Today is Sunday, June 24, 2012.
It was a good day, but man was it ever a looooong day. : )
I sleep best by myself. I toss and turn a lot and it is easier to do so when I don't have to take anyone else into account. But late last night Aliana had a bad dream and came and joined daddy in the security of his bed. Sigh. What could I say? Of course I said, "Yes." She is my precious little girl. She slept soundly in the warm of my strength...I had trouble doing my tossing and turning. Ha.
The kids got up a little later than normal & then started eating. Then they continued to eat while watching TV, ate more while playing games on the computer, ate more while putting puzzles together, and just kept on eating all day long. I think they are having a growth spurt. Weird that all 3 of them are having it at the same exact time. Hmmm? : )
We finally got changed and went to the store to stock up quick before everyone closed for the day. Most grocery stores are open in Argentina on Sunday, but only until about 2 pm. To me this is a weird thing as technically it is a Catholic country and the Catholic Church has it's services in the AM. You would think it would be the other way around. I think it shows you just how Catholic the country really is - in name only.
Anyways, we stocked up, did lunch, did laundry, did dishes, did more feeding, refilling drinks, rescuing the kitty from the kids, rescuing the house from the kids, and rescuing the kids from themselves. : ) - Then I finally started cleaning the house for real. I cleaned, and I cleaned, and I cleaned some more. I cleaned until I was literally exhausted and then took a short break. Afterwards I cleaned the bathroom...my dreaded nemesis. I would rather do dishes and laundry all day long than clean the bathroom for an hour. Well, by the time it was all said and done, the house was so clean, I wanted to cry. Now if only I can keep it this way another 24 hours until my beautiful love gets home from Buenos Aires. We'll see. : )
In the process, I spent much time in prayer and fasting for the team, for the week to come, for their journey to Jujuy (24+ straight hours on the bus - whew!) and for the church service tonight.
- I don't know how we have arrived here, but it appears that so many followers of Jesus view our corporate time together in the church building as a "professionals only" time. You just show up and take it in. The pastor and staff have been working hard, prepping, and praying for God to touch peoples' lives. That is good & should be so, but what about THE REST of THE CHURCH?
I hate that somehow we have lost sight of the fact that WE are the CHURCH - and not the building. That WE are the Bride of Christ and that we should be dying to get together with our LOVE.
That WE are His BODY in the world & that while their may be a "professional" clergy, we are ALL part of the TEAM - called to be HOLY, called to be FAMILY, called to be in the fight TOGETHER and not just spectators or consumers.
I felt so moved by the Spirit that I sent out a text to everyone in the church that I had their cell phone number - encouraging them that NOW is the time to prepare ourselves, to pray for the service, to get ready to meet with God and see what He would do in and THROUGH us to touch the lives of those around us...and not just expect that Pastor would take care of everything on his own. (There is so much POWER in TEAM!!!)
I think it impacted. Tonight's worship was rocking! The message felt like it was in the middle of a spiritual battle, but the altar went on for long afterwards. And one of my favorite parts - several people got up to share how God was impacting their lives and/ or working through them to minister to those around them. AWESOME! THAT is what the Church is!
I could belabor this point, but it is nearly midnight and tomorrow is going to be a very big day. There is still a ton of prep to do for the team coming & then to host them upon their arrival tomorrow night.
May you all have a great sleep & remember to Take Your Place in God's Business.
Don't just sit around and watch someone else doing it.
God bless, inspire, guide, & empower you -
Que Dios los bendiga, inspira, guia y les da su poder -
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