This year, our church is studying the book of 1st Corinthians in detail. I am thoroughly enjoying it, and am learning so much. This week's text was 1 Cor. 1:9-17, where Paul is encouraging the church body to be united, instead of causing strife over the minute differences.
Here are the highlights:
Likemindedness is caring about the core issues together
Three things we can do:
- Strive for unity in our our diversity
- Remember leaders are only human representatives
- Focus on the person of Christ
The clincher for me, though was:
Love is a testimony when 2 people who are very/greatly/significantly different, love each other. It is not a testimony when people who have the same beliefs love each other. How often do we think about it that way?? Wow! Something to try to live out....and that is what I'm going to try to be doing.....
Pastor shared a story, that definitely made the point, and I want to share it with you:
Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!"
He said, "Nobody loves me."
I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"
He said, "Yes."
I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?"
He said, "A Christian."
I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?"
He said, "Protestant."
I said, "Me, too! What franchise?"
He said, "Baptist."
I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?"
He said, "Northern Baptist."
I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"
He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist."
I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region."
I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?"
He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?"
I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.
Bet you weren't expecting that ending!! But, isn't that such a perfect example of how we bicker over nothing?!? That definitely wasn't a 'Salvation Issue'!! And yet, he murdered somebody!! (Of course it was a fictitious example. :p)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Skiing Rendezvous
Last Friday, we and some close friends went skiing at Silver Mountain on a NIHEA Homeschool Day (discounts!!). Because of 3 major knee/ankle accidents in the last 3 winters (from horses, snowboarding, and stairs), I haven't skied (except 3 mini runs last year) in 2 years, so the first part of the day I pretty much just 'got back into the swing of things'...tons of fun!!
That morning, both Mama and Papa had a premonition that an accident could occur, and so reminded us to use our judgement on the slopes we skied...never did I dream that their premonition would/could apply so specifically to me!
That afternoon, I skied some runs with Papa, Rachel, and 2 friends. I haven't skied a Black Diamond since my 3rd day on the Slope around 4 years ago (because of accidents)...but I'd been doing well all day, and when there wasn't another available run down to the Lift (that I knew of), I thought, "Why not?? I'm doing really good, Rendezvous is the run of the day & they said it is REALLY smooth...I might as well!!"
Because of knee injury, my brain created a 'protective mode', which sometimes turns on in certain conditions, making me go a little slower and turn wider...which on a Black slope is exactly opposite of what you want to do!! :) Also, brain is still perceiving skiing left as more difficult than skiing right is. (working on changing that!!)
FYI, Rendezvous is a long, steep, smooth, 1/4++ mile, 2-part slope, with a plateau in the middle...at the top, it doesn't look too terribly steep..until you get to the crest. :) By the time I was 1/4 down the first slope, I realized that maybe this wasn't the best idea, but reminded myself that 'there was no other way, so just keep skiing'. Everyone else was down at the plateau by that time, waiting for me... And just after I thought, "Oh great....now I'm going to slow them down!!", it happened....I was skiing left and was in the middle of the slope, when I lost my balance or something, and started rolling...
Of course, wearing a slick suit doesn't help any, and though I tried digging my poles in (not good enough though), I wasn't stopping. After 5-6 rolls, I figured I wasn't going to stop too quickly, and knowing 'rolling' is not safe with skis and poles, I pulled myself around so that I was doing "Snow Angels" in a circling type of way (e.g. first head-first, then side-first, then feet-first, and so on).
I figured (as did my group), that I'd stop when I got to the Plateau, but instead I caught air (with a grin on my face, so they say) and kept accumulating speed as I went down the next steep slope. (After almost running into a friend who had to jump out of my 'path'.) Up until the Plateau, I had tried to stop, but after I passed it, I figured "I'm not going to stop until I do, so I might as well relax and enjoy the ride!!" Good for me, but my non-movement freaked my group out and they started imagining the worst, with the least being unconsciousness. 2 of the group were EMTs (either presently or in the past), and so in that way, I consoled myself on the way down that even if I was severely 'damaged', at least they'd know how to take spinal precautions and make sure my airways were patent!! :)
Praise God, I finally stopped at the end of the steep slope (a long ways from the cliff), in powder, with no injuries, and lots of snow in my hair!! :) My group concluded that that was the first human missile they'd seen on a Ski Slope, and that I traveled 1/4 mile, going about 25-35 mph in about 40 seconds!!!
Looking back, the only thing I was worried about, was that I knew there was a slope that had a large chunk of exposed granite in it (like Narnia), and I couldn't remember if I was ON that slope!! Thankfully, it happened to be the slope next to it.
I tried to keep my skis/poles intact as long as possible for 'gathering's sake', but my skis ended up coming off about 50-100+' above the Plateau, and my poles came off a few hundred feet from where I stopped. Gratefully, my group brought them down on their way down.
I looked the slope up after I got home, and destination360.com said: "On powder days, Rendezvous is a great black diamond run on the Kellogg side." Yup, I'd have to agree there.....it is a GREAT run!!!! And if it wasn't for "danger's sake", I'd happily slide down it again!!
However, on a more serious note, if I had known what was going to happen might happen, and that there was another run to that chairlift, I would have done as Proverbs 2:11 says: "Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee..."
I know it is just because of my parents and friends praying for me, and because of God's gracious hand that I'm not in a cast, hospital, or something.....so I thank God for His protection.
That morning, both Mama and Papa had a premonition that an accident could occur, and so reminded us to use our judgement on the slopes we skied...never did I dream that their premonition would/could apply so specifically to me!
That afternoon, I skied some runs with Papa, Rachel, and 2 friends. I haven't skied a Black Diamond since my 3rd day on the Slope around 4 years ago (because of accidents)...but I'd been doing well all day, and when there wasn't another available run down to the Lift (that I knew of), I thought, "Why not?? I'm doing really good, Rendezvous is the run of the day & they said it is REALLY smooth...I might as well!!"
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| See Rendezvous slope in the middle |
FYI, Rendezvous is a long, steep, smooth, 1/4++ mile, 2-part slope, with a plateau in the middle...at the top, it doesn't look too terribly steep..until you get to the crest. :) By the time I was 1/4 down the first slope, I realized that maybe this wasn't the best idea, but reminded myself that 'there was no other way, so just keep skiing'. Everyone else was down at the plateau by that time, waiting for me... And just after I thought, "Oh great....now I'm going to slow them down!!", it happened....I was skiing left and was in the middle of the slope, when I lost my balance or something, and started rolling...
 |
| (Photo by Alyssa Gaul) |
I figured (as did my group), that I'd stop when I got to the Plateau, but instead I caught air (with a grin on my face, so they say) and kept accumulating speed as I went down the next steep slope. (After almost running into a friend who had to jump out of my 'path'.) Up until the Plateau, I had tried to stop, but after I passed it, I figured "I'm not going to stop until I do, so I might as well relax and enjoy the ride!!" Good for me, but my non-movement freaked my group out and they started imagining the worst, with the least being unconsciousness. 2 of the group were EMTs (either presently or in the past), and so in that way, I consoled myself on the way down that even if I was severely 'damaged', at least they'd know how to take spinal precautions and make sure my airways were patent!! :)
Praise God, I finally stopped at the end of the steep slope (a long ways from the cliff), in powder, with no injuries, and lots of snow in my hair!! :) My group concluded that that was the first human missile they'd seen on a Ski Slope, and that I traveled 1/4 mile, going about 25-35 mph in about 40 seconds!!!
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| Some of our gang-Earlier in the day (Photo by Alyssa Gaul) |
I tried to keep my skis/poles intact as long as possible for 'gathering's sake', but my skis ended up coming off about 50-100+' above the Plateau, and my poles came off a few hundred feet from where I stopped. Gratefully, my group brought them down on their way down.
I looked the slope up after I got home, and destination360.com said: "On powder days, Rendezvous is a great black diamond run on the Kellogg side." Yup, I'd have to agree there.....it is a GREAT run!!!! And if it wasn't for "danger's sake", I'd happily slide down it again!!
However, on a more serious note, if I had known what was going to happen might happen, and that there was another run to that chairlift, I would have done as Proverbs 2:11 says: "Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee..."
