Dear Ones,
Hope your day is filled with peace and a time of rest as well. We had a fun party here last night. Today my meatman is coming at 6 a.m as he brings it right to our door.  I plan make choc chip cookies on a stick and later we have Bible study.
Devotions from Judy’s heart,
We recently returned from a place of great beauty in the high rolling hills of Wisconsin, where we stayed at the home of Taylor and Ethan. We had anticipated this trip for some time as we wanted to take in what a Christian community looks like and how they function together. A large number of people from all over the country have chosen to come together to worship and know the Lord in deeper ways. Some have families, some are single, some live in homes with others, but they all come together with the purpose to know the Lord deeply and let Him direct their lives as they experience and share His love.

The body of believers meets in a very large refurbished barn that has no electricity as it used to be an Amish farm. It takes a lot of dying to self as people from all parts of the country come to join with others to hear the Lord, be real, and give Him all. Some who were Amish have sacrificed everything to belong as they were now rejected by family. Everyone we met was so open and welcoming! Taylor had invited a couple over for supper and we got to hear their story and they wanted to hear ours; it was a blessed evening of coming together in the Lord and honest sharing.

It was particularly impressive on Sunday morning when we all assembled for the service. It isn’t like many churches where you come together for an hour and everyone gets restless if the service lasts longer. This service lasted three hours, and no one got up to leave but instead wanted to take in all shared by the three men who felt led by the Holy Spirit. It was impressive to see that with all the many children there: they were quiet during the whole service as parents teach them respect for the Lord. We went away with full hearts, feeling loved and blessed. Most Sundays they have a potluck meal following, but due to the heat it was canceled that day. The Sabbath was not just an hour of the week, but a day of worship, fellowship and community.
Let us not limit what God wants to do in our lives. As I read in Isaiah 55:2b-3, “Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline our ear and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.”
Challenge for today: Be real with the Lord and live in hope as you seek Him each day.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy