Life Action... The Great Commisson

While I was at Life Action Camp, I worked in the kitchen... I prepared the meals that were fed to the many campers that came. Now... before I ever got to the camp I told my family..." I do not want to be in the kitchen..." And there I was.  I think God was teaching me that I can (and will) serve Him wherever He wants me too.  Surprisingly,  I had a great time in the kitchen! I met a ton of new people from so many places. We laughed and really just had a blast! I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.  David Livingston once said,  "If a commission by an earthly king is considered and HONOR, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a SACRIFICE?"  Now I know that what I did in the kitchen may have not been a "big deal"... I just cut up stuff,  served it,  and cleaned a lot!  To some it might seem a pretty silly job, but I was doing for my Heavenly King so it was an honor.  I have to admit... if the President of the United States had asked me to work in his kitchen I may have been more excited in the beginning, but Our God is so much more amazing than any president.  He is holy, mighty, all powerful, Redeemer, and so much more than we can even imagine!

 Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.


So... next time I get kitchen duty, or any other job that might not be very appealing, I just have to remember that its a honor to serve my King.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Life Action...What I Learned

I recently got back from Life Action Camp in Buchanan Michigan, and it was an experience that I will never forget! We got there July 12th, and left July 26th.  I'm so glad God allowed me the opportunity to go.    

One of the things I learned about was the power of prayer.   I had been praying day after day for a friend that I knew needed to know the Lord.  Turns out, the whole camp had been praying for this person!  Our prayer was answered and our friend came to know his Creator and Savior!

The Great Commission was the subject for this summer at Life Action, and I also got a really deep conviction about living out Jesus' great commission! Matthew 28:19-20- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

I learned so much from Life Action, and I will have more stories to come these next couple of weeks!

Walking In Grace,
Abby

1 Peter 2:21

Have you ever had to deal with a difficult person?  I know I have.  It can be over the littlest things too!  I have to deal with a difficult person almost daily.   I am not always proud of how I respond.  Sometimes I respond quite well under the circumstances... but sometimes I kinda-maybe-end up blowing up.  Another thought I need to consider is what if I am the difficult person someone else has to deal with?  

Scripture talks a lot about the difficult people that Jesus had to deal with.  I mean, He had to deal with Judas, the high priests, and all the people that didn't believe He was who He said He was.  If anyone in the history of forever had the right to blow up at someone, it was Jesus. 

So even though we all have those people that are hard to get along with... we need to do what Jesus would do and treat them with love, respect, and show them who Christ followers are.

1 Peter 2:21- For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example, that ye should follow His steps.

P.S. This song is by Sidewalk Prophets. Live Like That

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Forgiveness

There has been a lot of discussion lately about Josh Duggar and the past molesting of his sisters.  Now I know that many people have their own ideas about Josh Duggar, and what should happen to him.  I also know that he was a minor, and not a Christian at the time.  He asked forgiveness from God,  his sisters,  and his parents.  I know what He did was wrong, but he made it right by the people that he needed to.  If his sisters,  his parents,  and his God can forgive him... why does the American public feel like they can withhold forgiveness?  This is what can happen to a teen that doesn't have Christ in their lives.  If God can forgive us for all our sins, then who are we to not forgive someone who's a sinner just like us?  For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23  That is why God sent His Son to save us. 

Colossians 3:13- Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Ephesians 4:32- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

I'm so thankful for the forgiveness we have in Christ,  aren't you?

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Clear The Stage

Last night, I attended a Bible Study with some of my close friends... and boy was it convicting. We have been going through a series called," Behold Your God."  It's about looking at God for who He really is, and treating Him like He deserves.  Last night's session was about idols.  I had always thought that idols were anything you put before your God in importance, but it's more than that.   It's anything that you put before your God, anything that you can't stop thinking about,  and anything that you love with all your heart as well.  I learned so much as all I could think about were the many things that came to mind immediately that could be classified idols in my life.  Two that came to mind right off was sleep and my phone.  For some it might be clothes and shopping.  For others it might be certain foods or maybe a relationship.  I left realizing how easy certain things or people can become idols and thinking about how hard I'm going to try to keep Christ first because nothing and no one is better than Him.

This song by Jimmy Needham, was a song that one of my friends shared last night and it s message went right along with what we studied.  It's called," Clear The Stage," and I hope that it speaks to you as powerfully as it spoke to me.

P.S. His testimony is also inspirational!  If you YouTube "Jimmy Needham Testimony" you will find it.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Throwing A Tantrum

I spent some time at my sister's house today.  My nephew Jack had to sit in his playpen... and he was definitely showing us that he wasn't going to have any of that.  I have seen Jack angry, but I have never ever seen him like he was today.  He cried, and screamed, and cried some more... but eventually he calmed down, and started to play with all his toys.

It reminded me how I am when God puts me in a place that I don't like.  When my dog Hobo died... I wasn't happy.  When my grandma was sick and dying... I didn't enjoy that.  When daily disappointments come my way,  I sometimes act like Jack did today.  What's so neat about God is that He doesn't do what is right in man's eyes... but in His eyes.  He knows what is best for us. 

Psalm 46:10- Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earth.

Whenever I am sad, or mad, or am just having a bad day... this verse reminds me that I need to just let go and let God . Be still and know that He is God! So if you aren't having a great day, or are going through something hard like a death or a disappointment... Just stop, look to God, and listen for His guidance.


Walking In Grace,
Abby

Image Bearers Of God

The other day, I had a afternoon with a couple of my dear friends. We had a awesome time. We wrote a hit song (in my opinion), we had a pillow fight, and best of all we had a Bible study. The study was given by my pastor's wife, Kimberly Wagner. It was about labels. We all have labels, and we can all remember the labels that we have been given. I know that I have had labels put on me. I know (now) that they don't mean anything, but at the time... they meant everything. 

During our Bible study, Mrs. Kim taught us that we are image bearers of God... so it doesn't matter what people may call us, but it does matter how we react. We are created to show others who God is. Jesus knew pain from hurtful words and actions toward Him...and He always reacted with forgiveness. 

Genesis 1:26- And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness...

So... the next time that I am called a name... I will have to remember that I am an image bearer of God,  and there are people watching me that need to get a glimpse of what God is really like. 

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Hobo

My dog has been missing for 4 days, and yesterday my sister found him. It looks like he was run over by a car not too far from our driveway.  Hobo was my best friend. I have never had a better friend. My dad brought him to me 6 years ago when I was 7. If you read my blog posts regularly, you've read about me and my family moving a lot over the past several years.  Hobo has been with me ever since that started. He moved with me to every new place, and made me laugh even though hard things were going on. God gave me Hobo to help me through those tough times.  God will always send us what we need when we need it.

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

God knew that I needed a friend during those particularly
hard times. He gave me one, and now... even though Hobo is gone.....I will always think of God's faithfulness and His amazing gifts when I think of Hobo.



Walking In Grace,
Abby