All of you that know me, know that I love to hear or tell a good story!  Well, I got to thinking about how when we are committed to each other via the local church, we do indeed become part of each other’s stories!  We even have a great deal to do with the story line and the outcome!  We refuse to let people we love suffer or face their struggles alone!  The world has various 12 step programs and support groups that are often just an attempt to access the power and dynamic of the local Christian Church.

The support group can offer sympathy, empathy and fellowship of sorts, and point to a nameless “higher power”, but we k now His Name is Jesus and that there is delivering, healing and saving power in that name!  Our fellowship consists of actually being an extension of His Body here on the earth, left to carry on His work!  When our stories are filled with heartache and pain, it is then that the Body of Christ rises to the occasion as I saw clearly evidenced when a husband and wife in our church suddenly lost her father to an untimely death.  HHC and another  local church worked together to accommodate the large crowds that came to show their support by hosting the visitation, dinner and memorial service held in this man’s honor and to acknowledge the wonderful life and legacy he had.  The pain of the loss of course is still great, but with the love and support of brothers and sisters in Christ, bearable!  This is but one of many stories of how we as the local church make a difference!

We are presently in a campaign to do random acts of kindness, not so much to grow our church, but to advance the kingdom of God, and church growth should be a natural result of that.  How cool is it to get outside of our own problems and world and have eyes to see and ears to hear the needs of those that are sent our way.  We can and will make a difference if we are willing to speak a word of encouragement and comfort!  I wrote earlier about a man bent on jumping off a bridge by our church who was intercepted by some of our members and is now in a Christian drug rehabilitation program!  These people were perceptive, interceptive and literally life savers in this instance!  Another group of men from our church have rallied together to help a recently widowed woman restore her home after a broken water pipe did a lot of damage!  This is an example of synergy, doing together what we individually could not accomplish!

Then, we are seeing new people come to Christ!  Talk about changing the story line and eternal outcome of someone’s life who was headed for Hell and now is headed for Heaven!  What about the ripple effect of just one life that is truly redeemed and turned around and no longer does drugs, alcohol or other destructive behaviors, not only to themselves but to society as well!  Church through various people and ministries takes these broken and fractured lives and puts them back together again!  My husband, who himself has been enormously helped by this church through the recognition of his gifts despite his disability, has had the high privilege of discipling some of these individuals and seeing changes in them on a weekly basis!

I believe in the local church in general and in this church specifically as it is the God-given vehicle for change in our lives!  I want to see it survive and thrive so we can continue to be part of each other’s stories and make an “eternal difference”!

Lori

Posted by Lori_Wes on Mon 14 Jun 2010 11:40:36 am     | no comments

Posted by Lori_Wes on Thu 6 May 2010 11:27:48 pm     | 12 comments

Sunday, I could feel I was loosing my edge!  I was tired, emotionally spent and life seemed to be all work and no play!  It seemed as if everybody got to do fun stuff but me!  I really wanted to go on a church outing to see the bluebonnets but I knew I was far too tired to make the trip.  I also had to miss a church shower the day before for our Pastor’s daughter who is now pregnant after trying quite a long time, and I wanted to celebrate that awesome victory but had to miss due to work conflicts.  So, to sum it up, when fun stuff was happening, either I was at work or too tired from work to go when I could!  I am an extremely social person and missing out on so many “doings” was getting me down.

The family I work for and love, know how to enjoy life and make memories with each other on a weekly basis and really have modeled for me the importance of seizing the precious moments life affords us and making them count!  My taking care of their special needs child helps them to do this while knowing their child is well cared for and loved in their absence.  As with all of us, we need to strike a balance between work and play!

I really wanted to go to the next big event our church was having which is a church camping trip which also conflicted with my work schedule, but I could work something out if Mike was agreeable.  My husband, being the practical guy that he is said it may be too far away to go for just one evening.  Instead of me finding out the details and keeping the negotiation still alive, I just got depressed and started to pout and feel very sorry for myself!  My husband is a very kind and reasonable person not bent on taking all the fun out of my life, but in my tired and depressed state, that is how I interpreted his reaction.

As I continued to pout and feel sorry for myself, God did start to minister truth to me!  One of the reasons I put in 50+ hours a week (which includes my commute) is that I want to enjoy a certain lifestyle.  Another reason is that the family I work for needs me that much to have good coverage so they can do all the fun stuff they do.  Also, I have our oldest daughter, her husband and their 3 children living with us as my daughter is recovering from a very serious health challenge and her husband is in school to become a nurse.  This would not be possible if my husband and I were not willing to make the life-style and financial sacrifices necessary to accommodate a family of 5 for 3 years!  We are at the half way mark as of this writing, only because we have a very wise Pastor who helped us through a very rough spot in the relationships of this blended family and all the struggles that come with that territory!  Also, we are committed to heavily supporting our church as we get through a hard hit economy and the loss of some very key members.

Then, I got to thinking about the heroes of faith at the end of Hebrews 11 who are in that great cloud of witnesses of whom it is said that “the world was not worthy!”  They are the ones watching how you and I are running this race of life.  Some of these were tortured, had trials of mockings and scourgings, of chains and imprisonments, and you get the general idea!!  Life was unimaginably tough for them and many of them lost their lives in unthinkable fashions, yet they obtained a good testimony through faith and might I add their faithfulness!

Though my needs for fellowship and fun are legitimate and need to be factored into the equation of my life, I am blessed beyond measure with family, friends and my awesome church.  That night as I sat rocking my 6 year old granddaughter, blow drying her long blonde hair, she fell peacefully asleep in my arms.  Ultimately, this is why I work so hard.  Speaking of being held in secure arms reminds me of the young men at our church who have recently been rescued from the grip of satan and transferred to the safe and secure arms of Jesus their Savior.  That is what supporting the local church is all about to me!  It is going to be part of my reward!  I want that great cloud of witnesses who suffered so much to be proud of how you and I are running our race where Jesus, Himself, awaits us at the finish line!!!

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Tue 4 May 2010 11:27:58 pm     | 10 comments

Dear Friends, 

Discouragement is part and parcel of the human condition, but those of you on the front lines are apt to get “shot at” more than the soldier who is just in the rank and file!  To be in the front lines doesn’t necessarily mean you have a title or position, but that you are a threat to the kingdom of darkness because of your willingness to follow the Master. 

What have I seen of late that could discourage the “called and faithful” outside of the evening news?  Well, for starters, unanswered prayers and the suffering of dear brothers and sisters in Christ.  Then, if we can get past that, often we all have expectations of our brothers and sisters in Christ that are often disappointed because some are no longer seeing things the same way as they once did, and relationships change from what they once were. We must speak the “truth in love” and be willing to challenge anything that we perceive would be harmful to each other. 

I know one of my big struggles is just trying to decide what to invest myself and my time into, as there is just not enough time for me to do all the things I want to do!  My closet is definitely suffering from neglect!  

