What if?

At church yesterday, the sermon (preached by the guy that I get to call my husband) was about the process of sanctification in the Christian's life. He asked us all if we are paying attention to what God is doing in our lives. Every trial, every good thing is God teaching us something, and if we are seeking God in those events, we will grow in the process and be sanctified little by little - a process that continues until we take our last breath and are in the presence of Jesus. Or do we "pray the salvation prayer," and sit back and wait until we can go to heaven?

What if every Christian was actively pursuing God?

What if every Christian was really zealous for Jesus? 

This morning as I was driving to a Dr. appointment I was listening to a song with these lyrics:

Hallelujah, all I have is Christ.

Hallelujah, Jesus is my life.

I was reminded of the challenge in the sermon and thought, "What would my life look like if I lived like all I had was Christ and like Jesus is my LIFE? So often other things take precedence over Jesus.

So, what does it look like to follow Christ wholeheartedly?

We have some friends who sensed God was doing something and preparing them for a change. So, they resigned from their ministry position without knowing exactly what God had for them yet, willing to wait and see what God had in store. To some that might sound irresponsible, foolish maybe, but when God says, "Move," you'd best move! It's awesome (and I mean awesome in it's true definition) to watch how God is orchestrating the next thing for this couple.

Some other friends are planting a church in the city. They both grew up in rural areas, and have lived in a small town since they got married, so when they sensed God moving them in this direction, it was a stretch. Nevertheless, they said yes to God and they're moving out of their comfort zone in full reliance on God.

And there are many families we know who have been called to adopt and have followed Christ's command to take care of the widows and orphans.

We had lunch yesterday with a couple who is going to Ukraine with their 3 young boys to teach English and share of the love of Christ. Not to mention the people who are sacrificially giving of their income to support them as they go.

Does this mean that if you follow Christ you are going to be asked to quit your job, move to an unfamiliar place, give away your money, or adopt children? Maybe.

I have a hunch that if we all lived BOLD, zealous lives for Jesus, the world would be a much, much different place.

To borrow a quote from yesterday's sermon - "Following Christ is not easier, but it is better."

One more vacation photo dump...

After 2 weeks of vacation, we're back to regular life. We were blessed to have a couple of weeks going to my family's cabin just the 5 of us, then spending some time at home (fighting with the deer who really like my garden. So far they are winning.), then we spent 5 days in Door County with Mike's whole family. It was fun to spend lots of time all together and watch the cousins play together. It's funny, because even though they only see each other a couple times a year, they know they're cousins and have an instant bond.

 

The batteries in my camera were dead for the first half of our vacation at the cabin, so I don't have any pictures, but when we got to Door County, my father-in-law saved the day, so I could capture some memories in the making. Thanks to the man who lives by the motto, "Always be prepared!"

 

Norah is enjoying her s'more made by Aunt Cassie. Yum!

Anja at the campfire and always ready with a smile for anyone with a camera.

Cousin Caleb who is only 25 days older than Anja. I know you're not supposed to compare kids, but he seems so much older than Anja because she is still pretty unsteady on her feet and this kid could practically finish a triathalon (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating). 

Just some proof that I was on the vacation. You know how it is. Mom's never in the pictures because she's always the one behind the camera.

There were little toads all over the place, so Tate was often toad hunting around the campground. I love his adventurous spirit!

We spent one morning at the Door County Fair. Grandma, Tate and Anja walked through the poultry building together. Tate loved the chickens with the big feathers on the tops of their heads. You could hear him laughing from the other side of the building.

 

Norah got to pet a bunny, but really didn't care to do it more than once.

We went to a children's concert after lunch and when the singer asked for volunteers Norah raised her hand and bravely made her way up to the stage to play the electric guitar.....

but when the music started, she started to second guess her decision.

Mommy went up to save the day.....

and she decided that Daddy's lap is a much better place to play guitar.

It took about .2 seconds for Anja to fall asleep once we got in the car after the morning at the fair.

The next day, we were off to Peninsula State Park for some swimming, sand and canoeing. It was a beautiful day and the water wasn't bad for being Lake Michigan.

 Daddy, Norah and Tate went out to explore a "treasure cove" out in the water (a pile of rocks that were stacked in a circle and sticking out of the water).

Always-ready-with-a-smile Anja enjoying lunch at the beach.

All the cousins! I think we might all deserve a few extra points for camping with 5 children ages 4, 3, 2, 1 and 1. All in all, I think it went pretty well, and I am pretty sure I'd be willing to do it again soon! That is a milestone, since the first time we went camping when Tate was a baby, I promised that I wouldn't do that again for a LONG time. Probably a combination of slightly older kids, and being a little more relaxed with child #3.

Cousins!

Grandpa Gerry and Grandma Sharon having fun at the beach.

The little diva (borrowing Cousin Noelle's sunglasses) before we went into the restaurant.

Time for some silly faces!!!

Sisters!

Playing in the sand before we left (in case you were wondering - that is NOT our camper in the background. We tented, hence the extra points for camping with small children.)

 



 

Peek-a-boo!

Happy Summer Vacation from the 5 of us!