Gigi's Blog

Boat ride

Yesterday's Sunday Schools lesson was on unfair happenings in the life of the believer. 

You may be abused, mocked, or experience death.  But, in Christ we will be vindicated.  

I had to read the beginning of the chapter and mention it in class even though it wasn't in our lesson material.  

Mark 15

Jesus Before Pilate

 ¹Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

 ²"Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate.
      "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

 ³The chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."

 ⁵But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

As I read I realized-Jesus only reply was to state who He was, not to defend who He was not.

I thought of me, I thought of you.  We are trying to live for Christ, and we are attacked literally out of nowhere.  Maybe from a person we thought was our friend, maybe from a person we assumed had a like mind, but nonetheless we are attacked.  The natural reaction is to come out spiritually swinging.  But like you've heard said "a good offense is the best defense."  When Jesus said "Yes, it is as you say" that covered everything.  Notice he didn't respond to all the other accusations.  Do you?  Oh, I do.  I want to rightly defend myself.  I mean we can't be walked all over, right??  Well, that's right, unless we want to do what Jesus did. When your answer is "Yes. I'm a Christ follower" that covers every accusation.  But, the catch is that is answered more than by words.  

We are so often dumbfounded when the exact thing Jesus promised us would happen actually happens.  When we are attacked because of our faith by the religious or by whoever, but still proclaim Christ love by our actions-we are worshipping God!

The hope that I think many of us miss is in that Jesus is ALWAYS faithful.  We try to defend ourselves and step outside of what God wanted us to do and everything falls aparts.  We say "God, why didn't you do your part?"  Oh, He did.  He always does.  But my part is letting Him defend me. Maybe you are wrongly being accused of many things today.  Just make sure that you are rightly accused of being totally committed to your Savior. 

Be encouraged today.  God wants to do great things through YOU.  

 

 

 

v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

Last night I had the best idea.  Well, actually the idea started several weeks ago.  

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Veggie Tales.  They have a new video out.  https://bigidea.com/products/shows/shows_trailers.aspx?pid=871  "Silly Little Thing Called Love."  Many Vision aged kids  were raised on these videos.

We've been doing the Chip Ingram study http://www.lotecommunity.org/messagenotes/Love%20Sex%20Lasting%20Relationships%20Part%201.pd   "love, sex and lasting relationships." It's absolutely wonderful.  It's told us thus far the difference between the shallow definition of what the world would call "love" and a meaningful relationship that God designed between two people for their entire lives. 

Well, have you figured it out yet?  My idea?  I was going to surprise our group last night with the Veggie Tales Valentine's video.  Great idea!  Right?  Well...................................

I bought the video several weeks ago.  I had told the class for the past two weeks that last night we'd have a Valentine's party and to bring goodies.  But the kicker would be when I began to play the video that they'd realize we were really going to watch  Veggie Tales.  I was going to run by yesterday afternoon and pick up some Valentine's on my way home.  This wouldn't be a problem, it wouldn't take long to fill them out.  Then I'd pick up a few things to eat on my way to church.   One of my best friends has a saying "life is what happens when you got something else planned."  

I'd brought my video to put in my computer (at work) because I thought there was some printable stuff on it.  I forgot (until after it was in the computer) that a disc had gotten stuck and that I had to ask someone to get it out.  Well, I realized again this had happened.  I just didn't say anything, and after I'd rebooted my computer about 20 times, decided I'd get help at the end of the day.  At about 4:00ish I started asking for help.  The same person who helped me last week was not too ammused that I'd forgotten and said "Uh, didn't we discuss last week that you probably shouldn't put a dvd in your computer?"  "Sorry.  I forgot"  (which if you know me at all, you know I really did)  At 5:30 I knew what I was going to have to do.  I called Mark and told him that I was going to have to meet him and Chloe at church, but didn't share the entire story with him, as I just wasn't emotionally stable enough to hear "you did what????" I drove to Lifeway and on each of my shoulders sat angels.  One was  saying "you are so stupid.  This is SO you.  Dummy. Dummy. Dummy" and the other one said "Gina, you did not mean to put that DVD in.  You are missing your moment by allowing this to take you down so low.  Don't do this.  You're about to jump off of an emotional cliff.  You're being lied to."  

