Hello again friends!! I am just getting around to writing this--as I was supposed to do it Sunday!! We have heard so much revelation in the past 3 messages, I have not known where to begin to be honest!! In the meantime, Karis turned 2 last weekend. We had a little party with a few little friends and some cake:) It was a Pooh party of course! Thank you so much to all of you who sent packages to Karis for her birthday! You are all such a blessing!
We are all doing well...just trying to use this time to soak up Jesus! I am going to get the CD's from the last 2 services, and I'll come back and fill you all in on that word, but for now I am just going to give you some stuff from last nights message, at the Pastors Conference. It's so hard to pick and choose what to write, as so much of what Damon said is quotable. These messages have been such an encouragement and a push to push in deeper. I love that!
Last night we were in John 20...The Discovery of the Empty Tomb. I want to give you a quote from a book that Damon quoted, before I go into the rest of the message....or maybe thats all you'll get today:) It's pretty long...so we'll see! This is a quote from a sermon of a Pastor who is getting ready to resign from his church, back in the days of Jonathan Edwards (google him if you don't know who he is). Here it goes...
"At this point in the sermon, Parhurst addressed the text. He described how the Isrealites had turned from God, allowing themselves to be seduced by the ways of the wicked king Ahab and his queen, Jezebel, and how Jezebel killed off the prophets of God, and how Elijah retaliated by shutting up the heavens so it didn't rain. He described the incident in which Elijeh presented himself to Ahab and how the king greeted the prophet saying, " Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" Then Parkhurst described how Elijah called for a showdown, in which he would stand against the 450 prophets of the pagan god Baal in a contest of deities upon the summit of Mount Caramel. The rules of the challenge were laid down. Two altars would be built- one to Baal and one to God. No fire would be used to ignite the offering. In turn, the prophets would call to their respective gods and the deity who supplied the fire for the offering would once and for all prove himself to be Israel's God. The day for the contest arrived. And from morning to evening the 450 prophets of Baal danced and cried out and cut themselves, calling out to their god. Only noone answered. No one paid attention. Then Elijah prepared an altar to God. He placed an offering on it and ordered a trench dug around it. He commanded that 4 large jars of water be poured atop the pffering, then insisted it be done a second time...and a third time, so the altar was drowned in water. Elijah prayed and fire fell. The sacrifice was consumed, and the water in the trench was licked up. All the people fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord , he is the God! The Lord, He is the God!' "
"From this dramatic account, several things have become clear to me. First, like the people of Israel, we have followed after other gods and allowed a distant king and his prophets of wealth to seduce us from the things of God. Second, I have noticed that when we do call out to God, we more resemble the prophets of Baal than the prophet of God. We stir up the dust with activity and then congratulate oursleves on the show. But where is the fire? Where is the fire"
" What will it take for the fire to fall? We need a troubler. Someone who will make us uncomfortable. Someone who will scoff at our pretense when we claim to be Gods people but don't live like it. We need a John the Baptist. Someone who is not afraid to look at our smug righteousness and say, 'O generation of vipers!" We need a prophet withthe spirit of Jesus. Someone not afraid to liken us to whitewashed tombs, pleasant to look at on the outside, but a rotting stench on the inside! We need a troubler. We need an Elijah. Someone willing to call us out and challenge us to our face: 'How long will you go limping after other gods? How long will you serve the guys of mercantile wealth? How long will you worship the gods of ease and comfort? If the Lord be God then follow him! But if Baal be god then follow him all the way to hell! Have i stated the argumetn to strongly? Have I offended you? I fear that I have not offended you enough. I fear that my greatest sin as you pastor is that I have at times cared more what you think of me than what God thinks of me. God in heaven send us a troubler!"
Thats it for now....just let that all soak in. God send us a troubler...
More to come on "Where is Jesus...He's not where he's suposed to be."
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
I Hired the Pressure
All I can say is...what a difference a change of perspective and a few days listening to the Lord can make. I guees from the last blog, my situation has obviously not changed, BUT my perspective definately has.
