Fall Season is Over!

I can't believe it.. it has taken me a week to have time to sit down and blog my heart out. Out of town company, commitments and back issues are to blame.  But now,  great last class.  We succeeded in honoring Cathy and making her last class a wonderful surprise. 

We also had a surprise ourselves with the walk through of the birth of Christ.  So all in all it was awesome.  Next  year we will have even more fun as Spring brings us more in depth information on Hebrews.  The word of God is alive and active and sharper than any two edged sword..  I'm so glad to be studying it with you.

Now I have to say, it took me this long to also have time to indulge myself in your wonderful cards and gifts that were packed with care into that sweet Fall basket .  Thank you, thank you.  It was such a pleasure to serve each and every one of you and I did it with joy and excitement.  I learned so much from you and your questions in class, your testimonies, and my table mates gave me great insight each class so it was a win-win for everyone. Your cards were such an encouragement. Thank you for the ribbons, the fall decorations, the towel, the pumpkins, the corn of different sizes, the stickers, the spider, the pine cones, the fall treats of all sizes, shapes and kinds.  It was so much fun to open and enjoy.  I am blessed.

Keep Cathy in your prayers this season as she continues to work through her health issues.  I know God has great plans for her and us as a class.  I'll send you an email when sign-ups are starting and I hope you can all make Hebrews part two a part of your Spring plans.

Recaps-Upcoming Events-Crowns-Testimonies-Dying To Self

Wow, only one class left...but it will be a great one.  Meet in class (E105) at 9:AM for a surprise, sweet parting words from Cathy and then head to the Town Centre for a free, fabulous Brunch of Thanks at 10:30.  Yum and Fun all just for you.

***************************************

I had to publish Cathy's info on Crowns...it went by so fast last Tuesday that I was left wanting more and I know you were too. 
So here it is.

CROWNS

Crown of Rejoicing – I Thess. 2:19. Context: Paul’s evangelistic heart was expressing to the Thessalonians, "You are our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing. It is you in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming." Some have suggested that this crown is given to those who are burdened for the lost and who share the Gospel. It has been called the "soul-winner’s crown." .

Crown of Righteousness – II Tim. 4:7-8 – given to those who love His appearing and have lived faithfully serving Him.

Crown of Eternal Life – Rev. 2:10; James 1:12 - given to those who love Him and who have endured testing and temptation.

Imperishable Crown – I Cor. 9:25 – given to those who have faithfully run the race and who have exercised self-control in order to serve the Lord and finish the race.

Crown of Glory– I Pet. 5:4 – given to those who are the undershepherds (Jesus being our Chief Shepherd), who have faithfully cared for the flock of God. Context: Peter is speaking to the Pastors/Elders/Bishops

 In all of the above passages, the Greek word for "crown" is stephanos which means a wreath or garland given as a prize to victors in public games. It is a mark of royal or exalted status.
 

***************************************

Margie Smith was gracious enough to send her testimony our way. But also, Cristine Cole's testimony is posted after Margie's, so don't forget to scroll down.  It was requested that it be published so anyone who has Seventh Day Adventists in their life might have a educated perspective on what they believe.  Thank you Margie and Cristine.

My Testimony

by Margie Smith

My story is not as dramatic as some. I was not into drugs, alcohol, sex or other perversions of life. I was born in Phoenix and was raised in a simple, middle class Christian family that honored God, worked hard and had strong values. I was the youngest and only girl, with three older brothers. I don’t believe I was spoiled, since my brothers had a way to keep me humble and to fight for my place in the family.
My parents brought us all up in the church. Palmcroft Baptist Church was founded by my parents and a core group of believers that became my extended family especially while my dad was in the navy during my early years of my life. My parents exposed me to many role models of the Christian faith, other than their own lives. Both of my grandmothers, several missionaries that our family supported and were guests in our home and were friends of our family, church families that frequented our home all touched my life.

It is interesting how the four of us kids responded to a similar up-bringing. My two oldest brothers remained distant and rebellious to the church and the rules that the Baptist beliefs put upon us. My youngest brother and I respected and followed whatever our parents and the church dictated. I was baptized at age 8 after my pastor, Leroy Thomas talked to me and said I understood and was ready to make a public statement of faith.

