Bloggin' The LOG!

God is taking me through a heart restructure that although uncomfortable, stretching even frustrating, I wouldn't trade His work in my life for anything. To quote Matt Redman, "I don't want to go through the motions". I want His "all consuming passion inside of me!" Even if it means taking a hard look at my own heart, repenting of what I see in there and turning to towards and looking to God for victory in that area. I don't want to stay the same, I want to be more like Jesus every day!

Back in May, while we were at NAMB, the ladies met separately for a part of the time. During our session, we did a spiritual gift inventory as well as a personality analysis. The purpose was to further discover how God has wired us, through the personality He has given each of us as well as the Spiritual Gifts given at salvation, so that we may see how He might want to use someone wired like that. It was an eye opener to begin to understand why I am the way I am, and how God can use that for His glory. It was also an opportunity to recognize and be aware of what negative tendencies go along with particular gifts and personalities.

With each spiritual gift, as well as each personality type,there are pitfalls to look out for. For example, one of my spiritual gifts is discernment/prophecy. Admittedly, this has not been my favorite gift to have because sometime I just don't want to see things for how they are. Ignorance would be total bliss. However, God has given me this gift and I need to embrace it and use it for His glory. I can count several times where this gift of discernment has been helpful, vital even, in making some of the decisions we've been faced with in the past. Along with the benefits of this gift, are some things to watch out for. The antithesis if the gift of discernment is a spirit of criticism and judgmentalism. OUCH! God has recently made me very sensitive to His Spirit when I have been critical or judgmental. (And I still have a LONG way to go!) Through this awareness, He is showing me how to love despite my feelings, and how to turn my useless, destructive criticism into powerful, restorative PRAYER.

Jesus "did not come to judge the world, but to save the world." John 12:47

Not only have I been guilty of criticism and judging in my spirit, I have been guilty of blogging or twittering other peoples' specks (Matt. 7:3) when I should be BLOGGIN' The LOG in my own eye!!

Another way God has been driving this home is through THIS BOOK by F. Frangipane. As I close, let me share some quotes that slammed me down, only to build me back up. Thank ya' Jesus that You're not finished with me yet!

"Those who seek first for God's kingdome are love-motivated people who are given to prayer. When they see a need, instead of judging, they intercede."

"God does not call us to judge one another, but to pray for one another."

I want to "be a source of life and prayer wherever I (am) serving God... and to become an intercessor whose motive was redemption."

"Our call is to enter the place of intercession and stand there until the body of Christ is built up in that area."

"People will have to account for ever careless word they speak." Matt. 12:36

"We must use our words to support, love and protect each other."

"Our criticisms of one another are the voice of Satan accusing the saints before God." OUCH!

O God, give us "tongues that have been purified by the fire of God from the altar, tongues that are cleansed of faultfinding and criticisms." Turn us to powerful prayer in place of destructive criticism. Make us instruments of love and restoration. Help us to be problem solvers, not problem causers. Let us create unity, not division. In Jesus' Name! AMEN!

Go L-Peeps!

So this morning, Kevin and I were sitting out on the deck, having pur personal devotions. I was reading from Exodus 36, and I said to Kevin, "Wow! Check this out! The Israelites brought so many materials for the tabernacle that the craftsmen had to say to Moses 'The people are bringing more than is needed for the construction of the work the Lord commanded to be done.' So much so that Moses had to make a proclamation, 'Let no man or woman make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.'" Can you imagine?

What if God's people were so giving of their "stuff", supplies etc. that we would have to be told to STOP!?! What if we - the church - were so giving of our time, our talents and our treasures that someone would have to make a proclamation, "Don't do anything else! Don't give another dime!"? What if it was "more than enough?"

A little ka-wink-y-dink, was that I read that this morning, not knowing that L-Peeps were going to show up BIG-TIME today to help with the move. (Oh, by the way, we're moving... Sorry, I haven't had a chance to blog that yet, so here's the 4-1-1... we're moving!) We were planning on doing some of the move today, tomorrow and Thursday... finishing up on Friday if needed. HOWEVER, MOST EVERYTHING GOT MOVED TODAY - IN ONE DAY! We have maybe one load to do tomorrow! We have people lined up to volunteer tomorrow, Thursday and Friday and we may just have to FIND things for them to do - or tell them just to hold off until our 'work day' this weekend! Way to go, L-Peeps! What you did today was 'more than enough'! Thanks for pulling together to make this thing happen!!

Here are some pix from our new building. If you are from the area - this is the old bowling alley on 6th St. Since being a bowling alley, it has been a furniture store and a medical supply store. It's BEAUTIFUL inside!

Welcome to LifePoint - 1400 6th St.!!

Here is our entrance - isn't it purty??

Cafe/Sitting Area

Offices/Prayer-Decision Room

KidsLife Area!

Auditorium (pictured here with the false walls from the furniture store. Our 'landlord' has already had those taken down - and they plan to paint too!! That was great news because we thought we were going to be doing that work!)

Back of the Auditorium

Our 1st service in the new building will be on August 2nd. This Sunday we are having a work day to get the building ready (after prayer and a devotional). We are so excited about the opportunities with this new building, not to mention the fact that we won't have to set-up and tear-down every week!! GO GOD!!

Recently, God spoke this WORD straight to the core of my soul at a moment that I needed to hear it.

Do not remember the past events,
pay no attention to things of old.
Look! I am about to do something new.
Even now it is coming.
Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18-19

As we move into this new building, I look forward to all that GOD will do! What an honor to get a front-row seat to His perfect will being worked out in people's lives as He draws people to Himself.

Oh God, use us like never before. Work out your perfect will in my life and in the lives of people who come to LifePoint and those that you will bring. Help us to Connect the Community to Christ and become fully devoted followers of your Son, Jesus. It's in His name we pray! AMEN!

Love - thoughts from F.F.

Yes, I'm still reading THIS BOOK by Francis Frangipane - and the chapter on LOVE was incredible. It is convicting AND empowering. Thought I'd share a few quotes here on the 'ol blog... because it's too much to TWEET :-) I'll not add any commentary... commentary not needed... you shall soon see why... Be blessed!

"Your Christianity is only as real as your love."

"There is no spiritual unity without love."

"Even a little root of bitterness springing up in a person's life can defile many."

"Painful experiences are allowed by God to teach us how to lover our enemies."

"There is no such thing as love without committment."

"The measure of one's love is found in the depth of his or her commitment to others."

If your "commitment is shallow, (you) will be easily offended."

"Every time you refuse to forgive or fail to overlook a weakness in another, your heart not only hardens toward them, it hardens toward God."

"The one who does not love his brother, cannot love God." 1 John 4:20

"No one will attain the fullness of God's purposes on earth without being committed to imperfect people along the way."

"When you love God, your love for others will actually be like your love for God."

The Next Five

I have lost 20 pounds since December. I’m ecstatic that I fit into a closet full of clothes that have been waiting for me. I am stoked that I can run/walk several miles, do some strength training, get a good workout in and not have it kill me. I could sit here and be happy that I’ve lost the 20 – and I am! While I’m thrilled that I have lost 20 pounds, it’s time to HUNKER down and get to the NEXT FIVE. I could be satisfied and rest in the accomplishment thus far– or I can press on, hunker down and attack the next five pounds that need to come off (I have about 30 to go).

The same can be said of the ministry God has called us to. God has blessed tremendously over the past year, above what we could ask or think, and we have put feet to our faith where He is working. We have seen dozens come to Christ and dozens more grow in their walk with Him. We see God growing His church and that church reaching out step by step making an impact on this community! We rejoice in all the Lord has done!! However, do we just stop, and rest in what has been accomplished in Jesus’ name, or do we press on, hunker down and go after the NEXT FIVE?!? I believe there are five more people who need to hear about Christ for the 1st time. There are five more people who need to hear about the HOPE they can have in Him. There are five more that have needs that we, the body of Christ, can help with. There are five more that deserve the joy that a simple smile can bring them. I’m amazed by all that God has done - but I’m ready to go after the next five.

Whether it’s losing 5 more pounds or reaching 5 more for Jesus, going to the next level takes work. Going to the next level takes commitment. Going to the next level takes sacrifice.

I’m ready baby! By faith, let’s press on and get the ‘NEXT FIVE’ for Jesus! (and them some!)

“But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus. “
Phil. 3:13-14

Weekend + New Addition

We had a super-D-duper 4^th of July weekend visiting my cousin Judy and her family in Indiana!! It was rainy on the 4^th, but we didn’t let that stop our plans. Saturday morning, we walked in the Porter County parade representing Neighborlink. Larry and Judy are the founders and leaders of this awesome work – “Neighbors helping Neighbors” – People seek out Neighborlink if they need some help (i.e. leaky roof, help moving) and it’s a job they can’t do on their own (ie. elderly person, single mom etc.). If you are one who wants to help, you contact Neighborlink and say I can help with such and such, sign me up! They link people who are willing to help to people who need it! If you live anywhere Porter County in Indiana, check out their website to see how you can be a part of helping your neighbor. What an amazing way to put FEET to your FAITH. So proud of you guys, Judy and Larry!!

Sunday, after a great service at Liberty Bible Church, we enjoyed a day at the Indiana Dunes State Park and hung out at the beach. The kids had a blast playing in the sand and water – and God blessed with a beautiful day!!

While we were in Indiana, we met Scooter. Larry and Judy and the kiddos have been taking care of him as his owner has been facing hard times… and he needed a ‘home’.

Scooter is a year and a half year old Yorkie – who LOVES, I mean LOVES to play fetch with his squeaky ball (OBSESSED).

Judy casually mentioned that he was ‘available’ early on in the weekend… little did she know that for about two years we’ve been toying around with the idea of getting another doggie for our family – but not wanting to necessarily go through all the puppy stuff and not wanting to spend a boatload of $$, we haven’t got one yet.

My manly hubby has never been a fan of little dogs… but fell in love with Little Scooter! He kept saying, “He’s such a cool little guy!” He’s not yippy like some lil’ doggies, gets along great with kiddos and listens pretty well… and he’s so darn cute! Long story short… we are now the owners of a cute lil’ Yorkie named Scooter!

Once we made the decision, we took Scooter over to say goodbye to his original owner. She’s a real sweetheart and was a little emotional saying goodbye to her buddy, but also that God had answered her prayers for a good home for him and also provided some money for her at ‘just the right time.’ What a blessing it was to meet her, and see God’s hand at work – we just thought we were getting a cute little dog, but God used it to help her in her situation. Isn’t He just awesome??

Coming home, Scooter was a bit nervous around Nala, but is already realizing that while she is a moose, she wouldn’t hurt a fly. Nala really could care less what is going on around her!! Follow Kevin on twitter to hear what Scoot is up to… He is his new baby… and I think he’s taking things just a little to far (he he). Every tweet today included Scooter. We all love our new little guy :-)!!

FAITH RISKS

NO, this is NOT the blog revealing the THREE faith risks that God is leading us through/to... but wanted to share Pastor Steven Furtick's thoughts on, FAITH IS SUBSTANCE. Hit the nail on the head, baby! I started taking notes from it, til I realized that I was practically writing the whole blog over. Best thing I've read in a long time!!

Have a wonderful 4th of JULY! We are heading WEST to see my cousin and her fam for the weekend. Looking forward to a wonderful time!!!