This photo was taken early one morning on our way out to school. The morning had been hectic, the boys were arguing, and I was NOT in a good mood. Austin noticed the sun shining through the trees, so I stuck my camera out the truck window and snapped a picture. When I uploaded it to my computer, I saw a cross in the sun, and a cross shadow on the ground. I keep this photo as my constant reminder that God goes before me even when I don't take the time to acknowledge him.
This morning our pastor began a new series entitled the "Gift Revolution". He and his wife put 2 business cards with the Gift Revolution and an email address for the church along with a gift from them ($1.00) into 600 envelopes and issued a challenge to the church; change the world. This comes on the heels of the series "Get Connected" which was a challenge to get connected with our family, friends, church, community, state, nation, and world. Many new things are happening in the church because of this series and there is lots of excitement because of it. This Gift Revolution (which I will refer to at GR) challenge has really stumped me. What can I do to make a difference for Christ? What can I do that will touch someone's heart? What makes me special that someone would want to take the time to say, "hey, you made a difference?. Certainly nothing I can do on my own, but I know through God all things are possible. My hope is that God will use this blog and my fingers on a keyboard to touch lives all over the US....no, all over the world. My blog hasn't gotten many hits in the past, but I'm praying that somehow, someone will read something that makes a difference in their lives and they will spread the word.
I'm going to pray about this, and ask God what He wants me to do, and how He wants to use me to further His kingdom. Please pray for me, and for our church as we begin this GR. Pray, also, that I don't try to convince God that I can't do what He has in store for me. I have to remember Jonah and what happened to him when he tried to convince God that he wasn't the right man for the job. (I do have a bridge spanning Lake Norfork to cross...)
I'm including a link to our church's website. (If I can get it posted on here properly so that it will work as a link and not just a bunch of letters strung together for no apparent reason) While the GR button isn't quite up and running yet (should be by tomorrow night), when it is operational you will see a GR link which will take you to a map. That map will have pins of places who have heard of our GR series and want to "Pay it Forward" and do something for Christ. I hope you will join in this revolution, because we have all recieved the most precious gift:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16
First Baptist Church, Salem, AR
He gave us a gift we didn't deserve, a gift of grace, what will you do with that gift? My blog is a very small part of this revolution, and if you have a story you would like to share about God's grace in your life, please, please post it in the comments. I want to hear from you and God wants you to share your story. Spread the word so we may hear from as many as possible, and please let me know your city and state so we can pin it on our map. Will you do that?
