This ministered to my tired heart today.......

I feel tired and overwhelmed with time, with wanting to love those who need love, to pour out to those who need a friend, to work like a workmen of the Lord, to give to love, to minister... and my heart feels tired and overwhelmed with what I really want to do- a pressure to do well and yet my heart and being feels pressed with time...I came home to prepare a bible study teaching on Rahab and feel distracted to prepare something good.

I found great encouragement from my friend Edith.... Read on... Any thoughts?


For Those who Worry
by Edith Scheaffer

Oil is limited now. What far-reaching effects this has. Switzerland has banned driving on Sunday, and quiet roads wind down the mountainsides - empty except for walking people or flying birds. City streets are the scene of roller skating and horseback riding. One feels on Sundays as if the clock has turned back to a time before automobiles were known, and people passed each other slowly enough to speak.
But time doesn't turn back, and limitation of one product like oil demonstrates the dependence of a whole culture or civilization on a limitless supply of a variety of things. Come to the end of one thing and many other things are affected. But even more than "things," are human beings affected. Suddenly there are no jobs in some industry and like a chain reaction other factories become silent. Depression! Depression within one country, spreading to other countries. "World depression" is an idea in men's imaginations today, a fear in men's hearts, a cold feeling in the pit of men's stomachs. Limited oil, limited energy, limited warmth, limited shelter, limited food, limited transportation, limited supply of every need. What a bleak future men feel they face.

Individuals in the midst of mass limitations are also bowed down, depressed, frustrated, or at least annoyed by their own limitations, depending on the vividness of the conscious limitation at the time. People with too much to do are frustrated by the limitation of time. People with too many places they feel they need to go, too many places screaming for them to be there, are frustrated by the limitations of space. People with many talents and ideas, enough to fill twenty-four hours a day, are frustrated by the limitation of energy - by the frailness of the human frame and the constant need of sleep and refreshment. People with a myriad of ideas, but an inability to execute them, are frustrated by a limitation of talent or ability to carry them out. Individuals with a limitation of blood sugar or other purely physical inadequacies are frustrated by a limitation of the smooth functioning of their own bodies. People, suddenly realizing that the sheer passing of weeks, months, and years does make a difference to them personally, are frustrated by the limitations of the qualities they have seemed to have an unlimited supply of during the past. "I can't do what I used to do!" is a surprise limitation which speaks of a limitedness of life as a whole. Limited human beings-and the limitations in various areas-bring about a chain reaction in other human beings, as well as in history. Limited joy, limited peace, limited quiet, limited supply, limited strength, limited interest, all combine to affect not just one, but others whom that one touches.

Why dwell on the gloomy idea of limitedness? First, because it affects every one of us, and second, because there is a solution. We have an unlimited God who created a limited universe. There is not an unlimited supply of oil in the ground, and there is not an unlimited supply of energy in a human being. We are dependent upon an un-limited God, who is able to supply the desperate needs we each have in a variety of areas.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:19, as God makes real to him the need for us to know: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory . . . ." A supply dependent only upon His riches. A supply as varied as our need is varied. A promise from the unlimited Living God to His limited, needy children of every century. What sort of things does He promise to supply? (In this limited space, only a few of His specific promises can be listed.) In this day of empty store shelves, empty oil tanks, and empty gas tanks, consider again the words of Matthew 6:25, 32, 33: "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on . . . . for your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteous-ness; and all these things shall be added unto you." An order is given-first, stop worrying and stop being afraid in the middle of the night. This is a negative order if you like to think of it that way. In the place of worrying, however, a positive action is commanded. So the second thing to do is to put first the realities of true truth concerning the existence of God and our truly being in His family. This doesn't mean quoting little platitudes to each other, but honestly crying out to God in our need and feeling, as we cry, the wonder of having an unlimited Person to cry to and to come to with our needs. However, in the reality of having someone to come to, the practical outworking of that is meant to be a demonstrable area of putting Him first in some way. How? I would say by allowing His interruptions to come first, before our own definite schedule.

We have a deadline to meet in our gathering in the wheat, making the candles, selling the insurance, cooking the meal - whatever is in our today's schedule - and suddenly a phone call, a person at the door, or a letter presents us with an urgent need to give some spiritual help, teach a Bible class, talk on the phone, write a letter, or sit down and talk to someone or give someone a meal. We "spend" our supply of time, energy, ideas, talent, and money for something the Lord has injected into the day, which could be either brushed aside as an interruption or recognized as His plan. What do we do? It is in these practical moments when it will cost us time, energy, ideas, money, that we make the decision to put the Kingdom of God FIRST. It is when a factory owner has a choice of making more profit-or being a really loving example to his employees of what a Christian employer can be like in sharing with his workers-that a man has a chance to put the Kingdom of God first. Yes, "seeking first the kingdom of God" does not mean a comfortable giving of a couple of hours a week in church, and writing a check to a "cause," but rather an openness, a sensitiveness to be led by the Lord in ways that interrupt the putting of our own way or interests first - materially, physically, psychologically. There is this condition placed upon "all these things" being added to us or provided for us. The third part of the condition is seeking His righteousness.

How can we know anything about His righteousness? We are so very limited in being righteous. We are limited by being "fallen men"-or "fallen people," if you will. His righteousness is perfect, as well as unlimited.

We find that out in Philippians 3:8,9, as well as in many other places. Think of this the next quiet moment you have-perhaps as you are waiting for a traffic light to change: ". . . I count all things but loss [I count everything as unimportant]. . . that I may. . . be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Tie into your thinking the beautiful picture of the future, in which we are told that one day we are going to stand "faultless before the throne, dressed in His righteousness." We shall be clothed in that which is described in another place as sparkling white linen, the righteousness of Christ. He has given us this to look forward to because He died to make it possible. He took our filthy clothing in exchange for His white linen, at the moment He died to give us the possibility of accepting His death as a free gift to get rid of our sin.

