PCC Summer Children's Ministry Update

SUMMER IS HERE! Along with summer comes summer vacations, family trips, and fun activities. With this in mind, we are consolidating our resources on Sunday mornings in children's ministry. We are taking a break from 2nd service Kids Church this summer. Kids church will be offered to PK, KG - 4th grade during 1st Service only but NOT second service. Then we'll kick it off again both services in the fall.

ENJOY your summer but don't miss out on the exciting things going on at PCC!

THIS WEEK: UNITE PICNIC, Wednesday, July 1
Bring something to grill and something to share.
Grills hot at 6 p.m.BTW...Did I mention the SNO CONE truck would be there?

PROMOTION SUNDAY, Aug 16

• Incoming 5th GRADE STUDENTS - will be promoted to 5/6. Students will go with their family to Service and be dismissed from there to youth group.
• Incoming KG children - will report to Kids Church in Room 2 at arrival.
• Incoming PK Children - MUST be 3 years old AS OF SEPTEMBER 1 and COMPLETELY POTTY TRAINED. We do not promote during the year when a child has a birthday but once a year at the beginning of school. This ensures all children are developmentally ready for the PK experience.

In His Love, Cathy

Finding Contentment

So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 Timothy 6:8

Contentment can be very elusive. We live in a world of materialism, commercialism, narcissism, self-indulgence, self-gratification, and greed. The world prompts us to scream, "Give Me More! More! More!" Temptation is everywhere. Covetousness is the norm. We are bombarded by promises of 'The Good Life' through the media. Advertisements are designed to psychologically prompt us to by their products. Movies and TV shows capitalizing on greed, gossip, perversion, raunchiness, and desire for wealth. This constant bombardment bringing about dissatisfaction with our own lives. The old mantra, "Keeping Up With the Jones', " is now "Keep Ahead of the Jones'." We want more out of life and we want it now.

We are not content with little. We are not content with a lot. We think certain things in our lives will bring about contentment only to find out once we achieve them, they do not. Contentment does not lie in the things we have. Contentment does not lie in the things that we do. Contentment does not lie in the people we know. For many, the search for contentment has lead them into financial troubles, relational problems, health problems, career setbacks, crime, or addiction issues. Contentment does not lie in wealth, fame, success, reputation, or anything the world says it does. There is only way to find true contentment, and that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 23:1 says, "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." We can have all that we need and be satisfied only through making Christ our Lord and Savior.

Paul learned how to find contentment in Christ. He writes, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13

As a 'material girl' of the '80s, I personally struggled with finding true contentment in my life. I mistakenly thought contentment was in wealth, material possessions, reputation, and success. So, for a while, those were the things I persued. However, I never found true contentment in any of those things. I only found trouble, trials, and setbacks. It was only as I came to faith in Christ and started to mature as a believer that I found the source of true contentment. Paul knew of these struggles too well, in 1 Timothy 6:5-7, he says, "and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."

True contentment is elusive, but it is achievable. "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 He is all that we need. He will satisfy like no other. In Him we will find true contentment.

In His Love, Cathy

Just Be Still!

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Like many of you, I live a very full life. Between my secular job of teaching, the ministry, being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and whatever else I need to be at any given moment, it seems there is never a dull or quiet moment. When we live such busy and burdened lives, we experience times where we are burned out, exhausted, and worn down to the ground. It's difficult to keep up a demanding schedule with all of the responsibilities we have.

And what about our spiritual life? When we are under such demands we may think it impossible to have or increase the time we spend with the Lord on a daily basis. We may feel that we don't have any time or that we only have a few minutes for a quiet time at the end of the day. Oh what a deception this is! Don't give in to this LIE! I did for years and it cost me! Quality time with God is to be our FIRST PRIORITY! It should never be the last thing on our 'To Do' list! If we do this, by the end of our day we will either be too tired or our time will run out. We won't be giving God our very best in doing so! Making quality quiet time with God DAILY is a NECESSITY! He is deserving of our best, including our time, but it is just as necessary for our own well being to have this daily, uninterrupted time with God. The world is a dry desert offering us only that which does not satisfy our thirsty souls. Our daily time with God is our spiritual oasis. We need to drink deeply from this living water daily!

But once in a while, we need even more than just a daily quiet time. Sometimes we need to completely stop, be still, and know that He is God. We need to retreat completely from the world be it for a day, half a day, or a few hours. We need time to take a deeper drink of those life sustaining waters. We need complete uninterrupted time to get away from it all and be with God - alone in prayer, quiet meditation, and contemplation. I had heard this suggestion in a book entitled The Worn Out Woman:When Your Life is Full and Your Spirit is Empty by Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice Gray. The authors suggested a day where you just get away from it all. Just you, your Bible, and God. Whether this be yearly, semiannually, or quarterly is up to you. But the intention is that you pull yourself far away from life to slow down and listen to God. Allow God to help you reassess your life and find His direction for you. I always thought this was a nice idea but not very pratical. I mean, I just didn't have this kind of time. Or so I thought. Then, quite by accident, it happened to me.

Yesterday, God brought my life to a complete stand-still. I don't think I have ever been as still as I was yesterday. God knew it was what I needed. More importantly, it was what He wanted of me. I had plans to clean house, help the guys with our new patio, and clean the pool. The day didn't go down like I planned. I started my quiet time in the morning as usual in my favorite place to be - on my new patio swing. But it didn't end at the usual time. Instead, God had a Father-daughter day in mind. I was happy to oblige. We spent the day in quiet conversation, Him doing most of the talking. Me swinging, listening as the wind rustled in the trees. It was as if the world came to a complete stand still. In the stillness of the day, I did some deep soul searching as God revealed His direction for my life. My heart rejoiced and delighted in My Lord and Savior all the day long! He rejuvenated and refreshed my spirit while deeply cleansing my heart from it's burdens.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29

Yesterday, I found rest for my soul. A rest like no other. A rest I could not find anywhere else, not even in the finest spas in the world in a month of Sundays. I want you to be able to find your rest in Christ as well. Take a day away from your life just to be still and know that He is God!
In His Love, Cathy

On Love and Forgiveness

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45 (NKJV)

Loving your enemy. An idea that is so against the workings of this world. This command is a hard teaching and even harder to obey, especially in applying it toward particular people in our lives. Yet, it is what Christ asks of us. I am sure you can think of people in your life who would fit the description of an enemy. For whatever reason, the two of you are opposing forces. Unlike unbelievers who seek to do harm to their enemies, we are asked to do what seems to be impossible, to love them. But wait, there's more! We are to pray for them, ask blessings upon them, and do good to them. Why? So that we may bring glory to God our Father in Heaven. So that we may show the world we are HIS children.

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. Luke 6:26-28 (NLT)

Why? Why should we love our enemies? Because Christ said so. Notice in particular how we are to respond to each action of an enemy. To those who hate us, we are to do good. To those who curse us, we are to bless them. For those who hurt us, we are to pray for them. Our reaction to each evil action is to be Christ honoring and without sin. We are not to answer evil for evil, as the world does.

