I thought I would post this update from my cousin, Jessica who many of you were her precious prayer warriors last fall when she was in a near fatal car accident with a couple of her friends. God sure answers prayers!
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Jessica's long overdue visit to Deshoe
Posted by Jessica D Lafrenz on August 22, 2008 at 11:13am in Health View Discussions
Hey all! I haven't been on here in ages.... =0 sorry about that. But I wanted to get on and let everyone know that I am doing very well. After this last surgery they did it looks like my legs are finally healing so I have been walking a bunch more now =) YAY for me! I am starting work again after almost a year on disability in September.. so just about a week and a half I think. I am almost going to graduate with TWO associate's degrees in college! DOUBLE YAY! =) (im really excited about that) Probably in need of one more surgery but after all that I have been through I should be a pro at it by the time they do that one so it won't keep me down for long!
Tootles!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Update on Jessica
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Believing God
In preparing for the Believing God study starting Sept. 8th, I've been studying faith in Scripture. Here's a high overview of what I've found. Faith is used more than 259 times in the Bible which reflects the importance of faith. Not only for salvation but also in continuing our faith walk on a daily basis with God. It brings to mind a song I used to sing in vacation bible school as a child
Trust and Obey
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Here are some scriptures that reveal how faith impacts and should reflect in our lives.
We are told to continue in faith, to be steadfast in faith, abounding in faith, established in faith, sincere in faith. We are also told to pursue faith in 1 Tim 6:11 along with other pursuits of righteousness, godliness, love, patience, gentlness. In 1 Tim 6:12 we are told a good fight is the good fight of faith! The just shall live by faith it tell us in Hebrews 10 and that it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith in Hebrews 11:6. We are told that God is the author and finisher of our faith in Hebrews 12:2 and that our faith will be tested according to James 1:3. 1 Cor 2:5 our faith is not to be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. I have to shout Hallelujah Christ is risen because according to 1 Cor 15:14 if Christ didn't rise from the dead my faith would be empty. 2 Cor 5:7 we are to walk by faith not by sight - I know that is a difficult one for me but God has been stretching me quite a lot in that area recently! 2 Cor 13:5 we are told to examine our faith to see if we are in the faith. I live by faith in the Son of God it tells me in Gal 3:11. One of the gifts of faith is the promise of the Spirit through faith Gal 3:14. We have a weapon to use against all the fiery attacks of the devil which is the shield of faith Eph 6:16. If we use that with the other weapon the sword of the Spirit - Victory! The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith Rom 1:17. We are justified by faith Rom 3:28 and our faith is accounted to us as righteousness Rom 4:5,9. Faith gives us access Rom 5:2. One more, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God Rom 10:17
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
NOGS
Having finished the NOGS(No Other Gods)/Kelly Minter study online with Beth Moore and getting ready to dive into Believing God on September 8th made me reflect on how much the body of Christ is blessed with gifted Bible teachers. Having fresh and new perspectives shown from their gift of teaching which help us reflect on life's issues that challenge us to examine ourselves against the Word of God on what needs to be given over, relinquished, repented from, surrendered, and broken free from in our lives. Not just for freedom sake alone but to be free to live the life God has purposed and planned for us for His glory. To recognize that fact alone is HUGE when you think of all the daily implications in a person's life that envelopes. My greatest desire is that I never fail to walk moment by moment with Him as the center. That I respond automatically out of the Spirit versus my own selfish desires. I pray that I continue to have a thirst and desire for Him and that I don't get complacent with mediocrity.
One of my favorite quotes from the NOGS study this summer is "He brought us out . . . to bring us in." We say goodbye to say hello. When we surrender our "idols" and empty ourselves, God is there to fill it!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
ULO'S SITED
Unidentified Living Objects were sited at the Hale household recently! Look for the article posted in the National Enquirer coming soon. Scientists are trying to determine where and how these "creatures" arrived. At first observation, they seem to be docile, pleasant, and relatively friendly. But the jury is still out on whether this calm demeanor is an attempt to lure you into thinking they are "friendly's" only to cause you to let your guard down before they "pounce!" Please report any additional sightings to the National ULO Center located in Washington, D.C.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Sisterhood of the PVC Peeps
I am blessed for the many friendships I've made with my precious sisters in Christ from church. What an encouragement, inspiration, and testimony they have been walking in their faith walk with God.
For the peeps I've known for years it has been a wonderful life walk together through many different seasons of our lives together. We've been on the mountain tops and we have been in the valleys of life together as life as directed our paths in a vast array of directions. However, I am ever so grateful for the lessons I've learned walking in faith together and praising God for the highs and the lows with you.
Some of the peeps I've known for a short time; but I am amazed at how precious they become in your life in what seems like a blink of an eye! They have encouraged my faith by reflecting their amazing faith and trust in Christ through some amazingly tough trials in their lives that they face currently. Being able to observe and hear their amazing faith has been such a precious blessing during this time in my life! Isn't God wonderful bringing people into our lives to touch us in the different facets that we need a special word of encouragement, a special word of faith, or a "special" word of admonition?
So for all the "peeps" out there, I love you and I appreciate you tremendously! I thank God for bringing your walk in life across my life path. God bless you abundantly as you have abundantly blessed my life with your friendships!
Friday, August 1, 2008
"You Choose, Dad"
"You Choose, Dad!"
Reflections on the sudden departure of my son to Heaven
By Greg Laurie
Thursday, July 24, 2008 was the most devastating day of my life. The unimaginable happened.
We never think about our children leaving this earth before us. But it happened when my son, Christopher, was suddenly called to heaven.
At first, I couldn't comprehend the news. It was like the worst dream I had ever had, and I wanted to wake up. But I couldn't. Friends and family were immediately at our side—loving, hugging, and holding us.
But in the end, there are no answers for a situation like the loss of a son.
In accepting God's will, Job said,
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked shall I return.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21 NKJV)
In acceptance, there is peace, but not always answers. God grants us "a peace that passes understanding," not one that necessarily gives understanding. There is no "why" in the midst of our pain, just "what" and "who."
I loved my son with all of my heart, but I have to say, he gave us some hard moments. He would be the first to admit that he had been a prodigal at a point in his life. But his mother and I always loved him and prayed for him. He knew that, and we know he loved us.
The last years of his life were glorious. He had committed himself completely to the Lord, and wanted to serve God with his talent. And he was so talented.
People would often come up to me and say, "Greg, your son Christopher is an artist just like you!" The truth is, he was a far greater artist and more talented then I ever was.
He designed much of what we see around us in this year's Southern California Harvest campaign, including bumper stickers, posters, and flyers. This is how he was serving God, by creating beautiful art that pointed people to the beautiful message of the gospel.
If there is one thing I'd ask people to do to pay tribute to Christopher and to serve God in this particular moment, it would be to make sure you get a Harvest Crusades bumper sticker on your car, and put up posters around Southern California.
There is a selfish reason for me asking this, for Christopher—or "Topher," as we called him—poured his life into that design. In fact, he designed my personal Web site, our Harvest webpage, almost all of my book covers, and so many other things. Every time I see one of those stickers on a car, I point it out to whoever is in the car with me and say, "Topher designed that!"
But the reason he designed these stickers and all of the other art he designed or had a hand in, was to use his gifts to serve God. He wasn't called to preach specifically (though he could speak effectively and persuasively when he wanted to).
Christopher's calling was to use his artistic skills to glorify God and point others to Christ. He also poured his heart into the design of this year's Harvest Crusades event at Angel Stadium, as well as the crusades to come later this year in Philadelphia and New York City. He loved to see people come to Christ, and that is why he did what he did—and why I do what I do.
When we were in Israel several months back, Christopher made a public proclamation of his new dedication of the past few years by being baptized in the Sea of Galilee, where our Lord began His ministry. I had baptized him in the Jordan River in Israel, when he was a young child, but this time he was doing it to acknowledge what God had been doing in his life.
Christopher and Brittany had recently begun hosting a Bible study in their home for others to grow spiritually. We were marveling at what the Lord was doing in their lives.
