A Thanksgiving Song

Ok, so yes, it's already past Thanksgiving (and I know this because I've already seen Christmas decorations in stores, heard Christmas music on the radio and seen people getting their Christmas trees!!!) but I meant to post this song on Thanksgiving day and just didn't get around to it. So, I'm claiming "better late than never" and sharing this song with you to tell you about the One that I am most thankful for.

My Heart Is Filled With Thankfulness

Stuart Townend

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who bore my pain

Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace

And gave me life again

Who crushed my curse of sinfulness

And clothed me with His light

And wrote His law of righteousness

With power upon my heart

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who walks beside

Who floods my weaknesses with strength

And causes fears to fly

Whose every promise is enough

For every step I take

Sustaining me with arms of love

And crowning me with grace

My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who reigns above

Whose wisdom is my perfect peace

Whose every thought is love

For every day I have on earth

Is given by the King

So I will give my life my all

To love and follow Him

A Proper Perspective

Have you ever wondered if you were allowing the things in your life to get out of perspective? Well, if you ever need a perspective check, try visiting a cemetery.

Today I went to the funeral of a dear old friend, Dr. Curtis. To be honest, I've lived more years of my life without knowing him than I did in acquaintance with him. Yet somehow when God chooses to take someone from you, you suddenly have a whole load of memories flooding your brain and find yourself wishing you could see that person smile again and have just one more conversation with them.

As we followed the hearse along the winding country backroads of Pennsylvania, thoughts of how short life is filled my mind.

Life. A dash between two dates. That's all we get. For Dr. Curtis the dash was between the years 1931-2011.

Dr. Curtis- the man who spoke about Creation in just about every conversation he was involved in, the man who sat with his wife in church, arm around her and whispering in her ear (they were married for 60 years and were seriously the most "in love" older couple I've ever seen), the man who always walked so slowly (due to the stroke he'd had before I'd ever met him), the man who always stopped to say hello whenever he saw me passing by, the man who told the church he'd gone "on a double date with Mike and Chrystal" and then grinned about it, the man who talked about history in a way that left me lost somewhere on the side of the trail, =) the man who was appreciative of those who ministered in the church through music, the man who enjoyed reminiscing about his days in the Navy, the man who congratulated my Dad after Mike and I were engaged by telling him that "Mike is a top guy", the man who sat in church the wednesday before going into the hospital and told the church about Ron Hamilton who had written "Rejoice in the Lord" even though his eye had been removed, etc., etc., etc.

These are some of the things I think about when I think about Dr. Curtis. And you know, looking at the list I realize the things that stand out to me are the things that he did or said that were personal and touched my life. Oh he was a brilliant man (He used to joke about how he had more Degrees than a thermometer!), he accomplished so many things in his life, wrote books, helped engineer planes, etc., etc., etc., but when his life was ended the things that mattered most to the people left behind were the things he'd done on a one-on-one basis.

So the thought hit me today. What am I accomplishing with my life? Not just WHAT am I accomplishing, but WHO am I impacting?

When we were pulling out of the cemetery later I gazed at the huge field of tombstones and made some comment about "All those lives lived...and now they're dead." Mom responded "Yes, and all those people chose how to live their lives too, in one way or another."

I was still thinking about the people. "All those people...they were known by someone, loved by someone, and now they're gone." Life still goes on.

My mind then returned to my moms comment "...all those people chose how to live their lives too, in one way or another." She was right.They'd made choices about what college to attend, what person to marry, what houses to live in, what clothes to wear, what friends to hang out with, what places to go to, what words to say, etc., etc., etc.,

Yet, what about Dr. Curtis' life really mattered when that coffin was placed in the grave?

The choice about Jesus Christ.

He believed that he was a sinner in desperate need of a Savior, chose to place his confidence, joy and trust in Jesus Christ, and allowed that belief to affect the way he lived. That choice has affected where he is today and has determined where he will be for the rest of eternity.

Nothing else in life really mattered.

And suddenly...the tempting things that the world offers as pleasurable and that have often pulled me away from my Lord, seemed so cheap, so unsatisfying and so distasteful in my eyes.

Why?

Because..."God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." (1 Thess. 4:7) and when I think about the fact that Dr. Curtis, who just last week was here on this earth, is now face to face with His Redeemer, I get a feeling of awe, knowing that one day I too will meet my Savior! What a blessed thought!

And thinking about that thought causes me to think about my perspective on life. (We've come full circle, haven't we?) Are the choices I'm making on a daily basis reflecting my relationship with Christ?

Thinking about Christ and eternity should change our perspective if we've forgotten about what is important in life. Didn't the writer of Hebrews say "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. " (12:2) Wasn't it the fact that Jesus knew of the joy that was to come that gave Him the strength to carry through in a moment when all others would have failed?

We too can have joy as we look forward to an eternity with Christ, and because of what He has done we can "run with patience the race that lies before us" and "lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us".

It changes the way we live our lives people! Not because it's a list of do's and don'ts but because He is worthy and is preparing a place for us, that where He is, there we may be also!

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

¹⁷ Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess.4)

Anyways, I'm afraid some of these thoughts may seem rather disconnected, but I hope I will remember and learn and grow from what God has reminded me of today. "Only what's done for Christ will last"

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Ps 16:11)

Do you know God well enough to...

Well?

Do you?

My Knight in Shining Armor....=)

Dear Friends Met...

Well, the time has come for me to introduce you to some of the people who had a part in my life over a 10 month span of time in South Dakota, Nebraska etc. I'm afraid I shouldn't do this for fear that I will leave someone out, but just know that each person I met is dear to me (even the people I met on choir tour who I can no longer remember the names of but can still see their faces are dear to me) and each person played a role in my life, whether big or small. If you happen to be one of those dear people, to you I say "Thank-you" and "I miss you".

The Entire Student Body (Well, almost. Doug missed this part)

The Freshmen Class

Freshmen Again... (On one of our outings...)

The choir! So many memories! More on that to come later...

My CBI Ladies - (Dorm meeting)

More CBI ladies (Taking Bethany out for her birthday)

Three Musketeers (-Bethany, Rachel and I (will introduce them further down.)

The Townsends (Wedding Counselors! j/k. Pastor and his wife who I stayed with each weekend. Generous, Faithful, loving couple who gave of their home, food, time etc. Very thankful for the chats and insight they gave to me in the time I had with them.)

The Baxters (A couple who both serve at school. Mr. Baxter - teacher of several classes, photographer. Mrs. Baxter - Teacher, Secretary, and Maker of Much Laughter. =)

Mrs. Charles (Music Teacher, Choir Leader and fellow Pennsylvanian! ;)

Mr. and Mrs. Friesen ("Mama and Papa" to us when they went on choir tour with all their "kids". Mr. Friesen - Seasoned Pastor, Faithful servant, President of the school. Mrs. Friesen - Dean of Women, checker of dorms, contagious laugher. =)

Marsha (Fabulous Cook, Friend and "Keeper of Dorm Students" on Friday nights when we needed a movie and snacks to unwind. =)

Mr. Shively (Aka: Uncle Phil. An enthusiastic teacher of many classes, a busy father who always found time for both his kids and his students, and the one who helped me understand more about God's grace. Also a missionary to Papua New Guinea for 11 years. In this picture he is pretending to be a native. ;) Also, not seen in this picture...his wife Charlotte was a blessing. She is the school accountant and her servants heart and sweet smile always made me think "Someday, that's the kind of woman I want to be."

Miss Haynie (Teacher who kept class moving and interesting, fierce scrabble player and also a lady who opened up her home for prayer meeting on wed. each week.)

