Let's Walk

For awhile now God has been showing me that I need to have a closer relationship with Him. It's not that I don't want to, but that I believe I can never be close "enough", there is always room to get closer to Christ. You ask, well how do you know? Well, you know when God keeps reminding you that you haven't prayed enough or read His Word enough or church doesn't thrill you. He shows you through His Word,sermons, praise music and most of all the nudging of the Holy Spirit.
Too many times I find myself comparing myself to other people and seeing how I measure up to their "Christianity". God reminded me again that I am to measure up to Him, I am to be a reflection of Him! It doesn't matter what another person does or does NOT do, it matters what God wants ME to do or maybe NOT to do. When people look at me, do they see Christ?
Yesterday, I went to a Ladies meeting at another church and the whole theme was Walking with Jesus. Now I don't know how it is in your relationship with Christ, but when He starts working on me, He does it in many areas and facets of my day and life. He is great at weaving His truth into my day in such a way that I know He is trying to make a point. I am still in awe and wonder when He does this, and I hope I never lose that joy or become blase` to it.
I got home last night, pondering the various speakers, the fellowship, then our family time and already forgetting some of the things that God had nudged me about.
As I readied for bed I had two choices for devotions, continue reading in Ezekiel or reading in a devotional book by missionary Andy Bonikowsky in Spain. I had skimmed his book when he gave it to me and treated it much like a Reader's Digest, look at it for the good nuggets and then leave it on the shelf. I had decided about a week ago when I was getting frustrated with an online devotional that I had been using to start his book from the very beginning. I thought well ok, I will read his book instead of a chapter in my Bible reading...
Well! God was in this whole thing as usual, because all day He has been showing me that He was serious about me having a closer walk with Him, and I was already letting my life settle into it's routine. I opened the book to the lesson that I was to read next and would ya know it? It was about walking with God!!! Well, God got my attention again with a proverbial smack to the head.
"Walking with Jesus, walking every day walking all the way, Walking in with Jesus, walking with Jesus alone." "Just a closer walk with Thee, Precious Jesus is my plea, daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be."
Let's take a walk... with Jesus.

Sweet Sounds

Out of the myriad of sounds and noises that fills the cacophony of my life, I have come across two all time favorites.

1. The sound of people praying aloud at the altar in church!

2. The sound of my boy asking me to pray for him!



This is in addition to hearing God Say "I love you", and my husband uttering those same words.

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Thank You, Lord for this quiet day
Where I can seek Your face and pray
Thank you for the Book
Where You can see my name at a look

Many thoughts run through my mind
Then I remember to think on You
And leave them all behind

It has been a long time
Since I have written poetry or rhyme
To be inspired and to bless
The years fly by with just more stress

Often I sit with shattered thoughts
Wants and desires come to naught
You pick me up and draw me close
Filling my cup when I need it most

Words are a mere attempt at expression
My heart longs to escape oppression
Your Will to be my desire
Your Way may I always aspire

Thank You, Lord for this release
May my thoughts and words of You please
Your whispered promises make me sing
A glimpse of Heaven's bells as they ring

Thank You, Lord for this quiet day
Where I can seek Your face, and pray

~RJC 8/17/11

Family News

Good Morning Family and Friends,
For years now I have sporadically blogged our family news instead of sending out a huge email to everyone in hopes they get it. Many times I do not share the trials, only the blessings. Other times I let y'all in on every little thing. We have had alot on our hearts lately, and I thought I would share a wee bit with you who hold us dear.
Ted is still the area supervisor for the Pizza Hut franchise that he has been with for many years past and present. He has 5 stores that he supervises and oversees. His work is never ending. He has gone through a real trial lately with various things happening and would greatly appreciate any prayers you send up to our Father for help and strength.
My position at World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions encompasses a variety of tasks that keep me busy, and my mind has a hard time turning work off when I am out of the office. Keep praying for me that I will continue to be used by the Lord in this aspect of His ministry.
James graduated from high school in June, was able to earn and receive enough money to buy his own used vehicle. It needs a check up in the shop soon, but should last him for awhile. He stays busy with his job as groundskeeper for WWNTBM. We had a rough summer trying to find a way for him to go to college for this fall semester. Alot of prayer and discussion and scrambling and information seeking went on for weeks. Finally, James decided to work for a year to save enough money to go next fall. I can tell you the weight has been lifted and the peace of making a decision has been a relief. Should he have gone this fall? We didn't have peace about it either way. Now that the decision has finally been made, we ask that you pray he gets enough money and that his desire to go will be even stronger. We hope you will pray for James that he will let God use him in any way He desires.
Justin will start his senior year in high school next month. He has helped his brother and others throughout the summer with odd jobs that has helped to pay for his trips to camp and the Faith Youth Revival in TN. He strives to get closer to God and would appreciate your prayers that he will continue in a godly direction. He is seeking the Lord's will about college and a career.
I know this sounds like a huge prayer request more then a family update, but I make no apologies for it. Our family has gone through some valleys and stumbled under some heavy burdens, but our loving Heavenly Father has been right there along side of us to carry us through. Prayer is a vital aspect and necessity in our lives to get us through each day.
Thank you for loving us and most of all for praying for us.
Love,
R

40th Birthday Blessings

Birthday Blessings
Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings now,
As your birthday nears.
Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there.
Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are.
Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"
By Joanna Fuchs

I love you, Ted. Happy Blessed Birthday!