Thank You Jesus Responses

Thanks to some of you for responding to our Back Door Guests blog, in conjunction with our Thank You Jesus Party. You will find a couple of responses to the Back Door Guests in the comment section under the blog. A few of you wrote to show specific ways you show hospitality to others. Many said you go to lunch with others, write notes, pray for, invite over to your home, etc. Some made plans to specifically carry out an "extend your hand" to others act this week.
The overarching message I hope you take from this is that no matter what you do, or for whom you do it....I'll pause to borrow a popular slogan....Just Do It! We could get caught up in feeling left out or that no one includes us in their group, but the point is when everyone is extending a hand all around them, people don't get left out. The only warning would be in the process of all of this that you not put yourself in a clique, but rather you are always looking for opportunities to extend yourself to others that may not be a part of who you normally associate. If you think about it, it's easy to have people over to your home that you find it easy to connect to, but how about try inviting someone that's recently visited LifeSong. That may just be what they need.
It's in those times that I, personally, have really gotten to know someone a little better. The truth is, we need to work at this like busy little bees....everyone together. One person can't do this all by themselves. This is why I like to hear your testimonies...to see how we are succeeding at reaching out to others. It's easy to get caught up in thinking you are all alone sometimes, but when you hear the opportunities that God gives us individually, it's cause for a....help me out here....THANK YOU JESUS PARTY! So, press on, my friends. Let God continue to use you to build relationships that last.
Finally, I want to post a very profound response to our Thank You Jesus Party post. It specifically outlines just how great of a God we serve. It encouraged me and let in encourage you, too. This, my friends, is the real deal. Jane writes the following.....


"Since your Thank You Jesus Party blog I have been thinking about what I could write. I feel unqualified to even start, but here goes, I’ll step outside my very quiet, secure box …

Since the death of my husband in 1999, I have been feeling a little lost (really very lost). We had a lot going for us. He was in a managerial position that he worked very hard for, I was in my 26th year at my job, one child living on his own and one child graduating from high school. We had talked about retiring, playing golf, traveling to play golf and spending quality time together. He lived two years, 3 months after his diagnosis. I often wondered why him? Why not me? He was a good husband, father, manager and just a good person. He was always working, providing, making our life and the life of our community better. After his death, I knew I was missing something else, but didn’t know what. I grew up in the church so I thought I knew what church was about. In 2003 my grandson was born, my daughter divorced several years later, my mother had a stay in the hospital with several critical issues and then finally my son got married at 37! I dealt with each issue with prayer and God answered. I was invited to Life Song Church in the spring of 2007. I had tried several churches that had a different style of worship (not traditional as I had grown up in) but they just didn’t fit. I said OK, I’ll bring my grandson. He will love being there learning about God, Jesus, the Bible, etc. And, the rest is history. Thank you Jesus for showing me what church is really about…not just attending church, but how to show your love to everyone I come in contact with, even those who have hurt me.

I learned more in 2 months at Life Song than I learned in my 60 years of being. Thank you Jesus for Life Song, my pastors and my new friends."

Have a great weekend, Ladies. I love you wholeheartedly!

Back Door Guests are the Best

I'm sure you have all seen or heard the phrase, "Back door guests are the best." I personally like it's meaning a lot. I love for people to come to my home and feel comfortable enough to go to the back door, come inside and make themselves right at home. I have been thinking alot about "being hospitable" to others lately. I can remember a day (don't I sound old saying that!) when families were at their gathering places - grandparents' homes, aunt's/uncle's homes, church social halls - just enjoying being together. Today, however, things seem constantly in fast-forward and no one is bothering at all to push PAUSE. I am guilty of it, too. I get so preoccupied with myself and my life that forsake doing what I love the most - just hanging out with people. I have a theory that all too often we don't see people returning to church or to Aroma women's ministry because we choose not to let them into our personal lives. We keep them at arm's length. All too often I hear excuses people make like, "my house isn't clean or good enough"; "my cooking skills are not up to par to have anyone over"; "I'm just too busy to take time to have lunch with anyone"; "I have to work too much"; "I don't have anything to say when I spend time with people." The list could go on and on. I don't think any of us, however, think of so many excuses when others do extend a hand to us and desire to spend time together. Of course, sometimes schedules conflict and we can't make plans, but doesn't it light up your day for someone to be hospitable to you? 1 Peter 4:9 says, "Be hospitable to one another with out grumbling." Hey, there's nothing that says "I love you" more than someone saying, "I can't have you over to my house right now, but one day I will...when it's clean, or when I live somewhere else." (That was a hint of sarcasm...sorry). By then, you may have lost your opportunity to extend the hand of fellowship. Let me tell ya....I have never been to someone's home, or gone out to fellowship with others and thought of the trivial. I find myself thinking of how much that person must love me - that they would want to spend time with me...no matter what. However, I've been to plenty of homes and done plenty of activities with a grumbler (I'm sure I've been the grumbling host a time or two, too.) where I left feeling like my cup had not been filled. On the flip side, too, I've seen a lot of people take, take, take...never to give, give, give. That might bother me a little because I see the purpose of giving to others is to also instill in them the notion of "paying it forward." Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly, entertained angels." Wow! I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss an opportunity like that! You may be reading this with the argument, "I just don't have the gift of hospitality." Well, maybe not in the physical, visual ways we think of it sometimes, but Ladies, if you know Jesus as your Savior, you have something so very precious to offer another!
You've got LOVE. That is all I want people to say when they leave our home, or leave from spending time together doing whatever! I just hope and pray they felt loved and wanted.
There are still several days left in our 30 Day Give. Maybe someone needs you to pick up the phone and show hospitality to them. Maybe it's telling them you love them....write them a note...take them out to lunch....invite them over for burgers on the grill...go for a pedicure together. Get creative! So, I'm asking you again to post. I can tell ya, you didn't respond a lick on our Thank You Jesus Party, so I'm showing some mercy and giving you a second chance to give God some praise. Share with us how you show hospitality, and that, my friends is part of our Thank You Jesus Party. He deserves praise for bringing people in our lives that we can show a little hospitality to. If you need an idea of who needs some encouragement right now, write me. I happen to know someone that needs a little pick-me-up. Once again, you can write me at jeffamy111@netzero.net

