A fascinating word study...

...on kindness. Imagine that. It is for family Bible Study time. Let me make a disclaimer: if you ever do a word study on kindness, prepare to be amazed. I have been. Seriously, there is SOOO much more in the meaning of that word than I EVER guessed. So once I'm done, I'll put that study up here. You can wade through it, and be convicted just like me :)

Faith is...

...ceasing to worry, leaving the future to the God who controls the future...accepting the truth that in spite of all I've done, God has wiped the slate clean and delights in me...giving up the image of perfection I struggle for and accepting GRACE...waiting patiently for God to make me more Christ-like through difficult people and circumstances when I want Him to give me a quick fix - preferably painless...remembering that I carry God's awesome presence into each daily routine encounter even when I feel like a dull leaden weight...keeping on keeping on when I am dog-tired, discouraged, disillusioned, deserted, dusty dry - cast on His strength alone...accepting the fact that God knows better than I do what is ultimately good for me and brings HIM the most glory...walking before God, not anyone else...appreciating that my capacity to feel, communicate, think, choose, and commune with God comes from His making me more like Himself...trusting that God is doing His work in me when I feel inwardly cold, hollow, lifeless, deserted, and I long for reassurance...speaking the truth in love even at the cost of position or friendship...doing the right thing regardless of the consequences...reliance on the certainty that God has a plan for my life when everything seems uncertain...confidence that God is enacting His plan when He answers "No" to my prayers...thanking God when I am left with shattered plans, that He has better plans...LETTING GO OF THAT WHICH GOD IS ASKING ME FOR.

Life...is...WONDERFUL!

You know, it's about 9 degrees outside, and my arm aches cause a nurse stuck me in the nerve yesterday, and I'm getting over a head cold, but none of it seems to matter much...I have the most amazing family ever! I am alive and well, and amazed that God even granted me the great gift if life! I am more amazed as the days go by as I see God's hand at work in my life, in ways I never imagined possible! I look back and revel even more at how I see His hand at work when I never guessed! Today was created by God, so my job is to just enjoy it, for FREE! How easy is that?!!! My life was saved by the death of my very best friend, and comes with a promise of eternal life spent WITH my very best friend!!!

God is AWESOME!

Life is indeed a blessing, which I do not deserve.

Have a really good laugh!!!

These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.

The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.