Our Story
This blog entry is a recollection of the beginning of a great love story. The story of Gary and Susie Ream.
Gary and I met at Grand Rapids Baptist College. I was pre-engaged to a young man back home and Gary was checking out the prospects. Although I was pre-engaged, I wasn’t blind. After weeks of getting to know people on campus, I had singled him out with great admiration. From a distance I observed that he was very handsome, he was intelligent, he had leadership skills and was firmly grounded in his faith.
During the course of establishing myself, I chose a local Church I could call home away from my home Church. Gary was the song and choir leader at this Church— I was in his choir. The more I saw of this guy, the more I respected him. He had integrity and was kind—he was also a girl magnet. In my opinion this was a guy who would go far in life and although I held him in high regard—I never spoke to him.
As I became more immersed in College life, I began to question the validity of my relationship with my guy from back home. No one knew this—I didn’t even want to admit it. I thought I loved this guy but with distance between us, I began to see some weaknesses that I hadn’t seen before.
One Sunday night at Church I found that, because of an event being held on campus, there were no other College students there. I took a seat, by myself, and waited for the service to begin. A young man came up from behind me and asked if he could sit by me. It was Gary—I was so nervous I didn’t know what to say. I managed to utter a little o.k. When he sat down I didn’t think to move over. Then because I was so nervous—I couldn’t think what to do. I thought— ‘if I move over he’ll think I don’t want him to sit here” but if I don’t move over he’ll think I’m too close.’ As I was frantically trying to decide which course to take, Gary is thinking, ‘what is wrong with this girl? Why doesn’t she move over?’ Just then he looked at my face, which was glowing red, and got the picture. He realized I was in a predicament and didn’t know what to do. To my great pleasure a couple of students rescued me by coming up behind us to talk. I casually ‘moved’ and turned to talk to them.
As we were sitting there Gary pointed to my ring and boldly asked “what does that ring mean?” I had to honestly tell him, “I don’t know right now.” Much later he told me that, weeks before during prayer time, while I was praying, he felt like he was listening to a personal conversation between a girl and her God. He was struck by my honesty and love for God, and so he peeked! After that experience, he decided that he was going to get to know me.
That night, after walking me back to the dorm, Gary sought out his Resident Advisor (RA). He said, Terry I have to talk to you right now. Terry listened as Gary told him that he had met the girl he was going to marry. He told Terry that there was only one problem; I was pre-engaged. He continued, “we need to pray that she will break up with this guy!” It is hard for me to believe that he convinced Terry, but the two of them did pray that night that I would break up with my high school sweetheart. After praying Gary continued to tell Terry that he would give me a pre-engagement ring in 2 years, a diamond in 2 1/2 years and that he would marry me after 3 years.
Amazingly, it happened just as he said. I got the man of my dreams and although life has not been easy, we have had the security of knowing that we have each other, for better or for worse. He is my Valentine and I thank God for his unconditional love for me!
I wish you all a very Happy Valentines Day! My wish for you all is that you know God as the supreme example of the Best Valentine Ever—He layed down His life for YOU—He is the lover and the pursuer of your soul.
For those of you who read this—thanks for indulging me!
Susie
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Game of Life - Part 1
Laws of Baseball
Presented by Kelly Davis
To be truly blessed with God’s favor – There is a pattern that needs to take place. There is a Pattern of this world and there is a Godly pattern (God’s Standard -where favor falls). This presentation is based on two illustrations. The first is BASEBALL. There is a Pattern to the game and the order of the bases matter. The way we run the bases reflects our spiritual league of play.
Laws of Baseball
The bases stay the same – league of play changes
You must cover all bases in order to score
If you miss a base – you are out!
The game is full of outs/at bats – full of 2nd chances
The pattern or order in which the game is played is applicable for baseball and for your spiritual life. Our maturity is based on how we run the bases. Kelly had us draw a field - I tried to copy it, but the site does not allow, so you'll have to visualize this.
Running to 1st Base
TRUTH - Winning Within
Authenticity
Character
Honest with yourself
Running to 2nd Base
TRUST - Winning with Others
People Skills
Trustworthy
Person of your word
Running to 3rd Base
TRAIN - Winning with Community
Training
Competence
On your way HOME
TARGET - Winning with Results
Target
On Purpose
A Plan
HOME BASE DEPENDANCE (WHERE IT ALL STARTS AND ENDS)
Physical Life: In the beginning of our physical lives, as babies, we are completely dependant and it takes a whole life of growing to mature. Spiritual life: maturity occurs with Dependance on God
In the analogy of baseball imagine what it takes, in your journey through life, to get to 1st base? TRUTH You will find truth is Gods word. Character comes from learning the truth about what God has to say and applying it to your life. You will also need to be truthful with yourself. You need to learn authenticity which comes from character. Are you willing to be accountable and have someone speak into your life – do you have people who can tell you NO and you would listen to their counsel? Find 4 people who are in your life, (people with expertise or experience in the areas where you are weak) to make you accountable in those areas.
Now we are heading toward 2nd base. Once you have built that character – what is it that gets you to good relationships? TRUST – if there is any problem in a relationship there is a breakdown in trust. Do you do what you say you are going to do? If you tell someone you are going to do something and you don’t do it, they learn that they can’t trust you. You develop relationships and community by trust, competence and by being a person of your word.
We’re now running toward 3rd base. It’s time to TRAIN. To get to the results you need to train which develops competence. You don’t get competence by praying – it’s by training. Don’t try it – train to it – gaining confidence is not an overnight process.
From 3rd to home. You can have all the competence, activity and character in the world but you have to cover all bases and in order to score you have to get home. Home is your TARGET. To get to home plate you must get there ‘on purpose.’ Following the pattern – there is a plan for all you are doing.
You can diagnose any problem you are having by going around the bases and seeing what you are missing.
Ask these Questions:
1. What’s your purpose (this is what I want to do)
2. Are you competent to perform this?
3. What do you need (skills necessary to perform that task).
4. How are you going to train for this?
5. Where are your people skills? How much trust do people have in you? If you are trying to lead and no one is following, you are just on a walk!
6. Where is your Character?
When you run according to God’s pattern He will grant favor once you have passed those three bases. In the game of baseball, if you miss a base you are OUT! As in baseball, is you miss a base in life - you need to go back and make sure you don’t miss it next time.
The World’s Pattern goes for results, skipping 1st and 2nd base and going from 3rd to home and back and forth. You cannot skip a base without cheating. The world thinks, “I’m measured by my results.” Sometimes this worldly approach will include 2nd base, but totally skip 1st. To run every base is not only designed to make you successful; but godly.
Example: Politicians often go from 2nd base to home and back and forth they go. Churches often run from 1st to 2nd and back again never gaining competence or results. Then they try to run home. In order to score you need to run all of the bases.
You may begin your business totally focused on what God wants with a clear purpose in mind, willing to run the bases in the right order. Then when God pours out his blessings by giving you trips, cars, public recognition, etc., there may be a pull, a shifting toward results, it is so subtle!
When that occurs your work will become a burden and you’ll say, “all this effort and nothing seems to be happening.” Suddenly this freedom of working from home feels like a regular job with all the pressure. We must keep our Focus on God and living out our lives according to His pattern.
Ask, “God what do you want me to do, to be and to have? When your focus is back on God, you will be doing the same activities; from the outside it looks exactly the same but inside you are totally focused on God working with excellence because you want to please Him.
When we focus on the results – we cheat ourselves. We are not as good at keeping our word, we excuse ourselves, judging others by their actions and myself by intentions.
When you focus on God it totally changes everything. Are you down and discouraged? God may be breaking you down. He may be putting you in a place where you are doing a lot of bowing. In the story of Joseph, even when he was second in line, even though he was leading the country and was over all of his family, he was still bowing to Pharaoh every day. It is an ongoing process. God will strip you of everything that you think is good about you. You may feel like you want to give up. It’s ok, give it up and learn to depend on God. Complete dependence is where He wants you. John 15:5 “Without me you can do nothing.” Most of us don’t believe that – come on, you mean nothing? Our conscious minds need to get in line with that so we will be willing to run the bases according to his pattern.
Here is another layer on this same diamond. There are 3 speeds in Life and you need to be good at all 3 speeds in order to realize your dream. Most people are really good at one or two of these. One is usually more difficult. You have to get good at all three speeds to accomplish your purpose. It takes effort and discipline to do the area that’s not easy for you. Here are the 3 speeds:
SIT - Read, learn and soak it in. You must sit first; it gives you what you need to walk and run. Do God’s purposes for your life. You can’t do God’s purposes with your power. Sitting will build your character. First thing in the morning is best. When you do this first, He gives you the desire to do it His way – everything goes a whole lot better.
WALK - Learning through Community. You need to be great at getting in somebody else’s shoes. RUN - Getting results. Learn to do activities you are uncomfortable with. When you skip the first 2 steps your work is an effort; like a rat on treadmill.
Presented by Kelly Davis
To be truly blessed with God’s favor – There is a pattern that needs to take place. There is a Pattern of this world and there is a Godly pattern (God’s Standard -where favor falls). This presentation is based on two illustrations. The first is BASEBALL. There is a Pattern to the game and the order of the bases matter. The way we run the bases reflects our spiritual league of play.
Laws of Baseball
The bases stay the same – league of play changes
You must cover all bases in order to score
If you miss a base – you are out!
The game is full of outs/at bats – full of 2nd chances
The pattern or order in which the game is played is applicable for baseball and for your spiritual life. Our maturity is based on how we run the bases. Kelly had us draw a field - I tried to copy it, but the site does not allow, so you'll have to visualize this.
Running to 1st Base
TRUTH - Winning Within
Authenticity
Character
Honest with yourself
Running to 2nd Base
TRUST - Winning with Others
People Skills
Trustworthy
Person of your word
Running to 3rd Base
TRAIN - Winning with Community
Training
Competence
On your way HOME
TARGET - Winning with Results
Target
On Purpose
A Plan
HOME BASE DEPENDANCE (WHERE IT ALL STARTS AND ENDS)
Physical Life: In the beginning of our physical lives, as babies, we are completely dependant and it takes a whole life of growing to mature. Spiritual life: maturity occurs with Dependance on God
In the analogy of baseball imagine what it takes, in your journey through life, to get to 1st base? TRUTH You will find truth is Gods word. Character comes from learning the truth about what God has to say and applying it to your life. You will also need to be truthful with yourself. You need to learn authenticity which comes from character. Are you willing to be accountable and have someone speak into your life – do you have people who can tell you NO and you would listen to their counsel? Find 4 people who are in your life, (people with expertise or experience in the areas where you are weak) to make you accountable in those areas.
Now we are heading toward 2nd base. Once you have built that character – what is it that gets you to good relationships? TRUST – if there is any problem in a relationship there is a breakdown in trust. Do you do what you say you are going to do? If you tell someone you are going to do something and you don’t do it, they learn that they can’t trust you. You develop relationships and community by trust, competence and by being a person of your word.
We’re now running toward 3rd base. It’s time to TRAIN. To get to the results you need to train which develops competence. You don’t get competence by praying – it’s by training. Don’t try it – train to it – gaining confidence is not an overnight process.
From 3rd to home. You can have all the competence, activity and character in the world but you have to cover all bases and in order to score you have to get home. Home is your TARGET. To get to home plate you must get there ‘on purpose.’ Following the pattern – there is a plan for all you are doing.
You can diagnose any problem you are having by going around the bases and seeing what you are missing.
Ask these Questions:
1. What’s your purpose (this is what I want to do)
2. Are you competent to perform this?
3. What do you need (skills necessary to perform that task).
4. How are you going to train for this?
5. Where are your people skills? How much trust do people have in you? If you are trying to lead and no one is following, you are just on a walk!
6. Where is your Character?
When you run according to God’s pattern He will grant favor once you have passed those three bases. In the game of baseball, if you miss a base you are OUT! As in baseball, is you miss a base in life - you need to go back and make sure you don’t miss it next time.
The World’s Pattern goes for results, skipping 1st and 2nd base and going from 3rd to home and back and forth. You cannot skip a base without cheating. The world thinks, “I’m measured by my results.” Sometimes this worldly approach will include 2nd base, but totally skip 1st. To run every base is not only designed to make you successful; but godly.
Example: Politicians often go from 2nd base to home and back and forth they go. Churches often run from 1st to 2nd and back again never gaining competence or results. Then they try to run home. In order to score you need to run all of the bases.
You may begin your business totally focused on what God wants with a clear purpose in mind, willing to run the bases in the right order. Then when God pours out his blessings by giving you trips, cars, public recognition, etc., there may be a pull, a shifting toward results, it is so subtle!
When that occurs your work will become a burden and you’ll say, “all this effort and nothing seems to be happening.” Suddenly this freedom of working from home feels like a regular job with all the pressure. We must keep our Focus on God and living out our lives according to His pattern.
Ask, “God what do you want me to do, to be and to have? When your focus is back on God, you will be doing the same activities; from the outside it looks exactly the same but inside you are totally focused on God working with excellence because you want to please Him.
When we focus on the results – we cheat ourselves. We are not as good at keeping our word, we excuse ourselves, judging others by their actions and myself by intentions.
When you focus on God it totally changes everything. Are you down and discouraged? God may be breaking you down. He may be putting you in a place where you are doing a lot of bowing. In the story of Joseph, even when he was second in line, even though he was leading the country and was over all of his family, he was still bowing to Pharaoh every day. It is an ongoing process. God will strip you of everything that you think is good about you. You may feel like you want to give up. It’s ok, give it up and learn to depend on God. Complete dependence is where He wants you. John 15:5 “Without me you can do nothing.” Most of us don’t believe that – come on, you mean nothing? Our conscious minds need to get in line with that so we will be willing to run the bases according to his pattern.
Here is another layer on this same diamond. There are 3 speeds in Life and you need to be good at all 3 speeds in order to realize your dream. Most people are really good at one or two of these. One is usually more difficult. You have to get good at all three speeds to accomplish your purpose. It takes effort and discipline to do the area that’s not easy for you. Here are the 3 speeds:
SIT - Read, learn and soak it in. You must sit first; it gives you what you need to walk and run. Do God’s purposes for your life. You can’t do God’s purposes with your power. Sitting will build your character. First thing in the morning is best. When you do this first, He gives you the desire to do it His way – everything goes a whole lot better.
WALK - Learning through Community. You need to be great at getting in somebody else’s shoes. RUN - Getting results. Learn to do activities you are uncomfortable with. When you skip the first 2 steps your work is an effort; like a rat on treadmill.
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