Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Prayer
We frequently use what is supposed to be a weapon of war as a call button for a butler to come bring us another pillow.
Monday, April 26, 2010
On hospitality
So I can't remember exactly what all the Greek and how the word directly translates, but we learned the other day in my class, Thinking Missiologically, that the word "hospitality"means, "host" and in the Bible, Jesus is often referred to as the 'great host,' but it translates differently into our language. But here's the fun part... the word host is translated into something like "of strangers."
Well, to refer to Jesus as the Great Host is calling him the Lord of Strangers. I love that. I'd never heard that before. There are a billion names for God, but this one I hadn't heard... The Lord of Strangers. I think that name makes me love God even more. I called him the Lord of Strangers the other day when I was praying and I couldn't help but smile :)
In this class, we're reading this amazing book by Christine D. Pohl (I highly recommend it!) called Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition. I am learning how the entire spread of the Gospel amongst the early Church is indebted to the gift of hospitality. I realize this is an obvious statement, but think about it.... because people were willing to let people into their homes and lives, the Gospel was spread. How simple is that?! We put so much stress on the right answers, the conversations, the timing, the words, etc. etc. etc., but in reality, the most expedient spread of the Gospel was thanks to hospitality and people's willingness to give of themselves and others' ability to value hospitality being shown to them.
Here are a couple quick excerpts from this book:
"Over and over again, I've come to see that in God's remarkable economy, as we make room for hospitality, more room becomes available to us for life, hope, and grace" (xiii).
"For the people of ancient Israel, understanding themselves as strangers and sojourners, with responsibility to care for vulnerable strangers in their midst, was part of what it meant to be the people of God" (5).
Here's sort of the summation of the book, though this certainly doesn't do the book justice, but it's encouraging and inspiring if nothing else:
"Those who offer hospitality find that the practice itself is nourishing. We discover that a life of hospitality brings us life. Fed by the practice through the guests who come and through the gifts they bring, in a mysterious way, we are also nourished by God's grace and love which infuse hospitality.
"As a way of life, an act of love, an expression of faith, our hospitality reflects and anticipates God's welcome. Simultaneously costly and wonderfully rewarding, hospitality often involves small deaths and little resurrections. By God's grace we can grow more willing, more eager, to open the door to a needy neighbor, a weary sister or brother, a stranger in distress. Perhaps as we open that door more regularly, we will grow increasingly sensitive to the quiet knock of angels. In the midst of a life-giving practice, we too might catch glimpses of Jesus who asks for our welcome and welcomes us home" (187).
Anyway, the sermonette I could give at this time seems pretty obvious, but I just wanted to encourage you to work hard at allowing hospitality to become a gift and skill that you have to offer Praha -- and that you do offer Praha.
You never know when you'll be entertaining angels :)
Love you sister. Proud of who you are.
ajp
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Waging War
KK!!!!!!!!!!
Hiiiii!! Lame but true, I have just now figured this all out! Eeek!!!
Life here is good in Oklahoma!! Just a little update...I am about to graduate from Rhema Bible Training Center with an emphasis in Youth Ministry! I have stinkin' learned so much here and am in love with this school! Its so true- the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know! Whaa!! :D I have seen God move so mightily, it is amazing!! Everything from hernias going away, legs growing out, bills supernaturally paid off, backs straightening, cancers gone and more!! Ahhh He's so good and so alive!! :D
I am also playing percussion with a ministry called 'Rock the Nation', and am loving it. We get to reach out to kids and youth in the inner city around the world! We are about to go on a couple of tours this summer and have a live recording in November. God is moving!! Its so Him!
Oh this was crazy! I saw one of the Hanson brothers (Mmmbop) where I work!!! I was too excited! Like a little kid in a candy store! :D I acted like needed some toys just to see them! (I swear I am not a creeper!)
As a whole this year has been going well. I have learned the power of the mind and what it means to have a controlled thought life and how such a large part of the battle that the devil throws our way is in our thoughts. I have realized that our minds will think about anything we give it space to think about- good or bad, and how our thoughts can get into our spirit if we don't keep them controlled. Probably why we are told to renew our minds eh'? :D
I am posting a super sweet song. Its kinda old but new to me and I am classifying it as "MY JAM" for the time being- It has helped me get through some stuff! :) It's called WAGING WAR by Cece Winans. Its so powerful!!!
