Devotional Poem - Psalm 7

Once in a while, I sit down to journal about what I hear God saying from His word and it seems to just be "right" to journal with a rhyme. During my morning quiet time it happened. I'm reading through Psalms right now. I continue to enjoy reading in the Parallel Bible both NIV and The Message . Here's what I got out of Psalm 7

Troubles chasing, David's pacing
Truth be known, Justice shown
Hearts and minds sought, find the soft spots
God does it right, not without a fight
Sin breeds more, no escape for morally poor
I'm thanking God who makes things right,
I'm singing the fame of God's pure might.

Losing Focus

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with what's going on around you? Have you ever been in a state where you lacked motivation? Times where you felt like not doing anything, going anywhere, or being around people? Since Thurs. I guess I have just felt my focus slipping. And I had some situations thrown my way that led me to focusing more on the things around me. And I was easily falling into the trap of doing what others expect me to do. I used to stay in these places for weeks or months at a time. I had lost my spiritual focus. Now after two days of it, I was determined to regain my focus! How do I do that? It might look different for everyone but I find as much quiet as I can. Read the word. Pray. Find more quiet if I need to. Then do what I feel like I need to do or not do to get to a better place, all the while keeping my priorities in line. For instance, if I have children here I can 't just go for a jog leaving them unattended. But I can put on a movie on for them so that I can go back to my room by myself to get focused. Asking the Lord what should I do, what would you have me to do and then give me the strength to do it.

Is this fun? I was tagged (and she said I wouldn't do it)

So I guess I'm supposed to list 5 weird things about myself. Myra said I wouldn't do it and she also said that I don't like to reveal my weirdness. I guess that's true, but I thought a bit about it and figure I can give a little glimpse.

1. I have a problem with getting rid of stuff, especially reciepts and old shoes
2. In High School I used to drink a V-8 and eat a Reeces before swim team practice
3. I still spell things the english way rather than the american way sometimes ie. Mobilisation or Mobilization???
4. I never played on a school soccer team, but now coach High School Soccer
5. I have to have a glass of water next to my bed everynight, and I get a little drink any time I wake up or get woken up.

There You go. Don't know how weird you think I am now, but I promise there's more. I don't really care how weird you think I am either (is that weird). I'm not tagging anyone, cause I don't like taking the time to think this stuff up, so I won't put anyone else throught it.

For Fun...i've been tagged

Jessica tagged me and I love games so here goes.......

5 wierd things about me(i guess this all depends on peoples definitions of wierd)

*I sometimes wash my hair with egg yolk, like they did once a month back in 1917, since I've given up my shampoo addiction.

*I have 5 kids under the age of 7 and I want more! One from every contintent and a penquin from Antartica

*In the winter I freeze at night even in the covers so I have to tuck my pants legs into my socks and I often wear several layers to bed.

*When checking out of the grocery store I have to "organize" the way I put them on the belt for bagging, putting them into the car and putting them up at home. I have to put heavy, cold items first. Cans, boxes, smaller cold items such as cheeses, lunch meats and such. Other such small or medium things next and fresh produce and breads last of course. Any kind of school items, clothes or toys would also be grouped together in their own bags. (jess, talk about OCD!) However, there is a method to my madness, it just makes sense to me. I have slight anxiety when people go with me and try to "help me" put them on the belt, they don't know my "order" :)

*I don't like "church" and I'm a minister's wife. Let me explain before I get myself and husband in trouble. I LOVE people, I LOVE what the church is supposed to function as but I don't like what most organzied churches have become. I can't even count how many times I have "quit church" in my life. However, it's rare that I 'm not there :?

*And because I'm wierd here's one more....when I'm anxious or overwhelmed it helps me to clean or pick up or go for a run, something mindless so I can process what's going on with me.

So there you have it, my wierdness, everyone's got it i think! I tag Matt(though I don't know if he'll respond...he's kinda private about being wierd :) ), Allie M., and Annie.

Who Are You?

This question was asked by an evil-spirit(dwelling in a man no less) to seven sons of Sceva(pronounced SK-E-va) and a Jewish priest who were going around driving out evil-spirits and "TRYING to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed." They would say "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Then "one day, the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then it says "the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding." a passage from Acts 19: 13-16

Wow! What an interesting passage. When I first read it, I didn't understand. I thought, we'll these men must not have been trained well enough or had not come into contact with such an evil spirit before if they were overpowered in such a way. BUT no, that's not it at all. As my mentor and i went over this passage this morning, it fascinated me. I read further. See back in the day, magic was WIDELY practiced in the ancient world and particularly in this place that Paul was. These Jewish men, believe it or not, were making money, making a LIVING by exorcising demons. I just didn't know you could or would do that if you weren't a christian. That was one of the first things that blew my mind. As we talked about it, it did make sense that evil spirits can chase off other evil spirits and the enemy can be used to do things that appear to be miracles. For instance, Satan's powers or evil powers if you will, can be used to exorcise other evil spirits out of places, things or people. I guess I hadn't even gone in that thought direction before. Why would he, wouldn't he want his evil spirits anywhere and everywhere? Yes, except for when he could mascarade as an angel of light and his powers to exorcise spirits could be mistaken in someone for the power of God. Satan is always trying to be God. Follow me here.....So these Jewish men, these exorcists if you will(new thought to me that there would be non-christian exorcists but whatever, that's just messing with some wrong powers if you ask me!) begin to attempt to take control over the demons using Jesus' name because Paul is getting such attention for what he is doing in the area in and through Jesus' name. As these Jewish men of Sceva are attempting to manipulate with the power of Jesus' name, the demon possessed man becomes furious and threatened. This evil spirit in the man knows Jesus and about Paul and knows that these men aren't of "that kind". This evil spirit knows somehow that these men don't have the authority to use the name of Jesus in such a powerful way and he attacks and beats them! These men had NO idea what they were messing with. The powerful name of Jesus and those that use it rightly are incredibly powerful but devastatingly destructive for those seeking to use it for personal gain. Wow, what a powerful lesson!

Valentine's Day

Valentines Day is beginning to take on different meanings for me as the years go by. AGE, I hate it but it does have a way of changing things. Valentines Day.....the day for LOVE.....I'm also beginning(the age thing again I guess) to hate celebrating Holidays just because it's supposed to be a Holiday. But the Holidays are set after REALLY good things(ya know Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day, etc) so then I am left needing to celebrate it because it's such a worthy cause but having to find deeper meaning in the way I do it. Is this making any sense or should I just get on to the real reason I am writing.....(C,A and A....I copied and pasted some of this from the e-mail that I 1st sent you! My e-mail to you this morning inspired this post!)

This is a SHOUT OUT of LOVE to all those that have invested in me eternally! I don't know what I would do without you! I have a deep heartfelt appreication for you and can thankfully and gratefully only imagine how horrible of a state I would be in without you in my life. The LOVE you have had and do have for me has helped me be me. You have been used by God to LOVE me good, bad and ugly. I have been SO unloveable, SO many times and people LOVED me still. Unconditional LOVE is hard to come by these days some people have been loving me that way from before I came into this world, THANK YOU! I LOVE you more than my human words could try to express. You are embedded in the depths of who I am, in the depths of my HEART, that part of me that is eternal, I'm so thankful you'll always be there! Because I couldn't imagine life without you! On these days when you feel overlooked, unappreciated and you are too busy unconditionally LOVING everyone else, know that I am thinking of you with DEEP gratitude and LOTS OF LOVE!!!!

-myra

inspired by love

Here's one for the Parents and Kids

Many of you know that we have chosen to homeschool our children and it has become for us a way of LIFE that we all LOVE. Here's an article that I recieved and it relates not only to homeschooling but parenting in todays world. Enjoy and keep "going against the grain", it's worth all the flack you get!

Can You Shelter a Child TOO Much?
By Gena Suarez
Do you "shelter" your children? We're finding that's a bad word in some circles. Something is creeping into the church (and even the homeschooling community), and it isn't biblical. It is an "anti-sheltering campaign" of sorts, and it's full of holes. Think about it. What does it mean to shelter? Protect. Defend. Guard. Preserve. Watch over. Shield. Safeguard. Hmmmm, so far so good, right? Sure, until "pop psychology" comes in and tells us we should allow our children to taste a little of the world in order to understand it or pray for it - that we should not "over-shelter" them. Nonsense. What's the opposite of shelter? Expose. Endanger. We parents are called to be like our Father in Heaven. He is the greatest "Shelterer" there ever was, and it is us He shelters - or watches over; protecting us, preserving us, shielding us. Praise Him for this! Glory to God who knows how to parent (shelter) us perfectly. May we as parents follow this model - His model. Let's continue to shelter (love) our children as He loves us. Dismiss the garbage that crawls in; don't buy it. We're promised there will be false teachers, liars in the church (and there are many). I want to keep my eyes focused on Christ, come what may.Parents: Keep sheltering them. You are bringing them up in the love and admonition of the Lord, not in the latest "philosophy." God's word trumps any speaker! It dwarfs any author! May you be blessed as you continue to walk in obedience of His word. Lord, thank you for sheltering me. Please never stop. "Over-shelter" if You will (if there is such a thing). Fine with me! Over-protect, over-defend, over-guard me; please do! I'll take it all, Lord. Keep me tight to Your side. I'm safe in that place. There, I can breathe and thrive. It's where I live.For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. - Psalms 61:3 Action point: Do you need to repent to someone today for looking down on (judging) them? Have you been a thorn in another parent's side over this issue? Who have you scolded or cryptically "spoken to" about their "overbearance" in regards to their own children? It might be time to humbly pick up the phone or shoot off an email. Parents who strongly shelter their children are to be praised, not made to feel inadequate or odd. That's the world lying to us, there. And this world is not our home.

Sincerely, Paul and Gena Suarez Publishers

Hope!

It was wonderful to hear The P's Journey of Hope yesterday and to see "J" in church with us. How great is our God! One thought that hit me while listening to C and J talk about the trip to Ethiopia to bring "J" back, was the thought that it could have been distracting for some to hear "J" making baby noises while they were talking, however, wouldn't we much rather hear him and know that he is here and part of the family, than to send him out because he is a distraction. This past week on Wednesday night we talked about the time when the disciples tried to keep the kids from getting too near to Jesus and Jesus said let the little children come to me. I pray that as we embrace "J" as part of the Family here, we will also learn to embrace all members of the family of Christ (kids and adults) and be glad that they are with us and seek to support and grow with them. Kids shouldn't be seen as a distraction but as an opportunity to invest in. Let's celebrate what God is doing in our family.

Thursday: Prayer Time at Noon. Join us during the season of Lent to pray for our community, church, personal requests and whatever else God leads us to.
"Lent is a time of returning to God. It is a time to confess how we keep looking for joy, peace and satisfaction in the many people and things surrounding us without really finding what we desire. Only God can give us what we want. So we must be reconciled with God...
The season of Lent, during which winter and spring struggle with each other for dominance, helps us in a special way to cry out for God's mercy." --Henri Nouwen


This weekend:
LENTEN SYMPOSIUM: ARE WE STILL OF ANY USE? THE RENEWAL OF CHRISTIAN CONVICTION IN OUR TIME Dr. Charles MarshProfessor of Religious and Theological Studies and Director of the Project of the Lived Theology University of Virginia
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16Cost: $25; includes dinner on Friday evening and refreshments on Saturday morning
You may download a registration form or get more info for the Dr. Marsh symposium HERE Myra and I are planning on going, please let us know if you are interesting in joining us

On the Market

Our house is officially on the market and being shown first thing in the morning. We're praying it sells tomorrow! But we'll be ok if it takes alittle longer than that.

God is the Chemist.....

And what HE does is the BOMB! More to come later.

February: Kindness

Showing others they are valuable by how you treat them
“Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31

Last nights discussion was on the kindness of Jesus saying "let the little children come to me....." and how that is or isn't played out in our lives today. Not with just kindness to children but to each other too. What does that look like? Are we too busy or too self-centered to notice others or do we take time to?
Here's the questions we said we'd post after last night.
Talk about it:

· Is there a Christ like love and concern within our group? Our Church?

· Do visitors and new members feel welcome? On Wed.? On Sunday?

· Are Bible study and prayer high priorities for our group?

· If you were a visitor would you want to be a part of this group?

These next questions take the previous ones and make them personal
· Do you have a Christ like love and concern for others? How do you develop it?

· Do you make visitors and new members feel welcome? How could you?

· Are Bible study and prayer high priorities for you? How can you make them?

Read: Mark 10:15 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it”
· What does this mean to you?
· How can you apply it? To your life? To wed. night FamilyTIME?

Pray that God would help us grow together and reach out to others

Mardi Gras and a Challenge for Lent

What a "Super" Sunday! God has really been working on me about living by faith- real faith, not passive, wimpy head knowledge stuff. I hope and pray that God will increase our faith and do great things as we live by faith, walk by faith, and grow in our faith.We had a great time at the Superbowl party. It was wonderful to see our church family come together for fellowship and football and all enjoy each others company. Happy Mardi Gras. As many of you know, today is Mardi gras, which means "fat tuesday". After living in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast, Myra and I came to enjoy this day as a great holiday and family time, the place where our ministry together began and our first son was born. I know most people just see the scenes from Bourbon St. and come to a quick judgement on the whole thing. Regardless, for me know Mardi Gras is more a reminder of good times and that tommorrow is Ash Wednesday - The first day of Lent. Lent is the 40 day season before Easter that people often give up something to remind them of the Suffering that Christ endured for us. I would encourage you to give something up, but also would like to start something new. During Lent and hopefully beyond I would like to start a Prayer time during lunch on Thursday's. Eat before, or Eat after, or give up thursday lunch for lent, but come ready to pray at noon. We will plan on only taking about half an hour. If you have to get there late or leave early, please come anyway.

edit

Before we hear offenses or questions....women of course are called to pray too, however, the prayer meetings have begun with men and will be all men today. You don't have to be at the meetings to pray. We know many are desperate but might not be able to physically be at the meetings but will be praying wherever they are.

1856, Are we Ready?

CALLING ALL MEN......I know this is a bit lengthy but worth the read and a call for us to get going! We're starting whose joining? Will you be in the number and apart of the revival God is beginning here? If you're desperate enough meet in an hour at CFC. If you don't get this in an hour but are desperate there will be another one during lunch this week. Stay tuned for details......

Prayer Changed Even Hell Corner, New Hampshire
By Oliver Price
Hell Corner, New Hampshire was a stronghold of sin. The Layman's Prayer Revival sweeping all over America invaded this wicked village and turned some hardened sinners to God. America's moral recovery was under way.
In 1858 in great cities and small towns all over America, people were assembling every night for prayer. In fact, you could travel by horse and buggy from Omaha, Nebraska to Washington, D.C. and expect to find churches packed for prayer wherever you might stop for the night. This prayer movement began in the fall of 1857 and was known as the Layman's Prayer Revival because there were businessmen (rather than ministers) who were leading.
This movement of prayer invaded even the village of Hell Corner, New Hampshire. Prayer, of course, was unheard of in this stronghold of sin. However, one day a man unleashed a volley of profanity so outrageous that even the citizens of Hell Corner were shocked. Jokingly, somebody said, "We need a prayer meeting here in Hell Corner." To everyone's amazement plans got underway for a village prayer meeting. Finding someone to lead it proved to be quite a challenge. One notorious backslider tried to lead, but he broke down while praying. So they went to a nearby town and found a deacon who came to lead a prayer meeting in this citadel of evil. God answered prayer and four hardened men became Christians. Soon prayer gave birth to a group of godly believers proving that the gates of hell cannot prevail against the fervent prayers of people who trust the Almighty.
This prayer movement had its roots in 1856.........read the rest
I am sending the two copies of reprint......

Living Transparently

No consensus on a vote so I decided on this one.

When you are able to admit and transparently discuss with others your failings and short comings, your biggest fears and your deepest hurts, your grandest dreams and desires, you grow and others around you do too.

Why doesn't this go on more in our communities of faith? Fear-of what people will think or say, of rejection, fear of misunderstanding, fear of more pain, fear of what my confessions might cost me Lack of trust-in ourselves and in others, we've been burned one too many times.

But He has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind.
It is also true that when we confess our sins one to another(to trustworthy people) we will be whole and healed. I not aware that it can happen ANY OTHER way! Do you want a sound mind, do you want to be whole and healed? Find someone you can trust and find someone who will listen. Pray for wise counsel and go meet with them!
Living a life of truth is costly, it costs us so many of the worldly things but when we don't care about those, when we're willing to sacrifice all that just to live in spirit and truth with those we love and Christ we gain so much more, and "the light of those things grows strangely dim in the light of His Glory and grace".

BE CAREFULLY TRANSPARENT

Faith, What does that look like?

Thanks to our dear friend Brian J. we had a "what does that look like?" Sunday. I think we're beginning to see.

Need Encouragement?

who doesn't?......join us for the February Series

LIFE PURSUITS -

Sunday Mornings @ 10:15ish
Feb 3 - Faith (Matt Jackson)
Feb 10 - Hope (Chris and Jesse Paz)
Feb 17 - Love (Benny Benjamin)
Feb 24 - Truth (Bucky Newby)

And if you've been asking God why lately, you really don't want to miss March's Series on
WHY GOD?