I cry for my son every day. Sometimes, every hour. Sometimes, every few minutes. I miss him and I wish I could take his place, but I can't.
My wife Cathe is grieving with me. She is the most godly woman I have ever known. I cannot imagine why the Lord allowed me to have such a wonderful wife.
My son Jonathan has been our rock, and has helped me to think through the many decisions we are facing in this difficult hour. God is going to use him mightily.
My daughter-in-law Brittany is a sweet and lovely woman of God. She is trusting God through all of this, and opening her heart to whatever His will may be. And Brittany's family has been an amazing source of support to their daughter every step of the way.
In the midst of this tragedy, I have been reading and thinking about 2 Timothy, the fourth chapter in particular. I felt that there was a part for both Christopher and me. My part (and really our part) begins in verse 2:
"Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you." (2 Timothy 4:2–5 NLT)
Those are my marching orders, and that is what I intend to do by God's grace and with His help with even a great commitment and passion.
Christopher's part is found in the verses immediately following, beginning in verse 7:
"I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return." (vv. 7–8 NLT)
No life is an incomplete life.
Christopher completed his task. He finished his race (he used to be quite the runner when he was younger, too!), and he is safely in the arms of Jesus. But I will be honest with you; I still deeply, deeply miss him.
My wife, Cathe, was the greatest of all mothers to Christopher, from the time he was little through the years of his young manhood. She never stopped praying for him.
Christopher would make us beautiful cards by hand each year, be it for our birthdays or Mother's Day or Father's Day. For his mom, whom he loved so much, he gave her a special shadow box with a photo of him, an image of a cross, and a little piece of paper with a statement by President Abraham Lincoln, which said, "I remember my mother's prayers, and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all life."
There is a story I have often told about a time I took Topher shopping for Star Wars figures in the late '70s. I had told him to pick out one he wanted. He thought about it a long time, and finally decided on one of the small figurines from the bottom shelf, which as I recall, was the Han Solo one.
Meanwhile, I had been looking three shelves up at Solo's spacecraft, the Millennium Falcon. I said, "Well, why don't we get this to go with your new figure?"
His little eyes lit up. "Dad! Thank you!" And he gave me a big hug.
We would come home from the toy store with some big new prize like this, and sometimes my wife would roll her eyes, because we really couldn't afford it. But then Topher and I would run upstairs to his room, plop on the floor, open up the toys, and play with them together.
Looking back now, I don't regret any of it. Nor does my wife.
After a while, Christopher learned that when we were in a toy store and I asked him what he wanted, his best bet was to say, "You choose, Dad!" And I would always get him something better than he would have chosen for himself.
I have often used that as an illustration to point out that we should let God choose for us, and never be afraid to commit an unknown future to a known God. God's plans for you will always be better than your plans for yourself (see Jeremiah 29:11—13).
Now in this moment of crisis, I am the son and I am in the place where I am saying to God, "You choose." It's not the choice I would make, but I believe He has chosen well, and I rejoice that my son in heaven with Jesus Christ.
My heart is broken, but I also know I will see him again. This all has made heaven closer and earth less attractive to me. It has increased my burden for people who do not know the Lord. I have a personal investment in heaven.
Thank you for your prayers—and even for your expressions of personal pain. People have written me from all around the world with such beautiful, touching, encouraging words. I have been called by great men and women of God who have spoken into my life in ways I have never heard before, about what the Lord will do through these days of loss and grieving.
It is a luxury I do not deserve.
Many of you knew our Topher and loved him, too. But this we know, our faith is real. There is Life—Life with a capital "L"—after death.
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:25 NKJV).
And then He must have looked His friend Martha right in the eyes, and said, "Do you believe this?" (v. 26)
I do believe it.
Jesus also said, "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life" (John 5:24 NLT).
Thank God for that hope. I trust you have it, too. If you don't, I invite you to go to a site my son designed, where you will find out more.
http://www.knowgod.org
Greg Laurie
July 31, 2008 © 2008 Harvest Online; All Rights Reserved.ContactChristopher Laurie
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