Today is New Years Eve Day... and tomorrow marks January 1st, 2008. It is a day when millions of people set goals to lose weight and not drink more than 3 cups of coffee, to work out 5 times a week and call grandma more often. Usually, the first few weeks are full of success and motivation, but by March most have all but ditched their "sacred" resolutions. Perhaps it is because these are more temporal goals and things we often rely on our own futile strength to accomplish. Below is a list posted on desiringgod.org that offers some more eternal resolutions...
1. At least once every day I shall look steadily up at the sky and remember that I, a consciousness with a conscience, am on a planet traveling in space with wonderfully mysterious things above and about me.
2. Instead of the accustomed idea of a mindless and endless evolutionary change to which we can neither add nor subtract, I shall suppose the universe guided by an Intelligence which, as Aristotle said of Greek drama, requires a beginning, a middle, and an end. I think this will save me from the cynicism expressed by Bertrand Russell before his death when he said: "There is darkness without, and when I die there will be darkness within. There is no splendor, no vastness anywhere, only triviality for a moment, and then nothing."
3. I shall not fall into the falsehood that this day, or any day, is merely another ambiguous and plodding twenty-four hours, but rather a unique event, filled, if I so wish, with worthy potentialities. I shall not be fool enough to suppose that trouble and pain are wholly evil parentheses in my existence, but just as likely ladders to be climbed toward moral and spiritual manhood.
4. I shall not turn my life into a thin, straight line which prefers abstractions to reality. I shall know what I am doing when I abstract, which of course I shall often have to do.
5. I shall not demean my own uniqueness by envy of others. I shall stop boring into myself to discover what psychological or social categories I might belong to. Mostly I shall simply forget about myself and do my work.
6. I shall open my eyes and ears. Once every day I shall simply stare at a tree, a flower, a cloud, or a person. I shall not then be concerned at all to ask what they are but simply be glad that they are. I shall joyfully allow them the mystery of what Lewis calls their "divine, magical, terrifying and ecstatic" existence.
7. I shall sometimes look back at the freshness of vision I had in childhood and try, at least for a little while, to be, in the words of Lewis Carroll, the "child of the pure unclouded brow, and dreaming eyes of wonder."
8. I shall follow Darwin's advice and turn frequently to imaginative things such as good literature and good music, preferably, as Lewis suggests, an old book and timeless music.
9. I shall not allow the devilish onrush of this century to usurp all my energies but will instead, as Charles Williams suggested, "fulfill the moment as the moment." I shall try to live well just now because the only time that exists is now.
10. Even if I turn out to be wrong, I shall bet my life on the assumption that this world is not idiotic, neither run by an absentee landlord, but that today, this very day, some stroke is being added to the cosmic canvas that in due course I shall understand with joy as a stroke made by the architect who calls himself Alpha and Omega.
-These were first given to John Piper by his professor, Dr. Kilby.
I don't know about you, but these resolutions would challenge me to change in many ways and fully rely on the Lord for that change to occur from the inside-out. I hope it gives you some 2008 resolution ideas!
Happy New Years Eve!!!
Kate
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Good News!
I wanted to let everyone know that God so quickly answered our prayers to provide me with a part-time job! PRAISE GOD!!!! I will be the Office Manager at Signature Chiropractic Center starting next week! Please pray that the transition back to work would be smooth as both Jeremy and I adjust. I will be working 27 hours a week which is a little more than we were looking for but with God's grace and strength we are praying that I will be able to handle it.
THANK YOU for all of your past and continued prayers! We love you!
Kate (and Jeremy)
THANK YOU for all of your past and continued prayers! We love you!
Kate (and Jeremy)
A Light Unto My Path
Last Friday, as Jeremy and I traveled to Milwaukee to celebrate Christmas with his wonderful family, we drove through very dense fog. At certain times throughout our drive, we could barely see 10 feet in front of us! It gave me such a sense of uneasiness. We weren't really in control, and had to go slowly, trusting that the road would be there to meet us.
Later that night, as I lie in bed praying, I started to think about how relevant the fog is in my own life. Now, more than any other time in my life, I cannot see what lies ahead. In college, we knew (for the most part) that we were going to return for another two, three or four years. That we would live in that city, work part time and go to school to complete our degree. Then, we looked forward to our wedding day... and the plans of going to seminary the following year. All of it seemed to lay out so wonderfully before us. But we know as Christians that we never really know what lies ahead...whether it be 10 years, 10 weeks or 10 hours from now. God Himself says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord," (Isaiah 55). Truly, we cannot bank on anything but the Lord. No matter where we go, or how significant the changes in circumstances are, we must KNOW that He is before us. In fact, Psalm 139 reassures us, "You hem me in, behind and before,and lay Your hand upon me." What a true comfort. And so, Jeremy and I face a future that to us in like the unpainted canvas. The wonderful thing is, the Lord is the most magnificent artist and already has the painting planned and formed. Thus, I learn another lesson in truly surrendering MY plans and MY ways, which are so futile, and cling to His sovereignty over the life He has graciously bestowed upon me. Although I seem to be walking on a path so dense and clouded with fog, I know that He provides sight for me to see one more step in front of me...and that is truly all we need. In His grace and mercy, He provides guidance and strength one step at a time through His holy word and the holy spirit. Similar to the sign in the picture above, He lets us know that He will never leave nor forsake us.
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way - Psalm 37
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. - Psalm 119
Thankful for His faithfulness,
Kate
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The Process of Elimination...
The following is an e-mail I sent out today...I wanted to post it in case I missed a few people. Please notice we have also updated our prayer requests/praises to the right of the page. Thank you for all your support! :)
Dearest Friends and Family,
I hope this e-mail finds each of you doing well! Christmas is just a few days away and often that means the busyness of preparing for the festivities. I am praying all of us would be able to slow down enough to remember what this season is about...Christ! :)
I am writing to let all of you know that I just had my last specialist appointment today. I saw the Endocrinologist. He was thorough and gave me a very comprehensive look into my case and explained everything we've ruled out...which includes, a brain tumor, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other diseases. That is all wonderful, reassuring news. However, it leaves us with a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I am thankful that we finally know WHAT we are facing...with confidence from dozens of medical tests and numerous specialists that it is nothing else. Of course, it is difficult as there is really no cure or substantial treatment for CFS. Typically, people do eventually get better...but it take years- anywhere from 5-20 years for recovery. Clearly, I am in need of family and friends who are willing to stick with me through this. Who will help me fight the things so often associated with CFS and be there in the long run. :) I am thankful for all of you and for all of your prayers. We see no need for me to go to Mayo Clinic at this point as the tests are clear as to what it is not, leaving us with this diagnosis.
For now, I am going to let this sink in. I am going to do all i can to remain positive and Jeremy and I will take a look at what our life can be now with this diagnosis.
Lastly, please feel free to check out this comprehensive website to get a better idea of what we face and how to help us: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/
With love and Merry Christmas Wishes,
The Wenzel's
Dearest Friends and Family,
I hope this e-mail finds each of you doing well! Christmas is just a few days away and often that means the busyness of preparing for the festivities. I am praying all of us would be able to slow down enough to remember what this season is about...Christ! :)
I am writing to let all of you know that I just had my last specialist appointment today. I saw the Endocrinologist. He was thorough and gave me a very comprehensive look into my case and explained everything we've ruled out...which includes, a brain tumor, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other diseases. That is all wonderful, reassuring news. However, it leaves us with a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I am thankful that we finally know WHAT we are facing...with confidence from dozens of medical tests and numerous specialists that it is nothing else. Of course, it is difficult as there is really no cure or substantial treatment for CFS. Typically, people do eventually get better...but it take years- anywhere from 5-20 years for recovery. Clearly, I am in need of family and friends who are willing to stick with me through this. Who will help me fight the things so often associated with CFS and be there in the long run. :) I am thankful for all of you and for all of your prayers. We see no need for me to go to Mayo Clinic at this point as the tests are clear as to what it is not, leaving us with this diagnosis.
For now, I am going to let this sink in. I am going to do all i can to remain positive and Jeremy and I will take a look at what our life can be now with this diagnosis.
Lastly, please feel free to check out this comprehensive website to get a better idea of what we face and how to help us: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/
With love and Merry Christmas Wishes,
The Wenzel's
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The Kingdom vs. The American Dream
In this life, we are inundated with things that seek to distract us from the Lord and take our affections...there is no denying this. But what is at the heart of this issue? The fact is, each day is a daily struggle to not be torn between this world and our Lord. Afterall, we cannot serve two masters. John Piper answered this question succinctly and accurately on his site yesterday.
What's the difference between living for the Kingdom and living for the American dream?
The essential difference is, What are you trying to make much of? Do you want to make much of Christ in the world, or do you want to make much of yourself, your business, or your family? What are you passionate about seeing exalted, praised and enjoyed?
I want to put that central because if we don't ask the question day by day–What am I going to make much of today?–then we will gravitate towards making much of the same things that everybody around us is making much of, like sports teams, food, or a new computer program. None of these things are sin unless they become the thing that we're driven by.
The difference between a Kingdom mindset and a worldly mindset is the King. What place does the King have? Is he central in our affections, our vocabulary, and in what we want to see happen at work, church, and in our leisure?
Piper suggests this is a constant bending of our wills to His. We cannot do this on our own, for we are far too depraved to do anything good like that! But through His grace and how He ministers' to His chosen through Scripture and our prayer life, we are better able to central our affections upon whom they belong... Christ.
Kate
What's the difference between living for the Kingdom and living for the American dream?
The essential difference is, What are you trying to make much of? Do you want to make much of Christ in the world, or do you want to make much of yourself, your business, or your family? What are you passionate about seeing exalted, praised and enjoyed?
I want to put that central because if we don't ask the question day by day–What am I going to make much of today?–then we will gravitate towards making much of the same things that everybody around us is making much of, like sports teams, food, or a new computer program. None of these things are sin unless they become the thing that we're driven by.
The difference between a Kingdom mindset and a worldly mindset is the King. What place does the King have? Is he central in our affections, our vocabulary, and in what we want to see happen at work, church, and in our leisure?
Piper suggests this is a constant bending of our wills to His. We cannot do this on our own, for we are far too depraved to do anything good like that! But through His grace and how He ministers' to His chosen through Scripture and our prayer life, we are better able to central our affections upon whom they belong... Christ.
Kate
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
My favorite Song...
This is Derek Webb singing Deliver Us. It isn't his best version but it is all I could find...ENJOY!
Deliver Us-Behold the Lamb of God
Our enemy, our captor is no pharaoh on the Nile
Our toil is neither mud nor brick nor sand
Our ankles bear no calluses from chains, yet Lord, we're bound
Imprisoned here, we dwell in our own land
Deliver us, deliver us
Oh Yahweh, hear our cry
And gather us beneath your wings tonight
Our sins they are more numerous than all the lambs we slay
These shackles they were made with our own hands
Our toil is our atonement and our freedom yours to giveS
o Yahweh, break our silence if you can
Deliver us, deliver us
Oh Yahweh, hear our cry
And gather us beneath your wings tonight
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem
How often I have longed
To gather you beneath my gentle wings"
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