Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Healing Continues

As most of you who read this know - Brian had an affair.  It lasted seven months - the details are unimportant.  One of the last things we needed to do in our healing process was to visit Las Vegas.  It was in Las Vegas that Brian met Satan with skin on....

So we went last week.  Wednesday and Thursday were fun - healing.  Friday, it was rough.  Brian was snippy and not very nice.  After a couple of hours I gave in and cried.  Tears don't impact Brian so he knew I was at the end.  We talked and prayed.  Brian's statement "I am so angry at myself, how could I have done this to you?" made me realize just how far we have come. 

When we saw this shirt we both burst into laughter.  What happened in Vegas, didn't stay in Vegas!!

Nothing is hidden from our Lord - He knows all and sees all.  Someday we will have to give account for our actions and thoughts.  I am so glad that Jesus has already forgiven.  We are taking the grace and moving on - worshipping and serving our Lord and Savior.

God is good!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

God's Sense of Humor

Wow, is God good or what? As you know our marriage has survived a very difficult time. We are healing and God is moving very quickly in our lives.


Last December, we visited CCV and felt like God was really speaking to us as we listened to Pastor Don Wilson deliver the message. We felt at peace as we sang the worship songs and chatted with those seated around us as well as those we spoke with after the service.

In this last series of messages, Pastor Don spoke about stepping out and taking risks and doing what God has called you to do for Him. Well we are doing just that. Sunday we attended the first steps class and spoke with members of the staff further about our ministry to be available for those who are struggling in their marriages. It was confirmed again that this is the ministry God has called us to and we are to further pursue His plan.

Today I spoke with the Staff and learned that with a new church plant, they have lost a few coaches to assist with the new church and the ministry at the new location and there is an immediate need for coaches like Vicki and myself. As God would only do, the person I spoke to quoted a quote we have been using for a long time. "God does not waste any hurt", "He uses it to strengthen us and for us to be the pillars when those around us are hurting". WOW......Another confirmation of God speaking to us.

During my conversation, I learned we will be attending training in the next two weeks and the training falls on days in which my work schedule does not conflict. Further, following the training, we will become members of the pastoral care staff and will work directly with the pastors and the persons facing difficult times in their marriages.

As part of CCV's strategy we have found a neighborhood group just blocks away from our home.  This will allow us to further reach the neighborhoods for Christ and allow us to actively involved in our neighborhood with the ministry God has called us to. 

I/we are so excited to see how God ahs lead us out of the desert and is taking us to higher ground to work with Him thus giving the glory directly to Him. What an awesome God we serve.

We ask continued prayer for us as we continue to follow God's calling in our lives.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Go God

Can't believe how mightily God is working in our lives.  And we know it must be God because so much stuff is happening as we are taking BIG steps of faith.

We went to class today at CCV, we are going to switch to a new Neighborhood Group - about four blocks from us.  How cool is that?  We will be starting training to move forward into helping other couples whose marriages are in trouble.  God NEVER EVER takes us through something without letting us use it for His glory. 

And yet, as we follow in obedience, the evil one continues to attack....  Silly devil - God wins. 

This is going to be a great week - God is so good.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Stepping Out

While life has been pretty busy recently - we are also so much at peace.

Moving to a new church and a new ministry is good.  Pastor Don yesterday challenged us to step out.  How often as fully devoted followers of Jesus do we accept mediocrity rather being willing to be bold and step out?

I love the statement - There are no regrets when we step out for Jesus.  Jesus will never, ever fail us.  He wants us to step out of our comfort zone.  So, here we are - taking risks. 

The really cool thing - we are headed the right direction because we are under attack of the evil one.  Our comfort lies in the fact that we know who wins - God. 

God is so good.