Man of his word!

When he said no more procrastinating he wasn't joking. After months of sporadic flashing bulbs in the closet (sometimes no light at all) my husband has changed the fluorescent bulbs in our walk in closet!!!!! Yippee, now I can do some much needed purging. Especially since he has done his part.

It was the worst of times!

So, if you happen to follow me on twitter or facebook you noticed a message I posted about breaking the moonroof (that's what they call it in the owner's manual). Anyway, to make a long story short Marc has been trying to take it to be repaired for several days now but work and the weather kept getting in the way. In the meantime he had been housing it under a tent in the driveway (just in case it rained). The problem is that the tent wasn't tied down and the poles are metal and should be anchored in the ground. I bet you know where I am going with this one? Today a storm started up and when I went outside to get my bible out of the car I noticed the tent had been moved (actually it had fallen on his car). Anyone who knows my husband knows how much he loves his Lincoln LS (almost as much as he loves his wife and children). The only problem is that the other women in his life has been giving him problems for a while now and today it took him over the edge. Did I mention that the window on the passenger side where I sit fell yesterday also? ( I promise you I didn't do it)?

Needless to say he is not very happy right now. So for the next couple of days we will probably be riding around in a rental car while the sunroof is being fixed, along with the side passenger window and all of the scratches from the tent with the medal poles! By the way, he still hasn't yelled (which is a miracle....remember the lady who hit his car at walmart) go figure! The good news (yes there is good news) is that his work truck would have been where the tent landed (and I think the damage would have been much worse), but he had left to get something to hold the side window up until he can repair it. I asked him if this was the sign he needed that it was time to take a few days off and take care of some things and he said no, it was just a sign that he needs to stop procrastinating on stuff!!!! And yes, you heard it here first!

No News Is Good News?

OK, so we have gotten a couple of calls and emails asking if we have heard anything yet. Kind of scary as if something is going on (Do you guys know something we don't ?). I am a firm believer in "no news is good news" (at least we didn't get any rejection letters in the mail today, just Marc's papers for school). And because I am trying to learn the value of patience I am keeping my mind busy with other things. So when we hear anything, if we hear anything believe me...if its exciting I will be here shouting it from the roof tops (believe me on that one), even if its not the news we want to hear I will still post. And when its all said and done, this family will be going on a small vacation (a few days away if its a no, a month off from "work" according to Marc if its a go).

Hillsong Worship - This Is Our God

A friend shared this video with me a while back and I just wanted to share it here. Hope it touches you in a small (or big) way. While you are being inspired check this out.

Abe

Abe is out of surgery. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Cell Phones

So do you remember my post a while back about technology? Well I am not sure which family member was reading that post, but apparently someone came up with the bright idea of giving me a cell phone (the pay as you go kind), which is probably a good thing because I am not sure how long this will last. And I can assure you I will not be sending out any text messages (especially since they run five cents a minute and I don't have a job people....well technically I do. I just don't get paid for that job). Well I was reading Pastor Pete's blog and he commented on the noise that goes along with having a phone ( not to mention all of the other technical stuff we all use today). Can you imagine how much more we could accomplish if we turned off some of the noise and spent more time with God? I'm not saying technology isn't a good thing, but every once in a while we need to turn it off and tune it out. By the way this message is mostly for myself (smile).

Patience Is A Virtue

My friend over at Turned Out commented about a blog post he read on weakness written by Pastor Steven Furtick. In the last few weeks I have learned that I am not a very patient person. Here are some great thoughts on that subject. Tell me what you think. How patient are you?

The Coolest Thing Ever ( The Other Little Black Book)

My friend Michelle just shared the most awesome thing since slice bread with me. Its a bible on-line! You have to check it out here.

Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy

It hit me this morning that Marc has been "pastoring" (is that a word) at the small inner city church for close to 8 months! It would never have occurred to us that he would be in this position this time last year. Let alone right after his illness. The process for pastor at our church has been long, sometimes painful, sometimes joyful and sometimes exciting. When Marc got sick last year taking over the responsibilities of a church in transition didn't even register on his radar. Especially since he was waiting word from our home church. What we have been learning is that God was just setting the stage, preparing him to lead, giving him the "hands" on training that he needed. Since that time I have seen him grow in so many ways. He has baptized people, done funerals and this weekend he will christen a young child. Its not that he has not done these things before ( he has been in ministry for nearly 16 plus years) but watching him now I can just see the passion and love God has laid on his heart for lost people.

For years he has been talking about a church that reaches beyond the four walls and reaches out to touch the people in its community. Little did we know then that this would be the vision that God was laying on his heart for such a time as this. We are at a crossroads in life (which is ironic since that is the name of the church in which Marc was licensed). Many years ago we came to that same little inner city church where he is now interim looking to become their pastor ( but God had a different plan). That afternoon he traveled with the church to another church in the area as their guest speaker. That church is now the church we call our home church ( the one we are waiting to hear from about the pastors position )! I don't believe in coincidence. God had a plan back then and he has a plan today. I truly believe that by the end of next month we will know for sure where God wants us to be.

Marc has always said that wherever God places him it had to be because God made it so. On paper he shouldn't be where he is today. He sacrificed greatly for our family. For 25 years he has been the head of our home,all of the financial burdens have fallen on him. He watched as our daughter finished college while he worked to keep a roof over our head ( while maintaining a private business, and working in ministry). This past week he got some great news. He received an acceptance letter to go back to school and finish up his education ( he is so close its not even funny ).

He has received many honors over the years but I know the one thing that he has wanted more then anything is to preach and teach. In a few weeks God will answer his prayers and place him out there to do his will and carry out his vision for the church. He reminds me each day that it is only by God's grace and mercy that we have come this far. Many said our marriage wouldn't make it ( especially being so young ). Many doubted that we had what it would take to raise a family. But we are still here 25 years later, and our children are beating the odds, and I know without a doubt that it has all been made possible because of my heavenly father. So I just wanted to stop right now and tell him thank you.

Update

I heard from Kelli, and Abe is back home but he still needs our prayers. This morning my heart is still heavy after hearing about Shelley's stepdaughter. Please continue to keep these two families in your prayers. The only peace I have at this moment is that both of these women have a personal relationship with Christ Jesus, so I know they will be able to get through this, its just hard being so far away and not being able to help. So sometimes all you can do is pray. And I know from experience the power of prayer. Please Lord be with them during these sad and uncertain times. And for those that are around them please let them be that light in a dark place. I ask these blessings in Jesus name. Amen

Special Prayers

I got word today that a special friend in Bama lost her stepdaughter in a car accident today (she was only 17). Please keep the Burkett family in your prayers.

Godly Women, Good Food, and Great Worship

I have been having a great time this weekend. So much of the pressure of the last few weeks have been lifted. Nicki and I started the weekend off Friday night by going to hear Dr. Cynthia Hale speak ( we actually heard her speak a few years ago so I was looking forward to seeing her again). The women is fierce! She brought a great message to the women's conference at Calvary Revival. The theme this year was "Wisdom Speaks - A Cry for Mother's". She talked about the importance of woman becoming passionate and embracing their calling and how important it is that we reach out into the community ( has she been talking to my husband?)

Today we attended a women's tea at NLP. The ladies had tables decorated with different themes, set up by various hostess. Pastor Cheryl was the first face I saw when I checked in at the registration area and then when I went through the door I ran into Debrina. She has the sweetest spirit and was one of the many women who welcomed me at NLP from the very beginning. I was very happy to find out that she would be our hostess for the afternoon. We set at table 11 which was Africa. We each received a copy of "Becoming a Woman of Purpose" by Cynthia Heald (looks like some good reading ahead for me). This is the 8th annual tea for the women at NLP and the theme this year was "The Things that Concern Us". We had great food, beautiful worship together and our speaker for the evening was "Martha" (how ironic, since I recently blogged about this very subject......don't you just love God's sense of humor?)

We left NLP and headed to Calvary Revival to hear JoAnn Rosario in concert. Actually it was more like having "church". She is one very special young woman. I will be adding a few of her selections to my ipod library.

Tomorrow is Men's Day at the church Marc is interim pastor at and I am looking forward to hearing his message. All in all it has turned out to be a great weekend.

Sidenote: I have still not heard anything from Kelli but I will keep you posted. Until then...have a blessed weekend.

Abe Needs Your Prayers

I have been out all day, but I came home this evening from the conference and found this email from Kelli:

Mike is sitting with Abe now and I am grabbing something to eat before he goes home. I wanted to send a quick email so ya'll could be praying for Abe PLEASE! Last night Abe had a really scary seizure and he had trouble breathing. He was very lathargic and we just couldn't get him to respond. We called 911. He was taken to our local hospital to be stabilized, then he was transported to Egleston. He sugar dropped to 16. They are still unsure if the seizure was caused by low blood sugar or low sugar caused the seizure. Please pray for his little body to stay strong. I forgot my cell phone charger and my phone has gone dead. Thanks for your prayers!

I don't have an update but I am asking you to please keep them in prayers this weekend. I will post an update once I hear from Kelli. Thank you so much.

An Amazing Man

God is truly amazing. Last night went very well. Marc stuck to what he knew. If we are fully equipped with God's word then the rest will fall into place. Someone asked him what he was most passionate about....its very clear that his passion and gift lies with preaching and teaching. He stressed the importance of "knowledge" ( know what you believe, why you believe and who you believe in) and not "program". As an event planner that is frustrating to me ( I like the fancy package, tied up with a bow), but I get where he is coming from. Its not that he doesn't have a vision for establishing a media ministry, children's ministry, a cafe/bookstore, conferences, or mission trips. What he does not want is lip service. He feels its time for an "action" plan ( be ye doers of the word). Having grown up in the church Marc has seen firsthand what leadership can do (the good and the bad). He is not a micro-manage type of person. He feels that if you equip people ( train them ) then they can use their gifts to reach out to a hurting world. That its not all about the "preacher". God has given each of us gifts to use, but without an understanding of his word, we are doomed to fail. You can have a beautiful building, great worship music, a awesome speaker, etc...but if you don't teach people the message then you haven't done your job. For Marc this is more then just the "look" of the church, its about Christ and bringing unchurced into a relationship with him. For him the most important thing is for the "church" to reach beyond our four walls. Our community needs us to be where they are and to serve their needs. The logo for our church reads......."Here to Serve". Perhaps its time to adjust our thinking from "here to serve" to "there to serve".

Taking a Break

Wishing it was a vacation to Hawaii ( I took this picture at the Dole Plantation)! But I do realize I have been busy this month and with tomorrow's meet and greet hanging over my head I am thinking now would be a good time to do something fun. So this weekend Nicki and I are headed to NLP for a Women's Tea and then the girls and I are headed here to hear JoAnn Rosario and Theresa Hilton in concert. NLP has become my home away from home. The acceptance of the men and women there is just what I need when I want to sit somewhere without all of the pressure and just seek God's presence. Later this week I plan to go and hear one of these ladies speak. Just not sure which night to attend yet. Sunday I will be headed to church with hubby. He will be preaching about "Moving Forward" (Nehemiah 4:6). I love watching him when he is preaching (once the butterflies in my stomach stop...which still happens after all of these years). His passion shows all over his face. You just know when you are watching and listening to him that he is doing what he was called to do. So needless to say I am really looking forward to the upcoming weekend.

My Martha Moment

I thought I was a patient person, guess I was wrong (lol). Learned an important lesson this morning about dribbling. Maybe some of you need to hear the same message. Let's just say I have been humbled. . Being a "leader" is hard work and its not for everyone. Just when you think you are ready something can happen to bring you back to reality. When we get caught up in the doing and forget about who we are suppose to be representing then we stumble and fall. When we don't study his word, meditate, or forget to fast and pray then we have lost the one thing that holds us together....that right relationship with Christ. Marc has been trying to tell me that in so many words, but I thought I knew it all. What I have learned in the last few hours is that I don't know anything (well, that's not exactly true...but what I did learn is that I have a long way to go). In the last few weeks I have let life, events, church stuff get in the way of my devotional time. Without God's "daily" word we are lost. You could say I had a "Martha Moment". Of course Marc is going to have a field day when he hears this (lol)!

Pathway

Please keep us in prayer over the next few weeks. We were informed today that the voting will take place (hopefully) the first part of August. Marc and I will be at a meet and greet on Wednesday evening. From what I understand the church members/leaders will get to ask questions about what plans Marc has if he was to become pastor. The other three candidates will "meet and greet" in the coming weeks. This has been a long journey, but today on several occasions I kept getting the same message....God knows the plans he has in store for our life. So even if I can't see the path clearly as long as I allow him to lead the way then everything will be ok. We just have to remember to step back and follow in his footprints .

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE (MY AGE) ?

Ok, so I know I tend to surf the net a bit to much ( well at least that is what my husband would say). And yes I have a couple of blogs, and a Disney website. I twitter, and now I am on facebook. The one thing I don't have is a cell phone ( half of the time when I am out I use the kids or the husbands anyway), but I do have an ipod. So my question is....am I the only 44 year old out there that does this? I can't imagine not having the net. I love working on web pages (and I have finally committed to learning that doggone Photoshop)I love blogging, surfing the net, listening to podcast, and connecting with people all over the world. I have met some awesome people via the net. Traveled to some places I never thought I would because of the net (hello, how do you think I got to Disney). Maybe its the fact that I have kids that do all of these things, or maybe its because my husband had a computer set up in our home since before the kids started elementary school (they still recall him volunteering at their school for the after school computer class).

I mention email and the net to my friends and they groan. Most have not even heard of blogging, let alone twitter. Granted it took me a long time to commit to facebook, but I have always been one of those parents that wanted to be able to relate to my children's world. Not necessarily be a part of it, but at least be able to talk to them about it. They will tell you that during their high school years I watched MTV and BET not so much because I wanted to but because I wanted to know what things interested my children. And I wanted to be able to say no you shouldn't do that or say (or sing that) and know why. Do I know everything they do? No, and now that they are adults I am not sure I want to know everything. But just like I watch the news to get info, read the newspaper to catch up on what's happening in my community, I can't call myself a parent or a leader in youth ministry if I don't know what is happening in the lives of my kids (including the ones I minister to).

Less face facts this is a technical world. My 8 year old goddaughter knows how to use the computer, send out an email and surf the net for her favorite websites. I am amazed by how many churches there are in my area that don't even have a website ( I am not talking small country churches). Yes, I understand we lead busy lives and many don't have the luxury of spending time on-line. But its a great big world out there and we should be reaching people where they are....well guess what? A lot of those people are out there in cyber space.

On a side note would this be a good time to tell my husband I want a Mac?

Its Time To Get Off The Wall

If I was a kid I would want to be here for VBS. I have never seen anything like this before in my life. I found out about the church while reading a post from one of my on-line scrap friends. I have been following them for the last two years. Can you imagine the look on a child's face if they arrived here for the week?

Then there is Granger Community Churches annual Camp Adventure Program. After watching a video of their camp I was determined to give my all to our VBS (even if we only had 20 kids). Now granted our staff and volunteers do not look like this, but if we could learn to have the passion that you see in the people who give to this camp each year I think we could change the face of the world.


So tell me, what are you doing to shape the next generation? Are you fully committed to the youth at your church and in your community? Pastor Dan spoke about the importance of youth ministry at the NLP Children's Ministry Conference. He admitted to leaving the ministry in the hands of his leadership team and just sort of forgetting about them (not that he didn't care, but because his children were grown it was not something he put as much thought into anymore). How often do we support what is close to our heart as long as it directly effects us?

I read somewhere that are youth are not the future of our church, they are the church now. Jesus understood the significance of young people in ministry, why don't we?

The next time you are at church, check out the youth around you. Are they a part of your service or are they sitting on the sidelines while we "play" church. What type of example are we setting for them if don't include them in our worship, in our ministries, or in our missions? Are we offering them an opportunity to come to Christ, or have we left them standing on the wall? Its time to take action and get off the wall!

Latest Update on Abe

With all of the excitement of the anniversary last week I did not get a chance to put out a prayer request for Abe who had a scare last week. Little did I know that Kelli and the family were planning to surprise us this past weekend for our anniversary. I would have freaked out if that had happened. We have wanted them to come out here for a while ( I think the beach would be a great vacation for them.....and I promised I would even come and sit in the sand with them).

The good news is that Abe is fine, but he and Michala have a lot ahead of them in the coming months so I don't see them being able to come this way anytime soon. But we are scheduled to travel to GA and AL next year. I am looking forward to holding my new cyber nephew who will be so much bigger this time next year ( he seems to be growing before my eyes right now so I can't imagine what he will look like a year from now).

We are also planning to visit my goddaughter and her family ( not to mention a couple of crazy ladies in Bama ) and I am looking forward to checking out this church. After a few days in Bama we plan to hit Selma and then go down to the Gulf Coast ( I have never seen this side and I am looking forward to it). It's been a few years since we have been on vacation, so this trip is a big deal. I will also be celebrating my 45th birthday and if the funds allow I plan to go to Disney a couple of days.

Happy Times

Anniversary pics

Anniversary Praise Dance

My girlfriends daughter performed a praise dance at the party. Nicki videotaped her dance but for some reason I can't seem to get the video to load. I am hoping I can get the link from Nicki and get it up here soon.

Celebrate

We had a great time last night. I will post more pictures after a few days of downtime (waiting for a picture of Marc and I from my mom...its a bad idea to be the photographers at your own celebration. Makes it hard to get pictures of yourself..LOL).

Anniversary Planning

Saturday plans are in full swing. Just thought I would share our wedding photo. Man have we changed! Although VBS has ended we haven't been able to chill. There are so many last minute plans concerning the wedding anniversary party. We have close to 75 people who have said they will be there. I can't wait to share pictures. Hope everyone has a great 4TH of July weekend. Stay safe.