STAND IN AWE OF GOD

Our youth group went on a mission trip to Jay Bird Springs in Chauncey, GA last week and I just want to give testimony to the awesomeness of God.

I have witnessed and been a part of a mighty move of God this past week. God has spoken to my own heart and shown me how I have just been "going through the motions" up to this point. Yes, I go to church every Sunday and every Wednesday and try to read my bible every day but it's been more of a habit or checklist instead of truly heartfelt drawing closer to God and worshipping Him. I have rededicated my life to God and asked Him to help me stop "going through the motions".

I have also seen God move through our youth group. I have seen so many teenagers saved or called back to God. I have seen teenagers share Jesus with each other and share their testimonies of what God has done in their life - some that have never had the courage to share before. I have seen God begin the healing process and restoration of families! My prayer is that we will all continue to stand in awe of God and not forget what He has done this past week and will continue to do if we let Him.

Here are just a couple of my favorite moments from this week.








GOD IS AMAZING...STAND IN AWE!

"For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow." Psalm 144:4 NLT

Time is so precious -- time with our families, our children, our parents, our friends, as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ. How do you invest your time? Where do you invest it? You know, it's really more valuable than the money we invest. Once it's gone, it can't be reclaimed. So as you begin each day, ask God that you will be able to "know the time," to see it for what it is and to use it for its greatest good. Time passes quickly, and like the shadows of early evening, it's not long before it is absorbed into the gathering darkness of night.

Spring Retreat

We had a spring retreat last weekend with some of the girls from our youth group. (The boys went to a separate location for their own retreat). What a great weekend it was! We were finishing up our True Love Waits study and we had a great group of girls. It was such a nice time of just being with the girls. The girls really opened up and talked and we had some great bible studies about love and purity but we also had a lot of fun too.

We took them to Manatee Springs and spent the day swimming and on a nature walk. We grilled out and played some messy games that won't quickly be forgotten. I think it was a great time shared by all.

I am really excited for those girls that made the commitment to a lifetime of purity!

Basketball Playoffs...

Well, it's that time again...basketball season is coming to an end. I'm actually really sad to see it go. Girl's basketball has quickly become my favorite! There is nothing quite like watching teenage girls play basketball. The expressions, the attitude, sometimes the pure meanness that comes out of these otherwise sweet little girls. It all wraps up this weekend for us with the SECC Basketball Tournament. The Northside Christian Academy Lady Eagles are going in finishing 2nd in their conference. They are looking to be the SECC Champs of course! I'll be sure to update on how it goes.

In the mean time, here are a few of my favorite shots from the year - courtesy of Starke Photography.

Let Me Try This Again...

Okay, so once again, I have become a terrible blogger. I can't even believe how long it has been since my last blog. I am going to try this again and see if I can't do a better job.

SINGING OVER ME

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." {Zephaniah 3:17}

I was listening to the song "Singing Over Me" by Building 429 and I got to really thinking about God singing over me. How amazing is that?! Can you just imagine - Almighty God rejoicing over you with singing?!

I get an awesome mental picture of God - the One who sets the stars in place and counts each grain of sand - singing over me. I see a father who spends countless hours gently rocking his newborn child as he softly sings a lullaby. Can you see the love? Can you sense the warmth? Can you feel the strength?

If you understand the delight a parent has in singing over a child, you recognize that God doesn't sing over us out of duty, but out of joy, because of who we are and because of who HE is!

I don't believe that we are truly able to appreciate the joy that we give to God when we listen to His song of love for us! That makes me want to spend more time in His presence. I want to know what it means to have been in his presence!

Read that verse again, putting your name where appropriate. "The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Sounds great doesn't it?

"Charles Spurgeon once said that when a jeweler shows his best diamonds, he sets them against a black velvet backdrop. The contrast of the jewels against the dark velvet brings out the luster.

In the same way, God does his most stunning work where things seem hopeless. Wherever there is pain, suffering, and desparation, Jesus is. And that's where His people belong - among those who are vulnerable, who think nobody cares.

What better place for the brilliance of Christ to shine?"


--from "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala