lunch date

There is nothing better than bringing someone to Jesus! A friend of mine has been wanting to come to church but has been a little hesitant. I've told people at church about him and last week a friend from church, Lorrie asked if he was still going to come. I told her the reasons for his hesitation and she said she'd be happy to meet us for lunch sometime. I asked John* if he would be interested and he said yes, and we met today. 


First off I can't thank Lorrie enough for taking the time to meet John* and talk to him. Lorrie has been around for a while and she knows God's Word and she's has struggles but she also knows God's faithfulness and goodness. She is passionate about God and wants to bring people to Him. I couldn't have said the things John* needed to hear like she did. To have a friend like Lorrie is amazing because you have someone to teach you about God and the Bible. I've been a believer for a long time but not a follower, not a Bible reader, and not a church goer. I still have A LOT to learn. 


When Nathan and I moved home last March one of the main things that got me through those tough four months was church, bible study and the people. I want John* to have the same support, encouragement and help. And if I can help his journey by introducing him to a veteran believer I certainly will=)

Teens For Christ

Yesterday at church Teens for Christ came and sang and did "skits" you could say. Honestly I didn't think I would get much from it and I really don't know why I thought this.......One of the only reasons I went yesterday was because I had to talk about World Vision and donating to Japan for relief and supplies. How wrong was I! I got so much from them yesterday and I even had to leave early due to another manager at work being sick. 


Here are some things that I either learned or made me think:

• You can choose to sin but you can't choose the consequences!
• Christians want the Christian life to be like vacationing on a cruise ship but in reality it's more like we are on a battleship. 
• What will be said about OUR generation? What impact are we making in this world? How will it direct the future? What will history books say? Are we creating the world we want for our children? Grandchildren?
• Are you a born again Christian living life the way you want, doing what you want? Are you engaging in God's calling for you? Do you teeter-totter with thoughts like "Do I live for God's call or my own decisions? Do I surrender? Do I follow God or myself?" 
• What if all your words, actions, and thoughts were publicized for everyone to see and know? Would you be embarrassed? Does that idea change the way you act now?
• If we aren't tested how can we build our character, strength, or faith? How can we prove ourselves if we are never tested? The people in Japan are being tested now but so are we here in the U.S. How so? Well are you helping your neighbor in need or are you ignoring them? This is just as much of a test for us as it is for the people in Japan. 

The TFC played a song and did a skit to it. There was a boy in a black robe with a long chain doubled up around his neck, hanging down (the devil). Then another boy (we'll say his name is Scott) was playing himself and a group of like 6 teens acting as demons surrounded Scott and were hissing and scaring him. It represented how we as humans can be attacked by the devil and feel stress, scared, or be addicted to drugs, alcohol or feel hopelessness, fear, like there is no future no help anywhere. They put the chains on Scott and were pulling him all over the stage. It was very moving and brought tears to my eyes. I can't explain it nearly as well as it was acted. But for anyone who has felt like there is no future, no hope, and you have been surrounded with only bad things, this skit represented that until Jesus came. At the end of the skit Jesus is walking toward Scott and "frees" him from the chains and the demons and shows him the life he can live with Christ. A joyful and happy life. It won't be easy but "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Building the Relationship

Do you know everything about someone as soon as you meet them? Do you know their favorite food? Favorite tv show? Or what bugs/annoys them? We don't, do we. How do we learn these things? By spending time with the person. Talking to her and building a relationship. It doesn't happen right away, it takes time. The same applies to God.

Often I hear people saying they don't need to go to church. They pray everyday and thank God for their blessings but they just don't have time for church or see the need for it. Everyone's opinion is different but I totally disagree with this idea. We NEED to go to church and there's many reasons why. One reason is to know God's word. How can we know God if we don't spend time with him? How can we know what kind of God he is and what he represents if we don't spend time with him and listen to his word, which is the Bible. That is God's "manual" for us.

Building a relationship with God is no different than building a relationship with your spouse, best friend or sister. It takes effort, time, and commitment but it is so worth it. When those tough times come you'll be prepared because you know God and how he'll help you get through it. Don't assume you know God by what you've heard and other people tell you. Go to God's word yourself! You probably won't understand everything you read in the bible and that's where church can help again. The pastor or elder can help you understand or put it in a new light. Church isn't a building, it's a group of people coming together to worship and praise our Heavenly Father.

Take the first step, God is waiting for you.