Identity Crisis

You know how Paul said to be all things to all people?  Well, I've tried that...in the negative sense and it is no good.  I am a people pleaser from way back, I've tried to be what people expect me to be and more.  And worse, I've despised it when people thought of me as anything less than...less than a good mom, a great wife, a lovely singer, an awesome christian woman, the list could go on and on.  In various circumstances I would exalt one over the other and hold on to each one as my identity at different times.  AND if I felt I was losing one of those identities, it would send me into a tailspin of grief and patheticness (I know...not a word).  Sometimes my identity would be the opposite of those "proud" things - bad mom, demanding wife, distant friend, never-there-for-you sister/daughter/mother/wife, which would then turn into guilt, shame, and regret.

Thankfully, if I remember who I belong to this identity crisis is not a crisis at all.  My identity lies in the person of Jesus Christ.  I am His and He is mine, He bought me and I am righteous because of Him.  I have nothing to fear, nothing to worry about losing or gaining for that matter, I have Jesus.  Laying these identities down at the feet of Jesus has given me such freedom, I no longer worry about what people think of me (or at least I try not to), I don't worry about messing up or making a mistake (that's not who I am in Him), I don't measure my worth by success or failure...I'm simply a servant of the Lord Jesus.

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Colossians 2:9-10

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Mardi Gras Mission Trip 2016 ~ Part 2

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Psalm 51:8

Let me crudely break down this scripture for you. We heard plenty of joy and gladness...I had more fun on this trip than all the past years combined.  I don't mean that in a bad way regarding past trips, they were wonderful and worthwhile and filled with amazing life-changing things.  But I got lots of both this year and I am not ashamed to say that.  As for the bones that you have broken part....ummm, we may have broken some things but not in a way many would understand unless you were there...let's say it was a "had to be there" moment(s).  And I may need to ask one or more of my team members for forgiveness along with the entire state of Mississippi.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. Psalm 63:5

We had the opportunity to eat some really amazing foods and fellowship together.

I was not "in charge" this year which perhaps made me relax and enjoy every aspect of the trip.  My pastor went this year, he was the rookie on the trip but watching him had a great impact on me.  I have served with and under this man's leadership for several years now but seeing him love people on this trip gave me a greater respect and love for him.  He taught me how to be a better missionary.  And when we weren't "doing ministry" we had so much fun together.  What a great trip and awesome team.  God is good!

A New Way to Live

In a matter of 8 months, my mother and my aunt (my mom's sister) have both been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, my aunt had a double mastectomy a couple months ago and my mom's is so progressed that surgery wasn't even considered, it has spread to her bones and she just finished radiation and is now preparing for chemo therapy.  They are both doing remarkably well and seem to be feeling pretty good considering what they are going through.

This has changed my perspective in several ways, the most of which is what I'm putting into my body.  I really don't want to fight the battle of cancer, nobody does but if there is even the tiniest way that I can prevent it or postpone it, I feel like I should try.  I have read a lot about what kind of food I should be eating and the biggest thing I have found is lots of fruits and vegetables and no sugar.  So, I gave up sugar.  Bread has been the hardest thing to find without sugar, I did find some that has less than 1 gram but still haven't eaten much of it either.  I was also an avid diet soda drinker...I did away with that as well.

I have had stints of eating healthy off and on throughout the years and usually go up and down about 10 lbs every year or so but this new awareness of breast cancer has given me a new motivation. It really hasn't seemed like much of a sacrifice at all, my thoughts of food has changed from mmmm to a necessity to keep me alive and healthy.  There are things I want to do in my lifetime and I want to make the most of it for Jesus.  Yes, I know that God is in control and I may have to fight this cancer thing one day and I know it can be used for His glory, I have seen that first hand in the life of my aunt.  But I know that He gave me this earthly body and I need to take care of it. 

God is going to teach me lots of things through this journey with my mom and my aunt and I praise Him for every lesson and for every bit of growth and I will thank Him for every day He gives me with them and every day He gives me to live for Him.

