Today marks a new day for our church, we are no longer TBC, but officially Missio Dei Fellowship.  For me there is excitement and much sadness.  I grew up at TBC.  I learned the gospel in this church, I have been loved by this church and have loved much in this church.  I have grown here both physically and spiritually.  I met my husband here and was married here.  My whole married life has revolved around TBC.  Every decision we have made for our family, education, vocation, location...... all of it was based on this body and how it affects it.  We love this church!  So, for me this time brings me many mixed emotions.

I remember "Old Temple" with much more fondness then some I guess.  With all our problems and changes over the years there has been much that God has done through this body to bring  it to where is today and I am confident will use many of these same people (Old Temple) to bring us where we want to be for His Glory.

I am going to be teaching S.S. with people considered "Old Temple", who have peresevered through every kind of trial and problems in our Church and have faithfully served.  I grew up knowing Mike Strickland (the gentle giant) and Vicki Anderson.  They influenced me in my childhood and now I get to serve alongside them and continue to grow with their help.  My children get to be taught the gospel faithfully by people like Linda Cate, Shelly Smith (my mom), Jackie Marciniak and Sherri Stocker; people who I knew and was cared for by as a child, which is exciting to me.  I look at many of those who are teaching and leading as we change from Temple Baptist Church to Missio Dei, and they are those who have persevered, grown, loved and served as Temple for many, many years.  Me and my husband are "Old Temple" with all that comes with it.  I know some are eager to be rid of any shadow of who we were, but who we were in many ways has made us who we are, and the old along with the new can perhaps, accomplish much for the Kingdom that is to come by the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who unites us and accomplishes all He desires despite us. 

As I said, I have mixed emotions.  I loved TBC and with every grace God gives me, I will love Missio Dei because we were purchased by the blood of Jesus and have been set apart for His glory.  I am excited to see change and new servants and pray God will use Missio Dei Fellowship despite our new weaknesses and even new percieved strengths. 

May God have mercy and make us (Missio Dei Fellowship) a people who do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

When I went to Challies blog today he had a link to a fantastic article on humility.  I don't know about anyone else, but I need constant teaching and reminders on humility.  It is a long blog post, but worth the time.

Here is a excerpt:

"Without humility, Christ will be scarcely detectable in our lives. No matter what our gifts may be--teaching, preaching, writing, organizing, counseling, leading--and no matter how expertly we exhibit them, they are hauntingly hollow without humility. Without humility, others may hear of Christ from us, but they will not see him in us. He will remain more of a rumor than a reality. If we want Christ to become a public reality in us, we should seek to understand just what humility is and how to cultivate it."


Nichole's most recent post was also helpful when considering the great sin of pride and putting on humility.

 And I pray:
"Oh, Lord through the work of the Holy Spirit kill all the pride that so easily entangles me and aid me in cultivating a heart of humility."

For the last three days Psalm 103 has captured the meditations of my heart. I can't seem to move past it in my prayer time lately. It has been good for my soul to contemplate the many benefits of knowing and being known by the Creator of the universe. It has been a help with meditating on the gospel of Jesus Christ as it has caused  me to meditate upon His pardoning of my sins. It has caused me to sing for joy as I contemplate His being compassionate towards a sinful people, that the High exalted one keeps in mind that we are but dust and is faithful in His dealings with us anyway.

He is all-satisfying!

        Psalm 103

 ¹Bless the LORD, O my soul,
         And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
    ²Bless the LORD, O my soul,
         And forget none of His benefits;
    ³Who pardons all your iniquities,
         Who heals all your diseases;
    ⁴Whoredeems your life from the pit,
         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
    ⁵Who satisfies your years with good things,
         So that your youth isrenewed like the eagle.
    ⁶The LORD performs righteous deeds
         And judgments for all who are oppressed.
    ⁷He made known His ways to Moses,
         His acts to the sons of Israel.
    ⁸The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
        Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
    ⁹He will not always strive with us,
         Nor will He keep His anger forever.
    ¹⁰He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
         Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
    ¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
         So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
    ¹²As far as the east is from the west,
         So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
    ¹³Just as a father has compassion on his children,
         So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
    ¹⁴For He Himself knows our frame;
         He is mindful that we are but dust.
    ¹⁵As for man, his days are like grass;
         As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
    ¹⁶When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
         And its place acknowledges it no longer.
    ¹⁷But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
         And His righteousness to children's children,
    ¹⁸To those who keep His covenant
         And remember His precepts to do them.
    ¹⁹The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
         And His sovereignty rules over all.
    ²⁰Bless the LORD, you His angels,
         Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
         Obeying the voice of His word!
    ²¹Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
         You who serve Him, doing His will.
    ²²Bless the LORD, all you works of His,
         In all places of His dominion;
         Bless the LORD, O my soul!