I share this out of love...

I am not a stranger to change. I see it every day. I live it every day. It's not always easy. It is, however, necessary. So when I see my friends out and about or on FB posting about changes in their lives, I can identify.

But one change I have begun to see more and more of seems to be changes of the heart.

What?

Let me explain it this way. See, in the past year or so, I have had friends who walked with God, faithfully served Him, super involved in their church, talked about God's goodness often, all of a sudden...change.

And this change concerns me. It seems to be a change that is creating distance between them and our Creator instead of bringing them closer.

I AM NOT A JUDGE. Hallelujah. I don't want the job. That being said, we know that the Bible talks about people falling away from the faith, people who have an air of godliness but no relationship with God, and so on.

I don't know what's going on. I don't know how you could see God's hand over your life then walk away from Him. But I do know that as hard as you try, you can't escape Him. So stop trying and come home...come back to His heart.

Plugging In

I recently had a conversation with someone about the importance of the Holy Spirit (yes, I am talking about speaking in tongues) in the lives of believers.

It's funny how things work out. This conversation came at the same time I began my April ISOM course on the book of Acts, which, for those in the church, knows is all about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the work of the early church. Coincidence? I think not.

Now, we are all entitled to our own opinions and I am not here to debate that. But I am here to say that I believe, contrary to my friend, that we are not giving enough attention to the vitality and importance of the Holy Spirit for full effective Christian living.

I am a firm believer that the only way one can truly receive salvation and spend eternity in heaven is through the blood of Christ. Faith in His salvation, that's it. However, our spiritual rebirth and new life does not end there. There is so much more meant for us.

In my text book, written by George O. Wood, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, he takes the opportunity to point this fact out several times. But the one that stands out to me most in the first chapter. He says, "The Holy Spirit wants to work through all believers today. His fullness gives us the boldness to serve and witness for Jesus."

Boldness! BOLDNESS! That is exactly what the church needs today. We need the boldness to stand for what's right and defend the Gospel. We need boldness to stand against the things of this world that are creeping their way into the body of Christ. We need boldness to share our faith with everyone we come in contact with because time is growing short and we need to do everything we can to further the Kingdom.

Not every follower of Christ is called into public ministry but we are all commissioned to share "the good news" about Jesus.
"Every member of the body of Christ should have a ministry. Each believer should answer the question, "What am I doing to serve God and others?"

So, ask yourself what you are doing...are you doing anything? Are you effective? Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit by evidence of speaking in tongues?  In the words of the Apostle Paul, "Having believed, did you receive the Holy Spirit?"

If the church is going to be powerful, we have to begin with a powerful core. It's time we plug into the power source and allow the energy to run through us, making our light the brightest it can be!

Trying new things

To many people's surprise, I am somewhat apprehensive when it comes to trying new things. I'm not afraid of change so much as afraid of failure.

But that's a topic for another day altogether.

So when I decided to attempt making my own laundry detergent, I really had to work myself up to it. And thanks to a dear friend, I had all the ingredients necessary. So, I did it and I am going to share the easy process with you!

 Here's what you need:

1 Fels-Naptha Soap Bar (Rural King for about $1.79) 

4 Cups hot tap water

1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 

1/2 Cup Borax

 1- 5 gallon bucket

 Empty, clean laundry detergent dispenser 

Grater (if I would've been thinking I would have bought one from Dollar Tree)

Saucepan 

Long spoon or stir stick 

Here's what you do:
-Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a five gallon bucket half full of hot top water.

-Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved.

Fill bucket to the top with more hot water.(I forgot to take a picture of this step, but, is it really necessary?) Stir, cover and let sit over night to thicken.
 -Stir and fill a used, clean laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and add fill the ret of way with water.

-Shake well before each use (will gel).
Optional: you can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled.
Yield: liquid soap recipe makes 10gallons.
5/8 cup per load for top load machines
1/4 cup per load for front load machines

Easy as that!!

I try so hard to come up with quick, fun, encouraging, light hearted things to share on my blog. It doesn't happen as often as I want.
Sometimes that is because I've blogged on my church's website and it sort of steals the thunder. It's all good! I enjoy blogging there, too.

That's why, for my blog today, I am sharing that blog. You can read it by clicking here!

I hope you find it as awesome as I did!

Timing

One thing I have learned is that there are no coincidences. Nothing just "happens", but everything happens for a reason and all things are brought together for a purpose.

Since starting my studies with Illinois School of Ministry, every class has somehow related to what is happening in my personal life and in my church. So why should this one be any different?

January is a big month for us at GCFirst! We are spending this month in an Awakening! 21 days of prayer and fasting is where we believe the start to an awesomely blessed new year starts!

From our kids fasting video games, movies, television to our youth fasting Facebook, video games, television to our adults fasting their own games, food and so on, the people at GCFirst are making their relationship with God top priority.

So, what does this have to do with my ISOM class this month? Well, I will tell you.

My class this month is Relationships and Ethics in Ministry, by T. Ray Rachels. This study has been encouraging and eye opening to me as I read about ways to maintain my family relationship while being in ministry and even how lay people in the church view my position and how I should reach out to them.

But one section of this study is about personal priorities. We all know without proper priorities, we can fail in areas we need to be strong in. Prayer is one of them ( and here it comes all together!).

I am going to share some tips given by Mr. Rachels regarding a prayer life.
1. When you pray, write down your words.
       Being ready to pray at any time is important, and let's face it, if the need hits while driving down the highway, we're not going to be writing things down. However, during our personal study time, writing down our words keeps us focused and more precise in our petitions and gratitude. Prayer is a discipline, "and writing your inner thoughts gives a direction that otherwise is too easily confused."

2. Whey you pray, learn to listen.
      "Someone has said that when some people pray, they hammer so loudly that they never hear the architect who is discussing the plans." God doesn't need loud, booming voices that ramble on and on. Sometimes, our most productive times in communication with Him begin simply with, "Here I am. Speak to me."

3. Practice what you pray.
     "Be willing to back your prayer with action."According to Rachels, we are the limits God places on himself. We can't ask God to put love in the hearts of those around us and practice prejudice ourselves. We can't pray that our church impact our community and yet, not be involved in the process.

4. Do not pray lazy prayers.
    "The soft and sloppy prayer is an insult to God's integrity and to yours." Wow. "Prayers deserve intensity because you are dealing with power that can change the world." I'm pretty sure I need to add nothing to this. I'll allow you to think on this one on your own.

5. Believe God is attentive.
    Prayer is not a time for anxiety. When we bring ourselves- our needs, desires, hurts, fears- before God, we can leave them there. We don't have to worry! We can trust that God hears our prayers and then get on with the matter of living. "In simple terms, trust in the Lord and then act like you do."

6. Know the God to whom you pray.
    "A young cynical medical intern, known for his atheism, once mockingly asked the hospital chaplain to pray that he might receive money because he was very low on funds. The chaplain replied, "If you had just met the chief surgeon, would you have asked him for money?"
    "Well no," he replied, "I would wait until I knew him a little better."
    "Exaclty," answered the chaplain and walked away."
We will NEVER stop learning about God. We can't ever forget that. Read the Bible. See the gorgeous sunset and be grateful.

7. Be obediently patient.
   God's timing is so unlike ours. His view from eternity is much better than our view from the clock.
       "He asks for strength that he might achieve.
         He was made weak that he might obey.
         He asks for help that he might do greater things.
         He was given infirmity that he might do better things.
         He asks for riches that he might be happy.
         He was given poverty that he might be wise.
         He asked for power that he might have the praise of men.
         He was given weakness that he might feel the need of God.
         He asked for all things that he might enjoy life.
         He was given life that might enjoy all things."

8. God already knows your thoughts.
    Ever had someone, maybe your child, come to you and share something with you that, really, you already knew? Wasn't some major revelation but more of a cementing of your relationship? That's how it is with God. "Your prayer is not the unveiling of your secret. It is rather the establishment of your relationship. Praying is participating in a miracle."

So, as I hit the floor on my knees this new year, I pray that you, too will find time to spend in quality communication with God. Use these tips to keep your focus on Him and to make the best of each opportunity that you have to talk with your Heavenly Father.

Some "new" favorite things.

I don't know everyone who reads my blog. I pretty much know the people who are subscribed to my blog.
The point is, it's Christmas! And in our culture it is acceptable to give a gift to the people you are in contact with. While I can't possibly "give" all of you something tangible, I would like to offer you this.

Got iTunes? Listen to podcasts? I have recently subscribed to two podcasts and I'm so thrilled about them! So my gift to you is the advice to subscribe to these FREE (don't you love that word?) podcasts.

1. Air1-Brant Hansen.
The radio station that can be found here, has a WONDERFUL guy on their afternoon show. Brant Hansen has an amazing testimony. He's hilarious. He's thought provoking. He has Aspergers. His podcast is the talking parts of his radio show and you will absolutely love it!!! What a guy.

2. In The Loop with Andy Andrews.
Andy Andrews is a wonderful author who writes about ways to get through this life with positivity and hope. I guess technically he's an inspirational speaker. But not in your "prosperity" sort of way. To me, he's an encourager. This podcast, In The Loop, is so enlightening, encouraging, entertaining, etc. There are even opportunities through Andy's facebook page and twitter to ask him questions that might just be answered on the podcast! The host, Andy Traub, is engaging.

So, my gift to you this season is the gift of encouragement through the words and entertainment of Godly men who are using their gifts and talents for the glory of God.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I have!

Now, for a little bit of fun, I leave you with this:

Lessons learned

You know those days when you would swear your children are not paying attention and you KNOW that nothing is being retained as you talk to them? 

I knew you would.


As a parent, things happen that you don't always want to share...whether it be a mistake you make or a big whopper your kid gets into, sometimes you just want those less appealing moments of parenthood to go away.


Well, I had one a few weeks age but I am going to share because the end result is...well...wonderful!


A few weeks ago, I was taking Ty and Noah somewhere in the van and all of a sudden from the back seat I hear the dreaded words that most parents cringe and dread. "MOM! Noah just stuck up his middle finger at me!"


Okay. So, first, Ty didn't even know what that meant but knew it wasn't nice.
Second, Noah has no clue what it means either. 
Third, one more reason sending your kids to school sucks!


Sorry. I digress.


"What?!?! Noah I can't believe you did that! Why in the world would you do that? You are grounded! Spankings all around."
                          Is what I wanted to say.


"Noah. That isn't nice at all. I don't ever want to see that again." Is how I really responded. 
But his response very nonchalant "k."
 So I said, "I don't think you understand. This is a better-ask-Jesus-to-forgive-me-now kind of bad. So you probably need to pray right now and ask Him to forgive you." And immediately the tears roll. 


Flash forward to this past week. You see, when Donny was younger he cut the tip of his index finger off and when the weather starts to get dryer and cooler, it chaps and cracks. In the van the other day, Donny was messing with the touch screen in the van and used his middle finger to tap on the screen. He said that Noah told him he's not supposed to use that finger and "you'd better not let mom catch you using that finger."


Lesson learned. 


Amen.