| Author | Message | ||
| Bsim Registered user Username: Bsim Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hello everyone, Just wanted to let you know that I did indeed make it out the door on Sunday, and really did have a good worship experience. We had planned to visit a church right down the road from us and checked the web to make sure we had the right service times. Well, my daughter practically fell asleep on the living room floor about 1/2 hour before we were going to leave (she is moving from two naps a day to one nap and sometimes will still take a short a.m. nap) We didn't want to just wake her up though, so my husband decided to stay at home with her & meet me at the church when she woke up. When I arrived at the church, it looked like everyone was leaving -- they were! That day, the service had been moved an hour earlier. Although it was on their message board outside the church, it was not on the website. Oh, I was disappointed. I called my husband to let him know, and decided to go to the Damascus church. I was so glad I went - I was able to check the setup they have for children (since they are meeting in a high school, I had wondered about that). I missed about 5 minutes of the sermon, the topic was "handling life's tough situations" and focused on how God carries us through the "pit", how Jesus is our anchor that we can totally trust. As part of the message one of the church members shared his very personal story, of how he had to rely on God and it really struck a chord with me. I cannot remember being touched that way during a church service before, and realizing how much I also needed that anchor. My eyes kept welling up with tears as I prayed for the man sharing his story, and also for myself. Even after the service was over, I could not stop crying. I wanted to talk to one of the pastors but would not have been able to say a word. Strangely enough, I did not feel uncomfortable or too self-conscious. There were definitely others at church that day that were showing their emotions as well. I can't explain it, but I felt very comfortable and I know that I was at the place God wanted me to be that day. Thank you all for your prayers for me. I definitely will go back to Damascus - next time with my husband and daughter, and we will see how that goes. Thank you God, for working things out and for a wonderful time with you. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4107 Registered: 3-2004  |
Bsim, I am so happy for you. God arranged things so you would be where He wanted you to be. Isn't that awesome. I just have to add that I used to live in Manassas, VA. Diana | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 408 Registered: 8-2006 |
Bsim, I'm so glad you were able to attend a service! I believe also that you were just where God wanted you to be yesterday. Please keep us informed of your journey and of God's leading. Susan | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 729 Registered: 6-2006  |
Bsim, you're making me well up! Thank you for sharing your story. I can tell that the Holy Spirit was present there with you. That's a God thing, isn't it?  Leigh Anne | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6482 Registered: 12-2003  |
Bsim, I'm so happy for you! Praise God! And you'll really enjoy attending with your husband. What a wonderful experience. God is faithful. Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1238 Registered: 9-2006  |
Bsim, I concur with the others, God knew where you needed to be that day and that hour. What a wonderful God we serve! River | ||
| Eyesopen Registered user Username: Eyesopen Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2007 |
Bsim, I live in the Damascus area, too! I'm glad to hear a FAF lurker is near me :-) I am intrigued by the Damascus Church and I'm glad you went. I think I may be ready to give it a try... Eyesopen | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 530 Registered: 11-2005 |
Bsim, what a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it with us. I, too, have felt more tears of joy since I have started attending a Christian fellowship than I ever did as an Adventist. It is truly an emotionally overwhelming experience to know in our heart that we are finally free of all the doctrinal deceit and intellectual dishonesty of Adventism. True Sabbath Rest in Christ is even better than a most beautiful dream. We no longer have to be perfect. We just have to believe, and let the Holy Spirit work the change in our lives. It is so different from what I was taught in Adventism. It is overwhelming to know that God has led us out! And unlike what we were taught as Adventists, He will never leave us nor forsake us. No Close of Probation without a Heavenly Mediator. No more lies! And to think that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my hurt. He is so good! My eyes fill with tears, and I am continually in awe at His amazing grace. Gilbert Jorgensen (Message edited by jorgfe on August 07, 2007) |
