Thank You

I'm thankful for....

My Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. For your unconditional love, grace, and joy. God you're my everything. Thank you for your intimacy and presence.

My Mom and Dad. Everyday you give everything up so I can have it all. I love you. I will spend my life loving you, honoring you, and blessing you.

My brother, my best friend. You are there for me when no one else is.

Garrett and Joel, my cousins, brothers, and best friends.

Grandpa and Grandma, Grammy and Papa, Aunt Rita, Uncle Rick, Aunt Gaylene, Aunt Pam, Uncle Keith, Ryan, Ronnie, Liz, Brett, Jenn, Dean, Robbie, Becca, Haylee, Aunt Lila, Uncle Gary, Jeff, Kelly, Uncle Gary and Aunt Vanissa, Uncle Mark and Aunt Pam, Jacob, Britt, Uncle Steve and Aunt Beth, Jeff, Joy, Jason, Uncle Marv and Aunt Linda, Uncle Eugene and Aunt Cindy, Crystal, Carrie, Uncle Kenny and Aunt Jan, Holly, Greg, Grandpa and Grandma Schultz and Beach, Caswell Family, Uncle Brad, and Aunt Vera. And my puppy Cash. Without you I wouldn't be alive, I wouldn't be me.

Gater Family, Robbins Family, Nelson Family, Krzeczkowski Family, Emhoff Family, Mikeyp, David and Sarah Reeves, Betsy Ruhlig, Emily Golen, Bryan Hamilton, Amy Knight, Julie Johnson, Katie Graf, Jason and Lisa, David D'Louhy, Sarah Beni, Joey, Kevin, Jakey, Dan, Schmitty, Jeff, Steve and Kate Ewing, and Laura Hailes. You keep me fighting. You have fought for me, encouraged me, loved me, and helped me grow up. You cry with me, dance with me, take care of me, celebrate with me, and pray with me. You give me life.

Pastor Tom and Christ Our King. Your restless prayers are powerful. You taught me to trust God. You laid my foundation.

Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton, and Bethel Church. You're a catalyst to my destiny. You showed me how great God truly is. You showed me how to know Him. You have faith for me when all faith is lost.

Young Life. You taught me how to love. You showed me what community is.

Everyone at University of Michigan. Special shout out to EVERY SINGLE NURSE! You kept me alive.

Gods goodness, His resurrection power, His justice, His compassion, His peace, and His righteousness.

Broken

When I used to hear that Christians should be broken it made me so mad. I didn't understand what it meant. I created a theology that my disease made me broken, so I never pursued brokenness. Besides that, I didn't like the idea. But since then I understand it a little bit better. I think there is a bad kind of broken, and there is a kind of Godly brokenness. The bad brokenness is sin, disease, death, defeat, and wounds. We can use the Godly kind of broken to eradicate false brokenness. Sin and disease are the farthest kind of brokenness God wants for us.

I would define true brokenness as the first step to humility. Humility is not being sad or belittling yourself. Humility is boldly going to to the throne of our King, and knowing that He is God. I am a son of God, I'm real royalty, I'm strong, powerful, loving, courageous, wise, and in love. That is not arrogance, it is knowing who I am. But humility is yielding yourself to God, knowing who He is. That's why I love the worship song “Here I am to Worship.” It is so profound. It says that more than anything else, God I'm here to worship you. Bill Johnson says that all ministry flows out of worship. That song has brought me through some very hard times.

Like I said, I believe that brokenness is the first step to humility. For me, I get busy, complacent, numb, and many other emotions and behaviors that lead me away from God. But being broken can be seen as God coming near us. He's making Himself aware to us. Last year I went to Florida for the outpouring. One day I went to lunch at Sonny's BBQ with Steve Nelson and Denise Gater. It was great friends, great conversation, and great food. While we were there Steve got me a Sonny's sticker and put it on my footrest, so I see it everyday. When I see that sticker it breaks my heart, but not in the unhealthy way. It reminds me of God and my relationships. It breaks my heart because even though I'm in love with Jesus and my friends, it's easy to go on in life. I also look to my picture of me walking that Denise painted me. It imparts life to me, reminding me the impossible awaits to bow to Jesus by my command. Being broken by Jesus is like being pierced in the soul. It's when He touches the deepest parts of me. He breaks us through His goodness, love, compassion, and power.

Lord I pray that we become your laid down lovers.

Bethel's Offering of Thanks

Every Sunday when Bethel Church gives offering, they give thanks by saying this. It is so powerful!

As we receive today's offering we are believing the Lord for:

Jobs and better jobs,
Raises and bonuses
Benefits Sales and commissions
Favorable settlements
Estates and inheritances
Interests and income
Rebates and returns
Checks in the mail
Gifts and surprises
Finding money
Debts paid off
Expenses decrease
Blessing and increase

Thank You, Lord, for meeting all of my financial needs that I may have more than enough to give into the Kingdom of God and promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hallelujah!!!!!!

Healer

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease


I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need


Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands


Those are some lyrics to one of my favorite songs. It's called Healer. They are simple lyrics, but so profound. Most people don't have the revelation that Jesus is Healer. Christians believe Jesus died for our sins. They go to him because they are scared, worried, struggling, and seeking forgiveness. But not enough Christians go to Him because they are sick. They either believe God gave them sickness, or they don't have faith they will be healed. Some believe that God could, but not sure if He will. But the truth is God wants us to be healed more than we want to be healed. Jesus paid the price for our bodies just as much as our soul. When Jesus rose from the dead He beat sin, disease, death, and, torment. “Jesus Christ bore my sins in His own body on the tree; therefore, I am dead to sin and alive unto the righteousness of God, in Christ Jesus, and by His stripes I am healed and made whole.” (1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 6:11; 2 or. 5:21). When we become born again, we are made new. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in us. We are dead to sin, disease, and torment. It is illegal. Do we all live like that? No. I have weakness and have a major disease. But that's for another post. I keep my eyes on Jesus. Lets look to Him. Be bold. Have compassion. Don't give up. Pray unceasingly. Listen to His voice. He wants us well, today.

Bless President Obama

It was about a year ago that America elected Barack Obama as our President. If you know me, you know it's no secret that I did not vote for him. I don't know his heart, or don't know him. But from what I gather, I disagree with a lot of his policies. My big one is the right to life. You can't convince me that the Lords agenda is not to decree the protection of the unborn from the highest courts of our land. President Obama does not have that agenda. But when I listen to Kris Vallotton, a pastor at Bethel, he always encourages us to not live by a denominational mindset, but have a value for family. In a denomination the first goal is to always agree, then from there create a relationship. With family, you create relationships first, with love, regardless of what you agree or disagree with.

I believe in Jesus. He is my savior, healer, and deliverer. I believe He is the only way to freedom, forgiveness, and eternal life. But what kind of Christian would I be if I only loved and made relationships with people who agree with me? And it's just as wrong to befriend people so I can change them. The same should go with our President. God commands us to honor and pray for the people who have authority over us. As Christians lets represent Christ. Lets love and bless Obama with no other motive. Kris says Obama is somebody's son, husband, lover, nephew, friend, and confidant. And most of all, he is a son of God, and God is deeply and madly in love with him. As much as God is on my side, he is just as much behind Obama. Our President is not someone we can criticize and judge. Who among us knows what he goes through? That's not to say to be passive in our prayer life, but it must flow from love.

Lord I pray you bless President Obama. Bring peace and love to him and his family. Protect them from all harm. Lord right now he needs you more than ever, make yourself known to him. Shower him with your love. Let him encounter you. Lord surround him with Godly council, and humble his heart that he may listen. Let your will be done, not his and not mine. Release favor over him, so that his presidency will be a success. Raise up your sons and daughters to stand behind him, constantly interceding on his behalf from love and honor. You are a good God! We love you!