35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6:34-36 (NLT)

Christ promises in loving our enemies, our reward from heaven will be very great. And in doing so, we are acting as true children of God, a reflection of His compassionate love for all people. The desire of my heart is that I can love others the way Christ does, a compassionate love for even those who are unthankful and wicked.

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

One of the hardest things to experience is broken fellowship with another believer. In our eyes, this person might be an enemy. But if they are a Believer, then they, like us, are one of God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved. We were not meant for broken fellowship with one another, but to be unified in the Body of Christ. Paul admonishes us to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and above all love. Love is the virtue that binds all of the rest in the believer. These are essential virtues all believers must adhere to live in harmony with one another. We are family, a family who sometimes is impatient with each other. A family who at times fusses and fights. But that's not the way we are to be. We are to be patient with one another, forgiving each other's faults and shortcomings. We are to dearly love one another as the LORD dearly loves us. That's what it means to bear with one another in love. We are to forgive because the LORD has so graciously forgiven us.

Love our enemies. Do good to those who persecute us. Bear with one another, forgiving each other's grievances. Forgive for we have been forgiven!

In His Love, Cathy

It is Time

For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

It is time. Effective August 31, I will be stepping down as PCC's children's ministry director/children's pastor of PCC. I know this may come as a big surprise to so many but it is time. God has shown me that my time for serving in this capacity at PCC is up. Plain and simple. My family and I love our church. We love our church family. We are staying and will continue attending PCC and serving Christ through PCC. We will continue to GIVE to PCC to support it's mission. My husband Scott plans to continue in his role as a youth leader and teacher. We're not going anywhere.

Though I am passionate about children's ministry and I LOVE the children, it has become increasingly apparent over the last several months that my time serving in this capacity was coming to a close. This was not a decision that was arrived at lightly. We as a family prayed over this decision and all of us felt God's peace over it.

There were many factors that lead to us prayerfully considering this option. Having a full time secular job on top of leading a growing ministry for the past six years has become increasingly more difficult. To be totally transparent, my family has sacrificed the most in this. The Holy Spirit has convicted me that it is now time for me to focus my attention on my family. He is calling me to support my husband in what He is about to do through him. He is calling me to make more time for my husband and children, to prepare them for the future He has called them to.

In addition, I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is leading me in a different direction in ministry. He has impressed upon me that it is time to pull back, take a Sabbatical, clear my overwhelmingly busy schedule, clear my head, and seek His new direction for me. He has made it very clear to me that it is time for change. At one point in my life children's ministry was what He had called me to do. That calling was crystal clear. It was a calling I thought would last a lifetime. Now God is calling for me to give it up. This calling is just as crystal clear as the call into children's ministry. He has called me to stop, pull back, and listen. He has something else for me to do. He needs my full attention to prepare me. However, I will continue blogging because believe this will be one of the forums he uses to prepare me for what He has planned next.

Serving as PCC's Children's Ministry Director/Pastor has been one of the biggest honors and blessings in my life. My family and I grew so much through serving in this ministry. This ministry blessed us in so many ways. We were not only blessed spiritually, but we were also blessed with dear friendships made through the ministry, blessed through the children, and even received financial blessings. I was blessed to serve with an incredible church staff and team of volunteers. I will miss the comraderie we shared as we were elbow deep working for the Lord in this way.

I wish to thank everyone who supported, volunteered, prayed, and served in children's ministry during the six years I was 'in office.' I couldn't have been blessed to work alongside of any better people. Everyone had such a servant's heart and willingly gave of their time, money, and efforts to accomplish God's work of reaching the children for Jesus Christ. I will forever cherish the friends I have made in this ministry and the people who helped make it happen. It was not my efforts but the efforts of God Himself along with each and every single one of you who made this ministry thrive. I love you all dearly.

I will cherish the children and always be thankful for those who gave their lives to Christ as a result of this ministry. To me, there is no higher calling than to lead these young ones to Jesus Christ! God worked through this ministry to change lives. It was such a blessing to be a part of it.

But now it is time for me to step down so that someone else may step in and receive these blessings. I am thankful what God accomplished in children's ministry during my years of service. I now look forward to the great things God will accomplish in the future through PCC's Children's Ministry. He has brought the right new leadership and the right mix of volunteers to keep this ministry strong and vibrant. PCC Children's Ministry will continue in the tradition of excellence in reaching children for Christ. Changed lives and hearts will always be the goal of this ministry. Please continue support the new children's ministry leadership, volunteers, and the children whose lives are impacted for Christ through PCC Kids Ministry. My heart and passion is still for these precious little ones! Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated and necessary as we transistion to even greater things.

I've heard it said that as one door closes, God opens another. I'm excited to see what that next door holds for both PCC's children and for our family! I am forever in your service as your sister in Jesus Christ. Blessings friends!

In His Love, Cathy

Amazing Deeds by an Amazing God

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,O God our savior.You are the hope of everyone on earth,even those who sail on distant seas. Psalm 65:5 (NLT)

Have you ever witnessed a miracle? Have you ever seen God move in such an amazing way that there was absolutely no doubt that it was Him? I love the promise found in Psalm 65:5. This is one of my favorite verses to pray. God doesn't just answer our prayers. He FAITHFULLY answers our prayers with AWESOME deeds. HE is the HOPE of all!

Our God is a God of miracles. The Bible is filled with evidence of the great miracles God has performed. In the Christian world there has been debate as to whether God still performs miracles today. I'm no theologian or Bible scholar, but I can attest to the AMAZING things that I have personally witnessed. I can proclaim the glorious ways God has time and again answered prayers in such amazing ways, impossible ways by human standards.
I will "Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.Tell everyone about the amazing things he does." 1 Chronicles 16:24 and Psalm 96:3

One of the most powerful miracles I ever witnessed was in my maternal grandmother. In her later years, Grandma suffered from Parkinson's Disease and Heart Disease. She had a severe stroke in the Spring of 1991 that left her in a vegetative state. She was completely paralyzed, dependent on a feeding tube. She could breathe on her own and there was some brain activity but she could not speak much if at all. At times she'd communicate with her sly smile or a twinkle in her eye. She might even try to speak. She had to be moved into a nursing home. Granddaddy didn't want to, but caring for her at home was more than he could handle. Granddaddy would visit her everyday, sitting by her side, spending the whole day with her. She stayed in this stable state for about a year. Then she began having problems with infection. Her condition began to decline. She was transported to the hospital and the family was called in to say our last goodbyes.

I was extremely close to my maternal grandparents. They practically raised me the first 5 years of my life. Grandma kept me so that my parents could work and go to school. I often ended up spending the night there. Even after my family moved away to another state, we spent every holiday, summer, and as many weekends as we could at "Grandma and Granddaddy's." We loved being with them. They loved us and we felt that love growing up.

