Participants: C.A. & Irma Murray (Host), Annika Baker, Joel & Christine Baker, Jorge & Lynette Jaque
Series Code: TDYFW
Program Code: TDYFW015006A
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00:01 I want to spend my life
00:05 Spend my life 00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:18 Removing pain 00:23 Lord, let my words 00:27 Let my words 00:30 Heal a heart that hurts 00:34 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:45 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people 01:07 Hello and welcome to 3ABN Family Worship. 01:10 If you are watching on a Friday evening, 01:12 then we welcome you 01:13 to the sacred hours of the Sabbath. 01:15 If it is a Saturday evening then you are preparing 01:18 for the new week and we pray that God will be with you. 01:21 Either way, thank you for joining us. 01:22 We got a great family and a recent addition 01:27 to the family, we'll introduce in just a moment. 01:29 My wife Irma is to my right 01:31 and to her right are Jorge and Lynette Jaque. 01:36 We are very, very glad to have them with us yet again. 01:39 Glad to be here. They are part of the family. 01:42 And we got Joel and Christine Baker, 01:46 and Joel or Christine who wants to introduce 01:49 the recent addition to the family. 01:51 This is Annika Baker and she is about 10 weeks old. 01:55 All right. 01:57 And we have no idea how she is going to fare? 01:59 No idea. During this time? 02:02 So far so good. 02:03 And this is her first time on camera, I suspect? 02:06 Yeah. She's getting an early start. 02:08 Yeah, praise the Lord. 02:09 So if Joel makes a quick disappearance 02:11 or if Christine makes a quick exit, 02:14 we know that they were summoned by Annika 02:17 to do something else, but I think so far so good. 02:20 I'm excited because when I was younger, 02:23 I envied Adventists who grew up in the church 02:26 because I did not. 02:27 And we did not have obviously any kind of family worship. 02:31 My parents were what we call 'Holiday Methodists.' 02:36 Easter, Christmas, maybe Thanksgiving, 02:39 and that was about all that they did. 02:40 And I joined the church very, very early, 02:42 and I envied Adventists 02:44 who would sit down on Friday evenings 02:45 and sing and pray and we didn't have a chance 02:47 to do that. 02:49 In my house and before everybody was watching 02:50 football on their own TV, so I have to hibernate 02:53 in my own bedroom. 02:54 Just to try to keep the Sabbath in my own way. 02:57 So this is exciting for me and we are going to talk 02:59 a little about that because we get a chance to bring 03:02 the Sabbath in together with friends. 03:05 We have got some warm tea here and a lovely tea pot 03:09 to serve it in and we actually have real tea 03:12 and we are praising the Lord for that. 03:14 Maybe next time we'll have some cookies Lynette 03:15 with the tea. 03:19 We're gonna start off by doing some singing. 03:22 And we want to turn in our hymnals 03:26 to try to change the mood just a little bit to 340. 03:29 So would you join us please as we sing a song 03:34 that I think we all know, this is Jesus Saves. 03:36 We have heard the joyful sound, Jesus saves, Jesus saves. 03:41 We have four stanzas. We are going to sing them all. 03:42 Shall we sing together? 03:44 We have heard the joyful sound Jesus saves! 03:50 Jesus saves! 03:51 Spread the tidings all around Jesus saves! 03:57 Jesus saves! 03:59 Bear the news to every land Climb the steeps 04:04 And cross the waves 04:06 Onward 'tis our Lord's command 04:11 Jesus saves! Jesus saves! 04:17 Waft it on the rolling tide Jesus saves, 04:22 Jesus saves 04:24 Tell to sinners far and wide Jesus saves! 04:30 Jesus saves! 04:31 Sing, ye islands of the sea 04:35 Echo back, ye ocean caves 04:39 Earth shall keep her jubilee 04:44 Jesus saves! Jesus saves! 04:49 Sing above the battle's strife 04:52 Jesus saves! Jesus saves! 04:56 By His death and endless life 05:00 Jesus saves! Jesus saves! 05:04 Sing it softly thru the gloom 05:08 When the heart for mercy craves 05:12 Sing in triumph o'er the tomb 05:16 Jesus saves! Jesus saves! 05:21 Give the winds a mighty voice 05:25 Jesus saves! Jesus saves! 05:29 Let the nations now rejoice 05:32 Jesus saves! Jesus saves! 05:36 Shout salvation full and free 05:40 Highest hills and deepest caves 05:44 This our song of victory 05:49 Jesus saves! Jesus saves! 05:55 I think Annika is going to be a singer. 05:58 I think she was trying to sing, 05:59 she came right in on a 'Jesus saves' part. 06:01 Praise the Lord. Tell her to keep that up, Joel. 06:04 Let's go to 311. 06:08 311, Earthly pleasures vainly call me, 06:12 I would be like Jesus. 06:18 Here we go. 06:20 Earthly pleasures vainly call me 06:24 I would be like Jesus; 06:29 Nothing worldly shall enthrall me 06:33 I would be like Jesus 06:38 Be like Jesus, this my song 06:42 In the home and in the throng 06:46 Be like Jesus, all day long! 06:52 I would be like Jesus 06:58 He has broken every fetter 07:02 I would be like Jesus 07:06 That my soul may serve Him better 07:11 I would be like Jesus 07:16 Be like Jesus, this my song 07:20 In the home and in the throng 07:25 Be like Jesus, all day long 07:30 I would be like Jesus 07:36 All the way from earth to glory 07:41 I would be like Jesus 07:45 Telling o'er and o'er the story 07:49 I would be like Jesus 07:55 Be like Jesus, this my song 07:59 In the home and in the throng 08:03 Be like Jesus, all day long 08:09 I would be like Jesus 08:15 That in Heaven 08:17 He may meet me I would be like Jesus 08:24 That His words "Well done" may greet me 08:28 I would be like Jesus 08:33 Be like Jesus, this my song 08:38 In the home and in the throng 08:42 Be like Jesus, all day long 08:48 I would be like Jesus 08:55 I think we'll hold that last song 08:56 for just a few minutes and take this opportunity 08:59 to thank Jill Morikone, 09:00 who is on the piano for joining us 09:03 and being part of the extended family 09:05 and playing for us. 09:07 God is so very, very good. 09:08 I want to give you all just a moment 09:12 because before we go to our reading, 09:14 I want you each to think about your favorite text. 09:17 I'll give you just a second to find it in the Bible 09:20 so that you can read from it. 09:22 I'm going to go to my newest favorite, 09:26 which is so new that I have not quite memorized it totally, 09:30 so I'm going to go to it 09:32 and it's in Hebrews Chapter 13 while you're all turning, 09:35 I had to bring my own big Bible. 09:37 My wife has this little tiny Bible 09:38 I can barely see the Bible, 09:40 little on the print but her eyes are 09:43 still good enough to be able to see that print. 