Notes from Pastor Mark Beeson..... something to think about

Empathy is easy. Investment is hard.

I'm not so sure that's a bad thing.

When I'm pouring out my life, I'm exchanging my remaining days for some purpose or cause. My ability to stay engaged is in correlation with my conviction of it's worth. In other words, my ability to continue making a sacrificial investment is fueled by my sense of its importance.

I can say I care about our environment (remember, God's first directive mandated we "tend the Garden"), but if I don't care enough I'll toss trash out my car window.

I can claim I care about our new site in Elkhart (knowing Jesus commanded we "go make disciples"), but I'm not likely to offer prayer, time and money to the effort if I don't care a lot.

I might say I love Jesus (aware the most important commandment is that we "Love the Lord") but the investment of my life in worship, service and devotion to His Kingdom is unlikely if I don't care enough to act.

Whether we say we treasure children, care about the poor, love justice or cherish honesty the truth is obvious. It's easy to say we care. It's hard to care enough to act.

Our problem isn't that we care. Our problem is that we don't care enough to do something to make a positive contribution.

What we really care about, we'll support.
What we truly value, we'll give our lives to accomplish.
Supreme love empowers absolute devotion.

So today I'm praying I'll love what God loves, value what Jesus values, and cherish what our Lord declares worthy. Like the kids reading their Bibles in this picture, we need to read the scriptures to know what God values. Otherwise we might give our hearts to some cause that's simply not worthy of us.

There is a cost to caring.

James 2:14-17 - My brothers and sisters, if people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing. Can faith like that save them? A brother or sister in Christ might need clothes or food. If you say to that person, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,“ but you do not give what that person needs, your words are worth nothing. In the same way, faith that is alone—that does nothing—is dead.

Missing little Jalen

My little 5 year old, Jalen, is visiting grandma Judy for a couple days, and the house is just not the same without him. I definitely miss his smile, laughter and hugs! He is such a sweet heart. I know he is having a great time, probably swimming, fishing and eatting ice cream everyday. Somewhere in the bible it says that Children are a blessing from the Lord, and I would agree. They may drive us crazy sometimes, but they sure hold a special place in our hearts and when they are not around we miss them and we remember all those things we love about them. So maybe it is good for us to have a break for a couple days, it helps us remember what we have and just how important they are!

thoughts....

Just got back from church and read a little note from the boys classroom. It had a quote that made me think. " Humility is putting others first by giving up what you think you deserve." I read this as I was putting a bedtime snack together for my kids, and secretly wishing I could just go lay on the couch and watch TV with Justin. I guess I need to work on humility. (Here's a picture from vacation of us chilling out at our condo, I'm already dreaming of going back)

Summer is in full swing...

Well, I have been back from vacation now for 10 days and I finally feel completely unpacked and back to normal. We went from the end of school to Memorial Day to Vacation and today was the first day that I felt like real summer. Kids playing with the sprinkler in the yard, got out our little pool yesterday, bike rides, pulling weeds in the yard... all that great stuff. I am now trying to get organized with summer projects for me and the kids. #1 Build a tree house. #2 Teach Jalen to ride bike with no training wheels. #3 Teach Miah not to whine or cry. (When those three are accomplished the summer should be about over, but I will keep you posted.)

The discipline of Meditation

So I started reading this new book. It's not one to just read though, It's a study and then act kinda thing. And I am doing it with a group of others, maybe you. I just got the book today, and I am excited. Thought I would include some of the highlights:
"Meditation could be summed up by this comparison: we seek to soak ourselves in God much like uncooked pasta or rice soaks in hot water, softening so that it becomes useable. We train ourselves for a time to forget about everything we have to do and focus on what God wants us to become. We spend time intentionally listening for the voice of God speaking to us, especially through Scripture."

"When we meditate on God's Word and his work in the world around us, we lengthen the root of our soul into the life-giving soil of God's transcendent goodness."

This book talks about ten different spiritual practices and it is intented to be read over the course of a year. Each week it gives optional activities that go along with the topic. So far I have only read five pages and I am thankful and excited to dive in a little more. I am sure I will do more blogging on the book in the days to come.

Vacation: Massanutten Resort, near Harrisonburg VA

The following are a mixture of photos. We spent most of our time at the pools, the water park, or some other crazy fun thing. The time flew by so quickly. I hope everyone has a chance to get away with their families for a vacation. The time together is very precious and moments we won't soon forget. The van ride there was over 14 hours and the kids were awake for about 12 of those hours.... so on the way home we drove from 10pm till 7 am, and the kids slept 99% of the way! It was a much quicker trip. Justin and I read the book "The Shack", very good. My special treat was a swedish massage, and Justin's special treat was a "seafood buffet". The kids spent their spending money on clothes and Cameron got a cool pen with his name on it. Jalen used some of his money for a rock climbing wall (he did great). All in all, I would go back in a heartbeat!









The van ride to Virginia, the kids love to cuddle.

We are Back!

This is just the start, I will post more pictures very soon! What can I say. Vacation was GREAT, very GREAT! More details to come.....