As my husband and I travelled to Panama City with our young son to visit Grandma one last time, I silently prayed. I prayed for Grandma's soul. I was worried. I didn't know if Grandma had ever accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. She didn't attend church because of her Parkinson's and her paralyzing shyness around strangers. I believe she had a real phobia that kept her housebound. But I knew that she loved hearing the radio broadcast of the local First Baptist Church, listening to Gospel music, and watching Billy Graham on TV. She and Granddaddy were of a generation that was so very 'proper.' A generation that did not discuss their faith much. I didn't know where Grandma or Granddaddy stood with the Lord Jesus Christ. I had tried to discuss this with them in the past but still wasn't sure. As we got closer to Panama City, I prayed that God would give me an opportunity to witness to Grandma. I knew that even in her condition, she could hear at times and understand what was being said to her. I prayed that God would give me a sign that Grandma was saved.

When we arrived at the hospital, we gathered with the rest of the family in the lobby. Each of us took a turn seeing Grandma. Only one person was allowed in at a time. When it came to my turn, I got special permission for Mathew to go in with me. He was only 2 at the time. Grandma loved that little boy and I knew she'd rally if she saw him. I stood by Grandma's bedside, gently talking to her. She didn't respond. I continued talking to her but I could tell by the vacant, unfocused look in her eyes that I wasn't getting through. I silently prayed. "Oh God, please let my words get through and reach her heart. Please let her respond. Please let her accept Christ or give me a sign that she already has." I began to tell her how much I loved her. How I wanted to see her in heaven with me. Still no response. Then I began to talk to her about Jesus. At the first mention of His Name, her eyes focused on me. With that familiar twinkle in her eye, she smiled. Then the most beautiful sound in the world came from her lips, she began to sing "Oh, how I love Jesus. Oh, How I love Jesus. Oh, How I love Jesus. Because He first loved me." A faint, broken, yet sweet voice sang this over and over again. My heart rejoiced! I sang along with her, sobbing, praising God for answering my prayer! Those were the last words I ever heard Grandma say. A small miracle? An amazing deed? Definitely. I rejoiced that God would care so deeply to answer my prayer for Grandma in such a tender way. How wonderful our Lord to be so concerned as to allow my Grandma and I to have that moment, to know without a doubt where she stood in Christ. But that's not the end of the story.

Grandma passed away in March of 1992. She was only 72 at the time. Granddaddy lived on until last summer, passing away at the age of 93. He was independent up until the last 2 years of his life. He suffered a brain injury from a series of falls in the last year of his life. As Mom and I were sitting with him in the hospital, we talked about the circumstances surrounding Grandma's passing and how faithful Granddaddy was to her even to the very end. I shared with Mom my last moments with Grandma. How special that was to me. Then Mom said something that totally blew me away. On that day the family gathered at the hospital to say their last goodbyes to Grandma, she was already brain dead. Mom said they chose not to tell the rest of the family at the time. Grandma was brain dead that day, the day I heard her singing of her love for her Savior as I stood by her bed. There is no logical human explanation for what occurred that day other than God!

Her passing was bittersweet. The morning she passed away the doctors had not expected her to survive the night. She didn't pass until Granddaddy arrived that morning. Granddaddy said she turned her head, looked at him, and smiled. Then she was gone.

I know for a fact that God performed something miraculous, something beyond human explanation. He showed me how much he loved Grandma. He comforted me by her very last words. He comforted Granddaddy by the way she was taken home, with a smile on her face. How wonderful is our God. He not only faithfully answers prayers with awesome deeds, He also showed me how He "... cares deeply when his loved ones die." Psalm 115:16

Oh, how I LOVE JESUS! Oh YES, How I LOVE MY SWEET JESUS!

In His Love, Cathy

New Links

I've added a few new website links to my side bar (on right). The first link is to my friend Ava Sturgeon's website. Ava is the author of A Daughter's Worth, a WONDERFUL Bible Study for teenage girls. My daughter Brittany participated in this Bible study and gained so much from it. Ava's experience as a teacher and in working with teenagers as Director of High School Girls at Olive Baptist gives her amazing insights into what young women need. I highly recommend this Bible study.

The second link is to my friend Melinda Giron's website. Melinda is an extremely talented Christian artist. Her works are really amazing! She's really amazing as well, often lending her gifts in children's ministry. She has been blessed with a wonderful gift.

The third link is the website for our Sunday morning curriculum...www.kidssundayschool.com.

In His Love, Cathy

Be Aware

Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. 1 Timothy 6:2b-5

I recently was interested in reading a particular book by a Christian author. I didn't know a thing about this author but the title of the book and the caption on the back cover intrigued me. So I purchased the book and brought it home. Then I began reading it. I found myself reading something quite different than what I thought the book was about. It was also quite obvious that this author was from a drastically more charismatic persuasion than I. But I didn't let that stop me from reading it. Despite our theological differences, I was open to the fact he might have something valid to say. As I read, I found myself having mixed reactions to his work. While as a Christian I found common ground with him, I found myself silently agreeing with him on some points and questioning him on others. In addition, I found some of his comments to be very judgemental of other Christians who did not hold to his particular 'brand' of Christianity. His statements even questioned whether others were truly saved if they did not meet certain criteria. I set the book aside as I could not even finish the book. Pondering the author's perspective and beliefs, I dove into the Bible to either validate or invalidate his statements. I mean I could be wrong. I'm only human, too. So I searched Scripture. As I did, I asked for the Holy Spirit's help in discerning Biblical truth from the author's personal beliefs.

In our world today, we are blessed with many wonderful Christian authors, teachers, pastors, and evangelists. Many of them have refreshing insights into Scripture and ideas that are uplifting. Though they all hold to the same core Christian beliefs, there are variations and differences among them. As believers, we need to be aware of what we are reading. Who is the author? What are their beliefs? What is their background? We need to be aware of what we are feeding ourselves. We must also be aware that just because something is in black and white, written by a Christian author, and published by a Christian publisher doesn't mean it is completely in alignment with God's Word. Books are written by people. People are fallable. God's Word is infallable! We also need to be on guard against false teachings, teachings that can seem right but are deceiving so as to draw people away, cause division, and make the church ineffective. Ephesians 4:14 warns of this, "Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth." Notice here that MATURE Christians are wise, not influenced so easily by false or deceiving teachings. Mature believers weigh what they are told against the Word of God.

Just because I may not be of the same Christian persuasion as someone else, doesn't mean I won't read or listen to what they have to say. However, knowing their background beliefs ahead of time helps me to filter what they are saying through the Word of God. I've learned to rely on the Bible first and foremost. What it says are the teachings we should hold fast to. Anyone or anything that says any different are not worthy of listening to. The Bible is the Final Authority.

In His Love, Cathy

Don't Wait Until Troubles Come

The one thing I ask of the LORD -

the thing I seek most-

is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

delighting in the LORD's perfections

and meditating in his Temple.

For he will conceal me there when troubles come;

he will hide me in his sanctuary.

He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

...

Hear me as I pray, O LORD.

Be merciful and answer me!

My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me."

And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."

Psalm 27:4-6a, 7-8

When troubles come, how do you respond? Do you pray? Do you ask for God's help? Do you read your Bible more, worship more, make more time for God? Do you beg and plead with Him? Do you cling to Him for your very life? Whether you are a believer or not, you can find yourself asking God to help especially in a life or death situation. God can also use times like these to draw people to Jesus Christ.

But how about when life is good? Do you do all of those same things as often with the same fervency?

