Wordless Wednesday

The Faith Community

"Christianity is an individual journey lived out in community"

As those words rolled from the pastor's tongue last weekend I couldn't help, but to reflect on my own journey ... its been a personal journey for me, but one that without the community around me I would never be where I am today. This statement finally put into words what I have been wanting to share on here for awhile, but just couldn't figure out what I was wanting to express ... those words above are it! Your faith is personal ... but you can't do it alone!

Last October, during my brother's wedding, this became very evident to me. I'm not real emotional, but there came a moment during the ceremony when a close friend was just behind me singing a solo and I looked up and two of the groomsmen were guys who had walked alongside my brother an I during some very difficult times - when our faith was very young ... they, along with others helped to shape us into the people we are today. As I looked up at those three men, and thought of others who weren't there that I day I was taken back to a little more than seven years ago when those were the same men attending my dad's funeral - a man they had never met, but who through their selfless actions helped us to understand what the church body truly was - a family. There are several people who have come alongside me in my journey over the last 11-12 years and who have helped me grow in my relationship with Christ - to them I am forever grateful!

My encouragement to you is to find that community - no matter how shy you are - let people love you! Our faith isn't something meant to be done on our own ... its meant to be done with others!

Organization

I'm big about being organized ... it helps me be productive. I came across this website that has some great tips ... and some fun downloads that help with organization! Check it out!

http://simplemom.net/tools/downloads/

Pants on the Ground

Wordless Wednesday

World Vision

Music Monday

Massachusetts

What happened this past week was nothing short of miraculous ... and a HUGE reminder to me that we have a God who is bigger than any political race!

It's been more than 45 years since a republican won a senate seat in the state of Massachusetts, yet in a time like this with a health bill about to pass through the government uncontested a republican won and suddenly, everything that's being talked about with the bill has changed.

I don't follow politics all that closely, but I couldn't help to notice this past week that we had been so stressed about what was going to happen, the potential costs of the situation, and the good and bad of the bill that I had completely forgotten that there is a God who is in control even of politics. Yet, He proved that this past week through a change of events, ever reminding each of us that He is there and He knows exactly what is happening ... and has a plan thats bigger than we could ever imagine!

Awkward

I have to share this story, simply because it might be one of the randomest moments I've ever had ... and for you boys its a good lesson on a pick-up line that doesn't work.

I was shoe shopping last week ... my tennis shoes were elderly at 2+ years, so it was time for new ones. While in the shoe store (unnamed store to protect the innocent) I have my Vera Bradley purse with me that was a gift from my sister-in-law. I'm looking at a pair of shoes when from across the store I hear the male manager yell out ... hey thats the Vera Bradley Cupcake Print ... it's my favorite!!!

Now my purse is the Cupcake Print, but at the time I didn't even know that ... and the fact that the store manager did ... and has a favorite Vera Bradley print was just way too creepy. Needless to say, I grabbed a pair of shoes and was quickly on my way!

Love Wins

I was reading a book earlier this week and came across a statement in it. The statement was simply "love wins". The author was talking about a pastor who encourages that to be your first thought when handling a situation ... to make sure that in the end love wins. Whether it is working with someone on a project, talking with a volunteer, a difficult neighbor, a child, a parent ... any encounter throughout the day ... ultimately make sure that "love wins".

This really challenged me that as I handle each situation throughout my day to make sure that in the end "love wins". It's such a simple phrase, but can help us to live Christ-centered lives, because ultimately, Christ loved ... and we should love as He loved.

So, as you go about your day, your week, your encounters both good and bad, be sure that "love wins" ... post it somewhere ... challenge yourself ... and in the end make sure that "love wins"!

Thursday's Tip

Use Technology. That is my tip this week. After learning a HUGE lesson earlier this week.

We have this amazing database program called FellowshipOne ... it can do everything and somehow I forgot about that when setting up our RSVP's for a volunteer dinner. As RSVP's began pouring into my email inbox over the weekend and up until the deadline on Tuesday I began regretting not using the weblink registration feature.

Sometimes it takes messing up something to realize how good you have it and well that's what I did this week. I messed up and didn't use the software we have ... its a lesson I learned in a hard way as I am continuing to dig out of emails.

So, a word to the wise ... use the technology you have - don't do it the hard way :-)

Wordless Wednesday

A Word

¹²Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Philippians 5:12-13

Music Monday

Free Stuff in Indy

This info was passed along to me today! Go and do something fun tomorrow :-)

Attend one of these museums for FREE in celebration of Martin Luther King Day.

Indianapolis Children's Museum, 10am - 5pm

Indiana State Museum (free with the donation of a canned food item), 9am - 5pm

Indianapolis Zoo (free with the donation of a canned food item), 9am - 4pm

Conner Prairie, 10am - 5pm

NCAA Hall of Champions, 10am - 5pm

Eiteljorg Museum (free with the donation of a canned food item), 9am - 5pm

IMAX Theater in White River State Park (free with the donation of a canned food item),

call 317-233-4629 or visit www.imax.com/indy for show times and details

Victory Field (free with the donation of a canned food item), 10am - 2pm

Negro League Memorabilia display and Rowdy will be signing autographs

*All canned food items will be donated to Gleaners Food Bank.

Enjoy some FREE Family Fun!

Alone

I don't think that this could have been said better. Steve Harrigan talks about how alone the people in Haiti feel ... and are. Brit Hume sums it up at the end with a reminder of why we can't forget the people of Haiti. Watch the full video and continue to remember the people of Haiti and pray for them!

The Pilot

“Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness”

-John Calvin

God's the Pilot ... let Him steer the ship!

Haiti

You would have to be living under a rock to not know what happened in Haiti on Tuesday.

The devastation is massive and many are still trapped.

This has been an incredibly busy and stressful week, and for me, its almost been like "just another thing" ... but it shouldn't be. Those are people's lives, it could've been my life, or yours.

So tonight, as the quiet sets in and the week begins to settle down - I'm searching myself, my heart - asking what it is that I can do to help someone in need ... something that won't just last in this time of need, but that will last long beyond it. There will come a day when we won't see the photos on tv ... yet their lives will go on rebuilding from the devastation, and so will mine. How will you remember Haiti, not just today or tomorrow, but for the years to come? Will you continue to pray for them long beyond this time?

For those of you in Indy, there's a prayer service at Northview tomorrow night (Friday) from 6-8pm.

There are also many amazing organizations that you can partner with during this time including Compassion International, Red Cross, and Doctors Without Borders

Sledding

Here's a few pics from the fun we had sledding last weekend at NVCL!

Wordless Wednesday

A Big Mistake

Google or Googol …

Do you know what Google is? Do you know what Googol is?

Google was just voted the most important word of the last ten years … in reality, it was a HUGE mistake. When Google was first created the intention was Googol … a mathematic word. The definition of Googol is: is the large number 10¹⁰⁰, that is, the digit 1 followed by one hundred zeros in decimal representation

But, in a massive mistake the domain name www.google.com was purchased. Can you imagine the frustration and embarrassment felt that day by the people who made the mistake? Yet, Google was just voted the most important word of the decade.

Isn’t it amazing how a BIG mistake can be a BIG accomplishment!

Each one of us are messed up individuals who have made many mistakes, yet God can use those mistakes to make something great … through simple obedience to Him.

Snow

This past week we got quite a bit of snow. Now, here in Indiana people are tough when it snows a lot ... when it snows a little not so much. I think its a "macho" thing ... lots of snow = great driving, schools open, life is normal ... small amounts of snow = terrible driving, schools delayed, and chaos ensues. I will never understand the things that snow does to people.

Including me...

I was leaving my neighborhood this past week following nearly 6 inches of snow when I passed two grown men on the side of the road. One was laying in the snow ... the other was taking his picture. My immediate thought was "look at those grown men acting like children!". Then, as I attempted to turn my head to look at them, I realized I couldn't. You see ... I was wearing 3 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, a jacket, a winter coat, a hat, and gloves ... thus rendering me unable to move. I myself, was headed to the highest point in Hamilton County to go sledding ... with TONS of children!

It was at that point I decided that we all need to act like kids sometimes ... lay in the snow, go sledding, just do something fun!

So ... go do something fun today! Let yourself act like a child and just enjoy life!

When Stuck...

Here's one idea when you're stuck in an airport!

The News

The news these days isn't always positive, but during some down time a few days ago I turned it on. It was filled with one bad story after another ... until something caught my eye. It was Brit Hume talking about the Tiger Woods Scandal and I quickly wrote it off as more talk and gossip until I listened to what he had to say! Check it out here...

