26. July 2008 by Julie.

Hi Again!

This week I was reminded of a way God speaks. Often it is in those gentle nudgings. Yet so often we dismiss them.

I went to visit a girlfriend in Monticello on Weds (about 70 miles away). From there I was travelling 30 miles to Lafayette to have dinner with another friend and attend a church service. In route, I glanced at the top left corner of my windshield and noticed I NEEDED an oil change. Immediately I thought, “Hmmm…. I could ask my friend where I could get it done while we had dinner.” I quickly dismissed this thought as a “stupid Julie idea” and began to think about all the fun we’d have instead. And I could get oil change done on Thursday.

We had dinner and went to church. And we had a great time! The pastor in the middle of his message shared an example about how we need to do regular maintenance on our vehicles if they are to perform the best and last the longest. I again thought, “Yeah, I need to get that oil changed tomorrow.”

Left the church at 8:30pm, began the 100 mile trip home. I begin hearing this noise. Psst…Psst…Psst. Quite faint. Keep driving.

By the time I’m about 30 miles from home the noise isn’t so quiet anymore. I can hear it clearly over the radio (which wasn’t too quiet either). I again commit to that oil change.

As I neared home I asked Randy to come out and go for a ride to hear a strange noise. As I pull in the drive and wait for him to get out, he’s saying, “Turn it off now, don’t move it.” He opens the hood and checks the oil (I haven’t told him about needing an oil change!) The dip stick is barely registering any oil. YIKES!!!! He puts the few oil bottles we have in the car. And now I’m praying, “OH GOD, PLEASE GRACE!”

So Thursday morning I take it to the oil change place, all the while praying that I did not do permanent damage or that it is going to seize up and be the end. When I got the car back, the noise was gone! WE ARE PRAISING GOD THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO BUY A CAR TODAY!!!!!!

All this to say, sometimes those gentle nudgings are just us. But many times they really are God trying to get our attention. I’ve been so blessed in the past by friends who just “were thinking about you and called to see what was going on” when I’ve had horrible days or really needed a friend. Just today I was thinking of a friend so I called her. Didn’t want to pass up a God nudge. She said “I’d been thinking about you too” and we were able to have a marvelous time catching up tonight.

So, if you need an oil change, take this as your encouragement.

But I hope more than that you will listen to that still, small Voice calling out to you. He wants to speak to us about our everyday life!

Julie

PS For a cool Bible story on this, check out I Kings 19- Elijah and God’s still, small voice

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22. July 2008 by Julie.

Welcome to my blog! Glad you came to check it out. I hope to include snip-its of our life & ministry in the days and weeks to come.

This month we are doing our summer outreach, Kids Summer Spectacular. The kids are so cute!!! (you can see photos on our website!) And our helpers are doing an amazing job! God is so good!

Each week we have a fun game. We’ve limbo-ed. We’ve had a water balloon toss. And we even had a watermelon seed spitting contest. It’s amazing how far the kids can spit! (Not a skill listed on most resumes!)

Even more important than that we are learning about spending time with Jesus and praying like He prayed. One week we went out into the community and prayerwalked with the kids. I know God hears the prayers of those kids! And I look forward to seeing the answers He brings.

God bless you all!
Julie

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