Connection, Relationship and Worship

Posted in Connection, Relationships by



Despite the fact that we are newly married, my husband Chris and I are finding there are many things that are vying for our attention. It’s not that it’s even that it’s bad things…just the everyday ordinary things that need to be done.





But I’m finding in the midst of the busyness…while we are busy doing our respective things…I miss my husband. It’s so easy to feel like we are strangers passing in the night. Or to be more accurate…in the morning.





That feeling was a great reminder to both of us…that we need to make a concerted, purposeful concentrated effort to make sure that we put each other first. That we take those few minutes at the beginning of the day…to connect. Throughout the day…to stay in contact.





When we do that…those feelings of relationship are there. I don’t doubt that I’m important and loved by my husband. But when we let the little things creep in or let other people take precedence over our relationship with one another…that’s when the feelings of connection and relationship falter.





While working through busy demanding schedules that seem to have no let up…I was reminded at how similar this is to my relationship with God. When I let little things…that are of precious little consequence take priority over God…then I start to lose the feelings of relationship and connection. Doubts and insecurities creep in…and I know God less and less in a personal way. It’s then I’m vulnerable to believing the enemy’s lies. Lies about me…and about God. About who He is and His character.





While trying to get through a particular difficult day on Monday…I found that connection was restored with God when I shut out the world…and let myself fall into worship through music and praise. It was there that I was reminded about who God is…and how much He cares for me. That He is a mighty and powerful God…and that He is more than able to help me with whatever concerns me.





He’s even able to help my husband Chris and I figure out just how we can stay connected. How we can put each other first…even when facing pressing demands. After all…God is the One who created marriage and He is well able to help Chris and me to be the husband and wife that He desires.





It’s about relationship…it’s about staying connected. It’s about knowing the other person…it’s about valuing the other person so much that you put them first.

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A Different Way

Posted in poem, Trusting God by



My heart is sad today

For God is calling my friend

To go a different way



Over the years

My dear sister in Christ

Stood with me through many trials and tears



Each of us had our own burden to bear

But it always seemed a little lighter

When we had someone to share it with



Between us we saw

Divorce and the challenges of single parenthood

Endless singlehood…and bearing the load of a sick parent



Through it all

We stood by one another

Lifting each other in prayer



Through it all

We saw the faithfulness of our God

Who never left us, nor forsook us



Our Lord delivered us

He brought love into our lives

And turned our burdens into joy



It is our God

To whom I commit you my friend

Knowing with confidence that He will bring you through



It is my prayer

That He will draw you close

Comfort you with the love of a Father



He will be your strength when you are weak

Your Light when your days are dark

You will find Him sufficient for your every need



God has gifted you in so many ways

I am excited to see how

He will guide and direct you



Allow those gifts

To be used

To bring Your Father in heaven much glory



I take the sadness in my heart

As a reminder

Of one I’ve been privileged to call friend



It’s a good kind of hurt that’s my heart feels today

A reminder of the love for a dear friend

Who has now been called to go a different way



Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 7, 2008



For Andrea…you will be missed

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Permission

Posted in poem by



I need to give you permission

To be you…

Much different than me

Not right

Nor wrong

Just different

Not better

Or worse

Just different

Permission to be you

Without finding fault

Or trying to make you into a lesser me

Permission to get up at the crack of dawn

Or wake up slowly and fall asleep early

Even to drag yourself to bed at the end of a long hard day

Permission to speak up

Or stay silent

Trusting God for the right time to say what’s on your mind

Permission to think different than me

To come to the same conclusion via a different route

Or arrive at something entirely different

Permission to feel that which I seldom feel

To express your emotions

In ways…I still don’t understand

Permission to go out ahead

Or stay behind at a slower clip

Without passing judgment as to who is right or wrong

Permission to not fully understand you

Or to no know why you do the things you do

Or why you are the way you are

Permission to be the one

Whom God formed in your mother’s womb

Not just your body…but your personality too

Permission to have weaknesses and flaws

Knowing full well

God is working on your character as well as mine

Permission to have a past

That formed you and shaped you

Leaving imperfections that are all too visible this side of heaven

Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 3, 2008

Is It Love?

Posted in Uncategorized by



They say its love

When I look into your eyes

And see stars


They say its love

When I kiss your lips

And hear fireworks all around us


They say its love

When we are making love

All night long


But I ask

Wouldn’t any fool stick around

When it’s easy, magical and fun


What about the times

When I look into your eyes

And see your beautiful blue eyes looking back


What about the times

When all our busy schedules afford

Is a quick kiss as we head out the door


What about the times

After an exhausting day…we come home spent

And we are most grateful to fall into each others arms


Is it love

That says “I love you”

When everyday is like a fairy tale


Or is it true love

When I come home weary from fighting the battle

And find…the one will stand with me


Or is it true love

When I’m swimming against the tide…about to drown

And out reaches a hand…to hold me up


Or is it true love

That says…I’m committed

And would marry you all over again…no matter what


Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 1, 2008


To Chris…the one I love. Thank you for sticking around…fighting the good fight…holding me up in prayer before the throne room of God. Thanks for being willing to pursue a mature love that sticks with it in good times and bad…who doesn’t get weak-kneed and afraid…when the challenges don’t stop and the tough times outweigh the good.

By Any Other Name

Posted in A Womans Right to Choose, Abortion, Murder, Partial Birth Abortion by



Some call it “a women’s right to choose”

But what about the baby’s “right to life”

Abortion in God’s eyes is the taking of an innocent human life



Some call it “tissue”

To ease the conscience of the women

Who chooses to abort the child growing within her womb



It’s called a fetus

Until such time the mother decides she wants it

Then it’s declared a baby…deemed worthy of life



Some call it necessary

A medical procedure

To save the life of the mother



Partial birth abortion

Such an antiseptic name

For a barbaric hideous act



Scissors piercing the brain

Extinguishing the life of a half delivered baby

Is MURDER…by any other name



Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 1, 2008




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Is It Love?

Posted in Chris Wachtel, Falling in Love, Love, Mature Love by



They say its love

When I look into your eyes

And see stars


They say its love

When I kiss your lips

And hear fireworks all around us


They say its love

When we are making love

All night long


But I ask

Wouldn’t any fool stick around

When it’s easy, magical and fun


What about the times

When I look into your eyes

And see your beautiful blue eyes looking back


What about the times

When all our busy schedules afford

Is a quick kiss as we head out the door


What about the times

After an exhausting day…we come home spent

And we are most grateful to fall into each others arms


Is it love

That says “I love you”

When everyday is like a fairy tale


Or is it true love

When I come home weary from fighting the battle

And find…the one will stand with me


Or is it true love

When I’m swimming against the tide…about to drown

And out reaches a hand…to hold me up


Or is it true love

That says…I’m committed

And would marry you all over again…no matter what


Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 1, 2008


To Chris…the one I love. Thank you for sticking around…fighting the good fight…holding me up in prayer before the throne room of God. Thanks for being willing to pursue a mature love that sticks with it in good times and bad…who doesn’t get weak-kneed and afraid…when the challenges don’t stop and the tough times outweigh the good.

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Yet Will I Trust Him

Posted in poem, Trusting God by



When it doesn’t make sense

When I don’t understand

Yet will I trust Him


When uncertainty abounds

Confusion is abundant

I will diligently seek His wisdom


When my heart is hurting

Everything in me longs to be elsewhere

I will choose to obey


When circumstances are painful

All have turned against me

I will depend on Him


By Susan Bunts Wachtel

October 28, 2008

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I See Dead People

Posted in Proposition 8, Protesters, Same Sex Marriage, Sin, Spiritually Dead by

I see dead people

Those who are spiritually dead to God…but alive to sin

Standing on the street corner waving signs


I see dead people

With darkened minds proclaiming right

That which God has declared sinful


I see dead people

Promoting sinful behavior

In the name of tolerance


I see dead people

Seeking the approval of man

For that which God will one day judge


I see dead people

Those who have exchanged the truth of God

And have believed the lies of Satan


I see dead people

Those who have darkened, foolish hearts

Proclaiming themselves to be wise


I see dead people

Proud, arrogant, angry and hateful

Shouting “intolerant” to those who choose to follow God’s way


Susan Bunts Wachtel

October 26, 2008

This poem is dedicated to those who are promoting a yes vote on Proposition 8 in California. Those who desire to protect marriage between one man and one woman.


I have been amazed at the number of protesters my husband Chris and I have seen on street corners over the last few days. The vast majority of protesters are against Proposition 8 in California which seeks to protect marriage as being between one man and one woman.


The protesters are so loud and angry. All too often the protesters are young or women…desiring to make sure that society approves of and makes people feel better in their behavior…even if the Bible declares it wrong or sinful.

Professing themselves to be wise…they became foolish!






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Chris…in Neon

Posted in Chris Wachtel by


I just love playing with the filters on Microsoft Digital Imaging Suite.

My hubby, Chris…even looks handsome in neon. Actually the original picture didn’t come out good because of poor lighting. By adding the neon filter…shows Chris’ handsome face.

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Missing You

Posted in Gayle Lorenat, Gayle Merriam Johnson Bunts Lorenat, Happy Birthday by

No one will ever know it
But memories of you
Fill my mind today

I find myself preoccupied
A little sadder…somewhat somber
Because my heart misses you

This year has been filled with many firsts
Shortly after your death
There was Mother’s Day…the first one without you

Today…we would have celebrated your 87th birthday
But instead…it is filled
With remembrances of you

There is no birthday card to write
To tell you that you are loved
No gift will be selected…to bring a smile to your face

When I was married just a few short weeks ago
I looked out at the congregation
If only I could have seen your face

Family and friends came alongside us
But none could take your place
You should have been there to celebrate the long awaited day

Oh dear one
Will I see you in heaven
Will we have an eternity to celebrate your birth

Susan Bunts
October 23, 2008

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November 5th

Posted in Conservative Politics, Election, poem, Politics by



November 5th, 2008

God…will still be upon His throne


We look for our salvation

In Christ…the victorious One riding upon a white horse


Our deliverance is not in man

Not a man named McCain, nor Obama


But in the One

Who is fully God and fully Man


We look to Him

Who is sovereign in all things


He alone establishes authority

He raises up leaders and brings down kingdoms


Our assurance is not in circumstances

Nor in good fortune or times of comfort and ease


Instead our surety

Is built upon the immovable Rock


Susan Bunts Wachtel

October 12, 2008

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Chris & Susan…Becoming One

Posted in Chris Wachtel, Kindred Community Church, Marriage, October 4th 2008, Susan Bunts, Vintage Wedding by



One of the fun things that my fiancé Chris Wachtel & I did in preparing for our wedding day was to put together a video of our lives. We stand amazed…as we look back and see how God concurrently and providentially worked in our lives to bring us together. We clearly see how He used events in our lives to shape and form us so that we are so perfectly suited for one another. October 4th, 2008 on our wedding day…this video will be shown at our wedding. We want honor and glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the Author of our love story. We thank our family and friends for their love, support and prayers as we become one. Chris…I am so grateful that my hopes, dreams and prayers will be coming true with you…as we begin our new life as husband and wife on October 4th. May Jesus Christ be the Foundation of our marriage and first place in our lives. After Christ, may we put each other first. We fondly remember our parents who will not be here to share this day with us. We love you and thank you Leo & Ruth Wachtel, Frank Bunts and Gayle & Joseph Lorenat. I love you Christopher Leo Wachtel and can hardly wait to be Mrs. Christopher Wachtel!


Our engagement photo was taken by Sherry Hebestreit. Sherry does wedding photography in the Orange County area. We were very pleased with the work that Sherry has done and look forward to seeing the pictures from our wedding day.




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Alleluia

Posted in Kindred Community Church, Kindred's Adult Choir by

Kindred Community Church Adult Choir singing one of my favorite songs. The choir continues to grow and they sound marvelous.

In this song…I can get lost in worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is a small taste of heaven.

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Tell Tale Signs

Posted in Body of Christ, Divorice, Marriage, Sin, Uncategorized by




The body of Christ

Suffered another assault today

By one who calls himself Christian





By outward appearances

The signs were all there

Indeed he put on a good show





In church each Sunday

With Bible in hand

He even shared Christ with those not yet saved





A fish symbol strategically placed on his car

A bumper sticker proclaiming

Know Jesus, Know Peace





But closer examination

By the One who looks upon the heart

Revealed a wolf in sheep’s clothing





Sacred vows made to love his wife

As Christ so loved the church

Were set aside and trampled underfoot





His children

Once beloved were now forgotten

In his quest for personal happiness





The Lord whom he proclaimed to love

With all his heart, mind, soul and strength

Was long forgotten as he raised himself in God’s place





Destruction and devastation lay in the wake

From the vehicles of lies and deceit

No concern is demonstrated for those he once claimed to love





Those who once admired the Lord’s blessings to this man

Stand with their mouth gapping

Poised and ready to utter the words hypocrite and liar





The witness for Christ

He so carefully sought to build and protect

Now lies in the heap covered by selfishness and pride





Oh Lord, even now we lift up this one so deceived

Like a lamb led to slaughter

So willingly he followed the father of lies





We pray for his salvation

Forgiveness for his sins

That without Jesus he will have no peace





Like the prodigal son

May he come to his senses

And return to the Father whom he once he loved





By Susan Bunts

September 26, 2008

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