What I have decided is that I want to live in such a way as to have as much impact as possible on those in my sphere of influence.  That would of course start with my awesome husband in encouraging him to develop in the areas of his expertise. I want what he knows about Science in reference to God being the Creator to be made known via various communication mediums.  I want my children to be established in their careers and provide a good life for my precious grandchildren!  

Actually, we all could stop right there with our spouses, our kids and for those of us that have them, our grandkids, but what is the high call of God in Christ Jesus?  Jesus said that even the heathen love those that love them, but we are to be like our Heavenly Father, who sends the rain on the just and unjust!  I think we are called to bless and help the unlovely, the ungrateful, those that may speak ill of our efforts in their behalf!  Why?  Who knows what impact we might have?  

My son-in-law interviewed a man from the Midlothian Bible Church who with his family spent 7 years learning the language of a remote, mountainous tribe, in Panama called the “Teribe”.  He developed a written language for them and made a Bible in their own language!  Now Chris is challenging the church to support dramatization of the Bible and the purchasing and distribution of Mp3 players to reach the illiterate.  The point of this story is to illustrate how much we can accomplish when we come together in the local church and each do our part! 

The neat thing about God is that He uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things!  He doesn’t want to do His purposes without His people!  Will every one we pray for get healed?  That has not been my experience, but some have.  Does everybody I pray for get deliverance?  Not yet, but I am going to keep trying and praying until the job gets done, as I know my inheritance says that is one of my entitlements! 

I just have this sense of adventure that says God is going to do above all I can ask or think!  I am just a doting grandmother to the unsuspecting, but to the kingdom of darkness, you and I are a threat because the Word says those who know their God will do exploits!  Do  you want to do exploits?  Really?  What price of time, inconvenience and dealing with people’s “stuff” are you willing to pay?  Isn’t planting yourself in front of the T.V. much safer and less exasperating than dealing with frustrating people?  Yes and no.  Safer?  Yes!  Pointless, unfulfilling and futile would also describe living a virtual, safe existence so many have succumbed to! 

There is a song by Matthew West called “Going through the Motions” which tells about how many of us live our Christian lives in a per functionary way, just going through the motions.  However, what if we gave all, instead of just going through the motions?  Life is so fragile and short!  What will be your legacy and mine, when we no longer have the strength or life to make a difference?  I want mine to be that I went beyond what was expected to get the unexpected!  Whether that be translated into people’s eternal destinies, their deliverance from what binds them, or healings from that which keeps them from fulfilling their God-given potentials or from accomplishing a God-given dream, I don’t know.  Only in eternity will our efforts be weighed and rewarded, but for right now we are on this journey of life with the knowledge and certain God-given gifts that can change people’s lives forever!  

Is it any wonder that the enemy of our souls tries to discourage and divide us in every way he can!  But, if we have the understanding that it is not all about us, our happiness and our comfort, but about being good soldiers and co laborers with Christ, then maybe we can take our “licks” a little better!  Having said all that, I still have to clean my closet!  

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Lori

Posted by Lori_Wes on Tue 30 Mar 2010 10:30:07 pm     | 1 comments

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

There are many who that no longer see the need for a pastor in their walk with God.  They feel. since we are all “kings and priests” as it states in Revelations 5:10 and because Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man as taught in I Timothy 2:5, having a pastor is either optional or unnecessary.  They believe that the Holy Spirit and their brothers and sisters in Christ are enough to be the “voice of truth” in their lives and keep them on the narrow path that leads to life. 

Though I believe in the convicting and keeping power of the Holy Spirit and in the priesthood of the believer, in my opinion there are other concepts widely taught in the Scriptures that have to either be dispensated away or ignored if one is to conclude that the role of a pastor is no longer relevant.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He was grieved when He saw people as sheep without a shepherd.  Our Lord did not portray this as a good thing, but as perilous and troubling by implication.  Hebrews 13:17 states,obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.  Consider I Peter 5:2-4; Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,^{a]" _cke_saved_href=">a]">[a]} not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.  Then there is the familiar passage in Ephesians 4:11-13:  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 

We see in these passages the purposes these gifts of people in our walk with Christ are to bring us to maturity and unity of faith and realizing our destiny. individually and corporately.  It is for our good, not to oppress us or hold us back from what God has for us!  My question is this, do we graciously receive these “gifts” in the form of people in our lives or do we disregard them?

Well, enough of theory and on to application as to how this has played out in the story of my life by way of examples!  When I came to HHC, though I had done some public speaking after going to the former Soviet Union, it pretty much terrified me, and I had all I could do to make myself do it.  In May of 2008, Pastor Nelson asked me to share in the main service on Mother’s Day along with Shirley Ruby and Kim Axtell.  I only made myself do it out of sheer obedience and as a favor to him!  Though I did it with “fear and trembling,” it was a wonderful experience for me personally and was very well received.  One couple told me afterwards that they were so moved by what I shared that they were going to change the way they were raising their kids!  Something changed in me that day!  I had the confidence of my Pastor and the affirmation of the Body, and I have been pretty hard to “shut up” ever since!  I have since spoken on my favorite topics, nutrition and health, at various places as well as helped Mike field questions when we take on the culturally “hot topics “ of our times such as evolution, abortion, and homosexuality.  We go to SMU and places often hostile to the views we are about to espouse, but the fear is now gone!

Another true story many of you have heard bits and pieces of is about how Pastor Nelson kept our family together when it was about to split!  I am not referring to my beloved husband and myself, but to my extended family who are presently living with us while my son-in-law is training to be a nurse and my daughter is fighting a painful bladder condition and no longer able to work. This necessitates us to step up to the plate if we want this goal to be achieved in their lives.  The stress of trying to blend 2 families with all our different ways of doing things and the different expectations we had for each other had come to a “boiling point” with things being said that looked like it would be a “deal breaker”!  I could envision the puzzled looks on my precious grandchildren’s faces when they would witness an icy silence as their parents moved out, and their dreams of a better future would remain just that, dreams.  I was devastated and felt sick as the minor annoyances that caused the dispute in the first place paled in the sight of aborted destinies!  Mike called Pastor Nelson for prayer and consolation, and he did pray and then challenged or should I say exhorted Mike to quickly apologize before our son-in-law went to drop his classes and move out.  We feared too much damage had been said and done, but this timely and pastoral counsel did in fact save the day and also our family.  Today, we get along and see my daughter’s health slowly improving and to date our son-in law is a straight “A” nursing student who plans some day to do medical missions!  There is absolutely no price tag I can ever put on the day our Pastor was there for us to navigate these very traumatic waters!

Most of you know my husband is a very awesome, incredible and godly man who knows his Bible like no one I have ever met.  I seldom have to use a concordance as his love and knowledge of the Word of God make that seldom necessary.  Many of you can attest to that fact!  But as you also know, his life has not been easy or without great testing!  His knowledge of the Word and his excellent character have always been recognized in the churches we have been a part of, but sadly, the physical challenges that are not concealable have kept our other pastors from letting Mike’s gifts be fully utilized.  Since we came here that has not been our experience and now that has culminated with Mike being asked to be an elder.  Because of the many hits life has dealt us, we don’t aspire to or need a title.  I can’t help but reflect on the leadership at the time of this decision, including Dr. Ruby, that would be able to get beyond the outer man to see the gift within!  When I asked Pastor Nelson about this decision in light of Mike’s disability, I will never ever forget his reply, “What disability?”

I hope all of you will seriously consider the role, not only Pastor Nelson has played in your lives, but other men of God as well who have put themselves and their families in a very spiritually and financially vulnerable place so they can watch over your souls!!  May they be able to continue to do so, and do it with joy and not with grief as that would not be profitable for you or for them!!

I love all of you to whom I am sending this letter, whether you agree with my conclusions on the need for a pastor or not, but I just need to share my heart on this matter as one who has weathered the storms of life and has been shored up by many godly pastors, and this one in particular!

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Sat 27 Mar 2010 7:58:59 pm     | 1 comments

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 

I was thinking about the old hymn that goes, “Blessed be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love, the fellowship of kindred minds, is like to that above!”  What is the tie that binds?  What is the glue that holds us together through misunderstandings, hurts and the stuff that happens when people are highly involved in each other's lives and ministries? 

For me, the tie that binds my heart to my brothers and sisters in Christ is the fact that through Christ they are truly my family, and we are on this journey of life together!  Pastor Nelson said so well one time that church is people doing life together.  One may debate where and how church should be conducted, but one thing we know for sure; if we have love for one another, the world will know that we are His disciples!  

What that looks like to me is that we are there for each other in times of great loss, in times of sickness and sorrow, in times of testing and hardship.  We don't and shouldn't have to bear these things alone!   We make memories with each other and develop history as we walk through this journey of life together hand in hand, learning from each other the realities of Christ as lived out in our lives through the many trials that test our faith.  We resolve to follow Jesus and encourage each other when our hands hang down and our knees are weak and the weight of the world seems to rest on our shoulders. 

As one dear friend who has recently been widowed and has had to navigate through hard places financially and emotionally put it, “ the church is my family! “ I see personified in her the reason for the local church.  She has not had to bear her burden alone, but has had the support of her brothers and sisters in Christ!  Each time I see her, I see a little more healing, wholeness and strength!  She is even getting to the point of giving back in the form of helping with the bulletin and teaching in children’s church!  She, to me, embodies the way we in the church should be there for each other to make a difference in the outcome of the situations we find ourselves in. 

Church goes deeper than blood lines as we are related by His royal blood!  Together we represent the Body of Christ here on the earth and only together can we accomplish great things corporately that none of us would be capable of individually!  Just consider the missionaries we support and what they are accomplishing!  Think about the young people that are getting free of addictions by finding Christ and the very course of their lives are changed as we saw in Jordan Tinsley.  Last Wednesday a prophetic word was given by Pastor Nelson that there were people in the service who were contemplating suicide, and a number of teens responded that that was indeed their struggle.  I believe God intervened supernaturally and read the hearts of these kids, and let them know He cares.  It was going to be all right, and very possibly tragedy was averted!  What if there was no local church for them to gather at and receive this very timely prophetic word?   Jesus said one soul is worth the whole world in God's economy!!  

Church also keeps us accountable to walk in a manner worthy of the name by which we are called.  When we submit ourselves to each other and to Godly leadership, we have a safeguard from deception and sin which so easily besets us all if we do not submit ourselves to the Word and each other!  We are to speak the truth to each other in love, even if it is not what the other person wants to hear. 

I don’t choose to go on this amazing and challenging journey of life without my precious brothers and sisters that God has given to me in the form of the local church!  The tie that binds my heart in Christian love is that He died for you, and He died for me that we may be one as He and His Father are one!!  You are part of my journey at HHC, and I want to be a part of yours!

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Wed 10 Feb 2010 2:36:29 pm     | 1 comments

                                                                              Why I Love the Word! 

My testimony is one of being saved by Jesus Christ through His Word and never having to experience the heartache and pain of drugs, alcohol abuse, immorality, rebellion and other traps of the enemy.  Through knowledge of God’s Holy Bible, I was able to successfully navigate around all these spiritual land mines! 

My Mother, who I loved dearly, was heavily into all different expressions of the occult from astrology to consulting mediums and wanted to “take me with for the ride.”  However, I through thorough knowledge of God’s Word knew that it was a “ride” to hell, and instead, I was headed for the “City “ whose Builder and Maker was God!  Needless to say, though I loved her, that doctrines of devils had no appeal to me. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) 

Jesus warns us in His Word that we as Christians will have tribulations, but that if we are founded on the Rock of Jesus Christ, our houses will stand the storms of this life.  As most of you know that is true for you as it has been true for me!  The storms came in the way of long standing health challenges and the inherent financial implications that go with it.  Because both Mike and I are committed to live the Christian life and to our marriage, come what may, these storms were endured and survived only by application  of God’s Word in that turbulent period of our lives. 

I would like to share with you all some of the Scriptures that reveal why the Bible is the final authority on God’s will and purpose for our lives.  Please consider the following Scriptures:

Psalm ll9:l0l I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. … 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

2 Timothy 3:15-16 …and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 

In conclusion, the Bible is timeless, inspired by God, and eternal!  Matthew 24:35 states:  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”.  Every thought, intent of the heart, dream, vision, prophecy and action must be subjected to the objective, immutable, infallible, unchangeable Word of God!  Only then can we be protected as it promises in Psalm ll9:l0l, l04, 105 from every evil and false path!  The Bible warns that in the last days, if it were possible, even the very elect would be deceived.   (Matthew 24:24) 

Knowing God’s Word, loving God’s Word, and most importantly, heeding God’s Word are the only sure and lasting foundations!  It is the solid ground I stake my life and my eternal soul on.  It has never let me down, and I don’t believe that it ever will!! 

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Wed 27 Jan 2010 2:43:11 pm     | no comments

January 10 was a cold but sunny Sunday.  I got myself out of bed in time to go to Sunday School and church as is my custom. Church for me comes after some very long shifts where my total attention must be focused on serving the child and family I care for.  I love them and my job but miss being with family and friends to just hang out and get to my many goals!  We all live very busy and hectic lives and have to daily assess and invest in those things that are important to us!

When I went to the main service, the numbers were down in part due to the inclement weather and also due to the loss of some very dear brothers and sisters who for various reasons are no longer with us.  What went through my mind was the thought of how our church could remain financially solvent in light of several members loosing their jobs and also loosing some key members of our church family.  How could we experience anything in the way of a breakthrough, given the above scenario?  God is the God of the impossible, and I believe the breakthrough I wanted to see and experience took place though our numbers were small and discouragement would be a normal response for those who love this Body and want to see it survive and thrive!

What happened was pretty unprecedented!  First of all, Jay Axtell got up after a song about the redeemed and challenged those who could not honestly sing this song, because they had not yet had the experience of being redeemed, to commit their lives to Christ.  Pastor Nelson following the leading of the Holy Spirit, right then and there, asked those who received this word to raise their hands, while the rest of us were praying.  A couple of  youth did respond and were ministered to on the spot!  Then D'Anne Dhane, who recently was widowed, got up and shared how this Church was family to her and had been there for her during this trying season of her life!   Pastor Nelson always says that church is people doing life together and loosing a loved one is something that we all must face at some point in time.  Pastor got up and shared about burying Jerry Dhane and what a privilege it was to pastor people. He suggested that we all dig in our pockets a little deeper and give an offering for D'Anne, and then the offering was taken. 

I was sitting next to D'Anne as she was tearing up, all the while shaking her head as if to say, "You don't have to do that!"  Then I noticed  Pastor Nelson, quiet and looking a little bit puzzled, walking back and forth and almost loosing a little bit of his normal coolness and composure.  Then after the offering was taken, he said,  "I am not authorized to make this decision by myself, but I know my elder and his heart, so I am just going to follow the leading of the Lord. We are to take care of widows, so not only is a portion of the offering going to D'Anne, but the entire offering!" 

In front of me sat one of my dear friends, Shannon Lindley, who is an incredible vocalist on our worship team and who I predict will one day be a household name due to her incredible gift and call from God!  She cried through much of the rest of the service.  D'Anne asked me if she was all right and I said, "Of course not!"  That story Shannon will tell you herself next Sunday, so I won't steal her thunder!  O.K., so I'm trying to bait you, but it is a testimony that you won't want to miss!

My point is this. When we are willing to commit to each other, our church, and support our Pastor as he faithfully stays in his calling and is willing to be there for us in our darkest hours, God's power and anointing on our lives is going to break forth like the noon day!!!  Isaiah 58 says that God's chosen fast is to loose the bonds of wickedness, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke!   Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?  Then your light shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you: The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.  Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, "Here I am."  "If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness.  If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.  The Lord will guide us continually and satisfy our souls in drought, and strengthen our bones;  We shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.  Those from among us shall build the old wast places;  We shall raise up the foundations of many generations;  And we shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell in."  I changed singular pronouns to plural ones as I believe this is a prophetic word for our church. This will become our destiny as we do those things that are reflective of true Biblical Christianity and don't just "go through the motions but give all" like Matthew West's song declares!

For those of you who no longer fellowship with us, I want to say that you are greatly missed and leave a void that no one else can fill!  We do feel it was an honor and privilege to know you and serve with you!  We pray that you take with you good memories and have an open heart of blessing towards us, even as you go where God is presently leading you.  Separation often involves pain, especially for those that have weathered various storms with you. I have witnessed the leadership's hearts and find them to be totally pastoral and wanting the very best for your lives, even if you choose a path separate from us.  That to me is the heart of a true Pastor and godly leadership!

I have attempted to recapture for you all that transpired last Sunday as it was one service that has been indelibly impressed on my memory.  I will take this memory with me to Heaven, as I feel I got a little taste of Heaven on Earth where God's people acted like the true and loving Body of Christ and were His hands and feet and heart!

Lori

Posted by Lori_Wes on Mon 18 Jan 2010 9:47:37 pm     | no comments

For about a year, Pastor Nelson has been talking about a sword that was coming that would cause Christians to take a stand on one side or the other. I feel that The Manhattan Declaration may be that sword.  I'm not implying that those who do not sign the declaration are not Christians, but that for those of us who feel the gravity the "hour", we may be securing religious liberty for yet a little while for those Christians who are impervious to the slippery slope upon which religious freedom and the right of conscience now perilously rest!  I am reminded that when Elijah complained that he alone had not succumbed to Baal worship, the Lord revealed to him that He had 7,000 that had not "bent the knee" to Baal.  That tells me the God takes note of those who not only profess to know Him, but in their daily lives and actions exemplify that reality!  May He say that of us!  I want to be counted on the Lord's side whatever the cost. Our culture has pushed us to the point of uniting above our doctrinal differences and presenting a united front so that the world will know that we are one, and we serve One who commands our highest devotion.  If the right to not participate in anything that would destroy life is stripped from us, we have nothing left but empty rhetoric with no redeeming value.  May we all awaken from our individual apathy and slumber and utilize the power of unity and speak as if one voice!  I think the world has been waiting to hear the clear and unified voice of the redeemed!  "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!"

The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew that to do so was at great cost, but they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.  Should we for whom the Lord died, do any less?

Lori

http://manhattandeclaration.org/

Posted by Lori_Wes on Wed 2 Dec 2009 12:58:17 am     | no comments

Being a nurse is not what I do, but it is who I am.  Helping people live to their full health potential really floats my boat!  What could be more awesome than that!  I believe nursing is all encompassing as true nursing deals with ministering not only to the body, but the mind and soul as well!  One must inspire in their patient the hope of a better day and attribute worth and value to the one who may be struggling with that very core issue.  We are so much more than any disease we may have to fight!  If there is any message I feel compelled to share with the hurting in body or soul, it is the message that your life is still worth living in spite of your limitations and challenges!

One of the most graphic pictures of this truth was sealed upon my mind when I was at a  mega church in Phoenix 10 years ago.  I saw a man in a wheel chair that he controlled with his mouth.  He was a quadriplegic due to an accident in which he was crushed in a logging machine inadvertently turned on by his Dad who didn’t know he was in it.  He had been an athlete, and now he was totally disabled as a young man.  He didn’t give up on life even though that was the temptation, but got rehabilitated and did incredible paintings with his mouth and also did motivational preaching.  He got married to a beautiful woman and had a little 3 year old girl that was sitting on his lap in the wheel chair!

I believe two main things achieved this amazing outcome for this man.  He had an incredible Christian faith and support system, and he had excellent medical care!  His life still had value and meaning!

Nursing and caring for the sick go so well with a Christian world view where we value each life as made is the image of God and worth caring for and saving!  The story of the Good Samaritan so well illustrates the qualities of compassion, caring and self sacrifice which are synonymous with good nursing!  Can we forget the example of Jesus Himself Who spent his life healing and doing good for suffering humanity because He was moved with compassion. Acts 10:38 says …how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.  Yes, He was the Messiah who according to Matthew 8:16: states, “ He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”   Also, when we do it to the least of these, we are doing it unto Jesus. Matthew 25:37 states, “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Wow!  Do you see it?  The Christian example for dealing with hurting and suffering humanity is to recognize it, to be moved with compassion, and then finally to do something about it!  Talk about being pro-active!  Contrast this with other world views on suffering.  Sins supposedly committed in a past life as in a Hindu world view or that only the strong should survive as in a Darwinian world view will result in a very different protocol  for dealing with the challenges of the infirm and disabled!  I believe respect for human life in all its stages and challenges is the only humane and truly human way of giving care!

Ultimately, for me nursing is not so much a profession as it is a high calling to bring dignity, healing and respect to the afflicted and that is what I have to bring to the “proverbial table”!  At a time when healthcare is potentially taking vastly different path to treating the sick, may we be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Lori

Posted by Lori_Wes on Mon 16 Nov 2009 1:40:15 pm     | no comments

Jesus believed in Noah and the Flood?  Do you?  

My awesome husband had the distinct honor of doing a presentation on Noah’s Ark to international students at SMU.  They were from various countries including Turkey, Kuwait, India, China, Korea, the Ivory Coast, Taiwan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.  Mike was the guest speaker for Chi Alpha, an on campus organization that helps international students integrate into American life, culture and gives them an exposure to Christianity.

It was great to be able to share the story of Noah’s Ark and the Flood with many   students who had never before heard the Biblical story.  My husband shared documented accounts of a great flood from Chinese, Indian, Hawaiian, Toltec, and Islamic traditions.   He really shocked the Chinese students when he had them read the Chinese word for boat which is made up of 3 characters; vessel, people, and 8!  There were 8 people recorded on the Ark!  The young man from Turkey had relatives who actually lived in a town near Mt. Ararat.  When asked if they believed that the Ark was up there, he answered affirmatively!  

360 cultures have the story of a great flood in their traditions.  The names are different, but the story of 8 people, the 40 days and 40 nights of rain and the rainbow are all very similar! 

Over the past 100 years, there have been multiple sightings by various individuals unknown to each other who have described a very similar structure of a large wooden vessel on top of Mt. Ararat.  The two big factors that make it very difficult to settle this debate for once and for all are inclement weather and political deterrents to exploration.

So why are we so fascinated with the possibility of proving Noah’s Ark and the Flood as an actual historical occurrence?  It would authenticate one of the most told and loved stories of the Bible to be sure, but the ramifications go much deeper than that.  One would have to conclude that there is a God in Heaven Who concerns Himself with the affairs of men!  It would mean that we live in a moral universe where our actions are weighed in the balance of a Holy God.  And that would mean that we desperately need a Savior!  Jesus came for all people, and no one country or culture has exclusive claims to Him! 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Revelations 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelations 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Do you thirst?  Then come to Jesus who is the present “Ark” of safety from the judgment that is to come.  For me, my faith does not rest on whether or not the Ark sits on top of Mt. Ararat, but instead on the reliability of God’s Word, the Bible, that has kept me afloat in the storms of life!

Lori

Posted by Lori_Wes on Thu 12 Nov 2009 11:52:41 pm     | no comments

Many women still have in their marriage ceremony that they will love, honor, and respect their husbands, but I fear that with the influence of  “women’s liberation”,  it is becoming more and more rare to have women genuinely and truly render honor to their husbands.  The media and Hollywood want to present women as strong, independent and not needing the strength, wisdom and protection of any man, let alone the man they commit their life to if one even gets themselves to that level of trust, since men are portrayed as the “oppressor” and not worthy of trust. 

It is no small step to commit your life to someone in marriage, and one must know as well as possible the character of the person that they are marrying, but I believe the purpose of marriage is to be each others advocate and not each others adversary!  I believe marriage should take away the loneliness we experience as human beings and help us through life’s many trials.

Here is my story:  My husband became disabled 27 years ago and was wasting away, weighing only 129 pounds at 6 feet tall.  He could only be up 5 minutes out of 60 due to severe back pain.  He could no longer work, but a definitive diagnosis eluded the doctors, so he did not qualify for any disability for 4 years, until they decided he was fighting some type of arthritis.

With 3 small kids and having been out of my chosen field of nursing for 10 years, I was in quite a predicament!  I did get my skills up to speed through a refresher course and I  returned to work, but my life was quite hectic.  I now had to deal with the pressures of work, 3 little kids, and a sick husband!  I had to choose what my overall response would be even though I would “loose it” at times.  I chose to love, honor, and respect my husband not for what he could do or earn for me, but for who he was as a person and that had not changed, though our situation certainly had!  I would defend him to those that accused him including our own families. 

To honor means to ascribe value or worth to someone, to treat them with respect.  Men can’t live or thrive without it!  A woman needs love and security, but a man needs respect and honor.  Many books have been written about these very things including Dr. Laura Scheslinger’s, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands and Emerson Eggerich’s,  Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs.

What is the end of my story?  My husband, though still fighting physical challenges, is a very happy and engaging individual.  He gives talks on various apologetic issues such as creation versus evolution,  the evidence for Noah’s Ark, and the Bible’s literal and historical accuracy, to name a few of the topics he covers.  He is not a broken man, in spite of a very long and tough journey in which the markers of success are taken from him.  In the neighborhood, he is known by all and very well received.  I tease him that he should run for political office!

Our 3 children are now grown and have served as missionaries overseas having started video Bible Schools and helped start an orphanage in India, have cared for AIDS  orphans in Africa, and taught in English in China and ethics and morality in Latvia.  They all respect and adore their Dad have successfully received the “baton” of our deep Christian faith.

I believe my decision to ascribe honor and respect to my husband, their Dad, made all the difference in the world!  Not that I did so always or perfectly, but as a general method of operation, yes!  The Bible says in Proverbs 14: 1 that the wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.  Are you your husbands advocate, or are you his adversary?

Lori

Posted by Lori_Wes on Mon 9 Nov 2009 12:40:28 am     | 1 comments

       One of my favorite movies is, "It's a Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.  The overriding theme of the movie is that, even with all the struggles, pain and trials, life is a gift from God, not to be snuffed out by our own hand when things get tough!  Many would argue that that is a no brainer, but sadly suicide is becoming all too common, not only among teenagers, but in older age groups as well. 
I believe there are many reasons for this.  One thing that I believe has contributed to a much higher rate of suicide than in times past is the departure from a Christian world view that was allowed in schools when I was growing up.  We now teach as fact in the public schools and universities that we "evolved" from lower life forms over billions of years.  This leaves one with little cause for feeling like they were created by God with a divine purpose for their life which only they can accomplish!  Also, there is often no belief in needing to give an account to a Holy God who gave them life in the first place.  Also in such a world view, there are often no moral absolutes other than what the individual comes up with on his own.  If things get too tough or miserable, then just "check out".  You are in control, the captain of your ship so to speak.  This is what Timothy McVeigh believed.

But, even Christians, who believe in the God of the Bible can and have been at risk for severe depression and tragically some have taken their own lives.  So what is the solution to this tragedy and the cutting short of God's destiny for one's life?  I believe the answer is found in having our identity in Christ and in Christ alone!  Anything else is sinking sand!  If we are beautiful, that can change with age or an accident.  If we are healthy, that can change with an illness.  If we are rich, that can change with investments failing.  If we have a good marriage, that can change with our spouse betraying us.  If we have a good career, what happens if we can no longer practice it or get laid off?  If we have a good reputation, what happens if it gets smeared through no fault of our own?

Romans 8 talks about the love of God.  It says that neither tribulation, distress, persecution, or famine, or nakedness, peril or sword shall separate us from His love.  Also, neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  I would say that pretty much covers all the bases!

The greatest gift God has given us besides His Son is the gift of free volition.  With that free will, we can accept or reject God's gift of eternal life found only in His Son. I John 5: 11-12 states that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in Jesus. He who has the Son has life, and he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  So, you can choose to endure your trials like a brave soldier knowing your ultimate destiny is heaven, or you can do it your way and make your own way of escape rather than waiting for God's way of escape.  I Corinthians 10:13 states that no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

What I do know is that the devil's greatest power is that of the "lie".  If he can convince you that you are no good and that there is no hope, then he has won and you will act accordingly. Instead, endure suffering patiently and commit your soul and life to Him. He can save to the uttermost all that come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them(Hebrews 7:25).

Then, you will find that it truly is a "Wonderful Life"!
Lori

In this article I have addressed the spiritual implications of depression, but depression can be chemically induced or caused and should be medically treated until the person is "out of the woods" and can get through it to see things and life more clearly.
Lori

Posted by Lori_Wes on Mon 2 Nov 2009 11:10:12 am     | no comments

Posted by Lori_Wes on Mon 26 Oct 2009 12:55:48 pm     | no comments

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I've heard many wonderful Christian Preachers say this, "God doesn't need your money,"  but let me share with you my take on it.  Yes, I know the cattle on a thousand hills are God's, and if He was hungry, He wouldn't ask for something from me, or would He?  The N.T. tells us that when we feed, clothe, and visit the least of these, we have done it to the Lord, and He expects us to do so!  Also those cattle on a thousand hills that ultimately belong to Him, He has entrusted to some human's care if they are being raised for profit.  If that human is a Christian who tithes, then some of the proceeds from the profit should benefit the Kingdom of God, right?

It is God's plan to include us in His plan!  He doesn't want to move on the earth, except through us via His Church.  He left Adam to tend the garden, and He has left us to tend His "sheep"!  In Matt. 28:19-20, it tells us to  "go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you."   To reach the lost will take money, and it will be believer's money that funds the endeavors to do so!

One has only to look at or visit Europe to see the beautiful but empty churches to realize that reformation and renewal must be sustained by succeedilng generations.  Otherwise, it will be lost, and the churches will become museums and monuments to what once was but no longer is!   We must keep the flame of the Gospel burning brightly!  If we don't locally support our churches, will they stay open and be life changing, or will they have a for sale sign and be used for some other purpose other than to show forth God's glory?  I think a "for sale sign" happens all too often because Christians wrongly conclude that God doesn't need them or their money!

Actually, He needs both us and our money!  He wants to accomplish His will in and through us!  He wants us to share in the work, so we can share in His glory. Is there anything worthwhile in life that doesn't require sacrifice and dilgence on our part?  Salvation is free, but it will cost you everything!  You are no longer your own but were bought with a price, even the precious blood of Jesus!  He left us an example in laying down His life for us, so we should lay down our lives for our brothers!  I John 3:16.

How many people will be in Heaven because you gave of your resources to reach people you may never meet in this life?  Maybe your faithful and consistent giving kept the church's doors open and your pastor from having to leave the ministry in order to support his family.  Galations 6:6, says "let him that is taught the Word share in all good things with him who teaches!"  Only God in eternity who weighs all things will know these answers, but I think we know in our hearts the role we are to play.  If we obey the written Word and the still small voice in our hearts, we will have a monumental part in transforming the kingdoms of this world into the kingdom of God and of His Christ!

What is your take on the role we are to play in the end time harvest?

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Mon 12 Oct 2009 12:20:37 am     | 2 comments

God has been stirring in my heart to share my story with you all as to how we as a family survived and are surviving hard times in hopes that it may help some of you to navigate through your own struggles!  Here’s our story:

When Mike was in his mid- thirty’s, he started having health challenges so severely that he was no longer able to work and support the family as he had done so well at since we were married.  He worked at the U. of Minnesota with a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and made us a very good lifestyle.  I was a stay-at-home Mom with 3 small kids and hadn’t worked as a R.N. since becoming pregnant with our first child and had no interest in being away from home no matter how lucrative or noble the endeavor!  That was all about to change!  My wonderful suburban lifestyle was going to have to take an abrupt turn!  We traded roles with each of us desiring to be in the other one’s place!  Mike became Mr. Mom and I became the breadwinner.  I was gone from my children often, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights.  This pretty much goes with the territory of hospital nursing when you are not in management, but a floor nurse!  I remember Kari would often wait up for me even though she was only 3 years old and one time complained that, “Dad was a little bit boring!”  I missed many of Daniel’s ball games and didn’t always have the energy to stay up after a night shift and fix Sharon’s hair before school.  One time I fell asleep at the wheel and woke up when my chin hit my chest after working a night shift and having a long drive home.  These were not easy days for us to say the least, but God was forming character in each of us as we did what we had to do to survive!

Our kids saw that though we sometimes fought and complained, we worked through it and loved each other, God, and them!  We were not going to give up on our marriage or our strong faith in God no matter how tough times got and they were part of the equation of success as they helped with shopping, dishes, and household tasks that I no longer had time to assume responsibility for.  Our house was rarely what I considered clean, but the kids were always encouraged to have their friends over and our house often became a place of refuge for those that were hurting and troubled.  I also was able to touch many lives of co-workers and patients alike who I would never have been privileged to meet if I hadn’t been thrust out of my very secure and comfortable lifestyle!

Presently, my daughter, her husband, and 3 precious grandchildren, live with us while my daughter is battling her health struggles and my son-in-law is retraining to be a nurse.  My home is again a little chaotic, sometimes messy, but full of life and activity!  We are presently a” blended family” again doing what we have to do for the common good!  I believe I will see steady improvement in my daughter’s health as we augment her efforts with the kids and various other routine things that become very difficult when you are dealing with chronic pain.  I believe a healing, supportive, and loving environment can spell the difference between life and death, between health and disability!  I believe we have a healing covenant with the Lord and I believe He uses us to expedite healing!

I believe many of us are going to be called to “step up to the plate” or take it “up a notch” and be willing to make sacrifices that necessitate us dying to our “flesh” and making compromises and concessions to someone else in order to reach our goals!  Children may need to take in parents and parents may need to take in children!  We are going to have to differentiate between needs and wants!  We are going to have to prioritize and bear one another’s burdens to so fulfill the law of Christ.  We are going to have to be there for each other! 

We are also going to have to be there for our own local churches!  The economic meltdown affects them greatly, too!  We may have to give until it hurts and is somewhat painful!  We may have to serve until it hurts and is somewhat painful!  We may have to encourage each other and our Pastors just to keep on keeping on! 

In conclusion, there is absolutely no way my story would read like it does without the solid rock foundation of my Christian faith and the influence of my churches throughout my life!  I would most likely have been shipwrecked without it!  Instead I have a wonderful life, a wonderful family, and children who are actively carrying the Gospel to India as we speak and other corners of the earth vicariously!  This, I believe is due in part to all the wonderful Pastors who have been instrumental in our Christian walk, including Paul Peterson, John Hollar, and our present wonderful Pastor, Nelson Coffman!  With God’s help and with a strong commitment to His Word and to the local church, we can and we will make it through our tough times!

