Little Footprints

 The Memory Verse for this Week is:  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phillipians 1:21 Politics in Paul's day is not what "politics" is now.  Back then, Politics referred to the set of activities associated with the making decisions in groups, or how a particular group of citizens chose to "conduct" themselves". We are the citizens of heaven. I love this song from Carrie Underwood,  This is my temporary home It's not where I belong Windows in the rooms, that I'm passing through This was just a stop On the way to where I'm goin' I'm not afraid because I know This was my, temporary home, hmm This is our temporary home As the Joy Challenge reveals: We are to govern our life by the code of conduct from ultimate home, heaven, laid out in our constitution, the Bible.....we are called to take the high road, regardless of what everyone is doing. What Paul is inviting us to do when people oppose or attack us? We do not stoop to th...

 The Memory Verse for this Week is:  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phillipians 1:21 This is where our memory verse comes in---For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  Paul continues in Philippians: If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. He desires to department and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it isi more necessary for "us" I remain in the body (the philippians). Oh to live a life that all you want to do is wanting to please Jesus!  Paul knew, either way, Nero cut his head or he lived and was able to return to Philippi, it totally didn't matter - he would WIN! Paul links joy with the Christian Hope! We must embrace our challenges. What creates the most fear in you today? (It could be death but also a host of other things, such as financial insecurity, being alone, being in crowds, performing, illness, and so on.) On a scale of 1 to 10, how fearful are you today? (1–not much, 10–extremely)...

 The Memory Verse for this Week is:  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phillipians 1:21 Ok, now I like where this is going!  Paul is in prison and he has tremendous joy!  Like fo real!  He's in "chains for Christ", he is furthering the gospel. Pastor Randy states we are naturally focued on ourselves--Paul was focused on the mission--he didn't find joy in HIS circumstances, but rather seeing people find hope in Jesus! In today's reading, it was stated (Acts 9:15-16): ... when Paul first became a follower of Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was told by the Lord through a man named Ananias that he would suffer and speak in front of kings.  Paul was happy - that day had come. On his long journey to Rome, Governor Felix regularly sent for Paul from his prison cell to converse with him---this forced the court officials to study the doctrines and claims of the Christian faith.  He was now waiting to share his message with Nero, the mighty empe...

Principle #2: Learn How to Love The Memory Verse for this Week is:  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phillipians 1:21 I'm really liking this challenge, so far so good!  One thing that threw me was "speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15).  I personally struggle with this, I am not really good at "speaking the truth", I may acknowledge it (quietly), but who am I to restore that person gently.  I think of my own son. Last year, around Christmastime, he came out to be as gay.  As I know this is "wrong" biblically-speaking, I love him anyway.  I want my son to have a safe-space to call home.  Am I going against God's word because I don't acknowledge that it is wrong in God's eyes.  Will God love him anyway, these are thoughts that run through my mind almost every Sunday---when I ask him to go to church. I really liked the idea of love letters between family members. Who knows, I may start that one day.   The Joy Challenge for...

The Memory Verse for this Week is:  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phillipians 1:21 But first, let me tell you what I've been up to! In 2020, COVID-19 hit. Kids and I both attend school and work from home I'm still working from home. In 2021 I was diagnosed with Epilepsy, forced to make a life-changing decision  Stepped away from Human Resources Worked through a ton of personal and emotional baggage Bailey graduated High School Bailey attended college Bailey gets a boyfriend Caleb enters Middle School I gain like 50-ish pounds. No worries at all - my hubs still loves me any way - I do have a great husband!  2022-23 Difficult years, however, started attending off and on Westside Family Church  Learned to NOT to identify myself with what I do.  It's a job--it no longer defines me. 2023 started working in Compliance (still with CB) 2023 - I took a hold of my faith, reconnected with Jesus and now attend full-time and help moderate a small group on ...