Hmmm....
Just got back from another Friday night at a really cool ice cream shop in our neighborhood. Yeah, I know there was snow on the ground this week. But come on... who can resist ice cream?!?! Plus, the shop has a really great atmosphere. It's kinda like sitting in someone's living room, only you're not. Art works hangs all around the house. There's a really huge kitchen table where you can play all kinds of board games with 10-12 people. About 6 sofas & coffee tables are placed around the house so one can relax and enjoy conversation, chess, or extreme Jenga with others. Cafe' tables and chairs are sprinkled around the house for your dining enjoyment, in case you're not in the mood to be social. There's even a small table and chairs set up & equipped with toys and games for the chillens. It's a really large open space, for an ice cream shop. But is it too big for God???
Hmmm....
Thequest... a network of house church.
Purpose... to GO INTO all the world.
How... wherever there is an opening/calling.
Hmmm...
As we, Mike & I and some folks from our house church, have frequented this super cool spot for around 2 months now, we have always remarked about how we feel so at home there. The owner seems happy to see us there regularly. The space is warm and inviting. Tonight we started to ponder about how maybe, God is paving the way for us to start another house church there. Really? I mean nothing spiritual has been happening there so far. Or has it???
Hmmm...
The thoughts are just now forming. But it seems apparent to me that God has put these thoughts in all of our minds for a reason. Could it be that this is the next place God has called us to? The place where he wants to SHINE on High Street? We've prayed about open spaces, person's of peace, and even possible storefront space where we could meet and be visible. Could this be the time and the place?
...The only way to know... PRAYER! It's time to pray! It's time to go before the throne of God to ask The Lord of the Harvest for his clear guidance. To raise up workers for the havest. To make straight the way of the Lord! It's time to pray for open hearts and minds to the gospel.
It's time to PRAY for Emack & Bolio's!
Friday, March 18, 2005
Thursday, March 17, 2005
The Wonder of It All
There's the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.
There's the wonder of springtime and harvest,
The sky, the stars, the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is a wonder that's only begun.
O the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
"The Wonder of It All" Hymn Text & Music by: George Beverly Shea
Copyright: 1957 Chancel Music, Inc.
"What is man that you are mindful of Him?" Hebrews 2:6
As God has been searching my heart and showing me areas in my life which need changed, I am refreshed to be able to look back now past all the turmoil, pain, and anguish to see God's hands in it all. When things looked really dismal, God was calling me to attention & doing surgery on my soul. When God was repairing my heart, it was excited, fresh and new! Now God is showing me how he was not only working out these things in my life, but in the life of others close to me too! It is such a wonder to me, that he:
1. causes circumstance in my life to look so bleak
2. resulting in my total loss of control
3. leaving my only recourse as full dependence on Him
4. to then discover that it wasn't just about me, he was changing me for others too!
It is painful & humbling, yet exciting and full of mystery & discovery. God is showing me how important it is to trust Him, because He has never failed me, and to remember that he is working all these things together for my good! Praise be to the Lord God Almighty!
As I Keep My Eyes On Jesus the rest of this week...
"Oh! Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of Heaven, Earth and the Universe: Help me to be, to think, to act what is right, because it is right; make me truthful, honest and honorable in all things; make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor and without thought of reward to me. Give me the ability to be charitable, forgiving and patient with my fellowmen - help me to understand their motives and their shortcomings-- even as Thou understandest mine! Amen, Amen, Amen."
--President Harry Truman
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.
There's the wonder of springtime and harvest,
The sky, the stars, the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is a wonder that's only begun.
O the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
"The Wonder of It All" Hymn Text & Music by: George Beverly Shea
Copyright: 1957 Chancel Music, Inc.
"What is man that you are mindful of Him?" Hebrews 2:6
As God has been searching my heart and showing me areas in my life which need changed, I am refreshed to be able to look back now past all the turmoil, pain, and anguish to see God's hands in it all. When things looked really dismal, God was calling me to attention & doing surgery on my soul. When God was repairing my heart, it was excited, fresh and new! Now God is showing me how he was not only working out these things in my life, but in the life of others close to me too! It is such a wonder to me, that he:
1. causes circumstance in my life to look so bleak
2. resulting in my total loss of control
3. leaving my only recourse as full dependence on Him
4. to then discover that it wasn't just about me, he was changing me for others too!
It is painful & humbling, yet exciting and full of mystery & discovery. God is showing me how important it is to trust Him, because He has never failed me, and to remember that he is working all these things together for my good! Praise be to the Lord God Almighty!
As I Keep My Eyes On Jesus the rest of this week...
"Oh! Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of Heaven, Earth and the Universe: Help me to be, to think, to act what is right, because it is right; make me truthful, honest and honorable in all things; make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor and without thought of reward to me. Give me the ability to be charitable, forgiving and patient with my fellowmen - help me to understand their motives and their shortcomings-- even as Thou understandest mine! Amen, Amen, Amen."
--President Harry Truman
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Psalm 139
O Lord, you have examined my heart
And know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or when I stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.
You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You both precede me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!
I can never escape from your spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
If I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.
If I ride on wings of the morning,
If I dwell by the farthest oceans,
Even there your hand will guide me,
And your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night,
But even in the darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are both alike to you.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous, and how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!
They are innumerable!
I can't even count them;
They outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me!
O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!
They blaspheme you; your enemies take your name in vain.
O Lord, shouldn't I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn't I despise those who reject you?
Yes, I hate them with complete hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
And lead me along the path of everlasting life.
--The New Living Translation of the Bible
And know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or when I stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.
You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You both precede me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!
I can never escape from your spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
If I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.
If I ride on wings of the morning,
If I dwell by the farthest oceans,
Even there your hand will guide me,
And your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night,
But even in the darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are both alike to you.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous, and how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!
They are innumerable!
I can't even count them;
They outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me!
O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!
They blaspheme you; your enemies take your name in vain.
O Lord, shouldn't I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn't I despise those who reject you?
Yes, I hate them with complete hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
And lead me along the path of everlasting life.
--The New Living Translation of the Bible
Monday, March 14, 2005
If I rise on wings of the dawn...
Wow, it's been over a week since my last entry. Can you tell I've been busy?
This past week was really a blessing. A cousin of mine came to stay with us for the week. She is at a point in her life where she is desperately seeking to allow God to fully control her life, while the struggle to resist the flesh continues to rage. Sound familiar??? The flesh and all it's charms tries so hard to get me to resist the Truth. The cool part is that even though I may give in and entertain my old nature for even a moment, God is still there waiting for me to return to Him so he can shower me with his unconditional love!
Whether I keep my eyes on Jesus or glance away for a time, I simply can't escape His all knowing, all powerful presence in my life. I can't hide from him. He'll never leave me. He's always right there day or night, high or low, joy or sorrow. He knows my comings and goings, when I get up or sit down, when I wake up or go to sleep. He knows my innermost thoughts. He has his eyes on me continually. How awesome! How comforting!
"If I rise on wings of the dawn. If I settle on the far side of the sea. Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139: 8-10
This past week was really a blessing. A cousin of mine came to stay with us for the week. She is at a point in her life where she is desperately seeking to allow God to fully control her life, while the struggle to resist the flesh continues to rage. Sound familiar??? The flesh and all it's charms tries so hard to get me to resist the Truth. The cool part is that even though I may give in and entertain my old nature for even a moment, God is still there waiting for me to return to Him so he can shower me with his unconditional love!
Whether I keep my eyes on Jesus or glance away for a time, I simply can't escape His all knowing, all powerful presence in my life. I can't hide from him. He'll never leave me. He's always right there day or night, high or low, joy or sorrow. He knows my comings and goings, when I get up or sit down, when I wake up or go to sleep. He knows my innermost thoughts. He has his eyes on me continually. How awesome! How comforting!
"If I rise on wings of the dawn. If I settle on the far side of the sea. Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139: 8-10
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