This past month we've been reading, thinking, praying and talking about God's story, your story and our story. This past weekend was Pentecost and we were reminded that when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they couldn't help but to tell their story to anyone who would listen.
A good story captures our imagination and often inspires us. We can also become so caught up in a story, that we are willing to invest hours, days, weeks or even years awaiting a finale - you Lost fans know what I mean.
Our stories, much like the stones in Joshua 4, mean something, not only to us, but to the people around us. We don't need to enthrall anyone with our story, but sharing it can help us develop a relationship or provide a guidepost to someone in need of direction.
Please consider sharing a part of your story. Here are some stories that have been shared recently:
Faith journey
by Barbara P.
When I look back on my life so far to determine where and when I started my faith journey, I go back to a small country church. I am an eight-year old sitting in the pew with my grandmother and mother. It is revival time..a hot summer evening. There is an altar call and I am filled with an overwhelming urge to go forward—to declare my need for a savior and to commit my life to Him. I slip out of the pew and head down the aisle followed by my grandmother. You see, she was raised Baptist and this is a Methodist church….she is finally relenting and joining the church my grandfather’s ancestor founded back in the early 1800’s!
That was the beginning—not really—I know God had claimed me before I was even born—that was the beginning of my faith walk. I remember attending VBS on the church lawn, revival after revival, Young Life meetings and Young Life camp, attending Methodist and Baptist churches, and finally, attending a Lutheran church with my aunt and uncle and, once again, being drawn in by the message of love and forgiveness and hope.
I needed the message of hope. Like many other children, I am the product of a broken family. Throughout my childhood and adulthood, I have been touched by the life crises of various family members. I have experienced the sadness, hopelessness, anger, fear, and betrayal stemming from divorce, alcoholism, sickness, death, unemployment, and near poverty. My faith journey has sometimes been a roller coaster ride because of these experiences.
What got me through it all? It has to be my God and your God. Through my times of doubt and frustration, He has always been there and I felt His presence even when I wanted to be far away from Him. Why, I asked, was this happening to me? Hadn’t I been good enough? Where had I gone wrong? Finally, through many such experiences, the Holy Spirit finally got through to me…..God had not forsaken me. God had not betrayed me. God had not forgotten me. God loved and loves me!
I could get really carried away and tell you how much I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence now in those times of crisis that come to us all. But, I know it’s a very personal thing and your faith journey is not my faith journey. I only know that, more every day, through His presence in YOU comforting me, encouraging me, loving me that I see God more clearly. I feel His love in me and working through me and, thank God, I am learning to love you and His children—whenever they cross my path—more and more. God truly loves us and calls us to love God and love one another.
God bless you in your own faith journey. The way is not always easy but our God travels it with us.
When I look back on my life so far to determine where and when I started my faith journey, I go back to a small country church. I am an eight-year old sitting in the pew with my grandmother and mother. It is revival time..a hot summer evening. There is an altar call and I am filled with an overwhelming urge to go forward—to declare my need for a savior and to commit my life to Him. I slip out of the pew and head down the aisle followed by my grandmother. You see, she was raised Baptist and this is a Methodist church….she is finally relenting and joining the church my grandfather’s ancestor founded back in the early 1800’s!
That was the beginning—not really—I know God had claimed me before I was even born—that was the beginning of my faith walk. I remember attending VBS on the church lawn, revival after revival, Young Life meetings and Young Life camp, attending Methodist and Baptist churches, and finally, attending a Lutheran church with my aunt and uncle and, once again, being drawn in by the message of love and forgiveness and hope.
I needed the message of hope. Like many other children, I am the product of a broken family. Throughout my childhood and adulthood, I have been touched by the life crises of various family members. I have experienced the sadness, hopelessness, anger, fear, and betrayal stemming from divorce, alcoholism, sickness, death, unemployment, and near poverty. My faith journey has sometimes been a roller coaster ride because of these experiences.
What got me through it all? It has to be my God and your God. Through my times of doubt and frustration, He has always been there and I felt His presence even when I wanted to be far away from Him. Why, I asked, was this happening to me? Hadn’t I been good enough? Where had I gone wrong? Finally, through many such experiences, the Holy Spirit finally got through to me…..God had not forsaken me. God had not betrayed me. God had not forgotten me. God loved and loves me!
I could get really carried away and tell you how much I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence now in those times of crisis that come to us all. But, I know it’s a very personal thing and your faith journey is not my faith journey. I only know that, more every day, through His presence in YOU comforting me, encouraging me, loving me that I see God more clearly. I feel His love in me and working through me and, thank God, I am learning to love you and His children—whenever they cross my path—more and more. God truly loves us and calls us to love God and love one another.
God bless you in your own faith journey. The way is not always easy but our God travels it with us.
When peace, like a river
by Carey H.
What hymn or song speaks to me most?
The most meaningful hymn to me is “When Peace, like a river” by Horatio Spafford. Although, many songs and hymns are close to my heart; this hymn seems to speak to me on such a personal level.
Horatio Spafford was a Chicago businessman. He was taking his wife, Anna, and their four daughters to Europe when a last minute business crisis prevented him from making the trip with them. During the voyage, the ship sank in a violent storm and only Anna survived.
When Horatio Spafford learned of the terrible tragedy, he immediately set sail for Wales to reunite with his wife. When his ship reached the spot where the children drowned, he expressed both his grief and his faith in a poem:
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
In the years since this wonderful hymn was written in 1857, Horatio Spafford’s words have blessed millions and helped them to find God’s peace in the midst of their tragedies; this is most certainly true for me.
What Bible reading is my best friend?
Romans 8 is the Bible reading that I most often turn to for comfort and strength; in particular verse 28 and verses 38-39.
The entire chapter reaffirms that we are Christ’s children through the Holy Spirit and that nothing in this earthly life can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Even if we cannot pray or choose not to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and assures us that no matter what may happen to us in this life, good and bad, it all works together for our good according to God’s will.
Romans 8 also validates Christ’s love for us: He died for us, He has forgiven us, He has given Himself to us through the Holy Spirit. If we are His, nothing can separate us from His love—what a wonderful, joyous, hopeful blessing! Amen.
What hymn or song speaks to me most?
The most meaningful hymn to me is “When Peace, like a river” by Horatio Spafford. Although, many songs and hymns are close to my heart; this hymn seems to speak to me on such a personal level.
Horatio Spafford was a Chicago businessman. He was taking his wife, Anna, and their four daughters to Europe when a last minute business crisis prevented him from making the trip with them. During the voyage, the ship sank in a violent storm and only Anna survived.
When Horatio Spafford learned of the terrible tragedy, he immediately set sail for Wales to reunite with his wife. When his ship reached the spot where the children drowned, he expressed both his grief and his faith in a poem:
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
In the years since this wonderful hymn was written in 1857, Horatio Spafford’s words have blessed millions and helped them to find God’s peace in the midst of their tragedies; this is most certainly true for me.
What Bible reading is my best friend?
Romans 8 is the Bible reading that I most often turn to for comfort and strength; in particular verse 28 and verses 38-39.
The entire chapter reaffirms that we are Christ’s children through the Holy Spirit and that nothing in this earthly life can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Even if we cannot pray or choose not to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and assures us that no matter what may happen to us in this life, good and bad, it all works together for our good according to God’s will.
Romans 8 also validates Christ’s love for us: He died for us, He has forgiven us, He has given Himself to us through the Holy Spirit. If we are His, nothing can separate us from His love—what a wonderful, joyous, hopeful blessing! Amen.
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