Good Quote...

"Hypocrisy desires to seem good rather than to be so; honesty desires to be good rather than seem so."

~ Arthur Warwick

A Call to Fast

Our church has been called to a fast over the next 4 weeks.

Week 1 - Fast 1 meal and give that time to God.

Week 2 - Fast 2 meals and give that time to God.

Week 3 - Fast 3 meals and give that time to God.

Week 4 - Fast 4 meals and give that time to God.

(This is not asking us to fast 1,2,3,or 4 meals per day but rather per week.)

HERE is a good article if you are new to the idea of fasting.

Cabin Fever

Yesterday afternoon, we needed out of the house after being sick all week (JUST COLDS NOT THE FLU... PRAISE GOD!). And Little One needed a nap which is only found to occur while driving... so we went for a drive. We took a long way to get to civilization but when we finally arrived, we walked around the mall and ate out... (which was nice 'cause Mommy didn't want to cook). We had fun... it was good medicine. And can I just say our daughter is quite the table top artist...

... wouldn't you agree?! (I did the leaf - that's it!)

Thanks to the many saints who pray for our health and wellness... 'cause we are all 3 sick of being sick! (I think we are on the mend.)

H1N1 Flu

HERE is a helpful site about signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu.

Change

Why do we, human beings, struggle with change so much? Life has been and always will be about change. It is the essence of life... things must change in order to grow. We as Christians actually can have a unique perspective on change... we can view it as an opportunity to grow in our faith because we believe in the One Who never changes... God our Savior.

Jesus is our Rock and Foundation allowing us to try new things without losing our Hope... nothing is ever the "end of the world" to us as believers because we have a greater Hope then things of this earth. No matter what changes occur around us we know that God stays the same. He is to be the focus of our worship... He is the reason for our being... He is the reason we do everything... He is the perfecter of our faith... He is Whom our eyes should be upon... and He Alone is God!

Inconvenience is not a reason to grumble... in fact we shouldn't be grumbling at all. Philippians 2 Our Lord suffered all the way to the cross... what do we really suffer in light of Calvary? Believers around the globe suffer for their faith, places where it is illegal - even fatal for them to attend a Christian church service, own a Bible, or share the Gospel... what do we really suffer in light of these countless martyrs?

We must examine our hearts and ask ourselves... why do we attend church anyway? Is it not for the glory of God, discipleship of believers, and the transformation of our souls? Never should we complain of the honor, privilege, and freedom we have to gather together in the House of our Lord!

Watch this... The Greatest Gift!

Being Set Free

One of the most difficult things about being a Christian is resisting the urge to be a "people pleaser". Not doing anything different or new just so we don't "rock the boat" is sinful. Anytime one attempts to move forward in order to advance the Kingdom you run into a big hurdle... the hurdle of "self". Protecting one's own interests at the expense of others spiritual growth is a sin.

"It's all about ME" is an attitude of sin that we must continually die to... dying to self... not a fun idea but if we want to be like Jesus that is exactly what we must do. We must be "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to the Lord".

We need a holy revival in our souls to in order to put God's Kingdom above our own kingdoms, agendas, plans, and schedules. We need spiritual maturity in the Body... trusting God to take care of all the details for His glory. When it's not as we would will... we say "not my will but Thy will be done."

Yes, that's it... even when it doesn't seem to make sense for us personally right away... we need to trust in God with a fearless faith that it is right anyway and we'll see the benefit of His ways in His perfect timing.

Of course, this isn't what we grow up thinking... it's not what the world teaches us... but God's ways are different from the world's ways. The world tells us to preserve our own selves but God says sacrifice self. But, that's just it... God's way requires self-sacrifice from us for the benefit of the whole Body (not just us or our circle of friends) and of course for His Glory.

It's time to let God be God.

Lord I pray all of this for my soul and that of my brothers and sisters in Christ. - Amen

"For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do... It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!" - Galatians 6:14 (MSG)

Happy 70th Birthday, Dad!

(His birthday was actually Tuesday, October 20.)

I love my Dad! He is a hard-worker, he is a good and honest man, he's strong, he's smart (he can fix anything!), he's good-looking and ages well (he'll love that one!), and he has a teddy-bear heart for his grandchildren!

I have many fond memories with my dad, like going in his pick-up truck to the hardware store (that hardware smell will always remind me of my dad), the time he took me to buy a pony, him hating my teen-age years, him helping me buy my first car (a burgandy '79 LeBaron... it was very "uncool" but it was mine... he taught me good work ethic and it was my money that paid for the car even though it was not my first choice of a car... but I could afford it).

I also look fondly back on family vacations, going to every antique and classic car show in the nation, him giving me away at my wedding, and how he fell in love with my daughter the moment he laid his eyes on her... it's all so special and dear to heart!

One of the scariest moments was getting a call that he had a heart attack. After arriving at the ER, we learned he needed quadruple by-pass surgery... I stayed with my parents for about 3 weeks through his initial recovery. I can't believe that was over 8 years ago already. I get on him about his health all the time... but it's because I love him!

How blessed I am to have a loving father who cared and provided for his me! I love you, Dad! Happy 70th Birthday!

Rowan is the WINNER!

Remember the cutie pie, Rowan Spracklen from Erie, PA that we voted for a while back? Guess what? He is the winner!

SEE Good Morning America STORY HERE.

He'll be on the cover of "BabyTalk" magazine in November! Congrats to this sweet child and his loving family! (He has a story that will grab your heart!)

We Appreciate the Appreciation!

October is "Pastor Appreciation" month and this past Sunday our church sure did make us feel appreciated! They gave us flowers, cards, gifts,the youth put on a cute skit, and there was a lovely luncheon after service.

We just can't say enough about our church... they are incredible! We feel loved and we love them back! What a "good fit" we are for each other. We are so blessed to be a part of this body of believers and the ministry God is doing in this wonderful place! God is soooo good!

Thank you, Body and thank you, God for bringing us here.

Why we do what we do...

"He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." - Ephesians 4: 10-13