Kerry Hasenbalg

Children Seek God

And they asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" "Yes," Jesus replied. "Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, `You have taught children and infants to give you praise.' " Matt.21:16

My cousin’s son, Rocco, circa age 4, was traveling by car with his grandparents through a neighboring town.  On the way into the town, Rocco stuck his head out the window and yelled, “Hellooo Jesus!”  His grandparents asked why he had just yelled out the window and he said, “Because we just passed God’s house and I wanted to see if he was at home.”

The Ministry of the Unnoticed

"Blessed are the poor in spirit." Matthew 5:3

"The New Testament notices things which from our standards do not seem to count. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," literally - Blessed are the paupers - an exceedingly commonplace thing! The preaching of to-day is apt to emphasize strength of will, beauty of character - the things that are easily noticed. The phrase we hear so often, Decide for Christ, is an emphasis on something Our Lord never trusted. He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him - a very different thing. At the basis of Jesus Christ's Kingdom is the unaffected loveliness of the commonplace. The thing I am blessed in is my poverty. If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says - Blessed are you, because it is through this poverty that I enter His Kingdom. I cannot enter His Kingdom as a good man or woman, I can only enter it as a complete pauper.

The true character of the loveliness that tells for God is always unconscious. Conscious influence is priggish and un-Christian. If I say - I wonder if I am of any use - I instantly lose the bloom of the touch of the Lord. "He that believeth in me, out of him shall flow rivers of living water." If I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.

Which are the people who have influenced us most? Not the ones who thought they did, but those who had not the remotest notion that they were influencing us. In the Christian life the implicit is never conscious, if it is conscious it ceases to have this unaffected loveliness which is the characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring."

Written by Oswald Chambers, taken from My Utmost for His Highest

Is Jesus enough?

They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." John 12:43

Walking in the will of God is the only place where we can know fullness of Joy! But unfortunately, there are so many things that distract us from accomplishing our daily God-given duties and walking in the will of God and experiencing the joy found in this kind of obedience  I call these distracting things: Time-waster/flesh-feeders.  These activities that feed the monster of self ultimately steal our joy and peace.

Time-waster/flesh feeders are those things we ought to remove from our lives or at least be willing to place under the Lordship of Jesus Christ for Him to curb, because engaging in them outside of God’s will can be quite harmful to us and our loved ones.  All humans have engaged in time-waster/flesh-feeding activities at different times. Such things are common to men, because we are all humans with weak and sinful natures desperately desiring to be noticed, praised, understood and lifted up.  

Those things done outside of God's direction temporarily make us "feel" better about ourselves...we might feel more worth, more importance, or more acceptance from men.  However, eventually these things exhaust us, get our lives out of order, and make us irritated because they are done apart from the great grace of God and they take us away from the great blessing of joy, peace and rest we so need and can find in obeying God in the “little things”. Engagement in these passions actually can keep us from "feeling" good in the long run because they keep us from being "stable" and "disciplined" in our walks. 

There is nothing wrong with the activities of being on the computer or the telephone or getting out for some time with friends, or even pouring into some external ministry or community activity:   Nothing wrong with these things that is unless they are detracting from our duties in our current state of life.  It is necessary for our souls that we take the time to look at the roles which God has placed us in, whether as a wife, husband, mom, dad, or otherwise and identify our responsibilities in these relationships.  We must be careful not to get too involved in the things which distract us from properly caring for those who have been entrusted to us.  If you know the Great King and Lord personally, then I believe you, too, must sense the kind of gentle nudge that I get when I am being "called back" by the Spirit to those responsibilities I have left to engage in some sort of time-waster/flesh-feeding activity.  

Sometimes when I go to make a phone call, jot something down on my blog, turn on the TV, send an email, or just escape into some other activity for a bit, it seems that everything around me comes undone as if the universe is against that happening.  And in these instances, I am learning that perhaps God is saying  "No, Kerry, that is not what is best for you to do," or perhaps he is saying simply "Not now." And in these cases it usually turns out that it was something I was not meant to write, do or say, at least not just then.  Our timing is very often not God's timing and these interruptions are God's great protections for our needy souls.  We don't want to be fighting against God's work in our lives, but instead looking at even these little circumstances as ways to keep us on the path of peace. When it is "time" for these things, He will make it clear.  It is amazing to me how when it is God's time for me to engage in some "outside passion" my kids just seem to get peaceful and I realize my primary duties in my current state of life are actually accomplished or under control, thus revealing that now is in fact "time" to engage in such things. We really ought to praise God when we don't get what we want or in the time that we want it because these little "crossing outs" from God really can save us from a life of time-wasting/fleshfeeding activities.

