Praise God!

It is always fearful to a degree when your own child goes into surgery--no matter the type of surgery. Praise God Tabitha's surgery went well. The doctor said that she had some of the largest tonsils he had ever seen. He even hopes that this surgery will help her sleep better.

Thanks to all of you for praying for her. We really felt the comfort of God and the degree of anxiety was diminished through your thoughts. Prayer is a comforting thing. I explained to the doctor that many people were praying for him and that gave him confidence. He said, "I know now that everything is going to be fine!"

Thanks to Ellen's mom, mom & dad, Roy, Robin, and Donna for coming by. It is truly wonderful to see the faces of brothers and sisters in God's family coming to encourage us. Others called and we appreciate it. Special thanks to Charles Frederick, one of our shepherds, who called Tabitha the night before the operation and had prayer with her over the phone. He did this while sick himself.

Dancing With God

I am in the process of reading a book by Jeff Walling, "Daring to Dance with God." It truly is a great book. The central theme of what I have read so far has been that God desires that we dance with Him. He wants to take us in His arms and lead us through this journey with Him.

This morning at Creekside we read together Psalm 30. Versee 11-12 say, "You changed my sorrow into dancing. You took away my clothes of sadness, and clothed me in happiness. {12} I will sing to you and not be silent. LORD, my God, I will praise you forever." Do we really believe that? Has God ever turned your mourning to dancing or your sorrow to joy? He has for me!

When I really start thinking where God has led me from, I am in true awe! I still mess it up a lot! I still get in the way often, but He just keeps on doing it!

What would happen in Christianity if we all REALLY and TRULY started acting as though he has done this for us. Here are some thoughts on what might happen.

People would stop fighting over petty "church issues." God's people would begin living a life of real genuine joy! The kingdom of God's Son would be spread throughout the world in an amazing way. Marriages would be saved! Parents would parent in a way in which children would grow up in a healthy way. Jesus would be appealing to people of the world instead of appalling. They would see Christ so strongly in us that they would be won over to Him and not to "church." The poor would be clothed and fed. And the list could go on and on.

What do you think would happen if the world could see that God has truly turned our sadness into joy by what He has done in our lives? Write and respond to this BLOG and let me know.