by admin on September 3, 2010
My coworker and I were talking about the movie Thief In The Night. Anyone else traumatized at a young age by that movie? Growing up in the church, a Baptist church, my grandfather talked a great deal about the end times. In a way I became a bit jaded to it.
Then I started attending a new church and every Labor Day Yorba Linda Friends Church hosts a Prophecy Weekend. Phil Hotsenpiller, our speaking pastor, has a way of making it really interesting and ties current events to the Bible. This year they have added a few elements to the program. Tonght, Phil Hotsenpiller, our pastor will interviewing Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of the founder of Hamas and author of Son Homas.
Saturday at 4:30 Thomas Winder will be speaking about archealogical findings of Sodom and then all three services will feature different messages by Phil. Just last night I heard him on the Frank Pastore show talking about a discovery of oil in Israel and bringing it back to verses in Genesis. I can’t wait to hear more this weekend.
A few years ago he and my brother, Rob Liefeld, collaborated on Armageddon Now, a series on the end times. You can check that out here.
by cheri on August 27, 2010
by admin on August 7, 2010
Last week I attended this beautiful thing call the She Speaks conference. A year ago I heard about it only to find it was sold out. My aunt had been to the Proverbs 31 Ministry website and suggested I check it out. The opportunity to go and meet like minded women with a passion to share about Jesus. These were people like me.
About two months before leaving I started to work on my book proposal. My heart has always longed to write a book but self doubt and lack of discipline kept me from moving forward. I quickly realized that two months was not long enough, I needed much more time to prepare. [click to continue…]
by cheri on July 26, 2010
Photo from kateinthecupboard. Illustration by Marguerite Davis. Copyright 1932 by Andress and Andress.
Did you know that sharing a family meal could be one of the most important things you do together? I work with at risk teens and when I researched prevention eating together as a family kept showing up as a deterrent to sex, drugs and smoking. There is power and security in breaking bread with each other.
As an aunt I babysit my niece and nephew every Friday night. Over the years we have built a few rituals. One is that we usually eat together as soon as I get there. Sometimes I bring food, other times it is something their mom made. They take turns praying and we talk about their week. We talk about the best thing that happened to them that week or their favorite time at school.
Luke, the oldest one is becoming quite the conversationalist. He lingers at family meals to talk to the adults. Maybe because I am writing a book on sharing meals with your family and developing deeper conversation around the table i am more aware. But last night when we were talking Luke asked my mom what her first job was. Then he followed up with a question on when she started her much documented addiction to pepsi. No, he didn’t say it like that. Who I am to point the finger as I leave to go buy a Venti Non Fat Latte.
We ended up talking about our family history and drawing out a simple family tree. We laughed over funny family names – Trigve and Teckla. We talked about how my great grandparents found their way here from place like Ireland and Norway.
With ten years of being with them weekly I see the benefits of taking time to stop and talk about our lives. It has given me a solid foundation with each of them. I hear their fears in their prayers. We share silly moments and talk about our dreams. These times are never wasted, each dinner is a brick, building a piece of our relationship that will hopefully withstand the crazy teenage years.
If you are parent how often do you sit down and enjoy a meal as a family? Do you see the benefits? I’d love to hear from you. How do you make it a priority?
by cheri on July 21, 2010
Have you ever had a time when nothing was going right? Last week my computer crashed and died in the middle of writing a book proposal. Work got a bit crazier and every little thing seemed to go wrong.
Instead of crying or drama I silently withdrew. I was stuck. I had deadlines for the writing and getting ready for the She Speaks conference I am attending, but I just sat there. Have you ever felt that way? I silently threw out a few desperate prayers and kept moving on about my day. I went to work, I did my work and came home to sit. Of course the 100 degree weather was not helping matters.
I remembered people talking about spiritual warfare before attending the conference. Even though I was pretty sure that was what I was experiencing I just sat in my pit.
Sunday I went to church, reluctantly. I sat down and our worship leader said “I am excited about our healing service today.” I just laughed. Of course. Matthew, our pastor, even said the words “sometimes we just isolate instead of moving forward. ”
He shared out of Mark 5 of the women who was bleeding and touched his hem. Her faith healed her. Her walking forward and touching the hem of Jesus healed her. I needed healing but couldn’t raise my arm to touch the hem of Jesus.
I was one of the first people down for prayer. I wanted freedom and I wanted to be healed. I needed to overcome the darkness circling me. I hate going forward. So I never do. When I was a preachers kid I walked forward desperate for help and was met with panic. Panic that the preachers kid had walked forward. I felt their confusion, their just wanting me to go away. They did not want to deal with it. So I walked away that day still in pain.
This day was different and a friend was standing there waiting to pray with me. I walked away feeling hope again.
So I’d like to pray for you today and ask you to pray for each other. I am praying Ephesians 6 along with these verses my friend emailed me the next day. Share your request, your need in the comments below and I will pray for you today.
“I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes ALL THINGS for me.” Psalm 57:2
“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
“For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands..” Psalm 91:11-12
“You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against the troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” 2 Samuel 22:29-30
“Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“…in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His VAST strength.” Ephesians 6:10
“
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. ” Psalm 94:19
Sitting here in Starbucks, enjoying the amazing aroma of coffee this morning. Encouragement seems to be on my mind a great deal these days.
I am doing the study of Ruth through Beth Moore this summer. The closing verse today was James 1:2-4, 12.
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing…Blessed is a man who endures trails, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him.”
It feels like there are many people being tested right now. Whether it is illness, work struggles, family relationships people are being tested. I know that as I pursue a dream I face trials, distractions and huge waves of self doubt.
I received a word of encouragement from a stranger that blessed me. I received a word from a new friend that also encouraged me. I realized that there was a time when I was a great encourager but somehow life wore me down and that quietly disappeared. I want that back, I want to cheer others on in the pursuits and in their trials.
We need encouragement to endure, we need cheerleaders in our life to help us pass the test and to persevere. Brielle’s family has been sorely tested these least few weeks as she has struggled to recover after her major surgery. I loved her Mom’s words when shared no matter what they will not let Satan rob them of their joy regardless of their circumstance.
Here are a few ways we can be an encouragement:
⁃ Write a note to a friend or family members saying we are praying for them or describing how we are thankful for them
⁃ Verbally affirm someone
⁃ Sit by someone walking through a trial
⁃ Prepare a meal for someone who is sick
How do you feel encouraged? I’d love to hear.
by admin on June 18, 2010
This week we have been praying for a family friend who is fighting cancer. Brielle is 12 years old and has been fighting for two and a half years now.
Her fight has captured the hearts of many in our church and throughout the network of friends.
Just when they think she is cancer free it seems to grow back. This week they entered a new phase of the journey. She has a 20 hour surgery and it has been gut wrenching to read Lisa’s accounts of watching her daughter be in such pain.
Trials like this brings many more questions than answers. Why does a little girl have to walk through this? How much can one family take? How to have faith that moves mountains.
God’s word is full of people who faced trials and chose to believe that all things work together for His will. Join me in praying for Brielle and her family today. If you need prayer please leave it in the comments and lets pray for each other too!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Today they said the “A” word in church today. A for abortion. We are doing a series on Elephants in the Room and addressing abortion and homosexuality.
I have a confession, even though I work with girls facing an unplanned pregnancy and have had an abortion, I still found it a bit unsettling. I find hope in hearing the word being mentioned, but nervous still. It is just something we don’t talk about in church. But chances are one of the people next to you knows something about abortion. Maybe they chose to abort their baby. Maybe they drove a friend. Maybe they paid for it.
I can’t tell you how many people said “I had one too” when I first shared about mine. It doesn’t make which pro you are – you just stay silent.
Parents think it is a good option for their daughter. They tell themselves it’s just a procedure. It’s just a fetus. It is just a moment and then it will be all better. Maybe after today they will think about it before they make that choice.
I don’t judge those who chose abortion. How could I? I made that same choice. But I want better for this next generation. I hope they chose differently and save themselves from a lifetime of regret. It’s not about the politics, it’s about our soul. We were wired to choose life, not end it.
Matthew, our pastor, talked about shortcuts in life. How they seem easier at the time but often they are not. Isn’t that so true?
He read a story about a guy who had brought his girlfriend for an abortion and shared his regret. We only think about the women and their babies most of the time. But for every woman there is a man who either made the choice or the choice was made for him. I wondered what my boyfriend from long ago thought. Does he regret it? Does he think about how old our child would be?
My heart is quiet today. I am thankful and hopeful that my church cares enough to say it out loud. I am exited to see the conversation it brings. I am grateful God restores and hope others find that same healing.
Does your church talk about it or is it the elephant in the room? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Stability is a virtue that was absent from my life for many years. I drifted in and out of jobs, relationships and friends.
Rachel is hosting her monthly carnival and chose stability as the theme.
I looked up the definition of stability and it said:
the strength to stand or endure
or
steady in purpose : firm in resolution
There was a time when stability meant boring. My personality is one that thrives on change. I remember one personality test saying I hated maintaining. I wore that badge so proudly but it was misguided.
I have come to value roots, tradition and being steady. I fight the urge to flee and am learning to endure. I found strength to stand when I need to do. I can do this and still work in my giftedness. I can head up start up projects yet maintain other parts of my work.
The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high;
He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.
Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times,
And the strength of salvation;
The fear of the Lord is His treasure.
Isaiah 33:5-7
Times are tough. People are struggling. Friends are struggling with jobs and unemployment. Friends parents are sick. Kids have cancer. Stability is standing firm and not waivering, no matter what life brings. Trusting that God is faithful and that He will give us strength. Being there for those we love, and staying when sometimes it is scary and we want to flee.
Have you ever just desperately needed a word from God?
A few weeks ago I went on a pilgrimage of sorts back to my past. Now I don’t live more than 4 miles from my past but I had managed to avoid that area for over 20 years.
As I drove closer I felt ill. I looked around but recognized nothing. I almost missed the church but turned into the parking lot. It was like a faded picture.
I drove around the streets of my childhood. Some of the memories are hard. I made poor choices growing up. But I wanted to be free, not let this place have a hold on my anymore.
My heart was so heavy I cried out to God and at the end said “Lord, I really need to know that you hear me.” Then I drove home.
Around midnight that same night I woke up to hear a sound coming from my IPAD. It said I had a message from someone on Facebook. Not just anyone but someone that had grown up where I did. He knew my family but I just recognized the name.
I grabbed it and clicked on the message. It was a sweet message talking about my dad and ended with these words-
The testimony that I was witness to (and party to) of your Dad’s healing at that time, was the beginning of the foundation of the knowledge that the Lord can “raise from the dead” any, and all dry bones of our lives. I have no idea what is going on in your life; but, I do know that beginning with that manifestation of His power, I have seen the Lord perform the same resurrection power in many events, circumstances, and lives over the past 30 years -
God used this man, I don’t remember ever talking to, to speak into my life. Sometimes I lose faith that God can breath live into these dry bones. There are areas of my life that need resurrection. I had started to wonder if God heard me.
This man obeyed God and blessed me.
It humbled me to tears. It made me think. Do I follow God’s prompting, even when it doesn’t make sense? Am I faithful? It was a gift, a message from God that he heard me. I was grateful.
What about you? Have you heard from God in a surprising way? Have you cried out to him and received a response? What do you need from Him today?
