Wow, what a great week! It began last Sunday with so many Wesleyan students coming to Fellowship that cars were filled to the max (and then some) and Cindy made 2 trips!

Then the 10K Throw Down, Pastor Andy challenging us to pray for 1 hour a week for 1 year for Fellowship. I took the challenge. It’s been exciting to see how just thinking about the 60 minutes and making sure I spend the time in prayer has led to more thinking about prayer and more praying! I’m more aware of my need for God and His power and blessing in all parts of my day.. and my life.

And that has led to seeing God at work this week in so many situations. One of the BIG items I’ve praying for was the start of Friday night LP. And WOW did God ever do an amazing work. The evening was full of rain (my legacy from last year’s Friday night LP was you’d know if Gerri was going to be there because there was either LOTS  of snow or torrential rains!)  The curse continued through this year with, yup, torrential rains… for the starting night. I got to LP about 6 and the hallways were already full of teens. And they kept coming and coming… I’d prayed for a good turnout (thinking 50 or so teens would be awesome for the first night) and God sent over 100 teens! The whole evening was WOW. God blessed abundantly in everything – the worship was great – the message Matt gave was funny and thought provoking and the message of what it means to be Living Proof clear and challenging.  I was so pumped up when I got home that I couldn’t stop talking about it.

And the 2 celebrations that were held this week for Pastor Steve and Sandra. It’s been another WOW moment.. really, moments, as various people spoke of the impact the Eiss’s and their ministry here. What an awesome legacy they have of loving and serving the people of God… all over the world. Today’s service was awesome and WOW!

And more of seeing and hearing of God at work all around me. One of our daughters, her husband and dogs are living in Houston. They are hot and uncomfortable, but they’ve survived the hurricane intact and no damage to themselves or their home. More WOW.

WOW, what a great week!

Proverbs 17:22 “a cheerful heart is good medicine”. No one can make me laugh like my husband, Matt. Sometimes it’s the little giggle kind of laughter, sometimes it’s the sidesplitting can’t catch your breath kind – it is all good! Good for the soul, good for the marriage. Another of God’s wonderful gifts!

I’ve been reading/journaling I Thessalonians for small group. It’s not the first book of the Bible I turn to when I need an answer from God, nor is it one of my top 10 favorites. BUT reading it today opened my eyes to the many GOOD, practical things God has written in it. What struck me today is how much Paul cared for the believers in the city of Thessalonica, and they for him. And how they encouraged one another in living lives that made a difference.

4:1 says: Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

Paul gave all kinds of instructions on how to live a life that pleases God, and then he says… Keep doing what you’re doing, only more so – be more dedicated, be more loving, be more….. Step it up a notch and keep stepping it up until you see God face to face.

So now I’m thinking where do I have to step it up a notch? I want to keep growing and living a life that pleases God. So I’m renewing this journey by looking for ways to live in a way that pleases Him more and more – step it up.

I love the Bible – I love how God has given me everything I need to know about Him and how to live this life He’s given me.

Sometimes something I’m reading in His Word springs right out at me – it’s like God is saying yooo-hoooo – this is for you, yup, I’m talking to you! Other times I’m not so sure what He’s telling me… Or maybe I don’t want to know…. or sometimes it’s just not clear  at the moment, but becomes clear in time – God’s time, not mine.

A couple of weeks ago we were challenged in a church service to commit to reading a Proverb a day from then until the end of summer. I took up the challenge because I really need God’s wisdom in my life. I want my life to be in line with His. Sooo a few days ago I was reading chapter 12 and verse 16 popped out at me – it was underlined, but I couldn’t remember why. It says “the fool shows his annoyance at once, but the prudent man (or woman, in this case) overlooks an insult.”

I read it a couple of times and thought – hmm – nice – but I don’t think I have an issue with anger or a temper or whatever, right Lord?

A few hours later I was reminded of that verse. Someone I dearly love made a comment that I felt was undeserved and if he only knew the whole situation and…. God reminded of the verse I read that morning Just as I was getting ready to open my mouth and let him have it! Ouch!

But thank You, Lord, for the timeliness of that verse… and the running vacuum cleaner that gave You time to shut my mouth and remind me of my conversation with You about that verse before I blasted out what I was thinking. You are so good.

Like I said at the beginning – I love the Bible and I love the God who gave Himself for me. He is awesome!

It’s the All Star break and I am seriously missing watching a Red Sox game! I’m delighted that they are back on top in the East… I never thought that this baseball thing would be so compelling and fun!

For several years I worked in the church office of Bethany Bible Church in Kenmore, WA. It was a great place to work (and to go to church). Many mornings the talk around the office would be about whatever game was on the night before – basketball, football, baseball, whatever. Out of curiousity I decided to check out the Seattle Mariners and so would listen to the games the radio… and fell in love with the team and the whole baseball thing!

One of the cool things about being a Mariners’ fan was that we lived close enough and the tickets were cheap enough that I could go see the games with friends and family from time to time.  The Kingdome was the place to be during the summer months and then Safeco Field, once that was built.  I loved it!

Now that we’re on the East Coast, I have 2 teams to root for – still the Mariners (even when they stink, like this year…and for a long time, I guess) and the Red Sox. I have to admit it is more fun to root for a winning team

Just a few more days and…. let the second half begin!

Beth and I after graduation!

I spent the weekend in Chicago with my daughter. Matt got to go, too. I enjoyed the whole experience – seeing her graduate with her Masters degree – whooo -you did it, Beth! We knew you could and that you would!

 

 

Chicago is an awesome city – and Beth gets around like a pro – we rode the El and busses and walked eveywhere, just she does everyday. (OK, we did take a cab twice  It was great to meet her new friends and see ones we’d met before.  I LOVED just spending time with her! She is an amazing young woman and lots of fun to be with.

God is so good!

Read Hebrews 13

verses 20 & 21 – “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

All I can add is my own Amen.

Read chapter 12 (Hebrews)

Verse 2 – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.”

This chapter is full of great verses but this one stands out to me today.

Lord, please forgive me for letting my eyes wander from Your face. Help me to focus on You and not so much on the goings on around me. I praise You that You are the author and the perfecter of my faith. My only job is focus on You and what You want me to do and most of all what You want me to become as a result of focusing on You.

I have a hard time thinking of you enduring the cross and facing its shame. And yet the Bible says here that You were looking at the end – the joy of finishing the path laid out for you … and looking forward to sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. You are amazing. And I want to keep gazing at your face for all eternity.

Even if it is in Tokyo…at 6am on a work day. I can eat breakfast and still cheer on those Red Socks!

I love spring.

Read – Hebrews 11

verse 1 +6

1 -”Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

This chapter is all about ordinary people who had faith in God – and acted on it. God used them in really crazy ways – like Noah who built an ark and had never seen rain, let alone a flood. But he believed God.

I guess that’s what faith really is – believing what God has said and then acting on it. But even more than that  – God rewards those who earnestly seek Him  When I went to Him for salvation and forgiveness of my sins, He forgave me and rewarded me with eternal life – new life. I can see the changes that God has made in me over the years and that is so exciting. He has lots more to do in me (I’m glad He’s not done yet.) But the full reward is yet to come – being with Him in heaven someday – forever.   Someday!

Thank you, Lord for this chapter that speaks of real people who walked with You and who exhibited great faith in their lives. Thank You for their examples and thank You for your faithfulness to each of your children. You are awesome  and worthy. I love You. Help me to live this life of faith in a way that brings You glory.