Ashlyn Chaffey is too cute for words!
Day and Night
15 years ago
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The past few years Bern and I have been trying out different ways to spend the 4th of July, going to people's parties, hanging out at the house Andy and Whitney were house-sitting, etc. This year we returned to the old ways and went to Central Park and played with a young family. It was the hottest 4th of July we ever remember. We didn't need jackets or blankets this year! We ran and wrestled and danced with Emily and Bevan Jajeh who thought they were in heaven with the whole park to play in. We ate the fried chicken and potato salad and chocolate chip cookies. Then we watched a very satisfying fireworks show.
My mind kept flashing to 4ths of the past, with our kids and their friends and the people we knew from CPC sharing the grassy picnic area with us. The park is the same, the music is the same and the ambience was the same--except for the big muslim family who were praying next to our chairs when we first arrived.
OK, so that's different. So many newbies who don't look or talk like our family did years ago. We were surrounded by all kinds of different languages in all kinds of families from all kinds of places. Each group seemed so insulated from the others as they sat on their blankets. It definitely felt odd to me. When we stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem, I wondered how many of them knew the words. Later I realized that the people who are like our family had gathered en masse right in front of the band stand.
So things are different now. The great melting pot that is America adds new ingredients all the time. I left Central Park just grateful for a peaceful celebration with all the familiar traditions---shared with folks who I hope will learn to love this nation as much as I do.
I do love this nation and I am deeply grateful that is has been home for part of my family for over 350 years---and home for other family members for 150 years, 100 years and 30 years. We are immigrants who moved here hoping for the best. We also brought the best we had to offer to make her a greater nation than when we arrived. I hope others who come will carry on that tradition.
Happy Summer!
My mind kept flashing to 4ths of the past, with our kids and their friends and the people we knew from CPC sharing the grassy picnic area with us. The park is the same, the music is the same and the ambience was the same--except for the big muslim family who were praying next to our chairs when we first arrived.
OK, so that's different. So many newbies who don't look or talk like our family did years ago. We were surrounded by all kinds of different languages in all kinds of families from all kinds of places. Each group seemed so insulated from the others as they sat on their blankets. It definitely felt odd to me. When we stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem, I wondered how many of them knew the words. Later I realized that the people who are like our family had gathered en masse right in front of the band stand.
So things are different now. The great melting pot that is America adds new ingredients all the time. I left Central Park just grateful for a peaceful celebration with all the familiar traditions---shared with folks who I hope will learn to love this nation as much as I do.
I do love this nation and I am deeply grateful that is has been home for part of my family for over 350 years---and home for other family members for 150 years, 100 years and 30 years. We are immigrants who moved here hoping for the best. We also brought the best we had to offer to make her a greater nation than when we arrived. I hope others who come will carry on that tradition.
Happy Summer!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Husband
When God gave me Bern Thompson to be my husband, He did the finest thing He could have done for me. My husband is the safe-keeper of my heart, the deep and attentive listener to my words and the authentic lover of my whole self. I thank God for this wise, solemn and gentle man. I would not believe how blessed I have been if it were not for the fact that every day I wake up and there he is still, ready to live another day with me.
It was not good for this woman to be alone, so God created a helper for her.
I know that is a twist on the Genesis account of marriage, but it is my experience. God knew that I needed this man for my husband and He made sure that we met and married. I believe it has been a blessing for him, too.
Thank you, God, for Bern.
I love my husband.
It was not good for this woman to be alone, so God created a helper for her.
I know that is a twist on the Genesis account of marriage, but it is my experience. God knew that I needed this man for my husband and He made sure that we met and married. I believe it has been a blessing for him, too.
Thank you, God, for Bern.
I love my husband.
Insatiable
This week Andrew and Whitney are coming back to California for a visit. We will see them for part of the time they are here. What I want is to inhale them, soak them up and see, hear and know everything I can about how they are and what they have been doing.
Friday Jonathan and Kristin are going to Uganda for two weeks. I want to see them off, greet them upon their return and know every detail of everything they experience and learn from God. I want to fly along with them and protect and strengthen them in their work. I will be breathing prayers for them every waking hour while they are gone. My fears and concerns will fuel my prayers.
Melody and Kevin are in a huge, life-changing process right now. They are choosing where Kevin will go to seminary. I am praying daily with them about this, knowing that the seminary they choose will influence the rest of their lives and ministry.
Matt and Stephanie are loving life, as far as I can tell, and they have a ton of friends and interesting daily experiences. I long to see more of that life and understand it better, but I am so glad that they are happy. They are contented, in love and doing well. What more could I ask for them?
This is how I think every day.
My children are never far from my thoughts. They swirl around in my head and I see them as they were as babies, children, teens and young adults. I recall their life histories and I relate it to where they are now. I remember their weddings and I think of our family gatherings. I can't help it. God created the heart of the mother with a compulsion to ponder and pray for her children....and so I pray for them, especially when I am going to see some of them or when something big is going on.
