Thursday, October 25, 2007

To Know Him is to Love Him

I was in for a bumpy ride as the year 2004 opened its doors, for this was a year of drastic change in my life. As a young child growing up in a separated home, I knew God had a plan and purpose for my life, a ministry and a deeper calling, but what that plan was I had no idea and still do not know completely. I was an early graduate of 2004 and was blessed with the opportunity to visit Jackson College of Ministries. There God touched me in a way I have never felt before; speaking into me words of strength in a voice so powerful it shook my being. I thought this is where I need to be, but in August of that same year as I was preparing to leave for Mississippi, my pastor felt led to ask me if I would be interested in being apart of Apostolic Youth Corps, AYC, and help a young home missions church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I excitedly agreed and prepared for Salt Lake City were I would be catapulted into a 10 hour daily Home Missions 101 crash course. There I would be assisting in the outreach portion of General Conference and from there I would be deployed to Pittsburgh for that life changing experience not even my pastor could have ever truly prepared me for.

Before leaving my pastors wife pulled me aside and instructed me in wisdom, warning me to be wary of simple things that would contradict my upbringing, giving me her contact information and blessing me with her prayers I arrived on the east coast ready to win the world. Loneliness soon set in a few weeks after my arrival and that was where my true challenge began. So many thoughts began to flood through my mind; it was as if I became the victim on the devils playing field. I was heavily involved in everything from painting, to outreach, secretarial work, children’s church, drama, you name it, I was in shoulder deep; but I was sinking. After many messages and failed attempts to reach my pastors wife, I sunk deeper into the grasps of loneliness. All I could hear were her words, " Call me if you need me, I will be there and will be praying for you. I want to hear from you and please, please call." Precious words that never came true were the thoughts the devil filled my mind with day and night.

Disappointment ate at me, and it seemed as if no one was there, no friends, no family and no covering of ministry. My convictions were tested and my world spun out of control, not only was my spiritual world rocked, but my health began to suffer as Lupus began to claim my body. I tried to keep the smile and hold on to what I knew was right, but days turned into gloomy nights. I would cling to my Bible and lie on the floor of my room in pain and cry as my roommate watched endless hours of television. But in the puddle of my tears laid a strength I never knew existed. I started to feel less and less sorry for myself and began to embrace the physical loneliness and let God carry me to a place in Him that had once been hidden. Psalm 91 speaks of a secret place, a place beyond the ordinary, a place of deep meditation and a relationship with the Almighty, far more precious than this world has ever felt. My Bible, a gift from my pastor’s wife, became my strength, and that secret place with God became my comfort. Each night without my friends, family or ministry I would find Him. He became my everything! I found life in Him (Proverbs 21:21), He was my strong tower (Proverbs 18:10) and as I set my affections on Him and things above (Colossians 3) I found I was complete in Him (Colossians 2:10).

It was not until I returned home and my pastor’s wife called me to her home that I realized this all was meant for a monument in my life. She embraced me and told me she had been praying for me, received every letter and every phone call, and was so proud of me. It hit me then; she had taught me the most important lesson in a Christian’s life. The references in Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8 became so precious and so real to me in that moment, He never left me nor forsook me. He was closer than a brother as promised in Proverbs 18:24. I had to come to a place where I had to find Him on my own, not just because mommy and daddy loved him, not because my pastor knew Him, but because my existence and future relied on knowing Him for myself. James 2:19 confirmed. It is much like the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish spoken of in Matthew 25. The wise knew the bride groom, talked with him, felt his love, experienced his faithfulness, but the foolish only knew of him. They never had the opportunity to lavish in his fullness, ridding them of the eagerness and excitement the others felt. We can not be as the foolish; we have to be ready, excited and continually seeking for His coming. He seeks a spotless and whole bride, rid of bitterness and confusion. Many nights I have let my mind drift back to those amazing evenings, just me and Jesus, the realness of His love and the words of promise. He strengthened me, and in the doctors amazement He healed me completely. I plead with you; get to know him for yourself, Trust Him. I can not express in words how important it is to find Him for you, experience all the knowing Him can bring.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Jesus, You are my Peace...My Everything


"Worry is an outward expression displaying
a lack of an inward, complete Trust in HIM!" a.rose2007

Sincerely,
a.rose 2007

Monday, October 15, 2007

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'." I'm whispering " I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.

"When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace,...somehow!

Sincerely,
a.rose

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Update on Adam King-He's HOME!

Adam King can personally testify to you today of God's miraculous power - and His mercy. As many of you have heard, Adam King, was involved in a serious car accident early Monday morning. That's when the miracle began! On his way to work at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (as a caddy), Adam was in the middle of a conversation with Karissa Horton when he lost control of his vehicle. Karissa figured they lost signal, since this was the part of the highway that they usually have very bad signal on. (Remember that fact)Adam meanwhile went off the road some 20+ feet into a ravine below that was heavily forested, meaning it was almost impossible to know someone had gone off the road. Not a person or witness saw him. Finally regaining consciousness Adam picked up his phone and called Karissa to let her know he was in an accident. Not very coherent, it was just enough information to notify his parents and 911. Both emergency teams and his parents were searching for Adam. It wasn't the Search and Rescue that found him though...it was his mother. Telling her husband where to pull over on the side of the road because it "felt right", as she relayed to me, they peered over a cliff to see the old blue pickup truck. Shouting his name, Adam honked his horn in return to acknowledge it was him.Despite nasty lacerations all over his body, a punctured lung (which caused his breathing to be very shallow), and a close-to-death body, Adam was eventually stabilized and as the CAT scans relayed (while MANY of you were praying) Adam does not have a single broken bone in his body. Praise be to God! Even more amazing is that he doesn't have ANY head trauma. Look at the pictures and see the video and then tell me that God did not have his hand of protection over a should've-been tragic accident. Thanks to many of you who have prayed and called to express your concerns. It was appreciated by the family.His accident was reported on the news.
You can see the news covering at http://www.kcby.com/news/local/10321027.html.

After seeing the picture of the truck, it is only the hand of God that he is alive.

Original article posted on C&C Blog

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

ABW.........

I recieved the sweetest email yesterday and just had to share...Thank you Papa English for making me feel so incredibly special! Can't wait to see you soon! Miss you and love you and Nana English so much!

Hey, Angelica;

Here are the headlines y’all have been waiting to read:


Today is the culmination of the ABW preparations!
By Gary English
San Antonio, Texas

It’s finally here…….the day everyone has been waiting for. The finale of the Angelica Birth Week celebrations. It’s like Christmas; everyone has been preparing for the big day in there own way, and now the big day is here; Angelica’s actual 22 nd birthday. Here in San Antonio, Texas the alarm was set for 4:00 AM, but this reporter was so excited that the alarm was not needed. It was 3:24 AM when the covers were thrown back, the coffee poured, and the computer humming. This reporter wanted to be the first to wish Angelica a very Happy Birthday!

Why all the excitement over a birthday?
For you who have never known the charming and beautiful Angelica Lombardo you are missing it! She is not only beautiful physically, but also personality wise and spiritually. This reporter has known her since she has been a tiny girl, and has watched her grow into a beautiful young woman.
She is single as of last reports, and any young man who thinks he might be worthy of her should definitely go to The Rock Church in Elk Grove, California and try his luck. Of course, he would have to be approved by her Bishop, her Pastor, her Father, and this reporter before he got the OK to ask for her hand.

It’s time for this reporter to sign off, but it will not be long until this reporter will see her in person in November.

One final word: God bless and keep you, Angelica.
The English family of San Antonio loves you.
you.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

OCTOBER HAS ARRIVED....
And it's Birthday time around here folks....



Jennifer Helms

Vivien Christ

Stephanie Crosser

Michele Scott-Soon to be Mrs. Pontias!!!!

Angelica Lombardo-ME!!

Christopher Lombardo

Ryan Crosser

Viola Brown

Elizabeth Sienna

My buddy-Michael Scobey

Happy Birthday to all! May there be many blessings to come!

If I have missed anyone Please forgive me! I will more than likely be updating this throughout the next week! =)