Reality hits...Heaven paid the price with Calvary's Blood

Merry Christmas everyone! As I have been thinking about it this year I have been overwhelmed that Jesus, God's only begotten Son, came to die for me.

I was teaching at the elementary school two weeks ago about this and I was able to share the gospel VERY clearly. I was telling them of how Jesus came because He loves me, He loves you. I went on to explain...

Imagine... if you were riding your bike on the street. (In our little town, it isn't uncommon) You were having a fun time and you were trying not to hit the bumps in the road. Unknown to you there was a BIG truck coming, it was coming fast. I just happen to be on a walk and I saw that you were in danger. I ran out and pushed you out of the way. But while I was, I tripped on one of those bumps. I was hit and later you saw me in the hospital. I was DYING, but there you were, ALIVE. "What would you tell me?" I asked. "THANK YOU", "I will do anything you want me to do", "I love you"...

Then I DIED. The kids were horrified.

I told them that Jesus DIED for them. I looked at them in the eye and said "Someone died for YOU." But while I was doing this, I got "tinglies" all over. I knew that it was the same for ME! But praise the Lord that MY Saviour is ALIVE. He has victory over DEATH. Where was my reverence, my thankfulness? Why do I complain? Why?

I told them how we could have our sins FORGIVEN. How we can receive God's GIFT of salvation. How we can know FOR SURE if we are going to heaven.

"So once your saved and then you sin again, can you still go to heaven?" I asked. "No" was the loud reply. But HALLELUJAH, that isn't the truth. God has covered my sin and I am FORGIVEN. I have ETERNAL life.

As I taught in such a simple SIMPLE way so they could understand, I was hit with the GREATNESS of God's love.

And it was all because He came to earth as a baby.

Ellie says please!

I was wondering....

since I like to write better than type, could you be so kind as to email me

your house address?

I have no clever title, the one I had was too long.

It's true. I had a clever title in mind, and then I realized that it was too long. Anyways, kids, I thought I might share some awesome news from the Hester fambily! For an introduction, I shall give you my original "clever" title.

"I thought, 'I think I just met my future husband,' and then I forgot about him the next week."

My sister said that. About her future husband. About three years ago. Yes, friends, my sister's engaged!! It took them long enough....

Rebekah and Ben had been courting for about three years, though their relationship has been called off two or three times (I think it's more two, then three). It's kind of ridonculous, and really, they need to write a book - it'll be a best seller.

I have no smooth transition line...so, I'll just give you the engagement story: They were studying at Ben's house (the go to college together), when he asked if she wanted to go and have dinner, and then asked if she preferred fast food, or a sit down restaurant.

Rebekah said sit down restaurant, so Ben took her to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, a very expensive restaurant in Louisville, all the while teasing her into thinking it was her idea to go to such an expensive place. Afterwards, they went to a park behind our Baptist Hospital East.

Ben's father died years earlier, when Ben was just a kid, and, as they were walking (this stopping and walking about apparently wasn't unusual for them), he told her that this was where he spent a lot of time while his dad was sick. Then, he got down on one knee, and asked.

At this, Rebekah gaped/sneered (it really depends on how you look at it, and it's hard to explain), and Ben told us later that if he didn't know she'd say yes, he would've had a heart attack.

Um. The End.

Hooray for awkward transitions and endings!!

Also, I think about you guys every day. I miss everyone. :)

-Joanna

those shirts!

Has anyone worn their green shirts again yet?

Just because... :)

Nine O'clock

by Ellie Stangl

It's early in the morning,
As the sun begins to rise.
The thick fog is lifting
From Wolf Lake where it lies.

At the great lodge of Northwoods
Stays the cute team Green.
Seeking the Lord as they should,
The best team ever seen.

The green team is now stirring
Peeking from under covers.
Their tear puffed eyes are blinking
As they start their morning prayers.

"Be up and ready by nine"
Cheri, the leader, says to the rest.
Along with her saying so fine,
"No Bible means no breakfast."

The doors are starting to open
With sights and sounds galore.
Finished with their devotions
They share showers, sinks, and more.

Andrea uses bobby pins
While Gianna uses hairspray.
Their room is always spic and span
Must've cleaned it everyday.

Cheri and Sandy share a room.
What happens there, no one knows,
Besides the late night gory poems
And lining up hairspray, lotions, and bows.

From outside, Ellie will soon arrive
Exercised and causing commotion.
Her roommate is the best alive,
Karen sets every smile in motion.

Sleeping in, but not too late,
Joanna and Lily start to talk.
Getting ready super fast
Straight to the living room at a brisk walk.

Quiet and sweet at first glance
Angie and Hannah are quite a pair.
They sing and laugh at every chance,
Those long time friends so fair.

But listen now, it's nine o'clock
Every morning task must be complete.
In from staff meeting Cheri will walk
"Come hither little people and have a seat."

8 Reasons to NOT Run Away

Running Away can be a medicine or a poison depending on your view of God…If you are thinking about running away for any of the above reasons- unpack your bag and tell your self you are a very young person and have a lot to learn.

Bad Reasons to Run Away Learned the Hard Way

by: Cheri M. Anderson

1. Because you are tired of difficult situations

2. Because you do not want God to change your plans

3. Because your friends are rubbing you the wrong way OR You think you are hurting your friends.

4. Because you want to feel balanced again

5. Because you are in debt (and debt does not have to be money).

6. Because you have lost the ability to come up with good ideas in work or play

7. Because you cannot prove by prior experience what the world offers is not good

8. Just…Because. This one is the most dangerous, because every form of entertainment: Music, Movies, Books, and High School Hormones all tell us that this is “Adventure” or “Life!”

Let me ask you: what is more exciting: standing in a puddle or standing in the sand and letting the ocean waves hit you full on? Running away for this reason is the World’s shallow imitation of the adventurous life God has for you.

Some 'food' for thought...

Hey all!! I read this on another blog I follow, and really liked it. Let me know what you think!!

"Girls are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. The boys don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy. So the apples at the top think there's something wrong with them when, in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right boy to come along... The one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree." And, just while we're on the subject... One of my favorite quotes... "A woman should be SO lost in God, that a man has to seek Him in order to find her" That's what I want to be... Completely and totally lost in my Jesus.

There's Room at the Cross for Cheri

My favorite church experience occurred in the Bible belt state of: Georgia.

We were obviously predestined to find this church because it was tiny. By tiny I mean the whole church was all of thirty die hard, fried chicken eaters, congregating on a basketball court. The magnolia trees out front basically hid the entire church.

We walked in and were instantly surrounded by- well- everyone. We received more literature in the first five minutes when most small town print shops see in a month. The men shook our arms off, and the ladies did their part in the asphyxiation through hugs and perfume. They (all) ushered us to our seats - in the very front row. It was memorable.

The pastor was a rather portly gent and when he and his white seersucker suit took the podium I realized we were about to experience some southern old-time religion. His first order of service was jumping off the stage and welcoming the newcomers of navy and white HEARTILY.

This church really wanted to get their money’s use out of their hymnals because we sang no less than 10 songs. My throat was bursting from the exertion but if I tried to stop singing I got the “look” from my mother. Then we prayed, we called out to God, we interceded and beseeched, we came to him with our supplications and then at last entreated His presence for the gathering of believers.

I glanced at the clock- two hours had passed. At last the pastor resumed the podium and began his message. From all sides your ears were attacked by a chorus of AMEN’s, YES’s, PREACH IT BROTHER!’s , and HALLELUJAH’s. The more encouragement the more fervently he preached until the whole place was roaring. Then the organist stood up and all off a sudden - our heads were bowed and our hands were folded...

Now coming from a large church, it is easy to fidget without really being noticed. Ho ho - How now brown cow.

As the pastor was pleading for our hearts, and while we were singing the 8th verse of Victory in Jesus (the one the author gave exclusively to this church) my nose started to itch.

Without thinking,

I scratched it.

