Every Woman’s Battle

Each of us face unique battles.  Even though Christ has given us our eternal victory, we still face battles with our own sin, temptations brought on by the world, and with the devil himself.  It’s true that some of these battles are faced by all of us, but there also seem to be unique temptations and struggles that we face as men and women.  The Bible is filled with specific guidance and direction, warnings and cautions, that apply to husbands, and wives, young women and older women, males and females alike.

Some might describe women as the “weaker” sex, but when it comes to using words, could it be that women are “better” as using them?  As we look at Genesis ch 3, consider how Eve’s words were used and misused.  Might we also consider that women might be engaged in a unique battle in how they use their words to both help and hurt?  I know that I might be generalizing here, and that can be dangerous, but…  Do women use words to hurt others more often than men?  It’s not that I’m trying to compare for “bragging rights” or to falsely accuse women in this area, but I commonly hear these things:  ”Girls are hurtful to one another.”  ”Guys just seem to fight, and get it over with, but women talk about one another and hurt one another in different ways.”  In troubled marriages you might often hear how “my husband ignores me,” and he says, “my wife always nags.”

This Sunday, with great care and respect, and some caution, I will be talking about the great challenge that women have in using words to both help and to hurt.  I will seek to make a Biblical case for this being a unique temptation that all women must face.  We all have women in our lives, mom’s, sisters, friends, we might have a wife or a girlfriend.  Even if you are not a woman, feel free to comment.  If you are a woman, give me some direction here, and honestly tell me more about what I believe is every woman’s battle.

Jake

 

Back in Action

What a slacker I’ve been.  Ever since the Haiti trip, I have been behind on this blog stuff.  But here we go again.  Im back in action.  Give me some feedback.

Jake

Simply

“How can I live more simply, so that others can simply live?”

This quote was borrowed from a friend.  These are actually words that he asks himself often, and words that he lives by.  His life is already quite simple, he doesn’t have a lot of luxuries, and seeks to live a more simple life, so that the resources that God gives him, are used for the benefit and blessing of others.  Some might even think that he is poor, but I think he might just be the “richest” guy I know.  It’s a question that I think that we should ask ourselves:  How can I live more simply, so that others can simply live?

But don’t just ask the question and then forget about it.  What a waste of time.  Ask the question and then make a change.  In fact, I would love for you to respond with some of the ways that you might simplify your life, in order to serve, help, give… for the sake of others.

Jake

 

 

Calvary Lutheran’s Online Photo Book and Photo Gift Store

Calvary Lutheran Church now has it’s own special online
e-photo store (powered by RocketLife) for creation of a wide array of products from photobooks, cards, prints, calendars, T Shirts, Mugs and more! There’s no password required, and the software is really easy to use. Prices and high quality are competitive with the major online services. But the big benefit here is that any photo product you order through our site here will benefit Calvary Lutheran Church! 30% of the total price of your order will be contributed back towards the church.

Furthermore, we are creating an ONLINE LIBRARY, with images from the recent Haiti mission trip and other Calvary events as they occur. So you can use you own personal photos or mix and match with the photos we have provided on the ONLINE Library.

Paste this link here below into your browser. It works best in Internet Explorer version 8 or greater. Wait just a few minutes for the software to load, follow the directions and you will soon be on your way to creating fun products and family mementos

https://shop2.rocketlifeproduction.com/764edfcf31664f14f4f3302f155ffebf/

Home Sweet Home

We are all safely home from Haiti.  It is wonderful to get back to our loved ones and enjoy the comfort that they provide.  But wow, what a experience.  I look forward to sharing some stories and some pictures, but it’s going to take a few days to get my head together.

In the last few days in Haiti, I helped our good friend David take care of some personal business.  In order to accomplish these tasks he needed, a computer, internet connection, and a printer.  To get all of these tools together in one place was a challenge.  To get them all together and working was an even greater challenge.  For example, one evening we did find one of his friends that had a printer, we rode David’s motorcycle (in the rain) to pick it up.  Because it was raining, we needed something to protect the printer, but his friend didn’t have any plastic bags.  We rushed to David’s home.  (I tried to protect the printer by stuffing it under my shirt.)  We got a bag to protect it and headed back to the hotel where their was internet service.  We had to dodge a cow, and a goat gave us a little scare, we laid the motorcycle down once on the muddy road, but finally we made it back.  We borrowed some paper at the hotel, and tried to finish up our work.  The interned was down.  We would have to try again the next day.

Today I write you from my air conditioned office.  My computer is working fine, my internet connection is good, my printer sits beside me, the drawer is filled with paper.  God has called both David and I to do similar work.  I have everything I need, and yet still find myself complaining.  David has very few of the same resources, and although I’m sure he still has some bad days, I long for the kind of patience that this man has.  Maybe if I had less stuff, I wouldn’t be so spoiled?  Maybe if I had to endure challenging times a bit more, I would be more patient when they did come.

Jake

Friday Night In Haiti

We are enjoying a little welcome rain.  It means that the air is just a little cooler.  It’s funny to use the word “cooler.”

Today was the first day of our conference, and it was a great day.  We talked about many things, but the primary focus of the day was Christian Character.  After speaking to some of the potential challenges to our roles as Christian men, husbands, fathers, pastors and leaders, a young pastor stood up and stated that “I was speaking to him.”  His wife is ill, his children are hungry, his church is struggling…  Yet he trusts in God every moment of every day.

God used his words to challenge and change me.  I hope that you will reflect upon his words too.  How often do we relate God’s love for us to our “success,” or our health, or our…?  May we continually see God’s love in Jesus and in Him alone.  Check out Romans Chapter 8.

Thanks for your prayers.

Jake

Sweet Babies

We had another wonderful day.  One of the highlights for me, was some time spent at the Valley House of Hope Orphanage.  After some time of meeting and preparations for the Seminar that begins tomorrow, I had time to just relax with the kids.  Several recognized me from October, and asked about Penny, and others that they remember.  Little Juliet greeted me and wanted to be held.  Quickly she fell asleep in my arms and drooled onto my shirt.  I loved it.  Juliet remains in our prayers and memories from our last trip.  She stole Penny’s heart, and has mine today.

Thank you for your prayers.  In His love,

Jake

Wednesday Eve In Haiti

Hello All,

Thanks again for your continued prayers.  Please check yesterday’s post if you are looking for pictures.  It will give the address of the Living Water Haiti blog site.  Others with more tech. ability than I are updating there.

Another great day!  Larry, Daniel and Michelle took a motorcycle adventure up the mountain, and had a great time.  Bill and Jacob worked at Valley House of Hope and worked their tails off building some steps.  The rest of the group spent some time at another orphanage doing health checks and spending some valuable time with God’s servants.  All are doing very well, although a bit tired.  Together we rejoice that we serve not by our own strength, or might, but by the power of His Spirit.  God bless you as you do the same.

Peace – His Kind,

Jake

Check out this blog site too

Livingwaterhaiti.wordpress.com

See if this works.  We will have some pics for you to see.

Jake

Haiti

We have safely arrived in Haiti.  The flights were all on time, and we all came through the airport in Port au Prince without any trouble at all.  We will enjoy a little dinner this evening and make our plans for tomorrow.  Thanks for your prayers.  More updates are coming soon.

Jake