a note from the pastor's wife

O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. (Psalm 139:1)

Being known can be both an attractive thing and a terrifying thing. Have you ever thought to yourself, "Boy, if these people really knew me just as I am, they wouldn't like what they see"? We struggle to reveal ourselves to others because we know who we are deep inside. The funny thing is, with God we don't have a choice. Psalms 139 goes on to state "You know when I sit and when I rise, You know my thoughts from far away, You know when I'm coming or going, You know what I'm going to say, even before I say it...where can I go from Your Spirit?" The answer is: nowhere. God is in hot pursuit of us, and He won't ever stop. Even when we've "blown it".

Years ago, I came face to face with this loving pursuit. Having grown up in an environment where I felt I had to always do the right thing to gain favor, be a good girl, make straight A's, never question authority, I experienced a season of "sowing my wild oats" after leaving home. When confronted by it from those close to me, and seeing the blackness of my soul and the emptiness of life apart from God, I repented. I was fully expecting a serious tongue-lashing from my heavenly Father, knowing how much I deserved a "How could you?" kind of speech. Instead, I found myself bathed in a blanket of love and forgiveness so tangible, so life-changing, I will never forget His kindness and patience towards me. My prayer is that I will forever be in His loving arms, for all of my days. I never want to let go of that amazing closeness with my God, my Friend, the Lover of my soul.

My prayer for you is, whether you are close to God or far away, His thoughts are towards you. He is running to you, with arms open wide, ready to take you as you are, ready to lavish His love on you. Today He is thinking of you: read Psalms 139 this week and see for yourself. "How precious it is, Lord, to realize that You are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day Your thoughts turn towards me." (Ps. 139:17 TLB)

May you know the One who knows you best.
Blessings to you,
Kitty

Email me let me know your thoughts at user@example.com

staying connected through v-life groups

Tuesday, Jan 22nd
10 am Rockers & Rulers This week will be a Mom's Time Out from 10-Noon.

Wednesday, Jan. 23rd
No Life Group this week.

7 pm Leadership Connect Meeting at the Sterns' home

Thursday
7 am Breakfast with the Guys meets at Crackerbarrel for a casual time of eating and hanging out together. (Crackerbarrel at Hwy 96 & I 65)

6 pm Cool Springs Life Group meets for dinner and then a Bible study follows. Kelly & Michelle Choate's home. 585-1013

getting God's word into our hearts

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God." Psalm 92:12, 13

prayer focus

*For Art and Lana as they complete the process of Lana's immigration to the United States

*For Tim & Janel Gillis' home to sell in Florida

*For the Vineyard Churches of Peru

*For gainful employment and financial provision for our church community

In This Issue:

happenings this week

Monday: Band of Brothers
Thursdays: at 5:30 pm Meal of Hope in Nashville, contact the Ostrander's (1.615.785.4162) if you'd like to help serve the homeless.

Happy Birthday to:
Monday: Renee Lomelino

Thursday: Logan Fossett

Friday: Karina Young

Upcoming New Teaching Series

Face it, we're not as smart as we should be when it comes to relationships. What we need is one of those dummy books on relationships. Join us over the next few weeks as we look at Relationships for Dummies.

Singlehood for Dummies
Marriage for Dummies
Parenting for Dummies
Mr Rogers' Neighborhood for Dummies

Also, on February 16th at the Vineyard we'll be having Dialogue, a conversation with a married couple changed by grace.

support the Vineyard through on-line shopping

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