Spring!! Tree in full Bloom

God's Economy

We signed up for new cell phones before beginning school and were supposed to get $160 in rebate money. Patty checked on-line to see the status of the rebate about 3 weeks later and it said there was no record for rebate information for our phone number. At church there is an Offering of Thanks that we read asking for God’s provision for us to be a blessing to Him and bring God’s kingdom to earth. Because of the Offering of Thanks (rebates and checks in the mail) (asking for favorable settlements) she began claiming that the rebate would happen. Two weeks later, the check came in the mail.

In mid-January a friend (fellow student) had her car break down. She called and asked us for a ride to church and we told her she could borrow a car until she got hers fixed. Her car was beyond repair and we said it was fine to keep our car until she could make arrangements to get one. We felt early on that maybe we should give her the car, but wanted to make sure that was what God wanted to have us do. Arrangements for her to get another car were not looking good (unknown to us). We decided to go ahead and give her the car. When we called she was sure we were calling to ask for the car back. Much to her shock, we told her the car was now hers.

Meanwhile, Patty has been praying about money to finish school. Her focus was on an old claim that we had filed regarding Steve’s dad, with the government back in 2000 for money that was available to children of employees who died as a result of cancer while working at the Hanford Atomic Works back in the 40's. My claim was denied about 1 ½ years ago and I had forgotten about it.

Patty said that she felt we were due the money and started praying that God would somehow get them to reopen the case. WELL, they did! Out of no-where we get a letter stating that we have been granted a special case and that they were going to send us money! This last Saturday I got a call from the case worker in the Department of Labor saying that all was in order and we would be getting a letter. I got the letter yesterday asking if I wanted a electronic transfer or a check. I asked for a transfer and mailed it off today. They said that I will get money within two weeks!! God is good!! It was enough money to get me through school for another year. We are talking TAX FREE - not bad!

Prior to receiving this money, Patty had to work through a few details about God’s economy. Pastor Kris frequently asks the congregation if anyone needs money, and she always said she didn’t because we have everything we need. Well she began to realize that we can always use money for God’s purposes and began to believing that she did NEED money after all.

My Spot on the Highway of Life

The Road of Life!
When you are young the road spreads out before you. After schooling and college the road narrows from many choices to just a few: what job, what town, wife, kid(s)? And slowly you choose or let life just carry you along and let circumstances and “what-ever” guide you. That was how the road of life looked to me. I was just plodding along my way, It seemed very familiar and well-marked. Then The Lord asked me to attend this crazy school in California...

This school is different. Instead of narrowing your choices they have stretched and widened my horizon until I can see a vast number of roads, some well traveled, some not, and they call out to me!! Which way should I go? Skills are nice but not required in the Kingdom. Knowledge is good, wisdom better but my relationship with the Father is Key! Physical strength doesn’t mean much compared to a mustard seed. Tools and gifts are free for the blessing of others. The Lord is even giving students: gold, jewels and greenbacks for the work of the gospel. So what’s left?? What’s your will Lord?? I instantly hear back, ”What would you like to do?” I feel His love and care for me and my family. What wouldn’t I do for my Lord and friend?
I do have dreams and I know that He is the dream-giver! Let’s keep our options open and see what all is out there for Patty and I to do!!

Celebrate the Birth of Christ

Christmas, a time to celebrate the birth of Christ and all that we receive because of He came.

Because Jesus came as a babe and lived as a human and died for us we do not have to struggle with our "old man".

Our struggle is not with our old man. It died when you accepted Jesus. God didn't "fix us", He killed us. The enemy wants to convince us the problem is us. But we wrestle against spirits, not flesh and blood.

"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Eph. 6:10-12 (NLT)

Evil spirits have NO power over us. Satan tries to convince us that we are the problem. He wants to dis-empower us keeping us from knowing our identity (in Christ).

In Nehemiah Chapters 2-6 Saballat attacked their

Person hood....."What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves?
Motives....."What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the King?"
Relationship with God.....Tried to make him sin and then intimidate and discredit him.
Ability to accomplish their mission....."Do they think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap - and charred ones at that?"
Quality of their ability....."That stone wall would collapse even if a fox walked along the top of it!

Don't let Satan rob you of your person hood, motives, relationship with God or the quality of your ability to accomplish what God has planned for you.

Galatians 4:4 -"When the right time came, God sent His son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir."

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD!! Being a child of God means we don't have to doubt our person hood. We don't need to accept the lies Satan gives us, trying to rob us and steal our joy, peace and righteousness that was bought for us! Give thanks to God that He gave us His identity through Jesus' sacrifice!

Christmas (cow) Party

Everyone has their own holiday traditions. Ours is getting together with friends and exchanging inexpensive gifts in a random fashion commonly called a "White Elephant" gift exchange. We draw numbers to see who goes first, second etc. and then the person choosing can open a wrapped gift or take one that is already opened from a previous player. If your gift has been taken you can unwrap another gift or steal another and on it goes until the last gift is opened. Gifts can be funny or serious.A few years ago someone brought a small cow pin and everyone thought it was the funnest gift ever. Now every year we try to add more "cow themed" gifts to the mix until our party has become known as a "Christmas party with a cow gift exchange." It is a lot of fun and we look forward to it every year. Here are a couple of pictures showing how some of the cow theme was played out this year!


Patty and I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. Along with the fun lets take time to remember the reason for the season! Our Lord and Savior Jesus was born this day to save us all! That is great news! Spread it around!!

It's Not What You Know, But Who You Know

I've always thought that who you know was more important that what you know when you are looking for a job. I did not realize that the way I have been living my life as a Christian has been with this same attitude.

I approached Bible reading with the thought that if I learned enough, I would become closer to God. I felt that if I spent enough time in prayer and quiet time with the Lord that I would know Him better. Certainly these things are true. If we read the Word and spend time with God in prayer and quiet times, we will become closer to Him. But, I have been missing the whole point of having a relationship with Him. I was trying to 'know' God by doing.

Relationship: A state of connectedness between people (especially an emotional connection) . Spending time with someone is essential to establish a relationship. However connecting on an emotional level is a MUST.

My father always said that our church was an "emotional" church and I agreed with that. I 'knew' in my head that an emotional connection was essential in my relationship with the Lord, but it had not clicked in my heart. I thought that if I 'did' enough that emotions would follow.

In truth, spending time on an emotional level first increases my knowledge of who HE is. Not doing anything except desiring to know him first and foremost.

In an earlier blog on Romance, I put the definition: an intense emotional attachment or involvement between people; love. God desires a romantic relationship. Intense and emotional connection. He is a jealous God wanting ALL of our affection.

God has provided everything we need to become emotionally connected. After His ascension into heaven he sent the Holy Spirit. I am coming to learn more of the person hood of the Spirit. I have relegated Him to a lesser position than Jesus or God the Father, when He is an equal. He also wants to commune with us on the emotional and personal level to enable us to connect to the Father. In Galatians 4:6 it says that we are sons of God and He has given us the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying "Abba! Father!".

Who do we know? The Most High, Holy God. Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I give praise to God for His gift of Jesus Christ to cover our sins and the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us here on earth, so that we may be partakers of bringing heaven to earth. It's all because of Who we know.

Passionate Worship

Last Friday evening there was a special speaker/worship leader, Georgian Banov. He led an intense time of worship and praise. Here is a short video clip. If it seems to have trouble playing (you probably have a slow internet connection) just pause it and wait a few minutes for it to load.




Steve says that this is what worship time is like at the school!