James and Holly Faske

The Race is... OFF

2010-04-18T09:23:00.002-05:00

Holly and I have to end this crazy race against time to buy a house in time to get the $8000 from Obama. We did this for several reasons, in no particular order:

1) We feel like we are rushing to find just any ole house so we can get the tax refund.

2) If one of us were to lose a job we would be hurting financially. We are trying to keep all of our bills dependent on one paycheck.

3) We want to buy a house that we really love.

4) We would like to save up a larger downpayment (~20%)

So yes, the house hunt is off. On the bright side, this leaves a good chunk of money that will go straight to our student loans :)

And the Look Continues...

2010-04-03T05:24:00.003-05:00

Well, we are not going through with the Elm Street house. Through much good advice, thought, and prayer we have decided against it. The reason being is that this house does not have good resale value and there are about 3 things that we would want done almost immediately after we move in. Since we don't want to spend the money on those things, and instead put it towards debt, and also since we don't want to lose money when trying to sell the house again, we have decided to terminate the contract...and KEEP LOOKING.
Please pray that all goes well and that we either find that house that God has planned for us soon, or we realize we shouldn't even be buying a house! We'll see...

Jeremiah 10:23
"I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course."

The Cross

2010-04-03T05:23:00.001-05:00

May thy cross be to me

as the tree that sweetens my bitter Marahs,

as the rod that blossoms with life and beauty,

as the brazen serpent that calls forth the look of faith.

By thy cross crucify my every sin;

Use it to increase my intimacy with thyself;

Make it the ground of all my comfort,

the liveliness of all my duties,

the sum of all thy gospel promises,

the comfort of all my afflictions,

the vigour of my love, thankfulness, graces,

the very essence of my religion;

And by it give me that rest without rest,

the rest of ceaseless praise.

--The Valley of Vision

Round 2

2010-03-29T14:13:00.008-05:00

Holly and I had our offer accepting on a house! We feel much better with this house because our monthly payments will be less than $700/mnth (mortgage, taxes, insurance). This will allow us to pay off our debt faster while we invest in a home. We are set to close on April 28th! We are pretty excited.

Pros:

.25 acre
garage for my kayaks
lots of storage space
covered front porch
washer/dryer hookups
close to our church
new paint inside and out
new dish washer
new hardwood floors
no rotting wood
60 years old - good floor plan
3 bedrooms

Cons:

only one car garage
grass looks thin in some areas
on a one-way street
small closet space
only one bathroom

Texas it is!

2010-03-18T12:27:00.003-05:00

After much prayer, Holly and I have decided to stay here in Texas and just work work work to pay our debt completely off. We are on a plan to pay our school debt off in about a year from now. Yes, that's right... one year. Donations are accepted but not expected :D

What am I?

2010-03-15T21:57:00.002-05:00

Holly introduced me to another song that really tugs on the heart. The song, by Shawn McDonald, really emphasizes our worthiness before God. The author questions over and over, "What am I?" because he is so morally bankrupt yet the holy King still calls him his child and dies for him. While some might say I have cleaned up my life I still stand a sinner before a wrathful and angry God. Thanks be to Him that God no longer sees my constant sinfulness because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

As I look into the stars
Pondering how far away they are
How You hold them in Your hands
And still You know this man
You know my inner most being, oh
Even better than I know, than I know myself
What a beautiful God
What a beautiful God
And what am I, that I might be called Your child
What am I, what am I
That You might know me, my King
What am I, what am I, what am I

As I look off into the distance
Watching the sun roll on by
Beautiful colors all around me, oh
Painted all over the sky
The same hands that created all of this
They created you and I
What a beautiful God
What a beautiful God
And what am I, that I might be called Your child
What am I, what am I
That You might know me, my King
What am I, what am I
That You might die, that I might live
What am I.

Crossroads

2010-03-04T12:43:00.003-06:00

Holly and I are at a crossroads in our life. We both recently graduated college and have begun our careers. This is a really good thing and I'm excited... well sorta... bittersweet at best. Shortly after coming to know the Lord, I was influenced by Richard Wurmbrand, Jim Elliot, David Brainerd, and the like, to live a risky adventure at the helm of God's providence! I couldn't wait to get out of college so that I could take the gospel to the darkest places of the world.

As I was finishing school, God put very special lady in my life with a similar dream. We have looked into several programs (MTI, BCTP, Downline, etc) wondering what the possibilities were of us completing them. Now that we are both out of college the "rest of our life" has begun. Questions come up like, "what do we do now?" "When do we have kids?" "Do we still want to do MTI, BCTP, Downline or something similar?" "Do we want to be missionaries overseas?" "Do we want to be missionaries here?" etc... etc....

Here are two options we are considering for the time being as we try to figure out where God wants us:

Option 1: We both continue to work in the DFW area. We buy a house to get the $8,000 from Obama and put it towards our debt. By the time our debt is mostly paid off (2012) we will have a kid or two. From there we can decide if we still want to do a mission sending program and go into the mission field.

Possible problem(s) with option 1: We might get too comfortable with living the American Dream and lose our passion for missions.

Option 2: We buy a house in Memphis where we can do Downline and pay off our debt. We get the $8000 to help us out and remain in Memphis for 3 years. We have kids when our debt is mostly paid off and from there think about going into the business world or mission field.

Possible problem(s) with option 2: We are far from family as we will miss them. We also would like to raise our kids near their grandparents. We will also miss our friends here in Texas. We would have to start all over in Memphis.

This is just to give everyone a heads up on what we are thinking about. Feel free to contribute any thoughts and above all, pray that God will guide us wherever he wills.

New Year - 2010

2010-01-03T23:01:00.003-06:00

Well we are beginning a new year and to start us off right we have our 1 year Anniversary!! James is taking me somewhere and it is a complete surprise!! I won't know where we're going till we're at the airport getting ready to board!! We leave this Thursday (Jan. 7th) and come back Jan. 12th. Our actual anniversary is Jan 10th!! I can't believe it has been a year already!

We're not sure what God has in store for us this year - things that we're planning: buying a house possibly and me getting a "big-girl" job in the Fall! But as always:

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Proverbs 16:9

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails"
Proverbs 19:21

consistency fail

2009-11-17T11:06:00.002-06:00

You may have heard in the news today that the Ft. Hood shooter is going to be tried for 14 counts a murder rather than 13 because a victim was 9 weeks pregnant. Does this sound odd to you?

Why does our government care if a 9 week old baby dies? Doesn't the government believe a 9 week old baby to just be some blood and tissue? In that case, can I charge a man for murder if he "kills" my right hand?

So which is it America? It seems that we only like justice when it is convenient to us.

Cider....like Apple Cider!

2009-10-23T12:15:00.003-05:00

Well we finally have gotten a kitty!!! and we LOVE her!! Check out the pics & video:

Before the Throne of God

2009-09-19T13:40:00.005-05:00

The more and more I listen to this song the more I love it. My wife got me into this song and so I dedicate it to her. This is an old Hymn that was created in the late 1800s. I'd like to just walk you through my interpretation of it:

Before the throne of God above Matthew 12:36 Everyone will one day stand before the throne of God. God will inspect their life to see if they are found guilty of violating God's Holiness. The writer is coming before the throne...

I have a strong and perfect plea. Hebrews 4:16 The author comes with boldness to the Throne for a reason....

A great high Priest whose Name is Love Hebrews 4:14 Although the writer knows he is guilty, the High Priest, who is Jesus Christ, who came in love and truth, is his defense

Who ever lives and pleads for me. Hebrews 7:25 Christ is the everlasting priesthood that pleads forever on the writer's behalf

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart. Jesus work (hands) on the cross was for us because He loves (heart) us

I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Nothing can take us away from the God that saved us because He, with His strength, keeps us

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin. Psalm 103:12 The writer is looking to Christ on the cross when he is attacked by Satan. Although the writer still sins he knows his sin has been paid for already.

Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free. The writers guilt now becomes Joy

For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me. Isaiah 53:10 God was satisfied to see Jesus crushed because it appeased the wrath that we deserved

Behold Him there the risen Lamb, All glory is pointed to the one that did all the work. None of it to us.

My perfect spotless righteousness, Christ's perfect righteousness is imputed to the writer

The great unchangeable I AM, Hebrews 13:8 Jesus and His love never changes

The King of glory and of grace, Revelation 19:16 He now rules as King

One in Himself I cannot die. Revelation 20:6 The writer will not taste the second death

My soul is purchased by His blood, 1 Corinthians 6:20 Jesus paid the price for the writers soul

My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God! the writer will spend eternity with his Savior and God, Jesus

Back from Utah!

2009-09-19T12:48:00.004-05:00

Well I am finally back from Utah after spending two weeks there training for my new job. It was a good trip overall but too long to be away from the wifey. DirectPointe treated me well: paid for my flight, hotel, food, company car, and gas. They also hooked me up with about $2000 worth of equipment to bring home so I can work here. I think I'm going to like working at DP. I think the #1 thing I like most about it is the flexibility. My boss told me that if I didn't like my position I could move elsewhere within the company. Very nice.

...And you didn't think I was going to go to Utah and NOT climb the rockies did you??? I climbed Mt. Timpanogos which sits almost at 12,000 feet and is the second highest mountain in Utah. I left early Sunday morning and reached Emerald Lake by about noon. I was only another hour from the peak but it started to sleet on me so I had to turn back. It ended up raining on me the whole way down. That wasnt much fun since I had tennis shoes and a light, non-water proof, jacket. You can see photos on my facebook page.

This is a waterfall I found going up the mt:

This is the valley I climbed:

This was when I was headed back down. I was soaked:

Turn From the Approval of Sin

2009-08-21T12:38:00.002-05:00

An interesting event happened a few days ago. An ECLA meeting, to determine if a practicing homosexual can preach in the pulpit, was cancelled after a strange weather occurance appeared out of no where.

Read John Piper's take on it

2009-08-18T10:43:00.002-05:00

I guess we haven't been very good at keeping this thing updated lately....but I guess better late than never!

Well let's see:

about 2 weeks ago I lost my nanny job because the mom of the kids lost her job, therefore she didn't need me anymore! But God has once again provided me with another job...I will be working with Communities in Schools. I will be a teacher at an afterschool program for at-risk children. I will be at Strickland Middle School which is right down the street from our apartment!
In the afterschool program we start with doing extra-curricular activities with the kids (such as: sports, photography, scrapbooking, art, computers, etc. - I told them I would want to be involved in all those I mentioned, except computers...haha) then we spend some time helping them with homework, then we do a lesson with them.
I am very excited about this job - I see it as more of extended ministry from our apartment than a job because there are a lot of children that live here that go to Strickland.
This job also goes great with my school schedule - I will be working 3-6:15pm Monday through Friday and then like 9am-2pm on Saturdays.
James is still searching for a full-time job - he's actually at an interview as I type! Please pray for him to find something soon and that will hopefully be enjoyable for him.
He is now graduated with a Computer Engineer degree...woah, yeah he's smart ;-) but really he has worked very hard! He also just turned 24 and we had a wonderful Fiesta for him on August 15th - his family came up from Austin and friends came to celebrate as well!
This month my friend (since 4th grade) moved into our apartment complex to do apartment ministry as well - it's so wonderful and encouraging to have people come along side us here at Kingswood and reach out to the people we can't.
Also, another couple from Denton Bible is also moving in here next month after they get married to do apartment ministry as well!! Praise God!

Well, that is all I can think of now....oh I start school August 31st to begin my LAST semester of college!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!!

No BYOB at the BYBC

2009-07-28T14:31:00.004-05:00

Yeah, thats a bad title but I thought it was catchy.

WOW. It has been too long friends and family. We will try to be more up-to-date with this thing. :)

A few weeks ago we had a group of teenagers from Lighthouse Indonesian Chruch come to our apartment and do a week long backyard-bible club and it was great! We started the week off by having a free clothing/food give-away that was sponsored by Vision Ministries where we passed out flyers to moms and dads to advertise the childrens' club. From Monday to Friday the LIC came and taught the good news of Christ; His death and resurrection. Several children wanted to know more about Christ in more of a one-on-one setting. They also got us a list of names and apartment numbers to do follow ups!

This has been a answered prayer for Holly and I as we want to see the church support us in what we do here. It is so good to know that we have brothers and sisters to run along-side of us.

Prayer requests:

Thanks: I (James) am taking my FINAL class and I am done(August 15)! The bad part - its a presentation class where my teacher rings his coffee mug everytime you say "uh..." Sad panda is sad.
Thanks: Holly will be finishing up her last semester at TWU this fall.
Confession: Holly is now in Iowa for the week. Yes, this means the house is a mess. j/k...kinda
Supplication: I am looking for a big-boy job since I am graduating soon. I have some prospects but they may fall thru.
Supplication: Pray for our neighbors and that the Lord might use us to help them. Holly has started a bible study for some of the ladies that live around us. Pray that God would bless their time.

Update!

2009-06-07T22:36:00.002-05:00

Hello All!

Sorry we haven't updated in a while! To give you a little recap of what's been going on:

School is out for the summer...but James starts summer school tomorrow :-( boo.

I went to Alabama and hung out with the Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team and it was awesome...to learn a little about them rent the movie: Murderball

James is still in the process of looking for a new job, while doing a contract job.

I begin my nanny job tomorrow!...it's awesome when your "boss" tells you to bring a swimsuit into work! :-D I will be doing this Monday-Thursday (30 hrs a week) and hopefully on Fridays be working at the Retirement Home.

I also start an intense Bible Study this week called the Matrix. It is every Tuesday & Thursday morning from 6-7:30am and I will have a small group that meets every Wednesday night. I'm very excited about this!

We are hoping to plan another outreach at our apartment for next week...the pool is open at the apartments so it'll be a pool side cookout!

Please PLEASE Listen to This

2009-05-19T12:21:00.002-05:00

www.deathisnotdying.com

a typical morning

2009-04-29T09:31:00.004-05:00

On certain days of the week I have work at 6:30am and Holly almost always makes me breakfast (and she packs me lunches! and writes me notes!). She's pretty selfless like that.

But every now and then she doesn't wake up with me and I have to make breakfast myself. This is probably the best video I could find to depict that scenario.

some great jaerbs!!

2009-04-29T08:33:00.006-05:00

Yes, jaerbs. For some time now Holly has been unemployed. In an economy like this it is hard to find anyone who is hiring. After much prayer God has provided Holly with, not one, not two...three? no.... FOUR! FOUR JOBS!! God is so good. I tend to find that when you ask for God to come through he usually goes the extra mile (in this case 4!). She now can pick which jobs she wants to do!

She has already accepted a job in an assisted living home and as a nanny for 4 children. She was also offered a job at Denton Bible Church in the children's ministry to assist Cindy Metcalf in the curriculum and other admin stuff. The fourth job is working as a personal/group fitness instructor for a small business. At the moment she is excited about all 4 and is having trouble deciding which ones she wants. This is a good problem. :)

I am still working at Scruggs as a Network Consultant but am looking for a change in careers. I originaly set sail for college in the sea of Computer Engineering because, well, I wanted to be rich. Needless to say, I wasn't a Christian then. In short, Christ flipped my world upside down (or rather, right side up!). My heart changed, ambitions changed, worldviews changed, etc. My desires now are to spread the Gospel in the least reached nations and train Pastors. For the past 4 years I have been struggling with the decision to quit school or stick it out. To be honest, I don't really like computers all that much. I like people. I like to get to know them, to see where they are at, to see how I can meet any need they may have. This gives me Joy that I can serve God in that way. As Trip Lee says, "Service makes me happy." Being around computers all day just isn't cutting it. I need people. I need a change.

I have been applying to several non-profit orgs in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Its hard to get an interview. I have a pretty astute resume for my age; just in the wrong areas. I did however land an interview with 2 companies. Yesterday I took a Impact test for The Nelson Center (a foster home for emotionally disturbed youth) as a Direct Care Employee. The Direct Care staff get the most time with the children and act as a parent in their lives. They make sure the children get up on time, brush their teeth, do their homework, etc. I would love this job so much though I feel it will be emotionally taxing. I should receive a call next week for an additional interview.

Tomorrow I have an interview working a temp job with Communities in Schools. It is an non-profit org with a mission to lower the school drop-out rate by bringing older men and women into schools to meet the needs of students. This includes tutoring, being a friend, etc. This job would only be a 5 week summer job but I hope that it would be a gateway to a long-term position with CiS.

So we have much to pray about and we desire your prayers on our behalf. By switching careers we are taking a pretty big pay cut and we just need to trust that He will provide (Matthew 6:25-34).

Pimpin' Pimpin' Pimpin' Murder Murder Sell Drugs

2009-04-27T12:26:00.002-05:00

I found some funny videos made by Reach Records. The are advertising for their Don't Waste Your Life Tour. You can find the website here with other videos. Check them out and ask yourself if any of them apply to you.

Don't Waste Your Life

2009-04-13T12:16:00.006-05:00

This is one of our favorite songs at the moment. It is so encouraging and packed with truth. Take a look.

I know a lot of people that scared they gone die
couple of em thinking they'll be livin in the sky
while Im here livin, man I gotta ask why, what am here fo?
I gotta figure out
waste my life? no I gotta make it count
if Christ is real then what am I gone do about
everything in Luke 12:15 down to 21
you really gotta go and check it out
Paul said if Christ aint resurrected, we wasted our lives
well that implies that our life's built around Jesus being alive
everyday I'm living tryna show the world why
Christ is more than everything you'll ever try
better than pretty women and sinning and living to get a minute of any women and men that you admire
it aint no lie
We created for Him
outta the dust he made us for Him
Elects us and he saves us for Him
Jesus comes and he raises for Him
Magnify the Father, why bother with something lesser?
he made us so we could bless Him and to the world we confess him
resurrects him
so I know I got life
matter fact better than I know I got Christ
if you don't see His ways in my days and nights
you can hit my brakes you can stop my lights
man I lost my rights
lost my life
forget the money, cars, and toss that ice
the cost is Christ
and they could never offer me anything on the planet that'll cost that price.

Armed and dangerous
So the devil just can't hang with us
Christian youth them a stand with us
Livin' n driven
given a vision
fulfilling the commission he handed us
London to Los Angeles
Da rap evangelist
My Daddy wouldn't abandon us
"I gotta back pack fulla tracts plus I keep a Johnny Mac"
So are you ready to jam with us?
So lets go, gimme the word an lets go
Persecution lets go
Tribulation lets go
Across the nation lets go
Procrastination just go
Hung on the cross in the cold
Died for the young and the old
Can't say you never know
Heaven knows
How many souls are going to hell or to heaven so we gotta go in and get em

Suffer
Yeah do it for Christ
if you trying to figure what to do with your life,
if you make a lot of money, I hope you doing it right because the money is Gods
you better steward it right
stay focused if you aint got no ride
your life aint wrapped up in what you drive
the clothes you wear, the job you work
the color your skin, naw you Christian first
people start living life for a job
make a lil money start living for a car
get em a house, a wife, kids, and a dog
when they retire they living high on the hog
but guess what - they didn't ever really live at all
"to live is Christ" yeah and that's Paul I recall
to die is gain so for Christ we give it all
he's the treasure you'll never find in the mall
See your money, your singleness, marriage, talent, yo time
they were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine
that's why it's Christ in my rhymes
That's why it's Christ all the time
see my whole world is built around him
He's the life in our lives
I refused to waste my life
He's too true ta chase that ice
here's my gifts and time cause I'm constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ
If he's truly raised to life
then this news should change your life
and by his grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights.

Apartment Outreach #2!

2009-04-08T18:13:00.003-05:00

Last night (Tuesday, April 7th) we had our second apartment outreach! There was an amazing turn out and many good conversations. This time we did a hotdog cookout, followed by ice cream & brownies! Most all of our Lifegroup came to help out! My wonderful dad also came to grill for us - which he did an amazing job and got to meet our neighbors as well!

I (Holly) got to know the single mother who lives directly under us. She has 2 wonderful boys, goes to both UNT & TWU, and is from Memphis. **Funny story...she was actually in Memphis, at the same exact hotel as we were on our Spring Break mission trip!!** Pray that God presents many opportunities to hang out with her and get to know her more! My dad also got the chance to meet and talk with a 15 year old boy named Quinton (he called himself 'Q', so naturally my dad said to call him 'G' - real name: Gordon) ;-)
Anyways, James and I got a chance to meet him as well and he seems like a great kid, but in the wrong croud. My dad said he had lots of information and lots of questions about God, etc. Please pray that we will get many more chances to hang out with him, speak God's Word to him and eventually bring him to church with us!
I also met an 18 year old girl named Shelby who lives the next building over from us and lives with her fiance. She seems very interesting and has had a hard life - again pray that I make time to build a friendship with her!

We'll be having Lifegroup next Monday and I'm sure we'll hear about many more conversations and I'm sure we'll post again! We're wanting to start doing this at least once a month - Please continue to pray that God does amazing things in this complex!

Easter Sunday - an Exortation to Preaching Pastors

2009-04-08T07:09:00.004-05:00

Easter, one of the most delighted days in the year, is coming up. Many people will be filling the pews this weekend. Some will be coming that day just like every Sunday but many for this first time this year. This can be exciting or scary...or both.

My greatest fear is that the Pastor will want to be humorous and charming; he (or she o.O ) will want to make you laugh, cry, feel warm and fuzzy, etc. which isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, please (please!!) do not suffocate Jesus' resurrection with your silver tongue.

Many Pastors know that the gospel is offensive to some and will turn people away. Every pastor wants a big church. So that's easy, don't say offensive things and you will have a big church (see Joel Osteen). Pastor, do you care more about numbers or the Full Gospel? This should be a no-brainer.

This Sunday speak clearly about Christ's death and physical resurrection. It is the cornerstone of our faith. Without it we are fools to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:19) Do not make yourself out to be a fool. Pray for the kind of boldness that got Stephen stoned and Paul crucified upside-down. For His Glory.

Change in plans...

2009-04-05T22:00:00.002-05:00

This coming Friday I (Holly) will be registering for classes AND applying for graduation!!!! I have changed my major to General Studies in order to graduate quicker, as well as less expensively. My 2 areas of focus will be Kinesiology and Sociology.

I am doing this because James and I want to go to the next season of our lives as quickly as possible. (he'll be graduating this August!) And, my only true passion in life is the Lord...His Word...and the Great Commission. (see Matthew 28:16-20)
Before I was a Christian I never had one single passion, or one thing that I was really good at or even really enjoyed doing like most people. If I were able & allowed I would've moved to Colorado to be a ski bum after H.S. graduation. But instead I went to college (b/c that's what you're suppose to do, right?) and chose a major that I thought I might enjoy doing...oh and that would pay a lot of money (cause that's what we're suppose to live for, right?...wrong) I was never passionate about or good at school...I play the violin and am decent, but not excellent. This use to discourage me...until I knew Christ. I can see how God has been working in me through out my whole life, I understand now why I never had a huge passion for anything...it's because now that I'm a Chrisitan I see that my passion & calling on my life is to do full time ministry.

To tell you the truth at the beginning of this year I began considering quitting school after this semester and then James and I could start the Mission's Training Institute (a 2 year program that prepares you to be an overseas missionary) or Downline Ministries (a 1 year discipleship program) sooner. Thankfully, I spoke with Jason Seville (my mentor's husband) and he encouraged me to try to find out what I could do in order to still graduate, but quicker. He said that having a degree opens up a lot more ministry doors than if I didn't have degree. He also said that graduating would honor my parents for the sacrifices (money & time) they made to put me through college...which I thought was wonderful advice. Therefore, I looked into the General Studies major and it's perfect! All my Kinesiology courses that I've been taking for the past 4 years count and all I have left is 5 Sociology courses!

All that to say...I will be graduating this December and of course we'll keep you posted on what life holds next for the Faske's. :-)

Prayer.. you're doing it wrong.

2009-03-27T15:28:00.012-05:00

http://www.informationageprayer.com/ is a site that will say your prayers for you for a small fee. Apparently a computerized voice will say your prayer of choice daily. “We use state of the art text to speech synthesizers to voice each prayer at a volume and speed equivalent to typical person praying,” the company states. “Each prayer is voiced individually, with the name of the subscriber displayed on screen.”

To list a few:
Lord's prayer = $3.95
Prayer for Peace = $3.95
Prayer to get your $3.95 back = priceless (ok, i added this one in there)

This is just stupid (!!). I can't even imagine how God feels about this.

Isaiah 29:13 - These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.

We need to pay $3,000 for what now?

2009-03-25T08:29:00.004-05:00

Holly has been having neck problems recently and decided to go see a chiropractor. She took some X-Rays of her spine and got an adjustment (a $45 dollar fee, not bad). Holly has also had frequent headaches and on top of that, and one shoulder sits higher than the other when relaxed. We went last night to view the X-Rays but before that we sat through a 2 hour class about subluxation.

Subluxation is defined as a partial dislocation. It is a very common thing but, as we were informed, very serious. Chiropractors believe that all healing comes by way of the spine. When you get a cut on your leg, the brain sends signals through the central nervous system to tell the body to heal itself. When subluxation pinches or irritates the spinal cord those signals are blocked and, in turn, your body is not in a position to heal at its optimal capacity.

We sat in a class of about 7 where she told stories of her childhood; how she had many medical problems such as double-scoliosis, asthma, allergies, headaches, etc. She almost broke into tears because she missed out on a lot of things growing up. I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't feel bad for her. When she hit the age of 21 she went to see a chiropractor and, long story short, it fixed her completely. She said that doctors were amazed at her rapid recovery over just a few months of seeing a chiropractor.

She then told us about her sister who was very "healthy" until one day she had abdominal pain. She went to a doctor, got some X-Rays, and discovered a tumor the size of a grapefruit next to her reproductive organs and one kidney 3 times larger than the other. After many failed tries with doctors she went to see the speaker-chiropractor. Long story short, after helping her sister for a month or so the tumor went down to the size of a plum and her kidney returned to normal. I forgot to mention she almost broke into tears while telling the story. I won't lie - I had to swallow hard to keep from dethroning my manly disposition.

When story time was over she told us about the 4 phases of subluxation with phase 4 making the body a vegetable. She made the following statements:

medical malpractice is the #1 killer in America today (heart problems are #2, cancer is #3)
medical malpractice kills ~3,000 people per day (she likened it to the 9/11 tragedy happening on a daily basis)
studies show a medical doctors biggest fear is being a patient (she showed us a Time magazine article on it)
Your health should be the most important thing in your life
only 6% of your nerves transmit pain, and you should never base your health on the way you feel, which most all of us do
America is declining in health and every hospital in America has plans to expand
medical doctors only try to get rid of the symptoms and not correct the problem (this keeps you coming back and they stay in business)
insurance companies often do not cover chiropractics because of the above bullet point (I didn't understand this either)
Doing her program will make you live longer and healthier
the answer to all health problems goes back to the spine
the body is capable of healing itself of almost every kind of disease, even cancer, given the optimal 45 degree curves in the spine

She then used several "used-car salesman" tactics which were really convincing but I was waiting on the price tag. Here it comes - She told everyone that a typical year would cost $3000! Yowzas! I immediately thought of Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life." (read it in context).

After the presentation, Holly and I were taken to a back room where we finally got to see Holly's X-Rays. We were told Holly is in Phase 2 of subluxation and its only going to get worse. Her neck X-Ray from the side showed Holly's neck was completely straight - all three curves of the spine should be 45 degrees and her neck is at -10 degrees. She also showed how Holly's hips were uneven and how she had slight scoliosis in the upper region of her spine. We were recommended a 1 year program which included 84 office visits, some home equipment (one of them was called something like "head bricks"), and X-ray fees. The total came out to be ~$3,200. We asked about doing a 4 month program instead and she gave us the price of $1,100. That price is much more do-able.

Now, I'd be willing to fork out $5000 for Holly's well being, but my BS meter shot up pretty high during the appointment, which is leaving me to hesitate forking over the cash. When we were ready to leave I figured they would call us back after Holly and I could talk it over but she wanted the money right then! She even got noticeably upset when I told her that I wanted to get a second opinion and do some research on my own. She must have known, if we left without committing, we were never coming back.

Well I did my research but I want to hear what you think. Was the chiropractor just pitching us the old "emotional I'm-gonna-regret-this-later used-car-salesman I-think-your-and-idiot-and-I-want-your-money" gig? Or will this be very beneficial to Holly in the short and long term areas of health in her life (after all, I do want her to live long so I can die before she does :P)?

Note: to be a chiropractor you need at least 90 semester hours at an accredited college and a 2.5 GPA. Chiropractors are not doctors.

Apartment Outreach (better late then never, right?)

2009-03-23T22:03:00.004-05:00

This post is a little late. :D Two weeks ago Holly and I organized a pizza party for our apartment complex in order to meet and build relationships with our community. We had a few friends from church come as well. By God's grace it was a huge success! We ordered 10 pizzas and it was gone within 30 minutes. We must have had about 50 people (mostly children) come. We played games afterwards and had a blast. We got to share why we do what we do. Holly got to share the full gospel with a neighbor and gave her some reading material to share with her family (I have the best wife EVER).

Pray for our neighbors. They need the gospel desperately, just like Holly and I need God's grace desperately. One of our neighbors went to church with me yesterday and is looking to get more involved in DBC. Him and I are both going to the Men's Conference this weekend. We have another neighbor who is in a very abusive relationship with her boyfriend. We hear screaming on a regular basis. Pray that God will use us to help them.

Once again, thank you for your prayers. We need God perpetually.

Mission: Accomplished

2009-03-23T21:30:00.003-05:00

Hey friends and family. We have arrived safely from Memphis, TN as we concluded our Spring Break mission trip. It was very fruitful and we thank you so much for your support (financial and prayerful).

Holly and I really enjoyed The Rising Conference that was held the first few days we were in Memphis. It really made us think about our present (how we can further promote the Good News of Christ cross-culturally) and also our future (what the next season of our life will look like). There are two particular speakers that I am trying to get the audio from. Hopefully, with permission, I can post links on the blog and share the wealth!

For the rest of the week we did some service projects. We cleaned up some brush from an all-black cemetery created shortly after the civil war. The cemetery contained the first female black doctor and two lynching victims that catapulted the Anti-Lynching Campaign. We also helped clean up a low-income community called Orange Mound of trash.

All the while we periodically got to share the gospel with many locals. Holly and I both have a passion for getting the good news out to those who don't know. The majority of people we talked to believed that we can come to God if our good works outweigh our bad works. I even had a guy tell me that all religion is just a personal preference on code of ethics! We gently corrected them by telling them that God loved us so much that he sent His Son to take the sin of the world upon His shoulders; that Jesus lived the life we could not, a life of perfection, just so that His righteousness would be imputed on our behalf and fellowship with the Father would be granted.

We would love to say more and in much more detail. Give us a call or shoot us an email if you want to know more.

Probably getting a cat...

2009-03-06T14:59:00.005-06:00

This is Holly...and I just want to give you a little bit of insight on how humorous my husband is:

Before we were married:
"Holly, let's get a cat after we're married..."

**Before we were married we decided to not get a cat for the first few months...too much on our plates.**

1 Month after we're married:
Holly: "where are we going?"
James: "I just need to check something"

*We arrive at PetSmart*

Holly: "James, there are no cats, they're all adopted right now." (all cages empty)
James: *incredibly sad face*

*Getting into car*

James: "Okay, I checked what I needed to."

2 weeks ago:

*At the store*

Holly: "what else do we need to get?"
James: "Oh, we definitely need this" *Grabs a cat collar* "Oh and this for our kitty." *Grabs a cat toy*

Yesterday:

*I arrive home from laundry mat*

James: "Hey! I got you something!! Come here quick!"

*Has my 'gift' behind his back*

*Gives it to me...what is it? A plastic food & water bowl for cat!*

Conclusion:
My husband is a nut, loves cats, and we'll probably buy one when we get home from our spring break mission trip...

;-) i love him

How could you? (revised by James)

2009-03-02T11:52:00.006-06:00

Before you were born, I pondered at how beautiful I would make you. I contemplated between blonde or brown hair, tall or short, light or dark; even down to every fabrication of your muscles. When you first were born I immediately fell in love. You were so beautiful, so precious. You were made exactly how I had planned. I knew at that moment I would give anything for you. Things were going to be perfect between us. Until that first time you sinned against me. How could you?

To see something so beautiful, so wonderful betray my trust just broke my heart. Should I just put an end to it and let justice be served? Should I just destroy the creation I invested so much time and detail? I can’t end it all. I love you too much.

As the years drag on, my heart grieves as you grow farther and farther from me. You are indulging deeper and deeper into your sin and my heart gets crushed more and more. If you only knew that you could find rest and satisfaction in me. You used to talk to me but now it’s as if I was a stranger. Should I move on and end this pain that you daily drag me through? That would be the easy way out but you are worth more than that to me.

It has come to the point where I can’t take it anymore. Justice must be served. Day in and day out you disobey my laws and I hold back punishment from you. I can’t hold it back anymore. Your sin must be dealt with. But when I see you I’m reminded of my love for you. I can’t end this relationship I hold so dearly to my heart. I know what I must do.

I came to you in person on that day. I wanted you to love me, just like I have loved you. I just wanted you to talk to me again. You told me that you didn’t want me. It broke my heart. You insisted that I leave; even after everything I have sacrificed just to meet you. How could you?

You don’t believe who I say I am. I can see the hatred you have for me grow. It came to the point where you sought to kill me, just as I knew you would. As you scorn me and spit on me, I want to just end it all. It’s like I never knew you. You beat me with a whip… for what? I have never done anything wrong or hurt you. How could you?

I cringe my teeth as the nail slides into my wrist. Even through my tears you keep pounding it in. The second and third nails seem much more painful than the first. The physical pain couldn’t measure up to the emotional pain of watching you do this to me. I know at any moment I could have legions of angels come to my aid and serve justice for this wickedness. But all I can think of is you. When the cross was raised I looked back on your life to when you were young. Something so precious that I created and gave my all to was killing me. My diaphragm is no match for the weight of my body. My breaths are growing shorter and shorter. You won’t even look me in the eyes as I hang here fighting for every breath. I see you have no regret. I feel my life slipping away. It is finished. How could you?

Today is Sunday and I have conquered the grave; to show that death cannot hold a Love so true. With tears rolling down your face, you realize what you have done. For the first time in years you talk to me! And beg for forgiveness for all the years of betrayal, lust, greed and hate. You know you deserve to be punished. You know you deserve Hell. You know you don’t deserve me. Without a moment of hesitation I wrap you in a hug. I explain how my death has paid for every one of your sins and you are now free. You are perfect once again. I will remember your sin no more. Your debt has been paid. You respond, “How could you?”

I wrote this after reading a story about a dog and its owner, How could you? by Jim Willis.

clear explaination of the gospel

2009-02-27T10:54:00.007-06:00

This is a nice resource I found. It's a very clear explanation of the Gospel.

The Good News

Wedding Pictures!

2009-02-26T22:32:00.006-06:00

So...these pics are backwards, so if you want you can scroll down and go up!

Here are a few of our amazing wedding pictures by Daniel Davis.

check out his website at: www.danieldavisphotography.com

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

2009-02-25T08:09:00.003-06:00

haha...just thought that was a funny title.

Sorry I (Holly) haven't written in here in a while! But I want to catch you all up on our neighbors here at Kingswood! A few weeks ago the little girl (Elizabeth, 10) that lives next door and her friend (Daisy, 9) came over and asked if Iwas going running. I guess they had seen me run a few times since we moved in. They wanted to go running with me, so we went! And we had a great conversation about many things...little girls can talk! :-) After we ran, they spent most of the evening in our apartment playing on my laptop & dancing. I was so thankful that they came over...I had felt convicted that we haven't tried hard enough to meet our neighbors yet, so they came to us!

