Lij+Kris

Kia Ora | Episode #124

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:36:00 +0000

Visit www.LijandKris.com to view our latest video update:

Life is piling up
Connecting in the Community
Parents’ Night Out coming up!
IceBox Update
Raise Up youth chaperoning
Prayer Requests
Inviting people to the table

Kia Ora | Episode #123

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:11:00 +0000

Our weekly www.LijandKris.com video update

Alan and Donna Philips depart
Kym got a job…an answer to our prayers!
Connecting in the community with prayer
Mums and Bubs Coffee group at our house
Thanks for your support!

(Visit our website to view the video)

Kia Ora | Episode #122

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Our weekly www.LijandKris.com video update:

Parents’ Night Out!!!
Amazing turnout…word is spreading!
Meeting needs in the Community
Kris and Caden recovering…
Community Classes begin again

Kia Ora | Episode #121

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:17:00 +0000

Our weekly www.LijandKris.com video update:

Kristen and Caden Sick
Earthquake/Tsunami relief trip
IceBox update
Youth Devos
Ely’s Traveling
Parents’ safe trip back to Sydney
Parents’ Night Out coming up!!!

Kia Ora | Episode #120

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:52:00 +0000

Our weekly www.LijandKris.com video update:

Church visit by David & Liz
Mini-Mission trip by the Otumoetai Youth Group
AIM Presentation
More Peters Arrive
Trip to Cape Reinga
Samoan Earthquake/Tsunami Reflief
Contact me if you would like to help!!!

Kia Ora | Episode #119

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:26:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

*Sorry about the poor audio quality*
Filmed on location in……BURGER KING!
Meet AIMer Amy
Samoan Earthquake and Tsunami victims
Youth Event – “Raise Up”
Team Fun Day - “Sheep World”
Caden made a new friend!!!
Prayers for Muhammad’s Travels
Day-Light Savings (We are now 18-Hours ahead of CST)
AIM Presentation this week!

(View the video at www.LijandKris.com)

Kia Ora | Episode #118

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:51:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video:

Parents’ Night Out is Growing!
All Blacks beat the Wallabies!!!
Numbers are down at the IceBox. Keep Praying!!!
IceBox off for the 2-Week school holiday
Elijah’s Parents are coming!
Kristen working on some of the Children’s Curriculum
James 4:8
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Grandma June!!!! LOVE YOU!!!

(visit our website www.LijandKris.com to view the video)

Kia Ora | Episode #117

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:55:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

Caden in his Bouncy Seat!!!
Parents’ Night Out
Feedback from Parents (Praise God!)
Nick & Bex are parents!!! Welcome Noah!
Sponsors for the IceBox (1,000 free bags of chips!!!)
Serving Beth in her transition
Finding opportunities to serve others
The All Blacks did not win the Tri-Nations :(
*A special message for the Rusk Church of Christ*

(View the video at www.LijandKris.com)

Kia Ora | Episode #116

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:52:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

Raining outside, filming inside…again.
A Video Tour of the IceBox
Kristen and Caden out of town for the weekend

(Visit www.LijandKris.com to view the video)

Kia Ora | Episode #115

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:20:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

Caden not feeling so well
A sleepless week
Sharing Life with friends
Abernethy’s soon to become Parents
Sunset Mission Sunday Presentation Video
Looking for IceBox Sponsors
Monthly Chaperoning at Raise Up ‘N Represent
Working to transform this community from the bottom up
Thanks for your prayers!

(View the video at www.LijandKris.com)

Sharing Life

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:23:00 +0000

The trip was a little too short, but as life begins to pile up, you take what ever you can get. Right? Right!

Justin, Skylar and I made a trip down to Tauranga this past Friday to make a Guest-Teaching appearance at the South Pacific Bible College.

We had the privilege of sharing with the students what God has so richly developed within us over the past 18-months of ministry and missions here in New Zealand. We discussed how at it’s core everything is built around relationship: Restoring Relationship (Redemption: God to Man), Living in Relationship (Worship: Man to God), and Sharing Relationship (Evangelism: Man to Man).

Often times our foundation of understanding God, or our teachings about the Christian life (worship), or our methods of sharing God with others (Evangelism) have become so complex that they no longer seem related in any way. To see each of the areas segregated from one another is to undermine the purpose found in each, and that is to restore Life…restore Relationship. Just imagine Evangelism without Worship (Godly Living), imagine God’s Redemption without a purpose to restore the original relationship in the Garden (Living Worship), or imagine Worship devoid of a Redemptive God or a desire to share Life with others. No matter how hard you try, they can’t be separated, they are all related, because at their core they are all relational.

The beauty of God, His design for us, and the way in which we share Him with others is that you can dig inexhaustibly deep into it’s truths. God is infinite and therefore His truth can never be fully unraveled, fully dissected. BUT, it can be understood! Why? Because it is in OUR language: the language of Life.

Relationship. It’s all about sharing Life!

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

A very humble and overwhelmingly appreciative “THANKS” to the staff at SPBC for allowing us to share our passion with your students! The experience has grown us, we pray that it may have inspired you all as well!

One Year

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:51:00 +0000

I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.

- Mother Teresa

How do you summarize a year’s worth of God’s Love? The harder I think about it the more I realize that it can’t be done, and yet I’m sitting here typing a post attempting to convey what God has done in the past year.

It may not be a date you are actively aware of, but today marks the one year anniversary of the start of our public ministry here in New Zealand.

So, today we celebrate 365 opportunities to be the message to the community around us. 365 moments of Life shared among the people. 365 hands reaching out to lift someone up. 365 songs of Amazing Grace. 365 warm embraces. 365 letters of Love from our Father in Heaven.

And how, exactly do we celebrate what God has done in the past 365 days? We make it one more today!

And another…

So may you never forget that the Messenger is the Message. What we do and how we live is writing a letter to the world around us. May it truly be said of you that God was writing your life. May it be said of you that your life was bringing Life to others! God bless!

Kia Ora | Episode #114

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:40:00 +0000

Our weekly Lijandkris.com video update:

Really, really, really busy week! :)
How do you spend your time?
Growing the IceBox.
Teaching at South Pacific Bible College.
“Parents’ Night Out” is growing.
Prayers for our friends.
Prayers for us!

(View the episode on our website: www.LijandKris.com)

Kia Ora | Episode #113

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:14:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

Parents’ Night Out
IceBox Core Group growing
Funeral Attendance
South Pacific Bible College Teaching
Special appearance by *Skylar Ely*

(View the video on our website: www.lijandkris.com)

Kia Ora | Episode #112

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:17:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

Muriwai Beach
Being sick all week
Gill Raine is back from Thailand
Rahab Ministries in Bangkok
Prayers for a NZ-family at the loss of a mother
Prayers for ministry growth in Auckland

(Visit www.LijandKris.com to view the video)

Kia Ora | Episode #111

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:32:00 +0000

Busy Week!
Kristen started her Pottery Class
Monday-Night Soccer is back in session
Illustrating the Love of God

(View the video at www.LijandKris.com)

Kia Ora Episode #110

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:37:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

Men’s Challenge
Trip to Tauranga
Mt. Ruapehu
Ice Box Update
Caden is Teething
Pictures from Mt. Ruapehu

(Visit www.LijandKris.com to view the video)

23 July 2009 Video Update

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:17:00 +0000

Kristen and I will be leaving town over the weekend and will not be able to post a Kia Ora Video. This video is just a short update to say Hi. Thanks for watching!

(Visit our website www.LijandKris.com to view the video)

Kia Ora #109

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:41:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

A much slower week (glad for some rest)
Update on some team activities
School holidays
Parents’ Night Out service event
The IceBox returns!
Upcoming Travels
Men’s Challenge Retreat

(View the video at www.LijandKris.com)

Kia Ora #108

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:42:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

“Goodbyes” to Dan and Darin
Auckland Airport (Home away from Home, away from home)
Empty House (what to do now?)
Parents’ Night Out – Service Event
Getting some rest
*Pictures of Departing Aimers

(visit our website www.LijandKris.com to view the video)

Kia Ora #107

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:53:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

USA - 112 v. EGYPT – 55
4th of July Party
“Doing Life Together” – Jesus in Public
Two Aimers departing this week
Kris and Caden are feeling much better
Thanks for your prayers!

View the video at www.LijandKris.com.

Reclaiming Abundant Life

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:09:00 +0000

“…thirteen”

“………fourteen”

“……”

“uhhhhhh…………fift………teen”

“WHA?????”

- -

So, (uhem) today I decided to do an old-fashioned push-up, just me and the Earth going at it!!! There’s nothing like knowing you can move an entire planet with your bear hands, just in case of an emergency, of course (and yes, I meant “Bear Hands”). I realize bears do not have hands, but if they did – besides looking weird – they’d resemble my hands (okay, I may be exaggerating a little) and would enable any bear so desiring to move an entire planet (could be exaggerating here too). A little over 3-months ago the Earth pushed back and I am only now realizing how bear-like I really am.

It didn’t come to any screeching halt (as some have prepared me for), but life definitely jumped a few tracks with the arrival of Caden. Of the countless insights I could convey, there is one unchanging truth with the arrival of all children to this world – there’s less space for you once they land. And that truth is no less apparent in our home, and more specifically, the MASTER bedroom (did you hear the emphasis ‘echo’ when you read the word “MASTER-TER-TER-ter-ter” too?).

It’s amazing how one little change (well…he is a little person) can have such an incredible impact on your life, even things such as nightly push-ups. Weeks of physical discipline and mental attuning rendered useless with the erection of Caden’s little baby hammock crowding my traditional work space! It was as if I traded fitness for fatherhood (wait-a-second!!!). One day I’m minding my own earth-moving business (catching up with Chuck Norris), then the next moment it’s 3-months later and I just now realize I have been push-up free.

Funny how we can forget things so easily.

Actually, it makes perfect sense. I stopped doing Earth-Downs (don’t laugh) because I let something else take its place in my life. I let something else occupy the ground upon which I would exercise.

Now, let me be honest, I couldn’t care less that Caden’s arrival has changed life up a bit. SO WHAT if I never move the earth again (it was fun while it lasted). SO WHAT if the house becomes a little smaller. Both of those things (and numerous others) are trivial in comparison to the incredible joy I experience every day when my boy looks up at me and smiles! Having him is priceless! I don’t care about those things.

What I do REALLY care about though is understanding how I’ve managed to trade away God’s space in my life!

Ah yes, the point of this absurd blog post.

Our schedules grow…our lives evolve…and sacred ground once held dear in our lives is sold (and far too often) to the lowest bidder.

It’s time with our spouses, our kids, our families, our friends and OUR God that is systematically being sucked away until very little, if anything, remains. It’s like waking up from hibernation to find that the forest you once lived in was fully clear-cut, leaving you now naked and exposed.

Some how, in our slumber, the enemy has managed to steal that which we were made for, that which we were meant for! What’s worse, many of us remain in a zombie-like stupor unfazed at the revelation of this mass-extinction of divine real-estate in our lives.

There was a day, not too long ago when you couldn’t keep your eyes off of her. There was a day, not too long ago, when all you could think about was him. There was a day, not too long ago, that wasn’t complete without that special kiss, that warm embrace, that loving smile. And there was a day, not too long ago, you’d trade every last cent of your worth just to be in His presence.

May today be the day you re-claim the space in your life. Your time spent humbled with God in prayer – re-claim it. Time spent being transformed in his Word – re-claim it! Time spent walking in the presence of God – re-claim it! Time spent exchanging love with your family – re-claim it! Re-claim the Abundant Life you were meant for!

You will never travel this way again. Today comes only once. Eternity beyond this life is closer than ever.

…you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die…

- Revelation 3 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly

- John 10 (NASB)

Kia Ora #106

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:32:00 +0000

Our Weekly LijandKris.com video update:

Kristen is sick….again!
Caden is sleeping….again!
We are exhausted….again! (that’s life, eh?)
Great Harding Campaign!
Declaring the Truth of God’s word

(View the video at www.LijandKris.com)

Kia Ora #105

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:04:00 +0000

Our weekly LijandKris.com video update:

Meet Jacque!
Harding Campaign is Here!
Community Service
Advertising for the Seminar
How was the Parenting Seminar?
Prayer Requests
Pictures from the Seminar

(View the video on our Website: www.LijandKris.com)

“Parenting: It’s not all about you”

noreply@blogger.com (Elijah) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:33:00 +0000

Returning to the Blogosphere…

In just a few moments we will begin our first wave of advertising for the Parenting Seminar our church is hosting this weekend.

“Parenting: It’s not all about you” – It’s about relying upon the resources God intended for us to use to raise a family. It’s about realizing a community of support (Friends, Neighbors, etc.); It’s about transforming a society to protect our children, our values, our future; It’s about being connected with God, for only a relationship with our creator can meet our inmost needs and desires, concerns and shortcomings, and fulfill every last purpose we were made for.

1,000+ homes will be invited today through the efforts of our incredible AIM Students and visiting Harding Campaigners. Meanwhile, six of us will be here at my house prayerfully backing these efforts, for we depend not upon our own strength, but upon the one who draws men and women alike into his perfect love.

We are not disillusioned though, for the message of this seminar is neither popular nor easy to follow. In this society many have not only become content just to depend upon themselves for resource and worth, but many also believe the poor results they are gleaning in their families are the best one can really expect in life.

Mind you, life isn’t easy - there’s no mistaking the pain countless people experience every day - and I have the utmost respect, concern and sympathy for the challenges everyone faces in this life, but that is all the more reason why I believe in the power of this message! We’re not passing judgment upon the community, we’re providing a mirror of truth. Evaluate your life, your decisions, your results and compare them with the truth of God and the power of his presence. We’re offering a perfect mirror to reflect both the truth of our condition and solution that can be had! And with that mirror comes also a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, outstretched arms, ears to listen, and a heart love – the message of God comes with me, you, and all of us who have chosen life with him!

It is our message that our families are worth fighting for, they are worth the “inconvenience” – the denial of our immediate interests for the sake of the “Big Picture” – they are worth every ounce of investment in those things which are eternal, for the alternative (any alternative), will show no discretion, they will all leave us unfulfilled.

We invite you to join us as we pray for this community. Be it one, or be it many, pray that lives are transformed!