First, thanks everyone for the sweet birthday wishes ~ cards, calls, texts, emails, comments on this blog. All sweet and appreciated.
Several weeks ago we made plans to spend my birthday weekend in San Diego. We would drive down sometime on Thursday and come home on Sunday. I've been needing a break and was really looking forward to it. Then we learned that Bro. Steve Kelly would be with us Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. We decided we would load up the car and drive down after service Thursday night. We did not want to miss even one service, God has always used Bro. Kelly in a unique way when he comes to our church and we wanted to be there.
Thursday night was a service that cannot be described or explained. God moved. Bro. Kelly was used in a mighty way. The ax was laid at the root of the tree. A line was drawn. A spirit of intersession was in the building. I think it was about 10:30 when Pastor White took the pulpit to close the service. He announced that Bro. Kelly had agreed to stay for a couple more services. God wasn't finished. Pastor White asked each of us to do whatever it took to be at church Friday and Saturday nights.
San Diego? Uh, no. Out of the question. We'd already pay for our hotel room in full. We still don't know if we'll get any of the money back, but the eternal is so much more important. Les made it really easy, he said, "Could you enjoy yourself if we went?" No, of course not. I'll admit, I was disappointed just because I've really been feeling the need for a break, but what I really needed was what God had in store for us at church. I needed spiritual refreshing and strengthening.
I got a text on Friday from Vivian that said, "Happy birthday, Sis.McEhaney!! May we have another awesome service in your honor!:)" So, thanks God, for the greatest birthday gift I received this year. Your Spirit in my life is the most valuable gift I've ever known.
It may take a few days to tell all that God did in these services.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Blessed
I turn 48 today! These are a few of the blessings of my life:
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| Mom |
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| Dad |
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| Rod, Kim, Rick |
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| Lauren, Ryan, Krysten |
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| McElhaney clan |
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| The Love of My Life |
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| This mirror is for YOU! If you're reading this today, you qualify as one of the blessings of my life. |
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Power of Parental Convictions
We have been having special services this week with Pastor Steve Kelly from Kamiah, Idaho. He preached a powerful message last night called "The Power of Parental Convictions." I don't know if I've ever heard a better message to parents, future parents and grandparents about their responsibilities in raising children.
Genesis 18:19 says, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." The Lord is speaking about Abraham, before Isaac is born. He knew that Abraham would raise godly seed. Following God's laws was in Abraham's heart.
Bro. Kelly talked about each of his four children, decisions that were made in guiding them. Times when he had to say "no" about who they spent time with. He talked about one of his daughters who was still single at 28. When he intervened in a situation, she listened and God has blessed her since. All four of their children are living for God because the Kellys followed the laws of God when raising them.
I thought about times in my life when I was told "no." Mom was very consistent. When she said "no" she meant it. I remember a Saturday night when we had a special service. I wanted to go out with friends afterwards. She said, "That's fine, you can go tonight or tomorrow night, but not both." We always went out on Sunday nights after church. I had to choose one or the other. My friends said, "Just beg her, she'll change her mind." My response was, "No, if I try that she may not let me go out either time." I knew she wasn't going to change her mind. But I was safe in that.
There was more than one time that my pastor said "no" about someone I was dating. I remember many tears as I listened and obeyed. It was hard, but he did it because he loved me. He prayed for me and wanted God's best. I'm so glad I listened! If I had gone my own way, I would have missed out on Les and the great blessings God has brought in our life.
I know it's not easy raising children and teenagers. Being the "bad guy" at times must be so hard and discouraging. But I'm thankful for the many times a stop sign was held up in my life, it kept me from falling off a cliff that would have led to destruction.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
Genesis 18:19 says, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." The Lord is speaking about Abraham, before Isaac is born. He knew that Abraham would raise godly seed. Following God's laws was in Abraham's heart.
Bro. Kelly talked about each of his four children, decisions that were made in guiding them. Times when he had to say "no" about who they spent time with. He talked about one of his daughters who was still single at 28. When he intervened in a situation, she listened and God has blessed her since. All four of their children are living for God because the Kellys followed the laws of God when raising them.
I thought about times in my life when I was told "no." Mom was very consistent. When she said "no" she meant it. I remember a Saturday night when we had a special service. I wanted to go out with friends afterwards. She said, "That's fine, you can go tonight or tomorrow night, but not both." We always went out on Sunday nights after church. I had to choose one or the other. My friends said, "Just beg her, she'll change her mind." My response was, "No, if I try that she may not let me go out either time." I knew she wasn't going to change her mind. But I was safe in that.
