Praying Woman

Light n Dark

2009-02-26T11:26:00.003-05:00

Thought I would post this after responding to a friends appeal for help:
Let me share the angle I see this from, when you start asking for forgiveness on a more regular basis you will receive that. What happens to me is that when the more basic sins get cleared out I then become aware of the darker more complex sins that have been hiding out behind the more ordinary sins if you will. What really happens is that the closer you come to the Light by confessing your sins and offering your self up for use in His plan the more clearly you can see what has been there but not faced up until now. God does not inspire you to do a job that He has not already equipped you or someone who will come along side you to do. We have to repent always, the power of your lens to look at that sin increases as your willingness to let go and let Him be in control becomes a reality. satan does pursue you but God has already won the battle, you just have to stand arms up in praise and receive over and over the Love He has provided. I was given these verses in Jude and they have been applied several times in the past couple of days, you are not alone, many are seeking to be used. "20-21But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!24-25And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes." Love you and will be praying for you, Marilyn

Salve?

2009-02-25T11:20:00.003-05:00

I drove 600 miles the past two days to take a friend to Duke to see if they can help her with the pain in her feet. Literally the bottom of her feet feel like she is walking on glass almost constantly. She flew in, we drove from Spartanburg to Durham, spent the night and went to her appointment at 10:30 then met a friend, Diane. Diane is a lady whose deep spirituality is off the charts in comparison with most of the world. We met at around 11:30 and talked for over 3 hours about many many things. In the course of our travels we got to discipline or pain or crap. What ever you want to call what you face every time you think you are making any progress. We came to agreement that we are privileged to be living in the times we are and that we need to yield to the press which is the only way oil can be obtained from the broken mess of our live. The oil is the salve if you will that those placed in our paths can only receive by God working HIS will in our lives. His allowance of anything and we agreed that He has to allow whatever is happening because if not them He is not the God of the Universe Almighty No One Bigger The GUY IN CHARGE! If we are serving any less then we need to go sit on the hillside and inspect our belly buttons for the lint of life. We know Whom we serve, but are we willing to let Him show His Love through us or do we think we can do a better job of anything than He? NOT. So the press we are in is His plan to bring out the very best the flowing out through us of HIM. Do we have a better plan NOT! So we prayed together "Lord use us , dont listen to our whining our moaning our pitiful plan for anything, Press us Harder Lord, the time is short to reach those who know You not, keep us not out of Your way but directly in the path of the most possible use by You. So we are called... Jude said ^17-19But remember, dear friends, that the apostles of our Master, Jesus Christ, told us this would happen: "In the last days there will be people who don't take these things seriously anymore." Dont be those people, be God's tools ready to be used.

Another New Year: WWJD

2009-01-02T12:40:00.003-05:00

Well here we are in another "new" year. What is going to be different about this year? For one we as country will see the first president with African American roots sworn in as our new president. Many believe he will usher in a new age of peace and prosperity. A man in the NC mountains killed his ex-wife and two others, fled with his 2 young children and ended up taking his own life. Every new year of their lives these children will have to relive today. Hammas and Israel are steadily blowing up parts of their land, while many call for relief for their enemies who will stand with God's Chosen in this new year? All of this flares around us in the new year on our tvs and radios, what about the battle raging unseen? What will happen this year that will make a difference in the ancient battle between God and satan? Who? What? When? Where? Do you feel like an owl trying to find a concrete answer to any or all of these questions and events?
I would ask you a more serious question, what is going to be different in your life this year and why? Will you have less money, no job, friends who are in despair, a church that will be unable to meet a budgets because people arent able to work? Are these the things that you are focused on? Well if so you will be just as discouraged as you were last year maybe even more so. When we look anywhere except to God to provide a measure of our success and surety of the direction we are pursuing we will fail to find any difference in this or any other year.
God is bigger than any leader He allows to be in office.Read the Book. God can reach down and comfort those children and their families , giving them shelter where no one Else can. Read the Book. God has clearly chosen the Jews to be His people, read the Book. His plan is being followed but He welcomes our prayers at any time and has changed course and withheld judgement before. Read the Book.
Read His Word, consider the meaning of the Scriptures in your life and todays world. Talk to Him! Read the Psalms and pray about the message in each one! Read Proverbs! ONE for every day of the month! Get to know this wonderful Creator who choses to inhabit our very souls upon our realizing the darkness there and inviting Him in to help us SEE A DIFFERENCE in any new year! See if you dont have a new year in a way that will affect every part of your life in every way and every day.
I Challenge YOU! For 30 days decide to make all your decisions, Big and Little, on the basis of WHAT WOULD JESUS DO IN THIS MATTER. Let me know if you are brave enough to try, I and my prayer partners will pray for you.

Every Footstep

2008-12-08T13:28:00.003-05:00

Present the offer of salvation to his people,
the forgiveness of their sins.
Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God's Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace. Luke 1: 78,79

I came across this in another web-letter. The writer was talking about how the lack of sunlight and "son"light in our lives affects our whole outlook. I agree with that perspective but would offer more.. Why is the church still here? What can we do to help people out in these times of economic and political depression? 10 OFFER the gospel to those who God puts in your path. He is putting people in your path everyday! Are you aware or just stumbling through your life making it one day at a time? There is no better news than I have a risen Savior who comforts me and is always with me no matter what. Who doesnt need that comfort and acknowledgement of themselves one on one? 2)Realize that it is only God's mercy that we are on this earth for one more day. Old or young..has you day affected the way any one person looks at their relationship with God or lack of it? Are you so selfish in your salvation that you cannot share.. there is room for all who come in Heaven. Any who read this and are not Children of God, you risk death before you decide to look into this Jesus Christ..WHY? Use Biblegateway.com if you dont have a Bible. Read the gospel of John. No one can say they are not loved by Someone. Then finally my fellow members of the Body of Christ look at the promise " One foot at a time" we cannot move ahead of the Spirit, He is with us EVERY FOOTSTEP!

Christmas Program

2008-12-04T12:39:00.000-05:00

We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Over the past few years our Christmas presentation here at Living Water has gained an incredible reputation around our community. We are so blessed to have such a dedicated team of workers who put every ounce of energy into making this a wonderful event. This team has just returned from a 10 day mission trip to Trinidad and Tobago. Their trip was originally planned for the summer but had to be rescheduled over the Thanksgiving holiday due to cargo not being delivered on time. They gave up their Thanksgiving holiday with their families to help reach thousands of families in Trinidad and Tobago. With only 2 weeks left to present a Christmas Presentation worthy of our Savior and our Church, we all feel this could not be accomplished fully. This team is so dedicated therefore, they are heart-broken that we will have to cancel our Presentation this year. We are so excited for them and their families that they can now rest and recover from a great mission trip. They can also pour all their efforts into completing the new children’s wing here at Living Water and help fulfill our vision. We know this is a disappointment to all, but we encourage you to pray for this team and for the exciting future of what God has in store for us. Enjoy this time worshipping Jesus with your family during the greatest season of the year. God became man, Emmanuel, God with us.

Pastor Mike

New Pledge of Allegiance

2008-11-19T10:44:00.000-05:00

WRITTEN BY A 15 yr. Old SCHOOL KID IN ARIZONA :

New Pledge of Allegiance (TOTALLY AWESOME) !

Since the Pledge of Allegiance
And
The Lord's Prayer
Are not allowed in most
Public schools anymore
Because the word 'God' is mentioned....
A kid in Arizona wrote the attached
NEW School prayer :

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense; it's a
freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, And pierce our noses,
tongues and cheeks..
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such
'judgments' do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls, Study witchcraft, vampires
and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No word of God must reach this
crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen
If you aren't ashamed to do this,
Please pass this on.
Jesus said,
'If you are ashamed of me,
I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'

Epicenter Reacts to Obama

2008-11-07T15:53:00.002-05:00

EPICENTER REACTS TO OBAMA VICTORYShare
Today at 2:57pm
(Washington, D.C., November 5, 2008) -- Congratulations to Sen. Obama. His victory last night was an historic moment, further evidence of how far Americans have come in moving beyond the racial divisions of the past. This is good, and should not be underestimated.

It is now our solemn responsibility to pray faithfully and consistently for him, his wife, his family, and his advisor. We must pray for their safety, their wisdom, and their discernment. This is the right thing to do and honors the Lord. As the Apostle Paul teaches so clearly in I Timothy 2:1, "I urge that entreaties, prayers and petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

We must also pray faithfully for the safety of our nation, for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the advancement of freedom and security throughout the world, and particularly in the Middle East. I am very concerned about what the next year to 18 months may hold. Vice President-elect Biden warned us that the world will test this young new president. We must therefore pray for peace while we prepare for war.

I'm paying particular attention this morning to how people in the epicenter are reacting to Sen. Obama's victory. Leaders in Iran are thrilled since the likelihood of decisive U.S. action to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program has just dropped dramatically. Leaders in Iraq, by contrast, are trying not to be worried given that the likelihood of rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces has just increased dramatically.

Palestinians seem to be thrilled, since they see Obama as pro-Palestinian and open to dividing Jerusalem and pressuring the Israelis to make further concessions of "land for peace." Many Israelis feel quite unsettled this morning, concerned that they will be all alone in the Middle East as the U.S. begins to pack up and go home from Iraq. They are also concerned that Obama and his team do not appear to fully understand or appreciate the seriousness of the threat of Radical Islam. Sen. Obama told us during the campaign that Iran was a tiny country that did not pose much of a threat. Israelis are not convinced he will stand with them in a nuclear showdown with Tehran.

A senior political strategist in Israel emailed me last night with this thought: "The State of Israel is now facing the most unfriendly American administration ever….Israel's will to live will be tested in ways that will not e pretty. Many of Obama's foreign policy team and Middle East advisors see Israel as the obstacle to peace. And we can not count on Jewish supporters of Obama to have any standing in setting policy in this administration." A new poll released yesterday also caught my attention: 46% of Israelis would have voted for McCain, while only 34% would have voted for Obama. That tells us something about the concern from Eilat to Haifa and from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem about losing a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people in President Bush to someone who has not indicated convincing support for Israel in the past.

I know many of you are very worried about the direction of our country. I certainly understand this sentiment, but as I wrote yesterday, let us not lose heart. The Lord knew who would win. He allowed it to happen. He has a plan. He has a purpose. And now He is calling us to serve Him faithfully - to do whatever He tells us to do, to go wherever He tells us to go, to say whatever He tells us to say. Now is the time to draw close to Christ, to advance His kingdom, and prepare for His return. He is, after all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Now is certainly no time to forget, or to be discouraged.

Blessings

2008-11-04T13:58:00.003-05:00

Is today the only day I am blessed, no but for some reason it has been a day of blessings jumping out at me. I woke up this mornging to a balmy fall day. Blessing: my car heater is not working but Ted is working on it tonight. Saw my daughter before she left for work, grandkids still "no school today" sleeping in. When I got to my other son's house there was a bright smiling Katie face pressed to the window telling the whole world her Grammy was here. Of course when I came in she scooted back to Mama who was leaving for "teacher workday". Then my grandson and his dad left," I go vote with you!" Came back with smiles and sticker for "voting".blessing: my children all care enough to vote their conscience. We got to school on time for Abram, Blessing: was on his teachers who have a great schedule of fun planned and like to get on with it. Then Katie and I took Grandma Duncan to the curbside voting at East. Blessing:A friend who I seldom get to see not was there and hugged me so hard it hurt, then a cousin ( of which I have MANY)came out to patiently wait while mom decided her vote. Blessing: it was warm, no standing in the rain for him and Blessing 2: we were only one in line for curbside, left in about 5 minutes. Then they started to really jump out at me, cometimes God does that after a dry spell where you cant see the lovely forest for the "tree in your eye". I live within really walking distance of my family which I love very much. My children and grandchildren all know me and still love me. I have the freedom to call my friends, check the internet for messages and literally thousands of translations of the Bible to chose from when I want to see what God has to say. My prayers can be in public or in my closet. Prayer is answered in wonderful ways! A young man who has had every righrt in the world's eye to be withdrawn and shaken by life has been awakened by the Hand of the One Who loves us the BEST! Yes we are in financial trials, we may lose our homes, our cars, our freedoms to express our beliefs even ( you have read the 666 chapter>) BUT WE ARE LOVED BY THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE WHO WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN OUR ACCEPTANCE OF HIS GIFT TO US OF A BLAMELESS LIFE FOR OURS.So Christmas is early! It occurred to me that people need THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! Are they perhaps looking for what we so casually take for granted? Open your eyes and your heart, reach out to those in need, physical mental and spiritual. Share with them your Bestest Blessing.. THE CHRIST CHILD! Thank you Lord for my Blessings, keep me aware of them!

Flooding in Honduras

2008-11-03T12:19:00.011-05:00

Friends of mine, Mark and Mike Searcy, have been working in Honduras for over 10 years building and or repairing roads, hospitals, churches. Recently they received the attached video from their friends requesting prayer and help. They are planning a mission trip as soon as they can raise the funds for travel and repair materials needed. If you can help in a small or large way please contact Living Water Baptist Church 828 698 4664 or mail your contributions , which are entirely tax deductible, to 1284 Sugar Loaf Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792 marking Honduras Flood Relief on the message line of your check. Thanks for your time, please continue to pray for these families. They are in essence living on an upraised road that goes through their village in makeshift tents.

From His Point of View

2008-11-02T22:33:00.005-05:00

My pastor made a good point today in his sermon on prayer, the closer we are to God which can only be accomplished by time spent with Him in The Word and Prayer, the easier it is to see everything from his point of view. Doesn't this make sense too you? If someone describes a view we can imagine what it looks like in our minds. A picture helps, that is why Jesus spoke in parables in order to appeal to our human experiences. The Word is a series of "word" pictures. Spend enough time you begin to more closely resemble the author, "So work with fear and trembling to discover what it really means to be saved." Phillipians 2:12. My father knew that I would need a plan that would be simple to follow but would require a choice on my part. To know God's Will in my life I need to spend more time in prayer and The Word. The choice for me and for you is simple how badly do we want to see things from His viewpoint? How much time am I willing to chose to spend working my way closer? How much for you? Choices.

Election Eve Online Prayer Rally

2008-10-31T08:38:00.002-04:00

I wanted to tell you about something I’ve just discovered—something that could change America’s future.

It’s called the Election Eve Online Prayer Rally—a special initiative of The Presidential Prayer Team that is calling everyone to pray for the 2008 presidential election. It’s based on the belief that when God’s people call out to Him in prayer, it opens a window for God to bless our nation in ways we can’t imagine.

PPT is asking people to commit to pray for the election on November 2nd and 3rd - and then to register that commitment on their website. I hope you’ll check out the Election Eve Online Prayer Rally website and join me by committing to pray.

Thanks for considering this important decision.

http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Pray the Vote

2008-10-28T06:40:00.000-04:00

Pray For a President Who Will Be Lifted by God to Serve His Purposes in Our Nation

No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another.
--Psalm 75:6-7

Mighty God, You alone rule and judge what is right in our world. Even though our systems strive to lift up and exalt individuals, You are our judge, choosing those You want to lift up and bringing down those You want to debase.

I ask You, O God, to lift up and exalt the person You desire to serve our nation as president in the years to come. I pray for a godly and wise president who will honor You in all things, and I pray that the schemes of men will be defeated as we look to You for the person of Your choosing this year. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

THE BRIDGE

2008-10-23T15:31:00.001-04:00

Please take the time to listen and watch...pass it on

Big Honkin Difference

2008-10-21T14:14:00.002-04:00

Okay how are we going to make a big honkin' thing happen as Christians? Consider the last sentence of this paragraph from a newsletter.
'Last week I attended the Willow Creek Association's REVEAL conference. Bill Hybels was the opening speaker, and apart from discussing the impact of the REVEAL research, I was surprised by what he identified as the church's biggest challenge. Hybels says the largest gap exists not between seekers and believers, but between less mature Christians and "Christ-centered" Christians. The less mature, he says, believe that "God is for me, my plans, and my agenda in this world." But the truly Christ-centered have given up their lives and dreams in complete surrender to him. "A big honkin' thing has to happen for a Christian to move from self-centered to Christ-"
How do you think God is leading you to make a difference? What was the changing point in your own life?

Again Choices

2008-10-14T13:45:00.002-04:00

Political parties, candidates, all the uproar of the elections should be pointing us to one answer, the Lord of the Universe, The Creator and the Almighty One. God was, is and shall always be in charger of this Earth. Yes I have definite political opinions but I have been asking myself if my opinions about Who I serve are as strong or should I say are they as apparent? In this time of crisis after crisis in front of our eyes on TV and the Internet we may know more about what is happening but do we believe as strongly as our ancestors that God can carry us through this and any other concerns we have. Worried about the results of the election your job, your house, your children.....why not talk to the ONLY ONE who can make a permanent difference in any one's life. I will vote and I encourage each of you to do so also, many have died and suffered to guarantee that right. But more strongly I urge you to spend time reading your Bible, in prayer and quiet time with Him... try this each day until the elections..you might be surprised at the difference this new habit will make in your life. Look up not at the world. We know we are in trouble, the choices that we as Christians make in our relationship with Him is our only source of rest and peace.

Pray the Vote

2008-10-10T08:35:00.006-04:00

With only 24 days, 17 hours and 14 minutes left until election day we need to cover every facet of the upcoming election. We need to be on our knees if not our faces before God about the results of this election and the impact on our nation as Christians. This is not about political parties or which candidate wins as much as it is about America turning to God for leadership and protection.

Below was posted on a presidentialprayerteam.org

For Members of the Media to Remain Open, Forthcoming and Truthful

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
--Ephesians 4:25

Loving Lord, You are the God of all Truth, and there is nothing impure or false in You. You bring all things to light, and nothing is hidden from Your sight. Before You all things are laid bare and every detail, whether large or small is known. All praise and glory to You, O Mighty God!

I ask You to move and work among the members of the media this day, O Lord, keeping them from any form of falsehood. Let them lift up only what is true in these campaigns, Lord, that as a nation we may be discerning as we consider those whom we will elect to the offices of our government. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Where is God Leading

2008-10-09T23:12:00.003-04:00

A friend and I are teaching a class on Thursday nights called Going Down to the Creek. As always I am learning more than the class. Haven't taught per say in quite a few years, have always missed it but getting in the administration is a gift also that I think several others have figured out. Anyway it is really humbling to be received with such attention. Am I going to give up organizing for just teaching, not right now but glad to be writing and teaching more.What I have learned is that trying to coerce God into coming to where I think I should be doing does not work, instead am trying to put into practice the Blackaby theory which is true, that if we look for where God is working and "volunteer" He will always bless whatever you can do. Too often I get the stupid idea that I have a good idea which flops because didn't pray about it. Experience and living a while has not always helped my headlong plunges at times. Praying now that Holy Spirit will move so I can see which way to step.

Support Honduras Mission Sale

2008-10-08T13:07:00.000-04:00

We encourage and invite all our Living Water Body to support Brandy and the Honduras Mission Trip through the rummage sale and giving of items for the Shoe boxes. Brandy and others on the team will be instrumental in getting them to Honduras in 2009.
The rummage sale as you know was postponed due to Brandy’s grandfathers death. Our prayers have been with the family at this time.
They are now holding the sale at the home of Mike and Julie Hendrix, Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11, from 8 am until…
If you have any questions please contact Brandy at Hortoncmc@aol.com and she will let you know where your services may be used. Office number 698 4664

Atheists Sue President Over National Prayer Day

2008-10-07T12:47:00.002-04:00

Dear Praying Christians,
We need not only to be aware of the news but reactive to these attacks by satan . I am asking you to pray specifically that this suit would either be considered as non~viable and thrown out of court. First and foremost of course we need to pray that God's Will be done. Bring this to groups where you meet, pray about it during your quiet time with God every day, send it on to your prayer circle, post it on every blog and social network. Let's don't wait until this freedom is taken away to be proactive.

Atheists Sue President Over National Prayer Day
Friday , October 03, 2008

MADISON, Wis. —
The nation's largest group of atheists and agnostics is suing President Bush, the governor of Wisconsin and other officials over the federal law designating a National Day of Prayer.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sued Friday in U.S. district court, arguing that the president's mandated proclamations calling on Americans to pray violates a constitutional ban on government officials endorsing religion.
The day of prayer, held each year on the first Thursday of May, creates a "hostile environment for nonbelievers, who are made to feel as if they are political outsiders," the lawsuit said.
The national proclamation issued this year asked God's blessings on our country and called for Americans to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle is named in the suit because he is one of 50 governors who issued proclamations calling for the prayer day. The foundation is based in Madison.
Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, and White House press secretary Dana Perino also are named.
The foundation has filed numerous lawsuits in recent years, including one rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court last year that attacked President Bush's faith-based initiative.
The White House and Doyle spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner had no comment on the lawsuit. A message seeking comment from the task force was not returned Friday.

Choices

2008-10-06T08:05:00.003-04:00

....This is what God's servants can expect.
I'll see to it that everything works out for the best." Isaiah 54:17
Are we leaning into that promise? Many times I get focused on what is happening to us in this earthly life. As recounted in the verses before there are many many things that happen in our life over which we have not control and no way to avoid. But The God of the Universe who created even the angel of death who challenged Him and was thrown out of Heaven has control over ALL, not some, not just the good but ALL that exists in the Universe.Where have you placed your faith? Note " God's Servants" as specific to those who have accepted Him as Master of their life and live to SERVE HIS PURPOSES AND PLAN, this is what they "can expect". Joshua 24:15 reflects a CHOICE, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." So it is up to YOU, chose to have the Creator on your side or chose to go it alone. Not much of a choice is it? At my church yesterday a woman came to know that God loved her personally and chose to accept that love. Her whole physical appearance was changed from one of despair and defeat to one of peace and the knowledge she was no longer alone in her pain. Will her pain go away or the need to make choices every day NO but she will never be alone.
Thank you Father that satan has lost again. Thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit to ask me to let You into my life. Be with me and give me discernment in making choices today. Amen

You dont have to be old to be wise

2008-10-03T08:07:00.002-04:00

A friend sent me this and it is well worth your time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

Other things

2008-09-29T09:51:00.004-04:00

Matthew 6:33, Contemporary English Version (CEV), says "But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. " It seems these past several weeks have been packed with things that I have tried to finish up to get back to what God is calling me to do. It is necessary to take care of the laundry, bills, dishes... everyday life. But over and over again the message of "It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being"Matthew 6:19 played out in my life.. where was I spending my time, what eternal effect was my time and efforts having? Every choice we make in our day can affect others in ways we cannot always see. So how do you know? How do you develop discernment? No big answers here just the basic ones that keep on cropping up: Read your Bible ( why not read the instructions instead of pushing buttons until something happens and you cant remember what order you pushed when you need help again) Spend time in prayer ( God wants to have a personal relationship with you, not just a nodding acquaintance) Talk to Him. Is this going to happen by itself? No, again, choices have to be made, logical thought about where you have to be in your day and when & where you can be ALONE with God for some one on one time. If you dont find out what your "work" for God is you cant do it! If you spend time with Him you are going to find that perfect niche in His Body. I we do what He is asking then "other things will be yours as well". Not because we worried and fretted but because we chose to let Him work through us. So lets plan less, work more for Him and the other things will take care of themselves.

Heart of a Woman conference

2008-09-29T08:54:00.002-04:00

There was about 175-200 women at our conference this weekend. If you missed it plan to come next year. The last weekend in Sept 25th&26th, 2009 at Fruitland Bible Institute. Our speaker was a testimony to perseverance, her husband, a minister within a growing church, committed suicide. Left to raise 2 very young daughters she speaks to the need of God and choice we have to make to wrap our lives around Him. The breakout sessions taught about different aspects of a woman's heart , physical health, time , accountability ...to the treasures in our hearts. Women came from large and small local churches for worship and study, preparing our hearts to deal with individual ministries, families, and work. Thanks to Ann Beck and her team who work so hard all year to make this happen. See you next year.

Thirsty enough?transfers

2008-09-24T14:25:00.003-04:00

I transferred several posts from another blog today. Turns out I was writing about the same idea all along. Sorry about the confusion.

Fresh Strength

2008-09-24T14:19:00.001-04:00

Fresh Strength
There are a kizillion books and studys on how to make your life better but when starting anything with God you need to talk to Him and read His Book. How are you going to know someone or what they have to offer if you have never talked to them or read anything they have written as a guideline? The most excellent part of being a Christian is that He is always there listening to whatever I have on my heart. Sometimes the burdens of life are just too huge and ugly. Keep this posted where you can find it, "But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles,They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind." Isaiah 40:31 I don't know about you but I am tired of being tired, lagging behind, I just want to sit -- now here is an offer to Fly like the eagle, so high that all my troubles seem like ants. Yeah! Can I stay up there on my own? No He is the one who uplifts me. But I always have a place to go but when I need fresh strength. Praying the Scripture for goes like this:Father, I know you are the biggest and the best. I believe you entirely control the my world because I have asked you to forgive my sins and I have accepted you LOVE in return. I know my supply of strength should last longer but I have stretched that last answer as far as I can. I am waiting on you to send me the FRESH. Help me to have faith to spread my wings and jump, soaring up on the winds of your Love. You have promised me this in your Word I know you do not lie- make it so my captain. I can run for you and not get tired I can walk forever with You. I do not have to lag behind because you are with me. Amen