Wow I was up at 3:30 a.m this morning. But that's the time the old body seems to be awakening. I guess it's a good time to talk to GOD and to do my devotionals.
Today I was in Roman's 12 which was wonderful. I am copying the text for you to read and so that you can tell me what words, phases, or verses speak to your spirit and why. I would love to have some blog conversation about the deeper issues.

Living Sacrifices
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d]says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Live in harmony with one another and practice hospitality speaks to my spirit today.

I was doing my devotional this morning and really felt the spirit moving. So I'm going to share it with you in hopes that your spirit will be moved too.
The instructions read: Read 2 Corinthians 6:1-7:1
Question 1. In 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Paul's life reveals what Christian conduct should be in all circumstances. (a) List ten circumstances involving physical suffering (vv. 4-5)
(b) List nine spiritual characteristics seen in those circumstances (vv. 6-7)
(c) Nine contrasts of circumstances (vv. 8-10)
Question 2. Give an important lesson from 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 that you intend to apply to your life.
I love contrasts and I love when Jesus speaks to my spirit.
One of the verses speaks about being despised. I feel despised among the Jews. I was praying about that and I felt a small voice say. "They don't despise you, they despise Me". "They despise you for loving Me". A peace filled my spirit. I noted the time of day and I felt moved to share it with you. It was a GOD experience.

What do you think of Jame's new friend the Blueman? 

This was the view. Isn't it fabulous! 

Just returned from the Windy City. We had a fantastic lunch on the top floor of the Hancock Building in Chicago. I think it's 90+ stories up in heaven. I wish you were there to celebrate with us. 

Jan's 60th Birthday tomorrow. We're off to Chicago the Windy City to see Alexandra. She's having her first family weekend sponsored by Mission Year. We are also celebrating Jan's 60th Birthday. A lifetime goes by very quickly. Hurray for Jan may he be blessed and feel special on his 60th Birthday.

Reading from Romans today and a verse touched my spirit. It says God can never withdraw His gifts or His calling. What do you think about that? What are your gifts? What is your calling? Are you answering your call or using your gifts today?

Alexandra checking out the Godiva choices. Which one is the best? 

This is Alexandra really in Godiva Heaven! 

I found these pictures on my digital camera. It's Alexandra enjoying Godiva bliss. 

IS 61

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. F123 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favor has come, F124 and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel, F125 he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the LORD has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities long ago destroyed. They will revive them, though they have been empty for many generations. 5 Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. 6 You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God. You will be fed with the treasures of the nations and will boast in their riches. 7 Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy. 8 "For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants will be known and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the LORD has blessed."
10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. 11 The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, filled with young plants springing up everywhere.
I've been doing a study of 58 and 61 for a week now. The words are really speaking to my spirit.
I want to know what they're saying to yours.

Today I was reading Is 58 and 61 again. It seems to be speaking over and over again to my spirit.
'We have fasted before you!' they say. 'Why aren't you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don't even notice it!'"I will tell you why! It's because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers. 4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. 5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD? 6 "No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. 7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 "If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the LORD will answer. 'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply."Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! 10 Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. 11 The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 12 Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.
13 "Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day. Honor the LORD in everything you do, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly. If you do this, 14 the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and give you your full share of the inheritance I promised to Jacob, your ancestor. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
This is 58 tell me how these verses speak to your heart.

This morning I was studying Romans 10, 11, and Is: 60. Wow how full that was. Two things that got my attention which are worth mentioning. In Is. 60 the prophet talks about the Jersusalem in the last days. How all the nations will bring gifts and want to worship God there. One thing I never noticed at that was God will destroy all the nations that will not be Israel's allies. Very interesting prophecy.
Next I was in Roman's and the concept that got my attention was how GOD longs for the Jews to come back to Him and be spreaders of the GOOD NEWS. How He will willingly graph them back into the root of Abraham if they just believe in His Son. The words really touched me and I prayed that GOD would give me one Jewish person who I could personally give my testimony to and He would bring them to Himself.

I feel as if I've been away a long time. It's 4:46 am and I've just finished my morning devotion. I was in Eph 2 which is a blessing to read. One verse and commentary caught my eye. It talked about the unity of the body and bringing Jew and Gentile together. I have a real yearning for unity in the body. I see so many divisions and demominations thinking their way is the only way. It's really only GOD'S Way.
I've been working now for almost two months. A flu bug has finally nabbed me in the butt. I feel somewhat dreadful. Anything that can run is running and burning and feeling generally weak or hurting. I thought nurses and mothers were not allowed to get sick. It's not in our work description.
This last weekend Jan and I went to Charlotte in search of a house. If anyone knows anybody in Charlotte that we can befriend please e-mail me back. I'd love to find a house church or a church that would fit a misfit. Also we're looking in Area 5, so if anyone is selling a house or knows of anyone who is selling a house preferably without a broker. That saves you 6% right there please come forward with the information. That would be a blessing.
Well keep our house hunting in your prayers. We also need to rent our house. If any needs a 5 bedroom house in Winston just give me a ring.
Over and out for now.