Then, a few days after that they came over again, with Elizabeth's little sister, Jaclyn (7 or 8) and then we went and picked up Daisy's sister, who is 11. We got pizza, made brownies, and watched a movie. Also on this night I shared the gospel with them over dinner...they seemed to pay attention for the most part and had many good questions to ask. Please pray for them, that God opens their heart. They've all had rough lives and still do...each set of sister's has had their father's walk out on them and are barely around their mother's because they work so much. They are so wrapped up in the world, boys, and definitely what America defines as 'beautiful'. Pray that God continues to open up doors for me to spend time with them & speak His truth into their lives.

I also got a chance to spend some time with Elizabeth & Jaclyn's aunt, Monica who's 24. I met her when I first moved in. She came over and asked me to take her to a bank to open an account. So I got to know her more. She's married and has been for 4 years. They don't have any kids. She doesn't work and told me that if I ever get bored, to come over because she's always there! I really enjoy getting to know them!

James has also got the chance to play football with some kids and also met a guy that lives in the set of building across the street.

In about a week & 1/2 we are going to have an outreach here with our LifeGroup! There is a field right accross the parking lot, so we're gonna get a table to put out there & bring a lot of food and have sports & games to play with the kids and invite all the neighbors around us and whoever else might want to come! Please pray that this time be fruitful, that we get to know our neighbors better & share the Gospel of Christ with them!

Spring Break '09

2009-02-18T10:56:00.004-06:00

You think we are just going to sit this spring break out and NOT go on a mission trip??? Well... we almost did. lol. With us getting married and the funds being tight, we both decided it would be best to just work that week to build up some more "grain for our barns." ...We both were convicted soon afterwards.

We both are in a unique position to have a week off in the Spring; a week that most people do not and cannot get. Instead of using that week to build up more funds, we feel it would be better to serve God and take part in His mission in Memphis, TN.

We are being sent by Denton Bible Church to take part in several activities:

grunt work (in attempt to love a black community to break down racial barriers)
street evangelism
Red Revolution (a conference)

Please pray for us as we prepare and for the people we will meet. Pray that God will be glorified and magnified in our work. Pray also that God will give us the money to go. We need $650 to cover both of us.

Thank you.

save yourself a hundred bucks!

2009-02-16T12:17:00.004-06:00

Just recently, Yale University has finished documenting (online) 73 volumes of one of my favorite theologians, Jonathan Edwards (a $100 value).

http://edwards.yale.edu/

Here you can view his publications, writings, sermons, etc. You can even search throughout them all!

If I'm having trouble with a certain text in the Bible, I usually go to http://bible.org/ to enter the passage into the search bar. Now I can get Edwards insight on it as well!

High five!

Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger

2009-02-16T11:15:00.012-06:00

Eat your heart out Steven Colbert...

Ok, anyways... Here is a story of a 29 year-old exposing himself to an undercover cop. Wait, what? Who cares about that? Why did this even make the news?? I forgot to mention this is the son of the Pastor of one of the biggest churches in Dallas, T. D. Jakes...
My tip of the hat goes to Bishop Jakes for his statement, "It is in moments like these that I am so grateful that we do not preach that we are the solution, but we look to Christ for resolution" and "So then, as a very human family with real issues, like many other people, we will draw from the same well of grace to which we have led others to drink and be refreshed."

Truthful text hits world for 32k crushing. Sorry, that was the nerd coming out in me. But seriously, I am very pleased with the way Jakes handled this. The first thing that stands out to me is his humility. He recognizes that he is just a fallen man that needs grace just like the rest of us. Second, it that he is pointing people to the God that forgives and restores. A+My wag of the finger goes to Shayne Lee, a Tulane University Professor, who claims that the public is only having compassion on the pastor because "He doesn't have a judgmental message...
If he had been a Bible-thumping, finger-pointing kind of preacher, he'd be in trouble now."

I think Lee has a lot of truth to his statement but it sounds like a threat. There is nothing wrong with being judgemental, a bible-thumper, or finger-pointer if done correctly. Note that Jesus was without sin yet he was a "Bible-thumping (John 7:15), finger-pointing (Matthew 12:34), judgemental (John 5:22, Psalm 96:13)" person. Would this kind of thing get you in trouble? Look what happened to Jesus. But are we to turn into a bunch of "Joel Olsteens" and just try to tickle everyone's ear? No. The Truth is to be proclaimed no matter how unpopular we get.

This is one of my favorite quotes:

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made--I am a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, worldly-talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, hired away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, give up till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And, when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me... my banner will be clear.

Child labor laws should be abolished

2009-02-13T09:05:00.004-06:00

...and for only one reason: Children are having babies and they need to support their familes.

Check out 13 year old dad, Alfie.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2233878.ece

Note: I don't really believe Child Labor Laws should be done away with.

7 year-old courage

2009-02-11T09:26:00.003-06:00

Here's a pretty heartbreaking article. Its a story of a boy who gave his life for his sister after a man tried to rape her. God, give us men the courage to die for the ones we love.

http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/36941

Pluralism in the American Chruch. GG Christians....

2009-01-21T10:32:00.003-06:00

Here is an interesting article about the American Church. I'll just post some statistics from the article:

More than half of all Christians also believe that some non-Christians can get into heaven.
71 percent of American adults say they are more likely to develop their own set of religious beliefs than to accept a defined set of teachings from a particular church.
61 percent pick and choose from the beliefs of different denominations. For people under the age of 25, the number rises to 82 percent.
Nearly half do not believe in the existence of Satan.
One-third believe Jesus sinned while on earth.
Two-fifths say they don't have a responsibility to share their faith with others.
35,000 Americans found a majority of Christians saying that people of other religions can find salvation and eternal life.
65 percent of American Christians (including 47 percent of Evangelicals) do indeed think that many different religions can lead to eternal life.
80 percent cited one non-Christian faith as a route to salvation; 61 percent named two or more.
When asked about how to obtain eternal life: 30 percent say correct beliefs are what counts, 29 percent say salvation depends on one's actions during life, while 10 percent say both are essential.
Forty-two percent of religious Americans also say atheists are able to find eternal life.

Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0114/p02s02-usgn.html

Note: The article is from a Christian Science magazine which can't be trusted theologically... but polls are polls.

A note to professing Christians: Let me try to be very simple and clear on what you believe as a Christian:

You are a sinner. You have in some form or fashion disobeyed God. Not just you, but everyone. This includes but is not limited to: Muslims, Jews, Christians, St. Paul, the Pope, my pastor, me, my wife, your golf caddy, and your mom.
The punishment for your sin is the holy and just wrath of God (i.e. Hell)
God didn't want to see us go to Hell because He loves us.
God is a just God. He simply couldn't just turn a blind eye to our sin. It had to be punished.
God took the form of a man called Jesus Christ to live a perfect life so that He could take the punishment we deserve.
God's Holy and Just wrath was appeased in Christ's death on a cross.
Christ's righteousness is now imputed on the behalf of those who believe in Him.
God looks at those who believe as 'perfect' because of Christ sacrifice.
God only allows 'perfect' people into His presence (i.e. Heaven)

Here are some concluding remarks to rebuttal the heartbreaking statistics:

The only way to get to Heaven is through Christ. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me [Jesus]." John 14:6
Only those who believe in Christ will be saved. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
The Bible is the Word of God. It is all you need. It is the 'Christian Handbook.' If you do not believe the bible then perhaps you should reexamine your religious claims. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," 2 Timothy 3:16
Jesus never sinned. He was the only one that didn't sin. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15

Where do you stand? Do you believe any of this?

Neighbors!

2009-01-21T08:34:00.000-06:00

Also please pray for our neighbors. Wherever we live we want to do ministry, we want to reach out to those around us, serve them, show them & tell them of the love of Christ. We have met a few:

>Right next door to us is a Mexican family, and I think like 10 people live in that apartment...mostly children. The mother (maybe) is named Monica. I think she is close to the only one who speaks good English. She's very sweet & I have a few conversations with her, but hope to get to have many more. There is a boy there named Nada, another named Jose, and the father (maybe) is Jo-el. Then there is a lot more kids that we have yet to meet...I think they have a few girls.

>The apartment right across from us is a couple, who I believe has a son. I have only met the husband or dad (maybe) his name is Terry.

>The apartment downstairs and diagonal from us is two guys (possibly more) one's name is Robert and the other i can't remember :-/ I met Robert like the day after I moved in...he's very nice and said that if I ever needed anything to just ask

>The apartment next to them is a family ( i think) they have 2 boys that live there, the older one is named Floyd and the younger is Garret. The younger one has little glasses and is so cute!! Then there was a girl there one day (i forgot her name) but I asked if she lived there and she said that her dad did...so I dunno.

>Then the apartment diagonal from them is a guy and his fiance. The guys name is Zach (i think) and I have yet to meet his fiance.

>And we haven't met anyone from the apartment directly under us.

This Friday or Saturday we plan to bring each of our neighbors salsa & cookies and introduce ourselves and let them know if they need anything to ask us and to possibly offer babysitting! Please pray that this time would be glorifying to the Lord and fruitful.

Adjusting...

2009-01-21T08:00:00.003-06:00

James & I are back from the honeymoon and are settling into our new little apartment and learning to adjust to real life together. I'm loving this time, yet there are aspects of it that are hard to adjust to.

The beginning stages of married life are not as easy as I thought it was going to be. It's been hard adjusting to always having him around, and to get out of the mindset that if we're together we need to be spending intentional time together. It's been hard learning how to do 'normal' life with him...adjusting to the fact that we each have things to do, seperately, even though we might be in the same room. It's hard learning him...learning the ways he sees respect, love, help. It's hard to constantly treat & love someone as Christ would love them, and I fail constantly at this, but it's so important that I am constantly trying...If I'm to treat anyone as Christ were to treat them it should be James above all...we represent Christ & the Church! The way we treat each other, the way we love each other, the way we sacrifice for each other, the way we forgive each other is such a huge testimony in itself to non-believers and a huge encouragement to believers...oh how important it is. I pray for us and for those of you reading this that we always remember the incredible importance this is and how it could never even come close to being achieved without seeking the Lord constantly.

So as life goes on, as we get more and more busy, please pray for us. For our love for the Lord to grow daily, for our relationship with the Lord to grow stonger daily, for our marriage to grow stronger daily, for us to love & respect unconditionally, for us to lift one another up in prayer daily, for us to always sacrifice, and always forgive, just as Christ did for each of us.

We're Married!!!

2009-01-18T21:26:00.003-06:00

We're married....wow...just like that, one day we're not, the next day we're husband and wife! I'm a WIFE!! and I couldn't be happier. :-)
Our wedding was PERFECT. Everyone told me to expect something to go horribly wrong, but to not sweat it, but in my eyes nothing went wrong (at least that I know about). God truly blessed our day....His day. The ceremony was exactly how we had planned...beautiful, relaxed, personal, and most of all glorifying to God. And the reception was so fun! Praise God for a wonderful day and thank God for all the people who made it happen. We are truly blessed to have such helpful & serving friends and family.

We're already back from our honeymoon, which was AWESOME!! We staying in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains and shopped, hiked, skied, ice skated, ate, slept (alot), oh yeah, and I cut my hair...short. Now we're back and are about to start real life, with a routine and everything! haha...I'm ready for it though...the way I'm wired I couldn't have been on vacation much longer, but it was so nice and much needed.

The past 2 days we've been opening presents, putting away presents, moving the rest of James' stuff in, taking back gifts, exchanging gifts, and shopping with our gift cards! Tomorrow James will go back to work, I will go grocery shopping and clean and prepare for us to start school on Tuesday.

As we get settled into married life please PLEASE intercede for us through prayer. Pray that the Lord keeps our hearts and minds from being pushed around by Satan, pray that He gives us a burning desire for Him, for obeying Him, praying to Him, and reading His word. Pray that we pray together daily and strive to love one another through Christ's love for us. Pray.
Thank you!! Love you!!!

Unbelievable

2009-01-05T09:31:00.003-06:00

FIVE days...we're getting married in FIVE days!! this is unbelievable! I can remember when it was 150 days and the thought of that was almost unbearable! But it's finally here...the final week of our single days. Wow.

I'm trying so hard not to get wrapped up in the little things left to do, but instead to enjoy this time and frequently stop and think of how gracious God is.
James and I both don't deserve the amazing gift of marriage...of a lifelong companion that is by your side through the good and the bad times here on this foreign planet.

And I personally don't deserve a man like James. A strong, stable man, who is so confident in the Lord. What a blessing it is to know that through hard times, when I am stressed or afraid and have lost sight of how big the Lord is, that I have a man that will always point me back to Him, the only One that can give true comfort, peace, and understanding. I am SO blessed to have a TRUE man, a godly man. A man that finds his worth in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; not in the kind or amount of 'toys' he has, or in the things he does or does not do. A man that has a servant, kind, and loving heart for others because of the love that Christ has shown to him. A man that truly has the holy spirit and has been transformed by the powerful love and grace of Christ, yet who is humble and knows that he is but dust and who never forgets what God has saved him from.
I am often in awe of this man who I will spend the rest of my life with and I often see Christ's love fleshed out in his words and actions, which brings me to a deeper understanding of the Lord and brings me closer to Him. Oh, how I don't deserve this man, but how I thank God that He has chosen James to be the head over me and our family. And thank God that I long to be his wife, his helpmate and to do him good all the days of his life (and I pray for the strength and the ability to do this). I can't wait to start life with this man, and follow him wherever the Lord leads him, and see him constantly grow into the man God desires him to be. I adore this man, I love this man, and I respect this man. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!

P.S. I can't wait to see everyone on Saturday...what a joyous day it will be!!!!!

Where are the men?

2008-12-31T12:02:00.005-06:00

Many church leaders are trying to address the "Where are the men?" question that is going around. If you attend a church like mine you might have 3 men for every 10 women who are active. All of my previous mission trips have been around this ratio. So...where are the men? Many people believe it is because men portray Jesus as a hippie who loves to sing and play with baby sheep. Some think it is because the church is vulnerability/feelings based. Others think that men are just plain lazy. While I believe those (to some extent) are true, I believe I may have an alternate suggestion.

As a man I value certain things (as do all men). We want purpose, honor, respect, and task that we can tackle. If we don't have these, you might as well get a knife and neuter us.

When I first became a Christian I was thrust into leadership. I certainly wasn't ready for it yet but God made me ready pretty darn quick. It was a painful process but it was amazing. I grew so much in those years of leadership to the point where I was wondering why my fellow brothers didn't step it up and match my performance. This was rather unfair of me for several reasons but one of which I was put into leadership and they weren't.

Well now that I am getting married I have taken somewhat of a hiatus from ministry to focus on my marriage. In doing so I got shoved into a spiritual rut. Its so much harder to keep up with my spiritual disciplines now. I don't have a hunger to learn. I am constantly praying for a spark of passion; just something to get me where I used to be a year ago. My spiritual disciplines have slummed. This is not good.

Why is this? I believe it is because I am no longer in a formal leadership position. When I was discipling other men I had motivation to pray, read, study, memorize, meditate, ask advice, fast, etc. By taking this hiatus I have lost (not totally) my honor, respect, and a task that I can tackle. A few Sundays ago I had a brother at church ask me where I have been (pointing out that I am not seen as much as I used to be). Yikes! Am I becoming one of the men the church is wondering where I went?

On the contrary, somewhere in he middle of my "spiritual rut," I had a Mormon message me and ask if I'd like to hang out sometime and debate/talk. This thrilled me to no end. I can't explain to you the excitement I got in this moment. After replying back to him I prayed like I haven't prayed in months. I studied my bible and I did research to review my knowledge of Mormonism. God had sparked a passion in me. I had a task laid out before me and I wanted to aggressively take it by the horns.

While you chew on that, let me bring up another observation. In the past 4 years I was active in my fraternity. In a fraternity there are many leadership positions of which lead to honor and respect. If you didn't get a "stepping-stone" position then there was no way to prove yourself to move up which would soon lead to, for lack of a better word, depression. What I've observed is many of my fraternity brothers would bail out after getting initiated. This is crazy!! After working so hard to get into the fraternity (and hard it is) they are never to be seen again. After seeing my 5th or 6th initiation I could start to guess who would bail out and who would stick around. I noticed that if a new initiate wasn't given one of the (many) leadership positions in the fraternity they were almost certainly doomed to drop out.

God created us men to fight for something. We value honor and respect, both Christian and pagan alike. We want a task that is not too tough but not too easy. We want vision and a sense of accomplishment.

Getting back to our problem at hand, how can this be solved? My suggestion: Replace female leaders with male leaders and have only males as the go-to guys in the church. The church would need to motivate, pray for, and maybe force men into leadership. When men are given a leadership position they flourish. They now have a task that they can run with and make their own. They probably feel inadequate (much like I did) which drives them to prayer, fasting, and studying of the word. They feel they are being used by God which motivates them to do more for God. They feel wanted, needed, and depended on by their church which motivates them to stick around. Their hard work leads to honor and respect. Other men start to look up to them which adds motivation to persevere. I don't know about you men out there but I want to live like this.

There are several questions/concerns that probably come to your mind:

Should a man lead an all-woman bible study? No. I think it would be best to have a female leader lead all-woman events.
Should a new male Christian lead a bible study? A new male Christian probably shouldn't lead a Bible study. But he can be placed as head of the parking committee or something similar for starters.

In short, where there is vision and accomplishment, there you will find men. Men don't stick around because they aren't needed (or at least they don't feel or know they are needed). John Eldredge, in his popular book, Wild at Heart, pointed out that every boy wants to be told by his father, "You have got what it takes."

Am I right? Wrong? Maybe on to something? Tell me what you think.

-James

An Enchanted Escape or an Erring Escape?

2008-12-30T11:18:00.005-06:00

About two months ago I remember Holly and I huddling up in her chilly Honda asking God to be sovereign over our apartment hunting. Yesterday we saw that prayer incarnated as I turned the key to our new apartment at Kingswood (with the self-proclaimed title "An Enchanted Escape"). Despite the odd smell, the minor apartment damages, and the 4 cops we saw over the course of the day (one of which was knocking on our neighbor's door) the apartment is really nice!! We love it. We really do.

Many might think that we are making a mistake moving into such a bad neighborhood but I would think different. This is an excellent opportunity to meet low-income families and share the love of Christ with them, not only in words but by meeting their practical needs as well. Yes we could meet low income families and still live in a glamorous neighborhood but I think there is something worthwhile in leaving comfort for something you love. Christ left his glamorous neighborhood (heaven) to live with us in our apartment complex (earth). Imagine what the world would be like if Jesus decided it wasn't worth the hassle (and a hassle it was!) to take on flesh and die for us.

Enchanting Escape it is.

2 Weeks!

2008-12-27T22:06:00.002-06:00

James and I are getting married in exactly 2 weeks from today!! It's amazing how fast it has gone by, yet at the same time soo slow! haha. But for the most part I can't believe that our wedding is finally right around the corner!

We just came to the end of our family Christmas'. 7 to be exact (including us). It was such an enjoyable week being surrounded by the one's we love. We got to enjoy Christmas Eve with my dad and Peggy. Christmas day with my mom & Bob & brother & sis, as well as Sandie and Christina. Then we got to spend the day after Christmas with David, Lisa, Ashley, and Christina, as well as the entire Faske family! James and I so enjoyed spending time with family and catching up.

To update on wedding things...thankfully most everything is done! I just need to do a few small things in the next 2 weeks. I got my dress ready for altering today and it will be done next Saturday! I can't wait to wear it! :-)

I have spent the evening packing up my room here at the Wilderness house. Part of me is sad to leave a house of amazing godly girls and my best friend. Yet most of me is so excited to get into James and I's apartment and decorate it to get it ready for James to move in. Oh my gosh..in 2 weeks I will be living with a BOY! YIKES! haha...i'm so excited though. :-D I am looking forward to living in the apartment by myself for about a week and 1/2 because that will probably be the last time I will ever live by myself again! But I can't wait to begin this new chapter in my life, especially with a man like James...I couldn't have asked for anyone better.

I will now get back to packing...but to all the parents, from James and I both, thank you SO much for all your flexibility with us and for the great times we spent with each and every one of you. we love you!!

The Bridge

2008-12-19T11:36:00.004-06:00

This video reminds me of Isaiah 53:10 "..it pleased the Lord to crush Him..." When God sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place it pleased Him because he would have a perfect relationship with us as a result.

Because Jesus took our sin upon himself, His righteousness was imparted to us in the process. As a result, God can now look on those who believe as perfect beings, just as Christ is perfect having never sinned. But Christ didn't just stay dead. He physically resurrected and remains alive today.

As a side note, I loved this video but I wouldn't say that it is 100% accurate. Christ, the Son of God, willingly gave his life to save sinners. It was no accident.

John 3:16 (with my emphasis added) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Its that easy. The work has already been done for us.

-James

Christmas music

2008-12-15T12:41:00.003-06:00

Overall, I'm not a huge fan of Christmas music but some of the lyrics are AMAZING!! My (James) favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night for this very reason. As you read the lyrcis, ponder them. They are so weighty/meaty/solid!!

O holy night,
The stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of
Our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining,
Till He appeared
And the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope,
The weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!

O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night,
O night divine!

If your like me, you grew up going to church and heard the same old songs year after year but never really listened to what was being sung. Next time you hear a Christmas song, meditate on the lyrics for a minute or so. And no, I'm not talking about the secular Christmas songs where they try to replace Jesus with Santa (don't get me started).

-James

we're getting married!

2008-12-15T11:28:00.000-06:00

We are getting married in roughly 4 weeks (January 10th, 2008 to be more specific). You can see our wedding website here although it may be deleted about a month after our wedding. After the wedding we will head to Hubbard Hall for the reception and eventually to the Smoky Mountain Range to relax in our cabin in the woods for a week before the Spring semester begins.

Thank you to all the friends and family, especially the parents, who are sacrificing constantly to help us out. We love you all!