Life in His Hand

When you belong to a small country church, you can sometimes wonder if you really have a purpose there. The larger churches seem to have so much going on--so many people--so much to offer. When you compare the little things you're doing, it can make you wonder if it matters at all. That seemed to be the theme that I was seeing in our small church today. My aunt Julie was mentioning how she had been wondering if she even belonged teaching children, since all the little ones had left. But she realized that she was needed when one small child showed up today. I loaned her a couple of my older kids to keep the little girl company. My mother helped the girl's mother feel comfortable and got acquainted with her. This lady was actually a second-cousin of my mother's that she had never met before and had recently connected with on Facebook. She was looking for a church to go to and said that the other churches in town didn't seem like a good fit. This lady's looking ...

I am a Seventh-day Adventist and this evening as the sun sets, the Sabbath begins. Many wonder why I keep the Seventh-day Sabbath, so I thought I would share this video that discusses my reasons.

Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. Ellen White - Desire of Ages p.331 God is working behind the scenes. Even though it doesn't always make sense to us, we can trust Him. It's amazing to watch God weaving things together. This week at church, a man showed up that we didn't know. A young lady who used to come to our church and her husband also happened to come for a visit. I noticed them saying "hi" to the unknown man. So I figured that he was their friend, as sometimes, when they visit, a friend or two will also come. A little later, at lunch, I was informed that the young lady knew this man because our previous pastor's wife had informed her, at some point, that he was a pedophile and also the young lady had run across him at another church. He managed to position himself directly across from the only family with kids in the ...

Being Adventist means being different. Going against the grain. From our day of worship (Saturday) to our diet (typically vegetarian) to our choice of entertainment and several of our beliefs--we are different. Yes, we are the same, in many ways, with other Christian denominations--but it's the differences that tend to cause us to stand out and be noticed. I think unless some types of people were born into the church, they might have a hard time being so unconventional. Seems people want to just blend in a lot of the time. In my church, that's quite impossible to do, unless you see no one besides fellow Adventists. Yes, we stick out like a sore thumb. For me, this was quite natural. I've always been a rebel. I never fit into the mainstream. I was a heavy-metal kid and always felt different. It was okay with me and I was probably proud of that fact--who wanted to be like them anyway? So I found my niche--other misfits like myself. And life went on. Until Jesus go...

The one great thing that really excites me about being a Christian is the fact that God is in my life. He's real. He's present. I see Him, sense Him, hear Him, feel Him. It's not pretend. He is not an imaginary friend that my mind conjures up on it's own. What so excites me about God is that He shows up. He is thoughtful. One day at church, a few weeks ago, during prayer, our speaker prayed, " Lord, put your arm around those who are hurting today." As I was kneeling there, I felt someone touch my back. Twice. I looked to see who it was. It wasn't the person beside me or the person behind me (I even asked). I was so overwhelmed by that. God put His arm around me that day. Did I deserve it? No. I'm struggling a lot lately. All I could think was--He really wants me to know He loves me. And that He understands my struggles and problems and no matter what I do--He still loves me. When He promises to carry you--He does. When He promises to save you--He do...

Recently, I reconnected with a man I haven't seen in years through Facebook, of course! I saw these bright blue eyes staring out at me from his profile picture, a face that looked so familiar, but I couldn't place this person. I noticed my aunt was a mutual friend, and so I accepted his request after examining his wall. Then I quickly hopped onto chat to ask my aunt how I knew this guy. She guessed from school or a concert--but I knew that wasn't the case. After accepting his request, and bombarding my aunt with questions, he came on and started chatting with me. I was a bit embarrassed that I couldn't remember just how I knew him, but he so graciously filled me in on the details and it all flooded back. We were not Christians when we'd stop and chat on the main street sidewalk, in front of the comic book shop where he worked. We didn't know each other well, but I remember him being a pleasant person. We were living our own lives the best we knew how, longing ...

This morning as I was thinking about waking my kids up, I thought about just how unique they are. What got me thinking along those lines was my daughter, Savannah. She gets to sleep in a little longer than the other two. Regular High School just didn't fit her very well and so now, as I've mentioned before, she is in a charter school that is an independent study program where she attends a few classes a week at the campus. And this is working out really well so far. Savannah is on the quieter side (most of the time). She is somewhat an introvert and has always been a homebody type, content with reading a good book. She is also artistic. She was my sweetest child when she was small. She has always been very studious and organized in her schoolwork. That is why this type of school arrangement can work for her. I have five kids and they all are so different. My oldest daughter, Jenessa was always so driven in school. She's not afraid to do anything, it seems. She's on...

Feeling stressed a little this week. People are coming out of the wood work asking me to do things I'm not completely comfortable with. I think Someone may be trying to give me a comfort-zonectomy!!! But I like to do it on my own schedule...my own time. What I need to do is determine what God wants me to do and what people want. And then do what God wants. He knows my willingness, my pace and my limits. I am excited for my church...switching gears a little here. For so many years my small church has had problems. We've been through a lot. I have not always stayed, thought maybe our church in the next town would be better. For awhile it was a nice change, but I knew I needed to be here supporting the church I love, that was struggling. The church that really needed me. So when I came back, it was in the hopes that the Lord would send people, leaders, to help us. To help change things. No church is free of problems and ours isn't, but I see such a huge improvement. I see th...

Had an amazing night! The final night of our youth series. Two skater guys, one with long hair, came with my nephew. This young guy reminded me so much of the guys I used to hang out with. I was into heavy-metal. I gave all the kids a Bible promise book with a bookmark that had Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I also got to tell a very quick testimony about my and my sister's youth. How we were pretty wild. And how nothing in the world compares to having a relationship with God. The one kid was listening. I looked right into his eyes and said God has a plan for your life, He has a plan for each one of us. He was touched I could tell. I was pretty emotional about it myself. It was a great night and I am on a spiritual high. I have ALWAYS   wanted to tell kids like that about God. Kids that are the way I was. Tonight I finally got the opportunity. So I pray ...

Usually at the new year, I make several resolutions - there are so many areas I need to improve in. In the past, I had the enthusiasm to really try, but this year I didn't want to make the usual list...lose weight, spend more time with God, be a better mom, etc. This year I only wanted to take on one thing and that was to have a very simple family worship with the kids everyday. Dad was welcome, but not pressured. It would consist of reading a daily devotional and having prayer together. I've struggled with being consistent in this area for years and we had completely gotten away from doing it. God never let my mind rest though, and I was always thinking about it. So I decided that that would be our family resolution. It's been a little over a month now and I am seeing good results. The kids' minds are more drawn to God and they are thinking about their relationship with Him. I also teach their class at our small church and God has given me the wonderful opportunity o...

Maybe you've all heard that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. One way I love to trick (bribe) myself into doing something unpleasant is to reward myself after. That usually gets me motivated. If I have to clean something I am not particularly fond of (hate), like say, the fridge, I would reward myself by going to a second-hand store or something. Sweeten the deal. Sometimes I may not feel like going to church, but I usually go anyway. There's a good reason why I try hard not to miss, which I will share with you in just a minute. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand that there are plenty of reasons for not being there. I know things can and do happen, unfortunately, that keep us from going. You or a loved one may be sick. Maybe it seems boring or irrelevant. Or maybe you've had a bad experience or sort of gotten out of the habit. It could be fear, discouragement with the church or life which causes you to want to stay away. So why do we go to churc...

In church today we there were lots of kids in our class! We're growing and I think it's awesome! Our church has had problems for awhile and I finally see that things are turning around for us. I am so thankful. It does something tremendous to my heart to be able to have the opportunity to influence kids for God. Show them the right path and help them along on their journeys. Oh if they can get it young, what a lot of heart-ache they could avoid. I wasn't raised in a Christian home, but exposed to church a little. I got into a lot of trouble and was into heavy metal and very rebellious. My home life wasn't stable. I messed up in school. I seriously wonder what could have been different if I would have had someone like who I am now guiding me then. Hmm... well I "have been there done that" and have many warnings and much to preach about to these kids. I tell them "never smoke, do drugs or drink", "let God choose the person you will marry", ...

There is one gift the Lord gives which is sweeter than most anything. True Christian friendship. It's the kind your heart longs for if you do not possess it and rejoices in, when you do. It's the meeting of heart and mind and soul together with others to worship God. I am so privileged, at this time, to have this wonderful, close, bond with the women in my Bible study group.  Jesus says...Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 I've not always had this type of intimacy. I remember years of feeling lonely in church, of feeling isolated. There were friends, acquaintances and people you greeted every week, but for me, it wasn't enough. I longed for more. I decided to put together a small group to meet in a home where we could really focus on God. It truly turned out to be a blessing. We were drawn closer to God and each other. It was a great source of strength and joy. When the group had to end, it left a void in my li...