Miracles

Yesterday's sermon was on one of Jesus miracles.  We read in Matthew chapter 14 about how Jesus feed five thousand people with five loafs of bread and two fish.  I had a hard time paying attention because at the beginning of the passage it says, "He (Jesus) was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick."  All I could think about after that was why not Jamie?  I know that Jamie is perfect now and all this is in God's plans, but all I could think was why, why, why as tears rolled down my face.  I cry a lot in church lately.  Even though I have peace I think I will always be sad and wonder why.  The closing prayer lifted my spirits some.  Chris prayed "use our sorrows. . ."  And that is why Jamie is not with me so God could use this situation for His glory.

Time

Lately, I feel in a hurry at all times.  We are always rushing to finish up something to move to the next thing that we rush through.  A few days ago I stopped to think about how and where I spent my time.  I did not find to many activities or commitments so where was all my time going.  I do spent to much time on the computer (emailing, facebook, scrap booking, earning swagbuck, ect.) and I read for pleasure a lot.  But the big thing I realized is that my attitude was not what it should be.  Thus, I am making some changes.  I have limited my computer time, no reading for hours and hours at night instead of sleeping and I am getting up 30 minutes earlier to spent some quiet moments reading the Bible and praying.  It is amazing how much more I can get from a quiet time that is actually quiet and there are not two little boys running and screaming through the house.  As for my attitude I am focusing on the task at hand be it landry, a game of uno with the boys or blogging instead of thinking about what else needs to be done.  I am not doing any less this week, but it feels like it becasue of my attitude.  Why not try it yourself.

Sometimes I read the Bible and can apply so much to my daily life and then there are times where I read and read and don't really find anything for me.  It has kinda been that way for the past few weeks.  On Monday morning my first day of getting up earlier Jackson joined me in bed as I was reading.  Side note for a minute it doesn't matter how much earlier I get up Jackson can sense it and he gets up earlier too.  Ok so I tell Jackson he can stay if he is quiet and still.  I contiune reading and then pray.  Afterwards, Jackson and I are talking and we start talking about what I read from the Bible and it hit me.  As I read a passage and nothing is sticking out at me I just have to think how would I explain it to the boys.  Doing that allows me to get the main point. 

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

. . . to the end of the earth.

Do you ever wonder if you are making any difference in the world?  Do you ask yourself what is my purpose and am I doing it?  Am I doing what God wants or what I want? 

I ask these questions of myself every now and then.  Tonight I have asked them.  Honestly, I don't think I am making a big enough difference in the world.  I know things I do impact lives, but I just feel like there is more that God is calling me to do.  I don't know what that is right now, but I will keep my eyes, ears and heart open. 

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  Matthew 28: 19-20

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men," Colossians 3:23

Do you have to go to the ends of the earth to make a difference for Christ?  No, you don't have to go any farther than you own home in some cases.  You can make a difference in your neighborhood or at work.  Sometimes I think I am to busy living life that I miss out on doing everything "in the name of the Lord Jesus."  If I were to do everything for God from the laundry to grocery shopping to dentist appointments to teaching Sunday school to say bedtime prayers with the boys I would be making a daily difference in the world.

stonehams.blogspot.com

The new blog address is stonehams.blogspot.com

I was unable to get the one I mentioned a few days ago.

How is church?

Today at HEB I ran into an old friend.  He asked how is church?  He is fully aware of what our church as been through this year and that is what he was asking about.  I said that things were going well and we were working hard through this season.  He said that he had been praying for our church.  Isn't it nice to know that other believers that attend other churches are praying for our church?  As the day went on the question stayed with me.  If I was asked again how is church?  I would answer GREAT!!!  Sunday one of the 3rd grade girls is my Sunday school class was baptised.  It is wonderful to think I will not only see this girl each week in class, but also in heaven one day.  A friend, whose mother recently passed away, stood on stage yesterday in church and sang "when the darkness closes in I will say blessed be the name of the Lord."  What an encouragement to look into my friends eyes and see the pain and sorrow of losing one you love and yet she can stand and say blessed be the name of the Lord.  And last night at Trunk or Treat there were tons of kids and parents.  750 hot dogs were grilled and that was not enough.  Josh says next year they will cook 1200.  Church is not about a building, a location, programs or the leadership.  It is about people and what happend yesterday.  It is about worshiping God through baptism, song, Bible study and fellowship.