National Back to Church Sunday

If you haven't heard, this Sunday, September 18th,  is National Back to Church Sunday.

If you've been thinking of going back to church but never seem to get around to it... or if you've never been and would like to check it out... then how about this Sunday?

Or... maybe there's someone you've been meaning to invite. Well, here is the perfect reminder.

Watch the video below and check out this website to find a church in your area.

 

Hope to see you there! :)

UNITEforLIFE Webcast With Abby Johnson

Life is full of decisions, and every decision we make has an echo that affects our future.

On May 17th at 8:00 PM local time (9pm in the Maritimes), come be a part of the UNITEforLIFE webcast with Abby Johnson, a former abortion clinic director for Planned Parenthood. Join us for heartfelt discussions as Abby shares her long-held desire to help women in crisis, and the moment of pure awakening that led her to re-evaluate her life’s work.




Please go to Uniteforlifewebcast.org. Starting Friday, May 13, 2011 and continuing through Tuesday, May 17, 2011 (the day of the webcast) use this graphic as your profile image to show you’re support for the event with other pro-lifers on Facebook. Just right click on the image and choose “Save Picture as” and save the image to your computer. Then, on Facebook, select this image as your profile pic.

Just right-click on the image, choose "save picture as" and save to your computer.
Then, on Facebook, select this image as your profile pic.

It only takes a little time to get involved and spread the word. Would you please pass this information along? And more than anything else... please pray for the event and all those attending.

Thanks and God bless!  :)

Things I Learned Following The Cross

It's amazing how God can use a single event to change your life.

That's what happened to me after walking down the Fremont Street Experience with Arthur Blessitt as he carried the cross. And then to hear him share all that the Lord has done in his life over the years... well, it just spoke volumes to my heart. It's been a week now and the Lord is still showing me new things.

I know I've already posted about the movie The Cross and the CrossWalk itself, but I learned so much... I really want to share a little more.

I'm not sure what I expected from the walk. I was excited to go and be a part of it. That I knew. But I was unsure of how the evening would go. I guess if I'm honest, I was thinking people would just kind of walk up to me... ask me about the Lord... and I'd smile, say "God Bless You" and give them a tract. You know? Then they'd be all happy and as excited as I was and just follow along. Right? Well...  I was hoping. But that's not exactly how it went.

It's been at least 20 years since I've been involved in any kind of street witnessing, so I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I was more than a little intimidated. Times have certainly changed. Some people were not as welcoming. Some wouldn't even acknowledge us. Yet some were interested and wanted to know more. My BFF and my Little Boy ended up handing out most of my tracts and stickers. I guess I was like the one providing for the 'missionaries' to go out. They both did a great job - and I'm so proud of them.

But to show you God's goodness.... When it was almost the end of the walk, about 3/4 of the way back, a man walked right up to me and asked if he could have the last tract I had in my hand. Here I didn't have the boldness or courage to witness to strangers, and my loving Father sent someone to me and showed me that He can and will use me in spite of my weaknesses.

Arthur Blessitt said "I am unworthy to be called by God - but my unworthiness does not disqualify me from the call of God." What a revelation that was for me this weekend. Instead of standing there fighting that 'thing' in my life that I just can't quit, can't do, can't fix or can't be... all I have to do is follow Jesus. Lay it all down... and follow Jesus.

I watched my 'Little Boy' follow Jesus on that walk. I saw him being used by God. Struggles and all. Talking to strangers. Walking up to people who would have walked right passed us. Sharing Jesus, inviting them to church. and loving them. God gave me a vision that weekend for my son... I saw him walking toward the cross, following Jesus... as he left those addictions behind. What an awesome God we serve!

My Baby Girl was walking with us and we would often get behind or too far ahead. From the beginning, she took it upon herself to be the one to 'keep her eyes on the cross'. She would ask "Mom, where's the cross? Where's the big cross?" What a great lesson for my 7-year-old. I told her how proud I was of her for always looking for the cross, always knowing where we were supposed to go... so we didn't get lost. I shared with her that this is how we should live our lives. We should always be looking to Jesus. We should always look to see where He is leading us... and follow after Him so we don't lose our way.

When we reached the end of Fremont Street, which marked the 1/2 way point, we were to turn around and head back. Well... at the end of the street there were these dancers up on a small stage outside of the casinos. Fremont Street is not family friendly, so these girls where pretty scantily clad. My first reaction was to tell my kids, "Don't look at the half-naked women up there... look the other way." Well... I stood convicted. The Lord showed me that I was trying so hard to avoid sin that I was overlooking those who were still trapped in it.

As I would later learn... one of the dancers, when she saw Arthur Blessitt walking by... jumped right off the stage and ran to the cross. Not worried about her job, how she was dressed, or what anyone else thought... she ran to the cross. She told Arthur Blessitt that she knew who he was, had seen the movie "The Cross" and was showing it to all her friends. God was using her. He saved her... right where she was.

There are many people who will never see the inside of a church... but they can meet Jesus out on the street... if we are willing to take Him there.

As I listened to Arthur speak Sunday night at our church, one thing touched me in a way that will never leave me...

He said when people say things like "Brother Arthur, you have such great faith, I wish I had the kind of faith you have." or "It must take great faith to go into all these places."...

He tells them... he doesn't go because he has great faith...he goes because he loves Jesus.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

Lord, I want to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength.

Thanks for reading and God bless!
Mary Ann :)

CrossWalk 2011 with Arthur Blessitt

What an amazing night! Of all my years in Las Vegas, I would have never thought I'd see such a thing as a large cross being carried down Fremont Street. Much less witnessing to the passers-by. This is my city... MY city... and I have never seen such a thing. Only God can make it happen! And that... He did!

 Arthur Blessitt praying for us and the people we'd meet and giving us information about the event. He provided tracts and stickers to hand out as we walked.

And we're off...  Right at the beginning, Arthur is already talking to someone about Jesus. As he stopped along the way, those who came for the event were talking to people as they passed by and handing out tracts. Many were curious as to what was going on. Some accepted Jesus. Some didn't want to hear. Some took our tracts and stickers and others refused to even acknowledge us. But the love of Jesus was seen and heard... acknowledged or not.

Praying for someone along the way.

Many people came up to talk to Arthur during the walk.

And he took the time to talk and pray with each of them.

Sharing Jesus with 'Elvis'. :)

It was a wonderful time of witnessing God's love being shared so unconditionally with others. Funny, I thought I'd be spending the night ministering to others.... but God used the time to minister to me.

I'd like to share a little of what I learned tonight... but I will have to do that in another post. Soon to come!

Thanks for reading and God bless!
Mary Ann :)

"The Cross"... The Arthur Blessitt Story

Available at www.blessitt.com

Last night our church showed the movie "The Cross"... the story of Arthur Blessitt. If you've never heard of this man, let me tell you a little about him.

Arther Blessitt began as a preacher on the Sunset Strip. He ministered and shared the love of Jesus to those who others may say are unworthy. Hippies, hookers, drug addicts, Hell's Angels, rock stars and more. He has a heart to love people. ALL people.

In 1968, he said that God told him to take his cross and start walking across America. Two weeks before he was scheduled to leave, he found himself in the hospital, with a brain aneurysm. Faced with the news that any excessive walking or heavy lifting could cause the aneurysm to burst and kill him, he decided that he would rather die doing the will of God, than live outside of it. He said that his circumstances did not alter the call of God on his life... so he headed out, as planned, on Christmas day.

Now, after more than 40 years, Arthur has walked the world over. He's been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for "World's Longest Walk", walking through 315 countries, walking on every continent, and crossing every ocean. He has shared the love of Jesus with every people group, of every language. He has walked through places that no one else would go, knowing that God was sending him.

Here's a trailer of the movie...

Arthur Blessitt is a humble man. He's seen many miracles, and he gives all the Glory to God, and God alone. He says... "I am unworthy to be called by God- but my unworthiness does not disqualify me from the call of God."

I'm very excited for the weekend ahead. Arthur is coming to my city, Las Vegas, to carry the cross down Fremont Street, and share the love of Jesus. I know God is working in Vegas. I miss the days when christians had a heart for the lost, and I'm hoping this weekend will restore that passion in me, and in others.

Lord, give us a heart to reach the lost for You. Bless this event and use it to Your Glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Thanks for reading and God bless!

Mary Ann :)

Hope For A Child

A couple of weeks ago we had a 'Ladies Tea' at our church. It was a great time of fellowship with lots of great food. The picture below is just a portion of what was available and it was all delicious.

See the little mini tart in the upper right-hand corner? That was my absolute favorite! Everyones favorite! It was a pastry shell filled with the best chicken salad EVER. I am going to hunt down the recipe and hopefully share it here. You will love it!

The 'Tea' was actually a kick-off for the annual Operation Christmas Child event through Samaritans Purse. Those who wish to participate fill a shoebox with items for a young boy or girl. Choose an age group, follow a list of recommend and restricted items, write a note or enclose a picture if you'd like, label it and send it off. After we finished with our meal, it was time for the guest speaker. A beautiful young lady named Oksana Nelson.

Oksana was an orphan in Russia until the age of ten. She spoke of her life there... She told how all of the kids in the orphanage had to share the same toothbrush. They didn't have one of their own. She told how they could only take a bath every other week and when they did... they had to boil and carry water from next door that would most often be frozen on top before they got it into the tub. A place so dark and void of love that none of them had any hope for their future.

That is until some missionaries came and delivered shoeboxes filled with gifts for each of them. For the first time, Oksana had something that was her own. She had her own toothbrush. Doesn't seem like a big thing to us... but to a child who has nothing, it means the world to them. For once in her life, Oksana felt that she was loved and that she had a future.

And God gave her a future. She was soon adopted by a couple in Texas, has been living with them for almost 10 years, and now she is involved in blessing other children with Christmas shoeboxes the same way she had been blessed herself. Below is a short video of her story. Please watch...

If you would like to get involved and send a Christmas shoebox of your own, please visit Operation Christmas Child for more information. This is a great way to give hope to a child. I encourage you to get involved today.
 
If you'd like to learn more... please watch this promotional video from Operation Christmas Child from Samaritan's Purse. It's just a few minutes... but it can make a lifetime of a difference.

Thanks for reading and God bless!
Mary Ann :)

Women of Faith...

Friday morning we were off to the Women of Faith conference. We went with great expectation... and we were not disappointed. The first speaker was Sheila Walsh. She had so much to share and I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't. You know I can't write that fast! :)

I'm sure there was one thing that spoke to everyone in their own way. Not the same for each person. Amazing how God can work that way isn't it? I've heard several different stories of what the women took away from Sheila Walsh... and this is what spoke to me:

Sheila was speaking on TRUST. One of the first things she said was "Trust is what love looks like." I have to admit I have a big problem with trust. I'm used to doing things myself. Being in control so I know what to expect. I don't like it when I don't know what to expect. Well... guess what. For the last two years that is EXACTLY where God has had me... not knowing what to expect. I was just learning to function when things were normal, on schedule. I need to know what is going to happen and when it's going to happen... and if you can throw in why it's going to happen... well then, I'm just a happy camper! But God's ways are not my ways. His plans are not my plans. His ways are higher, and I'm so glad HE is in control.

One story Sheila shared was from her childhood. She recalled that when she was quite young, her older sister used to push her on a swing. She would swing so high... she would close her eyes and imagine she was flying. Then one day, she opened her eyes to see her sister sitting in the grass in front of her. All of a sudden she thought "Who is pushing me?". She turned around and saw the neighbor boy... who wasn't very nice... pushing her swing. And all of a sudden she was afraid. You see, she trusted her sister. But, she did not trust the neighbor boy. And then she asked, "Do you trust the heart of the One who is pushing your life?" You see, when we know that God is moving us, 'pushing' our lives, we have no need to fear. We know He has the best in mind for us. Fear comes in when we allow our lives to be moved by someone other than God. Maybe ourselves, others, or 'things' in our lives. We need to let God do the pushing.

So, Sheila then goes on to talk about fear. "Fear is contagious!" she says. "People are not our enemy. Our real enemy is our lack of trust in God!" Can you say.... Ouch!? Yep... I felt that one deep in my soul. How often do I fear? How often do I get angry with someone for making a bad decision because it affects my life, my future? I realized that when we trust God completely we will not have a need to know what to expect. When our eyes are focused on Him and Him alone, we don't see all that surrounds us. Just the loving arms that are waiting so patiently, so lovingly, for us to run to Him so He can direct our paths. I've heard it said that we tell God 'Show me and I'll go.' But God says 'Go... and I'll show you.' I guess that's the difference between trusting God or trusting ourselves.

Someone asked "How do I know if I'm trusting God with my whole heart?" and she answered with these questions:

1. Do I feel a need to be in control?
2. Is my #1 sense anxiety or confidence?
3. Do I feel a slight disconnect from God and those around me?

I often feel afraid of the future. I believe it's because I'm trusting in myself or someone other than God. I don't always know that the outcome will be for my best or with my best in mind. If I could just learn to let God be in control... keep my eyes focused on Him, I would have to need to fear.

One last thing I'll share. She said, "Wouldn't it be something if we showed up at church with our 'baggage' on the outside of us? People who don't go to church just might come." Sometimes it's hard to admit to others where we are in life or in our faith. If we could just learn to be real... be honest... then we could come together and pray and lift each other up. There is power in prayer! We need the prayers of others and they need ours as well. But how can we pray if we paint our lives as if nothing is wrong? We spend too much time trying to be "Super Christian". That's not what the world needs to see. And we need to stop thinking that life has no troubles.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
-John 16:33

Sheila Walsh is a great speaker and contemporary christian singer. I have loved her music, her books, and now her speaking for years. She has a new book that I was dying to get at the Women of Faith conference (ok... so I wanted them ALL), but I was on a strict budget and didn't buy even one. Now that is discipline! I hope to read it in the future and write a review.... but until then, if you'd like to read it yourself I have posted a link below. I'm sure you will enjoy it. She is a great writer. God bless!

Wonderful Day with Women of Faith

Wow! Yesterday was amazing! I can't remember the last time I was gone ALL DAY... or if I ever was. Long hours. 9am - 10pm. But is was worth it.

I love all the speakers at the Women of Faith conference. Such wonderful people with hearts for God. I love hearing Sheila Walsh. She has a way of sharing her story that keeps you wanting more. I could listen to her speak all day.

Marcus Buckingham was great. What a pleasure it was to hear all he had to say. Valuable information told with such humor and delight.

Lisa Harper was so refreshing. So real. She can have you laughing until you cry... or just crying with her as she shares her life story. An amazing woman... loved her.

And Natalie Grant... Have you heard her sing? I don't mean her songs on the radio... I mean just listening to her sing live, in person. What a gift! She has every right to be out in the world boasting of her gift along with the best of them! But she's not. She uses her gift to glorify God and when she sings her love for Him shines through a humble heart.

Did I say yesterday was amazing??? Well, I was right!

So I'm off for another day of Women of Faith. Only 9am-5pm today. Sooo excited!

I would love to write more as there were other speakers and I learned so much. Hopefully next week I can share a little from my notes. I would also like to read some of the books offered by the speakers and review them here. Until then... have a great day! :)

Women of Faith

Today is the first day of the "Women of Faith" conference. My daughter and I will be gone the whole day since we live so far from the venue... won't have time to come home during the break. It will be rush hour. I can't remember ever being away from home for so long. Not being here when the kids get home from school, not here for dinner or to tuck them in bed. Hmmm... I'm sure they will be fine without me. Right? I just really enjoy being with them and miss being home. Even when it's a good thing. I am really excited to go to the conference. I haven't been to one in about 10 years so I plan to enjoy the day with my oldest daughter and trust God to renew my spirit once again. That's what I need most... renewal. Lord, teach me today, as I go with expectancy to meet you there. And give me a little extra so I can come home and share with others. Amen.



Ok... totally off the subject. But, how do they get "won't" from "will not"? Just wondering...