Friday, March 4, 2016
Thursday, March 3, 2016
"Are You Okay?"
This morning while I was on gym duty, I watched the following scenario unfold.....Two students were playing basketball and they were scrambling across the court when one of the students fell. Immediately the other student stopped, bent down, and said "Are you okay?"
I grinned as I watched this happen because this is what we are teaching our students. We are teaching them to stop and pay attention. We are teaching them to care about each other. We are teaching them to ask tough questions. And it was in that moment that this blog post came to my mind....
It seems like such a simple question, but it can actually be a pretty tough one especially when you are not sure what the response is going to be.
We are all very busy in our lives, worrying about our own stuff, tending to our own needs, and as a result, we often overlook those around us who need a caring ear, a loving embrace, or a helping hand. Facial expressions, body language, short/curt answers are all signs that someone may not be okay and may need your love and support right in that moment. Do you take the time to stop and ask the question: Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for you?
I have a feeling that many of you do....that's why Bethlehem is the family it is....but I would encourage you to continue to be intentional in this area because I can see that our kids are getting it!!!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and for sending Jesus to be the perfect leader and model of love here on Earth. I pray that you continue to fill our hearts with love, so that we can continue to be your hands and feet not only in our church and school, but also out in our community and across the world. Help us to ask the important question, "Are you okay?" to our brothers and sisters and give us the strength to walk through life together side by side offering whatever support is needed. Amen!
I grinned as I watched this happen because this is what we are teaching our students. We are teaching them to stop and pay attention. We are teaching them to care about each other. We are teaching them to ask tough questions. And it was in that moment that this blog post came to my mind....
Are You Okay?
It seems like such a simple question, but it can actually be a pretty tough one especially when you are not sure what the response is going to be.
We are all very busy in our lives, worrying about our own stuff, tending to our own needs, and as a result, we often overlook those around us who need a caring ear, a loving embrace, or a helping hand. Facial expressions, body language, short/curt answers are all signs that someone may not be okay and may need your love and support right in that moment. Do you take the time to stop and ask the question: Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for you?
I have a feeling that many of you do....that's why Bethlehem is the family it is....but I would encourage you to continue to be intentional in this area because I can see that our kids are getting it!!!
I John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us!"
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and for sending Jesus to be the perfect leader and model of love here on Earth. I pray that you continue to fill our hearts with love, so that we can continue to be your hands and feet not only in our church and school, but also out in our community and across the world. Help us to ask the important question, "Are you okay?" to our brothers and sisters and give us the strength to walk through life together side by side offering whatever support is needed. Amen!
Saturday, February 20, 2016
A Downpour of Unending Grace
Close your eyes and picture yourself standing outside on a warm summer evening in the midst of a beautiful rain shower. The kind of rain storm that helps cleanse the earth. Think about the idea that God's grace is a downpour just like you would feel in that rain storm. What a reassurance this is to me on so many days!
I don't know about you, but I know that I need a heavy shower of grace to cover me in my brokenness. And I am so grateful for the unending love that God shows me in the way of grace and mercy that is so undeserved.
When I read the Psalm below I am reminded that He loves me. He is with me and is just waiting for me to cry out to Him. He is ready to deliver me from whatever I ask....... He saved me!
Just think about that....He saved me!!! I am humbled that I serve a Lord who loves me so much!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, most precious Savior, thank you for loving me enough to send a downpour of Your grace to cover me. There are so many times that I see the great work you are doing in my life, and today I thank You and praise Your name for showing compassion for me and for protecting me from the things I didn't even know I needed protection from. Thank you for saving me. Please continue to surround me with Your presence as I grow in my faith and try to walk out Your ways here on earth. I love you! Amen!
Your
I don't know about you, but I know that I need a heavy shower of grace to cover me in my brokenness. And I am so grateful for the unending love that God shows me in the way of grace and mercy that is so undeserved.
When I read the Psalm below I am reminded that He loves me. He is with me and is just waiting for me to cry out to Him. He is ready to deliver me from whatever I ask....... He saved me!
Just think about that....He saved me!!! I am humbled that I serve a Lord who loves me so much!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, most precious Savior, thank you for loving me enough to send a downpour of Your grace to cover me. There are so many times that I see the great work you are doing in my life, and today I thank You and praise Your name for showing compassion for me and for protecting me from the things I didn't even know I needed protection from. Thank you for saving me. Please continue to surround me with Your presence as I grow in my faith and try to walk out Your ways here on earth. I love you! Amen!
Psalm 116
1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”
5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
for the Lord has been good to you.
8 For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
10 I trusted in the Lord when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord.[a]
Your
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Upcoming Events
Join Us Tonight For Our....
PTL BAKE-OFF
Devotions start at 6:10 p.m. in the church
Yummy Baked Goods
Minute-To-Win-It Family Games
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Just Be Held
I was driving to work this morning when this song came on the radio. I have heard it several times, but today there was one specific phrase that stood out to me.
Romans 8:28 reminds us "God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves Him. They are the ones God has chosen for His purpose."
Wow, right? So often it seems like there are so many things going on day to day, it's hard to see the big picture of what God is doing in our lives. If you're anything like me, I tend to focus on each of the individual pieces that bring worry, stress, uncertainty, and then I lose focus of the big picture. Faith requires that we trust in Him and His plan even if we cannot see how it is all falling into place. We need to know that He is on the throne.
This means that we need to be patient waiting on His timeline not our own, trusting that He knows what is best for us, and prayerful believing that He hears us and is FOR us.
And then we need to step back, rest easy in His arms, and just be held while He weaves it all together into the beautiful masterpiece only He can create!!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and for knitting together an amazing masterpiece in my life. Even when there are times that I don't trust, You continue to prove faithful in bringing together all the pieces of my life as you promise. Thank you for holding me when it seems like it's all falling apart, and for reminding me that you are crafting the beautiful story of my life according to your plans. I can't wait to see what You have in store. I love you, Lord. Amen
"Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place."
Romans 8:28 reminds us "God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves Him. They are the ones God has chosen for His purpose."
Wow, right? So often it seems like there are so many things going on day to day, it's hard to see the big picture of what God is doing in our lives. If you're anything like me, I tend to focus on each of the individual pieces that bring worry, stress, uncertainty, and then I lose focus of the big picture. Faith requires that we trust in Him and His plan even if we cannot see how it is all falling into place. We need to know that He is on the throne.
This means that we need to be patient waiting on His timeline not our own, trusting that He knows what is best for us, and prayerful believing that He hears us and is FOR us.
And then we need to step back, rest easy in His arms, and just be held while He weaves it all together into the beautiful masterpiece only He can create!!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and for knitting together an amazing masterpiece in my life. Even when there are times that I don't trust, You continue to prove faithful in bringing together all the pieces of my life as you promise. Thank you for holding me when it seems like it's all falling apart, and for reminding me that you are crafting the beautiful story of my life according to your plans. I can't wait to see what You have in store. I love you, Lord. Amen
Winter Jam
Several of our middle school students attended Winter Jam 2016 at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Sunday evening. It was an amazing evening of worship and fellowship. The messages spoke truth about hope and life with Jesus Christ as the foundation of your life. I love watching our youth praise their Lord and Savior with such passion and enthusiasm. I continue to pray for all of our students that they may continue to grow in their faith and strengthen their walk with God as they grow in intimate relationship with Him.
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