Making a Big Deal out of God… September 26, 2007

The reason I missed the Vertical Fest, is because I’m doing a Bible Study with Terri and about 7 other women on Max Lucado’s “Cure for the Common Life.”  I love Max Lucado- very easy reading and he is so well-spoken and uses great analogies and stories to get his points across.  This book is about finding out exactly what God designed YOU specifically for- about finding your purpose in life and living it to the best of your God-given abilities. 

As I read through the first few chapters I knew I’d like the book as over and over again Lucado repeats the point that the reason God created us and the reason He’s given us certain abilities is for a single purpose:  TO MAKE HIM KNOWN AND GIVE HIM THE GLORY.  Here are some great quotes:

-”God endows us with gifts so we can make Him known”

-”Everything comes from God alone.  Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.”  (Rom. 11:36)

-”We exist to exhibit God, to display His glory.”

-”God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts.  Manage them well…Then God will be given the glory.”  (I Peter 4:10-11)

-”Live so that He’ll get all the credit”

-”Use your uniqueness (what you do) to make a big deal out of God (why you do it) every day of your life (where you do it).”

It’s not about us.  God doesn’t need me.  He’s chosen to use me and He’s chosen to give me gifts and abilities to bring glory to Himself.  That’s what it’s all about.  Every day of my life. 

How do we get so side-tracked???

WOOHOO!!! PACKERS 3-0!!! September 23, 2007

I absolutely LOVE to spend Sunday afternoons curled up on the couch with a blanket watching football (I only stay awake when the Packers are on).  Today I was able to do just that, and saw quite the game!!  The packers were down 17-21 with only a few minutes left in the game, and came back and scored two touchdowns within a minute to win the game 31-24!!!  It’s so great to see them playing well this season and I really am happy the season is starting off so well for the team and especially for Brett Favre (I will never spell his name wrong again after making a sign and taking it to an Eagles game with wrong spelling and mean Eagles fans making fun of us!!).  Here are the exciting details of the game!  Off to an exciting 3-0 start for the season and facing their rivals the Vikings (1-2) next week!!  GO #74!!

Funny Friday- Very Funny!! September 21, 2007

Okay, take a couple minutes, sit back and relax- you deserve it from your long week- and enjoy getting a chuckle out of this series of unfortunate events…and be glad they’ve never happened to you!  What’s your favorite??  I’m having a hard time narrowing it down….

Their lives are precious to Him… September 20, 2007

Stumbled on some verses today that really convicted me.  Psalm 12-14 says,

For He will deliver the needy who cry out,

the afflicted who have no one to help.

He will take pity on the weak and the needy

and save the needy from death.

He will rescue them from oppression and violence,

for PRECIOUS IS THEIR BLOOD IN HIS SIGHT.

I’m ashamed to say that probably daily I encounter people in need- real people with real hurt and real needs.  I pretend I don’t see them or turn the other way so I don’t have to acknowledge them.  I’ve become so used to seeing these types of people that they don’t affect me anymore- I don’t feel bad for them or don’t try to help them- they’re just there.  The exact people I’m passing by were Jesus’ top priority.  They were His main ministry.  Not only do they matter to Him, they are precious to Him.    There’s a lot of people in my life I count as precious, but the poor??  The needy??  These people need the message of God’s love- His unconditional and life-changing love- so desperately and I’m too selfish to share it with them??  I’m  embarrassed to be seen with them??  I’m too busy for them??  They wouldn’t appreciate me??  I’m scared to go where they are?? 

 Lord, please help me to see these people as you see them.  May I show them nothing but love.  May I take time to help those in need.  May I take pity on them.  May I be able to share your love with them.  May I make them my priority.  May I pray for them.  May I make a difference in their lives.  And may I do these things not to puff myself up, but to give you all the glory.  May I do these things to become more like you. 

MIGHTY TO SAVE by Hillsong United

Everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nationsMy Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything i believe in
Now i surrender

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King…Jesus

 

Busy Weekend!! September 16, 2007

Well it’s been a busy weekend- actually, very busy, but very good!!  We had our SLIM (Student Leaders in Ministry) retreat Friday night and Saturday.  We had lots of fun and had some good discussions and got a lot accomplished.  We ended with going to a Corn Maize where the leader’s challenged the kids to see who could make it through first and the leader’s got beat bad!!  We got to the half-way point where you could see the beginning and end, and we had a smart group of kids standing there laughing at us!!  Fun times though, and good memories!!  

The main thing I got out of the lessons was the necessity of being a SERVANT leader- it’s hard to humble yourself and serve when you’re in a position of leadership or authority, but it’s what we’re commanded to do in the Bible.  Jesus, the Son of God, didn’t come to BE served, but to SERVE.  My dad is a prime example of a servant leader and he kept coming to my thoughts with every word that Jeremy said.  He is in a high position, yet he is OVERLY willing to be the first to get his hands dirty, to see what needs done, to get it done, and to try and do it with no one knowing it was him who did it.  I’ve truly grown from watching him do this and I’m thankful for the example he has been to me in this area.  My dad is the greatest servant I know and he amazes me in this area. 

