Gigi's Blog

Oh goodness.  Monday morning, school-day #1 with my little Chloe-Belle.  Well, last night I sort of got this cute little outfit idea in my head for Chloe to wear to church.  It sort of had a punk twist.  I had her try it on and I thought she looked so good. If any of you know Ciera Boheler, it was sort of a Ciera B. style, who Chloe adores.  I had to reason with her a slight bit, but not much.  She knew she looked good.  The outfit wasn’t dirty and so I told her it would be really cool for the first day of school.  As usual with Chloe-never make ANY assumptions.  She gets up and  I ask her if she needs help getting dressed and she said “No.”  She comes in my bathroom.  “You look so cute Chloe!”  She’s fidgeting and twisting and pulling on the shirt.  This is a bad sign.  “Don’t you think this outfit is to sassy for the first day of school?”  (I’m laughing again even typing this.) I try to look serious and tell her it most definitely is not.  “I don’t know.  It just seems too sassy.”  This is my child for you.  I straighten her hair per her exact specifications of straight down with a slight flip that mustn’t be too noticeable. 

Chloe does not want to be a standout.  She is her father up one side and down the other (minus the gray hair).  She’s beautiful, and extremely smart.  But she would rather blend in the crowd than for someone to say “Chloe, stand up and tell the class how you taught yourself to play piano” or “Chloe, you have pretty eyes.” But don’t worry; I’m determined to break her and Mark of this!  HaHaHa!!!!!  

Last night Chloe said that in Sunday School they had made folders to take to school that were a representation of their relationship with Christ.  She told me that she was afraid of getting in trouble.  I explained to her that in many places of the world people are murdered for sharing Christ.  I attempted to explain to her that we must share Christ.  I let it go last night, but I want to try to explain an important lesson to her as well all of us:  Witnessing without words can be your most powerful witness.  A folder that says “Jesus”, a lifestyle that’s different from the world’s, a smile, listening to Christian music, all of these can be done without words.  So, if my kid gets kicked out of school because of her folder that says Jesus, it’s fine with me.  You won’t change my mind.  But see the trap of Satan is that she won’t get kicked out most likely.  We are trapped by what ifs.  So scared of what might happen, we don’t do anything. Before you know it, we’re in a state of stagnant.  What a bad, bad place to be. 

The weekend’s services at our church were preached by prophecy teacher Dr. Jimmy De. Young.  http://prophecytoday.com/

So sorry if you missed it.  When he talks about the rapture he says “Poof!! And we’re outta here.”  The last time he said it during the Sunday morning service; I jumped out ten feet in the air.  It was a God-thing that on Friday night at Joyful Noise and then from Dr. Young Matthew 18:18 was referenced "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[a]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[b] loosed in heaven.

 They both said things that I’d never heard, or never remember hearing.  Friday night, Gunner at Joyful Noise said that he believes what we loosen is the grip of Satan and what we bind to us is the power of Christ.  Dr. Young said Saturday night he was so sick of people saying they are binding Satan.  He said that Satan is alive and well, and that our only hope to beat him, is to allow Christ to do it.  I think Dr. Young was saying that if we say “I’ve bound Satan.  I don’t have to think about him” we will be in for problems. I am awakened to the reality of Christ return.

I’ve thought before, “Why are we told in detail the horrors of post-rapture if we won’t be here?”  I don’t know every reason, but I’m absolutely sure that 1 reason is to stir our hearts to share the love and truth of Christ.  Many of us say “Oh, I’m so glad I’m going to Heaven and that my children and friends are going to Heaven” as well you should be.  But what about the rest of the world?  Do you care?  Do I care?  

I was so stirred and convicted yesterday when Dr. Young talked about the need to evangelize alongside any help programs we are a part of.  More important than the help of us is the hope of Christ.  I loved it when he said “I’m not here to give you a fish dinner, I’m here to teach you to fish.”  I thought about the homeless shelter, and so many things I need to change.  See if I just go serve a meal at the shelter and that’s the end of it-then they’ve had 1 meal.  If I share Christ with them, Christ can change their entire life. 

So Chloe and I are going to discuss this whole thing further, and I hope that you and God can discuss whatever He would you to do to stand up for Him and to share Him.  Because there is no doubt the rapture of the church is than ever.  

Well, the queen of biscuits has done it again.  Don’t know who I’m talking about?  Let me give you a few more clues:

1. Pronounces the word flour “fla'r”
2. She drinks vinegar
3. She cooks in fatback grease yet works for the Heart Society

Yes.  That’s right.  My aunt Pat.  It’s like a big joke that people always say she’s my real mother.  We’re just very alike.  Love to cook.  Make big messes cooking.  Procrastinate.  Late for everything.  Dream big in God.  Know that He can do anything. 

I have seen Pat do things that people say are impossible.  She is bold in God, and I believe God likes that.  

The other day she called me and said that she realized the upcoming Beauty Within Seminar needed a bit of a different approach.  She said she realized that we were only targeting churches and youth groups.  She said this needs to go out to everyone.  I mean duh!!  What were we thinking?  So, as per her usual determination, she starts making calls and is attempting to reach out to secular media.  

Pat is so right.  Last night I believe I realized something: Jesus will go out of flock to rescue the lost.  Nothing new, right?  Well for me it sort of was.  I realized last night there’s quite a deep truth and meaning behind that story. 

Luke 15 1-3By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.

 4-7"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.

Dear God help us to get it.

OK, who was listening intently?  That’s right, the people of doubtful reputation.  Who wasn’t pleased, wasn’t at all pleased because of who was listening intently?  That’s right, the Pharisees and religion scholars.  What did they say?  That’s right, that Jesus had befriended the lost and hung out with them.  

What did Jesus say?  That’s right, he said he will leave all of the saved to go after the lost.  He will leave the walls of a church and go to the place sinners are.

Church is a place we come corporately to worship God, to learn about Him and to grow as a body of believers.  In our spiritually infantile brain we think lost people just come to church and that’s the majority of where we should evangelize.  Jesus knew better, and if we’ll grow up a little, we’ll know better too.  Jesus didn’t speak in theory about His beliefs. He practiced His beliefs. I’m tired of talking about it.  I’m ready to do it.

I’ve heard many stories of people who use their everyday lives and normal encounters as opportunities.  Do that today.  You never know who you’ll encounter and what difference you might make. 

http://focus.chapelgrove.com/Beauty%20Within.htm

    

 

 

 

Holly and Meagan went to go see N’Sync.  Holly paid a ridiculous amount of money for the tickets for her and Meagan, but Meagan loves N’Sync.  You know they sing that song “Bye. Bye. Bye.”  They went yesterday.  Wait……………………………they couldn’t have went yesterday.  That’s right, now I’m remembering.  It only seems like yesterday, because yesterday is when we moved Meagan to college.  How has 1998-2008 passed in the blink of an eye??  Really how has 10/25/89-08/21/2008 passed so quickly?

I have quite a headache this morning.  It’s probably good that I’m at work right now, because if I was in a place where I could sob, I would.  I’m still choking up if anyone says too much to me, like “how did it go?”  It feels like a sudden death.  Adam last year, and now Meagan, and the reality is that in the blink of an eye, it will be Chloe.  When we finally left yesterday, as we were walking back to the truck I was really crying to the point of embarrassing myself, yet unable to stop.  Ali (Meagan’s bff) went with us.  I think that made it easier for Meagan and Ali.  Ali said “just think, in a few years this will be Chloe.”  Mark said “when we move Chloe, I’ll be in a wheelchair.”  That made me laugh.  For those of you who don’t know, Mark was 38 when we had Chloe. 

