THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... BE THANKFUL ANYWAY...

Start today!

Count your BLESSINGS and not your troubles!

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... JESUS BRINGS UNITY OUT OF DIVERSITY...

MEDITATION MONDAY

I love my church family! An amazingly diverse group of people have come together because of their faith in and love for LORD JESUS CHRIST. We worship Him, we fellowship with each other, we work through our differences, and we are learning and maturing in how to be Spirit-led. We are more than community... we are the family of God - The Pitman Road church of Christ!

Yesterday, via cardboard testimonies, some of this body of believers shared why they loved our church family. Here are some of the words they wrote on cardboard. Join me in meditating on these words of gratitude today:

1. God fearing, Spirit-led leaders!

2. Love! Love! Love! 100%

3. Gospel is preached through many lives!

4. Faith, Hope, Love shown always!

5. Our Diversity!

6. Our service projects! World mission!

7. All of the Bible classes!

8. Everyone is willing to help!

9. Godly shepherds and wives!

10. Family feeling!

11. Seeing the Bible lived in people's lives!

12. Good preachers!

13. We care for the needy!

14. Accappela singing!

15. Young people in our Life Groups!

16. Many men share from pulpit!

17. Clarity!

18. Self sacrificing elders and ministers!

19. We go outside our comfort zones to share!

20. Bible studies are awesome!

21. How they make me feel like family!

22. Visible relationships!

23. Spiritual family manifested!

24. Imperfect and caring people, yet we fit together!

25. Leaders move beyond tradition!

26. Accept different worship styles!

27. The love and hearts of people!

28. 27 years of never giving up!

29. The truth is preached and taught!

30. A Bible believing church!

31. Life Groups

32. We never stop caring!

33. We exemplify that we are family through Christ!

34. Not judgmental!

35. Show the real meaning of love!

36. Songs we sing!

37. We meet 3 times weekly!

38. Youth Groups!

39. Singing!

40. Sense of Community!

41. Prayerful practices!

42. Spirit led!

43. The people!

44. Family atmosphere!

45. It's big! It's fun! Toys! (1st grader)

46. Heavy investment in our young people!

47. I was saved here - Great Commission emphasis!

48. Many people participate!

49. Life Group Fellowships!

50. Non-judgmental, accepting members!

51. Prayerful leaders, members!

52. Men gather consistently to pray!

53. Generosity!

54. Give and give and give!

55. Forgive me of my sins!

56. We bring our friends to church to bring them to Jesus!

57. We don't talk about diversity, we display diversity!

58. Godly shepherds!

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO

SUNDAY IN THE SON

What Faith Can Do

as sung by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes

Gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache

You think it’s more than you can take

But you're stronger, stronger than you know

Don’t you give up now

The sun will soon be shining

You gotta face the clouds

To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard

Impossible is not a word

It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death

When they decide to take that step

Out on the water

It’ll be alright

Life is so much more

Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way

If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds

You don't have a chance

(That’s what faith can do)

When the world says you can’t

It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

And I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

That's what faith can do!

Even if you fall sometimes

You will have the strength to rise!

~BLESSED~

VOICE OF TRUTH... TO THE FAMILY...

Last Sunday, in our Faithful Friends Bible class someone shared that her upbringing was quite opposite of what she was reading in the Bible. My heart was touched with saddness to hear her speak.

This week I have addressed words on this blog like endurance, perseverance, Holy Spirit, transformation, happiness, and blessing. Our youngest daughter was visiting last weekend. As she headed for the airport on Tuesday, I repeated to her what she has heard me say often over the years, "Be a blessing!" In some families, that would not be said or even considered.

What does the VOICE OF TRUTH tell us about the difference between a family living for Jesus and a family who is not? Compare / Contrast the two families below, understanding that no family is perfect. The family on the right is certainly what a christian family should aim for.

F ear

F aith and forgiveness

A rguing

A blessing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

M e, myself, and I

M orality and ministry

I mmorality

I ndwelling Holy Spirit

L ies

L ove!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Y ou and me

Y ahweh, you, and me

~BLESSED~

VOICE OF TRUTH... BLESSED IS... HAPPY IS...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

There were three things that happened this week, among many, that brought to my attention that I was hearing the VOICE OF TRUTH speak some transformational words through me.

1. I sat across the table, at a coffee shop this week and listened to my friend say, "I just want to be happy!" I couldn't get the words, that I heard, out of my mind. So, later that evening I sent an email,

"One of my very favorite scriptures is Jesus beginning His sermon on the mount on the topic of HAPPINESS. I was going to share it with you today, but I did not want to come across as self righteous or preachy. His words minister to me on a regular basis. I have used some memory hooks to help me put them to memory. I will paraphrase them here:

'Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy are those who mourn over sin, for they will be comforted.

Happy are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Happy are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Happy are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Happy are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

Happy are you when people say things against you falsely because of Jesus,

for great is your reward in heaven.

Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Blessings for a brand new day,

Patti

2. This week, a teacher in another department asked if we could meet to discuss some concerns. Toward the end of the almost one hour meeting, he stated the following quote,

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others." ~Author Unknown

I responded with, "Hey, that's what's underneath my signature on all of my emails.

He replied, "I know! That's where I got it from."

3. During the month of October, I have heard a lot of grumbling, complaining, and whining from my students. I gave them "the talk" this week. It's November now! It's time for all of this to cease and everyone to develop a gratitude attitude!

Thank You, Jesus! Today I have received multiple beautiful "thank you" emails from students. A few of the comments included,

"...when you love something so much (like you do with teaching) it probably does not matter the circumstance, you just keep pushing forward. That is why I just wanted to thank you for all the work that you put into our class..."

"...I hope you know how much I enjoy your class and how I feel like I am learning skills to make myself a better teacher every time I am around you. Thank you for helping me achieve my dream of not just becoming a teacher, but being a good one."

"I wanted to let you know how much I value your advice, wisdom and encouragement in our class this semester. I cry with almost every blog because the videos you provide us are so meaningful... I also wanted to thank you for interupting the "whine fest" this morning... This is a stressful time for all of us, but your advice, guidance and support is important and helpful to all of us. THANK YOU!"

~HAPPY = BLESSED~

VOICE OF TRUTH... BY THE HOLY SPIRIT...

Zechariah 4:6

So he said to me,

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,’

says the LORD Almighty.

~BLESSED~

VOICE OF TRUTH.. JESUS

Today is 11/1/11.

• 1 Body


• 1 Spirit


• 1 Hope


• 1 Lord


• 1 Faith


• 1 Baptism


• 1 God and Father over, through, and in all

Ephesians 4:4-6 says, There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.


In order to ENDURE and PERSEVERE, I must, by faith, becoming one with the ONE. First step? FIX MY EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfector of my faith! As I sing along with our theme song this week, I am grateful that THE VOICE OF TRUTH tells me that Jesus is the answer to all of my unrest, all of my questions, and all of my difficult circumstances. It is IN HIM and IN HIM alone that I will ENDURE. When I chose Jesus, I chose the whole package: the body (the church), the Holy Spirit, hope, Jesus, faith, baptism, and God! I am sooooo grateful that you can't have one without the others! So when you choose Jesus, you are choosing the others!

THE VOICE OF TRUTH LYRICS HAVE AN ANSWER IN JESUS

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

JESUS IS THE QUIETER OF THE WINDS AND THE WAVES!

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

JESUS IS THE WAY!

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed

JESUS IS IMMANUEL (GOD WITH US!)

The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again.
"Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

JESUS IS MY VICTORIOUS WARRIOR!

Chorus:
But the voice of truth
tells me a different story

JESUS IS THE TRUTH!

The voice of truth says,
"Do not be afraid!"

JESUS IS MY CONFIDENCE!

The voice of truth says,
"This is for My glory."

JESUS IS ZION'S GLORY!

Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
the voice of truth

JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE,

NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM!

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes
to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

JESUS IS MY STRENGTH!

But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again.
"Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

JESUS IS THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES!

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

JESUS IS MY STRONG TOWER!

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

JESUS IS THE WORD - THE VOICE OF TRUTH!

~BLESSED ~