Friends,
Kenya is currently in a state of political unrest. I have friends in the country who are in need of prayer. Pray for safety, pray for wisdom, pray for peace.
If you would like more specifics visit http://www.dlipparelli.blogspot.com/
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Selections from Psalm 46
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Raikes Christmas Poem
Twas the day of Thanksgiving
and all through the house
The Raikes family was mingling
with Valerie’s new spouse
The wedding took place
on the first of September
Now Nathan Cozart is our fam’s newest member
Nathan and Val live in Tulsa, O.K.
He designs airplanes, and she’s a T.A.
(teacher’s assistant)
Kristen graduated in May from John Brown
She’s co-teaching with mom livin’ in her home town
Working away to pay off her school loans
Then out to the mission field she will roam
Stephen spent his summer
at Camp War Eagle again
Impacting kids for Christ
at this place where he’d been
Performing in musicals for FMT
While attending school
at Criswell and Cedar Valley
Jonathan is also a star on the stage
Frisbee golfing and swing dancing
…it’s all the rage
After receiving his high school diploma in May
He now goes to Cedar Valley every day
Mom and Dad have been busy indeed
With weddings, a surgery and 5 mouths to feed
Before planning Val’s wedding
Mom directed VBS
With 7 classes at 2 co-op’s,
she’s not getting much rest
Still teaching Sunday school,
still hanging with friends
To all of you and your families,
much love she sends
Dad tore a leg muscle and had surgery in June
But he’s moving around
and back singing his tunes
After graduating 2 kids
and giving a daughter away
He’s back at work with his hands every day
Now on to me, oldest kid of this bunch
In May to Kenya, I flew in a crunch
After my travels to kids overseas
I took a job at Redeemer,
and now own church keys
That is the update on life with the Raikes
We spent Thanksgiving with Grandpa
(who makes no mistakes)
We hope and pray your light shines for our Lord
If so, know in heaven your treasures are stored
That is the end of this note I will write
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night
and all through the house
The Raikes family was mingling
with Valerie’s new spouse
The wedding took place
on the first of September
Now Nathan Cozart is our fam’s newest member
Nathan and Val live in Tulsa, O.K.
He designs airplanes, and she’s a T.A.
(teacher’s assistant)
Kristen graduated in May from John Brown
She’s co-teaching with mom livin’ in her home town
Working away to pay off her school loans
Then out to the mission field she will roam
Stephen spent his summer
at Camp War Eagle again
Impacting kids for Christ
at this place where he’d been
Performing in musicals for FMT
While attending school
at Criswell and Cedar Valley
Jonathan is also a star on the stage
Frisbee golfing and swing dancing
…it’s all the rage
After receiving his high school diploma in May
He now goes to Cedar Valley every day
Mom and Dad have been busy indeed
With weddings, a surgery and 5 mouths to feed
Before planning Val’s wedding
Mom directed VBS
With 7 classes at 2 co-op’s,
she’s not getting much rest
Still teaching Sunday school,
still hanging with friends
To all of you and your families,
much love she sends
Dad tore a leg muscle and had surgery in June
But he’s moving around
and back singing his tunes
After graduating 2 kids
and giving a daughter away
He’s back at work with his hands every day
Now on to me, oldest kid of this bunch
In May to Kenya, I flew in a crunch
After my travels to kids overseas
I took a job at Redeemer,
and now own church keys
That is the update on life with the Raikes
We spent Thanksgiving with Grandpa
(who makes no mistakes)
We hope and pray your light shines for our Lord
If so, know in heaven your treasures are stored
That is the end of this note I will write
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Blind-Sided Christmas Joy
Odd title, I know, but you'll understand more as you read.
Tuesday morning I woke up and felt the strong need to pray for pre-teen girl, we'll call her Susan. I had been over to Susan's house Monday night to watch her and her younger siblings while her parents went out on a date. Susan's struggling through the need to have "things" and the fact that those "things" bring her happiness. The temporary things of this world have caught her eye and she's seeking them for her joy and satisfaction in life and it's hard to watch. It's hard for me because I see a girl with influence who could make such an impact for Christ if she'll only trust in Him to fill her with joy.
Throughout the morning Susan was on my heart, then I get a call from my sister and brother telling me that I need to pray for Jonathan and a friend of his. That's it, no explanation, no specifics, just the fact that I needed to pray. The urgency of the situation suddenly overcame me so I closed the door to my office, got down on my knees and started fervently praying for my brother. I continued in this manner all day. As the situation would come back to mind or I would become fearful of what circumstances caused this sudden plea for prayer, I would drop down on my knees praying for strength and courage for all parties involved in the situation, including myself. I had to keep reminding myself that God has not given me a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self-discipline and I should not be afraid because He's got it under control.
At 8pm that night I finally heard the cause for my prayers. Due to the delicateness of the situation, I can't share the details but it knocked the wind out of me. I had not been supportive of Jonathan in this particular situation, I felt like my brother and I were in this constant struggle because, in my mind, he wouldn't see reason. God definitely humbled me and my judgmental heart Tuesday evening. The situation was partially what I had feared, but hadn't had confirmed. It reminded me of all the hurt and pain that my friends and my siblings friends could be hiding; the secrets that their pride and fear of "what if's" does not allow to be shared. It brought with it an urgency and renewal to be Christs hand's and feet to a hurting world; to be His comforting arms embracing each broken and hurting person that needs Christ's love more than anything.
As if I needed more to contemplate this week, the fact that I was blind-sided this holiday season shook me out of the American "Christmas Spirit". As I sat in my apartment last night thinking of ways to show God's love to these two people a night long ago abruptly came back to mind. In a cave, on a cold night, on the outskirts of a small town, God Himself breathed his first breath of air. There were no comforts, no nurses, no doctors, no bed, no diapers, no medicine for Mary, no money from Joseph, and no room for them in the Inn. They had sheep. They had smelly, stinky sheep. They were likely surrounded by straw and manure. God as an infant was completely dependent on a young teenage peasant girl for everything. As the story flooded my mind I was reminded me of how much God loves the world and how much He sacrificed to display that unconditional love.
It brought me back to why I celebrate this season. It's not the fact that it gets cold outside, I can finally wear my winter wardrobe. It's not because I can drink hot drinks and sit by a fire. It's not because neighborhoods become friendly and colorful with the twinkle of Christmas lights. It's not that my family comes together. It's not because I get time off work, or gifts, or an abundance of cookies, food, and free holiday performances. I don't get a warm cozy feeling because I simply like this time of year. Though all that is a part of my Christmas season each year, and though yes, I do enjoy it...all of it would be meaningless without Christ. I love the holiday season because my cup seems to continually overflow with joy.
That joy swept over me last night as I was working through a plan of action and just beginning to feel the weight of the task ahead. When the possibilities began to seem unreachable, I was reminded of what God sacrificed when He reached out to this lost and hurting world. God's love and power is enough. Though the road ahead won't be an easy one I'm going to face it head on, because I know I'm fighting on the right side.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about either of these situations. There are two hurting and confused people right here within my reach and I need to take action. Prayer would be greatly appreciated for both of these situation and for me as I seek how to implement what God lays on my heart.
Tuesday morning I woke up and felt the strong need to pray for pre-teen girl, we'll call her Susan. I had been over to Susan's house Monday night to watch her and her younger siblings while her parents went out on a date. Susan's struggling through the need to have "things" and the fact that those "things" bring her happiness. The temporary things of this world have caught her eye and she's seeking them for her joy and satisfaction in life and it's hard to watch. It's hard for me because I see a girl with influence who could make such an impact for Christ if she'll only trust in Him to fill her with joy.
Throughout the morning Susan was on my heart, then I get a call from my sister and brother telling me that I need to pray for Jonathan and a friend of his. That's it, no explanation, no specifics, just the fact that I needed to pray. The urgency of the situation suddenly overcame me so I closed the door to my office, got down on my knees and started fervently praying for my brother. I continued in this manner all day. As the situation would come back to mind or I would become fearful of what circumstances caused this sudden plea for prayer, I would drop down on my knees praying for strength and courage for all parties involved in the situation, including myself. I had to keep reminding myself that God has not given me a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self-discipline and I should not be afraid because He's got it under control.
At 8pm that night I finally heard the cause for my prayers. Due to the delicateness of the situation, I can't share the details but it knocked the wind out of me. I had not been supportive of Jonathan in this particular situation, I felt like my brother and I were in this constant struggle because, in my mind, he wouldn't see reason. God definitely humbled me and my judgmental heart Tuesday evening. The situation was partially what I had feared, but hadn't had confirmed. It reminded me of all the hurt and pain that my friends and my siblings friends could be hiding; the secrets that their pride and fear of "what if's" does not allow to be shared. It brought with it an urgency and renewal to be Christs hand's and feet to a hurting world; to be His comforting arms embracing each broken and hurting person that needs Christ's love more than anything.
As if I needed more to contemplate this week, the fact that I was blind-sided this holiday season shook me out of the American "Christmas Spirit". As I sat in my apartment last night thinking of ways to show God's love to these two people a night long ago abruptly came back to mind. In a cave, on a cold night, on the outskirts of a small town, God Himself breathed his first breath of air. There were no comforts, no nurses, no doctors, no bed, no diapers, no medicine for Mary, no money from Joseph, and no room for them in the Inn. They had sheep. They had smelly, stinky sheep. They were likely surrounded by straw and manure. God as an infant was completely dependent on a young teenage peasant girl for everything. As the story flooded my mind I was reminded me of how much God loves the world and how much He sacrificed to display that unconditional love.
It brought me back to why I celebrate this season. It's not the fact that it gets cold outside, I can finally wear my winter wardrobe. It's not because I can drink hot drinks and sit by a fire. It's not because neighborhoods become friendly and colorful with the twinkle of Christmas lights. It's not that my family comes together. It's not because I get time off work, or gifts, or an abundance of cookies, food, and free holiday performances. I don't get a warm cozy feeling because I simply like this time of year. Though all that is a part of my Christmas season each year, and though yes, I do enjoy it...all of it would be meaningless without Christ. I love the holiday season because my cup seems to continually overflow with joy.
That joy swept over me last night as I was working through a plan of action and just beginning to feel the weight of the task ahead. When the possibilities began to seem unreachable, I was reminded of what God sacrificed when He reached out to this lost and hurting world. God's love and power is enough. Though the road ahead won't be an easy one I'm going to face it head on, because I know I'm fighting on the right side.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about either of these situations. There are two hurting and confused people right here within my reach and I need to take action. Prayer would be greatly appreciated for both of these situation and for me as I seek how to implement what God lays on my heart.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart (you know the rest)
Have you ever been so full of joy you felt like you were going to explode? I had that feeling today. The past 24 hours have just been so full of life and love. I decided to lead a trip to Pachuca, Mexico this summer. The trip will take place in June and I had that feeling that I made the absolute right decision when I committed. After my normal busy Wednesday night ministries, I went to coffee house. It’s a college/singles ministry my church has on Wednesday nights. It was open mic night, meaning I got to hear some incredibly talented musicians and just talk and enjoy my friends all around me. I got to have 3 solid conversations with friends who I hadn’t spent much time with recently. It was such a blessing. I stayed until the night was over and left not feeling a bit tired, but so grateful. I came home and was able to talk to a friend in Africa for awhile, also a blessing. When I crawled into bed life felt so utterly complete.
This morning, I woke up before my alarm went off. Rather than regret my late night, I was full of energy and ready to start my day. I spent some quality time with God, and got to work early. I had lunch with my sister and we got to talk and catch up. She is on the ground floor of a Muslim ministry getting started at my church that several young people are involved in. Late this afternoon I had a meeting with our missions coordinator and Barbara Baker, she’s our missionary in Pachuca, Mexico. Talking to her and learning about the culture and customs, ideas for ministry while we’re there, etc. After my time with Barbara and Paul ended in prayer, my dear friend Meredith called and informed me that she had been offered a position on our missions committee. I left the church office feeling like I was floating on cloud nine.
I feel like our church is at a point of transition. We’re transitioning into a new generation. Leaders in my generation (my close friends) are rising up, and the church leadership is taking notice and giving them the leadership they’re eager for. And I LOVE it!!
The day was finished off with dinner with my family, then a little praise and worship time on my own at my apartment. My heart is so full of joy I can’t even describe it, but I thought I’d share my joy. I hope and pray your life is as full of joy as mine has been these past 24 hours. God’s goodness and love has just blown me away and I’m so thankful I’m His child.
This morning, I woke up before my alarm went off. Rather than regret my late night, I was full of energy and ready to start my day. I spent some quality time with God, and got to work early. I had lunch with my sister and we got to talk and catch up. She is on the ground floor of a Muslim ministry getting started at my church that several young people are involved in. Late this afternoon I had a meeting with our missions coordinator and Barbara Baker, she’s our missionary in Pachuca, Mexico. Talking to her and learning about the culture and customs, ideas for ministry while we’re there, etc. After my time with Barbara and Paul ended in prayer, my dear friend Meredith called and informed me that she had been offered a position on our missions committee. I left the church office feeling like I was floating on cloud nine.
I feel like our church is at a point of transition. We’re transitioning into a new generation. Leaders in my generation (my close friends) are rising up, and the church leadership is taking notice and giving them the leadership they’re eager for. And I LOVE it!!
The day was finished off with dinner with my family, then a little praise and worship time on my own at my apartment. My heart is so full of joy I can’t even describe it, but I thought I’d share my joy. I hope and pray your life is as full of joy as mine has been these past 24 hours. God’s goodness and love has just blown me away and I’m so thankful I’m His child.
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