I was watching the inaguration today, probably because it was a "historical" moment in time. I want to be able to say I watched the Inaguration of Barack Obama on TV many years from now. But as I watch and listen to some of the comments people were making and the President's speech, he was encouraging everyone to serve each other to help each other out, to work together to make a better America. Isn't that what we are doing at Vineyard Westside already? Don't we serve our communities, our life groups, each other?
For a few minutes I wondered what it would be like when everyone would take time for someone else. Really that is the America, The World, I want to be part of and belong to. I want to be able to stretch my hand to the fellow man that is in need. I also want that fellow man who was or will be helped to in turn turn around and praise God and help someone else. That is what serve each other means!
I do recognize that there is a lot of serving to do, but we need to start somewhere, why not here, in Cincinnati ? Why not be part of something that we already know how to do. Let God be the Glory and bless his people for becoming faithful servants. God is within each and everyone of us, let us be His light. Let us serve!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
What are you thinking?
Not sure... What am I going to have for dinner? What should I wear to work tomorrow? How many more loads of laundry do I have to do? Am I ever going to get done with cleaning? All the things I need to get done on my day off. As you can see, So.. what are you thinking? Let me know. By the way a great recipe for meatloaf is on Pioneer woman written by Ryan, check it out, maybe dinner tonight.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Just a few minutes to ponder...
As I was eating lunch before work today, I wanted to make sure I just share my few moments with God. He has blessed me so much these days and how can I ever pay him back. I already have dedicated my life to Him. I tried my best to do what He tells me although I have to admit I might not be the best one at it. I have volunteered at church and other places where I am needed. There has to be so much more, but not enough time. Work takes so much of my day. Wait a minute, that is it! Work! What can I do at work to make a difference, What can I do to change someones life or just a moment in their life to look at God as another alternative to live happily. I have always said, "Love what you do and share it with others" I have finally understood this phrase, just by smiling , loving God and talking about it is what God wants us to do. He just wants us to share in his Joy and let other ones know about it. Share His love! So, for this few minutes of pondering and thinking before work I am off to share His love at work and be me which is what God wanted me to be anyway! Love you all!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
My awesome experience
Just wanted to share my experience at Encounter in our church. Encounter, for those of you who don't know, is a time at church were you are given the opportunity to have a close moment or "encounter" with God. It is another way in which God communicates and loves on you. At least this is the way I see it.
This is my second time attending Encounter, my first experience was awesome. I really wanted to experience God like that again. After working all day at work on January 7th, all I wanted to do is to feel God's love embracing me and letting me know how much He loves me.
I considered myself to be a pretty "happy" person and always like to see the positive in most things in life. My main talent is positivity, but I have always carried the sadness of losing my father at the young age of 15. I always felt like he missed so much of my life and I felt like I did not get the time to know who he really was. My sadness, guilt or whatever you want to call it, made me a very emotional rollercoaster. Although, I always carried the grief with me, I could not explain at times why I was crying for no reason. I used to make little occurrances, like a reprimend from my boss or an argument with my husband, a melodrama and a tragedy. It really did not need to be. I basically used to wear my heart on my sleeve. I do have to admit I am a little more sensitive that a lot of people but the tears at times were a little too much, even for me.
When I was 15, my father died of Cancer. I was not at my house when he passed and I have always felt guilty that I never got to say goodbye. But looking back, my father prepared me for this journey way before he was sick. About 5 months before he died, when he was diagnosed, he talked to me and reassured me of how much he loved me. He made me promise that I would be a good girl and that I would become someone he could be proud of. He tried to explain that even if he was sick and could not hug me (our favorite thing to do) that he would always love me. By now you are wondering why I am telling you this...well it was not until I attended Encounter and wrote this blog that I really understood what had just happened at that moment.
At Encounter there was a moment during the service that people who were feeling guilt, shame or grief got to step forward to be prayed for. I am telling you that before the prayer was over I felt a sense of grief be lifted. It was almost like if I had lost 25 lbs automatically. My heart felt so lite and relieved. When Don Eichhorn put his hand of my shoulder and prayed over my grief it was like God had just told me everything will be ok. At the end of the evening, I was so uncertain of what I was feeling or "not" feeling that I had Don and Helen prayed over me again making sure that my grief was totally gone, WOW! It was totally gone!
I can now remember the great memories I had with my dad. I am able to remember those special moments I had with my dad when he was preparing me for what was to come. I can remember the times we laughed and hugged. I remember the times he told me how much he loved me. I really remembered!
If you have never been to Encounter, go! It changed my life. I honestly can say I am a much happier person. My life has totally changed. I have an even more positive way of thinking. My grief has not only made me happier emotionally but it changed my whole life. I have lost about 15 lbs, physically in a week and a half. I am exercising, making healthy eating decisions. I started the year as a renewed believer, God took my grief away and now I can focus on me and my relationship with my God. What else is there in life? Well the best thing is, "Love what you do and share it with others".
Love you all and thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this story with you.
This is my second time attending Encounter, my first experience was awesome. I really wanted to experience God like that again. After working all day at work on January 7th, all I wanted to do is to feel God's love embracing me and letting me know how much He loves me.
I considered myself to be a pretty "happy" person and always like to see the positive in most things in life. My main talent is positivity, but I have always carried the sadness of losing my father at the young age of 15. I always felt like he missed so much of my life and I felt like I did not get the time to know who he really was. My sadness, guilt or whatever you want to call it, made me a very emotional rollercoaster. Although, I always carried the grief with me, I could not explain at times why I was crying for no reason. I used to make little occurrances, like a reprimend from my boss or an argument with my husband, a melodrama and a tragedy. It really did not need to be. I basically used to wear my heart on my sleeve. I do have to admit I am a little more sensitive that a lot of people but the tears at times were a little too much, even for me.
When I was 15, my father died of Cancer. I was not at my house when he passed and I have always felt guilty that I never got to say goodbye. But looking back, my father prepared me for this journey way before he was sick. About 5 months before he died, when he was diagnosed, he talked to me and reassured me of how much he loved me. He made me promise that I would be a good girl and that I would become someone he could be proud of. He tried to explain that even if he was sick and could not hug me (our favorite thing to do) that he would always love me. By now you are wondering why I am telling you this...well it was not until I attended Encounter and wrote this blog that I really understood what had just happened at that moment.
At Encounter there was a moment during the service that people who were feeling guilt, shame or grief got to step forward to be prayed for. I am telling you that before the prayer was over I felt a sense of grief be lifted. It was almost like if I had lost 25 lbs automatically. My heart felt so lite and relieved. When Don Eichhorn put his hand of my shoulder and prayed over my grief it was like God had just told me everything will be ok. At the end of the evening, I was so uncertain of what I was feeling or "not" feeling that I had Don and Helen prayed over me again making sure that my grief was totally gone, WOW! It was totally gone!
I can now remember the great memories I had with my dad. I am able to remember those special moments I had with my dad when he was preparing me for what was to come. I can remember the times we laughed and hugged. I remember the times he told me how much he loved me. I really remembered!
If you have never been to Encounter, go! It changed my life. I honestly can say I am a much happier person. My life has totally changed. I have an even more positive way of thinking. My grief has not only made me happier emotionally but it changed my whole life. I have lost about 15 lbs, physically in a week and a half. I am exercising, making healthy eating decisions. I started the year as a renewed believer, God took my grief away and now I can focus on me and my relationship with my God. What else is there in life? Well the best thing is, "Love what you do and share it with others".
Love you all and thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this story with you.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Need some answers! Can anyone help?
Why is it that we have free time and we waste it doing "nothing"? I was blessed with a whole weekend off from work, these are rare. I had so many things I was going to do in my house, God only knows how much it needed it, and I do nothing! I procrastinate, walk around do one or two insignificant things and then find an excuse to leave the house and never come back. I have all these plans of what I want to do in the house and then "bam" time is up and I have not even started. I have read tons of books telling me how to organize and how to get started but, Have I really follow any of their suggestions?, of course not. Am I the only one with this problem? How can we fix this? HELP!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Start fresh in 2009
What a week? Finished with Christmas shopping, open presents, all the family gatherings and then New Year's eve! Wow! I worked all morning but my thoughts were somewhere else. I could not wait until the baptisms started. After watching the baptism video at church on Sunday, I was debating if I really had to do it. I kept talking myself out of it. I had been baptized before and I know it was significant, but my walk with God had grown so much in the past 3 years that I felt like I had to start over and tell the world how much my life had changed. Why now? Because I want the 2009 year to be one of great growth and excitement in my life and the life of others. We saw so much suffering during 2008 and I want to make sure I am part of the change for 2009.
Growing up, I have always believed in God. My life experiences were not always positive but somehow I always got through them and God always bless me, even when I did not necessarily gave him the credit. I decided a couple of hours before church that I was going to bring extra clothes with me just in case I would do it. When I arrived at church I started to cry, I was so nervous, I was telling myself that God had already blessed me and I did nto need to tell him. My insecurities where getting the best of me. I asked to talk to Tim, our pastor, and help me understand if this was what I needed to do. He talked to me and told me to listen for God's word and when the time came to step forward to do it if it was of Him. Well, after much crying and struggling, I did! I walked with the rest of the people in the back of the church waiting for our time to get dunked. As we walked back in the church, my anxiousness went away and a sense of peace came over me. I was so happy to be part of such a remarkable group of people that were ready to commit their lives to the One who had sent His only son to save us. All I really needed to do is to tell the world how I felt and show it. So I did! After a much exciting and intense wait, I stepped in. My friend and sis in Christ prayed for me along with all the other family members of my life group and church. Tim was there too. The best part is that Jon Price and band were singing the song "Tell the world that" which is perfect for what I was about to do. So my friends, I am telling the world, my life belongs to Jesus and I am sharing it with others. Thanks for those of you who took part of witnessing me telling the world. Peace!
