Frank Turner

Anchor Frank Turner has filed a complaint against Channel 7 for not letting him host an evangelical radio program in his spare time.

The station says that they have exclusive contracts with their on-air talent that don't allow them to work for other broadcast stations, but federal law requires them to provide "reasonable accommodation" for an employee's religious beliefs.

Should Turner's obligation as an evangelical Christian to share his faith be considered a reasonable accommodation?

For the full story click here.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060331/METRO/603310347/1003

Keep your Fork!

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. As she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss aspects of her final wishes. She told him the songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued.

"I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.

In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say,

'Keep your fork.'

It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?"

Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork. The best is yet to come."

The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.

The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.


So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that

the best is yet to come!

You are Captivating!

Remember when I said my camera was broken? During that time you got posts with out pictures...... I also said I was reading a whole lot, 3 or 4 books at one time...... Well John and Staci Eldredge (john wrote "wild at heart" for the men) together they co- authored a book called "Captivating. " Unveiling the Mystery of the Woman's Soul.

Women you will LOVE this book.

Why do little girls love to dress up in twirling skirts? Why do they dream of a day their prince will come and together they will live in a great adventure happily ever after?

Why do women abandon those desires when they grow up? Seriously? .....is it routine, chores, demands, loneliness, emptiness, just the day to day living.


Life is hard on the heart of a girls. And women. Every woman was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heat the most precious dreams. She long to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be the sleeping beauty of the story- But every fairy tale also has a Hero. The story of my life(your life too) is also the story of the long and passionate pursuit of your heart by the God who comes both to ransom and restore you.

The message of Captivating is this: My heart and your heart matter more than anything else in all creation. The desires we had as a little girls and the longings we still feel as a women- they are telling us of the life God created us to live. He offers to come now as the Hero of our story, to rescue our hearts and release us to live as a fully alive and feminine woman. A woman who is truly Captivating.

Staci says Eve was created as the crown of creation, the image bearer of an intimate, passionate, and captivating God. This book is an invitation to become that again. Just as Cinderella was invited to the ball, God is inviting you to a great romance with Him, "The eyes of his heart is ever upon you. The King is Capitvated by your beauty."




I read it once but it is worth a re-read. Anyone interseted in a study? Let me know.

Friends

How much do you like Garlic?

Last night we met some friends for "Italian"; of course that word does not even do justice to the food served at Buca Di Peppos. An immigrant Italian restaurant, where they have "meatballs as big as you head..........."

About 25 of us or so crammed into the Romance? room, (we wanted the Pope room) but you take what you can get, right?

There was pasta everywhere ; white sauce, red sauce marinara sauce, garlic on the toast , on the salad,(is that Rob eating something green?) on the pasta. I think we are still smelling garlic, but hey! We all smell the same right?

For dessert there was coffee, espresso, cheesecake and Tiramisu. I'd say all in all the evening was filling, in more ways than one:) It was great to be with all of you.

Let's do it again soon.

It's about time!

Micah just learned how to tie his shoes....















I finally got tired of hearing
"mom will you tie my shoes?"

















It only took two tries......Hooray!

If you see Micah congratulate him!

Epic

Doing church should be an adventure—

tossing aside the tame and tired to pursue God-sized dreams with boldness and creativity.

we are going to check out this church on Sunday......
it meets at 9:45 am
at the AMC Forum 30
@ hall road and Mound

Plus I AM GOING TO WEAR JEANS
can you believe it?
jeans to church

to see more about EPIC
http:// www.epicwired.com

Ep . ic

1. a dramatic compositon celebrating the feats of a legendary hero

2. an artistic expression through story

I have been telling any one who will listen, why should the church not be creative?
In the begining God Created

Lighten Up!

Winter is the season of layers – scarves, sweaters, gloves,hats, even longjohns, depending on how cold it is in your part of the world. Picture a small child, ready to go out and play in the snow, so wrapped up that he can barely move. That happens to us sometimes. Things like always trying to be perfect, resentment, or unforgiveness, bitterness, pile on until they’re so tightly wrapped around our hearts that we can barely feel.

As we head into spring (the first official day was March20th), it’s almost time to pack away our winter wear and start enjoying warm days in the sun, at least in Michigan, last week in Louisianna I was in t-shirts and Aaron wore shorts a few days). Perhaps it’s time to discard some of the layers that have been suffocating our souls, as well. ???? Unlike a warm scarf, a negative emotion serves no useful purpose – so why hang on to it? Ask God to help you let it go. You’ll feel so much lighter!

The Heartache No One Sees.

I am reading several books right now. Okay, I know.....Me especially, several books at one time? Usually that is Matt. I read one at a time, he reads one in the bathroom, one in the bedroom one in the living room, etc. But not me..... Well times they are a changing....:)

Anyway I am on page 154 of Sheila Walshes book "the Heartache No One Sees. Sheila is a best selling author and popular speaker for Women of Faith with a heart for reaching out to broken women because she used to be one of them.

In "The Heartache No One Sees" Sheila shows us why some people are able to access and maintain an absolute hope that cannot be shaken- while others lose it like the morning mist.

Truly God's Grace is Amazing He knows all that is true of ME yet He love me!

We can talk about Grace our whole life but only when you stand before God with nothing left to commend us and in that desperate place you become the one to receive that grace, then we finally understand what is so amazing about Grace.

I look back at God's track record with me and He has been faithful to me despite myself.....

Do I believe, that God has saved my best days for the days that lie ahead? Will you believe that for me?

Spring " A Time for Pruning?"

Okay, by now, since I have not posted any pictures in a few days you have realized maybe my camera is broken. You would be absolutely right! On the last day of our trip in New Orleans it gave up, Therefore so you have been STUCK with my ramblings, here is what I am thinking today.....

Is God ready to open the windows of heaven to pour out a blessing on those who have been faithful and obedient to his word?

Will those who have sown in generosity reap in abundance? Will I be Be sensitive to HIS direction? I know there are still seeds to be sown before the time of the harvest. Do you?

Proverbs 11:24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.......

Do not harden your hearts in rebellion against HIS word,to do so will bring sudden destruction beyond that which I am willing to bear.

Repent for any hardness of heart and open myself to receive correction. (blaaahhhhh... )

Certainly, HE loves you and me enough to bring correction, which will be of great benefit to us both now and eternally.

Forgiveness is the key to softening my (your) heart and releasing bitterness and is a necessary prerequisite to our spiritual progress. UGH! I hate when HE does this!

Come before Me, says the Lord, and let Me do this great work of conviction. (Funny that today is the first day of Spring, perhaps a time of pruning?????)

Isaiah 30:13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant, in a twinkling fo an eye:)

Mostly this is for me, I am just letting you in on what I am feeling and thinking, if it helps you too great! If not, I am sorry(kind of) but it is my Blog and I can say what I want right?



In the mean time : Zach was involved in a car accident yesterday(church van actually)..... He is okay, a little sore ,a bit shaken up and a little bit of a headache today but otherwise okay.
Yes! I did send him to school.... am I the worlds worst mom or what? I gave him some tylenol and made him a chiropractor appointment for after school, but he has begun to miss a bit more of school than I prefer( if you recall he missed a week during his Mexico trip, then a half day to go to Winter Jam and last Monday for no reason whatsoever) so he really can not afford to not go to school today.

Anyway, they (youth group student leaders) were on there way home from Sarnia, Canada, and were hit on the drivers side both vehicles going about 20mph. The driver, Jr Hi pastor, Jason Fullum was taken to the hospital in Sarnia and given to tylenol and sent on his way. He ended up with a concussion and was later taken to the hospital here in the states and kept over night for observation. I have no word on him as of yet this morning. The boys are a bit shaken up and my understanding is that several of them are experiencing the same symptoms as Zach. Please keep them in you prayers the next few days as I am sure the accident will be on their minds for a while.

Who ever said life is never dull was absolutely right.......

Oh by the way, I am working on getting a new camera, maybe this week, any suggestions???????

Isaiah 60:1

If you will be still and quiet your soul, and rise up in the realm of the Spirit, God will push back the fog of obscurity.

Trust God to bring forth light in the darkness and give clarity to the issues that have brought confusion and indecision.

Ask, and God will most certainly give you(me) wisdom.

Move forward in the assurance that God has begun a good work in you(me), and He will bring it to perfection and completion.

Have faith, says the Lord.

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

Psalm 27:14

Beloved, be careful of jumping to conclusions or stepping out ahead of My timing.

Haven't I said that I will guide you and direct your steps?

Then, wait for Me to confirm to you the way you should go, for you do not yet know, nor can you perceive what I have in store for you.

