Mom & Dad and their baker's dozen. From top left: Kris, Penni, Jerri, Julie, Ken, Robb, Bryan, Nikki, Luella, Bob, Lori, Linda, Kari, Debi, and the cutest of them all, Jan (I'm a little biased). This picture was taken at Dad's 70th surprise birthday party in North Platte. No, they're not catholic and no twins. Thanks for asking.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Baker's Dozen
Mom & Dad and their baker's dozen. From top left: Kris, Penni, Jerri, Julie, Ken, Robb, Bryan, Nikki, Luella, Bob, Lori, Linda, Kari, Debi, and the cutest of them all, Jan (I'm a little biased). This picture was taken at Dad's 70th surprise birthday party in North Platte. No, they're not catholic and no twins. Thanks for asking.
Boulder Sunset
Who says Nebraska has the best sunsets? View from Hwy 36 just a couple miles from our house. Picture does it no justice...
Soccer Has Begun
Jonatha had her first soccer game today. She plays for the Buffs and they have a pretty good little team for 4-5 yr olds. They won 9-0, and the only reason I know this is because Jonatha kept score...you think she is a little comptetitive? Jan and I were too busy laughing at how cute they all were to even be paying attention to the score. I think Jonatha and her coach might have been the only ones tracking.Either way, it was a joyful morning watching my daughter participate in something she has been looking forward to for a year ever since she attended soccer camp in 2005. Her little bro' Aidan did a great job cheering her on, at least for the first half. The Kautz's arrived and Aidan left to play with Mr. Jeff on the next field. Attention span - 5 minutes. Energy sustainability - 5 hours. He's all boy.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Testing of My Faith
I hate exams. In college, I faired quite well on my exams, but I hated them nontheless. Study, study, study and hope I can remember. Miserable! I am convinced my migraines I experience even today are a direct result of exams in college. HA!
That being said, exams are necessary. They build character, patience, knowledge. They remind us that the knowledge in our heads must be proven by action. Right now, I am in one of God's exams. And you now know how I feel about exams. The testing of my faith comes with great pain. I ache daily right now knowing my faith is being tested. I long for relief, even beg God for it. I pray for myself selfishly. I ask God to relieve me. Then...I am reminded of his truth in James 1..."2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
Okay...let's clear the air. The world tells us to take pride in ourselves, God says take pride in our low position. The world says avoid trials, God says to consider it pure joy when faced with trial. The world says work hard and play hard and enjoy material possessions, God says ask for wisdom (and believe) and you will receive it. The world says go to a psychiatrist when times are tough, God says perservere under trial and receive the crown of life. Are you facing a difficult time right now? Do you wonder how you are going to get out of it? Are you approaching the end of your faith? Praise God! Praise him and then ask him for wisdom. This is the message of James. It contradicts everything the world tells you, yet God is all-knowing. He knows what you are faced with more than you do yourself. And he knows how you're going to get through it. He has provided the answer to get through this tough season, as well. Read the passage again. You'll see it. It's there. Just don't think like the world thinks. Think how Jesus thinks. When you see it, you will be moved to praise him. You will feel embraced in God's comfort. Trust me, I did.
That being said, exams are necessary. They build character, patience, knowledge. They remind us that the knowledge in our heads must be proven by action. Right now, I am in one of God's exams. And you now know how I feel about exams. The testing of my faith comes with great pain. I ache daily right now knowing my faith is being tested. I long for relief, even beg God for it. I pray for myself selfishly. I ask God to relieve me. Then...I am reminded of his truth in James 1..."2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
Okay...let's clear the air. The world tells us to take pride in ourselves, God says take pride in our low position. The world says avoid trials, God says to consider it pure joy when faced with trial. The world says work hard and play hard and enjoy material possessions, God says ask for wisdom (and believe) and you will receive it. The world says go to a psychiatrist when times are tough, God says perservere under trial and receive the crown of life. Are you facing a difficult time right now? Do you wonder how you are going to get out of it? Are you approaching the end of your faith? Praise God! Praise him and then ask him for wisdom. This is the message of James. It contradicts everything the world tells you, yet God is all-knowing. He knows what you are faced with more than you do yourself. And he knows how you're going to get through it. He has provided the answer to get through this tough season, as well. Read the passage again. You'll see it. It's there. Just don't think like the world thinks. Think how Jesus thinks. When you see it, you will be moved to praise him. You will feel embraced in God's comfort. Trust me, I did.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
The Body
Today the Kautz's and Tighe's attended Flatirons Church. We had been there a couple of weeks ago and I was considering going to one of two new churches in Rock Creek (our neighborhood) this morning. I felt God wanted us to go back to Flatirons again, so we did. A guest speaker was present today and couldn't have been a better fit for what I personally needed to hear right now. He shared his experience of getting married right out of college and dealing with his wife having Hodgkins disease just 6 months after their wedding. She survived the disease but suffered a massive heart attack a few years later and went to be with the Lord.
He shared how amazing God's love is and how God carried him and his children through that tough period of their lives. He also played a mean guitar and sang a few songs for us on his Olson (one of my favorites). It was a mixture of tears, joy, and humility for me this morning. I sensed God in my presence deeply today and was spiritually and emotionally moved.
Isn't God awesome? He is so personal and leads us in his path. If only we trust him and follow, we see him face to face. Maybe not literally, but spiritually we meet him. I read a book many years ago entitled Seeing God Face to Face. At the time, I related to some degree, but really didn't get it. This morning, I saw God face to face in a brother who shared his life with us with genuine, open transparency. How powerful that is! I am reminded to share my life with that same transparency today so someone else can see God at work. Be encouraged...be strong and bold in the Lord today. Be willing to share your life with someone and let God use you to change a heart forever.
He shared how amazing God's love is and how God carried him and his children through that tough period of their lives. He also played a mean guitar and sang a few songs for us on his Olson (one of my favorites). It was a mixture of tears, joy, and humility for me this morning. I sensed God in my presence deeply today and was spiritually and emotionally moved.
Isn't God awesome? He is so personal and leads us in his path. If only we trust him and follow, we see him face to face. Maybe not literally, but spiritually we meet him. I read a book many years ago entitled Seeing God Face to Face. At the time, I related to some degree, but really didn't get it. This morning, I saw God face to face in a brother who shared his life with us with genuine, open transparency. How powerful that is! I am reminded to share my life with that same transparency today so someone else can see God at work. Be encouraged...be strong and bold in the Lord today. Be willing to share your life with someone and let God use you to change a heart forever.
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