Over the last few years we have received more from God than we could have ever imagined.
Our son had a terrifying and depressing accident in October 1998. He suffered burns to his face, head, neck, hands, left arm and shoulders.
Supported by prayer, from Knutsford Methodist Church and other churches, we saw a miracle of healing on his face. With the gifts of the plastic surgeons he has now made an excellent recovery. Who could expect more? No one.
Well, I will never forget his words when Paul, our Minister, visited him in hospital. I know that Paul never will. The last thing you expect from a teenager, whose world has been turned upside-down, is for him to say that Jesus loves him. This has been an unforgettable time for him - and, as those in the church know, a year later, in November 1999, he declared his faith publicly. This was more than I could have asked from God. To heal him was one thing but to see him have and declare such faith ... well, what can I say but
'Thanks be to God'.
Things happen in our lives that we would rather they hadn't - but that's life, and we have God with us to share our happy and exciting periods as well as the bad times.
Trusting God can sometimes be difficult. I'm fortunate, because every day I can look at our son and be reminded of the many things that God has done for us. So when things happen that I don't understand, I have complete trust that God does understand, and therefore I lift my difficulties to him. This does not stop me worrying - that is human nature - but I know it will be alright in the end.
Good things can come out of bad, sometimes. In 1997 I felt a calling from God to be a local preacher. I went along to one of our Church's Home Groups but would not commit myself. Why not, if I thought God was calling? I was terrified. Who was I to do such a responsible job? I just wasn't good enough.
Well, I have learn't to trust God such a lot over the last few years that I am now answering that call to be a local preacher - not because I suddenly feel good enough - on the contrary I still feel inadequate - but I now trust God to use me to do His work. If He can guide us through the turmoils of the last few years then there is nothing He cannot do.
Do not be afraid of what tomorrow brings, but put all your trust in GOD.
Debbie
And now, more than 5 years on....
Since writing the above testimony, Debbie has been the Manager of the 'Welcome' Christian Drop-in centre, situated as part of the group of shops on Knutsford's Longridge Estate. She has regularly written monthly reports ('Welcome News') of the ongoing work at the 'Welcome'. The following is taken from her November 2005 report.
I hope you don't mind but I felt it right to share with you this month in a different way. A while ago I shared with you about receiving a free place on the 'Faith Works' conference. I felt this was a real blessing from God - a time of affirmation and confirmation of His hand at work, not only in my life but also in His work at the 'Welcome'.
I am sure you already know that Advent is one of the busiest times of year, with all the preparations for Nativities, Carol Services, Christingles, etc., not to forget the baking, cards to write, presents to buy and wrap, and homes to decorate. It all becomes a big whirl of activity and celebrations as we share the good news of Christmas day 2005 years ago, and as we look forward to the time when Jesus will come again. But let's not forget Emmanuel, "God with us now". The Holy Spirit of God, the third person of the Trinity, dwells within our very hearts and souls, empowering, leading, teaching and healing as we play our part in building God's Kingdom here on earth until Jesus comes again in all His fullness.
The 'Faith Works' conference was about just that - FAITH WORKS. The way faith works for each of us will be different. This is because of our different life-experiences - and the way we have reflected and responded to these as individuals will have brought us to the place we are today. Our experiences shape our Christology, which shapes our Missiology, which shapes our Ecclesiology. You see I did learn something from going to College! OK, to put it simply, our experiences shape our view of Jesus, which shapes our view of mission, which shapes our view of Church.
JESUS the life transformer
For me, my experiences have clearly shown me that Jesus is a transforming God. Jesus came to change lives - for example, the beatitudes from Matthew's Gospel; also Luke 4:18 - the Messiah's ministry to meet every human need, to transform lives.
Jesus has transformed my life in many ways. In my relationship with Him, on more than one occasion He has met me where the need is. HE has developed my faith by transforming the person I was into the person I am now, and the person I will become in Him. I can say with boldness that FAITH WORKS as Jesus is alive and active in my life. He has taken me to places I could never have imagined, He has healed members of my family, He has mended my brokenness, He has continually loved me and walked beside me even when I have failed to walk with Him. He has waited patiently when I have put other things first. He is my strength, my guide, and my comforter. Well, my everything really. He has blessed the work at the 'Welcome' so much I know that He will transform the work here beyond belief. Why do I believe so? Because nothing is impossible for God. God can do immeasurably more than we could ever imagine. He came to transform lives.
MISSION transforming lives
He sent me to preach the good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, recover sight to the blind. The work at the 'Welcome' is about freedom, about transforming lives. The Aim of the 'Welcome' is to reach out to the community through the informality of a not-for-profit Café, to provide the opportunity to advance and develop the well-beings of the people of Over Ward, and to empower residents to address issues that affect their lives. Our starting point is to accept and value people for who and where they are, to show people how much Jesus loves them, to affirm to them that they matter, that they have a voice - that, with Jesus, nothing is impossible...
CHURCH transformed
As you probably already know, Church at the 'Welcome' is a fresh expression of Church. That does confuse me a little because it really is Church, as the Disciples did Church, so there's not really anything fresh about it! We are 'a listening ear' - we encourage and empower residents through our workshop, arts and craft, cookery and various sessions. We try very hard to portray the message of Jesus's love through our Pool and Craft Club, and aim to make worship relevant to the community through our 'Little Stars', Tuesday Study/Worship, various prayer meetings and Café Church. At the centre of all this is time of fellowship through sharing of food and drink.
Matthew 10:8: "Freely you have received, freely give". I have received many blessings from Jesus, and I pray that through serving Him, by being open about my faith, by being obedient to His voice as we expand His work here, many others will come to know the love and transforming power of Jesus.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jesus has transformed my life; I believe He is transforming many lives through His work at the 'Welcome'. Why do I believe? - because FAITH WORKS!
Because "Emmanuel: God is with us", we are made in the image of God; we are called to be Christ in the world, and He lives within us. There is nothing He cannot do.
I trust this will have given you a little more insight into how FAITH WORKS. I pray this will be an encouragement to you on your journey with Jesus. Let me leave you with this reflection:-
What's your view of Jesus, how do you see Mission and how does that shape your view of Church?
May God richly bless you in your own Christian journey. Remember FAITH WORKS. Trust in the One whose plans are to give us hope, and a future.
Love and Prayers,
Debbie xxxxxx.
