3 Feet Away

I thought this might shed a little insight into our relationship, and as candid as it may seem, I am thankful that God gave me a wife that completes me to the fullest potential. I hope someone gets a blessing out of this as much as I did. *yes I had her permission to post it* :)

Ted C - Laptop says:
I'm torn
The Lord has answered my prayer, yet I do not deserve it.
Bless says:
?
we never desrve it
Ted C - Laptop says:
It was a HUGE night for my stores
Terry has over $4800, both Full Service and Wadesboro over $3000
I feel bad for not being there.. yet, I do not regret being in church.
Bless says:
you did what God told you to do and He blessed you for it
means your people are doing their job which means you have done your job
that's what it's all about
Ted C - Laptop says:
yeah
Bless says:
sounds easy but it's not always as you know
Ted C - Laptop says:
I have been in a "bubble" for the last few days.
I've felt un-touched by the sermons, yet I have got so much out of them.
Bless says:
well even your singing didnt sound like you were completely in it
Ted C - Laptop says:
Tonight Bro. Arthur put his finger right on the issue when he explained how sometimes God just wants us to DO what he told us to do the last time he talked to us without having to tell us the same thing over and over.
Bless says:
i kept praying for you
very true
someone else preached that before too
Ted C - Laptop says:
Choir said we coldn't have done it better, yet I know i wasn't "on my game"
I pray so much that I will not sing for my own glory, but for His
Bless says:
diane did point out that the sound system on the nursery tv does NOT do yall justice she said she listens to you in the sanctuary and then hears you in the nursery and it doesnt sound right
Ted C - Laptop says:
I'm not upset when i mess up
I know that i did my job and God does the rest
sometimes maybe I just try too hard
Bless says:
yup and others were blessed and that ewaws the whole thing
well this week it just sounded like you werent touched by what you were singing
although on your I shall return it did sound like you were in it
and yes you hit it with the singing because song
but you are right singing for God's glory is the only way and that is what I always pray
that it will glorfiy him
Him
I also pray that you wont mess up in a way that will be a distraction from that
so I keep yall covered in prayer every time
Ted C - Laptop says:
well, that also keeps me humble, which I do not mind at all.
Bless says:
i got alot out of his message last night
granted i felt like alot of it applied to others but there was definitely enough in there for me
tonight i just wondered how long ken and rj were gonna have to hold hands
guess they will never forget mercy and truth now
at least i think it was mercy and truth
Ted C - Laptop says:
It seems that I am already on the "next level" although I pray that He will take me to the next level, it seems that the answer I keep getting is that I need to stay on the one I'm on for now.
Bless says:
then stay humble stay close keep praying keep listening keep being humble jsut keep on keeping on
Ted C - Laptop says:
It's another "wait" test I'm sure, because maybe I'm not Ready for the next leve... and if I'm correct, I know what that level will be.
Bless says:
make sure you are on the right side of the fire
Ted C - Laptop says:
It's like when you know what you have to do, and you WANT to do it ASAP, yet you know you're not ready.
Bless says:
yup im an instant mashed tater person too
then i end up dragging my feet and making excuses when He wants me to move up cuz i keep saying "I can't do that"
I am not ready
etc
i want to make sure what i do is NOT duty but dedication and give Him the glory
and not to seek a pat on the back for all i do
Ted C - Laptop says:
Well, as much as I wanted this revival to be the next stepping stone, it seems it's meant to be a foundation stone, rather than a step.
I'm sure the next step up will come when He thinks I'm ready.
Bless says:
so God wants to keep you grounded and paying attention
or just to be willing
Ted C - Laptop says:
yup, seems that say
Bless says:
what is this next level you think is next?
Ted C - Laptop says:
say/way
Bless says:
i can never imagine the "next" level
just that I want to be closer to Him then I am and yet it scares me sometimes cuz I don't know what that will entail and I catch myself feeling inadequate insetead of remembering that God will take care of it
Ted C - Laptop says:
yet I wish I could get more "emotional" out of it, I'm learning just by watching Bro. Joe and his insight to his own relationship with Christ that everything doesn't have to be emotions to be right.
Bless says:
so often times i chase myself around in circles til I give it all to Him and then im ok
Ted C - Laptop says:
come to think of it. The alters aren't full of crying faces either.
Bless says:
but they are full
people are not just sitting like grave stones in their pews
Ted C - Laptop says:
not as full as I've seen before, and certainly not as much as I'd expect on revival night.
Bless says:
well tomorow night i am really praying for my teenagers that come i really want this to be a catalyst in their lives
either through salvation or through commitment and growth
i have such a burden for these teen agers that used to scare me to death
Ted C - Laptop says:
yup, definitely something to pray about tomorrow
Bless says:
God certainly has changed me in the past year
I am doing things I would have never dreamed or wanted to do
that's why i often remind myself that it's definitely a God thing because left to myself I sure wouldnt be doing it
is God calling you to missions?
Ted C - Laptop says:
He hasn't said yet.
I keep asking him to just call me, but he just wants me to wait.
I find myself moving further away from my job mentally, and in the past it meant I was complacent and lazy.
Bless says:
but you dont have any particular desire for a mission field either?
Ted C - Laptop says:
Now I keep asking myself if it's me or if it's Him
no i don't
Bless says:
it's possible He has something in store for you but maybe not in a way you can imagine
Ted C - Laptop says:
exactly
Bless says:
or maybe He just wants you to stay faithful and dedicated
Ted C - Laptop says:
that's what i'm saying, there IS something,
Bless says:
He normally does things we dont imagine
Ted C - Laptop says:
hehe, what a blog post this would be eh?
I'll have to cut off the first part of teh conversation tho
not sure people would understand "last night" and "get ready"
Bless says:
which reminds me can you put my "heart" on the side bar with the poem so it's always there and then we can post more?
i havent posted because I didnt want my valentine's message to get lost in the buffer
i told dana and she suggested that side bar idea
Ted C - Laptop says:
yeah I can work on it.
I wanted to do a birthday post for Tammy with some old pics, but I haven't had time.
Maybe sunday
Bless says:
but yeh you can put our post edited for content on the blog
gives people an idea of how we communicate by not talking and sitting 3 feet from each other
Ted C - Laptop says:
scary eh?
Bless says:
it works for us
Ted C - Laptop says:
Ready for bed?

-- Edited for content --

Happy Valentines Day Babe

She's already seen this, but I wanted to post it here anyway:

Roses are Red Violets are Blue 1 plus 1 Does not equal 2

Happy Valentines Day Sweetheart!

What a Weirdo

Here are the rules for this meme:
1. link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 6 non-important thing/habits/quirks/about yourself
4. Tag 6 random people at the end of your post.
5. Let each random person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Kristi from Thimblethoughts tagged me for this. I am sure she knows I am actually very weird.
I have to think of 6 weird things about me, hmmmm ok here goes.
1. I have to tell a love story to myself every night in order to go to sleep, I could write a ton of mini romance novels if I ever wanted to.

2. I have to wash glasses and cups before any other stuff, when I wash the dishes.

3. I have to keep things especially furniture in neat orderly patterns, or I get very uncomfortable and antsy.

4. Although I have to have my furniture a certain way, I must arrange it every so often to make things look new and feeling clean, although still minimalistic and orderly.

5. I hate wearing shoes in the house, I even prefer walking in socks outside.

6. My bed must be made before I can get in it at night, even if I have to pull the covers up just a few minutes before I get in it. It has something to do with a fresh clean feeling, or at least the pretense of it.
All of this makes me think I have need for therapy, lol. I do not, however, go nuts if things are out of whack in my little sense of comfort, but I do try the first chance to make adjustments.
I think the only time I get really upset by any of my pet peeves is when Ted and I " arrange" furniture together. I often have to compromise, he is usually willing to work with me, and I have to force myself to compromise on some things. I find though that I often avoid being in a room very long if I am not comfortable in it. Clutter and messes are a bonus pet peeve that ties into the neat freak that I think I must be.

Ok, so like I am supposed to tag 6 people, except that Kristi tagged all the other bloggers that I know.
So let's do it this way: If you wish to comment and post a weird thing or things about yourself you are more then welcome to share in the wacky weird world we share together.

Things On Church Signs

I've considered starting a post for this, so here's the beginning. I think I'll just keep adding to this one as it goes.

Here's the Score:
Satan Zero
Jesus Won!

Got any more?

Be Careful What You Ask For...

I'm not a preacher, but the sermon running through my head as I drove to work today was unmistakably genuine. I wish I had a recorder in my head that allowed me to play it back and share it with others, but sometimes those type of sermons are meant just for you(me), whoever they come to.

As I talked to the Lord, while driving to work, He reminded me of something He said that expanded on what I talked about earlier this morning (yesterday actually, since it's the waning hours already).

Luke 11 records the Lord's Prayer, then afterwards says:

"11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

What father doesn't want what's best for his child? Sometimes the child asks for things that he does not need. But if a child asks for something that he obviously needs; clothes, food, help; what father wouldn't give it? What father would give a stone, or a serpent??! The child of God needs things in their spiritual life that God will absolutely NOT deny His child. Take Solomon, who asked for Wisdom. God didn't make Solomon the dumbest man alive! He gave him what he asked for, and so much more. I have personally asked God for wisdom, and, although I am not Solomon, I can tell you I am all the wiser for it.

When God's child asks to be closer to his Father, God Will Give it to him. When he asks for peace, God will answer. When he asks God to help him do God's will, why would God NOT do this? When we seek His face, God promises to be there.

"8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation." - Psalm 27:8-9

What I can say is this; that if you will ask God to make himself real to you today as I did on my way to work, I promise at some point in the day, he will do it.

God sent a friend of mine along today, that I hadn't seen in a few years. Turns out this friend got right with the Lord and is now studying to go into full time ministry. The change I saw in his life reminded me SO much of how far the Lord had brought me in my own life these last 18 months. I felt tears of joy welling up, as our conversation went along, and God kept poking at me saying.. "See.. SEE.. I told you I'd do it. All you need to do is just ask."

God just wants us to Ask. But few of us as Christians are looking for the answer when he gives it. What joy I find when I pray expecting an answer, then wait on him to send it.

Brad: Thanks for listening to the Lord.

God Makes No Mistakes

There are no accidents in the Bible. Nowhere will you find where God messed up, or had to step back on something he said. Many times His mind was swayed by the repenting of His children, but nowhere did He change His mind because He realized He was wrong.

I have read, and seen, and known many things that have happened long long ago, and saw God's hand using those circumstances even today in my life and in the lives of those around me. Who would have guessed that 3000 years ago, when Abraham had a son named Ishmael, that the middle-east would turn out like it has today. ALL for His glory. He knew what he was doing back then, and even now.

I know that God is preparing me for something. Something that will draw all eyes to Him. I do not know what it is, but I wanted you to know. If He isn't doing the same for you, maybe you should ask Him why not? I know this, because I have asked Him. He said that we have not, because we ask not. When I ask God to draw me closer to him, it scares me; Because I KNOW that he will do it. But I also know that there will be consequences (earthly), and rewards (heavenly).

I was seriously moved by the message Wednesday night, where that dear brother opened our eyes to a glimpse of what our lives SHOULD be if we were truly seeking God's riches in our lives, rather than what this earth holds for us. " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33

I can only pray that God will allow me to have the strength and courage to face whatever he has in store for me, just as Josh and Beth have done in their situation. Trusting in Him, to guide me through.

Here is a poem that Josh's Dad wrote after hearing the news about the charges being dropped:

It Takes A Crucifixion

There cannot be a resurrection until a crucifixion's taken place.

No joy comes in the morning without a night of horrible disgrace.

Until the ones you love and trust have all forsaken you and fled.

You can't experience what it truly means to come back from the dead.

Until you've been falsely accused and friends believe the worst.

You never will experience what it means to truly put Christ first.

Not until you've been abandoned as folks you love believe the lies.

Can there be a day ahead when you and your testimony will arise.

Unless you're shunned and doubted and you're treated like a stranger,

You will not know God's present help and protection from real danger.

When you're horribly lied about and you display love for that enemy

God will allow you to see him in despair as He gives you the victory.

Many are the backslidden Christians who would delight to see you fall.

But what God's permitting you to face will make you stronger then them all.

When your faith won't cease nor waiver, as you face your darkest hour

It's then you'll know God's blessings and you'll share his special power.

If you watch all hope slipping away, and there's nothing visible to hold

Stay right with God in your integrity, and you will come forth as gold.

God never once forsook his own, He promised that He will see you through

It's when you feel the most alone that then He's tenderly carrying you.

When witnesses who swore to tell the truth, then lie upon the witness stand

Rest firm remaining upon the rock, for you're not on the sinking sand.

If you have no where else to turn and no one your case to plead

When you have nothing left but God alone, you'll learn He is all you need.

So when you're going through the worst and encouragers are few.

Stop to praise the Lord for faithful friends, who still believe in you.

To those scores of you who have emailed, written, called and shown so much love during this long difficulty we want to say God bless you!

Dr. and Mrs. Dave Douglass
Missionary/Evangelist - I.W.W.E.
www.thepastorspen.com

Praise the Lord!

We have been praying for our friends Josh and Beth, who had their children taken away by the DCF in Florida. This is a group, much like our local DSS that gets $xxxx.xx for every child it "recovers" and places into foster care. (what an injustice!)

Anyway, after 8 months and many court battles, the charges have finally been dropped. Here's Josh's e-mail. I can only imagine the bleeding of this man's heart these past few months, and the job that his children will soon be comeing home. Praise the Lord!

Well, how else can I explain this except...........GOD

8months I have been away from my children
8months they have accused me of hurting my daughter
8months they told my children I was a bad father
8months they tore my life apart
8months they ripped my wife's heart apart.
8months they made us look like the worst of the worst.
8months they devastated our family
8months they lied to save face
8months they deceived the judges
8months they mocked and harassed my family

NOW, AFTER 8MONTHS, THEY HAVE DROPPED THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS.

PRAISE GOD~!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!