Give me some feedback

Hi everyone. The Volun-"tour" was a huge success, wasn't it? I love the display boards. Everyone put a lot of time and effort into them. I loved the meal. It was nice to see so many people signing up to help in new ways!

We represented the blog at the Volun-"tour". We were hoping to get more members. I don't have any idea if people picked up a card to check us out. But I really need you to do me a favor. I need some feedback from you. You can see we have 14 members; we may have many more readers. I was in hopes that this blog would be a place of connecting. But to be honest, it's mostly my sharing devotions and Bible studies--which is great--if it's meeting needs! Please give me some feedback! Let me know your comments either here on the blog, or call me, or see me at church. Over the next couple of weeks I will be gathering these comments to determine what direction we want to go with the blog.

Here's a thought for the day that I read on one of the blogs I read:

Charles Spurgeon said, if you are a Christian, goodness and mercy follow you “always” - “the black days as well as the bright days. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins.”

Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness and mercy!

Honor the Message

2 Thessalonians 3:1 "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you."

I believe we would all agree that this shared prayer by Paul to the Thessalonians is still pertinent to us today. We don't know how long we have before we see Christ, but according to the Bible it can't be long. We are busy with things of this life, but we must remember that it is temporary. Eternity is just around the corner. Therefore, we must pray for the message to be spread rapidly-quickly-and not lose sight of that vision.

But I also like Paul's prayer that the message be honored. We live in a day that people are losing honor for the message of God. Let's pray that we all honor the words of God, that we place God at the highest place in everything we do. Let's pray for each other in this endeavor.

Have a great weekend and hope to see you at the Volun"tour"!

We Have Peace

Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"

We haven't had very much really hot weather this summer. I don't know if that's good or bad. But last week our air conditioner at home broke and we went several days without any. Now the one at work is broken. Now I know that there are many, many people who do without it all the time. But I have never handled heat well. And I handle it worse at this point in my life (it makes my foot swell and feels tighter on my pinched nerve). Anyway, I try not to let it make me irritable. Did you get that word - try...

More importantly than the outside is my inner peace with God. To think that I could have peace with the Almighty God is so....I truly can't think of a word to describe it! Awesome, overwhelming, uplifting, joyous, etc.

So despite whatever is going on with us on the outside, let's remember the peace we can have with God through Jesus Christ. That's so cool!!! (that's just what I need - something cool!)

"Pray Continually"

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "pray continually;"

Sunday night at Youth Group, we set up prayer stations and prayed for the new school year and all the ways it affects our lives. It was a time of reading prayers and offering prayers. A time to remind the kids that God cares about every aspect of their lives. I'm sure there was a variety of responses to this from the kids. But I wanted them to be exposed to prayer.

How can you feel any less than overwhelmed at the thought of going before the Creator of the universe, spending time in His presence, and talking to Him about anything - anything - that crosses your mind?

Let's not forget to take advantage of this life-sustaining opportunity that He's freely given to us!

Don't forget the Volun-tour Sunday, Aug. 23. Hope to see you there!

The Light Shines in the Darkness

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

This scripture is one that is taught to reinforce the eternal existance of Jesus and His "oneship" with God the creator. Those of us who have accepted Jesus understand that He is the light of the world. The last phrase of verse 5 reminds me of Pastor Eddie's sermon yesterday when he mentioned relationship evangelism. He said that a lot of people won't get on board with you to do a church activity, but they will rally for a community project like working on a rundown house. He said we should do those activities with people to give them a chance to get to know a Christian, so that we can be an example of Jesus to them. Unfortunately, many people are blinded by the darkness and don't understand Jesus can light their way. We need to come along beside them and love them to Jesus.

Then I started reading a devotion this morning and it was on the same subject. Okay, God is speaking to me. I need to look to see who I need to get to know so that I can show them Jesus. I'm sure I need reminded to be purposeful about relationships in my life. It's easy to stay on the surface without really going any deeper.

Lord, help me to be a friend to someone who needs me and to show them how wonderful You are!

All Day Long

Psalm 25:4 "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;

5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Most mornings, one of the first things I do is open my Bible. But by the end of the day, I must admit that I'm not still focused on what God said to me that morning. This verse reminds me to let Him carry me through the entire day. And since this is Friday - through the entire week! Hope you have a blessed weekend.

Connect with me on Sunday with a word, a recipe, a devotion, a scripture...

"let His blood..."

Matthew 27:24 "When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man's blood,' he said, 'It is your responsibility!'

25 All the people answered, 'Let his blood be on us and on our children!'"

How ironic! As I was reading this scripture this morning it struck me that the very people who cried "crucify him" also stated, "let his blood be on us and on our children". They didn't have the conviction that, in fact, that was truly what they needed--the blood of Jesus to rid them and their children of their sin and make a way for them to enter heaven. I am so thankful that my children and husband and I have accepted Jesus. And I want to literally pour myself into ministering in ways that will help people know Jesus.

Thank You, Jesus, for being willing to shed your blood! Thank You!

"It was not you...but God"

Genesis 45:8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God."

Last night in youth group, we finished the major characters of Genesis. Joseph (the coat of many colors) was our last discussion for the night. Joseph, being the favorite of his father, should have had a "charmed" life. However, he endured much suffering -- betrayal, rejection, being a victim, imprisonment, false accusation, long periods of waiting, serving outside his comfort zone...he had every reason to be angry and bitter. But he wasn't. How could he not take advantage of the chance to get back at his brothers? How could he not gloat over the fact that there came a time when they were pleading with him to save their entire family? I could go on and on. If you have not read this passage of scripture for awhile, you should. Genesis chapters 37 - 45 inspires us to remember that God doesn't forget us during the dark days. No, he takes all the valley time and weaves it into the plan for our lives that will eventually bring Him glory. If we let Him.

God is good. All the time. And all the time, God is good. Rather than lashing out at those around us, or blaming others for the circumstances of our life, we need to look to God. He's in charge.

Don't we want Him in charge?