From: Lynne
Date: February 8, 2004
Subject: Blessings Abound
Dear Family & Friends,
God has poured out His infinite love and amazing grace on me this day and I wanted to share with you. Today I was blessed to be part of a special 8-member praise team. We played a more integral part in our worship service than usual, and stood in front of the congregation for about 15 minutes or so. After struggling with my voice for the past year since my surgery, it was strong again, and held out well for the morning practice and the worship time. I could see the music from the stand in front of me, and all the sweet expressions on the faces of the congregation - when I went back to see Dr. Snip this week after having the laser treatment on my eye 2 weeks ago, I learned that I could see 20/30 plus 2 on the 20/20 line, better than ever in my life. My ear had been plugged up for about a month since my bout with a sinus infection the first part of January - today it had finally cleared so I could hear the rest of my group. The Spirit bubbled up and poured forth as we sang of "The Days of Elijah" and "You are Worthy of My Praise." The "Wonderful Cross" medley was interspersed with scripture telling of the love that God poured out on each one of us when He gave His only son to die for us. Any offering we have to give is far too small - what He wants is our heart, our lives, and our praise.
It was an extra-special blessing to have Teresa here this weekend. She came down to go with me to a ladies Valentine luncheon at church where we honored special women in our lives.
A couple of weeks ago, God gave me the extra-special message below. I am merely His vessel, and sometimes my humanness finally gets out of the way enough for me to be still and know that He is God.
Date: February 8, 2004
Subject: Blessings Abound
Dear Family & Friends,
God has poured out His infinite love and amazing grace on me this day and I wanted to share with you. Today I was blessed to be part of a special 8-member praise team. We played a more integral part in our worship service than usual, and stood in front of the congregation for about 15 minutes or so. After struggling with my voice for the past year since my surgery, it was strong again, and held out well for the morning practice and the worship time. I could see the music from the stand in front of me, and all the sweet expressions on the faces of the congregation - when I went back to see Dr. Snip this week after having the laser treatment on my eye 2 weeks ago, I learned that I could see 20/30 plus 2 on the 20/20 line, better than ever in my life. My ear had been plugged up for about a month since my bout with a sinus infection the first part of January - today it had finally cleared so I could hear the rest of my group. The Spirit bubbled up and poured forth as we sang of "The Days of Elijah" and "You are Worthy of My Praise." The "Wonderful Cross" medley was interspersed with scripture telling of the love that God poured out on each one of us when He gave His only son to die for us. Any offering we have to give is far too small - what He wants is our heart, our lives, and our praise.
It was an extra-special blessing to have Teresa here this weekend. She came down to go with me to a ladies Valentine luncheon at church where we honored special women in our lives.
A couple of weeks ago, God gave me the extra-special message below. I am merely His vessel, and sometimes my humanness finally gets out of the way enough for me to be still and know that He is God.
| I Thessalonians 1 |
| 2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. |
For me, this says "Lynne, your endurance is inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. You know, don't you, that God has chosen you. His Gospel is not merely words to you, but His Spirit and power are at work in you, resulting in a deep conviction. You became an imitator of the Lord and in spite of your physical suffering your joy overflows. You became a model to all believers in your own little world, and also to all who have heard your story around the nation. Your faith in God has become known everywhere."
I thank my God for each one of you who share this journey with me!
Lynne
Outline | Previous | Next
I thank my God for each one of you who share this journey with me!
Lynne
Outline | Previous | Next