Thursday Eric and I made our weekly trip into Tupelo--we try and go there once a week to see civilization:) On the way we had a rarely found opportunity to really talk. And talking we did. I hadn't really had the chance to talk to him about all of the mixed emotions I had wednesday that had produced the last blog. I just began to talk about my frustration with the Lord, but not mostly with the Lord, but myself and the situation. I talked about how the whole reality of moving to Hamilton and what God was wanting to do in us just really hit me...and not in a good way. In response, Eric said that He had been dealing with the same thing wednesday!! That he had spent the majority of the ride to and from work crying and talking to the Lord about the very same things: the cost of the wasted life. I would say it was a much needed God moment for both of us. We talked out our expectations and our unmet expectations. Our frustrations and our failures. Our misteps and our flaws. And what the Lord was saying to us in all of that. And the resounding answer to the pressure we both have been feeling was this: You asked for it.
Nice right? We asked for it? I know I didn't ask for this. This pushing and pulling and stripping away of me??? But then I began to hear a lot of the prayers that I have prayed and a lot of the things I have begged the Lord for. Let me know you. Let me see you. Use me Jesus. Make me yours. Give me a pure heart. Let my life be a life poured out before you. Teach me to love like you so. Make me like Him. Use me, whatever the cost, to see a generation and a nation turned back to you. Burn me away until only you remain. I will wait for you, as long as it takes.
So, I guess I asked for this. Repeatedly, in as many ways as you can probably imagine. My hearts cry has been "whatever has to be done then do it. I just want you." And I'm getting that--not the way I expected, but isn't that just like the Lord.
And so just gaining the revelation that the pressure is being applied for a reason and that primary reason being because I asked for it, a whole new perspective could be taken. Then last night God just confirmed through Damon, everything He has been saying to us.
I just want to say before I get into the explanation of this message, with karis I hardly ever get to take notes. I actually leave usually feeling like I only heard part of the sermon- I'm sure most of you moms and dads can relate! But- I'm going to give you what I can remember that was so impactful!. I really would like to get this message on CD and send it to all of you.
Damon spoke out of 2 Corinthians 4. If we can ever get our perspective of eternity right, then everything else in our lives will begin to take it proper place. If we can see things from the view of 120 years (at the very longest) in relationship to ETERNITY, our present sufferings/afflictions will seem incredibly insignificant. Go ahead, take a moment, pull out the word and read 2 Corinthians 4. This will change you life if you let it. Ok, now go back and read 3:7-18.
In Chapter three Paul refrences our face being covered with a veil, unable to see God clearly, before we come into a relationship with Jesus. So, think now about a bride and groom at a real wedding: notice the veil on the bride. The veil doesn't allow the groom to see the bride but also it doesn't allow the bride to see the groom clearly. The veil is not lifted until covenant is made. Once covenant is made a clear view is given. Like the groom, God unveils our eyes after we have established covenant with Him through His son Jesus. I wonder if the reason Gods glory is not being revealed in the church is because we have comprimised the covenant? (thats another message)
Ok- so since we have established covenant with the Lord and can see Him. Lets go on. v.8-11...
"For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." Because of this covenant we are "delivered unto death" ... "afflicted but not crushed"..."perplexed but not in despair""... "persecuted but not forsaken"..."cast down but not destroyed".
Ok...go dow n to v. 15. "For all things are for your sakes..." So- the pressure is for my sake? The perpexity is for my sake? The persecution is fo MY SAKE? Being cast down is for MY SAKE? V.17... "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, WORKETH FOR US (PREPARES and PRODUCES and ACHIEVES for us) a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory". I love this. Lets look at this in relation to my earlier stated revelation. When you are a seeker with a heart after God you pray the prayers I have prayed. You pray for the oil of the Lord to be poured on your life. You ask. You cry. You beg. And you know what God says-- Ok. I'll give it to you. You don't know what you're asking for, but I'm going to give it to you. In essence , YOU HIRED THE PRESSURE. So many time we allow the pressure to control us, BECAUSE we have a wrong perspective of eternity. We view our pressure in our time. HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST OH GOD??? But-- if we could begin to see the pain in the light of eternity, even 70 years of severe pressure would seem like nothing. A breath. But usually we end up working for the pressure- allowing it to hire us and bending beneath it...instead of saying, I hired the pressure!! I control the pressures effect. I can let it do one of two things- push me to God or away. Whether God is sending the pressure or is allowing the enemy to apply pressure, its up to us how we respond to the pressing. We can either revolt and jump off of the press exclaiming, "I didnt ask for this!! " Or, like the olive, you can stay in the press until you are pressed to a point that there is nothing left of you except dripping oil. Wow. I would rather have a life dripping with the oil and His precense than a life free from pressure.
