"Tap, Tap Tap, Keep Moving..."

You wouldn’t think I would have much to celebrate. After 4 miscarriages, 2 in the last year, that there would not be much but…

After the first two, I decided that enough was enough and I finally let God control my life. It wasn’t mine after all and I decided to let His plan lead me. Well to my surprise I conceived again and thought “Aha!” This is the miracle that He wanted, He took control and once I let Him do that miracles happened! Then... 3 months later it was all taken away. I felt like I had been punched in the gut by the person I trusted the most. The sting was so painful, I didn’t understand. How was I going to recover? How could God do this to me? Then it was time for last year’s Celebration Sunday and choir practices. I didn’t want to go; I didn’t want to sing at all and I did not want to sing for God who I felt betrayed me… Then I started getting a persistent feeling and I nudging like “Tap Tap Tap” on my shoulder. “ Tap, tap tap, Go To Choir” it said. I tried to ignore it but I couldn’t. So I went. The first song I saw was “I Have a Hope” I thought “Are you kidding me???” Was this a joke? Then “Tap, Tap Tap” again… Was this God’s way of telling me “It’s OK, Do Not Give Up, I am here.” ? Through tears I stayed to sing and to sing on Celebration Sunday last year. I realized through the healing that my passion was really singing and songwriting, Something I had known all along but never truly followed until now. I believe that this was the path God has always wanted me to follow and despite my pain I am coming out the other side, finding my true passion in life. When I am feeling down, I always hear/feel the nudging “Tap Tap Tap Keep Moving, keep singing” God is there helping me along. I want to acknowledge and celebrate that He has helped me get through the hard times and lead me to the good times. Though I still may not understand, I know that He is always here and He never abandoned me in my time of need. He has given me many blessings, my health, my job, my house etc. Children may not be written in His plan for me, but I am sure that music is and I celebrate that I have finally embraced this path!

Reconciling Relationships

On the first Sunday in January, after Pastor Mark’s sermon, I made a commitment to try and bring my Dad closer to Christ, and to repair my relationship with him, which has been difficult since I was a teen. God moved me to have a serious discussion with both my parents. (My Mom is a believer; my Dad is a professed atheist.) It was quite an emotional encounter, but that discussion changed the course of our relationship. Since that day, my Dad and I are learning to like and accept each other. Our conflicts are fewer and very short-lived. Our times together have been more enjoyable than I can remember since my childhood – and he knows that God is the reason for it. I am still praying that God will present the right opportunities for me to discuss His word with my Dad. I pray that I can demonstrate God’s light to my Dad in his remaining years (he is in his 80’s), and help bring him to Christ, and find the joy that has been lacking in his life for so long. I have faith that it will happen – I know God is good.

God is Good All The Time!

I was laid off at the end of January. The first thing that I did was send out a ton of prayer requests to as many people that I could think of. Then I spent 6 weeks looking for a job. During that time, I considered all of the things I may have to do just to gain employment during these tough economic times. I acknowledged I may have to move, or commute up to an hour each way like so many people in this area do. I considered a reduced income or change in profession all together. During this time, my previous employer was still paying me a severance. At first, I was tempted to stop tithing and contributing to the building fund as this level of giving usually left me with very little at the end of the month and if my severance ran out before I found another job, I would be in a sticky wicket indeed! But I decided to be faithful in my giving and God rewarded me with a fantastic job at a great company in Germantown just a few buildings down from my last job, so I actually cut 10 seconds off my commute. God is good all the time!!

My Faith Story

Since I was about 13 years old I have suffered from hideously low self-esteem and severe depression. At times I would miss weeks of school and try to eat my way through the dark moments. But even in my darkest hours I never lost the hope of Christ.

When I was really depressed I shut everyone out, including my friends and God. I missed so many important rights of passage because I was afraid and my fear resulted in depression. I dropped out of high school - I didn’t finish college, and I lost many good job opportunities as a result.

My faith has yo-yoed with my depression. When I allowed God in, He gave me the strength to pull out of myself. When I shut Him out, all I had was my fears.

This battle has continued throughout my adult life taking the form of binge eating, spending and poor relationships. God has always been with me but I didn’t always let Him in.

As I’ve grown stronger and wiser in my faith, I’ve been able to let God in more and more. Today my life is stable and it’s a result of the strength I’ve gained through my consistent faith.

I finally have an open door policy with God. That is not to say that I don’t meddle with my life, but I’m quicker to recognize it and return it to His capable hands. Sometimes this is moment by moment.

Here are two scriptures that I have always drawn strength from and found them to be reassuring.

Isaiah 41:10 Have no fear, for I am with you; be not afraid, for I am your God. I shall strengthen you and give you help and uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

Today I long to be a joyous person of faith. I pray that God will make me a fearless Christian. I will continue to work at this prayerfully growing nearer and nearer to Christ each day.

God Answers

For months, I have been praying for more money so we could give it to the Chapter 2 Building Fund. Three events occurred all within 2 weeks:

1. A relative found my deceased parent on missingmoney.com and as the only heir I will receive a small amount – for Chapter 2!

2. Our housing situation has been a matter of prayer for 6 months – it changed and we have some extra for Chapter 2.

3. On a “whim” I called our mortgage company to see if it would be advantageous to refinance. We are eligible which will help us financially and will be more to give to Chapter 2.

God answers by his plan.

A New Heart

God has given me a new heart. Actually a new aortic valve. I had a valve replacement on 3/30/09 and I am recovering well. I thank Him for giving the surgical team the knowledge to perform this, and for His grace.

A Year of Growth, Strength and Love

God blessed me this year through the Single Mom’s Small group. After my ex-husband and I first separated, I was feeling hopeless, broken and totally clueless about how to function well as a single parent. Through the teaching, love and community of that small group, God blessed my life in amazing ways. It has been a wonderful year of growth, strength and love, continually showing me that no matter what, God loves us, forgives us, strengthens us and blesses us. Praise God!

Greater Things Are Yet To Come...

Wow! Everyday God has woken me up. Each day I am able to embrace the beautiful things and people he has placed in my life. I have come to know great and wonderful people through Seneca Creek. I feel the support of God & church. All the ways that God works has given me the faith I have been searching for. I know now “greater things are yet to come” :)

Prayer Time With 3 Year Olds

I am so blessed to serve in Preschool PowerHouse. One Sunday this year a Seneca Creek member’s granddaughter was visiting PowerHouse. She is 3 years old and had an incredible influence on the Glowing Sparks that Sunday. Our class was getting ready to have snacks and I asked the kids to bow their heads to pray. She asked is she could pray. I of course agreed and let her lead the prayer. She prayed for her grandmother, who had been ill. I quickly closed the prayer, thanking Jesus for our snack. When I opened my eyes, I saw three children in our circle of 3 year olds, with their hands up. Each child wanted to pray, too, for their personal prayer requests. We spend 10 more minutes letting almost each one of the kids pray for their family. I am so blessed to see God work in our kid’s lives… even 3 year olds. I am also proud of their parents because they are passing on their faith. Yea God!

Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Finish Line

Some of you might not be into running, or your idea of running is "Honey, I'm running to the store." But, for those of us that may have a bit more "experience," and to play on the words of a semi-famous movie.... A Funny Thing Happened To me on The Way To The Finish Line...:

"Last Saturday morning, making the turn into the final stretch of the Germantown 5 miler I noticed this boy, probably 9 or 10, having a really hard time just keeping his pace up, and in fact he started walking. I remember it clearly, like it had just happened. I came up by him and just yelled out, "C'mon, you can do it! Clapping my hands a few times, and when I saw him slowing up, occasionally I just yelled out, "1714 (his race #) you can do it! ".... Well sure enough, he did pick up his pace, and in fact moved on to finish the 5 K run in full stride!

Then, it hit me, that OUR GOD is kinda like the way I was with this boy. He comes along side us, when we really don't think we have it in us to do more, or to finish well, and just encourages us and sticks by us until we can come in under our own power.

I don't know this kid's name, I may never run into him again, but I do know that what happened around 9 AM, Saturday, May 16, 2009 gave me an insight into the mind of God that I won't soon forget.

With God everything is possible....

I was taught the importance of life & family and that even without money, with God and prayer, everything is possible. My family and I went through 2 years of financial hardship basically not knowing if I was able to put food on the table or even keep a roof over our heads, but before the last straw God allowed my transactions of 2 years ago, exactly, to close and go to settlement and many more to come. What I thank God more for is that he kept my faith strong and he gave me strength to hold my family together, My GOD is wonderful!

God has worked a miracle...

In the past year God has worked a miracle. Somehow last fall my ex-husband started attending SCCC with our daughter on his weekends. This was an answer to over six years of prayer. I truly know God is working in our lives, but also know we each face our own struggles with faith and worthiness.

He is my Creator and King....

He has done many miracles in the past year, He has helped me ace tests, keep a controlled temper, and has helped me through hard times. He has spoke to me in dreams and He has kept faith in more that just me. We’ve all cried and fallen, but he gives us strength to overcome all our troubles. I am just amazed at his power. He is my Creator and King. (age 10)

I was a lost soul...

I was a lost soul trying to find Jesus and be more active in my church!
This year I:
1) “Was baptized in the Lord Jesus Christ”…
2) took the Discover your Design class
3) joined a small group
4) have been going to Prayer Services on Wednesday night

FOUND EMPLOYMENT!

Indescribable feeling of love, peace and direction..

WOW! God has given me an indescribable feeling of love, peace, and direction. I’m a lot happier now and really feel good about the direction where God is leading me. I’m learning things that maybe I should have learned a very long time ago. God has blessed me with the ability to see things in a different and much better way and I am so glad.

I'm no longer alone....

When we moved to Germantown I was staying at home with my toddler and I didn’t know anyone and was lonely. One day I went to a story time I’d never been to before (and have not been to since). It was providential that I should meet a sweet lady who was also new to the area. She told me she was part of a Moms Club and that some of the other members (as well as the membership officer) were at the story time. Now I know people and my son knows people and I’m no longer alone. Incidentally, the Moms Club has not been back to that story time. It was their first and only time attending

Historia de amor....

Esta es mi historia de amor! Me case el 28 de Septiembre con un maravilloso hombre de Cristo y tenemos a Jesus en el Centro de nuestras vidas. Gracias Padre Eterno.

God has answered my prayers....

Praise the Lord! God has answered my prayers to find a job and new home for me and my daughter. We have been moving around since my separation from my husband. The job came through this weekend! Thank you, Jesus!

I am dependent on God....

God has made me realize how dependent I am on him. Time and time again when I am powerless he is powerful. When I think I should do something on my own God shows me a better way that gives him glory. Trusting Him is not as easy as it seems…Mom died, Dad wasn’t there, moved every 5-6 years, Trust him? Yes. Trust him, he is faithful, he is trustworthy he will provide. God is good ALL the time All the time God is good!!!