In Search of Sunshine

Some days I seem to love to complain. Imagine, for a minute, a fictitious storm cloud hanging directly over my head and following my every move. With every bolt of thunder or downpour of rain my mood gets darker and darker. I can blame my sour attitude on waking up on the wrong side of the bed, that wonderful monthly reminder that God made me a woman, or any multitude of reasons. I stomp my way through my day grumbling about having to pick up after my family, cook yet another meal, or make my way through the mountains of dirty laundry that seemed to have appeared overnight.

Being in the trenches of motherhood, or womanhood, is just plain hard sometimes but what would my life look like if everything I did was for the Lord? What if I didn’t complain about serving my family because those chores or duties weren’t really out of obedience to them but to the Lord? Wouldn’t life be simpler, and more joyful? Isn’t that what so many of us seek?

Colossians 3:23 says: 
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember, that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” 

So trade in your storm cloud for sunshine because that inheritance that our Father promises is going to be AWESOME!

Nichole Richardson

As Close as a Whisper

I recently had surgery of a major degree and was pretty much home bound while healing. The word “home bound” to a person like me seems like a jail sentence; I love to be out and about and doing life. But I found that it was the best time of my life! Not because of catching up on all of my reading or TV, but having time with my Lord is what made it such a beautiful experience. He is as close as a whisper! And His Word never changes or never gets old.

I received a card with these words:

• A physician will ask you how you feel and what your symptoms are. The Great Physician knows how you feel and understands what you are going through. 
• A physician will have you come to the office. The Great Physician will stay with you and never leave your side. 
• A physician will treat you with the best medicine available. The Great Physician will treat you with the riches of His grace. 
• A physician will send you a bill for services rendered. The Great Physician does His work without charge. 
• A physician tries his very best to help you. The Great Physician assures you that your life couldn’t be in better hands! 

I am glad for doctors and medicine, but the One that gave them the knowledge to treat me is the One that I look to and whisper to in the middle of the night or day. He is my constant companion. A little down time is wonderful if you have Jesus by your side.

Hebrews 13:5b, 6 tells us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’”

Patricia Harvey

I Didn’t Know

My family and I were talking about Jesus the other night -- discussing who we believe He is, and who other people say He is. And I shared with my children who I used to think Jesus is.

When I was a child, I believed in God. I went to church. (Most Sundays. Unless I could convince my mom I was just too tired to get out of bed.) And I thought that’s where God lived. In my understanding, God lived in church and He didn’t come out. Just sat there and waited for us to come see Him on Sundays. I had no idea God was present in every day. Didn’t realize He was involved in every detail of my life. I just didn’t know He was more than a story we talked about on Sundays.

Then my daughter asked me if I prayed when I was a child. And I told her I did! Before dinner and before bed. Again -- I did not know God wanted me to talk to Him about everything. I just didn’t know He cared about anything in my life besides thanking Him for my food and laying me down to sleep.

I cannot begin to express my thankfulness for God’s grace and mercy toward me. He reached out to a young college student who didn’t know she was lost, who didn’t know she was missing the most amazing relationship there is, and He revealed Himself to her.

Since Jesus has come into my life, nothing has ever been the same. Now I know He is present in every moment, and I can trust Him with each one. Now I know He cares about everything, and I can talk to Him about it all. I’m so glad He has saved me from all I didn’t know!

How has your understanding of God changed over the years?

Karen Hossink

Pain with a Purpose

Pregnancy has been quite an up and down experience! One time I got a waitress to get me half onion rings and half fries even though she said it was not allowed. Ahh … the perks of being a pregnant lady!

As I am getting “more” pregnant, I have one word for my growing body … uncomfortable! It seems I am moving slower, sleeping worse and getting more uncomfortable as the days go on. Sometimes I think I can actually feel my belly stretching. When I start to get grumpy or whiney (don’t ask my husband how often this happens), I try to remind myself this too shall pass. That there is a very worthy purpose for this pain and discomfort. That I am going through this process for a reason.

God will also take us through this process. He will take situations in our life to grow and stretch us to bring us closer to him or teach us something. It is not always comfortable, in fact, sometimes it is just painful! But sometimes we have to go through tough times. I know it is the tough times in my life that have shaped me and taught me some tough lessons. Lessons you think you know about, but unless you have experienced it you have no idea.

These growing periods are also a test of character. We can choose to whine and complain or to praise God. It makes me think of the song, Blessed Be the Name of the Lord.” The lyrics say:

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

What is God taking you through?

Michelle Heriford

Merry Christmas!

As a follow up to Andrea’s testimony on Wednesday about the value of being involved in ministry, I want to make sure you are aware that sign ups for the Christmas Journey start this weekend after each service. This community outreach, which has become Trinity’s largest evangelistic effort, reaches 5,000 people every year. More than 600 volunteers from Trinity are needed to make this event happen. Whether you like to bake cookies, sew costumes, greet people, decorate or be part of the acting fun, sign up in the atrium on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Another fun opportunity is to get your small group or family together and serve as townspeople in Bethlehem or on Angel Hill, telling people about the good news of the Christ child born to us. It’s a great way to build community among your group or serve as a family. You can be a part of sharing the Good News of salvation with people who might be coming to hear God’s story for the first time.

So if you’re looking for something to do this holiday season that defines the real meaning of Christmas, look no further than participating in the Christmas Journey on December 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 or 12. Come for one night or all six! In addition to signing up at church, you can also sign up online at Trinity's website. I’ll be there and I hope to see you there too.

Patty Dextrom

Connect @ Church

Recently, I was early for church (that doesn’t happen as often as I would like), so I camped out in the atrium with my Styrofoam cup of coffee. The closer it came to the start of service, the more people started mingling and filling the atrium. Dozens filtered in and out and I didn’t recognize a face. For a few minutes I realized how lonely it could be for someone who wasn’t connected at Trinity to mingle before and after service. I had just decided to make another trip to the drinking fountain when I noticed someone I knew from the Worship Arts team. She smiled at me, mouthed “hi!” and waved from across the room. Then I noticed a group of friends that play flag football with me as part of Trinity’s Sports Ministry. As I crossed the atrium to say hello, I ran into a couple I met through Starting Point. Wow! I went from knowing no one in the room to being surrounded by friends in a matter of minutes!

As I went in to the service a few minutes later I felt blessed to have so many friends in Christ that also share my love for Trinity. I regret that it took me three years before I got involved in ministry at Trinity, but now that I am connected through the ministries and programs, I am building stronger relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ and feel more at home in my home church.

I encourage those of you who feel disconnected and alone at Trinity to check out Trinity’s ministry programs and find an area of ministry that interests you. Being active at Trinity is a wonderful way to meet people and develop Christ-centered relationships. If you are already connected, and like me are feeling blessed by the friendships you have at Trinity, I encourage you to reach out to others who may not have those relationships yet. They need you!

Andrea Perry

The Beauty of the Seasons

I thank God every year for fall and winter. I believe it’s His way of slowing me down from the hustle and bustle of life. I appreciate the beauty of the leaves changing color, curling up in my favorite chair with a soft blanket and a mug of Hot Cocoa or the very first snowfall that is so enchanting. Darkness falls earlier and the colder air finds me seeking the warmth of my home more often. It is during those moments of stillness and rest that I hear my Father speak the most clearly.

As soon as I see the very first signs of fall this is what I bake:

Orange Pumpkin Bread
2/3 C. shortening
2 2/3 C. sugar
4 eggs
3 1/3 C. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 (16oz.) can pumpkin
2/3 C. water
¼ C. orange juice
2 tsp. orange zest

Cream shortening; gradually add sugar. Beat on medium speed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add orange zest, juice, and water. Combine flour and next five ingredients. Add to creamed mixture, alternating dry ingredients with pumpkin. Beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon batter into two greased and floured 9x5x3 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 10 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Nichole Richardson