Pam’s Story

(After reading my recent journal entry…my mother emailed me this letter about Pam. If you’ve never read it, I hope it inspires you to TRUST GOD for the impossible)

In a recent email, I read about a woman named Pam, who knows the pain of considering abortion. More than 24 years ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.

Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn’t think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a preacher.

Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow.

The University of Florida’s star quarterback became the first sophomore in history to win college football’s highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible platform for Christian witness. As a result, he is being called The Mile-High Messiah.

Tim’s notoriety and the family’s inspiring story have given Pam numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of women’s centers across the country. Pam Tebow believes that every little baby you save matters. I pray her tribe will increase!

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!

Dr. Gerald B. (Jerry) Kieschnick

“That’s what it’s all about, right?”…Tim Tebow

It’s Christmas Eve, 2011, and the Buffalo Bills are hosting the Denver Broncos.  It’s “Tebow time” here in Buffalo, and with one of the most exciting players to take a snap this season coming to Buffalo, the atmosphere is electric with anticipation! And among the most high-voltage Tebow fans to light up the stands is Erin Marie, our firstborn.

You have to know Erin, she’s as sweet and caring as she can be and rarely asks for anything — she’s all about the giving. I felt like a broken record trying to pry a Christmas list from her, but eventually was able to squeeze one special request from her heart, she asked for one very specific thing:  “I’d really like to go to the Broncos game and meet Tim Tebow.”

Knowing that this would be an easy task for her father, I shared her request with Jim.  Now, you need to understand something about JK, he hates asking players for anything, even for his own kids. Autographs, photo-ops, souvenirs — he shies away from any of that kind of stuff because he doesn’t want the guys to think that he’s taking advantage of them.

And I get that — it’s a good rule-of-thumb. However, I think you know me well enough to know that this was the exception to the rule in my rule-book. I confess, I called a blitz and sent it all in from guilt to glamour (just to be sure)! “This is for your daughter. It’s the only thing she wants for Christmas…” Seriously, what’s a mother to do?

Needless to say, I really didn’t have to blitz, Jim is a great father and did what ever it took to bless Erin.

Here’s what happened…

During pre-game warm-ups Jim brought all of us (Erin, Camryn, our nephew Chad, my sister-in-law Tricia, and me) down on the field. After watching some of the players practice for a while we made our way over to the tunnel (where all the players enter the playing field). While we were waiting for Tim to come out of the locker room (I kind of felt like a crazy fan with just a touch of stalker) Jim stopped to talk to the Broncos Head Coach, John Fox and John Elway (a friend and former Denver Bronco quarterback during the same era as Jim). You would’ve thought Jim and John were ready to pull up some chairs and order drinks — they talked like two women who hadn’t seen each other in years. It was fun listening to them reminisce but I’ll admit, we were anxious to meet Tim.

Just as Jim and John ended their conversation, Tim walked out of the locker room. When he noticed Jim, he immediately stopped and extended his hand. It all happened so fast, (I guess warm-ups and a very important game took precedence over our group meeting — of course it did, hello, it’s football season). There were cameras everywhere, so it wasn’t like Jim and Tim could have any sort of deep conversation. After a quick hello and the routine small talk, Jim turned towards us and introduced us to Tim. You should have seen the look on Erin’s face. Priceless.

After we were introduced, I couldn’t help but say one more thing before Tim walked away. As he started to walk towards the end of the tunnel I said, “Thank you for loving Jesus so much.”

And he responded, “That’s what it’s all about, right?!”

That’s what it’s all about — RIGHT.

Here’s the deal, it’s all about loving Jesus!

Tim Tebow apparently gets this. I don’t know him. But, what I’ve seen, read and heard tell me that this man is on fire for the Lord. And because he is, everyone and their brother seem to think they have to answer this question: What are you going to do with Tim Tebow?

He’s all over the news. Not by choice— it simply sells! So the media is having a field day with everything Tim Tebow. And because of this, people have started to share how they feel about him.

Just this morning, when I logged into my AOL account there was an article with this headline: Tim Tebow Wins Again And Charles Barkley Says ‘The National Nightmare Continues’

Part of the article reads:

Missanelli then asked Barkley if he has had enough of Tebow.

“I think the world has,” Barkley replied. “First of all, Mike, I don’t know anything you said about Tebow but let’s just say the jury is still out on Tebow. He seems like a nice kid but these ups and downs are so different. The jury is still out on Tebow…”

Hmmm, I think it’s more like the world “has had enough” of Jesus. Needless to say, the media is all over Tebow. Why?

I’ll tell you what I think. First of all God has elevated Tim and given him the platform he has. God gave him talent — the ability to play exceptional football (yes, even JK says the guy can play so let’s not even go there — wink, wink.) God placed him on the Denver Broncos. God has allowed this team to win and lose (remember it’s a team sport). And God has allowed the media frenzy.

The frenzy we hear and see is not even about Tim Tebow. It’s about Jesus. If Tim didn’t chose to be so open about thanking Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, the media wouldn’t be all over him. Twitter wouldn’t be trending #TimTebow. Google wouldn’t be posting a record number of searches for John 3:16.  YouTube wouldn’t have thousands of hits on #15 singing “Lord I lift Your Name on high” during a football game. The mayor of Pittsburg wouldn’t have lost a bet and had to wear a #15 Broncos jersey while Tebowing (bending down on one knee with head down — looking as though one is praying).

None of this is really about Tim at all. It’s about the One he loves — Jesus.

Because at the end of the day, it’s always going to be all about Jesus. Wherever His Name is proclaimed, and He is legitimately honored from the heart, there is controversy.

The interesting thing about all this is the fact that all Tim has done is thank God.  Whether verbally after a win (or loss, yes, he still thanks Jesus after a loss), or physically by bending the knee in prayer, or pointing to the heavens in praise. He hasn’t stomped his feet with conviction and intolerance on some soap box insisting that everyone repent or go straight to the fires of hell. No, all he’s done is thank and praise God. it’s crazy how much this drives people to such intense verbal abuse and condemnation.

The thing is, God doesn’t need Tim Tebow. He spoke and light existed, and He knows the number of hairs on your head. As if He needs any one of us. He doesn’t. But Tim Tebow, you, me, and everyone else breathing right now — we need Him.

We need God.

So, instead of asking or contemplating what we’re going to do with all of the Tebowmania, I guess we should ask ourselves the very question Tim asked me:

That’s what it’s all about right?

Maybe we should focus beyond the man to the One greater…

What are you going to do with the One it’s all about?

What are you going to do with Jesus?

…but only one thing is needed

The story of Mary and Martha will help me explain what’s on my heart right now.

For those of you who might not be familiar with this story, it’s found in the Gospel of Luke and it’s short enough for me to share it all here.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42

There are layers and layers of truth in this story but I’m not going to get into all of that (although I would love to and maybe will another time).

Here’s the deal… I’ve been running like Martha but I crave the life and love of Mary.

I don’t know if it’s the season or the fact that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew —or both.

Regardless of the details that have brought me to this place, I’m choosing to do something about it. I’ve been distracted, worried and upset about many things. Like Martha, I’ve assumed that all of the things I’ve been doing are good because…they’re for Him. But they’re not what is better. The Doing is never better than the Being. I need to focus my heart, soul, mind and strength on the one thing that’s needed. Jesus.

And although this is a struggle, I’m so thankful that God chose today, during this time of year, to bring me back to my first Love… To bring me back to the feet of Jesus so that I can listen to what He’s saying instead of assuming that I already know.

I imagine that most of us have pulled a Martha… Maybe you’re stuck in her shadow right now.

Read the story again.

And again.

Hear Jesus speak into your distraction…  “…only one thing is needed.” Like Mary then, choose what is better. And don’t let doing good become opposed to choosing better.

A Prayer Can Change A Life…

I was looking for a Bible study this morning on the book of Esther when I came across a few papers tucked into a folder. All typed up in bold purple, from the heart of my young one.

A Prayer Can Change A Life

When I was little I had problems with body aches and pain. Well, I noticed that if you pray to God it will change you and me forever. When I was about 8 years old, I had a tooth problem and right now I am 9 years old and still have a problem with my tooth. So every night from now on my mommy, daddy and my sister pray for me.

I am so thankful that we can pray and ask God to heal us and take away our pain. You know what I love about God – is that He is the Name above all names and He reigns over heaven and earth.

So this day, just go to the Bible and pray to God – please heal me Lord Jesus and He will do this. It will take some time. But God’s timing is perfect!

I am so thankful that I can pray to God every day and every time I want to. He is so good to us.

God please help me because I am struggling with difficult things in my life and I need You every day at every time.

We all need you to come into our lives and save us from our sins.

Please Lord, help us to trust in You and not be afraid because You are strong, courageous, powerful, wonderful, and most of all Healer and Protector!

Thank You so much for listening on how to pray to the Lord and to believe in Him.

Love Miss Camryn Kelly,

JESUS ROCKS

I want to have child-like faith…don’t you?

Not a faith that isn’t growing but a faith that believes without hindrance.

A faith that trusts that God’s timing is perfect.

A faith that knows that Jesus is the answer for everything…all the time.

Let the words of a nine-year old inspire you today!

Some thoughts…in the wake of the 72-day Kardashian Wedding

I’m not big on staying connected to the media frenzy that follows the celebrities of this world.  But I couldn’t help but ponder over the recent 72-day marriage of the infamous Kim Kardashian. I suppose I could share all that I understand regarding the covenant of marriage that God has purposefully created – but that’s not what I’ve been pondering.

Here’s what I’ve been thinking…

Have You Found what You’ve been Looking For?

Why do we run hard after the things of this world that can never satisfy?

Why do we heap the burden of our expectations on people who can never fulfill them?

Why does God allow us to search high and low before we come to the end of ourselves where He is?

Love.

His love let’s us go.

Go here and there and everywhere.

Searching for this and that and everything.

For freedom and loves sake, He let’s us go.

Go and find what you’re missing.

Search for the things in this life that will satisfy your deepest longing.

» Read more

The Death of Steve Jobs…and how it might affect YOU.

After I dropped my daughters off at school this morning, I tuned into FOX News on my radio.

“Steve Jobs dies at 56.”

As I continued to listen to the presentation of this man’s life and legacy over the airwaves, I started to weep. Tears poured down my cheeks as I listened intently and made my way home.

I’m a hug Apple fan.

Love my IPhone.

On numerous occasions I’ve said, “Once you go Mac, you never go back.”

But even so, my mini obsession for gadgets could not possibly move me to tears over this loss.

So I started to pray and talk to God about the overwhelming emotion I was feeling for this man I’ve never met and know nothing about.

“What is this? Why am I overcome with sorrow because of this man’s death?” I prayed.

“Certainly it’s not because of my phone or computer…it’s not about the gadgets.”

“Lord, maybe it’s about the creativity, the genius and the passion. Is this man Yours? Did he meet You face to face when he breathed his last here on this earth?”

I continued to weep and wonder.

Though I know very little about Steve Jobs, it’s obvious that he’s passionate and outrageously creative. Oddly this all reminds me of how I felt when Steve Irwin died (The Crocodile Hunter). Hunter (my son) loved watching Steve get crazy excited over the crocodiles and creatures – we all did. Because Steve loved the crocs –we did too.

Passion.

Creativity.

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the prayer chain…

At exactly 9:01pm last night I received this text…

God has seen you cry, struggling with something.  God says its over.  A blessing is coming your way.  If you believe in God, send this message on, please don’t ignore it, you are being tested.  God is going to fix two things (BIG) tonight in your favor.  If you believe in God, DROP EVERYTHING AND PASS IT ON.  TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. DON’T BREAK THIS CHAIN.  IF YOU BREAK, YOU WILL SUFFER. SEND THIS TO 14 FRIENDS IN 10 MINUTES WHEN U READ IT.

This message came from an unknown number so of course my immediate response was…

“Who is this?”

To which he responded, “Umm who is this?”

“You sent me a prayer chain thing.”

“Whats ur name?”  He said.

And on and on it went until the undercover prayer chain deliverer was revealed.

So, why am I sharing this with you?

Because I imagine at some point you too have received one of these prayer chains.  Right?

What do you think about these?

Seriously, I’m curious.

This was my initial reaction to the message I received last night. I didn’t share my thoughts with the person who texted me because his intentions were from a heart of childlike faith (the texter was my young nephew).

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Isn’t there any other way?

“Isn’t there any other way?”

I’ve been asking God this question lately.

My nephew continues to struggle with some health issues and you would think that I would know how and what to pray for him considering all that we went through with Hunter.  But, I find myself coming back to that place of desperation where all I desire is for the problem to go away.

And so this was my prayer this morning…

“My grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corin.12:9)  Lord where is Your strength in the midst of all this?  How can we really know Your strength when we long for the hardship to go away more than we long for more of You in the midst of it.  I will continue to come to You on this child’s behalf.  Keep my longing and boldness before your throne holy and righteous, not turning into bitterness because of my fear.”

After writing this prayer down in my journal I read it over and over again.

Because of fear, I’m caught up in this struggle.  Do I desire God and His will more than Brad’s healing?  This is so familiar to me.  I watched my son, Hunter, suffer every single day of his precious life and wrestled with this very thing.  Do I trust Jesus and His will?  Do I believe that He works all things together for good for those who love Him?  Is my desire for God and His strength in the midst of our weakness greater than my longing for life without this battle?

I haven’t figured this all out.

But I know that just in the pondering over it God is drawing me closer to His heart.  He’s teaching me to trust even more when I can’t comprehend His ways.  (Isaiah 55:8) He’s helping me to believe and seek forgiveness for my unbelief.

I’m learning…and growing.

We all are.

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it’s easy to make a difference…

My son was born almost seven weeks early. The evening before I went into labor, I went to see a show at Shea’s with my mom. I was super uncomfortable the whole time (which is so unusual for someone who’s pregnant) and could barely walk to the car afterwards. I promised my mom I would call my doctor the next day. Something felt wrong. Two hours later, my husband was driving me to the hospital because after some deliberation I had determined that I had not in fact wet the bed, but that my water broke.

The first time I saw my baby, apart from the split second I held him right after he was born, was in the NICU, under a heat lamp, with a breathing tube down his throat. My heart simultaneously filled with incomprehensible love and broke in two. I was devastated. I wanted him with me, in my room. Not alone, hooked up to machines. There was no price I wouldn’t pay; nothing I wouldn’t give to protect him and make sure he was healthy.

As my husband and I sat there with him that first day, I looked around the room at the other babies and began to count my blessings. Even though he was early, he was still a respectable 5 lbs. 9 oz. The baby next to our crib had been there a month and according to the sign above his crib, had just celebrated the milestone of weighing in at one pound. Another family had twins and had just lost one of them. After eight days in the NICU, we were able to take our son home (a true celebration, because the doctors were preparing us for at least a month), and since that time he has not had a single complication.

There are so many things beyond our control when it comes to our children. And it is maddening. I want to make a difference when I can. The summer after my son was born I heard the Hunter’s Hope Radiothon on WGR550. I was listening in the morning, deeply moved by the stories that families were sharing about their children. The story of Jim and Jill Kelly’s son Hunter and his battle with Krabbe Leukodystrophy is well-known in the Buffalo area. They started Hunter’s Hope to honor Hunter and to push for universal newborn screening. Early detection is crucial and is within our control. It makes so much sense, and yet, is so often not done. Jill Kelly has written a very moving book, Without a Word, about Hunter’s life and how blessed they are to be his parents. It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking story of love, faith and never giving up.

During the radiothon, one of the on-air hosts, Howard Simon, asked a question that truly hit home for me: “How much would you pay to save your child?” I had to pull the car over because I couldn’t see through my tears. I was immediately taken back to the first time I saw my baby, breathing through a tube; the first time I fed him was through a tube up his nose. And we were lucky. Of course there was no amount of money I wouldn’t pay. I called and easily pledged the $12 a month.

The radiothon is coming up again on Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12. I hope that you can all look within your hearts and realize that such a simple pledge can change lives. Hunter’s Hope advocates for universal newborn screening in an effort to detect life threatening diseases while it’s still early enough to make a difference. This is something within our control. This year, in addition to continuing our monetary pledge, I’ll be taking pledges over the phone at the radiothon. It would be an honor to speak with all of you. Please consider pledging and making a difference. No family should have to go through the pain that these families go through. My son is healthy. Hopefully, your children, or future children, are healthy. It is not a given, however. I hope you will consider supporting them in any way you can.

Sarah Lindstrom

The People Pleaser Problem

Do you wrestle with this?

I know I’m not the only one.

As much as I try to focus my heart and mind on the audience of One, I eventually find myself worrying about what other people think.  It’s a vicious cycle.  You can spin it many different ways but the bottom line is this – when you’re not living (breathing, trusting, resting) in and for Him – you’re living for yourself and everybody else.

I’ll be raw honest with you…sometimes I care way too much what people think.  If God didn’t wrangle me in from time to time (like this morning during my quiet time) and rescue me from myself, I’d surely get lost in the sea of this people-pleasing world.  I’d fall under the weight of trying to carry around the burden of always trying to say and do the right thing.  It’s exhausting.  Frustrating. Meaningless.

What am I (we) looking for anyway?

Acceptance?

Friendship?

To be heard?

Attention?

Love?

The crazy thing is – God is already pleased with me (and you).  I don’t have to try and earn His love, acceptance or approval because HE stood in the gap for me Himself.  He made a way for me (and you) through His Son.  He did what I (we) could never do with a lifetime of people pleasing and good works.

When you let this take hold of your heart and mind it shatters the glass facade of life.  It doesn’t make sense.  It’s hard to grasp and comprehend.

That God would intervene through His Son for you and I to come boldly to Him just as we are is radical.

But it’s true.

So, as He has reminded me this morning, I’m hoping to share this as a reminder for you.

In Christ, the only One that matters is perfectly pleased with me (and you). You don’t need to try and spend yourself trying to please others (it’s impossible by the way).  When your heart and life are wrapped up in Him – the overflow of His life in and through you is enough.

After I finished writing this I was looking for a picture on google that would work here and I came across this blog post from Rachael in Atlanta.  It fits perfectly so I thought I would share it with you.