Faith has been a running theme in my life here lately.  Saturday was officially my four-year anniversary of being a homeowner.  When I began to look for a home, I found the perfect one.  I paid for the home inspection and appraisal on the house.  While on a cruise, I got the news that the deal fell through.  I was devastated.  Basically, I was told that I just wouldn’t ever be in position to own a home.  I lost faith. Sunday’s sermon peeled back the layers of what we consider to be faith.  Pastor came from Hebrews 11 and challenged me to recognize where I place my faith.  Hebrews 11…

When I’m going on a road trip, I put my destination into Google Maps.  Google Maps spits out multiple options to reach my destination.  Sometimes, the shortest route is not the route I choose.  To some people that seems weird.  But Google Maps has a feature that allows you to eliminate routes that have a toll road.  I make sure that feature is on because I want to avoid tolls if at all possible.  What happens when the quickest way to your destination is not the way that God directs you to go?  My Pastor tackled “The Blessing of the Long Route” in his sermon on Sunday, and it blessed…

Leave.  Expect.  Act.  We have arrived at the “A” in the L.E.A.P. series that my pastor is preaching for the month of February.  Each sermon has been timely and falling into place with the changes that God is performing in my life.  Each sermon is challenging me to take God at His word.  Sunday’s sermon was no different.  Are you ready for the sermon recap?  Lace up your tennis shoes and get ready to act on all that God shares with you. The sermon was drawn from Joshua 10:7-14.  Joshua, and the children of Israel, encounter a problem.  You see, five armies were planning to attack Israel.  They had formed…

Since it’s a leap year, we are L.E.A.P-ing in the month of February at my church.  Last week, I broke down the “L” in the sermon recap.  We’re called to L-ive.  This week my pastor told us how to handle our E-xpectations. Sunday’s Sermon came from Luke 5:17-20.  If you’ve been in church for any length of time, it’s a familiar passage.  Jesus is teaching in someone’s home.  The message is so compelling that the house begins to fill with those that want to hear what He has to say.  People have come from towns all around.  The Bible says that the power of the Lord was present to heal…

OOOOOOOOooooooo weeeee!  Church was on fire yesterday.  The sermon challenged me to live my life to the fullest.  My pastor came from Ezekiel 16:1-6. Ezekiel is a prophet.  He’s the weird guy that doesn’t quite fit in.  He always has a Word for people, but he uses analogies that can be a bit elaborate.  God has put him in position to warn Jerusalem about their missteps.  Ezekiel doesn’t just declare that Jerusalem is in danger.  He paints a vivid picture of their current state of peril. Jerusalem believes that they’re in a prime position.  After all, they’re God’s chosen people.  They are the seed of Abraham.  Highly favored and regarded. …

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17 You may not know this, but I wanted a sibling.  I had a strong desire to have a little person to walk through life with.  I shared my dreams with my mom, and as fate would have it, my brother was born.  He was going to be my sidekick.  My friend.  A confidante. Today, I can say that he is all those things, but it hasn’t always been that way.  I tried to be his mother.  I tried to mold him and shape him in MY image.  So, you can understand why we had such…

Happy Monday everyone!  It’s time for your sermon recap, and you’re in for a treat.  My church was asked to wear camouflage on Sunday.  Pastor wanted us dressed for battle.  Did you know that we’re in a war???  Not against flesh and blood but against all the spirits at work in this fallen world.  So, it’s best to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Sunday’s sermon dissected II Kings 6:8-17.  The king of Syria was at war with Israel.  You may not know this, but Israel was God’s chosen people.  You may also be unaware that God takes care of those that He has chosen.  I digress.  On with…

Happy Monday morning ya’ll!  If you’ve been waiting for the sermon recap, you’re in for a real treat.  My pastor dropped so many nuggets during the sermon.  I spent much of the service clapping my hands and screaming at him.  His words hit home.  It’s like he was talking just to me. The sermon centered around the life of Joseph.  I’m not going to assume that you know anything about him.  Joseph was the eleventh son in a family of twelve brothers.  He was also his father’s favorite child.  How do I know that?  The Bible states that Joseph’s father, Israel, loved Joseph more than all his children.  He loved…

Well, the Lord did it again.  My pastor allowed God to use him in a mighty way on Sunday.  If the first Sunday of 2020 was any indication of where the year will lead, we are all in position for an awesome adventure.  The sermon falls in line with what the previous blogs have discussed…vision. Mark 8:22-26 tells the story of a blind man.  The man’s friends bring him to Jesus because they want Jesus to restore the man’s sight.  What awesome friends!  They know the blind man has a need so they take him to the one who can do something about it. My pastor shared that this was…

Happy New Year!!!!  (Cue the streamers and confetti.)  It’s a celebration!  When this is released, I will be curled up in my bed with Fitz.  Sleeping off all the New Year’s Eve festivities.  I rang in the New Year praising the Lord with my church family and my family family.  They wanted me to be the ball drop in the parking lot afterwards.  I was tempted, but I fought through the temptation and made my way home.  As soon as I got home, I popped bottles (it was apple cider…let’s be reasonable) with Bible Study Brother, Bible Study Mama, and my sister-in-law.  I rang the year in with style. Since…