Stephen

I've been reading about Stephen in the book of Acts these past couple of days.  He is typically referred to as "Stephen the Martyr".  Stephen was an awesome man that God used to impact a lot of people.  We first meet Stephen in Acts 6. He was one of the 7 that was chosen to look after the needs of the neglected.  Acts 6:3 says that he was of "good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom...".  His life was consistent with his confession of faith (good reputation).  He knew the will of God and lived it out.  How did he know the will of God?  He studied the Scriptures.  Which is evident in the address that he made to the Sanhedrin.

Stephen was also a man after God's own heart.  He shared with everybody about Christ and was a powerful witness (6:8).  He knew that whatever he could have planned and done with his own life was nothing compared to what God had planned.  He was "sold-out" for Christ.  All the way to the very end.  Facing the Sanhedrin, he must have had some sort of idea that they were going to kill him.  Maybe not though.  He wasn't scared (or at least the Scriptures never tell us) but that is because he was being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

My point is that we should not use Stephen as an example of how to die for Christ.  But rather how to LIVE for Christ.  He was only able to stand strong to the very end because of the relationship that he had with Jesus.  He was strong in his faith.  He knew the Truth because he studied it and applied to his life.  He listened to God over anybody else.  I respect those that have died for Christ and pray that I am as strong as they were when faced with death.  But I know that the only way that I am going to be that strong is in how strong my relationship is with Christ.  If I turn away in the hard times, then guaranteed I will turn away when it really counts.  I want to be one that God says "well done my good and faithful servant."  But not because of how I died but for how I lived my life for God.

Prayer & Pilates

For over 12 years I've had a bad lower back.  I'm not sure how this came to be but it is.  And it sucks.  Usually.  I've only gone to chiropractors because I've never had the resources to see a specialist.  And that's been ok.  I've had times where it's been really really bad and others that there isn't any pain.  Once I hurt it so bad I had to go to the E.R. but they couldn't do anything for me.  Even the muscle relaxer and pain meds they gave me touch the pain.  But no insurance meant just getting through it.  And God helped me.

Well for about the past month I've had some pain that just would not go away.  I went to my chiro but he couldn't even get it.  (I don't much care for him anyways and we were going out of town so I didn't bother to go back.)  So it had been getting worse and worse.  To the point that laying down, which usually alleviates the pain, hurt.  I tried numerous times to go back to my chiro but for whatever reason it never worked out.  Either when I tried to go he wasn't there or I was too busy to go.  Last week I decided to really start praying about this and asking God to be my Ultimate Physician.  He's the one that made me and knows exactly what is going on down there.  Who better to fix me than my Creator?

The first day I prayed I felt the Lord tell me to strengthen my core (core muscles - stomach area).  I have taken some pilates classes in the past and have always enjoyed them since they don't put strain on the lower back when done properly.  So I started doing some of the exercises that I could remember after praying.  1 week later.....the pain is decreasing!  Laying down at night doesn't hurt!  I know that it is because I am seeking the Lord and doing what He said that this is happening.

As I spend time with my Heavenly Father through prayer and reading His word, I am strengthening my core in Him.  My foundation is being laid stronger and stronger.  Just like the wise man who build his house upon the rock (Matt. 7:24f).  As I build my foundation (relationship) upon Jesus Christ (the Rock), I will be able to "weather the storms" that come.  A house is only as good as it's core - the foundation.  My relationship is only as good as what I make it.  Just like my relationship with my husband.  It is only as good as the time and energy that I invest.  It's only as strong as I want it to be.

So as I build my foundation stronger in the Lord, He is giving me the tools I need to do what He has called me to.  And as I do my pilates and make my core muscles stronger, the Lord is healing my back and getting me ready for the work that He has given me to do.

Frank

So we have no kids but we do have the greatest kitty ever!  Frank Martin.  We named him after Jason Statham in The Transporter movies.   Only because Frank does all his own stunts too! ;-)
Some of the things that Frank likes:  Sleeping, sun bathing, bird/squirrel watching.  Okay, basically what other cats like to do too.  But he also likes to play a game we call "sneak".  Just sneaking up on each other. He also loves mashed potatoes and French Vanilla Creamers.  Every morning when I get my coffee he is right there to consume the drippings from my single serve creamers that didn't make it into my coffee.  And he reminds me every time that he wants them.  Gotta love it!
Well enough about my "baby".  I just wanted to share a picture that I just took.

Our favorite little people

We don't have our own kids but we do have plenty of nieces and nephews!  And that's more fun because you can give them back when you are done! :)  So I thought I would share with you our favorite little people! (2 more are on the way but not until June.)

My sister's girls: Kara & Erin

Justin's oldest bro's kids: Jackson, Gabby & Ben

My brother, Eric's son: Ebin

My oldest bro's daughter: Ashley Erica

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

I'm attempting my hand at Honey Whole Wheat Bread.  I figured since the white bread I made a couple of weeks ago went well and tasted great....why not?  Everything seems to be going well so far.
This new "job" is hard.  It's work and wait, work and wait, work and wait.  So hence the making of bread. You contact people but then you have to wait for their response.  Hurry up!  Answer me now!  Is what I'm thinking.  I'm not one that does well with waiting.  It's not about patience.  It's more being anxious for the outcome.  I just want to know the answer so that I can move on.

Psalm 27:14 says "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"  My Bible commentary says this about the verse: "To wait on the Lord is to demonstrate confident expectation.  The Hebrew word for wait may also be translated hope.  To hope in God is to wait for His timing and His action."  Thinking about hoping in God reminds me of this year's verse for our church, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Heb 10:23).

The hope that is talked about here is not the wishy-washy hope that the world makes claims to.  It is true hope in Jesus Christ.  And when we are Christians, our hope is one of expectation - it is going to happen.  You can bank your bottom dollar on it.  The world thinks of hope like a lottery ticket.  You have no idea if you are going to win or not.  The chances are slim to none for winning.  But when we HOPE in the Lord - we know for sure that it is going to happen.  No doubt about it.  So hold on tight to the things that God has told you.  For me - it is holding tight to the FACT that God is going to bring in all our monthly support when it's time.

Application to myself - I need to continue to "wait on the Lord" and know that He will give me the answers.  When I need to know.  With a smile on my face I can wait.  This world ain't got nothin' on me!

And I think my bread is done rising.  Now to make the loaves, let it rise again and bake!  Can't wait! :)

Joining the Blogger World

So I thought that I would try my hand at blogging.  I've been thinking about this because there are things that I think about or do that I think some people would like to hear or know.  Things like the wonderful new recipe that I tried, my thoughts about what I've read in the Bible this morning, how we are doing with our whole missionary thing.  Maybe somebody will find it enjoyable or can relate.  We'll see how this goes!