Teaching of Heather Zempel

The first time I was introduced to this amazing lady, Heather Zempel, was at Northside Christian Church's Small Group Leaders gathering many years ago.  Although I don't remember everything she said that morning, I remember her passion when she said it!  I also remember how much she respected her Lead Pastor, Mark Batterson, and how frequently she spoke of him.  Ever since that day, I have been on-line followers of both of them!

Mark is the Lead Pastor at National Community Church in Washington, DC, as well as author of many fabulous books.  

Mark Batterson

Heather serves as Discipleship Pastor and authors books too!  

Heather Zempel

They both maintain blogs, which I follow (and actually read), as well as post sermons on their Church's web-site:  http://theaterchurch.com/.  I would encourage you to follow them too!

What I love most about Heather is her intelligence (although I love many other things,too!)!  She is SO DARNED SMART!  And she calls it like she sees it!  Like it or not!  She reminds me of another good friend - Michelle, if you're reading, you know it's YOU!!!

When she teaches, I learn things I never knew before!  EVER!  Things I never thought about!  For example, I remember a sermon I listened to online concerning the passage in Jeremiah 29 - if you are familiar with the Bible, you know the verse:  11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[b] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  So many of us (Christians) love to memorize that Scripture and pull it out whenever we "need" it (Which is a great thing - please don't misunderstand my point here).  However, Heather mentioned the verse just prior to verse 11:  10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.  How come I never read that?!?!?!  It's immediately before the verse!?!??!?!  Heather spoke about the suffering the Israelites had to endure PRIOR to the blessing!  WOW!  Maybe I would have to endure suffering too!  That message gave me HOPE!  (I sent a request to NCC this morning asking for the link to that message. I would like to listen to it again - and would be happy to post it on m blog if you're interested in hearing it too!)  Here's the Link:  http://theaterchurch.com/media/tears/tears-of-exile Thank you so much, Heather and Sarah!!!

Today, I saw Heather's name on a post from the Orange Leaders blog, here is the link:  http://orangeblogs.org/orangeleaders/2013/12/27/when-christians-lie/  That message is what prompted this post today.  I hope you will take a minute to read it too!  I was blessed, as always!

Pictures Speak Louder than Words - Christmas 2013

Christmas Memories 2013

Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th

Presents wrapped for family - some "hidden" in other locations!

Christmas Eve tradition - Family and good friends over for dinner after Worship!

Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th

Day begins at 5:15 am - Brooke, Kristina and I drive to Virginia Beach to see Harper experience Santa for the first time.  Last year doesn't count as she was only 4 months old.

My Children!  Kristina Elizabeth, Peter Joseph, and Brooke Marie!

Mommy brings Harper downstairs!!!  

(Why is everyone in our family here at 7:00 am!?!?!?!)

Chelsea introducing Harper to her Christmas Stocking!

Part of Harper's Christmas presents!

Other part of Harper's Christmas presents!

ONE of my AWESOME Christmas gifts!!!!  

(NOTHING on earth compares to being a GRANDMA!)

Then drive home for our girls' Christmas!

Kristina above

Brooke below

After the gifts are unwrapped upstairs (and the girls not getting what they wanted MOST), 

Daddy announces Santa left a couple of gifts down in the Sports Room (MAN CAVE)!!!

THE FUN BEGINS!!!!!  

BOTH GIRLS GET THEIR UGG BOOTS!!!!!

Kristina above

Brooke below

Beautiful Flowers given to me by Brooke's friend (Genevieve)

BEAUTIFUL "H" for the front door!

Day after Christmas, Thursday, December 26th

Izzy and I are POOPED!!!!  

Izzy and I enjoy the day at "The Porch"

Reading, watching television, wearing pajamas!!!!  

We are blessed beyond measure!

More from Lisa Harper's study of Hebrews!

 

I am extremely thankful for His Word, the book of Hebrews and Lisa Harper's study!

#NearJesus

Thanksgiving 2013

For many, many years, the Haskins' family has gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Although family members change from year to year (due to various commitments), I enjoy the fellowship, food and friendship!  I have so much to be thankful for!

 

 

The THREE gorgeous Haskins' girls!

Taking "Selfies"!

My two - Kristina and Brooke (left to right)

Looking down the Thanksgiving table!

The young men (at least the old one thinks he is)!

 

The Haskins' men (minus the Haskins' in Ohio - we MISSED YOU ALL!!!)!

Thankful for Lifeway Women

Hebrews Launch Team #NearJesus

Thankful for my High Priest on Thanksgiving!

#NearJesus

Pastor Rick Warren - TIME MAGAZINE asked me today to write a piece on Thanksgiving

This is what he sent them:

GIVING THANKS WHEN I DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

Rick Warren

Thanksgiving is a difficult holiday for many.

How can you be thankful when your doctor says it’s cancer? How can you feel grateful when the one you love just walked out of your life? Or when you’ve been fired . . . or your dream has collapsed . . . or an economic tsunami has wiped out all you’ve worked for?

This year became the worst year of my life when my youngest son, who’d struggled since childhood with mental illness, took his own life. How am I supposed be thankful this Thanksgiving? When your heart’s been ripped apart, you feel numb, not grateful.

And yet the Bible tells us “Give thanks IN ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” The key is the word “in.” God doesn’t expect me to be thankful FOR all circumstances, but IN all circumstances. There’s a huge difference. The first attitude is masochism. The second shows maturity. We’re not supposed to be thankful for evil or sin, or the innocent suffering caused by these things. But even in heartache and grief and disappointment, there are still good things that I can be thankful for.

I used to think that life was a series of mountain highs and valley lows, but actually we get both at the same time. In our world broken by sin, the good and the bad come together. On the cover of my wife’s book, Choose Joy, is a photo of a railroad track heading into the horizon. Like that photo, our lives are always running on two parallel rails simultaneously. No matter how good things are in my life, there are always problems I must deal with, and no matter how bad things are in my life, there are always blessings I can be grateful for.

So what am I thankful for this Thanksgiving?

• I’m thankful that, although not everything that happens is good, God is a good God. Having had a close friendship with him for nearly 50 years, I know without a doubt that God sees all I go through, he cares, he grieves with me, he is close, and his strength is available at all times.

• I’m thankful that, even though I don’t have all the answers, God does. In tragedy we seek explanations, but explanations never comfort. It is God’s presence that eases our pain. I’m thankful that this life is not all there is. It’s not the end of the story. One day God will right all wrongs, even the odds, and settle all accounts. Justice will be served. Evil will not win.

• I’m thankful for the hope of heaven. I won’t have to live with pain forever. In heaven, there are no broken relationships, broken minds, broken bodies, broken dreams, or broken promises. The Bible tells us “God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”

• I’m thankful for my church family. For 33 years, I’ve had the privilege of loving, serving, and leading the people of Saddleback Church. But in our darkest hour as a family, they gave all that love back in a split-second, the moment Kay and I returned to speak after a 16-week grief sabbatical. We can handle anything with prayers and support like that.

• I’m thankful that God can bring good even out of the bad in my life, when I give him the pieces. It’s his specialty. God loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections, and then benefit the whole world. God never wastes a hurt if we give it to him.

Itzhak Pearlman once broke a string at the start of a Lincoln Center recital. Rather than replacing it, he played the entire concert with a broken instrument. At the end he said, “Sometimes it is the artist’s task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left.” That kind of humility honors God. This Thanksgiving, don’t dwell on what’s lost, but on what’s left.

I am truly grateful for Pastor Warren's witness - in good times and in bad.