God and Rock Wall Climbing

This afternoon, Jeremy and I went rock wall climbing (indoors).  As I replay the fun date through my mind I keep thinking of trust and teamwork.  Jeremy and I had to trust each other, communicate, and work together for this activity.  I would not have allowed him to be my "belayer" if I felt He couldn't take care of me and I know Jeremy felt the same way.  (I think he faced the biggest risk - especially when I had my giggling fits. HeHe!!)  Thankfully, we came away from this event still walking with smiles on our faces.  What a good "check-up" date for our marriage.  I know we will need all the skills we worked on today - trust, communication, and working together - for our marriage to stay strong.

But how does rock wall climbing relate to God?
God has been dealing with me in the area of trust.  I know God gave me this activity today so I could have a visual.  As I was climbing and trusting Jeremy to get me safely back down (belaying) God reminded me that I needed to do the same and even more so with Him.  God is my anchor.  He is steady and faithful.  I need to trust - completely - that He will do what He said He will do! 

I also need to continue to communicate with Him daily.  The more I am quiet and still the more He will speak.  Oh boy, do I find it hard to be quiet and still!  But when I am...OH BOY, do I learn so much from God!  There is no better place then to sit at His feet.  All the cares of this world seem so insignificant when I am seeking His presence.

Finally, I learned I need to work with God.  After trusting and communicating, I need to work together with Him.  I need to do what He has asked and planned...not what I think should be done or what I have planned.  He actually doesn't need me at all...but thankfully, He loves and wants to use me for His Glory.  He wants to use us all...  
          "...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
          and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven."  Matthew 5:16
     

Harvest Community Church Outreach

This past Friday was our last meeting for the summer with the Harvest Community outreach. 
The children and I thoroughly enjoyed our time working with Carolyn Harrell & her children with an outreach to a Hispanic community near their church.  While the Moms were learning "English as a Second Language" we had the opportunity to work with their children.  For about 8 Fridays this summer we had the blessing to play games, make crafts, eat a snack, and teach a Bible story to a wonderful group of children.  Their smiles and eagerness to learn really touched our hearts.

Amy, Carolyn's daughter, taught the kids' the Gospel message through helping them make a bracelet.  Mike, Carolyn's oldest son, and Greyson gave their testimonies.

           The children were great listeners and enjoyed making the bracelets.

                                     I'm going to miss these smiles!

Black is to represent our sins.  Red is to represent Jesus' blood shed to wash away our sins.  White represents us after we trust and believe in Jesus' sacrifice for us.  He has washed us white as snow.  Yellow represents Heaven.  Once we die on this earth we will then spend eternity with our Savior in Heaven!  Green represents growth.  Once we become "saved" we need to read His Word, talk with Him (prayer), and tell others about Jesus' love.

Each week the children received points for checking out books, reading them, and bringing them back.  They also received points for memorizing and saying their Bible verse to us.  At our last meeting, the children were able to spend the points at the store.  They had a great time shopping! :)

This is what it is all about!

It has been a whirlwind July and now we are in August!  What?!  I have enjoyed every minute of the ministry opportunities that God has provided for us.  I've noticed life seems so much sweeter when you are busy serving others.  Now if I could only remember that when I get caught up in my own selfishness...

 

At the end of July our church (West Cabarrus) youth had their annual "I Love Cabarrus" camp week.  During the week the youth served out in our county.  I'm so thankful for a church that encourages its church members to get outside of our building and reach out to others.  This is what "it" - the Great Commission - is all about.  Our youth were able to serve in many different capacities - cleaning, witnessing, yard work, praying at an abortion clinic, leading/working VBS, road clean up, rest homes, writing and sending cards to those in prison, etc.  This service is not only helping the people in Cabarrus county but providing a means for God's love to be shown and taught.  Also, this week is giving our youth an opportunity to grow in Christ by "doing" and not just hearing only.  They have been learning and training under Biblical teaching, but, like us all, we need to use the training.  I'm happy to say our youth were given the opportunity to use their training and they preformed well! 

 

One ministry opportunity that I was blessed to be apart of was providing a Vacation Bible School for a local Hispanic church.  They are still a fairly new church and have not had their own VBS yet...until this summer!  Our youth helped this church provide a three day VBS from 9:30 to 12:00.  By Thursday, we had 76 children in attendance!  Praise God!  Our youth provided the music, lesson, game, craft, and snack times.  It was with great joy to see them in action and even greater joy to see the children having so much fun!

Avery and her friend, Kara, lead the music and taught the fun dance motions.  I'm proud of Avery for doing something that was not in her usual area of ministry.



 

 



God provided lots of children to hear His Truth!

 

  

 

 

        Three of West Cabarrus' teenagers taught the Bible lesson each day.  One of them was Greyson.   This Mama was proud!  :)

 



 

 

One of our snack time treats.  Jesus was the perfect sacrifice that completely paid our debt on the cross. 

 

Praise God...three days later He arose!!!

 

Once we trust and believe in Jesus Christ we are then to be "Fishers of Men".

 

I so pray that the waters will be filled with "Fishers"!!