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.
Sermon – “Who is Jesus, Really?”
Here is the complete sermon, “Who is Jesus Really?” Listen here,
or download (right click, ‘save link as’): Who is Jesus Really?
Mother-In-Law
Over the course of your life, you will put on many hats. I like to refer to this more as slipping on many pairs of shoes. Initially we start off life wearing our “baby” shoes. It is during those first few formidable years, we become known to someone as “friend” and we start learning how to walk in someone else’s. We will wear the comfy shoes of cousin, classmate, or neighbor. Then the romantic shoes of fiance, husband, or wife.
There are some less comfortable shoes like the shoes of co-worker, or supervisor, but no shoes have the potential to pinch like putting on the “In-Law” shoes. You guessed it – I am now a Mother-in-law. I have very recently put on those shoes, and boy are they big shoes to fill. So I am thinking of going back to the story of Naomi and Ruth. Even though mine is a son-in-law, I’m thinking there HAS TO be some grains of truth as to how Naomi and Ruth developed such a loving in-law relationship. Particularly how Naomi related to Ruth.
A few days ago, Chris- in his loving wisdom- pointed out that you can rearrange the letters in the word “Mother-in Law” to spell “Woman Hitler”. OK. That can be funny, but it did give me food for thought. In all relationships, there is a potential to build up – like Naomi – or to tear down. So with all the wisdom God will give me I start down this road in my new shoes resting in the promise that His grace will be sufficient – even for me.
