A verse for this year.....

Isaiah 43: 18-19 Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. 

This year has been a change for us. So many new things in our lives and so many old things that are changing. It is not that we don't welcome the new beginnings, but more that the unknown is so scary. I think that fear is the greatest factor in keeping so many Christians from answering God's call. I am often reminded of my pastor Craig Groeschel's teaching: delayed obedience is disobedience. 


Just think of your children, if you were to say sweetie I'm going to need you to go to bed  now, and your child were to delay what would you do. You would firmly assert your will in the matter forcing your child to go to bed. It might take you longer with them fighting you, but eventually you would accomplish the task of getting them to sleep. Of course we all know that children need a good night's sleep, and you are doing what is best for them.

Well this is a good analogy of where God is in your life when you delay obedience. He knows what is best, he has a plan for you, but you have the free will. I believe God gets you there even when you make all the wrong choices. Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. He plans to give you hope, to give you a future, and most of all to prosper you. God has planned something good. So why is it so scary to obey him? Romans 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. In all things he is working for our good. His plans are big; don't you want to be a part of them?

I know that I do, but I also find myself wondering and looking to the past. Hence, my verse for this year. God led me to the book of Isaiah, and there in chapter 43 the words jumped from the page at me. Forget the things of old. Forget your past, the mistakes you have made, and the things you have lost. Today is the beginning of something new. It's time to put one foot in front of the other. Listen to what God is asking you to do. Don't delay he is making a road in the wilderness of your life. As the living water springs forth in the dessert it's time to answer his call.

You make beautiful things

Summer has arrived

As much as I love the summer I also dread it. Summer means that it gets hot, summer means vacations that while well planned they always prove hectic, it means having free time, and having tons of activities.........................

What does summer mean to you?

To start off this summer I did something I have been meaning to do. I dug up the garden in front of our house. When we first moved in I was pregnant with Hailey and my parents did a quick fix on it. Since then the grass had grown both under and over the paper. It took me an entire day but I got the job done. I then planted some flowers and other plants in the newly tilled soil.

I also planted some potted veggies so we will have fresh veggies this summer, I hope.

Life is kind of like a garden. Our priorities and duties are the plants in the garden. The things we water thrive and the things we neglect don't. Of course with any garden their are weeds. They encroach even our best laid plans. If we ignore these weeds they take root in our hearts and begin to choke out the good things. By the time we finally get around to doing some weeding we find ourselves with one big hot mess. Just look at how my little garden was. The neglect of a couple of years took a full day to remedy. It's only a start though just because you plant the right things does not mean they take root. Jesus can be planted in your life, but if you don't take notice your relationship with him will never grow. Sometimes we have to forget the stuff that consumes us and remember the important things.

I think as I look forward toward a summer of fun that the important things should be highlighted. My God, my husband, my children, my church, and my friends. My time is like water and sunlight. The things I want to grow I will nurture with time and energy. Don't spend too much time nurturing trivial nonsense, and remember watch for weeds.

Passionately Following God's Call.............

Ephesians 3: 20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Passion is what we lack in today’s society. Truly passionate Christians doing God’s work because of his call, are out there, but they are in the minority. Many Christians are consumers. They consume church resources, devouring and taking, without giving back. I’m not talking about tithing that is another issue entirely. What I am talking about is service both in the local church, surrounding community, and global world.

On any given Sunday in hundreds of thousands of churches across the country that are staffed in majority by volunteers. Sure pastors receive a salary, but greeters, nursery workers, children’s church leaders, hospitality staff, and even parking attendants all give their time. Why do they do it? What is the purpose? The purpose is simply Ephesians 3: 20-21, it is a passion we have for the things God is doing, will do, and has done through the works of his people. We believe that God will have the glory because of what we do.
I cannot tell you how amazing it is to sit in a room with up to 30 three year olds on a Sunday morning. It is a struggle to get them all seated quietly at the story, but as I teach them about David and Goliath my heart soars. These are the future of our church. Here sit the future leaders and I have the great priviledge and honor to be able to teach them. I also get to settle their squabbles, make play dough animals, color pictures, cut  and glue, and most of all pour out my passion and love. 1Corinthians 11: 1-2 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. Jesus said let the little children come to me. Their faith is great, and they can teach us so much.  I find true joy and passion in service to God’s children. Where do you find that passion?

Ephesians 2: 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. We have a purpose, and we need to seek that purpose with passion. Some of us have a great purpose to be missionaries ministering to others in countries across the globe. Others are to be Christian parents to the orphans of this world. Some of us are serving in our local churches and communities. Wherever you are you have a purpose and God will use you. Do not allow yourself to fall victum  to the temptations of this world. The world will tell you, you are not good enough, you don’t have enough time, and most of all that God doesn’t need you. The truth is completely opposite. You are very much needed. There is a place for you where God will use you and help you grow. Don’t get me wrong it’s not always easy, and at times you may feel unappreciated, but God sees what you are doing. He knows your heart and he appreciates you more than you can ever fathom.

Ray Boltz

Thank You

Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea
We heard these angels singing
Then someone called your name
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came
And he said friend you may not know me now
And then he said, but wait
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart

CHORUS
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry
You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today

CHORUS (repeat)

One by one they came
Far as your eyes could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices you made
They were unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed

And I know that up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you
For great is your reward

CHORUS (repeat)

I am so glad you gave.