Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tonight was the first of many services on Wednesday night, I hope. It was good to let God be God. I think it was so good because those who were there, chose to be there and to let God be God. It is was such a blessing to see God heal, deliver, change, and bring life to His people. To bring us into a deeper relationship with Him. I for one know that I let things get in the way of God many times. I get distracted by work, people, my own desires, anything can truly be a distraction. I realized this when I was in France, I haven't really watched much tv at all since I have been home from France. I didn't watch it there (couldn't understand it) and it was good to just be with people, whether in the kitchen, living room, hanging out in the bedroom, outside where ever, it was good to talk and to listen and to observe. I learned a whole lot there, and what they displayed was the love of God and I am grateful. It was a wonderful time, but home is good. I haven't had the desire to waste time in front of the tv, and if you can imagine, I have only seen one movie in the last 3 months and that is okay. My focus is changing, I want to grow in relationship with God and with people. I am so grateful to God for all He has done and will continue to do in my life, He is faithful and will never put more on us than we can bear. That is very comforting to me. God is on the move and I pray that I seek Him with my whole heart, listen for His still small voice, and move when He tells me to. I love you Lord and I thank you for meeting the needs of your people, for changing them and myself. I pray that you will draw many into a deeper relationship with you and I pray that the desire of my Pastors' heart will be met, that he receives from you as he is faithful to minister to your people. Whatever you want Lord, have your way, whatever that is, I want ALL OF YOU!!! REVEAL YOURSELF TO ME AND CHANGE ME LORD, I DESIRE TO BE LIKE YOU, TO BE A REFLECTION OF YOU!!!!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
This weekend
Well my husband is getting ready to leave on Thursday to go for his annual golf outing to Kentucky. This is a time that a bunch of guys go and play about 200 or more holes of golf in 4 days. They won't let any SHEILA'S go (per Mike O'Neill) from the very first year) and I wouldn't anyway, but I am already starting to miss Ed and he isn't gone yet. I know he is due for some time off, he worked really hard on my kitchen and it is beautiful and will be even more so when totally completed, but nonetheless, I am gonna miss him terribly. God is so good, He has brought us through so much and blessed us so much, at times it seems like the life we lived before was unreal. Was there another life before God? Oh how I wish my whole life would have been lived serving Him, to have known Him and walked with Him always. I envy those which have that testimony, not that their life was any easier, but knowing Him and always living for Him would have been awesome. But we can't do anything about the past, and we shouldn't dwell on the past, that is what the enemy would have us do. Thank God we are smarter than the devil, that God equipped us to fight of the enemy and to live a victorious life. I am reminded today how precious life is here, as a Christian sister passes on to be with Jesus, yet she is now in the presence of the Lord and that is what living this life is all about, to be with our Lord, to live eternally with Him. From one who knows, it is glorious to know your loved one is with the Lord, but it still hurts because we miss them so. Lord comfort and bless the family. I thank you Lord that you will never leave them or forsake them and that you will never put more on them than they can bear. You are faithful Lord and I pray your peace, rest, hope, love, joy, strength and comfort be with them in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. Thank you Lord for answered prayer!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Friday, August 12, 2005
QUIET-TOO QUIET
I am sitting up late at night writing on this blog and the quiet is deafening. Our frenchies are gone, not from our hearts, but from their American homes. Our home is open to them and we hope we will have an opportunity to share it with them many,many times through the years. I thought that 2 weeks in France would drag on, boy was I wrong, I didn't have enough time really, not that I wanted to see any more incredible places and things, but I would loved to have spent more time getting to know everyone. God knew what he was doing when he spoke to me to go, even though I thought I knew why, God knew the true plan all along. He is awesome and I can't wait to see all that he is gonna do in all of our lives, because of the time we spent together. I am changed. We sing a song that says "He gives and takes away, He gives and takes away, yet my heart will choose to say Lord blessed be your name" I felt the Lord speak to me so clearly at church while praising and worshipping with the our Frenchies Sunday morning, I couldn't stop smiling as the joy came forth, although I lost mom, dad, and aunt Con and I felt as though I was empty and my heart would hurt because I miss them so, God gave me an opportunity to open up my heart fully again, to let love pour in and out of it, it is well oiled now and continues to be open not only for the French youth, but for ours as well. The time we all spent together while hosting the kids, gave me another glimpse of what is under my nose and what God has called us to. I will write more later, I need sleep now however I will post some pictures in the near future. I think the highlight for me was watching one French girl come to life under the influence of Jesus. I saw her visibly change over the 3 1/2 weeks I was around her, I prayed and trusted God along with her family and friends and we were able to see again the faithfulness of God as she came to the Lord and was filled with the Holy Ghost also. I also was able to spend time with her friend who loves her very much and had a wonderful birthday present thanks to her friend asking Jesus into her heart and life. God bless them all in a mighty way and help them to always walk with you. Give them strength, joy and peace as well as their families. Lord give them the desires of their hearts and help them to continue to be a bright light in a dark place. I love you Lord!!!!