Good morning, my bloggy friends! It's Friday!!!!! In our small group, we are studying sections of the book of Isaiah. In particular, this week, we are studying about the prophecy of "the servant" (the Messiah):

52:13-15 the shocking servant
53:1-3 the sorrowing servant
53:4-6 the smitten servant
53:7-9 the silent servant
53:10-12 the satisfied servant

What a powerful description of our Savior is in these passages. I encourage you to read over them and remember the servant life that Jesus lived and the sacrifice that He made for each of us.

Then consider - Am I following His example by living a servant life? Am I willing to serve, even when it's difficult or inconvenient? What sacrifices do I need to make in order to better serve God by serving others?

Have a great day and a great weekend!!!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Our God is such an amazing God!! I stand in awe of Him as I watch Him orchestrate every detail of my life.

For the past several years, I have attended the Hearts at Home Conference (www.hearts-at-home.org) in Bloomington, IL. Through this conference, God has brought great revelation to me. When I registered online this year, I felt the tug to sign up as a volunteer. I wasn't sure what it would bring, but I checked the volunteer box.

Yesterday, I received an email from the volunteer coordinator, including a list of jobs and asking what I would want to do. I noticed that there was an opportunity to be a speaker's assistant, which I thought would be so cool, but wanting God to direct me, I replied to her email stating that I was open and available to do whatever they needed. Before I hit send, I prayed and asked God to put me in the place that He wanted me.

When she replied, she stated that they really needed me to be a speaker's assistant which would include helping the speaker with anything she needed (introducing her before sessions, running her book table, directing where she needs to go, etc.). I was so excited and thankful to have this great opportunity to get to know and learn from another well-known speaker.

This year, I won't be attending the conference in my normal, comfortable role, but am so excited to see what God will teach me through this new experience.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Yesterday, we talked about hardship and how only God can give us the strength we need to endure. Today, I was reading Mark 14:32-42, when Jesus was agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed. I noticed what He prayed as He faced taking on the sin of the world.

Verse 36 "And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will."

This is a perfect prayer, coming from the only One perfect to walk this earth.

This should be our example. This should be our prayer. Remember first, who God is and that all things are possible through Him - then ask for help - lastly admit and believe that His will is best and you want it done in your life.

Short but powerful!!

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning my bloggy friends! I have a correction to make from yesterday's post - I put the wrong website address for the church we attended in Lafayette - it's www.churchalivewc.org.

Throughout your life, have you ever felt totally hopeless and helpless? Have you ever been so troubled or terrified that you felt like you had no strength left - like it was just impossible to go on? Have you ever been so burdened that you couldn't move?

I'm sure many of you can answer yes to this question - I can also. Daniel also felt this way. In Daniel 10, Daniel is terrified by a vision. We talked a few days ago about the angel that came to Daniel to bring him comfort. Verses 17-19 is dialog between Daniel and the angel who has the appearance of a man.

"For how can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me." Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. He said, "O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!" Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, "May my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

What a great reminder to us all. Irregardless of what's happening around us, how terrified, troubled or burdened we are - our strength comes from God. We learned earlier in verse 12 that because Daniel had a humbled heart that desired understanding, his pleas were heard and God responded.

Daniel's new found strength and courage came from the Lord. He could endure, not because of anything he did, but because of what God did. The same is true for us. Are you hurting? Are you worried? Are you feeling alone and abandoned? Are you searching for peace and strength? It comes from One and only One.

Lord, I pray for freedom. Not freedom from pain, but to be free from being consumed by circumstances. Help me to remember that strength and peace only comes from you. Help me to remember to pray first, not last. Lord, fill me with Your strength this day. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

I hope, I mean really hope, that someone took me up on the challenge from Friday. If you did, please post a comment to let me know how specifically watching for God, impacted your life.

Over the weekend, we went to Indiana to visit with our friends. Oh, what fun we had! You may not believe this, but I learned how to play guitar, bass, drums and sing in two days!! :) I was officially a "Rock Band" rock star! Check out the pics:Christie on bass Christie on guitar
Singing "Eye of the Tiger" Boy, by the look on my face, it must take more concentration to play drums. I do have to say, they were my favorite. Anyway I can release tension by hitting something works well for me!
I also met three new friends. From the left, Deb, Laura and Christie. Oh what fun these women are! I'll definitely be going back soon to hang with them some more. Here's my boy, playing behind his back. He amazes me with his video game talent!
Last, but not least, my girlfriend, Carol, getting a 100% on singing. You go, girl!! :)

Sunday we went to church with them at Church Alive (www.churchalive.org). What an amazing experience of worshipping with song and Word. I was so touched during the service by the presence of God. Our friends had shared with us some hardships that they were enduring and during the service, the preacher called out their names and assured them that they were "going through the fire" for a purpose. What a word from God!!

We headed home and then attended the community worship at Fairbury High School, featuring Asher ( a local band including our friend Dan Ucherek on drums) and local pastors. It was a wonderful service!

WOW!! Whew! What a great time we had. I'm pumped and ready for a new week!

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

I have been meaning to mention to you about our friend who is just starting out in his singing career. His name is Dan Ucherek, and he has an amazing voice. Here's a video of him singing "Drifter" at our church. Let me know if you would like to hear more, or invite him to sing at your church. His demo cd will be coming out soon. Happy listening!! :)

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=108326180356&subj=833260523

Daniel has seen some very disturbing visions and he is afraid. A "man" comes to him (most likely an angel) to bring him comfort and says to him "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words." (Daniel 10:1-12)

Cool Cool stuff! When you set your heart on understanding and humbling yourself before God - stuck out to me like a flashing fluorescent sign. I spent many years thinking that people who "heard" from God were crazy. I had never heard from God, so I assumed they must be making it up.

I've also had many people look at me like I'm crazy when I share what God has spoke to me or what He is leading me to do. The difference between now and then, isn't God, but me. He is always the same, He never changes, He patiently waits for me. For me - to set my heart on understanding, on humbling myself, on patiently waiting for Him, on seeking Him with everything I am.

When I truly seek - I truly hear. When I truly seek, my desires are heard and He will respond - just like in Daniel's situation.

Also, do not confuse not hearing God with hearing God and not wanting to do what He asks. I can admit that there have been many times that the Holy Spirit has prompted me to do something and I quickly blow it off with every justification that I can think of. It doesn't change that God was speaking to me, it just changes my response to His calling.

I challenge you to look and listen for God in every situation today. Write down how many times you experience Him and let me know. I want to hear everything from admiring His creation, all the way to earth shattering revelations.

Will you accept the challenge???

Have a great day and a great weekend

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie