BELIEVE GOD CAN DO ANYTHING! That’s the theme for our next year’s Women of
Faith Conference. And yes, I know, we
haven’t even been to this year’s conference … but we will be heading there in
the next few days! But when I saw the
announcement for 2013, it echoed the events of this past week in so many
ways. I just have to share some of them
with you! When I was a young girl, my
mom would go around the house singing that short little chorus titled, “Only
Believe!” And it went something like
this: “Only believe, only believe! All things are possible, only believe! Only believe, only believe! All things are possible, only believe!” That’s all I remember … I have no clue if
there were any verses that went with that or not, but this was what mom would sing
– over and over. It kind of stuck in my
memory, you can tell! I have not heard
this sung anywhere for years and years and years! Did I say years and years? Yeah, it’s been that long … and still it
jumps into my head and I sing it from my heart every so often! So, yes, I would have to say that I DO
believe God can do anything! It’s just
ME that gets in the way of total trust in my Lord once in a while – and then He
has to give me a little push to get realigned with that “anything” that I say I
believe! Last week and this week, I have
had to believe that God would give me the strength to put in ten and a half to
thirteen hour days at work so I could leave early on both Fridays – first to go
and celebrate our oldest son’s 40th birthday with him and his
family, and second – to attend the Women of Faith Conference I was just talking
about. He did it last week, and I’m
half-way there this week! My God is SO
very faithful! It was so wonderful to
just jump in the car and head down the road, sitting, relaxing, chatting,
planning … and drinking in what remained of the fading autumn colors as we made
our way north. There’s nothing like that
first glance when you finally get to see your family again! I know that might sound strange to those of
you who see your family every day or every week; but when you only get to see
them once or twice a year … your eyes can’t get enough of them! No matter what we all pack into 48 hours, the
best part is just looking around and seeing them close by! We don’t even have to be talking all the time
… it’s just having them near that matters!
How we loved the moments we shared with our oldest son, his precious
wife, and our three grandchildren … enjoying cherished talks, great food, doing
a mini-photo shoot, going to the target-range, taking in a special 90th
birthday open house for our “daughter’s” dad who is still pastoring! … and finally
celebrating with an enjoyable 40th birthday lunch for our son and
topping it off with some outstanding oatmeal ice-cream with caramel, pecans,
and chocolate chunks (the oatmeal makes it healthy, right?!) Back to that little push from God. Well, the outcome of that is that after these
two intense weeks and after returning from Women of Faith, for the first time
in years, I will be going to ONE job for 40 hours … and leaving work at 4:00 in
the afternoon to come HOME!!! Not
planned by me, but by the hand of God … I will now have more time with Him,
more time for family and ministry, and more time to actually see what it’s like
to live a bit more normal life (not that anything about our lives has ever been
very normal!). I am SO excited – this is
definitely proof that ALL things are possible, if I only believe! I have believed and longed for this
moment for a very long time … and now God, in His perfect timing, has made it
possible! To God be the glory!!! What are YOU believing God for?
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
SPECIAL THANKS to Wayne and Verla for sharing the message and
music last Sunday in our absence; we know you were a blessing and we appreciate
your willingness and faithfulness! May
God bless you both!
SUN, OCT 21: 10:00 A.M. –
PRAISE & WORSHIP with part 3 of “Living Beyond the Shadow of Victory!” Bring your Bibles!!
SUN, OCT 21: 10:30 A.M. –
KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla
… kids, don’t miss this fun learning time!
SUN, OCT 21: 11:30 A.M. –
POTLUCK LUNCHEON – bring your favorite food to share with your church
family! Following the meal, we will head
to the Oak View Nursery Pumpkin Patch outing - $6 per person … come and share
in the fun!
SUN, OCT 21: 6:00 P.M. –
BAPTISMAL & DEDICATION SERVICE at Victory Church at 1380 Rice Lake St.
East/Owatonna
WED, OCT 24: 7:00 P.M. –
BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 905 El Dorado St SE in Owatonna; invite
someone!
THU, OCT 25: 7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James /
165 24th Place NW in Owatonna; bring a friend with you!
FRI, OCT 26: 7:00 P.M. – LADIES NIGHT OUT / Comedy Night
with movie snacks at 165 24th Place NW (Maple Trails)
SAT, OCT 27: 7:00 A.M. –
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST STUDY at “The Kitchen” restaurant … bring someone
along!
SUN, OCT 28: 10:00 A.M. –
PRAISE & WORSHIP with part 4 of “Living Beyond the Shadow of Victory!” God has more for us!
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Harold’s dad in hospital in Iowa,
Lynn, Kay, Johnny & Cherry, Jimmy & Nancy, our youth and children, that
God will activate His people to vote as He gives discernment, for revival in
our hearts, our church, and our nation, the Seykoras and the Lundstroms, many
unspoken needs, and seeking God’s perfect will for our next church location!
REMEMBER . . . BELIEVE! “I love the Lord because He hears my prayers and answers them. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe!” Psalm 116:1-2
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
