One thing He has spoken, two things have I heard...

Isn't it amazing how when you're spending time in His word - you often don't want to leave it. I think that's why it's so important to memorize scripture - so that it's "hidden in your heart" & you never have to leave it - or better yet it never leaves you. I truly, truly enjoyed the scripture I read today. I read Job 14 & 15, Psalm 62 & Hebrews 18. I like going through the bible in a year plan b/c I love reading the old and new testaments together - and especially love reading a psalm or two a day.

In Psalm 62 - here is part of what I read & after that is what stood out to me about it...

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." (v 1-2)

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (v8)

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done." (v11-12)

The last part is my favorite. You, O God, are strong & You, O Lord, are loving. What a perfect combination. What if He was strong, but not loving? Think about it. What if He was loving, but not strong? It amazes me how perfectly true that statement is. I am going to praise Him today because He is both strong AND loving. He is able to accomplish any task, to handle any situation, to take care of anything I need - and He loves me enough to do all of that. He will work everything out for good. He is able to do immeasurably more than I ask or imagine - and I can trust that He will. Praise God!

God is so cool!!

I love it when God talks to me. I love it even more when He talks to someone else through something He gave me. It is always amazing to me how God uses us to teach and encourage each other. I was reminded today of the Experiencing God study I've done so many times. #4 (I think it was #4) was that God speaks through the Bible, prayer, circumstances and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways. I believe I have experienced all of that within the last 48 hours. He has been speaking to me in all kinds of ways and confirming things through all kinds of ways - and my mind is blown from How it all connects so perfectly.

I know I'm babbling, but I just needed to say that God is good. He speaks in amazing ways. He is always inviting me to be involved with Him in His work. I may not always be paying enough attention, but He is always giving me opportunities to see Him at work and join Him in what He is doing. That is so cool. I'm little old me - but God chooses to talk to me and work in and through me. I love that. I love Jesus - He rocks my world!

I believe You're my healer!!

I came across a song today that I believe is being used of God in mighty ways. Please, please go watch the video here. I wish I had heard this song 7 1/2 years ago when Ricky was diagnosed with Leukemia. God brought us through the same kind of realizations and thoughts back then as the song describes now - it's just so amazing to hear it all in worship form. I hope that someday God will use me to write a song that has an impact like this one does - that changes hearts and affects people the way this song does. I am overwhelmed right now. In every aspect of our lives, we can call on God, our Healer. We can lay our sickness and pain and addictions and relationships and hurts down at the feet of Jesus. At the feet of the One by whose "stripes we are healed!" I pray that whatever you are dealing with today - no matter how sad, trying, difficult - that you will lay it down at His feet and call on Him to be your Healer. What a beautiful song!

My wonderful, terrible, wonderful, terrible day...

Today has been a day. It started out w/ me being exhausted. I was up until the early morning treating my oldest (for the second time this month) for lice. Yuck!! Then I had to wake up a few hours later to get to church for a servant evangelism project (which I was very excited & hopeful about). It didn't turn out exactly as I'd hoped, but I was still encouraged. While there I also had the opportunity to meet with an amazing couple who are leading an Hispanic church plant that is currently meeting in our chapel. The wife is one of the most amazing women I've ever met. She has a way about her that is so inspiring. She lives the great commission like no one I've ever met. I walked away inspired, encouraged and so excited - really motivated to become a better wife, and a better Christ follower.

I then went to lunch with a group of 6 ladies from church. All of whom I think the world of. They are the best friends I've ever had - and I can't believe how blessed I am to know them and call them friends. One of them is moving away in less than a week - and this was our last hurrah all together. We even took a picture to commemorate the occasion. We talked about life, kids, God and cheescake and so many other things. I walked away inspired, encouraged and so very happy to have such wonderful friends.

I got home to a crazy messy house, the smell of rotten meat all over (the dog got into something crazy smelly), stinky kids and a long list of things I have to get done before tomorrow (of which I've only accomplished one). So I cleaned as much as I could while the baby wasn't screaming, put on a load of dishes, a load of laundry and sat down on the couch to get to work on my other list. I then got an email from someone I care for deeply letting me know that I had hurt their feelings. I had no idea. I immediately responded with a long attempt at an explanation and a very sincere apology. The details are not important. Basically, my stupid mouth got me in trouble again. (Can you hear the John Mayer song playing in my head??) So, now I was feeling uninspired, discouraged and pretty crappy overall.

I also found out today that my grandmother's health is declining and she may not make to Christmas. This is my only living grandmother and has always been special to me. She's almost 90, so it shouldn't be that shocking, but I'm having a really hard time with the idea of losing her.

Over the course of the evening my kids have spilled water all over the bathroom floor (enough to swim in), Syd fell and hit her face and it swelled up really big and turned black and blue, Elisa dropped my favorite Christmas plate and it shattered into a million pieces, Maya's tummy has been hurting so she's been crying almost non-stop, the dog stole an important part off my back door and took it out into the backyard to tear it up (it's now unfixable), I slipped on spit up, got peed and pooped on & am feeling pretty sick myself (I think I've caught a bug).

I've finally got all three girls down now, and am ready to go to sleep. I feel sad, sleepy, still a little inspired and also a little depressed.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Back 2 School Rally

Big event coming up - I'm really excited about! I'm praying that we are able to make connections with kids & parents in Watauga so we are able to tell them about Jesus!! Please be in prayer about this event!

I've hit the big 30

Blogs that is. I now officially subscribe to 30 blogs. Crazy, I know. My mom is always asking me how I have the time to read that many blogs each day - but the truth is it only takes about 10 or 15 minutes (unless they are really good and then it takes more). I can't subscribe to anymore than 30 - that would be madness. So - in case you want to know what I'm reading each day, here are a few of my favorites:


http://www.zonegathering.com/ - this is a blog for the discipleship leaders at National Community Church. I know I'm not one of them, but there is some amazing content on this blog.


http://discipleshipgroups.blogspot.com/ - this is the blog of the pastor of discipleship at National Community Church, Heather Zempel. She is one of my favorite people in the blogosphere. Amazing writer & leader - I learn alot from her.


http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/ - Carlos Whittaker's blog. He's the worship leader at Buckhead Church in Atlanta. He did a recent post about what we love / don't love about our worship leader - really good insight.

http://therightnowcampaign.blogspot.com/ - A blog for leaders of 20 & 30 somethings. Loads of great stuff.

http://starfieldonline.com/blog/ - the blog from my very favorite band, Starfield. These guys are so in love with Jesus & his people it's inspiring.

There are so many more, but I'll leave you with just a few...

Some friends:
http://johnnyleckie.blogspot.com/
http://harvestwomen.blogspot.com/
http://lorifun.blogspot.com/

Some people that inspire me:
http://brandonthomas.com/
http://haleyeah.typepad.com/jacinda/ - this mom does themed family nights with her family that are amazing.
http://evotional.com/

That's all for now. I'm up to 30 amazing blogs - how many do you read?

Perspective

I was reading a blog a moment ago from a person I love dearly. She is a faithful missionary now serving in Singapore, who means the world to my mother. If you'd like to read it, you can do so here.

I've finally gained some perspective about the icky week I've been having. First, everyone has difficulties. I'm not alone. I've been acting a little "poor me" lately and I realize it was quite selfish on my part. Second, I depend on the people around me too much. When I am having difficulties, the first thing I do is call up my mom, sister, husband or a friend to talk about it. Not to say that depending on friends for support and encouragement is a bad thing - unless it takes the place of depending on God. Usually when situations like this come up I don't have as much trouble handling it as I have this time. I think it's because everyone I usually call is gone. My mom & sis are in Honduras, my husband is crazy busy with work, my best friend is in Oklahoma. I've been feeling all alone in my struggles this week. My own fault.

My attitude this week has kept me from spending time with Him each morning. I know how important a daily "quiet time" is in keeping a right perspective. I know now that my lack of time with my Creator is what contributed to my bad attitude. I love it when God uses other people to shake me back into thinking right. I pray it's a while before it has to happen again.

When it rains, it pours...

When it rains, it pours I guess. This has turned out to be a pretty cruddy week for the Wells family. I woke up this morning to the sound of Elisa throwing up. Poor girl. She has a really weak stomach and is quite a small girl - so any amount of throwing up is really not a good thing. She gets dehydrated really easily - and I worry about her.

I'm still de-bugging (see previous post) like crazy. I've cleaned more in the last 24 hours than I have in the last 2 weeks combined. Poor Elisa - I've been pulling those tiny things out of her hair for over 4 hours collectively now. We keep having to take breaks because the baby is crying or Syd is hysterically trying to get my attention so that she can read the baby animals book again.

