LUVGOD2

Session 6 - Email

2011-04-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

I LOVED digging for the treasure in Session 6! Chiastic structure, inverted parallelism, and peripety took on a whole new meaning! God doesn't cease to amaze us does he not? Seeing the different levels of His word is breathtaking! It never gets old or boring!

In addition to studying the depths of structure in His word, we studied The Reversal of Destiny also known as Reversal of Fortune. Situations of this occur over and over again throughout the Bible and as we reflect on our own individual lives we can identify the moments that has happened in our lives as well. Seeing God's providence in our own lives and recognizing his "hand" on specific circumstances or situations in our lives emphasizes how truly precious God is in our lives. He is reliable, faithful, just, healer, intercessor, refuge, patient, merciful and gracious just to name a few of his precious attributes.

God bless you as you study in His word and search for areas that He would like to have apply in your lives!

I would like to encourage those who haven't been able to come to class due to work, illness, life, or whatever - to come back! You won't be disappointed with what He want to reveal to you through this study! In addition, we MISS YOU!!

Updates on the class blog are available at www.estherpalmvalley.blogspot.com

Be strong and courageous - our God reigns! He will never leave you or forsake you!

Spring Session 2011

2011-01-23T14:11:00.000-08:00

God is amazing is he not? We had our Spring Session KickOff Friday night and I loved hearing some of the connections that God orchestrated that night! Precious!

Watching the PVC women interacting with each other and getting to know one another was truly a heartfelt blessing! Hearing their song in praise and worship - again precious!

I am excited to see what God has planned for the 11 classes that will be starting the first week in February! I know that those with an open heart and mind to His word will not go away disappointed! Ever!!!

I love the verse He gave me this year to focus on it is simple and succinct but oh, mighty, mighty BIG to seek after and pursue!

Eccl. 12:13 Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.

Solomon at the end of his years looking over and reviewing life summarized it pretty powerfully in verse 13 I would say. First step - learning the all that reverential fear and worship of God entails. They way He wants to be worshiped and feared. Second step - keeping his commandments. I think if I nail down step one - step two should be a natural follow through. Glorifying Him and obeying Him! Seems so simple but yet can be so difficult in this life! I need to be deliberate and intentional in keeping my focus on Christ!

Cool New Pics - Instant Cold Fusion

2010-08-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

Cool new pics of my son's band, Instant Cold Fusion!

PVC Women's Ministry Kick Off

2010-08-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

Amazingly spectacular was last night at the PVC Women's Ministry Kick-Off! I praise and am extremely grateful for THE BEST women's ministry team around! A huge shout out to all of them! They did a fabulous job and their support was enormous! Thank you!!!

I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for the women at Palm Valley Church! Shock and Awe us Lord as you always faithfully do!

LOL

2010-07-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

I had to LOL when I saw that my last blog was over a year ago! Wow, time flies! A lot has happened since my last posting some wonderful things and some tragic things. But, through all the highs and lows this past year has tossed my way, I must say I am forever grateful that I have a God who is my security, my strength and my rock!

I'm finishing my last session of Here and Now/There and Then a study of Revelation tomorrow night with some amazing women from PVC. What a tremendous study - definitely hard and painful at times but glorious in the end! To know that our Lord will be coming in ALL His glory and that all power and honor belong to Him! Blessed am I to have been given the gift of salvation!

I'm excited about what God has in store for the women at PVC with the new Fall session of classes that will be offered. When I look back to when I started the first class 4 years ago, I love seeing the insights and truths of God's word that has helped me in more ways than I can count through all the trials that have come my way in the past 4 years. I am grateful that God is a personal God one who cares deeply for His children! Blessed am I to know that I can come into His throne room night or day and He is waiting to talk with me! It's a beautiful thing!

Amazing Home Team

2009-07-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

I am blessed with an amazing Home Team. One that keeps in contact with our former fearless leaders, Jonathan and Laurie Shaw who moved clear cross country to Georgia over 3 1/2 years ago and still we have the opportunity to visit and share together as they were coming through AZ last night!

ABBY TRACY

2009-03-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

What an amazing story this young woman has and what an inspiration!

http://africa-love.ning.com/profile/AbbyTracy

Please sign the petition to protect pro-life doctors!

2009-03-21T20:48:00.001-07:00

Defend the Conscience Clause

You have strong convictions, but President Obama says that doesn’t matter. He’s ready to rescind the Conscience Clause. The Conscience Clause was implemented by former President George W. Bush to give physicians and nurses the choice to act according to their conscience — to not participate in abortion procedures if it conflicts with their personal convictions. If President Obama makes this damaging move, if he reverses the Conscience Clause, pro-life doctors and nurses will be forced into performing abortion procedures, despite their individual beliefs. Defend the Conscience Clause and stand for the freedom to act according to your moral convictions. Please read the form below carefully and declare your membership with the ACLJ by adding your name to our Petition to Protect Pro-Life Doctors.

PETITION TO PROTECT PRO-LIFE DOCTORS

https://www.aclj.org/Petition/Default.aspx?sc=3419&ac=1

Wrinkles

2009-02-21T05:57:00.000-08:00

WRINKLES:
Something other people have,
similar to my character lines.

This gave me a whole new perspective on "aging!"

PRAYER REQUEST FOR JESSICA

2009-02-19T14:33:00.001-08:00

Many of you were faithful prayer warriors for my cousin Jessica, who was in a near fatal car accident. Please see the update from her grandmother and lift her up in prayer! Thank you so much for your intercession for her!

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Jessica is in the hospital being monitored for seizures. Her doctor is trying to track her seizures because there is a possibility that they could do surgery and remove that part of the brain that is causing the problem. I just spoke to her and she is off all her seizure medication which gives her a painful headache. She is hooked up to machines and now to a heart monitor as well. She has had one seizure which took her heart rate from 50 to 180 in the space of a couple of seconds. That is not normal. They were able to track the seizure, but it is so unusual that it was hard for them to make a definitive diagnosis. She has asked for prayer. She said it is a weird request, but she asked for prayer that she will have another seizure and they will be able to track it better. She is at Loma Linda and she is being closely watched, but she is only 21 and being confined to these machines 24/7 is difficult for her too. She will be there for another week. Thanks to all of you for your prayers. We appreciate your faithfulness.

Wonderful Story of God's Love and Acceptance

2009-02-08T17:34:00.001-08:00

Judge Roy Moore

2009-02-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

Some of you may be wondering what Judge Roy Moore has been doing since he was removed from the bench for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall. Please read the poem he wrote.

The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America the beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain

From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray

We've kept God in our
temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.
We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not
angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful,
If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

This says it all. May we all forward this message and offer our prayers for Judge Moore to be blessed and for America to wake up and realize what we need to do to keep OUR America the Beautiful.

Facebook

2009-02-05T02:33:00.001-08:00

I admit I'm a little slow with some of the "new" web stuff! I just recently joined the "Facebook" crowd and then I find out it's having its 5th year anniversary. What a blast it has been though!

"Seeing" people I hadn't seen in ages. Within a few weeks, I had the opportunity to "visit and catch up" with several people some of which happen to be the following: my youth pastor from many, many moons ago; a guy I went to school with since 2nd grade and he is now studying at Dallas Theological Seminary; one of my "amigas" from elementary school through high school who is now considering moving to AZ with her new husband; a guy I went to high school with that wanted to be a "pimp" and Prince was his idol who has given his life to Christ and is on fire for the Lord and promoting Christian concerts; a gal I went to church with after I first got married and she's now in TX and recently adopted a little boy from China; and many more!

Amazing updates on so many people's lives. One of the best benefits about these "visits" is that the "air" trip was free:)

Blessings

2009-01-17T20:14:00.000-08:00

Time is flying way too fast. Christmas and New Year's flew by. The kids back in school. Brandon graduating in a few months from high school. Ashley graduating in December this year. Brittany graduating next December. Officially, we'll be empty nesters but maybe not technically:) I'm too young for this!

Reflecting back over last year I love seeing God's amazing hand on the walk of my journey in life. I appreciate His faithfulness and His abundant grace he has shown to me and my family.

I am ever so grateful to the wonderful Christian sisters and my mentor who have been such an inspiration and a source of encouragement, help, shoulder to cry on, etc.

The two I met with today - unbelievable, remarkable women of faith! I was blessed by such truths and guidance that came from both of you! Thank you Lord for these women today and the others who have been such a blessing in my life. I look forward to seeing His handiwork at work this upcoming year.

Sidenote: Please pray for our new study starting this upcoming Monday,Jesus, The One and Only by Beth Moore. I know we are in for a wonderful "ride" of growth and a deeper appreciation for all that Christ did for us.

Praising Jesus Year

2008-12-28T18:35:00.000-08:00

As a lot of you know this has been an extremely difficult year for us. I am so grateful and thankful to my family in Christ for keeping us in your prayers.
God has grown my faith and stretched my faith in so many different ways during the tumultous times we have faced. The glorious part is I've been able to see Him in my "fires" and seen Him in the "waters" with me. Unfortunately, I've been like the disciples on some days when Christ was sleeping in the boat and they were "up in arms" about the storm. I'm so thankful of His response. That He's an active God and a responsive God. How blessed am I? Extremely!

For 2009, I am determined to give more glory and praise to the God I serve and love. He's my source, strength, strongtower, hiding place, shelter, and cornerstone. Oh, that I not forget or lose focus on the one who holds me in His hands. That He does have a purpose and a plan for me and that I be willing to submit to "His" plan. That my mind would be more like Christ each day being transformed by the renewing of my mind. Studying His word, having faith that He'll do what He says He'll do - believe more so that I see more - I have a huge God so why should I limit Him! He says He wants to do more than what I can expect or imagine. Please shock and awe me Lord in mighty and glorious ways! I'm so thankful for the ways He revealed Himself to me in 2008 and I'm looking forward to an amazing 2009! All glory and honor to you Lord!

Thanksgiving

2008-12-13T08:29:00.000-08:00

Santa's Little Helpers

2008-12-13T08:23:00.001-08:00

Pebbles had to get in on the "action!" He is Ashley's shadow.

BELIEVING GOD BEAUTIES

2008-11-19T05:45:00.000-08:00

This is my wonderful class of Believing God Beauties. We finished up our last session on Monday night. What a journey we were able to take together through God's Word and I am still reeling from how God showed up in mighty tremendous ways through this study. Marriages restored, depression lifted, financial gifts,& raising of funds to purchase 65 workbooks for Perryville Prison, are just a few of the ways God revealed Himself to us throughout this study! Praise you Lord!

We have been equipped to not just believe in God but to believe God! Believe that He is who He says He is, He can do what He says He can do, I am who He says I am, I can do all things through Christ, and His word is alive and active in me!

I'm Believing God!

CELL PHONE VS. BIBLE

2008-11-18T19:14:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

W-12/L-0

2008-11-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

Phoenix Christian Football has had an amazing season this year! Phoenix beat Scottsdale Christian High last night(24/21). The Cougars now play this upcoming Saturday in the state semi-finals against Benson.

This picture is of all the seniors on the team and who played their last game on their "home turf" last night! They did a phenomenal job and I was proud of them not only in their abilities on field but their respect in thanking God for the gifts that He's given them! Go Cougars!!!!!!! #78 is the BEST!!!! Guess who #78 might be?

THANK YOU LORD - ALL GLORY TO YOU!

2008-11-11T18:40:00.000-08:00

I am shouting Hallelujah We Have An Awesome God! As many of you know, we have been raising money since Oct. 23, 2008 to bring the Breaking Free Bible Study to the Perryville Prison Women. Well, God has shown up in a HUGE, HUGE, did I say HUGE way? The money was raised as of last night! Thank you Lord and ALL praise and glory to you! We have enough to purchase 65 workbooks and several donations of Bibles have flooded in as well!

I can't wait to see what God has planned with the transformed lives of the women and their families who will be touched in this ministry. Continue to lift up Sarah, Sylvia and Yvette who are the weekly warriors on Wednesday nights out there with the women as they pour Christ's love into them!

8 Days Until Election

2008-10-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

Please pray for our upcoming election! As believers in God, we need to be sure that the candidate we select is in agreement with what God's Word says. If the candidate is in opposition, the choice is clear! Please see the letter below from a pastor from Colorado springs who is pleading for us as Christ's church to pray, pray, pray, & pray! Remember Fear God!
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Dear Praying Friend,
In 2000, I wrote the 2nd most important letter of my life—a call to prayer for the elections of that year. I'm now writing what may be my most important letter. I knew the importance of those elections in 2000 was beyond any in my life up to that point and that the spiritual warfare surrounding them would be unlike anything any of us had ever seen. That letter was read by millions of people and I believe millions of them responded by praying. I also believe the prayers turned the tide.

You may question whether President Bush was the right choice; obviously, he has made some blunders in his tenure as president. But two of his decisions alone left no doubt he was God's choice: Roberts and Alito.

These two Supreme Court Justices have proven critical in the process of breaking the hold of humanism, death and anti-God agendas that have ruled the Court for 50 years. I assure you that more devastation—the shedding of innocent blood, immorality, decay of the family and an erosion of our godly heritage—has flowed into our nation through that institution than any other door in America. Many times more. The poison allowed into America through their decisions is beyond any of our abilities to articulate. The reality in America is that you don't need to control Congress or the White Hose to rule the nation. You only need 5 people – 5 out of 9 on the Supreme Court. And for decades those who disagree with just about everything you and I stand for have been in control!

In Bush's two terms, the process of turning this around began with the appointments of Roberts and Alito. Now, we win some cases 5-4 and lose some 4-5. (We barely outlawed partial birth abortion. The vote of one judge saved thousands of babies from this horror..) We need one more conservative Justice for a consistent majority, then more to build a strong majority.

In Obama's own words, 'the next president will appoint at least one, perhaps two or more Supreme Court Justices.' He's right. Almost certainly two or more older, liberal Justices are waiting until after the elections to retire, in hopes of Obama winning and appointing more liberals to replace them. And he certainly would. He voted against the confirmation of Roberts and Alito. So did Biden. And Biden led the fight against Justice Thomas several years back, another of the 4 solid conservatives. Make no mistake about it, the two of them do have a litmus test for Supreme Court Justices, and a major part of that test is Roe vs. Wade. McCain and Palin, on the other hand, both have very strong pro-life positions. This alone makes the choice for President simple. To vote for the 2nd and 3rd most liberal senators (Obama and Biden), both of whom are firmly and blatantly pro-abortion, would be unc onscionable.

Obama has actually said that if he wins, he would like his first action as president
to be the signing of the Freedom of Choice Act, which would eliminate every other
law against any aspect of abortion (partial birth abortion, parental notification, etc.). And with a democratic majority in the House and Senate, pretty much any legislation he and Biden want to pass will be a slam-dunk. There are many other unrighteous positions they hold but this position alone makes the choice easy. If they win this election, it will set America back decades in the cause of life and the restoration we seek.

Just as many of you do, I too, want to see a first black President, but not Senator Obama. To allow that noble and godly desire, the economy or one's position on the war to trump this issue of life and death for the innocent unborn is simply wrong. The scriptures teach that if we choose first to exalt righteousness and turn from evil, God promises to heal our land (see Proverbs 1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 7: 1 4). It is righteousness that exalts a nation, not wealth, prosperity or armies. If we will finish the process of removing the curses of death and anti-God laws off of America by electing a president that will continue to shift the Court, God will grace us with breakthrough in other areas such as the economy, the war against terrorism, etc. My faith is not in a person, and certainly not a political party, fo r the healing of America , but I know God's word and His ways well enough to know that our decisions do move Him to action or inaction. Now to the heart of my reason for writing this letter (I realize I am 'preaching to the choir'—most of you who know or listen to me are conservative enough to vote for McCain and Palin.)
I have not written any appeals for prayer concerning this election because: 1 ) others have, and 2) I believe our movement has matured to the point that the prayer base of the Church is already praying.

But I now feel the need to raise my voice. I am appealing to you to pray for these elections the next two weeks like you've never prayed for any in the past. Faithfully. Passionately. Boldly. Ask God for His mercy and grace. We deserve His judgment for removing His influence and authority from our government, schools, homes and businesses; for the killing of 50 million babies; for leading the world in the consumption and exporting of pornography; for passing laws to reject His; etc. But mercy triumphs over judgment and in His wrath He remembers mercy. In 2000 we actually lost the popular vote and won the election—talk about grace! Please pray for this grace to be released again.

But I am also asking you for something more than normal prayer. For those of you who understand spiritual warfare, I am asking you to also include this aspect of prayer. There is no doubt that we have entered a Daniel 1 0 moment in time: 'Then he said to me, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia'' (Daniel 1 0: 1 2- 1 3 NAS). The spiritual warfare in this election is incre dibly fierce, and just as it was in Daniel's day, is all about the restoration of a nation. And also like Daniel, we must keep praying until we win the battle in the heavens.

In August of this year I predicted that September would mark a shift in momentum for these elections. This happened with the appointment of Sarah Palin as the Vice President ial nominee (who is a true Esther in our generation), but when the economy began its meltdown and the media ramped up their unprecedented attacks on Palin, that momentum wasn't sustained. But we can see it turn again if we approach this battle as the spiritual warfare it truly is and bind the evil forces involved (see Matthew 1 6: 1 8- 1 9). The reality is that this election can be the breakthrough we need to fully shift the Court (and ultimately our nation) or it will be an immeasurable setback that could take many years to reverse—if ever. Please under stand what I am saying: if we engage in this battle and do what I am asking—in mass—we will win; if we do not, we will lose. I, for one, don't intend to allow the latter. I am in Washington , D.C. now (October 20-22) with Lou Engle and a team of prayer lea ders from around the nation to war for this election. Join us! Lose some sleep, miss some meals— pray! Pray like never before for these elections. And as you do, involve yourself not only in petitioning prayer but also in spiritual warfare. Use your God-given authority over the plans and strategies of satan's kingdom. Bind all witchcraft that is working to control the outcome, including occultic powers that are suppressing truth. Release Christ's Kingdom rule in every way the Holy Spirit leads you.

Don't be deceived and don't lose hope (if you have to, turn off the TV.) It is not too late to turn these elections. God is plenty powerful enough to do so. The real question is will we rise to the level of prayer and spiritual warfare necessary to release that power. And remember, we don't need a majority of Christians who are willing and able to do this—only a praying remnant.

We can do it!
Here are some practical suggestions to consider:
1) Fast (a meal a day; a day a week; a Daniel fast; 3 days; 1 0 days; TV; etc.) and spend the time praying.
2) Agree in prayer with someone everyday for God's will to be done.
3) Form/participate in prayer groups regularly. Church es could pray everyday.
4) Take time in every gathering to pray. (Take 1 5 minutes in every s ervice to pray for the elections. Turn an entire service to harp and bowl style intercession—worship and prayer combined.)
5) Join 2 or more on a conference call and pray for 1 5, 20, or 30 minutes.
6) Pray on the way to work (and on the way home).
7) Pray before you go to sleep.
8) Pray before church services.
9) Ask God to give you His strategy—He will!
In His grip,
Dutch Sheets

Praises!

2008-10-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been in "blogger block" lately but I've broken free! Anyways, I wanted to thank the Lord for the amazing blessings He's been showing to me in my life and through others in my life. I have been abundantly blessed with a wonderful group of ladies in our Believing God/Beth Moore bible study on Monday nights. Wow, God has been answering prayers in wonderful ways and revealing Himself to us which has been extremely encouraging.

I want to thank the Lord for the times listed below for the ways He has revealed Himself to me by answering specific prayers and showing me that He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

Thank you God for these examples of You at work in my life!

Healed of an infection that shouldn't have went away in 5 minutes without medication!

Answered specific prayer for someone in my family to attend church with me and that person arrived home unexpectedly and wanted to go to church. It made me late - but that was fine by me:)

My mom's cancer two years ago where the oncologist wasn't too promising as she had an aggressive cancer - stage 3 and he felt she had it for at least 5 years. He came out of the operating room exclaiming she had the most "perfect" tumor and her cancer hadn't penetrated any additional tissues!

Early this year, seeing my father suffering from a heart attack and getting his quadruple bypass surgery in which he had a lot of issues arise but he's doing wonderful today!

Specific prayer answered to have a heart change of someone to do something specific for some people in need without me mentioning it but praying to God for it. Lo' and behold - the exact amount I wanted to help with was the amount that God placed on that person's heart to give to them!!!! Too wonderful or what?

Scripture in Zephaniah that He placed on my heart and the following week in Breaking Free it was discussed and studied!

Gift for my son to attend school for a couple months as it has been a tough one financially for us!

My kids interest in wanting to know more about God!

I John - God answering my request to show me if I was a Christian or not 11 years ago. Reading 1 John made aware of my unbelief and need for Christ! Thank you Lord!

Directing my steps regarding jobs - Road Closed Sign!

Women's Retreat - leading a small group - what a blessing - wonderful ladies!

My niece, Emma, our family's miracle baby!

Jeremiah 31 - given to me and my mom around days of each for the same thing.

Showing me that perfect love casts out fear - Agapao love!

Jesus Messiah song! I was sooo wanting to sing this song when going to choir last Thursday but thinking we probably wouldn't as they were likely to have choosen other songs. Lily giving us the music as we arrived and the first one on the top of our music was Jesus Messiah which we will be singing this weekend!

Believing God study - last week wanting the ladies to experience a miracle especially if they have never seen, heard, experienced before. Asked the Lord for a way. He reminded me of a CD I had purchased a couple years ago from Focus on the Family regarding Duane Miller, a pastor who had lost his voice for 3 years. He received a healing while teaching a Sunday School class which was the only class which was recorded. After grabbing that from my book shelf, I started thumbing through the rest of the week's homework and on day 4 of homework - page 63, Beth references Duane Miller who happened to be teaching in her church that Sunday morning. Thank you Lord!!! I love those "coincidences!"

Countrywide gal quoting Rom 8:28 to me:) Praise you Lord!

These are a few of the things that come to mind - I know there are more but I'll have to post those later!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

MY FOOTBALL MEN

2008-09-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

Praise God the PC Cougars are having an awesome season so far - they are 4 and 0! They even beat their rivals, Valley Christian, this year - miracles do happen:)

My Precious Niece - Total Shoe Girl!

2008-09-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

FAITH

2008-09-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

BELIEVE YOUR BELIEFS AND DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS.
TROUBLE STARTS WHEN YOU START DOUBTING YOUR BELIEFS
AND BELIEVING YOUR DOUBTS! GREG ROHLINGER

FAITH IS GOD'S FAVORITE INVITATION TO RSVP WITH PROOF. BETH MOORE

GOD'S PLEASURE IS THE END. OUR FAITH IS THE MEANS.

WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD!

A WALK OF FAITH ASSUMES A WALK WITH GOD.

JUST SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS ON FAITH/BELIEF IN OUR AMAZING LORD!

FALL APPROACHING

2008-09-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

With Fall approaching, it brings to remembrance wonderful memories from the past! I love fall sweaters! Especially the one that I put which always made me feel warm and toasty even when it was brisk outside. I always look forward to my first cup of hot apple cider and warm delicious pumpkin spiced muffin! Yummmm. Sitting in my cozy chair with a blanket and reading a great book another favorite for fall!

One of my all-time favorite memories is living back in the Mid-West; where yes actually they have seasons that reflect a change in season. I loved the amount of leaves that our front tree dropped. Enormous amounts of leaves like I've never seen! Being able to rake it into one gigantic pile and letting the kids play like rowdy munchkins in it was a delight. Yes, it required more raking and raking and raking, but man that was fun!

Palm Valley Student Ministry

2008-09-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

Our Palm Valley Church's Student Ministry is exploding! In a great way that is! There is about 275 students attending each week now. They have an amazing new website to keep everyone up to date and informed. We as parents know how important this site will be in keeping us in the loop! Check out their great new website at www.pvcstudents.com

For all the super sleuths out there, that is my Lil' Miss Britt on the first page of the site looking all bright eyed and bushy tailed!

Update on Jessica

2008-08-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

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!

Believing God

2008-08-24T16:29:00.000-07:00

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

Sneak Peek on the New Esther Study

2008-08-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Beth Moore's Esther, Web Promo from Greg, LifeWay on Vimeo.

2008-08-20T05:50:00.000-07:00

Free Glitter Graphics

NOGS

2008-08-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

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!

CHECK OUT THE NEW CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT!

2008-08-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

FORGET OBAMA AND MCCAIN!

ULO'S SITED

2008-08-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

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.

Sisterhood of the PVC Peeps

2008-08-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

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!

"You Choose, Dad"

2008-08-01T13:30:00.001-07:00

"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
Home

Please Pray for Pastor Greg Laurie & Family

2008-07-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

Statement on the Passing of Christopher Laurie, Son of Pastor Greg Laurie

July 24, 2008

Christopher Laurie, son of Pastor Greg Laurie and Cathe Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., died Thursday morning in a car accident. A resident of Huntington Beach, Laurie, 33, served as the art director at Harvest Christian Fellowship for the past three years.

In addition to his parents, Christopher is survived by his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Stella, as well as his brother Jonathan. Christopher and his wife are expecting another daughter in November.

Memorial plans for Christopher are pending. More information will be posted at www.harvest.org as details become available.

2008-07-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

Here's our "young" people after a 4 1/2 mile hike today!

2008-07-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Noise Complaint at Luke AFB, AZ

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization
that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that
it was there long before they were.

A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back.

Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local
paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:
Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base: Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 am, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet.

Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.

The response:
Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' (Letters, Thursday):

On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby of
F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the
grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a.m.. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom.

We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respect.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show?' The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF

COLORADO OR BUST

2008-07-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

COLORADO BOUND! Please pray for our Palm Valley Church youth who are making their way to Colorado for a week of fun crashing the Rohlinger's Family Vacation! I know they were all excited to go and get the week rolling this morning bright and early at 6 a.m. Pray that God uses this time to impact their lives significantly for Him.

Truths

2008-07-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been doing the No Other Gods study this summer with Beth Moore, you have been missing out on a good one! I would encourage you to jump in. It's not too late! It's been a lot of fun not only studying the Word but also being encouraged to try "new" recipes and expanding our culinary skills! Watch out Bobbie Flay we might have a throw down! I tried Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti for the first time last night - three thumbs up from the kids, a lukewarm thumbs up from my husband - he was okay with it as long as it was drenched in salsa.

One of the great revelations or "ah-hah" moments so far from the study was on page 62of our workbook when it states, talking about Genesis 3, Satan spoke a lot of true things, yet none of it was THE truth. He still does that today doesn't he? He's still able to confuse us with partial truths or a little truth but not the complete picture. That's why it is so vital to know the Word, study the Word, and memorize the Word - I'm preaching to myself! How many of us know a person or persons who have been led into a different religion or have accepted even some of the culturally acceptable truths of spirituality so readily?

Okay shifting gears, this spoke to me so I thought I would share it with you.

This comes from the Streams in the Desert book, “Genuine faith puts its letter in the mailbox and lets go. Distrust, however, holds on to a corner of the envelope and then wonders why the answer never arrives.”

Consider

2008-07-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Freedom

2008-07-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Key to Freedom
by Garold Andersen

"If you hold to my teaching, you are truly my
disciples: then you will know the truth and
the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

“Arbeit macht frei” (work will make you free) was the phrase written over Nazi work camps during the Second World War. It’s a great slogan for anyone wanting to enslave a nation. Today we don’t buy it. In our enlightened world we know that truth, not work, is the key to freedom. We scour books, magazines, newspapers, and the Internet, searching for those nuggets of truth that will continue our great liberation.

The search, however, reveals a complex snag. What truth? Which newspaper articles should we believe? Which sources are reliable? The more we dig for the truth, the more this new slogan seems no better than "Arbeit macht frei." If anything, we sense a heavier burden rather than a deeper freedom. "You will know the truth..." That's the maddening part. How can we know it? Some would say you can't: truth is just a fable. Others would say it's relative. Jesus said it's relational.

Of course, when Jesus spoke of truth he wasn't referring to the superficial information one gleans from a trip into cyberspace. He also wasn't speaking of math, science, or religious knowledge, which comes in varying colors and shades. The One who created life was instead speaking of the absolute, unchangeable core of life: the foundational truth that gives meaning to our existence. Is there really such a deep understanding that could give all humans freedom regardless of their external condition? Jesus said, "Yes, I am that Truth."

When we choose to believe His radical claim, our initial reaction is joy and relief. We sing, “Jesus is the answer…”, take off our shoes, and set up camp. We have a sense of having arrived. The search is over; the answer has been found. But in reality we haven’t really heard all of His words. So Jesus walks into the midst of our retirement camp and repeats His challenge, “IF you hold to my teachings and become my life-long disciple, THEN you will know (experience) the depths of reality...you will know Me and I will destroy your misconceptions of life, shake your faulty foundations, and set you free." This proposal is altogether different. The light begins to dawn. Jesus didn’t post a campground sign for the kingdom of Truth; rather He has extended an invitation to a relational journey. In the depths of our hearts, if we’re honest, we’re a bit disappointed. We wanted there to be an answer - simple, black and white, and a one-size-fits-all remedy. As the party music fades, the tents come down, and the traveling shoes are laced back onto our feet, we mourn the death of our easy solution. In the midst of this disappointment, we can almost forget that we have been invited to the greatest adventure on the earth: a journey with the Creator of life.

In this superficial, fast-paced world we love sound-bytes and quick fixes, but “Jesus is the answer” isn’t a real solution; it’s merely another slogan. And the version of Christianity that has been built on that thin slogan has left many disappointed and disillusioned.

The inner freedom and ultimate meaning we all desire is not found in the simple recognition of Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus isn't the answer; He is the truth. There is a profound difference between the two. It’s easy to get excited upon discovering a treasure in a field. It’s quite another thing to sell everything you own in order to purchase that field. Yet that’s the image of discipleship. The continual dismantling of our broken concepts of life and building on His view is the only way to gain the treasure of truth and freedom.

Real freedom, according to Jesus, is the outcome of a relational journey with the truth. It is an ongoing process of replacing the untruths of this world with the empowering ways of God. Romans 12:2 says, “Don't be conformed to the ideas of this age, but be transformed by renewing your mind.” Remember, you have not arrived at the truth; you are on a life-long journey with Him.

Life is filled with issues that are real. They require wisdom, mercy, and inner strength, not one-size-fits-all solutions. The Son of God doesn’t offer us easy answers; He invites us to a journey of transformation and freedom. Anything that is real takes time, and this journey with Jesus is as real as it gets.

This Week
Ask this question: Are you free? Remind yourself that you are His disciple: not one who has the answers, but one who knows the God of wisdom and truth.

Prayer
“Lord, give me the heart of a disciple. May I be teachable and once again embrace the journey. Daily reveal Yourself to me and release me from the things that bind me so that I might be a witness in this world to the fact that You are indeed the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As we journey set me free.”

Definitely Not Normal

2008-07-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

In our summer siesta study, No Other Gods/Kelly Minter, we are learning that our identity is in Christ. We are His and His alone and in being such, we are a peculiar, alien if you will people. We should be looked at as "foreign" because our lives should stand out as so breathtakingly "good" in comparison with others. I look introspectively and ask myself does my life "stand out" for Christ. If not, why?

As Kelly Minter says, "Not a goodness that comes from self-righteousness or legalism, but a goodness that is the fruit of obedience." Mmmm, obedience seems to be a theme around here lately! I am challenged by the part that says indulging in our sinful desires will snuff out the burning goodness and we become - hold your breath - NORMAL. Yuk!

We are new creatures in Christ, old things are passed away, ALL things have become new. We already have Christ's power through the Holy Spirit to live a life "FULL-ON" for God. It's up to us to CHOOSE to OBEY.

Palm Valley Church Women's Retreat 2008

2008-06-29T09:15:00.001-07:00

OBEY

2008-06-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

Jeff Bridges certainly got my attention today when I was doing some reading in the book, Walking in the Spirit, regarding how our choices may drain our spiritual reservoir. WARNING: Your heart might get pricked.
**********************************************************
It is time for us Christians to face up to our responsibility for holiness. Too often we say we are "defeated" by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient! It might be well if we stopped using the terms "victory" and "defeat" to describe our progress. Rather we should use the the terms "obedience" and "disobedience." When I say I am defeated by something, I am unconsciously slipping out from under my responsibility. I am saying something outside of me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient that places the responsibility for my sin squarely on me. We may, in fact, be defeated, but the reason we are defeated is because we have chosen to disobey. We have chosen to entertain lustful thoughts, or harbor resentment, or shade the truth a little."

Get out of spiritual poverty - choose to "OBEY" Christ!

Don't Pass This One Up!

2008-06-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you www.justcallmegrammy.blogspot.com for this! Worth watching - God's amazing grace and mercy! Powerful!!!!

Welcome - Summer Siestas!

2008-06-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

A "big" hello to all the summer siestas doing the "No Other Gods" study by Kelly Minter. If you dropped in today from the forum http://forums.delphiforums.com/siestas/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E, post me a comment to let me know. I can't wait to get started on this study together! Lord please let my workbook get here today:) God bless you amazingly and abundantly above all you can think or imagine!

HAPPY 49TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

2008-06-14T11:42:00.000-07:00

I want to wish my parents, Roy and Sharon Shoecraft, Happy 49th Wedding Anniversary! Today is their "big" day! They commented on how "fast" 49 years went. Amazing! I'm so grateful to have never been through a divorce of parents but had an example of them working through the tough times and loving through the good times together.

Aluminum Foil

2008-06-13T18:51:00.001-07:00

A gal pal shared this with me and I have to admit I was one of the one's who didn't know. Are you one of the ones who didn't know? Let me know:)
**********************************************************
I've been using aluminum foil for more years than I care to remember. Great stuff, but sometimes it can be a pain. You know, like when you are in the middle of doing something and you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time.
Well, I would like to share this with you. Yesterday I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it and looked at the end of the box. And written on the end it said, "Press here to lock end". Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place. How long has this little locking tab been there? I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too. I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too! I can't count the number of times the Saran roll has jumped out when I was trying to cover something up.
I'm sharing this with my friends that did not know this.

GOD IS MY ROCK

2008-06-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

Yahweh Tsuri - The Lord my Rock. During all the uncertainty in our day, I'm very grateful that God is my rock. He provides my shade, my shelter, my safety. In the "old" days rocks were used to construct altars, temples, houses, and city walls. Heaps of rocks were also used to mark important events in Israel's history. God's commandments were etched on rock. He is faithful!

Psalm 144:1-2,7-10
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer.
Reach down your hand from on high, deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners, whose mouths are full of lies whose right hands are deceitful.
I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David from the deadly sword.

I Samuel 22:2-4
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior from violent men who save me.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

CHARACTER

2008-06-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

YOUR CHARACTER IS THE SUM TOTAL OF YOUR EVERYDAY CHOICES. DAY BY DAY, WHAT YOU THINK, WHAT YOU CHOOSE AND WHAT YOU DO, IS WHO YOU BECOME.

AMERICAN SOLUTIONS.COM - GET THE WORD OUT

2008-05-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

Let America become self-suffient with our own natural resources and bring the gas prices down. Sign the petition today and forward this information on to family and friends. Get the word out!

Sign the petition at the link listed below - it's quick and easy.

Birds are flying out of the Nest

2008-05-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

As a momma bird, I am having a bit of a challenge adjusting to the birds flying more frequently out of the nest! I love it and I hate it all at the same time. Is that even possible?

My youngest, is leaving on a trip to Florida today without me. Can you believe that and WHY she would even contemplate such a trip without her mother, I ask in jest?

Actually, I am excited for her! Go Brittany - go, go, go! Somehow that Go Speed Racer tune pops into my head - random I know! What an adventure of fun, relaxation, and a beach loving time! Oh, did I mention watching a NASA shuttle liftoff?

The other, middle child-I know if she reads this her eyes will be rolling around in circles-is looking for work. It's been interesting watching her and a few friends doing the "job hunting" scene. They've been quite diligent at it and putting in a "ton" of applications. Okay, well not a "ton" but 4 at last count. She tells me it seems like way more!

My oldest is busy with football weight training and summer school. Trying to get a jump ahead for his senior year. Researching into college and all that involves is such a delight! Found some fabulous web sites to help us out though - I'm so thankful for the internet. What would a parent do without it?

Well, my precious little birds are about ready for full release - not really - but sometimes it seems like it. I am excited but apprehensive about that. Lord, lift them up with wings like eagles!

Agapao

2008-05-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to Agapao (perfect God love) God? In our Breaking Free class, Beth spoke about how Christ asked Peter if he agapao (love) him in which Peter replied twice, "Lord, you know I phileo (brotherly love) you. Finally, Jesus asked him the third time, "Okay, Peter do you phileo me?"

Christ wants us to AGAPAO him. Looking deeper at what agapao means drives me deeper into looking at it from God's perspective.

1 John 4:8 tells me that God is love. Taking the next step to find God's definition of what love looks like, I look at 1 Cor 13:4-7. I ask God for a fresh new look at this familiar passage. As I study each of the adjectives that describe love - patient, kind, longsuffering, gentle, not envious, not prideful, seeks not his/her own, always behaves appropriately, not easily provoked, doesn't think evil thoughts, doesn't rejoice in sin, rejoices in truth, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails - I realize anew this describes God. This is His character, this is who He is.

God wants the best for His children. He's always perfecting our faith as He loves us and wants the total completion of our faith to glorify Him. Going through a trial in my life right now I asked for Him to fill me with Agapao love. I appreciate Him showing me in 1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear. Enlightening me that I wasn't "perfectly loving" Him when I'm focusing on the "trial" with fearful thoughts - I am failing to "Agapao" Him. He wants me to trust Him completely out of my understanding and knowing of who He is and whose I am.

His promises our true, He always keeps His word, He's faithful, He's dependable, He's perfect.

Isaiah 41:13 For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear. I will help you!

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 91:14-16
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."

2 Corinthians 12:9
He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses. So that Christ's power may rest on me.

Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden. Like a spring whose waters never fail.

Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

Thank you for your word Lord, your truth, your unfailing love - I ask that you reveal to me how I may have agapao-perfect love for You and not settle for phileo. Fill me with your wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that I always abide in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

2008-05-24T01:46:00.001-07:00

What Your Latte Says About You

You don't treat yourself very often. You find that indulging doesn't jibe with your very disciplined life.

You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious.

You have a good deal of energy, but you pace yourself. You never burn out too fast.

You have a healthy relationship with caffeine. You're definitely not dependent on it.

You are a child at heart, and you don't ever miss the opportunity to do something playful.

You are complex and philosophical, but you are never arrogant.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

HAIL AT THE HALE HOUSEHOLD

2008-05-22T13:21:00.002-07:00

Yes, that's right. We received a blessing of hail at the Hale household today, May 22, 2008. What some of you might not know is that we live in Arizona and for us to get this gift this late in May is a miracle! Especially as a couple of days ago, it was 112 degrees outside.

The kids sure enjoyed getting wet and "attacked" by the hail! What a way to start the summer break from school as today was their last day of school:)

Steven Curtis Chapman

2008-05-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

You might have heard about the loss of little precious Maria, the youngest daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman. Please remember their family in prayer during this tragedy. My heart is very heavy for them in their time of grief and mourning.

Steven and his family have been HUGE adoption advocates over the past few years...Maria (held by her father in the pic above) was the youngest of their three adopted children.

Here are a few lines from a song Steven wrote last year about his daughter...

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something
The prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon
The clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

PRAISING MY LORD

2008-05-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

I find it easy to praise God when things are going well. However, when tests/trials come, I find myself kneeling in prayer before God asking for His guidance, strength, power and deliverance and I tend forget to praise Him for all that He's still accomplishing and doing in my life. So, Lord here are my thoughts of praise!

I praise You that are a God who is always present, I praise You that You are a God who is Yawheh Yireh-my provider, I praise You that you are a righteous God, I praise You that you are a God of action and response, I praise You that you are Yahweh Tsuri-my rock, I praise You that you are my Abba-my Perfect Father, I praise You that you are the perfector of my faith, I praise You that you are a caring God, I praise You that you are an "alive" God, I praise You that you are a sacrificing God, I praise You that you are a magestic God, I praise You that you are a miracle maker God, I praise You that you are a gentle God, I praise You that you are El Olam-the eternal God, I praise you that you are I AM, I praise You that you are Lord, I praise You for your glory, I praise You that you are my deliverer, I praise You that you are my refuge, I praise You that you are my strongtower, I praise You that you are my Shepherd, I praise You that your love never will fail. I praise You for your answers to prayer and for showing me specifically in your Word answers to situations in my life! Thank you my amazing, wonderful Lord!

Homosexuality

2008-05-18T01:15:00.000-07:00

In light of recent events in the news lately regarding the CA Supreme Court overturning the ban on homosexual marriages. I read this excerpt from John MacArthur which I believe gives a Godly viewpoint on the topic. We need to view this topic as well as all topics in light of God's truth and not our own truth.

God's Plan for the Gay Agenda

by John MacArthur

If you've been watching the headlines over the last couple years, you may have noticed the incredible surge of interest in affirming homosexuality. Whether it's at the heart of a religious scandal, political corruption, radical legislation, or the redefinition of marriage, homosexual interests have come to characterize America. That's an indication of the success of the gay agenda. And some Christians, including some national church leaders, have wavered on the issue even recently. But sadly, when people refuse to acknowledge the sinfulness of homosexuality--calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20)--they do so at the expense of many souls.

How should you respond to the success of the gay agenda? Should you accept the recent trend toward tolerance? Or should you side with those who exclude homosexuals with hostility and disdain?

In reality, the Bible calls for a balance between what some people think are two opposing reactions--condemnation and compassion. Really, the two together are essential elements of biblical love, and that's something the homosexual sinner desperately needs.

Homosexual advocates have been remarkably effective in selling their warped interpretations of passages in Scripture that address homosexuality. When you ask a homosexual what the Bible says about homosexuality--and many of them know--they have digested an interpretation that is not only warped, but also completely irrational. Pro-homosexual arguments from the Bible are nothing but smokescreens--as you come close, you see right through them.

God's condemnation of homosexuality is abundantly clear--He opposes it in every age.

- In the patriarchs (Genesis 19:1-28)

- In the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13)

- In the Prophets (Ezekiel 16:46-50)

- In the New Testament (Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Jude 7-8)

Why does God condemn homosexuality? Because it overturns God's fundamental design for human relationships--a design that pictures the complementary relationship between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33).

Why, then, have homosexual interpretations of Scripture been so successful at persuading so many? Simple: people want to be convinced. Since the Bible is so clear about the issue, sinners have had to defy reason and embrace error to quiet their accusing consciences (Romans 2:14-16). As Jesus said, "Men loved the darkness rather than the Light, [because] their deeds were evil" (John 3:19-20).

As a Christian, you must not compromise what the Bible says about homosexuality--ever. No matter how much you desire to be compassionate to the homosexual, your first sympathies belong to the Lord and to the exaltation of His righteousness. Homosexuals stand in defiant rebellion against the will of their Creator who from the beginning "made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4).

Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by homosexual advocates and their futile reasoning--their arguments are without substance. Homosexuals, and those who advocate that sin, are fundamentally committed to overturning the lordship of Christ in this world. But their rebellion is useless, for the Holy Spirit says, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; cf. Galatians 5:19-21).

So, what is God's response to the homosexual agenda?

