Amsterdam ~ Packing My Bike ~ More Godwinks (Day 13, Part 1 of 3)

 

 

Les and I both slept so good on Sunday night.  We were confident the bike box was going to work out great, we just didn't know how great!  But first we headed down to breakfast.  We were helped by other Hampton Inn employees, each of them were friendly and helpful.  We asked at the front desk if they had any packing tape or markers, they did and made them available to us.

 

Back in our room Les started pulling everything out of the bike box.  Whoever bought the bike that came in this box was meticulous.  Everything, and I mean, EVERYTHING we would need was in the box and still in perfect condition.  

 

Cardboard:

 

Bubble wrap:

 

 

Spacers: 

It wasn't just that everything we needed was there, but everything was completely intact - down to the bubble wrap that went around the handlebars, still taped in the shape of handlebars!

 

 

Nothing was ripped or torn!

 

 This took quite a bit of time, but we didn't need to buy a single thing!

 

 Sunday's stress was completely wiped away and Liv was ready to fly to America!

Amsterdam ~ Les Bought Me a Bike!!! ~ Godwinks (Day 12, Part 2 of 2)

Early in our trip Les said, "You have a decision to make.  To buy your bike or not."  Les had done some research while we were traveling.  He could find bikes like mine, but none in size XS.  The smalls were more expensive than what our rental company wanted for the one I was riding.  After riding more than 200 miles on the wonderful Liv Langma, I knew I wanted to take her home with me.  This is the best bike I have ever ridden.  The fit is perfect.  The fact that it is purple doesn't hurt either.  That was the easy part...

 

We met with the rental company representative and returned Les' bike.  We then said we wanted to buy the Liv and inquired about shipping costs.  "You just take it on the plane with you."  Les and I looked at each other...  "How?"  "People do this all the time.  Just go to a bike shop and ask for a box."

 

My excitement over getting my bike was starting to be overshadowed by the logistics of trying to get it home.  This was a Sunday afternoon and many bike shops were already closed.  Many more would also be closed the next day.  And we were scheduled to fly home on Tuesday.  We found one bike shop but they didn't have any empty boxes.  We asked at the front desk at the Hampton, they had a few ideas, but nothing that we could act upon that evening. 

 

We started tossing ideas around.  The Amsterdam airport sells bike boxes.  We could ride a train to the airport and bring the box back.  There was an office supply store nearby (closed on Sunday) but maybe they'd have something.

 

We decided we needed to get out of the hotel and find some dinner.  We found a wonderful Italian restaurant and enjoyed a meal, although we were both pretty quiet as our brains were still working overtime.  

 

When we decided to find some dessert there were two different options.  One was back the way we had walked from the hotel, the other took a different route.  We chose option number two and got some frozen yogurt.  While we were walking back Les said, "Keep your eye out for a box."  

 

We saw a pile of trash, but nothing.  A few minutes later Les said, "I think I see something!"  He dashed across the street and found this:

 

 

Canyon is a bike company that sells exclusively online.  What we didn't know at the time was Monday is trash pickup day in Amsterdam.  That box would only have been there that one night!

 

A "Godwink" is an event that seems like a coincidence but is actually viewed as a meaningful sign of divine intervention or an answered prayer. Coined by author SQuire Rushnell, the term suggests a little wink from above, assuring you that you are loved and never alone.  "By recognizing the “Godwinks” our Creator has placed in our paths, we can understand—and embrace—the journey God has laid out for us."

 

Les had never heard of Godwinks, but I had read one of the books a few years ago.  The more we talked about finding that box, the more I was convinced this was one of those times when God was guiding our steps, even in the most ordinary way.

 

People might think it was just luck, but Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-34, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

 

While we had puzzled and thought, trying to figure out how we were going to get my bike home, God already had a plan for us:

 

1.  We needed a bike box

2.  We took an unknown route to dinner

3.  We took a different route from dinner

4.  We didn't know that Monday was trash pickup day. 

5.  And there was the box we had been stressing over!

 

This was just the beginning of Godwinks to get my bike home - wait until you read about our packing adventure! 

How Did You Tell Your Pastor?

I've got one more re-post that I thought was fitting this week.  This was originally posted on February 12, 2013 and I'm very glad we did things the way we did.

We met so many wonderful people at New Life Pentecostal church.  I felt right at home in a multicultural church ~ you know heaven is going to be "of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues," right? (Revelation 7:9)

Anyway... we had a conversation with one of the young men of the church.  As we were getting to know each other, he asked Les, "How did you tell your pastor you were coming to Hawaii?"  I loved Les' response, "Well, it didn't work that way.  I didn't tell him anything.  We talked about the opportunity and I asked him to pray about it, to help us find the will of God."

I believe there is a balance in seeking pastoral counsel.  Every single life decision does not require that counsel.  Paper or plastic?  Eureka or Hoover vacuum?  Ford or Chevy?  But there are times when only the man of God can help.  We enjoyed our first three weeks in Hawaii as I knew we would.  But enjoying something doesn't mean it is the will of God.  I think Les must have counseled with Pastor White more in the three months he was unemployed than he had in the past 10 years!  This was such a big, life altering decision.  We could not go forward without our pastor's prayers and counsel.  I wrote a post called "What Is The Will of God?" that posted on January 22, 2013 and shared how Pastor White left a voicemail for Les the day we flew to Hawaii, part of his message was "I believe God is in this."  The will of God will always line up with His Word and when you seek godly counsel you're headed in the right direction.

