Colossians 2:20-23

20"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
21 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'?
22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."

Paul's words are a good reminder not to fall back into old habits. I know, old habits die hard, but he reminds us that they died with Christ. His power is greater than the habits. He reminds us that human traditions perish; they give a false pretense of wisdom and humility.

And finally, they can't restrain our sensual indulgences. A dictionary definition of sensual is: "Pertains to the undue gratification of the physical appetites -- the 'carnal pleasures' that are associated with our body." One way of looking at that is that the world doesn't satisfy. It leaves you wanting more - searching for more. Christ fills you up - eternal gratification.

Complete and eternal...

Colossians 2:13-19

13 "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle otions.
19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow."

Here are some key points that stand out to me in this passage of scripture:

• we were dead in our sins
• God made us alive with Christ
• He forgave all our sins
• He canceled the writtten code - He nailed it to the cross
• He triumphed over sin
• Don't judge each other by rules
• People who do this possess false humility, and their unspiritual mind puffs up
• People who judge by rules have lost connection with the Head - God
• The Body grows as God causes it to grow

This scripture is pretty clear that Jesus came to give us salvation - that no longer are we bound by the Old Testament laws. A study of the life of Jesus shows that He came to usher in the age of love and forgiveness. When asked about the greatest commandment, He replied in Matthew 22:37-39

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

When we try to base spirituality on anything but a relationship with Jesus Christ, we've lost connection. When we judge each other's spirituality on rules and regulations, we've lost connection.

He wants us to focus our lives on our connection with Him, and He wants us to build His kingdom with people connecting with Him. He'll take care of all the rest.

We can do that, right?

Colossians 2:9-12

9 "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,
12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."

We've been given fullness in Christ. For some reason, that reminds me of Thanksgiving. You know, the full feeling. It's wonderful to smell all the food cooking and think about how good it will taste and then you take that first bite of turkey and noodles, etc... and that feeling you get when you're finished...full and purring like a kitten. Now just transfer that Thanksgiving feeling to the thought of being filled with Christ to the point of complete and ultimate satisfaction. Hmmm...I love it. He forgave me of my sin - took it away - and filled me with Himself. That is hard to comprehend and rightly so because Paul said that there is nothing human about it - but only what Christ can do. Thank you, Jesus!

Finally, the spiritual baptism in verse 12 reminds me of the water baptism at church this past Sunday. What a joy to see 3 generations of the Steele family follow the Lord in Believer's Baptism. What a blessing!

Thank you, God, for the fullness of Your Spirit!

Colossians 2:8

8 "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depend on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

This verse really spoke to me this morning. I didn't want to go farther in the scripture, but let this sink in during the day. I feel like it has strong and profound meaning. Paul wasn't speaking to unbelievers in this book. He was speaking to people who had already placed their faith in Christ. But his warning was that they not become captives through hollow and deceptive philosophy. Now I realize that these words are the NIV translation, but it cautions me to consider what might be taking me captive. And the word hollow is not how I want to describe anything about my life.

Then he goes on to warn about the philosophy that is based on traditions and basic principles of the world instead of Christ. Wow! It makes me wonder if I'm letting any of these "hollow" principles sneak into my life.

So I'm going to take some time to ask the Lord to show me if I'm letting anything come between God and me. I want Him to work through everything in my life, not take second place.


BTW: I loved Pastor Eddie's comment yesterday, "if you don't understand the resurrection, you have nothing". I'm so thankful for eternal life and that He gives us hope of a resurrection and glorified body. I want to take yesterday's sermon into this week - "Take Hope - Our Rez Look is Coming!"

Colossians 3:1-4

1 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Ok, I skipped ahead. But it's Friday and Chapter 2 is a bit too lengthy and deep for a Friday devotion, so I skipped ahead to one of my favorite phrases. It's in verse 4..."when Christ, who is your life..."I love that phrase. I want Him to be my life. Not just a part of my life, but be the starting point for everything I do and everything I think. I want Him to be every breath I breathe in and every breath I breathe out. Because when He becomes that essential to my being, then it's natural to do verse 1 and 2 - set my heart and mind on things above.

This morning when I got up I noticed a verse I have on my desk - "The joy of the Lord is my strength" - and the word joy really spoke to me. It's not living a life for God because I feel indebted to Him, but letting the joy of the Lord overwhelm me. It was a nice reminder to embrace joy this day.

So, embrace joy, focus on heaven, live Christ...I'm ready to go...are you glad it's Friday?

Colossians 2:6-7

6 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

What a cool verse! Here's the key words:

• received Christ
• live in him
• rooted
• built up
• strengthened in the faith
• overflowing with thankfulness

That says it all. Are we overflowing today?

We'd love to hear your comments and feedback about this or the blog or anything you want to say...

Colossians 2:1-5

1 "I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is."

This is a personal appeal to the Laodicean church from Paul. He is pleading with them to remain faithful in his absence and not be deceived by false teaching. Throughout Paul's teachings he continually implores the new Christians to grow in Christ and be firm in their faith.

But I also find important points that I can apply to my own life and ministries. Paul said his purpose was

1. that they be encouraged in heart
2. united in love
3. have rich and complete understanding
4. know God through Christ - this is all wisdom and knowledge

It is my prayer that my life would be encouraging to others, loving, and that as I grow in Christ, I will be contagious in my desire for learning more about Him - that others will want to do the same.

Colossians 1:28-29

28 "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29 to this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me."

Verse 28 is a beautiful picture of the Christian life - our daily walk with Jesus. We proclaim, admonish, and teach so that we can bring more people into the Kingdom. There are many ways we do this; some are through the church and others are on a personal level. Feel like sharing some of the opportunities you've had to share Christ?

Verse 29 became special to me one day when I was feeling very "out of energy". I didn't know if I could complete everything that I felt God would have me do. Then I read the words in verse 29 like I'd never read them before - "struggling with all his energy- it was a reminder that I was not serving Him from my own energy, but with His energy. Wow! That hit me so personally. And the next words reminded me that He powerfully works in us. He not only energizes us, but He also "powerizes" us. That's not a word, is it? Oh well, the thought works here.

So, if we feel less than the task, first of all check to make sure it's a task that God has given us and not just one we tacked on an already busy schedule. Then go to Him to be refreshed with His energy and power!

What could possibly be better than that?

Colossians 1:21-27

21 "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
22. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--
23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

This is a wordy passage, but Paul's key points are

1. Before we chose God, we were His enemy - that's a hard pill to swallow, but the scripture is clear - if we are not for Him, we are against Him.
2. We were reconciled through Christ to live a life of faith - established and firm, unmovable.
3. We are free from accusation! Christ's blood covers us!
4. Paul does not regret what he has suffered for the kingdom - it is an extension of what Christ suffered for us.
5. Paul was commissioned by God to present the Word to us.
6. God chose to make His glorious riches known to us.

Let's remember that Christ in us gives us all the hope we will ever need!

Colossians 1:15-20

15 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."

What a beautiful representation of Christ, our reconciliation with God. Without Christ, we would have no relationship with God. Without Christ, we would have no body-the church. He is our Supreme Savior-our connection with God. And He is a powerful connection among people. He is the ultimate common ground. There's just something indescribable about meeting a person and finding out they're a believer in Christ as Savior. You instantly feel connected (I know I'm overusing that word, but that is the premise for this blog, right? So forgive me for overusing...) with that person because we're both in the family of God.

If there's ever any question about what Christ did for us, this scripture is clear. Without Him there would be no reconciliation and certainly no peace. There would be no "knowing God" but only "knowing about God".

Thank you, Jesus, for being our connection - with God and with each other. There is no stronger or powerful connection because through You our connections last for eternity!

Colossians 1:13-14

13 "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Rescued from the dominion of darkness! I love it! I sleep with a night light on. I don't like complete darkness. I like candlelight, but I don't like darkness. My night vision hasn't been good for a long time, so darkness handicaps me. So the picture of Jesus rescuing me from darkness is one I can really relate to. We're no longer under satan's dominion. Kind of like living in a bubble, right? The only things that can get through are what God allows. When we ask Him into our lives, He wraps us in His protection of redemption and victory. That makes me feel a little stronger, knowing that Someone more powerful than me is in charge.

