wowsers

<sup>philippians 2


1</sup> Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

 ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus

And this is just the beginning!  This is what I'm dwelling on right now!  You?

lets study together

i would love to do an intensive study of philippians.  i would love to do it with people.... get others perceptions and thoughts.  i am going to start with chapter 1.  i will paste below both the mguiessage and the new international version.  if you could read them over and put some thought into that would be awesome.  then we can have a discussion with out thoughts in the comment section.  It would be awesome if you'd participate in this study with me!

"Lord, guide us!  Teach us new things and remind us of things  we already know of.... I love you!"

Philippians 1

The Message (MSG)

Philippians 1

 ^1-2Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.

A Love That Will Grow

 ^3-6Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

 ^7-8It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!

 ^9-11So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

They Can't Imprison the Message

 ^12-14I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I'm in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they've learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.

 ^15-17It's true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they'll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I'm out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.

 ^18-21So how am I to respond? I've decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!

   And I'm going to keep that celebration going because I know how it's going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don't expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn't shut me up; they gave me a pulpit! Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose.

 ^22-26As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.

 ^27-30Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You're involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter.

getting ready o open the youth center

on following God

so, has God ever shown you something that was super crazy?  like, given you a very specific calling that you just thought was absurd?  yeah.  me too.  so, did you heed his advice and go with it?  or, did you go with your own plans?  i've done both.  actually i'm in the middle of some insane stuff that God has called me to do and it's HARD.  i am not sure, but i guess i thought being in the center of God's will would be easier.  i have heard from God.  i am following Him.... but here i am.  there are a few things that i KNOW that i KNOW that i KNOW God told me to do.

1. Marry Michael Hullinger (he's the coolest)
2. Allow Michael to Lead...  (follow him)  
3. Quit your job (over a year ago now... and that was HARD!)
4. Open a Youth Center in Bremen (what?!  I'm not qualified to do that!  i've got nothing)

well, i listened and obeyed.  and, i wish i could say it's all been easy.  i wish i could say it's all been smooth.  i love my life and wouldn't wish for another, but man is it hard sometimes.  i absolutely am ecstatic that i do get to be married to my best friend.  that's pretty awesome.  following him is kinda hard sometimes... just saying.  but, i know without a shadow of a doubt that God put me in this position and he put Michael in his position of authority to fulfill his purposes in our lives :)  quitting my job?  now that was crazy?  why the heck would i do that?  it was good money.  but, they did treat me like crap, so.... it happened.  i can't imagine what the last year and half would have been like had i stayed.  it's been the most joyous year and half of my life... being a stay at home mom... watching my kiddo so closely... it's been awesome.  i'm blessed.  open a youth center... okay.  i can do that.  sounds like a good time.  actually it quickly became something i was extremely passionate about.  i never thought i would go through everything i did in the process...  but, it's the way it is.  very soon i will have an official grand opening....  'The Den" will be run out of my garage.  sounds strange, but it's simple.  pool table, air hockey table, carpet ball table, big screen tv, video games...  fun times.  there is now a place in bremen for teenagers to just be.   no expectations.  acceptance.  yep.  God is good.  although i don't always understand what he has for me to do i know that if i trust and obey the center of his will is the best place to be.

why i do what i do....

Colossians 3:12

The Message (MSG)

 ^12-14So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

I'm a Christian. I'm Sorry.

The above video is not about being sorry for being a Christian as some may think.  It is about being a Christian and being sorry for the stupid things that we do...  I very much agree,  and he says it so well.

Yet again, there are some things that we, as Christians, should stand up for... but we must must must do them out of love!  Here's the poem in written form in case you may have missed some of it, or just would rather read it then watch it.  (the above version is edited i believe)

I am a Christian. I’m sorry.

I’m sorry for the way that I come across

So fair and faith friendly and full of myself

Judging your spiritual health by

the words that you say

And the way that you dress, and the things that you do

Or maybe just judging you.

I’m sorry for the way that I live my life

So confident of my own beliefs that

I would never even think to think about thinking about yours

I’m sorry for the wars.

Ivory clad Crusaders mounting steeds and drawing swords

With such a spirit that if The Spirit spoke they wouldn’t hear

But you see the sword of the spirit was not a sword but the Word

And the Word was with God and the Word was God

And they preached this as they marched on the Holy Land

Singing and Praying and Killing and Slaying

And purging and healing and raping and stealing

It’s ironic that they lined their pockets in the name of God

Just like the priests who line their pockets in the name of God

Just like the people that you can’t stand, because they always raise their hand

And spread their faith and hate and judgment in the name of God

I’m sorry that I take God’s name in vain

Or rather I’m sorry that I stain the name of God

Defending my selfish actions as selfless actions pertaining to the will of God

I’m sorry for being intolerant

For trying to talk down to you

For trying to talk over you

For not letting you talk

I’m sorry for not walking the walk

For being a hypocritical critical Christian

Criticizing your pagan lifestyle while my lifestyle styles itself

Just like the televangelist’s hair

All slick and sly and slippery

As the silver syllables slide their way into your ear

But see that’s my greatest fear

That the steps I take won’t match the words I speak

So that when I speak all you hear of me

is a weak hypocritical critical Christian

Doing one thing, but saying another

Loving my friend, but hating my brother

It’s a show.

I’m sorry I get drunk on Saturdays

and go to church on Sundays to pray

for my friends who get drunk on Saturdays

And on that note,

I’m sorry for making the church about the pews and the cross

And the walls and the steeple

Because see, the building is not the church

The church is the people

I’m sorry that I hate you because you are gay

I’m sorry I condemn you to hell because you are gay

Instead of loving I jump to hatred

Mouth open and tongue preaching

Eyes open but not seeing that you are the same as me

Just a f*@!* human being

I’m sorry that I only hang out with Christian friends

And we do nice Christian things

Like pot luck dinners and board game nights

While in the night a man beats his girlfriend again

Another homeless man died again

Is this the way that my own crowd has been?

But here I am with the same friends again

But see what I always forget is that Jesus didn’t come

to hang out with the priests and the lords.

No, He hung out with cripples and beggars and whores

Love

I’m sorry for history

For native tribes wiped out in the name of the church

Lodges burning Stomachs churning and yearning for justice

And mothers screaming and pleading

Pleading for the young ones

As they are dragged away to church schools

Where they were abused

I’m sorry for the way that I refused to learn your culture

Instead I just came to spread the Gospel

And the plague

I’m sorry that I stand at the front doors of abortion clinics

Screaming at fifteen year old girls as they enter

Instead of waiting at the back door to hug them as they leave

I’m sorry for taking my wars and my faith to your lands

When historically it was on your lands that my faith was born

And in the face of the storm, I realize that

If God is Love and Love is God

Then why are we shooting instead of sharing?

Why are we launching instead of learning?

Why are we warring instead of walking together?

Why are we taking instead of talking together?

Why are we bombing instead of breaking bread together as brothers?

You see, I think that God looks down and He’s sad

And from His right hand throne above

Jesus asks where is the Love?

And if it takes Wil-I-Am and Justin Timberlake

Asking that same question for us

To start asking that same question

Then where the f@%# are we headed?

So I will take this stage to be my chapel

And this mic my confession booth

And in the presence of God, the few, the proud,

and the blessed I confess, that

I am a Christian. I’m sorry.

- A poem by Chris Tse

oh so awesome

I am the luckiest girl alive!  The above is a picture of my best friend, Michael.  Today is his birthday, and I'm praying he will be blessed!  He has surely blessed me, and I am excited to get to spend the day with him..... and most every day for the rest of our lives :)  Michael is awesome.  And, I am lucky!  I'm not much in a writing mood this morning, (sorry honey!) but I just wanted to make sure everyone knew that I love my Michael!  (because I'm sure you doubted it before :) )

part of it

so, i've had this vision for a long time... a vision to start a youth center in bremen. it's had its ups and downs.  parts of it have been difficult.  there have been times that things have felt like they were falling right into place.... only to crash again.  after much prayer and consideration... i looked at my options... my resources.  my calling has not changed, but fulfilling it has changed a bit.  i have decided to open the youth center out of my garage.  it's a small start, but it's what God has given me, and i know He is working.  i'm in a lot of prayer about it...  all the time.  and, i continue to remember....  "God does not call the qualified.  He qualifies the called."  And, the biggest thing I've been thinking lately....

"This is not about perfection.... if you expect perfection when coming to the youth center, you won't get it.  You'll get a good time, and people that care about you.  A lot."

Come Awake!

So, I've had this song stuck in my head all day.  I don't know if I have heard it recently or what, but I just couldn't get it out of my head.  So, like all normal people.... I youtubed it :)  And, I watched this video... and it was very moving.  Check it out.

todays quote

todays quote is by louis giglio...

"continuing to beat ourselves up over our failures does not  honor Christ, who has already been beaten up for them.."

what a good thought!

no matter what my life circumstances here and now i strive to forget what is behind me and i will "press on toward the goal for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  (phil, 3:14)

The end.  For now :)