I've observed many people who "tell" their pastor what they are doing.  Many times they tell him after the fact when they have a mess on their hands that they are trying to clean up.  I always want to err on the side of caution.  While my heart is a bit torn being away from Victory Tabernacle so much, I have great peace that with our pastor's prayers behind us, we are exactly where God wants us.

"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."  Jeremiah 3:15

I think the proper order is:
God tells the pastor
The pastor tells us
Not the other way around!

The Peace of God

I'm continuing my look back at the changes that occurred in our life ten years ago this month...

 

I don't have much to add to this post.  I'll just call it my Paul Harvey post, "and now you know the rest of the story..."

 

My post yesterday was really the end of a chapter.  Today, I'll tell you about the chapters we have lived since September.  In September we had our annual Youth Alive services.  That Friday night the choir sang "Cover Me" by Mark Condon:

Peace of God, cover me
Cover me, cover me
Peace of God, cover me
Through the storm, cover me.

Only in You I am safe
Only in You I'm secure
Only in You I find peace
So cover me, cover me 

Cover me when I am hurting
Cover me when I'm not strong
Cover me when I am going through the storm
Cover me when it all seems hopeless
Cover me when my faith is gone
Let the peace that passes all I understand

As I stood on the platform singing, I thought of friends who were hurting.  I sang for them.  But sometime in that song I felt like I was singing for me.  I didn't know it that night, but my life was getting ready to be stormy and I would need peace like never before.  I haven't blogged about every part of the storm we went through, but here it is...

Peace of God, cover me

Cover me, cover me

On the following Saturday, September 15th, Dad was hospitalized in Fresno, then transferred to San Francisco.  This started a very long journey that we are still on today.  Dad spent 7 1/2 weeks in San Francisco (hospitals and rehab center) before returning to Fresno.  He was back in San Francisco in December for surgery and is now back in Fresno.  (I'll just add here that my Dad passed away on March 5, 2013.  We were home from our second trip to Hawaii and I was able to spend several days with him.  I still miss him very much!)

Peace of God, cover me

Through the storm, cover me.

On the weekend of October 7-8, Les and I traveled to Fresno.  That Saturday Kim and I drove to San Francisco to visit Dad.  On Sunday morning, Les and I went to church in Truth Tabernacle.  We drove home that afternoon with plenty of time to make it to church that evening.  When we got home, we discovered that our house had been broken into.  Nothing was taken, the police said they were looking for cash and jewelry.  But it was a horrible feeling!

Only in You I am safe

Only in You I'm secure

Only in You I find peace

On October 22nd, Les was laid off his job.  In today's economy, we knew it might be a while before he found something else.  That ended up being three months.  But during that time, everyone of our needs were met.  We paid our bills, we had food on the table.  We were covered.

Cover me when I am hurting

Cover me when I'm not strong

Cover me when I am going through the storm

The same week that Les was laid off, Dad had his worst week in San Francisco.  For several days we were very concerned that his body was just shutting down.  His chemicals were completely out of balance.  The doctors were concerned about his heart.  After a few days back in the hospital, he started doing better and returned to the rehab center.

Cover me when it all seems hopeless

Here we are four months later and the peace of God has covered us through the storm.  There were days that I felt I was barely hanging on, but the peace would come.  Days when I worried, until I prayed and found peace again.  It's been a journey, but one that I never walked by myself.

Cover me when my faith is gone

Let the peace that passes all I understand

 Peace of God, cover me

Cover me, cover me

Peace of God, cover me

Through the storm, cover me.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:7

Our Hawaiian Adventure Began

I'm continuing my look back at the changes that occurred in our life ten years ago this month...

 

This post was my first post from Hawaii.  Of course I had worked on it for days before we actually traveled.  I chose to make my blogs private for several years since we were gone so much.  I quietly changed that at some point and usually do not "advertise" when we are away from home.

McMoments and Memories and McMarathon Moments are now private blogs.   Welcome faithful readers.  And now for the explanation you’ve all been waiting for:

Les is taking a job with a company in Hawaii!

Yes, it’s true.  Les is joining a company in Hawaii.  For the next six months or so, we will be living in Honolulu for 3 out of every 4 weeks as Les goes through an “immersion” period.  After those six months we will come home and Les will work from our home in California, with some travel.  We really got this part wrong!!  We originally signed a six month lease on our condo, but that turned into a year.  After we came home, Les did work from home, but "some travel" does not come close to the amount of traveling Les and I have done in the past decade.  We have taken more than 40 trips to Hawaii in that time and Les has probably taken at least that many trips to other places here on the mainland for business. We have also taken personal trips to many places here on the mainland and to Europe (Italy, Greece, Turkey), The Philippines, Mexico and Canada.  "Some travel" indeed!

Why the privacy?  Les’ new job is not a big secret.  We have counseled with our pastor about this every step of the way, so we’re not running away or anything like that!  The main reason for the privacy is that our home will be sitting empty much of the time (we will have someone coming in once a week and a neighbor keeping an eye on things.)  I don’t know if there are any stalkers reading my blog, but I didn’t want to risk it.  I don’t want to worry about blogging about what’s going on in Hawaii and wonder if someone is breaking into our home in California!

How did this major change come about? Les was laid off his job on October 22nd. We had a feeling that might happen, but it wasn’t easy when it did. The job search began immediately. He looked for work locally and no doors opened. We spent much time in prayer about this decision and asked God to close the door if it was not His will. Well… this is the only door that opened. His first day of work is tomorrow, January 21st, one day shy of three months without a job.  There was one particular day that I was praying about this situation.  I told God, "Hawaii is fun to think about while we are waiting for You to open the right door."  Without a doubt, I felt God tell me in that moment that Hawaii was the door.

In some ways, this might seem like a fun adventure, and it is.  In other ways, it’s a bit scary (Another understatement here! I was very nervous about heading into the unknown) leaving the comforts of home, including our home church. Being even farther from our families is not ideal, but we truly feel that this is God’s will for us.  I felt in prayer that God has a plan that we just can’t see.  I have prayed that this will be a time of growth for us.  That we will be a blessing to the church we will be attending.  

 

I’ve thought more than once – why would God wants us to go here?  We are so involved at Victory Tabernacle.  How can this be God’s plan? But I also realized we are very comfortable where we are and maybe we just need a little shaking up.  If you've been reading my blog through the years, you know that our love for Hawaii and the many people we know there has continued to grow.  God's plan included a wonderful church family and many, many friends.  We didn't go to Hawaii and just relax - I've been involved in music and Les has been used for teaching and preaching.

I’m sure there will be many posts as we travel and settle in.  We arrived in Oahu Friday evening.  For now we are in a hotel, but we'll be moving to corporate housing soon (I hope!)  I’ll be giving the grand tour at that time.  Please feel free to ask questions via comments or email me directly (kathymmc@yahoo.com)

I have used the phrase, “The Adventure Continues” many times on my blog.  Well, here we go again!  The Adventure Continues!

Overtaken

I hope you all had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday!  Ours was magnificent.  Our youth department did a drama both Sunday morning and Sunday night.  Les and I were the representatives from the senior saints department - he was the narrator and I helped with the singing.  Our youth did a great job.  I am so thankful for what happened that weekend more than two thousand years ago.

My Bible reading this weekend included Deuteronomy chapter 28.  I can't read that chapter without remembering a time when Elder Morton told me that the blessings of God would overtake me.  I've written about it before, but as I sit here this morning, still basking in thankfulness for the ultimate sacrifice, I'm reminded again of just how blessed I am.

Deuteronomy 28:1-3 says:

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

This chapter goes on to list many, many ways the blessings of God are promised.  But in verse 15, the tone changes:

15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.

This chapter has 68 verses -  14 are dedicated to blessings, while the other 54 focus on curses!  So while I am overwhelmed by blessings, I am equally thankful that I have not been overtaken by curses.  The curses of the unfaithful far outnumber the blessings of the faithful.

I don't know why there are those who live righteously and still have a life of pain.  I don't understand why Rod was born with hemophilia and was taken from us too soon.  I don't know why Mom was stricken with cancer when she was only 50.  While I don't understand and I'm certainly undeserving, I never, ever, want to be unthankful!  So this post is simply to take the time to say, "Thank You, Lord."

One Woman Can Change the World

My Bible plan last week was a seven day plan called, "One Woman Can Change the World."  I thought it was fitting since I had just read "women can make changes happen" in Mom's Bible.  I finished it yesterday and thought the devotional was exceptional.  It was called, "You Are Never Not Worthy Enough to Begin."  I just wanted to share a few highlights:

God is there to remind us that His timeline always trumps ours. In His chronology, there’s no too young, too old, too lacking. In His design, our design is perfected—no matter our geography, address, heritage, big plans, or failed attempts.  His story within us is filled with plot twists and mystery and comedy and suspense—and it’s deeper and higher and wider than any page could hold. 

You don’t have to have all the pieces in place to lead and serve well.

Your story can—and will—change. Allow it to do its work. You are uniquely gifted as a woman to lead creatively. Allow that creativity to rise within you.

Leadership opportunities may be for a season or a lifetime. Both are equal in their power. Embrace the disruptions, and watch God add to your days. You are most beautiful when you bend.

Your purpose will be strengthened by both joy and pain, both success and failure. Embrace it all. You are never too old—or too young—to begin.

One woman can change the world, and God says, “That woman is you.” 

As I read this, I thought about how much my story has changed.  When Les started his current job, our life was really shaken up.  I wrote about it extensively in a number of posts ~ A New Adventure, The Peace of God that Covers and What is the Will of God?  Here is a little bit from A New Adventure:

We spent much time in prayer about this decision and asked God to close the door if it was not His will. Well… this is the only door that opened. His first day of work is tomorrow, January 21st, one day shy of three months without a job.

In some ways, this might seem like a fun adventure, and it is.  In other ways, it’s a bit scary leaving the comforts of home, including our home church. Being even farther from our families is not ideal, but we truly feel that this is God’s will for us.  I felt in prayer that God has a plan that we just can’t see.  I have prayed that this will be a time of growth for us.  That we will be a blessing to the church we will be attending.

I’ve thought more than once – why would God wants us to go here?  We are so involved at Victory Tabernacle.  How can this be God’s plan? But I also realized we are very comfortable where we are and maybe we just need a little shaking up. 

 

More than eight years later, I can clearly see God's hand in it all.  One change that came about because of our extensive traveling was me stepping down as choir director.  That role was one I had for a season.  I haven't, and never will, turned my back on our music department.  My love for music is definitely for a lifetime.  My role has just changed and I'm completely happy with that.

Don't be afraid of change.  God prepares each of us.  He equips us and I truly believe we can do more, with His help, that we can ever imagine!

Stroke of Midnight

Where were you last night when 2013 turned into 2014? Is that where you’d wanted to be?

 
I could not pass up this post.  Not because we did something exciting on New Year's Eve, but because it reminded me of where we were when the calendar turned to 2014!  We were finishing our first year on Oahu.  Our lease would be up on February 7, 2014, so we decided to stay through the holidays. I did a photo a day challenge that December and my final photo was of my running watch after a three mile run.

I remember that New Year's Eve.  We were living in Discovery Bay.  I'm pretty sure we did not stay up until midnight because the next day I wrote about getting up for an early morning run.  I was, however, exactly where I wanted to be because Les and I were together.

On January 1, 2014 I wrote a post called "Great Peace."  You can read the entire post here, but I just wanted to share a little today:

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."  Psalm 119:65

 

How can we have great peace when we are being bombarded?  One commentator put it remarkably well:

Great peace have they -  They have great calmness of mind. They are not troubled and anxious. They believe and feel that all things are well-ordered by thee, and will be conducted to the best result. They, therefore, calmly leave all with thee. As a matter of fact, the friends of God have peace and calmness in their minds, even amidst the troubles, the disappointments, and the reverses of life. The love of God is the best - the only - way to secure permanent peace in the soul.
Which love thy law - It is the love of law, and the belief that the law of God is in accordance with justice, that gives peace to their minds. God’s government is a government of law, and therefore it is loved.
And nothing shall offend them - “They shall have no stumbling-block.” Hebrew, “And to them no stumbling,” or stumbling-block. The meaning here is, that they would not fall into sin; they would be kept safe; they would be preserved from the power of temptation. The meaning is not, as it would seem to be in our version, that nothing would pain, grieve, or irritate them; but, as above, that as long as they were obedient to the law, and disposed to obey it, they would be safe from the power of temptation.

Seven years later, I still believe that great peace is possible!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 7: In-Between

Living in the "in-between" times can be challenging.  Waiting for a call after a job interview.  Waiting to hear back from the doctor after tests.  Waiting for the will of God to unfold.

Eight years ago this month Les was unemployed.  He was "in-between" jobs.  We were waiting.  We were "in-between" for three months.  That's a lot of waiting!

 

I wrote about the Will of God shortly after he started his new job in Hawaii.  I concluded that post with this:

We know that God doesn't change, but His plans for us are more than we can know all at once.  We can trust that He knows where we need to be, who we need to meet, how long we need to stay, and when it's time for a change.  Follow His path, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6.  While you're praying and seeking counsel, while you're waiting in the hallway, and while you're sitting still, remember this:

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

 If you are living "in-between" you can still give thanks.  Continue trusting and always remember:

 

Thursday This and That

I started my morning off with a trail run.  Seven miles of almost complete solitude.  I saw 8 runners, 1 walker, and 6 mountain bikers while I was out.  If you are not a regular exerciser, now is a great time to go for a walk.  Just keep your distance from others, but enjoy some fresh air.  I have some of my best ideas while I'm out exercising.  It's easy to let your mind work when you don't have any digital distractions.

If you're needing a little extra church, our services are streaming live but they are also being made available after the fact.  You might even hear me praise singing from time to time if you tune in while we are live.  You can find them at Victory Tabernacle's website right HERE.  We will be starting a Children's Power Hour on Saturday morning at 11:00.  I believe there will also be a Youth Hour on Saturdays at 5:00.  I'm thankful that our Pastor, Sunday school and Youth departments are putting this extra effort in.

When I was getting in my car after my trail run this morning, I saw a guy out walking his dog.  Nothing unusual, I see people walking their dogs all the time.  Except this guy was in his robe!  He wasn't standing on the sidewalk in front of his house.  He's was quite a ways from any houses.  I know we're all staying home, but it's probably a good idea to get dressed when you head out away from your house!

On the topic of dressing, I got this from my aunt yesterday!

No worrying about what to wear on Easter Sunday!  And for all the times we ladies have complained about our feet hurting after a long church service, just add some comfy footwear.

I saw this sidewalk chalk art while out running last week.  I don't even know the people who live in that particular house, but it made my day.

Keep hanging in there!  Don't let fear rule your heart.  Reach out to your friends and family.  Then reach out to someone who is not in your close circle.  We need each other.  Send an encouraging text, email, or make a phone call.  If YOU are feeling lonely, don't let loneliness control you.  Reach out!  You don't even have to say you're lonely - just reach out and tell someone you miss seeing them.  You'll make two people feel better.

Finally, we sang an old song last night.  "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand" was written by Jennie Bain Wilson in 1904. She was born on a farm at Cleveland, IN, on November 13, 1856, to Robert and Mary Frances Russell Wilson. Her father died while she was still in her infancy. When she was about four years old, an attack of spinal trouble resulted in her being rendered an invalid, confined to a wheel-chair and bed.  A prolific poet, she produced about 2,200 poems and hymn texts in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Yet, over the course of her life she never interjected sadness from her condition in her works.  She died in 1913 at the age of 57, still holding to that unchanging hand.

