Can I just shout out WOW!!!

Amazed. Humbled. Thankful.
These are words that come to mind as I think of the effort of those at our church that participated in making tomorrow's Military Honor Day memorable. Are you ready for this? 48 people have served to make this ceremony nice. We want those being honored to feel we have done our very best for them...(actually it's for Jesus but thats just between us!). Shopping, cleaning,cooking, decorations, garbage detail, baking, ironing and crafting...you name it. I am amazed at what God can do with willing hands. I am humbled to be surrounded by such people. I am thankful to be surrounded by such people.
God, there are many folks that will be in your house tomorrow who don't know you. Help us to show genuine love to them all.

The Lyons family - faithfulness

Recently through facebook I re-connected with Teresa and Philip Lyons. I went to high school with Philip. Grew to love his family, because they showed love to me. This was my first introduction to Jesus. Didn't hear of Jesus before then (isnt that crazy?!). The two married sometime during his college/seminary years and went to the mission field of West Africa and grew in family and in the Lord.
So much time has passed. 15 years? More? Their young boy Zac, is in college! So whats my point? Guess where they are and guess wha they are doing? In West Africa ( Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso) still serving the Lord.
I'm near tears as I reflect on the huge amount of time that has passed. How many lives has God touched through them? Their faithfulness to their mission is what touches me. Remember when you struggled at the point of surrender? (I just don't want God to send me to Africa!) [maybe a bad example here] Afraid of what it was He'd want from you?
How have you shown God faithfulness in the last week? Month? Year?
Don't give up or grow weary in well-doing. Haven't done such a great job? Ask God to ignite your heart for those around you. You don't have to be in West Africa to be serving. God has you where you are for a purpose. Be faithful in Ed White High School. Be faithful @ Baldwin, Trinity, Stillwell. Be found true where ever you are.....and parents..be faithful to your ministry with, in front of and around your kids. It'll make a HUGE impact!

Veteran's Day

November 11, 1918 World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War ended with the implementation of an temporary armistice [the final peace treaty being signed in 1919 at the infamous Treaty of Versailles] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.

November 11, 1919: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

To the MANY men and women who have served or are serving in the armed forces, thank you so much.

Reason # 3

...why christians don't feel like their prayers are heard....

Wednesday night Pastor Kevin taught on two reason as to why we as Christians at times can’t seem to get God’s ear..why our prayers don’t seem to get anywhere. He said there were many reasons, but he focused on two 1. I have sin in my life and 2. I’m not serious enough (on the issue in which I pray for)..no action to show God how serious I am.
In meditating on Acts 4:32 this morning, I found another reason. We live with our hands closed.

Acts 4:32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

Believers understood that everything they had belonged to God, so they gave freely and with gratitude. This was a powerful testimony of the change (resurrected life) that Jesus made in their life. Because of their open-handed living and meeting the needs of others they gave testimony of their new life…their new heart and soul became evident to others. And last, as a result of open handed living, GREAT grace..not just some grace (although awesome enough!!) but GREAT grace was upon them all.
Want some grace in your life? Want a powerful witness? Want to have all things in common with other believers? Then live open-handedly.
I’d love to hear of your additional reasons as to why believers feel they don’t have their prayers answered. Please leave a comment and pass this along…share reason #4, #5...

your life story

Have you ever studied people in the Bible and noticed certain life issue defines them? Maybe it was their circumstances or maybe it was their response to a trial. To clarify where I am going with this, I’ll name a life issue and you think of a Biblical person; the first one is an example. A) suffering ….did you think of Job? B) Abandoned…… C)A life of persecution…. D) The doubting one…

You get the idea. I got to thinking about this after David Smith taught our Sr. High Sunday school lesson . He taught on the sovereignty of God. As part of the lesson, David gave his testimony. So now when I think of the “why me?” or the sovereignty of God, I’ll also think of David Smith. Ordinary guy with an extraordinary personal account of why things happen and God’s sovereignty. If you’re curious, his blog is http://brotherdav.blogspot.com/

What life lesson or God’s touch on you do people refer to? Ester..”she was a wise woman”. Karen Ketchie? “She is a ___________ woman. “ There are many words that I pray that people would use, but frankly, there are a few that I’m afraid people might use. (I’m working on those and that’s a different story! )
What about you? Girls, what description will your friends use to describe you? That Katie, she’s a girl that_________! Ashton? God has really_______. That Mckenzie is _________. Mom, how would your kids describe you? What about you Dad?
What story are you telling with your life?

Being Deceived – now THAT’s scary!

James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desire; he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin when full grown gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived my dear brothers.

