I am off and running-literally! But I want to encourage each of us (me) to take moments and ponder Jesus. I feel all caught up in the "have to do" modes of life, work, home, to do's...I kind of think that I might have been one who could have "missed" the moment in Bethlehem of God With Us-Christ come down to earth, to dwell with His people. I don't want to miss it!!! So, this blog post may be just for me-but I kind of think that some of you are just as "busy" we may need a gentle reminder to slow down and remember the "why" and the "who" it is we celebrate. Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords-Emmanuel

Merry CHRISTmas!

WENDY means WANDERER

I always thought that was kind of cool that my name meant "wanderer". Truth be told, it fits! However, I am literally feeling like a person with no home, a little like those who wandered the wilderness for 40 years-okay, it's not that bad...but it does give a whole new perspective to being in a home, one place. Our new Church facility is almost ready for us to enter-it is SO exciting to think of...I pray that we are one big hub for everyone to come as they are and feel the love of Jesus!!! I pray that the building is not for those of us already in attendance, but that it is for those who have yet to enter any kind of Church, that they will feel loved and cherished and hear the TRUTH of who CHRIST is! You know, come to think of it-our Savior had no home to call his own, He was a wanderer...hmmm...maybe wandering a bit is good for all of us...

ANTICIPATION

I've been humming the Carly Simon tune "Anticipation" (in my head) a lot lately! Our Church is moving very soon into a location that will allow us to do ministry 24-7, this is SO EXCITING!!! We are patiently waiting (well, maybe not too patiently) to open the doors and welcome everyone in to this new home, right in the heart of the city!

I am not such a great student of patience...I am a hurry up and go sort of girl, but I am ever so slowly learning to wait, trust and move at the pace of HIS leading!

...IS...

He IS Consistent
He IS Strong
He IS Faithful
He IS Loving
He IS Full of Grace
He IS Holy
He IS Truth
He IS A Promise Keeper
He IS The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever
He IS The Way
He IS Merciful
He IS True to His Word
He IS For You
He IS Constant
He IS Singing Over You
He IS Waiting...

FOLLOW ME

Who do you follow?
Jesus said two simple but profound words: "FOLLOW ME".
We live in a culture that thrives on telling us, what to do, how to do it, just do it...and on and on.  Who is leading you today?  Who has your ear?  I confess that more than not this world and its leaders, or bosses or friends has my ear-I find myself following their voice.  It DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!  I have to put my hands over my ears and say NO!  I then, need to be quiet, and listen to the calm, sure, confident and leading voice of my Savior say "follow Me"-
May I challenge us both to follow the heart of Jesus, His words, His ways and learn to drown out the voice of this world and the noise of "just do it"?
Who do you follow?
Who are you listening to?

Casting

I have not done a whole lot of fishing in my day-but I have done some, enough to know that "casting" is a big part of the process. Think about it; you take a bobber, sinker, tie it to the line-place the hook on and "cast" it away from you into the waters surrounding you.

There is a bible verse that says
CAST ALL YOUR CARES ON HIM FOR HE CARES FOR YOU 1Peter 5:7

I'm not sure I'm the best example when it comes to casting my cares (anxieties). To take my worries, woes, fears, sorrows and throw it away from me is not so easy. Why is that? I am hanging on to something right now that I have no reason to-it's like I'm standing on shore with my rod and just staring at the line and bobber saying to myself "do I really want to "cast" this away from me?" And then what"

Truth be told-I can be a slow learner. I desire to be a great "caster" and to throw with out hesitation the line that holds all my "anxiety" far, far away from me and onto the ONE who promises me that HE CARES FOR ME

How is your cast?

The Last of The First Five

I have the wonderful privilege of working at the MINNESOTA STATE FAIR!!! A family in our Church has a business that they promote every year in the Home Improvement Building. Well, the other day my son and I were a bit early and so I decided to wait in line for a KARE 11 bag (crazy I know) they were giving them away at 10:30 and so I hopped in line at 9:30. I was 5th in line and then the crew from KARE decided to line people up in a sep section. There we were-the first five in line, and I was the last of the first five. We were all a bit crazy truth be told :D
About 45 minutes in to our “wait together” a gentlemen came up to ask me what street we were on-now keep in mind that I was asked to NOT LET ANYONE ELSE STAND BEHIND ME (I am WAY too much of a people pleaser for that role)-I told him which street and he continued to stand near the privileged five and wait for his party. A lady who had been part of “section two” jumped over the gate and told me in no uncertain terms to “watch that guy, he may try to just sneak in right behind you” I think I gave her a ‘WHOA NELLY’ Look. WOW, I thought to myself it is crazy what we invest in, myself included, things that really do not matter in light of eternity…time to ease up and invest what will last. On a side note-I did get my really nice blue backpack bag :D and it reminds me how crazy I am and that life is too short to worry about who may or may not be cutting in line!