Merry Christmas Hillside

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased
their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the
yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be
destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:1-7

Good morning Hillside,

Imagine climbing a trail on the Oregon coast having never seen the ocean. It's just about sunset; a coastal mist hangs in the air. As you reach the end of your trail the ground slopes up slightly on your left, a line of rugged Northwest trees concealing the view of the ocean. To your right you find a park sign describing the Pacific Ocean, it's beauty, it's depth and it's scope. You find yourself captivated by the description of something so great. At that moment beams of light begin to cut through the mist and tree line. You make your way to the edge of a fence just beyond the trees and there in front of you, a blazing orange sun hangs above the expanse of the water. Hundreds of feet below and miles in every direction, beauty beyond description, you find yourself unable to pull yourself away. Standing in the light of the sun the words you just read are alive.

This is where we celebrate! Standing in the light, the words of Isaiah made alive in Jesus, majesty and beauty beyond description. Tonight let Hillside lead the way as heaven and nature sing…Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare him room. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness!

We can’t wait to see you all again. Merry Christmas Hillside!

IHS
Zach, Cammie, Bella and baby

Thank you Hillside!

Wow... Today your kindness stood before the darkness and boldy proclaimed...we beg to differ. Thank you.

There is no way to describe the joy that you brought to the Hernandez family. Even the timing of the delivery was perfect, Christmas Eve day! They were overwehlmed by your love and the kids sat watching with wide eyes and smiles as presents and food litererally filled their tiny living room. One little guy couldn't handle it and just started dancing in place. It was wonderful.

You are the most amazing, loving and radical group of people that Cammie and I have ever known. Thank you for never holding back, for giving radically and for loving without measure. Your faith and love are an encouragement to us and a blessing to many.

Know that your love and faithfulness brought joy to a family today through a beautiful dispaly of God's love.

Merry Christmas once again and a special thank you to Jo Wheat for organizing the giving tree, the Huston's for doing the pick up and delivery, Cammie for connecting the dots and all who gave.

IHS

Zach

Thank You

Rick, Maxson, Aiden, and I want to thank you all for the wonderful meals that you have provided us for the last 10 days. They have been such a blessing to us. You are all so amazing. We can't express how blessed we are to have you all in our lives and can't thank you enough for all your prayers, love, and support. We love all of you very much and thank God for you. May God bless you all!

Love the Sherman 4

Aiden James Sherman is here!

Aiden James Sherman was born to Rick and Stephanie Sherman tonight at 5:29pm.

He weighs 8lbs. 3oz. and 19inch. long.

He is happy and healthy and the Shermans are doing great!!

Songs From Liberty Street

http://www.myspace.com/jesseelliott7

Hey all!

Check out Jesse Elliott's myspace page! Jesse Elliott's CD, Songs from Liberty Street should be out next month! You can hear some of the songs already. He did an amazing job!

I hope you check him out!! And purchase his CD when it's for sale.

He's also recording a Christmas album coming out very soon!

IHS,Cammie

Happy Birthday Jo!!!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to Jo....Happy Birthday to you!!!!

They are Watching!

Interesting thing happened at work yesterday that reminded me that I must walk the walk that I talk. For the last couple of months I have been studying out of my NIV Bible. Yesterday for some reason I took my NKJV to work with me. Both Bibles have a black cover, while having a noticeable difference. As I was sitting at the lunchroom table reading, one of the guys on the crew came very close to me and looked at my Bible. He then makes the comment that it is different than the one that I have been reading. I said yes and explained that it was a different translation and that I liked to switch from time to time as I study to have a greater understanding of the scriptures. I would have never thought before that this guy would care about what I do at lunch or how I live my life. Yet, he noticed a very small detail in my life, I switched Bibles.

The reason I share this with you tonight is to remind us to always strive to walk the walk that we talk about in all aspects of our live since you will never know who is watching you.

God Bless,

Rick

Do I really believe what I say I believe?

I believe the Bible is true. If I believe the Bible is true, logic dictates that I believe Psalms 34 is true. If I believe Psalms 34 is true then I have to believe statements like these are true for me:

v.4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
v.5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
v. 6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
v. 7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

If I believe these statements are true for me, it doesn't matter how my day is going because when I pray God answers me, God listens to me, God saves me from my trouble. If I really believe this, I should walk through my days with peace and calm because of my faith/trust in God.

Personal assessment: Some days I am better at the peace and calm than others. I am better at the peace and calm the more time I spend reading my Bible and listening to Klove; the more I remind myself of God and his promises. ~Becca

Where Everyone Prays (Knows) Your Name…

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.

Ok, I know this is the theme song for “Cheers” a show about a bar which is usually my husbands area of talking, like in his blog a couple of months ago called Pub Talk, but I thought it fit what hit me yesterday. So lets change the scenario for a moment and the show “Cheers” is instead the church “Hillside”. And the theme song is now “Where everyone Prays Your Name”. In the show when people come in like the guy Norm, everyone yells out, “Norm!” when he walks through the door. So for the purpose of this scenario we will use my husband Rick but it could be anyone or everyone. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could all yell when Rick comes through the doors “Rick I have been praying for you!” Is this how our church should be? Zach has said many times the we should not only pray, pray, pray, but pray for each other individually by name. Do we all do this? I can tell you that I do pray for you but I will have to admit two things. One, I know I fail in praying everyday for you and second, I am not sure if I know everyone by name. The thought that hit me yesterday was this call to everyone in our church to pray for each other by name. I know we have heard this before but I have felt called to be an echo and say let us all seek the Lord on behalf of each other. So let us start by taking one week at a time and set aside 7 am each day this next week for our brothers and sisters and pray for each other by name. I am looking forward to this time with God and praying for you.

Love Steph

A precious story!!!

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens 'Great', she thought. 'Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry.'

She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.

She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.'

She thought, 'Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.'

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, 'Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?'

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!

The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, 'Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You.'

I think it would do all of us some good to say, 'God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will.'

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called!

Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him....I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
(Phil. 4:13)

His Energy

Today, thanks to Jamie mentioning wanting to read Colossians the other night, I had this desire to read Colossians. So I started to read. I didn’t get very far when a verse struck me and made me think of a conversation I had with Rick.

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:28-29

It hit me that we have his energy to do his calling. God gives us his power to do his will. How amazing is that? He will give us what we need, when we need it. Have any of you felt exhausted from your crazy schedules? Have any of you felt how can I fit all the things in that you feel called to do? I know I have, many times. And actually Rick and I were just talking about it this week. He feels a calling to do more for the church but doesn’t feel like he can commit because of the farm taking so much of our time. Don’t be reluctant on doing something you feel called to do. If it is truly of God, he will give you the time and energy to do his will, because we definitely can’t do His will on our own strength, we need Him. Don’t be afraid to step out. Have faith in Him and believe that He will be there to give you what you need. ☺

Love Steph

Is there actually a good show on TV?

