Celebrate the New Launch
Celebrate the New Launch of Because I Believe
Thursday Night, November 5th at 6:00
at Christ Community Church
in the Oasis Room
7801 E Kenyon Dr
in Tucson
As you have probably heard us say, one of our favorite things to do is to get together with people and share in the Joy of the Lord. This Thursday at Christ Community Church in Tucson, AZ will be another opportunity for us to get together with you. It’s a Kick-off Rally for the Because I Believe ministry and everyone is invited. It’s a free event, starting at 6p.m.
We would love to see you. It will be an evening of comedy, music, and we’ll share with you the vision of Because I Believe and how you can be a part of it.
No need to RSVP, Come as you are!
There will be Music, Laughter and Fun with Chris & Emilee
Frozen Oasis
The only possible way for this Scandinavian duo to appreciate cold and ice even more, is to get out on a sheet of it in the middle of the desert. Arcadia Ice Arena (in Arcadia area of Phx of all places) is a frozen oasis in the midst of the heat. Emilee does her lame Dorothy Hamill while Chris pretends he’s Wayne Gretzke. It’s a great way to work off the stress of the day. Oh, and if you ever get the chance to go, check out the really cool dasher boards promoting Because I Believe. If everyone spent a couple hours at the ice rink, it would be the ultimate global cooling trend!
December will be time for a fabulous Christmas party on the ice. You’re invited, details coming soon!
Arena owners, Jim & Lori Rogers with Chris & Emilee
The Thought Police Are Here
How shall the righteous live? Last week both the House and Senate passed the hate crimes legislation which includes sexual orientation. President Obama will undoubtedly sign it. This is the first time in the history of America that thought will be considered illegal and a punishable offense. (Orwell’s 1984?) This legislation specifically targets Bible Believing Christians who stand on God’s Word. May God grant us the strength to continue to stand firm in the love offered to us through Christ. For we know that God considers homosexuality an abomination (Romans 1:26 & 27 and countless others) and we know that his plans for us are for good and not ever for harm. Let us never be afraid to help others to find His good pleasing perfect will.
When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,” and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself… Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Ezekiel 33:8-9,11
Look What You Did!
We are officially in the home studio! The number of people it took to make it all happen is too long to list. We want to thank everyone who gave of the time and effort to:
Build the cabinetry
Bring in necessary broadcast equipment
Soundproof the room
Troubleshoot technical glitches
Help to get the audio programs up and running
…and the list goes on and on.
You know who you are. And so Thank You!
Do I Have To Vaccuum My Walls?
God has been doing some great things putting the in-home studio together. We prayed and asked God for the estimated $15K it would take to build it. He has been answering that prayer in such a way it makes us look back and say “Only You, God”. So many people have donated time, talent, and materials that it is coming together with VERY little money needed.
The latest obstacle was how to soundproof the empty echoing chamber of a room? Estimated cost = $3,000. Last week we get a call from a friend who said their neighbor is ripping out carpet. It’s clean and practically brand new. Will it work? Well, we hauled the rolls home, and while Chris put the finishing touches on the equipment, Emilee spent the entire day cutting and hanging carpet on the walls. (It looks better than it sounds – trust us)
As hard and as wierd as it all sounds…IT WORKED! The studio now has adequate noise reduction. Finished product is in sight!
Home Studio Puzzle Solved
Remember how I told you what a winner Chris is. There is not a game he can’t master, and so on. Well there’s not a studio he can’t put together.
"This part looks important"
Tighten this and we're done
He did it! He has been working all morning getting the equipment hooked up and all put together and Wallah! He is actually recording himself! Now I know we aren’t exactly breaking new ground here, but it makes me think of Alexander Graham Bell. Those first few recorded words of Chris’ may not live in infamy, but we will always remember them. How excited Mr. Bell must have been.
"Come quickly Emilee... I need you"
Studio Equipment Arrives!
The home studio is moving along. It was like Christmas morning the day the equipment showed up. As we dug through the packing peanuts, we almost anticipated uncovering a leg lamp. But no, it was better than any award. What eventually spilled out, was what seemed a thousand piece puzzle that eventually we would have to piece together.
Bubble Wrap! and some equipment too
Feels a little overwhelming, but we know that “through Christ all things are possible”. The fact that there is a pile of broadcasting equipment now in our house is proof of that. We had been praying that God would give us the money to purchase the equipment needed. But he did one better, He simply gave us the equipment. Thank you to all the people who had their part in making this miracle happen.
Popcorn and Peanuts
The Need For Speed
Chris & Major Tim Smith
What a way to end the week! As Emilee doesn’t ever feel the “Need For Speed”, I headed off to Luke AFB with Jake, Hannah, and a few friends at the invitation of Major Tim Smith. We spent the better part of the day touring the base and some of the jets. Understandably, we couldn’t take any pictures inside, but we ultimately lived the dream of flying United States Air Force fighter jets. Okay, we didn’t actually fly the jets, but we did the next best thing. We played war games in the flight simulators. Yes the very ones our service men and women use in training. It was AAAWWWESOOOME!
To all the people who serve in all branches of the Armed Forces. We salute you. We love you. We owe you a debt that could never be repaid. And so thank you and God Bless.
Top Guns
Homeschooling Rocks!
Stormy
Frazzled was an understatement when Chris walked in the house and told me the monsoon toppled our tree in the front yard. My first thought was, “but I’ve done everything that I know how to do”. I fertilized, trimmed, and moved the waterlines out to get the roots to go deep. But all my thought and care wasn’t enough for the little tree now dubbed “Stormy”.
But in all things God is demonstrating Himself. Stormy looked great above ground. Even with everything I tried to make Stormy grow big and strong, his roots just kept wrapping around themselves. They couldn’t break through the hard ground. And so it is with us. God showers us with everything we need, but even if we look great and all together on the outside, if we stay wrapped up in ourselves, the winds and storms of life will topple us. The dry spells we go through can be very difficult, but if we persevere and break through the hard ground, we will be stronger for it.
We have a God who knows when we need watering and when we need pruning. When we need comforting and when we need to go through some hardening off. Trust Him and be thankful in all things.
Saw You at the Pole
Just catching a few of the days headlines can get so discouraging. Terrorists are released from prison while the Gideons are arrested for handing out Bibles. Students are taught to embrace unhealthy sexual lifestyles while one Arizona girl was threatened with punishment for carrying a notebook with a picture of Jesus on it. What is going on? Where are we all headed?
This year’s See You At The Pole is evidence that their is indeed hope for our future. Since 1990 without fail, students on school campuses across the country will be praying for their student body, schools and communities. But this year’s theme of “Engage” brings it full circle. The final brick to reading the Bible and praying is to let God invade every aspect of our lives. When we are fully engaged, we can know what is really going on and where exactly we are headed.
Over the years, Chris & I have heard a wide range of stories. Some schools hundreds of students turned out, while at another, a single 1st grade boy bravely bowed to pray even when no one else did. Schools where faculty joined the students and some where students were admonished.
But we are seeing the difference it is making. More and more schools are seeing kids show up to pray every year. And we are watching our schools be transformed from the inside out. Check out SYATP.com for more information on how you and your entire family can be a part of next years See You At The Pole.
