Does Patience Get Impatient?

I am waiting for something. It has been over 24 hours. I am beginning to feel a restless stir in my stomach to know. I pray for patience. I try to think of other things.

And then I read, posted on a big yellow peice of paper at my desk,

"Impatient people are weak. Be strong!"

~John Piper~

Thanks Piper. I can always count on you to smack me when I need it.

I praise God that His patience never gets impatient. My patience always seems to run out, wear thin and fall apart. Truly, I dare say, what I call patience in myself it is not patience at all. I have no idea what real patience is like. Real patience can only be found in God Himself. All other displays of temporary acceptance of one's circumstance is immitation to the real thing.

God's patience has put up with trillions of me-like sinners for thousands of years. He endures my doubts, sins, unbelief and STILL gave me life this morning. He is patient with me as I question, complain, am ungrateful and demand my way. What kind of PATIENCE is that?

"The Lord is merciful and gracious,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins,nor repay us according to our iniquities."

Psalm 108:8-10

THAT is God's kind of patience. I have a long way to go.

"You're our man!"

What a weekend it has been.

We went to Broomfield on Friday night and met with the pastor search team. The interview began with a question directed at... me. We talked for about 2 hours, answering their questions, sharing our testimonies and hearing about their church. At the end my dad asked, "So where do we go from here?" The leader of the team said, "Well, we have a big decision to make. We will give you a call."

We left encouraged and curious to see what would happen next.

Saturday morning came and went without a word. My family was in a constant state of prayer as we discussed why it was taking so long for them to call! Finally, the phone rang. It was Mr. Geist, the team leader. My dad answered, trying to be calm and cool. They small talked for a couple of minutes and then my dad's face became very serious.

Then he went gray. He stuck his thumb up in the air to us and grinned!

He told us, after he was finished, that Mr. Geist had said, "Tom, after praying and discussing the interview last night we believe you're our man."

I cannot begin to tell you the relief and healing that washed over our family. I am so excited for my dad and cannot wait to see what God has planned for us! We will go meet the church May 6th at a BBQ and dad will preach on May 7th when the church will do an official vote. Please keep us in your prayers...

... AND praise God with us as we rejoice!

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city girl with a small town heart. Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome. Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand and gorgeous Italian men - could life get any better?

What City Do You Belong In?

Moving to Broomfield?

Last night my dad had an interview with the church in Broomfield. They interviewed him for a couple hours. When he got home he said that it went very well. He said that he feels like his convictions, vision and leadership fit the church's needs perfectly. The church said they would call us today or Friday.

My mom called just now and said they had called.

They want to meet our whole family this Friday! We will have dinner with them and then they want to interview myself, mom and dad together.

I cannot tell you how excited we are!!! This morning when I woke up I felt... so at peace. So joyful! I knew that God would be faithful, whether the answer was yes or no. Please continue to pray that God would be glorified in all we do and say as we follow Him!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

MAJOR Easter Photo Shoot!

Ben, Timothy, Victoria and Samuel on Easter at my grandparent's house. Mom and I usually sew matching Easter clothes, but with the current circumstances we did not feel like putting an extra burden on ourselves! Still, we tried to match old Easter clothes with some simple skirts we found at Wal-Mart. We wore PINK, can you believe it?

A beautiful family if I do say so myself! We did not get a family picture with the digital camera. We all look so grown up. It is amazing to see how we have all changed this last year. Timothy and Victoria are big kids now, with minds of their own, creative skills, grown up thoughts and abilities to play big kid kind of games! It is so much fun to live in a family! I love all of you!

Katie and Jaclyn

Mother and "daughters"

Mother and daughter

My dear friend, Katie, and I Easter Sunday afternoon. We look tired because we were up until 1:30AM talking... I praise God for this girl. She and I seem to experience the same things at the same time as we walk along this road of life. I love you, Katie!

We took more pictures that I will post soon!

Because I was tagged...

It seems like I have done this before, but since Ann Marie tagged me today, I will do it again!

4 Places I Have Lived:
~ Cheyenne, Wyoming
~ Plattsmouth, Nebraska
~ Aurora, Colorado
~ Tanzania, Africa (kinda, but I did not have a third!)

4 Jobs I Have Had:
~ Babysitter
~ Mowing Lawns
~ Office Assitant (American Family Insurance- almost SEVEN years!)
~ Cleaning the bathroom

4 TV Shows That I Love:
~ The Brady Bunch
~ Eight is Enough
~ The Price is Right
~ Little House on the Prairie
(Can you tell I don't watch TV?)