Certain and final judgment. To claim anything else is to compromise the truth of God and deceive those who are perishing.

As you interact with homosexuals and their sympathizers, you must affirm the Bible's condemnation. You are not trying to bring damnation on the head of homosexuals, you are trying to bring conviction so that they can turn from that sin and embrace the only hope of salvation for all of us sinners--and that's through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Homosexuals need salvation. They don't need healing--homosexuality is not a disease. They don't need therapy--homosexuality is not a psychological condition. Homosexuals need forgiveness, because homosexuality is a sin.

I don't know how it happened, but a few decades ago someone branded homosexuals with the worst misnomer--"gay." Gay used to mean happy, but I can assure you, homosexuals are not happy people. They habitually seek happiness by following after destructive pleasures. There is a reason Romans 1:26 calls homosexual desire a "degrading passion." It is a lust that destroys the physical body, ruins relationships, and brings perpetual suffering to the soul--and its ultimate end is death (Romans 7:5). Homosexuals are experiencing the judgment of God (Romans 1:24, 26, 28), and thus they are very, very sad.

First Corinthians 6 is very clear about the eternal consequence for those who practice homosexuality--but there's good news. No matter what the sin is, whether homosexuality or anything else, God has provided forgiveness, salvation, and the hope of eternal life to those who repent and embrace the gospel. Right after identifying homosexuals as those who "will not inherit the kingdom of God," Paul said, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

God's plan for many homosexuals is that they come to salvation. There were former homosexuals in the Corinthian church back in Paul's day, just as there are many former homosexuals today in my church and in faithful churches around the country. With regenerated hearts, they sit in biblical churches throughout the country praising their Savior, along with former fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, coveters, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers. Remember, such were some of you too.

What should be your response to the homosexual agenda? Make it a biblical response--confront it with the truth of Scripture that condemns homosexuality and promises eternal damnation for all who practice it. What should be your response to the homosexual? Make it a gospel response--confront him with the truth of Scripture that condemns him as a sinner, and point him to the hope of salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Stay faithful to the Lord as you respond to homosexuality by honoring His Word, and leave the results to Him.

Just Fun Info

2008-05-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

Check and see how many people in the USA have your same name. Comment me and let me know how many you they come up with. There are 284 Kim Hale's in the USA right now

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
284
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Mother's Day

2008-05-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

Out of ALL the millions of Mother's Day cards in the world what are the odds of getting the same card for my sister as the one she gave me? How hysterical - great taste Deanne! Oh, by the way I loved MY card!

My precious three amigos and wonderful husband took me out to Texas Roadhouse who I have to say has THE BEST rolls especially when you smother them in the cinnamon butter! Oh, MY! In addition, they spoiled me by cleaning the house - we are talking mopping the floor, vacuuming, dusting, dishes, etc. Somebody pinch me - did I die and go to heaven? My favorite was their handprints in plaster gifts they made - with the coaching of Dad. The last time they did that for me was 11 years ago. We pulled out the "old" and did the comparision to the "new." It was amazing to see the change of each of their precious hands.

For all the moms who are reading this I trust you had a wonderful Happy Mother's Day with your family!

LAMININ-Louie Giglio

2008-05-07T10:16:00.001-07:00

BROKEN FREE - JAILBIRDS ON THE LOOSE

2008-05-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

Here are the precious women who I walked alongside in the Breaking Free class at Palm Valley Church. We just completed our study on Monday night. What a powerful and inspiring session to hear how the study had touched the ladies lives in so many various (polka-dotted) ways! You'll have to take the class to find out more about the polka dots! The ladies are holding their "full pardons" through Christ for any stronghold or captivity that Satan wanted to keep them bound to.

What a blessing to do the study together and see the truths of God's word that never change. Focusing on the benefits of being a child of the King of Kings is one of the main points of the study! Some of the benefits we learned were about knowing and believing God, enjoying His presence, experiencing His peace, glorifying Him, and finding satisfaction in God. In addition, we had to dig into some tough things throughout the study such as looking at loss, betrayal, victimization, idolatry, prayerlessness, etc. Not an easy study but oh, so tremendously worth it!

So Close but Not Quite

2008-04-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity to attend a banquet last Thursday night for the Lifetoday organization. Check out www.lifetoday.org. It was held at the JW Marriot Resort in North Phoenix. Gorgeous Resort - the grounds were magnificent!

Anyways at the banquet, we were given table 4 as our seating arrangement but I had been asked by my mom to see if we could get a table towards the back of the room.
So, being the dutiful daughter that I am I asked the woman who assigned the table reservations if we could get a table towards the back of the room. She then preceeded to write a zero after the 4 so that we would be sitting at table 40.

As we were waiting for them to call out the tables for seating, they called table 4 first! Interesting we all thought. We then decided to give my mom a bad time telling her that was probably the table that received the free trip to Ireland, or the prime rib dinner instead of chicken, etc.

Table 40 was finally called and we were able to sit down and enjoy a wonderful meal -Yes, it was chicken but delicious! Ask Scott about diving into the dessert first! It worked in his favor as the banquet manager gave him a "hard" time in fun and they brought him out another dessert and another entree! He worked that one right:) The creme brulee was THE BEST!

Well, as we are starting to eat we see Jim and Betty Robison enter and what table do they sit at you might ask? Yes, that's right table 4! After dinner during Jim's speech he also mentioned that the Diamondbacks owner and a scientist were at the table he was sitting at that night. Wow, what a wonderful table of dinner quests. That would have been amazing to visit with them. However, I will say I had some wonderful dinner companions myself! You can bet we sure enjoyed giving my mom "heck" about asking for a table towards the back of the room! What was she thinking? LOL

2008-04-25T19:14:00.000-07:00

FRIENDS - They are one of our greatest blessings on earth. It's hard to walk on the path of life without them and I certainly wouldn't want to try. They have been support, encouragement, shoulder to cry on, lifter of my spirit, & my prayer warriors! I am so very grateful for friends!

I love having Scott and my best man from our wedding, Ray, here from Tulsa visiting us for the weekend! He's a buddy of Scott's from prior to "Kim days" - playing high school football together. So, we are talking OLD! I did that for emphasis in case Ray reads this:) Love you Ray! It's exciting to hear about their dream home being built and hearing about their kids, Scott (guess who he's named after?)and Danielle doing well. Walking down memory lane is a delight!

2008-04-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

2 TIM 2:15 - Study (be diligent, be zealous) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, "rightly" (with precision and accuracy, cutting it straight) dividing the word of truth.

Ron Webb

2008-04-19T23:51:00.000-07:00

Please pray for Ron Webb and his wife, Mary who are a brother and sister in Christ from Palm Valley Church! He went through a heart transplant and recently went home from the hospital after an extensive stay. However, he's was admitted yesterday due to pneumonia. Please check out his blog for more details and remember to lift his family up in prayer.

Kairos

2008-04-19T23:43:00.000-07:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with several ladies from our Home Team at a Kairos ministry today. It was a blessing to work beside these wonderful women and having the opportunity to serve the ladies who were on this special retreat over the weekend.

The Kairos retreat is for women who have a loved one who is in prison. The whole weekend is spent ministering to them and helping them work through the painful and tough moments as a result of having their loved one behind bars.

Lifting all of you up in prayer before our Heavenly Father!

2008-04-14T00:52:00.000-07:00

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

I'VE BEEN TAGGED

2008-04-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

Okay, here is the latest "tag" game coming down the pike. You have to tag 5 people that you would like to get to know more. Thank you beboldjen.blogspot.com. Here it goes!

My 5 favorite snacks:
1. Popcorn - the "lite" kind or as my kid's tell me the "gross" kind!
2. Cookies N Cream ice cream - Dryer's - total comfort food.
3. Chips/Salsa
4. Fudgecicles
5. Strawberries when they are in season! Delicious!

If I were a billionaire what 5 things would I spend my money on:
1. Give back to the Lord - big time!
2. Help New Hope Orphanage in a great way
3. Help a young person that I am working with right now
4. Set up an account to make sure the money continues to make money so that I can would be able to help people continually
5. Buy my parent's a home and deck it out!

My last 5 jobs:
1. Working with my husband in our business - Welding Inspection Services
2. Realtor - DPR Realty
3. Corporate Trainer - Express Personnel Services
4. Customer Retention Manager - GE Capital
5. Customer Service and Installation Manager - GE Capital

Three habits
1. Make my bed everyday
2. I don't know if I would call it a habit but read the Word everyday
3. Slather on lotion everyday

Five places I've lived:
1. Goodyear, AZ
2. Tulsa, OK
3. Shawnee, Ok
4. Ottawa, KS
5. Napa, CA

5 people I would like to get to know better
1. wearemadetolove.wordpress.com
2. pinkribbonupdate.blogspot.com
3. pray4sarah.blogspot.com
4. laughwithsherry.blogspot.com
5. webbsiteupdate.blogspot.com

VACATION IDEAS

2008-04-11T09:07:00.001-07:00

Looking to find out about your best vacation ever! Please share with me where that location was and any good travel tips you might have. You're the best!

