20-Day Gratitude Challenge

20-Day "Choosing Gratitude" Challenge 2019Your Challenge: For twenty days, Ask God to show you the many ways in which He has blessed you. Keep track of what He shows you and express gratitude to Him and others *daily* for specific praises. 

DAY ONE: A Declaration of Thanksgiving and Praise

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.       ~ Ezra 3:11

As God's people, we need to dedicate each day for Thanksgiving and praise for all that God has done for us---even in the midst of conflict and trials. Be an igniter of gratitude by encouraging those you love and care about to cultivate a thankful heart too.


Lord, teach me to cultivate a thankful heart. Help me choose to give thanks in the places I most want to complain. I want my life, my heart, and my attitude to have gratitude for Your provision each and every day. 

HFTCN: Evening Service

Evening Service ~ Church of the Open Bible

Song by Trish and Jeremy Eisele , "I won't go back"

Prayer ,
Father, remove the chains on this nation. Drugs, alcoholism, abuse, oppression. Soften hearts to the Gospel. Give your ministers BOLDNESS to go where there is need (even if that means me)
Call us out God, to go! Call Your people out of their sin!

Worship: I'm Forgiven
                Your Love Oh Lord
                Where the Spirit of the Lord Is.... (there is freedom)
                We Wait For You (To Walk In the Room)
                The More I Seek You

GOD:  I'm in the little things AND the big. Invite me in!

Pastor Joel Niles : Anointing, Power, Presence

                  I Could Never Thank You Enough

Father, break through the barriers
              we're not good enough
                             strong enough
                             smart enough
                             capable enough

Replace it with God-Confidence

Break chains of distraction

"There is a HUGE need, right here!" ~ Pastor Eisele

***** Give me a heartbeat that says, "What can I do?"

*Filled with the Spirit every day

Anticipation

Don't yield nor submit to the enemy

Ephesians 5: Our fight is not with flesh and blood, know who you are in God

45 CHILDREN TODAY!!!  (each day we saw an increase)

HOPE for the Crow Nation ~ "I'm a Transformer"

 <3 5:1-5="" p="" romans="">FAITH triumphs in trouble
(Transformational, not just functional)

Romans 5:3-4
and not only that, but..."Lord, where are You now!? God, what are You going to do with this?"

Mogli ~ Jungle Book, "We've got to learn them all we know"
     <3 glory="" in="" p="" tribulations="" your="">
My father did not tell me how to live, but lived and let me watch

*** God's plans are not the same as ours ***
God, why have You stopped me here?   Listen

2Corinthians 12:9 ~ But He 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me

His grace is sufficient

Things may not be going the way I planned, but God is still in control
Jeremiah 29:11

Don't think small
Is everything I have sufficient for Him?

<3 2corinthians="" 4:17="" p="">2 Corinthians 4:17 ~ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison

(Be a Proverbs 31 woman)
worker, doer
Don't look for a husband
Do what God has called you to do today
Be a victor, not a victim

He has given me everything I need to do what HE has called me to do *today*
(I tend to look waaay far ahead into the future, which gets depressing)

Romans 8:18
<3 5:1-5="" p="" romans=""><3 glory="" in="" p="" tribulations="" your=""><3 2corinthians="" 4:17="" p="">For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us
Am I lifting up my problems more than my praise to God
<3 5:1-5="" p="" romans=""><3 glory="" in="" p="" tribulations="" your=""><3 2corinthians="" 4:17="" p="">
<3 5:1-5="" p="" romans=""><3 glory="" in="" p="" tribulations="" your=""><3 2corinthians="" 4:17="" p="">Romans 5:3-4 , produces character
<3 5:1-5="" p="" romans=""><3 glory="" in="" p="" tribulations="" your=""><3 2corinthians="" 4:17="" p="">² Through him we have also obtained access by faith^[a] into this grace in which we stand, and we^[b] rejoice^[c] in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Philippians 2:22 (we shall be doing the same today)
But you know Timothy's^[a] proven worth, how as a son^[b] with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

brother from another mother, brother from the same father

Joint heirs

In my weakness, His strength is perfect
His grace is sufficient

Be transformed, to be a transformer

D.O.G.S. ~ Disciples of God's Son

WORSHIP: Peace Like a River
                    Open the Eyes of My Heart
                    Let it Rise

In our fellowship time after service, I had the opportunity to share some of my life story with Pastor Red Star.  Very encouraging





<3 5:1-5="" p="" romans=""><3 glory="" in="" p="" tribulations="" your=""><3 2corinthians="" 4:17="" p="">
<3 5:1-5="" p="" romans=""><3 glory="" in="" p="" tribulations="" your=""><3 2corinthians="" 4:17="" p="">
<3 5:1-5="" p="" romans=""><3 glory="" in="" p="" tribulations="" your=""><3 2corinthians="" 4:17="" p="">


<3 5:1-5="" p="" romans=""><3 glory="" in="" p="" tribulations="" your=""><3 2corinthians="" 4:17="" p="">
<3 a="" be="" not="" p="" victim="" victor="">



 

HFTCN :Proverbs 18:6 ~ A fools lips walk into a fight and his mouth invites a beating

Pastor Harris Red Star Hardin Bible Church
Proverbs 18:6 ~ A fools lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating

I serve a God who is mightier
They (the world) want a brother, sister, encourager
My prayers are powerful!  Even more powerful than a pastor sometimes

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Pastor Jeremy Eisele : Smith Wigglesworth ~ God said it, I believe it, that settles it!

Empty me Lord, and fill me with You!

"Indian Time" (when church starts, usually an hour later)

my prayer : "Lord, stir up a hunger for You, to know You! 
(God answered one night when children rushed to the altar when they were asked who wanted to live for Jesus. 

WORSHIP: Pastor Jeremy Eisele  ~ Protect your pulpit
"Oh Happy Day!"
"Here for a Reason"  ~ speaking right to me, a pep-talk of sorts, to myself
*NEW* Come Like the Dawn
Take Me In
     my prayer, "Lord, don't let me come out the same!"
Oh, the Blood of Jesus
<3 in="" jesus="" p="" victory=""> 

Hope for the Crow Nation ~ God Wants Us Here for a Reason

Sermon ~ Pastor Joel Niles (Hamilton Assembly of God children's Pastor)
  Why Did God Save Me?
Worship: To tell others (Michali)

God did not save me to go to Heaven. There is a work for us to do here on Earth.
Be obedient when He tells you to do something.
 <3 ask="" do="" equip="" for="" god="" he="" me="" not="" p="" something="" that="" to="" will="">Even in my discouragement God, give me the means to do , to give me the strength what He has me to do.
     Philippians 4:13 ~ I can endure all things.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving ; when you are discouraged, think of something you are thankful for
 <3 eyes="" keep="" open="" p="" spiritual="" your="">
***<3 u="">Tell the enemy he HAS to flee!

I
am a 'Game Changer' ~ Pastor Redstar  (Hardin Bible Church ~ Hardin, Montana)

HAOG Missions Trip 2016 ~ "Hope for the Crow Nation" VBS/Revival

Months before this trip, God implanted the desire in my heart to embark on a missions trip quite like the trips I had taken with Chi Alpha from the University of Montana. I prayed every night, for a solid week; but the enemy crept in, then, sorta forgot about it. March rolled around and the desire once again was stirred in me. Wednesday night before teaching Rainbows, my Sunday school, helper talked about a missions opportunity she was embarking on. I must have looked interested in it because the next thing I know she is asking ME if I wanted to go. Out of my mouth before I could think came a resounding, "YES!" Oh, but then I gave an excuse that I didn't have someone to help me with my evening and morning routine, not to mention a few extra's.  She said she would be willing to help wherever needed. (Prayer answered!)
  At church two days later, the missions opportunity was presented by a husband and wife from our congregation. An opportunity to minister on the Crow Native American reservation. The opportunity stirred something in me as I immediately began to recall a ministry opportunity on the reservation in Canada with Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship on the university of Montana-Missoula campus. (What tribe, I am drawing a blank). I remember sharing my testimony and my college pastor's conversation with me afterward; how much their youth pastor was touched by my testimony and how he felt it was good for the youth to hear.
     This current missions trip was to the Crow agency, a Native American tribe in Hardin, Montana. The trip consisted of putting on a Vacation Bible School for the Crow children, preschool to sixth grade. Four days of singing, dancing, crafts, drama's, Bible stories, and prizes! Our last day would be filled with sight-seeing in the town of Hardin.
     Commence nine loooong months of waiting, praying, planning and fundraising (Indian taco's, YUM!).
           Are we there yet?!

It's A Rollercoaster Ride of Life......and it's all so surreal

I am moving back to Montana after leaving for three years. It all seems so surreal. "Nobody pinch me, I don't want to wake up!" (It's been a deram of mine for as long as I can rememeber to live in horse country, with other animals)

I haven't been able to secure employment. Gastro-intestinal migraines get in the way, excuses about my having a servicedog also leave me discouraged. Qualifications too! Believing He has anything for me is difficult, I sit here ......wondering.

Nothing about being back in So. Cal. makes any sense. I can't even find work here, all for the same reasons. My best friend and I aren't even as close as we used to be. Fifteen years has taken it's toll.

Then one day my dad decides that he wants to move back to Montana. THAT didn't even make any sense to me (as excited as I was about the prospect). "We'll probably be back in two or three years", was my thinking. I just want to feel planted somewhere. I am getting to the point that moving is become very old. I am done! All my friends are scattered across the U.S. As I type this, dad is in Montana looking at property. He's found a few places that look promising.

This past Sunday mom and I were in adult Sundayschool. It was a guest speaker who came and gave a message, and sharing about his missionary endeavors (to where, I now forget). It was powerful! Both mom and I were feeling confirmation about this move to Montana. The fact that we were both feeling it made it all that more exciting, more real! "That's What Faith Can Do' by Kutless plays on the radio as I type this. Haha, and now, "My Hope Is In You", by Aaron Shust. I just looked at the sermon archives for our church, the past Sunday's sermon ~ 'Hearing the Voice of God'. I will have to listen later.

But back to Sundayschool....... ~
"Being Friends with God"

*Hebrews 11:8-11
John 15:13-16

Hebrews 11 `faith of Abraham'
John 15....greater love hath no man than this, that he lay downb his life for his friends.

Abrahams actions
He obeyed (vs. 8)
He enaabled (vs. 11)
He trusted (vs 17)

His thought process (Faith)
*He looked forward (vs. 10)
He considered God's faithfulness (vs. 11)
*He reasoned that God could (vs. 19)

Obedience based of faith
no leap in the dark
Romans 10:17
Abraham heard God's messsage
Genesis 12:1.7,8,
13:3
Ch.'s 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20
*** God's Communication: Faith = Relationship
Not DOING but BEING
James 2:23
God saves through His provision
*****Faith ~ Personal application of God's provision to my heart
Obedience ~ loving response
= TRUE RELATIONSHIP

JOHN 15
vs. 1-9 Branches (fruitfulness)
9-17 Fellowship
18-27 Faithful

branches - purpose
friends - priveledge

John 15:13-15
Jesus calls us to be His friend
I am not His 'slave' but His 'friend'.
Angels - servants
WE are his friends

***Genesis 18:17
confidence regarding God's plan
servant - what
friend - why

Psalm 25:14
relationship

Psalm 103:7
servants, yes
friends, yes

John 13, 14
comforter, Holy Spirit

Luke 11:5-8
Prayer = fellowship with God
??? Am I available to Him when He calls ???

Friend = priveledge

Ephesians 3:17-19
God is at home in your hearts as you trust Him
His power working in us





"Saddle up Your Horses....We've got a trail to blaze......" ~SCC (email from friend Patti Allen.

Indian Hills Camp

On my way to church one difficult morning, I prayed that the Lord might do something to perk me up. I only half-expected to hear an answer, let's just say I wasn't optimistic at all. Our class time was good, though after a rough week, I really wasn't all there mentally nor emotionally.
At the end of our class time together (whew! I couldn't wait to be done), our director hands out a flyer, and explains the information presented on it. Indian Hills Camp is holding its first ever camp for children with special needs. Ooooo, okay, interest peaked! Oh, but woudl mom and dad go for it? After all, it was a weekend overnighter. I needed help with morning and evening routines. We talked about it in the car, and she seemd pretty optimistic =D. ALRIGHT!!!!
A weekend-long event at Indian Hills camp with at least four other churches, each having children with special needs (autism, downs syndrome, developmental challenges, learning disabilties, Williams Syndrome, PDD, Fragile X, Asperger Syndrome).

Teaching them to embrace life with Jesus
Helping them recognize the value of their uniqueness,
Telling them that they are Christ's special creation.

Games, petting zoo, swimming, singing, zipline, biblestories, campfire. Ohmygoodness, is it August yet?!

Accessibility might be an issue in some areas, but who knows. Ive been known to get my chair in some crazy places, LOL!

I have been praying about this opportunity since I first heard. It's only a weekend, but could something further become of this? It's in God's hands at this point.

Rock and Worship Roadshow 2012

WHAT A BLAST!!!

The Rock & Worship Roadshow! I've heard of these advertised on the Christian radio station I listen to (89.7 KSGN out of the Los Angeles area) and wondered what it would be like to attend one. I heard they were coming to San Diego. Now who can I talk into going with me? Heh-heh. I cannot remember if it was I that mentioned it first or my cousin. I looked up the info online. Tickets were ten bucks, whoo-hoo!!! We're going. Oh, but I worried about seating ......and my poor ears.
We arrived an hour or so early to get good seats. The wheelchair seating was actually rather good! =D Perfect view of the stage, not to close but not too far away (okay, it could have been a bit closer what with my poor distance vision, but I was plenty happy with where we sat =) I wore my 'RA' t-shirt and at least two people asked about it =D I did not even think about taking any pictures. RATS!

Moriah Peters
'I Choose Jesus", what a beautiful song! I cannot wait to hear more of her on the radio. I wish I could remember the other songs she played. She was the first to open the show and did an excellent job. I wasn't ready for her to get off of the stage!

Sidewalk Prophets ~ I am soooo totally a new fan! I loved every song that they sang. Each song seemed to be my hearts cry.
Love Me Anyway
Live Like That
Words I Would Say
You Can Have Me

Hawk Nelson
A few moments after he walked out on stage and the first thing to pop into my head was that he looked like Justin Beiber's twin. I couldn't belive my cousin actually said it out loud! I tried hard not to laugh, somewhat failing.(I'm even cracking up as I'm trying to type this).
Something immediately turned me off to him. Oh sure, his music was too loud for me to understand a single word, but it was the fact that he had "HAWK" in BIG capital letters sitting on the stage, flashing in white lights. Now I could see that at a secular concert, but at a Christian venue I would have rathered 'Jesus' up in flashing lights. After all, in't it His name we are lifting up?

Disciple
I could not understand a word of what they sang. Their music was too loud, EVEN with earlplugs. I thought they were just okay, but my cousing L<3ved them. Seeing her rock out made me smile, so I enjoyed them to a certain extent because of it. Miles McPhereson What the heck? He only spoke for five minutes. Oh sure, just when I was getting into it too! haha

If Jesus is really the man, you need to trust Him. Let Go.

(analogy of holding onto a rope over water)

This message had me squirming at some points. I went home and later looked up more of him online.

Lecrae
I should have known. The two artists I didnt care for, my cousin loved. I was happy. Lecrae wasnt my fave, but I did enjoy them somewhat. Actually, their song 'Background' sort of had me thinking.
Luke 12:15-21
I dont want to waste my life ~ I had a hard time keeping up with this song, they sung it so fast, haha! But it was a great message, considering the struggle I feel I am facing with where God wants me.
fanatic
"You cant celebrate the gifts without celebrating the Giver"

Rend Collective Experiment
I am totally a new fan! Just as Richard Andrew dropped the 'Experiment' shortly after I met him, I now believe RCE needs to do the same.
My favorite song I heard from them tonight was.....oh,... shoot,.... I couldn't decide!
Worship on Iphone ~ that was kind of cool!
You Are My Vision
Build Your Kingdom Here
Praise Like Fireworks

Mercy Me
I was exctatic to see MErcy Me in concert again. I think this woudl be the fourth or fifth time I had seen them. But by the time Mercy Me went up on stage to sing, I was ready to go home. I was sooooo looking rorward to hearing them too! I am hoping it was the fact that I was tired, but I normally really enjoy their music. I mean, I DO have four of their CD's! Their very last song was the best I thought, and it was their song 'Move'. They actually choreographed a dance on stage while playing their instruments. I was laughing.
I did not buy any music that night, but after hearing Rend Collective, really wished I had.

I Yelled at God Last Night

(please excuse the tardiness of this post as it's been a few days in the making)

WEEEEEEEEE!!! His Love IS Amazing!

I had expected to take meds for weeks before seeing results, and within days felt phenomenal. Almost three weeks went by and no pain, nausea, nothing! =D I took a bold step of faith (I thought so anyway) and shared with a friend who was writing a song along those same lines. The day after I wrote that however, ...........miserable! Headache, nausea, vomiting... For three hours could not keep a thing down, even the meds that were supposed to stop it. I was angry, “THIS ISN’T FAIR! Why get my hopes up,…..again!?” I want to work, I want to afford to DO things, I don’t want to be stuck at HOME!” Yes, I was yelling, screaming, and crying and even beating my pillow… yet, somehow, sensed He completely understood (why did I still feel so guilty?). I felt two strong hands- one on each of my shoulders- and a still, small voice quietly nudges it’s way in, telling me instead of wallowing in that one miserable day, I could choose to rejoice in those two weeks I had (“but I want MORE God!”). The next week was a rollercoaster, both physically as we try to regulate medication and emotionally because I am just so done with this nonsense!
Meanwhile…….children are my sanity (okay, them and my dog, I have to giver her credit)
Why can’t Sundays be every day? Truly? I cannot get enough of being with the ‘Elevate’ ministry at our church. I think I am the favorite. We have a game with yarn balls; set a time limit and see who can get the most on the other side of the room. The side with the least amount of yarn balls on their side wins. It often turns into who can pelt Tryna with the most! I LOVE IT!!! On one occasion, unbeknownst to me, I arrived home with three of them stashed behind my back. Maybe that’s why my back felt so good afterwards, Haha!
But last Sunday I was in no mood for children, I was in no mood for God (I scared even myself with that one!). I went to church because I knew it was the right thing to do, maybe it would get my mind off of all of this nonsense. Worship was agony. This is highly unusual coming from someone who’s favorite part of the church service is the worship portion, and who wishes she could spend the entire service just in worship alone. (A time or two in my church in Montana, that’s exactly what we did. Even in the college group I was involved in. Some nights were devoted strictly for worship. L<3ved it). My mind wasn’t even on the message that morning. I took notes as I always do, to help me to pay attention. That didn’t help. I was distracted. My mind was somewhere else altogether. Don’t ask me what the message was about because I couldn’t tell you.
And this week I didn't want to go.......home! HaHA!!!
This morning a little guy (about seven I think) I worked with started off grumpy. His g-tube was irritating him as always. On numerous occasions I had to get his hands away from it for fear of it being dislodged. I tried to get him involved in activities and he just pulled away grimacing, grunting, and moaning. It broke my heart. A silent prayer for the Lord's help and suddenly.......everything seemed to turn around.
A little encouragement from my supervisor to be hands on with him, helping him participate in worship. (eye contact, hand over hand with some sign), I quickly found out that he L <3 VES when you do this. His face lit up and he started to make sounds. He hugs me. He pets Alehe. Pushes my wheelchair. Smiles. (Oh those smiles are sooooooooooooo adorable!!!!) I seriously want to steal this child and take him home with me…..I know, I say that about all of them, Lol!
I sat near L at Bible-story time, scratching his back. For some children, depending on their disability, this is a calming mechanism. Haha! My poor hand was done!!! I stopped scratching. Pretty soon, I felt a small hand grasp mine ever so gently and pull it, placing it on his little back; his little eyes looking up at me, face beaming. I cracked up laughing. Apparently, HE wasn't quite done yet.
I had to leave a few minutes early from the class so that my family and I could go to lunch with some longtime family friends. I did not want to leave that classroom. I did not want our time together to end. All day I had been on cloud nine, just completely pumped up on adrenaline; and I was until well after midnight when I finally convinced myself to go to bed. I don’t remember my head hitting the pillow.
When I arrived home from church a contemporary Christian artist was on my mind, well, a particular album of his. “ Story of Your Life” by Matthew West. I jumped on my Itunes and listened to Matthew West’s song “I Love You More”. The Lord poured it’s words over me like a refreshing stream after a long trek through the rugged mountains. I’ve been playing it over and over for days now.

