Calvanism - What is it?

Calvanism - What is it?

During Q&A time with our Pastors last night, this was one of the questions raised. Andrew did a great job of giving an overview and shared the acronym TULIP as the five points to calvanism.

T - Total Depravity
U - Unconditional Election
L - Limited Atonement
I - Irresistable Grace
P - Perserverence of the Saints

For someone (like me) who has heard this term thrown about quite a bit, it was good to understand it a tad bit deeper. These have been my fundemental beliefs based on God's word, but now I have a more systematic/theological way of expressing them.

My theological curiosity has been piqued enough that I have dug out the book Systematic Theology and am almost done with the first chapter.....deep, but very good!!!

Belly Update

Things are going good in the belly. I'm starting to feel that upward climb out of the sicko stage. My energy hasn't returned in full force yet, but food is going down better and better every day. I am grateful!!! The tears are still running though - every little thing makes me so sentimental - or maybe just mental. =) I wasn't this weepy with GP, but hey, the 2nd time is probably going to be different in many ways. Steve is so awesome about just understanding me. Either that, or he's a great actor!! =)

The tummy still hasn't bulged, but things are starting to feel a little thicker, so I'm sure it's on the way. I'm so itchy to go shopping for some new spring/summer attire, but I know I need to wait and probably invest in maternity this year!!!

GP is in a very busy stage right now. His favorite misdemeanors include getting into the fireplace, opening the snack cupboard, pulling all the towels down in my bathroom etc. I have felt like one of my hands is becoming permanently attached to the spanker this week. Overall, he's a good little boy and a complete joy. Poor little guy has had to put up with a very boring Mommy these past weeks and has done quite well. I'm hoping to be getting him out to the park and zoo more in the coming weeks. This afternoon, we plan to go hang out with my Mom and sisters. The guys are all up north opening up and de winterizing the cabins. Speaking of which....I can't wait for July and our annual trip up there. Glendon is going to love it!!!
Must run - things have gotten a little too quiet which mean mischief is brewing!

Where we walked...

This is much like where my FATHER and I walked this morning....the light of His glory streaming down around me. I just listened to Him - reveling in His goodness to me and taking joy in the green growth He's given my heart!!! I wonder where we'll walk tomorrow...

Dead, and yet so Alive...

What is true Christian service.....what does it entail....what does it look like? I've seen all to clearly in the last couple of days that I really don't know the answer to these questions as well as I thought I did.

How easy it is to start out on the venture of ministry with the right motives and heart attitudes....your soul swelling with love for your savior and your fellow believers. Then with even more ease the nasty beast of self sneaks into the way clogging the channels and disrupting the very purpose for which you were striving. Frustration erupts making you miserable. You panic realizing that you are completely out of control. Something - probably very small - happens that breaks you and gives you clear vision of your actions - your motives - your very heart.

Ministry done solely for God's glory is done with the whole heart despite the result. It is death to self - to every part of self. You are willing to give up any honor or recognition, for it is not about you but about Jesus in you. When your co-laborers let you down, you respond with peace, with joy, and with love. You have an inner awareness that God is the ONE you are serving, and that if He chooses to use fallen people (ahem, such as you) and fallen circumstances, then by all means, you should welcome the let down. It is in the the disappointments and let downs that God's miraculous work can be most clearly seen.

You may ask where all of these thoughts come from - Well they come from someone who crashed this weekend. The smallest of hurts sent me over the edge, and as I fell, I realized that I had been serving for the last several weeks with the wrong veiw of myself (it was far too big), and the wrong veiw of God's power (far too small). My best friend, as always, was there to set me straight....to hurt me with the truth and then strengthen me with the wisdom of God's word. He is truly the most loving partner in ministry and in life!!! Meditating on Phillippians has been most healing and revealing.

I am sore....I am broken....but I am His and He is still working in me. I can't wait to see what He's going to do with the youth ministry team and kids themselves now that Kelly has died and Jesus is alone flowing through her!!!

Mommy Butchered Me!!!

Well today I, Glendon, had a visit with my hairdresser/mommy. I wanted to get the do cut a tad bit shorter for summer days, but she went really short. We're still not sure what happened....something about wanting to even it out, and things just kept getting shorter and shorter. As I watched the locks of hair falling around me...I wondered, but the chocolate chips I was munching kept my mind off of things. My hairdresser mommy alternated between hysterical laughing and then crying. I don't blame her. Her baby now looks like the newest Navy Seal.

We sent Daddy pictures at work after it was all over. He cracked up, and then promised to still love Mommy!!! I'm actually really starting to like my new butch. I figure that now I won't need to have cold water sprayed on my head every morning because there is nothing left to comb. Lice won't be able to get in, and maybe I'll even get a good scalp tan this summer. At the least...it'll be COOL!!! Enjoy my pics ... and fellow guys out there, go give your Mommy/hairdressers a hug. They just might need it!!!

We had a Great Easter!!!

Glendon enjoyed a fun Easter....with his Haumersen family coming over for Brunch and an Egg Hunt. Then he headed up north to see Granny and Paw Schulz. Highlights included visiting the baby lamb farm, climbing Granny's stairs, kissing her procelain dog and many other fun adventures.

Big News!!!

Yup!!! Exciting stuff.... We're expecting another little baby to arrive sometime around December 7th. We're so thankful for this wonderful new blessing and will keep you posted as things progress. Right now, Kelly is all caught up in the throes of fatigue and nausea, but on the same token, we're thankful for these good signs of healthy growth inside!!!

Welcome Baby Schulz #2!!!

Bubbles, Bubbles everywhere...

One of GP's favorite treats is to go "swimming" in Mommy's tub. We're not sure what the deal was with the protruding tongue in these pictures....but very cute!

Baking with Glendon...

Today, we made a big Oreo Cookie cake for Daddy.... I would have been lost without my top cookie smasher on the job...

Wow, what a busy day it's been at our house. The "Spring Cleaning" bug officially bit me this morning and I got off to a good start by cleaing all of the globes/light fixtures in our home. Glendon was a great little helper - padding around from room to room behind me as I worked. He is such a joy!!!

Then we made a big batch of homemade marinara sauce, and a batch of baby food fruit for GP. Afternoon naps. The weekly dusting. A walk around the neighborhood. Supper prep. Dinner. Bath time. Playing ball with Daddy. GP's Bedtime. Blog time. Amazing Race. My Pillow!!!

I will leave you with a fun photo taken at our Saturday evening HKS (Hemmigs, Knapps and Schulz) dinner.
Karrie on left mothers the one and only girl, Lina, and Jackson - in green.
Lindsay, in the middle, mothers Jackson (stripes) and baby Emerson (not pictured).
I mother Glendon, who loves playing with these little friends!!!

I Worship Him

Idolatry of the heart,
leading to sin,
leading to misery,
leading to self-examination,
leading to confession,
leading to brokenness,
leading to mercy experienced,
leading to love overwhelming,
leading to a deeper reverence,
leading to worship.

My Abba Father (Daddy) in His great grace has been so faithful to me in the last 48 hours. He knew that my heart had turned and was serving man's approval and self-exaltation rather then Him alone. He allowed me to serve those idols, and serve them I did, right into the pit of failure and misery. Yesterday as my pedestal of man's approval crumbled into pieces around me, culminating in a painful, but much needed, rebuke from my precious husband, I saw a very close and revealing picture of my heart. I was astounded and ashamed at how easily sin had crept into my mind, motives, words, and even my actions. I wept like I haven't wept in months as the realization crept into my soul that my sin of seeking man's approval above glorifying my Father had in fact dishonored and hurt Him deeply. The stone cold word, IDOLATRY, blared through my spirit chilling me with it's severity and the knowledge that this is what I had done.

Taking my broken heart to my Abba was easy.
Why would He be there waiting for me as He always has? He was.
Why would His forgiveness wash over me with such finality? It did.
Why would He comfort me with His tender words of love? He did.
Why did He reach down and help me to get back up? I am standing.
He is GOD.
He is Holy.
He is Faithful.
He is Gracious and slow to anger.
He allowed me to realize anew my great need for Him, and I can do nothing but thank Him for sparing me the death I deserve - for calling me - for saving me - for enabling me to follow Him.
The only words I can find, and they leave much to be desired, are:

I worship Him.

Blessing from Today...

~ Getting to sleep in until 7:12am.
~ Surprising Steve with his favorite blueberry pancakes in bed.
~ My Mom's birthday...talking to her on the phone.
~ Shopping with my younger sister and her nephew - also known as my son...
~ Dohgnuts at Bensteins Bakery
~ Meeting Steve for lunch downtown
~ Enjoying old memories (like the photo above...)
~ Baking new Chocolate Tart Recipe for fun!!!
~ Dinner tonight with Hemmigs and Knapps - good friends in the the Lord...
~ My bed will be there to meet me tonight.....ahhhhh

Enough

As Steve and I were driving home tonight, this Jeremy Camp song played on the radio, and although I've heard it many times, it's lyrics rang fresh in my heart as a beautiful expression of what God has been doing with me, and I can truly say, He is more than enough for me! Thank you Father!!!

All of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more aweesome than I know

And all of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King
You're my everything
Still more awesome than I know

And all of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough

More than all I am
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can say
You are more than enough

And all of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

Good Girl Time

Tonight my girlfriend, Crystal, and I went out for some much needed "girl time"!!! I appreciate having a friend who I can be myself with - who encourages me in my Christian walk - who listens - who likes to spend hours over coffee gloating over our wonderful hubbys. (I know enough of the world to know this is a rarity among married women!!!)

Of all these things, Crys is a friend who enjoys a good chick flick and can laugh at corney love stories, so we went to see the movie "Failure to Launch" !!!

Definitely a must see for any chick flick lover.... The paint ball scene was the best - literally had us laughing our hearts out!!!

On My Way to Art School

Higheeeee (that's the way I say it),

Today my Mommy introduced me to crayons for the first time. I really wanted to eat them because they smelled so strong, but Mommy wouldn't let me even taste them. This made me very upset for a while, but I did get over it. She showed me how to color, and I really enjoyed just tapping my crayons on the paper, but this didn't do much. Finally, I learned how to run them back and forth, and that seemed to please my Mommy greatly! Enjoy my art, and for all of you beginners out there here's a little tip: Always have as many crayons in your hands as possible while coloring. Holding just one simply does not work!!!

GP

Running Crazy...

Hello All,

I am feeling so remorseful about the lack of blogging lately! I will be honest and say that I've had allot coming at me this past week, and computer time has to be my first occupation to go during a time crunch.

We are doing well. I'm learning more and more about trusting God to meet all of my needs - especially the need to be filled when I feel completely empty. I have had some interesting situations requiring me to give my emotional energy and time, and yet I have seen God faithfully keep me going each day until I hit the pillow. I am tired - and looking forward to a wonderful weekend that we've designated as "family time". We're either going away, or will take the drastic measures of turning off our phone, closing all curtains etc. I can't wait!!! =)

I hope to post some recent pics of our little man soon!!!
~Kelly

Check this out!

So, anyone up for some quality time with Kelly?? =)

The Five Love Languages

My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Acts of Service.

Complete set of results

Quality Time:		12
Acts of Service:		6
Physical Touch:		6
Words of Affirmation:		6
Receiving Gifts:		0

Information

Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Take the quiz

Green Grapes and Missed Blessings

Green Grapes and Missed Blessings...

There once was a little fellow who was very small, and yet quite wise in his own eyes. As his mother strapped him into his seat for the evening meal, he excitedly jabbered away, all the while pointing to the refrigerator across the room. His mother knew that he thought of only one thing - green grapes. You see, this little fellow loved green grapes with a passion. They were his favorite thing, and he was certain in his heart that all he needed to be happy at that moment were some green grapes.

His mother smiled as she quickly heated up his dinner - mashed spaghetti and some chilled cottage cheese. She smiled to herself because she was anticipating the moment that she would be able to bless her son with several sliced green grapes. She knew that he could not live on grapes alone. She knew what he didn't know - that he needed some solid nutritious food in his body to keep him healthy and alive. She desired the best for her son because she loved him, yet all the while she looked forward to the moment when he had finished his dinner, and she could give him some green grapes - or maybe something even better like a chocolate chip cookie. Now, a cookie would really be a treat for the little guy, and he would be so surprised. Again, she smiled.