HALL OF FAITH

2008-04-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

I would love to be in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews with some of the great giants of the Word. To know that without faith it is impossible to please God is a powerful motivating factor.

The more I learn about the character of God, the more I fall in love with Him, the more I want to honor Him and the more I want to show reverence for Him by obedience in my life. God gives tests to try our faith. I look at the test I'm currently in as one that tries my faith to reflect that I believe that my God is "the" sovereign God who is Jehovah Shammah (God is Present), who is my Jehovah Jireh (My provider), who is my Yahweh Tsuri (The Lord is My Rock).

I know that with every test or fiery trial there is always a purpose! Comforting to recognize that you don't go through "pain" for no purpose. There is always a specific goal - to grow your faith, to grow your endurance and to have you become more Christlike in character.

I praise God that he is my loving God like it says in Psalm 144:1-2, 7-10

Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war
my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer. . .
Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners,
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
I will sing a new song to you, O God;
on the tenstringed lyre I will make music to you,
to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David from the deadly sword.

I have an awesome amazing God who doesn't fail to astound me with His mighty hand!

2008-04-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

ZEPHANIAH 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

CHRISTIAN?

2008-04-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid many people call themselves Christian and are deceived because they said the "prayer" thing when they were younger. I know in my own life I thought I was a Christian for years because of that "fact."

Fortunately, God sent a wise woman who challenged me to test my faith to see if I did in fact know Christ. She suggested reading 1 John. I remember praying and asking God to show me without a doubt whether I was or was not saved because I was tired of "feeling" saved sometimes and not "feeling" saved at other times.

As I started reading 1 John, it gave strong litmus tests showing me very specifically things that were not evidenced in my life. I didn't "love" other Christians, I didn't keep His commands, I wasn't eagerly awaiting His return, etc. Lightbulb moment - I knew then that I would have been one of those who would have cried out to Jesus, Lord, Lord and He would have said depart from me I never knew you.

I'm so grateful for God's grace and mercy in opening up my spiritual eyes to my deception and realizing I needed Him as my Savior and Lord! So no matter if you said the "prayer" thing way back when, ask yourself if there is some spiritual inventory that will be reflective of a "true" believer in Christ.

Do you enjoy fellowship with God and Christ? Are you sensitive to sin in your life? Do you obey the Scriptures? Do you reject this evil world? Do you love Christ and eagerly await His return? Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life? Do you love other Christians? Do you receive answers to your prayers? Do you experience the ministry of the Holy Spirit? Can you discern between spiritual truth and error? Have you suffered on account of your faith in Christ?
If you pass those tests, you can have confidence before God. Test your faith to confirm your relationship with Christ.

DONATE LIFE

2008-04-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

Are you a registered donor? If not, check out the website http://www.azdonorregistry.org/ to register and save a person's life. It's quick and simple - don't procrastinate!!! Do it today!!!!

AMAZING STORY

2008-04-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

Please check out the story of Tricia and her battle with CF. She's possibly facing a double lung transplant today! I pray that if it's a "go" it will be smooth and successful for her. Please remember her, her family and the donor's family in your prayers today.

Her husband, Nate, has a beautiful blog http://www.cfhusband.blogspot.com/ detailing all they have faced within the past few months. Including the birth of a miraculous beautiful daughter, Gwyneth. She was born in January and arrived 15 weeks early weighing in at a little over 1 lb at birth! Beautiful real life story!!!!

SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS!

2008-03-31T04:21:00.000-07:00

WOWSA! God's blessings are enough to knock your socks off! I want to praise Him for all that He does and is doing in my life and other brothers/sisters in Christ.

I thought Tuesday was a shower of blessing day with a store clerk giving me $40.00 off a purchase even though I had no coupon. Yes, I was caught without a coupon - shock! Then the day proceeded to get better when Brandon and I had a 20 minute - in and out the door - at the MVD (Motor Vehicle Department) to get his truck registered! Miracles do happen!

One of my favorite blessings of the day was my dinner with Brandon - a special heart to heart talk! Thank you Lord! Nope I'm not done - the icing on the cake - I received a call from Rita, special precious new sister in Christ, that received not just "a" job but "the" job that she and our Home Team had been praying and hoping for her to get. Praises Galore!!!!

I praise God for pricking the heart of a hard nut to crack - I'll leave that anonymous:) I'm grateful and blessed that our God is a responsive and an active God who wants more for us than our earthly fathers which He reveals in so many different ways. I pray that my eyes stay open and in tune to see "all" that He does and accomplishes in my life whether they are "big" or "small" so that I don't miss any of it! Praise you Lord!!!!

2008-03-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

What a fun spring break trip! It was so wonderful to get away from it all and spend time with our family - plus an "adopted" son for a quick weekend away.

Unfortunately, it fell on Easter weekend but it turned out to be a blessing!

I had the opportunity to wake up early (5 a.m.) on Easter Sunday. Miracle in and of itself especially on vacation! Normally, I am in "relaxation" mode and choose to sleep in. But, God had other plans for me:)

Anyways, I wasn't sure we would make it to a Easter service and I was wanting to honor God for all that He accomplished on the cross. I decided to read through the accounts of His trial, crucification and ressurrection in the gospels. Starting in Mark, the impact of His agony prior to being betrayed struck me full force. That He was so terrified almost to death impacted me this time like never before. He realized what was upcoming, he was agonizing almost to death over what he was about to face and yet He "willingly" obeyed and told God the Father - not my will by Yours be done.

As Christ is our example of how we should we live our lives, it made me examine the sin in my own life when I choose to not do something that God has purposed for me in my life to accomplish because it is "uncomfortable" or not the path of least resistance. Yet, I reflect back on the times in my life when I have been down the path that "I" wouldn't have choosen and yet those are the paths I have precious memories of as I look at God revealing Himself in ways I never would have seen. What a deficit in my life if I was never to go down a path where I wouldn't have the privilege to hold His hand or never see Him revealed in all of His glory for answering prayers in very specific ways!

Thank you Lord for those moments! This Easter was by far one of my most memorable and precious ones as I was able to meditate and appreciate His sacrifice in a very special way!

TAGGED

2008-03-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

Thank you Jen -http://beboldjen.blogspot.com/ for tagging me! For those I have tagged here are the instructions listed below:

Here is what you do....You have to tag 5 people and you can't tag the person that tagged you. You leave them a comment on their blog letting them know you are tagging them and why. Also, direct them to your blog for instructions. It is also asked that you notify the tagger when you post your list so that they can enjoy reading the responses. Basically when you get tagged, you post ten fun facts about yourself!

I've been married for close to 22 years to Scott, my sweetie who I adore!
I am blessed to be a mom - the most challenging but rewarding job ever known to mankind. Thank you Lord for teaching me , directing me, helping me with my kids. They are a blessing!
I love the way God gives me special scriptures in my daily life at times that I know without a shadow of a doubt that He wants me to "dive" deeper into and shows me in special ways that it was meant especially for me. An example is a scripture that He impressed on my heart in the Old Testament regarding a certain situation in my life. Footnote - at that time I wasn't to diligent of a student of the Old Testament. Normally, I "hung out" in the New Testament but I felt compelled to study the OT that day. When I read this one verse, I knew it was a word regarding the situation in my life. I told my mom about the verse a couple days later and she shared with me that the Lord gave her that exact same verse a few days before. Awesome! I love that!
I love chocolate! Especially, milk chocolate!
I love to read, water ski, jet ski, hike, study the word, talk with friends, lead bible studies, bubble baths, decorate - Oops, should I list those separately? :)
I enjoy worship songs with a passion - I love to sing and crank them up loud in the car!
My favorite color is yellow - it's a happy color.
My nickname from childhood is Kimmer Zimmer Bimmer. Corny - I know!
I've known the Lord for 10 years and I am so grateful for the wonderful gift of salvation! Thank you Lord!
I love a clean and organized house!

Check out these blogs I enjoy:http://pinkribbonupdate.blogspot.com/; http://webbsiteupdate..blogspot.com/, http://laughwithsherry.blogspot.com/,
http://onemomslifesong.wordpress.com/

PALM VALLEY CHURCH EASTER CARNIVAL

2008-03-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

30,000 eggs, helicopter, carnival rides, cotton candy, snow cones, great weather and the kids will come! We had a wonderful turnout today for our Easter Carnival. There were quite a few new families who have never attended Palm Valley Church and I pray they will come to visit and hear the gospel and accept the wonderful gift that Christ did for them on the cross.

It was great watching so many of the ladies from the Breaking Free class serving during the carnival. You did a wonderful, awesome, fabulous, spectacular job! Thank you so much for your willingness to take time out of your busy schedules to do this - it was a blessing!

PALM VALLEY CHURCH EASTER CARNIVAL

2008-03-15T18:14:00.000-07:00

Brandon is 18

2008-03-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Eighteen years has flown by and I am so grateful for the experience and opportunity God has given to me to raise my son. He is a great big teddy bear (sorry bud - your secret is out!). He has a wonderful heart that loves to rescue "lost" kittens.

Brandon, I love that you wanted to put the moon in your pocket when you were about 4 years old. I love you pointing into your empty mouth letting me know you were "empty" and needed "filling" up! I love the questions about if you were beautiful and I would let you know that you were gorgeous! I love hearing you play your bass! I love your hugs! I love you wanting me to pull your hair and scratch your arms & back. I love hearing you tell your sisters you love them! I love you harassing Lucky! I love your writing ability (you will be an author one day)! I love that you play football (go Cougars)! I love that you are a generous person! I love that you know the Lord as your Savior! I love the precious look on your face as you used to drive go-karts when you were younger! I love having you trapse off to "Homerun Derby" to explore! I love that you are respectful! I love your quirky sense of humor! These are just a few of the many things I love about you! I love you Brandon!

TEN COMMANDMENTS

2008-03-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make any carved images, nor bow down nor serve them.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

How many of the worlds "issues" would be solved if we followed God's rules?

TIME MANAGEMENT

2008-03-11T09:27:00.001-07:00

Time - isn't is amazing when you think about time? Why is it that some people are able to get so much accomplished and some people get so few things accomplished with the same amount of time each of us are given. Question - If you had one more hour of time every week what would you use it for?

I would rotate my 1 hour a week every month with spending more time with my husband, studying the word, family night, & getting the "procrastination" projects completed. Oops, did I just admit I have "procrastination" projects!

2008-03-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND; CALL ON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR. LET THE WICKED FORSAKE HIS WAY AND THE EVIL MAN HIS THOUGHTS. LET HIM TURN TO THE LORD, AND HE WILL HAVE MERCY ON HIM, AND TO OUR GOD, FOR HE WILL FREELY PARDON. ISAIAH 55:6-7

JAZZ/BLUES FESTIVAL

2008-03-08T08:00:00.002-08:00

Last weekend was a blast! Great weather, good company, & wonderful music! I appreciate being able to spend time with my family. Well, two out of three kids isn't bad considering they are all teenagers and lead busy social lives. We even "adopted" another son for the day - we are used to having three. Otherwise, we would have been off balance! One of my favorites of the day was tasting a frozen chocolate covered cheesecake and the fruit ka-bob wasn't half bad either. Scrumptious beyond belief!

OPRAH

2008-03-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

Some interesting information to check out and be aware of and on guard for so that salvation doctrine doesn't get watered down or changed as that means an eternal difference in so many people's lives.

***********************************************************************************
"Oprah and Friends" to teach course on New Age Christ
By Warren Smith
Check out this website for some information to be aware of:
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/smith-oprah.htm
***********************************************************************************
See also The twisted "truths" of The Shack & A Course in Miracles
and From God's Truth to the "New Spirituality" and New Spirituality for an Emerging New Earth

Oprah Winfrey will be letting out all the stops on her XM Satellite Radio program this coming year. Beginning January 1, 2008, “Oprah & Friends” will offer a year-long course on the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles.1 A lesson a day throughout the year will completely cover the 365 lessons from the Course in Miracles “Workbook.”
For more information on this topic, we recommend that you also read:
Deceived by a counterfeit "Jesus" -- The Twisted Truths of The Shack & A Course in Miracles
From God's Truth to the 'New Spirituality' and New Spirituality for an Emerging New Earth
The Armor of God & The Nature and Tactics of Satan

SPECTACULAR

2008-03-01T21:47:00.000-08:00

God is spectacular! He has shown me in so many ways how faithful He is and has been throughout history. I praise him for that! I am so very grateful for the verse He gave me a couple weeks ago in Psalms.

It is Psalms 102;17 For the Lord shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. He shall respond to the prayer of the destitute; And shall not despise their prayer. At the time, I thought He was giving me a word regarding a prayer about finances. I was praising Him for being a "responsive" God. A God of action.

What made this verse so unusual was the circumstance that I came across it. My church is reading through the Bible this year and it was approximately around Feb. 11 when I was doing my reading for the day and I skipped over to May 1st. What made me go to May 1st - mmmmm - you tell me as I had no plans on doing that!

Well, on May 1st I decided to read just the Psalms portion of the scripture reading for that day and as I was reading through the chapter this verse was impressed upon my heart. I was so thankful at the time for it I kept reading it over and over again.

Now fast forward to February 22. I was doing my homework from my Breaking Free Women's Bible Study class and on day 5 of the homework right smack down on the second page of day 5 was you guessed it - Psalms 102:17.

My heart went to racing! Okay, Lord I know there is a reason this verse keeps "popping" up in my life. This time I started studying the word destitute. We often relate destitute just in the financial realm but God was showing me spiritual destitution. Being broken, naked before God, helpless before Him, recognizing His holiness, His majesty, His greatness, His power, His justice and recognizing my unworthiness is what He was wanting me to see. Powerful moment and yet a wonderful moment to be in His presence and be flat out, no holds barred - completely honest before Him. I treasure moments like those. They are more valuable to me than I can express. Our God is spectacular!

ADRIANA, STEPHANIE, CASSANDRA, & GIAU

2008-02-27T16:35:00.000-08:00

2008-02-27T16:27:00.000-08:00

These wonderful young ladies are my small group from Phoenix Christian High School. They are Adriana, Stephanie, and Giau in front from left to right and Cassandra catching a ride! I have had the privilege to work with them all school year. Today we had a great opportunity to take a "pack" of precious little people to the Phoenix Zoo. The "pack" was a group of 12 little 4 and 5 year olds from the Crisis Nursery. The Crisis Nursery works with neglected and abused children. It was so touching hearing little Jesus say how desperately he wanted to visit the kangaroos before he left the zoo and little precious Jennifer who was having the worst time with her new shoes. When they came off their bus, they wanted to give us all hugs with no reservations. Wow, what a day! Thank you Lord for the opportunity to serve you by sharing some of your love to these little people. We would have taken pictures of the little ones but we were not allowed for privacy reasons. Check out the Crisis Nursery website at http://www.crisisnurseryphx.com/

UPDATE ON ROY SHOECRAFT

2008-02-26T13:53:00.000-08:00

Wonderful, terrific, awesome news - Dad came home from the hospital last night and is doing great. He's in good spirits and loves being home! I and my family appreciate all your e-mails, calls, posts, and comments. God has answered them in a mighty wonderful way - Thank you Lord!

ROY SHOECRAFT

2008-02-23T06:02:00.000-08:00

Please pray for my dad, Roy Shoecraft. He's having congestive heart failure and kidney failure. Some new medication they gave him yesterday is helping to remove a lot of the excess fluid from his body and that has given him some relief and he's able to breath much better. We are waiting on a test today to determine how much blood flow he still has coming from his heart. Thank you all for your prayers, concerns, e-mails, posts - they are appreciated so much!

2008-02-19T22:00:00.000-08:00

LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, LISTEN TO HIS VOICE, AND HOLD FAST TO HIM. FOR THE LORD IS YOUR LIFE! DEUTERONOMY 30:20

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH

2008-02-19T21:54:00.001-08:00

I am learning about one of God's names - Jehovah Shammah - God is there! No matter where I am, what circumstance I'm facing, what joy or sorrow comes across my path. My God is there - that brings such comfort, reassurance, strength, and courage to know I am not alone. Praise you Lord!

YALE UNIVERSITY

2008-02-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited for my Buddy, my son, Brandon - he received a letter from the coach at Yale University - yes, the Ivy League school - interested in possibly having him play football for them. It's only the beginning and I know we are a long way off but I am thrilled for him nevertheless!

I have another praise - my dad's coming home from the hospital today!! Yahoo!!!!

CHECK THESE OUT

2008-02-12T17:08:00.001-08:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3sdZY3oSupU&feature=related

http://youtube.com/watch?v=n-BFEhkIujA

DELIVERANCE

2008-02-12T11:12:00.000-08:00

I had to post this as I think it is profound - at least it was a lightbulb moment for me! Sometimes God's deliverance doesn't mean ease. He always has a destination in mind when he delivers and if we can just comprehend that we should have a faith based on "who" God is frees Him completely to show us what He can do!!!!!! Genuine faith walks "steadfastly" with God for the pleasure of His company not for His results - Wow!! Powerful!! Lord help me retain, comprehend and understand these truths!

2008-02-08T08:55:00.000-08:00

PSALM 144:2a - HE IS MY LOVING GOD AND MY FORTRESS, MY STRONGHOLD AND MY DELIVERER, MY SHIELD. IN WHOM, I TAKE REFUGE.