On ACLU vs PHS

If you haven't heard yet, you probably will hear that the ACLU is suing Mr. Rogers, Mr. Lay, and the Santa Rosa County School District on behalf of two anonymous students. The lawsuit challenges student led prayer at graduation ceremonies across the county, prayer at sporting events, having school events at churches, and even prayer and Bible teaching that occurred before school AT CHRISTIAN clubs. The lawsuit also indicates that PHS Faculty and staff use their status as teachers and administrators to further their beliefs and makes it sound like teachers are teaching Christianity in the classroom and pushing Christianity on students. I've read the lawsuit myself and I was shocked at the deceptive spin that was used in the wording.

In the words of a PHS student that bagged my groceries at Publix yesterday, "I don't know what all of the fuss is about, but I never felt that anyone at Pace was pressuring me into anything. I never heard any of the teachers ever say anything about their beliefs. "

PRAY FOR THE TRUTH to be revealed. Pray for justice. Pray for our school system. Pray for our administrators, faculty, and staff. Pray for the students, especially the two who are filing this lawsuit. Pray for Mr. Rogers and Mr. Lay.

In His Love, Cathy

TODAY'S FORECAST - Sunny & Beautiful

My migraine is gone...completely disappeared right out of the blue late yesterday afternoon!

So, enjoy your weekend!

FALL FASHION MUST HAVE - Hurricane Shoes

The Season's Hottest Shoes! Get' em before they're out of season!

Notice they are in Auburn Colors....WAREAGLE!

The Weather Channel VS My Head

I have a migraine. I've had it since yesterday starting right after lunch. I've taken my prescription meds to combat it. It lessens, but it is reluctant to completely relinquish it's control over my head. The battle has been raging on through last night and again throughout today. Why me? Why now? Why oh why won't it go away?

I've fought this battle many times. I fought it last week as well...starting on Wednesday. It was the day a little tropical storm named Fay made it's entry into the Carribean and the Gulf of Mexico, criss crossing the state of Florida. I finally got relief late Monday night. I fought this battle during Erin, Opal, Ivan, and Dennis. I fight this battle every time a storm enters our area, no matter how big or small it is. Now, my migraine is raging up again. Raging is an understatement. Medication can hardly contain it's painful effects. My head feels as though the right half of my brain will implode and explode at the same time. The pain ferociously stabbing its way down the right side of my neck deep into my right shoulder blade. It's on the move again, taking back real estate that it was forced to retreat from earlier in the day. "Oh my aching head," is an understatement!

Want an accurate weather predication you can count on...then ask my migraine! My friend Sidney claims it gives more accurate weather predictions than the Weather Channel. Fay was about where Gustav is right now when my migraine flared up last week. BRING IT ON JIM CANTORE...you got nothin' on me!

So, are YOU prepared for Gustav? Based on my migraine, I'm going to the store to stock up and then get gas ... but first I think I'm going to hang out for a while somewhere very quiet and very dark. See you at the pump!

PS - Uh oh! Now it's going down into my left shoulder blade as well...a two sided migraine...can't be a good sign!

PSS - My husband is a DOUBTER! We shall see! We SHALL see!

In His Love, Cathy
This blog does not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Weather Channel. For scientific weather predictions, check with the National Weather Service, The Weather Channel, or your local news source.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES - STAY TUNED

FYI...our home computer is experiencing technical difficulties. Actually, it's our DSL modem that is having issues. Please stay tuned until we have an opportunity to have this problem repaired! This has resulted in impairing my blog abilities!

I guess the enemy didn't like what I had to say in my last blog:-)

Until I blog again, may the Lord keep you and protect you and yours! See you at UNITE tonight!

In His Love, Cathy

PCC Children's Events - Aug 25 to Aug 31

NO ICE CREAM & JESUS THIS WEEK!

Instead, plan to join us for the UNITE Picnic with the rest of our church family.

Grills are hot at 6 p.m. Bring picnic dinner for your family & meat to grill!

See you there for a wonderful time of fellowship!

Training Up a Child: The First Step

I love Casting Crown's newest song...Slow Fade. Being a children's pastor, the song immediately touched my heart the first time I heard it. Click on it and really invest yourself in what the message of this song is about. Then continue to read my blog below the video link. I do have important words to say to families of all shapes and sizes.



We parents have a HUGE responsibility. God has COMMANDED US to train up our children in Christ. The church is there to support parents in helping their child hear the Word, grow in Christ, and in discipling their child. But God never meant for the church to be the primary spiritual caregiver to the child. Children are only at church for 2 to 4 hours a week. Quite frankly, we parents have the most influence on our children and are the ones our children watch more than anyone else.

"Be careful little eyes what you see..." Casting Crowns remind us in this song that it's the ones who come behind us that are watching us, copying us, modeling their lives after ours. I'm going to ask you a tough question. Please think honestly about your answer. My question is meant to streghthen your faith and your family.

From a spiritual perspective, are you living the type of life you want your children to emulate?

If not, then what do you need to do to change that? You see, children learn by copying others. What they see you do, they will do also. Do you model Christ daily and live for Him daily? If not, then take another listen to the song, because it's the little feet that come behind whose ETERNAL LIVES ARE AT STAKE!

The first step to training up a child in the way he should go is to model that life yourself. You can not teach what you do not know. You can not live what you do not believe. You can not lead YOUR CHILD to Christ if You don't know the way yourself.

Think about your own relationship to Christ. How are YOU living FOR HIM? Do you seek HIM DAILY in prayer? Do you think of Him like a majic genie, who blesses you if you're good? Or do you see HIM as the RISEN LORD of your life? Do you READ His WORD on a DAILY basis, READING to CHANGE your life? Or do you hardly look at your Bible? Do you attend church regularly, serve Him, and seek HIM everyday? Or do you just think about Him once in a while, when you're not too busy and have a few minutes to spare? Do you LOVE HIM with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Or are you just using Him to get what you want out of life? Are you living life looking out for your own interests? Or are you putting Christ first? Have you asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? Ask Him to help you be honest with yourself.

Tough questions, hard questions, but questions you must answer for yourself. Examine Your relationship with the Lord. Prayerfully ask HIM to point the way. For it is from where you stand with Christ that the process of training up YOUR CHILD begins. You don't have to be perfect, that's God's job (to be perfect, that is). Yours is just to love Him and be His willing servant. He LOVES YOU and YOUR CHILD more than you know. He will help you raise up your child! He will HELP YOU walk in His Ways. You can COUNT ON HIM!

"Be careful little feet where you go..." it's the ones who come behind who will follow you.

"The godly walk with integrity; blessed are the children who follow them." Proverbs 20:7

In His Love, Cathy

May I suggest a wonderful resource for leading children to Christ. It's "I Believe in Jesus" by John McArthur. It is a wonderful starting point for parents to talk with their children about Jesus Christ and their need for salvation.

The Prodigal Son - Today's Sermon

Today's sermon was certainly annointed, wasn't it? Last week, Pastor Ron focused on the wayward son. Today, his sermon focused on the father and his reaction to the wayward son's return. I was struck by several points Ron shared in the sermon.

First of all, what a beautiful illustration Christ gave us of the love of our wonderful God! What makes this story even more amazing is that it not only depicts the Father's love for us, but just how EXTRAORDINARY HIS LOVE for us truly is! IMAGINE the GOD of the UNIVERSE, the CREATOR of ALL things...RUNNING to us in UNBRIDLED EMOTION when we turn to HIM! IMAGINE the HOSTS of HEAVEN CELEBRATING when even ONE SINNER repents and ACCEPTS CHRIST!

God loves you more deeply than you can imagine. He loves you just as you are! His depth of forgiveness and grace is more than enough. No matter what you've done, no matter what you are going through, He'll take you as you are...no prior cleanup on your part. You can't do it on your own. You NEED HIM! Simply admit you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive you and help you turn away from sin. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He died for YOUR SINS, to take YOUR PUNISHMENT, and that He ROSE AGAIN on the third day. Confess JESUS as YOUR LORD and SAVIOR!

When you accept Christ, the FATHER will embrace HIS loving arms around you. He will never leave you. He promises us this. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you." (John 14:16) YOU will be HIS CHILD! Even if you are wayward, turn to CHRIST! He's just standing, patiently waiting for you to come home.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20

Have you opened the door? If not, what are you waiting for?

In His Love, Cathy

Our 21st Anniversary

Today, Scott and I celebrate our 21st anniversary. It seems like only yesterday that my tall, handsome prince awaited me at the front of the church. He looked so handsome in his white tux. Even then, I knew I was a blessed woman. I didn't deserve the wonderful man who was about to pledge his life to me as his wife. I was one lucky gal and I knew it. We were so young, so full of life. We were so eager to begin our lives together. I never imagined loving someone like I do him. I knew he was special, and so did my family.

Looking back at our lives, the ups, the downs, three children, my cancer, his knee surgery, plus a plethera of other life experiences we shared together, I realize now more than ever how blessed I truly am. God has truly intertwined our hearts as one. I couldn't imagine life without my husband. I am truly thankful that God has blessed us in our marriage, in our relationship with each other, and with our children. I know that without Christ, we could not have made it this far. You know what he told me yesterday? "I love you more deeply than you'll ever know!" My heart fluttered and my eyes welled up.

So I wanted to thank my wonderful husband for 21 years of patience with me, kitchen disasters, dirty diapers, marathon shopping trips, and hundreds of pairs of shoes.

Scott, I love you so very much!

Thought for the Day

I received this in an email from a friend last year as I was going through a difficult time. Thought I'd share this with you, my friends. The author is anonymous.

If God brings you to it,

He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.

Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God.

Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God.

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You." Isaiah 26:3

PCC Children's Events for Aug 18 - 24

ICE CREAM & JESUS PICKS UP AGAIN WEDNESDAY, AUG 20 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Be sure your child joins us for our next unit of Bible Study, "Beginning the Christian Adventure."
Ice cream will be served!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BREAKOUT SESSIONS FOR KIDS from 7 to 7:30
Breakout Session 1: Outreach Children's Ministry Team
Breakout Session 2: Children's Worship Team

ATTENTION PARENTS: Please pick up your elementary aged child by 7:30 p.m. as we can not watch them after this time now that school has started. Thank you so much! (Please see me if you have a teen who attends youth group as well- we have a plan to help you out with your teen.)

FRIDAY, Aug 22 SCOTT & I WILL CELEBRATE OUR 21st ANNIVERSARY and my niece, Brianna turns 5 years old!

ATTENTION DADS: We are needing some men to help put together new partitions for the children's classrooms. The partitions came in last Friday, but must be assembled. Come WEDNESDAY, AUG 20 at 6 p.m. if you can help.

ROCK SOLID, our Sunday Morning Children's program just kicked off our new series SHIPWRECKED, a study of the life of Paul (The Book of Acts). Make sure your child is a part of this awesome children's program. Offered every Sunday, both services.

Training Up a Child: FREEDOM

I'm finally getting started on the training up a child series that I had intended to start a month ago. Though I feel I've left some of you wondering when I would start, I know that to have started earlier was not in God's timing. Here's why.

Scott and I just went through a major life change with our oldest son. He graduated from high school and left for college one week ago. Through the last two weeks, we are learning to let go, to allow our son to have freedom he's never had before. We thought he was going to come home this weekend. He did, on Friday, for two hours, to get some things he forgot, and then left again. I didn' t get to see him because I was at work. Yes, I was disappointed as I thought he planned to stay the weekend at home. But, his plans changed. He had a new group people to hang out with. He had a newfound freedom that he never had before. He has discovered that freedom much more quickly than we expected! We thought for at least the next month, he'd come home every weekend. Boy, were we wrong! (Son, if you're reading this, you're welcome home anytime, but do what you want to do.) Now, mind you, I was EXTREMELY happy that he had made friends so quickly. I was happy that he wanted to be at college this weekend to participate in college church activities that were going on. He came home to get dress clothes...dress shirt, dress shoes, dress pants...and yes, even a TIE!!! He also got his XBox 360...so I'm sure he has lots of friends, now:-) Here's the point, he didn't ask permission from us in any of these decisions. He wasn't being disrespectful, it's just that we are encouraging him to branch out on his own and make his own decisions. He's been happy to oblige. Just in a week's time I've seen him grow as a young adult. I've been amazed by his maturity and independence. He is able to do so many more things than I ever thought he would. Not because I doubted him, but because he's never had the experience to do so before. His driving the distance from college to home and back again on his own was an eye opener for me. My baby can go the distance! He even did his own laundry!

You may be thinking that this story doesn't apply to you. Some of your children may not have even started school yet. It may seem to you that I'm starting this series at the wrong end of childhood. So how is this story related to training up a child? It is to remind all of us of the desired END RESULT...what we as parents need to ALWAYS be mindful of the goal of raising our children to be God loving, Christ-centered, wise, responsible adults. We want to train up our children so they have a solid foundation in Christ so that as they grow they learn to handle their independence in a godly manner. FACE IT...they are going to be independent from us SOME DAY. Knowing my son gave his life to Christ years ago, that we trained him up, raising him up in church, and seeing him grow in Christ is a HUGE comfort to me now that he's away from home. Don't you want that comfort and peace? Children who have found freedom in Christ will be better equipped to handle their personal freedom as young adults with great wisdom. That may not always be the case, but we can trust God with our young adult children. We can also trust Him to help us with difficulties along the way. The bottom line, we as parents must be mindful of our children's eternal future, not just the present, and not just their earthly future. Though the future for my college age son will include ups and downs for him, I know that we've trained him up. Now, we MUST trust him and trust God with him. We don't have a choice! I can hear Matt loud and clear, "FREEDOM!" Yep, that's his new mantra!

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Proverbs 22:6

In His Love, Cathy

There's a New King in Town

All Hail King Michael! Not even a full week has gone by since big brother Mathew left before the little prince appointed himself King. By the way, that's one of Mathew's senior crowns from high school that the New King is wearing. He's now officially taken over two rooms of the house (his room and Mathew's room) plus Mathew's throne at the head of the dinner table...not to mention the royal bathroom throne.

Long Live the King!

(PS - Also pictured is her royal highness, Princess, who rules on high the land above the cabinets and furniture.)

His Royalness at the Royal Command Center, Mathew's Room.

Her Most Royal Highness, Princess, Ruler of the Land above Cabinets & Furniture.

A Prayer Worth Saying

"Teach me your ways, O Lord,

that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,

so I may honor you!"

Psalm 89:11

What a wonderfully simple prayer. The psalmist made heartfelt, earnest requests. He wanted God to teach him His ways and to give him purity of heart. Honorable requests. Examining the reasons for each of these requests exposes the psalmist's heart condition. He wanted to live according to God's truth, to honor God. In his requests and his reasoning for them, we see someone who loves God, who is God-centered.

God wants to bless us in the same way as this psalmist requests. We can always be open to God helping us to grow as believers, giving us opportunities to stretch ourselves spiritually, improving our obedience, and growing our understanding of Him. We should also want to live to bring God honor. We can pray this prayer and God will be faithful to answer. He will help you walk in His truth and he will grant you purity of heart. Commit your life to Christ, live for Him, and honor Him daily. He loves you! Yes, Y-O-U. It doesn't matter who you are or what you have done, He still loves you and desires you.

In His Love, Cathy

Love Strengthens

"...But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all of the answers doesn't really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes." 1 Corinthians 8:1b - 3

While wisdom and knowledge are important and worthy desires, there is something that is far more important - love. Pauls says in this verse that you can have all the answers in the world, but without love, specifically love for God, you have nothing and your knowledge is unfounded. This verse beutifully illustrates the balance between knowledge and love for God. We saw yesterday that fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge. Loving God is the only way to obtain true knowledge and wisdom. Loving Him leads to intimate knowledge of Him. Intimate knowledge of Him through the Holy Spirit molds us into His likeness. When we fall in love with God, we want to know everything about Him! Just like a young couple who are deeply in love, when we are in love with God, we just can't get enough of Him! When we love Him, when we desire to know and be known by Him, we are reflecting His very Nature and Character. We are being molded into an image of His precious Son, Jesus, who loves Him and is always faithful and obedient to the Father.

God desires us. He loves us so much that Christ was obedient unto death to give us every opportunity for salvation. To be known by God, we must model His love. We must love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Then we must love others, yes, even our enemies. He said so. Toby Mac illustrates this point so beautifully in one of his songs. In one stanza it simply says, "I was made to love and be loved by you!" How amazing is the love of God for us!

In His Love, Cathy

I'm No Fool, No Sirree

"Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

Proverbs 1:7

Remember Jiminy Cricket in those Disney Educational shows? He'd always sing this little jingle, "I'm no fool, no sirree. I'm gonna live to be 103! I've got brains for you and me, cause I'm no fool!" You see, when I was growing up, "The Wonderful World of Disney" always came on Sunday nights, after "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom." We'd watch an hour of "Wild Kingdom" an obviously educational show. Then the piece de resistance...DISNEY!!! If we were lucky, they might show "Lady & the Tramp" or some other Disney feature film. Often, it was D list Disney movie like the "Apple Dumpling Gang" or our friend Jiminy Cricket with an educational show on ...da da dummmm....safety or science or, heaven forbid, MATH!!! (That was before I liked math by the way!) The bottom line was that Jiminy was no fool and he wanted to teach us stuff so that we wouldn't be fools either. Well, now, I'm not sure how to measure the success rate of Jiminy's educational strategies to rid the world of fools, but I can say with confidence it wasn't 100%. I guess it was because Jiminy had enough brains for all of us that some of us saw no point in learning anything. After all, he did say he had "brains for you and me!"

As a second generation educator, married to a second generation educator, I value knowledge, wisdom, and understanding very highly. Yes, I was the kid who LOVED learning! Yes, I was also the teachers pet, yep, that was me. I LOVED reading. From a very young age I was drawn to books. I often perused my parent's prized set of Encyclopedias. I would sit for hours eagerly looking through the pages even before I could read. The pictures of strange and wonderful things piqued the interest of my young mind and sometimes overactive imagination. Once I could read, the doors swung wide and I stepped into worlds I had never experienced before. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know. I LOVE to learn, to seek out knowledge, and understanding. This is just the way God wired me. I realize now that this thirst for learning is what ultimately led me to God in the first place and to the foot of the cross. It was in college that I gave my life to Jesus Christ, truly understanding what it meant.

What I've learned through my life is that all knowledge is flawed or meaningless if we do not understand nor have God's Truth implanted in us as our foundation. In college, I studied Religion. I learned quite a bit about many different world religions and many Christian denominations. I now possess knowledge about these religions and found some of them interesting, though flawed. Why flawed? Because I know God's truth and have knowledge of His Word. I know what to believe and what not to believe. God's truth is my knowledge base. It is the springboard for wisdom and understanding. Because of this, I don't chase after the world's version of wisdom. Worldy wisdom offers nothing in comparison to our omnicient God.

What does omnicient mean? Even if you know, read the two definitions below. They will remind you of just how AWESOME God is. Here's the Miriam Webster Online Dictionary defition of omniscient:

1 : having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight

2 : possessed of universal or complete knowledge

Here's what's cool, God has INFINITE awareness, INFINITE understanding and INFINITE insight! GOD POSSESSES UNIVERSAL and COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE!!! All knowledge is INCOMPLETE without HIM! So, those who don't fear the Lord, who don't have His Truth as their foundation of knowledage are fools, irregardless of their level of intelligence or academia. Fools despise wisdom and correction. "I'm no fool, no sirree!"

I don't know about you, but I made up my mind long ago that I didn't want to be a fool! None of us do. I recognized that not only did I need Christ, I needed His wisdom, so that I could live a life pleasing to Him. That set me off on the journey that I am on today. Living for Christ and seeking God daily.

So, sing it with me now, "I'm no fool, no siree, I'm gonna live to be a 103! I've got brains for you and me cause I'm no fool!" Good job! Jiminy would be proud!

In His Love, Cathy

A Little Spiritual Heart Surgery

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends YOU,

and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

Psalm 140-23-24

God knows our hearts. He knows our every secret thought, everything we've ever said, everything we've ever done. He knows our sins as well. He knows the good, the bad, and the ugly. Some of us can be pretty ugly at times, can't we? The thought that God knows everything about can be disconcerting. The very idea that He knows our hearts could even be eternally fatal for us.

But you know what? Even though He has all of this 'dirt' on us, HE STILL LOVES US! He even loved us while we were yet sinners - so much so that HE sent HIS PERFECT SON to DIE for OUR SINS! And through JESUS CHRIST, we can find forgiveness for our sins. WE can confess EVERYTHING to Him - all of our sins, all of our worries, all of our pains. I know that HE will be faithful and just to forgive.

Ask God daily to search every corner of your heart, revealing any sin that you need to take to Him in prayer. Pray for forgiveness and help in overcoming that sin. Be ready for Him to perform a little spiritual heart surgery on ANY SIN that hinders your walk in Christ. Give yourself wholeheartedly to Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOR. He wants to lead you down the path of everlasting life!

In His Love, Cathy

Honoring Our Parents...Priceless

"My child, listen when your father corrects you.

Don't neglect your mother's instruction.

what you learn from them will crown you with grace

and be a chain of honor around your neck."

Proverbs 1:8-9

God admonishes us to honor our Father and Mother. In fact, this was so important to GOD that HE made it the #5 Commandment in the Ten Commandments. Why is honoring our parents so important? First, it's a model of how we are to honor God, our creator. Second, God placed us with our parents according to HIS will. No matter what our parents are like, there is no getting around this point. By honoring our parents we are setting a Christian example, whether our parents are believers or not. If they see Christian love in action, that gives you credibility in sharing Christ with them.

Not only are we to honor our parents, we have a lot we can learn from them. The dude that wrote the verse above knew more about this than anyone. He was King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived! Now before you write him off, you need to understand something. He was the son of King David, who wrote most of the Psalms. When Solomon became king, God asked him what he would like. Solomon asked for wisdom. Not only did God bless him with wisdom but also with wealth, fame, and power. Solomon became the greatest king of the times. He was the Bill Gates of the ancient world. He was also the dude that built the Temple in Jerusalem. Growing up, I'm sure Solomon listened to his parents' wisdom, after all, his Dad was king and had a wealth of experience to draw upon. Solomon also witnessed the downfall of some of his unwise brothers who didn't honor God nor heed their father.

Let me give you some wise advice. Honor your parents. Prayerfully consider their advice...they've made it this far in life so they might just have a little bit of a clue. Your parents love you. Honor them by obeying them and listening to them. Listen to their correction - gladly and without complaint. If you disagree, do so in love and with respect. Find common ground and work out those differences. Doing so will bring you great honor and will be your crown of grace. Look out for your parents, care for them as the years go by. Your parents truly have your best interests in mind. I challenge you to grow beyond yourself - take a look at things from Mom & Dad's perspective. You might just be surprised at how much they really do know and understand. You might even be surprised at how much they relate to or know about you - even things you think they don't know...I'm just sayin'!

In His Love, Cathy

Off to College

Well, today was the day. We took our oldest son, Mathew, to college. We got home just an hour ago. Our other two children were off at a friend's house. It was eerily quiet. I don't think my husband and I have ever been home, just the two of us, since... nineteen fhaoimfaisl something or other.

It was good for me to be home with just my husband. I immediately went into our son's room and began to clean, dust, and straighten. (Not exactly what you thought would happen, huh?) He's coming home this weekend so I want things to be nice for him. I guess it was my way of dealing with Matt's absence. Our family is close so when one of us is missing, it's noticeable. Though I'm full of mixed emotions right now, I'm so very happy for him. I'm also so very proud of him!

I prayed for him last night, my son. I actually laid my hands on his car, praying for his protection and safety. I prayed that he would make wise choices. I prayed for him to make new friends, godly friends. I prayed for his grades - for God to bless him not only with wisdom, but with knowledge, understanding, and clear thinking. I prayed for his future, his major, his career. I prayed for his roomate, for them to hit it off, and for him to be a Christian. Finally, I turned my son and his future completely over to God. We've raised him up in the Lord and we've done what we could to fulfill the commitment we made when we dedicated him as a baby to the Lord. Our role as parents changed today. He's always been a good boy and very responsible. He's a young man now, you know?

Still, I sit in his room, typing this blog on his computer (Yes, son, in case you are reading this, not only is your room clean, but I'm in your room on YOUR computer. Creepy, huh?) I guess being in Matt's room makes me feel close to him.

As I write this, the late afternoon sun filters lazily through Matt's window blinds spilling over on to his walls. The light orange glow tells of the sun's impending departure until morning. The strange lighting seems to echo my mixed emotions over this new phase of our lives. Sad for the setting of the life we knew for so long as a family, but excited about the new life and the wonderful future in store for Mathew. All I know is that God is there with our son though we can not be. In that we have peace.

Thank you , Lord, for you are good!

In His Love, Cathy

Overcoming Hurt & Self Pity

I just read the editors blog on "Today's Christian Womans" website. The blog was touching as it addressed a hurting friend going through the betrayal of divorce. The friend in the blog rehashed and slashed through old wounds, repeatedly bringing up old pains and reliving them over and over again. Why does this touch my heart? Because I've been there. Though I haven't been divorced and I don't know that particular pain, I have suffered hurts and betrayals. I know what's its like to rehash old hurts and pick the scabs off those old wounds. I know what it's like to relive that pain, only to hurt all over again. Loved ones and friends have also suffered through hurt, pain, and betrayal at one time or another.

My heart goes out to everyone who struggles with hurt and self pity. This year has been a very emotionally difficult year. Not only was I hurting, but at the same time, so were some of my friends and family. It was hard. As I blogged earlier today, I was reminded of the Greatest Commandment...To LOVE God and LOVE people. Somehow, that brought me to attention spiritually, reminding me it's not just about me. I was also reminded of 1 Thess. 5:11 ...to encourage one another and build each other up. When we get outside of our own skin, totally yielding to the Holy Spirit, and view others with love, somehow that helps us deal with our hurts.

Leaning on Him is the best medicine. Praying for those who wronged or hurt us is also important for healing. We can tell God our pains and hurts. He will listen. He wants to help. "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." Psalm 56:8 God knows what we are suffering. He loves us that much! He also promises to take care of us, "Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalm 55:22 I had a friend who visualized throwing the person and problems that hurt her over a fence - God was on the other side of the fence. Allowing self pity and hurt to dominate our lives can hinder our relationship with God. We have to let it go. If someone wronged you, then forgiveness is also an important step in your own healing. Forgive that person just as Christ have forgiven you. It may be hard, but God can give you the strength to do so.



If you are a friend of someone who is suffering from a painful incident or self pity, praying for them is best thing you can do. Trust God to reveal opportunities to help them in healthy ways.

In His Love, Cathy

Encourage One Another

"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the LORD's work.

They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.

And live peacefully with each other."

1 Thessalonians 5:11-13

I love this passage. It's the essence of how we are to respond to each other in love. Jesus said that "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is EQUALLY important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all of the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." Notice that every commandment, teaching, and prohecy HANG on these two commandments. This is the main theme running through the entire Bible! If we LOVE the LORD and LOVE others the way we are COMMANDED, then all we say, think, and do should be a natural reflection of this heart condition.

As humans, it's hard for us to completely overcome our imperfect nature. Jude 1:16 says, "These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves and they flatter others to get what they want." Now Jude was speaking of false teachers who had infiltrated the church. However, this assessment of those false teachers is the essence of what our imperfect human nature is drawn to. Left to our own devices, we all display these negative characteristics to some degree. These things discourage others. Discrouragement tears downs and destroys. However, Christ wants us to be completely opposite of this. Instead of grumbling and complaining, we are to speak encouraging words that lift up truth, instill joy, and bring peace. Instead of living to satisfy our own desires, we are to honor, respect, love, and live peacefully with others, especially those who are spiritual leaders. Instead of flattering others to get what we want, we are speak true encouragement that build up each other. Flattery speaks to pride. Encouragement speaks truth to ones spirit.

I, too, struggle with being encouraging. Christ can help us to live in love, to encourage one another and build each other up. When we let the Holy Spirit reign in our hearts He will help us to do so. Let's love and encourage those around us today. Don't allow a cynical, grumbling, discouraging spirit gain control. Let God's love, peace, and joy overflow your heart and spill over to bless others.

Simply put, love God, love people.

In His Love, Cathy

Praise Report: Children's Ministry

God is so amazing! He is doing great and wonderful things at PCC. Evidence of His wonderful work is definitely present in the children's ministry as well. Our children and children's ministry have experienced an abundance of blessings. The Lord has truly answered our prayers with His awesome deeds. There's no other way of explaining what has been happening other than the Lord has his hand upon it all.

First, our ICE CREAM & JESUS midweek children's Bible Study has just EXPLODED this summer! We had a record number of children last night - 21 to be exact. This is AMAZING for two reasons. First, in past Wednesday night groups we averaged around 8 to 12 children...MAX. However, our summer group has consistently had an average of 16 to 18 children. Praise God! Secondly, this is summer. Families are on vacation and are usually hit or miss on regular activities like this due to summer activities. Despite these past statistics and odds, GOD moved this ministry to overcome these obstacles. Children are HUNGRY for the Word and are EAGER to soak it up. Praise the LORD that HE has moved on the hearts of these children and their parents. I can't believe what is happening right before my very eyes! Children are hearing the Word, they are understanding the Word, they are asking questions about the Word, and they are opening their hearts to Christ! Christ is being preached and received by little hearts! AMAZING!

God is working here, therefore, we will continue to have our ICE CREAM & JESUS midweek Bible Study through the fall. The high attendance and the success of this ministry indicates that CHILDREN WANT AND NEED this type of ministry. AMEN!

In addition, we had around 14 children give their lives to Christ this summer and be baptized! Some committed themselves to Christ at VBS and others just prior to or right after VBS. AWESOME! My heart is overflowing with joy over these new believers! In addition, I had another young boy come to me this past Sunday to tell me he received Christ and wants to be baptized. PRAISE THE LORD! God is working on these young hearts!

We also have a wonderful group of volunteers. These friends of mine are just awesome and great at what they do! From our check in/hall security team to our teachers and helpers. Though we are praying for more helpers to ease the workload, these wonderful people serve with joyful hearts and are faithful. As a testimony to the character of these volunteers, one couple who teaches diligently study the Sunday lesson on Wednesday nights, preparing while their daughter attends youth group. Other volunteers not only serve and teach on Sundays, but they happily stick around on Wednesday nights to help with the children's group. I thank God always for each and every one of these awesome people. Another volunteer and her son not only serve in children's ministry, but they also do mission work with children in Easter Europe. Another wonderful lady serves in children's ministry, nursery, and heads up an outreach effort to local nursing homes. Others on our team serve Christ in so many other capacities - adult small group leaders, teen ministry, welcome center, and much more. What an awesome group of people!

Our Sunday mornings are also reving up for the school year. We are studying the life of Paul in the book of Acts. We have some wonderful Biblical truths the children will be learning and applying to their lives.

Pray for our age level ministries - nursery, children, and teen! Pray for the children and young people we serve. These ministries are here to make new disciples - not babysit nor entertain! Want to see God do exciting stuff? Then step up and step into serving in one of these amazing ministries! You can witness and be a part of changed lives. You will be blessed by the experience!

In His Love, Cathy

What I am Thankful For

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!

His faithful love endures forever."

Psalm 136:1

Here's a few things I'm thankful for:

1. My Savior

2. My husband

3. My children

4. My family (parents, siblings, inlaws)

5. My friends (Love ya'll!)

6. My Church Family (Love ya'll, all of you are in my friends group!)

7. The Ministry God called me to

8. God's abundant blessings and provision

9. My life in Christ

10. Seeing God work in the hearts of people.

11. Watching children grow in Christ.

12. Seeing my 18 year old son read his Bible first thing, thinking no one is watching through the crack of his door.

13. Seeing my 15 year old daughter worship the Lord with all of her heart, taking notes during service, and youth group.

14. Seeing my 10 year old son make a beeline to his Bible first thing in the morning to read God's word.

15. Walking into this same 10 year old's room in the early morning, to find him on his knees praying. Then being told, "Mom, don't bother me in the mornings. I'm having my quiet time!" (An echo of what I said to him when he found me on my knees early one morning. Parents, when you walk the walk, little feet will follow in your steps!)

16. Spending time with my children and husband.

17. The peace and joy that permeates my heart.

18. God providing our oldest son a scholarship to a good Christian College. Never dreamed we could ever afford it!

19. God answering our prayers with AWESOME deeds!

AND, most importantly,

20. God's amazing love!

There is so much more that I am thankful for, but too numerous to name. All I can say is Thank You, Lord! I don't deserve any of these blessings. You are so good!

What are you thankful for?

In His Love, Cathy

Korah's Rebellion

Ok, just so you know, I'm studying the book of Numbers. As I've said in an earlier blog, in the book of Numbers we see the constant complaining of the Israelites against Moses and Aaron. Although I can't wait to finish the book of Numbers due to the constant complaining, I know that God is showing me wonderful tidbits of His Nature and zinging me on issues that I didn't realize I had - or want to admit to:-).



So, as I'm reading along in Numbers 16, I come across the story of Korah's rebellion. Good old Korah was a Levite. Numbers 1:1-3 says that, "One day Korah, son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominant members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, "You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the LORD and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the LORD's people?"" Since Korah was a Levite, he held an important responsibility. The Levites were called by God to serve as Aaron's assistants and the community of Israel. They had special duties and responsibilities, serving in the Tabernacle, maintaining it and all of the holy items associated with it. God told Moses, "Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of the people of Israelites. The Levites belong to me...They are mine; I am the LORD." (Numbers 3:12, 13b) Korah was a Levite. He was SPECIALLY CHOSEN by God to serve God. His responsibilities were highly IMPORTANT, not lightweight by any means. But this wasn't enough for Korah. He wanted more. He'd seen the political power that the priests in Egypt held. He wanted that kind of power for himself. He didn't understand that God had different plans for His priesthood than that of the Egyptians and other surrounding peoples. God wanted a priesthood that was totally obedient to Him. A priesthood whose soul purpose was to serve Him, not their own selfish motives and ambition. Korah and his followers weren't just rebelling against Moses and Aaron. They were rebelling against God. Not only that, he incited other leaders to join him in the rebellion.

Bottom line, Korah and his partners in crime had inappropriate ambition. Inappropriate ambition is simply greed in disguise. Here God had given these men awesome responsibilities and leadership in the Israelite community. They were in a great position of authority already and could use that for God's glory. However, this wasn't enough for them. Why? Because their focus shifted. They no longer sought God's Will nor concentrated on the special purpose God had called them to. They lost their perspective, exaggerated the issues, and overrated problems. They wanted the power and control to 'fix' things their own way, to satisfy their own ambition and agenda. Because they didn't trust Moses and Aaron's leadership, they showed they didn't trust God.

Like Korah, we need to be wary of inappropriate ambition in our hearts. When we completely lose our perspective, whether its from overwhelming problems, innappropriate ambition, greed, or ungodly desires, our relationship with God is hindered. As a result, we loose sight of His will in our lives. We need to ensure that our ambition is in agreement with God's purpose and will. We need to turn our difficulties and problems over to Him in TOTAL surrender. We must not allow our problems to overwhelm us to the point that we seek our own solutions, set up our own agenda, or seek inappropriate avenues for power and control over them. We must trust Him and rely on Him. Focus on finding God's purpose and concentrate on humbly fulfilling that purpose where He has placed you. Be content where God is using you and in the way He is using you. Be ready to step up when He calls you to step up. Be obedient to Him.

So, what happened to Korah and his rebellious allies? Well, God destroyed them. As soon as Moses said , "But if the Lord does something entirely new and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them and all their belongings, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have shown contempt for the LORD." (Numbers 16:30) ,
God opened up the ground which swallowed the men, along with their households, belongings, and followers. Then He closed it back up again.

Guess what happened the next day? The Israelites started complaining again! But that's another story...

Fix your eyes upon Christ! Don't lose focus! I am praying for you.
In His Love, Cathy

The Lord is With You

"On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. This was the regular pattern - ... Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp.
...So they camped or traveled at the LORD's Command, and they did whatever the LORD told them through Moses." Numbers 9:15, 16a, 17, 23

Just think about it, the LORD of the universe, the CREATOR of ALL THINGS was with the Israelites. By day, His presence was in the form of a cloud. By night, His presence was in the form of a pillar of fire...leading, guiding, protecting His people, His own special possession. How AWESOME is that? Can you even imagine? What a wonderful experience to personally witness such a great feat! How amazing it must have been to experience the physical presence of God in such a way!

Guess what? You too can experience the presence of the LORD with you WHEREVER you go and WHEREVER you are! Psalm 139:5 says, "You go before me and follow me.You place your hand of blessing on my head." The LORD surrounds us on ALL sides. He is in front of us and He is behind us. He is our scouting party and our rear guard. He is our comforter, our protector, and is ALWAYS with us.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our LORD and SAVIOR, we are promised God's presence living within us in the form of the Holy Spirit! Jesus promised this to those who love Him, “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you." (John 14:15-16) Jesus promised that He would not leave us nor forsake us! He promised His Holy Spirit would dwell in us. Isn't that awesome!

To have the peace and promise of God's presence in your heart and surrounding you, you must first accept His Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. How? "Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

God wants and desires you, friend! He wants so much to surround you with His love and place His hand of blessing on you! He's patiently waiting for you to follow His lead!

In His Love, Cathy

PCC Children's Ministry Events For Aug 4-10

ICE CREAM & JESUS Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Children's Bible Study on "Beginning the Christian Adventure - Who is Jesus?" This is our 4th lesson in this unit. Next week, we'll meet at Baskin Robbins at 6 p.m. to enjoy ice cream and fellowship! This is for children in KG through 5th grade.

PROMOTION SUNDAY Was this past Sunday. If your child missed it, remember that 5th graders are now a part of the 56 class which meets in room 3 with the youth. 5th grade students will report to the sanctuary for the first two songs and then dismiss with the youth group for their small group time.

VOLUNTEER DRIVE Going on NOW!!! We are praying that you will step up and step into one of the most exciting and rewarding ministry experiences. What a blessing it is to see little lives changed for Christ!

UPCOMING EVENTS
ICE CREAM & JESUS meets at Baskin Robbins Wednesday, Aug 13 at 6 p.m.

NEW WEDNESDAY NIGHT FORMAT BEGINNING AUG 20 at 6 p.m.
- ICE CREAM & JESUS from 6 to 7 p.m.
- BREAKOUT SESSIONS for CHILDREN 7 to 7:30 p.m. (Children may participate in one of the following if interested.)
-- Children's Worship Team Breakout Session
-- Children's Ministry Outreach & Community Service Team Breakout Session
-- Children's Hands-On Bible Study Breakout Session (Tentative)

CHILDREN'S BAPTISM If your child would like to be Baptized, please call me at 994-4310 or email me at aumathchick@mchsi.com.