Brainstorming Resolutions

topics

• Spiritual

• Physical

• Intellectual

• Service

• Social

• My important relationships

• Professional

• Adventure/Risk (This can be something from above that you might not otherwise do and takes courage)

Safe from Tsunami- reporting from Singapore

It was a normal Sunday for the Creasmans. We didn't even know about the SE Asia tsunamis until 12 hours afterward when we turned on the news (late Sunday night our time). Living in the region, we feel closer to the pain and the grand scale of loss. The island closest to the epicenter, Sumatra, had so much catastrophe, and it took the waves headed for Singapore. Our little island, nestled in between Indonesia and Malaysia, was preserved.

As we prayerfully mourn and flip our TVs between CNN, BBC and Channel News Asia, Christians in Singapore are bustling to figure out how we can respond with help to our Asian neighbors. There was a meeting Monday at Jim's office (The Singapore Centre for Evangelism and Mission). They want to help coordinate efforts and mobilize Singaporean Christians.  The church we attend here had several daughter churches in Sri Lanka that were affected, and our CRM colleagues in Indonesia are sending some evangelists with relief materials to their most affected area which is very Islamic. A dinner guest tonight will be directing Operation Blessing (CBN) aid efforts to the Maldives.

Please pray for wisdom for Christians in the region to find tangible ways to assist and show Jesus' love to the hurting and needy people. Pray that both physical and spiritual healing and salvation will be brought to them in ways that prove God's greatness, goodness and love. Pray for the Lord's miraculous strengthening to those on the front lines offering assistance. And, pray with us to be able to reach out and comfort others around us who are most affected by the tragedy.

We were living in Singapore during 9/11. We know what it's like to hear about tragedy in your homeland and not be able to be home to share with your country in the grieving. After some phone calls yesterday I found out a nearby convalescent home with Sri Lankan staff.  After dinner the 4 of us took over some cards, cookies and Gospels of John. They all came out to meet us and see why we'd come. We stood in front of the building, with security and other staff looking on, and shared with them our sadness over the devastation in their home country and prayed for them and their families and country. They were really sweet and it was a touching experience for all of us. It is such a small thing, but it is one way we can personally give a word and touch of comfort and share the hope we have in Jesus.

Also from Jim:
Hi Patti,

Thanks for checking.  We're ok physically, and didn't even know about the tsunami until 12 hours afterward (late Sunday night our time), but it has hit us emotionally.  Christians in Singapore are trying to figure out how we can respond with some help to our Asian neighbors.  We had a meeting at my office (SCEM) 2 nights ago to try and bring different ministries together and coordinate efforts and mobilize Singaporean Christians.  The church we attend here had several daughter churches in Sri Lanka that were affected, and our CRM colleagues in Indonesia are sending some evangelists with relief materials to the area in northern Sumatra, which is very Islamic.

Please pray for wisdom for Christians in the region to find tangible ways to help out and show Jesus' love to the many hurting and needy people.  And pray for the Lord's emotional strengthening for us to be able to reach out and comfort others in the midst of tragedy.

Last night our family went to a nearby convalescent home where six Sri Lankans work.  After being in Singapore during 9/11, we knew how depressing it is to hear about tragedy in your homeland and not be able to be there to share in the grieving.  We took them some small presents and gospel materials and shared with them our sadness and prayed for them and their families and country.  They were really sweet and seemed very touched by us reaching out to them.  It was a moving experience for our family, and we felt at least we could personally give some comfort and share the hope we have in Jesus.

BTW, I also felt homesick this Christmas, the first time I think since we've been in Asia.  Just missing the friends and all the traditions.  My mom raved about the program at EV Free.

WIth our love and thanks to God for you and prayers for his blessings! 

Jim

 

The Lornie Road Mansion

I drove by with the kids recently and called the realtor's number. This empty house needs a caretaker! It's falling apart and it's brand new. I wonder what the monthly upkeep costs alone are for a house this size. The realtor showed us the house last week and suggested we make an offer to the bank to live in it as caretakers while they continue to try to sell it.

Bank repo of a 99% finished custom home. All 8,000 sq feet interior and 19,200 property has been sitting empty for a year now. Asking $5.5 million! 

