My Dream....

I had a dream last night that has lingered in my mind all day. It was disturbing and my response in the dream is what disturbed me the most. Before I go on though, I must lay somewhat of a foundation for understanding where this dream came from and why.

I have been noticing that Pastor James has been speaking and touching on end times a lot recently (I don't know for about the past 6 + mos or so I've noticed). And each time it has been brought up, my interest has been peaked. It has been on my mind - too much maybe. But I guess there is nothing wrong with being interested in somthing that pertains to the future and especially God's word.

("Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matt 24:42-44)

So recently (over the past few months or so) I have began digging into end times. Have you been noticing what is going on in our world?? I mean the earth is revolting from our even inceasing and disgusting sin. Our economy is definately a one world economy. The collapse of our nation is imminent (this is my opinion and based on research). The time is near....near....near....near - I would argue seconds are on the clock. Like I have said I have done tons and hours and hours of research on this subject and I have pretty strong convictions regarding differing points of view.

One in particular is the rapture. Everyone has heard of the rapture and what it is. And shockingly, I would say the majority of the population believes that this will occur before the tribulation. I have scoured my bible and reputable internet sites trying to find supporting scripure. Friends, I have news that really shook my foundation of what I believed (and this was not what had previously I learned on my own). No, I am not a bible scholar, but God told us He gave us His spirit that we might be able to understand His word. Simply put, I just don't see how the rapture can occur before the tribulation. Someday - God willing - I will present my case before you as to why, but you too can search the scriptures to discern what is true. While, I am convinced that the rature will not occur before the tribulation, I am still not completely sure as too when it will occur - meaning mid or post tribulation. God has told us the hour and day we will not know - how can we?? But He has certainly given us enough "clues" about when to be ready.

Anyway, so this reality (if nothing short of a possibility) has really made it difficult to swallow. I just was never prepared for that. Last night, I had a really wild dream.... the antichrist will make us professing Christians suffer. He is going to make life so difficult....

In my dream, and it is a little fuzzy at this point, I realized who the beast was and once I did and was face to face with him, he knew that I knew who he was. He also knew that I was a Christian. I was with Morgan, and so (fuzzy area) I began to tell her everything I knew to prepare her (b/c that's what mom's do - we prep, prep and prep some more our kids). But in the midst of that I was taken away. I was terrified, b/c I knew this was the end of my life. Facing your own mortality is never a moment of reality you want to come too. And if it's gotta happen, well, don't you want it over quick?? But Christ suffered before His crucifixion and during. He layed down His life for us, that we may have eternal life thru Him. To go the "easy way out" just seems cowardly - especially in light of what He did for us. At some point I realized I had been intentionally poisoned by some food I had been eating. I layed there half in this world, half out. And he came over to me and began to tell me how he was going to make me pay for following Christ. All I wanted was to have some more of that poison, so I could slip out without suffering to much. How I desired it, how I longed for it in my dream, because I didn't want to suffer. Then I heard the baby crying.....you know, Addison - reality, not the dream.

I woke up and prayed immediately. I asked Jesus to forgive me. I was really really upset. I was upset that knowing today, if my life was to be taken because of my love for Jesus, I would give it up for Him in a heart beat. I was always confident that I would suffer for him too. But this dream revealed something different to me. I was so sad, so upset, so mad that I had what seemed "failed my Savior." That feeling was very real. And I wonder today, where my heart really, truly is. I don't want to go out, without leaving a big message to those around me that - Jesus is King!! He is worth dying for!! I know this all seems so radical, but it very possibly could be a reality some day.

"I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." Matthew 24:34

What would you do?

Addie and Her Smoothie

Addison loves her smoothies!!! If she is in a bad mood, this is the way to make her happy!

Happy 1st Birthday Addie!!! Happy 34th Birthday Daddy!!!

December 24th marked 2 things in many ways: Addie's 1st birthday, Kyle's 34th birthday, and the beginning of a shared birthday celebration. Needless to say, planning for 2 birthdays and Christmas at our house was a bit much! But we made it!!! Here are some pictures that capture the fun.

Morgan and I made this fun birthday cake - it's a caterpillar (not the tractor dad)

And we all had fun!

Morgan's Ballet Class

We got a sneak peak today at Morgan's ballet class she has been attending since September. Most of these girls were together last year as well and Morgan has done pretty well picking up on what they learned last year. Today they were dancing as "sugar plum fairies." They were all so cute. I took these with my cell so the quality isn't the best.


The girls in line waiting for us to come in and sit so they could begin.

Here we go.....

She looks better than I remember!!! Sooo cute!

Look at how cute!!!

I love her head position - a little attitude!

Look at that toe point....awe memories.....

Look at me mom!

Every girl's gotta do a little socializing!!!

Electrical Issues....Oh My...

Recently we have been experiencing some electrical issues in our kitchen. Which I am sure is mostly because the sellers whom we bought the house from did some upgrading in the kitchen and add new appliances and such. For a while I had been noticing the lights dimming from time to time. Then they went out a few times. No problem, simple fix, I just go downstairs and flip the breaker and *whalla* back in business. Well, just before Thanksgiving we had the lights go out again, however, this time whalla didn't work. So, I jimmie'd the fridge to get it working and the stove didn't go out so, just moved the coffee pot and toaster. We had a friend come in and replace a breaker and switch out some outlets. About 4 or 5 days later, same thing....no whalla.....

Yesterday I came home to garage door that wouldn't open, couldn't get to open either because...no power..... In fact there was no power in the Kitchen, Eat-in, Dining room, Bathroom, Laundry room, Garage, Morgan's bedroom and her bathroom, no hallway lights, no foyer lights and no overhead living room lights and last but not least no working furnace! Yikes!! So I started a fire in the fireplace and we hung out in the Family room all night with no cable (amen) and just the stereo tuned to K-Love. It was great! I didn't have to cook, we ordered out. We actually spent time as a family for the evening - it was beautiful. Thankfully we had two heaters. We put one in Addie's room - "hut 1" - and one in our room - "hut 2." Hut 1 was the place to be ... it was toasty!!

Finally, we had our friend call his friend who is an electrician to come over. After some assessment, he decided it was a outside issue, which was repaired quite quickly. However, our electrical box evidently has moisture behind it which isn't good either. So we will be replacing that and it will cost a pretty penny. Oh, the whoa's of homeownership.....but it's worth it! Needless to say we are re-connected!

Pictures of Morgan's Thanksgiving Day Program on Friday

More Pictures of the Thanksgiving Day Program

Morgan with her Jr. K teacher, Mrs. Baer

Pictures of Morgan and Ryana

Pictures of Morgan, Linnea, and Ryana after the program

Update on Pastor James

November 4, 2008

Dear Praying Friends:

Yesterday was a good day. We had incredible doors open to world-renowned experts in prostate cancer and had two appointments, with a third coming November 17 at Northwestern. We have been assured that nothing is so urgent that we cannot travel to Israel, so we are going to leave this with the Lord and give ourselves to this wonderful opportunity to visit the lands of the Bible, which we have never done. We will be on a plane to the Holy Land tonight.

We have some difficult decisions to make regarding surgery to remove the prostate or radiation. Both courses of action come with significant possible negatives. We are leaning toward the option that is most effective for cancer treatment and leave the side effects with the Lord. Pray for our final decision before Thanksgiving and a possible surgery in early December.

Best of all, we have experienced an outpouring of love and support that has often been described by others, but now experienced by us as never before. The sense of the Lord’s presence is very real, the peace is tangible, and the comfort is deeply meaningful. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7.

We covet your continued prayers through Thanksgiving for wisdom and unwavering faith. We will update you again as our decisions become clearer. We are so thankful for your love and prayers for us; they are needed and experienced.

Much love in Christ,

James and Kathy

Pray for Pastor James

I just received the following today...

November 3, 2008

Dear Praying Friends and Family:

I am dashing off a quick note of total dependence upon the Lord and a request for your prayers for me and my family.

I found out Friday that I have prostate cancer. I will know more of its severity after a doctor’s appointment tonight, but I know enough now to know it is not ‘routine.” As many of you are aware, Kathy and I are scheduled to leave tomorrow for a 10-day trip to Israel and I will have to decide tonight if that is the best course of action under the circumstances.

Please pray for wisdom in choosing the best course of action for my treatment and for the Lord’s protection upon my family during this time of trial.

“He knows the way that I take, and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.

In the Love of Christ,

Pastor James