Recognition

What is it in the Christ Follower that allows him to see and know that the Father is at work? I see the work of Christ on the Cross more easily than the work of the Spirit in me. Before today, that would have caused me concern. However, I've discovered something....in the Old Testament, God dwelt in the Holy of Holies behind a veil. In nature, God is hidden. We see His Glory revealed mysteriously in the beauty of nature. Even today, after a meaningful worship service, we comment, "surely the Lord was here today". We sense Him but yet we never see Him only mysteriously feel the working of His presence. Lastly and ultimately, Jesus came in the most humble of ways. As a vulnerable baby in a world set to destroy Him. He came and was considered "plain", "simple" without form or comeliness" the scripture says. He even offended his closest friends at times. We expect God to come in lightning and grandeur. We need to see something. We need to know God dwells within us. In the words of Andrew Murray, "God makes himself known in hearts surrendered and prepared for Him." We know God's presence by faith. F-A-I-T-H. Even when I don't see Him, I still know He lives within me. I love this definition of Faith by Andrew Murray, "Faith is the faculty of our spiritual nature by which we can recognize the divine, in whatever unlikely appearance it clothes itself." WOW! I never fully understood but I am beginning to. His presence is mysterious. Colossians 1:27 "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ in me......."Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. Jesus came as a living carbon copy of the Father. Jesus left us and then sent the carbon copy of Himself in His Spirit to DWELL within us. Things we don't see become more important that things we DO see. God dwells deep within the recesses of my spirit. "By faith we must continually yield our whole being to His rule and mastery and be faithful to what appears the nearest to His voice until we come to know His voice better." The more I listen, the more I will hear. I'm learning to listen and exercise faith in Him.

My Apologies...

for not blogging for months! The excuses I provide would be just that so I'll not bore you with the details. However, I did lose my computer, may she RIP! So, let's get this year started and give you a quick update on our life these past few months. Birthdays were awesome in August and September and both girls are perfect! October flew by and November sailed right thru. December kept us all busy with School, Kids Choir programs, Christmas parties, and the like. Santa was extremely good to our princesses and so were Nai Nai and Yei Yei! Mom and Dad took a trip to Monarch, CO for some rest and relaxation and some really fun skiing while the kiddos were spoiled to utter rottenness with Nai Nai and Yei Yei! We are still recovering from that week! As of today, we have rung in 2010 and have de-decked the house of all things Christmas. As I sit here and type, I find myself wondering what to do tomorrow. It seems sort of sad to not be anticipating going somewhere or doing something. However, school starts back on Wednesday and unless the 2-3 inches of snow that's predicted hinders us, we will be back into the groove in a couple days.
Spiritually speaking, God has been working mightily in my life! It excites me just to think about how He has moved in my life as I have obeyed the Spirit's leading. And to make sure you understand, God has worked ONLY because of my obedience and submission to his SPIRIT. We really can live the Christian life. Christ lives in us. We have the power to overcome.
I'll post more regarding this later as well as a new Suggested Reading List I am compiling.
LifeAction Ministries will invade HBC on Sunday, Januyary 24th. Our church is poised to experience Revival if only we will seek Him and remove any and all sin from our lives. Please pray for us as God prepares us and works in the coming weeks.
CDP is excited and burdened for our congregation, state and nation. We want to see God move in an unusual way. We should not be surprised when He does. He IS God!
So, I'll sign off for tonite. Going to sit with the hubby and watch some TV. Life is good and God is Great!

Fall is here...

I can feel the change in the air. I can also see the daylight slipping away earlier and earlier each day. It's that time of year again. Time to wonder where the time went! I mean really, it's less than 100 days til Christmas! To be quite honest, it's only 8 weeks until our Children's Choir Christmas Musical! Yikes! Reality hits so hard! Yet in all of this reality, there is still this gentle reminder that God is not concerned with TIME. He never ponders it. He never stresses over it. Now TIMING, that's another lesson all together! God is ALWAYS concerned with timing. His TIMING is perfect. When will we ever learn. He has such great plans for our lives and perfect TIMING.............

Family Vacation

Yep, we are on it...Family Vacation and we are enjoying each other so much this week. The girls are having a great time. SC likes the pool while SJ likes the beach. Go figure! The weather is just beautiful! Our unit is on the 23rd floor so we have a fabulous view of the gulf. Dolphins and sting rays are also gracing us with their presence. The water is super clear and the temps are hovering in the mid 80's so it's not too hot. I just love coming to the beach this time of year. No crowds and no lines at the restaurants. We've not waited once since we've been here. I'll link some photos on this post and will post again later this week. Have a great week....

Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

No, we've NOT dropped off the planet, we've just been super busy. Hi all! Glad to be back in the blog world. I need to sum up a month's worth of events and happenings so here goes...
1) We left for Nicaragua on August 1st and had a fabulous trip. We saw 114 decisions for Christ, cared for over 2500 people in the medical clinic, gave out approximately 500 pairs of glasses, pulled over 300 teeth , filled over 15,000 prescriptions and gave out over $100,000 worth of clothes, beans, rice and school supplies. It was a terrific trip. God was honored and He gets all the glory for all that was accomplished! It was a tiring trip due to the fact our clinic was approximately 1/4 mile from the Big White Tent (the preaching tent). We hiked up and down that 1/4 mile hill (or should I say small mountain), and I mean HIKED, 5 times each day. It was tiring and it was HOT! We left behind some very precious children who became a part of our family for 3 days. Each day, we saw them and loved on them and at the end, shared Christ with them. Please pray for Francisco, Yota, and Candida as well as the rest of the village of El Bonete.
2) Sunday, August 9th our church called a new Minister of Spiritual Development. Mike McDonough and his wife Amanda will be moving from Texas within the next few weeks and we are so excited to have them on staff! They will be a great addition to our church and we're excited about what God's doing in our church. Pray for them as they transition, sell a home, leave family and all those other issues that come with moving.
3) My girls are growing up! Sadie turns 2 a week from tomorrow! I simply cannot believe how time has flown. We will celebrate her birthday on Friday, September 4th due to the fact that we will be celebrating Shaoey's Birthday on Saturday, August 29th. Shaoey will be 5 and is just super excited about her party. Shaoey wanted a party with all her friends so because we leave for VACATION on Friday, September 5th, we decided to switch weekends for birthday parties. Sadie will have her party at Nai Nai and Yei Yei's house Friday before we leave for the beach on Saturday.
4) Speaking of VACATION.................I'm READY....It can't get here soon enough...........
5) Shaoey started 4 yr Old Kindergarten on Wednesday and she's pretty thrilled about it. She's still not completely used to the schedule and routine but that won't take long. She loves her teacher and is really loving picking out what she's gonna wear to school each day....alot like her MOM in the fashion department.
6) So with school in full swing, Sadie and I spend Monday's and Wednesday's at the park playing tennis and playing on the playground.
God is good and I am not worthy of any of these blessings I've just described. I've been reading a book by Hudson Taylor's son about his father, Hudson Taylor. I cannot tell you how pitiful I am and how far I have to go in the quest for the Exchanged Life. I do know that God ownes it all and is all I will ever need. I can completely trust Him in ALL things. Saying that and living that are two completely different attitudes.....from Hudson Taylor.....

"The Lord Jesus received is holiness begun; the Lord Jesus cherished is holiness adancing; the Lord Jesus counted upon as never absent is holiness complete...." "Abiding, not striving or struggling; looking off unto Him; trusting Him for present power;.....resting in the love of an almighty Saviour, in the joy of a complete salvation, "from all sin"....

Powerful stuff....God help me live the Exchanged Life!