You Never Know Who Is Watching You

I was listening to my husband and a friend talk about praying for the salvation of family members and how example is just as important as prayer. John was talking about his dad and how he wasn't sure if he would ever accept Christ.

It got me thinking about the choices we make, and how even if we don't see it, affects those who are in our lives and those who pass through our sphere of life.

Anyone who knows me knows the history of my marriage with John. In the 11 years we have been together, there were times I wanted to walk away. Times I came close to doing so. The main reason I did not just walk away and end the marriage was because I knew that was not what the Lord wanted me to do. He pointed out to me numerous times He hates divorce. 

That is not to say He will not forgive us if we make that choice, but it is not God's perfect will for our lives and it is disobedience to divorce. And before anyone uses the whole, "but what about in cases of abuse, or adultery?"

If you are in an abusive marriage, remove yourself from that situation. The word of God does say,  "A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife." 1 Corinthians 7:10-12

The condition of a reconciliation in the case of abuse or ongoing habits or adultery is proof that there has been true repentance and outside counseling help before reconciliation is even considered. At least six months to a year...at least. In some cases separation could be longer. If the offending spouse refuses to get help and does not want to remain in the marriage under those conditions, then you are free, biblical speaking, to walk away from that marriage.

Adultery is really the ONLY biblical ground to divorce a spouse. Adultery does not just mean the other person has actually physically had sexual relations with another person. Adultery is unfaithfulness. A spouse can be unfaithful long before they actually do the deed. However, again, divorce is not God's will even in adultery. He can and will heal any break in a relationship and like it or not we do have to forgive the offending person, whether you stay in the marriage or not.

If that were not the case He would not have given us the example in the book of Hosea. Check it out sometime. It's about God telling Hosea to take a wife who is a harlot( biblical term here). Throughout the book the wife leaves more than once, commits adultery and God tells Hosea to take her back each time. Giving us also a picture of how merciful He is to us when we are unfaithful to the Lord, seeking and serving idols. He draws us back to himself, loving and forgiving us.

Anyway, I said all that to get to this. There was a point in our marriage I had to leave, for my own sanity and to get out of the Lord's way so He could deal with my husband. And although it would have been a lot easier to just end the marriage and move on, a part deep inside me still believed the Lord was going to deliver my husband and some day we would be able to work on having the kind of marriage God wants us to have. (No... we're not there yet but things are headed in the right direction.)

Without going into the dirty details, when I left my husband in California and moved to Michigan I had talked to my father-in-law and told him what had been going on. I also told him I had no intention of filing for divorce because I was choosing to believe someday God would intervene.

Needless to say I got a lot of "why are you staying married to him for?" And to be honest here, I can't and won't take any credit for standing firm because there were many times when I literally argued this point with the Lord. There were times when I threw up my hands and my heart just said..."nope, no way, I am not doing this anymore, I'm done!!" Although I never spoke those words out to anyone but the Lord.

Every time I would get to this point and want to argue my side with God, He was very quick to lovingly point out He hates divorce and to ignore that again would be outright disobedience and rebellion. Didn't matter what I thought, what I felt or what I tried to convince myself to believe. God is God and He means what He says. Therefore I can release what I want or think over to Him and trust him at His word, or I can do my own thing and probably not like the outcome in the long run.  

My Father-in-law came to visit us for Christmas a couple of years ago. He spent a couple of weeks with us, at which time he attended church with us. During his visit he accepted Christ. It was awesome because it was my husband's biggest fear, that his dad would die before being eternally secure.

During the visit and various other times, we had talked about things that happened in the past, and how he and his girlfriend were surprised that I stayed in the marriage, and again not that I am taking any credit for it, but most women would have walked away a long time ago. That had impressed them in a way.

I really believe the year and a half that we were separated, my desire to do things God's way and not my own, coupled with his seeing his son finally start to change in a positive manner, served as a living example of the power and mercy of God. Which in turn lead him to realize God is alive, He is there and He loves us.

So even if you think no one is really paying attention to your choices, that they really only affect you, or you feel like giving up just because you can't take anymore, remember two things.

1. God is who He says He is and will pull you through ANYTHING if you surrender to Him.

2. You never know how your choices when obeying and walking with the Lord will affect someone else eternally!

Faith, Babies, and Trusting God.

