Here's how some people are making it count.
Is your story here yet?
I am going door to door sharing my life story, and what God has done in my life and marriage. Please pray that God will protect me and give me answers to questions people will be asking as I share with love and compassion.
On Friday mornings, we?ve been praying for the homeless crisis in this city. Friday a boyfriend and girlfriend about in their 40s asked if they could wash our cars to make money for a meal. We had walked to Target so we didn?t have a car, but we did have money to purchase a meal for them. The lady (Cindy) came in. As we waited for the pizzas to be made, we got a chance to talk to her. It turns out life just wasn?t good. She lost her job because she got into some trouble. Now she?s going to school during the day somewhere between Kansas and Carpenter to learn computer skills. She can?t make it to the shelter because the doors close at 6 PM and she doesn?t get out until then. She doesn?t get to see her son because of her situation, but she does get to see her daughter who is expecting. So we prayed for her. It was amazing to see that our prayers on Friday mornings are being lived. Our group is small?.4 the max. It?s so uplifting.
I am making my life count by sharing God?s work with my brother, my friend, family and kids at school.
I did not think about making it count and I did! A co-worker was having a bad day and I told her I would pray for her. About a week after later she told me thanks for the prayers. Things were going better. This week I found out she has started to go to church with another co-worker.
On Saturday, January 20, my mother and I walked in the ProLife March in San Francisco. It was such a powerful, inspirational moment. It didn?t end there. What was even more exciting was what happened at work the next week when I told co-workers about the event. I was able to talk about my political beliefs, which led to my religious beliefs, which is always a touchy subject in the workplace. It got down to the point where I actually said, ?Jesus is the One Who died for my sins and the One Who I pray to.? One co-worker wants to have lunch to talk about this further. Now that?s excitement! I also discovered other believers at work.
My wife and I were blessed to participate this past week in the mission trip to Rancho Santa Marta, Mexico. What a powerful ministry! I would encourage anyone to participate in helping this wonderful ministry that teaches and houses up to 100 orphans; many with some type of disability.
My friend and I went to a nursing home with my mom and we gave away scarves and origami airplanes and paper boxes. I think doing that made the people happy, so I think we made it count.
I?m making it count by sharing what the Lord has done in my life with my co-workers. Also, by sharing my faith and raising my four-year-old to know and love God.
I made it count by working hard by being a dad, father, cooker, cleaner, washing cloths, homework 24/7. I?m 48-years-old, disabled, and another surgery is coming up on my right knee again.
I am bringing our late cousin?s ex-wife to church because she doesn?t drive and has decided to come back to church since her daughter died unexpectedly. Until this week that meant leaving five minutes earlier than normal. I am foregoing my Sunday school class because she wants to come to the second service. We are now living on the opposite side of town, so I will have to allow an extra 20 minutes to get here.
I helped my neighbor clean her yard. She was very happy. I was able to talk to her about Jesus. It was cool to make it count.
When my husband mentioned a desire to adopt a child, I was off the charts frightened!! I wrestled with the idea of adopting a little girl, until I finally realized that this was a tremendous way to obey God! I was struck that I wanted to stand before God in Heaven someday and tell Him I was obedient. Now, we have adopted not just one daughter, but two, and I am overjoyed. Life is a vapor and it is worth it to overcome fear and experience God?s delightful blessings. We now have three great sons and two girls.
I am two for two this week. In other words, God is working miracle after miracle. My brother who is 50 was diagnosed with ALS and given 2-5 years to live. I shared that asking for prayer in January. I had lunch with him on Friday, and he told me he as been reading his Bible daily He has never wanted anything to do with God. A lady gave him a Bible from Fresno. He told me he knew I would be happy to hear he had been reading the Bible. This is a true miracle. We spent the lunch hour talking about God. Thank you for your prayers.
My dad had cancer for six years, and I had to live with my aunt because my mom had to stay with my dad in the hospital. After he got better, my parents wanted me to go to a good school, so they sent me to Big Valley Christian, and I met Nick Blankenship. He brought me to Bible study for jr. high, and I started coming to church. It?s great!
I?m making it count by attending church with my 3 ? year old son and raising him to know and love God. Throughout the week, he talks about things he learned in teacher Bonnie?s class. W pray before meals (he even reminds me) and at bedtime, and he always sings songs he learns at Sunday school. Hearing him sing that ?Jesus is the Son of God, He?s our very good friend? made me realize how I?m making it court!!! AMEN
I started a Bible study Friday at work during lunch. We are studying the parables of Jesus. We started last Friday and had five people. We also just finished studying the book of Genesis at last break. It took four months. We had up to four people. It was an awesome study. Praise God!
I shared a few months ago about my neighbor, who is around 24 years old, hooked on meth with three kids from three different men. She jumped in our car on our way to church (a few months ago). I stayed home with her and took her to the rehab hospital, who refused her. I then called my friend and we took her to breakfast. We spent hours with her. Though many prayers, tears and pure heck, she had given up the meth, is attending counseling and church. Her parents have their daughter back; her kids have their mom back. She has thanked me through tears many times, and I have told her it is God not me. I think this could be one of those ?make it count? situations. We are praying for her continuously because one of the dads of her kids is trying to get her to go back down that dark road again. Thank you.
I just had a truck delivery of some equipment for the Youth Center. The truck driver lives right down Virginia Avenue. Come to find out he and his wife are good friends with a CHP officer who also patrols the same area of Highway 99 that officer Earl Scott patrolled. Needless to say, they were panicked for awhile when they had heard an officer was killed, but didn't know who it was. On the day of the funeral the husband had to work, but his wife attended the service. He said they have lived for years down the street, but have never visited. His wife was impressed by the facilities. Both of them assumed Earl Scott had attended here so the driver, his name is Jack, was astonished that we would host something we had no connection with. He said he and his wife "might just have to check this place out."
My daughter and her best friend answered God?s call to start a Bible study for other teens. They meet weekly at 6 AM. They pray, write the study and meet with other teens. They both consider what they are doing normal, but as a mother of teens, I know this is not just what teens do. It is making their lives count. Jeff started a study every other week for boys, and the girls felt they needed one, too.
Awhile back on a Wednesday, my friend was having an asthma attack, and instead of leaving her and saying ?you?ll be ok; I gotta go,? I got her phone and called her boyfriend and her mom and told them what was happening until her dad came to get her. Her boyfriend and I kept her calm. He told me a few things to do, and I told him what I had already done so he would know. I sat beside her for 30 minutes so she wouldn?t feel alone, then her dad finally came, and I recommended that she get an inhaler to carry with her in case this happens again and she?s by herself.
This week at work I had a patient asked me why I went to Slovenia on my vacation. I explained that my children and grandchildren are missionaries there. He stated that he does not believe in God. I asked him when things don?t go right, who does he blame. He said himself. I explained that God has a purpose for each of us. I asked him if he would read the book ?The Purpose Driven Life.? He asked me to write it down, and I did. The seed has been planted.
Though I graduated from college last year, God has called me to remain on that campus because He wants to be there. So twice a week no matter how busy or tired I am, I go. And EVERY time there is someone or two or three that He has me greet or meet with. The time is never wasted! I just go where He leads. One young girl I?ve been talking with recently received the Lord Jesus. Praise HIM!
My granddaughter is three years old, and when we were in the van going to church, she raises her little hands in praise and does her best to sing the song on the radio. When she does this, I know she is making it count. I know children mock everything we do and everything they see. I have only praise for God, for drawing myself and my granddaughter closer to Him. By me doing right, she sees this, and copies it. Watching her praise Him, I know I?m making it count in her little mind. Praise God
Last weekend the ACMC (Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment) conference effectively equipped and challenged approximately 400 participants for their next step in missions. First Baptist members were instrumental in planning and providing volunteer support in this Kingdom mobilization effort.
# of First Baptist members:
5 ? ACMC Planning Team
20 - Host homes available for out-of-state presenters & Christian agency reps
5+ - Food preparation and serving
6 ? Transportation
One of the ladies I work with asked if she could come to church with us. After her first visit, she said ?I like this church. I can worship here. When I moved back to Modesto, I went to my old church for several weeks before anyone said ?Hello? ?. She has been struggling because her husband divorced her, so we referred her to Teddie Moran who got her into the Recovery Sunday School Class for divorced women.
I?ve begun to make it count in my house. I?m recently married and my wife and I have several young children between us. The past few months have been difficult, and I?ve been tempted to give up on more than one occasion. However, God has shown grace to me and my family, and I have been leading them in prayers daily and devotions weekly. Every week our devotions start out a struggle and end up a great family time. My daughter recently told me that she enjoys studying the Bible together. That made my week.
I made it count on Friday, March 3, when I shared with a student teacher at the school where I was substituting about what God is currently doing in my life. I also told her about the college ministry at our church. She said she?s going to try and come and check it out.
I?m staying at the Mission right now. One of the Disciples that is a part of the program was struggling in his faith and was worried about his family. He also was being constantly attacked by Satan. I took the opportunity to pray with him and have been every day since. We now lift each other up by prayer, starting from our common place of listening to our Father, in our call to change our lives to be better men for our families. I believe God paired us together to strengthen our hope in Him and to make sure we stick with the plan God designed for us to do.
There is a homeless man who comes by my husbands work on a daily basis. My husband was giving him lunch every now and then. One day he asked the man what he could do for him. What did he need to give him some help. The answer was clothes, sleeping bag, toothpaste?.simple things. My husband and our family made him a backpack, with some other ?daily? necessities, and little things like a book and hand held game; this was around Thanksgiving. Just a few weeks ago, this man came back to see my husband and told him that he was in a recovery program and was getting his life back on track. And he wanted to tell him thank you! For me, this is what ?making it count? means.
I am writing about our nine year old son. If ever someone made it count, it was him. In his 4th grade class, they have 6th grade mentors. His mentor told him he didn?t believe anymore in God. BJ went on the rise and told this young man about how God gave His Son so we could live and how without Jesus dying for our sins, we would not be able to enjoy our lives with our family and friends because it would forever be a dark place?.that Jesus was our light. My understanding is that young man asked God back into his heart that afternoon. Now here was someone not even in our services reaching out to a friend and ?Making it Count?.
God is my Savior. He saved me from my addiction to drugs and alcohol. I have 26 days clean today and. I tried and failed before, but now I am holding on to the Lord with all that I have. I am making it count for Jesus my Lord, my husband Perry, my children, Alanis, Mikayla and Ariana, and to pass the ?Good News? on to another woman at Redwood Family Center and in hope for another human being who needs God as much as I do.
In talking to my ?wealthy? sister-in-law Sunday night about an upcoming surgery, she told me they are having their wills drawn up before the surgery. My mother-in-law told her that because they have so much, they should give me something (since I am a widow)? so what did I want! Because of my hesitation, she said I could call her in a couple of hours if I needed to think about it. My pause, of course, was my praying. God was obviously opening the door for me. I told her that I did not want anything, except for her to ask Jesus Christ into her life as her personal Lord and Savior. Although she said she had, she knows things should be different. She asked if we could talk weekly; she feels so much better afterwards, so we have committed to talk ?.and pray?.weekly.
Just this past month, my wife & I have stepped out of our secure lives in a great leap of faith. We had placed application for new jobs in the South Lake Tahoe area. Before we even knew that we had a new job, we had made an offer on a new home. I was accepted and then my wife got word a few days later her new job would start in two weeks. I interviewed for a dispatcher position and scored high enough that they asked if I would like to apply for a community service officer also. I interview this Tuesday for that position. Then prior to that, I was interviewed for a position with the Alpine County Sheriff?s Office. These are a wonderful opportunity for witnessing and working in a new area that we feel compelled to go to. Pray for us, our new area of influence and jobs and a new church body.
God is awesome. Last night I was able to witness to another 16-year-old addict and gay person! I felt the Holy Spirit talking through me. I know myself. God has done so much for me that I want to give back to my youth. I?m an ex-heroin addict with 23 months clean. God has truly changed this addict with the thanks to the Redwood. I live on my own now, have a job and care about others as others did me.
My three-year-old son was sitting with me in the nursing room and when you said ?What do you like to do?? He piped in "play, be at home, share, be kind.? His face was so thought provoking. He was answering you and he was sure he had the right answers.
I made it count by keeping my focus on Jesus. Through prayer, I was able to attend both Share Your Faith & Precept Class. My heart continues to be so overwhelmed at the amazing, all-encompassing love of our Father God.
My wife and I have taken in handicapped children for the past 20 years. We teach them about Jesus, and they excitedly share Him in schools and other places. Even our autistic kids quickly learn songs when they are about Jesus. Also, we thank the church for ?Bridges.?
I was sitting in the large office of my dentist working on my Bible study lesson while waiting to be called for an appointment. The big screen TV in the lobby projected a reality travel station that depicted strippers with much more skin showing than clothing. The script included conversations of several young men with the strippers and references to getting drunk and partying together. I felt very uncomfortable just sitting there while young children and other adults were being subjected to this, although several of the men seemed to be enjoying the show. Silently I prayed and then made my way to the receptionist's desk. I quietly told her I did not think the material on the TV screen was appropriate for the children in the room. She apologized and quickly changed the channel to a more suitable channel. Praise God for giving me courage to do what needed to be done!
After many delays I was finally able to begin teaching the ?Purpose Driven Life? class in the West Hall of Deuel Vocational Institute. This is a higher security area, so I must go to the hall and hold class in the ?Chow Hall?. Not ideal conditions. Also, since their ?yard time? is at the same time as my class, these men must decide to come to my class or go outside. Eleven men came for the first class. They were excited that something was being offered for Protestants. The Catholic Chaplain has held some classes there. I introduced myself, told them a little about the class, and then showed them the Purpose Driven Life Simulcast video. These guys were glued to the video?only one man got up one time to get a drink of water. That is remarkable, as those seats are hard to sit on for close to two hrs. As a wrap up, I told them my commitment to them: I would be there every other Thursday. If they were willing to make the same commitment, they could take a Purpose Driven Life book, a study guide and a Bible, if they needed one. All the men made the commitment, took the material, most of them took a Bible also. A few of them asked for material for their cell mates or buddies, who did not hear about the class in time so they couldn?t come to the class. Looks like next time we will have 14-16 men. I believe every one of them came up to me and thanked me for being there. They were just so grateful for this opportunity. Next week I will be doing the same thing in the East Hall. I will be alternating between the two halls until each has had all eight classes. I believe God is going to do a great work in the lives of these men. Pray with me that I will be sensitive to the needs of these men and that they will come to see God?s purpose for their life.
This week was a real rough one. My mother has been hospitalized in quite serious condition. My job is losing one person and others are unavailable. I handle taking care of my mom while working for minimal pay. Life is really great at First B. Taking classes is an opportunity my small church Emanuel B. didn?t have to offer. I loved Sharing my Faith with Deb and Al last session. I love Linda?s class on Roman?s Precept upon Precept. I like Thursday night for Support. But I pray I will be able to do this schedule, plus work, plus my mom?s health care. Also, I got information and literature from Vibrant Communities. I know the Lord will provide the time I need and what time I don?t have, it wasn?t in His plan. So opposition is a pre-requisite for obedience. Oh, yea, I forgot a Saturday Training in Lathrop, plus a weekend in San Francisco training right around the corner. Mike?s message was great and spoke volumes to me. I was going over all I have on my plate, when Pastor Mike said obedience assumes that opposition will follow.
I want to share an event in my life that God had a huge part in. Three months ago I was a drug user, and God led me to my cousin who did not look down on me, but came to help me. For three months she held me under her wing and gave me the comfort and support I needed to overcome the shaky nights. Now, I can smile and say I?ve been clean three months. I try very hard to come to church with her and my cousin, and God is the reason I?m enrolled in college. I?m so close to having my life together. I thank this church for helping me believe in God once again.
God has been bringing women in my life who are going through difficult times. He is teaching me to respond to His quiet voice, to reach out to them by giving them rides since they don?t have cars at this time. He has also put other women on my heart to spend them notes of encouragement.
I had the opportunity to share God?s love and the glory of what Heaven is about with my first grade class. Our wonderful princess, Destiny, passed away last Sunday after fighting hard to survive cancer. My class had questions about God and Heaven, angels, etc. They had great fellowship listening to each other, and I shared what we believe. They were comforted to see me cry happy tears that Destiny is now in Jesus? arms.
For about three or four months, my wife and I have been going to this rest home called The Villa in South Modesto. The Lord leads me there to praise Him with whoever wants to hear His Word. In John 14:6 it says, ?I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.? He tells us to go and tell about Him, the way to receive the free gift of eternal life with the Lord.
This week I had two significant conversations with people at work about Christ and how He is showing Himself to me. It was a definite God thing, because I was not looking for these conversations. Both were started by the other person. I don?t know where God will take those conversations, but please pray that they will be able to hear God?s call.
For the last two school years, I have volunteered an hour a week through Youth for Christ in a program for pregnant teens and teen moms. I teach part-time at Elliot Continuation High School, so I?m already there on campus. This hour is a time to ?informally mentor? those young moms, and listen to and love them. I also thank the Lord for those in my Bible studies who?ve prayed for me to show Jesus? love, despite some of the choices these girls make in their lives. He loves them just as He does me.
I?ve been ministering to my roommate, as well as my neighbors around the dorms, by sharing the love that God has given me. I show them that there is more to life than partying and giving into many sinful things. Hopefully, I can bring these people to God.
Monday mornings before school, we have a teacher?s prayer group that meets to pray for our campus. We pray that each student who steps on our campus would see Jesus reflected in us. One of our teachers is under serious persecution by the administration because he spoke to a student about the Lord last year. It is frustrating to me to not be able to speak to students directly about Jesus. In most cases, I have to trust Him to shine through me.
As I was leaving my car, a homeless woman approached babbling on and on about something. I curtly interrupted and asked what she wanted. ?I need money for food? she said. I had a bag of crackers and snacks in the car, which I handed her. The woman was delighted and probably didn?t perceive my negative attitude. I was thinking, ?Now go away and leave me alone.? When she turned to leave, I was filled with shame and guilt. I knew that anything given without love was rotten and meaningless in God?s eyes. I asked God to forgive me and to give me His eyes and heart to see people as He does.
God has led me from not just volunteering in Kid Country, but to be the teacher through this event in my life. I will be a member of First Baptist and am being baptized. I hope to be a great leader of 12 third grade girls; all need to know His Word. My new goal is to not just make my own life count, but teach the girls also.
It was so amazing. Sometimes I?m like, ?How are You using me.? The Lord says, ?You are making it count by asking others to serve with you.? This one lady helped me paint. She was so blessed that someone thought to ask her to serve. She felt she was important because she was being used.
I was pressed for time when I noticed the homeless man. Why was I walking up to him to ask what he needed? I haven?t done that before, and I didn?t have time. The man was totally surprised when I returned with the socks, toothbrush & toothpaste he requested. I also handed him my fast food dinner. There was still time to go to the fast food drive-thru again. I made it to my appointment with minutes to spare. God stretches time when we listen to His prompting.
This week I shared the meaning of ?make it count? to many friends in my AA group. Also, I told them I was getting baptized on the 26th and they are all coming that day.
I waited for my dad to tell the truth these last days when I could be doing more than waiting for truth from him.