Way to go Brit Hume!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Eve ... Part 2

As amazing and reflective as Christmas Eve was (read more about it in this post) ... there was a fun side as well! Enjoy the video :-)

2009 1224 XOB Hope Rap Video from Northview Christian Life Church on Vimeo.

A Word

The only thing you can know for sure is that God knows what He is doing.

- Oswald Chambers

Goals

It's that time of year when everyone is setting goals and evaluating themselves and their life.

As my time off comes to a close and this new year gets underway I'm also beginning to think about the things that I want to accomplish this year. I won't bore you with the details, but instead share with you some of the broader ideas I have moving into 2010...

Personally...

-Increased time in God's Word

-Regular exercise

-Increased writing and reading

-Continuing to work on my photography

Professionally...

-Developing additional volunteers and leaders

-Aligning Nursery and Preschool Ministries

-Empowering volunteers to do more

What are your goals for 2010? What do you hope to accomplish this year?

Nicaragua

I want to share with you the blog of one of my amazing high school volunteers at church! Next month she will be heading to Nicaragua to serve God at a school for deaf children. She has an amazing gift of working with children and incredible patience. Please pray for her during her travels and time at the school ... and follow her journey here!

2010

At midnight, a new decade began. 2010 came in without all the hype of 2000 ... but I think it's still a time to pause and reflect.

So much has changed for me in 10 years. I've been to high school ... and college, buried a parent and gained a sister-in-law, learned more about myself than I ever thought I would, moved to a new state (BUT still cheering on the Buckeyes!!!), grown in my relationship with Christ in incredible ways, found new hobbies and ended others, and discovered the things I truly love doing in life.

I pray this year is better than last and that by the end of it I am a better person than I am today ... growing in my relationship with Christ even more than ever before. I'm excited for what this year ... and the next ten have in store!

Happy New Year!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Crazy

This is one of my favorite songs. As you listen to the words take some time to reflect on this past year and this next year ... what are you living for? who are you living for?

The Nativity

(The pics are from my cell phone camera - sorry they're not too good)

Growing up we had a small nativity, most of the pieces were broken or missing, and honestly I always saw it as something you put out at Christmas time ... it really had little meaning to me. As I grew older and entered into a relationship with Christ the nativity became a symbol to me - it was something I saw at Christmas ... but still I really didn't care if there was a nativity or not ... I guess for me it had been lost in the "commercial" Christmas.

All that was true for me until this year ... and everything changed. Christmas for me was different this year, and honestly - I'm glad it was. At church we did a four week series entitled "Christmas Outside the Box". We were challenged to rethink Christmas, spend less, and give to those truly in need. I took part in it and it helped to make Christmas more "simple". Throughout the month we had also been adding pieces to what would be a Nativity Scene on Christmas Eve.

Thursday (Christmas Eve) came and wow what a Nativity Scene we had and for the first time in my life the Nativity Scene was real ... it really felt like what it might have been like to be there the night Jesus was born. For starters, it was inside our building - which helped to create some interesting effects and atmosphere.

#1 - There was the smell ... inside the building there were people, animals, hay, and all the things that go along with that stuff and it was HOT ... so hot that the sheep were panting and we kept having to open the doors to cool them down. This made for an interesting aroma throughout the building ... and some of the same smells that Jesus first encountered as He entered this world.

#2 - There were the people ... remember how there was no room at the inn? Well, there was no room in the church. It was PACKED and not just for one service ... ALL 5 of them! Wall to wall people and standing room only, in fact some services had people seated in the lobby watching the service on monitors. Moving through the halls and lobby must have been like moving through Bethlehem the night Jesus was born trying to find a place to stay (or in this case ... sit!)

#3 - There were the gifts ... Jesus was sent as a gift - to redeem us and reunite us with God and on Thursday I watched as children and families offered their gifts to Jesus. What a symbolic moment as I reflected on how Jesus was a gift given to us and now we have the opportunity to give to Him by loving those who He loves.

Ultimately, a Nativity Scene will never be just another "Nativity Scene" to me ... it will forever remind me of this Christmas Eve and the true meaning of the Nativity, the Gift God gave, and what it might have been like the night Jesus was born!

I hope you had a great Christmas and took some time to stop and just reflect!

Merry Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday

Cookies!

I LOVE to cook! Baking isn't bad, but I'd rather cook a meal :-)

But, every now and then I like to bake ...especially if I have some helpers! I borrowed the kids of one of my friends last weekend and baked Christmas Cookies with them. We had a TON of fun baking the cookies and even more fun decorating them!

