hoyt

we watched the team hoyt video in class this morning
following the testimony of Mike Haley from Focus on the Family, a man who God has drawn out of a homosexual lifestyle.
as the father and son team, team hoyt crossed the finish line of an iron man contest and it was such a picture of a father's love
and i remember rod saying a year or so ago after we watched this video together in church, "if you don't realize that you are just as helpless as that son, you don't know who your Father is."
and i find myself needing to ask that question.
and realizing that i don't trust Him in the way that He is so worthy to be trusted,
that he indeed IS sovereign and not just sovereign for the sake of sovereignty, but He's lovingly sovereign in such an involved way that will never compare to any other relationship.
but do i believe that He works all things for His good, for our good?
i want to

mail

so i should be honest.
and i've tried to be subtle but i think i am buying into the idea that honest is the best policy.
i'm learning that "gifts" may very well be my first love language.
sure, sounds shallow, but i've come to accept that this is a primary way, if not THE primary way, that i feel loved.
and... i still exist out here.
and i love to get mail.
shoot, i love to get packages too.
in fact, i've gotten 3 letters that brightened up my day(s)
and 2 packages that i was elated to pick up at the GRC offices.

just don't forget about me, k?

870 robbie view #421
colorado springs, co 80920

project

so i've borrowed some of these words in a condensed form from Dr. Del Tackett's description and vision and mission of the Truth Project. [emphasis added]

the full article can be found here The Truth Project

oh, and you can view the trailer as well: Truth Project trailer video
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In 2 Corinthians 2:11, Paul makes an interesting statement: "We are not unaware of Satan's schemes." I am afraid that the vast majority of God's people in our culture today are unaware of our enemy's schemes. That is why we are not faring well in the battle.

Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth who will guide us into all Truth; the Word of God is described as Truth; Christ proclaims that it is Truth that sets us free; Scripture proclaims that we are sanctified by the Truth; and Jesus confessed before Pilate that the reason He came into the world was to testify to the Truth.

Sadly, the vast majority of believers in our culture are ill-prepared to fight in this battle. We suffer from the same pathologies the world does and, statistically, at roughly the same levels: divorce, sexual addictions, eating disorders, depression, worry, apathy, discontent, anger, abortion, poor media viewing habits, pornography . . . and so on.

How can this be? Quite simply, we are falling for the counterfeits.

We have taken key elements from the more than 300 hours of material that I have been teaching to students at the Focus on the Family Institute and New Geneva Theological Seminary, and have created a DVD-based, small-group curriculum that is designed to build a comprehensive, systematic, biblical worldview within those who participate.

There is one central theme running through The Truth Project: the Truth that we seek — and the Truth that stands directly opposed to the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil — is found ultimately in the character and being of God Himself. That is why, over and over again, the DVD curriculum begins and ends with Him.

[and with reference to the 12 israelite spies upon their return from checking out the land of canaan...] How can 12 men, all seeing the same thing, return with such contrasting perspectives? The answer to this question is of the utmost importance to us today, because it speaks to the heart of almost every reason why some Christians shrink back in fear while others march forward in boldness. It has nothing to do with a good or poor self-image, or whether or not someone has achieved "self-actualization." It has everything to do with our beliefs about God and our thoughts on who He really is.

I believe the scroll of Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith, continues to be unrolled and new names continually added to it . . . names of those whose hope and trust rest in God, His truth and His promises.

Our all-powerful God has promised us, through the prophet Isaiah, that "no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you" (Isaiah 54:17). Our prayer is that The Truth Project will provide you with the knowledge and insight you need in order to be a vessel for change in our fallen world.

Oh, that God would grant us a vision of Him! That is the desperate need of this hour. Take hope, my friends.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

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and if you're wondering why i posted this, it is because i have a fire inside of me to be an ambassador for the Truth. every once in a while God brings about a conversation or a thought or some revelation by His Spirit and/or His Word that leads me to believe all over again that my life has a specific purpose, that although i do not yet understand the details of all of it, He is orchestrating. always. for His glory and my partnership with Him in His work. i hold onto nothing as tightly as Him and the Truth. and His transforming work in our communities, families, and the Church.

i can't wait to see more.

debut

here it is: my podcast debut. lol.

Confidence...What's A Girl To Do?