I have pirated a couple of pictures from Sarah's site of my little grandson Kellen. I put the most recent one as the desktop picture and everytime I see it I just want to kiss his little face. From day one he has been my "little Kissy face boy". Although when he gets older he may not appreciate that nickname:-) He is so darn cute! I suppose all grandparents feel that way about their grandbabies, but I really think Kellen is extra special :-)

His whole arrival into our family was a miracle, and because I do believe he is a heritage from the Lord for Matt and Sarah, I think the Lord has big plans for him.

The very first time I held him when they brought him home, I remember silently praying, "Lord bless this little guy, that he grows up to be an awesome man of God someday and has great impact for the kingdom of God."

If you read my first post about him and the kid's long journey in his adoption, you know that last year before his arrival was very emotionally difficult for Sarah and Matt. With so many disappointments, being taken advantage of and trials in faith, Kellen truly was and is a miracle.

I believe all babies are miracles, the whole pregnancy and birth process is in and of itself a miracle from God. And each child is a blessing. Too many people today don't think about that or even believe it. If they did there would not be such a thing as abortion or child abuse.

The whole process has been a walk in faith. Honestly I do not know how anyone could make it through what the kids have gone through without a relationship with Christ and faith that the Lord was with them through it.

Sarah and I have both started doing a nine week bible study by Beth Moore called "Believing God". It's amazing and really gets to the point of are you going to really trust and believe God or not? Sarah said Matt has begun the study also. It all boils down to this: Do you believe God, not just believe in Him but believe HIM? Do you believe He is who He says He is? Or do you believe what the world says about Him?

I have always believed God, although that is not to say there were not times when I have doubted, but my times of doubt in no way affected the fact that God is who He says He is and can do what He says he can. This bible study has impacted me mostly in the area of disipline.

Getting into the word every single day for a least and hour or two. Learning the scriptures that back up what I already believe. Learning the original greek and hebrew words behind the translastions. It's been really cool and I am only one week two, day two.

I wish there was a way to get through to every believe just how vitally important it is to mediate and study the word of God daily. Not just reading it but really digging in and studying what God has given us in His word. It is our sword ya know! How can you even being to win a battle without one of your greatest weapons??? And how can you even begin to have the kind of faith you need without the word? "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD". Romans 10:17

The journey of Kellen's adoption is not quite final yet, but I know the Lord brought this child into our lives for a purpose, and I do not believe He will allow anyone to take that blessing away. I believe (know, have no doubts, trust) God!

Believing God is Who He says He is!

There are a lot of people who say they believe "in" God or that they believe there "is" a God. But how many who say they believe in God actually believe God is who He says He is? Seriously..Think about it.



God says He is the ONLY God..Who has been from the very beginning. There is no other God or gods but Him. "I AM God and there is no other, I AM God and there is none like me" Isaiah 46.9


Apparently He wants us to get and understand this fact as it's repeated twice in the same verse. Even Pharaoh got this, of course it took a whole lot of plagues happening, but in the end he admitted the God of Moses is God.


God says He created all things, before Him there was nothing! No earth, no plants no animals, and no human beings. He created everything! Genesis 1 & 2


He holds everything in His power, even the winds and the waves obey his every command. Matthew 8:26-28 Luke 8:24-26 Job 38:10-12


I guess the real question is do you believe in God...I AM...YHVH-the Hebrew word that translates as "LORD". Found more often in the Old Testament than any other name for God (approximately 7,000 times), the title is also referred to as the "Tetragrammaton," meaning the "The Four Letters".


YHVH comes from the Hebrew verb "to be" and is the special name that God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. "And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM; and He said, thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you... this is My eternal name, and this is how I am to be recalled for all generations'" (Exodus 3:14-15). Therefore, YHVH declares God's absolute being - the source of everything, without beginning and without end.


Now if you believe God is who He says He is, why is there any reason to not trust Him and take Him at His word? Is it really that difficult to believe nothing is impossible for Him? When He says He loves us and wants a relationship with each one of us, is it really that hard to believe and accept? I mean He created each person for His purpose..and that purpose is to have an intimate and loving relationship with Him.


It is no different...OK well a little different but not in principle...how those of us who are parents feel about our children. We created them...sort of...and we love them! We would do anything for our children and want for them to love us and have a relationship with us. Imagine having a child that refuses to not only have any kind of relationship with you but refuses to even believe you exist!!


That is how most people treat YHVH (the LORD). Talk about ungrateful children!


I have always had faith and believed God is who He says He is because I have had a personal relationship with Him for very long time now. I have seen Him do and bring about some amazing, even miraculous things in my life and the lives of those around me. My grandson is just one of many examples.


I have learned over the years to pray about everything..and I mean everything! God cares about even the smallest details of our lives! Just recently my husband could not find his glasses, we literally looked everywhere we could think to look. My first response to him was "did you pray about it and ask the Lord to help you find them?" So I did just that. I was sitting at the computer and dropped something, I reached down to pick it up and there where his glasses, right at my feet. I was amazed that no one had stepped on them. He was amazed when I set them on the counter and asked him if he wanted his glasses back.


Later that evening I went to check my cell phone. Which was also an answer to prayer. I had been praying for a few months for a cell phone, knowing we could not afford to spend the money on one, but knowing if the good Lord wanted me to have one He would provide it. And He did just that. My daughter bought a new Droid because her old phone died and with their program they can purchase a new phone every two years at a discounted rate. Anyway, with the promotion going on if you buy one you get one free. The condition on the free one though is you have to get another completely different phone line. So her hubby got a new phone, added a new number for himself and gave me his old phone with his old number on their plan.


Anyway, that evening I picked it up to check it, I had shown a friend a video I had taken the night before in the morning. The phone was completely dead..it would not go on. I plugged it into the charger and nothing. It did not register it was charging. My husband checked it over and could not figure it out either. At first I thought maybe it had done what my daughters had one..simply "gone to sleep" as the sales person called it. Which would mean it was basically gone.


So that night when I went to bed I talked to the Lord about it. I have been doing this awesome nine week bible study with Beth Moore called Believing God. So I simply told the Lord, "OK Lord I know everything happens for a reason, and I also know you can do anything. So could you please make the phone work again because I don't believe you would give me this blessing and then allow it to be taken away". I chose to believe God.


The first thing I did when I got up was hit the button to turn it on..and guess what? I came on! When my husband got home from work I showed him the phone and said, "this is what prayer can do!" He just looked at me. Within a 24 hour period he saw first hand that God does care about everyday things..not just the "big" stuff.


We all have a choice. We can say we believe in God but never truly believe Him or we can take Him at His word and KNOW He is who He says He is, He can do what He says He can do, We are who He says we are (read the bible it will tell you who He says we are), We can do all things through Christ and His word is alive and active in us! (Providing of course we are walking with Him and have accepted His son Jesus as our Lord and Savior)


I am here to tell you God IS who He says He is!

Kellen Alexander Mitchell-My Grandson.

Trust in God Even When Things Look Bad!

It's been over a year since I've blogged and some pretty interesting things have gone on over this last year or so. I have seen the Lord do some amazing things. The greatest blessing recently though has been the adoption of my first grandson Kellen Alexander.

Sarah and Matt have been trying to adopt just about a year now. They have had many trials and heartaches along the way, but Kellen's arrival made it all worth the time and at times pain.

Just before Kellen came along we were all awaiting the birth of a baby boy, he was due on Oct. 31st. I went to Matt and Sarah's the Wednesday before so I would be there when it happened. They needed me to stay with the dogs when they had to make the overnight trip to the hospital when he was born.

In the months preceding this the Lord had been doing an amazing work in Sarah and even Matt since January. He pulled them both through the hardship and pain of the previous adoption attempts. Both have grown by leaps and bounds spiritually.

On Friday I got a call from Sarah. She was at work and she was upset. She had just gotten a call from their adoption counselor who told her the baby they were hoping for had actually been born that Wednesday I had driven down, and that the mom had decided to keep the baby. Needless to say the kids were pretty upset. Sarah has explained to me that it's kind of like literally losing a child. You have the baby named, are all prepared and excited about it and then it's ripped away from you. It takes a strong person to go through the adoption process.

Anyway, after I got off the phone with her, I heard the Lord tell me, just keep praising me and thanking me, there is a child. Now I didn't know what was going on, or how the Lord was going to accomplish this, but He also impressed upon me to call Sarah back and tell her to just start thanking and praising God in spite of the news she just recieved. Sarah had actually gotten this scripture a few days before:

"6 Surely he will never be shaken;  a righteous man will be remembered forever. 7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear" Psalm 112:6-8

I called her and told her, "Sarah I know you are upset but you need to just praise the Lord and thank him". I did not know if the birth mom was going to change her mind, or what was going to happen, but what I did know is the Lord had a child for them!

By the time Sarah was driving home from work she had gotten a call from their adoption counselor Kate. She told Sarah how sorry she was, and that they were now at the very top of the list for a baby. Kate also told Sarah she had something in the works, but could not tell her what was going on until after their staff meeting. When Sarah got home, as she walked in the door she was on the phone with Kate.

There was a birth mom who had been calling Kate because she thought she was in labor and could not keep the baby. This is what the agency refers to as a "drop in your lap adoption".

Needless to say Sarah especially was a little hesitant to get her hopes up again after another disappointment. It was Oct. 30th when Kate called with the news of a possible new opportunity.

Again I had no doubts this child was going to be theirs. It was a boy, which is what they had specifically prayed for...the Lord wants us to be specific when we pray, I believe the reason being is that way there is no doubt the answer is from the Lord.

Come to find out she wasn't in labor yet, she had just lost her mucus plug. So the waiting and praying and believing God began. It was an almost two week waiting process. During that time the enemy was on the attack, planting doubts within Sarah's heart. I was excited, Matt was praying and believing. They told very few people about this new potential adoption.

Most people don't understand the adoption process. There are periods of time when you do not have any details or information to share. So to prevent from having to answer endless questions this potential adoption was keep on kind of a hush hush basis.

I had a feeling he was not going to be born before Nov.10th, not that I was happy about that though...countless times even though I knew in my heart it would not be earlier...for Sarah and Matt's sake I just kept asking the Lord..."please Lord could you let this baby be born NOW!"

Kate called and said the mom would be going into the hospital on Tuesday, Nov. 10th. She had been having pains about 8 minutes apart for a few days. So we all got pretty excited..and anxious...waiting and waiting...I kind of thought he might be born on the 10th, since that was my mom's birthday. Mom went home to be with the Lord three years ago this month. She was the one person Sarah was the closest to throughout her life. So it would have been pretty cool.

Kate called Wednesday, the baby had been born at 12:55, so his birthday was actually Nov. 11th, which just happens to be my wedding anniversary. So it was kind of like he was born on both days..in between the two... even though technically his birthday was Nov.11.  By that Friday night Sarah and Matt brought home our little blessing from God.

He is in perfect health! Has been the most content and peaceful baby you could ever see. He is amazingly strong and alert for a newborn. Already holding up his head at less than a week old. REALLY---not exaggerating at all!  The Lord had this little boy in mind for Sarah and Matt this whole time. The waiting, and the trials was because when we obey and trust the Lord he will give us the best he has for us...Kellen Alexander is a beautiful and perfect little boy. The wait and the sometimes painful moments were indeed worth the wait!

The biggest lesson through all of this is everything is in God's timing! When we try to rush God or go out of our way to make things happen for ourselves, we miss out on the very best blessings. In some cases we can even bring more heartache pain into our lives. The other lesson is trust the Lord no matter what circumstances look like. No matter how you "feel" or what others tell you...The Lord will never ever let us down and faith is based on the word and promises of God...NOT our feelings or circumstances.

Faith Is A Choice

Faith is not a feeling, it is a choice. In other words we can choose to trust God no matter how things look or we can give up because our feelings are telling us something is hopeless.

Feelings are fickle, and change from one minute to the next, and if we choose to live our lives based on how we are feeling at the time instead of choosing to believe what God says even if it goes against what we feel we end up making choices that are probably not going to bring the outcome we are hoping for.

You hear so many people saying "follow your heart". There is one problem with living your life this way. Jeremiah 17:9-10 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."

Our hearts or our feelings sometime mislead us into doing things because we subscribe to the false idea that if our heart is telling us to do something it must be what God wants or the right thing.

But if God says our hearts are deceitful, and only He searches and knows our hearts, does it really make sense to base you life choices on "what your heart tells" you? Or is better, to take God at his word and base our choices not on our feelings but what the Word of God says?
In other words if whatever your potential choice is does not line up with the word of God, or contradicts it in anyway, it is not coming from God. And you have to make a choice...either believe God....or go your own way.

When God tells you not to worry about things but you "feel" worried because of things going on in your life...you have a choice....continue to act on that feeling...or listen and actively trust God when he tells you that you don't have to worry because he is in control.
Most divorces are based on people following their "feelings". Love just like faith is a choice, it's an action word not just a mere feeling.

Again, feelings change radically from one minute to the next. It comes down to whether or not you are going to choose to keep your word and the promises you made because it is what God tells us to do....or going to bounce from one person or one thing to another because your feelings have changed.

When I "feel" like my faith is not strong enough I pray these six words..."Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:24

I hang on to the scriptures that tell me God will never let me down, that He has it ALL under control. When He tells me He will give me the faith I need I grab that truth hang on whether I "feel" it or not.

Think about it this way, do you really think Jesus "felt" like going to the cross, going through all the pain, insult and death? If he really had to choose to go through all that based on feeling and not obedience, he would not have prayed:

"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him." Luke 22:41-43

Every thing in life is a choice. Every time I say that I think of that movie several years ago called Dangerous Minds. In the movie she tells the kids you always have a choice...when you chose not to chose that is in fact a choice.

When a spouse cheats...that is a choice...to say they really didn't have a choice because the other party caused it by not making them feel wanted...it is still a choice...to remain true to vows made or not.

Or the addict who chooses to use...to say I can't help it because I am sick...it is still a choice to use or not use to get help or not get help. Even becoming an addict is basically a choice...it all starts with that first try...the choice to try something because it makes you "feel" better.
Continuing to make the choice time after time to do whatever it is because it changes your how you "feel" ignoring all the evidence of what it will lead to, continuing to choose to use/drink or whatever you become addicted.

And all addictions are just a symptom of a bigger issue, trying to fill that God shaped hole inside with substances, other people, material things, and so on. We are all created to have a relationship with our creator and until that relationship is connected there is a void that nothing else will ever fill....but instead of choosing to reconcile with Him people turn to every thing under the sun...never really being able to fill that void inside. Living life on "feelings" making choices whether right or wrong based on how it will make you feel.

I can choose to lose hope or I can choose to trust God in spite of my feelings. If I chose to make choices on how I feel or how things make me feel and not what God wants then I would be walking in disobedience and choosing to follow my will and not His will.

God is God, creator of all things and if he loves me enough to send his only son, Jesus to die for me (he does love me that much..you too) then it would totally foolish to chose to "follow my heart/feelings" and seek my will instead of choosing to trust Him and seeking His will in all things.

Faith is a choice, Love is a choice. Every area of your life starts and ends with a choice!

What Happens When Believers Walk in the Flesh and NOT in the Spirit!

Church softball so far in my experience is NOT a good thing! I have been told the Softball league for the churches here in our area are in place to provide a means of fellowship and sports within the body of believers. Unfortunately fellowship is not the goal nor the outcome at most games. Competition takes over and people who are suppose to be followers of Christ become petty, argumentative and down right mean, all because they want to win.


This attitude completely contradicts the teachings of the Lord. He tells us we should put others first, that we are to behave with compassion, kindness and humility. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:11-13


I saw very little christian attitude or behavior at our game last night(6/16/08) on both teams. And the reason....because people put winning above ALL else. Here is the scenario of the disgraceful attitudes and behavior at our game, which by the way, was between two teams from OUR church.


It was the bottom of the first inning, we were up to bat and had seven runs and one out. A couple of runs earlier, the short stop on the other teams was in the base line when our runner decided to go for third base and they collided, our runner made it to third base. This person decided our runner was out because he didn't "have to run" and he and the third baseman got to the base at the same time. The coach of their team called it a tie and gave the base to the runner.

Our next batter got up to bat, hit the ball and started to run, third base runner was headed home, all of the sudden during the play the Short Stop began to yell..."you guys lose.... you forfeit the game a member of your team is smoking a cigarette, that is against the rules, you guys loose."

An argument broke out. This person who tried to call the game also smokes and had done so before the game. Also before the game several of our team members had a cigarette, in the open with the other team well aware of it. Yet at that time they nor their short stop seemed to have a problem with it..not until they were down 8 runs and we only had one out!


(Now before I go any further, all those who have issues with smoking, yes I know smoking is bad for you and people shouldn't smoke, I also know that most Christians think it is a sin...that is a debate I'm not going to get into right now. The issue is not the smoking, the issue is bad sportsmanship, hypocrisy and putting winning above EVERYTHING including Christ.)


Anyway, after their Short Stop interrupted the game, which by the way was the WRONG way to do it, he should have called a time out and talked to his coach, who should have the talked to our coach and made a decision. But because this person is overly competitive and didn't like the possibility of losing he chose to use the issue to call a technical loss on the our team.


Now like I said earlier, there were a couple of people on the opposing team who had been smoking before the game started, and there were a couple of people on our team who had been smoking before the game, yet there was no cry of "technical forfeit" because of it UNTIL we were ahead by almost 8 runs with one out.


Once the game was interrupted everyone got very upset, not at the idea of losing on our part, because after all we haven't won a game yet..and we just want to play the game and have fun...the anger was because of the total hypocrisy of this guy trying to call the game for something he obviously did not have a problem with before the game started. And because the person he accused of smoking was in fact, NOT smoking but had gone to the car to get his water several members of our team got very angry.


We have a lot of new believers on our team and there are a couple who still struggle with anger. One of our team members has a temperament that he is still learning to control when angry. When the short stop interrupted the game with his yelling, this person on our team got very angry, throwing his glove, hitting his own car with a bat and saying he was done and was leaving. Not a Christlike reaction.


Our coach (who is John y hubby, by the way) and several other people pulled this person aside and calmed him down. They agreed he would sit out the rest of the game and he willing going to do so. In the mean time members of the other team were what the bible calls "backbiting" our team amongst themselves. The short stop continued to run his mouth. All of which was overheard by members of our team.


The person on our team who lost his temper had calmed down and it appeared we might be able to continue the game. Next thing I hear... the other coach's wife walks over and say that now members of their team are leaving because our angry member swore during his fit of rage. (Now this was AFTER both coaches decided the continue the game). Next thing we hear is they will continue playing but only if we start completely over and not count the runs we already had made. On hearing that, tempers on our team started getting hot again and people walked off saying ...that was it they were done playing.


Both coaches walked off the field away from everyone to discuss what was going on and no sooner than when they were away from the teams, the short stop as well as other members of the opposing team continued to talk among themselves making comments and insults about our team.


The person on our team who lost control earlier was getting angry again and the short stop continued to "run his mouth" directed at this person. Next thing I know, the guy on our team lunged at their short stop and grabbed him by the neck, two people from our team and a couple from their team intervened and pulled them apart, restraining both.

We were all in shock to see this happening, especially since before the game everyone was looking forward to playing this team because it is a team from our church and the coach is part of our small group. What we expected to be a fun game turned into nothing short of a brawl! So much for fellowship!

The police were called by the other coach's wife, and John called our Pastor, who came to the field. Even after most of the people left, the short stop continued running his mouth, members from his team who were waiting for the Pastor and the police continued to "backbite" everyone on our team amongst themselves in whispers, which were overheard by a couple of our team members who were standing on the other side of the bushes by the table.


Our team members continued to talk amongst themselves and stay away from the other team. Some of our team members were discussing the hypocrisy of the whole thing.


One of the female members from the other team wandered over and sort of hovered around those of us who were talking. She then began talking to one of our female members, who in turn told her she was not involved in the whole thing and did not want to be involved it. This woman continued to talk at her, which made Chris angry because this woman singled out our team member for no reason other than she is related to the guy who grabbed the other guy.


Our team member told her she did not want to hear it nor talk about it. She wouldn't stop, so because Chris is this person's friend got even more angry. At which point because Chris' friend knows his triggers, she grabbed Chris' arm and led him away so he would not lose his self control.

This woman from the other team proceeded to follow Chris and his friend and yell "bring it on" trying to get him and her to turn around and participate in the conflict.

I yelled out at her and told her she needed to back off because getting in Chris' face when he is already that angry was not a wise thing to do. Finally someone from her team came over and grabbed her by the arm and told her to walk away. We found out later her version of the story was completely different from the truth.. Not Christlike!


Our Pastor showed up, unfortunately the short stop and other members of the other team had left choosing not to wait for him. He was NOT happy, in fact he was very disappointed that anyone of his church members would be so wrapped up into winning that they would behave so ungodly over something so trivial as a stupid softball game!


Both sides were wrong in reacting in anger. The really sad thing in all of this is like I said, we have some very new believers on our team, who also have family members who have just recently started attending our church. Because of the pettiness of the other team in starting the whole argument over a stupid game, some of those people left stating that they would not step foot in church again.


One of our team members had been trying for a very long time to get her mom, her 16 year old son and even her husband to attend church. And they had all begun attending and getting involved. But after yesterday her mom, her husband and her son said they were finished with not only the team, but with church!


After the whole grabbing incident, this woman's husband decided to leave and began walking down the road, his 16 year old son decided to follow after his dad so he wouldn't be walkin home alone. As he walked by the other team a couple of their people began harassing him and making comments like "some Christian you are, I don't think you are even a Christian."


Like I said this is a 16 year old kid who just recently began attending church, and because of those ignorant and judgmental comments will not come to church again. (Although I do know all things are possible with the Lord and I am praying and believing those who decided they want nothing to do with the church ever again will eventually realize it is about a relationship with Jesus and not the "church". I believe the Lord will heal those wounds and bring them back to Himself).


I told John last night after we got home, and were talking about how it is so unbelievable that the whole thing happened to begin with, that this was a major spiritual war and because, with the exception of one or two people, no one involved on either team is spiritually mature enough to not fall into the trap the enemy set so effectively last night. The goal of the enemy was to pull those away from the Lord who just recently became believers and those who were on the verge of becoming so, and unfortunately it was a battle the enemy won!


When believers allow pride, arrogance and a "win at any cost" attitude to rule their lives, it is not the Holy Spirit that is in control it is their own sinful selfish nature that is leading them.
There is irony in this sadly. Sunday mornings message was all about being a true winner, the title of the message was: "Winning...Letting Others Go First." The whole message was on living as Christ wants us to, in love and understanding, putting other's first. Jesus said to be the first will be last and the last will be first.


The last scripture reference on Sunday was: "God is working in you. He wants your plans and your acts to be in keeping with his good purpose. Do everything without finding fault or arguing. Then you will be pure and without blame. You will be children of God without fault in a sinful and evil world. Among the people of the world you shine like stars in the heavens." Philippians 2:13-15


Those who wanted to point out the "rules" or laws of the game are the very same people who talk always about how we live under grace and not law when it comes to being a Christian. And no one is perfect and every one falls but it's ok because we live under grace and God will forgive us when we sin because we are "not under the law". There were those on our team who use this "under grace not law" verbiage also to cover their faults yet those same people, as did those on the other team showed absolutely NO GRACE whatsoever to their brothers and sisters in Christ!


When it came to winning or losing the game on the other teams part, grace no longer existed.... only the "law".


When it came to being treated in a way that was unfair grace no longer existed...only anger.
There are those on both teams who claim to be spiritually mature, even those who are attending Christian College and Seminary or leading in one capacity or another in the church, yet those same "spiritually mature" Christians were the very ones who threw grace out the window, the spiritually mature Christians who, if they were as mature as they go around telling people they are should have KNOWN that what was going on was a spiritual battle and a ploy from the enemy to do damage to those who are as the bible says "babes in Christ" and those on the verge of making that choice. And to completely destroy the witness believers are suppose to live in the world before those who do not know Christ!


Almost everyone yesterday failed miserably living an example of Christ. The sad thing is those who were "talking smack" the most are probably the very people who do not and in all probability, will not see themselves as doing anything wrong. Spiritual denial is a very big problem with a lot of Christians today.


There were too many people on the other team who call themselves Christians who made it their goal to verbally express a judgement against certain people on our team saying they were not behaving as a Christian, all the while ignoring their own behavior as not being Christlike either. The old saying be careful when you point fingers at others because there are four more pointing right back at you!


The Bible tells yes we do live under grace and freedom in Christ, BUT that we are not to misuse that freedom or grace or do anything that will cause a weaker believer to fall or stumble.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 32 "I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.... whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved"


The bottom line in this whole episode is it really doesn't matter who started it, who ended it or who would have won or not...the bottm line is it was suppose to a church softball game that involved fellowship and fun with a group of people who are SUPPOSE to be representing Jesus Christ. It was not even close to that! And in the end souls may very well have been lost, relationships with Christ were damaged and for NO other reason than Winning became priority and self-centered attitudes reigned free!


After seeing how people act when competition is involved I honestly do not believe any church should have competative sports leagues, fellowship and competition just do not go together for the simple reason we are all human beings and unless a person is completely surrendered to the Lordship of Christ and able to keep from having to win above anything else...it just is not worth the damage it can cause to other's relationships to the Lord.

This all happened last Monday and since then there has been a meetin with the church, this whole thing goes way beyond softball and sports but has more to do with people not walking in the light. Those who lied about what happened, gossiped about it all, slandered and participated in backbiting each other seem to have no accountablity...this is not about the church either it is about those in the church...just to clarify that.

I love my church and want desperately to seee things be the way God wants them to be...so I have learned in the past week to just let go...trust God...and know truth will prevail as well as justice and repentance.

On a side note: I told the Pastor and everyone I thought both teams should take a loss because both teams acted totally disgraceful...the Pastor agreed...but this is the other team was granted a win after there was a meeting and the "facts" were looked at...which is pretty much what caused this whole mess to begin with...their having to win no matter what and in a way...the leaders who handled this gave them exaclty what they wanted...and very little consequence for their part in this disgraceful mess.

And yes I confess I am having a hard time with some of the decisions that where made afterward and could use some prayer for how I feel at the moment..which is probably why the Lord had me end up here visiting my daughter when all the meetings and decisions were made. I am praising God though for my husband and just how spiritually mature he has been in handling this as well as trying to lead his team to react to all that has gone on the way Christ wants us too.

Kimberly Jo

A couple months ago my dad sent me a picture of this beautiful baby girl. This little one was born to a young unmarried couple who have many struggles in their lives. They didn't want the baby nor could they take care of her. So instead of having her little life snuffed out through abortion, they opted to give her life and allow another family to adopt her.

My dad works at The Tribal School in Coeur D Alene Idaho. The woman who adopted little Kimberly (the name she gave her) works in the Administrative office of the school. She already had two little girls of her own who attend the school. Because child care is so expensive, she has been bringing Kimberly to work with her since the day she was born.

From day one everyone at the school has become attached to this little girl. Including my dad. The teachers and staff take turns watching Kimberly and playing with her. My dad told me the women usually argue who gets the next "shift". And the teachers when they clock out for breaks call it "their baby time".

She has touched the lives and brought joy and love into the lives of so many in her short four months of life already. And my dad, totally blew me away when he told me how "terrible abortion is and thank God this baby's mommy did not decide to abort/kill her before she was born. Because if she had, this beautiful little baby would not be here now."

I never thought my dad had any opinions one way or the other on the issue of abortion....and maybe he didn't until little Kimberly became part of his and the school staffs lives. Everytime I have talk to my dad, he reiterates how this beautiful little girls life would have been lost had her parents decided to abort her.

He is setting up a college fund through Merrill Lynch and asking for those who believe abortion is in fact the killing of children and not just some sterile surgical procedure that removes only tissue. He wants this little girl to grow up and be able to go to college someday and to become the woman God created her to be someday. Because her adopted family doesn't have a lot of money, college would probably not be a possibility any other way.

He is in the process of working with Merrill Lynch so as soon as they are able to set it up I will put that information on her page and mine.

I just think it is so awesome the way the Lord works. I know it's been difficult for my dad since mom passed away less than two years ago. This I think is the Lord's way of helping him move on. The cool thing is this issue is something my mom would be passionate about also were she still with us.