A rowdy bunch for Cameron's 8th birthday party. December 14th.

email to Kevin:
We're having a very quiet and reflective Christmas season
HOWEVER
The flurry of activity for Cameron's birthday yesterday made up for the rest of the month. They both were up at 6:15 to follow the (most awesomest) string. Cameron got this great "freedom force" cargo helicopter with a jeep and army guys and rope ladders and guns and and and. That was the biggest hit, I think (TYLER was JEALOUS!!!). The gifts from his little party friends were also pretty good this year. Mostly toys! (ie. he didn't get any Chinese study workbooks from his best buddy like last year! Only one book and one t-shirt!)
We played twister, cranium cadoo, chinese checkers, beyblades and that old race of eating marshmallows tied to the end of a string (what a hoot!).
Ended the all-boy event with a waterballoon war in the garden below our condo. 2 teams each with a bucket full of little bombs. No bombs hitting above the shoulders. No stepping out of bounds. Jim was the judge of which team was the most dry after only 6 minutes of warfare. The Creasman boys were tied for wettest!
Cam was very cute about this birthday, counting the days until it came...
All day today (the day after) we've been making a BIG deal about his age:
"Hey! you are EIGHT years old!"
He rolls his eyes, "I KNOWWWW!"
He loves it.

Viper

Tyler had the blues today and we drove over to the SPCA for him to visit a husky named VIPER there (he's always loved reading about sled dogs and the movie Iron Will). That was a wonderful pick-me-up for him (and for me too).

Survived Vacation Day Camp

My right eyelid is twitching and my body is a bit sore today, but I'm
alive to tell about it!

Singapore Idol, Journey of Desire, Advice to a Friend

I went just for the last 10 minutes of one show and was SO GLAD i didn't do it again. I think now that I'm in my 40's I want to do more dignified performances and leave the cartoon characters to the younger performers!

We had a party last night to watch the finals for Singapore Idol. Your girlfriend was funny - she said she'd rather die than watch. She had the cell group anyway so...we enjoyed the hype and fun of it. Taufik won, so we're happy He's who we were rooting for.

Glad you've enjoyed the book so far. Press on, the 2nd half is better. But even more than reading Journey of Desire, or whether you've found a church, the bottom line is whether you're talking to and listening to Jesus more and more. The other stuff is just the extras to where your heart is with him. As you read the book, or crack open the Word, are you asking him what he wants to tell you? Even in the spear fishing and beach relaxing he's with you and wants you to experience ordinary fun stuff in his presence. Through the beauty, and nature, he wants to speak to you too. Stop asking yourself "I wonder what I'm supposed..." and just turn all those questions over to him.

School Play: CINDERELLA Can you find Tyler as Prince Charming behind 6 of the Singaporean Seven Dwarves? 

Article by Tammy Bruce

I don't normally write about politics, but I found this article WHY A DEMOCRAT SHOULD VOTE FOR BUSH
by a notorious feminist quite refreshing.

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=15740

Pam Kluver's BIRTHDAY Pendant

Symbolism in the birthday gift...
Yep. I've had these pendants since I bought them the last week we
lived in China...waiting for the right person to give away to. As I was
pondering your birthday I decided to keep one for me and give that one to you.
Twins.
Besides it being Chinese and from China that makes it special,
there's also a funny special meaning to them too: I CAN'T figure out what that word is. The dictionary hasn't been
helpful.
The woman who sold them to me said it was a good meaning... didn't really understand what she said. But I bought them anyway -- with a laugh -- it symbolizes that I'll NEVER master this language! Like I love this pendant, but don't get
it, I'll never really GET the Chinese even though I love them dearly.
Just like you!
I'm not shut up writing too much, I've been teaching more than ever
(this week besides my little 5 star group, I've 3 other groups I'm teaching for that's really unusual!) I'll get the scripts done somehow. I've 2 done, 8 to go!

Little Miracle for Tyler

Yesterday, and quite by accident (but not God's accident - He was answering an 11 year old's prayers!) I stumbled on City Music. A friend had recommended this store and an amplifier sold there if we were going to go ahead and get a guitar for Tyler. And what did I find? a great package deal on the electric guitar with the recommended amp, case, cord and strap for a price tyler can
afford.Later in the day I took Tyler back to see it. Tyler will pick it up Wednesday.

A Friend with Lymphoma Shares His Understanding on Healing

Mike Crow's STRUGGLE WITH MEANING AND MYSTERY

(from his email prayer letter in November 2004)

Disease seems to hit Christian and non-Christian alike. Healing also occurs for some, but many are not healed. Some see illness as simple randomness and genetics. Others say God heals everyone who comes in faith. People take various positions between the extremes of meaninglessness and oversimplified meaning.

Position #1	Position #2	Position #3
If you’re pleasing to God, He’ll heal you! Medical help is a cop-out, a failure of faith. Everything has a 1:1 significance, a fixed meaning and purpose. Illness is either: (a) a result of personal sin, (b) a generational curse or (c) Satan’s attack. Just repent, refuse & resist!	God is all-powerful, good, sovereign and wise. We live in a fallen world with fallen bodies. Christians are not exempt from the consequences of Adam’s sin. God can & does intervene with healing. But He is hard to pin down to any hard and fast formula. Somehow, amazingly, He seems to bring glory to Himself both through healing and through our facing suffering with His grace and peace. Often it seems that we only come to this place through severe personal trial, being Biblically faithful yet embracing cold, hard realities. Get the best medical help you can trusting God through it all.	Illness occurs randomly & genetically. It’s all chaos & chance. Get the best medical help you can, then grin and bear it. The naïve attribute random junk & medical help to God. But there is no higher purpose or meaning. Faith is an obstacle to scientific advance
Tends to deny painful facts contrary to faith. Tends to simplify life and faith. Sees medicine as nice but unnecessary. Tends toward aggressive prayer.	Tends to struggle with integrating faith and suffering. Acknowledges God’s sovereignty in the mystery of life, even life with pain. Embraces medical advance as a gift from God to suffering humanity, made possible because of His image in man (compassion and intelligence). Tends to be more tentative in prayer (If it be Thy will).	Denies God and looks only at “the facts.” Tends toward skepticism, cynicism and / or hedonism. Medical advance is human ingenuity. Prayer is pointless.
God heals all who have faith, so lack of healing is a lack of faith. My faith releases God’s power. God is not in control; I am.	If God heals some but not others according to His will, then it does not depend so much on my faith as on His mercy. The stress is not on my faith but on God’s sovereignty. I am not in control; God is.	There is no God or miraculous healing. “Healings” are psychosomatic or a fraud. God is not in control; I am and so are my doctors!
Simplistic Meaning and Pat Answers	Meaning & Mystery	Meaninglessness, Cynicism, Despair

I’ve found myself struggling at every point along this continuum, trying to integrate faith with lack of healing. I’m now circulating around the middle area, embracing both the meaning found in faith and the mystery found in lack of healing. I am leaning heavily on the mystery of God’s mercy and rejoice in medical advance.

Indeed, I see my entry into the National Cancer Institute as a wonderful answer to prayer. I’ve jumped to the head of the queue! I’m at the cutting edge of research on lymphoma treatments, which other cancer patients will benefit from years from now.

Thank you, God, that I can be a part of Your work through human beings, to extend Your healing to any suffering person, regardless of their faith. This is truly Your mercy in action towards suffering humanity.

The cover of a newly published book. Our chapter of infertility is inside. 

Highly Recommended reading. I'm living the life I only dreamed of...How about you? 

In Praise of Rich Swingle

Rich Swingle is not only a winsome and talented performer, but he's also deeply committed follower of Jesus with his head on firmly and straight.

Last summer when I told him the one the thing I admire most about him, he got tears in his eyes. It was something no one has ever complimented him on, and yet it is something that he admitted to having had to really work at.

It is not is talent or his intelligence, or his love and dedication to his wife, or that he has the ability to make everyone around him feel special by making sure they are introduced and included in conversation. No, the thing I admire most about him is that he obviously has made a personal commitment to speaking only positive words. Even in very difficult circumstances where everyone around is grousing, Rich will refuses to join the crowd and will find positive uplifting things to say. I've never known anyone else in the arts like that and it has a big impact on my will to guard my tongue.

Booking: 864-294-9500 or info@Savidge.com

Re: A Letter from a Financial Supporter

Thank you for your gracious and open letter. A letter like this makes us have a stronger than ever sense of your partnership. It is a great encouragement to me to have you share like this. As Americans we tend to be very private about our finances. Rarely would one "spell it out," like you've just done, in order to let us know where you stand in regards to being our partners in ministry with your finances.

We are so blessed to have friends and supporters like you who trust the Lord in how He's going to provide and lead in using us all in small ways for the sake of His glory!

Praying for your blessing and Joy from Singpaore today,

K!Mberly

----- Original Message -----

From:

To: K!Mberly Creasman

Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2004 11:10 AM

Subject: Expanded ministries

Dear Jim and Kimberly,

Thanks for your regular reports as well as your special, personally written letter from Jim. We like the reporting of activities and prayer requests related to calendar events for yourselves, the ministries, and the kids. And we thank God that we can participate in a small way and share your vision for reaching CHINA. What a wonderful calling!

I know that you are looking for supporters to back your ministry expansion, and we have every intention to continue to support you in prayer and via semiannual contributions. However, I guess its time for you to become aware of our financial situation. I, ____ have been retired for 12 years and this is the main reason we have reduced the rate of our giving to twice annually for all of our charities. We give once in the springtime in anticipation of God’s blessings and once in December, reflecting the state of our finances. The money comes from our IRA’s.

____ is also retired, but she works from time to time when she has a special request from a known former associate, primarily to provide her with some discretionary money, spending money for gifts. We both drive OLD cars.

So, the bottom line is, don’t expect additional resources from us unless the Lord does something extraordinary with our finances. We are largely dependent on second guessing the stock market with our IRA’s and can report that God has kept things relatively constant for us over the last decade while things in the financial markets were going up and down rather dramatically.

Although our contributions may not seem like much, we consider you both, and your special gifts and ministries, as one of our favorite investments, along with five other missionary families and other outreaches. We love you and desire God’s blessings for you, your family and your ministries.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Cameron and I had a rare chance to see this group come through Singapore on tour last night. According to his birthmother, Alvin Ailey is Cameron's great-grand-uncle. Cam wore his suit on this date with mom and he was pretty impressed by how strong the men were! I was especially moved by the last section REVELATIONS, a selection of pieces danced to traditional spirituals. One duet called "FIX ME JESUS" was breathtaking and deeply moving. Three of the 4 segments for the evening we went were choreographed by Alvin Ailey. God is good to lead us to going last night, as the other 2 performances only had 1 segment of Ailey choreography.

To a Friend Who's moved to a New City

Jim and I have been travelling a lot this past month and I really miss him (He's shocked and is loving it that I'm needy! Usually he comes back from a trip and I say, "Home so soon?" This time I'm up late at night watching COLD MOUNTAIN and saying when he calls, "If you are fighting, stop fighting. If you are marching, stop marching. Come back to me. Come back to me. Come back to me." I think he must have been so happy to hear me say that, that he may have recorded it in his palm pilot as a date to remember! "Kimberly NEEDED me!")

And as for you to be in Las Vegas with no long time friends to be your support system. Another sigh. I just had news that our only American friends here are looking to move back to USA. I hope you have some friends, or family that call or come to visit...

Did you ever find a church or "alpha course" there that seemed a good fit?

Thank you for even thinking about the support bit at the bottom of the email...

But we are in good hands. And so are you...

I asked for your prayer requests and will be praying about your home sale, and getting you all in the same city again soon.

The Boys' School Experience Here

(to another American looking into options for their children when they move here)

We've been in Singapore nearly 5 years after 2 years in China. My husband
and I both caucasian Americans and we have had our 2 boys in local schools
the whole time (since they were 3 and 7). We will probably switch the middle
of next year and are considering other options. Both boys are happy in
the system (now 11 and 7) but we also feel they should have a chance to
experience another style of schooling. The system here has its good points
and drawbacks (as does any option). Since we came to Singapore hoping to
make it home, we wanted to immerse ourselves in the life here, and you can't
really understand or relate to Singaporeans unless you are intimate with the
school system. But starting with your girl as a 12 year old may be tough
unless she is confident adaptable, and pretty bright (you can opt out of
taking "mother tongue" as a foreigner, so the 2nd language studies won't be
a problem for her).

