Jesus first, yourself last and others in between

So, for many of us who attended Sunday School this was a common song sung. I believe it has some good values to teach children that it is important to help others in their lives, but as they grow up they need to learn that it is just important to take care of themselves as it is to take care of others. I've been learning this the hard way during deployment. Stretching myself further then I can and should be stretched and just not paying attention to my body when it tells me I need some "me time". Recently I've realized I've become emotionally drained, spending all of my energy on others and making sure they are well and they are happy and not paying attention to mine...it is important to learn to balance these lyrics...not the Jesus first aspect, I mean...there really isn't a point you can give too much to God, not after all he has given to us!

The Great Commission

Today at our Church, Parkside Bible Church in Watertown, NY we had a wonderful sermon entitled "The Great Commission". I already love listening to Pastor Bruce Guckelberg, he has an amazing way of catching your attention and drawing you into the sermon to a point where it feels like its just you and him sitting there having a conversation, its great! Anyway he had some wonderful points that I'd like to share.Our sermon was from Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Pastor Bruce stated how the Great Commission and the Great Commandment go hand in hand. Remember the Great Commandment:

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
   29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[b] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[c] There is no commandment greater than these.”
 32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Pastor Bruce pointed out that in order to spread the Word of Christ, we need to first remember to LOVE people and then tell them about Jesus. We need to have personal contact. So many churches are trying to reach people via the internet or TV but we need to actually go out and talk to people. Every church, no matter the denomination has to embrace the Great Commission, no church can be higher then the other nor should they believe that they are in a position of power. Another aspect he spoke about was that, although it is good to have fellowship with believers it is imperative that we also have fellowship with non believers as that is the only way we will reach those who do not know Christ.  Pastor Bruce, read some statistics that various religious organizations have researched. He stated that there is near 6800 communities in the world that live in darkness...meaning that they have never heard the Word of Christ, they don't have access to a Bible in their own language and they have no one to teach them.
Back up to him speaking about every believer spreading the word, Luke 22:27 states this:

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Pastor Bruce had this idea about Luke 22:27; "But I am among you as one who serves." This is Jesus talking to his disciples at the Last Supper, when they where bickering about who was greater at teaching. He wanted to point out that just because they where at the table that they where the greatest because He was sitting at the table serving them (remember Jesus washed their feet) so that we should not concern ourselves with how "great" we think we are but be concerned with serving others.
Here are the points from the Sermon outline:

1. The Great Commission begins with WORSHIP (Matt 20:17). We need to prepare our hearts by worshiping Him in order to reach others. (this is where fellowship with BELIEVERS is important)
2. The Great Commission Requires intentional strategies for EVANGELISM (it The Great Commission is in Jesus' authority and we need an outward perspective)."
3. The Great Commission requires intentional stratigies for DISCIPLESHIP

• disciple is mathetes which means learner
• if disciple means learner, then we could easily say that "Therefor go and make students of Jesus of all the nations"
• requires ongoing teaching, which for those who have been reached by the gospel but do not have churches begin to lose sight of Christ since they are not continually taught

4.The Great Commission is carried out with Jesus' PRESENCE
5.The Great Commission must be fulfilled in the SPIRIT of the Great Commandment.

• Great Commission and Great Commandment go hand in hand.

• Pastor Bruce also brought this idea up about the "End Times". And I'm going to say what I always say when approached about this subject. 1.) Jesus did not even know when He would return and so therefor we can not rely on a calendar made by others in the past to determine when the end will be. 2.) (this is Pastor Bruce's idea) that Matthew 24:14 Says this:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Pastor Bruce's idea was that in order for end times to come the world will need to hear the gospel, even reaching those communities, Nations, Tribes and Tongues who have yet to be reached...that's about 6800 people groups...we've got a bit to go.

In closing, the main point was that in order to fulfill the Great Commission we first need to follow the Great Commandment! Then go and be DOERS in the world!

I will be putting the link the the actual sermon on here as soon as it is added to the website.