JFA

i mentioned that a week and a half ago that we spent a day at Colorado State University with Justice For All. and jess asked me to follow up, so i am!

first off, here's what JFA is if you want to check it out:

Justice For All

it went well.
i will be honest and admit that i didn't love it. it was exhausting and overwhelming and i believe that we were in the minority of people on the side of life.
however, one life changed or one mind opened is well worth it, no?
and we had a few of these stories come out of the whole experience. these were exciting to hear as we debriefed in the evening. here's one from patrick, one of my classmates:

Focus Your Story: Focus Leadership Institute

and personally, i spent a good deal of time listening to individuals and listening to other people's conversations.
kathryn and i picked up a clipboard and some surveys in the afternoon and started asking some questions, and this was the most beneficial part for me.
i was able to ask specific questions and start conversations that felt a bit more structured and attainable.
like i said, it was good. we put a lot of effort into just asking questions and encouraging people to think about these issues since most people who support the abortion agenda seem to do so out of ignorance.
the JFA crew and some of my classmates engaged in some great dialogues and students were left thinking about these issues in a way that they hadn't before.
the vision of the ministry is: dialogue not debate.
and it was beautiful to see this unfold.

podcast

we recorded my podcast in the studio today!
the topic was "women and confidence."
i got to pick the subject matter, plan the conversation, set up people to talk with us-
drs. steve and twyla lee, our marriage & family professors from the institute.
lisa anderson was hosting, as always, and she did a phenomenal job, especially since i was a wee bit nervous :)

link to come...

roomies

here we are. the girls of 421.
mallory christine moore aka mally slats
kathryn elizabeth joy crutcher aka kathy- but she hates that, so we just call her kathryn
bethany ross brown aka bb or butterfinger bb, or...just bethany
tammy joy dykstra aka tam, tams, tam tam, and more to come, i'm sure

i'll update soon...er...soonish. hopefully...

abortion

early. let me emphasize early -tomorrow morning, we set out to the campus at Colorado State University, campaigning for the sanctity of precious human life.
we'll be volunteering with an organization called Justice For All (JFA), with the goal of engaging in positive dialogue with students to encourage people to really think about the issue of abortion and the value of life.
we're really just going and trusting God to orchestrate divine appointments to connect with people who need to see the hands and eyes and love of Jesus.
so, please, if you will, pray the same. thanks :)

sunday

today marks 4 weeks since i arrived in colorado springs.
does it feel like it has been 4 weeks? eh...not really. but the past 2 weeks have been c r a z y .
so a sunday morning, just to breathe, is a very welcome gift.
i will reiterate what i've said before: i love it here.
and i wouldn't want life any other way during this season.
granted, the thought of having my favorite people here with me will always make me smile.

and i really didn't expect to miss kids so much. that's not to say that there aren't a slew of sweet little ones here as well, but when you know kids so well, and then you're not near them, its odd.
max, lily, bea, ezra, and vivi. every single one of those smiles and laughs that i am anxious to be with again, in their new home, and the new yard, new garden...
abby and brady. the adventures of everyday life. the library, the pool, gymnastics, the grocery store, baking cookies, slip 'n slide, bike rides...
russel and lauren. the wildest and craziest and most predictible. lauren, always asking to have her hair straightened, and both always asking to go to the farm...and of course, to the candy store. world's best babysitter? just maybe.
and then my most precious addi and colin. the little tears the day i left, as if she really even understood, and the little man- his excitement over people, family, familiarity, and freedom.

when i think about how blessed i have been to have the people in my life that i do, i just don't understand Him and His love and why i have received so much of it. but i want to know Him.

i want to know Him the way Paul did and the way that Paul desired to. I want to know Him the way David knew Him, the way David knew His heart- to be called a man after God's own heart- i want to desire His Word, His presence, His Spirit, the way David did, and whoever the heck wrote psalm 119...maybe David, maybe Ezra...to be able to say the things that he did-

i have hidden Your Word in my heart that i might not sin against You

i delight in Your decrees; i will not neglect Your Word

turn my heart toward Your statues and not toward selfish gain. turn my eyes away from worthless things

You are my portion, O Lord; i have promised to obey Your words. i have sought your face with all my heart;

at midnight i rise to give You thanks for Your righteous laws

it was good for me to be afflicted so that i might learn Your decrees

in faithfulness You have afflicted me

if Your law had not been my delight i would have perished in my affliction

how sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path

Your statutes...are the joy of my heart

You are near, O Lord, and all Your commands are true.