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July 31, 2008
So grows my garden. Remember the cucumber plant we redirected. It has grown so
healthy it's as though the weeds fear it. The okra are now as tall as Skylar. The leaves on
the plants are so big and healthy there is not enough sunlight getting through them to
allow the weeds beneath to grow. We've had lots of cucumbers and there are lots of okra
coming. My garden is beautiful.
However... there is a plant that is not so welcome in my garden that has out grown our
tomatoe plants and is threatening to overtake them. It is a gourd vine that we did not plant.
We let the tender little plant go because we thought we might enjoy the gourds for fall
decorating, but if we lose the tomatoes we will be very upset.
Hmmm, sounds life applicable doesn't it? Sometimes we as christians entertain a novelty
sin. We think it is just small and insignificant and we may get some good out of it. Later we
find that the sin has grown out of control and now threatens to choke out some of our
better qualities. Perhaps, as an example, we compromise our honesty because we are
ashamed of the now big ugliness of the once little sin.
Boy I'd love to pull that big ugly plant out of my garden now but my fragile tomatoe vines
are wrapped around it. My plan is to get long sleeves on my arms, tough gloves on my
hands and determination on my face. I'm gonna pull that gourd at the root and let it lay.
Yeah I know it will be an eye sore in my garden for a time, but after a while it will
decompose into the earth.
Sometimes after confessing our sins they are seen by our friends and we are ashamed
for a time. But God heals because He is merciful. When we confess our sins He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we work
to grow good fruit, like the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, self-control, gentleness,
kindness, meekness, long-suffering) they'll overcome the weeds or unwanted plants in our
lives. But if a weed of sin manifests itself, get rid of it right away, 1 John 1:9.
Well... Wayde and I are going out to conquer that huge gourd, bye for now.
July 07, 2008
The other day Wayde and I were weeding the garden. Working side by side with our kids is
always a great time to talk about things of the Lord. We were gently pulling weeds from
around the young plants.
I'm not too sure how hardy okra is so we carefully pushed the plants side to side to get to
the weeds. Two of the plants were very small and the weeds were tight against them. When
we pulled the weeds the plants lay limp on their sides. We pushed ground up against them
firmly, helping them to stand again and watered them. We decided to keep a watchful eye
until they were strong.
When we came to the cucumbers the vine of the plant had wrapped itself tightly around
the weeds that were close by. We knew if we broke the vine that was holding onto the
weeds it may cause the whole plant to die. So we pulled the weed and let it lay on the
ground in the grasp of the vine. Then we encouraged the plant to grow away from the
weed, toward the clean, weed free side of the garden.
I used this time to remind Wayde of our Christian responsibility to disciple fellow believers,
especially those young in the Lord. I reminded him of Galatians 6:1&2- (1)Brethren, if a
man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another's
burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
The young okra plants were rooted so closely to the weeds that when we pulled the weeds
the okra plants lay limp. Young christians need sured up. They need to be reminded to
read God's Word and stay in fellowship with other believers in Christ. When we pull the
weeds of sin from their lives they need someone to lean on. We can let them lean on us as
they grow stronger in Christ.
The cucumber plants held tightly to the weeds. We pulled the weeds and let them lay.
Then we focused on the plant growing away from the weeds. Some new believers are so
dependent on certain sins that if we pull the sin from their grasp it would cause the believer
to fall apart. In this case perhaps the better approach is to disable the sin and help the
believer to focus on things of God, Phil 4:8. We need to busy their lives with good things.
You know... get togethers, church, parties with good influences, GOSPEL CONCERTS, etc.
Keep looking for opportunities to share the riches of God's Word with your kids. You'll be
amazed at how it will help your "garden" grow.
May 15, 2008
What a wonderful time we have been having. I do love gardening. Brad has been working
the ground in our garden. He's getting it ready for us to plant seeds. Then it's up to the
sunshine and rain to bring the plants. We'll work the ground around the plants and keep
the weeds from destroying them. In due season we'll harvest fruits of our labors.
Yep, this does sound like the christian walk. God has been preparing the hearts of those
He gives us to minister to. We plant the seeds. He sends the sonshine and rain. We
desciple and keep the weeds from overtaking. In due season we will reep what we sow if we
faint not, Galatians 6.
Keep your hearts in tune to Gods Word. It is so precious.
April 29, 2008
Wow, how quickly time gets away on us. Our trip to the southern states is already
completed. Where did the days go. We had such a terrific time. We've seen many souls
touched and encouraged. We've shared tears with folks who relate to our testimony of
God's faithfulness. We've seen souls almost persuaded to give their lives to Jesus. We've
prayed with folks struggling to keep on keeping on in their faith. We pray that one day we
will see the fullness of the fruits of our labors. Over and over God blessed us. Once what
the devil meant to harm us God turned completely around immediately for our good.
Brad felt wonderful the whole trip. His infection is nearly gone. We were afraid he would tire
easily. I was the one struggling to keep up with him and the boys.
The boys were over their colds early on. Amazing what the warm sunshine can do for a
sick body.
We are already booking engagements in the areas for next year. How exciting to go where
God leads.
Thanks for your prayers! God is soooo Good!
March 26, 2008
Well as we are gearing up for a series of concerts in the southern states we are nursing
sick kiddos and fighting another infection. Skylar and Wayde have been battling a bad cold
flu and Brad must go again to Hershey to deal with yet another break out of infection at his
post surgical site.
I am very healthy, however, and am able to keep on nursing my family. See how gracious
God is.
On the praise side... for those of you who have been praying faithfully for the Kerstetters,
God is honoring your prayers. He is opening many doors of singing opportuities. He is
allowing us to encourage families every where. Amazing, the more we set out to bless
others the more we are blessed. Try as we may we just can not out-bless God.
I mentioned earlier in this post, we are gearing up to sing in the southern states. Let me tell
you more about that.
Nancy Gibbs is a nationally recognized christian author. She has written several
inspirational books and hundreds of articles for christian publications, one of which was
'chicken soup for the soul.' She has become a wonderful friend and has invited us to visit
with her a couple days as we will be singing at the church her husband pastors.
Then we are headed to Brunswick GA to sing for the next evening. After that will be
Hudson Florida. In Hudson we will be singing for a group called Camp side evangelism. We
are excited to be part of this wonderful ministry.
Afterward we will head down to Arcadia Florida where Don and Faye Clarke have a ranch
called His-ranch. This is a ministry with a spectrum of blessings. They mentor young
believers. Help broken marriages and families heal, through ministering the gospel to them.
And envelop other ministries to sure them up in God's Word. We will be singing at a couple
churches they are hoping to bless. We are looking forward to a time of rejuvenating.
Then we head back to Delaware. This will be our first time in Delaware. God is so neat.
We are singing at a church belonging to a friend we met at camp Lamar last year. We can't
wait to see the Rohm's. Then just down the road from there we will sing at Sam Yoders
Concert Hall with the Dixie Echoes. Wow. God is good.
Lastly, back to New Holland, at Pastor Hagens church. These are folks who have bless our
heart abundantly and become a household name. Skylar often asks when we'll see Pastor
Hagen and Zack again.
This summer is going to be so fun. I remember as a young girl, I was afraid to commit my
life to service for God. I thought it would mean sacrifice and torment. I suppose people
might few the things we have ngive up as a huge sacrifice. But there has been no torment,
only joy peace and satisfaction.
Again I say...GOD IS GOOD!!!!
March 5, 2008
What an amazing God we serve! Brad is doing very well. Bandages are gone. Wounds are
healed. Labs are coming back right on target. God is so good.
Many of you have prayed specifically regarding the infections Brad kept getting. Please
continue for now. Though there are no manifested infections currently, these can crop up
again and again.
As far as 'cancer free'... though he will not be declared cancer free medically for 4 more
years, we know he is healed. We are praising God in good health. The same way we did in
sickness.
We are getting excited to see all of you again soon. We miss you. We long to bless you in
song, to be invited to your church and fellowship with you in the Lord. We enjoy time
around your dinner tables as we talk of things of Jesus.
January 27, 2008,
Dear Friends,
Just when we thought we wouldn't be back to the hospital for a long time, Brad has come
down with infection again. Saturday 1/27 we spent all day in the E.R only to be admitted by
10p.m that evening. Fortunately we left Sunday afternoon. But it wasn't till after a few
doses of I.V antibiotics and opening his ostomy wound site. You can imagine the pain of
having an infected site lanced.
Brad was poked, cut, scanned, starved and could have been miserable yet he was calm
and endured. I stared at him as we sat and watched t.v after getting home, returning many
phone-calls and settling in. He was playing with the boys and the dog. He had a great big
silly grin as he tossed the dogs toy, chided with Wayde, and threatened to tickle Skylar.
There he is with another wound we'll be packing for the next month or so till it heals over.
The wound has to hurt, I watched the doctors perform the procedure, yet he counts his
blessings. How blessed are the boys and I to have him?!
Please continue praying. We need Brad healthy. God is opening doors for us to minister.
There are so many folks we love who need to be encouraged and strengthened. There is
so much work to do.
