Sacred Versus Secular

Some excerpts from OS Hillman's book "Faith and Work: Do They Mix":

"More and more people are desiring to know how to practically implement their faith with their work. Is there really a move of God in the workplace today? How can I make decisions in the workplace that make a radical difference?"

Have you heard those that say they are called to the mission field...and they are referring to China, Africa, South America, or some other third world country? We fail to remember that our mission field is exactly where we are! Our home, our workplace, the marketplace, our neighbors, and our schools. OS Hillman says "They are all fertile fields requiring full-time missionaries! True, some are called to the foreign mission field, but all are called to the mission field no matter what the landscape is like."

A.W. Tozer says "It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. The motive is everything. Let a man sanctify the Lord God in his heart and he can thereafter do no common act. All he does is good and acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For such a man, living itself will be sacramental and the whole world a sanctuary. His entire life will be a priestly ministration."

Psalm 90:17 "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us: establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands."

Col. 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Proverbs 18:9 "One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys."

Col. 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

SACKCLOTH SUMMIT

I copied the following article from the news today:

Sackcloth Summit Tonight
Birmingham mayor calls for citywide prayer.
By Jim Faherty
Friday, April 25, 2008
They will be breaking out the burlap sacks at Boutwell Auditorium this evening. Mayor Larry Langford has declared today a citywide day of prayer in Birmingham. Langford recently ordered 2,000 burlap sacks, to be worn by community leaders as they pray for a reduction in violent crime. Langford has cited Biblical passages in saying that God is more likely to hear the prayers of those who humble themselves before Him, and that the sacks and ashes are intended as symbolic representations of that humility. The prayer service is set for 6 PM at Boutwell Auditorium. Sackcloth and ashes will be made available to those who attend.

I first heard about this on the radio this morning on the way to work, and I got really excited! I am very proud of our mayor for calling this night of prayer, and for encouraging all of the leaders and officials in the city to participate. God says in his Word in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." What are we all praying for in our lives? How are we humbling ourselves before God? Are we seeking more to see Him answer our prayers versus just seeking to know Him? I know there is so much in my life that I want to see accomplished and so many wounds to be healed, and I don't think that I have yet fully understood or appreciated the power that is in prayer, and the power that comes from true humility before God and others. I know I need to know Him more. I want to know Him more. And the more that I do know Him, the more that I will be changed within.

God, please teach us all the meaning of true humility so that we may experience your presence and your power. Search us and try us to see if there is any false thing within us, and Lord help us to change. Help us to purify our hearts and minds. Mold us, shape us, and refine us please. Lord please forgive us and heal us. We confess our shortcomings to you. You God are mighty to save and mighty to heal! But God we seek your face, and not just your hands! I pray for Mayor Langford, and thank you for his leadership in this city. Please continue to strengthen him in his work and give him an increasing measure of wisdom and revelation.

New Truck!!

We traded in the Sequoia this week and bought a new truck!! We absolutely love it! We took it with us to South Carolina this past weekend and got broken in. I put lots of toe prints on the passenger side of the windshield, and even dropped some fries in between the seats...just kidding on that last part Jonni! ;O) The poor Sequoia had almost a 100k on it, so we traded her in. Jonni wanted to really red-neck it up and put a rack on the front...but I said no! Well...I guess I won't be so mean. I'll give the guy a chance...take a look at the picture and send in your vote!

He has already asked me if he can put a Gamecock flag in the bed and get a CB antenna with a tennis ball stuck on it...and I resounded with a big NO!! You see...Jonni is really a closet redneck. Haaa Haaa!!! I'm just kidding...he's not that bad. We have been having a lot of fun with the truck so far.

What's Crackin??

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

What we have here is the perfect Kodak moment! Samuelitto bustin' a sag!

He is such an angel!

@ the lake

So we haven't been too faithful to the blobbing so far. ;O) It's taken us a couple weeks to start posting...but we're BACK!! A few weeks ago we went to the lake with our extended family, the Bissots (who are also my blogging accountability partners)! We had such a wonderful time. It had been too long since we hung out, and it was so nice to catch up and just chill with them the whole weekend. Not to mention they have two of the cutest boys that we know!

We had some bad weather and tornados...but did get to go out once or twice on the boat. I was happy just to chill out on the couch and the porch the whole time. I attached a picture of it for you to see...so beautiful! We played Rock Band on Xbox 360, played Battle of the Sexes, and of course Jonni went fishing. Mr. Zep was potty training, and always had to have Sunshine (the dog) and Jonni to go to the bathroom with him...so funny. After he would use the bathroom, he would yell out "Woooooo Whooooooo" and then go get some M&M's. And Mr. Bright Eyes showed us his fearless nature when he grabbed a minnow out of the fishing bucket with his bare hand and put it out on the deck...like no biggie! Sunshine did pretty well with the boys too, and loved when it was dinner time so she could clean up the floor under the high chairs...and Zep loved to give her bones.

All in all...it was a much needed, relaxing, and fun weekend! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVITING US...we love you guys!

I ain't got no class!!

I am finally done with school...for good!! I just finished my master's program, and it is such a relief! We plan to have a bunch of people over to help us officially celebrate...really just an excuse to get everybody together. As you may well know, it has been a while since we have seen alot of our friends. Life is too busy. Let's see, since I have been in school for the past three years now, I should have some profound words of wisdom for you...but right now my mind is moving slower than a herd of turdles in peanut butter. Haa! Haa! (My husband gets all the credit for that redneck saying!) Peace out!!

Our first blog ever!! So excited!

Our very first BLOG!! So exciting! We are hoping this will be a great way to keep in touch with our family and friends. More to come soon...