Pachelbel Rant

Besides making me laugh, it was a great reminder of how what is old is new again - more frequently than we even realize!

Choose to Become What You Believe

“As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, "Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!" When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, "Do you really believe I can do this?" They said, "Why, yes, Master! He touched their eyes and said, "Become what you believe." It happened.” Matt 9:27-29

Day after day for this long season, I am confronted with these words when I wake in the morning. “Become what you believe.” Tears spring to my eyes as I write those powerful words. I am finding that every minute I am faced with choices.

Choices about what to thoughts entertain. I am learning these thoughts truly do leave my heart and move to my hands and my lips. My actions then becoming a demonstrative testimony of my thoughts.

Do I think and act on the value God tells me I have?

"What's the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries." Matt 10:29-31

Do I fully give myself to things that matter to Him and to me?

"Stand up for Me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. If you turn tail and run, do you think I'll cover for you? "Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut—make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law—cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over Me, you don't deserve Me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve Me. "If you don't go all the way with Me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve Me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to Me, you'll find both yourself and Me." Matt 10:32-40

Do I act like I am made in the image of love?

"We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts Me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent Me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God's messenger. Accepting someone's help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it. It's best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing." Matt 10:40-42

What story does your actions tell about you and your thoughts?

Green Wrapping

For everyone out there looking to reduce & reuse, I found this little video an interesting and easy way to wrap up gifts for this Christmas season!
Furoshiki Gift Wrapping - For more funny movies, click here

Sunny Taylor - Highview Drive

Calling Creators ... LOGO CONTEST

Are you creative? Here is your chance to serve God, support an organization who cares for Orphans & AIDS prevention and show others your great ideas!

Beacon of Hope is holding a Logo Design contest, inviting ANYONE to submit their Logo Design for consideration by the Beacon of Hope International Board of Directors to consider. Check out this contest here: http://samision.blogspot.com/2008/11/calling-creators-logo-contest.html

Bernard Fanning - 'Watch Over Me'

Getting Younger & Younger

It’s my birthday this week, something my ‘lil bear (child number #4) enthusiastically looks forward to all year long. Currently she is actively planning for her 7th birthday -- speeding upon us -- only 7 months to go!

This year for my birthday I am choosing to grow younger.

Yes, I said grow younger!

I got the idea from the Word. In particular gems such as, Matthew 18:3, Matthew 19:14, Luke 18:17, Mark 10:15, Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5 among others. Over the past few years I think the Holy Spirit is revealing this childlike notion about our relationship (His and mine.) That our relationship is not so completely different from the one I have with my own children.

My children; trust me implicitly to provide for their needs, to be there through all that life throws at them, to ask me questions that I sometimes answer and sometimes don’t, to ignore me when it is convenient and to run to when they need me, never worrying or doubting my love for them.

Sometimes my ‘lil bear crawls up onto my lap to have her back scratched, other times she stands in-front of me defiantly demanding things … like stickers, a cupcake or undivided attention … things that she sees as utterly necessary.

I have her help me in the kitchen, carefully supervising her dumping ingredients in the bowl that we measured together, or turning on the blender, though her “help” makes everything go so much slower. I accept her thoughtful gifts of dandelions or crayon colored pictures, although sometimes I’d rather she spent her time doing something I have already asked of her.

The joys of childhood include:
- reveling in the delight of your parent,
- permitting your parent to do the worrying,
- expecting your parent to provide, love, discipline, and be there -- always,
- and eagerly jumping into one adventure after another.

So this year for my birthday I am choosing to grow younger as I believe His promise with all the childlike faith I have within me… “Then He said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

Chili Cook Off - Crack Up!

Last Sunday was the famous c2g Chili Cook Off. Unfortunately I was sick and missed it! (Arg!!) However, I will announce the winner at the end of this funny story Mimi shared with me recently ...

(Warning - This is rated "PG-13" and If you can read this whole story without laughing out loud, then you need to develop a sense of humor. Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. )

For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. They actually have a chili cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio city park. The notes are from an inexperienced chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL.

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cooking contest. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted." Here are the scorecards from the advent: (Frank is Judge #3)

Chili # 1 Eddie's Maniac Monster Chili...
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2-- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 -- (Frank) What the h*ll is this stuff?! You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put out the flames. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy!

