Youth Leading with their Faith....Grandsons!

What an amazing Sunday when we attended Wasilla Christian Church, where the youth were leading the entire worship service.
Grandson Josiah was the lead drummer.
Grandson Ryley was on the guitar, and provided the Sunday message.

Wasilla Christian Church Sermon


What an exciting thing to see churches promoting the youth, their faith, and empowering them to live out their faith.  How cool to sit and hear your grandsons sharing about their faith.

Take a few minutes out of your day and check out the link.  Watch Ryley as he shares a little bit of his life, and how God is guiding him to live each day with intentionality.  How about you?

Does it MAKE a Difference?

Christmas has come and gone, although we are still waiting to celebrate the new year!  We enjoyed our celebration here in Alaska. But it does give one time to pause and consider our lives.

Those gifts that seem so amazing are often forgotten within a year. Do you recall what you received last Christmas?  Or do you recall what you gave last Christmas?  Of course, sometimes we give or receive something extra-special, and it stays as a sweet memory in our lives. But many times the gifts break or are discarded, sold or broken, and the memory fades.

Today I viewed this link provided by some friends of ours, who are missionaries in Alberta. The video, however, depicts the ministry of other acquaintances of ours.  You might expect it to begin like other missionary videos, but it quickly surprises you as the recipients of the ministry in this far away land plead with the "American Church" to consider coming to their land to help others know about God's love for them.  And it reminded me of gifts that never fade. It reminded me of the Gift given by Jesus, when He came here so that we could have a relationship with the Creator God. It reminded me of the gift that we can give when we share our lives with others, and help them to know the Christmas Gift in a way that they can understand.

As you think about this today, watch this video.  The time for us to go and make a difference in the lives of others, to give of ourselves as a gift, is still as needed today as it was in 1978 when George and Harriet went to the Bisorio. And we need people like this to join us here in Alaska.
Has God called YOU to give yourself and your life as a gift to others?

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Jill & Steve Horsman


Bisorioland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVygsGg_xrQ&feature=youtu.be

Clouds

I awoke this morning and the view from the front window was inviting. The light was just beginning to disperse the night's darkness. From my vantage point I could see the trees and fields on Lazy Mountain. There was not a breath of breeze to flutter the leaves on the trees. And so I sat down with my coffee and Bible to enjoy the stillness of a beautiful morning.

I have been reading in the book of Isaiah and had just read 44:22, "I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."  Amazingly, I looked up and everything was blanketed  in a thick cloud.  I could no longer see the mountain, the buildings on this campus, or even the lilac tree right in our yard.  Everything was covered over. It created a new reality from my perspective.  The mountain no longer even existed, in this enshrouded new world.

This is exactly what God claims that He will do for us.  If we do things His way, as the Creator Who exists, is relational and personal, and the One Who exists in three as Father, Jesus, and His Spirit. He does for us what the cloud did in this environment. We can be in relationship with this Creator. We can be His children because He is the cloud maker. He is the One that covers us in this cloud. The sins in our lives can be completely covered so that they change our life as radically as the cloud changed the scene here on the mountain.  He takes away the sin, and the shame.

It was a beautiful thing to see as I was reading today.  The power of God's cloud to blot out our sin and shame.  Wow.

Who Holds Your Hand

A baby has no fear when holding the hand of their parent. They cling to those fingers, knowing the the loving hands holding them will keep them steady when they falter, and guide them on their path.

It sounds so idyllic.  But infants and children are not always so willing to go where the hand guides them. If you have had children or even observed a parent and child in the store, then you know the hands of the parents must, at times, lead the child where they do not want to go. They may strain and protest, but the parent knows what it best for the child.

I was thinking of this image today when reading Psalm 37:24, "When he (a man that is in relationship with God) falls, he will not be hurled headlong because The Lord is the One who holds his hand."
This One holding the hands is loving and relational, like the parent. He also knows what is best for His child. I think that we so glibly and easily embrace this childlike faith when we first come to a relationship with this Heavenly Father. But time, experiences, and challenges either deepen or destroy that faith. It is this mature kind of faith that I witnessed in the pain-filled eyes of our friends who so recently lost their only son in an accident.  I hear it in the words of our friends who are both facing cancer. It is in the voice of our children who are facing challenges, and in the hearts of friends who face those last years of their lives.

I think that God, that Heavenly Father, would want us to embrace the analogy and images of our children. To know that He has my hand and will keep holding it, even when I stumble and fall, is a comfort.  I may not understand where He is taking me, and I might even resist, but even so He will not allow me to fall headlong.
He holds my hand!

Who holds yours?

Alaskan 4th of July

So it is 12:10 am. That's right- just after midnight.   The Fourth of July. But it is Alaskan style.  Steve is outside practicing golf swings with our son, and it is barely dusk enough to watch the distant fireworks. Big Lake or Houston, perhaps?  A parade is on the schedule for tomorrow. A picnic. And who knows? If we can stay up until dusk, maybe more firrworks. About 24 hours from now!!

A Grand Day

Today was one of the sweet moments in life, mingled with a little sadness.

You see, our son and his family are staying with us in Alaska while he is working. And today was Quaid's 9th birthday!  Oh, the excitement. It has been going on for days.  "Only 3 more days, Grandma."  "Grandma, this is the last dinner I will ever eat being 8 years old." "Grandma, when I wake up I will be 9!"

So sleep was hard in coming last night, and it was an earlier than usual morning.  But the sun did rise. And Quaid DID turn 9. And what a fun day it has been.  A special breakfast, and then a scavenger hunt led him to his present from Nathan and Elizabeth. His own set of golf clubs.  "Sweet," was the word used!  And then the guys all joined the Coke family for an afternoon at the driving range.

Meanwhile, the girls (and baby Conlan) came to Grandma's house for a knitting party and luncheon. We ended up having much more of the luncheon and never did get to the knitting. The guys returned for cake and ice cream. Now it is pizza and a slumber party.

The sadness?  Steve was not here to enjoy it all. But he is on the road, somewhere probably around Dease Lake (ha, you need an atlas to look up that one) and heading to Alaska in the convoy.  Four men from Wisconsin are graciously helping with this big move.

Oh, and then we had such an exciting call from Ruth.  Kaylie just became a freshman, and ended her junior high school career with a straight "A" report card- 4.0 GPA.  Way to go Kaylie.
Then there was Ryley, who just learned he excelled at his math course this year!  Way to go Ryley.  An expert in geometry now.

So my thought for today end with the gratefulness that comes from family. And some of you reading this are also part of our "adopted" family. So thankful for all of you, and for the special time in life when we can be a part of our grandson's special day.  Signing off to go eat.....PIZZA!

Soul Depths

Soul Deep....While Wearing out Soles...

It is summer in Alaska and the birds were filling the air with their music well before 3 AM. I laced up my running shoes around 8 AM and headed to the Matanuska River, and my new "tradition" for the morning.  My new blue shoes have barely worn soles, making it a special pleasure to begin the habit of a daily run.

Today, however, I stopped near the shore of the raging river that is daily climbing the banks with the grey silt-laden waters. I paused in my run to visit with a youth pastor. As I chatted with him I met another member of the congregation. Soon we were engaged in conversation.

It began with the usual formalities, "Where do you live?" "Do you have a family?" "Do you walk or run every day?"  Quickly our conversation turned to things belonging to the spiritual Soul rather than the footwear I was sporting.

We talked of the deep soul pain of man. We talked about people in general, but thinking particularly of those without an intimacy and a relationship with the Creator God. She asked if I felt that one of the deep soul wounds came from hopelessness.  Immediately I was taken back to another Soul conversation with Mike Matthews, and I responded, "No, I do not think that hopelessness is the deepest soul wound. I think that the hopelessness comes from something deeper. I think that, for many people, it is SHAME that is the soul wound.  Then you become hopeless, but I think that shame may be the deeper wound."

As I've pondered this today, reading in the book of Job, I think that Shame is a profoundly powerful emotion that drives a sharp wound into the deepest part of our soul. And shame can result from so many circumstances- things we have done, guilt, things done to us, robbed innocence. And we cannot remove the shame alone. How good that we have a Creator God Who is relational, powerful, and so willing to remove that shame from our souls.

So, what do you think?  Is Shame the deepest soul wound, or do other things go deeper?

Christianity and structure..

Is prayer enough?  Do we need structure? Does strategy prevent God from working? If it is used in business, than can it ever be good for Christian organizations?

