Happy New Year to everyone!
It's been a good break so far from 'normal' life. But, I also look forward to getting back at "it" in a few days.
I don't know exactly what the Lord has in store for us in these next few months, but I know that He will do what is good and right, not only for us, but also for all of those connected with His ministry in Lima.
Yesterday, we had the joy of attending Redeeming Grace in Owensville, MO. The pastor was away on vacation and asked me to step in to lead worship and preach and lead Sunday school. They are such a great group of brothers and sisters in the Lord. It was good to worship with them.
I wish you all joy in Jesus in the new year!
Jim for all
31 December 2007
28 December 2007
Vacation from...life
Well, I've obviously been taking this "vacation" thing way too far!
I've been out of touch from normal life for quite awhile now and it shows. It's been too long since I blogged. But, I wanted to at least write this to say...I'm still here. I promise.
:)
I've been out of touch from normal life for quite awhile now and it shows. It's been too long since I blogged. But, I wanted to at least write this to say...I'm still here. I promise.
:)
22 December 2007
"Joe and Do"
Today, we had our first ever Christmas "Joe and Do" Open House! Below you will see the fresh donuts being made ready for their sugar coatings! :)
We had a bunch of people over...it was fun...not everyone could make it and we probably didn't get the message out soon enough (because, as you know, schedules get crazy fast around this time o' year).
Anyway, thought you'd enjoy the pic. Happy Holidays....Merry Christmas! Enjoy Jesus and the amazing reality that He left His Throne in Heaven because He loved us so much...and He actually became a little baby boy. Wow!
We had a bunch of people over...it was fun...not everyone could make it and we probably didn't get the message out soon enough (because, as you know, schedules get crazy fast around this time o' year).
Anyway, thought you'd enjoy the pic. Happy Holidays....Merry Christmas! Enjoy Jesus and the amazing reality that He left His Throne in Heaven because He loved us so much...and He actually became a little baby boy. Wow!
17 December 2007
Kids in Backyard with Snow Fort
Just thought y'all would like to see the kids (with friends) with their latest project: building a snow fort complete with a backwall and "roof" made out of broken tree branches.
I was out there with them, rolling little snow balls into these mammoth ones...and now my body is feeling so sore! :)
Merry Christmas!
12 December 2007
Seeking Fulfillment, Disobedience, Freedom and Love
I have been wrestling recently with the things listed above in my "title" for this post.
I have seen how I so easily turn to things for fulfillment that aren't able to fulfill me, nor are they supposed to. I can look to a Monday Night football game or some "comfort" food or whatever. But, the Holy Spirit has been so kind as to show me how unfulfilling these things are...how empty these things are when it comes to what my heart really longs for.
There's only one place...one Person, who can fulfill what my heart longs for. I'm thankful this morning as I write this that Jesus has loved me enough to see Him for who He really is and to be able to know Him and have a relationship with Him.
Now THAT brings my heart a sense of calm...a true sense of satisfaction. I'm thankful that in that relationship I can truly and honestly admit my failures and disobedient desires/actions to Him and know that it doesn't change His view of me.
There are times when I think of these things and think to myself, "Whatever. I've heard that before."
Then, there are times (more often) when I think of these things and think, "This never grows old. This reality of who God truly is and what He's done and what He is doing is such an amazing story."
I pray that for whoever might read this post, that this reality would hit you with a very heavy blessing. :)
I have seen how I so easily turn to things for fulfillment that aren't able to fulfill me, nor are they supposed to. I can look to a Monday Night football game or some "comfort" food or whatever. But, the Holy Spirit has been so kind as to show me how unfulfilling these things are...how empty these things are when it comes to what my heart really longs for.
There's only one place...one Person, who can fulfill what my heart longs for. I'm thankful this morning as I write this that Jesus has loved me enough to see Him for who He really is and to be able to know Him and have a relationship with Him.
Now THAT brings my heart a sense of calm...a true sense of satisfaction. I'm thankful that in that relationship I can truly and honestly admit my failures and disobedient desires/actions to Him and know that it doesn't change His view of me.
There are times when I think of these things and think to myself, "Whatever. I've heard that before."
Then, there are times (more often) when I think of these things and think, "This never grows old. This reality of who God truly is and what He's done and what He is doing is such an amazing story."
I pray that for whoever might read this post, that this reality would hit you with a very heavy blessing. :)
08 December 2007
Wreathdom
Yes. All week long my dear wife has been doing one of the things she does best - being creative.
She has spent all week long turning our living room into a den of flowers, leaves, pine cones, cranberries, nuts....and many other things in order to make wreaths and flower arrangements. Why? Good question.
Today (Saturday the 8th) was a neighborhood craft sale. She did it last year and enjoyed it so did it again this year. Although, this year it was rainy and 32 degrees (or something like that). I believe she is one sick lady. ;(
Anyway, the bottom line is she had the opportunity to shine as God gifted her to do. And I enjoyed watching the process and the results.
Okay. Enough for now. If I remember to do so, I'll put up a few pictures of her wreaths.
She has spent all week long turning our living room into a den of flowers, leaves, pine cones, cranberries, nuts....and many other things in order to make wreaths and flower arrangements. Why? Good question.
Today (Saturday the 8th) was a neighborhood craft sale. She did it last year and enjoyed it so did it again this year. Although, this year it was rainy and 32 degrees (or something like that). I believe she is one sick lady. ;(
Anyway, the bottom line is she had the opportunity to shine as God gifted her to do. And I enjoyed watching the process and the results.
Okay. Enough for now. If I remember to do so, I'll put up a few pictures of her wreaths.
02 December 2007
Ups and Downs
It seems as though this is a tough day....Friday was good, even Thursday. We saw God take us quickly through government processes that we thought would take a LONG time. But, we did them in record time, actually. Praise God. He can get through governmental "red tape"!
:)
However, today seems a bit tougher. We are so longing to be in Peru and feeling the reality of the fact that it's been over three years since we started the process of thinking and praying about being a part of the work there. It's hard, from our perspective, to wait and wait and wait. As an American...I'm not used to this kind of patience. Lord, forgive me and help me.
:)
However, today seems a bit tougher. We are so longing to be in Peru and feeling the reality of the fact that it's been over three years since we started the process of thinking and praying about being a part of the work there. It's hard, from our perspective, to wait and wait and wait. As an American...I'm not used to this kind of patience. Lord, forgive me and help me.
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