A guy who "gets" the sacrifices made by all those serving...
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Reflections and Resolutions
New Year's Resolutions are a popular thing... and come in all shapes and sizes. But, how often do we take the time to think about resolutions as they apply to our spiritual life? In the next few days, I plan to take some time to reflect on the following questions and to use them to help me establish my resolutions for 2010. I encourage you to join me!
1) In what ways have I grown spiritually in the last year?
2) How have I seen the Lord actively conforming me further into the image of Christ?
3) In what ways has my faith been tested? How have those tests caused me to draw closer to Christ?
4) Where is my heart? Am I loving God and others more? What might I do in the New Year to better love God and those who are in my life?
5) Is there any area of unrepentant sin in my life? What might I do to put this sin off and put on the ways of the Lord?
6) Do my actions/behaviors put Christ on display as being my Lord, my treasure and my joy? If not, why? What needs to change?
7) Am I actively pursuing my relationship with Christ? Does my daily schedule reflect that? If not, how might I do that in the New Year?
8) Am I in a church where the Word of God is taught and where other believers are actively pursuing their spiritual growth and encouraging me to do the same? If not, what needs to change? If I am limited in my options (as many military gals might be) - then how might I supplement through other means (Bible studies, podcasts, etc)?
9) Am I actively seeking to "make disciples" (Matt. 28:19)? If not, how might I do so in 2010?
10) What are my spiritual goals for 2010?
My hope is that these questions will spur us on as we press onward toward the goal of the upward call of God. May He bless you abundantly in 2010!
1) In what ways have I grown spiritually in the last year?
2) How have I seen the Lord actively conforming me further into the image of Christ?
3) In what ways has my faith been tested? How have those tests caused me to draw closer to Christ?
4) Where is my heart? Am I loving God and others more? What might I do in the New Year to better love God and those who are in my life?
5) Is there any area of unrepentant sin in my life? What might I do to put this sin off and put on the ways of the Lord?
6) Do my actions/behaviors put Christ on display as being my Lord, my treasure and my joy? If not, why? What needs to change?
7) Am I actively pursuing my relationship with Christ? Does my daily schedule reflect that? If not, how might I do that in the New Year?
8) Am I in a church where the Word of God is taught and where other believers are actively pursuing their spiritual growth and encouraging me to do the same? If not, what needs to change? If I am limited in my options (as many military gals might be) - then how might I supplement through other means (Bible studies, podcasts, etc)?
9) Am I actively seeking to "make disciples" (Matt. 28:19)? If not, how might I do so in 2010?
10) What are my spiritual goals for 2010?
My hope is that these questions will spur us on as we press onward toward the goal of the upward call of God. May He bless you abundantly in 2010!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Mountain top musings
Two weekends ago, I was able to get away for a personal pray retreat. I stayed at Bonclarken in Flat Rock, NC - it is a Presbyterian retreat center.... quite lovely!
The accomodations were nice, and I spent some great time in the Word and in prayer.
My last morning there - I took a hike around the Carl Sandburg estate. The scenery was beautiful - and I headed out on a trail after studying the map... the trail took me over little glassy mountain. As I hiked along the trail, my focus was on the path - because there were lots of leaves and it was slippery. At one point, I looked up and realized I was on the top of the mountain, and had almost missed it! How many times does that happen in life? We get so consumed by the path - our circumstances, the difficulties - when if we just look UP - our perspective would be so different. The trail hadn't changed - it was still hard to see and there were still slippery leaves and twisted roots to trip me up - but my perspective had changed. 
As I started back down the mountain, I cam to a sign - which clearly indicated that the way back to the house was right. By this point, the map was a bit fuzzy in my mind, so against every intuition, I went right, obeying the sign. But five minutes later, I was having an argument in my mind about this not being the right way. I longed for a map to set me straight - and finally decided to turn around and go the other direction. By this point, I was feeling a little nervous - not sure if I was on the right path, running out of time to get back for check out of the retreat center, and by myself on a mountain! That's when it hit me - how much like life this is... we get up, maybe have a quiet time - and the Word makes sense at that point. We strike out into the day with our "map" in mind - but it doesn't take too long down the path, before a sign tells us to go a direction that doesn't seem right, even though it points toward where we want to go.
We mustn't forget that the enemy prowls around seeking to devour and destroy - and he disguises himself as "light" - as helpful signs - that get us off the straight and narrow path. Ps. 1:2 says Blessed is the man who's delight is in the law [instruction] of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.
Thankfully, even though I couldn't remember the map exactly, I had studied it enough to have a good sense of direction. I obeyed the promptings of the Spirit to turn around, and I made it back to the parking lot in due time. May the same be said of our daily walk with the Lord... let us be in His Word, burying it into our hearts; let us be sensitive to His leadings and promptings, and may we keep our focus upward on the joy that is set before us.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Some interesting stats
I borrowed this from Deedra, one of my co-worker's blog:
Women in the Military (taken from DoD Women's Research and Education Institution.)
More women are serving in the U.S. military than ever before...(as of 6/2008)
They make up 14% of all U. S. military personnel= 400,000 troops
They make up 34% of the U.S. Air Force
26,000 women are currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan
They fill 90% of all military roles...including gunners and MP patrols
This is the first time in history that women are on the front lines.
These women are married, divorced, single...mothers, daughters, wives, sisters and aunts...
Please pray for our Women In Uniform!
Women in the Military (taken from DoD Women's Research and Education Institution.)
More women are serving in the U.S. military than ever before...(as of 6/2008)
They make up 14% of all U. S. military personnel= 400,000 troops
They make up 34% of the U.S. Air Force
26,000 women are currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan
They fill 90% of all military roles...including gunners and MP patrols
This is the first time in history that women are on the front lines.
These women are married, divorced, single...mothers, daughters, wives, sisters and aunts...
Please pray for our Women In Uniform!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Right Thinking
I can't claim credit for this... my pastor put this together to help people process through a right thinking grid... I'm passing it along, in hopes it will be helpful:
OBJECTIVE: Identifying wrong thinking
METHOD: Primarily, by learning Right Thinking
EXERCISE: To identify some major, rememberable guidelines to “measure” RIGHT THINKING
Ask the following questions, by way of a “filter” for the thinking process
1. Am I thinking BIBLICALLY?
a) According to principles from God’s Word? Psalm 119:33-36; 133
b) Purposefully aligned with those principles? Ezra 7:10a
c) Willingly submitting myself to those principles? 1 Chronicles 28:8-9
NOTE: It is understood that we are, indeed, actually taking time to THINK!
NOT being merely: Assumptive – 2 Sam. 5:17-25 ( esp. v23)/ 1 Kings 8:17-19
Impulsive - 2 Sam. 6:6-7
Reactionary – John 18:3,10
2. Is my thinking CONFIRMED by the godly counsel of other godly people? [ When such counsel is appropriate]
a) The danger of getting no counsel at all: Deut. 12:28; Judges 21:25; Prov. 21:2
b) The danger of following ungodly, unBiblical counsel – 2 Chronicles 10:1-14a
c) Confirmed along the way – not just at the beginning
3. Am I thinking PRIMARILY with concern for the HONOR AND GLORY OF CHRIST
[ 1 COR. 10:31]
4. Am I thinking UNSELFISHLY? James 4:1-3
5. Am I thinking CONSCIOUSLY PERFERRING OTHERS?
Esteeming highly them their opinions, their positions, and how the outcome will effect them?
Romans 12:9 & 10 ; Philippians 2:3 & 4
6. Am I thinking with TOTAL HONESTY? With myself, others, and God?
Acts 5:1-11; Colossians 3:9; James 4:7
7. Am I thinking FAITHFULLY? Proverbs 3:5 & 6; Matthew 6:33
EVEN WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, ON A REGULAR ON-GOING BASIS WE NEED TO ASK GOD – “ AM I STILL ON THE RIGHT PATH?”
PSALM 18:22-23
I KEPT MYSELF FROM MY INIQUITY
How? His [God’s] judgments were before me and I did not put away His [God’s] statutes
from me.
OBJECTIVE: Identifying wrong thinking
METHOD: Primarily, by learning Right Thinking
EXERCISE: To identify some major, rememberable guidelines to “measure” RIGHT THINKING
Ask the following questions, by way of a “filter” for the thinking process
1. Am I thinking BIBLICALLY?
a) According to principles from God’s Word? Psalm 119:33-36; 133
b) Purposefully aligned with those principles? Ezra 7:10a
c) Willingly submitting myself to those principles? 1 Chronicles 28:8-9
NOTE: It is understood that we are, indeed, actually taking time to THINK!
NOT being merely: Assumptive – 2 Sam. 5:17-25 ( esp. v23)/ 1 Kings 8:17-19
Impulsive - 2 Sam. 6:6-7
Reactionary – John 18:3,10
2. Is my thinking CONFIRMED by the godly counsel of other godly people? [ When such counsel is appropriate]
a) The danger of getting no counsel at all: Deut. 12:28; Judges 21:25; Prov. 21:2
b) The danger of following ungodly, unBiblical counsel – 2 Chronicles 10:1-14a
c) Confirmed along the way – not just at the beginning
3. Am I thinking PRIMARILY with concern for the HONOR AND GLORY OF CHRIST
[ 1 COR. 10:31]
4. Am I thinking UNSELFISHLY? James 4:1-3
5. Am I thinking CONSCIOUSLY PERFERRING OTHERS?
Esteeming highly them their opinions, their positions, and how the outcome will effect them?
Romans 12:9 & 10 ; Philippians 2:3 & 4
6. Am I thinking with TOTAL HONESTY? With myself, others, and God?
Acts 5:1-11; Colossians 3:9; James 4:7
7. Am I thinking FAITHFULLY? Proverbs 3:5 & 6; Matthew 6:33
EVEN WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, ON A REGULAR ON-GOING BASIS WE NEED TO ASK GOD – “ AM I STILL ON THE RIGHT PATH?”
PSALM 18:22-23
I KEPT MYSELF FROM MY INIQUITY
How? His [God’s] judgments were before me and I did not put away His [God’s] statutes
from me.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Goodness of God
I'm reposting some things I wrote a while back, but that I think have some good reminders for us... here's the first one on the Goodness of God. Click on the link to read the full article...
My Journey - His Plan: The Goodness of God
My Journey - His Plan: The Goodness of God
Chapel NeXt at Ft. Jackson has moved!
Check out this article on our new home for Chaple Next... click the link to read more.
Congregation moves to 'next' home
Congregation moves to 'next' home
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Tom & Dotty Hash on Vimeo
Tom and Dotty Hash are co-founders of Cadence. Tom was diagnosed with cancer - and this is a brief video of their seeking to finish well. What a great example to us all of the attitude we should have...
Tom & Dotty Hash on Vimeo
Tom & Dotty Hash on Vimeo
Pilgrim Road Ministries
Pilgrim Road Ministries
If you ever get a chance to see Dan perform - he does a great show. We're hoping to see him here at Ft. Jackson later this fall! To learn more about Dan and to check out some of his music - click on the Pilgrim Road Ministries link above.
If you ever get a chance to see Dan perform - he does a great show. We're hoping to see him here at Ft. Jackson later this fall! To learn more about Dan and to check out some of his music - click on the Pilgrim Road Ministries link above.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Devotions to Download
Found a link to some more devotions....
Devotions to Download
By the way - if you are in the Columbia area - this group will be doing a day "retreat" on September 12 - details are on the home page.
Devotions to Download
By the way - if you are in the Columbia area - this group will be doing a day "retreat" on September 12 - details are on the home page.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Great Resource
I'm adding this new link to my web page resources. It's called girltalk - and it is written by a mother and her three daughters. The posts are conversations on biblical womanhood and other fun stuff. Check it out!
http://www.girltalkhome.com/
http://www.girltalkhome.com/
Friday, July 31, 2009
Crazy Love
I just picked up a book that someone gave to me a couple months ago. Actually - the book is sitting on my desk as I enjoy an audio version of the book. I downloaded it free from https://christianaudio.com/ - each month they give away a free download. Tomorrow might be the last day for this book - so act fast!
Anyway - Crazy Love is by Francis Chan - a pastor in California. I'm only a third of the way into the book - but I'm liking it so far! Pastor Chan really challenges you to think big thoughts about God - that's my kind of preaching! If you want to get a preview of the book - plus see him speaking - go to his website: www.crazylovebook.com and check it out - especially the video section.
Anyway - Crazy Love is by Francis Chan - a pastor in California. I'm only a third of the way into the book - but I'm liking it so far! Pastor Chan really challenges you to think big thoughts about God - that's my kind of preaching! If you want to get a preview of the book - plus see him speaking - go to his website: www.crazylovebook.com and check it out - especially the video section.
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Power of the Word
Are you a reader? I love to read - and I usually have several books going all at one time. There is only one book, however, that has the real power to transform my life. The Word of God is two-edged sword that can cut to the bone. When I am in God's Word, He speaks to me about His love for me, His thoughts about things, and how my life as a believer should reflect Him.
Too many times as believers, we get busy with life, travel, whatever eats up our time, and we forget to spend time with Him, reading His love letter to us. Check out what my friend Jennifer wrote as she prepared for her vacation.
Too many times as believers, we get busy with life, travel, whatever eats up our time, and we forget to spend time with Him, reading His love letter to us. Check out what my friend Jennifer wrote as she prepared for her vacation.
Friday, July 3, 2009
New Blog
Greetings!
I'm just getting this blog started - but intend for it to be a ministry resource, as well as an update on what is going on with the ministry. We'll see how it grows!
Blessings,
Andrea
I'm just getting this blog started - but intend for it to be a ministry resource, as well as an update on what is going on with the ministry. We'll see how it grows!
Blessings,
Andrea
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