back to ACC

Alliance Community Church was my first stop of the day. It felt good to get back in that church too. The people are so genuine and real, welcoming and loving. It is a warm atmosphere to say the very least. Here are some notes I took from the message this morning.

• What does it take for a revival to take place; especially inwardly? How does God bring about revival?
  

- He does it in His church, to His people & friends.

Take Mark (2nd book of the New Testament) for example. Mark had to have a huge change take place in him. God had to do the work, because Mark was ready to toss in the towel. Check out Acts 13:13 and remember that when it says John left them to return to Jerusalem, Mark's name was John Mark, so it really means Mark left them to return to Jerusalem. Ya see, Mark was having doubts about this whole ministry thing, and wanted out. Then in Acts 15:36-40 Paul was ready to leave it at that. Paul's heart had not been softened to the point where he was willing to treat people with the grace that Christ was all about. But Barnabas knew that Mark was legit, and wanted to give him a second chance. Showing that especially in the starter stages of living a life for Christ, many chances need to be given. (Matthew 18:22) Anyways, I am getting off track.

• Mark had to be prepared because at first he did not heed the call to discipleship. Mark 1:2 -> to prepare the way... What has God had to prepare in my own life before I was prepared for a life of discipleship?

ANSWER: God had to allow me to drop to rock bottom, to realize the opportunity was now, and more than ever I needed to stop resisting. I have never had a hard time having FAITH, it has always been a matter of surrender for me. That will continue to be something I deal with daily, as well it should be. Luke 9:23 reminds me of the daily surrender that must take place. I had to realize that in my own life, with my health, my problems, my future, everything needed to be given into the hands of something much higher, it had to be given to God. It has, and I am empowered by the fact that I don't need to stand on my own 2 feet. I can just prop myself right up against the unfailing God I belong to, adore, worship, and love more than anything in this entire universe. THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD PEOPLE!!Pastor Brian ended with this story of a lady in a Bible study, studying Malachi 3:3, and wanting to understand this process of purifying silver.

Malachi 3:3
Refiner and Purifier of Silver

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

I love that, I love that God is keeping his eye on me, even when I am amidst the difficult times. I really gain a lot of comfort from that. Also, I am blessed by the people at Alliance, my new friend Bob (the guy who invited me to come to Alliance Community Church in the first place) and I talked in the church and in the parking lot, it felt very natural and was "of God." I see an accountability partner in him. He is going to cook dinner for me next Sunday. And another gentlemen from Alliance asked me if I would go to breakfast with him on Wednesday. Just out of no where. I was like, HECK YEAH! So I am meeting him for breakfast at Cracker Barrel this Wednesday. I have never had anyone that knew me for such a short time invite me out like that. After I left Alliance, I went to the library. I did not get too much studying, because I had to be on the phone a lot. A friend needed comforting, and prayer, and I needed advice on how to approach a situation. I did get some studying done though. When it was getting close to 4:30(time of leader meeting) I went to the Young Life leader meeting.

It was really good, and productive. We talked about how the talks would look for the rest of the semester, and just encouraged each other. It was good. I was tired, and did not get any final study time in. I'll finish it tomorrow....I SWEAR I WILL!! ;-)

G'NIGHT!!

back to the grind

It is Saturday, and that means LIBRARY and STUDY TIME!! What a relief, I was getting restless with all this laying around and extra sleep (emphasis on sarcasm added). When I was at the library today, I had to start off by getting on a computer, and printing something out for a class. I usually sit in this one area, but for "some reason (Holy Spirit telling me)" I felt pushed to sit in an area I don't usually sit at. Not only do I not usually sit there, but there was a guy who was talking on the phone and being kind of loud. Regardless, I sat down and got what I needed. As I sat there, I overheard this man's conversation. It went something like this, "I just can't believe she isn't going to make it, I can't believe she is going to be gone.." As he hung up the phone, I said something to the effect of, "that sounded like a pretty heavy conversation." As he explained that it was his aunt that lived in Colorado, and that he wouldn't be able to make it in time to see her before she died, he seemed really crushed. I simply took interest, and found out that she was in the final stage of a long fight with breast cancer. I asked him her name and he seemed confused, he told me it was Dianna, and I told him I would pray for him and his aunt. Which I did, right there in front of him. He made a point not to make eye contact with me for the rest of the time I was there, but I could tell he was lifted just by the fact that I took interest in him at a difficult time. Loving people, for no other reason than to just give what we are so freely given by God, is what it is all about. I did not know that person, and I will probably never see him again. BUT, I know that I did what I could in the moment to offer words of comfort and hope. I stepped in where I could have easily stayed away from out of love. After I was done studying, or I guess I should say after the library closed, I left to my "seclusion spot" on top of the parking garage to do my Bible study. I love this little spot, especially when it is sunny and nice out. While I was there, I talked with George, who I told I would not be able to accompany him to Dave church tomorrow because I had to go to a Young Life meeting (they are every other week). But, that I felt it put on my heart to tell George that he should really go even if I do not. He agreed that would be a good idea, and I told him I would tell Dave to be expecting him. I called Dave while up on top of the parking garage, and talked with him for a bit. I got the scoop that he was babysitting his grandson, "~Isaiah~" Click that link to see Isaiah. Isaiah is Phil's (Phil is Dave's son) son. You with me now? Well anyways, Dave said he was at Phil's new apartment, and I said, "well would it be okay if I stopped by?" Dave said, "well I don't see why not." So I went to hang out with Dave, Margie, and Isaiah. Dave and I went out to get a Pa Pa Murphy's Pizza, and we talked about where he felt God was leading Dave Church/Lifelight Ministries. The main focal point focused on the "decentralization" of the church that is so commonly known today in America (Sunday morning, worship time, sermon, maybe more singing, and departure). This could happen, "we discussed" by starting many churches of small groups (such as Dave church) and then collaborating together to form a church body, on specific dates, possibly once a week, once every two weeks, or once a month to gather, talk about what God is doing in the lives of others, and lifting each other up in support. Also, possibly doing the whole worship thing, because that whole "church experience" can be so beneficial, but should not be relied on fully as the once a week "FIX." Now that I have had time to digest what we really talked about, it makes so much sense. Not only does it make sense, it needs to be done. Radical? Yea, I suppose.

FRI FRI FRIDAY

Today started off with a little more A.M. child care than usual. Fort Wayne Community Elementary School's had a scheduled 2 hour delay today. We had a chance where the kids could make the little bead things, ya know you place the bead things on a pattern, then take an iron to it and they all melt together. The kids loved it. Then, they watched...Bee Movie, and really loved it. I was kind of surprised, I thought it might be just a tad slow moving for them, but they were really fixated on it the whole time. Made my job a whole lot easier. "Thanks Seinfeld!"

After I left work this morning, I went to the hospital, and got my 13th infusion of ~TYSABRI~ I am so happy to report that I have had 13 months of great health. With no major exacerbation's/relapses of any sort to mention. This is a really good thing, and I am so blessed and thankful for God allowing me to have such great health. Although, even when health is tough, I still have the same mindset. See the white blob in my nose? I have been getting these freakish bloody nose sessions. I think it is because it got all wet from all the rain, then dried up real quick. That probably had something to do with it. I dunno though.

I would like to conclude today's post with a reminder as to why I am a DOG person.

This is BLOG post # 800!

That's crazy to me. Sticking with something like a "journal" or a "blog" even "balloon animals" is usually fleeting and only momentary. But for one reason or another, I have stuck with this BLOG like a BEE sticks on flowers (I watched Bee Movie today). Ya know what else is crazy? It took me a long long time to make that picture you see above. Looks like it would be simple huh? Well, it was not, not by a long shot. It's all good though.

My grandparents came into town today. My Grandpa had an eye appointment at the Veterans hospital. So, I got to spend some time with my wonderful and amazing grandma. I took this picture of her, which I think is just lovely. She has shown up on my BLOG before, I think her last cameo was on Christmas eve if i'm not mistaken. Anyways, check out this wonderful picture of a wonderful woman.What a sweet heart. Although her body is showing the impact of parkinson's disease, I feel her mind is still quite sharp. In all honesty, she is the funniest woman I know. I love her very much. And just to clear something up about this picture you see above, she did not eat all those cookies. Though, part of her may have wanted to. :0)

I went back to work, and today, the kids were in a building mood.They called it the centipede, it was actually extremely long and to be honest, I was impressed.

