Allow me to Re-introduce the Christ

Food for Thought
YOU WILL NEED TO PAUSE THE MUSIC IN THE BOX TO THE RIGHT

Matthew 24:4:5 Jesus said to them, "Take heed that no one deceives you. For
many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive
many."

A Valentine Dinner & A Story

The Women of Hope
Present


A Valentine
Dinner & A Story


Please join us for this night of food, fun and inspiration!
Men are welcome and encouraged to attend

this special Dinner & A Story
where one couple will
share their story
of faith & love!

Friday, February 22, 2008
at
6:30 p.m.
at the
Spaghetti Warehouse
42 S. Superior St.
Toledo, Ohio

COST: $15.00 per person
(includes bread, salad, choice of entrée, beverage, tax & gratuity)

As always there will be door prizes!!!

How did the Church grow so...

fast in the beginning?

"The enormous numerical growth of the church in its first centuries lead us to the question of what methods it used to achieve such growth. The answer may surprise some modern Christians, for the ancient church knew nothing of 'evangelistic services' or 'revivals.' On the contrary, in the early church worship centered on communion, and only baptized Christians were admitted to its celebration. Therefore evangelism did not take place in church services, but rather...in kitchens, shops and markets...most converts were made by anonymous Christians who witness led others to their faith"

~ Justo L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity

When the church began, almost 2000 years ago, most people were won to Christ by nameless Christians, not the apostles, not the famous names we all know. But those who cared enough to share their faith. It would be comparable to us saying, that the majority of people today aren't led to the Lord by Joel Olsteen or Beth Moore, but by us (the nameless Christians) sharing our story of God's faithfulness to us (our testimony!)

WOW!! What a thought! You and I have the opportunity to witness and lead others to their faith in Christ! In fact, we are called to do it. We won't all be great authors or phenomenal speakers, however, we all have a phenomenal story of faith. No matter how you may feel about your story, God WILL use it for His glory! He will bless it and produce fruit! Just as He did in the first century church!!! Share it and give God the glory for who you are and what He has done!!

What would you say...

to encourage this generation?



Please pause the music in the blue box to the right side before playing the video.

"Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statues." Psalm 119:11-12

Psalm 119. For those who attended our Christmas Celebration, have you begun to read this wonderful portion of the Bible? Have you begun to see just why David was a man after God's own heart? Have you started asking God to make YOU a woman after His own heart?

What can we do to encourage this generation? Well, like Pastor Tipton preached this Sunday, we can begin by telling. We can encourage through our story of faith! No matter how imperfect you may feel your story is - God has promised to use it for His glory!

I had a video moments this week, much like the one Pastor T shared this Sunday. Terry Bach (our church webmaster) stopped by to pick up something. While he was here, my neighbor stopped by. I introduced them. I didn't introduce Terry as my friend from church. I introduced him as a friend who stopped by to take care of some things. How easy would it have been for me to say, "Hey, ______ this is Terry my friend from church and Terry this is _______, my neighbor." Pretty easy, in fact, dumbfoundly easy. I just didn't think of it!

We have to become intentional in our seed spreading. When we go out to seed our grass. We know exactly where the bald spots are, where the grass is just a little too thin. We even take the time to read the instructions to make sure, one that we have the right type of seed (shade or sun) and two, that we know the proper amount for proper growth. Once those seeds are planted, we check on every day, waiting for the first sign of green. We water it and fertilize it. Heaven forbid our grass not grow after we planted it.

Why aren't we doing this with the seeds that God gives us to plant? Why aren't we just as concerned with those spiritual seeds, as we are with the seeds in our front lawns or in our gardens?

Another example, at my gym, the manager had asked me how I knew certain people that were also members. I could have said "oh they're my friends." But I didn't, I said, "They're my friends from church." Those two extra little words sparked an hour long conversation about my faith, her faith, issues she's been dealing with. And it gave me an opportunity to encourage her to come to church and trust in God.

Ladies, I'll say it again, we have to be intentional in our seed spreading. We have to read the instructions (the Bible). If we are in the Word, we will for sure have the right type of seed to plant and with the Holy Spirit's help, we'll know just how much to plant and when. But remember, like our lawns, we have to check back on it. We have to continue to nurture those little seeds so that they have the chance to become flowers.

Secret Sister Reminder

Just a reminder...

Secret Sisters is coming back!!!
But this time with some major changes...
If you would like to be part of this fun and exciting
6 month session of the new Secret Sisters program,
you MUST attend this meeting!

TOMORROW
Tuesday, January 22nd
6:30 pm
at Diane Thorn's home
3457 Lynnbrooke
Oregon, OH 43616
Please bring a dish to pass for dinner!

Sharing Our Faith - Con't

Here are a couple more responses to "What do you do to share your faith or plant seeds in others?"

One thing that I have done to share my faith is to have a bible study at
work.

- Jody Hamilton

We grocery shop at ALDI's alot. The other day, when I was getting breakfast ready, I opened up the carton of eggs and guess what I found? On the inside of the lid was Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START YOUR DAY!!! I wonder whoever came up with this idea? A Christian farmer? This was too cool. I think we all need to start dropping little subconscious notes about our Lord. I enjoy writting 'John 3:16' in the dust or dirt anywhere I go. Maybe someone will notice.

- Melody & Steve Bancer

Rock and I have used Pastor Mark's suggestion to ask our waitress if we can
pray for any specific requests, and have had one waitress, come back before
we left, and say how much she appreciated our prayer for her daughter, and
that she had never had anyone ask if they could pray for her before with
tears in her eyes. I also have given many books, and bibles as gifts, that I felt would plant a seed, create questions, or even cause the person to seek a relationship with Christ. Last Christmas, my son and I went to a few different stores such as Walmart, Big Lots, and Value City with envelopes with a small Christmas book by Max Lacado that shared the gospel, along with a $25.00-$50.00 in each envelope. We tried to find those we felt were in need, and just walked up to them as they approached the checkout line and handed them the envelope, and said Merry Christmas, and walked away. I also wrote a personal note to them in the book. There is another book I've used at Easter time, called He Did This Just for You, a small paperback version by Max Lacado, a powerful little book, to give away with an Easter Basket, cookies, or maybe a bread. I've done this for my neighbors. Like Tim said, we have to use our voice to share our faith. It's like "show and tell". You don't get up in front of the class and just stand there silent with what you bring in, you have to "tell" to. It's not easy, and I am convicted also of not doing it enough, but I'm praying that I "tell" more often!

- Kim Donofrio