Salvation and Birthday Cake

Tonight I got to share my heart with the Oxford Manor Bible study. I missed the study last week, and was told by Brett that I missed a doozy. Apparently there was a lady there who was throwing some confusing questions out and really making a mess of the study. So Shonda (the girl facilitating the study) finally had enough and decided to tell everyone that their homework was to go home, study, and find out what they could about salvation. (big topic!) I won't go into detail for lack of time, but I have been going Bible study crazy this past week. I have been falling in love with the Bible and am just now (at the age of 26 and after serving overseas for 2 years)... JUST NOW realizing just how amazing the Bible is. I'm learning that it all goes together... I mean, I knew that, but I didn't "get it." But this week I would be studying one thing in Romans, and it would link to something in 1 Corinthians and that would link to something in Galatians, which links to something in Genesis, which goes back to Romans! Crazy. So I did my "homework" and I came ready to share tonight. It was a bit crazy at first because it was Vandeara's birthday so there were lots of extra people there and cake and fun stuff. But finally we got down to business. We were kind of all over the place for a while, but at one point I had the floor and I started talking, and I couldn't stop! I shared how it breaks my heart that the Gospel is so simple and yet we make it so hard. I shared how Christ came for us, for everyone in that room (some of whom are not yet Christians), and how much He had to give for us. I said over and over again that it's JESUS who saves us, and there's nothing - NOTHING - we can do to add to that. To make it even more amazing, one of the guys who seems to be seeking the most was sitting right across from me, and I had his undivided attention. I don't think I looked away from him for much of my little spiel. God was totally speaking through me. I don't mean that to sounds weird or like spirit possession or anything wacky, but usually I'm pretty quiet at Bible study until a point needs to be made, and I will quietly make that point. This time I was pumped. I couldn't hold it in anymore! People were actually saying "amen," "yes, Lord" and "bring it" while I was talking! Hah! Who'da thought I had it in me? Well, I have the Holy Spirit in me, so I shouldn't be surprised. :) WOOHOO!!! Jesus rocks my world. PLEASE keep praying for this Bible study and the people in it. The guy's name that I mentioned is Sha'. Pray that God will show Sha' more and more of who He is and how much He loves him. He seems to be so close, but I get the feeling that there are things he's just not ready to let go of yet. Thank you for your prayers. I'm not really sure who even reads this blog anymore, but if you do - thank you! Your prayers mean the world to me!

Oh, and on a completely different note... because of a lack of time, my wonderful roommate made Vandeara's cake for me. She started to make the cake and realized she didn't have eggs, and she couldn't go out because the girl she is a nanny for was asleep. So... she used mayonnaise
as a substitute. What in the world!? Yeah... I had no idea you could do that. Good thing her Mom is a real chef, so she knows these things. The cake was fantastic. Who knew? Thanks for the cake, Leanne!!