I hope you enjoy! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPKvKwIZUCM
Well... I will post soon!!! Love you so much girl!!!
Maria (RIA)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Its Earth Day and Dyb's Birthday.. Coincidence?... I think not!
So this blog post has nothing to do with the title, I just thought that would be funny.
Anywho, I'm sitting here in my cube preparing for a meeting and I thought why not write a quick little bit on Kelsey Keizer's Praha blog?
I'm not sure if I've updated you on life recently, but I got a promotion. Thats right, I'm the big time now. I've been promoted from Production Chemist II to Research and Development Chemist! Sounds exciting right? It is! First of all I get a new office, with high cube walls. This is a big deal because when you have short cube walls you hear EVERYTHING and vise versa. Because of having short cube walls I have been self conscious about everything I say (which is probably a good thing because lets face it sometimes I say inappropriate things). Along with the high cube walls I also no longer have to package things which is the least favorite part of my current position. Instead of packaging I get to research and develop (hence title) new materials. Maybe one day I'll discover a dye that is super duper (stolen from your coach) awesome. Until then, I'm just grateful for the opportunity. I've been a little overwhelmed with the change in responsibility so far but I think that will subside when I get to do just one job (right now I'm doing both until they find a replacement for my position).
In other facets of life (I want you to know I just typed faucets instead of facets and laughed loudly in my cube imagining life containing lots and lots of faucets which is most likely only funny to me... I digress) I've been studying James with Nathan. Its pretty fun, and funny because we are the biggest failures at couples Bible study ever. I usually want to spend the entire time talking about one verse and he usually wants to summarize a whole chapter so it takes us forever to get through something, but regardless, I am learning a lot. A theme that keeps reoccurring in what I am learning is diligence and my lack thereof. You said it well in your email when you said that God is changing you. I think I'm learning that as well. There are a lot of things in me that I know He desires to be different. And really, what is my diligence to Him if I'm not sensitive to His leading?
Nathan and I also got a newish car. (ish because its used but new to us). We got this car because he totaled our other one (the red ford) which sounds scary but it really wasn't. Its more amusing than anything. At least now its amusing when he reported the story to me while laughing the whole time, I wasn't very amused. So when you see me rolling around in a sweet forest green honda civic you'll know whats up.
In my last post I talked about how I can't even beat Dyb's in a game of HORSE. I'm hoping now that she is old I will be able to accomplish that feat. Happy Birthday Dybs! (watch your back because I've been practicing)
Lastly, I leave you with a challenge. You said that they don't sell any sort of Christian books in the CR. So maybe you should read a book about another religion or maybe a biography about a popular Czech figure to increase your understanding of the culture. Who knows what it might equip you with!
Sending love from the cube with short walls (but not for long),
Katie S.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Fire
Hey Kels!.. I know I tweeted (ha ha) you about our fire and put the pictures on fb... but this one is my favorite. Look at all the ketchup Jenna put on here... haha.
Friday, April 16, 2010
This could be funny...but it may not be readable...
Hey Kelsey!
Just hanging out in the hospital and thought I'd drop in a note to you. Currently, it's about 10pm on the floor. Here's a peak into the way that life is at the hospital. Before I start though, realize that I am constantly falling into and out of consciousness, so if this post is not coherent, forgive me. :)
Normally, I wake up about 5am but it just depends on what other things are making noises on the floor or in my room. This time around, I had a roommate who made it a little more difficult to sleep because she had pain all the time. There was also this guy a couple rooms down that would swear and yell really loudly...I think sometimes he was angry at the nurses and other times he was cussing because of his pain. There were also these little machines that held all the medicine in each room and decided to beep really loudly about the time you felt like you were really getting to sleep. Every so often, these machine would all go off at the same time! Someone finally showed me how to shut off the beeping temporarily until the nurse could come and fix it. :)
Hmmm....this afternoon, my friend came to play some games with me. My brain is definitely working more slowly. I lost in a game of bananagrams but was beating my friend and my mom at Phase 10 before we had to stop for dinner! Games make time go by so much faster!!
Tonight there wasn't too many interesting events. I got a new roommate around 10:15pm evidently she fell down the stairs or something...only things I can pick up through some curtains...lol. Anyway, that's really all I have for you. Hope all is well in Prague! My brain is shutting down now cause it's taken me almost 3o minutes to write this little story!! Hahaa. I'm fading fast.
