Monday Morning Perspective

We looked at heaven's view of Christmas in part 2 of Christmas in 3G...The Glory.
What an incredible way Eddie presented the Christmas story from heaven's perspective and reminding us that it didn't all begin in Bethlehem with Jesus being born.  John 1:1 explains the beginning and we took a deep look into how Jesus emptied Himself, took on limitations and came to earth.  Salvation really is the greatest gift of all!!  It is priceless.  It is permanent.  It is practical.  It heals our hurts.  It gives meaning and purpose.  It meets our every need.  What more could we want this Christmas? Don't leave the gift of salvation unopened and be willing to share it with others.
Merry Christmas to all from our family to yours!!

Monday Morning Perspective

Kicked off Christmas in 3G with The Grinch also known as Herod.  I'll give you some of my favorite points from the message...(btw parentheses are mine)...
...Herod was determined to kill off all of his competition (how often do we try similar things with those we compete against? We try to kill em off or tear them down with our words usually).
...God isn't taken by surprise by what happens here...and it's all public knowledge in heaven.
...God used the ordinary and sensible instead of the miraculous when he told Mary and Joseph to flee.
...Herod was insanely suspicious and paranoid (Lord have mercy, how often are we suspicious of others thinking the worst of them. May we realize how Herod-like we are when we act like that).
...I loved how Eddie pulled from Revelation (how the Word goes together from Genesis to Revelation!!).
...Remember in The Grinch cartoon and movie how Grinch thought all the Whos would be upset when all was taken but they still rejoiced and it led to the transformation of the Grinch himself??? (what a testimony we can be to others when we show them it's not the stuff, it's the Who Himself that makes Christmas Christmas!).  As Eddie said "it's never too late to be transformed even for a grinch.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Just humor me a bit

A bit of time on my hands this afternoon.  Dinner is on the stove and in the crockpot, where would I be without my crockpot!  Waiting for Eddie to get home from work and John from workouts.  I'm not big on a quiet house but it's the only time I don't feel guilty for getting on the laptop so I thought I would creep in here for a few.  I trust you all had a great Thanksgiving.  Ours was FULL of God's goodness.  I found myself especially thankful this year with some things we had been through as a family during the year.  Last year Mom was getting out of the hospital right before Thanksgiving and not feeling very well.  Dad had a heart attack this past summer so I was ever more thankful to spend those days with him.  I don't take anything or anyone for granted like I probably did at one time in my life.  Oh well, refusing to get sappy but thought I'd pass along some pics from our time together.  These are the people I hold most dear and love the very best in the whole world!!

Monday Morning Perspective

There's a huge part of me that hates to see the IT series end!!  It's had such a life changing effect on me, whether it's been encouraging or challenging, whether it's stomped on my toes or put passion in my heart.  However, it ended with a super bang!!  Eddie closed it out with a look at the conversion and life change of Saul.  He spoke of how God can save anybody and transform anybody.  God delights in turning our lives and our worlds upside down and that's where real living is.  What an awesome series IT was.  If you missed any of it, it would be well worth your time to watch online!!
My favorite of course was how we ended the service with the cross being carried in and the invitation to write whatever it is that's holding us back from living life on the higher level on a card and nailing it on that cross.  LOVED THAT.  The husband was on fire preaching and we got to nail our junk to the cross.  I hope you have accepted that challenge to live life on a higher level...it's worth whatever you have to give up!

Thanks be to God

Just a quick word since I've been asked why the lack of blogging lately.  I stopped in May because my kids were all coming home from college and my high schooler would soon be out for summer break.  I hate being fixated on a computer when my family is around, it seems like a poor use of time.  Besides that I knew summer would be a FULL schedule and especially this summer with the sabbatical happening. God quickly showed me what a blessing that would be this summer.  So many different things happened and most of the time they were deeply personal things.  Other times God just seemed to speak and show off and it was meant just for us and not for sharing.  He's revealed so much of why that was over the past few months.  He did so much in all of our family's lives during the summer and sabbatical.  He gave us a renewed vision and purpose.  He gave new passions and mercies.  He overwhelmed us with His goodness as we walked through my Dad's heart attack and recovery.  He bonded this family together more than ever and I didn't even think that was possible to be bonded any more.  The fall turned into such a busy time for God to work in all areas of our church and we were convinced more than ever that He is alive and well and working in us and through us.  What purpose we have when we serve Him and stay out of His way.  I encourage you that when you feel those little nudges or that still small voice from Him, listen to Him!  So many times we miss out because we are too busy and there's too much noise around us and distractions vie for our time and attention.  I've enjoyed so much getting back to this with the Monday Morning Perspective and as God nudges to do more I will.
Let me say a huge Happy Thanksgiving to all!!  We all have so much to be thankful for.  I am overwhelmed with His goodness!!  Hug your family a little bit tighter when you're with them.  Talk sweetly of others and don't give way to being critical or cynical.  Take every opportunity Jesus gives to share Him with others.  Don't sacrifice your time with Him daily, stay in the Word this holiday season and let Him multiply your time as we all get busy.  Be Thankful!
I Chronicles 16:8...Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Corinthians 2:14... But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Just a quick word since I've been asked why the lack of blogging lately.  I stopped in May because my kids were all coming home from college and my high schooler would soon be out for summer break.  I hate being fixated on a computer when my family is around, it seems like a poor use of time.  Besides that I knew summer would be a FULL schedule and especially this summer with the sabbatical happening. God quickly showed me what a blessing that would be this summer.  So many different things happened and most of the time they were deeply personal things.  Other times God just seemed to speak and show off and it was meant just for us and not for sharing.  He's revealed so much of why that was over the past few months.  He did so much in all of our family's lives during the summer and sabbatical.  He gave us a renewed vision and purpose.  He gave new passions and mercies.  He overwhelmed us with His goodness as we walked through my Dad's heart attack and recovery.  He bonded this family together more than ever and I didn't even think that was possible to be bonded any more.  The fall turned into such a busy time for God to work in all areas of our church and we were convinced more than ever that He is alive and well and working in us and through us.  What purpose we have when we serve Him and stay out of His way.  I encourage you that when you feel those little nudges or that still small voice from Him, listen to Him!  So many times we miss out because we are too busy and there's too much noise around us and distractions vie for our time and attention.  I've enjoyed so much getting back to this with the Monday Morning Perspective and as God nudges to do more I will.
Let me say a huge Happy Thanksgiving to all!!  We all have so much to be thankful for.  I am overwhelmed with His goodness!!  Hug your family a little bit tighter when you're with them.  Talk sweetly of others and don't give way to being critical or cynical.  Take every opportunity Jesus gives to share Him with others.  Don't sacrifice your time with Him daily, stay in the Word this holiday season and let Him multiply your time as we all get busy.  Be Thankful!
I Chronicles 16:8...Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Corinthians 2:14... But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Monday Morning Perspective

I knew this was going to be good and IT didn't disappoint.  What a word!!!  It seems like a basic of the Christian faith, how we treat others, yet it's so difficult at times whether we are in kindergarten or a much more mature season of life.  It is definitely one of those areas we have to be INTENTIONAL about and can make the difference in whether we live on the HIGHER LEVEL or not.
I think it was so important how Eddie started out challenging us to really think about why we are the recipients of persecution.  Is it something I'm bringing on myself or is it because of my testimony in Christ?  I think we are so quick to dismiss any responsibility from ourselves and we probably shouldn't be.
My favorite part was how Eddie reminded us of David and the opportunities he had to take revenge himself.  Also about the attitude of James and John wanting to call down fire to wipe people out.  My oh my is that not so like us? I'm so thankful that Jesus doesn't always take that approach or I would have been one of those crispy critters many times in my life.
A very relevant thought was left with us as Eddie pointed out different ways to deal...retaliate or bury it? Neither is healthy!!  Oh how we need to allow God to heal our hearts, wounds never go too deep that He can't reach them and if we in the words my husband loves and his famous counseling advice for any situation, "take it all to the cross" we will be a healthier people empowered to live life on the HIGHER LEVEL!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!  Enjoy the blessings He so freely gives us all!!!

Monday Morning Perspective

I seriously can't get enough of  IT!!  Romans 12 is becoming my favorite chapter in the scriptures.  Eddie is bringing it to life and I love it!  It also thrills me that every sunday night with our younger ones in bible study someone always brings up something from the message and how it relates to the study we are in.  You girls are connecting it all together and I LOVE that and I LOVE YOU!!
My favorite was definitely the ending when he talked about Jesus sharing His heart and what was important to Him and we looked at that in John 13 and 17.  Jesus was greatly concerned with how we treat others.  Our most powerful witness is our love for one another.  Being a part of that authentic community and doing life together is where it's at.  The credibility of Christianity would rise and fall on how we treat others.  We don't want division and superficial relationships like the world has.
We follow up this message on transforming our relationships next week as we look at how our relationships should look with the difficult relationships of life...I can't wait.

Monday Morning Perspective

Another WOW moment yesterday...I was completely overwhelmed to see our people move out and take the "gold" cards promising to outreach to those in our community who are unchurched!!  You totally blessed my heart.  All ages represented filing out of the pews grabbing those cards!!!  I'm praying not only those we outreach to but also those doing the outreach would be so blessed by it that they catch the fever to do it more and more.  That's what it's all about as the church reaches out and loves on those who most need to see the church DO church and BE church.
Ok now for the message...
This is one series I know I will hate seeing wrapped up.  So much seemed to be pouring forth from Eddie's heart and it was so real and so engaging I could hardly stand it.  To know that we are essential no matter our gift or our role was put before us that noone could have left feeling like they were insignificant to God or His church.  I was doubly blessed last night as I was able to hear our college age girls talk about how they see their part in all of it and how the IT messages have touched not only them but their much younger siblings and their parents.  Praise God He is getting to all ages with His Word.  What a God we are so privileged to serve.  

Monday Morning Perspective

First of all the service yesterday was one of the most heart warming.  The worship center was full of Pink and the  awareness time was special I thought.  One of the perks to sitting up close is to be able to see faces so well.  My heart is so warmed to watch those who aren't just singing, they are worshipping.  To see tears welled up in eyes and hands raised and to know that for so many it's a true sacrifice of praise is almost more than I can bear at times.  To know some stories behind the faces and yet they are worshipping and praising in the midst of some heavy burdens, that's what it's all about to me.
Ok, well my man brought the Word again challenging us to live life on that higher level, allowing God to transform our lives as we choose to live a committed life to Christ not just rest in a decision we made.  My favorite point had to be on Separation.  So challenging to reflect on just how much we tie ourselves to this world system.  We are enamored with celebrities and their lifestyles.  Our moods rise and fall with what our favorite team did that weekend.  We rush to stores to get the latest in fashion.  We buy the expensive jewelry to look a part or expensive things for the home to "keep up with the Jones".  I loved the key comment...Be a person controlled from above and not influenced from below.  That's one statement I know I will be pondering all week.
Have a blessed week!  And by the way...the Fall Festival was a huge success.  Way to serve the community MBC family.

Monday Morning Perspective

Yes, I know it's Tuesday and my days aren't too messed up.  I tried to do this yesterday but it took a while to bring this blog "back to life" on the computer.  I have been off since May, which I will explain on the next blog, no biggie reason really.  However since we started our new series Sunday that I have been so pumped about, I wanted to go ahead and get back to MMP even if it's Tuesday!!
IT finally arrived.  I have been anticipating this since the summer just getting bits and pieces from the hubbs, whatever he was willing to share with me I was soaking it up.  IT is Intentional Transformation and we are going to be in this series over the next 6 weeks and diving deep into Romans 12.  If you were there Sunday, or if you pull it up online this week, you can easily see why I have been so excited.
It's true what Eddie said that everyone doesn't want to go here.  It's all about living life on a higher level and we know that we must be intentional if we are going to live there.  He explained how it takes total dedication, radical separation, and personal transformation.  It's about giving up in order to go up.  It's being intentional in not allowing this world system to conform us to their way of thinking and being.  And it's definitely an inside job of the Holy Spirit, we cannot do it on our own.
If you missed the beginning, go online and watch and be at MBC Sunday...it's only going to get better. Just Do It!!

Monday Morning Perspective

The more we venture into James the more I love it and love him.  He is not going to let us off the hook with excuses or rationalizations when it comes to our actions or our attitudes.  He challenges us in almost every verse of every chapter to live out Christian principles, those things we say with our mouth we believe but so often don't  live out in our actions.
Yesterday we were challenged in the area of favoritism.  Eddie started out with the challenge in the form of a question...how many times do we judge on 1st impressions, what we have heard or observed in a shallow way? We are a people quick to rush to a conclusion and form an opinion and then treat people a certain way based on those opinions.
Eddie pointed out how favoritism is inconsistent with Christian principles, with the grace of God and with the Royal Law.  We were challenged to see people through the eyes of Jesus whether they are lost and in need of Jesus or saved and have Jesus living in them.  I absolutely loved how Eddie closed the message by pointing out that how we treat people says a lot about our faith.  Do we really practice what we say we believe?  May God give us eyes to see past the externals and see the heart.
A few sidebars from my morning devotion that goes along with this...
...the world's idea of success and God's are very different.
...we want to identify with impressive-looking people because it makes us feel good about ourselves.
...we mistakenly assume that riches are a sign of God's blessing and approval but God doesn't promise us earthly rewards.
Are we easily impressed by status, wealth or fame?  Are we partial to the "haves" while ignoring the "have nots"?  Take an inward look at how we view celebrities in our culture and who our "heroes" are and that may give us our answers...OUCH!!  Thankful for how God's Word convicts and for the grace and mercy that covers us all.

Chrissie's College Graduation...time flies

Ok, my precious one...not going to be sappy since I know you hate that...HOWEVER...
I couldn't let this huge event pass by without shouting from the rooftops (or computer screen) how incredibly proud of you we are.  I know you feel like this day would never come but to us it seems like just yesterday you started in kindergarten.  How precious you were then and you've gotten sweeter and sweeter as you've grown.  I know there were times you wanted to quit, give up, give in, but you didn't.  You persevered and you have finished well sweet one.  It's been quite the adventure and I think we all learned a lot along the way.  You grew in your relationship with the Lord as we saw how you grew in your faith and learned to depend on Him as you moved away for the first time.  You have finished strong as you took on the role of wife and minister's wife while you finished your last year as a student.  You have exhausted me just watching you.
So, as your mom...I love you and am so proud to be your mom.  You have kept me hopping since you were born.  I have had a blast all along the way with you...tearing through a mall, watching you cheer, play basketball (while collecting some fouls along the way), planning a most beautiful wedding and you never once turned into bridezilla.  You are one of the finest young women your mom has ever known.
As a fellow pastor's wife...wow that sounds wierd.  Your Dad and I still shake our heads as to why in the world you would want that role after growing up in that environment...totally a testimony to the grace of God. I've always said what makes a good pastor's wife is the calling first and foremost but also for a heart that beats passionately for the Lord Jesus Christ and a love for people that is so intense that your desire is to see others love Him and know Him like you do.  You have that baby and it will grow as you grow.  Keep Him first cause you know you can't do it on your own...it's His work in you and then through you.
As a friend...finally we have reached that age and time...you are the best of friends.  You are the girlfriend of all girlfriends.  Whether it's chit chat or Jesus talk or "what in the world is going on" kinda talk, it's all good among girlfriends.
Tomorrow, as you don that final cap and gown, celebrate with all you've got.  You deserve to laugh, cry, dance, shout, and eat to your heart's content.  All the hard work has paid off and will continue to pay off not just by having a degree but pushing through the tough stuff and getting it done.  We will be right there celebrating with you.  There's been lots of good so far but believe me life only gets better because God is good ALL the time.  We love you!!  Phil 1:6...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Monday Morning Perspective

I'll say it again...I love James.  I love the boldness. I love the truth of it.  I love the practical side of it.  I love the heart of James.
My favorite points from yesterday's sermon...
...We mark our bibles but are they marking us?
...We don't need more truth, we need to practice the truth we know.
...Short tempers and sharp tongues lead to problems.
...We get angry when we are attacked but Jesus got angry when God's way was attacked.
...Get rid of spiritual arrogance, be teachable.
...The Word reveals what we are on the inside and that scares people.
A huge challenge to us all...We MUST learn to LIVE OUT what we know!!!

Monday Morning Perspective

Easter Monday...sitting here with LOTS to ponder this morning!!!
Nothing I love more than a powerful evangelistic Easter message and that's exactly what we got yesterday at Millbrook and the response to salvation is evidence enough that that is why we do what we do!! We spread the simple message of Jesus to everyone we know and we do it boldly and unapologetically.
I love how Eddie brought the message from Acts 17.  He compared Paul's audience and enviornment to ours today...and people say the Bible isn't relevant?  People and culture have changed very little.  I love how Eddie described the city...idols everywhere.  Is that not true today??  They may not be statues but they are all over the place and we don't have to look far to see them.  An idol is anything that captures our attention and I could be here all day if I started naming those.  Even distractions themselves can be idols when we obsess over them instead of giving them to God quickly and let Him handle them.  I've had a few idols myself with the name distraction over them.  What about sports figures or celebrities we are intoxicated by...their lifestyle, their status, etc.  What about sports themselves...since that's a huge part of my life with my boys.  We yell for our team to the point of being obnoxious.  We yell at refs at the "injustice" we feel against our team yet when it's time to stand up and cheer Jesus or yell about real injustice in the world, we shrink back and talk about not wanting to be a fanatic.  Being a fanatic for Him is never wrong!
What about the groups Eddie brought to our attention.  The religious group worried about looking good and not so much about growing in Christ-likeness.  Or the Epicureans who were all about giving in to whatever made them feel good at the moment.  Or the Stoics who were negative and critical.  Then the Athenians and foreigners...all about the latest trends and ideas, whatever is in we are all about it.  Hmmmmm, and the Bible isn't relevant??  They are all alive and well and living all around us.  The question is, where are we in all of this?  Which group do we fit best with or find ourself most comfortable around?  My prayer is that we would repent, because we have all been in probably all of these groups at some point, and receive the grace and mercy that God pours out as evidenced by the cross and resurrection.  It's only a problem when we refuse to see the error of our own ways and dig our heels in refusing to allow God to change us into the likeness of His Son.
Thank you to my husband who boldly proclaims the message of Jesus even when it convicts and not just on Easter!!

Monday Morning Perspective

What a great day at Millbrook yesterday.  Awesome crowd came out to worship together, study God's Word through small groups and hear God's Word proclaimed.
I'm loving our time in the book of James.  Like Eddie said, it's 108 power packed verses of practical living.  My prayer is that each and every verse would impact the way we live.  May we hold one another accountable to live out what we are hearing with our ears.
Pass the Test...that was the challenge.  We saw once again that God tests us but Satan tempts us and our times of testing can so often lead to seasons of temptation.  There is always that temptation to do things our way and not wait on God and so we find ourselves in a state of sin.  I loved the illustration of how monkeys are caught because they won't let go of the rice in their hands and so often we hold tightly to things that we want so desperately and before you know it we are caught and hooked.  I also loved how Eddie talked about Satan being the expert angler and how he baits the hook that appeals to our desires.  He knows us well. For most of us he has spent years watching us and observing what appeals to us and he knows what our weaknesses are and how to get us and yes for many of us "any slimy worm will do".  Doesn't that make you hate him all the more!?  I loved Eddie's challenge to see behind the hook.  Realize the power in the boat to get us to grab the hook and be swept away.  The bait gets our attention, it affects our attitudes as we begin to think about it, then the action...we bite.  Realizing that taking the bait Satan puts out there for us leads to death but relying on the power of God in our life to overcome those temptations leads to life and He will ALWAYS provide a way out if we look to Him and wait for Him.
I'm so thankful that as we grow in Christ and rely on His power in our life we can have the abundant life He has for us.  We don't have to be victims of Satan and his bait.  We can be overcomers and live a life of victory.  But...to do that we have to grow up, be mature believers and walk the talk.

Spring Break, much needed

The countdown to spring break begins right after the kids go back to school in January after the Christmas break.  It's different than it used to be, this year we actually had 3 spring breaks under the roof.  Chrissie had a week and she and Michael got to come for a few days of her break.  That was great because it had been so long since we had time with them.  Stephen and Jessica had a different week.  Jess was in and out enjoying her time off and Stephen actually got a few days of his away from baseball to come home.  These days I'm grateful for what I get.  John finally had his last week.  He got the first part of the week at home then we headed to Columbia for a tournament in Blythewood.  This year we actually got to spend our spring break tournament time in the city as a team and it was so much better than going back and forth.  We won the tournament, go TBREDS, and John got tournament MVP, go John...a great week!
Vacations are sweet, even mini ones.  Being away with our baseball family is great.  Vacation is all about being with family and getting away from the day to day.  I had more than a few people say to me they bet we couldn't vacation without talking ministry stuff...well we did it.  Trust me, we have plenty of other stuff to make conversation over...life is big. I can talk Jesus and the scriptures all day but shop talk sometimes has to cease for a time.   I don't know how some do it without an outlet. It's a must for us.  For us to be able to get away with our friends and just be one of the ball players parents, is super sweet.  They let us be us and we love them for it.  Dinners with them without work talk and laughing our heads off at stuff that probably others wouldn't see as funny and tear up as we think about all the years these boys have played together and the memories that go along with that...that's hard to beat stuff and a change of pace we long for.  For most of us, it's more than just a game. It's years of memories and friendships and bonding.  Caring for each other through losses, not game losses, but life losses...deaths in the family, sickness in the family, hurts along life's way.  Watching the boys grow up so much and in so many ways.  Seeing the older ones take to the younger ones and the younger ones learning and looking up to the older ones.  I don't know, maybe this isn't true everywhere on every team with everyone but it's definitely been true for us.  They are an outlet we love and need.  And our boys have learned MUCH from playing a team sport that I pray stays with them through life.

A few pics...enjoy...

Monday Morning Perspective

Yep, I knew James was going to be good!!  What an awesome start to the book.  My husband brought a power-packed message.  How timely is our God?!
Eddie gave us a great intro to James and a preview to what we will be running into in this book and then we took a dive into the first four verses.
I loved our 2nd section on Trouble has a function.  Count it ALL JOY!!  Put trouble in the profit column as we weigh our troubles.  Oh, the call to stand firm again as we face our troubles and those things and people who trouble us.  The fires that come, come to burn away anything and everything that is not genuine.  I love that.  Genuine faith is all that matters and if it takes the fire to burn away the fake in me, I'm all for it.  My prayer is that in the midst of it I will stand firm and be obedient to whatever He calls me to do and be.  Eddie has always said that it's when we get squeezed that we see what's on the inside, how true is that? I don't believe we can really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure.  It's easy to be kind to others when things are going well, but can we be kind when others are treating us unfairly?  God is about making us mature, growing us up in Him.  One of the things I've noticed, is how quickly some people come to our defense when we are being unjustly treated.  Of course some hide in the weeds to see how it will all turn out but many stand up and defend to the point that we don't even have to defend ourselves.  I love that about the body of Christ.  May we all be quick to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ and help them through their troubled times.  May we never be the ones adding to their trouble.
James is going to pack a punch.  It's not for the shallow or for those who try to avoid conviction.  I'm not surprised that so many don't like James, he's a tell it like it is man.

Hurts abound but God is good

I got up early this Saturday morning.  The hubby is out of town and there are two sleeping kids upstairs.  All is quiet at least for now.  I am extra thankful for my man this morning.  I strolled outside to get the paper, in the cold!  I made my own pot of coffee!  Those are two things Eddie always does and I missed it.  Sounds like little things, they are, but it's the little things that I usually take for granted and rarely thank him for.  It's those little things I realize that make me the happiest.  I don't need expensive gifts or trips, just my paper and coffee and someone sitting there to start the day with.  Not just anyone of course!!

I had a horrible nightmare last night.  I hate nightmares!  Details of it aren't important and I'm not  big on analyzing dreams but that one left me thinking. It did involve a church on one side, a small run down neighborhood on the other, our students from church, gunshots, protection for us all.  Kinda wierd I know but in light of a lot of stuff not only for us but others, some we know, some we just read about, it makes sense to me if only me.
I'm reminded so often of the story of Stephen and his persecutors.  I love to compare their angry faces and gnashing of teeth with Stephen's face that glowed and his sense of calm in the storm.  I follow a lot of ministers and ministries on twitter.  They're kind of like mini devotions throughout the day and they also show me how there are plenty of people suffering all around us...some in ministry, some not.  We see the suffering of those in Japan, Haiti and around the world with natural disasters, wars, economic woes.  Anonymous emails to us are so trivial.  It is hard to believe a person hates us that much or that we have that much power over their emotions.  However Jesus warned us all that we would be hated because of Him so I'm not sure why we are so surprised by it.  I read of those being shot at on a daily basis by friendly "christian" fire and sit across the table from others as they talk about it and it's hard to think of anything other than Lord come quickly.  Can I just take a moment to encourage anyone who will let me on this Saturday morning?  My Dad always said God takes care of His own.  That's not a specific verse but it's definitely a principle that runs throughout the Word. He will bring judgment and justice in His time for whatever you are going through.  My heart aches for those with health issues and those whose children are not living how they were raised.  It aches for kids who talk of parents who are living in rebellion and living according to the desires of the flesh.  What a broken world but what a great God.  Nothing goes unnoticed by Him and nothing will go unjudged.  I love Him so.  He really is our only hope, our only strength, our only source of peace and thankfully He really is all we need.
My Saturday plans have done a 360 but that's ok.  He is Lord of our schedules as well.  This day takes me to Sumter and that's not so bad.  Praying for friends and their wedding today, praying for another fighting illness and some kids having a blast at Carowinds.  Love to all.

Monday Morning Perspective

As we conclude the series on spiritual warfare, I find the comment so true that someone said...when you preach on spiritual warfare all hell can break loose.  One of the questions I'm left with afterwards is, do we really get it? Do we understand how Satan works and how he uses us so often to accomplish his tasks?  Do we get how we can be the ones used to bring about distractions and diversions to get us off the main road which should be to get the gospel out there, to encourage our family in Christ, to win the lost?
To say much of anything about this sermon I would just have to write every note I took and every thought that went through my mind as I've pondered it.  I can only say that the whole thing was my favorite and I'm praying God will use it to grow us up into mature believers who refuse to allow Satan to use them, develop a powerful prayer life that is more about getting to know the heart of God rather than focusing on our own selfish desires.  May we be a people who refuse to bow to idols and instead stand firm not willing to retreat.
We dive into the book of James next week.  I CAN'T WAIT!!  I have a feeling James is going to tell us which way is up and he's not going to pull any punches with us.  What comes to mind as I think about James' teaching...
Christians make great claims but don't always back them up with their actions.
God's people cling tightly at times to this world and its values.
We so often contradict the gospel with our lives.
James tells us to live the Christian faith, not just talk it.
Proof of faith is a changed life.
And on, and on, and on...

