Anita Renfro - Think Before I Eat

Women of Faith - Here We Come!

Oh I am so excited! Atlanta's Phillip's Arena is hosting Women of Faith - Infinite Grace September 26-27. Thanks to my sweet friend Carol... Amy, Carol H. and I will be attending. I have had awesome experiences at WOF.

About 5 years ago, Amy Wyatt and I went to our first Women of Faith in Charlotte, NC. We ordered tickets late so our seats were...well, really bad. We were up so high that people were making and taking cell phone calls! Not great. The tickets for the event have Friday's tear-off ticket on one side and Saturday's on the other.

Saturday morning came and, skipping lots of details...I had lost my ticket. Convinced I had dropped it somewhere within the arena the night before - I just gave up on the possibility of getting in. "Take good notes," I told Amy. Just then and lady walked by and said, "Do you need a ticket?" WHOO! And just like that, God provided a ticket...not just any ticket...a place in a better section/closer to the stage. In much appreciation, I said, "You rescued me!" To which the lady said, "I work for a rescue mission!" (Of course you do, I thought.)

As lunch was wrapping up on Saturday, another "new" friend said, "Hey where are you sitting? There are plenty of seats around us. Why don't y'all come sit with us?" Well, as we followed them down, down, down steps...we ended up on the second row behind the speakers. No kidding. Amy and I looked at each other and bawled like babies!

You see, we had both prayed for confirmation from God of a calling in our hearts. A calling into ministry. Our separate (unknown to the other) prayer was to be moved closer so we wouldn't miss a thing due to distraction. There we were ... on the second row where the only people closer were the ladies who escort the speakers.

In an auditorium of 16,000+, God heard the heart's cry of two and confirmed a call into ministry. Since then, we have both been moving toward Him.

NEEDLESSTOSAY, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to soak it all in and hear from God this weekend. I'm going to sing loud and listen louder! I am expectant! God is always BIG but we don't always notice. I'm sitting up straight this weekend with leaning ears.

Join me in praying for each of the 19,000 attending in Atlanta.

Isaiah 61

The Year of the LORD's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise nstead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed."
10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

TSMS - Something About That Name

I woke up this morning with this song on my heart! After sharing at night's Relay for Life Luminary Ceremony, I am awed by the tremendous opportunity we all have to share the name of Jesus. Just this week I was getting my nails done (my recent uncharacteristic indulgence). The Vietnam native holding my hand was giving his opinion on the day's news and politics when he said a very interesting thing. "When I die, I want to be sitting right here holding someone's hand. When I go to the Kingdom of God, I'll look through the gate and say, "Hey, I did her nails, and her nails...let me in! I know them!"

Then I said with a nervous stomach, "you know there's only one you need to know to enter into the Kingdom of God."
"Who?"
"Jesus. All the others are just extras. He is the only Way."

That room-silencing statement was followed by his mis-information about Peter holding the key to the gate...and some other really mixed up statements.

My heart ached and leaped - all at the same time. You see, his little girl was sitting just feet away from us with a Christian school logo on her shirt. I'm assuming they chose that school because it was private...not Christian. God is so awesome! Even in a fume-filled nail salon, He places opportunities to witness.

I'll pray for that family and try again...in two weeks!

For more Then Sings My Soul - check out Amy's site!

Sam's Project!

Okay! Today was the big day. Sam's first big project as a 2nd grader: Geographic Landform - A Valley. In order to have a valley...you have to have mountains or hills. After the trusty "google" located a great idea...we totally copied it! Using the foam insulation in a can, we made two mountain-looking mounds in a box. This "great stuff" puffs up and makes it's own bumps and peaks. After it dried for two days, Sam started painting it.

Then we got creative! I cut a road in the side of one of the mountains and painted it. Then we molded tiny cars with modeling clay.

Sam had the great idea to make a little man climbing the mountain. We painted a waterfall on one of the lumpy parts.

Here's the finished project! For a scrap box, foam in a can and some craft paint...I think it's pretty cool!!!

Good job Sam!

Big Springs Cat goes Back to School!

I had the opportunity to speak and sing at Big Springs Baptist Church in Hollis, NC on Thursday. Sweet people...and great food! I may have to join this spunky seniors group next month!

A few weeks late on the update but...here we are. Sam and Darby started back to school on August 21! I can't believe I have 1st and 2nd graders. Every day they look forward to going to school. That alone is a blessing! We are thankful Thomas Jefferson Classical Grammar opened in Forest City. Not only is the education top notch, the "community atmosphere" is wonderful!

We are now working on a geographic landform project for Sam's first project as a 2nd grader. If it turns out okay...I'll post pictures. If not - you'll know.

We've also added a new member to our family. In classic creative style...her name is "Kitty". A neighborhood wanderer no more...she's now a Roller.

This Friday is Relay for Life here. I have the honor of performing during the luminary service.
Thanks for checkin' in. More to come.

Wisdom

I recently heard the quote:

"Discernment is more than knowing right from wrong.

True discernment is knowing right from almost right. "

Today I began my morning reading in I Kings. Solomon, after being hand-appointed by King David before his death, is in charge. Most know Solomon as the writer of most of the Proverbs and the spicy Song of Solomon. "Wisdom" seems to be interchangable with his name. Today the "holy high-lighter" beamed on one over-looked point.

When dreaming of a conversation with the Lord, God asked him what he most wanted. Faced with many choices including wealth, love, fame and power, Solomon said he wanted wisdom and discernment. Pleased by this, God granted his request but also favored him by also providing the other riches.

I know God is not a "genie in a bottle". But, if I was given one "wish"... would I choose wisdom? Would you? Today, consider all God has to offer and choose wisely when making requests.

Weekend Wrap-up: Interview, Fairview and Mountain view

The weekend was very eventful! I had a great time sharing my faith on "Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly" WSPA-TV Channel 7 in Greenville, SC. Sweet friends Donna and Debra met me downtown to show support. That experience was followed up by a quick trip to Starbucks...who can complain about that?

As I made my way back to Forest City, NC, three precious packages accompanied me: Sarah, Hannah and Caroline. Tim and Alison headed to the Clemson-Alabama game and we spent time with their girls. We miss living one street away from them in Mauldin. It was great to get all the cousins together again!

On Sunday, I had the honor of singing and speaking at Fairview Baptist Church in Caser, NC. Never heard of Caser? Me, neither. But I'll say, I will never forget this precious church. As we rounded the country road, the white, should-be-on-a-postcard church sat high on the freshly mowed hill. Three wooded crosses greeted us on the sloped drive. The simple decor of the building was made beautiful by the unbelievable mountain views from the full-length glass windows. What wonderful sights to bring you into a time of worship! My concert was followed by a fellowship and refreshment time in their fellowship hall. Good food. Good company. Great time.

I thank God for the opportunity to share what He's done in my life. I am humbled by the thought that someone could see perfect Him through one as flawed as me...