Love you,
KPax
Just hanging out in the hospital and thought I'd drop in a note to you. Currently, it's about 10pm on the floor. Here's a peak into the way that life is at the hospital. Before I start though, realize that I am constantly falling into and out of consciousness, so if this post is not coherent, forgive me. :)
Normally, I wake up about 5am but it just depends on what other things are making noises on the floor or in my room. This time around, I had a roommate who made it a little more difficult to sleep because she had pain all the time. There was also this guy a couple rooms down that would swear and yell really loudly...I think sometimes he was angry at the nurses and other times he was cussing because of his pain. There were also these little machines that held all the medicine in each room and decided to beep really loudly about the time you felt like you were really getting to sleep. Every so often, these machine would all go off at the same time! Someone finally showed me how to shut off the beeping temporarily until the nurse could come and fix it. :)
Hmmm....this afternoon, my friend came to play some games with me. My brain is definitely working more slowly. I lost in a game of bananagrams but was beating my friend and my mom at Phase 10 before we had to stop for dinner! Games make time go by so much faster!!
Tonight there wasn't too many interesting events. I got a new roommate around 10:15pm evidently she fell down the stairs or something...only things I can pick up through some curtains...lol. Anyway, that's really all I have for you. Hope all is well in Prague! My brain is shutting down now cause it's taken me almost 3o minutes to write this little story!! Hahaa. I'm fading fast.
Love you,
KPax
Thursday, April 15, 2010
"Mary did you know?"
Kelsey!!!
hello my friend! how is your life?! I miss you bunches and am sending you some virtual XXoOxxOOxXoo's (do you know what movie thats from:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CYPXFD7CcM
I have yet to watch aqua marine but the 1st graders at KTC say is AWESOME!:)
I just finished subbing and now I'm off to my other job, man o man life just doesnt slow down.
So I have been trying to think of something really funny to tell you from school but Ive got nothing, which is very disappointing, although on the way to work today I did see a man using his thumb to pick his nose, that was funny!
Psalm 105:4
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Love you sister!!!
hello my friend! how is your life?! I miss you bunches and am sending you some virtual XXoOxxOOxXoo's (do you know what movie thats from:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CYPXFD7CcM
I have yet to watch aqua marine but the 1st graders at KTC say is AWESOME!:)
I just finished subbing and now I'm off to my other job, man o man life just doesnt slow down.
So I have been trying to think of something really funny to tell you from school but Ive got nothing, which is very disappointing, although on the way to work today I did see a man using his thumb to pick his nose, that was funny!
Psalm 105:4
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Love you sister!!!
Another unbelievable Youtube video!!
This video is so encouraging! You may of already seen it. It just shows the impact that one person can have if we are just faithful and trust God, even if we don't see any of the fruit from it.
-Dybs
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Life Pleasing to God
Kelsey Keizer!!!!!
Even though you are on the otherside of the world...sorta...I am still always talking about you and its like you are still here. Me and the girls on the team are always reminded of you when ever we her the song "love, love, love, love I want your love" from the chapel you did! It cracks me up cuz I can hear you singing it! I am always doing the Kelsey Keizer dance and cracked up with Jordann watching your christmas video you and the family made!
Just yesterday Turk reminded me of you because she was wearing her shirt that says I love boji! I am so proud of you and that you went through with going to Prague for the gospel of Christ and its pretty sweet He has allowed you to play the sport you love and that he has blessed you with.
I just want to fill you in on what going on here in Des Moines...especially what the Lord is teaching me! Its unbelievable!
Basketball has been really challenging but a total blessing and learning experience. I have really been humbled by the whole thing.
Phillipians 2:3b-4 In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interests of others.
Our flesh wants us to only care about our needs and what we want. Recently I have really been praying that God would give me a servant's heart and a desire to reach out to the lost. I specifically having been asking the Lord to transform my heart and mind into that of Pauls. This is such a huge prayer to ask. Just look at how willing Paul was to follow Christ with his life. He gave up everything because he new to give up his life for Christ was to truly have life!
Phillipians 1:20-21 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
He was so pulled between staying here on earth to do the work of the Lord and to go to heaven to be with OUR savior!!!! He knew the truth and was completely living for it! This has just really been on my heart and if for any reason you are struggling or if you were second guessing why God brought you to Prague know that you are there to do the work of Christ! You don't have to be like Paul who went on missionary journey's and preached when he was told by officials to keep his mouth shut or he would be put in jail. You can just do the small things. Encouraging teammates, talking or building relationships with people who aren't appreciated, serving your friends, leaders, or teammates!