Funny how odd these sound when we actually see them in print, but we often function as though they are true.  In fact, I wonder if we don't all have stories (narratives) that we can recall, or even rehearse, that might support one or all of these statements.

The problem is that it does not seem to square with Scripture. Or even how God works.
Read the book of Nehemiah.  Here was a drama that included a successful outcome, but only after adequate prayer, humiliation, use of human resources, and strategy.  And they accomplished God's Will for their time.

Or read through the Genesis account of Creation. Hm, seems that God thought things through pretty strategically. The animals didn't appear before the air, or the waterfowl before the water. Or anything before there was life-giving sunlight.  Strategy.

Then there is the building of the Temple. God gave incredible detail to King Solomon, and everything was accomplished according to this order and this plan.

So, the next time we shrug off the thought of structure or strategy and hint at it being unspiritual, I guess we need to go back to The Book.  And maybe it is a good thing to learn from other professions and adopt what will work for us, and help us fully accomplish some of the things that God has laid before us.  Seems that strategy and structure is scriptural after all.  And SOUND!

And THEN.....

Yes, well, okay.  Since that last post, well- we have travelled a bit.  That was March. Then we were on the road. Then we had no wi-fi. Well, then Mom got sick and I flew back to Illinois to help her out while she was in the hospital. Then I flew back. Well, not actually. You see we were in Arizona and so I flew from Phoenix. But then Steve headed north so I returned to Las Vegas. But we weren't really staying in Vegas. Well, he did pick me up there. Then we camped in the parking lot of a Casino somewhere east of Vegas. But that was only for the night. Then we stopped at Nathan's house in Utah. Then we headed north. We arrived in BC just before Easter. After church in town (Williams Lake) we drove out to our house in Chilanko Forks. But THEN Ruth had a medical emergency. So then I got in the car and drove to Seattle and flew to Denver and took a shuttle to somewhere and rode with a friend to the hospital in Steamboat Springs and then drove their truck back to her house in Kremmling.  And then I stayed a week and took a shuttle back to Denver, flew back to Seattle, and drove back to Chilanko Forks. Then four days later we drove the Toyota and the Truck into Williams Lake and camped in the backyard of friends. But then in the morning we loaded the little Corolla and headed to Alaska. We drove all night the first night, taking turns. But then we were exhausted and so we stayed in a hotel in Whitehorse. We got up in the morning and then drove to Wasilla, where we stayed with Sarah and her family. But then after four days we left there and drove to Lazy Mountain, where InterAct has their property and where there will eventually be a really cool (or kewl) leadership/discipleship program. And then we moved into this empty house. We "horsed" temporary things from the big building, across the street, and into the rental so that we could actually live.  The Corolla only had room for clothes, pillows, and 3 cast iron fry pans along with the crock pot. And THEN it was time for the Mission Conference. We went to the conference and then started adjusting to life here. We had a couple of weeks where we just lived in one place. And THEN I drove Steve to Anchorage and he flew back to Seattle. Then he stayed with our niece for one night and then got on a bus and travelled to Bellingham and then he stayed with friends. And then they drove him across the border and he got on a bus. And then he got to Williams Lake, and got our truck. And then he drove back to Chilanko Forks and cleaned out the last things in our house. And then he drove to Williams Lake and stayed in the WalMart parking lot in the camper, and then he drove to Seattle to get a trailer. And THEN....Steve had a HUGE, HUGE birthday all by himself!!!

So NOW...I am still in Alaska, and Steve is driving back from Seattle. And THEN he will have some friends come in a few days, get the U-Haul, and drive our things to Alaska.  And then they will fly out on June 10. And THEN.........Staying put, with ALL the frying pans?

Sittin' in the Mornin' Sun

Yep, back at our favorite spot. We are sitting in the morning sunshine, mountains from our vantage point, when we look past the other campers resting comfortably in the WalMart parking lot!
Today we cross the border and head back to our home ministry location of 20 years. We will finish packing and care for all the other necessary things.  We are looking forward to one final visit with all our friends! And look forward to celebrating Easter with those we have long worshipped with!  What else will today hold?

How's my Hearing?

Reading through, "My Utmost," today. Chambers spoke about our difficulties in hearing God. He indicated that perhaps we fail to hear God because our hearts are in the wrong place. This got me to thinking and pondering.

I thought of the story of Abraham. As he trudged up the mountainside, Isaac following behind and carrying  the burden of logs for the sacrifice, I can imagine that Abraham's heart was entirely focused on God. He would have had very keen hearing, and expectations, and was waiting with heightened senses to listen for God's voice speak with direction and intervention.

I wonder how frequently I have the will to hear God, but allow my heart to be swayed through distractions or by putting my devotion in something other than this single focus. Then God speaks through His Word, but I fail to hear Him because my heart is somewhere else. I am not listening with the emotional strength and singleness that Abraham would have had.

So, today I am wondering, how is my hearing? Guess I will go to the Bible next and get a hearing assessment, oh yes....and a heart check-up !

To Which family do I belong?

We were at a meeting this morning, and the speaker discussed different cultures around the world. To some, to come into relationship with the God of the Bible means you change family. Hmm, the Bible talks about this relationship and how we then DO become part of the family of God.

What does it mean to your way of thinking or context to be in relationship with God and your identity? Family on earth?

Sunday Thoughts- WHO are we?

We exist because He chose to create us. And "He" is the Creator God.  But when I say ,"God," I might have one image in my mind, and you might have a different image.

For example, when I say "Steve" I am thinking of a specific person, with a specific character and someone I know. If you don't know Steve, you might have a different picture in your head. Therefore, if I told a story about Steve, and didn't identify the Steve I was speaking of, you could easily be painting a totally different picture in your mind. I am thinking one thing and one story, you another.

And so it goes when I say that I know the Creator God. I speak of the specific God that I know, and Who has an identity.

And He speaks about mankind because He knows us, and created us.

I was thinking today of the shortness of our lives, in light of eternity. I just heard about NASA and the accomplishment of their exploration on Mars. It is such a big world, and universe. My life is short and seemingly insignificant in light of all of this, and yet the Creator that is also the "Father of The Lord Jesus Christ," knows me and has made a way for me to know Him.

Amazing.  This is a great video clip that was a reminder of this love.http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PAszVJe4uoY

Morning solitude

The steaming mug of fresh coffee rested on the table beside Steve. The sun pushed its way slowly above the peaks, creating a panorama of rose and pale yellow beams shining throughout the white clouds which hovered just above the mountain peaks. The mountain and hills were dotted with sage, mesquite bushes, and the occasional saguaro cactus. Occasionally a bird flew overhead. All was quiet as we sat with Bibles and enjoyed the morning. We were awake and almost fully alive!

It was then that we heard, "The Voice."  Now we were fully alive and at high alert as it broadcast its message, "Good morning, Walmart shoppers," and the PA system worked well both inside the store, and all over the parking lot that was dotted with other "parking lot campers" like us!

A view from a traveller's world, scenario and story compliments....Steve.

What question do you ask?

You walk up to someone, and you give them your name as you listen to them provide you with their name. You shake hands. Then you ask a question to connect with. If you are a typical, non-Native, you ask what they DO.  What is their occupation?  If you a in a Native context, then you ask about their family, and wonder about to whom they are related.  Interesting, isn't it?  We even begin new relationships in a way that reveals how we approach life and what is important.....

Just reading this morning in, "My Utmost...."  "Paul was not given a message or doctrine to proclaim, he was brought into a vivid, personal, over mastering relationship to Jesus Christ."  Just thinking......that what matters is not if I am related to this person or that, or if I have a degree, or to what daily role or task I am involved, but what really matters is how my relationship is to the Creator God, the Father of the Son, Jesus.

In the end it will matter less who your father was, or what you DID, and only the kind of relationship you hold with God. Did we live our lives and relate to Him in the way He has required?

Morning thoughts from the camper in a WalMart parking lot in Texas!

Travels

Kleenex in hand as we said, "Farewell," to our Midwest family and friends, and we climbed back into the truck with knitting projects in one hand, and the GPS map in the other!
First stop this week was family in southern Illinois.  Awesome time, and family traditional foods- mashed potatoes with homemade noodles.....on the top! After our short visit, off we went to visits more fantastic friends.....in IOWA.  If you haven't seen, "My State Fair," then Jeff said this video would give you a glimpse of the state!!! LOL

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=WyeY0hWU28I&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWyeY0hWU28I