I was walking along when all of a sudden someone told me they needed me in Kid Country. This was a big decision. I was prompted to say yes. From that day forth, I have been in Kid Country every Sunday.
I fell away from God from 1995-2005, broken from depression and drugs. I went into Stanislaus Behavioral Center due to a mental breakdown on September 22. The good Lord spoke to my heart when I had nothing but Him to turn to. I renewed my life back to Him, left an abusive relationship, asked for help from God and my family. They obeyed God and took me in to live with them. I have been clean for 60 days and am attending Recovery in Christ, God?s Way Out. The Lord is doing awesome things in my heart and life. I live for God. I am forgiven!
My daughter obeyed God and was the only one in her class who obeyed God, and reported a gross and flagrantly open example of cheating. She risked her own personal safety and I was scared, but she calmly reported that God would protect. Because of her blameless reputation, all knew it was her and just accepted it with barely a ripple!
A patient waved frantically as I passed her room. I went in and attempted to make her comfortable. She was not able to express her needs clearly because brain cancer had interfered with her speech. Finally she said ?going home.? ?Gong to your house or Heaven?? I said. There was pause. I asked if she wanted to talk about Heaven. She said ?yes.? We had talked about Heaven about a month earlier when she had been able to communicate fairly easily, but she did not wish to make any decisions then. How was I going to have time this busy morning, with other patients to treat? I was rusty in leading someone to the Lord, though I share often about Him. I promised to return, wondering when I found find the time. Finally, there was a break when her room was quiet. Clear as a bell she said ?I knew you would come.? I pulled the curtain, sat on her bed, held her hand and shared the Lord?s love for her. Though I never heard a word, I gave her the opportunity to ask Jesus into her heart. She smiled and appeared peaceful and relaxed. Thank you for encouraging us to make a difference. God will always see that there is enough time for people.
I have recently received a promotion at work. I have a large number of employees that I am responsible for, and have felt overwhelmed at times. Today, one of my employees called and told me she needed to be off work due to the serious illness of her husband. I asked if I could do anything and she said no. Instead of saying, o.k., which I was tempted to do, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to offer in another way. I offered to bring a meal that very night and to help arrange meals for her family for the rest of the week. To my surprise she said yes. I took her the meal and papers that she needed to sign to be off work. I told her and her husband that I would be praying for them. They said, ?Thank You? and I left. I am praying that as I continue to build a relationship with this person, that God would provide an opportunity for me to share the joy of knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior. As Pastor Wade stated so well last week, serving can be the first step. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit prompted me to press on for service; I could tell that the family was touched and a little speechless. Praise God!
This week I have shared my experience, strength and hope to addicts in recovery.
I had an abortion 20 years ago when I was just a new Christian. I thought it was my only alternative because I didn?t want to embarrass my family or myself. I wish I had gone to Jesus for guidance, but I was too frightened and caught up in my emotions. This experience recently moved me to make a difference.
I wanted to attend the Pro-Life Vigil on January 22, but because of previous failures, I tried to rationalize away my desire: I have housework, I?m too tired, I have to take care of my husband?s needs. (I?d already gone to church that day even though he?d wanted me to stay home.) When I expressed my desire to go to the vigil, my daughter cheerfully offered to do the housework for me. I received it as a sign when it only took her an hour to clean the house when it normally takes five.
By the time I got to the vigil, it was almost over. I longed to participate by holding a sign, but there were none left. As I stood there wondering why God had led me here, I noticed a young woman sitting on the curb, seeming kinda down. There was a still small voice saying, ?Talk to her.?
I started with small talk and ended up talking with her for an hour and a half! She told me in tears that she was a Christian who had stopped pursuing God because other Christians had constantly judged, rejected and ridiculed her. She was tired of being made to feel like nothing she did was right. Her ex-husband, a devout Christian, was threatening to take custody of their children because he was more ?fit.?
God told me she didn?t need a judge, she needed someone to listen to her, and that she needed to see and feel the mercy, compassion and love of Jesus. To be able to trust, make a connection and to go from there, as God leads. So all I did was listen and my heart cried with her. We exchanged numbers and have kept in touch.
God led me to the corner of Standiford and Dale, but for a different purpose than I thought. I had never put myself out like this before. I just made myself available, God did the rest! God made a difference through me. Normally fear has paralyzed me. God?s Word kept ringing in my head: You do not have a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. And He showed me to trust in Him and not in my own strength. I allowed God to make it count through me and I am so grateful for His strength.
Almost two weeks ago, I got on the internet to create a MySpace account. I know a lot of my friends have it, so I got one. My sister also has one and as I looked at her page, I noticed things, i.e. pictures, things she writes about, survey, that really put me in a worrying stage. Some of her writings are about questioning if God is real. Other things pointed out that she is lonely. I went through a lot of the things she?s going through now a few years ago. Suicide was one of them. God gave me the words to call her up and ask her to come back home from college, where all the problems are occurring. As hard as it was, she is now home. I?m going to invite her to join the college ministry with me.
I am making it count for Jesus since I got a new job at a homeless shelter in Turlock. Even though it?s graveyard and not a lot per hour, it?s my joy to serve and show Jesus? love through my attitude and my actions, even in the smallest things. And when asked, I am not shy to say what Jesus means to me and how we must show our love and His in our actions everyday.
Our family had our Honda stolen from our driveway in December. In January, I had the chance to speak to the juvenile at Juvenile Hall. I told him that we were not there because we were mad. We hoped that by taking a car you can use this situation to put your past aside and move on. The mother was crying and as I read my two pages to this young 17 year old, he had tears streaming down his face. The others sitting in the courtroom were silent. It takes one person to make a difference. I told him how my God loves and forgives. His mother followed Jim and I out and said that she could tell that we are Christians and how touched she was. She told her son the same things I said to him, and it was touching to her that God gave me the words she had been telling her son. When I was done speaking, the judge spoke and reiterated what I had said. Interestingly, when she read her paper, she hade the same things written down that I had said. I hope I made a difference. It was amazing as a mom to speak to him.
Several months ago, my friend and I started a high school girls Bible study on Thursday mornings. Our group started out with about four people. It is now at 16 people. We?re making it count by being faithful to God and encouraging each other to grow in our faith and make God the #1 priority in our lives. There is even a girl who is not a Christian that is going to start coming.
I send birthday cards every month when Around the Rock comes out with the list. I try to phone a couple of people each night who have been sick, absent from church or on my daily prayer list.
I make it count for God at my work. I?m a substitute teacher working with special education and alternative education students. I?ve been working with kids who are autistic. God showed me through the kids about His unconditional love and acceptance toward them. I?m really encouraged how God used me to be there for them. God put on my heart to pray for specific kids and for a cure for autism.
