Distance

I must apologize for my lack of writing lately...juggling a newborn and busy 4 year old, well, it's enough to wipe ya right out! I have written and thought about so many things in my head while resting or washing bottles or feeding, and with some time this morning, I figured I would finally get my words out.
I was thinking about distance and the old addage that the distance between two points is a straight line, and although on paper that might be true, it isn't always the case in real life. I often imagine the image of a path God is leading us on and the twists and turns it takes to get to the destination...I must admit I don't always like the twists and turns, but if I keep pressing on, moving forward, the destination is coming. I think I know what the destination is going to look like, but it sometimes turns out to be something completely different. Am I okay with that? Depends...depends where my eyesight is. Am I focused on the destination or the Deliverer who go us to the destination? Am I only focused on getting there or the road that leads up to getting there??? Come on, admit it, no one likes the twists, the turns, the bumps, but isn't that part of getting to the destination? What if we changed our focus and learned to ride through the obstacles? Whether together or by yourself, you have to come to a point at some time where you choose to kick and scream and pout at the obstacles or embrace it. I am not saying your shouldn't sometimes question the obstacles...for instance, I received an email this morning from a friend of mine who is stuck in a destination that she doesn't want to be at, physically. She would prefer to be closer to home, to family, but God moved them some years ago and has proceeded not to move them back just yet. I, personally, think she has done her time and have pleaded to God to grant their hearts desires to return closer to home. With that being said, God may not be finished with them in that place yet...she knows that, she is wise beyond her years, but it's still hard to swallow.
So, in light of all that, I have been pondering my own response while on this journey to the bumps, bruises, twists and turns of life...I need to be better about it, my husband needs to be better at it, we, as a couple, need to be better about it. It's a long journey, and the ultimate destination with the Lord is better than any small destination of church or city or anything else.

Devoted with Candace

Last week the beautiful and talented Candace Cameron was at First Baptist Atlanta and I got to hear her testimony. It is incredible and she was so open...it was awesome! Here is a picture of her, Linda Cloer and myself. Linda has been a spiritual leader in my life for many years, so this picture means the world to me...

The VOTE

I am sure you are just dying to know...
The motion to recommend Jeremy as the new Minister of Administration passed with flying colors and he will begin tomorrow...although, he has been taking on more responsibility for a few weeks now. In fact, last week, he was at back to back to back meetings for three nights...ahh, the life of a minister. :) hee hee.
Meanwhile, I am enjoying being at home more, although, I wasn't actually at home. hm. I guess I should say I am enjoying not being at work 40 hours a week. I will be working in my classroom this week and HELLO, it's BIRTHDAY WEEK! Which is so much greater than birthday month!!! Jeremy's birthday is actually TODAY and mine is FRIDAY! WAAHOO, birthday cake is in order.
Come back all week! It's party time!

THE News...

I know you all have been waiting, holding your breath, for THE News. I wanted to respect the procedures and wait till it was announced in church this past Sunday....so without further ado...
After talking, much prayer, and a unanimous recommendation from the Personnel committe, next Sunday Jeremy will be voted on for the Minister of Administration position! It all started the few days after Jeremy got back from Africa, and I referred to it vaguely here in this Thankful Thursday from July 5th.
This is completely God's dream/plan come true. I can honestly say I was floored. I felt while Jeremy was gone to Africa that the Lord was going to keep us here, which I felt much peace about, but didn't know how He would actually do it...and then all this came down.

There were many things happening around us during this time...we had a few churches calling and we were really at a vulnerable time, but oh my gracious, I could not have imagined that this would be His plan.
After Jeremy met with the committee Wednesday night, they called about 25 minutes after he got home with their unanimous decision to recommend him. I cried, I am not going to lie, I cried! I was just so overwhelmed about God's grace and goodness during this time. It was totally worth working the past year and a half to pay off our stuff and get things in order to serve Him more fully. I look forward to sharing with you more about all of this, but you can be in prayer for the vote this Sunday, which is also Jeremy's birthday!!!!!! How exciting!

Have a great Monday, and start of school for so many kids today!

--Karen

Let it Rain!

Open the flood gates of Heaven...Let it Rain!

In a literal sense...let it rain! The grass, flowers and trees need it. The rivers and streams need it. The people in South GA/North FL need it.

In a spiritual sense...let itpour down! I need it. My husband and son need it. My family needs it. My friends needs it. My church needs it. Oh, how we need it to pour down at church.

Soaking it up,
Karen

My husband, The Preacher

Wow...what an incredible Sunday we had! The Lord blessed us by giving Jeremy the opportunity to preach yesterday! We had two rows full of our best friends, while Jeremy preached to the women about the "stud" in their life. It was awesome. We had a dear friend of ours, and passionate worship leader, help lead the worship and it was just the sweetest thing looking down the row of our dear friends, who pretty much knew us before we were in ministry. We got to have lunch with some of them too, and I went away and rested in the afternoon with my cup overflowing. God was so good to give us such sweet friendships that began long ago in the single part of our life and have carried us through the worst and best days of being married and having kids. Between the five familes, we have 10 kids total and still one on the way (my friend Jae). I registered the other 9 into preschool yesterday...it was so much fun!



I think Jeremy's sermon will be on our church website later today, so I will update this if I find that to be true. And for friends and family that would like a copy, please let me know and I will get you one - I have a small list, in which some of you who read this are probably already on! ;)



Have a great Monday! P.S. - Change is coming!

--Karen

Since Friday...

Blog Party post #2, see below for #1!

Well, I am overwhelmed about the Blog Party...and you know me, I don't get overwhelmed that easily...so many people to meet and see, I just don't think I will be able to hit everyone!! I am trying, but it's over 600 people now...holy cow!
I like telling stories, so if you are here from the Blog Party, sit down, stay a while, and have a Coke - the real thing, you know, from Atlanta!! :) I am going to dote about my son for a minute...

My Boo will be 3 in April. My mom, his grandma, thinks he is a genius (she's not partial or anything) and this just fueled her little fire when I got the notice from the preschool that he would be moving to the 3-year old class in a week. A week, people. I was all emotional, cause it's no secret I want another little one, and now my baby, my big baby, is not a baby, but a big boy, who can write his name, spell it, spell all the other kids' names, says his alphabet, numbers and is learning that 5 and 5 makes 10!!! Oh my word. If he could just get that #2 potty thing down...
I spoke to both of his teachers and they absolutely think it's time and that he needs a challenge...my family reading this goes...DUH, he's YOU and Jeremy's kid!! Sounds familiar to them. I am the same way with working. I love a challenge. Yes, I can do all the assistant type duties, but if you don't give me a challenge, I will be bored!! I recently had a job opportunity with a minstry. That's my heart. My passion. I want to return to ministry so badly, however, the job was like a step down for me. Now, don't get me wrong, I mustered over it for weeks...going back and forth between the ministry and my current job and I had to tell the people no, I just couldn't do it. There proved no challenge in the job... The Lord gave me a great peace about staying where I am.
So, Boo will be slowly transitioning to his new class all this week...he gets two friends who are coming with him, and he likes both of them, so I pray this is a good fit for him. His two new teachers are very nice, although, he is in love with his current teacher, so pray for that transition if you are reminded.

REVIVAL!!! It's revival at the church! I don't think revival is something planned, so let's say it's a spiritual renewal and awakening. Freshness and newness has been evident in the last few weeks, ever since the beginning of the year...we had the Sacred Assembly just two weeks ago, where we had 24 hour prayer time for 7 days and that was an experience, so this is just like the icing. Life Action Ministries joined us yesterday to lead us for the next few days will Wednesday night. I pray that as they come, the hearts of the people (us) would be open. Open our eyes Lord, we want to see you!

Hope you have a great Monday and a great week!

