Too much light...

Back in the day during Jesus time people used olive oil to light their lamps (Exodus 27:20). If you are like me, you have probably never used olive oil to light a lamp. Once I did a little research, I discovered using olive oil in my lamp would drive me crazy!!! Olive Oil only produces enough light to reflect on the step you are standing on. Nothing in front of you and nothing behind you would be able to be seen. Not to be to American here, but um… I need a light house. I need to see into the far distance. I need to see all that is in front of me, beside me and behind me. I am a planner, so, if I am driving down the road and I can’t see the deer 20 feet in front of me how would I know to slow down or even stop. I mean really a flashlight would be way better then Olive Oil. Did you read that? ‘I need’, ‘I need’, and ‘I need’. Olive Oil is just like God and His enlightment/ provision. What I mean by this is God reveals a little bit as we go. He allows us to have the ‘free will’ to choose which direction we want to go, but he only sheds enough light on those options. Once we choose and step forward, then he will shed the next bit of light and on and on. I like most of you scream, ‘But God I need to see all my options and what will happen if I head down this path or this path.’ God knows that if he shed’s too much light we would not be able to handle it, just like we were not able to handle all the ‘knowledge’ we received from the ‘tree of knowledge of good and evil’ in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2-3). Honestly, the snake made that fruit look amazing! ‘“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.’ Eve had all her options in front of her. She already knew what was down path # 1; she was already living on path #1. The snake revealed to her what would happen if she chose path #2 ‘your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil’. Unfortunately, she was shed to much light, deception, and she choose path #2. A path that all of creation has suffered from. Proverbs 3:6 tells us, 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 your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.… Back to the deer in the road… I am traveling down the road and 20 feet in front of me is a deer in the road. I cannot see it, but I am trusting God to direct my path…. You and I know that if I can’t see it I won’t be able to slow down, honk my horn, or swerve. Therefore, I will surely hit it…Guess what 15 feet in front of me is another path. I am holding my lit olive oil lamp looking at my options. I can either continue down path #1 or move to path #2. So, what should I do? I pray Proverbs 3:6 and I ask God to direct my path. I tune out the worldly noises and I listen for His still steadfast voice so that I know I will hear his voice clearly. Once I hear Him, then and only then will I choose my path. (*note from Kevin) God has not called us to comfort, he has called us to trust and obey despite our comfort level. He cannot direct our paths if we are not moving. So take a step, and let Him direct as He so majestically does. This is what we are doing as a family, and I have to thank my beautiful wife for pushing me to regain the faith I had when I first trusted God with my life. I now am challenged daily as he directs my path leading this family. And I challenge every person to ask the questions I have had to ask myself daily. What can’t I trust God with? Why? How BIG is this Living God that I serve? Have I limited Him in my thinking? Why? READ, PRAY, LISTEN, WORSHIP

While joining a group of women in a bible study this week I couldn't help but be drawn to a passage of scripture where a women who did not know the Lord decided to 'Listen' and take a leap of faith. I can see an image of a two story home made with branches and leaves. From the second story window over the cities wall hung a red rope. I invasion this rope being bright red all the while knowing it was more than likely dull and well used. This very rope was hanging from Rahab’s window. The Lord sent Joshua and his men into the city of Jericho to spy out the land with doing so they meet a harlot, Rahab. We don’t know how Joshua met Rahab but what we do know is that Rahab choose to trust the Lord of Joshua’s even though she did not know who this God was personally. She and the people of Jereicho had heard about how the God of Joshua had brought his people out of Egypt and had dried the seas in order for them to cross safely. In chapter 2 of Joshua it says that she believed that ‘neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.’ Courage is the very word that God had spoken over Joshua and his people. And the Lord said, ‘Be strong and of a good courage’… these words were spoken 5 times throughout Joshua 1 & 2. These are the words that brought Rahab and her family to believe in the God of heaven above and in earth beneath. These are also the words that I believe God has been speaking to me and my family over the past several months... to be strong and courageous. Kevin and I have been praying over our little family specifically about our next season in life. I don’t know about you but seasons can be exciting and somewhat scary. So, I am choosing to take Rahab's and Joshua's advise and ‘Listen’ to our Lord and to be ‘strong and courageous’. We ask that you join us in prayer. Pray for God to speak clearly, for there to be no confusion (God is not the author of confusion- 1 Cor. 14:33), and for God to give us a direct path to our next season/step in life. Also, pray for us as a family to be still and 'listen' to our God. READ, PRAY, LISTEN, and WORSHIP