“RIGHT THERE IN THE FRONT ROW - EVERYONE - WE HAVE A NEW SISTER IN CHRIST TODAY! AND ISN’T SHE A SWEET LITTLE ONE AT THAT “

Hallelujahs were coming from everywhere and it seemed as if he had seen the very gates of heaven open. I don’t think I have ever been so red, I also had a feeling like that of a baited fish being reeled in

At that moment I so wished I wasn’t saved- just so I could have committed my life right then at that church.

After the service the pastor came up to speak with me, about my new found faith and how I needed to live a life of character and he told me all about this guy called Bill Gothard (some of you may know him) and how meditating on Matthew 5 would be my best bet to begin with. Little did he know I could have quoted him Matthew 5. I just didn’t have the heart to tell him the truth - so I took the armful of literature, and said “God Bless you” and had a god laugh about it later

This story always reminds me of how careful we must be with our actions. So many people look at us to be encouraged in their walk with the Lord, to see if the Gospel is affecting our lives like it should. It is a grand responsibility- let us not take it lightly.

Be Good.

Go Green!

God knew who to put on my team to make it the (atleast in my opinion) best team! I'm so thankful for all the different ways each one of you challenged me in my walk with the Lord. I am praying for you ;)

Separation

So, I remember when I was reading a book called The Reason for God, and the author was quoting C.S. Lewis on sin, and The Rich Man and Lazarus parable (Luke 16:19-31) and how Hell was (in essence, as related to this particular illustration) a continuation of our selfishness in our sin (if that made sense). To make sure this was all good and correct 'n stuff, I talked it over with my dad.

Dad agreed...sort of. And then he told me that sin is really separation from God. This, by the way, was about a year ago. I was like, "Ooh...that makes sense."

Well, tonight, in my c-group (small group), a girl brought up when Jesus was afraid, you know, right before He was to be crucified. She said that a teacher (I think) of hers had said that Jesus was afraid of facing the wrath of God, and how that God was gonna have to turn His back on Jesus because of sin...that stuff.

My mind immediately jumped back to that separation from God thing, which, I'm pretty sure, is more or less the same thing she was saying...just in wrath terms....

Anyways, I spoke my mind about it (like I am prone to do), and said all that stuff about the separation (watch it...I might get repetitive), and how Jesus had never been separated from God, and that it was painful enough for us to be separated from anyone, but this was His Father, whom He had never ever been separated from in His whole...eternity (I said life at the time), and my friend Lizzy, who was sitting right next to me, just said qiuetly that it was like being separated from Himself.

@_@ GAAAAHHHHH!!!! (this is what I did when she said it. I turned to her and said the "gah" thing...poor girl, all of my cold germs flying all into her face like that...)

It was an epiphany for me. I had never thought of that moment - like ever - in terms of the Trinity. Ever. It just hit me like a ton of bricks, that Jesus wasn't just dying for our sins...He was being separated from His own being for us.

So, yeah. Ya'll may have realized that already...I hadn't. So, I decided to share my epiphany with everyone. :) -Joanna

p.s. - Sorry I didn't fancify it with pictures...I ain't that good. :)

$500 Extra Dollars

This was a blog post I finished about six months ago: thought you all would get a kick out of it ~ Cheri

Earlier this year, I, in my right mind decided to give 80% of my money away.

It was hilarious.

If you are ever in need of a good day just give out $100 bills randomly to people who need it, it is better than coffee. (smaller currency = less fun).

Then United States of America decided to veg out and entered a recession. I will be honest I had no idea how "a recession" would effect my life. Now I know. It means less money and more time on your hands to spend the money you do have.

Then life in general entered a recession: Verity ran out of napkins, my computer committed suicide, my brother came to live with me, a rather pricey insurance bill, missing clothes, key friends experiencing the death of a loved one, other key friends having medical issues, all other key friends having death of visions etc.

I quickly came to a fork in the road: Worry or Trust God.

Just as quickly I realized the fork in the road in the road was only a tricky optical illusion because money could not really fix the problem anyway- Trusting God was only road actually available.


