Where Were You?

There are many infamous days in our history.

JFK’s assassination.

Pearl Harbor.

The OKC bombing.

Just to name a few. These are days that regardless of everything else we remember every detail of where we were and what we were doing at that exact moment.

9/11 is one of those days we will always remember every detail.

I was asleep when my mom called from South Dakota and told me to turn on the tv, to any news channel. Normally I would have said, “later” and gone back to sleep but she had that tone of voice that you don’t argue with. I turned the television on to see the smoke billowing from the first tower and just in time to watch the second tower get hit.

My initial reaction and the first thing I remember asking my mom is, “What’s gonna happen to my brother?” There was never a question of whether he would go. It was a matter of when. Just a few years earlier my brother had enlisted in the National Guard. By a fluke of accidental miracles he was never deployed.

 

 

 

Later that morning I headed to work. First day out of training at a new job. I remember people calling in and complaining about President Bush preempting everything. Eight hours later I was so drained from watching the events of the day and dealing with people’s selfishness. I know more than once I reminded people how we felt when the OCK bombing happened and that the attacks on the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and the crash in Pennsylvania were much worse than anything we’ve encountered before. They didn’t want to hear it. In the days following, however, things changed. The overall attitude of customers was one of ‘how can I make this better?’ instead of ‘it’s all about me’.

Life changed in that moment.

For thousands of people, lives were flipped upside down. The people lost were mothers, fathers, daughters, sisters, sons, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Each person has a face, a story, a life that was cut short.

To the Soldiers, EMTs, Firefighters, PD’s, other public service agents I’ve not mentioned – thank you for your time and your sacrifice to help those in need. You are true heroes.

Haiti. One year later.

230,000 people dead.

http://www.haitinews.net/

http://www.cdc.gov/haiticholera/

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=cholera-outbreak-haiti

http://progressinhaiti.org/

http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/5660/1/Haiti–One-year-later/Page1.html

I know the one year anniversary of this tragedy was nearly 2 months ago. I’m flabbergasted at the amount of destruction.

Between Haiti and Japan and Egypt I wonder if we’ve stretched ourselves too thin but then I remember some things the Bible says:

* Go into ALL the world and lo I am with you ALWAYS (No go, no lo!!)

* Whatever you do unto the least of these you do unto Me.

Moments & Memories

The last few days have been full of such fun moments with my boys I can’t help but to share some of them.

ZigZag:

- Has a new word that sounds an awful lot like a curse word we’ve all heard before but it’s not. It’s really a contraction of the two words: “am” and “not” so it comes out as amn’t. And, he uses it in the context of “am not” but, man, that’s a habit I’m trying to break him of real fast!

- Grocery list making with ZigZag is hysterical!! It took me a couple of minutes to catch what exactly he was doing but once I did I couldn’t help but laugh! It went something like this. I told them that I was going to make a list and asked both boys if there was anything they wanted. As I’m going through the list ZigZag leans over and goes, “Mommy, how do you spell orange?” to which I replied, “o-r-a-n-g-e”. Then he said, “Okay. Write that down. How do you spell grape?”

- I’m not sure which child on ZigZag’s soccer team actually kicked the ball but one of them kicked it square in the referee’s “no strike zone”! There was literally a collective gasp from the crowd followed almost immediately by loads of laughter from not only the parents/families but the teams, coaches, and even the referee himself – after taking a couple of moments to breathe, of course!

E-man:

- I have never been more proud of my oldest son than I was Saturday morning. In the middle of his soccer game his coached yelled cause the team was kicking the ball the wrong direction and she was trying to get them to go the correct way. If you know anything about soccer, this was right after halftime and they’d just changed which goal they were aiming for. He started crying. Covered his face with his hands, sat down on the field. Crying. She walked over to him, asked for a time-out and talked to him. Basically gave him two choices: to quit and walk off the field or to dry it up and keep playing. (I’m paraphrasing here as I didn’t hear her conversation with him but was told the gist of it afterwards.) He chose to keep playing. And he played so very well! He made the right decision and it was a benefit to not only him but his team and I think he saw that.

- Cub Scouts. I really wish I could leave this one at that one phrase and have everyone know what I’m talking about but I know better. I have seen him so happy that’s he’s earned a badge and a belt loop in less than a week. And that was his doing. He’s the one who learned the necessary pledges, promises, activities, etc to earn these honors. And I can’t wait see him up in front of everyone next month at the pack meeting to receive those along with any other he earns in the next few weeks!

- I looked at him this week and saw just who he is inside. It’s amazing really! I keep learning my son over and over again. He’s this incredible, not-so-little person who has an entire personality all his own. I love when he frowns at me and then flashes that smile of his. Or when I can see that he’s learning the difference between acting and reacting.  He’s so very sweet. He loves being able to play and be with everyone but he also very much needs his downtime. He has such a sweet spirit and loved getting to stay up late last week to listen to Keith Moore preaching. And music. He’s so very talented  musically. I very much want to encourage that in him and not destroy it for him. There’s a very fine line there.

I know there’s so very much more I could add to this but these are the things that struck me this week.

Six Months.

Today marks six months since the Haiti Earthquake. I don’t think we’re any closer to seeing a sense of normalcy return – in fact, we may be further from that than when this started.

Just to recap (for those of you who’ve forgotten about the people of Haiti):

January 12, 2010 – a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti with the epicenter being roughly 16 miles outside of Port-au-Prince (the capital). It was so strong that it was felt in Cuba, Venezuela, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

January 16, 2010 – the US claims $48 million already raised to help with efforts in Haiti – not sure how that money has been delegated.

January 20, 2010 – the strongest aftershock recorded at 5.9 magnitude nearly directly beneath Petit-Goave.

January 23, 2010 – the Haitian Government calls off official search and rescue missions.

By January 24, 2010 – at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 magnitude or greater had been recorded.

3 MILLION people affected.

1 MILLION people left homeless.

200,000+ were killed or died because of earthquake related circumstances – including some people who were very high government types.

250,000 homes and 30,000 businesses were severely damaged or completely destroyed.

$910.6 million raised/pledged in relief funds – between the US ($48m), the European Union ($474m), Brazil ($210m), France ($14.4m), the UK ($32.7m) and Canada ($131.5m) – so why are the Haitian people still living in tent cities?!

Matthew 25:45

45 “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.

Something I’ve noticed with, not just Americans but, people in general is that we’re quick to help someone or a group of people as soon as the devastation occurs. And maybe we’ll stay on for a couple of weeks. But, eventually (sooner rather than later) we all head home, back to our own lives, and while we don’t necessarily forget about the devastation that happened we move it out of our immediate focus so that any thought that direction is more of a “fleeting moment” than a conscious thought. We’ve done this with Haiti.

I’m curious how many people know that today is the 6 month mark since the earthquake. If it weren’t for the news channels, the radio stations, the internet and newspapers, and all the other forms of media we have access to now, would you know what today represented? Even now, I’ve pulled up CNN, CNN World, and Fox News but they have yet to report anything regarding the Haiti Earthquake.

What you have to understand is that Haiti is the forgotten country in the Western Hemisphere. To me, Haiti is one of our own. To others, Haiti is just another 3rd world country they can boost their resume’s on. To others still, Haiti is a place that induces compassion and self-awareness and self-ashamedness.

But, the facts are that Haiti, by definition, is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. There are 900+ million people in Haiti, all in a 27,750 square mile area. (That’s 32,000+ people in a square mile!) Eighty percent (80%) of the Haitian population lives below the poverty line.

The Haitian flag is very similar to those of France and Lichtenstein. There’s a blue stripe, a red stripe, and the country’s coat of arms on a white square in the middle. The red stripe represents mulatto Haitians while the blue stripe represents the union of mulatto and black Haitians. The coat of arms is a Palmette surrounded by the liberty cap with the French inscription “in union there is strength”.

Now, I don’t know what you know about Haitian people but, despite they’re lack of material goods, I consider them some of the richest people on Earth. Even in the midst of all this destruction the Haitian people are rallying themselves. I mean, let’s be honest, we (the outsiders) are no longer there to help boost morale. And while there’s probably still some assistance I know that it’s not anywhere the level it should be. Had this happened in the US, we would have already rebuilt our cities, homes, businesses, etc and they’d be twice as strong and able to withstand much more that a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. But, it’s not the US and the Haitian people continue living in tents still with no more access to resources than before.

I applaud the Haitian people for not losing faith in impossible circumstances and for continuing to run this race.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

WBS 2010. Monday. 10:30AM.

Speaker: Mrs. Lynette Hagin

Stir It Up.

Winter Bible Seminar happens in the winter because winter has less distractions and therefore more time to concentrate on the things of God.

Time to strengthen, renew, and get instructions.

The beginning of the year is a time for reevaluating.

Just as we make plans to change in the natural (ie. diet, exercise) so do we also in the spiritual (ie. reading Bible more, praying more).

Word for the year: Gear Up!

Find the fastest way to do something so you can finish it and move on to the next job and keep going.

Ready to send Jesus back to Earth now … His time. Patience.

We’re praying, “come quickly” but we are sitting down. Get up!

Get stirred up.

2 Timothy 1:6 (ASV)

6 For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands

2 Timothy 1:6 (AMP)

6 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].

*Stir up the gift of God.

Chocolate Pie:

*Needs ingredients. Not a pie if you just have all of the ingredients on hand. You have to put them in a bowl. You have to stir them. And then stir some more. And heat them. And stir some more. Until it’s just right. Impatience, finishing before it’s ready will cause the pie to not be as good as it should have been.

God is molding us and making us. Stirring us up in areas we are not comfortable with.

1 Corinthians 1:4-25 (AMP)

4 I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which was bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,5 and and 6 In this way [our] witnessing concerning Christ (the Messiah) was so confirmed and and made sure in you7 That you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace [the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and 8 And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).9 God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.10 But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments.11 For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions and wrangling and factions among you.1213 Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Was Paul crucified on behalf of you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,15 Lest anyone should say that I baptized in my own name.16 [Yes] I did baptize the household of Stephanas also. More than these, I do not remember that I baptized anyone.17 For Christ (the Messiah) sent me out not to baptize but [to evangelize by] preaching the glad tidings (the Gospel), and that not with verbal eloquence, lest the cross of Christ should be deprived of force and emptied of its power and rendered vain (fruitless, void of value, and of no effect).18 For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and 19 For it is written, I will baffle and and destroy the learning of the learned and the philosophy of the philosophers and the cleverness of the clever and the discernment of the discerning; I will frustrate and nullify [them] and 20 Where is the wise man (the philosopher)? Where is the scribe (the scholar)? Where is the investigator (the logician, the debater) of this present time and age? Has not God shown up the nonsense and the folly of this world’s wisdom?21 For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him).22 For while Jews [demandingly] ask for signs and miracles and Greeks pursue philosophy and wisdom,23 We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense.2425 [This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men. [So] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning]. established [His] being made visible to all. What I mean is this, that each one of you [either] says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Cephas (Peter), or I belong to Christ. on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God. render useless bring [them] to nothing. But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.

Prayer.

None of us pray as much as we need to.

You can have all of the knowledge and information bu unless you use it it will do no good.

Be inspired to pray. Know how to pray.

It is the power of God that is going to break bonds.

“Don’t educate the head at the expense of the heart” ~Dad Hagin

Listen to the Holy Spirit on the inside of us.

Become sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s voice.

1 Corinthians 2:1-10 (AMP)

1 AS FOR myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret and wisdom;23 And I was in (passed into a state of) weakness and fear (dread) and great trembling [after I had come] among you.4 And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them],5 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.6 Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away.7 But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God–[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].8 None of the rulers of this age or and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.9 But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. 10 Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny]. of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified. world perceived

God has prepared great things for those who love Him.

The more you’re with God, the more your capacity to love God increases. Does God know you love Him or is it only when you need something?

Worship Him.

Draw close to Him.

God has great plans.

Each one of us has a gift from God. We are in God’s “gifted” program! But we haven’t spent enough time with Him to develop our gifts. Instead we spend time developing the gifts we want, not necessarily those He gave us.

If only WE could get out of our way.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (AMP)

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

My thoughts are different from yours.

Don’t be a Corvair Christian – Great on the outside but not so much on the inside.

Develop a relationship with the Heavenly Father as a young child. He will ALWAYS be there.

God has greater plans for you than anything you can imagine.

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Take your piece of the puzzle and place it. Don’t worry about other people’s parts and ignore your own piece.

EVERY part of the body of Christ is important.

Listen to the word of God and deliver what He says!

Each person takes their place. Don’t try to do everyone elses part. No one is big enough to fulfill the vision God has for the world. That action will dilute the gift God has given to you.

There may be times you have to take someone elses part TEMPORARILY.

At this point Mrs. Lynette showed us an example of what she meant, using the band as her helpers!

A person trying to be everyone’s part plus their own is like having only a piano for music. The piano has the melody and the rhythm and everything else. (She played the piano!!)

People trying to play other people’s part is like the band members playing instruments they have no knowledge of how to play. (They were horrible!! Imagine Patrick on acoustic guitar!)

People playing the parts they are supposed to play, the ones they have a gift for. (The band was fantastic once they got back on their own instruments!)