How can a Christian draw closer to the Lord?

Pastor Hansen spoke on this.....very encouraging!!

James 4:7-9

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness."

1. TRUST in His Timing

-to trust in Hm is to put your faith in Him

-I need to TRUST Him everyday!

-I need to be keeping and building my faith in Him....seeing it and watching it.

A. His perfect timing

-When the timing is worked correctly God gets the glory!

-Proverbs 3:5-6

B. His timing is purposeful

-is my purpose self motivated or Spirit motivated?

2. RELY on His Promises

-11 Corinthians 7:1

-In a stage of more fully relying on Him

-I need to keep relying on His promises

A. His promises are dependent upon confession

-without confession we lack reliance-pride

-as we rely on His promises we have-hope

B. His promises are deciphered in consecration

-my hope is made alive when I have reliance on Him

3. WAIT for His Answers

-Isaiah 30:18

-Psalms talks numerous times on waiting on the Lord-Psalm 25:2

-Integrity-found in the heart

-uprightness-found in the action

Psalm 37:7- WAIT ON HIM!!!

A. Waiting teaches patience

Psalm 40:1-3

B. Waiting tests perseverance

Philippians 4:13

C. Waiting tenders providence

Psalm 130:5-8

4. BELIEVE in His Miracles

-Mark 9:23

A. Believe with vision

-God is still in the "business" and can do it!!!

-I can't stop believing in His miracles now

-I need to completely trust in Him

-Romans 13

-Am I believing that God can do it?

-He is waiting for me to let go and to let Him do it

-I can not do anything!

5. REJOICE in His goodness

-Song of Solomon 1:4

-Deuteronomy 26:11

A. Goodness brings praise

-11 Thessalonians 1:11

B. Goodness brings positives

Zachariah 9:17

C. Goodness brings promptitude

Psalm 16

6. REST in His presence

-Psalm 16:11

-When in God's presence we find joy which makes us have peace!

-I need to rest in His promises!

-Trusting in the Lord = Rest

A. Giving my situations to God

-Psalm 37:7

B. Going on Satisfied with God

-Proverbs 19:23

Conversations with the Sander Kiddos

I was going shopping yesterday with Jake and Ruth and kiddos. As we were headed to Houghton Lake (30mins away), I realized I had forgotten my purse. Well...instead of going shopping I will just enjoy the fun fellowship with them. Oh, just so you know, Cara just turned 5, Desirae will be 4 next week and Tyler is 2. Anyway, here are some of the conversations we had:

Desirae: Miss Jenny, are you old enough to have your own gum?
Me: Yup
Desirae: Oh...How much gum can you have?
Me: How much ever is in the pack
Desirae: Oh...
Cara: Oh yeah because you are a 4 and a 2.
Me: What? How old am I Cara?
Cara: That's right you're 40...I mean 42.
Me: Really??? No silly...I am 24...change the numbers around.
Cara: That's old!!!

It is dark as we are traveling back at night.

Tyler: Miss Jenny I can't see you....
Me: That is because it is dark out. I am right here Tyler.
Tyler: Hey Miss Jenny! If you walk in da wada you fall in da wada.
Me: Really?
Tyler: Yeah, be carfo
Me: Ok...I will

Tyler (shouting): Miss Jenny I can't see you!!!!!
Me: I am right here Tyler...watch as that car passes then you can see me.
Tyler: K....I see you!!!
Me: Yeah...isn't that cool!!

Me: Tyler....where are you???? I can't see you...Tyler!!!
Tyler...shh I here Miss Jenny...I here. See me?

Tyler: Miss Jenny!!!!!! Look...I see da hang mail moon.
Me: You do? Where? That is not a hang nail moon...that is a banana moon.
Cara: No, it is none of those. It is a fingernail moon.

These kids are so much fun!! I love them...they keep me laughing.




Well...today was a half day and I was very excited that my kids finished all of their work. Praise the Lord!!! One of the students in my class is the the niece to the people I rent from. Anyway, since Aunt Emily could not have Abby over and her sister went to someones. She asked if she could come to my house. How could I say no?? I wasn't going anywhere. So, Abby came over for the afternoon. I told her that she should feel special because she is the first person to come and see me. Other plans that I had of having company fell through. She thought that was cool. I told her usually I would just have a sandwich for lunch but since I had a special guest I would make lunch for her. We had pasta, chicken nuggets (kids favorite) and Pineapple. After lunch we played UNO for quite a while. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed having her.

Things have been a little busy around here! My grandpa passed away on new years day so I was gone for about a week. It was a hard one because I do not believe he was saved. Despite the circumstances of going to my home town, I was very glad to see my church family. I have missed them a lot. It was nice to see them. Thank you Pastor Stacey and Mrs. Wilder for allowing me to stay with you! It is only about four hours from here and coming back it took us about 10 because the roads were so bad! Praise the Lord that we made it safely. I returned to school that Friday-Jan.8th. I was very glad to be back. I missed the kids, I had not seen them since before Christmas break.

Last week was a good week of school despite the illnesses. We had the flu and strep going around. Monday we had 7 kids and 2 teachers out sick. Since there were that many, we did not have school on Tuesday. Praise the Lord I have been healthy. On Friday 2 of the little boys at our school accepted the Lord as their Savior!!! Praise the Lord! That made for a great week!!!!! Also, I heard from the Peppels and their youngest son Micah also accepted the Lord as his Savior! What wonderful news!!

On Thursday the church had a housewarming shower for me. That was a blessing. The Lord provided some things that I needed! I am thankful for them! It is neat to continue to watch the Lord provide. Why wouldn't He??? He promises to: Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your needs..." What a wonderful promise!

This weekend I was able to make some apple cinnamon muffins and some apple banana bread in my new lil' oven. Very fun! They taste amazing if I must say so myself and I must!!!

Today, I really enjoyed the message...it was just what I needed! After church I went to the Sander's and had a great time. I am very thankful for them!

Desirae, Tyler and Cara

Tomorrow is a teacher in service day. We are going up to Kinross, Michigan and attending a teacher's conference. I am really looking forward to! (even though we have to meet at 6:30am) It will be my first one and I am sure it will be very beneficial.