Monday, December 31, 2001
Dear Friend!
Happy New Year!
Sometimes I wonder why we celebrate on New Years Eve. Are we celebrating the beginning of a new year or the closing of an old year? Are we celebrating that we survived the past year or that we are going to have another year? I must confess that I used to celebrate the occasion but now I spend more time reflecting on the past year and considering the upcoming year.
This past year we have been blessed with our first grandchild, a wonderful little boy named Malachi. Malachi means, “Messenger of God.” Truly he has brought the message that God is faithful, hears our prayers and does not forget us in times of heartache. Our third oldest daughter is a blessed mother. Two years ago at this time she faced her first cancer surgery in early January and two weeks later had another. It has now been two years and she has had no recurrence. Truly, Malachi has been a reminder and a messenger of God’s faithfulness and love to her and her husband as well as to our entire family. And I say, “Oh God, if you never bless me in any other way or answer another one of my prayers but to see her healed, healthy and blessed with this precious baby it has been enough for me for my lifetime.”
Let me give you a little new year family update:
Our oldest daughter is has a degree in business and music and works for a major corporation on their diversity team which enables her to give high level input into integral areas of the company with a Christian perspective. Her husband also works for the same corporation in administration. He is a gifted pianist. They attend a large metro church.
Our second oldest daughter is a Nurse Practitioner. She oversees the health care for people in an extended care facility. God has given her a gift for this work. She is also the Sunday School Superintendent and sings in the praise team at her local church. Her husband is a geo technical engineer and serves as an Elder and Cell Group leader in their local church. They started their first business venture this year with building a storage facility.
Our third oldest daughter is busy being a mother and loving every minute of it. She had been active in their local church with the youth and singing in the praise team. Her husband is a fine carpenter. At church he works with the youth and AWANA and serves on the building committee. He also has a ministry in the local county jail where has been leading a Bible study for the past two years every Friday night.
Our youngest daughter just graduated with honors from college the middle of December. She finished in 3 11/2 years with a degree in Psychology. She expects to be entering a masters/doctorate program this fall in Industrial Psychology. Today she started a new job in social work. God has blessed her with a great mind and ability to learn. But best of all she has a great heart.
I reflect this year on the blessing of having Christian children actively carrying out their faith and pursuing God’s will for their lives.
What does 2002 hold for Lonna and I? Well, Lonna will continue her career in teaching Special Education to elementary children in the public school system. As a family, we are especially proud of Lonna. As a mother of four and a pastor’s wife she began college at age 37 and graduated at age 44 with a degree in Elementary Education and Learning Disabilities. Her success has been a source of pride for our entire family. She is a wonderful teacher and truly loves the children she teaches.
As for me, I continue this unusual ministry called the Church Mouse Chronicles. It is not a large ministry. I send out only a few hundred emails a day and the website gets between 20,000 and 30,000 hits per month. But this past year we expanded the vision for missions and this next year we will expand it further by training short-term mission team leaders as well as coordinating mission trips for them.
Our website, http://www.churchmouse.net is in the process of taking on some major changes including the “Monday Morning Pastors Letter,” a daily inspiration email for teens and a Spanish version of the website and daily emails with the intention of adding French and perhaps Italian in the near future. With the prayer and financial support of you, our partners, together we will be able to accomplish this.
We are planning another missions trip to Monterrey, Mexico June 22-29. It will include four teams, a high school street ministry team, a college and career team street ministry, a work team building a church and an adult team ministering in the churches and neighborhoods.
At this moment I am looking for facilities to plant a new church. We intend on holding services on or before Easter. After two years God has finally opened up the doors to enable me to be free to do this and provide some initial funding. Please keep this in your prayers.
The past two years I have been supplementing my income building websites, speaking in churches, small business consulting projects and some computer repair. I do not intend on doing much of this in 2002. The reason is obvious; I can only do so much. That is the reason that is so important that we maintain a regular adequate financial income in the ministry. Not only do have a salary for myself but we have added additional staff this year and not all of them can be volunteers. We also have the expense of maintaining the website and purchasing software and equipment. We are in need of updating our entire computer system and software. We also have been covering the administration cost of the mission outreaches. I also consult with churches in regard to restructuring and growth. To date, this has been done without charge and the expenses absorbed by the ministry. We need your support in 2002. So, if you have been thinking all year about a gift to the Church Mouse Chronicles today is the last day of 2001.
Thank you for being part of this ministry.
Striving To Do God’s Will,
Lyn Sahr, Pastor
Church Mouse Chronicles
Send your gifts to:
Church Mouse Chronicles
Island Resort Road
Rt 4, Box 60
Pine City, MN 55063
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Church Mouse Chronicles
Sunday, December 30, 2001
In November I went on a mission trip to Mexico. Last night we gathered for a follow-up meeting. There were 18 of us including family members. Everyone brought a favorite Mexican dish and the food was terrific. I was going to make Green Salsa but when I received the recipe by email from Mexico I discovered that it was made out of green tomatoes and I had no idea of where to get them this time of the year in Minnesota. When we gathered there was a sense of kinship and we began to share and laugh. We picked up just where we left off several weeks ago. It was as if we were never separated at all.
This past year many of you have lost loved ones. But when you see them in heaven again it will be like a great reunion. I think you will pick up where you left off. It will be as if you were never separated by death. You will share your heart with them again and those lonely years after their death will disappear in the joy of the Lord and the reunion of the saints. Cling to the hope of eternal life through Christ and rest in His blessed assurance.
As this past year is vanishing, so the upcoming year will go by quickly. We all need to do what we can for the Kingdom of God. Make 2001 a year of new freshness in ministry!
-James 3:11-14 NIV
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Friday, December 29, 2001
Proverbs 16:9 paraphrased says:
God is what happens while you are making other plans!
-contributed by John Marshall
Saturday, December 28, 2001
To make positive changes in your life is a great New Years Resolution. But too often people start the year out with great intentions only to fall back into their old habits in a week or two. We seem to know very little these days about “finishing the race.” Therefore, perhaps we should start first with shorter races and work our way up to the long run.
What ever you would like to do for a New Years Resolution I suggest you change it to a “New Day Resolution.” In other words, make the changes you want to make for January 1st. Then try it again on January 2nd. Continue that daily and soon it will become a habit and you will develop life long changes. If you fail on a given day just get up the next morning and start again. So, for 2002 make every day a “New Day Resolution!”
-James 4:10 NIV
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Thursday, December 27, 2001
I have a screen saver that for my personal computer that I wrote that I would like to share with you today.
“Great days are created in the heart!”
It reminds me that the condition of my heart has a lot to do with the condition of my day.
-Prov 16:9 NIV
9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Wednesday, December 26, 2001
Some time ago there was a movie that was released titled, “Hollow Man.” As I remember hearing about it, the lead role was a man became invisible. More than likely it is spin-off of some other invisible person movie. I have noticed that they are really stretching for movie titles these days. Think of all the movies that are made and all the different titles. It is amazing!
As I pondered this thought I considered my own life. If they made a movie about me what it be called? I suppose most of us would not be too good at giving our lives a title but, nonetheless, the thought is intriguing. I suddenly realized that there are two titles I would not my life to represent.
First, I would not want a movie of my life to be titled “Hollow Man” because I don’t want to be remembered as a hollow person. I want to be remembered as someone whose life was filled with the presence and power of God.
Secondly, I would not a movie of my life it be titled “Invisible Man” because I want to make a statement in this world about the love and forgiveness about Christ.
What do you suppose others would title a movie of your life? What would you think the title would be? What would you want it to be? Now is the time to make any necessary changes in your life to give it the basis for the title you would choose!
If others were to pick a title for a movie of my life I can only imagine what some of them would be. I suppose if I picked out a title for a movie of my life I would like it to be, “H2GO”… Humbled too God’s Opportunity (Obedience).
-Ps 25:9-10 NIV
9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Tuesday, December 25, 2001
Merry Christmas!
I like the sound.
It’s words of joy.
The world around.
So take the time,
Don’t try to hurry.
To enjoy the season,
And all its flurry.
And when it’s over,
Just take a pause.
This wasn’t about,
Old Santa Clause.
Blessings from our house to yours!
Lyn and Lonna Sahr
Church Mouse Chronicles
Monday, December 24, 2001
Gathering with our families at Christmas is a sense of belonging. It is a basic human need to belong, to be part of a family. Too many families have broken relationships that can only be mended through personal humbleness and a helping hand of God. And God is always willing to lend a hand to heal broken families!
This also holds true in the family of God.
-Gal 6:10 NIV
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Sunday, December 23, 2001
When the Inn was full it would appear that God forgotten the needs of Mary and Joseph. Where would Jesus be born now? But God’s plan was being fulfilled even though it perhaps didn’t appear that way to Mary and Joseph. But in the fullness of time and in God the Father’s way, Jesus was born.
God hasn’t forgotten your needs either. Although they may be different than what you think, God will provide in His time and in His way. And it will be Good.
-Luke 2:14 NIV
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Saturday, December 22, 2001
They journey to Bethlehem was not an easy for Mary. But it had to be to fulfill God’s plan. Mary could have stayed home and no one would have blamed her. After all, she was pregnant. But it wasn’t part of God’s plan and she made the uncomfortable, inconvenient journey.
The journey to where God is taking each of us may also not be easy. So the next time you do not feel like being inconvenienced for God ask this question to yourself, “WWMD” (What Would Mary Do?).
-Luke 2:4-7 NIV
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Friday, December 21, 2001
Giving gifts is an interesting tradition at Christmas. I’ve repeatedly confessed that I have never been a very big “Christmasy” person. However, I find it a joy to surprise and give people the unexpected that help to make the season memorable. One time I brought in an Elvis impersonator to surprise our family. He sang Christmas songs and we will never forget it.
Every year I try to think of something that I could do to create memories for our family. Most of my ideas involve money and the problem is that I don’t always have funds to cover my inspirations! So in these days when the dollars may be a little short, instead of being stressed out trying to spend more money than you have, use your imagination to create memories. They are priceless!
Perhaps you could sing a song that you have written, perhaps a poem to read to your family or tell stories of Christmas pasts. Or maybe you could make a special food or baked item that you could include a history of where it came from. Food heritage is good. I am even craving some Lutefisk this year!
Christmas eve there will be about fifty of us gathering spreading over four generations. We will eat the traditional Scandinavian dishes. While we are eating I will tearfully think of my mother and how much she enjoyed Christmas dinner. Yes, I will pause to remember… memories.
After dinner we will have our annual Family Christmas program, something like you would find in church. Each family (Lonna has 7 brothers and sisters) will take a part in the program with their children and grandchildren. It will include the Christmas story, a time of prayer, readings, poems, special songs, and Christmas Carols. We will also hear the improvement of some of the children playing their instruments. We will create memories.
It doesn’t have to cost much to create memories and it just doesn’t get much better. Each of us has something to give this Christmas that is greater in value to others than the price of any expensive gift, ourselves. Give something of yourself this Christmas and make memories.
-Ps 145:9 NIV
The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
Thursday, December 20, 2001
When God turns on the heavenly heat He doesn’t soften hearts, He melts them. That’s how you know it is God and not just emotions running wild. It is my prayer for you this Christmas that if you have any broken relationships with family or friends, that God will melt your heart and theirs. And that there will be “mended relationships.” After all, that’s why God sent Jesus!
-Ps 51:17 NIV
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Wednesday, December 19, 2001
It is interesting to receive the Christmas letters from family and friends and see how their children have grown and the activities they have experienced this past year. It is another reminder of how “time marches on” and it doesn’t stop for anyone. Christmas this year is going to come and go regardless of the attitude of people or how they celebrate it or don’t celebrate it. Put your heart into the season, worship the King and enjoy your family.
-Ps 100 NIV
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Tuesday, December 18, 2001
The same God who is able to move mountains is able to move the hearts of men. Pray for your unsaved loved ones that the spirit of the Lord might move their hearts to Him this Christmas season.
-Matt 1:21-23 NIV
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”-which means, “God with us.”
Monday, December 17, 2001
I am thankful that God has no problem saying, “I love you!” Unfortunately, too many people haven’t said it too each other for a long time! This Christmas would be a good time to say “I Love You” to those you love. And you could always start with God!
-Ps 18:1 NIV
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
Sunday, December 16, 2001
It has to be hard to be God because there are so many of us who want His job! Some even try to do His job for Him, but none succeed!
-Eccl 11:5 NIV
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Saturday, December 15, 2001
The darkest time of any day is when you take your eyes off from the Light!
-John 8:12 NIV
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Friday, December 14, 2001
Waiting for God is one of the most challenging things for me. As I seek Him for direction in my own life I find that He seems to have a favorite mode, silence. I remember Charles Swindoll preaching about how God works through “circumstances.” But I have found that there are times when circumstances have no direction intertwined within them. In other words, more silence! Now is when we must practice our faith and trust in God. It is during these times that it seems especially hard to hold on to God. That’s when I realize that God is holding on to me!
Remember the greatest even in the world, Jesus birth, came after 400 years of silence. Yes, from Malachi to Matthew God never spoke a word. But that didn’t mean that God was not moving. In fact, He was preparing the way for the birth of Christ. Just because the people didn’t see Him move or hear Him speak, God was busy.
If you are wondering what God is doing in your life or ministry today do not fret. God won’t let go of you! God is busy working and when things begin to happen it will be wonderful.
-John 1:16 NIV
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
Thursday, December 13, 2001
During the Christmas season we have a tendency to reflect on years past, remember the good and the bad. It is easy for us to become negative during what is a very unsuspecting, emotional time of the year. This holiday season, guard yourself against cynicism and seek out the good things and positive memories. It’s really pretty easy to have rocks in your heart, fire in your tongue and no love in your eyes if you only remember the hurts of the past. After all, Jesus came to forgive and forget. So should we!
1 Tim 1:15-17 NIV
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Wednesday, December 12, 2001
Payment In Full
The pastor of the church was looking over the cradle when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing from among the figures. Immediately he turned and went outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus.
So he walked up to the boy and said, “Well, where did you get Him, my fine friend?”
