Stretch It Out!

And when He had looked around at them with anger, being greived by the hardness of thier hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other." - Mark 3:5

As I read this verse, a question came up: "Did it hurt to stretch?" If I was that man with that messed up, withered hand, would I be willing to stretch it out? What if it didnt work? What then? I wouldnt want to be embarrassed - would I have faith enough to even try it? Most of us would think the same way: "Well, if it doesnt work, that would be embarrassing, so I just wont try at all." In each of our lives, we have something, some part of us thats not functioning correctly. Although it would be scary & it might hurt, we have to stretch it out & get that area functioning properly! Jesus was wise in asking him to stretch his hand out. "Stretch" means to "straighten or extend one's body or part of one's body to it's full length, typically in order to reach something." Jesus had him stretch his hand out to restore it to normal position & to reach something new. As he now can use his hand properly, he can reach & attain those things that he was meant to.

Lord, I pray right now for ALL of us. We each have different areas that arent working correctly. Maybe it was an area where someone else gave us an injury. Maybe it's an area we were born with dysfunciton. Either way, God I ask that You give us courage & strength to stretch out the things we need to. We offer it to You. I know that You can do much more with our injuries than we can. Thank You Lord; I know You are faithful to heal & restore. I love You!

- Manda

Christian Worship Center Milpitas UPDATE!

Today feels like we took about thirty steps forward in terms of progress. We ended today's service in a huddle and I asked the question "How do we church", and they responded "As a team". When I hear an 80+ year old woman tell me "We are going to do it, together", this is the kind of stuff that I live for. The people are beginning to dream again, they feel part of the family! You should of seen the faces when I asked the question "How many of them had unsaved families" Some begin to cry, and some just nodded their head in pain. It was a great day of victory and yet we still have a ways to go but we are off to an amazing start.

The worship Team, is tearing it up, they are all flowing amazingly. Everyone worships with the attitude that it's not about the song but the heart behind the song. The team is working together as if they have been together for years.I can't even begin to imagine where we are going.

Everyone else has come together in such an awesome way. It's amazing how God places people of different races, different talents, abilities, and dreams together to do a great work. The CWCM team brings with them an unbelievable presence, the place comes alive when they enter the building. We are connecting with the people, and we are making an impact. All of these things push me forward, they challenge me and make me dream larger. One day, mark my words, one day really soon we are going to look at the lives that have been touched, changed and impacted, how families come to the altars as a whole to receive the Lord. Children and young people will be dancing at the altar during worship. We are building something for eternity. We are shaping lives and destiny every week, it's an honor and incredible journey.

Keep us in prayer, believe in the dream, we are all in this race together!

Much Luv,

-ant

Getting Ready for another WEDDING

Here comes the bride all dressed in white...
Wow! my life right now seems to be surrounded by weddings. Weddings that i have to attend and weddings that i have to be in. I'm being called by many loved ones to attend their weddings like Rob and Karly (Sep.15) Ulla and Liz (Dec. 15) and Alberto and Sophia (Jan. 6) but the most significant wedding that just occured was last Sunday, the wedding between CWC and Iglesia Immanuel. It was such an amazing night to see both churches merge and become ONE, CWC Milpitas! P.Dan shared the vision of CWC and to see everyone being supportive (thanks for coming out!) but more than that everyone is EXCITED for what's next. I loved it when P.D called out his whole staff and seeing these men standing tall made me just imagine how it would be for US in the islands. Knowing the struggles and success of these pastors pushes me forward because i wont be alone in this journey. Besides that what is a wedding without FOOD! it took me 3 years to finally try Jesse's menudo, and all i can say is WOW!! From a great service, to a great vision, to some awesome food, it was a night to be remembered. Thanks to all of you who made it out, and to those "soon to be's" I am excited and proud of you all, i can't wait for the food (haha).
LOVE YALL!

Thoughts on Sunday

This Sunday was Awesome! both in the morning service and night service. I'm still in awe of what God is doing in the CWC family. I may not know how Pastor Anthony feels like but I feel like it's to much to fast! At times i got to pinch myself and remind myself, "Hey you're starting a CHURCH!"
As God is leading Pastor Anthony on speaking about "Strong Families," I truly beleive God is going to do a great job bringing the CWC Milpitas church into a family bond that can't be broken. God won't just bring strong families to the church but he will build strong families within the church. Strong families=Strong churches. Sunday was a time of laughter, joy, but also a time to shed some tears. As families ran to the altars, you could just feel the presence of God doing a great work inside of them. Like Pastor Ant Said, "Family is what life is all about!"