09:45 But I'm going to Hebrews Chapter 13 09:47 and you are each looking and Joel's a little hands-down 09:50 because he's got baby in hand and we understand 09:53 if you are little slower than the rest of us. 09:56 She is doing good. 09:57 She is doing really, really great. 10:02 And we praise the Lord. 10:03 Jorge, you want to start there on the end? 10:05 Yes, this is a very brief verse, 10:10 Bible verse but it has a lot of meaning. 10:13 It helped me in many, many circumstances, 10:15 it's found in Romans 8:31 and it says, 10:23 "What shall we then say to these things? 10:26 If God before us, who can be against us?" 10:30 It's very... it's powerful in... 10:33 Amen. 10:34 Let me tell you it's just something that in my life 10:38 has played an important role in many circumstances 10:42 so I treasure this Bible verse. 10:44 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. 10:45 Lynette? 10:48 Well, the verse that I have chosen 10:50 is actually verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 91. 10:53 This is a sort of our family favorite. 10:55 We taught the kids this when they were little 10:58 and whenever we come across it in our Bible readings, 11:01 it's always the... 11:02 just one of those fond things that we just lean on. 11:07 Psalm 91, "He who dwells in the secret place 11:10 of the most High shall abide 11:12 under the shadow of the Almighty. 11:14 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge 11:16 and my fortress, my God in him will I trust." 11:21 Praise the Lord. 11:22 That is beautiful. It's been one of my special. 11:28 Yes, this passage is still very, very much. 11:31 The one I chose because I have used this many times in my life 11:38 and it's one that you'd find in Joshua 1:9 11:45 and I will read it for you because I get nervous 11:49 and I forget the Lord and he says, 11:52 "Haven't, have not I commanded thee 11:56 be strong on of a good courage, 11:59 be not afraid, never be thou 12:01 this made for the lord of thy God 12:04 is with thee withsoever that goest." 12:09 And it's been really special for me because 12:11 there are many times that I have been 12:15 afraid to do or for circumstances 12:21 and this was given to Joshua after Moses, 12:27 when Moses died and then Joshua 12:29 had to take the lead and as you know about his life, 12:35 he was not like Peter that who has all, he's like, 12:40 "I can do this and I will do it." 12:43 Joshua was not like that so he needed encouragement 12:46 from the Lord and the Lord knew then, 12:48 because it was a big responsibility 12:51 that he was given Joshua to cross the Jordan 12:54 with all these the multitude of people. 12:58 So at times when my life is being needing 13:02 of some encouragement, 13:04 the Lord has many times pointed me out to this, 13:08 to this verse. 13:10 Praise the Lord. 13:11 Christine, can you manage? Yes. 13:15 I chose one of my favorite texts 13:18 in Philippians 1:6, 13:23 and it says, "Being confident of this 13:25 very thing that He which had done a good work in you, 13:30 will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." 13:33 And yeah, that has been a great encouragement for me 13:38 and is still today 13:40 because there's a lot of things in my life 13:44 I wish would change faster than they do 13:50 but the Lord is saying I'm not done with you, 13:52 I will continue to work with you 13:54 and I'm not giving up. I'm going to continue, 13:59 you know, to work with me and that is so encouraging. 14:04 Well done. Joel? 14:06 Can I read two? Okay. Okay. 14:08 Our walk with the Lord is a daily one so there is 14:11 always things where you know, 14:12 bringing to him and asking him for guidance 14:15 and direction, so these verses have been 14:18 an encouragement to me. 14:20 Micah chapter, oh what chapter? Last chapter 6. 14:26 There's a 7. Yes, 7, thank you, Christine. 14:29 Verse 7, "Therefore I will look into the Lord, 14:33 I will wait for the God of my salvation, 14:36 my God will hear me." 14:37 Sometimes He answers our prayers immediately, 14:39 sometimes it takes time. 14:42 And then the next verse is always been 14:43 a favorite of mine, "Rejoice not against me, 14:45 O mine enemy, when I fall, 14:48 I shall arise, when I sit in darkness, 14:50 the Lord shall be alight unto me." 14:56 What does that mean to you? 14:58 The second verse, yeah. 15:00 How many times have I fallen but within, 15:03 with Christ's help and His strength, 15:06 I have risen up again. 15:07 You know, He takes us through the same things 15:09 over and over and we learn from them and we can rise 15:13 again with Christ and when all around us 15:16 sometimes seems dark, 15:17 the Lord is always alight unto us. 15:19 Amen. Amen. 15:21 I want to ask you before I read mine. 15:23 How has having the baby changed your life? 15:26 I knew you of course before you got married, 15:28 you sat on this sat at this very table. 15:30 That's true. 15:31 Once you got married pre-baby and also pre-marriage 15:35 so now you are post-marriage and baby in hand. 15:39 How has that changed? What you are seeking to do? 15:41 How you live? 15:42 How has the baby impacted your walk with Christ, 15:45 your Christianity, your life? 15:47 Yeah, it definitely, it makes you see everything 15:49 and you know, you are told all this 15:51 before you have the baby. 15:52 We have a lot of friends here, you know, 15:54 and they tell you, you know, 15:55 this is going to change your life forever 15:56 and you know, it's always like, "Yeah, you know, 15:58 we know but we don't know exactly 16:00 how and of course we are experiencing it now, 16:02 but yeah, you definitely see things, 16:04 you see things differently 16:05 because you know now we are responsible 16:09 with the Lord's help for raising a young one 16:11 for Him and that's something 16:13 that I think Christine and I both feel we are... 16:14 we cannot do without the Lord's help, 16:16 so we're just... 16:17 You lean on Him more than you ever have before 16:19 and we are just at the beginning. 16:21 She is going to grow 16:22 and with her growth, it's going to, 16:24 you know, come all kinds of new stages in her life 16:26 that the Lord's going to be us to help her. 16:30 So yeah, it definitely changes and we are 16:32 right in the middle of experiencing that now. 16:34 You know, now we are still in the young part, 16:37 you know, getting past the up all nights 16:39 and all that stuff but... 16:42 But yeah, you definitely, you definitely, 16:45 you are leaning on the Lord in a whole new way, 16:48 in a new way, yeah. 16:50 Christine? Yeah, that's my experience too. 16:53 I was wondering how on earth am I going to be a mother, 16:57 how am I going to care for a little child 17:01 and I realized I cannot, 17:04 but holding on to the Lord's hand 17:08 and yeah, He has promised to be with me 17:13 and as the family but He has promised to be there 17:20 through it all and I'm holding onto Him 17:22 because I know I can't raise this child on my own. 17:26 Praise the Lord. 17:27 And so, one good thing about when they are so little 17:33 and you nurse, you have a lot of time to spend 17:38 reading and singing. 17:39 So I spent a lot of time 17:43 introducing her to the road of God 17:44 and to the songs that has meant a lot to me 17:48 through my life. 17:49 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. 17:51 Now, we give you little behind the scenes thing here 17:54 because during the break, 17:56 the baby got little fussy and so we passed her down, 17:59 we airmailed her down 18:01 to Lynette and Lynette used a... 18:04 I don't want to say any wise old maneuver 18:06 but having, haven't had years of experience 18:09 at this thing, 18:10 you used a maneuver to get her to sleep. 18:12 Now your children are little bit older, 18:15 but of course what at this point 18:16 are you trying to do in raising them for Christ 18:19 and raise them at Christian home. 18:20 What are you or what you trying to instill 18:22 in Sebastian and William? 18:25 I think the most important thing 18:26 that we have tried to do is to instill in them 18:29 a reliance upon the Lord. 18:32 If something's going wrong, 18:33 if somebody is treating you poorly, 18:34 if you don't like what's happening in your life, 18:37 take it to the Lord. 18:39 Don't sit there and complain and moan and groan 18:42 and just go before the Lord and say, 18:45 "Lord, this is what's happening today. 18:48 I need to know how to do things with it." 18:51 And with Jorge, one thing that he tells them everyday 18:55 and I think we mentioned this the last time 18:56 when we were here for family worship is he tells them 19:00 as they go out the door, make someone happy 19:04 and just trying to share what they take in with others, 19:10 bring in that blessing and send it back out. 19:12 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. 19:14 Do you guys think the Lord is concerned with these 19:17 little things in our lives? 19:19 Of course, having a child is a big thing, 19:21 but the little things you try to teach everyday, 19:23 is God concerned about that kind of minutia. 19:25 Do you think He's really concerned about 19:27 those little things in your life? 19:28 Absolutely. 19:30 I think that's the only way that I... 19:32 me, personally can understand God. 19:35 If my God is not a God that does not understand my, 19:41 even my minutia like you say or little things in my life, 19:46 then He is not totally interested in me. 19:50 I understand... 19:53 God as saviors in Jesus Christ as entities 19:59 that they are interested 20:01 in everything that happens to you. 20:03 From the little things to the big things, 20:06 and that's the only way to relate to God 20:08 because you say, "Where our God is going?" 20:10 And it's interesting that because when you teach 20:13 to your little ones, their problems in comparison 20:18 to yours seems to be minutia. 20:20 Yes. 20:22 But you are interested in the little things 20:23 because that is what is forming their characters, 20:27 their personalities, little things 20:30 is significant things sometimes. 20:33 They are big problems to them 20:37 and so God sees us the same way. 20:39 It's part of what enables them to realize 20:40 just how deeply we love Him. 20:43 I mean, if you step your toe, 20:45 I want to know about it, you know and if you get 20:47 an A in a test, you know, things like that. 20:49 They, you have to have the whole package 20:50 because that's what makes you you. 20:54 Lynette, that is very powerful and I have 20:57 experienced that in my life too, 20:59 that there was a time that I thought to bring God 21:04 little silly things in our life, 21:09 it was just not important or your prayers 21:13 I thought it would have to be about big important, 21:17 serious things in your life, 21:19 but as I learned more and more that God does care 21:25 for little tiny things, little problems, 21:28 little things that you want. 21:31 All of those things that you think that it maybe 21:34 that's just for us, God has too much other things, 21:38 more important to think about it, 21:40 to take care of us. 21:42 My relationship with Him has changed, 21:47 has therefore it had been stronger. 21:50 And now, I am very comfortable to ask Him 21:54 about anything, just anything. 22:00 Today I don't feel really good Lord so, 22:03 you know You guide my day as you need to 22:05 or I didn't like this, I don't like this food 22:10 but You say it's really good for me, 22:12 so I am going to eat it and I'm going to try to learn 22:16 how to eat it because it's good for my health 22:21 and it's wonderful to be able to talk to the Lord 22:25 and to say this thing and know that 22:26 He's listening to these small things. 22:30 Yeah, we had some of that the other day 22:32 when we made a shake. 22:34 Did we call it a shake? 22:35 Because that's a nice name to give 22:36 to something that's green and brown 22:38 and all those kind of stuff. 22:39 You know it has garlic and everything else 22:40 and I was like, "Oh, Lord. 22:44 I am just doing this because I know it's good for me 22:46 and I know You care, so I'm going to drink this." 22:48 And beside I like to stay married but you know, 22:52 the little things in life which disturb you 22:54 and I do believe that everything 22:56 that touches you, touches God. 22:57 Everything that concerns you, disturbs God. 22:59 And everything that makes you happy or makes you sad, 23:02 He feels all those emotions with you, 23:03 He doesn't leave you out there by yourself. 23:05 It's interesting CA because when Jesus was here on earth, 23:11 at some point He had this multitude of people 23:15 listening to His preaching for so many hours 23:18 and there was a time to dismiss everybody 23:22 and He said to His disciples, "We need to feed them." 23:27 And the Bible says that He felt bad for them to be 23:31 sent home with empty stomachs and He was... 23:35 He could have said, "Hey, I am here. 23:37 They should have bring their food. 23:40 But I don't have... I am preaching to them. 23:43 I am giving them salvation." They have to do something. 23:47 But no He performed 23:49 one of the most amazing miracles, 23:52 in fact, so many thousands of people because... 23:54 You know not once but twice. Exactly. 23:57 Right from the point and this is important. 23:59 And you saw a little kid with a little bit of food 24:02 that He could get, so it seems like a simple, 24:06 so many times we go back to that. 24:08 And Jesus said also that we need to love each other 24:15 in the same way even he asks this question 24:19 how if our father comes... 24:21 if our child comes to his father 24:24 for a piece of bread, will the father give him 24:28 a rock instead? 24:29 So many more things that trivial things sometimes, 24:33 He was very much in tune with our needs. 24:37 Over and over again you see where the Bible says 24:39 that Christ was touched with compassion, 24:41 He had compassion on them, and being such a caring person, 24:45 imagine the ups and downs of His emotions 24:48 in dealing with people who are coming to Him constantly, 24:51 healing, healing people sick, people hungry, 24:54 people lame, people blind and your emotions are 24:56 tugged by all of these kinds of things and He was 24:58 a compassionate person. 25:00 So I think He feels that even in heaven 25:02 as He ministers before us. 25:03 Now, Joel, you have something? 25:04 No, I was just, you know we were talking about 25:06 the little things 25:07 and the little things that some, 25:09 you know, may seem little but that's what's present. 25:12 The little things are 25:13 what we are going through right now. 25:15 You know, so maybe I can't find something 25:16 that's dear to me, 25:18 that's the most important thing of my life 25:19 at this moment because that's what's present 25:21 and that's what the Lord cares about 25:22 and that's what He want us to take to Him 25:24 and it's the same as the child too. 25:26 You know that's the most... 25:27 you know whatever they are going through 25:29 at that moment if you are there you know, so yeah, 25:32 it's a good example. 25:33 Yeah, if you are building something 25:35 and you bang your finger with the hammer, 25:36 at that moment 25:37 there's nothing else in the world 25:39 that's the most important thing in here. 25:42 You know that's the most important thing 25:43 in your life. 25:45 My text is before we get is Romans, rather Hebrews 13, 25:50 5 and 6, "Let your conduct be without covetousness, 25:53 be content with such things as you have." 25:56 And I have really locked down on that 25:59 that what God gives you yours, God gives me mine, 26:04 why should I be jaundiced looking at 26:06 what God has given you? 26:07 I should be thankful looking at what God has given me. 26:10 So be content with such things as you have. 26:12 It makes your life easier, it make your life calmer, 26:15 keeps your hair black and less grey 26:17 and less wrinkles in your face. 26:19 If you are concerned about 26:20 what you and God are doing together, 26:22 I don't have to be concerned about Jorge and God 26:25 or what God has given Jorge, 26:27 he has given him gifts, Jorge is bilingual. 26:30 I'm one and a half lingual, you know and I would like 26:33 to speak Spanish as good as you speaks English. 26:36 So why should I be jaundiced 26:37 because Jorge has two languages, 26:38 I only have one. 26:40 And Irma has, she has like 3 and a half now, 26:41 she's studying Italian every night, 26:44 she's doing Italian kind of thing. 26:46 So she's got hers, I've got mine. 26:49 And it keeps you from being covetous because, you know, 26:51 God has given you some things also, 26:53 for he has said, for he himself has said, 26:55 here's that backup for your text, 26:57 "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 27:00 That's why you can be confident and comfortable 27:03 in what you have, because God has said, 27:06 "I'm not going to leave you, I'm not going to forsake you. 27:08 He's got his, but you got yours." 27:10 And it's part of that relationship. 27:13 So "We may say boldly, we may boldly say the Lord 27:17 is my helper." 27:18 Everybody can say that once you walk with him. 27:20 "I will not fear what can man do to me." 27:25 It's a powerful statement 27:26 that's being made here on Hebrews. 27:27 And of course Hebrews was written to assure 27:30 the Hebrew community that Jesus was the real deal 27:34 and you didn't need to go back into the old ways, 27:37 Christ has it all for you. 27:38 He's got all power and He can save you 27:40 if you just stay with Him, 27:41 He's going to take you all the way home. 27:43 And so that text has given me great, great courage, 27:45 Irma's text, actually the first text 27:47 I have ever memorized. 27:49 Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? 27:51 Be strong and of a good courage, 27:52 be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, 27:54 for the LORD thy God is 27:55 with thee whithersoever thou goest." 27:57 And I did all my memory from the Old King James, 28:00 so I can't even memorize the new King James stuff 28:02 from just, I got that old King James stuff 28:04 got in my head, but that was the one for me. 28:08 Joel, we got to put the spotlight on you 28:10 because we are talking about family worship. 28:12 You grew up in a mission field. Mm-hmm. 28:14 Give us just... 28:16 first of all tell us what countries you were in 28:18 and just some sense of worship and life 28:20 there as you came to know Lord, 28:23 and then I'm going to ask you this question. 28:24 At what point in your mind, 28:26 you kind of think about this now 28:28 do you remember Christ 28:29 becoming real to you for the first time. 28:31 At what point in your life did you connect the dots, 28:35 "Hey, Jesus loves me, I love Him," So, Joel, 28:39 little flavor of being in Africa growing up. 28:40 Mm-Hmm. 28:42 Yeah, I was raised in the church so my... 28:45 from my earliest memories, my parents in 19... 28:48 around 1984, '85 my parents got a call to the mission field 28:52 so I was a four year old and hopped on the plane, 28:55 and we went over to Ivory Coast first 28:57 and then we were there for a number of years 28:59 and then '89 and '90 29:02 we went to Rwanda and that was the second country 29:05 we were at, so I was raised in a unique place. 29:10 I guess for an American and but there was 29:12 other missionary children there too 29:13 and of course we interacted a lot with the local people 29:16 but I was taught French at an early age 29:21 and learned to go to church and go to Sabbath school 29:23 and sing songs in French but back to worship, 29:25 that was you know, I think long 29:28 before I can remember that family worship 29:30 was something that was very important to my parents 29:32 and I am so thankful for that because even when I was, 29:34 you know, so young I didn't know 29:36 what was happening, 29:37 they were still instilling songs 29:39 and different things in me 29:40 and so from my earliest memories in Africa 29:43 and then even when we came back, 29:44 we always had morning and evening worships together. 29:46 Dad would pick a different book, 29:48 of course the books got more serious 29:50 as I got older, but I'm very thankful 29:52 for that foundation that they laid 29:56 and also for the music part of it as well. 29:59 Singing was always something we did. 30:01 And of course and in Africa, you know, the missionaries, 30:04 this was very customary but on I remember growing up 30:08 especially in Ivory Coast, we would all get together 30:10 every Sabbath evening for vespers. 30:13 It was just... 30:14 it happened at the division office 30:16 or someone's house and it happened every week 30:18 and that really left an impact on me. 30:20 You know that and it was a really special time 30:23 to close the Sabbath, you know, 30:25 I mean, I'm sure we enjoy the activities after, 30:27 but I remember really enjoying that the songs service 30:31 and as the sun was setting and the hours was closing. 30:33 So I'm very thankful for what was instilled in me 30:37 as a young child and you know, 30:38 it almost naturally carries over. 30:41 You know we are carrying that on 30:43 without very instinctively with Annika 30:47 and already doing worships, you know, 30:50 and singing to her and so yeah, I'm very thankful. 30:54 I see the importance of what my parents did 30:56 in raising me and so that once, 30:58 you know, I want very much want to carry that over 31:00 because I want her to benefit from that too 31:02 and the peace that will give her, you know. 31:05 And I thank you, Joel. 31:07 Great memories of mission service 31:10 and I see you are passing it along to your daughter 31:14 and we all think you are doing a great job, 31:16 by the way, you and Christine. 31:17 Praise the Lord. You are doing a good job. 31:19 We asked you a question and the question dealt with 31:23 when you came to realize that you had a love for Christ 31:27 and Christ had love for you. 31:28 At what point basically 31:30 did you give your heart to the Lord? 31:31 Were you cognizant of the fact? 31:32 Do you connect the dots in effect 31:34 that you got a relationship with Jesus? 31:35 There was a God who loved you 31:37 and you had to love Him back at that point. 31:39 Let's start with Jorge. 31:40 The keyword there is a relationship for me 31:45 because in my life has been several instances in that 31:49 I believe that I realize at that point 31:54 on those different occasions 31:56 that I realize that I had a savior, 32:00 I have a God interested in me 32:02 and I tend to have a personal relationship 32:05 but there's and I'm... 32:08 I'm not really happy to say that this was very late 32:13 in my life and I wish I could say, "Oh, yeah. 32:18 When I was 12 years old or when I was 18 32:21 but it was not too long ago. 32:24 By that time I was a little bit in the wrong pathway 32:32 after a divorce situation. 32:35 My life went in totally the wrong direction 32:39 and it was nothing against the God, 32:42 nothing against my beliefs, it was just I didn't care. 32:47 And I kept going and going, 32:50 and then year after year after year, 32:52 there was a point that I felt this sense of emptiness 32:57 and the sense of loneliness 33:03 is so strong being in that situation. 33:08 I used to think about me is sometimes I feel so lonely 33:13 that I could touch my loneliness. 33:15 If I could describe it, 33:17 that's the way I can describe it. 33:19 I could touch it. 33:20 It was like something that so real to me 33:22 and I start thinking, "What am I doing?" 33:25 And at that point was 33:28 when I start thinking about God. 33:30 My nephew came to visit from Argentina in one time, 33:35 he said let's go to church. 33:36 I wasn't even going to church not because, again, 33:39 it was just, it didn't care. 33:43 So we went to church 33:44 and somebody was playing a violin 33:47 and giving an awesome testimony. 33:49 I said, "Wow, I'm missing something big in my life." 33:55 I may have had it all along, 33:57 but at that time I realized how much I had missed it. 34:03 So in other words I realized that before yes, 34:08 I probably had some encounters with God, 34:10 but then now not having God in my life made me feel 34:14 that I needed the most and that He was so real. 34:17 I don't know if it makes sense, 34:19 but for me it made a lot of sense. 34:21 Amen. 34:22 And I started little by little thinking 34:25 that I should come back, 34:26 God started throwing things on me. 34:30 And one day to the next, and this is a long story, 34:34 I met Lynette and that was like, 34:37 it was literally announcement to I won't pray. 34:42 So God threw Lynette at you. Right on him. 34:46 Not one... 34:47 Chase until he caught me. Right. 34:49 It was not a big long prayer, and I didn't see the skies 34:57 open wide and lights like some people 35:01 give this nice testimonies. 35:02 I wish I can have one of those, but I don't. 35:06 Mine are more simple, more I guess, more me. 35:09 I guess God taught you the way 35:12 you can understand better, so a simple prayer. 35:17 And next thing I'm dating this beautiful gal here, 35:23 lady and didn't rest, just get through. 35:27 But that was probably the time to answer your question, 35:31 so I take kids along but that when I realized 35:34 that God was in the business of saving me and taking me. 35:38 Lyn, I'm going to jump over you and go to Christine 35:40 and then come back to you. 35:42 Absolutely. 35:44 There's a methodology to where that is. 35:47 Well, I think I was about ten years old 35:53 and music has always 35:58 ministered to me in a special way, 36:00 and I was at a summer camp 36:04 and those summer camps are wonderful. 36:08 They are a lot of fun but also scary 36:15 if you are a shy person and but yeah, 36:22 it was during one of those summer camps 36:23 and we were singing and during that song 36:27 I remember I connected with the Lord and I like, 36:33 and that's where I gave my heart to Him, 36:39 that I remember. 36:40 I mean, that's one incident that I remember to this day. 36:45 Praise the Lord. Praise God. Amen. 36:47 Irma? 36:50 Well, my life also took a turn. 36:55 I got baptized when I was 12. 36:59 Before that about eight years so, 37:02 that's when my mother found the Adventist church. 37:06 She has already learned through the Bible 37:10 that there was a Sabbath, 37:12 but she never knew anyone about Sabbath. 37:16 So we found the church that worship on Sabbath. 37:21 So by 12 years old, I got baptized 37:25 because many of my friends in the church 37:29 they were all of my age, 37:30 they were all getting baptized and I said, 37:34 it's you know, it's time for me to baptize. 37:36 Didn't think of that too much of it was in my... 37:41 is it the time or spiritually I didn't really remember 37:45 thinking that this is the time. 37:48 I just felt that is why, everyone is baptizing, 37:50 so I'm going to be baptized. 37:52 And as a result of then, there it came a time 37:57 when it's lonely, I separated from the Lord 38:03 because I have things in my life 38:06 that I felt that they were temptations or things 38:13 that I knew that they were not really good 38:17 and but I have these wanting to do 38:21 and to do certain things. 38:22 I was very child so you know, growing up 38:25 and that was uncomfortable for me 38:29 that I wanted to be able to get out 38:31 so because of that I said, "Well, you know the, Lord says, 38:37 I'm supposed to do this and that and I'm not doing it 38:40 and I don't feel really strong on doing it." 38:47 But I kept doing the things because I believed 38:50 that there was God 38:52 and that He wanted me to do then. 38:54 So that not having that relationship with Him, 38:59 it just discouraged me and when I have my children, 39:05 I definitely guide them to be in church and to, you know, 39:12 raise them in the church and learning about the Lord 39:15 but because I didn't have that relationship, 39:18 things were more of mechanical. 39:22 Eventually we didn't go to church anymore 39:25 but it was not until 39:28 something really difficult in my life came 39:32 and I realized that again, you know, I said, 39:38 "If I'm going to, you know, 39:43 I be victorious of these things, 39:46 I have to have a relationship with the Lord so that's when, 39:49 then I asked the Lord to, you know, 39:52 bring in my life what I need 39:55 and take away what I don't need 39:57 and that I found first time 40:01 that I gained some victories very, very quickly. 40:06 And that is probably some 30 years ago. 40:10 Praise the Lord. 40:12 So it has not been like a long time, 40:13 it has not been for a good 20 years or so, 40:19 I know about the Lord and I knew 40:22 what was supposed to be right, 40:24 but the enemy was constantly sort of, you know, 40:28 take me one way, but the Lord was also not letting me 40:32 be happy in anything and I actually said to the Lord 40:36 when I fell, I said, "Lord, why don't you just let me 40:40 enjoy myself, just for a little bit, 40:43 just for a change." 40:45 And that's when this difficult thing came in my life 40:48 that He never allowed me to be happy in the world. 40:53 So then I came and that's been a total 40:58 different understanding of 41:00 what God wants for me in my life. 41:03 Praise the Lord. And it was good. 41:04 Yeah. Praise Him. 41:07 We guess I'd have to back up a little bit to 41:09 when I was just a little bit older than this one 41:12 by a few years. 41:15 I always knew that God existed and I don't know how, 41:18 I don't know who introduced me to that concept 41:21 or if the Lord just placed it there. 41:24 I always knew God existed and when I would have trials 41:27 as a young child, be in my room crying 41:31 and feeling like I was totally bereft 41:34 of comfort and understanding. 41:36 I would imagine that Jesus was sitting next to me on my bed 41:41 and He wanted to put His hand on my shoulder, 41:44 but there was something in between. 41:46 That comfort was there for me 41:50 but I didn't know how to get to it 41:52 and we fast-forward until high school 41:56 and I met a gal in, 42:00 actually I guess it was in junior high 42:01 when I first met my friend Lea. 42:04 Lea invited me to youth activity at her church 42:07 which was a Baptist church and so I went. 42:11 And I had at that point was kind of, I don't know, 42:16 I still knew God existed, but I just didn't know 42:18 how to get to Him and I was getting tired 42:21 and so I was little flakey, you know, 42:23 little bit odd at that point. 42:27 But they had a little closing vesper 42:32 at the end of this activity 42:33 and the pastor had us bow our heads 42:37 and he gave the first invitation 42:39 I'd ever heard, 42:41 and the way he gave it in my mind and in my heart, 42:46 I could feel a gate just tearing open 42:50 and heaven was right there and God was here. 42:53 Here's my hand, now is the time. 42:56 And I grabbed it, and I have hung on to it 42:59 through the ups and the downs and all the trails 43:04 that I have gone on in my life over the years. 43:07 Even been told by someone, 43:08 you are going to lose your faith through this trial. 43:11 And it just made me dig my heels and say, 43:13 "Watch me." 43:14 And that was, you know, 20 years ago at this point 43:18 and it's just that my faith in the Lord 43:20 as imperfect as I am is what I cling to the hardest. 43:23 Amen. Joel? Amen. 43:27 Yeah, we all learn of the Lord somehow, 43:30 whether we are raised in the church 43:32 and we go to you know, 43:33 church as a child or someone you know, 43:36 makes us aware or expresses to us some things 43:39 and we start to learn there. 43:42 You know, for me I remember when I was younger, you know, 43:44 you go to church, you hear the same things over and over, 43:47 you know, you have a problem, take it to Jesus, 43:50 that's just words until you start to do them 43:52 and I think it's a gradual thing 43:53 as a child starts to practice that on their own, 43:56 not that they are maybe not with their parents 43:58 right there coaching them, 44:00 but when they are really going through a problem 44:02 and they are alone or you know, 44:04 they are by themselves in their room 44:05 and they start that process and it's like, "Lord, 44:08 I can't find this toy or my friend really hurt 44:10 my feelings and they start, you know, just you know, 44:14 very timidly reaching out 44:16 and starting this relationship to God 44:18 and that's how I remember mine starting 44:20 and as through practical experiences 44:22 as a child, you know. 44:24 And I would look back a little bit later and say, 44:26 "The Lord did get me through that." 44:28 You know, he was there for me and so you grow you know, 44:31 it's such a gradual thing and but you are growing 44:34 and you are growing and, you know, 44:36 you come up through your schooling 44:39 and academy or high school and I remember in my early 20s, 44:45 you know I developed a relationship with Christ 44:48 and I knew how to be a "good Christian" 44:52 and but then, you know, I started to drift 44:55 and started to do things my way 44:57 and started leaving God out of the picture. 44:59 I wasn't going to Him anymore and saying, 45:00 "Lord, you know, I'm hurt by this 45:02 or I need Your help in this." 45:03 I'm starting it. 45:05 I went through this period 45:06 and I'm picking up a pattern here, 45:07 we often, you know, as we look at our life 45:09 and we are looking for this, you know, 45:10 the graph and we are looking for this spike 45:12 when things change, it's often connected to trial. 45:14 Yes. 45:16 And so I walked right into my trail 45:17 because I started walking away from God 45:19 and I started doing things, 45:21 you know, I wanted to do things my way for a change. 45:24 I distinctly, we kind of remember thinking 45:26 that like I'm tired of this way, 45:28 I want to do what all these other people 45:30 are having so much fun. 45:31 And so I went through this little time in my life 45:34 where I drifted and, you know, after that I look back 45:39 and I saw that anything 45:41 I did without God was taking my life downhill 45:44 and that was where it became real. 45:48 It's like in a whole new way, 45:49 "God, I want to hang on to You, because You know 45:52 what's best for my life and I just saw what I did 45:54 and it's terrible, it's messy." 45:57 And from that moment on and just asking the Lord 46:02 before everything Lord, what would You have me do? 46:05 I don't want to do it my will. 46:06 You know, that's when I met Christine, 46:07 I remember distinctly Lord, if she is not the one, 46:11 break it up right now. 46:12 And I met her like a week before, 46:13 I pray this prayer 46:15 but that's what I learned through that experience, 46:17 you know, so that's when it became real to me 46:20 and yeah, because the Lord... 46:22 I saw where I went on my own and I needed God. 46:26 I needed God. Oh, yeah. 46:27 Yeah. See my experience I had. 46:30 I gave my heart to the Lord at age 10, 46:33 I was baptized and I know 46:34 I had a relationship with the Lord. 46:36 At age 10, I know, my call into ministry came 46:39 at about 10 or 11, but my experience was 46:44 that there's this calling on your life, 46:48 that you can go through the mechanics 46:50 and do the churchly thing and not be in Christ. 46:54 Because I don't think I did anything particularly bad, 46:57 nothing that I could be arrested for. 47:00 I was in church and, you know, I... 47:03 It's no secret. 47:04 I played basketball, I was on scholarship, 47:07 broke my ankle twice playing on Sabbath, you know. 47:10 But even when we'd play on Sabbath 47:12 and go out and hang out in club, 47:15 I was always in church, Saturday morning. 47:18 You know, I would come in at 5 o'clock, sleep till 6, 47:22 studied my Sabbath lesson and go to church. 47:24 You know and I would complain, "I got to go to church." 47:27 And since I was the only Adventist in my family, 47:29 my mother said, "What are you complaining about? 47:31 You know, you don't want to go church, don't go." 47:33 "Ugh, I got to go." 47:34 You know it never occurred to me 47:36 that I could just stop going, you know. 47:38 Why are you... What are you... 47:40 You know I would hide my Bible in a paper bag 47:42 'cause I don't want my homies to see me 47:43 with my Bible on a bus. 47:45 But I would go. 47:46 And my mother would say, "Stop whining. 47:48 Either stay home or go to church 47:50 and be happy about it." 47:52 Because she was, you know 47:53 they were holiday Methodist, you know. 47:55 But no, I got to go, so I would go. 47:57 And then I would sing in a choir 47:58 and try rehearsal on Friday night 48:00 when we were in town, the basketball team. 48:03 And so you develop this jog, you know it's not a run, 48:07 it's not a walk, you just kind of jog it 48:08 along with Jesus. 48:10 Through college and I almost think, 48:14 I'm not sure, I almost think 48:17 that I entered the ministry jogging like that. 48:20 I was doing, you know, the Lord was kind to me, 48:24 my ministry progressed fast. 48:26 I didn't stay at any church longer than three years. 48:29 I never made three years at any church. 48:31 I got in church at... 48:34 I was the assistant pastor and then became senior pastor 48:36 of the church of 1,200 before I went to seminary. 48:38 I came back, started the church at 175. 48:42 By the time I left two and half years later, 48:43 it was 250. 48:45 They would turn me to a 350, 48:47 when I left a couple of years later, 48:48 it was in a 400. 48:50 They send me to a 400, I moved it up to 500 48:53 but never just moving, moving, moving, moving. 48:55 Next thing I know, I'm going to church 48:57 at 2,100 members, you know. 48:59 And I think it was at that church 49:01 that I really realized 49:03 you are just, you are jogging with Jesus, 49:06 you are not running. 49:09 And it was at that church that I think I really... 49:13 and the Lord was blessing my work, 49:15 as man counts blessing. 49:17 But I don't think in me I was where 49:18 Christ wanted me to be. 49:21 And it was that aphesis that I think 49:22 it really dawned upon me. 49:25 Then some other things that I went through trail also. 49:27 And, then Irma and I met and Irma will tell you, 49:31 I wasn't praying for any guy. 49:33 In fact I was praying Lord, I don't want any guy, 49:34 I don't want to be bothered by any guy. 49:35 And I was saying, "Lord, 49:37 if you got somebody there, you going to have to..." 49:39 He had girlfriends. 49:40 Yeah, I was never without someone who was, 49:44 you are a pastor, you have front people 49:45 that are looking at you. 49:46 You know, so I was not, it was not an issue 49:48 but sometimes you can have too much on the plate, 49:50 you know, the smorgasbord is too big and you don't know 49:53 how to make a decision. 49:55 And then Irma kind of snuck in. 49:58 But as I look back, Irma was good for me 50:04 and is good for me. 50:07 She is loyal, she is consecrated, 50:10 she has this linear sense of right and wrong 50:13 and I'm first of all, I'm proud of her, 50:19 I love her and she's... 50:22 You know God gives you as you said what you need, 50:24 you know, and I tell her because she says, 50:27 "I don't look so good today." 50:28 I said you know, "You look good everyday." 50:30 You know, I think she is a good looking person, 50:32 always have, always will. 50:34 But... 50:37 and I realized in her eyes, I'm not the easiest person 50:41 in the world to live with, I got some growing to do still, 50:45 but I thank God that we are doing it together, 50:47 so I think sometime early in the middle of my ministry, 50:50 God said your relationship is not strong enough, 50:53 make it stronger. 50:54 And I like to ask people because I think 50:57 it's that that makes us stronger in the Lord. 51:00 And as we look back at our lives, 51:02 sometimes it's only in retrospect 51:04 that we see the different spots 51:06 that God had brought us along the way in our lives. 51:09 Now before our time gets away, we've got some prayer requests 51:12 that we want to pray for and I want to read these 51:14 because we want you all 51:17 to just give a little time of prayer as we go 51:20 and there is a fairly long list. 51:22 We got David from Alberta, Canada. 51:26 Bound up by several addictions, cigarettes, 51:29 marijuana and caffeine, 51:30 that's pretty strong triumvirate, 51:34 cigarettes, marijuana and all very addictive, 51:36 all extremely addictive. 51:40 And the cares of this world are his only focus. 51:44 Please pray for a salvation on deliverance. 51:46 Sarah is in Arizona asking that we agree with her 51:49 in prayer as she witnesses to her doctor. 51:53 He is interested in the Bible. 51:55 She says she wants to witness to her doctor. 51:58 Florence in the Bahamas has found a lump in her neck, 52:02 who said doctors will be testing to determine 52:04 if its cancer and of course she is requesting prayer. 52:07 Gene is in Arizona praying for her daughter, Gale. 52:11 She was caught in a fire, 52:13 second to third degree burns over 50% of the body. 52:17 She has to make frequent trips back and forth to the hospital 52:22 and of course is in need of prayer. 52:23 Anytime you get burns, you know that they can be 52:25 very complex and a lot of stuff can happens 52:28 when the skin is opened up by burns. 52:30 Margery in Oklahoma is asking for prayer for her family, 52:34 multiple issues that she is combating. 52:38 Jennie in Mississippi called and request us 52:41 a special prayer for the Lord 52:42 to help control her blood pressure, 52:44 something that I had been fighting for years. 52:46 I know how that can be a challenge. 52:48 She is weak and has no energy. 52:50 Here's Jeanie in Nebraska 52:51 suffering from multiple health issues also, 52:55 as is her husband. 52:56 She loves the Lord with her whole heart 52:58 but because of health, 53:00 she sleeps only about one hour, a night out of four. 53:05 So she is awake a lot. 53:07 She is becoming very weak, losing her balance 53:10 and has to raise her grandson is asking for prayers 53:12 that God will strengthen her 53:14 so that she can see her grandson 53:17 graduate from high school. 53:19 Clyde and Helen in Illinois rejoicing and thanking God 53:24 for a good medical report so we can rejoice 53:26 as Clyde and Helen are here in Illinois. 53:29 All right, let's take a moment and whoever feels impressed 53:31 to just a sentences prayer, we put all this together 53:34 in a lump and pray for them, shall we pray? 53:40 Dear Heavenly Father, 53:41 we leave this request up to you Lord. 53:47 Please be with everyone of them and many others, 53:50 so many thousands, many millions of people 53:53 that are suffering, that's in need. 53:55 The world is coming to a very convoluted situations 53:58 where people are escaping their homelands 54:03 to find other horizons 54:05 and many, many bad things are happening 54:11 and we want You Lord to come soon 54:15 and many people who are not... 54:19 don't know You can be saved. 54:25 Heavenly Father, I'd like to lift up 54:27 all of our brothers and sisters 54:28 who are struggling with their health at this time, 54:31 especially those who are trying to raise children 54:34 and just to live their lives for You. 54:37 When our health fails us, sometimes that's all we see 54:41 and we don't see the bigger picture 54:42 because it's in the way. 54:44 Father God, I ask that You would restore their health, 54:47 help them with the things that are getting in the way, 54:50 and bring them unto a place where they can serve You 54:53 with their whole heart, 54:55 their whole body and their whole mind 54:57 in Your precious name. 55:00 Heavenly Father, we are so thankful 55:03 for Your promises to us. 55:06 We thank You Lord that we are able to reach out to You 55:10 and to know that You are going to answer us. 55:13 Even other times when we don't understand that, 55:16 You are there because You have promised to answer us 55:19 and to aid us in everything that we need assistance to. 55:25 We thank you for all these people 55:27 that have written and ask for a prayer. 55:30 We ask Father that in the name of Jesus that You visit them, 55:35 with power from the Holy Spirit, 55:38 for healing, for victory over 55:42 all these addictions and illnesses. 55:47 We thank You Lord that we can trust You, 55:50 you know, for our lives, for our healths, 55:55 whether be physical, mental or especially spiritual. 56:01 So we thank You Lord that in our humanity 56:05 and we are able Lord to reach out to You 56:09 and to know that You are there for us. 56:12 In Jesus' name, amen. 56:16 Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, 56:17 we thank You so much for Your love for us. 56:19 Lord, we lift up these brother and sisters, 56:22 Lord and the struggles 56:24 that they are going through, Lord, 56:26 and we ask that You be with them, 56:28 that You comfort them during this time. 56:30 And, Lord, these different situations can be replicated 56:34 all around the world, in our own church families 56:37 and we just ask Lord 56:39 that we be a light to those around us. 56:42 In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. 56:45 Gracious Father, we thank You for the promise 56:47 that when we bow our heads and lift up our hearts, 56:50 there is a God in heaven who hears and is ready, 56:54 willing and able to answer. 56:55 We pray Mighty Father that You will bless 56:57 each of these requests, and you know each name, 57:00 you know each person, each mother, each father, 57:02 each child and we pray to You Father 57:05 that You would answer these requests 57:07 according to Your riches and glory, 57:09 particularly those Lord 57:10 who feel far from You, or who feel alone, 57:14 or whose spiritual life is sagging. 57:16 Lord, would you please give them 57:18 a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit, 57:21 that their spiritual lives may be strong, 57:24 and that their physical lives may be healthy even 57:26 as their spiritual lives prosper 57:29 and bless those Lord who need a healing touch from You. 57:32 We commend them to You, the God of all faith and love 57:35 and we thank You dear Father. 57:37 In Jesus' name, amen. |
Revised 2015-10-08