I LOVE THAT STILL, SMALL VOICE! Well, sometimes it isn’t so small! When God can get me to be still, I hear His voice clearly, softly, reassuringly in my spirit. But when I am not still like He desires - He’s got to raise His voice a little. And that’s what happened at the start of this year. I don’t remember which day it was or even what I was doing at the time, but I distinctly remember hearing Him say, “Debbie, I don’t want you rushing through 2012!” Kindly, but firmly. Nothing verbal, but it could just as well have been. And yes, I heard my name! There was no mistaking “who” He was talking to. It wasn’t something Icould dismiss, and I didn’t want to! Because I knew what He meant. Through these past four years, He’s given me all I’ve needed … but He’s observed me running around from early morning to late night trying to cover all the arenas of my life. And just like a parent finally says, “Enough is enough!”, I think God decided the same thing for me. And lest I begin living another year like the last ones, God stopped me in my tracks. It’s kind of funny … my response normally would have been, “Are you kidding? How else on earth will I ever get everything accomplished?” But after four years, I think I was ready to hear that instruction. And with a little laugh, I simply said, “No Lord, I don’t want to rush through it either. You know how much I don’t want to have to rush anymore.” I knew He knew - that I would need His help to make that a new way of life, though. Don’t you love it when your children “parent” you and come up with some really great, godly advice? Too good not to follow? Well, that’s what happened to us! We started implementing some of their wise ideas, and life started feeling a bit more normal. I loved it! And I actually didn’t even feel guilty for not working every moment of the day on that overwhelming long list that is continually with me. My body is finally catching up with my soul which always rested in God, and I am finally discovering some time to stop and smell the roses! Now for the last week, I have loved learning a new way to simplify my life and de-stress as much as possible. Want to hear what it is? I heard someone speak about lists ... but my way of prioritizing was to number them from the most important down to the least important. So I would look at a long list of numbers on my long list of work … and feel the heaviness of wondering how on earth I could get that all done. It was daunting, to say the least. My new way (not my idea, but I wish I had thought of it!), is nothing more than looking at your too long list … and deciding what is the item of greatest importance. Then mark that as #1. That’s it. No other numbers. Forget everything else, and just go and do that one thing. Suddenly, you find your mind freed from any other responsibilities, and all you have to do is just that ONE thing. And when that is completed, you look at your list, and repeat the same process. Choose another #1. And that’s all. That’s all you have to do! Talk about stress melting away! Overwhelming feelings … gone! And I find myself accomplishing just as much or more than I ever have … and I have more time to enjoy life the way I know God really intended for it to be! If you’ve never tried this before … there’s no time like the present – the year is still young! What is God saying? “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a
A SPECIAL WELCOME to Jan, Beth, Tara, Justin, Shannon, Odin, Julianna, and Alyssa who worshipped with us!
SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to our granddaughter, Whitney, who graduates from hair salon college this week!
SUN, JAN 22: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / Message: “Part 2 –The Astounding Power of Prayer!”
SUN, JAN 22: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION / Sunday School Classes for all ages!
SUN, JAN 22: 12:15 P.M. – RE: FUEL YOUTH EVENT w/lunch & a movie; bring money for your own lunch!
WED, JAN 25: 6:30 P.M. – STUDYING THE WORD! / Are we really a follower of Christ – or just a fan?
SUN, FEB 05: ANNUAL VISIONARY MEETING/LUNCH following worship
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES: Gerard, Larry & Gloria, several unspoken needs, our nation’s return to Godliness
REMEMBER . . . “Your need is so small compared to God’s ability to meet it!” ~ Unknown
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug & Debbie