 What do you think are some qualities of a great leader??

Funny Friday- Poor Guys! September 14, 2007

Well another weekend is here for which I am thankful……hope you get a crack out of this!!

He’s Always There… September 13, 2007

I feel so blessed to be teaching where I am and truly feel God has me there for big reasons.  I have 11th and 12th graders who are really starting to open up, which is awesome to see.  However, the more they tell me, the more I see the hurt, fear, anger, abuse, rejection, and disappointments that they face every day.  I have students who are scared to go home, who have never met their real parents, who don’t know where they’re going to sleep from night to night, who don’t have sneakers to wear to P.E. class, and the list goes on.  I don’t want to be the teacher who is so concerned about giving a grade that I fail to listen and try to understand where they’re coming from and what they’re facing outside of school.  I have things I need to accomplish, but in the scheme of things, they’re facing things way bigger than my class.  I feel so fortunate to have a hope during the “storms of this life,” and pray that somehow God will use me to touch these kids somehow, even though I feel so inadequate. 

Thanks, God, for being with me, for giving me a hope and a future, for never giving up on me, for using me despite my weaknesses, for your unconditional love, and for the privilege to know you personally. 

We’ve been singing this song in Sunday School and it’s such a blessing and encouragement to me…HE NEVER LETS GO!!!

Matt Redman – You Never Let Go
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are nearAnd I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of meAnd I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earthChorus:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

God Sings Over Me?? September 11, 2007

Have you ever heard a really cool verse and somehow seem to have forgotten about it??  My youth pastor’s favorite verse was Zephaniah 3:17, and as I read it today again for the first time in awhile I didn’t remember how much I loved it and it blew me away!

The Lord your God is with you,

He is might to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing. 

I love every part of this verse, each of the five lines is such a comforting promise- God WILL do these things- not based on what I do or don’t do- He DOES them regardless.   The last line is my favorite and it’s awesome to try and picture- God takes such pleasure in me that He sings for me.  Wow, who am I that the God of the UNIVERSE would SING OVER ME???  It blows my mind!!  The ESV version says that, “He will exult (leap for joy, be extremely joyful) over you with loud singing.”  Wow, I love trying to imagine that!!  It’s so easy to try and find our worth in things and through people…I hope this verse makes you feel as special and important to God as it does me…

This is a long video but watch it and be encouraged by the promises, meditate on the verses, and spend the time worshipping your Saviour who rejoices over YOU with singing!

Knock, Knock…Who’s There?? September 8, 2007

Last year, the first time we did Opportunity Knocks (go out, knock on doors, give people info on our church and invite them to come visit), I was pretty scared and nervous- thought it was a nice idea, but not for me to participate in- “I’m not good at talking to strangers let alone inviting them to church- that’s not my gift!” I thought.  I went, though, with Jenna and Kedron, and these girls blew me away.  I thought they’d be as timid as I was, but they ran out together at the first street of houses, running up driveways, and talking to strangers- no problem!  God used those girls to give me the confidence and despite my own doubts and perceived weaknesses, I had many great conversations and met a lot of nice people.  Check out these verses, I love them!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he (Jesus) said to me, “MY grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that CHRIST’S POWER may rest on me.  That is why, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

I have a major fear of failure.  That’s why I was scared to do Opp. Knocks the first time- I was afraid people would reject me.  That’s why I still find it hard to go up to strangers and talk about my faith- I’m afraid of rejection or not having  all the answers.  I absolutely love these verses though- I feel that failure is a weakness, but my failure is really an opportunity for God’s power to shine through and make himself known and glorified.  I can’t do it on my own- it’s not by my strength- I am WEAK!  But that’s okay- because it gives Christ a chance to step in and to be magnified!  Why is it so hard to boast in weaknesses, insults, persecutions, etc., when this is what we’re commanded to do??!?!?!  Please share your thoughts so we can try to figure this out!

Back to Opportunity Knocks…we did this again a few months ago and I was excited for it by the time it rolled around.  Wow, did God use us.  I’ve heard several stories of people who came to our church beacuse of this ministry.  I was blessed by so many people who thought it was so incredible to see young people out inviting people to their church and were so positive and encouraging.  Kids wanted to take extra packets home to pass out in their neighborhoods- ARE YOU KIDDING ME???  Once again, I know God is working in and through our church and I pray that we are able to give Him all the glory….we are weak, but He is strong. 

Check out this youtube video of Jason Gray. 

Funny Friday right on time!! September 7, 2007

I know, it’s been awhile, right??  I hope everyone has a great Friday and this gets a laugh out of you!

 Have a great weekend!!