Personal and family related happenings

Jessica enjoying the flight

Arrived in South Africa!

Yes, it’s true!  We made it to South Africa!

After many dreams and indications that God wanted us to make the jump — we jumped and relocated the mission from Poland to S.A.!  Well, actually, we’re in the process of relocation — we’re in house-hunting mode (please pray for that :)…  We know the perfect place is waiting to be found :)

Once the dust settles here (after finding a house, etc) we’ll have more time to actually update this website and keep the testimonies flowing in :)

In the meanwhile, here’s a few photos of the trip!

 

Funny things kids say.

I don’t know about your kids, but ours definitely say some funny things sometimes! Here’s some examples. (If you have any memorable quotes from your own kids, please post them in the comments section — would love to hear them!)

From Ashley:

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As she was trying to squeeze through the bars of the fence surrounding our apartment complex (instead of using the gate) Anya mentioned, “Ashley, maybe you shouldn’t do that — remember when Jessica got her head stuck doing that?” Ashley replied, “But Jessica isn’t here!”

Another time Ashley said, “Daddy, look what my shirt says — ‘I left my brain at home.’ Isn’t that funny? You can’t do that, because your brain is in your tummy!”

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“Daddy, are you sure that maybe we can go to the circus?” I said, “Kaden, you can’t ask if I’m sure that maybe…”  He replied matter-of-factly, “Yes I can!  Why did I just say it?”

Why we do what we do. Vibrancy with God for all!

Paul

Anya

We just wanted to explain once again (in a small nutshell :) why we’ve dedicated the last eighteen years of our lives to helping others know Jesus. It is this:  That all my come to know, experience, and trust in the immense love, depth, and fellowship of God and thus enter in to eternal life.  “Now this is eternal life–that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.” (John 17:3)

It’s not about stuffing people’s heads with Bible Knowledge, seeing how many “good works” we can do, trying to build up a reward for ourselves in Heaven, nor trying to satisfy some feeling of “duty” or spiritual “obligation”.  It’s not about building up some sort of “wow” ministry, nor winning spiritual/intellectual arguments “for God”.  (Don’t misunderstand me — Bible study, good works, and ministry are important — it’s just that without experiencing the love, fire, and passion of an intimate relationship with God, we’re missing the most important thing.)

Our motivation is very simple.  Jesus Christ has radically and unequivocally changed our lives when we finally decided to fully trust and follow Him. (Jn. 1:12, II Cor. 5:17) The depth of love, peace, and fellowship we experience with Him on a daily basis is something we just can not keep to ourselves — we must share it our we’ll probably burst in to little pieces :) (well, something like that anyway.) We just love sharing with others how they may experience God because we know all who do will experience radically wonderful love and fellowship just as we are (… and we pray others may go even above and beyond what we have already experienced with Him!)

It doesn’t matter what church you attend (or don’t attend), what label you wear, or in what culture you grew up.  Jesus offers the same depth of relationship to YOU, sitting there, reading this, right now.  Perhaps you already know Him and know exactly what I’m talking about here (in which case that’s fantastic!); or perhaps you don’t, in which case I’d encourage you to Click on the “Faith” category and the sub-category “Entering in – The Starting Point” to read how you can begin this relationship with Jesus.  (We’ll be adding more writings and posts as soon as we can … we’re just getting started with the website here — please bear with us!  So much bubbling inside us we want to share … we just need a few more hours in the day!)

In any case words can’t do justice to what we want to express to you … you just have to experience God for yourself to fully understand how absolutely NOTHING compares to the wonderful, profound, immense and ultimate love, passion, fire, warmth, and security to be found in knowing God, knowing Jesus, and having His Spirit flowing within and without you as you go about your day in fellowship and conversation with Him. (Jn. 15:4)

(Disclaimer:  In case somebody is getting the wrong idea, let’s state for the record — we’re not perfect!  We have our ups and downs just like everyone … but God is always there with His arms wide open after we get off the roller-coaster! :)

Please, bring us joy by bringing yourself joy and invite Jesus in your life as your ultimate guide (Jn. 16:13), lover (Rev. 19:7) and friend (Jn. 15:15). Maybe you know “of” Jesus and have for many years, but you’ve never really fully given or trusted him with ALL, EVERYTHING. (Prov. 3:5-6) Please, that you may experience His fullness, ask Him to help you lay all down at His feet in complete, utter abandonment and trust.  I GUARANTEE you won’t regret it — if you don’t look back!  Keep walking on in faith (II Cor. 5:7) and you’ll find all you’ve ever desired (and more) in Him. (Ps. 37:4)

No, everything won’t automatically become perfect all of a sudden — life still has it’s trials and “bumps”.  But those trials and bumps are blessings because through them we can learn to trust in Him (and help others – II Cor. 1:4) who’s with us through those things.  If we hold his hand through it all in trust, we’ll come through it as gold comes through the fire — pure and refined (I Peter 1:7) in Him; until the very day we go home (to Heaven) (II Cor. 5:6-8) and the veil disappears — thus allowing us to behold Him in whom we have believed, in all His fullness and glory (I Cor. 13:12-13), as He (the very spirit of Love – I Jn. 4:8) pours, enters, and washes in to every fiber of our being.

Oh my, I must stop writing here or I’ll go on forever and you’ll never make it through this post!  (Plus, my three little kiddies are clambering at the door :)

Lots and lots of love, that’s what’s waiting for you!  Dive in and lets swim together in His depths! (Hey, check out the “Dive” music video while we’re on the topic by clicking on the “Music Videos” tag on the right side of your screen under “tags” … or, if that’s too much work, just click HERE :)

Heavenly Meditations – My piano music

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(Please turn on your speakers to hear the music.  You can stop, play, or adjust the volume directly on the player icon above).

When I first arrived in Seminary (about twenty years ago) I was walking through the dormitory when I heard some very simple yet beautiful piano music wafting down the corridor.  I followed it’s captivating vibes until I found a Korean student, eyes closed and heart raised, simply pouring out his heart to God in simple songs of worship on the piano.  I didn’t understand the words (my Korean skills are quite rusty ;) but I understood the spirit of the music — the spirit of love and adoration being poured out with every touch of the keys.  I sat nearby and had a wonderful time with the Lord as he was playing.

When he finished I went over and asked if he would show me, in less than five minutes (that’s all the time I had left), how I could begin to learn to play the piano.  I too wanted to pour my heart out to God through this beautiful instrument.

So he showed me how to basically make up simple chords — and with that, whenever I got the chance, I would try to play.

Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to take a piano course — but with that little push in the right direction I could soon sit down at the piano and play some simple melodies that come to me in the moment . . . melodies that I feel springing from my heart in expressions of adoration and love to God.

I must say that as a child my parents tried to get me to take some music classes . . . but I never really committed to such courses — I just didn’t have the vision for it.

However, after Jesus changed my life, I immediately had a desire to learn the guitar so I could express my love and thankfulness to Him. The one on hand at the time belonged to my dad who on rare occasions would pick up the guitar and play a bit. So I started practicing many hours each day. I really cried out to God to help me learn as it wasn’t easy. I said, “Jesus, please help me learn — because I only want to sing for you.” Well, He helped me . . . in fact I’ll be posting some songs in the future on the website.

I’m sharing this background because I want to say that the music and songs I play are deeply rooted in love and faith in Jesus — as He is the motivation for my life, He’s also my inspiration in my music. I find the chords and melodies attached to His essence — otherwise I simply don’t feel the inspiration, nor can I even play — especially on the piano. When I sit at the piano I don’t know what’s going to come out when I put my fingers to the keys. In fact, I only sit at the piano when I feel an anointing”bubbling” inside; it’s the only way I’m able to play, and it’s the only way I enjoy it.  I’m really not trying to over-spiritualize this — it’s just how it works for me.

I just thought to share this melody with you, as this is the first time I’ve ever recorded myself playing the piano! (Well, it’s not really a piano, just a little keyboard :) I hope you enjoy it!  (Tip:  This music is best enjoyed with eyes closed and heart open :)

Children – Generate happiness by saying yes

Happy Ashley and her happy snails

If you’re like many parents you might find yourself saying “no” to your children quite often. Now there are definitely good reasons to say no — especially when what they’re asking is not in line with deeper-level guidelines which are important in life.

However, there are quite a lot of requests and desires that don’t seem to carry “meaning of life” level ramifications.

My five-year-old daughter, Ashley, really gets attached to little creatures. She’s got such a mothering and tender heart, and recently she just loves to mother . . . snails.

Well, I’m writing this after just stepping outside and taking a few moments from my really important work flow to help Ashley put two little snails in a jar (with a nice, comfortable bedding of leaves and grass of course).

My first inclination when my wife (who was on her way out with the kids) called me from downstairs to let me know Ashley wanted to stay home because she wants to take care of a couple snails she found outside was, “NO WAY! That’s CRAZY! She wants to stay home for THAT?! I don’t want snails in the house ANYWAY!”

Well, perhaps I would’ve said that if I’d have thought things through a bit more or if Anya hadn’t been pressed for time to get to an appointment. As it was, I found myself closing the computer, punching some holes in the lid of a large jar, and stepping outside to find my very happy daughter with her very happy snails.

Seeing those happy smiles reminded and caused me to reflect on this principle I’m sharing with you now.

The next time your little bundle of joy has a request and you’re about to say no — take a moment to consider the earth shaking repercussions if you were to actually say yes.  Again, I’m not talking about the “Daddy, can I paint the refrigerator green?” type of request — I’m rather talking about the simple and innocent requests that don’t have “WHAT was that EXPLOSION?!!” type of repercussions.  I think you know what I mean.

This week’s project:  Try saying “yes” to at least a few of those types of questions.  See if it generates a few extra smiles. :)