LUKE 8:22-25
Jesus Calms the Storm
22One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
24The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

I know it seem as though I talk about faith often, but God just has a way of continually growing me in this area... and of course I share with others in case anyone else is going through the fire. This amazing journey that Buck and I are embarking on, has not been without a few bumps and bruises along the way. I am so excited to be on this path that God is leading us on. The church plant is going amazing, we are surrounded by such a wonderful group of people. My father is doing OK, he started radiation last week and so far... so good. It is my mother who is now in need of your prayers--it seems as though her heart condition is worsening and may be needing a pacemaker sooner than later. So that is it. The enemy is going to continue to attack the health of my family. The good news? GOD IS ABLE. Although, I would like to break down and say "Why me? Why MY mom and Dad?" I shout... "Thank you Lord, Thank you Jesus!! You are worthy of all glory, honor and praise! We will not take our eyes off of you or the work to be done in El Paso. I know you are the Alpha and Omega--and you will not disappoint!"! I know that BOTH my parents are going to make a full recovery--and as an anonymous writer once said: "Faith, like Grace, does not always come cheap or easy, but like grace, it is a precious treasure." What are you believing God for?

48 hours of driving time and 2,819 miles later, we finally made it back to El Paso from Sandestin, Florida. We had such a blessed time! This was a working vacation as Esther and I coordinated "Verge Camp" for The Rock church at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. 350 students and leaders attended this event from seven different churches. The main speaker was Pastor Warren Beemer, founder of Amazing God ministries. This ministry focuses on providing leadership development and support to youth pastors across the country. The camp was slammin' from the stage design, to the speakers, to the leaders, to the beach. Everyone was deeply touched and many gave their lives to Christ and were baptized in the Ocean! We were also able to attend Shoreline Church of Destin pastored by my friend Eric Partin. Eric and his team are doing an amazing job reaching the lost! We also managed to get in some quality family time with our vacation partners of many years, the Scharolds. Our God is so amazing, He even lets us have a TOTAL BLAST. Giving your life to Christ doesn't restrict you...it frees you to live a life you could not imagine. Praise God!

We had a TOTAL BLAST on the outreach today. We gave out 500 bottles of free ice-cold water at the corner of Redd/Resler and at the Walmart Neighborhood Grocery. Our youngest servant was 2 and our oldest servant was, well, she didn't want me to tell you, lol.

People could not believe we were giving out free water, with no strings attached. When they asked "why" they were typically told because "we just wanted to bless you" or "because that's what Jesus would do". People were genuinely blessed, Christ was glorified, and we had major fun!

Church, never underestimate these small acts of generosity and the impact they have on people. Today, we REACHED and SERVED our community. Today, we lived out Matthew 25:35 "for I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink"

Ok, I Know, I Know, I have once again fallen behind in my blogging--No excuses! So I am going to try and fill you in as much as possible in the life and times of the Zengerles. The church plant is going great. We have found a place to meet and an incredible Worship leader. Caleb Brown, from HPC in Louisiana, has decided to trade in the swamps for the desert and is moving to El Paso to help us launch the church! We are so excited to have him on board. All in all we truly are starting to see the church coming together. The best part is, it's exciting to see God at work in our team member's lives.

Life at home has been even more hectic. My poor parents have had a some trying times and Buck and I are trying to support them as much as possible. They are currently living in our house due to their home being flooded out a couple of weeks ago. Then, as I mentioned before my father has been sick and he was tested for cancer. We found out two days ago that he indeed does have Cancer and will be starting treatment soon. We are all extremely positive and know that God is faithful! Keep my daddy lifted in your prayers--The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy but the Lord IS sovereign over all things!

This is a picture of Healing Place Church being the hands and feet of Christ. It was an honor to see how happy and overwhelmed Jay became when he received your gift. He said he was saving up for a hotel room that night so he could get cleaned up. The church gave him a tent, a sleeping bag, a hiking-type backpack, a first-aid kit, many hygiene products, a pair of shorts, a pair of jeans, five t-shirts, 3 hats, sunscreen, and most importantly a bible! He was looking through the items before we left and began to leaf through the bible. He seemed genuinely overwhelmed with the love of Christ that we were able to share with him. These small acts of kindness demonstrate who we are, a healing place for a hurting world!

Yesterday, I talked to a man who was an alcoholic for most of his life. He has now been sober for almost a decade. He said that in AA many people would share testimonies about the fact that their life was turned around by receiving small loving acts from a stranger. Acts like these, during a time when all the world seems to reject them, are Christ's light breaking through the darkness.

This is the heartbeat of HPC, reaching out to people who have been forgotten. Sometimes the forgotten is a homeless man, sometimes it is your neighbor or a co-worker. Never underestimate the power of these small loving acts to a person in need. Jay may be in Heaven one day looking for you to share his story of how his life changed that one day in 2008. The day he met Christ under a bridge in El Paso...and became forever clean.

Reach the world by serving one,
The Zengerles

So... Everytime I am about to sit down and blog--Life seems to get ahead of me! The last two weeks have been great and also a little trying... Isaiah turned 2! My baby turned 2!! That's amazing... Well, and to add to the fact that I was feeling a little older--I found my first GRAY HAIR! Ok, so I am not going to have a mid life crisis or anything--but I was a little shocked to find that sucker! Ha! Then on Thursday, Buck and I went to the Mayor's Prayor Luncheon--which was rather timely since about 10 minutes before the lunch I found out my father is being retested for cancer. I hate that word! Now, we have been here before and he has survived colon cancer --and I KNOW that God will move again and he will be healed 100%. I do ask that you please stand in prayer with us during this time and agree with us that he will be healed~

What an amazing week we have had!! Buck and I just got back from the ARC conference in Birmingham, where we got to hang out with about 1000 other people who have a vision of changing the world for Christ! The key note speaker was Brian Houston from HillSong Church in Australia. We had an opportunity to hang out with some great friends and make new ones along the way. We are so fired up we can't even stand it. Then we got home Wednesday night and got to spend all of Thursday with Pastor Mark Stermer from HPC--he got a taste of El Paso and gave us an encouraging word for the work we are starting here... He even left with a little of El Paso on his feet--the brother bought some awesome snake skin leather boots to take back to the swamps!! Here are some pictures of the ARC conference...

"Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see."

We had our first team meeting the other night, and we are so honored and feel it is a privilege to get to work along side some truly exceptional people! I am so excited about what God is going to do through all these willing hearts. The Lord is truly teaching me patience through this process--I am ready to start tomorrow... but I am learning to work through the process. We are learning to take one step at a time, and have faith that God will meet us in this city and bring a new hope for the hurting and a new work for those called according to his purpose. So, please continue to be in prayer with us as we embark on this journey...

Well these last few weeks have been crazy!! Buck has been in and out of town for several church conferences, Elise has been filming a movie... YES a Christian movie for a contest called the 168 hour film project! Well, and my computer has been on the blink. So forgive me for my recent hiatus in posting. I am really excited about our first team meeting for the Church next Wednesday evening. Buck and I have been looking at diferent locations, building the team, and of course getting prayed up!! I am so amazed by how faithful God has been in this process. I am humbled that we are able to serve along side so many great people and just can't wait to see what God has in store as we plant this church...

Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge.Hosea 10:12

Esther does most of the blogging, but today I feel the need to blog! The day was going well when we found out that another couple joined our launch team and is committing to tithing each month starting NOW!! I pray that God will bless them 100 fold for believing us and partnering with us on our vision to plant a life-giving church in El Paso. Planning, building the team, and fundraising are going very well. God has honored our faithfulness and we are truly humbled by His love for us and this city. However, the reason I am blogging is for something far greater. Out of the blue my six year old daughter Elise gave her life to Christ at the dinner table tonight. She was able to fully explain what it meant to do that so Heaven is rejoicing because she gave her life to the LORD! I will have the privilege of baptizing her on our very first day of services. God is so faithful and He loves us so much. All we have to do is love Him back and He creates a life for you that is far beyond what you deserve and even beyond what you can dream. "For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the LORD, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" -Jeremiah 29:11
Although we live in an imperfect world and still struggle greatly at times, the LORD is good and worthy of all our praise! Give your life to HIM completely and all of Heaven will rejoice for you as it is for Elise.

So… it’s official! We are planting a church! Wow!! Buck and I are so excited about what God is about to do in El Paso. We are full speed ahead with the birth of this church less that a year away. Buck flew to Baton Rouge a week ago and received the blessing from Pastor Dino (HPC)—with that said we are now building a team! We are praying for God to bring people with a heart to serve this community to come along side of us to build our dream of reaching the lost, the hurting, and the forgotten for Christ! We are asking for prayer; lots and lots of prayer! As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Rom 10:11. God is calling us to a great and mighty work—and as long as we focus on the cross, he will make a clear path! We have sold out completely—and literally—selling stock and possessions to make this dream a reality but sometimes you have to be willing to give up the silver in order for God to give you gold—and gold to us … those precious souls waiting for someone to show them Jesus in the flesh! Wow! Amazing isn’t it?

The Healing Power of Prayer!

This is a picture taken outside the Baton Rouge General Hospital--Inside is a young campus pastor and youth pastor--Amy Stockstill from Bethany North in Baton Rouge. She is fighting for her life--the doctor's gave her 48 hours to live on Feb 5th. 1500 students came out to the hosptial to pray for her... She is starting to show signs of healing in her body! She is still in the battle for her life--Please take time to pray for her. She is a precious child of God who has a passion and desire to bring others to Christ!

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, "I will. Be healed!" Matthew 8:13

I just wanted to say Thank You. The body of Christ has been amazing. As most of you know, we are going through the fire, but know our eyes are fixed on Jesus. God has a plan and we are sticking with HIM. Your OVERWHELMING support has been a true blessing to our family. Each one of our friends has represended the hands and feet of Jesus well. We are not ashamed of standing for what we believe and WILL NOT take our hands off the plow. We will begin fasting and praying for an answer to what God has in store next.

One of Buck's mentors gave us this scripture to hang on to at this time:
Isaiah 50:6-9

6 I offered my back to those who beat me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
from mockery and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
8 He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
Let them appear!
9 See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!
We know that the Lord is on our side! Amen

I think this young lady has it right:

I know, I know... It's been a while since my last post. Life as usual has had me away from my computer. Ya know, the Devil is good at attacking me with "busyness" to try and keep me from the thing of God. SO, here's the deal I have been working full time, my Momma has been having MAJOR health issues and I have been wallowing in my own self pity... Haha ok maybe not self pity--but I have been pretty exhausted. I have tryed to stay up with the Youth Group... which I know I have let down the last couple of weeks--BUT then they come around and do something to reset my priorities (which is serving Jesus by serving them) See, there are some changes happening at youth that has them all up in arms... and I have been so busy with my life and "priorities" that I haven't realized how tough things have been for them. They left us full of post it notes a couple of nights ago ... and a ransom note that well (dont tell them) but makes Buck and I feel pretty special... See they trust us and love us and asked us "Not to leave them"--which we never were... BUT MAN, I LOVES those kids--young adults, and I will NOT leave them... No matter what God has in store for their future--I AM IN IT RIGHT NOW and having a blast every step of the way!! Lord Please allow me the strength and supernatural energy to continue to serve them no matter what! Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

Gen. 2:18, 21-24


The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him'...and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man.' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (NIV)



Today is our 10 year anniversary. As I reflect on the past 10 years its amazing to me how much more in love we are today than the day we exchanged vows. Don't get me wrong we were very much in love on our wedding day, however, life and its ups and downs has brought us even closer together.