Because my youngest brother was becoming friends with some kids that were a negative influence on him, my parents moved from McDowell and 13^Th Street to 16^Th Street and Indian School so he could attend Phoenix Christian High School (in fact, we lived right across the street). It was there he flourished as a popular guy and found the girl that eventually became his wife.

During my early years at Christian High, I began to question whether I was really a Christian. Christian High was made up of several church denominations, and a great number of young people did not believe in eternal security…the idea that when you sinned you could loose your salvation. During one of the chapels in my sophomore year, when an evangelical pastor Dick Marcado preached about salvation, I renewed my faith in Christ, established the fact that I would not go to hell if I sinned and consider that date my birth date into the faith.

The scriptures that were foundational to that belief were John 10: 28-29:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand…And Romans 8:35-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation…"So I do not take up too much space here, please look these up and read them in their entirety. They are precious to our faith.

During my years at Christian High, I met my future husband, and after 7 years of dating and now 46 years of marriage, I can see how God has overseen all events of my life, the good and the tough times, for my growth and understanding of Him.
In faith I know these things to be true:

• God is full of love and grace, and he fills me with those qualities the more I walk with Him. Psalms 37:25 David writes "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken". A missionary friend of our family stated this as a great philosophy of life: "Those who leave everything in God’s hand will see God’s hand in everything".
• I am still a work in progress and am not there yet. It took me a while to recognize the benefits of failure. Failure teaches you what doesn’t work. They say Thomas Edison said "Don’t call it failure, call it an education" I am confident in Philippians 1:6 "that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"
• I want to be faithful to God until I die. When He returns, I want to be caught looking forward to that return and doing whatever He has created me to be…a purpose driven life. Faithful servants never retire from serving God. Matt. 25:23

Years ago, Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, saw a sign by the road: "End of Construction –Thank you for your patience". Smiling, she remarked that she wanted those words on her gravestone. After her death in June 2007, her desire was carried out. Her grave marker bears the Chinese character for righteousness (Mrs. Graham was born in China), followed by the words that made her smile.
　

***************************************

My Testimony

by Cristine Cole

My name is Cristine Cole and I was born into a Seventh-day Adventist home. My father was a minister and my mother a church-school teacher within that denomination. Consequently, I grew up reading the Bible but learning it through the prism of the doctrines of the church. Although they claim to follow the Bible, Seventh-day Adventists use the writings of their modern-day prophet, who helped found the denomination in the mid-1800's, to interpret Scripture. She wrote many books which we as members were encouraged to read and memorize. These books greatly influenced the formation of many unique, unbiblical doctrines. Two of these doctrines greatly affected my life.

The first one was worshiping on Saturday (or "Sabbath" as we liked to call it). As a Seventh-day Adventist, or SDA, I was taught that it was of utmost importance to worship on Saturday, the "seventh day" of the week (Hence the name "Seventh-day Adventist"). Worshiping on Sunday was considered to be breaking the fourth of the Ten Commandments and at the End Times this would cause you to have The Mark of the Beast! (talked about in Revelation). Not only were we taught to worship on Saturday, we were taught to "keep it holy". This meant doing nothing secular from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. The interpretation of "secular" varied depending on which part of the country or world you lived-so it was very subjective and caused a lot of hypocrisy.

The second doctrine that affected my life was the doctrine of the Investigative Judgment which taught that there is an actual Sanctuary in heaven, of which the earthly Tabernacle, or Sanctuary of the Israelites, was a type. They misinterpret Hebrews 9 and teach that when Christ ascended to heaven, He, as our High Priest, went into the Holy Place only, (just as the Levitical priests did daily) and did not enter the Most Holy Place (something that the High Priest did only once a year on the Day of Atonement) until October 22, 1844. At that date, they teach that Jesus finally finished His work by cleansing the Heavenly Sanctuary of all sins and started reviewing, or investigating, the records of every believer to see if he had confessed all sins. Unfortunately one never knew when his/her name would come up to be investigated. Those who didn't pass this review would not be saved! As a result, one could never be sure if he/she was saved. There was no such thing as Security of Salvation within the SDA Church. So I grew up in constant fear; fear that I hadn't "kept" the Sabbath properly or fear that I hadn't confessed all my sins.

