Matthews Family Herald

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" from Joshua 24:15

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The Greatest Force on Earth/Die größte Kraft auf der Erde

I've been listening to an audio book co-authored by world famous singer, Stephen Curtis Chapman and by Scotty Smith, Stephen's pastor. It's called "Restoring Broken Things" It's theme is that the expansion of God's Kingdom is summarized in the title of the book. Each time any of us makes a move to restore something from brokenness and back to wholeness, we are expanding His Kingdom. I couldn't help comparing this with current military events and to the justice system. To illustrate it in a personal way, I would rather have restoration than justice if someone hurts me. Rather than punished, I just want that person to choose differently, to apologize and make amends, and to restore the relationship. That's what God wants from us, right? Otherwise, He wouldn't have sent His son. He chose restoration over what we deserved. But would it work in the justice system? It's a hard call but it's why the death penalty makes me uneasy. Why? One person is worth however much it costs to give them the chance to eventually be reached, to come to terms with what they have done, to be restored unto Jesus, and to perhaps made an impact in the world before they die of natural causes. How? By perhaps writing a book or answering newspaper interviews, or who knows. I know this, love, God's love is the MOST powerful force in heaven and on Earth. No revenge, no wrath, no evil, no darkness can ever defeat God's love and those who choose it over retaliation. Certainly, if it's called for, it's not our place. "Vengence is mine, says the Lord, I will repay." Choosing it,expressing God's love, I mean, means a greater personal sacrifice, it means needing more patience, and it might mean watching what looks like things going the wrong direction and losing for awhile. But in the end, absolutely NO force can overcome and be victorious over God's love.
-James D of Germany

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Ich höre auf eine Audio-Buch mit dem Co-Autor von weltweit berühmten Sängerin, Stephen Curtis Chapman und Scotty Smith, Stephen's Pfarrer. Es heißt "Wiederherstellung der Gebrochenheit" Das Thema ist, dass die Expansion des Reiches Gottes zusammengefasst im Titel des Buches ist. Jedes Mal, wenn einer von uns macht einen Schritt, um etwas aus Gebrochenheit wiederherzustellen und wieder zurück nach Ganzheit, erweitern wir sein Reich. Ich konnte nicht umhin, einen Vergleich dieser mit den derzeitigen militärischen Ereignisse und der Justiz. Um es auf eine persönliche Art zu illustrieren, möchte ich lieber als die Wiederherstellung des Rechts, wenn mir jemand weh tut. Anstatt bestraft, ich will nur diese Person anders zu wählen, um sich zu entschuldigen und sich bessern, und die Beziehung wieder herzustellen. Das ist, was Gott von uns will, nicht wahr? Andernfalls würde er seinen Sohn nicht gesendet haben. Er entschied sich für die Wiederherstellung über das, was wir verdient haben. Aber wäre es Arbeit in der Justiz? It's a hard nennen, aber es ist, warum die Todesstrafe mich unruhig macht. Warum? Eine Person wert ist jedoch viel es kostet, um ihnen die Chance, letztlich erreicht werden, um die Bedingungen mit dem, was sie getan haben, kommen, wieder hergestellt werden zu Jesus, und vielleicht hat diese Auswirkungen in der Welt, bevor sie eines natürlichen Todes sterben. Wie? Mit vielleicht ein Buch zu schreiben oder beantworten Zeitung Interviews, oder wer weiß. Ich weiß das, Liebe, die Liebe Gottes ist die stärkste Macht im Himmel und auf Erden. Keine Rache, kein Zorn, kein Böse, keine Finsternis kann je Niederlage Gottes Liebe und diejenigen, die es vorziehen Vergeltung. Sicherlich, wenn es gefordert, es ist nicht unser Platz. "Die Rache ist mein, spricht der HERR, ich will vergelten." Die Auswahl ist, Ausdruck der Liebe Gottes, ich meine, bedeutet eine größere persönliche Opfer, bedeutet dies, brauchen mehr Geduld, und es könnte bedeuten, beobachten, was aussieht wie die Dinge die falsche Richtung zu verlieren und für eine Weile. Aber am Ende, absolut keine Kraft überwinden kann und über die Liebe Gottes siegreich. -Jakobus D. Deutschland


Today I had the joy of helping my three-year old son, Nathan put together one of his favorite "Thomas the Train" puzzles. I started right away using the same method I normally use, which is to build the borders first and fill in from there. I also frequently compare what I'm doing with the puzzle to the picture on the box. Watching Nathan put the pieces together made me smile and remember what it was like when I was his age and had no technique or method yet developed.

