abiding

Any place becomes the Promised Land when the blessing of His presence becomes the gift we receive  — and give.

I found this beautiful sentence in a book I'm reading.

It explains how a person in love with the Lord can rest in Him even in the worst of circumstances, how an earthly trial can be viewed as the Promised Land when we abide deeply in Him.


When we accept this gift from Him - we can also give this gift.  With eyes never wavering from Him we show the world our true Savior - taking a step away from the busy world and abiding...

Looking deeply into others' eyes - really hearing them - really caring, demonstrating to them in a very small way a glimpse of His love.

This is the place in which I long to abide.

weekend report

I got to be at Crossroads for one of the 3 services this weekend and it was great!   A bad cold kept me home part of the weekend and I really missed being there!  But our teams and choir carried on and were amazingly strong this weekend!!

Our setlist:
Blessed By Your Name (with an original opening)
All My Fountains
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Oceans
One Way
Message:  Pastor Tim Armstrong continued JOHN series
Ending Song:  All My Fountains

To watch our services on line go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

May the rest of your week be amazingly blessed by our Lord!!

good and bad

As I looked out my window this morning, so happy to be inside with a warm fire burning and coffee in my mug - I realized that most things could be both bad and good.

This breathtakingly beautiful snow can be good in the sense of yet another demonstration of God's nature performing as He designed.  To give rest to the animals that sleep, the plants that go dormant and even allowing the lawn mowers to be put away for a time.

It provides hours of play for children sledding down the hills and building forts and snowmen while at the very same time being a bad thing as well.

The cold has caused everyone more financial cost than normal to heat their homes and to clear the roads.  The schools have been closed more meaning the students will probably lose some vacation in the warm weather.

Good and bad.

That applies to almost everything I can think of.

People
Food
Governments
Religion
Business

I choose to enjoy the snow today to see the 'good'  - it makes me slow down and stay home and focus on Him.  I could never live where seasons never change - I would find it boring - so I'm very thankful He gifted us today with a bounty of snowfall! 

I will try to remember the 'good' in the snow as I try to make my way to church later today...enjoy the beauty of this day everyone!

worship = thankfulness

Worship can manifest itself in many different ways.

When we lift our voices in praise to the Lord we worship.
When we study scripture and apply it to our lives in obedience to Him we worship.
When we serve one another we live a life of worship.

But I had never really thought about my thankfulness in response to His provision as worship.

As He provides all the ridiculously generous things I have I worship Him with thankfulness.

Can you imagine creating the entire universe and the very creatures you created assume their provisions are of their own doing and offer no thank-yous?

How sad He must be with me as I enjoy all that He's given me and He watches me lay my head down without even a word of thankfulness some days.  If a day goes by where no thankfulness is offered in worship to Him - I wonder whether that day has worth at all?

another day almost done

I cannot believe once again it's almost evening - seems like I'm always evaluating, looking back instead of making forward progress!

Eternal things today?

Served another ministries' worship team.
Took food and medicine to someone sick.
Encouraged a friend.

Non-eternal things?

Bought large cafe latte - when I stopped to get vitamins and left it in car, Vern drank it. 

Guilty face

Looked at Facebook.
Took pictures of friends.
Dusted furniture.
Ate candy.

Now off to see if I can fill my evening with eternal things instead of trivial non-important nonsense!

What filled your day?

friends

I can't imagine my life without my friends!

I got to spend the past 2 days with 3 friends that I love dearly!  We have eaten at least 20,000 calories each and spoken 1,000,000,000 words each.  And we're not done yet!

I am a blessed woman.

I know some people feel like they don't have friends, I would encourage you to put yourself in any situation or gathering that would give you opportunity to talk with people - and pray for Godly friends that can fill your life!  God did not intend that we would do life alone!

There are most definitely times that we need to pray and study and reflect on God's Word alone, and times to rest and withdraw.  But, the church was intended to be the place where we gather to be with one another, to get to know one another and to grow spiritually closer to God.  We'll spend eternity together - our lives here are what comes before that eternal time, and I want all my friends to be there with me!  An eternal celebration and worship service - that sounds fantastic to me!

I love all my friends - the different life experiences we share - and the anticipation with which we face our future together in Him!

weekend report

As Pastor Tim got into the first several verses of JOHN it quickly became apparent that this was going to be an amazing series!  Our attendance is busting at the seams which makes us praise the Lord for the opportunity to proclaim His Word!  We are truly blessed in Him!

Our Setlist:

Welcome/Announcements

God Is With Us Now
How Great Thou Art
Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)
In Christ Alone
Message:  JOHN Pt.2 - Pastor Tim Armstrong
Closing Praise:  Indescribable

To watch our services go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their services www.theworshipcommunity.com