GUMY - CHALLENGE

Asking Why....

2013-09-14T14:16:00.001-04:00

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hid your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?

...But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

(Psalm 13: 1-2, 5)

My Grandma Hilbert was 94 years old when she passed from this life to the next one, and she used to say that God forgot about her. She said it was because she was so ornery. I used to tell her that it was because God still had more for her to do.

Do you ever feel like God can’t see you – or that He forgot you?

The feeling is pretty common when you are going through a difficult situation or struggle.

Why would a good and gracious God allow you to endure strife?

Doesn’t God know you need Him to intervene?

In David’s 13^th Psalm poses these same questions…thousands of years later each of us is struggling with similar obstacles to grace that David faced. None of us is that different from a king – a man after God’s own heart – who sought guidance and protection from God. A king who faced struggles, defeats, anxiety, depression, chaos, hatred, abuse, illness, death, pain….nearly every difficulty a human being could face.

If you compare your situation to David’s – how different are you?

Have you faced something David hasn’t? Likely, not, but what makes you different than the shepherd boy who became king?

David was brave enough to go before God and ask Him, “Why?”

All too often, we are afraid to question God – to ask him when He will intervene – when He will take the struggle – the pain – away.

We fear questioning God for a few different reasons:

1. The answer. If we ask God, “Why aren’t you helping me through this? Why aren’t you solving my problem?”, we may hear Him say, “I’m not solving the problem because you need to press through this difficult time so that you will be prepared for a more difficult situation down the road.” Well, no one wants to hear God say that the problem you are facing today is just preparing you for a bigger problem in six months, six years or six decades! We live in a culture of quick fixes and microwave meals. We don’t want to hear we have to work through a problem – but more often than not – that is exactly what we need to do.

2. The consequence. Sometimes, the difficult situation we find ourselves in is as a result of a poor choice we have made. And God allows us to endure the punishment to help teach us not to make the same mistake. A bummer – I know – but the mess you make is the one you have to clean up.

3. No answer. When we seek the “why” we aren’t guaranteed that God will respond. Perhaps you aren’t ready to hear the answer. Perhaps the answer to why is another tragedy. Perhaps the why is simply – because…not a great answer. As a person of faith, you need to be willing to be okay with no answer. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t keep asking – God is okay with the questions - because it means you are seeking a relationship with Him – but you must also be okay with silence as your answer.

“In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33)

“I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” (2 Corinthians 12: 7-8)

Trials are a part of this life. You can’t get away from them. You will always have difficult situations, but you can be assured that God will be with you:

But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

God created you…

He created this world…

He allowed the bad to happen…

And He WILL rescue from it…In His time.

So…what can you do to wait for your salvation?

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD for he has been good to me.” Psalm 13: 5-6

Scripture

Psalm 13

GUMY Challenge:

FINAL ANSWER!!!!!

Mustard Seed

Don't forget to collect all 14 answers and bring them with you next week for GUMY....

You will need them.

GUMY is Sunday September 22nd!!!!!

BRING A FRIEND (or seven!)

XOXO

Finding the Soil...

2013-09-07T15:00:00.000-04:00

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.”

RoberH. Schuller (Theologian)

Seeds are a miraculous thing. From this teeny tiny speck, a flower or a plant or a great tree will grow. Everything that grows in the ground starts from a seed. But unfortunately, not every seed grows.

Jesus shares a parable with his followers about some seeds. The seeds were thrown by a farmer as he walked along. Some of the seeds fell on along the path, some in shallow soil, some amongst the thorns and some in good soil. The seeds which fell on the path were snatched up by the birds and the seeds which fell on the shallow soil shot up quickly, but were burned by the sun. The seeds which fell amongst the thorns grew, but were quickly choked out by the thorny bushes. But the seeds which fell in the good soil grew and flourished, producing much fruit.

This parable is an image of how different people will perceive the Gospel.

Some fell along the path...Some people completely ignore the message of hope and love of Jesus. They are like the seeds which fell on the path. They have hard hearts towards God and choose to live their lives for worldly pleasures rather than opening up to what God has to offer them. They have closed hearts and closed ears. And yet, we are called to love them in spite of our differences. You may not be able to change the person of the hardened path, but you can still share God's love with him or her.

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil... Sometimes, when we share the Gospel message with someone they are on fire with the love of Christ. This person will go out and buy the t-shirt, the bumper sticker, and the necklace, professing a 180 degree life change, but the changes are only surface deep. This person is like the seed which falls on rocky or shallow ground - he or she gets a taste of the love of Jesus and is excited about the high of the unconditional grace offered, but when it comes time to truly change his or her life - to turn away from the path he or she has been following - this person can't let go and the enthusiasm once felt for Jesus withers and fades. And just like our friend with the hardened heart, we are called to love the people whose faith is shallow - not to judge them.

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain....Life is hard and as human beings we face man obstacles. These obstacles can bend and nearly break us for the difficulties they present. This is what happens to those who are like the seeds which fell amongst the thorns. People can and will allow their trials in life, or the pressures of others around them to choke out the life giving love of Christ. This is a choice. They have chosen to allow the pain of the world to override the peace offered by Jesus. At times, you might empathize with someone in this situation; maybe you have felt like giving up or giving in a time or two. Empathy is good...it will help you to love these persons and try and share the light that Christ offers through the darkness of the thorns.

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times... This is who we want to be as Christians. Creating good soil in which our seeds can grow begins with our commitment to Christ. We must put Him first, every day. By focusing our hearts and minds on Him we will begin to nourish our soil in His life giving light. We next need to fertilize the soil through the study of His word and His teaching. This fertilizer will help our seeds grow stronger and fuller - producing more fruit. And finally our seeds need to be planted by other seeds in like soil. We need the support and encouragement of other Christians to help us grow and weather the storms of life.

Seeds are life giving, but they can only grow with the right nourishment. Begin by tending your soil and then look for opportunities to help others to grow.

Scripture

(click on the link below...not surprising it is the parable of the soils)

Mark 4:3-20 (NIV)

Fun Fact:

The most grown crop in the world is wheat as it is cultivated in all continents except Antarctica. Rice is second. Corn is Third. Potatoes and bananas are numbered four.

So, I guess if you want to bake some bread in Antarctica - you are going to have to bring the flour with you....

Quote
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Mother Teresa

GUMY Challenge
Answer: Clue #13 - Jesus's last words on the cross were: "It is finished"

Clue #14 (LAST CLUE): What is the smallest seed that grows into a bush on the planet?
Hint: Jesus said it was like the Kingdom of Heaven. (And it is used to make a condiment for Hot Dogs....)

Only two more weeks until GUMY kick off ....be sure to be collecting your answers...you will need them on September 22nd!

To Whom Much is Given....

2013-08-31T21:23:00.000-04:00

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Luke 12:48

When you think about your life...what thoughts run through your mind?

Do you consider yourself blessed or cursed?

I consider myself extremely blessed.

Even if I hadn't been born in a country that was free, or to a family where I was adored, or with advantages I would still consider myself blessed - because I know Jesus.

Everything else - my job, my family, my education...even my country would be nothing if I didn't have Jesus.

But knowing Jesus - being in a relationship requires constant attention.

Attention to my relationship with him as well as attention to the incremental blessings he has given to me.

Recently, I heard someone say that the blessings in my life weren't just for me but they were for everyone I encounter.

I consider the blessing of my relationship with Jesus - as well as the other multitude of blessings - to be a blessing to share.

Each day I wake up, I have the privilege and responsibility of representing Jesus to the world around me. How I share him and his blessings often is how those around me perceive Jesus - right or wrong my relationship with Jesus is a bridge to help others find a relationship with him.

Some days, when I think about the duty of sharing Jesus with others I get all tangled up inside:

What if I say the wrong thing?

What if I snap at someone?

What if someone I talk to doesn't like my hair - and then doesn't like Jesus?

I know...a little crazy - but honest.

I take the responsibility of sharing the love of Jesus very seriously...

To Whom Much Has Been Given - Much is Required.

I have been given much - I have been give the eternal love of a Savior.

And I am motivated to share that love with everyone I meet so that all of those someones might be given the same gift - and mission.

You have been given much....what will you do with it?

Quote

One person can make a difference and every person should try.

John F. Kennedy

Scripture

Luke 12:35-48

GUMY CHALLENGE

Answer to Clue #12: Gold

Clue #13: What were Jesus's final words on the cross.....

You may need to read just a bit....XOXO

Ignoring the Holes to Focus on the Whole

2013-08-24T19:28:00.000-04:00

Don’t grumble against one another

James 5:9

When was the last time you fought with your brother or sister?

How about a friend...your mom....a teacher?

Have you ever complained about something in your life not being fair?

Well...if you have you are in a very large club...one with about 7+ billion members.

As humans, we complain. We tend to focus on what we don't have rather than what we have. We see the holes in life rather than the whole of life. We compare and contrast ourselves to the lives we see around us.

I want a bigger car...

Or I want to be liked like she is...

Or I want to stay out past my curfew....

Or I want the latest iPod...

Or....I want...

Most of our grumbling and dissatisfaction comes because of comparison....because we live in a world where we want to "Keep Up with the Joneses".

We look across the yard and see someone else's life and we begin to see that we want what we don't have...

Not because we need it...but simply because we don't have it.

This desire for things and wants and wishes outside of our lives causes us to step outside of our faith - to pull away from God.

When we begin to grumble or complain about our lives - we are complaining about the gifts God has already blessed us with.

When we fight with our parents because of a perceived restriction; or when we disagree with our siblings; or we want something someone else has - we are essentially telling God that what He has given to us is not enough.

Complaints - whining - is telling God "Your doing it wrong Big Guy".

Do you want to be the one to tell God He's doing it wrong?

Do you think you have the right?

Instead of focusing on what you don't have, focus instead on the blessings of today.

Even in the midst of the most trying times and the darkest of hours there are specks of light and joy that can be discovered. Sometimes you may need to dig deep in your soul to see them - but I promise those gifts are there.

By focusing on the blessing - you will be given the great gift of patience.

Patience isn't a natural human condition. Patience is something that must be earned through practice and discipline.

By turning from your grumbles and focusing on what is good in your life today you will find that waiting - showing patience - isn't that hard.

Your life is as it should be. The challenges you are enduring are preparing you for something in your life that you can't yet see - but God can. The holes in your life will be filled but something better than you can even imagine.

How do I know?

God knows the whole of your life...I guarantee He will fill in the holes - if you are patient and let him.

Scripture

James 5:7-12

Quote

“Oh, mansion shmansion. Did Gandhi's house have the largest outdoor trampoline in the tristate area? Did Jesus have a two-acre remote-controlled car track, with mountains to scale and a little village that lit up at night? Not in his Bible.”

George Saunders

GUMY Challenge

Answer to Clue #11: GOD

Clue #12:

Your worth more than....Click the link to find out

Are You Believing Your Own PR?

2013-08-17T10:40:00.002-04:00

“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”

Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG)

"You are amazing!"

"You are the best student in the 10th grade!"

"You are the prettiest girl on the planet!"

"You are so stupid!"

"Why can't you be more like him?"

Have you ever heard any of these statements directed toward you?

Phrases that build you up...or bring you down?

In the world - even in the Christian world - we tend to idealize individuals - raise them up so high we almost cannot see them anymore. And on the flip side, we like to tear people down to the point that they never seem like they will be able to recover.

Why?

PR, baby.

Whether someone is described as too good or too awful has to do with the "spin" or the public relations given to him or her. Often the words people use to describe us - good or bad - are simply that...words.

Words are one of the most powerful weapons in the world.

They can be wielded for good and for evil.

But only you can choose to believe what the words say.

In Paul's letter to the Galatians he was reminding the new believers - and us - to be humble; to recognize that we are all parts of the Body of Christ - no one greater than the other - and no one worse than the other. We each must find our own purpose in God's plan and follow that plan to fruition - not allowing ourselves to be distracted by the lure of the world.

Each of us has an important role to play.

You are important!

Maybe today you are struggling with who you are supposed to be.

Maybe you are questioning what your mission in life is.

Maybe you are feeling a little like a fraud because people keep telling you that you are wonderful.

Maybe you feel a little lost starting a new school year.

Maybe you can't understand why God loves you as much as He does.

Or maybe you are struggling with something you can only share with God.

However you are feeling at this moment - know - above all else - you are LOVED.

You are loved because you are you.

For no other reason.

You are loved...just as you are.

God's love isn't conditional upon whether you are pretty, can dunk a basketball, make straight A's or are the most popular kid in school.

His love has no limits and no conditions.

His love just is.

The world will always try and label you with its own special brand of PR.

Your actions and reactions will be spun and re-spun until you almost forget who you really are.

But always know Whose you are.

You are a chosen child of the One True King.

You are beloved.

And that's no PR.

That's just truth.

Scripture

Galatians 6

Quote

“If you have enough people sitting around telling you you're wonderful, then you start believing you're fabulous, then someone tells you, you stink and you believe that too!”

Angelina Jolie

GUMY Challenge

Answers #9 & 10 -

MLK: Wants his children to be remembered for their Character

MT: "As long as you have done your best"

CLUE #11

Here is a little letter to you...from a pretty GREAT ONE...

Question:

Who is this Love Letter From?

XOXO Courtney

You Do the Dreaming....Let God be Your Guide (Double Bonus GUMY Week)

2013-08-10T12:11:00.001-04:00

“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

Genesis 40:8

What is your dream?

Do you dream of being a professional athlete?

Do you dream of writing a novel or of winning an Oscar for acting?

Do you dream of going to college - of falling in love?

What is your dream?

Regardless of your age or level of maturity - you have a dream buried deep within your soul; one that pokes at the corners of your life and seeks to be fulfilled.

So, what are you doing about it?

Are you working toward fulfilling your dream: practicing daily your sport of choice, taking writing or acting classes, studying in school, identifying the qualities of a Christian partner?

Or are you just wishing after the dream...hoping that it may come true but not actively pursuing your dream?

The fulfillment of a dream takes bits of both points of view.

You must dedicate yourself to the hard work needed to drive toward your dream.

But, you also need to have hope - and not put pressure on yourself to barrel ahead toward your dream - steamrolling everything and everyone in your path.

Dreams are a blessing from God.

They are a gift that can help guide us down the path He has destined for us to follow.

