the good news girl
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?
I want to drink God, deep draughts of God.
I’m thirsty for God-alive.
Fix my eyes on God … eager to arrive and worship.
Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving ~ celebrating, all of us, God’s feast!
He puts a smile on my face.
He’s my God.
Yesterday afternoon, we had a few of our staff from ACF out to the Davis cabin on Lake Austin.
While I was waiting for the guests to arrive, I had a few minutes to myself.
I marveled at big things
… and small things. [Read more...]
This afternoon, I went to a funeral. A friend’s mom lost her battle to cancer.
I was reminded of this verse: [Read more...]
It’s Friday … but Sunday’s a coming. And I’m thankful for my church. Will and I always say that ACF is the kind of place we’d go even he wasn’t the senior pastor. We love the people that much.
Jesus really loves the people in our church too. And he also really loves the people in the Church (one in the same ~ come to weekend services and I’ll explain). I am grateful for that. And I get pretty cranky when church people hate on Church people. (Read: When Christians disparage other Christians ~ or their churches.) It just shouldn’t be so. But sadly, you don’t have to stumble around very far to find church-haters in the Christian community.
God loves the Church. He calls us his family, his body … his bride. That’s how much he loves us.
So this weekend, I’ll be teaching a message about loving the church … and the Church.
Focusing on the importance of community, grace, affirmation, forgiveness, and love in our lives.
Come visit us ~ and hear all about living life in community with ‘No Stones.’
Love each other … and carry the light giving Message into the night.
(Trouble seeing this video? Click here.)
You might like: Making the Church a Kinder Place
prepare your heart for the season :: 31 days of simple thanksgiving
I’d love to keep in touch, check out the ‘Good News’ Newsletter every Friday.
This week, I made a difficult decision. (It’s work related.)
It was a decision that had Robin’s jaw on the floor. Robin is my Warrenton-road-trip buddy. The enchilada queen (drops by the most fabulous enchiladas on the planet in a big 9 x 12 unexpectedly ~ and just when I need it most). The friend that knows the most about my heart. But this shocked her.
Robin: Whaaaa? We just talked about all this driving to Warrenton. Remember, it was you needing a good attitude and being thankful.
Me: Yes. I know. But I prayed about this. I sat with it. And then the fire got too quiet and I realized I wasn’t being led by peace.
Robin: Fire? What fire?
She just looked at me, curious, and waited as I explained what I meant by ‘the fire’ and the process that led to the surprising decision. The process of following peace.
While I’d love for y’all to think I wake every morning profoundly cheery and perfectly optimistic ~ the truth is, I am adapt to belittle myself sometime during the first hour of the day.
Might be because I didn’t get to the store yesterday and Sara has no deli meat for today’s sandwich. Or maybe because I woke up and took a mental inventory of yesterday’s missed opportunities.
Have you ever had one of those days when you get to thinking … I can’t do this anymore.
I am completely empty.
I have nothing left to give.
I can’t work any harder. I can’t try longer. I’m out of ideas and energy and patience.
I had one of those days yesterday. And right at the bursting point, I heard God say: Yes … you can.
I am so glad for a God who says, Yes … you can.
Take a good look at God’s work.
Who could simplify and reduce Creation’s curves and angles
To a plain straight line?
On a good day, enjoy yourself;
On a bad day, examine your conscience.
God arranges for both kinds of days
So that we won’t take anything for granted.
… happy Sunday.
Because it’s then that I am able to look forward adventurously expectant and ask: