I Don’t Want To Say Goodbye!

Yikes! I never did post my part II... and now another topic is captivating my thoughts.

Two years ago we moved into a wonderful house, into an even better neighborhood, and near an even greater church. Due to my husband’s job being two states away, we are leaving to join him. We spent months praying for a door here, but God has led us elsewhere. What a difficult move! We don’t want to say goodbye to our church!

What? Many people ponder leaving their church for one reason or another. Did our family find the perfect church? No, but we went with the right attitudes. Church is about worshiping God and communing with the body. Together we selected where to worship after praying for the church God had for our family. It was not quite the music style, size, or ‘programs’ we were looking for, but we all knew God led us to Flat Rock Baptist. We were excited to get to know our new family.

That’s right. To us, every body of believers is family. These brothers and sisters would not be like any we had met before, nor should we expect them to be. Everyone is unique and created for a different road that sometimes intertwines. We are extremely blessed our road brought us to Youngsville, NC. We are all called to love with Christ’s love, to forgive again and again, and to allow the fruit of the Spirit to mature within us. Paul also warns us against quarreling among each other. My desire is to be God’s vessel in these areas and in any other way He chooses to use me. I am not perfect. I fail. I put my foot in my mouth. But our God is always there to help me up and continue.

“Well, easy for you,” you might assume, “You haven’t experienced what I have. You haven’t been wounded.”

Yes, I have. My family has. My injuries (although likely different from yours) have withdrawn me into a shell before, protecting myself from others. Then the best thing happen to me, God allowed me to be alone and without – except for Him. (This looks different for different people). I clung to Him and grew, and continue to grow. I don’t want to spend my life focused on me, or on trials – no matter how big or small. I want to emulate my Father, and be His light, vessel for others. I went into Flat Rock with my family and with that attitude. God opened my heart bigger than I knew possible. I fell in love.

I discovered that when our focus is in the right place, the same circumstances have a different perspective. I previously mentioned Flat Rock wasn’t exactly what we were looking for, although we knew God planted us there. I was wrong. It is perfect – it is family. We love the music style, size, and any ‘events’ that come along. Sure, mistakes are made - people are human; but they are family and we forgive and grow. We cry together and laugh together. That is what family does. If we run when there are issues (instead of pulling together in prayer and love), we will miss out on the benefits of restoration and growth.

This Sunday is probably our last before moving.  It aches to go to church and see many brothers and sisters that are a huge part of our heart and prayer life. This move seems premature for our family, but inevitable. I will continue to love and pray for my Flat Rock family, and look forward to seeing them in heaven, if not before. We have been blessed more than imaginable. I hope our family has been even a fraction of a blessing for them.  I am humbled.

Soon, we’ll be looking for a new church and meet more family. They will not be Flat Rock, but they will be special. 

I don’t want to leave my church, but I trust the road on which God leads our family. (Do you want to leave your church? If so, check to see where your focus has been planted. I challenge you to be who God created you to be – regardless of others – before you make any decisions. You may be incredibly blessed.)

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-38

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:22-27

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.  Romans 14:1  Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly… Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must , able to teach, not resentful.  2 Timothy 2:14-16, 22-24

                                                                                                            ~ Jenny ~

I Am Not Leaving My Comfort Zone!

Have you ever found yourself living in a ‘comfort zone?’ You don’t want to step out of it for fear of the unknown – you sit in the same spot, go to the same restaurants, keep the same job, talk with the same people, and follow the same routine. These habits bring a false security in a chaotic, sinful world; producing feelings of safety and contentment.

* What happens when your restaurant closes?

* What happens when your job ceases?

* What happens when friends and family fade away?

* What happens when there’s financial loss?

* What happens when there’s betrayal?

* What happens when jobs are grueling or nonexistent?

* What happens when you lose a house?

* What happens when there’s illness?

* What happens when there’s death?

* What happens when your spouse is living/working miles away?

* What happens when there’s loneliness?

BOOM! Your shelter crumbles. You’re robbed of happiness. You’re not sure where to turn. You crawl deeper into a shell creating a smaller ‘comfort zone.’

Is it healthy to live in such a comfort zone? I think not, and you most likely agree! Have you heard the advice, “Life begins living once you step out of your comfort zone.”? Living with securities generated from this kind of sheltered life could stifle creativity, growth, and courage. Not my securities! My life began when I discovered a comfort zone and refused to leave.  Now, I am empowered and experience joy in the storms!!!!

As a believer, my Father is always present, and He knows the best path for me (and for you!) I can walk under His umbrella, or choose to walk away – listening to my own logic or others. My God, my Savior, my Spirit – He is my comfort zone. Each time I experienced a “What happens…” from above, God has provided exactly what I needed. He is my shelter, joy, friend, courage, provider, strength, healer, comforter, and hope. Living in (and trusting) my comfort zone of being a child of God empowers me to withstand and overcome each storm, to try something new, and to embrace change.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

    Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

                   Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

This is where I remain. Do I ever leave my comfort zone? Foolishly, yes. Although, with each weathered storm, growth, and miracle; I run more rapidly and readily to God. Try it. As you repeatedly choose Christ as your comfort zone, you will recognize when you’ve stepped out, and will eagerly run back into His arms.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

    I have no good apart from you.”

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

    in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

                      Psalm 16: 1,2,7,8,11 (ESV)

                                                                   ~Jenny~

It's Friday...

A couple of things hit me today. A friend told me I'd like a site, "Broken People". Yes, we are broken people. God loves us anyway. He LOVES each one of us ~ He places the broken pieces together in our lives. GRACE. Another friend posted a video about Good Friday. Today is Friday, but Sunday is a comin'. AMEN! Once again, GRACE.

Friday... Jesus' death. Gloom. Failure. Depression. Hope has died. Broken... How many of our lives feel like that? All different elements play into these feelings. Jobs. Careers (or lack of.) Marriages (or lack of.) Children (or lack of.) Weight. Moves. Loneliness. Deaths. Finances. Living up to other's expectations (or our own.) The past. Physical ailments. We all have our own 'Fridays'. None of which compare to Christ's, yet they are painful to us.

I am tired of Friday. Sometimes left alone, we let these circumstances overwhelm or control us. Why? Habit? We like it? Fear? No! We are ALL special and created by God. God doesn't make mistakes. Man does; that is why we forgive one another (and ourselves.) We don't have to live in our 'Friday' mindset. It's time to move on to Sunday!

Sunday... Christ AROSE!!! He conquered death, not through His death, but through His resurrection. We are His children, and should live & serve with His hope! GRACE. Sunday is our peace. Christ is our peace in the midst of any storm we face, whether mild or a hurricane. Get out of our comfort zone. Face our lives, and any storms that may be in it or come our way, with Christ. He will give the peace which our hearts and minds so desire. The Holy Spirit will guide us through each step of the way ~ with hope.

It's time (for me at least) to not live like it's Friday, but Sunday. I am broken, but not defeated. My weaknesses and 'falls' can be used to glorify God and for His good.

 I Peter 1:3-6  ~  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials