Poem of Our Father's Great Giving

Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercies,
To multiplied trials His multipled peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

Back to School

It's in the air... almost daily different Facebook friends are sending their little ones to school. Enjoy this tribute to the new school year!

The First Day of School
By Judith Viorst

Will they let me go when I need to go to the bathroom?
And what if I get lost on my way back to class?
And what if the other kids are a hundred, a thousand, times smarter than I am?
And what if we have a spelling test, or a reading test, or an...anything test, and I'm the only person who doesn't pass?
And what if my teacher decides she doesn't like me?
And what if, all of a sudden a tooth gets loose?
And what if I can't find lunch, or I sit on my lunch, or I (oops!) drop my lunch someplace like the toilet?
Will they let me starve or will somebody lend me a sandwich?
A cookie? A cracker? An apple? Some juice?
And what if they say, "Do this," and I don't understand them?
And what if there's teams and nobody picks me to play?
And what if I took off my sneakers, and also my socks, and my jeans, and my sweatshirt and T-shirt,
And started the first day of school on the second day?

Dancing Undignified by Traci Rhoades

14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly tunic. 15 So David and all Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with much shouting and blowing of trumpets. 16 But as the Ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she was filled with contempt for him. 17 The Ark of the LORD was placed inside the special tent that David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. 18 When he had finished, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty. 19 Then he gave a gift of food to every man and woman in Israel: a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then everyone went home. 20 When David returned home to bless his family, Michal came out to meet him and said in disgust, "How glorious the king of Israel looked today! He exposed himself to the servant girls like any indecent person might do!" 21 David retorted to Michal, "I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD. 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be held in honor by the girls of whom you have spoken!" 2 Samuel 6:14-22

God called David a man after God's own heart. While far from perfect, God knew David was chasing Him... hard. Dancing with all his might, giving gifts of food to every man and woman in Israel. Does He cite the same spirit in you? I can't help but think of this scripture passage when I sing worship songs on Sunday morning. And the lyrics from "Undignified" by the David Crowder Band, "But I'll become even more undignified than this; leave my pride by my side...." I'm not worshiping or giving like that... yet. But by the grace of God I am seeking more of Him. I am dancing like a crazy woman in my heart of hearts. Won't you join me? And someday, someday, may we break it down just for Him, an audience of One! Enjoy your time of worship tomorrow.

Let's All Be Sisterchicks!

I admit I was a skeptic. The Sisterchick series by Robin Jones Gunn seemed a bit too - well- girly for me. But they seemed good summer beach reading, so I started with two gals that journeyed to Europe. These books left me so pleasantly surprised that as I prepare to read #7, off to London, I am asking myself if she would please come out with another.

Then I realized, I am surrounded by Sisterchicks! Christian women at North Point who want to have fun, grow in faith and find ways to show one another, "Hey, your life matters!" Let's be Sisterchicks together, ladies! We may not be headed out on the trip of a lifetime to Italy, New Zealand or Mexico (yet). But with God in charge, we will have quite the trip together. He promises.

Isaiah 40:25-31

(New Living Translation)

25 “To whom will you compare me?

Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.

26 Look up into the heavens.

Who created all the stars?

He brings them out like an army, one after another,

calling each by its name.

Because of his great power and incomparable strength,

not a single one is missing.

27 O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?

O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?

28 Have you never heard?

Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary.

No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

29 He gives power to the weak

and strength to the powerless.

30 Even youths will become weak and tired,

and young men will fall in exhaustion.

31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.