I would like to share with you three books that God used to impact my life. The timing of when I read them occurred at crucial times in my life. God was orchestrating a symphony of change in my haphazard walk in Christ...changes that drew my family and I closer to God. Change that God used to embolden my faith.
Here's my top 3, life changing books:
1. The Bible
(Read through the Bible every day, for years. It and prayer are my lifeline to our wonderful God!)
2. The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkenson
(Read as our family was going through my cancer diagnosis. Made me realize God wanted more from me than what I had been giving Him - He wanted all of me! He had a wonderful future planned for us, if we obeyed and lived with the right motivation - to live for Him! He would bless us indeed. And He has!)
3. The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren
(Read our first year at PCC, leaving the 'traditions' of our past and entering a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. Helped me realize life was not about me - it was about God!)
If you haven't read these books, I highly recommend doing so. I reread through each of them at least once a year to refresh my memory and remind myself of what God has done in my life since reading them the first time. The latter two books, by no means, should ever replace the works of the Bible on our lives. The BIBLE should be our #1 source of Godly Truth, application, and standard. However, the perspective offered by the latter two books helped me to reassess my life and redirect my focus. Just thought I'd share:-)
Grace and peace, friends! It's FRIDAY! AMEN!
In His Love, Cathy
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wednesday Night Wrap Up, March 4
I love what God does on Wednesday nights. Let me share with you some pretty awesome things that happened tonight.
Kids acted out ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives. They came up with some pretty creative 'acts' for the verses they were assigned. It was fun for them and for me.
We talked about how the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us when we become a Christian. How we are a new creation in Christ - the old has passed away and we become new. We talked about how we can try to change our behavior, but in the end, our human efforts alone are not enough to effect real change. The only true change is a change that is internal and eternal. That change can only occur through the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us. And this, my friends, is pretty awesome - God's presence in the form of His Holy Spirit - INSIDE YOU and ME! WHOA!
Another amazing thing that happened tonight was really special to me. As we were discussing scenarios in which a person did what they wanted to do instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to be in control, the children just opened up and really began sharing their own experiences. One particularly 'hot topic' was how to react in a cheating situation. I was amazed at the wisdom, the sense of honesty, and the integrity the children expressed. Parents, you'll be happy to know they weren't the ones cheating, but they were sharing their opinions of peers that they knew had either cheated or tried to cheat off of them. These children expressed so much in our time together - sometimes they just need to talk and we need to simply listen. How amazing. I'm thankful for lessons where we get off the beaten path, but yet we're exactly where God wants us to be. Amen?
In closing, the children had to write down something they were struggling with that they needed to give over to the Holy Spirit's control. Each child folded up their paper with their need for help written on it, sealed it in an envelope, and prayed over it. They gave them to me to hold on to this week. They are to pray for their request every day, especially when the situation or issue they wrote arises. Please remind them to pray for what they wrote down. Next Wednesday, we'll unseal the envelopes and see how God has worked in their situation. I'm amazed at how seriously they took this assignment! I'm excited for the children as they see how God will work out their circumstances.
Here's a few other things that were just awesome tonight:
1. Our Children's Ministry Team - You're my Peeps! You TOTALLY ROCK! Everyone who provided food tonight for the children & teens! Thanks especially to Terri & Jeff for grilling the hot dogs, buns, and the AWESOME potato salad! Thanks to Lorraine, Sidney, Crystal, Christy, Holley, Robin, Miss Peggy, Michelle, Robert, Jodi, Evelyn, & Paul for the food,help with Dinner, and teaching/helping.
2. GOD! You're AWESOME, LORD! You knew many of us were tired tonight, yet You gave us strength to carry out your work. You knew Scott had a bad migraine, yet you healed him so that He could teach the youth tonight. Thank you for answering our prayers with awesome deeds!
In His Love, Cathy
Kids acted out ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives. They came up with some pretty creative 'acts' for the verses they were assigned. It was fun for them and for me.
We talked about how the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us when we become a Christian. How we are a new creation in Christ - the old has passed away and we become new. We talked about how we can try to change our behavior, but in the end, our human efforts alone are not enough to effect real change. The only true change is a change that is internal and eternal. That change can only occur through the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us. And this, my friends, is pretty awesome - God's presence in the form of His Holy Spirit - INSIDE YOU and ME! WHOA!
Another amazing thing that happened tonight was really special to me. As we were discussing scenarios in which a person did what they wanted to do instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to be in control, the children just opened up and really began sharing their own experiences. One particularly 'hot topic' was how to react in a cheating situation. I was amazed at the wisdom, the sense of honesty, and the integrity the children expressed. Parents, you'll be happy to know they weren't the ones cheating, but they were sharing their opinions of peers that they knew had either cheated or tried to cheat off of them. These children expressed so much in our time together - sometimes they just need to talk and we need to simply listen. How amazing. I'm thankful for lessons where we get off the beaten path, but yet we're exactly where God wants us to be. Amen?
In closing, the children had to write down something they were struggling with that they needed to give over to the Holy Spirit's control. Each child folded up their paper with their need for help written on it, sealed it in an envelope, and prayed over it. They gave them to me to hold on to this week. They are to pray for their request every day, especially when the situation or issue they wrote arises. Please remind them to pray for what they wrote down. Next Wednesday, we'll unseal the envelopes and see how God has worked in their situation. I'm amazed at how seriously they took this assignment! I'm excited for the children as they see how God will work out their circumstances.
Here's a few other things that were just awesome tonight:
1. Our Children's Ministry Team - You're my Peeps! You TOTALLY ROCK! Everyone who provided food tonight for the children & teens! Thanks especially to Terri & Jeff for grilling the hot dogs, buns, and the AWESOME potato salad! Thanks to Lorraine, Sidney, Crystal, Christy, Holley, Robin, Miss Peggy, Michelle, Robert, Jodi, Evelyn, & Paul for the food,help with Dinner, and teaching/helping.
2. GOD! You're AWESOME, LORD! You knew many of us were tired tonight, yet You gave us strength to carry out your work. You knew Scott had a bad migraine, yet you healed him so that He could teach the youth tonight. Thank you for answering our prayers with awesome deeds!
In His Love, Cathy
Who Do You Go to for Advice?
I received this devotion this morning...the topic further expounds one of the points the children learned this past Sunday. It's not a bad point for us adults, either! Grace and peace, friends!
"The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense." —Proverbs 10:20–21
"When you need encouragement or advice, to whom do you turn? These verses suggest seeking counsel only from godly people. The perspective, the worldviews, of those who follow God and those who do not are quite distinct. Words come from the heart, and that which comes from the heart of those who don't follow God (called "fools" in Proverbs) is worthless. Whether it's from a book or in person, make sure the important advice you take is from a godly source."—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
In His Love, Cathy
"The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense." —Proverbs 10:20–21
"When you need encouragement or advice, to whom do you turn? These verses suggest seeking counsel only from godly people. The perspective, the worldviews, of those who follow God and those who do not are quite distinct. Words come from the heart, and that which comes from the heart of those who don't follow God (called "fools" in Proverbs) is worthless. Whether it's from a book or in person, make sure the important advice you take is from a godly source."—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
In His Love, Cathy
Monday, March 2, 2009
An Encouraging Thought For Monday Morning
On the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13.
"The entire idea of Jesus addressing God as the Father is one of personal love and devotion. You cannot know a person unless you love him. And you certainly cannot love God unless you know Him and realize He is intimately in love with you." - Dr. Charles Stanley (Into His Presence)
Friends, God is INTIMATELY in love with you! He held nothing back from us, including giving the life of His Own Son as a sacrifice for OUR sins, so that we may be saved! Lord, Your love is so AMAZING!
In His Love, Cathy
"The entire idea of Jesus addressing God as the Father is one of personal love and devotion. You cannot know a person unless you love him. And you certainly cannot love God unless you know Him and realize He is intimately in love with you." - Dr. Charles Stanley (Into His Presence)
Friends, God is INTIMATELY in love with you! He held nothing back from us, including giving the life of His Own Son as a sacrifice for OUR sins, so that we may be saved! Lord, Your love is so AMAZING!
In His Love, Cathy
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Flat Belly Diet
This is the diet for me! Scott and I are starting the Flat Belly Diet beginning Monday! Believe it or not, I've put on about 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks and ALL in my belly. The final straw was when I put on a pair of pants this past week that were BIG on me three weeks ago (and have been for the past several years). I could still fit in them, but by the end of the day, the waist had rubbed me raw because it was too tight!
Anyway, pray for us! The diet promises us a flat belly in up to 32 days! We shall see:-) I wonder if there is a 'turkey neck' diet. If so, gobble at me, I need to go on that one too!
Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Anyway, pray for us! The diet promises us a flat belly in up to 32 days! We shall see:-) I wonder if there is a 'turkey neck' diet. If so, gobble at me, I need to go on that one too!
Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy
What Your Child Learned in Church Today, Sunday, March 1
ROCK SOLID (Kg through 4th Grades)
Main Point: I will do what God wants!
Today's Bible Lesson: The Story of Gideon (Judges 6 & 7)
Memory Verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Lesson Summary:
For the months of March and April, we are exploring what it means to have noble character. Our Bible adventures are set in Medieval Times in which we meet King Earl the Undecided. King Earl will encounter situations in which he must learn to be a king of noble character, a person that God wants him and us to be. Be sure your child joins us each Sunday for Kingdom Tales!
Today, children pretended to be knights and ladies of old. Children came up with their Medieval names. Ask your child what their Medieval name is. We saw how it is so very important that we do what God wants us to do in our lives. We heard the story of Gideon, how God called him to lead an army against the Midianites even though he had never lead an army before. Gideon sought out what God wanted him to do as he lead the Israelite army against the powerful Midianite army. Read this story with your child this week. You can find it in Judges 6 and 7.
Children learned that is is so important that we do what God wants us to do. We learned four ways we can find out what God wants us to do. First, we can read the Bible to find out what God wants us to do. Second, we can go to church to learn what God wants us to do. Third, we can ask godly people. And fourth, we can pray to God Himself, to ask Him what He wants us to do. We also talked about how God tells us what He wants us to do in more than one of these ways, and usually a through a combination of these ways. For example, I know when God is working on me when I read something in Scripture in my quiet time, then hear it again Sunday mornings as Pastor Ronnie is preaching, and then 'coincidentally' it comes up in some other setting ( a random conversation, a devotional email that I subscribe to, the Holy Spirit impressing it upon my heart, a random email...) You see, God uses multiple sources to confirm what He is telling us to do. Our part is to listen, expectantly watching for His Will.
For example, our lesson today, which is purchased from an independent source, just happened to coincide with Pastor Ronnie's message (which was EXCELLENT by the way.) Did we plan it that way? No, but God did!
Help your child look for God's will in their lives. Help them to learn how to do what God wants!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Read Judges 6, 7 with your child this week.
2. Help your child memorize this week's memory verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, and tell it to me next Sunday for a prize.
3. Encourage your child to follow the four ways of finding out what God wants us to do: reading our Bible DAILY; praying DAILY (without ceasing); going to Church (Sundays & Wednesdays); and seeking the counsel of godly people.
Grace and peace friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Main Point: I will do what God wants!
Today's Bible Lesson: The Story of Gideon (Judges 6 & 7)
Memory Verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Lesson Summary:
For the months of March and April, we are exploring what it means to have noble character. Our Bible adventures are set in Medieval Times in which we meet King Earl the Undecided. King Earl will encounter situations in which he must learn to be a king of noble character, a person that God wants him and us to be. Be sure your child joins us each Sunday for Kingdom Tales!
Today, children pretended to be knights and ladies of old. Children came up with their Medieval names. Ask your child what their Medieval name is. We saw how it is so very important that we do what God wants us to do in our lives. We heard the story of Gideon, how God called him to lead an army against the Midianites even though he had never lead an army before. Gideon sought out what God wanted him to do as he lead the Israelite army against the powerful Midianite army. Read this story with your child this week. You can find it in Judges 6 and 7.
Children learned that is is so important that we do what God wants us to do. We learned four ways we can find out what God wants us to do. First, we can read the Bible to find out what God wants us to do. Second, we can go to church to learn what God wants us to do. Third, we can ask godly people. And fourth, we can pray to God Himself, to ask Him what He wants us to do. We also talked about how God tells us what He wants us to do in more than one of these ways, and usually a through a combination of these ways. For example, I know when God is working on me when I read something in Scripture in my quiet time, then hear it again Sunday mornings as Pastor Ronnie is preaching, and then 'coincidentally' it comes up in some other setting ( a random conversation, a devotional email that I subscribe to, the Holy Spirit impressing it upon my heart, a random email...) You see, God uses multiple sources to confirm what He is telling us to do. Our part is to listen, expectantly watching for His Will.
For example, our lesson today, which is purchased from an independent source, just happened to coincide with Pastor Ronnie's message (which was EXCELLENT by the way.) Did we plan it that way? No, but God did!
Help your child look for God's will in their lives. Help them to learn how to do what God wants!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Read Judges 6, 7 with your child this week.
2. Help your child memorize this week's memory verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, and tell it to me next Sunday for a prize.
3. Encourage your child to follow the four ways of finding out what God wants us to do: reading our Bible DAILY; praying DAILY (without ceasing); going to Church (Sundays & Wednesdays); and seeking the counsel of godly people.
Grace and peace friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)