Despite her fun and wise plans, dinner time did not unfold in this way. As soon as she offered the first bite of warm spaghetti to her son, he pushed it away. She firmly instructed him and continued to offer the yummy food. The little fellow preceded to cry, then to scream louder and louder, his little face becoming bright red. He stomped his feet and pushed angrily at his mother which resulted in a couple spanks. As this dreadful cycle continued, the little boy reached the point of being so miserable that he was gagging on his sobs. His mother could have stopped the whole scene by yielding to his will and giving him the grapes, yet she loved him.

She was able to see forward to what he could not see. She saw tomorrow's meal, when he would need to eat. She saw the coming summer months, when he would need to stay out of the busy street. She saw years ahead to his adult relationship with God. She saw one thing - surrender. He needed to learn how to trust, and because of that, she continued to lovingly, ask him to take his food. When none of her firm entreaties worked, she let him work out the rest of his screaming alone in his bed. It hurt her to hear him cry, but as soon as he quieted, she ran in and scooped him back up into her arms. She told him how much she loved him, she told him that she knew what was best for him. She asked him to obey - simply to obey. He couldn't understand that grapes and a cookie would be waiting on the other side of an obedient meal, and she didn't tell him. He needed to obey because of who she was, because he choose to trust her over his own desires and feelings, not because he was going to get his way.

They went together back into the kitchen where the warmed up food was presented again. Though the little guy did manage to eat his food, it was not without much fighting and willfulness. Sadly, there weren't any green grapes for dessert, and there wasn't that special surprise of a chocolate chip cookie, which he would have loved to enjoy. Instead, there were puffy red eyes, a little sob in his breathing, and most likely, quite a headache - all reminders of the pain he had chosen for the evening over what could have been a delightful mealtime.

The mother tenderly rocked her baby to sleep that night, smoothing his hair and cuddling his precious little body. She so desperately wished that she could have blessed him above his wildest dreams (of green grapes) that evening, but she knew it would not be a healthy blessing for him, until he learned to surrender and receive from her hand. Tomorrow, she would try again. She closed her eyes to pray her baby's goodnight prayer, and he watched her with wide eyes. Soon sound sleep overwhelmed him.

This little grape lover is my precious son, and I learned quite a lesson from him that night. I hope that you can also see the clear parallels between Glendon's tantrum - and our arguing with God's best/refusal to surrender, between his love of green grapes - and our love of ourselves/our wants, between his misery - and the consequences sin causes in us, between his missed grapes/cookie - and our missed blessings that God is just waiting to pour out upon us. Can we not just look at our Father's face, open our mouths and eat of His goodness. Never mind the fact that what we want hasn't shown up on the horizon. What we don't feel, but need to trust, is that God's best for us will not only meet our needs, but far outweigh our wildest dreams. I thank the Lord for giving me such a clear visual of what this tremendous sin can do. I hope you've been challenged and encouraged, as I was, to make absolute surrender to the Father your life!

Kelly Schulz

God meets us right where we are...

I prayed yesterday that God would give me a scripture - a word from Him - that I could take with me through a current waiting room that I'm in. My faith can be so small sometimes. I asked and He answered only about 4 hourse later. Why was I so surprised that during a Bible study, this verse popped out at me...

Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful."

A familiar verse, but one that now joins the others I have stored away and tagged - "personal promises." Today, I submit to God's peace ruling every area of my life!!!

Remembering Last summer....

...and anxiously waiting for Spring!

MS Pizza Party...

Friday night was an absolute blast! We hosted a huge pizza party for 45 Middle Schoolers at our church....followed by flash light capture the flag and then a movie on the big screen!
The kids had a great time, and we loved hanging out with them.
The above is my favorite picture from the evening, though there are many. I'm in the process of designing a web blog for the Middle School group and will be posting the majority of our experiences and pictures there. It's something I'm hoping the kids will be able to access and comment to each other on, and a way for you all to get a peak into the ministry God's given us!
I'll share the link with you when it's ready!

Such a wonderful day...

Yesterday was so much fun...Steve surprised me repeatedly throughout the day with his love and thoughtfulness. Starting with chocolate bath truffles and a love letter on my sink in the morning...2 dozen huge and beautiful roses when he walked in the door last night...delicious Italian dinner in Milwaukee...ending with a Victoria's Secret Gift card (I've been wanting some new undies *wink*) at bed time, I felt loved and pampered.

What I treasure most though, above all these lovely gifts, is the fact that Steve loves me and choose to spend his life with me. Sometimes I really get a grasp of that and it still floors me as much as the day he proposed. The celebration of love yesterday was fun and very romantic, but the celebration of Steve's love for me and of mine for him is something we cherish every day....sometimes not as much as we ought...but it's there. I praise the Lord for giving us that kind of marriage!!!

And now for a picture of my roses...

Happy Valentines Day

I am in love with two very special boys....the one who changed my life by making me whole...by loving me unconditionally...by making me happier then I ever dreamed possible. I treasure my husband more then life itself, and on this day where we all celebrate love, I praise God for giving me this man, and I look forward to the rest of our lives together.

The other little guy I'm in love with is our precious son...the one who changed my life by teaching me to totally sacrifice myself...by showing me innocence and dependance - the kind God wants from me. Glendon gives Steve and I such unity of purpose and a drive to be all that we can be in the Lord!!!

So, I'm in love....

Breaking the Silence

Glendon was sick last week - a tummy bug that caused him to be very needy and cuddly! There was much mommy/baby bonding accomplished. This is part of the reason my blogging has been less consistent. Our little guy is much better now - and I'm so happy to have his happy little personality back. Here we are camped out together....

Super Bowl Party...

Something was really funny...can't remember what??
GP's Thomas Train was allot of fun.
Charlie avoids the camera.
Watching the game...
Jeff and Crystal
The whole group, Jeff & Crystal, Charlie & Julie & Ethan, Kelly & Steve. GP was asleep.

Glendon's Birthday...

Ever heard of cupcake in a cone? Well Mommy made me one, and it was yummy!
New sled was a big hit...
New Swim trunks...now Mommy and I can start that baby swim class.
Here I am with Mommy and her Grandparents - my great grandparents.
This is my Uncle Dan(on the right0 with his friend Andy. They're holding my new piggy bank.

One of our favorite little girls...

Natalie has appeared once before on this blog (link here ), and here she is again.
This time, she sports a more closed mouth, though still very fun, facial expression.

Redefining the "Mountaintop Experience"

I just returned from my bi-weekly Beth Moore Ladies Bible study. Tonight was so good as is every video session, but I came away with some distinctly new pearls of truth from God's word.

Beth spoke from Luke 9:28-36...the story of Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain before Peter, John and James. Peter's reponse mirrors what we often do. He wanted to build tabernacles...he wanted to stay there forever. He considered the top of the mountain with Jesus, Moses and Elijah to be better the returning to the valley below, where he would be considered crazy. Among the many lessons we learned tonight, the strongest in my heart is this.

"Our meeting places with Christ are not places that we build tabernacles and stay."

"Any place we see Christ tansfigured can turn out to be the greatest mountaintop experience of our lives."

Jesus says to us: "I take you (Kelly) onto this mountain because of what I will do with you in the valley."

Lord, You are the fullness of all security and mystery. Readjust my vision of you. Make me willing to receive all that you want to reveal of yourself to me. Make me a direct product of knowing you!

Playing with cousins...

Glendon is pictured here trying to keep up with this older 2nd cousins. Caleb is 3.5 and Nathan is 19mos.GP and Nathan were having so much fun pounding away on this bench.
Beautiful baby roses that our guest left for us...Thank You Bayne Family!
All three boys...GP was not in a photogenic mood.
Caleb and Nathan with their early morning juice.

Fort Pics cont....

My girls - Michelle and Sarah!
Steve with some of his guys...
Cheerleaders - showing us how it's done!
Zonkered Out...5.3 miles of cross country skiing left us a little dazed in the canteen. This is myself with two of my "Katelyns" (I had 3 in my cabin)....Kate and Katie
Gretchen - at about 4 feet - is the smallest of us all, but she still found a way to sign everyone's encouragement paper.