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Wow! Can you believe it is already September? I hope that you are enjoying a day of fun and rest this Labor Day before the full routine of fall sets in. I love fall! I love all things pumpkin, and the rich colors and cooler temperatures that honestly in the South we won't experience for quite awhile. I would imagine that some of you are excited about getting back into a routine and others are dreading the seemingly never ending list of things to do. As I approach fall, my prayer is that I will choose to live out my days in a way that is life-giving to all that the Lord brings across my path. I want the beauty of the season to be reflected in my life. How do we do that? How many times do you go up to someone and ask how they are doing and they’ll say, “I just feel stressed” or “I feel so overwhelmed.” Or maybe you are the one who feels overwhelmed by your multi-tasking life? Do we just buy into that chaotic life? Or is there a different way to live? It can be hard to focus on what’s really important when it seems like everybody and everything wants a piece of you. As I get older I’m constantly amazed and wonder where the time goes. We are suddenly in another season, another year has passed. It makes you want to make your days really count. Don’t you long to make a difference, or maybe to make your life look different? I believe the Lord has some answers for us. There are truths for us in His Word that will help us navigate the sea of things, people, social media and beliefs that bombard our minds and crowd our lives. He understands the cry of our hearts to simplify our lives. Seeking those answers has led Sherry and I to launch a study entitled “The One Thing.” One of my favorite verses has always been Psalm 27:4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. This Psalm and other “one thing” Scriptures hold rich lessons that can help guide and equip us, but we have to choose to seek those answers and then we have to choose to walk them out in obedience in the way we live out our daily lives. We live in the kingdom of God and we are part of that kingdom building that the Lord is doing within us and through us right now. How do we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and what really matters? How do we cultivate intimacy with Jesus? What are some practical ways to help us find our purpose, our rest and be a reflection of the love and beauty that only Christ can offer to such a desperate world. This year we will focus on five “One Thing” Scriptures that address these questions -
If you can’t join us we will be sharing some of the lessons in our blog and possibly some podcasts throughout the year. So here are the dates: Friday, September 13 Friday, October 11 Friday, November 8 Restore Winter Gathering February 7-8 But you need to register below so that we can prepare for you! Last night I was reading The Pursuit of God by one of my favorite authors A.W. Tozer. He closes each chapter in the book with a beautiful, heartfelt prayer. My heart resonates with this one as we enter this new season. “O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy Glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, “Rise up my love, my fair one and come away. “ Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from the misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” May this be a year when we hunger and thirst for the Savior and then choose to rise up and follow Him because He is our ‘One Thing!” Seeking Jesus, Kathy
Below is a video Sherry and I made that gives you a window into our hearts for The One Thing study. We hope you will take a little time to view it and choose to join us in two weeks! Are you looking for some music to encourage and inspire you as you seek the One Thing?
I have put together a Spotify list for you! Enjoy! https://open.spotify.com/user/marykathryndrake/playlist/1WEg7mdAphtuRmh1OC4gYp?si=Herx6rnnT1eBP4BwrUYuxw
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