Frantic February

What a month of blessings! It truly is a ZOE Life with Christ. It's usually, a "Heart" month, anyway, so it's no wonder that with the Spirit inside and aflame it has been rich and beautiful.

I've been reading Michael Howard's books and finding them filled with rich Spiritual meat to chew on. "Love Constrained" is an incredible story of a Holy Spirit campaign in war-torn Mozambique, with some action in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. (Most of you, reading this blog will know that John and I spent over 10 years in Rhodesia serving Christ with not only the Black nation but also the Europeans in Gwelo. What stark memories these books are conjuring in my mind. One sentence I would like to share concerns the political atmosphere during the writing of the book... "In the world of politics it should always be remembered that there is still a God who rules the heavens and the ultimate affairs of men." Good advice for times and God's people in the United States today. The devastating ungodly things that are taking place in various States across America and in Government call for serious intercession on the part of God's people. May our hearts beat with God's Heart in these matters and lead us to follow the Holy Spirit in complete obedience when it comes to prayer.

Besides, my reading Michael Howard's books, it is also my privilege to teach a Bible Study in the Vintage on Wednesdays at 3:00. We are studying Philip Yancey's book- "The Jesus I Never Knew." What challenging and eye-opening material he has put together. We are thoroughly enjoying the experience, and an experience it is! There is nothing 'ho-hum' about it but on the contrary, it is alive and vibrant; very thought provoking and arresting.

We've had the joy of meeting new friends who hale from Denver. One Sunday morning as I entered the Church building I noticed a couple I hadn't seen before. It was easy to greet them and get acquainted since they were there for the purpose of Worship and fellowship with Believers. We invited them home for lunch afterward to learn more of their interests and love of Jesus. God is so good. Diana works out at Hanford and Jim is able to continue his business in Denver by telephone. They have been here since July '09. We have been able to introduce them to a wonderful Bible Study at The Garden which is called Master Gardeners- led by Will Ojenen. And what a blessing. The study is on what we have "In Him". Rich, Rich, Rich.

Valentines Day meant a Party in the Social Room and I was invited to decorate the tables for the event. It was fun and my new friend, Diana, asked if she could help? They took us out to lunch after Church and upon our return to the Vintage we started decorating. What fun to work with her; then both Jim and Diana stayed to help with Church at the Vintage at 3:00 and then we finished the tables after the service. I was given a prize of Dinner for 2 at Famous Daves which John and I are going to enjoy sometime soon.

The Pastor of The Garden has a saying- "Get under the Spout where the Glory comes out."
He said recently, "God wants to take our ordinary life and make it extra-ordinary." Why not? He is in the Supernatural Business, right? "I'm Saved- I'm Called
I'm purposed- I'm Graced"
Romans 12:1,2a "So here's what I want you to do; God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-- your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life-- and place it before God as an offering Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out... " (The Message Bible)
"God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth."

I hope the month of Hearts has been a blessing to you. "Trust in the Lord with all your HEART and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path." Proverbs 3:5,6