Gigi's Blog

Lord, please bless this chocolate to the nourishment of my body

visioncgbc | January 30, 2009 11:58

Well yesterday was one of my lower days in promoting worth of myself as a human being. I didn’t eat anything in the morning. This isn’t a problem really. I often times don’t eat, and don’t really suffer any ill affects. The problem? Sometime in the afternoon someone came in and had purchased myself and the two other ladies a box of Whitman’s Chocolate. The sampler. 32 pieces. I sat here and thought of all the things I could do with it. Maybe use it in some recipes. Share it. Put it out for this weekends 180 event for our churches youth, since we are a host home. Then I decided I’d just open it and eat ONE. I inhaled several. All of this was complicated by the fact I had an empty stomach. I literally felt sick. But (surprise to me)I continued eating the chocolate ,until I had eaten twenty pieces. No I’m not lying. Then someone came in and said “here, you like dark chocolate.” It was a box with some Godiva chocolate. Ya. Ate all three in the box. By this point I do not feel well. I had already decided the things that I had to do in preparation for the weekend. But, I was and am loaded down with exhaust. Part the last few weeks catching up, part what I’d eaten, and part because Chloe’s sleepwalking has become really bad for about a week. Up at least 3 times at night. When I got home my plan was to eat, go to the store, come home and clean my house. Keep in mind I was not one bit hungry. Mark had made spaghetti. That’s always perfect to eat when you feel fat and gross. I added some hamburger spices to the spaghetti. No. I’m not lying. Meagan came home last night and I was going to ask her if she’d watch Chloe for an hour so I could go to the store because Mark had basketball and I knew he wouldn’t be home until 10:30. She couldn’t commit. She maybe did, or maybe didn’t have plans. It was all fuzzy. By this point in the day I was done. It all hit me like a ton of bricks. At that moment I said “Forget it. I’m tired. It’s too much. I can’t deal with it.” I sat down and ate a huge bowl of ice cream and drank two cups of coffee. Needless to say I went to bed not long after that., until Chloe woke me up (sleepwalking) and said “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?” “No. What did you say?” “I said you need to switch arms” “Oh. Ya. I didn’t hear you.” I lead her back to her bed. What was I thinking?? It’s like I prayed “God. Please bless these twenty three pieces of candy, two pounds of spaghetti, thirty five cups of coffee, and bowl of ice cream to the nourishment of my body, and my body to your service. Amen.” Stupid, huh??

But isn’t this what we do? We continue on the wrong path, or keep our mouths shut when we shouldn’t, or not keep our mouths shut when we should, or spend money we don’t have (guilty) or are selfish, or whatever, just doing what we want, and poking a pin-head size hole in our life and say “Ok God. I’ve let you control me life. Now solve all my problems.” I ate that candy almost out of boredom, I did all those things last night because I wanted to avoid what I knew needed to be done. Now I’m screaming “God, fix this!!! Please send one of your house-cleaning angels to me house. I’ll leave the key under the mat.” Is there grace and mercy?? YESYESYES! But, I really do believe that self-controlled existence is one of the keys to peace.

2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version)

7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline

I gotta go, someone just brought me two pieces of white chocolate covered peanuts.

Who's in Charge Here??

visioncgbc | January 26, 2009 12:36

These past two weekends have been really wonderful.

Last weekend we went to my cousin’s who lives in Carthage for my baby cousin’s birthday party. It was a weekend of family, staying up too late, eating, princess partying, eating, visiting their church, eating, eating, eating, hanging out and playing with Victoria’s dog “Chooch” and eating, eating, eating.

This past weekend was the Revolve Tour in Greensboro. I was able to see Meagan, act silly, pay $5.00 for a cup of coffee, sing, meet awesome artists, and stay in a GREAT hotel room.

When we got to our hotel Friday night, there was a slight bit of confusion, at the fault of the hotel people, but they were very nice. They began to scramble, and apparently were going to put some of our people on the 11^th floor, and then suddenly changed their minds. We think that possibly the Revolve staff may have been on the 11^th floor and that it was reserved for them. My room-no complaints at all. I ended up in a suite with a king size bed. It was so nice. There was fancy shampoo, and the biggest showerhead I have ever seen. Plenty of coffee. Some of our girls ended up in a room with a broken shower. It was all good in the end. As I said, there was just some confusion. Someone with the hotel staff had decided one thing, but then the person “in charge” said another.

You know I realized that my roller coaster emotional life is partly, well I’d say mostly my fault. If you know me at all, you know my insecurity issues. (Thank you Roger and Mark F. for calling me Elvira-that so helped me feel better!!!)Anyway, I have always wanted to give up control to my life, because I’ve always felt that I do such a lousy job, and I’m always looking to be rescued. I’m the “damsel in distress.” I look for someone willing to be “in charge.” Now, this can be good, but it can also be very bad. Giving up control is a necessary part of having a successful life. If you must be in total control, when you can’t, you have a nervous breakdown. But, I’m not that way at all. Shape your hands in the form of a cup. Now, imagine my life is in that cup. I’m basically (quite often) going up to people saying, “here, would you like to take my life and tell me what to do with it?” Guess what? I get a lot of people who are all too happy to point my in the direction of what their opinion is. That’s not what God has in mind for me-or you. Giving up control for me is easy. The struggle is forcing myself to only allow God to control my life. I have the self-confidence of an overcooked pack of Ramen Noodles. So usually, I’m just looking to find a place to fall. So, this is a 2 step process, and I seem to be stuck in step 1.

1. Give up control

2. Give control to God

God’s ways are so different and contrary to what the popular world says. We want to blend in, fit it, be normal, be included, be important. But, when I think back on the life of Jesus, the apostle Paul, the disciples, they did anything but blend in. And even though Jesus was the most important individual that would ever walk on the Earth, that seemed to never be His concern.

John 7

1-2 Later Jesus was going about his business in Galilee. He didn’t want to travel in Judea because the Jews there were looking for a chance to kill him. It was near the time of Tabernacles, a feast observed annually by the Jews.

3-5His brothers said, “Why don’t you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do? No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you’re serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world.” His brothers were pushing him like this because they didn’t believe in him either.

6-8Jesus came back at them, “Don’t crowd me. This isn’t my time. It’s your time—it’s always your time; you have nothing to lose. The world has nothing against you, but it’s up in arms against me. It’s against me because I expose the evil behind its pretensions. You go ahead, go up to the Feast. Don’t wait for me. I’m not ready. It’s not the right time for me.”

9-11He said this and stayed on in Galilee. But later, after his family had gone up to the Feast, he also went. But he kept out of the way, careful not to draw attention to himself. The Jews were already out looking for him, asking around, “Where is that man?”

12-13There was a lot of contentious talk about him circulating through the crowds. Some were saying, “He’s a good man.” But others said, “Not so. He’s selling snake oil.” This kind of talk went on in guarded whispers because of the intimidating Jewish leaders.

I’d like to offer Holly a “woo-hoo” on winning the ARC employee of the year. Focus served last night at the banquet, and Holly didn’t even know she’d been nominated to win. I love surprises.

Stoops down to look at Heaven and Earth

visioncgbc | January 13, 2009 11:38

Well, hello there!! We haven’t talked in a while. Sorry. I went to Tx. on Christmas Day and that was really good. To be HOME in my small tiny Tx. town. It’s so funny, my childhood best friend picked me up at my Papaw’s and took me for a ride to show me all the “changes”, but to me there weren’t any. A town with no stop light. Memories of going to the city lakes. Memories of wanting to get out of that town, and now wanting nothing more than to be there. Funny isn’t it?

When we got home I called work to tell Lynne I’d come in that day if she needed me to. But, instead I was told not to come in that WEEK, things were so slow. So, I was at home. Thankful to be home, but concerned. I know. I know. I shouldn’t have been, but I was. I spent the week trying to clean out drawers and such. I think I could live at home and never get done. I think that is a lesson God is trying to teach me and I continue to refuse to learn. So many of us have a golden calf made of dirty laundry, a stack of unpaid bills, a lonely heart, a desire for success, messy drawers. ANYTHING that we put before God is a god.

We are studying 3:16 by Max Lucado as a church. Who knew that it would come at the perfect time for so many of us? The more I study it. The more I realize how most of us don’t even think about the meaning, don’t really believe what it says. We believe in His love, but in our thinking it’s from a distance and it’s conditional. Not according to what John 3:16 says:

John 3:16 (The Message)

16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him

John 3:16 (King James Version)

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

Our Sunday’s lesson discussed the enormity of who God is, and yet He loves us as individuals. One scripture from Roger’s sermon caused a “Wow” in my mind.

Psalm 113 (New International Version)

5 Who is like the LORD our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,

6 who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?

Stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth

I just thought of the hugeness of God when Roger read that, and yet we are in the palm of His hand. We are loved. Is that a big deal to us, or is it more along the lines of “Ok, now I’m not going to hell. Thank goodness”

Holly is reading a book called “Crazy Love”. I haven’t read it, but she says it’s amazing. It’s basically saying that when we are in crazy love with Jesus (like he is with us) we are all consumed with a desire to be with him and like him. She read a question to me in the book: what if Heaven was everything you have ever wanted, all the money, pleasure, food, coffee (that’s for me) vacation, everything you ever desired, absent of Jesus, how would you feel about that? I know on surface you say “Well, Heaven’s not Heaven without Jesus.” “I wouldn’t be satisfied.” But often Jesus is missing in the middle of our lives, and we don’t even notice. When we lack what we think we simply must have, we seek him with all our might. Often times when we have our desires met, we hardly notice if he’s around or not.

I’m so grateful that God’s love isn’t based on my righteousness. The best that I could ever give to God is really just filthy rags.

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart

visioncgbc | December 22, 2008 11:30

Luke 2:19 (New International Version)

19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Are you burdened and stressed out at this moment?? Yea. Me too. It’s so hard to live in the moment. To live in peace in whatever place you find yourself. But doesn’t God tell us to do that very thing?
We went to Disney World during Thanksgiving and it was great. The truth is if anyone would have known how bad things were going to get, we wouldn’t have planned the trip. But, we had (months and months ago) and so we went. 18 people!! That’s right, 18. Holly and I somewhat coordinated the food and places we would go. I mean as much as you can when 18 people are together. We would rush and drag and wait in line and go and go and go and go. We left at 7:00 am and got back to our rooms at about 1:00am. But as some point every day Holly would shush everyone and hold her hand to hear ear. “Do you hear that?” and we all stared blankly. “It’s a moment. We are about to miss it.” I got it. We were rushing, determined to do everything to the point that we weren’t enjoying where we were. I remember one moment we were in front of Cinderella’s Castle, running to the point of exhaustion to something. We were trying to keep up, or slow down so the group could stay together, keep our eyes on kids, and keep moving because our feet hurt so bad that we were afraid if we stopped we wouldn’t get started again. Holly did her ear gesture. I looked at the Castle. It was beautiful. Lit up. Romantic. But I had allowed myself to go to a level of stress and exhaustion to the point I almost didn’t care. So, I tried to slow down, and take it in. Not worry about the best place to go next, or if the pretzel stand would be open after the ride, or what time I should get up the next day.
Mary had been given a precious gift!! (As we all had and have) She could’ve said “Well, how will all this happen? What will His future hold? How can His father and I do this?? God, I must know the answers, or I just can’t enjoy this moment.” But no, instead she treasured up the moment she was in and pondered everything in her heart. If God would’ve told her at the moment of His birth he would be crucified, or that most people would hate Him, or even the good things He would do, it might have overwhelmed her. So, instead he allowed a praise-fest to break out.

Do you need to just ponder the gift of Jesus today? Do you need to ponder as you reflect what He’s done for you? If you’re in a peaceful moment, then ponder that moment. Enjoy that. If you’re in a storm, close your eyes and allow the flood of God’s promises to kill that fear of lies that you’re not going to make. Ponder that you’re rescuer has come. Don’t miss your life waiting for tomorrow to get here. Tomorrow is always the day after today. If you live like that you’ll miss every day of your life.

6 days to go...............

visioncgbc | December 19, 2008 07:42

Well, Christmas will be celebrated officially in just a few days now. This has been a tough year and heartbreaking Christmas season for many, many people I know. Loneliness, depression, financial turmoil, broken relationships and ridiculous scheduling have left most of us feeling “out of it.” I’m not going to whine personally, but just let me say I’m included in everything I just mentioned and leave it at that.

Wednesday night at church I told Vision that I liken all these feelings to my children being mad at me on my birthday because they couldn’t by presents for their friends. That would be stupid and selfish wouldn’t it?? Yet here most of us are. Mad or disappointed with Jesus because he won’t allow us to lavish ourselves on the celebration of His birth!!

My life has changed drastically over the past five years. Tough times that I didn’t think were coming. And really I’d say over that last year or two I’ve really scaled back on even hoping greatness was just around the corner. So, what does this leave?? A heart of spiritual blockage, because I’m taking in the cheaper junk the world has to offer, instead of the nutritious truth of God.

I have no doubt that many of you are hurting today. I’m sure many of you are on the verge of tears. I’m sure that truth be told, you honestly believe that nobody cares.

I thought this morning of David. He faced Goliath after God declared he’d be king. Saul tried to kill him. His own son turned against him. Why would God do that?? Why would God declare that good and wonderful things would happen to David, and then allow so many terrible things to happen?? http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20samuel%2016-21;&version=31;

We all have our opinions. But, the fact is that God was fully aware of everything happening to him. We know David’s feelings. He told God how he felt. I love that. Being honest with God. The great thing about being honest with God is if you’re right, He’ll let you know He understands, and if you’re wrong, the Holy Spirit will let you know. Either way, you’re not condemned. Think of Moses, David, Job, and so many others who’s situations weren’t what we would’ve expected. God allowing people be put in extreme circumstances. Dire circumstances.

I’ve questioned God. I’m ok with telling you that today. I’ve said “God I can’t understand………………………”, and sometimes His answer has been “that’s ok, you don’t have to, just trust me.”

This weekend it the drive-thru nativity at CGBC. http://www.chapelgrove.com/

Please come and see and remember that the baby was born in a smelly stable with farm animals. All Mary and Joseph asked for was a room and they were told “No.” Jesus asked “Father, if possible, please let this cup pass from me.” His answer “No.” But, remember what came of out those “Nos.”

Today if you feel like you’re going to implode from stress and grief and everything else, please don’t. If you need to deal with something, then deal with it. If you need to ask forgiveness, or change something, do it. Then let guilt go. It’s a waste.

See ya tonight. Me and Chloe are at the “Sermon on the Mt.” scene and Mark is at the ascension scene.

The Blind leading the Blind

visioncgbc | December 16, 2008 10:59

Sunday after church, Vision (after much discussion) decided that in lieu of a Christmas party, we’d just go to the Cracker Barrel and hang out, where we could enjoy quiet conversations. You know Cracker Barrel on a Sunday night, it’s not loud at ALL!!. Jimmy called and asked me if I’d mind taking him home. I told him I wouldn’t. Jimmy lives in Ranlo, which is very close to Cracker Barrel. So after church me, Jimmy and Mr. G headed off. Mr. G is Jimmy’s seeing-eye dog. Mark and Chloe went in the truck because it would’ve been too tough, all of us in the little Corolla. We had a fun night, and left at about 9:45. It was late, but not too bad. Jimmy and I headed to his house. His mom had assured me that as soon as I crossed into Ranlo, Jimmy could give me directions from there. Jimmy and I were talking, and I told him we were crossing into Ranlo. After a bit he said, “Now turn at the fire dept.” “OK.” We drove a long LONG LONG time, and I told him I thought maybe I’d missed it. I turned around, there was a place where you could turn left or go straight. He told me to go straight. After another too long stretch I told him I thought we were lost, and we were. The big problem-Jimmy is legally blind, Mr. G was asleep, I have no sense of direction, neither of us had our cell phones, and I didn’t have .35 to call anyone. These were back country roads that nobody was on. Nothing was open. It was after 10:00 at this point. I begin to become very frightened. Jimmy really couldn’t help me. At some point I see a sign that says we are in STANLEY! Now I am loosing it. Again, back roads and nothing is open. My choices are to drive to who knows where, and that’s what I did. Jimmy apologized over and over. I drive saying “Lord please help us. Lord please help me.” We then come to a sign saying Hickory Grove Rd. and Old Hickory Grove Rd. which is toward Charlotte!! How in the world?? I find a gas station that is open and run in. I almost kissed the greasy smelly ground. I felt like I’d been on Gilligan’s Island. The guy told me how to get to I-85 and then told me to go down seven exits, and what to do get back to the starting point of the nightmare. As we approached I told Jimmy that his mom and dad would have to meet me somewhere and take him home, because my nerves were simply too torn up. He lives alone-didn’t know that. So, which the help of The Almighty, I found the fire dept., got him home, and got me home at 11:15.

When the reality of my situation sunk in (somewhere at about 9:50) I became panic stricken. I felt alone. I have no sense of direction. When you are from a town with less than 1,000 people, that has no stop lights, you don’t need a sense of direction. I felt trapped. I felt imprisoned in my circumstance. But when I got help, I was going to use it.

You know I think about my life right now. This very moment. Panic stricken. Fearful. Imprisoned to my situation. Do you feel that way today?? Guys something about this is not right.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus Phillipians 4:7 John 10:10 (New International Version)

10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full

Why oh why oh why as a Christian am I living no differently than the world?? Why am I living as if I have no hope? As if things are in my control??

God,

Help us all to stop this. Help us to stop living in a pretend prison that you’ve died to free us from. Lord you know the needs. You care, no matter others may say to us. God we come before you, crying out as a nation who needs to repent. We confess that we have sought other gods. Please help us as we are forced to come to grips with the facts. God we trust your Word, and believe it, and as we confess it we have hope and assurance because it does not return void and you can not lie.

Thank you God,

Amen

My yoke is easy and my burden is light

visioncgbc | December 11, 2008 07:55

Last night I missed a funny event. I’ve told you Chloe sleepwalks. This usually happens when she’s on some kind of cold medicine. She took Mucinex last night so maybe that did it. Anyway, Mark said he went in her room at about 10:30 and she was up, making her bed and in the process of putting clothes on. He asked her what she was doing and said he got the blank stare that he and I have grown accustomed to when she’s sleepwalking. She thought it was morning, and was getting dressed for school. She did have some memory of it this morning.

I missed it ‘cause I took Holly B. home last night and that always means getting home far later than I should for a Wed. But we were catching up. She’s been sick-for THREE months!!! Last night when she sang in choir, you would never know it. Her voice is so awesome. (Lord forgive me for coveting that voice)

Last night in Vision I was all over the place with my lesson. See I’m teaching out of

Last night in Vision I was all over the place with my lesson. See I’m teaching out of It’s so good. But, when I feel like I get a message from the scripture, I have to share it too. But I think it all tied in.

I Samuel 17:38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
"I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off.

Are you like this today in your service?? Weighted down by what other’s feel is necessary armor?? Things you’re not used to that feel aqkward and may actually slow down your service.

I’m sure the people who heard David and what he planned to use to defeat Goliath thought “What an arrogant jerk. He’s about to get killed.” But he didn’t, did he?? He knew what he was supposed to do, and he knew that if he began layering himself with what earth-thinking people advised he would fail. So, he went against the grain. Wow, that’s tough, but it was so worth it.

So, if you’ve read Nehemiah you see that he also faced adversity and mocking and ridicule. He called out to God and trusted in Him, and God delivered.

What if David would’ve said “Oh. Well, I guess I need to keep all this on, even though I don’t know how to use it?” or “Well, I’m ashamed to say I’m not comfortable with this, so I’ll just try it this way and hope for the best?” What if Nehemiah would’ve said “We’re doomed. I mean we’ve given it our best shot. But roadblocks are here, so it must be God saying ‘it’s over.’?”

This is where I find myself today. Faced with roadblocks, heartache and struggle. Tempted to say “I’m tired. I can’t. It’s too hard.”

I don’t think Holly B. would mind me sharing this. Last night as we talked, she said “I can’t help it, I just feel like there is hope and things are about to get better.” Oh, she blessed my socks off when she said that.

If you are weighted down today by what you perceive as duty to God, then something’s not right. His word says that Matthew 11 25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Those were the words of Jesus, not my words. As I always say, I’m speaking to myself more than to you. It’s just that we are in a more crucial time than ever. Satan knows, God knows, and we must know.

Plant a seed today in the area that you need a harvest.

It’s so good. But, when I feel like I get a message from the scripture, I have to share it too. But I think it all tied in.

Are you like this today in your service?? Weighted down by what other’s feel is necessary armor?? Things you’re not used to that feel aqkward and may actually slow down your service.

