Monday Morning Perspective

Sunday was a great day at Fairview. Great crowd even with many traveling over Thanksgiving. The worship center and lobby was beautiful as our decorators had put their touch of Christmas everywhere. Love seeing the band all on the stage together. And I was one who noticed the lights dimming, but I like it that way! I don't love darkness in our culture, but I like it during worship 😊. 

Great message from James 4! So many thought provoking questions my husband challenged us with. Here are a few of them...

...are you as close to God as you want to be?

...are you living for God in a way that provokes satan and causes him to oppose you?

...repentance involves change. Are we sorry enough over our sin to change?

...how do we respond when others come to us criticizing or complaining about things?

...where are you today? Are you doing things today that 10 years ago you would never have done? 

Love how Eddie wrapped it up by talking about the darkness of our culture. So often we don't even realize how dark it's getting. Darkness is not dispelled by screaming at it. Darkness is dispelled by light. It happens when God's people shine the light. Let's shine the light wherever we go. Christmas is an easy time of the year to do that with numerous opportunities. Happy Monday to all!!

Thanksgiving from Numbers 11

I know Numbers 11 seems like an odd place to receive a word on thanksgiving but not if you read it and ponder it. I was there this morning and it spoke so many things over me. I probably need to read this chapter every single day. 

In Numbers 11 we see how faithful God had been in providing food for the people to eat but that wasn't enough for them. They began to want a different food. They began to think back to what they had in Egypt and missed it. Of course they had forgotten what they had to endure. That's how we are so often when we look back. We only remember the good and not the consequences and tjhe problems. Interesting how God was angry with the people because they complained to one another. He wasn't angry with Moses who came to Him with his complaints. Always go to God! He's the only one who has the power to do something about our circumstances anyway. 

The biggest lesson I got from all of this is this...dissatisfaction comes when I begin to think about what I want and don't have instead of all that I do have. They had forgotten all that God had already done for them and what He promised to do. Every morning these people experienced a miracle but it wasn't good enough for them any more. Last night at lifegroup Stephen mentioned that we say God doesnt still do miracles. But He does! We are just focused on other things to notice. That's so true. 

My sweet mom has Alzheimer's. All she has is the moment and thankfully she enjoys the moment, most of the time.  You can spend hours with her and leave and she won't remember you being there but while you're there she loves it. That's been so convicting to me. So often I can have most of my family around but feel bad for the one that's missing. I've determined in my mind and heart to stop that. He has blessed us at this particular season to have all of our children living close. But they're all either in ministry or called to it so who knows how long this season will last. It's extra sweet because for too long either because of ministry or college we have been scattered. I've determined that for however long it lasts and whomever I get to enjoy at the moment that's going to be enough. Nothing's better than everyone all together in one place laughing and talking and enjoying the same moment, but that can't be my "be all end all" of joy. 

Hebrews 12:28-29 says, Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." When our focus is on God and we are living a life of thanksgiving, nothing can shake us. He is our foundation and He is a firm foundation. This life isn't all we have. We have all of eternity to look forward to. I'm especially thankful that all of my family is saved. We may at another season of time be separated and even now for days or for certain times for certain things, but we will spend all of eternity together and that my friends is all we need to have a Happy Thanksgiving. If you have someone on your heart that you want to spend all of eternity with and you're unsure if that's possible now, the greatest thing you can do this holiday season is share Jesus with them and pray God will make that a reality. And for those who have gone before us to heaven and we miss them terribly especially at this time of year, rest in the fact that this is only for a short time compared to all of eternity. I hope as you gather around your table or tables at Thanksgiving you and yours can focus on all that God has already done and all that He has promised He will still do. He is forever faithful! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Monday Morning Perspective

The weather might have been cold, rainy, and dreary, but it wasn't that way in the house at Fairview! And despite the weather, the crowd was great!!

We sang a few of my favorite worship songs and my hubs was back preaching. Huge shoutout to Pastor Chet for bringing an amazing message last week that continued to challenge me throughout the week. We are a blessed church, may we never forget that or take it for granted. 

We jumped into James 4 as we continued our series Live It. I'm sure this one as well will be one I'm thinking on a lot this week. 

We were confronted with the fact about what causes our fussing and fighting whether it be in our homes, schools, jobs, or church. All of it can be traced back to our own selfish desires. We get caught up in our own way rather than His way. Many times we don't care how we go about getting something we want, we just want it and will do whatever it takes to get it. 

We were challenged to look at our motives behind the things we ask for.  We maintain so much allegiance to this world system and many times what we ask for is for us and not for the kingdom. It's a dangerous thing to even flirt with this world. It's spiritual adultery. 

We were encouraged by realizing that no one is too far gone. It doesn't matter what our circumstances are or where we've been, God can save us, redeem us and give us another chance. Love that he shared about his new friend he made on his trip, Bill Murray who was the son of Madelyn Murray Ohair. He became a Christian in his 30s and continues at 68 to make an incredible difference for the kingdom. God can do amazing things no matter where we find ourselves and He can reach the ones we are tempted to give up on. 

Why do we have to wait?!

