There are so many great churches here in the Valley of the Sun, but which one to choose?

Here is what we are looking for in a church:

• The obvious: Solid doctrine, preaching and teaching
• Great music: A blend of contemporary songs and traditional hymns
• Youth Group: Solid youth group for our teenager daughters, where they can grow spiritually, serve unselfishly and make good, long lasting friends.
• Services: Attending Sunday morning service TOGETHER as a family. On this one more: later.
• Sunday School class: Sunday morning classes for us and the girls.
• Our part: A place where we can serve God and do our part for His Kingdom.

So far our quest includes:

The first 4 weeks we attended Desert View Bible Church in Phoenix, AZ. We enjoyed the music, LOVED the preaching, and met some nice people. Very nice church, we loved everything about it, but one thing … attending the Sunday Service as a family was a challenge. The youth group’s class was during the first hour of the two services. There was no class for adults during this hour, so we waited for them, and then went to the service together during the second hour. It was OK, but not ideal.

The last two weeks we attended Northwest Community Church in Phoenix, AZ. This is the church that founded the school our girls attend. Right from the start we fell in love with this church. Great people, is the first thing I can think of after my first impression. Very friendly, outgoing and welcoming! The first hour they have classes for the youth and adults. The doctrine, teaching and preaching is solid. The music has a nice mix of the contemporary sound and traditional hymns. This church is connected with Phoenix Seminary in more than one way.

The topic of study during the Sunday School class is The Truth Project – fascinating worldview tour.

Wednesday evenings offer great youth group meetings for our girls. They like going there. They already made many good friends. The leaders of the youth group reached out to them by phone calls and emails. This is was so welcoming and made our girls feel included.

We are going back tomorrow again!

I will try posing more about our quest to find a local church in the Phoenix metro area which we can call our home church. Hopefully if you are in the same situation you can share your quest experiences or find something helpful in ours.

A Remarkable Story of God’s Grace

It says in James 1:2 – “Consider it pure joy, my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

….To count our hurt, pain and struggle as nothing but pure joy? As my parents were Christians, and my Dad even a Pastor of our church, they knew that verse very well. However, on the morning of the 4th of December 1982 in Melbourne (Australia), the last two words on the minds of my parents was “Praise God!”. Their firstborn son had been born without limbs! There were no warnings or time to prepare themselves for it. The doctors were shocked and had no answers at all!
The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely devastated. “If God is a God of Love, then why would He let something this happen? especially to dedicated Christians” My Dad thought I wouldn’t survive for very long, but tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy just with a few limbs missing.

Understandably, my parents had strong concern and evident fears of what kind of life I’d be able to lead. The first big hurdle was for my parents to be at peace and trusting that God was in control. It took a number of months of tears, questions and grief before coming to term within their own hearts. God provided them strength, wisdom and courage through those early years and soon after that I was old enough to go to school.

I liked going to school, and try to live life like everyone else, but it was in my early years of school where I encountered uncomfortable times of feeling rejected, weird and bullied because of my physical difference. It was very hard for me to get used to, but with the support of my parents, I started to develop attitudes and values which helped me overcome these challenging times. I knew that I was different but on the inside I was just like everyone else. There were many times when I felt so low that I wouldn’t go to school just so I didn’t have to face all the negative attention. I was encouraged by my parents to ignore them and to try start making friends by just talking with some kids. Soon the students realized that I was just like them, and starting there God kept on blessing me with new friends.
There were times when I felt depressed and angry because I couldn’t change the way I was, or blame anyone for that matter. I went to Sunday School and learned that God loves us all and that He cares for you. I understood that love to a point as a child, but I didn’t understand that if God loved me why did He make me like this? Is it because I did something wrong? I thought I must have because out of all the kids at school, I’m the only weird one. I felt like I was a burden to those around me and the sooner I go, the better it’d be for everyone. I wanted to end my pain and end my life at a young age, but I am thankful once again, for my parents and family who were always there to comfort me and give me strength.

Due to my emotional struggles I had experienced with bullying, self esteem and loneliness, God has implanted a passion of sharing my story and experiences to help others cope with whatever challenge they have in their life and let God turn it into a blessing. To encourage and inspire others to live to their fullest potential and not let anything get in the way of accomplishing their hopes and dreams.

As I grew older God continued to prepare my heart and teach me to seek Him. One of the first lessons that I have learned was not to take things for granted. I had that wake up call around the age of twelve and realised just how much I was blessed with. I take my foot for granted, my family and all blessings that God had freely given and I still complain? I came across;

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him.”

That verse spoke to my heart and convicted me to the point where that I know that there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence that these “bad” things happen in our life. In;

James 1:3&4 – “…know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I had complete peace knowing that God won’t let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen after reading John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was “so that the works of God may be revealed through Him.” I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His Awesome Power. Later on I was given the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something, if it’s God’s will, it’ll happen in His time. If it’s not God’s will for it to happen, then I know that He has something better. I now see that Glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can’t be used.

I am now twenty-four years old and have completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial Planning and Accounting. I am also a motivational speaker and love to go out and share my story and testimony wherever opportunities become available. I have developed talks to relate to and encourage students through topics that challenge today’s teenagers. I am also a speaker in the corporate sector. For more information on Nick’s presentations go to “Nick’s Ministry”.

In recent years, I have learned to become independent and can now take care of all my personal needs. I can do everything from brushing my teeth, combing my hair, dressing up, taking care of my personal hygiene and even shaving. I get around the house by jumpin’ around and, outside the house, I get around in an electric wheelchair. I love to swim, fish and play soccer. I have a passion for reaching out to youth and keep myself available for whatever God wants me to do, and wherever He leads, I follow.

I have many dreams and goals that I have set to achieve in my life. I want to become the best witness I can be of God’s Love and Hope, to become an international inspirational speaker and be used as a vessel in both Christian and non-Christian venues. I want to become financially independent by the age of 25, through real estate investments, to modify a car for me to drive and to be interviewed and share my story on the “Oprah Winfrey Show”! Writing several best-selling books has been one of my dreams and I hope to finish writing my first by the end of the year. It will be called “No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!”

You might think these goals are too far-fetched. However, I believe that if you have the desire and passion to do something, and if it’s God’s will, you will achieve it in good time. As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all! What’s worse is putting limits on God who can do all things. We put God in a “box”. The awesome thing about the Power of God, is that if we want to do something for God, instead of focusing on our capability, concentrate on our availability for we know that it is God through us and we can’t do anything without Him. Once we make ourselves available for God’s work, guess whose capabilities we rely on? God’s!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

God has a Great Purpose for your life! As far as your unanswered prayers, remember that God is Faithful. What are we to do when we are seeking but not finding?

Jeremiah 29:12 – “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord…

Take courage my friend for the Battle is the Lord’s and I urge you to keep striving for the truth. For it is the truth that will set you free and the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding will reign in your heart. May the Lord Bless you as you diligently seek Him and grant you Godly Wisdom and Strength through your journey.

If you know of an audience which may benefit from hearing Nick’s story please contact us at support@lifewithoutlimbs.org – Have a look and see if Nick is speaking in your local area!

In Christ,
Nick Vujicic

David said, “The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork.”
     My King is a sovereign King.
     No means of measure can define His limitless love.
     No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply.
     No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.
     He’s enduringly strong.
     He’s entirely sincere.
     He’s eternally steadfast.
     He’s immortally graceful.
     He’s imperially powerful.
     He’s impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?

He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
     He’s God’s Son.
     He’s the sinner’s Savior.
     He’s the centerpiece of civilization.
     He stands in the solitude of Himself.
     He’s august and He’s unique.
     He’s unparalleled.
     He’s unprecedented.
     He is the loftiest idea in literature.
     He’s the highest personality in philosophy.
     He is the supreme problem in higher criticism.
     He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
     He is the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion.
     He’s the miracle of the age.
     He’s — yes He is — He is the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.