Deceived: The act of being misled. Entice: Lure, tempt, snare, hook, seduce

James, the writer uses ‘my dear brothers’ in the verse. That means he’s speaking to fellow believers. Yes, believers in Jesus can be deceived…by their own (evil) desire. What has so enticed you that it has dragged you away from your sweet fellowship you had with Jesus? Maybe you have fed that enticement and it now has a stronghold on you? Can’t you smell it? The stench of decay? It is a slow death to your commitment to grow closer to your Lord. Death of a promise to your children. Death of your peace. Death of your "I'm going to live christ-like at school this year". Birth to anger, tension and frustration. Birth to a walk of laziness and self-focus. Can’t you see where it has or will lead to? The Bible tells us to run from sin. God has warned us of that snare.
I got good news for you my dear friend. The good news of the gospel. Jesus is in the soul resurrection business. He’s the light we’re to follow. We’re not to walk blindly as others walk. Take off the blindfold of deception and return in repentance and obedience to Jesus. Hey, he’s calling for you now...

Father, there have been many times when I willfully, not blindly, ran to sin. Thank you Lord for the forgiveness you extend. Thank you for the chastisement…it has let me know you love me. Thank you for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Thank you I am not who I was and for molding me into being who you want me to be.

Woods Reality

Tim and I went for a hike before we went to work this morning. We live beside Jenning State Forest. God has truly blessed us as it gives us great pleasure to walk in the forest beauty. As we walked this morning I learned a few things. God used them to speak to me in their application of areas in my life but use your own imagination.

When you are following someone too closely, you can get slapped by the branches recoiling.
When you’re staring at your footpath, you can walk into big ol’ honkin spiderwebs.
When you’re focusing ahead, your feet can get tangled in the vines and cause you to trip.
As I tripped, I reached out for support. The support had thorns that hurt.
Turkey tracks are best seen in sand. Deer tracks are best seen in the mud.
My neck itches!
Purple mushrooms?
God is amazing in His detail.
I love hiking with my husband. I'm ready for some hot coffee - again!

A great weekend!

My family and I had a great camping weekend, so much so we played hookie on Monday and spent another quiet family day together camping. Friday-Sunday we had at least 75 people there @ Yogi by my count. Lots of fun, games and fellowship. Sunday, Tyler Denmark (sorry, Taylor?) Kelsey B and Trey led our service in worship then CJ taught our adult Sunday School lesson. Awersome. Sitting there under the oak trees, Bibles open, listening to the word of God being taught. Just as in the days of old....
Sunday was so pretty Tim said we were going to have another day, just us to enjoy some family time. Ping pong (2 games!) swimming in the beachfront - yes with Clyde! He loved it. Dinner was a mix of leftovers...it was edible... and then a trip to DQ for some ice cream. What a great day! Making family memories...I love it.
p.s. Thanks Edwards and Gandys for the firewood and thanks Kalinas and Edwards for the offer of groceries for our unexpected night..it was SO sweet of you to offer...I think my family thinks I should have taken the chops!! :)

B A GLOWSTICK! (& girl's prayer requests)

Tonight in Sunday worship we had some prayer time. One of the men in our church, Sean, asked the Lord to shake him up - shake up his faith to serve Him more. It reminded me of a glow stick. A glowstick that isn’t activated simply isn’t a glowstick.It’s just a stick. When first placed in the hand the stick is rigid and colorless. It must first be broken and then shaken for it to glows and fulfill its purpose.
Are you willing to be broken and shaken? Ask God to mold you and shake you. Father, mold me into your image so your light may shine before men! Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Sr High School Prayer Requests 9/21
Patty: foot injury
Alex: US; friend w/ mini-strokes
Jenny: US
Karen: Monica (singles) ships out today to Afghanistan
Heather:Praise of answered PR, US, brother Justin
Kaitlynn: friendship restored; US, school
Jamie: got saved @ FNL!!! 2US,brother Sean to Iraq in spring
Mary: cousin, sister Annie serving in Japan, mom, pop’s back
Ashley & Claren: US’s
Marina: Lisa’ children (Lisa died of breast ca)
Darcy: shoulder, friend Drew’s injury,friend

Sr High Girls Prayer Requests 9/14/08

Sunday we had a lesson on how the external influences in our lives can make an impression on out heart. us...impact who we are. We did a case study, if you will, of the lives of two girls. We reviewed how their childhood environment ( illnesses, finances, addictions) and their relationships (father, family) shaped their emotions as well as the choices in their lives. Not only does God our father absolutely cherish and adore His daughters; when we fail Him, he offers complete forgiveness as well. How amazing is that. Remeber the 3 points?
1. God is faithful and good DEUTERONOMY 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
2. God cares for you. 1 peter 5:7 (Cast all your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you.) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. New Liv Test. Lamentations 3:22-25 NIV 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him
3. God has good plans for you. Jeremiah 29: 11.For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12.Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "
What happened in our lives can be used for our good and His glory.
AL: US, dad traveling, friend Chelsea
KA: Lori’s family
PA: school, work, US
CA: friends, family, praise, ankle
CL: brother’s ankle, US
AS: friend Shannon, US
HE: school, Justin, US
KA: papa (cancer) US, AP W History- hard, FNL, Chelsea R travel
DA: volleyball team- playing (shoulder) US, school Bible club
MA-KA- none
MA: grandpa (cancer) uncle moving to Jax
JA: 2 US, brother in TX before Afghanistan, need job
MI: grandma to Mexico
Mc: Dad, US

Girls, I commit to praying for your requests this week! I love you. Mrs. Karen