Monday Morning Perspective

I cannot imagine how anyone left the service yesterday without having been overwhelmed by the presence of the Lord all over themselves.  Incredible is not a good enough word to describe the music.  Soloists were fabulous and the choir was unbelieveable.  So great seeing so many packed into the choir loft.  Thank you to all of you for your commitment and faithfulness.  Awesome hearing you all sing, but also being able to watch you worship!!  It was one of those goosebump, hair standing on my arms, want to jump up and shout before my insides burst asunder kind of services.  I'm determined no rock is going to cry out on my behalf, I hope you are too.
I meant it when I told Eddie he ought to nail the message after the worship time but I had no worries.  He nails it every time!  As we continued looking at spiritual warfare, we were reminded that our enemies are not our brothers and sisters in Christ.  The battle is in the spiritual realm and Satan is working every angle to destroy lives, homes, and relationships.  We don't have to be unbelievers for Satan to use us as people often think.  Satan can use believers to wreck havoc and cause confusion and problems.  We need to constantly keep that in mind and make sure we are not allowing him to do that in our own life.
I love how Eddie took the armour piece by piece describing how a real soldier used it and then what it means in our Christian walk.  I love how the belt of truth is first.  How necessary the truth is in life...knowing it, believing it, speaking it and living it.  Then I love how it all ends with the Sword of the Spirit.  It's so much more than a book.  It is God's living, active Word to us.  It's interesting that it's the only offensive weapon in this list.  Maybe because it's the only thing that really can defeat the Enemy.  We can't do it on our own or in our own strength.  We need the power of Christ in us to defeat him and there is power in His Word.
How interesting that we ended with the challenge that there is nothing in this list that covers our back.  We are not called to run or retreat.  We are called to be on the move, moving ahead in His might to further His kingdom.  Not cowering to criticism, fear, hateful and selfish people, not trivial matters or those who are not kingdom-minded.  We keep pushing ahead.  Sharing the gospel with the lost, encouraging the weak, growing and maturing in our faith.  This is a great reminder for me on days when I'd rather pull the covers over my head or stay in the bubble of my home and hide from the world.  God never calls us to do that!!

Monday Morning Perspective

On this Monday morning I am still so pumped about yesterday.  What an incredible crowd we had in worship!  The choir had a great crowd and led powerfully in worship.  I must say I was a bit shocked because of the time change.  Losing that hour is always tough but so glad to see that our Millbrook family didn't let a little thing like lack of sleep stand in their way of getting to worship.

We started a 3 part series on spiritual warfare...God's timing is perfect ALWAYS!  If ever we need this message, it is now.  Like Eddie said, way too many Christian soldiers are asleep in the barracks and many are getting beaten up.  Jesus has won the war but most of us have battles we have to fight every day so let's take on the challenge and make Satan fearful as soon as our eyes open and our feet hit the floor every morning. We are caught up in this war whether we like it or not and we need to be prepared and ready for the fight.  Knowing our enemy and how he works and realizing how he attacks and his strategy is powerful.  

Be strong in the Lord.  Don't try to fight the Enemy alone, he is way too powerful for us.  And may we all realize who the Enemy is and it is NOT one another!  

Are you a soldier in God's army? Have you enlisted? That's the first step. Can't wait for next week.

Monday Morning Perspective

What an incredible day yesterday in the life of Millbrook.  The high winds and pelting rain couldn't keep Millbrookers away from coming together to celebrate through worship and bible study...what a tremendous crowd as we came back together as one family in one service.  You could sense the excitement and energy from God's people uniting together.  Our students filled The Rock as our missionary shared during our small group time together.  The kids were zoned in on all that he was sharing with them, awesome to experience that.  And what can be said about our worship service...God showed up and showed off in a big way.  It was incredible to see individuals and families flood the front to make their commitments to give and go and pray and then to be able to pray over our students going to mini World Changers.  Goosebumps!!
Huge shout-out to Bill Howard and our music ministry!!!  Our choir was rocking yesterday.  I love seeing their energy, I think some of you were on the verge of dancing and it made me grin ear to ear!! You showed forth the freedom we have in worship and you are leading our congregation in a fabulous way.  Thank you for your commitment and filling so many of those chairs!!  Huge thank you to Bill!!  I love your heart not only for music but ministry and the passion you have for the Lord, it is so evident as it pours forth from you and God is blessing because of it.  Nice to see that you are not performing for us but you are worshipping, what a refreshment!!  So thankful to be able to serve with you and your wife and to be able to witness your hearts firsthand.
I am so thankful for all of the staff God has brought here and each of their wives who are so invested in the ministry.  So thankful for their hard work and loyalty, for their working together as a team and not against one another.  So thankful that we receive so much encouragement when we are all together and there's lots of fun and laughter and sweet fellowship.  Grateful to be able to call each of them friends and Millbrook our family!

And Another Thing...(then I'm roadtripping for a few)

Well 4am came dark and early this morning.  I woke up with my heart pounding, feeling like it was on fire.  Don't know if it was all the happenings of the past few days or maybe I ate too late after the ballgame.  Either way, God brings good from all and it got me out of the bed.  I do usually know when I wake up at whatever time and my heart is already pounding and my mind is full that early in the day, the two usually are going together.
I woke up with the younger ones on my mind this morning, some I know, some I don't.  They are the ones we now have labeled as the Millenials, that's the age group of 11-30.  I was thinking of them in light of what I blogged yesterday and the past weeks Eddie and I have spent talking about them and researching them.  I thought about the 14 11th and 12th grade girls Julie Revelle and I had piled up in my den floor Sunday evening for ingroup bible study, for those who came a few hours earlier just to hang out.  I thought about my high school boy who is living out his faith in the darkness of a public high school and my two living on a college campus which is private but definitely not always a Christian atmosphere.  I thought about my married girl and her husband who are burning it at both ends trying to reach the next generation and disciple them and grow them up in the faith, pouring everything they know into them.  I started thinking of other young couples in this age range I know who are striving to live a life for Christ and for those whom Christ isn't really on their radar that we need to reach.  The research tells us that this generation isn't going to put up with a lot of things the way they are especially in the church.  They won't tolerate the beaurocracy of the way many of us do church.  They'll go somewhere else or they won't go at all.  They don't have the stomach for all the whining about personal preferences in the church, whether it's how you dress there or the color scheme of the building.  They are much more into getting the job done and get on with it.  Their attitude is let's just get out there and make a difference rather than sit in meetings and squabble over how  we're going to go about things.  If they're Christian Millenials, they want to see discipleship happen and then lived out and then go out.  In light of that...
I am so super blessed to have received so much encouragement and love and through the phone hugs and kisses yesterday.  I didn't blog to get those but they sure felt good. My inbox was overflowing and the numerous texts drained my phone battery dry.  I am so crazy about each of you.  I told Eddie that if crappy emails are what it takes to stir our people up to go out and love and encourage and look for the positive and then speak the positive and shut up the naysayers, I will take an email like that once a week.  I responded to one message yesterday by saying that I am one of the chief complainers about the negative people being so loud and obnoxious and the whiners whining to get their way and how much I want the positive people to stand up and cheer loudly the things of God and all that He's doing in them and in their church that I just thought well it's time then for me to shoot down one of the negatives and shout some positive myself LOUDLY.  When others speak a word of negative, can we counter it with a positive word? When someone speaks against another, can we just speak some truth over that?  Because if we don't start, I'm scared of what  those younger ones are going to be left to think.  We all know those who turn the younger ones away by their attitudes or actions.  Those who are a stumbling block or offense to them.  Someone may have done that to you when you were younger, I know someone did that to me and some have done it to my own kids.  Are they going to think that this Christian life is real and it makes a difference or are they going to think we are a bunch of complainers who want our way about everything?  Are we going to have anyone behind us to hand the baton to and say run with it and  are they going to take it or say no thank you?  I know it's easy to think well what can I do or there's fewer of us or whatever but the early church started with a few and the more persecution there was the faster the gospel spread.  So, that's why the "persecution" of a coward sending an email doesn't bother me so much, it's not even worthy of calling it persecution it's just annoying BUT we can use it to fire us up and energize us to stand firm together and be determined to MAKE a difference and BE different.  It can be a catalyst to push us forward and I don't want to go backwards and I don't want to stand still.  We can't afford to do that.  There's too much at risk if we do...there's an entire generation at risk.  So my challenge to anyone who wants to take it...
Look for the positive and then proclaim it.  Speak the truth in love even if there's a cost.  Look for an opportunity to encourage the younger ones.  Share what Christ is doing in your life NOW, not 10 years ago, but what He is doing in your life NOW with someone who needs to hear.
I love you and am blessed to know so many who encourage me in the faith.  Encourage someone else today.  I'm taking the next few days and getting away, gonna be computer free, but surrounded by some of my favorite people.  Have a Terrific Tuesday!!
 

To the coward behind the computer screen

Just so there's no confusion as to who I'm writing this to...this is to the one who continues to send his anonymous emails harassing my family and my staff family. Funny to me how sometimes we think we can be anonymous with God but He knows exactly who you are and is all about bringing to light those things we do in the dark and think it will remain a secret...that brings perfect peace.  I hold to Matthew 5:11-12 as I know I'm in good company. I also know that what you mean for harm God will turn it around and bring good. I've NEVER blogged to or about someone EVER but this person makes email accounts and deletes so you can't respond and now he has chosen to contact me via the blog again through a phony email so this is the only way to correspond AND since I detest with a holy horror those who won't do the face to face thing or are unwilling to own your words by signing your name here goes.  I know that lots of things I blog people may not agree with but at least I own it. Before this even is written I'm going to claim ISamuel 24:12-13...look it up yourself.  So many times God muzzles me and I've learned to not speak even when given permission by man but this time God has given perfect peace to speak some truth and I am thankful.
First of all since through these kinds of things it's hard to tell tone, let me tell you that my tone is definitely not anger or even hurt because you have no power over me.  You're not a friend and I don't respect you and so   actually I feel nothing.  I'm sure you thought this would send me in a tail spin but it's too pathetic to even do that.
First of all as I hit my knees this morning and continue on my knees as I type this...this is what I prayed over you...That God would show kindness to you because it's kindness that leads to repentance and then to salvation and I want that for you.  However I also prayed Nehemiah 4 on you, that too you can read for yourself.  I'm also praying that you would be freed from your personal prison of bitterness and hatred.
In answer to your email...
It's so obvious you are just not in the know when it comes to Millbrook.  You have no access to the facts so because of that I'll just say you're wrong.  Not gonna cast pearls before swine here.  You also obviously don't know what the word unscholarly means or you just don't know my husband.  And the most obvious thing to me is that you have no fear of God as you attacked not only my husband but what God Himself has called him to preach.  Even I would not dare tell him or even suggest what he preaches or how he preaches to the people he's been called to.  God judge you for that too.
As for my family...again WRONG.  To claim that we are here only because it's convenient for us proves your ignorance.  This is the least convenient place for us to be.  Three of my four children are in the upstate along with my new and precious son-in-law.  My brother's family is there who I miss terribly and long to see more often and see my darling nephews as they grow especially in the Lord.  My parents are in their 70s and my mother struggles with Alzheimers so I would love to be near them.  My only son left at home would probably benefit greatly from attending one of the high schools up there and could play ball at any of them.  SO to say it's most convenient for us shows you know nothing of what you said.
We are here and will stay here as long as GOD ALONE leaves us here.  We will not be run off by the likes of people like you who harass and stalk and spew venom.  As long as we are here we will serve the people here with our whole hearts and souls, with every ounce of energy and love we can muster and that God will pour on us and in us.  If that's a problem for you then you can fight that one out with God Himself.  We don't roll with what is convenient for us as you obviously don't get.  He's given us a love for His people here and only He will make us leave them.
Thank you so much for your email.  It confirmed several things to us.  It confirmed that we are on the right track because persecution always comes when you follow God closely.  It also confirmed what we have been believing about His work here and that is He is getting ready to work mightily.  You see Satan and his spokespeople get angry when God begins to work in and through God's people and He is definitely at work among His Millbrook people.  Things like this also cause great bonding among the staff that we have now as we support and are loyal to one another because we are all on the same page and moving towards the same goal.  You just helped to energize all of us as we stand united and tightly together.
"Contend O Lord with those who contend with "us" fight against those who fight against  "us".
May those who seek "our" life be disgraced and put to shame. May those who plot "our" ruin be turned back in dismay.  May they be like chaff before the wind with the angel of the Lord driving them away.  May thei path be dark and slippery with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.  Who is like you O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them the poor and needy  from those who rob them."
In closing can I say a huge thank you to all who so often send messages of love and support.  We love you so and believe me we DO know that these types of people are few and far between.  We will not cower to them or run from them. We are also very much aware of the spiritual warfare going on and our need to stand firm.  So thankful that we are headed to a series of sermons on that, we all face it and we all need to understand it.  Thank you to so many who say that you pray often for us in regards to spiritual warfare as well as our staff who are on those front lines with us.  We love the family of God and it's a privilege and honor to serve where He has called us.

Fun Times as they grow

If there's anything better than being a parent I wish someone would tell me and then you had better have a lot of ammunition to convince me.  I loved it when my babies were actual babies. I loved the toddler stage when they were learning so much.  I even loved and love their teen years.  It's just all good.  Anyone who knows me at all knows the struggle I had when it was time for one to get married in August and in that same month two left for college for the first time.  So thankful to have one still at home but that time is winding down quickly.
There are good things too about seeing them grow up.  I love seeing my married girl enjoying her amazing man and knowing that they are ministering together and expanding the kingdom.  Must say I wish I could see them in action with their students but I know God is doing great things there.  My other girl is enjoying her college experience.  She's growing so much through her life group bible study and made some good friends with strong Christian girls. She's continued her Upward cheerleading coaching in Spartanburg and it's been a blast to watch her cheer for SMC.  She wraps up that season Thursday night.  John will start his junior baseball season with a tournament game this Friday.  He will be on the mound and we are going into this season expecting and hoping for some great things from the Tbreds.
Eddie and I went to Newberry College yesterday.  SMC was going to be there for a double-header and Stephen was getting the start on the mound in the second game.  What an awesome sight!  Seeing my boy in that college uniform making his first college start pitching.  Everything in the world goes through a parent's mind.  It's all kind of in slow motion as the years keep flashing.  I kept seeing him in that gold team Tshirt at Citizens Park at age 9 when he first started pitching.  I saw him in all of those AllStar uniforms representing his city.  I saw him as such a tiny thing in the 7th grade playing for his high school with all those boys towering over him.  I thought of all the travel ball and the boys he played with from 10 years old on and their families that still are a part of our lives.  So much good stuff.  I was so proud of him.  He didn't appear a bit nervous.  I told Eddie when he was throwing long on the field that I just hoped his heart wasn't pounding as hard as mine was.  I'm always amazed at how calm he appears.  The mound has just always been his comfort zone.  He has an amazing way of tuning everything else out and going into this zone.  I know I've headed into the bragging mom area but I was so proud of him.  He's worked so hard to get to this level.  He had a great outing...4 shutout innings, only 2 hits, first pitch strike and his first college W.  We ended up winning 5 to 3 which is the most important thing, the team got the win. My he's a lot bigger now than that 7th grade kid.  Eddie asked me on the way home if I ever thought I would see him play college ball...honestly yes, because I knew he would work as hard as he had to to accomplish that goal.  As hard as it is to see them grow up, there are some good things about it.

