Thursday, September 27, 2012

LOVELY BLOG AWARD

Thank you, Linden Barrick for nominating me for a Lovely Blog Award. I also follow her blog and can see why she was nominated. You can find her at www.LindenBarrick.wordpress.com. Her posts give insight into being a Christian in the education world as well as being a Christian mom and writer.

This honor asks that I recognize the one who nominated me, tell seven things about myself, and nominate 15 other bloggers.

Seven things about me:
1. This year makes 12 years of homeschooling my daughter. Wow, the last year - I'd do it all again.

2. I'm married to my highschool sweetheart.

3. I'm proud to say I'm a pastor's wife because my husband is a wonderful pastor and preacher of the Word.

4. I was proud as I watched my daughter go forward during an invitation surrendering to Christian ministry to children.

5. I'm humbled by the fact that God orchestrated the publishing of my first book this year.

6. I am an interpreter for the deaf who interprets my husband's sermons each week.

7. Recently, the sponsor of our local writer's group got me addicted to Peanut Butter M&M's. God meant for chocolate and peanut butter to go to together.

My 15 Nominations:

1. www.grooviebrooksie.blogspot.com  My friend Brooke is a self-proclaimed geek. Her blog is a great mixture of quirky and Godly insight.

2. www.stepsusan.blogspot.com I met Susan through ACFW. She is a fellow homeschool mom. She has a mix of spiritual insight and proclaimed blessings.

3. www.lindamcquincarbolm.blogspot.com Parenting with a Smile - this is just as its title says - insight into and thoughts about parenting.

4. www.writingonthefineline.com This is Michael Ehret's blog. He gives some good advice for writers especially on editing.

5. www.pattyfroese.com Patty writes encouraging posts as well as having great guest bloggers.

6. www.inkfromanearthenvessel,blogspot.com Godly insight into the Christian life.

7. www.angelabreidenbach.com  - God Uses Broken Vessels - Angela gives encouragement and insight.

8. www.RobinPatchen.com Another author I love to read.

9. www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com My friend and fellow Pelican Book Group author, Sharon Srock, writes this blog with a couple other bloggers.

10. www.sandirog.blogspot.com  Sandi is an author who is battling cancer. Her posts are informative and faith-filled.

11. www.reflectionsinhindsight.com My author friend, Lisa Lickel, shares in blogging at this sight. Lots of info and encouragement to be found here.

12. www.bkjackson.blogspot.com BK Jackson's Arizona Inspirations

13. www.unfading.org My friend, Bethany, established this blog for teen girls to encourage them to be all God has made them to be.

14. www.seekervilleblogspot.com Group blog for Christian writers that I read everyday.

15. www.novelrocket.com  Another group blog for Christian writers that I check each day.

Again, thank you, Linden, for nominating me for the Lovely Blog Award. And, thank you for the compliment that I provide you with encouragement as a writer and a Christian. That's my prayer with this blog.

Monday, September 24, 2012

CAN I GET AN AMEN?

I have this calendar on my desk that has scripture passages from different versions of the Bible. I flipped it over a couple of days ago to find this passage:

"If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, 'I'm slipping, I'm falling," Your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, You calmed me down and cheered me up." Psalm 94:17-19 The Message

Can I get a witness? I can so relate to this passage.

There is no way I could've made it through the bumps on my life's road without God being there for me.

How often have I been down for the count only to have God's love take hold of me?

Whew! I can testify to being upset and most certainly beside myself. God is always faithful to calm me and cheer me.

Even though my slip-ups and tirades were my fault, God hears me when I cry out to Him in desperation for help.

This reminds me of that song that says: "If it wasn't for Jesus, where would I be?" I don't think I'll look backwards to even consider that. I think I'll take Paul's advice to keep pressing on toward the prize no matter what I have to do, knowing God is right there with me ready to love me, calm me, and cheer me.

Amen and amen!


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Call to Worship


Since a vacancy was left when my friend, Suzi, went to Heaven, I have stepped into the role of Young Muscians Director. This is our church's childrens choir that is grades two through five.

Last night we practiced for our debut for this year. We will be singing the call to worship on Sunday morning with the youth praise team. Before we sang, we discussed what it meant to sing the call to worship and what that is.

Have you ever considered this? That song you sing at the beginning of worship is exactly what the term implies - a call to worship. It is a time to focus on God. A time to prepare to worship and praise Him as is due Him. Admit it - sometimes we use this time to visit or check out who is in attendance and who is not. We may even shuffle around to get comfortable in our seat or read through the bulletin to see what's going on this week.

Can I tell you what we told the children about this call to worship time? We told them that this is a time to get everyone's attention and draw it to God. We explained that this is a very important duty. The song we are singing is entitled, "Here For You." This song talks about the fact that we are here for God. It asks for His presence and that our attempts of worshipping would please Him.

When was the last time that you truly heeded the call to worship? Why not try it this Sunday? You might be surprised at how differently your worship hour will go.

Start with an attitude like the Psalmist in Psalm 63:1-5:
"O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for You.
My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!
I will praise You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast, I will praise You with songs of joy."

If you get a chance, you can watch us on live-streaming sing our call to worship. www.buffalotrailbaptist.org
Our service begins at 10:15.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Vacations are always way too short!

Last week my family and I enjoyed a week at the beach. On Friday, as I packed to leave the next morning, I told my husband that vacations go so fast. My theory is that our vacation week is on a faster moving time than our work week. I told him if we were back at home, I just knew we would have only made it through Tuesday or Wednesday.

But, we go away to disconnect for awhile and recharge so we can come back and be more productive. At least that's the way I've always thought about vacation.

I guess Jesus had similar ideas about getting away. He would slip away for some alone time and prayer time. He even advised His disciples to do the same. But, I never read in the Bible about Him complaining about returning to His work. Ouch!

Okay, Lord, help me to return to the work you have for me without whining. Help me to use my recharged spirit and body to do what You have in store. That can be just as much of an adventure as a trip away to the beach maybe even more!