Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Ever feel God bringing you back to a truth you've heard a thousand times and yet you learn something new? God has been doing that with me this past week, through his word, through music on the way to work, through the message at service on Sunday morning. What a great reminder to rest in him and his peace. God is faithful, and he will not allow us to go through any temptation or trial beyond that we can bear. He will also lead us in his mercy and peace, in the good times, in the bad, and in the challenging times. Right now, I feel the Tighe's are going through a very good time, yet very challenging. We are so very blessed to have been called of God to Boulder County, yet we feel we are being challenged in many ways. The message at service this week was centered around being displaced by God. In Jeremiah, he told his people he would displace them to a new land quite far away, yet he would not only provide for them, but give them more than they could imagine. In a lot of ways, we have been displaced here in CO. The culture, environment, surroundings, are all different. Yet, God, in his grace, gives us what we need to adjust, acclimate and accept his call. Any challenges we face are only a training ground for growth, and by growing in Christ, we walk closer to him and to each other. God is truly awesome and truly good!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
God Answers Better Than We Ask
I don't need to add much to the following devotion. For us, as we pray about the sale of our house in North Platte, this is truly encouraging...
AND HE ASKED THAT HE MIGHT DIE. 1 Kings 19:4It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who would be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire and be translated and not see death, should thus pray, "Take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers." We have here a memorable proof that God does not always answer prayer in kind, though He always does in effect. He gave Elijah something better than what he asked for, and thus really heard and answered him. It was strange that the lion-hearted Elijah should be so depressed by Jezebel's threat as to ask to die, and yet it was so kind on the part of our heavenly Father not to take His desponding servant at his word. There is a limit to the doctrine of the prayer of faith. We are not to expect that God will give us everything we choose to ask for. We know that we sometimes ask and do not receive because we ask wrongly. If we ask for that which is not promised--if we run counter to the spirit that the Lord would have us cultivate--if we ask contrary to His will or to the decrees of His providence--if we ask merely for selfish gratification and without a concern for His glory, we must not expect that we will receive. But when we ask in faith, without doubting, if we do not receive the precise thing for which we asked, we shall receive an equivalent, and more than an equivalent, for it. As one remarks, "If the Lord does not pay in silver, He will in gold; and if He does not pay in gold, He will in diamonds." If He does not give you precisely what you ask for, He will give you that which is tantamount to it, and that which you will be happy to receive in its place. So, dear reader, be much in prayer, and make this evening a time of earnest intercession, but be careful what you ask for!
AND HE ASKED THAT HE MIGHT DIE. 1 Kings 19:4It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who would be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire and be translated and not see death, should thus pray, "Take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers." We have here a memorable proof that God does not always answer prayer in kind, though He always does in effect. He gave Elijah something better than what he asked for, and thus really heard and answered him. It was strange that the lion-hearted Elijah should be so depressed by Jezebel's threat as to ask to die, and yet it was so kind on the part of our heavenly Father not to take His desponding servant at his word. There is a limit to the doctrine of the prayer of faith. We are not to expect that God will give us everything we choose to ask for. We know that we sometimes ask and do not receive because we ask wrongly. If we ask for that which is not promised--if we run counter to the spirit that the Lord would have us cultivate--if we ask contrary to His will or to the decrees of His providence--if we ask merely for selfish gratification and without a concern for His glory, we must not expect that we will receive. But when we ask in faith, without doubting, if we do not receive the precise thing for which we asked, we shall receive an equivalent, and more than an equivalent, for it. As one remarks, "If the Lord does not pay in silver, He will in gold; and if He does not pay in gold, He will in diamonds." If He does not give you precisely what you ask for, He will give you that which is tantamount to it, and that which you will be happy to receive in its place. So, dear reader, be much in prayer, and make this evening a time of earnest intercession, but be careful what you ask for!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Break Time
Time for a quick break at the fence and a photo. We stopped here to view a beautiful Blue Jay hanging around.
Mother's Day Hike
An afternoon hike at "The Lair of the Bear" trail near Morrison. We took a drive to Idaho Springs, had lunch at Paco's and on to Mt Evans. This trail is a great place to hike and take in the surroundings. Just up the road we stopped to view about 100 elk on the hillside. Afterwards, we went to Red Rocks and hung out for a while, enjoying that park, as well. Nice day together...
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Jonatha
Our little monkey girl. She accomplished this by first climbing on top of the monkey bars, then putting her head through, hanging by her feet and grabbing on with her hands. If I tried it, I would land at Good Samaritan asking for Jeff Kautz. Jonatha just has no fear.
She particularly likes the slider. She can now slide to the end, then swing hard enough so she can return back up the bar without any help. Seems like a lot of work and no play to me, but hey, I'm 32. I'd rather someone just give me a hard push and ride away effortlessly!
