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The Way We Exit Determines the Way We Enter

2010-12-31T08:28:00.000-08:00

Typically, I don't share alot of my testimony. But of late a particular moment in my life keeps mulling over and over in my mind. I may or may not have already shared this with you but if I have, I feel it bears repeating.

My parents tolerated alot from me during my rebellious teen years, but I respected them enough to at least attempt to hide my acts of rebellion. Now that I'm a parent, I realize that all my attempts were futile since God has ways of exposing all sin -I think it's that whole "eyes in the back of your mom's head" thing.

One particular weekend when I was in my late teens, my parents decided to trust me to stay by myself in the house while they left for the weekend. - that was their first mistake. I decided to invite a "few" friends over - that was my first mistake. What I thought would be an adventure in my new found freedom wound into one of those parties that you only see in a bad movie. You know where flyers with your address get passed around and posted on trees and bulletin boards and before you know it, things are out of control. People I didn't even know brought in things that I wasn't even old enough to buy.

Needless to say the house got seriously trashed and the police brough a halt to my little adventure. A survey of the damage overwhelmed me so I decided to just go to bed and clean it up in the morning. The light of day revealed the mess in its true light so again I postponed the inevitable and went to Denny's, determined to clean it up when I got back.

After breakfast, I came back to find that my parents had "unexpectedly" come home while I was at Denny's. Even as I'm telling you this now I feel the pangs of guilt and embarrassment that I felt that day. My parents were busy cleaning up my mess, not the first and surely not the last. I don't remember what my punishment was but the disappointment I felt coming from them was enough punishment to last me a lifetime.

Recently, there has been such an urgency in my heart to share this with you now because I believe God has brought this back to me for a reason. Matthew chapter 25 has Jesus telling us about ten virgins, five wise and five foolish. They were all waiting for the brideroom but the fooish virgins were not prepared. As they left to buy more oil for their lamps, the bridegroom came and they were not allowed into the wedding. The Lord says, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the son of Many is coming."

It seems that alot of us have "messes" in our lives that need to be cleaned up before the Father comes home. Don't be caught just going about your business telling yourself "I've got plenty of time to clean it up later." We don't know how much time we have. Ask the Father to reveal any "messes" that you've even forgotten about because you've delayed addressing it for so long. He is faithful and just to clean up our messes if we simply ask Him for help and forgiveness.

A few months ago, when the Lord impressed this memory back to me, I talked to my dad and apologized to him all over again for what I had done that weekend. Thirty some years later I still felt the need to repent. I vividly remember my dad's response to me. He said, "Brenda, I don't remember what you're talking about."

There it is, the perfect picture of Jeremiah 31:34 "...For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."

I have just finished reading a book written by a friend of ours in Dallas. She has written a gripping novel about this very subject God has been dealing with me about. Please consider this my encouragement to read this book and share it with a friend.

SO CLOSE, by Paulette Kinkaid can be ordered from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or go directly to her website a pkincaid.com to order.

My husband preached last week that "the way we exit determines the way we enter." Let's all enter 2011 ready for the Lord!

Cya

Brenda

Pet Peeve

2010-10-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

We all have them don't we? Those little actions by people or things around us that either slightly irritate us or drive us totally nuts. For my husband it may be a car that needs vacuumed, for my daughter it is two old people not talking while eating out at a restaurant. For the "What Not To Wear" people, it's visible panty lines. We all have at least one pet peeve in our life, most have many.

Mine is known to all in my family. It's become a laughing matter whenever we go shopping, be it a grocery or retail store, wherever you have to pay for the goods you take home. My pet peeve usually comes into play at the pay counter or the small space in which you have to make the transaction. The Rijfkogel's affectionately refer to this area as our "pay space." Expect me to briefly step out of my right mind if mine gets violated. You all know what I'm talking about, those annoying customers behind you that hurry to put their little space bar down between your groceries and their groceries and then they huddle up right next to you as if you're going to pay for their purchases as well. Or maybe they actually are watching over your shoulder while you're pressing all those secret code buttons as if they are making themselves available should you need their help. These are the times that quite honestly, if I wasn't the woman of God He called me to be, I would stare them right in the face and say "Well, do I want cash back or not?"

But I don't pop off to them, and I wouldn't. I simple go out to the car mumbling under my breath little utterances about payspaces, passcodes and people being in too much of a hurry. By the time I get to the car, I'm always over it. Never remembering the pushy little faces that so defiantly violated my pay space. Do y'all get my drift about how much this annoys me or do I need to snow again?

And, even as I am writing this, I realize that I may be someone’s pet peeve. I probably have some little action, of which I am totally unaware, that annoys someone else to the bone. Perhaps it’s when I am most preoccupied with some deep thought or caught up in the responsibilities of the day. When I am simply relying on auto pilot to walk me through a routine action while my mind is engaged in something more demanding of my concentration. Could it be that these people that annoy me so much for that brief period in “pay land” could be mentally focused on a tragedy in their life? They could be worried about their finances and whether or not they could afford what they had on the conveyor belt. Maybe they really were in a hurry because they had a sick loved one at home that was in need of something they were buying, but they didn’t want to be rude and ask me if they could go ahead of me.

Even as I type, conviction sets in. I am so reminded of the fruit of the spirit listed in Galations 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness…” I added the emphasis on kindness because my commentary puts it all in a nutshell. It says “Kindness is goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience.” (hmmmmmm) “The Holy Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character of one under His control.”

The fruit of the Spirit will get us through those everyday “testy” trials in our lives. Not only will we reap a harvest of kindness when we need it most, but the fruit helps us to discern those who are in need of our particular gift of ministry.

The next time my “pay space” gets violated, I’ll just head over to the produce section. J
Cya,
Brenda

Growing up

2010-09-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I haven’t blogged in awhile. Not to justify my absence, but I have been quite overwhelmed of late—both physically and emotionally.

As school started this year, I realized that I (well, Sam too) have a senior this year…a senior in high school. Me, as young as I am (no snickers please), with a senior…in high school. And not only is Nathan a senior this year (in high school), but Sarah will be 16 and driving (aaahhhhh) in four weeks. Enough said. Those of you who have already ridden on this emotional roller coaster can totally relate and know exactly why I’ve felt so overwhelmed.

My first point is my youngest, Sarah - Assistant Blogger Extraordinaire. Hopefully, you all have enjoyed her “fill-in” blogs. She is an exceptional writer with a passion and love for the Lord and gifted enough to know how to express her love through the written word.

As you may have read in her blog, lately we have been consumed with her new school, Hudsonville High, where she is steadily realizing her Eagle powers. She loves her creative writing class (obviously) and making new friends daily. During her off school time, we are giving her much needed driving time before the “big” day. Big to her—scary to us. It’s funny how 16 year olds don’t understand the concept of “Learner’s Permit.” The operative word being LEARNER’S. While she’s driving, I go into instructor mode saying, “watch that car, slow down, look both ways” when her only concern is how to switch the radio from AM to FM. I think she just wants to drown out my constant belting out “Jesus Take the Wheel.” We are still getting the barrage of “when will I get a car?” whining. I do, however, realize that this whining comes with 16 year old territory. I am not alone.

Sarah has kept me busy and on my knees. Nathan has been time consuming as well. Did I mention he was a senior in high school? College is coming sooner that I can imagine. Even as I say the words, I can feel my shoulders drop and my eyes start to tear up. He is inundated daily with college brochures and letters in the mail. The decision is a great one, probably his biggest to date, but I know that God is speaking to him and will direct his path. I know that we have trained him in the way he should go. I just wish we could tell him what to do now. But this decision is his, and his alone. This is the day that we have coached him for his whole life. To be on his own, a man preparing for life as an adult (give me a minute, okay?), to realize the plans and purposes God has for him and to have the faith to step out with the boldness to go where he has never gone before (tissues please).

My two little children are becoming independent and in little need of mom and dad. Then again, isn’t this exactly what we trained them for since the day they were born?

Here it is in a spiritual nutshell. I believe that in the physical realm, as we mature and grow up, we become less and less dependent upon our parents. In the spiritual realm, the sign that we are a mature believer is that we are more and more dependent upon the Father (2 Cor. 6:18). Relying totally on Him, walking in faith, believing what He says, allowing Him to direct our paths and following His commands. I want to grow up and mature in the Lord to where I stop trying to do things my own way…I stop rolling my eyes when He tells me something I don’t want to hear…stop thinking that I know more than He knows. I want to be so mature that I will have the faith to do all He wants me to do, whenever He wants me to do it, believing that He will make sure that I have all I need to accomplish His purpose in my life.

Please pray for pastor and me as we head toward this new chapter in our lives…and buy stock in Kleenex!

Cya,

Brenda

It's Sarah!

2010-09-16T10:11:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, it’s Sarah again! I cannot explain how great it feels to get these hands on this keyboard again to BLOG to you ladies! Well probably, or most of you, already know that I have transferred to public school this fall. I’m now attending Hudsonville High School and it’s officially my second home. I love it. Part of the reason I transferred though, was because I wanted to witness to people who I had never met, who I never grew up with, or even had the time to share who I was or want to be. I had always heard that you can tell when someone’s a Christian because you can feel something is different about them, a certain keen presence about them that makes you want to know more. This year I got bold. Bolder than ever. I did something I would’ve never dreamed of doing in my life. But then again, I never thought I’d be going to a public school either. You see, our youth group is doing an outreach called The 30 Day Bible Challenge hosted by The National Youth Alive Program. The challenge is when a youth group, or a group of friends, makes a commitment to carry around a Bible with them everywhere they go in their school. Locker to locker, class to class, even to the bathroom. It’s very powerful. I’ve already had several instances of people even asking me what it was my first week of school. But there’s one situation in particular.

I was standing in the library looking for a place to sit with my Mac Book so I could do some research. There was one chair and it was at a crowded table. I sat down and started to work. As I worked all I could hear about was new drugs they were trying, what hour they wanted to go smoke, and what was going in their sex lives. I couldn’t concentrate. I’m a Christian. I shouldn’t be sitting here listening, I should say something? Then again, I wasn’t supposed to be hearing this. They couldn’t be any louder. It sounded like someone was screaming inside of my brain. I started to hurt inside. My heart started to break, and not a as a figure of speech. I grabbed my things and started to make my way out of the seat. I felt the Holy Spirit clearly inside me “Do not move from that seat.” I sat back down, my heart still hurting until I heard, “Why do you have your Bible with you?” the boy beside me talking about all the notorious things he had accomplished. I told him straight out, “Because I want to reach my school for Jesus Christ.” He stared at me. So did his friends. It was awkward. But it wasn’t a mean stare. “That’s bold of you” He said. “I like people that are bold.”

See, we don’t know what people are going through; sometimes we don’t even want to know. Like me. I didn’t want to be any part of their ‘stuff’ but I didn’t want to say anything. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will speak to you and tell you to “stay still”. If you’re in financial crisis, thinking about leaving your partner, or even dropping out of school because you feel like you can’t do it anymore, God will want you to be still, because He can use your bad situation, and turn it into a good one.

First Car Memories

2010-07-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

As much as I hate to admit it, Sarah will be 16 soon. She’s already started the constant barrage of “when will I get a car?” pleading. Although she just got her permit and is barely able to determine the difference between the brake and the gas pedal, she is determined that she will be ready to drive “her own car” on the very first hour of her 16th birthday. It takes me back …. back thirty ummm … some odd years ago when I was doing the very same pleading myself (I think I was much better at it, but don’t tell Sarah). My dad told me that I could get a car under two conditions, 1) I had to pay for it myself, and 2) He had to be the one to pick it out.

The day I turned 16 I immediately drove the family car in a quest for employment. I landed the highly sought after position of grocery cashier at Cooper’s Lucky Foods and was thereafter paid the minimum wage in 1976 of $2.30 hour. This wage was definitely earned, as we didn’t just slide the groceries one at a time across a magnetic strip. No, the customers brought their baskets to me, the cashier, where I then unloaded the groceries and individually punched in the price of each item. I would give the customer their total, take the cash and calculate the change in my head, (a lost art) and count it back to the customer. To this day I have this weird mathematical tic that developed during those years. My kids like to show me off at parties or when they have friends over, “Hey mom $16.37 out of $20,” within mere seconds I respond, “$3.63.” followed by a burst of laughter …. from them not me.

Nevertheless, the first prerequisite for car ownership had been accomplished. I was a taxpaying wage earner. The second part … not so easy. Keep in mind that my dad is the king of car buying. Never, ever go to a car lot with my father - you will either come out with the best car on the lot, or you will die of embarrassment. We shopped for cars for what seemed to be an eternity. There was always something he didn’t like - too fast, too small, too yellow, too whatever … just pick something already dad! Then one day, as I was doing my thing at Cooper’s Lucky Foods, Mr. Cooper told me I had a phone call. Dad had a car at our house for me to take a look at. Mr. Cooper gave me 30 minutes and a fatherly grin. I think he knew what was about to happen. The whole walk home I prayed “Oh, please let it be a Datsun 280Z.” The nearer I got to home I had resolved that no matter what this car looks like, it’s the first one he has shown any interest in. I will be thankful and take it!!

As I turned the corner, there she was. A 1974 Dodge Dart Sport, metallic brown, with an alligator skin roof. AM radio, vinyl seats and a portable air conditioner dropping down from the dash completed the look that every 16 girl wants. I told dad how much I loved the car and before the day’s end, it was mine. It came complete with a payment book … $74.10 a month for 18 months.

Now, it wasn’t exactly what I pictured in my mind that I would be driving but it ended up being the best car ever! It got great gas mileage and I can’t remember it ever needing serviced. Dad knew what he was doing. He knew that I couldn’t get past the looks of a car. He knew that what I needed was Him to show me what I really needed, something dependable that would take me where I needed to go.
Okay, here’s the spiritual application. Matthew 6:8b reads from the Message like this “…this is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.” Sometimes we pray and pray and tell God exactly what we want and how it should look when the whole time He knows better than us what we really need. So “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God;” (Philippians 4:6).

Are you anxious and stressed because your answered prayer doesn’t look quite like you thought it would? Rest in His perfection – Father really does know best!!

Oh, by the way, does this story reveal to you why I resent self checkout lanes?

Cya-
Brenda

Do you have a first car memory?

2010-06-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

Lebron James Hopefully, everyone knows of the great Lebron James. If you don’t, just ask any healthy all American, red blooded male between the ages of 2 years and death. With unsurpassed recall these same guys can quote you Lebron’s rebound, assist, and three point stats as well as his free throw average without as much as blinking an eye. These are the same guys who can’t remember your anniversary or what you were wearing on your first date. Girls, we just know Lebron makes a lot of money!! As a side note, Pastor Sam knows nothing about those stats so he remembers exactly what I was wearing on our first date, he’s the man!! My son is no exception when it comes to being a Lebron James fan. I found this out while back-to-school shopping last fall. When it came time to purchase the tennis shoes, my jaws dropped at the price he paid for his Lebrons. For you girls, they are like the Jimmy Choos of athletic footwear. Sometimes it’s hard to be a pastor’s kid. (Now there’s a great seg). This year was especially difficult as Easter Sunday fell smack in the middle of spring break which meant we had to stay close to home while the other kids were headed south to warmer climate. Trying to keep the kids excited about their sunless vacation, I searched for fun things to do in Chicago, a short car ride away. The highlight of the entire trip would be Thursday night. The Bulls were playing the Cavaliers at home. This was going to be the big one. The one that made all the bitterness of a boring spring break fly right out the window. I got online and found the best seats I could find - fourth row, right by the visitor’s tunnel, smack dab in front of the visitor’s bench. If Lebron broke a sweat, Nathan was gonna get wet. That’s how close they were. The cost was, to quote the commercial – priceless - but sacrificial just the same. Thursday night comes with much anticipation. Nathan bought a Cavs shirt to wear that night and he brought his trusty black Sharpie – ready to whip off one of his Lebrons in a flash should LBJ start autographing anything. Nathan hung by that tunnel awaiting his basketball hero when all of a sudden, here he comes, dressed in a three piece suit. To quote fb lingo “wwwwwwhhhhhhhaaaaaatttt?” It seems it was right before the playoffs and the coach decided that it was too risky for the big man to actually play. Apparently the Cavs already had their “whatever” title sewn up so they didn’t need this win. The disappointment in my son’s face, even Sarah and Sam were devastated. We had sacrificed our time to come, we bought special clothes, and the tickets, what about the cost of the tickets? But there he sat, not even on the bench but behind the bench, all night long. No autographs, nothing, he just walked through the tunnel and sat down. As disappointed as I was, I have to admit I was impressed at the way he encouraged his teammates during the entire game. He wasn’t caught up with the crowd, just the game. The crowd was caught up with him, disappointed he didn’t play. Now, I suppose after all that you are wondering “where in the world is the spiritual application?” Here it is. Something hit me that night, later in the hotel, while I was listening to everybody moaning and groaning about the game. Do we do that as Christians? Are we so caught up with wanting God to perform for us that we forget to simply enjoy His Presence? The Word tells us in Psalm 16:11 that “In His Presence is fullness of joy.” He doesn’t HAVE to perform for us simply because we feel we’ve made a significant investment for him to perform. We are to praise Him for who He is, not for what He does. We thank Him for the miracles as well as the gifts, but if He chooses just to be present, I’m okay with that. Without His presence, we have nothing. Now, before you get all beside yourself, I AM NOT comparing Lebron James to God. I’m just asking you to think about this analogy and to allow the Holy Spirit to have liberty to do whatever He wants to do. We can make demands upon the anointing, but not the God of the anointing. Let Him choose to perform, we need to just simply welcome His Presence and bask in the tender touches that convince us that He is ever with us. By the way, after the game, Lebron high-fived Nathan as he exited through the visitor’s tunnel. Pretty cool, huh? So not worth it. Cya- Brenda

2010-05-27T13:56:00.001-07:00

Choosing to Rest

Last night Pastor Sam (or the most wonderful man in the world as I like to call him) finished the Wednesday night series of Ordering Your Private World. (If you weren’t able to take the class PLEASE read the book. It’s by Gordon MacDonald.) The last chapter was on “Choosing Rest” a topic we don’t address too often these hectic days.