There was more than one time that my pastor said "no" about someone I was dating. I remember many tears as I listened and obeyed. It was hard, but he did it because he loved me. He prayed for me and wanted God's best. I'm so glad I listened! If I had gone my own way, I would have missed out on Les and the great blessings God has brought in our life.
I know it's not easy raising children and teenagers. Being the "bad guy" at times must be so hard and discouraging. But I'm thankful for the many times a stop sign was held up in my life, it kept me from falling off a cliff that would have led to destruction.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
A Quick Tip
Before the service speak to God.
During the service let God speak to you.
After the service speak to your neighbor.
Ever notice when you get this out of order, how much less you get out of church?
During the service let God speak to you.
After the service speak to your neighbor.
Ever notice when you get this out of order, how much less you get out of church?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Holy Matrimony
We had the most beautiful wedding last Saturday at our church. I am our church wedding coordinator, but I can't take credit for how the Spirit of God resided in the sanctuary.
Jason and Stephanie have dated for years, but their engagement was just a little over two months. That was a challenge! Stephanie and I made plans to meet on Tuesday, February 21st, just two months before their wedding day. The Sunday night before, I told her to think about what the most important part of her wedding was to her. Each bride has her own dreams. Stephanie said, "I want the ceremony to be meaningful." The previous Wednesday night, Pastor White had taught a Bible study that included Ecclesiastes 4:12 "a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Stephanie wanted to somehow incorporate that verse in their wedding.
With just a little Googling on my part, I found "God's Knot." A website that had a 3 fold cord to be used in weddings. This was brand new to me, but I was so excited about using it in their wedding. They had also planned to do a Sand Ceremony. We tried to decide if the two were redundant, but felt that the sand represented their two lives, but the cord would bring God into their marriage. Pastor White eloquently tied the two together during the ceremony.
Pastor White had a little something else up his sleeve. When it came time for the prayer, he gave the best man a Jewish prayer shawl to put around Jason's shoulders. In the Jewish faith, a young man is given his first prayer shawl on his wedding day and he is the first one to prayer over his new family. Since we also serve the God of Abraham, Pastor White has decided to start incorporating this in all future weddings. This was an incredible moment in the wedding. With the prayer shawl across his shoulders, Jason prayed. It was a private prayer that the rest of us did not hear, but the Spirit of God was so present. I was frantically digging in my purse for Kleenex and sniffling with the rest of the congregation. It was beautiful.
To all you singles who are dreaming of your wedding day ~ I have been to dozens of weddings in my life, but besides my own I can't think of one that had any more beauty. The decorations weren't elaborate, but the bride was glowing and the groom had tears in his eyes as she walked down the aisle. It isn't about outdoing the last bride, it's about a ceremony that will start your life together. Sure, wear a beautiful dress, have all the flowers you want, serve delicious cake, but at the end of the day make sure you honor the One who created weddings in the first place. Invite Him to come and the rest will just be icing on the cake!
P.S. I only took a couple of pictures of the flower girls during the reception, but you can see pictures of the wedding on Ashlyn's blog.
Jason and Stephanie have dated for years, but their engagement was just a little over two months. That was a challenge! Stephanie and I made plans to meet on Tuesday, February 21st, just two months before their wedding day. The Sunday night before, I told her to think about what the most important part of her wedding was to her. Each bride has her own dreams. Stephanie said, "I want the ceremony to be meaningful." The previous Wednesday night, Pastor White had taught a Bible study that included Ecclesiastes 4:12 "a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Stephanie wanted to somehow incorporate that verse in their wedding.
With just a little Googling on my part, I found "God's Knot." A website that had a 3 fold cord to be used in weddings. This was brand new to me, but I was so excited about using it in their wedding. They had also planned to do a Sand Ceremony. We tried to decide if the two were redundant, but felt that the sand represented their two lives, but the cord would bring God into their marriage. Pastor White eloquently tied the two together during the ceremony.
Pastor White had a little something else up his sleeve. When it came time for the prayer, he gave the best man a Jewish prayer shawl to put around Jason's shoulders. In the Jewish faith, a young man is given his first prayer shawl on his wedding day and he is the first one to prayer over his new family. Since we also serve the God of Abraham, Pastor White has decided to start incorporating this in all future weddings. This was an incredible moment in the wedding. With the prayer shawl across his shoulders, Jason prayed. It was a private prayer that the rest of us did not hear, but the Spirit of God was so present. I was frantically digging in my purse for Kleenex and sniffling with the rest of the congregation. It was beautiful.
To all you singles who are dreaming of your wedding day ~ I have been to dozens of weddings in my life, but besides my own I can't think of one that had any more beauty. The decorations weren't elaborate, but the bride was glowing and the groom had tears in his eyes as she walked down the aisle. It isn't about outdoing the last bride, it's about a ceremony that will start your life together. Sure, wear a beautiful dress, have all the flowers you want, serve delicious cake, but at the end of the day make sure you honor the One who created weddings in the first place. Invite Him to come and the rest will just be icing on the cake!
P.S. I only took a couple of pictures of the flower girls during the reception, but you can see pictures of the wedding on Ashlyn's blog.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Happy Birthday, Kim!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Congratulations, Jason and Stephanie!
At 1:00 today, friends and family will gather at Victory Tabernacle for the wedding of Jason and Stephanie. It's been a whirlwind engagement, but I think they're ready!
Wishing you God's great blessings on your life together!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Finish the Race
On December 16, 2011, I registered for the Ojai to Ocean Marathon. I have been running with purpose for many weeks now. My marathon blog has a disclaimer at the top and ends with: "This is my first marathon and my hope is to finish strong and injury free." I have a time goal in mind, but more importantly, I plan to finish. All these weeks of training will payoff in the end.
Pastor White has been teaching a series of Bible studies called "According to Jesus." He has taken different topics and taught from the words of Jesus, the red letters found in our Bibles. Last night's study was about "The Last Days." We studied what Jesus had to say about the last days as found in Matthew chapter 24.
Matthew 24:13 says, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Pastor White talked about running a marathon. Everyone who finishes a marathon, no matter how fast or slow, is given a finishers award - usually a medal. The same can be said about our Christian race. It doesn't matter how fast or how slow we run, the primary goal is finishing the race.
I have just a little over six weeks to go until my marathon and I plan on finishing. I don't know how long I have left in this Christian race, but I plan on finishing! There have been some hard days, some more difficult than others, but I plan on finishing! There have been hills to climb and long flat stretches, but I plan on finishing!
I'll let you in on a little secret - if Jesus comes back before my marathon, I'll be really happy about that! The race that is the most important is the one I've been in my entire life. And I plan on finishing!
Pastor White has been teaching a series of Bible studies called "According to Jesus." He has taken different topics and taught from the words of Jesus, the red letters found in our Bibles. Last night's study was about "The Last Days." We studied what Jesus had to say about the last days as found in Matthew chapter 24.
Matthew 24:13 says, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Pastor White talked about running a marathon. Everyone who finishes a marathon, no matter how fast or slow, is given a finishers award - usually a medal. The same can be said about our Christian race. It doesn't matter how fast or how slow we run, the primary goal is finishing the race.
I have just a little over six weeks to go until my marathon and I plan on finishing. I don't know how long I have left in this Christian race, but I plan on finishing! There have been some hard days, some more difficult than others, but I plan on finishing! There have been hills to climb and long flat stretches, but I plan on finishing!
I'll let you in on a little secret - if Jesus comes back before my marathon, I'll be really happy about that! The race that is the most important is the one I've been in my entire life. And I plan on finishing!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Book Review: Promise Me This
When I saw that "Promise Me This" by Cathy Gohlke was about the Titanic I thought this would be a great week to read it since it has been 100 years since it sank.. It was also free for Kindle, so the decision was a no brainer. Here is the description:
Michael Dunnagan was never supposed to sail on the Titanic, nor would he have survived if not for the courage of Owen Allen. Determined to carry out his promise to care for Owen’s relatives in America and his younger sister, Annie, in England, Michael works hard to strengthen the family’s New Jersey garden and landscaping business.This was such a great book! The great sendoff of the Titanic - the ship that "not even God could sink," it's splendor, the band playing on while the ship was going down, only women and children getting on lifeboats, and the description of its sinking were all fascinating.
Annie Allen doesn’t care what Michael promised Owen. She only knows that her brother is gone—like their mother and father—and the grief is enough to swallow her whole. As Annie struggles to navigate life without Owen, Michael reaches out to her through letters. In time, as Annie begins to lay aside her anger that Michael lived when Owen did not, a tentative friendship takes root and blossoms into something neither expected. Just as Michael saves enough money to bring Annie to America, WWI erupts in Europe. When Annie’s letters mysteriously stop, Michael risks everything to fulfill his promise—and find the woman he’s grown to love—before she’s lost forever.
The story of the Titanic took about the first third of the book, but it was the story of those who lived after the disaster that truly made the book. Just two years after the Titanic went down, WWI erupted. The same people who lost loved ones, were now sending their sons off to fight and their daughters as nurses.
The author did a great job creating likeable people... and a very evil villainess who caused trouble even beyond her death. As of this morning, the book is still free for Kindle - grab it here.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Creating More Birthdays
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from my sister, Kim. The subject was "I've joined the movement to create more birthdays." Kim will be participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life this Saturday. You can read all about her reason for doing this here.
April is a month of birthdays. I have many friends who were born in April. Kim and I will both celebrate our birthdays next week. It was on my 26th birthday that Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and she would only celebrate 8 more birthdays.
I've had several ask if I need sponsors for my marathon. Sponsors are not required, but if you would like to do a little something, please make a donation on Kim's page (she did not ask me to do this.) Because celebrating more birthdays is a wonderful thing!
April is a month of birthdays. I have many friends who were born in April. Kim and I will both celebrate our birthdays next week. It was on my 26th birthday that Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and she would only celebrate 8 more birthdays.
I've had several ask if I need sponsors for my marathon. Sponsors are not required, but if you would like to do a little something, please make a donation on Kim's page (she did not ask me to do this.) Because celebrating more birthdays is a wonderful thing!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Cheerfully Refuse
Here's a thought for today:
Or, as Mom put it:
What happens around us is largely outside our control, but how we choose to react to it is inside our control. We can throw our hands up in defeat or we can choose to trust God for His solution.
~Mom's Bible
Cheerfully refuse to be embittered
by the stupidities of daily life.
Or, as Mom put it:
What happens around us is largely outside our control, but how we choose to react to it is inside our control. We can throw our hands up in defeat or we can choose to trust God for His solution.
~Mom's Bible
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Jesus Christ is Lord Travel Center
I saw an unusual truck on my way to church last night:
This was not a single trucker doing his thing, but one of a fleet of trucks. With a little Googling, I was able to find Jesus Christ is Lord Travel Center. Founder, Sam Kohli, says, "Hollywood has portrayed a different image, an image that portrays Jesus Christ as trash as a bad word.... Some customers said they didn't want their goods transported in trailers with this message. So, they're not customers anymore," Sam stated emphatically. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation." There are 115 trailers and some 60 truck/tractors (a few are owner-operated), bedecked with the phrase "Jesus Christ Is Lord, not a swear word."
I love this! As a person who does not care for swearing of any kind, the use of Jesus Christ as a swear word is the one I find the most offensive. How dare you take my Lord's name in vain! The name that brings comfort and peace. The name I call in times of distress and sorrow. The name that brings salvation ("Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" Acts 4:12)
There will come a day, when even Hollywood will know the power of the name! "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11
I thought of so many songs that sing His name, but this one is a favorite!
The next time His name is on your lips, make sure it's said with praise and reverence!
This was not a single trucker doing his thing, but one of a fleet of trucks. With a little Googling, I was able to find Jesus Christ is Lord Travel Center. Founder, Sam Kohli, says, "Hollywood has portrayed a different image, an image that portrays Jesus Christ as trash as a bad word.... Some customers said they didn't want their goods transported in trailers with this message. So, they're not customers anymore," Sam stated emphatically. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation." There are 115 trailers and some 60 truck/tractors (a few are owner-operated), bedecked with the phrase "Jesus Christ Is Lord, not a swear word."
I love this! As a person who does not care for swearing of any kind, the use of Jesus Christ as a swear word is the one I find the most offensive. How dare you take my Lord's name in vain! The name that brings comfort and peace. The name I call in times of distress and sorrow. The name that brings salvation ("Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" Acts 4:12)
There will come a day, when even Hollywood will know the power of the name! "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11
I thought of so many songs that sing His name, but this one is a favorite!
THERE’S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
There’s just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Let all heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away.
But there’s something about that name.
The next time His name is on your lips, make sure it's said with praise and reverence!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Confessions of a Killer
I have a number of wreaths that I hang on my front door. Most are seasonal - Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. I've had the same one on the door since the first of the year and decided it was time to change it...
For the past week or so I had noticed a bird flying around the wreath. I thought it must have been confused since the wreath was primarily fake flowers. What I didn't realize was that bird had built a nest and laid eggs...
As I pulled the wreath off the hanger yesterday, there was a loud splat. I looked down and there was a pile of eggs on my porch. Broken eggs. At least three, maybe more. I feel terrible! That poor mama bird, I destroyed her little family. I had no idea she would build a nest in my fake flowers, but she did.