Aidan
Couple of pics of Aidan showing two sides of his diverse personality. I asked him to smile for this one and here is what I get. On the other one, I asked him to smile nicely and see what I get? Can anyone define defiance? Still cute to me anyway.
The kids sure enjoy this park. It's beautifully laid out with a great play area, green grass, lots of trees, and a nice creek and pond. Lovely spot.
New Photos
I snapped a few shots while at the park last weekend. My dad spent the weekend with us and we had a great time. The kids haven't seen Grandpa Ed for three years so they were very excited to have him, as well.
Friday was cold and wet, but the sun shined Saturday and Sunday and we enjoyed being outside for a picnic, drive into the mountains and a Rockies game.
As you can see, Jonatha just loves hanging on things and she definitely gets that from her mother. Aidan is in a rare pose, relaxed and smiling.
Updates
Just a few comments today to serve as an update...Emmaus Road is closing in on the time when the entire launch team will be here in CO. Kris Cheek, Lead Pastor, will be here with his family the first week of June. They have located a suitable townhome in Boulder and are excited to finally be here. Josh Luse, Co-Pastor, and his family will also be arriving in early June. They, too, have located an apartment in the heart of Boulder, and are eager to arrive. Brandon Brinker, launch team member, has a good prospect on a new job and looks to be able to work with a short commute into Denver and enjoy a good schedule, allowing him to be available for ministry even more than anticipated. He and his family will be arriving early June, as well, as they have sold their home in North Platte. We are thrilled to have these families joining us out here. Having our gatherings via phone conference is getting old! The personal fellowship will be greatly welcomed.
The Tighe's are still settling into the new environment and getting to know people more and more as time passes. We have some very nice neighbors and truly are blessed to be at Rock Creek. We feel we could definitely make this neighborhood our long-term home, but first things first...
Summer is closing in and the kids are ready for some swimming pool action. They open May 26, so not too long. Jonatha is still playing soccer and doing very well. We're thinking Aidan may need karate so he can use his aggressive energy for something productive. There is one nearby so we'll be looking into that.
Jan and I are growing in our faith and learning more about Christ daily. I believe this is a renewal period for us as God is expanding our level of faith. We've been humbled by this transition and are rejoicing in God's faithfulness and grace in our lives. He truly is good and he truly remains the same (Hebrews 13:8). Thank you for your continued prayer support!
The Tighe's are still settling into the new environment and getting to know people more and more as time passes. We have some very nice neighbors and truly are blessed to be at Rock Creek. We feel we could definitely make this neighborhood our long-term home, but first things first...
Summer is closing in and the kids are ready for some swimming pool action. They open May 26, so not too long. Jonatha is still playing soccer and doing very well. We're thinking Aidan may need karate so he can use his aggressive energy for something productive. There is one nearby so we'll be looking into that.
Jan and I are growing in our faith and learning more about Christ daily. I believe this is a renewal period for us as God is expanding our level of faith. We've been humbled by this transition and are rejoicing in God's faithfulness and grace in our lives. He truly is good and he truly remains the same (Hebrews 13:8). Thank you for your continued prayer support!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Start to the Week
Another great devotional from Spurgeon...
AGREE WITH GOD, AND BE AT PEACE. Job 22:21In order to properly "agree with God, and be at peace," we must know Him as He has revealed Himself, not only in the unity of His essence and subsistence, but also in the plurality of His persons. God said, "Let us make man in our image"1--man must not be content until he knows something of the "us" from whom his being was derived. Endeavor to know the Father. Approach Him in deep repentance, and confess that you are not worthy to be called His son; receive the kiss of His love; let the ring that is the token of His eternal faithfulness be on your finger; sit at His table and let your heart rejoice in His grace. Then press forward and seek to know much of the Son of God who although He is the brightness of His Father's glory humbled Himself and became man for our sakes. Know Him in the singular complexity of His nature: eternal God, and yet suffering, finite man; follow Him as He walks the waters with the tread of deity, and as He sits down at the well tired in the weariness of humanity. Do not be satisfied unless you know much of Jesus Christ as your Friend, your Brother, your Husband, your all. Do not forget the Holy Spirit. Endeavor to obtain a clear view of His nature and character, His attributes, and His works. Behold the Spirit of the Lord, who first of all moved upon chaos and brought forth order, who now visits the chaos of your soul and creates the order of holiness. Behold Him as the Lord and giver of spiritual life, the Illuminator, the Instructor, the Comforter, and the Sanctifier. Behold Him as He descends upon the head of Jesus, and then as He rests upon you. Such an intelligent, scriptural, and experiential belief in the Trinity is yours if you truly know God; and such knowledge brings peace indeed.1 Genesis 1:26
AGREE WITH GOD, AND BE AT PEACE. Job 22:21In order to properly "agree with God, and be at peace," we must know Him as He has revealed Himself, not only in the unity of His essence and subsistence, but also in the plurality of His persons. God said, "Let us make man in our image"1--man must not be content until he knows something of the "us" from whom his being was derived. Endeavor to know the Father. Approach Him in deep repentance, and confess that you are not worthy to be called His son; receive the kiss of His love; let the ring that is the token of His eternal faithfulness be on your finger; sit at His table and let your heart rejoice in His grace. Then press forward and seek to know much of the Son of God who although He is the brightness of His Father's glory humbled Himself and became man for our sakes. Know Him in the singular complexity of His nature: eternal God, and yet suffering, finite man; follow Him as He walks the waters with the tread of deity, and as He sits down at the well tired in the weariness of humanity. Do not be satisfied unless you know much of Jesus Christ as your Friend, your Brother, your Husband, your all. Do not forget the Holy Spirit. Endeavor to obtain a clear view of His nature and character, His attributes, and His works. Behold the Spirit of the Lord, who first of all moved upon chaos and brought forth order, who now visits the chaos of your soul and creates the order of holiness. Behold Him as the Lord and giver of spiritual life, the Illuminator, the Instructor, the Comforter, and the Sanctifier. Behold Him as He descends upon the head of Jesus, and then as He rests upon you. Such an intelligent, scriptural, and experiential belief in the Trinity is yours if you truly know God; and such knowledge brings peace indeed.1 Genesis 1:26
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Self Denial
Taken from Truth For Life May 6, 2006...
ALL THE DAYS OF MY SERVICE I WOULD WAIT. Job 14:14A short stay on earth will make heaven more heavenly. Nothing makes rest so enjoyable as work; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to danger. The bitter cups of earth will give a relish to the new wine that sparkles in the golden bowls of heaven. Our battered armor and scarred countenances will render more glorious our victory above, when we are welcomed to the seats of those who have overcome the world. We would not have full fellowship with Christ if we did not sojourn for a while below, for He was baptized with a baptism of suffering among men, and we must be baptized with the same if we would share His kingdom. Fellowship with Christ is so honorable that the sorest sorrow is a light price by which to procure it. Another reason for our lingering here is for the good of others. We would not wish to enter heaven till our work is done, and it may be that we still have a part to play shining as light in the dark wilderness of sin. Our prolonged stay here is doubtless for God's glory. A tested saint, like a well-cut diamond, glitters much in the King's crown. Nothing reflects so much honor on a workman as a protracted and severe trial of his work and his triumphant endurance of the ordeal without giving in or giving up. We are God's workmanship, and He will be glorified by our afflictions. It is for the honor of Jesus that we endure the trial of our faith with sacred joy. Let each man surrender his own longings to the glory of Jesus and declare: "If my lying in the dust would elevate my Lord by so much as an inch, let me still lie among the pots of earth. If to live on earth forever would make my Lord more glorious, it should be my heaven to be shut out of heaven." Our time is fixed and settled by eternal decree. Let us not be anxious about it, but wait with patience until the gates of pearl shall open
ALL THE DAYS OF MY SERVICE I WOULD WAIT. Job 14:14A short stay on earth will make heaven more heavenly. Nothing makes rest so enjoyable as work; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to danger. The bitter cups of earth will give a relish to the new wine that sparkles in the golden bowls of heaven. Our battered armor and scarred countenances will render more glorious our victory above, when we are welcomed to the seats of those who have overcome the world. We would not have full fellowship with Christ if we did not sojourn for a while below, for He was baptized with a baptism of suffering among men, and we must be baptized with the same if we would share His kingdom. Fellowship with Christ is so honorable that the sorest sorrow is a light price by which to procure it. Another reason for our lingering here is for the good of others. We would not wish to enter heaven till our work is done, and it may be that we still have a part to play shining as light in the dark wilderness of sin. Our prolonged stay here is doubtless for God's glory. A tested saint, like a well-cut diamond, glitters much in the King's crown. Nothing reflects so much honor on a workman as a protracted and severe trial of his work and his triumphant endurance of the ordeal without giving in or giving up. We are God's workmanship, and He will be glorified by our afflictions. It is for the honor of Jesus that we endure the trial of our faith with sacred joy. Let each man surrender his own longings to the glory of Jesus and declare: "If my lying in the dust would elevate my Lord by so much as an inch, let me still lie among the pots of earth. If to live on earth forever would make my Lord more glorious, it should be my heaven to be shut out of heaven." Our time is fixed and settled by eternal decree. Let us not be anxious about it, but wait with patience until the gates of pearl shall open
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)