Enough

Our Pastor preached a great message this past Sunday morning.  The title of his Sermon was "Enough." 

The text for the message was Matthew 10:25   "It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher."  

Yeah, I get that.  We're to be like Jesus.  But which Jesus do we want to be like?

It's easy to want to be like the victorious Jesus.  We can get behind "every knee will bow every tongue will confess" Jesus.  We can get behind the Jesus of the Book of Revelation.  Victorious.   Ruling and reigning forever.  Yep, that's the Jesus I want to be like.

But Jesus said "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  (Luke 23:34)  Can I do that?

Jesus spent time with the unlovable, the unpopular, the sick, the demon possessed.  What about being like that Jesus?

Jesus associated with tax collectors, the bottom of the barrel in those days.  Can I do that?

Jesus left the disciples and went out alone and prayed.  And He did this often.  Can I do that?

Jesus was abandoned by those who had sworn to follow Him at the time He needed them the most.  But He loved them anyway.

Jesus washed the feet of Judas knowing that within hours Judas would betray Him for thirty pieces of silver.   But He did it anyway.

It is enough for me to be like my Savior.   Yes, it is enough.  But it isn't easy.  It isn't popular.

People will tell you not to be a "Jesus freak."  People will tell you not to get "carried away"
with religion.  People will make fun of you.  People will avoid you.

And yet He whispers "come unto me."

He is more than enough.  And my prayer is to be more like Him.

It is enough.

Seek Me, Find Me

A Springtime Project

A few weeks ago, actually now that I think about it, it's been a couple of months ago, my sister-in-law found an old patio set for me on Craigslist.  I have been wanting to get some new patio furniture for my porch, but I'm a cheapskate and just hate buying NEW when I can find USED for much less money!!

It helped that the used patio set was in the same town where our daughter goes to college.  So I killed two birds with one stone and got to pick up the patio set and see her!!  Double blessing!!!  Plus I was able to haggle the price down even MORE once I got there.  Make that TRIPLE BLESSING!!!!!

This will be my project when the weather warms up!!

 
Now this might look a little rough to you right now, but trust me.  After several coats of black Rustoleum spray paint and some new cushions this is gonna look just AWESOME on my porch.  

I am so excited!  Now I just need it to warm up so I can get started.

Today it is COLD here in Missouri.  But I am confident that spring will come.  And when it does I'll share more "before" and "after" pictures!

Blessings to you all today!!!

How Quickly Go The Years

My dad is a big Louis L'Amour Western fan.  So am I.  My dad has a HUGE collection of Louis L'Amour books and since my teens I have read almost all of those books my dad has.  Some of them several times.

I think Louis L'Amour was a fantastic author.  He really puts you INSIDE the story.  You feel like you KNOW the characters in his books.  At least I do.

One of my favorite lines in one of his books is "How quickly go the years."  This is the first line of a new chapter where the book is transitioning forward several years.  I have read that book more times than I can count.  And the first time I read it, that phrase "How quickly go the years" really didn't mean much to me.  I was young.  What did I know about years passing by?

Well, fast forward to today and I understand all too well just exactly "how quickly go the years."

I am 50 years old.  How did that happen?  I am NOT OLD, but yet I'm not really young any more.  To use golfing terminology (and I'm not a golfer at all) "I'm playin' on the back nine."

My kids aren't really kids any more.  Our handsome son is a college graduate.  He is engaged.  He owns his own house.  He has a "big kid" job.  I don't see him every day anymore.  There are some days I don't even talk to him because he is working and busy, and I'm working and busy.  Right now he is actually working out of town a few days a week for his employer, helping out in another office.  I miss the little boy who used to say "I love you mommy, you're the mommy I wanted."

And I have so enjoyed having our beautiful daughter at home over her Christmas break (she has been home for 27 glorious days).  I have LOVED being able to see her every day.  But she left this morning, on her way to Norfolk, Virginia with her boyfriend's parents.  Her boyfriend is a U.S. Marine and he returns tomorrow night from a seven month deployment in Bahrain (and in case you're wondering Bahrain is an island in the Persian Gulf).  Please pray for safe travels for my daughter and her boyfriend's parents as they are driving to Virginia.  And safe travels as she flies back home Sunday evening and heads back to classes Monday morning.  I miss the little girl who always said "Love you MORE."

My friends, both of my children have big decisions they are making concerning their lives, and their futures.  Not necessarily anything bad, just big.  

