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

From the mouths of Babes...

Kids say the darndest things, don't they? All of us have heard our kids say the most innocent, yet funniest things! What stories do you have? Post a comment here to share you're kids wit...

JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister.
After a while he asked: "Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and
one for cold milk?"
MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was
so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't
remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to
six."
BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in
vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom
explained it was a childproof cap and she'd have to open it for her.
Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it'sme?"
DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: "How much do I
cost?"
JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man
named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his
wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What
happened to the flea?"
TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather
wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then
asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?"

And finally, the Pastor’s Prayer I think this one Mom will never forget....
After his sermon, the minister led the congregation in prayer: "Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust." He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly inHer shrill little four year old girl voice, "Mom, what is butt dust?"

BABY MOORE HAS ARRIVED!!

Our FAMILY TIES Family has a New Addition!

Miley Reese Moore

arrived this morning weighing 8lbs 4oz, and 20 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great! CONGRATS TO JANET, BRIAN, AND BIG BROTHER JAGGERD!! Leave the family a Congratulations comment on this post!

FAMILY TIES CARE GROUP KICK OFF SOCIAL

Here are a couple of slide shows of our fellowship from this past Sunday! Thanks to everyone who came to help make our Care Group kick off a success, and of course to Rhonda Shelton and Jenny Brannan for planning and organizing everything! EVERYONE LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST -tell us what you liked/disliked about the social, or comment on the slide shows.

A Whosoever Church

Thanks Heather for this hilarious attachment to my email.

Welcome Our New Class Members!

Attention Family Ties Members:

In the last two months we have had 3 new couples join our class, so make sure you get to know them and welcome them all into our Family!

In August:

Stephanie and Brandon Tirey

Amy and Chase McLendon

and last Sunday:

Rebecca and Kevin Reeves

Leave them a comment here on the blog and be sure to introduce yourself at our next class!

See you all on Sunday!

Where is help when we need it...

Verse of the day
“[A song of ascents.] I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”- Psalm 121:1-2
Today's passage is from the New International Version.

Listen to this chapter Audio is taken from the Listener's Bible narrated by Max McLean.

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
John 14:23

NIVVerseoftheday.com

GET A FREE VERSE DAILY

Charma Update

Hey everyone! I spoke with Bryan this afternoon and he says they aren't sending Charma home after all, and she will be in the hospital for the duration of the pregnancy. Most everyone got the email I sent last week about making up a "goodie" basket for Charma, and since so many people were out of class this week for the holiday, we will now extend it until next Sunday, September 10th. If you won't be there on the 10th, and would still like to participate, then please comment on this post, or give me an email or call and I will make arrangements to meet up with you and get your donation to the gift basket. Right now it seems as though we have a good number of magazines, so unless you just have extra to donate, I would hold off on those. Thanks for your participation and I look forward to seeing you all next week for our "Sunday Funday!"
Jenny

Charma Haskins

Email from Jenny about Charma:

Hello Family Ties!

As some of you may or may not be aware, Charma is back in the hospital due to more complications with her pregnancy and will most likely remain there for the duration of her pregnancy. Things are looking good right now, but they need to keep her for observation. Since she is there, we'd like to send her a basket of goodies from the Family Ties Bible Study class (of which she is a member, she has just not had the opportunity to attend our class yet). If you would like to participate, please bring with you this week to class an item to put into a basket, and I will be taking it up to the hospital to give to her on Sunday evening.

Some good ideas would be books, crossword puzzles, magazines, CD's, DVD's, snacks (remember, hospital food is less than desirable), and anything to pamper herself: lotions, nail polish, etc. Just think of things that you have used or would need while in the hospital and bring it!

Please bring your items THIS SUNDAY if you are going to be there (Sept 3rd). I will try to have a large card for our class to sign and take to her as well.

Please keep Bryan and Charma, and baby Haskins in your prayers.

Exciting Happenings

Coming Soon:

Sunday, September 10 during the 9:30 Bible Study Hour
Sunday Funday

• Picture board- yes, we need to take your mug shot!
• Video- Our version of MTV's "Cribs"
  
• Skits- Nobody in our class is dramatic???
• Ice breaker games- Just wait and see.

Sunday, September 17 4:30 PM Church Seminar Room/Playground
Care Group Kick Off
(Please contribute $5 per family to defer costs)

• Hot Dog Grill out
• Kids fun on the playground
• Socialize
• Introduce Care Groups and get to know each other
  

Announcements!!!!

• Megan Patterson reminded us that the deadline to sign up for the couples retreat (Oct. 6-8) is this Wed. with $100 down payment.
  
• Ladies Ministry Groups sign up sheet will be at the information desk starting Wed. Sign up and meet other ladies in the church for fun and fellowship.

Attention, Attention:

We are asking all families to contribute $5 per month (or as much as you can) for our Sunday School outreach efforts and new member gifts, etc. Please start the cash rolling in ASAP. God has given the leadership a great vision for growing our class. It involves your contributions of time and a little cash to get the ball rolling!

Just a Moment

Today James covered another lesson from the book It's Not About Me by Max Lucado. Here is a short summary and some highlights from the lesson:

Max began this session with a story about his two year old daughter saying the phrase, "Just a moment," in the midst of a game of catch with her him. He said it dawned on him that children don't really have a concept of time. We have all experienced this in our own lives when our children "make us late" for things because they want to watch just one more show or have just one more cup of juice. They can play for 30 minutes or 3 hours, and the time just stands still while they are in their world.

John 8:54-58 points out that Jesus told a group of Jews, "Before Abraham was born, I am." Many other scriptures were covered in the lesson exemplifying the brevity of our own lives and the magnitude of God, one who has no beginning and no end:
Psalms 93:2- "...from Everlasting"
Jer. 10:10 "the Everlasting King"
1 Timothy 6:16 "who alone has immortality"
Job 36:26 "the number of His years is unsearchable"

Now think of how our life is just a moment. Paul describes it in 2 Corinthians 4:17 "Our Light Affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

Fleeting days don't justify fleeing problems. Fleeting days strengthen us to endure problems. Will our problems pass or cease? We have no guarantees. But Heaven promises it is just a moment.

This too shall pass... in just a moment.
Life is short- stay in it and stay the course!

Welcome to the Fridge

Where is the central nervous system of your home? At our house, it is often the front of the refrigerator (The Fridge) where we post family calendars, reminders, invitations, and notes.

Welcome to the Family Ties Fridge. This will be the communication hub for the Family Ties Sunday School class. It is really easy. Just read the posts and add comments if you like. Just click on the comments link below. Make your voice heard!