God's Work.

Below is an email that was sent to me on January 5th. It is a picture of how God is using a place like UCFellowship to bring intense change in the life of an entire family. I absolutely love seeing this entire family. Their faces radiate the change that God has brought... signs of God's activity. I love seeing this and I can't help but share it, for God's glory. As you read, please know it is shared with permission. Enjoy.

David,

Happy New Year! I'm sure your holidays were well spent with family and friends as was ours. I just wanted to take a moment to say "Thank-you" for welcoming us into the UCF family and update you on our family as well. I cannot begin to tell you how much change we've all been through just in our short time attending Sunday gatherings (since just the beginning of the Jon and Kate series). Our two youngest ones are ALWAYS excited about going to "church" now on Sundays whereas before it was like pulling teeth. M. (oldest daughter) has shown more interest and has responded more outwardly in learning about Christ than ever since attending Journey for middle schoolers. V (oldest son) seems to be happy when he does attend. He seems to be at that stage where he is imbalanced between his social and spiritual lives, but every week we continue to encourage him to join us on Sundays. As far as Sharon and myself, we are doing well with the events of 2009 passed and forgiven. Our journey with each other, and with our UCF family, has been truly a blessing that has brought us closer together. Each week we look forward hearing a message that will inspire and enrich our lives. We actually have been trying to fill our days in between Sundays listening to previous podcasts, so much to the point where Sharon returned the gifts I gave her for Christmas in exchange for an iPod so that I could download the archive and listen at work.

I would like to say to you that "I trust in Jesus Christ as my savior." Even as I began my spiritual renewal 3 years ago within the Catholic faith I felt myself slipping away from the Church's teachings as I was coming up with more questions than answers. I tried to hold on and justify the beliefs I grew up accepting just because it was devastating to think that what I grew up learning and living until my early 30's was misguided. I cannot begin to tell you how painful it is to make that admission but on the other hand what a blessing it is to have discovered the true message now, to truely feel a change taking place inside.

I first began listening to the REJESUS series and have to admit that after listening to the messages on Opposing Religion, I was quite hurt, saddened, and offended by what I heard just because of my Catholic upbringing.. But as I listened over and over and over again, I began lowering my defenses as the messages began to take root. I just finished the series on the Morning After Pill and plan to listen again with Sharon. This series just spoke to me in more ways than one and really represents how I personally feel about where I'm at in my journey. I feel I have so much to grow and share but need an opportunity to put it into action. We both want to be involved more and was wondering how we can fill our time in between Sundays. As much as I would really like to serve on Saturdays at the Wall, it is difficult for me to be off from work. We would welcome any suggestions.

Finally, I know one of the points you made in the Morning After Pill was to stop learning and start living, but I was wondering if you could shed some light on the doctrines of limited and unlimited Atonement. I didn't realize the significance of this debate until I began reading on it and was wondering where the message from the Good News Paradox falls.

Thank-you for your time,
VM


Note: Since I received this I found out that their oldest daughter placed her faith in Jesus Christ after a Journey gathering.

My prayer:
God Thank you for allowing me to be on the front lines. Allowing me to witness you work in the lives of changed people instead of just reading about it in the Bible. thank you for forming a place like UCFellowship that fills such a unique place in your kingdom. I love being a part of it. I will not doubt your power, because I have seen it's effects. I know you can do anything. You are the Great and Awesome God. I simply worship You.