friday update

Blessed Portion Friday Update for 5-11-18

"We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save ourselves nor sanctify ourselves, God does that; but God will not give us good habits, He will not give us character, He will not make us walk aright. We have to do all that ourselves, we have to work out the salvation God has worked in." Beware of the tendency of asking the way when you know it perfectly well. Take the initiative, stop hesitating, and take the first step. Be resolute when God speaks, act in faith immediately on what He says, and never revise your decisions. (thanks to Sheri Carlstrom for posting this so I could not only be convicted by it but share it as well)

Hello Everyone,

Tonight was about mamas and a few other things. First off thanks to Donna Ramer for helping me purchase 32 bouquets for our Friday mamas!!! Some of our moms don't have their children with them and I'm sure it is tough. Hopefully some flowers can bring a little smile to their faces....these are not all the mamas who received flowers these are just the ones we were able to get a picture of.

Thanks to Hallmark Home Mortgage, Deborah Sturges, Tina Bennett, Tracy White,, Maria Rios and the others on their team who made sure we had Zianos for dinner!! We had plenty of food- pasta, bread sticks, salad and lots of cookies.....thank you again for thinking of us and making sure everyone was full!!

Some good news....a friend we have been telling you about the last few weeks has found his way to a recovery home and is a week clean and sober. He called on Thursday night asking if he could once again join us in serving on Friday. We said absolutely and it was SO nice having him back. He joked how that he knew one night we were coming to see some other friends (and he was staying there) and he took off because he didn't want us to see him in that situation. He talked about how hard it is to stay clean, and yet how hard it is to sleep outside and sometimes not even know where you are. We are praying he will continue to stay on this journey of recovery and understand he is worth it!! Talked with a mama tonight who shared how hard it is for her as well to stay clean....pressure from others her age and in her circles at times is too overwhelming and she finds herself giving in..........yet tonight she said she relapsed BUT she is getting clean again. Have heard it takes many times for addicts to finally get to the point of recovery and so we don't judge, but encourage those to do what they need to do. To surround themselves with others who are making better choices, to attend meetings, have accountability. One friend tonight said that for him its been amazing to see that when he hangs around "church people", gets himself to church things go a lot smoother. He has been clean for two weeks and has been able to get a lot of personal matters settled in order for him to live on his own...and he looks amazing!!! Told him we were proud of him and he said he would be ready for church Sunday!!!

Listened as a man shared some experiences he had in prison, how he was beat up pretty bad by gang members and yet how he remembered his moms words during that attack. She had told him that the most powerful name is the name of Jesus. That if he were to just say His name out loud all demons had leave at that moment.........and so during his beat down he did just that. He called out JESUS and he said that he felt a force pull him from off the ground and out of the many hands that were beating him almost to death. He has since given his life to Christ and oh how he loves Jesus.

His story reminded me that even with my kids I have always taught them that as his mom did that the name of Jesus is their best weapon. That anytime they were scared or needed something to just say.... Jesus. They have been taught as our friend as well that all demonic powers hate Jesus and have to bow to that name, and again to say out loud His name for He is their protector. Our friend said when he was younger his mom said it over and over again, and half the time he would think..yea ok mom..........but when he really needed saving he remembered what to do and it worked. He has a powerful story and I'am excited to learn more about him and his life as we continue to see him.

So we ended our night seeing our favorite ladies at Hobson house and giving them some flowers as well. They seem to be well, but they need our prayers and encouragement as well so pray for them. Pray for those who also are outside...yes, there are mamas sleeping in tents tonight and its hard to see. One friend had her flower bouquet in her tiny tent and while it doesn't fix things hopefully again she knows she is loved by us.

We also talked about what is at the top of this update....how that God doesn't give us character or good habits....we have to choose that. We have to choose to take the first step to whatever He is showing us and once we do that is when He says..."Ok, I see your moving in obedience and faith so lets do this." Its not easy and its not always safe feeling but it is a act of faith and God is faithful to help walk it out....:)

Thanks to Pathway Community Church, Grace Summit Church, Hamilton Church of Christ, Lori Williams, Jacquie Aldrich, Claudia Weesner, Amber Gaskill, Tracy White, Deborah Sturges, Tina Bennett, Maria Rios, Michael Jordan, Mjs Apparel, Auburn Massage and Wellness, Mark Stebing, Jennifer Lynne Stebing, Sarah Bigelow Lapadot, Laura Mock, Deb Diller, and all of you who donate each week that I don't see...thank you!!!

*Remember: Ask someone to church this week. Maybe buy them coffee or lunch after..l.never know it may just change their life forever and just possibly yours as well!!!! happy Mothers Day to all the mamas on Sunday!!