Modern Day Idols

On 18 January, we left on a two (2) road trip.  We are visiting friends, family, and supporters.  As we planned our trip, we struggled with where to go, who to see and how long to be gone.  It was a difficult decision because we realized we will not be able to see everyone.  As we have been driving around the country, we have enjoyed some fun visits with people and it's been great to reconnect with so many people.  But when you are locked in a car, you also have a ton of time to think and pray as you are driving from Albuquerque to Dallas.

A few months ago, I (Cathy) began meditating on the first and second commandments about not having any gods before God and not worshipping idols.  Since, I've had many hours in the car, this is something that I have been rethinking.  I don't know if anyone else struggles with this, but I sometimes think that I don't have idols in my life.  I don't worship an image or bow down to a idol.  But, I'm finding there are other things that might be considered a "god".  So, I've been convicted to evaluate the idols in my life that keep me from worshipping the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind.

What are our modern day idols?  Work? Cars? Finding a mate?  Wishing for a child? Caring for loved ones? Perfectionism? Diet & exercise? Lack of Vulnerability? I'm not saying that some of these are bad desires or hobbies, some of them are; but if any of them are more important than my relationship with the Lord, they might be an idol.

For me, and I'm still trying to get my arms around this, I know that one my idols is my family.  I love my husband and cannot imagine life without him.  My relationship with my daughter is in a good place and I want it to continue to get better.  I am honored to have great parents that I respect, love dearly and can call friends.  My siblings, Rich & Jeanne, hold a very dear place in my heart - I should probably tell them that more often.  

Now, that doesn't sound too bad, what's wrong with this?  I'm starting to realize that I sometimes put pleasing them over pleasing God.  I sometimes obey them, when God is leading me to do something else.  It's easier to not have a conflict with my husband, than it is to disobey God.  

I'm just beginning to unpack this, but I am convinced that I need continue.  My heart is realizing that I have idols in my life and I really don't like it!  I want God to hold the place in my heart, the place in my worship, the place in my thought life that He deserves.  

So, as I continue over the next several weeks, I am going to be asking the Lord to reveal areas of my heart that are holding a higher place than they should.  I am asking Him to reveal to me other idols that are limiting me from truly experiencing an abundant walk with the creater of the Universe.  Will you join me?

Forrest & Katie: Engaged!

Katie as a little girl

Lou & Katie..first day of
seminary & high school

We cannot believe how time flies.  When Cathy was younger, her mother would tell her that time flies faster once you have children.  Boy is that true!! Katie was 9 years old, when she came to live with us.  Many of you know our story...we were not able to have biological children.  After pursuing some medical intervention and adoption, we felt like the Lord was closing the door as we were approaching 40.  Within six months, Katie (Lou's niece) came to live with us.  Her mother had died and Katie joined our family. 

 

Katie -- 2006 --
Junior Year at Pine Creek

As most parents, we loved her dearly, but we also made our mistakes with Katie.  But, by the grace of God, Katie has turned out fabulous!  She has a lovely personality, a great sense of humor, a zest for life.  She graduated from Pine Creek High School in 2008.  She then entered into college life at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC).  As she started the summer of her Junior year, she meet Forrest Bowlick.  Forrest had just graduated from UNC and was about to start his Master's Degree at the University of Idaho.  Forrest and Katie met at work as they were Freshman Orientation Directors and the romance began.

 

Happy Engagement

On Friday, Forrest asked Katie to marry him and she said YES!  We are so excited for them.  Every parent wants their child to be loved and cared for well.  We have witnessed Forrest loving Katie and caring for her well.  They are very compatible, are happy and are committed to one another! 

They currently live in College Station, Texas.  Katie is a substitute teacher, pursuing a full-time position as an elementary teacher.  Forrest is a PhD candidate at Texas A&M.  He is pursuing his PhD in Geography and will graduate in 2015.  We are excited to have him join our family! 

15 years...still missing you!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I truly LONG to go home.  I’m not talking about my earthly home, I’m talking about heaven.  For those of you who are Christ-followers, I think you knows what I mean.  I have days that are filled with joy…I have days that feel like I’m in a battle.  On this day, every year, my heart reflects more on this longing of going home.

December 6, 1997 - 15 years ago today, my youngest brother Chris was called home by the Lord. He was 27 years old and died suddenly in a car accident. My life - my families lives - everyone that knew and loved Chris - have never been the same. I miss my brother immensely. I think of him every day...I still dream of him, although not as often. 



Having fun together many years ago!

I am grateful that my memories of him bring more smiles now than tears. I am thankful that healing has occurred in my heart, even though there are still times my grief is overwhelming. But, I am forever grateful that I have HOPE.

 

I have hope that I will see him again because of our relationship with Jesus. I have hope that one day I too will be called home and enter into a place where there are no more tears, no more sadness. In Heaven, I will walk on streets of gold, see my Heavenly Father face to face and be reunited with Chris. I do LONG for that day.  

My fabulous sibs:  Rich, Jeanne & Chris

As I reflect on this anniversary...I remember the words of the song Homesick by MercyMe. They still ring true and are the heartbeat of my heart. I am including them below...as you read them, my prayer is that you have the same confidence that I have, that you have the same hope that I have. My hope is in Jesus!

