Sleepless Nights

Can a blog be called “Be Refreshed” if it hasn’t been refreshed in 13 days?  It’s a good thing I didn’t make a New Year’s resolution to blog everyday.

I had a hard time getting to sleep last night.  Tossing.  Turning.  I had a deacon meeting last night and just couldn’t get to sleep.  Now if you’re a pessimist you’re probably thinking another deacon board meeting filled with strife, but the truth was all the praises had me unable to sleep.  A great Winter Camp for the Rangers.   Answers to prayer.  Good year-end reports.  Positive projects done in 2011.

To be honest I’m even excited for the annual meeting.  There are always challenges, but God has really blessed us and I still think we have the best servants in northern IL.  I’m especially looking forward to Sunday morning.  A great time of worship and then we’re going to mix it up a bit.  It’s easy for me to bang the drum, but what is God up to?  Well, let’s ask someone.  Don’t miss it!

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 24:3-4  ³ By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; ⁴ through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

Scripture of the Day:  Lamentations 3:22-24 ²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Quote of the Day:  “People have often described me as a blogger. I generally shy away from the term because, to me, bloggers are boring, self obsessed narcissists who use their website mainly as a means to discuss the inconsequential minutiae of their day to day lives.” Anonymous

 

You’re Invited!

Jeremiah GMA

 

Jeremiah’s big Gold Medal of Achievement Award Ceremony is coming up soon on February 19th at 6 p.m. here at Bethel.  I have attached a link to his announcement poster above if you want to see the before and after pictures.  It is similar to a Boy Scot Eagle Scout medal and he has been working hard for years.  I believe he will be Bethel’s first GMA ever.  SO plan now and mark your calendar to come celebrate with us.  Refreshments too!

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 11:22  Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

Scripture of the Day:   Deuteronomy 6:49  ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  ⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Quote of the Day:   It is easier to build a boy than to mend a man.   (Attributed to various people)

 

Normal?

Ethan headed back to college yesterday so life is getting somewhat back to normal.  It was great to have him home for the month but the change in dynamics, not to mention sleeping arrangements, is just enough to throw everything out of kilter.  Isaac was glad to take back over the basement bedroom and Jeremiah helped him move.

I preached on The Worship of Giving yesterday!  Tried to make it fun and positive.  I’ve found out over the years that givers LOVE sermons on giving and the rest just avoid eye contact.  I hope you loved my sermon:)

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 9:9  Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

Scripture of the Day:  2 Corinthians 9:6-7   ⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Quote of the Day:  “Give according to your income, lest God make your income according to your giving.” Unknown

 

A Running Start

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a blessed season of rejoicing, hope, and Immanuel.

But probably the schools are starting back up, the vacations days are over, and 2012 is starting to settle in.  So get a running start with us with a week of prayer and fasting to get the new year up and running.  We started last night with worship, testimonies, and personal needs, and each night through Friday we’ll be meeting in the Bethel sanctuary at 7 p.m. for prayer and worship.  Tuesday is focused on our country.  Wednesday on worship and ministries.  Thursday on revival.  Friday on unsaved loved ones.  And then we’ll wind up the week Sunday night at 6 with praise and more prayer.

Hope to see you there!

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 3:3-4  ³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  ⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Scripture of the Day:  1 Thessalonians 5:17   “Pray continually.”

Quote of the Day:  Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer. –Ed Cole

 

Tebow Timeout

A little Tebow Timeout during your holiday schedule.

Isaac kept planking things during our Uth video scavenger hunt this summer so I bought him this t-shirt for his birthday.

Even Santa stopped to Tebow!

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 28:18 He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.

Scripture of the Day:  Romans 14:11-12  ¹¹It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’”  ¹² So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Quote of the Day:  “When guys say ‘I’m not a role model’.  Well, yes you are.  You’re just a bad one.”  Tim Tebow

 

Limbo Land

Ethan’s home.  Home School is on break.  No midweeks this week at church.  It’s that odd in between Christmas and New Years time of year.  It’s not really vacation, yet not really a regular work week either.  I went to the office today, but it was a lot of little stuff.  Bulletin info, some e-mails, communion reminders, prep for meeting with the city tomorrow, etc.  I wonder if your week is a little odd this week too?

I did redeem some of the time with a little sermon prep and week of prayer prep.  I’m reading the book, He Hears Your Prayers, by Ron Auch.  This is a great time of year to refresh your prayer life and get a jump on 2012.  New Year’s resolutions are pretty hit and miss, but a good sweep of your spirit isn’t a bad idea.  What has crept in and wanted to stay?  What got pushed to the side in the busyness of life?  What is God saying to you?  Would you know Him if He did speak to you?

So take advantage of the limbo days this week and grab a good book.  Pull up by the Christmas tree with your Bible and send some time with the Lord.  Pick up a little spiritual speed before it’s resolution time.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 27:19   As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.

Scripture of the Day:  Revelation 3:20  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Quote of the Day:  There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying. –John G. Lake

 

Merry Day After Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  I pray you had a wonderful day of rejoicing on Christmas.  We had been to Sonya’s family for Thanksgiving and spent a wedding weekend this fall with my family, so Christmas found us at home with the immediate family for a beautiful day together.  I fired up the smoker with a turkey, pork shoulder, pork loin and brats so while we don’t have a fireplace, we had plenty of smoke.

I hope you made it out to the Christmas Eve service.  A few words to describe it would be: Beautiful, Joyous, and WOW!  The WOW is a full house on Christmas Eve.  I even had to send Ethan Elf backstage to make up more candles.  Thanks to everyone who came out and participated.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 26:14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.

Scripture of the Day:  Matthew 2:1-2  ¹ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magifrom the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the eastand have come to worship him.”

Quote of the Day:  The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

 

Merry Christmas Eve!

I’m guessing you may have had a busy week.  School vacations, work, shopping for gifts, cooking, travel, family coming, and the list goes on.  If that sounds even remotely familiar I have a wonderful idea, The Bethel Christmas Eve Candlelight Service tonight at 7 p.m.  All Candles, all carols.  Hot chocolate and cookies.  A couple neat testimonies of God’s power and love.  The Christmas story.  It’s in my top two favorite services of the year.  A chance to step back and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords.  I love all the “stuff” of Christmas traditions but this is a beautiful chance to sit at the manger in awe and worship.  See you tonight at 7.  I promise you will Be Refreshed!

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 24:33-34   ³³ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— ⁴ and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

Scripture of the Day:  Luke 2:9-11 ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Quote of the Day:   “All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” David Jeremiah

 

Low Gear

It’s kinda weird how the church calender grinds to a crawl as soon as the Bethel Family Christmas is over.  The first half of December is full of meetings, planning, parties, musicals, etc. and then the week of Christmas the pace slows to a steady hum of peace and joy.  Midweeks and prayer meetings on hiatus.   Meetings done.  Phones are quiet.  Peace on earth, goodwill towards men.  Time to catch up on all that stuff on the desk that keeps getting pushed back.  A few extra visits.  Some planning for the future.  Checking the candles for Saturday. A visit to the mayor today!  OK, so the land deal has me scheduling a few extra meetings, but that’s exciting.

Thanks to everyone who came out Sunday night for the Bethel Family Christmas.  The fellowship hall was packed.  The food was plentiful.  Ethan, Isaac, Jeremiah & Elizabeth hit a home run with all their cooking projects.  Great open mic time.  The singing around the Christmas tree was even normal this year.  haha

Don’t forget our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Saturday at 7 pm.  Candles, carols. a few neat testimonies, special music, and the Christmas story.  And if you’re not in a hurry to leave, stop by the Overflow Cafe for some hot chocolate and cookies.  We’ll supply the hot chocolate and coffees if you’ll bring a plate of cookies (hint, hint).

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 20:15  Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

Scripture of the Day:  Mathew 1:20-21 ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins.”

Quote of the Day:  Christmas is a time when you get homesick – even when you’re home.   Carol Nelson

 

2 Days!

2 Days!

Just two days until the Sunday before Christmas!  A full house ready to worship.  A couple of awesome praises to share!  Then we’ll end the night with The Bethel Family Christmas.

A couple of the kids and I hit the grocery stores today and 2 full carts later the preparation will begin in earnest tomorrow.  Cakes, pies, cookies, dipped pretzels, cheeses balls, and more.  Don’t miss this great time Sunday night at 6 as my family says Merry Christmas!  A little different twist this year is all the kids are adopting several items to fix on their own.  We used to prop them up to the counter on chairs and they would dip marshmallows on a straw in chocolate but now they have graduated to the big leagues.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 16:8  Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

Scripture of the Day:  Isaiah 9:6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Quote of the Day:  He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.   Charlotte Carpenter