I watched him trying to force two pieces into fitting together that didn't belong together. I would have to calm him down and gently convince him that this was not the way it works. The puzzle "is what it is" and we have to submit to making what belongs together go together. I realized how much doing a puzzle was like serving God and walking with God. We have a big picture to frequently compare who we are and what we are doing to. That big picture is the life Jesus lived, the Book His words are captured in, and the Spirit He guides us with. We have our agenda that we are constantly tempted to force into being in spite of the Maker's guide and plan. We have to submit and put things where He wants them in our lives no matter how much we wish for that other thing to "go there." We are truly happiest when we are ordered in His fashion and after His design.

Finally, we can't always see the big picture. When working a puzzle, I notice pieces that belong together. I I put them together and notice that other pieces attach to those two. As I'm building this smaller portion, I'm not always yet able to see how that cluster of pieces fits into the overall puzzle, but God has allowed me to put them together. My son has his cluster and I know his pieces fit into the big picture too but sometimes I can't yet tell where. He builds, I build and we both work together. I see a piece and share with him and he sees one that I need. As long as our pride doesn't stop us from cooperating, we build the big picture together and, like I was able to coach, comfort, and encourage my son, God is there to mentor and guide us as we do our part of the big puzzle He has designed for all of us.

SNOWY SEASON

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We've been getting heavy snow here in the Neckargamund/Heidelberg general area (heavy to us, anyway) and so the kids have been having some great fun. I have to admit that it's very pleasant and calming to look out and see a blanket of white over everything. The air becomes so clean, crisp, and cool in my lungs; very refreshing! And so quiet outside. Quieter inside as the kids are out out playing in it! :) There's a lot to be said for quietness. Yes, I intended the pun that time. Seriously, this home has a peaceful quietness I can only recall experiencing out at Nonny and Pawpaw's and then at one other place we visited once off in the country years ago. And there's this old, wind up clock that's so nice to have as background noise when Heather and I sit on the couch, soaking up the silence and having tea.

Our wonderful Grandparents/Landlords came to visit recently and they provided me with some pictures from their visit that I'd like to share. Micah and the kids are quite amusing characters at times and they put together this jolly rendition of Mr. Snowman.

So much has been happening and God has really began pouring out opportunities to fellowship and meet others.




For example, we were told by another homeschooling military family here about some missionaries who came here to Germany from Washington state about a year ago and who believe they are called to the Tibet refugees that came to Europe from China. What's even more amazing is that these missionaries live only 14 kilometers from our rent home in Neckargemund.



The husband, Mike, speaks German pretty well and rides the train into Heidelberg several days a week for ministry stuff he does with Calvary Chapel and other things he does "free lance" if you will, ministry that he does to groups such as "The Hell's Angels of Germany" or something close to that. Basically, rough and tough bikers who need to know about Jesus' love for them. Mike says the ministry opportunities that present themselves to him while he rides the public transportation to Heidelberg and back is enough in itself! Anyway, they came here with no financial backing and with not much money, he and his wife and two children. God has sustained and cared for them and Mike and his wife shared a million stories of all that God has done for them.



Perhaps topping the list or to share for starters is that he himself, Mike, has personally met (briefly) the Dalai Lama, shaken his hand, and told him "Jesus loves you." (I think Mike said he's person number 49 to have done so.) The circumstances leading up to that moment were miraculous. He's also taught Lama monks how to skateboard and I've seen a photo of pehaps the first such monk to learn the art. It's pretty cool.

But anyway, if the "coincidence" of them living less than 10 minutes away from us isn't enough, (we live in a small town about 25 minutes from anything military or big city) Mike's wife, Amberlea, also happens to be into herbal and natural medicine and reads the same child rearing books that we do by Mike and Debbie Pearl. These are a few signs. Thirdly, they have two children who match right up in ages and gender to two of ours. Mike and his wife had been praying for companions for their kids. I've included some pictures of them for your enjoyment:




Here's Nathan and Zion, followed by Mercy and Hannah, and a third photo all four of the "pair-up children" together.


Mike and Amberlea cover their calling to Tibetans on their blog site at:


http://becausejesuslovestibetans.com/


When they, Mike and Amberlea Macy, knew they were called to Tibetans, they tried to come over to Tibet but God kept shutting the doors. "Tibetans, Lord, so Tibet, right?" they were saying. "Tibetans, yes, but not IN Tibet...in Germany,"...the Lord was saying. :) "Germany...oh. Okay." And God began having them meeting individuals from Tibet and also groups of them all over the place in Europe. I have to admit that when I first heard they were called to Tibetans I said to myself "isn't that Tibet. I think I've heard that word before." I had to look it up. "Oh, China and persecution. It makes sense now." :)

Please be in prayer for Mike and his wife as his wife has a number of health concerns. They are also getting a car soon but all of the circumstances haven't yet worked out. Mike believes he is to make a trip back to the States soon and is not yet sure how the Lord will provide for that.



Additionally, a German couple came over for tea yesterday and brought the most amazing, Cherry filled dish. I wish I had taken a picture of it but I didn't. It was circular like a pie and had heart-shaped crust parts placed in a circle around the top. Beautiful and time consuming to make, I'm sure. Anyway, we enjoyed several hours of talking and sharing with them and so we are excited about all that God has in mind for us in growing a friendship there as well.

The German couple I just mentioned we ask for prayer about as they face a large legal and financial battle over some roof troubles they are having. They have a teen son as well.

We have family of friends who lost children in an auto accident and are injured severely also and we lift them up in prayer.

We ask for prayer for our family and that all the work to do in my office would be completed. We have some concerns in our home that be ask for prayer about but also know the Lord has already said are going to work out.



There is quite a bit more going on and things I want to share but this isn't the best time to do so.



Take care,


James and family


Been studying Ecclesiastes about sowing here and there and not being discouraged by appearances. Something about "he who watches the wind and the clouds will not reap a harvest." The more I look at it, the more I think God is saying that he who watches the circumstances in order to make their decisions will not have the courage or faith to plant seeds or do that thing that God says to do. They will have one fear or reason after another to not take an action. But if we'll just do what God says and not look at it with our own eyes or thoughts but trust in Him, he'll make the harvest grow. I'm not talking about money although it could be money. It's more like obedience and trust in doing His will and believing His truth in a situation.


For example, a person could decide not to share their faith at work because everyone seems un-interested in God and so they tell themselves it's pointless. The ground is dry. But an attitude of faith would go ahead and talk about Jesus because God said to and believing therefore that a harvest will come. Noah built the ark when everyone laughed and the sky was clear because he understood this very idea. In the movie "Faith Like Potatoes" the guy planted potatoes in a drought season because he understood this concept and believed God. He couldn't see the potatoes growing but he staked all he had on the belief that under the ground, during the drought, that they were growing. The movie was a true story and potatoes were there for harvest time.


This could apply to marriage as well. Loving and giving and serving when it seems your spouse could care less or that the hope for affections returned is pointless. This could be towards a parent or towards a child or anything. God's truth is better and more real than what we see with our eyes. If He says so, and that's a big point, if he says so then it will and can be so.

Here's something I think the Lord gave me to say and strengthen faith in Him:


"Something is there that isn't there. Yes. Something is there that isn't there! So stand on it because something IS there."


I just received a reprinting of the Geneva 1599 bible and am so excited about getting started with using it. I plan on making it my Sabbath day study Bible and also the Bible I take with me to look at during a free moment during recesses at whatever court-martial session I happen to be recording.

