Sunday's Thoughts

Hola Friends! What up? Here is what I have been thinking about today...

* John's sermon on the love language quality time was incredibly convicting because it is one of my love languages, and he made us consider whether or not we are spending quality time with God. The hard part is he quantified quality time as time without distraction. I spend my day with God but often it is with distraction...even time that is specifically focused on Him can be full of distractions...like Bible study or whatever. If quality time is one of my love languages, I am not sure I am loving well. Consistency in my time completely alone and focused on God has always been a struggle for me. Ugh.

* Some of the Esther homework I did today was on people snares. This is another area of constant struggle for me because I am all tangled up in Troy all the time. His happiness and well being consume too much thought, time and effort in my life. Granted, he is and should be the most important person in my life...but I often put too much weight on his opinion and approval which is still seeking the approval of man...not God. I adore my husband but need to always place him beneath my Lord.

* Those are the 2 things I have struggled with most in my walk...and I got hit with both of them in one day. LEARN IT, KELLY!

* I wonder when ministering to people who need it steps into the realm of involving myself in drama that is contrary to my initial purpose of helping.

* My mom is my absolute best friend.

* God is dealing with my thoughts...mostly because they need to be dealt with. I need to be cautious or I will find myself in another person's snare the likes of which could wound me deeply.

* Sometimes people mean it when they say they want to try to change things. I hope more people will give her a chance. She was very nice today.

* I never shared my new memory verse. To be honest, I am still working on last time's a little. Here it is...Jeremiah 15:16: "When I received your words, I ate them. They filled me with joy. My heart took delight in them. Lord God who rules over all, I belong to you." I still love it! The one I chose for this time is Isaiah 26:8: "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." I am in a time of waiting so I need to remind myself and Him that I will continue to obey as I wait. I want to make Him famous in my dominion.

The Perfect Card

I love the perfect card. Cards that feel like you actually could have been the maker/author because they perfectly say what you would or describe your relationship with someone. I love finding one for someone on their special day, and I love to receive a card that says just the right thing. This year I have received 2 perfect cards. The sentimental make-you-cry card from my parents and the laugh-til-you-cry-cause-it-is-so-true card from ~ Troy, of course.
Sharing the "you're so great" card from my parents seems a little nauseating. BUT, I have to share Troy's card. It says this:

To My WIFE On Your BIRTHDAY

For putting up with all my moods...
And making me eat healthy foods
For trusting me with saws and drills (Despite your doubts about my skills...)
For tolerating all my quirks.
As well as friends who can be jerks
For rarely minding when I nap
Or take a thirty-minute...um...you know...
For letting me undo my shorts
As I drink beer while watching sports...
For getting deep inside my heart
And never fainting when I fart...
For bringing LOVE into my life...
I'm so glad that you're my wife!

LOVE YOU...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Romantic? Not really. True? Almost every word. He doesn't have any friends who are jerks or drink beer while watching sports (it is coke and Sci-fi) but those are the only things that made it obvious that he hadn't commissioned the card to be written for us...I seriously might have thought so otherwise. As I was reading, I would look up at him in disbelief because it is all dead on, and he just had that knowing grin.
The perfect card. I love it!!

Food Pantry Updates

2.3.09
Hi Faithful Friends!

This morning we had to hand out numbers to the first 27 people in line because that is all the food we had. It is hard to turn people away. To be honest, I was worried about people arguing over the numbers or cutting in line so we would give them a bag of food without having a number in the hurried, controlled chaos that the food pantry would can be. Instead, what I saw was kindness and sacrifice. Robin willingly gave up the last number to Gail who she knew needed it more but came moments too late. James 1:17 says "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Even the unexpected, sacrificial, good gift of a casual acquaintance is from the Lord who is unchanging. Wow.
God showed me how little I understand. Isn't is awful of me to assume the worst of people? I hope today you have the opportunity to experience or witness the sweet goodness of our Savior.


1.20.09
Good Morning!

This morning we were able to serve 29 people before running out of food. Running a weekly food pantry that relies solely on the contributions of the church is difficult and we continue to be stocked and able to provide some assistance. I appreciate your commitment to this ministry. It is cold this morning so we started a little early knowing that it could cause issues in the future. We were able to offer fruit and small toys which was a special blessing to people without the means to buy food much less small joys.



1.27.09
Good Morning!

This week we were able to feed 40 people or families before we ran out of food. We had our first wave of 32 people through in 7 minutes. It was a fast morning! Rose has a brain injury. She is so sweet and a joy to see each week. This week she had a small spell of dizziness. I was able to pray for her. Robin has also been coming weekly for awhile. She was delighted when I noticed she got her hair cut. 1Thessalonians 2:8 talks about people who become so dear to you when you minister that you begin to share not only the gospel but your lives with them. We have the opportunity to impact lives ~ not just with food, but with compassion, the Word and prayer.

His Grace is Astounding

Casting Crowns: East to West
Written by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

Here I am, Lord, and I’m drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You’ve cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You’ve washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I‘m not holding on to You, but You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don’t have to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other

Musings in my Boredom

Well, I should just go to bed...I am tired and it is plenty late...but as usual, I don't. Here are just some thoughts rolling around in my brain.

* I am really looking forward to the Love Languages sermon series starting next week. I can't wait for Troy to preach on physical touch because that is my romantic love language. I wonder what he will say... I think the whole series will be good. I liked the book and really buy what it says. Sometimes I can feel my love languages affecting me...like when I was sick and during the Christmas holidays when I didn't see people as much, I felt disconnected and since quality time is my primary (non-romantic) love language, it made sense.

* I have little to no idea what we will talk about tomorrow night in the Esther Bible study. This week was not my favorite. I guess that means I will be relying totally on Him...novel idea for a Bible study =o) I just don't like feeling so out of control. I do know that this is the best way to do it and trust Him completely. I am excited to see where He takes the discussion...I think.

* Do most of you have two separate love languages - one for your spouse or significant other and one for everyone else? I most crave physical affection from my husband...it is the easiest way he can show me he is thinking about me and loves me. But I am not a hugger in general. Maybe that just means I don't love many people...but I don't think so. With friends, the more time we spend together, the closer I feel to you...that just kind of makes sense, but I genuinely feel different if I don't see you for even a week or two. Does that make sense, quality timers?

* I am super excited about all 15 pieces of free or reduced jewelry that I will hopefully receive in about 2 weeks! Yay, Premier!

* I am getting fed up with looking for a job. I wonder what God is doing. I love volunteering at the church, but He knows I need work. I hope I am being obedient.

* I love that I am leading a Beth Bible study at the same time as my mom and Lynda. It is great to have other people who know exactly what I am going through praying for me. I love them both!

* I am struggling with Troy wanting to go to Lock Haven...even if it is for something as special as Josh's ordination. I want to go and protect him from the pain I know he will feel. He had nightmares just because he shared his testimony about that time for the women's retreat. Going back seems like a mistake...especially without me, but flying to PA would be expensive...maybe we could drive. Maybe God is asking him to go back. Why?

* I hate that Tampa is going to be overrun for the next few weeks. Between the Super Bowl and Gasparilla, it may be better not to leave the house. ugh. Maybe I will see someone famous in Target.

* I should have gone to bed 3 musings ago.

* I hate cats.

* I hope snack is yummy tomorrow night. Another area I have no control over...

Goodnight!

Scripture Memory Day!

So, let's see if I can remember my memory verse (if you blog, you know I can't see it - if you don't blog, I am on a completely different screen...I guess you will just have to trust that I am not looking at my index cards). Here we go:

John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who was sent from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Okay, let me look. Not bad. Not perfect. This is what it should be:

John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

So, very close. I will continue to work on it. Just a reminder...here is my verse to memorize for the next 15 days.

Jeremiah 15:16 (NIrV)
"When I received your words, I ate them. They filled me with joy. My heart took delight in them. Lord God who rules over all, I belong to you.

I also wanted to share something from Beth's blog about how Scripture memory is important and useful. The Word is living and active. This is an excerpt from an anonymous comment:

“Last night I had THE WORST anxiety attack that I have EVER had in my life. My sweet husband prayed over me and as I climbed in under the covers just quivering with fear, my verse that I am memorizing just came to me and I started to say it over and over out loud and such a peace and calm washed over me. Never has an anxiety attack stopped dead in its tracks as this one did-I am just in awe that in this short time I am already learning my scripture and realizing just how powerful this thing it! This works! Satan has NO authority over MY MIND to cause that kind of fear! I will wield my sword his way!”

I am so glad that I am doing this.

Food Pantry Update for 1.13.09

Good Morning Faithful Friends!

This week we were able to serve 39 people before we ran out of food at around 9:15. So, we are learning more about the people who are coming on Tuesday mornings. Some have arrest records, some are recently out of prison, some have drug problems and, I am sure, some are taking advantage of our obedience to God's Word. We get caught up with those things but they are irrelevant to God. 2 Peter 3:9b says "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." He is jealous for us all. His grace is freely offered to even those we may not think deserve it...but none of us deserve the amazing grace of our Lord.