Greetings!
Hope everyone is doing well, and having a good weekend. I am really enjoying this fall weather. I'm loving the cooler temperatures, beautiful colors, smells, and all the other changes this season brings. =)
This school year has gotten off to a good start so far. I am loving all of my students. Each of them are very special to me.
We are making tremendous progress on our church renovations! Hopefully-we will be back in our sanctuary by December. Everything is looking great!
I pray that each of you find time to relax at least a little each week, and spend time doing something you enjoy! And remember-no matter what you are going through-God is bigger!
Blessings!
-Amy
Friday, October 14, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A father that you CAN trust!
With it being Father's day weekend-I'd like to send out a special note to all the wonderful Father's out there. I hope you all have a wonderful Father's day weekend. I hope that all you wonderful father's feel proud, appreciated, and loved. I am thankful for my father, and for my brothers who are good fathers. So-Happy Father's day to the father's in my family, and to all of you!
I realize that there are some folks who had an absent father, a part time father, and some do not even know their father. If this has been your experience with an earthly father-there is a chance that you may not even be able to appreciate/grasp the love of a Heavenly Father. Let me reassure you today that no matter what kind of earthly father you have-Jesus Christ is a Father that you can always trust. He will never lie to you, He will always comfort you, He will always provide for you, and He will NEVER leave/forsake you. His love is unconditional. There is nothing you can do that will cause Him to with hold his love from you. You will always matter to him, so will your children, and their children. He has already paid the price for everything that you could ever need. So, TRUST Him today, and every day-knowing that He is greater than any earthly father that ever lived-and He longs to be Your Heavenly father. So, if you haven't talked to Him in a while....talk to him now. He will be so happy to hear from you.
Happy Father's Day!!!
I realize that there are some folks who had an absent father, a part time father, and some do not even know their father. If this has been your experience with an earthly father-there is a chance that you may not even be able to appreciate/grasp the love of a Heavenly Father. Let me reassure you today that no matter what kind of earthly father you have-Jesus Christ is a Father that you can always trust. He will never lie to you, He will always comfort you, He will always provide for you, and He will NEVER leave/forsake you. His love is unconditional. There is nothing you can do that will cause Him to with hold his love from you. You will always matter to him, so will your children, and their children. He has already paid the price for everything that you could ever need. So, TRUST Him today, and every day-knowing that He is greater than any earthly father that ever lived-and He longs to be Your Heavenly father. So, if you haven't talked to Him in a while....talk to him now. He will be so happy to hear from you.
Happy Father's Day!!!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Just for the love of it....It's all the reason you need.
Sometimes I think about the "good ole days"-back when I was a child, and I recall the stories my parents told me from when they were children and I am amazed by how things have changed.
Although we live in a day and time where we have more opportunities for people to connect than ever before-it seems that people are even less connected to the people they love than one would imagine.
It got me to wondering-when did people stop going on real picnics? Under a big shade tree with a blanket on the ground for a table-out in the country somewhere in the Spring time with wild flowers growing all around. When did we stop swimming in ponds, lakes, and streams?
I remember the best times of my life was playing softball/kickball with the neighborhood children, riding my bike, and playing games all Summer long! We would play until it got dark-then we would all gather in one neighbors yard when it was so dark we couldn't see, and we would play "ain't no ghost in the graveyard". What wonderful fun we had, and it cost us nothing but time. We did it-because we loved it, and we loved each other!
More memories of my childhood are.....swimming with my friends (who lived in the country) in a pond behind their house. Going for long walks-just to pick flowers. Eating popsicles when it was so hot-they melted before we could eat them. I would go home just long enough to eat dinner with the whole family. Altho' we had more family than space enough to fit around the table.....we had some wonderful times together. Laughter, joking around, and spending time together was something we never lacked. Often times we would go back outdoors after dinner to play with our friends or each other until we had to go to bed. We did it because we loved it, and we loved each other.
I will never forget how we would catch "lightening bugs" as we called them, and put them in jars with holes in the top, so we could watch them "light" up at night.
In the fall and winter of the year-we would build fires outside and roast marshmallows and hot dogs, and just sit outside by the fire as long as we could stand it.
One time we set up a band in our garage and had a neighborhood concert. Almost all the neighbors came out to listen-It was such fun!
We didn't have tv, movies, video games, or much of anything else, but we had each other. We did it all because we loved it, and we loved each other.
We had a closeness as a family that some families do not seem to have these days. I wonder how connected families really are today? I miss those times.
If you are blessed with family (or people) to share your lives with, people that you love-who love you-cherish them with all your heart. Don't ever get too busy to stop and walk thru the flowers just to walk thru the flowers. Or to build a fire just to sit around it and make memories. Do it because you love it, and you love each other. Do it while you can, with whom you can, for as long as you can.
Although we live in a day and time where we have more opportunities for people to connect than ever before-it seems that people are even less connected to the people they love than one would imagine.
It got me to wondering-when did people stop going on real picnics? Under a big shade tree with a blanket on the ground for a table-out in the country somewhere in the Spring time with wild flowers growing all around. When did we stop swimming in ponds, lakes, and streams?
I remember the best times of my life was playing softball/kickball with the neighborhood children, riding my bike, and playing games all Summer long! We would play until it got dark-then we would all gather in one neighbors yard when it was so dark we couldn't see, and we would play "ain't no ghost in the graveyard". What wonderful fun we had, and it cost us nothing but time. We did it-because we loved it, and we loved each other!
More memories of my childhood are.....swimming with my friends (who lived in the country) in a pond behind their house. Going for long walks-just to pick flowers. Eating popsicles when it was so hot-they melted before we could eat them. I would go home just long enough to eat dinner with the whole family. Altho' we had more family than space enough to fit around the table.....we had some wonderful times together. Laughter, joking around, and spending time together was something we never lacked. Often times we would go back outdoors after dinner to play with our friends or each other until we had to go to bed. We did it because we loved it, and we loved each other.
I will never forget how we would catch "lightening bugs" as we called them, and put them in jars with holes in the top, so we could watch them "light" up at night.
In the fall and winter of the year-we would build fires outside and roast marshmallows and hot dogs, and just sit outside by the fire as long as we could stand it.
One time we set up a band in our garage and had a neighborhood concert. Almost all the neighbors came out to listen-It was such fun!
We didn't have tv, movies, video games, or much of anything else, but we had each other. We did it all because we loved it, and we loved each other.
We had a closeness as a family that some families do not seem to have these days. I wonder how connected families really are today? I miss those times.
If you are blessed with family (or people) to share your lives with, people that you love-who love you-cherish them with all your heart. Don't ever get too busy to stop and walk thru the flowers just to walk thru the flowers. Or to build a fire just to sit around it and make memories. Do it because you love it, and you love each other. Do it while you can, with whom you can, for as long as you can.
Monday, April 4, 2011
How Close Are You To Nothing?
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Think about it.....Are you so gifted, but lacking a true love and concern for others-that really you are nothing?.....
I challenge you today as well as myself to be all that God wants us to be-both in talent, gifts, and in sincere compassion and love.
Think about it.....Are you so gifted, but lacking a true love and concern for others-that really you are nothing?.....
I challenge you today as well as myself to be all that God wants us to be-both in talent, gifts, and in sincere compassion and love.
Monday, March 14, 2011
What is your mission statement?
Today I was standing in the entrance of a Cracker Barrel in Terre Haute, In. When a sign hanging on the wall caught my eye.
The sign read: "Our employees are the lifeblood of our business. It’s these employees who help us achieve our mission of Pleasing People®. We want employees who share a common value of mutual respect for all persons regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age or disability."
AS I read this-I asked myself....If I had a mission statement-what would it be? I believe I would borrow part of this sign, and it would read as follows: "God is the lifeblood of my soul. Through me He will share his love and hope to all persons regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age or disability. For:The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised."
That is the message I want the world to see. When they see me....whomever they are-right or wrong-I want them to see Jesus in me. The God of Hope and Glory! Our Saviour and SOON coming king!!!
What is your life saying to others????
The sign read: "Our employees are the lifeblood of our business. It’s these employees who help us achieve our mission of Pleasing People®. We want employees who share a common value of mutual respect for all persons regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age or disability."
AS I read this-I asked myself....If I had a mission statement-what would it be? I believe I would borrow part of this sign, and it would read as follows: "God is the lifeblood of my soul. Through me He will share his love and hope to all persons regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age or disability. For:The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised."
That is the message I want the world to see. When they see me....whomever they are-right or wrong-I want them to see Jesus in me. The God of Hope and Glory! Our Saviour and SOON coming king!!!
What is your life saying to others????
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thieves in the neighborhood....
For some time now the Lord has been dealing with me about the story of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37. A Jewish traveler is beaten, robbed, and left half dead along the road. First a priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan comes by. Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, but the Samaritan helps the injured Jew. Jesus is described as telling the parable in response to a question regarding the identity of the "neighbor" which Leviticus 19:18 says should be loved. Portraying a Samaritan in positive light would have come as a shock to Jesus' audience.
The Bible says that this man FELL among thieves. Imagine with me if you will...a man traveling along on this narrow road-minding his own business-when all of a sudden he is overpowered, and attacked by people who strip him of his clothes, take his possessions, and beat him so badly that he is left "half dead". What is it about this man that caused these thieves to attack him? Who was he? What was he wearing? What did he have? Whatever the case-they left him there to die. The Priest and the Levite (representatives of the church) passed by him on the other side of the road. Now the law said that if they touched a dead corpse-they were no longer holy/clean. But the fact that they passed on the other side of the road without even checking to see if there was any life left in the man-deeply disturbs me. Every time I think of this parable-I am reminded of modern day "hate crimes" which according to FBI statistics have been up to nearly 10,000 reported cases in the last two years. These reported hate crimes were committed against people for reasons of race, religion, sexual orientation, and disabilities. Was this man on the Jericho road attacked because of his race? his religion? his sexuality? or some disability? Only God knows. We know that he was a Jew-and that his "rescuer" was a Samaritan,(one who normally would not even speak to a Jew) yet, this man crossed the road and found that there was some life left to salvage. So, he did what needed to be done, and paid the price to restore this man. In this story-WHO really acted in a Christlike manner? The priests/levite? or the Samaritan?
Speaking now to the church of the living God-my question is: How many times do we as true believers of God-become thieves, and attack others through our harsh judgments, and unkind words? How often do we do other harm, and even though we can see someone is greatly wounded-we pass on the other side and leave them there in their pain-because we do not want to "touch" something that would make us "unholy"? WHEN are we going to realize that EVERYONE is our "neighbor"? That God is the one, true, and only judge. We are simply-His servants. And if we are really going to be like Him-then we are going to touch the unclean, love the unlovable, reach the unreachable, and salvage all the life we can! How many of us are going to cross the road and check for signs of life? Who will pass on the other side?
Who is my neighbor? I tell you: It is the black "thug" down the street, the strung out white girl on the street corner, it is the disabled, poor man living under a bridge, it is the homosexual across town, It is the person of whatever religion you can't tolerate........and the list goes on and on....
And to think-I am just getting started with this...It will be a full blown sermon when I get finished, and I just may stop and preach it at your church......=)
Bless You!
The Bible says that this man FELL among thieves. Imagine with me if you will...a man traveling along on this narrow road-minding his own business-when all of a sudden he is overpowered, and attacked by people who strip him of his clothes, take his possessions, and beat him so badly that he is left "half dead". What is it about this man that caused these thieves to attack him? Who was he? What was he wearing? What did he have? Whatever the case-they left him there to die. The Priest and the Levite (representatives of the church) passed by him on the other side of the road. Now the law said that if they touched a dead corpse-they were no longer holy/clean. But the fact that they passed on the other side of the road without even checking to see if there was any life left in the man-deeply disturbs me. Every time I think of this parable-I am reminded of modern day "hate crimes" which according to FBI statistics have been up to nearly 10,000 reported cases in the last two years. These reported hate crimes were committed against people for reasons of race, religion, sexual orientation, and disabilities. Was this man on the Jericho road attacked because of his race? his religion? his sexuality? or some disability? Only God knows. We know that he was a Jew-and that his "rescuer" was a Samaritan,(one who normally would not even speak to a Jew) yet, this man crossed the road and found that there was some life left to salvage. So, he did what needed to be done, and paid the price to restore this man. In this story-WHO really acted in a Christlike manner? The priests/levite? or the Samaritan?
