Hearts in Service Blog

Isaiah 30:15-19 ~  This what the Sovereign Lord , the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation,      in quietness and trust is your strength,      but you would have none of it.   You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’      Therefore you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’      Therefore your pursuers will be swift! A thousand will flee      at the threat of one; at the threat of five      you will all flee away, till you are left      like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,      like a banner on a hill.” Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;      therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.      Blessed are all who wait for him! Pe ople of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, ...

  It's Monday and I haven't participated in Multitude Monday in a few weeks and thought it would be a great day to count my blessings.  I started this three years ago and am so glad that I did.  It's been helpful to see God's hand in the small and big things of my life and certainly has helped to change my attitude! This week had a theme - family!  Dan was off for a week and a half so we spent lots of time just doing things as a family and with extended family.  It was fun.  It was relaxing.  It was restful.  It was definitely needed.   This week I'm thankful blessings -  #1701-1716. ♥ A bag of veggies dropped off on my doorstep. ♥ Getting to visit with a cousin I haven't seen in a few months. ♥ Brothers visiting. ♥ Cousins catching up. ♥ Talking to my sister on the phone.  ♥ Freedom.   ♥ Beautiful girls. ♥ Roses.   ♥ Rest & relaxation. ♥ Enjoying the views. ♥ A great dad. ♥ ...

Remember the song, "My Favorite Things", from The Sound of Music ?  I used to love that song and actually, that is one of my favorite movies.  I especially love the last lines: When the dog bites When the bee stings When I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don't feel so bad I'm certainly not feeling bad but I thought I'd share some of my favorite things. Water. Autumn sights, sounds and smells. My family. Fires. Steaming mugs of tea and God's word. The popping of canning jar lids. and Beautiful flowers. That's my short list! ;-)

So often in my life as I go through difficulties and hard times, I can become so focused on the problem that I lose sight of the fact that God is in control.  It's easy to lose perspective.  What seems so monumental and scary in my eyes is actually quite small in God's eyes. We want the problem to go away.  We often rant and rave and wail and whine at God for allowing these things in our lives. Yet, God tells us that He is working all things out for our good.  Romans 8:28 tells us "And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose."  So why do we lose that perspective?  Why do we only see the mountain?  Why do we feel the need to grip so tightly to the desire to control everything?  And why do we want things to be so tame and calm? If we truly trust God, then we should be able to throw up our hands and allow Him to take over the controls. As things seem ...

Psalm 94:18-19 ~  I cried out, "I am slipping!" but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. There are so many times in my life when I can focus so much on the problem or situation, that I forget the Lord is there with me. But when I focus on Him and place the situation in His hands, I feel my spirits lifting. I struggle from time to time with some worries and anxieties.  When that happens, my jaw clenches, my shoulders get knots and usually, the diverticulitis starts to flare-up.  When that happens I also realize that once again I am not leaving things in God's hands.  As I pray and read my Bible I begin to feel much of that stress and anxiety melt away and begin to feel hopeful again.   If you are like me, it's difficult to trust that God's got it under control, isn't it?  This is an area of my life that I'm working on and have a feeling it may always be something...

Ephesians 4:10-13~ "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.    I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength." If I get this new job, then I’ll be happy.   When my husband starts trying harder our marriage will be good.   If we move to a bigger home, then things will be great.   If we only had a ladies Bible study, mens breakfast, youth group, etc., then church will be wonderful. We find all kinds of ways to be discontent, don’t we?   We gripe and complain our way through most of our days, and to be honest, most of ou...

Our church has a mission statement - Find your place, your passion and your purpose in Christ at Crossroads Church! And we really believe that.  When people begin to see who they are in Christ, and figure out what their spiritual gifts are, God can use them in a powerful way.  Every one has a God-given passion and spiritual gift and He wants us to use those for His purpose.   The thing that I really do love about our church is how we try to help people figure out what it is they are good at, and try and encourage them to use their spiritual gifts in ministry both inside and outside the church building.  The church is more than just Sunday morning.  How can they use their spiritual gifts during the week?  Are they living out their Christian walk throughout their day on their job, in their homes, to their neighbors?  Are they seeing how they can minister to others wherever they are? Ephesians 2:10 ~ "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has cr...