Too Comfortable

The Uncomfort Zone, is the name of a friend's blog page. I have to admit that I use to live in that zone, in another time and country. It seems to elude me now though. Living in the belt of the comfort zone, here in the South, I struggle against getting too satisfied or cozy. We have our temp. controlled buildings, full time church staff, classes for every age group, perfectly designed nurseries, music to suit every genre, and restrooms with their own floral arrangements. I could go on! We are drowning in showers of blessings! I have to admit that these things contribute to the ever growing temptation I feel to sit back and fall asleep spiritually. I realized the extent of my trouble a few weeks ago when my husband was considering having our family join in a new church plant. All of a sudden I was faced with a dilemma...Do we really want to take our kids out of a church where they are so tied in and in which they are being ministered?
I actually entertained the thought that it might be detrimental to our daughters to enter into a church plant where they couldn't participate in all the wonderful programs in which they are currently involved.
What on the earth has happened to me? Five years ago I wouldn't have given any call from the Lord a second thought. "Mexico?.....Great Lord! Kenya, Africa?...I can't wait! Haiti?....I'm packing up right now!" But over time I have become too comfortable. Now I shutter at the thought of my kids not having an awesome Christian drama/choir teacher or a fully equipped, Lifeway trained, Sunday school teacher or a great church family that is like a real family. I am ashamed of myself!
Of course, the Lord convicted me of my selfish concerns. It didn't take long for me to realize that a church plant could be a great opportunity to challenge the girls to truly live out and practise all the Biblical knowledge that has been fed them since birth.
Though God did not end up directing Buddy to join the church plant, I am once again ready and willing to leave my wonderful church...if and when the Lord leads us elsewhere. For now we will continue to seek to serve the Lord whole heartedly and to look for opportunities to step outside the Comfort Zone!

Jeb Hensarling Called Me...Who?

The coolest thing happened to me tonight as I was reading through my friends' blogs. I got a call from my congressman! Okay...some of you are already thinking...big deal. But I thought that it was cool. I was invited to stay on the line and participate in a "conference call type town meeting". Since I am taking a government class right now, and the girls where already quietly watching a video; I decided to listen in on the meeting for a few minutes...which ended up turning into 45 minutes.
I haven't ever taken much interest in the happenings of my state or my nation. I thought that I hated politics. I've realized over the past few weeks that I was just afraid of politics...just like I was afraid of blogging. I am always afraid of things that I don't understand (yes Tamara, this why I am a recovering "12 o'clock flasher" ). But, the call made me reconsider my lack of involvement. I might actually start reading up on the latest issues and e-mailing or calling my congressman in the future. I might even start praying for him and try to share Christ with him.
He didn't know what he was in for when he called the Holt household...even if the call was computer generated and he didn't know I was on the line!

Hijack My Blog

In just a few minutes it will be the 1 month anniversary of my blog. And as I am sitting here looking at it...I realize that I want more!

I have never been one for interior design. The truth is that my husband has done all the home interior design, purchasing and arranging around here. He has an eye for that type of thing and frankly...he has a lot of chick in him. He admits this freely to our friends and adds that he is also a sensitive kinda guy...and that chicks dig that! The four chicks that live with him " dig it." So, I guess that makes it okay?
Anyway...I try not to compare but it is hard when I make my rounds to all my blogging friends' sites and then I come back to my blogging home...it's just so plain and brown and ...did I say plain?
So, I had an idea. I don't have television, but I have heard of that program where they come and take your plain old vehicle and they turn it into a wow mobile. So I want to know if someone will "pimp my blog"?
(Btw, when I write that my honey has a lot of chick in him, I am in no way implying that He is effeminate :0)

Special Valentines Offer- Limit Time Only!

Okay...Yes, I am resorting to bribery. It seems like everyday I find out that someone new is reading my blog, but not commenting. I know that some of you are shy and others are just too busy to comment. So for a Limited Time Only, I am offering a free personal sized cheesecake or brownie to everyone who post a comment to this blog. No pressure, you don't even have to have anything super smart of clever to comment (I never do). Just scroll down to the word "comment" , click and a comment page will pop up. Enter your info and let me know if you want a cheese cake or brownie! That is easy enough and doesn't take but a few seconds...it will be worth the goodies! Btw...the cheesecake is Chrissy Hawkin 's recipe, the best I have ever had!!!! The brownie will be homemade too!

If you act right now, you can even specify if you want cherry or strawberry topping on your cheesecake! (0ffer not valid where author cannot hand deliver goodies, sorry dad! We can make you some oatmeal, chocolate chip and raisin cookies though!)

