Today we are celebrating the home-going of Ruth Stockstill, the co-founder Bethany. When I was younger in college and Troy and I were dating, I used to sit back and admire the 3 generations serving and worshiping together- Pastor Roy and Mrs. Ruth, Pastor Larry and Mrs. Melanie, and all their 6 children. To be able to witness the fruit of their labor is so encouraging as I am raising up my 4 children. It especially reminds me not to get discouraged if I don't see the whole picture. We are all co-laborers for the kingdom and we will not always see everything, but we will hear "well done my faithful servant." So, for the seeds she has planted in all of us, I praise God that I got to witness her life and it encourages me to be stronger in my walk with the Lord and strive to plant seeds into my own, the next generation.
Interesting, because last night I went to the Live the Dream conference at HPC and April S. spoke- Joel Osteen's sister. She had a powerful word about fighting the good fight of faith because it is teaching the next generation what to fight for- we are warriors for Christ. It was based on her experience when her mom (surely everyone has heard this story) was diagnosed with cancer and was given 3 weeks to live. She came home looking deathly, and April witnessed her parents praying and standing in faith for her healing. Of course, the end of the story is that she is still living and just celebrated a birthday last Wed.- She outlived her husband! God is so good. If anyone gets this update, Please pray for KELLEY, one of our best friends who is battling cancer in the hospital right now. I believe in the miracles of God for EVERYONE. I cannot let other people's circumstances change my faith in God's Word. By Jesus Christ's stripes we WERE healed and I will believe that for Kelley today. Please join your faith to ours. She needs a miracle in the next few days.
Check out the HPC conference live on the web. I think you can get there by healingplacechurch.org
God, family, everything else...
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Who is your "sauce"?
Really, it's who is your "source"- Dr. Cho from South Korea pronounces it "sauce"!
Just a thought question for me today. I have heard so many people raising the concern of what is going on in the economy. Definately it is a wake-up in our
spiritual lives, to know who our source really is-God or this world? Our pastor
said that the nation is experiencing a shaking- we understand that since we just lived through a hurricane season-but the shaking of our nation relates to the fall of all the things man has trusted in-Money, power, modern conviences, even people are falling from their high places! I guess I can now SEE how God is proving His goodness to us in these days. When you see a tree that has some brown leaves and broken limbs and something SHAKES it, all those parts of the tree that are disconnected fall and those that are healthy and connected to the main parts stay the attached. I think that is a true picture of this passage of scripture when Jesus says,
"I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2)
I believe in the LOVE of God first. If there is a wake up call for our nation to turn to God, God will do everything in His power to draw his family back to Him.
So I am not blaming God for every horrible thing that goes on in the world. But I do think He is needing the body of Christ who is connected to rise up and declare his GOODNESS- spread the good news of Jesus, love our neighbors as ourselves, forgive others, live a life of integrity, you know! I hope for all my friends and family that you trust God as your source, no matter what the gas prices are or what the stock market does! We have a promise that is GOOD and we need to let those around us see our confidence in the Lord in such a time as this.
Just a thought question for me today. I have heard so many people raising the concern of what is going on in the economy. Definately it is a wake-up in our
spiritual lives, to know who our source really is-God or this world? Our pastor
said that the nation is experiencing a shaking- we understand that since we just lived through a hurricane season-but the shaking of our nation relates to the fall of all the things man has trusted in-Money, power, modern conviences, even people are falling from their high places! I guess I can now SEE how God is proving His goodness to us in these days. When you see a tree that has some brown leaves and broken limbs and something SHAKES it, all those parts of the tree that are disconnected fall and those that are healthy and connected to the main parts stay the attached. I think that is a true picture of this passage of scripture when Jesus says,
"I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2)
I believe in the LOVE of God first. If there is a wake up call for our nation to turn to God, God will do everything in His power to draw his family back to Him.
So I am not blaming God for every horrible thing that goes on in the world. But I do think He is needing the body of Christ who is connected to rise up and declare his GOODNESS- spread the good news of Jesus, love our neighbors as ourselves, forgive others, live a life of integrity, you know! I hope for all my friends and family that you trust God as your source, no matter what the gas prices are or what the stock market does! We have a promise that is GOOD and we need to let those around us see our confidence in the Lord in such a time as this.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
"Think about what you are thinking about!"
I was reading a great book by Joyce Meyer that addressed how we are to be cautious not to let
our minds wander or wonder too much. Perhaps in a normal day, we get focussed and begin
working on something meaningful but our mind wanders down another thought path! Anyway,
it was an encouraging word to know that we do have the strength to take hold of our thoughts and
turn them over to God. Most of the time He is trying to give us the insight and direction that we
are really in search of for our day, but we won't get it we wander down 3rd Street and we are supposed
to be on Main! Just a thought!
our minds wander or wonder too much. Perhaps in a normal day, we get focussed and begin
working on something meaningful but our mind wanders down another thought path! Anyway,
it was an encouraging word to know that we do have the strength to take hold of our thoughts and
turn them over to God. Most of the time He is trying to give us the insight and direction that we
are really in search of for our day, but we won't get it we wander down 3rd Street and we are supposed
to be on Main! Just a thought!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
LIVE LIFE!
I have discovered that life is what YOU make it, not what you want others to make happen for you. As a young mom, I have to decide each day when I wake up that today will be great and that God has something awesome in store... So instead of waking up tired and frustrated because of all the responsibilities that come with life, I have learned to chill out and just have fun! No matter how many times I clean my house and make it perfect, it doesn't stay that way for longer than 30 minutes! I don't want to live my life stuck in a closet trying to get organized-I certainly appreciate those who have the natural gift of order, but the order I want in my life begins with my priorities- GOD, FAMILY, and then EVERYTHING ELSE!
Here are some things that make my mornings go smoother!
1. Read your Bible and pray before the kids wake up. It will set the tone for your day.
2. If you have time, take a walk around the block. It is so peaceful and getting out of the house will change your perspective!
3. Get some good music going in your house (I couldn't live without our family ipod)
4. Welcome your family in the morning with a happy heart, especially your husband! A warm cup of coffee with our Bibles on the patio is our favorite date. We discuss our lives, the future, and even our daily schedules- who drives carpool, what we will do for dinner, etc.
5. Some days I just want to lounge in our pj's and hang at home- other days I just need to throw on my coolest jeans and go shopping- KNOW YOURSELF- don't get stuck in the house every day and don't run your family crazy because you are so BUSY! Balance is the key.
6. Forgive and Live! Don't get hard on yourself because you aren't perfect. We are running a marathon, not a sprint. Sometimes we get ahead and sometimes we fall behind, but thank GOD, we are still in the race and it isn't over! KEEP MOVING and don't give up!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Fall is here!
The thing I love about the fall, besides the beautiful landscapes and cool breezes, is the mark of "change." Fall reminds me that it is okay to let go of things and look forward to the new season of life! Sometimes transition is difficult, but if our hope is in God, then we know it will be good!
My favorite things about fall!
1. LSU TIGERS FOOTBALL!
2. Back to school!!!
3. Beautiful leaves and landscapes on Highland Road
4. Great shopping
5. New jeans and cool boots
6. Being outside with my family
7. Hollidays at the Centroplex
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