Playing for the opposing team

It was junior high, we were playing another small town and I threw the ball in bounds. Our goal was at the other end of the court and nearly all players from both teams were heading that way. For some reason the other guard I threw the ball to thought, "alright I am wide open," shot the two footer, un-tended goal and SCORED! but it was 2 points for the other team.

Have you ever done that? Worked for the other team Satan without even knowing it or worse yet knowing it. Are we doing that now? I am. I am sure there are so many of the areas of my life that are wrong, not Christ centered and each one will bring me to my knees as he reveals them. I am trying to justify our participation in Halloween and the first clue it's wrong is the justifing part. Clearly the origins of Halloween are from evil, sugar coat it with all the candy you want, it is not a holiday that celebrated Christ and was turned evil. As a member of the body of Christ, I want so badly to eat my cake and have it too BUT it's not possible. I love creativity, I love making costumes, I love make believe. I love my friends who are having the Halloween party and for those reasons I want to celebrate a holiday that allows all of those creative outlets for me but am I desesitizing my kids to evil? Am I just like everyone else saying, it's okay, we don't believe the pagan stuff and subjecting my innocent lambs to pure evil and unhealthy fear?

This happend to me two weeks ago and I wanted to share. We were watching "The Little Mermaid" and there is a part where Ariel falls asleep on the rock and Sabastian pats her head and says, "You are a hopeless child, hopeless." I got sick to my heart, I turned of the tele and spoke to the kids about Jesus. Hopeless is not a word for me or my family, we will never be without hope because we have a savior, Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3-5:Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

I shared this at my group at CBS when were talking do you ever feel freakish because of Christ, and honestly my reaction to Ariel freaked my own self out, no telling what it's doing to all of you reading this. I am the freaky girl, the one who continued with, 'how about participating in pagan holidays or homeschooling, I think Christians who do that because they love the Lord definatley feel set a part." After the discussion group ended one of the ladies sat with me and she said, "I won't let them take beautiful things like harvest and sweet costumes and beautiful music and turn it evil. I won't give Satan the satisfaction." Initially I thought, "yeah, I won't either. I am making Halloween costumes but after much prayer, here are some of the thoughts that came.

Halloween has evil roots, it isn't like Christmas and loosing it's meaning through Santa(lies, did you know Santa and Satan share the same letters?) and holiday perfection stress, Halloween was never meant to Glorify God. God doesn't instruct us to try and turn evil into good, ONLY God can use bad for good, infact he clearly tells us to flee, run and get away from evil. Little Mermaid, is it wholesome with beautiful music? hmmm Well, she wishes for something she doesn't have(coveting) she trades her soul..I mean voice to get it and there's still the messages in the music. The music uses words like luck(God's soveriegn, there is no such thing), mood prepared, you want her, she wants you, know just kiss the girl(are my kids old enough to see that?), the ursala song about her admitting she was nasty and repenting yet still she is evil and has evil intent(is this where grace covers all stems from? grace the big bandaid for not letting God's word transform you and doing whatever you want knowing you are forgiven?), wishing I could be part of their world(coveting song) BUT they do counteract that with Under the sea, which is about grass always being greener on the other side.

So though I do love my CBS friend and she is most definately on the Lord's team, she may have shot at the wrong basket, though this time she missed because I feel strong conviction about the whole thing and Little Mermaid is still out! As for Halloween? Well Justin and I are working on seeing eye to eye, outcome still to be announced.

Hospitality...She's the woman!

This is Jean Konotopka, mother of Tasha and Justin Konotopka, grandmother of Kaitlyn, Jocelyn, Steven and Andrew, wife of the late Timothy Konotopka and my precious Mother in law. I have been studying about the gifts of Spirit and when I got to hospitality the first person into my mind was Jean. God has given her the ability for you to honestly feel like you are in your own home(if you of course like your home) or a great retreat area, where you feel peace, rest and comfort.

I think the Archbishop of Canterbury, Fredrick Donald Coggan says it best: "Hospitality is the art of making people feel at home, when you wish they were." She does that and I admire that quality. So many people return to the Konotopka farm and yearn to return to it because of her hospitality, she makes everyone feel welcome and loved. If I didn't know better, I would have thought she was raised by Benedictine monks, they have a practice of receiving all guest as if they were Christ.

I will use what God has shown me both in the Bible and in life to strive to be more hospitable to all. I know I need work desperately in this area, so it's a good thing we are going to SD in less than a month, I can get some more lessons from Jean.

They said No! We won't worship idols...

This is one of the GREAT songs from Karen and kids, did I mention that they have GREAT songs!!! Check them out!

http://www.karenandkids.com/

I love to hear my kids singing God's truth, not only does it sing right to my soul but my thoughts are continually on God's promises and instruction. I think Karen does a wonderful job of sharing scripture with kids(and adults), she also has a radio program which I looking forward to partaking with my kids when they are a bit older.

Ask Steven to tell you who wouldn't bow down and worship idols? It's fun to hear him say Shadrack, Meshack and Abendego.

