The 79cent Bible

Finding the Need was the topic for our past Ministry Monday gathering.  MM's is a time to share how God is leading us in Ministry.  Lead by Jeni and Anna, scripture and discussion is shared from 6:30-8pm in the LBCC cafe.  We have activities and coordinate ministries that are happening now and in the near future.  

When discussing Finding the Need on the 29th we were trying to figure out where and who God wants us to serve in ministry.  4 questions were asked& discussed... 
1. Where is your heart?  
    Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
2. Where is the need?  
    Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
3. What gifts/talents has God gifted you?  
    1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
4. What skills/talents have you learned or acquired in your life?
    1 Timothy 4:6-16 - A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

God has a plan for you and your life.  Follow Him and He will lead.  
We are all called to do something different because the answers to the questions above are different.   I want to share a story with you about what my friend Cindy was called to do.  

Enemy Sightings?

"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:32-33 NIV84)

Every week I have the privileged of praying for the people of Life Bridge here in Valparaiso, IN.  Sometimes  people share requests with me face to face, through email, text, or other electronic media.  Usually, I stop right then and begin to pray for them.  Most of the requests, however, come in through "Connect Cards" that we have available to everyone during the church services.  It's a chance to connect with one another and with God.  I begin praying for those requests each Sunday afternoon.

Christmas God Sightings!

It is always busy this time of year and it is a challenge for each of us to try to keep focus and balance in our lives this season.  As I struggle myself to do this, I am reflecting over where and how I am spending my time and I am blessed to see many God sightings!

Much of my time is being spent preparing for the Family Christmas Program on Saturday December 22nd at 6 pm.  We are having multiple practices throughout the week with different age groups and in between I'm working on props and tech.  I am threatened to become disillusioned with all the Christmas activities as my undecorated tree sits with 13 strands of lights that don't light nearby (like, really?) .  But as I step back I am encouraged to see so many preparing gifts for Jesus this season... and I am excited to see how He will use those gifts to bless others!

More Eyes to See

We announce to you what we have seen and heard. 

We do it so you can share life together with us. 

And we share life with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
(1 John 1:3 NIrV)

Only a few short months ago, I began writing posts to a blog entitled "God Sightings."  These posts, and their accompanying emails, were intended to help you see God at work all around you.  Sometimes it takes a different "pair of glasses" to help us see God alive and active all around us.  My hope and prayer is that you are starting to put those "glasses" on more often to see Him in your life as well.

This week, I've invited more people to put on their God Sighting "glasses" and

Choosing to See God

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

 This week has been filled with all kinds of activities on a personal front that have produced significant highs and lows throughout each day.  Sunday service was Spirit Filled and people were experienced God's presence all morning (high).  That night, significant Spiritual Battles took place in various homes (including mine) and up at the church building, leaving several of the church leaders physically hurting and exhausted (low).  I traveled to Anderson University with my daughter for an interview where she was accepted to College (high) then we went upstairs to the Financial Aid office (low).  I had time to begin communicating with people again that I'm praying for them (high), then logged onto the software I use for this only to find it is being discontinued and I need to find a replacement now (low).  You get the idea.