time...

It has been a few days since my last post. With the official start of summer now since school is out, I think my posts will slow down a bit. That doesn't mean that things are slow by any means. Last Friday, I got the chance to hang out with some of "MyKids" at work. Kyle, Marissa and Madison spent a good part of the day with me at work, giving me a hand on a few things, out for lunch and then bbq at the house that evening. Time well spent investing in those relationships ... Madison and Marissa also enjoyed some girl time with Carol - after the thunderstorm rolled through Friday late afternoon ... they got a chance to dance in the rain. It's good to get back to simple things in life and just enjoy the moment that God has blessed us with. No Ipods, cell phone, video games --- just some rain, puddles, music playing in our heads and just a few moments being a kid. Saturday - Kyle and I finally got out to get Carols mothers day present ...yea we operate on our own time frame LOL - but we got Carol this gazebo thing to go on the deck hoping to enjoy outside more during the summer months. We all know how hot those summers can be here in the south. Sunday, church and then down to south Charlotte to visit Rich, Chris and Peyton. They are our longest Charlotte friends - ever since we moved here almost 14 years ago. Dang its been that long? Wow.....
I fully enjoyed Sunday school this week serving with the gals in there - lead by a dear friend Leigh. Leigh you did a great job with the kids.... we wont be running 20 kids each week for long. There for awhile we were running over 50 - so it will return.... lots of families already on vacation and taking some down time. Carol, Kyle and I will be headed to the cabin this coming weekend with our good friends. I think we are ALL looking forward to this time away together as friends. Should be full of smiles and surely things to laugh at :)
This is our last week of planning for next week - our VBS. We are heading into this year's VBS program in high gear and full of excitement. We have lots of volunteers and activities planned ... praying hard for God to send us those kids! I can't wait to plug in some fun time for them as we learn about God together.
Yesterday's message at church really hit home for me. Pastor Jimmy spoke about our calling in life - What is God calling you to do? - It was clear that God doesn't ask us to do anything - He tells us. There is no asking at all ... - Its up to us to follow through and answer the call or not answer the call. Once we get motivated and moving forward we are then on Satans radar. He will use the things that have dragged us down in our past. If we struggle with drugs or alcohol - he will use those things to keep us out of focus. He will use those things to keep us from taking that next step. Whatever it is that we struggle with, he will use against us. Many fall into this trap. It especially hurt hearing the news about a pastor in GA who made some really bad decisions and it ended up costing him the leadership of the church he pastors. God gets the black eye on that as many folks will fry him for his actions. Many will point fingers at him and drag him through the mud. We all deserve grace and second chances.... a Mulligan. God can make the wrong things right again.
What are you doing today to make God famous? His name above all other names? Our Sunday school lesson yesterday as filling a cup full of sand. Sand representing the things in our lives - our homes, family, cars, Wii, video games, cell phones, Ipods etc... and then we try to fit God in there someplace. No room ----- when we arrange God first and then put those things into our lives there is room for everything. There is room for the right things .... Priorities.
Time to get busy again .....
Lonnie~