I guess what made me start crying over and over were the thoughts of Meagan.  That loud cackling laugh when she’s with her friends.  Her lifetime of hair accessories; ranging room the humongous bows I always made her wear to the hats to the booshkas to the clips.  The time I accused Adam(9) of lying, when Meagan(8) said that she didn’t carve that writing into her dresser.  (I found out years later that indeed it was lil’ miss innocent)   Her love of Winnie-the-Pooh and American Girl dolls until about age 15. **Come to think of it, if we sell all those American Girl dolls we’d have enough money for college!**  The time she skipped school, but was so naïve she just went home and got caught all before the first bell. The way she always wants to please people.  That inner desire to always hope.

She called me on the way home and again last night.  She was good.  Really good.  I thank God. 

Her roomie is a Christian. Nickname is Neesie. Her dad is a coach at Harding HS.  I didn’t get much of a chance to speak with her mom, but she seemed nice. 

So now as we begin this new chapter with 2 gone, and 1 at home, I’m going to pray God guides them and us, and that He’ll mold all 5 of us into who He wants us to be. 

I’ve heard Billy Graham say that what shocked him most about life is how quickly it has flown by. I believe this to be true as I watch my children grow, me and Mark age, our parents age, people who’ve passed both young and old.  There is absolutely no doubt we are closer than ever to meeting our Creator, whether through the rapture or death.  It will be the blink of an eye. 

Have you noticed the sun lately??  Incredible.  It’s been these beautiful shades of orange, and at times it hides behind clouds so that you can almost look at it directly.  The rays have been powerful and something that could only be orchestrated by God himself.  The other night the moon looked almost red.  Ask Chloe if you don’t believe me.  I am noticing my surroundings more than ever.  It’s as if God is saying “I’m coming. I’m here for you.  I can see everything going on.

I got home yesterday and received what, for me at least, seemed like extremely discouraging news.  As I shared a few months back my Dr. diagnosed me with a daytime sleep disorder (which basically means I’m sleepy all the time), put the word idiopathic in front of it, (which basically means they don’t know why) prescribed me medication (which basically has radically changed the way I feel).  Sounds good, huh?  Well as I also shared the Dr. said there might be a problem with my insurance covering the medication, because there’s no generic.  He assured me that he had pre-cert employees who deal with insurance regularly, and this would be taken care of.  So, I believed him.  Racking up bills for the medication, but not worrying because he said it was going to be taken care of.  I contacted my insurance company who told me the same thing.  Well, after about 4 or 5 months we’ve racked up $300x5 and it is not taken care of.  I have begun the appeals process and scheduled a phone interview with their appeals people on Thursday.  I called my Dr. Office assuming he’d be willing to participate since he told me he would do ANYTHING to make this happen for me when all this started.  Well, his office called me back yesterday and said that the Dr. said the best thing for me would be for him to refer me to a neurologist and have a sleep study conducted.  The problem is with the medication and what it’s approved by the FDA to treat.  It’s too complicated to explain, but suffice it to say, I believe my best, and most certainly easiest and logical next step would be for the Dr. to at least make an attempt to say “This medication is helping Gina.”  to my insurance company. But, now I’ve been told the easiest thing would be to have a sleep study which involves an overnight hospital stay and to go to a specialist.  To me that isn’t easy. 

The other bummer was that Adam called and said he forgot to buy a meal plan at college.  It might not sound like a big deal, but this ain’t the price of a lunchroom meal plan from elementary school.  Now the little bit of money he was gonna have in case of emergency is gone. 

Excuse me while I go take 14 extra strength Tylenol.

Ok, I’m back.

I was sitting on the couch for a few minutes alone last night and fighting back tears.  I wasn’t angry at God.  I wasn’t angry with Mark.  I wasn’t angry with anyone.  I was just

drained.  I tried to fight it off, and went upstairs. 

Then came the beautiful.  The phone rang and it was Holly.  We don’t usually talk past 10:00, and it was after that.  “I just got a text from Tiffany.  It says that her and Carson and Victoria got saved and to pray.”  I said something like “Holly, now don’t you lie to me!”  “Gina, I’m serious.  I’ll forward you the text.”  See, the reason I said that is because we have been praying and praying and praying and praying about this.  A few weeks back Tiffany was home for the weekend and during the invitation Roger said “God is dealing with someone” and I knew it was Tiff.  She was sitting in front of me and I mean I felt it so strong.  I prayed for her the entire time.  She didn’t go forward.  After it was over Roger said “I know God is still dealing with someone.”  I told Holly after the service that I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt it was Tiffany.  I think God was working on Tiffany and has been.  

In case you don’t know, Tiffany is Holly’s sister and my first cousin, Carson is her husband and Victoria is Carson’s sister.  Apparently Victoria encountered someone yesterday who invited her to a revival and they all went.  During the revival the congregation was asked if they knew with certainty their eternal destination.  They all realized they didn’t know.  They then realized they needed to know, and asked Jesus to lead their lives. 

It’s so tempting to be consumed with me and my struggles and miss what’s most important. 

Oh God thank you!!  Oh God thank you!!  I know Heaven's rejoicing with us here on Earth. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 (The Message)

 7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

 

 

I think it’s Monday.  I think I’m at work.  I think I need to hurry this blog so I can go get more coffee. 

See it’s been yet another weekend of lot’s of fun and little sleep.  Holly had asked me a very long time ago if I would help her with Rebekah’s birthday, and I said I would.  It was to be Saturday night and she was going to have a few people over and let the older girls stay.  (Chloe was going to stay because I was going to stay)  I told her I would.  Well some of the youth girls wanted to spend the night at her house Friday.  So, Holly said they could.  Holly pours her heart and soul into these kids.  She wants each one to know they are special to her.  So when the few wanted to come over, even if timing wasn’t the best, she’d still say “OK.” and have a great time.  Well, Holly says “You and Chloe stay Friday night too.”  All the while the 80s back-to-school party for youth is uppermost in my thinking.  Vision was supposed to be in charge of the food for the party, and Holly wanted me to come to her house right after work Friday (with clothes for the entire weekend).  I couldn’t quite figure out how I was going to pull this off, since I didn’t have the first thing  bought for Sunday, but I knew if any person could help me accomplish this, it was Holly.  I went home and threw mine and Chloe’s stuff in my car and took of for Holly’s.  I got there, and after a lil’ bit she and I went to Harris Teeter for a few snacks.  We got home and the kids started gathering.  Meagan and Ashley were there too.  Richard and a few of the upcoming senior guys, and Mark, went to hang for a bit and then they came back to Holly’s.  The guys continued to ignore me as I said “Well, I hate y’all have to go.”  We went to bed so late.  So, so late.  Saturday  we got up, Rich came home to tend to the girls and Holly and I headed out to accomplish what were obviously impossible tasks.  In a two hour time span we were going to get the things for the party, plus for the 80s party (which involved various locations).  We did it.  As I said with Holly these things just work out.  We were also trying to get out “outfits” for the 80s party, which for us wasn’t too hard to figure out, ‘cause we both know all about the 80s.  We got back and Rich was getting stressed (or so I thought).  “Holly, do you have………………………………….??”  Some things she didn’t have yet.  I thought I perceived tension and stress.  Party happened successfully, and as I said, with Holly it just works out.  At some point in the night Richard was going to his mom’s for a bit, and to the church as well to see how the decorations were coming along that Meagan and Christi were doing for the party.  When he left I hopped up and said “Holly, let’s get all this cleaned up.”  “What?  Gina, sit down and rest.  Rachel’s gonna dance for us.”  “Holly, we need to get all this done first.  I think Richard was getting upset.  I don’t want him to be upset and stressed out.”  “Huh?  Gina, he is not stressed out. That’s not being upset.  I told you, we don’t even ever argue.”  “Well, what was it then?’  “It was nothing.  Now sit down.  We’ll do all that in a little bit.”  As I said with Holly…………ya know.  Everyone went to bed very late.  Now 2^nd night in a row.  Sunday morning we had to get umpteen kids and us to church with their bags and sleeping stuff.  I don’t think I was very helpful to Holly on Sunday morning.  Church Sunday morning was absolutely wonderful.  The content of the message was dead on.  Now, after church I still had to get the rest of the food for the party.  Dress up.  Oh yea, and Pat invited us to eat.  But, Holly would be with us, so it would work out.  The party was a 100% success in every way, and Richard delivered a powerful message, that challenged us all for this upcoming year.  I would like to talk in detail about Sunday and may in the next day or two.  (103) in attendance last night at the party!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s right.  (103).

 
Now as you noticed,  I’ve commented throughout about Holly.  I learned some powerful things this weekend.  Holly has learned/is learning to not take offense to every single thing, and to live her life in joy no matter the outward circumstance.  I mean when I thought Rich was upset, and Holly said he wasn’t,  she saw it for what it was.  He’s exhausted.  His mom is dying.  He has the call of God on his life to lead youth. I could tell she genuinely meant it when she said “Oh, he’s not upset.”  Therefore there was never any tension between them. Me on the other hand, I take offense to most things when it comes to Mark.  See it’s my choice to be offended or not to be.  http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2008/06/26/dont-get-offended/

It was huge for me and a realization of how I’ve seen Holly maintain and survive and thrive and grow.  She chooses not to be offended.  I’m not putting her in a high place and exalting her to something she’s not.  She’s human and she has struggles.  But I’m watching her attempt to live by this.  The other thing Holly does is LIVE.  She doesn’t sit around and worry and tomorrow and next week and next year and sacrifice today to do it.  I’ve watched she and Richard be wonderful parents to Rachel and Rebekah and yet spend time and invest in others and maintain one of the strongest marriages I’ve ever seen.  I believe the key is living in the moment.  Let the hate mail roll in, but I don’t care.  Yes, planning is wise. Yes, goals are good.  But I told my class this statement recently and believe this is one of my new life themes: HESITATION CAUSES CANCELLATION.  When you hesitate to live in Christ-the world system of pretend godliness takes over.  That system says you survive in Christ not live in Christ.   Yesterday Roger touched on the rich young ruler who was told by Christ “sell everything and follow me.”  See Jesus wasn’t saying “Become a pauper and follow me.”  Jesus was saying “Trust in me to meet your every need.”  The problem wasn’t the money, the problem was the trust.  People read that story and assume that man was gonna have a miserable life if he followed Jesus, as if Jesus wanted that or something.  If that man sold everything, and gave to the poor that doesn’t mean he would never have food, or clothing.  It meant he fully knew Jesus would be the source of his needs. This is why people looking inside the church from the outside sometimes turn away.  We present as miserable.  Who wants that?  I used to always tell Holly, “No.  My house is a wreck, I can’t go.  I’m too tired.  I’ve gotta……………..”  when she would invite me to do something, and I would think “How can she do this right now???  Isn’t she worried about the Beauty Within Seminar?  I mean it’s 6 months away, she needs to plan for that tonight.  I mean goodness, it’s only 8 years until Rebekah leaves for college.  They need to plan what color she wants her room.  Silly isn’t it.  But truthful.  But Holly doesn’t live like that-therefore she LIVES. 

So, last night after the 80s party,  after a few hours sleep the entire weekend, after all that, when Meagan said “Can people come over?  It’s my last night at church before college?” I said “Yes.”  Because I could see it for what it was.  The last Sunday night Meagan could be with her friends before college.  Plus I could see it for what it wasn’t.  It wasn’t going to be the end of my life if I went one more night with too little sleep.  If the house wasn’t perfect, or if I came to work with bags under my eyes the size of a White Castle Hamburger, that doesn’t determine who I am. 

Thanks girl!!  Thanks again!

I am excited yet struggling.  Struggling because the devil has put temptations and problems in my path.  Struggling to repent as in change, not just say “I’m sorry.”  Struggling to hope in the form of trust and in spite of appearance.  But I’m excited too.  Excited because change is on the horizon.  Excited because the devil considers me a threat.  Excited because Jesus will be back soon. 

Every person that I feel connected to is struggling; people that’ve said to me, and I’ve said them “we should do …………………………..for the Lord’s work.” We make plans, or attempt to, and then it seems as legions of demons are sent to harass and discourage us.  I was thinking the other day about Paul and Silas in prison.  I tell you what, if I would’ve been in their shoes, I think I would’ve said “It’s over.  It’s not meant to be.”  They were rejected, arrested, in prison, in chains.  I mean come on.  This couldn’t be what they were supposed to do, right?  If God wanted them to do what they were doing, He wouldn’t allow ridicule, and imprisonment, right?  You and I both know I’m being totally sarcastic.  But the kicker is that we do, as modern day Christians, base our decisions on the way things appear.   We completely forget Jesus told us we’d have struggles in the world.  We forget the meaning of faith-believing in the unseen. 

Remember what the devil said about Job.  He told God if he’d be allowed to take everything from him, and inflict his body with sickness that Job wouldn’t be so worshipful.  So God allowed these things to happen to Job.  In the end Job was restored and throughout God was honored.  Why Job?  Why did the devil want to bring Job down?  Was it because of a random drawing?  Did he pick straws?  Flip a coin?  No.  It was completely intentional.  Job loved God and was about his Father’s business.

So many of us have drawn our spiritual line in the sand and said to God “This as far as I’ll go.”  Don’t put conditions or restrictions when it comes to your belief in who God is and what he can do.  God is not limited.  We are the ones who put the limitations in place when we try to grasp the awesomeness of God. 

Mark 9: 21-22He asked the boy's father, "How long has this been going on?"   "Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!"

 23Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen."

Last night Holly Blanton and I were having our weekly jibber jabber session.  Every Wed. for weeks she has driven me to my car which is parked on the other side of the church.  It started innocently enough with her dropping me off, but has gotten longer and longer every week, and I’d say we’ve gotten closer and closer. Well it’s just our little assumption now that we’re gonna talk, maybe cry, maybe laugh, maybe pray, until……………Well, last night we were doing our normal, when here it comes.  Gaston County Police.  Say what????  She says to us “Can I help y'all?”  What did she say?  Can she help us?  Like we have no right to be there.  I step out of the car.  “We go to church here.  We’re talking.  Is it ok?”  She says “Yes.  I’m just going to sit here for a while.”  Well, ok lady.  Just hit here.  And we’ll just sit here.  And we all did. 

See this is how so many of us feel.  Like we have no right to be where we know we’re supposed to be. Rejected by the one who we thought was meant to be our protector.  It’s all a trap of the devil.  We must look beyond what we see with our eyes, if we ever hope to see God.   

 23Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen."

I’ve never been bothered by the fact I’m short.  Meagan has always been bothered by the fact she’s short.  I’m not sure why.  The down side of being sort used to be purchasing clothes in the petite section. Like as in me and my grandma buying clothes out of the same dept. Those clothes were overpriced and usually a bit outside what I considered age appropriate for me.  But now they have what’s called (short) when it comes to sizing in most stores.  So, I guess Meagan just doesn’t like it.  Who knows?  Maybe she had her heart set on playing in the WNBA??  Meagan, remember Mugsy Bougues. Maybe Meagan is uncomfortable with her 8 year old sister being as tall as she is.  I remember when we'd go to theme parks when Meagan was little.  In order to get her on the ride we'd put her hair in a ponytail using a scrunchie and pull it on top of her head to make her look taller.

---

Another problem with shortness is when I attempt to share through songs and teaching.  My lessons for Vision-too long                                                                                        Songs-I’m always told they need to be shortened                                                      Devotions for work-Told they are devotions, not sermons

Sorry.

