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Faith Hope and Love Stories
Hey Church what a Fantastic year 2009 has been in the Life of Today's Community Church. We have seen God really work through us as a Church, seeing many people step out and do things they have never done before, like serving in a team, joining a Connect Group and contributing financially into the house.
We have seen many people come to faith, then take the next step, getting baptised. It has been incredible to see.
We would love to hear some of your stories from this year. Maybe you have seen God totally come through in your situation. Maybe you are still in the middle of a very tough season, but you can see that God is still working with you.
Thank you all some much for all your contribution towards building Today's Community Church we really do appreciate it.
Have a Great Christmas and New Year
Well, Tony, this is me
By marianrWell, Tony, this is me rising to the challenge "Have you blogged yet?" A few weeks ago Dave B said in one of his talks" we need to value people more than we value our opinion of them." That really impacted my life and made me think.
We live in a world where it is easy to get caught up in acting and reacting to people based on our perception/opinion of them. We lose sight of the fundamental command of Jesus "Love your neighbour" and would rather discuss what we think about what they have done or not done and what we would have done in that situation. Thanks for reminding me about that, Dave.
This year has been a real challenge for Duncan and I in business but we still gave into the First Fruits offering at the beginning of the year because we firmly believe that when we honour God with what we have - little or much - that we will honour us. I have been connected to God for 30 years and I have proved Him to be faithful time and time again. We can never outgive God - it is just impossible ! So we will keep giving .....He is faithful.
I am so excited for our
By tillysladeI am so excited for our First Fruits Sunday of 2010! I remember writing a list of the people I was believed for in 2009, at the beginning of the year. It feels great that I can say: Some of those people are now a part of Today's Community Church. Although not every single person on that list is now a part of our amazing Church, I believe that I have made progression and the challenge continues, for me, in 2010. It's going to be such a great year of growth and fun! X
Last year Denise and
By tharringtonLast year Denise and I really took on board Dave Belfield's challenge to give fnancially to our annual first fruits offering. We appreciated Dave's comments about the challenging economic climate yet he reminded us that we are a people of faith and true followers of Jesus Christ therefore we kept the scales leveraged toward our faith.
On the actual day of the offering we were encouraged to draw a picture of our faith & what we could believe God for in terms of a harvest, consequently we drew a picture of a couple of houses with the intention of purchasing them to rent. After 6 months looking, searching, checking and believing we drew a big fat ZERO! To be totally honest we did actually think is this really going to happen.
Then God decided to spring one of his suddenly's on us at an inappropriate moment - yes just before our two week holiday abroad. The first opportunity came so quickly but we did manage to secure the deal and purchase the property before we departed. A few months later another curveball opportunity arose and we were able to purchase our second property.
As we seek to lead by personal example we constantly keep this close to our hearts 'God is more interested in what we can give rather than what we do give'.
Be encouraged, be challenged, be uplifted as 'ONE' approaches - our first fruits Sunday in 2010. Come ready, prepared and fired up for what will prove yet another memorable moment in the story of Today's Community Church.
Tony Harrington
I remember standing there
By RayRayI remember standing there with my scrap piece of paper of things I wanted to see for our home, my life and for others. We all stood together as we united in faith, hope and love for the things that were in our hearts to see in 2009.
I've got to say that this year has been very up and at times, a bit down, and as for the things I wrote down... throughout every one, God has worked in each in some way since that Sunday morning. I can look at that paper now and clearly see a progression of change. For me, though, the biggest increase I've seen from First Fruits is internal. My faith was stretched and met by an incredible God at the other end; I would have never seen half of the amazing things I now see if it weren't for God first working in me and challenging me to make a tough financial sacrifice. I just positioned myself to see more of his heart and I could not ask for anything better (plus, it's only the beginning). Love it and believing that I'll gradually see more as we enter 2010!
I can’t believe its
By justdanI can’t believe its been a year since the last mosaic! This year realy has been a big year of changes for me. Ive learnt that the more i sacrifice and give to God, the more i am given back, and as a result ive grown so much more closer to God in this past year than i have in the past 9 or so years. Maybe i am still reluctant to make some sacrifices at this time but it’s an on going journey that has really taken top priority. I can honesly say that im pretty nervous about the next season of choices and changes i face next year, but i take confidence from knowing that God is for me, and as long as i keep God no.1 in everything then i can’t go wrong. Bring on 2010!