I have to admit

I have to admit, life has been brought into reality for me in the last few weeks. A good friend's husband had been injured while serving in Afghanistan (actually the guy is one of the NCO's in Shane's unit). It has been so eye opening how things can change in an instant. Thank the Lord that he is on the road to recovery, which will be a long one but is moving forward. Since he has returned to Afghanistan, communication has been very little, I'm praying that he will move areas again soon and it will get better. I try to stay strong and positive, but it is hard sometimes and seeing other soldiers come home makes it harder to see that I'm over halfway over this.
Well, I'm going to waste more brain cells on TV.
Heather

the catch up...the short version

Well, its been almost six months since I have last posted, but I am going to try and do better now. In March, Shane deployed for a 12 month tour in Afghanistan, it was one of the hardest things that I had to do in my life. Kiss him good bye and leave it in the Lords hands to protect him while he is in such danger. Shortly after he left, I took off to stay in PA for the summer. I worked at Camp Allegheny to help pass the time, minister to the children and be surrounded by Christians to help the time pass easily. After the summer, Shane was able to come home for two weeks of R&R (vacation) from his tour of duty. We enjoyed a week at the beach and then time spent with each other and our families. I then dropped him off at the airport to return to Afghanistan and began my trip back up to New York. We have about six more months left of our deployment and I thought it was about time to start getting things in order as well as take care of some appointments. The day I left PA, I got to New York and was not even home for 8 hours when our dear, sweet eleven year old cat, Bailee passed away in my arms at the vets office. She had been suffering from liver disease ( we where unaware of) and would not have even responded to treatment. It has been a hard week, after Bailee's passing I found out a dear friend's husband was shot in the stomach and had to have a kidney removed. Please continue to pray for her as her husband as well as the rest of the military families as we prepare for another six months of having our loved once away.
blessings
Heather

Fort Awesmoe

As many of you know, I (and Shane when he is here) do not particullarly care for this place that we temporarily call "home". there is something that just isn't for us here...don't get me wrong, there are some beautiful spots and since I LOVE history, there is a lot of that around here but other then that its rather dull...and we are not that exciting of people. I seriously considered moving home during this deployment so that I could work, save money and just be closer to my family. Everyone said it would be harder because they (my family and friends at home) wouldn't be able to totally understand what I was going through. I thought they where crazy because most of the people I had met here, who had been through deployments prior where rude and unforgiving to me when I expressed my concern. Shane and I made a decision that I would stay here while he was deployed more so we wouldn't be homeless after deployment and I would just trudge through keeping myself busy with work and school as well as volunteering. I prayed hard for friends that truley connected with me on the same level...not only emotionally but spiritually as well...someone I could pray with and know that they where lifting me up in prayer as well.
About a month prior to deployment, my AWESOME God answered my prayer, He blessed me with three wonderful young women, all of different up bringing, all of different denominations but with one common goal...survive our first deployment! My first "big event" without Shane was my birthday, I usually don't give a second thought to my birthday I don't really consider it too important but on that day, I woke up really sad and missing my husband, totally not "feeling" this whole deployment thing...I knew I had a birthday dinner with my friend that evening but it was hard to get through the day. The time finally came to meet up with the at my favorite (until the Olive Garden opens in 2 days and 18 hrs) Texas Road House. These girls showed up with cards and gifts, they where so sweet and did so much to make my day special. I felt so loved! The excitement didn't end there, they surprised me with one of Ms Bessy's AMAZING cakes!

I just wanted to send out a big THANK YOU to the Amazing Fort Awesome Army Wives...HOOAH!

Its been a while

It has been a while since I have last posted, and I have not kept up my project 365 on here or on Facebook, its been a crazy month and things are just going to get more stressful until about the beginning of April, I hope to start again then.

Still catching up

January 31,2011 Bailee waiting on her "Daddy" to come home from the field and play with her...she even has her toy ready

 February 1, 2011...no mom, I'm not getting into any trouble

February 2, 2011...kitty flop house

Quick catch up

It was a crazy weekend and so I feel behind on the picture upload front. Enjoy

 January 28, 2011- Playing pool at the commons

 January 29, 2011-Getting ready for the chocolate party

January 30, 2011-Watching the squirrel outside.

playing catchup

Its been a crazy few days, i'll update project 365 tomorrow

January 27, 2011

They have the same expression...1/27/2011

January 26, 2011

January 26, 2011 Bailee sleeping on my lap while I do my online classes.

January 25, 2011

Stand mixer cover I made for a friend

Pittsburghs going to the super bowl

 January 23, 2011-Watching the Steelers game...it was so cold outside it was chilly in the house...-16 degrees outside and still dropping

January 24, 2011-Couldnt sleep and a friend had asked me if I knew how to make a stand mixer cover...I do now..

Bowling, Lunch...and shopping

January 22, 2011-bowling with the exchange students

Game night

So we had a few people over for game night tonight. It was a blast! January 21, 2011

Studying

January 20, 2011- Bailee snuggled up next to me while I read for my English class

January 19, 2011

This is an old picture, but it makes me smile. We went to South Park one spring day and she just loved it.

January 18, 2011

January 18, 2011 math class maybe the death of me

Happy MLK Day

I hope everyone enjoyed their day off. Shane and I enjoyed an extra day to relax and enjoy being home. It was bitter cold this morning and so it was really nice for him not to have to go anywhere.
Yesterday we had a bad case have cabin fever and decided to go to Syracuse to go to the mall, have dinner and see a movie. It was BEAUTIFUL here at Drum and we figured it would be an easy drive. We got about a half hour down the road and this is what we ran into:

We made it safely there and back. Have a great day

Day 16...Zeke and his Budah belly

January 16, 2011 Zeke and his budah belly

Lets play catchup

 Military skis free day Dry Hill January 14, 2011

Lake effect snow...well this is the beginning...the real storm starts around 5...wonderful...January 15, 2011

Cold day...make pizza

January 13, 2011 Made home made pizza today:)

So much for a dusting to three inches

We where for casted for a dusting to 3 inches today...we are way past that...they are saying we could get about an inch more by 6pm...well its still snowing pretty heavily so I'm putting my money on more then an inch of accumulation today!
Have a great day

Back To School

I'll be starting back to school this semester. I'm really excited and ready to go!

January 10, 2011

Went and bought books today for school...I'm excited to get started again, but not excited about the price of two books and a graphing calculator....

Played checkers with Shane tonight...I won :) January 10,2011

These are for the weekend

The Kids Saturday January 8, 2011

January 9, 2011

Homemade Chocolate Truffles

January 7, 2011 Home made chocolate truffles

Life has its ups and downs

Well, if any of you follow me on facebook, you have probably seen that I have not been my usual self lately. I've been just down in the dumps. I've struggled more with depression here then I have any other time in my life, which speaks a lot since i've never experienced depression. There is a lot going on and a lot to think about to plan our futures. Things seem so uncertain and that is something hard for me to deal with. I like to plan and know what is going on, and right now, I just need to let everything in the hands of God. I know he has the best plan for us. I'm praying to learn to be more dependent on allowing God to full fill my (our) lives and I know that we will be better people for it, its just hard giving everything over. Please pray for us as we make our decisions. I guess it has hit me hard with upcoming deployment and everything seems to hit at once.
Here is todays picture, I actually beat Shane at bowling

opps this is for yesterday

Farewell Christmas tree

So last night I tried to undecorate the tree so I could redecorate it with Valentines day decorations. Unfortunately it was not cooperating and all of the needles where falling to the floor. We decided to just take it down. It lasted over a month which was surprising since it was in the corner near the heater...it was just sad. Our first real tree and we had to get rid of it. I love having a tree in the house...it smells so good and it just looks pretty!
Today was the first day back to work for Shane after Christmas block leave, it was sad to not be able to just relax this morning but it was also nice to be able to clean and get the house back in order since I slacked off severely while he was home all the time so we could enjoy the "vacation" together. Its ok, next week we have another four day weekend. Please pray for Shane, he will be getting his wisdom teeth out on the 14th of January.

As promised, here is a picture for today, January 4, 2011...our Christmas tree outside with the first snow of 2011 on it :)

January 3, 2011

Project 365 January 3, 2011

Sunday Football

I was never one to consistantly watch football games when we where living in Pittsburgh. It was just common knowledge that on Sunday afternoon everyone met at somoenes house and watched the game, once in a while I would participate. Since moving here, we have done our best to watch every game, but the local cable company makes that diffacult in that they do not show the game (Pittsburgh) often here on regular TV. We usually have to go to a resturant to watch it. Today, we thought we where lucky in that it was actually showing on our cable channel. 5 mins in to the game and the channel froze 3 times...I give up, I wish I had a choice with time warner but we don't, the only other option is a satelite and I really don't want to deal with that with our lovely weather here....which brings me to another point...
Yesterday it was 52 degrees and raining...today....28 and snowing...gotta love it...
Here is my January 2, 2011 picture for the project 365...

Bailee watching the snow fall out of the sliding door

New Year...New Start...

Well, a New Year means a new start and I am going to start by trying to blog more. This year will be a year of many changes and new experiences. A year we will both grow in many ways. In a few short months, we will be starting our first deployment. I am almost ready for it to happen, its sort of like a band-aide, everyone keeps talking about it, I just want them to "pull it off" and get it over with! 
We hope that everyone enjoyed the Holiday season and was safe! We wish we could have visited more people but we where just not able to this year. Please keep us in your prayers as we being this new journey this year. 
I am also starting a "project 365" and taking a picture everyday for a year...this will especially help while Shane is gone, so that he doesn't "miss" anything. Here is the first:

 The picture with all of the snow was taken on Dec 1, 2010 we woke up this morning to almost everything gone. Do not fear though, we will be getting more snow this week!