Wednesday, August 26, 2009

WFW - Lesson learned by the shores of Gitchee Gumee

A while back I won the "Stepping Up" Bible Study at Chrysalis. While doing that study Beth Moore used as a reference the book "A long obedience in the same direction" by Eugene Peterson. I decided to bring it up to the UP with me and read from a chapter a day.

On one particular day I read Psalm 122:

When they said, "Let's go to the house of God," my heart leaped for joy.
And now we're here, O Jerusalem,
inside Jerusalem's walls!

Jerusalem, well-built city,
built as a place for worship!
The city to which the tribes ascend,
all God's tribes go up to worship,
To give thanks to the name of God
this is what it means to be Isr ael.
Thrones for righteous judgment
are set there, famous David-thrones.

Pray for Jerusalem's peace!
Prosperity to all you Jerusalem-lovers!
Friendly insiders, get along!
Hostile outsiders, keep your distance!
For the sake of my family and friends,
I say it again: live in peace!
For the sake of the house of our God, God,
I'll do my very best for you.
(The Message)

While reading this a thought came to mind, "Is the church today what Christ envisioned, or even what the Apostle Paul envisioned? Have what we have made of church taken away from the reason we come together in the first place? I say "No" to the first question, and "Yes" to the second. Why?

In this Psalms the Israelites are singing after entering the Holy city of Jerusalem. They are there to worship their Creator and King as a collective body of His children. They are there for Him! It thrilled their heart to be there! They desired to be in the presence of the Almighty One, and for them this was the place to be near him.

We go to church on Sunday to do the same thing. At least that is the way it should be. We come together with fellow believers to wors hip our Creator, the Almighty One, our Abba Father! It is not for us! It is and should be all about Him! We have made it so much about what music is playing, what types of programs do they have, who goes there, liking the Pastor, the list goes on and on! We need to look at and consider our reasons for being together under one roof - IT IS FOR GOD! Nothing else matters!

So many churches get so wrapped up in the managing of the church that the reason we gather together is lost. In the denomination that I attend we have something called the BCO or book of church order. I'm sure most if not all of your denominations have something like this. This is the book the leadership goes to whe n a decision has to be made. To me it's like a law book of precedents. There were issues in the past and the governing body needed to take care of things, probably where 2 people did not agree, so they make a decision and put it down in the BCO. Now don't get me wrong, if it is biblically sound I have no problem with the book of church order, but where my problem comes in is where the rule does not have biblical merit. Like say for example we have a congregational meeting every year. At the current meeting we have to approve the minutes of the last years meeting (the lasts years)! Is that biblical? Isn't it just silly the amount of work that needs to be done to run a church!

What God wants when we come together is our WORSHIP, our hearts locked unto Him! Seeing who he is and seeing who we are, and that He loves us anyway! Oh what a joy it is to be in His presence with my fellow family members at Lighthouse! My heart does indeed leap for joy when I get to attend a service!

I am joining with others over at Forever His in sharing God's word today. Go check them out!

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Some pics of the family from God's Country

The kids in the Taquamennon River

Me and my sweetie on Drummond Island



Bekah at Drummond Island



The boys kayaking in the St. Mary's River. This is where ships enter the Soo Locks.


Bekah waiting for the boys to get back



My almost 13 year old!

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Word Filled Wednesday






Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Come see other beautiful pictures and wonderful words over at 160 Acre Woods

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Did I hender God's work?

Edit note: I just wanted to let you all know of something that has happened with this situation. After the e-mail I received and responded to, I decided I wanted to meet with this person and apologize in person. We e-mailed back and forth and decided to meet last night. While on vacation I prayed about this situation and what God would have me do and say. Well needless to say I was a little nervous. I have never been good in situations like this. I am an avoider, but that is not what God wants any of us to be, so a new layer is torn away. It was a good meeting. We were both honest with each other. She asked me afterward what I expected. I told her nothing I just wanted to apologize, and have her know my heart and I wanted to know hers. I told her I never want to hinder God's work, and if I did I truly am sorry for that. He is who I love! He is who I serve! I realized through this meeting and a little before that I am slowly getting rid of my people pleasing personality and looking only to the One who I truly want to please! Again thanks for your prayers and for letting me sound off here!

I had a situation happen today that I feel I just have to write about as part of God and I processing it. I will not go into great detail about the situation, but will explain a little of the it with my many thoughts.

A while ago I had someone approach me about serving in Children's Ministries. This person was very new to the church and the opportunity they spoke to me about is a leadership role. I had concerns for varied reasons, but said that I will contact her to hear more of her testimony. We had a little contact, but I never sat up the meeting. I still had doubts, and without going into further detail that kept me from pursuing any further conversation quickly. I thought of her often, but never called or e-mailed. I was at one of these walls I get to and do nothing with.

So today I get an e-mail from her stating how disappointed she was with how I handled things. She has noticed my requests for help in Children's Ministries, but it this is how I handle things, she sees why that is. She no longer wants to help there. She did say that it has not made her want to leave the church, which I am glad for. I would hate that my inability to handle the situation properly would bring her to that end. I am thankful she is still worshiping with us.

Here is one of the things she said "It was in the bulletin for at least 4 weeks. During this 4 week, I felt a tug on my heart to volunteer for this position. I prayed about it continually for those 4 week, and then I finally said OK God I think I hear what you are asking."

So I am left with the question: Even though things didn't seem like they fit to me because she was so new to the church, because I didn't know her faith walk, because I (and this is a big one) didn't trust the situation, did I hinder the work of God? I don't know! I may never know, but God and I will be dealing with this and I will be confessing alot to Him and asking for forgiveness. I have already asked for her forgiveness. I don't know if it will be accepted or change anything. She may think it's just words too. I feel bad that I allowed this to happen and there's nothing I can do about it now, other then pray, and seek God's wisdom, not my own.

These things I do know:

  • I did not do this maliciously.
  • I truly want God's person in this spot
  • I don't want to hinder God's work at Lighthouse or anywhere else for that matter
  • I truly am sorry that it got to this point
I just needed to get it off my chest. Now God and I can deal with it.

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Sunday, August 16, 2009

Praise and Coffee - Allendale!

September 1st, 2009

7:00-9:00 PM

Stonebridge Apartment Community Room

11265 Washington

Allendale, MI

Ladies we will be meeting again to drink some coffee, eat delicious desserts, but mostly to worship our Creator, King and Heavenly Father!

This night will center on coming before the throne of Grace. Seeking God's face! Coming before the Mercy seat! I have heard this verse so much lately I need to put it in this description:
2 Chronicles 7: 14-15
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

I so hope you can join us! If you are unable to come I covet your prayers as we gather together before our Father!

Please let me know you are are able to attend either here by comment, e-mail or on facebook.





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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Come Away and Rest Awhile.....

Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Tomorrow morning, hopefully bright and early, we will be heading to the UP! We'll Cross this

Hope to see some of these

Watch alot of these

Hopefully see one of theseBut mostly to spend some time alone, with

MY HEAVENLY FATHER!

See you when I return!

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