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| Safe & Sound Afterwards with my dear friend Alyssa (Photo by Alyssa Gaul) |
Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
~ Proverbs 32:7 ~
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Mindanao Flooding
Many people have asked me if the floodings that were happening in the Philippines are where I was -- on the island of Mindanao. I talked to a Filipino friend shortly after the New Year, and she reported that the Major flooding was in Cagayan de Oro (which is North of Davao City and East of Butuan City -- the 2 places I spent most of my time).
She said that at that point, they were really worried about a "Low Pressure area" (the starting of a typhoon) in her hometown-General Santos City (which you can see on the map above as well), about 3 hours from Davao. Cagayan's flooding has affected Davao through it's rains, so that could be equated with small flooding, but nothing like what is in Cagayan.
It has worried the Filipinos though, because Mindanao is not affected by typhoons...it is the Northern part of the Philippines that is affected by it.
I don't have any more recent updates, but you can keep them in your prayers, that God would protect them all.
She said that at that point, they were really worried about a "Low Pressure area" (the starting of a typhoon) in her hometown-General Santos City (which you can see on the map above as well), about 3 hours from Davao. Cagayan's flooding has affected Davao through it's rains, so that could be equated with small flooding, but nothing like what is in Cagayan.
It has worried the Filipinos though, because Mindanao is not affected by typhoons...it is the Northern part of the Philippines that is affected by it.
I don't have any more recent updates, but you can keep them in your prayers, that God would protect them all.
The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. The LORD will give strength unto His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.
~ Psalms 29:10-11 ~
(Father, YOU are King over the flood!!! I will be still and know You are God!!!)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Goodbye Daniel!!!
In October, Daniel, David, & Samuel went to Journey of the Heart (something I would highly recommend to any person who wants an even closer relationship with God..talk about an intense 10-day long Biblical discipleship!) One thing with the "Journeys" is that you long to do it again (as I feel as well ;D)....and so this time was Daniel's 2nd Journey.
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| Best Brother.... |
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| 2003 - BK: David, Rachel, Daniel, Sarah FRT: Esther, Rebekah, Samuel |
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| 2005 - Our Rite of Passage |
FYI, Journey of the Heart is an offshoot of IBLP (Institute in Basic Life Principles), which was founded by Dr. Bill Gothard in 1961.
Last year, while at the Journey, Daniel had the opportunity to send in an application for different ministry opportunities, including serving at the IBLP Headquarters in Oakbrook, Illinois. Though he didn't apply at that time, God kept working in his heart about possibly doing so in the future. That next summer (2010), our family spent 2.5 months traveling around the country in 3 different trips (AK; CO; and TN, AR, MO, IL, OH, KY). A large part of the last trip was spent in Illinois with our dear friends the Hogans and then also at the IBLP HQ. At that time, Mr. Gothard brought up the possibility of Daniel serving at HQ, but our business needed him badly (he worked as a Paraplanner and Research Analyst), and so he declined the offer at that time as well.
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| Graduation 2010 |
This time at Journey, God laid the desire even stronger on Daniel's heart about the possibility of serving at HQ, and after much prayer and consideration with our parents, he applied to IBLP for a year long stint, and was accepted, to begin serving there in the 2nd week of January '12.
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| A Man with a Vision |
Papa and Daniel decided to drive his Audi back to Oakbrook in early December with everything he'd need (which wasn't very much) for a year in Chicago and possible mission trips to other countries as well. They drove through the Midwest on their way there, participated in the IBLP Christmas Party and then flew back home a few days later.
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| In the Badlands! |
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| Since when do they mile mark every .1 of each mile???? (In the Midwest??) |
The night before his departure, we had a going away party for him during our Wednesday night Bible Study, and then some of us as a group prayed for him as well. What a huge blessing prayer is!!
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| Me & My Brother (Photo by Alyssa Gaul) |
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| (Photo by Alyssa Gaul) |
Daniel actually left Thursday, January 12th, 2012. To start out with, he is staying at the Drake Hotel there in Oakbrook (which IBLP just purchased and is now renovating), and will be helping with renovations there, as well as working as an IT and Research assistant and various things under the direction of Ken Krause. He is learning a lot of new skills, like being a cook and a song leader. He will also probably work with Mr. Hogan in Springfield at times.
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| Leaving at 4am |
We are really excited for Daniel as he serves God in a new capacity, and is discipled in a whole new way. Please keep him in your prayers though, as it will be challenging at times.
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| The Drake Hotel in Oakbrook which Daniel is currently helping to remodel |
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
~ Matthew 28: 19-20 ~
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!
Our Christmas was a blessed, relaxing time, to be able to focus on our Saviour, and what He did for us, by sending His ONLY BEGOTTEN Son to the world to die for us--the only Perfect Lamb of God... Christmas at our house isn't really big...we try to really focus on what Christmas really is... Christmas dinner is fun though, because it really focuses on our family roots--the Pinkertons....see below.
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| So grateful to God for His amazing grace |
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| I LOVE contrast....Reds and Greens...just gorgeous!! |
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| This is the 'big' thing at Christmas...Meatloaf in the look of the Pinkerton Springs (which was owned by my great-great-great-grandfather, who helped settle the area) located in Colorado. (Yes I'm VERY proud of my roots!!) Usually we have a bunch of other 'colors' on it too, but somehow in our relaxed preparations, we found ourselves without this year!! Oh well, it was still delicious!! (Especially since it was Water Buffalo!) |
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| Our Pinkerton Springs... |
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| Our Christmas Dinner....Water Buffalo, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, broccoli, green beans, salad, and oops...we forgot CORN!!! :( |
My paternal grandparents --Oma and Grampaw-- celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on the 30th, and so my dad's 4 siblings and quite a few of my cousins from around the country came to help celebrate during the entire week between Christmas and New Years...talk about fun!!!
Here are some pictures showing our wonderful time together:
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| On Thursday, we all went skiing at Silver Mountain, and boy was it fun and full of adventures!! |
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| As a general rule, I like cats (especially when the have kittens ;p)...except that I'm allergic to them...but cats do NOT belong in houses...so to find our 'mama cat' displaying herself like a queen on our guest bed did not excite any of us....nor did it excite my little sisters to a few days later find her in THEIR bed purring in their ears at midnight!! (How she got there??? Who knows...lol) |
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| Mama & Rachel dishin' up the Main Course! |
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| Samuel LOVES Shrimp....if you didn't get that...SAMUEL LOVES SHRIMP!!! Thus, the non-shrimpers (not me!) gave theirs to him....Wow!! And that was the 1st course! :) |
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| Papa & Aunt Judith serenading everyone with their beautiful musicmaking. |
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| Playing "The Duet"..a Tabletop piece....same piece of music is being played by both people, but their reading from opposite sides of the music!! Talk about mindboggling!! (but beautiful!!) |
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| James...who, the "baby" of the family, is now 7!!! Where does time go? |
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| James got a lasso for Christmas....boy has he spent his time lassoing/tying people up!! |
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| The cake topper shown has been used for many generations in our family...it was also used at my parent's wedding. |
Somehow, after a delicious waffle breakfast, there was a mini food fight (which is not typically allowed at our house...it made for PLENTY of memories!!!!)
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| No, Daniel didn't start it...but he was an accidental victim!! |
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| My darling, entrepreneurial, innocent-looking 15 year old brother - David ;p |
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| Esther--doing what she does best--taking care of babies (this time our newest cousin-Sierra) |
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| Rachel...my 'conscience'..what would I do without her?? |
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| Pretty much all of us played...even me on the piano (which was more than challenging for me...lol) |
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| Grampaw met Oma in Junior High during Orchestra practice....so it was only appropriate for him to ask her to marry him again during this orchestra practice, with the 'introduction ring' that he used then (that my dad used for my mom as well!) |
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| What a huge blessing and a privilege to be there...... |
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| The one & only "Pinkerchovsky" Clan... Jim (#4), Nancy (#3), Dan (#5), Judith (#1), & Gary (#2) |
Praise God for the testimony my grandparents have shown to all of us!!!
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| All Firework pictures attributed to Alyssa Gaul |
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
~ Genesis 2:24 ~
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