Wow!
What a service at church today!
And we exceeded our attendance goal, too.
And most importantly, God was at work during our healing service and through the preaching.
Wow!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Breathing Room
The last few months have been really busy leading the church and getting ready for District Praise Gathering 2009. Things went very well and I'm now on the other side finding myself being very grateful to the Lord and our church family and friends for doing so much to make the event a rousing success. I believe our DS is very pleased, too, at how it all worked out.
Today I'm mentally worn - just need to let go of thinking for a few hours and just chill in the knowledge that all I need to do is safe in my GTD system and will be ready to re-engage with me when I get back to it.
Monday's Day Off will give me some breathing room!
Off to lead the first lesson of our new summer study series "Making Marriage Work". Looking forward to meeting everyone who challenges the heat of the day to come out and discover. We'll be talking about passion, intimacy and commitment!
Today I'm mentally worn - just need to let go of thinking for a few hours and just chill in the knowledge that all I need to do is safe in my GTD system and will be ready to re-engage with me when I get back to it.
Monday's Day Off will give me some breathing room!
Off to lead the first lesson of our new summer study series "Making Marriage Work". Looking forward to meeting everyone who challenges the heat of the day to come out and discover. We'll be talking about passion, intimacy and commitment!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
God is at Work!
We had a great morning at church today. We had a number of first time guests and an awesome worship experience. God is at work!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
For Want of a Nail
I read this this morning in the July 2009 edition of the Jews for Jesus Newsletter:
For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of horseshoe nail.
Reminds me to care for that "nail" in my life!
For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of horseshoe nail.
Reminds me to care for that "nail" in my life!
Isaiah 55 (New International Version)
Invitation to the Thirsty
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Bitterness is Like Drinking Poison
"Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." Ron McManus
Such a silly thought, and yet, we do it all the time. God help us to forgive those who have wronged us so that we can set down our glasses of poison and live in the fullness of God's forgiveness.
You can do it, you know. God will help you! It's a choice.
Such a silly thought, and yet, we do it all the time. God help us to forgive those who have wronged us so that we can set down our glasses of poison and live in the fullness of God's forgiveness.
You can do it, you know. God will help you! It's a choice.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Last Day
Today is the last day of my vacation. It's been a great rest, one I anticipated with zeal, but I'll be happy to be back in the office tomorrow and interacting with the people I serve.
I love the calling God has placed on my life and I'm enriched as a person for my acceptance of it. I seek to fulfill it with all of my being.
I've been reading a book about the Adirondack Region while on vacation. Although it's cloudy here today, I'm still going to enjoy the out-of-doors. Winter's coming!!
Speaking of winter, we had frost in Nova Scotia one of the night we were there. July or January, Canada IS north of the border!
I love the calling God has placed on my life and I'm enriched as a person for my acceptance of it. I seek to fulfill it with all of my being.
I've been reading a book about the Adirondack Region while on vacation. Although it's cloudy here today, I'm still going to enjoy the out-of-doors. Winter's coming!!
Speaking of winter, we had frost in Nova Scotia one of the night we were there. July or January, Canada IS north of the border!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Time with a Friend
I really enjoyed reconnecting with my friend, Richard, last evening. We're like brothers and meeting at Tim's for coffee and talk was great. I also got to see their new home.
Hard to imagine that there is a Friend who sticks even closer than a brother - amazing.
Memories abound as I drive the area and reminisce about earlier times when God was building a church for His glory and people eagerly loved others into His kingdom. New life in a church makes all the difference in how a ministry operates. When you don't have it, you're just playing games with yourself as church people, pretending that you matter. Holy clubs are irrelevant clubs unless new members are being added by faith!
Naomi has an apartment inspection today so I need to get to helping her.
Sunny in Halifax today!!!
Hard to imagine that there is a Friend who sticks even closer than a brother - amazing.
Memories abound as I drive the area and reminisce about earlier times when God was building a church for His glory and people eagerly loved others into His kingdom. New life in a church makes all the difference in how a ministry operates. When you don't have it, you're just playing games with yourself as church people, pretending that you matter. Holy clubs are irrelevant clubs unless new members are being added by faith!
Naomi has an apartment inspection today so I need to get to helping her.
Sunny in Halifax today!!!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
An Interesting Wednesday Sighting
Today we just spent time together as a family. We visited my daughter's worksite and met some of the residents/patients, toured the old stomping grounds where we used to live, visited a Christian bookstore where friends have their business, visited the Public Botanical Gardens, and then had supper with great friends.
At supper, I saw a man enter, have supper, and leave. We made eye contact. It was not until he was almost out of the restaurant that I realized it was the former Premier of Nova Scotia, recently defeated in provincial elections. He was once at the zenith of his political career; now he was just being Dad to his young son. I bet his boy was happy Dad was out of government!
Kingdoms rise and fall while family support us and our best values. I choose family!
At supper, I saw a man enter, have supper, and leave. We made eye contact. It was not until he was almost out of the restaurant that I realized it was the former Premier of Nova Scotia, recently defeated in provincial elections. He was once at the zenith of his political career; now he was just being Dad to his young son. I bet his boy was happy Dad was out of government!
Kingdoms rise and fall while family support us and our best values. I choose family!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Take Off Tuesday
We're enjoying a Take Off Tuesday today. We've intentionally pushed away stress and unwarranted activity from our day. Not doing much more than talking, laughing, and enjoying time with our daughter in this historic city.
I've been surfing the net, Twittering, doing personal research, drinking Tim Horton's coffee (double/single!) and contributing to some of the sites I frequent as a member/contributor. I never get to do this, quite like this, while in work mode.
God knew what He was doing when He rested on the 7th Day and encouraged us to do the same. Rest and relaxation settles the mind for creativity devoid of the pressure wrought by calendar and clock, reinforces the mind for creative response to all of life as it shows up, and infuses the spirit with life-giving space for reflection and renewal. Even my Bible reading is different in this particular modality.
Now, how to transfer this experience to the work-a-day world I live in most of the time.
I've been surfing the net, Twittering, doing personal research, drinking Tim Horton's coffee (double/single!) and contributing to some of the sites I frequent as a member/contributor. I never get to do this, quite like this, while in work mode.
God knew what He was doing when He rested on the 7th Day and encouraged us to do the same. Rest and relaxation settles the mind for creativity devoid of the pressure wrought by calendar and clock, reinforces the mind for creative response to all of life as it shows up, and infuses the spirit with life-giving space for reflection and renewal. Even my Bible reading is different in this particular modality.
Now, how to transfer this experience to the work-a-day world I live in most of the time.
Monday, July 6, 2009
City Sounds
It's been awhile since I awoke to city sounds:
car doors slamming, buses churning through their routes, people talking as they scurry to work, the "beeeep, beeeep" of garbage trucks as they back into place to pick up their cherished loads, and the hum of activity that fills the empty spaces where quiet might reign were it not for all the people. There's something comforting about city sounds once they've been a part of your life.
I didn't sleep soundly last night, not because anything was wrong, but because I listened to city sounds all night and imagined what lay below me in the streets. We're elevated above pavement level in our daughter's apartment: six floors up! A cool breeze blew into the windows and through the apartment all night long. Delicious for dozing and imagining!
Today we begin the first full week of our vacation and I can't wait to get out and enjoy the city. I want to drink it in - all of it - and experience the fullness of my days here, nor just manage them with the help of David Allen. I want to look into people's faces and read their souls. I want to scoop bucketfuls of air into my lungs and feel it burn life-giving strength into my weary body. I want to give my eyes permission to see anything and everything related to the needs of people who live on the streets and open my heart and notetaker wallet to those who beckon me to share the wealth. I want to feel the ocean on my feet and be transported to that real place where I feel small and insignificant as I see the Atlantic Ocean spread before me like a huge sheet ready to be stretched over a mattress that tired people might sleep upon it.
As I drove into the city, one words kept pummeling my mind: souls! I was called to this city back in 1998 and I spent my life strength here seeking out those who were spiritually lost. The people and places and experiences of this place shaped me into the person I am today and I will be forever grateful for my days here. Longings...
I think I'll drink a coffee or two and read Isaiah. He understands the way I feel toward people. His ministry was a soul-saving one, too.
car doors slamming, buses churning through their routes, people talking as they scurry to work, the "beeeep, beeeep" of garbage trucks as they back into place to pick up their cherished loads, and the hum of activity that fills the empty spaces where quiet might reign were it not for all the people. There's something comforting about city sounds once they've been a part of your life.
I didn't sleep soundly last night, not because anything was wrong, but because I listened to city sounds all night and imagined what lay below me in the streets. We're elevated above pavement level in our daughter's apartment: six floors up! A cool breeze blew into the windows and through the apartment all night long. Delicious for dozing and imagining!
Today we begin the first full week of our vacation and I can't wait to get out and enjoy the city. I want to drink it in - all of it - and experience the fullness of my days here, nor just manage them with the help of David Allen. I want to look into people's faces and read their souls. I want to scoop bucketfuls of air into my lungs and feel it burn life-giving strength into my weary body. I want to give my eyes permission to see anything and everything related to the needs of people who live on the streets and open my heart and notetaker wallet to those who beckon me to share the wealth. I want to feel the ocean on my feet and be transported to that real place where I feel small and insignificant as I see the Atlantic Ocean spread before me like a huge sheet ready to be stretched over a mattress that tired people might sleep upon it.
As I drove into the city, one words kept pummeling my mind: souls! I was called to this city back in 1998 and I spent my life strength here seeking out those who were spiritually lost. The people and places and experiences of this place shaped me into the person I am today and I will be forever grateful for my days here. Longings...
I think I'll drink a coffee or two and read Isaiah. He understands the way I feel toward people. His ministry was a soul-saving one, too.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Hangin in Halifax
After a meaningful child dedication of my grand daughter at Beulah Camp, renewing acquaintances with the wonderful people of our past, and a great meal with all the family at Pizza Delight, we headed for Nova Scotia. Long but enjoyable trip seeing all the very familiar sites.
We served Christ here for 29 years so Atlantic Canada is very much in our hearts with every town and site holding a memory from an interaction there. At one time, and for a very long time, I strongly believed I would be buried on Canadian soil and that these people would be my people forever. How one meeting can altar a lifetime of hopes, dreams and intentions!
Arrived in Halifax, called our daughter, found her apartment and have been talking for hours.
It's going to be a great week!
We served Christ here for 29 years so Atlantic Canada is very much in our hearts with every town and site holding a memory from an interaction there. At one time, and for a very long time, I strongly believed I would be buried on Canadian soil and that these people would be my people forever. How one meeting can altar a lifetime of hopes, dreams and intentions!
Arrived in Halifax, called our daughter, found her apartment and have been talking for hours.
It's going to be a great week!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Land Ho - Canada!
After a lazy drive from NY to Maine, we stationed ourselves in Bangor for the night. Great time to relax!
Crossed the border into Canada this afternoon and are staying in the port city of Saint John, NB for the night before driving to Beulah Camp to dedicate our grand daughter.
Witnessed an accident tonight while leaving the local grocery store. Police came and everything! I was a witness to it all so had to give my version of the story. But the guilty party kept lying about her actions that caused the accident. I finally stated firmly, "Mam, that is not the way it happened!" She stopped - until the police officer arrived and she started it up again. The officer stated, "Mam, it couldn't happen their way AND your way, too. Now, which is it?" She stated, "Well, I guess all these people saw it...." Case over.
Enjoying surfing the net and breathing that foggy, damp, chilly Saint John air!!
Crossed the border into Canada this afternoon and are staying in the port city of Saint John, NB for the night before driving to Beulah Camp to dedicate our grand daughter.
Witnessed an accident tonight while leaving the local grocery store. Police came and everything! I was a witness to it all so had to give my version of the story. But the guilty party kept lying about her actions that caused the accident. I finally stated firmly, "Mam, that is not the way it happened!" She stopped - until the police officer arrived and she started it up again. The officer stated, "Mam, it couldn't happen their way AND your way, too. Now, which is it?" She stated, "Well, I guess all these people saw it...." Case over.
Enjoying surfing the net and breathing that foggy, damp, chilly Saint John air!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Day One of Vacation
Today is Day #1 of our vacation. We're spending it at home to do some housework, shopping, elder care, and packing. I'll be dedicating my granddaughter on Sunday in NB at Beulah Camp.
Took a 15 minute mid-week afternoon nap today - not done that in about 20 years!!
Big thunderstorms here today/tonight. What a great way to spend the evening listening to thunder and watching the lightening flash across the sky!
Took a 15 minute mid-week afternoon nap today - not done that in about 20 years!!
Big thunderstorms here today/tonight. What a great way to spend the evening listening to thunder and watching the lightening flash across the sky!
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