Still no verdict on whether or not we continue. How frustrating. I keep finding myself wondering what we are doing wrong, why it seems God's favor is not with us. What should we do? how should we pray? Is it God's will to stand aside and let what will happen happen? How much of faith is in action?
I always hear people tell me to 'wait on the lord' what does that look like exactly? I read a email forward few weeks ago that told a story about a man who was lost at sea; he called out to God to save him... a few minutes later a man in a row boat came by and asked if he needed a lift.. the man said no, that God was going to save him... so off the row boat man went. Again the man in full assurance of being rescued by God cried out "Lord please save me!"... over the next wave came a couple on a speed boat... well you get the picture (this happened 3x)... the man drowned and when he got to heaven he asked God 'Father why didn't you save me?' and God said, "well i sent you the row boat, the speed boat and the coast guard..."
That story leads me to believe that as much as we wait for the miraculous things God has for us... sometimes he doesn't work so grandly as rising up the dead and walking on water... So where are the open windows to our closed door?
God! Please help us see the plans you have for us!
On another note, Scott and I are going to 'Dive Deep' hosted by the UVA Kai Alpha tonight. I'm so excited to go and to be amongst TRUE worshipers. I get so discouraged being ON a worship team and seeing what should be praise to our king seemingly come to nothing ( what happened to worship any way!? another topic all together). So I'll write more later on how that went.
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The musings of a mother, wife and traveller of life
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
What now?
So after some soul searching, a bit of praying and a tad of googling reasons to leave a church... I found that the only reason to REALLY leave a church is if they are not following the bible, are adding to it, or acting like God. Or if God sends you somewhere else. Which is what I already knew. So Scott and I (well me really because Scott has been saying we need to be there) decided to commit to pray continually for our pastor and for the church. YEAH AMEN! RIGHT?...
Well not 2 hours after committing to "be the change" we want to see and committing to inviting more friends and checking our bad attitudes in general it seems like the church might be calling quits on us. I don't know if that's true for sure, but I have to say I couldn't blame them. We're coming to a time were it's taboo to be a christian again; back to the days of persecution if you genuinely follow Christ and are not just a "Sunday" christian with the tolerance of all being the new mantra.
It's so disheartening. The economy is bad so people aren't being as faithful in their tithing, if they truly tithed to begin with (Scott and I have had problems with that ourselves this past month but have been keeping account of how much to add in following months) which goes to show we're not yet relying on God fully because I know people who tithe regardless of whether or not they have enough to pay for everything else... GOD help us to trust you more! How can we have a church with out people/ and if the people fail to give what is Gods how do we go on? We just need God to intervene right now, desperately so. I just don't know what would happen if the church did die out. I love these people, they 're my family...
Verse: Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Okay, I'm going to try and not be anxious... but what actions can we take?
Well not 2 hours after committing to "be the change" we want to see and committing to inviting more friends and checking our bad attitudes in general it seems like the church might be calling quits on us. I don't know if that's true for sure, but I have to say I couldn't blame them. We're coming to a time were it's taboo to be a christian again; back to the days of persecution if you genuinely follow Christ and are not just a "Sunday" christian with the tolerance of all being the new mantra.
It's so disheartening. The economy is bad so people aren't being as faithful in their tithing, if they truly tithed to begin with (Scott and I have had problems with that ourselves this past month but have been keeping account of how much to add in following months) which goes to show we're not yet relying on God fully because I know people who tithe regardless of whether or not they have enough to pay for everything else... GOD help us to trust you more! How can we have a church with out people/ and if the people fail to give what is Gods how do we go on? We just need God to intervene right now, desperately so. I just don't know what would happen if the church did die out. I love these people, they 're my family...
Verse: Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Okay, I'm going to try and not be anxious... but what actions can we take?
Monday, November 10, 2008
Would like to keep this updated more often...
Scott and I finally Tied the Knot! We've been happily married for 5 months now and I can say married life is TRULY better then dating or the engagement period.
So on to life.
