The past couple of weeks Bobby and I had an opportunity to travel across the country for vacation and a workshop for my job. Everywhere we went I was amazed by God's wonderful creation. Thought I'd share just a few!

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord." (Psalm 96:11-13)

Activities

We have a lot going on the next few weeks! I know with summer comes vacations, but we hope to see everyone there.

Free the Captives- Saturday, July 24, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Irving Bible Church, 2435 Kinwest Parkway, Irving, Texas 75063, Cost: FREE

Conference Website:http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/ftc-dallas-conference.php

Guys Day/ Girls Day- Saturday July 24th, Guys are going to Hurricane Harbor and girls are meeting at Southlake town square for Brio, Gelato and girl time

Hillsong/ Pig Hunt Friday July 30th at 7pm come and worship at Fellowship Church in Grapvine while the men go on their pig hunt for the Luau :)

Stoner Luau- Saturday July 31st at 6:30pm, Self's house, get ready for Hawaiian themed fun, kabobs, pineapple drinks, grass skirts and coconut bras!

Brother Yun, "the heavenly man"

I listened to this sermon last week by Brother Yun and thought it might encourage someone. He was heavily persecuted for sharing the gospel in China. It was the NY Times best seller in 1993 was written about him called "The Heavenly Man". I recommend it if you have not read it...basically like reading a modern day book of Acts!

Free The Captives

Free the Captives' main goal is to reach out to the body of Christ in the DFW area and discuss human trafficking from a Christian perspective.

When: Saturday, July 24, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Where: Irving Bible Church, 2435 Kinwest Parkway, Irving, Texas 75063
Cost: FREE
Register: by July 14 at http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com

Conference Website:
http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/ftc-dallas-conference.php

Free the Captives' Anti-Human Trafficking Conference in the DFW Area

Did you know
… that the average cost of a slave today is $90?

… that between 100,000 and 300,000 American kids
are trafficked annually in the US?

… that approx. 27 million people are enslaved worldwide?
… that you can do something about it!

Free the Captives invites you to attend a free anti-human trafficking
conference aimed at educating and mobilizing the Church.
Find out what you can do to end modern day slavery and help its victims.

Conference Speakers:

Andy Hein, International Justice Mission,
"Human Trafficking around the World"

Christina MacKenzie, ALERT Ministries,
"Sex Trafficking of Domestic Minors"

Julie Waters, Esq., Free the Captives,
"God, the Church, and Human Trafficking"

How Great Thou Art!

We sang this in church yesterday and I thought I'd share. Such a great song!

Shane & Ruthie Davis Baby Shower 5.23.10

Stoner Fiesta 5.9.10

Faith

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:22-24

The incredible strength and majesty of our God! He has the might to move mountains and does so through even our smallest faith. When we place our trust in Him, He molds us as He gives us the desires of our hearts.

Judging

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Luke 6:37-42

To forgive: to let something go, pardon, Just Drop it!!!

This passage really called me out this past Sunday morning. God says: YOU HYPOCRITE! First deal with your own life before you start pointing out the problems in others. How often do I judge others? Probably every day. I judge strangers walking down the street, coworkers, and if I'm 100% honest with myself probably my friends and family at some point. It may seem harmless at the time, but really, I'm being a hypocrite. I have a 2x4 in my own eye and I'm trying to tell someone else about what is in their eye.

Then I was reading my Journey devotion for the weekend and it was talking about judging others also! One thing that spoke to me greatly was "Instead of harboring a critical spirit that keeps me bound and miserable, I now can keep my eyes on the cross that keeps me free."

I got this verse both from our preacher AND the Journey devotion. I think this will be my verse for the week.

"You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat."