It's been too long....or has it?

Confession: I am not a blogger...nothing wrong with that, but I did start a blog a year ago :) so maybe I'll pretend right now.

I am not sure why I thought I would actually have time to write in a blog.... - actually I was hoping for it to be an electronic history of our time in Caledonia - well if that's the case, we lost almost a year's worth. lol We have learned a lot this year; lots of things about God, His Word, ministry, church, people...and there were a couple of main themes....

1) There is only one thing to hold on to - Jesus.  If you think you are saved and have a relationship with Him - it is important to test it.  II Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?  - unless indeed you are disqualified."  A speaker at a conference I recently intended used this scripture to start us thinking on that....when you say a prayer of repentance and salvation - it may be the beginning of the relationship - but, until you truly allow Jesus to move in with you.....move right in and take control - and a significant change takes place in your life....well...then......maybe it isn't real.  Just because you go to church, read your Bible, serve in a ministry, it doesn't mean your salvation is real.  Do you know Him?  Do you really know Him? Did you allow Him to "move in with you?"  Love that....

2) You can't hold on to people.  This truth has been very clear to us this year.  While they are with you, love them deeply.  When they move on, let them go and pray for them always and forever.  Everyone is in a different place in their walk.  Our church is not about numbers.  It is about shining the light of Jesus in a very dark world and most especially in our little corner of the very dark world - 14423, planting seeds, giving without expectations, sharing how He changed your life, living like you believe it and letting Him do the work. 

3) Everybody hurts.  Believers and unbelievers alike - we all have hurts.  You can't get through life without being hurt. The best solution is to relax into God, let Him comfort you, AND live with a kingdom mentality.  Everything, weighed against that and our short time here on earth, seems minor and easier to let go of.  We need to forgive - and once we receive the forgiveness of Jesus - we can.  Without it, we can't.  Unforgiving people do not really believe they are forgiven (or don't even know the forgiveness of God).  Unforgiving people have not experienced grace....they live by works. 

We are studying the Truth Project on Sunday nights - what a blessing.....

4) Eternal Life  - In a nutshell, John 17:1-3 "Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.""

I have never felt closer to God than right now.  He is changing me daily.  Jesus is in my heart.
Glory and Thanksgiving to God!