When kids are little, and the decisions are small, parents make all of those decisions for them and pretty much assure that everything turns out O.K.   When kids are older, well, the decisions are big, and the parents don't get to make those decisions for them.  And those of you who have walked this path before me know exactly what I'm talking about.  For those of you who aren't there yet, and your kids are still little, remember the title of this post "How quickly go the years."

That is where I find myself today.  Giving my kids advice.  Trying to share Godly wisdom with them.  Praying for them day and night.  And then having to stand back and say "God, not my will, but yours be done."

I ask today that you would lift my children before the throne, and ask God to lead them and guide them down the path that He has for them.  Pray for them as often as the Holy Spirit brings them to your mind, and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you.  I am praying for God to close all doors that are not His will, and to open doors that He wants them to go through.  I am asking God to surround them with Godly people who can speak into their lives.  And I am asking the Holy Spirit to protect them from anything that is not God's best for their life.

I have prayed for you this morning.  Before you even read this little old blog post, I prayed for you.  I prayed for your spouse and your children, your entire family.  I asked for healing where healing is needed.  Both physical healing and spiritual healing.  I prayed for restored relationships.  I prayed for financial provision.  I prayed for strength and encouragement.  I prayed that every crooked place in your life will be made straight.  And I prayed for peace and joy to just surround you.  I asked God to bless you in a mighty way!!

Galatians 6:2 says this:  "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  That is not a suggestion.  We are to do it.

Today, I am asking you to bear my burden, and I am bearing yours.  I will continue to pray for each of you, whether you comment or not, whether you pray or not.  I am praying for you.  

And I know that God is still on the throne, and still more than able to meet every single need.  Thank you for praying.  I am praying for you.

I Need Your Prayers

Hello my blogging friends, and a very Happy New Year to you!

Winter has set in with a vengeance here in Central Missouri.  It is COLD.

Have I mentioned it's COLD?

SERIOUSLY COLD.

You have to love wintertime in Missouri.

I have a prayer request.  It is an unspoken prayer request.  Meaning I really can't share it with you.  But I am asking you to pray for me as the Holy Spirit leads you.  (I will tell you that my health is fine, so this is not a prayer for physical healing).  But I have a situation in my life that needs to be absolutely bathed in prayer and I know my blogging prayer warrior friends are just the right folks to do it.

Please lift my need before the Lord, and agree with me for His perfect will.  

He never fails.  And I must trust Him.

Thanks to each one of you who pray.  May the Lord bless you in a mighty way.

Stay warm!!!!!

MORE

"Too many churches are filled with too many people who are fans of Jesus but not followers of Jesus. The body of Christ doesn't need more spectators. The body of Christ needs more servants; it needs more people who will go." Jesus Prom by Jon Weece. I don't want to stand before Jesus having been just a fan. My desire for 2015 is to be more of a follower. More of a servant. I want to give more. I want to show His love more. In order to experience more of Jesus in my life, I know He wants more from me.

That was my Facebook post yesterday.

And the more I think about it the more I want 2015 to be the year of MORE.

But not MORE in the way that you think.

I want to GIVE MORE.

I want to LOVE MORE.

I want to spend MORE time with my family.  I want them to know just how much I love them and how thankful I am for them.

I want to blog MORE about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I want to serve others MORE.  I want to meet needs however I can.

I want to pray MORE.  

I want to worship MORE.

I want to boldly share Jesus MORE.

I WANT MORE OF JESUS.

Do you want more of Jesus?  Well here's the deal.  If you want MORE of Him, then He will require MORE of you.  I know that He is requiring MORE OF ME.  MORE of my time.  MORE of my heart.  MORE obedience.  MORE MORE MORE.

Jeremiah 29:13 -"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."

Not just SOME of your heart.  ALL your heart.

I KNOW HE WANTS ALL OF MY HEART. 

This song is my battle cry.  Take a listen . . . . . .

Today I ask for your prayers. Pray that I will put aside the foolish things of this world and focus on the things of God.  Help me to KNOW the difference between my will and His will.  And help me to follow Him with every beat of my heart.

"I AM COMPLETELY SURRENDERING!!

FINALLY GIVING YOU EVERYTHING!!

YOU'RE MY REDEEMER, I RUN TO THE CROSS!!

BECAUSE YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH!!

LORD COMPLETE ME!!

CAUSE I'M YOURS COMPLETELY!!!"

Why don't you share this journey with me?  Do you want MORE of God?? Then join me in my desire for MORE OF JESUS!!  I am praying for you, and ask that you pray for me.