469 - Ministry Blooming!

Need to go here and sign up - www.bloggygiveaways.com and then click on a Google add too. (I have almost reached the goal.) Thanks friends!

Dear Lord and Savior - It has been a great weekend. We went to our university homecoming in Jackson, Tn. - Union University. We had a great time, but didn't get to see too many people - including Fran from the blogging world that lives in Jackson! But it was incredible to be on that campus. It has changed so much and continues to change. There were a few times that I teared up because how proud I am that God is blessing that school the way He has. As of right now it has not backed down on the belief that go along with the Southern Baptist Church and are trying to please the Lord in all situations. I am not joking, I could feel the presence of the Lord there as I walked around. I could easily live there and be part of any and everything going on at Union. What a wonderful experience for me!

We got back super late on Saturday then went to church Sunday morning. Holy cow - we have the best Sunday School class i think i have ever been part of. Everyone talks, is honest, and just is working out our salvation in that quick, too quick at times, hour. I love it! Then to top it off - Luke hit it out of the park on Sunday. Wow oh wow!! We are going through the book of Luke and he preached on why Jesus was not welcomed in His hometown. There were many points that brought conviction! Man, thank you Jesus for a man that studies his Word like crazy and then brings it home to us so that we can understand and apply!! Wow - thank you!

After church a group of us headed to the garden of the gods. It was beautiful and amazing, but scared me to death. It was this place with huge rocks to overlook the grand canyon of Illinois. I know - i had no idea there was even a hill let alone a giant canyon in Illinois. It was breath taking, but so scary. I just didn't feel secure with the kids and of course they wanted to go out on the edges.... i was a wreck!! We will go back.................................alone!

I can now say the non-profit status is finally going in full motion. I think it can take anywhere from 6 weeks to..........? Not sure. But i am excited. And more than anything I am so excited to announce that Speaking Thru Me Ministries has landed or helped to land its first big gig for the small church. I am still unsure of the details and what all our part will be in everything other than bringing in the speaker, but......................................Leslie Nease from Survivor is coming to speak in Carmi, Il. at FBC. I am just tickled pink!!! She will be here Feb. 29 and March 1. I am not sure of the details, but I think she will speak at a youth event on the 29th and to the ladies on the 1st. If you are of any distance, you've got to come!!!

2 Cor. 4:1 "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." Lord Jesus, thank you for laying this verse on my heart today. Discouragement is something that we all fight and maybe I have been a bit discouraged from time to time these last couple of weeks. I feel like my mind is full of spaghetti - and I like spaghetti - but it is just jumbled with so many dreams, intentions, expectations, thoughts of direction, how how how how do i do all this kind of thoughts. I know you are revealing as we go and I do thank you and praise you for that. But I just don't want to misinterpret! So I think yo have laid this verse on my heart as a means of direction, encouragement, and focus. Get this dissection!!

God's mercy - this one means to relieve misery - it is the concrete expression of pity and compassion for the destitute. Ministry - labor, service, ministry - involves compassionate love towards the needy in the Christian community. Everything in this ministry benefits others - can be individual or a group. Lose heart - this means get discouraged, to give in to trouble, to become exasperated by difficulty, Do you see do you see it??? I see it Lord - and I thank you!!

It is only through God's mercy that He has allowed me to do this ministry. I am to help relieve some stress and even misery on the church that is not able to do for their members as they would like - The Lord is allowing Speaking Thru Me to help alleviate some of that frustration. Oh Lord, thank you!!! I have never thought of it as pity, but my hear does break for the church that can not minister in creative ways to its member other than the same ways. Those are good too, but variety is what brings in strangers that can become excited new growing members - not to mention Believers in Christ which is paramount. This ministry you have entrusted to Ginger, Tisha, Valarie, and I as of right now - is for the Christian Community. It is labor of love and service!! And yes, Lord, everything in this ministry is to benefit others!! Oh praise you Father thank you for revealing all this to me!! Thank you!!!

Lord, bless us and make you face shine upon us. As I walked through Union I kept thinking this is something I want to be a part of even more. I want to have service here and impact. Oh Lord, may others catch the vision of Speaking Thru Me that way as well. I know there are so many "para church" out there, oh but Lord, teach us to stand out with the Cross shining brightly and with only your perspective and passion!! Humble and ready to give all glory right back into your hands!! Lord, teach me how to do all this!!! I love you , Lord!!