looking at Psalms 1

PSALMS 1 - looking at this this morning and seeing some very difficult reproof -
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

what is the counsel of the wicked - well the simple answer is anything that is not completely based on the Word of God - OUCH!!! that's a tough one . How about talk shows - gosh sometimes they sound so good in what they are saying - i believe that is called tickling our ears: the Word of God has alot to say about that as well. Our flesh wants to listen to the counsel that works with our weaknesses but in reading this verse we can clearly see that it is WICKED. sure i could go on and on here but i think the word WICKED is well put.

Nor stands in the path of sinners: how close do we allow ourselves to get to the line of sinful things? if we want to be blessed then it's pretty clear we need to stay clear of that path of the things of sinners. Yes I know that everything is permissible but is everything beneficial? Will it stump my progress in looking like Jesus? What form of entertainment is lessening my resolve to righteousness?
these are all very tough questions that I'm throwing around in my mind asking myself. I think this is going to be a hard day for me meditating on this verse and allowing it to nourish my body soul and mind with everything that God has intended it to be for me today.


remember keep chasing righteousness!!!!

A Letter from my Jesus

My Sweet Girl,

I beckon you to come to My Word for comfort, strength, wisdom and knowledge. When you do, My Words will pierce like a surgeon’s scalpel, both cutting and healing. My Word will cut to the very place where thoughts and attitudes come together, at the joining of soul and spirit, providing you with a healing that can not be obtained by any other measure.
My Word is given to you as a vehicle to carry you so that you might be able to know Me and see Me, your Lord Jesus Christ.
If you desire to grow in My Word then become a woman with a chisel and explore My Word. Let My Word become your Word, and I promise you will greatly grow.
I challenge you, My precious girl to rediscover the Bible in your own life, to regain the same hunger and zeal you felt when you first heard and felt My Name in your life. Great and mighty things I hold for you. Come enjoy Me enjoying you.

Wholeheartedly Devoted To You,
Jesus

Dear Friends,
I have spoken to Pastor Greg and he wants each and every one of you to know how your messages are ministering to him, Cathe, Jonathan, and Brittany. They appreciate your condolences and prayers. He will be posting a personal response as soon as he is able. God bless each of you and we want you to know that we covet all of your prayers.
In lieu of flowers, people may contribute to a memorial fund for Brittany Laurie & Children. Checks may be made out to Harvest Christian Fellowship with the notation, “Christopher Laurie Memorial Fund”.
Carol Faulkner
Administrative Assistant to Pastor Greg Laurie
You may pass along condolences and thoughts for the Laurie family by posting a comment here.
http://blog.greglaurie.com/

A good read

okay i know you all must have read this many times before however today God wants to speak very clearly to you, cause He's pretty sure you missed it last time


Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens . 'Great,' she thought. 'Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry.' She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there. She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying.. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.' She thought, 'Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.' Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, 'Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?' Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it! The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story ! of the a nt, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, 'Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You.' I think it would do all of us some good to say, 'God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will.' God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him....I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

Happy Birthday Julie K

I love you so very much!!!Praying God's best for you in this new birth year - see you in a few
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Our Prayers are with the Laurie family

Please pray for the Laurie familyJuly 24th, 2008

Statement on the Death of Christopher Laurie, Son of Pastor Greg LaurieJuly 24, 2008
Christopher Laurie, son of Pastor Greg Laurie and Cathe Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., died this morning in a car accident in Riverside. A resident of Huntington Beach, Laurie, 33, served as the art director at Harvest Christian Fellowship for the past three years.
In addition to his parents, Christopher is survived by his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Stella, as well as his brother Jonathan. Christopher and his wife are expecting another daughter in November.

More Pix - Leaders Dinner

Carrie, Rochelle and Dannete
Jennifer
Danette and Jenn

Leaders Appreciation Dinner

Donna, Steph G and Lea - Becky and Lori are int he back ground Joanne, Melissa, Jennifer peaking her head in and Peggy.
Karen. Carrie. Melissa looking elswhere, Becky and Jennifer
Becky and Lori
Steph and Lori

I wanted to post some of the pix from the leader's dinner - this was a night that Lori gave us to say thank you for our service - Pastor Bob and Becky joined us - it was a beautiful summer evening with good food - great fellowship and good truth from the Word.

DUH!!!

I had one of the Duh moments this morning during my quiet time. I was actually just sitting and praying, praising Jesus for all the great things that He did during VBS. I was thinking about my week and my unexplainable ability to do what I did everyday. I went into VBS on Monday with only having a total of 5 hours (combined) of sleep for the 3 days prior. I was at the church working 9 to 12 hour days the 3 days prior. Then VBS hit, each day I was there from 5:30am until 4pm(earliest) 10PM (latest). We (Worship Team) did worship/ jump around crazy fun stuff with the kids for 1 hour 10 min each day ( We were also doing worker kid entertainment each day) 2 nights i never slept and the other 3 nights i got 2-4 hours. On Friday night our Friend's and Family Night, God allowed me to organize this amazing event. Lot's and lot's of work after a very long exhausting week - but so completely worth it! There is no reason why I should have been standing by that point. I hurt but I felt so full of life and excitement for what God was doing that I just kept moving. We ended the evening with EVERDAY!! a fast hype song. When we finished that song I could actually fell this sensation that I'm choosing to call, God lifting His hand from my Physical body. I was instantly unable to barely move. It was actually pretty funny (at least to see) but so very painful all rolled into one. I knew then my work was done. My Lord had carried me all week to do the work He called me to do. Now it was finished and I was so very finished! In my pain and exhaustion I was so thankful for who He is in my life and prayed that I would always live in this great truth. What He calls us to do no matter what the surrounding circumstances are He is faithful to give us what we need in the moment. The key is knowing what He has called us to and then trusting that He will make provisions each step of the way. We simply need to trust Him. So this morning as I was praying through this I was hit with the funny stick that DuH!! my word this year is ENDURE!!!! I love this lesson I'm learning and growing in. Don't get me wrong it is not easy but it's not supposed to be. ENDURE!!

Hebrews 5:4

And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.

new carpet

7 years ago when we moved into our church building, we all wrote on the sanctuary floor before the carpet was laid - today the carpet is being removed - there's little perks like this one that make being one of the last people to ever leave the building so worth it - as the men pulled the carpet up and I walked on that floor reading what so many of us wrote, it was emotional - it was an honor - i was so blessed to read the scriptures, to see the names of the people - i took many pictures, here are a few - it's hard to believe it's been 7 years - thank you Jesus for allowing me to be blessed in this beautiful way.

I'm Back

VBS was so amazing - God did what only He can do and worked the best plan ever. I am currently experiencing the VBS hangover, but so very worth it - i'd start back up tomorrow if I could - I'm posting a picture of steph- I don't have any other pix unfortunately - I realized that all the pictures I was taking was on the church camera ( duh!!) I'll try to get some of those awesome pix and post them but until then here's steph.

VBS DAY

it's here ! don't have time to say much, i need to get to the church - yes this early - no sleep last night and my entire devotion this morning was on rest - yes i laughed too - but i get it, i know what God is saying, don't worry ;0)
i miss my sis not being here - i miss my friend not doing worship with me - do you think God is trying to tell me something??????? - i know i know!

I will try to remember to take pictures today - the decor is so fantastic
i left at 8:45pm Bobby left at 10pm and he said they were still going strong (6-people) - so I imagine it was a midnighter - All for Jesus
All for Jesus!!!!

the day before VBS - it's here the day we have prepared and prayed for - i have my last practice with my worship team and after many cuts(songs) and my sweet friend( pillar) having to step out( sickness) i'm ready - the last little details ( technical ) will happen has it happens - the battle that goes along with something like this is insane but this year for the first time, i feel as if i have kept most of it in perspective - okay i'm not saying i didn't blow it - what i'm saying is quickly when the bomb would hit i would find my Jesus in it - now i'm sure since i said this, today ought to be interesting - that's okay, i know who it's all for - God is building His church (people) and for those of us that allow Him to use us we get blessed to be active participants - the reward far exceeds the hard stuff. here is a good devotion from this morning.



I will build My church. Matthew 16:18
This promise has enormous implications for every follower of Jesus Christ. "I will build My church." Each of the five words in this brief declaration reveals an essential truth of Christian life and service.
First, this promise discloses who will build the church. "I (Jesus) will build My church." Jesus is the builder of the church, not man. He wants to use us in the process, but He is the builder. Paul understood this arrangement. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation" (1 Corinthians 3:10). By the grace of God, Paul served the Lord. As he went about proclaiming Christ, the Lord was using him to lay the foundation (Christ) in lives that were being saved and individual churches that were being started.
Second, Jesus' promise reveals the certainty of His church being built. "I will (assuredly) build My church." There is no room for doubt. Jesus will do what He is promising. The only question for us is whether or not we will be available as a part of this wondrous process. The Lord wants to make us usable for His work: "sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).
Third, this promise indicates the manner in which the Lord wants to work. "I will build (construct) My church." As with any construction project, there are both the quantitative and qualitative aspects. The Lord saves souls, adding them to His church in a quantitative increase. "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). The Lord also enriches those He saves, bringing to His church qualitative development. "And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33).
Fourth, His promise settles the issue of ownership. "I will build My (Jesus') church." The church does not belong to the Pastor, the Church Board, or the District Office. It is Jesus' church. He paid the price to redeem us: "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).
Fifth, this promise specifies exactly what Jesus is going to build. "I will build My church (His people)." The church is not a building. This word (church) literally speaks of "a called out people." "But you are…His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God" (1 Peter 2:9-10).

In My InBox

I love how much listens and cares for us. He knows me so well and what's on myheart that I often wonder if He's in my head - O wait He is ;0)
this was my thought process this morning and then i go to my email and get this devotion

What's Your Measure?In Luke 6:38, Jesus said these words:"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."That is a promise of Jesus that you can stake your life on. Give and what happens? It will be given to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?!But notice that He also added this, "The same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." If you take a serving spoon, and that is what you measure out your giving with, you will get an overflowing serving spoon. It comes back to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing from a serving spoon.The measure you use is what is measured back to you. If you use a shovel, and that is what you measure it out with, that is how it comes back to you.Wouldn't you rather have a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over shovel as opposed to a serving spoon? The measure you use, Jesus said, that is what is used to measure back to you.I believe many people are using a teaspoon and yet they are praying, "God bless me. I have big needs." I am sure God is saying, "I'm doing all I can. You know, I'm pressing it down as much as I can press it down. It is running over. But a running over teaspoon is just not that much."Are you using a teaspoon or a shovel? Whatever you use is what comes back multiplied, but it is only according to the measure you use.


I'm getting a bulldozer shovel today!

okay - i'm worried that my last post "I Suck" is the last thing that's been posted for the past few days. I'm better, well at least from all that stuff. Gosh that was a really hard day and it was a bit cathartic for me to be so raw here in blogsville. Even though some of the readers out there think it's completely out of line that I would post such a thing. ( I won't even comment on that ) Well fast forward to now - God is doing such a hard yet imperative work in my life right now. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that it's coming right before VBS. God has a way of really taking me to the end of myself each VBS year and forcing me, since apparently I just won't do it on my own, to rely completely on His strength in me. I could sit here and go on and on about how sad that I just can't learn this lesson and how pathetic that it is, but instead I'll just praise my Jesus for His faithfulness to care so much about the task that I need to do that He won't let any of me be apart of it. So Praise You Wonderful Faithful Jehovah-Shammah, You are Perfect and Your Ways are Perfect I surrender to this work that You are doing!



Aaahhhhh - VBS - I love VBS - (I actually started this blog last VBS year)

This years VBS Worship team consist of 12 members - WOW I remember the days when Julie and I were it, praying so hard that more would come. Well they sure have come and there are days I think what in the world have I gotten myself into ;0) We have 18 people currently involved in Children's worship. I'm just thankful that only 12 of us are doing VBS. I know it will be great though. God has given us such great music. Making choreography has been harder than normal though. I think I'm just getting to old. Maybe I'll get someone to video tape some of the worship during VBS and post it on God Tube. You all have to see 350 kids worshiping to Newsboys - Presence or MercyMe - So Long Self. It doesn't get much better than that. If you read this and you love my Jesus send up a prayer for me that I might remain in Him and be ablessing in all I do at VBS. Thanks


remember - Keep chasing righteousness!!!

I suck!!!

okay
so this morning I listened to this difficult but amazing message ( previous post) then my day began and at every single turn, there was a challenge, incompetence, people misunderstanding every action, people expecting me to preform magic - i thought i was going to bust because I knew i was blowing it - over and ever the words from THAT MESSAGE came rolling in my mind - yet I just couldn't get out of this yucky mode - Lord what are you wanting from me!!! (as if I really needed to ask that) - DIE SUSAN DIE SUSAN - don't let satan win - my heart hurt so much, could anyone even tell i was hurting so much from my own yuck - it didn't matter because my perfect loving DADDY did and all He wanted was for me to run to Him to praise Him in the storm of this day - so now i can breath and lick my wounds and allow the pain of shame and discouragement to be turned in to a heart of humility and submission to a Holy God - Yes Jesus I choose You even if everyday is like today. I choose You!

Read at your own risk

Complaining
leads
to
Rebellion!
just listened to a really great, but difficult message that Julie posted on her blog. Just read the above statement and allow God to do what only He can do.

http://www.joncourson.com/teaching/teachingsplay.asp?teaching=OT5071