Happy Super Tuesday Everyone!
Today's reading for the Vital Pursuits lesson focuses on 1 Samuel 3:4. The question is, "How do you know when God is speaking to you, and how would/do you respond? (I'm quoting from memory, so the book may phrase it a little differently.)
If you read my novel-length blog yesterday, you saw what my initial response was to the thought of God verbally speaking to me. Not so great or faith-filled. But He and I are working on that. :)
Looking at today's question made me think, "Are God's other ways of communicating -- such as through other people, during my Bible study, circumstances or the prompting of the Holy Spirit -- any less important or imperative just because they do not involve His audible voice?" NO!
So my personal struggle with listening to God may have less to do with the method of God speaking and more to do with the message.
How many times have I avoided prayer or the Bible, other Christians or going to church just because I knew I was involved in sinful activities? Doing so just made me even more reluctant to be around the people and things of God. Why? Because I knew God would try to speak to me!
I want to encourage you to seek God and truly try to listen to what He has to say through the weekly lessons and daily readings. He obviously is speaking to me through them, and I know He wants to talk with you, too.
And you know what? Even though listening to God is not always pleasant, how comforting and awesome it is to know that He holds the solutions and will help us overcome the sin, temptation, and imperfections in our lives and walks with Him. Thank God that He not only tells us where we're going wrong, but He also forgives and tells us how to correct our course! I'm so glad that God loves me as I am, and loves me too much to leave me that way! (I borrowed that from someone, but what a comforting thought!)
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
Wow, what a lesson
Hey guys,
I just had to write to encourage you all to really get involved in our new series, Vital Pursuits. Sunday, Scott did an awesome job of leading us to think about our prayer lives, and to seek out how we can truly talk with God.
Having the book for this series will really deepen your understanding of each lesson. There's so much valuable information that it will be hard for Scott, Vaughn and me to cover everything during our class time on Sundays.
Also, there is a series of reflective readings and questions that help you focus on each lesson's Scriptural basis, and will help you apply it in your life.
For next Sunday's lesson on Listening to God, the readings focus on 1 Samuel 3:1-20. Today's reading takes verses 1-3 and asks us to reflect on the question "What effort has God created you to be involved in?"
I have to admit, I began reading the lesson last night with the full intent of answering Monday's question so Last-Minute Me could get ahead. :) But I got caught up in the lesson itself, and felt I needed to share what God showed me.
1 Samuel 3 is the story of God speaking to Samuel. As 12-year-old Samuel is sleeping in the temple, God calls his name, "Samuel, Samuel." Samuel ends up answering God with "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Wow! What an awesome privilege to audibly hear God speak your own name!
That was my first thought. But it was quickly followed by this:
"Do I really want God to speak like that? What will he ask me to do? What if it's something that will hurt me or my family? What if he wants me to do something that everyone else thinks is crazy? There are plenty of stories in the Bible of God's devoted followers being hurt, persecuted and killed. I like my cozy life with my church, job and family. I finally feel settled and I don't want to mess that up!"
God help me. My will, no, even my spirit, is so weak that I shrink from such glorious contact for fear the message given would be too hard. Forgive me, Father, for my lack of trust in You and Your promise in Jeremiah 29: 11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Help me to remember that no matter the mission, You provide the means to accomplish it.
How many times have I missed out on God calling me to an effort which could have blessed me and my family because I purposely plugged my ears? I am willing to listen when I come to him with an agenda or need, but am I willing to listen when God initiates the conversation? Evidently not. My prayer for you all, as it is for me this week, is that we will not only listen to God as we pray, but that we will be willing to listen when He calls, and seek His strength and courage to follow through when ours is lacking. Remember, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
God provides! May His blessings overwhelm you.
I just had to write to encourage you all to really get involved in our new series, Vital Pursuits. Sunday, Scott did an awesome job of leading us to think about our prayer lives, and to seek out how we can truly talk with God.
Having the book for this series will really deepen your understanding of each lesson. There's so much valuable information that it will be hard for Scott, Vaughn and me to cover everything during our class time on Sundays.
