For Freedom

For freedom Chirst has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yolk of slavery. --Gal 5:1

I will run in the ways of your commandments for you set my heart free! --Ps 119:32

The LORD sets the prisoners free; --Ps 146:7c

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood...be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen--Rev 1:5b-6a

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. --Ps 119:37

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth wiill set you free."--Jn 8:31-32

Camp Salvation Again

Oh My. What a week I had.

Worship was like never before. I was free, finally free. Somehow God removed all those barriers that come steal my joy and let me forget myself and fall into Christ in praise. Every day it was different, and every day it was delightful.

Fellowship was amazing. I found new friends, friends who know how to live to please the Father. Friends who know how to love, and are experienced enough to know wisdom. Friends who are walking with the King also, and like to talk about Him and to hear about His faithfulness.

And I found encouragement through observing the faith of others. As I watched the speakers and counselors invest in the lives of the campers asking questions and visiting with genuine interest, I saw the beauty of Jesus' love in a new way.

But most of all, I saw the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of campers, bringing new souls into the everlasting kingdom. Such rejoicing! Has my spirit ever been so content, so delighted, so inspired?

I have been so refreshed and renewed by the Spirit of God that I feel like a completely new person. I feel I am ready to conquer the world.

Going back to school no longer seems like the burden of doom looming in the future. It's an opportunity now. More people need Jesus.

I am strong again.

1 Cor 10:12

Camp Salvation

It will be awhile before I write again, for I am off to Camp Salvation. Today I am packing and heading to the gym one last time, and tomorrow Cher, Mo and I will be driving 5 hours to the mountains and Camp. It should be fun, and hopefully God will work.

Have a great week here in the heat! I hope you can drink some cool things. You don't have to be jealous of me or anything: I'll only be spending outdoor God-time in the cool mountain air, horseback riding, and boating at Monument Lake. That's all.

Millie Jo

With Him: my everything

Jesus.
His face.
His nail-scarred hands and feet. The proofs of love, real love, love which empowered action.
Love for me.
Compassion on my helplessness.
Mercy. God not giving me the punishment I deserve.
Grace. God giving me delights I don't deserve.
Justice. Someone taking punishment.
Redemption. The whole picture.

Just to be with you, I would do anything
There's no price I would not pay, no
Just to be with you, I would give everything
Yes, I gave my life away.

And I know that you don't understand
The fullness of my love
And how I died on the cross for your sins
And I know that you don't realize
How much that I give you
And I promise,
I would do it all again
Just to be with you...

Third Day, Love Song.

My Home Is Beautiful

My family is awesome. We joke around together. We join in, leaving no one out. We laugh our heads off. Last night we went for a walk together, all eight of us.

It is almost like old times. Like when the four of us big girls were all still at home, when we were finishing high school and being together. Only this is more full, more complete. We have Marissa and Sully now, and they bring us constant amusement and joy. And Mom and Dad are still the same, precious, wise parents as of old, but now we have conversations that are deeper, maybe, more meaningful, more grown-up.

My Mom and Dad are so much fun. They know how to laugh and be silly, to make the best of hard things, to show me the right way when I'm confused.

I am so very happy that I came home this summer. This summer, our family has been complete. I hate to leave it. I hate to leave my mother with all the kitchen work. I hate to leave the garden before the harvest is finished. But I guess that's growing up. We can't be home forever. We wouldn't want it.

And I do want to keep going to school, to follow my dreams, to follow God's dreams for me. My life is beautiful.

Perhaps because my home is beautiful.

Personal Pool Service

My sisters have their personal pool service. It is hundreds and hundreds of degrees out there, so Marissa and Sully and Rachel are in the wading pool. Eating.

Yes, my sisters have their own personal pool service. A waitress brought them drinks, two courses (macaroni and fruit), a towel to dry their hands, and even desert. She talked with an accent. Finnish, I think. We set the exercise trampoline in the pool for a table.

Summer is so much fun!

Volleyball

My family is so much fun.

Yesterday I made bread for a neighbor who lost her sister. And then I made rolls for us. And then we all worked together to make pizza for supper. So you can imagine that I was ready to get out of the kitchen.

After supper Mom, Rissa, Sully, Sandy and I went for a walk. Sandy is still frisky as ever in her old age. I thought things were going to be easier with her after I gave her a bath the other day, because she stood for a bath better than ever before. And that day she did well heeling, too. But not last night! She's back to her "I'm in charge" dog attitude, and she pulled so much that I hooked her up to the stroller so Mom wouldn't have to push it.

And because of Mo we played Volleyball. It didn't last very long, but it was fun while it lasted! Soon we had to rescue the kittens from unwanted attention. They had been held by neighborhood kids all day, and we wanted them to get a rest. There are four, and they are so soft, cute and cuddly! One is completely black, one is black with white markings, one is white with black markings (and very fluffy!), and one is a delicious grey stripey with huge eyes.

And Rach brought a toad home, too. We were sitting on the porch when she showed up, drying off the black kitty because Andrew "accidentally" dropped it in the kiddy swimming pool. Cats are cute when they are soaking wet and miserable, but Sully loves interesting little hopping animals more.

It's a good life. Mom's garden is glorious. We are already needing to can green beans. Perhaps we can do that this afternoon. This morning we must all attend a funeral.

Millie Jo

God Keeps His Secrets

I was thinking last night. Thinking hard. I was asking God why, and I was thanking Him for not telling me everything.

Would I have wanted to know, as the years were passing by, that my beloved Grandma would die of cancer within six months of her diagnosis? I don't think I would. My time with her was unsullied by those thoughts.

God is wise in what he allows us to know and what he does not. There was once a time in my life when I struggled with believing God: that he was worth trusting, that he had my good in mind. Back in those years my biggest wish was to be married. I couldn't figure out why God didn't just fulfill that desire. Now I see so many reasons! Now I am thankful for so many blessings I would not have if I had got my wish when I was eighteen. I don't pretend to know God's purposes, but I see how not knowing through some of those times helped me learn to trust His plan.

I once spent a few months with a man who spurred me on to righteousness and purity. I doubt that he knew about this effect. He was seeking God's way, not his own advancement. Even though it was a long time ago, I still remember how I felt around him. He made me feel like a princess. He made me want to be righteous. Chaste. Clean. Pure. Set apart. Holy. He reminded me that God's way is perfect. Being around him made me want to seek God more. But God only allowed me to be near him for a short time. I couldn't understand. I didn't want to be parted. I still don't know why God did this, but I am very happy He did. I am happy because God used this man to help shape who I am. He drew me closer to my Heavenly Father, further into God's glory and pleasures.

But it isn't just in my past that God has been faithful to provide for me. I see the hand of God all over my life just this last semester. Moving to a new school can be challenging. God protected me through a bad housing situation, and used it to guide me into the good place I am now living. I live with a wonderful Christian lady who took me in as rather a rescue job (I was suddenly without housing because of the situation at my first place). But her rescue job has turned into a wonderful friendship and a means of help for both of us. Turns out she was in need of cash, and I was in need of a safe place to stay. Now my safety reaches beyond the physical into the spiritual. God's protection extends soo far.

And it extended even farther than this. God has protected me by keeping me when I was close to falling, by paving the way before my feet, by guarding my path even when I was in disobedience. I have no fears for my future, because in addition to knowing that God is good and cares for me, I have seen it for myself.

I am glad that God keeps His secrets.

What I Dig About Jesus

Is this a game? I was tagged by Kathy at Sumballo. So here I go.

What do I dig about Jesus?

His love for me. I am continually awed by Jesus' love for me. I'm filthy, trashy, and I choose to do what he hates: sin. But because of Who He Is Jesus loved me so much He died in my place. And on top of that, He actually wants a relationship with me! Now there's a Person worth praising.

His focus on action. I've been reading the gospel of Mark. I love how it shows what Jesus did, not just what He said. He didn't just talk the talk, He walked the walk. He proved His love.

The reality of His affection. Jesus' affection for me is more than dis-interested action. He felt everything I feel, was truly human...was attracted to girls (yet lived in purity), was hungry, was sad, cried. His love for me is feeling as well.

His Kingship. I love the comfort of having a Savior Who is the King. Nothing can hurt me because the most powerful Person of all eternity is standing for me. Who could not love such a One? Our love becomes worship, to last all eternity. And worship is the most meaningful thing in my life.

So there you have it. I love so many things about Jesus...this is certainly not a complete list, and in no particular order.

I can't wait to see His face. To worship without the hindrance of sin and of flesh. To be whole.

Family Camp Again

One week in the mountains. Three horseback rides. (Real horseback rides, ones where I could practice my skills on real frisky horses!) Two families full of new friends. Other new friends not part of the families. One amazing sunset. Two campfires: one rained out. Uncounted cups of steaming hot tea. Uncounted stories about bears, campers, and practical jokes. Gullible actually written on the ceiling. Days filled with labor and fun. Painting, shoveling, cleaning, raking. Riding, talking, eating, playing. Glad to come home, sorry to leave.

Five-Hour drive three ways. A wedding in Loveland. A sunburn.

And finally: home, Daddy, and rest. Just a couple of weeks and I'm heading back for Senior Camp. I'm excited.

Family Camp

My family and I are leaving town for a week. We are going to Camp Salvation somewhere 4 1/2 hours away to help them prepare the grounds for kid's camps. We are excited. It is going to be a time of service and also of fun. And Cher even gets to come!

So I hope you all have a wonderful week. I'll be working, spending time with my family, and hopefully riding horses and boating on the lake. I love the mountains. In moderation...which this will be. And to top it all off, I get to bring my guitar. A campfire, perhaps??

Talk to you all in a week or more. I'll be smelling Off and taking Claratin.

Millie Jo