Here is another testimony from Liz Scully about her trip to the Kirtland Temple.
About 23 years ago we were visiting the Kirtland Temple. I had been there before, but Bruce had not so I really wanted him to have a wonderful experience.
As we were sitting in the temple, Ashlea started to "act up" so I took her out so she wouldn't interrupt what was going on, but I was upset that I was going to miss out.
As we ascended the staircase, I thought I saw Ashlea start to fall so I reached out to catch her. She was not moving and I heard a voice say, "Never fear, I AM here." I really thought nothing of that until we were descending the other staircase and my anger with Ashlea was rising. She was not being cooperative and quiet. As we started down, the same voice said very quietly, "Don't be angry, for even I was a child."
I had been reprimanded lovingly and quickly. I went to get Bruce to share with him what had transpired wile I was outside not involved with those inside the sanctuary.
I have never written this testimony before and realize for the first time that the phrase, "I AM here" was God stating who He is and that He was in His home. This was not just a phrase or words He was saying.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Gus Ralston's Testimony
Gus was gracious enough to share how his family came to believe the restored gospel. Here is his story.
In the winter of 1913-1914 a blue norther (a blizzard with high winds, very low temperatures and lots of snow) was brewing in southeastern Colorado. A family, who was traveling in a covered wagon, stopped at a farm house to ask permission to park the wagon on the down wind side of his barn to protect them from the wind. Permission was given.
The next morning the wind was blowing fifty miles an hour and the snow was part way up on the windows of the farm house. The farmer’s wife turned to her husband and said, “You go out there get those people and bring them in the house. They can’t stay out there in this weather.” He said, “We have a small house and there isn’t room for all of them in the house.” She said, “You go out there get them anyway. We will just have to make do.” And so it was.
The storm didn’t let up for three weeks. The man traveling was an RLDS missionary and by the time the storm was over, he had converted the whole farm family. As he was preparing to leave, the farmer begged him stay a little longer, because he had family round about who needed to hear the message he had shared during the preceding three weeks.
Soon all of the farmer’s brothers and sisters and family were also converted. Before he left, everyone who was eligible to be baptized went out the stock pond for the service. A hole had to be chopped in the ice as the stock pond had six inches of ice on it.
Included in these baptisms were my grandfather August, grandmother Caroline and my father Wallace, who was eight at the time. The missionary was a well known missionary by the name of Bullard. The farmer was Christopher Ralston, father of apostle Russell Ralston.
In the winter of 1913-1914 a blue norther (a blizzard with high winds, very low temperatures and lots of snow) was brewing in southeastern Colorado. A family, who was traveling in a covered wagon, stopped at a farm house to ask permission to park the wagon on the down wind side of his barn to protect them from the wind. Permission was given.
The next morning the wind was blowing fifty miles an hour and the snow was part way up on the windows of the farm house. The farmer’s wife turned to her husband and said, “You go out there get those people and bring them in the house. They can’t stay out there in this weather.” He said, “We have a small house and there isn’t room for all of them in the house.” She said, “You go out there get them anyway. We will just have to make do.” And so it was.
The storm didn’t let up for three weeks. The man traveling was an RLDS missionary and by the time the storm was over, he had converted the whole farm family. As he was preparing to leave, the farmer begged him stay a little longer, because he had family round about who needed to hear the message he had shared during the preceding three weeks.
Soon all of the farmer’s brothers and sisters and family were also converted. Before he left, everyone who was eligible to be baptized went out the stock pond for the service. A hole had to be chopped in the ice as the stock pond had six inches of ice on it.
Included in these baptisms were my grandfather August, grandmother Caroline and my father Wallace, who was eight at the time. The missionary was a well known missionary by the name of Bullard. The farmer was Christopher Ralston, father of apostle Russell Ralston.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Testimony Tuesday
God is good and generous and He has blessed the people of Grain Valley with many beautiful testimonies. We are instituting Testimony Tuesday where we will share a testimony from someone in the congregation (or anyone who wants to share) every Tuesday!
This is Susan Mauck's testimony of spiritual protection when it was most needed.
My relationship with my mother has always been on shaky ground for many reasons, but partly because she didn't want me to have a relationship with my father. She also loves the occult and loves darkness more than light. These two things, and many others, have always made our relationship strained.
Last summer, Mother was diagnosed with kidney cancer and I knew I had to go see her. In August, Jackie, Ben and I flew to Arizona to visit. We arrived late Thursday evening and were met with a barrage of negative comments. Mom immediately announced that she had been in the hospital with heart problems for five days and the minute she heard that my father had died, her heart stopped hurting and she hadn't had a bit of pain since.
