Sunday, February 29, 2004
The other day I had a meeting with a pastor and then the couple that accompanied me took me to a tourist spot. I really don’t like heights, but I decided I could do this. We took a cable car to the entrance of the cave. We walked up and down stairs (about 700 steps) for about 2 kilometers. I overcame (almost) the fear of heights and was extremely glad that I did.
I saw rock formations that were marvelous. Of course, different people see different things. But I think the thing that made the biggest impact on me was the size of the cave. And to think that God carved that with His hand. What an awesome God we serve. And this same God who carved the mountains, dug holes in them and made the rock formations that we all marvelled at, loves us so much that He wants to live in our hearts. And since our sin separated us from Him, He made the way for us to have that sweet communion with Him, through the sacrifice of His Son at Calvary. That is more awesome than anything I saw the other day. That is the best news anyone can ever hear.
-Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 95:3-5 NIV
For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
-Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Saturday, February 28, 2004
There is always room for improvement when our goal in life is to be Christ like!
-Lyn Sahr
-Phil 3:10-11 NIV
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death
Friday, February 27, 2004
We all want to be connected to something. We surround ourselves with family and friends to help us with a sense of belonging. We wear team jackets to show our loyalty to our favorite sports team or we put bumper stickers on our cars letting others know where we go to church.
The most important connection that we can make is that connection that we make with Jesus Christ. Don’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of your connection with Him. That is where our strength is and that is where our life is.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5
-John Roe
Thursday, February 26, 2004
FEAR We all experience fear in our lives. Some of us are gripped by fear so real that we can’t even leave the house. For most of us it doesn’t get that bad but it can paralyze us. I recently heard this definition of the word fear.
“Fear is caused by False Evidence Appearing Real.” The enemy of our hearts wants us to believe that everything is scary. I remember the shadows in my childhood bedroom that looked like a big dog. To me that thing was real and I would cry out in fear. My father would come in to my room and turn on the light. The fear would leave as the shadows left. The shadows were false evidence that appeared real. The presence of my father and the presence of the light revealed the truth. Today it is the same thing. When I am afraid my heavenly father comes in, turns on the light and reveals the truth. There is nothing to fear in the light of the Father!
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
-John Roe
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Following is a really under-rated quality in our American culture. We want everyone to be leaders! The themes of ‘Be the Best you can Be’, and ‘We are Number One’, ring in the air. Our heads are filled with, ‘You can do anything you want to’, ‘The sky is the limit!’ Even in the church we are encouraging everyone to be leaders.
What ever happened to followers? Somehow the role of the follower has achieved a lower status like you are something less than you should be if you are only a follower. The highest praise and the biggest raise go to the leaders while it seems that the followers get the leftovers. Modern day leaders couldn’t be leaders if there was no one to follow.
In God’s economy a follower is a great thing. Someone who is willing to sacrifice all to follow Jesus gets approval from Him. The disciples were all followers of Jesus. They were called to give their all, even their lives to be followers.
“The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 1:43
-John Roe
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
‘The Passion of the Christ’ is in all the news this week as it opens in theaters across the land. We must not lose sight of the fact that as horrible as it looks on the screen the sufferings of Jesus were even worse. The worst part of the whole ordeal was that moment in which Jesus felt deserted by his father because of our sin that separated them. To always have been one with the Father and then to have that taken away had to be absolutely gruesome for Jesus.
Why would he go through something that terrible for you and for me? He freely gave so that we may receive.
‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’ John 15:13
-John Roe
Monday, February 23, 2004
It is said that A.B. Simpson, founder of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, had such a burden for the lost souls of the world that he prayed with his arms wrapped around the globe. Too many Christians today pray with their arms wrapped around their wallets!
-Lyn Sahr
-Matt 6:24 NIV
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Sunday, February 22, 2004
Do you want to be considered great in the Kingdom of God? It doesn’t require building a large ministry. It requires humility. Jesus said that those who are great in the kingdom of Heaven must humble themselves and become as children—children who love and laugh and can believe no matter what.
How many times do children brag about their fathers? They believe their father can do anything. We have a Father who can do all things, but many times we don’t believe that. We say we believe, but we trust our own efforts more than we trust God. God is looking for a people who will trust Him with everything, including their lives. And He won’t settle for less. We can’t believe a little. We must believe that He is all powerful, all knowing and that He can and will work His purposes in our lives if we will allow Him to do so.
-Ardis Rivera
-Matthew 18:1-4 NIV
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Saturday February 21, 2004
We had one of those “life changing” events this week in our family, as my wife gave birth to our son…”Nathan Isaiah” early Tuesday morning.
No matter how many times I witness the birth of my child (this is number six by the way), I am in awe. I’m in awe that my wife carried this little one inside her womb for nine months, and God formed all the parts (and personality) of this little boy just as HE wanted them (without the “pomp and circumstance” that the world so often requires) and that of all the parents on the planet HE chose my wife and I to raise this little one. That in the still of the night HE decided to let my son make his appearance to the world. During my wife’s 24-hour plus labor this week God again gave me a glimpse of his creative power and his love for us when he sent Jesus to earth. Like my son, Jesus “grew” inside Mary’s womb. Like my son, God chose his parents. Like my son, God chose the time for him to be born.
As I thanked God for my son this week, I had to also stop and thank him for sending his son for me. Without Jesus, I would be nothing.
Thank you Father for my little boy and for loving me so much that you sent your little boy for me!
-Garrett Novak
-John 3:16 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Friday, February 20, 2004
The religious cults are everywhere and are very successful. They offer some of the most ridiculous theology and practice, yet people listen and follow. Why? Because they are out among the people dedicated to telling the story of their beliefs.
So what is wrong with evangelism in the evangelical Christian world? Perhaps evangelicals are too dedicated to the church and not dedicated enough to unsaved people. Perhaps they are not dedicated at all! Perhaps they do not know what the word dedication means.
Dedication = Selfless devotion
-Lyn Sahr
-Mark 16:15 NIV
“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
“The sky is the limit” is an expression people use when they are shopping and price is not an issue. Hmm, haven’t heard many testimonies lately where this expression is used in church business meetings!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 84:11-12 NIV
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
What do you do with a pair of shoes that don’t fit? If you are growing and outgrow the shoes, you discard them! That’s how many people view the church, “Throw Away Christianity!”
But I don’t think that God sees it that way, although I do believe there are times that God calls people out of a church into another for the sake of ministry. But when people begin to feel like they are no longer being fed in a church and have spiritually outgrown the ministry of that church, perhaps a time reflection is in order.
Reflect on what? The possibility that God wants you to stay right where you are at and help the entire congregation grow spiritually and take the church to a whole new level. Instead of throwing away the church perhaps one should throw away the past and help take the church to whole new level of “High Adventure In Jesus!”
-Lyn Sahr
-John 6:27 NIV
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
What is the difference between being a good Christian and just being a Christian? Nothing. All Christians should be good!
-Lyn Sahr
-Gal 6:9-10 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Monday, February 16, 2004
The distance between a birthstone and a tombstone is measured by “heartometers!” And the only one who knows how to read our “heartometer” is God.
What is a “heartometer?” The measure of God’s love that we allow to generate through our lives to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s an old concept with a new name!
-Lyn Sahr
-Eph 3:16-19 NIV
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Sunday, February 15, 2004
Recently I read a passage in Exodus that I had never noticed before (and I read through the Bible once a year). This time, it was just as if it were written in bold letters. God was telling Moses that He would go before the Israelites and that He would drive out the inhabitants of the land. But He said that He would not drive them out in a single year because the land would become desolate and the wild animals would take over. He said He would drive them out little by little.
How many times do we think that God just is not answering—that He is not driving out our enemies. We need to remember that God has a perfect timetable. We need to learn to rest in the confidence that God knows what He is doing and that He has a perfect time for everything.
-Ardis Rivera
-Exodus 23:27-30
“I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.
-Psalm 31:15
My times are in your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me.
Saturday February 14, 2004
Love is…
Spending time with your wife “cuddling” on a Saturday morning, instead of bolting out of bed to conquer all the weekend projects
Taking time to look in their eyes and listen to your child when they tell you about their day, not just give them the occasional “uh-huh” nod from across the room
Putting your needs aside and focusing on the needs of your spouse, and children instead
Spending time with a widow down the street from you, and helping her by clearing the snow from her driveway
Mentoring a child from you church who has a single Mom
Befriending someone the world calls “unlovable,” but Jesus calls “my child”
Giving up your time to listen to a friend whose spouse has just left them
Sending your son to a world where they will not recognize him, and knowing that he will suffer greatly for others, paying the price for their actions, by being murdered on a cross…because of how you care for them
This is what love is—Happy Valentine’s Day!
-Garrett Novak
-1 Cor 13:4-7 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
-John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Sunday, February 8, 2004
The other day I was looking through the pictures I have taken in the past couple of months. It is a good thing that I write on the back of the picture the details because sometimes, I just don’t remember what a picture is of.
I was thinking how God doesn’t have that problem. He always remembers us and knows exactly where we are.
But there is one thing that we remember better than God, our past sins. How many times do we think of past sins, sins long confessed and forgiven. I think the Father must say at times, “What sin? That was forgiven and forgotten long ago.”
-Ardis Rivera
-Isa 49:15-16 NIV
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
-Heb 10:17 NIV
“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Saturday, February 7, 2004
Western Wisconsin was “dumped” on again this week, picking up around 18-inches of snow in two separate snowstorms. Knowing that I had some “work” to do after work on my driveway, I wasn’t looking forward to spending some quality time with my shovel.
As I pulled in the driveway I gazed toward the house, and then I saw them, the tracks my children had made with their sleds, the forts that they were building, snow angles and all of a sudden the “grumpiness” of having to clear snow didn’t seem to be so bad. In fact, I found myself laughing. Another “God” moment was at hand while my kids took advantage of all that fresh snow. While I had hoped for a heat-wave to melt it down, they were teaching their Dad a lesson.
That’s exactly how God works in our lives. Taking the “snowy” days with piles of “stuff” and turning then into “piles of possibilities!”
-Garrett Novak
-Luke 1:37 (NIV)
“With God all things are possible!”
Thursday, February 5, 2004
I remember having the measles when I was a boy. My mother kept me in bed as much as possible and closed the blinds in the bedroom to protect me from the light. But I couldn’t stand staying in bed or in the dim room all day.
Many adults suffer from “Spiritual Measles.” Unfortunately, they have no problem staying in the dark thinking that the “Light” will harm them. Unlike measles, Jesus, the Light of the World, brings peace and healing to the troubled and brokenhearted.
The beauty of God is never overshadowed by the cares of this world unless we choose to close the blinds!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 50:1-2 NIV
The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
Wednesday, February 4, 2004
Our ministry team heads to Monterrey, Mexico on Saturday driving a donated 12-passenger van down for use in Mexico. Beside myself, there will be a person who desires to organize a resource and teaching center for the pastors there; a person who we are sharing the vision with in hopes that he will develop men’s ministry there to model for women’s, couples and other ministries; and a woman (and her husband) who is going to oversee the bringing of food into Mexico for the poor to be distributed through the churches. We have tentatively 11,000 pounds of food to be shipped into Mexico in April or May. This is going to be a great trip.
I will be meeting with numerous pastors, government officials and church leaders as well as speaking in three churches while I am there. We have had great success in Mexico coordinating the churches for the sister church relationship. Because of the lack of staff here, we are slow at getting the news out to the churches in the US. However, over the next several months there will be numerous articles in various well know publications about the ministry in Mexico that we believe God will use to provide needed self-supported missions staff, churches and adequate funding.
This trip we are bringing baby clothes with that will be distributed to a small remote village four hours outside of Monterrey. The people there are extremely poor and have a desperate need for baby clothing. Ardis Rivera, our staff person in Monterrey, has seen this need first hand and she will deliver the clothes after we go back home. We will also bring computers to Mexico for pastors and a few cases of hair products for pastor and missionary families.
Recently someone asked me, “How do you do all this, pastoring a church, Home and Away Ministries missions in Mexico and the ChuchMouse Chronicles?” My answer was simple, “I try to be faithful everyday and let God do His part.” I stand in awe at what God has done and is doing.
Did you know that Ruby’s Pantry, a cooperative effort between Home and Away Ministries and Pine city Community Church, delivered approximately fifty five large banana boxes full of food to approximately 40 different families last month? We also delivered five pound containers of frozen barbequed shredded chicken to approximately sixty other families last month. I never dreamed we would be in the food ministry. The food is delivered by someone to another person they know who is going through a temporary crisis. You would have to see this ministry to believe how God is using it in the lives of the recipient and the delivery person. Faith in action would be a good description.
Well, I have written these thoughts today to ask for your prayers. Prayer fuels this ministry. I can’t tell you how many times God has repeatedly met our needs. This is a difficult time of the year for us financially. Donations are very sparse and the revenue stream we have had from the sale of donated cars is almost nonexistent. And the need is great. The only income that I personally have is generated through the ministry. After contemplating the immediate financial need of the ministry and myself I came to this conclusion. If our ministry is struggling financially, so must a lot of other ministries, churches and people. Therefore, if you have extra funds, I ask that you give them to your local church to strengthen the backbone of America and share with those around you who are poor or experiencing a temporary crisis. I would be thrilled if you would buy a BIG box of groceries and deliver it to someone in need and tell them, “This is from Ruby’s Pantry!” (The text below is from the card that we put in every box of food delivered)
And if you would so kindly pray for us and our needs, I know that God will provide. It isn’t the size of the need but the size of the heart of the one praying that moves God!
-Lyn Sahr
Ruby’s Pantry Card text
You have just received a “Blessing Box” from Ruby’s Pantry.
Ruby lived in Western Wisconsin for 89 years. Although she had little, she always shared what she had with others. She had a large garden that was grown in some of the sandiest soil you have ever seen. But God always blessed Ruby with a great harvest. She could also be found picking wild Blueberries and other berries that she would can sauce from them. Although not blessed financially, Ruby was rich because she always had enough to share. She truly was the example of someone who realized that if you only have enough for yourself you don’t have enough.
Ruby looked for every opportunity to share food from her pantry with others. One of her neighbors down the road with four children had no money or food. One Christmas Ruby gathered food from her pantry and brought them food for a Christmas dinner fit for a king. In fact, Ruby was a descendant of the Royal family of Sweden. And she was royalty in every sense.
But Ruby had even a greater heritage. She was a child of God. Ruby was a faithful member of the same church little country church for nearly sixty years. Up until a few months before her death, Ruby still lead weekly Bible Studies in her home. She never quit giving to others. Yes, Ruby found something that money couldn’t buy. She found Jesus Christ and had the richest life possible, peace with God.
So please accept this “Blessing Box” in the spirit of which it is intended, the Spirit of our Heavenly Father who is our provider.
For spiritual help please call
(Delivery Persons name & Phone Number)
Or
Church Name
Phone Number
Tuesday, February 3, 2004
Today I took a moment to count my blessings and I discovered I was blessed immensely. Then I took a moment to count my answered prayers and I got tired of counting. Then I took a moment and thanked God and I sensed His presence. I encourage you to “take a moment!”
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 17:11-19 NIV
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him-and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Monday, February 2, 2004
The same world that cried, “Give us Barabbas” is still crying, ”Give us abortion, give us illicit sex, give us drugs and give us pornography! But, just as at Calvary, Jesus still gives them back love and the offer of forgiveness.
The sad part about all this is that many of those who crucified Christ once followed Him, not the crowd.
Just like today, many people know better but choose worse!
-Lyn Sahr
-Eph 1:7-9 NIV
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Sunday, February 1, 2004
The other day I looked out my bedroom window and what a shock. I was used to seeing trees and brush. That day, machines had already removed most of the trees, but were still working. Then I realized something. Very close to my house is a 4-lane road. I always wondered why I kept hearing cars. But all I could see back there was trees. The view is clearer now.
There are times when we don’t understand things that God is doing. We may be wondering why we “hear” something when we can’t “see” it. At the right time, God will remove the things that keep us from understanding and then everything will make sense. But He will do that in His time. There are things that we may not be able to understand yet. God, in His perfect time, will remove the blinders and allow us to see and understand more of His purpose in our lives. If He delays in removing the blinders, you can rest assured it is for your own good.
-Ardis Rivera
-Exodus 23:29-30
But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.
