I had to share this. Not because you need to hear this Word as I did (or maybe you do), but because I have to share about how God showed me the power of His Word tonight. (as He always does...faithfully)

Short Story: I read a great book, called "Same Kind of Different as Me". It is about a homeless man in Fort Worth, TX and a rich man who become as close as brothers through the zest of his wife's calling for the hurting. It is a remarkable story, a best-seller. I enjoyed it greatly and couldn't put it down. However, a good portion of the book shared in great detail about the painful cancer that took the woman's life. It was very hard to read. I am sure you know this about me--I cannot let thoughts about tragedy go easily. When I watch a movie that involves any sort of death or harm on someone, it really sticks with me. I have always been this way. I cannot let things out of my mind easily. Well, since I read that part of the book, I have been gripped with fear that something was going to happen to me to take me from my kids. Or that something was going to tragically happen to my children. These thoughts mostly came in the quiet, mostly when I would lay down to sleep. I have even been having bad dreams. I just couldn't shake these thoughts. I have been having consistent quiet times, but I still felt fearful.

Now the good part: Tonight I caught up on some much needed computer work since I have been on my media fast. I spent a while on the computer, and at 10:00, I didn't want to open my bible. I wasn't going to do it, but SO CLEARLY, God said, "Open your Bible and READ NOW". So, I did. I couldn't resist. Here is what God told me through Proverbs,

"Then, you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared."

Wow! God's Word really is living and active. The neat thing is that I read a blog of a friend in Nashville who was sharing the same stronghold before mine began. So, I will share these verses with her. His Word is far reaching.

I share this with you because I love you and want to share the intimate details of how God is working. But, also, to encourage you in your reading of His Word.

Thanks for letting me share this.

Love,
Brooke

I enjoy getting together with people at Heritage. Over the next several weeks, we will turn our attention to a series calls "At Heritage". It will be during this series that we discover some important attributes of the church. Today, we discovered that each person that is a follower of Christ is part of the body of Christ. We are connected to each other and each one of us is important. We learned that even though the body is made up of many parts, it is still one body. To help discover your place within the body, we have added an online resource to help you discover your spiritual gifts. This survey will take you about 15 minutes to complete, but I bet you will get excited about what you learn about yourself as well as how God has created you to function within HIS church.

--Click here for the spiritual gifts test--

As we begin a new year, I would also challenge you to commit now as an individual or family to spend more time reading God's Word. There are several internet resources that are available for free and are sent to your email on a daily basis. One that I have found to be helpful can be found at http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml.
You can also place an order, and they will send you a book free of charge to your home. We also have these devotional books available on our back table as you enter and leave during our Sunday worship times.

I pray that you are as excited as we are about the new year and the potential it brings.

God bless and have an awesome week!

-Sidney and Merideth