Reflection on Sunday, December 16, 2007

My view on Sunday's service.

We had 3 members from church come forth and share one story in their own personal lives with us. Out of the 3 stories, there was one that really touched me. Ryan's testimony was basically a mirror of what I have been feeling and have been struggling with. He mentioned how he's been to a few churches before Liberation Ministries and they are not accepting. He mentioned how he needs to have God in his life more. And how he was actually invited to church.

I have been struggling for some years now in wanting to have God in my life, but not finding an accepting church to attend. Just as Ryan attended a few other churches, so had I. But like him, these churches I attended judged and shamed me for being me. So when I found out about Liberation Ministries through Minister Austin, I figured if he says its as accepting as he makes it sound, why not try it? So I came and have been enjoying it ever since. Its like Minister Austin was sent to find me that one day and invite me to church.

I just really want to say how thankful I have been and lucky to have found Liberation Ministries.

Bro. Rolando

Reflection on Sunday, December 9, 2007

This past Sunday’s message, mass, praise, worship, and ambience in general reminded me, like it does every week, as to why I keep coming back to Liberation Ministries. Asst. Pastor Kiantha each week asks during offering, “Who is excited to give to receive so much more in return?” and to be honest each week I feel like I am cheating the church because I get so much out of it. I find each week the message to be relatable to my life, guiding me towards more justified decisions, and making me want to be a better person.

The sermon was mainly based around the topic as to what we as human beings are willing to surrender for God and what things in this world do we hold stronger relationships with. What things in life do human beings value more than God and their relationship with God? What have we as beings of this earth dragged through only to accept defeat half way along the journey? Or what does surrendering your life for God really mean? All these questions, enigmas, mysteries set the parameters for the sermon.

What was so interesting about the journey of stories Pastor Darrell shared was that they all were translatable to each person’s life in the congregation. We all in our life have gone through trials and tribulations in which we felt the world is falling down on us and our only option is to surrender and accept defeat and in that, accepting despair. I have been dragged, stomped on, and then kicked some more this year from a best friend taking her own life to my parents getting a divorce that I really felt like the only option I had left was to surrender my own life. I felt that I needed to live in depression. I am a stern believer that there is a lesson behind every obstacle and hurdle in life and behind the ones where you just can’t seem to see the lesson, there lies the greatest ones. I learned this past Sunday that the one thing you should never sacrifice and let go of is your faith in God. At the end of the journey, at the end of struggle and strife, and at the end of your lesson: He will be there.

While we may each define the word “surrender” in each of our lives differently; universally in dictionaries a few definitions you’d find are: 1-to give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another, 2- the acceptance of despair, or 3- a verbal act of admitting defeat. We innately believe in each decision towards despair or surrender that the prevalent options are the only options. However, when we scrutinize at the situation and remember He who guides us, we should really realize that He who brings me to it, will bring me through it. We were made in his image and therefore hold the strength, the power, and His glory to make it through any thing this world can challenge us with.

Surrendering is a choice that is made among many options. Never let anyone make you less than you are. No matter the situation, there is nothing too big He can’t handle.
I have found that this church has truly been an outlet to, from, and for life; from rocking out with the praise team to simply sitting back and enjoying the “lesson” of the day, I am truly blessed to call Liberation Ministries my church home. Alike this past Sunday I have learned so much and continue to go home craving more.

Bro. Jarett