God intervened in my life in a big way when my first child was born and I was invited to Bible Study Fellowship, or BSF, a nondenominational Bible study. I was expecting a little Bible Study with some nice Christian fellowship with other young moms, but God had other plans for me! He radically changed my belief system! It took several years, but after studying the Bible alone with the help of the Holy Spirit, God was able to teach me about Christ and the true Gospel, the Good News of how His death washed away all my sins if I believed in Him and accepted His forgiveness and that He freely gives me eternal life. The doctrine of the Investigative Judgment was wrong! Christ's work of Redemption was accomplished at the cross and He didn't have to wait until 1844 to complete it!! Hebrews 8:1 says, "We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven". Romans 8:34 says, "Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." It was a glorious, glorious day when I finally grasped that passage in Ephesians 2:8,9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." What a relief to know my salvation did not depend on anything I did but had everything to do with what Christ did for me! It felt like a huge load had been lifted off of my shoulders!

During my 8th year in BSF, we studied the New Testament epistles, including the book of Hebrews! For the first time I learned that as believers we now live in the New Covenant, thanks to Jesus' life, death and resurrection opening the way. This made the Old Covenant with all its rules and regulations obsolete (Hebrews 8:13)! I realized that as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, I had not let go of the Old Covenant way of life and was hanging onto the old rules and regulations, especially in regard to the day of worship (Saturday). As I continued to study, several passages became very meaningful to me and I clung to them. One of these was Galatians 5:1 which says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yolk of slavery." Paul had written this to the Galatians who, as new Christians were falling back to living under the Old Covenant and its rules and regulations. In the New Covenant I found out that I am no longer bound to worshiping on a particular day. Colossians 2:16,17 says, "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." Romans 14:5,6 says, "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord." We are told in Hebrews 10:25 to "not give up meeting together"; however, that is very different than equating a particular day of worship with salvation, as I was taught.

In 1998, 9 years after I first started BSF, I made the decision to leave the SDA denomination and follow God and His Word alone. It was a very major and frightening step for me but God promised He would never leave me and He has kept His word. At first, I experienced rejection from my parents, but that has since changed and they respect my decision to leave their church. God has blessed me with a very large family of believers in the churches I have attended since leaving. Through the years He has helped me grow in Him through Bible studies such as this one in Hebrews. He has taken away the fears I had and has replaced them with peace and security in Him and a desire to love, obey and please Him. Before, my obedience was motivated by fear; now, I obey Him because of what He has already done for me.

I thank God for giving me the freedom that only He can offer and I try to share that freedom with others who will listen. Shortly after I left the SDA Church, God opened up a ministry in which I am able to help other SDA's who are discovering the true Gospel and need encouragement as they leave the SDA denomination.

All I can say is, TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR ALL THE THINGS HE HAS DONE IN MY LIFE!

Thank you all for letting me take your pictures in class and for your commitment to making our class the best ever.

Let's party this coming Tuesday and celebrate our love of Cathy and Hebrews. 

The happy blogger, Meribeth

****************************************

Cathy's Web Site

Cathy's email: cathywilson@q.com

Hebrews Week 8

*********************************************

Dying to Self

Luke 9:23-24 – "And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.’"

In our daily lives, what does dying to self look like?

When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult of the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ – that is dying to self.
When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence – that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance, when you can stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus endured it – that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any attitude, any interruption by the will of God – that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown – that is dying to self.
When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances – that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart – that is dying to self!***************************************

What is Holding You Back?

Wow, did we have a great class or what.  I was overwhelmed with your prayers for Cathy and your passionate response to my requests on her behalf.  It is so special to be in a class like this, they are few and far between.  Thank you, each and everyone of you for your contributions to this amazing class.  (I usually put this kind of slautation at the bottom of the Blog but you all deserve to be in the number one spot).

