Going into Withdrawals!!!

Hi all, just a quick note to let you know why we aren't posting at the moment - we have no internet at home for a couple weeks!!! AHHHHH!!! Talk about withdrawals! So the only way we can check email or do anything that requires the internet, is that we do it from the church office (which ain't happening for Becks with 4 kids). Anyways, you won't be hearing much from us in the next couple of weeks, but we have lots to post. Hmmm, maybe we'll post to MS Word, then I can copy and paste into blogger.com at the office - we'll see. Thanks for your patience!

Going into Withdrawals!!!

Hi all, just a quick note to let you know why we aren't posting at the moment - we have no internet at home for a couple weeks!!! AHHHHH!!! Talk about withdrawals! So the only way we can check email or do anything that requires the internet, is that we do it from the church office (which ain't happening for Becks with 4 kids). Anyways, you won't be hearing much from us in the next couple of weeks, but we have lots to post. Hmmm, maybe we'll post to MS Word, then I can copy and paste into blogger.com at the office - we'll see. Thanks for your patience!

Confrontations

You might have noticed that I personally haven't posted anything for a while. It's not that I haven't had anything to post about. Always have something to say. But things have been pretty busy as we head into the Winter and Holiday season. But more than that, there have been a few things that have weighed heavily on my mind and heart in the last month or so. And it all has to do with confrontation. Yeah, the dreaded word for most of us. Although I know a few who thrive on confrontation, I am not one of them. I dread it. For me it's like going to the doctor and getting a shot. UHHHHH!! Makes me shiver. And confrontation is even worse - it's not just a one-time thing, but you see the person over and over again. But it is a necessary part of love - yes, love. And of course, being the pastor, I get the 'fun' task of confronting people and speaking the truth in love to them (Eph 4.15).

In fact, we see evidence of this in God's Word over and over again. Paul stood up to Peter when he was acting hypocritically towards the Gentiles (Gal 2.11-21). Again Paul spoke words of rebuke to the Corinthians for their division, worldiness, compromise and lack of love (entire 1st letter to the Corinthians). In the letter to Philemon, Paul gently confronts him about Onesimus. I kinda get the feeling Paul is one of those who thrived on confrontations! But not just Paul - James confronted the rich who oppressed their servants and laborers (James 5.1-6). Barnabas confronted Paul about John Mark (Acts 15.36-41). And of course our Lord confronted many - the Pharisees, the multitude, even His disciples. In any case, we see Biblical examples of confrontation. But that doesn't make it any easier for me. It's a task I dread, but will do dutifully, relying upon God for strength, love and the right words.

So pray for me - there are 3 different confrontations, some inside the church, others outside the church. One is under way - I have spoken with the person once already and we agreed to talk again in a month. Another is coming up this next week - this is the biggie because it involves sin. And the last is sometime in the future - I am waiting on that one because it involves a third party. So please pray with me - that hard hearts will be softened, pride would give way to humilty and sin turned to repentance. Thanks for standing with me, and us.

Confrontations

You might have noticed that I personally haven't posted anything for a while. It's not that I haven't had anything to post about. Always have something to say. But things have been pretty busy as we head into the Winter and Holiday season. But more than that, there have been a few things that have weighed heavily on my mind and heart in the last month or so. And it all has to do with confrontation. Yeah, the dreaded word for most of us. Although I know a few who thrive on confrontation, I am not one of them. I dread it. For me it's like going to the doctor and getting a shot. UHHHHH!! Makes me shiver. And confrontation is even worse - it's not just a one-time thing, but you see the person over and over again. But it is a necessary part of love - yes, love. And of course, being the pastor, I get the 'fun' task of confronting people and speaking the truth in love to them (Eph 4.15).

In fact, we see evidence of this in God's Word over and over again. Paul stood up to Peter when he was acting hypocritically towards the Gentiles (Gal 2.11-21). Again Paul spoke words of rebuke to the Corinthians for their division, worldiness, compromise and lack of love (entire 1st letter to the Corinthians). In the letter to Philemon, Paul gently confronts him about Onesimus. I kinda get the feeling Paul is one of those who thrived on confrontations! But not just Paul - James confronted the rich who oppressed their servants and laborers (James 5.1-6). Barnabas confronted Paul about John Mark (Acts 15.36-41). And of course our Lord confronted many - the Pharisees, the multitude, even His disciples. In any case, we see Biblical examples of confrontation. But that doesn't make it any easier for me. It's a task I dread, but will do dutifully, relying upon God for strength, love and the right words.

So pray for me - there are 3 different confrontations, some inside the church, others outside the church. One is under way - I have spoken with the person once already and we agreed to talk again in a month. Another is coming up this next week - this is the biggie because it involves sin. And the last is sometime in the future - I am waiting on that one because it involves a third party. So please pray with me - that hard hearts will be softened, pride would give way to humilty and sin turned to repentance. Thanks for standing with me, and us.

St. Martins Day/First Snow

This past Sunday was St. Martins day, for those of you who don't know who he was, (like me 3 years ago) I will explain in a minute. Part of the celebration for St Martins is to make lanterns and parade through the neighborhood, or village, and sing songs. The traditional meal is goose.

So 3 years ago, Jesaiah's first year in kindergarten, we got a note about St Martins day and needing to send money for making lanterns. My first thought was, 'who was this guy Martin anyway why is he a 'saint' and why does he have a day?' So I did what any modern-day mom would do, I got on the internet and 'googled' him!

The story is something like this:
Martin was a Roman solidier, one winter as he was riding his horse he came across a poor begger lying in the snow. So Martin took his cloak and cut it in two with his sword and gave half to the begger. According to legend he dreamed that night that it was Jesus wearing the cloak, and Jesus introduced him to the Angels as 'Martin the Roman soldier who is not baptised, he has clad me.' Martin was baptised then as an adult. The legend as says that when the people wanted to make him Bishop he hid in a goose stall because he didn't want the position, but the geese were so loud they gave him away (hence goose for the meal).

The songs that we sing are about being lights and sharing, it is a really neat celebration. We walk through our neighborhood with all the kids from the kindergarten, this year with 1st and 2nd graders too on a different day, we stop under each street light and sing our songs. The kids carry paper lanterns with a candle inside. It is really pretty when they get out away from the lights and you see only the lanterns. After the walk there is a big bon fire and bread shaped like geese to share.

Every other year it is really cold, this was one of those years! At least it didn't snow on Tuesday when we were walking...it waited until today!
The kids were so excited to see the snow this morning.

The pictures are from both Monday (1st & 2nd graders) and Tuesday (kindergarten) and our first snow, the captions aren't working.

St. Martins Day/First Snow

This past Sunday was St. Martins day, for those of you who don't know who he was, (like me 3 years ago) I will explain in a minute. Part of the celebration for St Martins is to make lanterns and parade through the neighborhood, or village, and sing songs. The traditional meal is goose.

So 3 years ago, Jesaiah's first year in kindergarten, we got a note about St Martins day and needing to send money for making lanterns. My first thought was, 'who was this guy Martin anyway why is he a 'saint' and why does he have a day?' So I did what any modern-day mom would do, I got on the internet and 'googled' him!

The story is something like this:
Martin was a Roman solidier, one winter as he was riding his horse he came across a poor begger lying in the snow. So Martin took his cloak and cut it in two with his sword and gave half to the begger. According to legend he dreamed that night that it was Jesus wearing the cloak, and Jesus introduced him to the Angels as 'Martin the Roman soldier who is not baptised, he has clad me.' Martin was baptised then as an adult. The legend as says that when the people wanted to make him Bishop he hid in a goose stall because he didn't want the position, but the geese were so loud they gave him away (hence goose for the meal).

The songs that we sing are about being lights and sharing, it is a really neat celebration. We walk through our neighborhood with all the kids from the kindergarten, this year with 1st and 2nd graders too on a different day, we stop under each street light and sing our songs. The kids carry paper lanterns with a candle inside. It is really pretty when they get out away from the lights and you see only the lanterns. After the walk there is a big bon fire and bread shaped like geese to share.

Every other year it is really cold, this was one of those years! At least it didn't snow on Tuesday when we were walking...it waited until today!
The kids were so excited to see the snow this morning.

The pictures are from both Monday (1st & 2nd graders) and Tuesday (kindergarten) and our first snow, the captions aren't working.

Fall Retreat - CC Heidelberg & Sinsheim

Wow, has time flown by!! I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving already! Which by the way is my favorite holiday. We will celebrate this year with our church staff and elders, and a few friends who aren't staff or elders. We have to move it to the church this year because there are so many people, 19 adults and 10 kids. It is always so much fun though, the fellowship is great! I need to cook more this year though, last year we ran out of food!! I was shocked, never had that happen before, guess it must have been pretty tasty.

Now that I've rambled enough about that, on to the subject of this post. (by the way there will be pictures after our dinner). Two weeks ago Davey taught at the retreat for Calvary Chapel Heidelberg and Sinsheim. We were blessed to be able to go as a family. We know several of the families from Sinsheim, as Davey taught there once a month for about a year and we always went as a family. And we know a few people from the church in Heidelberg as well. It was really nice to get to spend time with all those that we already know, but don't see so often, and get to know some new people as well.

Davey taught from the book of Joshua about having a victorious Christian life. Everyone there was blessed, challenged, encouraged...God met each person where they were in their situations. There was a couple there that we talked with, he is Catholic and she Evangelical. They used to be neighbors to a family in Sinsheim, but didn't go the church. They moved away but they came to the retreat at the invitation of the family. The wife wasn't so sure how her husband would like it there, she was afraid he might feel 'out of place', but he didn't - he was really ministered to through the Word and I think he truly enjoyed the fellowship as well. On the last evening he asked Davey if they could talk. So Davey talked with him while his wife and I were talking. We were able to encourage them to get involved in a church in their area, they just really need fellowship. We are praying that they will find a fellowship where they will be fed and be able to come to a place where they know that they are in need of a Savior, and that He is Jesus Christ.

God did so many awesome things at the retreat, I could spend hours writing about it all....don't worry I won't...but I could! We were so blessed to be able to be there, these two church families are a blessing!

There were also 5 students from the Bible College in Siegen there to do the children's ministry. They were awesome! They played games, did crafts, played outside (even though it was very cold), and even did a presentation the last day. The younger kids acted out the wall of Jericho, one half was on the inside, i.e. the wall, and the others marched around them blowing their 'trumpets'. You all know the story, so on the seventh time around everyone yelled, blew the trumpets and the 'wall' fell down. It was really cute, and hilarious! The older kids did Daniel in the lions' den. Each part was maybe 2 minutes long. And they all recited Matthew 22:37-40. They did a great job...the students and the kids!
So it was a great weekend! Enjoy the pictures!

P.S. I am part of the flag football game...the only girl (look for the bell bottom blue jeans, and green shirt with a yellow jersey)! Next time I have to try harder to get more girls involved but it was fun! Even though I'm not that good.

Fall Retreat - CC Heidelberg & Sinsheim

Wow, has time flown by!! I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving already! Which by the way is my favorite holiday. We will celebrate this year with our church staff and elders, and a few friends who aren't staff or elders. We have to move it to the church this year because there are so many people, 19 adults and 10 kids. It is always so much fun though, the fellowship is great! I need to cook more this year though, last year we ran out of food!! I was shocked, never had that happen before, guess it must have been pretty tasty.