God Bless you all,
Neta
So grows my garden. Remember the cucumber plant we redirected. It has grown so
healthy it's as though the weeds fear it. The okra are now as tall as Skylar. The leaves on
the plants are so big and healthy there is not enough sunlight getting through them to
allow the weeds beneath to grow. We've had lots of cucumbers and there are lots of okra
coming. My garden is beautiful.
However... there is a plant that is not so welcome in my garden that has out grown our
tomatoe plants and is threatening to overtake them. It is a gourd vine that we did not plant.
We let the tender little plant go because we thought we might enjoy the gourds for fall
decorating, but if we lose the tomatoes we will be very upset.
Hmmm, sounds life applicable doesn't it? Sometimes we as christians entertain a novelty
sin. We think it is just small and insignificant and we may get some good out of it. Later we
find that the sin has grown out of control and now threatens to choke out some of our
better qualities. Perhaps, as an example, we compromise our honesty because we are
ashamed of the now big ugliness of the once little sin.
Boy I'd love to pull that big ugly plant out of my garden now but my fragile tomatoe vines
are wrapped around it. My plan is to get long sleeves on my arms, tough gloves on my
hands and determination on my face. I'm gonna pull that gourd at the root and let it lay.
Yeah I know it will be an eye sore in my garden for a time, but after a while it will
decompose into the earth.
Sometimes after confessing our sins they are seen by our friends and we are ashamed
for a time. But God heals because He is merciful. When we confess our sins He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we work
to grow good fruit, like the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, self-control, gentleness,
kindness, meekness, long-suffering) they'll overcome the weeds or unwanted plants in our
lives. But if a weed of sin manifests itself, get rid of it right away, 1 John 1:9.
Well... Wayde and I are going out to conquer that huge gourd, bye for now.
July 07, 2008
The other day Wayde and I were weeding the garden. Working side by side with our kids is
always a great time to talk about things of the Lord. We were gently pulling weeds from
around the young plants.
I'm not too sure how hardy okra is so we carefully pushed the plants side to side to get to
the weeds. Two of the plants were very small and the weeds were tight against them. When
we pulled the weeds the plants lay limp on their sides. We pushed ground up against them
firmly, helping them to stand again and watered them. We decided to keep a watchful eye
until they were strong.
When we came to the cucumbers the vine of the plant had wrapped itself tightly around
the weeds that were close by. We knew if we broke the vine that was holding onto the
weeds it may cause the whole plant to die. So we pulled the weed and let it lay on the
ground in the grasp of the vine. Then we encouraged the plant to grow away from the
weed, toward the clean, weed free side of the garden.
I used this time to remind Wayde of our Christian responsibility to disciple fellow believers,
especially those young in the Lord. I reminded him of Galatians 6:1&2- (1)Brethren, if a
man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another's
burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
The young okra plants were rooted so closely to the weeds that when we pulled the weeds
the okra plants lay limp. Young christians need sured up. They need to be reminded to
read God's Word and stay in fellowship with other believers in Christ. When we pull the
weeds of sin from their lives they need someone to lean on. We can let them lean on us as
they grow stronger in Christ.
The cucumber plants held tightly to the weeds. We pulled the weeds and let them lay.
Then we focused on the plant growing away from the weeds. Some new believers are so
dependent on certain sins that if we pull the sin from their grasp it would cause the believer
to fall apart. In this case perhaps the better approach is to disable the sin and help the
believer to focus on things of God, Phil 4:8. We need to busy their lives with good things.
You know... get togethers, church, parties with good influences, GOSPEL CONCERTS, etc.
Keep looking for opportunities to share the riches of God's Word with your kids. You'll be
amazed at how it will help your "garden" grow.
May 15, 2008
What a wonderful time we have been having. I do love gardening. Brad has been working
the ground in our garden. He's getting it ready for us to plant seeds. Then it's up to the
sunshine and rain to bring the plants. We'll work the ground around the plants and keep
the weeds from destroying them. In due season we'll harvest fruits of our labors.
Yep, this does sound like the christian walk. God has been preparing the hearts of those
He gives us to minister to. We plant the seeds. He sends the sonshine and rain. We
desciple and keep the weeds from overtaking. In due season we will reep what we sow if we
faint not, Galatians 6.
Keep your hearts in tune to Gods Word. It is so precious.
April 29, 2008
Wow, how quickly time gets away on us. Our trip to the southern states is already
completed. Where did the days go. We had such a terrific time. We've seen many souls
touched and encouraged. We've shared tears with folks who relate to our testimony of
God's faithfulness. We've seen souls almost persuaded to give their lives to Jesus. We've
prayed with folks struggling to keep on keeping on in their faith. We pray that one day we
will see the fullness of the fruits of our labors. Over and over God blessed us. Once what
the devil meant to harm us God turned completely around immediately for our good.
Brad felt wonderful the whole trip. His infection is nearly gone. We were afraid he would tire
easily. I was the one struggling to keep up with him and the boys.
The boys were over their colds early on. Amazing what the warm sunshine can do for a
sick body.
We are already booking engagements in the areas for next year. How exciting to go where
God leads.
Thanks for your prayers! God is soooo Good!
March 26, 2008
Well as we are gearing up for a series of concerts in the southern states we are nursing
sick kiddos and fighting another infection. Skylar and Wayde have been battling a bad cold
flu and Brad must go again to Hershey to deal with yet another break out of infection at his
post surgical site.
I am very healthy, however, and am able to keep on nursing my family. See how gracious
God is.
On the praise side... for those of you who have been praying faithfully for the Kerstetters,
God is honoring your prayers. He is opening many doors of singing opportuities. He is
allowing us to encourage families every where. Amazing, the more we set out to bless
others the more we are blessed. Try as we may we just can not out-bless God.
I mentioned earlier in this post, we are gearing up to sing in the southern states. Let me tell
you more about that.
Nancy Gibbs is a nationally recognized christian author. She has written several
inspirational books and hundreds of articles for christian publications, one of which was
'chicken soup for the soul.' She has become a wonderful friend and has invited us to visit
with her a couple days as we will be singing at the church her husband pastors.
Then we are headed to Brunswick GA to sing for the next evening. After that will be
Hudson Florida. In Hudson we will be singing for a group called Camp side evangelism. We
are excited to be part of this wonderful ministry.
Afterward we will head down to Arcadia Florida where Don and Faye Clarke have a ranch
called His-ranch. This is a ministry with a spectrum of blessings. They mentor young
believers. Help broken marriages and families heal, through ministering the gospel to them.
And envelop other ministries to sure them up in God's Word. We will be singing at a couple
churches they are hoping to bless. We are looking forward to a time of rejuvenating.
Then we head back to Delaware. This will be our first time in Delaware. God is so neat.
We are singing at a church belonging to a friend we met at camp Lamar last year. We can't
wait to see the Rohm's. Then just down the road from there we will sing at Sam Yoders
Concert Hall with the Dixie Echoes. Wow. God is good.
Lastly, back to New Holland, at Pastor Hagens church. These are folks who have bless our
heart abundantly and become a household name. Skylar often asks when we'll see Pastor
Hagen and Zack again.
This summer is going to be so fun. I remember as a young girl, I was afraid to commit my
life to service for God. I thought it would mean sacrifice and torment. I suppose people
might few the things we have ngive up as a huge sacrifice. But there has been no torment,
only joy peace and satisfaction.
Again I say...GOD IS GOOD!!!!
March 5, 2008
What an amazing God we serve! Brad is doing very well. Bandages are gone. Wounds are
healed. Labs are coming back right on target. God is so good.
Many of you have prayed specifically regarding the infections Brad kept getting. Please
continue for now. Though there are no manifested infections currently, these can crop up
again and again.
As far as 'cancer free'... though he will not be declared cancer free medically for 4 more
years, we know he is healed. We are praising God in good health. The same way we did in
sickness.
We are getting excited to see all of you again soon. We miss you. We long to bless you in
song, to be invited to your church and fellowship with you in the Lord. We enjoy time
around your dinner tables as we talk of things of Jesus.
January 27, 2008,
Dear Friends,
Just when we thought we wouldn't be back to the hospital for a long time, Brad has come
down with infection again. Saturday 1/27 we spent all day in the E.R only to be admitted by
10p.m that evening. Fortunately we left Sunday afternoon. But it wasn't till after a few
doses of I.V antibiotics and opening his ostomy wound site. You can imagine the pain of
having an infected site lanced.
Brad was poked, cut, scanned, starved and could have been miserable yet he was calm
and endured. I stared at him as we sat and watched t.v after getting home, returning many
phone-calls and settling in. He was playing with the boys and the dog. He had a great big
silly grin as he tossed the dogs toy, chided with Wayde, and threatened to tickle Skylar.
There he is with another wound we'll be packing for the next month or so till it heals over.
The wound has to hurt, I watched the doctors perform the procedure, yet he counts his
blessings. How blessed are the boys and I to have him?!
Please continue praying. We need Brad healthy. God is opening doors for us to minister.
There are so many folks we love who need to be encouraged and strengthened. There is
so much work to do.
God Bless you all,
Neta