 

 

Homesick by Mercy Me

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times

And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you

But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry

Is how long must I wait to be with you

 

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

 

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways

The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know

But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same

'Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

 

In Christ, there are no goodbyes

And in Christ, there is no end

So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have

To see you again

To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

 

Goodbye Sweet Marko

Marko

In August 2010, we had the privilege to faciliate a missions trip to Miskolc, Hungary.  We teamed with Good Sports International and took a team to work at two orphanages and a refugee camp.  We spent the majority of our time at the orphanage in Miskolc.  We grew to love the children and some really captured our hearts.  One of those little ones was Marko.

 

We soon learned that Marko was very sick. He had a heart condition.  Despite his illness, he was active, happy, pleasant and loved to give big hugs.  We learned today that Marko lost his battle. This is a tragedy, but we know that Marko is healthy and happy with Jesus.  We know that his young life had such an impact on so many - we know that because he impacted our lives.  Please pray for the children at the Miskolc orphanage...Marko was their little brother in so many ways and he will be missed!  Pray for the orphanage staff and the staff of Good Sports...it is a time of grief and sadness.

 

What's next for us?

Cathy - Beth - Heather

We have finished our formal ministry in Kaiserslautern, Germany.  We will start our home assignment (furlough) here in Europe.  We are blessed to have the opportunity to attend a missionary care retreat in Croatia.  It is an all expense paid retreat (lodging, food and conference fees) that is geared for foreign missionaries. 

 

We are looking forward to spending the next few days getting some rest, reconnecting with one another and with the Lord.  There will be a time of teaching and worship every night, time of fellowship, and REST. We have the honor to attend this retreat with a few of our Cadence colleagues:  Kyle & Melissa Carnegie, Heather Lite and Beth Mabry.  We are looking forward to spending some quality time with them.

Cathy & Melissa

We will be back in Colorado in November.  We are excited to spend the holidays with our friends and family.  We will spend most of our time, after the holidays, reconnecting with our supporters.  We will be in touch with many of you as we begin to pull together our road trips. 

 

We will be also focusing on our  move to Japan. Lou will be visiting Yokosuka in November to see the ministry in action, meet the folks we will be doing life with and to get the lay of the land.  Please pray as we prepare for this next assignment. We know there will be adjustments as we learn to minister to naval servicemen and women and to live in the Asian culture.  We also  ask that you would pray for our goods as they left Germany just a few weeks ago.  Pray that they will arrive safe and dry! 

In Christ Alone.....

Lou & I have been talking about what it means to be "In Christ".  We have realized that we have a problem, that many Christians have, the failure to understand the impact of the resurrected life of Jesus.  How do we get our arms around the idea that we are simultaneously righteous and a sinner?  Martin Luther used this as his argument against the idea that our works merit our salvation.  We understand in our head that we are save, justified and reconciled to God, but at the same time we are sinners.  So, what does it mean to be "In Christ"? 

God does want to transform us.  He wants to take away the guilt of sin, but also the power of sin.  We just learned that Paul uses the phrase "in Christ" or "in the Lord" 164 times in his epistles.  This is obviously an important truth!  So, what does that mean? 

As Lou & I have been discussing this, we have been thinking about what it means to be a new creation,what it means to abide, what it means to be indwelt by Jesus, what it means to be a follower of Christ.  This is a process and we are still flushing it out.  Yesterday at church, we sang the song In Christ Alone.  I have grown to love this song, but it moved me even more because of this concept that Lou & I have been reflecting on.  Here are the lyrics [written by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, 2001]

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

I love the reminder that He is my hope, my comfort, my Savior, my coming King!  Lou & I will continue to process this truth that we are "In Christ".  This song will be a reminder of hope I have by understanding this truth.

Rest....will that happen for me?

For about a year now, I have been reflecting on the verses in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.   Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.    For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I must confess that at times I don't believe that God wants to give me rest.  I don't think that His burden is light.  Now, I am not a theologian or a philsopher (Lou is, but not me).  So, I probably need to really dig out some of his commentaries and other books to study this more.  But on face value, I have been wrestling with this idea that God wants to give me rest. 

As I been meditating on this, I have also been reflecting on other things that I might not necessarily believe about my Heavenly father.  Now, as a Christ follower for almost 40 years and now a misllsionary, this is horrible to admit.  It is the on-going struggle of what I know to be true, but experiencing it at a heart level is a different thing.  For instance, I know that God delights in His children, but does He delight in me?  I know God is a generous and gracious God, but why do I struggle with the world of merit instead of His world of grace? 

I long to rest in Him, yet I get so caught up in the details of life.  I long to experience the green pastures and the soul restoration that Psalm 23 talks about, yet the deadlines of life tend to pull at me more than time with God.  I also know this is more my problem than God's...but I'm being honest to what's going on in my soul. 

What is amazing is as I have been wrestling through these issues of the heart, I have sensed a deepening of my faith.  I have sensed His presence more as I walk through this journey.  I still cry out more often, "How long Lord" or "Why Lord", than I do "Thank you Lord".  But, I know God is working, I know God is patient with me and I know I will find rest.