You can find a wealth of information and links at the Singapore Ministry
of Education website (they call it MOE). While living in China, we found
nearly everything we needed to know from this web site.

Year round schools here start a day or two after new year. Ends
mid-November.

All that said, I still haven't met any other caucasian American family who
has made the same schooling choices we have. It was an unusual conviction
we've held to, and it has worked for us, and been a blessing in many ways. I
am on the homeschooling egroup so that I can be inspired by them, get ideas
for supplementing my children's education, and stay connected to their
activites. It's nice to have occassional contact with other
foreigners/parents. I am bored to tears by chit chat with the local mothers
who only seem to care about knowing my children's exam scores and how much I
pay for rent.

News to Jim in Atlanta

Tyler and I watched Van Helsing last night after Cam was asleep.

I've been really tough on them this week. They're shocked that I can really administer the LAW!

Tyler wasn't keeping track of time on the computer so I made him read a book on internet guidelines for kids and tell me about it. Now he knows the word Pedophile. Cameron lost his priviledge to sleep in my room last night because of losing his temper and being rude to me. HE WAILED and BEGGED for another chance. I'd already given him two, so I was merciless. He's in his room now cleaning up the toys he threw around when he was mad last night!

I went through toy junk with Cameron and he has until tomorrow to put zoids back together or the pieces get tossed on Saturday. We had a "gluing party" yesterday for the ones he'd repaired. I think he's pretty proud of himself for making some sense of the pieces! So their room is getting pretty organized now.

Both boys are doing their chore charts with the threat of a swat for every blank square. What a mean mom!

X&X came over yesterday. That was interesting. What fun. I think they like me to be straightforward with them. So I was. Told them their relationship will never go the distance unless she bridled her tongue and stopped belittling him (and disrespecting him) and unless he started putting some effort into making her feel special, take her on a date, and do something together without her setting it up, even if it is deciding to go to church and him taking the leadership to follow through with the plan. They have to tell me next week if they were successful at their attempts for these few days. If they can't make any improvement in a week, when they are focused on it, then it will never get better and they might as well give up now. They were taking notes! Imagine!? Taking advice from me!!! LORD help us all!

I finally dared to go in my office this morning. Yikes. What a black hole...I've been staying in the bedroom with my computer just 'cause I don't want to face the chaos in my office. Got to get on top of it...almost time to turn in the receipts...

I think I've got the post China/Australia blues. It was so exciting this past month running around doing drama stuff. Now I'm putting around at home working at boring administrivia - paying the price for my outings and fun. Do you know how many envelopes come back eachnewsletter mailing with a change of address to update???!!

Okay, enough whining. I'd better get to it while the boys are quietly doing something else!

Love you and hope you're feeling better. Bet its a great experience!

Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation - 2004

Wow. We're really Jet Setters for Jesus this month! Jim's off again this morning to the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation. Check out the link to see what this Congress has identified as most important issues. The congress has identified 31 issues to discuss at this stage in the history of the church and sharing the good news of Jesus to the world.

It's been a tag-team month of traveling in this half of the world. The first 2 weeks of September were in Sydney, then Jim was off to China. He was one day back and then I was off for a week in China too. Another Sunday family day yesterday, and Jim is off again to Thailand for 2 weeks! We're missing each other terribly, but it's also terribly exciting to be involved in this work!

I'm wishing I could be at the Congress this year. There is an issue group on Redeeming Culture Through the Arts. I've had stimulating discussions with both Colin Harbinson and Mary Jones. Here's a quote from the site:

Overview: The rapidly increasing numbers of Christians in nonwestern nations is challenging the Euro-centric understanding. With this dramatic change comes new ways of characterizing the faith. The Western emphasis on (abstract) reason is being overtaken by an emphasis on (concrete) embodiment. The neat clean logic of propositions is being replaced by the more fuzzy-edged accounts of narrative and the communal nature of these other cultures challenges the individualism of the West. Moreover there is an upheaval right within Western culture that calls for change. Postmodern discontent with Western modes of thought is offering new openness to "spirituality" and widespread attention to the aesthetic side of life. It appears in both these situations the language of choice is one that leans towards the arts. The power of the arts to communicate is unquestionable and its presence is everywhere. Unlike the West, the other parts of the world have not relegated the arts to galleries, theatres and concerts halls, but have allowed it to permeate ordinary life and nurture the human spirit in a more consistent way. We are in a transitional moment in history and these important changes must be considered as we seek to give shape to global evangelization.

