Planning

"Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind."Proverbs 21:5

When you follow God's lead in your life, is planning really necessary? Perhaps you've asked this question or heard someone voice it. Planning may seem unspiritual - like you're not really trusting God for your immediate future. Yet when you avoid making wise plans, often urgency takes over. Then you feel pressure to hurry and make it work. The good news is, careful planning reduces stress in any role: home manager, mother, volunteer, CEO, friend, or employee.

So, I am driving to work today. A little late, because it is Monday and I am tired already. Busy weekend with family activities and working 2 jobs. What is on my mind?

Dinner in crockpot - Check

Forgot some lunch - Shucks!

Think through the week - Social media guru (LOL) at work (website, facebook, twitter, hootsuite, church apps, ) - summer women's get together - fall bible studies - new member class - building calendar scheduling - bookstore - I could go on, but I won't

Friends in need - what and how can I help them

Family - just stuff

As I have completely overwhelmed myself and I am not even half way to work yet, I hear this little tune on KLOVE. And then I hear the words. "Well Done!  I'm so glad that I get to serve You, Lord - You're the only One I am living for, - I'm gonna run straight into Your open arms - I'm gonna run this race - To hear You say well done."  [you will find the words to the song and a link to the video below]

Guess what? This song gave me the little kick in the butt I needed on this Monday.
I wanted to share this with you. Can you imagine what it will feel like to finally be in front of our God and hear Him say "Well Done!"?

Sharing my kick in the butt with you, just in case you need a kick as well. 

Wanna share your crazy life, week with me? I would love to pray for you. Just let me know what I can pray for :O)

Have a great week

Blessings,

Kami Hallaway

Community Life Coordinator

Endurance

"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:11

Endurance in faith, hard as it may seem, brings happiness. Trials are not a sign of God's disfavor or His will to carelessly punish His children. The tenderhearted Savior never acts cruelly. But through troubles, we draw close to Him and see God's power at work in our lives. Then, like Job, when we persevere in faith, God rewards us bountifully.

Wherever You Are, Be There

I stare out the back door at robins pecking and trees swaying in the early morning like slow dancers. 

It's a gorgeous day just unfolding. All is well.

And then in the middle of the peace a voice comes, "But it can't last. Something bad will happen."

So I start to worry and fret. Before I know it, my body is one place and my heart in another.

Have you ever done the same?

Then when a difficulty does come, I do much the same. I look at the broken pieces, the shattered dreams.

And then in the middle of the hurt a voice comes, "But you should just be happy. Look how blessed you are."

So I plaster on a smile and try to fake it through the day. Before I know it, my body is in one place and my heart in another.

God created us to be whole.

"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God made one as well as the other." Ecclesiastes 7:14

When life is going well, don't give in to the fear that it won't last.

When life is hard, don't give in to the temptation to pretend everything is okay.

Keep your body and heart in the same place.

God says He is I Am. That means He is where we really are. To experience His presence fully, we need to fully be there too.

I slow the racing thoughts in my mind and look up at the blue sky. Yes, it will rain again but for now I feel the sun on my face...and in my heart. And I am here in this moment to give thanks to I Am. With all I am.

The Only Way Up

Climb the ladder.

Get to the top.

Build a platform.

These words ring in our culture and sting in our hearts. What are we to do with them?

God offers another way. Make yourself a servant to others and I will raise you up.

The only entrance to God's elevator is on the ground floor. Through the servant's quarters.

So we can stop striving. Stop worrying. Stop working so hard.

Instead simply serve. Wherever you are today.

You are doing well. You are bringing joy. You are where you need to be to make a difference. And if where you are needs to change, God will do it.

You do the loving. He'll do the lifting.