So I Got My Toes Stepped On a Bit

This week we had a mini-revival at my church that ended last night. Each night had great preaching, but last night was exceptional, and let me just tell you, my toes really got some stomping. His message was on the church and it's purpose.
And what is that purpose? Well take a look at Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
In short, our purpose is to be a witness for Christ wherever we go, to anyone we meet, at any time! And I knew that, but what really stepped on my toes was his point about spiritual gifts. See, spiritual gifts are good, and we are to use them to exhort fellow believers, but spiritual gifts are NOT our spiritual purpose. They are just tools to help encourage each other along the way in our purpose.
See, I like to sing, and I try to become a better singer all the time (not sure that is gonna happen, but I try to practice and all a lot.) I think this is one of my spiritual gifts because I can use it to encourage others. However, a singer is not what I am first and foremost. What I am first and foremost is a Christian, and as such a soul-winner.
I pray that I will use my life to win souls to Christ. Because that is what I should be all about! How about you?

Sometimes You Need Some Repetition...

I don't know how many of you listen to the Christian radio station KLove, but right now their pledge drive is going on. And yesterday the local guys took over our station to do a local push for KLove giving.
Anyway, right before they went off the air they played "Worthy Is the Lamb" by Third Day. Then they turned it back over to the network, and you know what they played, "Worthy Is the Lamb" by Third Day. So I heard the same song two times in a row.
And you know what, I needed to. Because God was really trying to get my attention. He wanted me to know that He is Worthy of my praise. He alone is Holy. He alone reigns.
Right now in our country it's easy to look at everything crazy that's going on and start to whine and complain. But no matter what the situation, Christians are to be people of praise. Because we have a God who is worthy of our praise. So praise Him today through all you do!

Read the Word, or You Will Shrink...

Yesterday my niece Raegan was doing a little practice preaching on Alaena. She was really getting into it too. She was going, "Baby Laena, the Word says" (and at this point she took the opened Bible in her hand and put it into Alaena's face), "the Word says if you don't read the Bible and pray YOU WILL SHRINK! That's what is says Baby Laena!" (And as she said shrink she brought her hand down low to the ground to represent her point.) Then she said, "The Word says if you read it and pray and you will GROW!" (And she brought her hand back up!)
One of her favorite songs right now is "Read Your Bible, Pray Every Day!" If your not familiar with the song it goes like this:

Read your Bible, pray every day, pray every day, pray every day,
Read your Bible pray every day and you'll grow, grow, grow
and you'll grow, grow, grow,
and you'll grow, grow, grow,
Read your Bible, pray every day, and you'll grow, grow grow

Neglect your Bible, forget to pray, forget to pray, forget to pray
Neglect your Bible, forget to pray and you'll shrink, shrink, shrink
and you'll shrink, shrink, shrink,
and you'll shrink, shrink, shrink,
Neglect your Bible, forget to pray and you'll shrink, shrink, shrink

Apparently, Raegan took the song as "WORD." But whether the Bible says we'll actually "Shrink" or not, it's so true. If we don't read the Word, we will shrink spiritually. Our spiritual muscles will become non-existent. So read your Bible folks (and don't make me come shake the WORD in your face and tell you that otherwise you're gonna shrink!!)

Beach Trip

Well, blogging buddies, it's been a few weeks since my last post. It's been pretty hectic around here. As you can see from the pictures above, Alaena got to enjoy her first beach trip this past weekend, and she LOVED it. And I loved watching her reactions to the new things around her.

She just jumped up and down and laughed as the waves came rolling over her little feet. And she was all about playing in the sand. I just had to watch her very closely to make sure she didn't eat any.

I haven't been to the beach in a while, but I was just amazed once more to see the vast beauty that God has created. I mean He made this:

And not only did He make it, but He holds it all in His hands. I don't know about you, but God's awesomeness never ceases to amaze me. And I hope it never does. Hope you guys are having a good week so far, and I hope to get around to seeing you at some point this week.