God is in CONTROL

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

God of the Simple

 I came across a Women of Faith forward yesterday that posed a question:  "What if Mary had said 'NO'?  She was busy planning her wedding -- what if she'd said -- 'Not now'?
It got me to thinking -- how very different our world might have been today."

I have included part of today's script from "Girlfriends in God" because I feel it brings the heart of the Christmas text to my very doorstep. Our house is draped in Christmas lights -- We look like a used car lot -- and I still have more to put up.   I love the concept of Jesus as the LIGHT  -- Here's my favorite from today's devotional.


I simply cannot imagine a world without the presence of God and yet I often live my life as if He does not exist. A crisis hits, and I try to handle it on my own. I don't understand the trials in my life while those who could care less about God seem to prosper. Instead of reaching out to Him, I withdraw into the darkness. Financial stress fuels worry. Instead of turning to God, I rely on what I can see and understand. I settle.
When I do cry out to God, He lovingly fills each dark corner with Light. His love flows over the pain like soothing balm and once again, I experience the manger. Once again, Jesus Christ steps into the smelly, unlikely and very ordinary existence that is mine to change everything - absolutely everything!
Jesus could have come to us in many ways. The simplicity of His birth is extraordinary and sometimes hard to grasp. Jesus could have been born in a mansion. He was, after all, a King. Instead, He came to a dirty smelly manger and His birth was announced by common shepherds instead of Kings -- the greatest of all miracles in the midst of total simplicity. Today, Jesus still wants to meet us in the midst of our simple daily lives. It seems too easy and too good to be true, doesn't it? 
The very heart of Christmas is Emanuel, God with us - with me - and with you. Christmas is not a date on a calendar. Christmas is a way of life that celebrates the presence of God in the simple, ordinary happenings of daily life: where we go and what we do -- the smile we give the harried stranger or the patience we choose in the crowd of impatient shoppers -- the love that prompts the secret gift or the heart that constantly celebrates His birth through every sparkling light, every beautifully wrapped gift, each special meal, every card, phone call and visit. God is with us - if we choose to make room for Him.
From Girlfriends in God  Nov. 29, 2011

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

We got to Kansas City Wed. evening  after going the long way by way of Skiatook -- and Claremore -- it took 6 !/2 hours -- To Terry's credit -- the idea to go by way of Skiatook was my idea --noon in Claremore, OK, the day before Thanksgiving, with a train on the track caused all kinds of detours.  Anyway, it seemed like forever because we were both so anxious to see our little princess.  It had been a been a whole month!!!
Papa I can help you grade those 60 papers . . .
Campbell was delighted to see her Pappa She would light up when Terry walked into a room and followed him  everywhere.  With that precious little smile, she would  put her hands up and say "up peese".


Pappa didn't get too much course work done -- because they watched kiddie clips on his computer and sang hippopotamus  songs with Youtube.  She perched herself on the edge of his chair the entire time.  When she tired of it all -- she found a great shoulder to nap on.


These two are inseparable -- C is such a busy little lady ---Momma is right on her trail!
Daddy and I are best buddies -- we're both into technology!  He buys it -- I use it! 








Life is Good!!!!
Nana's Cranberry Salad was my favorite!!
We missed being with Marshall and Katie and Mat's parents-but we're looking forward to all of us being together Christmas.


God is sooooo good -- Thanking Him for family times!

Sunday, November 20, 2011




In preparation for this move into our new church home, I have been teaching our 3rd-5th grade students this fall about the meaning of the Kingdom and the significance of Christ’s Church. Today, was the first Sunday we could actually have a classroom to meet in, though it was our second Sunday  in the building – I took the students outside (never mind the fact that it was 37 degrees).  I wanted them to see that we were living Joshua 1:3 – “Every place you put your feet, you will be on land I have given you”.  
Our  story was  from Joshua 4 – when the Israelites crossed  into their promised land.  My intent was to show them by way of example how that we could erect a memorial like God told the Israelites to build after they crossed through the Jordan River to their promised land. 
Beside the cross that sits adjacent to the entrance we piled our stones and talked about how that we were here to enjoy the blessings of God and be a blessing to give HIS word of hope to everyone we could.  As they shivered and jumped up and down to stay warm, I’m believing they caught the meaning of what we were doing today. 
As I was trying to get my lesson started, I had one young man take off for the huge old oak tree saying he needed to use the bathroom (hmmmm right there on Union Ave)  I quickly reminded him that we used the indoor facilities at this new home – I know God is still grinning over that one.
BTW,
I promised a hike on a warmer Sunday to see all this wonderful land God has given us so richly.


Determined!!!

                                                Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
                                                            as working for the Lord,  Col. 3:23

Sunday, November 13, 2011

We're Home

Every place you set your foot you will be on land I have given you.  Joshua 1:3




After  Twelve years and 7 moves all over Tulsa, Life Park Christian Fellowship held it's First Sunday Celebration in our new home at 5700 W. Union Ave.

Saturday it was exhilarating to be leaving the shopping center sanctuary for the last time. We all toted boxes and emptied out the remainder of our collective church "stuff" (Where did we get all this junk?), stashing it in the back portion of the building -- That area we hope to complete in the near future.

As we got to our new facility and discovered it was ready for services today it heightened our excitement.  Many had worked for days cleaning and shining the surfaces to make it ready for this special day. 

Terry and I were awake at the crack of dawn -- eager to welcome this wonderful event.

Those of you who have been with us on this journey remember some of the places we've been -- a converted hardware store, a downtown warehouse, 2 different schools, a beautiful church campus that was gifted to Life Park and the West Highlands Shopping Center -- twice.  We had to continually remember we weren't home yet -- We paralleled this journey we were on with the trek of God's people headed to their promised land with Moses.   At times we wondered if we were going to wander for 40 years like the Israelites.  But God kept moving us forward on HIS schedule. Terry used to say "we are following the cloud -- when it moves, we move.  When God opens doors, we go through them.  When he shuts them, we wait."



I like what Ron Butler White said in his communion message this morning-- "we're not finished"  the work has just begun -- we have a whole world to reach!














I want to give a special tribute to Pastor Cecil Henninger, who all the while he was living on the property to oversee the construction and ensure safety, was continuing to do ministry to people in the neighborhood and the workers at the site.  Cecil -- we couldn't have made it to this point without you!!!   Nobody knows what all you have endured in this undertaking.

Cecil's right-hand praise man! (Grandson, Jaylon)
In Bible class Thomas recently shared his concept of the church as a place where people would be baptized.    




What a day for praise!!!












So many have sacrificed, working so very hard, giving of their time, gifts, talents and energy to get us to this place.  Thank you Dana for the administrative gifts you give to this ministry.



AND NOW, FOR THE TOUR:



A work of love -a special- thank you to Tim, Brenda & Mat who made the beautiful pastors office possible







Nursery

Joel's staining makes all these floors look awesome!

Looking out at our 200 yr. old "Life" Tree

Toddler's classroom

Coffee Bar

Foyer











God is sooooo very good and we are  richly blessed.  Thank you, Father, for bringing us to our new Church home. . . we realize we have another HOME much more splendid that this -- but for the time being --- this one is perfect!!!!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Happy Birthday to My Man

Terry is the one who always says we have to have a week (or month) celebration for my birthday -- but his year -- his actually did span a week.  Marshall and Katie came to town hoping to be here for the Church's First Sunday, but inspections put that off for a few days.  .  . last Sunday they helped him blow out his candles and enjoy his German Chocolate B.Day cake.


Yesterday on his 63rd birthday, we were given the Letter of Occupancy stating that we were now able to move into our new Church home.  As we were enjoying a dinner at Red Lobster ,  I reminded him that God could have done it either on Wednesday or today-- but He made it happen on his birthday.
A dream that Terry had hoped for over a long period of time.  How like God to be in the infinite details to pour out his love and affirmation.

Later that evening his birthday was made complete as we circled with our youth group behind the Church building for a night of praise and saw the most beautiful angelic praise dance in the light of a full moon.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Hanging with the Washingtons

We've been together three months and had such fun hanging around the table telling stories and getting to know each other.  We've shared our stories, shared our dreams and shared our hearts.  Terry and I believe that God sent this special family into our lives at just this special time.

Today we all did outside chores - closing up the pool, getting the yard ready for winter and James moved the chiminea up closer to the house so we could enjoy it's warmth on these cool fall evenings.  I decided it would be fun if we began our last week together with a hot dog / smores roast.

Blog Archive

Followers