Be Bold

This morning, Hope woke up a bit earlier that I would've liked, but we got ourselves downstairs and situated on the couch for breakfast. I typically watch the news while I nurse in the morning, but on Sundays like to flip through the 'church' shows. It's usually to roll my eyes at the overly made-up ladies, or the way off theology I hear. This morning though, I started watching a sermon without cringing. It was biblically and theologically accurate, as far as I could tell, and they wern't asking for money. I was intrigued. The sermon was about "BIG CHURCH" and how the gospel message survived in 1st century Rome. He was talking about having boldness in sharing the gospel, and the boldness that the disciples demonstrated in Acts 5:17-42. They are brought in and flogged for spreading the word of God, and after being beaten, are told to leave and not to speak in the name of Jesus again. So what did they do?

⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. ⁴² Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

They rejoice. They are bold. They proclaim Christ.

The pastor noted how we are 1st graders when it comes to boldness. He says we rarely pray for boldness, and if our boldness has gotten us in trouble before, we change our prayer and ask for "wisdom" instead. It was a very convicting message by pastor Andy Stanley. I like to pray for wisdom. You can watch it here.

I'm reading through Joshua for my devotions. "Be strong and courageous" are words that are repeated throughout the book. Of course, in a very different context, but they are words that speak to God's omnipresence in our lives even today.

I'm going to be praying for boldness and courage. I want to share the love of Christ with MORE than just my lifestyle. Too often people rely on the good old idea of  "preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words." There are so many problems with this idea! Most importantly, the Bible tells us to TEACH and PREACH the word of God! The great commission as just one example in Matthew 28:

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So, we need to use WORDS, spoken BOLDLY to share the GOSPEL.

Let's add 'boldness' to our list of things to pray for each day and see what happens. You with me?

it's thursday

A few random updates:

* Marc has an interview for a high school in the DC area in the next few weeks. He's also hopefully meeting up with a principle this weekend (from CA who is in town for his son's Calvin graduation). He's applied to 2 middle schools around the W. MI area. We'll see what happens!

* May 17th was the 1 year anniversary of my due date for baby. It's amazing how much healing can take place in a year. I was a wreck last year, and got through it because of my husband and dear friends who supported me throughout the day. This year was much easier. Perhaps because I have Hope in my arms instead of belly this year, and that God has used time to bring healing. I was also distracted this year as a family member had a pretty serious surgery on that day.

* Less than 1 month til my Chicago trip! AHHHHH. I'm SO excited, but have a few details to take care of yet.

* Hope is crawling like crazy now!

* I'm down to 30 hours a week at work. Lots of thoughts there, but not enough time.

I'm off to watch GRCHS tennis regionals at the MAC. Go Molly & Taylor! :)

Ideas?

So, what are you all getting your mothers for Mothers day?

Things I am looking forward to

It's May! There is so much I am looking forward to this month:
* Marc's 2nd college graduation on Saturday, followed by a little open house gathering (you're all invited 7pm-10pm)
* A few team meetings for our Chicago missions trip this summer. I'm really looking forward to this trip!
* Tigers game with Oasis
* Open houses for a lot of the graduating seniors
* Reducing my hours at work. I'm a bit apprehensive about the finances of this, but the hours will be great! I feel like I'll be able to put my full focus on work and my kids more, rather than feeling constantly pulled in both directions and not feeling like I'm giving either my 100%.
* Bible Study. I'm really enjoying the book we are reading, and the group of women I am getting to know. I'm looking forward to seeing how God works in and through our group.
* Camping! We are going to the CR Conference Grounds over Memorial Day weekend. I'm SO thankful that Marc subbed several days in April, making this and the Tigers game possible. Thanks, babe! Young has never seen Lake Michigan, and he is really excited for camping too. I think it'll be a great way to end May.
* The best block sale of the year (thanks for the introduction to it, K.B.).
* Hopefully hitting my 20lb weight loss mark (1.2lbs away - this better happen in May!) and possibly my goal weight (ideally about 8lbs).
* I'm really hoping that by the end of this month we may have some clearer direction as to what next year might look like for us: moving, staying, jobs, Young, money, etc.

There is so much to be looking forward to, and thankful for!