I can't even imagine walking along with Jesus and not even knowing who he was, or better said, being allowed to know who he was. He was just walking along listening to the two talk about what had been happening over the past few days and how Jesus the prophet had been crucified. They spoke that they had hoped He would be the one who was going to redeem Israel.
It would only be a dream to be able to walk along side of Jesus and talk with him. I know that one of the first things I would say to him would be "Thank You for searching for my heart and for taking it over from sin" The questions I would have for him would be endless. I can imagine him telling me to "shut up" and then I am sure that he would use a parable to make me understand what His dreams for me were.
These scriptures in Luke are so meaningful and so important to the overall story that I could read them over and over and never be bored by this part of the bible. My favorite verse is 47"and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations" It is my hope that my faith and love for Him shows through to all the others in my life, so that I can be doing my part to "preach His name to all nations"
Til Tomorrow...God Bless!
Lori
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Week 6: Day 3
I know that when He releases me to go into the world that He can give me any power I need to help myself and others with whatever is needed; however, it is up to me to "let go" of all of my baggage so that His power can be passed on through me. That is SO hard for me, I try very hard to release my past, to release my baggage, but guilt takes over and I continue to carry everything on my shoulders. I am also a control freak, so to surrender everything to Him is just too hard for me sometimes. I want to be a good disciple for Him, but doing that can be a very difficult thing to accomplish.
"Heavenly Father, please help me to release all of my guilt, all of my baggage, and all of my control to you. Let you carry it all on my behalf. Let You take over all of my worries and allow me to be one of Your Best disciples. Let me spread Your word and Your news of the wonderful eternity that is waiting for all of Your children."
Goodnight to all of God's children and may we all become better disciples through His wishes for us!
"Heavenly Father, please help me to release all of my guilt, all of my baggage, and all of my control to you. Let you carry it all on my behalf. Let You take over all of my worries and allow me to be one of Your Best disciples. Let me spread Your word and Your news of the wonderful eternity that is waiting for all of Your children."
Goodnight to all of God's children and may we all become better disciples through His wishes for us!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Week 6: Day 2
The Great Commission!
There really isn't a whole lot that anyone can say about this piece of scripture. When becoming a member at HCC, I had to learn this verse and recite it at my discipleship class. Memorization is NOT my strong point, so I was very nervous about this task. Then, when I got started in my memorization, I found that it was so easy for me and that His words just poured from my mouth with so little effort.
The commission asks us all to be "disciples that make disciples" and I take that VERY seriously. I am trying very hard to communicate my faith, share my joys of being a child of God, help people with their faith journeys and to support those that have questions and are curious about the Lord.
Pastor Drew told me shortly after I started going to Heartland that people always say our "Lord and Savior", when in reality that is backwards. We all must accept Him as our "Savior" and then we have our "Lord". That has stuck with me, and I must say that I use this message a lot when speaking with other children of God. It is easy to explain and totally fits the message that "And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age" The Lord should be spoken last and will be there for us last, til the end of the age.
Well, I guess I had a little more to say about the Great Commission than I originally thought......let me know what you think.
and all God's people say......Amen!
There really isn't a whole lot that anyone can say about this piece of scripture. When becoming a member at HCC, I had to learn this verse and recite it at my discipleship class. Memorization is NOT my strong point, so I was very nervous about this task. Then, when I got started in my memorization, I found that it was so easy for me and that His words just poured from my mouth with so little effort.
The commission asks us all to be "disciples that make disciples" and I take that VERY seriously. I am trying very hard to communicate my faith, share my joys of being a child of God, help people with their faith journeys and to support those that have questions and are curious about the Lord.
Pastor Drew told me shortly after I started going to Heartland that people always say our "Lord and Savior", when in reality that is backwards. We all must accept Him as our "Savior" and then we have our "Lord". That has stuck with me, and I must say that I use this message a lot when speaking with other children of God. It is easy to explain and totally fits the message that "And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age" The Lord should be spoken last and will be there for us last, til the end of the age.
Well, I guess I had a little more to say about the Great Commission than I originally thought......let me know what you think.
and all God's people say......Amen!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Week 6: Day 1
I read all of chapter 3 of 1 Corinthians because it wasn't that long and I wanted to be sure that I understood the whole chapter. I'm not really sure how many seeds God has given me to plant, but the one that I am definitely taking too much responsibility for is the seed for Brian's faith. I have felt responsible for his relationship with God since my relationship with God began. I have always thought it was my "job" to convince Brian that he needed the Lord and he needed salvation. I have tried and tried to get him closer to God, and even sometimes when I tried that hard it would push Brian in the wrong direction.
When I had finally given up is when Brian started becoming interested more in God and the bible and what it all meant. Brian has surprised me so much lately because he has been going to church more and more and I haven't even asked. This past Sunday, he just got up and asked me to iron his shirt for church and I didn't even ask him to go with me. I love it that he is getting closer to God and hope that his relationship with Him continues to grow.......like the seed that He had me plant!
God Bless and have a good week!
Lori
When I had finally given up is when Brian started becoming interested more in God and the bible and what it all meant. Brian has surprised me so much lately because he has been going to church more and more and I haven't even asked. This past Sunday, he just got up and asked me to iron his shirt for church and I didn't even ask him to go with me. I love it that he is getting closer to God and hope that his relationship with Him continues to grow.......like the seed that He had me plant!
God Bless and have a good week!
Lori
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Week 5: Day 4
What am I afraid of? Just about everything sometimes. These fears are definitely more prominent when I attempt to control my life myself. I am hungry for the Lord to take over my fears and show me how things are better when I let him control it. I know the Lord will never leave me or forsake me, but sometimes it is very hard to trust in that comfort.
One thing that I am going to be strong about is inviting people to church with me for Easter. I am going to profess my faith to them and show them that church is exactly where they will be. I know that the Lord is with me and ready to take me by the hand and lead me to others who need His word reflected upon them.
Dear Lord, please guide me to wherever and whomever you believe needs my guidance. I wish to lead them the same way that you lead me. Give me the power I need to minister to them and let your love reflect entirely through me.
God Bless until tomorrow!
One thing that I am going to be strong about is inviting people to church with me for Easter. I am going to profess my faith to them and show them that church is exactly where they will be. I know that the Lord is with me and ready to take me by the hand and lead me to others who need His word reflected upon them.
Dear Lord, please guide me to wherever and whomever you believe needs my guidance. I wish to lead them the same way that you lead me. Give me the power I need to minister to them and let your love reflect entirely through me.
God Bless until tomorrow!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Week 5: Day 3
I truly feel like the Holy Spirit is attempting to persuade me to give more time to my faith and less time to the things of this world. I keep feeling Him pull, tug, talk to me, whisper to me, and shake the heck out of me. I am truly trying to give Him all of me that I can, but I am so stretched in every direction. I am not defiantly ignoring Him, or disregarding Him and I want to follow His path and let him give me my path to heaven. The Holy Spirit is teaching me to witness for Christ by giving me more and more strength and confidence in my spirituality and faith. I feel like the more I know and educate myself, the more I can witness for Him.
I also find myself praying more out loud. I know this may sound silly, but all of my prayers used to be silent prayers. I would basically pray in my head, with my head bowed and hands crossed. I now find myself speaking out loud with my head looking straight up toward Him. I have found that with more confidence I feel deserving to speak to Him with more vigor. My prayers have also changed as far as their content. The majority of my prayers used to be for "things" of this world, now my prayers are usually praise for him and prayers for other people. A lot of my prayers are simply talking to Him about how special He is in my life.
I still want to witness for Him more to others. I want Him to give me more power over my faith and the ability to "convince" others of His chosen path. I want Him to lean on me more and use me in this world to communicate on His behalf.
My Prayer: "Lord, please use me in whatever capacity you would like to witness on Your behalf. Use me in this world to make others see the glory and importance of Your world. Give me the words to use and place me wherever I am needed most. I pray this in Your Holy Name....Amen"
I also find myself praying more out loud. I know this may sound silly, but all of my prayers used to be silent prayers. I would basically pray in my head, with my head bowed and hands crossed. I now find myself speaking out loud with my head looking straight up toward Him. I have found that with more confidence I feel deserving to speak to Him with more vigor. My prayers have also changed as far as their content. The majority of my prayers used to be for "things" of this world, now my prayers are usually praise for him and prayers for other people. A lot of my prayers are simply talking to Him about how special He is in my life.
I still want to witness for Him more to others. I want Him to give me more power over my faith and the ability to "convince" others of His chosen path. I want Him to lean on me more and use me in this world to communicate on His behalf.
My Prayer: "Lord, please use me in whatever capacity you would like to witness on Your behalf. Use me in this world to make others see the glory and importance of Your world. Give me the words to use and place me wherever I am needed most. I pray this in Your Holy Name....Amen"
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Week 5: Day 2
This exercise was EXTREMELY easy for me. Barely 2 years ago I did know nothing about Jesus or the bible, had never been to a church for more than an occasional visit, and visited Heartland for the very first time.
What was my experience like?
I remember that Shirley Farmwald opened the door for me, and that Mary Strawsma was the first person to greet me. She took me right over to the welcome information and made sure that I knew where the resources were that I needed. I remember being REALLY nervous because the night before I had a lifechanging dream that I knew that I needed the Lord in my life. I also remember looking at the beautiful church and knowing that I was "home". I had visited HCC one other time, but hadn't been back until that day.
What's comfortable?
The physical building is comfortable. The colors are warm and inviting. The chairs are more inviting than a traditional pew and the gathering area is perfect for fellowship. Also, and most importantly, the people are good and inviting. I think our members do a great job of making people feel welcome and I hope that I make people feel as welcome as others do me.
What is uncomfortable?
My personality doesn't lend itself to feeling uncomfortable in very many situations. I have such an outgoing personality and am not easily intimidated; therefore, not too many things make me uncomfortable. I would have to say that if I were uncomfortable at all at HCC it would be when I first started with the worship team. I wasn't aware of what was expected of me with being part of a group at church and being the "newest" made me a little out of place. Other than that, I can't think of anything that makes me uncomfortable.
What makes no sense?
The main thing that comes to mind when this question is asked, is that I don't understand why Sunday school stops in the summer. I realize that people are busy and usually even more so in the summer; however, I guess I feel that learning more about the "Word" is important all year long.....not just when regular school is in session. I understand that this question is to be from the "new" person's point of view, but I had to throw that in......now to answer the question as a newby.....What makes no sense? Well, I'm visiting on a Sunday in July and there's no Sunday school after the service???? That just makes no sense to me!
How does it change my perspective when it comes to HCC and the hospitality?
Well, I wonder how I can learn more about HIM without an organized class. I am trying to figure out a way to teach myself and am trying to make it a priority to find the right people at the church to help me. As far as hospitality is concerned I don't think it effects it much because everyone is so inviting, but it is a little harder for new Christians to get the answers they are looking for in the Lord.
Now, I am going to visit a different church when I get the chance; however, HCC is still so new to me that I am not sure right now how visiting another church will affect me and my thoughts about HCC.
God Bless everyone and let me know what you think.
What was my experience like?
I remember that Shirley Farmwald opened the door for me, and that Mary Strawsma was the first person to greet me. She took me right over to the welcome information and made sure that I knew where the resources were that I needed. I remember being REALLY nervous because the night before I had a lifechanging dream that I knew that I needed the Lord in my life. I also remember looking at the beautiful church and knowing that I was "home". I had visited HCC one other time, but hadn't been back until that day.
What's comfortable?
The physical building is comfortable. The colors are warm and inviting. The chairs are more inviting than a traditional pew and the gathering area is perfect for fellowship. Also, and most importantly, the people are good and inviting. I think our members do a great job of making people feel welcome and I hope that I make people feel as welcome as others do me.
What is uncomfortable?
My personality doesn't lend itself to feeling uncomfortable in very many situations. I have such an outgoing personality and am not easily intimidated; therefore, not too many things make me uncomfortable. I would have to say that if I were uncomfortable at all at HCC it would be when I first started with the worship team. I wasn't aware of what was expected of me with being part of a group at church and being the "newest" made me a little out of place. Other than that, I can't think of anything that makes me uncomfortable.
What makes no sense?
The main thing that comes to mind when this question is asked, is that I don't understand why Sunday school stops in the summer. I realize that people are busy and usually even more so in the summer; however, I guess I feel that learning more about the "Word" is important all year long.....not just when regular school is in session. I understand that this question is to be from the "new" person's point of view, but I had to throw that in......now to answer the question as a newby.....What makes no sense? Well, I'm visiting on a Sunday in July and there's no Sunday school after the service???? That just makes no sense to me!
How does it change my perspective when it comes to HCC and the hospitality?
Well, I wonder how I can learn more about HIM without an organized class. I am trying to figure out a way to teach myself and am trying to make it a priority to find the right people at the church to help me. As far as hospitality is concerned I don't think it effects it much because everyone is so inviting, but it is a little harder for new Christians to get the answers they are looking for in the Lord.
Now, I am going to visit a different church when I get the chance; however, HCC is still so new to me that I am not sure right now how visiting another church will affect me and my thoughts about HCC.
God Bless everyone and let me know what you think.
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