Words

I've been wanting to post but couldn't decide what to post about. God said "words". I was thinking about humility, but God said "words". I was thinking about vacation but God said "words". So, I guess it's words. It all started with a book I'm reading , "When to speak up and when to shut up". Hmmm. I am also going to do a word study of words. Boy oh, boy, I feel the Holy Spirit conviction coming already. I want to note that I have grown so much in this area but I want to sound even more like Jesus when I speak.


Studies show that women speak 20,000 words a day compared to men who speak 7,000. Wow! That's scary because it makes me think, what in the heck am I talking about? As I try to remember what I've said in, let's say, the last few hours, these questions come to mind..


Why did I say that?
Was that even necessary?
What was I trying to prove?
Why did I say it that way?
Where did that comment come from?


I find that honesty with ourselves is difficult and embarrassing but necessary. We have to allow the Spirit of God to do His work in us in and change us more into the image of Jesus.


If the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, don't speak, just LISTEN.

He ALWAYS has plans to prosper you and NOT to harm you.


"Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord: keep watch over the door of my lips"

Why does dust lay sideways on a chest of drawers? .......Why do flowers grow where weeds are supposed to grow and weeds grow where flowers are supposed to grow?..... Why do we have more energy as kids when we have less to do and not enough of it when we are older and have so much to do?....... Why do we complain when we are bored then complain when we have too much to do?

Why do we do what we don't want to do and don't do what we should do???

I was just wondering...

"We are fam-il-y.."

As I continue to count my blessings, I want to take a moment and tell you about my family. I posted about our morning coffee together so, here is a pic of us.

Tom, my brother is generous, loving, fun, kind and dependable. We have always been close and I am glad for that (he's my "boss" 2 days a week). Pamela , my sister is a doll! We are closer than we've ever been and we like to do girl things together. Lastly, my mom, Penny is a rock! She's always there for me and I love and honor her.

They are the family God has given me and I am grateful for that. Thanks, guys for all you are.. I love you !!

Preaching

I feel so blessed! Since I've come to Christ, I have been around great preachers! Pastor Jeff is one of the best preachers I know - I was "raised " under his preaching and he awesome! My walk with Jesus has been and still is greatly impacted by his preaching and life. THANKS, Jeff!.... I just finished listening to Andy Stanley (Charles' son). He is an excellent communicator and every time I hear him I am wowed! .... On a regular basis, I get to hear my husband preach. He is such a great speaker. Greg is anointed to preach. When he speaks, the Holy Spirit comes into our midst. I am so proud of him! .... I am thankful that God uses friends, strangers and family to bless our lives.

Love, sweet love

Even though some of us weren't part of this era, alot of us know the Dionne Warwick song,"What the world needs now is love, sweet love". And how many songs are there about LOVE?? As I finished reading my one year bible , I just looked around at all the people coming and going at Panera (is this my fav blogging place??) That song popped into my head and I thought, "man, it's so true". In the OT, that's what people needed-that's why Jesus had to come. Today, AGAIN, the world is SO in need of love and people need to receive Him.

As I reflect back on a conversation with a woman who accepted Christ in our service yesterday, ( Praise God),my heart is heavy because she is hurting. But, as I encouraged about her new position in Christ, I saw a smile on her face and a renewed hope! I am excited to see what the Lord has for her.

It's all about love, sweet love ... of Jesus.. from Him to us.. to others

Lord, reveal Yourself to that one who need to sense your love today!!

Blogging at Panera

I thought it might fun to have a pic of me blogging ON my blog. I love Panera- it functions as meeting place, ministry planning, girls night out, date night, whatever. I know, the coffee is NOT Starbucks but I love the jazz music and the decor. Good place to go to chill (if it's not crowded) . AND, free wireless!

Speaking of ministry, I meet my family at Panera in Shadyside Tues and Thur AM. Gives me opportunity to share the love of Christ- to spread a little fragrance of Christ when I'm with them. But, if I'm not fertilizing my "flowers" the fragrance is not very full. And, gardens need to be tended to regularly or things begin to wilt and become frail.

Holy Spirit, help me to keep my flowers beautiful.

How's your garden??

New things

I have justed started a facebook- what a project! Maybe it's just me- maybe I'm "age challenged" but it was a little overwhelming. I spoke with my daughter , Alexandra this AM-she's 23 and gorgeous AND smart. Sorry.. I get carried away when I talk about my kids. Anyway, she started explaining some things to me and I started to get information overload. Sometimes things have to be explained v-e-r-y slowly, THEN I have to write instructions down, THEN I have to put into layman's terms- see, I told you ..what a project! But, I like to stay fresh, relevant and keep up with things. It's good for my little brain.

I try to do that with God- stay fresh (with passion for Him), stay relevant (knowing that His word is ALWAYS applicable) and keep up with things (what His says to me regularly as well as keeping in touch with the Holy Spirit).

It's fun (and challenging ) to do new things. But, it seems that when the new-thing excitement wains, it always gets down to me and Jesus- everything else always pales in comparision!!

Pasta, meatballs and karaoke

Tonight we had all the APC interns over for dinner. Afterwards, we had a little entertainment. Carl pulled out the karoake machine and we went nuts ! It was sooo much fun. Carl and Greg went to town on James Brown' s "I Feel Good" and Tiffany H. and Sarah belted out some country hits. Tiffany W. and Holly sang a ballad or 2. Grace and Amy sang their hearts out on "Let it Be".I even gat a chance to be Patsy Cline for a few minutes! It was a great nite - I love these kids ! They are such a blessing to me. Kinda like my kids who aren't home this summer-who I miss so much. Hey guys, thanks for being my kids this summer. Like God is a father to the fatherless, you are kids to the kidless(??)

Keep on singing!!

Francie 411

Well, I’m official. I guess I’ve been added to the blog world! Actually, I’m pretty excited. I’m not sure of how many people will visit but I just felt prompted to start blogging. I believe that I might have something to say that someone might need to hear…

The title of my blog is 2 fold. First of all I am 4’11” tall. (Did you know that I am legally a midget, or is it politically correct to say “height challenged?? LOL) Secondly, 411 is the number you dial on the phone when you want information.

Hopefully I’ve got you attention one way or the other! Talk to you later.