Am I so busy? Or (dare I say), so lazy that I haven't blogged since Feb????

Or well, better late than never. Greg keeps telling me to blog and I have ignored his advice. So, I decided to heed his "counsel" and do it!........ Just to catch you up to date- we've been crazy busy with BPC (BridgePoint Church). Lots going on-Breakthrough Events, summer picnics, City Reach (a huge outreach event that takes place in Aug), kicking off the fall with OTHER stuff. But the biggest thing has been us transitioning into a church building just a few weeks ago- the Lord just made a way in only a way that HE can. And here I am- feel like I've been in the middle of a tornado- just spinning and spinning around in the center. .. I have a blessed life- everything I do involves our fulltime commitment to the Lord- and in the midst of all the activity I have a joy that hardly ever diminshes- and I owe my joy and my life to Jesus- He is my all and everything. Serving God is a dream come true for me and my husband and our level of gratitude is very high.... thanks you, Lord. I love you

Just do it!!!

I can't believe I haven't blogged for 4 months. I kept saying that I have nothing of any significance to say. So, maybe I do now.. I decided to just do it!

The Lord has been doing something in me that has required alot of reflection and confession. When I allow the Lord to do what he wants, it requires honesty and courage. I have to be honest not only with the Lord but sometimes out loud with others- but mostly to myself. And that is where the courage part comes in. To say, "I was stupid , I just didn't want to do the right thing, I wanted to do what I wanted to do- even though I knew it was wrong and didn't please God."

Don't misunderstand me...I didn't break the law or do anything immoral. My stuff involved words that only the Lord heard, attitudes that He saw that no one saw, ignoring the prompting of the Holy Spirit and just outright being sinful!

But HE is sooo loving towards me and won't let me ride my bike in the street even thought I scream and cry and stomp my feet or just ignore Him!! He is our loving and protective daddy! If we want to grow up and not act little brats, we have to listen to God and do what He says!

So, listen to the Holy Spirit speaking and obey RIGHT AWAY. I heard it once said that obedience isn't really obedience unless you obey right away!!

So, just do it!!!!

treats n' eats and simple love

We had a great night last night at BridgePoint Church! We had an event at the church during Tarentum's trick or treat hours. We wanted to be part of the community during that time- with games, candy, a movie, free hot dogs, grilled cheese, chips, drinks,cotton candy, cookies and the BEST of all, the love of Christ.

We at BridgePoint Church want people to feel love, kindness and acceptance. People are soo hurting, sometimes suspicious of kindness, and sometimes don't quite know how to handle simple love. Jesus was just that- simple Love. Jesus always embraced the sinner -He simply loved them. Jesus loved because He knew that was what people needed- He knew they were soo hurting, sometimes suspicious of kindness and sometimes didn't quite know how to handle simple love.

So, take time today, tomorrow, the next few days and love someone - they need it even if they don't ask or know it!

No. Pain, No Gain!!

We all know the lingo... aerobics, circuit training, core training, muscle tone, body fat index, reps, sets, supersets.. and on and on it goes. Well, we are jumping in on the whole thing.

This week BridgePoint is launching "Life Groups". They are small groups that will meet regularly. Starting Oct.7, one of those groups will be an exercise group for women, It will be taught by Stacey whose husband owns the boxing gym where we meet for church. She is certified in several styles of fitness. I will have a short devo at the beginning then we will go for it!! She is awesome and will really give us a good workout!

It is open to anyone and we would love to have all your girls come! Better yet, if you know someone who doesn't regularly go to church this is a fun, non-threatening event to bring them to.

I don't know about how fit we will become, but we will definitely have lots of fun trying! If you are interested, email me at franciek@bridgepointchurch.cc or just show up at 7:00 on Tuesday, Oct.7

1..and..2...and..1...and...2...

Kids

I realized yesterday that our 2 kids,Alexandra (23) AND Gregory(21),will be home in about 3 1/2 months and I got so excited! You might think, "that's a ways off" but they haven't been home since last Christmas. I think about them every day. I do talk to them regularly via phone but I long to put my arms around them and kiss them (they still let me do that!) As time has passed, I realize how much they are maturing and I am so proud of them!

If your kids are still at home and drive you crazy from time to time, it's all good! And, be careful that you always enjoy them- before you know it, they'll be off somewhere far from you. But, we are their stewards- the Lord owns them and He gives us the AWESOME privilege of having them bless our lives! Thank you Lord, for children, especially OURS!

Be devoted- (a longer post than usual but worth the read)!

What a crazy few weeks I've had-it's all good but nevertheless crazy! Sorry for the absence(for any of you who DO read my blog- besides myself LOL)

Anyway, during my devos lately I've been meditating on Prov 4:23:

"Above all , guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life".

Interestingly, my sister send me an email about the Arlington National Cemetery. As I began to read it, I was stopped in my tracks at what these soldiers do in regards to their commitment to guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Not only are there requirements about the rifle, the gloves, the times but sooo much else. Check out some of the info. You'll be amazed..

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be
between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other
requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the
tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on
or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the
res t of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in
any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on
their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only
400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their
lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat
and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the
top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty
in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor
watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid
to rest in Arlington National Cemetery A guard must memorize who they are
and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe
E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most
decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for
guard duty.

WOW, WOW, WOW!!

When I got a pic of that in my mind I realized that this is the urgency I need when I read scripture. These guys are radical about guarding that tomb. DO I GUARD MY HEART with that much passion, unswerving commitment and dedication? Do I put it above all else? After all, if contains (or should) the most precious thing in the world.. God's word, the living word, the thing that is the wellspring of life-what I need to live??

I have recommited myself to upholding that verse . And also to be more proactive in guarding what I let into my well- not letting it get gunked up with pollutants, junk or unnecessary stuff!

Will you come on duty with me today?

'Above all , guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life"

Worship

I was reading Ps 34 yesterday and verse 1-2 really struck a cord with me:


"I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips."

David wrote this after he was being persecuted. He had to act like a crazy person- literally- because his life was being threatened. During one of the worst times of his life, David declared that he would praise the Lord no matter what! That at ALL TIMES he wills to praise the Lord, that praise to the Lord will ALWAYS be on his lips! David was an ordinary guy who had an extra-ordinary desire to worship his God. He even did it in a greater way when his hardships were greater that usual.

He is my mentor when it comes to worship. But, do I do it to the measure that he does it when I'm under pressure?... when things aren't going my way? ...when hardship or persecution comes my way?

I challenge you(and myself) today to become the worshipper that David was.

God is looking for faithful worshippers.. that is why we were created!