Now that I've rambled enough about that, on to the subject of this post. (by the way there will be pictures after our dinner). Two weeks ago Davey taught at the retreat for Calvary Chapel Heidelberg and Sinsheim. We were blessed to be able to go as a family. We know several of the families from Sinsheim, as Davey taught there once a month for about a year and we always went as a family. And we know a few people from the church in Heidelberg as well. It was really nice to get to spend time with all those that we already know, but don't see so often, and get to know some new people as well.

Davey taught from the book of Joshua about having a victorious Christian life. Everyone there was blessed, challenged, encouraged...God met each person where they were in their situations. There was a couple there that we talked with, he is Catholic and she Evangelical. They used to be neighbors to a family in Sinsheim, but didn't go the church. They moved away but they came to the retreat at the invitation of the family. The wife wasn't so sure how her husband would like it there, she was afraid he might feel 'out of place', but he didn't - he was really ministered to through the Word and I think he truly enjoyed the fellowship as well. On the last evening he asked Davey if they could talk. So Davey talked with him while his wife and I were talking. We were able to encourage them to get involved in a church in their area, they just really need fellowship. We are praying that they will find a fellowship where they will be fed and be able to come to a place where they know that they are in need of a Savior, and that He is Jesus Christ.

God did so many awesome things at the retreat, I could spend hours writing about it all....don't worry I won't...but I could! We were so blessed to be able to be there, these two church families are a blessing!

There were also 5 students from the Bible College in Siegen there to do the children's ministry. They were awesome! They played games, did crafts, played outside (even though it was very cold), and even did a presentation the last day. The younger kids acted out the wall of Jericho, one half was on the inside, i.e. the wall, and the others marched around them blowing their 'trumpets'. You all know the story, so on the seventh time around everyone yelled, blew the trumpets and the 'wall' fell down. It was really cute, and hilarious! The older kids did Daniel in the lions' den. Each part was maybe 2 minutes long. And they all recited Matthew 22:37-40. They did a great job...the students and the kids!
So it was a great weekend! Enjoy the pictures!

P.S. I am part of the flag football game...the only girl (look for the bell bottom blue jeans, and green shirt with a yellow jersey)! Next time I have to try harder to get more girls involved but it was fun! Even though I'm not that good.

How To Calculate Your Age by Chocolate

So did I get your mouth watering for some sweet, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate? Did I at least get your attention - you don't normally read these 3 words in the same sentence: calculate, age and chocolate! But this little trick does work!

Try it out. It's fun, simple, easy to do (get a calculator if you forgot how to do simple arithmetic) and ooohhhhh it tastes soooo good. I think I am beginning to like math - especially if it has anything to do with chocolate! Read the full article here. Have fun!

How To Calculate Your Age by Chocolate

So did I get your mouth watering for some sweet, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate? Did I at least get your attention - you don't normally read these 3 words in the same sentence: calculate, age and chocolate! But this little trick does work!

Try it out. It's fun, simple, easy to do (get a calculator if you forgot how to do simple arithmetic) and ooohhhhh it tastes soooo good. I think I am beginning to like math - especially if it has anything to do with chocolate! Read the full article here. Have fun!

Halloween Scare

We had quite a bit of excitement before the Wed. night service last night. During the sound check and worship practice a lady came into the sanctuary and sat in the first row. She was crying, wailing, saying incoherent and illogical things. This obviously disturbed the worship practice so they sent someone over to get me from the office to talk with her. I came over, thinking this was just a sad lady who needed some prayer.

But when I got there, I knew this was going to be something else - she was saying things like Jesus sent her there, that she WAS Jesus, that we personally killed Jesus and other such nonsense. So I told her she needed to either calm down, get herself under control and stay quiet or leave the sanctuary and go back to the kitchen. She refused to - so I told her we would have to call the police. She thought I was bluffing, but I sent someone over to the office to call the police. While we were waiting, I and another woman stood next to her, about 3-4 feet away from her.

