Watch this amazing testimony from Henry, a former gangster, as he shares his journey from dwelling in anger, violence and fear to living with the fire of the Holy spirit. This reinforces that God has special plans for you, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Today I had to go to the County Recorder’s Office in East LA to pick up a copy of my marriage license, and when I got there the line was atrocious - person after person queued up and fanning themselves in the late summer heat. I was frustrated by the wait, and my patience was really being tested because I’ve become an impatient person when it comes to wasting time.
After more than an hour in the long winding line inching forward ever so slowly (and a dozen or so checks to Facebook Mobile), I finally made it up to the service window. After all the wait, my heart sank. The teller at the window told me my Certificate would be mailed and they couldn’t give me a copy in person unless it had already been entered by the County Recorder. She had to check for me.
At that moment, I prayed in full faith “Lord Jesus, I really need this certificate today so we can file our applications by our deadline. Would you somehow make it ready for me? I know you can do anything.” Despite my prayer, I was still prepared for the worst.
The teller looked up at me with a smile. “You’re really lucky, you know? It says here it’s JUST been entered, so I can give you your certificate today. It normally takes six weeks, but yours was somehow entered in only two. You’re really lucky.”
“Yes, I guess I am really lucky,” I said. Walking back to my car, I couldn’t help but smile.
Pray at all times, pray for the impossible, and watch God move Heaven and Earth out of love for you. Just believe! “All things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23 (ESV)
In one week, come meet the Editors and Voices of WitnessLA as we join forces with INHERITANCE Magazine for THE HILL - a one of a kind worship and prayer rally to unify Asian American Christians from all around LA and Orange County.
INHERITANCE, the Magazine for Asian American Christians, has put together an impressive line up of pastors, worship leaders and Asian American musicians for what will be an amazing night.
Come meet us in person on Saturday October, 8th! We’ll see you there! C’mon LA Revival!
For more information on the event, including links and song clips for all the worship leaders and musicians, click here.
WitnessLA.org is proud and honored to announce our first ever Video Blog from our newest voice Janice. She shares a moving story of how the way her grandmother treated her grandfather during his recent illness was a perfect illustration of God’s love.
Feedback? Interested in Video Blogging for us at WitnessLA.org, or sharing a Video Testimony? Contact Janice through her website at: http://www.themediamaid.com/
Stay tuned for more Video Blogs from Janice and others in 2011!
All this week at WitnessLA.org we’re featuring the stories and testimonies of Christians in the entertainment industry. Our friend Nebula Gu shares about her journey of finding her calling into the world of entertainment and creative arts.
Q: Thanks for speaking with us! Could you please share how you are currently involved in the entertainment industry? What kinds of projects have you been working on?
I’m currently wearing a couple different hats in the industry. I’m primarily an actress and host as well as a hopeful singer. Music’s always going to be one of my loves. I also recently became more involved as a producer. One of my current projects that I’m excited about is that I will be acting in and producing a webseries with some very talented and visionary friends. Honestly, I’m looking forward to seeing the script come to life. In terms of other projects, I’ve mainly done a lot of commercial work in the past year. My most recent project was a Wells Fargo commercial, shot over four days, that will begin airing in January. One of the interesting and wonderful things about that project is that my mother was cast in commercial as well. I age throughout the commercial and so she played the older version of me. I thank God so much for allowing her to experience this shoot with me!
One Tuesday at prayer meeting something amazing happened. A prayer request was made for a girl who had been struggling and needed God to provide help and a way out. God’s answer was perfect. As soon as the girl’s name was mentioned, another girl at the prayer meeting gasped. The girl who needed prayer was actually her long-lost childhood best friend. Beyond all odds, God reconnected them that night by phone (after more than a decade) in a perfectly gift-wrapped outpouring of His love, just when it was needed. We’re blessed to be able to share the story.
Jesus, your timing and will is perfect. We say this to Him, to ourselves all the time but it takes special situations and circumstances for us to truly understand it. Recently, I had the joy to experience one of these moments. At a typical Tuesday night prayer session (which could turn out to be anything but typical), we were sharing prayer requests so that we could all pray together and close the night. Dan happened to share a request regarding his friend, whose name piqued my ear. I was so thrown that I asked a few clarifying questions to make sure it was the person I was thinking of. When it was confirmed, I was shocked in a state of revelation and I knew… I had to be the one to pray…
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The name he spoke was that of my childhood best friend, someone who held and still holds a soft spot in my heart. We first met each other when we had different names. Way back long before high school, I went by my Chinese name. She is one of the rare few who once called me by that name. We went to elementary school and then middle school together. We shared many crushes, songs, and stories. Towards the end of middle school, we had a falling out. At fifteen, I accepted Christ and she was one of the main people on my heart I knew I had to see again. We got back in touch and met up during our junior year. I felt that there was a sort of reconciliation. Afterwards, I lost track of her as we both went on our individual paths through college and life thereafter. I’ve never forgotten her though.
The fact that the Lord would use me to bless and pray for this sister – this long lost friend – simply blows my mind. It’s a testament to His omnipotence, His grace, His extravagant love for us. I did not know much about what was going on with her, except that she had graduated from school. I did not know if she was still walking with the Lord….and then all in one moment, He told me. I found out that she had recently recommitted to Him. She’d also been going through a tough time. Through this perfectly-timed encounter, He blessed both of us tremendously. He knew our hearts so well…He knew what we both needed. I am so incredibly thankful that she is still in my life and that I could pray for her as a sister and friend should. What happens next is up to the good Lord, and I am faithful He will finish the good work He began in both of our lives.
- Nebula
INTERACT With This Story: Is there anyone you wish you could reconnect with? Share in the comments below and we’ll pray that God will reconnect you!
We often view our work lives and our spiritual lives as two separate things. But what would happen if we took Jesus seriously and acted as light of the world wherever we went? Our friend Ruth shares an inspiring story of how God’s love transformed an ordinary business meeting between two strangers.
For the last 3 years of my life, my weekday hours of 8 to (at least) 5 have been dedicated to Xerox. It’s been an intense journey for a number of reasons. #1, I’m in sales. This means one month I can be recognized by the entire company, but the next quarter… I have to start from scratch. Again and again. #2, I went from being the baby of the company to the most tenured rep in a little over a year. Oh yes, I was also 23 years old at that time.
Everyday, I remind myself that my job doesn’t define me, but who Jesus Christ is in me. The daily pep talk I give myself before I step out of my car goes somewhat like this,
“Ruth. Today is a NEW DAY where God is going to use you in a mighty way. You may be in business clothes and look like everyone else, but you are a missionary going undercover as a Xerox agent. When people are stressed out- SMILE! YOU are going to show others in the company that life is not just about finding prospects, delivering proposals, and closing deals, but about living for a greater purpose. You, Ruth, will be the best in sales, when you do it righteously and for the glory of God.”
Then, I open my car door in anticipation, unsure of the new surprises coming my way, and step out into my mission field…[click “Read More” below to continue]
The doors God opened to grow in my faith have been truly amazing. While cold calling and finding new prospects in my territory, I declare the promise that God told Joshua before he crossed the Jordan River to the promise land:
“Every place that sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness… as far as the great river… to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.” (Joshua 1:3-4)
Just the other day, I had to visit an old customer that was taken over by our competitor. I was quite nervous to go meet with the Vice President of the company, since I didn’t know what he wanted. Nevertheless, I remembered that wherever my feet take me- that is my territory. I refused to be afraid, nervous, or bitter that they went with our competitor.
Turns out that the V.P. was a really nice guy. I noticed a number of pictures of his beautiful family in his office. Framed on the closest wall to his desk was Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. I was kind of excited, because I felt like we had similar interests… family, appreciation of character and good leadership. After discussing business, I felt compelled to stay and just ask him about his family. Being one of Jewish descent, he shared how all 3 of his children had the opportunity to visit Israel for 10 days with Birthright Israel, leading me to ask how tied he was to Judaism.
He paused. Swirling around in his leather chair and began to disclose how his father had past away a month ago. He shared his fostering doubts about God that’s been with him since he was a little boy. Some of his questions were way beyond me, but I just listened. He ended up talking for over 30 minutes and fought to hold back tears in the very end. Every minute he spoke I was in awe of God allowing me to have the honor of knowing the heart of this VP. His life looked picture perfect, but he was so broken inside. Before leaving, I asked if I could pray and bless him. He nodded and received. After I said “Amen”, he told me he got way more than he anticipated in the meeting. I couldn’t help but agree and smile. It’s divine appointments like these that remind me of my purpose at work. Another day of adventures undercover as a Xerox Agent!
