Mars Hill Life

When the Unthinkable Happens

2011-09-23T14:31:00.000-06:00

Community Mourning for Kerra Wilson, 09-23-2011 Missing girl found dead. Evil surfaced in sleepy Mitchell, Nebraska this past Wednesday. Eight year old Kerra Wilson reportedly went missing from her elementary schoolyard after being dropped off at 7:45 a.m. to begin a normal school day. Examination of the school security video revealed that she never arrived on the supervised playground

Could be a match made in heaven.

2011-09-07T16:17:00.000-06:00

This isolated Montana village has one beautiful white wooden church, but an itinerant pastor fills the pulpit. A roving Catholic priest performs mass infrequently in the community center. Dennis and I are ministry partners who long to serve where Christian fellowship is needed, not a place with a competing church on every other corner.

Introducing Madilyn Hazel Mae Bohler

2011-07-28T17:49:00.000-06:00

Another granddaughter has entered my life -- this precious bundle was born in Texas to my son Michael and his wife Melanie. She joins her brothers Logan, Tanner and Caleb. Many predict that this little girl is destined to go dateless until her bodyguards relax their guard. Madilyn's first gift to the world is her birthdate: she was born on her great grandmother Ella Mae Bohler's 95th birthday.

Message of hope from Nick Vujicic

2011-04-03T12:44:00.000-06:00

Introducing Estelle Beverly Beltrame

2011-03-26T14:51:00.000-06:00

Sometimes life on Mars Hill is about experiencing unfathomable joy in the everyday blessings of daily life. This little miracle is my newest granddaughter, Estelle Beverly Beltrame. She entered her life journey from Des Moines, Iowa on March 23, 2011 at 4:13p.m.. She is the third daugher of my daugher, Emily (Bohler) Belrame and Brian Beltrame. I particularly love this picture, because

Praying for Japan

2011-03-15T12:15:00.000-06:00

I know this post subject is nothing new, because the whole world has been talking about Japan since Friday's 8.9 earthquake and the resulting Tsunami. Yet, I have a personal reason for praying for the people of Japan. In 1952, my G.I. father was devestatingly wounded at the Chosin Reservoir Battle in North Korea. He was airlifted to Japan for triage, ultimately being relegated to a ward for the

Old Prayer Diaries

2010-12-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

I've been in the process of unpacking, cleaning and organizing my home office. Months of life-complications, yet again, necessitated moving into this room last. As a reward for continuing until the last box was assessed, if not unpacked, I discovered a trove of hidden jewels: several forgotten prayer diaries spanning the past 15 years. Unsullied by extended context or continuity, each notebook

A Movie about Faith that Changes Everything...

2010-10-06T12:31:00.001-06:00

I AM, billed as The Movie That Changes Everything...: 1000 Churches are hosting movie nights.: "Filmmakers John Ward and Todd Zeile have announced they are donating 1,000 free movie church screenings of their new Christian film, I AM...." Follow the link to the website for a list of participating churches.

The Counting Cricket

2010-08-31T22:11:00.001-06:00

This story is crazy, but true. It began recently, when the seller of my used Hyundai presented a gift-boxed Totes key chain to sweeten the deal closing. I could whistle at this device, he said, to locate my lost keys. I can't whistle, so I dropped the key chain into a box at the top of my basement stairs. That same night, a cricket in our basement began chirping aggressively. He sang

Victory through the Tears

2010-08-20T09:15:00.001-06:00

This is about me. It might also be about you, for it is about the way faith helps Christians handle profound loss. On June 17, H. Edward Reeves, my father, completed his life race on Earth to cross the finish line in Heaven. I know he was awarded a variety of laurels for his life of service to his Savior. I wish I could have heard the Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," with more

Goodbye, Daddy

2010-06-19T18:16:00.006-06:00

Hubert Edward Reeves October 23, 1931 - June 17, 2010

The Importance of Youth Ministry

2010-03-30T12:04:00.002-06:00

Years later, these people have shaped my life so profoundly -- probably far more than any single pastor who ever preached a sermon. They were the youth pastors who personally ushered dozens of rebellious, culture-shocked teens through the turmoil of conflicting values prevalent in the late 1960s and 1970s. The first couple to serve was Jack and Patricia Trittipoe, whose lay-ministry to our rowdy

Resting in the Wilderness

2010-03-25T16:31:00.001-06:00

We brought the rest of our possessions to Nebraska by Valentines Day, but it takes weeks -- if not months -- to convert a residence into a home. Each place we have lived in has provided new decorating opportunities, architectural delights and challenges. Resolving these to form an attractive, functional living space gives me great joy. This house is no different from the others; the furniture is

About "The Book of Eli"

2010-02-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

An unexpectedly tender and memorable moment from "The Book of Eli". See what others had to say about this controversially violent movie: By the time the credits rolled, I was haunted with the real message of this movie: The Bible is not for USE — we must BECOME our Bible. I believe the controversy over violence and language is a tool of the enemy to keep people from witnessing what could become

Unique Haitian Relief Benefit

2010-02-17T14:49:00.002-07:00

Surely worth sponsoring.Please give generously!

Moving, Again

2010-02-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

The 13 years Dennis and I have known one-another have been enormously blessed with opportunities to love people and serve our communities for the Lord. Unfortunately, part of that blessing has led to frequent moves. Frankly, moving is my least-favorite activity. I'd rather clean toilets. And so, I write this while seated on a pink velveteen lady's rocker in the room that will become my crafts

Discouraging Relationship with Your Children?

2009-10-24T15:06:00.001-06:00

After the dust of divorce has settled, there is a next wave of emotional devastation to be overcome. Many parents today feel they have "lost" their children to their ex-spouse. The mom in the title link expressed her desire to "get her daughters back". Her question caused me to reflect deeply on my own experience, in order to share the following answer: "You have not "lost" your family -- they

MARS HILL MOMENT: Labor not in Vain

2009-09-01T09:49:00.002-06:00

I taught Vacation Bible School at our church this summer. My group was very challenging, because it had 26 2nd through 5th graders. A third of the children spoke Spanish as their first language. One boy was autistic! Teaching the class was physically and emotionally exhausting.Every morning, I arose early to pray for each child by name and review the day's lessons. I also pleaded that the Holy

TRAVEL

2009-08-24T09:14:00.003-06:00

I'll put some pictures up to illustrate this soon. Dennis and I have returned from ten days in Saint Louis, as the guests of beloved friends Gary and Gail Reinwald. We needed a time of refreshing to strengthen ourselves for the challenges of Dennis' final semester (as God wills) at Frontier School of the Bible. This summer, God provided an astounding network of support and love to see us through

MARS HILL MOMENT: Lettuce Worship!

2009-08-03T12:07:00.016-06:00

Our amazing God teaches lessons in the smallest events of life. Today, I found a sermon in my salad garden -- the 18 inch planter growing 4 varieties of greens, plus chives sitting on my tiny deck.Dennis and I live 50 miles from the nearest modern grocery store. So... last October, I planned a generous square-foot garden. Reality and our lease allowed me to lovingly sow only my largest planter

Check out http://sciencenotreligion.wordpress.com

2009-07-01T12:47:00.001-06:00

A worthy blog about the battle between science and religion: http://sciencenotreligion.wordpress.com

Critical Thinking: Abortion to Save Mother

2009-07-01T09:53:00.009-06:00

This lay person's perspective: easily attained abortion to save the mother's life allows physicians to dodge liability for a potentially difficult pregnancy. The innocent child always pays the price for their doctor's caution. There is no possibility for a double blind research study to verify that abortion, indeed, saves mother's lives. Although the procedure is regarded as a positive medical

Egg Toss

2009-06-27T19:04:00.005-06:00

A 12 year-old buddy and I competed at the Lagrange Mini-Fair in late June. The contest is deceptively easy: opposing lines toss raw eggs back and forth. Every 15 seconds, the MC asks each side to step back three steps. When their egg breaks, a pair is disqualified. Myre and I practiced for this event with a small white ball, then our own raw eggs. The preparation paid off, for we came in third to

Eleven Years!

2009-06-25T09:51:00.001-06:00

Introducing my gift from God husband, Dennis. We celebrated our eleventh wedding anniversay on June 6. He is not perfect. Of course, neither am I! Yet, we are perfect for each other. I believe that we were brought together in God's time to spend our remaining years together, loving each other and serving our Lord.When we first met, I put this man through a barrage of testing. Truly bratty

Superhero Syndrome

2009-06-24T09:48:00.006-06:00

What do I have in common with President Obama? Maybe a superhero complex!Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!All fun aside, I found important personal insight in this video. When I make to-do lists, everything seems to be A-1 priority. After a frustrating trying to do it all day, I fall into bed exhausted, worrying about tomorrow's list... and the day after that. I cannot imagine the burdens our

Tornadoes, Too Close for Comfort

2009-06-11T13:45:00.005-06:00

You can read the title link, so I won't repeat myself here.Friday, June 10, 2009 became a memorable day in Lagrange, Wyoming history. A day filled with thunderstorms and enormous hail culminated in a well-documented tornado that touched down approximately 10 miles from our village center. Because of all the GREAT stormchaser coverage, tiny Lagrange has been discovered:http://www.youtube.com/watch