What seems to be a logical conclusion for this time is only presumption. Keep yourself in present, objective truth, and you will avoid great disappointment. Psalms 27:14

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

*Matt had a phone interview with a church last week, and he will be meeting with their search committee next week for a second interview. It would be nice to finish out the year knowing what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future and am trying to be patient. Will you pray this way with us, to just wait on the Lord? We are taking this FAITH thing to a whole new level. It is a learning experience!

Making God Your Priority.

As a nation, we are truly challenged when it comes to establishing God as our top priority

Success in God's kingdom is not based on earthly fame, degrees earned, material wealth, or popularity; it hinges on obedience to God's commands.

As followers of Christ we are to be known for the authenticity and depth of our relationship with God, genuine love of people, and the spiritual fruit we produce.

We call being molded into Christ-likeness by the Spirit....... the discipleship process.

How are we doing in discipleship today?

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…"

We are back

Up till last week(New Orleans) I thought I had seen many things.....The pain was so great I still am putting it into perspective.......There is still so much to be done (and I like to get things done) yet it seems never ending.....it will be years until people can return home.

Trust Me, says the Lord.

Refuse to get discouraged in the face of difficult circumstances, for the trial of your faith will produce great strength of endurance if you don't give up. When I have no idea what to do, I ask for wisdom, and He will give it. Then, if I establish myself in the faith He will bring me through this time into great victory.

Be strong!(the work was hard and I wanted to give up) 1 Peter 1:6-8 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, I have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of my faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire (or flood), may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.

Though now I do not see Him, yet believing, I rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

Day 7

The lower 9th ward or more often referred to as the common ground, was the hardest hit. 15 to 21 FEET of water. All of these homes were completely underwater. You can see where the roads was there are rooftops. When the water receded things just landed right where they were, even if that meant the middle of the road. Boats on top of houses. Cars and houses joined in the oddest positions.......































There used to be a house here, the levy rushed in
and the whole block is gone














This is one spot where the levy broke, it is being repaired
right now but they are not even close to being done
and hurricane season is right around the corner. (the levy actaully broke
in more than one spot)















Friday morning we went to the French Quarter;
this area got only a few inches of water, life is going on
as normal but is still limited. When people fled many of them
had shops and businesses. The French market is located here
as well as Bourbonne Street and the original Cafe Du Monde.

Day 6pm

Okay, let me see if I can make sense of some
of these pictures for you,

after a house has been gutted, the home owner
then has to be inspected, when they get the all clear,
they get their FEMA trailer. THis neighborhood only
had about 5 inches of water, they are quickly getting
back up and running. (this was in Kenner, about 10
blocks from the Wesleyan Church)














This house was a homeowner from the church,
she is far enough in the process to already have
her trailer and is putting the house back together.
Here is Aaron is painting closet doors.




















































This is little Joey. Gotta love that face.....




















Meet Ron, he lives next door to the church.
He is not a believer. This week he was claiming
to be a Buddhist, last week he was an atheist, but he
spent a lot of time with our team and even stayed for
church last Saturday night. This particular day he
made us Jambalya......It really was delicious.

Thursday after a long week of Hard work we finally

found a great coffee shop. The Cafe Du Monde.

We had delicious coffee and Beignets. ( a little French donut)
There was a Starbucks down the street from the church but
due to not enough people being back in their communities the
coffee shop was back up for business yet. Many of the business
are only running limited hours because employees are hard to find.
If you are looking for a job there are plenty to be had, you can
work at McDonald for $14.25 an hour.
Anyway, I have a new favorite.

Day 6

Okay so after awhile it seems like If you have viewed each days blog of New Orleans that it is the same every day, well now multiply that by the whole city. Just about every house was in or under water and all need to be rebuilt.

Until you have seen it you just might not be able to comprehend.

The whole city........
It will be years until they are back to normal.

Regardless of how you feel about the stupidity of the city, building below sea level or the comments of the mayor during the initial days after the disaster, there are people who have been there generations, who before the flood had nothing, and no one, and now have even less. They are people with children and grand children who are crying out for help, for hope for love.

Our team was there for a week and we did what we could and the people are grateful, but there is more to be done. I am trying to arrange a team to go back in June, and Pastor Steve Adams is taking a team in August if you are interested contact either one of us and we will hook you up. Know this, it is hard work, I have been on many other trips and many of them are hard and dirty but this was HARD! You will be tired and dirty, you will come back with what we have affectionately deemed the Kenner Cough, you will sleep on air mattress on the floor in the church,you will take your shoes off at the end of the day and leave them outside because of the muck you walked in all day, you might miss lunch, but you will know you helped, you may encourage the Pastor of a small struggling church, YOU WILL WORSHIP WITH ALL YOUR HEART on a Saturday night and have dinner with their people just about every night, and you will return knowing that you made a difference.

Day 5

the debris pile at the end of the day
(all this came out of the homeowners house.)
















A clean house....down to the floor boards.






















the ceiling had to come down too!




















Bringing up the floor boards and taking
out the nails.

















There were 5 layers of floor in this house....
all 5 had to come up.

















the walls and cieling were plaster....Ugh,
the house had to come down to the bare essentials.


The homeowners came by and joined us for this picture. They were very sweet. Ollie called us her little Angels. They beat us to the house this morning and joined us for prayer. After we prayed for them they prayed for us, of course they are Catholic so they said a few Hail Mary's to close, but to have them there and put a face to the house was something else. Now, when I tell you they lost every thing it does not really effect you until you are carrying out her molded mildewed, stained wedding dress, that was hanging in the back of her closet, it that can never be replaced, it then adds a new dimension......

Day 4

The owners of today's home where we worked.
Ollie and Paul.

They had lived in this house 60 years
They lost everything.
He was a WWII bomber pilot and is now blind.



















The Fridge, their home got 5 and a
half feet of water in 45 minutes. You can see where the
house sat in water. I want to say they were fortunate
thier house was up high, but even so they were not spared.
















The baby grand piano in the living room, gone....
Notice the water lines on the walls.
There house had plaster walls, when it crumbles
it really crumbles. This was a two day job. The first day went really fast.
After we got every thing out we then had to take down the walls,
the cieling had to come down (They had crown molding too) and the floors
had to come up. That was a long second day.














Tonight we went to tent city and fed the people a hot meal.

On the right an Indian couple from a reserve in
Arizona, came looking for a work , this soccer mom
had about 100 soccer balls in her car and we were giving them away.
On each ball I signed World Hope, Jesuse loves you, and whatever thier kids name were.
This couple had to girls, Alona and Miahah.
He prayed for me in his Indian dialect and the wife translated. It was a night I will not soon forget.
On the left a man from
Wisconsin he came to help, both have been living in
"Tent City" since November. Tent city is where a
lot of the homeless are living as well as migrant workers
who have come looking for jobs. Tonight we took
the truck down and fed them dinner and let them
shop off the truck, for clothes, food toiletries etc. Well not shop really, they could have anything they wanted or needed but it was all FREE.
















Todays team at the work sight.
















Joelle and Lydia, she is from Victory church in Flint, this is at the
end of the night. All the soccer balls are gone. It was a whilrwind.
Once people knew we were there they just kept coming.















Jimmy, Joelle and Paul
They are from Tanzania.
They came to check things out and take it back
to their people so they would know how to pray.

















Our little Brazilian friend was very happy to have
beaten "The American's " in 5 soccer games.
Aaron was thrilled he knew Rinaldo the soccer
player.

Day 3

before a homeowner can come back to their house
it has to be GUTTED. That means, every thing has
to come out. When I say every thing, I mean every
thing.



















The appliances the tubs, the toilets,
Many houses well most houses, sat under water
for a month. Some more some less. This house was a month.

We gutted three houses in four days, all the way down
to the two by fours. It will be like starting over for the home
owners. Every house was the same, some might not lose
their ceilings but most will. The mold was awful.



















Before you could even go in a house you need to face up.
You had all kids of precautions to not get ill. You wore
full face masks with filters so you could breathe.
The stench was something else. I would be happy to never
smell that scent again.















the tree we had to cut out, it was torn down
in the flood. Because trees too were under water
for weeks on end, every thing is rotted.
Truly it is like starting a neighborhood from
scratch. I had not thought of that prior to this trip.
Some home owners had beautiful yards, but not any
more, trees, bushes, shrubs and flowers all had to be
dug up.






























The drywall had to come out in this house, barrels
and barrels full.




















This house was a grandmother and 6 grand
children, that is a lot of bunkbeds, all had to go.





















tearing down the walls
















the master bedroom after the flood , when the water
rushed in it moved things from room to room, and
in some cases from house to road. things just floated where
ever the water took them.

the team at the end of the day, we gutted this house
in one day.
Of course after the water went down,
there was not much left of it.