Monday, April 13, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
It's a God thing
When we lived in south Florida, we used this expression at church a lot. It really is about looking at the circumstances in your life and realizing that they probably aren't really chance but God at work in even the smallest details.
It's been a while since I have thought or used the phrase but yesterday something happened that I truly believe was a "God thing".
I went shopping by myself yesterday (that's not it). This happens every couple of weeks or so. I didn't really need much yesterday but Tim knew he would be gone all day today and so he encouraged me to go by myself and I did. My plan was to go Dillards and then possibly stop by Walmart and Target. I missed my exit for Dillards and ended up at Walmart first. I actually managed to spend quite a bit of time wondering around until I finally figured it was time to leave with my purchase of milk and coke. As I left I missed my turn and had to drive a bit to be able to head back home. On the way I saw an educational store. I've noticed it in the past but always when I was with Tim and the boys. I was on the phone with Tim and told him I was going to run in and explore.
So here I am in this store when in walks a lady with her daughter. She seems slightly frazzled and I overheard her (yes I eavesdrop) mention homeschooling to one of the clerks. Well now I am curious and so I wonder closer and decide to be bold and go up the counter and wait for an opportunity to speak with her. Turns out she is homeschooling her high school son because of problems with the local school where we live. I start chatting with her and giving her some ideas for resources. We continue to chat and wouldn't you know it she lives in the town we do. (We were actually in a community about 20 minutes away.) She is military (which wasn't a surprise). At the end we were talking and I asked if she lived in a certain community and come to find out she does. This community is one of our top three target areas.
We continue to chat and I drop the big bomb. I mention that we moved here to start a church. This is the point where you can really tell a lot about people. If they are interested or turned off it is at this moment that you can totally read them. Well she wasn't turned off at all, she was very interested. She is struggling with her son and doesn't know where to turn. I was able to give her my phone number and email address and encouraged her to contact me.
So I got out to the car and called Tim to tell him about this "God thing" because it is neat to see all the things that happened yesterday to put me in this store at this moment to be able to share with this person and to make a connection with someone in our target area.
It's been a while since I have thought or used the phrase but yesterday something happened that I truly believe was a "God thing".
I went shopping by myself yesterday (that's not it). This happens every couple of weeks or so. I didn't really need much yesterday but Tim knew he would be gone all day today and so he encouraged me to go by myself and I did. My plan was to go Dillards and then possibly stop by Walmart and Target. I missed my exit for Dillards and ended up at Walmart first. I actually managed to spend quite a bit of time wondering around until I finally figured it was time to leave with my purchase of milk and coke. As I left I missed my turn and had to drive a bit to be able to head back home. On the way I saw an educational store. I've noticed it in the past but always when I was with Tim and the boys. I was on the phone with Tim and told him I was going to run in and explore.
So here I am in this store when in walks a lady with her daughter. She seems slightly frazzled and I overheard her (yes I eavesdrop) mention homeschooling to one of the clerks. Well now I am curious and so I wonder closer and decide to be bold and go up the counter and wait for an opportunity to speak with her. Turns out she is homeschooling her high school son because of problems with the local school where we live. I start chatting with her and giving her some ideas for resources. We continue to chat and wouldn't you know it she lives in the town we do. (We were actually in a community about 20 minutes away.) She is military (which wasn't a surprise). At the end we were talking and I asked if she lived in a certain community and come to find out she does. This community is one of our top three target areas.
We continue to chat and I drop the big bomb. I mention that we moved here to start a church. This is the point where you can really tell a lot about people. If they are interested or turned off it is at this moment that you can totally read them. Well she wasn't turned off at all, she was very interested. She is struggling with her son and doesn't know where to turn. I was able to give her my phone number and email address and encouraged her to contact me.
So I got out to the car and called Tim to tell him about this "God thing" because it is neat to see all the things that happened yesterday to put me in this store at this moment to be able to share with this person and to make a connection with someone in our target area.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
A Lazy Sunday
Well I am playing around with my blog, trying out new colors and styles. I am a change my purse every day or so gal so I have a feeling that if I am going to be blogging on a regular basis I may be a change my layout every week or so. We will see.
Today was a good day. Since we have been in ministry oh say all our lives, we rarely have a lazy Sunday. Usually it is the busiest day of the week for us. That is hard for one of our boys. He is not a move very fast, get up very early kind of guy. So literally Sundays can be a battle field with me being the drill Sargent and that doesn't promote the idea of peace and harmony in our home.
But today was glorious I tell you. First of all since we aren't having services yet, we are currently church hopping. You know the best thing about church hopping is that some churches actually have an early service AND a late service. Let me tell you that not having to be at church before 11:00 am is complete bliss for me.
This morning all the boys got up on their own. I didn't have to wake one of them up with gentle back rubs accompanied by let's get dressed and I have juice ready for you ONCE you get to the car. Yes that is the way some of our Sunday mornings go.
They got up and had a leisurely breakfast. Since we have been in Texas I have been trying to make Sunday morning a little more special with a hot breakfast. This morning they had cereal and yogurt and hard boiled eggs. So it was our "usual" but it was still good.
Then I actually let them watch TV. Usually TV and any other electronic devices (think handheld games) are a no no on Sunday morning because they are just an invitation for a fight of some type. This morning we had plenty of time and so the boys got to watch TV (still no games).
Then about 10 am we got up and actually left for church at 10:30. We arrived (just in time) to put the boys in their class and slip into the back of the service during the first song.
We were actually visiting a church to hear their worship leader. I don't know if he will work for our context or not. The service was good. I left thoughtfully considering what the pastor said and trying to determine my view. I also left with a renewed sense of purpose. We know we have been called here (to this area of Texas) specifically for the purpose of starting a church different from the norm.
The church we visited in this morning was fine, nothing wrong with their service or theology but they were geared toward those with some understanding of church and religion. Our target is those who aren't wired that way. So once again I feel confirmed that God placed us here for a reason.
On another note, we had our first community event yesterday. We hosted a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt and we had 33 people show up. We met lots of great people and hopefully had the first of many great events to introduce us and our church to the community.
We also connected with a couple who just moved here from Alabama. The same area we lived in. Plus the husband is originally from a town 20 minutes from where I grew up. How cool is that. Oh and the best part they looking for a church home and seem interested in our plant. WOW! We are hoping to connect with them again this week and then set up dinner in two weeks. The husband will be deploying but the wife and her sister are here with the kids. So this is a great family that we can minister to and they may be a part of our launch team. I think it is so cool how God works.
Today was a good day. Since we have been in ministry oh say all our lives, we rarely have a lazy Sunday. Usually it is the busiest day of the week for us. That is hard for one of our boys. He is not a move very fast, get up very early kind of guy. So literally Sundays can be a battle field with me being the drill Sargent and that doesn't promote the idea of peace and harmony in our home.
But today was glorious I tell you. First of all since we aren't having services yet, we are currently church hopping. You know the best thing about church hopping is that some churches actually have an early service AND a late service. Let me tell you that not having to be at church before 11:00 am is complete bliss for me.
This morning all the boys got up on their own. I didn't have to wake one of them up with gentle back rubs accompanied by let's get dressed and I have juice ready for you ONCE you get to the car. Yes that is the way some of our Sunday mornings go.
They got up and had a leisurely breakfast. Since we have been in Texas I have been trying to make Sunday morning a little more special with a hot breakfast. This morning they had cereal and yogurt and hard boiled eggs. So it was our "usual" but it was still good.
Then I actually let them watch TV. Usually TV and any other electronic devices (think handheld games) are a no no on Sunday morning because they are just an invitation for a fight of some type. This morning we had plenty of time and so the boys got to watch TV (still no games).
Then about 10 am we got up and actually left for church at 10:30. We arrived (just in time) to put the boys in their class and slip into the back of the service during the first song.
We were actually visiting a church to hear their worship leader. I don't know if he will work for our context or not. The service was good. I left thoughtfully considering what the pastor said and trying to determine my view. I also left with a renewed sense of purpose. We know we have been called here (to this area of Texas) specifically for the purpose of starting a church different from the norm.
The church we visited in this morning was fine, nothing wrong with their service or theology but they were geared toward those with some understanding of church and religion. Our target is those who aren't wired that way. So once again I feel confirmed that God placed us here for a reason.
On another note, we had our first community event yesterday. We hosted a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt and we had 33 people show up. We met lots of great people and hopefully had the first of many great events to introduce us and our church to the community.
We also connected with a couple who just moved here from Alabama. The same area we lived in. Plus the husband is originally from a town 20 minutes from where I grew up. How cool is that. Oh and the best part they looking for a church home and seem interested in our plant. WOW! We are hoping to connect with them again this week and then set up dinner in two weeks. The husband will be deploying but the wife and her sister are here with the kids. So this is a great family that we can minister to and they may be a part of our launch team. I think it is so cool how God works.
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