Transitions

My life is transitioning...some exciting, some scary, some just are...my baby boy will graduate from high school next month, my oldest boy is living on his own being all grown up, my mama is walking through difficult health issues, I just applied to seminary to work on a Certificate in Worship Ministry, and there are more things around the corner.  God is doing some molding on me and I feel vulnerable.  I have been brave, I have been weak, I have been encouraging and encouraged, I have wept, I have been confident, I have felt insecure, I have prayed for God to lead me through all these things and He is and I am thankful.  I am trusting Him.  I feel He is opening doors and closing others which is amazing and frightening, frightening because I am so human.  I'm eager to embark on this journey of new things, even the hard things because I know God will show Himself more and more to me and I will grow closer to Him especially through the difficult things.

"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak". Matthew 26:41b

I feel like this pretty much sums up how I've been feeling and that portion of that scripture came right to mind but I looked up where to find it and was reminded of its instruction from our Lord.

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray.

I will keep my eyes on Jesus, watch for the snares of the enemy of self-pity, doubt, fear or those that will draw me away from God's calling, and I will continue to pray, pray for leading, clarity, to be used however my Lord wants to use me, and I will pray for His peace.

Forty & Fabulous

Ok...I admit it...I look pretty good for a 40 year old woman, I've held up better than most...some...a few.  Really though, the weeks leading up to this monumental birthday was a little tough for me, a little humbling, but a little encouraging too.

I have a lot that I want to accomplish in my life and the number 40 looked like sand running out of an hour glass, like not enough time left to do all I felt God was calling me to do, like defeat.  But I realize that was the enemy; God gently reminded me that He is much bigger than any age, that He can use me no matter how old I am and that He still has a purpose and plan for my life.  My sweet husband also reminded me of this too.  I believe this will just be a bigger testament to His grace, glory, and sovereignty.  And I'm looking forward to the journey that lies ahead.

To celebrate this undoubtedly fantastic birthday, James had some close friends meet us for dinner which I loved.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people that love and care about me.  Even if the waiter did put whip cream up my nose..but who cares??? I got free ice cream.

Sing for the King

I know my calling....to sing for my King.  Let's go back a few years...

My musical interests revolved around playing the piano and the saxophone.  I begged my parents for piano lessons when I was in 6th grade and they said yes.  My lessons were $4 a week and I walked to them every week for a year and a half.  We moved after my 7th grade year and had to leave my piano and my lessons behind.  I played the saxophone from 7th grade on and I loved it.  Even when I started singing in high school the saxophone was my first love.

I didn't begin singing until I was around 15 years old, I hadn't thought about singing.  I loved my saxophone, remember?  A year or so after "the move", we began attending a little country church...they had a youth choir.  They asked my sister and I if we would like to join and we said why not.  My sister sang in glee club at our former school but I had only been interested in playing instruments.  Much to my surprise and everyone else's, I was a decent singer, who knew?  And...I wasn't too shy to sing in front of people, another who knew?  The first solo I ever sang at my church was by Petra "The Prayer", I would sing with tapes or CDs or acapella if need be.  I sang a duet with a friend at youth church camp the Summer after my freshman year, I was in the high school choirs my Junior and Senior year, I sang at revivals at various churches, in people's living rooms, I would sing whenever anyone asked, anytime, anywhere.

This continued through my adult life, singing in my college show choir, singing at church, cantatas, special events in my or other communities, youth conferences, stupid talent shows...sing, sing, sing. In 2003, I recorded a "demo" CD with 6 songs to tracks, I never really did much with it but was grateful for the opportunity and experience to make it.  Once in a while someone asks me about a CD and I get a little embarrassed, I don't know...I really don't think of myself as a big deal and don't want to either, even typing this makes me a little uncomfortable because all this is not about me, it's all about my Jesus and the journey He has led me through. 

I did a few concerts at various churches after that which was a great learning experience as well.  And eventually I ended up on a worship team at my church...

All the events leading up to now are important and played a role in my life but the last couple of years have been a whirlwind of not only musical growth but more importantly spiritual growth.  In the Fall of 2010, I began singing on the worship team at my church, I led a few of the songs for Sunday morning worship and gained some knowledge on what it was like to sing with a live band instead of CDs or the typical church piano.  Then in 2013, due to various circumstances, there was a need for an interim Worship leader and I seized the opportunity.  It was also at this point that I began singing on Monday nights as well at our Celebrate Recovery meetings, another blessed experience and opportunity.  The CR worship leader was a big support and contributed about as much as I did to the Sunday morning process.  I can't say that I was great at it because I wasn't but it was an eye opening experience and I am thankful for every minute of it.  It taught me a lot about all the work that goes in behind the scenes that nobody sees or notices on Sunday mornings and what kind of leader I was and need to be.  Another first during this time...Prison Concerts, the CR worship team took their first concert to prison, it was awesome and we were hooked. Along with that...I began playing the keyboard, I played for a couple songs during the prison concert and a couple times at CR and the very last Sunday morning that I led the music.  I was not very good, I just chorded mostly but it put me on a path to things I had only dreamed of.

Five months later we hired a worship pastor, he was wise and gracious and an incredible leader, musically and spiritually.  He has taught me a lot about music and worship and has been continually guiding and teaching me to be a better worship leader.  I now play keys most Sunday mornings and every Monday night and the craziest part...I'm singing too. That has always been a challenge for me, to sing and play at the same time and I'm still working on it, but I can play for myself and have on several occasions now for revivals or our worship services and the occasional funeral.  But the most important life-changing part is the work God has done in my heart.  I have a renewed sense of awe and wonder about Him, He has given me a freedom to worship Him like I never had before...what an amazing King I serve.  I am humbled by His majesty, undeserving of His mercy and grace, and completely surrounded by His love and presence every day.  And I can't wait to see what's next...

Mardi Gras Mission Trip 2015 ~ The Mission

Why we go...

To share the love and hope of Jesus!  This year our worship pastor, Mark, came with us and he and I did some live music during the day in the French Quarter, this was one of my favorite things of the entire trip.  It was a blast.  He used a kick drum pedal to beat his guitar case while he sang and played his guitar...he is really talented.  I had the privilege to beat a tambourine against my leg while singing...I am only mildly talented, ha.  I did make a nice bruise on my leg but it was worth it.  Several people tried to give us money, some succeeded, we turned some away because that's not why we came but their persistence wore on us and the money we collected was donated to the Vieux Carre Baptist Church, our home base while in New Orleans.  I saw some people mouthing the words to some of the songs we were singing as they walked by, a sweet lady by the name of Brennie, who swore she knew me, stopped and sang with us for probably 45 minutes to an hour.  She was a blessing and an encouragement to meet.  A couple told Mark that they appreciated the way we presented the Gospel through our music.  I was so blessed.

 

Other members of our team did face painting.  Face Painting is a very effective way to have good conversations with people, we've never had anyone walk away with their face half painted, they stay and listen.  One young lady rededicated her life to Christ, another heard the story of Jesus for the very first time...we take for granted that people here in America have heard about Jesus, or that people that come to America will hear about Jesus.  It's just simply not true and many that do hear about Christ have a warped and skewed view of Christ and Christians because of the lack of love and grace shown by so many professing Christians.  This should call us to action, to tell the world about the God of love and redemption.

A couple of people in our group directed people to the face painting and talked with people on the street.  I think they thought they weren't useful enough but they were a valuable asset to the team.

And we all went to Bourbon Street in the evening...this was a battle for some.  It's immorality in your face with an 'I don't care about anything' attitude, especially Christians and what they have to say.  There are always the "condemners" with their signs and bull horns shouting at people and telling them they're going to burn in hell.  This year we saw a new approach, a group of 20 somethings came to the same corner we were on and she simply held a sign that read "Christians love gays".  People came up to talk to her and she was able to tell them about Jesus.  This is what I would like to do next year...flood bourbon street with Jesus' love.  I wanna do more music of course...just not on bourbon.

"His" Faith - Part 2

The end of Summer...time to go back to college and return to the "world".  Christian went to church with us a few times (no, we didn't force him to go) whether that was a mistake or not...I don't know, he is 19 years old and we still wanted him to own "his" faith.  He did attend a revival that James preached a couple weeks into the Summer, I saw conviction all over his face.  That was a blaring sign of hope for me :)  My gracious Father and Lord gave me glimpses into Christian's heart and I could see that he didn't really have doubts, he was being rebellious which had been my suspicion when we first talked.  He was a sweet kid all Summer, he wasn't out partying or reeking havoc; he was living for himself.

