January 7, 2010 · 8:38 am

A Little Reminder.

Guest Blog:  Mike Oliver

Mike and his wife, Shari, pastor Coastal Community Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  Mike is one of my mentors, and he also cooks my favorite peas whenever I visit.

Sharing with a friend last night, I reminded him of something we all know but fail to rest in way too often.  After hearing his circumstances, I remembered what I tell myself from time to time and reminded him this simple truth… “God is your source”.

We tend to lean on what we do and what we know.  We become secure in our ability to be “self-sufficient “.  The difficult part of self-sufficiency is the word “self”.  It may just be me, but too many times our friend “self” shines like a rock star then suddenly shows up INsufficient.

God reminded us through this passage in Isaiah:

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD. Isaiah 31:1

When we are making the cash and rolling at work and home, we get this independent feeling and false sense of security that WE have done it all!  Here lies the foundation for two ugly emotions to roll.  One is pride.  We get this haughtiness and sense of accomplishment.  The other ugly emotion is the bookend of this play.  After you have placed confidence in your self-sufficiency and hit the inevitable wall of lack, fear comes in and puts demands on your “self.”  And, in the end our “self” is found wanting!

Don’t get me wrong, God places gifts in our lives to have success in life, and if we are smart, we use our talents and time to honor Him and live in fruitfulness.  But we are thinking best when we know there is only one who is all sufficient.  This thinking gives us two better bookends of emotion. One is humility, always thanking God for fruitfulness.  And, the other is trust, giving us an anchor in times of need.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  2 Corinthians 9:8

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January 6, 2010 · 6:00 am

What Do I Do With This Spear?

I struggle with injustice.  I find myself wanting to make wrongs right.  I want to defend.  I want to set the record straight.  I want to pick up the spear thrown at me and throw it right back.

And, I have done just that before. 

But, if we look at the life of David, we see a man who trusted God enough to not return the spears. 

I’m not speaking of those times we feel righteous anger.  A righteous anger can be a desire to defend helpless children being abused or to stop human trafficking.  This is very different from what I’m talking about.  This post is also not a means of addressing bullying as so many of you expressed to me personally yesterday.  Perhaps, the issue of bullying is one I can write on soon with the help of many whose children have experienced it.  I just don’t feel equipped to speak on that issue as effectively as it should be addressed.  And, my heart breaks for those dealing with it on a daily basis. 

This post is meant to address when people speak against our character.  When we are criticized.  When we are persecuted.  When our actions are questioned. 

It’s very hard for me to not want to return the spears.  But, after reading Gene Edwards’ A Tale of Three Kings, I see a heart in David that I want.  Although he was hunted down and tortured by King Saul, he never retaliated.  Oh, he certainly had opportunity to.  But, he didn’t.  Had he returned Saul’s spears, he would have become like him. 

I don’t want the heart of Saul.  I want the heart of David.  What I do with those spears will determine exactly what kind of heart I will have. 

David’s torture by Saul occurred in his pre-king days.  But, he didn’t know he would be king one day.  Not at this time.  Edwards writes, “These were David’s darkest hours. We know them as his pre-king days, but he didn’t.  He may have assumed this was his lot forever.”

It wasn’t his lot forever.  He would one day become king. 

It’s not our lot forever either.  Not as long as we walk in humility.  And, according to Edwards, not as long as we…..

“One, never learn anything about the fashionable, easily-mastered art of spear throwing.  Two, stay out of the company of all spear throwers.  And three, keep (our mouths) tightly closed.”

I’ll be the first to admit, keeping my mouth tightly closed is not one of my strengths.  Can I get an amen, Kris Takle?

But, I’m working on it.  God wants me broken.  Humble.  Patient.  *GASP*

If you’re struggling with forgiveness, brokenness, or spear-throwers, I highly recommend A Tale of Three Kings.  It’s an easy read but heavy on the heart.

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January 5, 2010 · 6:00 am

Careful What You Say. What You Write. What You Type.

I’m pretty sure I’ve written on this topic before.  After talking to a friend about a text message her daughter received, I felt compelled to write about it again. 

