Psalm 23 revisited

I love the Bible... I love reading it. Historical stories, love letters, letters to the early churches, poems. It's a compilation of so many different types of writing, all God breathed.

Psalms are some of my favorites. Raw emotions & adoration to an all-powerful, all-loving God.

Psalm 23 is probably one of the most recognized Psalm in the world. You don't have to be a Christian or even a religious believer to know it. It is often read at funerals:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

However, this Sunday my view of that Psalm will forever be changed. It isn't about death at all... it's about life. About God's promises.

I won't do the sermon justice, so I encourage you to listen to it yourself. Head over to North Point Messages and listen to 'PROMISES'. Justin Grunewald dissects the Psalm and delivers it layman's terms that will really open your eyes.

What it all boils down to is this: God gives us promises. He wants to give us our heart's desire. He longs to have a relationship with us & provide for us. Psalm 23 is just a glimpse of His promises for us. Yet there is something that WE have to do.... for God to work those promises WE need to accept Him. The very first sentence is key!!!

The Lord is MY shepherd.

To many, He is THE shepherd, but He wants to be MY shepherd. Once He becomes my shepherd, he fulfills those promises.

Many blessings,
Allison

I'm movin on up.....

....to the East Side. No, not really. No deluxe apartment in the sky either.

Since the beginning of the school year, I have volunteered at church at UpStreet, which is the K-5th children ministry as a small group leader for 5th grade girls.

It has been an interesting year so far and I know there's still SO much more to come in the next few months. But God has been tugging on my heartstrings. He wants me to move up to middle school. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?

I think I signed up to be a small group leader kicking & screaming. Not ACTUALLY kicking & screaming. More like feeling inadequate. Was I really equipped to lead these girls? Is this my gift? I always saw myself as a 'behind-the-scenes' kind of girl.

God has been faithful. I have been blessed with a wonderful co-leader, Tricia, and a group of girls that just captured my heart. It's like having extra children - not having to worry about feeding & clothing them though.

Lately, I've been feeling a stirring in my heart. Do I want to stay in UpStreet or move up to the middle school environment, Xtreme? God's response: MOVE ON UP!

I don't know what lies ahead as I move up, but I'm SO excited to see what God has in store for me & Tricia!! He's got something great up His sleeves... we just need to be willing.

For now, I'm concentrating on Saturday - KIDVENTURE! What's KidVenture you ask? Oh man... it's going to be a super fun day!! Picture 750 kids, age 5-11 with a TON of adults bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, video games, pizza & soda!!! Did I mention it's for 3 hours!?!?!? It's going to be CRAZY and I can't wait!

Many blessings,
Allison

It's a great place to volunteer!!!

It's been rainy here in Georgia, which usually leads to boring weekends. With baseball practice cancelled once again, we were THRILLED to head to church in the afternoon for a volunteer get together. Of course, I didn't have my camera with me; only my cell phone.

UpStreet staff decided to honor their volunteers & families with a great day of food, fun & football! You know the men were thrilled to be watching a game, the kids were wearing themselves out in the jump houses & the ladies were thrilled they weren't at home playing referee.

During each commercial break, Tennessee Steve & Florida K-Love entertained us with contests & door prizes! We were the lucky winners of 4 tickets for SlapShots roller rink.

Half time proved to be the most entertaining! The North Forsyth High School Drum Line performed - they are AMAZING!!! Then we were treated to the cheers of the MidWay Wolverine Cheerleaders; very cute!!! No sporting event is complete without some 'famous' football players. Some of the UpStreet & WaumbaLand volunteers are local high school football players. They were nice enough to let us cheer for them & sign some autographs. Thanks North & West Forsyth guys!

The team I was rooting for didn't win, but we still had a great time! A fun way to spend family time & hang with your fellow volunteers. We don't usually have time to chat on Sundays!

Many blessings,

Allison

Transparency

Yesterday was a day like any day. I got to sleep late & then nap. Then it was off to Sharp Top to hang with the 7th & 8th graders from church (my husband is a coach for the small group leaders). The kids had a great time swimming in the pool. Justin even got blobbed!! Man, those are the times you wish you had your camera.

But what made the most impression on my heart was the cardboard testimonies. At the evening session, about 10 brave small group leaders stood up in front of their peers & these students and shared why God was worthy of their praise. Reading these signs & seeing how these adults were being transparent for their students brought tears to your eyes. Some battled drug & alcohol addiction, poor self-esteem, heart attack, divorce, broken homes, etc. But it was seeing how God transformed their lives. My heart swelled with love - not only for these amazing adults - for my God. He can take the ugliness of our lives & transform us into something wonderful.

What really brought tears to my eyes was seeing how these kids were affected by their leaders' testimonies. Seeing these kids, usually too cool for anything, walking out of session, crying. You could see how God spoke to them in that moment. Each student got to do their own cardboard testimony.

The best part was my kids asking questions. Even my sweet 11 year old daughter could identify with one of the leader's story. Not thinking she's pretty enough, smart enough, skinny enough. But realizing that God made her & he thinks that she is PERFECT!

We didn't stay to see the outcome, but I cannot wait to hear the stories. How kids' lives were transformed this weekend.

May you be transparent,
Allison

Virtual Church

Today marks a special day for my church. Why? Because today is the 1st day that they are streaming the 6pm service LIVE online. Worship, announcements, sermon - everything!

You may be wondering why that's such a big deal. Well, it is. Now thousands of people all over the world can tune in and have church. No more having to set foot in a strange church alone, feeling as though the 'regulars' are staring at you because you're new. They can experience God's word all without having to 'dress right'.

This is revolutionary. Not that our church is the first church to do this - hardly. But now people from all over the world can come together and hear the message. Afterward, they can stay and chat about it - ask questions. THAT is amazing!!!

If you haven't had a chance to check it out, have no fear. There's always NEXT Sunday! You can check out today's sermon - recorded - on North Point Community Church's website so you can catch up & be ready for next week.

Many blessings,
Allison

Night of Worship

If you are in the ATL area on Thursday, July 23rd, stop by Browns Bridge Community Church in Cumming for their third Night of Worship in 2009 from 7:30p to 9:00p. Join us for a time of music, communion, and prayer. There is no cost for Night of Worship.

Amazing blessings

God never ceases to amaze me.

Today, while sitting in church waiting for the service to begin, my husband was approached by a volunteer. He was handed an envelope with a note on it saying 'Do not open until you get home'. I'll admit, it was VERY difficult to sit through service wondering what this mystery envelope was all about. Yet, again, the service was wonderful & I was brought to tears.

We got to the van and Craig decided to open the envelope. There, inside, was a letter and a few 'Benjamins'. As Craig read the letter, tears flowed from our eyes.

Dear Friend,

This letter is going to sound a little strange but I promise I am a very reasonable, rational person. I have attended Browns Bridge since the day the doors were open and you have been an inspiration to me for many, many months now. No we don't know each other and no we have never spoken. In fact, I have never even seen your face. Crazy, right? Further, I am a very heterosexual male... so seeing your backside does not exactly inspire me in thouse ways (that's supposed to be funny).

You see, I sit up in the balcony and I love watching people in addition to listening to the service. Virtually every Sunday they will ask us to stand while someone is performing music etc. I have noticed you for some reason and you inspire me! Many, many times as the music starts playing if it is a particularly good song and if you are "into it" your right leg will start tapping keeping beat with the music... then your left arm will go up with one finger pointed up to God. It is not automatic for you... this is very important to me as I watch you... it is not a show and you don't do it every Sunday and you don't do it every song... only the ones that are touching you in a special way. That is just awesome to me! It generally instantly raises me awareness that God is present.

I don't know why exactly but seeing you without shame or embarrassment raise a hand etc is absolutely awesome to me. I think part of it is you're a guy... I k now sounds crazy but women raising their hands out number the guys by about 10 to 1. I often wonder what is going through your mind... is it I surrender Lord.. I love you Lord... Thank you Lord... Forgive me Lord... I praise you Lord? I suspect at different times it is all of these. I have accomplished many things in my life... many that have required great courage... yet I have not yet had the courage to raise a hand like you... I have been a Christian for many years and still can't quite get up the courage.. not sure exactly why?

Thank you so much for your courage to simply raise a hand... it inspires me! Please accept the enclosed money as a very small token of my appreciation. I just don't know how else to show you just how much your Christian witness means to me. It is my strong desire that this money somehow helps you personally with bills, Christmas gifts, a weekend getaway or just in someway brings even a minute of joy to you and your family the way you have brought joy to me. My only regret is that I can't do more... this is a big stretch as it is for me but I really wanted to do something. Please, please, please don't ever, ever stop responding when God is touching you!!!!!!!!!!! I have to believe I am not the only person you are inspiring!

A friend in Christ

P.S. I am remaining anonymous from you for several reasons: 1) I have a strong suspicion you are the type of person who would not accept my gift and I want you to have it. 2) I am not the type of person who could say these things to your face... we're guys! 3) I don't want anything in return... you have already given to me!!!!! May God bless you and your family... that is my sincere prayer! Have a Merry Christmas!

A stranger, someone who has never seen us or even met us, blessed us tremendously. God has blessed this person just by watching Craig worship & in turn this person has turned around and blessed us in such a surprising way.

We are forever grateful to our stranger angel and are humbled that God has used Craig in such a simple way to bring joy to another person.

Now to bless someone else....

Many blessings to you,
Allison