Advent devotions/celebration with family and friends

Please check out facebook for the plan for this years Advent time.  Click on it to see what we are doing.  Hope to see you there!

The Great Commission

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  Matthew 28:19-20  Jeruselem bible

This is the GREAT COMMISSION.

Are you a bashful Christian, one who is afraid to speak up for your Savior?  Do you leave it up to others to share their walk with God?  Do you believe that someone else will teach your children about Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit?  Do you share the commands of Jesus?  Are you reluctant to share your faith journey, your stories, your encounters with Jesus?  Too many of us are slow to obey the last commandment of the risen Christ; we don't do our best to "make disciples of all the nations."

Christ's Great Commission applies to Christians of every generation, including our own.  As believers, we are commanded to share the Good News with our families, with our neighbors, and with the world.  Jesus invited His disciples to become fishers of men.  We, too, must accept the Savior's invitation and we must do so TODAY.  Tomorrow may indeed be too late!

"Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth.  Give me a single mind to fear Your name."
                                                                                                                           Psalm 86:11 HCSB

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I was always the shy one, such a bashful Christian.  I got better at sharing my faith after I was baptised in the Holy Spirit.  So did Peter!  Before this baptism of fire, he was denying Jesus.  But after - he became very bold!  On that day 3,000 were added to their number.  Read the story in Acts chapter 2.

I went from being "obligated" to attend mass every Sunday, to really enjoying being there, and couldn't get enough of "church"  (Jesus and the Holy Spirit).  I started going to prayer meetings.  Loved that.  I became a real part of the family of God.  I started a guitar group for the music at St. Pius Church in Billings.  Then I was asked to be the religious ed director there.  And did that, too!  I taught Life in the Spirit Seminars with my prayer group family.  We had the best time, and it was good!

Now I am older, and can't get to as many places, nor can I do as much.  But I can share on this blog.  This is also the Great Commission.   I'll keep sharing my faith stories as long as I live.  It is the good life!  I am happy in my Lord.  Please feel free to share whatever you want to with everyone on here.  I know there are some wonderful stories and story tellers amongst us.  You never know who will need to hear what you share.  At first it is hard, but just ask Jesus to help you and to give you what you need to do this.  And you'll find an excitement, a fun time, and words you didn't know you could say!  That's what I did, so I know anyone can do this!

Smile

Jacob said, "For what a relief it is to see your friendly smile.  It is like seeing the smile of God!"

                         Genesis 33:10 from The Way - the Living Bible

A smile is nourishment for the heart, and laughter is medicine for the soul---but sometimes amid the stresses of the day, we forget to take our medicine.  Instead of viewing our world with a mixture of optimism and humor, we allow worries and distractions to rob us of the joy that God intends for our lives.

So the next time you find yourself dwelling upon the negatives of life, refocus your attention to things positive.  The next time you find yourself falling into the pessimistic frame of mind,stop yourself and turn your thoughts around.  With God as your protector and Christ as your Savior, you're blessed now and forever!  So smile!

Laughter is like premium gasoline:  It takes the knock out of living.

         "Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!  Shout to God with the voice of triumph!"  Psalm47:1, NKJV

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I always loved being around my Dad's sisters and brother and their kids.  You know why?  We always laugh so hard that our sides and mouths hurt when we leave, and we all feel so good!  Laughter really is the best medicine.  So, I would like to encourage all of you to find those people who can make you laugh.  Those who are positive.  Those who follow Christ!  It is okay to cry on someone's shoulder when you are really down, but once you've said all that, and cried all those tears, then give it to Jesus.  He's going to take all your cares and worries and you won't need to cry about them again.  Instead, begin to learn to praise HIM and thank HIM in all things.  CLAP YOUR HANDS, AND SHOUT UNTO GOD WITH THE VOICE OF TRIUMPH!

An attitude of Gratitude

"For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving."
          1st Timothy 4:4

EVERYTHING GOD HAS CREATED IS GOOD!!!!

Think of the blessings we so easily take for granted:  Life itself; preservation from danger; every bit of health we enjoy; every hour of liberty and freedom; the ability to see, to hear, to speak, to think - and just think!  ALL OF THIS COMES FROM THE HAND OF GOD!

