Busy....

When I first arrived in Athens, the Lord made it very clear that there were going to be a ton of distractions, but He wanted me to be very careful not to get distracted by the busyness of life and ministry. He was clear that there were a lot of good things that I could do in ministry, but He didn't want me to do good things. He wanted me to do what He told me to do. So I've tried to fight to not get caught up in both the busyness of life and the busyness of ministry. It's hard, and sometimes it overwhelms me, but I've tried.

When family drama comes and distracts, or when illness comes, or when people move or decisions have to be made, fighting the busyness of life becomes difficult. I have to take a step back and remember that none of it matters. The only thing that matters is Christ and Him crucified and raised on the third day. He is the ONLY thing that matters and if what I'm doing right now is what HE wants me to do, then wonderful, if not then I need to stop, turn, and ask what HIS purpose for me is and go do it. If that means I clean bathrooms, babysit, cook, repair fences, or if it means I preach on the street, lead Bible discussions, lead ministry, serve in ministry; Then I do it and I do it all for Christ. AS the apostle Paul says in Philippians 'All that I counted as gain, I now count as loss for sake of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord'

So let it be Lord. Amen.

EASTER!!!!

The LORD is soooo good!! He is at work and drawing his own to himself. This easter season the church Classic City Community Church, Watkinsville First Baptist, and Athens Church are uniting to bring a good friday service to the city of Athens. It is going to be AWESOME!!

Sunday we are having an Easter Potluck and Egg Hunt for the kids. So between now and then I am busy busy busy, making bags for the kids, making a list of food to make for the potluck, and preparing volunteers for the Friday night service. It's a busy time, PRAISE GOD for the season! If He didn't die on the cross for our sins, we would be lost forever. It's something that we know and hear so much that the importance and impact of it is lost. I encourage you. Take some time today and really stop what you are doing and think about the cross. His sacrifice, suffering for us, but not leaving it there. He took up HIS LIFE AGAIN!!!! PRAISE GOD!

Story 3

This past Monday, I was mentoring a friend and we were sitting outside on a table at a fast food restaurant because it was a beautiful day. Well the table we were sitting at had an umbrella and as we sat down and right before I said "Shall we start by praying?" a huge gust of wind came and lifted the umbrella from it's holster on the table. I went to grab the umbrella, but the wind was so strong that it pulled it out of my hands and I ended up getting hit in the left shoulder with the umbrella and on the right cheek. Well all that night I was tossing and turning because I couldn't lay on my right side because of the bruise on my cheek and I couldn't lay on my left side because of the bruise on my shoulder. I had to lay on my stomach. Not a fun night to say the least, but it makes for a rather bizarre story. :)

interesting...

So the Lord is showing me some random cool things. One is that It is okay and actually rather important to tell people No, or that they are acting in appropriately towards you. Secondly,that We WILL pass through the waters, but that He promises to be there with us as we go through the difficulty. So I WILL struggle, but HE will be there and will not allow it to overcome us. :) Such a beautiful promise and a hard one to walk through.

Story #2

After prayer Saturday a week ago, I was typing and writing a ton. Some of it was for research on Jehovah's Witnesses and some was for the church. Well, My right wrist/arm began to ach. In fact I had to stop typing regularly because it hurt so badly, I have taken up the habit of searching and pecking like my dad does. Well this Saturday after prayer I arrived home just in time to catch the Jehovah's Witness before she left. She and I talked for a good long time and then before she left I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to ask her if her right wrist was okay.

I asked thinking, "Okay this is either me pulling at straws or the Lord". Well, she looks at me sort of funny and starts telling me a story about her arm and how she was cooking and her right arm bumped a pot and scalding liquid splattered her arm. She showed me the arm and it had been badly burned. Of course she wouldn't let me pray for it, but I offered just the same. (It's rather insulting, but the Lord has given me wisdom and helped me hold my tongue on more than one occasion).

Anyhow, I ask her,"When did you do this to yourself? Was it after you came and saw me on Saturday?"

She stammered a little because she was trying to read me. I believe she thought that I thought I had done that to her, which I don't. She said, "Now, this had nothing to do with you! You did not do this to me."

I said, "I know, I'm just wondering when it happened, I would never hope something like that on you and I didn't remember seeing it last Saturday."

She then confirmed my suspicion that it happened on Saturday after she had seen me. It's interesting to say the least, but I don't know what to do with it. Pray for me to have wisdom and discernment and pray for my hand as it continues to hurt.

Yesterday, Monday, I was spending some time in the morning just getting ready for the day and was listening to some teachings on blueletterbible.org about how to reach Jehovah's Witnesses(JWs). Well, I just finished listening to one and my wrist began to ach, after having talked to my JW friend and learning about her burn on her wrist I've begun praying for her when my wrist hurts really badly. So my wrist began to hurt and I started praying for her and asking the Lord for wisdom. Well, I step out on my porch and look over and who do I see. My JW friend! She was making rounds to other people's houses with her sister-in-law. We had a rather quick conversation about life and how we would have to meet up in a couple of weeks because we are both so busy, nothing significant... just interesting.

Story #1

I was on my way to prayer Saturday and was in deep contemplation when I looked and saw a cop. Then I decided to look at my speed. I was just below 50. So I thought what zone am I in? I look up and see that I'm in the 45 zone so I stop worrying just as the cop pulls out of his spot and starts to come behind me. He pulls me over. I admitted I was going too fast and he gave me a ticket for going 15 over. It startled me at first. I'm still trying to figure out where the 35 zone is and where the 45 zone is because I think He clocked me right between the zones. Pray for me as I cannot afford to pay this ticket.

Please pray for me

I am feeling exhausted spiritually. I give of myself to so many things and am just weary from giving. Pray that the Lord would strengthen me and encourage me. Pray also that those I minister to would be blessed. That the Lord would show His strength despite my weaknesses. Pray for wisdom and understanding and discernment.