For This Very Reason

I came upon this passage earlier this week in my personal devotions. Jesus’ words have stuck with me since then…

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. (John 12:23-29 NIV)

It was particularly interesting to me when he said “for this very reason I came to this hour.” And then “Father, glorify your name!”

Jesus’ heart was troubled as the time for his death drew closer. The impending suffering was dreadful. His humanity begged to cry out ‘Father, save me from this hour!’

Don’t we have this cry every time that life is hard? Every time that God requires us to make some sacrifice or die some small death? I know that almost every difficult thing I have ever encountered I have asked God to simply rescue me from–evaporation of hardship, please Lord!

But what if God had plucked Joseph right out of his slavery in Egypt? What if he rescued him instantly from his prison? The result of Joseph’s suffering was a later rise to power and fame in Egypt, the miraculous, God-glorifying gift of several interpreted dreams, and the saving of thousands during a time of world-wide famine. Only God knows what far-reaching results His plans for Joseph had. Most importantly it resulted in the family lineage of Messiah being preserved.

And what of Esther? Didn’t God allow her to be placed in harm’s way, “for such a time as this,” to save His people and glorify His name?

Suffering is not merely a roadblock, or an obstacle to be overcome or avoided. It is integral to God’s plan.

I wonder if, when we beg for hardship to be taken away, we don’t also beg for God to glorify Himself through someone else.

Mordecai told Esther that God would raise up another to rescue his people, but she and her family would perish. Because of her bravery in speaking up for her people, even when doing so could end in her death, she is remembered as one of the most valiant women to ever live.

As believers, when we face some trial in life, we should be encouraged. God has brought us very intentionally to the hour of suffering. Let us follow Jesus in saying “Father, glorify your name!”

When Jesus asked the Father to glorify His name, the Father answered that request. I think we may have confidence in His granting our request when we pray that He glorify His name as well.

It is in losing our lives for His sake, that we will truly find it.

Father, glorify your name.

<3

jc

Apple Cheeks & Marble Eyes

A quirky, fun old man from our church (I think he is a WWII vet…) has longish hair, plays the drums and once said “what’s up, skinny?” to me when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant. He’s funny. He’s sweet. He is artistic and a little temperamental (I think that we must be kindred spirits! ha!).

Anyway, he has taken to calling Kaya “Apple Cheeks” and recently dubbed Hudson “Marble Eyes.” Hilarious, and somehow fitting, right?

Today I took my sweet Apple Cheeks & Marble Eyes out for a date, celebrating the arrival of summer. We stopped at a new coffee house and tried the coffee (Kaya enjoyed her water and a pear!) and then went for a walk at one of my favorite nearby parks.

I love walking beside the beautiful river, talking with every dog and dog-owner who walks by (Kaya is obsessed with ‘puppies!!’) and enjoying the sunshine with my two sweetie pie loves.

(I may have enjoyed our little outing too much, because I proceeded to entirely forget the errands I was supposed to run afterwards…lol)

Both of them are growing and changing.

Every day Hudson is a little more interactive, a little stronger.

Every day Kaya is learning new words and phrases (sometimes to my chagrin!).

The other day Nels said something all dramatic and silly to Kaya about only having 15 1/2 years left in our house. He said it merely for reaction, but it sure left an impression on me! 15 1/2 years sounds a lot less than the 18 +/- (Lord-willing!) years together that we started with!

I can’t – and don’t want to – hang on to them too much, but while they are in my care, God help me make the most of it!

Here’s to living well and fully, and with open hands.

<3

jordan cristine

Loving God

“Mama, I miss you! Mama, I need you!”

My 2-year-old’s creative attempts to boycott naptime pull on the heartstrings. She’s yelling from her crib. I’ve fallen for it before – her sweet cries luring me to her bedside rescue. If I pick her up, she doesn’t need me (or comforting) – she “needs” what she wants and knows I can give her – escape. If I aid her in this escape, she’ll act loving and cuddly for about a second and run off to play or do what she pleases, leaving us both to suffer the consequence of crankiness when her energy runs out sometime during the dinner hour.

I know my sweet girl loves me and needs me. But I’ve seen through her “using” scheme. J And I know what she really needs is a nap!

I’m smirking in my living room – until the thought hits me – I am just like my 2-year-old. I scream and whine, telling the Lord how desperately I need him. I tell him I love Him and miss Him– like Kaya. Do I really just want what he can do for me? Certainly I do need what he can do and has done for me! I am so thankful for salvation, redemption, and the gift of life! But as I search my heart, I am challenged. Do I love the Lord? Do I love him after my real or perceived needs are met? How do I know that I truly love him?