Then I went to the dentist and all my teeth fell out. Just Kidding! But I was informed my wisdom teeth were coming in sideways and needed to be removed post haste. I had a minor lapse of "trusting in God" and melted into a puddle of weeping jello outside the Verity Campus. It was humbling.

Two weeks later it was business as usual- I cleaned Dr.McCray office, got some hot chocolate, turned on my lights, found a $100 bill on my keyboard (emphasis on the 100). Ran over to Adam's office to tell him, sat back down at my desk, found another $100 bill in my flower arrangement! Ran back over to Adam's office to tell him, went down to check my mailbox for any memos, found

FIFTEEN TWENTY DOLLAR BILLS

in my mailbox!!! Ran down the hall to find Cameron and Beka, and told them what had happened, went into shock, revived... sat still and Thanked God for a long time.

This week- now at home- I went to the dentist for the "psych you out before the surgery" visit and he took X-rays and said all my wisdom teeth were coming in straight- and they might have sent the wrong X-rays to the other dentist- no reason to take them out- etc etc etc. I ran back into the waiting room to tell my mom, went into shock, revived...and now have the problem of $500 extra dollars in my possession.


The moral of the story: God has it covered enjoy.

"The effectual, fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
-Bible

"Prayer is a serious thing. We may be taken at our words."

-D.L. Moody

"We cannot all argue, but we can all Pray; we cannot all be leaders, but we can all be pleaders; we cannot all be mighty in rhetoric, but we can all be prevalent in Prayer."

-Charles Spurgeon

"We look on Prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves; the Bible idea of Prayer is that we may get to know God Himself."

-Oswald Chambers

"Do not work so hard for Christ that you have no strength to Pray, for Prayer requires strength."

-J. Hudson Taylor

"Productive Prayer requires earnestness, not eloquence."

-Anonymous

"We have to Pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties."

-Oswald Chambers

You spin me around

Ever feel like that?

Spinning around and around the room, constantly changing shape. At any moment so up and then at any moment so low you are dripping off the plate?

Lately, life has been spinning fast. I cannot focus on anything much less influence the shape my life is taking.
I start tipping and d
r
i
p
p
i
n
g
I hit the carpet pleading for God to please BLESS me.
Seriously, is that not what was drilled into us before bed?

"God Bless Mommy
God Bless Daddy
God Bless My Gamble at Work Today
God Bless my Car to not really be Totaled..."

Joking aside, I would be lying if I said did not want God's blessing. However, since my finite mind cannot help but put God in a box- I feel like when I pray like that in a rough time I make HIM into a really personal genie. Hypothetically: My prayer maybe is not answered the way I thought (Let's review: I am a lump of clay and God's plan does NOT revolve around me) and then I really start tumbling around and doubt my faith, God's reality... etc etc etc...

Then- all of a sudden-I am a weeping puddle all over the floor

If this sounds familiar- read on...
(if this does not sound familiar I need whatever vitamins you are taking)

Instead, right then- right when I feel weak: Maybe I must cling to the Hands that are strong.Maybe I need to be flexing into those Hands so closely I do not miss a rotation without feeling their shaping influence. Maybe the Hands are going to balance the thin and thick spots so I am not too heavy on one side and that is really the blessing.

Maybe I need to comply with the instructions of the hands responsible for me.

Funny how that's the definition of Obedience.

The moral: I am going to try a new prayer. Obedience to the Hands that shape me. just some thoughts, from another super-extra-special lump of dirt.

Hey Girls!!

Hey Miss C., Gigi, Sandie, Jo, Angie, Ellie, Lily, Andi, and Karen!!!

So.... I just 'set' this blog up as you see... I'm still working on it, so this isn't the finished production yet. I'll mess around with it when I have some time, and see what I can come up with. :) In the mean time, you all are more than welcome to comment or e-mail me different ideas or whatever. Or you can go and mess around with it yourself!!

I hope you girls all made it home safely... I love and miss you all!!!!!!

~Hannah