Just as a side note- important to the context of "light" affliction in this verse. Would you consider being beaten with rods "light" affliction? I say that Paul would consider this light affliction because if you look at chapter 11:23-28 and read about the three times he was beaten with rods, you realize he left that out of the previous writings (along with other persecutions in this list). Maybe he didn't consider these heavy affliction. Maybe it was because he had the right perspective of eternity. And what do I consider light affliction? I'm tired. I can't pay a bill on time. My child in the hospital. Just a thought to consider in light of eternity.
Lets go on. One more verse :) 4:17 " So we fix our eyes not on wht is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." What we are going through is temporary. But neccessary to produce oil. What is unseen is what will last. If we can't see the end result of what the pressure is producing, we won't get what we're supposed to out of the pressing. So today- hire the pressure. See your life and momentary pressure in the perspective of eternity. And thank Him for the pressure:)
Love you all-- thanks for walking this out alongside of us. Keep pressing until oil is produced in you!
Thursday Eric and I made our weekly trip into Tupelo--we try and go there once a week to see civilization:) On the way we had a rarely found opportunity to really talk. And talking we did. I hadn't really had the chance to talk to him about all of the mixed emotions I had wednesday that had produced the last blog. I just began to talk about my frustration with the Lord, but not mostly with the Lord, but myself and the situation. I talked about how the whole reality of moving to Hamilton and what God was wanting to do in us just really hit me...and not in a good way. In response, Eric said that He had been dealing with the same thing wednesday!! That he had spent the majority of the ride to and from work crying and talking to the Lord about the very same things: the cost of the wasted life. I would say it was a much needed God moment for both of us. We talked out our expectations and our unmet expectations. Our frustrations and our failures. Our misteps and our flaws. And what the Lord was saying to us in all of that. And the resounding answer to the pressure we both have been feeling was this: You asked for it.
Nice right? We asked for it? I know I didn't ask for this. This pushing and pulling and stripping away of me??? But then I began to hear a lot of the prayers that I have prayed and a lot of the things I have begged the Lord for. Let me know you. Let me see you. Use me Jesus. Make me yours. Give me a pure heart. Let my life be a life poured out before you. Teach me to love like you so. Make me like Him. Use me, whatever the cost, to see a generation and a nation turned back to you. Burn me away until only you remain. I will wait for you, as long as it takes.
So, I guess I asked for this. Repeatedly, in as many ways as you can probably imagine. My hearts cry has been "whatever has to be done then do it. I just want you." And I'm getting that--not the way I expected, but isn't that just like the Lord.
And so just gaining the revelation that the pressure is being applied for a reason and that primary reason being because I asked for it, a whole new perspective could be taken. Then last night God just confirmed through Damon, everything He has been saying to us.
I just want to say before I get into the explanation of this message, with karis I hardly ever get to take notes. I actually leave usually feeling like I only heard part of the sermon- I'm sure most of you moms and dads can relate! But- I'm going to give you what I can remember that was so impactful!. I really would like to get this message on CD and send it to all of you.
Damon spoke out of 2 Corinthians 4. If we can ever get our perspective of eternity right, then everything else in our lives will begin to take it proper place. If we can see things from the view of 120 years (at the very longest) in relationship to ETERNITY, our present sufferings/afflictions will seem incredibly insignificant. Go ahead, take a moment, pull out the word and read 2 Corinthians 4. This will change you life if you let it. Ok, now go back and read 3:7-18.
In Chapter three Paul refrences our face being covered with a veil, unable to see God clearly, before we come into a relationship with Jesus. So, think now about a bride and groom at a real wedding: notice the veil on the bride. The veil doesn't allow the groom to see the bride but also it doesn't allow the bride to see the groom clearly. The veil is not lifted until covenant is made. Once covenant is made a clear view is given. Like the groom, God unveils our eyes after we have established covenant with Him through His son Jesus. I wonder if the reason Gods glory is not being revealed in the church is because we have comprimised the covenant? (thats another message)
Ok- so since we have established covenant with the Lord and can see Him. Lets go on. v.8-11...
"For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." Because of this covenant we are "delivered unto death" ... "afflicted but not crushed"..."perplexed but not in despair""... "persecuted but not forsaken"..."cast down but not destroyed".
Ok...go dow n to v. 15. "For all things are for your sakes..." So- the pressure is for my sake? The perpexity is for my sake? The persecution is fo MY SAKE? Being cast down is for MY SAKE? V.17... "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, WORKETH FOR US (PREPARES and PRODUCES and ACHIEVES for us) a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory". I love this. Lets look at this in relation to my earlier stated revelation. When you are a seeker with a heart after God you pray the prayers I have prayed. You pray for the oil of the Lord to be poured on your life. You ask. You cry. You beg. And you know what God says-- Ok. I'll give it to you. You don't know what you're asking for, but I'm going to give it to you. In essence , YOU HIRED THE PRESSURE. So many time we allow the pressure to control us, BECAUSE we have a wrong perspective of eternity. We view our pressure in our time. HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST OH GOD??? But-- if we could begin to see the pain in the light of eternity, even 70 years of severe pressure would seem like nothing. A breath. But usually we end up working for the pressure- allowing it to hire us and bending beneath it...instead of saying, I hired the pressure!! I control the pressures effect. I can let it do one of two things- push me to God or away. Whether God is sending the pressure or is allowing the enemy to apply pressure, its up to us how we respond to the pressing. We can either revolt and jump off of the press exclaiming, "I didnt ask for this!! " Or, like the olive, you can stay in the press until you are pressed to a point that there is nothing left of you except dripping oil. Wow. I would rather have a life dripping with the oil and His precense than a life free from pressure.
Just as a side note- important to the context of "light" affliction in this verse. Would you consider being beaten with rods "light" affliction? I say that Paul would consider this light affliction because if you look at chapter 11:23-28 and read about the three times he was beaten with rods, you realize he left that out of the previous writings (along with other persecutions in this list). Maybe he didn't consider these heavy affliction. Maybe it was because he had the right perspective of eternity. And what do I consider light affliction? I'm tired. I can't pay a bill on time. My child in the hospital. Just a thought to consider in light of eternity.
Lets go on. One more verse :) 4:17 " So we fix our eyes not on wht is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." What we are going through is temporary. But neccessary to produce oil. What is unseen is what will last. If we can't see the end result of what the pressure is producing, we won't get what we're supposed to out of the pressing. So today- hire the pressure. See your life and momentary pressure in the perspective of eternity. And thank Him for the pressure:)
Love you all-- thanks for walking this out alongside of us. Keep pressing until oil is produced in you!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday Post
It's late. I should be asleep. I usually stop thinking clearly after ten and it's after eleven. Eric is in bed. The baby is asleep. I can hear the dishwasher running. *thank you Lord for a dishwasher* I'm just reflecting over the last few days. Thinking about what has changed, what has stayed them same. Thinking about the list of things that never ends or gets finished around the house...learning to let that go--I know it will never all be done:)
Sunday. The saints won the Superbowl. ONE of my husbands lifetime dreams came true. Although some may forget by next year who won this year, I have a feeling he won't soon forget.
