| Author | Message | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 156 Registered: 12-2004 |
Last year I went to my first Good Friday service. It was the most wonderful spiritual experience I had ever felt in Church. The choir, the orchestra, The drama, and the message by Pastor Tim Schroeder at Kelowna's www.trinitybaptist.net. Last year I went alone and cried through much of it because it was so beautiful and that I wasn't sharing it with any body close. This year I share this opportunity of blessing with a number of patients, and some of my dear Adventist brothers and sisters. My wonderful wife also came with me. The service was again breathtaking in its beauty, and was very spiritual and awe inspiring. I have since received a couple of emails from my Adventist friends thanking me for the invite and that they received a blessing. I would like to thank God for this opportunity to share with others that which has helped me on my journey. Please pray that this small step will allow some to recognize God is working outside the Adventist box. I feel bad that I did not invite more. I think I will start my list for next Good Friday right now, amd plan on formal invitations. It was just that good. God's blessings on all of you on this Easter, Randy Ps... For those from Kelowna, B.C. A wonderful ALIVE service Sunday at 10:30am is planned on the Bluffs over looking the lake.Bring your lawnchairs as we are expecting about 6000 people if the weather is reasonable. All are of course welcome. Check the website listed in the post for more info. | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 84 Registered: 2-2003 |
Last night I went to my first Good Friday service at our church. It was very moving! Very solemn ( very different from our usual worship services!)but filled with hope. Over the course of the evening the candles in the church were put out so at the end it was dark except for the light shining on the large cross on the wall. They had requested that there be no applause (even though the performances were excellent, they wanted to have the people in attendence reflect on the cross and not the performers) and to exit quietly at the end. My 2 daughters sang in the chorus. After the service my 10 year old told me that at one point she had a hard time singing because she was so moved because of what Christ had done for her. The last song the chorus sang was "The Gospel Song": Holy God in love became Perfect man to bear my blame On the Cross he took my sin By his death I live again. I can't wait for Sunday morning to rejoice with my church family in the Risen Saviour! Leigh | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2005 |
Last night, I was rebaptized at the Good Friday service. All morning, I've been on the phone rejoicing with my friends that couldn't make it about it. I just keep getting more and more excited -- even post-baptism! It's just amazing how God has been with me during this entire journey (at the time I was totally unaware, but now looking back it was so obvious!), placing people into my lives at just the right time to witness His continual presence to me. He's so awesome. As I reflect back on my journey, and then last night, 2 Cor. 5:17 keeps popping in my head. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." I am so thankful for those old things passing away, and am so excited about the new things in my life. I am a NEW creature IN Christ! At Trinity Church (where I was baptized), they have a tradition where they ask that each person being baptized to write out their testimony, and read it during the service. I thought I'd post my testimony here. I didn't go too much into my past or previous denomination because of the audience, and because I mostly just wanted to glorify God in what He has done and continues to do. Here it is: My life has completely changed since I have come to truly know Jesus. I grew up in a Christian home so I knew of Him, but didnít really know Him. My religious upbringing put a lot of emphasis on works, so I had an unclear understanding of salvation and Jesusí role in my life. I understood that Jesus saved me, but to stay saved, I had a whole list of things I needed to do to earn and keep that salvation. God has patiently taught me though that His grace fully covers me, and I am saved by His grace alone, and nothing else. There is absolutely nothing I can do to earn it, nor am deserving of it. With my previous checklist of works, I was ultimately still in control and in charge of my destiny. Changing this part of me, this inner need for control over my life, is where God began His miraculous conversion experience. God showed me that I had to completely surrender myself over to Him -- all of me. It meant I had to give up my pride so that I could be taught, and completely submit myself to Him so that He could work in me and guide me through His Spirit. I had to learn to put my trust completely in Him. With praise, I can say that God is now in control of my life. I am a Christ follower, and an adopted daughter of God. It makes me so excited to say Iím a part of His family. Following Christ and having an intimate relationship with Jesus, just didnít change my life, but it gave me a whole new life. I am in awe and celebration of how truly freeing His grace is, and am so thankful for the assurance of salvation that He gives me. Happy Easter everyone! Grace | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 60 Registered: 11-2005 |
Leigh, There is definitely something very special about reflecting on Good Friday, and anticipating Sunday morning to celebrate in the resurrection. Easter weekend has so much more meaning as I wait to celebrate in His resurrection tomorrow at church. It's definitely an unique experience I'd been missing out on as a Saturday church goer. Grace | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2452 Registered: 3-2004  |
God bless you Grace on being baptized and for all the right reasons. I am happy for you. I would like to have been there to help you celebrate your baptism. Father in Heaven, thank you for this sister who has learned what the gospel is-all about Jesus. Keep her in your awesome arms. Be with those who are learning about Jesus and bring them to make a decision for You. Thank you for answering this prayer. You are AWESOME. Amen Diana | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 158 Registered: 12-2004 |
Grace, Thank-you for sharing your new found joy in Jesus with us. I applaud your wonderful testamony, and praise God for continuing to lead you on your Christian walk. What seemed so tentative just a few months ago has blossomed into a wonderful example of what God can do if we allow him to lead us. Thank-you again for sharing, Randy | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 664 Registered: 4-2000  |
Grace, Your testimony is very inspiring! May God continue to abundantly bless you. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1541 Registered: 3-2005 |
Grace, I was privileged to be there last night. I was rejoicing, and heaven was rejoicing with all of us. I was moved to tears by your testimony, and by your co-worker's testimony. The Spirit of the Lord was truly in that place, as many of us from our FAF family were there. It was great to see JohnL, a new poster here, and to fellowship with all the group I value so much. The service we witnessed last night with Grace's baptism was a true testimonial that He is Risen Indeed! Happy Resurrection Sunday everyone, Stan | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 208 Registered: 6-2005 |
Grace, I rejoice with you. Thanks for 2 Cor. 5:17. God kept directing me to Isaiah 42 today. I got floored by v 8-9. 8 "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." Seems He "announced" the new things to you quite clearly. Watch them spring into being! And at His hand, His name is the LORD. Thanks for your testimony of praise and Glory. Lori | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3761 Registered: 12-2003  |
Grace, thanks for sharing your testimony here. I also cried as you read it last night. You told my story in your words as well. I praise God for His work in your life and pray that He will deepen and enrich your relationship with Him. Again I'll say it, Welcome to the family, dear sister! Colleen | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 194 Registered: 4-2005  |
Dear Grace, I know you only by the print name on this Forum. However I must say, your "new self" looks absolutely beautiful ! :c)) I rejoice with you and your commitment to Jesus as Lord as well as personal Savior. May your new self take flight on the wings of God's grace and may you soar above the old former prison of "works and effort" and reflect to all who cross your life path, the absolute unspeakable glory and beauty of His Majesty, King Jesus! And may His life, lived out in you, be a powerful drawing Magnet for God's supreme glory! We join in happy applause for your victory and testimony for our blessed, precious Lord Jesus Christ. Jess & Bonnie |