The little boy replied, “I got him from the church.”
“And why did you take him?”
The boy said, “Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas I would give him a ride around the block in it.”
-contributed by RoxAnn Ennen
Perhaps this Christmas it is time for each of us to give something back to Jesus!
-Luke 17:11-19 NIV
11 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.
Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Life is full of surprises, some good and some not so good. The unexpected causes unrest in people and only serves as a reminder for the need of stability in our lives. But even the most stable of lives still has surprises, some good and some not so good. It is imperative that we seek and hold onto the only real stability this world has to offer, Jesus Christ. Think of it. The story of Christmas hasn’t changed in over 2000 years and was even foretold hundreds of years before that. Now that’s what I call stability!
Get stable. Get Jesus!
-Isa 11:1-3 NIV
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him– the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD– 3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
Monday, December 10, 2001
The reality is… Jesus was born.
The purpose is… to provide salvation through faith in Him.
The question is… “Have you made a decision to accept salvation through faith in Him?”
The answer is…
The result is…
-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.”
Sunday, December 9, 2001
As I looked into the sky tonight, it was painted with the most spectacular pageantry of stars I think I have ever seen. I was quite taken back by the awesome majesty of God’s creation. It suddenly came over me what a big God that I serve. Sometimes I forget that. Thank you God for reminded me tonight how big you are.
-Ps 93 NIV
The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. 2 Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. 3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. 4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea– the LORD on high is mighty. 5 Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD.
Saturday, December 8, 2001
Training a new employee can be a time consuming thing. If they are not trained completely and correctly the chances of them ever doing a good job and being a good employee are very slim. Yet, discipleship in the church is often overlooked as unimportant to new believers. Perhaps good teaching and training is something we should take from the “work place” into the “holy place.”
-Prov 13:14 NIV
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
Friday, December 7, 2001
There was no room in the inn, but they made room for Jesus. If they had known who He was perhaps someone would have given up their comfort for Him. With the business of people’s schedules they have no room for Jesus either, but thankfully there are those who make room for Him. Perhaps if people knew Him better and understood why He came, even today with busy self-centered lives, they would give up some of their comfort for Him.
This Christmas, look around and see who you can give a sacrificial gift to. But remember, God didn’t send Jesus with a wallet, credit card or checkbook. His gift to the world was a gift of love. We can all afford that gift!
-John 4:10 NIV
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
Thursday, December 6, 2001
Jesus is the “Reason for the Season.” However, in the true sense, we are the reason for the season! God sent Jesus because He loved us and sent His one and only Son for the redemption of our sin. Yes, we celebrate His birth but we are the reason for the season!
-Isa 9:6 NIV
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,…
Wednesday, December 5, 2001
The joy of Christmas can’t be found unless you’ve found the Jesus of Christmas!
-Luke 2:10-12 NIV
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Tuesday, December 4, 2001
Being teased in as children in school is hard for people to overcome even as adults. Some of the wounds from growing up seem to linger deep within the hearts of people throughout their lifetime. That is why, as Christians, it is imperative that we teach our children to show Godly love and respect for other children. And we, as Christians, should be Godly examples for Children. Perhaps if we practiced this we might find that fewer kids would want to “Be Like Mike” and more kids would want to be like their Mom and Dads or uncle Fred or Aunt Mary or Bill next door or Betty down the street!
-Titus 2:6-8 NIV
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Monday, December 3, 2000
Honor God in your family as the Christ of Christmas. It’s not the size of your gift that is going to make a difference in the lives of your family; it’s the size of your God!
-1 John 4:13-16 NIV
13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
Sunday, December 2, 2001
Worship is not measured by the number of people who are attending a worship service on Sunday morning. Worship is measured by the number of people who attended a Sunday morning service to worship.
-Ps 96:9 NIV
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
Saturday, December 1, 2001
Nighttime Treasures
Two brothers farmed together. They lived in separate houses on the family farm, but met each day in the fields to work together. One brother married and had a large family. The other lived alone. Still, they divided the harvest from the fields equally.
One night the single brother thought, “My brother is struggling to support a large family, but I get half of the harvest.” With love in his heart, he gathered a box of things he had purchased from his earnings – items he knew would help his brother’s family. He planned to slip over to his brother’s
shed, unload the basket there, and never say a word about it.
The same night, the married brother thought, “My brother is alone. He doesn’t know the joys of a family”. Out of love, he decided to take over a basket with a quilt and homemade bread and preserves to “warm” his brother’s house.
He planned to leave the items on his porch and never say a word.
As the brothers stealthily made their way to each other’s home, they bumped into one another. They were forced to admit to what they were doing and there in the darkness, they cried and embraced, each man realizing that his greatest wealth was a brother who respected and loved him.
-Contributed by Ardis Rivera
-Rom 12:10-13 NIV
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
