After listening to Gary Kinnaman’s message this past weekend (which I loved), I started thinking about the “B” in his ABC example.  I’m not sure if the sermon will be available on the VCNP website.  It wasn’t when I checked Monday morning, but you might check later today or Tuesday.  Click here to go to that page

In Gary’s example , the A stood for the action someone performs,  B is for what we believe, and C is for the consequence – or how we react to the action.  Gary explained we often go over B and just react.  What we need to do is focus on what we believe.  Although he didn’t go into a lot of detail, to me, this meant I’m to focus on what I believe to be true – either about the other person, myself or how I choose to think about what has happened. 

It got me thinking about a friend of mine who had a choice.  I’m going to call her Trisha (but that’s not her name) and she does not go to the Vineyard.  Here’s what happened:

The accusations were unsettling – the suspected infidelity of a husband – who was also in full-time ministry.  Some called for his resignation, while others stood by him.  His wife, Trisha, was one of those who chose to believe her husband when he denied the rumors.

The controversy swirled.  Although no proof of his affair was ever uncovered, this man stepped down from his pastoral position.  Trisha, though eaten up by the turmoil and her own suspicions, continued to support her husband.  She refused to believe the rumors and stood firm on what she believed to be true about the man she had committed to love and honor.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t long after he resigned that Trisha’s husband claimed to have lost his love for her and moved out.  Divorce papers followed a few months later.

Confused and hurt, Trisha sought answers in prayer and God’s Word.  Her ex-husband still denied any wrong-doing while they were married.  Trisha just wanted the truth, and she continually asked God to bring it to light.  She wrote down scriptures that brought peace and hope and read them throughout the day.  Although her heart was heavy with grief and filled with questions, my friend turned to God for comfort.  God was faithful and filled her with peace.

Trisha accepted the situation, but continued to pray for the truth to be revealed.  It bothered her not to know what really happened.  Until one day when God spoke to her through John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  In the quiet of her heart, Trisha realized the God had been showing her the truth all along – only it wasn’t the truth about what happened - it was HIS truth.

With each scripture she read, God planted His truth in her heart – about her value, God’s character and His unfailing love for her.  God’s truth was setting Trisha free from the bondage of needing to know the truth about her husband.  It also guided her in how to respond – which she did with dignity and grace.

There’s so much we may never know for sure in this life.  The “why’s” of life can drive us crazy.  Worry and fear can hold us captive.  Yet Jesus promised freedom when we know the truth.  But we have to read God’s Word for ourselves and allow God to plant it in our hearts. 

Then like my friend Trisha, we can move on with life, choose to respond in godly ways and stand firm on the rock of God’s truth.

There’s nothing that makes us lose our dignity in this life, except our choices of how to respond to our circumstances. 

In His Love,

Glynnis

www.GlynnisWhitwer.com

 I asked Christina Trifanoff, one of our leaders, to be a guest blogger today.  I think you’ll really enjoy what she has to say!

Blessings,

Thora

Worry

Remember that song from the 80’s, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”? That catchy song may have over-simplified the process of reducing worry, but its point was clear: We should not worry.

The word worry comes from the Old English word “wyrgan,” meaning to strangle or choke. Have you ever felt so overwhelmed with worry that you felt like you were being strangled or choked? I have. Worrisome thoughts distract us from the life God intended for us to live. They rob us of our peace and joy.

What Jesus Says About Worry

In Luke 12:22-26, Jesus was talking to His disciples and He said: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  … Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Jesus was adamant we shouldn’t worry, and for good reasons. 

4 Reasons Why We Should Not Worry

Worry isn’t productive.  When we spend time in worry, we are less than productive as it robs us of productive time.

Worry negatively impacts our health. Worrying negatively impacts our health by weakening our immune systems.

Worry denies our faith in God to help us. Worry also denies that God is in control and is willing and able to provide. Philippians 4:6-7 promises, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  As we meditate on that promise and hold it deep in our hearts and minds, worry fades.

Worry distracts us from living a faith-filled, powerful life.  Finally, worry distracts us from fulfilling the mission God has placed on our lives. Many times I have been in crisis mode, only to find that as I surrender my fears and anxious thoughts to God, and open myself up to the whispers of the Holy Spirit, I find peace.  I also find that God wants to use me to minister to others. However, if I’m so preoccupied with worry, I may miss those “windows of opportunities.”  In other words, the enemy is using circumstances to stop me from moving forward, and seeing God purpose for me in His kingdom.

Practical Application

So how do we manage worry? Jesus tells us how in Matthew 6:25-34. The answer to worry is to concern ourselves with God’s kingdom. Jesus tells us in verse 33, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  

As we meditate on the promises of God’s Word, and speak His truths over our lives, our trust in Him to provide, is solidified.  That is my prayer for each of us. Then we will experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.