I took him back to college on move-in day, it was just he and I.  To my dismay, I looked around and saw that I was helping him move into a fraternity.  I wasn't pleased, it looked like trouble.  That along with PMS did not do my heart good.  We had one last thing to get before I went back home so we jumped in my car and headed to Wal-Mart.  Then the tears began to roll, Christian's reaction was one of surprise and he began to ask me what was wrong, if I was okay.  I felt like I was throwing him to the wolves.  I told him I was concerned about his decisions and the consequences those might have, yada yada.  When we got back I looked him in the face and said "I know you know the truth, I've seen it all over you all Summer long and you're going to come around".  I told him I was going to pray with him whether he liked it or not and we both kind of chuckled.  He held on to my hands and I prayed with him and for him.  He said "amen", which is an acknowledgment to me that he does indeed know the truth.  I then told him I was going to pray for his roommate's salvation.

I think my son is running, running from God, running from his calling that God placed on his life when he was only 13.  But I have my Lord's promises that my son will come back to Him.  In the meantime, I wait on the Lord, I trust Him, and I will be Jesus to my son as long as it takes.

"Thus says the Lord:
“Keep your voice from weeping,
    and your eyes from tears,
for there is a reward for your work,
declares the Lord,
    and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
 There is hope for your future,
declares the Lord,
    and your children shall come back to their own country." Jeremiah 31:16-17

"His" Faith - Part 1

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4

I could see some compromises in my child's life, although small, they were still there and it troubled me.  He had just finished his freshman year of college and was home for the Summer.  Don't get me wrong, he is a great young man but I was concerned he wasn't following the Lord as closely as he used to be and the world was crowding in on him.  I saw an opportunity to have dinner with just the two of us, dad and little brother were off doing something else so I sought the Lord on how to approach this needed discussion with my son.

I made the two of us dinner and just simply began.  "How is your relationship with Jesus?" I asked.  He started with "not as good as it should be" and then began to tell me about doubts he was having, that he believed in a creator but wasn't really sure about anything else, that there are a lot of other things out there.

I. was. devastated.  This was not what I had expected.  The tears began to fall as I tried to hold it together.  I talked to him about the evidence of Christ and the testimony of His power in my life and the lives of others.  He said he was still a moral person and I told him that only Jesus is good and it's only Him that makes us moral or good that without Him we are nothing.  I can't remember all the things I said to him, I only know my heart ached for my boy, for his doubts, his lack of faith at this time in his life, for the consequences this would bring for him.  I asked him if he would read "More Than a Carpenter" and he said that he would.

He hugged me and went to watch tv or something, I went upstairs and cried out to God.  I asked at least 30 people I knew to pray for my son.  The response from others was encouraging, there seemed to be a theme forming..."his faith", when he figures this out he will own his faith, it will be "his" faith, he will have no more doubts or fears, he will know and he will come out better on the other side.  As his mother, I don't want him to suffer while he's going through this.  But isn't that selfish thinking?  God has a purpose and plan for him and it may indeed include some pain to mold him into who He wants him to become.

God gave me peace, an assurance that this does have a happy ending.  God is faithful, God is trustworthy.  And I trust Him.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Sing to the Lord with Thanksgiving

For the past 3 and some odd years I have been singing on my church's worship team.  There have been many changes throughout those three+ years but none such as the last 6 months.  Last August we needed a worship leader, I volunteered.  And with much help from a friend that was leading our church's Celebrate Recovery band on Monday evenings began leading worship on Sunday mornings.

It was a lot more work than I had anticipated, I listened to too many songs to count, scheduled the songs, people for singing, playing, sound, lyrics, etc etc...We had the occasional hiccup but nothing too drastic, God is so good, He humbled me and held me.  Taught me so many things spiritually and musically. 

I started this post in January or February so this is referring to August thru December 2013.  Now I will finish it, lol!  In January my church hired a Worship Pastor.  I was very excited about it, I was ready to learn some new things and boy have I ever.  I cannot even begin to describe the work Christ has done in my heart and life this last year, but I can try. 

Last August we needed a keyboard player and a lovely teenage girl stepped up to play, she had just learned how to chord and was willing to serve the Lord with her talents.  She taught me a lot, watching her made me realize I could probably learn to do that or teach myself how to somewhat.  If you know me very well then you know I don't play the piano very well, I love to play but usually only pull out my piano music around Christmas time.  I have sang and played (easy hymns) at small churches where James has preached but only those easy hymns that I have practiced ahead of time.  Anyway, I played keys a couple of times for Celebrate Recovery last Fall and then played the very last Sunday morning in December which was a shock to everyone, including me.  Since then, our new Worship Pastor has challenged and stretched me both on playing keys and vocally.  I have learned so much from him not only musically but he has taught me spiritually as well how to lead worship, how to prepare for worship, and more.  Last month, (July) our Worship Pastor, Mark, took some of the worship team to the National Worship Leaders Conference.  What an awesome experience, I was blessed beyond measure, learned so much and have already put into practice some of the things I learned there.  God is so good to me, He is showing me how to use my gifts and talents for Him in ways I never knew I would be able to...He is simply amazing.

NOLA 2013 ~ Mardi Gras 3

Monday, February 11, 2013
Bourbon Street
Many in our team went to Bourbon St tonight, we passed out a lot of tracts, I talked to several people.  Had a good conversation with a young man about the Lord, talked to an older gentleman and asked him who Jesus was to him and he said that Jesus was his Lord and Savior and that he would be going to church on Wednesday.  This is the attitude of many who come to Mardi Gras.  Most of our group left, I stayed and along with two others from our group went further down Bourbon Street.  The bars got rougher, strippers and the like.  I saw a young black woman with her little girl in tow, she was probably around 7 years old holding her mama's hand.  She had beads around her neck and was very wide-eyed.  I tried to give her mama a tract but she said no and walked quickly away.  The little girl, still holding her mother's hand, turned her head back to look at me.  I won't forget those big brown eyes with a look that was pleading for someone to rescue her.  How many times has she seen the vulgarity here?  Will she continue to grow up in this culture that says "sin, repent, repeat"?  Will she ever know there's more to life than this, that God loves her and sent His Son to die for her and save her from all of this?

Zechariah 10:2
For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is like entering another dimension, it is a difficult trip to go on mission.  I found myself praying without ceasing and I realized that after I was home and at a basketball game that I hadn't been constantly praying.  Although we know people all around us are lost, we don't take the time to look at each individual as if they were and we don't look at people and act like we even care that they may be heading to hell and an eternity without God.  Why are we so calloused?  This is why I go on this mission trip, to step outside my normal every day, to have the Lord fill me up, to make me broken for the people that don't know Him, to share His love and come back to my amazingly blessed life to my family and friends that still don't know Him and share the gospel with them as well. 
Romans 13:12

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Stinky Storms

My oldest son had a week of stinky happenings.  The first occurred on a Friday, State Music Contest which should be an exciting thing turned into a frustrating pitiful day.  Sometimes things just happen that are beyond our control, he didn't do so great on his solo.  The next day was prom...and it was a lot of fun, yay!  Wednesday rolls around....Sectional Golf Tournament, if you advance you compete at State.  Christian was stoked, he got to play a practice round, stay at a hotel with lots of new friends but missed the cut by a couple of strokes.  Friday...girlfriend breaks up with him.  What a week!?!  This is a stinky week but all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.  There was opportunity for grace to be shown at music contest.  A big achievement making it to sectionals when he didn't last year.  And a reminder to rely on God and trust Him and His plan for our lives.  That just because we don't understand what or why things are happening, we can know that our Father in Heaven loves us and wants good things for us and knows so much better than we do what we need.  Thank you Lord for the lessons you've taught my son and me this week.

As your day, so shall your strength be

"Do not let any set of circumstances intimidate you.  The more challenging your day, the more of My Power I place at your disposal.  You seem to think that I empower you equally each day, but this is not so.  Your tendency upon awakening is to assess the difficulties ahead of you, measuring them against your average strength.  This is an exercise in unreality.
I know that what each of your days will contain, and I empower you accordingly.  The degree to which I strengthen you on a given day is based mainly on two variables:  the difficulty of your circumstances, and your willingness to depend on Me for help.  Try to view challenging days as opportunities to receive more of My Power than usual.  Look to Me for all that you need, and watch to see what I will do.  As your day, so shall your strength be."  Ephesians 1:18-20; Psalm 105:4; Deuteronomy 33:25

This is an excerpt from Jesus Calling: A 365 Day Devotional by Sarah Young

I read this last Saturday after receiving some not-so-good news.  We received a letter from my boys' school district stating the we needed to prove our residency or tuition would be due.  Ya see, when we bought our house in the spring of 2005 it was slightly over the line in terms of school districts.  To thwart any issues I got a full time job at the school, I worked there for 3 years and then subbed until acquiring my current job last year.  Many people knew we were out of district, school board members, administration, teachers, etc, I figured it would be okay although in the back of my mind it seemed like I was "cheating", and I was.  I talked myself out of any wrong doing by thinking about my boys going to school here since PreSchool.  I know, I know...tisk tisk.  But I can't do anything about that now, now can I?  I cried, I cried a lot...I talked to the school board president on Sunday afternoon and on Monday evening.  The boys had til semester and they took it pretty hard.  With each day though they are coming around and accepting the inevitable, they are going to be changing schools after Christmas.  I told them that we don't know God's purpose and plan and that they could do incredible things at this new school.  Christian prayed for dinner a couple nights ago and prayed that he and Cameron would look at this as an opportunity instead of a hardship.  I was very proud, both of them have faced this head-on and are looking at the good things God has in store for them there.

God is so good to us, in spite of me and my sinfulness.  Thank You, Lord, for what you are teaching us through this.  It's a new day!

Revive our hearts, tame our tongues!

My study on the book of James is still going strong, I especially liked what the "Good Morning Girls" posted this week.

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips.

– Psalm 141:3-

When you feel tempted to:

When you feel tempted to “put that person in his/her place”, pray instead.

When you feel tempted to spread a “little gossip”, pray instead.

When you feel tempted to “tell it like it is”, pray instead.

When you feel tempted to return hurtful words with your own hurtful words, pray instead.

When you feel tempted to say something you shouldn’t….DON’T…pray instead.

Pray instead, ask God to give you the strength to overcome the temptation and help you develop the discipline of controlling your tongue.

Ways that we can tame our tongues:

1. Humble yourself

2. Put off all slander and evil speaking

3. Put on a heart and words of kindness, love, forgiveness and grace

4. Bring your thought life under the control of the Holy Spirit

5. Talk less

6. Think before you speak

7. Refuse to listen to slander or gossip about others

Thankful

Thanks - giving, thanking and giving...our usual Thanksgiving takes place at my mother-in-law's where she cooks almost everything (to perfection) and we then partake in it. Once in a while we mix it up and do something different like going to my aunt's or mom's. My mom did hold Thanksgiving this year but we were unable to attend and I am now very "Thankful" that we didn't. My sister, niece, and brother all got the flu and there was vomiting involved in the night, ew and whew! I was going to visit on Friday morn but my mom called and warned me not to, of which I am also thankful.

This year an opportunity became available to us, our church goes to Forest Avenue Shelter in Kansas City every year on Thanksgiving to clean, cook, and serve the people there. The Shelter is in a church and it is for women and their children. I was very excited about being able to be a part of this ministry and the rest of my family was in agreement as well. Christian ended up being under the weather and unable to go with us (not the upchucking thing though, again...whew). My wonderful mother-in-law cooked a Thanksgiving dinner for us on Wednesday since we were out of school. We met up with church family in Sedalia, loaded up and then followed them in our van due to James queasy stomach...we have to drive everywhere. We arrived at Forest Avenue at around 12:30 and got to work. The ladies that stay at the shelter arrive at 6:30 pm, during the day they aren't allowed to stay there. They each have a chore assigned to them, such as, cleaning the bathrooms, sweeping, mopping, etc. Our crew does the chores for them so when they arrive they can have a "true" holiday and to show them a lesson in action about grace.

The women and children arrived, a young lady, Hannah, who is 15 and from Cornerstone, led a devotion about showing God's love on your face (my interpretation), how can we tell people about the love of Christ with a sour looking mug? The youth served everyone and we all sat down to eat. There was a woman with three children, her oldest was a teenage girl who told us all that she loved us. The woman's husband was at another shelter that take men. Another lady used to be a successful travel agent but the company she worked for went under and she lost everything. They were all so thankful for a good meal and a warm bed. We fixed roast and cheesy potato casserole instead of turkey due to the fact they get tons of it during the holiday season. We make cookies and candies instead of pies and cakes because they can put them in a baggie and eat them for lunch the next day. What a lesson for all of us on what being thankfulness really means, we take so much for granted and whine and complain about the most mundane things. I am so glad I got to be a part of this, we will definitely do it again.

We cleaned up everything and left around 9, we were only a few blocks from the Plaza so I begged my darling husband to just drive through so we could see the lights and horse drawn carriages. We arrived home a little past 11, what an amazing day!
What I'm most thankful for is Jesus' sacrifice and the privilege to serve Him.

My New Church

It seems strange saying that - "my new church"...I thought I would be at my old one for many more moons but God had a different plan and who am I to question God? His ways are perfect and He is showing me things I hadn't even imagined. I am simply in awe, I am thankful for His direction, timing, goodness, and amazing protection and provision. He is who He says He is, why do we sometimes wonder why He does the things He does for us? Probably because we know we don't deserve it. He is Love.

I'm excited about my new church, it is the most mission minded church I have ever been in, the pastor - my pastor, is so passionate and so anointed by God that I sit at the edge of my seat awaiting to hear God's word preached and my heart convicted. He has been preaching out of Nehemiah lately about rebuilding spiritual walls. 3 Ways to rebuild - 1) Press on! Trust in God! Return to the work! 2) Stick together! 3) Bring the right tools! They had a sword (God's word) in one hand and the tools they were using for the task in the other. 4) Hear the rally cry! When the enemy was about to attack, one would shout, "Our God will fight for us!" and the other laborers would run to where the shout came.

Things that might have kept them and that keep us from rebuilding the wall are 1) Criticism by those around us. Sometimes when the work begins people aren't happy and they criticize. Our response should be "God, You handle it!' (because He can). 2) We become paralyzed by intimidation = Neh. 4:7 - 8. "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." Neh. 4:14 3) Despair = Neh. 4:10, excuses and fear. Again Neh. 4:14! We need to remember that the battle is the Lord's and it's a righteous cause, it's not about me!

We joined the church yesterday, Sunday, November 21st. Can't wait to dig in and experience what God has planned for us. He is already blowing my mind!

*I loved my former church, God brought us there, used us there, and the people there will remain near and dear to me.

The Truth about Television

T.V. - What is its purpose?  Sometimes I think profoundly, others...not so much.  People talk about watching too much television, we notice it ourselves in our own lives, we've even pointed out how much time we spend in front of it instead of how much time we spend with God.  Yet we don't attempt to make any changes.  Granted, we can fill our lives with all kinds of things that take us away from our Lord so that's really not the point, although it should be.  We should be so consumed with our Savior that we would be seeking any moment at all to spend time with Him but face it, we are human beings...so imperfect, self-centered, distracted, and "busy".

But why T.V.?  I see television as merely entertainment, we have our favorite sitcoms, dramas, reality shows, sporting events, etc.  Are they at all necessary?  What would happen if we didn't have a television to click on everyday?  Don't get me wrong, I watch it, I would tell myself that it's important because I need to see the news.  What a laugh!  I can live without seeing the news, life goes on.

Several months ago we let our satellite service go, boy did it seem strange, no DVR!  We got over it.  Then we bought an antenna, we get a few channels...like the news.  One of the best parts is we are no longer paying for television, it is really freeing.  But I have a confession, we then went to Netflix, so we are still paying for entertainment...less than $10 a month, but nevertheless, still paying.  Do we watch less T.V.?  Sometimes...but I know that I can live without it.

Recently we made a new rule in our house...all electronics are to be turned off at 9 p.m., so we can have time with each other as a family and time with our Lord.  We've had things get in the way like school functions and whatnot, it's not full proof, but it's a step in the right direction.  It used to seem like when we walked in the door it was automatic to sit down and flip on the television...those days are gone.  :)

Television isn't the enemy but can made to be so much more than it ought to be...BEWARE!

*From Wikipedia:
Although television was first introduced to the general public at the 1939 World's Fair, the outbreak of World War II prevented it from being manufactured on a large scale until after the end of the war. True regular commercial network television programming did not begin in the U.S. until 1948. During that year, legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini made his first of ten TV appearances conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra, and Texaco Star Theater, starring comedian Milton Berle, became television's first gigantic hit show.

Here, take my tunic!

I have been reading in the book of Luke chapter 6 as of late...verses 27 - 30 say, "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.  To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also.  And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.  Give to everyone who asks of you.  And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back."

I had let this certain organization use something of mine and I was thinking, I would love to use that at home.  Maybe I should go get that, after all they've had it for a long time and it even has my name on it.  Surely I can just ask for it back, no big deal.  I know they're getting a blessing from it but it's mine! I want to enjoy it! (whine, whine, whine)

Well, I'm positive God led me to this passage of scripture.  Still whining - I'm saying..."fine, I will let it go, keep it! And take my tunic too!"  I'll work on the attitute too - He already is showing me that as well.