Amazon.com offers the following review of this Bible:


"When the Pilgrims arrived in America in 1620, they brought along supplies, a consuming passion to advance the Kingdom of Christ, a bright hope for the future, and the Word of God. Clearly, their most precious cargo was the Bible. The Geneva Bible, printed over 200 times between 1560 and 1644, was the most widely read and influential English Bible of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This superb translation was the product of the best Protestant scholars of the day and became the Bible of choice for many of the greatest writers, thinkers, and historical figures of that time. The Geneva Bible is unique among all other Bibles. It was the first Bible to use chapters and numbered verses and became the most popular version of its time because of the extensive marginal notes. These notes, written by Reformation leaders such as John Calvin, John Knox, Miles Coverdale, William Whittingham, Anthony Gilby, and others, were included to explain and interpret the scriptures for the common people. For nearly half a century these notes helped the people of England, Scotland, and Ireland understand the Bible and true liberty. King James despised the Geneva Bible because he considered the notes on key political texts to be seditious and a threat to his authority. Unlike the King James Version, the Geneva Bible was not authorized by the government. It was truly a Bible by the people and for the people. You can see why this remarkable version with its profound marginal notes played a key role in the formation of the American Republic. "

I'm interested in everything mentioned but particularly and especially for the purposes of mentioning it here on this blogpost, "in its key role in the formation of the American Republic."

Time to start writing/typing "2010" on every document. How many times will you accidently write "2009"? I will try not to do it at all. :)


Thanks to God, we are finally moved in to our new place in Neckargemund.
Our household goods are set to arrive on Monday and Wednesday and our "move out" inspection of the on-post quarters is set for Tuesday. I have a court-martial case to record on Thursday and Friday and so you can see we have a very busy schedule set for next week.


Last week at our third home fellowship, our son Jacob heard the Lord and asked to be water baptised/immersed. (This photo is not of him.) He had already decided to follow Jesus with all of his heart and life a few years before but now felt the Lord leading him that this was then the time to be immersed in obedience to the Lord and by the example, in so doing, of our Lord Himself. (Say that sentence three times without slipping.) So, our family gathered in the bathroom and Jacob was baptised in our bathtub. (German bathtubs are just as long and twice as deep as those we are accustomed to back in America. Did you know that being immersed did not begin with John the Baptist but was a custom of the Israelites/Jews long before then?) It meant so much to me to be able to immerse him as his physical father and I suddenly felt more connected than before with centuries of leadership before me. I felt hope in continuing to secure in my family the things of the Lord for those coming after us. This was affirming on so many levels.
It's so wonderful living in Neckargemund. If that weren't enough, we have the most amazing landlords, Herr and Frau Heise. ("Herr" is the equivalent of "Mr." but perhaps means more than that. The bible in German uses "Herr" for the same word we translate as "Lord.") They are more like grandparents, really, and have made this move so much easier and pleasant. We moved in on New Year's Eve and so this was reason enough to celebrate. But here in Germany, it's legal to shoot fireworks from your home. This was surprising because Germany has given us the impression, thus far, that the society as a whole tends to be more careful and to "err" (if one could really call it "err") on the side of caution. But I will say that it had rained for a good part of the day prior to the New Year's Eve celebrations here.


The point is/was that we live up on a hill-top neighborhood and so people began shooting fireworks at about 10:20 (2230 in German time. Germans use the 24-hour clock just like the US military.) These shootings were just random and "here and there," if you will. But just moments before the New Year turned over, the citizens began shooting them off in droves. We could see bursts rocketing from homes, lighting up things below us, on either side, and all around us for miles in a panorama of explosions of sound and color. This went on for over an hour and so it was likely the most spectacular fireworks show we had ever seen and certainly the most beautiful. The best part was just being upstairs, the whole family huddled into Micah's room and watching the show together by the window sills and enjoying the children's fascination with the whole thing.
Today, we go with the intent to complete the cleaning of the home, perhaps get the new tires I need to have our family van pass the German inspection, shop for groceries, and hopefully get the bills paid before Monday.
I have found an awesome tool, Google Translator! Yeah! Through the use of this, I have located and joined in to website forums made for other home fellowshipers in Germany. I found this chiefly through the website of an author, Wolfgang Simson, who wrote "Houses that Change the World." He is a German who lives, I believe, in Stuttgart but travels the world. The afore-mentioned book was the first house church book I ever read, back in 2004. Little did I know then that I'd be in Germany some day. :) How I long for fellowship here...
There's so much more to share...perhaps later when we are more settled in. Planning to get more pictures up soon as well. Heather and I are really enjoying the comments left here by readers and we will do our best to reply back anytime anyone leaves a comment on one of our posts or asks a question.

With that, I'm going to close. Here's an appropriate picture of Jacob putting all of his trains down to bed for the night.



Take care,

James

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