This morning I was spending a few minutes reading my Bible and writing in my growth journal and was struck by a thought, I didn't even realize I had.  As I began to write in my journal I wondered if there are others out there that feel the same way I do?  So this morning I'm sharing my growh journal entry with all of you.  My hope is that it will be encouraging and challenging to all of you, 1. so you don't feel like you are the only one who "feels" this way and 2. so you will be willing to look at it and take some sort of action to overcome what is simply not true about ourselves.

G- I Samuel 9:21 "Saul replied, "but I'm only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in all Israel, and my family is least important of all the familes of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?"

R- Wow, when I read this verse I instantly identified with Saul.  Why do I discount myself.  I look at my life, all the unaccomplished things, no college, no financial sucess and at times financial instability, family dysfunctions, no family recognition, etc.  I'm sure just like Saul felt, just in modern day terms.  Yet somehow in the midst of what I deem as acceptable and noteworthy, you (God) choose me, use me, and call me out.

O- Oh Abba, forgive me for my short-sided judgements of myself and evidently of others,where I compare!  Help me to keep my eyes on you and accept who you say I am.  I know in the end that is all that matters.  Again I surrender to you to be used as you see fit for your Kingdom not for my recognition or my idea of success. 

W- Comparing myself to others has to stop - it will and does paralyze me, though I don't think it does. I MUST stay focused on the word of God, connected to the vine, to the one who designed me, so that I will walk in truth of who God says I am

TH- I will be different and get more things done by the power of the Spirit when I stay glued to the word and the heart of God. Really I can do anything that God says I can do, when I walk in his boldness/confidence!

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed controversial outfielder Manny Ramirez to a two-year, $45-million contract. Kurt Warner, accepted a two-year, $23-million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

What if all of the athletes who get paid a ridiculous amount of money contributed to the current economic crisis?  You know make a donation?  I'm pretty sure the bailouts that have been given of late could all be paid back in a matter of a few days!

Can someone PLEASE explain this to me? 

This Sunday is not only Daylight Savings Time, requiring you to move your clocks one hour ahead on Saturday night, it is also our debut and the start of our Champs new Check-in/Pick-up procedures!

Instead of taking your child directly to their classrooms to sign them in on the class roster, you will now go to the breezeway of the church and find one of three computer kiosks that will have someone there to assist you.

Each station has a touchscreen where you will be asked to enter the last 4 digits of your phone number.  It will populate the screen with your family information and the name of your child.  You simple click on your child's name and the classroom they are assigned to and click on print name tags.

Each kiosk has a printed that will print out your child's name tag and a parent claim receipt for you.  Simply put the name tag on your child where it is visible and keep the claim receipt for yourself. 

Walk your child to their classroom and off to service you go.  When service is over go to the classroom, show the teacher your receipt and pick-up your child.

Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early to familize yourself with the new system so both you and your child can get to class and service on time!

This is a very exciting season and we are looking forward to having the check-in process streamlined and enjoyable.

If you have any questions, please be sure to stop and ask me on Sunday.

Pastor Julie