FOCUS

"All right come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when He looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted.--Matthew 14:29-30

Sometimes, I'm such a "Peter". I so miss the point of the miracles in my life and I focus on the daily storms. I focus so much on Jesus performing those miracles that I forget that He Is The Son Of God!!!! I need to step out of my boat and trust Him. Surrender, if you will. Again.
I argue with Him sometimes..."but God, I'm still feeling battered from the last storm!!".....and He tells me, gently but firmly, "I hear you, child. Keep your eyes focused on me and I will empower you to walk above these waves!"

The Simpsons

http://www.simpsonizeme.com/index.php

Apparently, this is a website where you can download your picture and they will make you into one of the Simpsons. The site is so busy that it is very difficult to get on. I'm not sure if I'm amused by this...or disturbed by this. Does anyone REALLY WANT to look like a Simpson??

I guess it could be a good conversation piece.."By the way, do you think I look more like Homer or Marge?"

Cool Music Video Site

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/TV/index.php?od=275#

St.Joe, Michigan

One of my favorite summer spots is St. Joseph, Michigan. My husband and I love to take our bikes up and ride around the town. We swing on the wooden swings while watching the boats . Sometimes we go down to the beach. But we always stop for ice cream before heading home. We were looking forward to this years Venetian Festival but we were so disappointed!!! The normally friendly people of St. Joe treated us so rudely as we looked to find a parking place or tried to accommodate all the new "rules" in place for this event. One way stairwells were heavily guarded and the bathrooms were padlocked with guards in place. We couldn't even enjoy some tempting "fair food" as our money wasn't accepted here. Only a ticket which had to be purchased at the other end of the boulevard. Few vendors set up their booths this year as compared to previous ones---have they experienced too many rules also?? We left with the decision to not attend next year's festival but to enjoy St. Joe as we have in the past....on a quiet Sunday afternoon without all the hullabaloo!!

Malachi

God--
I've been convicted since hearing the message this past weekend at GCC. As we read in Malachi , the point was "the way you treat somebody really reflects the way you feel about them." If you claim to have respect for someone, but treat them with contempt, your true feelings about them are revealed. Wow...my toes were stepped on, Lord. Is the way I feel about my loved ones consistent with how I treat them? Do they know I love and appreciate them? Do I encourage my co-workers? Do I really care about what is happening in the lives of the people who live next door to me? And how about you, God? Are you insulted when I don't give you my best? When I don't give you my best time, my best actions, my best attitudes.....
give me a nudge to remind me that you don't like "leftovers". You are worthy of my best!!!

Display of Faith

"I've faced a great tragedy, but have seen the works of what you bring.

A display of faith that you give, I don't know if I will ever understand

the depth of what it is you've done inside, but I know that I will never

find any worth apart from you". BEYOND MEASURE-JEREMY CAMP

Perspective

"Everybody follows somebody. All of us make decisions every day about what is important, how to treat people, and what to do with our lives. These decisions come from what we believe about every aspect of our existence. And we got our beliefs from somewhere. We have been formed, every one of us, by this complicated mix of people and places and things. Parents and teachers and artists and scientists and mentors- we are each taking all of these influences and living our lives according to which teachings we have made our own. Some insist they aren't influenced by any person or any religion, that they think for themselves. And that's an honorable perspective. The problem is they got that perspective from...somebody. They're following somebody even if they insist it is themselves they are following.

Everybody is following somebody. Everybody has faith in something and somebody.

We are all believers." Velvet Elvis--Rob Bell

LOVE & RESPECT

My husband and I have been reading this book together. At first, I was having some difficulty reconciling the "unconditional love" and "unconditional respect" concept. I mean, everyone knows that there must be unconditional love in a relationship, right? But respect must be earned. Not so, says Dr. Eggerichs. If I obey God's word...God will put forgiveness in my heart and the respect will follow. Hhmmmm.....I know that to be true. My job is to obey the Lord and not worry about the "logs in my husband's eye"...I have my own to contend with. "Forgiving is the direct opposite of judging. Nothing is easier than judging, nothing is harder than forgiving, and nothing can reap more blessings."

