Never Forgotten

I started off my morning a bit stressed. Those of you that read Steve's blog know that we had a verbal offer on our home. The offer wasn't what we were needing and Steve and I both felt as though we weren't sure what we should do. I felt confused because I really wanted God's guidance in this whole situation- and I didn't know the answer. The words that went through my mind all day were "I will not forsake you." I kept thinking "Ok God..... but what do you want me to do in this situation."  

I came home from work today and Steve was on a conference call- he handed me his cell phone and asked me to listen to a message that had been left. So, while he was on the other phone, I listened to the message from our realtor. She said that the verbal offer fell through. Now it would seem that I would be disappointed, but I wasn't. At that moment, I felt that God made the decision for us. I  am continually amazed at his faithfulness, his love, and concern for me. His still, strong voice continues to remind me that He's got it all under control. 

What's in your Hand?

I have been reading Driven by Eternity by John Bevere. In the beginning of the book, John uses an allegory to tell a story. Each person that graduates from the school of Endel is given a sum of money and they are sent to live by the law of Jayln. Each person knew of Affabel and wanted to go live there- they knew that they would have the opportunity to do that, but none of them knew when that time would come. 

As you may have already realized this story is describing life on earth, the church, and heaven. Each person in this story was given a different amount of money- and each person used their money differently. Some of them used their money to help others, and some of them used their money for their own gain. 

While reading this, I thought about the things that God has given me, not necessarily just money or things, but talents and gifts. I wondered if I was using what was in my hand. Sometimes we get so focused on what someone else has in their hand, that we do not see the gifts that we are holding in our own hand. I never want to waste what God has put in my hand, or use it for my gain. What's in your hand? 

What's your position?

It has been such a long time since I have blogged. I have decided that I am going to share more often about the things that God speaks to me, in an effort to bless others. 

I was listening to a woman speak about positioning yourself and your family for God's blessings. This has been on my heart for the past few days. I have asked God- "What does that mean?"  Many times when I ask God a question, the answer doesn't come immediately like I want it to- but it comes at the right time. This is what I know God is speaking to me about.

 Everyday I have choices to make, and each choice either positions me for blessing, or not.  Each day trials and blessings are put before me. How many times have I looked at the trial and focused in on it?  Too many!  It is like taking a dime and when the dime is sitting on the table - it is small. But if I pick up the dime and put it right in front of my eye, I can't see anything else, but the dime. This is what I will do with a trial- pick it up, and change it's position so that it blocks the view of the many blessings that are before me. 

Here we stand at the precipice of planting The Connection Point. God has placed, in our hands, a large responsibility. Where we position ourselves determines the blessings for this church. Each day- I want to position myself to see the blessings that are before me!  They are new every morning!

So- what's your position? Have the choices you made positioned yourself for blessings, or not. The beautiful thing about Christ is each day is a new day. So, if yesterday you were in the wrong position.... today can be different. 

Dream Weaver

I woke up this morning and fresh on my mind was the dream I had last night. It was a little weird, as I found myself in a beauty pageant with some of the most beautiful women in America.

I truly did not belong in this pageant, but I was there and I was going to make the best of it. I felt as though I didn’t even compare to the other women, and in fact thought that maybe this was a joke.

The pageant was rather short. I walked out in pants and a shirt while everyone else had on beautiful gowns, and I was asked to speak about something. Needless to say, I wasn’t prepared. Well, fresh on my mind is Watoto, not only because I work there, but also because the choir is in town and I have had several opportunities to spend time with them. So, I spoke about Watoto and the importance of caring for widows and orphans. It wasn’t a profound speech, just from my heart.

When the pageant was ending, a man- whose face I couldn’t see stood up. He had Simon Cowell’s voice (from American Idol- which was really weird)

But clearly in my dream, it was the judge of beauty. I had to please him in order to win the contest. As he stood, there was a bright light and I was unable to see his face. His words were “I behold your beauty.” WHAT? At this point, I was confused, but all was revealed…

It was over. The judge of beauty picked me!

Then, I awoke and wondered, “What in the world was this all about?” God’s voice resonated in my heart- “Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder.”