Growing up, I have always believed in God. My life experiences were not always positive but somehow I always got through them and God always bless me, even when I did not necessarily gave him the credit. I decided a couple of hours before church that I was going to bring extra clothes with me just in case I would do it. When I arrived at church I started to cry, I was so nervous, I was telling myself that God had already blessed me and I did nto need to tell him. My insecurities where getting the best of me. I asked to talk to Tim, our pastor, and help me understand if this was what I needed to do. He talked to me and told me to listen for God's word and when the time came to step forward to do it if it was of Him. Well, after much crying and struggling, I did! I walked with the rest of the people in the back of the church waiting for our time to get dunked. As we walked back in the church, my anxiousness went away and a sense of peace came over me. I was so happy to be part of such a remarkable group of people that were ready to commit their lives to the One who had sent His only son to save us. All I really needed to do is to tell the world how I felt and show it. So I did! After a much exciting and intense wait, I stepped in. My friend and sis in Christ prayed for me along with all the other family members of my life group and church. Tim was there too. The best part is that Jon Price and band were singing the song "Tell the world that" which is perfect for what I was about to do. So my friends, I am telling the world, my life belongs to Jesus and I am sharing it with others. Thanks for those of you who took part of witnessing me telling the world. Peace!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
What a week!
Today was my first day off for the past two weeks. We had a Grand Opening at work and it was crazy long hours all thoughout last 2 weeks. Although still working a lot, it has calm down enough to be able to take a day off. I did not realized how much I really needed time for me.
I don't know about you but I love to be with people. I guess I grew up being by myself for a few years before my siblings came along almost 6 years later. I played by myself for a long time and now I can't be alone without the company of others. I don't necessarily need to be talking or even know them I just need the presence of a physical body near me. Is that weird? Every once in a while I like the quiet time for me and God but it usually does not last a long time. Is that wrong? I might sit and talk to Him and then I will sing or play some music. It is so hard to just listen at times when there is so much going around you and your head is full of things to do for the day. I was wondering if anyone outthere felt the same way. As I learn how important it is to communicate with God, I realized how little time or how low in the priority list He falls on. Why is life so busy? I almost have to schedule him in like an appointment. Am I not being a good follower of Jesus?
I love to worship, help others and sacrifice my personal time for God. Is that enough? Is that where my talents and gifts are to be used? I have so many questions for God and I feel I get a few answers and I don't know how to listen for the rest of the responses. Are we at a stage where we listen to what we want to hear?
I love what I do in my job and I love the church I attend and I love to offer my gifts for God to use. I only hope that I am really listening to Him and not my personal ego. There is so much we can do and sometimes feel limited because of time constraints. Something I learned this weekend is that Life is about loving people no matter what. Is about sharing life with everyone even if you agree to disagree. That is what makes us loving, when we can pour our hearts and still have plenty of love to share more. God is just loving us no matter what stage in life we are in, the goal is to learn how to share yours.
Wow! I thought I only had a few words. Guess God had more for me to share! Love you all!
I don't know about you but I love to be with people. I guess I grew up being by myself for a few years before my siblings came along almost 6 years later. I played by myself for a long time and now I can't be alone without the company of others. I don't necessarily need to be talking or even know them I just need the presence of a physical body near me. Is that weird? Every once in a while I like the quiet time for me and God but it usually does not last a long time. Is that wrong? I might sit and talk to Him and then I will sing or play some music. It is so hard to just listen at times when there is so much going around you and your head is full of things to do for the day. I was wondering if anyone outthere felt the same way. As I learn how important it is to communicate with God, I realized how little time or how low in the priority list He falls on. Why is life so busy? I almost have to schedule him in like an appointment. Am I not being a good follower of Jesus?
I love to worship, help others and sacrifice my personal time for God. Is that enough? Is that where my talents and gifts are to be used? I have so many questions for God and I feel I get a few answers and I don't know how to listen for the rest of the responses. Are we at a stage where we listen to what we want to hear?
I love what I do in my job and I love the church I attend and I love to offer my gifts for God to use. I only hope that I am really listening to Him and not my personal ego. There is so much we can do and sometimes feel limited because of time constraints. Something I learned this weekend is that Life is about loving people no matter what. Is about sharing life with everyone even if you agree to disagree. That is what makes us loving, when we can pour our hearts and still have plenty of love to share more. God is just loving us no matter what stage in life we are in, the goal is to learn how to share yours.
Wow! I thought I only had a few words. Guess God had more for me to share! Love you all!
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