Thursday, February 26, 2009

Another family needs our prayers

I received this in my email:


Please keep the Sultze Family in your prayers.

Alyssa was 21 weeks pregnant and had some major complications which
ended up with their baby being delivered last night. Their baby girl went to
be with the Lord last night.



Pray for this family as they seek the comfort of the Lord knowing they will
someday meet their child and their sweet little girl is safe in the arms of our
Heavenly Father.

Question of the Week #8


Sorry I'm late on this again, I've been really sick to my stomach all week. Please keep me in prayer. I'm going to see the doctor Friday morning.

Do you participate in Lent? Do you give up anything for Lent? If so, what? Why? What do you hope to gain from Lent this year? I don't know if 'gain' is the right word...what I'm asking is what are your goals this year, what are you hoping to accomplish or learn? Do you think that Lent is important? Or not so much?

My answer: No, we do not participate in Lent, so, no we don't give anything up for this season. (For a description of Lent click here) It's not a big deal in our home or church. For us, the big one is Passion Week. I have never set a specific goal for just this season either, just never thought about it.

Please visit Becky at "Operation Actually Read Bible

Monday, February 23, 2009

Another family needs our prayers

I receive email updates from Where the Kudzu Grows - today she shared some very sad news. A brother and sister in Christ needs our prayers and support. Please click here to read. Thanks!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Praise the Lord!

I've tried so hard to find a song that matches the excitement in my soul, but, alas, I cannot. So, just hum something upbeat and joyful as you read along.

I have to begin with sad news. Our church lost another young member this week. Our sister, Barb, went to be with her Savior early this week. Barb has been ill for a very long time, and on dialysis for quite sometime. So, while there is a huge whole where her physical presence was, we rejoice that she is no longer sick and in pain. Please pray for her family and especially for Tim and Cassie. Tim found her in the morning and attempted CPR, but the Lord had already taken her.

That said, church was SO awesome today. Barb's parents where there this morning and asked for a celebration service for their young daughter. Oh course we gladly obliged. (Insert music here)


Now, here's another miracle. As I've said in previous posts, I handle Sunday School for the kids and Children's Church as well. On a normal Sunday, I have five kids. Today, I had 15! Yes, 15! Is God awesome or what?!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Thankful Thursday



Forgive me, it has been forever since I've made time to write these out. I do thank the Lord daily for many things, but I believe we are to share our praises with others as well.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.
~Psalm 100:4 NIV



I have so many things to be thankful for, it's hard to know where to begin sometimes. These are in no specific order, just as the Lord brings them to mind:

  • We had some friends over for dinner sunday evening and had a great time of fellowship. We met this couple through our church over five years ago. I thank the Lord for Christian friends that understand our faith and love the Lord as we do.
  • I praise God that this same couple has found a new church home that meets the needs of their family
  • I thank the Lord for my husband. He drives me crazy at times (and I'm sure I drive him crazy more often than that). My husband is a strong believer, a true friend, and a true romantic. We were not able to afford anything for Valentine's Day this year, but while I was working he put together an awesome slide show to music for me. Isn't he the sweetest?
  • I praise the Lord I have a job, especially during these times, and in our little town. I may not enjoy my job, but it's really not hard. I'm thankful to have an income to help pay our bills.
  • I am thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I can come to Him at any time with any request and He is there for me. He provides all my needs and is my strength.
Please visit Iris at Grace Alone for more Thankful Thursdays

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Question of the Week 7


Do you like listening to sermons? Have you ever subscribed to sermon podcasts? Have you ever listened to sermons on the radio? Do you have any favorites?
What resources (if any) have you found on the web that you'd like to share?






I love listening to sermons on the radio. I have a few favorites. My first is Adrian Rogers' Love Worth Finding. Our local station, KSRD, plays his spot at 10:30 AM, which is usually very convenient for us. I love listening to Pastor Rogers, because he bases his sermons on actual Biblical truth and does not hold any punches. The earth lost a great man when he passed from this world into God's Kingdom.

I don't often listen to podcasts on my own, but my husband does, and I'm often in the same room when he does. The most common, and favorite is Chuck Missler of Koinonia House. He speaks directly from the Bible and gets into great depth and discussion. His broadcast, 66/40, is on at 11:30 AM and again at Midnight.

In addition to the links listed above, I love Bible Gateway for passage and topical searches, as well as commentary help. Then there is the Assembly of God main site for church related help.