“And I want you to know that I’m not letting go, even when you come undone” ~ GOD

Headaches and Nausea : Surprising Turn of Events

Well glory hallelujah and praise the Lord, the two doctors actually talked! I never thought that it could happen, but it did. And I was the one to bring up to the neurosurgeon here in S.D. the possibility of my stomach causing the headaches. Ha!

I awoke with yet another headache, nausea, vomiting episode one morning, and frankly, had had ENOUGH already! After having an amazing time with the ‘Elevate’ children, I just wanted to bag that day and request a repeat of Sunday. A friend left a comment on my status about ‘seeking a new adventure’. Forty minutes later I received the phone call from my neurosurgeon here in San Diego saying he talked to the one in Montana (and we had to beg).

My first appointment since the two doctors talked, they called it 'gastrointestinal migraines'. In the past, stomach medication really didnt do anything for me and migraine medication did nothing or exasperated the problem, sometimes helpign for only a short period of time before quitting.

My biggest fear now; when is the medication going to stop working, since so many have in the past. Holding on to faith that it won't. Hard

"......for such is the kindgdom of Heaven".

Luca, ~ a little boy probably around four or five. He is deaf, but uses coclear implants to hear. I speak to him as any other child, but use a bit of sign laungauge with my speech to better communicate. "L" uses words here and there, some you an barely understand (or is it just me?) He is adorable, especially when he smiles.

During our table toys period, he became interested in the building blocks. He held them mostly, I tried to encourage him to stack them on top of eachother, which he did to some small degree.

Today during music time I sang to him, had my focus totally on him. When the songs talked about yourself I would point to him. At times I took his hands and made the motions, or signs for words. That seemed to put a smile on his face. On occassion he would take my hands to do the same, as if he wanted me to continue. Awesome!

I felt bad during gross motor time as he stood off to the side. I tried to get him to come near me to help him participate, but he stood by the door and just watched. I participated in gross motor along with the other children, helping out where I felt I was needed, as much as I could. (needed a nap afterward, whew!)

I sat with little "L" during the last portion of our time together, table activity. This usually consists of a table toy or coloring page. I tried to encourage him to color. Allowing him to choose a color, I would put it in his hand, and gently guide him in the activity. How much was actually him is debateable. We didnt' accomplish much there, but that wa okay. I read to him the verse at the botttom of the page anyway. At one point he took Alehe's leash in his hands, and made some vocalizations, trying to walk away. I often let children walk Alehe around the classroom. His face lit up when we walked together; leash in his hand, me walking beside, vocalizations louder and more exciteable.

I often wonder about these children, just how much of the lesson they are absorbing.....but I am learning to trust God that He is teaching them in His way. I am just His tool, He can use me as HE sees fit. Meanwhile, I am having a BLAST!!!!!
I want to do it all again, tomorrow!!! haha

Be Still (*sigh*)

"Be still and know that I am God"
~Psalm 46:10

ANOTHER appointment with my neuro-surgeon on Monday. Hmph! Not like it's going to reveal anything (please excuse my cynicism).

Headaches, nausea, vomiting. This is what I have dealt with since early teens. Surgery, medications, different pillows, c-pap, elevating the head of the bed. I've tried it. Sure, it works for a little while. Short term solutions.
Over the years I've been steadily losing hope the doctors will ever find a permanent solution.

Upon reading the above verse, a still small voice inside of me promted me to do a search on the phrase "be still"
Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Mark 4:39
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Lord, calm this storm inside!

Psalm 83:1 (NKJV)
[ A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. ] Do not keep silent, O God!Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God!
(All I seem to be getting from Him on this particular situation, silence. Lord, what is the lesson here?)



TODAY's DEVOTIONAL
"Be Still" I hear Him softly say
"Be still, lay all aside" (time out!)
He who made the universe stoops down
and gathers up my cares
(I am definately weary.....more like, DONE! Eleven years of college, it oud be nice to use it. To not depend so much on SSI.
"Be still" He chides again
His work begins within my weary soul
"Be patient. In quiet stay.
Listen to me" (Lord, I am listening!....or am I?)

Though pressed on every side
I clear my heart and mind
In timid voice and heart
I lift to Him my praise

How quiet His presence
How healing His words
In hushed awe, I listen
I savor each one

My will He bends (RA's Take My Will)
My heart He sweeps clean
My strength He renews My soul He fills to overflowing (PROMISE)

He teaches through His Word
I heed what He tells me
I stand and give Him praise
Together we go forth to serve

Emptiness of Easter

The Emptiness of Easter
John 20:1-31

I. The expectation of emptiness - John 19:31-36; Mark 16:1
Emptiness in their hearts (He was going to redeem Israel)
The two Mary’s came to anoint Jesus’ body for burial
Emptiness of hopelessness and despair
(Lord, empty ME of hopelessness and despair!)

