Stand up!

Things have been a little crazy lately. The economy is crashing and shows little, if any, signs of recovery. Families are being taxed with the added pressures of job loss, pay cuts, increased bills, etc. Who could expect anything less then for us to crumble under the weight of all these burdens.

Ah... but those who walk with the Lord are able to stand and walk. The burdens are light because the Lord carries them for you. I say to you who are weary and heavily burden.... to cast your concerns on the Lord and STAND UP. He will carry your burdens for you so that you can walk confidently through the tough economic times and KNOW that He will provide for all of your needs.

You may think it is easier said then done... but pray, pray and pray again. You will find your shoulder's are lighter, your mind is clear and your future to be bright again... if you can give it to the Lord and walk with Him.

Couples Retreat

Wow... My husband and I are home and settled from the great weekend we spent at the couple's retreat hosted by our church. I twittered all the sessions, but I thought I would make it easy for those of you who aren't on twitter to get a "picture" of what went on and what was discussed. It was a great time and a wealth of information was passed on that will greatly impact the marriages of the nearly 50 couples that attended... So here it is... enjoy! (The trick with Twitter is to read from the bottom up!)


Praise God for a wonderful weekend now to head home to see my boys.
about 5 hours ago from txt
Step 3... Allow the Lord to help you. Philippians 4:13
about 5 hours ago from txt
God's plan for the husband. Be leading, be cherishing, be pampering.
about 5 hours ago from txt
God's plan for the wife. Be understanding, be supportive, be honoring.
about 6 hours ago from txt
Step 2... Allow the Lord to lead you. Luke 9:23
about 6 hours ago from txt
Step 1... Allow the Lord to change you. 2 Corinthians 5:17
about 6 hours ago from txt
What do you have to do for the Lord to be the builder of your home? Three steps...
about 6 hours ago from txt
Let the Lord build your house... Psalm 127:1
about 6 hours ago from txt
Session three ... Being one with your Lord. LAST SESSION!
about 6 hours ago from txt
And that's all she wrote... Good night all.
about 16 hours ago from txt
Playing pool with friends... I stink at pool!
about 17 hours ago from txt
http://twitpic.com/3kt2m - Crew of 'retreaters' having fun!
about 17 hours ago from TwitPic
Get back to the basics - genesis 2:18-25
about 19 hours ago from txt
Needs of humans... Emotional, physical, spiritual, and social.
about 19 hours ago from txt
Just took a partner awareness quiz... We did pretty good!
about 19 hours ago from txt
How has your parent's marriage impacted your marriage?
about 19 hours ago from txt
Tonight we are studying marriage personalities.
about 20 hours ago from txt
Presented pastor steve and rebecca with a small gift in recognition of their 31st wedding anniversary.
about 20 hours ago from txt
Session two about to start... Being one with your spouse!
about 20 hours ago from txt
Hanging with friends enjoying doing nothing.
about 22 hours ago from txt
Game time! Meeting some other couples in the fireside room for some fun!
about 23 hours ago from txt
Lunch with my honey... Its good to spend this time together.
11:58 AM Apr 18th from txt
Just had breakfast with everyone and we are off for free time. Heading to the mall for some shopping.
9:49 AM Apr 18th from txt
Don't stop at the plant (problem) you gotta dig up the roots.
9:36 PM Apr 17th from txt
Mark 5:1-20... Change is possible with the Lord's help!
9:22 PM Apr 17th from txt
Beavers are here to keep us in order!
9:09 PM Apr 17th from txt
Lots of golden retrievers here... Lots of encouragement gonna happen this weekend.
9:01 PM Apr 17th from txt
Not a lot of otters here... Guess that means no big parties this weekend!
8:57 PM Apr 17th from txt
I'm a lion...anyone shocked by that?
8:40 PM Apr 17th from txt
Trent smalley personality profiles... Are you a lion, otter, beaver or golden retriever?
8:26 PM Apr 17th from txt
50 couples booked 48 made it thru the snow!
8:05 PM Apr 17th from txt
First session about to start ... Most everyone made it thru snow so far.
7:59 PM Apr 17th from txt
Meet and greet time ... Lots of fun!

Whew!

Wow... I still feel like I am just recovering from Easter services this past weekend. I miss just being able to enjoy these days and not work. These days are so important yet... since I joined the ministry 5 years ago, I have come to see them from such a different angle. The holy days now are more about an increased opportunity to meet people who only come to church on Easter and Christmas and make "THE" presentation. It has to be good, easy to hear, and impacting... No pressure there!

The work is intense and well planned. Words, artwork, music is all chosen carefully. The goal is a flawless service. Not flawless because we want the unchurched to see us as perfect (which we are not), but because we want the unchurched to see, hear and feel everything we have for them. No distractions. Nothing to divert their attention.

I miss just going to church and worshipping the sacrifice on Good Friday and celebrating on Easter Sunday. However, while those things are wonderful and amazing... nothing beats hearing the stories that are coming around this week about the life changes that are happening in the folks that came to our church over the weekend. Those stories are filling the void in my heart for the worship and celebration I feel like I am missing. The work... the very hard work we did was more the worth it! Praise be to God!

Log on to the church website and watch our Easter Services. They are all there... Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Services!