In the end I think we had more icing than cookie, but that made them yummy :-)

Saturday x2

Last Friday night I didn't sleep ... it's only the second all-nighter I've ever done. Both have been church related, none were college related. My brain pretty much quits functioning exactly at midnight, and for those of you who have seen me after midnight you know its a good laugh and a very unpredictable time as to what will come out of my mouth! So, in college it was no good for me to work on papers and projects all night. Granted, there were nights I went past midnight, but never did I pull an all-nighter.

Like I said, last Friday was my second one and it was fun. I spent the night in our youth building - NorthBeach - with my small group of 8th grade girls. There's TONS to do in that building, but the girls were more interested in spending time with my co-leader and I. We baked cookies and played four-square nearly all night. The girls finally laid down and watched a movie well after 3a and during it all of them fell asleep! With it being nearly 5a, my co-leader and I decided to just play cards until the girls' parents arrived to take them home!

Here's a few pics from the evening...

Merry Christmas!

I LOVE sending Christmas Cards. I feel like it says to the people who receive them that I care about them. But, over the last several weeks I have been challenged to rethink what I spend on Christmas and how I could use that money to help those truly in need. One thing that I chose to do was not send Christmas Cards. In the end, with postage and cards it adds up to a lot of money! E-mail is free and while it's hard for me to not address and mail the cards I did spend awhile tonight making this Christmas Card that I'll be emailing out to friends and family.

I used the money that I would have spent on cards and postage on a child in a local Headstart Program. He is 3 and his name is John. If you think of it, please pray for him this Christmas ... that he would feel the love of Jesus and one day understand what Christmas is truly all about.

I hope you enjoy the Christmas Card! Thanks for visiting my blog!

Social Media

The Village Church

Would you join me in praying for Matt Chandler and The Village Church in Texas? Matt is the lead pastor and was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Thanksgiving. Listen to his words here, the day before surgery ... http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?paged=2=

Wordless Wednesday

Enough

The opposite of poverty isn't wealth ... it's enough.

I heard that statement last weekend and it has had a HUGE impact on me. In my life, I have ENOUGH ...and that's all I need. I'm not wealthy, compared to America's standards, but God has provided so that my basic needs are met. For this, I am thankful.

Poverty

The Christmas Messages this month at church have been unlink anything I have ever heard ... yet they have been more challenging than most messages I have ever heard. And I've heard a TON of messages - I went to Cedarville University where you go to chapel every day for four years ... I'm not going to do the math on how many messages that is in four years (just Monday to Friday, not including weekend's at church).

These messages have really challenged me to not just sit tight, but to do something ... anything, for children who don't have a voice. This past weekend (video is available on the website) the message was on poverty and service finished with a powerful video about how much money we spend on things like potato chips and soft drinks a year and how that money could be used to help children around the world. Over the past few days I've been reflecting on what I can do to make a difference and I hope to share a few of these things with you in the future.

For now, think about what you can do to make a difference.

Thinking Literally

We all know little kids think literally. Its hard to use any amount of sarcasm with them because they think its fact. They're still learning about the world around them and don't pick up on the extra things we constantly add into communication.

Tonight, I was teaching about 20 or so 3, 4, and 5 year olds during our smallest service ... its also our latest service and after very little sleep I was faced with trying to find the right words to say.

The story was simple ... well it is if you've slept the night before ... if you are sleep deprived like I was tonight, you might find yourself questioning whether Joseph was really the name of Mary's husband ... or if somewhere in your sleep-deprived state you might have made that up.

Well, there I was - 20+ preschoolers staring at a HUGE box wondering what might be inside and hardly able to contain their excitement ... when I said the wrong thing...

Me- "Can you help me open this box?"

Preschoolers- (Thinking in their heads ... "YES!!!" "I"M GOING TO TOUCH THE BOX" I"M GOING TO OPEN THE BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!")

And then I was rushed by more than 20 kiddos all hoping that they would be one to actually pull the lid off the box.

Immediately realizing my mistake of wording I quickly had them all return to their seats ... and with much dissapointment I asked the question that my mind had said, but that hadn't come out of my mouth correctly...

"Can you help me count to 3 so that I can open the box?"

And so there you have it ... another evening of randomness and fun ... and my near mauling by 20+ kiddos!

Lessons in Parenting

Now if you know me, that title might have made you laugh ... and then wonder what this post was all about! I don't have kids of my own, but every now and then I am privileged to keep someone else's kids.

Last week was one of those times. And it was the first time I had spent an entire week, full time, with kids younger than high school/junior high age. Boy did I learn a lot! It was a great experience for me and gave me an understanding of what the parents I serve go through on a daily basis. It now makes sense on how it can take several days to check emails, complete forms, and just get basic things done! Last week by the time I got home from work, got homework done and everyone fed it was time for bed ... and I was ready to crawl in bed too!

Overall, it was a great week and we had a ton of fun! There was only one meltdown the entire week ... and it was quickly overcome with a little ice cream :-)

So ... if you wondered where I was last week ... let's just say there was little time to blog or do much of anything else!

Thursday's Tip

I find that Small Group Labels is one of the biggest hits on my website ... which means apparently a lot of people are looking for info! So, I'm going to spend this Thursday giving some basic info on how our Preschool Ministry is structured.

Beginning around 2.5 years old children move into a ministry structure that is based off of the Small Group/Large Group Model. However, instead of a traditional small group that you or I would sit in (believe it or not - preschoolers DO NOT sit!) the kids go through 4 activity centers in place of their small groups.

No, the small groups aren't consistent - but preschoolers make friends based on who is in close vicinity to them and tend to be open and honest, no matter who is around!

In order to divide the children into small groups they receive a sticker at their classroom with a color box on it. Since the kids can't read, there are no words on the sticker - just simply a color block and a number. The number coordinates with the bin that they put all their things in and the color block tells them which center to start at. The stickers are printed on Avery Labels (1 sheet per service)

Centers last about 10 minutes each - taking a total of 40 minutes during the service. In addition to the centers there is also a 15-20 minute large group teaching and worship time!

Wordless Wednesday

GraceWorks

At my church we have an incredible ministry called GraceWorks. The sole purpose of the ministry is to meet the needs of children with special needs and their families. GraceWorks is an "area" within our children's ministry, just as the nursery, preschool, or elementary are. Within each age group of the ministry functions GraceWorks and the GraceGivers who serve. GraceWorks also functions within special events that we host throughout the year, including our summer camps. Basically, whenever a child who has special needs is present at an event, a GraceGiver is asked to serve with the child (if needed).

GraceWorks supports the families of these children as well! Our first endeavor into this has been our Afternoon Away program held a few times each year. Parents have the opportunity to bring their children to the church (including siblings) and then spend three hours doing whatever they want!

This past Sunday we had the opportunity to serve families through an Afternoon Away event, which went incredibly well!

In addition to serving the children and families, my favorite part of our GraceWorks Ministry is that it is completely volunteer led by people who have a passion not only for God, but for children with special needs!!!

Some Christmas Cheer

To help you get in the Christmas spirit ... here's a video from one of the guys I work with...

Enjoy!

Photos

Photos can tell a powerful story! Check out this Photo Blog. It contains pics of a slum in Rio De Janiero ... it is a life that most of us reading this will never know, yet a life that exists here in our world. God knows these people by name ... just like He knows you and me by name.

December

December is a fun month, especially in kids ministry. Its a BUSY month, but the kids make it fun! I love to tell the Christmas Story - I think its one of the stories that the kids can relate to ... simply that Jesus was a baby. But in the grand scheme of things the Christmas Story is the beginning of God's plan to redeem the world and to provide salvation for each of us ... what an amazing story!

This December how do you plan to celebrate Jesus' birth? Do you have any special traditions that remind you about the real meaning of Christmas?

Wordless Wednesday

Feeling Old

Yesterday I was playing Wii with a couple of kids and this conversation came up ...

8 yr old "hey, have you ever played Super Mario Brothers"

Me "yea ... on the original Nintendo"

8yr old "woah"

Yes ... I felt INCREDIBLY OLD!!! And I wasn't that old when the original nintendo came out!

So ... there's a good laugh for today!

Menu Monday

Looking for a yummy, warm soup on a cold winter day? Check out this recipe for Loaded Baked Potato Soup.

The Stand

An AMAZING song! Take a few minutes to listen :-)

It's from Hillsong United and available on iTunes!

Black Friday

I'm not a HUGE fan of Black Friday because of the consumer mentality that has made it what it is, however I am cheap ... which means that if there is something I'm looking for, or wanting to purchase for Christmas ... I will go out and get it at the best price!

So this morning ... after only about 3 hours of sleep my mom and I ventured out. I saw the first tiny snow flakes of the season and found a few good deals! Here's a couple observations from the day...

#1 - Hospitality. Let's face it - everyone is tired ... shoppers and retailers and its early in the morning, but hospitality still goes a long way. We were at 2 different Wal-Marts before 8a this morning. At store number 1 we had a TERRIBLE experience, and I mean TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE. There were cops patrolling the aisles, including one on a bike. The store is brand new and had taken the opportunity to hide "doorbuster" items in the nooks and crannies of it causing complete frustration and chaos. And because they had hidden the items the employees were unable to help frustrated shoppers find items ... to say the least, it was utter chaos.

At store number 2 items were near their normal locations, the employees were helpful and there were lots of them! There was no need for the cops because the store had things well under control ... they were friendly, greeted you at the door, and were more than helpful in helping find items. To say the least ... a smile went a long way this morning :-)

#2 - Early Hours. There's a widely held belief that 4-5am is PACKED and CHAOTIC ... well we always head out a little after 5 and (other than the TERRIBLE Wal-Mart experience) crowds weren't bad, people know exactly what they're looking for and lines move fast ... simply because the serious shoppers with a plan are the ones out at this time. The trouble seems to arise when the "gazers" arrive between 9 and 10a ... these are the people who think they missed the crowds and are now out to shop and look at items ... they have no plan.

So my advice ... go early and go to stores you are familiar with (you know they have good management, friendly people, etc)

So all in all ... did we get some good deals??? YES!!!

Bath Towels for $2, 4gig photo cards for $8, some great deals on clothes and much more!

Hope you had fun today! Anyone else find good deals?

Now, I'm heading to bed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I had a post ready to go, but then I came across these words yesterday and I think it touches on something I so often take for granted ... thanking God for who He is ...

"And so this Thanksgiving, although we still have much to be thankful for, I am reminded that some times, some seasons of life, we must be thankful simply for who God is, not just simply for the pain we have avoided." You can read the rest of the post by clicking here.

Simply who God is ... not what He's done for you or provided for you or not done or what you're still asking Him to do ... how often do we just simply rest in WHO God is and be thankful for that?

I don't know what this past year has held for you. For me, I have a lot to be thankful for and I don't take any of that for granted, but I think its important to remember that ultimately we need to thank God for WHO He is and that He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow - no matter what those times may have held, are holding, or will hold for your life.

So today, as you enjoy time with family and friends, take time to reflect on who God is to you and how He is the constant in our ever changing lives ... and thank Him for that!

Wordless Wednesday

Mercy Me

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to help out with the MercyMe Concert that was held at FarHills in Dayton, Ohio. I spent the day "running" for the band ... anything from dropping off the bus drivers at their hotel to running to Walgreens for some cold medicine and chapstick ... basically whatever the band needed, or wherever they need to go - it was my job to make it happen. I honestly have no idea how my mom and I ended up with that job, but it was pretty cool! During the event I got some good pics! Here's a few...

Johnny Diaz (the opening act for the opening act)

Tenth Avenue North (the opening act)

Mercy Me

There was also a proposal at the show ... catch that below!

To see more photos go to...

www.farhills.org/mercyme

OR

www.flickr.com/photos/shannab11

B ::: Bible

Continuing on with the Thankful Alphabet ... B is for Bible.

I was thinking the other day about how thankful I am that I can read God's Word in my language and that I can legally have a Bible and that I have the money to purchase a Bible ... even several Bibles. I take it for granted that I can at any moment reach for God's Word and simply begin to read it. Many find themselves unable to get the Bible, restricted from it, or simply unable to read it because its not in their language.

While at Cedarville I heard a Wycliffe Bible Translator speak during the MIssions Conference one year and her story simply fascinated me, but also reminded me that I take it for granted that I have an English copy of the Bible! There are so many waiting around the world for the Bible to be translated into their language!

Fun!

I saw this last night while at the Mercy Me Concert and just had to share it! Pretty funny!

Hope you enjoy!

New Website

Kate Mcrae has her new website up! Check it out at www.prayforkate.com!

Focus

So, one thing that God is teaching me more than anything right now is ... FOCUS. With the changes in my job lately I am learning in a tangible way what the Bible means when it talks about focusing on the prize.