Suddenly, before I could really react, she grabbed something from her purse and started walking up the stairs to the stage where the worship team was. I came up behind her and put my hand on the collar of her jacket to restrain her and that was when I saw she had a KNIFE in her hand. Yep, you read correctly, she had a knife with a 6 inch blade in her hand. Now what she was going to do with it, no one knows. But it was a knife and she was on stage so something had to be done.

Actually, I tried to get away from her. I had let go of her jacket, backed away from her - wanting to put some distance between us. But when she turned towards me and took a step towards me, I realized I had to do something. Now this part is a bit blurry because it happened so quickly. When she took another step towards me, I grabbed her knife hand and held it. I don't know exactly how it happened, but another man from church then took her legs out from under her and all three of us landed on the floor, with me still holding her knife hand, the other man holding her legs. I then kneeled on her knife hand and grabbed her free hand also.

So there we were, she laying on her left side, me sitting almost on her stomach kneeling on her knife hand and holding her other hand and the other man behind me, pinning her legs. Our drummer then jumped off stage, and pried the knife from her hands - she had her hands locked on that knife! And through all this, she was muttering and saying weird things again. Finally the police came, handcuffed her, took our contact info and led her away. Obviously they knew his woman - she had run-ins with them before - because they recognized her immediately and addressed her by name.

So that was our excitement for Halloween - I was really shaking afterwards. But God is faithful and kept us all safe. I just pray that this woman will be delivered from whatever demonic forces that had her in bondage. Yes, I truly believe it was demonic - especially on Halloween!

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6.12-13

Halloween Scare

We had quite a bit of excitement before the Wed. night service last night. During the sound check and worship practice a lady came into the sanctuary and sat in the first row. She was crying, wailing, saying incoherent and illogical things. This obviously disturbed the worship practice so they sent someone over to get me from the office to talk with her. I came over, thinking this was just a sad lady who needed some prayer.

But when I got there, I knew this was going to be something else - she was saying things like Jesus sent her there, that she WAS Jesus, that we personally killed Jesus and other such nonsense. So I told her she needed to either calm down, get herself under control and stay quiet or leave the sanctuary and go back to the kitchen. She refused to - so I told her we would have to call the police. She thought I was bluffing, but I sent someone over to the office to call the police. While we were waiting, I and another woman stood next to her, about 3-4 feet away from her.

Suddenly, before I could really react, she grabbed something from her purse and started walking up the stairs to the stage where the worship team was. I came up behind her and put my hand on the collar of her jacket to restrain her and that was when I saw she had a KNIFE in her hand. Yep, you read correctly, she had a knife with a 6 inch blade in her hand. Now what she was going to do with it, no one knows. But it was a knife and she was on stage so something had to be done.

Actually, I tried to get away from her. I had let go of her jacket, backed away from her - wanting to put some distance between us. But when she turned towards me and took a step towards me, I realized I had to do something. Now this part is a bit blurry because it happened so quickly. When she took another step towards me, I grabbed her knife hand and held it. I don't know exactly how it happened, but another man from church then took her legs out from under her and all three of us landed on the floor, with me still holding her knife hand, the other man holding her legs. I then kneeled on her knife hand and grabbed her free hand also.

So there we were, she laying on her left side, me sitting almost on her stomach kneeling on her knife hand and holding her other hand and the other man behind me, pinning her legs. Our drummer then jumped off stage, and pried the knife from her hands - she had her hands locked on that knife! And through all this, she was muttering and saying weird things again. Finally the police came, handcuffed her, took our contact info and led her away. Obviously they knew his woman - she had run-ins with them before - because they recognized her immediately and addressed her by name.

So that was our excitement for Halloween - I was really shaking afterwards. But God is faithful and kept us all safe. I just pray that this woman will be delivered from whatever demonic forces that had her in bondage. Yes, I truly believe it was demonic - especially on Halloween!

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6.12-13