Chili # 2 Austin's Afterburner Chili...
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2-- Exciting BBQ flavor; needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3 Ronny's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili...
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Needs more beans. Judge # 2 -- A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh*t faced from all of the beer...

Chili # 4 Dave's Black Magic...
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 ---- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish, or other mild foods; not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. woman is starting to look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5 Lisa's Legal Lip Remover...
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead, and I can no longer focus my eyes. I ripped a** and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really p*sses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.

Chili # 6 Pam's Very Vegetarian Variety...
Judge # 1 -- Thin, yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. I sh*t myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair! No one seems inclined to stand behind me anymore. I need to wipe my a** with a snow cone.

Chili # 7 Carla's Screaming Sensation Chili...
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers. Judge # 2 -- Ho-hum; tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress, as he is cursing uncontrollably. Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing; it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8 Karen's Toenail Curling Chili... Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold, but spicy enough to declare its existence. Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild, nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 farted, passed out, fell over, and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?


Drum Roll please ........... the c2g Chili Cook Off Winner is .......... Mary May. Way to go Mary!!!!!

More to Remind Me ... Than To Remind You

"I look to the hills! Where will I find help?

It will come from the LORD, Who created the heavens and the earth. The LORD is your protector, and He won't go to sleep or let you stumble. The protector of Israel doesn't doze or ever get drowsy. The LORD is your protector, there at your right side to shade you from the sun. You won't be harmed by the sun during the day or by the moon at night. The LORD will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers. The LORD will protect you now and always wherever you go."

Psalm 121

Tear Stained & Trusting

I gave my heart and offered my soul ... real love, pure, and without reserve. I don't understand the response, but through the tears I am clutching onto this...



"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18


"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

Maytag Makes Junk

What a sad day ... Less than 3 years ago, I received a Maytag Neptune Washer. What happy thoughts I had of "Its a Maytag, it will last FOREVER!" What a load of crap.

Within 3 years I have had the Maytag Repair Man out to fix various major issues several times. And now the clutch and the gear box are out -- about a $1,000 repair according to the Maytag Man. Who said shaking his head, "These were manufactured as a piece of crap."

Wow, was he right. I did a little research online and class action lawsuits, as well as comment after comment about how unhappy people have been with their washer. I can see why!

When I called Maytag today to try to ask for some assistance with this difficulty. I was told that "it's just a machine, and they do break." REALLY? An $800 washing machine, and three years later it is no longer usable?? Wow - your marketing suggests otherwise!

I asked in humility for their help. Maytag's response was "sorry - we won't help you." My response to them, was "I will make sure to tell everyone I know what kind of company you are."

Next on the agenda ... forgive Maytag.

Practice Freedom

"Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. I am emphatic about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ's hard-won gift of freedom is squandered. I repeat my warning: The person who accepts the ways of circumcision trades all the advantages of the free life in Christ for the obligations of the slave life of the law. I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love." Galatians 5:1-3.

I have had some wonderful opportunities recently to trust Christ and the freedom He has given me abundantly. Through the closing of the organization I have worked for the past 17 years. Through the pregnancy of my 17-year old daughter. Through being a single mother of four. Through financial challenges. I have had the many opportunities as you can imagine to: Practice trusting. Practice praising. Practice joy in the midst of difficult circumstances. Practice humility. Practice being carried through the trials of this life. Practice reminding myself of things like "Perfect love drives out fear" and "Jesus promises to sustain me." Practice forgiveness. Practice surrender.

How do you practice freedom as faith expressed in love?

Children Are a Gift From the Lord

God led me to an opportunity to support this young woman to attend college. $50 per month for four years will give this child of God everything she needs to attend school including housing and books. Giving her a tangible opportunity to attain her dream of becoming a business woman and making a real difference in her community.

Profound Thought -- Karen's Ponderings

"It would be really cool if I had a head that could see inside my body... then I could see God inside me." — Karen, 6 years

Ice Cream Can Make Anything Better

Dancing With Jesus

"One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance." 1Thess 4:1-2

Images From Africa & Susan's Heart - ENJOY!

A Rare Opportunity

The African team is home! What a wonderful blessing to receive them back home in one piece and better for their time away with God in South Africa. I received this lovely handwritten letter from Mark to share with you:

"God has given us a tremendous opportunity to serve here in South Africa. The experience has been a graphic example to me of the devastating effects of sin in our lives. The huge number of brand new graves is a grim reminder of the truth of God's word "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." Ezekiel 18:20 and "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up." Hosea 8:7. But we also have the promise of God's Word which says, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." Romans 10:9-10.

