According to the pattern....

I was blessed to be able to awake this morning and head to church to hear my new dear friend, Wini, speak on God's pattern for our lives. Of course, the time went by way too quickly.

A few notes from the gathering:
There are 4 parts of the the pattern that God establishes for us.

Pattern 1. God is Holy
Pattern 2. God desires to dwell among His people.
Pattern 3. God's people desperately need the presence of God.
Pattern 4. God's people need each other.

Her talk was based on the book of Exodus, when God delivered the Israelites from Egypt.

Pattern 1: God is Holy
Exodus 3:2-5
God is totally holy. We have a very limited understanding of His holiness and faithfulness.
Our idea of holy, loving, & faithfulness is tainted.
God is perfectly holy, perfectly loving, and perfectly faithful.

Pattern 2: God desires to dwell among His people.
He doesn't want to be distanced from His people. He wants to be close to us.
Exodus 25:8-9 (NIV)
"Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you."
God is expressing to the people that He wants the people to be aware of Him in their camp.
John 1:14 (NIV)
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Jesus pitched his tent among us. Instead of His Holiness killing us, He died for our sins.
The God that is so Holy lives within us if we are believers!!!
1 Corinthians 3:16
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Pattern 3: God's people desperately need the presence of God.
Exodus 33:15-16 (NIV)
"Then Moses said to him, 'If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"

I have nothing without my God. I may think I want something, but if God isn't on board I don't want to go there.
I spend a lot of time looking at everything else going on in my world. I look at and worry about the job I am doing as a wife, mother, sister, friend, daughter. I do all of this without focusing on Him. I worry about my ability to do what He has called me to do. He has the strength and the ability. Our eyes must be on God. He is with us and within us. He is sufficient and good.
I know who I am without God. I remember the person I was before I truly asked God into my life. I know that I need His presence in my life all of the time. I cannot be wife, mom, sister, friend, and daughter without Him. For anything truly important to happen, He must be a part of it.
All of my frustration and feeling discouraged and impatient over the last several weeks have been because I am depending on myself and waiting on others. I wait until the last very second before I crack to call out to Him. Why? If I would just do it first thing, I would save myself (and my husband) a lot of grief. Why do that when God can just give me the simple reminder that even though I may be forgetful, scrambled, and downright crazy; He is not. God wants to keep a teeny bit of that desperation there so that we come searching Him out.

6 ways our lives are to be distinguished by the Spirit
1. study the word of God-we can't recognize Him if we don't get to know Him
2. yield to God's control-don't be stiff necked, have to be teachable. You can't be so sure of who y
you are so that God can't mold you.
3. pray for clear leadership and specific directions
4. pray to recognize that direction
5. make plans but hold them loosely
6. learn to recognize peaces as a sign of God's will

I want to live a life that God approves of. I want to please Him.

Pattern 4: God's people need each other
No one person could accomplish/finish the tabernacle. It involved all of the skills of all of the people.
Exodus 35:29
Exodus 12:35-36
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There are diferent kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men."

Take note of the people in your life who follow the pattern.
Paul says, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
Look for the pattern in others who are following the pattern of our Lord. A pattern for how to be a more godly wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend.
As soon as Wini said that I immediately wrote down 4 women who have been that for me in my life since the moment I met them.

People are watching you to see who you're imitating...even if it's Christ in someone else.

A few notes added to the end of the conference:
1. Sometimes God leads us into the wilderness. It's a way for God to bring you to Him so that we
can focus on Him. He will make us desperate for Him so that we can be more intimate with
Him.
2. We don't have to be "here" (in the santuary) to be in the sancutary. Wherever you are you
can make it a sanctuary. God is right in the middle of whatever you are in.

Make it a sanctuary.

Because God made it that way....

Last Sunday, Molly learned all about God making Adam and Eve. Now everything is...

"Because God made it that way."

That is followed by a look given to us by our daughter that seems to simply say, "Duh".

Kidding around the other morning, I asked her why her shirt had pockets. I told her I thought only pants had 2 pockets on them. I was doing her hair at the time and she was standing on her stool staring back at me in the mirror. She tilted her head, put her hands on her hips and said,

"Cause God made it that way!"

Tonight she was coloring a picture for her cousin. She looked down at her coloring book and crayons. She decided it was important to interrupt my phone conversation with my sister to state that God made crayons and coloring book.

Amen!

9 months and then some....

On her 9 month birthday, Maggie discovered baby dolls. She loves her! She is really fond of one of Molly's first dolls. It's a doll that I wanted Molly to love early on her in lifetime. Nope, she found the boy stuff much more fun. It wasn't until much later that Molly wanted to play with babydolls.

Maggie is so sweet with them. Smiling when she gets a hold of her new best friend. She immediately hugs and kisses her. She is growing up so fast. I can't believe that she'll be a whole year old in just a few short months.

A few other notes.

Last Sunday, Max was unable to attend church because of a fever that he had been spiking every few hours. He had a good cough on top of that so Aaron stayed home from church with him and the Maggie. He had a good time with his daddy and we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon as a family. Whenever the kids miss a Sunday school class their teachers send them a little card and their bible story worksheet to do with Mom & Dad. (Have I ever mentioned how much I love our church?!?) So this past Thursday, Max's little card and bible story arrived in the mail shortly before lunchtime. Max was excited to receive his mail and then continued on with what he was doing. In the meantime, I was comforting Molly because she didn't receive anything this week (because she was in church!)

Later on, I was busy making mac & cheese for lunch and laying Maggie down for a nap. The kids were watching Tom & Jerry. We all started eating our lunch. (I sometimes allow the kids to watch Tom & Jerry during lunch if I'm lucky enough to get Maggie down for a nap at this time....eating lunch in peace & quiet is almost as great as I imagine winning the lottery would be.) I had taken a few bites of my lunch when Max walked in with his cheeks all red and chin quivering. I initially thought that he had bitten his tongue or something. His hands tightened up into little fists and he started rubbing his eyes and crying.
"What's wrong buddy?"

"I don't want that sad card. I want a happy card." (The card he received in the mail from his Sunday School teacher had a pic of an alligator holding a kleenex box and tears flowing down. It said, "We're sorry you're sick. Get well soon.")

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want to have a fever anymore. I am done coughing. I don't want to cough anymore. I don't want to miss children's church again."

Of course, I hugged him and started crying. Later on that day when Aaron got home, Max took the card off of the fridge and started all over again for his daddy.

We recovered nicely and he made it to church yesterday!

Another Max story:

The kids and I have gone to a few consignment sales over the last couple of weeks. The first one was great....found some good stuff. Second one was alright. I found a few things, but the lines were so long that the girls and I put down our stuff and left. The third ended in laughter.

The first 2 sales took debit cards so I suppose I just assumed that the 3rd one did too. Nope.

This one was on a Friday so all 3 kids were on board. We got there right at 9 and then went to check out at 10:30. They don't take cards. Cash or check. (Well, I had just received the new Dave Ramsey Envelope System that I won and I stuck the checkbook in there....I guess it's saving me money that way b/c I couldn't buy those clothes that day.) Anyhow, so we drop the stuff, including the new unopened truck Max picked out for a buck. As we are walking out to the car, Max asks us where we are going. I tell him that we are going to the car. He replied, "We're going to the car to get your money and then we are going back in to get my truck right?"

"No son, we're not. They don't take momma's card and I don't have my checkbook."

"Momma, we're going to go get money and then come back for my truck right?"

"No honey. Like I said, we are getting in the car and going home."

Max stops in the middle of the parking lot, looks up at me and says, "This is a joke right Momma?"

Oh how I laughed.

My boy....officially 4.5 years old on this past Saturday.

I think that's all for now.

A few notes from the Esther study...

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times....I am amazed at God's work that is done through Beth Moore. We have one more session left and the second to last was just as great as the others. Lots of fantastic discussion, but I am just going to mention a few things and then go on about one thing in particular.

An excerpt from The Queen and I:
"When, because of your faith, your life too becomes perceptibly different; when your reactions are quite opposite to what the situation seems to call for and your activities can no longer be explained in terms of your personality; that is when your neighborhood will sit up and take notice. In the eyes of the world, it is not our relationship with Jesus Christ that counts; it is our resemblance to Him!"
I pray that the Holy Spirit shines through me so that others search out Jesus Christ. Oh, the work and molding that needs to be done!

Isaiah 49:16
"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me."
He holds us so tightly by Him that we are engraved in His hands.

I have often thought about going out into the world and helping people; telling them all about Jesus and the sense of love, joy, security, and calm loving Him brings to my life. (Not that there aren't a million times a day I have to have Him remind me of those things too.)
How wonderful would that be? I often think about how I hope to one day touch someone like my "mentors" have here in KY.
With those thoughts though, I think about someone looking right back at me after witnessing to them and having them tell me something to the effect of: "Well, of course you believe in Jesus. You have a wonderful life."
I had a wonderful childhood, my parents have been married for 36 years, my grandparents close to 60, have great siblings, grew up out in the country, was able to go to college, married a fabulous man, 3 strong and healthy children, job security, food on the table, insurance, camping trips, etc. etc. I believe the greatest struggle my family ever got through had God's hands all over it. Maybe not at the time because I was young, but I remember lying in bed at night praying.
So where am I going with all of this? Beth Moore posed a question during Monday night's session.

