Changes...

I love Jesus.  There.  That is the core of my heart. Things are changing for me in subtle ways.  Change is hard, but I love the growth that comes from it.  It makes me stretch in ways I may never have stretched before.  It may not feel "right" at first, but once on the road of change you cannot go back to the way things were.  You must move forward! 

Our church is changing.  I miss the people that used to be here.  I don't know many of the new faces.  But I see new believers everywhere!  It is exciting! I want to see the smiles of new believers and the questions they have and the overflowing joy at knowing their new found Savior.  I love this with every fiber of my being!  Asking questions like... I thought the "ark" was a boat? when we discuss the Ark of the Covenant.  LOVE IT!!!!!  Mixing new believers with the more mature Christians brings a sweetness to the church.  Solid foundations from the mature Christians help the new believers grow and new believers give excitement back in to the matured Christian.  Awesome!

We are changing schedules too and some don't like it.  But I believe that God put our leaders in place and the bible says we are to follow their lead unless they try to depart from the bible.  Period.  So... a change of schedule is where we are headed.  February 13th.  I am excited! There will be some time between services to visit.  Fellowship if you want to use "Christianese".  I will feel more comfortable myself if I can meet new people without being in a rush to get to "wherever" between services.  Name tags and visiting will solidify our church family.  It is the perfect solution.  I am behind our leaders 100 percent.  

My life is changing also.  I will be a "working outside the home" wife and mother again next week.  God dropped the position into my lap.  I wasn't even looking.  I LOVE what the job will entail... secretarial work and ministry work.  Of course, I am anxious... will I be good enough?  I haven't worked in a long time!  What will I wear?  :-)  Who will pick my son up from school? Will I have the energy to do all that I need to do?  What will my house look like without me being here to keep it tidy?  Ahhhh.... I hear the Lord saying all kinds of things to calm my spirit...

• "Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you"....  
• "Do not be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, and beautiful clothes.  You should clothe yourself instead with the beauty that comes from the inside.  The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." 
• "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 
• "... whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things"...   

It is funny... God tells me things that make me cry or makes me smile or something... There is always a response when you hear from God!  I cried reading about the Passover and the Last Supper in our reading the bible through in one year.  I cried when the folks on the road to Emmaus finally recognized the risen Christ.  Sweet!  And NO, I don't hear an audible voice from God... But I hear Him speak to me just the same.  Last Sunday in church the pastor had us bow our heads and take a moment to listen to what God would say to us.  We asked Him what He wants to say to us and listened (it only lasted for probably just a minute and we continued).  Now I've heard from God many a time, so I was waiting... What did God want to say to me?  In the quiet of the sanctuary... I got... nothing.  The time passed without a word from God.  HOWEVER just after that short time of quiet listening one of the praise team members passed by me and dropped my car keys onto my purse I did not even know they were missing... And I heard loud and clear... "I take care of you even when you don't know you need taking care of!"  I about laughed out loud during the last part of the service.  Jesus is so sweet.  He brings tears to my eyes.  I hope you know Him, my friend!  He is the love of my life.

Now, one more thing I need to tell you.  I probably won't be writing to you daily as I was before.  I tend to take a long time really studying the passages that we are reading and finding something I never noticed before, and then sharing it with you... however, I will not be doing the blog on all I find out.  my blog will not be quite as in depth as it has been.  You are probably saying, thank you, Jesus!  :-)  As I am new at blogging eventually I will find my way as to what works and what doesn't work with my time.  I do know I will be talking to you about Jesus.  I do know I will try to be encouraging for your day.  I do know this is a privilege and I don't want to abuse the privilege.

May God make Himself known to you and draw you closer daily!  Blessings 2 U!