He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior.
I wonder if you know Him today?
     He supplies strength for the weak.
     He’s available for the tempted and the tried.
     He sympathizes and He saves.
     He strengthens and sustains.
     He guards and He guides.
     He heals the sick.
     He cleansed the lepers.
     He forgives sinners.
     He discharges debtors.
     He delivers the captives.
     He defends the feeble.
     He blesses the young.
     He serves the unfortunate.
     He regards the aged.
     He rewards the diligent….and He beautifies the meek.
I wonder if you know Him?

Well, my King….He is the King!
     He’s the key to knowledge.
     He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
     He’s the doorway of deliverance.
     He’s the pathway of peace.
     He’s the roadway of righteousness.
     He’s the highway of holiness.
     He’s the gateway of glory.
Do you know Him?

Well, His office is manifold.
     His promise is sure….and His light is matchless.
     His goodness is limitless.
     His mercy is everlasting.
     His love never changes.
     His word is enough.
     His grace is sufficient.
     His reign is righteous.
     And His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
     I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable — Yes He is!? He is God!
     He’s incomprehensible.
     He’s invincible.
     He’s irresistible.
Well, you can’t get Him out of your mind.
You can’t get Him off of your hand.
You can’t out live Him, and you can’t live without Him.

The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him.
     Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him.
     The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree.
     Herod couldn’t kill Him.
     Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him.
     Yea!!!, that’s my King, that’s my King.

Yes, and Thine is the Kingdom….and the Power….and the Glory….Forever….and ever, and ever, and ever — How long is that? And ever, and ever.

And when you get through with all of the forevers, then. AMEN!
Good God Almighty!  AMEN!   AMEN!

Today is blog action day. Many blogs, including “Think This // After Hours” is bringing attention to this effort - the effort of focusing attention on our environment. Here is my take. God created everything:

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. Acts 17:24

God – Jesus – sustains everything by his word:

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3

We are the stewards what God entrusted to us – his creation. We are responsible for managing it well. However, God is upholding it all – no “global warming” will have any effect on the environment or surprise God.

So, I do join this day to spread awareness about the environment. God created it and He is sustaining it by his word. We are the stewards, so let’s be smart about it, and do not fall into each extreme.

Thanks to Pronet Advertising for making me aware.

It is a sad day today for many who loved to hear Dr. D. James Kennedy sermons. His ministry has produced incredible amounts of resources for Christians to use. The depth of his messages and quality of their content kept many coming back for more. Dr. Kennedy’s passion for evangelism mixed with scientific apologetics helped many to consider the evidence for Christ and confess HIM as their Lord and Saviour.

“Now, I know that someday I am going to come to what some people will say is the end of this life. They will probably put me in a box and roll me right down here in front of the church, and some people will gather around, and a few people will cry. But I have told them not to do that because I don’t want them to cry. I want them to begin the service with the Doxology and end with the Hallelujah chorus, because I am not going to be there, and I am not going to be dead. I will be more alive than I have ever been in my life, and I will be looking down upon you poor people who are still in the land of dying and have not yet joined me in the land of the living. And I will be alive forevermore, in greater health and vitality and joy than ever, ever, I or anyone has known before.” – D. James Kennedy, Ph.D.

I have truly enjoyed Dr. Kennedy’s ministry by listening to him on the radio and watching on TV.

Visit a memorial tribute to Dr. D. Jame Kennedy.

I will miss him.

“… NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2007, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have received and for God’s continued guidance, comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.” – George W. Bush (read full text of the proclamation)

Almighty God, we pause to reflect on Your character as we seek wisdom for such a time as this.

In these unsafe days,
You remain all-powerful and able to protect;

In these uncertain times,
You remain all-knowing, leading us aright;

In the unprecedented events we’re facing,
You remain absolutely sovereign.
Our times are in Your hands.

Therefore, our dependence on You, is total, not partial
. . . our need for Your forgiveness is constant

. . . our gratitude for Your grace is profound

. . . our love for You is deep.
We ask that You guard and guide our President
and all who serve the people of these United States.
May uncompromising integrity mark their lives.

We also ask that You unite us as truly “one nation,
under God.” May genuine humility return to our ranks.

And may that blend of integrity and humility
heal our land.

In our Lord’s name we pray,

Amen.

2007 Prayer for Our Nation 
Written by Dr. Charles R. Swindoll

Wayne is a highly successful leader who one day went jogging and found himself sitting on a curb crying uncontrollably. He did
not recognize himself. He felt he was a dead leader running. What followed, was a big storm in his life that turned his life around. What follows are my notes from his talk.

We will teach what we know, but we will reproduce what we are. There must be a genuine integrity inside. It is vital for you to learn from the “storms” of your life.

One of the common “storm” in life of highly active and productive people in the modern world is burn out.

What are some symptoms of this upcoming storm in your life?

• What you do (work, hobbies, family, volunteering) is not fun anymore. It does not give you joy
• Decisions are not easy to make anymore
• Your creativity begins to diminish
• You may experience physical symptoms such as: difficulty breathing, erratic heartbeat, sleeplessness, eye twitching, uncontrollable crying, etc.
• You may be diagnosed with a low serotonin level

If you don’t take of the causes of the symptoms as soon as possible you may not be able to return to your original state.

Suffering changes you but not always for better.

The road to success and the road to a nervous breakdown are often the same road.

Take a look at your life differently:

• Take time to reevaluate what is important in your life and what isn’t.
• Sometimes the only way radical change happens is through radical pain.
• During difficult times, you are open to God’s valuable lessons.
• Take time away to decompress and evaluate your life.
• You may need to be “dismantled” before you can be put together again.

Principles for sustainable living:
Know what fills your tank. There are some things in your life that drain your tank. Everyone has them. The trick is to do things that replenish your tank. Things that are enjoyable, fun, and recreational. The word “recreational” – says it all, re-create what was depleted in you. Ask yourself:

• Who am I with?
• What am I doing?
• Where am I doing this?

Things that may drain your tank: a wrong job, stressful situations, unresolved conflict (at home, work, family), etc.

Thinks that fill you tank: sailing, reading books, sports, fishing, physical activities, outdoors, etc.

Understand balance in life. Balance is not dividing your life in equal halves. Balance is applying your heart toward where the pressure. Your heart is like a fulcrum. In any 50-50 balanced situation the fulcrum is in the dead center. But when some pressure is applied to one side the 50-50 model does not work. The life tips to the side where the pressure is applied. When that happens, move the fulcrum (your heart) a little to that side for a while, until you regain balance. This picture may look like 40-60 or 30-70 model where the fulcrum is.

Lead out of rest:

• Schedule your rest points and build your calendar around them.
• Activity was created to come out of rest.
• Your day begins when you go to sleep the night before.
• If you need to sleep in, do it on the “right side” on the clock – the evening before.

Find a lightning rod and ground it in your life.

• Find someone you can talk to who will “ground your charge.” When you need to vent, off-load, or just talk about stuff, find a buddy you can use, who will become your lightning rod to ground your stuff without spreading it all around. Make sure that person is a safe, trusty friend who can “handle” your issues.
• If you don’t, you will “fry” the people around you and your family.
• Your spouse should not be a lightning rod; share with her/him from the victory side, when you have resolved the issue.

Be disciplined in your daily quite time, reflection, meditation, prayer – or whatever causes you to slow down and recharge. Use a journal and write.

Conclusion:The goal is to run in a manner that protects the flame. When that Olympic torch is carried throughout the country, the runner makes sure it protects the original flame from extinguishing.

Running fast will not help.

Keep the flame!

More about Wayne Cordeiro
More about The Leadership Summit.
Interview with Wayne Cordeiro.

Happy Passover day 6! Our Jewish friends celebrate day 6 of the Passover. The time when God lead Israel out of Egypt.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Today is also day 4 of the Jewish Passover. Passover commemorates the time when God freed Israel from the captivity in Egypt.

Image of the cross complements of thepassionofthechrist.com