So, if you’ve read Nehemiah you see that he also faced adversity and mocking and ridicule. He called out to God and trusted in Him, and God delivered.

This is where I find myself today. Faced with roadblocks, heartache and struggle. Tempted to say “I’m tired. I can’t. It’s too hard.”

Plant a seed today in the area that you need a harvest.

My belly hurts, I mean stomach

visioncgbc | November 14, 2008 10:29

Last night was great. It was sort of last minute and spontaneous, and needed. Sometimes as adults we really don’t see the forest of our friends for the trees of everyday lives. We went to the Southern Christmas Show. Holly had gotten some discounted tickets, and so 5 couples went. I love to go to this kinda stuff with Richard simply because he knows how to work the food samples so that he gets more. This is how it goes. He approaches. Someone says, “Would you like a sample of (whatever)?” “Na.” “Oh. You simply must try it.” “It looks good, but no thanks.” “Oh, please try it.” He then tastes it with a sort of doubtful look. “Man, that stuff is awesome!” as his plan is now in full force. Then he gets three times the normal sample. It’s so funny. Last night he actually walked away with a bag of chips that were being used for samples. How did he pull that off?? But it was so fun. Just a few hours away can do so much.

Ashley B. kept the kids. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Chloe ate before we went. I took three cookies, pretty big for them to snack on. When we got back Chloe said she had a blast. The cookies hadn’t been touched, so I brought hers home. This morning she woke up and as we were getting ready she said “my belly hurts.” If you know Chloe at all, you know her history of severe stomach problems, so I was concerned. I realized though that this was most likely a result of her eating dinner early, and probably just being hungry this morning. I told her to hurry up and get ready, and then she’d have plenty of time to eat. Things turned momentarily dramatic, and then she got ok. She said “I remember when I was in kindergarten. I used to be embarrassed to use the word belly because I knew that I should stay stomach.” What?? Do you understand how intellectual this child is? This speaks volumes to me about her.

The other night we had a gentleman at our church speaking to us truth about the lie of evolution. A lot of people may have thought “Not this again. I’ve heard all this before”, but I could tell Chloe was really into what he was saying, and after the program was over, she went to the table of fossils her brought and seemed very interested. The next day when I asked her what she thought of it, she said “It was awesome!” You see Chloe deals in fact. She’s an in-the-box thinker. So, this man breaking down lies that have been taught and are continuing to be taught in school in a factual way makes a huge impact on her thinking. For her, this kind of thing in needed. She’s over the top smart. For me, not so much. I just accept things (sometimes to my downfall) because sometimes things don’t register with me like they do with her.

Romans 1:2
The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God's Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! And I greet you now with all the generosity of God our Father and our Master Jesus, the Messiah.

Jesus was unique. The apostles were unique. A doctor. A fisherman. Why not all doctors or all fisherman?? Was a doctor better or more valuable than a fisherman? No. Just different, but very needed. See the mind of a doctor may have thinking patterns different than that of a fisherman. My thinking and your thinking and Chloe’s thinking are unique for the purpose of Christ. Your brain, your body, your being were created exactly how Christ wanted them.

Roger and I had a brief discussion Wed. night on the differences in people. I believe that

different people are to serve together united in Christ. We are made with a purpose and a plan. God never expects us to do anything or be anything that he hasn’t given us the ability to do. I told Roger the other night that I want to begin to live my life with the understanding that I am responsible for me. Period. If we would live with this truth our lives would change. It would bring so much freedom. You might say “Now wait, you are responsible for your kids.” That’s true. But my responsibility it to do what God tells me to do in the rearing of my children. Their choices are there own ultimately. I spend so much time feeling guilty, feeling worried, feeling responsibly if things don’t happen a certain way. I mean things I have no control over, other than prayer. Prayer is what we can do. But the control is that person’s, and they are under the control of God. Don’t waste your time, your energy, your health, your life worrying. Trust me. It doesn’t do anything, but cause gray hair, headaches and premature wrinkles.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Living_Proof_with_Beth_Moore/archives.asp?bcd=2008-10-27

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Living_Proof_with_Beth_Moore/archives.asp?bcd=2008-11-10

