Weekend Recap

I went with my friends, Ryan and Julie, to the National Balloon Classic in Indianola. Ryan has a friend who is a pilot so we got to go with them and watch them set up the hot air balloon and then we got to onto the actual field while some others were inflated. It was pretty cool to be so close. I've uploaded some pics so take a look!

Yesterday while my newly painted toenails were drying, I was reading 1 Corinthians 1 in The Message Bible. I came across verses 7-9 and it really encouraged me. It says this:

"Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that."

You see, I HAD forgotten that this week and God gently reminded me of His promise to never leave me or forsake me. So I had to stop right then and ask Him to forgive me. And He did. And then I went on to read of chapter one and it talks about unity and giving the glory to God that is due His name. It was a good read!

Saturday my church sponsored Art Fest at Centennial Park in Waukee. There was a smattering of artist tents, as well as some great music, free food and giant inflatables and crafts for the kids or the young at heart! It was a chance for Westwind, as a body of believers, to share God's love in a tangible way with the people in Waukee. And I think we accomplished that! It was an amazing example of the body of Christ unified and at work. And it was a blast!!

This morning I went to church at First Family Church in Ankeny. If you're looking for a church home and you live in the Ankeny area I would highly recommend checking out First Family. It was an awesome worship experience from the beginning of the service until the end. But back to 1 Corinthians. Today Pastor Todd preached from 1 Cor 11...the passage where Paul talks about how the (physical) body being a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. Just as it is in Christ. Paul says...in verse 18, "But in fact God has arranged the body..." In verse 24, "But God has combined the members of the body..." And in verse 28, "And in the church God has appointed..." And He did this arranging and combining and appointing "just as He wanted them to be." Why does God take such care in placing people where He wants them? Because He needs just the right combination of arms, and legs, and eyes, and feet, etc. to effectively spread His gospel and ultimately bring Him glory. So if God moves people from one body to the next it's not about that body or even that person. It's about His message and His glory!

So, are you where God can best use you? Or are you even involved in a local body of believers? Because when you find somewhere where you can truly be who God made you to be it's a beautiful thing!