The places that used to fit me...

"When You lead me to the valley of vision
I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn’t be my decision
It’s here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley’s where You make me more like Christ


Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You’re near with every breath
In the valley


In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley’s where Your power is revealed"

Adapted from The Valley of Vision- a collection of puritan prayers and writings

So it seems that God is calling us away from Minerva, and into a new community... where to begin? So many of you have been on this journey with us these past 3 months, so to repeat the story and reasons why we are leaving would only be redundant. The bottom line is- God has spared us from a situation that would put our consciences in a place of compromise, and we are thankful for His provision. When you stand for your convictions, you often stand alone...but we are thankful for the few who have spoken truth and taken their own stands during this trying time along side of us.

Where am I at? What I am thinking/learning/praying about/struggling through...? Here are a few things... in no particular order...

1. There is no one worth serving more than Jesus Christ

2. People attend church for all kinds of reasons...many of which are selfish and not God-honoring. I myself have been guilty of this at times, but God has taught us that the chief end of man is "to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever". Church isn't a social club...it's not just a place that does great works in the local community and serves AIDS victims in Africa. While these all have a place, the main function of church is to develop the people of God... it is to be a community of BELIEVERS who are learning, praying together and living out God's commandments within a structure of ACCOUNTABILITY and love.

3. I love my husband more deeply and honestly than I knew possible.

4. Worship isn't just music.. in fact, if I hear, "I just can't worship through that kind of music" one more time, I think I will go insane. Worship is meant for GOD... not ourselves. While we are all entitled to our musical tastes and preferences, music is NOT more important than the preaching of the true Word of God. Why are we so petty?

5. Insecurity breeds lies, jealousy and all kinds of other evil.

6. The bond of Christ through the holy spirit can bring all kinds of people, from all walks of life together in friendship...and bond them for eternity.

7. By nature, we are all rebels who hate being under God's authority. We love ourselves more than God, and seek to do our own will before His. Thank you gracious Lord for providing a sacrifice for our many sins.

8. Being able to articulate your faith is one of your most important possessions...especially being able to explain what it truly means to be "saved". It isn't just about, "I was bad and did bad things, but I said a prayer and now I'm trying to be good"..it's about realizing your sin...realizing that by nature, You CAN'T be good. Our only hope is to turn to Jesus and in humility, put on HIS righteosness as our own. Inviting the Holy Spirit to influence and live in in our "hearts" is the only way to this new life.

9. Marketing a church based on all of the things you are NOT typically means that you don't know what you ARE.

10. Seeker-sensitive is an inaccurate label...the bible says that "No one seeks after God".

11. No amount of programming, marketing, cool music, entertaining videos, coffee bars and artsy presentations can replace the true expository preaching of God's Word.

12. People that seek to please and puff up men instead of God will inevitably fail.

13. People that stay silent through injustice to protect their comfortable positions will someday be accountable for their passivity.

14. It isn't up to me to try and interpret the WHYs of life...it is up to me to trust that God does all things to protect His name and bring those that claim to know Him into obedience with His truth.

15. Minerva's water smells like eggs and makes all of our white underwear turn orange in the wash... :)

16. I am thankful for my loving and supportive family.

17. Church isn't about wearing suits and ties...it's also not about wearing jeans and t-shirts...again- why are we so wrapped up in these things?

18. If you choose to "take up your cross and follow Christ", you are guaranteed pain and persecution in this life...thankfully, we know the ending to the story.

19. "Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds"...Perseverance is something that you can only learn from opposition and pain.

20. The prosperity gospel is a marketing scam.

21. God is great, He is Holy and just and there is none like Him.

22. I struggle with materialism as evidenced by my anger over having to move away from our newly renovated house...is having a nice house more important than following God's lead?

23. I am learning to pray for my enemies and those who have wounded us.

24. I love my daughters more than my own life.

25. I will not miss living near "The Cheese Factory"...especially on a hot summer's day.

26. I WILL miss the rolling hills, the fireflies, Grinders malts, good friends and dreaming about raising our family here.

27. We will survive...and we will be stronger for it...


Randy has accepted the position of Pastor of Student Ministries at Faith Church of Grayslake in Grayslake Illinois (northern suburb of Chicago). As we gear up to travel once again, I cling to my husband, I cling to my kids, the many friendships we've made and my utter reliance on God.

"The future feels so hard and I want to go back...but the places that used to fit me, cannot hold the things I've learned...those roads were closed off to me while my back was turned..."