"Am I strong or just spoiled?"

She had just put all of those rambling thoughts into 6 words!
Oh, I want to be strong for my Jesus. I want to be patient. I want to be faithful.
He has blessed me.
I hope that if I were called upon to be strong, that I would do it and not cower and crumble.

Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

And the winner is...

ME!!!!
I am so excited!!!
I entered a giveaway at Faithful Provisions. She has an awesome site! Be sure to check it out!!!
Oh...almost forgot...
I won a Dave Ramsey Envelope System!!! Along with Faithful Provisions, be sure to check out Dave Ramsey.
Hope you are all having a blessed day!

A Kentucky summer or winter?

This was taken shortly before dinner time on Tuesday....it was about 82 degrees.

This was taken less than 36 hours later.

It's now Friday morning and there are about 5 inches out there...in here, we're hoping Aaron gets a snow day!

A week of Sunshine and Revival...

Last time I wrote, I was enjoying the peace & quiet a sleeping baby and 2 children out with their daddy to Blockbuster brings. That was close to a week ago. Has it really gone by the fast? It has been an awesome week. The weekend was filled with temperatures in the 80's that held on thru the first half of the week (now I sit Thursday evening...with at least 4 inches of snow on the ground). Max was running around in only his camo pants. He was busy getting a little sun on his back while his momma was getting sunburn on her nose. The summer weather was fantastic, but what has made my week was the revival at church. Honestly, Aaron and I were really curious and a bit hesitant at the mention of the word. All we know about revivals is what we've seen on the television. Visions of white tents, people fainting and being miraculously healed. We would have never thought that we would be a part of a Southern Baptist Church let alone attending the church's revival services.

I wish everyone I know could have been a part of it. God has His hands on that church.

Before moving to KY, I prayed for God to show us the way to a church.

And of course, I worried.

And of course, He took care of it.

Before moving to KY, I prayed to God for good friends.

And of course, I worried.

And of course, He took care of it.

Before moving to KY, I cried to Aaron that no one would be there to visit when Maggie was born.

And of course, I cried more than once.

And of course, He sent people. I had more visitors than when Max & Molly were born.

Our God is a Good God.

The church welcomed Dr. Bill Henard. If you get the opportunity go to the website and download a few of his sermons. Put your ipod ears in and listen. You can't help but be moved by his words.

Two things will always stay with me about this revival.

First, how I truly did feel God moving within the church.

Secondly, Pastor Bill posed a question on Tuesday night. If Jesus walked down Main Street tonight would He know me by name? That really struck Aaron and me.

There were 4 nights of revival. Each one held a significant message. Overall, it was all about what is keeping us from God. All of these notes come from Pastor Bill's message. I was writing fast so I'll do my best to make them into coherent sentences. Enjoy!

Sunday, March 8 ~ Morning Service

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

We need to take a look in our life & recognize what is keeping and will keep us from seeing what God wants for us.

We need to rid ourselves from guilt. There are 2 types of guilt.

1. real guilt -guilt for sin against God

2. self-imposed guilt - guilt imposed upon us by others

Our only release from guilt is through God.

Most of us run from God instead of going to Him.

We will never enjoy the fulfillment, joy, purpose if we continue to carry around our guilt.

We have become comfortable with the sin that already exists in our life. We don't even realize it.

In order to set yourself free from guilt you must:

1. Admit your need - confess to God

Get honest with God about it and then let it go.

It's amazing how we will break the exquisite to hang onto the insignificant. This is what sin

does to us.

2. Trust God's character.

He is Faithful.
He is a Covenant God.

He is Just.

God does not release us from our guilt for a cost. He just does it.

It wasn't enough for Jesus just to grow old and die. He was crucified for us.

Forgiving has to do with releasing not forgetting. You have to trust the character of God.

3. Believe His Promises & Receive them

Are you willing to be forgiven? Are you tired of feeling guilty? God will forgive you.

Satan is good at reminding us of our sin. Allow God to cleanse you. Let Him remove the stain

of sin.

Be a reminder of the blessing of God.

WHAT IS IT THAT IS KEEPING US FROM BEING WHAT GOD WANTS US TO BE???

Sunday, March 8 ~ Evening worship

2 Chronicles 7:10-15

When God shows up it's a scary thing b/c none of us can remain the same.

God speaks to Solomon, "if you want me to cme and fill this place - listen to me."

GOD SPEAKS TO HIS PEOPLE

He reminds us of why we need him. Take current condition of the world for example. We put our trust in money, investments, stock market, property, man...

we have forgotten about GOD!

We criticize our goverment for taking prayer out of our schools and abortions on demand...Christians themselves have moved Him out of their own lives.

If we want to see God move-it has to start with us. We belong to Him. It can't start with the lost or those who are out to get the Christians. It must begin with us.

GOD SETS SPIRITUAL REQUIREMENTS

He sets the following requirements out before us:

1. Humility- I see who I am in light of who God is. Not in light of everyone else.

2. Prayer-

a. falling prostrate on the ground

b. facing judgment

Do we want to see God in our schools, nation, etc. again?

3. Passion-He says, "seek my face". We need to know Him intimately.

Seek His face, not His hand.

4. Repentance- Turn from the evil of our ways.

We don't need to look any farther than our own heart for evil.

If we do these things God will:

1. Hear us.

2. Forgive us.

What is it? What is it that keeps me from seeing God move?

Unforgiveness. Because I am unforgiving it keeps me from seeing God move.

We always think that the person that wronged us owes us something.

How about I take what they owe me and I give it to Christ and He can do with them what

He will. It's not so much about forgetting as releasing. Trust that our God is a Just God.

3. He will heal us.

He solicits a personal response. He will sit back & wait.

DO WE NOT NEED A FRESH OUTPOURING OF GOD'S LOVE ON US?

Monday, March 9

John 4:1-26

Ultimate priority is doing everything for the glory of God.

Why has God left us here?

So He would use us to reach those who don't know Jesus Christ. We are His instruments.

3 simple things that evangalism must be:

1. must be intentional-We must be intentionally and passionately telling others about Jesus.

Acts 2:41, 47, 4:4, 20, 31, 5:14, 32, 42, 6:1, 7

2. must be relational-evangalism moves along the road of relationships

We aren't reaching the lost in the world because we aren't making relationships. We are

busy being in a hurry, on computer, getting thru the day, our own lives. (I am extremely

guilty of this!)

Relationships must be intentional.

3. must be confrontational

Now of course, this doesn't mean the nasty, ugly kind of confrontation. The notes from my

bible explain it this way: The woman in John 4 kept trying to change the subject when she

realizes that Jesus knew so much about her. He was confrontational about it. ....He gently

steered the direction back to Jesus.

Tuesday, March 10

Luke 19:1-10

If you want to receive God's goodness on you, you have to repent of your sins. Change direction.

What is repentance? What must I do?

1. Must desire to encounter Jesus personally.

You can become mediocre and may not even realize that God isn't there anymore.

We continue to do things the way we've always done them, but there is no fruit.

Ask Him, is my heart pure? Am I right with You?

If you want the power of God on your life...

2. expect opposition

People complained when Jesus stayed with Zaccehaeus.

When you get right with God, there will be people that will get upset.

If you want to get right with God...

3. you need to exhibit a real change in your life.

a. repent of your sins-if you are watching, listening, participating, & doing the same things you

were doing before you were right with God, you will go right back where you started.

Make the decision, "God here are the things that lead me into sin and here is what I am

going to do about it."

b. restoring of past offenses- Zacceheaus said he'd pay back four times the amount.

If we have done something to wrong someone we need to ask God for repentance.

Repentance says that there is no excuse. When you repent, don't give reasons why you did

what you did.

The world is saying the church isn't relevant. That is because they don't see God in us Christians.

If you want to see the power of God on us...

4. we need to look at God's gifts

Let your children and family see the change God has made in you. If you want it to change, allow it to begin with you.

Wednesday, March 11

2 Kings 5:1-14

Why do we resist the Holy Spirit?

One reason ~ pride

Because of pride we miss out on all sorts of things God has planned for us.

How can we overcome pride in our life?

First, realize how pride gets in the way.

Sin doesn't care about time.

Carelessness of pride causes us to keep ourselves from God.

Sin doesn't care who you are. It's impartial.

Sin doesn't only effect us physically, but effects us spirtually.

Second, avoid catastrophe of pride.

Makes us think that we are doing God a favor when we listen to Him.

You cannot bargin with God

**We are afraid of what other people will think-even our family members.

There will come a time when God will stop talking to you. Hebrews 3:8-11

You won't even know it's happening to you.

Thirdly, to avoid the peril of pride you need to surrender to the cure for pride.

God doesn't just patch you up and make you better...He makes you new.

That's how complete His forgiveness is.

God demands you surrender to Him on His terms.

None of us knows what's going to happen tomorrow.

Don't listen to pride.

Listen to God. Go to Him.

What do I need to do to have Christ in my life:

1. Repent of sins - turning away from sin

2. Trust in Christ. He is your one and only Savior.

3. Surrender to Him.

-willing to be obedient

-give your life over to Him.

Leave brand new.