My apologies that this post has been so long coming. We are having a lot of fun but are incredibly busy and I do promise I will try to get these to you a little more regularly.
Mike and I have been in Syracuse, Long Island, Poughkeepsie, Binghamton and Scotch Plains NJ this month. We have had lunches and services and have been blessed everywhere we've visited so far. This week we are on Long Island again on Wednesday 11/16/11, Horseheads on 11/19/11 and Mechanicville 11/20/11. We are so looking forward to meeting more of our church family during these visits.
We were on Long Island last week and, from the bottom of my heart, I will NEVER complain about traffic in Syracuse again. It took us 1 1/2 hours to go 3 blocks trying to get through Manhattan and into the Holland Tunnel. Needless to say the car overheated and the check engine light went on. I have to say that I am not normally a fearful driver but I started to panic as we got closer to the tunnel. What if the car broke down while we were in there? What if we missed our service? What if...what if...what if...have you ever noticed that those two words very often start off our litany of fears?
The what if's in our lives start us thinking and spinning around and around and cause us to lose our focus. Fear is my personal nemesis as I have been a "fraidy kid" since I was very young. My fearful nature followed me well into my adult years and, truthfully, I still battle it in Spirit a great deal. But God does not mean us to live in that kind of fear. He calls us to "fear" Him that is to have a reverent awe for Him. Then a very wise woman made a statement that I will never forget, "Fear is faith twisted."
When God created man, He intended us to have a complete relationship with Him. We were made in His image which includes the way our emotions were supposed to work. Then came the fall and more than just our Spiritual nature changed. Our emotions, the way they were supposed to be, changed as well. I don't believe fear, the kind that twists your insides, makes you sweat and not want to take that next step, was ever intended to be in our lives. Scripture says that God "doesn't give us a Spirit of fear but of power and a sound mind."
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. There's no fear in this statement. We were intended to walk forward believing that the path before us will be solid regardless if we can see it or not. Christ intends us to be His hands and feet to the nations; that means everyone, everywhere in the world. We cannot, I cannot, do that if we are so bound up in focus on ourselves that we are terrified to make the step because the path isn't as clear as we would like it.
What if...we let God have all of our what if's and just did what we know that He has purposed in our lives?
May God richly bless each of you.
Mike and Tina Hook
PS...the car has a cracked coolant reservoir, bless the Lord, and should be fixed in time for our trip this week!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Feed My Lambs
My husband Mike and I each teach a Bible Study. In the ladies study, we have been in the gospel of John. It's easy to see why people tell new Christians to read John first. He does a wonderful job showing Christ to the reader.
We just did John 13 last week, yes I am well aware that it's not the feed my lambs passage, but I think that the two link together very well. So, in Chapter 13 we see Jesus and the disciples just hours before He's arrested. Jesus, knowing that all authority had been given to Him, knowing where He came from and where He was going, puts aside His outer robe, ties a towel about His waist, fills a basin with water and washes the disciples feet. When you read the chapter, and I do encourage you to do so, note that Judas, the one who will betray, is still in the room. Jesus also washes his feet.
Peter, who blesses me whenever he opens his mouth, tells Jesus no way you're not going to wash my feet. Imagine telling Jesus what He can and cannot do for you. Oh, wait, we do that don't we? Then Jesus tells him, if I don't wash you, you will have no part of Me. Peter, in typical Peter style, says well by all means then, wash my feet, head and hands. Is this Peter once again giving Jesus instructions? The Greek doesn't give us intent or heart attitude, it just gives us words. What if Peter's heart was saying, immerse me in You? The words are monosyllabic, they have no inflection except what we give them. Commentators tend toward the bossy.
As I was studying this chapter, I was expecting the Spirit to show me a different understanding of the passage. Grace says there's more than we see here. You know what I see in Spirit? More than one betrayer. We focus on Judas and, indeed, John focuses on Judas in this chapter because this betrayal will lead to death both Jesus' and Judas'. However, Peter is about to betray as well and if you look at it based on what we know in Scripture, in a manner of speaking all the disciples betray Jesus in that they leave Him. All except John who the gospel says was at the crucifixion. Please understand that I'm not saying they're less because they're not, rather Jesus in Chapter 17 will thank God for them and say that they are His, which is true. What I'm saying is that none of them was perfect.
We know the rest of the chapter. Jesus tells them the meaning of the foot washing and that as He has washed their feet so they should wash each others' feet. Then He tells them that one of them will betray Him, dips the bread and gives it to Judas, and tells him what you're doing, do quickly. Judas leaves. When he's gone Jesus gives them a new commandment, just as I have loved you, you must also love each other and by this love the world will know you.
Jesus says, love them as I have loved you. The example He's given, and the Greek word for example here indicates more than modeling something but rather leans more toward something compulsory, is washing the feet of His betrayer; loving beyond love.
I have a few what if's in this chapter that might move some focus off what we usually look at and onto some realities in grace. You won't get all of them today as this is already a little long but I do have one for you.
When Jesus tells the disciples at the end of the chapter that He would be with them only for a little while Peter tells Him that he would die for Him. Jesus says, Die for me? I tell you the truth that before the cock cries tonight you will deny me three times. Here's the what if that the Spirit has given me: What if it's not about dying for Him but rather living for Him?
We know that we die to everything that we are when we accept Christ. That's a done deal. But do we know that once we die for Him we have to live for Him? Do we know that we have to serve our enemies? Jesus didn't say love those who love you or love those that you agree with. Jesus said love each other as I have loved you. Was Peter willing to wash the feet of those who had betrayed? Are we willing to wash the feet of that person who has insulted us or that leader with whom we don't agree?
Jesus raised the bar. Are we prepared to leap over it or limbo under it?
Blessings in Christ,
Mike and Tina Hook
I have a few what if's in this chapter that might move some focus off what we usually look at and onto some realities in grace. You won't get all of them today as this is already a little long but I do have one for you.
When Jesus tells the disciples at the end of the chapter that He would be with them only for a little while Peter tells Him that he would die for Him. Jesus says, Die for me? I tell you the truth that before the cock cries tonight you will deny me three times. Here's the what if that the Spirit has given me: What if it's not about dying for Him but rather living for Him?
We know that we die to everything that we are when we accept Christ. That's a done deal. But do we know that once we die for Him we have to live for Him? Do we know that we have to serve our enemies? Jesus didn't say love those who love you or love those that you agree with. Jesus said love each other as I have loved you. Was Peter willing to wash the feet of those who had betrayed? Are we willing to wash the feet of that person who has insulted us or that leader with whom we don't agree?
Jesus raised the bar. Are we prepared to leap over it or limbo under it?
Blessings in Christ,
Mike and Tina Hook
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Discouraged?
A hard subject perhaps but one that the Lord has placed on our hearts.
We understand being discouraged. After a long day of phone calls with nothing to show for it, it's easy to listen to the words "it's the economy" and chuck it all in. We listen to presidential addresses and the news and just sometimes we say "really Lord...this is a terrible year to be doing this." But God...
To discourage by definition means to deprive of courage or confidence. So for believers what does that mean? Our courage; our confidence is meant to be in the Lord. Now, I'm going to confess on myself, this is Tina typing, and say that I'm convicted by my own blog content this time. I get discouraged and want to hide in a corner when things aren't going well for us. The words "I just want to go, get a job, and stop all of this" have come out of my mouth in the last month. But God...
Our God is gracious. Our God is provider. Our God is all in all. What have I learned in the Lord in the last month? Well, some of it is just between Him and me and you're not privy to that as yet. However, I will say this, it's not enough to know that God will provide. It's not enough to say it even if you believe it. It has to be more than that. It has to be something beyond knowing. It has to be a state of Spirit that is instinctual like breathing; something that you don't think about but that you do naturally. What's in you is what comes out when you're in hot water.
No, I'm not going to quit. I won't take a job other that the one that the Lord has set before us. There are children in Scotland who are waiting to hear the Word that He has taught us. No one else will stand in our place. I personally am coming out of this with one thing solidified within me...God is the God of the nations. The Light of the World wants a relationship with everyone in the World. He wants everyone to breathe Him.
We hold you all in our prayers as we know you hold us.
Blessings in Christ,
Mike and Tina Hook
We hold you all in our prayers as we know you hold us.
Blessings in Christ,
Mike and Tina Hook
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Light be...
Greetings to everyone from Springfield Missouri!
We have been here since June 11 for Missionary training. We have been delighted to fellowship with others who have been called to the Missions field and, just so you don't think we're just socializing, have also been in classes everyday; there's even choir practice. It's a lot like going away to college so I'm told.
Mike and I have had a couple of services this month, obviously not a lot since we're here, but we were blessed to have had our service at our home church on June 5. As God prepared us for that service He began to show me images of Light. The sermon we prepared was "out of the box", no really that was the title, and delved a little bit into the life of Paul.
We began with a short summary of Saul and then the trip to Damascus. As God and I were working with that, it was my portion of the service, He began to show me an image of the Light that surrounded Saul that was different than I had ever imagined. I suppose I have thought of that light as one dimensional like a spot light. But God began to show me Light with dimension and depth, viscous and reaching out and enveloping Saul on that road. From this light of the Presence Jesus spoke to Saul while he was surrounded by Him. This is an interesting view of relationship, I think. Jesus is our covering. He envelopes us, surrounds us, and we are completely immersed in Him. This is not to say that we loose ourselves because I don't believe that's true beyond that which must be removed or changed for God's will to be completed in us. But rather that He sustains us and protects us while still allowing us free movement.
We came here to training and the Light has been continually coming up. I love it when God does that stuff don't you? I didn't write down all of the references that have been given but I begin to see a pattern in Spirit and, yes, I will do my best to convey that to you although I'm not certain there are adequate words.
We are all called to be His witnesses, empowered by the Spirit, to tell the good news to everyone. Those of us here have a call to go out but all of us are called to witness Christ to those which He has placed in our lives. Scripture tells us that we are the Light of the world for a reason. I want you to see what we've been shown here in Spirit. Mike and I have been discussing it after almost every class.
Imagine that the nations are a diamond. (I know go with it, it's a great analogy) What does a diamond do? It reflects light and that allows the facets to sparkle and brings them to their full beauty. Makes sense right? The nations purpose has been and always will be to reflect the Glory of God. We went through some of the Bible yesterday and saw all of the references to God and the nations; blessing the nations, the God of all the nations. Do you see a pattern here? (Yes, light is coming...just read on) When the nations don't reflect the glory of God, just like when we don't reflect the glory of God, the facets are dark and don't come to their full potential or their full glory.
Genesis 1: God said Light be and Light was. That was 3 days before He made the sun, moon and stars. And yet, plants grew in the Light that was before the son was. They thrived in the life giving Light spoken into existence by the God of all creation. Look at John 1. John tells us that the Word was life and that life was the light of men. It goes on to say that the Light shown in the darkness and the darkness could not comprehend it. The Light is life.
In Saul's case in Acts, the Light of the presence surrounded Him and brought Him into a fullness of knowledge in Christ. I say that because Saul was a Pharisee, he already knew Scripture. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel. He expected God to do what He'd promised. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees, which is how he describes himself. He was the up and comer in the world. And yet, this viscous living Light gave him a new outlook, it took the veil off his eyes and allowed him to see the entirety of what he had learned his entire life. He says it in 2 Corinthians. Even now when the Old Testament is read there's a veil over it. Moses didn't wear the veil, Paul tells us, because he didn't want the people to see the glory of God on his face. Rather he wore it so they wouldn't see that Light fade. But now, we view Scripture with the veil ripped away, to me, much in the same way that the veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was ripped in two at Christ's death. It's not needed. Now we have a better way to view what He's given us.
"For all we with unveiled face behold His glory," not as in a mirror but rather the entirely of His glory beheld by His bride. "and are being transformed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another." (2 Corinthians 3:18) We behold the glory of the Light of His presence because that's where we live, that's what we're reflecting.
Our Missionary purpose is to show that Light of Life to those which God has given us to shine upon. For us, that means to the children of Scotland and anyone else God puts in our path. For our friends the Hales, that means to the international community of Prague in the Czech Republic. For you, that means to whomever God has put you in contact with. The Light of Life needs to shine out your pores.
Maybe this is elementary, maybe not. But I can tell you that when God said Light be and Light was, He started something. That prophetic word moved ahead through time and space. It became a shining ribbon from before the beginning of time to infinity. It began and it completes. This Light is in Genesis and streams all through Scripture; the Light as life. Life given to glorify God. Now move to Revelation 21 and the description of the New Jerusalem. No sun or moon is needed because the Glory of God illuminates; the Lamb is the Light. The city reflects the Glory of God. Guess what guys? The Bride is the city. If you're God's, you are that city. You reflect God's glory; you are being transformed into His image from one degree of Glory to the another. From the city runs a river, on the sides of the river grow the trees of life yielding fruit for every month, and the leaves are for the healing of the nations. In the Light, life thrives.
Imagine with me the throne room in Isaiah and Revelation, the Light surrounds the emerald throne, the train fills the temple, the elders in thrones around falling down in worship, throwing their crowns before their God and King; Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Imagine the Light from creation lighting the throne room. Swirling, encompassing, surrounding, completing.
The Spirit and the Bride say, Come Lord Jesus.
I know this is a long post. I know I haven't really given you all that I see and I know that God isn't done with me or with this yet. You may see more, you may not.
Know that we hold you all in our prayers as we continue forward.
Blessings in Christ,
Mike and Tina
We have been here since June 11 for Missionary training. We have been delighted to fellowship with others who have been called to the Missions field and, just so you don't think we're just socializing, have also been in classes everyday; there's even choir practice. It's a lot like going away to college so I'm told.
Mike and I have had a couple of services this month, obviously not a lot since we're here, but we were blessed to have had our service at our home church on June 5. As God prepared us for that service He began to show me images of Light. The sermon we prepared was "out of the box", no really that was the title, and delved a little bit into the life of Paul.
We began with a short summary of Saul and then the trip to Damascus. As God and I were working with that, it was my portion of the service, He began to show me an image of the Light that surrounded Saul that was different than I had ever imagined. I suppose I have thought of that light as one dimensional like a spot light. But God began to show me Light with dimension and depth, viscous and reaching out and enveloping Saul on that road. From this light of the Presence Jesus spoke to Saul while he was surrounded by Him. This is an interesting view of relationship, I think. Jesus is our covering. He envelopes us, surrounds us, and we are completely immersed in Him. This is not to say that we loose ourselves because I don't believe that's true beyond that which must be removed or changed for God's will to be completed in us. But rather that He sustains us and protects us while still allowing us free movement.
We came here to training and the Light has been continually coming up. I love it when God does that stuff don't you? I didn't write down all of the references that have been given but I begin to see a pattern in Spirit and, yes, I will do my best to convey that to you although I'm not certain there are adequate words.
We are all called to be His witnesses, empowered by the Spirit, to tell the good news to everyone. Those of us here have a call to go out but all of us are called to witness Christ to those which He has placed in our lives. Scripture tells us that we are the Light of the world for a reason. I want you to see what we've been shown here in Spirit. Mike and I have been discussing it after almost every class.
Imagine that the nations are a diamond. (I know go with it, it's a great analogy) What does a diamond do? It reflects light and that allows the facets to sparkle and brings them to their full beauty. Makes sense right? The nations purpose has been and always will be to reflect the Glory of God. We went through some of the Bible yesterday and saw all of the references to God and the nations; blessing the nations, the God of all the nations. Do you see a pattern here? (Yes, light is coming...just read on) When the nations don't reflect the glory of God, just like when we don't reflect the glory of God, the facets are dark and don't come to their full potential or their full glory.
Genesis 1: God said Light be and Light was. That was 3 days before He made the sun, moon and stars. And yet, plants grew in the Light that was before the son was. They thrived in the life giving Light spoken into existence by the God of all creation. Look at John 1. John tells us that the Word was life and that life was the light of men. It goes on to say that the Light shown in the darkness and the darkness could not comprehend it. The Light is life.
In Saul's case in Acts, the Light of the presence surrounded Him and brought Him into a fullness of knowledge in Christ. I say that because Saul was a Pharisee, he already knew Scripture. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel. He expected God to do what He'd promised. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees, which is how he describes himself. He was the up and comer in the world. And yet, this viscous living Light gave him a new outlook, it took the veil off his eyes and allowed him to see the entirety of what he had learned his entire life. He says it in 2 Corinthians. Even now when the Old Testament is read there's a veil over it. Moses didn't wear the veil, Paul tells us, because he didn't want the people to see the glory of God on his face. Rather he wore it so they wouldn't see that Light fade. But now, we view Scripture with the veil ripped away, to me, much in the same way that the veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was ripped in two at Christ's death. It's not needed. Now we have a better way to view what He's given us.
"For all we with unveiled face behold His glory," not as in a mirror but rather the entirely of His glory beheld by His bride. "and are being transformed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another." (2 Corinthians 3:18) We behold the glory of the Light of His presence because that's where we live, that's what we're reflecting.
Our Missionary purpose is to show that Light of Life to those which God has given us to shine upon. For us, that means to the children of Scotland and anyone else God puts in our path. For our friends the Hales, that means to the international community of Prague in the Czech Republic. For you, that means to whomever God has put you in contact with. The Light of Life needs to shine out your pores.
Maybe this is elementary, maybe not. But I can tell you that when God said Light be and Light was, He started something. That prophetic word moved ahead through time and space. It became a shining ribbon from before the beginning of time to infinity. It began and it completes. This Light is in Genesis and streams all through Scripture; the Light as life. Life given to glorify God. Now move to Revelation 21 and the description of the New Jerusalem. No sun or moon is needed because the Glory of God illuminates; the Lamb is the Light. The city reflects the Glory of God. Guess what guys? The Bride is the city. If you're God's, you are that city. You reflect God's glory; you are being transformed into His image from one degree of Glory to the another. From the city runs a river, on the sides of the river grow the trees of life yielding fruit for every month, and the leaves are for the healing of the nations. In the Light, life thrives.
Imagine with me the throne room in Isaiah and Revelation, the Light surrounds the emerald throne, the train fills the temple, the elders in thrones around falling down in worship, throwing their crowns before their God and King; Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Imagine the Light from creation lighting the throne room. Swirling, encompassing, surrounding, completing.
The Spirit and the Bride say, Come Lord Jesus.
I know this is a long post. I know I haven't really given you all that I see and I know that God isn't done with me or with this yet. You may see more, you may not.
Know that we hold you all in our prayers as we continue forward.
Blessings in Christ,
Mike and Tina
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Three ways ...
that are sure fire to get a congregations attention and no this does not involve anyone removing anything while standing in front of them. Although, I saw a Missionary from Greece, or was it Holland, I don't remember exactly, throughout his sermon, take off his coat, shoes, etc until he was standing before us barefoot with his sleeves rolled up. It sure did get our attention and made his point by the way.
No, nothing so dramatic as that until you say it.
1. Tell the women in the congregation that they are sons rather than daughters of Christ. It confuses them. Now, so you know I have no problem being a woman or being called a daughter, after all I am one. However, when you're talking about matters of Spirit Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are predestined to adoption as sons. That means that when I stand before the throne, I am a SON and joint heir with Jesus. Words of triumph and positive but still gets people going a bit. Usually we counter this one by telling the men that they are the bride of Christ so really...it all works out.
2. Say the words "we are more than just sinners saved by grace". This is a big one. We mean no disrespect in it and really the words themselves are true. We were sinners and we were saved by grace but that's as far as it goes. See number 1. We are joint heirs with Jesus. We are fellow inheritors. We are Christ to the world. We are saints. We are HIS. We are more than the sum of our past. Stand upright you Bride of Christ and walk head held high toward your bridegroom who is the Light of the World. Ephesians 1, and yes we have heard teachings on this for years and have been teaching on this for months, says that we are HOLY and BLAMELESS in Christ. That finishes it doesn't it? We are not worms, we have 24/7 access to the throne room because that's where we live.
3. This is really the big one. Tell people that sin is no longer on the table for the Christian. Now to balance that, and we always do, that doesn't mean that we don't mess up. Please, I'm the poster child for that one. But once again, we are more than the sum of our past. We are more than what we were before Christ. When you came to a saving knowledge of Christ everything you would have been died at the altar and you raised Christ. A new creation, literally a new species. The world has never seen anything like you before. When Christ died for the world, He took on Himself all the sin that had been, all the sin that was, and all the sin that would ever be. It's covered. HALLELUJAH! This a freedom point and yet we are so wrapped up in ourselves and what we were that we miss it.
When Ephesians says we are predestined to adoption as sons it means everyone. Free will is the opposite side of the coin. To be adopted all we have to do is come to a saving knowledge of Christ. They're not mutually exclusive. Isn't that wonderful? The entire world all who have been, all who are, and all who will be are predestined as sons. But how will they know unless we tell them? How will they know if we haven't figured it out yet? How can we show the world that being a Christian is more than just the can't dos and the be goods? How can we show them they can be forgiven of their sins if we don't walk free from ours?
Just a thought.
Blessings in Christ,
Mike and Tina
No, nothing so dramatic as that until you say it.
1. Tell the women in the congregation that they are sons rather than daughters of Christ. It confuses them. Now, so you know I have no problem being a woman or being called a daughter, after all I am one. However, when you're talking about matters of Spirit Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are predestined to adoption as sons. That means that when I stand before the throne, I am a SON and joint heir with Jesus. Words of triumph and positive but still gets people going a bit. Usually we counter this one by telling the men that they are the bride of Christ so really...it all works out.
2. Say the words "we are more than just sinners saved by grace". This is a big one. We mean no disrespect in it and really the words themselves are true. We were sinners and we were saved by grace but that's as far as it goes. See number 1. We are joint heirs with Jesus. We are fellow inheritors. We are Christ to the world. We are saints. We are HIS. We are more than the sum of our past. Stand upright you Bride of Christ and walk head held high toward your bridegroom who is the Light of the World. Ephesians 1, and yes we have heard teachings on this for years and have been teaching on this for months, says that we are HOLY and BLAMELESS in Christ. That finishes it doesn't it? We are not worms, we have 24/7 access to the throne room because that's where we live.
3. This is really the big one. Tell people that sin is no longer on the table for the Christian. Now to balance that, and we always do, that doesn't mean that we don't mess up. Please, I'm the poster child for that one. But once again, we are more than the sum of our past. We are more than what we were before Christ. When you came to a saving knowledge of Christ everything you would have been died at the altar and you raised Christ. A new creation, literally a new species. The world has never seen anything like you before. When Christ died for the world, He took on Himself all the sin that had been, all the sin that was, and all the sin that would ever be. It's covered. HALLELUJAH! This a freedom point and yet we are so wrapped up in ourselves and what we were that we miss it.
When Ephesians says we are predestined to adoption as sons it means everyone. Free will is the opposite side of the coin. To be adopted all we have to do is come to a saving knowledge of Christ. They're not mutually exclusive. Isn't that wonderful? The entire world all who have been, all who are, and all who will be are predestined as sons. But how will they know unless we tell them? How will they know if we haven't figured it out yet? How can we show the world that being a Christian is more than just the can't dos and the be goods? How can we show them they can be forgiven of their sins if we don't walk free from ours?
Just a thought.
Blessings in Christ,
Mike and Tina
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
On to the next step
Our God is most gracious. Has anyone noticed? I know, I know, gee Tina you're being a little obvious aren't you? Of course God is gracious. Well, I'm glad that you think that I'm being a obvious but really how many of us ever think about how gracious our God truly is?
Everyone who reads this blog knows that I have been scheduled to step out of my job on May 6 of this year...that's Friday of this week. About 3 weeks ago I found out that the president of my company decided that he wanted my branch closed on April 29. For those of you keeping track that's one full week before my scheduled leave date. I raised my hand to my immediate boss and said, um, hello, staying until May 6th. I was frustrated with this decision to say the least. Just so you know the president of the company is a great guy and always has his finger on the pulse of the industry. He wasn't being mean or deciding arbitrarily to get rid of me a week early. He's doing what he believes is for the good of the company. So I huffed and I puffed but I did what I was asked to do and began the process of closing the office.
I worked hard, did my best, and got the branch closed. (Can I just say that my wonderful husband came and emptied filing cabinets and basically did whatever his very bossy wife asked? Is it any wonder I love him!) My boss came in the last two days of last week and got everything that I couldn't do done. I heard him talking to various people on Friday and heard him say that it looked like I was just going to work to the last possible moment. Well, what else would I do right? Now, you're reading this and saying what exactly does this have to do with the graciousness of God? Well, I'll tell you now. My boss assured me that they would continue to pay me for this week without taking any vacation weeks from my vacation bank. My thought was yes, well I will believe it when I see it. BUT GOD...two of the greatest words ever put together. God is gracious and will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. I received a phone call from human resources last Friday and was assured that, because of all the work I did, they would indeed pay me for this week and give me my vacation pay as well. HALLELUJAH!
We are going on allowance this month (gulp) and getting these extra weeks' pay allows us to figure out how all of that works without stressing about how the bills are getting paid while we're doing that. Basically God made it so that my old job would pay the first full week of my new job. To Him be the glory forever and ever amen.
To fill you in on what's up with us, when all of the pledges we are expecting come in we will be at 18% of our budget. We are booking services right now and have things booked pretty solid. We are in Geneseo on Mother's day (Happy Mothers Day Mom!) and at district council all of next week. If God brings us to your mind on Thursday 5/12/11, pray for us. We are giving a 3 minute, our first, window sharing ourselves in front of all the Pastors (double gulp) for the Missions service.
In June we go to Missouri for 3 1/2 weeks for training and our commissioning service. We are very excited for that and then we're right back into it for July. Several of our Sundays are double booked with Mike being at one church and me at another. We are booked up almost solid right until November and even into 2012.
We have faith that God will continue to open doors for us as He as said He will do. It is His nature to be Faithful and even though we're His favorites we're not important enough for Him to go against His nature. Jealous? Don't be you're all His favorites too. Ephesians says that we are all predestined to adoption as sons, that makes us all inheritors! We'll talk about predestination and freewill another time, but suffice it to say that He has already made provision for us all.
Here ends this blog entry and here begins the real job that God has set before us. Keep us in your prayers as you are always in ours.
Blessings In Christ,
Mike and Tina
Everyone who reads this blog knows that I have been scheduled to step out of my job on May 6 of this year...that's Friday of this week. About 3 weeks ago I found out that the president of my company decided that he wanted my branch closed on April 29. For those of you keeping track that's one full week before my scheduled leave date. I raised my hand to my immediate boss and said, um, hello, staying until May 6th. I was frustrated with this decision to say the least. Just so you know the president of the company is a great guy and always has his finger on the pulse of the industry. He wasn't being mean or deciding arbitrarily to get rid of me a week early. He's doing what he believes is for the good of the company. So I huffed and I puffed but I did what I was asked to do and began the process of closing the office.
I worked hard, did my best, and got the branch closed. (Can I just say that my wonderful husband came and emptied filing cabinets and basically did whatever his very bossy wife asked? Is it any wonder I love him!) My boss came in the last two days of last week and got everything that I couldn't do done. I heard him talking to various people on Friday and heard him say that it looked like I was just going to work to the last possible moment. Well, what else would I do right? Now, you're reading this and saying what exactly does this have to do with the graciousness of God? Well, I'll tell you now. My boss assured me that they would continue to pay me for this week without taking any vacation weeks from my vacation bank. My thought was yes, well I will believe it when I see it. BUT GOD...two of the greatest words ever put together. God is gracious and will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. I received a phone call from human resources last Friday and was assured that, because of all the work I did, they would indeed pay me for this week and give me my vacation pay as well. HALLELUJAH!
We are going on allowance this month (gulp) and getting these extra weeks' pay allows us to figure out how all of that works without stressing about how the bills are getting paid while we're doing that. Basically God made it so that my old job would pay the first full week of my new job. To Him be the glory forever and ever amen.
To fill you in on what's up with us, when all of the pledges we are expecting come in we will be at 18% of our budget. We are booking services right now and have things booked pretty solid. We are in Geneseo on Mother's day (Happy Mothers Day Mom!) and at district council all of next week. If God brings us to your mind on Thursday 5/12/11, pray for us. We are giving a 3 minute, our first, window sharing ourselves in front of all the Pastors (double gulp) for the Missions service.
In June we go to Missouri for 3 1/2 weeks for training and our commissioning service. We are very excited for that and then we're right back into it for July. Several of our Sundays are double booked with Mike being at one church and me at another. We are booked up almost solid right until November and even into 2012.
We have faith that God will continue to open doors for us as He as said He will do. It is His nature to be Faithful and even though we're His favorites we're not important enough for Him to go against His nature. Jealous? Don't be you're all His favorites too. Ephesians says that we are all predestined to adoption as sons, that makes us all inheritors! We'll talk about predestination and freewill another time, but suffice it to say that He has already made provision for us all.
Here ends this blog entry and here begins the real job that God has set before us. Keep us in your prayers as you are always in ours.
Blessings In Christ,
Mike and Tina
Thursday, March 24, 2011
And the Saga Continues
As I sit here and type this, I have to marvel at how good the Lord is. This is our third full month of itineration and it's not quite done yet. We still have two more services booked this weekend.
We are finally beginning to get pledges from churches, Praise the Lord! We have a number of personal pledges as well and if you are among those who have done that for us, we thank you. God has told us again and again since November that He has made provision for us and we have to walk through the doors which He has set before us. We are looking, praying and seeking each of the doors that He has placed.
We have officially booked about 55 churches now. We have several Sundays where Mike and I will be in different areas of New York on the same day. We are doubling our church time that way, but it's very hard on us. We are a true ministry team and we feel like we're missing something each time we do this without the other. But God...the two greatest words in the English language.
We are still not booked for Palm Sunday and Easter. If God so wills it, AMEN. If not, we will be glad to celebrate those Sundays with our Church family at Rez. We are still booking services and making phone calls. There are several voice mails who know the sound of our voices better than the people do, but once again as God wills it.
I, Tina, am due to step out of my job as of May 6. It's starting to dawn on me that I'm done there after 25 years and I praise the Lord for all the experiences that I take with me. Mike has been doing really very well at our real job and with me home too it will just double our phone time with Pastors.
We have had great feedback from our sermons and our sharing. We have attended so many wonderful services that we're not sure who was blessed more. Suffice it to say that God takes care of the blessing.
Keep us in your prayers as we continue to tred this path to which we have been called and anointed. Pray specifically that discouragement would take a hike! We cannot afford to be comparing ourselves to others who appear to be doing better at this moment. We need to keep our focus on the one who has called us out of the boat and onto the waves. We will take this intimiate moment with our Savior onto the next level as He leads us.
We pray for each one of you and thank God for you every day.
Blessings In Christ,
Mike and Tina Hook
We are finally beginning to get pledges from churches, Praise the Lord! We have a number of personal pledges as well and if you are among those who have done that for us, we thank you. God has told us again and again since November that He has made provision for us and we have to walk through the doors which He has set before us. We are looking, praying and seeking each of the doors that He has placed.
We have officially booked about 55 churches now. We have several Sundays where Mike and I will be in different areas of New York on the same day. We are doubling our church time that way, but it's very hard on us. We are a true ministry team and we feel like we're missing something each time we do this without the other. But God...the two greatest words in the English language.
We are still not booked for Palm Sunday and Easter. If God so wills it, AMEN. If not, we will be glad to celebrate those Sundays with our Church family at Rez. We are still booking services and making phone calls. There are several voice mails who know the sound of our voices better than the people do, but once again as God wills it.
I, Tina, am due to step out of my job as of May 6. It's starting to dawn on me that I'm done there after 25 years and I praise the Lord for all the experiences that I take with me. Mike has been doing really very well at our real job and with me home too it will just double our phone time with Pastors.
We have had great feedback from our sermons and our sharing. We have attended so many wonderful services that we're not sure who was blessed more. Suffice it to say that God takes care of the blessing.