But they aren't a one-time deal: "Here's your dream - now go figure out how to make it come true."

Often, the dream God plants in you as a small child or a young adult start as a seed - an inkling toward what God plans for you. Those seeds act as a catalyst to move you in a direction. But, before you listen to the seeds - you must first seek God's direction on where the next seeds have been planted - and where your path is headed.

We must confirm our dreams - and the path they are leading us down - with the giver of dreams.

We all have dreams. Do not interpretations belong to God?

You have a dream - what is it?

Share it with God.

Allow Him to guide you down the path to what the fulfillment of that dream is.

The end of the road for the dream you have today is greater than even your wildest imagination can create. ...

You just have to let God interpret the meaning of your dream.

Scripture

Psalm 106:1-5

Quote

Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

GUMY SUMMER CHALLENGE

DOUBLE BONUS CLUES

hey gang - so this week is a double bonus since we missed last week...

There are TWO clues for this week's prize...which means you will need to give me BOTH on Sunday and keep track of BOTH for the final challenge.

Best Wishes, Courtney

Clue #1(click on this link): What is MLK's dream for how his children what his children will be judged in the future? by their....what?

Clue #2: Mother Teresa's final quote in this clip says that we should not be disheartened by failure as long as we have....what?http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Mother+Teresa+Quotes&view=detail&mid=6226EBA3CAEF21F7C9446226EBA3CAEF21F7C944&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR

Jesus is your friend ... Are you his? (Catch Up GUMY Challenge Week)

2013-07-27T04:30:00.000-04:00

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15

When I was about four years old I remember walking down the hall of the education wing of church and seeing a little girl with dark hair wearing a frilly white dress standing near the nursery. Being the shy girl I am – I made a beeline to her, shoved my hand in her direction, and said, “My name’s Courtney. What’s yours?” She placed her hand in mine and gave a shy smile and said, “Mandy.” With that clumsy handshake a friendship that has spanned three decades was born.

Over the last thirty years, Mandy and I have shared countless birthdays, sleep-overs, late night telephone calls, weeping hugs over heart brakes and weeping hugs over new loves. We’ve developed a deep understanding, respect, trust and unconditional love for each other.

We have friendship.

It wasn’t created in breath or overnight – but it has taken years of devotion, dedication and desire to

build.

Friendship – deep in your bones, call-you-at-3-in-the-morning-because-my-car-broke-down

friendship – is fostered through time.

Unfortunately, our culture has reduced friendship to a single click on a website. We talk about friends based on the number we have, rather than the relationship – I have 292 friends, 1,490 friends, 200,000 friends. Today, your friends are distinguished based on the quantity rather than the quality.

But, I wonder if Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of facebook, would call all of his 1.5 million friends if he found out his mother had cancer, or if his wife just announced she was pregnant with their first child, or if the business he created was crashing down around his ears? Or would he call one?

In John 15:15 Jesus says, I know longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I have learned from my Father, I have made known to you.

Jesus calls us into friendship; not just the duty of servanthood, but a relationship that is deep and abiding. Before he sacrificed himself on the cross, he made a greater sacrifice in leaving heaven and his Father’s side just so he could be in a relationship with you and me. He gave up heaven just so he could be your friend.

Do you know Jesus the friend? Or is he more of a facebook follower – one you click on Sundays but disregard Monday through Saturday?

Jesus desperately wants your friendship – he’s given the time and dedication to it – he’s given his very life for it. Are you willing to take the time to get to know him - as more than a savior - but also as your friend?

Quote

“The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared to Jesus Christ.”
Oswald Chambers

Scripture

John 15

GUMY Summer Challenge....

No challenge question this week...

Be sure to check through previous weeks to catch up.

Last Week's Answer: One Job - is to Love Everyone!

XOXO Courtney

John 7 - Overcoming the Doubters and the Haters (updated)

2013-07-19T21:21:00.000-04:00

Jesus' brothers said to him, "You should leave here and go to Judea. Then your disciples will see the kinds of things you do. No one who wants to be well known does things in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." Even Jesus' own brothers did not believe in him.

John 7:3-5

Can you imagine knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are right?
Knowing that you are doing all of the right things for all of right reasons, and yet no one - not even your family - believes you?

Would you feel discouraged?

Would you be frustrated - angry even?

Would you be a little depressed?

In the seventh chapter of the book of John we see Jesus facing a time in his earthly ministry when he was surrounded by doubters and haters.

Many of his disciples had abandoned him and he returned to his family for the Festival of the Booths - a time in the Jewish celebratory calendar where the Jews remember their time in the wilderness and thank God for his blessings (Leviticus 23:34,42).

My image of Jesus's heart is one of a tender sadness as I read John 7. I don't recall ever seeing him challenged in such away - outside of the Holy Week.

Some believe he is the Christ - but then they question his lineage- is he really of the House of David? Some are amazed by his teaching - but how could he know so much without being educated?

Some believe he is good and right - while others thinking he is tricking his followers.

I imagine that Jesus - who loved these people with the overwhelming love straight from The Father - was deeply saddened by the lack of belief - by the overwhelming number of doubters and haters.

In my mind I hear the sigh of frustration as he is teaching on one day during the festival when he says, "Stop judging only by what you see. Judge correctly." (John 7:24)

Stop judging only by what you see...

I think he was saying to them - and even to us today - Open your heart and you will KNOW.

Belief isn't knowing what we see. Belief is knowing what we cannot see.

How frustrated must he have been with those who had witnessed his miracles first hand - those who had been in his presence ~ truly been in the presence of God on Earth ~ and yet questioned who he was.

Jesus was still teaching in the temple courtyard. He cried out, "Yes, you know me. And you know where I am from. I am not here on my own. The One who sent me is true. You do not know him. But I know him. I am from him, and he sent me."

John 7:28-29

These people could see, hear and touch Jesus and yet, they didn't truly know him. They knew where he was raised. They knew his mom. They even knew of his miracles.
But they didn't truly know him because they did not know the One - God the Father - who had sent him.

When we come to know Jesus - to truly know Jesus - we know God. They are one in the same.

I can sense Jesus's frustration with those he ministered - the doubters and the haters - even the sometimes believers.

And yet, despite his frustration, his love for each of them was so great he laid down his life for each of them and for each of us so that one day - we can say:

"I know him. I have seen him with my heart."

Scripture

John 7 (Yep - the WHOLE chapter)

Quote of the Day

It's a great feeling when you have a lot of doubters and you prove them wrong.

Joakim Noah, NBA Basketball Player

Question of the Day

When have you felt the oppostition of people not believing in you?

GUMY CHALLENGE - Clue # 8

The answer to this week's clue is what Emmanuelle says is "her job" in her posting...it is ALL of our jobs.
Check out this YouTube Clip

Finding a Blessing in the Suffering....(GUMY Summer Challenge Clue #7 - part 2 of 2)

2013-07-13T15:26:00.002-04:00

“God does all these things to a person—
twice, even three times—
to turn them back from the pit,
that the light of life may shine on them."

Job 33: 29-30

Do you ever wonder why you face trials?

Why people have times of struggle or difficulties?

Job is a man who faced innumerable struggles in the Bible.

He lost his home, his family, his wife, his fortune and his health. He lost everything until all he had left was his relationship with God.

His "friends" thought that Job was at fault - he must have done something wrong. Why else would God be forcing him to suffer?

But God challenges Job's friends and even Job himself.

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

Job 38:4-5

Basically - God is telling Job -

"Dude - you are questioning Me?

Who do you think you are?

I created the WORLD....what have you done?"

Job and his friends were questioning God's will in their lives - assuming the role of judge and jury.

They assumed simply because someone was going through difficulties that person must have done something horrible to deserve the suffering.

But - that's not how God works.

God doesn't punish us with suffering - but He does allow difficult things in our lives to draw us closer to Him.

When life is going well - like it was for Job before his trials - we tend to not rely as heavily on God. But when we face difficulties - illness, job-loss, broken relationships - we are more likely to turn into the arms of the One Who created us.

And - amazingly - even when we are in the midst of a hardship we will be able to count our blessings - trusting in the One Who is always there for us.

Scripture

Job 42

Quote

May we be strengthened with the understanding that being blessed does not mean that we shall always be spared all the disappointments and difficulties of life.

Heber Grant

GUMY CHALLENGE!

Okay gang...here we go ...part 2!

Your clue is this...

Just tell me who the recognized founder of Methodism is...

Hint...He wasn't actually a Methodist....

Don't forget - you need BOTH answers (this week's and last week's) to get this Sunday's SUPER prize!

(A $10 iTunes Gift Card!!!!)

I'll be looking for you Sunday (July 14th) morning before church!

Forever is Forever....Clue # 6 (Part 1 of 2 part challenge)

2013-07-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Matthew 24:35

Forever.

The word holds so much.

When I was a kid, the time between the start of school in September until my birthday at the end of April seemed to stretch out before me like an endless carpeted pathway. One that was a little rough, a little twisty, and seemingly forever.

Now - the time between September and the end of April seems to jump as quickly as a grasshopper moving from plant to plant.

Forever seemed to get significantly shorter and I all I did was get significantly older.

But in reality, forever remains the same today as it did when I was eight.

By definition, forever means without ending, always, eternally.

Umm...that's a SUPER long time.

But - when we think about God...Jesus...heaven...and all that the promise of grace, the Trinity, salvation through Christ means....well, the only possible definition is FOREVER.

Love that is without end.

Love that is eternal.

Love that is always.

Love that is forever.

We are promised that the salvation granted to each of us through our acceptance of God's Grace and Jesus's sacrifice - FOREVER.

We are promised that heaven and its streets made of gold, angels singing and all around 24/7 worship of God - FOREVER.

Forever...God's love for you...

Forever.

What more could you ever want?

Scripture

Matthew 24:30-35

Quote
"Love is forever, and if it doesn't last forever it isn't love."
Dottie Kinealy

GUMY SUMMER CHALLENGE

Clue # 6 (Part One - TWO WEEK CHALLENGE)

This week's clue is in the sanctuary...it is the symbol of the United Methodist church... Here's a hint...it hang's behind Pastor Jay on Sunday mornings....

Note: This is a two week challenge! You will need to know this week's answer AND next week's answer to win...a $10 gift card (BIGGEST PRIZE OF THE SUMMER). The prize will be given to the first GUMY who finds me Sunday, July 14th.

Happy Sleuthing!

Making the Most of the Light - GUMY Summer Challenge (CATCH UP WEEK: Answers: 1-5)

2013-06-23T20:02:00.002-04:00

It is SUMMER!!!

Officially, last Friday, Summer 2013 started.

What I love most about summer is how long the days are.

The sun is up before 6AM and doesn't set until nearly 9PM.

There is so much light and so much time.

Light makes us feel like we have time to accomplish our goals or tasks for the day.

When darkness rolls in our bodies tend to go into rest mode - time to settle down and veg-out.

Although we need rest time each day - it is during the hours of light - during the day - that we are able to move our lives forward.

That is the gift that light gives us.

Salvation is the gift that God gives us to have eternal life.

Salvation is life moving forward - forward to heaven.

Both the light - our simple daylight and the light of God - and salvation help to move our lives forward. They help draw us closer to God - bringing us deeper into relationship with Him.

As you begin your next day - remember that each moment of light is a time to draw nearer to God - and a chance to shine in the glory of His gift of salvation. The opportunity to be with Him always:

"One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple."

Psalm 27:4

Scripture

Psalm 27

Quote

Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe. It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished.

~Michael Strassfeld

GUMY SUMMER CHALLENGE

Hi ALL - This Sunday (June 30th) will be a "catch up" Sunday. No winners - but here's a chance to catch up on all of the clues to date...remember the Clue # and the Clue are important!

Clue/Answer #1: "You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship thee"

Clue / Answer #2: "We are UNSTOPPABLE"

Clue / Answer #3: Tell Him

Clue Answer #4: Praise Him

And

CLUE/ ANSWER # 5: JESUS

Giving Your One Thing to God...(GUMY Summer Challenge - Clue # 5/Answer #4)

2013-06-16T18:37:00.000-04:00

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Matthew 11: 27-29 (Jesus speaking)

So...what's on your mind today?

What is the one thing that has been worrying you?

What is the one thing that keeps rolling around in your head without an answer?

What is the one thing that you are so excited about it can't happen soon enough?

Regardless of what your one thing is - have you discussed it with God?

You might be thinking, "God doesn't have time for my stuff. He's keeping the world turning - loving everyone on the planet - making sure the sun comes up in the morning and goes down at night (by time zone) - He can't possibly have time for my one thing."

But the thing is - God wants your one thing.

He wants to be a part of all of your things - big or small.

He wants to carry your burdens and celebrate your wins.
He wants to be in all things with you....
And He wants you to be in all things with Him...not just one thing.

All too often we relegate God to church on Sundays - one hour or maybe a little more per week. We leave Him behind Monday through Saturday when we are living our "real" lives.
We choose not to have Him involved in our various things. Instead we just invite Him in to the one thing we think He would approve of.

How would your life look if you started asking God into your Mondays through Saturdays rather than just leaving Him for the Sundays?
What would change about the one things in your life?

He wants to be there - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." He knows we are heavy with all of the one things in our lives...but He wants to help ease our burdens...carry our loads.

Give your one thing - good or sad - to God this week and see what a difference Monday - Saturday can have when you get to Sunday....

Scripture
Matthew 11:27-29

Quote:
“Well, I do think someone might have arranged about our meals,” said Digory.
“I'm sure Aslan would have, if you'd asked him,” said Fledge.
“Wouldn't he know without being asked?” said Polly.
“I've no doubt he would,” said the Horse (still with his mouth full). “But I've a sort of idea he likes to be asked.”
C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia

GUMY CHALLENGE Clue # 5
This week's question is simple and hard....Who does Aslan represent in the books "The Chronicles of Narnia"?

For a hint watch this YouTube Clip:
Aslan's Resurrection

ANSWER Clue #4
The answer was: Praise Him

KEEP CHECKING EACH WEEK AND COLLECTING THE ANSWERS....EVEN IN YOU DON'T GET A WEEKLY PRIZE YOU ARE STILL IN THE RUNNING TO GET THE BIG PRIZE IN THE FALL!

