a bright light in a big darkness

Life Lesson #7: Just Let Stuff Go... Pt. 1

2011-12-01T08:30:00.000-06:00

Sorry for being so quiet in the blogosphere... life, computer issues, traveling, obligations all crept in at some point which has prevented me from posting regularly. I hope I haven't lost any readers, but I plan on writing more often and plan to be more consistent!

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LIFE LESSON #7: Just Let Stuff Go.... Pt. 1

At some point In my life I became a keeper. In fact, I come from a long line of keepers. My mom is a keeper, her mother, my Grandmother, was a keeper. I'm sure it didn't start there....

When I say keeper I mean, I remember when staying with my Grandmother one summer when I was about 15, she had 23 umbrellas in her closet. I remember counting them cause I was so amazed, cause I had never seen anyone own that many umbrellas!

Maybe I'm in denial but I don't think we compare to those Realtity TV Hoarders at all. But absolutely Yes, I know we've kept things we probably shouldn't. For instance, I have SOOOOO many t-shirts from youth camps, choir, charity events, bands, etc. But the deal is that I rarely wear the t-shirts, mostly cause I have a short torso and think it makes me look frumpy. LOL... I think I'm gonna get rid of most of them and just take a picture of the ones i want to remember, that's better than keeping them right? :)

So, after 36 years why the sudden revelation of this.... Well at the OneThing 2010 and 2011 New Year Encounter Services at my church, Shady Grove Church, I felt the Lord told me that I need to get prepared and get rid of my stuff because He's gonna call Erik and I into something and we will have to be ready to leave then and there... Eleven months later, I am finally being obedient and having a Yard Sale this weekend.

Can you believe it that we still had things that have been packed since we moved to Texas from Minnesota in 2004? We've accumulated so much stuff over our 10 years of marriage - 90% we don't even need or use. I think when the Lord asked me to "unburden my load" so to speak, it took me a few months to finally come to terms with it. Then a few months mentally preparing for it and speaking it into existing and now I am so willing a ready. When we went to Berlin this summer, I think the reality of going to the mission field became more of a reality to Erik and I. It was a firm but nice kick in the pants, so since getting back in August we just started going through our closets, the unpacked boxes and our kitchen cabinets and started getting rid of everything we haven't used in a while. I put close to 25 pairs of shoes in the sale and literally a ton of Clothes.

It's rather freeing to just say get rid of this, get rid of that... and not feel like you are loosing a memory. Some things I started to second guess then my dear friend Rhonda Woods, who helped me organize all my junk (she has also graciously agreed to help with the yard sale on Friday) would give me this look then i would say, "ok It's got to go!" During this whole 3 hour process, she was the most wonderful friend and truly went above and beyond the call of duty, but i knew I couldn't do it all on my own!!!

I think that is the hardest thing about letting stuff go, is that we tie a memory with an item. Then we hold on to something so tightly because we have such "fond" memories of it, when the thing has no value to it whatsoever. It's just sitting there collecting dust.

So we Got the stuff organized and tagged, Got the Permit, Posted on Craigslist, and tweeted and Facebooked about it! So No Turning back, come Friday we be having our yard sale!

We have also decided that NO Matter what... On Saturday It is going to the Salvation Army (I guess they Pick up for Free)... so it will not come back into the house again :)

While looking though some old notes and papers I had I came across this little card and I thought it was God's gentle nudge telling me that getting all this stuff out is in his plan!

Side Note: Part of my organizational plan is to have a digital copy of journals, poems, songs and stuff I had written back in the day. I will be posting most of them, but back dating them from when I wrote them. I am not sure if they will come up or not as new blogs, but just in case you want to read some of this stuff you can go back and look as far back as the 90's for some of it over the coming weeks :)

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean In Two Weeks

2011-07-09T23:04:00.008-05:00

As of today we're two weeks away from our trip! Erik & I are so excited about serving in Germany & Budapest!!!! We know and believe we will come back from this trip totally changed and transformed. We appreciate your continued prayers as we prepare last minute details in the final weeks of our trip!

Prayer Requests:

Please continue to pray for me, as you know am serving as the administrator for the team which I have loved, but now its crunch time so all the last minute details and the loose ends that need to be finalized. We all know tracking people down for last minute info is never fun ;)
Please continue to pray for our protection, finances and favor as we prepare travel. In the last few weeks, we've had several minor challenges with cars, air conditioners and even some bumps and scrapes, but God has given us wisdom and strength to get through it. While several of those challenges we dealt with were unexpected so grateful for the awesome opportunities that the Lord has for us!
Pray for our team, we have 32 people that we will be traveling included in the mix are 6 families and 16 college-aged young adults. We've been working tirelessly on the group dramas and preparing as a team. Its been absolutely amazing working with this team the unity and how every one flow so well with each other is phenomenal. In the Sunday Morning Service of June 17th we will be sharing one of them to the church community. So please pray everyone gets their parts and places down.
Pray for the Ministries we are going to serve: European Initiative and Ninth Hour... These Ministries live missions every day and we are so grateful for the opportunity to serve them and be a blessing to them while we are there.
Pray for us while we travel, I have attached the itinerary below with the names of the people on our team. Pray for safe travels and for no complicated issues to come up.

We appreciate your standing with us and supporting us in prayer!

May the Lord continue to richly bless you and your family in every aspect of your lives! When we get back we will let you know about everything we experienced while in Europe!

Love,

Erik & Estreitta Kluetz
7244 Normandy Road
Fort Worth, TX 76112

(682) 587-2399

If you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation to help us pay for our trip via credit card, you can do so online at https://giving.shadygrove.org/client

PLEASE select MISSIONS and NOTE: Erik & Estreitta Kluetz - Berlin Missions Trip in the Notes Section, so the funds can be directed to our trip

Otherwise if you'd rather send a check, please make it payable to Shady Grove Church and in the memo line write Erik & Estreitta Kluetz - Berlin Missions Trip. Checks can be mailed to:

Attn: Finance Department
Shady Grove Church
2404 N. Carrier Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75050

Exciting News From Erik & Estreitta

2011-06-16T08:30:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends & Family:

We hope all is going well with you and your family! Can you believe that on May 27th, Erik and I celebrated our 10 year Wedding Anniversary? My how the time has flown. We have really enjoyed the last 10 years of our lives together and look forward to the many years to come. We did take a quick road trip to San Antonio and Fredricksburg, TX. We had a nice relaxing time but it was really hot. I guess what else should we have expected in Texas! :)

Erik and I wanted to share some exciting news with you about what we are doing in July. To mark this momentous occasion, we felt the Lord leading us to go on our first mission's trip together. The opportunity to go to Berlin, Germany and Budapest, Hungary with our Church from July 23 - August 2 presented itself and we joined the team! Can you think of a better way to celebrate our 10-year anniversary?

While I have been on several missions trips, my last trip was in 1997 when I traveled to Honduras with my home church, this will be Erik's first missions trip. Our church, Shady Grove Church, is sending a team of 31 people to join up with a wonderful mission's organization called European Initiative in Berlin, Germany. They have been based in Berlin for the past 4 years building relationships, engaging the Berlin community.

In much contrast to the United States, less than 1% of Germans say they have a relationship with God. Infact, majority claim to be athiest. So as you can see the opportunity to share the Love of Christ is great!

Berlin, Germany

While in Europe, we are also going to be taking a short trip to Budapest, Hungary (July 26 - July 29) to assist Ninth Hour with a European Youth Conference where 1200 young people from all over Europe are coming to be trained on how to share and evangelize the gospel in their own communities. Erik and I will be part of the team that assists during the conference and will lead ministry training teams as we do Spirit Led street evangelism. This is a recent development that the Lord presented our team and we are really looking forward to impacting the nations through this conference.

When we return to Berlin, Erik and I also, plan on taking a day trip to Klütz, Germany to check out the city named after Erik's family. There are only like 20 Kluetz's in the US, so we hope to connect the dots on where Erik's family might have originated. We are excited to get to go and possibly meet up with some long lost relatives.

Suffice to say, this trip will definitely be an adventure of lifetime and know we grow in unimaginable ways.

Here are a few immediate Prayer Requests:

Please pray for me, I am serving as the administrator for the team which is an amazing honor but can be a bit overwhelming at times and is a huge responsibility.
Please pray for our finances and favor as we prepare travel. It seems as with most people on our team, whenever you step out in faith and decide to go on a mission's trip vehicles start to breakdown or unexpected expenses come up that make it difficult to save money.
Pray for our team, we have 32 people that we will be traveling included in the mix are 6 families and 16 college-aged young adults.
Pray for the Ministries we are going to serve European Initiative and Ninth Hour. It takes a great deal of planning and coordinating a team visiting, especially a team of 32 people.
Pray for us while we travel, I have attached the itinerary below with the names of the people on our team.

We appreciate your standing with us and supporting us in prayer!

We've had a few that have asked if they can help us financially, if you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation via credit card or check

To give via credit card you can do so online at our churches online giving module. https://giving.shadygrove.org/client

PLEASE NOTE: Select Missions in type of gift and in the notes section put Erik & Estreitta Kluetz - Berlin Missions Trip, so the funds can be directed to our trip

Otherwise if you'd want to send a check, please make it payable to Shady Grove Church and in the memo line write Erik & Estreitta Kluetz - Berlin Missions Trip. Checks can be mailed to:

Attn: Finance Department

Shady Grove Church

2404 N. Carrier Parkway

Grand Prairie, TX 75050

May the Lord continue to richly bless you and your family in every aspect of your lives! When we get back we will let you know about everything we experienced while in Europe!

Love,

Erik & Estreitta Kluetz

7244 Normandy Road

Fort Worth, TX 76112

(612) 978-2555

Life Lesson #6: Feed Your Faith Starve Your Doubts

2011-01-24T13:15:00.002-06:00

Life Lesson #6: Feed Your Faith Starve Your Doubts

This lesson I have had to remind myself of lately. Many of my friends will know that I have been dealing with difficulties in getting pregnant.

For the last 8 years, I have had many health diagnoses that have made getting pregnant a little difficult. Here’s a quick rundown:

In 2003, I started talking to my doctor about working on getting pregnant, she prescribed clomid, a fertility drug.
Then after a few months of trying that, I started having gallbladder attacks due to gallstones and had to have my gallbladder removed. Then I needed to wait, so my body could recover.
Then we moved to Texas in the summer of 2004 to be closer to my dad because he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.
Then I tried some alternative health treatments, and nothing worked.
Then in August of 2007, I was diagnosed with Stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In Situ breast cancer. After 2 lumpectomies (November of 2007) and 8 weeks of radiation (April 2008), my Doctor said I needed to wait at least 3 years before attempting to get pregnant to allow my body to heal.
Then in 2009 when the 3 years were up, I had some uterine hemorrhaging, and had to have a surgical procedure to correct the problem.
Then in February of 2010, I started seeing a Fertillity Endocrinologist Dr. and the battery of test began, everything you could imagine to try to see why i wasn’t ovulating or getting pregnant.
Then in April of 2010 I was Diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes. and Started seeing an Endocrinologist to get the diabetes under control.
Then after about 6 months of dieting and trying really hard to get it under control everything was looking good for me to start the fertility treatments.
Then in September my Endocrinologist got test results back and my calcium levels were really high and my Vitamin D levels were severely low, and my A1C level jumped from 5.6 back to 7 which is not good and she said to put things on hold. Then she took personal leave.
Then Jan 6, 2011 she came back and I had an appointment with her, and because of the high-levels of calcium she thought I might have Primary Hyperparathyroidism, and did another round of tests, and the only thing to remedy it is surgery

I know that was a lot info, but that has been my life for the last 8 years. Last week, I came the realization that I had allowed all the diagnoses to feed my doubt and starve my faith instead.

Let’s be real, it is so hard to hear one thing after another and keep the faith in the midst of trials and tribulations!

I quit “being sure of what I had hoped for” in God to do what He said he would do in me. I allowed my circumstances to keep me in a rut and get me down and depressed. I stopped dwelling on His Promises and fixed my eyes on the have-nots and the why-nots.

In Romans it says:

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Romans 10:17, New King James Version)

Whatever we hear, we begin to believe. If we are listening to God’s word our Faith will be built up and we believe beyond a shadow of even an inkling of doubt that God will do what He says He’s going to do. You have to set your eyes on the good things.

When I was in college, the pastor of the church I was attending would say “You have to feed your faith and starve your doubts.” I had my roommate Theresa write that statement with her nice penmanship and I put it on my mirror so I could read it everyday. It helped me through a time in my life when I was learning to hear God’s voice and seeking clarity in my life.

Two Wednesdays ago, I was feeling really low and dwelling on the recent diagnosis i had received from my Endocrinologist. I knew I just had to go to church that night and go to The Well (its our midweek service at out church for adults). So after my Zumba class I drove to church, and spent some time in the Youth Service for their worship (Erik was actually playing that night) then headed over to the Well. From the moment I walked in I new it was where I needed to be. Every word that Ps. Niles Holsinger was preaching spoke directly with everything I was dealing with. Then he said, “There are some of you in here that have lost hope and faith in Gods Promises and even quit praying for things, be cause the situation seems so impossible, But I tell you this is a year of Fulfillment! God is going to bring those things to Pass!”

Yup that was me… I got so discouraged that i had even stopped praying about my personal health issues, and I even stopped praying for my brother to finally get healed from this 12-yr battle of bipolar. I know my God is Bigger than all of this junk that the enemy has tried to throw at me.

I then went to have the Healing team pray for me… and I have to say that this cloud that had come over me back in September just dissipated and I was filled with so much peace. It all came back, i had the faith to believe for the impossible again!!!

About a week before I had sent an email to Ps. Laurinda (Sr. Pastor with her Husband Ps. Jon of my church) with some of the things i had been dealing with. She then asked to meet with me to lunch. It was great to connect with her and she gave me so many nuggets of wisdom. I left so encouraged that when I tweeted this:

estreitta
Clairity through wise counsel is the next best thing to getting it directly from the Lord! #ilovemypastors

Practical ways to Feed your Faith in midst of a trial:

Meditate on a Scripture verse or a biblical account of someone who went through a similar difficulty. If you start with the whole chapter Hebrews 11, it’s known as the “Hall of Faith” there you will find many people who struggled and always God redeemed his promises every single time.
Make time to devote yourself in worship and prayer to seek the face of God and soak in his presence.
Talk to someone (your spouse, a good friend, your parents, a pastor or leader) who you can be completely real with and they can and will build you up, pray for you and walk with you during your process
Read a good Faith-based book that’s good for the soul. Sometimes you need a really good laugh or read something so profound you are wrapped in thought for days. I recommend any book by Barbara Johnson, All Cracked Up by Patsy Clairmont, On the Anvil by Max Lucado.
Listen or watch to your favorite preacher or Christian speaker. I recommend watching Andy Andrews - The Seven Decisions (2005), Dr. Kevin Leman is a Great Speaker on issues dealing with marriage and family (and he is HILARIOUS), Jack Deere really teaches on a lot of practical topics and they offer most of his sermons on the church he pastors website, I also like hearing to John & Lisa Bevere, Joyce Meyers, Ps. Chuck Swindoll, Dr. Miles Monroe and you can find alot of resources on Focus on the Family’s and Lifechurch.tv’s Websites. I know I am always encouraged when I hear my Pastor, Jon Dunn, speak he is always so edifying and you can get the sermons on itunes or the church’s website.
Believe Gods Word! In the midst of anything you may go through weather its your finances, family, or future, You have to believe that GOD is who He says He is in His Word. He is faithful to complete the work he has begun in you!

If we used the same amount of faith we've used for miracles to discover the presence of God, we'd have more miracles. For faith sees. And faith discovers. – Bill Johnson

Life Lesson #5: Time Flies When You're Having Fun

2010-09-02T03:11:00.001-05:00

Life Lesson #5: Time Flies When You're Having Fun

This lesson took a while for me to get a hold of.... I found that it was a lot easier for me to be depressed and just dwell and focus on the junk going on in my life than picking myself up off the couch and go out into the world and have fun. Between my amazing Godly friends in my life and God intervening and protecting me at strategic times, I know for a fact that not be were I am right now.

Don't Let Depression Cripple You!

I had just gone through the worst relationship ever. I was recovering and being consoled by hanging out on my parents couch and watching reruns of Gomer Pyle and the Brady Bunch eating tv dinners my dad would pick up by the dozens cause my mom was out of town.

Yeah it was pretty pathetic. But I do think when people are grieving over things they do need to check out for a little bit, the problem is that some don't know how to get out of it and 10 years later they are 700 lbs and they don't know how they ever got to this point.

