Sometimes words are meant to paint a picture; I like to call them silent words. There are those times when words go beyond mere sound and an epiphany of our soul explodes like only God could intend.
Today i have been deep in helping my children work on a major project they all started on one hour before bedtime that all four of them got deeply inspired to collaborate on. At this particular segment in my life it leaves me with collective thoughts to sift through. The end result is that i just want to paint pictures with words, as silently as possible, in hopes that the 'Way, the Truth, and the Life' may shine as 'my life is hidden in Christ in God' (Colossians 3:1-4) and i feel overflowing so many times. Writing helps me 'sift'.
More to come, if time allows.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
My new look, whahahah!...and a word about Hawaii Five-O
Well, i got a lil' creative for just a moment as somehow i was reading my email this morning which lead me to my home school email loop (which i read instead of facebook now) and it lead me to someone's blog which had a link to 'cutest blog ever' and then hear i am making 'nalumom a true 'nalu' back ground! Maybe i can find a font really quick. However, i am finding this really really wierd at the moment that i cannot let this idea go, the idea of surf, when i haven't actually seen or been in the water for two years now, though the burning desire is still as fresh as it was two years ago. Last night watching Hawaii Five-O with Kalia and the boys, and the major theme of that particular episode was surfing, set our hearts on fire, and i am beginning, as was from the beginning of watching that show, to think i cannot handle that show, as it truly messes with my heart very strongly, in a very strange way i do not understand, the next day, all day. I found myself, at commercials, rubbing Kalia's (mind you, Kalia Noelani-very Hawaiian name, and didn't realize it until that moment) singing to her, 'go to sleep little surfer girl', hahaha (this is meant to be a random funny blog, though the show truly does tweak my heart). So, that is all. I am going to try to look for a font really quick. Peace out.....
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Rushing Wind...
Here is an old song that is singing in my heart today...
"Rushing wind blows through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within.
Come and breathe Your breath upon me,
For I've been born again!
Jesus! You're the One!
Who set my spirit free!
Use me, Lord, glorify,
Your holiness in me!"
I don't know if Keith Green wrote it, let me check....yes. Written by Keith and Melody Green.
I have been thinking a lot on the simple thought of a scripture that Steve taught the boys when they were very little, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). I have had that scripture memorized for a long time but you know how sometimes a verse just lingers in your mind day after day and throughout the months and connects with other scriptures...well, that is what this one has been doing.
Truth has been alive to me lately. It is truth that sets us free. The Word of God is truth and it is the truth as Hebrews 4:12 says "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Wow!
The truth that sets us free makes us rejoice in things like Romans 12:9-21-
"Let love be genuine.
Abhor what is evil.
Hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
Rejoice in hope... be patient in tribulation.... be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who curse you, bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.
Repay no one evil for evil but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceable with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord". To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so you will be heaping burning coals on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good."
May truth set my heart free, may LOVE abound, may God be glorified, as i seek to be satisfied in Jesus.
"God is most glorified when we are satisfied in Him"-and He truly satisfies, "You make known to me the path of life; In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more." Psalm 16:11
I wish i knew how to do cool fonts and design because i would have had fun with this post. I have the Romans scripture written out right behind where i am sitting and i had sooo much fun writing it out and getting creative as the words came alive!
I feel like i could write all day!
"Rushing wind blows through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within.
Come and breathe Your breath upon me,
For I've been born again!
Jesus! You're the One!
Who set my spirit free!
Use me, Lord, glorify,
Your holiness in me!"
I don't know if Keith Green wrote it, let me check....yes. Written by Keith and Melody Green.
I have been thinking a lot on the simple thought of a scripture that Steve taught the boys when they were very little, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). I have had that scripture memorized for a long time but you know how sometimes a verse just lingers in your mind day after day and throughout the months and connects with other scriptures...well, that is what this one has been doing.
Truth has been alive to me lately. It is truth that sets us free. The Word of God is truth and it is the truth as Hebrews 4:12 says "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Wow!
The truth that sets us free makes us rejoice in things like Romans 12:9-21-
"Let love be genuine.
Abhor what is evil.
Hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
Rejoice in hope... be patient in tribulation.... be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who curse you, bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.
Repay no one evil for evil but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceable with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord". To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so you will be heaping burning coals on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good."
May truth set my heart free, may LOVE abound, may God be glorified, as i seek to be satisfied in Jesus.
"God is most glorified when we are satisfied in Him"-and He truly satisfies, "You make known to me the path of life; In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more." Psalm 16:11
I wish i knew how to do cool fonts and design because i would have had fun with this post. I have the Romans scripture written out right behind where i am sitting and i had sooo much fun writing it out and getting creative as the words came alive!
I feel like i could write all day!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Psalm 17
Psalm 17
"Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
Let my vindication come from your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
You have tested my heart'
You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not trangress.
Concerning the works of men,
By the word of your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
Uphold my steps in Your paths.
That my footsteps may not slip.
I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save thos who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
They have closed up their fat hearts;
With their mouths they speak proudly.
They have not surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth.
As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.
Arise, Oh Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.
As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness."
"Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
Let my vindication come from your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
You have tested my heart'
You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not trangress.
Concerning the works of men,
By the word of your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
Uphold my steps in Your paths.
That my footsteps may not slip.
I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save thos who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
They have closed up their fat hearts;
With their mouths they speak proudly.
They have not surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth.
As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.
Arise, Oh Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.
As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness."
Friday, December 31, 2010
Why love youth?
Steve and I got an update last night from a very treasured friend from my high school youth group who became Steve's best friend and has remained that way and will for life. He hadn't talked to him for about four months so the update was filled with both sad and happy news. After Steve shared with me the jist of how this friend is doing we fell in awe of the majesty of our God, for the gift of friendship, for the gift of God's goodness to His people as we can have an alive relationship with the Maker and Creator of all the universe and that He truly does interact intimately with us on a personal level!
I will try my best to explain why i titled this blog the way i did and tie the first paragraph in with the idea without giving out personal information. Please bear with me as i try my best to formulate my ideas and express my heart and long time passions.
If you have read a few posts back "Shower Song" you know a bit of history of my high school youth group and just the small underlying factor of what we experienced. There were many people in that group of teens that were changed for life by the tangible love of a real Savior alive and active in our midst, both taught, preached, and lived out within our group like i have never seen it before, all lead on by God alone.
Our youth Pastor, Dan Berg, didn't have any specific pastoral training or youth certification and neither did the others who helped out like Mark and Theresa Redden, just to name a couple of dear friends now missionaries in Australia fighting to love the people there with the gospel of Jesus everyday for over ten years. Dan was just a regular guy who had his life radically turned around, saved by Jesus, and had a passion for God's word and sharing it with others. He was asked to start a youth group at Calvary Chapel Westminster, and i believe there wasn't even any kids at the time. He prayed that God would send him just one kid, just one kid with a love for Jesus, and God did (someone please correct me if you are to read this and i get the story slightly off or something, not that i even have any readers, haha). Then the one kid turned into three, and one of those three was Peyton Jones, who is now a pastor in Wales (Europe). Peyton got saved and started sharing the gospel at his high school (Marina in HB) and then they started an outreach night in Huntington Beach and the group turned into a growing 60, sometimes reaching 100 even, just by teaching verse by verse through the gospel of John, having worship time, and allowing the kids to experience God.
Dan and the other few leaders invested true Jesus love into us kids. He would take the time to challenge us what we thought a Bible verse meant or how it might be lived out. He took the time to answer our questions and to train others to be there to answer other's questions. He discipled us and made sure we were equipped for the trials of life, and for 98% of the group, that pretty much was happening every day. For me, coming from being raised in the church and being part of a youth group all my life it was very special to me that Dan actually took the time to simply just know my name, even from the first time i showed up at Murdy Park. I had been a regular attender at a normal size youth group for three years prior to this and the youth pastor could not even remember my name, seriously!
So, looking back, over twenty years later, though i know God's providence was in order, i see that Dan and the other adults that took their time investing and loving us teenagers with the love that the gospel brings made an impact on the lives of many, and not just for that time period. It created a relationship with the Living God that would carry us all both then, through the growing pains of our twenties, the stabilizing of our thirties, and now as we are all heading to the end of that, looking into our 40's with joyful expectation to lead our own children and others into gospel truth.
So, why love the youth? Why take the time to listen to them? Soooo many many reasons but looking back to the start of this blog is the answer. Loving the youth for the sake of the gospel, to bring them hope, to show them there is a future in Jesus, to point them to a love that will never ever fail, just that one little chance to do so with one teenager while they are yet very young, might give them a chance through Jesus to make a sad story happy!
I will try my best to explain why i titled this blog the way i did and tie the first paragraph in with the idea without giving out personal information. Please bear with me as i try my best to formulate my ideas and express my heart and long time passions.
If you have read a few posts back "Shower Song" you know a bit of history of my high school youth group and just the small underlying factor of what we experienced. There were many people in that group of teens that were changed for life by the tangible love of a real Savior alive and active in our midst, both taught, preached, and lived out within our group like i have never seen it before, all lead on by God alone.
Our youth Pastor, Dan Berg, didn't have any specific pastoral training or youth certification and neither did the others who helped out like Mark and Theresa Redden, just to name a couple of dear friends now missionaries in Australia fighting to love the people there with the gospel of Jesus everyday for over ten years. Dan was just a regular guy who had his life radically turned around, saved by Jesus, and had a passion for God's word and sharing it with others. He was asked to start a youth group at Calvary Chapel Westminster, and i believe there wasn't even any kids at the time. He prayed that God would send him just one kid, just one kid with a love for Jesus, and God did (someone please correct me if you are to read this and i get the story slightly off or something, not that i even have any readers, haha). Then the one kid turned into three, and one of those three was Peyton Jones, who is now a pastor in Wales (Europe). Peyton got saved and started sharing the gospel at his high school (Marina in HB) and then they started an outreach night in Huntington Beach and the group turned into a growing 60, sometimes reaching 100 even, just by teaching verse by verse through the gospel of John, having worship time, and allowing the kids to experience God.
