Hello all,
Many of you know the kids and I are in Texas visiting family while Todd is on a Mountain Climb in Russia. Todd is with a group of Frontliners raising money and awareness for water in Liberia. Their goal is to provide water for the entire nation over the next 5-7 years. The group is working with Living Water International to organize water wells, pumps, etc. so that clean water will be provided for the people of Liberia. I thought I would share Todd's blog regarding the team's progress in Russia.
http://www.thelastwell.com/blog-content.html
As far as the kids and I...
We are doing extremely well though we have been surprised at the whirlwind pace we are moving! We have been to Houston, a visit to a Lakehouse-( lots of fun, sunburn and sore muscles). We have plans to go to San Antonio, and East Texas this next week. Though we had scheduled a time to visit the Hurt Family at their new home in Victoria-we had a minor emergency room visit that took precedence. Katherine had a fall from her bed which caused a concussion...but we hear the Hurts are taking Victoria by storm!
Many blessings to you all,
Julie
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Impact?
The vision of McLean Bible Church is to make an impact on secular Washington with the message of Jesus Christ.
Vision Statement of McLean Bible Church. This town is all about impact. This week, in the death of Tim Russert- we saw how impact has ripple effects. I am a Russert Fan. I am also a Chris Matthews fan, an Anderson Cooper Fan and a Brit Hume Fan. I am NOT a Bill O’Reilly fan, a Glenn Beck fan or a Keith Olberman fan. I am sad that Tim Russert will not be there to guide me in processing the political climate of our nation.
But, what I noticed most this last weekend was the impact that he had on so many people- and not just politically. Russert was known to be a wonderful father, son, and husband as well as- boss. Though he was a well-known public figure- he also seemed to know the details of people’s lives. I am sure he wasn’t perfect- but I still was consistently struck by the bipartisan love he drew- something difficult in this town. The remembrances were personal, touching, and authentic. That says a lot for a man whose influence extends into the highest echelons of power. Details. That is where impact is made.
And I was left with a question. Impact? What is my impact? AND…is the impact am I making tied to the gospel of Christ? Once again I go back to Todd’s words to me so many years ago: “Julie, you are either drawing people to Jesus or drawing them away.”
By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other's toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus' primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, "Watch yourselves carefully so you don't get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town. Luke 12:1-3 (The Message)
Does my inside life and my outside life match? Do people know the passion of my heart? Is Jesus a part of my conversation? I cannot just ‘preach’- I have to LIVE out a life that draws people to God. Not only do I need to love God- but also I need to truly LOVE the people God created…all people- even the drive through worker that gets my order wrong. To make Jesus known…hmmmmm.
And I ask you the same questions:
What is your impact?
Is the impact you are making tied to the gospel of Christ?
Are you, and your life, drawing people to Jesus?
Does the inside of your life and the outside of your life match?
What is the passion of your heart?
Is Jesus a part of your conversation?
Are you LIVING a life that pleases God and draws people to you so that you can direct them to God?
Vision Statement of McLean Bible Church. This town is all about impact. This week, in the death of Tim Russert- we saw how impact has ripple effects. I am a Russert Fan. I am also a Chris Matthews fan, an Anderson Cooper Fan and a Brit Hume Fan. I am NOT a Bill O’Reilly fan, a Glenn Beck fan or a Keith Olberman fan. I am sad that Tim Russert will not be there to guide me in processing the political climate of our nation.
But, what I noticed most this last weekend was the impact that he had on so many people- and not just politically. Russert was known to be a wonderful father, son, and husband as well as- boss. Though he was a well-known public figure- he also seemed to know the details of people’s lives. I am sure he wasn’t perfect- but I still was consistently struck by the bipartisan love he drew- something difficult in this town. The remembrances were personal, touching, and authentic. That says a lot for a man whose influence extends into the highest echelons of power. Details. That is where impact is made.
And I was left with a question. Impact? What is my impact? AND…is the impact am I making tied to the gospel of Christ? Once again I go back to Todd’s words to me so many years ago: “Julie, you are either drawing people to Jesus or drawing them away.”
By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other's toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus' primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, "Watch yourselves carefully so you don't get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town. Luke 12:1-3 (The Message)
Does my inside life and my outside life match? Do people know the passion of my heart? Is Jesus a part of my conversation? I cannot just ‘preach’- I have to LIVE out a life that draws people to God. Not only do I need to love God- but also I need to truly LOVE the people God created…all people- even the drive through worker that gets my order wrong. To make Jesus known…hmmmmm.
And I ask you the same questions:
What is your impact?
Is the impact you are making tied to the gospel of Christ?
Are you, and your life, drawing people to Jesus?
Does the inside of your life and the outside of your life match?
What is the passion of your heart?
Is Jesus a part of your conversation?
Are you LIVING a life that pleases God and draws people to you so that you can direct them to God?
Monday, June 9, 2008
Ode to Campbell
My niece is growing up and I cannot wait to see her this summer. One my favorite things that she has done over the past couple of years is say, "I hold you" when she wants to be picked up.
Todd, myself, and my parents are never immune when she runs to you with her arms wide open, squeezing her little fists open and close and reaching for you, "I hold you, Aunt Joolie".
I love to pick her up and just hold her as she cuddles into me. It is a feeling too precious for words and makes me feel like I have conquered the world.
So very cute...but she is growing up and probably no longer says that anymore so I wanted to document it through this short little tidbit as I look forward to seeing her soon.
I was thinking about it this morning and was struck with a thought- Campbell reaching out to me and saying, "I hold you" reminds me of Jesus- reaching out to us with his arms wide open in the midst of trials, joys, and the normal hours of our day.
Jesus reaches out, his arms ready and says, "I hold you".
Not only does He desire for us to respond to Him, but He is telling us a truth- He already holds us! All we have to do is rest in his arms.
Isaiah 49
13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. 14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." 15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands
Romans 8
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 62
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Matthew 11
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Todd, myself, and my parents are never immune when she runs to you with her arms wide open, squeezing her little fists open and close and reaching for you, "I hold you, Aunt Joolie".
I love to pick her up and just hold her as she cuddles into me. It is a feeling too precious for words and makes me feel like I have conquered the world.
So very cute...but she is growing up and probably no longer says that anymore so I wanted to document it through this short little tidbit as I look forward to seeing her soon.
I was thinking about it this morning and was struck with a thought- Campbell reaching out to me and saying, "I hold you" reminds me of Jesus- reaching out to us with his arms wide open in the midst of trials, joys, and the normal hours of our day.
Jesus reaches out, his arms ready and says, "I hold you".
Not only does He desire for us to respond to Him, but He is telling us a truth- He already holds us! All we have to do is rest in his arms.
Isaiah 49
13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. 14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." 15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands
Romans 8
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 62
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Matthew 11
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Twisters and Kids
Interesting. That is a word that Parker used quite frequently on Wednesday afternoon. Around 2:45 a major thunder storm blew in with tremendous winds, lightning, and thunder. I took a large golf umbrella outside to wait for the bus so I could walk my kids home in the rain. But...the bus didn't come. I went back inside and found out, between the power going out, that the schools were keeping the children at the school due to the various tornadoes that had been spotted throughout the area.
When the kids finally came home and I met them at the bus, there were some tears, whoops of 'coolness', and lots of talking about their experience at school. Their tornado drill was for real today. Now unlike my friend Carie and her kids in Alabama- who are quite used to tornado drills, sirens, and late buses- this was a new experience and somewhat frightening episode for my children.
Katherine wanted hugs, Parker wanted to talk about what an interesting day at school it was, and Raney wanted to talk about 'twisters'. And talk, and talk, and talk. Three children with three different responses.
At one point, Katherine came up to me and whispered, "Why does Jesus make tornadoes?"
Parker jumped all over dad when Todd came home and did a play by play of his afternoon and all the cool things that happened.
And Raney continued to talk about tornadoes.
On the way to the baseball game later that night- Raney was STILL talking about twisters. She had a running commentary going at ALL times. Katherine had her hands over her ears while Raney commented on the leaves, branches and other debris over the roads. These are some of her thoughts/compulsive talking:
"Twisters, I was in a twister when I was three at a museum" (I can't remember this but whatever!).
"I wonder if people died in that house?"
Katherine responded, "No, Raney- there are no windows broken".
And finally- my favorite:
"Twisters are good because they pick you up and put you down in a garden like on Wizard of OZ, right mom?"
Trying to make sense of life's occurrences. Recently Frontline did a Q and A service and addressed the question of why God allows natural disasters. Thought I would share. Enjoy.
When the kids finally came home and I met them at the bus, there were some tears, whoops of 'coolness', and lots of talking about their experience at school. Their tornado drill was for real today. Now unlike my friend Carie and her kids in Alabama- who are quite used to tornado drills, sirens, and late buses- this was a new experience and somewhat frightening episode for my children.
Katherine wanted hugs, Parker wanted to talk about what an interesting day at school it was, and Raney wanted to talk about 'twisters'. And talk, and talk, and talk. Three children with three different responses.
At one point, Katherine came up to me and whispered, "Why does Jesus make tornadoes?"
Parker jumped all over dad when Todd came home and did a play by play of his afternoon and all the cool things that happened.
And Raney continued to talk about tornadoes.
On the way to the baseball game later that night- Raney was STILL talking about twisters. She had a running commentary going at ALL times. Katherine had her hands over her ears while Raney commented on the leaves, branches and other debris over the roads. These are some of her thoughts/compulsive talking:
"Twisters, I was in a twister when I was three at a museum" (I can't remember this but whatever!).
"I wonder if people died in that house?"
Katherine responded, "No, Raney- there are no windows broken".
And finally- my favorite:
"Twisters are good because they pick you up and put you down in a garden like on Wizard of OZ, right mom?"
Trying to make sense of life's occurrences. Recently Frontline did a Q and A service and addressed the question of why God allows natural disasters. Thought I would share. Enjoy.
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