When life is good we have a tendency to think we don't need God's help. So we drift away. We spend less and less time earnestly seeking God. We find ourselves falling into a mindset of self-reliance. We might think, "I got this, God! I can handle it. Go back to ruling the universe. No need to worry yourself over this." Our schedules fill up. Our responsibilities distract. Our devotions wane. Our prayers become intermittent. We no longer desire Him like we should.

Then troubles come. We turn the volume up on our prayers, fall on our knees, and beg for God to rescue us! We draw closer to our Father only to fall away again once our lives are back 'under control.'

God wants so much more for us than a life like this. He desires us to come into His presence daily! But sometimes we are like teenage children who would just rather die than to have a conversation with our Father. David knew that coming into God's presence every day was the only way to survive the trials that were sure to come in this life. He plainly states that by delighting in the Lord's perfections and meditating is the Lord's Temple all the days of his life would "...conceal me there WHEN troubles come."

In times of troubles, David's confidence was in an unshakable God whom he intimately knew. Don't wait until troubles come to seek God. You can find Him right here, right now. He loves you and is waiting.

In His Love, Cathy

Taking a Much Needed R & R

Taking today off from blogging for some much needed R & R AND some time with the fam. Be sure to check back in tomorrow!

Have a blessed day!

In His Love, Cathy

The Last Night of VBS - Devotion: Obey Him

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

"Today’s verse probably took on a whole new meaning this morning when you were getting out of bed! VBS is one of the most powerful tools for bringing children into church to hear God’s Word. It is also equallyphysically exhausting for all those helping in the process.

The story of Peter’s release from jail is powerful. Can you imagine how Peter must have felt, walking out of prison? I would have loved to have seen the servant girl’s face when she recognized who was standing at that door!

Have you ever asked God for something, then been surprised when He delivered? The people were praying for Peter’s release, and it happened. They trusted God. What are you praying for currently? Are you trying to do something yourself, when you really should hand it over to God? Better yet, have you prayed for God to exceed your expectations?

Today you have an opportunity to watch God work in the hearts of children. Have you asked enough of God? Are you ready to watch Him do more than you ever thought possible? Thank God for listening, and be ready to be amazed."

©2008, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, VBS 2009, Published in the United States of America OK to Copy

In His Love, Cathy

Another Awesome Night at VBS!

Some of you may be tired of hearing about VBS but God is doing some pretty amazing things! Thank you all for your prayers over last night's VBS. It was a very important night where we shared the ABC's of becoming a Christian with the children. I led the children in prayer at the end of the night. I explained that if they really wanted to ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, they could pray with me, but that they had to mean it and believe it with their whole heart. They were told they could say quietly in their head or out loud, if they were ready to follow Jesus. Usually, children choose to say it quietly to themselves, which is fine. However, as we prayed last night, little voices all over the building were praying for Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. My heart REJOICED ! Some understood what they were doing, others may not have. But the seeds have been planted. Children were given a decision card and asked to talk about it with their parents. Please pray for these children as the Lord works in their heart and for the parents as they talk with their children about their decision. This is what VBS is all about!

Continue to pray for our VBS volunteers. We are approaching Night #4. We are running on adrenaline, others are on fumes, and some are running on CAFFEINE. But we're all running on the strength of the LORD! We could use prayers for energy, strength, and endurance to finish strong!

Again, I leave you with a devotion related to tonight's lesson:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9


"Have you ever gotten the wrong thing in the drive thru at a fast food restaurant? It happened to me last week. I ordered a kid’s meal for my son. When I opened it up, instead of chicken nuggets, there were tater tots! I was quite surprised, but I wasn’t angry. You know why? People make mistakes. (Don’t worry, I’m not always quite so understanding, but I am trying to work on it!)

No one, besides Jesus, is perfect. Truthfully, it is not a matter of if we mess up, it’s when and how bad will it be? God knows this, thank goodness. He also asks that when we do sin, we confess it, ask forgiveness, and try not to repeat it.

No child you have in VBS this week will be perfect. In fact, you can probably name a few less-than-perfect children right now. Remember there’s a reason patience is called a virtue.
Pray for opportunities to share God’s ability to love people, no matter what they’ve done. Thank God for giving you second and seventh chances!"
©2008, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, VBS 2009, Published in the United States of America OK to copy

In His Love, Cathy

AMAZING VBS Stories, PRAYER FOR TONIGHT!

God is doing some pretty amazing stuff in VBS. Many people don't realize just what goes on in VBS and how God can move even among the children. Here are a few observations of God's work among us this week.

God is working through the young ladies on the worship team. This group of girls are such a joy to work with and are doing such a fantastic job. But there is more to the story. One young lady in particular is very gifted in signing and dance. She not only has been to just about every VBS practice for the last several months but she is also practicing at home. God used Kaylee's desire to practice hard to prepare her for a very special job at VBS, even though she didn't know it at the time. The motions to our songs are American sign language. For the first time this year, we have a young man who is completely deaf at VBS. We had no idea that he was coming as his family have not started attending with us yet. He was assigned to the 2nd/3rd grade group so that he could be with his brother. This group sits right in front of Kaylee. As we sang the songs last night and worshipped God through voice and sign language, God's amazing plan unfolded. As this young man's mother began to sign the words of the music to him, he told her to stop. He understood everything Kaylee was signing to him. His mom said Kaylee signed so well that she could be understood. Kaylee and the other young ladies on the team have worked so hard practicing. Up until now, these young ladies may not have understood the importance of their hard work, thinking it was just something cool to do. After last night, they did. It wasn't a coincidence that this young man ended up in a group in front of Kaylee. It was God's plan! Hats off to Kaylee and all of the young ladies of the worship team who have practiced hard for VBS!

Another amazing story is about several young ladies on the team who decided it was more important to help the PRK children learn the motions instead of being front and center on stage. Amelia, Lexi, and Leilani all focused their efforts last night into helping the 25 PrK children learn the motions. These young ladies learned a very important lesson...leading worship is not about them! It's not about who gets to be front and center stage! Their humility was a shining example of how we are to set aside our own pride and ego, thinking of others first, and serving Christ! Praise God for impressing this upon them at such an early age!

Yet another amazing thing that is happening is what God is doing with the young people coming to VBS who have special needs. Not only is there a deaf young man attending, but we have several children who are autistic. What's really neat is to see all of the children at VBS accepting these special needs children. They are laughing together, talking, looking out one for another. They are all BONDING! These children are kids and loving being with other kids! One autistic young man has been attending with us both on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Yesterday, he began talking and laughing with the other children. At the end of the evening, he even came down to the stage to dance and sing, along with a huge number of other children in front of everyone! What's neat is that when his mother was told this, she was very excited. He has an appointment today with the neurologist and she couldn't wait to tell him about this very important development in him! God, YOU ARE AMAZING!