It has been a rare opportunity to teach in the public schools about HIV/AIDS prevention and at the very same time also give out the gospel of Jesus. To me that demonstrates that the door is now open, but very quickly could also close. Thank you all for your prayers and support. In Christ... Mark"

Nobodies are Somebodies

"God doesn't count us; He calls us by name"

He says... "I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies. I'll called the unloved and make them beloved. In the place where they yelled out, "You're a nobody!" they're calling you, "God's living children."

"It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone."

So you somebody you .... I pray the amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

Random Updates from Africa - HIV/AIDS

The kids that God has allowed Susan to encounter have been so engaged in learning. Most have expressed a great appreciation for the information about how not to contract HIV/AIDS. The students were excited to receive their certificates for completing the program.

Susan sent pictures of one of the HIV/AIDS graveyards she visited. Her comment was that the epidemic has claimed so many lives she cannot count the vast number of sites similar to this one. What struck me about this photo was how many graves had fresh dirt on top of them.


The schools are so very different looking from the ones in our community. The staff doesn't have computers, some of the schools don't even have electricity or indoor plumbing. The chalkboards barely hold onto the walls, and yet the children feel blessed to be there. The children are grateful for their visit and treat the teaching team as if they are rock stars! Susan ask the children to sign her shirt so that she can keep a little part of them with her when she returns home.

The New Child God Gave Susan

Susan asked me to introduce the newest member of our "family."
Her name is Nompuelelo Buthelezi means "successful."

Nompuelelo was born in 1991 and orphaned when her Mama died in 2000. She has a 14 yr old sister that is away at school. Nompuelelo lives with her Aunt, her mother's sister. Who does not have the means to care for her. She is wearing Susan's cross, it is hard to see, but when Susan gave it to her she said she fell into Susan's arms and cried .. she is precious! She was an orphan but no more she is Susan's daughter!


Just below is Nompuelelo's letter is a tear jerker... word for word - no changes (not even the spelling)

"I'm Nompumelelo Buthelezi and I'm not from a rich family. My Mother died on 2000 16 was Novemeber that time. My dream is to became a business woman I wanna work hard at school for my future. My family members are so hard for me to get a better education. Sometimes there are things that I don't get easier like some of school things. I accept what they give me at home because I know that they don't have enough money to give me everything that I need. But I use to keep all that behind my back all I'm doing is getting prepared for my dream. And I know that one day I will achieve my dreams. And God will lead me to my dreams only if I believe in Him. My sisiters Mother always say one day you will be a successful business woman only if you believe in your self. I always pray to God to be with me everyday and to be with me in eberystaple that I take. My family said to me I must stay away from bad friend's and that what on my mind every when I meet my friend. I am so lucky to have people who still teach me good thing's wile my mother has past away. I sometimes miss her and get angry. Sometimes I use to say God doesn't love me because He took my Mother away from me. But since you came to our school I learnt more and now I understand that God love me and I still have to hold on to my future and do my best to achieve my dreams. One day I will see my self on University of Durban. That when my future is going to light a big flash in my eyes and I will say well come to my future where they will be no tears, no fears, no worries but only blessings of bright an successful future for my self.

Please pray for me. One day I really wannar be a successful business woman. I really wannar be an enterpriniership one day. And by God's way I will.

Thank you all for coming to our school and teaching us with things that happens in our world. May God bless you all."

I pray that you will join me in thanking God for how He has knit these two together in love and that you will ask God to give Susan an even clearer vision as to what He is unfolding for her to do.

The Wedding With 2 Cakes

So you saw the fabu wedding cake a few days ago... well as promised, I present to you the fabu bride & groom... Mr. & Mrs. Terry Myers (aka Terry & Carrie!)

And here of course is one more look at those amazing cakes!

Sincerest Thanks For Supporting This African Adventure

Words cannot adequately express the deep appreciation Susan feels for each and every person that supported this African adventure with God. The financial and prayer support which has enabled Susan to meet God in a totally new way.

Susan has been able to see God in the face of a man who finds his meals at the bottom of garbage cans. To see God in the arms of a woman in the last stages of AIDS that spends the moments she is able to be out of bed caring for six children. To see God hands of a couple caring for 700 orphans daily. To see God in the eyes of an orphan girl named Nampoomoolaylo. To see God give the gift of the Holy Spirit to many many people right in front of her eyes.

All of you who have supported her financially and in prayers have truly been used of God and it has been such a blessing! With deep sincerity .... thank you.

Dreams & Purpose

During class Susan felt prompted to talk with the kids about what they think their purpose in life might be in respect to the life choices they make, what dreams they think God has placed in their hearts. Some of their dreams included:

- Soccer player
- Accountant
- Celebrity
- Social Worker
- Business Woman
- Police Officer
- Miner
- Doctor

In their conversation one young woman asked "How can I attain my dreams, if I have no one to support me?"

Susan expressed how that touched her deep in her soul. That it led her to share how all things are possible through Christ and how everything in Heaven and on Earth is God's and He decides. Susan said to me that she felt as if God was softly nudging her heart about what she said. That since her encounter with this dear soul that she has wondered how will this young woman hold on to that dream if she is left with no hope... wonder what are the odds that she makes good choices and wonder... will she continue to believe that she has something to look forward to — like college.

Having the opportunity to attend college may allow this young woman to realize how valuable she is to her Creator.

I am amazed at how these children have such a lovely response to unlovely circumstances and praise God for it!

Stickers, Students, & Seeds

The teaching team includes Susan, Tshegofal-so, Jabu, Lebogang, and Zodwa. Each day they meet with the students to learn from them and to discuss how not to contract HIV/AIDS. The students were asked to write some of their questions, and here were just a few:

Q: Can you get AIDS if you drink after someone?
Q. What peoples get HIV?
Q. How can you see if you have HIV?
Q. You said the condoms have holes in them, so if you have sex will you get pregnant or not?
Q. I (heart) u! Will you be my friend?
Q. In America how do you treat HIV?
Q. Do you get HIV if you kiss a long time?
Q. But once you are into this "thing" there is no way out - what must I do?

When the class was finished Susan passed out stickers, the students were so thrilled to have the stickers and swarmed her for them! Susan remarked about how fortunate and blessed we are in the United States, that the conditions we live in are remarkably comfortable compared to the conditions these students encounter. It was a source of encouragement to her.

In our conversation I could hear the seeds of hope of what God might be planting in her for the future. She spoke of continuing to pray over an idea that she thinks may be from the God to help these children continue to college. More on that in our next post!

Learning How to Really Praise Jesus

The air was filled with electric excitement -- all because of Jesus! Sunday Susan spent the day learning how to really praise Jesus - her new African friends taught her as they danced, swayed with raised hands, sang, confessed sin, and SHOUTED PRAISES to our Amazing King!

She was overwhelmed with the love and faith displayed by the people she encountered. People who trust God just to be able to continue to exist today. People who are so amazingly grateful for every single blessing they receive.

At the tent revival meeting she attended more than 40 people went forward to receive Jesus. At one of the church meetings a woman stepped to the microphone and bared her sin of drug use earlier that week and gave thanks for Jesus' forgiveness. The common occurrence at each of the three services she attended was that it was really about worshiping God, singing and praising - people from the crowd going to the microphone to share what God had taught them or how God had cared for them that week ... that the pastor's message was a very very brief one at the end of the service, not the central component of the service. It was a refreshing time of happy holy moments.

Hostess Wedding Cake & Super Sweet Celebration

Hands down this is the most unique wedding I have ever been to! It was truly a creative celebration in Christ. Carrie & Terry were united as one in Christ next to a small waterfall. Among children running, wiggling and jumping - snow cones, pizza and a ginormous hostess wedding cake. The carnival atmosphere made me smile! Although I am minus pictures of the bride & groom in this entry. I plan to upload them as soon as I receive them!

Update on African Mission - They Have Arrived

The African Mission team has arrived safe & sound after a 19 hour flight! Susan says the ocean view is gorgeous where they are at!







"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“ Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Sarah's Story ... Teenage Daughter's Pregnancy ... the Power of Christ in Crisis

My friend Sarah sent this to me last night ... I hope it encourages you as it has encouraged me!

"God uses crises in our lives to fulfill his purpose, if we only step outside ourselves to see it. Think about all of the "stumbling blocks" in our lives that are actually God's way of opening our eyes to his ever-redeeming love.

Several months ago, my teenage daughter came to me with the news most parents fear hearing "I'm pregnant". I always imagined how I would feel if I heard those words, but no amount of preconceived notions prepared me for reality. First I stood in disbelief.... then anger.... and then I was heartsick. The only words I was able to utter were "just leave me alone for a minute".

Before I became a Christ follower, I would have responded much differently, however my own sinfulness still made me think "what will people think of me as a parent?" Those few precious moments after the news, I got out my bible and sat quietly in reflection and prayer. I asked God to help me respond the way he wanted instead of the way I wanted. What came to me in those moments surprised me quite a bit. I was shown how, over the years, my own judgment on the parents of teenage moms was not very Christ-like. Or, that instead of looking on every pregnancy, and every infant... no matter what circumstances they were born under, was a gift from God. EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE! What was shown to me in those minutes after the news was that I was raised by my grandmother, because my mom was also a pregnant teen, and how alone my mom must have felt. As a walk along side my daughter, instead of feeling embarrassment... Jesus is walking along side us cradling my daughter in his arms. When we get "not so nice" stares from other people... I remember that it is not the opinion of others that makes us worthwhile, but the strength that Christ gives us through trials and life's circumstances, if we only turn to Him for guidance.

I thank God for being there for me after I heard the news of my daughters pregnancy. I know that He is with us no matter what mistakes we make in our lives, and no one is outside the realm of forgiveness. I ask and pray that we can all look on our brothers and sisters as made in God's image, and that any birth as a celebration.. no matter what the circumstances!!!!!!! We are anxiously awaiting the birth of our grandchild, as a creation of Christ and ask for your prayers that my daughter gets through her pregnancy with little stress and forever gratefulness!!!!!"

Sarah, you and your family are in my prayers, and each time you come to my mind I thank God for you!

Give It Up ... Give It Over

I was going to explain how our Father keeps giving me opportunities to give things over to Him. How He also allows me to witness friends in the same place, facing opportunities to surrender to Him. But everything I could think of to say has already been said by Paul and Keb Mo...

"I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.

The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn't deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.

Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.

But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!

So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!" Romans 7:24,25 - 8:17

So I suppose all there is left to do is give it up ... give it over ... What do you think?

Meet the South Africa Mission Team....

Small team, but mighty in the Lord! Meet the three saints that are going off to experience God in South Africa in just two weeks.

Glynn Smith, mission trip leader and SAMission Board Member, bringing AIDS education to Africa. Glynn is coordinating all aspects of this tactical effort to teach twelve schools again this year.





Mark Carey, long time friend and bible study partner for about eight or ten years of Glenn's. Mark lives in Long Beach California with wife Kathy. They have three children all married and there are at least a handful of grandchildren.




Susan O’Hara who Glenn met indirectly through attending the same International AIDS seminar at Saddleback church two years ago. Susan wanted to go with us last year but was not able to because of family circumstances.





The Good news . . . . . Initially a little disappointing that they only have a three-person team going from the USA this year, especially after the ten-adult and eight-teenager team from last year. Anyway they just accepted that this is God’s plan for this year and started to plan accordingly. The good news is that they are still going to teach twelve schools again this year even with our reduced contingent from America. This means that our local partners are starting to take this program over and make it their own. This is what needs to happen:

Support this trip . . . . With two and a half weeks left before we leave we are still a little short of their trip support goal. If you are able or feel led to support this trip, your contribution would be most helpful. God has never left us short and we know that whatever he provides will be sufficient.

Support an Orphan . . . . If you are not already sponsoring a child, we have two hundred children from Richards Bay on the sponsorship list with Horizon International. There are probably about a hundred and fifty of those kids that still need sponsors for $35 per month.

Be a Monthly donor . . . . Because of a handful of donors making monthly pledges to SAM we are now able to start helping some of our partners in Richards Bay. Some like Kenny just unselfishly working for the Lord and trusting that he will provide. Then there is Clement and Thuli that have taken on the responsibility of caring for all those kids in need.

For more information contact me.

$10 Starbucks Card Award - For First Sighting Of ...

In the past 2 weeks, there have been AT LEAST 3 sightings of this woman with toliet paper "stuck" to various body parts or items of clothing on this woman....









I will award a $10 Starbucks Gift Card to the first person who gets a picture of the next sighting and sends it to me...

Lean Six Sigma Training - The TQM Difference

Friends of Youth Banquet 6/28

Kasey's Summer Coiffure