VICKERY FAMILY BLOG

16 years ago today I had the privelage of saying I DO to the most wonderful lady in the world. Yes we have had our ups and downs but God has brought us through it all. My word for this years anniversary God has brought us a mighty long way. People always ask what our success is. Our marriage is based on one scripture spoke over us by a pastor on our wedding day in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how c.an one be warm alone? 12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken 

Christ has been that center cord and we are intertwine together with Him. Anita I Love You.

You are an amazing lady that never ceases to amaze me.

 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!

This is the time of year new journeys begin from high school graduates to middle school students going to high school to life in general. Journeys are exciting, exhilarating and very awkward even for the best of  plans.  Even though we might have an idea we still wonder where the journey will take us.

God has just begun a new direction and journey for our family.  Where it takes us and how it will end I am not sure but I do know that Jesus is walking through the journey with us.  We are determined in our hearts and minds to enjoy every minute of the journey.  It will not be an easy journey but it will be rewarding and well worth whatever obstacle we will overcome.  God will walk beside us and carry us through whatever he has for us.  We can’t wait to start and venture out into the unknown.

Put your whole heart and soul in the journey God has for you.  Enjoy your journey with Jesus and see where it takes you!!!

TODAY IS THE DAY! 

The tomb is empty today just as it was over 2000 years ago.  The tomb is empty and death has no sting and the grave has no victory.   No matter what you are going through you can look at the tomb and because it  is empty we are alive,  we do not have to fear but know that Jesus is making intercession to the Father on our behalf.  Thank You Jesus for willing to go the cross that we might be saved.  Thank you for rising from the dead that we do have hope to see you move in our lives and bringing us from

                          Death to Life in Christ Jesus. 

We are seeing amazing things in our lives as we begin stepping out for God and yet at the same time we are having some tough times.  God has really been allowing us to step out and begin ministering to new Christians being mentors and seeing them grow and set free from stuff.  He is also using us to minister to seasoned christians to be their encouragement and lastly just working along some great friends who are there with us no matter what we go through. God is so amazing to allow us to be a part of so many lives.  We are so excited about how God is beginning to use us and  awed by the responsibility He has given us.  We are stepping out and things are moving forward and then my wife breaks her ankle and you think why does this have to happen now.  Stepping out is dangerous there is no easy road when you step out.  It is  not a smooth  ride.  The devil does not want to see the kingdom of God grow and mature and anything he can do to slow your family down he will.   The devil thinks he slowed us down and yes Anita might not be able to move as fast as she could but God is sustaining us and we are not going to miss a beat. Not because we are some strong people but we have a strong God who spoke in the word I will be your strength. 

Isaiah 58:10-12 (New International Version)

 ¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
       and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
       then your light will rise in the darkness,
       and your night will become like the noonday. ¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
       he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
       and will strengthen your frame.
       You will be like a well-watered garden,
       like a spring whose waters never fail. ¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and will raise up the age-old foundations;
       you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
       Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

It is dangerous to step out but it is amazing  to see God give you strength to walk through the attacks and see Jesus victorious not only our own lives but all the lives around you that God has allowed you to impact. 

Step Out and watch God move.

13 years ago today I was blessed to have a miracle come in to our lives. Today is my youngest daughter Tori’s 13th birthday. Tori is growing up to be such a young lady.  I am so happy to see how far she has come from the first day I held her in my arms to  being almost taller than I am. She is such a blessing to my life.  I thank God for our Blessing every day.  I thank God that she wants to follow God and wants to serve Him.  Tori’s laugh for those of you who know her will make you smile and bring  joy to your lives. Tori you are an amazing young lady that I want to see grow into what God’s desires you to be using the Gifts God has given you.  

Tori enjoy your birthday.  I Love you

Dad

I preached this message a couple of years ago at a church that was without a pastor. About 6 months before I preached this God began putting this in my spirit.  I started thinking about this recently not only for my church but for my life.   Think about what Jesus taught when he walked the earth was not how to preach, not how to run programs, but how to pray. I am not demeaning programs in a church and strongly believe they are necessary. If you do not pray and seek God about the ministry, the church and the programs  then all you will be is just a program church.  Prayer is what needs to drive the church.  We want to see people come to Chirst, we want to see lives changed forever, we are looking for miracles to happen. We have to do our part and that is be driven to prayer and seek God to do this because with out Him we can and will do nothing. Today you might ask yourself what can I do to make sure my church is a church of impact not only get involved but get before God and Pray and watch God move in your church.

Let me challenge you with this. Get in your prayer time, Get at your alter or you secret place and seek God and watch Him change your life and your church.

Our pastor began preaching this series this past Sunday.  He challenged us to understand in  knowing our here in order to get to there. That is so true that if you do not know your here and where you are at how can you get to your there.  After you establish your here then your next step is your there. Your there consist of your dreams, your passions,  your ambitions.  In essence your there is not set by you but God and what He places in you.   Your goals that you have, need to be set toward getting to your there. 

My question to you is  Where are you and Where are you heading? Is it getting  you to where God wants you to be?

Listen to the message at www.thefreedomchurch.com

The last few days of this year, its amazing that we  are at that point already.   As I look  back on this year reminiscing and anticipating what 2010 has in store my mind and my heart pounds with excitement  knowing in my life there are an abundance of changes and opportunities for my family and I.  In my spirit,  I sense God doing some  great things.   He is positioning our family for many blessings in every aspect of our lives.  I cannot wait for the new year to come to see where God is going to take us.  This year is going to be life changing.  We are on the edge of our seat.

Primal By Mark Batterson is truly one of the best books I have ever read.  The book will change your perspective and get you back to the God ideas of getting back to basics of  living the Great Commandment for what it is really is and not what we make it.  This book will challenge your spirit and your mind.  As you read this book it will help you to strip away all your ideas and notions that you had of God and will bring back to the very basics of Christianity. It is what we need to get back to in order to see God  move in our lives effectively. If there is one book that you can start out the year in the right direction is Primal.

Now that sounds kind of crazy doesn’t it?  actually sounds kind of cocky that Christmas is because of us. Hang in there for just a moment and let me explain the crazy thoughts that come cross my mind on my drive to work.  Yes it could be said we are the reason for the season.  The reason I say this is because God wanted a personal relationship with us.  We were separated from God because of our sins.  He wanted us to get to know him and not have to depend on someone else to intervene for us.  The only way He could do that was to send His son Jesus born of a virgin.  I admit Jesus is the reason for the season and no doubt God loved you enough that He said I want a personal relationship with my creation and for that reason I will send my son Jesus.

When you celebrate this year remember Jesus is the reason for the season.   Father God wants a relationship with you.