Do you make a difference?

FAITH:
1 Chronicles 9:2-44

The families of Israel who lived in Jerusalem after the captivity were recorded.

God holds his people accountable for the stewardship of their belongings. Each person must contribute to God's work and to the upkeep of his house.

You have a responsibility to build up your church and help it to be and do what Jesus created it to be and do. You could do so much for your church if you wold just give yourself and your church a chance. For instance, if your church has a weekly prayer meeting, you could get your whole youth group together and show up. It would be wild if you didn't tell your pastor in advance. You would blow his mind. Have you ever thought of doing something like that? Or have you thought of going to a church business meeting to share your beliefs and convictions about how the church can minister to the world? Your church needs your input. If you come in a loving and humble manner, the faithful workers in the church will be thrilled to see you taking an active part in the life of the church. You will be a source of encouragement to everyone.

You need the church and the church desperately needs you. If you are not affiliated with a church you have denied yourself one of the major means through which God wants to keep you faithful to Him. by Tony Compolo
Applying it: Do you participate in church? Use your God-given gifts, and temperament to help build the church. Help out in the nursery, with Sunday school, in a fellowship group.......
Exploring it: The Spiritual House of God--Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 2:5

FRIENDS:
Father, Please help up to remember that our act of worship is not just what we do on Sunday morning, but our act of worship is a lifelong, seven day a week process of living the principles of Christ in everything we do. Help us to see the world as you do and to respond to the hurts around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

BIBLE CHALLENGE
Psalms
Worship. In two thousand years we haven't worked out the kinks. We still struggle for the right words in prayer. We still fumble over Scripture. We don't know when to kneel. We don't know when to stand. We don't know how to pray.
Worship is a daunting task.
For that reason, God gave us the Psalms--a praisebook for God's people. The Psalms could be titled God's Book of Common Prayer. This collection of hymns and petitions are strung together by one thread--a heart hungry for God.
Some are defiant. Others are reverent. Some are to be sung. Others are to be prayed. Some are intenselly personal. Others are written as if the whole world would use them. Some were penned in caves, others in temples.
But all have one purpose--to give us the words to say when we stand before God.
The very variety should remind us that worship is personal. No secret formula exists. What moves you may stymy another. Each worships differently. But each should worship.
This book will help you do just that.
Here is a hint. Don't just read the prayers of these saints, pray them. Experience their energy. Imitate their honesty. Enjoy their creativity. Let these souls lead you in worship.
And let's remember. The language of worship is not polished, perfect, or advanced. It's just honest.

January 9
Matthew 4:18-25; Acts 5:17-22; Psalms 9; Genesis 24
January 10
Matthew 5:1-12; Acts 6; Psalms 10; Genesis 25-26

10 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR
1. No frost on the car windows this morning
2. The anonymous neighbor that hung a little bag with 2 cookies in it on my front door knob
3. A little girls unbridled laughter
4. Hot tea on a cold morning
5. The cooks that prepare the Wednesday night dinner
6. Leftovers
7. A generous brother
8. A hug (we don't get many when we're old and single)
9. Funny birthday cards
10. A text message from some one saying they love you

FOOD:
I joined an online group that shares recipes of restaurants or the copycat version. Here are some good ones.
Outback Steakhouse Style Dipping Sauce
1/2 c. mayo
2 t. ketchup
2 T. horseradish (little less)
1/4 t. paprika
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. dried oregano
dash ground pepper
dash cayenne pepper
Mix well.
Outback Steakhouse Style Dipping Sauce
1 pint Mayonnaise
1 pint Sour cream
1/2 C. Tomato chili sauce
1/2 tsp. Cayenne pepper
Mix well
Outback Steakhouse Tiger Dill Sauce
2/3 C. Sour Cream
1/4 C. Mayonnaise
3 tsp. Prepared Horseradish
3/4 tsp. Sugar
1/4 tsp Dill Weed
Blend all together and serve with any beef dish. This is better if let
to set overnight.

FUN:

You know you own a BIG dog when...

* the sound of running water makes you jump up and yell,"OUTSIDE!"
* you tell your dog to sit, and he backs up until he finds a chair
* it takes 3 people to get your dog on the scale at the vets
* you walk your dog and everyone knows him by name, but you have
no idea who these people are
* you can carry on a conversation with a dog's muzzle firmly in your
crotch
* your dog can hide an entire tennis ball (among other things)
fully inside his lips and give you that innocent look that says,
"What? I'm not eating anything!"
* you carry a tape measure with you when shopping for a new vehicle
* you keep at least one color-coded "drool towel" in every room of
your house
* after banishing your husband, the snoring in your bedroom still
keeps you awake
* you are hiking with a friend who later suggests that you ought
to have an environmental impact statement done on your dog
* visitors enter the house holding their privates protectively
* you toss your dog a ball and cringe when he almost hits his head
* you take your dog for a ride and he rests his head on your arm,
causing you to make random right turns
* you have given up on water dishes and you just use the bathtub
* you show a picture of your dogs and kids together, and the first
person you point out is your dog
* while stopped at a stop light, everyone stares as your car rocks
back and forth because the dog is panting out the window
* you go to vacuum your car and most of the fur is up there on the
ceiling
* you've learned to force a smile when asked "do you have a saddle
for that thing?"
* the monthly dog budget exceeds your home mortgage payment
* your veterinarian has been able to put in a swimming pool, build
a large home, buy jet skis and a personal investment plan
* you have had to train your dog not to lick dishes, and the
dishes are in the sink
* the donuts you put on top of the refrigerator are gone when you
get home and your dog has powdered sugar on his nose
* your dog can see what you're cooking, and he tries to assist you
in the preparation
* you're holding him straddled between your legs when the doorbell
rings, and you find yourself quickly transported straight to the front
door
* the pizza delivery people tell you to meet them at the end of the
driveway
* your dog stands in your lap and reaches over you to stick his
head in the drive-through window at MacDonald's and nearly gives the
cashier a heart attack when she turns around to give you your change
* you purchase a large screen TV and you still can't see the
program when he stands in front of the television