Thursday, December 17, 2009

Being Calebs!!!

The LORD said to Moses, "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders." So at the LORD's command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites. These are their names:

from the tribe of Robbe, Sarah;

from the tribe of Dylewski, Dawna;

from the tribe of Beckett, Robert;

from the tribe of Dumont, Stephanie;

from the tribe of Milligan, Ruth;

from the tribe of Billingsley, Beckey;

from the tribe of Hutchinson, Zach;

from the tribe of Edgecomb, Cody;

from the tribe of Dylewski, Todd;

from the tribe of Milligan, Devin;

from the tribe of Billingsley, Kayla;

from the tribe of Urie, Robert.

They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

This new year is about taking possession of what God has being showing us. It's about not coming back with what cannot be done, but what God has promised and that we are able through Christ to accomplish it!! If we get stuck in just seeing it, we will easily find excuse to never move into the place of promise....and neither will the congregation we're called to lead. We have a choice to be Calebs of this generation. Let us take on all His promises!!!!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

A Strong Feeling

Life's weird, is it not? We feel like we're doing things for God when truly we're doing things to gratify ourselves. It's STUPID. We're aloud to take anything that holds us back from God and lay it at the cross and it will be taken care of. It's as simple as that. Jesus said it many times, it is your faith that has healed you. "I seek you with all of my heart, do not let me stray from your commands, I hide your word in my heart that I might not sin against you... I will not neglect your word." That is a prayer for help. We all have things that we must chuck out, and it takes time to get rid of them but we need to remain faithful. They may tare us apart but God will deliver. He promised. I myself am trying to remain strong and fighting an endless battle. God's put on my heart that there is suffering amongst the people that must be shaken loose and opened up to someone and it is my calling to work with these people; i must help them become at rest and show them how God can relieve their suffering. There is so much that has corrupted this place in which we live. This is a more serious problem than has been noted and I cannot let it grow as it has been. Pray that I may completely claim and keep the victory in my ongoing battle and that God will soften the hearts of men, that He will help this ministry grow.

On another note, why do people assume that it's okay to engorge food, abuse soda and energy drinks to a point where it harms your body and be against smoking and drinking? Your body's a temple. Just wondering what you think.

God bless!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Totally off subject!

I was driving around (because that's what I do) and I saw a church. You could tell it was a church that was in use and has a congregation, but there were weeds everywhere and it looked in need of work. And then I felt God impress upon me, "Some people go to church while others ARE the church."

He reminded me how important it is to thank all those that we might take for granted (without malice of course). Those that faithfully serve in the smallest capacity. We get a lot of praise because of where we are positioned, but with out Kurt what would the first impression of our church be? With out Mike and Deb, what would our before service atmosphere be? With out Wanda, what would our bathrooms look like?

Give encouragement this week to the less seen because they are doing the heavy lifting that makes what we do possible!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Horses of Fire

2 Kings 6:15-17 (New International Version)

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

     God's army is ready and all around us. Spiritual warfare is here and we must pray to receive discernment. We must stand with our Pastor and God's vision he's received. We are so good at "DOING" our thing. When is the last time you asked the Pastor, "Oh, my Pastor, what shall we do?" To stand in your God prepared place is to know your Pastors God prepared vision. Then we will see!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Not Alone... I will always love you

Last night Kayla, Stephanie and I had a time of worship at the apartment in Grand Ledge. During one of the songs that Steph was playing, God gave me the following words to sing out. It is a simple melody and even more simple words. But sometimes people just need to hear this simple message. God is bringing breakthrough to some people, but before they will let go - they need to know that they are not alone.


Not Alone (I Will Always Love You)

Do not fear

He is here
Wrapping his loving arms around you

Do not fear
He is here
Wrapping his loving arms around you

He loves you
More than words can say
He loves you
More than words can say

Do not fear
He is here
Wrapping his loving arms around you

and he whispers
gently whispers

Do not fear
I am here
Wrapping my loving arms around you

Do not fear
I am here
Wrapping my loving arms around you

I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you

Do not fear
I am here
Wrapping my loving arms around you

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Strenth to the powerless....

I can definitely relate to Dallas' post below... this week has been a week of attacks on time, energy, emotions... etc. etc. etc... Areas where i didn't even think possible to attack - they've been attacked! But this morning, my verse of the day from Air1.com hit me right where i needed it to. I have felt so tired and worn down this week. Feeling like i have no strength left in me to keep moving. I haven't wanted to be at work... and everyday it has been worse!!! Then God gently (and by gently... i mean he hit me over the head with a 2x4!) reminded me that my attitude toward what I am doing is decided by me alone. My coworkers cannot control my attitude. My boss cannot control my attitude. Only I can control it. So - today I have made it my goal to really really press in and get past my "self pity" of being tired and worn down... and see what God's plans are today. I may feel like I am weak, but Isaiah says it perfectly...

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. "

Isaiah 40:29, NLT

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I just came upon a discovery. Every morning since my previous post my feet have hit the ground running. Satan is so good at what he does. My times of solace in the morning have been littered with people, problems, and nuisances this week. My days have been planned from beginning to end and the busy-ness of life has resumed. A stark contrast to last week where work and church was quiet. Last week was a different world... I felt different. It seemed that something poetic could have fallen out of my mouth at any time. My eyes were set upon the goal. This week the only thing that wants to drip from my lips are swear words and the only place my eyes want to focus are the insides of my eyelids! This time of rest thing frustrates me because there are often times I feel as if I can not choose to be still. Much of the time it feels the times I could be "resting" I am doing "church" things. God showed me today that I have to find time to rest in Him... simply for survival. When we become busy we leave Him out. When we leave Him out our minds get busy on the things it shouldn't. Temptations that are typically easy to overcome are mountainous and temptations that are often are biggest struggles become defeating. The war rages on. Today, I am setting aside time to listen to God, and to rely on His strength even in the busy-ness of this day. I will not be defeated.