Love

Offence, bitterness, unforgiveness, and pride.....eww what a bunch of nasty words. I personally like it when those things don't come up. I'm not sure how many of us wake up in the morning and say "hey! I hope there is an opportunity for me to avoid allowing a root of bitterness to take hold today"!  Unfortunately some days one, or all of these come our way and we get to choose how we walk it out.  For some reason the church and ministry seem to be a thriving place for those four ugly things.  I'm not sure how many times I have read, heard or know people in ministry that have been hurt, or have taken on the hurt.  A few years ago I was listening to a lady speak and she was blunt. She said: Sometimes it's our own problem and we just need to get over it! Ouch! She's right! But sometimes it goes much deeper and further then that.  I've tried the "just get over it approach" many times and have failed many times.  Most of the failure has come out of wanting to be...right or feeling strongly that what I heard from God was correct and the other person must have gotten it wrong.  What is that about?! Well that, my friend, is about pride. Pride is our way of making ourselves feel better...or is pride about fear? Fear of what others will think or fear of totally bombing it?  Also amidst all these wonderful things that are being dealt with, the enemy wants our hurt to turn into unforgiveness. A path that most of us have gone down, and we know we should avoid. It's like locking ourselves and the other person in a cage. It's just not worth it! So then what DO we do? Well some of these lessons I have learned before...and am still learning. But these are some keys that I have been clinging to as of late: Just throw it in the trash! Not the people or even the situation, but the lies that are being whispered to you. Ask Jesus for clarity and to speak into your ears and into the situation.  Another strategy I have been walking out is "Don't go down there".  This revelation had been HUGE for me.  It came out of Nehemiah ch. 6. Nehemiah was on a mission to fix the wall of Jerusalem. Then along comes his enemy and says "hey let's meet up!"  I love Nehemiah's response: " I am doing a great work, so I can't come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?"  Whoa! How often do we take up the enemy on his offer to go down and roll in the muck of self pity and bitterness...even if just for a little while? When we do that we are leaving our destiny of the good works that we are doing with Jesus.  Even if just for a little while. I'm beginning to realize what a huge waste of time it is. Plus there is always clean up to do afterwards. So lately when I have been tempted to "go down there" I have been speaking out and agreeing with the truth of the task that is at hand that has been destined for me. And that means more time with Jesus and less time in the muck.  FORGIVE!! This should maybe be first, last, and or somewhere in the middle. "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any they are retained." John 20:23 "And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32. It can seem almost impossible sometimes, and may even be a process...but don't give up! Forgiveness allows for Holy Spirit to  move in reconciliation. Another important key for me has been to pray for them, Holy Spirit led prayers. Ask God to bless them, call the gold out of them and ask Him for HIS thoughts about that person.  This one is hard for me at times, but I have seen much fruit in it.  Not only does my heart start to change towards that person, but most of the time I start to notice a difference in them as well.  And last, but certainly not least is walking in humility.  Walking in humility is the opposite of walking in pride. Unfortunately there are many of us that have such pride issues that we have a hard time seeing the pride in ourselves, but we can certainly pick it out in others! Or some of us walk in false humility which is just a "nice" way of having pride.  So what do we do about it? We ask Him to search our hearts and reveal to us where we have pride, repent of it and choose humility. I know, it sounds so simple written on a blog post, but in reality saying no to pride is one thing and choosing the lower seat at the table is another.  I encourage you though, to take the lower seat.  "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves". Phi 2:2-3. 

As I'm sitting here wondering how I should end this, a line from a children's song from the Music Machine popped into my head..."love, love, love makes people happy. Love, love, makes people free. Love makes people do the things they know they ought to do...." "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Cor. 13:4-7 "Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous. Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another. Romans 12:9-10 (tPt)

FAITH

Faith.

 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

We all have a measure of faith.  Some more, and some less. We have faith that the sun will rise and set, that when we breath our lungs will fill with air, and that when we take a step the ground will not fall from underneath our feet. Though it may not always feel that way. Especially when we take a step of faith. But really that's when it starts to get fun.

When Matt and I said yes to being the ministry directors out here at Eagles Nest Ranch we were not just stepping out in faith, we were leaping out in faith. Or at least that's what it felt like to me. One of my greatest fears in all of this has been having to raise our own financial support.  I enjoy being comfortable. I feel safe knowing that my husband has a good job and will bring home a pay cheque that we will pay the bills with, buy groceries and live a good, safe, fun life with. And this was the way I liked it. because the God of the universe who spoke everything into being certainly couldn't provide us a home without that, right? Because the God that owns the cattle on a thousand hills wouldn't want my family to have good food to eat right? And because the God who arrays the lilies would certainly not provide clothing for us right? WRONG! I was choosing to listen to fear instead of His reassuring, loving voice that was asking me to trust Him.  Once I realized what we were being asked to do was becoming a reality, I new i needed to repent of my fear and trust Him with our finances...along with everything else. It also brought reassurance realizing that if this whole ENR thing was His idea, and if raising our own support was His idea then he will provide. He has...and He is and we believe that He will continue to. He knows what we need before we even ask, and sometimes we don't even have to ask because He simply enjoys loving on His kids. For example: I wanted to get Josiah some hockey skates this year so I could teach him how to skate. My plan was to look on kijiji. When I mentioned it to Matt he said he thought he had seen some in the basement of one of the buildings. I figured there was no way they would be in good shape, and not the right size. Again I was WRONG! They were in great shape and fit J perfectly! God you are so much fun!

I've been feeling lately like I have been immersed suddenly in this school of faith.  I have faith for things I never have had faith for before and believing for the impossible to be the possible. A couple of weeks ago He told me to stop praying out of fear and start praying out of faith. So that's what I'm doing. I'm checking my heart, asking, seeking and knocking for anything and everything that we need.

  I believe that all of the supplies, staff etc. that we need for this beautiful anointed place is just waiting somewhere to be called out or called down. I'm refusing to limit my limitless God. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20

Home, home on the ranch.

We have officially been living out at Eagles Nest Ranch for two weeks!  A quick recap: On the tenth of November with John Rempel pulling a packed trailer for us, mom and dad in their car, and us with our two boys, cat and dog we made the full day journey out to the ranch. We ended up having some troubles getting up the hill once here, but after an adventure I think we were all tucked into bed by one in the morning.  The next day with the help of family and friends we unloaded and started to unpack in our new home. Those next few days were spent unpacking, prayer walking and exploring the new territory. We then took in a full weekend of the Pursuit conference right in the city of Medicine Hat. On Tuesday we had a small Christmas with mom, dad, Nathan, Jenae and their kids before saying a very hard goodbye to Matts parents. That Thursday eveningwe had supper with some of the board and staff from Eagles Nest Ranch. They fed us well, prayed for us, and sent us on our way with the anticipation of all the awesome stuff we know God is going to do here.  The next day one of our lovely little cabins out here burned down...not exactly what we ever thought we would have to deal with...especially in our first week of work.  Quote from my husband: "well that's one way to meet the neighbors". We know though that God is going to turn it for His glory.  This week has been more about orientation.  The people that know what's going on around here are leaving shortly for the winter, so there is lots to learn in short time. Today a snowstorm was swirling around for most of the day. I guess we will see if we can get out tomorrow.  I realize this blog is full of many facts and not much heart stuff. Most of that I am still processing...

I'm thankful for: a wonderful husband that comes along side me when I have been having a hard time in this transition.
A board that seems genuinely excited to have us here.
The visions, dreams and words that God has been speaking to us directly, and through others about the new thing He is starting out here at Eagles Nest Ranch.
The little things that He surprised me with...horses and a chicken coop!


Please pray for us: we need a team out here as soon as possible!
Vision for what the actual weeks of camp will look like.
Some sort of communication in our building. ( as of right now we have no internet, cell service, and we just found out today that the land line hook up is severed somewhere). So the best way to get a hold of us is a message on Facebook or email.
Sleep! Both boys have been wide awake for sometimes hours at a time the last few days. 

Love and blessings
Cheryl

Transition

Even though the last time we posted a blog was two years ago, that is where this next adventure began for this Sterkenburg family. Let me backtrack a bit...

It was the first day of our pursuit internship in Medicine Hat AB, and it was all about introductions and how we ended up there. A lady had mentioned a kids camp called Eagles Nest Ranch. A friend of mine had mentioned it before, so I was interested. Later that day I found out her and her husband had founded the camp and she mentioned they needed directors. My spirit did a little leap...On the drive home I mentioned it to Matt and then stored it someplace in the back of my brain. It wasn't until our time in the Philippines that ENR came up again. We were often sharing trikes and sitting in Jolly Bees with the lady I had mentioned earlier. I think all three of us were getting excited as we listened to some of the testimonies and talked about the future of the camp.  I'll be honest, by this time I was looking forward to being in my own home again, and the thought of moving made me want to cry. Of course doing Gods will is more important and I started seeking out what the next "big" thing was for our family. All I heard at the time was "two years". So I stored it, and after our missions stint we went home! We had been in contact with the founders off and on, and that November when we went back to Medicine Hat for the pursuit conference they took us out for a tour of the camp. At one point I was alone by the fire pit and God said "someday this will be home". Again I stored it. I didn't really want to pursue something I wasn't up for at that point. We were thinking about expanding our family and the last thing I felt like doing was uprooting it.  We did however continue to talk about it and whenever we spoke to trusted friends and family about it, there was a reoccurring theme that we needed to have peace before the timing would be right. I didn't have peace, but I also did not want to squelch plans that God has for us. So we kept in contact with the camp and with the board. Still the thought of leaving the home we built, our friends and family was enough to leave me a mess for a while. Around the time our second son was born we felt we needed to tell them we were lacking peace and the timing just didn't feel right. We were not saying no...just not yet. 

In the spring we were asked to help with a week of camp that was being held out at ENR. We accepted with expectations that we would know by the end of the week if this was the direction our family was to take. I realized I still did not have peace, but I had this light bulb moment...I should ask for it. So I started asking for a peace that passes all understanding. When I started to feel some, I even dared to pray that I would start to have excitement if this was Gods leading for our family. In the end, the week of camp was cancelled due to not enough registrations. So now what Lord? Do we stay home and work on the house we need to finish? Or do we still make the ten hour drive down, visit friends and family and hopefully meet with some of the board from ENR. We decided to go. It was a beautiful week of visiting and God moments. We were leaving Sunday afternoon, and that morning we had a meeting with a few of the board members. It went very well. As we got in the van the whirlwind I had been feeling for months was gaining speed. I knew Matt was ready to pack up and move to ENR to take the position...he was just waiting for me. I sat in the back and I cried. I cried thinking about saying goodbye to family and friends. I cried thinking about the house we have been building for the past four years that I may never see the way I had visioned it. I cried thinking about taking my kids away from everything they have ever known. I was even a bit mad. Then Holy Spirit gently said "just give your yes and you will feel better". It took a while, but I very quietly under my breath so only Jesus and I could hear it said… "yes". 

And so it began. The peace that He had started in me increased and so did the excitement. I went through a bit of a mourning process...and still am, but I know this is the next adventure our family is going on. Someone full of wisdom told me that a house is only a house and it could all be gone tomorrow. Living for Jesus is worth more then our "stuff" here on earth where moths and rust destroy. I want the heavenly treasures...the real stuff. I want to see kids lives changed and watch them become crazy on fire for Jesus.

So here we are in a season of transition. Matt gave his notice at his job, we have been blessed with renters for our unfinished house for the next year. I have been purging, organizing and prepping to pack. We have also been working on support letter/card since we will be raising our own finances. The plan is to move beginning of November. Please pray for our family in this season change. If you have any questions or would like to find out more about supporting us financially you can e-mail us at: mcsterk@eaglesnestranch.ca