The Gift of On-Time Delivery

Is it just my "mail" that Pastor Dennis is "reading"? Just when I think life is going smoothly...this low feeling descends. Frankly, I have been blaming Christmas! HO, HO..Oh NO! But, the message this morning made me rethink that a bit!

So, I have been asking myself again and again the questions suggested today.

What makes me discouraged?...pretty easy to answer. The question... Why am I currently discouraged?...that really is harder to answer. So again, a specific reason to pursue God this week. I really want to hear what God will say to me and see what I can change.

I will:

Reflect on the big picture
Reconnect with the master designer
Remember everyone is on a unique journey (especially those closest to me!)
Remind myself what God has already done for me

I don't want to be side-tracked from really living...even at Christmas!

The Gift of Messiness

What a timely message! Christmas time can be stressful...lots of expectations...including expectations of ourselves. It was such a relief to hear about the gift of messiness! I am looking forward to starting today, watching God invade my messiness to turn it to holiness in order to do good things. I am excited, because with everything we have been learning and involving ourselves with at CCC, I have been trying to live this...but honestly, I have been letting my busyness distract me from spending quality time with the God. You know...that allows messiness to increase! I will be pursuing God this week.

It didn't take long for God to highlight the center of my current messiness. I am sure that He will be just as faithful to you!

Remember Pastor Dennis encouraged us to:

• Thank God while we procede through our messiness with Him
• Trust God for our unfinished-ness
• Pursue God with faithfulness

God Bless you this week!

An Interview with Bono

Two things that Bono said really spoke to me in light of this discussion of applying the Sunday messages...

one- His friend telling him: stop praying for God to bless what he was doing but rather go where God is because that's already blessed.
two-Let the peace that passes all understanding reside in your heart but do not be at peace with the state of the world...it is more malleable than we think.

...When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me." Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?"The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me." Matthew 25:35-40 CEV

Let's be a part of the solution, the ones who pleased the Lord!