U-Turn

Last night at the Ash Wednesday service at church, I listened to the message Pastor Ed delivered on REPENTANCE. The visual he gave us was to make a u-turn.

He told a story of being lost and finding our way when we were lost and how sometimes making a u-turn on the road you are traveling on is the best answer.

As for Lent and how this applies is very interesting to me. I am traditionally the person who gives up something that is a physical sacrifice. As told in my post Tuesday.

Bur after last nights message, I am making a u-turn in my Lenten response, and I am not only giving up but I am moving toward also.

So, yes I am not going to have wine or chocolate and they are both physical sacrifices that I need to make. But I will also turn toward God during Lent. I have asked God in prayer last night to help me turn to Him daily. I am going to intentionally pray daily for those I fail to remember in prayer and to pray thankfully to God for all I have. I am also committed to reading scripture daily. I am also participating in the Small Groups at our church weekly during this season of Lent.

So, thank to Ed for opening my eyes and helping me make a U-TURN this Lent.

Blessings to all.

two for tuesday

LENT

Giving up two things

chocolate

wine

what I will give up for lent.

Inspired

It is Wednesday and for me this is my favorite day of the week. I have posted before on how I despise Friday but never really said why I like Wednesday.

I am inspired on Wednesday.

Why?

How?

Well it is the day I regularly volunteer in my church. What inspires me is how many people it takes to make a church work. Beyond staff, there are so many devoted people helping in so many ways to keep it going.

I must also mention the staff, they are devoted and hard working and caring. Then the Pastors whom I continue to be inspired by. Their wisdom and direction and knowledge and leadership and humor and friendly nature.

Wednesday is also the middle for me. A half way point between what is and is not done. I feel inspiration and a sense of accomplishment. I have made it through the weekend and started the week. I have almost put it on cruise control to get me the rest of the way through the week and knowing I can "get her done".

Wednesday is also SUPER. This takes me back to church again. We have this incredible fellowship opportunity. We are fed an incredible dinner by volunteers and we are surrounded by friends and church family members and join together in this Super evening. Inspiring each other. This is often a continuation of Sunday.

Wednesday is also an inspiration for my children. They participate in a fellowship of Super Wednesday also. They play and learn and sing and craft and get to know one another. It is a wonderful time for them.

Wednesday is also a day when I usually can read my emails intentionally, blog, read face book and catch up with friends via technology. I wander the Internet and find some of the most inspiring stories, blogs, posts, short tid-bits, funny sayings and crazy and beautiful photos. It is me, communicating with layers of people, so many I will never meet in person but many who I am regularly inspired by.

So, how are you inspired on Wednesday? Or is your day Thursday or Monday?

Happy Valentines Day

1 Corinthians 13:4 (New International Version)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

To all of you, have a

LOVE-FILLED day!

ENERGY BILLS SUCK

$1368.33

one month

OMG?

WTF?

HELP!!!

Two for Tuesday

TWO STOVES...three photos

This is what came with my house.....it was totally possessed and scary.

This is my new love!

It is the all time best gift I have received in a long time!

Thanks Honey.

I will gladly cook for you anything you want. I will bake, I will broil, I will roast, I will boil, I will braise, anything! You name it!

2nd prize

Pinewood Derby second prize winner and Best Hot Wheels went to Campbell!!!

Expectations

Last night I attended a new members group meeting for the church Kipper and I (and girls) are joining. This church is the Presbyterian Church of Wyoming, OH. It is a beautiful structure and is around the corner, literally.

Convenient it is, beautiful it is....but God filled it REALLY is.

At the group gathering, we spoke of expectations. As new members of a church, what can we expect from the church, it's pastors and staff and the community. Also, what is expected of us as part of that community.

Ed Goode, Sr. Pastor mentioned how we should look for God beyond the Worship service on Sunday. (of course we will look for God in worship too). David Z, Assoc. pastor spoke about or commitments of stewardship. Both spoke about being yourself and they too will be themselves. WOW, at our first meeting we are being told to be missionaries and give money and do not change................. OH I DO NOT THINK SO!

Ok, so that could have been what they were saying. But to me, they were saying we can be REAL!

REAL, REAL, REAL....what more can I ask for in a church. I can show up on Sunday, or Wednesday, or Tuesday or Friday for that matter and I can be me. I can be my REAL and broken self. I can participate if and when and where I am comfortable. I can go outside the church and share my experience with others, if I wish. I can bring my problems and joys to this beautiful and loving place. I can bring my children and family and be nurtured and loved and prayed for. I can ask for help and can give help when asked of me. WOW.

And for all these blessings, I WILL give back. I will give of my time and my tithes. I will share my knowledge and wealth that God has so blessed me with. WOW.

Now this is an amazing thing, God....He (or she if you prefer) is truly everywhere and has continued to bless me richly. Sitting in the room last night, He was right there, with us all. I am so lucky. I am so grateful. And just think, I found a church with these wonderful things and as a bonus, it is so beautiful and is just around the corner!

Amen and Amen!

Two for Tuesday

Love & Love

School Day

An awesome thing! Not another word!