Coffee anyone??

Okay, okay....it's just a joke!
But to let you know...the "young people" (you can tell they are young when you stand them up next to Chandler & I---who are the OLDEST couple in the church = respect your "elders"!!!)...anyway, the young people along with a few of us older folk, meet every Wednesday night at the Caribou Coffee Shop on Hwy. 92 in Woodstock. It's a great night of fun and fellowship as we generally move from table to table or even outside talking about Life...and the Giver of Life! It's more than just "hanging out"---it's fellowship as we question each other about various topics and search the scriptures to find the answers.
So if you are already a part of this = I love you guys and cherish our time together! (thanks for letting me join in!)
....and if you are not a part of this.....come join us! We'll look for you Wednesday!

He is Risen!

"Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delievered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." Luke 24: 5-6

Our pastor preached about the Transfiguration today and it really blessed me in a new way. One of the things he pointed out related to recent thoughts and discussions I've had lately.... he said that as Jesus appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration (meaning that he literally changed---appearing in his glory) he was joined by Moses and Elijah. At this point, those of other beliefs could claim that He was a great prophet...but that He was nothing more than a prophet---like the other prophets there on the Mount.
Ahhhhhh.....but something even more spectacular happened that day: "Then a cloud formed, ....and a voice came out of the cloud, 'This is My beloved Son, Listen to Him!'"
God spoke!.....and in His message He verified the Divinity of Jesus Christ....setting Him apart from the others present....and giving instructions to "Listen to Him!"

If Jesus was merely just another human being.....even though He was a nice enough guy to give up His life for you and me.......it would do us no good at all unless He was (and is) the Son of God! .....for it takes a sinless One to pay for the sins of another.

My sins are paid for.....and the Resurrection proves that! What about yours??

From My Journal....

I just spent a while this evening lamenting over my heart's condition. It seems so worldly.....and I don't know how it got that way! But I'm just starting a study of the book of Joel, so I read chapters 1 and 2, only to find out that Locusts had destroyed the land of the Hebrews, their vineyards, crops, and everything they possessed.

Recently, at church, we have learned about the "essence of God"...which is: He does whatever He wants to do and He does not have to explain Himself to us!
Now look at Joel 2:25b > "MY great army (locusts) which I SENT among you."

Wow! Here, as in many cases, He does explain Himself. HE sent the locusts that destroyed everything HIS children (the Hewbrews) had in order to get their attention and turn them back to depending on Him!

The Message to me:
>The locusts (of worldliness) have eaten away at my heart
>God's message (Joel 2:13),

"Rend your HEART, and NOT your garments."

This is so like God and not like me. He's always looking on the inside...I'm always looking only on the outside! I would tear garments (Miss Drama)....but He goes straight to the heart's condition = tear it! REPENT!

>He always restores: Joel 2:25, 26 >

"Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten.....and you shall have plenty to eat and be satisfied."

Ahhhhhhhhh.........some real food, at last! Praise to His Glory!