My mom and sister are out of the country, so I have no one to help me. I'm wishing Ricky could come home to help at least a little - he's wishing I would stop asking him to do something he cannot do. Things are icky to say the least. I really want a vacation - from mommy duties. Don't get me wrong. I love my kids - and love being their mom, but today I'm desperate for a break. I'd do anything for a 24 hour vacation from my house and my family. I don't think I've ever said this in my life - but I'd really love to just be alone.

I struggled yesterday with my attitude. I'm still struggling. I know that God is in control - and that these are little annoyances compared to some of the other things we've dealt with in our life together, but man - in the moment - it's really hard to have that perspective. I know that it is all about perspective - and am trying really hard to keep the big picture in my mind. I wish I had some spiritual application for all of this turmoil - but I don't yet. Maybe tomorrow when I have time to breath again.

Stupid little bugs

Elisa has lice...again! I'm more than perturbed this time. I am on my way to wal-mart to buy the dreaded goop & then back again to spend the entire day cleaning and disinfecting. I hate this! Her hair is crazy thick & those combs were not made for thick hair. By the end of the day, she is sure to be sporting some new short doo. I'm beginning to consider locking her away from that kid that keeps giving her the dreaded bugs. Seriously. I'm trying to love like Jesus, but today am falling far short. This is going to be a very long and hard day - pray for me.

Honduras 2008

A group of 29 youth and adults from FBC Watauga left for Honduras early, early Saturday morning - including my mom, sister & brother-in-law. I am both excited and encouraged by their daily updates. I wanted to share them with you so you can share with me in this excitement - and also in prayer. Here is the site:

www.fbcwatauga.org/honduras2008

It Is Well With My Soul

I would like to add from time to time a blog about the history of some of my favorite songs. Here is the first. :

"It Is Well With My Soul" was written by Horatio Spafford around 1880. This is perhaps one of my favorite hymn stories - it shows how God used unbelievable sadness in one man's life to affect so many others.

Mr Spafford, in addition to being a successful Chicago attorney, he was also a devoted man of God and an avid student of Scripture. He loved his wife, four daughters, and son and was an active member of a Presbyterian church. He was also a loyal friend and supporter of DL Moody and other Christian leaders of the day.

Spafford's only son died just months before his large real estate investment was wiped out in the Chicago Fire of 1871. Reeling from the family and financial loss, Spafford planned a trip to Europe for his family to attend an evangelistic crusade with Moody. At the last minute a business development delayed him, but as scheduled he sent his wife and four daughters ahead on the S.S. Ville du Havre to cross the Atlantic Ocean to Great Britain, where he was planning to join them a few days later.

The ship carrying his family was hit by an English vessel and sank in twelve minutes. All four of his daughters drowned. His wife survived the disaster and was taken to Wales, where she sent word to her husband with the words, "Saved alone." Right away Spafford left by ship to join his wife. The captain of his vessel, knowing his deep bereavement, paused on his journey across the ocean to show Spafford the place where Bessie, Annie, Maggie and Tanetta had drowned.

It was then that he penned the words that have brought deep comfort to generations of those facing unfathomable sorrows.

"When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul."

Today I believe

I love the online Bible Study resources that are available - http://www.crosswalk.com/ is probably my favorite. I also love Charles Swindoll. His book, the Grace Awakening changed my life. Here is a devotional he wrote that I read today...
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/daybyday/

It was very timely for me. Especially the end which reads...

"Can you make these four statements? If you can . . . will you?
1. I am here by God's appointment.
2. I am in His keeping.
3. I am under His training.
4. He will show me His purposes in His time.

By God's appointment, in God's keeping, under His training, for His time. What an outstanding summary of what it means to trust in the Lord with all your heart!"

I needed that perspective today. I needed to be reminded that there is nothing that happens in my life that God is not aware of and did not allow. He is in complee control of my finances, my family, my friends, my church, and everything else that affects me. I can trust Him to work it all out for good. I must be obedient to what He's called me to - I must believe His word - I must trust Him. I gotta go day by day with this one cause it's hard. Today I trust - today I believe.

I Will Go

I just got back from church. I help with the worship at the weekly youth service. Tonight was kind of a big night because most of our youth are leaving for Honduras on Saturday early am for a mission trip. We introduced a new song tonight - my very favorite song in the world right now - it's called "I Will Go" by Starfield. It is incredibly appropriate for the youth right now - it's all about being obedient to go wherever God leads you. I cannot begin to describe how much I love this song. After we sang it tonight I got shaky. It has always been my dream to "go". I've always envisioned myself going all over the world to tell people about Jesus. However, I have never been anywhere. Seriously. I've been on a plane one time and that was a short 45 minute trip to Corpus Christi for a work trip several years ago. I've never been out of the country. In fact, I think the farthest I've gone from home is Illinois (for a family reunion when I was a kid).

Last Sunday morning we had a special time of prayer for the group that is about to leave for Honduras. Only moments into the prayer time, I found myself sobbing. For a bunch of reasons. One of which was that I so desperately wished that I could go with them. I was sad that I was not able to go. My mother went to Africa many years ago and I wanted to go with her. She almost went back a second time and I prayed hard that God would allow me to go then. There have been so many opportunities - and each time God has made it clear that I was not to go. I've often found myself acting like a little kid that wasn't allowed to do something that their sister was able to do - pouty and whiny that I didn't get to go. Sunday morning - God gave me an attitude check. I realized that although I have not been allowed to go up to this point - I have been allowed to "go" right here. For this season in my life, I am to go and tell to all of Jerusalem - and I have to be good with that. I am not called to Honduras right now - or Peru - or Africa. Although I still hold out hope that someday God will allow me to "go" a little further from home - right now I am excited about my Jerusalem. I am excited that God would choose to use me right here. I will be content with where I am - and allow God to use me to reach the people right around me. I will go - wherever He leads.

"I want to live for You, go where You lead me,
I want to follow You...
Take everything I am, I'm clay within Your hands
I will go, I will go, send me!"

to trust him more...

It's been a hard week. We've had some major financial issues come up that we're still not quite sure how to handle. We've been struggling with what we're supposed to do & whether or not we really do trust God. We can say all day that we trust Him, but it's times like these where we have to put our money where our mouth is - literally. In church last night - we read through 2 Corinthians 4 and 5. Chapter 4 is the treasure in jars of clay passage - we are pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. I was feeling all of those things yesterday. Like everything that could go wrong was going wrong.
But, verse 15 of chapter 5, though says this: "Christ died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from the dead so that they would live for Him." Our pastor said that because of what Christ did for me, His love requires something from me. Instead of living for myself (and my needs, wants, etc) I live for Christ. Everything that happens in my life is an opportunity for me to live for Him. He can use this nasty, scary financial situation as a way to show me and those around me who He is - and just how big He is. I don't know what He will do with this situation we are in - but I know I have to trust Him to do whatever that is - and that it is for good (not necessarily my idea of good - but kingdom good). I know that if I will allow it - He will amaze me again. I pray that He gives me the strength today to be obedient to Him. To trust Him. To believe Him.

I am reminded of an old hymn -

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus
Oh for grace to trust Him more

That is my prayer today.

I'm a Huddler

In Nate Adams book The Acts 1:8 Challenge: Empowering the Church to Be on Mission, he says,

First-century witnesses like Peter and John did not keep the good news about Jesus a secret (see Acts 4:8-16). They did not merely huddle in Jerusalem’s upper rooms to enjoy fellowship with one another and their risen Lord. Instead, the early witnesses went into the streets and public places of their Jerusalem, ministering to people in need (see Acts 3:1-10) and boldly proclaiming the risen Christ (see Acts 4:1-12).

I think I’ve been a huddler. In fact, I think, for the most part, I’m a huddler right now. I travel through my Jerusalem, but rarely do I really even notice the people there.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. In the margin of my Bible, I wrote, “As you are going, make disciples.”

Doesn’t this really speak to how I am to be a witness? As I am going to my church, my grocery store, my favorite bookstore, my doctor and dentist, my pharmacy, and my bank, I should be spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, as Mr. Adams says, by “ministering to people in need and [by] boldly proclaiming the risen Christ.”

There is a verse that keeps coming into my mind: “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10: 32-33)

This certainly speaks of a comfort zone, doesn’t it? I don’t mind traveling through my Jerusalem to get to church, but I really don’t want to talk to anyone along the way.

I love to fellowship with believers. I want to be encouraged by them, I want to worship with them, I want to share meals with them, and so much more. They are my family and I love them.

But I think it’s time for me to stop being a huddler and step into the “streets and public places” of my Jerusalem. It’s time for me to declare my Jerusalem as my mission field.

“I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” John 4: 35b

- Sandra

So Funny!!

I know I've been a little lapse lately in my blogging, but maybe this will make up for it. So worth it - please go watch!

http://fee.blogbeginnings.com/2008/04/07/want-to-be-in-the-church-band/