Speaking now to the church of the living God-my question is: How many times do we as true believers of God-become thieves, and attack others through our harsh judgments, and unkind words? How often do we do other harm, and even though we can see someone is greatly wounded-we pass on the other side and leave them there in their pain-because we do not want to "touch" something that would make us "unholy"? WHEN are we going to realize that EVERYONE is our "neighbor"? That God is the one, true, and only judge. We are simply-His servants. And if we are really going to be like Him-then we are going to touch the unclean, love the unlovable, reach the unreachable, and salvage all the life we can! How many of us are going to cross the road and check for signs of life? Who will pass on the other side?
Who is my neighbor? I tell you: It is the black "thug" down the street, the strung out white girl on the street corner, it is the disabled, poor man living under a bridge, it is the homosexual across town, It is the person of whatever religion you can't tolerate........and the list goes on and on....
And to think-I am just getting started with this...It will be a full blown sermon when I get finished, and I just may stop and preach it at your church......=)
Bless You!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Great times in Texas!
Greetings!!
Last week I returned from the great state of Tx. after being there for 9 days ministering at "The Pentecostals of Santa Fe" in Santa Fe, Tx. What a wonderful time I had there!!! It was great to see old friends, and meet several new ones, The power of God was very rich and real in each service. On my last Sunday there-the Lord helped me to minister in 3 services in a row. One of my favorite experiences was ministering in the Spanish service that day. It was so beautiful to me to see those precious people praying and seeking God with tears rolling down their faces. Hearing them testify in their beautiful spanish language of the miraculous healing power of God was so special to me. I am believing God to do mighty things among them! Also, that Sunday evening I was privileged to baptize one of my friends there in the lovely name of Jesus!
Upon returning home-I have been trying to get rested up, and get back into the swing of things I have to say tho'-I am already counting down the days until Spring break! =)
Last week I returned from the great state of Tx. after being there for 9 days ministering at "The Pentecostals of Santa Fe" in Santa Fe, Tx. What a wonderful time I had there!!! It was great to see old friends, and meet several new ones, The power of God was very rich and real in each service. On my last Sunday there-the Lord helped me to minister in 3 services in a row. One of my favorite experiences was ministering in the Spanish service that day. It was so beautiful to me to see those precious people praying and seeking God with tears rolling down their faces. Hearing them testify in their beautiful spanish language of the miraculous healing power of God was so special to me. I am believing God to do mighty things among them! Also, that Sunday evening I was privileged to baptize one of my friends there in the lovely name of Jesus!
Upon returning home-I have been trying to get rested up, and get back into the swing of things I have to say tho'-I am already counting down the days until Spring break! =)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Enjoying North Carolina.....
Well, I feel as if I have started out the year 2011 in a beautiful/peaceful place! It was my privilege to preach a watch night service at the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church (Pastor Charles Drew) in Southport, N.C. I was very blessed to stay over and preach a few more revival services during the first week of the new year! We saw the Lord bless and move in mighty ways! It was such a time of refreshing for all of us. In addition to my spiritual refreshing-I have thoroughly enjoyed my time of fellowship with the wonderful friends I have here. I was also blessed to meet several new people and make friends with the Rand family. I look froward to being with them and all of my friends here again in the near future.
Tomorrow is my last day here, and I will be honest-I am really not ready to go home. However, I realize that I have responsibilities waiting on me at home as well as a host of family/friends there who love and miss me.Therefore, I must return to them. It is with mixed emotions that I will make my way back home on Saturday. I hate to leave here for several reasons. I have throughly enjoyed the peaceful/relaxation I have found in the beauty of the ocean here as well as the laughs and good times I have shared with my friends here. The Bible says that laughter doeth good like a medicine.....I do believe I should go home before I overdose! =)
I am thankful to God for this time here-it has been a wonderful way to end an old year and start a new one!
Tomorrow is my last day here, and I will be honest-I am really not ready to go home. However, I realize that I have responsibilities waiting on me at home as well as a host of family/friends there who love and miss me.Therefore, I must return to them. It is with mixed emotions that I will make my way back home on Saturday. I hate to leave here for several reasons. I have throughly enjoyed the peaceful/relaxation I have found in the beauty of the ocean here as well as the laughs and good times I have shared with my friends here. The Bible says that laughter doeth good like a medicine.....I do believe I should go home before I overdose! =)
I am thankful to God for this time here-it has been a wonderful way to end an old year and start a new one!
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