Each day I tell the Lord that I am available and then intentionally look and take the opportunities God gives me. As a result, I have had several chances to share His love to others. Two examples:
1) On Tuesday, January 3, I went to the Church Office just before my lunch time was over. I walked in and noticed a young woman in a wheelchair. I was asked if I could talk to her. This wasn?t on my schedule, but I knew God was telling me ? Yes! We met for about two hours and during this time I found out she was going to have her 19th surgery on January 5. I prayed with her and she left. On January 8, she died. I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet this young woman. Something I wouldn?t have had ? had I not been available!
2) On January 26, I met with a young woman whom I meet with every Thursday. From our meeting the week before, I sensed, through the Holy Spirit, that she didn?t have a personal relationship with Jesus. She had some of the answers, but still I questioned her relationship. After praying during the week, I asked her once again to share how she came to Christ. I then asked if I could share the plan of salvation with her. She agreed and at the end she prayed and asked Christ into her heart. She thanked me for having the courage to challenge her and to share Christ?s love with her. She left rejoicing and weeping for finding God?s true peace.
I am available ? use me!
How my husband is making it count:
He is on lots of video game trading sites. He shares Christ in conversations. He researches and brings out the truth. When, say a Mormon says he is a Christian Mormon, he writes the truth on cultural truths, right to choose, etc. But he goes beyond. His reputation in trades is incredible. He goes beyond the call of duty when he sends a package. Many times he will send extra stuff. He will go buy something for one of the guys on the site, because he found it here and they have been looking for it.
I recently shared my testimony with a woman I met. She called me on Thursday and wants to meet with me this week.
I work with autism students when I substitute teach. I know that it's a challenge, but God showed me that they are His children. He loved them no matter what. He taught me about patience through working with them. He reminded me of a verse in the Bible. Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." He also put on my heart to pray for a cure for autism.
Part 1 of my story. The following is from a card which I have made my own.
Prayer For A Life of Purpose
?Lord God, may I daily remember I live to bring glory to Your name. Help me live each moment with You in mind all the time. Don't let me forget You work through people and you delight in loving people through me. May I be grateful for the gifts You give and eager to use them for Your glory. Grace me with a heart to serve others, and give me eyes to see their need. As I serve You, Lord, the world discounts my worth, remind me that my kindness may be the answer to someone?s prayer. Help me to worship You in thought and action, song and silence, and even in suffering. Give me a sense of wonder in Your presence, and keep my purpose clear. When in moments of selfishness I hold tightly to what is Yours, unclench my hands and show me again that in giving of myself I become an expression of Your love. As Your love transforms me, may my life point people in Your loving kindness and may I bear fruit.?
My thoughts and prayers ? I?ve listened to the Words, I?ve applied them to my life. God has answered my prayers. I sit on edge to hear from the Lord each week, every day, every minute of every second. I do not seek glory. I do not seek power. I do not seek to be known of others. I do seek my Father?s love . . . to know Him is to love Him.
I've been helping a blind lady with her mail and financial affairs. I connected with her through AVC. I knew I couldn't fix anyone's plumbing, move furniture, or pour cement, but this I can do.
I made my life count this week by praising God in advance for continued success on my road to recovery. I also worked with a group of newcomers at Alcoholic Anonymous and shared how important it was to have God in their program if they really wanted a successful recovery.
I have the privilege to work at a junior high school on the West Side of Modesto. I love the kids and they know it. I am not shy about my faith. I do not preach, as it is a public school, but if the kids have questions about Christianity, I tell them. I show them the love that God has shown me. I also walk for exercise and every person I pass, I look them in the eye and smile and say ?Hi,? or ?Good Morning.? I also pray for these people, even though I don?t know their name or situations. God is awesome in the love He has shown me, I want to show that to others.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 2, 2005. Making it (life) count. I guess making it count would not be waiting till chemo and radiation are over and blocking out this time of life. I know God will take care of me and comfort me. I just wanted to be used by Him in the meantime. ?For I know the plans I have for you?plans to give you a future and a hope."
As I read Ephesians, 4:2-3, I was reminded of a co-worker who is a new believer. I was able to take the scripture and encourage her by pointing out how she illustrated that scripture with how she handled the people around her and the customers on the phone. Her family has just begun attending a church in the last year. She was encouraged in the faith.
On January 27, the Chamber of Commerce of Modesto awarded Inter Faith Ministries/Redwood Family Center, the ?Non-Profit of the Year? of more than a dozen nominees. We were the only faith-based Christ centered program. We are also part of Advancing Vibrant Communities with Mike. How exciting to see the Lord continue to work through His people.
I won a scholarship to the American Red Cross Regional Conference in Long Beach, March 2-4. I want to continue to be trained and educated to be a more useful tool when disaster strikes.
Ever since my dad left our family, my brother has gotten really into drugs, but ever since my dad and my brother messed up, it?s made me notice that if you don?t have God, you don?t have a purpose. And if you have God, nothing can stop you from being part of Christ and being strong.
Hi. I?ve been here in Modesto almost four years. I?ve come from Alameda County Jail in Oakland. I?m in Solidarity Program and today I must say coming to the program out of Oakland, I would not be clean and sober today if it was not for the Court sending me. I started coming to this church in 2002. I?ve never been in this kind of church. I just love it. Today I have a wonderful job. Thank you Jesus, I?m learning how to live life on life terms. Pastor Wade and church members have made me so welcome. Today I have a car to get to work, meeting, oh yes, to church, to visit my family when I got here from jail. I had nothing, nothing. I love the message I get when I?m in this church. And today, I know it?s time to do more. Thank you, Jesus, for Pastor Wade and family and church family. Thank you.
At 47, I believe God is showing me my purpose, helping others! Like any good parent, He had to ?show? me my selfish ways first and make me realize it?s not about what I can get out of life, but what I can give. I had to learn how to help myself before I could help others. Almost losing everything, I learned and I am still learning how to get down on my knees and give myself over to the Lord and open myself to do His work. I know now I need to take the skills the Lord blessed me with and use them to His glory. It?s no longer important to have men see my work and say good job, but someday to stand in front of the Lord and have Him just smile at me. ~ Tom
I have been blessed and saved through prayers and love. I was in a major car accident in ?94, in a coma for about five weeks. I learned to walk, talk, eat, everything over again. Then I was blessed with three beautiful healthy children. Now I am giving as much as I can to be their mother again, after my addiction problem and divorce. Plus, He let me be safe in two more car accidents. Thank you God, Jesus.
