Monday, July 30, 2012

Susquehanna Xpress Vibe

We are currently working on a rework of our opening logo and music for the webcast. If you had to choose three words to describe the "feeling" of Susquehanna Xpress, what would you say? I don't think that the music choice should be edgy, although, some of the missions are very unique. Yet, I don't think that it should be so peaceful that it puts you to sleep either. Any and all ideas are welcome!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Discover the Cure for the Mission Bug

"I don't know how, but next year you all are coming on a mission trip with me," Curt Knouse told his family after returning home from a Volunteers in Mission project.

He wanted them to experience the joy of sharing the love of God with the underprivileged. Sure enough, his family accompanied him on the next trip and they are now hooked on serving others. 

Once his interview is posted...you too may catch the mission bug. Knouse,director of Volunteers in Mission, has the cure for that. You can accompany him to Costa Rica or West Virginia in 2013 to see how God can use YOU to give a comforting embrace to His children. 

To learn more about upcoming missions visit the Missional Board Site.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Faith Breaks Interview

In the next Susquehanna Xpress I interview a fellow media person. She has been hosting one minute "Faith Breaks" on the radio for 15 years. It's amazing the stories she is able to share with her listeners in such a short time.

You can listen to an archive of her Faith Breaks HERE. My favorite clip is the background of the praying hands painting/symbol that we know so well. It's a story of sacrifice and love. Check it out, and be sure to check back in for the interview!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Tying the Knot, and Taking the Plunge

"Tying the Knot" and "Taking the Plunge" are phrases often associated with weddings, yet this is what I titled my testimony message a few weekends ago. You could tell I had weddings on my mind, especially since I gave my testimony at a church fair in between my friend's wedding and her reception. Yet, I think that those phrases are excellent terms for describing how to follow God's will in your life.We need to tie a rope to God, hold on and take a leap of faith.

Often we veer off in many different directions while trying to find God's call. Sometimes we hear His call, yet we're afraid to suddenly make an 180 degree turn in our lives to the direction he is leading. Yet, if we are not living out God's plan for our life we will not find fulfillment. This was true in my case as I heard God's call into the communication field, but chose to stick with something more financially secure. During this time I constantly had to rely on my weaknesses to get through the day. This led to me feeling miserable not only during school but through the whole day. You're never going to be satisfied and content if you aren't walking in God's will.

I heard God say, "Why would I grant you strengths, and then ask you to live out the majority of your life barely getting-by on your weaknesses? Follow where I call."

I eventually listened to God's nudging, and you know what? God blessed me. I received this job at the conference, in which I am able to share ministry stories of the 900+ U.M. churches in our conference in Pennsylvania. I continued to receive many other blessings from God after I followed where he led. These blessings served as affirmation to me that I was living out God's will.

I will conclude by saying that God doesn't even let our 'frivolous' dreams die. I wanted to travel to Europe during college, because my sister had had the opportunity to do a semester abroad. Yet, it was my last semester of school, and the opportunity had not worked out for me. Then one day, I got an e-mail from the college saying that 12 slots were available to travel to Germany for a Conference on Media and Religion.To apply a student had to write an essay describing why he or she should be chosen. I KNEW God had provided this opportunity for me. I was working with a religious organization, and studying communications, so my background fit the trip's theme very well. Still, I was ecstatic when I opened up the e-mail that said "Congratulations, you have been chosen, to go on this trip." and that is what God is saying to you right now. "Congratulations, YOU have been chosen to go on this journey of a life time, if you only follow me."

Tie a knot to God, and take the plunge, knowing full-well that He will not let you fall. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."