Saturday, September 22, 2012


Happy Saturday the first day of fall. 

I love the first day of fall. Today we walked into WalMart in Allen.  Daddy and I were walking together entering through the produce department.  The fall colors were beautiful with the pumpkins, fall flowers, beautiful fall fruit, corn stalks and scarecrows.  Even though it was kind of hot I wore a fall teal t-shirt, black jeans and shoes that contained fall colors.  Sometime this week I will indulge in a Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I only get one per year because it is like drinking dessert.  I love the drink with a pumpkin scone or a slice of pumpkin bread.  Maybe some study time at Starbucks is in my future…I do love fall.  It is my favorite time of year.

Also, a special shout out to my nieces who threw a great party for our great niece Holly. Holly is the granddaughter of my brother Ken. Holly’s mom and twin sister live in a pretty house in Allen and hosted the party.  Holly seemed a bit overwhelmed by all of the hoopla, but enjoyed the presents and cake.  Happy 2nd Birthday Holly. 

Prayer:  “Lord, as I begin the day, prepare me for tough things that may come my way.  I am not too good to know affliction.  Lord, You suffered for me—thank You.  Great Christians in history have paid a harsh price for following You.  Thank You for my heritage.  Teach me today to be strong for the sake of Your body, the church. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” 

“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.
Colossians 1:24

The suffering of Christ was the atonement for our sins. Romans 5:10 says, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

The suffering of Christ was the example to His followers who were taught that they would enter the kingdom of heaven by way of tribulation and endurance.  Paul rejoices in this kind of suffering on behalf of the body of Christ, the church.

1 Peter 5:10 tells us that the God of all grace will “perfect, establish, strengthen and settle” us after we have suffered for a while.  When we experience suffering Christ never leaves us because we carry the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes we walk through the valley and sometimes we climb the mountain.  Either place we walk is a journey and we need to walk these journeys of life with endurance.  The endurance with which we walk produces spiritual maturity.  My meditation tonight says, “when we are tested we are to ask to be refined by God in the fires of tribulation and given grace to rejoice when we are counted on as worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ.”

Take joy in this journey of faith.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.


I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.


Please pray for me as I begin the writing on my first paper of length for my New Testament class. 

Friday, September 21, 2012


Happy Friday! 

Prayer:  “Lord, I thank You for the church.  I thank You for my local church.  Teach me today to love the church as You love it.  You made the greatest sacrifice for the church. Show me how to do the same. God, You gave Your Son for the church. Give me the courage to give obediently to my church. Lord, give me grace to love the members of my church and cherish them as You do. In Jesus name, Amen.”

“For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.”
Ephesians 5: 29

I was talking with a friend the other day who remembered a time when he had gotten away from the church and lost his faith.  I do not remember a time in my life when I was not a part of a church and I do not remember a time in my life when I did not have a faith.  

I was just a little girl in Mrs. Orr’s Sunday School class when I attended the church in Howe. I remember getting into trouble for not behaving in worship.  I also remember a time when I was pregnant with Travis. We were going through a really hard time when we went to Christmas Eve Communion.  I remember being very emotional by the time I reached the altar to receive communion. The pastor met me these with these words, “Gaylene, gain your strength from here.” 

I rejoice in believing that God watches over the Church.  If you go to a Kairos Prison Ministry closing one of the things you will here is this question, “Who is the Church?” and with a deafening response the residents respond, “We are the church!”  What joy that must bring our Savior! 

God made the supreme sacrifice on the Cross to purchase the Church.  The Church is the body of Christ.  We are the body of Christ.  God nourishes and cherishes the Church including us as we are followers of Christ.  Nourishment brings strength.  God will help the church and protect us for He desires good for us and pays attention, feeding our souls giving us strength for the journey.  The body of Christ is the central focus in the mind of Christ and the first love of His life and the object of His sovereign work. 

Take joy in this journey of faith.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.


I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Thursday, September 20, 2012


Happy Thursday! 

Prayer:  “Lord, the Enemy rushes at me in the morning with the cares of the day, hanging them about my neck, cluttering my heart, disturbing my mind, and seeking to steal  my peace. But You instruct me not to be anxious about anything, but by prayer to bring all my requests to You. And You promise when I do, Your peace will secure me heart and mind. This morning, God, I am casting all my cares on You, knowing that You are infinitely able to carry them.  Thank You for caring for me.  Make Your peace reign in me through Christ. Amen.”

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5: 1

My meditation tonight states an interesting statistic.  From 1900 to 1989, 86 million people died in wars.  That means that 2500 people died every day for ninety years.  During that time of war what was being sought was peace.  As Christians we know that we cannot achieve peace between us and other humans or with God without a relationship with Jesus.

Paul states that we have been justified by faith.  We have been justified by faith and now we not only have peace of God (Phil. 4: 7), but also peace with God (Rom. 5: 1).  When Christ cried, “It is finished!” from the cross peace was declared between our hearts and God.  Our hearts were then made holy because of the exchange of the life of Jesus and our sin.  Christ was made sin and we were made righteous. Praise to our crucified Christ, our risen Savior and Lord.

Take joy in this journey of faith.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.


I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.


Happy Wednesday! 

A week from today the choir from Rush Creek will be singing at the Ranger Game.  I have joined the choir and will be singing with them.  I have also joined the Brite Chapel Choir.  What can I say...singing is my thing!

Prayer:  “God, You are life. Before the beginning, You were. You spoke a word and life sprang into being, into the reality of time and space, so that we could know You. You became flesh in order that we might more fully know You. Your Spirit is in the world today pouring forth rivers of life and calling people to faith, that they might eternally know You. Cause my life today to exude Your life, so that others may believe and receive life in Christ. Amen.”   
     
“Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”
Galatians 3: 5

Paul wanted the Galatians to know that the law did not produce salvation or a spiritual life.  The rich young ruler told Jesus that he had kept the law since his youth.  In both of these cases something was lacking.  What was lacking was a relationship with Christ.  Legalism and keeping the law will not bring about a spiritual life. 

Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.  Because of Christ we are free from the law of sin and death and are secure in our eternal life in the presence of Jesus forever.  We have been secured by the One who not only gave us life, but the One who is life.

Take joy in the journey.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.


I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.
                                                                                            

Wednesday, September 19, 2012


Happy Tuesday!

Prayer:  “Lord, this day I desire above all else to love You with my whole heart.  Cover it with the breastplate of Your righteousness, so that Satan’s accusations cannot condemn me.  Enlarge and uphold my faith so that it shields me against all the flaming arrows launched against me.  Bring to my mind the remembrance of Your great salvation, and thus sustain my hope in You.  Make Your love flow over the brim of my life into the lives of others, that they may believe.  In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.”

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 8

The writer of my meditation tonight talks about the most famous battlefield in the world, the Valley of Jezreel.  This valley is also known as the Valley of Armageddon.  The first recorded battle in history took place there, and the last battle fought on earth will take place there according to this writer.  Pharaohs, Romans, Crusaders, Napoleon, Germans and Brits have fought in that valley. 

While this battlefield is well known, the most common battlefield is found far closer to home; our hearts and minds.  The apostle Paul tells us to cover ourselves with the breastplate of faith and love and our mind with the helmet of salvation. “Faith brings the righteousness of Christ to our lives, and love expresses that righteousness to men.”

Everyday Satan battles for control of our minds, thoughts and hearts.  When we put on the whole armor of God Satan’s arrows cannot pierce us.  The strongest piece of our armor is love.  Satan cannot go where God’s perfect love is present.  Stand in the perfect presence of God’s love and Satan cannot harm you.

Take joy in this journey of faith.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all so much, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.


I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012


Happy Monday! 

I have been invited to continue the ordination process.  That is a gracious way of saying “I passed!” The committee was very affirming of me and the ministry to which I am called.  

My two growing edges are to be able to articulate better about the Disciples faith and theology and to clearly articulate why being set apart for ordination is different than being laity. I will better be able to address the issues of Disciples faith and theology after (1)a year of supervised ministry in a Disciples church and (2)the class I will take in the fall of 2013 on disciples History and Polity. 

I have a few months to work on these issues as my next interview will be after April.  If I pass the next one then I will go on to the final ordination interview in front of 20—30 people.  

After this semester I will have 20 hours remaining on my degree.  That should put me graduating at Christmas of 2013.  My final interview most likely not happen until after graduation.  Thank you for all of your loving, caring and prayerful support.

Prayer:  “Lord, crouching at the door is the Enemy of all that is holy, righteous, and good.  He waits for me, seeking to devour me. By Your strength deliver him a mighty blow today through my life.  I am no match for him. But he is no match for You.  Steel my nerves, quicken my mind, strengthen my shield of faith, and guide my arms to wield the sword of Your Word.  May the gospel go forth from my lips today.  May Your victory be heralded in the earth and in the heavens once again—through me—this day, In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:12

One of the aspects of a seminary education is that it will expose you to a large variety of thoughts given by others on passages of scripture.  I must openly admit that sometimes the thoughts of others on passage of scripture make me really uncomfortable until I really study and think them through.  I was told that seminary would challenge my theology.  My studies have not challenged my theology, but they have caused my understanding to increase and have caused me to think about some things differently.  In thinking about those different thoughts I must choose whether to embrace what they are thinking or discard it as something that does not fit into my own personal theology.  Now here is the cool part…as long as I can defend my own thoughts or opinion, all is well.  I have just wrestled with one of those passages and written a reflection for my New Testament class.  I expressed my theological thoughts on the subject without compromising my beliefs. 

Paul gets to the end of 1 Timothy and calls the believer to “fight the good fight of faith.” By the end of 2 Timothy Paul is facing execution and says he has fought the good fight.  He did not apologize for his beliefs, his writing or his preaching.  He followed the calling God gave to him and did not compromise his thoughts even though the challenges were great in his context of writing and preaching.  Paul’s ultimate goal in his life after his encounter with Christ was to hear these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  (Matt. 25: 21) 

Are we willing to stand on the Word of God, love others, hate our own sin and fight the good fight without compromise?  Something to think about…

Take joy in this journey of faith!  Wear comfortable shoes (I wore heels today and did not take my own advice.  I am such a girl!)  and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.


I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

Monday, September 17, 2012


Blessed Sunday! 

Our senior pastor was out of town attending a men’s retreat with several of the men from our congregation, so Rush Creek was blessed this morning to hear a sermon by my preaching professor.  Dr. Pape preached the most wonderful sermon about the pearl of great price.  Thank you Dr. Pape.

My intermediate ordination interview is tomorrow (Monday at 3:15) at University Christian Church.  Please offer a prayer, my friends, that I do well in this interview.

Prayer: Dear God, I want my life to count.  My heart’s deepest desire is to live a life that makes an eternal difference in the lives of those around me.  Father, I want Jesus Christ on the inside to be what the world witnesses on the outside, Amen”

“But do you want to know, O foolish man that faith without works is dead.”
James 2: 20

If you are a regular reader of this journal I wrote about a similar passage from James a few weeks ago.  Our works are the outward and visible actions of our faith.  While our faith is invisible, genuine faith will eventually reveal itself.  What we do in our lives for the kingdom of God paints a portrait of our faith.  “Faith plus works does not save us, we are saved by a faith that works.”  (I really love that line.)

True faith in God is never invisible. Faith on the inside produces action on the outside.  My meditation tonight cites some scripture passages of faith in action.

·             Abel in his more excellent sacrifice (Heb. 11: 4).

·             Joseph in his perseverance and forgiveness of his brothers (Gen. 39—48).

·             David slinging a stone, fully expecting God to slay a giant (1 Sam. 17:  45-50).

·             Daniel at peace in the lion’s den (Dan. 6: 22, 23).

·             Isaiah saying, “Here I am! Send me” (Is. 6: 8).

·             Nehemiah leaving his job to go join God in rebuilding the wall (Neh. 2ff).

·             A nameless woman as she presses through the crowd to grab the hem of Jesus’ garment (Matt. 9: 20).

Good works uncover our faith which makes our faith visible to the world. When faith is visible to the world, it produces results which leads people to glorify God. 

So my friends…here is the question for the night…what kind of faith do others see in us?

Take joy in this journey of faith.  Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep.  Count your blessings and say your prayers.  Love you all and thank you for your prayers.  Peace, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.


I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.