When I stay focused ... I can function. I get my stuff done and I don't get overwhelmed. But, as soon as I allow my mind to wander to all the things I need to do and lose focus I am overwhelmed.

When we focus on Jesus the problems of this world are manageable, but when we allow our focus to drift we become overwehelmed by our problems.

Stay focused on Him!

What are you focusing on?

Thankful Thursday

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I saw this cool idea today ... its called the Grateful Alphabet. Over the next several weeks I'll be blogging through the alphabet, stopping at each letter to identify something I'm thankful for. Let's start with the letter A!

A ::: Africa

I am thankful for Africa. It is the place that God used to change my life. The people, the culture, the land ... I'm not sure that I would be who I am today or if I would have experienced God in the way I did without traveling to Africa seven years ago! I hope to return to this amazing place soon!

Wordless Wednesday

Heaven

Steven Curtis Chapman has an incredible new song out that he wrote after the loss of his daughter last May.

Here, he shares about the song...

Now, take a moment to listen to his new song...

The Joy

I found this video on a friends blog today and it could not have come at a more perfect time. Yesterday, I was sharing with someone how my trip to Africa changed my life completely 7 years ago. And this video pretty much wraps up the reason why.

You see, I landed in Africa less than two weeks after my dad had died. It was a time that could have been all about me, all about my suffereing, my problems, my wants and needs ... BUT ... the JOY of the people in South Africa (and all around Africa) showed me a different way of thinking, a different way of life. My happiness isn't based, on what I have or don't have, or the sorrow that was currently surrounding me in my life. My happiness is based on WHO I know ... and knowing that this life isn't all there is ... there's so much more with Jesus!

What are you basing your happiness on?

Thanksgiving

The planning for Thanksgiving has begun! This will be the second time that I've cooked the meal for my family. I LOVE cooking ... and especially Thanksgiving Dinner! It also makes it easier for me to know what ingredients are in the food and makes the day much more enjoyable without having to avoid a potential allergic reaction!

So as I put together the Thanksgiving menu ... what's the dish you can't go without at Thanksgiving?

Social Networking

The other night I had a few of my friends' kids over for a little bit. We watched a movie, colored, and ate snacks. Then, it came time to go home and that's when I had a conversation with the two year old that really struck me...

It went something like this...

(After seeing my Macbook laying on the countertop)

2yr old: Where's your big 'puter? ('puter = computer)

Me: What?

2yr old: Your BIG 'puter (now gesturing with arms), where is it?

Me: That's my computer.

2yr old: No, your BIG 'puter (once again motioning with arms)

Me: Oh, that's my computer, I just have a little computer.

2yr old: Do you like your little 'puter? Do you want my big 'puter?

Me: No, I like my little computer!

It was a strange conversation, especially with a two year old, but then I realized ... he only knows a world WITH computers ... MULTIPLE computers. He sees a desktop and a laptop on a regular basis, sitting next to each other many times! Wow how things have changed ... it makes me wonder how fast and far technology is going to go as these kids begin to grow up ... and how the church MUST change the way it communicates as Web 2.0 begins to take hold. I don't think social networking is just online fun, I think its the future and how we utilize it is going to determine how we reach people!

What are you using ... how are you connecting with others? Is your online networking meaningful? Have you ever thought about the potential you have to reach people? The internet is never going to replace real life connections with people - and it shouldn't, but it is going to change the world as we know it.

In the last two days I've seen three examples of social networking and the church at work. People are seeing a need, sharing a need, and being the church to people they don't even know! You can check out some of these examples at the links below...

stuffchristianslike.net ::: raised $25,000+ in less than 24 hours to build a kindergarten in Vietnam (original goal: $30,000 by December 31st)

prayforkate.com ::: collecting Christmas presents for children at Phoenix Children's - already have more than enough Children's Bibles two days after they posted the need

realtimechurch ::: bringing social networking and the church together to share the need and be the church

Maybe one way you can do something this Christmas is by helping someone you've never met by following their story and bringing it into your home via the web, blogs, social networking sites and getting it into your life through prayer and actively doing something to help!

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas

This past weekend I was looking over some materials for the upcoming month of December. As I read through the stuff I was thinking through resources and materials that can be provided to help bring home the point that Christmas isn't about YOU ... its about JESUS.

Just after reading those materials I read this post at www.prayforkate.com...

"So we wanted to share an idea that we have been talking over for some time. I kept stalling, not sure about doing it. And then well, the night one of the kids up here passed away I felt an urgency to go ahead with it. It is about Christmas. Reality is, we could be up here for Christmas, which means, no Christmas with all of the kids together. And Kate's birthday is the day after. The thought is so very discouraging. How could we not enjoy such a special holiday together. 2 kids at home, and one in the hospital going through an extremely tough and rigorous chemotherapy? No family breakfast, no opening stockings together, no traditions, no Christmas with the 5 of us. So the more we thought about it, the more we realized, we may get the chance to be home, we just don't know. But the reality is, there will be families up here. On the oncology floor, away from the traditions, their immediate families and extended families, fighting for the lives of their children. Some their resources spent to get their children treatment. Others deciding which children to spend Christmas with. Others wondering if this will be their last Christmas together. The thought never ceases to bring me to tears."

Would you begin praying about what you and your family will do this Christmas to help someone less fortunate or who is going through a difficult time in life? Is there a family who's lost a loved one you could come alongside this Christmas, open your home to a widow and share Christmas with her, buy gifts for those who have none? The possibilities are endless ... but begin now praying about it, and asking God what HE wants you to do this Christmas to honor JESUS!

20 Years Ago

An era ended ... but its one of the first things I remember. At the very young age of 5 I remember seeing the people coming over and through the Berlin Wall as it fell 20 years ago today. I didn't understand what it meant at the time or even where it was, but I remember watching the television, knowing that the people had been kept on their side for a long time and that they were ready to get out. Its one of my earliest memories of the world outside my home (I have earlier memories from childhood in my home) and rivals only with watching the Gulf War begin that same year (which I thought was happening in Arizona ... it was the only place where I knew a desert existed!).

Times have changed and honestly I'm not sure how many 5 year olds should really be watching these types of things, but I think it helped me begin to understand that there were people all over the world and that not everyone lived like I did - there were people hurting, in trouble, happy, sad, and of all races and sizes all around me. For that, I am thankful - not only that the wall came down 20 years ago today, but that it began to help me grasp a world that was bigger than me. I think its one of the many things that God has used in my life to develop a heart for people, the oppressed, and a passion to want to help others.

A Word

From the Book of Common Prayer...

"Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; nor the hope of the poor be taken away"

Solo Sunday

The story of Joseph and his brothers is a familiar one, but have you ever really thought about the story of forgiveness that is wrapped up in this Old Testament story? I mean, really thought about it. About how God used the brothers plans for evil, for good and how Joseph forgave his brothers for those evil plans.

To me the word forgiveness means unconditional. Forgiveness doesn't expect anything in return. Often in our consumer world we expect that if we do something for someone, then they'll do something for us. But, that's not how it works. Forgiveness can't be earned and its not a trade for anything. It is a heart issue that is up to us. Forgiving someone means letting go of a hurt, and expecting nothing in return.

Do you forgive unconditionally?

Something Bigger

We all want to be a part of a story. 21,000 people learned the moves to this dance for the season kick-off of Oprah this year ... they were part of a bigger story ... they helped play a part in the overall story.

What story are you a part of? What story can your kids play a part in? Are you living for something bigger than yourself?

#36

Follow the adoption of bringing home another Ethiopian Orphan here...

Complaining

Ok, so I've been a little MIA this week ... I mean there's been a lot going on and I just haven't had time to sit down and type, in fact I haven't even had time to think about what to blog over the course of the day. Oh wait ... am I complaining? I HATE complaining ... I mean really really really really hate complaining.

After a long day yesterday I couldn't wait to get home, I just wanted to sit down and rest, but what I wanted more was to tell someone all the things that were stressing me out at the moment. I wasn't about to pick up the phone and call someone, because like I said ... I HATE complaining.

Then, I opened up my devotional last night and it said ... "If you were to complain to God right now, what would your complaint be?" Um, woah!!! Complain ... to God??? What is this about???

You see, the Israelites complained to God ... they complained that there was only Manna and Quail and that the Manna only came at a certain time and that they couldn't take whatever they wanted, and that ... well it could go on and on. But, they were missing that God had provided for them EVERYTHING they needed, it just wasn't what they thought they needed.

So, how has God fulfilled things in ways you weren't expecting, or maybe haven't even realized yet ... is God "enough"?

Take some time to tell God of your "complaints" and ask Him to show you how He's provided in those situations!

Wordless Wednesday