I walked inside my home and dropped the luggage on the living room floor.  I gazed at the familiar walls, the curtains and the furniture, but couldn’t help feeling as if they belonged to someone else.  I sighed.  I’d hope this time around it wouldn’t be like this, like it always is when I come back to Arizona.

Homesickness for my country of origin, Guatemala, and for the family I’d left behind 20 years ago sipped through my skin and into my bones. 

It was hard to explain and justify feeling “all alone” when I was married to a wonderful man and had a family of my own.  But coming from a culture where people hardly ever move, a place where your extended family is always around and a part of your everyday life, being just “the five of us” felt utterly lonesome.

I started a load of laundry and poured a can of soup into a pan.  I turned around and looked at my children as they waited eagerly for something warm to eat.  They’re so precious, I thought, feeling guilty about the way I felt.  What is wrong with me?  Why can’t my family be enough?

The next day, as I moped around the house feeling sorry for my self, I had an epiphany.  There was NOTHING wrong with me!  My husband and my children were indeed a source of  much happiness and fulfillment.  But their love wasn’t enough to realize my God-given need for fellowship.

I started to think about the people the Lord had put in my life during the years I had lived in Arizona, people my husband and I had met at church and all the incredible women in my Bible Study I considered my friends yet I never took time to spend with outside of church.

The morning of my epiphany was the morning I decided I wouldn’t be lonely any more!  I realized God had surrounded me with great people I could be friends with.  That’s the morning I vowed I wouldn’t waste another weekend staring at the TV, wishing I could be with my extended family.  Instead, I would invite people over for a barbeque or I would call a friend to meet her for lunch.  And that when I came across my neighbors, I wouldn’t just smile and wave from afar, but actually would take the time to say hello and ask them about their day. 

“Good for you, Ana,” some of you might say, “but reaching out in search of new friends isn’t as easy for me as it seems to be for you.”   I hear you.  That’s why I’m so happy to tell you about a place where even the quietest and shyest of all can make friends.  It’s called a Small Group.

This month, our church has launched scores of new Small Groups that meet at different times during the week.  There are groups for married people as well as for singles, for stay-at-home moms as well as men.  Some meet to hike and pray on Saturday mornings, some meet to study a book of the Bible on a weeknight.  And the list goes on.

I guarantee there is a group out there, just for you – one where you will feel like fish in the water.  And as you become a part of the group, soon you’ll discover that the group has become a part of you, like a family.  And you’ll be doing life with them, and laughing with them as well as comforting each other.  And one day, just like me, you’ll realize that you’re no longer alone.

I pray God gives you the courage to step out of your loneliness and into a Small Group.  Your new family awaits.

Recently, I travelled to visit a friend. One morning we went on a donut run to Krispy Kreme. While there we became fascinated with watching the automated process of donut making. First the donuts are put in the one compartment with little shelves that continually go up and down to raise the donut. Then they are flipped into the oil to cook them, turned over, glazed, and cooled. While we were eating one wonderful donut I spied a donut partly off the shelf in the area where they were going up and down on the little shelves. Upon further inspection there was a second one on that same shelf that was hanging over the other side. Then we started to wonder what would happen when it got to the little flippy thing to put it in the oil. So, we waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. The donuts were almost ready to flip and the Krispy Kreme worker went in and took the donuts out. Now we will never know. We were disappointed, especially my friend’s son. But we did quickly get over it and headed home with the donuts for the rest of the family.
This got me to thinking how often in our lives we anticipate an event or occasion and it doesn’t happen or may not happen how we expect and are disappointed. It can be something miner like not seeing the donut flip or it could be major like not having children or getting cancer or the list can go on and on. What I love about Jesus is He is with us and cares for us in our big or little disappointments. Two of my favorite verses when I have disappointments or discouragement are:
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Moses talking to Joshua)
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jesus talking to his disciples)
What verses do you find encouraging when faced with disappointment?
Blessings,
Susan

“I wanna go where everybody knows my name…..”

 Do you remember the line of that song from the old TV show,  Cheers”?

 One of the best places for that feeling of “community” to happen, is in the midst of a small group …and there are tons of types of groups to go around.

 My current group is an affinity group for those moms and children blessed by adoption.  (OK…basically we play and talk…but isn’t that kind of what moms and kids like to do?)

 “Is small group today?” my kids ask on Saturdays, and then get a bit pouty if it is not.  They look forward to going to the group as much as I do. 

 They now have a set of friends with whom they play, look forward to seeing at church, and with whom they spend birthdays.  This all started because we go to the same small group.  (And now we do all know each other’s names-like the line in the song says.)

 There is something to be said for attending small groups and sharing life together…….something very good that is.