Hold to God's Unchanging Hand

Time is filled with swift transition
Naught of earth unmoved can stand 

Build your hopes on things eternal
Hold to God's unchanging hand

 

Hold to God's unchanging hand

Hold to God's unchanging hand
Build your hopes on things eternal
Hold to God's unchanging hand

Trust in Him who will not leave you
Whatsoever years may bring
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling

Covet not this world's vain riches
That so rapidly decay
Seek to gain the Heavenly treasures
They will never pass away

When your journey is completed
If to God you have been true
Fair and bright your home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view

Hold to God's unchanging hand
Hold to God's unchanging hand
Build your hopes on things eternal
Hold to God's unchanging hand

Just keep holding to His hand, it's unchanging!

Fear Not, You Shall Catch Men

Luke chapter 5 starts with Jesus standing in a boat teaching a large crowd on the shore.  This is very early in the Jesus' ministry.  When He finished teaching, He said to Simon Peter, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."

Peter's response was the response of an experienced fisherman, "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."  Experience told Peter one thing, but he obeyed the voice of God instead.  Verse 6 tells us, "And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake."  Verses 8 and 9 tell us, "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken."

The key verse in this passage is verse 10, "And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."  Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible says, "Thou shalt catch men alive; this is the proper signification of the word. Fear not: these discoveries of God tend to life, not to death; and ye shall become the instruments of life and salvation to a lost world. These fish are taken to be killed and fed on; but those who are converted under your ministry shall be preserved unto eternal life."

Verse 11 tells us what these bold fishermen did next, "when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."  Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible says, "It was not “much” that they left - a couple of small boats and their nets; but it was all they had, even all their living. But this showed their love of Jesus, and their willingness to deny themselves, as “really” as if they had forsaken palaces and gold. All that Jesus asks is that we should leave “all” we have for him; that we should love him “more” than we do whatever friends or property we may possess, and be willing to give them all up when he requires it."

Jesus calls each of us to follow Him.  He calls us to do a work.  Our number one call is to reach others with the gospel.  Peter was used on the day of Pentecost and 3,000 souls were added to the church - that's quite a catch of men!  I can't help but think that the catch on the day of Pentecost was greater than the catch of fish that broke their nets.

The work you're called to do is not the work I'm called to do.  God has a plan for each of our lives.  It may be going to a foreign land and preaching the gospel.  It may be marrying and moving away from home and family.  It may be staying right where you are.  It may change tomorrow!  But we can walk confidently into our future.  When God calls, He will equip.  Fear not!

Let's Make a Deal

I'm continuing my reading in Judges.  Yesterday morning I read chapters 10 and 11.  Chapter 11 contains a very disturbing story:

And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.
So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.

And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.

I read many commentaries on this story.  They all agreed that this was a vow that Jephthah never should have made.  Since he only had one child, a daughter, the chances of it being either his wife or daughter who came out the door first were pretty high.  I don't know if he had servants, but he probably didn't have a pet dog!  Human sacrifice was never acceptable in God's eyes.

A few weeks ago I posted "Overtaken" and talked about all the promises God made about blessings.  These blessings don't come when we vow a vow.  They come because of obedience. "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth."

I Samuel 15:22 says, "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."   God isn't a vending machine ~ "If I put this much in, God will drop what I want out."  He's not a genie in a bottle.  God is sovereign.  He reigns.  We need to have faith, but we also need to trust the outcome to Him.

We like to quote Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  But we sometimes forget about His purpose.  We must live according to His Word and trust that all things, all good things, all bad things, all hard things, all things will work together for good.  We might not see the good today, but the only deal we can make with God is to hearken diligently to His voice, observe and do His commandments.  He'll keep His end of the deal when we do our part!

Repost: Overtaken

I am nearing the end of the book of Deuteronomy in my Bible reading for the year.  This week I read chapter 28.  This chapter contains a promise that Elder Morton spoke into my life 30 years ago.  I wrote about it in 2013, this is a repost with a few edits.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits
~ Psalm 103:2

I think the year was 1988 or so.  I was about 24 at the time, working as the school secretary at Truth Tabernacle Christian School.  I was doing my best to be faithful and leave my future in God's hands.  But sometimes I got discouraged.

One day I was walking from the school office to the church office.  Elder Morton stopped me and said he wanted to talk.  We slipped into the empty sanctuary.  There we sat and there he gave me a promise.  He told me he saw my faithfulness, he knew there were times I was hurting, but he spoke words to me that looking back now have been fulfilled over and over and over.

Elder Morton said, "Kathy, the blessings of God are going to overtake you."

I don't know what I have ever done to deserve the many blessings that have come my way.  Our current situation isn't the first time I have been overtaken by God's blessings...

In 1989, I met Les McElhaney.  He was THE ONE.  The one that God healed of Muscular Dystrophy when he was a little boy, then moved across the country as a college grad.  We married in 1991.  God's hand and blessing was upon both of us.
In 1996, I started working for Amgen, Inc.  The financial blessings of this job were tremendous.  A salary that was amazing, bonuses, stock options, a stock bonus.  I do not have a college degree.  This was truly the blessings of God.
In 2001, God opened the door for us to buy our current home.  The housing market was just starting to take off.  We sold our town home for a profit and bought our house at below market value.  Six months later we couldn't have afforded it.  God's timing on this blessing was perfect!
In 2003, Les got his first job as a Vice President.  This enabled me to quit my job at Amgen and be at home full time.  This was a long awaited blessing to both of us.
There are many, many more.  Daily blessings of health, food on the table, clothes to wear and vehicles to drive.  We've had some lean times in recent years.  Les has been through three job losses in three years.  Each of those times have been stressful, but we have had every need meet.

For five years now we have lived part time in Hawaii.  The one thing about this job that would have made it unacceptable was if Les and I could not be together.  We were not willing to live apart.  God has not only taken care of us, he's overtaken us with His blessings.

I don't want you to think I'm bragging.  I haven't done a thing to deserve this!  But God, He is so good.  Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."  I want you to know that tears fill my eyes when I think about that 24 year old who received a promise and how much I have been blessed by the God of heaven.

Deuteronomy 28:1-3 says:

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

This chapter goes on to list many, many ways the blessings of God are promised.  But in verse 15, the tone changes:

15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.

This chapter has 68 verses -  14 are dedicated to blessings, while the other 54 focus on curses!  I had never realized that.  So while I am overwhelmed by blessings, I am equally thankful that I have not been overtaken by curses.  The curses of the unfaithful far outnumber the blessings of the faithful.

I don't know why there are those who live righteously and still have a life of pain.  I don't understand why Rod was born with hemophilia and was taken from us too soon.  I don't know why Mom was stricken with cancer when she was my age.  While I don't understand and I'm certainly undeserving, I never, ever, want to be unthankful!  So this post is simply to take the time to say, "Thank You, Lord."

Trusting God's Plan

I've been enjoying rereading the story of Joseph in Genesis for the past few days.  He was a remarkable man.  The only fault (if you can call it that) we read about is when he told his brothers about his dreams.  When he forgave his brothers, he truly forgave.  I think he also forgave Potiphar's wife.  He certainly could have gotten revenge, but he chose not to.

There is a long dry spell that Joseph lives through before his dreams come to pass, but we never see him complaining or losing his trust in God.  Two quotes from Saturday's devotional stuck with me:

"God was preparing Joseph for something great. It probably did not feel like that at the time. By feeding fellow prisoners in a jail, God prepared Joseph to feed the nations from a palace."

"Great faith is a product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials. We see this exemplified in the life of Joseph."

Multiple times, Joseph tells his brothers that it was God working through the hard times:

Genesis 45:5,7-8 "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 
And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."
Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

Five years ago this week Les started working for his current employer.  We moved, temporarily, to Oahu.  We were going to live here part time for six months before resuming our regularly scheduled life in California.  If you've been reading this blog for the past five years you know our "temporary" time on Oahu continues.  I wrote about the Will of God a few days after we arrived on Oahu five years ago.  I concluded that post with this:

We know that God doesn't change, but His plans for us are more than we can know all at once.  We can trust that He knows where we need to be, who we need to meet, how long we need to stay, and when it's time for a change.  Follow His path, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6.  While you're praying and seeking counsel, while you're waiting in the hallway, and while you're sitting still, remember this:

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Exhale

Tell us about a time when everything seemed to be going wrong — and then, suddenly, you knew it would be all right.

Five years ago this month Les suddenly became unemployed.  He was out of work for a total of three months and during that time the only company that showed any interest was his current employer, based in Honolulu.   My Dad was in and out of the hospital during that time and our house was broken into while we were visiting him in San Francisco.  (You can read the entire store here.)

I'm sure most people would think, "A job in Hawaii? what could be wrong with that?"  But for me it was scary.  We had been to Hawaii many times for vacation, but I always thought, "It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there."  I especially thought that of Oahu, more specifically Honolulu.  Exactly where we would be going.

There was a great deal of fear on my part.  Move, even temporarily, away from California?  Leave our home church?  Walk into a brand new life, not knowing a single person when we got there?  I was so unsure.

The uncertainty lasted for almost three months.  During that time we prayed and prayed.  Les talked to Pastor White many, many times.  My most common prayer was, "God, it's kinda cool thinking about Hawaii, but we're really just waiting for you to open the right door, here. I'm sure that's what you want for us."  One day I heard the song, "God is God" by Steven Curtis Chapman.  The next time I told God, "I know you want us to stay here," I felt God say, "Hawaii is where I want you."  I can't tell you how strong I felt it, tears came to my eyes and peace came to my heart.  While I could not see the entire picture God was painting, I handed him the brush I'd been holding and knew everything was going to be all right!

Nearly five years later, I am so thankful for the times we have spent in Hawaii.  Oahu is so much more than Honolulu and Waikiki.  When you get away from the busy tourist areas, it is one of the most beautiful places in the world, with some of the kindest people.  We have gained an entire church family that we love.  I was taken completely out of my comfort zone, but I know I have grown in areas that I didn't even know I needed to grow.  I'm so glad that God is God, and I am not!

God is God

And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don't know

And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust

[Chorus]
God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He's painting
God is God and I am man
So I'll never understand it all
For only God is God

And the sky begins to thunder
And I'm filled with awe and wonder
'Til the only burning question that remains
Is who am I

Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass

[Chorus]
God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He's painting
God is God and I am man
So I'll never understand it all
For only God is God

Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
How unsearchable for to Him and through Him and from Him are all things

So let us worship before the throne
Of the One who is worthy of worship alone

[Chorus]
God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He's painting
God is God and I am man
So I'll never understand it all
For only God is God

The Way of Man

My Bible reading the past couple weeks has been in Jeremiah.  Chapter 10 verse 23 says, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." The Message puts is this way:  "I know, God, that mere mortals can’t run their own lives, That men and women don’t have what it takes to take charge of life."

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible says about this passage:

"I know, O Lord, that not for man is his way" (d); his own way is not good for him; not his sinful way, for this is opposite to God's way, and a going out of it; it is not according to his word; it is after the course of the world; and it is a dark and crooked way, and leads to, and ends in, destruction and death, if grace prevent not: nor the way of his own righteousness; this is no way of access to God, no way of acceptance with him, no way of justification before him, no way of salvation, no way to heaven, and eternal happiness; that which is the good and right way, the only way of salvation, is not of man, in him, or with him naturally; it is not of his devising and contriving, and much less of his effecting; it is not even within his knowledge; and so far as he knows anything of it, he does not approve of it: but it is of God; the scheme of it is of his forming; it is a work wrought out by Christ; it is a way of salvation revealed in the Gospel; and the thing itself is savingly made known, and applied by the Spirit of God; all which is known and owned when men are spiritually enlightened:
It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps; as not in natural and civil things, much less in religious ones; a good man is one that "walks", which supposes life and strength, without which there can be no walking; and a progression, a going on in a way; which ways are Christ, and his ordinances the path of doctrine and of duty; yet it is not even in this good man "to direct" and order "his steps" of himself; it is the Lord that must do it, and does; he can take no step aright without him; he is guided by him and his Spirit, both in the path of truth and of obedience; and hence it is that the saints persevere."

I remember a message from probably 30 years ago.  Bro. Murrell Ewing preached from this verse, his emphasis was on our need for God to direct our steps - that when He directs us, our life will be beautiful.  But I've been thinking lately just how bad it is when men and women do not let God be their guide.  Our country, our world, has tried to run their own lives and we can see the results everyday in the news.

My devotion this morning was A Rock in the Sea of Amnesia by Dr. Ed Young:

Writer Tom Wolfe summed up the amoral climate of the 1970's with a personal story. Wolfe told of visiting a major university with his friend Harris, whose daughter Laura was a student there. They found her dorm, went to the room, knocked on the door, and finding it unlocked, walked inside. The room was dark, and a boy and girl were in bed together.
Wolfe said that he and Harris backed out of the room as if they'd been looking down the throat of a snake. His friend, visibly shaken, said "I'm sure that's Laura's room - but that was not my daughter." The two men asked around, and found Harris' daughter in the library. He began to tell her what he'd seen, but before he got far she interrupted him: "Oh, daddy, don't be such an old fogey. Two days a month everybody's room is a free room. So, we just go to the library or something during that time."
Wolfe said Harris didn't accept that explanation, and began to argue with his daughter that such behavior was wrong. But by the time the visit was over, and Harris and Wolfe had driven back to the city, Harris had reconciled himself to this "new morality." Before long, he neither spoke of it, nor remembered his outrage. "It got lost," Wolfe said, "like a rock in a sea of amnesia."
We live in the age of the beer-commercial philosophy: "You only go through life once - live it with all the gusto you can." Some say our culture is immoral, but I do not believe that. For a culture to be considered immoral presumes some widely-accepted standard of morality - and we have none. This is the age of "anything goes," where truth is considered relative, and where "right" is "what's right for me - right now."
Biblical, Judeo-Christian morality has been lost, like a rock in a sea of amnesia. No one blushes any more because no one needs to. Virtually any behavior or "lifestyle" is accepted in the name of tolerance. Our standards have changed, or disappeared altogether. But God's standards have not changed even one iota. They are timeless, immutable and true. And one day, every man, woman and child will be judged by them. Have we ever needed Jesus more than we do today?

Most agree that the same prophet, Jeremiah, wrote the book of Lamentations.  Its purpose was to express despair and teach God’s people that disobedience to the Lord results in immense suffering and distress.  But in the middle of these laments, we find hope.  "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (verses 22-23)  "For the Lord will not cast off for ever:  But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies." (verses 31-32)  Those things happen when we "search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.  Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." (verses 40-41)

We see sin on the rise from every direction but, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  (2 Chronicles 7:14)

According to His Purpose

I am still on track with my daily Bible reading.  I've made it from Genesis to 2 Chronicles, Matthew to Romans, Proverbs 18 and am on my second time through Psalms.  This has been a great reading plan - I love the variety of Old and New Testament.

Today's reading took me to Romans chapter 8.  Verse 28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  Commentary by Albert Barnes puts it extremely well:

And we know - This verse introduces another source of consolation and support, drawn from the fact that all things are under the direction of an infinitely wise Being, who has purposed the salvation of the Christian, and who has so appointed all things that they shall contribute to it.

All things - All our afflictions and trials; all the persecutions and calamities to which we are exposed. Though they are numerous and long-continued yet they are among the means that are appointed for our welfare.
 
Work together for good - They shall cooperate; they shall mutually contribute to our good. They take off our affections from this world; they teach us the truth about our frail, transitory, and lying condition; they lead us to look to God for support, and to heaven for a final home; and they produce a subdued spirit, a humble temper, a patient, tender, and kind disposition. This has been the experience of all saints; and at the end of life they have been able to say it was good for them to be afflicted.
 
