We are God's Workmanship...

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions

--it is by grace you have been saved.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us

with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

--not by works; so that no one can boast.

For we are God's workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

--Ephesians 2:4-10

I find that I miss the mark in much of my life...wife, mom, sister, friend...but if I catch this right, God is rich in mercy...He made me alive...ALIVE...in Christ while I was dead in my own mess. He's saved me by His grace...so that I can be raised up with Christ...to show the coming age the incomparable (and incomprehensible for me) riches of His Grace...by saving even ME...even me in all my 'mark-missing'...in all my 'human-ness'...

As Christians we know that our 'works' don't save us...we say that out loud...but do we live like it? We look at this verse and get the sinking feeling that God does have a 'to do' list out there with our name on it. So we spend much time, on top of everything else we 'do' looking for our 'niche' in ministry...or questioning constanly our Great God about 'what to do next'...don't gem me wrong...much much time spent in prayer is a Good thing...Seeking God's face on all matters is foundational for our lives...but I seem to get bogged down in the 'day to day' things or the 'service-type things' that I feel compelled to do...

He does have a plan for our lives...He does love us...He does use us to further His kingdom. Our own 'To Do List' , I'm thinking, looks a lot different than God's 'To Do List' for us, remember: He prepared in advance for us to do.

Because we live in this era of history...our list gets long and cumbersome because we want to do it all, get it all done...and while there is nothing wrong with doing our part...we get those priorities SO out of whack sometimes that that list becomes our driving force for the day. We wake up, focused on the task at hand, and we're off to the races...not giving our King a thought...or a glance...or even an acknowledgement that He's still on His throne...whether we're too busy to talk to Him or not.

We are God's workmanship...

He's crafted us to do exactly what He intended us to do with our time. And, according to the writer of Psalm 139, none of our days is a surprise to Him, He thought of each day before one of them came to be! I am convinced that much of our stress in life comes from not living there...from living to please everyone, including ourselves, else but our God.

...created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Catch that 'to do'. Here's the to do: Bring Glory & Honor to His Name...in everything you do...attempt, feel, say and DO. Slow down...pray that He order your day first...to take away things that you've put there that don't need to be there...to put in things that He intends to use to 'Bring Glory & Honor to His Name'...

And, for those of us who like to write on our post-it notes exactly what we have "to do" today: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God.--Micah 6:8

It all ties together to make our days honoring to our Father with our interactions with others, both those in the body of Christ and those that are not yet a part of that body. We do fall down...but sometimes, it's from exhaustion from trying to 'do enough' or 'be good enough'...remember the grace...remember the mercy...and remember that God loves you no matter what...He created you...and He has the plan to transform your life to transform YOU to His likeness...just slow down so you can hear Him...We are God's Workmanship...

Delight...got it?

Wow, did you hear me say in my last post: 'Busy August, So Far, But School is COMING?'...well, it did!

School started this week in our town. Our twins, 7th graders, are now attending a beautiful, newly remodeled building. 'Gorgeous' and 'Awesome' are the words I've heard all week to describe the space. Will they learn anything because the building has been completely remodeled? I don't know. Do Middle schoolers actually 'learn'!??!--We'll know in a few years! But, the girls are happy with the routine, and they are happy to be connected to their friends face to face every day...so: "It's gonna be the BEST year ever!"

Our oldest daughter is planning her little one's birthday parties...already...Will will turn 4 in October...Pirates...that's his chosen 'theme'! And, he'll be decked out in a Pirate costume, complete (which makes me laugh!) with a parrot on his shoulder, an eye patch and a hook for one of his hands!
Baby Ally, as Will calls her, "CoCo" to the rest of the family, will turn 1 in November!!! Pink with polka-dots is all I know, but I'm certain it will be cute, complete with a PINK Velcro-crown and she'll have fun eating cake!

Our second oldest daughter has, just this week, moved in to her 'dorm' at Disney World, where she'll be working until January as an intern. She already loves it. She assured me before she left that, although when she was younger she thought Goofy was 'real'...she knows they are just people dressed up as characters, playing a part now! What can I say? She's always loved the 'magic' there! And, so, probably upon arrival she loved it, even though she didn't really feel like she knew what to expect...she'll catch on quick, though! She'll be working at HollyWood Studios, in merchandise. She has three room mates, all from the north east, and all very fun. --wouldn't that sort of be a pre-requisite for working in a place like Disney World...a 'fun' personality? No worries, Holly certainly has that one!

Earlier this month Randy went with me to my 30th class reunion picnic. It was fun to see some of the people I hadn't see in such a long time! Great stories, and a little time to 'catch up' with different ones. Of course, Face Book helps with that, as well...it's amazing how much some have changed...and others look much the same as when we were in school together (this would NOT be me!--I look nothing like I did way back in the day!)

The women's ministry that I do at our church is 'gearing up' for some changes in approach, this is an exciting time. God is at work in the lives of the people...I'm eagerly waiting to see what happens 'next'! And, because He knows me best, all my failures, weaknesses, He really knows who He's working with in me, God continues to WOW me with His patience, grace and love for even me! And, I continue to trust His hand in these things, even though I may not see Him!

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Isn't that what we want? A Mighty God...one that delights in us...One that quiets us with His love...and Sings over us!?!??!--What a Mighty God we serve. How much He delights in us, and cares for us, quiets our fears, and calms our souls...even in the midst of a 'busy month' and starting of a new school year...time goes by so very fast...but Our God never changes...His Love is always there...
Go have a DElighTFUl week end!

Busy August so far, but, School is COMING!!!

August came in with a great celebration...it always does at our house...my birthday is the first day! And, the celebration continues! Amazingly, I don't feel today, some 10 days later, like I've rested up from that week end! Even more amazingly, it's FINE with me! Good things just keep coming!

My mom came to celebrate my birthday! Lots of fresh veggies and such...and, of course, birthday cake...then our neighbors, sweet ones they are, brought another birthday cake--and a gallon of milk--lots of insight these neighbors!

This past Friday and Saturday, was time spent in the presence of a few ladies from our church that are inspirational to me in ministry. It was time well spent, as we learned more about each other, and how to use our gifts in furthering the gospel to women in our area, and beyond. I'm very excited about the possibilities! But, mostly, I'm in awe and praying about 'the next step'!

Also this past week end was my class reunion. It was great fun...reconnecting with some of those that I hadn't seen since high school. We laughed a lot!

Then, as the Journey continues...I wanted to share this section of scripture and a one-liner from our Sunday school class:

II Corinthians 4:5-7
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
--emphasis added by me.
But, one of the girls in my class read this and then said, "Isn't that pretty?"

I love it when people not only 'get the Word of God'...but also SEE the Beauty contained IN it!!!
Praising Our Glorious God because of His Mighty Power!!!