Sometimes it’s hard, or seems hard for me to share the greatness of who God is in a shortened, condensed version.  But Greg reminded us all Sunday that the focus is God, not our abilities that change us or anyone else.  What did the apostle Paul say he preached? I Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

So in that aspect of sharing it is short and simple.  Christ crucified.  If you are struggling in sharing the gospel, or struggling to accept the gospel, you base it on "Christ crucified."  There's nothing else to add to it. There's a lot of falsehoods (OK, lies) that say you could do anything to earn or be worthy of the love of God-you can't.  You already are loved-but because of "Christ crucified."  As Greg said Sunday, It's not at all about knowing about Him.  It's all about knowing Him.

Oh, I forgot one:

“Gina, your blogs are as long as books.” GGGGRRRRRR.

Debater

Did you watch the Presidential debates a few months back?  They sort of get on my nerves.  Partly  because it's so often quite obvious they are looking to say whatever will get them liked and voted in office.  Now don't get me wrong, if you want to get voted in, it's makes sense to "say the right thing."  I do have to give props to Mike H. though.  Praise God for his firmness in his faith in Christ and unwillingness to waver.  I know that God is richly blessing that man's life, and I believe will also reward him in Heaven.  Another thing I can't stand about those debates is just that.  Debating.  They are often quick to disagree for the sake of disagreement.  I don't like it.

Some people love to debate.  There are actually professional debaters.  When I'm around a person who thinks they're a professional debater, it bugs me.  They just want to "discuss" something.  Often times they don't even care what it's about they just want to debate.  They don't feel alive unless they're in a debate and for me, there's something weird about that. 

I've given lots of thought to this lately.  There seems to be dividing lines in churches today which although it seems strange, is really nothing new.  But I believe certain things, and other people don't.  We get into "discussions" which often turn hurtful and maybe even ugly.  Last week I was pouring my heart into one of these things when I realized that for me at least-this is wrong.

I began to think of the Bible stories about debates and what people in the Bible did. 

Just to name a few:

Stephen: Acts 6-7
Paul: much of the book of Acts
And of course Jesus:  The Gospels

These men were against the "churched."   Do you and I understand that truth today?  They were against people that society considered right and correct.  These 3 knew with absolute certainty who God was and what He'd told them. Stephen and Paul told these men in detail about Christ and His love, and changed no one.  I'm not sure if they truly believed they were going to change people's minds, but they most certainly didn't.  But don't we do the same thing?  Don't we think that we can surely make people understand "where we're coming from"?  But instead, they don't, and we don't understand them as well.  We begin to become consumed with proving our point, and they do too.  It's all we can think about.  It's all they think about.  When what we should be thinking about is the worship of God and Heaven and the things of God.  **I want to give a little disclaimer at this point.  I'm not saying that I'm correct and other people are not correct.  I know some of you will try to hit me with that.  But that's fine.**  What I'm saying is that I can't change your mind no matter how hard I try, and you can't change mind no matter how hard you try.  Change comes from God.  Change comes from God.  Change comes from God.  So the purpose of debating within the body for me is void.    I'm wasting my time, and spiritual energy, and focus on the wrong thing if I try to do the work of God.  

Matthew 27: 11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. 12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" 14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

Do you think Jesus knew He was right?  I think the point is why in the world would you debate what you believe is fact? 

My heart's desire is to get to this place in my life.  Do what God tells me to do and love people whether they like me and support me, or despise me and make fun of me.   Uh, no, I'm not there yet, I said I desire to get there.  Remember what Stephen said, and Jesus said "Forgive them."  They loved.  Nothing stood in the way of that.  Opinion didn't stand in the way of that.

My goodness.      

Romans 6:1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

 5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,^[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

 11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Slaves to Righteousness

 15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

 19I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.

Well yet again Friday night was another night of slumber-partying with Holly.  She was going to have a lil’ dorm warming party for Meagan Saturday.  The plan was for me to stay over to help get things ready.  The plan.  What happened was slightly different.  A few of the youth and Holly were going to visit Chelsea Baldwin to offer their prayers and support in the passing of her father.  I kept Rachel, Rebekah and Chloe.  I got them dinner (well, if you consider dinner McDs and BK).  Rachel made me laugh.  She said “I want a chicken sandwich with white stuff, and apples and water, because I eat healthy.”  She was a hoot all weekend.  I had a surprise for her that she didn’t know about.  She has wanted glasses, so when I saw some at Claire’s, I got ‘em.  When I gave them to her, you would have thought this child really had vision problems. See, these glasses aren’t real, they just look real.  She wore them and didn’t take them off.  At one point she was talking to someone and cleaning them on her shirt, like I’m sure you’ve seen done before.  I had to turn around so she couldn’t she me cracking up.  As per mine and Holly’s usual, we stayed up WAY too late talking, and eating, and of course didn’t cook any of the things we’d plan to do in advance.  But Saturday was a fun time, and I stayed at Holly’s house much later than I’d planned.  Just always seems to happen that way.  Oh, I forgot to explain that Mark and Rich were at Promise Keepers Friday and Saturday.   

On Sunday Roger’s sermon was on the last commandment: “Thou shalt not covet.”   I really realized how guilty I am of coveting.  It’s in some ways that maybe are less obvious, which fits into my renewed realization of exactly how sneaky and crafty the devil is.  I remember one story from my youth when my best friend got a car.  My car was junk.  Her car was much nicer and newer than my car, and I was fuming with jealousy.  But, as Roger talked I thought about many situations in my life at this very moment are covetous.  I thought about him saying that we should truly be happy for the gain of others, and was challenged to live up to that and realizing I have not. 

You know if I put those glasses on that I got for Rachel and try to use them in the place of mine which are prescription, I’m not going to be able to see a thing.  Those glasses look real, and goodness knows she can pull it off as if they are real.  But they are not real.  This world has us looking through lenses of happiness that are not real.  Through them we see a distorted view of life and are left in a helpless state that leaves us going to the wrong person for guidance.  Even though many of us treat this as a game, it’s not.  One of Vision’s class members feels he may be called into an area that helps pull those lies off people.  This will take God’s help and a very strong commitment from this person, so please lift him up in prayer if and when you think of it.  Don’t flirt around and mess around with places and things you shouldn’t.  This is serious and the end truly is near. Does that scare you?  It shouldn’t.

 

Isaiah 65

1-7 "I've made myself available to those who haven't bothered to ask.
I'm here, ready to be found
   by those who haven't bothered to look.
I kept saying 'I'm here, I'm right here'
   to a nation that ignored me.
I reached out day after day
   to a people who turned their backs on me,
People who make wrong turns,
   who insist on doing things their own way.
They get on my nerves,
   are rude to my face day after day,
Make up their own kitchen religion,
   a potluck religious stew.
They spend the night in tombs
   to get messages from the dead,
Eat forbidden foods
   and drink a witch's brew of potions and charms.
They say, 'Keep your distance.
   Don't touch me. I'm holier than thou.'
These people gag me.
   I can't stand their stench.
Look at this! Their sins are all written out—
   I have the list before me.
I'm not putting up with this any longer.
   I'll pay them the wages
They have coming for their sins.
   And for the sins of their parents lumped in,
   a bonus." God says so.
"Because they've practiced their blasphemous worship,
   mocking me at their hillside shrines,
I'll let loose the consequences
   and pay them in full for their actions."

 8-10God's Message:

   "But just as one bad apple doesn't ruin the whole bushel,
   there are still plenty of good apples left.
So I'll preserve those in Israel who obey me.
   I won't destroy the whole nation.
I'll bring out my true children from Jacob
   and the heirs of my mountains from Judah.
My chosen will inherit the land,
   my servants will move in.
The lush valley of Sharon in the west
   will be a pasture for flocks,
And in the east, the valley of Achor,
   a place for herds to graze.
These will be for the people
   who bothered to reach out to me, who wanted me in their lives,
   who actually bothered to look for me.

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