Yeah I Said it (10-29-11)

Lessons learned from 1 Samuel 

You don't have to always utter words to pray to God...He hears your heart (1 Sam 1:13).

God's timing is perfect...we just need to trust and have patience (1 Sam 1:20).

"The sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord." (1 Sam 2:12) /// integrity matters.

Talking about something and doing something or completely different. (1 Sam 2:22-25).

"Samuel was ministering to the Lord." (1 Sam 3:1). /// This is where godly leadership begins.

Only God saves. No system or resource can save us. (1 Sam 4:3)

"Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground" (1 Sam 5:1-5). /// No idols can stand before or compare to Jesus.

"Samuel judged Israel all the days of His life." (1 Sam 7:15) /// faithfulness matters

"We also want to be like all nations" (1 Sam 8:20). /// being like everyone else isn't always the best thing to do.

"There is a man of God in this city" (1 Sam 9:6) /// People knew about Samuel's character and reputation. People are watching you.

"I have faithfully walked before you from my youth until this day." (1 Sam 12:2) /// Your testimony matters.

"Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling." (1 Sam 13:7) /// people will follow your lead

"The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart." (1 Sam 13:14) /// Your heart matters to God.

"It may be that the Lord will work for us." (1 Sam 14:6) /// Step out in faith and see how God will come through.

"Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish." (1 Sam 14:7) /// when you are following Jesus you have freedom and grace.

"He has worked with God this day." (1 Sam 14:45) /// By faith we participate with God in what He is doing.

"For the Lord see not as man sees." (1 Sam 16:7) /// I need more Jesus vision.

Past experiences shaped David's current situation(1 Sam 17:36-37). May the situations you are going thru today build you faith for tomorrow.

David didn't wear Saul's armor (1 Sam 17:38-40). You got to be yourself.

"Jonathan loved him as his own soul." (1 Sam 18:1) /// Thanking God for my friends and praying for new ones.

"David had success in all his undertaking, for the Lord was with him." (1 Sam 18:14) /// Having God on your side matters.

"David weeping the most." (1 Sam 20:41) /// saying goodbyes are never fun.

"Jonathan told David" (1 Sam 19:1) /// Good friends warn you with the harsh truth.

"And about 400 men went up after David, while 200 remained with the baggage." (1 Sam 25:13) /// we all have a role to play

Visitors from the North!!

We have been praying for encouragement, and the Lord has sent us a number of visitors to come and stay with us and encourage us! AJ's mom, Jeryl, is here right now from Lake Stevens, Washington. She hadn't seen AJ since he left for his summer mission in the Middle East!! It has been so much fun to show her the area. She's also been lots of fun for the kids--the first morning here, I went downstairs to find her in the kids room dressed up in full pirate gear (bandana and eye patch and everything!) and searching for treasure with Jeremiah and May! :) She and AJ are on a road trip to visit some family in South Carolina right now, so be praying for safety for them and a sweet time together.

My parents were here for a visit and just left this morning. It was so, so good to see them!! They are moving here toward the end of the year, so lots of their visit here was spent looking for a house to live in. The Lord blessed them so much, and they not only found a beautiful home, but the home owners are Christians as well and very supportive of us and interested in our family. My parents made an offer on their home, they accepted it, and now they are Florida home owners!! Praise the Lord! Their home in Olympia also sold the very next day after months of being on the market back home. Now THEY get to do the packing and cross country move. Be praying for them during a very crazy time of transition and moving.

We also have some dear friends who are visiting. My friend, Jessica, came from Olympia for a short visit and left much too soon. She is planning another trip. (right, Jessica??) Also, our friend, Graydon, is coming next week for nine days! We can't wait to see him. 

Jesus just knows exactly what we need. It is a BLESSING to us to have people we love come and spend time with us. We have community group meetings every Tuesday night, and it's also been really special getting to do this with whoever is here with us each week. We have had some very sweet times of prayer and worship together. Remember that if you are ever making a trip down this way, we would love to see you!!

House Hunters in Delray Beach!

After many, many day trips down to Delray, we think we found a place to live when we move next month! We've looked and lots of different homes and condos, and this one seems like the right fit for us--and it's one we can afford! Thank you for praying! The home we found is a "villa" in a gated neighborhood exactly 8 minutes from the downtown area where we are going to be starting the church. A villa is just a fancy name for a really cute four-plex. :) The one we applied for is an end unit with three bedrooms (yay for AJ who has been sharing a room with May and Jeremiah and is READY for some grown-up space!!) and a screened patio in the back. There's even a little fenced yard in the back for the kids to play. The process of being approved for a rental home here is way more extensive than anything back in Olympia! So we are just waiting now to see if they approve our application. You can be praying it all goes thru today or tomorrow. 

Thank you so much for praying for us as we've been looking for the right home in Delray. If everything goes right, we will be moving the first week in December!

(p.s. It's a pink house. :) I'm happy with that! -lw)

Yeah I said it 10-20-11

The fields are ready for harvest...LOOK UP!!! (John 4:35)

God wants to reveal Himself to you...seek Him today!!! (James 4:8)

Death for a Child of God is moving day from a tent to a mansion (2 cor 5:1).

For the Child of God death is victory...it is the release from this tent into a dwelling place made by God for eternity (2 cor 5:1).

These are the days that if you call upon the name of Jesus you will be saved (acts 2:21).