The same God who was in Paul's heart is in our hearts!!!! Wow!
I know that for me I feel that God's not using me on the team, I have been such an awful example to the team and not willing to give myself fully to Christ. Why would Christ ever want to use someone so selfish and prideful? The truth is, I put God in a box in, but that was not what happened. God still worked through me to reach out to girls on the team. HE IS SO FAITHFUL! Lauren and I had an opportunity to share with Katie and read the bible with her. Ellie opened up to me and told me that her faith has been strengthened so much since she has come to Drake and she feels like she has gotten closer to the Lord and is reading her bible! I was able to have enough confidence to ask the team to come to alive tonight and they all sounded pretty interested! God is so big even when I make him small in my mind!
My prayer is that you are on fire for the Lord, and things can be going great in Prague! But just know Kelsey that if you do face hard times, God never turns his back on us and he is never leaving us to do the work on our own! Praise God that he loves us so much that he desire to use us!
Psalm 63:3
"Because your steadfast love is better than life my lips will praise you."
Psalm 3:3
"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart."
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Lauren shared this with me yesterday and I absolutely loved it! I hope you enjoy it too!
Romans 12:9-13
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hopitality."
I am praying for you Kelsey, I miss you, and I love you!
Rachael
Even though you are on the otherside of the world...sorta...I am still always talking about you and its like you are still here. Me and the girls on the team are always reminded of you when ever we her the song "love, love, love, love I want your love" from the chapel you did! It cracks me up cuz I can hear you singing it! I am always doing the Kelsey Keizer dance and cracked up with Jordann watching your christmas video you and the family made!
Just yesterday Turk reminded me of you because she was wearing her shirt that says I love boji! I am so proud of you and that you went through with going to Prague for the gospel of Christ and its pretty sweet He has allowed you to play the sport you love and that he has blessed you with.
I just want to fill you in on what going on here in Des Moines...especially what the Lord is teaching me! Its unbelievable!
Basketball has been really challenging but a total blessing and learning experience. I have really been humbled by the whole thing.
Phillipians 2:3b-4 In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interests of others.
Our flesh wants us to only care about our needs and what we want. Recently I have really been praying that God would give me a servant's heart and a desire to reach out to the lost. I specifically having been asking the Lord to transform my heart and mind into that of Pauls. This is such a huge prayer to ask. Just look at how willing Paul was to follow Christ with his life. He gave up everything because he new to give up his life for Christ was to truly have life!
Phillipians 1:20-21 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
He was so pulled between staying here on earth to do the work of the Lord and to go to heaven to be with OUR savior!!!! He knew the truth and was completely living for it! This has just really been on my heart and if for any reason you are struggling or if you were second guessing why God brought you to Prague know that you are there to do the work of Christ! You don't have to be like Paul who went on missionary journey's and preached when he was told by officials to keep his mouth shut or he would be put in jail. You can just do the small things. Encouraging teammates, talking or building relationships with people who aren't appreciated, serving your friends, leaders, or teammates!
The same God who was in Paul's heart is in our hearts!!!! Wow!
I know that for me I feel that God's not using me on the team, I have been such an awful example to the team and not willing to give myself fully to Christ. Why would Christ ever want to use someone so selfish and prideful? The truth is, I put God in a box in, but that was not what happened. God still worked through me to reach out to girls on the team. HE IS SO FAITHFUL! Lauren and I had an opportunity to share with Katie and read the bible with her. Ellie opened up to me and told me that her faith has been strengthened so much since she has come to Drake and she feels like she has gotten closer to the Lord and is reading her bible! I was able to have enough confidence to ask the team to come to alive tonight and they all sounded pretty interested! God is so big even when I make him small in my mind!
My prayer is that you are on fire for the Lord, and things can be going great in Prague! But just know Kelsey that if you do face hard times, God never turns his back on us and he is never leaving us to do the work on our own! Praise God that he loves us so much that he desire to use us!
Psalm 63:3
"Because your steadfast love is better than life my lips will praise you."
Psalm 3:3
"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart."
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Lauren shared this with me yesterday and I absolutely loved it! I hope you enjoy it too!
Romans 12:9-13
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hopitality."
I am praying for you Kelsey, I miss you, and I love you!
Rachael
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