Friday, February 27, 2009
Finding my "GIFT"
My first time at this so bare with me. I have spent alot of time trying to find my "GIFT". You know in the church I wanted it to be that I could sing well no such luck. I have watched lots of women in the church and idenfied theirs and I came to realize I just don't have one. So I thought will just find one in someone else that I can learn to do. Which brings me to tell Brian your comment on LeEllen's blog hit it right.They are who I want to be when I grow up also. When I started back to church I was very insecure about being there. I did not feel I should be there because of the things I had done and had been gone for so long.I actually would walk in and try to go straight to a seat so maybe nobody would say to much to me. Well Troy Church Of Christ is the wrong place to try that. Now this is all theory but I think I have The Smiths figured out I think they watch and look for the people who need help. The reason I say this is because every time I turned around there she was. She was inviting me to stay for the youth stuff at church and at her house she was right along beside me the whole time my first trip to Celebration. And before you knew it I was no longer a visitor I was a member. It was not me looking to find someone to go sit with people were looking for me I had a purpose I was needed and along about the same time I was feeling all this new found confidence I noticed she was not around as much. Well turns out I think she figured her task with me was complete and she had moved on to someone who needed her more. Which turns out is exactly how I let myself become a part of this family all I really wanted was to be needed. I have made a vow I will stop trying to find my gift and just make up one I will watch for people who look insecure about being at church and I will talk to them and go sit with them.Anyway how hard is it to sit with somebody I can be good at that I think maybe even great. Thank you so much for all you have done. Turns out I have let you know you have another "GIFT" besides you sing like butter melting,teacher, leader, friend we could go on. I just want you to know I am stealing one. Traci Orr
C.O.L.E.'s Foundation
Hey guys,
I was recently surfing the web and came across a website called C.O.L.E.'s Foundation. The address is http://www.colesfoundation.com/ and I encourage you all to go there and read about this little boy and join in their mission. If you go to Prayer Team at the top of the page and click on become a member they will pair you up with a family who has a child suffering from an illness such as cancer. The kids have websites where you can read about them and leave comments of encouragement. So you will be able to pray for this child and their family, and let them know you care. Its not hard and doesn't cost a penny. The power of prayer is great.
I was recently surfing the web and came across a website called C.O.L.E.'s Foundation. The address is http://www.colesfoundation.com/ and I encourage you all to go there and read about this little boy and join in their mission. If you go to Prayer Team at the top of the page and click on become a member they will pair you up with a family who has a child suffering from an illness such as cancer. The kids have websites where you can read about them and leave comments of encouragement. So you will be able to pray for this child and their family, and let them know you care. Its not hard and doesn't cost a penny. The power of prayer is great.
Day 4
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:19-20
19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Prayer:
God, There’s nothing like knowing You. Thank you for revealing Jesus to me. I praise you for the love you have for me. Thank you for making a way for peace. Bless me today to continue to make peace in this world. Make peace in my heart and in my relationships, especially with those closest to me.
Application:
Make sure you are at peace with God today. Do whatever it takes to be at peace with your family and your friends. Make amends.
19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Prayer:
God, There’s nothing like knowing You. Thank you for revealing Jesus to me. I praise you for the love you have for me. Thank you for making a way for peace. Bless me today to continue to make peace in this world. Make peace in my heart and in my relationships, especially with those closest to me.
Application:
Make sure you are at peace with God today. Do whatever it takes to be at peace with your family and your friends. Make amends.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Day 3
Day Three
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-22
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.
Prayer:
Dear God, you know how difficult it is to forgive. Give me your Spirit so that I can forgive others as I've been forgiven. Clean my heart of all the baggage and chains from the past that hold me back in loving you and loving others.
Application:
Write on a small scrap piece of paper the name of someone who has hurt you. Take that paper, wad it up, say a prayer that God will release the chains that bind you. Flush that paper down the toilet and let it go, along with the pain that went along with it.
Write on another small scrap piece of paper these words: “Forgiveness means Freedom.” Carry that paper with you today. Contemplate those words throughout the day.
It is really hard to forgive when someone hurts us or wrongs us, but God commands us to do it. We wrong God ALL the time, and at the end of the day or week or month we pray for him to forgive us because we know he will. So how can we not forgive other people? Look at it this way, forgive others completely before you ask God to forgive you. You can't ask for something that you don't do...
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-22
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.
Prayer:
Dear God, you know how difficult it is to forgive. Give me your Spirit so that I can forgive others as I've been forgiven. Clean my heart of all the baggage and chains from the past that hold me back in loving you and loving others.
Application:
Write on a small scrap piece of paper the name of someone who has hurt you. Take that paper, wad it up, say a prayer that God will release the chains that bind you. Flush that paper down the toilet and let it go, along with the pain that went along with it.
Write on another small scrap piece of paper these words: “Forgiveness means Freedom.” Carry that paper with you today. Contemplate those words throughout the day.
It is really hard to forgive when someone hurts us or wrongs us, but God commands us to do it. We wrong God ALL the time, and at the end of the day or week or month we pray for him to forgive us because we know he will. So how can we not forgive other people? Look at it this way, forgive others completely before you ask God to forgive you. You can't ask for something that you don't do...
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Day 2
Day Two
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-5
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Prayer:
God, thank you for giving me new birth into your family. I praise you for your mercy. I praise you for the living hope I have. Make me fully aware of the awesome inheritance I enjoy through Jesus. Continue to reveal your power which shields and protects me.
Application:
Show mercy to someone today. Don’t give them what they deserve. Show patience and restraint with your thoughts, words and actions.
Give hope to someone today through a word or a gift or a donation or a smile.
I think that sometimes it is easy to show paitence and restraint in our words and actions, but what about in our thoughts? We go through the day thinking bad things about others without even realizing it sometimes. Even though we aren't outwardly displaying our mean or hatefulness, God knows that we are thinking it. I found that controling my thoughts in this aspect was harder than I thought. Pay close attention to what you are thinking today and make a goal to stop yourself when you do start to think something bad about someone else. Instead, say a prayer for that person. Good luck today :) show love.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-5
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Prayer:
God, thank you for giving me new birth into your family. I praise you for your mercy. I praise you for the living hope I have. Make me fully aware of the awesome inheritance I enjoy through Jesus. Continue to reveal your power which shields and protects me.
Application:
Show mercy to someone today. Don’t give them what they deserve. Show patience and restraint with your thoughts, words and actions.
Give hope to someone today through a word or a gift or a donation or a smile.
I think that sometimes it is easy to show paitence and restraint in our words and actions, but what about in our thoughts? We go through the day thinking bad things about others without even realizing it sometimes. Even though we aren't outwardly displaying our mean or hatefulness, God knows that we are thinking it. I found that controling my thoughts in this aspect was harder than I thought. Pay close attention to what you are thinking today and make a goal to stop yourself when you do start to think something bad about someone else. Instead, say a prayer for that person. Good luck today :) show love.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Day 1
After winterfest, I went to the winterfest website and found a 40 day bible study. I figured many people would never think to go there and look so I will try to post the bible study on the blog each day. Today will be day 1...
Day One
Scripture Reading: Luke 22:34-40
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Prayer:
Father God, I love you and I want to love like you love. I give you my heart and my soul and my mind. Show me today how to love. Make me aware of the opportunities that are in front of me and behind me to show love.
Application:
Show your love for God today, by giving Him your mind for at least 20 minutes. Read God’s Word. Meditate on it. Ponder His love. Think about spiritual things.At least once today, give a compliment to someone.
I started this yesterday and the application is really helpful to apply this to our daily lives and keep us closer to God.
Have a great day :)
Alyssa
Day One
Scripture Reading: Luke 22:34-40
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Prayer:
Father God, I love you and I want to love like you love. I give you my heart and my soul and my mind. Show me today how to love. Make me aware of the opportunities that are in front of me and behind me to show love.
Application:
Show your love for God today, by giving Him your mind for at least 20 minutes. Read God’s Word. Meditate on it. Ponder His love. Think about spiritual things.At least once today, give a compliment to someone.
I started this yesterday and the application is really helpful to apply this to our daily lives and keep us closer to God.
Have a great day :)
Alyssa
Monday, February 23, 2009
At Winterfest
Although I did not completely read the archives, I think I may be the oldest contributor to the blog so far and let me tell you it has taken all my intellectual abilities to figure out just how to do it-so here goes.
Here are some of my thoughts about Winterfest.
Almost before I had time to get my brain on task Chris or Jeff (now I can't remember which) gave the example of the kid who began to talk about dihydromonoxide, or as he later revealed, water. His point was that we make something people needed so badly (Jesus and Christianity) seem scary. Do we really do that?
On the trip I was reading "The Last Juror" by John Grisham. In it he makes two references to the Church of Christ. In one he talks about our aversion for instrumental music and in the other our other "claim to fame"- that we are the only ones going to heaven. Now I know that John Grisham is not the judge of the world but it was kindof shocking to see in black and white what we mostly just here from folks we are in a religious debate with. (no, I haven't been in one of these debates in years but still remember how difficult they are). Can we ever live down these stupid stereotypes? Should we be discouraged by them or just accept them and move on? Can they be changed or are they just too ingrained in people's minds?
Other things I am thinking about from Winterfest: Real s, The Starfish Project ( did you see their jewelry booth out front. They sell products made by women who were ually abused and trafficked in Asia- my daugher could have ended up as one of them) and how awesome our kids and youth minister were, the beautiful snow we had as a parting gift and how I shouldn't skip going some years. I always feel empowered and renewed . This year I felt humbled by the very touching things said about my family. Thank you, Drew.
Well, I'm pretty sure this is the most rambling blog posted so far, but before I end I also want to encourage Trevor to keep on blogging the bible study. They are soooo revealing.
leellen
Here are some of my thoughts about Winterfest.
Almost before I had time to get my brain on task Chris or Jeff (now I can't remember which) gave the example of the kid who began to talk about dihydromonoxide, or as he later revealed, water. His point was that we make something people needed so badly (Jesus and Christianity) seem scary. Do we really do that?