 I want to encourage you to find a small group that fits you.  There will be a small group fair at church this weekend between services where you can see lots of options.

 Blessings!

Thora

Today was the Church wide Baptism and I was so excited to be a part of it! I love watching the faces of God’s children as they prepare for one of the most important days of their lives!

Growing up “Baptism” meant going to church to watch a baby get sprinkled by the priest and then going home afterward, having a huge party and watching adults get drunk. To our family baptism was something we did because it was tradition and expected!

When I became an adult I was taught the true meaning of baptism.  Pastor Brian explained that baptism was more then getting sprinkled by a priest. He began to teach the meaning according to what the bible said.

I learned that baptism was for all who have repented and have believed in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and that it is symbolic of our identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection – Matt. 28:19,20; Acts. 10:47,28; 2:38,39; Rom. 6:4,5; Col. 2:12; Mark 16:16.

I loved God and I liked the idea of baptism. I wanted to be baptized but I was afraid that I was not ready to be 100% follower of Christ. I did not want to do it because it was the right thing to do. I wanted to do it because I loved Him and I was ready to serve His forever!

 Another year passed and I continued to go to church and learn about the God that I loved. But each time Pastor Brian mentioned baptism I would think to myself “I love God but I have to many issues and I’m not ready”. I did not want to be a hypocrite!

The next sermon Pastor Brian taught was on GRACE. Wow, did that sermon touch my heart! I realized at that moment I was never going to feel “READY”. I knew that all these years I loved God so much but I never really understood His love for me was unconditional and never changed. There was nothing I could do to make Him love me more!

The Lord showed me that my relationship with Him was like one of a woman engaged to a man for many years but afraid to commit to marriage because she did not want to fail as a wife. He spoke to my heart in a way like never before! I experienced God’s presence and He told me I can never fail unless I give up. Just say yes and I will do the rest!

So on November 18, 2001 I said yes! I remember that day as if it were my wedding day. I said yes to the Lover of my soul. No longer was I going to do the things I wanted to do. That day I gave my heart to Him 100%. I said yes Lord, yes! I am yours 100% no holding back! I was baptized and my walk with Christ has never been the same.

I learn from Him more and more each day. I walk with Him and talk with Him and He has become the air that I breathe!

Baptism is a very important part in our Christian walk. It’s not tradition or something we do to go thru the motions. It’s the day we say yes to the new life Christ has for us! Have you been baptized? If not what are you waiting for!

 Matt 28:19, “Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Love,

Eva

I don’t know about you, but I’m not incredibly creative.  Some people just have the gift.  They can arrange pictures on a wall or ornaments on a table or put together a stylish outfit with ease and tastefulness.

Lucky them.  I’m just happy when my clothes match…

But I tell you what I can do: I can copy a good idea, and so can my fellow not-that-creative friends.  That is why there are dozens of magazines that sell us inventive and resourceful ways to decorate our home, add zest to an otherwise boring recipe, or turn one dress into five different outfits.

How good it is to know that I don’t have to be “the brains” of an operation!  I tell you why.  I might not be that ingenious, but I can be a great “arm” (more like a big “mouth” my kids might say, I’m but that’s another subject.)  I love to implement and support great ideas!  That’s my gifting.

Every one of us has different God-given abilities He wants us to put to good use.  The Apostle Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 12:12,18, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body… God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”

I love it when the Body of Christ works together so that one’s great idea can become a reality.  I saw this first hand in one of the most tender and moving gestures I’ve witnessed.  It happened last month, during a mission trip in Honduras.

Our team was having lunch at an outdoor restaurant located in front of the town’s central plaza.  A young boy approached our table, trying to sell us souvenirs.  His clothes were well worn, his dark hair tousled, his olive skin dusty.  I saw him and felt sorry for him, but didn’t think anything else about him.  (As I said, I’m not the brain.)

When the boy approached Yasmin, one of our team members, she turned around and asked him, “Would you like to join us for lunch?”

His face lit up and a smile spread wide open.  Hector, Yasmin’s husband, stood up, took his plate and passed it around, asking everyone to share a portion of our meal.  We all moved our chairs a little closer to make way for our table’s young guest.  That boy must have felt like a king!

I guarantee he will never forget that moment.  And neither will I.

Don’t you love it when you get to be a part of something special, when you get to support a great idea?  Being a part of a church body gives you plenty of opportunities to do this. 

If you are a brain, by all means, share your ideas with us!  But if you are an arm, or a leg, a heart, or an ear, I encourage you to find your niche within the Body and use the gifts God has given you to put those ideas into motion.

Whether it was your own idea or someone else’s, I’d love to hear about something good you’ve been a part of – something that has touched your heart.  Would you share it with me?  I’m dying to hear.

Love,

Ana