"UP"

2009-06-07T23:34:00.002-06:00

My sister Cindy raved about "Up", then posted an endearing review about how deeply it affected the elderly stranger seated to her right (possibly Howard). Rather than have the movie experience ruined by others telegraphing the plot, my husband and I attended a late night 3-D viewing as soon as possible. The first hint that this movie will become an exceptional cultural touchpoint was discovering

Freedom ins't Free -- About D-Day

2009-06-06T11:27:00.003-06:00

When I was a kid, I thought the WW2 vets were old already. They were my generation's fathers -- the grand and great grandfathers of the present generation. In slang D-Day means "something really BIG is happening". Today, June 6, is D-Day. Please pause a moment to remember the young men who fell by the thousands so that millions may live free today.I stand here now I stand here nowAmongst ...

The Sad Demise of Tiller the Abortionist

2009-06-01T09:52:00.005-06:00

While on the way home from church yesterday, the Christian radio station interrupted programming to announce that infamous abortion doctor George Tiller had been shot dead outside the entry of his church. Before we could complete the 45 mile drive home, the political upheaval surrounding this regrettable event had already begun. The initial news reports indicated that Tiller was killed "as he

Coronation Day for Faith Hope Walker

2009-05-23T22:29:00.006-06:00

Today there is rejoicing in Heaven, for little Faith Hope Walker has returned to the arms of her Maker after 93 days of life on Earth. I grieve with my friend and her family for the loss of their beloved child. Faithy's story has spread throughout the world through her Facebook following and her mother Myah's blog, linked to the title. Recently, her story was featured in a Washington Post

Thirty Years Ago, Last October

2009-05-23T14:46:00.009-06:00

Many times, readily available therapeutic abortion crushes a mother's hope for her child and optimism over the birth. Since Roe v. Wade condoned the act of abortion, perfect children have become a commodity to be obtained -- through ending imperfect lives -- for the parent's personal enrichment. Rather than viewing our children as precious life-trusts from God, values have become skewed --

Mars Hill Moment

2009-05-18T11:57:00.001-06:00

Mars Hill Life necessarily means having different values from the world in which we must live. Follow the title link to a great lesson on this puzzle. Right after I read this message, our pastor leaned over my shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze. He quietly asked, "Do you feel like an alien in this life?"Tears suddenly brimming, I nodded, "I don't understand how others survive without faith.

Swine Flu Moment

2009-05-13T13:47:00.003-06:00

My favorite for years. Check out Jeff Larsen, www.backpew.com for more outrageous humor. No denomination is off limits; he speaks the truth in love.

Movies I am Proud to Watch

2009-05-02T13:07:00.016-06:00

I like movies. Okay, I love movies. They allow me to armchair tour the world with a huge bowl of buttered popcorn in my lap. Lately, there have been some phenomonally well-produced films from people who look at life the same way I do. I can't wait to see this latest release, which has won a stack of critical and popular choice honors: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/faithlikepotatoes/ [

Faith Hope Walker

2009-04-26T20:25:00.009-06:00

This is my latest little crush, Faith Hope Walker. The title links to a news report of a miracle in progress, for this beautiful baby girl was born with an incomplete brain. Experts reviewing her recent CAT scans verified that she should not be alive. Hundreds have followed Faith's remarkable life at her mother' blog:http://babyfaithhope.blogspot.com When Faith's anencephaly was discovered

Pointing to the Fire Escape

2009-04-21T10:50:00.001-06:00

Meet the newest member of the human race. Ten weeks from conception this tiny person is beautifully luminescent, vulnerable and awe inspiring. She owns nothing but her future! Inspired by this aquanaut, I posted a new facebook status "If killing a person today is murder, & killing them yesterday would have been murder, as well as maybe thousands of yesterdays before that... how many

Amazing, Powerful Jars of Clay

2009-04-20T11:20:00.014-06:00

[My friend Gelu Teampeau of Cluj, Romania provided the beautiful photo of hanging clay pots in the header artwork. Pardon my repeating it with this post, for the sake of inclusion in the archives.] For months, I contemplated this graceful photo of mysterious jars of clay suspended by cords against a distant sky. Finally, curiosity bested me. I messaged Gelu, "Why?," with the photo attached. He

A Fish Upstream

2009-04-14T10:11:00.005-06:00

Fifteen years ago, my eldest daughter Emily wore a t-shirt depicting a solitary Christian fish symbol swimming upstream amid an enormous school of cartoon fish. That now-ragged t-shirt's message seems even more relevant today. Christians swim upstream against strong opposing social currents, even in formerly Christian nations. In recent years, Christians and Jews have been denied the shelter of