Surrender

Here is a link to download Chris's sermon for the Sunday evening service. It is an amazing message to listen to (and I'm not just being biased).

"Surrender" by Chris Jensen

Summertime memories

I keep hearing people say that they are praying for no fires to come through our area again this summer. Although I like the idea of over 50 homes in the Concow/ Paradise area NOT burning to the ground, I can't help but think of what Chris and I experienced together as a result of those anxious weeks of relocation and chaos.

During the first evacuation, the town of Paradise closed all roads going into it and all but one going out. It also happened to be at a time when I was working in Chico and Chris was in Magalia (with our only car). There was a point when I didn't know if he was going to make it down to me at all.

It was a Thursday. I remember this because Farmer's Market was busier than ever in downtown Chico. I was very blessed to have two good friends wait with me for close to six hours while Chris fought traffic and fires to be with me. Sitting barefoot in the plaza I could see the smoke cloud coming up from the valley and looming overhead but I felt strangely at peace knowing that my Chris was doing everything he could to come to me.

I remember dancing with a toddler on my hips to the music and rhythm of the belly dancers in the park. I remember walking through downtown Chico barefoot and not caring about the dirt or broken glass. Even though my home was in danger and I didn't even know where I was going to stay that night, I felt free.

Chris finally made it to Chico as it was getting dark. We said goodbye to our friends and then started making phone calls to where we were going to stay. All hotels were booked but with a few more phone calls we found a family with a room they were willing to let us use as long as we wanted. Again, I am so thankful for this woman and her daughters who took us in. I think we made some really good friends that week.

Chris and I went to the store and bought some needed supplies and a cold six pack of our favorite beer. That night we sat in the grass in the smoky, muggy, Chico night air, drank our beer and talked about our future. I don't really remember specifically what we talked about but I remember just having a good time. I was so happy we were together. I love sitting beside him.

This day was my favorite day of last summer; not because homes were destroyed and families suffered loss, but because I found what was meaningful to me.

Encouragement for believers

Next week's Sunday School lesson is on encouragement. Although we are going to be studying the life of Barnabas, I find that Christ is our ultimate encourager. Just listen to John 14:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would not have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also...I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."

John 14:1-3, 6, 11-21, 26, 27

Retreat and Rest

This weekend was my rest, my sabbath. I put down my work and entered into communion with God in the mountains.

I had a wonderful, fulfilling time at a retreat for minister's wives. I missed my husband and my family, but I was still reluctant to come home. As a minister's wife, I often find myself too busy at church and home to be properly fed by God's word. And I will admit that with my stressed out life I have been neglecting my time with God.

This weekend I was able to put aside my life and focus on God and what He was trying to tell me. I prayed that Christ be the center of my family all weekend and nothing else. Amazing seminars were offered and I soaked up every word -classes on domestic violence, anger, marriage and prayer.

I committed to God the things of my life and my family but God put those things to the test before I even made it home. I got a phone call from my husband with news of a "slight" family emergency. Pre-retreat I would have just withdrawn and ignored the situation letting my husband deal with it; but this was now post-retreat. How was I going to handle this situation?

I wish I had a snazzy verse or spiritual insight to share but sometimes life is not like that, even as a minister's wife. I simply prayed; waited for my husband to get home; then dealt with it together, as a team, with the love of Christ on our hearts.

It's a...