Monday. We were all congested and felt yucky. I spent the day at home with karis in our PJ's, which I rarely do anymore. I always try and get dressed and ready for the day. It seems to help the day move along more smoothly. Monday night we watched a movie and ate pizza, which we couldn't really taste.
Tuesday. Another cloudy, rainy and cold day. I thought I was leaving the cold winters in VA! I guess not. I did house stuff at home with Raynie, had my 30/30 time with the Lord and searched the internet for some sewing tutorials. Karis still sings happy birthday to je-je (jesus) almost everyday. We sang that for Christmas--so everytime i mention someones birthday, she sings happy birthday to Jesus. Its pretty funny. Tuesday night. Prayer was cancelled because of a Chosen meeting. Nothing extremely interesting happened to note.
Today, Wednesday, February 10. The sun finally came back...but it was still freezing outside. I had a bad day today. Do you ever have those bad days? Days where you aren't sure how you feel about things? Days when you aren't sure what in the world is going on? These days rarely come but today...It was one of those days. The internet would not work all day --which was fine except I had work that really needed to be finished ASAP. I guess it could wait. Karis destroyed the living room...which is actually normal, but the clutter just made me crazy today. We got hot pink nail polish on the couch. No Comment.
I am not one to usually be completely transparent, unless I really know you. I have this need to have everything together and know everything that is happening. I want to know "why" the process and "how long" ... God has definately brought me a long way from where I used to be. Holy Spirit has been such a comforter and companion along the journey, but sometimes that old way of thinking tries to creep in. And I guess I just shut down the voice of Holy Spirit. To be completely honest -the reality of laying everything down really just hit me today. Leaving family and friends. Leaving comfort and "normal". Laying down gifts and talents. As I started thinking about all of this stuff today, I got really frustrated at the Lord. Why does it have to be this way? Why does it have to be here?
It has been very humbling to come here and join a community who knows nothing about you and can go on with or without you. Until our move to Hamilton I led worship for almost ten years. Eric and I led planted and directed Masters Commission, were youth pastors, childrens church leaders, associate pastors, house of prayer leaders, church cleaners, marriage couselors, bus drivers, accountablility partners and the responsible party for lots of young people. I listed those things not for the sake of tooting our horn--but for the sake of showing our way of life. A large part of it was ministry : preaching, teaching, singing, discipling, leading and serving. To go from that to just being A blacksmith in the community, has been a hard thing. And today I got mad at God about how unfair it was. I know- but I did. I know all he right things to say-- I know a good number of reasons why we're here. I do understand it's a part of the process. But I am human and my humanity today got the best of me.
When we were on stage, I thought that was hard. I felt misunderstood and misplaced a large majority of the time. I always felt like the message that God burned in us to speak, was misunderstood because people just didn't understand the burning. I thought discipling was hard. Cleaning wasn't fun. Praying at a 3am prayer watch with a room full of young people, a lot of moments wasn't exciting. Leading isn't all its cracked up to be. A lot of learning came from all of that time though. The last three years have been the hardest of my life. They have been very painful. I guess when we moved I thought that being in a place with a like heart and mind would be easier than the process we had been through. Ha. Meanwhile, I'm still asking God to change me. To make me like Him. To burn me away.
But when the fire comes in a way I didn't expect--I resist. Today, I had a day of resistance. I am learning that loving Jesus has to consume me in such a way that none of those other things matter anymore. If I never minister again on a stage. If eric never speaks another message. If we never formally disciple any other students. If I cannot love Him, everything else is worthless and tiresome. I have gone so long on ministry mode that I don't even know what it is to sit at His feet. I was so busy doing for Him, I missed a lot of quiet time getting to know Him.
What am I trying to say? I dont know excactly. Maybe that I'm human. That, yes, although this move was a brave, courageous, obedient thing to do and that God will reward it...it is scary. To put your life in His hands with no backups is crazy. I am seeking that I may know Him and be satisfied in Him alone. Him alone. Him alone. Just saying that can be overwhelming. Maybe, if God so grants it, one day ministry will be a part of our lives...but maybe not. And that has to be ok. For me, it is ok ...most days. But not today.
Tonight. By the way- service tonight was awesome. Ms. Karen spoke about love...such a simple yet complex command. If we could get it, our cities would be transformed. God help us to love the way you love.
Thanks for hanging in there--listening to my rabbit trail. Not sure that it made complete sense. It is after midnight:)
Jesus be my source. Holy Spirit be my companion. Help me to hold tightly to you and your word. True reward is knowing you...seeing your face...sitting at your feet.
Until sunday...
Sunday. The saints won the Superbowl. ONE of my husbands lifetime dreams came true. Although some may forget by next year who won this year, I have a feeling he won't soon forget.
Monday. We were all congested and felt yucky. I spent the day at home with karis in our PJ's, which I rarely do anymore. I always try and get dressed and ready for the day. It seems to help the day move along more smoothly. Monday night we watched a movie and ate pizza, which we couldn't really taste.
Tuesday. Another cloudy, rainy and cold day. I thought I was leaving the cold winters in VA! I guess not. I did house stuff at home with Raynie, had my 30/30 time with the Lord and searched the internet for some sewing tutorials. Karis still sings happy birthday to je-je (jesus) almost everyday. We sang that for Christmas--so everytime i mention someones birthday, she sings happy birthday to Jesus. Its pretty funny. Tuesday night. Prayer was cancelled because of a Chosen meeting. Nothing extremely interesting happened to note.
Today, Wednesday, February 10. The sun finally came back...but it was still freezing outside. I had a bad day today. Do you ever have those bad days? Days where you aren't sure how you feel about things? Days when you aren't sure what in the world is going on? These days rarely come but today...It was one of those days. The internet would not work all day --which was fine except I had work that really needed to be finished ASAP. I guess it could wait. Karis destroyed the living room...which is actually normal, but the clutter just made me crazy today. We got hot pink nail polish on the couch. No Comment.
I am not one to usually be completely transparent, unless I really know you. I have this need to have everything together and know everything that is happening. I want to know "why" the process and "how long" ... God has definately brought me a long way from where I used to be. Holy Spirit has been such a comforter and companion along the journey, but sometimes that old way of thinking tries to creep in. And I guess I just shut down the voice of Holy Spirit. To be completely honest -the reality of laying everything down really just hit me today. Leaving family and friends. Leaving comfort and "normal". Laying down gifts and talents. As I started thinking about all of this stuff today, I got really frustrated at the Lord. Why does it have to be this way? Why does it have to be here?
It has been very humbling to come here and join a community who knows nothing about you and can go on with or without you. Until our move to Hamilton I led worship for almost ten years. Eric and I led planted and directed Masters Commission, were youth pastors, childrens church leaders, associate pastors, house of prayer leaders, church cleaners, marriage couselors, bus drivers, accountablility partners and the responsible party for lots of young people. I listed those things not for the sake of tooting our horn--but for the sake of showing our way of life. A large part of it was ministry : preaching, teaching, singing, discipling, leading and serving. To go from that to just being A blacksmith in the community, has been a hard thing. And today I got mad at God about how unfair it was. I know- but I did. I know all he right things to say-- I know a good number of reasons why we're here. I do understand it's a part of the process. But I am human and my humanity today got the best of me.
When we were on stage, I thought that was hard. I felt misunderstood and misplaced a large majority of the time. I always felt like the message that God burned in us to speak, was misunderstood because people just didn't understand the burning. I thought discipling was hard. Cleaning wasn't fun. Praying at a 3am prayer watch with a room full of young people, a lot of moments wasn't exciting. Leading isn't all its cracked up to be. A lot of learning came from all of that time though. The last three years have been the hardest of my life. They have been very painful. I guess when we moved I thought that being in a place with a like heart and mind would be easier than the process we had been through. Ha. Meanwhile, I'm still asking God to change me. To make me like Him. To burn me away.
But when the fire comes in a way I didn't expect--I resist. Today, I had a day of resistance. I am learning that loving Jesus has to consume me in such a way that none of those other things matter anymore. If I never minister again on a stage. If eric never speaks another message. If we never formally disciple any other students. If I cannot love Him, everything else is worthless and tiresome. I have gone so long on ministry mode that I don't even know what it is to sit at His feet. I was so busy doing for Him, I missed a lot of quiet time getting to know Him.
What am I trying to say? I dont know excactly. Maybe that I'm human. That, yes, although this move was a brave, courageous, obedient thing to do and that God will reward it...it is scary. To put your life in His hands with no backups is crazy. I am seeking that I may know Him and be satisfied in Him alone. Him alone. Him alone. Just saying that can be overwhelming. Maybe, if God so grants it, one day ministry will be a part of our lives...but maybe not. And that has to be ok. For me, it is ok ...most days. But not today.
Tonight. By the way- service tonight was awesome. Ms. Karen spoke about love...such a simple yet complex command. If we could get it, our cities would be transformed. God help us to love the way you love.
Thanks for hanging in there--listening to my rabbit trail. Not sure that it made complete sense. It is after midnight:)
Jesus be my source. Holy Spirit be my companion. Help me to hold tightly to you and your word. True reward is knowing you...seeing your face...sitting at your feet.
Until sunday...
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Opened Eyes, Health Food and New Fabric
Yes..I did miss posting wednesday night! Trying to get my priorities in order...lol. The post title pretty much covers the week.Before I go into the week though ... today karis was running around the house with her baby doll. She accidently ran the dolls head right into the door as she was running out of the room. Then she took the baby and kept saying , "Oh, Sorry". So sweet! She really is getting big--she will be 2 on the 20th! Wow! Where has the time gone?
This week has been great. Last Saturday night (last night of conference) there was a teenage girl there who has a rare eye condition. She had to take medicine on a regular basis because of the severe pain she had. During the service her medicine had run out and she was in pain. But, during the worship service her pain left her eyes and she went to her youth pastor, exclaiming, "I'm healed. God healed me. My eyes aren't hurting!!!" Last we heard she hadn't taken her medications since!!!! So if you need faith to believe for healing, let that testimony build your faith.
Wednesday night Stacie Reeser gave a practical message about eating healthy. We learned some great tips to gradually change eating habits to eat things that are best for your body. One necesity that is neglected is WATER. If you take your weight divided by 2 thats how many ounces of water you should have a day. WOW!! We also learned that sugar weakens your immune system. Basically sugar should be removed from our diet: white bread, white pasta, soda, sweet tea, lunch meats with nitrates/nitrites, most bottled water...etc. We need more raw veggies, less red meat and more turkey. It was really informational! Not that we have implemented all at once, but we are working on eating more healthy.
We ventured out to Tupelo on Thursday night and found the most wonderful store called Hobby Lobby! They have fabric, paint, art supplies home decor, party stuff, cards...almost anything!! So I got some new fabric for quilts and other projects. I could live in that store, with my Bible eric and karis, and be happy:) Seriously, it was great to find because our walmart has very, very limited craft supplies...i think they have party stuff, scrapbooking items and a few sewing odds and ends...no paint, canvases, fabric etc... So now I can get to work! I'll post some pics of the stuff I make after its finished. One of the ladies here at the Ramp asked me to make some stuff to put in a little shop in town, so we'll see how it goes:)
And so- here we find ourselves on Superbowl sunday: Saints vs. Colts. My husbands dream is finally coming true. It should be a good game aside from all the congestion in the house. Eric has a sore throat and ear aches and Karis has a cough with congestion. No more sickness!!
Back a couple of months ago Damon shared a challenge that He felt like was from the Lord about starting a 30/30 club. The first gun he ever received from his dad was a 30/30. And so, the weapon God wants to give his people in this hour is 30/30 : 30 minutes of prayer and 30 minutes of Bible reading each day. To be honest when I first heard it in July I thought--thats awesom, and I did it for about a week. lol. This week though God just gave me this poke that said "do 30/30. I'm giving you the grace to do it everyday." And so, I started 30/30! Not that I have no prayer life or that I never read the word--30/30 gives me an opportunity to follow the word of the Lord and have a consistant hour with the Lord everyday. When karis lays down for her nap--thats 30/30 time regardless of what else has to be done. So, I was reading First John this week and wanted to share a verse with you that just struck me.
