My life as an offering?

Wow, is it really possible? I have been doing a bible study by Angela Thomas called "A beautiful offering", it has been a wonderful experience. Each week we separate into small groups with a different group of women. These women are all different ages, with different backgrounds, and stories of blessings by God. Where have these women been all my life? Isn't it crazy? These amazing ladies with decades of faith and I don't even know them...As a young woman, (depending on who you ask) I need to hear from these women. I need to learn from them. I need to be trained to be "prayer warrior", I need to hear how it worked for them. I need to learn how they were able to be a submissive wife, loving mother, faithful Jesus lover, in this fallen and dark world. I challenge any of you "young women" out there to find a "Spiritual Mother" to mentor you, show you, be an example to you. Find someone who seems to glow with Jesus light, or has that quiet strength that could only come from God, and ask them if they would be willing to do that for you. They may look at you like you are crazy, they may think they have nothing to give or tell, but you will know that they do, and it could be a huge blessing to you both. Now, to any of you "older women", SHARE your stories with us, SHARE what God has taught you with us, SHARE how it is hard and you haven't always had this strong, quiet faith. INVEST in us, we need what you have.

Saturday goes by so fast...

This Saturday began with waking Mason up at 6:50 so that he wouldn't feel rushed getting ready for his first JV Scrimmage. We drove over to Athens to the AHS/TVCC football field for a scrimmage vs. Kemp. What fun!? Well anyway, Mason actually seemed to enjoy it, I even saw him smiling a few times. That is always nice to see on a teenaged boy. He is so handsome when he smiles. Afterwards, we headed over to the Woolverton's to help celebrate Jake's birthday. We had some quick swimming, a hot dog, cake and ice cream. Then the day really got long. I left my purse at their house. When we got home and realized it, we sent Mason on the newly repaired (or so we thought) four wheeler to go get it. Some time passed and we received a phone call, "please bring the truck and a rope". That is never good. So, more time passes, knots tied, things towed. All is well. Now off to Mesquite to Best Buy to pick up the computer that was purchased yesterday. Aside from the fact that I let Mason drive, the trip was uneventful. The simple, quick trip did not happen. We arrived at Best Buy at 3:20, computer is not ready yet, give us 45 more minutes, it is a software problem. One hour and forty minutes later, no not ready, maybe fifteen more minutes. I drive us over to Home Depot, we get a couple of keys made. We go to Cavender's and Mason picks out a straw cowboy hat. It is now 5:45 pm, I expected to be home by this time. As we walk in I see, the computer is still not in the box. To shorten the story let's just say, some refunds were given, Madi kept asking, "Are you mad now?", the computer was packed up, the manager was contacted and we finally headed towards home at 6:10. We arrived at the lake lot around 7:25, it was nice and cool. Jim and Andi Green and their boys were tubing. I thought, okay, now I can relax...Then Mason's phone rang. Now I drove to our house; he frantically spit shined, brushed his teeth, and changed clothes and headed out with friends. I drove back to the lake, joined the Greens and now Gary and D'Ann Woolverton. It was 8:05 pm and I did get to relax this time. We enjoyed silly stories, more hot dogs, a cool evening, and a great view. Sorry if reading this wore you out, now you know how I feel.

Too many thoughts in my head...

I guess I am making excuses, but, the main reason that I haven't been blogging is that there were just too many things in my head. Go ahead and laugh, there really is something other than air in there. Honestly, any of you who know my brother understand that he can be going full steam in like forty directions, somewhat like that, I usually have a minimum of forty million ideas, plans, thoughts, beliefs, prayers, tasks, lists, in my head at any given time. Then on top of that, awesome God things have been happening and it is really just too much to try and right down or even attempt to capture in pictures (for me anyway). That in itself is just amazing!! I do believe that God is preparing all of us for some unbelievable things, that we wouldn't believe if He told us. Watch for a link to the new materials we are going to be using for our Sunday Morning Bible Study, and get excited about God's Word, read it yourself, don't trust someone else's thoughts on it, form your own. It will turn your world upside down, in a good way!

I wonder what they think about us?

Tonight, two pastors from the Phillipines visited my church's Wednesday night prayer meeting and bible study. They have begun an association of churches in the Phillipines. These are small, not fancy, churches, many in homes. They came to visit us approximately a year ago and several people "sponsored children" in the Phillipine church communities. This sponsorship provides schooling and supplies for the children. One of the requirements for the children to be in the program is that the parents must come to church every week. Anyway, tonight was kind of an informational visit for the church family. They showed us a power point of what has been going on there. They voiced appreciation for the prayers and support. They also brought some pictures of the children and notes from them. The pastor told us of 8 adult family members that had been baptized as a result of children sponsored through this program. No one clapped. There were a couple of "amens" and some smiles, head nods, and mumbling among friends, but no one clapped. Not one of us. When the presentation was over, there was the standard clapping at the end of a speech. Then we began our study of the Corinthian church. While I am very excited by the idea of a chapter by chapter, verse by verse study of God's word, I couldn't help but wonder what those Phillipine pastors were thinking about our discussion. I mean, they are struggling to bring light into the darkness of the Phillipines, and we are listing things that make people dislike churches. It was Wednesday night, which usually means the "faithful", it was a good crowd. I wonder how we looked to them? Did we shine? They struggle to house students for their seminary, need new buildings built, roofs replaced. There are 7001 islands in the Phillipines, they need churches. The people need to hear about Christ. I am in NO WAY blaming or pointing at our pastor, we are blessed to have him at our church, but I am pointing at the rest of us, the American church. We are so detached from the real pain and death that is all around us. We are so jaded to the victory and salvation of the lost. I know that the church is to be the bride of Christ, I know that Christ loves and died for the church. But really, are we dressed and ready for the wedding? Those Christians in the Phillipines, fighting big odds, with few resources, but fully reliant on an awesome, Almighty God, aching and hurting for their lost countrymen...not aching over growing pains, new music or old habits, or "unfriendly Christians" (is that really possible?). Again, I wonder what they thought of us? Did we look ready for the wedding?

What are the signs of life?

I have slowly been going through a devotional book by David Jeremiah called "Signs of Life". It is so eye opening and easy to understand. The basic premise of the book is that the Signs of Life for an authentic Christian are dusty shoes, rolled-up sleeves, worn-out knees, outstretched hands, and open arms. It really makes me think about where and how I have been walking. Just today a co-worker of mine brought a situation up in our training class that just screamed out SOMEONE HAS GOT TO DO SOMETHING! Why is it always someone? The discussion led to many possibilities, call a church for help, call adult protective services, just give them a list of community resources. My co-worker said again, I just can't hand them a list of people to call when they can see the sky through their roof! Well she did make some calls, the church said"it is too far for us" (they were in another part of Dallas), adult protective services said "someone will go out and take a look in a week or so", she wasn't satisfied with that either. So she sent out an email which I forwarded to some of you guys and she asked for help, any kind of help. Will anyone be willing , will I be willing? Willing to get my shoes dusty, my sleeves rolled-up, spend some of MY time just for someone else? Someone who doesn't live near me, doesn't look like me, doesn't even know me? There are opportunities all around me every day, how many do I just walk on by or step over, to avoid getting my shoes dusty? I imagine that Jesus' feet were really dusty...

Easter Morning, how many of us took Sunday morning pictures?
Sunday afternoon pictures?
I challenge you to print and bring a copy to Sunday School
to go on our bulletin board. Don't they look cute?

It's been a while...

Okay, I knew I would either be great at this or horrible. So counting the number of blogs I guess we know where I fit, but here I am, trying again. So many things have happened in the past month, where to begin...My job that has really kind of been a breeze since October, became a real job! It has been crazy, stressful, frightening, and fun! I have met some amazing people, with awesome stories of answered prayers and faith in God's promises. These people tell me stories of God's grace, comfort and healing from wheelchairs, hospital beds, and old, ratty couches. I truly believe God gave me this job to grow my faith and my prayer life. These people are a blessing, the paperwork is not, but, you can't have it all...It seems that the THAT class is actually bonding, growing, meeting new friends, and liking it! I love it and I hope everyone else does too! Now if everyone will just start DOING the lessons...What can I say about RADIATE 08? I left each night with a greater sense of who God sees when he looks at me and how many lost people I walk by everyday. I want to radiate!! I want to be a person that causes people to ask "what is with her?" , but in a good way. I want to be so radical that my kids are embarrassed by me! I want to be whatever GOD wants me to be, wherever he wants me to be...Wow! See, once I get started it is hard for me to stop. We recently found out that Sterling's dad will be out of jail soon, it is getting harder to think about that objectively. The flesh part of me tries to build walls around my heart for protection, and tries to keep him at arms length. It tells me "well he just can't have him! He should have thought about him before! And well it will be easier if he goes back with him" But I know that God placed him in our lives, just like he gave me Mason, Madi, and Alex, and whatever His plan is is OK with me. I am so glad that He is in control, because I know I could really screw this up! We could all definitely use your prayers for this situation. Okay, that is probably enough for now, I shouldn't tarry too long.....:)