I teach childbirth classes in my home. Before I start each new class, I begin by teaching the parent (who are mostly non-Christians) about God?s plan for them as a couple. (Love & Respect) How to not end up in divorce, remembering he is the King, she is the Queen. Then by the end of the class, I read to them ?The Princess & the Kiss? during a relaxation technique, which focuses on God?s gift of purity. I then pray and leave the results to God that these families will trust God.
As a college instructor, I pray daily that I can inspire my students. Recently, I have been instructing on terrorism. In looking at the issue of religion and terrorism, the terminologies of religious belief came up. In doing so, I was blessed to be able to speak about Jesus Christ, His death, resurrection and second coming. Several students appeared to not only learn effectively, but be inspired. I felt God had opened this door in the context of our discussion. I was blessed indeed.
This week I was able to witness and encourage a friend of mine. She and her family were doing an intervention with her 23 year old grandson. He is bipolar, ADD and is self-medicating with prescription drugs. Last Sunday, he accepted help (as their family was covered in prayer). When she called me Tuesday, I shared my experience that 10 years ago about our 16 year old daughter was addicted to drugs and alcohol. I was able to encourage her that they did the right thing and that God has His hand on her grandson. He is receiving treatment back East. Our daughter is now happily married and pursuing a career in law, all through the grace and love of God. God does not give up on anyone.
My story is that the Lord has truly made me a strong women in recovery. I?ve been a heroin addict for 22 years and was on methadone maintenance five years. Now I am clean and sober of all substances. I feel I know God has truly changed my life. I?ve spent more than half my life in prison, and now I have a job. I had a son in 1990 I gave up for adoption. And by God?s grace the parents only got guardianship. I got a phone call a year ago and meet him for the first time. Now my son is a part of my life. Thanks to the Redwood Family Center, I have reunified and gaining custody of my other two boys. God is truly awesome. Something it is still hard to believe that God loves me for just me. But I see God is truly my King!
A couple of weeks ago, my mom and I went to Walgreens to get some new make-up. My mom went to go look at eye shadow. I want to go check out the foundation. There was this lady that made a comment about how crappy the make-up was. I laughed, then she immediately started talking to me. As she continued, she told me she was recently in a coma and how she had woken up while she was being raped by one of the male nurses. She told me many other humble experiences at the hospital. I just think it was pretty cool that she opened up like that. I had never met her until that night. I told her I would pray for her, then said, ?God Bless.?
My wife and I are making it count in our relationship with my ex-wife and her husband. I was married and divorced between 19 and 21 years old. Our daughter was caught right in the middle of our immature selfish egos. My wife and I started dating almost two years later. The anger and stress with my ex-wife continued to grow. There were out of control screaming matches, harsh words and flying furniture. My wife and I were married and became pregnant two years later. STRESS!! The fighting continued. Our son was born. Something changed about two years after his birth. For the fist time, my wife and I really understood what Jesus was offering, and we said ?yes.? We grabbed on to that grace and guidance with both hands and said, ?Yes, help.? Unknown to us, at the same time my ex-wife was searching to reconnect with God. So how are we making it count? My ex-wife and her new husband are a solid addition to our lives and our family. We call them first. They are friends and confidants in our dreams and troubles. My ex-wife has told both my wife and me that my wife is the kind of friend she always wanted as a child. They are free and honest with each other. Her new husband is my best friend, and has been since grade school. He called one day and said he was moving back to the valley and asked if dating her would be okay. We talked about my daughter and I was later the best man at the wedding. We have now been through it all together. We?re making it count by honoring our relationship with them. God made this possible, for giving this to us and telling people about it whenever the chance comes about. Be open, be honest.
I work at Farmington General Store, 6 AM ? 6 PM, Mon & Tues. Among other things, I make it count by going clear directions to the many people who come into the store lost and not knowing where they are. Usually they went East on Hwy 4, instead of West! They are always appreciative and I love to reassure and encourage them.
By giving every person that I pass by a smile. That?s how I make it count. A smile gives a warmth of caring. That?s my story. [This was from a little girl who included a drawing of a girl with T-shirt that said, "Smile for Jesus."]
My Lord has been in my life for a long time, and He has given me a good life. He has blessed me. I want my life to count. I hope I can do for Jesus by giving Him back what He has given to me. Without Him, my life is empty and without joy.
By giving examples of what the Lord is doing in my life, I indirectly witnessed to a friend who is not a Christian. God is so awesome. I can?t help but share what He has done and is doing in my life. He deserves all the praise.
I believe God is using my six month sobriety to be a testimony to my two children and family members. I?m currently at Redwood Family Center and the miracle God is doing and has done thus far bears witness He?ll bring His prodigal daughters back home to Him as He?s done me. My boys know that my life was a mess and they see me now and see how God as cleaned me up, and He?ll meet us wherever we are in our life when we cry out to Him. When we are obedient to Him, He blesses beyond our measure to work for him again. God kept me clean and sober one more week last week. That counts. Amen.
I am in Recovery for drugs and alcohol. I use to be in a street gang. Recently someone stabbed my brother-in-law in the head. Every old behavior of the streets came back to me in a matter of seconds. A friend of mine in Recovery, a Christian brother as well, was over at my house (as a last minute thing) asking me if I wanted to go to a AA meeting. This friend was with me when I received the horrifying phone call. I was angry, screaming at people on the phone, demanding that we take this into our own hands. At that moment, my friend quietly said ?Your children need their mother; ask God for help.? Immediately I came back to my senses and prayed. We went right to the meeting. I shared in the meeting and said ?I prayed to God that if my friend weren?t there that I would have called someone in Recovery to stop me from retaliation. A man sitting next to me said quietly, ?God knew you wouldn?t make that phone call, that?s why your friend was there.? I once again doubted and forgot that everything is in God?s plan. God already saved me even before I knew I needed Him. I am truly grateful for His grace.
I am a blessed single father of a 10-year-old boy. One hundred forty days ago, I said a prayer and within minutes a miracle happened. You see, I was a drug addict and was asking for help that I could overcome my addiction. A Christian man in Recovery I was acquainted with pulled up to my trailer. He was someone I would have never expected to see at my door. I went out to meet him and opened his car door. ?There is a Lord,? were my first words to him. ?Do you need help?? he asked. ?I do? I replied. I have been clean of drugs and alcohol ever since. I believe!
I can share how God has provided for us financially because we were obedient to Him in a way that affected our reduced income.
As a result of being clean and sober for four months now, I was able to see my son overnight for the first time in six months.
One of my students has cut herself and has threatened suicide in her writing. I got her into counseling before the Christmas break and prayed heartily for her during that time. This week I checked again. She?s excited about counseling, mom approved it, and I could share how I have been praying protection over her thoughts. Pray God gives me more opportunities to share His love and kindness.
I am meeting each week with an old friend to go through The Purpose Driven Life.
Praying about going to Slovenia with the drama team.
I am a recovering addict who lost her husband seven years ago. I got into drugs to ease the pain of his death. I got into trouble this past year and lost everything: kids, home, car and respect. I?m now clean and am getting my life together. I have my kids back and we?re doing it together. I thank God everyday that I got the help I needed.
I was faced with a very difficult task of completing some very important documents, which if not completed, would have caused great harm to a good cause. I thought there is no way I can do this on my own, but I was not by myself. Though no human was around to help, a voice told me as clear as someone standing there, said ?You can do it and this is how you start at the beginning and go to the end." The voice was the Lord. And although it was not easy, I completed it last night. It was like a complete opening in my mind. I could see how to complete it. My typewriter was acting up, and I started to give up. The voice of the Lord told me to change the ribbon and corrector. I said, ?These are full ones." but I did listen to the Lord. I don?t understand why, but changing them solved the problem. The completion will be not only help my family, but others. Thank you, Jesus.
With the Lord?s help, I?m sending get wll cards of encouragement, birthday cards of love and encouragement and thank you cards for all you do. What a joy, it has been to me. The Lord is so good to us.
My husband now has a job, thanks to God. My family is healthy and blessed by the grace of God. I?ve been blessed with a husband and son who love me. I met another mother who has helped me understand that my calling as mother is not finished yet.
During the past week, I have spent night and day with my dad in the hospital. He was told that he had only a week left. I felt God pressing me to use this opportunity to witness to him and other family members. He took great comfort in hearing about Heaven and Jesus? love for him. I was able to tell nurses, doctors, sisters, etc. to take comfort in Jesus, while I also lean on Him.
Helping the new guys at the Shepard?s Garden program understand the reason and real godly purposes of ?why?? We came to this place in ?our? lives to get help from the One who can help us, Jesus our Lord and Savior. I will make my deepest appreciation shown and make it count.
I am still ashamed on the outside (world), but not on the inside (God) ?. I gave up. The two babies I conceived in sin, their dad?s agreed for adoption to the same Christian family. It was hard and embarrassing for 18 months, but because I don?t believe abortion is an option, I did it anyhow. Plus, two wrongs (conception & abortion) don?t make it right.
I read the article today regarding abortion. My granddaughter who is 16 announced to our family in September that she was pregnant. She never looked at abortion as an option. I believe this is because of when she lived with us because of her mom?s illness. All her life, we took her to church, where she was involved in the youth group until age 14. She does know the Lord and that every life formed has a purpose. It all goes back to training up a child in the way he should do ... knowing Christ. We should never give up on our children. Even this situation has turned her life around for good.
We have a very troubled neighbor who has been out of work for several months. We have been giving him food from time to time. Yesterday, we gave him several TV dinners and leftovers from dinner. We also have another couple of neighbors who are giving food.
I told a friend this week that I did not appreciate his language. It was inappropriate. He ended by telling me, ?Thanks, I needed that."
When I was a young boy, I was abused sexually by a man and a woman and began having sex at a young age. I had sex with both sides and have had that dark secret inside until I spoke with a pastor here who has helped me with my struggles of sexual thoughts. I pray every day and know the church has as well. As I have revealed myself to the Body and to God verbally, I have experienced a big change in my life, instead of giving into those desires. Also, God has brought people into my life who have those same struggles and shown me my place and my path, which is to help those people by being there, open and non-judgmental about what they?ve been through. I meet with them to pray and to try to show them the change He?s made in my life so they may go to Him and experience what I have in my walk. Thank you God for all you have done. Sunday?s sermon just shows that He is working in my life. An example is that just as soon as I got finished writing Pastor Wade began to speak on opportunities and the examples he used of homosexual or just sexual immoralities gave me goose bumps. Thank you God again for First B and for Your mercy and grace in my life. I love You, and I love the Body. Amen!
Last Friday at work my boss sent me to Pinecrest with a new guy, so I made it count! He told me he used to go to church and needs to go back someday, so all the way up there I talked his ear off about getting back into church. For the first time since I?ve been coming to church, I believe I made a difference.
I had fellowship with a new Christian friend who is adjusting to a recent move.
Last week I came home to find an elderly migrant couple with their belongings in a shopping cart walking down the road. I have always waved and smiled at them but struggled to speak as they don?t speak English. I speak very little Spanish. I felt God telling me to turn around and ask them if they needed a ride. I didn?t know how that would work, but I did it. Somehow I communicated to them that I would take them and their things wherever. They were happy and we packed their things and them in the car. I started out not knowing where to go. Finally I figured out they were going to Greyhound Depot. When I dropped them off and unloaded their things, they hugged me. It felt so good to not just make an excuse why I couldn?t do it and just trust God and do it. I would have missed a blessing!
I came from a domestic violent marriage and I am an addict alcoholic. I lost my children as a result. Something was missing all my life. Since I?ve been in recovery, God has filled the emptiness I?ve had all my life. I?ve been clean and sober 20 months. I am a prayer counselor at Monday Night Church. I am able to do service for God working at the Redwood in helping other women. I?ve taught Bible study. God has been so good to me. I hope to help bring others to the glory of God and share there?s a much better way. Praise God.
I make it count by telling my neighbor about Jesus. I ask her to come to church with us. Her response is ?don?t stop asking. I will come soon.? I pray that she and her family will come to church with us.
I made my life count this week by working in Kid Country. It is a lot of fun. I also started the women?s Bible study group that is studying the book of Romans. I worked hard, and I hope I let my light shine. I worked as if my boss was Jesus because after all, He is.
God has guided me to continue to overcome a 46 [years ?] addiction to having approximately five years clean and sober. I have been blessed with the ability to work with recurring addicts and in a treatment center on a daily basis. Thank you God for so many wonderful blessings and a wonderful life. Thanks.
Having just returned from a short-term mission stint at Rancho Santa Marta, it was impressed deep in my heart the hopeless situation that these beautiful children would face if not for people demonstrating the love of Jesus in their lives. As I gaze at them laughing and playing, while meeting in the morning for flag salute and class dispersion, God really pressed ?HOPE? for the lost and abandoned on my spirit. God is really working in this little corner of the world. Please pray that God would press this burden deep into my heart.
In year 2004, I was found to be diagnosed with Alzheimers. My first thought was that my life would be forever changed. Fortunately, my focus changed from how will I help my family to understand this issue to surrendering my life to God, which was the obvious choice. Since the onset of this syndrome, I have grown stronger, and I now focus on my relationship with Jesus.
My best friend, who lives in Oregon and has never gone to church or considered herself a Christian, came down last month to visit. I asked if she would come to church with us, and she did. We had a long discussion afterwards about who Jesus is and why I believe, and why she doesn?t. She very politely told me she was happy for me, and she would probably come with me again, but she didn?t feel Christianity was for her. She called me last week to tell me she found a Christian church in the city where she lives that she will be going to regularly! She thanked me for asking her to come with me and talking to her afterwards. My belief intrigued her, and she wanted that security for herself.
By ?chance? (God!), I got a last minute chance to go to Rancho Santa Marta, Mexico. The trip was awesome, sobering (such poverty and a sense of lawlessness!) and enlightening. I feel I?ll never get my mind around all I saw, but my heart found it easy to thrive there! We saw how even there Jesus has made Himself at home. The kids there reflect that familiar glow. We were the ones blessed, truly. I am unable to fully express in words how awesome the whole experience was.
I am in Recovery for drugs and alcohol. Recently it dawned on me that I am 37 years old and that I have been smoking for 30 years. I spent a few days doing quite a bit of thinking and came to the conclusion that I am going to die if I don?t quite. They tell you not to do anything drastic within the first year of recovery, so of course I was afraid. I was debating once again ? I feared Him not taking my desire away and me losing faith because of that. Well, it came down to the realization that either way meant doubt and lack of trust in the Lord. So, 10 days ago I got on my knees and prayed from the bottom of my heart with the utmost faith and trust, and asked God to take my habit of smoking cigarettes away from me. It?s time and of course, HE DID!!! After 30 years! It?s GONE! I didn?t even withdraw!! Thank you, Lord Jesus. I am now enrolled in college. My major is Respiratory Therapy. I intend to make it count.
I?m a 5th grade teacher here on the Northeast side of town. For several years, I?ve been praying and cultivating a relationship with my principal. She?s very open to spiritual things and knows that I lean on God to get me through life. For Christmas, I gave her Purpose Driven Life by Rich Warren (my parents go to his church). I wasn?t sure how she?d respond to it. Last Friday morning, she greeted me with a hug and exclaimed ?Day 6.? She?s so excited to be reading it. She said even her husband is reading it? Day 3 for him. This is such a miracle. Please pray that God?s Word will penetrate their hearts. God is good!
Memorizing scripture with my children. Our goal is approximately 100 verses a year. We made it last year.
I?m a 45-year-old grandma and have my granddaughter with me at the Redwood Family Center. She is three years old. My daughter is on the streets having her fun, doing drugs, running amuck and doesn?t seem to care about anything else or anyone. So, I have my granddaughter, and I?m trying my best to do what?s right for her so she can make something good work in her life when she?s older. I just want to break the cycle of an old life. So, with the help of God, we both can have a better life.
There was a friend of mine I used to know at the river and now I?ve gotten her to come to the Redwoods where I live with her granddaughter. She is nine days clean and sober now, and her granddaughter loves it there. I made my life count last week because I reassured her they would be happy if she followed me. I?m the only sober friend she has. I hear ?thank you for being here for me? from her every single day. I tell her to thank God, not me.
By joining the adult ministries and doing the Share Your Faith class.
The Lord has opened the doors for me to make it count by every moment of everyday being able to share Jesus with all the women and children at Redwood. Praise the Lord that I can go to the pastors of our church for answers I don?t know. How He has taken my broken life and turned it into a testimony for Him. I pray that He will put someone in my son?s life to make it count. My grandmother made it count; my mother made it count. Both from this church, they?ve touched a lot of people. The Lord showed them how it make it count. I pray that He will show me how to really make it count.
We are reading the Old Testament and Psalms together (in a year). We are continuing the pattern we established last year with the New Testament. At this rate, we can read the entire Bible every 2 years!
I?m a nanny, and Friday I was shipping kids here and there. In the car, I turned off the radio and started telling the kids Bible stories. Now, when we get in the car, the kids ask for a Bible story!
I?m making it count by committing to one group home for the disabled ? adopting them and visiting them twice a month. So far, I?ve been able to really share Jesus with two of the awesome people who live there and two of the girls who work there. God is opening doors even in the minds of people who are severely limited. Nothing is impossible for Him. All I do is go over and play Dominos. He does the rest!
I had recently asked for prayers for my friend whose husband was very ill and in a coma. Sadly he left us on January 8, and we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering. His family is left to deal with the burial expenses. My friend, a very strong Christian single mother of three had no idea how she would pay for services. Her very small church agreed to help with the expenses as much as they could - about half. I prayed with her and assured her God would help her and answer her and would let her know what to do. Well, He did! Two days before the services a private party told her they would meet any expenses the church could not cover. I really don?t know if this is a make it count story, but I wanted to share how good God is, and He does hear our prayers. Please continue your prayers for this family. He left behind a wife and four children.
God has opened the door for me to return to Soy Dance Ministries as a praise and worship dancer. I want to make my life count by helping to bring this art to the Christian community. I?m trusting God will help me overcome my physical limitations with my knees, which have been bruised from years of training and performing. And that He will watch over me and keep me safe.
Many years ago I learned about ?Life Style? Evangelism. As you go, witness, encourage and pray. This is my goal. The young man at Save Mart graciously carried my groceries. I said thank you and asked ?What are your plans for the week end?? He replied, ?Well, I work Saturday and Sunday. I am going to church.? I then asked ?Where do you go?? He said he was worship leader at Shelter Cove. We then shared the joys of knowing the Lord and shared in the benefits of having a personal relationship with the Lord. I encouraged him to continue on the path he was going. As he left he said, ?Thank you for sharing with me, it is so good to talk with other Christians and to be encouraged that there are other out there.?
I?m doing some follow-up calls on our first-time guests for Stone Croft Ministries. I spoke with three women as they indicated a prayer need. In so doing, I learned one was a recent widow. We shared a few minutes. I told her how God had been so very gracious when I lost my husband and encouraged her to stay faithful to Him. I was encouraged. It is interesting, you cannot share with others how God has blessed you and not be blessed yourself. Three friends met for a birthday luncheon; one is a caregiver for her husband, who has Alzheimer?s. We had a fun time, however, the caregiver was so blessed to hear laughter and laugh again herself.
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