This is not an exclusive list, I teach children on Sundays, so I have a separate folder just for those sites. My all time favorite is Danielle's Place. Lots of lessons, crafts and games. (some require a subscription, but well worth the small fee!) I also use Sermons 4 Kids as well. With our church being so small (less than fifty), I provide all my lessons, materials, snacks, etc. Without such sites as these, I'm sure my class would be quite boring!


Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Question of the Week 6


Have you read any Christian classics? Which would you recommend and why? If you haven't read any, why not? Are they too intimidating? Not enough time? Are any on your TBR pile?




Sadly, my answer is no. As I've stated before, I'm a fairly new Christian. While reading was encouraged, Christian reading would not have been in my home while I was growing up.

I would like to put some on my TBR pile, but am not sure where to begin. If anyone has suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them!

quick update

Here's a picture of our handsome son and beautiful daughter-in-law. I'm asking anyone whom may stop by here to keep them in prayer. S and A were married on 01/03/2009. A is in college in full time and works full time at a local bank. She starts nursing school in the fall. S has been sent to Wichita through the Air National Guard and will be there until September of this year. Now, it's not like he's thousands of miles away, or deployed overseas, we understand that. However, since they are newlyweds, this is hard for them. From their home here in town to Wichita, it's about a three and half hour drive, so they can see other a couple of times a month. Coming from a military background (Navy brat for those that don't know), I understand these things happen, and how hard it is on the family. However, S's mom and family are making it harder for A than it should be. They are giving her a hard time and telling S that A should have dropped everything to be with him because she is his wife. Now, I understand Biblical submission, for the most part. I also think I understand being a good steward of the finances the Lord blesses us with. I know how I felt when this first came up and have been praying about it since. I still feel they have both done what they should have. A is in school and has a full time job here. Together, they have a rented home and all that goes with it. S is currently living in a hotel room (paid for by the military because base housing is full). Do you believe the Lord would have her give up her current classes, as well as her current job, leave their home without notice and then have to store their belongings for eight months? Is this good stewardship? No, I don't believe so! So, back to the original request - I'm asking everyone to please pray that they will have peace as a couple, they are doing what has to be done right now. May they have wisdom and knowledge when speaking with anyone that chooses to put them down for their decisions in this matter. Also for the family that they can see the pain this is causing.

Thanks! Be blessed through our Savior, Jesus Christ

Thursday, February 5, 2009

What do you do in the in-between times? Those times when you are in-between-Bibles or in-between-books of the Bible, or in-between Bible studies. Do you ever feel a bit lost, a bit unsure of where to go next? what to read or study next? It's not that you don't want to read--you do--it's just you may be a bit indecisive OR you may be a bit overwhelmed with all the choices.




My answer:

In general, usually have a plan on where I want to go next. I've finished Romans and have moved onto Hebrews. I got the plan to read and study these two books when pondering questions I had about the path others have taken and heard the answer on Chuck Missler's 66/40 radio broadcast on my local station, KSRD.

For those in-between times, I generally pick up my study Bible and read the Gospels. John is my favorite of the four. I admit I've had a couple of times when I felt lost, and wasn't sure where else to go. During those times I have picked up up my Bible and wonder "where next Lord?" I usually ended up in Psalms, you just can't go wrong there, in my opinion.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Then Sings My Soul - Draw Me Close

Today we had the most awesome worship service ever! Worship lasted well over an an hour! I can't tell you how much I needed this today. I've been pretty discouraged lately. I only have two kids in Sunday School, and our room is small, my resources very limited. To say that all three of us are bored is putting it mildly. I do what I can to make it more fun, stopping for games, or just a short PE break. (four and five year olds need to move!)

I have to be honest, when we first came to our church, I wasn't sure how to react. I did not grow in a Christian home, I did not know much about God, Jesus, or the Bible. Through friends the Lord brought into my life, I had a little knowledge. Most of my time spent in church was either a Baptist church or with my ex's family, whom are RLDS, now known as Community of Christ. So, jumping into a Pentecostal Assembly of God church was scary! But, the Lord knows what is best for us! I don't think you can find the kind of family love we have in just any church. The fact that we are very small helps of course! Today the Lord touched my heart and showed me that I am an important part of this family and my work is important. Thank You Jesus!

I'm posting "Draw Me Close" by Kutless today. This is one of the songs we sang today. I also wanted to post "I Want to Sing", but could not find the version I wanted. I woke up with this going in my head today:

I want to sing, sing, sing
I want to shout, shout, shout
I want to sing, I want to shout
And praise the Lord ...

Your turn!

Now for the video: