Sunday briefs
Topic: God things
Church briefs:

*One of the ladies in our new Bible study class just gave her life to Christ 2 weeks ago during a church service. She was out of town last weekend, so this was her first Sunday at our church as a believer. She is someone, like a lot of people these days, who is not familiar with church language or how things are done. It is so refreshing to here her talk, using the language that WE need to learn and understand as 'church people'. She is excited about studying the Bible and is full of the newness of it all. It gives me hope that we can still be effective tools for God to use to reach people who are unchurched, even in this very unique time in history.

*I'm very squozen! The hugs and friendly, encouraging words were flowing freely today.

*My mom, who is a new widow (of less than a month), has been coming to a Sunday morning Bible study class...this was her second week. She is also interested in coming to a new Beth Moore Bible study we're beginning in a couple of weeks. I'm so relieved to see her getting involved...it shows hope and that she is looking forward.

*I watched 2 of our youth give prayer requests for their generation. First was Jessica, who asked us to pray that the bondage of drugs in this generation would be broken and that teens would grow to despise drug use. Secondly, Tim asked us to pray that the Christian teens in high schools these days would not be distracted (with things of life....clubs, activities, busyness) from their duty to be an example and witness for Christ. We had a special call to prayer for this generation and are doing so each Sunday this month. (maybe longer, I'm not sure) It was tear jerking and sweet to see youth crumple to the floor near the front of the church in prayer for their generation.

*I took a 2 hour Sunday afternoon nap! (which explains my blog writing at 10:30pm) It was nice to be able to relax so completely in the middle of the day and not have to set an alarm! I awoke to the smell of brownies baking, so I didn't even mind getting up!

*The weather here lately has been especially wonderful in the mornings, which adds a little bounce to your step and sparkle to your attitude.

Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Each Sunday is a reminder to me of the great crowd of fellow participants I am a part of in this race....and of how great the prize will be as we press on together. The encouragement along the way with wonderful days like this is just a little incentive compared to the greatness of the final prize.