Joe...this one is for you....

I just got done reading Joe Whitson's blog:

The Curiosities of a College Kid

The Day to Day Ramblings of an Observing Student. If you want to know what life in Darkur, Senegal is like, read Joe's blog.

He apologizes for not writing more often on his blog...and that he can't promise he'll be more faithful now. I feel Joe's angst. I , too, have a problem with being a consistent writer on my blog.

But one of my commitments on our 'prayer & fast' Cabin Time, was to be more consistent with my writing, on all my blogs. Yep...I have more than one.

But back to Joe...read him, and write him comments. It'll be fun reading for him!

Life Goes By

How many times, in how many ways, in how many different blogs, do I need to apologize for abandoning my writing? 77 times 7. But I'm back, and happy to be back, though it may continue to be sporadic.

A Great Commission Woman. What is she? She is a woman, whose life is fully devoted to Christ, and is fully devoted to going the distance of making disciples of all nations.

So what is this Great Commission woman up to? My spiritual tectonic plates are in upheaval. Just as earthquakes are increasing, so are the spiritual activities in my life increasing. Let me give you a peak into my 'topography.'

Son number one just left his girlfriend of 3 years, whom he left WIFE # 1 for. He was 'in love.' Now he's fallen 'out of love'. He's lonely. But he's not interested in peeking into a relationship with God again. Or yet.

Son number two is getting married in July. Son number two is also unemployed and looking for employment.

Son number three has two more weeks of college before he graduates. He has a photography business to develop. He has a girl he is interested in.

So what does this have to do with me? It is developing me FURTHER in the area of PRAYER. And Sunday's message at Evergreen-Blm. was so apropos. It was on worry and prayer.I think in future days, I will make this site all about prayer.

For now, I will give you a synopsis of what Spencer spoke about. And it comes in a nutshell. Philippians 4: 6-9 is the verse passage: "Don't worry about anything: INSTEAD Pray about EVERYTHING. Tell God what you need, and Don't forget to THANK HIM for what He has done.

Then it talks about our thought life. "Fix your thoughts on " ... all that is good. And DO..."practise ALL you have heard from me and see in me.'

Spencer could have written the thoughts into a memorable, little song: "Pray like you oughta pray. Think like you oughta think. Do what you oughta do." I think I'll suggest it.

Anyway...it's been one of the best messages at Evergreen. I told Brent this, and he replied, "Yeah...whenever you teach on worry....EVERYONE LISTENS. Cuz EVERYONE'S worrying about something."

Prodigals

A friend just sent me a note, saying this: "Our children are sometimes meant to be a living example of the fact that we do not inherit our faith -- we choose it for ourselves -- God had children, but no grandchildren. "
What's your response?

From Our Egreen: an Eprayer

E-Prayer:: $10,000 was collected this past weekend at Evergreen for Kids Against Hunger. This brings our grand total to $35,000. Praise God for this! We’ve got two all-day pack-a-thons coming up on February 20 and 27. These will be logistically challenging events to pull off. Pray that God would grant plenty of grace to the team of people organizing this. Pray that God would create in us a greater heart for the lost through participation in the pack-a-thons. And pray that non-Evergreeners would participate with us.

Face the 'test of greatness.'

I'm re-reading The Relationship Principles of Jesus, by Tom Holladay. Great book. One of the principles that resonated the most with me was Relationship Principle #5: The Greatest Are the Servants.
On p. 254 Tom writes this: "Every day we face a simple test of greatness: 1. I will exalt myself.
2. I will humble myself. [check one.]
So today: CHOOSE to humble thyself.
Tom says, "It is God's choice how he will respond to our humility."
And God's choice? God CHOOSES to exalt those who humble themselves.
God's economy. A good thing.

Social Networking

1 Corinthians 9: 22, 23 says this: "I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. " I really like this verse. It's a great "evangelism' verse. It's a great 'gospel-living-sharing' verse.

Which leads me to social networking. Granted, I'm an 'expressor', a communicator. But I love that we live in the 'Media Age' where we have so many outlets to broadcast and communicate. I haven't figured out YouTubing yet, and all the video communication one can do. But I do love Twitter, Facebook, and the array of blogs out there.

Which leads me to my point: use these social networking venues to live out and share your faith. I've discovered Twitter and Facebook are great places to Speak The Word to your people. Every morning I take my cell phone into my bedroom, where I have my quiet time, and as God speaks to me, I 'tweet' my different verses to my Twitter account. Whoever follows me on Twitter can get a good verse for the day. You can do the same thing on your facebook. Share a verse, quiet time thought, or a prayer request.

In Psalm 9: 1, King David says, "I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done. I will be filled with joy because of You." Be a teller. Be a broadcaster. Let Twitter be your 'tract'.

75% off all Coldwater Creek

If you like Coldwater Creek, through today, Jan. 6, they have 75% off all product on their on-line site. I just discovered this on my WW staff site. Happy Shopping!

A Great Christmas Quote

A great quote from Evergreen-Bloomington's Facebook Christmas day post:
"One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper was not hostile; he was not opposed to them, but his inn was crowded; his hands were full; his mind was preoccupied.
This is the answer that millions are giving today. Like a Bethlehem innkeeper, they cannot find room for Christ. All the accommodations in their hearts are already taken up by other crowding interests.
Their response is not atheism. It is not defiance. It is preoccupation and the feeling of being able to get on reasonably well without Christianity." -Billy Graham

Inaugural Great Commission Woman Post!

My dear Great Commission Women, Sisters, and Friends,

Welcome to the the Inaugural Post of my new blog, Great Commission Woman. I've been wanting to do a new spiritual blog for some time, right here on Blogger. I like this venue better than my old standby, Xanga. I'm not saying I'm going to abandon Xanga, but this will be my new venue to post/ comment/ expound/ on all things Great Commission Woman-esque.

The event that tipped the scales for me was 2009 FaithWalkers. So much was said, and happened that I wanted to comment about/ and promote/ and feature. So...here goes nothing...and here goes a lot!

And this can be your site too! If you want to suggest something, be a featured writer, or comment, just have at it [but of course, I'll be the Editor-in-charge. ]

And now, my first thought, for the Inaugural Post: I suggested in my message called "The Great Commission Woman" [of course...we're onto a theme here, gals!] that if you don't have a Bible-reading plan, to get a NLT One Year Bible, and start reading it daily! I have resumed the daily reading of the One Year Bible, and I have been blessed and encouraged. I love reading Genesis and I love reading Matthew.
My verse from Jan. 3, is Matthew 4: 4: "People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every world of God."

This was a good verse for January 2, for Brent and I both did "DAWG Days": Day Alone With God, pray and fast days. Fasting...skipping meals, to show God that you're serious about seeking Him: that His word is more important than food, is such a good practise.

If you haven't ever had a DAWG day, or haven't had one for a while, it's a great way to start off the new year. Set apart a day, find a quiet place, and use the solitude time for connecting with God. Worship. Read long expanses of Scripture. Pray. Nap. Work on goals. Go on a prayer walk. Whatever and however God leads you.

Well, that's all for now. I look forward to talking to you again. Stay tuned. Adios!