We are enjoying our family time together visiting Washington D.C., and now at the beach…no alarm clocks! Ahhhhh… Our love to you!

Sunday morning God kicked off our VBS week, which netted 3 young lives.  Sunday night there were 3 more and at the time of this post we have seen 40 young people give their hearts and lives to Jesus.  I know there are  a lot of you who are worn out from this High Seas Expedition, but I remind us that a voyage is not a luxury cruise.  We have been in the middle of a raging tempest, and watched God rescue these dear children for His glory. Thanks to everyone who made this week possible !!  What a Mighty God we serve….We have learned this week that God’s Word is Life Changing….  AHOY!!!

The haze of the smoke has lifted ..the last booms have echoed..the patriotic tunes that resonated are quieted…I look around and July 4th is behind us, but my freedom in Christ still remains.  Does freedom dominate your life?  Are you free in Christ??  I woke up today realizing that i have been freed of myself, freed from my sin, and free to live for my Savior!! Free dominates my life. John 10:10

O.k.  i know it’s been a long time since I’ve blogged.  I could give you so many excuses…forgot..technical difficulties..not disciplined..computer issues..out of the habit..not effective…this list could go on and on!!  I think about my communication with you and God’s communication with me.  He is always on line ! Always speaking through His word! Always Working! I hope this finds you well and I hope i hear from you…I promise to be a better blogger!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please pray for the 16 of us who will be leaving early tomorrow a.m. Pray for Safety..Souls..and Success!!  See you when we return!!

Look around its CHRISTmas time!!¬† The days will quickly turn to hours as people get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season.¬† Children are filled with curiosity to see if they will ” get what they want” while parents worry about affording the”latest and greatest.”¬† I struggle to even remember what I received last year, but I do know that CHRIST lives inside me, and He is the greatest gift ever!!!

Our world has turned a joyous celebration into a retail circus.¬† This is a far cry from the first cry of the Babe in a manger.¬† We as believers have even fallen prey to ” consumerism” instead of allowing Christ to consume us.¬† CHRISTmas is one day, but when its over are we any different?

My challenge to all of us is that we can celebrate the true meaning of CHRISTmas by spending less and giving more ! When we begin to accomplish this we will all see that CHRISTmas can still change the world!!

it seems for me good things happen on the 17th..yesterday was no exception!! By nightfall i had the privilege of leading a friend to faith in Christ..i also found out that a sheep that i shepherd was being¬† released from a “prison” that had held them captive.¬† Today is the 18th the day that my father 12 years ago went to heaven…what a difference a day makes,but my father today is living in the glories of heaven because he found faith in Christ, and was released from his prison here on earth…PRAISE TO YOU MY GOD for making every day wonderful and glorious…You give and take away!!!!

Oswald Chambers wrote ” He ( God) is using you now for His purposes throughout the world…I have to learn that the aim in life is God’s, not mine.” This is a great identity when you can grasp it.¬† My question is are you and I trying to use God for what we want or are we being used by God?? I can feel cheap or cheat myself when i try to make God that omnipotent Santa Claus. I am free when I know He is using me!!¬† Don’t be a user..Be Used!!

I am sure that all of us at one point or another have gone through a time of disappointment.¬† I spoke to a friend yesterday who did not receive the promotion he wanted….UGH…Today I had plans that will go unfulfilled….You might be right now saying my health is failing…UGH..We can’t dwell on what we felt should have happened or we will miss the appointment for the day that God knew would take place.¬† The challenge is: to not allow disappointment to equal “miss appointment”. Give your areas of disappointment to Him then move on so that you wont miss The Appointment!!

This weekend I spoke at a Men’s Retreat in Houston Texas.¬† On Saturday night I thought I need to get my suit out of the bag and check it before Sunday morning.¬† This suit which had been dry cleaned and hanging in my closet for a month, had been packed neatly for travel.¬† The jacket had traveled well and I began to examine the pants…O NO!! To my horror the pants were not my suit pants..They might have fit me in the 8th grade.¬† What do I do now??¬† All of my travel gear was shorts and casual shirts, and it was 11:30p.m. There is no Men’s Warehouse open @ this hour??¬† I pictured preaching the Sermon ” The Setup” in a pair of shorts and a suit jacket, and my black socks jacked up as far as I could pull them..WHAT A SIGHT!! The dry cleaners made a mistake and I would pay!!¬† Wait a minute I remembered at the last minute Maryanne encouraged me to take a pair of black dress pants just in case..WHEW!! Praise God for a wise woman!!