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Last Saturday, we had a girl's get together. We played some cards and had some snacks. One of the girls brought a cooler of canned drinks. I went over and helped myself to a diet Mt. Dew. I popped it open and took a big drink and she said "Oh, I forgot to get cups for you because I know that you don't like to drink out of the can." I asked her why she thought that and she said "Everytime I'm at your house, you always open the can of soda and pour it into your glass." Well...she's right. But, I do that because the can of soda is hot and I like my diet coke cold and there's not enough room in my fridge to keep the cans - not because I don't like drinking out of cans.
But this little exchange made me think about how my actions are interpretted by others. I wonder what else I do that I don't even think about, that makes people decide what kind of person I am? Not things like whether I drink out of a can or not, but things like whether I love my neighbor or not, whether I compromise my beliefs or not. What do my actions say about me?
What do your actions say about you?
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I ran into this verse yesterday:
3:17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing
It's pretty positive and uplifting to know that a warrior who gives me victory is in my midst! But, that's not what excited me about this verse. It's really cool that He will rejoice over me with gladness, but that's not what excited me about this verse. I treasure being renewed in His love, but, nope - that's not it either!
"He will exult over you with loud singing"! I know God talks, and he listens. He laughs and he cries. But, I never one time considered that He would sing! For some reason, my mind only invisioned angels singing - never God himself. When someone sings well, I think to myself "They have the voice of an angel".
But, think about how God sings. I don't know why, but now that I know He sings, for some reason, I think it would sound more beautiful than anything we've ever heard. I'll bet we have nothing to even compare it to. I'll bet our little sensory processing minds cannot even fully appreciate the sound of Him singing.
I'll bet He does a mean "Amazing Grace" on karaoke night! ; - )
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Lucky, lucky, lucky!
(And, I mean that loosely).
I have been asked to put together a church Christmas party to be held following our Sunday evening service on December 23rd. I'm hoping to do a good job and plan an event that will be easy, cheap (!), refreshing, relaxing, and enjoyable to all ages. I want to keep in mind that by the 23rd of December, most of us are Christmas partied out. I want to avoid the same ole' ham and turkey and potluck side dishes. I'm thinking along the lines of finger foods and Christmas cookies. We will have attendance of about 150 - 200 people.
I'd like to hear your thoughts about how to make this a special event. What has your church done in the past that was memorable? Anything out of the ordinary? I'd love to do something new and different.
Thanks for your help!
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Hi, Friends! A few of my "MyChurch" brothers and sisters have sent me very kind messages checking to see if all is well since it's been a while since I've posted anything. Well, all is well - very well, actually. I've been busy at work (and that's when I usually read and post here) and I haven't time to write or leave comments on your blogs. But, during this time, God has been enriching me and growing me and blessing me. I finally realized that, busy or not - I need to tell others what He's been up to in my life! So here it is:
1) I was blessed with the opportunity to take a business trip to San Diego and to see, once again, the incredible beauty of this world that He has created.
2) I was blessed to be invited to join our Praise Team, or what we currently call at our church the "Back Up Singers" - or BUS. (I should have added that to Rick's redneck church blog...) I am nowhere near the singer that the current members are, but I'm so excited to have the chance to learn from them and to serve and worship the Lord in this role! What an awesome honor!
3) My troubled son has joined the high school football team and seems to be really benefitting from the discipline and physical activity. He now has something positive to be a part of and be proud of. The confidence that he is gaining on the football field is going to spill over into other areas of his life.
4) The Lord is really blessing our church. People are really opening up their hearts to him and He truly has a plan for us. We are being positioned for something great and I am expecting no less.
5) God is great and worthy of our every praise! Everything comes together in HIS time!
Thanks again for all your greetings and prayers!
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Like many of you, I read Mike's blog about how to spend some quiet time with God. So, this morning, I put his advise to use and now I'm doin the "T" step in the PREAPT acronym!
First, I have to preface this by saying that I have a defiant teenage son who is constantly in trouble and it takes a great deal out of me dealing with him. I am constantly praying for him and I usually sort of wink at God and say "Lord, why put off till tomorrow what you can do today?". I know He has a plan, but I would love for Him to help out with my son NOW instead of later.
So, this morning I'm following the "P" step and asking God to speak to me through His Word. I open my Bible and start reading a few passages here and there and flipping around. Then, you know what happens, I come to a passage that suddenly comes alive. When I read it, it immediately brings tears to my eyes because I KNOW that God himself has just spoken directly to me at that very moment. It was as if that verse had been written down ages ago just so that I could find and read it today!
Here it is:
Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Isn't God good to leave us little notes like this so we can find them when we need them!
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