11/11/2008

November News


















If you're in the USA and recently voted in the elections, or have been hit by the financial crisis, we've been praying for YOU these past 2 months. We've said it before, but please know that we stand ready to support you in prayer and any other way we can. It is a privilege to stand by you, and our home country USA in prayer. Let us know!

During such times as these, many more people are open to the Gospel or are learning in new ways to put their trust in God's provision and unfailing love. The recent financial crisis, the other election issues, and the change that's coming with our new president elect has catalyzed many of us to fix our hearts on heaven and look to God to be Sovereign and give each of us Godly direction and wisdom. We are all more urgently aware that all of us are on the front line of ministry now! May our relationships with Christ and one another be strengthened as a result of the times we are in.

As for us, we continue to settle here in our new home here and renew relationships, start new initiatives, building on an 8 year foundation.


Jim's been in meetings focused on knowing our Asia Staff better while at a conference in Hong Kong this past week. This month we are adding more staff!
Today Jim is starting a new mentoring network and teaching a seminar to pastors on spiritual authority.
Kimberly finishes teaching her TCA College class Performing Arts in Ministry on the 17th, and the boys have finished up an exciting season of football in Singapore!

Late last summer we wrapped up a promo video about CRM's FOCUSING LEADERS ministry here in Singapore (view it from the link below). It's being used to introduce the ministry locally to Pastors and Christian leaders, but we want to share it with you too since it's a good explanation of why we're here, and what a big part of Jim's ministry is.

As always, we look forward to hearing from you and knowing how we can support you through prayer!



(a recent CRMS staff meeting)

11/04/2008

Putting a Little Music Back in My Life! Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Gotta Play!*

Other than a couple of tunes for my monday night students, I've not sung since our return.

how abruptly life can make u turns!

Was it really me singing in a LA Jazz Club last May? 

Or at the 5star Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco?

But I'm gonna get back into it!

This week I've started forcing myself to make music (and exercise) a disciplined part of my day. It started because I got my little electric keyboard back this past week and have set out to spend 30 minutes a day learning how to really play. If i commit to it for a few months, I wonder how much progress i can make.

It's amazing how therapeutic music is for me. MIRACULOUS really.

I've really been fighting yucky symptoms of depression the last month (I suppose who wouldn't, given the circumstances of another international move, and the workload without helper and a car).

But, I have found that if I just take some still time to shut out the rest and listen to worship music and start singing along, or sitting down at the piano to self-teach some lessons and have a go at some simple songs, it has actually TRANSFORMED my outlook.  I can get on with the day with a happy attitude that's not just being the "strong little soldier" who's constantly crying out to the Lord, "Change my heart oh God!" 

(The Thessalonians verse "Pray without ceasing" is especially helpful for the depressed who have an extra challenge of "taking all those negative thoughts captive and giving them to the Lordship of Christ!)

A few months ago I told Jim that all my life I've wanted a real piano, and that if I prove to myself that I'm committed, I'm going to reward myself with purchasing or renting one! I've got the name of a 2nd hand dealer and a rental company.

Regardless of my children's lack of enthusiasm for taking music lessons (yes, with football over, now there's room in their week for other activities), I'm ready to roll! I don't have the emotional energy to force them to complain through their practicing, or keeping them on task with it, while I'm in the kitchen peeling the carrots for dinner.

If they don't want to practice for their music lessons, I'll have THEM make the dinner and I'LL practice!