Posts Tagged ‘Core Values’
Monday, March 15th, 2010
To Love and to Honor… My Husband, My Friend!
My husband is a man with a huge heart…a heart that feels deeply…a heart that brings healing to others by the way he offers love, compassion and courage to those who are especially down trodden, weak and weary. He is a Shepard, a gatherer of people. He provides shelter from the storm that is approaching and a shield when danger is near.
I honor him for who God has made him to be, how he offers love and protection to little ones. He would walk through the night to bring a lost child home. He honors, respects and guards their innocence. His arms are always open to children; they feel safe because they sense the openness of his heart as well. I remember while sitting next to my husband at sporting events, I sat alone…while he sat balancing the 4 or 5 children who were competing for a place on his lap. There was a time that I felt envious of that, but as I look back, I stand in awe of the gift God has given him to touch the hearts of children. Jesus in his teachings here on earth gave very special instructions concerning children. This man offers the example of Christ toward children. Children are drawn in. They feel loved, protected and cherished.
His love of nature has given me a perspective of God’s creation that has changed my life. I am able to see beauty that I have never noticed or seen before. In nature I meet with God in new ways that bring peace and harmony to my life. I see things through his eyes and it has lead me closer to God, for that I honor him.
The elderly feel important, loved and valued when Roger is close by. His heart is turned toward them, he hears their voice and they know it. So many of our older generation have lost their respect through sickness and health. But to him, they hold an honorable place in his heart because of their years… their wisdom and the journey of both accomplishments and maybe the pain they’ve walked through! He always has time for one of these lovely human beings who is in need. He genuinely cares for their well being. He is the hands and feet of Jesus to those who have gone before us.
To actually “Honor” another person is the highest form of love and respect within a relationship, but when there has been a breech of trust or severe hurt in a relationship, it may take longer to come to that place, it does not happen overnight. Through following the core values explained in The Journey of Thomas, I can honor my husband today, not because our relationship has been without duress, in fact, just the opposite. The first 20 years of our marriage were full of secrets, dishonesty and hurt. but today, there’s been honesty, forgiveness and healing. I now know and understand Roger’s heart. This allows me the privilege I have today of giving honor to my husband, my friend! The most amazing thing is, that I am able to do this with a pure heart!
Yes, our marriage was in despair and a lot of it had to do with Roger’s addiction and my lack of understanding concerning who I really was. Yet Roger’s decision to seek help leaving him separated from his wife and children for nearly 2 years, he was willing to give up his life to find it. His choices gave me the courage to trust again and walk through my own healing process. In that I see strength and courage, not weakness. For that – I honor him as the man I love…my friend…my husband!
“There is no greater love than to lay down your life…for a friend.”
Roger, you were willing to trod that painful yet amazing journey of discovering who God created you to be. In believing what He showed you, you found freedom not only for yourself, but you also lead the way for me and your family and others to do the same. I want to give Honor to you today, and encourage you to continue to walk in those shoes. Because from your sandals emerged a great and mighty warrior!
A year ago Roger and I moved to South Dakota to be near our children and grandchildren. He unselfishly took on a position as a farmhand, which is totally outside his comfort zone. In taking this position he has been forced to face a lifetime of fears, working very long hard hours and 6 days a week. He has come through his first year accomplishing more than either of us could have ever imagined. Gaining confidence in areas where he previously would never have even tried has made him a stronger man, more rugged and attractive to me! His unselfishness has made it possible for me to stay home to be a fulltime wife, mother and grandmother, to grow in my giftedness and to continue to explore the woman God created me to be.
In living without my income, we now live in one of the nicest most comfortable homes we’ve ever owned. It’s size allows us to have one of our children and her family stay with us while they find housing in this new community. Our new home lends itself to an atmosphere of family and friends. My kitchen is filled the aroma of “Mom is home.” My cupboards are overflowing from ceiling to floor. My freezers are full. My home is comfortable, not perfect. It lends itself to granddaughters coming by for a tea party and our grandson building a farm or hammering something he insists needs ‘fixin’.
The best part is, we are here to lend a hand and actively love both of our children and their families. We are enjoying the chance to nurture the little people in our lives. I have time now to run a meal or surprise snack to the field. Roger can pick me up and take me on a 4-wheeler ride to check the fields for weeds. Last night just as the sun was setting, he said, “Sue come on, grab the camera, let’s try to catch the sunset.” We built a memory!
Our lives are full…not necessarily easy, but rich and full of all the things that are important to us. All because this man, even though we didn’t agree, chose to wrestle with God and find peace in the midst of a very difficult decision. He chose to make a decision even though it was scary and uncertain in order to gather his family back together, to build and rebuild relationships for generations to come. All this because he chose to trust God with the unknown!
Do we always live out our newly found self, No! Do we always walk in the shoes that squeeze us and help us to grow…No! We often slip back into what’s comfortable but now we know that our new shoes are waiting for us at the foot of our beds. In them we find plenty of room to grow. I am not sure if they will ever become comfortable or that I even want them to. I don’t want to become complacent and comfortable. I want God to always push me through to the next level of my journey with Him.
Today is Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010 and I lift you up Roger. I thank God for your courage and strength to lead me even when it’s been unpopular or even when I don’t want to be lead. You are a quiet leader, but you speak truth clearly when I need it. Thank you for allowing God to continue to grow you…Today, I honor who God has made you to be…may you continue to wrestle with Him.
Tags: Core Values, Honor, Journey of Thomas, Sue DeRaad, Sue DeRaad's Blog
Posted in Sue DeRaad's Blog, Testimonies, The Journey of Thomas, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Hidden Feelings Come Out
I was going to Sears to check out something I was interested in but I was a little early so I was sitting in my car waiting for the doors to open. I looked across the lot and saw a young lady get out of her car. She checked out the back seat where her young toddler child was belted in and shut the door leaving her child in the car. She locked the door and proceeded to walk towards the door to Sears.
I was astonished at what had just happend! I felt a responsibility to protect that child who was motherless in the car in a shopping mall parking lot! I quickly called the police to inform them that a child had been abandoned! I was experiencing nerve shattering, exasperation! I wanted her to be taken to jail no matter what else happened that day, I desired judgment to occur – right then!
I am very protective of little children and the times in my life when I have come out of my skin with carefree confrontation of others has always been when I perceived children were being wounded, or neglected. Oh, I have the stories but never saw anyone get the penalty and today I wanted to see that occur.
So I waited, looking all over the lot for a police car to drive up.
About five minutes later this young mother came walking out of the store moving towards her car. Well, I was ready for bear! I got out of my car and moved towards her with intent to harm on my mind. I approached her and out of my mouth came all of those anxious feelings:
What in the HELL!!!! do you think you are doing?
You walked off and left your child unattended in your car!!!!!!
The lady looked at me with eyes wide open, shocked at the intensity that just flew out of my mouth.
She said: “I am so sorry you were afraid”.
I responded, Of course I was afraid! You left your child! That is how kids get stolen, burned alive, abandoned! You should never leave your child like that!
She said, “I am sorry, I won’t do it again”. ”Thank you for caring enough to say something and to be so protective over my child”.
She got in her car and drove off. I was still shaking like a leaf.
That was quite a shocker for me as well! I never expected her to be so rational about what had just happened. When I got away from the situation I saw something really interesting about myself and about what had just happened.
I do a lot of teaching that almost always includes learning how to communicate our feelings in ways that are honest and effective. That day, this young mother called out my deepest feeling, fear. I was expressing deep anger through my overt words but I didn’t know myself what I was really feeling, I was just reacting!
How funny, this mother who is at the other end of a tongue lashing was calm enough to know more of the truth in this situation than I was.
Lady, I feel fearful and anxious about you leaving your child in the car unattended! I feel incensed that you would put your child in harm’s way! I felt protective over your child’s welfare because she was alone and potentially in line for severe danger! I feel confused as to why you would have done that and over how important it was that you left your child in the car to do something in Sears!
I felt embarrased that I had just left my sanity, swore at this young mother shaking her to the core. I also felt some indignation for what had happened because honestly, the lady was careless and did in fact put her child in harms way.
Well, God has His ways of bringing us into teachable moments of life. Fortunately, nothing happened to the child and hopefully the mother won’t ever forget:
Whatever the HELL she was doing that morning!
Tags: Core Values, Feelings, honesty, Journey of Thomas
Posted in Articles by John Smid, Get Into John's Head, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
It’s A Girl!
Look at all that hair! How could our baby be screaming and not even born yet?
“Okay Sue, just one more push,” I heard the doctor say. In just minutes after Roger called out our daughter’s identity, he reached over handing me a lifetime of joy!
Proverbs 31:29
“Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Cassidy, I want to bless you today. I want to bless you for who you are as a daughter, wife and a mother. Most of all, I want to bless you for who you are as a person.
I want to bless your mind. You have a strong mind. A mind that learns well and teaches naturally.
Your heart is tender toward the Lord. Children are drawn to you because you are loving, enchanting and open. They feel safe with you, because you set boundaries for them; this protects them and gives them freedom within those boundaries to explore and discover who they’ve been created to be.
You both encourage and challenge those around you to be strong and you motivate others to accomplish their goals. Your character is strong yet your heart is open and vulnerable! You stand strong for the things you believe in. You are honest and trustworthy.
As a wife, you are respectful and honoring. You hear the voice of your husband, but you don’t hide from expressing your own. You are willing to walk together in life’s great adventures and I bless that in you both! I love how you respect your husband and yet how honest you are in your relationship with him. I’ve seen you grow together as you trust the love and honesty of each other’s hearts. Your relationship is a model of God’s love. I bless your marriage, that it will be used to bring truth to others who stand by and observe it.
As a mommy, I see only joy in your eyes and excitement in your voice as you speak of your children. The word nurture defines you perfectly. There is nothing that brings more light to your glowing face than when you are watching Levi play.
You and Jason are gifted with the exact equation of nurturing, fun loving playfulness, guidance, love and discipline that were needed for Levi and his future siblings to grow up to be all that God created them to be.
As a daughter, my heart overflows with admiration and delight in the woman you’ve become. You are a friend to me and I am blessed! I treasure the memories we shared as you grew up; your spunk, your emotion, your imagination and love for make believe.
You always knew exactly what you wanted and you were more than ready to go after it! In that I see determination. Your fear of bugs, flies and crawly things made you the perfect little girl! But somewhere along the way, you turned into a well-balanced young lady who wasn’t afraid to ride four wheel ATV’s, fish, and hunt, or even shooting a partridge on the fly. Your brother was well pleased with your ability to throw a mean football, yet when you put on a dress, threw your hair up and polished your nails, you could walk the red carpet with the best of princesses! Your grace is amazing, the light in your eyes blinding and your smile and laughter are contagious! God has graced you with balance and beauty that made you the perfect match for the warrior in your life.
I want to bless you Cassidy, with a word picture. A symbol that I believe encompasses who you really are. A tulip I know is one of your favorite flowers, and as I’ve thought about a symbol for you, I think a tulip is perfect. First of all, a tulip has a unique beauty all it’s own; it’s a flower that one just takes a step back and enjoys. It is most often displayed and enjoyed in groupings rather than alone as a single flower.
Remember that Cassidy; that you are relational and it’s important for you to stand with others in order for your beauty to be shared. When being enjoyed by on lookers a tulip is less likely than other flowers to be picked and separated from its grouping.
Beds of tulips are often enjoyed from a distance as one stands in awe of everything they represent. Life, the onset of Spring, the end of winter. You too, are often enjoyed from a distance; your beauty is striking, yet calls those looking on to silence. When you are in your element, you represent life as well. I see it especially when you are taking advantage of each teachable moment in Levi’s life, or when you have the opportunity of being in front of a classroom of students sharing their learning experiences. Each tulip is different; tulips first are enjoyed because of the variety of colors they can display, they can also range from very plain to very fancy. It may have very fine straight lines or rounded with frilly edges, but that doesn’t change its beauty! This compares to your balanced personality; you are okay with who you are in both jeans and a gown.
The stem of a tulip appears to be very strong, yet it can be broken very easily if it is not handled with love and respect. In fact an entire tulip is very vulnerable to harm. You, Cassidy, are similar to that. You are often very fragile, but no one would know because you stand so tall, so confident and strong. This is where you must remember your dependence on God, and others. A tulip is a bulb that needs to be protected by someone who will take it in from the cold and put it out again in the spring to enjoy being kissed by the sun and refreshed by the rain! The bulb is the “heart” of this plant and must be protected from the cold and the heat. If the bulb is left unprotected, it will die! I pray that your strength will be in Him and your beauty will be only a reflection of what’s truly in your heart!
I bless and honor the day you were born, because without you, my heart would not be filled to overflowing like it is today! Today I found out that God has given you a daughter as well. The fruit of your womb! My eyes well up in anticipation of the thought of you experiencing the same relationship with your daughter as I have had with you! What a Blessing!
Cassidy, I love you! May I bless your future today as you continue to walk forward into the Journey God has planned for you! This is really just the beginning. May your life be a continued example of God’s love and commitment. May you enjoy relationships that are healthy and strong within your marriage, your family, and also with friends that will challenge and encourage you. I pray that you find your purpose in Him. And when walking confidently in that purpose, taking every opportunity He brings your way so that you will experience true satisfaction and fulfillment. Step out Cass! Trust God to make you all that you can be!
Be blessed my dear. I love you!
Mom
Tags: Core Values, Sensitivity, Sue DeRaad, Sue DeRaad's Blog, The Journey of Thomas
Posted in Sue DeRaad's Blog, Testimonies, The Journey of Thomas | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
How Did The Journey of Thomas Come About?
Todd Posey and I were meeting to reviewing some material I had put together from one of my February meetings in California. That outline was introduced in three basic parts, covering honesty in relationships, choices in building relationships, and the goal of building fruit bearing relationships for the Kingdom of God. Todd was reminded of the familiar passage John 14:6 which says “I am the way, the truth, and the life” and we saw some correlations between my relationship outline and this passage.
We also began to discuss the Grace Rivers’ Core Values and wondered if they might lend themselves to being taught in a particular order. Up to this time, whenever we listed the Core Values, no particular conscious order was given to them. We came to the amazing conclusion that if we reordered the nine Core Values, they had both a linear flow to them and were easily divided into three categories lining up logically with The Truth, The Way, and The Life. Examined this way, they became incredibly clear and even more easily applied in our daily lives.
As we continued further into the parallels, it seemed that all heaven came down and we saw a dramatic revelation of a foundational concept for Grace Rivers. Most intriguing was that as we looked up the passage, we saw that Jesus was answering a question posed to him by Thomas. His question is very similar to what Grace Rivers as a ministry is trying to help people answer.
So, we are very excited to announce “The Journey of Thomas”, which begins with the question “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Or as we paraphrase it, “We don’t know where you are going, and we don’t know how to get there.”
We believe whole heartedly that God has given us a practical solution to that question that will help many hurting people find a way to freedom. The basic mission of Grace Rivers is to provide hope and to do this through practical tools to help men and women build healthy relationships with each other.
Our nine Core Values are just that; foundational principles for us to apply to each and every relationship we have. By putting these to work, they help us to build healthier relationships from the get go and to provide structure and safety in complicated and challenging relationships which leads to healing and restoration. The Core Values represent the unique and foundational teachings that God has been developing in my life for over 20 years leading up to the formation of Grace Rivers.
So we want to invite you to walk alongside us as we enter into the “Journey of Thomas”-an exciting new chapter in the life of Grace Rivers.
Tags: Core Values, The Journey of Thomas
Posted in Grace Rivers Development, The Journey of Thomas | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
Grace Rivers Development
Our plans are working out well. After just three meetings, our Steering Committee has made a tremendous amount of progress. I think the most important progress we have made is in effectively embracing the spirit of Grace Rivers. I truly believe that when the development team understands the concept of Grace Rivers, the rest will fall into place. I am thrilled to see this begin to take shape.
Our Steering Committee representation, myself and Todd Posey will be meeting with an attorney to begin the process of corporate applications and non-profit status applications. Thank you for praying for this very important part of our development process.
Todd Posey and I will be meeting for two whole days to develop a specific plan of implementation for Grace Rivers on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 29th and 30th. Please pray for God’s anointing on our time together.
Our Steering Committee has agreed to a final draft for our vision statement, mission statement, and our core values. See below:
Vision Statement:
Seeking God’s grace in our lives so that we can share it with others.
Mission Statement:
Grace Rivers is a worldwide ministry actively stirring the body of Christ towards healthier relationships and spiritual growth by helping people become more honest and real with themselves, others and God using biblical principles, resulting in a more passionate response to fulfilling the great commission.
Grace Rivers – Core Values
This is a draft of the Core Values that we will adhere to as a ministry. We honor them in order to keep communications and relationships within the leadership safe, honest and open, and to show respect and love to each person present.
pursue personal evaluation of one’s own motives and attitudes. (Luke 6:45;) Authenticity
practice honest, open, yet loving communication with each other that comes out of an internal honesty. Honesty (John 8:32)
refrain from talking at and preaching or teaching to one another, but rather will keep the focus on one’s own issues and feelings. (Matthew 7:1-5) Non-Judgmental
actively participate with respectful listening, personal input, and attentiveness. (James 1:19) Active Participation
refrain from attacking or demeaning another’s character. (Romans 12:10) Honor
put off responding defensively if confronted by another until enough time has passed to pray and reflect over what has been said. (James 1:19,20) Transparency
maintain strict confidentiality with regard to personal matters that come up within their time together, whether at conferences, with participants, or generally about personal and church matters. (Proverbs 11:13) Confidentiality
show sensitivity and give affirmation when someone has chosen to speak out in an honest and vulnerable way. (John 13:34) Sensitivity
stop any distracting behaviors (eating, gum chewing, drinking, fidgeting, doodling) when someone else is requiring focused attention – and electronic devices during all meetings. Respect
Tags: Core Values, mission, mission statement, vision, vision statement
Posted in Grace Rivers Development | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
Our Vision
Pursuing God’s Grace in Our Lives
So That We Can Share it With Others
Our Mission
Grace Rivers is a worldwide ministry actively stirring the body of Christ towards healthier relationships and spiritual growth by helping people become more honest and real with themselves, others and God using biblical principles, resulting in a more passionate response to fulfilling the great commission.
Our Core Values:
- Authenticity in motives
- Honesty of the heart
- Non-Judgmental in response to one another
- Active Participation with one another
- Honoring one another
- Transparency with each other
- Confidentiality regarding one another
- Vulnerability about our lives
- Sensitivity with each other
- Respect for one another
Tags: Core Values, mission, vision
Posted in Grace Rivers Development | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
Grace Rivers Development
Last evening our Steering Committee met and I am so encouraged by what I see developing! The members are practicing the Grace Rivers model and looking for its application in their daily lives. This is what Grace Rivers is all about, living out God’s grace and learning how to share it with others. God has established a great team to build this ministry on and I am excited to see it come about.
Grace Rivers
Last evening our Steering Committee met and I am so encouraged by what I see developing! The members are practicing the Grace Rivers model and looking for its application in their daily lives. This is what Grace Rivers is all about, living out God’s grace and learning how to share it with others. God has established a great team to build this ministry and I am excited to see it coming along.
We have almost finished writing our Mission and Vision statements. We have worked hard to find the right way to introduce Grace Rivers to the world. Here is another draft of what we are coming up with:
Vision Statement: passionate, healthy living from honest, authentic relationship with God, ourselves and others
Mission Statements:
- Grace Rivers is actively stirring men and women worldwide toward healthier relationships and spiritual growth.
- Grace Rivers uses biblical discipleship principles to help people become more authentic before God, themselves and others.
- Grace Rivers people are more passionately pursuing Christ’s mission for His church.
This will be further revised but we are getting there.
We have also come up with a draft of our “Core Values” which I am really excited about. I’ll share them with you at a later point.
We have approached two attorneys to assist us with the corporate applications but have not yet found the right person for the job. It is very important to get the right person for this job.
Please pray for:
- God’s continued work through the Steering Committee
- Continued development of the Mission Statement, Core Values and Leadership structures
- For divine selection of legal advisors who are proficient with non-profit corporation development
- God’s development of the GR Team
- Development of further speaking engagement opportunities
Tags: Core Values, mission, Prayer, statement, steering committee, vision
Posted in Grace Rivers Development | No Comments »
