Leslie, your email makes me smile.
There is something about the Spirit coming over us. Sometime we cry - not because we are sad yet quite the opposite. Maybe it's overwhelming joy, sensing God's deep love for us, or maybe it's just realizing how much God cares for us. Whatever the reason I want more of it.
Do you know that God is crazy about you? He wants the best for you. He create you to have a relationship. Have you taken your disappointments to God lately? It seems we take our troubles to friends, spouse, and relatives. But have we taken them to God? The bible says "Anyone who is having trouble should pray". Maybe we don't want to trouble God with our issues or hurts. Oh no, I forgot God has a few billion people to think about and what about those wars and everything else He has to worry about- He won't care about my little struggles- you think? What if we let God to decide that one. That makes me think about a wedding where He cared enough to provide more wine. And what about Peter tax payment where he provided him a coin. Remember the women at the well? Hear this...HE CARES ABOUT YOU- everything about you. May we learn to take our concerns to him (the little ones and the biggons)
I'm grateful and love you deeply. s
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
AMAZING Grace
I just wanted to share with everyone how much yesterday's worship spoke to my heart. When we started singing Amazing Grace I got chills all over my body and the tears began to fall. At some points in the song I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I couldn't get the words out of my mouth! All I have to say is there was only one thing missing from the service: KLEENEX! My face was wet with tears. WOW!
Love,
Leslie
Love,
Leslie
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sunday
Hope everyone is having a great week! Just wanted to share my excitement for Worship this Sunday, August 3rd. Ron Foster will be leading the music this Sunday. I encourage all of you to be there. I cannot wait! If you enjoy singing, please consider joining the choir or praise team. Please pray for our service. It is going to be different from the music we are used to at Bluegrass. Pray for Ron and his team of musicians. Pray for the congregation to have open hearts. Please pray for the Spirit to fill the Sanctuary!
If you'd like to be a part of the choir on Sunday morning, meet in the choir room at 10:10. You do not need music. ...we are singing a newer, up tempo version of "To God be the Glory". I know you will be blessed by the experience.
Hope to see each of you on Sunday!
Love,
Jana
If you'd like to be a part of the choir on Sunday morning, meet in the choir room at 10:10. You do not need music. ...we are singing a newer, up tempo version of "To God be the Glory". I know you will be blessed by the experience.
Hope to see each of you on Sunday!
Love,
Jana
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Changes at Bluegrass
As we begin a new thing at Bluegrass it is going to take each of us to make it happen. Some of you may be saying, I cannot do anything else, I am already over committed. I encourage this person to pray, seeking God's plan for you. I find so often I commit to things and then upon feeling overwhelmed realize I never asked God what He wanted. Also, I encourage this person to reduce their commitment level. So often we think, if we don't do it who will. Step out on faith, release that thing that drives you crazy, someone will pick it up. If you have been around me long you will have heard me say BUSY is "being under satans yoke". Doesn't he use this to make us crazy. Don't give in to this tactic.
Maybe you have a tough time commiting to things. Maybe once you get into it, either you feel overwhelmed or not needed. I encourage you to try out a lot of different things. Sometimes people need a lot of change and other times God desires to teach us perserverance through sticking with something that we would just as soon quit. Don't give up seeking that thing that you were created to do. God has a plan for each of us inside and outside the church.
You may be one that has never stepped up. You are not sure how to even get started. You don't know what you could do or would even like to do. I encourage you to try out different things. Try something for a couple months. There are so many opportunities in a church depending on the giftings you have. Maybe your schedule only allows you to volunteer for the special events. Maybe you could volunteer each week or every other week or one time a month. I encourage you to just start.
You know yourself and God knows you better. He created each of us with a plan and a purpose in mind. He desires for us to seek Him, asking Him where He wants us.....that is a challenge in todays culture. What if I don't like what He shows me? What if it is not my plan? Chances are with God it won't be what you had thought. But I do know one thing there is nothing more fulfilling then serving in the purpose that God designed you for. It is the BEST!
With this transition it is going to take each of us to lift. If we all lift a bit, then none of us will get weary. I think of the movie, "A Bug's Life"..... all those ants did all that work, but alone they could accomplish nothing. We must make up our minds that if this is God's plan that we are going to choose to participate, to begin lifting in some area.
I am excited at what the Lord is doing at Bluegrass. I can also tell you that I have heard a bit of grumbling and negativity from our class and from others in our church. And you know what? It encourages me, because I know it is the enemy trying to distract us. The number one commandment for us is to Love! Love God and to love each other. The enemy wants nothing more then to distract us from this mission. Don't give in to it. Others will come to know Jesus by the love we have for one another. Fight Mighty Warrior against the spirtual realm, not against flesh and blood (although it is tempting). God has a mission for Bluegrass and I am thrilled that you are part of this journey...we can do it TOGETHER! I love you, wendy
Maybe you have a tough time commiting to things. Maybe once you get into it, either you feel overwhelmed or not needed. I encourage you to try out a lot of different things. Sometimes people need a lot of change and other times God desires to teach us perserverance through sticking with something that we would just as soon quit. Don't give up seeking that thing that you were created to do. God has a plan for each of us inside and outside the church.
You may be one that has never stepped up. You are not sure how to even get started. You don't know what you could do or would even like to do. I encourage you to try out different things. Try something for a couple months. There are so many opportunities in a church depending on the giftings you have. Maybe your schedule only allows you to volunteer for the special events. Maybe you could volunteer each week or every other week or one time a month. I encourage you to just start.
You know yourself and God knows you better. He created each of us with a plan and a purpose in mind. He desires for us to seek Him, asking Him where He wants us.....that is a challenge in todays culture. What if I don't like what He shows me? What if it is not my plan? Chances are with God it won't be what you had thought. But I do know one thing there is nothing more fulfilling then serving in the purpose that God designed you for. It is the BEST!
With this transition it is going to take each of us to lift. If we all lift a bit, then none of us will get weary. I think of the movie, "A Bug's Life"..... all those ants did all that work, but alone they could accomplish nothing. We must make up our minds that if this is God's plan that we are going to choose to participate, to begin lifting in some area.
I am excited at what the Lord is doing at Bluegrass. I can also tell you that I have heard a bit of grumbling and negativity from our class and from others in our church. And you know what? It encourages me, because I know it is the enemy trying to distract us. The number one commandment for us is to Love! Love God and to love each other. The enemy wants nothing more then to distract us from this mission. Don't give in to it. Others will come to know Jesus by the love we have for one another. Fight Mighty Warrior against the spirtual realm, not against flesh and blood (although it is tempting). God has a mission for Bluegrass and I am thrilled that you are part of this journey...we can do it TOGETHER! I love you, wendy
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Mere Christianity . C.S. Lewis
okay...i just finished this book. WOW! What a great book....it is not a fast read because it makes you think. Anyone want to read it and share your thoughts with me. I know that Rick Harris has read it. Has anyone else? I bet there is a copy in the church library. I am ready to hear what you think.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
ClassNEWS - July 08
I cannot believe that it is July! I am excited that this Thursday is July 3rd. We will be at Drakes Creek Park this year (again) and everyone is invited. We are planning to get there at 6:00ish. We will be at the same shelter. (turn into the park by Demo's and it is the first shelter on the right...between all the baseball fields) Bring food or drinks if you want, chairs, blankets and maybe some bug spray. I am thinking there will be another kick ball game for those that are not scared (wear your tennis shoes....or not). I hope to see all of you guys there. Invite other people to come with you. My parents will be there with some of their friends too.
Can I tell you how amazed I am to see God working so right now at Bluegrass? And just like Loren's email, the enemy is working overtime. What is cool though, is that we are able to see this and recognize the enemies schemes. Do you see it in your own life? Do you see how you begin to draw closer to God either by attempting to be transparent in a new friendship, or begin a quiet time or attempt to conquer some fear in your life or become debt free.....and what happens? You get hurt by your transparency, your life gets busier then ever and cannot find the time for the quiet time, you get hurt through facing your fears or you are tempted to purchase things when you don't have the money to spend. This is all the enemy. He does not want you to be free. He spends all his days figuring out what will keep you in bondage. So what do you do? Well you tell God about it, you tell Him that you see these schemes of the enemy and you ask Him for strength....you ask Him for courage to do the right thing. Remember the bible says, that you shall know the truth and the truth with set you free! Bring it into the light, there is freedom there, don't hide, don't withdraw, don't deny...that is playing right into the enemies hand. Expose it, allow God to heal it....it may be hard, it may be painful....you may think it will kill you! It won't. I promise. (I continue to find myself there all the time)
I am so excited to see what God is doing in your lives. yes, all of you. He is moving each of you along. Challenging you, healing you, changing you! What could be better? This is that Holy Adventure that Matt talks about. You are in it. Don't give up! Remember He has a plan and a purpose for your life....and it is not the status quo. It is not to be safe and to never change. It is to be a mighty warrior, unstoppable for God. What is He doing in your life?
I love you guys and pray for you often. remember nothing worth having is easy....it is a counterfeit. See you soon! love, wendy
Can I tell you how amazed I am to see God working so right now at Bluegrass? And just like Loren's email, the enemy is working overtime. What is cool though, is that we are able to see this and recognize the enemies schemes. Do you see it in your own life? Do you see how you begin to draw closer to God either by attempting to be transparent in a new friendship, or begin a quiet time or attempt to conquer some fear in your life or become debt free.....and what happens? You get hurt by your transparency, your life gets busier then ever and cannot find the time for the quiet time, you get hurt through facing your fears or you are tempted to purchase things when you don't have the money to spend. This is all the enemy. He does not want you to be free. He spends all his days figuring out what will keep you in bondage. So what do you do? Well you tell God about it, you tell Him that you see these schemes of the enemy and you ask Him for strength....you ask Him for courage to do the right thing. Remember the bible says, that you shall know the truth and the truth with set you free! Bring it into the light, there is freedom there, don't hide, don't withdraw, don't deny...that is playing right into the enemies hand. Expose it, allow God to heal it....it may be hard, it may be painful....you may think it will kill you! It won't. I promise. (I continue to find myself there all the time)
I am so excited to see what God is doing in your lives. yes, all of you. He is moving each of you along. Challenging you, healing you, changing you! What could be better? This is that Holy Adventure that Matt talks about. You are in it. Don't give up! Remember He has a plan and a purpose for your life....and it is not the status quo. It is not to be safe and to never change. It is to be a mighty warrior, unstoppable for God. What is He doing in your life?
I love you guys and pray for you often. remember nothing worth having is easy....it is a counterfeit. See you soon! love, wendy
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Sticking Together
Hey guys.... this has been laid on my heart the last few days....
We are about to go through a time of change at Bluegrass. I am really excited about it, but not everyone will be. There will be spiritual warfare to contend with. I hope that we can recognize it, that we will call it out for what it is, and that we will stick together. I love all of you guys....seriously. I remember the year that Aaron and I spent in Hendersonville before joining Bluegrass. It was lonely, and something was missing! We feel so fortunate to have this group of people to share life with. I also remember the Fall of 2006 and what an incredibly difficult time that was for us, and how you guys helped us pull through and come out stronger. What an incredible blessing.
All that to say, let's stick together during this time, be honest and loving towards each other, avoid gossip and harshness, apologize and forgive! I have already had to do all that this week!
Love you guys-
Loren
We are about to go through a time of change at Bluegrass. I am really excited about it, but not everyone will be. There will be spiritual warfare to contend with. I hope that we can recognize it, that we will call it out for what it is, and that we will stick together. I love all of you guys....seriously. I remember the year that Aaron and I spent in Hendersonville before joining Bluegrass. It was lonely, and something was missing! We feel so fortunate to have this group of people to share life with. I also remember the Fall of 2006 and what an incredibly difficult time that was for us, and how you guys helped us pull through and come out stronger. What an incredible blessing.
All that to say, let's stick together during this time, be honest and loving towards each other, avoid gossip and harshness, apologize and forgive! I have already had to do all that this week!
Love you guys-
Loren
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