Giving God More than An 'Atta Boy...(GUMY SUMMER CHALLENGE Clue #4/Answer #3)

2013-06-09T20:39:00.001-04:00

He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:2

"You are awesome!"

"You did a great job!"

"I love the way you made it!"

"Atta boy!"

Praising someone can be genuine and honest - coming straight from your heart.

But praise can also be shallow and hollow without any true love or meaning associated with the words.

And most people can tell the difference.

Recently I had someone praise some of my work.

The words were complimentary and encouraging - not overly generous - but they seemed genuine.

A few weeks later, the same person trashed the work.

The reversal of the message - from praise to criticism - left me feeling hurt and angry.

And with the change - I began to question the praise others had given of the same work and myself.

Words are a very powerful tool.

They can build up or they can tear down.

And they are a tool each one of us possesses.

When we set out to worship God at the center of true worship is a spirit of praise.

And that praise should be filled with honesty, generosity, and a genuine love for the God who created you.

If it isn't....if your praise is shallow and hollow - following the motions of everyone else - God will know.

would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?

Psalm 44:21

God knows what is truly in your heart.

He knows if the praise you have for Him is true or false.

He only wants your praise if it is given from a heart that loves Him.

Authentic praise is what you were created to do.

But, your heart may be badly broken and torn apart.

You may have suffered pain and anguish that may cloud your ability to praise God with honesty - but He wants you to try.

Even in the midst of a cloudy day we have the great gift of seeing a ray of sun or a beautiful flower. Allow your praise for God to be the sun shining through your dark hours and you will find that as you focus your praise on Him your burdens will seem lighter as He takes them on as His own - Freeing you to praise Him more.

Give God more than an , "Atta Boy..."

Praise Him...Praise Him...

Sing of His excellent glory goodness and wonder.

Praise Him forever more,

Try it...You just might like it.

Scripture

Exodus15:1-3

Quote

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

Oprah Winfrey

GUMY SUMMER CHALLENGE

Clue #4: The answer is the title of the 1st Hymn we sang on Sunday June 9th...(HINT...I've written it a BUNCH in this blog....)

Answer #3: Tell Him, by Lauren Hill

What is Love? GUMY SUMMER CHALLENGE Clue # 3 (Answer #2)

2013-06-02T17:00:00.000-04:00

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:3

What is love?

Paul wrote that love is patient and kind.

It doesn't boast and it isn't rude.

He wrote that it always protects and keeps going - never stops.

He wrote that love doesn't fail.

Paul's description of love reads like something inhuman - supernatural.

And it is.

To truly love someone - to embody love - means to give up your own wants for another.

Love means seeing someone for who God intends them to be not for who they are to the world.

Love is an emotion that is bigger than this world because it is the only emotion that fully describes God.

God created man to be in relationship with Him.

Yes, God loves all of creation, but He created man above the rest of creation because He loves man - you and me - most of all.

His love for us is pure.

It reflects all of the facets of the love Paul describes in his first letter to the church at Corinth.

And, because we were created to be in relationship with Him, He has given us the capacity to love like Him - at least in glimpses and snippets - in this life.

We are imperfect beings who strive toward perfection.

Perfection is loving all others with a pure, unselfish heart.

Loving like God loves each of us.

At the end of chapter 13 Paul writes:

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Our experiences with loving others -

boyfriend or girlfriend, mother or father, friend, sibling -

are limited to our understanding of the things of this world.

The love we know today is clouded by limits -

the pain, hatred, selfishness, deviousness -

that this world embraces.

We are promised that the glorious glimpses of love we have in this world are mere shadows - smudgy images - of the love that God has for us. The love He is showering upon each of us even at this moment.

Our hearts are wounded and untrusting so we choose to not fully experience all of the love God has for us.

But we - each of us - have the opportunity to embrace more and more of this overwhelming love each day by opening ourselves up to our great Beloved.

God is reaching out with His love.

His love is a constant waterfall of joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and faith for you. It is filled with innumerable blessings just for you.

But love is a funny thing - it only grows as it is returned and shared.

The more you give God's love back to Him the greater portion you shall receive.

And you can start getting more love today - just tell Him....

Tell Him you love Him.

He loves you.

Return His love with love of your own.

The more you tell Him - the more you will understand how great His love is for you.

What is love?

Love is knowing - heart, mind, body and soul - your Great Beloved is in love with you.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 13

Quote

There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder.
Charles Morgan

The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.
Mother Teresa

GUMY Summer Challenge -Clue #3

Clue #3 - - Lauren Hill Song....what is the title? That is the answer...but listen to the whole song anyway :)

SUMMER CHALLENGE: Answer #2:

"We are, We are"...UNSTOPPABLE

Keep playing .....XOXO

God Delights in You - Zephaniah 3:17 & Clue #2 (Answer to Week 1)

2013-05-26T16:59:00.001-04:00

Your God is present among you,
a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love
and delight you with his songs.

Zephaniah 3:17

(The Message)

Do you ever wonder what God does all day?

I imagine - in my own finite mind - that God has the daily turning of the Earth, keeping the planets and galaxies in orbit, and the whole us breathing in a pretty good rhythm.

Sometimes I think that He delegates some of the projects ...and assigns a new master painter to paint the night sky each evening - or maybe when we get to heaven we get to try something totally new - and chefs are now painters and accountants are now farmers and celebrities are now librarians (this could go on for awhile - so I digress).

God manages all of the seen and unseen and still has time for you and to me.

He has time to walk with us; talk with us; laugh with us and cry with us.

He shares our concerns, our fears, our failures and our triumphs.

Even though He knows all things - what has been, what is and what will be - He still celebrates when we win and weeps when we fail.

I love this passage from Zephaniah - "He'll calm you with his love....delight you with his songs". Isn't that exactly how it feels to have God working in our lives - a sense of calm delight - in the good or the bad.

God - The Master of All Things - chooses to spend His time focused on loving you.

You who worries and frets over whether you will pass a test, go to college, get a new job or fall in love.

You who laughs too loud, yells too quickly, or cries to easily.

You who is filled with countless frailties and failings.

God chooses to spend His time - His precious life giving time - focused on you.

Why?

He takes great delight in YOU.

Imagine that?

God delights in you!

He is filled with joy at being with you - at having you in His presence.

He longs to spend more and more time with you.

He wants to rejoice over you.

God wants to serenade you.

How crazy is that?!!?!

God wants to sing songs to you.

You are so precious to the Mighty, Wonderful, Savior God that He wants to spend His time celebrating you.

You must be pretty special....

So the next time you worry, fret, yell or cry - remember that God loves you.

Just knowing that - in your heart and in your mind - will make you unstoppable.

Scripture

Zephaniah 3:14-20 (NIV & MSG)

Quote

Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.
- Helen Keller

CLUE #2

Okay....all of You Amazing GUMY's....

Check out this song from favorite - TOBY MAC....

The answer to next Sunday's clue is...

We Are...

What are we? Answer that question and you will be next week's winner. 1st GUMY to find me w/ the correct answer will win.

Answer to Clue #1:

You are alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship thee.

Remember - keep all of the clues for the summer to get a chance to win the prize!

Week #1 Winner: Elise Pickett -$5 Tim Horton's Gift Card.

Who will be next week's winner?!?!?!?

Are you putting God in a corner? (Clue #1 - GUMY Summer Challenge)

2013-05-19T17:00:00.000-04:00

"Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

Patrick Swayze, Dirty Dancing, 1987

My soul thirstsfor God, for the living God.
When can I goand meet with God?

Psalm 42:2

Okay, so I admit it is a little odd to start a devotion with a quote from a 1987 coming of age movie, but the movie isn't the point - it is the quote. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." In case you haven't seen the movie, the character of Baby is pretty one dimensional fitting into the prefabricated position her family deems appropriate - until she meets dance instructor Johnny. He helps her to see that she is more than just one thing - that she is multi-faceted and beautiful. By spending time together, he teaches her that she is special and unique. She cannot be put into a corner, because she is not simply a box filling a square hole. She is a blooming flower - changing by the minute.

NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER.

Most of us have a predetermined vision of God.

Kind benefactor. Just Lord. Loving Father. Judge. Creator....But whatever vision we have is limited.

We choose to allow God to reside in this place we have decided He should live and that is where we go to meet Him. We put God in a corner.

We set certain times aside for God - Sunday worship, Sunday School, youth, morning devotions, evening prayer - times we think are holy moments. We anticipate God being there for each of those moments -- and He always shows up - - and then when those moments conclude, we walk back into our lives and leave God in the corner to wait for our return.

This is not what God intended our relationships with Him to embody. He wants to be in all of the moments - not just the holy moments. He wants to transform the ordinary, daily things of our lives into holy moments because He is in them. He wants to be in the details of our lives - in the mundane, the magical and the miraculous.

God is jealous of our time - and He doesn't want a single second to go by in which He is not fully knitted. He doesn't want to be left behind. He wants to be at the center.

But - the choice is yours. You can experience as much or as little of God as you choose.

By choosing to invite God into your daily life you will have the opportunity to gain greater and greater glimpses of what the future in heaven holds - an eternity in God's presences.

However, if you choose to leave God in the corners of your life you will miss out on how He is working for your good in the kaleidoscope of your days.

Because, whether you choose to invite Him in or not - God is working. And if you listen, He will tell you how to go.

God is more than anything you can ever imagine and the more you choose to get to know Him - the more your heart will long to be with Him - to worship Him.

The choice is yours...

Will you put God in a corner - or will you let Him take the lead in the dance of your life?

Scripture

Psalm 42
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+42&version=NIV

Quote

“Live by what you believe so fully that your life blossoms, or else purge the fear-and-guilt producing beliefs from your life. When people believe one thing and do something else, they are inviting misery. If you give yourself the name, play the game.”

Unknown

GUMY SUMMER ONLINE SCAVENGER HUNT CHALLENGE

Okay GUMY's, here is the first clue for the GUMY challenge. Just a few helpful hints as you collect clues along the way:

#1 - Keep track of the clue # - this will be important for the final challenge.

#2 - The weekly clue will have something to do with the scripture - and - the overall challenge.

#3 - The 1st GUMY to find me on Sunday morning - the week after the weekly Sunday challenge is posted with the answer to the week's challenge will win a weekly prize. So this week's answer should be told to me next Sunday - May 26th.

#4 - A new clue will be posted with the blog each Sunday at 5PM.

#5 - Don't forget to keep each of the clues for the whole Summer....the prize the 1st week of GUMY will be worth it! (PROMISE!!!)

Now....let the games begin....

Clue #1 comes from this YouTube clip....it is also a paraphrase of today's scripture lesson (right at the beginning) and is what we feel if we are not putting God in a corner....Best Wishes....XOXO Courtney

Clue #1 - "The 2nd line of this song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpaurbHiiS8

How To Hear God's Will For Your Life.....

2013-04-23T12:51:00.000-04:00

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

How do you know what God wants you to do?

Where do you know where to step next?

What service does He require of you?

What decision will you make today that will impact the rest of your life?

How do you know God's will for your life?

These are all questions that transform and confound each of our lives on a regular basis. I believe every person wants to live within the confines of what is good and right and holy - even in light of the tragic events of the past few weeks, months, years and even decades. People innately want to "do good" - but often the other voices of this world can distract, dissuade and disrupt the steps you are taking to live in God's perfect will.

So, how do we live in God's will?

First, we choose to not fall prey to the upheavals, twists and tumults of a world that changes direction on the whim of a breeze. We ground ourselves in the head knowledge of God's Word. By choosing to be fully grounded in God's message to this world, we can begin to test all things against His Own Words.

Second, we identify our roles in this world by embracing the gifts God has given to us.

In Romans, Paul wrote:

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others

Romans 12:3-5

We each have a specific, planned and purposeful role in this world. It is each of our own responsibilities to align our gifts within our identified roles to confirm that we are utilizing our individual gifts from God to best serve Him - recognizing that no one gift is superior to another, just as no one single person is superior to another in the Body of Christ.

Third, we put it all together.

Knowing God's Word is one thing - living His Word is an entirely different a path. When we combine our head knowledge with our action - utilizing our gifts - we will find that we are walking in God's good, perfect, pleasing will. We cannot simply know the Word of God and be fully living as Christians. We must also be actively utilizing the Word in our daily lives as we exercise our individual roles within the Body of Christ.

When we are fully aligned with God's Word and using our gifts for His purpose, we will find that hearing His voice will be was obvious as it as for Elijah as He waited for God on the mountain:

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

1 Kings 19:12-13

God will not ask you to live outside of His Will for your life. Sometimes this plan will feel uncomfortable - but it will always feel right.
God's will may not be easy - but with each step down His path His still, soft whisper will begin to transform into a tremendous roar and you will know that you are walking with THE Lord!

Scripture

Romans 12

Check Out This Week's Video's from Our GUMY Sessions which discussed being a part of The Body of Christ & Hearing God When He Speaks

https://www.facebook.com/pages/GUMY/191903797616864?ref=tn_tnmn

Life is...

2013-03-23T18:20:00.001-04:00

Life is big.

At times it can feel like you are standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon with the expectation that you are intended to reach the opposite end in a single jump.

Life is scary.

There are days when the idea of leaving through the front door and stepping into the unknown can cause a puddle of fear to pool in your stomach.

Life is hard.

Each day a new choice, a new decision, a new avenue, a new hardship and a new responsibilty must be acquired.

Life is big and it is scary and it is hard - but - life is also wonderful, beautiful and an adventure.

Life is both the bad and the good.

Life is a series of expecations - exceeded and missed.

Life is a true gift from God - one that we are not always so thankful to receive.

The prophet Jeremiah was called the Weeping Prophet because most of the news he shared with Israel was depressing. But even in the midst of the bad news of war, destruction, death, hatred and abuse, Jeremiah was able to share the hope God had for His people.

The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promiseI made to the people of Israel and Judah.

Jeremiah 33:14

Woven throughout the 33rd chapter of Jeremiah, the Lord shares with Israel the desolation and destruction they will endure at the hand of their enemies, but He also tells His beloved people that He will restore their home, health and happiness.

Yes, Israel had to endure severe hardships, but He promises them a restoration of their relationship with God and His blessing on their nation.

Through His message to the Israelites, the Lord makes each of us the same promise.

He tells how some days our lives will stink.

We will face hardships.

We will lose battles.

We will become ill.