Soaking Him up!
Karen

Shine! Passion 2007

I am just now getting around to telling you all about the incredible four days that Jeremy and I spent with 22,000 of our closest friends in downtown Atlanta. Passion 2007 was...well...as they said on the 268 blog, God. It was GOD. The post-passion dilema they they describe on there is so true...I will never in all my days be able to describe and share all the incredible things God did.The main point that you need to know is He showed up. HE. God. HE SHOWED UP! Now anything is going to be cool when God shows up, but this, well, it took my breath away several times.
I must give props to our small group of Katelyn, Sarah, Trey, Ben and Mark, because they were just an incredible group of college students. They are extremely good kids, but more than that, they get IT. They get God, and I couldn't ask for much more than that.
The speakers. They were AWESOME. God spoke through each of them and they completely poured out all God had for them to say. They spoke of sexual sin and humility and kept our attention with laughter and truth. Beth Moore did a breakout session for just girls and we (me, Sarah and Katelyn) all had a good time laughing it up during that. Sarah and I attended a session with Christy Nockels and Rachel Hughes in which we found equal enjoyment discussing life, boundaries, and juggling all that with career and raising kids.
The music. If you know me, you know I love worship. The songs bring you in and force you to deal with the glory and majesty of our Lord. He is awesome and beautiful and He is just. He is incredible and the reason for my joy and He is also calling me. He knows my name. He calls me friend. It was an awesome experience to worship for those four days. I came home saying every year should be spent opening in four days of worship.
The result. I absolutely went expecting and praying for the Lord to move and speak mightily. I know we were there with college students and I want them so badly to change their campuses for Christ...to change their lives for HIM. And I absolutely knew He would speak to me and Jeremy during it...but, oh, I was not expecting all that. My life is continuing to be burned in the fire and re-molded as I seek to follow His heart, His way, His purpose for my life. Jeremy and I stayed up late several nights sharing about all God was speaking to us about. Changing lives. Changing hearts. This is our heart's cry.
My thoughts. For the past several months I have read Jim Cymbala's books, Fresh Faith and just finished reading Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. My thoughts and life have been moved by the scripture and realizing all that God can do if we call on Him. Attending Passion 2007 just made it more real and gave confirmation of all that God can do through the lives of those who will call upon His name. Putting truth into action and relying on God's power instead of our own...well, it can change your life. :)

May the power of His word be alive in your heart and in your life today.
In Christ-
Karen

Tags: Passion 2007

A Song in my Heart

I don't go long without the Lord giving me a song for my heart. He did it again yesterday at church! The first praise song my heart lifted up was Hallelujah, Your Love Makes Me Sing, words and music by Brenton Brown and Brian Doerksen. It's a great song and the words just flow from my mouth. It was a joyful moment between me and the Lord and He spoke volumes to me as I stood there. Worshipping. Loving. Accepting His unique plan for us, even though I don't know the next step or all the answers. I trust You, Lord.
The church had the Deacon Ordination Service last night and I gotta tell you it was a moving experience. The only other ordination service I have ever sat in was when Jeremy was ordained and that was a particularly special moment that we celebrated and were able to celebrate with some of our dearest and closest friends, who were also serving at FBA with us. It was a joyful time, but filled with tears. It's humbling watching men of God bow and place their hands over your husband and pray for him. And pray for me. And pray for our marriage. And pray for our ministry. It was an amazing experience and last night I got to share that with one of my dear friends at Duluth. Her husband was ordained as a deacon in our church and they are such an awesome couple. She stood by him as each man came by to bow and pray over them and she would stand up after each one and smile and pat her husband on the back. She was a rock. His best friend, and already ordained deacon, came and knelt and the three of them lost it. She was strong, but her tears were tears of pull joy and elation. These are people who have walked some tough roads together and the Lord has been faithful. They are grown men who care about one another. Who say I love you to each other. It's a precious site.
May the Lord continue to call people to Know Him, Love Him and Serve Him.

In Christ's Love-

Karen

Tags: Church, Friends, Ministry