What is this thing we call, FUN?

According to Webster...
–noun
1. something that provides mirth or amusement:
2. enjoyment or playfulness:

-synonym
1. Pleasure

Fun is the feeling of enjoyment that comes from an activity, person, or place that makes us feel pleasure.

The word is used many different ways in this culture and within our little spot of history.
My interest lies with how this thing that we call,"fun" stands up before Holy God, and His call to us, His followers.

In looking at my own walk, I see that fun, the enjoyment of it, and the pursuit of it, can very quickly become the most deceptive idol I will ever be tempted to worship.
It is so super sneaky, because it panders to the flesh of me, which needs little to no invitation before rising to serve itself.

The Enemy figures he can't get me to fall in the areas most Christians point to as sinful; adultery, murder, blasphemy etc, but he'll snark me into doing good things for the wrong reasons. He finds a way to entrap me into making things that should be all about Jesus all about me.
Sound familiar?

I can hear some of you, "What? Are you saying that having fun is wrong?" *scandalized expressions*

NO! Experiencing pleasure within God's design is not sin. God created us to desire and know the pleasure of Himself.
The Bible is full of scripture telling us of the great joy and pleasure we will reap as we follow Jesus, dying to self, and uniting with Him in true life. It tells us of how precious unity and edification are between believers. God made us to relate to one another, to enjoy one another.

However, the moment that the experience of pleasure becomes a desire rather than an undeserved by product of following Jesus....we fall.

How do we see this? There are many ways idol worship of fun shows itself.
In my life, at different times...these have popped up.

1) Greater desire to set aside time to experience fun over spending time with the Lord.

2) Extensive mental investment in the next great experience of fun....when will it be? who will it be with? how can I make it happen? what will I wear? =)

3) Neglect of God-given duties based on their seeming inability to give us the experience of fun.

4) Complaining of heart and mouth when we are unable to participate in something we've decided would be fun.

5) Jealousy over the fun others have experienced without us. Comparison. "She's more fun." "I had more fun with them than with her." Even if this never comes out of our mouths...it reveals misfocus.

6) Decisions made / Responses given based on the level of individual fun promised. "I'll serve where and when I will experience the most fun."

7) Relationship investment given or neglected based up on how much fun is experienced...Where you sit? Who you talk to?

The most telltale sign of all comes in how we respond to conviction over an idolatry issue with fun. When there is a quick, immediate, and extremely protective response to the thought that priorities are imbalanced in this area, idolatry is confirmed.

We show that we care more about maintaining an experience of pleasure than purifying our worship of Christ!

I've heard it argued, "Doesn't God want us to have fun." "God is fun."

First and foremost, before we ever say "God is" anything...we must confirm with the Bible.
God is good.
God is holy.
God is full of grace.
God is everywhere.
God is Awesome.
God is the Giver of Pleasure.
God is our Helper.
God is my Keeper.
The list goes on, but the word fun is a man made word...not given by God.

Jesus came to give abundant life in conformation to His likeness.
He gives great joy in the Christian's walk through fellowship with Him.
Heaven will be the absolute epitome of pleasure to be experienced. ever. and. beyond. all because He will be there.

The man made word, "fun", is a word where we have taken an undeserved fruit of following Jesus, joy, and turned it into something self-focused; something to be sought after. Something to be worshiped.

God started showing me the deceptiveness of this idol over a year ago (see points 1-7 above), and I've taken some extreme steps to purify my motives and decisions in why I do things, go places, invest in people. I continue to seek deeper purity in this area, and God is faithful to continue cleansing me.

This is the cool thing: I can honestly tell you that what I have found has astounded me....

More undeserved and pleasureful joy has been poured out on me than I imagined, or have before experienced.

There has been greater freedom in realizing that I don't NEED the experience of fun. I can just take it as it comes and praise Jesus for it!
There has been new insight that true pleasure is found in doing things for the Lord's pleasure....making that my pursuit.
There has been awakening to activities, relationships, and places I was totally missing before.

I laugh, sometimes obnoxiously so. I carry on with inside jokes which are usually super lame. I enjoy games, activities, events, and destinations (coffee shops).
I love to chase my boys around the house singing 80's love songs into my hair brush or curling iron.
I love being with people...all sorts of people...whoever God ordains I spend any given moment with.
God has been so good to me!

I am learning to experience the great joy that Jesus has given into my life - completely undeserved by me - only of His grace - as a by product of purified worship, not the experience that I pursue.

He is, His likeness, His ministry, His presence is what I chase after.
This world can have it's thing called fun, I want the pleasure of Jesus!

Inexpressible

A sister in Christ, suffering more physical agonies than I can imagine at the hands of disease...

Children and a father who suddenly find themselves without their wife and momma...

A baby growing, perfectly formed by God, but not for this world; his parents preparing to say goodbye...

This world is full of suffering, pain, and heartache.



I want to go home. I long for heaven. I want to see my Jesus!



I have not seen Him face to face yet.


I am here; called, commanded, and enabled to live for His glory on this earth, amidst all of this suffering, for at least this one more day.



And there is joy.
Joy abundant.
Joy real and alive.

Joy inexpressible.



This joy is so deep, rich, and true, that it cannot be put into words. I could write all day and not touch it.


This joy cannot be physically demonstrated fully. I could jump and shout forever and never be done.


This joy cannot be fully comprehended by the human mind, but by the heart made alive in Jesus, it is tasted, felt, acted upon and lasting!



How is this possible? The world does not know, but His followers do.

It comes from this sure confidence: I will see Jesus face to face in all of His glory.


He will call me home, or come for me,Himself, and either way, the suffering of this life will all pass away in the light of His amazing presence!



Thank you Jesus, that in the darkness of suffering there is joy inexpressible because of Jesus Christ!!!






"Though you have not seen Him (Jesus Christ), you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." 1 Peter 1:8


*Picture taken by my brother, Jeff Haumersen, of a sunrise in Afghanistan.

Untouchable Hope

Death shocks.
Death takes.
Death finalizes.
Death destroys.
Death brings sorrow greater than my mind can comprehend.

My hope is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is alive.

My hope is alive.

I was born into this hope through the abundant mercy of my Heavenly Father.

Death steals, but it can't steal this..... my living hope.... my Father's abundant mercy.
Death finalizes, but it won't be final for me. I will live with Him for eternity.

Because of this I rejoice. I bless the Father's name.
Death touches those I love. It touches me. I see it's ravaging affect.
My heart breaks, but I praise.
I worship.
I cling to this mercy....to this alive hope that all of this pain is for this one thing:

The praise, honor and glory of my Saviour!
Worthy is the Lamb...

He lives.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that cannot fade away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Because of this you greatly rejoice, though you may be grieved for a little while, if necessary, by various trials. That the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 1:3-7

Amen Mr. Piper!

"Unconditional election delivers the harshest and the sweetest judgments to my soul.

That it is unconditional destroys all self-exaltation;
and that it is election makes me His treasured possession."
~ John Piper

What Defines the Last 7 Years....

The Pastor said something along these lines..... "Love one another in such a way that your sorrows are divided and your joys multiplied."

Steve remembers this admonition from our wedding ceremony and refers to it often.

Last night, we found ourselves seated in a warmly lit restaurant in Milwaukee's Third Ward.
As our minds quieted from the conversation that "sharing one's day" entails, he looked at me and said, "Can you believe it's been 7 years already?"

If having fun means time flies - then it's flown by with lightening speed.

However, there's a part of my mind that doesn't remember much before this calling of marriage. I am a different person. I am no longer one in myself, but one with him.

We spent the rest of the evening remembering God's faithfulness....giggling over funny memories, like seeing our wedding video and being scandalized at our own kiss. =) I cried a little when we talked of Leeanne, and how God strengthened our marriage so strongly through losing her.
We talked about the boys, about our deep desire for them to be found in Christ.
We talked about each other, how we've seen each other grow in the last 7 years.
We praised God for what He's done!!!

Our 2nd home in Springdale, Arkansas....moved in 6 mos after our wedding.

This cake read, "Welcome Baby"....taken the night before we found out our little one was going to be with Jesus.

2 Year Anniversary trip to Denver, Co.

Heading into the hospital for Glendon to be born....

Steve's a daddy....

After 2 years, it was time to pack it all up and head back to Wisconsin.

Youth Ministry enters our lives in a wonderful way! Fall of 2005

Glendon with Steve in the new RBC kitchen.

Heading into the hospital for Jaydon to be born....

The boys meet for the 1st time.

Brothers - amazing blessings that we do not deserve!!

My Groovy husband!

Winter of 2008/2009

Fort Wilderness for our 5th retreat.

One of our hugest blessings... God sparing our lives in a merciful way that changed us.

"Up North" traditional family vacation Summer 2009

Sunrise/Quiet time together....

God has been faithful to lead us, guide us, grow us, and it is by His grace alone that we celebrate Christ's love for the church through our marriage!!!

On Consideration of Self and God's Amazing Grace

The statements below are based upon some readings in a book by Thomas A'Kempis.
I originally read them on July 1st, but God took me back to their truth today!

Because of my depravity, these sentiments have not always been the cry of my heart, but through the power of His word, they have fast become the desperate yearnings of my soul!


"I must fight long and bravely against myself before I learn to master myself fully and to direct all my affections toward God. When I trust in myself, I easily take to human consolation. As a true lover of Christ, however, who sincerely pursues virtue, I ought not to fall back upon consolations nor seek such pleasures of sense, but prefer severe trials and hard labors for the sake of Christ.

When, therefore, spiritual consolation is given to me by God, I receive it gratefully, but understand that it is His gift and not my meriting. I do not exult, I am not presumptuous, but I am the humbler for the gift, more careful and wary in all of my actions, for this hour will pass and temptation will come in its wake.

I do not desire consolation that robs me of contrition, nor do I care for contemplation that leads to pride, for not all that is high is holy, nor is all that is sweet good, nor every desire pure, nor all that is dear to us pleasing to God. I accept willingly the grace whereby I become more humble and contrite, more willing to renounce self.

As I have been taught by the gift of grace, and as I have learned by the lash of its withdrawal, I will never dare to attribute any good to myself, but will rather admit my poverty and emptiness. I give to God what is God's and ascribe to myself what is mine. I give Him thanks, then, for His grace, but place upon myself alone the blame and the punishment my fault deserves. "









And the sweet result - the richness of
On-My-Face worship before my Holy God!

"Thank you, Jesus, for Your cross."

Wrought Upon By God

Some things about me:

I was dead in trespasses and sins and God, in His great love, made me alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I was spiritually non-existent. Nothing. But then God created me.(Ephesians 4:24).

I was blind to spiritual things. God mercifully and sovereignly opened my eyes to see that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:17).

I was in utter spiritual darkness. And then "God ...shone in my heart to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).

My mother and my father and many teachers along the way have planted the Word of God and watered it, but it was God alone who did the miracle of giving me spiritual life and making it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6).

I was self-willed, rebellious, proud, going my own way and would never have come to Jesus on my own, and God drew me(John 6:44).

I had no repentance in my heart, no sorrow for my sin or passion to change, but God graciously granted me repentance(2 Timothy 2:25).

I had no faith, no desire to believe, but God, in his great mercy, granted me to believe (Philippians 1:29)

And Peter says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, in His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance, incurruptible, undefiled and that can not fade away, which is reserved in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4)

Peter bursts forth in praise because:

1 God's mercy is abundant and great.
2 God caused us to be born again (made alive) unto hope. (see above list)
3 God raised Jesus from the dead so that our hope is sure, alive, real and forever and ever.
4 God Promised me an inheritance....
5 God keeps that inheritance so that it will never perish, be defiled or fade away

Seeing the work of God,
Feeling the emotional response, (reverence, brokeness, inexpressible joy....)
Bursting forth with adoration.

This is worship!

List of "About Me" scripture passages derived from a sermon by John Piper

The Forgotten Four

Mark 2:3-5"Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you."

Jesus was in an Eastern home preaching the gospel of repentance to a crowd so large that it was impossible to enter the house.

Those of us who grew up in the church are familiar with this story of a paralyzed man who is carried to Jesus, forgiven of his sins and ultimately restored to good health.

There is allot going on in this story; the picture that sickness is of our depraved sin problem, Jesus sending a message to the self-righteous pharisees who refused to recognize His diety, Jesus' demonstration of His power over sin and sickness, the miracle of a paralyzed man immediately made strong and able to carry his own bed home.

Today, something new jumped off the page. The four men who carried the invalid to Jesus.

Who were they?
Was it their initiative to bring the sick man to Jesus, or were they responding to his request?What happened to them after the sick man lept up and ran home?

At the point where the paralized man is lowered into the center courtyard of the home where Jesus is preaching, he is spoken to and healed by Jesus, but up until that point, it was the actions of the four men which enabled him to be brought before Jesus.

They procured a bed, or mat, or large blanket with which to carry their friend.
They moved him.
They lifted him.
They used their strength to uphold him along whatever distance was needed crossing in order to reach Jesus.
They were determined and creative.
They worked through the barriers they met (the crowd and the roof.)
They carried the man onto the roof and used once again, their strength and effort to make an opening through which he could be lowered.
Then they lowered him carefully and safely into Jesus' presence.

These men were good friends. These men understood that healing was to be found in Jesus alone, and they were faithful to uphold their friend into the place where he might receive that healing.

They are not mentioned again.

But are they?

Notice verse 5. "When Jesus saw THEIR faith..."
Not "his faith" as in the man being lowered, but "their faith"...... including the four men who lowered him.

Do we, in faith, "carry" through sincere and committed prayer, the sick and bound to Jesus for healing?
Do we "get under and bear the load" with a burdened friend, using our actions, words and love to help them cast that burden on the Lord?
Do we "raise up, uplift, and elevate" our children to know the gospel made real in their daily lives?

My sons suffer the weight of their sin every day. They often seem paralyzed by it..... I am called to carry them to the cross every day, and by God's grace alone, I do. I do this through scriptural prayer. I do this by preaching the gospel to them in every consequence/blessing they reap. I do this by engaging them in spiritual conversations at their level - asking them questions to draw our their hearts and their knowledge of WHO God is. I do this by helping them memorize verses.

I have friends who are bound in some sort of sin pattern, wrong thinking, selfishness.... am I willing to confront them in love.... carrying them with gracious truth to a place of repentance and freedom? Maybe my "carrying" needs to be one of forgiveness, patience, overlooking, waiting and trusting the Holy Spirit to convict. Am I willing to do this?

Do I pray for opportunities to "carry" someone who is lost to the message of God's good news? Just last night, the Lord called me to carry the message of His redeeming Lordship to a young girl and her mother. Why do I not have more opportunities like that? Am I praying for and seeking them out?

I studied a familiar event of Jesus' ministry today. God spoke to me. He encouraged me to keep on with the "carrying" I am doing. He convicted me of people I have failed to uphold due to selfishness and/or laziness. He assured me of how His All-knowing , All-Powerful presence was over those four men, and it is with me too as I obey Him in this.

So an old story enters my meditation with powerful new application! I love God's word - it is to me, life-giving food!

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