This morning, I noticed that there was a new app on my home screen... My phone updated to the newest software over night and Apple sent a new app through the update...
What was the app??
The newest social media app??
An editing app??
A music app??
A navigation app??
Nope!
It was JOURNAL!!!!!
Come on now!!! How interesting!!!
Not many people would say they love to write, but studies show that there are many benefits of keeping a journal. That the act of writing down gratitudes leads to experiencing more joy. That the act of recording leads to remembering and gaining better perspective.
In this world that thinks they are running far from Christ, we continue to turn to things that are at the center of God's heart! We can't run far!!
So speaking of journaling, here are some things that were written in my journal this week!
"I believe God is still in the business of answering our single prayers, but if you would be willing to wait, maybe he is trying to do so much more than that.... The perfecting of your character happens in the waiting room."
If you have walked with me through any transition or decision making process (which all of you have.. bless you...), you know very well that I am not good with change and overthink everyyyy little thingggg...
This week, I was trying to think about why that is, and I realized that throughout my life, when I have not been in control and change occurs, it has been hard for me... divorces, movings, friendships, etc. Therefore, when I am the one who is making the decision, I tend to hold extra tight to my false sense that I have control... that it is up to me to make the right decision...
But may I let go!! And trust GOD! As we read in Job 23 this week, God knows the way we will take! And He never forsakes me.
On a lunch walk this week, I was listening to a Levi Lusko sermon and he started talking about Heaven! (I wish we heard and talked more about Heaven!!!)
He asked the question, "Have you ever been sad after you finished a hike you'd been waiting to go on? Not a sadness that it wasn't a great hike or too hard... But you were sad because you wanted to be able to take in more of the beauty than you could."
I related to that statement! And thought about how I often feel that way when I get home from a trip that I had been anticipating for a while. I wanted to be able to take in more of the joy than I could.
But may we find rest in the fact that we will never be able to max out our positive emotions here on earth! Because we aren't made for this broken world! And Heaven will be where all of our beauty and joy and hope and comfort and rest will be made FULL!!!
~What is something you are looking forward to about Heaven?~
In his new year emails, Jon Acuff mentioned the difference between a believer and a witness. He explained that in his life, he has had many short term obsessions, such as ping pong, biking and ad agency, but when it came to helping people reach their goals, he felt passionate and has been doing it for over 10 years.
In asking his counselor what was different about goals for him, his counselor said that it makes a difference when we are a witness!!! Not just a believer!
This email isn't religious but wow, it's a foundation of faith! Sure, we can believe in God... But our lives are completely different when we are witnesses of a new life in Christ!!
Choosing a life of following Jesus is the best decision I have ever made in my life! And my life has been marked by His provision and goodness. I could never go back!!
Back in December, I had lunch with Jeanne and she mentioned the phrase, "Do the next right thing." I have been repeating it over and over in my head because I think it is important to remember. As an overthinker, I often allow my mind to think about the future "what ifs..." rather than focusing on the present, as Jesus did in His life.
This week, I discovered there is a Podcast called the Next Right Thing so I listened to the introduction episode and she said something that really stood out to me!
"After Jesus performed a miracle, He would give a simple next thing to do...
To the leper, he said go show yourself to the priest.
To the paralytic, he said get up, pick up your mat and go home.
To Jarius and his wife after raising their daughter, he told them to give her something to eat.
Shouldn't he have given them a life plan? Instead, He gave clear instructions what to do NEXT, not indefinitely."
And she ended with an Ann Lamott quote, "You start where you are is the secret of life. You do the next right thing you can see. Then the next."
**YAY for baby Luke's baptism!! You are loved, Luke!!!**
This morning at church, we had a baptism for a wonderful family! As we came to the end of the vows, the congregation was asked to stand up for the following question,
"Do you, as a congregation, undertake the responsibility of assisting Zach and Kathleen in the Christian nurture of Liza?"
As always, the congregation responded, "We do."
But Eric didn't stop there... he went on to plea, "I hope you take that seriously! In your interactions, marriages, work, relationships, etc. May you be an example and depiction of God's love lived out!"
OOF! How often do we think about how our actions and decisions MATTER to others! That ultimately, they are all part of God's bigger picture. And this broken world needs authentic followers of Christ!!
Immediately following the baptism, we were instructed to greet those around us. And as we were mingling with the people around us, Adeline and I saw Debbie, Cathy and Kim talking in the front and commented, "what a solid trio of women of God!!" We may not be newly baptized children, but we are still impacted by those in the congregation who are older and confidently living out their faith!
May we never underestimate the work that God can do through us, as His people!!!
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