Blogs Blocked in China!

I've just come back from a week in China and learned that the government has effectively blocked access to viewing or creating blogs! Wow. And I thought the country was really opening up! Guess not!

But that is the only bad news from an amazing week! It's been 3 years for me since I've been to the city where we lived from 1997-99. The first time I've been without my husband and children. I really missed them being there with me to remember all the wonderful experiences and places we discovered while we were there studying Chinese.

I not only was delighted to work all week on a recording project with local believers but they were reading translated copies of scripts I'd written! A first for me to have my background as Bible student, Missions Pastor's wife, Chinese Language student, and Dramatist all come together for an exciting Kingdom project.

I had sweet happy times at nearly every meal and overnights with two of the Chinese women who came to be like sisters to me in the two years I lived there. Neither really understand how much God loves them and I've still not the language ability to talk about such things on a deeper level. I have prayed so much for their salvation but until this week never with tears. They both have had some big changes in their lives this year which have introduced them to intimacy with loneliness. I had one morning to be alone for a couple hours, and listening to a song of Psalm 27 I wanted so badly for them to understand how true it is that He is our Stronghold...

I have to believe that for now, in His timing, it was enough that they saw this emotional side of me for the first time. I'm usually expressive, but never have wept in front of them. I admitted crying while praying for them. Then I felt I should just leave it at that. It is truly a season of silence for me. God keeps whispering to "shut up and watch how I work things out."

Besides the taping work and fun meals with these friends, I had a terrific time talking and sharing a bit of my testimony with a large high school English class.

I love China. Can't wait to go back again in December with the family.

Finally cashing in on frequent flyer miles, we went to Australia! Stayed in Darling Harbor, Sydney. Such a great family vaction for little boys!

Featherdale Wildlife Park.

WILD AUSTRALIAN KING PARROTS. Just another morning feeding in the woods of the Blue Mountains.

MAKING FRIENDS WITH A WILD KANGAROO."Do your children even know that they have a very unusual and exciting life?" - My mom when I told her about some of our adventures while in Australia.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE. "The Marriage of Figuero" I've now seen my first opera! What was I waiting for? I know: Growing up with a natural vibratto I was always teased that I was an opera singer. Learned early to assume that this was not a desireable quality in one's voice. After seeing this recent production in Australia, I could care less what others think. They are stupid uncultured morons to belittle opera. Opera is AMAZING! I think I'll start taking voice lessons again.

QUOTES ON JOY

2 years ago I began signing emails, "Blessing and Great Joy" because that was my most earnest prayer for myself. I wasn't experiencing joy and knew that it was my birthright as a child of God. By signing my emails with this wish for others it was a reminder to pray for this desire for myself and for others. Today I read some quotes on joy that I don't want to forget:

“Joy is God’s basic character. Joy is his eternal destiny. God is the happiest being in the universe.” - John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted

“Joy is the serious business of heaven.” - C.S. Lewis

“Never let the pain of this world obscure the joy of loving Jesus.” - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” - Jesus of Nazareth, John 15:11

Permanent Residence

To Jan Charlin

We were awarded permanent residence last week! Yeah! PR! That
means we can buy property (instead of throwing money away on rent). We
need God's wisdom and heart about that investment...and when to move.
Spent some time looking this week at a great new development that our
boys were just crazy about...and it's 5 minutes from the International
Christian School, and in town (we live in the suburbs so it's hard to
get people to come over when they take public transportation). I
started teaching a drama class at the International school this
week...so I'm winning brownie points with them! They even offered
scholarships to the boys if I'd take on the class every day. We're not
ready to make the switch and commute yet...so I'm just volunteering
once a week for this semester. Got too many other things going anyway!

Blessings!