This story seems silly, but it was a great reminder to me that life is about keeping your heart beautiful before Christ. When our heart is focused on Christ, we become individuals who give life to the people around us. Christ’s light coming from our heart draws people to Him. That’s is exactly what I desire in my life… I want my heart to be beautiful to Christ- because it is then that he can use me to reach those around me.

Lesson Learned

This has been a great week.  Steve and I took this week off of work to get some things done around the house.  

On Friday, we ran some errands and then had friends over in the evening. When our friends left at approximately 9:00 pm, we headed to bed. We usually go to bed early because we get up so early.

At 11:00 pm I heard sirens and was awakened. I just laid there and even thought that I had dreamed that I heard sirens because when I awoke, I didn't hear the sirens anymore. Then, I heard a helicopter circling our neighborhood. It circled the area about 20 times and at this point Steve was awake. We were both wondering what was happening. So, Steve got out of bed and looked out the window and saw that there were cops everywhere . 

We became quite curious so we both decided to go down stairs and outside to see what was going on.  Steve lead the way.  As I reached the last three stairs, my foot slipped and I fell. My back bounced off the three steps and I landed on tile floor right on my tail bone. 

Needless to say, I was in serious pain. Now, I was headed to the ER.  I found that the ER is quite busy at 11:30. It was a good hour before I was taken to a room. I had to sit in a wheelchair for over an hour. (reminder:  I just fell down the stairs and landed on my back and tail bone).

At 4:30 am and after many tests, I was discharged to go home. (yeah)  Nothing too serious, just some bad bruising and a possible crack in my tail bone.

  

The lesson I learned.... don't be so nosey. Just let the Po Po take care of business... or let Steve check it out.  

Not Running with the Offense

Throughout each day we make many choices. Some of these choices are quite easy and often thoughtless. Some of our choices require risk and can be difficult ones to make. One of the choices we make on a daily basis that isn't easy and requires much thought and prayer... is the choice to not be offended.


If you have ever had anyone do something to you that was hurtful- then you know exactly what I am talking about. Have you ever been in a situation where someone has done something to you that hurts you- and at that moment, although you are mad, you decide not to retaliate? It is a great feeling to know that you were the "bigger person" in the situation.

There are times when you must stand up for yourself, this is not what I am talking about. That will be another blog!

However, Satan has a way of reminding you of the offense- and he makes it seem much worse than what it really was. At that moment, you start to feel as though you were a wimp in that situation or that you allowed someone to walk all over you. Then, perhaps you share the hurt with someone and the person feeds the offense by saying things like, "I can't believe that person did that to you!" The more you talk about it, the bigger the offense becomes.

One of the most important choices we can make each day is to to not pick up an offense and make it our own. It is so easy to be offended and run with it - but it is so damaging to the heart. I would like to challenge you to avoid running with the offense when something hurtful happens.
Don't feed the offense by telling other people how awful you were treated. Give the offense to God on a daily basis so that Satan doesn't use it against you. Remaining offended will rot the heart and create bitterness- this is a choice.

Protect your heart..... Don't run with the offense!

A little trip to South of the Border

This is Bailey. Bailey used to be our dog until we moved to Florida and had to give him away because we were never home to spend time with him. Don't worry... we gave him to a family we know and they  love him dearly. 

When we moved to Florida, my husband drove our car along with my son and Bailey. 

They set out early one morning and they were excited to spend some "guy time." Steve, Conner and Bailey were doing quite

 well. They were making excellent time until.... Steve ran out of gas. He was certain that he could make it to the next exit, which was South of the Border. If you have ever passed South of the Border, you know that you cannot miss it. There are signs everywhere and the place is huge. 

We didn't have AAA...yet. So, my husband called them and they came and gave us a gallon of gas. Need I mention how expensive gas is when you have it delivered?  While they were waiting, Conner started fooling around and Steve was getting irritated. It was extremely hot, they are stuck on the highway and they have a dog with them. 

The situation went from bad to worse, when Conner was trying to help Steve get Bailey situated and Bailey snipped at Conner. Steve was trying to yell at the dog and comfort Conner while trying not to become over-heated. 

AAA finally came and the guys were hungry. So, they stopped at South of the Border and got a hot dog. (all three of them). As Steve told me this story- I could imagine the three of them in the car eating their hot dogs at South of the Border. I felt the need to put a sombrero on Bailey and take his picture. You know just a little reminder of the "excitement."