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

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

Have you ever had the thought, “Who is my neighbor?” We often say that in the Christian world, but I’m not sure most of us think of our actual physical neighbors as our “neighbors.” (Those who live on our street or near our apartment.)

In my previous home, I will confess, I only knew the families living on both sides of our house.  I like to think I’ve gotten older and smarter with age and am happy to say that we know almost all of our neighbors where we live now. (We know the ones who want to be known anyway.)

Because of the Phoenix housing bust, we have a ton of new neighbors.  We hosted a neighborhood party last week and the feeling tone was great—after people got there that is.  I think no one wanted to be the first one there, so most arrived over a half hour late.  We were glad they came after a few minutes of wondering if anyone was showing up at all. (I think God would have liked the fact that we risked even if no one had shown up.) Then there was a lot of food and a lot of mingling!  (And a lot of mess from kids but that is part of the deal.) 

Here were some results:

The kids in the neighborhood are becoming better friends.

Everyone thanked us and wants to have another one soon.

One older man is helping a first time home owner figure out how to use his pool filter.

I overheard someone offering to look after someone else’s home when they were gone.

One man said he was bragging at work that he got invited over to a neighbor’s home.

I can’t prove it, but I think God was smiling.

Community is close to the heart of God.  I’m looking forward to seeing what will come out of this.

I encourage you to think through…”Who is my neighbor?”

 Blessings,

Thora

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

He went on to tell me about his grandma Jean. She would bake fresh bread every day and he could remember coming home to that bread warm and enjoying as the butter melted. The look in his eyes as he described this got stuck in my head.

It is my deepest desire to serve my husband and my family. Loving them in a way that fulfills their basic needs, but also in a way that makes their hearts dance. So I set to work…I found some recipes for fresh bread online and came to learn that baking bread is a process. First you must awaken the yeast, then add the flour a little at a time. Some recipes call for a standing mixer, which I do not have, but they also say that you can knead the dough by hand. Let me tell you – this is no easy task. It is a repetitive physical process of turning out the dough on the counter for about 10-15 minutes. Once you have kneaded the dough it must rise, turned out again, formed, and then rise again. Then it’s time to bake it.

The first loaf turned out ok. My family loved the fresh baked bread, but the look was not in my husbands eyes. I wanted that look, so I tried a couple different recipes. What I have come to learn about myself is that besides the reaction from my family, I enjoy kneading bread. Did you know that kneading bread reduces stress, releases aggression, can be soothing, can be an act of worship? I found myself in my kitchen with worship music playing, and Jesus beside me as I worked out a batch of dough destined for our dinner table. I cried, I laughed, I prayed, and I made bread. And my family loved it.

Since then I have taken to finding scripture about baking bread and there are many. From Jesus breaking bread at the last supper to the Lords instruction for grain offerings, but what what stands out to me the most is the process.

When I think of the process that I must go through in this world, how I may be the dough in the Lords hands, working me into what He designed to fit into His purpose and for His pleasure. A process that takes time and effort and strength. And it is there that I submit – to the process.

I will be trying new recipes until I find the one that puts that look in my husbands eye. May you also find joy in a lump of dough.

Blessings,

Kathy

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

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

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

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

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