The True Vine

"I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser...abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:1-5

The Lord definitely showed me the reality of these verses today. I spoke at my home church in Huntsville about Thailand. I didn't have a big show planned with a video, music, or staggering statistics. I just prayed for the Holy Spirit to come. And He did. Big time. I thought I was a terrible speaker, I forgot the Bible verses and quoted them wrong, and I hardly smiled. But God showed up.

He provided $1,170 today alone at Aldersgate!

Praise the Lord! He is the only one who gets the glory!

Thank you for supporting me with your prayers and finances. It's not over yet! The journey has just begun.

In Christ,
Christine ><>

My Identity

The Lord taught me a very valuable lesson today. I had to ask myself, "Who do I belong to?" and "What do I find my identify and worth in?" And the answer to both of those questions is Christ.

I had a rough day today. I let one person make me feel worthless and I was utterly humiliated. However, as I was reflecting on the situation later, I realized all the people in the world could get mad at me but that wouldn't matter!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Because I am in Christ, I am forgiven (Colossians 2:13-14), accepted (Colossians 1:21-23),and adopted as a son (Galatians 4:4-5). It doesn't matter what others think of me! Whatever wrong I do, I am forgiven. When someone does not accept me, Christ will. When no one wants me, Christ does. And it is all because I have a new identity in the Lord.

Without understanding my position in Christ, it would be very easy to base my worth off of things of this world, such as the approval of man. I probably will never earn the acceptance of the person who hurt me today, but it is not needed. I have the love of my dear Savior. My Savior loved me so much that He DIED for me. No one on earth's acceptance of me can do that.

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

God has pursued me and LOVES me as His own daughter. I am fully accepted by Him and can be secure in this.

And what the Lord reminded me of during this ordeal was that He was with me the whole time. When was being humiliated, He was right there, holding my hand. What a Father.

"But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel,your Savior...
Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you...
Fear not, I am with you."
Isaiah 43:1-6

What are you finding your identity and security in?

In Christ,
Christine ><>

Alive Again

This song by Matt Maher is my testimony:

I woke up in darkness
sounded by silence
oh where, where have I gone?

I woke to reality
losing its grip on me
oh where, where have I gone?

Cause I can see the light
before I see the sunrise

Chorus
You called and you shouted
broke through my deafness
now I’m breathing in
and breathing out
I’m alive again!

You shattered my darkness
washed away my blindness
now I’m breathing in
and breathing out
I’m alive again!

Verse 2
They never loved you
you waited for me,
I searched for you…
what took me so long?

I was looking outside
as a love would ever want to hide
I’m finding I was wrong

Cause I can feel the wind
before it hits my skin

Bridge
Cause I want you!
Yes, I want you,
I need you
And I’ll do what ever I have to
Just to get through
cause I love you
Yeah, I love you!

Please check it out on iTunes or on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6w5szlpedY.
.

I am currently at 50% of my support for Thailand! Thank you for your prayers!

In Christ,
Christine ><>

$2,323

$2,323.

That is how much the Lord has provided me for Thailand. That's about 39% of my goal!

I am praying for $1,000 to come in this week. Sound big? It is. But God is bigger. Please join in me in praying for this specific goal.
Thanks for all you have done!

In Christ,
Christine ><>