4 Movies I Can Watch Over and Over Again:
~ Man from Snowy River/ Return to Snowy River
~ Pride and Prejudice
~ Anne of Green Gables/ Anne of Avonlea/ Anne: The Continuing Story
~ The Chronicles of Narnia

4 Places I Have Vacationed:
~ Banff, Canada
~ Arusha, Tanzania
~ Yellowstone, Wyoming
~ Oak Island, North Carolina

4 Favorite Dishes:
~ Fajita's (with sour cream, salsa, cheese and avacado)
~ BBQ pork sandwich smothered in cheese
~ Whole wheat oat and honey bagel lathered with mixed berry creame cheese
~ Warm chocolate chip cookies and milk

4 Top-Rated Songs:
~ "How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin
~ "The High Country" by Caedmon's Call (a song about C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce)
~ "It is Well with My Soul" by Horatio G. Spafford
~ "Legacy" by Nicole Nordeman

The Fun in a Name

I got this fun name game from Dawn's sister, Autumn... come on, you know you want to do it too!!! Post your answers either on your blog or in comments!

1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet and current street name)

Jaz Sedalia

2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandmother/grandfather on mother's side first name, favorite candy)

Mildred Twix

3. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)

J Zor

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite animal, name of high school)

Lion Home

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)

Ann Cheyenne

6. YOUR OPPOSITE SEX NAME: (name of dad/mom, cell phone Company you use):

Thomas Verizion

7. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, last 3 letters of mother's maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet's name)

Zor-Chr-Gin

8. YOUR FASHION DESIGNER NAME: (first word you see on your left, favorite restaurant)

Exam Olive Garden

Moral Divinity

My Utmost for His Highest

by Oswald Chambers

April 11th
MORAL DIVINITY

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection." Romans 6:5

Co-Resurrection. The proof that I have been through crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a decided likeness to Him. The incoming of the Spirit of Jesus into me readjusts my personal life to God. The resurrection of Jesus has given Him authority to impart the life of God to me, and my experimental life must be constructed on the basis of His life. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus now, and it will show itself in holiness.

The idea all through the apostle Paul's writings is that after the moral decision to be identified with Jesus in His death has been made, the resurrection life of Jesus invades every bit of my human nature. It takes omnipotence to live the life of the Son of God in mortal flesh. The Holy Spirit cannot be located as a Guest in a house, He invades everything. When once I decide that my "old man" (i.e., the heredity of sin) should be identified with the death of Jesus, then the Holy Spirit invades me. He takes charge of everything, my part is to walk in the light and to obey all that He reveals. When I have made the moral decision about sin, it is easy to reckon actually that I am dead unto sin, because I find the life of Jesus there all the time. Just as there is only one stamp of humanity, so there is only one stamp of holiness, the holiness of Jesus, and it is His holiness that is gifted to me. God puts the holiness of His Son into me, and I belong to a new order spiritually.

Moral Decision About Sin

My Utmost for His Highest

by Oswald Chambers

April 10th
MORAL DECISION ABOUT SIN

"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Romans 6:6

Co-Crucifixion. Have I made this decision about sin - that it must be killed right out in me? It takes a long time to come to a moral decision about sin, but it is the great moment in my life when I do decide that just as Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world, so sin must die out in me, not be curbed or suppressed or counteracted, but crucified. No one can bring anyone else to this decision. We may be earnestly convinced, and religiously convinced, but what we need to do is to come to the decision which Paul forces here.

Haul yourself up, take a time alone with God, make the moral decision and say - "Lord, identify me with Thy death until I know that sin is dead in me." Make the moral decision that sin in you must be put to death.

It was not a divine anticipation on the part of Paul, but a very radical and definite experience. Am I prepared to let the Spirit of God search me until I know what the disposition of sin is - the thing that lusts against the Spirit of God in me? Then if so, will I agree with God's verdict on that disposition of sin - that it should be identified with the death of Jesus? I cannot reckon myself "dead indeed unto sin" unless I have been through this radical issue of will before God.

Have I entered into the glorious privilege of being crucified with Christ until all that is left is the life of Christ in my flesh and blood? "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."

Pastor Dad Again?

A quick job search update... my dad has been communicating with a small church about being their Senior Pastor. We are not sure how this church got my dad's resume, but are thankful that they did! They are a small church, only 11 years old and about 45 minutes from our home. My dad sent them a copy of a sermon he preached several years ago and a picture of his adorable family.

They called on Saturday and requested a formal interview, scheduled for April 18th.

We are so exited. So excited. God has been so good to keep us encouraged when other hopes fall through. He is faithful to keep our eyes set on Him, His desires and His plan. Please pray with us as my dad prepares for this interview! Thank you!

Feminism Ruins Heros!

I read an article called, “Looking for heroism in all the wrong places” on Ladies Against Feminism and thought I would share a section:

In contrast, the Biblical model is one of romance and heroism. A man who leads and a woman who submits is one of the most romantic and heroic pictures of all. And deep down inside, feminists know this. Even our fallen culture reflects this. Look at what is considered "great" literature today. Look at the dime store novels that are considered romantic. Look at the movies. No truly romantic film involves the woman heroically saving the man. No work of great literature, from The Odyssey to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has the women saving the men, or even fighting alongside the men.

Feminists recognize this and cry about the “sexism” in literature, but they have yet to produce anything noteworthy of the other kind, because they know it wouldn’t
sell. And the reason it wouldn’t sell is because when we look for heroes, we don’t look to watered down men and defeminized women. We don’t look for egalitarianism; we look for the complementary. Even witchcraft, the most arguably feminist religion of them all, recognizes the differences between men and women and the need for this balance, this dance. The reason they cry against patriarchy is they claim that it only represents one side. They are looking for what God has put into them: “And the Lord God said: 'It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself'” (Genesis 2:18). They are looking for something their minds won’t allow them to accept but their spirits know exists. Tragically, they are looking in all the wrong places.

What the feminists are trying to promote through "equality" between the genders it is quite comical. Who REALLY would want a woman rescuing a man? Can you imagine Wilma Wallace in Braveheart or Popeye the Sailorwoman? It just does not sound right! The big, strong Knight in Shining Armor is supposed to rescue the Princess. It is just how it is.

Jaclyn's Life

I thought I would give everyone updates about my family, recent happenings and my life...

Job Search

My dad is starting a part-time job today working at Lifeway Christian bookstore with my brother, Ben. He will work there a couple days a week while spending the other days continuing to look for a permanent job. There are several churches and a ministry manager position that are reviewing his resume. There is one small church about 40 minutes away that is very interested in my dad becoming their senior pastor. Our family is very excited about this possibility. Ministry is who we are. Serving God is what we love to do. Please pray with us as he continues to look for a job. Finances are getting tight. God is faithful! We are learning to trust Him more and more every day!!!

Fuel Pump

The problem with my car last week was the fuel pump. I had the fuel pump replaced last August and so the replacement of it was under warranty. I paid nothing. PRAISE GOD! And many thanks to our awesome mechanic, Jonathan at Johnny Good Inc.!

Job's Example

Pastor Kelly preached a very down-to-earth sermon on Sunday. We have been studying the gospel of John, but after facing many trials last week he decided to preach on Job. What a timely sermon it was for me! So many times I want to question God's reasoning or seek an explination as to why I am suffering. You know what? God owes me no explination. He is big enough for my questions, He is big enough for my fears, He is big enough to take responsibility for ALL things- good and what seems like "bad" to us. I do not need to try to find a reason for my pain. The only reason needs to be what I see in God's Word: discipline or discipling. (Hebrews 12) So I rejoice! I am being made more like Christ, who suffered, died and rose again! He is my model and the saints that have gone before me, enduring much hardship themselves, are my encouragement. After the sermon I felt so full of joy. I still feel such joy and peace as I have not felt in... a LONG time.

Little India

Sunday afternoon Ben and I went to lunch with our friend, Wes. We met Wes a month ago at Crossing Cultures which is apart of the mission class, Perspectives, I am taking. Wes is also doing Perspectives, but at the other location on the north side of Denver. (If that makes sense to you!) He took us to lunch at a place called Little India. We ate the Indian buffet, laughed, talked of missions and stuffed ourselves with yummy food!

NCAA Championship

Last night we had Vince, Katie, Ann Marie, Will, Marion and Jese over to watch the college basketball championship game. It was so much fun! We ate a delicious baked potato bar, cookies, salad, popcorn, sorbet and candy! We laughed, we cried (poor Vince, his team lost ;-) and we finished the evening with a guitar jam session. Vince and Ben are both amazing on the guitar!

Narnia

Last, but certainly not least on this personal update post... The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, comes out on DVD today. We pre-bought the two disc collector's version. We are watching it tonight.

Go ahead, make fun of our fanaticism, I do not care. I admire the author. I love the books. I adore the radio theater stories. I enjoy the movie. (And cannot wait to see the 10 hours of extended features... ::wink::)

"If the Witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice, she might have interpreted the Deep Magic differently: that if a willing victim who has committed no treachery is killed in a traitors stead, the Stone Table would crack and even death itself would turn backwards."
~From the movie: Aslan after his resurrection