There there is the 4th/5th grade group. They already have the reputation of being the rowdiest, loudest, and, ummm, 'most anticipated' group among VBS. But they also have some of the BIGGEST HEARTS. You see, each night we have a spirit competition between each of the groups. The 4th/5th grade group won the very first night. They were, hands down, the LOUDEST group, and still are. The PK group was not. Tried as they might the first night, they just weren't that loud. So the 4th/5th graders hatched a plan. They planned to sneak over to the PRK side one night and shout with the PK group. They planned to help them win. Isn't that the neatest thing you ever heard? But you know what? They never got a chance to do that. The PRK group won the competition on their own last night. Once they got the hang of it, they were good to go! But what a testimony to our 4th/5th graders!

There are so many other untold stories that are happening. We may not know the many ways God is using this VBS to impact children and their families. But HE knows! There are single mothers who work long hours but are making sure their children make it to VBS. There are families who are working around their busy schedules to get their children to church every night! They know the spiritual impact God can do through VBS! There are children who travelled from another state to attend VBS and visit their PCC family. There are so many children here this week being spiritually fed and transformed. There are volunteers who e worked long hours, sacrificing time with their families and even jobs to make sure God's work is done! There is the joy of seeing the little PK children's hands raised in worship! God is doing a great work at VBS!

Please PRAY FOR TONIGHT! Tonight the children will be learning the ABC's of becoming a Christian. It is the MOST IMPORTANT NIGHT of the week. Pray for the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit upon us! Pray for the teachers, the workers, and for me as we lay the groundwork. Pray for the children's hearts to be moved. Pray for a large attendance so that we can reach AS MANY CHILDREN AS POSSIBLE with the love of Christ! Pray for an abundant harvest!

Thank you friends! I leave you with a devotion related to tonights lesson. God bless!


For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23


"I love gifts, but we’ve all opened gifts that we were not excited about. Maybe you have a friend who loves buying you things she likes, but you don’t care for at all. There’s always the obligatory gift given to you that is either way more expensive than you care to spend or the very opposite!

Exchanging gifts can be tricky business. However, there’s one gift we will never be able to match. We deserve death for our actions, but God has given us eternal life. The word “eternal” just jumps out at me. Think about it. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, and you will never want to return it! No amount of money in the world could ever purchase it.

Today you might be tired or feel unappreciated for all the work you have put into VBS. Pray for energy and thank God for giving you the best gift ever. Ask God to help you share the gift with children who might not know that God’s gift is waiting for them. "

©2008, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, VBS 2009, Published in the United States of America OK to copy

In His Love, Cathy

VBS Praise Report and Devotion for Day 2

WOW! What can I say? VBS started off last night with a BANG! Approximately 93 children and 30-40 volunteers had a blast on our first night. Praise GOD!

God is doing a great work this year answering some very specific prayers over VBS. First, just like last year, our VBS ads were not run in some of the local papers, even though they were submitted in time and even though we received confirmation that they would be. So others and I prayed that God would send a harvest despite this and HE DID! Secondly, I woke up with a serious migraine yesterday and had friends praying over me for that. By yesterday afternoon it was COMPLETELY GONE! That is a miracle in itself if you know what a difficult time I have with them, even with the help of meds. Third, God sent an AMAZING TEAM of volunteers. Each and every one of them are truly a gift from God! We have a couple of team members who couldn't serve at the last minute due to medical emergencies, but God sent additional workers who stepped right in. Last and most importantly, God poured out His Spirit last night upon VBS. During one amazing worship song, I saw both big hands and little hands raised in worship. It was such an awesome thing to see. It touched my heart so much that I choked up during the song. Thank You, LORD!

Please continue to pray for God's hand upon VBS. Pray that even more children will come and hear the Gospel. CONTINUE to invite children you know and BRING them. Pray for our many volunteers as they faithfully serve this week. Pray for those who experienced medical problems and could not be with us. They touched my heart with their concern for VBS. Pray that little lives will be changed this week. Especially pray for this Wednesday night. It is the night that the children will hear the ABC's of becoming a Christian. It is the MOST IMPORTANT night this week.

Thank you for your prayers. They are being answered before our very eyes!

Now I will leave you with a wonderful devotion related to tonight's VBS lesson. I hope it is a blessing to you.


These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by
believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31


"The minutes ticked by. I began to pray. Years of anticipation, struggle, and heartache led up to this moment, and she was late. I was praying for the clock to be wrong. Maybe it was all a dream; this wasn’t really happening.

Doubt. It can surprise you at any moment. Waiting for our guide to pick us up that day, doubt once again crept into my being. Prayer was the only way I knew to fight it. I can recall the feelings I experienced even now. Suddenly, the doors opened and our guide was standing there, apologizing for being late; traffic was to blame. The next thing I knew we were in her car, on our way to pick up my son from his foster home.

The two hour car ride was filled with emotions, as I thanked God for bringing our precious son to us. In that moment, God and I were having one of the most amazing times of worship and praise I have ever experienced!

Sometimes life does not go as we planned. Life always goes as God planned, though. God does not ask us to tell the future, make promises He can’t keep, or make irrational demands. He simply asks us to believe in Him. What an incredible God worthy of all our worship!

Today, you might encounter childen who have never believed in Jesus Christ. Remember, God does not expect you to perform a miracle, but He does want you to have faith in Him. Pray for those who need to believe in Him to erase any doubt in their minds."

©2008, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, VBS 2009, Published in the United States of America OK to copy

In His Love, Cathy

VBS Boomerang Express Starts TONIGHT

VBS THIS WEEK

June 15-19

6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

PK (3 years & completely potty trained through 5th Grade)

ACCEPTING NEW CHILDREN EVERY NIGHT!

Not registered yet? No PROBLEM!

Just arrive a few minutes early and register in the atrium.

JOIN US for an AWESOME WEEK!

In His Love, Cathy

VBS Devotion for Volunteers - Day 1 Follow Him

As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love. John 15:9

"Do you remember those times when you stood on the sideline waiting to be picked for the team? Hoping that you would not be chosen last. Wishing that just this one time someone would pick you first. Orperhaps more recently, the times you waited to be chosen for a job or promotion. Hoping the phone would ring and you would be the person chosen for the job.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus chooses you first and wants a relationship with you? You never have to wait on the sidelines or worry that the call will never come. Jesus chooses us to follow Him, to come intoa relationship with Him, and to live through Him.

When Jesus calls, how will you answer? Will you like Peter, put aside your own desires and leave everything you know to follow? Or will you hesitate and wait until you have everything in order?

You have been called to teach VBS this week and lead children to know that Jesus wants a relationship with Him. He has already chosen you, all you need to do is follow.

Today you will be given the opportunity to help children learn how they can follow Jesus. Pray for the children and the families you meet this week. Ask Jesus to help them know that He loves them just as the Father loves Him."
©2008, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, VBS 2009, Published in the United States of America. Okay to copy.

Whatever role you are serving in this week, remember that YOU are following God's calling. Every member of the VBS team are here to help Children hear the GOOD NEWS. No matter who you are or how you are serving, you are making the difference in eternity for children. Let us follow Christ in showing love to the children and the families VBS will touch. Pray for them. Love them. And be ready to give a quick answer for you never know when a little hand will tug at your shirt, asking you how they can make Jesus their Lord and Savior!