II. The encounter with emptiness - John 20:1-10
A. The place where the stone had been was empty - John 20:1;
Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 16:3
B. The place where the soldiers had been was empty
Matthew 27:62-66; 28:4
C. The place where Jesus had been was empty - Matthew 28:5-6;
Mark 16:6; Luke 24:3, 6; John 20:2
“He is not here, He is risen”
The tomb was empty
City of Jerusalem, where Christianity started
D. The grave clothes in which Jesus had been wrapped were empty
John 20:3-8
John - the other disciple; the disciple that Jesus loved
Evidence in the tomb was so convincing, it caused the apostle John to believe
The stone was rolled away so that people could see that Jesus was no longer in the tomb

III. The experience of emptiness - John 20: 11-15
Mary Magdalene, weeping
Supposed Him to be the gardener
Crushed her hope,
HE had changed her life. Freeing her from torment
Worth, dignity compassion, love, HOPE
Jesus had given her love
Her love brought her to the tomb and to the cross
She didn’t understand the resurrection was part of the story
Just when she thinks her life couldn’t get worse……..
Empty Hands, empty tomb, empty life

He created us with a God-shaped space in our lives, to be filled with the Presence of Christ in our lives
Power, money, alcohol, drugs. Things we try to stuff in that empty hole.
HE fills it full of meaning and joy
Mary, the epitome of emptiness

*****IV. The end of emptiness - *John 20:16
Rabboni -Master, teacher,
Jesus saying her name (how would I feel if I heard Jesus say MY name? How would I respond?)
A. Because he is risen my failures are not fatal - Romans 4:25;
1 Corinthians 15:14, 17-18, 20
HE took with Him the sin (failures, mistakes) of the whole world
Death was the payment, His resurrection was the receipt
B. Because he is risen my life is not futile - Ephesians 1:18-20
C. Because he is risen my death is not final - John 11:25-26

Bringing it Home
1. Dr. Jeremiah said, “Hope for a better tomorrow is what sees us through a thousand ‘every days.’” When have you used hope (for a better tomorrow) to get you through the challenges of the current day? How does hope keep us going in the face of frustration, challenge and despair?

2. Connecting (or reconnecting) with the hope we have in Christ’s resurrection, allows us to hope in ways we never have before. Where do you need hope in your life right now? In what ways do you feel empty? How can you let Christ fill your emptiness with hope?

Experiencing Gods Best ~ Part 2

IN QUIET TIME

3. The author of Hebrews is writing about God’s blessing when he refers to
“entering His rest.” What do you think it means to rest everything in God? Do
you think you’ve ever done that? What makes it hard to rest in God’s blessing
these days?

Submit everything to God in prayer, Continuously. Even when it seems tough
I feel I could always do better. Outside distractions (health, finances, emotions, circumstances) make it hard to ‘rest’ in God period.

5. Look at some of the Bible verses below and talk about how we sometimes
substitute God’s best for “wilderness experiences.”
Jeremiah 2:13 ~ not relying on the ‘spring of living water’ but on our own limited resources

Jeremiah 10:1-7 ~ No one is like You O Lord, you are great, and Your Name is mighty in power
(Again, we tend to run to the quickest fix, were not patient enough for Gods best)

, 10-13 ~ He is the living God, true God

Matthew 6:19-24 ~ For where your treasure is, there your heart is also. No one can serve both God and money
What will bring us true, lasting happiness? Is it really earthly pleasures?

2 Timothy 3:1-4 ~ But realize this, that ain the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

6. Pastor Jeremiah said that, “… the answer to fear and failure is faith.” Read the
following verses and talk about how faith can be the best life choice.

Hebrews 11:6~ without faith it is impossible to please God, so that anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him

1 Thessalonians 2:13-14 ~ And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews


Philippians 3:7-11
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Experiencing Gods Best for Our Lives

Experiencing Gods Best For Our Lives
April 3, 2011
Dr. David Jeremiah
Hebrews 4:1 – 13

Blood on the Lintel and doorposts (picture of the cross)
Application of ch. 4 ~ Those who found Christ (followers) and are now leaving Egypt and onto Gods best for them. From Egypt to that place is through the wilderness
This world is not our home; we are pilgrims and strangers in this land.
God wants us to experience His best today and when we get to Heaven
Enter into His blessing

I. The experiences on the road to the Promised Land - Hebrews 4:1-3

A. The experience of fear - Hebrews 4:1; II Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:15;
Psalm 111:10; Deuteronomy 12:9*
365 Fear Not’s in the Bible
We are told to fear – Godly fear required of Gods people,
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (awe) Psalm 111:10
Believe, and experience Gods best for our lives
(I want to experience Gods best for my life)
Am I missing something? Am I missing Gods best for my life?
God wants us to discover His plan for our lives

REST
Gods Rest is Gods BEST for you and for me (Gods plan for our lives)
God wants us to discover His plan for our lives
In sync with Him
Stress, anxiety, human fear gone
Ch 4 - Enter ~ mentioned five times
(God, what are you up to?)
Call to action
Enter into Gods best for our lives
Failure to enter into all God has for them is regrettable, but not serious (some believe)
But not trusting God is something to fear
Losing heart in our Christian Experience
Going on toward God with His plan in our lives
Don’t be satisfied that you’re just a Christian
Quest for Gods best

B. The experience of failure - Hebrews 4:2; Numbers 14:7-8
Gospel – Good News
(normally death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ)
two witnesses went into Canaan to spy it out for Gods people, so they could enter into Gods best for them
Gospel mixed with FAITH, its not enough just to read it
Enter into the blessings God has for us His children
Faith – Trust without reservation, not belief without proof

C. The experience of faith(trust) - Hebrews 4:3
Believe God, trust Him, and accept He has a plan for your life
Some of us do a lot better with eternity than we do tomorrow
If God is worthy of your trust for eternity, He is worthy of your trust for tomorrow
Ask Him to help you get to His best for your life

II. The examples of the “rest” of the Promised Land - Hebrews 4:4-11

A. The example of creation rest - Hebrews 4:4-5
Seventh day -Sabbath (5pm Saturday)
Jewish people turned it into a burden
God wanted US to have a rest
The blessing of rest (His rest, His best)
Instructions for entering into rest

B. The example of Canaan rest - Hebrews 4:6-7
God wanted his people to have when they went to the edge of the Promised Land
Why should they have believed that
God promised it to them!
Tjeyy walked to the edge, and stopped believing the promises
Belief / Obedience

C. The example of Calvary rest - Hebrews 4:8-13; John 19:30;
Matthew 11:28-30
God wanted Israel to enjoy His very best He had set up for them. They missed it because they didn’t believe
Caleb took his mountain for God
David
Solomon
The rest still remains for us
Don’t be satisfied with just getting out of Egypt
III. The examination of the residents of the Promised Land - Hebrews 4:12-13
How do I know if I am going in the right direction, genuinely, with right motives?

A. Examined by the Word of God - Hebrews 4:12
Vs. 12
Read the Bible
Discern,
the word of God will be a critic of your life
GPS system for my life, the Word of God

B. Examined by the God of the Word - Hebrews 4:13

God sees our lives
Vs. 13 We have the God of the Word to help us to understand where we are
You can’t fool God
Nothing is hidden from Him
Journey from salvation to Gods best for my life
I have to enter into Gods best for my life
Saved in order that we might serve
Eph. 2:10
We are saved FOR good works
(Lord, what are the good works you have for me to do)
Find out how I can get to Gods best for my life

Reflect on what God has saved me from

So thankful to be alive, show me how I can help (serve You)

Discover what God wants

Fearfully enter into Gods plan for my life

His rest is His best
“Lord, whatever you want, whatever you have for me”

Hebrews ~ Going on with God
God has so much more for us than we could ever dream
(I have had feelings of “this is it, there’s nothing more”)

( In Prayer: He has so much more for us to know than we take time to learn)

It's Tough Being a Woman.....week 8

Often, when we thrill to the realization of a call from God, we picture going from our faces to our feet as He increasingly elevates our position. The reverse however, is often truer in the earthly realm.

(Esther 8:3)

Esther had come to royal position for such a time as this

To accomplish our call, we must be humbled far more than exalted, though God certainly lifts up His faithful servant in due time

somewhere deep inside our selfish selves we really don't believe that life is all about us

...whose passion for God only swells with time, hitting it's highest pitch with the last breath
I want this passion!

1Sam 8:20 - begging God for a human "king" who would lead me and go out before me and fight my battles. I didn't see my request as a replacement for God. I spiritualized my quest for an earthly hero by agreeing to see him as a gift from God.

He (God) not only see the desires of our hearts, but He also looks straight into the heart of our desires and knows when we are asking - even accidentally - for a false Christ

God is jealous for our true enduring hero to be His own Son. He answers my prayers to love Jesus above all else by allowing someone to disappoint me and prove insufficient for me

Sometimes God wants to show us what we can do rather than let us find someone who can do it for us

sometimes you and I are looking for someone to stand up and do what God wants us to do

...wanted someone to step in and break the chain of bondage....instead God started that process by breaking me

****...one reason God dissuades us from making champions of human kind is to keep us from falling in love with the night and paying no worship to the glorious Son.****

Sometimes God calls us to wait

Every morning God already knows each joy and concern that our day holds

God's timing is perfect

we must learn to fight an invisible enemy (Eph. 6:10-17) Sometimes we're exactly where we are meant to be - right in the middle of our spiritual Canaan - yet God tests us there to teach us a new level of warfare

One of the hardest parts of being a mother or a mentor is watching our children face a battle we can't fight for them. If God is going to raise our children to be mighty warriors of the faith, He must be free to teach them to fight. ....how can the person experience the exhilaration of victory in a battle they never had to fight. (mom)

Some of us with little previous battle experience have no idea why God is allowing us to go through such difficult times in a place we thought was His will.

God's trying to make warriors out of us

we are guaranteed the victory

God's providence is the theme of Esther, the absence of His obvious activity invites us to imagine the divine activities behind the scene. If we could only see what is happening around us in the unseen realm, our eyes would nearly pop out of socket.
(my water-baptism)

God wasn't forced to think up something new when the book of Malachi rolled to a close and the Gospel o Matthew pounded on His door. God's plan for Israel hadn't fallen through the cracks between Testaments.
(God's plan for me wasn't thwarted when I was moved from Montana back to California)

He will mount the fastest horse in the King's stables and burst through the barriers of human sight and sound with the armies of heaven "following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen white and clean (Rev. 19:1) "On His robe and on His thigh He will have written the name King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16)

Every single time we pray the familiar words "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven", we are praying for Christ to return in all His majesty.

We never have to leave the King's presence

And remember, "I am with you always, to the end of the age". (Matt. 28:18-20

When a time of happiness comes, I think we outght to take it and run

We often speak of happiness as a less noble term than joyfulness because the former is circumstantial and the latter less conditional.....but when God intervenes in our circumstances and we get a chance not only to know we're blessed but feel blessed, nothing is more appropriate than seizing the happy moment.
(thinking of my experience with RA and his music, "Lord, am I making too much of this?" His response "No, take it and run babe!"

...it is meant by God to be medicine for our weary souls. Times of happiness are glimpses of Heaven until we get there

God tookHis children's mourning, fasting, weeping, and wailing adn turned it into a time of happiness, joy, gladness and honor

Yahweh, the faithful covenant GOd, reversed every negative of His threatened people and turned it intop a postivice

God's people didn't suddenly aquire perfect conditions, they still lived on planet Earth and had fierce battles to fight.

God can reverse every negative element in His child's life and turn it into a positive. He just doesn't diffuse the circumstance, HE transfuses it.

Your God cares about you! He wants to show you what He can do with your life and your negative conditions.

He alone is the author of reversals

...ask the one who has begun a good work in you to complete it

KSGN's Making A Difference Tour

KSGN - Making a Difference Tour
Richard Andrew, Jadon Lavik, Raymond Gregory
Harvest Christian Fellowship --- Riverside, California

I was hoping to attend in person and was going to, even invited to sit front row until mom and dad had to go out of town on business. Drats. I was gonna get a t-shirt from Richard and have both my mom and I wear them together that night. I invited people to go too, and prayed about certain people going. But watched it online instead, and believe I had almost as much fun.