  You see, because these things for which we strive against God's will to do inevitably result in the works of the flesh they have no redeeming heavenly value anyhow.  In the end, when we stand before him, God will count them as wood, hay, and stubble rather than wheat for our souls!  Now, you may be saying that a lot of these kinds of things that might not have been God's "best" for you have in fact ended up having a lot of redeeming value for the kingdom after all.  And this may be very true...I know it was in my case in most everything in which I have been involved in the orphan care arena these many years.  But I encourage you to make sure you are not using the ends to justify the means.  Because when we look back upon our lives we will be able to see how God redeemed a great deal of our messes...that is what he is in the business of doing.  He redeemed a lot of mine; however, my having engaged in those messes sure took a toll on me and my loved ones at times. I used to say to my mom when seeking to justify my actions, "Well, God used it for good."  And my mom would say something like, "What else does God have to use but our sin.  If he only used what was perfectly pure, he could use little to nothing of what we have done because we rarely do anything out of a pure motive."  So, just because God may have used it, doesn't mean it was His best for you,  particularly if it was more about our flesh.  And quite honestly, sometimes what we are engaged in that God would have us quit can often be a roll God intends to be open so another can fill. It might be about time we "get out of the way" and "give room for others".  In my 15 years of ministry, I have seen an incredible amount of pride on the part of "godly" people who just cannot let go.  When we are in a position of leadership it is critically important that we step aside as the Lord leads to allow others a chance to try so they too can bloom and grow - this is part of active discipleship.  Sometimes we have to trust God enough to let go, not only for the growth of others or for the growth of the ministry but for our own release, return of heart;s peace, and for the sake order in our own homes and relationships!

Do you find yourself often Exhausted?  Annoyed?  Irritated?  ...Then take a look at where you have fed the monster of self and taken the moments of your life into your own feeble, yet tight-gripped hands. 

God wants us to reckon our flesh dead.  And it is very difficult for our spirits to win against our flesh, when we are feeding this fleshly monster "on the side".  We help the monster grow stronger and then foolishly think that our unfed weak spirits can fight and win against our well-fed flesh.  We bring him out of the cage and then wonder why havoc has been wrecked upon our households!

We ought to do all for the glory of God.  When we are not sure if something is a flesh feeder or not, we ought to stop and ask ourselves is this activity really for God's glory or is it really so that people will think well of me.  Is it about my being known or about God being known? Does the activity bring an inner peace (even when it is a difficult task) or does it make me unsettled and annoyed...does it make my heart race or make my heart at peace.  Does it lift me up above others around me or does it bring the body together in unity.

One might ask, "What about my passions for ministry?"  How do I know if they are part of God's will for me or not?  And my opinion on this matter is that the best place to start is by looking at whether or not the activity will allow you to still fulfill your duties in your current state of life or will they detract form them.  With that being said, I also believe it is possible to have undertaken more duties than God might have intended you to do in your current state.  You might just be too busy because you have taken on more than God has called you to do.  Just because it is "good" and "godly" doesn't mean God intends you to do it.  "Good" and "godly" can actually be "sin" and "disobedience". Just because men are praising us doesn't mean God is pleased with these things.  

We have become such a complicated and overstretched people.  We need to SIMPLIFY!  Wives, get together with your husbands and ask them what they see as your duties as a wife and mom and where they see room for the fulfilling of other passions.  If you are not married, ask a mature believe who knows you well to speak honestly with you.  Give them permission to correct you! It may hurt at first but such truth can be life-giving! Remove the superfluous time-wasters in your life and perhaps you will find room for your ministry passions.  But again, do not go into ministry looking for the worth you have not found elsewhere.  Instead go out in obedience to a calling and seek God's approval first.  But be careful not to neglect the covering of your father or husband or overseer (depending on your state of life) for these people have been put in your life to keep your soul safe.   There is an enormous amount of flesh feeding going on in the lives of Christians, but is being justified under the auspices of "ministry" and "serving God."  But all to often it is really about "serving self".  And even if we see how god is using "our work" to bless others, it doesn't mean we are to continue, particularly if we know it is not what we have been called to do. And at the very least we must ask God to come and purify our hearts and ministries and set our hearts right so that we can be clear about our daily duties in his kingdom.

I received a pray request from a very mature Christian sister of mine today.  I share it because I believe, for the sake of our souls, it ought to be the prayer request of all of our hearts.

She writes, "I continue to be faced up against my nature  - this belief that I have to have reassurance, or affirmation, or be needed to know that i am loved. It doesn't really make logical sense but it’s very strong and very ugly at times; and has nothing to do with Christ and everything to do with me.  So there's a specific prayer request - that I will find the faith to know that Jesus is enough."

May we all have the faith to know that Jesus is indeed enough. Let us no longer live for the praises of men, but rather for the praises of God - Living for an audience of One!  