Cathy's lesson on God's rest was enlightening and challenged my belief's that I expressed last week on the Blog.  I know that each day I enter His rest, and maybe that is because a quiet time is challenging in this day and age and when it is complete I feel His rest.  I am so thankful for that.  As our study progressed I realized that many things interfere with growing in the Lord, as Cathy spoke I started writing some things. You'll have to forgive my P Words but they were a fire in my heart. Persecution, Painful Trials, Powerlessness, Poor Relationships, Popular World Views, Promises Broken, Persistent Disobedience, Pretense of Religion, and Purposelessness, all interfere with coming into the Presence of God and His Powerful Peace and Rest. In His sight we are all little children and He wants to spend time with us as a Father and Friend.  Take time!

**************************************

My Personal Testimony

Julie Dale

I grew up in a loving, Catholic family in a small town in Washington State.  We went to mass on a regular basis and l considered myself to be a Christian.  As a teenager, I went to Youth Group because my friends went - not because I wanted to grow in my faith.  Deep down, I knew something was missing in my life.  I didn’t have a prayer life or a personal relationship with God.  Sad to admit, but I feared Him.

During my junior year in college, my life began to change when I attended my first bible study.  My roommate led the bible study.  During the study, I was struck with the ease in which she prayed.  She was talking to God like He was a friend. Again, that feeling of missing something in my life over came me.  As the study progressed and I was reading scripture, my eyes were opened to what a loving Father our God is. It was during that period of my life that God continually surrounded me with Christian friends.  One of those friends is now my husband of 28 years – Rick.  Rick gave me my first bible as a birthday gift, at the age of 23, while we were dating.  I had so much to learn, but for the first time in my life I felt connected to God.  He was real to me. Everything changed once I began a personal relationship with the Lord and I haven’t looked back since!

Throughout the years, I have experienced God’s love for me in ways never imagined before I was saved.  He has brought me much joy and has taught me to rely on Him and not myself.  He continues to bring people into my life to keep me accountable, while growing in my Christian walk.

As I begin a new chapter in my life with children out of the home, I look forward to what God has planned for me.  Bring it on God, I’m all yours!

***************************************

 

We only have two classes left, I can't believe it.  Remember that November 15, is our luncheon and class celebration.  We hope you can all attend.  I think Cathy plans on finishing Hebrews next semester, I really hope so anyway.

Cathy's Web site.

Cathy's email: cathywilson@q.com

Hebrews Week 8

The happy Blogger,  Meribeth

GOD'S ALL POWERFUL WORD LEADS TO HIS REST!

Cathy definitely helped me to conclude that entering God's rest is a daily event. Embracing God's promises... realizing that our faith in God is tied to His all powerful Word.  Heb 4:12-13  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. We can rest in the fact that God is all knowing, He knows our troubles, our sins, our struggles our thoughts.  Nothing can happen without it filtering through His hands..wow, is there a sense of rest in that or what? 

I encourage you to spend time in His Word, read and re-read Hebrews, what a powerful book.  Sure it is written to Hebrews, but to Christian Hebrews and we are all in that Christian family if we have Jesus in our hearts.  Thank you Cathy for the lesson on R-E-S-T.　　

******************************************
MY TESTIMONY 

by BETTY LOWRY

I’m 57 years old and have been happily married for 35 years to an incredible guy and have 2 beautiful girls, one great son-in-law and 3 fantastic grandchildren. I asked Jesus into my life when I was 24 years old.

The first Bible Verse that I memorized was Proverbs 3:5, 6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths. (I guess all of the "Thine" and "thy" date me!) This verse became a verse that has been the foundation of my spiritual life.
Like many other folks, many ugly, rough things balanced out with beautiful things happened to me before I was saved. Not surprisingly, that same mix of good and bad experiences has continued since I was saved.

So what was the difference before and after I was saved? My life was complicated both before and after. I had to face both a beautiful and tragic world both before and after. The difference is that I am now facing the beauty and ugliness of the world knowing that The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are always with me. God didn’t come into my world. He was always there in my world for me. I just had to find Him! Just like Dorothy in the "Wizard of OZ." No one could tell Dorothy how to get home. She had to find out for herself.