The verdict is not totally in but there might actually be a good show out there on TV. Rick and I have been able to catch parts of a new show on A&E called The Cleaner, which we find kind of amazing for this day and age of television. The main character of the show is a recovering drug addict who has been called by God to help others get out of drug use. Through out the show this guy is praying and talking to God and we found it so refreshing to see. I thought it depicted very well the struggles we can all have in our walk with God with the character questioning his calling, questioning himself whether he can obey, asking God why, and just questioning his faith in general along with other struggles. Don’t we all ask these same questions at some point in our life? We just found it nice to find the truth being spoken on a TV show and hopefully that will continue and maybe it will even start something new in showbiz. Keep praying and believe that the truth will be spoken in the most unpredictable places. ☺

Love Steph

The Hope

I have been meaning to post this on the blog for a while and it has actually been written waiting for me to do so but I have hesitated and I am sorry for that. Today at church and through what my family has been learning is that openness with each other is what family is all about and is the only way we get through the ups and downs of life. Prayer for each other is so important and we could all do better at asking for it. I do want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying for my family with having to deal with the loss of my uncle. A couple of weeks ago my uncle committed suicide and with finding that out our whole family was shook pretty hard. It has been hard to make sense of anything and watch my family go through the heartbreak. I want to ask my fellow brothers and sisters for continued prayer for my family, especially my dad. This coming Saturday the family is having a memorial and I pray that there is healing of hearts, truth spoken, ears and eyes opened, and hearts turned to God. There will be a few people there that we know of that have not given themselves to Jesus and possibly others. I ask for prayer for Rick, who has been asked to basically give the sermon and I have also been called to speak, which is out of my element. That week following my Uncles death and praying again in my favorite place (in the milking parlor) I felt called to share what God has spoken to me. I am not sure if I really want to get up and speak, but I do want to obey. So I am sharing this with you, my brothers and sisters, for encouragement through prayer for my self to go through with speaking in front of many who I have no idea where they are in their walk with God. You all know that I don’t get up in front of others and share intimate thoughts other than through writings. So I just ask for strength to follow this calling I have had. I also thought I would share with you what God spoke to me about and what I will say at the memorial. Here it is-

In the wee hours of the morning on Friday the 8th, I woke up with a start and was wide-awake. The first thoughts in my head were Uncle Richard, whom had been missing since Wednesday and the urgency to pray for him. I have never had this happen to me before but I indeed prayed for my uncle. I sat on the edge of my bed and the words to pray for him came to me. I prayed over and over that my uncle would just call upon the name of the Lord and that is all he would need to do. I am not sure how long I sat there, it could have been a few minutes or an hour but I prayed passionately for his safety. Not knowing what this all meant, I woke up that morning with a feeling of peace. I told my husband Rick about it and how I had this strong feeling that everything was going to be ok. I just knew in my heart that my uncle would be found and that he would be fine and alive and well. I carried this hope with me through that day not knowing that a call later that afternoon would break the family’s heart and shatter that hope that had grown so strong.

Through the days that have followed my mind has kept going back to that early morning and to the strong knowledge in my heart that my uncle was fine. I could not ignore what happened, but why? Was God telling me something? Does He want me to share this with others? I felt the hope wash back over me. I knew then with out a doubt God did speak to my heart and is the giver of hope and life. My natural human thoughts of how this world works was to instantly believe that what I had felt was all wrong and my uncle was truly gone. But now I know through lots of prayer my feelings that he was alive and well are not in the physical sense but in the spiritual sense. My uncle is alive and well in his new body and new home with Jesus. I know that I can’t give you straight facts at this moment as to how I know that He is with God now. None of us were there with my uncle or could read his thoughts, but what I do know is that God is faithful and he never leaves us alone. I do know that God loves us so much. I do know that Jesus died for us and conquered death by rising again to give us life through him. He was there at that moment reaching out his hand with the gift of salvation he so freely gives. Jesus died for us so that we could have life and not just this life but eternal life. God is the God of hope. So let us have faith in God to take care of what we could not and let hope fill our hearts and believe that we will see Uncle Richard again.

Love Steph

A Good Reminder

"A principal thing to write in the notebook of our minds in the area of human relationships is: When people insist on perfection or nothing, they get nothing. When people insist on having what they daydream as a perfect relationship, they will end up in having no relationship at all. When people waste the time they could have - by screaming for more - they will have no time at all. The waste of what could be, by demanding what cannot be, is something we all have lived through in certain periods of our lives, but which we need to put behind us with resolve."
-What is a Family? by Edith Shaeffer

Proverbs 16:23,24 "The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeybomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 17:23 "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Would we rather have moments in our lives filled with unfulfilled expectations which result in wrecked periods of time which we can't go back and change? Moving forward, I hope to remember this always and speak words of love, encouragement and care.

IHS,
Cammie

David's surgery is done

I just got back to the hotel after David's surgery. Leaving him there all connected to wires and tubes was the hardest thing I have done since leaving my children for 3 weeks. David is doing well so far. He was able to talk and respond coherently. We were told many patients can't so soon after the surgery. The surgeon told us we could make firm plans for travel 3 days after the surgery. He thought that Sunday [our scheduled flight] was too early. Please pray he is wrong and we can go home as planned. Please pray David recovers enough to tolerate the flight home. I have to figure how I am going to sleep tonight. It's been a long rough day. Knowing that people are back home praying for us and thinking of us helps more than I can express. My mantra since leaving David is a line from a Christian song: Rain on I will not drown I am standing firm on higher ground. That along with "I can do all things with Christ who strengthens me" has kept me from getting lost in the emotions. ~Becca

Greetings from Bangkok

I wanted to take a moment while we have internet access to let update you all. It is Saturday afternoon here [Friday about 10:43pm in Oregon]. David and I have been here for almost 2 weeks. We got good news about his heart: even before the surgery it is functioning better and the doctors can't explain it. David and I simply thanked God for the miracle.

He did have to have his blood drawn & sent to Israel twice; it clotted before arriving the first time. This means his surgery got pushed back which is of some concern as we may not be able to leave as planned on August 24. His surgery is scheduled for Monday in the early evening pending having quality stem cells arrive. We are taking it easy this weekend. Got the last of our shopping done. This afternoon David is going to have an hour massage while I will be in the spa for two and a half hours for a body pack and massage. Tomorrow we are going to pack both for the hospital and for home.

When we get to come home depends on David's recovery. His surgery is Monday and we're scheduled to leave less than a week later [very early the following Sunday].It is very possible we will leave on time and we are praying that will happen. We've enjoyed ourselves, but miss the kids so much. We thank you all for your prayers; they are making a real difference in David's health. We ask that your pray his recovery would go smoothly so we can leave on time. I will have internet access again Monday after his surgery and will at least email Cammie with an update. Our life has been one crisis after another since January and it is by prayer we have made it. Thank you for taking the time to pray for us. ~Becca

Awake Oh Sleeper

"If the world has not come to its end, it has approached a major turn in history, equal in importance to the turn from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. It will exact from us a spiritual upsurge, we shall have to rise to a new height of vision, to a new level of life where our physical nature will not be cursed as in the Middle Ages, but, even more importantly, our spiritual being will not be trampled upon as in the Modern era. This ascension will be similar to climbing onto the next anthropologic stage. No one on earth has any other way left but -- upward."
Concluding remarks from Solzhenitsyn's address at Harvard....

As I read these words I can't help but think of the early warning systems in place to alert coastal areas of an incoming tsunami. I think we may be a bit beyond the early warning stage but in either case the wise begin to move, leaving behind habit and comfort for higher ground. The skeptic waits until it is to late and the fool stands on the shore, camera in hand waiting to see what happens next.

Are you moving? Handy next steps coming soon...

IHS,
Zach

Lessons from Maxson II

I have to confess, today was a hard day for me to come to church and actually the last several times I have dreaded coming, its not because I don’t want to be with you or want to worship Christ with you, but it is because of my little man, Maxson. As a mom you always want your child to be loved by all and for them to be well behaved. Maxson is now at the age were he just wants to run around and play so staying with me during the sermon is near impossible. ☺ So starts the new adventure of leaving your child in the care of others. And so starts my anxiety. Living and working on a family farm makes for a tight knit community with not much contact with others, leaving Maxson only used to being with family. So the crying starts when I leave my little man with out mommy downstairs. Which in turn makes me feel like he is a burden on the ladies downstairs and also disturbing the sermon upstairs. But through lots of prayer (by husband Rick and myself) I came to church with little man in tow ready to leave him again with you wonderful ladies downstairs and geared up to miss half the sermon because of the crying. But through prayer and God’s grace it sounded like Maxson did good downstairs and I was able to listen (for the most part) to today’s sermon.

This all got me thinking about how a relationship between a child and mother (parent) is similar to that of our relationship with God. Rick told me today it will just take Maxson awhile to get used to being down there without me and to just let him cry and figure out that it will be ok and that I am right there if something bad happened. Putting it all together in my head, I thought that is what God does with us, isn’t it? How many times have we cried to God wanting him to help us or coddle us when things aren’t perfect? Its like the beginning of the song by Casting Crowns “Praise You In This Storm”- I was sure by now, God, you would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day, but once again I say amen and its still raining. Have any of you felt like that? Wondering when God was going to rescue you. I know I have thought that many times. But today I got a slim glimpse into how God parents us and how he must feel. My first reaction to Maxson crying is run to him and fix the problem and make everything better by him seeing me by his side, but knowing that the best thing for him is to figure out that he can be his own person without me being there constantly to help him. God must feel the same way, wanting to help us at every move but knowing that it is better for us to build character and strength on our own sometimes, even if we are never fully alone. The verse in Romans 5:3-5 states it best “but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” And with that 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Knowing this helps me as a parent and as a child of God and I will, like the songs says; continue to Praise God In The Storms.

I want to say a special thank you to all the Ladies who help downstairs with the kids, for all your love and patience for a child and mother learning how to deal with separation. I love you all!

Love Steph

God Smiles When We Use Our Abilities

by Rick Warren

He has shaped each person in turn; now he watches everything we do. Psalm 33:15 (MSG)

*** *** *** ***

After the flood, God gave Noah these simple instructions: ‘‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything” (Genesis 9:1, 3 NIV).

God said, “It’s time to get on with your life! Do the things I designed humans to do. Make love to your spouse. Have babies. Raise families. Plant crops and eat meals. Be humans! This is what I made you to be!”

You may feel that the only time God is pleased with you is when you’re doing “spiritual” activities like reading the Bible, attending church, praying, or sharing your faith. And you may think God is unconcerned about the other parts of your life. Actually, God enjoys watching every detail of your life, whether you are working, playing, resting, or eating. He doesn’t miss a single move you make. The Bible tells us, “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Psalm 37:23 NLT).

Every human activity, except sin, can be done for God’s pleasure if you do it with the attitude of praise. You can wash dishes, repair a machine, sell a product, write a computer program, grow a crop, and raise a family for the glory of God. Like a proud parent, God especially enjoys watching you use the talents and abilities he has given you. God intentionally gifted us differently for his enjoyment. He has made some to be athletic and some to be analytical. You may be gifted at mechanics or mathematics or music or a thousand other skills. All of these activities can bring a smile to God’s face.

You don’t bring glory or pleasure to God by hiding your abilities or by trying to be someone else. You only bring him enjoyment by being you. Anytime you reject any part of yourself, you are rejecting God’s wisdom and sovereignty in creating you. God says, “You have no right to argue with your Creator. You are merely a clay pot shaped by a potter. The clay doesn’t ask, ‘Why did you make me this way?’” (Isaiah 45:9 CEV).

In the film Chariots of Fire, Olympic runner Eric Liddell says, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel God’s pleasure.” Later he says, “To give up running would be to hold him in contempt.” There are no unspiritual abilities, just misused ones. Start using yours for God’s pleasure.

God also gains pleasure in watching you enjoy his creation. He gave you eyes to enjoy beauty, ears to enjoy sounds and music, your nose and taste buds to enjoy smells and tastes, and the nerves under your skin to enjoy touch. Every act of enjoyment becomes an act of worship when you thank God for it. In fact, the Bible says, “God generously gives us everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17 TEV).

God even enjoys watching you sleep! When my children were small, I remember the deep satisfaction of watching them sleep. Sometimes the day had been filled with problems and disobedience, but asleep they looked contented, secure, and peaceful, and I was reminded of how much I loved them.

My children didn’t have to do anything for me to enjoy them. I was happy to just watch them breathing. As their little chests would rise and fall, I’d smile, and sometimes tears of joy filled my eyes. When you are sleeping, God gazes at you with love, because you were his idea. He loves each one of us as if there were only one of us.

Parents do not require their children to be perfect, or even mature, in order to enjoy them. They enjoy them at every stage of development. In the same way, God doesn’t wait for you to reach maturity before he starts liking you. He loves and enjoys you at every stage of your spiritual development.

You may have had unpleasable teachers or parents as you were growing up. Please don’t assume God feels that way about you. He knows you are incapable of being perfect or sinless (1 John 1:8). The Bible says, “He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14 GW).

What God looks at is the attitude of your heart: Is pleasing him your deepest desire? This was Paul’s life goal: “More than anything else, however, we want to please him, whether in our home here or there” (2 Corinthians 5:9 TEV).

When you live in light of eternity, your focus changes from “How much pleasure am I getting out of life?” to “How much pleasure is God getting out of my life?”

God is looking for people like Noah in the 21st century – people willing to live for the pleasure of God. The Bible says, “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who are wise, who want to please God” (Psalm 14:2 LB).

Grasp Every Chance

You can meet with God while lying in bed. You don't have to be in a private room, with the door closed, bowed down on your knees to meet God. You can meet Him in the shower, while driving to work, or when stuck in a traffic jam.

I am not suggesting that you shouldn't set apart time for God. But you should also take advantage of any time you do have that you could be talking and listening to the Lord. Don't wait to talk to Him until you have a full hour to spend with Him. Grasp every minute you can find to open your ears to His voice. Take advantage of the idle moments already available to you and spend them with God.

I read this today from Joyce Meyer's Starting Your Day Right; it's the entry for March 19. I was very encouraged by these words. At this point in time of my life, an hour alone with God is hard. I desire it deeply, but life is insane and seems to get more so every day. I would encourage each one of you to look around your day with new eyes and take advantage of any and all moments you can talk to God even if you're doing something else while talking to Him.

God the Giver of Courage

"...Who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.

He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn."
(Psalm 18:31-36)

"...The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
(Proverbs 28:1)

Fresh Faith...Amazing Testimony of God's Power

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Here is some fuel to add to your prayer flames, it's an AMAZING story I got from my Aunt Loekie. It's only amazing because of our God who made the story possible. Set aside your theology, your boxes, your comfort zones and your experiences and get ready to have God rock your world. He does this all the time I'm sure, we just lack the faith to ask and believe. God IS amazing!! Come to Him persistently and expectantly...as children.

Love, Nathan W.



Dear friends,

This is a testimony from a young lady in our church (14), who was part of team used by God to raise a stillborn baby from the dead in Guatemala. We know this young lady personally. Her character and integrity are without reproach. You are about to read a bonafide, contemporary Lazarus resurrection story. This is as close to the flame of a literal resurrection from the dead as we have ever been!

BIG blessings,

Dave and Anita



Testimony from Abby:

"My name is Abby. I am 14 years old. I live in western North Carolina. During the summer of 2008, I went on a ministry trip to Guatemala. During part of the trip, we divided up into small ministry teams (5 to 7 people) and visited different villages in the San Pedro La Laguna area. We traveled from village to village telling the Indian people about Jesus. On one particular day, we were visiting in the home of a young woman. She lived in a small village of about 14 or 15 houses. We were trying to lead the young lady to Christ, but it was not going very well. After awhile, we decided to move on. Before leaving, we asked the woman if we could pray with her about anything in her life. She told us that just the day before, she had given birth to a stillborn baby and that we could pray with her about that.

"In Guatemalan culture, there is great shame and condemnation on mothers who give birth to deformed or stillborn children. We prayed a simple prayer that everything would go well with the funeral and burial of the baby and that the mother would be spared the shame and condemnation associated with having given birth to a stillborn child. As we were praying this simple prayer, my friend and fellow ministry team member, Julia (age 17), told me that we needed to pray over the baby's body. I thought she was crazy to suggest this and that it was not a good idea. Julia was persistent. She said again that we really needed to pray over the baby's body. She told me to ask the mother if she still had the baby's body. When I asked, the mother told us the baby's body was wrapped up in a burial cloth in the back room. I asked her if we could pray over the body. The mother hesitantly said, yes. We went into the backroom and saw the baby's body wrapped up in a bundle on the bed. Julia poked her head out of the back room and asked if she could unwrap the baby's head. The mother said, yes, if we wrapped it back correctly when we were done. Julia picked up the body and unwrapped the head. The baby's head was tiny and pale. The baby was stillborn and had been dead outside the womb for 27 hours. Her skin had turned shades of purple. Our entire ministry team, five of us, began crying and praying over this baby.

Praying/file photo"We prayed for thirty to forty minutes. At the end of that time, Julia screamed out to God, telling Him that she believed with all of her heart that this baby could be raised from the dead. After Julia screamed out, everyone was silent. We were quietly interceding and praying. Within a few minutes, the baby started moving. Then the baby coughed and began crying. The mother came rushing into the room. She was screaming, what is going on? No one could answer her. We were just staring at the baby, who had come back to life. The mother asked us again, what is going on? She began crying as she saw that her baby was alive. She ran out of the house and banged on every door in the village, telling all of the people that God is real because her baby was alive. Within about thirty minutes, the baby's skin tone and movements had become completely normal.

"The other villagers came to the house to see this amazing miracle. They asked us which of the Indian gods we had prayed to for such a miracle to happen. We told them we had prayed to the biggest God ever and we began to explain to them about Jesus. Soon, we realized we would not have time to minister salvation to each person individually. So, we gathered all the villagers together, turned on our little sound system and explained the way of salvation. Everyone in the village, 80 to 90 people, prayed to receive Jesus. Each of them was baptized in the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. Many would fall to the ground as the power of the Holy Spirit came on them.

"Five days later, we returned to the village to check in on the mother and the baby. The village had prepared a big dinner in honor of our team. We enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship together. The baby, whom they named Julia, was perfectly healthy and had gained weight. Even after five days, the mother was still shaking from the impact of God on her life through the resurrection of her child. Two days after our follow-up visit, the mother brought baby Julia to church. The mother was still shaking from the power of God on her life following this astounding miracle."

-Abby

God will

Psalm 91 [NLT]
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”


I was struck by all the promises in this Psalm, by all the I will phrases. There is no ambiguity here. These are solid promises I can cling to. God calls me to make Him my refuge and in return He promises me so much. An unequal partnership - THANK YOU GOD! ~Becca

Proactive Prayer

I am sure most of you have heard the saying “Prevention is the Key.” In our daily lives we are doing something subconsciously or consciously for preventing something. It is the same on our dairy farm, especially since we became organic about 6 years ago. Before it wasn’t as big of deal to be proactive in preventing illness in the herd because we could use antibiotics to fix the problem. Being organic antibiotics are a big no, no. So we have had to change our way of thinking and become a big advocate of being proactive in prevention. With this our cows are a lot healthier.

I have been thinking about our prayer life as a body and wondering are we proactive or reactive in praying? Are we praying for the antibiotic or are we praying for the prevention? How bold are we in prayer? Do we pray specifically for protection for one another in the physical and spiritual sense? I am not saying that we should stop praying for the antibiotic or the healing of one another. But just think of how much healthier we might be physically or spiritually if we took a proactive stance in each others lives and prayed in prevention.

So in Zach’s words PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!

Love Steph

God the Creator

"...God said, Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed and fruit trees yielding fruit whose seed is in itself, each according to its kind, upon the earth. And it was so." (Genesis 1:11).

"He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate--bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart." (Psalm 104:13-15).

Be strengthened and encouraged

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 3, "We sent [Timothy] to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through." [NLT] I read this tonight and it was followed by the realization that we all will need to be strengthened and encouraged in our faith and to stay strong in the troubles we go through. Not might need or may need, but we all will need to be strengthened and encouraged. It's not a sign of being a "bad Christian" or "not having strong enough faith" or in some other way not doing this whole Christian walk right; it is simply the reality of being human. So, here is a verse I find strengthens and encourages me:

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 [NLT]

~Becca

Prayer and Action?

“Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.” Acts 3: 6-7



Over the last week I cannot tell you how many times I have read the above verses. As I read the story of how Peter heals the cripple I have become fascinated with how the story plays out. As many of us already know prayer is a very powerful resource that we have and is something that we should spend as much time as possible doing. The part of this story that I have come to enjoy and be so convicted over though is the part after Peter prays for the beggar. It is in verse seven that I have become so lit up about. Peter takes him by the right hand and helps him up. I do believe that we can pray for a person in some far of land and it will be effective, however I believe that if that is the only thing we are doing we have missed out on seeing that very thing Peter sees here. Besides the blessing of seeing the man healed before his very eyes Peter puts action to his faith in Jesus. How may times have you prayed for a friend, family member or member of Hillside and the Lord has pressed this person on your heart to more than to silently pray for them? Have you taken the time to call them up and see how things are going? Or have you taken the time to set up the time to meet with them to check in on them? Maybe you should have made a meal for them? Maybe they needed some help on something around the house or yard, yet were simply too stubborn to ask (I am guilty of being stubborn)?

I realize that there are times that you will simply prayer for your brothers and sisters and that is all that will be needed. They may not even know that you are praying for them, I believe this happens more than we will ever know. It is truly a blessing to know that there is another with a like mind set praying for me and that I am able to return the favor, even though neither of us knows that we are praying for one another. However, He did not give us the ability to work and move about to spend all of our time in our homes praying alone for one another. We are able to do these things so we are able to put action to our words, as Peter did with the beggar. I will tell you now that I have been guilty of this on more than one occasion. There have been times when praying for someone that there has been the urge to more than simply pray. However, with my great wisdom I mess things up and try to convince myself that I am praying for them and that should be enough.

Now I am going to beat up on myself a little. I have this friend that has asked me to pray specifically for certain things in their life and I do. However, awhile back as I prayed I felt this urge to call and check in on how these things were going in their life. However, I got busy and did not get around to calling them. That weekend they stumbled. We talked about it in great length after all this went down and I had to ask this friend for forgiveness since I let them down and was disobedient to God in what He had placed on my heart even though I was doing a good thing and praying for them. I pray tonight that this never happens to either of us again. I also pray that none of you ever have to carry this burden.

Is it possible that the beggar could have been healed if Peter was in another country while he prayed? I think it is possible, but we may have missed seeing the glory of God at work. Awhile back I was talking with a friend that I only see a couple of times a year and he had explained to me that he had been having a terrible time with his temper and then all of a sudden it stopped. He was not sure what happened, but it came to an end. Later on in the day we were talking about a friend of his and he told me how he had been explaining to his friend the problems with his temper. His friend replied, “Well that is not good, something needs to be done about that.” When I heard this, I knew with out a doubt that the other friend had been praying for him and told him I thought prayer had been involved with the temper going away. I saw this friend the next day and he told me he had called the other guy and asked if he had been praying for him and the answer was yes. See through this whole thing Jesus was at work and we almost missed out on knowing what had happened. The guy that had been praying was hundreds of miles away praying and the friend was healed.

I pray tonight that as we pray for one another that we will have discernment on when all we need to do is pray and when the times are that some action needs to take place with our prayers. At times it may seem outside of your comfort zone to lend your right hand to the beggar and help him up. However, it is such a wonderful thing when we are able to see the hand of God work before our very eyes.

God Bless,

Rick

The Gift

Have you ever listened to Blink 182 and thought "these guys must be Christians!"??? Me either.... But Blink 182 is broken up, maybe just on hiatus, either way, that sad turn of events has brought us Angels & Airwaves (same lead singer as Blink).

Angels and Airwaves probably has Christian and non-christian fans, but there's no denying that God is sending me a message through this song. Kind of a "Hey dummy, I'm always in the same place, you don't even have to look for me" message.... In my life I've hidden from Him, but one way or another, He always finds you. In songs, poems, people, he will find you. Lets just not hide anymore.



I wanna have the same last dream again
The one where I wake up and I'm alive
Just as the four walls close me within
My eyes are open up with pure sunlight
I'm the first to know
My dearest friends
Even if your hope has burned with time
Anything that is dead shall be re-grown
And your vicious pain, your warning sign
You will be fine

Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin

Any type of love it will be showed
Like every single tree reach for the sky
If you're gonna fall
I'll let you know
That I will pick you up
Like you for I
I felt this thing
I can't replace
When everyone was working for this goal
Where all the children left without a trace
Only to come back as pure as gold
To recite this all

Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin
Tonight
Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin
Tonight
Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin

I can not live, I can't breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live, I can't breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live, I can't breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live, I can't breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live, I can't breathe
Unless you do this with me
I can not live, I can't breathe
Unless you do this with me

Hey oh, here I am (do this with me)
Here we go
Life's waiting to begin (do this with me)
Hey oh, here I am (do this with me)
Here we go
Life's waiting to begin
Life's waiting to begin -McPike

Leaving Stephanie’s World

Zach’s email about leaving your island got me thinking about my world, “Stephanie’s world.” I am not sure if I have ever talked about my world or not. Rick is always saying that I am in “Stephanie’s world.” It is easy to be in. I work and live on our family dairy and it is easy to be isolated from the real world. In my world there is no evil people even though bad things happen just the same. A little over a week ago, I had a dream that in the face of evil I had no fear. And I stood up which is so unlike me. I felt the power of our Lord and it gave me a whole new look on the world.

While milking this afternoon and thinking about all of this I wrote this poem.

Do I want to leave my place?
Do I want to open my eyes and see?
I have been there before.
I didn’t like it.
I remember the eyes.
Those eyes are still haunting.
And I know they are still there.
My place is better…safer…brighter.
It’s darker where the eyes are.
The eyes don’t stare directly at me from my place.
They still creep in to bring sad and bad things.
But I can’t see the coldness in their stare.
Why are the eyes there?
I don’t understand.
The evil is so piercing from them.
How could such evil exist?

Why haven’t YOU come to take us away from them?
For YOU have no fear.
For YOU the eyes are nothing.
For YOU break the darkness.
For YOU are true power.
YOU give us YOU.
YOU give us power…YOUR power.

The fear is gone.
This isn’t like me.
YOU are here with me.
I can take that step.
Darkness is broken.
And with YOU the eyes are gone.

Love Steph

Tell someone something good God has done...

...in your life today. This sentence was in my daily devotional this morning, so I am going to share. Years ago I was married and divorced. What I had heard about God's stance on divorce is that He does not like it, but I hadn't dug into the Bible for myself. I have asked God to forgive me for my divorce, but it never sat well with me. The guilt lingered. Sunday, I was reading 1 Corinthians when I came across this verse:

(But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.) 1 Corinthians 7:15

I was stunned. There is no question that my first husband was not a believer. I had no idea this verse existed. I reread and reread it, pondered it, reread it some more. It's there in black and white and I have nothing to feel guilty about. God couldn't have freed me of this guilt if I hadn't dug in His Word.

That's how He is working in my life. How is He working in Yours?

Oh How He Loves Us!

Wow...is all I have to say! I am deeply touched by this today. I hope you are too. The Lord loves each of us, he hears our prayers and in his perfect timing, he will answer!

IHS,
Cammie

Re: Bleeding Love

Steph's blog on the song "Bleeding Love" made me think of this gorgeous flower that is called a bleeding heart. I found this one in my parent's back yard behind some overgrown grass and a small pile of lumber. It makes me think that pain produces great beauty..."I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us..." (Romans 8:18)...
Love, Lisa

‘Intelligent design’ is manifested everywhere, everywhen

‘Intelligent design’ is manifested everywhere, everywhen

An article in the Woodburn Independent, Molalla Pioneer, and the Canby Herald.

Guest Column by Chuck Dye, Pastor, Canby Chapel Church of the Nazarene

I recently saw a documentary that was out in theaters: “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.”

In it, the author makes the point that higher education institutions and even our public school system have disallowed the teaching of intelligent design.

They would rather teach a godless, Darwinian system of evolution than to even consider the possibilities of an intelligent creator.

I could say much on this subject, but it is not my purpose for writing at this time. But suffice to say, “A fool says in his heart there is no God” --- Psalm 14:1.

It is my great pleasure to declare without shame that almighty God created everything and placed His sign in all of it. We call it His glory.

One would have to be blind and deaf to miss all of this beauty and credit it to chance.

“The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth His handiwork” --- Psalm 19:1.

This great and awesome God spoke the worlds into existence and breathed the stars (Psalm 33:6).

If this were all a mistake or the result of a huge uncontrolled explosion there should be chaos in the heavens but there is beauty and order.

And with the latest advances in tools to study the stars, like NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, we see His sign in the furthest reaches of the galaxy.

Even when we look into the smallest elements of His creation we see His sign.

Scientists are now even able to study the molecules of our cells.

They have isolated a certain molecular protein called Laminin that is the glue that holds our cells together.

Many, many “Indian moons” ago I remember in grade school seeing a science film in which the narrator made the statement, “The closer we get to understanding creation, the closer we get to the Creator.”

How far we have fallen as a society and a culture!

I agree with the psalmist who said. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made . . . My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.” --- Psalm 139:14,15.

Beloved, you are a masterpiece made in the image of God. His signature is not just in one place, but in every cell of your body.

You give glory to God simply by your existence, because He is glorified by His creation, and “God don’t make no junk.”

The Lion in You!

I came across this picture in an email today and I just love it. Since becoming a police officer, the Lord has really been speaking to Nathan about being a warrior and a lion. One of the verses that has spoken to him is, "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is His name." Ex. 15:3 This picture is amazing to me. I feel it really portrays how we sometimes feel like small kittens that are helpless. We simply need to remember who lives inside of us is the Lord, King of the Universe. He is a warrior, a mighty roaring lion. We can be bold and strong because of He who is in us. If we simply believe. We too, may feel like kittens at times, but Jesus the Lion is within us to help us fight the battles of this life. Believe and go forth and "ROOOOAAAARRRR". :0) All for His Glory!

Live through the Life

Okay Steph and Cammie, you guys kinda stole my thunder. I hear a song that makes me think about God and his people, and Hillside, and you already have a song theme going... I guess I'll just continue the trend, I'm typically a little late on those anyway right?




For anyone who doesn't know me that well, the "Christianity thing" is relatively new to me (maybe a few years? maybe an honest 1?). This song by Coldplay makes me think of my life with Christ. People familiar with a certain Steve Carell film know how hard it can be for a guy to admit he likes Coldplay. You can rule the world that you live in, but that doesn't matter in the end. Because you can't rule the world that HE rules.

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Ohhh)

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Thank you for listening, Sean M.

Bleeding Love

This is the name of a song I have heard by Leona Lewis. I actually listened to the words of this song the other day and was kind of blown away. I know that it probably wasn’t written in respect of Jesus but He is whom I first thought of when I heard the song. The first words that hit me were the words “bleeding love” and my thoughts were that is what Jesus’ love is for us. He loves us so much that he died for us and bled his love for us. That is so powerful and now we have that power with us when we accept it. It is so much more amazing to me everyday and more so than I can ever imagine. Thank you Jesus for your bleeding love!

As I listened to the rest of the song it also made me think of our relationship with Jesus. On how we are in life before we find Jesus and then once we find Him how society and life puts pressure on it. But like the song we need to not care what other say because we know the truth. Thank you again Jesus for what you have given us and the new life we have with you.

Here are the words to the song:

Bleeding Love

Closed off from love
I didn't need the pain
Once or twice was enough
And it was all in vain
Time starts to pass
Before you know it you're frozen

But something happened
For the very first time with you
My heart melted into the ground
Found something true
And everyone's looking round
Thinking I'm going crazy

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open

Trying hard not to hear
But they talk so loud
Their piercing sounds fill my ears
Try to fill me with doubt
Yet I know that the goal
Is to keep me from falling

But nothing's greater
Than the rush that comes with your embrace
And in this world of loneliness
I see your face
Yet everyone around me
Thinks that I'm going crazy, maybe, maybe

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open

And it's draining all of me
Oh they find it hard to believe
I'll be wearing these scars
For everyone to see

I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open and I
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love

Love Steph

Have to do it, just for fun!

On Sunday, Steph Sherman, Mandy and I were talking about different songs. This song came up because Jack Perrin really likes it. I just had the chance to listen to the lyrics and it's a fun thought. Hope you enjoy and I hope it puts a smile on your Tuesday!



When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best

Prepare yourself you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
Gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best

Never been a sinner I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up with
The spirit in the sky
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best

IHS,
Cammie

God, faith and prayer

The promise of eternal life is nice, but honestly doesn't have much relevance or importance for me. What really does it for me is the supernatural help I get in my every day life.

By all that's logical, today should have been a horrendously horrible day. We power cleaned for HOURS because of the realtor coming Monday and tomorrow we'll be gone all day. The kids struggle with days like this because it's no fun to clean and they get tired of helping pretty quick into the endeavor. Understandable, but the whining that ensues grates on me, contributing negatively to the day. I started the day not feeling well. My heart rate was at 120 beats per minute which is great if you're working out, but I was just sitting. On both our resident RN's orders, I took my morning meds and sat down. So that stuff evens out and I start cleaning. Then the stomach cramps started and my body proceeded to cleanse its system. That lasted for hours as well. All in all, I should have been screaming at people, impatient beyond words, generally cranky all day long, and banished to my room by noon.

But my life is not ruled by what is logical, by what can be seen and measured and quantified. My life is ruled by the supernatural power of God. I started praying yesterday about today. I woke this morning and began praying; it was rather random being first thing in the morning, but I did start with prayer. Next I looked at Klove's Word of the Day [God arms me with strength; and he makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32]. I picked up my Joyce Meyer daily devotional which takes about 30 seconds to read. I listened to my favorite 38 Christian songs on repeat. During my enforced sitting period, I prayed some more. When I showered I talked to God about how weak I was today and how I needed his strength today and how I knew I could do all things with His help even get through this day. Defying all logic, I did not scream at a single child. Defying all logic, I got so much done even while in tremendous pain. Defying all logic, I am feeling relaxed and calm this evening. That simply doesn't happen without God's intervention. I know because I lived through days like this when I didn't pray and didn't try to read His Word. Those days turned out as rotten as one would expect.

This is why I believe: God causes me to be the calm, loving, supportive mother and wife that I long to be. I tried to do it without His help for years. After every blow up at Kyle, I would vow to never do it again citing to myself all the reasons I absolutely could not lose my temper at him again. Within 24 hours, I would lose it at him once more. Nothing I did in my own strength ever helped even a little bit. Then we moved to Woodburn and I started attending a young moms Bible study mentored by an amazing woman, Diane Burton. Through her I learned about prayer and how easy it is. So I tried it and it worked. That is why I believe. God has kept every promise to me that I have found in the Bible. If you seek Him, you will find Him. ~Becca

Christ in You!

What a wonderful reminder for us today. If you have 9 minutes to sit back and listen, I know you will be encouraged and spurred on today in your faith!

IHS,
Cammie

Officially Done!

Thank you Hillside for lifting us up in prayer these last 4 months. Nathan is officially done with the Police Academy and is back home. He graduated last Friday and we headed to the beach to celebrate for a couple of days. If it wasn't for you guys, we wouldn't have survived these last few months. The meals you made for us, we're such a blessing~thank you! And you're prayers and encouragement of many kinds we're Godsends at just the right moments. Here's a huge {{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}} for you all! We love you!!!

The Wallbaums

Pub Talk!

As many of you know I enjoy a pint of beer from time to time. Some may argue to be a “good Christian” I should not enjoy it as much as I do or at all. However, that is not why I write tonight and if you want we can talk about that another time. The reason I write tonight is my experiences at a pub. Since the Truth Project has started I have on many nights gone and grabbed a bite to eat and a couple of pints of beer at the Colony Pub just down the street from the Legion Hall. For me I have always enjoyed visiting pubs and this one in particular I have found to be very fascinating. Most of the time I go by myself and usually read my Bible while enjoying my meal.

Most nights I recognize many of the same people from the week before. Many arrive around the same time each night and receive a nice warm greeting from the people already there. It is always very interesting to overhear the conversations of the people while I am there. The best part of this is there is no fluff; it is always straight up in how things are going. The group of people that meet at the pub on Wednesday nights is maybe half the size of the congregation at Hillside. In the time that I have spent in the pub I have heard of more people struggling with one thing or another than I have ever heard at Hillside over the last year and a half. Why is this? Is it because society wants us to believe that we are to go to the pub to drink are problems away and that when we go to church “everyday with Jesus is a great one”? I will admit that my life has changed dramatically since I have come to know Jesus. It has been the best years of my life. However, I have had faced some of the greatest battles of my life. Life is great since I know Jesus and know the promises that he has for my family and me. To be honest with you though there are days and weeks were it is not much fun walking with Him and seems that it could be easier to go back to were I came from. Am I the only one that struggles in our congregation? Do you ever feel that you are the only one at Hillside that struggles? There has been times were I have done this and have wondered is there something wrong with my Christian experience since it does not seem to stack up to the others I see on Sunday. I am not always the best about admitting to battles that I face from time to time. I urge all of you to start talking about the struggles you may face as I work on being open with you as well.

The part that I love about all of this is that God is able to teach in an environment that to many would not seem to be a Christian environment and would be avoided by many. At the pub there is a sense of community that I have not found in very many other places. Tonight as I drift of to sleep I pray that we can continue to come together as a community that is there for one another through the good times and the bad and that we will be honest with one another when times are rough. One more thing, I would enjoy to have a pint with any one of you the next time you are around and have the time.

Lessons From Maxson

I am sure most have you have either heard a story like this or have experienced it for yourself but I thought I would say it again, even if it is just a reminder. Maxson has started walking, which is so much fun to watch. His eyes sparkle with joy and with determination as he takes his steps toward his destination. His arms are wide open being carefree and he is taking all the newness with such enthusiasm. He can’t get enough. I love the smile on his face when he makes it to where he wanted to go. Now he does fall down a lot and there is some crying involved on some of those falls, but he gets back up and keeps on trying. One thing I have noticed when watching him, is that in those sparkling, joyful eyes there is no fear. He keeps trying to accomplish the goal or path before him and is not deterred. Fear never enters his mind. Fear doesn’t take over and hold him back from taking those steps even if there is a huge chance that he will fall.

Do we as the church have no fear when it comes to taking those steps with God? Do we have the sparkle and joy in our eyes when we step out onto the path He has for us? Do we have the determination and carefree attitude to keep getting back up when we fall and continue on to that destination? I know that it isn’t always easy and it is scary sometimes but…“Fear not for I am with you.” Isaiah 41:10

Love, Steph

Isaiah 55

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Isreal,
for he has endowed you with splendor.”

Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed.

Psalm 42 NLT

5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and 6 my God!

Kyle Nelson's Sermon Notes for 5/11/08

Hi, I'm Kyle Nelson. I'm the son of Becca and David Nelson. I'm 12 years old and I am a homeschooler. Zack liked my notes for his sermon today (5/11/08) and wanted me to put them up on here. Here are my notes:

God wants us to DEAFH (Drop Everything And Follow Him) and take time to worship Him. Also He wants us to ask Him for guidance and not forget He's there. He wants us to give ourselves up enough to where He can give us a totally new identity, like He did to Simon/Peter.

Don’t Do What You’re Tempted To Do, When Someone Gets Ugly With You

This is such a great reminder to be Jesus to the unlovable.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but
be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.
— 2 Timothy 2:24


Have you ever found yourself in a predicament where you were trying to help someone who resisted you, spoke disrespectfully to you, and just flat out acted ugly? In that instant, did you find your blood boiling, your temperature rising, and your emotions agitated? Were you so angry that you felt like you would detonate? Be honest! Did you feel tempted to fly into a rage, lecture the ingrate derogatorily for his attitude, or even slap him right across the face?

It’s natural to feel exasperated when someone you are trying to help doesn’t respond appropriately to the assistance you are offering. But yielding to your own emotions and getting in the flesh won’t make the situation any better. In fact, it will only make the situation worse! So hold your tongue, stay seated in your chair, and keep your head on straight when you find yourself in a situation like this!

Many years ago, Denise and I had one particular employee who was extremely gifted — but he was one of the most difficult people to work with I’ve ever met in my life. This man was rude, insubordinate, critical of others, and regularly late to work. On the other hand, he was very talented and produced great results in his job. One day I wanted to fire him; the next day, I wanted to reward him. It was such an emotional mixture! How I wished this employee would just calm down, talk nicely to people, and learn how to get along with others!


From time to time, I had to sit down and talk to this man about his attitude. But dealing with him was so excruciatingly laborious. I dreaded those moments when I knew I had to sit down to talk to him. Here I was, trying to help this employee — but rather than receive correction graciously and thank me for trying to take him to a higher level, he would argue, debate, or try to turn the conversation around and point his finger at other people. It simply exasperated me, yet I knew that God wanted me to work with and teach this man; therefore, I had to remain self-controlled and not allow myself to get caught up in the flesh and knock him flat!

Have you ever felt this way before? Can you remember a time when you tried to help your child, but your child’s response was belligerent and unreceptive to you? Or can you recall a time when you worked with a fellow employee whose attitude toward the boss was so bad that he or she deserved to be fired for it? Or perhaps you can remember someone at church who had a critical attitude toward the pastor and got involved in ugly backbiting and gossip. I hope it wasn’t you!

When Timothy was serving as pastor of the Ephesian church, he had some insubordinate people in church leadership positions. Apparently he had written to Paul about this problem, because when Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, he addressed the problem, telling Timothy what kind of attitude he needed to maintain when dealing with people who had bad attitudes. Paul said, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient” (2 Timothy 2:24).


The word “strive” is the Greek word machomai, and it means to quarrel, dispute, argue, or to get into strife or contention with someone else. At first, this Greek word was used to picture armed combatants who exchanged blows with deadly weapons. Later, it came to denote men who fought hand to hand — striking, punching, wrangling, and rolling on the ground as they slugged it out with each other. But by the time of the New Testament when Paul used the word machomai in this verse, it depicted people who were at odds with each other bickering, squabbling, and slugging it out — not with swords or fists, but with their words. So Paul urges Timothy (and all of us) not to allow ourselves to get dragged into a war of words when we are trying to correct people who have bad attitudes.

Next, Paul tells us that we must be “gentle.” This is the Greek word epios, which means to be mildmannered, kind, temperate, calm, or gentle. We find this word used by Paul in First Thessalonians 2:7, where he reminds the Thessalonians of how he had behaved among them. He writes, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.”


It is important that we see how Paul uses the word epios in the context of caring for little children. This suggests that now Paul is telling Timothy to realize that he is dealing with immature people whom he must treat like children. Parents are to teach and discipline their children without “flying off the handle” every time their children are rude or disrespectful. Now Timothy must assume this kind of parental, correcting, teaching role in the way he deals with these who are acting inappropriately in his church.

When people behave disrespectfully toward their boss, their department director, their pastor, or their parents, they are demonstrating that they are not smart and certainly not mature. When you see this, it should send up a red flag before you to let you know the maturity level you are dealing with in the lives of these individuals. Even if they are called to the ministry; even if they have been to Bible school; even if they have been members of your church for a long time — the fact that they would act disrespectfully toward authority reveals that these people are still young in terms of maturity.


You should thank God that this came to light. Had you moved these individuals upward into a higher place of visibility while they were still at this deficient level of maturity, it would have been a big problem for you later. But now you can see that they’re not ready for a higher place of responsibility. You can also visibly discern the areas in which you need to help them so they can maximize their potential in the Lord.


Second Timothy 2:24 could be translated to read:

“And the servant of the Lord must not get caught up in
a war of words — wrangling, wrestling, bickering, squabbling,
arguing, and verbally slugging it out with his contenders.
Instead, he must be calm, steady, temperate, kind, and
gentle in the way he responds.”


So when you try to bring correction into someone’s life who is under your authority and that person doesn’t initially respond the way he should, don’t let it ruffle your feathers or throw you into a state of exasperation. Certainly you shouldn’t allow yourself to get so caught up in emotions that you descend to their level and start acting just like them!


This is a time for you to “put on your parent-teacher hat.” Lovingly deal with that person like a child or a young person who needs to be taught how to respond to authority and who needs guidance and correction from someone who loves him.

And what should you do if you get stirred up and enter into the fray of flesh, allowing yourself to get entrenched in a war of words? Thank God that your own level of maturity has been exposed! Not only does that other person need to grow, but this situation has revealed a flaw in your own character, drawing attention to an obvious area in your own life that needs attention, correction, and a higher level of maturity. So as you pray for that other person to grow, don’t forget to include yourself on your prayer list

A prayer for our church

Lord, I pray for my church. I pray for the community of believers that I belong to. I ask You to protect us, guide us, purify us, and fill us. Wash us with the water of Your Word. I pray that Your Spirit will be so free to work through us that many people will come to know You. I pray this in Your name. Amen.

I wanted to share this with all of you because I thought it was a quick comprehensive prayer that could be copied and taped to mirrors, cupboards, desktops, above the washer or on the fridge. It is from Denise Glenn's book Freedom for Mothers. ~Becca

Footprints In The Sand - Gag!

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A “RAMBLING-LONG” PIECE. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! -Scott

My five-month-old son Titus and I had the opportunity to visit my grandparents this past weekend. They live in busy, beautiful San Diego. Though I’m never thrilled to travel, I was excited to introduce Titus to his great-grandparents. At age 80 and both very mobile and of sound mind, they too longed for the chance to visit with their current youngest great-grandchild. So he and I packed up and said good-bye to Mom and sister at the airport early on Friday morning and were on our way - me with a suitcase on wheels, car-seat rested against the pull-handle, a backpack over my shoulders and Titus against my chest in the infant carrier; facing outward, arms and legs spread wide and gumming what-ever he could reach with his mouth.

This would be his first plane flight and I was interested in how he would do. So we did the usual check-in, security-check, boarding, taxi and take-off. Then two and a half hours later we were on the ground in San Diego at our gate and quickly on our way to baggage claim. Aside from the brief greetings from complete strangers and flirtatious smiles from all kinds of people as we traveled, Titus was a complete stud and caused me no unwanted stress. Truthfully, he allowed me to manipulate him and his schedule without complaint. It was great fun. If he was old enough to talk, I think he’d agree (that it was fun)!

The following will seem like a very random shift. But hang with me.

Remember that old poem about footprints in the sand? Here’s the gist: Basically, when going through tough times in life, you look back to see a single set of footprints in the sand and think God left you all alone to trudge forward by yourself. The big reveal at the end of the poem is that Jesus looks at you and says those single set of footprints weren’t yours but his – that he in fact carried you through those times of challenge and hardship. Cue the orchestra, shed a tear, pass around the Kleenex and walk away inspired!…

…Hmmm…Not my initial response. I remember first reading this poem when I was a teen and just rolling my eyes; “Lame” is probably what I thought. Of course, the message of the poem hasn’t escaped me, but I have never been able to get over my initial reaction to the poem – “Laaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmme”. Now that I think about it, maybe it wasn’t the words within the poem or the message it conveyed, but the aesthetics of how it was displayed. For example, I’m pretty sensitive to how art is presented and I often wonder: Is this designed for the mass market or a select niche? How deep do I need to look for meaning or am I being spoon-fed a perspective? Am I being played for my dollar and a good feeling? – These type of questions will sometimes run through my head.

I suppose I could think up all sorts of other uncertainties to illustrate my point, but this is what I believe my issue was all those years ago. I hated the cheaply made frame the poem was housed in. I massively disliked the manipulative ocean and seashell picture - including the obligatory footprints - embossed on the matting under the clear plastic “glass”. And even back then, I couldn’t believe someone “made-a-buck” on this “garbage”. Even more, that someone would buy something so cheap. Even now I bristle a bit when I consider the fact that quality “source material” is often treated without respect, marketed and sold. It is especially irritating when people are unashamedly willing to tap the Christian sub-culture and peddle crappy spiritual goods. But now I’m beginning to really deviate.

Like the poem “Footprints” alludes to, I love the reality that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31: 6 & 8) and that he has given us His Holy Spirit as our comfort and guide (Acts 5:32). Theologically, regardless of where you stand, the Bible is clear that beyond guidance and comfort, the Holy Spirit has been given to us to help us love (Romans 5:5), give us joy, as well as peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). And it is through His power and blessing we are carried through life – Remember, His footprints, not ours. I get it!

So now, let’s head back to Titus, Grandma and Grandpa Box and me in San Diego this past weekend: I had the chance to introduce Titus to his great grandparents; “Titus Wilson Box, let me introduce you to your Great Granddad, Billie Wilson Box Jr. He loves you so much.” (My Grandpa is 6 foot 5 inches and weighed a good 225+ pounds most of his life, was a California Highway Patrolman and was the son of Billie Sr. – a Texas farm boy who had no issues spelling his name or his son’s like a girl! I love it.). How special that introduction was!!! I thank God for the strength and ability to travel so far so fast and to bless my family in such a wonderful way. I thank God for the blessing of my Grandparents. But most of all, I am grateful for the fact God has and does carry us through the wild tides and “stormy days at the beach” we all experience in the course of living. I’m amazed at how He has carried me, carried my parents, carried my grandparents and will even carry Titus in the days ahead; just like the poem “Footprints” talks about. Through the easy, low stress strolls along the beach, like my plane ride to San Diego with a five month-old; or the crazy-mad-house, stress filled nightmare of the high tides in life, like dark addictions, family heart-ache or health problems – God walks with, beside and occasionally carries us (like I carried Titus); arms and legs wide, drool everywhere as we gum whatever we get our hands on.

To be very clear, in the poem “Footprints” - its inspiration and grasp on Truth is the ultimate issue. The same is true for all art or works man creates. We must be a people who think critically and test all things; working to always recognize the diamond from the garbage.

Finally here’s my encouragement: Like me, like these young people, we must be careful not to scoff at artistic but wise, truthful, Godly and inspired source material. Obviously we must also be discerning! But I have to be honest; another non-flowery look at “Footprints” blasted me with fresh and inspirational meaning this week. I finally got over my apathy as well as my scowl inducing cynicism, looked past the frame and the matting I remember from my younger days, and heard God’s voice. Want to know what I heard?

Listen. Listen really closely. Like the introduction I made between Titus and my grandparents a couple days ago in San Diego, can’t you hear Jesus proudly declaring this introduction; “I gave my life as the perfect God-man, because of your sin, to pave the way for the possibility of this very moment! Scott Wilson Box, let me introduce you to your True Father, God almighty. He’s always been there for you and He always will be…”

“…Oh, and Scott, ‘during your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.'”