Let God Arise

Have you ever noticed that Christians behave as if God is dead or helpless?

David writes in Psalm 68 "Let God Arise"

This Psalm says we must have faith, we must "Let God Arise..." So many times we put God in our little boxes, or we limit God to what is in our checking or savings account. We limit God and we limit what He wants to do in our lives.

We need to "Let God Arise!" The Psalm goes on to say, "and let our enemies be scattered." Our enemies come in many different shapes and sizes... Our enemy might be health issues, financial issues, a relationship problem, but whatever the enemy, when we "Let God Arise... our enemies are scattered" Our enemies melt like wax in the presence of the Lord... Our enemies blow away like smoke in the wind...

Today..... Who is your enemy? Stress, greed, health, money.... "LET GOD ARISE!"

Emily McHaffie

To look at her, you would never know that there was anything wrong. Emily is a typical girl who loves pink and purple, princesses, sunflowers, cooking and anything that involves mud in the great outdoors (in a dress, of course!). She has a zest for life and is a social butterfly among her friends.

At age 4, Emily was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of cancer that is very rare in children her age. We had gone in to have a mole removed on her inner knee. When the biopsy came back "atypical", it sent us on an unexpected journey. The next step was to do a lymph node biopsy to see if those same "atypical" cells had spread to other areas in her body. If not, we were done. There would be no other worries.

But the words we heard from the Oncologist were the words that no parent wants to hear... "Your daughter has cancer - melanoma." So after three surgeries (and lots of prayer), a PICC line was inserted and a year long series of treatments began. She would receive interferon five days a week through the PICC line the first month and then shots 3 days per week for the remaining 48 weeks.

Overwhelmed by all of the prayer support and emails we received literally from all over the world, we would know that it is God who has sustained us during this time. His strength is always perfect. And for whatever reason God has allowed us to go through this situation, we have watched as God has used Emily's cancer to promote healing and bring unity in other situations. It is amazing the strength that God gives to children who go through childhood illnesses.

One walk through the cancer ward at Children's Hospital and that is clear. We don't always understand why. We don't always have an explanation. God sees the big picture and we can be confident that He is working all things for the good.

The past few years has not always been easy. Things haven't always went right. It is hard to watch your little girl who doen't understand why all this is happening to her, struggle.

The summer of 2007, Emily was able to "make her wish" through the Make a Wish Foundation of Wisconsin! Her wish was to meet Cinderella and to see her former preschool teacher, Mr. Steve, a vacation to Disney World to make her wish come true! It couldn't have come at a better time! But then, God's timing is always perfect.

Each day is a new day we give back to God. Each breath is a gift He gives us. And the people He places around us are extra blessings. To take the advice from a dear saint who went home to be with Jesus, "Slow down. Relax. Don't worry. Enjoy life." It is amazing how often we fail to appreciate all that God has given us.

Please continue to pray for Emily. If you are going through a tough situation or know someone who is, know that God's grace is sufficient; His peace does pass all understanding; and He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than you could ever hope for or even imagine.

Just think of the possibilities!

Caleb Ryan McHaffie

Life! So simple, yet so complex.

Life! Amazing, yet sometimes disheartening.

Life! Sacred, yet sometimes misunderstood.

I witnessed one of the most remarkable miracles today. It was not turning water into wine, however that would be exciting to see. It was not a one million dollar check in my mailbox, but I would love to experience that as well. It was Life in the purest form. A pregnant mother, laboring to bring life into this world. A pregnant mother with the strength of of team of horses. A pregnant mom with a will stronger than solid steal. I witnessed a miracle.

I, the father, helpless, nervous, anxious, searching, needing/wanting-to-fix-this (but can't). I stood over her and I prayed a selfish prayer, that I would receive the strength of a mother. I knew in my heart that I would never understand this kind of unbridled passion, her strength came from a passion so deep and so strong that it could only come from a strength deep within, a strength that only could be given by her creator.

You would think that after going through this 4 previous times, I would "get use to it." Today, I wept as if I was a dad for the first time. The tears of amazement, joy, hope, love and so many more emotions I just savored the moment. I experienced life in the purest form.

I watched this little guy take his first breath, I cut the cord that tied him to mom, as he latched on to his mommy for his first sip of life. I realized again how precious LIFE really is. It is so amazing! God gave us life. God gave us our first breath. God gave us purpose.

Today I hope you realize that your first breath had purpose, a plan and you were birthed from a passion that is only found in a God given strength. Y9ur life matters. You matter. You!

Have a great day and enjoy every breath God gives you today. Your life is a miracle.

Thanks for reading my ramblings. I am tired, worn out and ready to go to sleep, but fatherhood calls again - as I go to the side of another child who has been throwing up off and on all evening.... Hmmmm.... Life!!!!

I did it!!!

Towards the end of summer, I realized I had a problem and I needed to deal with it. I was a pound or two near 300... Not a good sign of health! I had to admit that I was overweight and deal with it and do something about it. I started going to the YMCA daily for about a month and lost 15 pounds in about 2 weeks. I thought this was going to be easy.