Monday Morning Perspective

Wow...another awesome message in our family series from Ephesians.
I love series like this that are so practical, encouraging yet convicting as well.  I also love how this message was a great word for children but also a word to parents.  We saw that children are called to obey and honor not because parents are always right but because it is right.  Also love how Eddie pointed out that disobedience in the home is a downward spiral and can set the tone of your life.
The word he gave to parents was very helpful.  Pointing out the things we need to avoid...fault finding, favoritism,  overprotection, neglect, abuse and pushing too hard as well as the things we need to incorporate...clear and consistent discipline as well as lots of love and time was so helpful.
Favorite part today...the sermon after the sermon.  I loved the leadership my husband displayed as he shared the importance of keeping the main thing the main thing!!  Some things just don't matter in the whole realm of eternity and we need to recognize the things that do matter.  Very thankful for a pastor who keeps the main thing in front of us even if it steps on our toes...that's what God calls our pastors to do!  Thank you for being faithful to do that when we need it, I love you!!

Monday Morning Perspective

It's so cool to be able to blog about the sermon on Valentine's Day when the sermon was about doing marriage God's way.  God is such a God of timing, only one of the reasons I love Him so.
What an awesome sermon!! It reminded me of how important it is to not only do marriage God's way but life His way.  I'm thankful for the reminder of how dangerous it is to listen to the wrong voices.  Why do we look to celebrities and listen to those secular voices when it's one failure after another and yet somehow think that's how we will find joy and happiness?  God's way has proven to work and His voice is the only one we should be listening to.  If our homes are built on anything but the foundation of Jesus Christ, we are in serious trouble.
I'm so thankful on this Valentine's Day to be able to thank my man for being the Christian husband/father God has called him to be.  It hasn't been a perfect walk because we are imperfect people but we have served a perfect God who has brought good when we messed up and picked us up when fell down and every day has shown both of us what perfect love looks like.  It's a sacrificial agape love that never gives up on us and always seeks the best for us and loves no matter what.  That's how we are called to love and it cannot be done apart from Christ.  May we all seek to love our spouse that way every day, not just a day that the world has set aside for us to love.
I was also reminded this morning how grateful I am to have dated my man in the days of letter writing.  I have a box full of letters he wrote me in our dating years.  Sad to say it's been a while since I sat down and wrote him a letter.  I know the techno world is wonderful and aids in quick communication but there's nothing like that hand written letter!! Happy Valentine's Day to my sweet man and to all!

God flipped my day around

I had so many different things planned for today but things took a turn.  Poor Eddie got so sick last night, started feeling yucky right before dinner and it gradually got worse and worse.  Needless to say it was a long night most especially for him.  Anyway, plans changed and I stayed put with my sick man at home.  Days like that used to bother me much more than now.  I've come to learn that it's all within His plan and His timing so I try to go along with His flow.
So happened after my quiet time I tuned in to The Today Show and it kinda got my blood pumping or rather boiling.  They were doing a segment on butt lifts and the whys and hows and what fors.  That may not be a new thing but I guess this morning it just seemed to wash over me in a way that I sat there and thought "just what lengths are we going to go to to get that perfect self we so want". They had celebrity butts that they wanted theirs to look like, unbelieveable!!  What in the world!!! I listened to those women explaining themselves and my mind raced to all the things God has taught me lately that is the exact opposite of everything that was before me at that moment.
Back up to yesterday...I was listening to a message about how obsessed we are with celebrities and getting attention on ourselves at all cost, even if it's bad attention, at least it's attention.  And how so many people may not necessarily want to be a celebrity, although many do, but they want to be all around it because somehow that makes them feel good about themselves and they begin to believe that somehow they relate.  My poor hubby came home for lunch about that time and I pulled him right into that and we both thought "how interesting, explains a lot".
After The Today Show God sent me scurrying back to some other studies I had done and digging through some stuff. He led me to some things about how obsessed women are with gaining attention from men whether it's their husband or any man even men they don't know, just have to feel that somehow they can catch his eye.  We are just desperate to feel good about ourselves it's just odd that we look in all the wrong places and go about it in all the wrong ways.  And I don't just mean teen girls, I mean women.  This show was about grown women wanting in my words "fake bodies created by some doctor to look like some celebrity that they are infatuated with".
I also thought about a young girl brought to my attention by someone that is just obsessed with guys.  The funny thing is it seems that any guy will do, actually not too funny.  One boy even made the comment that "she doesn't even have a type, like she likes all of them and they all look different and are very different, she just has to have someone".
And we think we women have made progress, I'm not so sure.  The thing that tears at my heart the most is that this isn't just lost women, it's women who will tell you they have a relationship with Jesus yet it's so opposite from what He teaches us and tells us.  He created us the way He wants us to look and He loves us no matter what and He's longing to give us the attention we so desire if we will just give Him the time it takes to do that.
I'm pretty thankful He flipped my day around. He used it to teach me and reteach me, now may I apply it in my own life.

Monday Morning Perspective

Prayer...that was our focus.  I do love acrostics and that's what Eddie used to walk us through a fabulous message on prayer...Adoration,Confession,Thanksgiving,Supplication.
Eddie said right out of the gate that of all the things the disciples could have asked Jesus to teach them, they asked Him to teach them to pray. I think that's so interesting compared to what I usually ask Jesus for.  However, the disciples knew that if they learned to pray and connect with God through prayer, that would be the key to everything else.  Prayer is definitely the power source.  My fave part was the statement...suppose our blessings of tomorrow depended on our thanksgiving today.  I love that because so often I'm guilty of having a prayer answered and my feelings are that of thanksgiving but I so often don't stop and speak thanksgiving to Him.  I need to stop in my tracks more and really SAY thank you.
The past 14 days Eddie and I have been doing the Daniel fast together.  It has been harder than I thought it would be.  One of the things it pointed out to me was the fact that so often I don't really care to have something until I'm told I can't have it.  I wanted so many foods that I never focus on wanting until it was all of a sudden on my don't list.  How often are we like that in other things?  We don't want a certain guy until another girl gets him then we want him or vice-versa.  We don't want a material object til someone else gets it then it's all we want.  We may not want to be friends with someone until someone else is or all of a sudden they don't care to be ours.  Why is our flesh that way???
I did get some major prayer requests answered on this fast.  I am VERY THANKFUL for those.  There have been some of those things on the very top of my prayer list that God chose to answer in a way that gave much needed peace.  He answered a few in a way that I wouldn't have chosen but now I'm just praying for the grace to receive and accept that answer and be good with it.  Fasting is one of the disciplines that I've practiced very little but I'm hoping to incorporate it more often.

Monday Morning Perspective

First, let me back up and say if you didn't get to be there for State of the Church like me, go listen to it online.  It's always good to get info from the top instead of 2nd, 3rd, or 4th hand.  It was awesome and Eddie and I are so excited about the privilege to serve at Millbrook at this time.  I know sometimes we only see what's going on in our specific group or area of service but we are fortunate to see the big picture of Millbrook and God is moving and working ALL OVER!!  People are visiting, sunday school classes from young to old are crowded, people are getting involved and inviting people...awesome time for our church.  He is blessing and we are blessed. Be encouraged and encourage others.
The Christian Wife was the message yesterday and thank you to my man for the day off.  He offered the opportunity to preach that one but I probably needed to hear it more than preach it so I appreciated the option this time, usually I don't get that haha.  Great sermon, very convicting, very challenging!!  It was applicable to us as wives but also just in our general relationships.  The statement Eddie made in closing to "do the unselfish thing, step outside of your own needs and stop thinking of how your spouse needs to change and find out how you need to change" is powerful and should be how we deal with all of our relationships.  It's way too easy to think about how others are acting in a wrong way or what's wrong with them but when we turn it on ourselves we find that there's plenty of work to do inside our own lives.
Happy Monday to all and speak a good positive word to someone today.

Monday Morning Perspective

Yea, yea, yea, I know it's not morning but couldn't bring myself to break out the computer with so much good conversation with the hubs going on. We get into talking church and I don't want to cut it off.  We are just both so excited about some things right now and praying and expecting some huge things from God on behalf of our church family.  We are also praying that our Millbrook family will join with us in this excitement and praying for this new year for Millbrook.
Anyways...loved the message yesterday!!!  Also loved the passion with which it was preached.  All these years and I'm still amazed at the anointing of God on Eddie as he stands to preach, absolutely mind blowing. 
We looked at the marks of a wise Christian and I must say my toes are sore and the conviction was heavy and come 6am this morning after my wakeup call from David Caver about school closing I was praying over those things from the message and how God needs to continue doing a work in my heart.
When we were talking about being controlled by the Holy Spirit, I couldn't help but think of a friend who was attacked about her son by a mom when their boys were very young maybe 5ish.  I remember this friend just "taking it" when she could have easily tore into this lady.  To me, when you can do that when your child is involved, you are a wise Spirit-controlled Christian.  Oh that all of us would respond that way.  Wise, Spirit-controlled people are the ones I am deliberately surrounding myself with.  However, we all have to be on guard at all times...prayed up and people in the Word so that Satan doesn't catch us with our guard down.  That's usually when we blow our witness and the respect others have for us. 
Praying all are safe in this snowy winter wonderland...how I love it.  Just for everything to shut down and have a day or two to stay put and enjoy being together drinking that hot chocolate and sitting by the fire and yes even blogging when I know that's what I should do but now ready to turn this thing off and get some spaghetti going for dinner and enjoy the BCS Championship game with a room full of my favorite people and really missing my 2 upstate children.  Blessings to all!!

The ride with God never ceases to amaze me

I've been meaning to do this for days but sometimes I just want to sit and soak in all that God has done and especially at the ending/beginning of a new year.  He has been so tremendously graceful towards us, showing us things and working in ways that even a year ago I would not have imagined.  It was a fabulous Christmas, in fact it's been a fabulous month and actually a fabulous year.  No, that does not mean it has been stress free or problem free but God has ruled and reigned and shown time after time that He is still on His throne and in complete charge and He watches over His children if we are obedient to Him. 
We had some of the greatest family time over the holidays.  Our family along with my brother's family decided to completely surprise my parents at Christmas with a large screen tv and surprise them doesn't even begin to describe it.  I don't think I've ever seen anyone receive such a gift with so much humility and thankfulness.  My mom had already cried all day over their gift from Chrissie and Michael which was a beautiful frame filled with family wedding pics...I got mine too and was overwhelmed as well.
We had some precious time with Kaylin, Stephen's girlfriend from Toccoa.  Wow, her parents have done a fab job and we are getting to enjoy the work they have done.  Thank you godly parents out there who know it is worth the work!!! That girl has more spiritual depth than most adults I know.  To hear her talk about the spiritual disciplines she practices in her life is amazing to me.  Jessica got to go to Passion and experience a conference intended for those in her generation, a call to rise up and do something great for the Kingdom.  I'm praying it will not have been just a great conference for all of these kids but a life altering call to serve and take the Word to those now and those who will come behind them.  What an awesome generation the Lord is raising up.  We got to stay home and watch much of it online together, snuggled up on our couch with hot chocolate and the laptop on...love how God uses technology for His greater good.  Huge clap offering for the only God worthy of everything!!
We also got to spend some phenomenal time with our friends Joe and Karen Sawyer, friends from Greenville that we went to Boston with.  They haven't seen our kids in forever and we so wanted them to connect.  They are just the kind of people that you want your kids to sit at their feet and soak in all their godly wisdom and insight.  It was some of the best conversation around their dining table that we have had in years, actually it played a huge role in some of my thoughts going into the new year.
I don't make resolutions.  I kinda don't see the point.  I do however like to improve and change and add/subtract things in my life but more on an ongoing basis than just the beginning of a year.  I've decided that I am very much lacking in the area of memorizing scripture.  I have a lot of it in my head but I'm terrible at remembering the reference so I'm determined to learn 2 a month and retain them.  That will happen only with God's help and that's what I want, something that makes me depend totally on Him.  I also need to do some fasting, not just from food but from some other things and I know He will help me with that as well.  My first verse of the new year to memorize and set the tone for my year is Gal 1:10...Am I now trying to win the approval of men or God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men I would not be a servant of Christ.  Being a servant of Christ is what I want most so the people pleasing, impressing has to go even more than it already has.  Sorry if that bothers some but there's no pleasing God when we constantly try to please and impress man so determined not to do it.  I want to be focused on what God thinks of me more than what people think.  We talked about this with the Sawyers and talked about how so many are so wrapped up in looking good rather than being good, looking holy rather than being holy.  We fool everyone but God with that.  Sometimes we care what people think of us and "how that makes us look" and worry about our kids messing up because that makes us look bad rather than trying to get our kids where they need to  be spiritually. We worry so much about what people who don't mean a hill of beans thinks.  I also continue to ask God to draw my heart to people who have a heart for Him.  He has brought so many of those in my life in the past few years that I feel greedy asking for more but I love being with those who love talking about Jesus and pushing me and prodding me on to know Him better.  Jesus asks His disciples in Mark 8 a question, "And don't you remember?"  All Christ had done in their presence and they still didn't get it.  It's important to remember... to look back and remember where we were and what God has done.  I want to remember and I want to understand, I want my eyes to see and my ears to hear all that God has for me,  What about you?