Claudia Stepanek (Prayer Warrior, Faithful Friend, Encourager, Laugh Instigator and personal Massage Therapist. =) SO thankful for this girl! And yes....this is probably the only time in history that her hair has looked this straight. What did that take? Like two hours to straighten? =)

Bethany Franklin (My Roomie, friend, late night chatting companion, amazing piano player, blonde moment accomplice, prayer partner, etc. We never had the major roommate stress you can hear college students having and for that I am thankful! Generally speaking, she made my life easy!)

Abby Stepanek (Sarcasm reliever, encourager and friend. Sorry Abby, but I couldn't resist. This pic makes me laugh every time. Love ya...nerd! =)

Rachel Stanley (Listener, Diligent, Close Friend, Praying Comrade, and Accountability Reader for class ;)

Mr. and Mrs. Jones (A couple who own a ranch, took me on a cattle drive and had some of us over for supper several times.)

Pleasant Point Crew from CBI (The group I went down to the church in Nebraska with each weekend to serve with the teens, etc.)

My Pleasant Point Teens (So proud of them! Performing for the Senior Saints...=)

Enjoyed the challenges and joys of growing with these teens!

Pa and Ma Hamilton (The rambunctious, dearest, sweetest, most loving couple I think I have ever met. They gave of themselves through gifts, time and love. They hold a very special place in my heart and I am so thankful that God gave me the opportunity to meet them.)

There are others that I would tell you about (More Pleasant Point Church People, Black Hills Church People, Skype teacher, etc.) but for lack of pictures this post has come to an end. Coming soon from my time in SD, NE, etc.,.."So Many Escapades."

Lessons Learned...

Awhile ago I wrote a post saying that I hoped it wouldn't take me until Winter arrives to get back to you and that sometime soon I'd write out some thoughts and get some pictures up from school, the summer, and a bit of my life since being back home. Well, it's been over a month since that post and for fear of the snow arriving before I do so, here is the first of several posts in succession.

Cornerstone Bible Institute - So many lessons learned. So many dear friends met. So many escapades. So much scenery. So much laughter. So much encouragement. So many memories flooding my brain.

Let's start with the lessons learned. What did I learn in the 9 months that I spent in South Dakota?

1. I learned about God's forgiveness. I learned that when I sin/mess up I don't have to ASK God for forgiveness and then continue to grovel in my guilt for the next week, waiting for the guilt to go away and for God to grant the forgiveness. Instead, I confess to God (calling sin what God calls sin) and then THANK God for the forgiveness that He has already granted me at the cross. Understanding this has changed the victory I've been able to experience in my walk with the Lord. (Titus 3:5) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

2. I learned about God's GRACE. I learned that I need God's grace just as much for my walk as I needed it for my stand. I received God's grace at salvation because of Christ and this freed me from the PENALTY of sin. Now, as a child of God, because of Christ AND as I yield to the Holy Spirit (Romans 6), I can also be freed from the POWER of sin. This has shown me the importance of walking in the Spirit (a term I'd never understood before) and has made Romans chapter 6 one of my favorites. From it I learned that walking in the Spirit is KNOWING (that sin doesn't have to boss me around), RECKONING (understanding my position in Christ to be true), YIELDING (my members as instruments of righteousness unto God.)

3. I learned that sometimes the most important lessons that God wants us to learn are not necessarily going to come from reading books, listening to sermons, or trying to be "oober spiritual" etc., but rather through simply living life. God has taught me a lot through the people He has brought into my life, through the circumstance He's led me through and the decisions He's helped me to make. His Word should be constantly before us (for if it's not, how easily we stray!), but He has also put us exactly where we are at this very minute, with struggles and victories, to teach us more about Himself.

While those three things are what stand out the most in my mind when I think about lessons learned, there were many other lessons as well....about how to teach a class, how to interpret the Bible, how to cram for tests, how to live graciously with others who have different preferences (and they learned vice versa), how to shoot my first gun, how to accept the fact that jackelopes are a figment of the imagination, how to ride a four-wheeler, how to memorize maps, how to write a tract, verses to keep at my fingertips, etc., etc., etc.

Ok, that's all for now...Next post I'll share with you about some of the dear friends met.

"In THY presence is fulness of joy, at THY right hand there are pleasures forevemorer."

In 386 St. Augustine found freedom from his life of sin in the superior pleasures of God. He said, "How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose!...You drove them from me, You who are the true, the sovereign joy. You drove them from me and took their place, You who are sweeter than all pleasure." - St. Augustine (~From Johns Pipers book "The Dangerous Duty of Delight".)

God's command for us is to "Delight yourself in the LORD." (Ps. 37:4)

So, how about you? Where/in whom are you finding your joy?

Thankful for our Troops

"Freedom has a taste that the protected will never know."

Psalm 145:7 - "They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness."

Sometimes it is good for us to look back over our lives in the past days, weeks, months and even years and remember how the Lord has worked and to remember how much He deserves our praise. I've listed a couple of things that I am thankful for and feel free to comment and list a couple of things that you're grateful for as well.

I'm thankful for-

1. Christian camps- God has used camp in my life in a great way. Without them I know for certain that I wouldn't be enjoying the blessings of my relationship with Him. Both the Wilds and Servants Heart camps have been God's way of getting a hold of my heart.

2. Changing Seasons- Maybe I'm being overly dramatic but can you seriously imagine what life would be like if it was always winter around here? I could go for a little more Fall, but even so, after a while I think it would grow rather old. Or even worse...can you imagine if everything was brown and white? Even the changing seasons shows God's creativity and care for us.

3. Answered Prayers- Its so neat to see God answer a specific prayer and know that He has heard your special cry. Sometimes it can be something as small as trying to find your glasses (the hardest thing to find is your glasses, without your glasses! ;) or to something as major as allowing my sister, Renee, and her husband, Jon, to have children. God doesn't always nescesarily answer the way we wanted but He still answers each request with our best interest at heart.

4. God's Forgiveness- Over and over and over I fail God and yet He never tires of trying to draw me back to Himself and to show me that His grace is sufficient. He died on the cross, knowing full well that I'd continue to fall. His mercy is amazing. Psalms 145:14- "The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down."

5. The Bible- Specifically I'm thankful for Romans and Psalms. Two books which have been a huge encouragement to me. (Romans- because Paul asks the most basic questions and then proceeds to give the answer. Psalms- because David shares his struggles and then continues on to turn the focus to God.)

6. Christian Friends - God has given given me a whole storehouse of godly friends and there are times where I feel overwhelmed with thankfulness for them. Have you ever been discouraged and down but noticed that there came a point in your day where there was a marked change in your attitude, only to later find out that a friend was praying for you at the exact time? I have. A random text, an e-mail, a prayer, a verse, a word of encouragement, a laugh, or a smile from a friend...these are things that have lifted me up when I felt down. Ec 4:10 "For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

6. Free Salvation- "Complete in Thee, NO work of mine, can take dear Lord, the place of Thine. Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and I shall stand complete in Thee!"

7- The Promise that Someday He's Coming Back for Me!- The more that I learn about God, and the more that I struggle with this flesh and the more that I see the sin and death of this world, the more I understand the words to that song "This world is not my Home, I'm just a passing through!" I can't wait for the day when I'll get to see Him face to face, put my arms around Him and tell Him in person how grateful I am for His love.


Psalms 145:2-"Every day will I bless Thee and I will praise Thy name forever and ever"

Chrystal

Yes folks, it's true.... (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

...God has given me an incredible gift.

He is good.

I am thankful.

So Much to do and Such little Time....

Yes, dear blogging friends...I am alive. Life has been very busy right now between the times spent catching up with my family as different siblings and their spouses/children/girlfriends/boyfriends travel here for visits, dating my best friend Mike, reconnecting with old friends ad staying in touch with some of the new ones, harvesting the garden, working a job, etc. etc. etc. I'm looking forward to long winter nights where I should have plenty of time for writing, thinking, and studying.

However, let's hope it doesn't take me until Winter arrives to get back to you all! Sometime soon I'll write out some thoughts and get some pictures up from school, the summer, and a bit of my life since being back home, but for now I'll just say that I wish I had more hours in a day (either that, or that I didn't have to waste time in sleep!) =)

Only a Sinner...but I'm saved by GRACE!

Naught have I gotten but what I received;
Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed;
Boasting excluded, pride I abase;
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory—
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Once I was foolish, and sin ruled my heart,
Causing my footsteps from God to depart;
Jesus hath found me, happy my case;
I now am a sinner, saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory—
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Tears unavailing, no merit had I;
Mercy had saved me, or else I must die;
Sin had alarmed me fearing God’s face;
But now I’m a sinner saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory—
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Suffer a sinner whose heart overflows,
Loving his Savior to tell what he knows;
Once more to tell it would I embrace—
I’m only a sinner saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory—
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Camp Prayer Requests

I'm heading out to Servants Heart Camp tomorrow morning, so if you think of me at all over the next seven weeks, please pray...

1. for all the staff at camp (unity, servant heartedness, teachable attitudes, joy, love for God and others, wisdom when counseling, etc.)

2. for all the campers (tender hearts, understanding of the Word, willingness to surrender, etc)

3. for all the building projects, etc. going on (there is going to have to be a lot of flexibility at camp this year with this being the first year on new property)

4. for safety (traveling, games, activities, etc.)

5. for a fun and enjoyable summer!!!

My desire for this summer is that both I and the campers might "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." so that we might end our time at camp by saying "To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)

Anyways, I know I'm really not all that regular when it comes to blogging, =) but I'll try to check back in at the end of summer and let you know some of what God did and how He answered your prayers. Until then, my friends, adios!

Together Again...

Since Mike wasn't able to be at the Cornerstone School Banquet with me when I was in SD, we made up for it by going out after I got home. We went out to dinner at Dobbins Restaurant in Gettysburg and then went to see "The Mount Rushmore Presidents" at the Majestic Theater. (How appropriate that they would have something like that after I just got back from SD! ;) The four presidents gave speeches and then they had an answer and question time. It was a very enjoyable evening and more than made up for the time that we weren't able to share at Banquet.

The restaurant...
The four Presidents together on the stage
In case you can't tell this is Abe Lincoln ;)

Mike and I with President Theodore Roosevelt--- (My Dad's hero and thus the president I probably know the most about ... )

The beautiful flowers Mike gave me which are now smelling up my whole room.

Yes, I do miss school, my CBI and Pleasant Point friends and the beauty of the west etc...but at the same time....folks, I gotta admit....it's good to be back in PA. =)

Choir Tour Request

Prayers would be much appreciated as I travel with the CBI choir until June 6th. (You can look at the following link to see our schedule http://www.cornerstonebibleinstitute.com/news/choir-tour-2011/). If you're reading this, please just take a second or two to pray for the group. It would be much appreciated. We've only been on tour for three days now and already I am realizing how physically, emotionally and spiritually draining it can be. Please pray for strength in the Lord.

THANK-YOU!!!!!!!!

Baffling Grace

Since coming to school at Cornerstone Bible Institute, I think one of the biggest things I've learned about has been God's grace. I've been learning about how it affects both my standing (position) and my walking (living). It sounds so simple, I know, but truly, growing in my understanding of this has changed my walk with the Lord and made Him seem that much bigger. There's so much I could say on this topic, but for the sake of time, and for the sake of not saying something that someone else has already said so well, I'll just leave you with the words to John Newtons song "AMAZING Grace", and encourage you to do a study in God's Word on this topic for yourself. You will be baffled and encouraged by such an incredible demonstration on the part of such a mighty God and your only response will be "To God be the glory. He deserves all my praise."

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
the hour I first believed.



Through many dangers, toils and snares
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home.



The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.



Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.



When we've been there ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
then when we've first begun.