Talk to me, Abba.

Trust my grace. I want to shelter you under the shadow of my wing. I desire to guide you into My blessings and My presence. Don't be discouraged by the voices that swirl around you. Trust Me to guide you. Lean in to My grace and walk with Me. You are Abba's child and you have value to Me. Trust that I care for you.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

For more on this segment, see this post.

Amazing Love by Corrie ten Boom

As many of you know, I have been on a personal quest to read all of the writings of Corrie ten Boom. Her display of Christ has done nothing short of changing my life. Every story I read of profound forgiveness and graciousness challenge me in every aspect. I reflect back and wonder how much I have lost by refusing to be gracious or see things for what they are. I have come to know that there are no coincidences in Christ. He is always purposeful. He has a heavy agenda of grace. Ours is generally self-serving and it is applauded by the general public. It is not what Jesus is calling us to. Through transparent humility, Corrie shows us what our lives should look like. She just as often shows us in defeat as she does in victory.

This book is no exception to the gracious beauty Corrie ten Boom displays for us. Story after story reveals to the reader the power of forgiveness in the lives of those she met after the war. There are dozens of sections detailing the powerful way she saw people extending forgiveness to each other. Then there are gorgeous real life parables of how men came to understand that Christ's blood covered all of their sins in their entirety. Nothing is beyond the power of God's grace.

One of my favorite tales in the book is about a time when she was asked to go and speak to a group of a few hundred refugees who had taken up living in an abandoned factory. She said she must live among them first and gain the right to speak to them. She gave up her home and comforts to live in squalor and earn the right to tell them of Christ.

Gomer is Fried.

All of Denbigh's pies sold.

Hello Friends of Gomer, I am happy to report that our first annual fish fry was a success. I have been wanting to do this for some time and every year it slips by. This year, even though I just had a baby a few weeks ago, I decided that we were going to get started. I am a planner and I like everything to be quite organized, but that did not happen at all. I had kind of prayed that at least twenty people would show up. Things kept going wrong, but God took care of it all. At the end of the day, with all the people who came and the art and pies sold, we pulled in a thousand dollars to help Gomer. More than that, God did some special things for me that day.

I am constantly in awe of how people will come out and support this crazy adventure we are on to restore this house so we can  minister to others with it. It is humbling to say the least. I will admit to you that I teared up quite a bit throughout the day. I always find myself asking Jesus why He would let us do this. How gracious God is to use us to minister to others. How amazing that He can convince hearts to love and support us.

I am constantly amazed at the people who come by our house every week that just want to see inside of it. This day, we let the people in. One thing everyone responds to is the scripture that I have painted all over the walls. People will often tear up and tell me how they needed to hear that precise thing from God right then. This day was no exception. We were able to pray with several people who came in for a tour and ended up needing much more than that. How sweetly this ministered to me. It's one thing to see a house restored. It is a much better thing to be present when the Holy Spirit ministers to a heart.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the day and for the love and support that you offer us. Start planning to come next year. May God grow it each year. Mostly, may God fill your heart with the love of Christ and restore your life. Thank you for all you do.

"So they ate and drank before the LORD with great gladness on that day."

1 Chronicles 29:22

Donate to Gomer's House.

 My sweet friend Tina.

 The classic cars began showing up.

 We absolutely love people milling about in our yard and house.

 My gracious volunteers cooking the fish.

 Carla, Mayor Dave, and my man chatting it up.

 Jen!

 This small group of troublemakers were out of control.

 Our favorite handy man.

 We loved serving fish to dear people who help us do what we do. We are grateful.

I love this picture.

Mags. She's my hero.

 People were coming all day to tour the house.

I had a sweet time praying with many of our visitors.

 My dear Kristi.

 Sheth played an awesome game before he came.

 Man talk: where the testosterone abounds.

The impressive and heroic Justin!

 Sweet boys playing on our swing.

 Four monkeys.

 Mags. I thought I should get a shot of her leaving as well.

 He did not want me to take his picture eating fish.

 My man got me these gorgeous lilies.

 My friend, Susan, holding Chayah.

 Isn't she a doll.

 All the pie mysteriously vanished.

 This needs some scripture on it.

I absolutely love people hanging out on our porch. I think we need more chairs. There always seems to be more friends than seats.

Molly tried to run off with my baby.

 So did her husband. Get your own baby.

Don't you love this smile. 

 We needed the swinging door from the Kitchen to the Butler's Pantry taken out so we could finish the floor. The problem was that it was installed into the moulding and the threshold. Stephen and Andy took this as a challenge. They were mumbling something about c4, but they didn't blow it up in the end. They removed the door and smoothed the way for the cork to be finished and find it's way into the Butler's Pantry. 

Talk to me, Abba.

Let go of your striving to provide for your own needs. When you release your things into My hand, I am able to satisfy you with My abundance. I want you to know and have a depth of insight into My provision. Only I can sustain the things I have called you to do. I don't need your help. I require your cooperation with My methods. I want you to know that I have done it. I desire you to see and glorify My name. Open your hands. Release the burdens that clutter up your life. I have something for you.

"God Himself will provide the lamb for the burt offering, my son."

Genesis 22:8

For more on this segment, see this post.

Share the Bounty by Benita Long

Share the Bounty by Benita Long

Finding God's Grace Through the Spirit of Hospitality

Several years ago, my husband bought me a cookbook by Benita Long for our anniversary. You may not think that is very romantic, but when I perused the pages of Come to the Table, I was fully enamored. Not only was it filled with decadent recipes, the photography, scripture, and poetry delighted the senses. This book is truly something you have to see with your own eyes. When I saw that Benita was coming out with a new cook book, I jumped at the chance to review it.

Benita's new cookbook is gorgeous. I have not seen any other cook book done so well. The food, like Fireside Soup, Heirloom Tomato Soup, Sunday Rib Roast, and Chocolate Coffee Pie, looks and sound delectable. The gorgeous photography gives you a great desire to cook everything in the book. Filling the pages are rich prayers and ideas for hospitality. This gift is definitely lacking in our culture today. We want others to serve us. It is greatly encouraging to see something so beautiful encouraging us to invite in and satisfy the needs of others.

Get this book. Let it inspire you.

This book has been graciously provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers for review.

Talk to me, Abba.

Enjoy the precious life I have given you. Do not strive to perfect everything to your ideal. Enjoy exactly what I have given you. Don't miss the appointment I have given you because you are incensed at being interrupted. Listen to my Holy Spirit and you will see where I am working in your life. Your family is your ministry. Your neighbors are your ministry. Be open to how I ask you to serve each day.

1 Samuel 12:24

Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

For more on this segment, see this post.

The Beginner's Bible App

My girls and I were given the opportunity to review the new iPad app for the Beginner's Bible. At ages five and two, it is right up their alley. They loved the pictures and bright colors. The videos make all the stories they are learning come to life. The great part is that they both find the app engaging, even with their age difference. I call that a success.

There is a pack of stories, puzzles, games, and coloring pages that come with the app. You can also purchase more packs for only $1.99. I think it's a great deal and an excellent resource in teaching the gospel to your children. Also, having several other Bible story apps, I would say that this one is above par. It's free right now. Try it out for yourself.

A Little Help From Our Friends.

Denbigh and I love people. We love all the interesting things about what makes others unique. We enjoy rich character. Sometimes, in the midst of all the people that surround us on this planet, God reaches deep into recesses of our flawed hearts and gives us a special love for a certain people. I call this a Holy Spirit love affair. I cannot explain it any other way. I say that because I fully know our hearts are naturally wicked and selfish. Somehow, He gives this grace to love and go many extra miles to show love to these people. For some, this seems glamorous. Perhaps, they have been called to foreign missions. We seem to romanticize this for some reason. This call  came to us. God didn't tell us to pack our bags and head to Africa. He asked us to buy a run down mansion in a dilapidated town of very few people. He asked us to serve pastors and Christian workers who had been wounded like we had. 

Sometimes, people think we must have money to do this or find this restoration to be an elegant undertaking. These people must not have been here. It's tough. It's dirty. On many an occasion it will drive us to tears. Christ in His mercy continually lends His gentle push for us to keep going. He reminds us over and over to simply ask Him for what we need. We do. He has never failed to show up and pour out into this place in abundance. 

 That is why we are throwing open the doors to our house on October 20th. We want to share with you the beauty of the Lord in this town. We want to invite you to be a part of our story. You can help us restore, love, and feed our neighbors. Mostly, we want you to see something important. The same way God has not forgotten this tiny place that rarely shows up on any map, God has not forgotten you. You are dearly loved. 

Step into our story. 

Join us for our annual Fish Fry Fundraiser. October 20th - 

Buy tickets.

Quantity

10 Tickets $100.00 USD

Talk to me, Abba.

My healing touch will come into your life. Trust Me to use everything for your good and My glory. I will remove the dross from your life and you will be a perfected silver vessel for the smith. I am perfecting you in joy and in pain. Honor My choices by submitting to My will.

"Take away the dross from the silver,

And there comes out a vessel for the smith."

Proverbs 25:4

For more on this segment, see this post.