I Found Him

I grew up in church my whole life. I had a faith that was handed down to me from my parents, but it wasn’t real. It was something that I did because it was expected. I didn’t see the point, I didn’t see the purpose. Life was just something to be lived. When I really met Christ and understood what He had done for me, I found new meaning! I was searching, now I’ve found Him.

Christ Follower

Most of my life I was in a church that was rules based, fear based and legalistic. I thought the only way to God was through the church. All those years I studied the Bible and prayed daily but I had no personal relationship with Jesus. It wasn’t until I left that church that I was open the possibility that there was more. I landed at Willow and heard clearly the message of grace and Christ and His redemptive love for me. Once a rules follower, I’m now a Christ follower.

He Never Forgets

I grew up in church and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord when I was nine. Things were going great, but then came college. I would have said I am a Christian, but I didn’t act any different than many of the others in my dorm. Fifteen years later on September 10, 2001 my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in his head. That next Sunday my entire family was back in church. I re-evaluated the activities in my life and made the choice to put God first, my family second, and other things last. God never forgot about me.

Just Talking

Last night we had a chance to talk with a young girl about problems she was experiencing in her life. At age 8, there are many frustrating and confusing aspects to the life around her that she has a difficult time managing. We were able to encourage her, listen to her, laugh with her, uplift her spirit and give her hope that she’s not going crazy. To have other adults in her life, besides her parents gives her a broader perspective of the issues she’s dealing with. We can discuss with her these things without the stress of the situations. We give her a safe place to unwind what can seems so tangled in her own mind. Every 8 year old deserves to be happy and feel safe. We feel honored that God has allowed our lives to intersect and for us to be able to help her. It obviously fills a need in her life, but it makes us feel that we can do something positive in a young child’s life. And, we get a chance to love her. That is what she wants most.

Mike and Debbie Daniele