Okay, so today was a very different kind of day.
First, I must report, that I FINALLY experienced relief from my migraine this afternoon - thanks to the prayers of my friends. I had gone almost 10 straight days with this migraine...the longest one I've ever experienced. I had a painkiller shot at the doctor, took painkillers for 4 days, and 2 days of Zomig. None of these relieved it. Now, I've gone into all of this detail in order for you to understand the MIRACLE God performed in this. The migraine was finally relieved today at the exact hour my friend Terri and her girls prayed over me. I want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying for me. I've never had such wonderful friends as you all. I am very humbled by your prayers and concern. Thank you.
We had a good lesson tonight in the children's Bible Study. We learned the Parable of the Seed in the Four Soils (Matthew 13). Miss Evelyn came out and helped us tonight. She was WONDERFUL and such a blessing! I owe you, Miss Evelyn, BIG TIME! Even though, our children's Bible Study was good tonight, I just felt 'off.' Maybe it was just all of that painkiller I was on:-)
When I arrived home tonight after church, I found out one of our neighbors had passed away today. He lived down the street and had been suffering from complications due to diabetes. He was only in his 50's. He has two daughters, one is in high school and another in elementary school. My heart goes out to that family. I don't think they expected this. Please pray for them.
Yep, today was a different kind of day.
In His Love, Cathy
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Depressing Economy? Don't Worry, Trust God!
No matter who you are, it's hard to miss hearing about the big economic crisis our country is facing. As we were driving home from school today, we were listening to a local Christian station. When the news came on, our youngest son, Michael, asked me to turn up the volume. Why? He wanted to hear what they were saying about our economy! He's worried, like most Americans, about what our country is facing. He's only in 4th grade and worrying about the economy! In a recent poll, almost 60% of Americans believe that we are heading for a depression. That's a higher percentage, on average, than voter turnout in our elections!
Are you worried about the economy? Your investments? Whether the economic bailout will make matters worse, or not? What about your family's economic future? Your retirement? I would be less than truthful if I said I wasn't worried at all. I am concerned. However, there is hope. We find this hope in the words of Jesus Christ himself,
"“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.""Matthew 6:25-34
Are you worried about the economy? Your investments? Whether the economic bailout will make matters worse, or not? What about your family's economic future? Your retirement? I would be less than truthful if I said I wasn't worried at all. I am concerned. However, there is hope. We find this hope in the words of Jesus Christ himself,
"“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.""Matthew 6:25-34
In this passage, Jesus tells us that God promises to take care of us and provide for all of our needs. No matter what our economy is doing or what our personal financial situation is, we can trust God to supply our needs. But we also have a part to play. First, we are not to worry. Worry immobilizes us, thus making us useless and ineffective as believers. Not to mention, worry affects our relationships with others. Secondly, we are to seek the Kingdom of God first and live righteously. In other words, we are to put God first in our lives, filling our thoughts with His desires, obeying Him, serving Him, and patterning ourselves after the character of Christ.
God does love you. Trust in Him. Don't allow your worries to overcome your life and thoughts. Give your anxieties over to Christ and let go of them. Don't take them back once you give them to Him. AND...instead of focusing on your problems and worries, focus on Christ and living your life in a way that exalts Him! Through Christ you can know the peace and joy that transcends the troubles of this world!
Grace and Peace!
In His Love, Cathy
Sunday, October 5, 2008
PCC Children's News & Prayer Request
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS this FALL are FOR Kids
6:30 -7:30 p.m.
HIS KIDZ Bible Study (Kg-3rd) Room 1
CHRIST ROCKS Bible Study (4-5th) Room 2
7:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Outreach & Service Team (Room 1)
Worship Team (Room 2)
Help spread the GOOD NEWS! INVITE friends, neighbors, & children to church this Sunday! LET'S FILL THIS PLACE FOR THE LORD!
SUNDAYS IN OCT/NOV
Children are learning to be real heros - to be people of INTEGRITY and FAITH.
UPCOMING EVENT - FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Join us Wednesday, Oct 29 at 6 p.m. for our FALL FAMILY NIGHT EVENT. We're planning some AWESOME Fall Fun! STAY TUNED!
PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAY for the children's ministry of PCC.
PRAY for GOD's blessing upon this ministry to reach children of PACE for CHRIST.
PRAY for CHILDREN to be SPIRITUALLY transformed!
PRAY for God to send more TEACHERS, HELPERS, and MENTORS.
PRAY for the children's ministry team - the staff, leadership, and volunteers who SO FAITHFULLY serve.
PRAY for GROWTH of this ministry and for the SPIRITUAL GROWTH of children & families.
PRAY for PCC in reaching the lost and discipling believers.
PRAY!
Grace and Peace!
In His Love, Cathy
6:30 -7:30 p.m.
HIS KIDZ Bible Study (Kg-3rd) Room 1
CHRIST ROCKS Bible Study (4-5th) Room 2
7:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Outreach & Service Team (Room 1)
Worship Team (Room 2)
Help spread the GOOD NEWS! INVITE friends, neighbors, & children to church this Sunday! LET'S FILL THIS PLACE FOR THE LORD!
SUNDAYS IN OCT/NOV
Children are learning to be real heros - to be people of INTEGRITY and FAITH.
UPCOMING EVENT - FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Join us Wednesday, Oct 29 at 6 p.m. for our FALL FAMILY NIGHT EVENT. We're planning some AWESOME Fall Fun! STAY TUNED!
PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAY for the children's ministry of PCC.
PRAY for GOD's blessing upon this ministry to reach children of PACE for CHRIST.
PRAY for CHILDREN to be SPIRITUALLY transformed!
PRAY for God to send more TEACHERS, HELPERS, and MENTORS.
PRAY for the children's ministry team - the staff, leadership, and volunteers who SO FAITHFULLY serve.
PRAY for GROWTH of this ministry and for the SPIRITUAL GROWTH of children & families.
PRAY for PCC in reaching the lost and discipling believers.
PRAY!
Grace and Peace!
In His Love, Cathy
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Homecoming 2008
I wanted to share Homecoming pictures of Brittany & Zach. Don't they look great? Brings tears to our eyes! Not only are they an adorable couple, both love Jesus and live for Him! I am so thankful for each of them! She's not just our little girl anymore! Play the video below for more pics. Be sure to have your speakers turned on:-)
Saturday Morning Reflection
"Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken."
Psalm 62:5-6
What a beautiful morning! I love the fall! What a perfect fall Saturday. A wonderful day to enjoy God's creation. The perfect day to be still and know that He is God. I'm planning to enjoy my family today. I hope your day is full of family, fun, and blessings as well. Enjoy!
Grace & Peace!
In His Love, Cathy
Friday, October 3, 2008
Truth in Love
"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. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:14-15
I came across this passage this week as I was preparing for the children's lesson on Sunday. Ephesians 4 speaks of Christians living in unity and how we are to be children of light. So often, we Christians stray from this ideal. Why? Because, though saved by God's Grace, we aren't always so 'graceful' towards other believers. Despite our differences in doctrine, for the most part, we are in agreement on the Nature and Character of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit - The Holy Trinity. We are in agreement that the Bible is the perfect, infallible, inspired WORD of God! We know that we are all members of the BODY OF CHRIST! So why then, do we Christians go around criticizing and judging one another? Why are we so busy pointing out the splinter in our brother's eye when we have a HUMONGOUS LOG sticking out of our own?
Please, let's be real, here. I struggle myself every single day with loving my brothers and sisters the way I should. I'm not just talking about loving my church family, though I do love them very deeply. I'm speaking of ALL my Christian brothers & sisters in this great big world. I don't always agree with their specific interpretations of Scripture, but I can disagree in love. Isn't that what God wants of us? I mean, if we aren't loving each other, despite our differences, then how will the world truly know that we are Children of Light? However, we need to be sure that we are ingrained in God's Truth, putting on the full armor of God, so that we are not tossed about or easily swayed by false teachings. Yet at the same time, we must not confuse loving our brothers & sisters with tolerating false doctrine.
So, instead of passing judgement or criticizing our brothers & sisters, let us "speak the truth in love, growing in everyway more and more like Christ." Love one another this week!
Grace and peace to you!
In His Love, Cathy
I came across this passage this week as I was preparing for the children's lesson on Sunday. Ephesians 4 speaks of Christians living in unity and how we are to be children of light. So often, we Christians stray from this ideal. Why? Because, though saved by God's Grace, we aren't always so 'graceful' towards other believers. Despite our differences in doctrine, for the most part, we are in agreement on the Nature and Character of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit - The Holy Trinity. We are in agreement that the Bible is the perfect, infallible, inspired WORD of God! We know that we are all members of the BODY OF CHRIST! So why then, do we Christians go around criticizing and judging one another? Why are we so busy pointing out the splinter in our brother's eye when we have a HUMONGOUS LOG sticking out of our own?
Please, let's be real, here. I struggle myself every single day with loving my brothers and sisters the way I should. I'm not just talking about loving my church family, though I do love them very deeply. I'm speaking of ALL my Christian brothers & sisters in this great big world. I don't always agree with their specific interpretations of Scripture, but I can disagree in love. Isn't that what God wants of us? I mean, if we aren't loving each other, despite our differences, then how will the world truly know that we are Children of Light? However, we need to be sure that we are ingrained in God's Truth, putting on the full armor of God, so that we are not tossed about or easily swayed by false teachings. Yet at the same time, we must not confuse loving our brothers & sisters with tolerating false doctrine.
So, instead of passing judgement or criticizing our brothers & sisters, let us "speak the truth in love, growing in everyway more and more like Christ." Love one another this week!
Grace and peace to you!
In His Love, Cathy
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