Renewed Perspective

Today, I'm asking for your involvement. As I told you Sunday, one cannot go on a mission trip and not be changed, but one also cannot hold back praise when God works in one's life. To keep it to ourselves would be "beside the point." God has really impressed several things on me lately. Number one...His Word is alive and active among us. He is up to something! Number two...He is looking for us to be real. I may be blunt in saying this, but I'm a little tired of people coming to church just for what it can do for them. I hear, and yes...even at LifeSong...some say how they won't come to such and such event if it doesn't meet their needs or if it isn't in their realm of interests. As the old 80s saying goes, "well, gag a maggot!" Let's be challenged to live beyond that, ladies. How about let's get out of the mindset of what the church can do for us, and let's just start being the church. In the end, the result will be more abundant than if you are depending on your activities at church to make you feel good. The end result will be lives changed for the glory of Christ. I have talked about it before, but people are just looking for what is true and genuine if you call yourself a Christ-follower.

This morning, on the Today Show, a man spoke of his personal journey to find out why religion is so divisive, when it is supposed to be the chord that binds us together. He was challenged by a trip to Africa where he saw people giving their whole lives up just to see that one person might have a chance at life...a better quality of life. He said, in the end, he discovered that we here in America care more about being right than being genuine in our love. He, at the end of the interview, summed it up in a nutshell.
He reminded us that Jesus told His disciples that the greatest commandment is to "LOVE one another." (Does this sound familiar to you, LifeSong?) His challenge was to have us as a nation return to that. You know what the ironic thing is? This man was not saved. He is just a man searching for truth as to why Christians aren't real in what they say they believe. Ummm! That ought to shoot you square between the eyes. He really spoke words of truth, except for this. He did not talk of relationship with Jesus as being the difference. It's no wonder why. If Christians are showing no more than religion, then we are failing. We must be showing relationship, because certainly if we do, we would be showing love, right? Chew on that a little while will you?
I said chew on that! Don't read any further until you ask God if that was a word for you.

Number three...I believe that God is calling us to be change agents. We can't do that unless we have been changed by the One who gave His everything for us. He "loves us with an everlasting love," ladies. Doesn't that just wash over you like a refreshing spring? I can love ANYONE because of that great love.
I tell you...Being on mission in Las Vegas changed me. Maybe you don't care to hear about it. That's ok. I am always amused by the fact that if someone doesn't share your experience, then they really don't care much about what happened to you or what you learned. Not a problem. We share it anyway because we brag on the One that did a work in our lives. I want to celebrate with you when God changes you. That is what life is all about. We must share Christ's victories. We must thank Him for His great mercy and grace. What is Christ doing in your life right now that you want to thank Him for? Maybe He's given you victory in a particular area and you want to share it. Now's your chance. Write us here at AROMA and tell us how God is using you or working in you right now. We'll post these testimonies and have us one big "Thank You Jesus" party! Come on now. Write us and let us rejoice with you. Please specify if you would like to remain anonymous, and when describing your situation God is working in, use discretion in sharing names or places. We will proofread these for content before posting, so email me at jeffamy111@netzero.net We are so excited to hear what God is doing in your life!

Nanoo

I posted a personal blog on our family blog today and I think it really speaks my heart, so check it out and I hope it speaks to you. www.hickmanhappenings.blogspot.com

Aroma Monday Mingle Presents…

“Guesstures” Game Night


A game of split-second charades! Act up! Act out! Just act fast to get your teammates to guess words - without talking!

Monday, April 14th 2008
6:30pm-8:00pm

623 Brushwood Road
Woodruff SC 29388
Bonnie Moody: 864-486-0167
Bonniebmoody@bellsouth.net

An Adopted Family

Almost 19 years ago, my family, while living in Venezuela, was approached by a pastor who knew of a 15 year old girl that was due to have a baby "any day." Knowing that we had expressed an interest in adopting a child, he contacted us. Already having two girls in our family - myself and my sister, Missy - we were kind of thinking of adding a boy to the mix. The baby due to be born, however, was thought to be a girl, but we didn't care. We wanted to proceed on.
From the time we were approached, to the time this baby girl was born, we had about a week and a half to prepare for her arrival. My parents were 40 at the time, and in the event they are reading this...they are STILL 40...not a day over it! :) You can imagine that we didn't have the first thing for a baby in our home. I was 15 1/2 and Missy was 13. Our baby stroller, crib, and diaper days were over! We called on our missionary family to help us out and everyone rallied together to provide what they could so that we could welcome a new bundle of joy into our home.
The day came to welcome this new little girl, named Esther, because that was her biological mother's and grandmother's name...and also the name these two women studied about in the Bible when they prayed to receive Christ and desired to see this baby put in a Christian home. Baby Esther was born right at 5 lbs., and quite literally was the smallest baby I had ever seen. Being a family of giants, you can imagine how small she looked in our arms. I remember my parents bringing her home and I was overtaken by love that I didn't think I possessed for one that was not blood related to me, yet penetrated the very core of my heart with a love that only sisters can know. I was, without a doubt, smitten with this baby! I thought I would be afraid to have her come into my life, but all of that was swept away when she was placed in my arms and I gazed on her jet black hair, dark eyes, and olive skin. She was MY baby sister and I, at that moment, would have done anything in the world for her. We named her Kathryn Elizabeth Ann Cashion. She became "one of us." She did not, for one second, ever NOT belong to our family. God made her just for us to love and cherish all the days of her life.
Remembering this time gives me great joy because God, too, made us His own. He created us in our "mother's wombs" and "knew all the days ordained for us before one of them ever came to be." He becomes our ABBA, Father...our Daddy...when we allow Him to take up residence in our home. Just like Katie became a resident of our home, God has done the same for us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to take up residence in our hearts (our home)...to become love to us in a way like none other could give it. You know, we had not even seen, heard or held Katie and yet we loved her. In the physical sense, we have not seen, heard or held Jesus, yet we, too, can love Him. With faith and trust in the One who gives us life, we have One that wants to know us and love us unconditionally. Are you feeling without a home today? Do you feel like your dwelling place is not a dwelling place at all? Are you characterizing your day, or your life by lonliness? Grab hold of the One who loves you most. Call, cry out, bawl like a baby for your Lord today. He is there to fill you up, to make you whole.
Katie continues to be a blessing to our family today. The love just keeps growing and growing for her. God does the same. He never stops being the ultimate love giver. Take some time today to let Him wrap His arms around you and just be His child. He wants to be your Daddy.

He's Alive

Just wanted to take some time to encourage you to relect on what this weekend really means to you. I tell ya, being a part of The Witness last weekend was just what I needed to help me focus on what my Jesus did for me. I have found myself dwelling on it ever since. At the same time, why did it take that experience for me to dwell on it all? Oh, that I would remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for me each and everyday. It truly overwhelms me. I don't know of another time that makes such a mark on my life as Easter. I love Christmas and remembering the gift of God's son for all mankind, but it is Easter that brings me to my knees in such great humility for my Savior. He died for me! And I know that even if it was just me that was put on this earth, He still would've died for me! You know, it's hard to wrap your mind around that sometimes. If you are reading this today and you have never truly grasped just what Jesus did for you, take some time to ponder these things today. Not only did God send His one and only Son to die for us, but Praise the Lord, he rose again, too! We weren't left to be alone, but He gave us His Holy Spirit, "a counselor, to be with us forever...the Spirit of Truth." Ladies, we have been given it ALL. We have been offered love's perfect gift. It is always there for the taking. Choose it today. Maybe you are reading this and you needed to know today that someone was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for you and you want to know more. Well, it's your day because I want to tell you more! Inviting Jesus into your life to reign and rule is simple. The Bible says it just takes a "childlike faith." Don't go another day thinking you have to live this life on your own. He is waiting and ready for you today. It was 27 years ago this coming summer that I exerted that "childlike faith" and accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. What does a seven year old really know other than what is simple enough for them to understand? All I knew was that I felt alone and that something in my life was missing. Yes, my Daddy was (and is) a pastor. I was raised in a loving Christian home. I grew up in Church. All those things, of course, contributed to me wanting to know more about this Savior who had come to save me. It was, however, the steadfastness of a Sunday School teacher, who willingly, lovingly, and simply shared that "Jesus Loves Me" that ultimately made me realize that this was the gift. This was what was missing.
So, I dropped the guard of fear I possessed as a little seven year old girl and I went forward to tell anyone that would listen that I was accepting that gift. I wanted Jesus in my life. The road since has been full of bumps and it was a curvy road, but ultimately, ladies...I didn't do it alone. My Father, God, has always been there to guide me, to fill me up, to show me the way! I could've stopped right then when I invited Jesus into my life, but let me say...NO WAY, NO HOW! I don't want to stop. I want to live for Him, just like He lives for me! I want to KNOW Him. I want to SERVE Him. I want to TELL everyone about Him. Hey, He saved me! He wants everyone to know it! So, let Jesus be Lord of your life today. If you need someone that can help you, write me. It would be my honor today to introduce you to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Email me at jeffamy111@netzero.net