So I hang my head in shame.
Dear Mama Bird,
I really didn't know you were using my wreath as a nest. It's an old wreath that I have used for many years. But that does not excuse my carelessness with your family. I would have loved the surprise of finding your offspring in my wreath after they were born. I am so sorry.
Sincerely,
The Careless Home Owner
For the past week or so I had noticed a bird flying around the wreath. I thought it must have been confused since the wreath was primarily fake flowers. What I didn't realize was that bird had built a nest and laid eggs...
As I pulled the wreath off the hanger yesterday, there was a loud splat. I looked down and there was a pile of eggs on my porch. Broken eggs. At least three, maybe more. I feel terrible! That poor mama bird, I destroyed her little family. I had no idea she would build a nest in my fake flowers, but she did.
So I hang my head in shame.
Dear Mama Bird,
I really didn't know you were using my wreath as a nest. It's an old wreath that I have used for many years. But that does not excuse my carelessness with your family. I would have loved the surprise of finding your offspring in my wreath after they were born. I am so sorry.
Sincerely,
The Careless Home Owner
Monday, April 9, 2012
Recovery Monday
Today, for many church goers, should be called "Recovery Monday." It's the day following Resurrection Sunday, one that has been filled with dramas and musicals and worship and reflection.
Our Easter was wonderful. After a rocky rehearsal on Saturday, our drama came off very well on Sunday. As Pastor White pointed out, our church isn't full of actors. I think the important thing about any Easter program is taking the time to reflect. To just stop and think about what Jesus did for us on the Cross.
Funny little tidbit about our drama - Les was asked to play the part of Caiaphas. He is not usually in our dramas, so people did not know who he was at first! Pastor White said one lady told him, "I don't know who that was, but I really liked his part!"
And so today, we recover. Hope your Easter was blessed!
Our Easter was wonderful. After a rocky rehearsal on Saturday, our drama came off very well on Sunday. As Pastor White pointed out, our church isn't full of actors. I think the important thing about any Easter program is taking the time to reflect. To just stop and think about what Jesus did for us on the Cross.
Funny little tidbit about our drama - Les was asked to play the part of Caiaphas. He is not usually in our dramas, so people did not know who he was at first! Pastor White said one lady told him, "I don't know who that was, but I really liked his part!"
And so today, we recover. Hope your Easter was blessed!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Rejoice! He is Risen!
Because He Lives
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove
My Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just
Because He lives.
Words: Bill & Gloria Gaither
Saturday, April 7, 2012
This Morning
I had my longest training run to date - 18 miles! It was a tough one, with wind gusts around 15 mph, but I did it. You can read mile by mile details here.
I just completed my ninth week of marathon training ~ only eight more to go!
I just completed my ninth week of marathon training ~ only eight more to go!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Jesus Paid It All
In recent years I have seen pictures of individuals in the Philippines participating in flagellation. This is a brutal practice, usually taking place just before Easter, with participants whipping their flesh. The pictures I have seen are horrifying as individuals torture their bodies.
Webster defines a flagellant as a person who scourges himself or herself as a public penance. According to Wikipedia, this practice has been going on for centuries, in many religions around the world. A further search took me to Redemptive Suffering, described as:
Webster defines a flagellant as a person who scourges himself or herself as a public penance. According to Wikipedia, this practice has been going on for centuries, in many religions around the world. A further search took me to Redemptive Suffering, described as:
Redemptive suffering is the Roman Catholic belief that human suffering, when accepted and offered up in union with the Passion of Jesus, can remit the just punishment for one's sins or for the sins of another. Like an indulgence, redemptive suffering does not gain the individual forgiveness for their sin; forgiveness results from God’s grace, freely given through Christ, which cannot be earned. After one's sins are forgiven, the individual's suffering can reduce the penalty due for sin.No amount of suffering on our part can pay the price for our sins. We will never be good enough or holy enough. It's impossible! That's why Jesus came. He paid the price IN FULL. We don't have to suffer, because He did. The second verse of this song says it perfectly, "nothing good have I, whereby Thy grace to claim..." but Jesus Paid It All!
Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,He washed it white as snow.For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
And now complete in Him,
My robe, His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
~Elvina M. Hall
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Oh The Cross!
This Sunday we will celebrate the single most important event in the history of mankind. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! It changed everything. It's overwhelming when I try to wrap my mind around what God did for me. And you.
Our youth department has a drama in the works for Sunday. I have been asked to sing "Oh The Cross" by Brooklyn Tabernacle. The words to this song are beautiful. Since it's a Brooklyn Tab song you know it's a bit on the high side, so I'd really appreciate your prayers. I've flubbed more than once while trying to sing, but I especially want God's anointing as I sing this Sunday. Here are the lyrics:
Our youth department has a drama in the works for Sunday. I have been asked to sing "Oh The Cross" by Brooklyn Tabernacle. The words to this song are beautiful. Since it's a Brooklyn Tab song you know it's a bit on the high side, so I'd really appreciate your prayers. I've flubbed more than once while trying to sing, but I especially want God's anointing as I sing this Sunday. Here are the lyrics:
Oh The Cross
My longing for love wouldn’t go away
I was desperate, searching, broken by pain
Looking for answers but nothing seemed right
Where was my answer, what was my life?
Blinded by sin I was lost, couldn't to see
Until I turned my eyes to Calvary
Oh the cross where Jesus died
He shed His blood, gave His life for you and I
My sins erased, no longer lost
My debt was paid, I am saved
Oh the cross
Day after day as I live my life
I find heartache, trouble, battles to fight
When fear tries to grip me and I feel alone
Jesus is with me, I’m not on my own
Now I can say in my heart I believe
My life has been changed because of Calvary
Oh the cross where Jesus died
He shed His blood, gave His life for you and I
My sins erased, no longer lost
My debt was paid, I am saved
Oh the cross
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Christian Stewardship Seminar
Our church has been blessed to have Bro. Mayer from Buford, Georgia with us teaching about Christian Stewardship. The topic is so important, but one that many try to run from. Christian Stewardship is more than just tithes and offering, as Bro. Mayer puts it "Stewardship is About Relationship." When we finally get that God owns it all, we will change the way we handle our finances.
Our session on Sunday evening concluded with the topic cars. Buying a new car on credit versus buying a used car with cash. The savings over the course of 5 years is tremendous. Conservatively, about $30,000! Les and I couldn't help but chuckle about our darling Saturn. You know, the testimony that we drive? We did the best of both when we bought our Saturn - we bought it new, but we paid cash for it. TWENTY YEARS and over 300,000 miles later, we are still driving that car! I've said it before and I will say it again, God has blessed our car to keep running. He was rebuked the devourer in regards to our car many, many times. His faithfulness never ends.
Bro. Mayer is a school teacher and is graciously using his Spring Break to be with us. And for a topic that can be very cut and dry, he has made the sessions extremely interesting. His interpretation of some of Jesus' parables has brought new insight. I thought it was funny that a couple of the ideas he gave regarding saving money at the grocery store (don't go hungry and always take a list) were the same ones that Weight Watchers advocates! Save money and your waistline, win-win!
Our session on Sunday evening concluded with the topic cars. Buying a new car on credit versus buying a used car with cash. The savings over the course of 5 years is tremendous. Conservatively, about $30,000! Les and I couldn't help but chuckle about our darling Saturn. You know, the testimony that we drive? We did the best of both when we bought our Saturn - we bought it new, but we paid cash for it. TWENTY YEARS and over 300,000 miles later, we are still driving that car! I've said it before and I will say it again, God has blessed our car to keep running. He was rebuked the devourer in regards to our car many, many times. His faithfulness never ends.
Bro. Mayer is a school teacher and is graciously using his Spring Break to be with us. And for a topic that can be very cut and dry, he has made the sessions extremely interesting. His interpretation of some of Jesus' parables has brought new insight. I thought it was funny that a couple of the ideas he gave regarding saving money at the grocery store (don't go hungry and always take a list) were the same ones that Weight Watchers advocates! Save money and your waistline, win-win!
Monday, April 2, 2012
All You Need
I posted this quote on my marathon blog this morning:
Never doubt your ability to be useful in God's kingdom. Put your heart into it and just watch how God will bless your efforts!
I don't have a runner's body, but I have a runner's heart - and that is all you need.We can accomplish so much when our heart is in the effort. Read your Bible, it's not the giant killing the kid with the sling, but it's David calling on the name of the Lord and watching the giant fall. It wasn't the religious leaders, who had perfected following the Law, but it was fishermen and tax collectors who Jesus called to do a great work on this earth. God rarely used the people who looked the part - it was those with a heart for Him and His kingdom.
~ Army Sergeant Jennifer Morris, Runner's World Challenger currently deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan
Never doubt your ability to be useful in God's kingdom. Put your heart into it and just watch how God will bless your efforts!
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