Keep us in your prayers as we continue to tred this path to which we have been called and anointed. Pray specifically that discouragement would take a hike! We cannot afford to be comparing ourselves to others who appear to be doing better at this moment. We need to keep our focus on the one who has called us out of the boat and onto the waves. We will take this intimiate moment with our Savior onto the next level as He leads us.
We pray for each one of you and thank God for you every day.
Blessings In Christ,
Mike and Tina Hook
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Big Blessings Sometimes Come in Small Packages
I didn't even realize it had been so very long since we had posted here. My apologies.
Itineration is a wonderful experience even though it's a very hard job. We have met so many, many people and have been seriously blessed by them.
We are currently at about 10% of our monthly budget. We have a long way to go but we know that God is faithful and true and He has already promised us that our financial needs will be met. So we know that the promise is YES and AMEN in Him and already fulfilled.
Where does that leave us for this blog? Just where I said we'd be. Sometimes big blessings come in small packages or in this case small churches. We have been around the state in the last few weeks and most of the churches we have been booked in have been small churches. In some cases we know going in that they cannot pledge us monthly but we are blessed that they let us come to share our hearts anyway.
From Asbury Church in Lansing, NY to Calvary Assembly in Canandaigua, NY we have met and spoken with just amazing people of God. They blessed us financially but they've also blessed us Spiritually by becoming a part of our family. We have found that these smaller churches are just brimming with the joy and love of the Lord and they're ready to lavish it on other members of the body.
One church, United Church of Friendship, in, you guessed it, Friendship NY (Friendship sour cream and cottage cheese are made there by the way) not only put us up on Saturday night but allowed us to come in late. Sandy and Loren Meyers were opened their home and allowed us to stay the night and made us breakfast the next morning. This congregation awed us by not only housing us, feeding us and blessing us financially but also by insisting on filling our tank and, when it didn't need that much, giving us more money so we could fill it again when we got home.
To the Pastors of these small churches: Paster Quigley, Paster Boock, Pastor Kirk and Pastor Lathrup, may we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We have seen that you each have a heart for the body and we are blessed to be among those to have received from it.
We have a great many more stops to make. Mike and I have begun to split our Sunday mornings so that we can cover more ground and we have just booked our 50th (I think) church. We have found that the doors are beginning to open more and more.
Mike was on Long Island for a couple of days this week at a meeting there with some Pastors from our church. He made contact with several Pastors there and the ones we're booked with were very encouraging. Bless the Lord!
And now may the God of all righeousness bless each and every one of you beyond what you could ask or think.
Blessings In Christ,
Mike and Tina Hook
Itineration is a wonderful experience even though it's a very hard job. We have met so many, many people and have been seriously blessed by them.
We are currently at about 10% of our monthly budget. We have a long way to go but we know that God is faithful and true and He has already promised us that our financial needs will be met. So we know that the promise is YES and AMEN in Him and already fulfilled.
Where does that leave us for this blog? Just where I said we'd be. Sometimes big blessings come in small packages or in this case small churches. We have been around the state in the last few weeks and most of the churches we have been booked in have been small churches. In some cases we know going in that they cannot pledge us monthly but we are blessed that they let us come to share our hearts anyway.
From Asbury Church in Lansing, NY to Calvary Assembly in Canandaigua, NY we have met and spoken with just amazing people of God. They blessed us financially but they've also blessed us Spiritually by becoming a part of our family. We have found that these smaller churches are just brimming with the joy and love of the Lord and they're ready to lavish it on other members of the body.
One church, United Church of Friendship, in, you guessed it, Friendship NY (Friendship sour cream and cottage cheese are made there by the way) not only put us up on Saturday night but allowed us to come in late. Sandy and Loren Meyers were opened their home and allowed us to stay the night and made us breakfast the next morning. This congregation awed us by not only housing us, feeding us and blessing us financially but also by insisting on filling our tank and, when it didn't need that much, giving us more money so we could fill it again when we got home.
To the Pastors of these small churches: Paster Quigley, Paster Boock, Pastor Kirk and Pastor Lathrup, may we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We have seen that you each have a heart for the body and we are blessed to be among those to have received from it.
We have a great many more stops to make. Mike and I have begun to split our Sunday mornings so that we can cover more ground and we have just booked our 50th (I think) church. We have found that the doors are beginning to open more and more.
Mike was on Long Island for a couple of days this week at a meeting there with some Pastors from our church. He made contact with several Pastors there and the ones we're booked with were very encouraging. Bless the Lord!
And now may the God of all righeousness bless each and every one of you beyond what you could ask or think.
Blessings In Christ,
Mike and Tina Hook
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Somthing to think about
Here we are again. Hi. It's Saturday and I've had most of the week to think about this one. Fulton last Sunday went really well. We were blessed by the Pastor, his wife and their congregation. That's a great church. If you're ever in the area, stop by and see them!
This week has been itineration phone call week for us. Mike's last day at work was 1/14/11 and this was his first official week at the new job. He did a really great job! We've got 7 more services booked. Praise the Lord! Keep praying for us as we continue.
Here's what I have for you to think about. I was speaking with a Pastor this week and he said something that at first didn't sit quite right with me. I was speaking with him to try and book a service and he said that his church was reevaluating their Missions giving. It seems that they've noticed that most of their Missions giving is being sent to countries that would be considered Protestant or have a strong Catholic tradition. They've decided that they're going to realign their giving to what he called "unreached" people groups. He asked me if I felt that Scotland was unreached.
Now, to be honest, I really do and I shared with him why. He told me that they declined having us come in since these aren't what they would considered unreached people. Huh...I was nice as I said thank you for taking the time to talk with me and hung up the phone. But I wasn't happy at all I mean really? Who does this guy think....I stewed for a while. Those of you who know me know that I take the time to process quite often. Then I realized something: That's their personal conviction and their conviction for their church. It doesn't matter what I think, if they go agaist their personal conviction then they're in sin. That gave me a new perspective and I thought about it some more. I shared with Mike and we talked about it.
I'm really praying for that congregation, not that they change their minds and decide that Scotland is unreached, but that God would use them mightily in the areas to which they give. You see, it's all about the Kingdom. It's not about us. We're called to Scotland. It's not a traditional missions field. We've had weeks of people saying "Scotland, really? Aren't they a Christian country?" Yes, Scotland. It is the land of reformation and we know that God has another one planned.
So think about it readers of ours. Think about what you would consider on unreached people or country. Where is it? Why do you feel it's unreached? And then pray about it. Imagine what God can do in that place. Pray for people to be sent there. Pray for the people who are already in the field and the ministries they already have in place. Let's take a moment for the body to dream. Scripture says that if we trust in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts. We desire Scotland and the nations of the world. Are you with us?
Blessings in Christ to you all.
Mike and Tina Hook
This week has been itineration phone call week for us. Mike's last day at work was 1/14/11 and this was his first official week at the new job. He did a really great job! We've got 7 more services booked. Praise the Lord! Keep praying for us as we continue.
Here's what I have for you to think about. I was speaking with a Pastor this week and he said something that at first didn't sit quite right with me. I was speaking with him to try and book a service and he said that his church was reevaluating their Missions giving. It seems that they've noticed that most of their Missions giving is being sent to countries that would be considered Protestant or have a strong Catholic tradition. They've decided that they're going to realign their giving to what he called "unreached" people groups. He asked me if I felt that Scotland was unreached.
Now, to be honest, I really do and I shared with him why. He told me that they declined having us come in since these aren't what they would considered unreached people. Huh...I was nice as I said thank you for taking the time to talk with me and hung up the phone. But I wasn't happy at all I mean really? Who does this guy think....I stewed for a while. Those of you who know me know that I take the time to process quite often. Then I realized something: That's their personal conviction and their conviction for their church. It doesn't matter what I think, if they go agaist their personal conviction then they're in sin. That gave me a new perspective and I thought about it some more. I shared with Mike and we talked about it.
I'm really praying for that congregation, not that they change their minds and decide that Scotland is unreached, but that God would use them mightily in the areas to which they give. You see, it's all about the Kingdom. It's not about us. We're called to Scotland. It's not a traditional missions field. We've had weeks of people saying "Scotland, really? Aren't they a Christian country?" Yes, Scotland. It is the land of reformation and we know that God has another one planned.
So think about it readers of ours. Think about what you would consider on unreached people or country. Where is it? Why do you feel it's unreached? And then pray about it. Imagine what God can do in that place. Pray for people to be sent there. Pray for the people who are already in the field and the ministries they already have in place. Let's take a moment for the body to dream. Scripture says that if we trust in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts. We desire Scotland and the nations of the world. Are you with us?
Blessings in Christ to you all.
Mike and Tina Hook
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Itineration
We apologize that it's been a month, can you believe it, since we last posted. We have been very busy getting things started with the itineration process.
We have officially stepped out of Children's Church at Rez. That was a bittersweet moment to be certain, but we know that it is God's will both for us and for the ministry. We pray as we have always prayed that He would bless it and increase it.
We did our very first preaching on Sunday. It was a lot of fun believe it or not. God placed on our hearts a message dealing with walking in the "not yet". The promises that God has given you are Yes and Amen in Christ. They are completed whether you have seen the completion or not. In the mind of God, they are a done deal. It doesn't matter how much time it takes to get them completed.
I was called to be a missonary personally, this is Tina typing by the way, when I was 8 or 9. I will be 45 when we finally leave for the field. Mike and I knew very early in our marriage that God had called us to the mission field. Please don't think that we've been waiting against His will, because this timing is so completely His that it cannot be disputed.
We are in Fulton on Sunday, but have yet to book the following Sunday although we have booked the final Sunday of the month. We know that God will open doors for us as we go and that He will provide for our every need in Him. Walking in the not yet, hmmm, it looks kind of like our lives.
We love you all in Christ .
Mike and Tina
We have officially stepped out of Children's Church at Rez. That was a bittersweet moment to be certain, but we know that it is God's will both for us and for the ministry. We pray as we have always prayed that He would bless it and increase it.
We did our very first preaching on Sunday. It was a lot of fun believe it or not. God placed on our hearts a message dealing with walking in the "not yet". The promises that God has given you are Yes and Amen in Christ. They are completed whether you have seen the completion or not. In the mind of God, they are a done deal. It doesn't matter how much time it takes to get them completed.
I was called to be a missonary personally, this is Tina typing by the way, when I was 8 or 9. I will be 45 when we finally leave for the field. Mike and I knew very early in our marriage that God had called us to the mission field. Please don't think that we've been waiting against His will, because this timing is so completely His that it cannot be disputed.
We are in Fulton on Sunday, but have yet to book the following Sunday although we have booked the final Sunday of the month. We know that God will open doors for us as we go and that He will provide for our every need in Him. Walking in the not yet, hmmm, it looks kind of like our lives.
We love you all in Christ .
Mike and Tina
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St. Cuthberts
Castle as seen from the kirkyard