Raymond Gregory
Although his first song I wasn't crazy about his style or his voice, he even seemed a bit uncomfortable at first, by the second or third song I was really enjoying his music and he seemed to loosen up quite a bit. What a great sense of humor too, even in his music!
"As long as Your on my side, I'll be wealthy" ~ A song lyric of his that really jumped out at me tonight. And when I first heard 'Happily Married' on the radio, I will confess it wasn't a song I particularly cared for, only because I am not (yet, I hope? Hint hint Lord???) But for some reason, tonight it had a different feel, and I responded differently to it. I dunno, can't explain really.

Richard Andrew
Now *here's* the reason I watched tonight, and frankly I couldn't wait! Oh yeah, I coulda watched him aaaaallll night! I made a comment on the tour site about three o'clock this afternoon, going crazy because it was still four hours away! HaHA!
I had to laugh at myself really, I saw Richard up on stage getting ready to sing right after someone got up and said a few words, and I became r-e-a-l-l-y excited "There he is, there he is!" I'm such a nut!
"Knocking On Heaven's Door". God's telling me regarding my future and the plans that He has for me, "keep on asking, Keep on seeking, KEEP on knocking, whatever you do , don't give up!".
As he is singing an acoustic version "None Compare", my all-time FAVORITE song of his, he shares with the audience (I'm sure those online as well as in person) that God was speaking to someone. "He can see you in the valley, He can hear you call His name" Don't know if that was meant just for me, hope someone else got it too, but it still made me smile.
His drummer sure looked like he was having a blast! That was awesome to see! I know I was. I was trying to recline in my power chair while watching but it didn't work. I was sitting up in my chair having a grand ol' time, dancing and waving to his song 'Wave a Hand'. "I'm no longer the man I used to be. Thank God almighty I'm free at last I'm free......!"
I did not want his set to end!!! I secretly hoped he would even sing a new song, but was thankful for what he did sing tonight.I even sang along, I believe to all of them!

Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship got up and gave a brief word just before Jadon Lavik was up to sing. Pastor Laurie spoke about the woman at the well. I have heard so many pastors preach on this. The one line I really remember and that spoke to me was "Jesus didn't point a finger at her failings."

Jadon Lavik
I am a new fan of Jadon Lavik. His music was crazy good! A little country, a little rock...... My most favorite song was "What If". Again, God really got me here. , something he's been speaking to me lately "I couldn't love you any more or less than I do". Other lines in his music that stuck out to me - "I surrender it all to you" and a line from his song 'I Just Want to Praise You' ~ "Daily I'm forgiven, daily I'm renewed"

I still can't believe, watching it online I still had that much fun. I still acted as though I was there in person, even though I was at home, in my room.

The Rivers Edge........Part 2

'All God's promises are "Yes!" and "Amen!" All God's promises are true'......okay, we didn't exactly sing this song on Sunday, but it is stuck in my head as I type this.
Gods promises, the phrase has been haunting me for quite some time. What are they? What are they for me, specifically? Sunday's sermon just happened to be a confimatoin that God knows whats going on in this big head of mine, and I believe it's just the beginning.

Come into the presence of God with a willing heart, and receive what He has for you that day

Heirs to the Promise

Believe what God says about you and the promises that God has made to you
A promise made gives hope, confidence, an expectation of the fulfillment of that promise in your life
When God makes a prommise, there is nothing in Heaven or on earth that can ever come up that God says He cannot keep that promise. Hope and expectancy God will do what He says He is going to do!
He cannot force you to believe Him
You must first believe that His promises are for you in order to walk in them with hope, confidence, and expectancy
Galatians 3:6-9
Abraham - father of faith, believed God and took God at His word
Even when it did not make sense in the natural, even when it was uncomfortable, and even when it wasn't very popular.
"I'm gonna believe You God".
Genesis 22:15-18
Abraham and Issac
(my leaving Montana for California?)
God - "Give it to me, see what I can do in you". (my dreams for the future)
Sometimes the most valuable things is what's holding us back from the promises of God being released in our lives.
Abraham said 'Yes" to God
trusted God with everything he had

Romans 4:20-21

(obedience)
.....that what He had promised, He was also able to perform
God promised certain events would happen in the future. Abraham simply believed God
hugest obstacles of our life believe God for what He will say and will do
Holy Spirit = Promise keeper, Promise Helper
Gal. 3:16 - To Abraham and his seed (us, the body of Christ) were the pronmises made.
(Abrahamic Promises)
These promises were not in the natural
made to those who would put their trust in Christ
We have the promise of Abraham if we put our trust in Christ
Galatians 3:13-14 (Faith)
Christ came to not only save us fromredeem somethign but to giove us somethign as well
If we were just saved, that is something to rejoice about, if we were just redeemed that is something to get excited about
There are some promises that He has layed out in my life, that if I would just grab hold of those promises and begin to walk in the confidence, hope,and expectancy that He can do what He says He can do in my life......
*** God ~ "Watch how I'll build you to be used in God's kingdom"
Crazy enough to believe God....Do what He says, leave the results up to God
God loves that kind of heart
Galatians 4:1-8
Holy Spirit -Helps me to fulfill all God has called me to do
No limits in my life
Do it His way
view yourself properly
live your life out in that manner, as a child of God
Gal. 4:1
I can get stuck walking and talking like a slave
Living as a child of promise
Grace - Gods sovereign divine abiltiy to get the job done on our behalf when we can't do it
No one can earn the promises
Grace through faith
I have the capability to be righteous, to be holy because of what Christ has done on the cross for me
New Identity in Christ
Do your best, God will do the rest
confidence, hope, expectation
Romans 4:13
8:14-17
Genesis 22
Ephesians 3:6, 20-21
Titus 3:4-7
Hebrews 6:13-14;17-18
God cannot make a promise to His seed that He is not willing, able and capable to fulfill. Belive God, be fully convinced
James 2:5 - poor of this world rich in faith
If God says he is going to do it, He will fulfill it
Believe God
Galatians 22:15-18
Abraham was blessed
The earthly stuff is secondary, not the primary stuff, the primary stuff is tbe spiritual side of posessing the gates of the enemy. this taking ground that which the enemy has stolen, this 'taking back'.
6 to the 22nd power - the multiplication God wants to do in our life, in the spiritual realm
simple obedience to His voice
Have I put limits on God?
Ephesians 3:20-21
Why do we put limits on a limitless God?
Is there any enemy too great for us?
confidence, hope, expectancy we have the promises of God. The gates (authority) of Hell shall not prevail, victory is ours
Matthew 16:18-19
I can hold myself back
The devil is fearful that I might get ahold of this
The devil wants to bring doubt and disbelief
I want to start acting, walking, talking like it
Church is about giving my life away, I don't know what it looks like
(Book of Acts)
confindence, hope, expectancy
If thats the way they did it Lord, than I want it in my life
Amm I feeling defeated, do I keep judging myself at this refrence point of trying to live under the law?
How do I view my Heavenly Father? As a taskmaster, ready to slap your hand at the slightest infraction
I can never measure up, be the Christian God wants me to be, do what he asks me to dolosing the joy of the Lord of your life
Grace of God
God has promises for me to live out, things for me to do
GOd is going to work on my behalf
My reference point, God's work on the cross, his blod shed for me
God calls us to go forward. QUIT GOING BACK!

