Thanks to those of you who left me a comment on my question of when to assemble with our church family. The reason I put the question out there is I respect my blogging family and wanted to hear what you had to say. I've read through each comment several times.

Here's where I am on this. I don't have all the answers. I would love to understand every detail of what God wants from me, because I do want to please Him, but I just don't. I am okay with that because I've given up thinking my *rightness* on every issue will save me. Jesus will save me.

I think both PH and I started this thinking we would find Sunday worship commanded somewhere in the NT. We didn't. We were extremely uncomfortable with that finding.

Here's what I see in the NT. Christians assembled quite often. No assembly seems to be more important than another. Being with our Christian family is important seven days a week. While large groups are wonderful--small groups family meetings are incredible, too. To me, the NT shows that *doing* church is just an extension of *being* church whenever and however it happens.

In my opinion, the best reason for meeting on Sundays seems to be that Sunday (or the first day of the week) was when Jesus was raised from the dead. That's huge--it's just not commanded.

In my opinion, the best reason for Saturday night is it's a way to reach our culture without compromising the message of Jesus. The saving message of Jesus is more important than my personal comfort zone.

I think every day is the day to worship God with all of who we are and what He's given us. If you choose to assemble on Sunday mornings--I just couldn't be happier or want to encourage you more. Same for Saturday nights or any other time.

PH and I have been doing some deep studying as to when the Bible says we should assemble with our church family. Does the Bible tell us to assemble on Sunday mornings? Would just Sunday evening be okay? How about Saturday evening? Or Tuesday evening?

I'll start with the scripture that's usually brought up here, Acts 20:7.

"On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight." TNIV

"On the Saturday night, in our assembly for the breaking of bread, Paul, who was to leave the next day, addressed them, and went on speaking until midnight." NEB

We would really like to know what the Bible says to you. I told PH really nice people comment here, so although I expect different views--I also expect respect of other people's thoughts.

Please share with your thoughts with us--we really want to know! I hope to write a post soon about where we are on this.

Questions to self

Because of my struggles...

What if...when there are Christians that have differing beliefs on the things that do not have clear directives in the Bible...I choose to respond by allowing the Holy Spirit to teach me and them what he would want for each of us to know?

What if...instead of attempting to be *right on these things* with these spiritual siblings...I choose to pray for, love, serve and encourage them?

Do you think our *issues* might start diminishing and God might start getting more praise and glory?

Thursday Thanksgiving

Thanking God for:

His love.

His victory over this fallen world we live in.

Grace.

Peace.

Unexpected joys shared with loved ones.

Hugs.

Sunny days with no ice.

Beth Moore (God so speaks to me through her!).

My Monday night Bible study group.

Almond Amaretto cappuccinos for 49 cents. (I had a hard time deciding whether or not to be thankful for these because I might drink too many of them?!)

"that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise."
I Chronicles 16:35

And now, from a positive point of view

"Put together all the tenderest love you know, the deepest you have ever felt and the strongest that has been poured out on you, and heap upon it all the love of all the loving human hearts in the world, and then multiply it by infinity, and you will begin, perhaps, to have some faint glimpse of the love God has for you."
Hannah Whitall Smith

I just HATE satan.

I hate him because not only does he attack, but he's so good at deceiving me so that I am not even aware it's him attacking. I really hate it. I've been dealing with some discouragement, defeat, even some fear on some things--and satan is the reason. God is not a God of any of those things. I do believe God is trying to do some things in my life--and they are very uncomfortable--and the growth He is trying to cultivate may hurt. However, it's such a different experience to walk through those times with God knowing He is victorious--instead of thinking: "this is not going so well", "I don't think I am ever going to get it", "doesn't anyone care I am hurting out here?". I think it's time to get my spiritual armor on.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
I John 4:16-18

Last night was a soup night and I fixed Amy's Cheeseburger Soup! It was sooo yum!

~~~

I met Kristen at church this morning! She's the sweetest thing. Her family moved to our part of the world recently--and I might get to see them again at church!

~~~

It was sunny and 56 degrees here today--I am thankful for all the wet stuff we had--because I know we need it--but the sun was just so nice today!

~~~

Critter's latest post is about a Randy Harris lesson she heard recently. It helps me understand my family so much. I'm mainly a *three* and no one else in my family is--so they only allow me 30 minutes after church each time to get all my relating in--I need at least 45 minutes and a couple hours would be sooo nice!!!

One of the things I hear quite often from people (many times starting in their mid-twenties) is something like, "my life has not turned out anything like I thought (or dreamed) it would."

I hear some that are frustrated, because they assumed God would use them in ways they believe He gifted them and it just hasn't happened.

Some are confused, not really understanding what God is doing.

Others see God's plan is better than what their *plan* was.

All of them are just kind of, well, surprised.

How about you? Are you surprised at all with the direction God has taken your life??

Thursday Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful:

Jesus is the hope of the world.

Scriptures that bring me back to my real focus at times when I've lost it.

I am never alone.

Long telephone conversations with people I love!

Aggie-ed got back to College Station safely.

(Since it's been the coldest, iciest week since I've lived in North Texas--I am thankful for:)

Protection while driving on icy streets.

A day off so I don't have to get out.

A warm house and clothes.

Hot drinks/soup--and all the yumminess and comfort they are on a cold day.

Hawaiian music that brings back warm memories.

"I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus."
I Corinthians 1:4

Interesting Read

I've been reading "Dear Church" by Sarah Cunningham. It's written to 20 somethings that are disillusioned about the church.

It's still a great read if:
You know or love anyone that is 20 something.
If you are disillisioned and older than 30.
If you have ever been *hurt* by the corporate church.
If you open your Bible and wonder why on earth the church does some of the things we do.

The author opens the book explaining (and she has done some deep research on top of being in the age group herself) why 20 somethings are disillusioned. Several of the issues she discusses just make sense. This generation views entertainment, technology and diversity differently than those of us that went ahead of them--just from how they have experienced the world. They are more inclusive. Many are comfortable with different schools of thought (instead of thinking either/or they think both/and).

Some of the issues she discusses--the emphasis and value on community, the transparency, the idealism she sees--I have to wonder if that's more just with being in your 20's. It seems to me I've seen that repeatedly in 20 somethings--even back to my generation (and I am guessing we were not first). That's part of the reason I love 20 somethings--and I don't encourage them to compromise on much of that--because I know it's easy to just assume what's happening is just the best it's going to be--and I don't believe that is true.

Ms. Cunningham has an excellent chapter on how to leave a church--she believes that if God is calling you elsewhere--you will know--but she does give some extremely good things to think/pray through as you leave.

I also think her chapter on forgiveness is worth reading--if you don't read anything else in the book. She shows wisdom beyond her years in this chapter. I think most of them are so good I would type them all out here--but there are 50 of them. I can't even pick a favorite--they are that good.

She makes the best point in this book on page 198 when she says: "...the church is not the hope of the world. Jesus is." Even though she discusses and validates reasons any of us could be disillusioned--she brings us back to our real focus--Jesus. However, she has not given up on what she calls the global church--and she gives more reasons for hope in the end than disillusionment in the beginning for the church.

This book was a very interesting read for me--I enjoyed the author's humor, insights, directions and encouragement.

Pepper Steak

A couple of you have asked about recipes for all the round steak I cooked for Aggie-ed. This is his favorite!

1 pound round steak cut, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper (green, red, or yellow), thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3/4 cup beef broth
1 Tablespoon corn starch

Spray surface of large, non-stick skillet with vegetable cooking spray. Over medium-high heat, stir-fry meat until tender and brown. Add onion, then bell pepper and continue to stir-fry until veggies are tender-crisp. Stir corn starch into broth and pour over meat and vegetables. Continue to stir until the *sauce* thickens (about a minute). Serve over rice with soy sauce.

(It will be interesting to see how this one freezes. Even if it's mushy, it's probably better than nachos every day???)

Cooking Cow

 
When Aggie-ed got home over a month ago now--he mentioned that he lived on nachos between Thanksgiving and Christmas--because with finals and projects--he just didn't have time use his newly acquired skills of fixing a chicken breast one of a thousand possible ways. The thought that he was taking finals powered by greasy fried pieces of corn thingies set my mothering side on edge (I do hope he ordered them with jalapenos, so at least he had something green!)--and I decided I should cook ahead some things while he was here--and send them back for his freezer. This idea was totally confirmed when Tom Thumb put their round steak on sale last week for 99 cents a pound. Granted, I did have to buy a whole side of cow to get that price--but Aggie-ed can eat a lot--so that made it all that better a deal? Round steak was the perfect meat, because he loves it and he already knows how to cook his own chicken. I even smiled really nice at the butcher and he chopped it into a few pieces--instead of hauling the whole huge piece home. When he heads back to College Station this weekend, he should have about 20 home cooked meals ready for his freezer. Am I spoiling him rotten? 

Thursday Thanksgiving

I am thankful today:

God bears my burdens every day.

God never gives me more than He knows I can handle.

He never leaves me alone.

My mom celebrated another birthday!

I can learn well good things from my children.

For laughter.

For 99 cent a pound round steak. (perhaps more on this later?)

For my new journaling Bible.

For Aggies for Christ that have spent this week blessing children in children's homes.

For good health and good friends!

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corithinians 15:57

When Critter was at home for the holidays--she very graciously gave me a little grammar lesson. I see somewhere between 100 and 1000 customers every day at work--and I usually ask them, "how are you?". A good percentage of the time they ask the same question back to me and I answer them, "I'm good". However, she taught me I should be saying "I'm well". I've been really working on it every day--and it's so hard train my mind. I could say "I'm wonderful" or something else equally cheesy but I can't even get my mind and my mouth to cooperate on that. This is what I think is hilarious--the whole how-are-you-thing is meaningless because some of the time I am so slow answering (since I am thinking about it) all I get out is "I'm..." and almost 100% of the time the person doesn't miss a beat they just explain to me what they need without knowing I'm good well. So, since no one really listens to my answer anyway, do you think it's okay for me to say "I'm good"?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Today is my mom's birthday! She's been a strength and encouragement to me all my days--I am so very thankful she's my mom.

Here's a picture of her with her whole crew over Christmas.
  

Thursday Thanksgiving

I've been looking back on 2006 to see so many things I want to give God thanks for today.

He is faithful. No matter how things in my life surprise me, they never surprise Him. No matter how much things change--He never changes. I am so thankful I have a steadfast rock--Someone I can always go to--and just know He will always be there.

He is my protector. What I suppose to be my enemies have human faces--but I believe the true attacker is Satan. In the past year, I have experienced more spiritual attacks than I have in quite some time--and I rejoice that I can look back and see how God has protected me through each one.

He goes before me. I question why things are not working out like I want them to. Now, I look back and see God's path that cleared His way before me--and so many things make much more sense.

He is my hope. The only answer I can give to the yuk that goes on in my life is we live in a fallen world--and I hate it. So, I am thankful I have Hope--and I know Who will triumph over the ickiness in the end.

He is my source of many blessings. I don't deserve them--they are too numerous to even cite here--I just want to try to be as thankful as I can for all the people/things/health He has for some reason chosen to put in my life.

He answers prayers! It is extremely faith building to me to look back at the last year and see how He's answered so many prayers--I am even able to understand now why some of my most passionate prayers He answered "no".

He speaks to me. He has taught me so much this year about being quiet and listening. Since I don't always respond in obedience--I am thankful that He's patient with me--and continues to speak.

He indwells me with His Holy Spirit. I learn more all the time I can't take a step without Him--how thankful I am He never leaves me alone.

He's given me family. God has blessed me with physical family--but He's teaching me much more about my spiritual family--and I am learning I have a huge family--and that I need to bless and be blessed by all my family.

He is God. I don't have to have all the answers as I fumble and stumble through life--because He does.

His perfect love. His love still amazes me year after year--and I want to continue to be so thankful for it.

Busy Being Blessed

Critter has gone back to her beloved state of TN now--after a wonderful 10 day visit here with us in Texas. During her visit, we were blessed by a visit by the always amazing sojochick. Aggie-ed is here for just a few more days. So, I am still super busy being blessed--and hopefully will return to the blog world on a more frequent basis in a few days!