Passing the baton...

I have been obsessed with watching the Olympics. I take such pride in our Country and appreciate those athletes who train and represent our great Nation. I was definitely a Michael Phelps fan - he's from MD. I think I watched almost around the clock. Pastor Mike preached this past Sunday on Passing the baton. He talked about the Americans (both male & female) dropping the baton in the 4x100 relay race. I saw the races and it was devastating to think these athletes trained so hard and then failed to pass the baton. I was very proud of the girl who ran back, picked up the baton, and finished the race. Pastor Mike talked about us passing the baton onto others. Are we sharing Jesus like we should? Are we sharing Him with our children, our grandchildren, our friends...? I challenge you to pass the baton onto your family, friends, anyone you meet. In Philippians 3: 14 it says, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

God is all up in this place!

Pastor Mike begins our prayer service with scripture and prayer; then we go to one of the sessions. John and I went to the pray through scripture session. There is always several different sessions in addition to the one we attended tonight: pray in the sanctuary with music playing, pray outside, pray with the Pastor, and pray in the quiet room. We come together again around 7:50 PM and sing a couple songs and join hands and pray a closing prayer. The theme for today was praying for the sick and the lost. Tonight was so special - I could feel God's loving arm around me during the closing. It was so awesome, I can't even explain it. The presence of God was so real you felt it without a doubt. We didn't want to leave. After the service, John Woodruff (one of my young friends) hugged me and said "the outdoor group lifted you up in our prayers tonight." How marvelous, how amazing, how loving that the group of younger people in our church prayed for me tonight by name. It brings tears to my eyes even now as I write this. There is nothing like the love of a family...

Prayer Week

We are having Prayer Week at church. I've had sinusitis and haven't been except for Monday night. We prayed for our Nation - and we need it so with the elections coming up. With the recent weekend at the beach, sitting in the sanctuary praying while music played in the background, my daily devotions and prayer time, I've had the recurring thought of the song "Then Sings My Soul." "Then sings my soul, my Savior, God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art..." Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf0vJiyeLIo to hear it. It's one of my favorite songs to play. To me that's what worship is all about - my soul communing with God. Since I love music, it is a vital part of my worship experience. God is so great, so awesome, so powerful, and so loving. Why do we even fret about anything, He is in control. We just need to rest in His arms, relax, and follow His lead. May I be able to do that every day of my life with my soul singing His praises.