LOL Bible study was good last night. We had 3 new students that came and that is always exciting. Got to talk with a mom and dad before and afterwards and that is always a cool thing. They have a great daughter and I have to say - it took some courage to come and hang out with some folks and not know a single person there. The really cool thing is ... she didn't leave that way. Proud of our students rising up and making her feel welcome and I bet she is glad she came because now she has a few friends and she got to hear Gods word too :) She left differently than when she came in.

I am in Mark 7:33-34 this morning.
After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the mans tongue. He looked up to Heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephhatha!" (which means, "Be Opened!"). At this, the mans ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. He has done everything well, they said. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.

There are a few students who really where touched by God last week. I have spoken with 2 students since late yesterday afternoon and my heart is just excited for them. I am so excited to see what God is going to do next in their life. That gives me such a buzz ... its really hard to explain. Our faith is personal and it shows in everything we do when we are in that zone with God. Like the man above - when God shows up - big things happen. This man could not hear nor speak - so instead of Jesus doing a miracle like he had done so many times before by speaking to the person or touching them - he pulled this man aside. He got him out of the spotlight where everyone could see him. Its almost like he didn't want to embarrass him - so he quietly and gently - showed this man grace by pulling him aside and made it so personal. Imagine walking along the road being lead by friends, not able to hear or speak and Jesus is there. He pulls you aside and you have a special personal moment with Christ. WOW - that just fires me up. Like the 2 students who are fired up this morning - they got pulled aside and had a personal moment with Jesus last week. Jesus touched their hearts as he did this man. Jesus put his fingers in his ears letting him know that he was going to heal them and then spit and touched his tongue and looked to the heavens and with a few words the man was healed.
My mom used to spit to cure things when I was little. It was the way back then. She would get dirt off my face, slick a messy spot in my hair with it, she would even heal a scrape if needed. Spit happens!
The thing for me this morning is that Gods shows up big when our hearts are in a place that is ready for him. Jesus loved this man enough to pull him aside and have a personal moment with him and heal him. He can do that for you too because he loves you. Martha prepared a meal and cleaned house and prepared everything for the visit with Jesus. Mary sat at his feet .... all she wanted was Jesus. All this man wanted was Jesus. All these 2 students wanted was Jesus. Lives change when all we want is Jesus. Maybe the mans plans changed that day when he heard Jesus was in town. Maybe those 2 students changed their plans last week to come to camp. Maybe Mary changed her plans that day to just sit at the feet of Jesus instead of helping in the kitchen. Our plans change... sometimes for the better. Thankful for that this morning.
Opportunities... maybe that is what we need to be praying for today. When God is present, anything can happen.
Lonnie~