For good - For our real welfare; for the promotion of true piety, peace, and happiness in our hearts.
 
To them that love God - This is a characteristic of true piety. To them, afflictions are a blessing. To others, they often prove otherwise. On others they are sent as chastisements; and they produce complaining, instead of peace; rebellion, instead of submission; and anger, impatience, and hatred, instead of calmness, patience, and love. The Christian is made a better man by receiving afflictions as they should be received, and by desiring that they should accomplish the purpose for which they are sent; the sinner is made more hardened by resisting them, and refusing to submit to their obvious intention and design.
 
To them who are the called - Christians are often represented as called of God. The word κλητός  klētos is sometimes used to denote an external invitation, offer, or calling. It is evidently used in this sense here - to denote those who were true Christians. The connection as well as the usual meaning of the word, requires us thus to understand it. Christians are said to be called because God has invited them to be saved, and has sent into their heart such an influence as to make the call effectual to their salvation. In this way their salvation is to be traced entirely to God.
 
According to his purpose - The word here rendered “purpose” πρόθεσις  prothesis means properly a proposition, or a laying down anything in view of others; and is thus applied to the bread that was laid on the table of show-bread. Hence, it means, when applied to the mind, a plan or purpose of mind. It implies that God had a plan, purpose, or intention, in regard to all who became Christians. They are not saved by chance or hap-hazard. God does not convert people without design; and his designs are not new, but are eternal. What he does. he always meant to do. What it is right for him to do, it was right always to intend to do. What God always meant to do, is his purpose or plan. That he has such a purpose in regard to the salvation of his people, is often affirmed.

There's really nothing I can add to that!  God has a plan, He has always had a plan.  And it's so much more than we can ever dream.  Always remember - it's for good.

"The Glorious Unfolding"

By Steven Curtis Chapman

Lay your head down tonight
Take a rest from the fight
Don’t try to figure it out
Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart
‘Cause I know this is not
Anything like you thought
The story of your life was gonna be
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you
But it’s just not true
There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding

God’s plan from the start
For this world and your heart
Has been to show His glory and His grace
Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of
His unfailing Love
And the story has only begun

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
We’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding

We were made to run through fields of forever
Singing songs to our Savior and King
So let us remember this life we’re living
Is just the beginning of the beginning

Of this glorious unfolding
We will watch and see and we will be amazed
If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over
And hold on to every promise God has made to us
We’ll see the glorious unfolding

Just watch and see (unfolding)
This is just the beginning of the beginning (unfolding)

No Way, Murphy!

We are wrapping up our time in Hawaii.  A week from Friday, February 7th, we will fly home.  Les will continue working for DRC and will make periodic trips back, but not for any extended stays.  We have enjoyed our time here and we are looking forward to being home.  We never got "Island Fever" and if it was God's will, we would stay.  We have truly learned to be content in both states because we have each other, a great God and great churches in both places - and that's what really makes a place home. 

 

Of the many things that we need to do before our return, we need to sell our car.  We listed it on Craigslist Monday evening.  Someone looked at it last night, but was running some kind of scam, so we walked away from her and went to Bible study.  (It was another excellent lesson - "The Dumbing Down of the Church.")

On our way home we heard a thump, thump... we had a flat tire!!  I couldn't believe it.  It felt like a Murphy's Law moment!

Les pulled over, changed out the tire for the spare - which was also flat!  We limped to the closest gas station.  Something was wrong with the spare, it wouldn't hold air at all.  Les pumped up the tire and found the valve stem was broken.  Now what? Sis. Marybeth from church just happened (?) to pull up.  She sweetly loaned us her spare.  We made it home safely, about two hours later than expected.

I was at Lex Brodie's when they opened at 7:00 this morning.  We knew our front left tire was bald - ten months of going one direction in a parking structure will do that to a tire.  I told them I needed to replace the tire, have the flat and spare fixed.  I explained that we were trying to sell the car and I didn't want to spend a lot of money!  Less than $80 got me a new tire, two fixed flats, tires rotated and balanced.  Take that Murphy!

Can You Survive the Takeaway?

We were blessed to have the Gleasons stay over for our Sunday night service.  Bro. Gleason preached a fabulous message called, "Can You Survive the Takeaway?"  I take better notes during Bible study, but here are a few of the thoughts I wrote down:

Job 1:20-22 says, "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."

Everybody is going through something.  Everybody has a problem, just came out of a problem, or is getting ready to go into a problem!

Life's song has three verses:

1. The Lord gives
2. The Lord takes away
3. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

We are all happy to sing verse one.  We will all sing verse two.  But we've got to learn to sing verse three.

You are going to be hurt in life, but will you be offended?  When you sing "blessed be the name of the Lord," you are learning to survive the takeaways in life.

Hebrews 10:9 says, "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second."  When God takes something away, He is doing it to make room from something better.

Doable and Affordable

I found this quote on Bro. James Short's blog:

The will of God is always doable and always affordable.
~ Elder Gary Howard

Isn't that awesome?  I always want to do the will of God and knowing that He isn't going to ask us to do something impossible is very reassuring.  God knows exactly what we are capable of and how much is in our bank account!  That does not mean the will of God is easy or comfortable.  We may have to give sacrificially, but it is always doable and always affordable.