" Dear children, keep away from anything that might take Gods place in your hearts."(1 John 5:21)
As simple as it sounds, that verse can hit you as deeply or as shallow as you will allow it to. My prayer this week has been ,"Holy Spirit, guard me from anything that MIGHT take the place of the Lord in my heart. I put you first in my heart." This is a daily process. A daily request to ask the Holy Spirit. And so with that, I challenge you to 30/30. Part of this walk is love - doing our part because we love Him. But the other part is training your flesh to follow and spend time with Him. You must have both.
Love you all... until wednesday...
This week has been great. Last Saturday night (last night of conference) there was a teenage girl there who has a rare eye condition. She had to take medicine on a regular basis because of the severe pain she had. During the service her medicine had run out and she was in pain. But, during the worship service her pain left her eyes and she went to her youth pastor, exclaiming, "I'm healed. God healed me. My eyes aren't hurting!!!" Last we heard she hadn't taken her medications since!!!! So if you need faith to believe for healing, let that testimony build your faith.
Wednesday night Stacie Reeser gave a practical message about eating healthy. We learned some great tips to gradually change eating habits to eat things that are best for your body. One necesity that is neglected is WATER. If you take your weight divided by 2 thats how many ounces of water you should have a day. WOW!! We also learned that sugar weakens your immune system. Basically sugar should be removed from our diet: white bread, white pasta, soda, sweet tea, lunch meats with nitrates/nitrites, most bottled water...etc. We need more raw veggies, less red meat and more turkey. It was really informational! Not that we have implemented all at once, but we are working on eating more healthy.
We ventured out to Tupelo on Thursday night and found the most wonderful store called Hobby Lobby! They have fabric, paint, art supplies home decor, party stuff, cards...almost anything!! So I got some new fabric for quilts and other projects. I could live in that store, with my Bible eric and karis, and be happy:) Seriously, it was great to find because our walmart has very, very limited craft supplies...i think they have party stuff, scrapbooking items and a few sewing odds and ends...no paint, canvases, fabric etc... So now I can get to work! I'll post some pics of the stuff I make after its finished. One of the ladies here at the Ramp asked me to make some stuff to put in a little shop in town, so we'll see how it goes:)
And so- here we find ourselves on Superbowl sunday: Saints vs. Colts. My husbands dream is finally coming true. It should be a good game aside from all the congestion in the house. Eric has a sore throat and ear aches and Karis has a cough with congestion. No more sickness!!
Back a couple of months ago Damon shared a challenge that He felt like was from the Lord about starting a 30/30 club. The first gun he ever received from his dad was a 30/30. And so, the weapon God wants to give his people in this hour is 30/30 : 30 minutes of prayer and 30 minutes of Bible reading each day. To be honest when I first heard it in July I thought--thats awesom, and I did it for about a week. lol. This week though God just gave me this poke that said "do 30/30. I'm giving you the grace to do it everyday." And so, I started 30/30! Not that I have no prayer life or that I never read the word--30/30 gives me an opportunity to follow the word of the Lord and have a consistant hour with the Lord everyday. When karis lays down for her nap--thats 30/30 time regardless of what else has to be done. So, I was reading First John this week and wanted to share a verse with you that just struck me.
" Dear children, keep away from anything that might take Gods place in your hearts."(1 John 5:21)
As simple as it sounds, that verse can hit you as deeply or as shallow as you will allow it to. My prayer this week has been ,"Holy Spirit, guard me from anything that MIGHT take the place of the Lord in my heart. I put you first in my heart." This is a daily process. A daily request to ask the Holy Spirit. And so with that, I challenge you to 30/30. Part of this walk is love - doing our part because we love Him. But the other part is training your flesh to follow and spend time with Him. You must have both.
Love you all... until wednesday...
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