You don't get it

visioncgbc | November 12, 2008 12:18

Monday morning on the drive to school, Alec said to Chloe, “Has Blair ever been to your church?” (Alec rides to school with us, and Blair goes to school with them.) “No.” “Oh. She’s been coming to mine. You know she’s in my class.” “Duh Alec. I thought she was in the 5^th grade class.” (They’re in the 4^th) “No. She’s in the 4^th grade class at church because she’s in the 4^th grade class at school.” “Alec I know!!!! Don’t you get what I was doing?? Have you ever heard of sarcasm?” “Yes.” “Then what is it? “It’s when you say something you don’t really mean.” “You don’t get it Alec.” “Yes I do.” “No you don’t.” “Yes I do.” “No you don’t.” “Yes I do.” They got out and who know how long they went back and forth?

Proverbs 26:

18 Like a madman shooting
firebrands or deadly arrows

19 is a man who deceives his neighbor
and says, "I was only joking!"

Sarcasm for me is a first cousin of cynicism. The way it works is like this: you act like you’re joking about something when you truly aren’t, or you say something with the intent of humiliating someone or hurting them (the way they’ve hurt you) or you just down right play games with someone’s emotions. Vision is studying this very painful and very serious problem during out Sunday night meeting time. It’s so difficult to deal truthfully with this. Cynical and bitter people can not bear the Fruit of the Sprit. There’s just no way.

I talk all the time about how academically gifted Chloe is, and she is. She gets it from Mark, and I’d say both of her grandmothers. Now let me think, who does she get her sarcasm from?? You guessed it-me. This “I’m a tough-cookie” persona that I give off is so wrong, so not who I want to be. Why is it that I continue?

I listened to a wonderful sermon yesterday by Tony Evans. http://www.tonyevans.org/site/c.feIKLOOpGlF/b.4324909/

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014:22-33&version=9;

He talked about the impossible things in our life. The things that we can’t change, but want to change. He said that God doesn’t want us to change what we were never meant to change. He noted when the condition for the disciples changed. It was when Jesus got IN THE BOAT. When he was invited into their problem and need. Dr. Evans said that many of have been fighting the seas for years, trying to change something, and it just will not get better. He said because until we invite God in the boat, it won’t change. MMMM.

The gospel of John says it like this

John 6:16-21 (New American Standard Bible)

16Now when evening came, His ^(A)disciples went down to the sea,

17and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea ^(B)to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.

18The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.

19Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened.

20But He said to them, "It is I; ^(C)do not be afraid."

21So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Dr. Evans noted this verse-when they received Him, immediately they were on land…………Hello???

Are we trying to make the sea grow calm before we invite the master of the sea into the boat? That’s crazy. Let’s stop.

Does God Hate??

visioncgbc | November 07, 2008 08:04

I joke about this all the time, but I’m really not joking. You can mess with me, but don’t mess with my kids. If you mess with my kids, it’s on. See I love my kids-fiercely. I don’t want them hurt. I don’t want them sad, especially when it’s not there fault. I don’t want them doing without. I love them. I can’t help it. I don’t want to help it. Even when they are suffering a consequence of their own action, I still hurt for them. But, like I said, if YOU mess with them, and it’s not even there fault- watch out, momma’s coming. Someone could love me, or like me and maybe want to be my friend, but if you don’t like my kids, then I’m not going to have much use for you. Is that harsh?? I’m sorry. I’m not saying that you have to agree with my kids on everything, or be a “yes” man or woman to whatever goes on, but I’m saying I can tell when a person just seems to have something against any of my kids, and I am not ok with that.

Proverbs 6:16-20

16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

Do you understand this?? God is detested by someone who stirs up dissension among brothers. We as Christians need to realize that this problem all too often is within the family however. In my church, in your church, can you think of at least one story that you’ve heard or maybe been a part of that stirred dissension among the brethren? That’s right, we’re both laughing because we can think of about 500 probably.

When I read verse 19b the other day, it was really a moment when I had to come to terms on a personal level with the times I’ve participated in this. As I struggle in life, I truly do want God to tell me when things are my own fault. I read these six things God hates, and seven detestable, and thought “Am I doing any of this???” The answer wasn’t what it should have been.

Think about this-Do you want to be involved in anything the LORD hates??? Can we truly pray for God to dump blessings in our lap, and yet continue in what He is opposed to?