Just to share with my sisters in Christ

Have a great week!

The Blessed Life
by Rachel Olsen

With each passing year I grow ever more convinced that the life of faith is a life characterized by peace and joy.

Sure it's a life of goodness as well, that's practically a no-brainer. Ask anyone what religion or Christianity specifically is about, and you're likely to hear, "Being good." But being good is not the sum total of it.

In fact, simply being good—doing what is morally right—absent of a peaceful trust in God and a joyful appreciation of Him can become legalism. And few things upset Jesus more than the legalism of the religious leaders of His day.

Legalism is living a life of rules with little room for the very thing Jesus affords us: grace. It's characterized by self-striving. In my book, "It's No Secret," I share how easily I can overlook the fact that no matter what rules we happen to keep - or fail to keep - God provides His people with grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace and joy.

Some may say that if I am experiencing more peace and joy it's because I'm being increasingly good. That it's because I'm being obedient and doing all the right things—praying more, trusting God more, walking in a manner worthy of my calling, and so forth. Well, yes. And, no.

I've come to realize that I have no real right to extra peace or happiness just because I pause to talk with God. I have no entitlement to contentment or joy just because I submit to His commands. I pray and obey simply because God is God, and I am not. He is the creator of my life. He holds the patent. And I'm created for His pleasure.

Yet in His gracious, extravagant kindness, He has made it so that when I pray rather than worry, I experience peace. When I gratefully accept what He has given me, and do not wish and whine for more, I find contentment. When I give away what I have, so often I get joy in return. And when I look steadily on Him all these blessings come into view.

Hannah Whitall Smith writes:

"This blessed life must not be looked upon in any sense as an attainment but as an obtainment. We cannot earn it; we cannot climb up to it; we cannot win it; we can do nothing but ask for it and receive it. It is the gift of God in Christ Jesus. And where a thing is a gift, the only course left for the receiver is to take it and thank the giver."

Simply because He is good, peace, contentment and joy are available to us regardless of our position, possessions, performance or circumstances. It's His loving kindness and the empowerment of His Spirit that makes living in the kingdom of God a life of goodness, peace and joy.

And that, my Yahweh Sister, is a blessed life -a gift. It's what life in the Kingdom looks like. Let's share that gift by introducing others to its Source.

Valentine Banquet update

We will receive a substantial "early bird" special if we arrive before 6P.M.
Thus the time has been changed to 5:30-5:45 to arrive.
Queen Anne's Revenge on Daniel Island
See ya there for a great night of needed adult fellowship by all of us!

Valentine Fellowship

We will be celebrating together as couples at "Queen Anne's Revenge" restaurant on Daniel Island.
February 12

More information to come.

Dating your spouse

Cantata

Don't forget to plan to attend the Christmas Cantata to kick start your holiday season! Come either Saturday night, December 4 at 6:30 or Sunday night December 5 at 6:30!

Class Christmas party, December 18 at 5:30.

The Sovereignty of God and Prayer

The Sovereignty of God and Prayer: "The Sovereignty of God and Prayer on DesiringGod.org"

Combined Sunday School

There will be a potluck immediately following the service in the Gallery November 14.
Drinks 2 liter
Ashlee
Edie
Sarah
Debbie (sweet tea)
Minahan (Crystal light lemonade)

Dessert
Cheri
Ashlee

Main Dish every one needs to bring a main dish enough for their family
Mishoe--BBQ
Minahan--pot roast

Bread equivalent of a dozen
Sarah
Debbie

Side dish
Edie
Debbie--chips
Cheri--salad

Ashlee has been very busy planning a Christmas activity for us. We will discuss this more in the coming weeks. Way to go Ashlee!

Thanks for your prayers. Nolan is doing great.
We were out by 10 and he's now cozy on the couch with a movie.
He was a little sick when he woke up, but the surgery went very well.

The Hartman's