This day has brought much and it's only 10 am.
First, to be quite honest, I am fighting off some PMS. You men don't understand, but you women do. Just a bit tight this morning.
Second, I made sure I did a work out this morning. The 30 Day Shred. 20 minutes, I made it through.
Third, it's our 26th wedding anniversary and we get to spend it in the same place we did last year, when we renewed our wedding vows. Awesome celebration that was!
And Fourth, and powerful to me today was in my scripture reading this morning. I am in the book of Judges for my old testament reading. Chapter 2 and 3. This is what came alive for me - numerous times I read "the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served other gods." Then they were basicly in captivity to the King(s) for years - "But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, ______." They fall so far away from God, they cry out to him in their trouble (which they brought on themselves), and the Lord sends a deliverer to them. This happened many times too - I felt this overwhelming sense of love from God. No matter how I fail he WILL NEVER LEAVE ME. No matter how far I fall down he will just keep coming back to me, and back to me again and again. He does not want to stop pursuing me.
I will not stop calling out to the Lord for help. He will not stop coming after me. His love for me is so huge I cannot even begin to fathom it. Smile big today - you are loved so amazingly much.
Side note - Tim just got back from golfing with the brother pastors and had his best golf game ever. :)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
WHAT CAN I BRING TO YOU?
Life continues to bring about many changes for me. In August Denise and Mike leave for 11 months and Emily is moving out. These are good things as I want my girls to be independant women of God. But to be honest - it's hard! My girls are my best friends and our relationships are awesome. An answered prayer that is for sure. I knew a few years ago that very quickly they would be gone from our home. Of course I couldn't expect them to live with me forever - God has a big plan for them and they need to pursue His plan for their lives. I feel so humbled that God would see to provide me such awesome friends in my girls. I am sure that I will continue to see Emily frequently for laundry duty here and some awesome God conversations.There is nothing that I can even begin to bring to Jesus, simply my gratitude and my heart. I am nothing, yet he thinks of me as something so amazing and great. He continues to pursue me and love me even when I fall down. Prayer time is awesome - just laying down and being with him. Laying my own agenda aside is when I can really hear him speak. What do you want me to pray for Lord? Not what I want, but to seek everything about you; understanding that you watch over every step that I take. You WILL watch over the girls as they pursue the life that you have for them. May they always seek your face, coming to you daily in prayer and in the word.
We've got our passports - don't know why we need them, but in obedience to God we have them.
Jesus, you make me smile:)
Monday, July 13, 2009
STEADFAST FAITH
128 Family members gathered together these last few days for quite the family reunion. (another one) All the way to the fifth generation. It is so awesome to gather to worship together and reconnect after two years. We are a family that gathers for devotions, worship and of course the traditional basketball tourney and softball game. The younger generation is taking over in the areas of sports. (Although Tim pounded one home run; made him feel 23 again; until he ran the bases. haha)
Uncle Herm (probably 85) shared some words. He lives in Canada and has been a pastor his entire life. I loved his openess as he was honest about himself, areas that God needed to work on during his life, ways that he failed...I hugged him and thanked his for being "real". He said that it's not always easy to write about it. I believe that being "real" is what we can relate to the most. He and his son and grandaughter traveled from Vancouver first by bus, then 44 hours on the train. (son Richard does not like to fly) It was amazing to me the effort that was made to come to family camp.
This was our theme for the week. "In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. Matt. 18:14 Yes, we actually have Bickel Camp T-shirts, this was the picture. I love our family! We focussed on passing down Jesus to the next generation...what a blessing to be a part of this. Fourth generation in-law, Randy started us off with our kick-off bible study and Tim finished us up yesterday morning. Our MC for camp was in-law cousin Keith. He never ceases to make us laugh, giving prizes of "Bickel" potato chips to the participants of this camp's game "I am not smarter than an in-law". We laugh and we cry together.
So we pass on the faith to those around us; to the next generation. It is because of grandma and grandpa Bickel that this family camp is still going on after 51 years.
Now we get back to life again. Still wondering what our next step is to be. Still waiting..........Lord, open our eyes to see clearly where you would have us to go. I thought of us being in God's will the other day and was reminded of Noah. God gave Noah clear instructions to build this boat, how he must have been laughed at. Yet he continued to build despite those around not believing. Lord, give me this faith to steadfastly move despite the world and others around. As you reminded Joshua "Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you."
Uncle Herm (probably 85) shared some words. He lives in Canada and has been a pastor his entire life. I loved his openess as he was honest about himself, areas that God needed to work on during his life, ways that he failed...I hugged him and thanked his for being "real". He said that it's not always easy to write about it. I believe that being "real" is what we can relate to the most. He and his son and grandaughter traveled from Vancouver first by bus, then 44 hours on the train. (son Richard does not like to fly) It was amazing to me the effort that was made to come to family camp.
This was our theme for the week. "In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. Matt. 18:14 Yes, we actually have Bickel Camp T-shirts, this was the picture. I love our family! We focussed on passing down Jesus to the next generation...what a blessing to be a part of this. Fourth generation in-law, Randy started us off with our kick-off bible study and Tim finished us up yesterday morning. Our MC for camp was in-law cousin Keith. He never ceases to make us laugh, giving prizes of "Bickel" potato chips to the participants of this camp's game "I am not smarter than an in-law". We laugh and we cry together.
So we pass on the faith to those around us; to the next generation. It is because of grandma and grandpa Bickel that this family camp is still going on after 51 years.
Now we get back to life again. Still wondering what our next step is to be. Still waiting..........Lord, open our eyes to see clearly where you would have us to go. I thought of us being in God's will the other day and was reminded of Noah. God gave Noah clear instructions to build this boat, how he must have been laughed at. Yet he continued to build despite those around not believing. Lord, give me this faith to steadfastly move despite the world and others around. As you reminded Joshua "Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you."
Thursday, July 9, 2009
TELL THE STORY
So this morning I am sitting writing my blog at a family reunion. I will post this when I get home but I don’t like going too long without blogging.
Family reunions are great. Relationships change, cousins grow up and get married, have children of their own. Some move far away, some are in transition, some are very close, others are not. That is the way it is with families. Not one is perfect. Yet God moves in each of our lives. He guides each of us the way that we need.
Psalm 89:1 says “I will sing of your great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” This is the core of our family reunions -to make known His faithfulness through the generations. We will continue reunion with about 125 people, including generations even further. God is faithful with those who commit their ways to him. We should remember with our own family the importance of telling the faithfulness and love of Christ in our lives to those around us. We should remember to listen with open hearts to those who share, understanding that they are sharing “their story.”
We do not know what tomorrow holds but we know who holds our tomorrow. In our job/ministry transition we must daily remember God’s faithfulness to us. The mighty deeds that he has done in our life, his provision when we do not see what is next, the powerful freedom that he has given us in many areas of our personal lives are not to be forgotten. When I begin to doubt and become afraid, he is right there, all I have to do is call on him and he hears and reminds me “I’ve got it”!
What is the story of God’s faithfulness in your life?
Family reunions are great. Relationships change, cousins grow up and get married, have children of their own. Some move far away, some are in transition, some are very close, others are not. That is the way it is with families. Not one is perfect. Yet God moves in each of our lives. He guides each of us the way that we need.
Psalm 89:1 says “I will sing of your great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” This is the core of our family reunions -to make known His faithfulness through the generations. We will continue reunion with about 125 people, including generations even further. God is faithful with those who commit their ways to him. We should remember with our own family the importance of telling the faithfulness and love of Christ in our lives to those around us. We should remember to listen with open hearts to those who share, understanding that they are sharing “their story.”
We do not know what tomorrow holds but we know who holds our tomorrow. In our job/ministry transition we must daily remember God’s faithfulness to us. The mighty deeds that he has done in our life, his provision when we do not see what is next, the powerful freedom that he has given us in many areas of our personal lives are not to be forgotten. When I begin to doubt and become afraid, he is right there, all I have to do is call on him and he hears and reminds me “I’ve got it”!
What is the story of God’s faithfulness in your life?
Saturday, July 4, 2009
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GOD
Yesterday was so neat. Tim and I stopped and visited some dear friends. We haven't had the opportunity in a number of years to sit and visit. We arrived at lunch time. The four of us, their son, and their daughter sat at the kitchen table talking about God. I love the Hogenmillers and their passion for Jesus. I loved visiting and having our conversation revolve around his work in our lives. It is such a blessing to be around people like this. I realized after we left how much we have changed since we lived near them. Being rooted deeper in Christ is so awesome and I wouldn't trade any of the fire that we went through to get there. If God ever brought us near each other again I believe that we would spend a lot of time together seeking the face of Jesus and praying together. Discussing scripture together and hearing awesome God stories makes me smile.:)
It is relaxing sitting here in the hotel blogging while Tim prepares his message for the wedding this afternoon. The sound of little children's voices outside the door is cute at the moment, but the hotel is definitely not very sound proof as during the early hours we could hear everyone waking up. We were not ready to wake up!!!!!!!!!!
We woke up and walked across the street to Walmart, took the flash drive in that had a couple of family pictures on it. I went to the automatic picture machine to make some copies. Not too many, a couple 8x10, a couple 5x7 and about 11 4x6. Went to check out and she said "that will be $34." WHAT - $34 (no, I didn't yell at the cashier) I didn't even think to look at the prices, I was expecting around $12 or so. Make sure you do 1 hour photo, that would have been 1/2 the price. We prayed that God would provide the $34.
Jesus, may your Spirit fill us this day. Be all over us, be all over our family, be all over the wedding. You make me smile:)
It is relaxing sitting here in the hotel blogging while Tim prepares his message for the wedding this afternoon. The sound of little children's voices outside the door is cute at the moment, but the hotel is definitely not very sound proof as during the early hours we could hear everyone waking up. We were not ready to wake up!!!!!!!!!!
We woke up and walked across the street to Walmart, took the flash drive in that had a couple of family pictures on it. I went to the automatic picture machine to make some copies. Not too many, a couple 8x10, a couple 5x7 and about 11 4x6. Went to check out and she said "that will be $34." WHAT - $34 (no, I didn't yell at the cashier) I didn't even think to look at the prices, I was expecting around $12 or so. Make sure you do 1 hour photo, that would have been 1/2 the price. We prayed that God would provide the $34.
Jesus, may your Spirit fill us this day. Be all over us, be all over our family, be all over the wedding. You make me smile:)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
WE ARE LISTENING
These past few days have been soooo busy. Tim and I are going to a wedding. (He is also officiating) It will be nice to see some old and dear friends. We are also preparing for two family reunions. Much preperation involved and I am tired and ready for bed.
My Psalm for the day was pretty depressing. Usually David sums up his difficult times with confidence in God. Not today, Psalm 88 ends with "You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend." I was glad when Tim shared with me later some scripture that he had read that brought encouragement. Yet as I write those words from Psalm 88 down on my blog I am reminded of times when I have felt that way. David was honest about how he was feeling; we should be too. God knows the pain that we feel, share it with him. I am glad that I don't feel the darkness like I have in the past. God does bring us through the trials and he will continue to. The hard times will never be gone in our lives, but they become less hard the more we rely on Jesus.
Easier said than done sometimes, right? It helps to just get alone somewhere with God. I like to close my eyes with some praise music playing and focus on Jesus being right next to me. I love to ask the Holy Spirit to fill me deep within my soul, in me, and surround me. When I ask this I can always feel him with me. It's powerful. Remember, "draw near to me and I will draw near to you." Hebrews
Jesus, you are so awesome, fill me so full with your presence. Fill my Timothy with your confidence and your guidance. Speak clearly to him and direct our path. We are listening.
My Psalm for the day was pretty depressing. Usually David sums up his difficult times with confidence in God. Not today, Psalm 88 ends with "You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend." I was glad when Tim shared with me later some scripture that he had read that brought encouragement. Yet as I write those words from Psalm 88 down on my blog I am reminded of times when I have felt that way. David was honest about how he was feeling; we should be too. God knows the pain that we feel, share it with him. I am glad that I don't feel the darkness like I have in the past. God does bring us through the trials and he will continue to. The hard times will never be gone in our lives, but they become less hard the more we rely on Jesus.
Easier said than done sometimes, right? It helps to just get alone somewhere with God. I like to close my eyes with some praise music playing and focus on Jesus being right next to me. I love to ask the Holy Spirit to fill me deep within my soul, in me, and surround me. When I ask this I can always feel him with me. It's powerful. Remember, "draw near to me and I will draw near to you." Hebrews
Jesus, you are so awesome, fill me so full with your presence. Fill my Timothy with your confidence and your guidance. Speak clearly to him and direct our path. We are listening.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A NEW DAY
This is the day that the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it.
I've been reminded in various ways to live today not tomorrow. Not that I don't already know that. Scripture says, "do not worry about tomorrow..." It rained last night and I look out in my back yard and notice how incredibly green everything is. God is so cool how he chose green for the trees and the grass. Such a cool, calming color. The birds are singing and the flowers just outside the windows grew to about a foot above the window before they bloomed. Just look around you, listen, and you can understand when scripture talks about everything praising God, from the mountains to the snow to the trees and the animals. Now if the creation we look around and see sings praise to him shouldn't I/we not do the same? We are his greated and loved creation. We were created to love him, to praise him and to live our lives for him. Not for ourselves in seeking to make things in our life work out for our best, but to seek in our life how we can honor our heavenly Father.
Make me an instrument of praise to you Lord. May our life and anything that we face bring praise and honor to you. May our testimony be a testimony of you and bring you glory.
Psalm 98:7-8 "Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord."
I've been reminded in various ways to live today not tomorrow. Not that I don't already know that. Scripture says, "do not worry about tomorrow..." It rained last night and I look out in my back yard and notice how incredibly green everything is. God is so cool how he chose green for the trees and the grass. Such a cool, calming color. The birds are singing and the flowers just outside the windows grew to about a foot above the window before they bloomed. Just look around you, listen, and you can understand when scripture talks about everything praising God, from the mountains to the snow to the trees and the animals. Now if the creation we look around and see sings praise to him shouldn't I/we not do the same? We are his greated and loved creation. We were created to love him, to praise him and to live our lives for him. Not for ourselves in seeking to make things in our life work out for our best, but to seek in our life how we can honor our heavenly Father.Make me an instrument of praise to you Lord. May our life and anything that we face bring praise and honor to you. May our testimony be a testimony of you and bring you glory.
Psalm 98:7-8 "Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord."
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