Overwhelmed?

ahh... the feeling of being overwhelmed.. Its not the greatest but I suppose its better than feeling bored & purposeless.

We are right around the corner from kicking of 40 days of community with our church. We have been planning this most of the summer! Now as I can see it coming over the horizon i'm getting nervous, scared, excited, thankful, and yes overwhelmed. Its not like I put things off until last minute, no we've been working on this for months. Yet there are a lot of last minute details that are flooding into my brain as I type this. I couldn't sleep last night due to my brain running circles around this fall event. Normally if I can't sleep I just lay there awake with nothing really going through my mind. But lately its like my thoughts are racing and my heart is beating to try and keep up with the pace! Not exactly what I need at bed time!

Anyone in youth ministry can relate to not having enough adult volunteers. Oh what God could do with our student ministry if the adults who where shaped to work with youth followed that calling.

Don't get me wrong I have hope. I believe God has a wonderful plan for our local church here and the community it is in. I know no weapon formed against us will prosper. I know He that is in me is greater than he that is in this world.

The answer to all life problems in and out of ministry is simple. Love God and Love people. The problem we each run into is as our lives get more and more busy the tendency it to spend less time in God's word and less time alone with Him. We absolutely cannot let this happen if we want God's best for our lives.

We love God best and people best in community. I can't wait to see what happens these next 40 days. I can't wait to see where this church is a year from now and 10 years from now!

I'm just a little overwhelmed at the moment.

I'm not healthy.

Last night I caught some of the show "The Biggest Loser" I am a fan of that show. Its amazing the transformation the people make and its not only a physical one. Most people get mad at me for liking the show because they say I can't relate. Well I can't. But I'm not healthy. I need to be doing what they are doing.

If you were to look at me you would assume that I am healthy. But in reality I'm not very healthy at all.

I want to be healthy. I believe that eating fresh fruit and veggies is something that should be in everyones daily diet. Its not in mine. I think we need to eat less meat and dairy products. (We won't get into that debate today) I think if you want to be healthy you shouldn't drink pop, or eat fast food. Well I eat all of the before mentioned things!

When I was in college I had an amazing professor. When I say amazing I mean this man "cured" his wife of M.S. by changing her diet. I say "cured" because apparently it can't be cured but she has no symptoms anymore which in my book is cured! He has helped people get over cancer by helping with their diet and lots more. (by the way this man eats very little meat and its usually fish and no dairy)

I was on a biology trip with him and he took samples of our blood to look at it. (thats how he helps cure people) He looks at their blood and can tell what they are missing. He can even tell if you had a trauma in your history from your blood! (he looked at my dads and could tell he had broken his neck when he was in college)

Well he looked at mine while I was on this biology trip and then said "Suzie what do you do to take care of yourself!?!" He was concerned because I was sooo unhealthy. (something I bet he didn't expect since I was thin) See I was in college eating from McDonalds late at night several times a week. I don't drink much water and didn't drink much back then. I said uhh... nothing, I don't really do anything to take care of myself. He told me I had tiny blood clots in my blood and I needed to change my diet or I would end up having a heart attack or stroke at a young age!

I have a hard time eating healthy because I don't see the consequences (yet) my metabolism is still running pretty high and fast so I don't put on weight very easily. If I'm not gaining weight I just keep eating whatever I want whenever I want. (Making me very unhealthy)

I so wish unhealthy food didn't taste sooo good, and it wasn't sooo cheap! I keep saying if I had the money I would buy more organic and healthy things. But in reality i'm probably never going to feel like I have the money to buy those things. Its like people who don't want to have children until they are financially ready. Well you are never going to be financially ready! (unless you are part of the few rich in our community)

I've decided to buy more produce and less pre-packaged meals. I've decided to spend more on healthy food now so I won't be paying for medical bills later. Oh I still eat fast food, I still drink pop, I still LOVE white pasta (which isn't good for you). Everything in moderation of course! But someday I hope to eat little to none of the things that are ruining the body God gave me.

As a Christian it is my responsibility to take care of God's temple. (my body) We get so focused on all the "churchy" things. We forget to take care of the temple the Holy Spirit is residing in.

I recently heard Justin Lookadoo speak and he said "don't preach at people about a sin in their life if you can't control your own body." He was referring to gluttony. Over eating is a sin and something I am guilty of. It doesn't show on the outside. Its hurting me from the inside. And God isn't pleased. I'm asking God for forgiveness and asking you to hold me accountable.

I just want God to use me and I don't want my sin to stand in the way of what He has planned!

Psalm 101 A Psalm of David

I read from Psalm 101 today and wanted to share some thoughts.

In Psalm 101:2 it says "I will be careful to live a blameless life, when you will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home".

The Topic in Sr. High Youth has been integrity these last few weeks. So my thoughts have really been on that topic lately.

I never thought that getting one pop at Mc Donald's and re-filling it so two people could drink it was like stealing. I really didn't see it that way I thought I was just being cheap. But it was brought to my attention that really its not right. It in fact WAS cheap! But because I was stealing! That is one area in my life that has recently been changed!

But in Psalm 101:6-7 David says "I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house and liars will not stay in my presence."

People wonder why ministries are so thorough when approving adults to volunteer to lead children and youth. First of all because of their physical safety of course! But also because we need a ministry team of faithful people, people who are above reproach. Most churches do not expect people to be perfect (if they do I would suggest finding a new church) but I know I personally do expect more from those in leadership positions esp. if they are working with young impressionable people.

James 3:1 says "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Paul said it well in 1 Corinthians 10:23 Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible but not everything is constructive.

There are so many things I am "allowed" to do. But because of the example I want to set, and the life I want to live I choose to not to.

Our close friends should be Christians surround yourself with Christian friends. Yet love everyone otherwise how will you share the love of Christ you have found for yourself with someone who hasn't experienced it yet?

My prayer for you today is that you are seeking God and leading a life above reproach!

Are you onboard?

Not too long ago I was talking to a pastor in PA. He is new to his position as senior pastor in PA but has been a pastor for a few decades. A member of his new congregation told him that she was leaving the church because he was too aggressive in trying to reach people for Christ. Are you serious?! She wanted to come to church and be "fed". She said she didn't want to have to worry about other people.

Now as a leader in a church you never want to see people leave. But having a person leave because they don't want to have to worry about others or share Jesus with them, in my opinion is a good thing. If someone has attended a church for a while but is not onboard with what the leadership is doing I think its better for them to move on.

God refers to us as branches and He is the vine. John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

Sometimes I feel that John 15 isn't only for us personally but for our churches too. He allows people to leave who are harmful to his ministry. Some people are purposefully harmful, gossiping, backbiting, being negative about leadership. While others don't realize that by sitting in church but not being involved is harmful too. The church needs every person to do their part to be effective.

The church I am a part of is going to begin a large outreach in the near future. We are going to be focusing on unity within our church, small groups, and local community. We will be searching for needs in our community and serving people together. I am excited about how God will use this time in my life and in the lives of everyone who gets involved.

Yet I can't help but think... will there be people who don't want to reach out? Will there be people who choose to leave because they are comfortable with where they are at? Will there be people who do not want to grow spiritually? People who do not see meeting the needs of the community as important?

God has asked us to take care of Widow's and Orphans, to give food and clothing when needed, to share our possessions. We have hungry people in our area, both physically and spiritually.

It is a time for the christians in our church to get onboard, or out of the way. That might seem harsh but God asks us to be all in. He doesn't want people sitting on the fence. He doesn't want observers but participants! We have the choice to follow our leaders across the Jordan into the promise land, or turn around back to wandering.

Lives will be changed for those who step out in faith! I hope everyone commits and becomes a part of it.

Be looking for updates coming in November about the life change & God stories happening during this time of community!

Feel free to comment and share your story as you commit to these 40 days of community!

Does God really provide?

God's provisions has taken up much of my thoughts lately. I've been teaching my Sr. High students about growing spiritually. One of the signs you are growing spiritually is being a giver. Now i'm not just talking about finances but about time, energy, and talents. In Matthew 6 Jesus indicates that where our treasure is that is where our heart is. So if I were to take a look at your checkbook and your calendar, I would be able to see the things you care about. The things you spend your money, time, and energy on, those are the things you care most about.

Someone can say that God is number one in their life yet they don't give constantly to the church they attend. They can say God is number one but they are not helping to serve in any ministry in the church. They may say God is number one but they do not set time aside every day to talk to Him and read His Word.

The coolest thing about that part of scripture is in verse 33 it says: "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."

How cool is that? God will give us everything we need if we put Him above everything else in our life!

I have seen this happen in my life and the life of my family. My parents were great examples of trusting God when things seemed bleak. We have had people share food with us, give us vegetables out of their gardens, even randomly been given cash right when we needed it!

My parents set the example of always giving trusting that God would honor their faithfulness.

It seems crazy to give 10% of your income when you can't hardly pay the bills. But try it! Hand over your life to God. Give in an act of faith and see the blessed life that you will receive.

God won't give us everything we WANT but he will be sure to provide for our NEEDS if we are genuinely trying to keep Him first in our life.

The best part of trying to keep God first in our life is the community we become a part of with our church family. God created us to live in community so we could help one another out. Those who do not attend a church or who do not get connected in their church end up feeling very alone when hard times come.

Get connected! We are better together!

How are you doing today? If you haven't taken time to talk with your creator, father, and friend do it right now! If you don't put Him first he will end up last!

Whats wrong here?

I was watching the news last night. There was a woman who had her baby snatched out of the car by a man who may have been the father of the baby. The police hadn't determined that fact at the time. But she fought so hard to stop him that she ripped his shirt off. The story was told by two women who saw the whole thing from their workplace a salon sharing the same parking lot the woman and her child were parked in.

Now something is wrong here. There were two women who saw the whole thing. They were merely feet away from the incident. Seriously? If they "saw the whole thing" why didn't they run out and get other peoples attention to the situation and try to stop the man?

Has our country gotten so low that people watch crimes happen instead of trying to step in and stop them? We are more concerned about ourselves and peoples privacy. We don't want to make anyone upset or get into anyones business. We don't want to get hurt. That is why we have children being abused, spouses being abused, neighbors starving, and babies being stolen.

I know I sure would have wanted the help of two other woman trying to save my baby. It would have been 3 against 1.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are more calls about animal abuse than abuse against a human being. Animals are wonderful I never want to see them hurt or dying. Yet we have become more concerned with the welfare of trees and puppies than human life.

We need to get into peoples business, we need to care about our neighbors and those in our community. We need to notice warning signs. But most of all we need to step up and do something when we see something as obviously wrong as a man stealing a child.

God working

It is interesting how God works. He brings people in and out of our lives in His timing and for His purposes. I miss the people and the ministry I was a part of in Lansing MI. But it is so obvious to me that God prepared the way for me to live here in VA and minister where we are now.

I also find it funny that when I'm teaching my youth on a certain subject I tend to be tested in that area. When I am struggling financially God seems to bring those in need to me. My husband and I give up going to movies, buying the food we want and driving around in the convertible so that we can conserve the little amount of funds we do have. Let me tell you he gets sick of Ramen Noodles, and pasta! It is at that time of trying to make it day by day, someone approaches needing food, or gas, or drink. There is no question that we will help with what we have. Yet, isn't it harder to give when you have so little yourself? I am thankful for the parents I had who gave me the example of kindness, giving and trusting God. It is because of them and the relationship I have with Jesus that I can rejoice in helping someone in need!

I believe God is our provider and will meet our needs as we put Him first. Matthew 6:33

If my husband and I had decided to go to a movie or go out on a date we would not have had the funds to help someone in need. We also would not have been physically in the location we needed to be in for those people to find us.

There is much reward in giving. Jesus says whatever you do for the least of these its like you are doing it for me. So give it a try. I challenge you instead of spending your last $1.00 on that Mc Double give the burger to someone who is hungry and see the blessing you get from that!

Mc. Donalds Play Place

A friend posted something on facebook that I can't stop thinking about. Her family was on their way to a water park. But her young son saw the Mc Donald's play place! He wanted to go into that play place oh so bad! It was like he could already imagine what going down that slide would feel like. He was already making plans of hiding in the giant bubble at the top refusing to come down when it was time to go. But his mother was trying to explain that they were going somewhere much better with bigger slides full of water! He had never seen a water park before so he couldn't imagine what she was talking about. The small bits of information she could give him did not paint the picture for him. At that moment he could see the Mc Donald's play place and that was what he wanted.

How many of us want what we can see? I know I often want what is easier or what I can see right in front of me. The problem with that line of thinking is God has bigger plans for our lives than we could imagine! He has something better for us. He has plans for us while we are here on earth, but not only that there is Heaven waiting! We can only imagine what heaven will be like with the small bits of information we glean from the Bible. He promises a good ending through Jesus Christ. Are we willing to wait and trust him? Or are we going to run to the Mc Donald's play place?