I can honestly say that Buck is my sole mate, my God mate, the air I breath. Next to God--I love nothing more. Even on our lowest days I thank God that he created him for me. So today I profess my LOVE to you again... You are my world. Thank you for the last 10 years. I can't wait til the day we are sitting on the front porch in our 80's holding hands and watching the cars pass by on the street just talking about "the good 'ol days..." And even if you still have that sarcastic humor that gets you in trouble from time to time... Our life will be one awesome conversation!

I LOVE YOU!

Hebrews 11:1

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see."

Lord you have given us so many examples of your faithful people: Abraham walked on faith when he took Isaac to your altar to be sacrificed; Sarah had faith that in her barren older years she would conceive a child; Abel walked with faith as he brought you the better offering than Cain; Moses walked in faith that he would lead the Israelites to the promise land. Buck and Esther MUST WALK ON FAITH of our God given calling. That we would know that you would deliver us to our promise land, that you would birth the dream that is conceived inside our hearts, that you would not allow us to actually sacrifice our family at your altar but rather be pleased that we would bring you our best offering we have to give you--our lives fully committed to your will. Jesus we love you. We know our calling and stand on firm ground--we will not take the easy road--but with you the road WILL be fruitful. As long as we keep our blessed hearts and motives PURE--to bring the lost and hurting to you. We will succeed; not due to us but rather YOU through us. In Jesus Name Amen

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.

It's amazing to me that God my father, has plucked me out of my own destruction and into a life of mercy, joy and contentment. That he loved me so much, that he saved me and allowed me to serve him. I love how when we follow his law--instead of feeling like we are bound by rules that we are free. Here lately, my compassion has grown so much that my heart is breaking for this world. All of the pain, all the suffering, all of the human hurt just breaks my heart. I cry for those on the streets addicted to drugs, for those women using their bodies to live, for those behind the beautiful homes and nice cars who are broken inside, for marriages that are failing... But what if we could reach out and one by one heal the hurting, mend the marraiges, lift up the falling, and restore our Father's kingdom? What if we did follow his word--and went out and shared the good news of his salvation? What if instead of looking at whats best for "me" we truely lived to serve others? What if it didn't matter if we got the credit or not? What if we didnt look at our own interest but those of Jesus Christ? I believe the world would be different...

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord!

Esther

Ok, so being youth leader doesn't come without its trials... This is what we woke up too yesterday morning. Good thing we have been saved for quite a while or two young ladies would be in VERY big trouble right now. Haha actually they came back and cleaned it up and even baked us brownies to ask for forgivness... and well since I bet my sin looks a hundred times worse to God and he forgave me. I forgive my girls too.

Another Awesome Week Serving the Lord...

Well, as many of you already know--Buck went to Florida for another Summer Camp he had the privilege to work with... While he was away I decided to go with our Youth to build a house in Mexico. Wow What an awesome experience, even though I wasn't able to stay the entire week (I had to get back to work) I was able to spend several days with them. It was the most physically intense ministry I have ever experienced... BUT I think the Kingdom impact it had, not only on the family we blessed but the kids themselves, was even more intense... Things got tough (we had to pour the concrete for the foundation with buckets and wheelbarrows)but when we got to sit down and tell the stories of the impact it had on their lives, as well as our own, it was truly amazing. We changed a family's life forever... and really when that family looks back they wont remember our names just Jesus. Jesus though the sweat, blood, and tears of some teenagers that sacrificed a week of their summer to serve HIM. How cool is that?

1 Peter 4:1-2 "So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin."

I was reading a blog of a friend of ours and the question on his mind was this: Are you living a life worth telling stories about? Without a doubt I would say these awesome teenagers I get to serve could answer that question without hesitation... But what about the rest of us?