Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving. I have many reasons to be thankful! God gave me parents who love Him, each other and me. He's blessed me with godly friends who encourage me, love me and pray for me. I attend an awesome Bible college where the professors' main concern is the spiritual growth of their students. I attend my local community college where God has given me opportunities to share His love with others. Truth is taught from the pulpit of my church. And its ministries are focused on eternal things not programs. There are so many other things I could put on this list. But the thing I am most thankful for is the work that Jesus did on the cross. I am so glad that He is worthy and was willing to die.

This video clip is from a couple years ago. It seems a fitting song for today. Hallelujah!
Worthy is The Lamb!!
Our Lord God Almighty reigns!!!

Give thanks.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

My Cup Runneth Over!!!

I've been meeting and praying at the AVC flagpole on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The week before I left for camp, four of us were praying when I sensed someone standing behind us. I released the hand of the girl next to me and motioned for this older gentleman to come into the circle. He did. We rejoined hands and continued to pray. He dropped to his knees, sobbing. We continued to pray. I could feel the Holy Spirit so strongly that is was like another person was in our midst. We continued to pray. After about a half-hour, we finished. The man (Bobby) told us he had heard us praying and felt drawn to come over and listen. Right there, he got right with the Lord. It wasn't anything we did. We never spoke to him until we finished praying. That day I witnessed a miracle and I didn't have to travel to some remote place to see it. I saw the power of God...here in Lancaster!

Today, only Bobby showed up to pray. We spent all our prayer time thanking God for who He is. By the time we finished, both of us were crying tears of gratefulness for the sacrifice He made for us on the cross. I can't explain how overwhelmed I felt. It was like my heart was about to burst out of my body. I walked home, thanking God for the privilege of prayer. Mary Bartlett, a small speck on this earth can talk to the ONE true God, Creator of the universe anytime and He's listening! So can you!

Monday, November 3, 2008

It's Not About Me!

Last week at camp I had lots of time alone with God. He showed me that all those little things I choose to do or NOT choose to do, either bring Him... or rob Him of glory. One example is I've never been a big fan of pink anything. But God created the color. So, I will stop being immature about it and wear it with a cheerful attitude and a grateful heart. Because it is not about if I like it or not. It's all about my King and His glory. Another is my hair. He created me with curly hair that I've been told time and time again looks good down. Strangers have come up and paid me compliments on it when it's down. One even said that GOD created a thing of beauty when He made my hair. That was the last thing I wanted to hear! But, I heard God loud and clear last week!!! From now on I'm wearing my hair for HIS glory...not mine. It won't always be down, I'll still wear it in a ponytail or up at times, but not because I resent how God designed it.

And just in case I missed the point. God reminded me again. On Saturday, Pastor Chris said in his sermon, "It's not about you." That same night in Crossroads we talked about our "rights." I've been pondering that and have come to the conclusion that my only "right" is to die to myself in order to bring God glory.

As I go through each day, I've keep reminding myself that "it's not about me". It's already made a big difference in how I see, respond and react to things.




This has been a favorite hat of mine for years.
I pray God continues to show me what it means
to live a life that's not about me.