My Weekend Plans

I will be attending the Global Gathering, the Church of God (Anderson)'s world conference!

I'm really excited. My grandmother took me in 1999 (it was in Birmingham England that year) but I was 17 and in my rebellious phase so I don't feel like I took that much from it. Honestly, I don't remember attending more than one or two worship services. So when they announced that it was going to be in Anderson, where our church's headquarters are, this year, I practically registered on the spot.

I'll be leaving early Saturday morning to get there around noon or 1 pm and I'll return late Tuesday night. Four days of worship and fellowship with fellow CHOGers from around the world. There's going to be music, and a Global Expo of all the ministries we have all over the world (which I'm especially interested in), and of course several worship services and plenary sessions every day with speakers from around the world. There's going to be regional receptions and speakers from Christians Broadcasting Hope (radio ministry that has stations all over the world!) Sunday night, we'll participate in a global communion, and there's also a French-English worship service (which I'm really looking forward to!) They've also got a few 'connectors' planned where we can participate in service projects.

Told you I was excited. :) My bag's mostly packed and I've got directions, schedules, and lodgings all figured out.

Just have to get through two more days of work and then I get a vacation with my church family!

Titus 3:1-11

So in my reading of the New Testament (currently in Hebrews!), I came across a passage in Titus that I have found myself reading and re-reading. So I figured it deserved a post :)

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

                  Titus 3:1-11 (NASB, bold added)

Today's Bible Verse

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

In other words, my recent mantra -- Worry less. Pray more.

5-22-2013 Daily Devotional

I'm just gonna post this here.

Good lesson this morning, don't you think?

I'm damaged. But God can still use me.

Phillippians 4:11

Philippians 4:11

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Update on My Reading

The New Testament is...going slowly to be honest. With my mom and my's schedule's its a little hard for us to stay on point. To be at the same place at the same time. And life has been interferring too much as well. We're through the Gospels and should've finished Acts early this week, but that didn't happen. I really need to just focus and make sure I read every day. Or if I don't, I need to make sure I read six chapters the next day to  make up for missing instead of just doing three.

Acts has also been a little bit of a tough read. The chapters are long, and word heavy. But I'm pushing through!

Mom is not enjoying it, because she doesn't like Paul. After repeated mentionings of that fact, I told her that she needed to let it go and let me form my own opinions because I've never read most of the New Testament.

Letting Go of Perfect, our Bible study book, is not going very well. It is more of a memoir than a self help book, and focuses on being a wife and mother. So it's been very hard to relate to for many of us, even those that are married and have children! I think we're all looking forward to the next book. (which I need to go buy soon...)

I enjoyed Unfashionable. I actually want to give it a second read, this time with the study questions. So that's on my summer to do list.

Morning Bible Verse

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27a (NIV)

This just really spoke to me this morning. Cuz I have a habit of losing my cool over the dumbest things, justifiable or not. This is a good reminder NOT to do that.