Experience Week is officially over.

Tonight was the final chapel. Worship was incredible. There was no easing into God's presence. We just jumped right in. Ready and open to give our praise and adoration to our Creator, and receive what He wanted to pour into us.

It was phenomenal.

This group of students has such a hunger and expectancy for God. Ready to do His will, whatever the cost may be.

This is the song that we introduced in Ntense (youth) Wednesday night. It sort of became an anthem for this week. It's called "Commission My Soul" by Citipointe.

And it's just the beginning of what God is going to do in and through both the students that came to XPWeek, and our XMC students.

And in us.

Are you ready?

Radio!!!

So tonight, our local Christian station, KAJN, debuted "Stars" from my new worship project.

It played during the American Idol finale, so I understand not too many people heard it.

But still, it's very exciting.

My kids stopped everything.

"Mom!! That's you!! on the radio!!"

Witness their reaction here:

(Drummer Boy is singing along.)

Now to get them ready for bed, and myself ready to teach about 90 students on worship at XPWeek tomorrow.

Woohoo!

Experience Week

Starting yesterday, our Master's Commission (XMC) embarked on the yearly event known as "Experience Week".

To the uninformed, "XPWeek" is a week-long event for high school seniors and juniors interested in coming to Master's Commission.

It's like Master's Commission on steroids.

It's amaaaaazing.

Last night was the first night "Burger Bash" to welcome the new students. We had a time of worship, acoustic style, under the open sky as the sun was setting.

I just wanted to continue worshiping all night. Actually, I wanted to jump up and touch Heaven. To soar into the clouds reaching until I could feel Jesus' hands grasping mine.

I don't know if it was the simplicity of coming ready to enter into God's presence without pretense, or the expectancy of all the students who came ready to receive this week, but I felt an anointing like I haven't felt in awhile.

If last night is any indication of how this week will develop, these students are in for the ride of their lives. God is bringing them on a journey to discover their callings, and in the process, if XMC is right for them.

I can't wait to watch it unfold!!

Compassion

My little girl has a heart of compassion.

Not always demonstrated towards her brother, but it really kicks in when she sees someone or something hurting.

The above picture was taken a couple weeks ago.

Ellie found some baby birds that had fallen from a nest in one of our trees.

She attempted to rescue them.

By herself.

She didn't ask us or notify us before swooping down to pick them up from the ground where they lay, helpless.

Her heart was in the right place, but her mission needed some input.

By the time we found out, and tried to intervene with counsel such as, "Don't touch them, they're too fragile," or "The mother bird won't take them back if they smell like you've handled them," it was too late.

The damage had been done. Despite our best efforts, the little hatchlings only survived about a day.

Ellie was heartbroken.



I thought of how much more our Father is moved when one of His children is hurting.

Jesus was moved with compassion. Moved to act on behalf of the stricken, the needy, the poor, the lame, and the sin sick.

And I thought of His wisdom in acting on His compassion. Always just, always true.

And then I thought: sometimes, in order to act on our compassion, we should really seek out the counsel of those who have been successful in their endeavors to aid the needy.

Alone, we can only go so far.

Together, we are an unstoppable army.

Time's A Wastin'

Ellie is now on her second lesson in Math.

She is making up her undone lessons from yesterday.

Undone because she drug her feet in getting her other lessons finished, thus delaying even beginning her Math.

Did I mention it has now been over an hour since she commenced said Math lessons??

Drummer Boy also is lacking the needed motivation to get more than one page finished in an hour.

Summer is on the horizon, but my children are already there in their minds.

The process of pushing through to the finish line is nothing short of grueling on the part of my children, and frustrating on mine.

I'm beginning to wonder if they will get through this school year without the threat of me loosing the fateful lightning of my terrible swift sword every single day.

The result is usually truth marching on.

Nevertheless.

I'm sure I give God the same exasperation as I near the goal He has set for me.

I see the end result of all my labor, all my prayers and longings coming to fruition, and I begin to lag.

Distractions abound. I begin to need "time for myself". I take time from studying God's Word to study what movies I've missed in the past few months of working in the field.

His voice is gently nudging me to not quit, to stay focused, and give my best when it counts.

"But I'm tired, and empty, and sore. Let me just sit down a minute. I need some downtime."

"I am your rest, your all in all. I will fill you, renew your strength, put the wind of My Spirit at your back, and give you My joy to endure to the end."

Okay. No more lagging behind. No more wasting time on what doesn't count towards finishing.

