Prayer Time At Work

It's routine for us all here at work to come in, punch-in our time cards and go into the meeting room for staff prayer before beginning the work day. Miss Lynn is the one who starts that off most of the time.

For those of you who don't know Miss Lynn, she's an awesome God loving woman and mother to a congregation of about 2000 here at CFF.

It's been awesome to finally walk into a work environment and love everything about what you do. From the prayer time in the morning to crunch time in the evening. There's no where else I would rather be at this point in my life.

It's not about money and how much more I can make, but as long as I can trust that God will provide and as long as I am watching every dime - what more can I ask for at this specific moment?

Well, I had to say that didn't I?? A husband would be nice... But we won't get into that and I'll be patient as God unfolds the next stage in the life known as mine :)

Last weekend I had some awesome time with my sister - of course we made a little detour before starting our adventure - but nonetheless it was a great time!

I like getting older with members of my family. Conversations mean more - time spent together means more and the definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4 - 7 becomes more clear. I just wish it were that way with all of them.

You begin to understand a miniscule speck of how much Christ loves us. The extent of His love is unending - that's something to get up in the morning and praise Him for :)

Consider this blog .... Updated! ;)



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Are You Willing To Hang In There?

It's awesome to actually read and get something from it. Books about cooking, cleaning, sewing, building, playing instruments, making instruments. There are even books about how to read a book. It's crazy.
Most of the time, when I read, I like to "get something" from the book. Lately, I've been getting less from any other book aside from the bible. Sure, Piper's great. C.S. Lewis is a genius. Martin Luther, A.W. Tozer, Spurgeon, Defoe, Churchill...you get the point. They all rock my face off and are very talented in putting their own wisdom into words we can read and get an idea on how we as Christians can mold ourselves into what God has created us to be.
There's nothing in these books that the authors didn't get from the bible. The fact they admit some of their faults and struggles, yet encourage others through their writings is so cool to me. They, as authors and just sinners as you and I, are putting their lives out there for all to read about.
It's even better to listen to a "Sermon" or "Teaching" and get something from that as well. I love listening to sermons or little teachings. I drive a lot - so it helps to hear another voice other than the one singing in my speaker.

Most of us judge and look for those faults we can critique...so we don't have to feel as convicted when we dissect our own lives. I admit, I have done this more times than I would like to admit.
It's been something I've recently been trying to overcome. Pretty cool to see the extended grace from God in my life.
Graduation Sunday @ my church CFFFC (Christian Faith Fellowship Family Church)was pretty cool. Pastor Mike was able to give the graduating class one last message as their Youth Pastor. The message was titled, "Lay Down & Play Dead" - He urged them to not "lay down & play dead" as grown-ups. He brought to reality what most of us do. He described a situation that if, we were in war and the enemy was drawing near, he would grab a dead body and lay it on top of his own and "play dead" - this way he can get all of the credit without doing the work he signed up for.

Most Christians want to say they are Christians and go to church and claim to be that ultimate soldier, but once we face battle, we tend to "lay down and play dead".
Pastor Mike even went into the "body building" metaphor. Ephesians 6:10-14 there's a section in the 13th going into the 14th verse,(13)"Therefor take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.(14)Therefore, stand...."

He was lifting weights and his trainer wanted him to dead-lift 500lbs. He was hesitant to lift the weights, but he did it and even when he wanted to drop them, his trainer would scream,"HOLD IT!" - his fingers felt as if they were going to fall off and he wanted to let go, but he kept hearing,"HOLD IT!" and then he received the "ok" to let go.

It was then, P. Mike revealed to everyone that when you are feeling sick and you cannot hang on any longer,"HOLD IT!" - when you feel as if you can never get out of debt,"HOLD IT!" - when your life seems as if it is turning upside-down,"HOLD IT!"

God tells us to hold on - cause He's got it under control. We just have to, hold on, cling to Him and His word and trust that He will always be there to spot us.

What an awesome message - Thanks Pastor Mike!!

Some Blah For You!!

Aside form the iphone, there has been more going on than an update from apple. One can always count on people thinking of more ways to get your money or intrigue the mass consumers out there. I for one, am intrigued.

Let's not get side tracked from the real point of this post. Once I figure out what that point is other than to just babble because it's my blog - I'm sure you'll figure it out too, if you continue to read.

I went to a wedding a little over a week ago. Now, I have to rephrase my friends last name to match what her updated i.d. says. Other than my frustration with change, it was a great wedding and I'm so happy for Mary Beth and Carlos! haha I had a blast getting to see my homies again. I was also blessed to catch up with some other friends and let's not forget the host and hostess, Derek and Leslie!!! Ya'll are gerat by the way!

I left and drove until it was time for me to be at work on Sunday. It was one of the shortest trips I've ever made, but well worth it.

Father's Day was ok - it tends to get a little rough for me, but thanks to my friend Dave, it seemed a little better than the past few years.

Coffee has become my new best friend and the reason being, I have not gotten much sleep the past few weeks. Reasons why, I couldn't give you many.

My nephews are getting so big, I try to tell myself,"your not getting old...they're just getting older." As if time is standing still for me only.

I still adore my job. There are times when you feel like you don't deserve things such as the things I've listed. Truth is, I don't.

Friend accumulation up here has been amazing! I've been blessed with many friends who love Christ and actually have a sense of humor like I do. I always forget that I'm a N.Y. gal and that consists of sarcasm and good food.

I recently went out on my own "hell date" - I was urged to blog about it by a friend...but I'll just leave it at that and not go too far into detail.

The most recent, exciting thing - I'M GOING TO SEE THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND NEXT FRIDAY!!!! WHOOOOOOP WHOOOOOOOP!!!! HOLLA!!

Yes! - I Am Joining The iPhone Family!

The past few weeks...I have been thinking about this iphone thing. I've always wanted one and they are pretty cool. I was at work a few days ago, hanging out after service getting ready to go get some food with the usual "after service food gang" and Pastor Mike comes up to me and says,"Dave and I have been thinking....all of the technical employees have to get an iphone." I looked at the wall for a minute and said,"you know what? .... I'll have to think about that."

I thought about it for a while. Yesterday, I actually went to the Mac Store and held an iphone in my hand for a bit...tested it just to make sure it would be a wise purchase. Then I asked Dave what I should do. I was told to wait until July 11th. They will be way cheaper and they're faster than the one's out now.

I'm not a patient person when it comes to things like this. Actually, I'm not patient at all with most things. But! - I shall put this to the test and wait. It's the right thing to do. Now, unless I find a super sweet deal before then, but I shall wait. So - I guess you can say that soon, I will own an iphone.

I will also be changing my number to a N.Y. number. I have finally come to grips with the fact that I am where God wants me to be for this season of my life. So, until He lets me know there's another place I need to go. I'll be here...serving Him!

Some Random Things From The Past Few Months...

Jess came to visit and I was able to spend time with her and the kids. Here's a shot of me and Linzie - she's growing up too fast!! I'm thankful for a visit...I don't get many.



Elison and Liz have become some pretty cool peeps of mine...They will be getting married in August! I had the priveledge of taking some pics of these crazies! :)



We had the awesome opportunity to launch CXPRadio to the internet through a Monopoly Tournament and it went great. I was interviewed on N.Y.'s Sound of Life Radio Station
It was awesome! Here are some more friends, Chris, Kenya and Chris's lovely girlfriend, Mel :) they are so sweet together!







This last picture...I just couldn't help but post...it's pretty funny...



more pictures from other adventures will be posted soon...

SHELLY MOORE BAND IS IN STORES.......

HOW DO I GET ONE?

1. Get up off your lazy butt and get to your local CD sellin' store.
2. Find the Underground Sound CD.
3. Grab it and hold onto it like it was your new treasure.
4. Bring it to the cashier.
5. Pay for it.
6. Open it without breaking it cause of the wrapper being super glued to it.
7. Put it in your CD player.
8. Turn your volume all the way up.
9. Nod your head slightly to the beat.
10. Tell your friends how AWESOME it is to hear the Shelly Moore Band!!!!

Trusting In God

I'm always quoting Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will set your paths straight."

I even taught a class on stress and applying the Word to decrease stress and turn it into positive prayer language. It was the coolest class. I was so encouraged by the people who shared their hearts and we all connected. Not only as people who are human and will certainly always stress out, but as a body of believers coming together to do something about this major subject that has kept many Christians from excelling.

After leaving the class, there was a peace that came over me. God just knew I was so open to receive anything that was of His will. I love that about Him!! He knows what's best!! I had a horrible day at work. In a nut-shell, I was fired. Boss didn't like the way I "did" certain things and it just wasn't where the Lord had intended me to be. Funny thing, I didn't panic...right away that is. I went home..cried a little on the way. Sulked a bit, then realized..."hey! - this is nothing I should be upset about!" So, I filled out a bunch of applications. Faxed some resumes, e-mailed and even personally handed them to some people.

I went to church and even filled one out there, with a heads-up from Pastor Mike. I helped out for a few days there. I did all I could and I wanted to serve and see where I could be helpful within the church. I went home everyday just knowing something would come up. I'd catch myself slipping into the "sulking stage" every once in a while, but I would just throw on a catchy praise and worship song and that got me going again.

It was about 2 days and I had an official interview....at the church! I GOT THE JOB!! Now, I've been there for about two weeks officially. I get to talk about Jesus and not get written up. I get to pray with other brothers and sisters-in-Christ before beginning the work day. I get to learn from the pastors, associate pastors and co-workers all running for the same race!!

One of my dreams since my confession of faith has been to work for the church I attended. For two weeks, I have been on fire, unable to shake this feeling off.

Again, I quote Proverbs 3:5-6!! Can I get an AMEN?!

Here are some pics of the church and my office :)

Driving up to the workplace :)



Ain't it pretty?



Here's my office :)



This was hung before I moved into the office...I LOVE IT!!



Look at that computer!! :)



What book shelf would be complete without the "For Patti, Love Us" book?! ;) I miss you guys!!