be a better Christian

My notes from September 2, 2012-Holly Wagner-Oasis LA
I love Holly. I love to hear her speak the Word of God. You can get a podcast of OasisLA sermons www.oasisla.org

Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Psalm 139:13-17
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!

Ecclesiastes
Everything Is Meaningless
1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: 2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” 3 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.

Proverbs 9:6
Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.

http://www.philipwagner.com/blog/ Not sure where to begin to reading the Bible? Follow Philip Wagner’s Reading Plan.

Destiny is lived out one decision, one step at a time. Lots of other decisions follow. (follow christ, become a mother, become an elementary teacher, move to Los Angeles, become a high school special education teacher, plant my family at Oasis LA Church, study Autism, continue teaching) Destiny is not a one time occurance. Reading his word shines light on my path. Skill is different than destiny. Give your skills to God and what you are to do will be worked out. Purpose will be revealed.

My personality, quirks and all is what God planned for me. Train, inspire, equip a new generation.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

People are like a jigsaw puzzle, each piece is shaped differently. The puzzle would not fit together if all pieces were the same. Frustrating when one piece is missing. No matter how beautiful, if one piece is missing, your focus is on the missing piece. We are all pieces of God’s grand puzzle. I do not need what others have. I need what I have in order to be the piece of the puzzle to fit into God’s puzzle. Small pieces perish into the bigger picture. He is using all of us to build his kingdom.

Becoming Offended
People become easily offended and then advocate and it effects the whole body. When great things happen do not be jealous, celebrate. I do not have what you have and I never will.

There are dangers in understanding purpose. Destiny is discovered one step at a time.

I enjoyed watching church online from my bed this afternoon at the 2PM service. Got to love technology.
www.oasisla.org

Saturday Outreach was incredible. I always love going and doing whatever the project is. Very cool. Love the leaders!!

Today has been a fabulous day. Jonathan, Hallie and I went to the 2PM service at Oasis. We heard Pastor Philip preach. We are studying the book of Mark this month. I love to hear him speak. I listened to the sermon online at 11 and attended the 2pm, so I kind of double dipped.

Tonight, Hallie was baptized at the 6PM service. I am so proud of her. She is such a good girl and has a love for Jesus. Jonathan is such a great young man. He sits with me at church and holds my hand sometimes. They are an amazing duo. I love them so much.

I’m writing in 2 Christian Personal Reflection journals, where you read a passage and respond. One is Beth Moore, 90 Days With The Beloved Disciple John and the other is Grace For The Moment Journal by Max Lucado. I love journaling about how Jesus has worked in my life. If I get depressed or feeling yucky, rereading my entries motivates me to think differently. Get out of the apartment and have a life besides work and kids. Tonight the reading for John is

Mark 1:29-34
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Heals Many

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Yesterday I had an “Ah haa” moment at church. I’m 41 but I learn something new every day. Philip told the story of a young woman who went to court due to a driving violation. The judge found her guilty and fined her $80. Next the Judge went to the balif, opened his wallet and paid her fine.

Jesus paid for our sins on the cross. Like the judge, our father, does not expect us to be perfect. He understands that we are going to make mistakes. He has already paid the bill.

This was a great analogy for me. I like it.

http://www.richwilkersonjr.com/

Today Rich Wilkerson Jr. preached at Oasis LA again. He is an awesome young preacher that PREACHES!

Today he covered
Matthew 4:18-19 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. 19 Come, follow me,” Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 2:1-5 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, you sins are forgiven.” 11 I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

Today when I got to church alone, the kids are in Kentucky, I was running a wee bit later. Since it was just me, the ushers were able to sit me up front on the same row with Rena, Erin, Andrea and Christian. It worked out perfectly.

Rich Wilkerson, Jr. was the substitute pastor. My memory is terrible, so forgive me if this is not 100% accurate, but Rich talked out how important it is for Christians to share their faith. He is so animated and hilarious. He told a story of how his father would take him on Saturday mornings to share his faith with complete strangers. He said his dad, who is also a pastor, would wait in the car and send him up to the door. He is so funny. He even made the knocking sound on the door by clicking his tongue. He said he looked back at his dad…and he was gone. He reenacted the way people would close the door in his face annoyed with being bothered early on a Saturday morning.

He said after the 2nd house, he became more confident, since the most the people had done was close the door in his face. He said at the third house, he introduced himself as before, but put his foot in the door so he could finish his prayer.

He presented an awesome message. I encourage you to go to his site and find some of her sermons on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1F0XHsIsVY&feature=player_embedded

We are still attending Oasis LA. I love it. I feel that I have a closer relationship with Jesus, now than ever. I’m learning so much. The messages are sinking in and I’m applying what I have learned to my daily life.

Jonathan and Hallie love thier age groups.

Saturday Hallie went hiking in the Valley of CA with “The Men of Oasis Church” and other moms and volunteers. She had a fabulous time.

On Sunday’s Jonathan’s class meets at Numero Uno, a pizza place close to the church. They meet, pray, and eat there, then attend the 12 o’clock service together. Justin is Jonathan’s group leader. He is awesome. Has a fabulous presence. He has a wonderful, loving attitude. We love him.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=905620397b19c9d24978

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

I could watch this video all day long, and never get tired of it.

We have started attending church at OasisLA on Wilshire. It is close to our apartment and they have an awesome children’s program. It is MUCH different from the Baptist Churches that I am used to attending in Kentucky. They have a band. It is like being at a concert when they play music. It is so loud. However, I am learning to appreciate and become more comfortable in the new setting. Today was service for Memorial Day. I didn’t think I would cry, but I ended up crying several times. Thinking of all the men and women in Iraq and the people that I know who have died. Of course I had no tissue so I had to wipe me eyes on my sleeve. :) I tried not to cry, but the tears were streaming.

I am really trying hard to only speak positively about people. This is not easy for me. I don’t want to be like that. I really want to be more caring towards others.