We will suffer extinction of wealth.

We will be miserable.

but

We have hope.

We can be restored to His good favor.

We can know that His love endures.

Wcan be assured that our sufferings will pass.

We can know that He will never forsake us.

Life is both good and bad experiences.

But regardless of whether we are up or down we are promised that He is always with us.

And we are promised that His love will endure forever.

That is a promise in life that makes the bad days turn into good ones.

Scripture
Jeremiah 33

Quote

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck

Are You Choosing Happily Ever After?

2013-02-16T11:19:00.000-05:00

“We always believe our first love is our last, and our last love is our first.”

Unknown

As a writer the palette of love provides innumerable shades of color with which to paint a story.

Despite the rainbow of choices there is a preset pattern that all romance novels follow:

Boy Meets Girl.

Boy Falls for Girl.

Boy and Girl are Torn Apart.

Boy Wins Girl Back.

But romance novels aren’t real life, right?

I disagree.

I think we are all characters in the greatest romance novel of all time - the story of God and His Beloved Creation.

God in all of His infinite wisdom fell in love with us on the day of our creation and since that day He has been wooing us into a relationship with Him.

In turn how have we treated His love?

We run away – come back – run away – come back and run away again in a strange dance of courtship that must hurt Him with each rejection letter we send.

And yet, like a truly besotted lover, He continues to woo us with His love – giving us gifts of infinite and immeasurable value.

For God so loved the world that he gavehis one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

God gave us His greatest treasure in an act of sacrificial love so great we cannot fathom how truly devastating the loss of His son by His side – even for a brief twinkle of time – was for Him.

But, like so many heroes and heroines in the great love stories throughout history – we turn away from our Suitor choosing to chase after things of destruction and brokenness, rather than seeing the love waiting for us in our own True Beloved.

How can we change this behavior?

How do we find our ways out of the cycle of separation where we find ourselves?

We pull a Paul Harvey and read "the rest of the story".

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth.....I saw the Holy City...prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God...for the old order of things has passed away."

Revelation 21:1-4 (excerpt)

As all great romances end with:

Boy gets Girl.

Our love stories with God are no different.

He is wooing us with the knowledge that we will be completely and wholly together with Him –one day soon.

But how do we accept the love that is being offered to each of us in our own love story?

We choose to live in love rather than in loss.

We live like we read the last page of the novel.

We live with the knowledge that God is our great Beloved.

We live – learning each day – what love truly is from the Creator of love.

And we live in a life-long romance novel believing this truth...

And they lived happily ever after.

Now, that is a great way to end a story.

I guess God really is the Author of our lives.

Interested in trying a romance novel on for size?

Pick Up a Bible for You:

Pick Up: The Wooing of Jane Grey

Follow the Leader

2013-02-03T15:09:00.001-05:00

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 12:26

When you were little, did you ever play, Follow the Leader?
When you play follow the leader, you have to mimic the movements and the steps of the one who is in the front of the line. Sometimes you might have to do some crazy things, but in order to stay in the game - you must follow.

Who is a leader in your life?
Is your leader a helper - a guide - a teacher?
A true leader leads by example and through influence - not through demands.
Each of us has the perfect example of a leader to emulate and to follow:
God - Our Father.

God wants to be our helper.

He is our true teacher.

He wants to be the guiding force in our lives.

He is our leader.

And He will use a variety of measures to reach us.

With Adam, He created Eve - Man's Helpmate.

With King David He sent Nathan - a King's conscience.

With Mary - He sent an Angel to deliver the Good News of the coming Messiah.

With Isaiah - He brought the prophet to His throne room to deliver His message.

God wants us to listen to His voice.

He wants us to wait upon His direction.

He wants us to follow His plan.

He wants to lead - we are to follow.

He never intended for us to be lone rangers. He has given us a pattern to follow - true leadership that inspires. He has given us countless additional leaders to reach out to for support, guidance and accountability. And He wants each of us to offer the same kind of leadership in support, guidance and accountability to His other children.

He loves you.

He wants you to have a life that is abundant.

He wants you to share the love He has for you with others.

That sharing of love - living in commune with others - has always been a part of His plan.

We were intended to be partners with each other and followers of the one God, Our Father.

He is the best leader to follow.

He knows all the right moves.

Scriptures

Psalm 81:13-16

Quote

“God created the law of free will, and God created the law of cause and effect. And he himself will not violate the law. We need to be thinking less in terms of what God did and more in terms of whether or not we are following those laws.”

Marianne Williamson

Rest for the Weary...Psalm 46

2013-01-12T20:15:00.002-05:00

REST.

It is a four letter word most of us don't do enough.

We live in a world that is constantly running faster, reaching higher and skipping forward.

We barely have time to sleep a few hours a night let alone truly take time to rest.

But God did.

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. ³Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Genesis 2:2-3

God not only rested after He completed His work - but He blessed the time of rest.

Part of being human is that we are weak. We can't sustain seventeen hour days, seven days a week and expect to be successful - or even coherent. Work is an extremely important part of being human and feeling fulfilled - but our work is only as good as the energy we have to give to it.

If we are constantly running - constantly filling our minds with activities and action - we will be unable to slow down and experience God.

In Psalm 46, God tells us to "Be still and know that I am God."

When we are running - not just physically but mentally too with TV, games, books, videos, etc. - we miss the subtly of God's presence in our lives. We run so fast that we are unable to hear His message or truly experience His love for us.

We need rest to restore us.

We need rest to give us strength for the next day.

But we also need rest to heal us - both physically and spiritually.

By resting - being still - we have the time to settle our thoughts and really begin to focus on God and to recognize that He is in charge.

Because it doesn't matter how fast we run - God will always be in charge. And He will ALWAYS be our salvation.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Sleep well.

Good rest restores the body and the soul.

The best rest is found in the arms of the God Who loves you.

Take a moment to be still and know Him.

Scripture

Psalm 46

Quote

“Perhaps love is like a resting place, A shelter from the storm, It exists to give you comfort, It is there to keep you warm, And in those times of trouble, When you are most alone, The memory of love will bring you home”

John Denver

Are You A Lost Boy (or Girl)? Jeremiah 29:10-14

2013-01-06T09:09:00.000-05:00

“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me."

“Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (The Message)

Some days I feel pretty lost.

Do you ever feel a little lost - like you're not sure which direction you are supposed to go?

Do you ever feel like you are in a boat - in the middle of the ocean - and you don't have an paddle?

Feelings of being lost, discouraged and uncertain about the future are part of being human. These feelings can come on gradually and rise to a peak of paralyzing fear or they can rush at you suddenly due to unforeseen circumstances. Regardless of how one becomes lost - the end results are pretty much the same. Hopelessness, defeated-ness and becoming a Lost Boy (or Girl) - just like in Peter Pan.

The Lost Boys are the orphans in Peter Pan's crew in Never Land.

They are little boys who never grow up because they do not know which way to grow.

They are discouraged and alone, but yet unable and unwilling to move from their hideaway in Never Land.

They stopped looking for their families. They stopped seeking the love of their fathers and mothers. They chose to make a home in a land far away from who they really are meant to be.

We can become like the Lost Boys.

We can wallow in our discouragement, uncertainty and bad decisions.

We can allow that wallow to deepen and grow until we stop seeking out Our Father and the love He has for each of us - a love that has inspired an unique plan for each of our lives.

I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

Being lost isn't sinful. It is a part of life.

Staying lost is a choice. A choice that will dampen the plan God has for you.

When those feelings of being lost and uncertain seem to overwhelm you - seek comfort in the Lord.

When the anxiety and fear of your life consume you - seek refuge in the Lord.

When life's burdens seem to be too great for you to carry - seek help from the Lord.

When you seek God with all your heart - YOU WILL FIND HIM.

He promises.

He will never forsake you.

He will always be with you.

Even when you are lost.

Even if you become a Lost Boy - He will still be there waiting for you to seek Him.

I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you backfrom captivity."

Jeremiah 29:13

He will always be there - even for the most Lost of Lost Boys and Girls.

Just turn around....He is right there waiting for you.

Scripture

Jeremiah29:10-14

Quote

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Question

When do you feel most lost? How can you ask God to help you during those times?

Letting Go...Luke 5:33-39

2013-01-02T07:50:00.000-05:00

Out with the old and in with the new.

So often we want to hang on to things of our past - old mementos, clothes that no longer fit, toys we no longer play with - but why? The memories attached to the old things are stored inside of us. The attachment to the old stuff hampers us from moving forward into a new day - it does not allow the room to take in new things - to create new memories.

Our pasts help to create who we are today. The people, places and things we have experienced help to shape how we view the future and how we view the today.

But...
(Have you noticed in life there seems to always be a but...)
As new creations in Christ - set apart by a choice to surrender our lives to Jesus and his grace - our old lives need to be shed so that we can fully embrace our new lives in Christ.

If you continue to fall into the old habits of the past - bad habits that draw you away from allowing Christ to create a brand new version of you - you are just patching up your old life - holding on to the old junk - without allowing Christ the chance to transform you.

Jesus taught this very lesson in Luke chapter 5:
No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.

Think about all that great new stuff you received for Christmas....
Would you want someone taking an old sweatshirt and sewing a piece of it on to a brand new sweater?
Or how about a new iPod? Would you want someone to try and shove a cassette tape into your iPod?
No - you wouldn't want anyone to 'ruin' your new stuff with your old junk.

The same holds true when we accept Jesus's offer of salvation. We need to let go of our old lives and step into our new ones. The more we try and cling to the things in our past while trying to simultaneously embrace the blessings of Christ we will find our puzzle pieces really don't fit together.

What are you holding onto that is keeping you from fully embracing the joy, grace and peace of Jesus?
What can you release from your grasp so that you can allow Jesus to envelope you in his love?

Only you can answer what is holding you back.
Only you can decide what junk remains in your life.
And only you can decide how to let it go.

Scripture
Luke 5:33-39

Quote
Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.
Herman Hesse

Question
How can you let go today?

Making a Beautiful Salad - John 4:7-12

2012-12-30T03:30:00.000-05:00

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.

John 4:11

I kind of think about a year like a salad – there are good parts and there are slimy parts and there are parts that you just want to throw away.

As we close the book on 2012 and crack the spine on 2013 – what are the delicious moments you have had over the last twelve months? And what are the slimy ones?

At this time of the year we are often rushing to get to the end of the road so that we can start fresh and clean and new. We want to put the last twelve months behind us – and often because of those slimy pieces of lettuce in our lives we don’t want to look back or reflect we just want to throw the whole salad away and start with a brand new head of lettuce. But the reality is we can’t just wipe out the last twelve months. They happened. The good stuff – the bad stuff – and even the slimy stuff – It all happened.

How will we allow our 2012 salad shape our 2013 salad?

To me the first step is to pick through the salad – and specifically look for the slimy, old, rotten pieces. Maybe you lost someone you love dearly this year and the pain is excruciating. Maybe you lost your job – your house – your spouse – a friend – an election. Maybe your slimy lettuce is simply that your life is the same today on December 30th 2012 as it was on December 30th 2011 – and that makes you sad. Whatever your slimy pieces of lettuce are – pull them out of your salad and take a look at them…

Our slimy pieces of lettuce don’t have to define us – yes they are a part of our past– they have impacted our lives but they will not nourish us into 2013.

It is important to look back and remember the bad stuff so we can put it truly in the past – and it is also important to remember the very good parts of that salad of 2012 so that we can carry that through into 2013.

Last year you likely enjoyed moments of pure joy and happiness. Times of laughter and love that you wish you could have bottled up and stored forever. These are the ingredients in our salad that we want to focus on; these are the ingredients that will make our salads rich and delicious in the coming year.

And I am guessing that at the core of each of those moments of great delight was one four letter word: LOVE.

God showed us what love is by sending Jesus to us in this perfect little baby’s birth we celebrated last Tuesday. Love is giving and love is sharing and love is a choice. God chose to love us. He didn’t have to – and we don’t have to love Him – it is our choice.

As you enter 2013 you have a choice as to how you live your life - you can live it focused on the bad stuff - the gross parts of the salad - or you can live it focused on God's grace and sharing His love. And making the most beautiful salad of your life.

Scripture

1 John 4:7-12

Quote

Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not.

C.S. Lewis

Question

How can you commit to loving God and His people better in 2013?

Four Little Words - In God We Trust....2012-12-16T08:56:00.001-05:00

I well remember them,
    and my soul is downcast within me.
 Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope: 

 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.

Lamentations 3:20-22

In God We Trust...

These four - one syllable - words are printed on every single dollar and coin in the U.S. They combine to make the motto of the United States of America. but somewhere along the way we  have lost sight as to the true meaning of those words.

We have put our trust in the currency the words are printed on but not the foundation of faith on which this country was built.

We have put our faith in a system of government run by people but not in the One Who breathed life into the first human.

We have put our belief in self and asked, "what's in it for me?", but not in God and asking, "what can I do for Him?"

We are a nation lost.

We have faced many trials in the last dozen or so years.

We have had our nation attacked and we fought back against terrorists - but we began to crumble under the uncertainty of a guaranteed future.

We have witnessed the near decimation of our economy and realized that our faith wasn't in God Who had given so generously but in the product of that gift: money. And with the economy's weakening our faith weakened simultaneously.

And in the last few days we have seen the horrors of evil played out in the slaughter of innocents - challenging our ability to trust in a just God in a world nearly consumed by hate.

But, all hope is not lost. 

Even though we have neglected and merely given lip service to our national motto - In God We Trust - we have the opportunity to turn into His waiting embrace. He is still reaching out for each of us

During the most trying times in our lives - times like these when it would be so easy to fall into despair - we need to fall into to the waiting arms of our Savior.

We claim to trust in God....

How will we put that trust in action?

Will we allow Him to help heal this nation?

Will we ask Him back into to this country?

Or will we be like the inn-keeper 2,000+ years ago and tell The Lord, that we don't have any room for Him here. 

Will we continue to push God away - all the while claiming to trust in Him as we close Him out?

We are a smart country - but lately we cannot seem to understand four simple, single-syllable words.

In God We Trust...

I pray that we begin to trust again.

Scripture

Lamentations 3:20-22; Luke 2

Quote

For every set back the devil has made just remember this though God always has a major comeback.

Adrian Rayshawn

Question

How can you put your trust in God today?

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