CALLED...a piece of my heart

A PIECE OF MY HEART...
I wanted to share another piece of my heart this week as my heart is so full this morning! Yesterday I shared with you that we are at district council and last night my husband became officially ordained with the Assemblies of God!

WHAT A POWERFUL NIGHT!

There were 18 all together becoming ordained. And since the lineup was alphabetically, we were the first ones to lead the line out. From the time the entrance door opened up for us to go into the service...I felt an overwhelming power of the Holy Spirit! As we walked in the sanctuary in front of over 1000 people all I could do is smile from ear to ear. SUCH JOY OF THE LORD!

Our District Superintendent, Larry Moore, did such an awesome job as he ushered us into proclaiming the call on our lives as ministers. His sermon wasn't about Job, it wasn't about Joshua, it wasn't about Moses....it was about those who have been called in the state of Arkansas who are laboring for the kingdom of God. Brother Moore shared numerous reports from Pastors in our area that are toiling and planting. Most of these churches started small with only 5 in attendance, but what a blessing to hear our District Superintendent report how 5 turned into 10 and then 30 and now 75! SUCH JOY OF THE LORD!

As I stood in that ordination service with my husband, I was humbled and moved by the power of God. The call that God had placed on our hearts and in our spirits many years ago was coming to fruition, God's stamp of approval was placed upon our heads.

Romans 8:28 reminds me that He has a good plan for our lives!
Luke 1:79 tells us He is guiding our steps toward peace!
Psalm 103:5 promises us that He will bless us with good things!

As we came forward to be prayed over, what a blessing to be prayed over by an Executive Presbyter that we have been acquinted with for years. Bro. Wayne Gore. God's presence was so heavy at that moment that all I could do is pray in my heavenly language. Later Clayton told me that he was so humbled and emotional he could not even pray. Clayton was moved to tears. I was moved to tears. And Brother Gore was moved to tears. SUCH JOY OF THE LORD!

We are humbled and honored to be CALLED His children.
We are humbled and honored to be CALLED to serve.
We are humbled and honored to be CALLED!

It is not something we take lightly. There is SUCH JOY serving our Lord!

What have you been CALLED to do for the kingdom? Receive the JOY OF THE LORD and don't give up on your dreams. It is His desire to give you the desires of your heart!

and that's a piece of my heart today;

Blessings, Laurie

A huge THANK YOU to all of our church family who drove the hour and half drive to share this special moment with us. Your love, your prayers and your support means more to us then you will ever know. We love all of you so much and thank the Lord for each of you!!

THE CLOUD...a piece of my heart

This morning we are in Little Rock at the Arkansas District Council. We arrived yesterday. Tonight is a VERY special night for our family, as my husband will be ordained in the annual ordination ceremony. This is a personal goal and dream coming to fruition after many years. God is faithful! At last nights service, the message was about not only seeking God's will for your life and for your ministry but remaining in God's will. I would like to share some thoughts I came away with after hearing the message last night:

God puts a cover of cloud over his children. Meaning that He goes before you, He will protect you, He will guide you, He wants the best for you! Just like a parent who wants nothing but the best for their children. I, as a Mother would do anything for my children especially to enable them to pursue their dreams and abilities and their God given talents. As much as I would do for my children, God will do even more than that for His children!

There is PEACE in being in God's will!
There is COMFORT in being in God's will!
There is OBEDIENCE in being in God's will!
There is POWER in being in God's will!

So if God puts a cloud over His children, what happens when the cloud moves? Sometimes we can be moving right along, happier than a pig in mud (so to speak) and God can move our direction. What do we do?

Is God asking you to start a new ministry?
Is it time to give up teaching your sunday school class to teach a Bible Study?
Is God calling you into fulltime ministry?
Has God burdened you to switch careers?
Is it time for you to plant a church? become a missionary?

Even when the cloud moves, God is still in it. Will you be obedient and follow the cloud (follow God's will)? There is ever so much JOY in being in God's will.

Seek the cloud today.

and that's a piece of my heart today!
blessings, Laurie

GRAND ENTRY...this weeks devotion

Thank you for joining me today for this weeks devotion. It is my prayer that your heart will be challenged and stirred by God's Word!

Do you remember the Star Wars movie, "The Empire Strikes Back"? In this movie, Luke Skywalker is sent to be trained as a Jedi Knight by a Jedi master. The one to whom he is sent has the reputation of being a great warrior and perhaps the only one who can prepare Skywalker to face Darth Vader. We are made to wonder what this great warrior will look like. Will he tower over those around him as Darth Vader does? Will his muscles ripple as he moves and will he speak with a commanding authority which pulls others to him in obedience? Of course, if you are familiar with this movie, the one we finally encounter on the screen is short, pudgy, and wrinkled and walks with a waddle.

The surprise that moviegoers had in meeting Yoda was probably not unlike the surprise of some who had encountered the latest candidate for Messiah over two thousand years ago. Jesus came into Jerusalem with plenty of fanfare, but surprisingly He came in on a donkey rather that a war horse.

A conquering king or one seeking an earthly kingdom or prestige would have ridden on a war horse. Horses are "parade" animals and they can prance down the road with dignity and elegance. A donkey is a servant animal, or a "beast of burden". Common people used donkeys to carry their loads. They clunked down the road with tiny little strides, bouncing around whoever was riding. In comparision to a war horse, it was like entering in an old VW minibus instead of a modern luxury SUV.

MATTHEW 21:1-11 "When they approached Jerasulem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, telling them, 'Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. (3) If anyone says anything to you, you should say that the Lord needs them, and immediately he will send them.' (4)This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled (5)Tell Daughter Zion, 'See, your king is coming to you, gentle and mounted on a donkey, even a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.' (6)The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their robes on them, and He sat on them. (8) A very large crowd spread their robes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. (9)Then the crowds who went before Him and those who followed kept shouting: HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVD! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST HEAVEN! (10) When He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken, saying, 'Who is this?' (11) and the crowds kept saying, 'This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee!"

Many of the people who had gathered were hoping that Jesus had come to fullfill the "Son of David" prophecy (Zech.12:6,8-9) which had spoken of another military hero. But the Messiah who had entered on a donkey made no claim to this military power they were seeking. He was simply not what they had expected.

In the movies, Yoda showed that he had far more power than he appeared to have. Jesus Christ eventully manifested His great and awesome power. It was a different kind of power than what was expected, instead of a power to change governments, it was a power to change lives!

Are you leading others?

What are people looking for and expecting in your leadership?

Do others see servanthood in your heart and in your actions?

Most people would see the term "powerful servant" as a oxymoron. Servants are weak and subject to the ones they serve. But Jesus came into this world to turn everything upside down and make it so the "first will be last and the last first" (Matt. 19:30). When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He was serving notice that the power structures of the world were changing. Now the greatest servant of all would be the most powerful king of all.

So...what can we learn from Jesus' example and how do we follow His footsteps? Obviously, riding down the freeway on donkey is not a viable option! Nor are many of us likely to become the center of attention in a parade. However, what happened on Palm Sunday shoud say some things to us about what kind of leaders we should aim to become. Here are some essentials:

1. CHRISTIAN LEADERS SHOULD FOCUS ON BEING HUMBLE SERVANTS

We may not ride on a donkey, but we should aim for having the same spirit in all that we do.

2. WE SHOULD NOT THRIVE ON POWER, BUT KEEP OUR FOCUS ON THE RIGHT GOALS

Power is not to dominate others or to enhance our own ego. Power in itself is not bad, how it is used is what determines if it is good or bad. We should use our power in our leading as Jesus did...to change lives.

3. CHRISTIAN LEADERS SHOULD NOT SO MUCH SEEK TO BE WHAT OTHERS EXPECT THEM TO BE ...BUT WHAT GOD CALLS THEM TO BE

The people of Christ's day did not expect Him to be the kind of Messiah He was, but He was the kind of Messiah that God called Him to be. Remember this when people in your realm of influence pressures you to "do it like it has always been done."

In last weeks YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I asked the question, "what are likely to do when making an entrance at a party or gathering." The top 3 results are:

1. 50% voted that they "arrive early and help with the work".

2. 28% of those polled said they "slip in when no one is looking."

3. 21% voted that they "scout out who is there before making their move."

I conclude this weeks devotion with this...when entering a crowd of people, (whether it is a party or a gathering or a dinner) what is your focus?

Is it to be the center of attention

or is it to serve others like Christ did?

Would you arrive on a war horse or a donkey?

My prayer is that this week as you have influence on those around you, (those you work with, those in your family, those in your church, and even those that are strangers that you rub shoulders with) that you will speak Gods love and truth in the power that God has given you.

Have a blessed week!

Laurie

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...a piece of my heart

A PIECE OF MY HEART...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I would like to wish all of you precious ladies a very HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! A special greeting I would like to send to two special ladies:

To my Mother....

* who raised me, along with my two brothers as a single Mom. Bless you!

* who brought me to church and introduced me to the message of Christ. Bless you!

* who always believed I could be anything I wanted to be. Bless you!

To my 2nd Mother...

* who raised my husband in a Christian home, instilling good character and a love for God. Bless you!

* who taught my husband to love and cherish his family by living the example in front of him. Bless you!

* Who always believed that God had great plans for my husbands life. Bless you!

"My mother said to me, "If you become a soldier you'll be a general; if you become a monk you'll end up as the pope." Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso."- Pablo Picasso

We are who we are because of your example!

Because of your love!

and Because of your prayers!

HAVE A BLESSED MOTHER'S DAY!

Blessings, Laurie

THANKFUL THURSDAY....teachers

GIVING THANKS TO

THOSE WHO TEACH...

It is coming to an end ...ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR. This is a special year for our family as we have another child embarking on that remarkable avenue of High School Graduation. Jordan, son #3 signs out of school today, and will walk the aisle next week to recieve his diploma that he has studied and worked so hard for during the past 12 years.

As I thought about what I could offer up thanks for this Thursday, I recalled the many "teachers" that have come across my path that I am very grateful for. So here is my THANKFUL THURSDAY this week:

TEACHERS

1. I AM THANKFUL for women in my life, such as my Grandmother, my Mom, my Aunt and later in my life...my Mother in law...who all invested in me and taught me how to cook, bake, clean, and be a godly woman.

- I am who I am partly because of your example!

2. I AM THANKFUL for the teachers who taught me the 4 R's in school. Reading, wRiting, aRithemetic. and fourthly... Red shoes! Yes, you heard me right....in 7th grade I had the most awesome teacher who believed in having shoes that matched your outfit. It was not just black shoes or brown shoes, but no matter what color the outfit...the shoes matched!!

- I am the shoe fanatic that I am partly because of your influence!

3. I AM THANKFUL for my children who have taught me so many life lessons.

• Like what happens to your plumbing if a two year old shoves a magnifying glass down the commode?
• Or how fast can you stop a city bus driving by if your toddler runs outside buck naked?
• How many stitches does a face require if you allow a baseball bat to hit it?
• What would happen if you and your friends hold out a baby robin to your beagle dog?

-If it hadn't been for your adventures, I would still be a brunette instead of gray haired covered up with beauty shop magic...HAIR COLOR!

4. I AM THANKFUL for the greatest Sunday School Teacher in the world! (I might be partial because he is my husband) His insight and encouragement to dig into Gods Word deeper and learn it in a way that I could turn around and teach it has caused me to read differently, learn differently and study differently.

-I learn in a new way because of your encouragement!

5. I AM THANKFUL for the greatest Teacher that ever lived on earth. I have not come face to face with Him yet, but our hearts are intertwined and His spirit lives within me. He has left me the greatest book of instructions for living my life and it has taught me so much ....it is the Bible.

-I walk, talk and think differently because of You! You are the love of my life... and the air I breathe ...and the reason I give thanks. Thank you for not just teaching love but living love!

PROVERBS 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

EVERYDAY WE ARE LEARNING!

EVERYDAY WE ARE TEACHING!

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED TODAY THAT YOU CAN TURN

AROUND AND TEACH SOMEONE ELSE?

This is today's THANKFUL THURSDAY, for other thankful hearts...check out IRIS and the other thankful thursday postings!

Blessings, Laurie

BURNING FIRE...a piece of my heart

A PIECE OF MY HEART

1 CHRONICLES 22:19 "Now determine in your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God."

BURNING FIRE

This past weekend, our family gathered at our house for a good 'ole fashion bbq in our backyard. We grilled the traditional hamburgers and bratwursts (something folks in the south do not know about)(they obviously don't know what they are missing!)

The weather was so lovely here in the south that we all sat out in the backyard and ate. It was a great family time. Shortly after we ate, we all sat around our outside firepit. (it's GREAT! it is like camping in your backyard!) We broke out the marshmellows, and roasted marshmellows and made smores. What great fun!

We sat around the fire probably a couple of hours; building the fire, stoking it and allowing the flames to relax us. There is nothing more comforting and relaxing to me as sitting around a good campfire!

Building and stoking the fire took some effort. At one point, we sent our 12 year old daughter to the front yard to gather some sticks. She went running with a bucket and came back with several sticks in the bucket, but what a hilarious sight to see her dragging a huge branch! She was bound to keep that fire going!

Sitting around this fire reminded me of the effort that each of us as christians need to make to keep the fire burning within us. If we don't stoke the fire (grow in Gods Word and truth) we will become like an unattended burning fire...

...we will burn out!

...we will dry up!

...we will become useless!

The feeling of peace and comfort that settled over me as I sat around that campfire is the same kind of feeling that Gods fire (the Holy Spirit) offers to us each and every day. It is in the "fire" that often times we feel and see God's presence.

DANIEL 3:15b "But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?"

Let each of us not allow the spiritual fire die out. If you look very carefully, like King Nebuchadnezzar did...YOU WILL SEE THE FOURTH MAN IN THE FIRE!

and that's a piece of my heart today,

Blessings, Laurie

"tuned" CHARACTER...Weekly Devotion

Thank you for joining me for this week's devotion. It is my prayer that your heart will be challenged by the Word of God today.


"tuned" CHARACTER...

This past week on the YOUR OPINION MATTERS poll, I asked the question "What would you least likely do that would lower your standard". The top responses were...

• 76% voted that they would NOT purchase beer for an underage relative
• 15% also voted that they would NOT get a tattoo
• 7% said they would NOT watch soap opera's

How interesting that no votes were cast for such things as: I would NOT play the lottery or I would NOT watch reality television. Does this mean that the 3 top selections were considered far worse things or does it suggest that we, as Christians, have a level of standards that are more easily lowered?

When I was younger I often related "characters" to cartoons. Cartoon characters took on certain attributes and could always be expected to deliver exactly what they had been painted to do...

• ROAD RUNNER...quick, fast and always chasing his enemy. But never catching him.
• BUGS BUNNY...the "what's up doc?" rabbit who always got himself out of tight spots.
• POPEYE...with just the right amount of spinach could overtake anything, especially Brutus.

We, as Christians, often times are like cartoon characters that have attributes that often stick with us!

"If a duck walks like a duck and sounds like a duck...its probably a duck"

This saying is true. The outside package is usually what you can expect on the inside. The inward character can be tested by what is seen outwardly.


• Is it easy for you to stretch the truth?
• Are you quick to anger?
• Do you consider it alright to cheat alittle?
• Do you speak negatively about others?
• Do you find it difficult to forgive others?

Paul speaks about building our character, developing a righteous and holy character. This tuning of our character first begins in our mind. (Eph. 4:23...be renewed in the spirit of your mind) and then Paul gives us a character checklist to follow...



EPHESIANS 4:25-32

Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another. (26) 'Be angry, and do not sin', do not let the sun go down on your wrath, (27) nor give place to the devil. (28) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. (29) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. (32) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."


What attributes does your character reveal to others?
Is your character as sure footed as bugs bunny or the road runner?
Can those around you count on you to deliver exactly what you say?

"Dear Lord, I pray that what others see in my character will be uplifting and pleasing to you. I pray that my yes would be yes and my no would be no and that my standards of living, based on your Word, would not falter or easily be changed. Help me Lord to tune my character, so that Your Spirit, Your love, Your light will ooze out to be seen by others. amen."

Have a great week!



Blessings, Laurie







THIS WEEK ON YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL....Please take time to vote in this week's poll asking the question..."What are you most likely to do when you make an entrance into a gathering?" YOUR OPINION REALLY MATTERS!