A camping we will go, a camping we will go..hiho the

The camping trip was oh so much fun! I was delighted that the kids entertained themselves so well just hanging out in nature. They REALLY enjoyed throwing rocks in the lake. Steven is still talking about it, now camping and rock throwing are one in the same. Here is Andrew, Steven, Kyle and Isabelle. The Fahs children are VERY obedient, good kids and we are glad they are influencing our boys.
I have to confess that Christine and I left nature to shop...LOL That's right, we were less than a mile from shopping, though we just went to a Christian book store, Target and a grocery store. When you camp in SD or pretty much anywhere I can think of, there isn't a metro shopping complex right outside the campsites, so that was a first, and I did like that.






Stand back! He's all mine girls...Who knows what my fun loving husband was doing but now he is doing it on my blog. I am so proud.

Here is the Fahs family, check out Christine's blog from my links. She and her husband are very passionate for the Lord, they have two children that also love the Lord and a third child we are praying that will also follow in His footsteps. It's neat to be around kids who haven't grown up thinking God is a cosmic vending machine and that you only go there when they you something. These kids are going into their public schools making a stand for Christ, they don't celebrate Halloween and I am sure for 8 and 6 that isn't always the easiest being so different BUT they are learning what it means to live lives set a part.

Jesus tells us to live in the world but not be of the world(John 15:18-26). I don't think I realized what that fully what meant for much of my 'Christian' life and I am not the only Christian who was/is living this way. Statistics tend to back this up. Christians get divorced at the same rate as the rest of the world, they drink the same alcohol, they use the same language, they watch the same tele shows and movies, and share in the same gossip. We are living the same lives as the rest of the world. Are we afraid to be different? Have we bought Satan's lie that it is a bad thing to be different than everyone else? If our answers are yes than Satan has us right where he needs us, effectively working for him because he knows that when Christians live lives set apart they become great witnesses for the cause of Christ. You are the only Bible that some people will ever read and if your words are written the same as theirs then they see no reason to turn to Jesus.

Cheers to you Christine and Frank for raising your children differently and in a way that honors and glorifies the Lord! Cheers to the rest of you that are also trying to make a break from ways of the world, it's not easy but all things are possible with Christ who strengthens you. (Phil 4:13)If we can be praying for you and your family in someway please email us and we would be glad to join you in petitioning the Lord.

Finally of the Konotopka Family....

Girl from the Prairie

Here we are in Bertram at the Oatmeal festival. We rode the train from Ceder Park to Bertram and back. We went on August 29 with our friends Heike, Lou and Kobe. It was small town fun, like where we grew up. They dropped oatmeal from a plane, so it was like oatmeal snow flakes. It was our first experience in oatmeal snow. Heike took some amazing pictures of buildings and stuff that didn't look cool to me until I saw her photos. Amazing what we can and can't see though looking at the same scenery. Kids enjoyed catching candy at the parade.

This week at CBS(Community Bible Study) we had a brunch instead of opening lecture and worship. The topic was, "how did you grow up and how has it influenced your life?" There are 15 of us and we have about 45 minutes to share. Everyone around the table had grown up in a small town(they were talking 3-5K being small). It was so neat to hear about everyones lives and what they chose to share. I really enjoy the ladies in my group, they are very charming and sweet.

I took some time to think about what to share. I was overwhelmed with memories and what to share. 3 minutes isn't much for a childhood but I gave it my best stab. "I grew up near an Indian Reservation, my mom has taught on that reservation for over 30 years. My hometown was small less than 500 people. My graduating class was 22, 11 boys and 11 girls, we always had a date for all the dances. The best thing that small town living instilled in me was trust and how to trust. We never locked our doors at night, keys stayed in vehicle ignitions, and you could trust that if you were out causing trouble your mom would know it before you got home. (I sound like I am 75 as I write that sentence, but it is so true. I remember Sarah Schmidt teaching me how to drive the Chevy Luv stick shift, I think I was 13.5 and she was 14.5(so she had gotten her permit 6 months earlier). Someone spied us and called her parents before we even got back to her house. Mom and Dad #2 were great, I can't even remember if there was repercussions.) That value of trust is defiantly a transferable skill. I trust God, I know he will work all things for good and I am confident that he does as he promises."

I grew up thinking everyone cared about me. We rode bikes everywhere(in a town of 600 that's like 8 blocks, everywhere might not be the best word). It was 2.1 miles around our town, great distance to run and if you needed to go further you could head out pea lane to gain mileage and new scenery. Ahh the memories flood me and wrap around me like a blanket. I have good memories of life growing up in small town South Dakota and many friends who still live there. Would I move back? Yes, of course, I think it would be great for my kids to have some of the same experiences but I also know they are making their own memories and some day they will have a different, yet just as cozy memory blanket to wrap up with.

I want to share one of my favorite stories is If you're not from the Prairie, and just to let you know I married a boy from the prairie and the pictures in this book are great...

If you're not from the prairie, you don't know the sun, you can't know the sun.

Diamonds that bounce off crisp winter snow

Warm waters in dugouts and lakes that we know

The sun is our friend from when we were young

A child of the prairie is part of the sun

If you're not from the prairie you don't know the sun.

If you're not from the prairie you don't know the wind, you can't know the wind.

Our cold winds of winter cut right to the core

Hot summer wind devils can blow down the door

As children we know when we play any game

The wind will be there yet we play just the same

If you're not from the prairie you don't know the wind.

If you're not from the prairie you don't know the sky, you can't know the sky

The bold prairie sky is clear bright and blue

Though sometimes cloud messages give us a clue

Monstrous grey mushrooms can hint of a storm

Or painted pink feathers say good bye to the warm

If you're not from the prairie you don't know the sky.

If you're not from the prairie you don't know what's flat, you've never seen flat

When travellers pass through across our great plain

They all view our home they all say the same"It's simple and flat!"

They've not learned to see

The particular beauty that's now part of me

If you're not from the prairie you don't know what's flat.

If you're not from the prairie you've not heard the grass you've never heard grass

In strong summer winds, the grains and grass bend

And sway to a dance that seems never to end

It whispers its secrets - they tell of this land

And the rhythm of life played by nature's own hand

If you're not from the prairie, you've never heard grass.

So you're not from the prairie and yet you know snow you think you know snow?

Blizzards bring danger as legends have told

In deep drifts we roughhouse, ignoring the cold

At times we look out at great seas of white

So bright is the sun that we squeeze our eyes tight

If you're not from the prairie you don't know snow.

If you're not from the prairie you don't know our trees you can't know our trees

The trees that we know have taken so long

To live through our seasons to grow tall and strong

They're loved and they're treasured we watched as they grew

We knew they were special - the prairie has few

If you're not from the prairie you don't know our trees.

Still you're not from the prairie and yet you know cold..you say you've been cold?

Do you know what to do to relieve so much pain

Of burning from deep down that drives you insane?

Your ears and your hands right into your toes

A child who's been cold on the prairie will know

Of all of those memories we share when we're old

None are more clear then that hard bitter cold

You'll not find among us a soul who can say"I've conquered the wind on a cold winter's day"

If you're not from the prairie you don't know the cold you've never been cold.

If you're not from the prairie you don't know me you just can't know ME.

You see, my hair's mostly wind, my eyes filled with grit,

My skin's red or brown and my lips chapped and split

I've lain on the prairie and heard grasses sigh

Ive stared at the cast open bowl of the sky

I've seen all those castles and faces in clouds

My home is the prairie and I cry out loud

If you're not from the prairie you can't know my soul

You don't know our blizzards, you've not fought our cold

You can't know my mind, nor even my heart

Unless deep within you, there's somehow a part

A part of these things that I've said that I know

The wind, sky and earth, the storms and the snow

Best say you have - and then we'll be one

For we will have shared that same blazing sun.

Do as I say, not as I do....

I think we've all seen and understood that phrase now in adulthood. You don't have to think very hard to find someone who contradicts themselves, in fact I may be my own worst witness. My buddy Peter heeds me that this morning:
1 Peter 3: 8-12 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
"Whoever would love life and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

I like that is says seek and pursue, confirming that it won't always be easy and yes, you may even want to be evil but go and get the peace and don't look back, chase the peace. Again I am reminded how important it is to have some balance and that what I say isn't nearly as important as what I do. Words come easy and actions, well they take pursuit!

On a bit of a turn, this morning Andrew called to Justin as he and Frank were leaving, Justin came back in and Andrew says, "Don't forget your gwaffes daddy." "Thanks son, I don't need them this morning, I have my contacts in." "Oh, okay daddy." Can you believe at 2 he observed Justin wasn't wearing glasses? It was mind blowing and I had already been reflecting on the passage above this morning, I think how many times my kids have heard blessings and curses come out of my mouth and that should not be! (James 3:9-10) They observe so much more than I realize, and more and more I realize I dearly am in need of a savior.

We have been 'practice' camping in the back yard the past two nights. It has been fun. Dad had to bail on us last night as the declaration of night noises for an hour was more than he could bare and in his defense, he had to be at work functioning. I awoke before the boys today, which is not the norm. So I slipped in to the warm house, and started my quiet time with God and the sweetest memory unfolded before my eyes. It was just dawn, the sun is up and I hear my sweet boys talking and giggling, then the unZIP of the tent, and I look to see them coming, huge smiles and their headlamps, turned on of course, it was kind of dark. They were beaming with happiness and I melt in the emotion now as I type. Lord, let me remember this morning for forever.

I am so excited about camping this weekend. We are going with some friends, it will be a blast I am certain! On a side note, I never remember hurting from sleeping on the ground, I remember living for the summer to get here so I could backpack and now I am in pain and wondering why can't I remember the pain, so does extra weight make it that much worse? Was I always in pain, some of you have spent many a night camping/packing with me, did it hurt? Crazy!

Here are some new photos(Thanks Tanya Livingston for loaning me the card reader)

Steven and Hank the Amazing flying hamster.

DoodoodooDOOO! Introducing King Andrew!