In This World but Not of It

I have been thinking a lot today about being in the world but not of it... for one very simple reason. I'm 'out' in the world more now and am learning what it's like to be sucked into its ways. I can see now how my husband is bombarded day in and day out with the lure of the enemy by what goes in the world... I feel like I've been sheltered for so long and this is a huge wake up call for me to put the armor on daily and to be light and salt in this darkened world... however there are two instances now, where if I were to witness to this gal, what would my testimony be? My heart hurts that I have so easily fallen prey to the ways of the world, slipping right into that mold that squeezes and squeezes... I don't want to be shaped into the mold of the world, but to be who Christ has called me to be... not losing my identity in Him by letting the world dictate to me how to live.

A phrase that hit my heart hard last week was: live life like you mean it... and it just keeps rolling around in my head... God is calling me higher up... and making me aware, once again, how dependent I need to be on Him and Him alone. When I go to work that three hours a week I need to be aware of Jesus with me more than I realized... it's humbling... and I want to make sure I run this race well, and let my light so shine before men that they will glorify my Father in heaven...

For those of you who don't know, I'm working at Kennedy Club Fitness three hours a week in exchange for a membership. God dropped it in my lap for my health (my cholesterol has gone down as has my A1C (checks blood sugar levels over a 3 month period)), but I am seeing now, that there are other reasons He's called me to this... what kind of light will I be?

This is challenging for me and while I embraced these changes in my life at first, I soon found myself resisting them. I am now wanting to embrace them again, because it's what GOD is doing and it's all about Him and for the first time in many many years I really want to have it BE all about Him and not ME! May I be found faithful... and let Jesus have His way.

Transformation

Romans 12:2 (NIV)says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

The posting of how Jesus' "face shone like the sun" during His transfiguration and the person who wrote it brought this scripture to my mind. I have personally seen the transformation of P~31 to the Godly woman she is today. God is so incredibly gracious to those of us who really struggle in our lives and He lavishes His grace on us. He knows the very center of our being and what makes us "tick". At the other end of the spectrum satan knows what makes us "tock". We must continually be in the Word and fellowship with like minded believers to achieve our transformations.

Everyday we are given is a new day to live and serve Him. "Call Him" every morning just like you would a friend and tell Him how your weekend went. "Seek Him" in the evening when the sun goes down and "Listen for Him" in every minute of everyday.

Debbi Bryson

Today is Monday for me~
Yesterday was church....it was lovely, everyone seemed in good sorts.....although the weather has been freezing! It snowed on the mountains around the city where we live. Coming from Cailf. I never get use to that~we get a Southerly from the South pole....it is bone chilling~ i miss the warmth...
I guess I'm blogging alone...but that's o.k!

Debbi Bryson is coming to Wellington to speak! Yes....that's right she spoke at your retreat about 5 years ago...she speaks at all the pastors wives conference's/workshops....and all over...she's amazing....the Lord used her to set my heart on fire with a passion for His word...the first time I heard her speak I was so hungry for more...not wanting her to stop....
A bigger church is having her for a retreat here in the city....(through some Harvest connections) ...any way , the retreat had filled up before I knew and a could let the ladies know from our church....(i was out of country) when i found out i was devastated! But....the Lord is so good....Debbi because she is so kind and giving...offered to come speak to my ladies on a Monday night!
God is SO good!
They are so excited.....me too!
Calvary Love~
P~31

His face shone like the sun!

I was so touched with the portion of scripture (Matt 17) where Jesus was transfigured on the mount.... His face shone like the sun...His clothes became white as light and the snow....the radiance from Him...we forget sometimes who He is.....in the book of Revelation chp 21:23 the city had no need of the sun and the moon to shine... the glory of God illuminated it...The Lamb is it's light!
Is the Lamb our light is He mine? Do we, do I let Him lead me, us? Do we know who He is? Do we realize how incredibly Holy and awesome He is? Yet He is for us.....interceeding on our behalf.....I'm in awe at His presence in this passage of scripture....
I love the light, the sun...the warmth it brings me...the joy I feel on a sunny day....the way it makes the flowers grow...a rainbow after the rain...clouds with beaming sprays of light bursting through them....all of this reminds me of Him....
Sometime we can get lost in all the day in and out things we do....and miss the Light~I do sometimes~His Word always draws me back....close...His mercy is so kind....He has such compassion...I'm left hungry..longing for more....
just thought I'd share.... :~)
Love P~31

Hello Gals

Nope, I haven't figured out the rest... but I just changed my name... lol - which will probably be figured out... since you all knew who I was before! We need to have everyone post and give clues, eh?

Tonight I was sitting out on the porch swing with my hubby and I was looking up at the trees just on the other side of our fence. I loved seeing the contrast of the leafy oak branches against the brilliant blue of the sky. My heart just wanted to drink it in... I even pictured myself having a straw and doing just that! I was meant to enjoy beauty - do I pause often enough to truly do that?

Then a bit later I was watching the ants cross our patio - what a wonder it was to enjoy these amazing little creatures - not in my house! (heehee) I noticed (again) how they touched each other as they passed on the 'path' - exchanging information - connecting just for that brief moment in time, but gaining a wealth of information! What a lesson we can learn from these little ones, if we just take the time to ponder.

What do we do when we 'come to church' - are we willing to connect with our sisters? Or is it just a 'hi how ya doin' without really connecting? We as God's children have so much more to connect with than the small ants... something to think about.

Have a blessed Labor Day Weekend!

Way To Easy!!

I was just way to easy but you are right..it is I..uh,me..uh, Ann. Have you figured out the rest?

For those of you who did not attend the summer study we wrapped up last Monday evening and it was a wonderful blessed summer. We were never less than 10 and most of the time 18..God is so Good and kept us focused.

Congrats to those who are memorizing the Book of James...last I heard they too were very blessed and coming right along.

Be ready for the new study this fall..it is amazing ..Jesus in the Upper Room with His disciples...and we get to be a "fly on the wall"...

Many Blessings!!!

Yes... Ann

That makes total sense... I reread the post with her in mind and it definitely has her 'tone' :) And the screen name... lol

guess

just a guess but I would Guess- Ann

"Real Names?"

I asked about that too and spiritthing and I thought it would be a great game to figure out who is who...so I have figured out some but not all...I wanted to know in particular who was "earthen vessel" because I wanted to be her soul sister "cracked pot"! Due to the fact I could not negotiate the BLOG site the first time and created my own Blog, I could not use the "cracked pot" name again! No one has blogged on my blog I accidentally created...should I be offended?

Okay, Pamela...who am I???

Tag your it!

'Real Names'

Some of you post under a screen name and I was wondering until I know 'who you are' if you could put your real name at the bottom of your posts? That would be awesome! :) Thanks.

Tickle Bugs

On my walk that I take, there is a neighborhood that I have dubbed "Tickle Bug Hill".
I found the name to be fitting, because all along the skinny sidewalk that encompasses these lovely homes are cute little tickle bugs.
Oh you know, the little bugs that resemble mini gray buses. Well, as I try to side step these buggers (probably looking quite strange to any on-lookers), I notice these poor little guys feverishly trying to get from one side of the walk to the other.
As I studied further, I also noticed they had no plan in their travels, no set route. Some sadly ended up flipped over with all a million legs moving in the air.
Watching this chaotic scene, I was reminded of a time before I surrendered my life to the Lord, how I must have looked like these little tickle bugs; hurried, maybe even busy- but going nowhere - no set course, no real reasons-only swayed by the thought of something better around the corner. Never satisfied.
While proceeding with my walk, and leaving those tiny confused bugs behind, the Lord gently encouraged me that even in my Christian walk, I must desperately keep Him my purpose, my compass, my goal. To continue to allow the Lord to set my course and in faith yield to His direction. His GPS is the best!
Hebrews 12:1 & 2......and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Book recommendation

Hello Ladies! So, I just finished reading yet another Ted Dekker book- he is my favorite after all and I wanted to recommend this one to you. It is co-written with Bill Bright and is titled Blessed Child. It blew me away really. In fact one part of the book was so intense for me that I felt like I needed to stop and pray before I continued on to finish the book. It will hopefully inspire you to wake up in your walk and increase you faith. It is fiction mind you. So, that is all just some recommended reading... Blessings:)

Hallelujah!!!

By the immense Grace of God I had an ephinany and I think I made it to the blog site. I praise God for this great new avenue for the Women's Ministry and just pray I can figure out HOW to get back here again someday. God bless all of my sisters-in-the-Lord. ANd a special thanks to spiritthing for this site and her dedication (filled with laughter) to get me to this point!

ROCK ON!!!!!

What a great idea!

How fun is this! Thanks Spiritthing for this outlet to share and encourage one another. It will be exciting to see how the Lord uses this blog page.

So, to my sisters in the Lord........HELLO!

New Link Back To CCPRWM Site

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know that I've added a link back to the website for easy return.
It is located at the bottom of main "blog"page. Blessings to all!

Pamela Here

It's so good to be here. I look forward to reading what others will contribute and to contributing my own stuff once in awhile. :)

We have been a part of Calvary for over 3 years and I'm finally feeling like I'm becoming more a part of the body, because Phil and I have decided to become greeters. I'm also, (finally!) going to be attending the Women's Bible study regularly. God is really calling me to get to know more women in the this body of believers - so watch out! I also hope to join the prayer ministry soon... I'm waiting until Phil is feeling better (he's had lots of health stuff these last several months) since I'm his transportation to work, and I don't want to have to have him there to early on Thursdays!

I'm beat and need to head to bed... lol so I'll check in later and I'm so looking forward to this!!

Tinkie's in...

Hi girls...this is it. My first ever official blog. So far, so good! Thank you so much Ms Spirithing for creating such a beautiful site to collect our interests and fellowship.

I praise God that He, and He alone is faithful to each of us, and collectively as a body at Paso. I'm thankful for the labors of love that have continued at our church. I love being a part of the building up of a church body and finding that whatever happens, God remains. These are good things to think upon and cherish. And I love my sisters who forge ahead to let this world know that we are here and we care. Thank you Heavenly Father for gifting my sisters and calling us to make a difference for You. You create the gift, wrap it up, place it in our hands, and delight for us when we, in faith, simply stretch out our arms to another. Love you girls...

Tinkie (Stephanie Chavez)

Totally excited

Hello sister bloggers!

I am so excited to make it into the blog room without any major help..yes spiritthing, it was easy! Thank you also Ms. S, for all of your hard work in being our web page servant, you are a huge blessing! Our joy is in the Lord, so let the blogging begin!

Welcome to the blog

Hello and welcome. My name is Spiritthing, and I am the administrator of the blog. Please feel free to introduce yourself. I would love to hear from you. Spiritthing

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;" Philippians 1:27