I was just thinking about RA's tagline on his website. Part of a song he wrote.....~ "Holding back the flood you'll find a rainbow." Hmmmmmm. Now I can't wait to listen. There are messages in this series, I may just have to keep following along online.

The Rivers Edge

"There you found me on the bottom the forgotten and there the Angels came and surrounded all my problems, crying "Holy!" and singing "Jesus Reigns!"

I was going to visit my friend Richard Andrew at his church in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Ironically, its the same city where my dad grew up. It was a great way to sucker....um, talk my parents into going! Come to find out, it was closer to my dad's childhod home than we thought. We had talked about visiting for weeks, maybe even months I dunno, but something always happened....one of us was getting hurt and/or having surgery.
He sends me a message over FB about visiting his church as he is leading worship and sdoing all songs that he had written. I message him back saying I would work on it. His reply ~ "Cool! I'm gonna pray you guys in!" I decide to do the same.
A week ago we were finally able to fit it into our schedule, not the week we originally wanted, but a visit none-the-less. I sent him a message letting him know. The week was not going by fast enough! By Wednesday I wrote on his FB wall-"Is it Sunday yet?", he doing the same by Saturday afternoon, making me laugh. I wanted Saturday to be over in a hurry, but feared Sunday just might do the same if I wished it by too fast. I went to bed early (9PM) because with the 1 1/2 hour drive, I had to get up eaerly to be at service by 10AM, and with these headaches and nausea I have been waking up with for quite some time, I desperately wanted to avoid that Sunday morning as much as I could. Alas, try as I might I just couldn't sleep. I was too excited! I slept, but not that deep sleep that makes it seem like its been five minutes and it's really been a few hours. I felt like I slept for hours and it had only been about fifteen minutes! ARGH! I did this three or four times. Six-thirty came...Finally, Up-An'-At-'Em, I did NOT want to be late! U nfortunately it took me some time to get motivated, as I feared it would. THe headache attacked, btu I was determined it would not keep me from my mission.....worship with Richard Andrew and the folks at The Rivers Edge.
The drive up there took FOR-EV-ER! (my dad even joked about changing his mind about us going....I didn't laugh. THAT was cruel!) I musta looked at my watch every five to fifteen minutes on the drive up("Are we there yet?!") , and I did NOT want to be late!!! I was hoping to catch him before service started, letting him know I was here. I had wanted to sneak up on him and start singing the first line to his song 'Wave A Hand' ~ "Pardon me have we met before? You look familiar but I still can't tell for sure. Can't explain the similarities of what it is that makes ya look like me well....", but I swear he must have told people in his church I was coming because someone had spilled the beans as soon as I got in the door. Uh, well, as soon as I saw him my mind went blank, dang! I guess I was excited? lol! And so was he once he saw me! Ohmygoodness the whole time we talked before and after service he was like a little kid in a candy shop, all excited and animated!
Two things I regret not doing that night. I did not get a picture with MY camera phone (THANKYOU JODY for the picture!!!) and not sitting next to him in the service (but then again i DID tell him I was going to sit front row when he led worship.
He led three or four songs for worship at the very beginning....and I thought that was the end of worship! "WHAT?! Thats IT?! NOOOOOOOO, I didn't comne all this way for three songs!" Haha, my bad. After a few announcements and such, he was back on stage for the second set. Whew! And the second set was nothing short of annointed!
~'Take My Will'
~"None Compare'
~'Cry'n Holy'
Worship got done and I secretly hoped it would have lasted the entire service. I am a worshipper, what can I say?! \o/ I must have had my arms raised in worship the entire time. \o/ My arms are still feeling it!
The messsage. I thought I heard Pastor Debbie Hornsby say something near the end of announcements about preaching on tithing. My first thought was "Oh, great." A touchy subject for me being that I am on public assistance (SSI). Well, at least the worship was good, even if that was all God brought me up here for. Hahahaha, boy was I SO wrong! As it turns out that her husband, pastor Gary Hornsby, spoke on God's promises. I was abundantly blessed by that message. God was speaking to me SO much, I am sure I missed a lot of what was preached because my hand could not write fast enough. It was a bummer they didn't have sermon notes in their bulletin, so I improvised and used the back of an announcement sheet, and then ran out of room so I had to go searching for another piece of paper to write on....found a piece of paper in my Bible and ran out of room on that one too! LOL!!! As soon as the message is posted on their church website I will listen again and post here.
Richard came back on stage and picked up his guitar, started playing only to have a bit of background music for the pastor to close out the service. Dang! I was SO hoping he was going close us out in worship. :'( I couldn't leave without seeing Richard after service. When he asked me what I thought, I couldn't help a huge grin wiping across my face. This day was exactly what the Doctor ordered, and Richard said that he could sense it even during pastors message. Whoa, talk about a huge confirmation to what God was speaking...(I am almost crying while writing this sentence)!
At the end of the service I had another wonderful opportunity waiting for me. I had the pleasure of meeting one of Richards friends in person. See, he introduced us online. And there was a funny story behind the post that started our friendship. The three of us had our picture taken together (YES, I FINALLY have a picture with Richard!).
Mom and dad had a difficult tinme getting me out the door. I coulda hung out with Richard all day! Why couldn't God have put us closer together geographically?! Before I even left the building I got the brilliant idea (or was it God-given) to start praying about when the next time God would give us the opportunity to fellowship together again. As I was getting ready for bed that night, mom mentioned I might ask as a Christmas present to go back and se him at his church again. Uh, Lord????????

As far as that whole vening goes, dad says he cannot remember the last time he sasw me so happy..