On this damp, gray, Thanksgiving morn...

As I sit here at the table waiting for the coffee to brew I can smell the rain in the air. It is gray today, and wet, and I am home this morning, and that is good.
Just a few minutes ago I was lying in bed talking to my Lord. We were going over the things I have found to be profound in my life this past year. We were discussing what I am thankful to Him for.

I am thankful that He is the first voice I hear most mornings and the last I hear at night. I am thankful for the grace He allows me to walk in, not only for myself but through me for others.

And not only grace but mercy and compassion. I am thankful for this new heart of mine that break easily for others now; for a sound mind which is so much easier to live with than the old one.

I love breathing, I love taking in cold, crisp, autumn air. I love letting it go. I thank Him for air and lungs and clear, crisp mornings.

I thank Him for my family. What an honor to be able to see them grow and change and continue to always love me and God; and for the body of Christ that He has placed me in, and pastors I can call friends, a safe place, comfortable when I am with them and they celebrate with me when I go out to the places You send me. They love what God is doing and are happy to let me go. I love coming back though.

I thank Him for teaching me to value the relationships that have come my way this year.

Thank you, Lord. Because of Your Presence in this life of mine I am safe, and calm, and comfortable with who I am (isn't that a miracle in itself, Lord?) and thank You, Lord, my God for being my confidant and allowing me to be one of Yours.

It has been an honor to serve You. I am amazed. I am more than okay. Thank You!

meet my friends...

<-- street ministry at HV.


Tangentral Mind is a good friend of mine. He is new to blogworld. Stop by his place and visit awhile...and let him know you were there. One of my saddest reads lately has been over at Today with a Mission. Sad because Rhymes will not be posting for awhile and his stuff is awesome. Visit there and see what he has posted in the past. Ruth is another I visit on a regular basis. TAlk about being out there beyond the church building walls making a difference...she has my heart. And she could sure use some help keeping her building warm during the coming cold Canadian winters. Read her post...maybe the Lord would have you do something for her.



There are others I visit as well, but for now, the above come to mind. I trust God there is a reason for His bringing these to the forefront...we will see. Be back shortly with another day in the life of me.

How to dress like the Daughter of a King for under $30.00

Where do I begin with the story about S. We met almost two years ago when we both started doing Church in the Park. I came to serve, she came to eat. At first she would hardly talk to anyone. She never smiled. She slept in empty trailers and mobile homes around the city.
As time has gone on she has come to trust us and we have spent many Friday mornings laughing and joking and praying for her mother and her pregnant sister. She loves us now. We love her.
Just recently she has moved back home but still comes for church and lunch every week.
Not too long ago she was sad again. She handed me a police report. I thought she had been arrested or something like that. No. She had been attacked and they found her assailant and jailed him. She was afraid. She was humiliated. He touched her...Let me explain about S....she thinks like a child. She is an adult but she is a child inside. She broke down and cried, terrified at what had happened to her.

Then, the next couple of weeks she seemed to forget about the whole ordeal and was happy again.
Two weeks ago she came with another piece of paper...a subpoena to testify against this jerk. She was petrified and didn't want to face her attacker.
I couldn't blame her, could you?
It was just that morning I struggled with putting $30.00 in my pocket. I don't usually have cash on me ever. It keeps me from spending money that I do not need to be spending. But that morning I put the cash in my pocket.
Back to S....she was terrified and as we were parting for the day she cried because she didn't have anything to wear to court.
I gave her the money. I wouldn't usually do that. I would usually take someone to the store and buy what they needed and leave it at that but because of our schedules, both hers and mine that was just not going to happen.
She promised to use it for an outfit. And she did. We, all the women there got around her and we asked the Lord to go before her in that courtroom and He did.
Because last Friday she came to Church in the Park and was beaming. There she was, Black skirt, bright pink button down shirt, and to top it all off she had the cutest pair of black and pink ballet slippers.
She said, "Guess what?"
"What?" we all said.
"This is my new outfit!" said she.
"You look beautiful!" said I.
"Guess what?" said she.
"What?"
"I didn't have to testify!"
She went on to explain that when she got to court and they guy saw her he plead guilty.
"Who did that for you, S?" we said.
"Jesus?" she asked.
"Yes, Jesus did just what we asked Him to do for you when we all prayed together."
She just smiled.
What a glorious day. God, our God out there under the gazebo taking care of such a motley crew as we all are. Imagine that.
There it is... a day in the life of me...getting to watch God as He touches the lives around me.
Church of Acts alive and well under the trees on a Friday morning.

Just stopping by on my way...

November 2nd started with a breeze...so summer is over, finally. It seemed long this year. It probably wasn't but I thought the heat would never go away.

So, have you tried travelling outside your comfort zone yet? Have you dared yourself to reach out where you would otherwise, in a different time, turn your eyes away? Just wondering.

I finally figured out that more than most things I desire, is the desire to see other believers get out and dare to be wrong, to allow God to make them brave, to Just do it!

To listen to His promptings and go with it.

I guess it would be easier for some if they really really knew that this is not a test and you cannot fail. Your attempt to step outside the walls of your comfort zone is His opportunity to live through you and touch the world.

I've got to go...I just wanted to stop by here and let you all know I think about you often and have just been too busy for my own good.

Drop a line and let me know you how you are faring out there in the world that needs Him...
more to come soon... if I could just catch my breath ;)