Bring it on.

photo © 2010 jayneandd | more info (via: Wylio)

He Knows Us

"Before we had a being in the world we had a being in His heart. When we were enemies to Him, He knew us, our misery, our madness, and our wickedness. When we wept bitterly in despairing repentance, and viewed Him only as a judge and a ruler, He viewed us as His brethren well beloved...He never mistook His chosen, but always beheld them as objects of His infinite affection. 'The Lord knows them that are His' is as true of the prodigals who are feeding swine as of the children who sit at the table."
(Charles Spurgeon)


How true that God's love for us is farther reaching than any obstacle in this world.

"...neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:38-39)

But what is even more unimaginable is how much farther His love reaches.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
(Romans 5:8)

Ellie's Photo Blog

Today, I found this video on my computer.

It's fun, and educational besides.

I may start a weekly addition to my blog called "Now You Know."

What do you think?



Dramatic. And true.

Things My Mother Taught Me.

Speak the truth in love.

Give God the glory.

Respect your father.

Don't think too highly of yourself.

Prefer others.

Do good to those who despitefully use you. Even behind their backs.

Be kind.

Don't dominate the conversation.

Try to stay organized.

Pick up your messes as you make them.

Cook a sit down dinner at least twice a week. (When I was growing up, she did this pretty much all the time. She just doesn't expect me to. Which is very freeing for a daughter living in a different generation. Just saying.)

Do everything with excellence.

It's okay if someone is better at a talent than you. Acknowledge it in them, and encourage them.

God is like a conductor. When it's time for your solo, He will point to you, and if you've been practicing, you'll be prepared to shine.

Honor the men and women of God who blazed a trail for you to follow. Don't despise the heritage you've been given.

Don't talk about leadership. Especially in front of your children.

If you're following the leading of the Lord, He will take care of you.

Be willing to go without.

Don't complain.

Your children are your greatest mission field.

Everything is Father filtered.

There is no ministry for God without relationship to God.

Honor your husband. Even when you don't agree, respect him as the head of the house. Quietly and lovingly, you will influence your children to do the same.

Be consistent.

And finally:

"The greatest of these is love."

Waiting

I know that from this picture he doesn't appear to be one to pause and think, but Drummer Boy can sure come up with some good statements. Adding fuel to my already rampant thought process.

Earlier tonight, I overheard my children in their room.

The conversation went something like this:

Drummer Boy: "Oh I think that will be a good movie!!" (I'm pretty sure they were discussing Cars 2)

Ellie (interrupting): "I know! And I can't wait!! Can you??"

There was calculated silence on Drummer Boy's part as he considered this question.

Then he replied: "I can wait, I just don't want to."

Well.

That just about sums up my response to God on many occasions.

"I have so many plans for you. But it's not time for them yet. Can you wait on Me, Kari?"

"Yes, Lord."

(Time passes.)

"Um, God? Just checking in, wondering if maybe You forgot about those promises You gave me, because, I mean, You know, nothing has really happened there, as far as, what You said, You know, uh, those promises You gave me about my future? Your plan?"

"Kari, I know what I'm doing. Trust Me. Right now you are to wait on Me."

"Ok, sure. I know. I was just thinking, I mean, I was wondering if You had any sort of idea as to when these plans would be commencing? If it was closer to happening sooner, rather than later?"

"Kari."

"Yes, God?"

"What's the last thing I said to you?"

"Wait on You."

"Right. Can you wait on Me?"

"Yes, Lord. I can. I just don't want to."

You know, He sees right through me, but He doesn't get impatient. He loves me more.

That just blows my mind.

Delicious? Really?

I look at this picture, and think, "Mmmm....delicious."

photo © 2007 sigusr0 | more info (via: Wylio)



But today, I heard Paul Reiser refer to his children in the manner I have up to now reserved for food I find tasty.

"We have two delicious children."

Really? Does the word cannibalism hold any meaning for you? At all?

How about the dark and grisly undertones of Hansel and Gretel? The children-hungry witch in that story ring any bells?

Or the missionary stories we hear so often from once upon a time in the deep recesses of Africa or New Guinea? Narrow escapes from tribes whose palettes were watering for human flesh?

But then I see this....



And I recollect the words issuing from my lips:

"Oh, you are so sweet!! I could just eat you up!!"

Sorry, Paul. I judged you before taking the ginormous fence post from my eye.

It's just so literal.