My Thirsty Soul

In my devotional this week, from the book, “Satisfy My Thirsty Soul,” I was asked to read Matthew 22:37-39. Summed up it reads, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” THEN “you shall love your neighbor as you do yourself.” The point was to ask yourself, “Do you mix up these two commandments?”

As I strive to be more intimate with God and to really know him, I found myself answering “YES” to that question. I also believe that I am not the only person, especially not the only woman, who finds myself putting service to God first and then time with God second.

In my journal I wrote my response to this and I want to share it with each of you. We are all in service to God together, and it is my prayer that we all, ME INCLUDED, remember our priorities.

“Women were created as helpers and we can sometimes take this to extremes even with the best of intentions – church service, family service, friends, etc… We get so caught up in serving because that’s what God wants us to do, to serve in the house of the Lord, that we all too often forget to worship and serve the One who created us. I can honestly say that I am very guilty of mixing those two commandments up. Isn’t it true that we all too often equate service as worship? I wish that I could say that I am first and foremost a lover of God, not primarily a worker for God. But I can’t. Although my heart and soul does wholeheartedly love my Father in Heaven and my Savior, I have not made the appropriate time to worship Him in honor of that love.”

This book is really, really good.

So, do you thirst for more? Does your heart cry out for something- is there an empty space in your spirit that is waiting to be filled? My heart, spirit, and soul finds that I need to meet with Jesus – one on one – in a great time of worship.

Especially for those of you that I am privileged to work with in nursery/preschool, I challenge and encourage you to answer the following questions. What do you do to put God first before serving others? What does worship look like to you?

Share you thoughts with me. I look forward to hearing from you.

XOXO,
Gail

What's More Powerful......

At the beginning of church services tonight, as our middle school and high school youth flooded the stage with hands held high, praising Jesus and jumping and dancing in worship to our Lord, I thought to myself, "What could be more powerful than to see our youth praising and worshiping Jesus?"

Every week for the past few weeks, God has been reminding me of the awesome things He has in store for the youth in our church, and around the world. I am so humbly honored to be trusted with mentoring to these young people.

Last week, I stood aside in amazement as our middle school pastor opened the alter for the middle school youth to come and meet with God. I wondered to myself, "how many of these children will actually get up and go?" God AMAZED my heart that night. I could hardly move to go pray over the youth because I was so struck by the many that actually came forward. I don't know how many were up there, but there was too many to count and that was awesome!!!

Not only does God have some awesome things in store for the youth that attend our services, but HE has even Greater things planned for His leaders. It's only the beginning and the Spirit is about to overflow!

So, back to my question, "what could be more powerful than seeing youth praising God?" At the end of service tonight, Pastor Corey asked that all of the youth, middle school and high school, to come forward. Then, he asked that anyone who was a parent of one of the children to come forward and find your kid in the group, if not, surround the kids with parents. Then, with the rest of the congregation standing, raising their hands in agreement, parents prayed for their children. How wonderful and powerful to actually get to see parents praying over children, believing for their future and starting their school year off with a mission, to make a difference. I wish that I could have taken a picture of those moments of prayer (as I peeked out the corner of my eye). Youth with their hands raised to the heavens, parents raising their hands to pray over their children, and a large congregation raising their hands in prayer and agreement.

No picture or words would have done that moment justice. (Just tears, as I admit I wiped a few away.)

Thank you, Jesus, for this wonderful day and message tonight. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your mission and allowing me the honor to serve your children. There is power in agreement and when you are among your people. You were there tonight, Father, your Spirit was loud and clear and on the hearts of so many. In Jesus name, I praise thee, Amen.


****The special message for today, "Inconvenience IS Opportunity!" What a new concept for each of us. (Thanks Racheal for re-emphasizing this to me. I almost missed it, but God must have used you again to speak to my heart.) xoxoxoxo

Ahhh....a breathe of fresh air!

Can I just begin by saying that the last 7 weeks have been very stressful and trying! I have finally finished my 3rd course at Regent University, Cultural Diversity. I finished the last of the course work last night at about 1030pm. I am praying for an A!!! After 3 back to back classes, my mind is in need of relaxation so I am taking the fall semester off with hopes of returning in January for the Spring term.

Thank you, Jesus, for being my confidant during this semester. Thank you for providing me with the drive to finish strong.

Dear Mom,

Mom,

God has revealed to my heart a little while back something that He wanted me to share with you, a revelation of what He had planned for me. I’m sorry that it has taken me this long to say it, but as you can understand, “swallowing one’s pride is never fun nor is it easy.” I pray that you don’t mind me sharing this publicly, but it’s a humbling moment for me that I feel others would benefit from hearing.

Growing up, I was always the helper, the “little mommy,” and the one left in charge not just to Brett and Josh, but to some of my cousins as well. Although I loved children and babies, I grew to resent the fact that it was always me who had to babysit or help with the children, always me who was left in charge. This led to me never wanting children of my own. In my mind, “I had helped to raise enough of them already.”

I believe that part of the resentment I felt with regards to that situation was what led me to move out so quickly, carry on my own life and to be the only one to control me. I honestly have to laugh sometimes about what God could’ve been thinking when He allowed me to control my own life. Boy did He have a few surprises in store for me when He felt that I had had enough. I went from being under your control to being under mine, and then God said, “That’s enough, I’m taking over now.”

When God revealed to me that it was His plan for me to be the helper, not just you making me do it, the resentment I felt was unwarranted and needed to be released. As a daughter of the Almighty, I have been called to be a helper, not just to my family, but to the body of Christ. So, I guess what I am trying to say is, “I am sorry, mom, for the resentment and anger that I held against you for so many years!” I realize now, looking back, that God was preparing me and that you were His helper in that training process. Thank you for doing your part! You did a great job with me, even if I do say so myself.

Not to mention, I was more than prepared to care for my own child, Alyssa, when the time came for her to grace us with her presence. Thanks for the preparation and the ongoing help.

I love you, Mom!

XOXOXO,
Gail