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“How can we thank God enough for you, in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”  — 1 Thessalonians 3:9, New Living Translation.

 

 

Recently, our congregation wrote down some of our stories about encountering God. Here’s what some of the people wrote:

My God Encounter Story…

When I was 25, I flipped my car down an embankment during an ice storm. Time seemed to slow down and I became aware that God was in control, not me. I put my life in His hands, and He delivered me. It gave me a sense of His awesome power and majesty. My life has never been the same.

 

My God Encounter Story…

I was brought up in the church and have had many encounters with God. Most recently though, a powerful encounter was the unexplained medical healing and recovery of my husband, after a massive traumatic brain injury.

 

My God Encounter Story…

I feel God’s presence during every baptism I witness. The Holy Spirit is present in me to allow me to see God’s grace given to those being baptized.

 

My God Encounter Story…

I grew up in a loving family, going to a Lutheran church with family and friends. However, I was “going through the motions” for many years. But in 2002 I was diagnosed with leukemia. Several months later a neighbor invited me to be a part of a neighborhood Bible study. The timing was perfect, coming closer to Jesus, thinking I was in remission, but not quite yet. That neighborhood group of friends got me through it along with really accepting Christ into my heart and relying on Him, no matter what happened.

 

My God Encounter Story… 

“Annie” heard voices, upsetting voices, and her verbal ramblings disturbed the other guests trying to sleep at the PADS shelter. The first night I knew about her problems another volunteer handled the situation by taking her to a room away from where I was serving. The next week that particular volunteer was not there and I wanted to know what to do in case the situation recurred. It did! The site coordinator asked me to assist this troubled guest and to keep her out of the sleeping area. We got a blanket for this shivering woman. She wanted juice too. When I had wrapped her in the blanket and hugged her, I turned to the kitchen to refill the glass. Another guest sat there with tears in her eyes. She said that she had just seen God in the compassion we shared with our upset guest. When I returned with a full glass of juice, I pulled up a chair next to “Annie.”  She was still shivering so I scooted closer and put an arm around her. She snuggled into my shoulder for the next two hours as we watched movies. Slowly she relaxed and the vocal ramblings diminished. It was a blessing to serve her. God had guided my actions; I surely had not known how to handle a schizophrenic patient who was “off her meds”.  The next week I saw “Annie.”  She was calm and serene, her smile and wave welcomed me. I’m so glad I could be her friend.

 

My God Encounter Story…

My father was a deacon at our church. I went to Sunday school and later joined activities. Through my young adult life, both my parents died. I had a strong falling out with God from that time forward. In the past few years, I knew there was something truly empty in my heart. A friend suggested I needed God in my life. I sought a journey and found God again at Joy!  I am still on my journey and daily find myself amazed at His love for me.

 

 My God Encounter Story…

 I’ve experienced a couple of situations in which I’m certain God had a hand. Once, while returning to college after a visit home, my dad and I found ourselves in a blinding snowstorm. Our car began to fishtail. I remember seeing the back end of our car get closer in the side mirror. As our car was sliding horizontally down the highway, my dad and I looked up to see the headlights of a semi truck right in front of us. My father said that he heard me say, “Oh, dad.”  The next thing we knew, my dad and I were safely off the highway on the embankment. There really was no way that truck could not have hit us. It was if an angel plucked our car up and out of harm’s way, placing us safely off to the side of the road. We were able to drive up the embankment and proceed back to college. My dad and I are certain that was a “God encounter.”

 

My God Encounter Story…

In college I fell away from faith. During an internship I was invited to a church, the type I had never experienced and was afraid of. God became very real to me and grabbed my heart again. It was an awakening; the first of many as I submitted my self to His care and direction.

 

My God Encounter Story…

He has always been poking at me. Reminding me that nothing in life means as much as a relationship with Him. I tried filling my life with sports, hobbies, and video games. Nothing has done for me what the true love of Christ has done for me. I want nothing ore than to walk the path that He has laid before me, knowing that mo matter what I’ve done, He has forgiven me, and He still loves me. Now, how awesome is that!!

 

My God Encounter Story…

God has embraced me in my great times of need. He has spoken to me through His Word, through a community of faith, and by His spirit. I know that He is faithful when I am not. I need Jesus and I know in so many ways that He loves me in spite of myself.