If you have ever heard of or saw Ruby Gettinger story on the Style network you know what I'm talking about. If not, in short, at here heaviest, Ruby had gotten up to 700 lbs. Not until the last few years, with alot of very hard work, Ruby has gotten down to the 300's. She says she's never been that skinny in her adult life. Throughout the show you learn about how Ruby would sit in her comfy chair and just ate and ate. Then finally it caught up to her. Her health was in trouble so she had to do something about it and her friends were/are right beside her every step of the way.

This last Season, she also did things she had never done before she went to Australia went race car drive and even rode a horse. Ruby's Inspiring Story is motivation for anyone who needs to get out of their rut.

For Ruby, she needed to get out of her chair, her home, and her comfort zones.

Friends can be a life-line

I am so thankful I had friends that wouldn't let me sulk for too long. My BFF Mandy and I whenever we get together and one of us starts laughing it just is contagious. Back when we were both single, I remember this one time when I was going through some very difficult stuff, we hung out at her apartment and I remember we just laughed all night about everything and anything. I don't know if I had ever laughed that hard before. That night totally was instrumental in my life and it helped me forget the things I was worrying about and I realize that I just needed to enjoy life. I don't know if I would have discovered that without that fun evening I had Mandy.

“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun." - Charles R. Swindoll

Sometimes when friends are going through challenges, it can be difficult to know what to say to help them. Talking helps, but taking the time to just be with friends where you just laugh about anything can be the life-line they needed. When you have a friend going though something, make an effort to hang out with them or invite them along to an outing or church event, concert, ballgame, movie, shopping can really make a HUGE difference in their life.

Don't Stay in the Pit

THE PIT

A man fell into a pit and couldn't get himself out. He called for help...

A SUBJECTIVE person came along and said: "I feel for you, down there."

An OBJECTIVE person came along and said: "It's logical that someone would fall down there."

A PHARISEE said: "Only bad people fall into a pit."

A MATHEMATICIAN calculated how he fell into a pit.

A NEWS REPORTER wanted the exclusive story on his pit

A SPIRITUALIST said: "Your pit is only a state of mind.

A FUNDAMENTALIST said: "You deserve your pit."

A REALIST said: "Now THAT'S a pit."

An I.R.S. MAN asked if he was paying taxes on the pit.

The CITY INSPECTOR asked if he had a permit to dig a pit.

A PROFESSOR gave him a lecture on: "The elementary principles of the pit."

A SELF-PITYING person said: "You haven't seen anything until you've seen MY pit!"

An OPTIMIST said: "Things could have been worse."

A PESSIMIST said: "Things will get worse!!"

A CHARISMATIC said: "just confess you're not in the pit."

AN EVANGELICAL said: "You should be saved from the pit."

JESUS, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit"

- source unknown

I know that sometimes when you are the person going through it and struggling with depression it can get to a point where you feel alone, hopeless and miserable. Dwelling on what went wrong or the mistakes you made will not help you at all it just feeds it. Don't let yourself Stay there!

For me, God speaks to me most often when I am either in the shower or in the car. Once while I was driving, I was just thinking about all the mistakes I had made in my life and how I felt that it prevented me to fulfill the Call of God on my life. Then I heard the Lord's still quiet voice say to me "Did you know that when you focus your thought on yourself rather than Me you are bringing the enemy glory?"

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (Young's Literal Translation)
⁴For the weapons of our warfare [are] not fleshly, but powerful to God for bringing down of strongholds, ⁵reasonings bringing down, and every high thing lifted up against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of the Christ

That simple statement helped me see what I was doing. Rather than walking in the forgiveness the Lord had given me and even more rather than praising Him and worshiping Him, I was so focusing on myself that was like praises to the enemy's ears. Self focus is pride, and that pride can dig the pit deeper if you stay focused on yourself rather than the Savior of your Soul!

Psalm 40:2 (New King James Version)
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
         Out of the miry clay,
         And set my feet upon a rock,
         And established my steps.

Make a Change

When I was a college student, I felt that I was continually making the same mistakes and dealling with the same issues over and over.

During this one season of my life, I started hanging out with people who weren't Christians and instead of me being a light in the darkness the darkness began to creep into my life. Standards and values I thought I would never compromise on I began to "not have a problem with it."

Before too long I stopped going to church, hanging out with or speaking with my True friends, and I would find myself in places and situations I never thought I would. The next day I would ask God for forgiveness and I asked Him to help me change and not allow these things to drag me in to a dark place. It became a vicious cycle. I know it seems so obvious now, but back then I thought I was helping these people.

One day I was asking the Lord, "How in the world did I get here?" and He showed me how I began to lower my boundaries and began to accept things that i knew was causing a separation between Him and I. I had to make a change, I had to choose between life and death. I am thankful I chose life!

One of the Choices I had to make was even quitting the job I working at, even though the pay was really good and I really enjoyed it it was where most of the people I became friends with that were dragging me down. Now let me also say this, that even though these particular friends weren't "Christians" there are some people in your life that say they are Christians and you know you have to separate yourself from them too because they are not choosing Life either.

Other simple things you can do to make a change is the scenery go visit friends or family you haven't seen in a while. After I quit my Job, I knew I needed to get a way for a while. So i went to visit my Family in Pennsylvania for a few months, I even got a Temp Job there so I could make some money while I was there.

Do something that you've always wanted to do but haven't. When I was a freshman in College, I had just broken up with my first boyfriend. When we were dating we had decided that we'd go skydiving and I reserved for us to go in the spring with a deposit. So Since we weren't together and I still had the reservation and I didnt want to loose my deposit & mostly because I always wanted to do it; I decided to go Skydiving anyways! It was so amazing, I'd love to do it again sometime!

Rather than using all of your emotion and energy to stay depressed let it empower you instead by having fun! Life can be difficult at times, but its what you do with that time that can change your life!

Time truly does fly when you have fun. I was just talking about this with some friends yesterday, Erik and I will be celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary in May. But you know it doesn't feel like we've been married for almost a decade. I like to think that it is because we are too busy having fun and enjoying our lives together!

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Life Lesson #4: Declutter the Distractions

2010-07-16T11:50:00.001-05:00

Life Lesson #4: Declutter the Distractions

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines distract as: "to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives" or another definition of distraction "an obstacle to attention"

Several years ago the Lord taught me the lesson of Decluttering the Distractions in my life. It was a difficult process but when I began to implement this into my life I saw breakthrough in many areas of my life.

Life Distractions:

Most of us can get distracted by even the simplest things, but if it draws our attention for too long we might get sucked into this maze of "confusion and conflicting emotions" that only with God's help can we get back to where He wanted us. If the enemy uses distraction to get us focused on anything else but God.

There are things and/or people in all of our lives that hinder or distract us. These distractions are most often time stealers, relationship destroyers and drain and suck the life out of us. They take our time and focus off of things that are truly important like our family and our relationship with God.

Dating Distractions:

For me, my biggest distractions were my dating relationships and some friendships.

When I was single college student, it was so ironic how when I made a commitment to myself and the Lord that I would only pursue Him and stay away from men, dating, and pursuing any relationship. And you know every time all the nice good looking Christian guys would all come out of the wood works all at the same time and want to date me.

Now you have to understand that I didn't really date anyone till I got to college. I had only pecked kissed a boy once when I was 9, then got so sick of my stomach that I "broke" up with him the next day. Sure, I had crushes on boys, but none of them ever "liked" me back or at least I never knew they did.

So then from never really getting attention from guys calling me frequently to getting asked out to go out with them to the movies, concerts and bible studies, I had no clue what I was getting myself into.

Looking back not all of it was bad, but then there were parts of it that took me many tears and years, (until I met Erik, PTL) to get healed from everything I experienced. Some of these relationships started out seemingly good and then slowly they began to be a distraction.

It seemed every time I got out of a dating relationship, I tried to figure out , "How did I get so far away from you God?" I'd try evaluate the choices and recall all that had transpired. After a while (yeah unfortunately it took me a while) I began to realize that my relationships even though they were with a Godly Christian guy, I needed to keep Jesus as the Center! When the focus and center of my attention was only the guy I was dating the less I spent time with the Lord. When I realized that I had to make a choice in the path I was going to take in my dating relationships: The guy I was going to date needed to be a man that would Honor me in every way possible and that he desired to honor God with the choices he made in his life. I am Glad I made that commitment because that is when God brought Erik into my life.

Friendship Distractions:

The declutter in my friendships was I came to the realization that True friends are those who were honest, built you up, edify you, encourage you and pray for you. And It is extremely important that your friendships are healthy and they are a reciprocal relationship. There were people in my life at the time that talked about me behind my back, that would ask me to do things or go places i wasn't comfortable with, nor did they want me to succeed in my life. It was a hard choice for me to let go of these friends, because I felt like I had invested so much time and energy in developing these friendships it was hard to walk away.

Technological Distractions

I can think of a laundry list of things that maybe seem so minor to some, but I have seen these things destroy marriages and cause division in families.

One example, a friend's spouse got sucked into playing one of these virtual games, similar to Secondlife, but i can remember the name I think it was called War Craft or something... the spouse at first would spend an hour or so on the computer playing this game. Then it would eventually lead to five hours and then onto all night and day on this program. This person had gotten so involved in this game that it was causing marital issues.

The spouse then didn't want to leave the house in case something happened in their game. This game also interfered with their job and in the end the couple ended up getting a divorce after only a few years of marriage. My friend was devastated. I think for a long time he didn't even own a computer because of the loss he experience and looking at a computer just caused so much pain. His ex-wife got so consumed into this game that it ended something that was intended for greatness. Now in itself the computer nor game wasn't bad. But the focus and time she spent playing the game rather than spending it with her new husband was no a good use of her time.

I also notice sometimes when Erik and I are out doing errands or going out to eat, that many times we see couples where they are both on the phone or texting the entire time they are eating and don't even interact with each other. I think technology can be a great resource, but if we are so consumed by this technology that you don't even interact with your kids or spouse like you used to then something has gotta change.

Thought Distractions:

This one was the biggest distraction in my life that took me forever to learn. I used to worry all the time. I would worry about my family, my friends, money, bills, etc. My Sophomore year at college I was diagnosed with GERDS, every morning I would wake up with an upset stomach. I was so full of anxiety that it was causing me to become physically ill. It was a horrible experience. During that timeI bought this book by Barbara Johnson, that showed me no matter how bad it could or would get I needed to Trust that God had it all under control. If you haven't read this book and you struggle with worry I highly recommend this book!

Once I got set free from Worrying and through prayer, I was healed of Gerds and haven't had a recurrence in almost 10 years.

The verse that I meditated on frequently during that time was:

Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

I believe that worrying can be the most difficult distraction to overcome, but wit God's help and allowing Him to change your way of thinking - a paradigm shift - You will be SET FREE!

Don't allow distractions, whatever they are to hold you back from fulfilling your purpose and calling. The enemy wants to do whatever he can to get your focus on others, things and even yourself because it pulls your attention away from what really matters... Your Drawing Closer to Lord and Trusting Him with All Things!

Open Letter to President Obama about Volunteerism

2010-06-17T18:40:00.001-05:00

Today, I was thinking about ways that could raise morale in our country and then I decided to write President Obama. Below is what I wrote.

========

Dear President Obama:

I would like to propose an idea for you to consider that I believe would raise morale in our country: a Vonunteer Tax Credit.

Currently, the tax code only allows tax-deductible donations for items with a value such as money, clothing, vehicles, etc. If someone were to volunteer their skilled service to an organization, the only thing they can deduct are expenses for mileage.

While many citizens in our country are out of work, I think it would spark more involvement with community service and outreach. I think our country really needs to get back to the mentality of helping our neighbors and those in need. I am reminded of stories of my grand parents sharing how the community would come together back in WWI & WWII to donate nylons and metals to the army, communities would come together and share food to those in need.

How much more of an incentive for people who have never volunteered before to be able to offer their time and skills to non-profit organizations and be able to receive tax credits for their service?

I believe it would also engage corporate America to be more willing to donate their staff time and resources.

With so many recent tragic events happening all across our country, I truly believe if we did more to incentivise volunteerism many people who are down and out would be motivated to help and engage more in the community.

Not to mention all of the faithful volunteers currently helping organizations, who are struggling to make ends meet because donations are down all accross the board.

Even though I did not vote for or agree with about 80% of your platforms, I do pray for God to give you wisdom and strength to lead our country. I hope this administration would consider implementing something to engage more volunteers and help turn the morale of our country around.

Best regards,

I. Estreitta de Kluetz

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I'd like to know your toughts on my idea!

Life Lesson #3: Take Time

2010-03-24T00:07:00.004-05:00

Life Lesson #3: Take Time

When things get crazy in your life, it is so crucial that you take time to release, relax, and reflect. This is such a good thing to do regularly especially, so you get your emotions out instead of bottling it all up. If you were anything like me, its easy to just keep going and going without ever taking time for yourself.

When I would get to a breaking point, I learned that it was important for me to take time to get away from everything and take time seek the Lord. Rememering that we can go to the Lord and lay everything down at his feet.

Psalm 68:19 (New International Version)Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah

This one literally saved my life, because it is also when God listened to my hearts cry and spoke to me and comforted me in my time of need.

Jeremiah 33:3 (The Message)This is God's Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: 'Call unto me and I will answer you. I tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.

When I was a sophomore in College, I would get so stressed out because of some relationships, family stuff, school, work, money issues i was having, because of poor choices I made. (The list could truly go on forever) The stress was totally debilitating. I would wake up nauseated every morning and get sick of my stomach. Eventually, I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux.

Whenever I got really overwhelmed with all the stress of my life I would get in my car and drive. I would pray, cry, scream, sing worship songs to focus my thoughts on the Lord and not my situation. In those times, I would pour my heart out and God answered me every time. He'd bring a scriptures to my rememberance or I'd turn on the radio and either the song or the message I would hear on the station would speak directly to my situation and several times I heard his voice so clear.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (Amplified)
God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patientlyGod is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.

Another way I found to be a good release is that I would also journal and write out may prayers to Him. I have several notebooks that I can go back and pinpoint breakthroughs and also remind myself that the Lord got me through it then how much more can He can get me through it now! Our God is faithful!

There were also times where I would also take time lock myself in my room and listen to worship, sing and dance.

So I encourage you to find those things in your life that help you to release everything and give it to God. Whether you paint, jog, write, sing, draw, hiking, whatever your outlet is make the effort to take the time.

Next Blog: Life Lesson #4: Declutter the Distractions

Life Lesson #2: Choose Wisely

2010-03-09T12:57:00.003-06:00

Life Lesson #2: Choose Wisely:

Everyday we are asked to make choices big and small. Some of those choices may seem insignificant while others may affect the next 10 years of your life.

Several years ago, I visited the Potters House for a Sunday night service and I heard Pastor TD Jakes say:

"Every decision you have made in your life good and bad big or small, easy or difficult, have brought you to this very place and time to bring you here tonight"

My best friend, Mandy, then turned to me and said,

"He's right, Estreitta, you are only here in Texas because of the choice you made to move back from Minnesota to be closer to [the ex i had just broken up with]"

That one choice I made in December 1995 to move back in Texas did change things in my life dramatically:

I missed 2 years of College
I had strained relationships in MN because of me just picking up and moving back to Texas, there were people who were depending on me
I accumulated a lot of debt, mostly credit card
I got to reconnect with high school friends from Springtown
I served in the Youth Ministry at my home church in Azle

There were both good and bad consequences to that decision, and it took about a year and half for me to forgive myself and be healed from the bad choices I made. And if I had the choice to go back and do it differently, i totally would have, especially if I knew what I know now. But as a result of what i went through, I do have a stronger faith and trust in God, but i would never wish on anyone to go through what I did, because it was extremely painful process.

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger."

Friedrich Nietzsche

From that experience, I learned afterwards that it is important to take time to make choices.

NEVER EVER make an impulsive decision!

We must always first, take step back then take a look at the situation this will help see what the outcome is. Then make the decision.

God revealed to me this analogy during the aftermath of my decision:

Imagine a tree, and all you can see is that tree because you are standing toe to toe and your nose pressed up against the tree. That's all you see , smell, touch, taste is the tree nothing else. So many times we get so focused on the tree, and we choose to stay there because we think it is the only choice...

However, unless you take a step back and see that you are standing in a forest. Then you will see how many choices you truly can make.

Don't let your emotions rule you because it can effect the choices you make. Any impulsive decision I made never ended well.

I'm so grateful that His Word says:

God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left. (Lamentations 3:22-23, The Message)

When we ask Him to forgive us for our screw-ups, I'm so thankful He is the God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th...chances.

Another part of this lesson that I learned was to Listen to Wise Counsel.

Many of my close Christian friends tried to tell me I was making impulsive decisions and bad choices. Many of them had a bad feeling about my boyfriend at the time. But because I "thought" I was hearing from God, I wouldn't listen to their words of wisdom. I didn't realize until afterwards that the Lord was using my friends to try to wake me up to prevent me from making the choices I was making. Because they were right, he was bad news and it was not a good choice.

So if you are ever making a decision check with your friends and family that know and love you and Love God. AND LISTEN to their WISE COUNSEL. They will help you every step of the way.

When Erik and I were dating about 6 months and we started talking about marriage, I asked my friends and family what they truly thought of Erik. I asked them to be totally honest.

You know every single one of them said, "Erik is a great guy, we can tell he truly loves the Lord and that he honors and respects you. We are excited for you!"

Marrying Erik was most definitely one the best decisions I made, it wasn't impulsive and I sought wise counsel from friends and family. This helped me to choose wisely!

Next Blog: Life Lesson #3: Take Time

Life Lesson #1: Quiet your Stinkin' Thinkin'

2010-03-08T14:55:00.002-06:00

Today, I was talking with a friend who is dealing with so much uncertainty, that they were feeling so overwhelmed, hopeless, and on the verge of depression. I told them what I went through when I was in college, so many times I wanted to give up even on my life. If it weren't for my trust in God's faithfulness and some life lessons He taught me along the way I am sure I wouldn't be here today. So after sharing them with my friend, I thought i might share them over the next few blogs, and hopefully it would offer some encouragement to those going though some uncertainty of their own.

Life Lesson #1: Quiet your Stinkin' Thinkin':

Even though things don't look good right now maybe the tunnel is so dark you can't even see an inkling of a light at the end of it, I promise you everything will work out!

One of the best ways I found in the midst of so much stress and anxiety is to THINK Positively.

I know that it may be difficult to think positively with so much seemingly going wrong. But does thinking negatively help you either?

If anything it really brings you down, you get full of anxiety and stress and you feel alone and that is not Good for ANY one to feel alone. Everyday is a new day and make it such. Stop your mind from dwelling on the mistakes or the bad things that may have happened or are happening. Choosing to Think Positively will stop the Stinkin' Thinkin' from even entering your view!

Pastor Duane White told me this once and you know it changed my life, he said:

"Focus on what you DO know not what you don't".

So what I did know was God's Word. I found verses in His word that I could meditate and apply to the situation I was going through.

The first verse that comes to mind:

Romans 12:2 (New International Version)Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The second verse that I meditated on day and night or even when stinkin' thinkin' would try to creep in was:

Philippians 4:4-8 (New International Version)
(4) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (5) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(8) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I also like how The Message puts this verse:

^4-5Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

^8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:4-8, The Message)

"Fill your mind with things that are True" is the best way to Quiet your Stinkin' Thinkin'! As you do this your outlook on life will be so much better. Instead of beating yourself up for a stupid decision, (Remember when you repent God forgiveness and restores you), as you seek and Trust Him with your life He direct your to your true destiny and purpose in him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

^5-6 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
(Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message)

You may be saying, Estreitta, there's no way I can get out of this rut. It is just impossible. You have no idea what I am going through.

And you know what my Friend, your right it is impossible if you keep thinking the way you are thinking. I may not know what you are going through exactly, But God Does. So Trust in Him and His Word. God will Prove himself to you, you Just have to get out of your way and let him!

Next blog: Life Lesson # 2: Choose Wisely

2 years Ago

2009-10-31T10:15:00.000-05:00

I have been meaning to blog for a while but you know how sometimes things just slip through the cracks.

For the past few days, it crossed my mind that August will mark the 2 year anniversary of when I was diagnosed with DCIS Breast Cancer. It totally seems like ages ago...God has done so much and I am so greatful for his hand on my life.
Last week So You Think You Can Dance Finalists, Melissa & Ade, performed a dance called Women's Work choreagraphed by Tyce Diorio. This dance was very moving and I totally think that they captured the emotions of what a women goes through during this time.

I wanted to share this with you. Let me know your Thoughts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNb3Dy7HxQs

Please Hear My Prayer Lord!

2009-10-28T07:46:00.005-05:00

My heart is heavy this morning. There is ALOT Going on. Many people I know currently have some burdens they are carrying. The only thing I know to do is Pray. Will you Stand in agreement with me?

O God I pray 4 my family & my Friends. Please o God I ask you to intervene in every situation & circumstance. Jesus Pour out your Healing, Restoring, Renewing, Refreshing POWER on each household. Bring your PEACE. I Pray for their FamiliesI, Protect them, surround them and enrapture them. Draw Them each Closer to you. God Rule & Reign in every aspect of their Lives. Bring YOUR Wisdom to every things that Concerns them. Oh Thank you Lord & I praise you for what you have done, what you are doing and what you are going to do in their Families, their Finances, their Bodies & their Relationships. I put my complete TRUST in you. In JESUS Name, the name above all names. Because yours is the Kingdom, and the Power and The Glory for ever & Ever and Ever! AMEN!

Annual Exam

2009-09-11T12:27:00.003-05:00

I woke up yesterday morning feeling ready to take on the day. I knew when I went to bead early the night before that I wanted to be rested because I was scheduled to go get my annual mammogram. Erik and i both got ready and made our way to the hospital district in Fort Worth. As we were driving, without me saying a word, I placed my and on Eriks lap and he grabbed my hand and he began to pray for me and my appointment. Even though I was confident and expected the doctor to tell me as she did before that I did not have any signs of cancer, a little nervousness grew as we got closer to the Solis Women's Health Center.
We got to the office right at 8:15 am and I signed myself in. A few minutes later, they called my name (the legal one, mind you), had me sign some papers and brought me back to the waiting area/dressing rooms and handed me the shirth-sized robe. I changed and sat down then almost immediately the radiology specialist called me and led me to the mammography room.

This is never the fun part, but i did bear through the pain of squishing, poking and prodding. Even though the radiology specialist was ever so gentle. After she took the four images, she led me to a smaller, different waiting room.

I waited for about 20 minutes and she came in and asked me to follow her back to mammography room.  The last time they did that, that is when they saw the DCIS. My mind then started going like 100 miles a minute.

When we entered the room she said, "i think I was trying to be to delicate with you as the films didn't come out right on the right side" (the opposite side of the one I had the surgery) When I looked over at the previous slides and there was this pea sized dot on the screen. I thought at that time, "Lord, I trust you, and I expect you to proove yourself as you have done before."

The radiology specialist took the images again (Alot Tighter) then led me to the secondary waiting room. The longest 10 minutes of my life. I sat there praying in the spirit. Then there was a lady sitting next to me, and we began to talk. Come to find out she is from the same town I grew up. We started chit chatting.

Then a Nurse came and called my name and She led me down the hall back to the dressing rooms, and said "Everything came out on the second images and everything looks good, There must not have been enough compression on the first set.   Sorry for the confusion, I bet you were freaking out a bit." I said, "Yes, but Thank God everything came out looking good."

What a rollercoaster! But I trusted God, no matter the outcome.

Love & Marriage...

2009-08-06T17:13:00.001-05:00

At our church on Tuesday Nights we have a service called The Gathering. Its for us 20 and 30 somethings. (http://www.gathergather.org/) Erik and I have been attending this weekly service for about a year now. It is a great group of people and we have been enjoying being part of this service.
This summer we went through the series called "The Pursuit" a study on the book of Ruth. It has been amazing, even though Erik and I have been happily married for a little over 8 years we got so much out of it.

On July 21, Jon Dunn, Executive Pastor @ShadyGroveChrch spoke at the Gathering on Courtship during “The Pursuit” Series. I encourage you to watch this amazing message if your single, dating, and even married it really challenged me.

Worship Begins around 21 minutes. The Message Starts about 1:12.

By the way Erik is the bass player during worship!

I would love to hear what your thought on Pastor Jon's Message on Courthship!

Watch the July Service now http://bit.ly/bb2yF

My Motivational DNA

2009-05-09T00:43:00.005-05:00

I was watching the 700 Club a few mornings ago, while getting ready for work and heard about this Motivational DNA Survey. You know me, I love taking these personality tests all the time. This one was pretty accurate for me... what do you think?

You can take yours at http://www.getmotivatedbook.com/Test.aspx

Motivational DNA Type is PVI (Production-Variety-Internal): The Visionary.

Visionaries

Persistent, energetic and confident. They are able to organize people and projects.

Exhibit strong leadership potential and react quickly to crisis. Creative thinkers, Visionaries have the ability to craft a vision and get others excited about it.

They enjoy working on multiple projects at the same time and like to be involved in exploring alternative concepts. Farsighted and imaginative, Visionaries are good at finding original solutions to difficult problems.

Enjoy change and thrive under pressure. They have the ability to shift gears and turn on a dime. They are confident in their ability to master new skills.

Enjoy challenge and desire personal growth. Want to know that their work matters and desire to “go where no man has gone before.”

PVI Motivators

Inspiring work environment, opportunity to originate and initiate ideas, peer respect, credit for work accomplished and a strong sense of mission.

PVI De-Motivators

Rigid structure, routine, delays, time-consuming details and bureaucracy.

Quick-Start Tips for Goal Achievement:

Options are vital for your motivational style. Make a list of a dozen ways to accomplish your goal. Then mix it up. Do a little of everything on the list. PVI Visionaries get bored with the same old, same old.

Create a customized plan for achieving your objectives. If something doesn’t work for you, don’t force yourself to do it—eliminate it. Find a better way—something enjoyable that works.

Make a detailed record of why your goal is important to you. How will you (and others) benefit if you achieve the goal and what are the consequences if you don’t?

Signs of the Times

2009-02-24T14:17:00.000-06:00

Today I read a blog by a beautiful woman of God, entitled "Fish out of Water"

In her blog, Adrienne expresses everything i have been thinking about lately in regards to finances and the current state of our world. She said everything I would have said but she did it so much more eloquently. And It is a total a reality check... so hold on.

I would also encourage you to watch this prohetic message entitled "The Coming Perfect Storm" from John Paul Jackson (the ministry i work for) about preparing for the End Times season we are stepping into, it is something we as Christians need to be aware of and prepare accordingly:

The Coming Perfect Storm - Part 1

The Coming Perfect Storm - Part 2

This simple Life

2009-01-27T12:55:00.007-06:00

Last weekend, I decided to watch a PBS documentary by Ken Burns about the Shakers (1985) on Netflix. The Shakers are well known for the song "Simple Gifts" and enthusiastic style of Worship during the late 1700s and early 1800s. It was an amazing movement that touched the the lives of 200,000 people. They took a vow of celibacy and spent their time in prayer, farming and inventing kewl things such as the wheel driven washing machine and the circular saw. To read more visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakers.

Although I think they were a little legalistic and had some major doctrinal issues, i totally appreciate their commitment to live a Holy and righteous lifestyle. There was even a great revival in the Appalacian mountains that the Shakers had been involved with during the early 1800's.

They lived a very simple life and yet they pursued God earnestly. What they did was Radical. They lived communally, took in abandoned orphans, and took a vow of celebacy. I love the fact that they were passionate about their faith that they were willing to give up everything for God. While I don't think their many of methods are totally biblical, I think the legacy they have left with our country and even Christianity is something to be admired.

How many people do we know that are so dedicated to their convictions that they are willing to give up and change their a cushy lifestyle for one of simplicity and pursuit of God?

I can count on both hands the few friends I know that have stepped out in faith to become missionaries, ministers and pastors.

I think that a lot of the problems we see in our country and world is that we have (Christians and non-Christians) such a desire for bigger and better and latest and greatest.

Bigger houses with Bigger Mortgage (some pay $3500+ a month not including utilities), Bigger car with Bigger Car payment (some pay $500+ per month not including insurance), Bigger TV with Cable, DVR, Blue Ray/DVD Player (TV's depending on size range from $800 to $4000 not including the monthly electricity, cable bill and blue Ray/dvd rentals or purchases). Latest cell phone with all the bells and whistles (About 300 bucks for the phone then the service fees can be as high at 250 a month)

Seriously why are we spending our money and time on these frivolous things? I get caught up shopping for stuff I don't need all the time while racking up my creidt card bill I just recently paid off.

Why can't we live a simple life and save, store up and support the Church to help advance the kingdom of God. If a catastophic disaster ever happened would we be prepared?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I have wondered what things in my own life I can do to cut the fluff out of our lives. As things start to get worse and we hear the news of more companies going bankrupt and laying off of thousands of employees, we need to think about what minor changes in our lives to help advance the kingdom. People are scared, weary and searching for hope. Many are putting their hope in the Obama Administration, but We as beleivers need to keep our Hope and Faith in Christ.

Isn't the body of Christ supposed to offer hope, peace and love and point them to the simple yet profound message of Jesus, the saviour of the world?

Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. It was first published in The Gift to be Simple: Shaker Rituals and Songs. Simple Gifts was a work song sung by the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing (more commonly called the Shakers, an offshoot of the Quakers).
Verse
'Tis the gift to be simple,'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

Verse
'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Verse
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

Expanding beyond our limits

2009-01-05T00:37:00.016-06:00

Philippians 3:14 (Amplified Bible)
I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

So much has changed and so much is different than where i was at a year ago.

Nothing really makes you realize that you are alive until when you are faced with your own mortality. October 28 marked the 1 yr anniversary of my first lumpectomy. Then January marks the anniversary 8 weeks worth of radiation began.

Last year, Erik and I were still looking for a Church, now we have been regularly attending Shady Grove Church in Grand Prairie Texas for over 6 months now. There we have been building friendships and it has been good to be connected again with a great body of believers who are truly passionate for the Lord. We have started making new friends and connecting with a great group of people.

Last year I was working 40-50 hrs a week for a Construction company in Fort Worth. Now I am working on figuring out what is next for me. Erik and I are in the beginning stages of starting a Worship band (click the link to see our craigslist ad). We hope to get started soon and we are starting to meet with people over the next week or so. We are really excited about How God has been expanding and increasing our vision for worship.

For 2008, God impressed on us that it was the Year of Rekindling. Rekindling dreams and visions. For 2009, we feel the Lord impressing on us that this is the Year of Expansion and Increase. We believe God wants us to expand and increase our vision and continue to step out in faith in areas that we haven't before.

In December, Erik and I attended Fire by Night Worship Service at Convergence Church in Fort Worth, Texas. The presence of the Lord was so strong. During the Service, Pastor Steve gave us the following word from the Lord (if you'd like to hear it Click here otherwise read below)

“You’re a Catalyst in this Region
God’s given you influence
He’s given you authority
He’s given you favor
He’s opening doors in front of you.

This couple back here…

God’s opening Doors for you
It’s a time of Favor in your Life, there’s increase
And you have begun to see it as the end of this year has been opening up
Early in the year was a very very difficult time through the middle of the year
Then here at the end of the year some things have begun to break
And God has begun to open things up for you
And there is tremendous favor on you
There’s a creativity on you on both of you
And both of you are just shining with the favor of God
And there is promotion for you guys in the Spirit
There’s increase
New avenues of provision that are set up for you
I believe in the First and Second Quarter of 2009
And we just bless you

I see on you my sister here
There is a prophetic anointing on your life
There’s this creative prophetic thing that God has put on you
And it is going to be breaking forth even more
And you are like a boredom destroyer (everyone begins to laugh here)
If you go into a place where there’s black and white
And it’s dull it ain’t staying that way once you got there
It’s coming to Life, God loves that about you
And That has been on you all of your life
But there’s an ability right now it’s like your capacity to impart that has increased
The level of influence in your life
Because I feel like you guys both passed a test in this year
I so there is a definite increase on you

And I see on you sir, a mantle of wisdom
There is wise counsel that is stored upon you
There’s a teaching anointing that has been on you all of your life
Even when you were a little kid, you were going around teaching people how to do things
‘And here’s how you do it, here’s how you play with this toy’
I mean some people didn’t even like it (everyone begins to laugh here)
But there is a teaching anointing
And a Wisdom that is going to come forth on you in a greater way
And I see God [giving] you wisdom on how to put numbers together for this season
And you are going to have that wisdom on you for your personal life and your family
And I see it going beyond your family
The wisdom of numbers like falling into place
I see like columns of numbers and things really coming into place for you
And I see like these numbers are really wet and they are very anointed
So I believe there is a fresh anointing on you in that area
There is something that God is doing in the first part of 2009 in your family
It’s like God is giving a fresh stirring of the Spirit of God
And it’s like the things that you that you guys have pressed through this year
Is causing a drawing on your family line
Increase, so you need to be on the looking for Kingdom Increase on your Family as you come into 2009

Father we bless this couple in the Name of Jesus Amen!”

Radical for Christ

2009-01-02T22:39:00.002-06:00

On my way home from Church on New Years Eve, I was thinking about when I was a young teenager in Youth Group and my Youth Pastor, Dave would encourage us all the time to be Radical for Christ. I believe Dave was teaching us to be true followers of Christ that went against the grain of the ways of the world and man that it was seen as Radical.

And As a Young teenage Girl I did my best to be Radical for Christ. I created a Bible Club called Students As Living Testimonies (SALT), I would share my faith with everyone I came in contact with, I prayed at the Flag Pole every Monday Morning before school whether I was alone or with a few. I used to be called a "Bible Thumper" a nickname i proudly wore. I was't ashamed when It came to Talking about Jesus. When friends at school were going through anything like family stuff or relationship stuff, they would come to me for prayer and encouragement. If Friends were struggling with areas of sin and compromise, I would call them on it and also Pray for them dilegently.

I remember I wrote this LONG Prayer list and posted it above my bed so I could read the list and Pray before I went to Sleep. But somewhere along the way my Radicalness for Christ quieted down.

I am not sure if it was because I went to a Christian College or not but something changed when I was in college for me. A friend from college commented to me once that it embarrased them that I always talk about God when I was in public places. I wasn't aware that I did that but I maybe became more self conscience about it and my Radicalness for Christ slowly stopped Showing.

I think as we get older we start to care more about what others think about us more than Serving God and Sharing God's Love to the Lost. We get so busy with Life that we allow ourselves to become not only stagnant but also irrelevant. When that happends our Faith becomes something "personal" and we start to slink into being more comfortable, safe and tolerant of things, that if we were "Radical Believers" I don't think would be so "open" to things we know does not align its self to the word of God.

Jesus was Radical. He stirred the pot amongst religious Jews and yet would talk to, pray for, heal and restore the person that everyone thought was a sinner, low-life or unimportant. We as believers are Called to Live out our lives Radically as Christ Did.

When I chose to quit my Job to pursue God more and seek his direction for my life this August, It kinda was the first "radical" Thing I've done since High school. I am looking forward to makeing More Radical Choices for Christ in 2009, Will you Join me?

Kluetz Family Year End Wrapup

2008-12-19T19:41:00.004-06:00

Hello Friends & Family:

We are doing well. God continues to be faithful and strengthens us daily.

While this year has been challenging it also has been wonderful!

This July, Erik was promoted at his company, Walker Engineering. Erik has been taking Bass Lessons and in November he had a recital. If you want to check out the video click here. At the End of July, Estreitta resigned from the construction company to pursue ministry based work. In August, Estreitta had her 6-month post surgery/radiation appointment where there were no signs of breast cancer! Praise God. Another checkup will be in February.

Mom and Billy are doing well. Billy has been doing really well and we thank you for your continued prayers!

In October we adopted our new family member, ZsaZsa to be a companion for Maeze!

We are updating our address book and we need your information. Our computer with your information crashed this last year, we were able to recover email addresses but still need mailing. Could you please click the address book below to fill out the online form.

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New year with your Family!

Erik & Estreitta Kluetz

The Future

2008-11-05T08:52:00.004-06:00

First I want to say that I think it is GREAT to FINALLY have person of color be the President of the United States. I am glad that finally that barrier has been broken. It has been a longtime coming!

I now look forward to open the doors in the political arena for Hispanics & Asians and other less represented people groups. I also hope that we will see more women in the political arena as well.

Even though I am about 50% against President-Elect Obama's platform and policies for this country, i do, however, think it is great that so many have stood behind him and voted for him. Even though may have disagreed withwho they supported in this election, I appreciate thier reasons to vote for him.

There are alot of things that i do appreciate that the Democrats stances on taking care of the poor, comprehensive immigration reform, and the social services such has heathcare for single mom's, children and the disabled.

For those of us who didn't vote for him, whether you like it or not he is our President now. We need to continue to voice our stance on Rights for the Unborn, the sanctity of Marriage, and maintianing our Religious freedoms in the public.

Even though we may not like his politics, We still need to Pray for him, his leadership team, the Congress, and our country. Just as much as so many of us prayed for President GW Bush we need to pray for President-Elect Barack Obama. Just as much time and dedication we took to pray for this election, we need to continue to do the same for the new President.

And as believers and followers of Christ, we should continue to share the Love of God with unbelievers. We need to talk to those who do not know Him. We need to befriend and be a true witness our faith in Jesus Christ.

We do know that the future holds The bible tell us. Ultimately that end will come, so to prepare for the future we need to do our part by praying and sharing our faith with others by living our lives totally for God! Now that is real CHANGE this country needs.

They need to see the Love of Christ from all who claim to follow Christ. the Change this country needs is to turn back to God and you and I my brothers and sisters are called to touch this world and speak life into the people we come incontact with. Remember No government or politician can save us. ONLY Jesus can. So we must continue to put our faith and Trust in Him and Him ALONE!!!

Acts 1:7-8
He told them, "You don't get to know the
time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

"Change The World" - This Beautiful Republic

I'm finding it hard,
Hard to take
Mistakes we have made
Ignoring the ones
That we hold dear
Out of selfishness

All these things distract
Our eyes and steal our time

Why do we keep fighting,
Saying everything's alright?
We all see the same things
Why can't we stand side by side?
If we love each other,
We can change the world

I'm learning to take the smallest steps,
And making a way
Can You take anymore?
Can You stand by
While our world crashes down?

Be the spark,
Forsake your pride,
And set things right

Why do we keep fighting,
Saying everything's alright?
We all see the same things
Why can't we stand side by side?
If we love each other,
We can change the world

"Frontline" - Pillar

It's not like I'm walking alone into the valley of the shadow of death
Stand beside one another, 'cause it ain't over yet
I'd be willing to bet that if we don't back down
You and I will be the ones that are holding the Crown in the end

When it's over, we can say, "Well done"
But not yet, 'cause it's only begun
So, pick up, and follow me, we're the only ones
To fight this thing, until we've won
We drive on and don't look back
It doesn't mean we can't learn from our past
All the things that we mighta done wrong
We could've been doing this all along

Everybody, with your fists raised high
Let me hear your battle cry tonight
Stand beside, or step aside
We're on the frontline

And we'll be carrying on, until the day it doesn't matter anymore
Step aside, you forgot what this is for
We fight to live, we live to fight
And tonight, you'll hear my battle cry
We live our lives on the frontlines
We're not afraid of the fast times
These days have opened up my eyes
And now, I see where the threat lies

We've got to lead the way

========
Comments:

well said.

i'm kind of applauding you right now.

-josh

also, what policies of Obama's are you particularly against?

Posted by Josh Sapien on Nov 5, 2008 1:25 PM

======

Well said, Estrietta! I added a comment on your last post, too. It doesn't seem to be showing up tho. It was long, and I don't have time to retype it...sorry. I like this song, too.

Posted by Ranny on Nov 5, 2008 3:17 PM

Erik's Bass Recital "Caravan"

2008-11-03T11:47:00.000-06:00

This is from Erik's First Bass recital on November 1.

Written By: Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol
Arrangement: Jerry Rizzi
Performed by:
Sax: David Lee Schloss
Drums: Daniel Miller
Piano: Charlie Lowe
Bass: Erik Kluetz
Nov. 1, 2008 - Mr. E's Music Bedford, TX

The End Result of this election!

2008-10-27T06:32:00.000-05:00

I originally posted this on a discussion that is going on with a friend but I thought i should post it here too Below is what I said:

Whatever happens in this election there is one very important thing we need to do as believers, We MUSTN'T allow whoever doesn't or does become President divide us. this election has been very divisive. Each of us believe that our Candidate and their platforms will change the problems of this country. And we MUST remember that unless the people of this country change their hearts towards God and desire to live holy lives this world and the age to come will get worse and worse. that is a Fact no matter who is President. We need to unite a believers to pray. Pray for our country, Pray for Revival, and Pray For God to touch the hearts every man, woman, and child to seek the face of God. and we need to Pray for the church to share the Love of God to everyone we come incontact with!

------------------------
Myspace comments:

I posted this reply over on that other social networking site, but I thought I'd post it over here too:

Amen, Estreitta, I can certainly 100% agree with you on the importance of spiritual unity over political division. We are identified most by our baptism, not by our party affiliation. And regardless of the outcome of these elections, God is still on the throne. He is sovereign. We can trust God with whatever may come. Thanks for that important reminder!

Posted by knightopia on Monday, October 27, 2008 - 11:38 AM

============================

AMEN!

Posted by Ranny on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - 12:47 PM

The High Calling

2008-10-06T18:19:00.001-05:00

I was inspired to go through some old mail this afternoon and I came across this message from Christ for the Nations, a Global Ministry my husband and I support. I guess it was printed the in the first magazine Gordon and Freda Lindsay, founders of Christ for the Nations, published back in 1970

It is awesome that the same words written 30 yrs ago have the same impact, as if it was written today.

==============

THE HIGH CALLING

Author - Unknown

If God has called you to be really like Jesus in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility, and put on you such demands of obedience, that he will not allow you to follow other Christians, and in many ways he will seem to let other good people do things which he has not let you do.

Other Christians and Ministers who seem very religious and useful may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it; and if you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent. Others can brag on themselves, on their work, on their success, on their writings, But the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it he will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others will be allowed to succeed in making great sums of money, or having a legacy left to them or i having luxuries, But God may supply you daily because He wants you to have something far better than gold, and that is a helpless defense on Him, that He may Have the privilege of providing your needs day by day out of the unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored, and put forward and keep you hid away in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His Coming Glory, which can only be produced in the shade.

God will Let others be great, but keep you small. He will let others do the work for Him, and get credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; And then to make your work still precious, He will let others get the credit for the work you have done. and this will make your reward ten times great when Jesus comes. The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch on you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over.

So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign, and has a right to do as he pleases with his own, and has a right to do as he pleases with His own, and he will not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in dealing with you. God will take you at your Word; And if you absolutely sell yourself to be His slave, He will wrap you up in jealous love, and let you settle it forever, that you deal directly with the Holy Spirit and that He is to have the privileged of tying your tongue or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes in ways that others are not dealt with.

Now when you are possessed with the Living God that you are, in your secret heart, please and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the entrance of heaven.

=====================

While typing this out I was reminded about the Word from the Lord that a minister spoke to me while at youth camp. This minster didn't really know me or my name, or what it meant. He spoke this Message from the Lord to a 13 year old Girl who was so open and ready to do what God called her to do.

What he said 20 years ago, are as real to me today as when he spoke them:

"The Lord says. I have called you to be a bright light in a big darkness. I have called you out of the darkness to be a light for those to see and know me. Those I have called you to, are those who feel inadequate or have insecurities, those who keep things hidden from the world but are hurting on the inside. These things I will reveal to you. You are called to show them my love. You are bright light in a big darkness; I have designed you to be will be a beacon of my love."

Knowing you are called to do something for the Lord has many challenges. Since I received that word, I have diligently sought the Lord on how to fulfill what he has called me to. While at college, I felt the degree I sought was assisting me in the fulfillment of that Calling. Now for the past few months I have been grappling with what this calling means, how to accomplish it, what are the means in which I will fulfill it. I am always asking God, "WHEN God, When."

I have so many different dreams and goals that I have developed over the past 20 years. When I envision them it's like they are as real today as they were when I dreamt them. Some of the Dreams I have are:

Opening up Christian Clubs
Making documentaries of inner-city youth
Developing movie scripts into movies
Planning and coordinating City Wide Worship Services
Training and Sending youth to do ministry in the heart of each major city
Becoming a Christian Counselor
Writing worship music
Painting Spirit-led Art
Doing Podcast on Marriage and Worship
Ministering to Engaged and Married Couples
Doing Voiceovers and jingles
Writing a book about my experience with relationships and God (1/2 written)
Become a foster parent
Have 6 kids
Adopt kids that are deemed "unadoptable"
Minister to the homeless
Talk to young women about protecting their hearts and virginity
Praying for Revival in our country and world
Have a production studio in my home to produce documentaries and podcasts

I feel like God gave me these dreams along the way, and I think they are all achievable and some I have already started in some form or fashion. I don't feel hopeless or anything, I just need God's direction.

-----------------------

My Space Comments:

This was a big blessing to me today, Little Star. I've been in that boat of feeling now allowed to be/do what every other Christian is "allowed" to do, having to rely on His daily provision, never getting ahead. It's been frustrating and discouraging at times. It's tempting to want to be cut loose from the high calling. Go for the easier road. But we'd never be at peace, never have joy in that. We're not the type to settle - cuz settling always ends badly.

Posted by H. on Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 11:27 AM

===============

I'm so thankful that I read this in full today. I'd started it earlier, and today was the day to read it in completion. Thank you for typing out your thoughts and dreams and your questions to God. I feel I'm in a very similar place. You're doing the right things with your time, Estreitta-- whether or not it feels that way.

HUGS!
Posted by Ranny on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - 12:45 PM

the Journey of my Life

2008-09-08T02:40:00.000-05:00

Things have been interesting lately. It feels like i am somewhat at a crossroads in my life and i really do not have any clue of which road to take because i see so many yet no map or signs or anything of which is the right choice.

my mind is so jumbled with so many ideas, thoughts, dreams, and visions. I am remembering the times i have been here be before. I am a little more grownup and time and life has toughen me up a bit. I am not scared or even anxious about what lies ahead, the tug of war i feel in side of me is more of a mystery to me than anything.

Last week I think i felt a little apathetic. I slept all day and watched BBC murder Mysteries all night. I was so unmotivated to do anything. I really didn't think about much...

When I stepped out on this Journey i felt called to take, i was so excited and ready to take on the world. I think I let what happened to my Brother get me a little distracted and annoyed with life. I remember thinking, just when we think everything is going great this rug gets pulled out from under us everytime. I didn't feel very anxious or worried about my Brother, I just want him to get better so he can do something productive and fulfilling with his life. i digress...

Last week while talking to Iliah, we were discussing the reality that we were NEVER promised tommorow, that is why living today is so very important. This Journing of Life is numbered so every second of every minute of every hour we have to make it matter... we have to do something with what God has given us otherwise we are living a pointless life.

Today I was reminded of this watching a 9-11 Special on National Geographic Channel. It was a detailed accound of the Days events. All the emotions flooded back to me as i remembered where and what I was doing on that day. Then I thought to myself... none of those people knew when they woke up that morning that they were going Die.. (well except for the terrorists) I wonder if anyone had any regrets of things they wish they had done with thier life...

This morning was was the most amazing service at Church. The Youth Pastor Spoke about Three Confessions we make:

1.) We confess to make Jesus Lord of our Life
2.) We confess our sins to one another
3.) We confess our testimony to all at listen.

It was a very engaging message. then at the end the most moving thing i have experienced in a long time happened...

The Youth Pastor had instructed about 60 people to come up to the front of the church and they were all holding card board with writing on it (a lot like the "will work for Food Signs you see at exits") each person held a sign that was applicable to them here are a few that i remember (not verbatum of course):

a woman held a sign that said

I had 4 misscarages

and her husbands sign said:

I started to believe the lie that we would never be able to have a child

she turned it over and it said:

We now Have a beautiful son

He turned it over and it said

I believe God is Always Faithful

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a young girl stands up and shows a sign that says:

Depression and Fear tried to Cripple me

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then she Turned it around And it said:

I have overwelming Joy that gives me Strength Daily

A little Girl sign said:

They told my Mom I would have down syndrome

The Mom's sign Said:

Mom tuned over and it said

I knew God would heal my baby

The Little Girls Sign said:

And Look at me now

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three little Kids each hold one sign that said:

Abused, Abandoned and Rejected

They Turned the sign over and it said:
Adopted into a family.. then the dates they were adopted

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A woman stood with a Sign that said:

I prayed for 30 years that My Husband would come To church

The husband Held a Sign:

I felt alone and rejected by God

The Wifes Sign said:

The husband's Sign

God Healed and Saved me 10 yrs ago

IT went on and on one person after another sharing how God Restored each of these dear people.

I looked over at erik a few times and we were both teary eyed.

It was a beautiful expression of God's Goodness and Faithfulness

I feel like i am rambling here... but as i said my brain is thinking about a billion things all at the same time and it is late or early what ever way you look at it.

I would appreciate your continued prayers!!!

He Came Church and Gave his Life to The Lord

Doctors said I should have an abortion