I have always been a very visual, creative, empathetic person who unfortunately had a difficult childhood. Before knowing Jesus, I was able to hide in my own little fantasy world to get away from the mental and physical abuse that happened throughout my life. It was a survival technique that kept me sane, but it was not real. I was hiding from everyone and everything including God. Then God planted some seeds, and they started germinating. He started gently guiding me toward Him. I started breaking out of the imagined world that I so carefully created and I started facing God honestly.

I accepted Jesus Christ into my life in 1978 at the age of 24. On a whim, I went with a friend to hear a Christian man share his testimony. The man’s name was Josh McDowell. He was a man who set out to disprove Jesus and ended up a believer. I understood what he went through. He started answering the difficult questions that I had, and the answers started making sense! (Or God opened my eyes and my ears so that I really heard the message!)

Did I do bad things before I was saved? Yes. Have I done bad things after I have been saved? Absolutely! [Isn’t it interesting how the more we learn about God, the more God shows us our sins?] I repent of those sins and ask God’s forgiveness daily. And I know that those sins are forgiven through Jesus.

At this time in my life both my physical and mental health has deteriorated. Without God in my life I surely would not have made it. I have to admit that my life before and after becoming a Christian has not been easy. But then again, God did not say this would be easy. There have been many ups and downs but through grace, faith and trust in Him, I not only am surviving but thriving to glorify Him!

Looking back on my spiritual life I’m struck by (God’s) perfect timing of everything. I grew apart from God, I grew closer to God. If I hadn’t experienced hard times in my life, I would not appreciate what I have now. God brought me together as a whole being. Each day with God, I learn to trust God, trust others as well as trust myself! God has always had the perfect plan for me. I can’t wait to watch it unfold! It truly is all for Him!

******************************

Betty Lowry and I have put our heads together and are happy to offer a small workshop on Praying in Color.  It is an exciting hour of adding some splash to your prayer life through color.  We will hold the workshop right after class on November 8, 2011.  You must sign up by Nov. 4th to attend. (We have to have time to gather supplies, etc.).  A sign-up sheet will be available this coming Tuesday November 1st.  No art talent or experience needed, just the desire to expand your horizon's.  Bring a sack lunch and any pens or pencil's that can add color to a page.  Art supplies will be available so if you don't have any that is okay, they will be provided.  Thank you Betty!

The happy blogger, Meribeth

******************************

Cathy's Web Site

Cathy's Email: cathywilson@q.com

Hebrews Week 7

Israel's Rebellion....sounds familiar!

 As Cathy spoke about (THE REBELLION), I thought, hmmm this sounds very familiar.  Seems like many of us spend lots of our time, hardening our hearts.  Don't we complain, aren't we unhappy with circumstances or some of the people in our lives, don't we seem discontented.....yet ,I don't think we call it hardening our hearts and we certainly don't call it REBELLION!  I wonder if we need an attitude adjustment?  I can't wait till this coming Tuesday to find out how to enter God's rest, how to stop the rebellion and hardening of my heart.  Are you with me on this?  See you then.

*****************************************************

This upcoming testimony is a little different from the "when I accepted Christ" testimonies of former weeks.  Susan Olson shares how God has upheld her during unbelievable struggles and brought her to a place of triumph.  Thank you Susan for your transparency.

MY TESTIMONY

by Susan Olson

“BLESSINGS ARRIVE IN UNEXPECTED PACKAGES, IN MY CASE, CANCER.”

Tony Snow (Christianity Today.com, Oct. ‘11)

I too have been on a long cancer journey with the Lord. As my sustainer, helper, healer and comforter, He gave me the hope and positive attitude to leap over my circumstances into His arms.

This all began in 1982 when a cancerous tumor on my appendix reared its ugly head. The path of the cancer has wound its way through my body from breast, brain, kidney, lungs and bladder - 5 primary diagnosis- an anomaly, perhaps!, Guinness World Records, maybe, one of God’s miracles, absolutely!

To my fantastic cadre of doctors, I’m their miracle patient. I never hesitate to share the Lord and His many miracles with them or with any another inquiring soul. Blessings appear when I relate our journey and my testimony with others. “Don’t neglect the Blessing” Cathy Wilson.

Having a wonderful Christian family and friends who surrounded me through a multitude of surgeries, radiations and chemo’s, I have realized that I’m on Plan A, loving and relishing each and every blessing He puts in my path. Giving me opportunities to strengthen my faith and trust in Him has been an exciting adventure.
　
“Thus the Lord in His wonderful grace can arrange the life that is entrusted to His care in such a way that it will carry out His purposes and plans,and will be fragrant with His presence.” Anon.

I’m not cancer free but I know that I am preserved by His loving grace.
Susan Olson

*****************************************

Can't wait to see all of you Tuesday,  Meribeth

CHOSEN TO BE GOD'S WITNESSES TO THE WORLD.

I always wondered why the Jews were called "The Chosen People".  I thought it was because God chose them to become Israel, His race.  They were a people He could pour out His blessings on.  And I guess that is true in a sense...but chosen to be His witnesses to the world...what an awesome responsibility.  They didn't exactly do Him justice....but can we judge?  Aren't we called as Christians to be His ambassadors?





The World Waiting to Hear!

 [2 Corinthians 5:20 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,^* not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. ²⁰So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.] 



Those who heard the Word!


We have as Christians a great responsibility, an awesome responsibility to bring all we can to understand who Christ is and what He has done for each and every one of us.  Encourage one another to do this very thing, pray for those on your prayer cards who need His salvation.  Be a devoted prayer angel.

****************************************

I'm very excited about this upcoming testimony...it is written by my sister Karen.  It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it...thank you Karen for taking the time to put it all together.

MY TESTIMONY

by Karen Campbell

Matthew 13:1-9 (Parable of the Sower)

When I was a child my father did not believe in going to church. God was not even talked about at home. I was invited by my best friend and her mother to attend a Presbyterian Church. I was baptized there when I was 8 or 9 years of age. Did I know what that meant? NO, absolutely not. Alas without support at home church was soon forgotten. (Seeds were planted along the path and the seeds were eaten by birds.)

However, from then on, God was in my heart and I did rely on him through a difficult marriage and divorce. In my mid-twenties, my sister Meribeth who continually talked to me about accepting Jesus, "led" me to the LORD at her kitchen table. I went to some bible studies but being a single mother with two children, working two jobs, etc. it didn't last long. (Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where there wasn't much soil so they came up quickly and were scorched by the sun since they had no root.)

Later I became involved in Spiritual disciplines and practices for several years. I also married the "love of my life" but 11 years later I was divorced once again. (Other’s fell on thorns and the thorns came up and choked them.)

A few years ago I attended a women's retreat in Tucson. I accepted Christ once again and for the first time I actually felt his arms around me. He entered my heart and I knew He was my Lord. I pray to Him often and speak to Him daily like He's in the same room. I love Him dearly and plan to continue attending bible studies so I may know His word. (Still others fell on good ground and a crop: some 100, some 60, and some 30 times [what was sown]). Anyone who has ears should listen!!!!! Karen Campbell

***************************************

Wow, another week gone by.  I'm excited about our new "table time".  Thank you leaders who stepped up and took charge, we are so happy to have you.   The notes are intriguing, please take the time to read..we live in a pressure filled world so I know it is a sacrifice.

Cathy's web site
Chosen People Blog
Hebrews Week 5 
Cathy's Events
Cathy's email:  cathywilson@q.com

DON'T NEGLECT THE BLESSING!

Reading Cathy's notes from Week 4 was challenging and stimulating.  I've re-committed to old patterns that I have let slide due to my personal hindrances to running the race. (Didn't I make that sound good)? Oh that we could all see how much God loves us, how He yearns for that personal contact of day to day relationship. [ Cathy writes, The point of Hebrews - and one we should take seriously - is that each of us who enjoys the privileges and blessings of knowing Jesus should realize that there also are responsibilities. Neglecting to take these responsibilities seriously will NOT cause us to forfeit our salvation but can cause us to forfeit the privileges and blessing we would otherwise enjoy.]

As I was reading that and feeling convicted, I was also thinking about the miracles of Jesus, and I thought, if Jesus could perform these awesome, unbelievable, earth shattering miracles then He can easily change me.

He could easily change my priorities, since I fail consistently at doing that very thing.  So, I prayed and asked Him to change me, and my burden of obedience lifted, my morning card game has become my morning reading in His Word.  I am blessed and one of my privileges as a child of God is having intimacy with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit who is ready and able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all I ask or think.  Remember we are in this race together, Jesus is running with us!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you, Kathy Moore, for sharing your testimony with us on the Blog.  Kathy has opened up her heart and from it has freely flowed a beautiful story of grace, forgiveness and answered prayer..Please read!

MY TESTIMONY

by Kathy Moore

I grew up a "cultural Christian" going to church on Christmas and Easter because it was the thing to do, but not because we were celebrating Christ’s birth or resurrection.

My Dad was a very successful doctor who worked hard all week and believed Sunday was his 1 day to sleep in. He used to say, "with all my good works helping people, don’t tell me I’m not going to Heaven!" My Dad urged me to strive to be my best. Following his example, my value became based on works and I accumulated accolades & accomplishments as if building a resume for life.

At age 14 my perfect childhood was turned upside down when my parents separated. For the next 4 years while they struggled through this separation, I rebelled by sleeping with my boyfriend, drinking at parties and over-eating. However, I maintained my straight A’s and became the over-achiever my Dad would be proud of. By the time I was accepted to Stanford I had become a very prideful person – life was all about me!

I fell in love with my husband Roger my freshman year at Stanford. We married at age 23. By 25 I had started up my own chain of travel agencies in the Silicon Valley and received national acclaim for being the youngest successful agency owner in the industry. I am now humiliated to admit that back then I proudly wore the badge "I am woman, hear me roar!"

We started a family and it was when my 2 year old redhead daughter became so feisty that I couldn’t handle her, I turned to a good friend who happened to be a Christian. She gave me Dobson’s Dare to Discipline book and said I could ignore the biblical scripture if it bothered me, but to focus on his parenting principles. He recommended teaching your child that there is a higher authority (the Lord) to whom she had to be accountable. A light bulb went off in my head and I knew in my soul that I needed this personally as well as for my young daughter. I started church shopping and developed a deep desire to know Christ.

I accepted the Lord at SBC in Nov. 1991 at an altar call by Pastor Darrell. Roger had unwillingly come to church with me that day, at my pleading, and was shocked when he saw his wife walk away from him and down to the altar toward Darrell and God. He thought he’d lost me now that I’d become "born again." He remained scared and nervous for several years, but I just kept loving him and trying to influence our 3 children in a Godly way.

Even though I desperately wanted Roger to be the spiritual head of the household, I knew God was calling me to raise our 3 to know Jesus, and over time they did, praise God! Roger was keenly aware he was the only non-believer in our home and for 14 years he put up with our prayers and trips to church.
Imagine the blessing our family received when Roger accepted Christ 5 years ago. I know this is my testimony, but I mention this because it is such a great example of how I had to trust in the Lord for 14 years that He would answer my biggest prayer in life – that my husband would become a believer too!

I keep a prayer journal in which I write down all things big and small I am praying for. When God answers them I put a check mark by the entry. It blows me away at the number of check marks in my journal – such a great reminder that time and again the Lord has been faithful! And as I ride through this season of my life with our oldest son in Iraq and our youngest son preparing to follow him in fighting the war on terrorism, I find myself drawing even closer to Jesus to alleviate any fears that bubble up. More importantly because He has forgiven me for my sins and promises us eternal salvation, I am at peace. I am so thankful to have a relationship with an active living Abba Daddy who loves us. Jesus is not just my Savior and my hope, but my best friend.   Kathy Moore

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All I have to say about Georgia Dolph's story of struggle is, wow, our God is glorious and can bring us from destruction to victory!  I really appreciate the time and sacrifice it took to put it all on paper and then get up in front of us and share.  Georgia, you did an amazing job, and I know God was with you as you shared.  Thank you for giving us your heart. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Glory to God in the Highest!

Pray for one another.

Please send me your testimony at pressing_on@ymail.com

Read Hebrews.

Read the notes.

Visit Cathy's web site!

Thank you for being part of my journey, see you next Tuesday,

Meribeth