Today, I was all up in Numbers 20:1-13 and it is amazing how much God can say in 13 verses. Moses was tested, and God shows that none of us deserve the promise land, but by His grace, we can have it if we only believe in His Son, and follow his commands.

Random verse for the day... It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. -Ecclesiastes 7:5

I LOVE DAVE PELZ

movie night/ginger bread massacre

I went to Snider today, I found out at lunch C that Nicky had not come to school. Well, since I didn't have any studying to do since i'm on Spring Break, I figured I would drive over to his house and see what was up. He was sleeping on the couch, and after I woke him I found out he stayed home due to an "icky feeling stomach." Well, we did the only thing that made sense to do. We made ginger break cookies..... "duh"The final outcome was, well, let's just say it was a little less than desirable. Yea, we will say that. It was creative, but quite less than desirable.

wednesday night movie day. . . . . we didn't have a typical CLUB, no talk, no crazy games, just a movie and jammies. Here is a group of Dwenger (high school in Fort Wayne) girls representing. In all seriousness, it was just me and Sam (leader of over a year) and Ben (brand new leader) with nearly 100 kids. It ended good though. We watche the movie August Rush, well most kids talked, but that is what you do when you are in High School. :o) God bless every one of um.

-Grace&Peace

Spring breAK day 2

$334.79 is the price of the round trip ticket I just purchased from Travelocity for my trip to and from AZ. this summer. I am pretty stoked, pretty darn stoked in deed. Now, there will be another set of tickets that I will need this summer. Ya see, I am going to be in Arizona for my "paid" internship at a Young Life camp from May 13th to August 17th, but I will have to come back from June 11th to June 22nd in order to take our kids to a camp in North Carolina called Windy Gap. I am stoked about all of the above. I still have to get the tickets for when I come back to Fort Wayne in June, and my friend from Cali will not be able to help this time. So, it is going to be a lot of money spent this summer on air fare.... :o) But, of all the things I could spend money on, I really don't mind spending it on air fare, I love flying more than anything, and it is for God's work. I just think of all the opportunities I have on planes and in airports to witness to people. It get's me excited. I love my job. I love that I get paid to hang out with little kids. You could take all the "negative attributes" associated with elementary kids, and multiply them by 3, and they wouldn't even come close to negating from the good times I have with them. And I think that says a lot. Did what I just say make sense??Anyways, when I got off work today, I hung out with Nick. We have a good time together. Today, I took him to get pizza, and then we headed back to his house to play some Banjo-Kazooie on X-Box 360. It is a good game, and fun to talk whilst you play it. I mentioned Windy Gap tonight to Nick. I think some of the walls are being broken down with Nick about Young Life. I think it's a good thing, and I really really really want Nick to go to camp more than anything. I do I do I do.

So that was primarily my day today. God is good, all the time, all the time, God is good.

first day of Spring Break

Now the thing that is a little bit disappointing about my Spring Break, is the fact that I still have to wake up at 5:22A.M. and be at work at 6:30. I knew that going away for SB was not going to be an option this year, but I sincerely wanted to be able to sleep in a bit. It is okay that I can't though. That's just life.

My parents got their T.V. taken care of right nicely I would say. They had some installers/electricians come in and just make it all look real perdy. Now the T.V. swivels, comes out, tips, and all sorts of stuff. We have all the right cables, and it looks and works great. It really shows that American's are centered around their television. I am not saying it is wrong in any way, in fact I am reaping the benefits of having such a nice T.V., but when I have a family, I want to try to make the focal point of my main living space not the T.V., I don't know how yet, but just want to throw that out there. BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) was amazing tonight. God really nudged me tonight in the lecture. This week we went through Numbers 15-19 and the part that got to me was intentional sin. Jack, the speaker made a comment, almost in passing about how it is very dangerous to sin, doing so with the mindset that you can just ask for forgiveness. It is almost making the act of seeking God's grace and mercy on our own behalf like rubbing a lucky rabbits foot. It is pointless if you aren't sincere. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." This is true, but if you can not humble yourself before the Lord in the first place....well, I think that is where it starts getting a little dangerous. It sure did prove that way for the Israelites.