update-eroo-ski.

Just a brief update of some of the things that have been going on here lately…

Cairo Levee Race

From the end of September to the beginning of November, Stacy, Heather, Melissa and I helped with an after school running program for elementary school students. It was part of an initiative by the local health clinic to train kids for the annual Cairo Levee Run. It was so much fun to coach the kids in running, something that I have been learning a lot about this year as Stacy and I tackled the Nashville half marathon. We were overjoyed on race day when so many of the students showed up to run and opted to do the 5K, a longer run than they had trained for. All finished and were awarded medals and trophies. It is a great victory in our community to see kids stick with something, and we were delighted to see them enjoy their first race experience. Stacy and I went for the 10K run this year, which turned out to be a difficult one on that day – but having a prayer warrior by your side makes a great difference, I recommend everyone run with one ;o). If you want to borrow Stacy, that’s okay, but be sure and give her back to me, because she is a blessing!

Substitute Teaching

God has been pricking my heart about teaching for several months. I have even praying about the possibility of getting certified to teach. As a fleece for this stirring in my spirit, with the counsel of my beloved spiritual padres, I decided to get certified to substitute teach. I was excited to get the opportunity to see what a “day in the classroom” felt like and also be released to bring the Kingdom wherever God might send me in the school system. I’ve subbed now only two days. The first was a third grade class, which turned out to be a great day and the second day I moved around the lower elementary school here with stops in the Pre K (which requires a post all to itself), and the first graders, who remain my great love.

My experiences have been fun and educational, for sure, but to be honest I received no great epiphany about direction for this. I enjoy the classroom, I love the kids! But I don’t have a release to go further than subbing right now, so I’m just abiding and observing and trying to learn what God has to teach me in this. I think this is part of the puzzle, I just can’t see it all right now. I did a lot of research about home schooling this summer and I think there’s something in that, but the bottom line is my heart burns to raise up a generation whose norms are the realities and promises of the Kingdom of God. I am beginning to think that the execution of such a feat is going to involve some Holy Spirit crafted blueprints. So I guess, I am waiting for them.

Biloxi Trip

We had the great pleasure as a staff team to join the Emmanuel Lutheran Church on their third mission trip to Biloxi, MS. It really was a blessing to spend the week with these servants, to get to know them better and serve alongside them. Their generosity was exceedingly kind towards us and I look forward to the exploits the Lord may have for us in the future! During the week we worked on rehabbing two different houses. My highlights for the week were meeting the owner of the home we worked on and her neighbor – who was lead by the Lord to come over and play “Amazing Grace” for us on his saxophone! Read Stacy’s blog for the whole story, it’s really amazing. Also I thoroughly enjoyed my day at the free clinic helping translate for the Spanish speakers. My Spanish is very rough, but I have a great desire to be fluent someday and this was wonderful encourager for that. I was able to talk to an adorable 4 year old who helped me out with some vocab as we walked through a Blue’s Clues book, and to help a couple of older gentlemen communicate to the doctor and the nurse. I was able to hear one of the men’s story of how he ended up in Biloxi, his love for his family, and how Jesus is his best friend. I was amazed at how much the Lord helped me remember and how special it was to be a communication tool for the Lord that day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 1, 1777

The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, to set apart a day of public thanksgiving, brought in a report; which was taken into consideration, and agreed to as follows:

Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessings on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labor of the husbandman, that our land may yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

And it is further recommended, that servile labor, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.

-This is the text of the Continental Congress November 1, 1777 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation; as printed in the Journals of Congress.

GodTube.com – davisc – Gianna Jessen – Abortion Survivor (Part 1 of 2).mp4

I had heard about this woman a while ago, but stumbled upon these videos recently. I love her boldness in proclaiming Christ and truth. Powerful testimony, and great encouragement to pray for the unborn.

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Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor in Australia Part 2

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Casting Crowns – What If His People Prayed (Live)

Melissa played the Casting Crowns CD on our way to church this morning. I hadn’t listened to it in a very long time and this was the first song that came on. It just hit me where I’m at right now, so desiring for the church to remember who she is, step up to the plate, and release the Kingdom in her midst.

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You are my refuge…

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Unexpected Joy.

It’s election Boxing Day for all intents and purposes and I find myself almost beside myself with joy, which is unexpected…strange even, because I did not vote for Barack Obama.

I wish I could have celebrated and truly embraced the moment of our first African American president elect. Indeed history was made, and living in a mostly African American community, spending time with 99% African American children it is amazing to think of what his rise to office could inspire them to do. But I can’t fully celebrate it all because of many of the things he stands for and how they don’t line up with God’s heart. I didn’t think that McCain and Palin were the morality champions either, but they stood for life, among other things, and I appreciated that. Though I feel all believers are called to stand up for life, this is a passionate battlefield for me – I am fiery for life because my calling is intertwined with babies making it out of the womb. If you are called to raise up the next generation, you will fight for them to live, that’s just how it is for me.

Let the reader understand, I’ve never believed that government regulation of morality issues would magically create a righteous America – the Holy Spirit has to convict, hearts have to be transformed by God for that to happen. However, If you hand me a ballot and ask for my opinion of how I want the country to run, I will vote from a Kingdom perspective as best I can with the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

Having said all that, I can honestly say I am full of JOY right now because I see God opening up an invitation for the church to step up and step out. We can’t rely on a “Christian” government to evoke righteousness on our behalf, we have to live it ourselves and be a witness that many would come to Christ. If we want abortion to end in America, we’re going to have to step out in RADICAL LOVE and minister to broken women, be willing and ready to adopt children, and pray like never before. God has always intended the church to be the answer to the world’s woes, well, how about now being our chance? We possess the Kingdom of Heaven within by the Holy Spirit and we need to release it to those around us through love, His Word, compassion, and service – that we would lay down our lives for the one next to us, even if they hate us, because God loves them.

I’m excited because there are challenges that are headed our way, especially for the church that will require us to decide where we stand – are we willing to pick up our cross and follow Him? I believe there will be less people floating around in the lukewarm water of relationship with Jesus – they will love Jesus without compromise, or their hearts will grow cold. The church was created to be so beautiful. Imagine a church so juiced up with Truth that wherever they go people are healed, restored, set free because the Kingdom of God follows them – that people don’t have to live in fear, lies, brokenness because Jesus is amongst them. The Word says that when the righteous reign, the people are blessed. I believe this – but I know it doesn’t mean they have to reign in office (though I always long for and desire righteous leadership), we are already seated with Christ, already have access to the mind of Christ, the mindset of heaven – we need to use it, we need to walk in our identity, church. The earth is groaning for it. The people around us need Jesus, whether they know it or not. We can not be silent, we must live the gospel in word and deed.

I’m excited to pray for Obama and those God has now established in leadership. I was thinking of God’s great love for Obama, that he would put him in a position where now hundreds of thousands of people will be praying for him. What a great thing to pray for our leaders that they would know the affections of God. Let us give Him no rest as we lift us our country’s leadership.

So yes, I find myself unexpectedly joyful today at how God will use these turn of events to purify the church, and hopefully shake us out of complacency. I also speak with sobriety, I do believe the days ahead will bring some great challenges, some great tests, especially to the people of God. When the world is telling us to hoard, the Spirit will be telling us to give, give generously in love -to the ones around you, that they would know the love of the Lord. The wisdom of God will look foolish, but will reap blessing if we are obedient to it. We need to be careful of being bedfellows with the ways of the world and we need to be IN GOD’S WORD.

Today during my prayer time, Kristy and I were praying for our country and for the church, God led me to this Psalm. It was an encouragement to me, today.

Psalm 112
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!
His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!

On the eve of the election…

Dear God,

I thank you, Lord for the words of Paul, his consistent confession that he was not eloquent. I think I rarely have moments of eloquence, though I often yearn for them. Especially now a days, Lord. I wish I had all the perfect words and powerful prose to communicate all you put on my heart, but my words are continually feeble. My thoughts seem persistently sparse. I am increasingly becoming a fool to the world.

I pray for our country, Lord. I pray you would teach me how to pray for our new leadership. I feel like I’m watching Israel cry out for a King and wondering if you will answer with a Saul. I long for that day when we won’t have to settle for fallen men to lead us in fallen ways. I long for the day when we won’t be molded by the media to believe whatever it wants us to believe. I long for the day when the church won’t compromise, and she would remember who she is and the authority she has – that she would remember when the righteous rule, everyone is blessed, as Your Word says- and not that it’s about choosing that perfect candidate, but about the church as a body, stepping up to reign with Christ here and now. Remind your bride that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God, would you raise up someone who fears you, who knows they are not the savior, the answer, but a servant above all.

I know, Lord there is so much that grieves your heart in my country. 50 million little babies gone. I know it’s not just another issue to you, who formed them in their mother’s wombs and knew them before time began. I know Lord it’s not just a pro or con I can weigh in the balances of decision making. It hurts you, It breaks your heart. This hidden holocaust. I’m so sorry, Jesus. I’m so sorry we’ve made it into just another issue with no conviction in our hearts, we go on like nothing has happened because it’s all conveniently out of sight. God would you raise up your bride to be your bride! A new creation, with a citizenship in heaven that she would not operate out of the logic and methods of this world, but walk with the wisdom of God – eyes open, ears open to your Spirit. We look so much like the world, Lord, let us be conformed more and more into your likeness.

So teach me, Lord. Teach me how to pray. Teach me how to be a citizen in heaven, but a participant here on earth. Teach me how to walk according to your Word and for the purposes for Your Kingdom. May my faith not be an extracurricular activity, a half-hearted spiritual luxury. May I walk by faith and not sight. May I esteem no man over you. May I vote and support not based on man’s principles, or to create a “Christian political machine” but simply to honor you, to bless you, to align with Your Kingdom.

I trust you, Lord. You are the only change I can believe in. So I ask tomorrow, Lord that you would bless Israel. That you would remember the unborn. That you would silence the enemies and the lies and confusion he has unleashed on our country. Lift the veil. I’m not asking for a certain candidate, Lord, I’m asking for your will.

Open a door, Lord that many would be saved. Have mercy, bring us to that place of repentance. Let us not build our own kingdoms, but be drawn into Yours. Awaken your bride, Lord.