Visitor

Yesterday one of the girls who used to work at our cafe came to church with her sister and her sister's boyfriend. They had asked to come before but never came. When we asked, she never could. They told Taylor this week they were going to come and then called me on Saturday. They came. They seemed to like it. The sister said it was similar to a church they were visiting in Miami when they were there.

YEAH!

Contentment

The truth is that if God wanted us to have more right now, we would have it. . . . If we were supposed to be in a different situation in life, we would be in it. Instead of always saying, "If only this" and "If only that," God calls us to glorify him to the fullest right now. . . . Contentment means wanting what God wants for us rather than what we want for us. The secret to enjoying this kind of contentment is to be so satisfied with God that we are able to accept whatever he has or has not provided." -Phil Ryken

Great Day

I had the great privilege today of helping debrief two of our missionaries. Just to sit and listen to where they have been, the ups, downs, exciting and challenging is just awesome. There are some great caliber people out there serving God and it is a privilege to serve them.

Last week I helped with another couple. It is exciting to hear how they are being used. I now have three countries I want to go visit and I am sure there will be more as I am able to see and hear their stories.

Weekend Away

Tomorrow we are leaving for St. Augustine when Taylor gets home from school. We have been there many times visiting friends so we have already done the tourist thing. Now we can just relax and enjoy, go do something if we want to or sit on the beach or by the pool. I am looking forward to being away from home for a few days and just enjoying our time.

Ancient of Days

We are going through the book of Daniel in our small group (Beth Moore). Last night we learned about the Ancient of Days.

A court case may start out with one judge who was around when the crime happened. He experienced it on the tv and news. But by the time the person who committed the crime needs to be judged, it could be a different judge, one who didn't "experience" the crime.

However, God, the Ancient of Days has been on his throne from the beginning and will be on His throne through the end. He has seen every injustice done to us. He has been with us through every trial and hardship. When it comes time for judgment, He has a vested interest in us and He is the one who will give out the punishment.

It is very comforting to know that we have a God who loves us, cares for us and is with us through everything and He will always be there with us. Others may leave but He never will.

Journeying together,

Praise Him

I have so many thoughts spinning in my head I don't know what to write. There are two more days left for us to be running Cuppy's. Sunday we go over everything with Sirran and Monday she starts running Cuppy's in hopes to get it going well (using all the marketing tools she has available) and try to sell it for us.

Bill is looking for another job. We are waiting on test results. We are trying to be the message to those watching. Many emotions are running through us. Watching a dream die is not easy.

There are other things that are happening and it just seems the waves keep rolling at us. I am so glad that God is in control and he is my refuge. I don't see how people who do not know Him survive their struggles.

I am so glad that we can praise God even in the hard times. And when we praise Him, our spirits are lifted.

So praise Him with me because He wins in the end and we know that one day we will be with Him and all of this will not matter.

Journeying together,

What kind of message

Yesterday at church we learned about waves. How they keep coming and sometimes we are able to handle them and sometimes they wash over us. How Jesus asks us to obey one more time. Right now we are being pounded by the waves. What stuck with me the most was I am a message to others who are watching. So what kind of message am I as I deal with the waves that come at me day after day? What are others seeing in me as they watch? Are they seeing Jesus? Is He shining through me? I need to be in the Word and praying daily and asking Him to guide my each thought, action, word.

I pray that God will help me shine for Him through the dark days and through the good days.

Journeying together,