We need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives daily. Have you asked the Father for this gift today? (Luke 11:13)

May you see Jesus more clearly today and know that He does not change (Rev 1:8).

Jesus is our true and faithful witness (Rev 3:14). If you want to know what God looks like look at Jesus.

Through the Holy Spirit you have the power to be a witness to live for Him (acts 1:8).

It is important that we realize we can't live a victorious Christian life without God's spirit (Roms 7:16-25).

Jesus is light and darkness will not overcome Him (John 1:5)

Pictures of Delray Beach, FL

I made it to California and back again :)

Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers while I made my trip out to California for the Calvary Pastors' Wives Conference earlier this month. It was so wonderful having a time to listen to the Lord and see some very dear friends. The theme of the conference was "SIMPLY GRACE" and I was so blessed by the reminder that it is only by his grace that we can live our lives as Jesus calls us--and His grace is exceedingly more than we even need! I have been reminded to pray and ask Jesus for the grace I need to be a mom, a friend, a wife...in the little and big things in my life. Right now, that means asking for grace to care for a sick family. Grace to respond in love, grace to not complain or grow weary, and grace to continue spending time in His Word. All of this is a failure when I try to do it all on my own, or think I can manage to "muster up" the will to do it. I NEED His grace in me every day. Good reminder.

You can still be praying for Daniel and the kids. All of them appear to have the real "flu" or something very similar. 

I also need to mention that Liz Rush and I managed a tornado excursion to Downtown Disney for dinner our first night there. :) We both met up at LAX and whirlwinded it to Anaheim and had a blast in the Disney mecca. :) SO much fun.

Meet: the BEST church planters

Our friends, "Josh and Karrie Best" and their two daughters are going to be having their very first Sunday morning service this weekend! We met Josh and Karrie at the Fit for the Field church planting class we did this Summer at the Calvary Bible College. They are from Big Bear, California and just moved to Palm Springs, California. Josh has been serving in youth ministry for many years, and his family is settling into their new home and ministry and needs your prayers! The Lord called Josh to church plant in Palm Springs, and although Palm Springs isn't that far from their home in Big Bear, it is a huge change and step of faith for them to be leaving it all and following Jesus and His calling for them.

Be praying for them as they reach out to their new community in Palm Springs, which is a very worldly city. 

Pray for Karrie as she is in nursing school as well as serving her family and new church body. 

Pray for their daughters, Amber and Lizzy, as they adjust to their new life in Palm Springs. 

Pray for the lost to come to know Jesus! 

Pray for protection from the attacks of the enemy on their family as they are taking serious steps of faith and obedience.

Pray for friends for the Best family.

Pray for financial support as they are depending on the Lord and His provision for them through others.

This family is a tremendous encouragement to us, and they would love to have your prayers and support. If you are interested in hearing more about their church plant in Palm Springs or would like to contact them, you can e-mail Josh at missionforfishin@yahoo.com. 

Thanks for praying with us!!!

Out at Black Lake...

We were incredibly blessed to get to spend a week out at Black Lake Bible Camp for our last week in Washington. We stayed there last Summer as well, and got to lead a senior high camp in worship for the week. We had a wonderful time worshipping together, and got to spend lots of time with many good friends. Pretty much the whole worship team was out at the lake with us for the week, so it was lots of fun.

Here's a video clip of one of those worship sessions--featuring one of their counselors who joined in on his trumpet! It was sweet.

Yeah I said it 10-3-11

This week’s quotes are lessons I learned from 1 Peter. 

I love how Jesus speaks to me through His Word. 

Be blessed!!!

Christians have an inheritance that will never go away, it is perfect and won't change. Jesus is the great reward. (1Pet 1:4)

"In this rejoice" (1 Pet 1:6). A Christian's Identity in Jesus should cause them to rejoice. Are you rejoicing today?

"Set your hope fully on grace" (1Pet 1:13).

"Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps" (1 Pet 2:21).

True freedom is serving Jesus (1 Pet 2:16). In the natural that doesn't even make sense BUT in the spiritual it is a beautiful truth.

Christians are called to proclaim the excellences of Jesus who redeemed us (1 Pet 2:9).

"Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart...which in God's sight is very precious" (1Pet 3:4) /// Looks aren't everything

If God has blessed you with a wife learn to study her and know her needs (1Pet 3:7). /// I know Laura is reading this...I love you:)

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer" (1Pet 3:12) /// Thank you all for your prayers!

Are you ready to proclaim the gospel in truth and in love today? Always be ready! (1Pet 3:15).

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God." (1Pet 3:18).

Your attitude and thinking is so important... (1Pet 4:1; Phil 2:5; 2 Cor 10:5; Roms 12:2; Col 3:10; Eph 5:10)

In Jesus we can live this life that pleases and honors God. (1 Pet 4:2) He delights in us:)

The Gospel was supposed to be preached to those who are spiritually dead so in the Spirit they may become alive. (1Pet 4:6)

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins" (1Pet 4:8).

You have received a gift by God's grace. Use that gift to serve others. By doing this you will glorify God. 1 Pet 4:10-11

Clothe yourself with humility (1 Pet 5:6). What does this look like for you today?

Be watchful and full of the Holy Spirit today as the devil is always seeking someone to devour (1Pet 5:8).

Don't forget to pray for our brothers and sisters all around the world that are suffering for Jesus (1Pet 5:9).

Stand firm in the grace of God (1Pet 5:12).