"We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else." I Timothy 2:6

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. I Corinthians 4:5

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life." I Thessalonians 4:11a

Fellowship along the Way

"For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while." Romans 15:24

It really is amazing to me how the Word truly does contain all things for life and godliness.  Right there in Romans 15:24, I found the exact words to describe how Scott and I felt about our last three days with friends.  God brought us together with some dear brothers and sisters in Christ for fun and real fellowship.  Emily and Tanner Richards came to stay with us for a few days on their way to a Show Hope speaking engagement and then after dropping them at the airport our family went on to New Jersey to spend a couple of days with our dear friends the Cuozzos who are missionaries currently on a short furlough in the States.  We had a chance to meet heir precious newly adopted daughter, Lydia Hope.   

With both the Richards and the Cuozzos, we had incredibly edifying and fun fellowship.  While standing poolside, 8 year old, Caleb Cuozzo so fittingly said, "This is one of the best day of my whole life."  And you know what Caleb, I really do agree.  But for me it wasn't so much the chocolate strawberries, the wild animals, the bike rides or the pool that made it so great; but rather, it was the honest fellowship, sincere hospitality, and genuine desire to love one another in spirit and in truth that made it so special for me.  We were not "hidden" from one another....we were not afraid to be real, vulnerable or honest, nor to seek the Lord together in order to grow and mature...In all these interactions there was a sense of "please tell me, I want to know... what do you see in me that I might ask the Lord to change so that I can be more loving towards my fellow man."....And this is extremely rare along the way of this journey called life. What is better than truth and love in the inward parts...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and reveals what is in the man!   

Dear Richards and Cuozzos, The Hasenbalgs are so glad that God saw fit to allow us to see you on our journey and to be helped on our way there by you and to enjoy your company for a while.  

Our few days in pictures:  

As we drove away Cole told us that to him these few days felt like Paradise. And when he said that I realized that I agreed in my heart but again not necessarily for the same reasons.  In my thirty seven years of life, I have stayed in other amazing homes and had the opportunity to see such incredible creatures roaming free on the African Savannah, but what I have had far too little opportunity to experience is the kind of openness of heart and soul among God's people.  Christians are usually so afraid to be known by one another.  We are such a suspicious fearful lot. And I think one of the common denominators for these open, honest, and loving kind of fellowship was humbled hearts prepared through brokenness...weak individuals who have become quite grateful for help and company along the way of this difficult and common journey called life.  I think we feel so alone even when we are together because even when gathered we are usually so separate in heart out of fear of being discovered for the needy and flawed humans that we are.  In those rare occasions when we can put aside jealousies, competitions, opinions, and suspicions, we together are finally free! 

Thank you Lord for all that you have revealed to us about yourself in your creation of nature and of men.  We give you praise for all that you have given to us - particularly what you have given to us in one another!  

Mending Torn Pieces

How was Sunday school Cole?" "Great! The teacher told us a story kind of like Pilgrim's Progress where things represent different things and tell us about God. They said that our soul is like a coat that we wear and Satan is always trying to tear our coat into pieces. But God wants our coats to stay together, so He sent his son, Jesus, to be the thread to mend the pieces of our coat back together. So, each time satan tries to do bad things in our lives that rip our coats we can ask Jesus to sew us back up." "Cole that is so neat. Thanks so much for sharing that with me !" "Yeah, it's really cool Mom, and you know what else...", He began to say. But as he was speaking, Maya abruptly and loudly interrupted him...and kept talking as if she'd done nothing wrong. Then when his little sister was finished speaking, Cole said, "Maya, you just tore the thread by being so rude....I was talking to Mom! She tore my thread and hers too!", He said. "Yes, Cole, you are right!", I told him. "Now, Maya, that wasn't kind. Cole was still talking and you interrupted him." She apologized and he forgave her. But I did resume the conversation by asking Cole, "So, what should we do about our torn coats now?" And Cole wisely responded, "Now we need to ask Jesus to help put our pieces back together again" Amen Cole! Amen! For all who are weary, heavy laden and all torn up, go to Jesus and ask Him to mend your soul.

Half Way to Dead

Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1Cor. 13:13

If the average life expectancy of a human is around 70 years old, then at 37 I am over half way to dead...at least statistically speaking. Moreover, I dearly love a number of people who are a lot closer to dead than that, at least statistically speaking. And I tell you what - those first 37 years passed so very fast.  Seriously, wasn't I 16 years old just yesterday?..at least it sure feels that way.  College was four years long and looking back at the passing of that amount of time it now feels a lot like the amount of time which passes when I used to go away to camp - you get there, half some fun learning for a bit and then before you know it it's time to go back home...four years feels like four weeks now in so many ways.  And for some people four years could be the majority of what might be left on this side of the veil...at least statistically speaking

OK, so now that we've established the fact that "life is a vapor"  - really, really and truly a vapor...., let's talk about what we ought to do about this death conundrum we are all facing...

We need to prepare for the inevitable... (barring the possibility that we go like Enoch or Elijah around the second coming) statistically speaking we are all going to face the first death...

Now, assuming we have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior and are seeking to live for him, we are not going to experience the second death and we are headed for eternal life once we cross over the veil.  

However, I think we all want to make the time we have left here really count... in eternity.  So, what should we do?  We should put our energies into things that last and stop wasting this precious precious short amount of time!!

And here are the only things that last...I mean the only things that will pass from here to there:  God, His Word, the souls of men, faith, hope and love!   So, let's get busy - I mean really busy with the time we have left  - having faith in God, placing our hope in His Word and loving the souls of men in a way that is pleasing to God!  Enough bickering, enough judgement, enough spiritual procrastinating, enough of this misuse of the gifts God has given to us, enough of that...it is just too much when the time is so short!  

There are some days when I can honestly say "Come Lord Jesus Come"...but mostly I am just hoping that the end of this life isn't coming too soon for me or my loved ones.  But the truth is that "soon" is really a relative term when you look at the stats...and when we are looking at the 16 year old souls stuck in the 70 year old bodies around this place.

The time is short!  It was short for Paul the apostle and Peter and David...and it is short for us now too!  He is coming, one way or another He is coming for us, so let's get busy being really ready. Time to serve our neighbor is now.  Time to visit the sick is now.  Time to care for the orphan and the widow is now.  Time to forgive is now.  Time to give up our sin and give in to love is right now! Because you know what, there will come a time when it truly is too late!

Is your child interested in architecture?

My cousin Doug is an extraordinary guy.  He's an amazing artist, inventor, architect, and lover of God. 

Not long ago, Doug and I were chatting about my passion for homeschooling and his passion for helping young people discover whether or not architecture might be a right path for their future.  And while we were chatting, I seriously thought that perhaps other homeschool moms might have children who are considering the architecture path but are not sure whether or not it would be right for them.  Anyhow, after some discussion on the matter, Doug ended up sending me a link to one of his sites that he thought might be helpful for high school or even middle school kids to find out whether architecture might be the right path for them.  If you are interested or you know someone who might be, please visit: 

www.howtoarchitect.com

Fun at the Lake Photos

Cigarbox Guitars

"Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with stringed instruments and flutes!" Psalm 150:4

Thanks to our friends, Van and Tamara Wagner, my children learned how to make their own handmade cigarbox guitars this evening.  So fun, so creative, so terrific!  (This is the same family who taught my children a few weeks ago how to make their own bricks from clay down at the river.)  And honestly, there really is something quite right and even magical about making something with your own hands from scratch, particularly when you are seven years old and you get to jam on it afterwards!

The Surrendered Soul

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Psalm 23:1 .............. When God makes himself the guide of our souls, he requires from us an absolute trust in him and the giving up of any sort of anxious thought about the way he is leading us. The present moment is like a desert in which such a soul sees only God in whom it delights. In this state of faith, the soul which knows this secret of God always dwells in perfect peace. All that happens within, rather than alarming it, reassures it. Deeply convinced that it is God who guides it, it takes all that happens as so much grace, and overlooking the means God uses for his work, the soul thinks only of the work he is doing. In all these things faith sees only God. The state of full surrender is full of consolation for those who have reached it, but in order to reach it we must pass through much anguish. Let us avoid the snare of selflove. Onward my soul through weariness, sickness, times of dryness, flares of temper, weakness of mind, the snares of the devil and of other people through suspicions, jealousies, evil imaginations, and prejudices! Let us soar like the eagles above all these clouds with eyes fixed on the sun and its rays of light, which represent our obligations. Doubtless we may feel these trials. It is not for us to be insensitive to them, but let us remember that our life is not of feeling. Let us live in the higher regions of the soul where God and his will form an eternity, where there is no variation or shadow due to change. In this spiritual dwelling, the Infinite holds the soul apart from every specific shadow and situation, and keeps it in perpetual calm, even though the senses are tossed about by tempests. We have learned to rise above the senses. Again, in that state of faith, the soul that knows this secret of God always dwells in perfect peace. Therefore, those who wish to enjoy an abundance of all blessings have to do just one thing: purify their hearts by weaning them away from (soul dependence upon) all creatures and surrendering themselves entirely to God. Our one prayer ought be, "Lord give me a pure heart." There is nothing freer than a heart that sees only the life of God in the most deadly perils and troubles...constancy of faith in all circumstances...The surrender of self unto God's will is the only road to real and lasting peace and joy! ........ These aforementioned words were some of the notes I took from my reading of the book the Joy of Full Surrender.