When I was around 10 or 11 years old, I sat down and wrote a letter to a girl who was a few years older than me.  It was an ugly letter.  I was upset with her for seemingly taking away my best friend.  I said things like, “You think you’re it.  You’re not.” 

The letter never reached her hands.  My parents found it first.  Thankfully.  Let’s say they were less than happy.  A lot less. 

They sat me down and read the letter to me.  I can remember my dad using the word “arrogant” to describe my character in writing that.  They addressed my spiritual life.  They addressed my character.  They addressed it all. 

You see, my parents cared about how I treated other people – regardless, of how they treated me.  And, revenge is another post I plan on sharing soon.

Fast forward to 2010.  My friend shares with me how her daughter received a very demeaning text message.  She was asked to forward that text to others.  She didn’t.  Her mother saw it first.  But so many parents today turn a blind eye to, or even worse, join in with the cruel words their children and teenagers communicate to others. 

They write ugly messages on someone else’s Myspace page or Facebook wall.  They send nasty text messages.  They leave behind them a path of destruction for that victim to walk through. 

And, it’s grossly wrong. 

We as parents must be more concerned with our children’s character and spiritual growth than we are with their talents in school or sports.  We must be aware of the words coming out of their mouths and being typed by their fingers. 

We simply must.

The girl I wrote that letter to would commit suicide a few years later. 

So thankful I didn’t leave her in my path of destruction.  And, thankful I had parents who cared about my character.

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January 4, 2010 · 6:00 am

Don’t Make Noise. Make A Difference.

Why yes, of course, I missed you.  Did you miss me?  Taking the last week of the year to spend solely with my family just seemed like the right thing to do.  I’m glad I did.  But, I did miss talkin’ to y’all.

There are plenty of photos from this season I could post, but this one is my favorite.  It’s Anna Takle, day one, at my parents’ house, in search of gifts that read her name.  One day, I’m going to miss little bodies under a Christmas tree, shaking their presents with smiles planted across their face.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

But, I’d like to experience many wonderful times of this new year.  I heard my dad recently share on how many of us make New Year’s resolutions to work out, eat less – even though, it profits us little.  However, resolving to pursue Christ above all else, love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind profits us much.  I’m letting that be my New Year’s resolution. 

So often, we focus on things that bother us.  We let those things take up more space than our love for God.  How wrong is that?  A couple of days ago, Mark Batterson posted this on Twitter:

“quit criticizing and start creating.   don’t focus on what’s wrong.   do something right.   don’t make noise.   make a difference.”

Wow.  That’s what it’s all about.  The only way we are ever going to get to that point is to stop being so dang negative and start loving God.  Really loving God.  And, pursuing Him as relentlessly as Anna pursued her gifts. 

I bet we might just discover a few gifts, too. 

That’s my resolution. 

Yours?

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December 24, 2009 · 8:39 am

This Christmas.

I pray that the peace that comes from Christ will rule in your heart.  (Colossians 3:15)  Today and everyday.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Kris, Dusty, John Henry, Anna (and baby Jett)

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December 23, 2009 · 8:16 am

Born Into His Destiny.

I have to keep this short and sweet, because I have a plethora of Christmas festivities yelling my name in anticipation. Like eating my mother-in-law’s lace cookies and taking a nap later. But I, at least, wanted to share something completely awesome my dad shared this past Sunday. Something I had never heard before about the birth of Christ.

You know the story. Jesus was born in a manger (Anna says this could also be called a barn. She’s brilliant, folks.) Nowhere around was the comfort of a sweet, plush blanket to cradle Him in. So, He was wrapped in a swaddling cloth. These swaddling cloths were not just random pieces of material.

They were burial clothes.

The burial clothes used during this time to wrap the bodies of those passed.

Coincidence?

Come on. This is God we’re talking about.

He so loved the world that He sent His son…..

He was born for the cross.
For you. For me.

He was born into His destiny.

And, I can never look at a nativity scene the same again.

I’m continually overwhelmed by a God who loves us so much.

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December 21, 2009 · 6:00 am

Christmas Festivities And Deer Hunting?

We surprised my dad by flying home to Georgia a few days early.  We made it home in time for the Eagles Way Church Christmas service and family communion.  Communion as a family is always a special time.  Especially, when you look over at your children with the overwhelming knowledge that they are participating in one of the church’s greatest sacraments.  And, especially, when your daughter takes a bite of the wafer and comments, “Ha.  It tastes like popcorn!”  

It was certainly moving.

We had a little a family picture made after the service.

Then, Kris made good on his promise to Anna to take her deer hunting for the first time. 

They returned home with great father-daughter memories.

But no game.

And, I was really okay with that.

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December 18, 2009 · 6:00 am

Welcome To the World, Liam!

Hooray for new additions!  Leiv and Lindsey, our brother and sister-in-law, have given us a new nephew, and I CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on him.

Liam Soren Takle entered the world (and melted our hearts) Wednesday, December 15th.  I get to meet him in person very soon.  All 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and 20 ½ inches of him.

I’m sure Liam and his soon to be born cousin will give me plenty of writing material as they grow up together discussing aviation, medicine, and, of course, farming. 

I love my family.  And, I love Liam already.

Welcome to the world, Liam.  You are sure to make it brighter.

Every good and perfect gift comes from above.  James 1:17

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December 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

I’m Hoping There Were No Other Bridesmaid Dresses Available.

Thirty-seven years ago today, my parents said I do……

And, subsequently, forced their wedding party to wear large bow ties and red dresses with white lace that only the Amish could love.  We’ll just let the awesome, red veil accessories speak for themselves. 

Thirty-seven years is a very long time, especially by today’s standards.  Of course, I don’t know every detail of their marriage.  But, I do know it has not been without struggle.  Nor, has it been without a relentless commitment to working through it all. 

Even years into their journey, they saw things in their marriage that needed to be changed.  And, they did what they had to do to not just fix it – but make it brand new.

I love their unyielding commitment to Christ.

To each other.

To us.

To the body of Christ.

And, I especially love the fact that they still never say goodbye to one another on a simple phone call without first saying, “I love you.”

I love those two. 

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

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December 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

Fearless.

One of the things I appreciate about my husband is his boldness.  He is courageous.  He is a risk-taker.  He is fearless.  This trait shines through in his confidence.  It eases my own fears, and I suddenly feel safe beside him.

I noticed this about Kris immediately when we first began dating.  On one of our first dates, he called to ask me out for a surprise adventure.  He wouldn’t tell me where we were going.  When I inquired about what I should wear, he answered like a real man.  “A dress.  Every man likes to see a little leg.” 

Yes. He. Did. Say. That.

He flew in from Oklahoma to the Peach State.  He showed up at my door.  I kissed my sweet, five-month old baby boy goodbye, and I entered Kris Takle’s fearless world.  I ended up at my hometown airport, facing a twin piston airplane.  He opened my door, and I climbed in.  Showing a little leg, of course.  He sat in the left seat, because I clearly cannot fly an aircraft myself.  And, we, well he, took off. 

I can remember watching him push the throttle forward, pull back on the yoke, full of confidence in what he is was doing.  We landed in Hilton Head, South Carolina and went to one of my most favorite restaurants still.  I had been out with one other guy before Kris.  When I went out this “other guy”, I was so nervous that I hardly touched my food.

Anyone who knows me knows I may fear some things, but indulging in an entrée is not one of them.

But, being with Kris was different.  I sat beside him in that restaurant, his confidence making me feel at ease, and I inhaled every morsel on my plate.  I so surprised myself that I turned to him and said, “Did you eat any of my food?”

“No.  You wouldn’t let me near it,” he responded.

I knew then, well, and after he took me for a walk on the beach, that there just might be something special about him.

And, I was sure of this something special, this fearlessness that I so admired, when I watched him with John Henry.  Here was this twenty-nine year old bachelor with no experience with infants in the floor with my greatest treasure, turning a stuffed alligator into a real, live show.  And, John Henry smiled. 

Kris would encourage me to go take time to myself.  “Go for a run with your girls,” he’d say.  “John Henry and I will have fun.”

His courage to take on fatherhood the way he did still impresses me more than his boldness and skill in the cockpit.  And, after almost seven years of being together, he still eases my own fears every time he sits beside me…..and, every time I watch our children crawl into his lap.

He is fearless.  I love that about him.

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