Sometimes we pray and either wait many years or don’t ever see the outcome or God’s answer on this side of Heaven.  Recently, God has blessed me by letting me see the resulting fruit of some of my prayers and I am so very thankful.  It reminds me that He DOES care about the details of our lives and makes me feel so much closer to Him.  I’d like to share this fruit with you, which has all come about in the last week or two.

The first one had to do with a specific problem my sister was dealing with.  I don’t have the space to fill you in on all the details, but let’s just say it had to do with a project for the safety of her dogs after one was attacked by a coyote in her own backyard.  Thankfully, we saw God throughout the whole experience (the dog survived). My sister and her husband needed to come up with a way to keep the dogs safe in the backyard and were baffled.  They had considered many options and couldn’t find an appropriate solution.  One morning, the Holy Spirit prompted me to pray for them to receive wisdom and I also asked my parents to do the same.  Later that day, she said the idea “just came to her” and it solved the problem!  We rejoiced for the Spirit’s leading and provision.  Yes, God cares about the little details in our lives.

The second one was for a friend of mine whom I’ve known since elementary school.  She learned about a year ago that it would not be possible for her and her husband to have biological children.  So they had started the process to adopt.  About a month ago, they completed the process and sent out their personal website that ultimately would be shared with potential birth mothers looking for couples to adopt their child.  About 10 days ago, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit out of nowhere to pray for them and a birth mother to match.  I am so happy to share that in the next couple of days they were matched with a 6 month old baby girl.  When I found out, I started crying tears of joy to see a prayer request turn into a praise so quickly.  What a huge blessing for all parties involved.  God is awesome!

Last weekend, watching the baptisms during service made my heart soar. I thought about the times we at the Vineyard have prayed for God to move and change the hearts of people in our community so that they would follow Jesus.  Getting to see so many people make the public statement of their faith by getting baptized at VCNP is just amazing.  One of them was the daughter of a couple who led the first small group my husband and I attended through VCNP back in February 2007.  What a joy and privilege to witness!  Again, happy tears burst from my eyes.

And now, that I am a mother…having been blessed with Christian parents who have and still do pray for me, I pray for my son (and daughter on the way) and for their spiritual well-being.  I take my 2 year old son to a weekly Bible study.  I realized recently when he memorized some of his Curious George book that it was time to make helping him learn Bible verses a priority.  So we started going over the ones on the Bible study children’s sheet I bring home every week.  He has now memorized two of the Bible verses.  Listening to his little voice speak God’s truth – is such a joy as the mom of a young child.  I thank God for his blessings and being able see the results of praying that the Holy Spirit would begin to work in his heart now so that someday he will choose Jesus as his Savior.

Thanks for letting me share my joy.  God has blessed me by seeing this fruit lately in so many ways and reminded me that even when I don’t see it, He is still there, working in our lives and loving us dearly.

Melissa

The Stine family has embarked in a new adventure this year. We are committed to memorizing certain Bible verses each week – something we had done by ourselves before, but never together as a family.

So far, Daddy is the champ as he always manages to recite the selected verses with great flare, which has earned him the affectionate nickname of “Big Show Off”.

Oh, we Stines are so loving.

Our adventure, though new, has inspired new ideas in this blogger, who – at the tender age of 43 – feels like NOTHING sticks to her brain anymore, except for the results at her last weigh-in at the gym (such painful memories) and the occasional, sometimes rather annoying jingle from TV advertisements.

But since I know that these feelings of inadequacy, as Morris Albert’s once famous song went, “are nothing but feelings,” I’m valiantly pressing on!  And I’ve come up with some pretty good methods for memorizing my verses.

I hope that these ideas will inspire your own creativity and determination to storing God’s Word in your mind and heart:

Discover your own learning style. The way I memorize things might not work for you, so you are going to have to figure out (or remember from your school days) what does.  Some people remember things by writing them, others by hearing them, others by seeing them, others by saying them.  The only way you’ll find out will be by giving each method an honest try.

Be creative.  I’m not very good at sitting still, so I discovered that I can work on my verses while blow-drying my hair.  Since repetition is key to memorization, you can record your verses and listen and repeat after them while doing chores.  Or you can carry in your purse a small notebook where you can copy your verses (if that’s how you learn) or index cards with those verses written down so you can read and repeat them while waiting for an appointment.

Be Consistent.  My friend Nola explained to me that when you learn something, cheer repetition creates some sort of rut in your brain that facilitate the conduction of the thought signals from point A to point B.  Not a very scientific explanation (she said it better) but what I understood is that, repeat after me:  “Repetition is key.”  So whatever method you choose, make sure to consistently carve out time to work on your Scripture memorization.

As I said in my previous post, I guarantee that by the end of the year you’ll be glad you gave this discipline an honest try.  And, who knows, maybe by then even I might have stolen the champ’s title from Big Show Off!

Ana

I’ve been thinking a lot about the father in the story of the prodigal son found in the gospel of Luke chapter 15. I’ve been thinking about this man’s faith, the kind of faith that sees beyond what the natural eye sees. A faith that believes beyond the broken heart and as a mother I marvel at the trust the father shows even when experience screams, “STOP this kid, there are consequences to this decision”! I’ve been thinking about the strength of will that refuses to run after that rebellious kid and lovingly talk some sense into him. I’ve been thinking about the kind of love that doesn’t seek its own by wanting to “fix it”; rather waiting patiently and allowing his son to discover his own faith and relationship with God. I’ve been thinking about the kind of peace that did not allow fear to run freely in his imagination fixating on the innumerable dangers and choices his son might make. I’ve been thinking about the kind of joy that overcame him as he ran to his repentant son.

Yes I’ve been thinking and I asked the question, “God how can I live like that?” And then came versus 24! “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

The scripture does not detail for us the father’s journey, the only insight we have into this process is versus 24. The father had lived through grief and he had surrendered to it. “This son of mine was dead”. To let go completely, to let the dream die, to let go of the “what ifs”, to grieve the loss and still trust God with resurrection hope is a powerful thing. It is the place where there is no more struggle. 

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20

This parable teaches us about living by faith. Where ever and whatever place or circumstance you find yourself; whether it is the death of a dream, a loss of friend, the ache of disappointment, or the pain of a rebellious child learn from this parable of our Lord. Learn to embrace the hurt, the loss, the anger and the disappointment because only then will you be free from the struggle and live a life of faith.

From my heart to yours,
Blessings,

DaNetta

This new year, how about this resolution:  Memorizing God’s Word.

There are so many benefits to memorizing Scripture!  See what King David said about this:

Psalm 119:11, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Hebrews 4:12 speaks about the power of Scripture:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Ephesians 5:25-26 tells us that God’s Word makes us clean and holy:

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.

Now, you might think this is a good idea or have already considered adopting this discipline, but you wonder, “Where do I start?”

I’m glad you asked.

Here are a few tips to help you with this resolution:

1. You need to develop an attainable plan.  What is your goal?  One verse a week?  One a month?  Decide that ahead of time.
2. Many times I’ve wondered, what verse should I memorize?  Look up verses that speak to your heart.  You can also look up key words that match an area in your life you need to work on.  Are you struggling with fear?  Do you need to strengthen your faith?  Need to discipline your thoughts, your tongue, or your spending?  Memorizing verses about this subject will be essential to gaining victory in those areas.
3. Print the verses you’ve selected and display them in a visible place.  The fridge, your bathroom mirror are good places.  I have a friend who carries a stack of cards with his memory verses.  He flips through them whenever he’s waiting for something. Try different aids and don’t be afraid to be creative.
4. Pray.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the ability to remember these verses and the discipline to stick to your goal.

God’s Word provides comfort, guidance, cleansing, instruction and victory (to name a few).  I pray that you give this resolution a try.  At the end of the year, you’ll be glad you did!

Ana

Oh Lord give me a heart that burns for you!  This has been a line in my prayers many times in the last 10 years.  A heart that burns for Jesus and is 100% surrendered to Him and whatever He requires of me.  I have actually believed it on occasion and thought that I was 100% surrendered to Him.  My heart felt like it burned for Him but alas there is nothing so deceitful as the human heart.  Psalm 51:10 says, “Lord search my heart and show me if there is any wicked way in me.”  I have also prayed that many, many times.  The Lord has been so gracious and tender with me but He cannot lie and very thankfully He will not leave us as He finds us.  And so the refining process that started the day we said, “yes Lord I believe”, will never be finished.

1st John 5:21  “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”

Matthew 6:21 “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.”

Proverbs 27:19 “As a face is reflected in water, so their heart reflects the person.”

Proverbs 4:20-23 “Pay attention, my child, to what I say.  Listen carefully.  Don’t lose sight of my words.  Let them penetrate deep within your heart.  For they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.  Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.”

There are so many more wonderful scriptures in the Bible that refer to our hearts.  The heart is truly our barometer of where we are in our personal life with Christ, how we live shows us where our heart’s are.  What we spend our time, money and other resources on shows us what is in our hearts. 

You have seen the commercial for a credit card where the big Viking guys are coming after some person who has just used a credit card and they are saying, “What’s in your wallet?”.  Each time I see that I think it should be one of the Lord’s warrior angels coming after us saying, “What’s in your Heart?”.  It’s that important.  Do you have room in your heart for the Lord?

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear, OIsrael!  The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.  And you must Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul and all your strength.”

To really love Him and be loved by Him so that we have it in our heart to love others as we are also commanded.  To be so taken by Him that we will desire with all of our heart, not just a part of it,  to spend time with Him getting to know Him and be known by Him.  He is the one who created us and who knows what we were made for.  To be His best friend and walk with Him.  Sharing our hearts and secrets with Him as He shares His with us.  To be trusted by Him as we trust Him.

Oh Lord this is the heart that I want!

He came to earth to save us, redeem us and unite us with Himself.  He calls us and He never gives up on us, even when we give up on ourselves.  During the month of January when we are all starting out fresh and making new goals, what a great time to start spending more time with the Lord, waiting on Him, to really hear from the One who knows the plans He has for us. (Jeremiah 29:11)  To sit at His feet in celebration of who He is and what He has done for us.

This year I am going to spend more time with Jesus, listening to His heart.  He knows the desires of my heart.  He put them there.  My hope is that next year, when I look back I will be much more the person that the Lord wants me to be.  My heart beating with His.  Thank you Lord that this is also what you want.  How much better can it be?

Kim

Have you ever wondered why time is broken up into years?  I never thought of it until now, the beginning of this new year.  God created the concept of years (Genesis 1:14) so obviously there must be a reason.

One reason may be that it’s a reflection of Him.  He’s the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.  So it’s no wonder that days, weeks, months, and years all have a beginning and end.  It points to God and His ability (and desire) to bring renewal.

This renewal of time brings hope for the future.  “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’ “ (Revelation 21:5a, NKJV).  Starting a new year is a preview of what’s to come for all believers:  ultimate newness.

After getting banged up by 2011′s tumbles and struggles I’m looking for renewal.  I think many others feel the same way.  Starting a new year reminds us that with God we can hope for that.  The past year is gone and newness lies before us.

So with this new beginning, I pray you are refreshed by God.  May He wash away the hurts of the past.  May He turn your face towards His, where you will find new hope and new life.  I’m so grateful that someday He will make ALL things new.

Shagufta

This time of year is a good time for self-reflection.  I tend to think back on the past year, as well as what may lie ahead in the new one to come.

I’ve been reading through the book of Hebrews.  I have loved learning more about this book and the valuable lessons in it.  One section caught my attention recently and it offers the reader a chance for self-reflection in regards to one’s own Christian life.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.  Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves are suffering.  Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’  So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?’”  -Hebrews 13:1-6

The study on Hebrews I’m doing referred to these things as “five essential marks of the Christian life.”  I took a moment to write it down in a shortened version so I can refer to it often and quickly.  1) Love one another, especially other Christians.  2)  Be hospitable.  3)  Be sympathetic and helpful – particularly to those in prison, as well as those oppressed and suffering.  4) Guard marriage/be pure in sexual matters.  5)  Be content with what you have.

As we begin a new year and I continue to press on towards spiritual maturity, I plan to keep these things in mind.  Thank you for letting me share my thoughts as I study God’s word.  I encourage you to do the same.

Many Blessings to you in 2012,

Melissa

VCNP has been enjoying some wonderful sermons from Pastor Brian about Mary, the mother of Jesus. I would highly recommend going on line and hearing the audio recordings that are free on line for everyone.

I love how the bible continues to be fresh, to have new revelation and am so grateful for Pastor Brian’s gift of teaching.

After seeing the ‘Passion of the Christ’ the understanding of how horrific it must have been for Mary to watch her precious son be tortured became a reality to me. Being aware of that sacrifice never escapes me. Christ charging John to make Mary his ‘Mother’ as He was dying… Thinking of her well being over His own pain and suffering…

That is OUR GOD.

What I have been rolling around in my mind though is this thought of Mary finding out she was to be a ‘teen’ mom. She was placing herself in a position to be mocked, judged and ridiculed for the rest of her life. Surely she was taunted and called horrible names. We think pregnancy before marriage incites all kind of judgement in the Christian community now, think of the fact that she could have been stripped naked and possibly stoned to death. A little more dramatic than what we are used to in western society!

Did she cry out wondering why God had chosen her to carry this burden or was she always strong?

I think she must have just felt total freedom and intimacy with God in order to trust Him the way she did. That would mean crying out when she was scared or lonely, admitting to God she was in need of His touch..

If Mary’s example of total trust of God doesn’t lead us to be challenged and inspired, gosh I am not sure what else can.

I know I spend the 12 days prior to Christmas remembering that my true love is so good to me and am thankful for the gifts He gives me. He is a generous God and I strive to place more of my life in His hands every year.

Thank you for letting me ramble on and share my thoughts. Matthew and our sons pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas Holiday and a Joyful 2012.

Blessings and Love,

Rebecca Turrigiano

Too Much to Do!

 Does anyone else feel it?  The pressure of this season?!  I do.  I don’t know how to get it all done and I find myself too often in a hurry, trying to do two things at once and then doing a poor job of both of them.

 The simple essence of hurry is this:  Too much to do! The good of avoiding hurry is not just pleasure, but to enable us to calmly and effectively do the things that are truly important with strength and joy.  I once heard Dallas Willard say, “We must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives.  It is an enemy of the spiritual life.”

 We don’t want to “skim” our lives.  We want to live them.

In order to not live in a state of “hurry” we must try not to live in a state of urgency.

 Here are some suggestions I heard from Dallas Willard:

To get the urgent off of our backs we must:

1. Form a clear intention to live without hurry.  Try one day.

2. Cultivate a mental picture of your place in the world before God:  What is God doing and where do you fit in?  Write it down.

On the basis of that:

3.  Begin to eliminate things you “have” to do. (Choose to do less better.)

 Examples I could think of include not answering some e-mails and facebook.  Even not reading all of the e-mails may be in order.  (I am actually not even on Facebook.  I am holding out as long as I can!)

 Don’t be afraid of doing nothing.

That is when we reflect on what is really important.

Please join me as I try to do less.

Blessings,

Thora

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the Salvation Army bell-ringers! I love the sound of hope the bells sing. I remember giving our kids money on the way into the store and on the way out of the store so they could drop their pennies into the bright red bucket! The bible says, “It is more blessed to give than receive,” Acts 20:35. It is satisfying and purposeful when we live life with open hearts, open hands and open wallets ready to be used by God to be a blessing to others. Mario and I have lived our lives throughout the years with hearts wide open for those around us, but last week God surprised me.

Wednesday evening I went to Wal-Mart to get a few things and to pick up baking supplies, as Thursday was my BIG baking day! As I was leaving the house I realized I had forgotten my purse in Mario’s car that was at the church. Ugggh! I had some cash so I decided I would carefully get only the things I needed. As I walked through the store, doing the math in my head, I was sure I was within budget! As I approached what seemed to be a very short line, I realized the woman in front of me was having trouble. There was a discrepancy in price with an item. I felt a tingle of irritation go through me and quickly reminded myself that was wrong, so I took my attention elsewhere. As I looked away, my eyes caught the eyes of a lady that was joining our line, I smiled, and she did not. No worries, it was now my turn! I had placed everything on the conveyer belt in order of need.  As the cashier began to scan the items at a certain point I asked her for a subtotal, I was over by $11!!!! I told the cashier I did not have enough cash, that my wallet was in my husband’s car and I needed to take a few items off. I could feel the penetrating eyes on me from my fellow line people and I could see in their eyes the same kind of irritation I had for the previous purchaser. I began to search through the bags when the lady behind me, the one who had not smiled at me, spoke up to the cashier, “How much is she short?” I quickly looked at her and said oh it’s a lot, I’m so sorry; I’ll be done in a moment. The cashier however said without hesitation, “$11!”Then the lady behind me said “Merry Christmas” and gave the cashier $11! I began to say, “Oh no that is not necessary,” when the cashier stopped me and said, “She said Merry Christmas!”

I’m usually on the giving end, I was humbled but that cashier reminded me I had to allow this lady to do this after all it was her blessing as well as mine! As I walked away God reminded me of the many times He had used me and now He wanted me to receive. And for all of you who know me well…yes I cried!

I learned that Wednesday evening hands and hearts that are wide open to give have to be wide open to receive as well.

From my heart to yours,

Blessings,

DaNetta Fernandez