In Revelation 2, the Lord gives high praise to the church of Ephesus, and follows it with a strong rebuke. “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” (Revelation 2:4-5 ESV) It is noteworthy here that love is tied to works. He doesn’t insist that they start to feel warm and fuzzy inside about how sweet he is! Their love is shown by what they do. Jesus gave us the same “litmus test” to know whether or not we truly love him when he said, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.” (John 14:21) 

If we truly love the Lord with our whole hearts, our lives will be marked by obedience to his commands. “Be very careful…to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Joshua 22:5) Lord, let it be so in me!

jc

God’s Faithfulness – Remembered

Isaiah 25:1
O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

So often my faith in God is so weak and small. And yet His faithfulness is sure and true! I was convicted yesterday that I need to remember all His faithfulness and celebrate it. Remembering these things, remembering His provision and love and faithfulness – to glorify Him and build my faith that He can and will work in the struggles of today as well. So here is my short list for today…

God’s Faithfulness – Remembered

provision of reliable (& fun!) vehicle at an amazingly reduced, affordable price

Nels’ temporary job that he started the day after it was offered

one of our recently-baptized youth had her 7th Sunday-at-church in a row!

my sister is engaged to a believer; wedding in December will be a joyful celebration

we have a new niece or nephew on the way, due the day after my sister’s wedding

miraculous provision for our mission trip to SE Asia in 2009

amazing, God-sized strides in improved relationships over past 4 years

many anonymous, generous grocery gift cards, cash and checks throughout many months of financial “drought”

encouraging and timely weekend visit from our old Spirit-filled friend from Texas

gently closed doors to positions in churches that would not have worked out for our family; the search continues to be a good experience and we have good relationships built

our children have had nearly perfect health

God carried us through hard times of pregnancy and sleepless newborn days – twice!

recently reading stories of David & Jonathan’s unlikely, sweet friendship

a wonderful campus community that has been a sweet start to our married and family life, and life of ministry

answered prayers for several dear couples who had previously been unable to conceive children, now happily raising precious little ones 

There are always a lot of things on my prayer list, so it’s really awesome to look back and remember that God has answered prayers and He has done amazing things in our lives. I want to be a thankful person, with a strong faith – because I have an awesome God who is completely faithful!

I would love to hear of some ways that you have seen God’s faithfulness in your own life! Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail. Or better yet, write them down and share with your family. Let’s remember God’s amazing faithfulness that is to all generations.

<3

jordan cristine

This Season

I don’t know what it will be like…

but I know the Lord wants me to have a summer of refreshing and renewal.

Only He truly knows what that will look like.

I know that my part in the orchestrating of this season is to do my best to keep my margins wide, my space a little quieter, so He can speak to me and refresh my spirit.

Breaking down of idols and exalting the LORD – that’s what I am asking for Him to do in my heart. It seems this kind of work takes time.

Sometimes I still feel a little confused. Life has happened so fast for me and I need the Lord to continue to confirm to me who I am, in Him. That takes a lot of time too. And a lot of surrender.

At the end of the summer, we will probably be moving into a whole new life. I want to be whole, healthy, Spirit-filled and ready.

Hopefully friends and family will understand that we are keeping our calendar a little less hectic. That I am dedicating most of my time to my family, and then to rest – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Usually I love being busy, having something “extra” going on every day, being busy and having a fun and full life. But I think God is leading us to have a quieter, more restful season.

I know my soul needs refreshed, and only He can do that.

I’m hopeful for a simplistic summer. I want to enjoy it, and spend a lot of days at home, with very little agenda except: 1) encouraging my husband, 2) training up our little ones and 3) enjoying down time, taking time to meditate on God’s word.

We may even take our first ever family vacation – for the pure purpose of enjoying one another and the Lord. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

What are your summer plans? I’d love to hear about how God is leading you and your family…and what things you are looking forward to!

<3

jordan cristine

Our Story {Part 7 – Finally Engaged!}

In honor of our 3rd Wedding Anniversary (!!!) last week a long time ago,  Nels and I are reminiscing and writing “Our Story” — Hope you enjoy. This is Part 7. Read the rest here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.

(Jordan) He was just back from Ft. Jackson, fit and strong from 5 a.m. PT and finally in the same time zone as I was! We had talked on the phone and written letters for what felt like a never-ending summer. Finally we were together again.

One night soon after he returned, we went out for a “dress-up date” since we hadn’t been out in ages! We went out to Olive Garden and were just starting to enjoy ourselves and our wonderful, this-can’t-be-real/are-we-really-here-and-together?! dinner when we were interrupted by a phone call. It was Nels’ roommate, Andrew.

Nels felt bad, but he had forgotten that he promised Andrew they would hang out that night! It was the only night they would see each other. I was disappointed because I had been anticipating such a fun evening and it got cut short really abruptly. However, I tried to maintain a happy disposition, because I loved Nels and Andrew and their sweet friendship, so I went home for a while, and Nels invited me to catch up with them later after they had a bit of “man time”…

(Nels) I was very excited about getting set for our engagement. It was difficult being away from Jordan during my chaplain training at Fort Jackson. However, I had used the time to pick out the best ring I could think of (and afford). To me, a ring was a special purchase. It had to be something that was going to cost me a lot— I wanted it to be for a lifetime, I wanted it to be pure, clear, fiery, and brilliant. I couldn’t seem to find the ring I was looking for anywhere. Either the diamond was not right, or the setting was not right… What was I going to do? So it hit me—I’ve got to buy the diamond separate from the band, have them both sent home and find a jeweler to put them together. And that is exactly what I did! I was so pleased with my engagement ring for Jordan. It was beautiful, symmetrical, elegant, timeless, and heartfelt. To me it said, “I love you, I want you to have the best I can offer you, the very best.”

Getting set up for our engagement was fun. My roommate Andrew Burns had helped me get everything set up at Parkville alongside the winding Missouri. There was a mist in the air, something like the beginning of a gentle rain, and I needed to have candles lit for the proposal! Somehow we got them lit, and they mostly stayed aflame as we waited.  I had written Jordan poetry, brought my guitar to sing her songs, set up a candle walkway and a sheet to sit on (beneath a mulberry tree, as we later found out with purple-stained clothing!). Alida, my eldest sister, told me to bring my camera to capture the event on film so I did.

After a delicious dinner, dropping Jordan off at home, setting up hastily with Andrew Burns, and giving him my keys so that Jordan and I could ride home together (I was hopeful here…) Jordan finally arrived at Parkville. I greeted her happily and led her over to the candlelit proposal spot.

After reading, singing, talking, and enjoying the beautiful setting sun, I pulled out the ring case and opened it up. As it popped open the ring went flying out! How ridiculous! I regained composure, and showing Jordan the ring asked her to marry me. All that I can remember is that she said yes!

It was a beautiful yes—the beginning of a lifetime of memories. The starting point to a beautiful plan that God had ordained far before I had been born. I was a happy man, and Jordan was happy too. How that made my heart sing. As we headed home arm in arm with the sun having just set I remember seeing the misty rain dance across sleepy floodlights of the walkway; soft, busy, droplets, glowing as they fell from heaven.  I felt like I was in a dream… like someone living in a movie, and the world was a happy place. It was truly a happy place.

<3

Here are a few pictures from that sweet night that he proposed – July 29, 2008. Thanks, Alida for the good idea of bringing the camera!

a dreamy day & crafty things.

Today, Tuesday, 15 May 2012 – is a wonderful day.

Why? you may ask…

BECAUSE – I just finished one of the most difficult semesters of my college experience. (I am wondering if I would say that at the end of all of them…but anyway!)

12 credit hours knocked out. It came at a high price.

But it’s over! And I learned a lot. And I now have 6 classes between myself and my enigmatic (like that word? I learned it in my study of Ecclesiastes! “difficult to grasp; mysterious”) graduation date. I’m not sure that’s a proper use of the word, but I digress…

Anyway, today I am sitting down feeling so excited that SUMMER is here. I am excited to be FREE to spend it with my sweet babies with no homework distractions (at least until late July!). In the next few days I hope to spend some time prayerfully making a summer to-do list for myself, for me & the babies & for all 4 of us…

Several of the things on my list are Pinterest projects (of course!!), and one of them I finished over the weekend…

These yarn wrapped letters are cute tucked into a wreath or hung from satiny ribbon on the wall or front door. This could be fun, inexpensive holiday decor or a thoughtful gift for a housewarming or baby shower, etc. This lady has some photos of the process that might be helpful.

I’ve done a couple of these yarn-wrapped letters and am getting a little better at the curves..:) Using a glue gun to secure the yarn in a few places helps a lot! You can make your own paper mache or cardboard letter, but Hobby Lobby had them on sale last week and it was like $1.50.

Anyway…here it is in all it’s sultry candle light glory…

The laundry piles beckon.

jc