Purpose

Overwhelmed to say the least right now - Overstimulated too - You know when you just have so much on your mind and you can't focus on anything - well my mind is racing right now. Sometimes life just hits you all at once. I just need to quiet my mind and my spirit. I thought maybe blogging and getting some of it out would help. This also might be a very random and long run on sentence too! By the way, I usually write as I would talk, so don't judge or proofread my blogs, I know they aren't correct and I leave out lots of words, because I can't type as fast as I talk. But anyway, had a great service tonight at church. It was the last sermon in the series Heaven. It was awesome, Pastor Steve answered questions that he had received the past couple of weeks about heaven. So fascinating! He had some things that really spoke to me.

Matthew25: 23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

So, we are all very aware of the first part of the verse. But the second talks about how if we use what God has given us he will put us in charge of many things. The New Living Translation says
You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities." Okay, so first there is a choice, Heaven or Hell. No other options. But when we get to Heaven, what we have done on Earth will determine our Heavenly reward and position. Ok, so maybe you already knew this, yeah so did I...but it was so loud and clear. See, I've been putting things off. I've heard God's call, but I've been running. actually just standing still, but that is not what God has wanted. I'll get back to that in a minute. Our works don't get us IN to Heaven, but they will determine how we will spend eternity in Heaven. And we will only be judged by our potential. We won't be compared to Mother Teresa or Billy Graham, but how we use what God has given us. Have I been the best Summer God has designed me to be? We are all as Holly Wagner said in our own lane, running toward the finish lane. I am designed to be in my lane, not any one elses. Will I use everything that God has given me to glorify him. So, again - a great sermon, really speaking to me.

So to my next overwhelming thought in my head - My purpose - Right? Small thing, huh. What am I supposed to be doing with my life? Trusting God for open doors? Yes. Praying? Yes Having faith in God for all things, seen and unseen? Well... Obeying Immediately when God speaks to me? Well... See, I know delayed obedience is disobedience. I know that the miraculous always proceeds obedience, so why do I delay? I've been holding back. Fear has caused me to really freeze. You know I've come along way in the past year, right? Can't I just stay here. I mean, I'm so much better than before, right? I'm in a small group and everything, right? Yes, I have come along way, and today I know I still have a long way to go. God has more in store and I just can't stay here. I have to step out in faith. I have to trust God with everything. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen? Amen! I know in the next week God has given me things and trusted me with certain "assignments" that will grow my faith and as a wise one keeps reminding, I am living my testimony.

Next to Easter - I sincerely love this season. It's spring and everything is full of new life and blooms. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and it amazes me what happened in this week. From a joyful entrance, to a dark Friday, to a glorious Sunday. I have so many good memories of Easters past. I think it is another reason it is my favorite holiday.


Mark 11
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry 1

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”
4 The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.
8 Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God![a] Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!”

As Palm Sunday was discussed tonight, I flashed back to FBC Bogalusa and the Easter pageant that was put on every year. I remember being so excited to be one of the "children" that ran ahead of "Jesus" proclaiming Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming! Then I got to be one of the, I guess pre-teens, that actually got to carry the palm branches before "Jesus". How cool, right? Looking back, that I learned so much from that production. Bro. Marc did a fabulous job leading, and I still look at Mr Ken and see him hanging on the cross. He was a good Jesus. We would do several performances and I still remember crying at so many of them. The Last supper was another one of my favorite scenes in the performance and I look now tonight as we took communion at what Jesus was preparing us for. He was the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. His blood was for us. How Great is our God?

Ok, I'll have to write some more later on Easter, because I could go on and on, but need to wrap it up. We have 5 showings tomorrow. 5! So I need to finish washing clothes and mopping before I go to bed. As I finish up here and take a deep breath, I do have a sense of calm and peace. I know that God will never leave, even when in my own strength I can go no more, he will carry me on! Praise the Lord!

With Love,

Summer