The righteousness which we are meant to be seeking is something He has already supplied for us, an unlimited supply. He has told us that His strength is made perfect in weakness, and that His grace is sufficient for us. This was given to Paul after he had asked that a "thorn in the flesh" be removed. The answer God gives His children is always a real answer. Sometimes that answer is the supplying of the actual thing asked for, specifically and definitely. At other times the answer is the supplying of grace to bear the thorn - quietness in the middle of a continuing storm, victory in the middle of a continuing battle, comfort in the midst of a continuing sorrow. It is, however, when we ask the One who has the supply in an unlimited way that the answer is given which provides what we need at the moment. We need not continue our depression, frustration, or annoyance, as we are caught by a limited supply-spiritually, physically, materially. Middle of the night, or while waiting for the traffic light: Don't worry anxiously, but in every-thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, do let your request (for any limitation) be made known unto God. And then the peace of God which passes the understanding of yourself - others watching, demons waiting for you to - will keep your fearful heart and your mind that fills so easily with nagging worries. And it will all be through Christ Jesus - the Christ who is the Second Person of the unlimited Trinity.

Uninspired Blogger

Sorry I have been so lame on my blog... No excuses- just time and not creativity! I just got back from a weekend in SLO with the family. My childhood friend Jaime was married, so the weekend was full of wedding festivities. So.. any good blog ideas? I have some good pics I should probably post. Hope you are all having a good day. I gotta beat it..... beautiful weather and some trails to run.

Sedona....

Here are a few pictures of our trip to Sedona, AZ last month. We had a blast as a family, even though not everyone was there. I will post more pictures later- just thought I would post a few! Happy 4th!

Moving & Hiking Weekend

I moved this weekend! It was a major job- thankfully I have some incredible friends who devoted the entire weekend to me! I feel incredibly greatful for friends like this! Ann and I suck off on Saturday to get some exercise admist not being able to get in the new house until Sunday.. So here are some Hikes. Ann, Angie and I are planning on doing the Imogene Pass Run on Labor Day. It starts in Silverton, Co and ends up in the Town of Telluride.. So training has begun! Here are a few shots of Ann and I over the weekend!

Thank you Jamie

Jamie posted this for some of us girls. I am scrambling out of the office and had to readt his after a full crazy day of work in the midst of having to move... I feel to independant somWednesday, June 25, 2008

this one's for Jesus

thank you Lord Jesus that you mend me. ever since i was a little girl you have always

taken care of me and brought me comfort when I needed you. thank you for rescuing

me and saving me. thank you for leading me and gently clearing my way all my

life. Lord their is no one like you in all this world. i hope i always treasure you as you

have treasured me.

here I am Lord
i am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.
so to all of my beautiful single girlfriends, leah, melissa, kristie, kit, and schlenker - remeber he will
allure you and he has not forgotten his promises to you.

Posted by Jamie at 12:24 AM 1 comments



Sunday, June 15, 2008
etimes and this just broke me....

Botox......

I swear, I have seen more botox in this valley...... I saw a lady today who did not look far from this..... seriously!

I am a proud Cousin of Nic.... Read on........

Growing up we had a a super close family. There were 6 boys and Mandy and I. We spend a lot of time in at our family home in Yosemite where we all grew a love for the mountains and the outdoors. We loved exploring, backpacking, sliding the rocks and riding the rapids. As I look back as an adult- I realize how formative those years really were. How my family learned to love each other by playing together and taking care of one another. All the cousins are just within a few years age of each other so growing up in the Yosemite Summers were great. All of us have grown up with unique passions and talents. All of us in different part of the world- Justin- serving our county in Iraq, Mandy and Eli- Bringing Hope and the Love to Jesus to university students- Christopher- a entrepreneur and successful business person, Evan- A grad student in SF studying Econ. Ryan- In LA shooting movies, Darren- Loving his family and being a great Dad! Ann Marie- A sweetheart working her way thru high school. Dallas- A compassionate heart and stud of a soccer player. However one thing is true- we all love the outdoors and we all love people. I could go off and write pages about each of my dear cousins- However I want to highlight one cousin that just deserves to be bragged about and loved on. Nicholas ( Nic ) was always the one who would push the limit by scaling up mountains covered in shail, walking to the end of major cliffs and hanging his butt off off a sheer edge of a chair lift- these are just a few. Nic graduated from Stanford about four years ago and is now attending USD Medical School. Nic will graduate next June and was just awarded a scholarship ( see below ). I am very proud of him- of his determination to press on in school, but more that he has a heart to make a difference in the world.

Here is what was send out by the Director of Medical Alumni Relations
Division of Medical Education

Read On........

Nicholas Kanaan is the Carrlene Harper Memorial Scholarship recipient for 2008. This award recognizes a medical student who exhibits an outstanding commitment to community service. Nic has organized and managed several programs that have helped build and improve the UCSD medical school community, such as the Peer Mentor Group, which aims to improve the mental well-being of medical students. He also has been very involved in academic reform at UCSD School of Medicine, which according to Nic is a “huge concern” for his classmates. In addition to advocating for the medical school community, Nic’s community service extends to outreach toward the San Diego community as he organized the Border Health Project, which provides medical assistance and donations to migrant workers living in San Diego’s canyons and shanty- towns. “There are still many things I hope to accomplish while at UCSD,” says Nic. “The MS3 orientation to the wards is one project that will hopefully come to fruition, which is a project to help with the difficult transition to the wards, offering training, tips and advice essential for incoming student doctors to excel.” His commitment to community service and his compassion towards others will certainly lead him to achieve such future endeavors.