2011 Book List

There is always a pile of books beside my bed.  I normally read a little before bed.  I have been challenged for 2011 to record what I read.  My goal is to read 50 books (that are more than 35 pages in length!) and I challenge you to do the same.

1. Boundaries in Dating by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
2. Gladys Aylward:  The Adventure of a Lifetime by Janet & Geoff Benge
3. Principles of Leadership for Women by Gail Mays
4. George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans by Janet and Geoff Benge
5. Hearts of Fire by Voice of the Martyrs
6. Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose by Janet and Geoff Benge
7. Ida Scudder: Healing Bodies, Touching Hearts by Janet and Geoff Benge
8. Crazy Love by Francis Chan
9. Forgotten God by Francis Chan
10. John Williams: Messenger of Peace by Janet and Geoff Benge
11. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems by Janet and Geoff Benge
12. Lillian Trasher:  The Greatest Wonder in Egypt by Janet and Geoff Benge
13. Wilfred Grenfell: Fisher of men by Janet and Geoff Benge
14.  Corrie Ten Boom: Keeper of  the Angels' den by Janet and Geoff Benge
15. Clarence Jones: Mr. Radio by Janet and Geoff Benge
16. William Booth: Soup, Soap and Salvation by Janet and Geoff Benge
17. Florence Young: Mission Accomplished by Janet and Geoff Benge
18. Loren Cunningham: Into All the World by Janet and Geoff Benge
19. Molokai by Alan Brennert
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It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Christmas is a week away and I can officially say I am ready.  Living on Molokai (and spending the holidays here) has so many simple treasures and sweet blessings...

• This is a very close kint community even though I have no biological family to spend Christmas with-  God has blessed me with several hanai (adopted) families. 
• This is one of the few places you can look at Christmas lights with your windows down and not freeze.  (And people here go all out with the lights and decorations!)
• Because we have no serious shopping here, the commercial aspect of Christmas is not as big- the focus is more on Christ's birth.
• I love the intergenerational aspect of the culture with my little ones singing Christmas carols with the kupuna.
• Did I mention it is 80 degrees and my windows are open?  :)
• Oh and while I am counting my blessings of all the things that make this season wonderful is receiving Christmas cards.  I so treasure receiving them as it makes me feel connected to the rest of the world as well as news and encouragment that you are doing well.
• Last but not least is our dear Savior's birth-  Jesus came with one goal in mind- To be your savior!  The best gift of all.
• Mele Kalikimaka!

One Way (Jesus) - Hillsong United

One Way Jesus!!!

Here I sit lifting up my heart before my Savior... struggling over emotions, disappointment in myself, wanting to throw up my hands and say "what's the use?". 

Waiting on God's timing has always been a struggle for me... I am not a 'wait til the last possible moment" kind of girl.  I like to get things done ahead of time.  I want to know what is coming. 

Anyone who has walked with God for any length of time knows that God does not do theings in our timeframe but in His. (However it may be 11:59pm!)

As I am rambling to God about all the things unfair, these song lyrics pop into my mind...

"You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life... I live by faith and not by sight... for You... I'm living all for You."

A peace fills me, that no matter what I see going on around me, if I am living by faith, God will take care of the rest.

I serve a just God... a merciful God... a God who created time and space... what is a few years of waiting in the span of eternity???  Here I am trying to do certain things in my own strength when God is telling me "live by faith, not by sight."

So today, for this moment in time, I lay my singleness at Your feet.  I lay my desire to be a Proverbs 31 wife and mother at Your feet.  I lay my will at Your feet.  I am taking a step out on faith.  I'm living all for YOU!

A Lukewarm Generation

"So because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth."  Revelation 3:16

If we are not living life according to Christ where He is first, then we are living a lukewarm life.  Just look at Revelation 3:16- what does Jesus say to the church of Laodicea for being lukewarm?

How many of us would fall into that same category?  We need to grow up spiritually... not being more religious but following Christ with every ounce of our being.  Every day needs to be growing closer to Christ.  Building that relationship... living love to all we meet according to His definition of love (see 1 Corinthians 13)

You may be wondering what it looks like to be lukewarm...  here is how Francis Chan describes being lukewarm in the book "Crazy Love".

• Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly.  It is what is expected of them, what they believe "good Christians" do, so they go.   (Isa. 29:13)
• Lukewarm people give money to charity and the church... as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living.  If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so.  After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? (1 Chron. 21:24, Luke 21:1-4)
• Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict.  They desire to fit in both at church and outside the church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives. (Matt 23:5-7, Rev 3:1, Luke 6:26)
• Lukewarm people don't really want to be saved from their sins; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin.  They don't genuinely hate sin and aren't truly sorry for it; they're merely sorry because God is going to punish them.  Lukewarm people don't really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one. (John 10:10, Romans 6:1-2)
• Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act.  They assume such action is for "extreme" Christians, not averae ones.  Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers. (James 1:22, James 4:17, Matt 21:28-31)
• Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends.  They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion. (Matt 10:32-33)
• Lukewarm people gauge their morality or "goodness" by comparing themselves to the secular world.  They feel satisfied that while they aren't as hard core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. (Luke 18:11-12)
• Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives.  But only a part.  They give Him a section of their time, their money, and their thoughts, but He isn't allowed to control their lives.  (Luke 9:57-62)
• Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength.  They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn't really possible for the average person; it's only for pastors and missionaries and radicals. (Matt 22:37-38)

Any one else feeling convicted???  Chan's list is a little more thorough than what I listed and God's word is very thorough.  I will make it clear that we all fall short of the glory of God but Christ is looking at the heart of each person not our burnt offering (or act of service). 

It is not about us and what we can do for Him.  He has done everything for us... all he asks of us is to take up our cross daily and follow Him.  He uses us despite us but how many times do we get wrapped up in "look at me and what I can do."  God calls us to be hot or cold not lukewarm.  Can you just imagine walking before the Lord one day being lukewarm where He vomits you out of His prescence???  He wants all of us or nothing at all.  But like I said earlier we all do fall short on a daily basis and therein lies his grace and mercy. 

So my friend... let us not be known as the lukewarm generation.  Let's raise our children to God's standard not the world's.  Let's be known by His love... you know the love that is patient, kind, longsuffering, etc.  Let us raise up a standard against the enemy that the world looks at and says is CRAZY.

The Big Red Tractor, by Francis Chan

Catching up

Well I am officially on fall break and after a late afternoon nap... I am not tired and it is nearly midnight.  So I have decided to catch up on my neglected blog.  So much has been going on but time just hasn't allowed me to put my thoughts down... so here goes...

School:  First quarter of school ended Friday with a trip to Molokai's first pumpkin patch.  I am not sure who enjoyed it more the adults or the children but fun was had by all.  The largest pumpkin weighed in at over 200 pounds.



Hula:  One of the highlights of living in Hawaii is being able to learn hula and dance in worship before the Lord.  This is our halau before we danced at church last Sunday to "Who Am I".  We also had the pleasure of dancing today for the Beth Moore Simulcast.

Labor day:  Some friends and I went camping Labor Day weekend...

Great friends...

 God's beauty...

 Ono food!  (A Hawaiian Smore... graham, peanut butter, brownie, toasted (or burnt) marshmellow and chocolate)

 And what is camping with out some wildlife and a practical joke... Josh decided to put bread outside of Rachel and my tent.  This attracted the wild turkeys that woke us up at 7am on Monday morning. 

When I got home from camping, my neighbors were coming in from catching lobster... so they blessed me with this critter which was taken to school the next day for my little ones to check out and then he was boiled for lunch!