Random Musings

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights..." James 1:17 I've heard it said that, "Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale".  On December 31st, 2012, the Lord gave me a good and perfect gift.  Nick Giardino, the love of my life, planned a perfect day and the Lord surrounded and protected it with love and beauty. The entire day was a surprise adventure for me.  Nick planned everything with great love and attention to detail.  I met him at his house that morning and we set off for a day I'll never forget.  It was beautiful to be able to rest and trust in him to lead me through the day. The Lord gave us beautiful little moments and gifts throughout the day.  As we started on the journey, Nick said we needed to listen to some love songs.  He had a soundtrack for the day!  As he pulled it up on shuffle (it was in order for a different part of the journey), the ...

This is an excerpt from Tramp for the Lord by Corrie Ten Boom If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 Chapter 30: Closing the Circle It would seem, after having been a Christian for almost eighty years, that I would no longer do ugly things that need forgiving. Yet I am constantly doing things to others that cause me to have to go back and ask their forgiveness. Sometimes these are things I actually do - other times they are simply attitudes I let creep in which break the circle of God's perfect love. I first learned the secret of closing the circle from my nephew, Peter van Woerden, who was spending the weekend with me in our little apartment in Baarn, Holland. "Do you remember that boy, Jan, that we prayed for?" Peter asked. I well remember Jan. We had prayed for him many times. He had a horrible demon of darkness in his life and although we had fasted and prayed and cast out the dem...

I spend alot of time thinking about what it means to love like Christ. It's such a small statement, but so difficult to truly live. I wrestle with my flesh all of the time when it comes to dying to myself and truly loving others as I've been called to love them. Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35 It's a command. Love one another as I have loved you. If we claim the name of Jesus, we don't have a choice about this one. As I was thinking about it this morning, I came across a really familiar verse that struck me afresh. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, alwa...

The Lord has been working on my heart pretty intensely these days. I've wrestled with an area of unforgiveness for several days and I believe I have finally been able to let go of the hurt. But, it seems that I have barely settled my heart on one issue before the Holy Spirit brings another to mind. It's what I want. I want to be more like Jesus and this is the process. But, it's so difficult and so much work. It's hard to look your failings and weaknesses in the face and lay them at the feet of Jesus! A few days I read something that has really be gnawing on my heart. I am reading a biography of Amy Carmichael, a turn of the century missionary to India. When she first arrived in India, she had an occasion to be sternly (and perhaps not appropriately) scolded by an older missionary woman. Being of Irish stock, her temper started to get the best of her when she heard a voice whisper, "Let this be an opportunity to die". What? It took me a moment to see what the ...

I just found this post in my drafts folder this morning. Apparently, I never published it. It's interesting to me that I came across it just a few days after posting about accountability. I'm not certain where these questions originated, but where possible, the credit was given. This post was saved about this time last year as I began my journey toward ordination in the Free Methodist Church, so I'm pretty sure they are from the resources I was given then. CAUTION: These questions are tough! They are good ways to measure where we are spiritually, but you will probably feel a bit of a sting once you're done reading them (I know I did!) ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONS John Wesley's Small Group Questions: 1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite? 2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate? 3. Do I confidentially pass onto another what was told me in confidence? 4. Am I a sl...

I was listening to an old favorite CD today and stumbled upon this song and just had to laugh. In so many ways, it sums up what the Lord has been teaching me lately. Clumsy by: Chris Rice You think I'd have it down by now Been practicin' for thirty years I should have walked a thousand miles So what am I still doin' here Reachin' out for that same old piece of forbidden fruit I slip and fall and aI knock my halo loose Somebody tell me what's a boy supposed to do? I get so clumsy I get so foolish I get so stupid And then I feel so useless But You're sayin' You love me And You're still gonna hold me And that You wanna be near me 'Cause You're makin' me holy You're still makin' me holy I'm gonna get it right this time I'll be strong and I'll make You proud I've prayed that prayer a thousand times But the rooster crows and my tears roll down Then You remind me You made me from the dust And I can never, no never, be good e...

As I was driving this afternoon, I was surprised by a new perspective on my relationship with God. Some time ago, I was involved in a business venture that was completely frustrating. A competitor approached us and asked for help in running his business. You see, my family has been in the travel business for more than 20 years, and I, myself, have been involved with the agency for the last 15. We have seen the industry go through a number of big changes and have managed to survive, and prosper, through them all. This competitor, although a businessman, did not have any experience in the travel industry. So, as he was waiting out his contracts, he asked us if we would help. We arranged a situation that was mutually beneficial and had a plan to help him recoup as much money as possible (or at least not lose any more) and then absorb his business once his contractual obligations were fulfilled. It was a good plan. It should have worked for both parties. What we failed to factor i...

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak at my church. Below are my notes for that message. (Some people have asked for a recording, but it didn't actually get recorded due to sound difficulties. And, since I didn't really deviate from my notes, I decided to post them here). The notes are kind of long because I wrote out the passages of scripture I used. I encourage all of you to spend some time in Ephesians and the rest of Paul's epistles. They are chock full of pearls of wisdom. I showed these three videos before the service. Feel free to check them out. God of this city (Paris) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Ocr8udIuQ Disneyland Paris - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tUJTIR0ECU Friends in France - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaH-Y4WQdD8 France 2008 For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Christy Solly, and I am honored to have the opportunity to share with you today. On August 10th, I had the privilege of traveling to France with Alan and Heidi W...

I just found out today, in the Sunday service, that our youth pastor has taken a job at another church. He and his family will be leaving us August 1st. I feel like my heart is breaking in my chest. Since coming to us last year, Tom and Jen have planted themselves in our hearts and it is sad to let them go. In some ways, it’s truly a blessing that the Lord has called them to another church. Tom and Jen came here a year ago with a strong conviction that the Lord was calling them to FCC. However, we’ve struggled financially for some time now and can no longer support 2 pastors. I believe it is God’s blessing on the faithfulness of Tom and Jen that has opened another position for them nearby. I pray that it will be a good thing for them and their family. I am sad, for many reasons, at the loss of this family. Tom has done an amazing job with our youth. In the time that he’s been here, we seen a number of students come to know the Lord and be baptized. He’s taken the staff under ...

A dear friend emailed me the lyrics to a song today in relation to something we were discussing. I’ve read it several times today and listened to it as well. I’ve found myself within these words. I can see so much of me in the following lyrics. Martyrs and Theives By: Jennifer Knapp There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to It presses harsh hope against time In the absence of martyrs there's a presence of thieves Who only want to rob you blind They steal away any sense of peace Though I'm a king I'm a king on my knees And I know they are wrong when they say I am strong As the darkness covers me There are ghosts from my past who've owned more of my soul Than I thought I had given away They linger in closets and under my bed And in pictures less proudly displayed A great fool in my life I have been Have squandered till pallid and thin Hung my head in shame and refused to take blame For the darkness I know I've let win Can you hear me? Well I'v...

I've often struggled with obedience to the Lord...until I paid the price of disobedience. I still have my moments of struggle, but in the end, the thought of the pain I will cause the Lord and myself, far outweighs the temporary pleasure of whatever else I might choose. I've learned the hard way that it's always better to choose obedience than to fight a losing battle with your Maker! (Isaiah 45) But, I've never really considered how my obedience to God might affect others. Today's My Utmost for His Highest gave me pause. I've seen how my DISobedience has affected others in the past. But, I've rarely considered the cost of my obedience on others. I've had opportunity to do that recently and it weighed heavily on my heart. I chose to be obedient (although I begged that I not have to be!) even though I knew it would cause some pain for some other people. But, maybe that's ok. There have been times in my past where I chose obedience and stoppe...