I joined a class at the YMCA called Biggest Loser Bootcamp. I knew all my problems would be over by joining this class. I figured that with my current weight loss, I would lose another 20 to 25 pounds during the 6 week session.

Not the case!!! I lost one pound in 6 weeks. But more importantly I lost 2 inches, and the ability to finish my workouts, and I lost the fear of going into the free weight room. Last night for the first time in 10-15 years I actually ran one mile and finished. (I know for some of you that is no big deal) I finished something I never thought I could do. I, John McHaffie, ran one mile without stopping. It is amazing what you can do if you discipline yourself - mind, body and spirit.

Today, If you have the wrong attitude and say "there is no way I can finish" I believe if you dig deep you will find the strength to finish what you started.

Go for it!!! Run the race - Don't worry about winning, just finish strong!

Giving or Returning???

So many times you here pastors, leaders etc say "Let's take our morning tithes and offering." or we talk about "giving"our tithe to the Lord... I know most people mean well when saying such things. So, this is not a rebuke of the verbs you use... I just want to make a simple point to say...

"Everything belongs to the Lord." "EVERYTHING"

So, if everything belongs to the Lord, then how can I "give" a tithe. It already belongs to him anyway, so I believe it is safe to say that we "return" our tithes to the Lord, not give...

This is not a lesson in semantics, but a matter of the heart. When we "give/return" we give with a grateful heart!

So, however you want to say it... that is fine... but from what spirit are you giving/returning things to the Lord?

Why Women Live Longer

Image is not everything

Here are a group of young college guys, spending the summer in Florida working at youth camp during the week and playing hard on the weekends. Yeah - that's me the 2nd on the right with my bright yellow swimming trunks and my 6 foot board, Dude!!! This is about 1989 in the heat of the Florida summer.

I am not a surfer, but yes I have tried to surf! Yes, I have a surf board in my hand, but I am not or was not a surfer. Yes, I am standing on a beach with other guys who were probably the same skill as me...

I looked the part, had the right equipment, I was at the right place, I had the image, but I did not have the skill.

Many people today are saying they are Christians. They have their Bibles, they go to the right place, they might even have Bible software on their computer... but they don't have the skill..

Discipleship is what Jesus has called us to do... "Go and make disciples!" People are lacking the skill of Christianity because the believers have left it up to the "organized church" to disciple.

My challenge for you today is for you to increase you skill, get into a small group, Wednesday night Bible study, Sunday School, home group... Whatever it takes to increase your skill and then YOU find someone you can disciple!

You will grow daily or die gradually!!!!

Habakkuk - do you question God?

• If olive oil is made from olives, what is baby oil made from?

• If I am driving down the highway at 60 mph and throw a cat out of the window, is that kitty litter?

• Why do I root for Wisconsin sports teams?

• On a more serious note: why was MY daughter diagnosed with cancer?

Questions???? Life Questions..... "God, why?"

A little lesson we can learn from the Prophet Habakkuk is this: Life does not always make sense. God does not always make sense.

Is it ok to question God?

So, what do we do when God does not make sense?

1. We wrestle with God, but we must embrace him... He will never let go..
2. We wait.... and wait... wait... and wait some more
3. We worship! We realize he is on the throne and is full control of all situations.

Grab a cup of coffee, find a quiet place, open your Bible to Habakkuk and read these words of hope.

Worship Him.... wait on Him.... but you might have to wrestle with him first...

Grateful or Ungrateful

Recently there was an email floating around cyberspace from either David Letterman or Jay Leno. This email did not pan out with www.snopes.com, but the truth in this email was so convicting.

I am so blessed!

I have bad hair days *laughing*, grumpy days and struggles just like everyone else, but for the most part I have everything I need.

Take the following words to heart as you read through them!

- 69% of the USA is not satisfied with our current White House administration.
- 2/3 of Americans are not happy and want change.... So, what are they so unhappy about?
- Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours per day, 7 days per week?
- Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter
- Could our unhappiness be from 94% of the country has jobs
- You can walk in a grocery store at any time
- You can drive your car from coast to coast without using a passport
- Clean hotels
- Thousands of restaurants
- When there is an emergency, EMT's show up within minutes and either drive you or fly you to a very clean and modern hospital
- 70% of Americans own there own home
- If your house catches on fire, the firemen will be there within minutes to save your house and belongings.
- If a prowler comes in your home... the police when notified will respond to protect you.
- All of our religious and social freedoms


The fact is... we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the US, yet it's citizens have so much opinion on how it should be ran.

We are the most blessed people in the world, but all we do is complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about our country and government. Why don't we thank God for our many blessings and do something good for mankind.


So, turn off your tv, burn your Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day.


With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one ene to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorists attacks, Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?

I would personally like to thank Craig R. Smith (whoever you are) for this insightful wisdom!

So, may God bless America.... Oh yeah, he already has!

The whole McHaffie family