"If anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in". Revelation 3:20
On Wed, July 27, during devotions this particular one just "stuck" with me. All about the choices we make in life and how important just one particular one is.
Max Lucado writes" Ever wonder why there were two crossed next to Christ?" Or why Jesus was in the center? Those two crosses symbolize one of Gods greatest gifts-the gift of CHOICE. The two criminals have much in common;convicted by the same system, condemned to the same death,surrounded by the same crows, and equally close to the same Christ. In fact, they began with the same sarcasm;the two criminals each said cruel things to Jesus. But one changed. He said "Jesus,remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I will tell the truth, today you will be with me in paradise". Luke 23;42-43
While we rejoice at the thief who changed, we dare not forget the one who didn't. There are times when God sends thunder to stir us. There are times when God sends blessings to lure us. But there are times when God sends nothing but silence, as he honors us with the freedom to choose where we spend eternity. We have never been given a greater privilege that that of choice. think about the thief who repented. Though we know little about him, we know this: in the end, all his bad choices were redeemed by a solitary good choice. He choose CHRIST! :)
No matter how many bad choices you or I have made in the past, we can be redeemed by one good choice-the choice to give your life to Christ and follow Him. If you make the choice, you'll never regret it!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Does everybody Kung Fu fight?
Emma and Kate after watching "Kung Fu Panda". They took Daddy to see the movie on Fathers Day. We had a ton of fun, and still can't get the song out of our heads.
Soccer!
Through the Perrysburg recreation program, Emma was able to start soccer! How sweet and fun to watch a bunch of 4&5 year olds learn the game!
Friends!
While the Daddy's were playing xbox, Dave set up a movie for the girls and their buddies to watch. Here they are enjoying it together! Priceless!
VBS!
Lord, thank you for VBS! A whole week from 9:30am-12pm!!!! Whodathunkit!? I seriously was considering looking for one for every week of the summer! J/k! Both girls were able to go this year and they enjoyed it! As did I! I didn't know what to do with myself every day but amazingly enough, I found plenty to do!
Learning!
Through devotions God has poured out such amazing revelations for me! Just like many people, God has done amazing things in our life. He also has allowed us to go through valleys. We've been so thankful to Him for these challenges because we grow through it. IF you're willing to listen, you'll be willing to see yourself and change. Some people don't and they miss out! You need to ask yourself....if your not facing a challenge or something for you to depend on God-are you following Him? Are you just idling by? It is hard at times, but He is so faithful. Learning to give up control and allow Him to move is refreshing. The truth is freeing. In times of trouble, it's hard to not just go to the person or issue and just make "amends" or have them see your point of view. I've always done this in the past. Because I want peace with everyone. BUT...God tells us to wait upon Him. He needs to prepare hearts. You need time,maturing and equipping, so that the word you've received can take root and be fulfilled in the way God wants! Look at Paul! He didn't just go out and tell everyone when God appointed him. He waited...and it took 3 years before he went and started his ministry. An effective ministry I might add! He needed time for God to work in him and prepare him for his journey.
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the Revelation awaits an appointed time."
Dave and I left our "home" church awhile back. We felt like we were being pulled in a new direction so we thought that it would be best to follow God...and not man. We didn't leave on bad terms, nor did we leave because we didn't believe the doctrine or because it was bad.
We began a search of where our next church home would be, and had the excitement of where God would lead us. Even if we were just meant to go back to the church we left. It was really hard. There are so many churches out there.
Where we ended up...Cedar Creek, has certainly raised some eyebrows. At this time in our lives, we are ok with being "lost in a crowd". Which has been a staple answer for us b/c of the reactions we have gotten! It feels good to go to church and just seek Him, not worry where to sit, what friends we can seek out in a crowd, just GO to church and listen about God without distraction.
But for some reason, it offends others. This last time when we were asked "where are you going now?", we replied and the reaction...same as the other 100 times has been "oh...cedar creek" with disappointed faces and a reaction that it's not a "real" church or legitimate.
I love how as christians we have a preconceived notion of how a church is or anything for that matter without even going there. Why does it bother you? Is it because the church has exponential growth? Is it because they have a media representation that is phenomenal? Is it because the worship is different from yours? Is it because when the pastor speaks he does so in a way that is in your face and doesn't mix the truth? Not worried about offending others? really, I'd like to know...because as Christians...we shouldn't be so concerned with where our fellow believers are going as long as they're being fed and doing the will of the Lord. We should be concerned with the non-believers of this world and get them to places where they are going to learn and grow in Him. Instead, we judge other christians, we judge non believers, we judge judge judge!!!!! So let's stop looking down our own noses at others and focus on what Christ has us to do. This life is short, we have on objective....get as many people to follow Him as possible. What are you doing about that? I ask myself the same question...because we each individually will stand before Him one day. I would like to hear "well done my good and faithful servant". Whoa-what a glorious day that will be!!!!!
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the Revelation awaits an appointed time."
Dave and I left our "home" church awhile back. We felt like we were being pulled in a new direction so we thought that it would be best to follow God...and not man. We didn't leave on bad terms, nor did we leave because we didn't believe the doctrine or because it was bad.
We began a search of where our next church home would be, and had the excitement of where God would lead us. Even if we were just meant to go back to the church we left. It was really hard. There are so many churches out there.
Where we ended up...Cedar Creek, has certainly raised some eyebrows. At this time in our lives, we are ok with being "lost in a crowd". Which has been a staple answer for us b/c of the reactions we have gotten! It feels good to go to church and just seek Him, not worry where to sit, what friends we can seek out in a crowd, just GO to church and listen about God without distraction.
But for some reason, it offends others. This last time when we were asked "where are you going now?", we replied and the reaction...same as the other 100 times has been "oh...cedar creek" with disappointed faces and a reaction that it's not a "real" church or legitimate.
I love how as christians we have a preconceived notion of how a church is or anything for that matter without even going there. Why does it bother you? Is it because the church has exponential growth? Is it because they have a media representation that is phenomenal? Is it because the worship is different from yours? Is it because when the pastor speaks he does so in a way that is in your face and doesn't mix the truth? Not worried about offending others? really, I'd like to know...because as Christians...we shouldn't be so concerned with where our fellow believers are going as long as they're being fed and doing the will of the Lord. We should be concerned with the non-believers of this world and get them to places where they are going to learn and grow in Him. Instead, we judge other christians, we judge non believers, we judge judge judge!!!!! So let's stop looking down our own noses at others and focus on what Christ has us to do. This life is short, we have on objective....get as many people to follow Him as possible. What are you doing about that? I ask myself the same question...because we each individually will stand before Him one day. I would like to hear "well done my good and faithful servant". Whoa-what a glorious day that will be!!!!!
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