Ike took a hike...

I can't believe I am writing this in sunny weather with no hurricane damage. The early reports looked like we were going to see the eye with our very own eyes, but you never know what a hurricane will do, there's a statement huh?!? Just change hurricane to God and it's a great blog post....

God can not be boxed in, we can not guess or know what He is up to. One of my favorite things to say (I wish I knew who I heard it from first so I could give credit where credit is due), is "When God causes a wave, grab your surfboard and enjoy the ride!" Crazy thing is I used to say that when I lived in Michigan and didn't own a surfboard. Now, in S. Texas we own 6 surfboards and I understand that little ditty a bit better!! I am really embracing what it means to enjoy the ride!! God is causing a big wave and I am ready to grab the board! Where will it take me??? I have no idea, I just want to glorify God wherever I go!!

Eeeek......IKE!!

If you have a minute, could you please pray for hurricane Ike to weaken? Corpus Christi is supposed to get a direct hit at this point, but you never know with a hurricane. Only God knows!!! Please pray that God will protect us and that we will have safe travels as we evacuate.

My husband wants to surf before we leave, I guess you could say we are really new at this hurricane thing!

Thanks for your prayers!

Psalm 91

About a year ago a friend called me and asked me to pray with them for each high school football game. Pray for the players and coaches from both teams to know Jesus as their Savior, to be safe as they play (no injuries), and to enjoy each game.

I shared with my little prayer warrior a great Psalm to pray, Psalm 91. So each week for 14 weeks my friend walked the football field and prayed Psalm 91. It didn't stop there, my friend printed out Psalm 91, laminated it and put in on the visor of their truck so they would never forget to pray for the players and coaches.

Well, football season ended, but the prayers have never stopped and this year on the first football Friday I received a call from my friend. Psalm 91 right Stacey?!?!! Absolutely!!

We drove together to the first game, it was 2 1/2 hours away and my friend showed me a stack of laminated cards. Yep, you guessed it! My friend printed Psalm 91 out for each player on the team. I was handed one with all the "you's" changed to my son's name. My friend was so excited but a little nervous to hand out each one not knowing if the family they were giving it to was even a believer! What a bold Jesus thing to do! I love to see people just be obedient to God's call on their life!

What a sweet aroma to our amazing God.

the orchard blog

Orchard Valley Community Church in Aurora, IL is utilizing "Twitter" to help their church community experience prayer rhythms. Scott Hodge, lead pastor, taught on the spiritual practice of prayer rhythms and is now providing a tool to help people grow in their relationship with Christ. I am personally loving each "tweet." I stop what I am doing and just pray, refreshing, awesome, amazing, sign up for twitter and check out the blog. Here is this mornings prayer........

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights. (Psalm 148:1)

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. (Psalm 103:1)

Yet another said, ‘I will follow you, sir; but let me first say good-bye to my people at home.’ To him Jesus said, ‘No one who sets his hand to the plough and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ (Luke 9:61-62)

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into my heart your greatest gift which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to the beginning of his day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purposes; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

comeback

I love college football, seriously I'm not kidding. Right now I am watching the SEC football rewind game from Nov 07 Tennessee v Kentucky. The announcers just said what an amazing comeback.

I can't think of a better comeback than the day Jesus returns, and I can't think of anything better to do until that day than teach children all about our amazing God.

Whew, I just said "Amen" out loud without anyone around!

Ephesians 3:20

This past weekend during service, the band played "Today is the Day" by Lincoln Brewster. It's an awesome song that has hints of "This is the day." The entire service was amazing and reminded me of how great our God is. He can and will do more than we could ever ask or imagine! God is in control, He is good! I feel so blessed and so free right now to do whatever He asks of me!

Camp KidJam

What an amazing week at Camp KidJam!

The kids had a blast! The teaching was amazing, games were right on their level, the energy during the jam sessions was off the charts and the small group activities totally hit the mark. Not only do your kids have an amazing time, all leaders have the opportunity to attend leader training where the Orange philosophy is explained and leaders are encouraged.

I would highly recommend this camp experience to anyone considering camp next year.