WIN day at our church is for Witnessing In Neighborhood. After church on Sunday morning, we have a sandwich lunch and then go out in teams into nearby neighborhoods to reach people for Christ. We give out a pamphlet about our church and invite people who do not have a home church to join us at Pauline.
One lady who recently started attending our church says she is a direct product of WIN day. She started coming shortly after she was visited on a Sunday afternoon...along with two of her loved ones!
Well....I always ask myself..."Self, why are you always surprised when you see God work?"
This past Sunday was WIN day again. Our pastor spoke in his message about not giving up when working to "catch boatloads" for Christ...having a willingness to try (AGAIN)...a Word to trust (we have a word from the Lord to go out for Him!)...and working as a team (we are partners together for Christ and with Christ!).
When we went out to the neighborhood we wanted to reach on Sunday, our team was denied entrance due to "no soliciting". We explained what we were doing, but were still denied entrance. Yes...it was very frustrating to be told we could not go through this neighborhood. I remembered a previous neighborhood that we did not finish going through because we ran out of our church pamphlets, so suggested that we return there. We did return and broke up into small groups to visit each home. I went to several homes with two of the youth boys to talk with people and tell them about our church. Two of the women I spoke with, when I asked if they had any prayer requests, asked for prayer for their young sons....one with cystic fibrosis...the other with autism. I wrote their names and addresses down and told them we would be praying.
Today at work (I'm an MRI technologist) we had a two year old boy who needed a brain scan under anesthesia because he was having seizures. His mom looked familiar to me, but I could not place from where I thought I knew her. After talking a few minutes, she said, "I believe I met you Sunday afternoon." Then I knew....this was the mother of the little boy with autism!
God already knew that this woman and I would be crossing paths at the hospital...and that she was going to be very nervous and scared for her little boy's procedure...that a familiar face would
help ease her fears a little.
God had a plan that she nor I could see...but He knew! He never had any intention of our team going to the first neighborhood....He knew where He needed us that day!
I thanked God for using myself and the boys with me to visit this woman's home Sunday...and then I thanked Him for making sure I was at work in the exact place I needed to be today! God is so good....I really don't know why I get surprised at His works! I am so thankful that I was an obedient servant to Him and was used in His plan for this woman and her child. Because so many times, I can make excuses as to why I don't need to go. I almost did this Sunday...because I was on call for the hospital...to use this as an excuse not to go...I have used this as an excuse before...and now I can only wonder on what plan of God's I missed out on.
So....what did God show me today? Quit making excuses....don't ever give up, even when you don't think you are seeing results. The results may come soon...but maybe much later!! God gave us this message through our pastor Sunday morning. I pray we all take note of this message and stop with our excuses.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
March 16, 2009
My verse for March 15: "As you come to Him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)
Here is the Message version: "Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God."
I discovered this verse in God's Word in 2004. I really like this verse because I have always loved collecting rocks and stones since I was a little girl. I try to collect a few rocks from each place I visit. I have also found that my granddaughter, Erica likes rocks...as well as her mommy Elizabeth, which I just found out on our cruise this past week! So I will be passing this verse along to them!
I read in the Bible that Jesus is the cornerstone...the foundation...our foundation. He is referred to in this verse as "the living Stone". To know that I can join Christ as a "living stone" in the building of His sanctuary is awesome!! I think of the rocks and stones I've collected as beautiful pieces of God's creation...but never as living. And they are not living....but Christ is ALIVE! He is our living Stone....THE foundation that we need to build our lives on. I want to be sure to live my life for Christ...to be Christ-approved before God. I want to encourage others to live their lives in the same way...so we can all join together as living stones with Christ in the building of His spiritual house....His sanctuary...to serve together as a holy priesthood for God.
By memorizing His Word this year...and for the remainder of my life...I am building my life on His Word. As I keep coming to Him throughout ALL circumstances in my life...the good ones and the bad ones....not just remembering Him when I need something or need some help....I will place myself as a stone in His house and keep it there. I cannot think of a better place to be!!!
On a family note: We really enjoyed our cruise these last few days! We returned home today from Jacksonville. We sailed on Carnival Fascination to the Bahamas. We had our children - Courtney, Shane, Elizabeth, Breonna, son-in-law, Scott, and granddaughters Erica and Layla with us...this was their Christmas gift!! Shane, Elizabeth and Breonna had the whole ship explored within an hour of boarding. If we needed to know where something was...just had to ask them!