I can't begin to tell you how many times we were asked that by our children. I can't begin to tell you how many times we've asked God that same question!! I've heard that word a lot lately in different conversations pertaining to different things. I've read it in scripture lately. It keeps popping up. Usually that means God has a message in that. I don't like to wait any more than anyone else but learning to wait says so much about our character and maturity. No one likes it. No one wants to do it. But we all must learn to do it. And it's definitely a learning thing at every age and none of us ever perfects it. 

Eddie and I dated long distance for most of our dating life together. We lived in different cities and then he was off playing ball. We had lots of waiting to do in between times of seeing each other. It wasn't easy but it prepared both of us for some things later in life. And it's not only the young who have to wait. We waited for many months recently between the time we first felt God was going to move us and the time He showed us when and where. And it wasn't easy! But it was rich!! 

Our married kids are waiting to buy a house. God closes doors and they wait. And it's not fun! 

Singles want to know why they should wait for sex until married. That's no fun! But God says wait. And I've never talked to a young girl who regretted waiting but have talked to many with regrets who didn't. Gods way is perfect!

Many times we rush head long into things, relationships, ministry opportunities, job opportunities, good things but not always what we are called to. We fail to wait and pray. We get over our head. We miss a better opportunity. We miss the relationship God intended for us. 

I've seen so many try so hard to make something work because it seemed like it should. One of my girls dated a godly young man at one point. For every reason it should've worked but it didn't. God had something better for both. And then sometimes the timing is just wrong but if it's meant to be God will make it be. And it's always better for Him to do it than for us to manipulate it into being. I heard sharie king say recently that she kept hearing God say "wait" in a relationship decision. But she didn't. And then you have to deal with that decision. 

We talked at lifegroup last night about Jesus commanded the disciples to return to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit. Thankfully they did. They never could've endured what was ahead in their own power. 

I was in exodus 32 this morning. The people grew tired of waiting on Moses to return so they took matters in their own hands and built their own idol and boy was God angry. Should've waited.  I'm 

so guilty of running at the speed of my

own choosing and just ask God to 

bless it. What I need to be doing is 

stop running and start waiting. 

There's been many times I haven't listened to that voice say "wait" and sure wish I had. There have been many times I'm so glad I obeyed and waited. We can't force God's hand. We may be able to wear people down but we will never wear Him down. He can out wait us. And if we choose to not wait on Him we will sacrifice so much that He has for us!!  We all need to learn how to better listen and how to better wait. He's a good God. He's not holding out on us! But His ways and His timing are perfect. 

There's so many things He can show us as we wait. So many lessons to learn and heartache to avoid. It's hard to do in this fast pace culture. We want it all now. As I look back, as hard as it was to make my kids wait for things because I loved them and wanted to give it all to them, it would have eventually destroyed them.  One of the best lessons we teach our children is to wait. It's one of the hardest lessons. And it's easier when they learn that young, for themselves and for all of those that come into relationship with them down the road. Slow down. Be still before Him. Trust Him. He has your good in mind. 

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18 

Monday Morning Perspective

Another amazing Sunday at Fairview! I love being excited about church and seeing others excited as well and there's so much to be excited about!! 

My man brought a great message from the Word, James 3, and from his heart! I echo all of it! We feel so blessed to be here and amazed at what God does when you follow Him and His wisdom and uncommon sense over worldly wisdom and common sense. Common sense would've kept us out of His will with all the blessings He had waiting for us! We love our church family!!

If you haven't figured it out yet, the message was on two kinds of wisdom, worldly and heavenly. We saw that worldly wisdom is centered around ourselves and our own agenda and selfish ambition. Heavenly wisdom doesn't come naturally and you don't inherit it. Worldy wisdom says crown yourself. Godly wisdom says crucify self. We must die daily to our own agenda  and make decisions and function according to godly wisdom and Gods agenda. Great truth spoken in this message that challenged us as we strive to be more like Jesus in our every day life. 

Monday Morning Perspective

Yesterday was a blessed day at Fairview. Our church family came in great numbers with lots of energy! Visitors were everywhere which is always great! Everywhere I looked I saw crowds of young college students and young adults! I saw senior adults encouraging others and welcoming people! Our Holy Grounds crew was slammed serving up that coffee on such a cold morning! Just an amazing sight when you take a step back and just look and take in all that God is doing! 

The service started with our student pastor Hux baptizing 4 students! That gave me goosebumps and tears! Seeing students take their next step in discipleship is overwhelming in a good way!! And then my husband brought a powerful word on a powerful muscle, the tongue. James 3 speaks volumes about our tongue, the good, the bad and the ugly! 

The way we talk not only says so much about our spiritual maturity but if we have problems controlling our tongue, we probably have problems in other areas of our life requiring discipline. And as we heard, the tongue takes the heat for what we say, but it's really a heart matter. It reveals our true condition. 

The tongue also can speak life to people who are hurting. When we don't use it to spread gossip, tell lies, or slander it can be used for much good to encourage others and refresh others! According to scripture it's impossible to love and praise God and hate and curse our brother!

I love my husband's personal words of being hurt by words and his own conviction. Keeping it real helps others to see that we all struggle and we can all be hurt greatly by the words of others!

I'm loving this walk through James. What a powerful, relevant word to all of us! Let's all take careful note of our words this week. Not only what we say but how we say it and the words we write as well. Invite someone next week, James gets better every week. Don't let that neighbor or coworker, that teammate or classmate miss out!! Invite them, or better yet, bring them with you!!