Instead of ignoring God, we must praise and thank Him several times each day.  Then, with gratitude in our hearts, we can face the day's challenges with the strength and power only HE can provide.

When we forget to slow down and say "Thank You" to our creator, we rob ourselves of His presence, His peace, and His joy.    (Rev. Billy Graham)
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I know this is so true.  In the next postings on my blog I am going to share more about this, including some personal lessons I have learned .  How about sharing with me?  How has God blessed you and your life because you've taken the time to slow down and thank Him and praise Him and recognized Him for who He is.  Please share.
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"Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence."
            Psalm 140:13

Another Easter Story about Church in Boise 2009

So, we decided to go to Church on Easter Eve, which was an Easter Vigil.  Mass started around 6PM.  Debbie said it would be a long Mass (I forget exactly why) but this Mass had 3 or 4 Bishops, a few Cardinals I think, and if I didn't any better, I would have thought the Pope himself was there.  This was one of those big deals where all the Grand Poobah's in the big high hats and flowing capes tossed insense and myhr at the Parishoners.  We started out outside with a candlelight vigil and then paraded back inside to take our seats.  The music was absolutely the best I'd ever heard.  I was sure I was in Heaven.  After about 2 hours though (they were baptising people and we had to listen to the Bishops do everything in 3 different languages), Dad got resless and snuck out.  Then, Mom snuck out shortly thereafter.  Then, Russ snuck out.  So, Debbie and I looked at each other and thought "We can't leave now, they are doing the Eucharist" and that just wouldn't be right.  So we stayed put.  Pretty soon, Dad snuck back in, followed by Mom.  Then Russ came back.  So about another half hour went by, and it was past 9:00, getting too close to Dad's 9:22 bed-time.  So, Dad says "after you take Communion, walk out the door".  So we all filed out right after Communion.  I hate doing that, but we were in there for at least 3 hours already.  As it was, Dad didn't get to bed until after 10:00.  But I have to say, I love that Church to this day, and the music was still the best I have ever heard.

Fun Easter Memory in Boise - Dad's Eggs

Have a glorious Easter!

 

Isn't this the best time of year?  Maybe it's because it ushers in spring and all the spring birds and flowers and soon everything will be green instead of white and brown.  Beautiful!  Everything is coming to life!  Hope abounds!  It's because this week tells the historical stories of the bible and the roots of our faith.  From Palm Sunday, to Holy Thursday, to Good Friday, to Holy Saturday, to Easter Sunday.  The death and resurrection of our God, of Jesus. Of how He suffered (took all our afflictions and sins upon Himself as the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb) and died on a cross, was buried, and ROSE FROM THE DEAD!!!  No other man, or any other faith can claim the resurrection and being witnessed by thousands as He walked and ministered, made dinner and ate with His friends.  No one else rose into the heavens, witnessed by many, and saying "as you see me rise up into the sky, you will see me come again".  Praise the Lord of Lords!  Easter is a wonderful celebration of life!

 

 

I was thinking about the many times we've been able to spend Easter together.  I would like to share a few that come to mind today:

 

 

At Linda and Dennis's.  We had a wonderful time that day.  But Chuck, Russ, and Dennis all ended up with pretty bad owies from playing dodge ball. 

 

 Where's the food?  I'm hungry!

 Clean up after the food!

 Visiting!

 Finding eggs and playing dodge ball!

 Napping.  Bandit, too!

 

 

One Easter Janet and Eric and Kailey came.  Chuck and Deedle came over and Linda, Dennis and the boys as well.  It was a beautiful day, so we ate outside and played out there all day. 

(can't find this picture, but I will and I'll post it later)

 

We went to my Mom and Dad's in Chinook several times for Easter.  We always had fun there.  I remember one of those times.  I had made Kay, Karen, Janet, and Linda all a beautiful purple coat and hat.  And a pretty pink dress for each as well.  They found their Easter baskets, and Linda wanted all of them.  She put up quite a fight for them, too.  I think she was one! 