In less than an hour, she fired comment after comment and we left feeling beat up and wondered how we were going to get through another couple of days like this. Jackie said she felt spiritually attacked and had come concerned about Benjamin's spiritual safety knowing my mother's many false Gods and the darkness she subscribes too.
That night we prayed together and God woke me up early the next morning (actually He woke Ben up, but when Ben and Jackie went back to sleep, I stayed up). As I prayed and studied, the Holy Spirit gave me specific words to pray.
1. An angel with a flaming sword would continually stand over Benjamin guarding and protecting him.
2. That Jackie and I would walk into Mom's house in humility and in the grace of Jesus Christ.
3. Angels would go before us in the strength and power of Jesus Christ.
I saw a vision before I prayed the words. As the angels went in before us, all of the demons fled to the walls and to their own strongholds and they were bound. They had no power over us while we walked in humility and grace.
For the next two days, we enjoyed peace and family fellowship - no barbs, hatefulness or hurt - it was beautiful and joyful. We left Saturday night and my niece stayed through Sunday. She said everything fell apart after we left. Everyone was shouting and railing on each other. She went into her room and shut the door and for eight hours everything was out of control. Her exact words were, "It was different after you left, Aunt Susan."
It wasn't us that made the difference, it was Jesus. We are in spiritual warfare we don't see or understand, but God is gracious and mighty to save His people. We need to remember that all things are made by and through Jesus Christ and that Jesus is all powerful. When we walk in faith and ask, we will be powerfully protected physically and spiritually. God is good!
This is Susan Mauck's testimony of spiritual protection when it was most needed.
My relationship with my mother has always been on shaky ground for many reasons, but partly because she didn't want me to have a relationship with my father. She also loves the occult and loves darkness more than light. These two things, and many others, have always made our relationship strained.
Last summer, Mother was diagnosed with kidney cancer and I knew I had to go see her. In August, Jackie, Ben and I flew to Arizona to visit. We arrived late Thursday evening and were met with a barrage of negative comments. Mom immediately announced that she had been in the hospital with heart problems for five days and the minute she heard that my father had died, her heart stopped hurting and she hadn't had a bit of pain since.
In less than an hour, she fired comment after comment and we left feeling beat up and wondered how we were going to get through another couple of days like this. Jackie said she felt spiritually attacked and had come concerned about Benjamin's spiritual safety knowing my mother's many false Gods and the darkness she subscribes too.
That night we prayed together and God woke me up early the next morning (actually He woke Ben up, but when Ben and Jackie went back to sleep, I stayed up). As I prayed and studied, the Holy Spirit gave me specific words to pray.
1. An angel with a flaming sword would continually stand over Benjamin guarding and protecting him.
2. That Jackie and I would walk into Mom's house in humility and in the grace of Jesus Christ.
3. Angels would go before us in the strength and power of Jesus Christ.
I saw a vision before I prayed the words. As the angels went in before us, all of the demons fled to the walls and to their own strongholds and they were bound. They had no power over us while we walked in humility and grace.
For the next two days, we enjoyed peace and family fellowship - no barbs, hatefulness or hurt - it was beautiful and joyful. We left Saturday night and my niece stayed through Sunday. She said everything fell apart after we left. Everyone was shouting and railing on each other. She went into her room and shut the door and for eight hours everything was out of control. Her exact words were, "It was different after you left, Aunt Susan."
It wasn't us that made the difference, it was Jesus. We are in spiritual warfare we don't see or understand, but God is gracious and mighty to save His people. We need to remember that all things are made by and through Jesus Christ and that Jesus is all powerful. When we walk in faith and ask, we will be powerfully protected physically and spiritually. God is good!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Dave Winship earns a Meritous Award
In August, Dave came upon a crash where the driver was unconscious. In examining the vehicle, he noticed a medical kit for diabetics. Guessing the drivers was unconscious from low blood sugar, he gave the driver a sucker and quite possibly saved his life.
MoDOT recently awarded him with a Meritous Award and you can see the video here.
Dave, thank you for your great service and quick thinking!
MoDOT recently awarded him with a Meritous Award and you can see the video here.
Dave, thank you for your great service and quick thinking!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
First Day of School Photo Contest Winners!
We have the winners of our photo contest. Although, they are much older than preschool now, I think we can all agree these pictures are pretty cute.
Coolest Backpack: Tristan Handy
Coolest Desk: Braden Youngblood
Watch for more photo contests and remember you have to enter to win!
Coolest Backpack: Tristan Handy
Coolest Desk: Braden Youngblood
Watch for more photo contests and remember you have to enter to win!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Prayer List
Here is the prayer list from Wednesday's prayer service.
Paul – Bruce Scully’s nephew
Paul & Adriane Howe
Bird family
Callie Hoffman & family
Perry family
Mike & Jessica Perry, work direction
Rebecca Wheeler – ID theft, new apartment
Kevin Anderson – kidney failure
Congregational leaders
Young men & women of congregation
Connie Bates – traveling
Martin family
Jake Kidd
Debbie
Becca Young – eye surgery 9/28/09
Ron Rowald is recovering from pancreititus
Beverly – Bonnie’s cousin has blood clots
Congregational leaders
Retreat
Paul – Bruce Scully’s nephew
Paul & Adriane Howe
Bird family
Callie Hoffman & family
Perry family
Mike & Jessica Perry, work direction
Rebecca Wheeler – ID theft, new apartment
Kevin Anderson – kidney failure
Congregational leaders
Young men & women of congregation
Connie Bates – traveling
Martin family
Jake Kidd
Debbie
Becca Young – eye surgery 9/28/09
Ron Rowald is recovering from pancreititus
Beverly – Bonnie’s cousin has blood clots
Congregational leaders
Retreat
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Pastor's Corner - How would you React?
How would you react if you were told your days on earth were rapidly coming to an end? That is an age old question, one that has been used time and time again as the subject line of movies, books and plays, yet it still holds validity as an honest question. Would you change anything or would you change everything? Would you suddenly become someone you were not or would you simply tweak your response to make it more compassionate? Would you choose to enjoy the remaining days of life or would you decide to spend them regretting the days of yesteryear? Would you listen more intently to your loved ones or would you preoccupy yourself with the change that will inevitably arrive? What would you do if you knew your days were numbered?
Now for most of us, the question of when and where our departure will take place is still a mystery. We don’t really know from one hour to the next what could transpire to change the rhythmic course of life. We have a tendency to believe that all moments are created equal and that the significance of a moment is granted by the one living the life. This belief gives us a sense of immortality, a chance to direct the outcome of future moments in a way that is usually self-serving. There is a truth that abides in this belief. When our mortal lives are finished we will be responsible for the results of our moment expenditures. We will be given a review of our choices, how they impacted us, how they affected those around us and how they spoke of things we believed. They will reflect our state of preparation and to some extent they will determine how we spend eternity. A sobering thought indeed. However, there is an Intercessor that will shed mercy upon our choices if we accept His gift while we dwell on earth. He is Jesus Christ the great I AM, the Alpha and Omega. Let Him help you spend your moments and your review will be outstanding!
Now for most of us, the question of when and where our departure will take place is still a mystery. We don’t really know from one hour to the next what could transpire to change the rhythmic course of life. We have a tendency to believe that all moments are created equal and that the significance of a moment is granted by the one living the life. This belief gives us a sense of immortality, a chance to direct the outcome of future moments in a way that is usually self-serving. There is a truth that abides in this belief. When our mortal lives are finished we will be responsible for the results of our moment expenditures. We will be given a review of our choices, how they impacted us, how they affected those around us and how they spoke of things we believed. They will reflect our state of preparation and to some extent they will determine how we spend eternity. A sobering thought indeed. However, there is an Intercessor that will shed mercy upon our choices if we accept His gift while we dwell on earth. He is Jesus Christ the great I AM, the Alpha and Omega. Let Him help you spend your moments and your review will be outstanding!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Back to School Photo Contest
With summer quickly fading, let's celebrate the start of a new school year with a Back to School Photo Contest. Send us your favorite school photo and a secret panel of judges will hand out awards. Awards categories include, but are not limited to: Most Enthusiasm and Sweetest Smile.
You can submit photos from any year and can send school pictures, snapshots or yearbook photos. You also do not currently have to be in school. We will accept submissions through Sunday, September 13th. Just remember, you have to enter to win!
You can submit photos from any year and can send school pictures, snapshots or yearbook photos. You also do not currently have to be in school. We will accept submissions through Sunday, September 13th. Just remember, you have to enter to win!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Welcome
Grain Valley Community of Christ church has been publishing a newsletter, the Maranatha Messenger, for several years. We only have one 8.5x11 folded into the bulletin every Sunday and we need more room to share testimonies, celebrate our brothers and sisters in Christ and worship our Heavenly Father.
Look for current items including the Pastor's Corner and our congregational prayer list along with news items such as photo contests and testimonies! Write to jaclynenderle@gmail.com if you'd like to submit something to the Maranatha Messenger.
Look for current items including the Pastor's Corner and our congregational prayer list along with news items such as photo contests and testimonies! Write to jaclynenderle@gmail.com if you'd like to submit something to the Maranatha Messenger.
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