Thank you friends! For those who are not serving in VBS, cover us in your prayers. Pray for a HUGE harvest and that lives will be forever changed!

In His Love, Cathy

ROCK SOLID: What Your Child Learned in Church Today, June 14

Bible Lesson: Noah's Enduring Faith (Genesis 6:11-22)

Memory Verse: "You too, be paitient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5:8

What we learned:Today, we learned the importance of having patience and perseverance, especially when it comes to doing the will of God. We examined the patience demonstrated by Noah, when asked to build an ark, carried out God's instructions despite the mockery of the people around him. It would have been easy for Noah to give up. What a tremendous task. But with faith and perseverance, he received what God had promised him. Christians with real faith do not give up because something is hard or takes a long time. Even children can be patient and work hard in doing the will of God to receive what He has promised.

TRAIN UP A CHILD HOMEWORK:

1. Memory Verse: Practice this verse several times with your child during the week. This will not only help them remember the verse, it will also help to reinforce what they learned during class.

2. Suggested Parent/Child Activity:This week, come up with a list of chores your child can do. Discuss what type of blessing or sense of accomplishment finishing each chore can bring. Which ones bring the most blessing or rewards, the hardest or the easiest chores? Challenge your child this week to complete each chore on the list, and promise them a special reward the end.

3. Suggested Daily Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be patient and stand firm to do your will. Although the task may be difficult, boring, or messy, help me to not complain or become impatient. Let me be like your servant Noah, who did not give up, but carried on day and night through faith. Amen

In His Love, Cathy

Your NEW Identity in Christ

"he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:5



When you become a believer you become a new creation in Christ. Upon your acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior, several wonderful things happen. First, your sins are forgiven. Christ's blood washes your sin completely away. Second, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your heart. You are no longer 'alone' but have His Holy Spirit indwelling within , guiding you, supporting you, and counseling you. Third, your old life passes away and a new life in Christ begins. Once you are a believer, you are a child of God. You are adopted into His family. This is the salvation story for every single believer. Christ's victory over sin and death is our victory.


If this is the case, then why is it that some of us continue to live the defeated life? If we have a new life in Christ, if our sins have been wiped clean, then why is it that we still loathe ourselves? Many people today have what our society calls 'low self esteem' or 'low self worth.' Many believers perpetuate this view of themselves into their Christian faith. They feel that they are so lowly, so worthless, such terrible sinners that there is nothing good about them at all. They put themselves down so terribly. What is alarming is that sometimes these believers seem to go to the extreme. Unknowingly, they allow their self-loathing to run amok, paralyzing their relationships with God and others. This paralysis diminishes their witness and their ability to serve God in the way He has called them to. It can cause them to not only judge themselves in a negative light, but also look down on others. One concern I have is for those of this extreme mentality who are already predisposed to depression. It goes without saying that for these people, there is the added danger that such self-loathing can lead to serious health, emotional, and mental problems.

Not only does a worthless self-view endanger the person holding to this belief of themselves, it could endanger their testimony, their service, and their relationships - intefering with the most important relationship of all, their relationship with God. The enemy can not tear believers away from God. So the Deceiver does what he does best, he decieves believers in any way he can. He knows that our self-loathing cripples us, rendering us ineffective. No matter who you are, what you've done, or how horrible you think you are, YOU ARE NOT WHO THE ENEMY SAYS YOU ARE!

Yes, we are sinners. Yes, we are not worthy. Yes, we've all done some horrible things in our past. Yes, we are nothing without Christ. However, let's turn to the Bible to get a spiritually healthy perspective of our NEW identity in CHRIST!

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” Genesis 1:26
1. We were created in God's image. The 'we' here is the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. You, my friend were created by a perfect God, in His image. Yes, man fell from grace and brought forth sin into the world but that doesn't diminish the ONE in whose image we were created. He is glorious and He created us for His glory!

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
2. We are God's masterpiece. When we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we are A NEW CREATION. Our relationship with God has been restored through Christ. And as HIS MASTERPIECE we are to do the GOOD THINGS he planned us to do FROM THE BEGINNING! If you are beating yourself up all the time for not being good enough or worthy - STOP! Confess your sin, ask for His forgivenes, THEN ACCEPT IT! Thank Him for forgiving you. Repent then move on. Don't dwell on it. Obsessing on your 'lowliness' makes you ineffective. Recognize His greatness, give Him the glory, but for heaven's sake, quit 'badmouthing' yourself. When you constantly put yourself down, you are criticizing the work GOD has done in you! Live in Biblical humility but in the bold confidence of belonging to Christ!

It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. Galatians 6:15
3. When you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you are TRANSFORMED into a NEW CREATION. Your past DOESN'T MATTER. Who you were DOESN'T MATTER. His VICTORY over sin and death is now YOUR VICTORY as well. LIVE IT!

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekial 36:26
4. I love what this verse says. Even here in the Old Testament we see God's plan of salvation at work. At the time of salvation, our old stony, stubborn heart is replaced with a tender responsive heart. A heart that is full of His Holy Spirit. How can we loathe ourselves if HIS SPIRIT is residing in us? How can we count ourselves as totally worthless when He makes our hearts His home?

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
5. This single verse shows us just how much God loves us. He loved you and me so much that HE sent HIS SON to die to pay the price of our sins. If we are so unworthy, then why would He send His Son to die? Why would God do this for a bunch of sinners? It is because He loved us first, while we were still sinners. Friends, apart from Christ, we are nothing. But through Christ, we are sons and daughters of God! Since this is the case, let's turn this loathing into a healthy love of others and ourselves. "Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:19.

Here's a better way. Ask God to help you keep a Biblically and spiritually sound perspective of His greatness and where you stand in relation to Him. Glorify Him daily, recognizing His greatness, praising, and worshipping Him. He is THE ONE who reigns on High! Recognize your identity in Him, submitting yourself wholly to Him, and living your life under His perfect authority. Live a life worthy of His calling.

"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." Ephesians 4:1


In His Love, Cathy

Starting The Day Off Right

"O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. 2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. 3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." Psalm 5:1-3


Morning prayer. It's the best and most important thing we can do in our day. There was a time that I didn't think morning prayer or a morning quiet time was essential in my walk. I had quiet times, but they were in the afternoons after I got home from work. With 3 children, a husband, and a full time job, I thought I was doing good just to have a quiet time. However, God showed me that thought this was good, He had a better plan. He showed me the importance of morning prayer and quiet time. He helped me understand that best thing I could do for others and myself was to recognize Him, the author of my life, first thing in the morning. Morning prayer, Bible readings, worship, and meditation is how He grounds me for the day. Through this morning spiritual feast HE shores up my armor, preparing me for the spiritual battles that lie ahead. It is in these still morning hours that He has my FULL ATTENTION, for He knows that the day will try to sway my focus and obscure my view of Him. He knows that the strength I need to face the day's problems are found in the quiet moments of the morning light. Just Him and me, alone, together.

In the softness of the morning the Father listens intently to His daughter, as she lays her heart out before Him. It is where the daughter expectantly hangs on to every word of her loving Father, hiding His precious words in her heart. The morning is where I meet my Lord and Savior and where He also meets with me.

In His Love, Cathy

Stay Tuned

Check back in later for today's blog. I've got a much needed hair appointment this morning. The grays are taking over and must be stopped!

Type to ya later!

In His Love, Cathy

Get Up and GO!

"1 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”
3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

4 But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. 5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.

But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. " Jonah 1:1-5

God gave Jonah a mission. His mission was to go to the city of Ninevah and proclaim God's judgement on the people of that city. God knew that the people would repent and follow him. So did Jonah, and he didn't like that. Ninevah was an Assyrian city. The Israelites and Assyrians were enemies. So, instead of obeying God, Jonah went the OPPOSITE DIRECTION of where God wanted him to go. Ninevah was east, so Jonah went west. Not only that, he bought himself a ticket for a boat ride to take him as far as possible in the opposite direction. Jonah purposefully resisted, rebelled, and disobeyed God. As a result of his disobedience, the ship he was sailing on got caught up in a terrible storm. The storm was so bad that even seasoned sailors aboard that ship feared for their lives. And where was Jonah? Down in the hold, sound asleep.

Like Jonah, we also can resist, rebel, and even flat out disobey God. When we disobey, we are running in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION of His Will. Our disobedience does not void God's commands. Our rebellion in no way alters His Will. The sooner we realize that and obey, the better off we'll be. God's Will WILL BE DONE!

Our disobedience puts us in a very dangerous position, it puts us outside the Will of God. God will accomplish His plan. Whether we are participants or not is another story. If we are not willing and watching, if we are resistant, He can choose to pass us by and use someone else whose heart is willing and obedient. However, God can choose to use us anyway. If this is the case, He won't relent until we have responded in obedience. He can 'out stubborn' all of us combined! This is what happened to Jonah!

When we run away from God's Will, we not only endanger ourselves but others as well. Jonah's disobedience put the lives of the sailors at risk. We like to think that our sin only hurts us. However, our sin of disobedience can have a devastating affect on others, no matter how 'minor' we think it is. Our disobedience hurts relationships. First and foremost, it hurts our relationship with the Father, robbing us of the joy we have in Christ and convicting us of our guilt. It hurts our relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. If we fool ourselves into thinking that our disobedience will only affect us, then we are morons!

Jonah learned his lesson the hard way. We should learn from Jonah's experience and just do what God asks from the start. There is no way around it. We can not escape His presence, He is everywhere! So man up (or woman up). Then GET UP AND GO!

In His Love, Cathy

VBS T Shirts Are IN - Plus Other VBS Stuff

VBS T-Shirts and CD's are in! If you want to pick yours up before Sunday, I'll be at the church on Wednesday, June 10 from 9 a.m. until around 3 p.m. If you want to pick it up between 11 and 1, please call me first to make sure I am not out to lunch. I will only be at the church on Wednesday. If you can't make it up there on Wednesday, then you can still pick your order up on Sunday morning. If you have not paid for your order, please bring payment with you at the time you pick up your shirts/CDs.

HELP NEEDED on WEDNESDAY: There are a few things that need to be done by Sunday. MANY of these can be taken home and worked on and returned on Sunday for VBS.
1. NAME TAGS: There are name tags that need to be cut out and yarn for lanyards cut. There are 120 that need to be done.
2. DOOR KNOB VBS INVITATIONS: There are about 100 doorknob hanger invitations ts hat came in today. They need to be filled in and distributed to neighboorhoods in our community. If 10 people will take 10 each then that can be done in no time flat.
3. NAME TAG LAMINATION: Help needed in laminating and stringing name tags for VBS. This will need to be done Sunday afternoon or Monday morning.
4. LEADER BAGS PUT TOGETHER: Help needed in putting together group leader supply -bags. Items needed in each bag: 30 pencils, crayons, 20 nametags/lanyards, permanent marker, rotation schedule. This will need to be put together SUNDAY once the lanyards are made.
5. FINAL DECORATING on Sunday from 2 until ??? Everyone welcome to help!
6. T-SHIRT Order Help: Help needed in passing out VBS tshirts on Sunday morning.

In His Love, Cathy

Going to Seattle!

It's official! I've just booked (and paid) for our flights to Seattle, Washington in July. We're meeting Scott's birth family for the very first time. He's gone this week to Student Life Camp but I talked with him this morning about booking our flight. The man is so excited!

We've not had a real family vacation in years so we are very much looking forward to this with great anticipation. So our official departure will be July 13 and we'll return on July 22 in the wee hours of the morning. Two of our children have never flown on an airplane so that will be a fun experience for them. Please be praying for all of us and for his birth and adopted family. This is a trip of a lifetime, a journey he has waited 40+ years to take.

Scott's half siblings with their mother. Front row (left to right) Sue, Marlene (their mom), Lisa, Jim. Back row, Denise, Mike, and Cathy.

In His Love, Cathy

Trading in My Cape

Please, allow me to vent. I have come to the realization that I can not be Superwoman, so, I'm trading in my cape. I in no way can do everything for everybody. I in no way can make everyone happy. Let's face it, I'm only human!

What has prompted this little epiphany of mine? Well, it goes all the way back to my New Year's Resolution to simplify my life. That resolution has now become a necessity for both health and family reasons. Quite frankly, I have deviated from my resolution over the past couple of months and took to working on Saturdays and Sundays again, with no time for my family, friends, or time to relax. Even at home I was spending most moments grading papers, planning lessons, or mostly doing church work. It was to the point that I was so utterly burned out that I even considering stepping down from ministry. But don't worry, God set me straight and made it very clear that wasn't His Will. The burn out was from my own lack of prioritizing and overextension of myself. So I'm fessing up to you, my friends, to help me be accountable.

I did finally take the last two Saturdays off to enjoy with my family. It was a much needed break. Although I wasn't able to get as much done as I usually do, the ministry is still going. Nothing has crashed and burned like I feared. I realize part of my problem is EXPECTATIONS. Others expect so much out of me, and I expect a lot out of myself. For years, I felt I had to respond to others on their timeline. But in doing so, I ran myself ragged and wasn't there for my family like I needed to be. So, I'm trying to 'train' others and myself to understand that their priorities are not necessarily the priorities of the ministry. That I must attend to the most pressing issues first and then from there prioritize what is most important - what is absolutely necessary. There is so much that goes on in ministry that people don't even see. You see, there are policies to write, worker background checks, security cards, paperwork, curriculum, VBS plans, Easter plans, special activities, lesson planning, volunteer recruiting, teacher training, emails to volunteers/families, phone calls, future planning, curriculum evalutaions, copying, meetings, budgeting, supply orders, thsirt orders, planning, and the list goes on. In addition, we often receive calls on the weekends, usually from someone in need, who is sick, or calling to tell me they can't teach. So even when I'm home, I am usually working. You see, between my full time job and ministry, I usually put in an average of 60-65 hours per week. Lately, it's been 70 - 75. Usually in the weeks before Easter through VBS, I end up putting in a minimum of 80 hours per week. But I have purposely stepped back a little this year. So, if I didn't get something to you in a time frame you felt you needed, please tell me. The ministry priorities are much different than that you might have. I will do my best to get you what you need when you need it and that is the best that I can do. But I ask the same of you as well.