 Easter dresses I made.  And the bows, too.  Pretty?
(Actually I won a contest with these lovely models.  And I made Chuck a shirt, too.  No picture of his!)

 Grandpa, Chuck, and Brian all dressed up!

 In Chinook.  That is Linda, not liking how the grass feels.  Mickey beside her, laughing at her.  Janet picking Grandma's lilacs!

 A picture of us in Chinook.  I made your dresses - and mine and Dad's shirt, too!

Kay - she got her basket and bunny! 

 

I remember an Easter at Bev's in Bozeman.  Her and I and Pat and Sharon hid all the Easter eggs we had colored out in the yard.  So many of them, for so many children!  You all ran out there with your baskets to find them.  You came in quickly with your baskets filled.  I counted all the eggs and there were lots missing, so I made you all go back out there until you found them all!  Pretty soon you had them.  Happy day!  A few years later, I found out you all went around the neighborhood and gathered all the eggs other people had hidden outside for their families.  I wonder what they did when their eggs weren't there!  Oh my.

          (I don't have a picture of Easter at Bev's.  Maybe I can post those later, too.)

 

Sharon always made up fun games - with a little help from Karen - always fun and funny.  Very clever minds together like that can do great things!  We went to the Tinnes's house on Rhubarb many Easters.  This time, Sharon and Karen had figured out a treasure hunt game for the eggs and candy in Karen's back yard.  It was so much fun.  She had all these things they had to do and places to look for the "treasures".  We looked out once and there were all the kids and some of the adults, too walking from the pool to the pond on their hands and feet - all in a row!  And another time they were all out there quacking and waddling like ducks.  So involved and engrossed in what they were doing.  Fun!  Sharon had fun things for everyone to do everywhere she went.  Here is a picture of a fun thing at our house here:

Yes, this is me and Sharon.  Who knows what she's doing?

  This is Brian, Teresa, and Monique.  At Sharon's.  Maybe they are hiding?  Or finding eggs?  ?   ?   ?

 Me, Pat, and Sharon at Mother's

 Sharon, Pat, and Bev in Billings.

 Chad and Brea at Red Lodge.

Josh with his Easter fish?

We spent Easter at Kay's in Boise.  Couldn't wait to go to the beautiful cathedral mass at 10:00 P.M.  They had beautiful musicians, and the bishops from a couple of dioceses were there.  Lots  of people. Beautiful.  We played lots of "crowns".  Boise in the spring is so nice!

We had fun times in Ronan at Easter with Grandma and Grandpa Eve.  One time I remember you were all sitting on her couch for a picture and you were all wearing blue suits and scarves I had made for you.  You looked so cute, and sweet and innocent.  Wayne thought you looked like the hutterite children!

(Maybe I'll be able to find these pictures, too, and I'll post them later)

Brian spent a few Easters in the army in a foreign land and in Germany.

There were so many fun Easters, we were very blessed.  But the time that I remember most was in March of 1995.  Our home burned down on Holy Thursday.  My Mom and Dad had been staying with us, but just left a couple days before because a bad storm was on the way and they wanted to miss it.  And it was a bad storm.  So bad that schools were closed, stores were closed, even the mall was closed!  But - CCD was still going (Jr. Hi and Hi school), and so was Chuck and Debbie's band concert

 (6th grade).  So Reimer's came and picked up the 4 older girls and Dad and I and Brian went to the concert.  Miraculously, we were all gone when the house blew up, according Mrs. Jensen, the next door neighbor.  No one was home!  Miracle!  Otherwise someone would have died or been burned, the firemen told us.  I was so thankful!  I remember going to church at St. Luke's that Sunday and everything we saw and heard was as though God was speaking love and hope and comfort to us!  Everyone prayed for us.  I'll never forget that Easter!

Because of that Easter miracle our family is still here, and we have grown from 9 to 23!  Hallelujah!  HE IS ALIVE!!!

Let's celebrate!

 Now? says Debbie with one eye open!

 I'd rather be fishing, replied Jade.

 I'm ready - me and my dog, proclaims Kailey happily!

