Grace’s Testimony–Gift of Hope

 

I was home-schooled up until middle school, but I had many friends in church and in our neighborhood. When I went to public school in seventh grade, I noticed that many of my friends there seemed different. They were tired, hopeless and desperate.

When I was fifteen, I went on my first mission trip to Ukraine. My dad asked me to explain to the students in our English class how Jesus Christ had changed my life. I was scared and nervous because they were all college students, and I felt that I didn’t have an impressive testimony. But, I did find myself with an overwhelming desire to tell them all about the hope, freedom, and forgiveness that I had and wanted all of them to have as well. This verse expressed my hope….

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13. I wanted them to have that hope and peace throughout their lives. That was the first time I recognized how truly awesome and beautiful the relationship I had with Christ was. God wants you to have that same relationship with Him. We all have pasts, baggage, and sin, but God says that it is "by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8. A gift by definition is free and simply received. It is the same with God’s gift for you. "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.

I would love to talk with you more if you have any questions. My email is :

graciegrace23@gmail.com

Your friend,

Grace

Nelson Newsletter March 2014

A Personal Testimony This month we included our daughter Grace’s personal testimony tract. She and her husband, Ward, are a vital part of our house church. Grace and Ward have been building friendships with their neighbors, sharing their testimonies (verbally) and the gospel in the comfort of their living room or while walking in the nearby park. Please pray for these precious lives to be transformed by the power of the gospel!

House Church Last Sunday our house church had a Spirit-led discussion about how to win our lost friends and family members to Christ. Danelle and I were greatly encouraged to hear the practical ideas and Scriptures that were shared for each unbeliever we discussed. Here is one verse we discussed that shows the loving heart of God, “Do I actually delight in the death of the wicked, declares the sovereign Lord? Do I not prefer that he turn from his wicked conduct and live? Ezekiel 18:23 When was the last time you had a discussion with a fellow believer about how to meet the specific needs, or answer the specific questions, of your unbelieving friends? Strategizing about how the Lord can use you to speak into someone’s life is worth the effort.

Clemson Past Isn’t it fascinating to find out something you did in the past that had a positive effect on someone? Here is such a story from my days as a student at Clemson almost 40 years ago! I played soccer and our goalies were Greg and Jeff. I received this note from Jeff just this week…

Steve --                                                                                                                                                                                 I just joined a new church a few months ago and as part of the covenant with the church, I got to give my testimony. You were part of that story.
Joyce (you may have met her at Clemson) and I have been Christians since a few years after we left Clemson. Part of our conversion story was the witness we experienced while at the university. In my case, that was you. I specifically remember a conversation you had with Greg in which you were arguing the validity of the Bible. After he vented his disbelief, you asked him if he had ever read it -- he said no.
It is the classic example of planting a seed. Your conversation with him may have had little effect on him, yet to me, an innocent (really bad choice of word there) bystander, it had a life changing effect.
Anyway, thank you for your stand for Jesus. I appreciate the difference you made in my life.  - Jeff

                                                                                  Prayer Request

Pamplona, Spain Finances Danelle and I believe that God wants us to go help missionary Dominic Marrone and the young church in Pamplona for two and a half weeks in May. We will also train the Americans involved in LINC. It will cost $3,000 for this mission trip. Please pray and give as God leads you. You can use the GCM website if you wish. www.gcmweb.org Thank you to all who support us regularly!

Yours in God’s love,

Steve and Danelle

Leadership Lessons from the Sandhill Cranes

“We are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16

My friend Neil introduced me to the majestic Sandhill Crane many years ago on a cold sunny day in December. He said, “Look up! Do you know what those are?” as dozens of large birds soared overhead, almost out of sight because they were so high. They made a constant, distinct, high pitched gaggle as they flew south for the winter.

So when I was running last week, and heard the familiar high pitched gaggle, I knew I would see the cranes when I looked up. Have you ever tried to run and stare up in the sky at the same time? I probably looked like I had been drinking to the other runners on the trail. It was worth the inconvenience, because God reminded me of how the growth of body of Christ, the church, depends on “the proper working of each individual part.” As I studied the cranes, I noticed how they constantly changed leaders. The first bird, or leader, does the most work by breaking the air/wind for the other birds. Therefore, God designed them to constantly rotate the hard work of leading, just like God designed His church to function.

We attended a Christian gathering recently where one of the young men was greatly relieved to learn how to share the leadership of the group with everyone, just like the Sandhill Cranes. Everyone was learning to practice their priesthood, bear one another’s burdens, listen to the Holy Spirit and rest under Christ’s headship. Remember and imitate the Sandhill Cranes!

Nelson Newsletter February 2014

Clemson Conference Danelle and I taught a conference February 14-15 near Clemson, SC. Thank you very much for asking God to change lives! He did - including ours! What an inspiration for us to see college students give up a Friday night (Valentine’s Day!) and Saturday to hear what God says in His word about relationships and marriage. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 Our theme, “Finding the Love of Your Life,” was based on material from Secure In An Insecure World. The truth resonated in their hearts, and then we had small group discussions to consider how to apply it to their lives. Brian and Miriam Bridgeman and Jean Wan did an excellent job organizing, recruiting, and preparing for the event. Thank you guys for your hard work! It was a team effort. Praise God! Here is a photo of most of the students.

A Personal Testimony As we stated last month, we are including a personal testimony tract in each of our newsletters for the next few months to inspire you to share yours, and possibly to even write yours. Let us know if we can help with a simple outline and ideas to get you started. It can be so much fun too! Just last week I gave my testimony in Russian to 80 year old Boris at the pool. I keep a copy of my testimony (Russian and English) in my backpack. I also keep copies of them in my wallet and in my car. I would have made a good Boy Scout. “But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.” 1 Peter 3:15 (The Amplified Bible)

Enjoy reading this abbreviated version of how Danelle came to know Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord!

A Little Angel?                 

                                              

I grew up going to Catholic school and so I believed in God from a young age.  In school and at home I was taught to be good and to have good morals.  In my early teen years my family went through some difficult financial times and when my mother went to the priest for help, he was unkind to her.  That was the beginning of years of questioning my faith.  It culminated in a history class in college where I learned about man's inhumanity to man in a way that profoundly disturbed me. I began to doubt the goodness and power of God since there were so many evil people.  I decided I didn't know what to believe but that I was going to live a good life and help others.  And that is what I did.  I went to college and studied Psychology.  I worked with at risk children as well as needy elderly people.  I volunteered at our college hot-line, spending sleepless nights talking with fellow students going through a crisis. I thought I was good little angel.  

Interestingly enough, after a while my conscience began to bother me, because I realized that I wasn't doing all these good deeds from a pure heart - I wanted everyone to notice what a good person I was and I knew in my heart that that was wrong.

About that time some people began to talk with me about God and how He is not interested in people being religious.  He is a personal God who wanted a personal relationship with ME!  I had never heard of such a concept before and it was intriguing!  I began to understand Jesus' death on the cross in a whole new light - eternal life isn't dependent upon me believing in God and doing my best. If that were true then there would be no reason for Jesus to die.  Everyone can have eternal life and a relationship with God when they recognize that they have sinned against HIM.  Amazingly, that same God loved each of us so much that He sent His Son to die for everything that we have ever done wrong.  And if we simply confess that we are sinners and yield our life to Him we can have a personal relationship with Him. 

This is so amazing that it sounds too good to be true! It’s also amazing that God knew I would cross paths with you today so that you could hear this. Maybe this is the first time or maybe this reminds you of something you already know.  If you act on these truths you can have eternal life and a personal relationship with the God who created you, actually, who created the whole universe!

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Danelle

Prayer Requests                                                                                                                             

1. Ukraine. As you know, the protests in Kiev, Ukraine recently turned deadly, with the soldiers killing over 80 people. At this point, the president has left Kiev, and the people have new hope. All of our friends are safe too! Pray for the fighting to truly be over, and for Russia to stay out of it. Pray for godly leaders to fill the void. But more than anything, pray that the people of Ukraine would recognize the corruption in their own hearts, and turn to God. Pray for the Christians to share the gospel with courage.                                       

2. Summer Plans. We are going to Pamplona, Spain the last two weeks of May to train college students at LINC. Please pray for our travel expenses, many to be saved, and the local church to be encouraged.

Yours in Christ’s unfailing love,

Steve and Danelle

Don’t Fret Part 2

“Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.” Psalm 37:8

We read yesterday that God does not want us to envy evildoers because they will wither like the grass, they have no real future. What they have obtained through their sinful actions is not worth having. Do you believe that? Sometimes I find myself getting angry at people who try to get ahead illegally or at other’s expense. I want them to stop. I want them to pay for their selfishness –now! When these anxious thoughts come into my mind I am tempted to do evil myself, to say or do something Jesus would not be proud of.

I faced such a temptation recently. We were waiting in line to board our flight from Kiev, Ukraine to New York along with 300 other people. The line was moving so slowly it seemed like I was going backwards and may end up back in the seat I had left thirty minutes ago! Then a man came from behind us and subtly slipped in front of us. Nobody noticed, except me. I was tempted to be angry! But, I did not say anything to him. I did mention it to my wife and we discussed his selfish actions. Later, as the line crawled along at the speed of a glacier, he impatiently slipped out of his place and attempted to go through another check point to board. My wife and I both laughed to ourselves when he returned to his place in front of us because it was a plane bound to another destination! He could have ended up in Egypt!

We finally arrived at the gate to board and our daughter noticed that her teacher, who was on our flight, had been assigned the same seat as me. The 10 hour flight is hard enough with only one person in the cramped seat. How would this work? We asked the flight attendant and she said the three of us had been moved up to business class. We were pleasantly surprised and thanked God. My faith was reinforced as I sat in the spacious leather seat and our selfish “friend” walked by. Justice was served for this man and grace was extended to us.

No, we may not see the results while living here on earth of not fretting because of evildoers. I have flown over 40 times across the Atlantic to the former Soviet Union and only twice have I been bumped to business class. I think this time God was trying to teach me to rest in Him and not envy the evildoers. He wanted me to learn a lesson - He is here, He loves me and everything is okay. “Thank you Marie.” “Thank you Jesus!” I will remember your words and try not to fret.

Don’t Fret Because of Evil People

“Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither quickly like the grass.” Psalm 37:1-2

Don’t fret! You won’t hear these words used very often today. I remember my dear grandmother, Marie Turnage, saying those words to me as a child. Maybe my mother was leaving me to go to the store, or I had fallen down and cut my knee on the street. She was communicating, “Don’t worry my child because I am here. I love you and everything will be okay.” I was upset about something and she was trying to calm my anxious little heart. Her words and her peaceful disposition had a profound impact on me, even to this day. Isn’t it amazing how that works?

What was King David so worried about that God had to tell him, “Don’t fret?” We read that evil people were profiting from their wicked schemes and David was tempted to be envious. He was tempted to want what they had obtained (illegally, immorally and at other’s expense). We call it envy. The dictionary defines envy as, “a feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another.” God went on to say in verse seven, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries our wicked schemes.” God tells us to rest in Him, to be still in our hearts. How do we do that? Prayer! Only by giving our anxiety, envy and jealousy to God in prayer and receiving His love and strength through His word and by His Spirit, can we resist the temptation to fret. We will rest and not fret when we learn to trust God more and recognize that He is in control and He only has the best for us.

God shows us in His word that the wicked will get what is coming to them. Justice will be served. God tells the wicked, “be sure your sins will found you out,” Numbers 32:23. They will reap what they have sown. It is just a matter of time. It may appear like they will get away with the evil they have done. But God says they won’t. The score will be settled, either here on earth or in heaven. He promises. Do you believe Him? “For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.” Psalm 37:8 “Thank you Jesus, and thank you Marie, for teaching me not to fret!”

Remembering with the Heart

"And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." Mark 8:18-19

Remembering something intellectually is a far cry from remembering with the heart. The disciples had witnessed Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 4,000 and the 5,000. They remembered these events in detail, but their hearts were hardened with unbelief. They recalled intellectually, but that is as far as it went.

How often do we all fall into the trap of remembering what God did in the past, while thinking it makes no difference in our current situation? Have you seen someone come to Christ for salvation, or a marriage on the rocks restored, or a drug addict freed by the power of God? We saw God do specific miracles in the past, but we fail to believe He can do similar deeds in the present.

We must have fresh faith for every situation. "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Yesterday's miracles and victories don't automatically translate into today's divine intervention. Yesterday's faith is like the manna the Jews collected in the wilderness. What they gathered would last for one day, and the leftovers spoiled; it was worthless the next day. They had to gather fresh manna each day. We too must gather fresh faith each day. Therefore we must read God's Word daily because "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). Then we must unite it with faith from our heart!