Renewed

So I must confess that I went to church today for the 1st time in about 2 months. Well, I did go with mom and dad twice while being at home over the weekends.

And let me just tell you.....I am so refreshed! The past 2 months have been the longest amount of time I have been out of church regularly my entire life. I think I have just realized once again how important corporate worship is, and so refreshed today as I have participated in that again.

The sermon was on Sacrifice. The pastor is going through a series on Romans 12-- which is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible-- and the Holy Spirit was certainly speaking to ME!

I'm not kidding when I say that I would know what the preacher was about to say before he even said it....now is that God talking or what?!? lol

I'm so thankful we serve a God who waits patiently. One who doesn't force us to do anything, but allows us to choose to serve Him.

Yet I fail so often....but I'm glad that when I turn back to him-there He is running back to me!

Now I'm reminded of THIS song "When God Ran".

It means so much to me, and has since I first heard it in middle school.

Now on a side note- I have jumped on the coupon band-wagon! :)

I bought 2 papers today, and have spent the past hour cutting them and organizing them in my handy-dandy little box that my lovely cousin, Danielle gave me. You can go to her blog for lots of couponing tips!

Now to listen to "When God Ran".....seriously, take time to listen to it!

Thank You for giving to the Lord

Reminiscing today by listening to some Ray Boltz songs on youtube. The first was "Feel the Nails" as it has been on my heart all week.

Which then lead to "Thank You" which is one of my all time favorites. That is when I had the urge to blog.

This song reminds me of all of those who have served the Lord and influenced my life because of it. Just wanted to mention a few of those people.

First and foremost- my parents. Throughout my entire life, they have been such great examples, and still are! They assured we were in church every time the doors were open. Not to just say we went, but to grow.

Last night while reading my Bible, I came accross this verse which I've never really read before.

Malachi 2:15 (The Message)

"Ad what does he (God) want from marriage? Children of God, that's what!"

NIV- "Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and Spirit they are his. And why? Because he was seeking godly offspring."

Hmm.....so God wants Godly children to come from marriage. Maybe that's what my parents had in mind while teaching us and having us raised in church.

Not only that, but I can remember several times of the 4 of us sitting in the living room doing a Bible Study together. One particular time comes to mind, were we were all on our knees praying and crying out to God together. Not sure how old I was at that time....maybe 10 or 11. But I know I would not be where I am (spiritually, emotionally of physically) if it weren't for my parents "giving to the Lord" as the song says.

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Another couple that comes to mind is Steve and Shari Chamblee. They are now my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. But when I met them at the age of 12 or 13, that was certainly not on my mind.

Their "giving to the Lord" helped me throughout my teenage hears. Steve was my youth pastor at church and taught me so much mainly about the importance of studying and reading the Word DAILY. Shari on the other hand was always there telling me to stay away from boys. lol

But mainly, I am thankful for their service to the Lord because it ultimately brought Michael and I together. That is how we met. Not only at Mt. Vernon where I was in the youth group, but they later answered the call to serve at Pate's Chapel Baptist Church in Jemison. This happened my senior year of high school.

Little did I know that I would attend college 30 minutes from there, which would cause Michael and I to cross paths one again......this time falling in love! God has blessed me so much because of Steve and Shari's service!!

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Some others in my life that come to mind...

*Mrs. Mary Cordes- she taught GA's and Bible Drill at church. I can remember being in her classes from the time I was in about the 3rd until 6th grade.

*Mrs. Guin- (not sure if that's spelled right) but she taught my sunday school class

*Gail & Devane Williams- taught discipleship class on Sunday nights. I learned so much from them!

*Mrs. Dot Beason- sweet sweet lady.....taught some class at some point growing up.

*Sean Thornton- BCM Director throughout college

*Pearline Burns- Director of Savannah Baptist Center (where I did Summer missions in 2007)

And I know there are so many more. I just really wanted to remember a few of them.

Why don't you think back on those who have spiritually influenced your life??

Have you impacted the life of another?