Faithful

Our forty days of fire are over. Tonight was the last night of our Revival with Bro. Easter and also our last week- the week of reviving. So- I thought I would take some time and share.

For those of you who are not from Life Tabernacle, Pastor Holley asked us to create a list of seven things we were having faith to see God do. Call me needy- but I was able to come up with all seven items. As of today three of the seven have already happened.

The first item that I scratched off was perhaps one of my biggest headaches over the last two years: my parent’s house. I have not been able to close their estate because the house has not sold. On Tuesday of this week, at 4 in the afternoon, we close on a sale. God is faithful!

Another one of my seven items was for a young boy in our church, Johnathan, to receive the Holy Ghost. He has been seeking after it for a long time. This past summer he was the only camper that returned from camp without receiving it and I know that made him very sad. This past week he received it! God is faithful!

The last item that I am scratching off is a little more abstract. I had put on my list that we would see revival among our kids. I know… how are you supposed to know when something like that happens? Well… tonight, while watching people receive their Bibles and certificates, I realized that the majority of those standing up who had been filled with the Spirit or Baptized were younger than 18 years old! Many of those were younger than 12. This evening, while I was talking to a visitor, he commented on the children and their participation in service. So… it’s here! We are experiencing revival among children! God is faithful!

In spite of all of this…I was tired going into this last part of our 40 days of fire campaign. I didn’t want to end our 40 days with revival services, and I certainly did not want to have to be a part of another community day at the end of it all. For some reason this past week was a CONSTANT struggle for me to reign in my mind and force myself to give everything I could to this revival. My flesh did not want to be in revival at all this week. What can I say? Sometimes it happens… sometimes you seem to be your own worst enemy! God is faithful!

Now its Thanksgiving week and as much as I am looking forward to a week off I can’t help but let my mind fly ahead to next weekend. God is so good and I am so excited to be apart of what is going on. We are swimming in waters… and it feels both exciting and somewhat daunting.

The last few years I have become so determined that I will not be a part of a generation that arrives at the promise and is unwilling to take it. We all go through spiritual ‘slumps’ from time to time but all we have to do is remind ourselves of what we have to lose. I cannot afford to get slack with my opportunity to be a part of what is happening. All of my life I have envied the story of Caleb and his mountain. I want a mountain. I don’t even know exactly what I mean when I say that… but I know what it feels like!

Well… enough rambling. If I don’t get to tell you in person… or if I don’t get to tell you before I head to Jason & Julie’s… Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a blessed holiday and find yourself surrounded by family and friends.

WOW!! The left side was for kids and young people!!

Finally...

It is the much anticipated return of the Dialogue! I know... I have had SO many fans wondering when I would return. I have avoided blogging because my internet protection service has gone haywire and no longer allows me to blog. The only chance I get to blog is by doing so at other's houses- and since I am at my brother's house for Thanksgiving- I get to blog! Yeah for me!

I did find out some rather exciting news. My subscription to 'the service' ends on December 12. At that point- if I chose not to renew- and I will not- then it will automatically erase itself from my hard drive! Hallelujah!

I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving. Julie and I spent the day shopping and getting ready for the biggest cooking day of the year. (I have been snapping pictures of our work all day long) Right now, I am sitting at the computer with a knife wound.

We have done prep work all day long and while we were getting ready for dinner this evening, I turned away just long enough to slice the top of my thumb nearly off. It is literally hanging on by a hair.

Nothing is more depressing for someone who enjoys cooking to know that they will have to work though Thanksgiving with a bandage on one hand. I will survive. The cooking must go on.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone... enjoy the day. We have so much to be Thankful for!

Give Thanks

“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor… I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country… also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions…”

-George Washington, President of the United States, October 3, 1789 in the Nation’s first National Thanksgiving Proclamation.

Isn’t it wonderful to live in a Nation with so rich a Christian heritage? Thank God for America and her humble beginning!

Ten Things I am Thankful For

1.) I am alive. Many people will not be alive this Thanksgiving- two of whom I will miss more than I can say. I am thankful for life.

2.) I have truth. There are millions of people throughout our world who are blinded by lies and deceit. Who am I that I should be born into truth? Why me? What makes me so special? I am so very thankful for truth.

3.) I have a family. Nothing will make you question all you have ever known to be true like death. Is family only the people who are connected to you by the blood that runs beneath the surface of your skin, or is it more? There are no words to convey the love I have for my brother but I have many in my family. I have Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. I also have dear, dear friends who are my strength and support. I am thankful for family.

4.) I am a member of a church body. The longer I live the more in love I become with the Body of Christ. I love Life Tabernacle. I love her elders, her young people, her families, and her children. I love her Pastor and his wife. I love that I get to try and give back in some small way for everything she has given to me throughout my life. I am thankful for my church.

5.) I have a heritage. What does it mean to be Ouellette? It means to be strong, keep going, and never give up. It is about finding ways to make precious moments out of the most ordinary circumstances in life. It is about family and loyalty. It is about pouring yourself into things with all of your heart- not so that people will miss you when you are gone, even though I know both of my parents are missed by many- but to make your life count for something important, something bigger than right now. I am thankful for the heritage that my parents have left me.

6.) I have no past. Many people have a past and they cannot escape from it. They have made so many mistakes and done so much wrong that they are aged beyond their years and sleepless throughout long nights. My past is gone and I am the only who can change that. I am thankful that I have no past.

7.) I have a future. When I think of this Holiday season I look beyond today. I do not know what my future holds, but I know that God holds it- and that is exciting. More abundant life is on its way! I am thankful for a future.

8.) I am a vessel God uses. I am nothing special. I have no skills or talents that other do not posses. I am ordinary and common; yet, God uses me. Why? I am thankful that God, in His infinite grace, anoints me and uses me for His glory.

9.) I have a home. So many people do not have physical places to live or places where they belong. I have both. I am thankful for a home.

10.) I have laughter. My God has given me the power to laugh through every circumstance. I am so thankful that I can laugh and still be filled with peace and joy!

Truly, I am of all men most blessed!

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving and I challenge you to find the time in this holiday to be thankful (I think ten is a healthy number). Thanksgiving is so often rushed over on our way to Christmas- but stop- even if it is only for a day- smile, reflect, and be thankful!