They are Watching

There seems to be a running theme in what the Lord is telling me lately. Through an experience recently with a misunderstood post, I came realize that people are watching me. Before you think that I am having a paranoid episode...I was approached this evening by a younger girl in my congregation who said that the girls are being encouraged , by their Sunday school teachers, to find older woman to "mentor" them. She asked me if I would be hers. I was at first honored, then excited , then humbled, then I sorta got this sick feeling in my stomach! "That means she is watching me! Oh, Lord help me."
Living a life that is a good testimony to other people, for the glory of Christ, it is not a new concept to me. I try to live in a way that would not bring shame to the One whose Name I wear. But as I looked at that girl in the face tonight I realized that there is a lot a stake here. What if she sees me fail? What if she finds out I'm really a mess? What if she sees that I'm just a no good sinner and the only thing that saves me from the deepest pit of Hell is the God's mercy through Jesus!...As I pondered the dilemma, a peace came over me. I realized that my being a real "saved by grace sinner" was the only testimony I have to live before her or anyone else that happens to be watching.
Of Course, I will continue to do my very best to live in a manner that is worthy of the calling (with the help of the Holy Spirit). And when she sees me make a mistake, I will point her to Christ and be a living example for her of His great forgiveness. I pray that God will help me live my life in a way that will serve to draw people's attention to Christ.

I Have Figured out the Secret

I think that I have figured out how to get people to respond to my posts...just write something shocking or scandalous! LOL
Note to my faithful readers...haha... and all who are concerned about my spiritual well being: My post " Mad Enough to Quit", has been edited and renamed to better convey the tone that the author originally intended...let me know if I was sucessful this time:) Yours truly and always under His grace, Cherie Holt

Public Apology

Several post ago I share with you that I had had a spiritual temper tantrum and that I had faced the temptation of quiting church. Though I did feel that way for a few hours...the post was meant to be about remaining still and obedient before God and how He works things out...not about me being mad or wanting to leave my church.
After being approached by several concerned church friends (who I didn't even know knew I had a blog); I realize that I failed miserably at making my point. I love my church and my brothers and sisters in Christ. God has always been faithful to work out any conflicts...which I tend to avoid at all cost anyway. Those who know me well, know that I am a pacifist and hate conflict.
My intent in sharing my few hours of struggling with anger, was not so that we would focus on the terrible thing that got me upset , rather that God was calling me to trust and obey Him.
So I want to publicly apologize for any misunderstanding that my poor communication may have caused. I will endeavor to be more careful to communicate clearly and positively in my future posts.
Thankful for His Grace, Cherie Holt

Worship

1 Corinthians 10:31"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
I started my worship of God today as I rolled over and cuddled with my husband this morning, taking 15 min. to pray silently for his day and that he would live today in a way that would be pleasing to God. I continued to worship as I administered medicine to my 8 yr. old daughter. Then I worshipped while I tackled the pile of laundry on my bedroom floor, had my quiet time and a cup of coffee. My worship will be manifest as I herd our daughters out the door to take an elderly woman we know to the Dr. Then I will persevere in worship as I teach my children their school lessons. Later this afternoon my daughters and I will worship together as we take a package of diapers to a young man we met last week, whose girlfriend just had their first child. I will go on worshipping all day... looking for ways to be obedient to God and to share Christ love with whomever God leads into my day. Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship."
February 5, 2007 8:18am

Be still and know...Previously known as " Mad Enough to Quit"

Note to the reader: This post is meant to be read in a light hearted tone. It is meant to poke fun at our tendency to "get up in arms" about things ,when God calls us to be obedient and to be still before Him.



I almost quit church Thursday! Boy...I was hot. My feathers were ruffled. My buttons had been pushed and I was gonna stand behind my cause. I was sure this was the hill I was willing to die on! Have you been there before? I've seen it happen time and time again in my 35 years growing up around the body of Christ. It wasn't my first experience with this emotion nor I'm sure my last.
So what did I do? I spent Thursday morning in tears, praying, the afternoon on the phone with my mother and by that evening had resolved myself to surrendering my anguish to God and to,"being still and knowing that He is God", and that I am not...and that I cannot fix a thing! God told me Thursday night to continue in obedience...that was it. It wasn't the answer that I was looking for... I was ready to kick some spiritual * tookus, (thanks Tamara for my new word) and take names! But He didn't give me the green light on that one.

This morning I saw the fruit of being still and obedient before the Lord. God is so much better than I am at working things out. You're thinking...Duh...well of course!
Are you laughing at me? Come on, fess up...If you have been active in a church body for awhile, then I know that you have probably been there once or twice yourself.
As I was driving home from church today I couldn't help but hum under my breath a little diddy we use to sing in children's church...

" When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word what a glory He sheds on our way. While we do His good will, He abides with us still and with all those who TRUST and OBEY...
TRUST and OBEY for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to TRUST and OBEY. "

I am so glad that I chose to trust and obey rather than kick tookus or quit!


*Tookus: Bo-bo, hinie, bum, rear, rear-end, gluteus maximus, butt.