Category Archives: Skyline Church

Jan29

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For SWAT: The Shoes Of Peace

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SWAT – The Shoes Of Peace. This is the title of the message from the current series – and yes, I am thankful for it. The truths found and shared in this message speak for themselves. I am so grateful for a pastor and a church who seek the face of God, and share Him with our community and beyond. The words spoken – in this case about the shoes of peace – are powerful. We have discussed the armor and weapons necessary to keep you safe during times of battle.

This is the video from this past Sunday’s service.

Jan27

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful To Have A Story To Tell

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Today at church, our pastor spoke about having a story. Each and every one of us have a story to tell. It is ours, and ours alone. The good, the bad, the beautiful and even the ugly make up who we are and the life we live. Our past, present and future comprise our story. It is this story that people will see whatever we are a witness of.

As Christians, God gives us a story. He doesn’t erase the “bad” parts and keep only the good. No! Instead, He redeems us, and allows every part of our story to share grace, hope and peace with others. The things in my life – the ups and downs, the peaceful moments and struggles alike, will be a living testimony of who Jesus is – through us.

Something I have said before, and that was mentioned today is that we are very well the only Jesus some people will ever see. As I was explaining to my husband, there are many people who do not know Jesus. They don’t attend church, and the Bible is nothing more than “just another book” in their eyes. To that person, I (as a Christian example) may very well be the only church, the only Jesus, and the only witness of who He is that they may ever know.

I want my life to be a witness of who He truly is. The life change and personal transformation I have experienced – and continue to experience every day – is something I want every living breathing human being to come to know. When people experience even a fraction of the love He has for us, life change happens.

I want to live my life in such a way that my story – my experiences in life that brought me from where I was to where I am today – speaks for itself. It is my desire that my story share the same amount of peace, grace, hope and love that was shared in such a real way with me. If anything I have been through in the course of my life (good or bad) can be used to share Him with another human being – to share grace, peace, hope and love — it will have a purpose greater than I could imagine.

I am one person, with one story – and it is with that story that I want to share gratitude and thanks to God for giving me. It’s my story. I am the only one with this story. I am thankful for my story – for all of it – for it is what has made me who I am.

Jan20

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Children’s Ministry

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I just wanted to take a moment to share my gratitude with and for the children’s ministry at Skyline Church. This church is the real deal. Speaking of the children, the children’s ministry is so much more than a glorified babysitting service. I have been to church services before where the kids are taken care of, but don’t really walk away with anything of any substance.

At Skyline Church, I love the age-appropriate songs and lessons taught each and every week. From my youngest (four years old) to my oldest (eleven years old) there is something for everyone. It isn’t dull and boring either. They come home singing songs, and telling me about what they learned in class. At the end of the service when we come to pick them up, they never want to leave. They look forward to the songs, music, message, and any other fun games and/or crafts. It would seem like a delicate balance of learning with fun, but it really makes me thankful to be in a place that has found and gotten really good at that delicate balance.

To anyone involved in making the children’s ministry a reality, please know that what you are doing has (lasting) impact, and is much appreciated – from the children and parents alike. I know my children join me in saying thank you for all you do!

Jan19

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For The Heart Of A Child

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I am routinely thankful for the heart and innocence of children. I have three such beautiful kids. They amaze me on a very regular basis.

The heart and innocence of a child is something that just warms my heart.

As we were at the Air Force base, my son came running up to where I was standing, begging for a “Little Things” card. He told me that he wanted to use some of his very own money to help someone pay for their lunch there in the food court. So, I gave him a card I found, and he ran up and stopped a transaction in mid operation, and asked the elderly woman if he could pay for her food. Both she and the gentleman behind the counter were touched. It was a small amount, only a few dollars, but it had a priceless impact. It impacted all who saw it, but also impacted my son. The pure and innocent joy on his face was heartwarming. After he did that, he came back to where I was now sitting at the table and talked about the whole thing. He smiled and waved at the woman he had helped. She came up to our table and said that he didn’t have to do that, but that she wanted to say thank you very much. She asked if I was his mother. I told her I was, and she asked if she could give him a hug. It was cute – but she wouldn’t hug him without my permission. It was a beautiful sight to behold. God working on lots of hearts that meal.

That same evening, our family went out to eat. As we were eating with the kids, my youngest struck up a conversation (or attempted it) with the two year old at the table across the walkway from us. She and her dad were dining alone. For reasons still unknown to me, God put their family on my heart. As we were leaving, my oldest son (whispering in my ear) said that we should “little thing” them – that he thought they looked like they could use some happy. After walking away, I went and found a manager. I told him I’d like to take care of their meal, and also notified their server, as they were just attempting to pay. Before I could see a reaction, I decided to leave the situation anonymous. I found one more “little things” card, and asked the server to pass it along. I’m not sure what situation they were in, but it doesn’t matter. I followed after the heart of God and just shared love and a “little thing” with someone. I don’t know what it did for them, but I can tell you it brightened my day in a beautiful way.

What I love most about this, is that doing these intentional, though random act of kindness is making a really big impact on my family. I know the things we do touch the lives of those we reach out to, but seeing my children’s giving hearts, and seeing them follow after the heart of God with such passion is definitely a proud Mama moment.

Jan13

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful for God’s Provision

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More than any other time in my life, I am thankful to God for His provision. He is providing in and for every area of my life – my marriage, my health, my finances, my family, etc.

Today after church, our family went out to eat. My husband and I were discussing the church service. I was sharing with him about a family I know who has seen God’s provision in a big way. This family shared with me something very special. Through some pretty unsure times, God gave them a dream, and then provided for them to make it a reality. I told him (my husband) that I had the same level of faith, for a very similar situation in our lives.

It was almost as if God had a sense of humor mixed with teaching a lesson. He needed me to know that He indeed IS our provider. I had absolutely no idea that there were some friends of mine from church dining at the same place for lunch. It wasn’t until after the meal that they came over to speak. They asked how the food was, and if we’d paid yet. I gestured that my husband was up paying our bill at that very moment. They quickly ran up to the front desk where my husband was attempting to pay, and asked the cashier if she could cancel it (the credit card had already been swiped) and told her to add our entire bill to his. It was the sweetest and kindest gesture. My husband does not know this sweet family (yet) but was absolutely floored. They told my husband that it was a “little thing” and that they just wanted to bless us. To tell you that it blessed us would be an understatement. God used this situation to be so much more than a “random act of kindness” — it was more like an “intentional act of kindness, grown to a huge blessing all the way around” sort of thing.

Not only did God provide (through some very precious friends) for our meal, the “little things” situation also provided me with the opportunity to talk to my husband about God’s faithfulness and some of my heart on what had just happened. I was able to plant seeds, in and with faith, with my husband. It helped him see God’s love through a selfless act of friends.

So, to the faithful family who took care of my family’s lunch today – know that what may have been a little thing to you was much more to us. God used your kindness in multiple ways. Thank you for your giving heart. From my family to yours, we love you!

Jan6

Skyline Church – January 6, 2013 – Baptism Service

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Here is a full length video of Skyline Church’s service from January 6, 2013. What a phenomenal, God-centered service. I’m so blessed to call this church home.