On the trip I was reading "The Last Juror" by John Grisham. In it he makes two references to the Church of Christ. In one he talks about our aversion for instrumental music and in the other our other "claim to fame"- that we are the only ones going to heaven. Now I know that John Grisham is not the judge of the world but it was kindof shocking to see in black and white what we mostly just here from folks we are in a religious debate with. (no, I haven't been in one of these debates in years but still remember how difficult they are). Can we ever live down these stupid stereotypes? Should we be discouraged by them or just accept them and move on? Can they be changed or are they just too ingrained in people's minds?
Other things I am thinking about from Winterfest: Real s, The Starfish Project ( did you see their jewelry booth out front. They sell products made by women who were ually abused and trafficked in Asia- my daugher could have ended up as one of them) and how awesome our kids and youth minister were, the beautiful snow we had as a parting gift and how I shouldn't skip going some years. I always feel empowered and renewed . This year I felt humbled by the very touching things said about my family. Thank you, Drew.
Well, I'm pretty sure this is the most rambling blog posted so far, but before I end I also want to encourage Trevor to keep on blogging the bible study. They are soooo revealing.
leellen
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What God will use
Drew and I were having a conversation a couple of weeks ago, about something that Gary asked him. Gary called him from training and asked Drew where the scripture was about God using whatever he needed to to help others see him more clearly. Gary said that he remembered that idea from when I taught a class a long time ago when I used to help out with the high school class. Drew called me and asked me where it was at and I could not find it to save my life. the reason that I couldn't find it was because that exact verse is not in the Bible! But the concept is.God doesn't speak to us as we would think he does, I mean how many of you have ever had a conversation with God? (If you have, please let me know!) Look at job 22:22. Are we not told here to receive instruction from his mouth? Look at Psalm 32:8. "I....will teach you in the way you should go." How does he teach us if we can't hear him? How do we receive instruction from his mouth if we can't hear him?????? Obviously one way is the Bible, but the closer I get to God, I see that he does in fact use whatever he needs to to help us see him more clearly.What language is God speaking to you? isn't it good to know that " the Lord tells his secrets to those who respect him", Psalm 25:14. Just this morning, he used a song that I ws listening to on the way to work that reminded me that I am his, and that he will always love me and be there for me, as long as I am trying to do his will. Still don't believe me? How about these examples from the Bible? Ask Moses what God used to call and convict him? A bush. Ask Ballam what it took. A talking donkey. What about Jonah? Ask the fish that swallowed him, then spit him out.There is no person or thing that God can't use to help us see him more clearly. I just pray that I keep my eyes open daily so that I see him in what he is using to draw me closer to him. I hope you do as well. Who knows, someone might be looking at you right now, at this very moment, or it might be at school tomorrow. whenever it is, remember the fact that God just might be using you to help some person to see him more clearly. it is my prayer that we all stay ready to be mirrors and reflect his glory in all situations, so that he can use us to help bring others to him.
Posted by Brian at 9:26 AM
Posted by Brian at 9:26 AM
Monday, February 9, 2009
Trevor's Bible Study Blog
Ok, I am at Bible Study and am writing this blog so that everyone knows what we do here. We have a new record for attendance here with 6 people today! Our newcomers are Drew Crews and James Rhodes, and of course all of the regulars are here (Me, Cory, Samuel, and Drew). We are talking about 1 Kings right now because that is what Drew read last week. When Solomon was offered a choice of a gift he could receive from God, he chose the wisdom to rule the people. When Samuel was asked what he would have chosen he said, "Solomon is an idiot I would have chosen the ability to blow things up with my mind." We've had a sort of boring lull for about the last 20 minutes something interesting should happen soon. Samuel has been reading a book calleed the Irresistable Revolution. He has been talkin about it for the last couple of minutes. Yeah, I do not really feel like typing anymore. By the way, if you have not gotten into the habit of coming to this Bible study than you should because we have a lot of fun here and we are going to start a new tradition of not wearing pants, so you will feel a whole lot more comfortable if you were here. COMMENT PLZ, Oh wait no one even bothers to get on the blog, but if you do COMMENT this blog!!!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hi Guys this is trevor
I don't know if I am doing this right, but you know whatever. I do not really have very much to say so I will keep this short. Part of me is just doing this so I will have contributed in some way to the the blog. I hope everyone is having a good life right now. I had fun yesterday cleaning up sticks at the McCages' house. You know I wish more people would come to events like that, because it was actually a lot of fun, and I felt like I was doing a very nice thing by going and helping out. I hope that you enjoy reading this. You should all comment on this, and you should all write your own blogs to put on here. Well that about wraps it up. You people should give me more ideas on what to write about. Because I don't really do anything very interesting. I love you Jackson. Oh I forgot Happy second birthday Jude, and Chase Aaron for turning 6 on February 6. You two are only 2 and 6 years old, but you get to stay up later than I do. B.T.W. Have a nice dayy!! (:
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