I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off and somehow got to church with all my stuff at about 6:40.  Heart racing.  Megan B. and Christy and Brittany C. and Aeriel and Kelsie and Ashleyx2 and others helped me get everything set out.  Then it happened.  We prayed, and I acted like we were going to watch out normal Chip Ingram video.  Pushed play and the music for Vegie Tales came on and Christy and Brittany and Ashley screamed as they realized they were about to watch Veggie Tales.  

So, here's the deal.  It worked out in the end.  But, up until that moment when my plans had to change I stressed out, got mad at the maker of computers, got mad at myself, rushed around, attempted impossible perfection, put all my hopes and dreams for that night on the moment of a cartoon.  

So my question to me and to you today is this-what do you do when things don't turn out as you'd planned?  Do you freak out?  Do you spend all your time trying to stick to original plan and trying to resist that you may have to adjust?  Do you give up?  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+37&version=NIV

Joseph had a vision that he would rule over his brothers.  But, it looked as if anything but that was going to happen.  He was sold.  Accused of raping Potipher's wife.  Forgotten about.  Do you think that Joseph anticpated what he would go through?  He doesn't talk about it.   His plans I'm sure didn't include years of suffering.  But God's plans allowed for it.  He could have decided to die in his waiting, or at least die emotionally.  He could've said "God, I don't believe you."  but when God says something is going to happen.  End of story.  The problem is that in our doubt and fear that God has to wait until we totally trust Him and we are at the place we should be for that change to occur. How do I know?  From 38 years of experience.  

Please don't stop living because your waiting for your life to begin?  Does that make sense?  What I'm saying is that as I wait for this or that to happen or to change or whatever, if I live numb and emotionless, then I'm not living.  And neither are you.  

Do you need a change today?  Then make the change.  Be the change

.http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phillipians%204:10-20&version=NIV

 

 

 

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

A few weeks ago some of us went to HollyWild.  If you don’t know, HollyWild is a petting zoo in Inman SC.  During summer months you can walk through and feed animals, many of which are just walking around.  You can also do a drive thru on a bus and feed the most enormous animals that come right up to the bus and sometimes jump on top of it!  It’s very popular for school field trips, and my kids have been on some.  But at Christmas it’s turned into a Merry Christmas celebration.  You drive through beautiful lights.  You can purchase bags of food to feed the reindeer and other animals that come literally to your vehicle.  It’s so fun!  Oh, on a side note- My aunt Pat wanted all the kids to ride with her.  But she called us numerous times and said she was lost.  Well………………….ok……………….not sure how she was lost when traffic goes ONE way, and you have to go in line with all the traffic.  Holly, Tif, and me laughed quite a bit at that one!  You get to roast marshmallows and hot dogs.  I really recommend you go.  Don’t know how long they do it, but it’s well worth the $5.00.  As we were driving in I said “I like this place, but that birthday thing, I’d never do that.  I don’t want pizza and horses and birthday cake.”  See they have birthday parties there.  But as I said the thoughts of those smells from animals, and food just don’t seem too fun or celebratory.  

 

Isn’t it funny how spiritually blind we are?  How we are completely desensitized to the fact Jesus birthday was in the very place that I said I’d never celebrate a birthday!  How is it as Roger said Sunday Jesus has sent out the invitations, but He’s usually not invited to His own party?  I’m talking about you and me here.   I’m talking about Christians who have done what I’m calling the “legalization” of Christmas.  What do I mean?  Well what we call legalistic in church refers to believing that the love of God is conditional and can be earned.  I believe the legalization of Christmas is a list of things that must be done to consider your Christmas “experience” as successful. When Jesus said “my burden is light” did He mean it in all things?  He meant it for Christmas too.  Jesus is not the one giving out expectations that could never be met during this time.  He wouldn’t do that.  He’s not going to ask us to do anything that we could never do, because He’s not guaranteeing to empower us to do what’s not in His plan for us.  What else am I calling the legalization of Christmas?  Think of Mary.  Think of the story of an unmarried teen girl giving birth to the supposed Messiah.  Think of Jesus saying he was God’s son.  These things were considered basically “illegal.”  Against what that day’s society said was to be done.  Today’s modern day Christian is all about check lists and proper, and I guess I am too, but these things were totally contrary to proper and check lists.  Normally at this part when I blog I would say “ Now, I’m not saying we should have chaos.  Now I’m not saying to break the law.”  But look, I shouldn’t have to say all that.  You either get it or you don’t, and me defending my words is just not needed here, ‘cause if you don’t get it you’ll be offended anyway. 

 

There’s no room in my life for fake hope this Christmas.  God has blessed me into a corner where I either believe or I don’t.  I do believe. 

 

Love your God this Christmas.  Love your family.  Love your friends.  Let them love you.  I pray you will and I will. 

 

Merry Christmas!

A few weeks ago some of us went to HollyWild.  If you don’t know, HollyWild is a petting zoo in Inman SC.  During summer months you can walk through and feed animals, many of which are just walking around.  You can also do a drive thru on a bus and feed the most enormous animals that come right up to the bus and sometimes jump on top of it!  It’s very popular for school field trips, and my kids have been on some.  But at Christmas it’s turned into a Merry Christmas celebration.  You drive through beautiful lights.  You can purchase bags of food to feed the reindeer and other animals that come literally to your vehicle.  It’s so fun!  Oh, on a side note- My aunt Pat wanted all the kids to ride with her.  But she called us numerous times and said she was lost.  Well………………….ok……………….not sure how she was lost when traffic goes ONE way, and you have to go in line with all the traffic.  Holly, Tif, and me laughed quite a bit at that one!  You get to roast marshmallows and hot dogs.  I really recommend you go.  Don’t know how long they do it, but it’s well worth the $5.00.  As we were driving in I said “I like this place, but that birthday thing, I’d never do that.  I don’t want pizza and horses and birthday cake.”  See they have birthday parties there.  But as I said the thoughts of those smells from animals, and food just don’t seem too fun or celebratory.

Isn’t it funny how spiritually blind we are?  How we are completely desensitized to the fact Jesus birthday was in the very place that I said I’d never celebrate a birthday!  How is it as Roger said Sunday Jesus has sent out the invitations, but He’s usually not invited to His own party?  I’m talking about you and me here.   I’m talking about Christians who have done what I’m calling the “legalization” of Christmas.  What do I mean?  Well what we call legalistic in church refers to believing that the love of God is conditional and can be earned.  I believe the legalization of Christmas is a list of things that must be done to consider your Christmas “experience” as successful. When Jesus said “my burden is light” did He mean it in all things?  He meant it for Christmas too.  Jesus is not the one giving out expectations that could never be met during this time.  He wouldn’t do that.  He’s not going to ask us to do anything that we could never do, because He’s not guaranteeing to empower us to do what’s not in His plan for us.  What else am I calling the legalization of Christmas?  Think of Mary.  Think of the story of an unmarried teen girl giving birth to the supposed Messiah.  Think of Jesus saying he was God’s son.  These things were considered basically “illegal.”  Against what that day’s society said was to be done.  Today’s modern day Christian is all about check lists and proper, and I guess I am too, but these things were totally contrary to proper and check lists.  Normally at this part when I blog I would say “ Now, I’m not saying we should have chaos.  Now I’m not saying to break the law.”  But look, I shouldn’t have to say all that.  You either get it or you don’t, and me defending my words is just not needed here, ‘cause if you don’t get it you’ll be offended anyway. 

 

There’s no room in my life for fake hope this Christmas.  God has blessed me into a corner where I either believe or I don’t.  I do believe. 

 

Love your God this Christmas.  Love your family.  Love your friends.  Let them love you.  I pray you will and I will. 

 

Merry Christmas!

I’ve had the video series for Discerning the Voice of God for a while now.  It’s not that I’m just not doing the study.  It’s a study that has been passed back and forth through a few small groups.  Our leaders (I’d say) try to be good stewards with resources and it’s been passed along to me.  Vision is involved in several studies and hasn’t done this one yet, so I’ve had it at home.  Well the other day I decided I’d just watch some of the videos.  I’ve watched a few before, but for some reason decided I’d watch again.  The first video was on hearing from God.  Expecting to hear from God.  The scripture reference was Matthew 17:  ⁵While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" Implying that we need to listen to what God is saying, and anticipate that He is indeed saying something.  Priscilla gave an example of some radical ways that God spoke to her to really change her perception of what it means to actually hear Him through personal revelation. 

Well, last night unbeknownst to me, I was about to get my own revelation.  I was sitting down and in my spirit  I “heard” James 4: ¹⁷Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.”  I didn’t even have to go “Huh?  What do you mean?”  I knew.  I knew.  I knew.  God said to me “All those people you are upset with, that you cry out to me about, that don’t understand how tor really act, they aren’t sinning.  They don’t know the good they aren’t doing.  The problem is you.  You do know, and you don’t do the good.  The sinner here is you Gina.”  It was instantaneous my comprehension of what He was saying.

I know today that many of you have a knot in your stomach about your Thanksgiving Day.  Maybe that family member has crushed your spirit.  I know that some of you have friends that just don’t seem to know the meaning of being a friend.  Maybe people you work with are hurtful and have left you dreading every day when you go to work.  I have been hurt I must admit by many people.  I think “God, they don’t even get it.  They don’t get you or what you’re about.”   Exactly. They truly don’t get it.  I build up walls to keep myself from being who God wants me to be, vulnerable to Him and trusting Him completely.  Not cold, numb, incensed by the world around me.  

I know I’ve told you this before, but mine and Mark’s first Valentine’s after we were married was a disaster.  We both spent the day saying “Oh, I don’t care what we do.”  Mark meant that-I didn’t.  I wanted big plans, to be taken out and shown off like I was a prize winning race horse.  When that didn’t happen, I was utterly surprised.  Mark had no idea I wanted all that, ‘cause I sure didn’t say it.  I just figured he knew.  Well, he didn’t.  But in my mind he was totally at fault.  How far is that?  Not at all.  He didn’t know what he was supposed to do.  It’s the same thing with the people that may be in your life that I’ve no doubt have hurt you deeply, or you just wish you knew they cared.  You think “How can they be this way?  How can they do this?”  It’s hard to truly comprehend, but even though a person should know, it doesn’t mean they do.  God knows what people do or don’t know, and He knows what we do and don’t know. 

I pray with and for you who may be in an uncomfortable situation tomorrow that God will flood your heart with truth.
 

Psalm 116   ^1(A)I love the LORD, because He ^(B)hears
         My voice and my supplications.
    ²Because He has ^(C)inclined His ear to me,
         Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. 

I challenged Vision on Sunday, and want to do the same today with you to offer up your Thanksgiving in a new way.  You know we often say “I’m thankful God saved me.  I’m thankful God’s changed me.  I’m thankful God has done this or that for me.”  (and praise God I AM) But, keep in mind that a person who may not “know to do good” yet, wants to hear what God has done for you this year, this week, today.  So, as your Thanksgiving testimony, say this, “I love the LORD because………………” and I want to challenge you to say this to Him in a new way today, with your heart focused on what He’s really done for you.

What am I thankful for this year??  That Thanksgiving is not at my house!!

 

We got the call on Wed.  It seems so surreal right now.  No, I’m wrong.  Like I said, it’s like a blur.  Babe came in and told us he had gotten the call at 4:00 AM.  Paul had taken a turn for the worst and it didn’t look good.  We were all devastated, shocked and determined to hope and pray, for what we considered the best.  We did that.  Babe took off for the hospital.  We waited.  That evening we got the call that they had discovered the exact location of the infection, and his color was already improving.  He wasn’t out of the woods yet, but he was stable. 

 

Yesterday we felt hopeful.  We continued to pray.  Babe left for a while.  A call came in at about I think 11:40.  It was Pastor Roger.  “This is Roger Overton.  I need to speak with Marvin Foy.”  It was weird. I thought “does he not know it’s me?”  I said “Hey.  Hold on and I’ll try to get him on his cell.”  I told Babe when he answered something was wrong.  I can’t remember what happened after that until Babe called back.  “Gina.  Tell everyone, they are going to take Paul off of life support and he is going they are expecting him to pass within two hours.”  I couldn’t really process it, so I probably too quickly got up to tell people.  Within moments we were all crying.  Calling people.  Began to pray.  We got a phone call at around 1:30 from Babe’s brother wanting to know if we heard and I told him we had.  Just as we were hanging up, I said “Wait, I want to make sure we are talking about the same thing.”  We weren’t.  He’d passed a few minutes before one.  

Paul was a man I’ve known or been acquainted with for a little over 20 years.  Went to church with him for about 22, and worked with him for about 4.  He was what I’d call a good ol’ country boy.  Paul and I had something in common-our love of food!  He was a completely dedicated worker, husband, father, grandfather, and most importantly servant of God.  He was.  You always saw him doing something for other people, and especially at Chapel Grove Baptist.  But, the unusual thing about Paul-he did it because he WANTED to.  There was no complaining, no coercion necessary, no pride involved.  He was very quiet, but yet his character screamed of who he was.  Paul and his wife Brenda were a team.  Always together.  He loved her and she loved him and they loved God and their kids and grandkids.  What a blessing to see. 

Paul began to feel tired I don’t know maybe a year ago?  I really don’t know.  Paul was very private and never complained.  But he went through a period of going weekly to get his blood checked.  No one knew specifically what was going on.  He looked relatively normal.  But at times he would have to be given blood.  After months of this he was diagnosed with leukemia.  In what seemed a whirlwind, he was at the Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem receiving chemo.  After the first round he came home, and came to church one Sunday as they waited to see if he was ready for his bone marrow transplant.  He received the call there were still cells that were bad, so more chemo.  Very intense, two rounds and then he would have to wait a while, because it was so strong.  But he said “they said it would take this to kill it all.”  We all said “then you do it, and we’ll see you very soon.”  Through out he would call up to work and say “Well Gina, how you doing?”  He would have periods of feeling pretty good, but many more of feeling terrible.  About a week ago Brenda called work and she was crying.  Lynne talked to her and Paul just felt so bad and his mouth has sores.  She felt better after talking to Lynne I think.  Then on Tuesday some type of infection caused his kidneys and liver to stop functioning properly.  

Brenda is in complete emotional exhaustion.  In shock.  Someone called her today to find out what we can do and she said right now she just needs prayer.  She isn’t taking calls or visits right now.  So, please respect that and know that your prayers will do so much for her.  Also pray for their sons and their families.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%209&version=MSG

 

Are you "living" your life today?  Right now, what's your feeling about your life?  Do you just exist?  Do you live only in anticipation of tomorrow? Do you hate your life? I understand if you say "Yes".  I quite often do these things.  But please embrace your life today and live it.  Paul did. My big problem is that "living life to the fullest" surely must involve my own personal happiness, money, beauty, and such, right?  Living life to the fullest is not based on what’s outside; it's based on what's inside.  Again, I saw this in Paul.  I remember before he went for treatment, him saying that he'd realized that he was involved in the plan of God and that he was in for whatever God had in store.  That's living.

In my mind, my tiny mind I have those moments of thinking "why weren't our prayers answered?"  I know in my heart they were.  He was healed, and blessed beyond what we can fathom.  But I also know that to look the love of his life in her eyes ask her to conceive that the love of her life is in heaven is very, very bittersweet.  

God,

I can not thank you enough for letting me know this wonderful man.  We don't understand your ways, but desire to trust in them.  God I know that Brenda and her family are experiencing a grief that you understand better than any person on earth.  God please comfort.  Your ways are always purposeful.  Please do a mighty work in us all through this situation.

In Jesus Name we ask,

Amen 

 

This past month has been exciting, frustrating, scary, blessed.  We’ve had up and downs.  But Saturday it happened.  The seventh annual Searching for the Beauty Within seminar.  This was a very exciting and new experience, even though it was our seventh seminar.  It was held this year at Gaston College.  We have held the event at our church for the past six years.  We have been supported and welcomed, and there’s no hidden agenda behind the location change.  It’s just the place we believed God would have us hold the event. 

 

Last week was full of activity.  We practiced and prepared constantly.  Prayed.  Wondered at times if decisions we had made were best.  When I say “we” it was under the leadership of Holly.  I’m not going to go into details of Beauty Within, or UNBOUND.  If you don’t know the story, visit www.unboundministry.com

As I said, Saturday finally came.  Lots of things that I would call unexpected or better than expected happened.  I’d say the praise band was one.  People praying before during and after, just filled me with blessings.   Pictures taken by Ashley.  The dance team. The banner Jill did.  The jewelry that Abigail sold to benefit the Home Foundation.  The volunteers.  The shoes that Emily made to give away.  Believe In Abilities jewelry along with Jenny’s incredible decorations.  Megan Blanton making so many things happen that HAD to happen, that all of us were clueless about.  Mark at the last minute getting my father-in-laws equipment to video.  Ray making something to hold the banner up with!!  So many other things.

