HUGS

When someone says they don't like to be hugged, don't hug them. For years I have been plagued with huggy people. I don't like being touched. Don't take it personal just respect my feelings and hug someone else. My hugs are named anyway. Brandon, Brett, Brody and Bryan. OK not just them. If I run into someone I haven't seen in forever, or if I am with my aunt Toni & uncle Joe, then I hug. But seriously, don't hug me unless I initiate it. It's a wonder I survived at my church for so long because they are all huggy people! I just quietly skip outta the room when pastor Hersch says give the person next to you a hug. OK, feel better having said that.

Yesterday was fun!! Kristin and I went to IKEA and we had Bryan and Wyatt with us. It was great. EXCEPT they didn't have my bookshelves. Well they did but I changed my mind there. Bryan spotted these killer cute shelves and they were $20 cheaper than the ones I went to get. Just my luck, they were sold out. The guys is like "Oh just come back tomorrow". Guess he didn't realize not everyone lives around the corner from IKEA lol. I'll try again next week as I have too much to do today. Well I best get to doing or else I'll run out of time.

Shelly




I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 1st Corinthians 15:31



Did you know that you speak over nine million words a year, and a lot of them are 'I', 'me', 'my' and 'mine'? So God's response calls for dying to self. Paul said: 'I die [to self] every day.'



But for many of us, 'Behold I live for evermore' is more in keeping with how we conduct our lives! The Bible says in Galatians 5:24, ‘And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.' But self-interest won't just roll over and die, it must be 'killed off for good'. It's a constant battle because we've a tendency to cling to our own interests with a death grip.

Jesus told His disciples, ‘And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.” A slave was the lowest of servants. Seasoned followers of Christ are called to higher levels of selflessness than beginners. And when you aspire to lead others, God raises that bar even higher!

Many times He'll leave you with a permanent reminder of how He managed to get through to you in an area where you were stubborn. 'Moses was ... 'mighty in words,’ but he struggled with a speech impediment. A limp became Jacob's trademark. Even the Apostle Paul, 'was given me a thorn in my flesh,' What's your handicap? The habit you battle or the fear that never leaves? 'Why doesn't God just take it away?' you ask. Because anything that keeps you dependent on Him is a plus, not a minus.



Pastor Hersch