An Observation From Easter Morning

As I read through the  accounts of the crucifixion and the resurrection, one thing consistently showed up

Via Google Images

between the varying accounts.  When the women returned from the empty tomb trying to tell all of the disciples what they had seen, there was much confusion - the men regarded what they had to say as nonsense (Luke 24:11) but not all of the men.  Peter and John took off almost immediately to check this out.  The two of them found the tomb empty.  Peter went in and looked everything over very carefully.  Peter did not understand as of yet what this all meant, but in John 20:8, John saw and believed. 

There were two different groups of disciples that day: the first group was stuck in the paralysis of analysis.  They all stayed behind and hid in their upper room hiding place,  fearful of even their shadows, trying to understand what had happened; the second group was Peter and John - they heard the report of the women and went to check it out.  Merely reasoning it out in their minds would not suffice.  They had to see. 

I wonder how many times we get stuck in the same paralysis of analysis instead of "checking it out."  It was Peter and John that saw the stone rolled away- not the nine that stayed behind.  It was the two that saw rolled up grave linens - not the nine.  It was these two that saw the empty tomb - not the nine.  They had the joy of bringing the news of the risen savior back confirming what the women had said earlier. 

Just wondering...

By Grace
Michael
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sensational Saturday

I bought these to make big swords  - but they decided they are nicer without handles.....

Arielle needed to drive me to newly opened Dollar General and buy enough noodles for everyone to have their own -  plus  two extras for visitors.  Great fun! 

We were EGGED! We loved the quick visit with Stephanie and Sarah! 

Where could those eggs be? ::wink:: 

Being Egged was a pleasant surprise! We will have to play it forward next year in Sarah's memory. 

Dinner - we just happen to have some burgers to burn....and veggie burgers too.  Nolan was the master of the big grill.....

Though Michael came down from studying long enough to pass on some helpful pointers. 

It was the perfect night to eat outside - and these two provided dinner entertainment....it didn't take long for another game to be invented. I wonder how many new games using the swim noodles will be invented by the end of the summer. ::grin:: 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

They believed and were Zealous

I read it a week ago. I focused on other parts of the chapter, but it kept resurfacing. 

"...you see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed and they are zealous for the law;....." Acts 21:20.

Paul and his disciples have collected an offering for the Jerusalem church from the Gentile believers. The gift is delivered and instead of a heart-felt thank you, THIS is part of their response to Paul. 

They glorified God when they heard the report of the gospel spreading among the Gentiles. 

But see...there were many thousand Jews, living in and out of Jerusalem, who have believed in Jesus as Messiah. They are zealous for the law. They'll be offended.  Isn't religion always easily offended? 

Paul is asked to make a vow, pay for four others to fulfill their vows...and he does. Paul is all things to all men to win some...he pursues peace. By the end of this chapter he's in jail.  Much, much to glean from studying Acts and Paul's ministry. He is OK with jail - he's zealous for Jesus, for the cause of Christ. 

"....they have believed and they are zealous for the law." 

I read the words. 

I studied the words. 

I prayed the words.

I savored the thought.

Can you imagine the AUDACITY! Why not a thank you?

Because they are zealous for the LAW.

They ARE believers. They know Jesus is the Messiah.  They are zealous for the LAW.

The Greek word used here, Zelotes, means to eagerly desire something. It is also the label given to a Jewish sect that was 1/2 religious and 1/2 political. This sect led to wars in the ancient days.

"....they have believed and they are zealous for the law." 

They aren't zealous for Jesus....or grace or relationship. They are zealous for religion.

How sad. How silly. How like us  me.

I've been told I tend to get "obsessive" about my passions. I prefer to call it "hyper-focused."

It dawns on me -  ANYTHING I am zealous about other than Jesus could lead  to audacious responses and disunity.  Think about it.

We tend to get zealous for so many things....a leader, a ministry, a Bible study speaker, the word, a social cause, politics, the environment, a vision, a diet, an educational style, a medical choice ...but we are called  to be zealous for JESUS. Yes, Scripture mentions being zealous for good works, and spiritual gifts and probably a few other things...but those come in response to relationship with Jesus.

I have really listened this week to the zealousness in conversations, in the media, and  in my heart.

I am determined to be one of which it can be said, "She believed and she was zealous for Jesus, for grace, for the cause of Christ."

She believed and she was zealous for relationship over religion.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Avocado Salsa Dip with Black Beans and Corn

I made this for last week's BBQ and it was all eaten.  A second dish was brought and eaten as well.  I had ingredients and made more this week.  I'm the only who eats it in our family - but I love it. Yucky photo as I forgot to take a photo either time I made it. This is a couple of days old and the end of my lunch bowl. This would be good to add to a Yumm Bowl. 