When I am with them, I am sublimely happy. When we are apart I think of them and pray---and, yes, I miss them---a lot.
Friday Jonathan and Kristin are going to Uganda for two weeks. I want to see them off, greet them upon their return and know every detail of everything they experience and learn from God. I want to fly along with them and protect and strengthen them in their work. I will be breathing prayers for them every waking hour while they are gone. My fears and concerns will fuel my prayers.
Melody and Kevin are in a huge, life-changing process right now. They are choosing where Kevin will go to seminary. I am praying daily with them about this, knowing that the seminary they choose will influence the rest of their lives and ministry.
Matt and Stephanie are loving life, as far as I can tell, and they have a ton of friends and interesting daily experiences. I long to see more of that life and understand it better, but I am so glad that they are happy. They are contented, in love and doing well. What more could I ask for them?
This is how I think every day.
My children are never far from my thoughts. They swirl around in my head and I see them as they were as babies, children, teens and young adults. I recall their life histories and I relate it to where they are now. I remember their weddings and I think of our family gatherings. I can't help it. God created the heart of the mother with a compulsion to ponder and pray for her children....and so I pray for them, especially when I am going to see some of them or when something big is going on.
When I am with them, I am sublimely happy. When we are apart I think of them and pray---and, yes, I miss them---a lot.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
short/sweet
I really recommend that everyone get and view the DVD of The Book of Matthew, by The Visual Bible. It is the whole book of Matthew in the NIV--and nothing but that. I have been very moved by the portrayal of Jesus, his laughter and tears and anger and playfulness, as played by Bruce Marchiano.
After that, get "In the Footsteps of Jesus", by Bruce Marchiano. It is his spiritual autobiography and story of the making of the film.
Not every character is equally well-played, but I love the guys who play Peter and Judas.
By the way, here are some things Jesus reminded me of today as I was thinking about his life. One of Jesus's best friends, John, wrote this when he got a glimpse of Jesus during the Revelation.
After that, get "In the Footsteps of Jesus", by Bruce Marchiano. It is his spiritual autobiography and story of the making of the film.
Not every character is equally well-played, but I love the guys who play Peter and Judas.
By the way, here are some things Jesus reminded me of today as I was thinking about his life. One of Jesus's best friends, John, wrote this when he got a glimpse of Jesus during the Revelation.
"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
Then he placed his right hand on me and said:
"Do not be afraid.
I am the First and the Last.
I am the Living One;
I was dead,
and behold
I am alive for ever and ever!
And I hold the keys of death and hades."
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give this testimony for the churches.
I am the Root and the Offspring of David,
and the Bright Morning Star."
The Spirit and the bride say,"Come!"
And let him who hears say, "Come!"
Whoever is thirsty, let him come;
and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift
of the water of life.
He who testifies to these things says,
"Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen.
Come Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people.
Amen.
Have an awesome day!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Unwavering
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23 NKJV
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
A few days ago I heard a news report out of Florida, following the terrible tornadoes there. A lady who survived having her house swept away all around her said these words:
This is a person who placed her hope in praying to something or someone she hoped would save her life. Her hope was fulfilled. Do you suppose that she is now holding onto this object of her hope without wavering? Is she still praying everyday about everything--is prayer her constant habit now as she holds fast to her hope?
I don't know her whole story. I hope that she has placed her faith in the God that she can know, even to the point of reading what He thinks about her in a book like the Bible. I hope that she has an unwavering faith based on concrete facts that she reviews and explores daily. I hope she hangs out with others who are doing the same.
That is the only way I know to have an unwavering hope. I need a steady stream of information about the object of my hope to stabilize and strengthen my faith. I need to read the Bible, study it, memorize and meditate upon it.
I need to hear the stories of others who are doing the same. I need to hear about their successes and failures and wrestle together with them about the meaning of our faith and how it works in real life.
If I stop doing these things, my faith begins to waver. There are forces all around me that pressure me to give up my faith or stop acting upon it. There are thousands of messages a day, directed at me, that are meant to get between me and what I know is true. When I am under this pressure I may compartmentalize my faith so that I only act upon it when it is convenient. Or I may stop acting upon it altogether. I need both what I can do for myself and what others can contribute to help me overcome this pressure.
It is worthwile to stop every once in a while and take a look at the people who are contributing to our experience of life. It is important to choose carefully who is affecting our views and decisions. My fellow believers may be a sorry lot, failing to live up to what they say they believe, but at least they are on the same road I want to travel. We can help each other along, and sometimes what we say to each other is absolutely amazing and life-changing. This is because the object of our mutual hope is Awesome.
This passage in Hebrews is a call to community. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope. Let us consider how we may spur one another on...Let us not give up meeting together...but let us encourage one another..."
I am amazed at how quickly we give up meeting together instead of prayerfully spurring one another on to do better. How quickly we fall into criticism instead of encouragement and how willingly we leave the company of the only other people who understand, at least a little bit, what we are trying to do in this life. Now wonder we waver in our hope--we give up the visible life of Christ in our community and wander off alone to try and find Him where He can't be seen, out there in the world somewhere.
It is better to be with other believers and work through our mutual struggles. It is better to learn how to love and encourage by practicing with each other than to hide at home, practicing in front of a mirror because other people tick us off. How real is a faith that can't stand the heat of relationships with other believers? How can such a faith stand against the heat of temptation and sin that rushes at us out in the world?
I have never met a fellow believer who did not have an amazing story to tell eventually. I have never met one that I couldn't learn to love. Even the ones who fall and continue in sin, who irritate me and believe wierd ideas--they all belong to my family. I learn by their mistakes sometimes, but I always learn from them.
I don't want to stand in front of Jesus someday and explain how I just couldn't be with His family, how they all were wierd and annoying and sang the wrong songs. That wouldn't tell Him anything new about His family, but it would sure tell Him a lot about me. I don't think I want to see the pain that would arise in His eyes, hearing how much I despised the ones He loves. It is better to get over it here and now so that when we stand together before Him someday, we will all have done the best we can to love, encourage and spur each other on to good deeds.
Here are some words to remember today:
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
A few days ago I heard a news report out of Florida, following the terrible tornadoes there. A lady who survived having her house swept away all around her said these words:
"I don't know how I made. I just hid my closet and prayed and prayed."
This is a person who placed her hope in praying to something or someone she hoped would save her life. Her hope was fulfilled. Do you suppose that she is now holding onto this object of her hope without wavering? Is she still praying everyday about everything--is prayer her constant habit now as she holds fast to her hope?
I don't know her whole story. I hope that she has placed her faith in the God that she can know, even to the point of reading what He thinks about her in a book like the Bible. I hope that she has an unwavering faith based on concrete facts that she reviews and explores daily. I hope she hangs out with others who are doing the same.
That is the only way I know to have an unwavering hope. I need a steady stream of information about the object of my hope to stabilize and strengthen my faith. I need to read the Bible, study it, memorize and meditate upon it.
I need to hear the stories of others who are doing the same. I need to hear about their successes and failures and wrestle together with them about the meaning of our faith and how it works in real life.
If I stop doing these things, my faith begins to waver. There are forces all around me that pressure me to give up my faith or stop acting upon it. There are thousands of messages a day, directed at me, that are meant to get between me and what I know is true. When I am under this pressure I may compartmentalize my faith so that I only act upon it when it is convenient. Or I may stop acting upon it altogether. I need both what I can do for myself and what others can contribute to help me overcome this pressure.
It is worthwile to stop every once in a while and take a look at the people who are contributing to our experience of life. It is important to choose carefully who is affecting our views and decisions. My fellow believers may be a sorry lot, failing to live up to what they say they believe, but at least they are on the same road I want to travel. We can help each other along, and sometimes what we say to each other is absolutely amazing and life-changing. This is because the object of our mutual hope is Awesome.
This passage in Hebrews is a call to community. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope. Let us consider how we may spur one another on...Let us not give up meeting together...but let us encourage one another..."
I am amazed at how quickly we give up meeting together instead of prayerfully spurring one another on to do better. How quickly we fall into criticism instead of encouragement and how willingly we leave the company of the only other people who understand, at least a little bit, what we are trying to do in this life. Now wonder we waver in our hope--we give up the visible life of Christ in our community and wander off alone to try and find Him where He can't be seen, out there in the world somewhere.
It is better to be with other believers and work through our mutual struggles. It is better to learn how to love and encourage by practicing with each other than to hide at home, practicing in front of a mirror because other people tick us off. How real is a faith that can't stand the heat of relationships with other believers? How can such a faith stand against the heat of temptation and sin that rushes at us out in the world?
I have never met a fellow believer who did not have an amazing story to tell eventually. I have never met one that I couldn't learn to love. Even the ones who fall and continue in sin, who irritate me and believe wierd ideas--they all belong to my family. I learn by their mistakes sometimes, but I always learn from them.
I don't want to stand in front of Jesus someday and explain how I just couldn't be with His family, how they all were wierd and annoying and sang the wrong songs. That wouldn't tell Him anything new about His family, but it would sure tell Him a lot about me. I don't think I want to see the pain that would arise in His eyes, hearing how much I despised the ones He loves. It is better to get over it here and now so that when we stand together before Him someday, we will all have done the best we can to love, encourage and spur each other on to good deeds.
Here are some words to remember today:
hold fast
consider
meet together
encourage
My prayer is that we will all get over ourselves and learn how to love....especially me!
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