On Mission III

This just in from Brother G....

Only 4 out of 10 in his small group are Believers. That's just in his group alone....

Keep praying!

Thank you.

Where Does My Help Come From?

Over the course of the last few days, I've had several intense conversations with individuals. Individuals who frankly weren't sure where to go, what to do, where their help was going to come from.... and yet, they found their way to the local physical church building.

One man I've come to know by name and sight. And while his particulars I'll keep - this I can share....

This grown man admitted the other day that he is not comfortable in applying for jobs on-line. He has very limited computer skills. You could tell it was difficult for him to admit out loud given the day and age we live in. Enter into this picture another individual.... This individual has agreed to help him. This individual is another grown man although much younger.

I do not believe in coincidences. I do not believe the younger man came through the foyer right when we were discussing someone to help him just because he wanted a drink from out of the machine.

Where does my help come from? It may appear to come from someone who walks by in the foyer of a local church building... but it truly comes from Lord.

May His Help fall like rain onto those who need Him. That should cover each of us.......

Where does your help come from?

On Mission II - Never Encountered!

This just in from Brother G....

Please continue to pray!

Most who are attending the camp have never encountered The Gospel before.

They are international college age students. Some have only been here a couple of months to 14 days. Some do not know much English. Some have come to this Country with no friends or family here to study.

Never encountered The Gospel before....

May lives be touched and forever changed because His Word is Alive!

On Mission....

Brother G is heading out of town today. Please pray for him and those he will be serving with today through Sunday. Also pray for those who will be there who do not know God.

On mission....

Are you?

Things Are Happening!

Testimonies are happening all over the place today here at the local church building whether via phone, email, or in person.

I'm tellin' ya....... it's not just about Sundays folks.

Things are happening... THANK YOU JESUS!

Bruce. Open House. Joy.

Bruce:

His name is Bruce. He sits by Parker now on the school bus. I am amazed watching and listening to Parker talk about Bruce. At first, Parker thought the bus driver made a mistake in having Bruce sit by him. Now, Parker understands that it was no mistake. Please pray for Bruce... and of course, for Parker too. Oh the lessons that can be taught, caught and learned while on the school bus.

(Yes... His name is not Bruce. And yes, we have forgiven him. Even Parker's mommy.)

Open House:

Parker is in public school. Last night was his open house. As we were walking around the intermediate school, I saw several faces I recognized. They recognized me too. One of the best parts of ministry is helping others with the most basic needs. And while I do represent our local church body.... I better represent Christ first and foremost.

Joy:

Yesterday morning was Bible study class. I count it all joy to be in this study right now. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Thank you again for all who have committed to pray for me, the ladies, and the study. I felt those prayers yesterday in a mighty way as His Spirit flowed. Sheer joy.

Signed,
Beyond Thankful in Texas

Are You Moved?

Parker and I sit together on Sunday mornings. Austin is up in the booth. Travis sits with the students. Hubby, of course, is wherever he needs to be given the moment.

This past Sunday morning, Parker and I had a real bonding moment. We looked at each other and we each were tearing up big time. That little man kept putting his arm around his mommy or holding my hand.

Yesterday, the boys were all at home with me. Parker and I talked about what was going through our minds and hearts Sunday morning. Parker said, "The meaning behind the words of the songs we were singing made me want to cry. In Philippians, we were talking about for me to live is Jesus and to die is more Jesus. I wish more people understood that."

He then said that he knew that's why I was moved to tears also. He knew it. He did not have to ask me. He knew. He was right. That was exactly why I was moved.... to tears..

Are you moved?

In a world that says you need more of this and or that.... do you want more Jesus?

Jesus wants more of you... In fact, He wants all of you.

He wants you to be sold out completely.

He never said that life would be easy. He just said, "Come follow me."

Are you moved to follow Him?

And will you allow Him to move you wherever He wants you to go?

For one thing I truly believe about Jesus... while our foundation is solid in Him.. and on it we can stand... We are never meant to stay... we are meant to go.... even if it's just down the street..

Are you moved? today.... this moment?

If not... ask Jesus to move you...

Signed,
May Each Day Be A Moving Day

Today in History. Year: 1966.

A baby boy was born.

That boy grew up and now is a man.

I could go on and on but that would spoil my plan.

Today in History. Year: 1966.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

At 42 - you never looked so good.

Even more amazing what a Godly man you are and becoming.

I'm thankful for you every moment of living.

Physical Church Building - Open

Yes, the physical church building is OPEN today.

The Parents Night Out is still on. (Time: 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.)

Thank you.

Moments In-Between The Dash & After

My mom just relayed the following story to me... Stay with me here...

My mom's boyfriend had worked with the grandfather of the teen aged girl who died last Sunday here in G-town. They had also been neighbors years ago. So, yesterday, my mom went with Hoover to the service. My cousin, Kim, and her family are a part of the local church body where the girl and her family are as well.

After the service was over..... My cousin Kim came and found my mom. My mom explained why she was there - Hoover's connections to the family.. My cousin Kim then told my mom that this girl's parents are some of their closest friends. So close in fact that they had actually come to her Uncle's service... They did not know him personally, but because of how Kim talked about her Uncle L. - they came. They thought it was the best celebration service for someone they had ever been to. That is I'm sure until yesterday.....

For I know there were countless individuals who were there in attendance at that service for their daughter who did not know her personally - or not that well - but were there because of how she was talked about by those who did.

It seems that Alyssa and Kim's Uncle L (my daddy) had one thing in common....

They were a bright light for Christ.

Moments in-between the dash and after....

Think about it. Is your light shining bright or is it hidden?

Or do you even know the Only Real Power Source?

(Please keep the family and all connected in your prayers.)

Physical Building Closing

Due to bad weather - the physical church building is closing today at 4:00 p.m.

Thank you.

Reflecting Moments.

There are moments in life where we are a part of things that come and go. We think it is for one time - one span of fleeting moments. One such time I spoke about here: High Heels. Raspberries.

Little did I know that the woman I met that day would show up in the current Bible study I'm teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. There's a questionnaire each woman participating has to fill out for me as we begin each new study. As I read the last question which asks, "Any thing going into this study you think would be helpful for me to know?" - her answer was one that rang in my soul and through my brown high heels. I looked up at her and she smiled deeply at me.... I could not help but go put my arms around her and hug her tight. Her name is Mary.

Another woman answered that same question, "You know my parents." I had been on staff with her mom at another ministry and had often spent many moments praying for her, her husband, and their daughter with her mom. Here she was now sitting in my class having moved to G-town. The connection with her parents goes even deeper. My in-laws had once upon a time gone on a mission trip with them to Kenya. Hubby and I did not really know them then even though we were a part of that same local body. There is another connection that I will keep silent on here. Her name is Debra.

As we were going around the room, the women were introducing themselves to the group. One shared that she was awakened at 4:30 a.m. knowing she was supposed to come to my class instead of the one she was intending on going to. Then, she said, "I heard you speak some time ago at an event. We met that day. I still remember so much about what you said that day." Her name is Kathleen.

Another shared that after sitting with me at lunch last Tuesday and hearing the women who had been in that class talk about me... she knew she had to be in this class. Then she put it together whose wife I am.... Brother G and her hubby had played softball together in the fall and will be again here in a couple of weeks too. Her name is Tricia.

The point of this is simple.... The moments are not fleeting even though they come and go. Prayers prayed will not return void. We must be intentional about our moments for they are not truly ours alone. And God can and does use any ordinary Tuesday to do extraordinary things. I am so thankful to be a part in whatever ways He allows me.

Reflecting moments. May they only reflect His grace, mercy, love, peace and forgiveness.

Please pray for these women and the others involved in the class. And for their teacher who is walking along side of them learning as we go following The Master.

Signed,
Wearing High Heels Can Be A Testimony of the Great Physician's Power

This Community Does It Right.

Our community had another teenager die last night. She was sixteen years old. Tonight, there is a gathering at the local church body in which she was a part of for all who knew her. Not just those who went to that church... All who knew her and her family.

One thing I can say about Shelley and Ryan, without question, is that they are becoming experts in dealing with grief and student ministry since their short time here. They have cancelled what our student body had planned for tonight so that it did not keep anyone from attending the gathering at the other church. Shelley and Ryan will walk through these days with the part-time intern student minister at that church.

Please be in prayer for all involved. There were three teens involved in the car accident. I cannot begin to imagine what her two sisters are going through right now nor her parents. Of course, our community is still fresh from Josh's passing.

This community does it right. And I, for one, am thankful to know that when times like these happen - what church someone belongs to or attends does not matter. All are welcome.

(Shelley and Ryan... You two are loved beyond words.)

Certain Individuals...

One of the highlights of ministry for me so far has been time spent with certain individuals. Not easy times mind you... but definitely worth each and every moment.

Friday afternoon, I heard from one of these certain individuals. I hadn't heard from or seen her in months. Frankly... wasn't sure if she was still alive or not. Then, ring went my cell phone showing a text message from an unknown number. The timing.... unbelievable!!!

Tonight, I heard from her again... and another certain individual. We're going to try to get together here real soon at their request... this week or next.

Certain individuals can make imprints on our souls.... And these two definitely fit that bill.

Priceless.

It's Gonna Be Good!

This morning we're set to baptize 5 individuals. 3 in the first service and two in the second. I'm excited! God is truly doing some amazing things in the life of our local church body. Come and catch the wave!

Tuesday morn., I'm set to start another Bible study. This one is on the Sermon on the Mount. My study in preparation for it has made me so incredibly thankful to be able to teach others about His Word yet again. It's going to be a wonderful journey. God's will permitting of course.

Today... It's Gonna Be Good!

Tuesday... It's Gonna Be Good!

As Christ followers we're called to follow Him each moment of every day. Even when the moments are not so good - He is. And each one can be made into something beautiful because of Him.

If you're not familiar with the Sermon on the Mount or if it's been awhile since you've studied it... I encourage you to get a Bible, God's Word, and open it up to Matthew 5: 3-10 and dive in.

It's Gonna Be Good!

Warning: UnPure Topics Ahead II

Austin asks you to pray for his parents... We simply could not resist talking about UnPure topics at the dinner table while eating homemade lasagna. We even sang songs connected to those UnPure topics.

One of the biggest blessings in life is being a parent and reminding grown children of days gone by. Oh... wait.... they're still kids even though two of them are taller than their mommy! lol

Please pray for Austin...those songs are now ringing in his head. "OH THE HORROR!"

Signed,
Lightened Up in Texas

Warning: UnPure Topics Ahead.

It's Saturday morning and Austin actually has the day off from work at the little store in our highly secure gated community.

The two of us decided to hang out and spend some time talking as mother and teenage son in the privacy of mine and his daddy's bedroom. The rest of the household was busy. So.... we knew we could really really talk.

It is no secret that I have very open relationships with my sons. But what happened this morning completely threw this mommy for a loop. I'm still not quite over it yet.

We were discussing various things when suddenly Austin said to me, "Those are UnPure topics. Do not EVER talk about those again."

Read the following at your own risk:




So.... from this mommy to Barney, Arthur, Comfy Couch, and etc. I'm sorry my sixteen-year old now considers you UnPure topics. Thanks for the memories! And thanks for the gift of laughter you caused Austin and his mommy to have this morning.

Signed,
Still Laughing in Texas

While Waiting. Don't Wait.

The title of this post might sound a bit weird. Given conversations I've had with a few individuals as of late, it seemed quite natural to write about it.

It is true that Brother G is waiting for the moment when he becomes (senior) pastor of a church. He hopes to graduate in the spring of 2009. And while we know it is not necessary for him to have graduated from seminary in order to be called to a church as pastor - there is always the possibility of that happening.

When God called us to G-town in 2005 - it was a given for Brother G that we would be joining and become active in the local church body my parents had been members of since they moved here. We were not going to be a divided household. We did all the driving - so one of us was going to be taking them there any way.

Brother G was the one who approached our local church body about becoming an intern. He was needing whatever experience he could get that being a lay leader alone could not provide. Our church body was needing additional staff but did not have the monetary means at the time. So, it seemed a natural marriage. That's how Brother G became an intern.

In the meantime..... while waiting for the moment when he becomes pastor of a church... Brother G has not been waiting. What's the real point of this post?

There are times in life when we find ourselves waiting for the moment when ________ happens. And yet, we are not to live life in a state of pause. We are to be fully engaged in living life and making the most of each moment given. How can a man who has been called to pastor/preach say, "I'm just going to sit here and wait until the day that happens. I will not be involved in what God is doing here... this moment." The two do not go hand-in-hand.

So... this moment.... I ask you....

In your waiting for ______ - how does God want you be actively involved right where you are at?

As Christ-followers we are called to be ministers..... to be light in this dark world. And no matter what any one may say...

No seminary degree is required for that.

WAY TOO COOL!

This just in from Smithee.....

We're set to baptize 5 individuals - young and old this Sunday! Can't wait to share about it...

We're still having contacts from/with various jails.

Totally cool what God is doing here up on the hill.

WAY TOO COOL!

Heart. Cross. Anchor.

On Tuesday, I lost the three charms that were given to me when I finished seminary. They were a heart, a cross and an anchor. How they came off my necklace, I haven't the faintest clue. Oh, for those who aren't familiar with the story...

On the day I was to walk across the stage, I was not there. Instead I was at my daddy's bedside as he took his final breath. There was no place I would have rather been. It was priceless time that I will always cherish. Exactly a week later, which would have also been his birthday, a package showed up at my doorstep. I had gone out to get the mail and when I returned to the front door, the same door I had come out of, there was the package in front of it. It was from the seminary. The heart, cross, and anchor charms were inside along with a couple of other items. Still gives me chill bumps just thinking about it.

Funny enough? Right now... this moment... I'm thankful that I lost them. For even though they were very special to me... the fact that they are gone does not change one single thing about my relationship with God or my call or the ministry in which I am so incredibly grateful to be a part of.

People. Places. Things. God can use them all to teach us valuable lessons in life.

Signed,
Beyond Blessed in Texas