I recently purchased a GPS for my husband. He has enjoyed using it to find the shortest route to IHOP, our church, and some of our friend's houses. It's interesting how it seems to know the best/fastest/most direct way to go---and if we veer off the chosen path---it quickly rethinks our positioning and gets us on the right track again. God tries to guide me that way also. I don't always listen. I seem to know what is best, fastest, what works for me...then I find that I am lost. He gently guides me and gets me on the right track again. Sometimes painfully. But I'm always relieved to be back on the right road.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

FEELINGS

I started getting these "Purpose Driven Life" devotionals some time ago. They are awesome...and always seem to be just what I need at any given time. I read the devotional from June 8th over and over. How many times do my "feelings" not match up with what God wants from me. 'I don't feel like it, God'....'I'm not ready yet'.....'maybe later but not now'. God wants us to do the right thing...and the feelings will come later!!!! . http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/devarchive.aspx?ARCHIVEID=2252

"Captain Jack Sparrow"

Yeah, I know.....it was long. It was sometimes hard to follow. It left you wondering if they could possibly be making a POC IV. But you have to admit...this is Johnny Depp's ultimate role!!! I'm a fan!!

"just one more minute..."

1 Peter 4:10 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
7-11Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

I ran across an old Ann Landers clipping from 2002. I've kept it in my Bible and take it out to read it every once in a while. Maybe it's because my dad is battling cancer...maybe it's the messages at GCC lately...but I pulled it out again:

Always be aware that this life is all you have. Once a minute is gone, there is no way to get it back, no matter how much apologizing or atoning you do.

There will come a time when one of you will lay down for the last time. Only then will you wish you had those hours when, in anger, you didn't speak to each other. Only then will you remember all the times you spent with friends while your (spouse, parent, child) waited for you, alone. Only then will you remember the kind words you could have said, but didn't. Only then will you remember when you could have shown understanding, but displayed anger. Only then will you remember when (fill in blank) wanted to talk, but you ignored him/her.

Only then, when you hold their hand for the final time, will you pray for a little more time. " Please God--just one more minute."

Spidey

I recently took in the blockbuster flick "Spiderman 3". Awesome! For me, it was more than just an action film. It was filled with spiritual lessons on temptation & betrayal, bitterness & revenge, grace & forgiveness. I even found verses of scripture popping into my head at certain times throughout the movie..."the wages of sin is death".

Maybe I let a Marvel comic get too deep...or maybe I allowed God to show himself in the secular arts but whichever way, I came away from the theatre experiencing some of God's truths.

"I was found by those who did not seek me, I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me" Romans 10:20

think on these things

I've sat under some incredible teaching recently. Between the "Sound Vows"-marriage series on the weekends at GCC, the "Grace" series taught the past 4 New Communities by Dr. Bob, and a recent marriage workshop....my mind has been swimming with words of wisdom and inspiration. Here's a few that I thought were particularly worth remembering:

"You're going to be a slave to somebody, either Christ or yourself (your own agenda) "-Dr. Bob

"You can not judge people and love them at the same time"--Dr. Bob

"When I need revenge, am unable to forgive, unable to forgive a hurt..I'm saying God isn't enough"---Dr. Bob

"Low self esteem is the flip side of conceit ( it's all about me)"--Kathy Guy

"You want God to get your heart, you put your eyes on Him. When you spend time looking at God and who He is, He'll get your heart"--Mark Beeson

"How much do you love God? The amount of love you give the person you love the least"--Dr. Bob

"Grace defies reason and logic. There are consequences to actions- that is the point of the death of Christ. If only we could be a bit more like Him--the world would be transformed"--Bono

Good Stuff.

WHATCHA LISTENIN' TO??

I find it interesting to ask people what's playing in their CD/IPOD/MP3 Players. I think you can tell a lot about a person by what tunes they enjoy. I think that the type of music they are listening to at any one time could also be indicative of what's going on in their life. I know that, for myself, when I'm feeling contemplative I generally do not want music that is too energetic. And, when I'm feeling good...give me some loud, fast, fun melodies. These days I'm into:

...All the Stars & Boulevards-----Augustana
...Eyes Open-----Snow Patrol
...Oh! Gravity---Switchfoot
...U218 Singles---U2
...Me & My Gang---Rascal Flatts (I am very selective with my C&W--and I have to fast forward track #3.....too twangy for me!!)

I've also heard good things about the new Linkin Park CD--I have downloaded one song and it was good...maybe I'll check out the rest. Any other suggestions??

AnywayMartina McBride/Brad Warren/Brett Warren (BMI)You can spend your whole life buildin'Somethin' from nothin'One storm can come and blow it all awayBuild it anywayYou can chase a dreamThat seems so out of reachAnd you know it might not ever come your wayDream it anyway(Chorus)God is great, but sometimes life ain't goodWhen I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it shouldBut I do it anywayI do it anywayThis world's gone crazy and it's hard to believeThat tomorrow will be better than todayBelieve it anywayYou can love someone with all your heartFor all the right reasonsAnd in a moment they can choose to walk awayLove 'em anyway(Repeat Chorus)You can pour your soul out singin'A song you believe inThat tomorrow they'll forget you ever sangSing it anywayYeah sing it anywayI singI dreamI love anyway

I'm not a big C&W fan--but I did enjoy hearing Martina McBride sing last week on American Idol. This song was good---great message. Sometimes when we pray God doesn't answer the way we think He should. But it's always right. And sometimes people don't act the way we think they should...love them anyway? Yeah..it's always right. Life isn't fair....but God is.

GRACE

"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others".--Colossians 3:13

I enjoyed a wonderful New Community service at my church last evening. We've started a new series on grace and, because God doesn't do anything in my life by accident, it has come at a most appropriate time. I listened intently to Dr. Bob share his struggles with growing up in a legalistic church and how his heart breaks when he sees Christians refuse to extend grace to fellow believers. My early church background was also one of "stepping over" the down & out brother--after all they should have known better. If I forgive them, isn't that the same as condoning what they have done? I guess it goes back to the popular question--What would Jesus do? The best way I can show my gratitude for the grace and forgiveness God gives to me is to extend it to others. It's been said that " hurting people hurt people". I need to respond in compassion to those who hurt me, quit trying to defend myself, and learn to love others like Jesus does. I'm anxiously looking forward to the rest of this series.

YUCK!!!!!!

Okay, America.....enough is enough!!!! You've had your fun!!! Do you really want this guy as your next American Idol!!!!!!! I BEG OF YOU.... STOP THE NONSENSE!!!!

TRUST

"We're following a guide we know nothing about. How do we know which side that bird is on? Why shouldn't it be leading us into a trap?"
"That's a nasty idea. Still--a robin, you know. They're good birds in all the stories I've ever read, I'm sure a robin wouldn't be on the wrong side".
Edmund to Peter "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"

As I've spent much time praying for wisdom and discernment the past few months I've come to realize that I can't depend on the actions, words, advice, or counsel of others. Oh sure, those are all necessary in order to make good decisions, but when it comes right down to it, that inner peace you feel has to be from God. No one will understand it. I'm not sure I understand it. I think Job must have felt like that. Friends telling him to "hang in there". Family telling him to "curse God and die". What to do? All mean well. But who can he really trust? Who should he put his faith in when life looks bleak? I'll claim Proverbs 3:5&6--"Trust in the Lord....."

HOSEA

"I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as Lord"-Hosea 2:20

I have been reading the story of Hosea and Gomer in my devotions the past couple of days...I see the unfaithfulness of Gomer and see the love of her husband, Hosea and I'm amazed. Not only did he marry someone he knew would be unfaithful....he bought her back off the auction block after she prostituted herself again. What was he thinking??? Then I experienced an AH HA moment. I am Gomer. I give myself to loves in this world time and time again. God is Hosea. He knows I will not be faithful nor keep my promises to him...yet He forgives, and welcomes this prodigal home and lets me start over. God relentlessly pursues me and doesn't give up on me. He tells me His love knows no bounds. And I am so grateful.