Saturday, November 7, 2009

Think, Think, THINK . . . I think

Denial. Interesting isn't it. What is denial? The act of saying that something is not true. Act of saying that one does not hold to or accept. a refusing. a refusing to acknowledge. self denial. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the WHOLE WORLD, yet forfeits his SOUL? . . . " So why do we play "keep up with the JONES' " game?

Okay . . . I know everyone deals with it "keeping up with the Jones'" in the western culture; or the desire to fully living the "American Dream". But the American Dream . . . is not really any dream worth achieving really other than to freely worship the one and only TRUE Savior. Jesus Christ. To follow him at all cost - really? self denial? Refusing what? SELF? Yes. Picking up my cross daily is a huge effort to put others interests before my own. My impatience often gets the best of me. Or how about my competitive spirit (in some way or another there definitely is one) that battles to walk in true humility. The proverbial grass ISN'T greener on the the other side really because then I am looking back and seeing that the grafted sod did catch hold & is growing. I don't desire to forfeit what really matters I mean what REALLY MATTERS.

I've been thinking, thinking, and THINKING. Ana, why is it that we as a culture try to make the gospel more palatable? Or watered down so "NOT to OFFEND anyone?" I've been wondering about Jesus approach. He didn't seem to do that. He told the TRUTH in LOVE. Both together, direct. I remember when we did our first couple of ministries it was so very tempting for me to desire to be every persons chum, lower the bar so that others could attain "Christianity" easily. But one wise individual told me not to lower the bar but to reach down and help pull others up to God's standards. Was it hard? Yes. Did I want to fudge and bend differently? Yes, because it was easier; Wasn't it?! NO. Now 22 years later . . . . God's ways are never wrong but the world YIKES IS! Let me explain.

See the world and all it's lures give temporary pleasures. It Looks appealing, is not so difficult. Gives immediate gratification. Who's it gunna hurt - nobody. The world appeals to all the senses and tends to be subjectively driven. Only to leave individuals with an odd void, a type of hole. It tends to be all about "ME". But when really looking for true filled gratification it comes by being committed to giving.

Giving.
Self denial = selfless servitude
Humility = not needing others to recognize
reach out to others that CAN NOT reach back
LISTEN = Less of "imparting MY knowledge" dispensing
Actively SERVING
Giving!

It's time for me to learn and apply and GO!

Sisters' - Orilla Landers/ Gram'ma L Service


Revelation 21:4

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

"Landers' Sisters" Constance Knuckey & Barbara Klundt
November 6, 2009 - Friday
Jim & Connie Knuckey: Barb & Vic Klundt
"Landers' Sisters"
Keith, John, Kent, Julie Nellis (Klundt), Dave & Dan Knuckey
1st Cousins - "Landers Sisters"
Klundts' and Knuckeys'
Victor & Barb Klundt Family
Julie Nellis, Keith, John & Kent
Vic & Barb Klundt
12 Grandchildren
Back row: Brittney (Zach's fiance), Zach, Matt, Alex
2nd Row: Faith, Emily, Hadassah, Tia & Mya
Missing: Alizabeth, Arlis (Fiance), Josh, Kameron & Haley Nellis

Uncle Kent & Hadassah with his nephew Alex Reed (Julies' son)

Kent & Ana-Maria Klundt -Barbs' Eldest Son

Tia & Faith Klundt
Kent's second and third daughter
Tia, Mya & Emily Klundt
Kent's third, first & fourth daughters

Dan, Janice & Samantha Knuckey
Jim & Connies' youngest son
Dave, Thomas, Amy, Abigail & Emma Knuckey
Jim & Connies' eldest son
Kent & Ana-Maria Klundt Family
Mya, Hadassah (baby), Emily, Faith & Tia (blonde)
Vic & Barbs' eldest son - Missouri

Matthew, Tabby, Keith, Zach Klundt and Brittney (Zach's fiance)
Vic & Barb's second son - Illinois
Julie Nellis (Klundt & son), Alex Reed - Iowa
John Klundt - Arizona
Vic & Barbs' daughter (youngest) and son (third)
Missing: Gary & Haley Nellis
Kayleen, Alizabeth, Josh & Kameron Klundt

Keith & Tabby Klundt

third cousins fellowshipSisters - Kent's girls

Vic & Barb Klundt with Marv & Ruth Klundt
2 of 5 brothers

Jim & Connie Knuckey Grandchildren
Abigail, Thomas, Emma and "Sam"
Knuckeys' 1st cousins

Papa (Vic Klundt) with 2 grands
Tia & Mya Klundt (Kent's daughters)

Uncle John visits with niece Faith (Kent's daughter)
Tia Holds Hadassah Klundt (10 months) and Ana-Lou Holds Samantha Knuckey 5 months)
The newest "Great Grands to Orilla Landers" day of Services
November 6, 2009