I apologize if I sound whiney. I'm just being transparent with you, my friends, so you know where I am coming from. I am VERY HONORED to be in ministry. God has blessed this ministry with some wonderful people and families. Even so, God does not want me neglecting my relationship with Him nor my family for ANY REASON...not even ministry! He doesn't want that of ANYONE, not even you!

So what I am asking for here is understanding. Please understand that I've traded in my cape. There are things that I am releasing, that I just can not do or will do at a later time, that are way down on the list of priorities. If that affects you, then I apologize. Please understand that with my being bi-vocational, my time is very, very, very valuable. I have less time to be with my family so when I give my time for things, those things must be worthwhile. My children will only be young once, and I don't intend to miss it! Also, please understand that I LOVE doing ministry and though I may feel 'burned out' at times, it more from my overbooking my already full schedule and my allowing others instead of God to dictate what I do, not from a lack of love for the ministry. If you are serving in this ministry, please understand that I will support you and help you. However, it's not going to be completely perfect, but you will have what is needed when needed.

Bottom line...my priorities are God, Family, and Job (ministry)...just in that order. So, I'm not Superwoman. Big deal! I always wanted to be Wonder Woman anyway!

Thank you for letting me vent, friends! Have a blessed week!

In His Love, Cathy

Rock Solid: What Your Child Learned in Church Today, June 7

Bible Lesson: The Story of Noah (Genesis 6:1-10)

Memory Verse: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15 NIV)

Main Point: I will follow God's ways and not the world's ways!


What we learned: Today, we learned how important it is to live a godly and righteous life, instead of conforming to a sinful world. We examined the lives of the people living during the time of Noah, and compare their unrighteous, sinful, wicked life to that of Noah, who was living according to God's will. Further, we learned that pride, love of money, dishonesty, craving pleasures and greed were wrong in God's eyes, and instead children should be compassionate, kind, humble, honest and patient. Like Noah.

TRAINING UP A CHILD HOMEWORK:
1. Memory Verse Practice 1 John 2:15 several times with your child during the week. This will not only help them remember the verse, it will also help to reinforce what they learned during class.

2. Suggested Parent/Child Activity: Spend some time with your child watching the local news, or reading the newspaper. Ask your child to indicate if the story or article is something that shows godliness, or wickedness. For example, a story about rescue or helping people who suffered in a disaster could represent godliness, where as a story about murder or theft could represent wickedness. You can make this into a game by seeing who can identify the type of story first, and then awarding points.

3. Suggested Daily Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to live my life according to your will. Let me be like your servant Noah, who lived in this world, but did not conform to this world. Help me to know the difference between what is right and wrong, and choose what is pleasing to you. Amen.

In His Love, Cathy

Are You Hearing What God is Really Saying?

"Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?

You are God's critic, but do you have the answer?"

Job 40:2

I've recently struggled with a decision about something in my life. I've prayed for weeks over it. It seemed that EVERYTHING was pointing me in a particular direction. However, though all events seemed to line up for me to go that direction, and though my heart wanted to follow where that path would lead, it wasn't what God wanted. But frankly, I didn't want to hear that. So I resisted. I ignored nagging thoughts about the issue, thinking they were just self doubt. I mean, how could it not be God's will for me? All of the events and signs in my life seemed to say so. However, the feeling that this wasn't what God wanted persisted. Each day it became louder and louder. Yet still I resisted. Then I started justifying to God (and my husband) reasons of why I should take the path that seemed so evident for me to take. Yet the feelings that something wasn't right became even stronger. I resisted even more until finally the Holy Spirit broke through to me one morning and clearly convicted me otherwise. God made it crystal clear that the obvious path was not His path for me. Without realizing it, I spent weeks quietly arguing and resisting God on this issue, justifying the why's. In fact, I was so sure of the path that I got to the point that I didn't want to hear what He had to say about the matter.

How do you argue or criticize God? Are you like Job, demanding answers when life gets hard or doesn't work out for you? Do you have times like me, where you quietly argue and resist His will on matters, even when it seems the path is clear? Or maybe you argue with God through simple disobedience, not living your life under His will? Who are we to argue with God? Instead of arguing with God, we are to recognize and submit to God's power and authority. Only when we do this will we hear what God is really saying.

My prayers are with you, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

God Never Abandons His People

"You displayed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his officials, and all his people, for you knew how arrogantly they were treating our ancestors. You have a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten. … They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them." —Nehemiah 9:10, 17

God never abandons His people. Even when God seems far away, He is there. Even when you don't understand why, He is there. Even when it seems there is no hope, HE IS THERE.

God never abandons His people. In fact, it is the other way around. His people abandon Him. We are so prone to forgetting what amazing things God has done for us in the past. All of history is a testimony to His goodness, forgiveness, mercy, and love FOR US. Yet when things don't go our way we get upset, not understanding why. Not realizing that Christ suffered and sacrificed far more for us than we could ever for Him. He suffered and understands our suffering. Therefore, we should not push Him away in tough times, but rely on His strength.

Feeling abandoned by God might mean that were need to fix something in our spiritual life. Sin builds up a wall between us and our LORD. It is our disobedience and stubborness that adds to this wall. But He is a God of forgiveness and we can seek to make things right by admitting our sins to Him and asking for forgiveness. We can trust in Him to always be there. Won't you do that today? God never abandons His people. God will never abandon you. He loves you!

In His Love, Cathy

Building Our Lives on God's Word

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”

2 Timothy 2:15-19

To build our lives on God's Word we first of all MUST know what God's Word says. There is absolutely no substitute for our own personal study of the Bible. For this is the foundation that we build our lives upon. We can not serve Him if His Truth isn't ingrained in our hearts. If we are to be the workers He has called us to be, then we must start by building our lives upon His Word. We must also build His Word into our lives. It is not enough just to read the Bible, we should apply it's truth to our lives ! We should read EVERY PART of the Bible, cover to cover, not just our favorite books or passages. It is ALL God's inspired word, each and every bit of it was intended for us. Reading the Bible is VITAL our walk in Christ. It tells us how to live for Him and how to serve him.

Consistent and daily Bible study is critical . To do otherwise leads to neglecting God and our true purpose for living! Want a changed life? Then make time to diligently study the Word of God. Make a commitment to read the Bible to CHANGE!

In His Love, Cathy

This Week in PCC Children's Ministry: June 1 - 7

VBS COUNTDOWN!!!

VBS 2009: Boomerang Express

Where it all comes back to Jesus!

June 15-19, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

PICK UP A VBS YARD SIGN TODAY

AND HELP US REACH CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR CHRIST!

VBS Worship Team Practice

Sundays from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

VBS FINAL DECORATING

JUNE 14 from 2 'til...

EXTRA HELP NEEDED TO GET FINAL DECOR UP ALL OVER THE CHURCH

SUMMER TEACHERS NEEDED

Sign up to help one Sunday this summer.

Openings available.

Contact me at pcckidzministry@aol.com

In His Love, Cathy