Sunday, September 19, 2010

Weekend, a balm for the soul

This weekend I was able to go visit my sister, her husband and two girls. It was so wonderful to see them and the fact that Suzannah is just over a week old and still has that newborn look was just an added incentive! She is so cute, tiny and precious, another reminder of God's amazing gift of life! What a blessing it was to cuddle with my two year-old niece, read books and play all the things two year-olds like to play!

I also had the chance to spend time with my sister, talking, baking, cooking and taking a walk. It's so nice to be able to do that. Gone are the days of our teen years and the fighting that we used to do! While there I made a yummy apple crisp recipe (gluten free, of course!) that turned out really great and was able to chat with my brother-in-law about life, church etc.

Speaking of church. I attended church with my sister and her family and since I have done that many times and have been to gathering with them I know many people that worship with them so it was great to see everyone there. Every couple of months their church does something really unique. They have a family emphasis day where they have the families fill out a prayer card and then at the end of the service they have a time of prayer where each person/family is given the opportunity to meet with a elder and his wife and be prayed over(using the information given on the card), the cards are kept by the pastor and prayed over many times throughout the year. It was so encouraging to see the family of believers pray for one another. It was also a sweet time of worship. I think I will have to give this idea to my pastors. What an amazing thing it would be to see all of the (many) families in my church being specifically prayed for in coporate worship. The pastor had a good message of being part of the family of God, which was a timely reminder for me to not try and do it all on my own, who I am apart of and why and how that came to be. It was also a good challenge to me of what I am doing within the family and how I can make the fmaily grow (i.e. witnessing).

After church we went to my bro-in-laws parents place for lunch and to watch the Packer game and then I headed home (with a detour to Stabucks and Target-but thats besides the point!) for Health care ministry.

To be honest, I didn't want to go tonight despite the message I heard tonight. I knew that once I got there I would be glad I went, it was just getting there that would be a push. I was tired(hence the stop at Starbucks) and wanted to rest in peace and quiet but I am glad I did not follow my selfish desires. As always HealthCare ministry with the teens is fun, challenging and encouraging. You may be wondering why this type of minsitry would be fun and encouraging since challenging is often the word used to describe it. Well, let me tell you, it is trully encouraging to see a group of teens set aside one Sunday a month, to set aside their schoolwork, plans or tv shows to minister to people who are often forgotten or unwanted in a society which is generally selfish and concerned only of the present rewards of life.

As we walk the halls, conversing with a generation forgotten and inviting them to church service we all learn so much. Many of the people there just want someone to listen to them and their many stories or to simply hold their hand. We take them to the meeting room, find them a place to sit or park their chair, give them a song book and start with prayer, reading scripture and singing songs. Oh, what a joy it is to see teens interacting with the residents. It makes me miss my grandparents, whom I was very close to, but also mindful of what part of the body of believers I can be and who they are in the body of believers. After the service we take each resident back to their rooms and say good-bye to them. Each night we know may be the last for one of these residents. We can only hope and pray that they took the Gospel message that they heard tonight to heart.

After Healthcare service we have the traditional trip to McDonald's. Not my personal choice in cuisine nor is it health or Celiac friendly but that is not the point! The point is fellowship and talking about the night of ministry we just had! I returned from a busy night to be a model patient for my sister to practice on. It was fun and she did a great job!

So, there you go, a recap of an eventful weekend in my life! It was a much needed balm for my soul to spend time with family, be reminded of the family of Christ and ministry as one in the family... May you experiance the family of believers in such a way that it renews, restores and encourages you.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Only One Life-C.T. Studd

Only One Life


Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.


Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.


Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.


Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.


When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.


Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.


Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.


Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say 'twas worth it all";
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.


C.T. Studd


This was shared with us at youth group this last Wednesday. It spoke to my heart. So often we take life for granted. We go through each day with the worries of work, schedules, responsibilities and life's challenges but do we stop and think of the one life we do have? I know I am guilty of getting caught up in the throes of life and allowing the stresses to get to me. Am I using my one life to best glorify God by living my life for Him, by sharing the Life we can have in Christ and the One adn only Way to have that eternal life? I am guilty as charged for allowing my one life become less than what it can be.

Recently I have seen various stages of life in a real way when this last Friday my sister had her second baby. A precious little girl who is only just beginning life, her one and only life. God willing she will come to a saving faith at an early age. She must make that choice to make her one life count for what it was meant to be, which is to glorify God in all that she does. On the other side of the spectrum of life, yesterday I attended a benefit for a man my age who is fighting colon cancer. He has one life also. At this point his life is not what he had ever expected or had hoped (at least for the cancer part) but what should our reaction be to this unexpected turn in life be? Glorifying God. I may not have cancer or be raising a child but I must make a choice to glorify God in the life He has given me. Which means glorifying Him, despite the Celiac diagnosis, in the midst of stress, discouragement and loneliness. I will choose to use my One Life to worship Him while I wait for the next chapter in the life He has for me(thus the name of this blog).

May I encourage anc challenge each one of you to life the One Life you have been given to glorify God and at the end may you also say:
'twas worth it all"