Friday, October 7, 2011

Why Revival Tarries



That is the name of a classic book in the Christian world focusing on, obviously, revival. It is written by Leonard Ravenhill. I am not really sure how we came to own this book, not sure if we purchased it or if someone gave it to us, but it is one of my most treasured possessions.

Why would I consider a book one of my most prized possessions? It really all started very innocently. Matt and one of his friends were discussing a topic, and Matt mentioned this book. Matt passed it on to this friend, who then passed it on to his mom, who then discussed it with someone else who asked Matt to borrow it. So this book has been passed around to some of our most "kindred spirits" Why is that a big deal? Just take a look.....



Each time this book was passed from fellow believer to fellow believer, they would highlight, underline, write notes in the margin. What a beautiful sight! Take this page for example. Three different people were spoken to on this page....to the point of action. It may have just been the simple act of underlining or adding exclamation points, but an action was taken!

This next week our church will be holding a series of services that we are calling "revival" Hopefully that will be the outcome, but I truly believe you can not schedule a TRUE revival. But that is a different soap box for a different day. But Tuesday night, we had Cottage Prayer Meetings all of the city to pray for revival. ( I so vividly remember that term as a little girl)

We hosted a group at our home, and this was the passage Matt was going to focus on (never got to read it - again - a different story for a different day) Just wanted to share it with you guys! I pray that it blesses you as it has our kindred spirits!

'This is the hour when we are asked over and over again, 'Is everybody happy?' God's purpose for us is not happiness, but holiness! Soberness has given way to silliness, even though Paul in writing to Titus warns both young and old, 'Be Sober'
We surely need again to climb Calvary's hill on our knees, to survey the wondrous Cross in an attitude of humiliation and adoration. The Church must first repent then the world will break! The Church must first weep, then our altars will be filled with weeping penitents"

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Friday Night Life and a BIG Decision

Last night, Oneonta played St. Clair County High School. Most of you know that our child LOVES football. So we packed up our stadium seats and one goofy teenager and headed towards Odenville.

Here are some highlights:

Headed into the stadium.....I am pretty sure Davis sees Carter as his hero!



ESPECIALLY after this picture! Sorry it is so dark, I mistakenly put the old battery in the camera (and the lights at their stadium are really strangely placed) but Carter took Davis to his very first victory line. Davis LOVED it! It was complete with cheerleaders, friends, and the football players tripping over each other and falling down (HA!) When they got back to our seats, Davis said "Carter can take me down there every Friday night" I am sure that made is exactly what Carter had in mind for his every Friday night plans!



And we got the WIN! Way to go Redskins!



Nothing sweeter than Friday Night Life in a Small Town



Now - on to the BIG decision......I have deleted my Facebook! I know most of my three readers could care less about me deleting my Facebook - but I don't want you all to think I deleted you as my friend.....I just deleted the entire thing. Let me explain:

Last night at the football game, I had an innocent conversation with a precious teenager and somehow Facebook worked it's way into the conversation. She said nothing about her Facebook or my Facebook - it was about something going on on Facebook. It cut me to the quick - and I changed the conversation.

Then on our way home from St Clair County, as I refreshed my mobile Facebook app every five miles or so.....it hit me - wow! I spend WAY too much time on here (actually that is something the Spirit had been convicting me about for a few months now)

But then we got home, got ready for bed and there it was.......the comment. Someone posted a comment on something that wasn't even on my profile, wasn't even about me, didn't even concern me in the LEAST bit......but it hurt my feelings. So there I went - down that familiar path of getting my feelings hurt, preparing to fight a battle I did not belong in, and becoming totally self centered!

As I went to bed, I probably re-read that comment ten times, trying to make it say something else - good or bad. And right there - on a whim - I deactivated my Facebook account.

Let me give you some reasons, that for ME, this was the right thing to do. I am not saying that everyone needs to delete their account, I am just saying that these are the reasons I did it. And please notice.....the new layout is no where in my list of reasons.

1. I seem to have a problem with moderation. I have always struggled with this in many areas of my life and Facebook is just one manifestation. I check Facebook pretty quickly after waking up, and MULTIPLE times throughout the day. That is simply just uncalled for. I have a precious husband and child to take care of......these other things don't matter!

2. I find myself comparing. UGH! The worst feeling! "Why do they get to ......" "It's not fair that........" Not a great place to be!

3. I read into things and get my feeling hurt. Take that comment last night. I am going to hope and pray that person was just having a bad day (or maybe year is what it seems) and needed someone to take it out on or maybe I completely misunderstood the point they were trying to make, but re-guardless, my feelings were hurt and I became very selfish!

4. I get SO sick of those people that list EVERY SINGLE THING THEY DO!!!! we know when they wake up, eat breakfast, what they had for breakfast, when they walked the dog, etc......WE DON'T CARE!!!! But the problem is.....I have to stop myself because sometimes, I can become that person! Especially where Davis is involved. I think he it the cutest child in the world and that he says the funniest things that I think all of Facebook would want to know.....but unfortunately - they don't. So I'll just put those things on here - you all have chosen to be here ;)

5. And bottom line - there are just so many better things I could be doing rather than checking out Facebook. There is a child to raise, a book to read, a prayer request, a room to paint, clothing to wash and then fold, a meal to cook, etc. My life is entirely too busy, I need to focus my energy there.

So there you have it, Five Reasons I Deleted My Facebook. As I said earlier, I don't think everyone has to delete their account.....this is just what it right for me at this time.

And anyway - Google+ seems to be really taking off and I really don't need TWO social media sites ;)