Ingredients:
1 ear corn
2 T olive oil
1 c cherry tomatoes, diced
2 avocados, ripe but firm, pitted and chopped
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (or a couple of cups of cooked beans)
1/2 medium red onion, chopped

Dressing: 
1 tsp agave nectar
1/2 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
3 T lime juice
Pinch cayenne pepper (or whatever heat you like)
3 T fresh cilantro, chopped
3 green onions, chopped (optional)

Shuck the corn and preheat the grill. Rub with olive oil and place on the grill. Cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from grill. Cool and remove from the cob. Or use frozen corn.

Chop cherry tomatoes, avocados and red onion. Rinse and drain black beans. Combine these ingredients.

In a separate bowl,, mix 2 T olive oil, agave, cumin, lime juice, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

Add to the avocado mixture and gently mix to coat everything.

Chop cilantro and green onions and fold into the salsa.
Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Week's Recap

This was the week to be an extrovert!   The week began with a fantastic group of brothers and sisters from Beale AFB Chapel in our home.

Arielle counted it up and I spent 20+ hours this week talking with women....in my home, in their homes, in

Via Google Images

 coffee shops, donuts shops, restaurants and via Skype. We tried a lake and got kicked out. ::snort::

Why all the talking? I wanted to listen to current leaders, past leaders, future leaders in women's ministry. I returned home Thursday at 10:00 p.m. and commented to Michael that after Friday's meetings (2) I would not talk about Women's Ministry for at least 24 hours....maybe 48.  His response?

 "Good."

AND God is gracious! Those final two meetings on Friday were refreshing times to share about JESUS and His work in our lives. Good times.  Now, I'll let all the comments, all the words sit....sit before the Lord and see what the Holy Spirit sifts from all of it.

NEXT, more meetings. More women who are looking to lead in the future.  Women who have a heart and vision for being Jesus through women's ministry.

I'm also looking for another kind of woman who will talk to me. Women who have chosen not to be a part of women's ministry.  I want to know "why?" What have we missed? How do we miss your needs? Our hearts are right. Maybe some simply are able to get all their needs for teaching and community in Sunday meetings.

In between all this talking....throughout and around...the kids continued to school....and the younger two and I continued to read about the build-up to the American Revolution. We skipped Spring Break. We are on a course to finish our 180 days on 30 May.  We decided to keep pushing.  This will give us an extra week to relax before Arielle flies our coop for the Imuris Kid's Kingdom  in Mexico. 

Michael worked a full week at base. I didn't see him much so I'm not quite sure what to report. I know he fought a flu bug most of the week. I know he led us on Wednesday night at the Chapel's Family Study as we discussed a few verses in Galatians. I so enjoy those evenings. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Stacia's Life Work

I couldn't resist. 

During dinner, Stacia informed us she wants to be a fisherwoman - but she wouldn't eat the fish. 

Michael - "Who is going to clean the fish?" 

Stacia - "I am!"

Michael - "I don't think you know what cleaning a fish means."

{Stacia hates blood - the tiniest scratch sends her running for the hills.}

Stacia - "You get a rag and you wash them off and dry them. It's simple."

Helpful Brothers - "Staaaaaassssshhhhhaaaa..."

Me - "Wait! Stacia let me show you. "

{Don't judge me!}

 We found You Tube (Michael grabbed a camera).

The moment she realizes what the man is going to do next. 

Stacia - "There are lots of other things I can do. I don't want to be a fisherwoman!"

She is still leaning towards an artist or a Japanese farmer.


Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Cultural Education

From time to time we run across something that reminds us Stacia has spent half her life in another  country.

There were a couple of things this week...like when she asked about a dime, "Now is that a 10 yen or a 100 yen?" 

We heard music in the neighborhood. 

In Misawa, that was either a political announcement, the sweet potato man or a tsunami warning.  The older kids ran to get their money. 

I tried to figure out WHY the van was parked driving extremely slow outside of our home....

Imagine Stacia's joy! She came running back in and informed me, "MOM, they sell ice cream from VANS in America!" 

We were all happy to have the break in the middle of a hot afternoon. 

I was still perplexed as to how the Ice Cream Man KNEW to wait at our home. It turns out the older two have enjoyed the treats when he comes through on Wednesdays - PWOC day. ::snort:: 

Stacia, looked at us and said, "But I should never, EVER get in the van with an Ice Cream man/woman, right? They might kidnap me." Yeah - she's learning the culture. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...