to wait, God will build His church in His perfect timing.  Then and only then will this new church in Bay City be a perfect, beautiful and fragrant offering to the Lord.  Today, I will choose to wait.  Not because I like it, He never said I had to like it;  but as and act of obedience and trust.  I will wait bravely, courageously, patiently, and confidently before the Lord. Then I will watch His promises be fulfilled and see something amazing blossom.

 While I wait, I will...

GET JOY!

The pictures of the flowers are from around my house this morning!  Trillium, Lilly of the Valley, Columbine and my Lilacs!

The Name Game

Christina!
Christina, Christina bo Bina Bonana Fanna Fo Fina
Fee Fy Mo Mina, Christina!


Hahahaha I loved singing that song as a kid.  I know it is not quite right with my name...but that is how I made it work.  I love my name.  I always have been very thankful for the beautiful name my parents picked out for me.  Yes, I could never find it printed on anything as a kid like fun barrettes, key chains or stickers...bummer.  But, I loved my name.   


Names are so much fun.  Names have a lot of meaning.  Sometimes those names came bring a smile, a special memory, heartbreak, thoughts, or even love.  Names are important. 


The right name for our new church is important too and not so much a game!  A church name can evoke so many kind of feelings as well.  We wanted to pick the right one.  The list of names was long at first, a brainstorm of sorts.  Then that list became more narrow...until one jumped out at us!

Here is our name for our new church in Bay City...

We just love it and it feels just right for our new community.  May God bless this new church and our prayer is when people hear the name they will know and feel Jesus.

GET JOY!

Strength In Numbers

Never, in all of my days, have I ever felt the strength of the body of Christ like I have today.   Today, we had a meeting with surrounding Assembly of God churches about joining with us as we start a new church in Bay City.  I am so encouraged as I see the family of God come together and fulfill the Great Commission found in 

Matthew 28:19.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Several churches are joining with us and helping us plant this new church in our new town.  I have never left a meeting so excited; because, seeing God's people working together to do something great is inspiring.  God is truly making church planting fun!   John and I felt such love and support.  I think simply knowing we literally have an army of believers surrounding us is empowering.  

We also want to encourage other churches to be planters too.  If we can help inspire pastors and lay people to do the same, we could not be more pleased.  Growing God's family in our town and other communities is our passion and God's desire.

At our meeting, we were able to share our vision, mission, and journey with these great men and women of God. We then were able to share some opportunities for them to become involved.   Here is our timeline, events and ministry opportunities that we are providing.   
 

Everyone, please join us in prayer!  We cannot do this in our strength.  We are finding that out very quickly.  We need God's strength and His wisdom every single step of the way.  If you cannot partner with us by sending teams or by giving, we ask that you partner with us in prayer.  God can do far more than anything we can come up with or contrive.  We need Him and His followers!  


If God is speaking to your heart about Bay City, please contact us.  We would love to hear from you.  Check in on my blog often and hear the amazing God stories that are happening each month as me move to our new home.  

Everyday, I am amazed about what Christ is doing. 

GET JOY!

Left, Left, Left, Right, Left!

This past week, John and I went to boot camp. A church planting boot camp through Church Multiplication Network.  Wow...It was intense...really intense and oh sooo good.

We answered six key questions...
What does God want me to do?
Who am I?
What am I sent to do?
How will we do it?
Who will do it with me?
How will we evaluate our progress?

One thing that I discovered is that boot camp will do one of two things...

1. Give you the tools to accomplish the plan God  has burning in your hearts.

2. Or you will have a clear understanding that God has not called you to church plant but support those who do.

I could never remotely sum up all that God spoke to us over the last 5 days; but here are some quick ones:

Our vision for Bay City is now God sized!
That God has prepared our lives from the moment we where born to be the very best people to do this job.
God has very clearly mapped out His vision and mission for Bay City.
We must be intentionally reaching those who do not know Christ.
We can't do this alone.  God is already calling people to come along side of us.
We have to stay on assignment!

I feel overwhelmed; but I feel confident. Not because of my own abilities; but because of God's!

  If you are reading this and are considering planting a church...absolutely go to CMN boot camp. It will radically change the way you start and do church.