We are currently waiting on God, praying for his direction on his call on our life, eliminating debt (because it will make it easier to up and do what God wants us to) and in general enjoying the small things in life. We're currently attending Centreville Community Church and praying fervently for this small Churches growth and a revival to spread across Centreville and the earth.
Scott's working as an Engineer for GHT Limited and I'm working as an office manager for Clark builders Group (hoping to get my RN by next year) but praying God would allow me to use my music to further his Kingdom.
Just little tidbits but I thought I should start keeping this updated. You know for me to look back and for family to keep tabs! (and so I can keep tabs on family... VERONICA!)
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Loop holes of Grace
Okay so i know a lot of people who live by a kind of demented grace. This is where they think,
'GEEZ! I can ask for forgiveness later!'
I hate to tell you all this but God knows our hearts, he knows when we are sincere and when we ask for forgiveness just to make it to heaven. I think this is a heart issue, if you really want to walk with God then DO! A lot of people don't know where to start, (this included me) but here's the simple solution: PICK UP YOUR BIBLE! in Joshua it says
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
I know this really works, when I don't read my bible first and last in my day, I have a much higher propensity to try and find "loop holes in grace". If you say you are a christian and don't read the bible you need to rethink some things, I feel like everyone feels like getting to heaven is easy, you ask jesus in your heart and go back to your life like always and then you get to heaven... THE PATH IS NARROW! I'm so frustrated for those of you who think this way, true we can't earn our way; but God desires to be in relationship with us, and we ask God into our lives so we can change! Hebrews 5:11 says this
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
So when we are supposed to be telling people about God, we are still needing to be told! how are we going to share the news, if we don't know it ourselves! I am learning this to be so true. Here's where those loop holes come in again, do we think that some one else will go and tell others for us? are we some how special to be discluded in the appeal from God to make disciples of all nations? NOPE (read hebrews 6 also serious stuff about the danger of falling away).
I don't know if i made any sense but my point is this: there are no loop holes in grace! My brothers and sisters in christ if you have a genuine desire to follow him then meditate on his words, ask God to increase your understanding of his kingdom, and to help you with the fruits of the spirit (galatians 5 :22- 23) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. It's not easy but the end results in eternal life with the perfect love himself! ahhh it's awesome!!! I say these things in love of my brothers and sisters and I pray this :
May the lord bless you and keep you may he make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you may he turn his face to you and give you peace. Amen (number 6: 24-26)
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
'GEEZ! I can ask for forgiveness later!'
I hate to tell you all this but God knows our hearts, he knows when we are sincere and when we ask for forgiveness just to make it to heaven. I think this is a heart issue, if you really want to walk with God then DO! A lot of people don't know where to start, (this included me) but here's the simple solution: PICK UP YOUR BIBLE! in Joshua it says
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
I know this really works, when I don't read my bible first and last in my day, I have a much higher propensity to try and find "loop holes in grace". If you say you are a christian and don't read the bible you need to rethink some things, I feel like everyone feels like getting to heaven is easy, you ask jesus in your heart and go back to your life like always and then you get to heaven... THE PATH IS NARROW! I'm so frustrated for those of you who think this way, true we can't earn our way; but God desires to be in relationship with us, and we ask God into our lives so we can change! Hebrews 5:11 says this
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
So when we are supposed to be telling people about God, we are still needing to be told! how are we going to share the news, if we don't know it ourselves! I am learning this to be so true. Here's where those loop holes come in again, do we think that some one else will go and tell others for us? are we some how special to be discluded in the appeal from God to make disciples of all nations? NOPE (read hebrews 6 also serious stuff about the danger of falling away).
I don't know if i made any sense but my point is this: there are no loop holes in grace! My brothers and sisters in christ if you have a genuine desire to follow him then meditate on his words, ask God to increase your understanding of his kingdom, and to help you with the fruits of the spirit (galatians 5 :22- 23) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. It's not easy but the end results in eternal life with the perfect love himself! ahhh it's awesome!!! I say these things in love of my brothers and sisters and I pray this :
May the lord bless you and keep you may he make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you may he turn his face to you and give you peace. Amen (number 6: 24-26)
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
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