Life's Journey

Whatever you scream into life, will come back to you.  What you sow you will reap – what you put into, you will get out.  When i think about this, it challenges me on how I speak and what i speak, life is really in the tongue and so is death.  I guess it comes down to knowing the Word of God.  If we know what the Father has said about us, spoken over us and desires for us, that determines how we live our lives.  In other words, your ignorance of the word causes you to miss out on the fullness of God for your life.  Know what the Word of God says and you will know Him ~ We only get to do this once so let’s know Him!

Reading this scripture the other day was rather inspiring.  Psalms 127:1 ~ “Unless The Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it: except the Lord keeps the city, the watchmen wakes but in vain.” At this time we are literally expanding our sanctuary at TOLC and it has reminded me how our lives are also being built.  Expansion seems to be in our lives right now in many areas so watching and being involved closely with all these projects, I have been reminded how we received the blueprint in life when hearing about the plan of Salvation.  How exciting as we trusted the Lord with Jeremiah 29:11 ~ “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you a hope in your final out come.”  Along the way while building, we have had to have the plans submitted, corrected, we get inspections done, weather delays and even change of construction sometimes!  Just like our lives, when we have obtained the blueprint and established a strong foundation, off we go and start the process of growth and expansion in our lives.  Sometimes things happen that we don’t expect, diversions, corrections, losses, change, additions, subtractions and different seasons, even inspections!  All this is for the good as we grow in the Lord, mature in our faith and press on to be complete in Him.   He is still working on me, to make me what He wants me to be…..  We are building a physical sanctuary for the people of God at TOLC to dwell in and grow in love and unity.  Just like our lives, He is making us to be a habitation for the Lord to dwell in richly, a place where the Spirit of the Lord dwells and enables us to be a person that can then reach out to others in love, grace and blessing wherever we may be.  I am so glad that the Lord does not quit building and expanding our lives and making us to be the habitation of the Lord!!

Port O’Conner, TX – know as POC too….   We are enjoying our visit so much down here at the end of Highway 185.  Literally you stop at the end of the road and end up at one of the most quaint and enjoyable beaches in Texas.  Not many people seem to know that this place even exists but we do and love it!  God’s creation is amazing with porpoise and dolphins swimming by and fish jumping way out of the water all around!  Just found out that this is a Sportsman’s beach, the sport being fishing!  Amongst all of us here, many fish have been caught and released plus a crab or two ~ even a competition for who could catch the biggest crab in one hour!  It has been a great time of relaxation and friendship over the past 4 days – thanks for making it possible.

Even Jesus submitted Himself to earthly authority and by doing so submitted to His heavenly Father.  Learning obedience and submission is probably one of the hardest things to learn in life.  I was reading that even Jesus had to to do this and guess what He received from it – “He went down to Nazareth, with his parents and was obedient to them…and Jesus grew (increased, matured) in wisdom and stature, and favor with God and man.” Lk. 2:51-52.  Wow, even though Jesus had all authority and knew that He was the son of God at this point in His life, he still fully submitted to his parents, who were not sinless and faultless! What an example of obedience and because of His obedience and submission, He grew (matured, increased) in wisdom and stature, and in the favor of God and man!  I guess the key to growing in wisdom, stature, and the favor of God and man is to learn to be obedient and submissive. Doesn’t sound hard but is a challenge every day as we learn to die to the flesh and follow Him daily. Obedience must be a lifestyle and not an occasional event! (Philippians 2:12-1)

After 5 months of being unemployed, Daniel was hired to work at Apple. After arriving back from CFNI and not having employment, the first thing he said was that he wanted to work at Appple! After applying continually and us all praying for the last 5 month, today was the day – Go God! One of the toughest things is letting your children go and allowing God to show Himself faithful in their lives. “Let go and let God,” sounds easy until you have to do it!! Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.

Woke up with Daniel taking a fall but all is well. Off to the hospital for Sarah to have an infusion and no appointment, now scheduled for Friday and yet the morning is early so things can only get better!!

I have to take this opportunity to let you know that baby Isaiah has in Austin  with his parents, Mike and Dena, all the way from Ethiopia! As many of you know, Mike and Dena have been praying for sometime now to expand their family – once again, God has shown himself faithful! I am anticipating lots of great adventures for them and know that they will do a great job as raising little Isaiah as a Godly young man. Please keep them in your prayers as they all adjust to many new and exciting things as they adapt to being a family! He is an amazing child and i love him tons!

I have wanted to do this for a long time, so why not now!! Hope you enjoy!