Food for Thought

"We have not been promised extravagant housing, but we have been promised His presence. We often find ourselves in spaces that seem the last spot on earth we would have picked to insert ourselves, engaged in things that we never imagined ourselves having to do, but we can know this comfort: that wherever we are, we are in the very residence of God and this is sweeter and greater than anywhere without Him."

–David Crowder

Nina and Scott Shaver

It was a BEAUTIFUL day full of GREAT memories...

Prayer Request for G-ma

My grandma is in the hospital right now and has been there for the past four days. She went in because she had become extremely nauseated, stopped eating because food made her feel sick, would throw up any food she did eat and the consequently became quite dehydrated. The doctors have run ample amounts of test on her, yet there has yet to be any further understanding as to what is going on. All of us are praying that it is nothing major and that she'll be back at home soon.

She was diagnosed with cancer for the second time about 5 months ago and has gone through radiation treatment since then and that in itself has been a bit of a rough road for her. We're all pretty sure the cancer is being stubborn and still lingering in her body.

I talked to my grandpa the other day on the phone and asked if he needed anything and he replied with, "Nope, all I need is for grandma to come home..." The love they have for one another is indescribable.

So my family and I covet your prayers right now as we continue on this journey of wanting grandma to be back home and feeling much better. I'll surely keep you all posted.

"Me Too"

Thoughts For The Throne
September 14th

I had lunch this weekend with some good friends and walked away feeling quite refreshed. Sometimes when you share a meal with people there might be a hint of a deeper kind of conversation, but typically there is usually more eating and less talking. With the busyness of life we are sometimes driven by the clock and eat in a hurry, leaving limited time or space for “beyond the surface” kinds of conversations.

I sometimes find myself being a slave to the clock, moving quickly from one thing to the next. This weekend however, I sat with my two friends at lunch and I was determined to not watch the clock. Our conversation was filled with all sorts of topics and conversations, some focused on life’s bigger questions and others focused on the day to day struggles we all encounter. For me, the most refreshing part of the conversation was hearing two simple words that carry with them a magnificent healing power; the words "me too".

There's something special about hearing those words from someone. I think that we each carry within our broken souls a false assumption that we are unique in our hurts. We believe that we are singular in our struggle. Pioneers into a land of pain that no one has ever set foot in before. But that's just wrong...

We're not Neil Armstrongs of sin. In fact God’s Word (see below) says that we can't encounter any temptation or struggle that isn't common to others. But we forget this. Satan uses our shame to isolate us from the fellowship that God has designed us for. And sometimes, we need to hear someone who is walking a similar path as us say "me too".

There's something about those words that carries with it a power greater than even an answer to our problems can give. A power that builds a bridge between two people. A power that heals...

I hope as you continue in your time here at FPU, you examine where you’re at in life, look at the struggles you encounter, and remember you are not alone in those. It’s easy to push people away as it’s much more difficult to let people in. My prayer for you is that you engage in those deeper conversations with people you trust. But I’ve learned that the more honest we are with ourselves and with those around us, the more we allow room for God to work…to heal our souls…and remind us that we are His.

Until Next Week…

Becky

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure”. 1 Corinthians 10:13

They Are Married :)

More pictures to come... :)

I can't do it on my own...

This past week has been a whirlwind. Many MANY good things and a few overwhelming things. I started my grad classes two weeks ago and I've gotta be honest, I've been a bit overwhelmed by it all. I know once the routine of life settles in and I start back on the track of doing school stuff and setting aside time for reading and paper writing, things will even out. I am taking 6 units right now and continue to work full time in the job that I love. There were a few times last week where I felt that there was so much going on and so much to do, I felt somewhat paralyzed and didn't know where to begin. It's in those moments I am reminded that I MUST rely on strength from the Lord and not rely on my own doing.

I am blessed to have the opportunity to start my grad studies and have a job that I love and work with people I love. I really feel I am exactly where Jesus wants me and for those of you who have felt that before, you know there is nothing that compares to it.

Surely there will be more to come... :)

If you want a really good laugh...watch this....

The video is almost 3 minutes long, but if you just watch the first minute of it you can get the jest of it. And after about 20 seconds you'll probably be laughing really hard. Make sure you can hear the music when you play it. Enjoy :)

PTL

"But we have treasures in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed."

2 Corinthians 4:7-9