Dan and the other few leaders invested true Jesus love into us kids. He would take the time to challenge us what we thought a Bible verse meant or how it might be lived out. He took the time to answer our questions and to train others to be there to answer other's questions. He discipled us and made sure we were equipped for the trials of life, and for 98% of the group, that pretty much was happening every day. For me, coming from being raised in the church and being part of a youth group all my life it was very special to me that Dan actually took the time to simply just know my name, even from the first time i showed up at Murdy Park. I had been a regular attender at a normal size youth group for three years prior to this and the youth pastor could not even remember my name, seriously!
So, looking back, over twenty years later, though i know God's providence was in order, i see that Dan and the other adults that took their time investing and loving us teenagers with the love that the gospel brings made an impact on the lives of many, and not just for that time period. It created a relationship with the Living God that would carry us all both then, through the growing pains of our twenties, the stabilizing of our thirties, and now as we are all heading to the end of that, looking into our 40's with joyful expectation to lead our own children and others into gospel truth.
So, why love the youth? Why take the time to listen to them? Soooo many many reasons but looking back to the start of this blog is the answer. Loving the youth for the sake of the gospel, to bring them hope, to show them there is a future in Jesus, to point them to a love that will never ever fail, just that one little chance to do so with one teenager while they are yet very young, might give them a chance through Jesus to make a sad story happy!
authentic stinger thought
Okay, so i just had a sudden rush of a feeling, after all my recent posts, for the close of the year, that stung my heart. I really really would like to be back home with our friends and family that know us, we know them, and enjoy sweet fellowship again! Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!! The longings of my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Joyful Expectation
What is joyful expectation?
I remember hearing Pastor Karl Vaters back at Cornerstone in Fountain Valley, California, sometime around 2001 preach about 'joyful expectation', i believe, and it renewed something in my heart that i had experienced ever since that day when God breathed new life into my heart and opened my eyes to the spiritual realm and what He was doing around me. Knowing, even with just a small limited knowledge, who God is and His character, His majesty, His greatness, and then being able to watch for His work in my life and around me is joyful expectation. Knowing that He who began a good work in me, and in others, will be faithful to complete it, is joyful expectation. It is hope that does not disappoint because it is not of human control.
Back in the high school youth group day we so embrased the idea of living in joyful expectation but didn't know to call it that. We were always experiencing the work of God and incredible things, lives being changed, including our own. Eventually what we had changed, got torn down, and we all moved on, though memories and our relationship with our Saviour remains and still grows.
I feel like the same thing happened again to me after being sparked again to joyful expectation n the early 2000's. Steve and I were steadily growing and being used by God, experiencing God's mercy and grace, watching God work around us. We had such high hopes of this continuing as we moved into this new land. We are fighting harder than ever to keep our eyes on the Author and Perfector of our faith and not on our circumstances, whether trying or easy, that He might bring back joyful expectation.
When one is around someone that stands firm and breathes joyful expectation it is contagious; you can't help but to also look for God's work around you. If we are brothers/sisters in Christ Jesus we have the very same alive and active God, right? This is just one of the many many reasons why we must make every opportunity count when given the blessing of fellowship, to spur one another on.
Once again, i must end on this scripture that has been a long time favorite and i cannot get out of my mind lately:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church for all generations for ever and ever. Amen." Romans 3:20
I remember hearing Pastor Karl Vaters back at Cornerstone in Fountain Valley, California, sometime around 2001 preach about 'joyful expectation', i believe, and it renewed something in my heart that i had experienced ever since that day when God breathed new life into my heart and opened my eyes to the spiritual realm and what He was doing around me. Knowing, even with just a small limited knowledge, who God is and His character, His majesty, His greatness, and then being able to watch for His work in my life and around me is joyful expectation. Knowing that He who began a good work in me, and in others, will be faithful to complete it, is joyful expectation. It is hope that does not disappoint because it is not of human control.
Back in the high school youth group day we so embrased the idea of living in joyful expectation but didn't know to call it that. We were always experiencing the work of God and incredible things, lives being changed, including our own. Eventually what we had changed, got torn down, and we all moved on, though memories and our relationship with our Saviour remains and still grows.
I feel like the same thing happened again to me after being sparked again to joyful expectation n the early 2000's. Steve and I were steadily growing and being used by God, experiencing God's mercy and grace, watching God work around us. We had such high hopes of this continuing as we moved into this new land. We are fighting harder than ever to keep our eyes on the Author and Perfector of our faith and not on our circumstances, whether trying or easy, that He might bring back joyful expectation.
When one is around someone that stands firm and breathes joyful expectation it is contagious; you can't help but to also look for God's work around you. If we are brothers/sisters in Christ Jesus we have the very same alive and active God, right? This is just one of the many many reasons why we must make every opportunity count when given the blessing of fellowship, to spur one another on.
Once again, i must end on this scripture that has been a long time favorite and i cannot get out of my mind lately:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church for all generations for ever and ever. Amen." Romans 3:20
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