We are so excited to start this adventure!

Get Joy!

Home for Sale!

Our 3 bedroom, 1 & 1/2 bath, full garage, cutesy house is up for sale today. It is a little bitter sweet. We moved into this house as a family of three and we are moving out as a family of five + a dog. Thank you Lord for a dependable home.

God has blessed our home.
Everybody now pray for a miracle.....that it sells!

GET JOY!

We Are On Facebook!

Our new church plant has a facebook page!  Go and "like" it....go on...

Bay City Church Plant!

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What Seems To Be Our Biggest Hurdle!

We began a process yesterday that John and I have never done before.  John's friend came over.   He is a realtor.  We are putting our home up for sale in the next two weeks.  I know God has called us to plant a church.  However, I have a wide range of feelings about the whole moving thing. 

I am disappointed.  We found out how much our home is worth.  I now understand the housing crisis our state and country is in.  Thankfully, we owe less then what it is worth.  Sadly, that is not true for a lot of hard working Americans. It is so sad to hear how much less our house is worth than when we bought it.   

At our home just after our 2nd daughter was born.

I am concerned.  We want to be over in Bay City this summer.  That is what we are feeling God wants us to do.  But honestly after talking to the realtor I think a miracle is in order.  There are so many homes in foreclosure right now and going for next to nothing.  People are looking for deals.  I am concerned people will not want our home; because it is not necessarily a deal. 

My two girls winging in the yard.

I am worried.   I do not see how we can sell our house in 6 months at the price we want.  Then where does that leave us in transitioning over to Bay City?  Are we going to be able to find a home that works for our family?  I do not know these answers.  This seems like such a big hurdle. 

Christmas at our home.

I am sad.  This is our first home.  Two of my babies have been born here.  We have cried, laughed, celebrated, grown and loved in this house.  Now it is time to start packing up boxes and saying good bye to this house that has sheltered us for almost 10 years.  So many memories and so much joy in this old house. 

Watching TV with our new little guy!

I feel overwhelmed.  There is some work that needs to be done before we list it; work that needs to be done in the next two weeks.  UGH!  We don’t have a lot of time to do this work; but somehow we have to make it work.  We shall see how it all gets done.

Celebrating Birthdays!

I am excited.   Yes, there are some positive feelings in the midst of all the negative ones.   It is so much fun looking at new houses.  I love, love, love it!  It is fun to dream.  It’s fun to explore new possibilities.  It is great hearing the kids request….stairs, their own rooms.  New home shopping is a blast. 

Yup, there are a lot emotions stirring inside of me.   I am human.  It amazes me how earthly things can cloud my vision so quickly.  This house thing is really a small thing to my God and yet it seems so huge to me.  It is so easy for me to not trust.   However, I am choosing to trust.  I am going to trust in God.  He is tried and true!  I am going to trust His promises. 

Girls room redone!

Romans 8
25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

And I am going to cling to this verse...

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Playing the Wii in the living room with friends.

If He has called us to Bay City…He is going to move us.  He is going to take care of our home.  He has it all figured out already.  I need to let go of my house and “Let God”. He is going to meet our need.  I am choosing to trust His Word.  

Hebrews 13

²¹ may he equip you with all you need
      for doing his will.
   May he produce in you,
      through the power of Jesus Christ,
   every good thing that is pleasing to him.
      All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Thank you Lord for our home.  God’s got this!

GET JOY

The View From My Camera......Our New City!

My hubby wanted some pictures of our new city we will be calling home.  So, you can imagine my excitement, "You want me to take pictures....Absolutely, Yes!" 

Had to grab this shot.  Love it!

Okay, so read the sign....seriously!  You have got to be kidding me.  We laughed; but it is kind of sad.

One of my favorite shots of the day!

Where we ate our yummy lunch today....thanks Vinny!

Down at the riverfront park.  I stood in the fountain for this one.

St. Boniface, what a beautiful church.

Old Methodist church, this city has some beautiful old churches.

I had a great time with my camera today.  Sadly, I shot in automatic mode; because I didn't have time.  Next time though,  I will practice in manual.  I am still pretty happy with my pictures. I can't wait to o back and get some more!

I love my camera!

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