He reminded us of God’s plan for us to stop our routines and labor and simply rest, meditating on the past; God’s purpose, the present; God’s standard, and the future; Christ centered. This reflection helps rejuvenate us to continue in His work.

Last week, we took it to heart, literally. Several months ago, we scheduled this past week to take a break, a vacation, just the two of us, without kids (woo hoo) and just do … nothing…. in Florida of course. I mean if you’re going to do nothing what better place to not do it in? Like I said, this trip was scheduled a long time ago and the point is, the enemy seemed to constantly come against us going on our trip. The airline cancelled our whole first day there, scheduling issues came up and then, there was the whole oil spill thingy. Now I know I’m being a little selfish about the oil spill (we went to the gulf coast), I know it didn’t just happen to keep us from going on vacation but the devil knows timing sometimes better than we do. The more we battled with whether to even go or not the more we knew we needed to go.
Our time there was so incredibly restful and peaceful and wonderful even though it was cut short (airline issues). Our entire plan for the week was eat when you’re hungry, sleep when you’re tired….go to the beach…. go to Steinmart. And that’s exactly what we did. Pastor slept the entire first day under the umbrella (he actually drooled Cheetos all over his chest … I have pictures) and as the warm coastal sun swept over us, we felt the cares, the burdens, the worries and the heaviness that comes with both pastoring and parenting melt off of us like Banana Boat sunscreen…of which we used alot.
Not having the kids there, as much as I love those two, made the trip more of a Sabbath. Sam told us last night that amusement and Sabbath are not to be connected. Sabbath requires rest and meditation. So that’s exactly what we did. We watched the parasailers go by and I’d say “you wanna do that?” he’d say “nope.” The dolphin sight seeing tour boat went by, “you wanna do that?” he’d say “nope.” We rested, we reflected and we refreshed.
On our last day, God honored our rest by giving us a special glimpse of His creation (no not oil), we saw dolphins, a school of about fifty mana ray and two manatees swim by directly in front of us. Of course, I didn’t go back in the water after that but it was cool all the same.
When we left we vowed that we would not wait four years to do this again. We have to take a Sabbath, it’s one of the commandments, remember? It doesn’t mean we have to go to Florida. We can just sit back, relax and meditate on all He has blessed us with. The lesson learned was a gentle reminder that our Sabbath doesn’t just happen we have to make it happen. Schedule it in like an appointment or a business meeting.
Our thanks to all those that made this trip so wonderful (with the exception of American Airlines) you know who you are! Please remember to pray for all the folks in the gulf coast. Their livelihood depends on travel and tourism; they need that oil to go away!

Cya
B

God's Grace

2010-05-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Those of you who were here last Sunday realize that Pastor was not. He was out of town. We "seeded" him out making a spiritual investment in a church clear across the country. He doesn’t do this very often, once maybe twice a year, but he always comes back ignited with a new passion and that edge of an evangelist that is so vital to a pastor still sparkling in his eye.
When Sam and I met, he had already been an evangelist for five years. After we were married we stepped easily into the traveling routine of the itinerate preacher. We loved it, the kids both were on airplanes from within two weeks of their birth. Nathan had more frequent flyer miles at four years old than most adults have in a lifetime. Sarah was just turning two when the kids and I stopped traveling as much so she was a freebie. We flew out every Saturday, back home every Thursday. We stayed in a different hotel every week, went to a different church every week, the kids were in different nurseries every week, meeting different people every week and we loved it all. God gave us a special grace to endure the traveling, especially when the kids were so young.
Even when the kids and I got off the road we never looked at his traveling as a burden. The kids were just raised that daddy’s job is just like everyone else; his office is just a little further away. We loved it when he was home and went on with life when he was away. God gave us a special grace to endure the times of separation.
Fast forward to now. Sam being gone this past week has given me a whole new perspective on the grace of God. As Sam was packing and getting ready to go he said "I can’t believe I use to do this every week, how did I do it?" While he was gone I felt just a little out of step, you know like things weren’t quite in sync. I found myself having trouble sleeping without him. And I would say to myself at least a million times "How did I do this all those years?" God gave me (and the kids) special grace to endure the lonely times without him.
This is where 2 Corinthians 12:9 comes in and says "My grace is sufficient for you…" I think that means it is sufficient for the areas we need it most, when we need it. Those times and areas change constantly during our lives but God doesn’t. He will always be there with the grace we need to get us through what we need to get through when we need to get through it. (I hope y’all got that) My husband has a commentary that says this scripture means that the grace God gives us is "perfectly cut to proportion." It is God-designed to fit our need for that moment.
How incredible it is to know that the Creator of the universe would go out of His way to make sure that I have grace enough to sustain me through every challenge in my life. Our circumstances may change, but His grace will always be sufficient!!
Cya!
Brenda
BTW - Kudos to Pastor Kerry for delivering a powerful message in Pastor’s absence.

Forgetaboutit!!

2010-04-22T10:16:00.001-07:00

Last week we had Michael Franzese at our Sunday morning services. He had such a powerful testimony that drew many to come to know Christ, the ultimate goal. It was incredible to hear how God used his beautiful wife (pink impact) to influence him in becoming a Christ follower, but I have to say, I was enjoying just watching the men in our church as they listened to Brother Michael share his testimony of deliverance from a life in the mob. The men had that vacant deer-in-the-headlights look that women get when they are watching “Sleepless in Seattle.”

Anyway, to my point, one of the highlights for me last Sunday was hearing Brother Michael say “forgetaboutit” during his testimony. There is just something about that word spoken with a thick Brooklyn accent that changes the meaning from simple verbiage to an actual command!

The application goes something like this; whenever we think about our past sins, failures, hurts, shortcomings, rejections, pains or losses remember, it’s not what’s in the rear view mirror that keeps you on the right road, it’s what’s in the windshield!!

“But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Phil. 3:13)

Forgetaboutit!!

Cya,

Brenda

Bird Nest

2010-04-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

SAM IS DRIVING ME CRAZY ABOUT THIS BIRD that is building a nest outside the window of his study. We have this evergreen right outside the window and every year that we have lived in this house a robin (I’m not sure if it’s the same one – for obvious reasons) builds its nest in the same spot in the tree right within my husband’s view.
Sam is so frustrated by the fact that every year, at this time, right after that robin has so tediously and meticulously built that little nest, we turn on the sprinkler system and it literally blasts that nest like a fire hose. It’s very sad to watch as the robin always ends up abandoning the nest.
My husband has been standing at the window shouting at the bird, “Don’t do it this year, don’t you know what’s going to happen? Listen to me, I WILL be turning on the sprinkler soon and you WILL be wiped out! Can’t you understand me, if you could only communicate with me you would leave while you can you stupid bird!”
Do you see where I’m going with this? Don’t you think sometimes God watches us through the windows of heaven as we so tediously and meticulously plot and plan our lives, investing in things that will someday be washed away? I believe that all the while we are straining to do what we think is right, God is saying to us, “Listen to me, I can save you a lot of stress and aggravation if you will only follow me and allow me to give you the direction for your life.” Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Maybe Sam should just tweet that bird! :)
Cya
Brenda

Hey guys it’s Sarah Rijfkogel AGAIN!

2010-04-08T11:24:00.001-07:00

Hey guys it’s Sarah Rijfkogel AGAIN! I finally got some much needed BLOG time. So I have had this crazy week. Yes it is spring break for me, but I have kept myself busy in a good way. But this week me and my family are in Schaumburg, Illinois and it is amazing. We have found so many perfect places to relax and have fun! It’s a perfect vacation spot for people who don’t want to travel so far or spend too much money on a vacation. But I have found the most beloved place in this whole entire town, the Woodfield mall. It’s like HUGE. It has 3 stories and tons of stores like Urban Outfitters(love), H&M, Nordstrom etc. So that’s all I have to say. So if you are ever in the Chicago area stop by Schaumburg and take a look of all the stuff it has to offer! This might not sound so spiritual, but I guess the point I want to come across is to always spend time with your family and get away from the people that you’re with daily. Make sure that your family is the closest thing to you. You will love this place I guarantee! I’ll catch you guys later!

Love and rockets,

Sarah Rijfkogel

By Christi Cummins

2010-03-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies!

My daughter is down for her nap, and I’m sitting on the couch in my living room looking outside at the blue skies. The weather has been so nice this week! As Michiganders, we have learned how to appreciate good weather to the fullest!

As I think about this upcoming spring, I think about walks with my family, flowers blooming, and opening up the windows to let the fresh air come through the house. I’m looking forward to feeling the warm sunshine hit my face as I step out the door.

Spring is also a time to clean out the clutter and stuffiness that comes with winter. I will soon be packing away the boots and gloves and will be bringing out the sandals and sundresses. It’s going to feel so good to freshen up the house and maybe add some pretty flowers to set on the kitchen table.

I’m also going to be doing a little “spring cleaning” in my spiritual life. I’m going to set aside sometime this spring to ask the Holy Spirit to take an inventory of my thoughts and actions. I want to make sure that my heart is pure and my motives line up with God’s Word.

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me Oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (NLT)

Spring is about freshening up and cleaning out the junk. Take some time today to think about something that you’ve let fester in your spirit. Allow God to clean it out and replace it with His Holy Spirit. You will be so glad that you did. Your step will be lighter and your heart will be joyful!

Hey ladies from Brenda

2010-03-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

Hey ladies. Just wanted to let everyone know that I’m still around, alive and getting better. It’s been a rough few weeks but God doesn’t give us more than we can bear, right? Maybe He thought I just needed to slow down a little.

Looking at the brighter side, I did get to go to Memphis. The doc diagnosed me with RSV right before we went but we thought it wouldn’t be anything that would hold me back. The wedding was wonderful and my niece made a beautiful bride. I was able to see family I haven’t seen in years, get reacquainted with old friends and make new ones. My husband literally ate his weight in ribs the entire time we were there. We hit Corky’s, the Rendevous and a few of my other favorite spots for savory memories. I was a little thankful I didn’t feel quite right or it could have been a caloric nightmare.

Of course, no trip to Memphis would be complete without dropping a few bucks at Graceland. My kids really wanted to take the tour since they had not been back to Memphis since they were really small. They loved the mansion tour, the gold records, the cars and all the memorabilia. It’s hard to believe that Elvis still carries that charisma even to a generation that never even knew who he was. My kids were mesmerized by all of his accomplishments and amazed that he paid only $100,000 for the entire estate when he was 22 years old.

As I watched the crowds around us (hard to believe that after 32 years there would still be crowds), I couldn’t help but wonder if these same people that traveled so far, cried at the grave site and literally worshiped this man even realized that, as great as he may have been to them, he didn’t die for them. Would they think I was the nut?

Just a thought.

Anyway, when I got back the doc told me I had pneumonia in both lungs so that’s why I’ve been out for awhile. My breathing is improving but I still get tired pretty easily. Much medication, two antibiotics and steroids, seems to be helping but I know it’s the prayers of many who have kept me through these past few weeks. My love and thanks to you all, my husband and my kids (who can’t stop saying, “That’s alright, mama”).

Cya,

Brenda

P.S. To Pastor Raycheen, know that I’m confessing healing and health to myself everyday and that I physically speak to the steroids, “You were created to help me and not hurt me, you will not make me fat, you will not make me grouchy!”

From Pastor Raycheen Sims

2010-03-04T11:36:00.001-08:00

Let’s face it. We all have issues. The only problem is that if most of us got real we would have to admit our issues have us. We are bound, paralyzed and rendered downright helpless in far too many cases. We have said the words, “That’s just the way I am”. So many times we actually believe them, and yet our true woman within us still screams to get out. She will not be silenced. She is determined to be healthy, whole and victorious. Let her out, ladies. The life you truly want to live awaits you. Truly you are ready. If you have come this far, why stop now? Take a deep breath and know you are not alone in the struggle to get past your issues.

Read Luke 8:43-48 (Amplified Bible)

⁴³And a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed by anyone, ⁴⁴Came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, and immediately her flow of blood ceased. ⁴⁵And Jesus said, Who is it who touched Me? When all were denying it, Peter and those who were with him said, Master, the multitudes surround You and press You on every side! ⁴⁶But Jesus said, Someone did touch Me; for I perceived that [healing] power has gone forth from Me. ⁴⁷And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came up trembling, and, falling down before Him, she declared in the presence of all the people for what reason she had touched Him and how she had been instantly cured. ⁴⁸And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your confidence and trust in Me) has made you well! Go (enter) into peace (untroubled, undisturbed well-being).

She took a deep breath and moved forward, breaking past the invisible hands that had held her back for so long. She was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Today is the day for something different to happen. Call it what you want – desperation, determination.

How do we get past our problems and out of our present mold?

1. Dare to believe you have a choice and go after what you want.

2. Talk to yourself.

3. Press past convention.

4. Claim your victory.

What you settle for is what you will receive. The Spirit who is able to envision a victorious outcome will chart its course, defying the odds and arriving at its destination.

Thank you Grand Rapids First!

2010-02-23T11:12:00.000-08:00

Sometimes on Sundays I feel so rushed when I’m up there on the platform with my husband. There are so many things I want to say to everyone in our congregation. Yet another reason I’m thankful for this BLOG, I’ve got all the time in the world to spend saying whatever I want to say. Frightening isn’t it?

Thank you Grand Rapids First. That seems way too simple and doesn’t even begin to express what I feel in my heart for Grand Rapids First. We’ve just celebrated four years as your Senior Pastor and his family. It’s so hard to believe that we’ve been here four years. The time truly does fly when you’re having fun. Last week I heard that great saying that if you love your job, you will never have to work another day in your life. That doesn’t mean we don’t work hard, it just means we enjoy the work!! Your expression of love for us doesn’t come just one day a year. I think that’s what means the most to me. You have shown your love to my entire family every day. Whether we are going through trials or triumphs, you have lifted us up in prayer and encouraged us every step of our way. For that, I’m especially grateful.

When I was single (twenty plus years ago) I worked as the administrative assistant for the president of a corporation. As I new convert, I constantly strived to keep myself surrounded in the Word, especially since I was working in the world. The other day I ran across a scripture on notepaper. Over twenty years ago I kept this scripture taped to my CRT (that really dates the whole thing) to constantly remind me of my place in the world.

My prayer is that I serve you with a humble heart and an overwhelming debt of gratitude to my Lord for allowing me to be here, as First Lady, for as long as He wants me here.

With Much Love and Gratitude,
Brenda

Sarah Rijfkogel stealing the Blog!

2010-02-10T10:25:00.001-08:00

Hey guys! This is Sarah Rijfkogel and got to steal this week’s BLOG from my mom! I just kinda wanted to talk to you guys about our Vertical youth group and how RADICALLY God is moving in our youth group! I mean I cannot even describe in words how God’s love is being shown to me and so many other teens that he would provide an amazing place with amazing leaders who care for us and want to help us in our walk with the Lord. I have been having all these different “friend” problems this past year and I have been just really on what almost seemed like a permanent low. But the thing is every time I go to youth group I get connected with all these kids who love God that just want more and more of Him constantly. Pastor Anthony, who is the most amazing youth pastor in this galaxy, always has these really awesome lines that really can just speak out to you. Almost like the words were customized for you. And one that really shouts out to me is this. “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future”. And I have never realized how absolutely true and accurate that really is. Do you guys remember when Paris Hilton and Nichole Ritchie used to be best friends? Absolutely inseparable, But absolutely miserable I mean all those years they were friends, doing TV shows together and going to all they’re clubs and celebrity parties. But where did that get them? Look at them now. I mean they are in they’re late 20’s, barely friends, and I have no idea what they do for a living! All they are and will be were the first popular mean girls that everyone wanted to be. But now that God is taking over our generation and molding it to rise us up as leaders no one wants to be those kind of girls anymore. I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you want God to take control of your life and make a difference in others, you have to find good friends that support you in everything you do and want God to move in your life and others, just as much as they want God to move in theirs. That’s all I have to say. Don’t forget all you teen ladies out there that tonight is ladies night at Vertical! There will be chocolate! Love you guys and hope I might be able to steal some BLOG time again!

W.O.W. - Women of Worship

2010-01-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a night!!! Monday night we had an incredible praise and worship experience. WOW … Women of Worship - women leading women into the presence of God. If you weren’t there you sure missed it. But I promise we’ll get another one of these on the books soon!

Basking in His presence is awesome, the anointing of His Spirit is phenomenal, and experiencing the dynamic of His healing power is remarkable, but there was a component from last night that cannot be overlooked. The diversity in that room spanned generations. When I saw young, maybe ten year old girls on their knees worshipping with moms, grandmas and college girls, my heart was overwhelmed. Psalm 145:4 says “One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts.” What a blessing to see so many generations praising the One True God and declaring His mighty acts!

When you hear me talk about modeling, this is the picture. How will they know unless they see us practicing what we preach? We serve a God who loves us no matter what stage we are in our lives. Young, old or in between, he is right there to walk with us through every trial and every victory!

Pastor Raycheen did a tremendous job of using her God given gift to lead us. We’ve included in today’s blog the confession statements that we recited last night. Try saying these statements in the mirror every morning and every evening. See if your day doesn’t go just a little bit better!!!

View/Print Opening Declaration

View/Print Closing Declaration

Central Bible College

2010-01-20T10:22:00.000-08:00

We are starting a Bible College at our church this fall. It’s created a buzz around our Body, not just through the college age group, but also through professional adults who have longed to advance their education even in their later years. My husband has tried to convince me that I should try to pursue a degree through the college. Me...at age 50...going for a degree? Talk about a “new trick.” His logic was challenging, but I’m still not quite convinced that I want to put myself through all that class time and expense, not to mention the homework and who’s going to cook for the kids? Who’ll do the laundry and write my blog?

Are you sensing the drift here, or do I need to snow again? Actually, although my excuses do sound somewhat credible, I have to admit that my main struggle with the whole degree thing is pride. You see, I never went to college after high school, let alone Bible college. I’ve told the women of this church time and time again that I, without a doubt, do not deserve to be here, as the wife of the senior pastor (incredible man that he is) of the most awesome church in the nation. It’s only by the grace of God that He has brought me to the Kingdom for such a time as this. Think about it, I can’t sing (and my whole family said, “Amen”), I can’t play anything but the stereo and who plays a stereo anymore? It’s the grace, the magnificent grace of a Holy God that puts people, ordinary people, where He wants them to be.

Anyway, back to the pride thing. After much prayer and meditation, I believe that God has revealed to me the seed of my fear of going back to school. My fear is that everyone (in my class that is) will find out just how little I know…about anything. My fear is what my fellow classmates will think when I don’t already know what I’m being taught. When I say it out loud, it doesn’t make much sense does it? I’m deeply afraid that I won’t know what I’m being taught before I’ve learned it.

Do you realize how silly that sounds? It’s as silly as not wanting to give your heart to the Lord until you’ve cleaned yourself up!! Just as I can’t know what I haven’t been taught, you can’t clean yourself up by yourself! It takes a miracle-working God to take you from where you’ve been, clean you up and put you on the path where He wants you to go. Jesus said in John 12:47, “...I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” School is not there to judge me, but to better me. Jesus said He didn’t come to judge you, but to cleanse you. I can’t learn what I need to know until I am taught by a teacher and you can’t be clean until you are washed by a Savior. Maybe we’ll bump into one another at the altar!

You never know, perhaps I will enroll at Central Bible College, Grand Rapids Campus in the fall. I’ll be the nerdy one in the front row with the Big Chief tablet and number two pencil!!

Cya
Brenda

Interested in Central Bible College, Grand Rapids? Click Here

Love and Logic (Pastor Candy Ryder)

2010-01-11T10:12:00.001-08:00

If you are anything like me, you are thinking spring. From the time the last Christmas decoration is removed from the tree, I am done with the snow showers and ready for those April showers. Don’t get me wrong, I love the four seasons we experience in Michigan, but if winter was the shortest season in the year, trust me, I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Now, if it’s too soon for spring, how about summer? Being a parent myself and having been involved in Children’s ministries for over 25 years, I have heard it said by many a good parent they would prefer summer to be the shortest season only because of the fact their kids will be out of school. Summer vacation is not something many parents look forward to due to the challenges the kids can be during the course of a whole day at home. I think everyone who is a parent knows exactly what I am talking about. Most parents will agree to the fact our kids are a blessing, but some of the challenges that come with them can make it feel more the opposite. I have found there are some helpful principles we can use that have changed my perspective of those “challenges” into opportunities. Let me suggest, whether you have an infant, a teenager, or maybe both you don’t have to dread summer vacation any longer, Parenting With Love & Logic is a book that can help us parents not just be survivors but successful parents. You can be prepared for those nearly three months of opportunity with your little angel(s) and enjoy your summer at the same time.
Check it out; there are many Love & Logic materials available on line at www.loveandlogic.com.
Pastor Candy Ryder

YOUR WORDS HAVE POWER! (Pastor Raycheen Sims)

2010-01-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

Words are seeds. In fact, whatever is in a seed must produce after its own kind. For example, an apple seed will produce apples. This principle is especially true where words are concerned. Words are a powerful force, yet that force can be positive or negative. A situation can worsen when you speak negatively about it. By the same token, when you speak positive words, your circumstances will change for the better. This is because words are like the rudder of a ship. Once spoken, words begin to steer your life in a specific direction.

If you possess any doubt about how powerful words are, think about this for a moment: God created the heavens and the earth with words. Why is this significant? Because you are made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26), which means you are a “speaking spirit.” You possess creative power and just like God, you create your world with your words!

My question to you is what have you created with your words? The Bible tells us that when a man guards his mouth and keeps his tongue, he keeps himself from trouble (Proverbs 21:23, Amplified Bible). Is your life full of trouble or strife? If so, it could be that idle words have played a powerful role, whether consciously or subconsciously. Idle words are words spoken but not believed. Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 that, "… men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak." The fact that you will one day give an account for every idle word should motivate you to choose your words wisely!

A further demonstration of how powerful words are can be found in Proverbs 18:21, which tells us life and death are in the power of the tongue. Think about it. If your words have the power to shape circumstances, and you constantly speak death, you will eventually destroy your life. For example, examine your speech where your health is concerned. Do you speak faith—filled words of life over your physical body? Or do you say things like, "I will probably die of cancer. After all, it runs in my family."

This sort of speech turns on the death cycle and connects you to the very thing you do not want to happen. If you want to experience health or success in any area of your life, you must make the decision to turn on the life cycle, by searching the scriptures and declaring what the Word says about you. God's Word produces life (Joshua 1:8)!

I have come to realize that nothing is more important than the words we speak. Therefore, we must never underestimate the power of our words, either through ignorance or through neglect. Words are seeds and good or bad, they will bring forth a harvest. Your words have creative power, so begin today to speak only words that produce life!

Pastor Raycheen

Scripture References:
Genesis 1:26
Proverbs 21:23
Matthew 12:36
Proverbs 18:21
Joshua 1:8

Confession ----The Words of my Mouth

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank you that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, and because I am a new creature, I will speak of excellent things, and the words from my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; and there is nothing forward or perverse in them. They are plain to him that understandeth and right to them that find knowledge.

My lips will feed many, because I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. My tongue is as choice silver and my mouth bringeth forth wisdom because I am the just. My lips know what is acceptable and my lips shall establish truth forever. I am a delight to the Lord, for I deal truly. My lips shall preserve me and I use knowledge aright because I am wise. Wisdom is found in my lips because I have understanding.
I have a wholesome tongue and it is a tree of life. Pleasant words are always in my mouth, because they are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to my bones. My words are as deep waters and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. God has given me wisdom and out of my mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. My mouth is a well of life. Death and life are in the power of my tongue and I choose life. Therefore, I will not let any corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth. I will not speak evil of any person.

My thoughts are right because I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report.
I have been transformed by the renewing of my mind with the Word of God because I have the mind of Christ and the wisdom of God. I am an imitator of Jesus.

Christmas

2009-12-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

How many times have you heard already, “I can’t believe Christmas is almost here?” But I have to say, I really can’t believe Christmas is almost here. Just last week Pink Impact hosted our annual Christmas Blessing. What a great night!! My mother-in-law, Jan, joined us for “Seasons to Remember.” For those of you who don’t know or couldn’t attend last week, Jan has a dramatic testimony of salvation, deliverance and emotional healing.

Raised in Indonesia as a buddhist, Jan had never even heard of Christmas until her early 20’s. Throughout the night, she shared trials from her life that would lead her closer and closer to the One who would fill her longing to know who the one true God was.

When you first hear of Jan’s conversion, from being raised as a buddhist to being saved at a Billy Graham crusade, you are overwhelmed by the grace of God and the lengths at which He is willing to reach to see each one of us as His child. When you hear of miraculous transformations like Jan’s you realize that this is a powerful testimony, but you wonder how “how does this relate to me?” in a country where you hear the name “Jesus” everyday (not always as it’s intended to be used) and there’s a church on every corner.

How does this relate to me? As Jan took us through each chapter of her story we found ourselves in one or more of the pages of her life. She shared openly of her trials and her triumphs.

That night we discovered that, in her 80 years on this earth, Jan has lived in a pagan country, worshipped a pagan god, married young, moved unexpectedly to another country, a week after her wedding (never to see her parents again). While in Holland, she lived with the stress of raising three young children while her husband was gone six days of each week. Jan openly admits their marriage as being rocky and tumultuous most of the time. Realizing Jan’s desperation an “old man” down the street (that’s how she always refers to him) began to serve and evangelize the family by bringing them meat rations and inviting her to church. Eventually, she would go to a Billy Graham crusade with him and give her life to Jesus. So now, she is living with not just an unsaved husband, but a man who refuses to have anything to do with God. Another child comes and after several years, through the testimony of a changed life, her husband gives his life to the Lord at a bible study Jan held in her home. They have another child. Their lives are changed, but they still have their struggles depending on God to see them through. She gives birth to a son but loses him right after he is born. She agonizes and cries out to God for another son. God honors her cry with Samuel (yeah!) :)

Now they move to yet another country and new culture, America. They have one more child and after eleven years living in what Jan refers to as “freedom” her husband is tragically killed in an auto accident. Now she is left as a young widow, single mother of seven children, no income and her faith challenged. How did she get through it all? “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

(I Thess. 5:16-18) Praise God not for the trials, but in the trials. That’s Jan’s answer for what to do when you don’t know what to do.

Did you see yourself in that summation? I know I did. Our faith gets rocked by so many circumstances. I think Jan’s was rocked more than anyone should be allowed to bear. But to hear her testify, you know there is a God…a God who sees you through every trial, every storm, every triumph and every success. How often have you heard people tell you “just praise God,” but they don’t have a clue what you’re going through? But when you hear someone who has been through the fire, and they still have the smell of smoke on their clothes tell you to praise God, you can bet they’ve been there and come out the other side!!

I’m glad to know Jan and happy to have her as my mother-in-law. It’s wonderful to know that in times when I wonder if He hears me, wonder if He’ll see me through something or wonder if it’s all worth it, I reflect on Jan’s life. That’s what testimonies are for. To lift us up and show us that the promises He makes are true and He never changes. What He did for Jan, He’ll do for me…and you!!

Now you know I have to have a least one funny line. I just pray that one day, the people that I serve and evangelize don’t refer to me as “the old woman from Grand Rapids First!”

Have a Merry Christmas and remember to praise God for His Son…the reason we do what we do!!

CyaJ

Brenda

For a DVD of Jan’s testimony from the Christmas Blessing, click here.

Brenda's First Blog!

2009-12-07T09:46:00.001-08:00

This is a day I have dreaded for awhile now. The day I have to write my first blog. Don’t get me wrong, I am very much excited about our new website and being able to connect with women all over with just a click of a mouse. I just never thought I would actually have to DO it. You know, delegate the techie stuff. But here I am, and so far, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be, at least not for me (I’m hoping it’ll be ok for you, too).

For those who don’t know me, I’m an old dog and blogging is a new trick. There are a lot of new tricks out there, tweeting, texting, blogging, and a dozen other “ings” to help us stay connected. Some people, mostly teens, are just naturally adept at picking up all these gadgets and knowing instantly how to use them. I am convinced there is some new hormone in baby food that trains a normally functioning infant brain to instantly process everything digitally. Me, I have to ask my 15 year old how to turn on the television. If she isn’t home, I just read.

We recently added texting to our family inventory of gadgetry. Something I swore we would never have, because “I wanted my kids to learn the art of conversation by looking into someone’s eyes when they speak to them.” Thanks to Vicki Courtney’s book “Logged On and Tuned Out,” Sam and I realized that we needed to teach our kids boundaries with this new technology while they still listened to us. So we took the plunge. My kids are ecstatic and have already begun to wear their thumbs down to the nubs. Sam even enjoys his new way to communicate. He says he can get things said and done much more efficiently. That’s code for he’s happy he doesn’t have to talk as much. As for me, I’m finding it hard to figure out what all the hype is about. By the time I hear that I’ve gotten a text, find my phone, then find my glasses, then figure out which buttons to push to retrieve the text (heaven forbid I have to reply to the text) I could have carried on a half a dozen phone conversations and ordered a pizza!
It’s just all too complicated for me. I’m sure I will eventually get the hang of it, just not the slang of it (lol?).

To bring this all home, I just want to ask you, “Do you think that maybe in our tech savvy quest for getting things said and done more efficiently we have overcomplicated our form of communication with God?” There have been books written, sermons preached and methods practiced on all kinds of ways to communicate with God. But when all is said and done there is just one way to God. Jeremiah 33:3 says 'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.' Now that’s what I’m talking about. You can’t get any more basic than that. “Call to me.” I can’t tell you the countless times I have called on Him and He answered every call. No busy signal, no call waiting, texting or decoding, just pure and simple communication. It doesn’t get any better than that and…I don’t have to search for my glasses to talk to Him!!

Now, my first blog jitters are under my belt. I just can’t believe I called myself an old dog! LOL

Cya :)
Brenda