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Wed 30 Sep 2009 5:59:18 pm     | 2 comments

Dear Family at HHC,

Pastor has always said church is people doing life together and I have been reflecting recently on how true that has been this year!  We as a local Body of Believers have been walking together through life's joys and sorrows, through victories and challenges yet to be overcome.  We have had precious babies born to precious couples.  We have seen love blossom , witnessed a proposal of marriage and attended the wedding of Gabe and Hannah!  We have seen people loose their jobs and find work, sometimes through brothers and sisters in Christ at the church.  We have shared the concern and care of brothers and sisters going through things they can share and sometimes things they are not at liberty to share.  We have prayed for the sick, cast out demons and seen our prayers for these things answered in part or in full! 

We have shared D' Anne's grief and sorrow in suddenly loosing her beloved husband, Jerry, to a massive heart attack.  She had the support of her nuclear family, but also heavily relied on the support of her spiritual family!   She prayed and believed God would bring life from death and many were saved at Jerry's funeral being touched by his life, even in his death.

We have seen precious people come and are saddened when precious people leave.  What keeps us coming back and staying in the calling we are called in whether we are the Pastor, Elder, teacher, or nursury worker?  I believe it is our love for God and our love for each other that keeps us from growing weary in well doing!  I believe we each have the revelation that we are living in the light of eternity where our labors of love will be rewarded!  I believe we know that each day is a gift and not a guarantee, to serve the Lord, our family and each other.  Whether we live it is for the Lord, and when we die it is to the Lord!  It is in fact, all about  Him!

Hope this encourages us all to keep "doing life together"!

Lori Westllund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Sun 27 Sep 2009 10:21:13 pm     | 2 comments

Dear Brothers and Sisters at HHC,

It was both a joy and  a sober responsibilty to share with you last Sunday!  I have only been offerred the pulpit one other time to do a service after I had returned from a short term mission trip to Vladimir, Russia, doing an outreach to Russian orphans and the main elder had received a letter from me about how it was going and insisted that I share it with the whole church.  This was in a "Christian Church" where they do not believe in women preaching so I was instructed to only share, not preach.  I tried not to preach, but when the needs are so great and you feel so passionately about them it is almost next to impossible not to preach!

I truly love you guys and the way you have received us with open arms and as I stood there in the pulpit quaking in my shoes, I looked out at your smiling and adoring faces and just had to relax and enjoy the experience.  As I said, we have freely shared our trials but Sunday you got to hear about our triumphs!  Handing off our faith to our 3 children!  I gave three secrets of our sucess which were monitoring closely their influences, modeling Christian behavior before them, and committing them to the work of the ministry and encouraging them to go farther then we have.  I quoted Brother Andrew , the author of God's Smuggler, who has been smuggling Bibles into closed countries for about 50 years now , who said this, " The doors are wide open, if you have heard from God and are not afraid to die."

I of course beleive this with my whole heart  but Kari going to China with all its inherent risks and now the earthquake disaster and knowing via the paper that many of their schools are architectually unsafe is not easy for me.  I've always heard Pastors say that they are tested on what they preach  and I beleive I have experienced that this week!  The good thing is that it's not my decision as Kari is 27 years old and the decision is hers not mine as it was when she went when she was younger.

You know, God wants to know how much we really love Him and if we will give Him what is dearest to our hearts.  I believe that was the test of Abraham laying Isaac on the alter of sacrifice.  Is God worthy of that which is most precious to us, and that in which our dreams are wrapped up in?  Who will reach the lost if not those who have been trained in the ways of the Lord?  It won't be the heathen that reach the lost as they are the ones who need saving and it won't be angelic messengers as only humans who have been saved get to tell the story of redemption.  So it all comes back to us to send or be sent.  Ray Boltz's  song, "Thank you for giving to the Lord"  tells of the joy we will experience in Heaven when  we see the results of all our giving and sacrifices.  To overcome selfishness, laziness, and fear, we need an eternal prospective!

Again, I love being part of this fellowship and getting to speak into your lives!  I pray you  were  as challenged as I continue to be as I must also live up to the lofty things I said !

:Your sister in Christ,

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Fri 16 May 2008 10:49:05 pm     | 2 comments

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Just wanted to add a little post script about reaching out to the stranger and foreigner.  What I did not mention in my last blog was something about taking in the stranger as well as the foreigner.  Our youngest daughter met a young woman at a  poetry  reading at a public library.  Being a very friendly person, Kari, our daughter, got to know this young woman.  It turns out that she basically had no support system in friends or family and was struggling to make it alone in this world with minimal financial and educational resources.  She is a hard worker but has no car so must rely on public transportation to make it to work.  The family she was staying with moved away leaving her homeless.  Her fate would have been a homeless  shelter but Kari took her in.  This is not a long term solution as Kari already has her house full with two other roommates.  Kari sent out an SOS to her church in Deep Ellum and a young couple there is expecting in March but is strongly considering reaching out to this young woman and letting her stay with them until their baby is born.  God had been laying on their hearts to do something like this!  Also one of Kari's roommates is helping by getting information about financial aid for higher education and the other roommate,s home cell is going to contribute towards  getting glasses for this young woman.

This young woman has attended evangelical churches but as far as Kari can tell has not  yet made a commitment of her life to Christ .   She had not seen authenticity enough to convince her of the claims of Christianity .  I believe through these random acts of kindness she will no longer be of that opinion!  It takes every one of us doing our part to accurately represent Christ to a lost, hurting, bleeding. skeptical, and dying world!  I must admit, I am very proud to have raised a child who loves God with all her heart and is willing to go that second mile.  I believe when we do it to the least of these His brethren we have truly done it to Him!  So that is as Paul Harvey says "the rest of the story".

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Tue 27 Nov 2007 10:02:15 pm     | 2 comments

Dear brothers and sisters at HHC,

A word was given to us at church a few months ago by a pastor from Tyler, Texas, Kerry Kirkwood, that was highly specific.  I have had general and encouraging words spoken over me but this guy pretty much started reading our mail.  We spoke with him afterwards and he said he had some hesitation even giving the word since it was so specific. The two parts to it were regarding our home being used to reach people who the church hadn't been able to reach and Mike having a scientific mind and thought process.  Little did this man know that Mike has a Master's Degree in Science Curriculum and is an ardent creationist. 

Today, on Thanksgiving, we carried on a family tradition started by our children when they were in college.  We always made our home a home away from home on the holidays for international students.  We have had students from India, China, Europe, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Croatia and many other countries.  Today, we had a couple from China, and a young man from Taiwan.  They are friends of our youngest daughter who volunteers at a Christian Organization at SMU.   We got to learn about these people and their cultures and also had an opportunity to share our culture and our faith with them.  It was not awkward or hard in that they perceived our genuine care and concern for them.  We are actively helping one of the students through another  Chinese friend of ours to network and possibly find a job after she graduates.  The grandchildren shared family albums with them giving them explanations of the pictures.  It was very natural for them and the young couple have a child back in China so being with children must have felt good to them.  The husband returns to China tomorrow as he is just here visiting his wife.

The Bible talks about taking in the stranger and the foreigner remembering that you were strangers and foreigners when you were sojourners in Egypt.  Of course, in this day and age one must use wisdom, but we are called to hospitality as Christians.  I beleive we will be richer, more knowledgeable, and possibly make an eternal difference in someone's life.  Life can become so routine and so mundane if we are always goal oriented and all about ourselves.  I am thankful for a faith that has universal appeal and crosses all cultural barries and answers man's basic questions-  Where did I come from?  Why am I here?  Where will I go when I die?  We as Christians know these answers and for that we are eternally grateful!  During this holiday season try to find ways to  reach out to the lonely and hurting and share the Good News!

Lori Westllund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Thu 22 Nov 2007 9:24:20 pm     | 2 comments

Dear Brothers and Sisters at HHC,

I have many dear and devout Christian friends who for various reasons no longer see the need to be part of an organized church body.  They feel if they gather with some other Christians and share the Word, worship, and pray they are fullfilling the command in Scripture to not forsake the assembling of yourselves together as is the manner of some.  They break bread together and feel they are a more accurate representation of the New Testament Church than much of what we see in the main line denominational churches.

I will not defend the main line denominational churches who no longer believe in the Virgin birth of Christ, His sinless life, His atoning death on the cross,  His literal bodily resurrection,  His literal bodily return and that the Bible is infallible and inerrant.  Also I can not defend churches that do not line up with God's Word on the sanctity of human life from conception to death and do not call sin what the Word calls sin.

What I wll defend is the need to be connected to a local body of believers who are submitted  to godly leadership and who actively pursue implementing Christian principles in their personal lives as well as positively affecting their community in joint efforts.  Synergy is the concept that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  What that means to me in simple terms is that I can have a much greater impact for the Kingdom of God if I am connected to a vibrant body of believers than I can have on my own!

Last Sunday we saw the Lord orchestrate the service in an amazing supernatural way  with Ashley getting the Scripture in Psalms 2:8, "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, and the ends of the earth your possession," not knowing that was the theme of the whole service.  In all the small groups I have been involved with, and many of them being very good, seldom is there an organized and ongoing effort to reach the lost through world missions.  So often the focus is very short-sighted on those in the group and their friends and family.

We have 3 children who each have served on the mission field in some capacity.  Our son and his wife spent 4 months in India and now have many video Bible Schools there as a result of their efforts.  Our oldest daughter and her husband spent 9 months in Latvia with Campus Crusade for Christ.  Our youngest daughter went on a short-term mision to Durham, South Africa, and this summer will go with a Christian group to teach English in China.  They all have made numerous trips to Mexico and the youngest two to Guatamala.

I believe if I had only exposed my children to small Christian groups, loosely held together,  with no visible leadership, I am not even sure they would be saved today, let alone wanting to go to the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We must lead by example and if the Great Commission is really important to us we had better do something about it!  The world as well as our children see through our insincerity if all we show them is talk but no action.

My son-in-law says the opposite of the organized church is the disorganized church!  I am very thankful to have found a church where reaching the lost is a priority but also has the individual touch that is often missing in the mega-churches.  My Pastor knows my name not only  my face which I believe was the case in the larger churches we attended.  God surely has a place for the mega-churches and small groups but I feel that if we listen to the Lord, He will put us where we can do the most good for the most people and He can do the most good for us!  That certainly has been our experience at HHC!

As Rod Parsley puts it so well, "The greatest gift we can give our Savior is the jewel of a soul in our Savior's crown."  That's why world missions is important!

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Thu 8 Nov 2007 12:11:48 am     | 15 comments

Dear Pastor Coffman and brothers and sisters at HHC,

Just a note to tell you all of my reaction to last Sunday.  Although I have been saved 
since I was 15 and Spirit-filled since I was 18, my walk of faith has been based on the 
Word and God's promises and peace as manifestations of God's power often passed me by. 
I've been O.K. with that since I considered I had the cake and the rest was frosting.

I don't seek after signs but neither do I want to sit in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 
1) and despize or discount them.  I do want to be powerfully used of God to bring healing 
and comfort to the hurting.  That was my major motivation in going into nursing.

I came Sunday because I am commited to this church and knew you were really excited about 
this Pastor and the way God moved through him.  I wanted to be supportive but have been 
exposed to excesses and things that I have felt were extra Biblical, so I came with Bible 
in hand to see if this Ausralian Pastor had a solid Scriptural base for what he was 
experiencing.  I listened intently and found no flaws in his representations of God's 
moving in both the Old and New Testament.  I saw humility and genuineness in the 
messenger.  So I was convinced at the end of the service which kind of surprized me.

When he prayed for God to manifest His Glory among His people, I felt God's peace and 
presence but wasn't really expecting anything like that to happen to me.  I was open 
though and obedient and did what he said to do.  To my amazement when I looked at my 
hands, palms up, I saw sparkling gold flecks!  Things lilke this don't usually happen to 
me.  I was very moved and came forward with tears to have this manifestation varified and 
then to use it to pray for whomever God led me to.  It was awesome!

Basically, I felt like the Lord have me an "atah girl" this side of Heaven.  I 
had gold flecks even on my face that my daughter could see as late as Thursday.

I work for 2 families that are each in a crisis situation, one with a child who is 
repeatedly hospitalized and the other facing ongoing legal challenges resulting from a 
wrongful conviction due to his work in helping homosexuals find freedom in Christ.  He was 
lied about to discredit him.  I have stood faithfully by both of these families in their 
hours of need because I love them and believe in them.

What I told the family fighting he legal challenges/persecutions is this:  If God so 
authenticated me, my support of your innocence is more than just my human care and 
compassion on you but actually God speaking through me to validate your testimony of your 
innocence. They were comforted I believe as much as probably a little amused by my 
explanation.  This is an experience that you cannot just share with  anyone.

Another friend I shared my experience with said this:  You have used your hands as a nurse 
and mother all these years to bring healing and comfort to so many, is it any wonder God 
would manifest His glory in your hands.

My oldest daughter said that I was so generous to give gold, it was cool that God would 
give me a sign with gold.  I have been accused of being "over the top" in my 
desire to help those I love but nothing gives me greater pleasure than to be used by God 
to make a difference in someone's life.  My life verses are I John 3:16 - 18.

For those who didn't have a manifestation, please don't be hurt or feel passed over.  I'm 
usually the one in your place.  Know that we walk by faith and not by sight.  Be faithful 
like I have tried to be these last 38 years and your day will come.  Look at the man by 
the pool of Bethsaida.  I believe he was there 38 years also.

We can't control whether God gives us gold glitter or oil on our finger tips, but we can 
control our thoughts, our speech, our actions and our faithfulness.  He is looking for 
those who neither despize or discount His mighty moving, but also those whose faith is not 
dependent upon them .  Keep doing what only you can do and at the right time He will do 
what only He can do. To Him be all glory and honor and power! Amen!

Lori Westlund

Posted by Lori_Wes on Sun 28 Oct 2007 11:17:33 pm     | 3 comments