 My grandmothers:Grandma Josephine and Grandma Sadie.  Dad's knees.  Sleeping on the bench right then and there!

 

Comparing length of leg bones, maybe?  Or color of socks?  Or Dad's beautiful knee? ? ?

 

                          ?  ?  ?          ?  ?  ?

 

So long, Folks!

 

Have a blessed and joyous and wonderful Easter!

 

Take pictures and post them, and your remembrances of Easters past and present would be so wonderful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asking

Thank you, Debbie.

"You have not because you ask not".  Do any of you watch Jack Graham on TV on Sunday Mornings?  Or you can get him on You Tube, or God Tube.  He is good.  Today this is what his message was about.  You could go there and see the whole thing.  Worth the 20 minutes.

I want to emphasize that you go to James 4 and read that for yourselves.  I'm zeroing in on verse 3.  In my Jerusalem bible the verse reads:  "Why you don't have what you want is because you don't pray for it' when you do pray and don't get it, is because you have not prayed properly, you have prayed for something to indulge your own desires."  Review the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6.  Our Father, who art in heaven - remember his glory and awesomeness - reverence Him and Him only!  Hallow'd be thy name - Remember the name of Jesus - it is Holy!  Thy will be done.  Are we praying for something that will glorify HIM and not ME?

My bible in verse 5 reads:  "Surely you don't think scripture is wrong when it says: the spirit which He sent to live in us wants us for himself alone?"  And in the footnote to this verse it says:  " He yearns intensely over the spirit He has made to dwell in us".    "It is because God has shared His Spirit with us, that we want what God wants and that God answers our prayers."

Read this chapter in James.  And then also cross reference Matthew 18:19-20 and John 14:13+.  And try to find Jack Graham on your computers or on your TV on Sundays.

And then write your thoughts here!

Trust HIM and HE will uphold you!

Hi everyone.  It's been awhile since I've been able to be here.  I've missed you.  Hope you missed me, too.

I felt like this scripture was something we all needed to hear at this time.  God is speaking to us:

It is from ECCLESIASTICUS 2: 6-13, 23 . . . .

Trust Him and He will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in Him.
You who fear the Lord, trust Him, and you will not be baulked of your reward.
You who fear the Lord hope for good things, for everlasting happiness and mercy.
Look at the generations of old and see: who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame?
Or who ever feared him steadfastly and was left forsaken?
Or who ever called out to Him and was ignored?
For the Lord is compassionate and merciful,
He forgives sins, and saves in days of distress.

Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, not into the hands of men;
for as His majesty is, so too is His mercy.

In my footnotes it explains -The 'Fear of the Lord' no longer implies physical fear in presence of God's terrifying power, but rather reverence and devoted obedience.

So, this scripture means that He will help us if we trust him, follow His word and hope in Him.

It means if we reverence the Lord and obey his commandments, then we can hope for good things, for everlasting happiness and mercy.  If we reverence Him and obey Him He will never forsake us.  He will see to it that we are never put to shame.  Call out to Him and He will not ignore you.  He is merciful, He forgives sins and saves in days of distress,  Look at the generations before us who called  upon His name.

Guns & abortion

It is so awful how the "bad guys" are forcing the issue of gun control.  The president, and the cabinet, and the senate and many, many people in our country want to ban guns.  It is so sad when guns are brought into schools and our little ones are murdered.  They are so innocent, and have done nothing wrong.  So heartbreaking.  So ban the guns?  What about the millions of babies that are murdered by abortions?  They, too are innocent of any crimes.  And because of Roe V. Wade it is legal to murder those babies.  Ban abortions?  They are wanting more restrictions and laws and rules on the books about the guns.  We already have all that.  We need to enforce what we have.  Don't let them take the guns!   Ban the abortions!  I really object to my tax dollars going to fund an abortion - the killing of an innocent little baby who has no one to save it's life, no one to say "STOP THIS INSANITY!"  A mother's womb should be the safest place there is for that baby.  The schools should be a safe place.  The mall should be safe.  The movie theatre should be safe.   BAN ABORTIONS, BUT NOT GUNS!  Enforce the laws we already have.

The 2nd ammendment to the constitution is our right to own and bear arms.  That ammendment was included in our constitution to protect ourselves from the government!  Isn't that something?  When our country was founded, they put provisions in there for them and us to be able to protect ourselves.  When people in power decide to take over and rule in another way than what our America is meant to be, a Christian, free, democracy - with liberty and justice for all, and a right to happiness - then we have every right to get our guns in their faces when they try to take them from us!  It is our GOD given right.  The government is trying to convince you that it is about hunting rifles.  The kinds of guns they are saying need to be illegal already are!  We need enforcement of the laws already on the books. 
Pray  for America!  Pray for our constitution's protection.  Pray for the children and the babies.  Pray for solutions to the problem of guns getting into the hands of those who should not have them.  God bless us all!

So many need prayers!

Could we all join our hearts and voices in prayer for the following friends of ours?:

*Pat Schindele - he had a very serious back surgery yesterday.  It took 7 hours.  He had seriously  
        crushed
        discs, a lot of nerves in a bundle in there that had to be taken care of - and that's before he had the
        actual surgery he had gone in there for - two metal rods down either side of his backbone to
        straighten it out.  He will be hospitalized for a week.  Pray for Pat and his wife Marlys, who is taking
        care of him.  Pat is a year older than Dad.
*Jean Voeller - wife of Mike Voeller, Dad's other high school buddy.  She has masticized cancer.  Not
        good.
*Ron Joy - He had back surgery about a month ago in Minneapolis.  He and his wife, Kathy are our
       campground host friends.  He had a very terrible time in surgery and after and spent 17 days in
       the hospital.  Went home, and was there a couple of days and then had the ambulance come and
       get him and had to be taken back to the hospital, where he is now.  Kathy's mom is there with
       them.  She is 92 years old.  Came to visit for Christmas.  Ron and Kathy live out of town about
       10 miles.  Pray for Ron's complete healing, and pray for Kathy and her Mom. 
*Rosalie and *Hank Reimers - Rosalie had to have by pass surgery.  They took veins out of both of
      her legs and
       weaved them into and around her chest and arm.  She is recuperating now.  Hank had some kind of
        nerve mass - a big ball - that grew into his spine.  It was noticed this summer.  He had to be flown
        immediately to the Seatle hospital to save his life.  He's home now.  Rosalie was his caretaker -
        driving him to Dr's and PT.  They are having an awful time.  Their kids are helping out when they
        can, but most of them live far away.  We help them when we can.
*Rodger Heckel - Dad's good friend.  He worked at NW Pipe with Dad for awhile.  He's known him
         for many years.  He hurt his hip and leg when he went to Bozeman last time and it isn't much better.
         His wife Joycie has hip and knee problems, too.  Rodger does a lot for us and for Linda, 
         and  everyone who needs him. 
*Sharon Party - Dad's good freind, Ralph's wife.  She went out in her back yard in about May to pick a
         flower, and turned her ankle.  She broke the bones in her lower leg and ankle and She has spent 
         almost all this time  in intensive care, the hospital, and the immediate care places.
         She is home now, but can't do a thing.  Her leg is not healing.  Ralph does everything for her. 
         He is not real well, either.  It is so hard for him, but she needs him to care for her.  He takes her
         to PT every day, and often has to re-admit her to the hospital.  She really needs a healing.  We
         cook meals and help them out when we can.  Pray for a healing for her leg. 
*My cousin Mirl's first wife - Pat Gratton.  She and Mirl were  our good friends for a long, long time.  
      She moved to Moscow, Idaho after their divorce.  She and Mirl are Scott Gratton's parents.  I always
       loved her, and we've kept in touch over the years.  A really great person.  She has very bad cancer of
       the bones.  She and her family need
       lots of prayers.  Pat has hospice care now.  Her daughter lives with her to care for her.  Pray for
       the family and  peaceful last days for Pat.

And I think I have problems!  When I think that, I just look around me - and pray for others!  Thank you for joining in with the prayers.

Love to all of you

Mom, Lonnie, Aunti, Grandma