When you pray for rain... expect a little mud

I know that I have talked about it before, but what do people do without God's mercy, grace, and hope? All of us go through trials big and small on a daily basis. Often we look around and wonder, where is God in this trial? I think that God is best seen in His creation. Just look at the sky. It is vast, provides rain, gives sun, sends the winds... we can't touch it but we see a small portion of it each day and night.

I can remember being at the dinner table as a little girl and hearing my Dad pray for rain. We always had a huge garden in the summer. There were times when I wondered why he and Mom bothered with this huge garden when the weather was so unpredictable. I have seen him toil and labor over a tomato crop that drowned in too much rain and watched him stand out for hours watering a bean crop. I spent my share of days picking peas in the hot sun-enough to know that I never wanted a big garden like that. I guess my point is that my parents saw the fruits of their labor. Sometimes they were surprised at the fruitfulness of their garden and were willing to share with other families who needed the food. Other times they were disappointed, yet they never gave up.

Isn't that the way God is with us? He puts lots of work in trying to make us in his image. There are times when we really glorify Him in our actions and words. Other times, He is disappointed in the fruits of His labor.

I thank God for His grace. He never gives up on me. He also provides solace in the storms and makes me see the good in situations. Praise God today for his creation- including the sun, rain, storms, winds, and changing leaves. God never disappoints me. I seek to do the same for Him.

Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it's still raining as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You and raised me up again my strength is almost gone how can I carry on if I can't find You and as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

WE NEED YOU!!!

We are looking for willing servants to become apprentices in the leadership of our Family Ties class. As our class continues to grow, we will need more leaders to step up and help to serve the many needs of our "Family". We are asking all FAMILY TIES members to prayerfully consider serving in one of the following areas:

1. CARE GROUP LEADERS: A care group leader is the shepherd of a small group within our class. Duties include: emailing/phoning small group members when there is a need within our class, checking in with absentee members, helping to fascilitate growth within small group by encouraging smaller fellowships, and serving along side the current leadership with the general needs of our class.

2. TEACHERS: We currently have a rotation of 3-4 teachers, and are always needing more. If you have experience teaching, or if you would like to be shepherded by one of our current teachers in order to gain that experience, we need YOU!

3. OUTREACH: Greeting visitors, and making them feel welcome is an absolute MUST in the leadership roles of Family Ties. Outreach leaders will collect the information of visitors (address, phone numbers, emails) and provide follow up throughout the days and weeks to follow their initial visits. Outreach leaders will work closely with care group leaders to ensure that current members who are not attending (i.e. "inactive members") are being contacted as well.

4. FAMILY EVENT PLANNERS: We need help planning social events within the class. We do try to keep our fellowships "Family Based" since most all of us have children, but there are always events for "Guys Night Out", "Girls Night Out", and general socials with the entire class that require no children. Duties of this position include: working on the team to plan events, serving the membership at the planned social event, coordinating dates and times with church calendar, keeping record of payments by members when events have a cost, and working with small group leaders to ensure they are planning socials for their small groups, and providing assistance in that area as needed.

All leadership rolls require you to attend LC (Leadership Community) at CrossPoint which is held on the first Sunday of every month at 6pm. If you are interested in any of the positions listed above, please contact someone on the current leadership team for Family Ties, or leave a comment on this post explaining which position you are interested in and we will email you asap. Thank you!

"What good is it, my dear brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead"
James 2:14, 17