Ok - that title sounds like it's time for a lesson or something! Nope! Just me thinking about Him. I am beginning to read "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan and one thing he challenges readers to do is stop and think about how and when the Holy Spirit works in your life around you.
I'm a bit troubled by this. As I wrote a couple of blogs ago, there are so MANY things I see His Hand in, I can only name a few! I could never name them all! But I've got one for you right now that the smell keeps at the front of my thinking: the new carpet in the church.
Most of the tenants in this strip mall will tell you that, like any property management company, they don't always get all that they would like when it comes to upkeep and improvements. When we moved-in, we expected that, but just one mention of cleaning the carpets and it was announced that they would be replaced! Wow! We were hoping to be able to pick out the color of the carpet, but we were told grey had already been chosen and ordered. This didn't quite 'go' with our color scheme for the paint and such, so we adjusted our color scheme from brown to deep grey to coordinate. Every time I tried to use the grey, though, the Holy Spirit led me down a different path - never allowed me peace on using the grey. Then, low and behold, today I walk in to see BROWN carpet on the floor! That's right - brown! Now we can move forward with our original color scheme! Woo Hoo! And thank you to the Holy Spirit for leading us away from buying or using the grey before now!
I know it seems like such a little thing, but when I think about how active the Holy Spirit was to get this turn of events to all happen, I just have to give Him all the glory and the credit. He brought about the desires of our hearts through something as simple as the carpet color!
I pray that you, too, will find your place within the heart of the Holy Spirit where you will find, not only peace, but the deepest desires of your heart.
From the canopy,
Jill
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Cool Idea to Share
There aren't very many people who read my blog posts, yet, but someday I hope there are. In the meantime, those who DO read may benefit a bit from my walk with God.
I had an interesting thing happen today and really enjoyed it! It is my day off, but it is also a snow day, so the idea of 'alone' or 'quiet' were long gone! BUT - I was chillin' on Facebook when my cousin, who is a Children's Pastor, posted that he was doing a web-conference thing from David C. Cook ministries. Cool. I had never done one, so I hooked into the site and started watching.
As a Children's Director, I was excited to see that it was about Family Ministry - and all about taking the responsibility of spiritual growth away from the church and back to the parents - and how the church can be the support system - AWESOME!!!
But the best idea I came away with that can easily be shared was this - a prayer wall. But not just a prayer wall - an interactive one. People are invited to write their prayers on the wall (I picture post-it notes), but the most exciting part is that OTHER people sign the prayers when they pray for them -how cool is that?!?! So there you are - you put up a prayer, then come back another day to see someone has written, "I prayed for you today. Love, Sherry" Maybe there are even several signatures or messages...
I think what appeals to me the most about this is the connection aspect. So often we hear, "I will pray for you" but how often are those prayers actually lifted up? How often have I even done this myself?! (I'm better lately, but I can remember a time when I wasn't very good about it...) What a comfort it would be to see that message on my prayer.
When I go to work tomorrow, I believe I will start a prayer wall. I want to incorporate this into my ministry - maybe into the church as a whole as well! How awesome it would be to have a 'wall' that looked like stones or something that we put prayers on - ah, the dreams....
Enjoy your own time with God above the canopy!
I had an interesting thing happen today and really enjoyed it! It is my day off, but it is also a snow day, so the idea of 'alone' or 'quiet' were long gone! BUT - I was chillin' on Facebook when my cousin, who is a Children's Pastor, posted that he was doing a web-conference thing from David C. Cook ministries. Cool. I had never done one, so I hooked into the site and started watching.
As a Children's Director, I was excited to see that it was about Family Ministry - and all about taking the responsibility of spiritual growth away from the church and back to the parents - and how the church can be the support system - AWESOME!!!
But the best idea I came away with that can easily be shared was this - a prayer wall. But not just a prayer wall - an interactive one. People are invited to write their prayers on the wall (I picture post-it notes), but the most exciting part is that OTHER people sign the prayers when they pray for them -how cool is that?!?! So there you are - you put up a prayer, then come back another day to see someone has written, "I prayed for you today. Love, Sherry" Maybe there are even several signatures or messages...
I think what appeals to me the most about this is the connection aspect. So often we hear, "I will pray for you" but how often are those prayers actually lifted up? How often have I even done this myself?! (I'm better lately, but I can remember a time when I wasn't very good about it...) What a comfort it would be to see that message on my prayer.
When I go to work tomorrow, I believe I will start a prayer wall. I want to incorporate this into my ministry - maybe into the church as a whole as well! How awesome it would be to have a 'wall' that looked like stones or something that we put prayers on - ah, the dreams....
Enjoy your own time with God above the canopy!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Wonderful Noise
I am sitting in the family room fighting to hear the TV over all the noise in the house - wonderful noise - beautiful noise - blessed noise! Samantha had a friend spend the night AND Beth had a friend spend the night. Believe it or not, the four of them are playing together SO well! Originally, Samantha and her friend we going to sleep in the family room and Beth and her friend would have the bedroom, but they ended up all four in the bedroom together and have been inseparable all morning too! What a joy!
Then there is Jacob - right now he has two-that's right, TWO- friends in his room! Of course, he is grounded from all things electronic until he finally unpacks his room and puts all the junk away, but they are here and they are helping him pick up (sort of). They are noisy, they are obnoxious, and I am loving it all!
The laundry is running, the dishwasher is running, the kids are all playing, and I am sitting here just smiling all the way to my heart. Thank you, God, for Your leadership and guidance - we wouldn't be here but for following You!
(Oh, and while I write this, the older girls went on a bike ride to a friend's house and now are on their way to the gas station for snacks - LOVE IT!)
Basking in His Glory and the Wonderful Noise!
Jill
Then there is Jacob - right now he has two-that's right, TWO- friends in his room! Of course, he is grounded from all things electronic until he finally unpacks his room and puts all the junk away, but they are here and they are helping him pick up (sort of). They are noisy, they are obnoxious, and I am loving it all!
The laundry is running, the dishwasher is running, the kids are all playing, and I am sitting here just smiling all the way to my heart. Thank you, God, for Your leadership and guidance - we wouldn't be here but for following You!
(Oh, and while I write this, the older girls went on a bike ride to a friend's house and now are on their way to the gas station for snacks - LOVE IT!)
Basking in His Glory and the Wonderful Noise!
Jill
Sunday, January 9, 2011
In the Beginning
It has been an amazing few weeks - giving definite confirmation that God is behind RFamily and leading the way!
Let me take you back to June last year when we first came to Republic to pray over God's leading. During our visit, God led us to an empty storefront on the north end of town and clearly led us to housing on the north end. When final decisions had been made, Jeff made another trip down with new eyes. The empty site had been rented, which was a disappointment, but we both knew God was in control. Sure enough - as we searched, visited, and prayed over sites, we kept returning to that original storefront. Then one day last week Jeff noticed that the current renter was moving out and made the important phone call - sure enough - it was available. We knew it was a gift from God so we jumped on it! Last Wednesday evening we began moving in. Then the REAL whirlwind began!
When we moved-in, I noticed that the next-door business had a dog grooming as a side, so I went to check it out and met a great lady who owns the place - she has been awesome about encouraging us and has introduced us to several potential people we can help and reach! So through her we have added 8 new contacts into our database - with more to come as we get contact information!
THEN - we went looking for office panels - you know the ones... the cubicle walls. Jeff thought he had a lead, but it fell through, so we went searching again and found SUCH a deal! A used place had a lot of older walls they wanted to get rid of, so we grabbed it! $100 for what ended up being 34 panels! Quite a deal considering that most used panels are running around that much just for ONE!
Oh - and I forgot the deal of 4 matching chairs (just need some paint on wood to match colors) for just $20!
Then we went to Lowe's to buy paint and were able to purchase upper-grade premium paint for the cost of the lower-grade paint! Because it is so deep in color, it is taking 2 coats, but I can't even imagine how many coats the other paint would have taken!!!
Then today, when we went to church at a sister church in Springfield, the people were so absolutely welcoming! The leadership team of the church had been informed that we were coming, so it was much easier than it could have been. Many people seem to believe that their members who live in Republic will switch, but we tried to make it very clear that we weren't going to try or expect that. We also got the name of a family (from the grandma) to pursue LOL AND the youth team is expecting us on Wednesday nights - they want to 'be' our youth group while we get going.
I am just so overwhelmed by the blessings God is sending our way - I feel so absolutely wonderful and special to be able to be a part of His plans!
Please continue to pray for us - the hard work is just getting going. We will haul the kids up to Springfield for Youth and Kids groups on Wednesday night and we will begin our Family Groups this Sunday night. Here we go! Time to hang on for the ride!
Let me take you back to June last year when we first came to Republic to pray over God's leading. During our visit, God led us to an empty storefront on the north end of town and clearly led us to housing on the north end. When final decisions had been made, Jeff made another trip down with new eyes. The empty site had been rented, which was a disappointment, but we both knew God was in control. Sure enough - as we searched, visited, and prayed over sites, we kept returning to that original storefront. Then one day last week Jeff noticed that the current renter was moving out and made the important phone call - sure enough - it was available. We knew it was a gift from God so we jumped on it! Last Wednesday evening we began moving in. Then the REAL whirlwind began!
When we moved-in, I noticed that the next-door business had a dog grooming as a side, so I went to check it out and met a great lady who owns the place - she has been awesome about encouraging us and has introduced us to several potential people we can help and reach! So through her we have added 8 new contacts into our database - with more to come as we get contact information!
THEN - we went looking for office panels - you know the ones... the cubicle walls. Jeff thought he had a lead, but it fell through, so we went searching again and found SUCH a deal! A used place had a lot of older walls they wanted to get rid of, so we grabbed it! $100 for what ended up being 34 panels! Quite a deal considering that most used panels are running around that much just for ONE!
Oh - and I forgot the deal of 4 matching chairs (just need some paint on wood to match colors) for just $20!
Then we went to Lowe's to buy paint and were able to purchase upper-grade premium paint for the cost of the lower-grade paint! Because it is so deep in color, it is taking 2 coats, but I can't even imagine how many coats the other paint would have taken!!!
Then today, when we went to church at a sister church in Springfield, the people were so absolutely welcoming! The leadership team of the church had been informed that we were coming, so it was much easier than it could have been. Many people seem to believe that their members who live in Republic will switch, but we tried to make it very clear that we weren't going to try or expect that. We also got the name of a family (from the grandma) to pursue LOL AND the youth team is expecting us on Wednesday nights - they want to 'be' our youth group while we get going.
I am just so overwhelmed by the blessings God is sending our way - I feel so absolutely wonderful and special to be able to be a part of His plans!
Please continue to pray for us - the hard work is just getting going. We will haul the kids up to Springfield for Youth and Kids groups on Wednesday night and we will begin our Family Groups this Sunday night. Here we go! Time to hang on for the ride!
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