We visited Port Lucaya in Freeport..this was a nice beach/shopping area. Erica and Layla LOVED playing in the sand and walking to the ocean! This was Erica's first time ever on a beach! She saw the ocean on the ship before she ever saw a beach!! I also got to test the baby powder theory...yes, it works great for getting the sand off the babies! I never knew this before, but recently read about it before the trip. Of course, Courtney had baby powder with her too...she had heard it also!
Next day was Nassau. We took a ferry over to the Blue Lagoon Island. I HIGHLY recommend this, especially to families with small children. It is protected from the ocean, so the water is very calm...small ripples so the kids can play in the water without getting knocked over. It was gorgeous...very clean everywhere. Lunch was included and they had dolphins and sea lions. Layla was taken to the dolphin encounter...she got a kiss from Stormy, the dolphin. She didn't like the dolphin sounds though!! My highlight of the day was my nap in a hammock with Erica!! I could have stayed there all day with that great breeze blowing! It did get a little cool after a while...had to have Papa bring us another towel to wrap up in!!
We got an unexpected treat....we got to watch the space shuttle launch while on our last day on the ship coming back from the Bahamas! I got some good video and pictures of it! That was a cool addition to our trip....we booked a perfect time to take a cruise without knowing it!!!
I'll see if I can figure out how to post pictures on here later....
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)
Here is the Message version: "Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God."
I discovered this verse in God's Word in 2004. I really like this verse because I have always loved collecting rocks and stones since I was a little girl. I try to collect a few rocks from each place I visit. I have also found that my granddaughter, Erica likes rocks...as well as her mommy Elizabeth, which I just found out on our cruise this past week! So I will be passing this verse along to them!
I read in the Bible that Jesus is the cornerstone...the foundation...our foundation. He is referred to in this verse as "the living Stone". To know that I can join Christ as a "living stone" in the building of His sanctuary is awesome!! I think of the rocks and stones I've collected as beautiful pieces of God's creation...but never as living. And they are not living....but Christ is ALIVE! He is our living Stone....THE foundation that we need to build our lives on. I want to be sure to live my life for Christ...to be Christ-approved before God. I want to encourage others to live their lives in the same way...so we can all join together as living stones with Christ in the building of His spiritual house....His sanctuary...to serve together as a holy priesthood for God.
By memorizing His Word this year...and for the remainder of my life...I am building my life on His Word. As I keep coming to Him throughout ALL circumstances in my life...the good ones and the bad ones....not just remembering Him when I need something or need some help....I will place myself as a stone in His house and keep it there. I cannot think of a better place to be!!!
On a family note: We really enjoyed our cruise these last few days! We returned home today from Jacksonville. We sailed on Carnival Fascination to the Bahamas. We had our children - Courtney, Shane, Elizabeth, Breonna, son-in-law, Scott, and granddaughters Erica and Layla with us...this was their Christmas gift!! Shane, Elizabeth and Breonna had the whole ship explored within an hour of boarding. If we needed to know where something was...just had to ask them!
We visited Port Lucaya in Freeport..this was a nice beach/shopping area. Erica and Layla LOVED playing in the sand and walking to the ocean! This was Erica's first time ever on a beach! She saw the ocean on the ship before she ever saw a beach!! I also got to test the baby powder theory...yes, it works great for getting the sand off the babies! I never knew this before, but recently read about it before the trip. Of course, Courtney had baby powder with her too...she had heard it also!
Next day was Nassau. We took a ferry over to the Blue Lagoon Island. I HIGHLY recommend this, especially to families with small children. It is protected from the ocean, so the water is very calm...small ripples so the kids can play in the water without getting knocked over. It was gorgeous...very clean everywhere. Lunch was included and they had dolphins and sea lions. Layla was taken to the dolphin encounter...she got a kiss from Stormy, the dolphin. She didn't like the dolphin sounds though!! My highlight of the day was my nap in a hammock with Erica!! I could have stayed there all day with that great breeze blowing! It did get a little cool after a while...had to have Papa bring us another towel to wrap up in!!
We got an unexpected treat....we got to watch the space shuttle launch while on our last day on the ship coming back from the Bahamas! I got some good video and pictures of it! That was a cool addition to our trip....we booked a perfect time to take a cruise without knowing it!!!
I'll see if I can figure out how to post pictures on here later....
Monday, March 2, 2009
March 1, 2009
Well, I got slack in my posts here. So here is my catch-up:
My verse for February 1 was Psalm 51:10: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
I chose this verse because I needed to prepare my heart before God. Our church had a Women's Retreat -"Guard Your Heart" - on Feb. 28. I wanted my heart to be completely clean and open and un-guarded to God, yet guarded to the temptations of this world we live in. And I wanted a renewed spirit that doesn't waver - that stays steady and constant - in EVERY circumstance that comes along. I have enjoyed putting this verse into my memory!
February 15: "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name." Malachi 3:16
I chose this verse because I have never heard nor read it before...and I like what it says! I borrowed this from Beth's blog; this was her choice for this time. Just knowing that we can get together with each other and the Lord is there with us...listening and hearing....and keeping a journal of it!! WOW!! God journals too!! Ok...I'll calm down now. But isn't this a neat verse? Tucked away in Malachi...which for some reason...I hardly ever turn to this book in God's Word.
This is just another great reason to memorize scripture and to be a part of an accountability group - you'll hear verses you have never come across before. Or you may have...and they just never HIT you like this before!! This excites me even more to be memorizing God's Word!
March 1: Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This means to me that I NEED God's peace in my life. And to get it I must pray about EVERYTHING...not worry or fret and try to figure out how to handle it myself. I need to give it all to God...present it to Him...and then LEAVE IT WITH HIM. At the retreat this weekend, each lady wrote on a heart that she drew what her requests were to God and then placed them in a sealed envelope and placed them on the altar before God. We left them there at the altar...and at the end of the retreat we approached the altar to pray and then pick up our envelopes to remind us of what we placed...and left...with God at the altar. This was a very precious and moving time for me....an awesome visual of approaching God and letting Him have it all.
Then look what the verse says: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." He will keep our hearts and minds guarded in Christ!! Praise God..because I need Him to do this for me!! I don't have to do this on my own.
YEAH!!!!!
Our retreat was a great time...with 115 ladies! God was there...and He was speaking to some hearts...if not ALL the hearts there!! We had Praise and Worship Day at our church the following day. Unfortunately, I had to miss it...had to take care of a sick grandgirl. But I was told that the Holy Spirit filled that sanctuary this day! And a good friend became transparent before God and those in the sanctuary...and in so doing, I believe provided encouragement to some who were listening! She is giving God the glory in her life...and she's letting it be known! All I can say is...PRAISE GOD FOR HEALING!!! And for continued healing throughout our lives!
Ok...more later!
My verse for February 1 was Psalm 51:10: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
I chose this verse because I needed to prepare my heart before God. Our church had a Women's Retreat -"Guard Your Heart" - on Feb. 28. I wanted my heart to be completely clean and open and un-guarded to God, yet guarded to the temptations of this world we live in. And I wanted a renewed spirit that doesn't waver - that stays steady and constant - in EVERY circumstance that comes along. I have enjoyed putting this verse into my memory!
February 15: "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name." Malachi 3:16
I chose this verse because I have never heard nor read it before...and I like what it says! I borrowed this from Beth's blog; this was her choice for this time. Just knowing that we can get together with each other and the Lord is there with us...listening and hearing....and keeping a journal of it!! WOW!! God journals too!! Ok...I'll calm down now. But isn't this a neat verse? Tucked away in Malachi...which for some reason...I hardly ever turn to this book in God's Word.
This is just another great reason to memorize scripture and to be a part of an accountability group - you'll hear verses you have never come across before. Or you may have...and they just never HIT you like this before!! This excites me even more to be memorizing God's Word!
March 1: Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This means to me that I NEED God's peace in my life. And to get it I must pray about EVERYTHING...not worry or fret and try to figure out how to handle it myself. I need to give it all to God...present it to Him...and then LEAVE IT WITH HIM. At the retreat this weekend, each lady wrote on a heart that she drew what her requests were to God and then placed them in a sealed envelope and placed them on the altar before God. We left them there at the altar...and at the end of the retreat we approached the altar to pray and then pick up our envelopes to remind us of what we placed...and left...with God at the altar. This was a very precious and moving time for me....an awesome visual of approaching God and letting Him have it all.
Then look what the verse says: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." He will keep our hearts and minds guarded in Christ!! Praise God..because I need Him to do this for me!! I don't have to do this on my own.
YEAH!!!!!
Our retreat was a great time...with 115 ladies! God was there...and He was speaking to some hearts...if not ALL the hearts there!! We had Praise and Worship Day at our church the following day. Unfortunately, I had to miss it...had to take care of a sick grandgirl. But I was told that the Holy Spirit filled that sanctuary this day! And a good friend became transparent before God and those in the sanctuary...and in so doing, I believe provided encouragement to some who were listening! She is giving God the glory in her life...and she's letting it be known! All I can say is...PRAISE GOD FOR HEALING!!! And for continued healing throughout our lives!
Ok...more later!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
