TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

Such a simple song, but the words are powerful.....Remember that when we go through tuff times in our life all we can do is trust in HIM and he takes care of us. I'm still learning to trust Him, I havn't arrived yet. Who would have thought there was more to trust him for besides Salvation. Call me nieve, but when I was saved a long time ago, no one ever told me that. I am grateful for the ones He has put in my life where I have seen them trusting God for EVERYTHING, and me realizing since then that it is a life long relationship of trusting and believing that He has my best interest at heart. Read the words and let them sink into your spirt.

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word,
Just to rest upon His promise, just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Chorus: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust His cleansing blood,
Just in simple faith to plunge me ‘neath the healing, cleansing flood.

Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease,
Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end.


For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, they are of good and not evil....

THE LASAGNE AND THE BREAD

God is so awsome......my favorite bible story is about the "fishes and the loaves"...We had an awsome night at the Chapter One Dinner.....tonight. I planned to feed 120 people, only had food for 120 people, but somehow God multiplied and we fed 170 people.....He is so faithful to show himself mighty on our behalf and take care of the small things in our lives. Not only did 170 of His kids get physical food, but they got spirtual food as well.

If you are reading this blog and are not helping with part of a meal and would like to please let me know.....Many hands make a light load and it is just once a month. We are looking for more students to attend next month. I am so excited. What a blessing this ministry is to the students at ASU. If you are reading this blog and you are a part of this ministry and you did help, thank you thank you thank you. The students loved it.......

RANDOM PONDERINGS

It has been a while since I blogged. Doesn't mean there hasn't been things going on in my life.....there has been quite a few things, just can't share them as of yet...I'm praying for God's plan to be worked out in my life....

Pastor's message today was awsome and very needed. He talked about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in such simple terms that made it so very to understand...even for this girl who has been baptized with the evidence for many many years....I plan to get a copy of the sermon and send it to my daughter who I know will listen to it with Ethen and be able to understand it perfectly.....While praying at the alter I kept getting a picture in my mind of a river at different levels and everyone who wanted to was in the river at different levels....some were at the shore just starting out, some were moving farther in as they trusted in Him to take them farther, and some were even going deeper as they wanted all God had for them.....this told me that we are all at different levels in the spirit....all at different levels in our walk with the Lord.

That's all for now.....Judging by the time, I need to go to bed as I have to work tomorrow.....Mondays are very busy as we have 3 days of typing to catch up on.....Doesn't seem like we will ever get caught up, but that's okay, it keeps me employed.....

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

August 10th will make one year they have been married...The time went by so fast....and now they are expecting their first child....It just doesn't seem that long ago as we watched you give your hearts to each other and commit your lives to each other....As you walk this journey called life, always share with each other your ups and downs, play together, and always make time for each other. We are so proud of you both and we pray that you have many many more years together and that they are happy ones....

A MOMEMENT IN TIME

This afternoon I received a phone call from Angela who asked me to talk with Ethen about the Holy Spirit. You see, he has been asking questions since attending "vacation bible school" today was the last day and they talked about the Holy Spirit. I called him when I got home from lunch and shared with him the best way I could so he would understand....He is so tender right now and impressionable. He told his mom that he doesn't want to go to "children's church" because it is babyish, but wants to sit in big church with her, so she allows this and I am so glad that she does. He loves God and loves to watch movies about God.

I am sad right now because I wish with all my heart that I could be there face to face with him, talking to him about god, inputing in his life. It is so hard to do it on the phone. I wish that they lived here or closer to here so we can be more a part of their life. It is so hard with the two boys being so far. I don't think I am going to do well when the new baby arrives.

I am praying, Jesus, that you will move them both closer to here or move us closer to them. We want so much to be a part of their growing up years and help our kids raise their kids. Until then, I will try to be content in knowing that for right now the farness is your will for them and that someday we will all be together soon.

SHARING LIFE

Know God, Share Life, Serve Others......This what "Life Group" is all about. We had our first one tonight in the Rijken home. We ate, fellowshiped, learned about God and His thoughts for our lives by studing his word, prayed for one another, and then fellowshiped somemore before we all went home. What a joy it was to get to know people I would not otherwise have the chance to get to know had I or they not been there. If you are reading this and are not in a life group yet, you should come to ours. We meet on Friday nights at 6:30 to know god, share life and serve each other.

"OLD TIMES & HANGING OUT"

What a great evening I had. A few of the Chapter One girls came over just to hang with me.....We had choc. chip cookies and milk and just "fellowshiped". It reminded me of when John and I had a life group several years ago primarily made up of 20 somethings.....what fun we had sharing life, the word, and FOOD of course with them. I know you can't go back, but sometimes I wish I could. They were times in my life when the opportunity was there to disciple and share our hearts with young people who were and still are so hungry to see God move not only in their lives but the lives of those around them.

I remember the summer we took them on a "evangelistic tour" to different churches where they could get a taste of what it was like to minister.....They worshiped, preached, set up, tore down and never once did I hear them complain. Many of those young adults who sat in our dining room several years ago, are now serving the Lord in different places. How exciting.

Thanks girls for bringing back sweet memories and for the great time I had tonight. I enjoyed having you here and hope we can do it again soon and thank you Lord for the opportunity to be a part of their lives.