Monday, December 24, 2012

Learning from Jesus while Making Ornaments!





               As I spent time making this year's ornaments,  Jesus spent the time teaching and reminding of so many things.

     The recipe for the clay is 3 ingredients - corn starch, soda, and water.  As I stirred and stirred this conglomeration on the stove top I thought it would never turn in to the "smooth mashed potato consistency" the recipe said it would.  The first try at the recipe I was too impatient (as usual).  Dough stuck the to rolling pin and board.  Then when I tried to lift them from the board they became misshapen - edges were rough and ornaments cracked while drying in oven. 

 Next batch I took my time.  Oh my! What a difference.  Those ingredients really did look like smooth mashed potatoes with enough time given.  I kneaded the cooled dough for several minutes till it became more pliable which made rolling it out a breeze.  After cutting each heart shape a stamp was then used to impress an image on the heart.   A small straw was used to pierce a hole in the top of each heart.  I lifted it from board and very carefully took my finger to smooth out the edges before placing on dehydrator trays to air dry. I then placed the dehydrator close to the fireplace so they would dry.

                Bet you didn't think you would be reading a recipe did you!?  I really am going somewhere here!  As I worked with the second batch of ornaments I thought of how so many times in my life I get impatient with God's timing and though things turn out ok He desired so much more then just ok- He had a really good plan.

 I thought of how-
       -God can take this crazy mixture of humanness  and make something out of it
      - we are kneaded and molded by Jesus, His whole desire to make us more pliable and useful for              His glory.
      -He makes us a new creation, giving us a new heart, stamping us with His name and seal because He    chose to be pierced for our iniquities so we could enjoy awesome relationship with Him!
      -the Spirit lovingly smoothes out those rough edges, sometimes using the iron sharpens iron person or    circumstance to do so.
 I hope in the promise that just as the heart ornaments, when we go through the fire of trials, His promise is that we will be refined - looking more like Jesus.

               A red and white striped string was used so that the heart could be useful as an ornament or present tag.  By His stripes we are healed, The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin,  He makes us white as snow......

   My, the simple but divinely awesome truths - the heavenly blessing we have all received because of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with Us, came born of a woman born under law to redeem those under the law that we might receive the rights of sons (and daughters).  His recipe for our life is good!

                What a reason to celebrate!  And I do hope you are celebrating and not just getting through this Christmas Season as I have heard so many lament this year.  As the Message Translation so wonderfully states, let me encourage you to "Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing" Ps 51:8  Don't just sit and watch dancing with the stars- Get up and Dance! Dance with Jesus this Christmas!

               Speaking of dancing, we are dancing in praise to our Father for each of you. Thank you for your faithful prayers, support, and love for us and the ministry He has here in SE Colorado.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Glidden's Christmas Newsletter 2012

Below is our Christmas 2012 letter- if you will right click and open in new tab then when that comes up click on the newsletter it will open up large enough for you to read comfortably.  It won't open up in bigger format if you just click on it- you must right click and  open in new tab or window -

Thank you to each one that take time to read and pray about what Jesus is doing here in SE Colorado!

Merry Christmas-

Thursday, October 18, 2012

October News!

Below is our October Newsletter.  If you right click and open in new tab then click on the image it will enlarge to make for easier reading.

A friend told me if I saved the newsletter in a png format it would be more clear for reading but I am having trouble doing that as it is not an option for saving on my computer. I would be so grateful if anyone could help me make this change or some other way to read this.  All the clicking and such does make it confusing and I would love to make it easy for all to view.



Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Rodeos and Fly Fishing! June Update

I wanted to share with you a glimpse of the LaVeta Rodeo Bible Camp this year. Again Mary was very involved in the vital task of preparing and serving food to the campers and staff. Mary and Bill & Barb Fair and their daughter Amy, (InFaith missionaries in Pagosa Springs,CO.) do an amazing job of making sure everyone is well nourished.

 Again this year I was blessed to serve as a team leader for 11 incredible young men (ages 13 -15). The theme this year was "Crossroads". During both the morning and evening devotion time we looked into God's Word to see what He is saying to us about the crossroads we face each day in our choices. We also talked about how Jesus places us at crossroads in our culture and gives us platforms on which to show our world who Jesus is. As team leaders we are asked to not only commit to 4 intense days of event clinics, Bible study, chapel, and one on one time, but also staying in contact with our team members throughout the year.

Would you commit with me to pray for these young men. Maybe you would like to commit to praying for one or 2 specifically - I would love to give you a first name and other info so that you could pray.
As soon as Rodeo Bible Camp was over I shifted gears to help with a Boy's Fly fishing and Faith Adventure here in Walsenburg. A pastor here in Walsenburg put this together and for the rest of the week I got to help and learn about fly fishing. One morning I was blessed to get to present the faith lesson to this group.

 The last couple of days have taken me to some very remote places (ranches) to serve hospice patients and their families. I have driven over 500 miles to visit with 3 of them. Some might think that is not very cost effective especially when gas is $3.70 a gal. "but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8 NASB. If I put that into a simplified version that would be applicable to Mary and I, the last part of this verse would read " the remotest canyon and mesa of the frontier of SE Colorado." What a privilege to be the conduit of the "Message".

 Thanks for partnering with us in prayer and financial support!

 Bill and Mary

Thursday, May 31, 2012

May Newsletter-

Below is May's Newsletter. I have had trouble getting it to where you can be able to read but think I think have figured out a way for you to read the newsletter- if you will right click and open in a new tab then click on the newsletter that comes up in the new tab it should enlarge for you to be able to read it. I am working on trying to figure out how to format the newsletter in a PDF format which is supposedly easier to read.
If you would like to be added to our email list or would like to receive our snail mail newsletters, we would love to add you to our list. Just email us by using the email link on profile page, or emailing us at gliddenamf@ymail.com