Also, there is a series of reflective readings and questions that help you focus on each lesson's Scriptural basis, and will help you apply it in your life.
For next Sunday's lesson on Listening to God, the readings focus on 1 Samuel 3:1-20. Today's reading takes verses 1-3 and asks us to reflect on the question "What effort has God created you to be involved in?"
I have to admit, I began reading the lesson last night with the full intent of answering Monday's question so Last-Minute Me could get ahead. :) But I got caught up in the lesson itself, and felt I needed to share what God showed me.
1 Samuel 3 is the story of God speaking to Samuel. As 12-year-old Samuel is sleeping in the temple, God calls his name, "Samuel, Samuel." Samuel ends up answering God with "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Wow! What an awesome privilege to audibly hear God speak your own name!
That was my first thought. But it was quickly followed by this:
"Do I really want God to speak like that? What will he ask me to do? What if it's something that will hurt me or my family? What if he wants me to do something that everyone else thinks is crazy? There are plenty of stories in the Bible of God's devoted followers being hurt, persecuted and killed. I like my cozy life with my church, job and family. I finally feel settled and I don't want to mess that up!"
God help me. My will, no, even my spirit, is so weak that I shrink from such glorious contact for fear the message given would be too hard. Forgive me, Father, for my lack of trust in You and Your promise in Jeremiah 29: 11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Help me to remember that no matter the mission, You provide the means to accomplish it.
How many times have I missed out on God calling me to an effort which could have blessed me and my family because I purposely plugged my ears? I am willing to listen when I come to him with an agenda or need, but am I willing to listen when God initiates the conversation? Evidently not. My prayer for you all, as it is for me this week, is that we will not only listen to God as we pray, but that we will be willing to listen when He calls, and seek His strength and courage to follow through when ours is lacking. Remember, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
God provides! May His blessings overwhelm you.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Vital Pursuits
There were many in our Family Ties group last week that made major decisions to devote themselves to grow closer to Christ through their daily walk. Others recommitted themselves to the Great Commission. Some made first time decisions to follow Christ! It is awesome to see God move in our midst! I personally cannot wait to see what God has in store for our group. Wouldn't it be awesome if God used the Family Ties Bible Study Group to take this church to the next level? He can do it if we stay serious about our desperate pursuit of holiness and fully surrender every part of our lives to the Lordship of Christ.
In order to help in the journey of life as fully devoted Christ-followers, we will be starting a new series called "Vital Pursuits" this Sunday. This study is designed to aid us in our daily pursuit to grow closer to God. We will have books for this study so you can read your lesson prior to Sunday's class. Ths will allow us to be able to better follow along and discuss the material. Also, that way, if you are unable to attend class one week, you can still have the material to read on your own. Each week's lesson will stand alone, so if you can't be there one week, it's okay. The church is supplementing the cost of the materials, but the book will cost us $5 a piece. We will begin taking orders and money TOMORROW morning. We will have your first two lessons copied for you so you won't be behind.Looking ahead, we will be beginning "The Perfect Kid", another series by Perry Noble, after this study. We then will have a finance study called "Your Money Counts".
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
WHAT A WEEK!!!
I have not blogged in a long while, and Amy's story prompted me to post. Normally, I would be singing the same kind of song. We all get so bogged down in things and, just like Amy said, we wonder how we would manage without someone having His hand on it all. Here is my WHAT A WEEK! story:
Wednesday night we got home from church. Marty had been home with Brady and Trey and I had been to choir. It was late, and Marty had gone in to say prayers with Trey. Marty called me in there and said that Trey wanted to talk to us about something. He began to talk about Heaven. He said he had been thinking about that baby (Burgess) that died and went to Heaven. He got teary and said that he wanted Jesus in his heart so he could spend eternity in Heaven with Him. I talked to him about how Christianity was not about the destination but about the journey and how many people we touch as we travel through it. He proudly exclaimed that he wanted to stand up and be different. He wanted to tell other people about Jesus and how He died for our sins even when we did not deserve it. We all knelt beside his bed and each of us prayed. He just cried as he prayed for Jesus to be his Lord and Savior and forgive him for his sins. After our prayers, he looked up and said, "There sure are lots of tear stains on my bed!" Oh to be seven again! So there you go... Thank you Jesus... WHAT A WEEK! Trey will be baptized at the 10:45 worship on February 3rd.
Wednesday night we got home from church. Marty had been home with Brady and Trey and I had been to choir. It was late, and Marty had gone in to say prayers with Trey. Marty called me in there and said that Trey wanted to talk to us about something. He began to talk about Heaven. He said he had been thinking about that baby (Burgess) that died and went to Heaven. He got teary and said that he wanted Jesus in his heart so he could spend eternity in Heaven with Him. I talked to him about how Christianity was not about the destination but about the journey and how many people we touch as we travel through it. He proudly exclaimed that he wanted to stand up and be different. He wanted to tell other people about Jesus and how He died for our sins even when we did not deserve it. We all knelt beside his bed and each of us prayed. He just cried as he prayed for Jesus to be his Lord and Savior and forgive him for his sins. After our prayers, he looked up and said, "There sure are lots of tear stains on my bed!" Oh to be seven again! So there you go... Thank you Jesus... WHAT A WEEK! Trey will be baptized at the 10:45 worship on February 3rd.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Care Group Functions:
Group #1 - Jan 20th - Lunch at Fox's Pizza immediately after the 3rd service. Contact Dianna Goss.
Group #2 - Jan 20th - Lunch at Fronterra immediately after the 3rd service. Contact Jenny Brannan.
Group #3 - Jan 27th - Lunch at DelSol in Springville after the 3rd service. Contact Pam Prickett.
Group #4 - Jan 20th - Bowling at Lightning Strikes at 4:00. Contact Trina Waid.
Group #2 - Jan 20th - Lunch at Fronterra immediately after the 3rd service. Contact Jenny Brannan.
Group #3 - Jan 27th - Lunch at DelSol in Springville after the 3rd service. Contact Pam Prickett.
Group #4 - Jan 20th - Bowling at Lightning Strikes at 4:00. Contact Trina Waid.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Toby and Jennifer Bearden on the birth of their first child, Brody Ray, born January 7th. Brody weighed 7 lbs., 8 oz. and was 19 ½ inches long. Please leave a word of congratulations to the newest member of our extended family!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
HAPPY 2008!
Here is an online article I read today and I felt it was worth sharing with all of you. I pray you've all had a happy start to this new year, and I hope to see you all in Family Ties this Sunday!
Hope for the New Year
By Gwen Miller
The approach of a new year is a time of hope. Everyone likes the thought of a clean slate—a new beginning. As we look ahead, many people set goals or blow off the dust from previously set goals.
When January rolls around, there are generally two groups of people, those who make New Year’s resolutions and those who don’t. Do you make resolutions or do you choose to refrain? I admit, I have been in both camps.
Several times I have set health and fitness goals. I have aspired to greater spiritual disciplines. One year I determined to shore up in the area of housekeeping. One January I had a new baby. She was my fourth child—I already had three little boys at home, ages 5, 3 and 22 months. I remember my New Year’s resolution that year was to maintain a peaceful balance in my home.
Whatever kind of goals you set, the new year can be a time of valuable reflection. Proverbs 4:26 (Amplified) says, “Consider well the path of your feet and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.” Taking time to consider our life’s path demonstrates wisdom. After all, we are the sum total of all the choices we have made.
Life evaluation can inspire hope. God created us to thrive on hope—the hope of one day experiencing the perfection of His original plan. Remember the Garden of Eden? It was certainly a place of perfection. But all that changed when sin entered the world. With sin came death, pain, sorrow, sickness, disease and every negative emotion we can encounter—like hopelessness.
Hopelessness unchecked can be a downward spiral ending in depression and despair. We believers must guard our hearts, taking time to renew our hope. How? By spending time in God’s Word.
When we remind ourselves of the love of God and the plan He has for us, we grow in strength and joy. Psalm 139 is a testimony of God’s attention to every detail of our lives. Why not take a few moments to read it?
God remembers things about our lives that we have already forgotten. He knows more about us than we do. He is a God of magnitude and detail. He cares about every little thing that concerns us. The most valuable thing we can do as we approach a new year is to get His perspective on life.
Set aside some time to evaluate where you’ve been, where you are and where you’re headed. You may want to take a weekend and get away by yourself or with your spouse for a time of regrouping and seeking God’s direction for the next step. If you can’t afford a mini-vacation, you can take several hours on a Saturday morning and find a quiet place with your Bible and notebook to ask God for His vision for you in the coming year.
New Year’s resolutions may or may not insure a more productive year. But renewed hope based on a heavenly vision for the year ahead will make your life richer in every way.
GWEN MILLER lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband of 18 years and four children. Gwen assists her husband, who pastors a growing church. She enjoys teaching others to walk out their God ordained destinies. She can be reached at chapelassembly@att.net.
By Gwen Miller
The approach of a new year is a time of hope. Everyone likes the thought of a clean slate—a new beginning. As we look ahead, many people set goals or blow off the dust from previously set goals.
When January rolls around, there are generally two groups of people, those who make New Year’s resolutions and those who don’t. Do you make resolutions or do you choose to refrain? I admit, I have been in both camps.
Several times I have set health and fitness goals. I have aspired to greater spiritual disciplines. One year I determined to shore up in the area of housekeeping. One January I had a new baby. She was my fourth child—I already had three little boys at home, ages 5, 3 and 22 months. I remember my New Year’s resolution that year was to maintain a peaceful balance in my home.
Whatever kind of goals you set, the new year can be a time of valuable reflection. Proverbs 4:26 (Amplified) says, “Consider well the path of your feet and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.” Taking time to consider our life’s path demonstrates wisdom. After all, we are the sum total of all the choices we have made.
Life evaluation can inspire hope. God created us to thrive on hope—the hope of one day experiencing the perfection of His original plan. Remember the Garden of Eden? It was certainly a place of perfection. But all that changed when sin entered the world. With sin came death, pain, sorrow, sickness, disease and every negative emotion we can encounter—like hopelessness.
Hopelessness unchecked can be a downward spiral ending in depression and despair. We believers must guard our hearts, taking time to renew our hope. How? By spending time in God’s Word.
When we remind ourselves of the love of God and the plan He has for us, we grow in strength and joy. Psalm 139 is a testimony of God’s attention to every detail of our lives. Why not take a few moments to read it?
God remembers things about our lives that we have already forgotten. He knows more about us than we do. He is a God of magnitude and detail. He cares about every little thing that concerns us. The most valuable thing we can do as we approach a new year is to get His perspective on life.
Set aside some time to evaluate where you’ve been, where you are and where you’re headed. You may want to take a weekend and get away by yourself or with your spouse for a time of regrouping and seeking God’s direction for the next step. If you can’t afford a mini-vacation, you can take several hours on a Saturday morning and find a quiet place with your Bible and notebook to ask God for His vision for you in the coming year.
New Year’s resolutions may or may not insure a more productive year. But renewed hope based on a heavenly vision for the year ahead will make your life richer in every way.
GWEN MILLER lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband of 18 years and four children. Gwen assists her husband, who pastors a growing church. She enjoys teaching others to walk out their God ordained destinies. She can be reached at chapelassembly@att.net.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Welcome, More New Members!
In the first two weeks of December, our family grew by four!
Welcome to Nathan and Natalie Hinds
and Michael and Carla Roberson!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Why is Jesus better than Santa Claus?
Thanks to Scott who read this for us in class today.
Santa rides in a sleigh...
JESUS RIDES ON THE WIND AND WALKS ON THE WATER.
Santa comes but once a year...
JESUS IS AN EVER PRESENT HELP.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS SUPPLIES ALL YOUR NEEDS.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS STANDS AT YOUR DOOR AND KNOCKS, AND THEN ENTERS YOUR HEART WHEN INVITED.
You have to wait in line to see Santa...
JESUS LETS YOU REST IN HIS ARMS.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy, or girl, what's your name?"...
JESUS KNEW OUR NAME BEFORE WE WERE BORN. NOT ONLY DOES HE KNOW OUR NAME, HE KNOWS OUR ADDRESS TOO. HE KNOWS OUR HISTORY AND FUTURE AND HE EVEN KNOWS HOW MANY HAIRS ARE ON OUR HEADS.
Santa has a belly like a bowl ful of jelly...
JESUS HAS A HEART FULL OF LOVE.
All Santa can offer is a "HO HO HO"...
JESUS OFFERS HEALTH, HELP, AND HOPE.
Santa says "You better not cry"...
JESUS SAYS "CAST ALL YOUR CARES ON ME FOR I CARE FOR YOU."
Santa may make you chuckle but...
JESUS GIVES YOU JOY THAT IS YOUR STRENGHT.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS BECAME OUR GIFT AND DIED ON A TREE...THE CROSS.
We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tidings!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR FAMILY TIES LEADERSHIP TEAM!!!!!
WE THANK GOD FOR EACH OF YOU AND CAN'T WAIT FOR WHAT GOD IS GOING TO DO IN US AND THROUGH US IN 2008!
Monday, December 03, 2007
Welcome, Baby Lauren!
Brandon, Stephanie and Carter Tirey welcome the newest addition to their precious family, Lauren DeAnn. She was born on December 3rd around 8:00am, weighs 8 lbs and 8 ounces and is 21 1/4 inches long. We can't wait to see her! Congratulations, Tirey family!
Welcome to the Family!
Please take a few minutes to welcome the newest members of the Family Ties family who have joined over the last two weeks:
Toby and Jennifer Bearden
Scott and Stacey Camp
Brian and Karen Scott
The Beardens and the Scotts will soon be adding another member to the family. They are expecting!
Please welcome these three families and be sure to say hello next time you are in class!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Dear Family Ties,We are going to sponsor a family this year for Christmas. There will be an Angel Tree in our class this Sunday with children that need our love & support this holiday season. Please take an Angel off the tree & provide us with the money for the gift. Please return your Angel by Sunday December 9th.
I look forward to seeing all of you in church Sunday & hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.
Love you all,
Amy
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Get Ready for ONE BIG WORSHIP
This is one of the awesome worship songs we will be singing on Sunday. Get ready! I am so fired up for our church and our families.
Things Not To Say To Your Pregnant Wife
I love my wife and NEVER would any of these utterances come out of my mouth. But they are funny nonetheless!! Guys, here's a hint: Before you say something to your pregnant wife, make sure it's NOT on this list.
15. "Y'know, looking at her, you'd never guess that Pamela Anderson had a baby!"
14. "I sure hope your thighs aren't gonna stay that flabby forever!"
13. "Well, couldn't they induce labor? The 24th is the Iron Bowl!"
12. "Darned if you ain't about 5 pounds away from a surprize visit from that Richard Simmons fella."
11. "Fred at the office passed a kidney stone the size of a pea. Boy, that's gotta hurt!"
10. "Whoa! For a minute there, I thought I woke up next to Willard Scott!"
9. "I'm jealous! Why can't men experience the joy of childbirth?"
8. "Are your ankles supposed to look like that?"
7. "Get your OWN ice cream."
6. "Geez, you're awfully puffy looking today!"
5. "I finished the Oreos!"
4. "Got milk?"
3. "Man! That rose tattoo on your hip is the size of Madagascar!"
2. "Retaining water? Yeah, like the Hoover Dam retains water."
... and finally ...
1. "Not to imply anything, but I don't think the kid weighs 40 pounds."
15. "Y'know, looking at her, you'd never guess that Pamela Anderson had a baby!"
14. "I sure hope your thighs aren't gonna stay that flabby forever!"
13. "Well, couldn't they induce labor? The 24th is the Iron Bowl!"
12. "Darned if you ain't about 5 pounds away from a surprize visit from that Richard Simmons fella."
11. "Fred at the office passed a kidney stone the size of a pea. Boy, that's gotta hurt!"
10. "Whoa! For a minute there, I thought I woke up next to Willard Scott!"
9. "I'm jealous! Why can't men experience the joy of childbirth?"
8. "Are your ankles supposed to look like that?"
7. "Get your OWN ice cream."
6. "Geez, you're awfully puffy looking today!"
5. "I finished the Oreos!"
4. "Got milk?"
3. "Man! That rose tattoo on your hip is the size of Madagascar!"
2. "Retaining water? Yeah, like the Hoover Dam retains water."
... and finally ...
1. "Not to imply anything, but I don't think the kid weighs 40 pounds."
Sunday, November 11, 2007
What If...
You missed a good time if you missed Family Ties this morning (Nov. 11). Amy McClendon did a great job facilitating The Quest. One thing I did learn is that cheating will get you a win from time to time (ahem...Care Group 3!!)
Remember that next Sunday, November 18, will be One Big Worship at 9:30AM in the gym. There will be preschool care for birth to age 5. First grade and up will be in One Big Worship. Please dont forget to wear tennis shoes. Please leave the high heels (Jason Prickett) or black sole shoes at home.
The following week, November 25, we will begin a new 5-week seies called "What If...". This will be another series by Perry Noble (the teacher from "Lord of the Rings"). We will examine the question, "What if..?" What if the things that happened in the Bible happened today. What if we experienced the devotion and commitment that we read about in Scripture? What if we believed, loved and forgave the way people did in the Bible? What if we saw lives changed the way that lives were miraculously changed in Scripture? It's going to be a fun and exciting series as we will be stretched as believers to grasp a Biblical concept of God's power. We will learn that God is still capable of doing the same things today that He did in His Word.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
The Quest
Hi Guys…its game time…we will be playing a fun game Sunday Nov. 11th in class. I don’t want to give too much away but it is going to be a blast. The winning care group gets a breakfast free month…the losing care groups will take care of your breakfast next month!!
For bonus points post on this entry (don’t forget to mention your care group number) & print this post. You will need it in class on Sunday. If for some reason you can’t get it printed, just let me know in your post & I’ll print it for you & bring it Sunday!
It’s going to be fun & a MUST NOT MISS Sunday so I can’t wait to see everyone there.
Have a great week & see you Sunday!
Good Bless,
Amy
For bonus points post on this entry (don’t forget to mention your care group number) & print this post. You will need it in class on Sunday. If for some reason you can’t get it printed, just let me know in your post & I’ll print it for you & bring it Sunday!
It’s going to be fun & a MUST NOT MISS Sunday so I can’t wait to see everyone there.
Have a great week & see you Sunday!
Good Bless,
Amy
Our New Child...Its a Boy!
Hi Family Ties,
Friday night Nov. 2nd a group of us went to the Casting Crowns concert. (It was awesome by the way.) Anyway, while we were there we learned of a mission called World Vision www.worldvision.org . It is where you “adopt” a child & support via $30 a month donation.
So…congratulation Family Ties…It’s a BOY!!! With a class this size we should have no problem supporting our new son. His name is Alex & he is from Ecuador. He is 4 (Rhonda correct me if I’m wrong on that).
Please bring your dollars or spare change to help our new little boy. We will have a collection set up where you can donate at your leisure. Thanks for your help with this wonderful ministry.
Friday night Nov. 2nd a group of us went to the Casting Crowns concert. (It was awesome by the way.) Anyway, while we were there we learned of a mission called World Vision www.worldvision.org . It is where you “adopt” a child & support via $30 a month donation.
So…congratulation Family Ties…It’s a BOY!!! With a class this size we should have no problem supporting our new son. His name is Alex & he is from Ecuador. He is 4 (Rhonda correct me if I’m wrong on that).
Please bring your dollars or spare change to help our new little boy. We will have a collection set up where you can donate at your leisure. Thanks for your help with this wonderful ministry.
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