What is it that keeps you going to church, serving God, doing what is right? Throughout my life, I have heard many excuses why people stop going to church, why they stop serving God and ultimately, stop doing what is right. The vast majority of the excuses have to do with others..."the church is full of hypocrites!"..."they hurt me really bad!"..."the leadership isn't handling things the way I think they ought to!"...etc...
I realized a few years ago, when it seemed like hurt after hurt was heaped upon more hurt, that I couldn't serve God or attend church or do what is right based on what others did. There were moments when it seemed the pain would never end and that my heart would be ripped out of my chest. There were those who were going through the motions, talking the talk, but most definitely NOT walking the walk who were criticizing me. Friends turned their back and walked away and it was in those moments that I realized that the only way to continue serving God and attending church was for me to keep my eyes upon HIM...to do what I KNEW was right. I learned in those moments that I could either keep my eyes on Him and walk on water or I could be like Peter and look at the waves swelling around me and sink every time. I have to trust what God has shown me in His Word and revealed to my heart. I have to hold on to that in order to walk on water...
So...what will you choose to do in this new year? Focus on Christ and walk on water or focus on people and sink? I pray that you will choose to focus on Christ and find the joy and peace that comes from walking with and serving the One who chose to give His life so that we might have everlasting life.
Merry Christmas!
Sister Tammi
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Way behind....
We've been busy since the last post. I'll apologize now for living in slothsville and not updating as I should have. You know that I've fallen behind when my mother-in-law asks if I'm going to shut the blog down. :o) I will admit...with the new website up and running, the thought had crossed my mind...but...it just isn't as personal as a blog...so I'll do my best to post more often for those who are wanting to keep up with what is happening here.
In the last post, we had a not so pleasant experience at the shelter. However, the very next trip...we met a young woman, with five children and one on the way, who had gotten out of an abusive relationship. Her only wish was to find some place safe for her children to lay their heads at night. One of our congregation, knew of some places where she might qualify for housing and gave this woman her phone number, telling her to call the next day and she would take her to these places and get her name on the list. Sister Sherry did take her around the next day and just last week, got a message from her, letting us know that she was thinking of us. We haven't seen her and her children at the mission, so the natural assumption is that she has found a place to live. We have had several trips to the mission since then and have been blessed to talk to those that we have served, to find out what their story is and how they got to the place they are presently in. On our last trip, we met a young lady, who has become disillusioned with the way the world is and decided that she wanted to try to make a difference, so she came down to the mission to help. You could tell it was her first time, there is a look of uncomfortableness on one's face the first time they come to help. Brother Adams and I both had the opportunity to speak with her. We gave her one of our cards and invited her to church. From the conversation, I didn't get the impression that church attendance was a part of her life, but I am praying that if she continues to help out at the mission, the more she gets to know us, the more impressed she will be to join us in service. I think that all us of had a picture in our minds of how we were going to go BE a blessing to those unfortunate souls at the mission...it only took us a few moments, during the first trip, to realize how blessed WE were by being there. We were also thrilled to have Sister Jessica, from Virginia, join us for one trip to the mission. She was very nervous, having never done anything like this before, but by the time we left, that nervous expression was replaced by a look of wonder and a desire to reach out to people like she never had before.
Every Tuesday evening, in October, Brother Rob had a youth service entitled, "What's In Your Backpack." The first night, we had four young people, 1 regular and 3 visitors. Brother Rob challenged those four to do all they could to have 20 people there by the last service. They had 17 for the final service...we allowed them to count Brother Robs 3 oldest daughters to make their 20. Brother Rob started them out with a game...then we served supper...chili dogs, chili, pizza, cookies, ice cream sundaes...not all on the same night, I think they even had nachos one night. After they had played and eaten...then they all went into the sanctuary to watch a short video and Brother Rob talked to them about the topic of the night. The last two services, they were all in the altar, shedding tears and revealing their hearts...it was an awesome session. You know how you do VBS and youth events and then once it is over, all those visitors never darken the doorstep again? Well...the first three visitors that came that first night...are still coming. Brother Rob has a heart for the youth and the youth felt that love. He did an awesome job conducting this youth event. We are also thankful to Sister Amy for planning and preparing the food and to Sister Sherry, who crammed as many kids into her vehicle as she could and made sure to find extra vehicles for those she couldn't cram into her's.
In November, all but 3 of our congregation, attended Family Retreat. Four of the visiting youths from the Backpack series, attended the retreat and one received salvation while there. We also had one saved during service the Sunday prior to the retreat.
Everyone, in our local church has been hit with this virus that is going around, but God has been so good and gracious to touch us and give us strength and the ability to continue doing what He has called us to do. He has blessed us all so much and we are very grateful for His leading. We are excited to see what 2010 holds for The Church of God in Oklahoma City.
We pray that you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, that you feel the peace that only He can give and that you will share the blessing of knowing Him with all you come in contact with now and always. Have a safe and blessed Merry Christmas!
In the last post, we had a not so pleasant experience at the shelter. However, the very next trip...we met a young woman, with five children and one on the way, who had gotten out of an abusive relationship. Her only wish was to find some place safe for her children to lay their heads at night. One of our congregation, knew of some places where she might qualify for housing and gave this woman her phone number, telling her to call the next day and she would take her to these places and get her name on the list. Sister Sherry did take her around the next day and just last week, got a message from her, letting us know that she was thinking of us. We haven't seen her and her children at the mission, so the natural assumption is that she has found a place to live. We have had several trips to the mission since then and have been blessed to talk to those that we have served, to find out what their story is and how they got to the place they are presently in. On our last trip, we met a young lady, who has become disillusioned with the way the world is and decided that she wanted to try to make a difference, so she came down to the mission to help. You could tell it was her first time, there is a look of uncomfortableness on one's face the first time they come to help. Brother Adams and I both had the opportunity to speak with her. We gave her one of our cards and invited her to church. From the conversation, I didn't get the impression that church attendance was a part of her life, but I am praying that if she continues to help out at the mission, the more she gets to know us, the more impressed she will be to join us in service. I think that all us of had a picture in our minds of how we were going to go BE a blessing to those unfortunate souls at the mission...it only took us a few moments, during the first trip, to realize how blessed WE were by being there. We were also thrilled to have Sister Jessica, from Virginia, join us for one trip to the mission. She was very nervous, having never done anything like this before, but by the time we left, that nervous expression was replaced by a look of wonder and a desire to reach out to people like she never had before.
Every Tuesday evening, in October, Brother Rob had a youth service entitled, "What's In Your Backpack." The first night, we had four young people, 1 regular and 3 visitors. Brother Rob challenged those four to do all they could to have 20 people there by the last service. They had 17 for the final service...we allowed them to count Brother Robs 3 oldest daughters to make their 20. Brother Rob started them out with a game...then we served supper...chili dogs, chili, pizza, cookies, ice cream sundaes...not all on the same night, I think they even had nachos one night. After they had played and eaten...then they all went into the sanctuary to watch a short video and Brother Rob talked to them about the topic of the night. The last two services, they were all in the altar, shedding tears and revealing their hearts...it was an awesome session. You know how you do VBS and youth events and then once it is over, all those visitors never darken the doorstep again? Well...the first three visitors that came that first night...are still coming. Brother Rob has a heart for the youth and the youth felt that love. He did an awesome job conducting this youth event. We are also thankful to Sister Amy for planning and preparing the food and to Sister Sherry, who crammed as many kids into her vehicle as she could and made sure to find extra vehicles for those she couldn't cram into her's.
In November, all but 3 of our congregation, attended Family Retreat. Four of the visiting youths from the Backpack series, attended the retreat and one received salvation while there. We also had one saved during service the Sunday prior to the retreat.
Everyone, in our local church has been hit with this virus that is going around, but God has been so good and gracious to touch us and give us strength and the ability to continue doing what He has called us to do. He has blessed us all so much and we are very grateful for His leading. We are excited to see what 2010 holds for The Church of God in Oklahoma City.
We pray that you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, that you feel the peace that only He can give and that you will share the blessing of knowing Him with all you come in contact with now and always. Have a safe and blessed Merry Christmas!
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