 

We blindly went into this, because for some things we didn’t have a choice.  And guess what????????  God used that blind faith as trust and He took over. 

 

Roger preached yesterday on the vision for our church.  Well, preached and challenged us to take part in the message.  He questioned “why are you at church?  Do you have expectations?  Does it matter in your own personal life?   Does it matter to people around you?”  He challenged us to pray for what vision our church should have, and explained he wasn’t talking about personal preferences or desires-which I was SO glad he said.  Lots of people agreed yesterday in their hearts.  Agreed that we want what God wants. 

 

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision the people perish. 

 

What’s clouding your vision today?  World opinion?  A friend’s opinion?  Sin?  Discouragement?  Rejection?  Struggle?  None of these things are more powerful than God.  None of these things stop God.  But, when they invade our lives and we begin to focus on them, our vision is compromised.  Roger taught on our 50^th Anniversary Sunday from one of my favorite passages Romans 12:1-2.  But, I saw something I have never EVER seen before last week.  I shared with Vision on Wed. that I have for about the past year felt internally like a battle was going on.  I’ve begged God for help, asked Him to show me what to do.  Well last Sunday He spoke to me.

Romans 12

Place Your Life Before God

 ^1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

 

See what He said to me.  “Gina, focus on me.  Become fixated on me.  Become obsessed with me.  I will change you inside.” 

 

I know that so many of you are like me.  You feel like if God doesn’t intervene and change your circumstance, you’re not going to make it.  But could it be that if you focus on Him you might be able to find total satisfaction in that place you find yourself?  YES!YES!YES!

 

Will you try today?  Will you trust today?  Don’t worry about tomorrow.  Just today. 

 

 

God, please help us to desire You above any other person or thing.

Show us what that means, teach us what that means. 

 

Thank you God!

We love you God!

 

 

These past few weeks have been….well insane. 

 

Chapel Grove went to the Deeper Still Conference http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0,2232,E%253D150%2526M%253D200979,00.html

 in Greensboro.  (the ladies) Speakers were Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur and Travis Cottrell led worship.  A few of us from www.unboundministry.com went up a day early to meet with Pam Case from Lifeway.  Well, when I say “meet” what I mean to say is have coffee and just talk for a while.  Now you tell me, how in the world can this person who’s pretty much plays a major role in this event, have to time to just “chill” for a while with us, the night before the event.  On top of that-the airport misplaced her hair products!  She sat and listened to us, wanted to hear our hearts and she shared hers.  It wasn’t at all her sitting and telling us what we should aspire to one day become.  Then the next day and a half was the conference.  Amazing.  Amazing.  Amazing.  Kay shared her heart and burden the America wake up.  Priscilla shared her heart that God’s greatness can’t begin to even be fathomed by us.  Beth (I loved this) literally felt God changing her topic only moments before she came out!  She talked about fellowship with God.  Travis and all the singers had a heart for God that was very obvious.  It was so wonderful.

Next day, beach.  One week of getting tan, sleeping on the beach, jellyfish stings, bingo and so much more.

Then we came home for three days and Mark and I went to the Connect Conference  Threads in Atlanta.  http://threadsmedia.com/connect/?cid=Threads-emailCRD20090813Connect  We learned so much and I was so thrilled to be able to go.  They design it for a very small attendance intentionally so that there could be interaction with the speakers.  I’m so challenged by what I learned and felt somewhat of a confirmation about the direction I believe the class has taken. 

Came home Saturday night and went to a cookout, and then got ready for Thursday.  Had to move Meagan into college in Greensboro and be back home and have Chloe at her new school by 5:00. 

Then Friday night-the Jonas Brothers.  We got there at 6:30 and I returned home at about 2:00 AM. The concert was fun.  We had to make an impromptu IHOP trip on the way home.  Praise the Lord I didn’t fall, because we had nosebleed seats, and looking down made me a bit dizzy.  But, I’m glad.  It was so loud, to be on the bottom would’ve blown my ear drums out.  I found this youtube of them yesterday.

 

Then Saturday I had to go to a funeral.  Someone I know died relatively unexpectedly. Lots of tears, and I don’t know if I’ve ever heard kinder words about a person.  What is strange, but I believe it was God, I prayed for this individual by name either the day of or a few days before he died.  This isn’t a person that I normally pray for. 

 

On the way to the funeral Saturday I asked Chloe to read I Corinthians 13 to me. 

1 Corinthians 13 (New International Version)

1 Corinthians 13

Love

 ¹If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

 ⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 ⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. ¹²Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

 ¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

I think what I was wondering about what the Bible says that love is not.

I went into the funeral and it was very emotional for me, and everyone there.  I think that’s something that happens as we grow up.  We understand more about death, and realize to the extent that we can, it’s final. 

They read various scriptures throughout the service.  I have never in my remembrance heard what’s quoted as the Love Chapter, read at a funeral.  But, to my surprise, they read the entire chapter.  I remembered that I had just asked Chloe to read this, and I realized God was trying to tell me something. 

I read all the things that I’ve tried to claim that love “is” when the Bible clearly says that love is “not” those things.  I just can’t do that anymore.  Please forgive me as I change.  I have to.  I want to.  I need to.  Love is what will make my life flourish or fail.  This is not a request from God.  It’s not advice.  I have to do this if I want my life to change and I do. 

Please continue to pray for Mark.  He still has a kidney stone and had a terrible bout with it last night from 2:00 am on.  He took 2 pain pills, and when I went home at lunch, he told me as soon as he could get himself together he was going to our church to trim the bushes, before the clean up day Saturday.   

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

I have looked forward to tonight for several weeks. Vision went for the first time to feed at what’s called “the Mission.”   It’s for the homeless, downtrodden, really anyone.  We’ve partnered in the past at another organization, but I just felt called to this lil’ place.  This place that’s been almost condemned by our local code enforcement.  This place this is in need of so much.  But it isn’t short of a passion for Jesus and sharing who he is. 

I read this morning the following

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

Matthew 15: ²⁹Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. ³⁰Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. ³¹The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

 ³²Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."

 ³³His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"

 ³⁴"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked.
      "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."

 ³⁵He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. ³⁶Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. ³⁷They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ³⁸The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. ³⁹After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

My mind  began to think about how I could “reenact” the miracle of this to people.  Get loaves and fishes and do a play?  Could I do some kind of magic trick?

But I heard God this morning.  “Gina, people don’t need a reenactment of a miracle.  They need a miracle.  Gina, you don’t need a reenactment of a miracle.  You need a miracle.”  Oh God, you are right, as always.  We all need a fresh new miracle.  But, in order for a miracle to be answered, what do you have to have???  That’s right.  A huge need.  A need that only God Himself could meet.  Is that you today friend?  Oh, it’s me.  I have been.  If you read the word of God, you will see that over and over God allows tremendous needs just so He can perform tremendous miracles that He gets all the glory for.   

 

 

Matthew 16

The Demand for a Sign

 ¹The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

 ²He replied,^[a] "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' ³and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. ⁴A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

 ⁵When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. ⁶"Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

 ⁷They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."

 ⁸Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ⁹Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹⁰Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹¹How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." ¹²Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The religious wanted miracles.  But God knew why.  Not for His glory. 

Jesus talks about the bread multiplying from little (the five thousand and four thousand). He then tells them be on guard of the bad yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  Those few loaves were uncontaminated.  God can work with clean vessels.  Large numbers of dirty vessels (religious hypocrites, or lukewarm) well I think they’re useless.  What would you rather have, 1 piece of bread that’s good or 500 pieces of bread, each with a tiny spot of mold??

A few weeks  ago an upcoming Vision member, Oscar Trejo said that it’s as if God’s people who are passionate for him are like fine perfume.  Concentrated but very powerful.  What a good analogy.  God is so interested in our hearts.  In our passion for His calling. 

Ask God today for your modern day miracle.  I believe that’s why the need is there.  As long as we remain with the yeast He provides, and keep our selves clean, it’s like that friendship bread, it just keeps on going!!

Expect God to move!!  He is able

   

• Main
• Archives
• Albums
• Links
• Send us a story or an E-Mail
• Summary-Blog Directory
• Admin

«	March 2010					»
Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

• Boat ride
• Yes, it is as you say
• Silly Little Thing Called Love
• Have yourself a merry little Christmas
• Have yourself a merry little Christmas
• What if it's God speaking?
• Live your life
• From the inside out oh my soul cries out

• General [170]

• RSS 0.90
• RSS 1.0
• RSS 2.0
• Atom