Back 2 Basics

Last week I was given the awesome opportunity to preach at our local church. It is not the first time, hopefully won’t be the last, but it was one of the most challenging times for me personally to share a message. I could not have imagined how powerfully God would stir up things that he has been building in me, and yet as sure as brain freeze from a slushy, God had a plan. For years I have worked jobs I did not feel were relevant to my purpose, and for years my wonderful wife has patiently whispered, “Gods training you for something great!” Ok, so yes at times she has literally had to yell it at me, because I suffer from thick head syndrome. It’s like I have been looking at the whole puzzle in disappointment thinking that the pieces are completely missing, or maybe I got the wrong box; all the while holding the exact next piece in my hand. When I came to Christ, broken and ashamed of whom I was, he ignited a passion in me immediately to tell others about His forgiveness. For years I let that passion lead me to the ends of the earth, knowing that my place was out there among the lost. I never really fit in church, and honestly a lot of my closest friends aren’t Christians. I’m not the typical American, I mean I know we need money to pay our bills and “live,” but in general I feel that even that is a lie. How much faith does it take to believe that God will provide when I know I earn X dollars per year and these are my expenses? I am not saying money is “evil,” but it may at times hinder our faith in God and set other “gods” up as the object of our faith. So this opportunity to preach took me back to my beginning, or should I say the beginning of Christ in me. I came to Christ when I came to an understanding that the foundation of Christian living was not how much I knew about scripture, but instead how much I could trust in Christ and how able he is to forgive, even me. There is an old hymn my Grandmother sang and I grew up singing in church, though I did not understand it. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going And soon all those around will warm up in its glowing That’s how it is with God’s love Once you've experienced it You want to sing Its fresh like Spring You want to pass it on!” I have to ask myself some simple questions What am I doing with that spark? Have I forgotten the warmth that I was so passionately compelled to share? I cannot ignore the fact that God has a great purpose for every one of us; to display His glory to the rest of mankind. I have been a coward at times and hidden from this high calling that is placed on every person that finds themselves burdened by the name “little Christ.” We have painted this beautiful landscape with rolling hills and low hanging fruit, and we deemed this worthless portrait “The Christian Life.” And so the world now has no clue how such a loving God could allow suffering and loss, when in fact it is one of the only things we are promised when we FOLLOW after Christ. Check out: John 12:23-26, 1 Peter 2:21 So as I prepared a message on the fundamentals of a relationship with God, I looked up from the bottom of the pit of American dreams realizing I had willingly walked right off the cliff, and left the basics of who Christ has called me to be. Start Climbing, the dream is worthless and the pit is dry! Colossians 1:27 “Christ in you, the hope of Glory.” Read Pray Listen Worship

The Jeremiah Story

On June 26th, 2011 I went into active labor. I remember before going to the hospital hugging and rubbing my belly knowing this will be one of the last times I will be able to do it. By the time we made it to the hospital I was already 2-3 minutes apart. We were blessed to have some amazing nurses. All three of my nurses were Christians and spoke Word into our lives. After pushing for maybe an hour we were able to hear the cry of Jeremiah Caeden Woolsey being born. God blessed us with 48, beautiful, minutes with him. During those few minutes he was able to meet his big brother and grandparents. We could have not asked for anything better! Malachi was so excited to meet his little brother. He kept saying, “baby, baby Jeremiah.” Malachi touched and kissed all over Jeremiah and let him know, “I luv you!” To this day Malachi every now and then asks about Jeremiah wanting to know where he is. Once he even asked if Jeremiah could go to the zoo with him. Even though Jeremiah had "defects" he was just perfect. Had had a head full of long dark drown hair. He had his daddy’s legs and his mommy’s claque. He was beautiful!! The birth of Jeremiah was bitter sweet. We were glad to finally meet our son, but at the same time we knew we were going to have to say good bye. Leaving the hospital and the weeks after were very difficult. I felt like I had a stamp on my forehead that said, “Mom of a lost child". This feeling has decreased since then, but does not make being in public any easier. When Jeremiah passed a part of my hert went with him. I have learned how to live on, but the sting is still there. There is not a day I don’t think of Jeremiah. I know the days ahead will be hard, ie Christmas, no “Babies First Christmas” ornament, no stocking, no baby Christmas bib or outfit. This has been the hardest thing I, we have ever had to do…. But I would do it all over again, just to have those 48 minutes back!! You always hear of things like this happening to others, but I never thought it would happen to me. I know I did everything to help my child, including falling on my knees. I don’t question God, I just trust! For those of you who don’t know the birth of Jeremiah was a miracle in itself. It was explained to us that Jeremiah should have been a miscarried pregnancy but he was not. He should have never made it to 30 weeks but he did. He should have never made it to full term but he did. He should have not even lived through the birthing process but he did. So even though Jeremiah passed away, he still was a miracle baby. For me there is no anger there is just Peace. I know where my child is and I know one day we will be reunited. I know there is a reason, and I will never be able to understand in full. What I do know is that God desires for other’s to hear The Jeremiah Story and that is what I am going to do. I am a mom of an angel and I praise God for my angel!

JeReMIah

As many of you know this past February we began to live every parents worse nightmare. We found out our unborn son, Jeremiah had Trisonomy 13. Knowing what the end result would be we decided to continue on our sons life and to rejoice everyday we have him. February to now has been an emotional roller coaster. In May we had a scare. Jeremiah's heart rate was high above 200. All I could think was, "I am not ready to let go... it is to early..." God blessed us and had Jeremiah's heart rate go back to normal. The doctors could not explain why it happened or why it went back to normal, but they too were glad to see his heart rate go back to 151. At 5:30am on June 26 we went into labor and had Jeremiah at 12:05pm. Jeremiah was beautiful. He had long dark hair and Malachi's nose. He also had his daddy's legs. He weighed 4.9lbs and was 19.1in long, just as long as Malachi when he was born. He lived for 48 minutes. During those 48 minutes he got to meet his big brother who just LOVED all over him. Kevin and I could not have asked for anything better. He was so sweet and loving to his little brother. Malachi loved him so much that he wanted to know "Where's the baby" when Jeremiah was no longer with us. The fact that Malachi still talks about him, a month after he was born, lets us know that those 48 minutes were worth everything we went through. God blessed us so much with Jeremiah. We pray that he will continue to be a testimony and that he will impact many. We have been very blessed to have such loving friends and family and are thankful for all of you.

A CraShING STOP

So, YES it has been forever since we have bloged last... so sorry!! However, on our defences LIFE has gotten way, way to crazy for us. As many of you know back in September we heard clearly from God to "SUBMIT" and move to Ireland. In October we found out we were pregnant with our second and beautiful son, Jeremiah. Even with such exciting news we were preparing our budget and prayer letters for Ireland to send out to all of our wonderful family and friends who trust and love the Lord. In February we were given the HORRIBLE news that our Jeremiah will not live very long after birth if he even makes it to that point. Our WORLD came to a crashing STOP!! After many differnt doctor visit's, to two differnt hospitals, we have come to the relization that there is NOTHING we can do but TRUST that GOD IS IN CONTROl; and Praise God we don't have control!! We have also come to relieze that Jeremeiah is not at all a burden, but a blessing. Even though we are preparing ourselves for this STORM, if you will, that is soon to come it is so hard to get through the everyday little storms. No matter how long we will have our beutiful gift from above we will love him and be the best parents he will ever have. Malachi has been so wonderful through all of this and very LOVING!! I would not use the phrase "terrible two's" for him at all. Malachi understands there is a baby in mommy's belly who we all very much love, but he has NO CLUE that his brother will more than likely never come home from the hospital. We can not wait for the moment that Malachi gets to meet his little brother and to see the instant love that he will have for him. For those of you who are wondering how does that play in with Ireland, I will let you know we are still planning on moving but our time line has changed. We know what God has said and we will not let the Devil steal that from us. When we went to that doctor's appointment in February we had no clue our life was about to forever change but it has; we had no clue that on that day we will understand what the phrase, "I am always thinking about it" truly means but we do; We had no clue that we were about to hear the doctor's utter the phrase, "You have choices"... to end or continue the life of your child we ofcourse continued it; we had no clue that we were going to have to face the idea of burying our child in the same week he is birthed; this list could go on. What we knew is that NO MATTER WHAT We WILL Praise The Lord!!!

World Focus Week

This coming Sunday will be the beginning of World Focus Week a The Harvest. Sunday and Wednesday we will have a table set up for Ireland. Drop by and see what God is doing in Ireland and how you can particapte in the Great Commison.