New Study on Prayer: It was great to resume our study time once again last Tuesday night, although we missed some of you.

We had a great discussion about prayer, how we feel about it, why it is such a challenge sometimes, and the like.

A couple of articles were handed out, and we will be using as reference a book by James Mulholland entitled "Praying Like Jesus."

Hopefully this study will be experiential as well as well giving us plenty to "chew on." Here's one for next week: "We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living monuments of God's grace."

Thoughts?

So, what church do you attend?

I have been debating writing this post, but more and more I feel that someone would benefit from it. Ok, Lord....here I go.

So, a few months ago David and I started discussing leaving Phoenix First Assembly and finding a church closer to Casa Grande. I have brought this up a few times over the past few years and each time I have he has not been interested. I trust in God's timing and when I brought it up a few months ago and David was for it I knew God had me wait for a specific time. So, the next week we just went to a new church and all was well.....HA! Right! Why isn't it that easy? Instead of leaving with ease I went with nervousness, anxiety, some fear, and avoided telling anyone at PFA. We actually took about a month "off" from going to any church service. It was like we needed the space to regroup. I was concerned that the girls would have a rough transition, but I was given peace from the Lord through prayer and hearing that they had no problem visiting my parent's church (and going to the Sunday School Class!). I love things like that...I call them gifts from God...He knows just how to speak to me!
We decided that we would visit a church in Chandler the Sunday we returned from CA. That Saturday I told someone (who has known me for many years) that we were no longer attending Phoenix First and I kid you not this individual gasped! Yes, gasped! I have done a lot of thinking about church buildings over the past couple months and I have realized that Christians (for the most part) seem to define themselves by what church they attend. Think about it.....when two Christians meet for the first time what is usually the first question they ask one another? 'What church do you attend?'
I have really looked into God's Word for answers.....funny, there is no mention in Jesus's teachings about which church you attend.....Believers did not even meet in a building! So, why do we start to define ourselves by where we go to church?

I can say now, after attending a new church this past Sunday, that yes I was still a bit nervous but the girls loved it and we were blessed by a message from Dr. Kevin Leman (actually I would call that another gift sent from God for us!). We look forward to attending this Sunday. Both David and I have watched a couple podcasts from the church...gotta love the internet!

Does this make you squirm or smile?

Check out this article...

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/07/my-take-jesus-loves-porn-stars/

What a great week-end! It was a joy to be with each of you in the mountains, listening to God speak in the wind, laughing, enjoying God's creation, shairng, opening ourselves to each other and thus to God.

One quote shared: "Beware of leakage, of the dividing up of your life by the influence of friends or of circumstances . . . of anything that is going to split up your oneness with Him and make you see yourself separately."
. . . oneness with Him . . .
. . . moving from a divided life to an undivided life . . .
. . . joy . . .
. . . your value is in HIM . . .

Love you all!

A good message-who is it about?

Take the 4 minutes to watch this.....awesome.

http://ltpalculict.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/tim-keller-what-is-the-bible-about/