And don't overlook "the forgiveness of sins". I think we are all so preoccupied with "being good" that we forget just how bad we are. No, I'm not putting us down or thinking I'm a judge. It's just that the Bible says we're all sinners. But if we're gliding along, living the "good life" we tend to forget how much we need a Savior! I know that I don't want to ever forget what He's done for me. Words to songs remind me a lot. The words to the songs we sang on Easter Sunday humbled me and reminded me how lost I'd be without Jesus!

So for today, I give thanks for Jesus - for the salvation He so freely gave me, and for the "bubble" of victory He wraps me in.

Colossians 1:10-12

10"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

Growing in the knowledge of God...I love learning more about Him...reading the Bible...studying the scripture. I know I acquired that love from my mother and my dad's mother. It's part of my DNA. It makes me sad to think of all that people miss when they don't ever open their Bible. God's word is full of "power according to his glorious might". Reading a few verses transforms an ordinary day into a chance to meet with Almighty God, the creator of the universe, the creator of ME! That time gives me a chance to know God and myself better. It also enlightens me to how I fit into my surroundings - "sharing with the saints in the kingdom of light".

But it goes beyond the "big picture" to "my picture". God is so big, yet so personal! Spending time with Him blesses me with great endurance and patience. Are you like me? There are some things in life that we endure because they're not as enjoyable as others? And patience! Who doesn't need more of that?

Just take a minute and bask in the presence of God. I love the word "bask". The dictionary defines it as "1: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere 2: to take pleasure or derive enjoyment." Now how's that for a verb? Nothing required for the action to take place. All take, no give. "Calgon, take me away"...remember that commercial? How about "God, take me away"!!!

Okay, in case you're worried I've lost it. No, I'm finding it....strength for my day...power...endurance...patience...unconditional love...I'm basking...basking...it only takes a few minutes...then back to work...

Colossians 1:1-9

1"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints
5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
7You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8and who also told us of you love in the Spirit.
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."

I love the book of Colossians. Let's look at how we can apply these spiritual truths to our lives.

Paul was writing to the church in Colosse. He was concerned that false teachers were trying to sway and deceive some of the believers. But he was "re-presenting" the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way, and instructing the believers how to live out Christ in their daily lives.

The first thoughts he shares with them, after his official greeting, is to be thankful for their commitment to Christ and to sharing His gospel. He reminds them that this is not in vain, for it is bearing fruit all over the world. What an awesome thought! I believe that Crossroads is bearing fruit all over the world as we not only spread the gospel in Sullivan County, but share the gospel with the people of Haiti. There are many other ways that we can give to causes here and away. Isn't that what Jesus commanded before He physically left the disciples the last time? I know it's vitally important to think beyond ourselves to share Jesus in every way...to not get so caught up in daily living that we forget there are people dying without Jesus. We must do our part to share what He's done for us - to let people know what He's personally done for us.

In verse 9 Paul says that because of their devotion to Christ, he hasn't stopped praying for them. But look what he prays for..."asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."

That's what I pray for you today...to be filled with God - with His knowledge - with His wisdom - with His understanding.

What's Jesus done for you?

A Taste of Heaven

"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:'To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'" Revelation 5:13

I loved our service yesterday morning at Crossroads! It lifted my spirits and encouraged me. It took my mind off of me and helped me to focus on my risen Lord!

We are so blessed to have such wonderful musicians at our church. I so much appreciate Steve's leadership as he seeks what God would have us sing and all the many aspects of the worship ministry. We sang about our living Savior, how we are so undeserving of His love, and yet He chooses to be our friend. Wow! What a concept to start off the week...

I was deeply moved by Eddie's message. The Passion movie was very hard for me to watch the first time I saw it. In fact, I closed my eyes for part of the "beating scene". But Gibson has portrayed the crucifixion account in such a moving way that I believe it is a powerful tool to use in sharing the gospel. It would only make sense that God would lay that on Eddie's heart to show to the large crowd that would be there for Easter. And that it would visibly touch our pastor's heart as much as some of the crowd who might be viewing it as if for the first time is just a reminder of how "real" Eddie is. We are blessed to serve with him.

There were so many people that contributed to the wonderful morning - greeters, those serving in hospitality, teachers, who could forget those teenagers (led by my daughter, Haley) who are not afraid to passionately portray the ministry of Jesus, and the many others who are so dedicated to creating an atmosphere where we can come and feel God's presence in the midst of our church family and visitors. There was also the children passing out seeds...and

When we left church there were small Easter eggs glued together in the shape of the cross on our windshield. It was so simple, yet so sweet...showing that Jesus was working everywhere even down to the smallest offering, yet so powerful.

Thank you, Lord, for what you did for us so long ago, and for what you do for us everyday. I know this is only a tiny taste of heaven!

Psalm 18:46-50 The Lord Lives!

"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
He is the God who avenges me,
who subdues nations under me,
who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from violent men you rescued me.
Therefore I will praise You among the nations, O LORD;
I will sing praises to Your name.
He gives His king great victories;
He shows unfailing kindness to His anointed,
to David and His descendants forever."

What a wonderful way to end our week leading into Easter. Our LORD lives! As we commemorate the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and celebrate His coming back to life, let's embrace the victory we have through His resurrection. He avenges us, subdues our opposers, and saves us from our enemies. But He doesn't stop there. He exalts us, He "stoops down to make us great".

Join with me in taking a few moments of personal time to praise our Rock! Sing praises to His name. His love and mercy endure forever!

Psalm 18:37-40 Destroy Your "Enemies"

"I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
I crushed them so that they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
You armed me with strength for battle;
You made my adversaries bow at my feet.
You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
and I destroyed my foes."


Okay, so I'm going to get really personal here. Right now my biggest enemy (or so it seems) is a herniated disc/pinched nerve, and with that comes a long road to recovery, therapy, and possible surgery. That is not my usual kind of enemy. I struggle more with busyness, overeating, stress, etc. Now my enemy is my body. And the fear that it's breaking down and I will never be the same. This 18th chapter of Psalm has been good for me this week. Has it blessed your heart too?

These verses promise that I can overtake my enemies. I believe that God may not heal me of this herniated disc the way that I want Him to. And that my body may not continue to keep up at the pace that it always has. But the "hold" that this condition has on me mentally and emotionally can be destroyed. The "hold" can be destroyed. I can learn to trust God more fully, to lean on Him more than I ever have before. To give myself completely to Him and believe that the outcome is only goodness and love.

What has a hold on you? Care to share? If not, let's be sure to lift up one another in prayer as we fight our battles-as we work at destroying the enemies of our lives.

Psalm 18:32-35 "Body Building by God"

"It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
He enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory,
and Your right hand sustains me;
You stoop down to make me great."

Whether this picture paints for you a literal body building or a spiritual body building, you can feel the empowerment God gives us for every struggle we face. David was acknowledging God's presence in every aspect of his preparation for battle. I want God's strength and power for everything I face today and every day. And it's mine for every day because I am His child. But doesn't the day go better-a little bit easier- when we acknowledge His presence in the things we do? When I start my day welcoming Him into my schedule, I'm aware of the strength and victory He gives me in each task and for everything I might face that day.

And don't forget the word "sustain". That's one of my favorite words to describe God - "Sustainer". Sometimes I start out energetic, positive, ready to conquer the world, only to find that I haven't paced myself for the workout facing me. But God's pace is perfect for me. If I just follow His leading, He will sustain me. An online dictionary defines sustain as "to keep from giving way, as under trial or affliction." He will never give me more than I can handle. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says "And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."My confidence soars knowing the creator of the universe is building me up and sustaining me!

Finally, the last line of verse 35 knocks me on my face. I mean, really to picture the most holy and awesome God stooping down to make me great! This causes me to think of a story when our kids were just little. We moved to a new neighborhood and our next door neighbors were an elderly couple who had never been blessed with their own children. We had only 2 of our 3 when we moved in and they were approximately 4 and 1. From the first day the new neighbors came to welcome us to the neighborhood, they would bend down to talk to our kids, looking at them from eye level. And they would look into their eyes and listen to everything they had to say. Tears come to my eyes as I remember the precious times my kids had running next door to Bob and Wanda's, knowing they were always loved and welcome, and knowing there was always cookies or mints on the counter waiting for them. As our third came along, they were all allowed to ride their "big wheels" and tricycles on Bob and Wanda's blacktop driveway. And I'd look out the window to see Bob and Wanda visiting them as they played. But always, on their level, stooping down to make our children feel important and loved.

That is how God is today. He's building us up for our daily battles and "stooping" down from His greatness and holiness to look into our eyes with love and delight and make us into great warriors for His kingdom!

Ooh!! That gives me "God bumps"...

Psalm 18:16-19 He Delights In Me!

"He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
He drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
He brought me out into a spacious place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me."

I love Psalm 18. I love the imagery - God reaching down to me - like a daddy reaching down to pick up his little one, lifting me out of the deep waters. How many times we feel like we're "drowning" in a sea of struggles. But we don't need to fear. He rescues us and continues to be our support. And the part about bringing me out into a spacious place: well, for a claustrophobic person like me - space is comforting. :-)

But look at the last line of this passage: "He rescued me because He delighted in me." This is a beautiful picture. He reached out to me before I was ever "delightful". He rescued me from my sin because He loved me. He lifts me out of my troubles because He delights in me. I don't have to be my best for Him to love me. I didn't even have to love Him for Him to love me. His gift of love is more than I can comprehend! And He's the "gift that keeps on giving" forever.

Do you sometimes feel like you've "given out"? I know I do. God wants to give to us, to replenish our souls and spirits. I hope you'll take a moment to enjoy His love. Delight in Him as He delights in us!

Psalm 18:1-3

"I love you, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."

Saved from my enemies...obviously the enemies David had were actual people threatening his life and causing havoc for him in every aspect of his life. They were hunting him down and trying to destroy him.

While we may not physically see our lives being threatened, there is an evil being-satan-trying to destroy us because we're God's children. He doesn't want us to do anything to build the Kingdom of God. So if God won't let him end our lives, he'll try anything to keep us from focusing on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What can challenge our focus? Busyness, sickness, pain, financial problems, pms, marital difficulties, cranky children, "mondays", problems at work...the list goes on and on. God wants us to let Him walk right through all those problems with us. He is our rock, our fortress, our refuge, our shield, our salvation, our stronghold. Read those words out loud. Let them sink in. Then call to Him and He will save us from our enemies. We'll come through these difficulties stronger and closer to Him than ever before.

And He's given us each other to help us through those times. Know that I am praying for you this day as I know you are praying for me.

God Is Good All The Time

I'm sorry I got a little behind. I've been trying to work and come home and go to bed to rest my back and it has been busy finishing up the details on the Aquire the Fire Trip. Thirty-one just left the church a few minutes ago. They got a somewhat late start, but all will work out. Pray for them today as they encounter God in a new and fresh way.

This past week, I have felt the prayers of God's people in a mighty way. Thank you! I was nervous and uncertain at one point, but then I felt a calm come over me that has remained. That is prayer. There is no mistaking the soothing presence of our heavenly Father as He wraps us in His presence. But there is a lingering flow of that as people lift up each other in prayer---coming before the throne of God on a frequent basis to express deep desires for healing, strength, sustenance...

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

Now the confession part isn't always easy, but if we want to be the "family of God" that He wants us to be, then that's part of it. At least we're all on equal footing there. None of us are perfect and we're all very human. So as we grow in the ministry of-to-for women at Crossroads, let's be honest with one another and pray for each other so that we can be powerful and effective for the Kingdom of God!

By the way, I like the way Christy set up her information on the Followers section of the blog. If we all share a little about ourselves, we'll get to know each other better. And feel free to comment. I think we're on the verge of something wonderful here, ladies! I count it an honor to be in this with you!!!

Can you hear me now?

So, I'm just wondering if you're out there. It's exciting to have blog followers already. How many others are checking in to see what we have to say?

Honestly, I've been trying to come up with a spiritual analogy for my medical diagnosis I received today. It seems I have a bulging disc. Ooh! And it's getting on my nerve, which, of course, is causing the numbness clear down to my toes. I have been numb now for a whole week. It's a strange feeling, one I won't soon forget. It's numb to the point of pain, but not unbearable all the time, thank God!

So, ladies, help me out. Is there a spiritual lesson to go along with this? If you can't think of one, that's okay, but thank you for your prayers for me and for all the others in our church family facing trials of all kinds.

Oh, and don't forget to "stand in the gap" for our youth group trip to Acquire the Fire this Saturday. (incidentally, I won't be going along - hmmm, interesting turn of events) God has some mighty messages for all who give Him a listen!