Ministering to Returning Soldiers

Yesterday I listened to a podcast of a great episode of Speaking of Faith, originally from 2006.  Krista Tippett interviewed Chaplain Major John Morris about his role in ministering to soldiers during and after war (listen to the program or read the transcript here).  He started out with a very evocative description of Easter 2004 [...]

My Girls Are Hillarious

Brief post here, but wanted to share a couple funny things that happened with my girls today.

This morning as I was packing up my book back, Kira (5 year old who is learning to read) saw my commentary on Romans and was asked by mom to read the title. She struggled through the word “epistle”, [...]

Making Mother’s day last

For those of you who take joy in celebrating mother’s day, may I encourage you to appreciate your mother/sister/gramma on an ongoing basis?  Should our appreciation for our moms shine one day a year?  We should intentionally acknowledge this day, this occasion more than once a year.  Let her know how much you love her.
Just [...]

to sometimes think like a child, as we grow older

There is great innocence and wisdom that can be learned from the minds of children.  I was just thinking of the joys and freedoms of childhood, if you’ve been blessed with a good, normal one, that is. (Which can be relative, I know)
Tonight, I was reminded of treasuring the simple joys of life, you know, [...]

Reformed, Charismatic, Credo-Baptists Taking Over “Calvinist” Banner?

In Time’s article highlighting the “New Calvinism”, it is interesting to note that all such folks mentioned in the modern  ”Calvinistic” scene are all “credo-baptists” (those who believe in baptizing only those who actually profess Christ as Lord). Those mentioned were:

John Piper
Al Mohler
Mark Driscoll
Justin Taylor’s “Between Two Worlds” Blog

I’m not trying to drive a stake [...]

Ashley Judd, get a clue, and a “real heart”.

I have enjoyed Ashley Judds’ performances on film but sadly, her recent confrontation of Sarah Palin has tainted my image of her sweet face.   Are you kidding me?? Is she serious?? She’s going on about how “cruel and senseless” (“It’s time to stop Sarah Palin and stop this senseless savagery,” said Judd [...]

congratulations Mr. Obama. now what?

I tried to simplify the scope and depths of what was going on to my children.   Later in the evening, as I sat on my bed last night playing with my girls and watching the unfolding of the votes and then the declaration that Obama won the presidency, my stomach empty, my heart heavy, my head [...]

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow already!

Ok, so I’m apparently one of the strange few (adults) that actually enjoy snow.  It’s been cold here in Idaho.  I’m freezing here in my office too.  For some reason, the 2 front rooms in the upstairs of the house, doesn’t get well circulated air (not good).  So, in the summer, it’s smoltering.  In the [...]

congratulations, it’s a new van!

Ok, well, it’s not so new but new to us.  Yes, folks, finally, after 3 years of anticipation, my husband bought us a van!   THANKS HONEY!  …  But wait, it needs a new windshield… and oh, don’t roll the windows more than a couple inches or it will get stuck…and oh you can’t use the [...]

Good Times at Nampa Christian High School

I was honored to speak at Nampa Christian High School’s chapel this morning. I shared on Psalm 51 and our need for brokeness and wholehearted worship. I got to meet some of the students afterwards, as well as visit with some of the faculty. I was impressed at what I saw and heard. I pray God’s [...]

“What Saith Thou, Man of God?”… great poem on what it means to be a preacher

I know that this poem is a bit dated with some illustrations, but it still rings true to this day. I have a copy in my study and it is a perpetual reminder of what God has called me to be above all things. Whenever I am tempted to be cool and up to date [...]

Thoughts on Veteran’s Day

I want to thank all Veterans on this day that is marked for you. It is a small thing to simply reflect for a few moments and think of the history of this country and the  critical role veteran’s play. I am grateful for your service. Then again, I was raised to appreciate veterans. Let [...]

Dear grammpa Barack and gramma Michelle…

hi, you don’t know me yet but i want to say ‘hello’.  i haven’t been born yet but i’d like to ask you to give me a chance.  give me a chance to smile at you and to see you smile back.  give me a chance to take my first breath in the world without [...]

What happened to “Ask NOT what your country can do for you but what YOU can do for your country”?

What happened to American Patriotism and the gratitude of freedom, which is not really ‘free’ indeed.  This freedom we have come to know and feed on has been at a great cost, of American lives & much sacrifice, that is.
I’m not a native born American.  My family came here from Asia, legally.  We went through the [...]

Apologies to the Obama’s “potential” grandchildren

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Obama,
I want to express to you that my child is NOT a “punishment” to me.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNzmly28Bmg
Let me give you a little background, if I may.  In my junior year in high school, I made a mistake.  The mistake was having premarital sex.  Well, as a result (or consequence of doing something I [...]

Halloween belongs to the Church

Yes, I used to think that Halloween was some sort of devilish night where Alister Crowley and Jimmy Page looked into a Palantir and Anton Levey stayed the night at the Hotel California. Back then I knew squat about church history. We need to love the calendar of the Church and the Church Year people. [...]

Blessed by Breakfast, Goodie Bag, Fellowship with Pastors, and Martyrs

I was invited to attend a pastor’s breakfast this morning at a local Christian bookstore/cafe called Living Water (http://www.livingwatershop.com). It is a great place to hang and serves as my second office. Anyhow, I was up for free breakfast and a goodie bag, so I showed up giddy, sat with some Godly pastors, engaged in [...]

October Fever and Heartbreak in the Heart of a Pastor

Well, my beloved Halos lost tonight in the bottom of the ninth. It was heartbreaking, especially after a leadoff double for the Halos in the top of the ninth, only to lose that runner in a failed squeeze attempt that would have given them the lead and summoned K-Rod in the bottom of the ninth. [...]

Go easy on the new guy!

Thanks to Rick for the invitation to blog here and the welcoming post. Although I am proud to be a ‘Mere Christian’ united in one baptism with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ, I will probably write a bit about liturgy, history, theology, and I don’t know what else. I look forward to [...]

tell me y?

i just don’t understand it.  How can the same woman, who has given birth and expresses as much joy as she does in her children, still believes a woman should have the right to abort a baby?  Do you not realize that very same child you aborted or allow to be aborted could be the [...]

picket this…

It’s always an amazing image to me to see and hear of the many protesters that march signs up and down the “free streets of America” against wars, soldiers and anything military, like they did at Berkeley Univ. in California among many other venues and times in history.  I would dare say that most people [...]

in addition…

I’d like to add to my post about earthly causes vs. the unborn.  Although I love and appreciate the benefits and beauty of animals and our natural resources, ie. trees, flowers, grass, etc and protecting it’s value,  I would not trump it’s value over human life.

mom of 3, longing for 10

I’m not mormon. Nor am I crazy. But ever since I was little, I always wanted a large family.  My husband was not a fan of the idea but I think it’s growing on him.  We currently share 3 children and have been working on #4 for the last year.  At least I’ve been making him [...]

it’s not a hard choice.

If you had a choose between saving a cat about to die caught on a rope in a tree, an “endangered” Loulu tree of Hawaii, or saving a baby in the womb from being chopped up and sucked into a vaccuum and thrown out like last weeks left overs, the option should be obvious.  How is it that the same groups [...]

Love the Cross…Not Soothing Images

Many newer churches are now being built without crosses and are instead highlighting new innovative logos…many of which have no identifying connection with the Gospel or Church in general. While I am not necessarily opposed to the creation of such logos, I am opposed to those who are intentionally avoiding the cross and attempting to [...]

15 Ways My Pentecostal Upbringing Has Shaped Me…for the good

John Piper recently posted on his blog some reflections on Fundamentalists and why he doesn’t despise them (http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1251_20_reasons_i_dont_take_potshots_at_fundamentalists/). I was inspired by such to reflect on my own spiritual and theological journey in Pentecostalism. Here are 15 reasons why I am grateful for my Pentecostal heritage:
15. I learned that prayer was not merely a monologue [...]

Brokeness

Romans 8: 23-27- “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already [...]

Open a Thrift Store for Jesus

 Here is a picture of Pastor John Piper browsing through a new thrift store. The store “Hidden Treasures” will designate 75% of the profits in the support of missionaries (http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1191_hidden_treasures_thrift_store/). I love it!!!
I have long shopped at thrift stores for various products and find it a win/win proposition. By God’s grace, I one day hope [...]

Pursuit and desire

No, this isn’t a post about dating! It’s about the practice of using the prophetic gift. I’m starting from the premise that the gift of prophecy continues today and is to be used for upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation of others (1 Cor. 14:3).
Paul instructs us to “pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual [...]

“Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound that Saved a Wretch Like Me” vs. “Prevenient Grace, How Fair the Sound, that calls all Sinners Equally”

I don’t want to be totally obnoxious…but I was thinking about the beloved Hymn “Amazing Grace” and was wondering how a theological Arminian could really sing it.
Traditional Arminian theology believes in “prevenient grace”…essentially meaning that God exerts a measure of grace towards all sinners. Some would even say that God works equally in His grace [...]