Days of Sacrifice "Recap"

I'm back... our church is nearing the end of our annual 21 day fast and wow! It is amazing the ways God speaks when we set ourselves apart to hear Him. I know you aren't supposed to talk about your sacrifice but since this is a corporate effort, I just wanted to share what I feel He has been speaking to me personally. This year has been so different from last year for me. In some ways, easier... but different. Right smack dab in the middle of this 21 days this is what I felt like He was speaking to me personally...

"Don't question my methods. Don't be condemned by your schedule. I speak to individuals in different ways. Each of my children are different and respond differently to discipline and methods of speaking... no different than your own children do. I speak to you in many ways but you hear me best in ways that fit your personality/make-up. Just be aware that you can hear me at any time.

Your time of sacrifice is easier this year because you broke through last time and have lived a more sacrificed year as a result of that (I hadn't even really noticed, by the way). Each level in Me will bring greater sacrifice but you will hardly notice if you make the journey at the pace I've set before you.

I want all of you... all you have to offer... like Abraham with Isaac. I won't necessarily require it of you but you must be willing to give it all if I do. What do you hold so dearly that you wouldn't completely surrender to me... lose... if I asked it of you?

Seek to gain my perspective and you won't worry about your "vested interest" because My will becomes your will and heart's desire.

Great is the reward for those who fully give themselves away... lose their lives for the sake of My Kingdom. I pay in great dividends so why not go the extra mile with your time and resources for my hurting world/hurting and wounded body of believers?

In Philippians 4:18 Paul speaks to the church about how they sent him contributions for his needs not only once but twice. He refers to this supply as the fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights. Verse 19 in the Amplified says "My God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in Christ Jesus."

As we "give away" what He trusts us with... our time, money, LOVE... He accepts this as a pleasing sacrifice and supplies all we need!

Rainy Birthday Party

The day started with tears from Cam because of the unseasonably rainy, frigid day we had yesterday. When I woke him up for school the first words out of his mouth were, "check the weather"... from there our morning went downhill. Oh, the drama! We had planned to have his birthday party at a facility with lots of fun "outdoor" activities. We finally convinced him that it wouldn't be the end of the world. It turned out quite nicely. No, we didn't get to do the outside stuff, but family, friends, cake, arcades... that made for a fun evening after all!

He is our little "leprechaun" (St. Patty's Day)...thus all the green charm... :)

Happy early Birthday, Cameroonie! We love you!

February Connect Meeting

For the record... let me just say that my camera is possessed! We had a wonderful turn-out for our February Connect Meeting at our house. We had 27 in all! I was so excited and took tons of great pictures. After everyone left I decided to go ahead & upload them to my computer... only to find out that I only had a few pictures! GRRRRR... I promise they were there earlier!

Anyhoo... here are a few pictures from that night...

Newlyweds... Robert & Jessica

Jared & Amanda (& baby on the way...yay!)

Jaime & Reena

Marcy & Delane

Rebecca & Steven


Samantha & her cute kiddo's

Jimmy brought his guitar & taught Cam to play "How He Loves"... made his day! We did some acoustic praise & worship... great night! Lots of good food, fun, fellowship & worship... so glad to have such wonderful people in our home!

Mindset

We can't let our minds get bogged down with circumstances. When our only focus is on our surroundings, our vision gets smaller. We need a Joseph mindset... always seeing His greater purpose--for His purpose is always at work in our lives.

Reflecting...

I've been on a little break from blogging... been a crazy week! My sweetie & I went on a trip to Destin, FL. It was so incredible to get away with the love of my life... I'm just reminded of how thankful I am for such an incredible husband. He is the kindest person I know. You never question his motives. He genuinely cares for people. He's the guy that always holds the door for old ladies, mothers with small children, oh wait... he holds the door for EVERYONE! He tries to smile at everyone he passes... just reflecting on all the good things that I love about him... isn't that what we should do anyway? No, he's not perfect... just try giving him cold fries... he will stand up for what he believes in and he does believe in getting HOT fries! :) Isn't that an old country song... something like "he's close enough to perfect for me"... that's how I feel.

His motivation for gaining more is so we can give to others... and for that, I love him all the more! Thank you, God for sending my soulmate... though I didn't recognize him at first. You knew that I would need him to be strong when I was weak, kind when I was frazzled, calm when I was spazzing out and to love me in spite of myself. You knew that there would be tearful days as we try to figure out how to raise a teenager in today's crazy world. There is no one I would rather figure all this out with. Sigh...

Serving

Lately I have really felt Him saying... "I am ready to bless all that you surrender to Me. It's in the 'surrender' that my perfect will is accomplished. When you recognize that all is 'Mine' and not yours, then I can work through that particular area... whether it's finances, ministry, giftings or even meetings--let me be Lord of ALL of it!"

I was reading in Luke 10 about Mary & Martha. Martha (though doing a good work & necessary things of serving) was (quoting from the Amplified) "overly occupied and too busy... was distracted with much serving." Mary chose "the good portion (that which is to her advantage) which shall not be taken away from her." ...sitting at His feet. Let us not lose sight of the most important thing. Serving people is necessary when doing Kingdom business, but getting bogged down in the "mechanics" of it can cause us to lose sight of the real purpose... fellowship with HIM... bringing others on this journey with us!

This really spoke to me when getting ready for our Connect meeting at our house this past Thursday night. There's so much to be done... getting food ready,etc. I had to really back up and remember that serving HIM to others is so much more important than any of the other aspects of meeting. We had a wonderful turnout, by the way, and He definitely showed up!