Dear Friends and Family,
In August a team of people from my church (Calvary Chapel Southeast) will be going to Berlin, Germany on a mission trip. After much prayer and thought, I have decided to join them. This is my first mission trip and I am very excited!
I would like to ask for your support by praying for me as I prepare for this mission. Please pray that God would work in me and through me, and that together we would bless the people of Berlin, and show them the love of Jesus Christ.
While in Germany we will be helping our friend, Harold Paul Rostig, who is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Berlin. As most of our focus this trip will be on the neighborhood children, we will be holding several different outreaches for them. We plan to hold activities for them including games, food, music, possibly puppets, and of course Bible studies. Other outreaches include music on the subway, and an outreach on college campuses. We also are preparing for possible engagement in one on one conversations with Muslims.
However great or small the outcome of all these events may be, my hope and prayer is that we could reach out to the people of Berlin, showing them just how much our Savior loves them.
I sincerely thank you for all your love and prayers. If you would like to support me financially*, I would greatly appreciate it. However, above all, I ask for your prayers.
Thank you and God bless,
Emily
*please note that all donations are tax deductible if made out to Calvary Chapel Southeast, with “Emily Peterson – Germany” in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to:
Calvary Chapel Southeast Portland
13520 SE Pheasant Ct
Milwaukie, OR 97222
Thank you.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sweet Verse
The Lord sweetly showed me this verse tonight and I thought it was amazing so wanted to share :)
Psalm 143:8
Cause me to hear Your
lovingkindess in the
morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in
which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You
Psalm 143:8
Cause me to hear Your
lovingkindess in the
morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in
which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You
The Debate
Sunday was the debate!
My brother said he thought we got our butts kicked, but I thought it was a lot of fun and I think we all actually learned a lot. As it turns out, I have known the "athiest" for a long time, he goes to our church. I guess a few people knew who it was already, but I didn't know, since I didn't hear anyone mention his last name. So I think knowing who he was made it less nerve racking for some. So he was just up on the stage and we were all in the audience and were supposed to raise our hands when we wanted to debate on something he said or just to pick a topic to debate. I must admit, I didn't raise my hand a single time! Yep, I didn't say a word, I felt bad, like I really wanted to say something, but I couldn't think of anything...besides, it was pretty entertaining just listening. It went pretty orderly, but occasionally it got a little crazy with everyone trying to talk all at once. Dave (the "atheist") clearly made it known beforehand that he is NOT an athiest and he does not believe any of that stuff.
At the beginning I mentioned that I learned a lot, one of the things that they said, was you can't be tearing apart the person, because then it's no longer witnessing, but just arguing. We are spreading the Gospel of love, and how can you do that when you insult the person for their beliefs which you find odd? Attacking the beliefs and the person are too entirely different things. Of course, you need to point out the faults in the beliefs, but you can do that without pointing out faults in the person. For example, saying "Wow, how the heck can you believe that? That's not very smart" probably isn't the very best thing to say.
Another thing, was a lot of what our group would debate, or want to make as a topic, really doesn't matter when you get right down to it. They said when you're trying to witness to somebody, just let the small things go. Even when people were trying to prove different stories in the Bible were true, that's not the point. The point is the Bible ITSELF. And, you need to go to the Cornerstone, go to Jesus, talk about Him, not about lots of little issues that really don't matter.
The last thing is you gotta know when to stop. You can go back and forth back and forth, but there comes a point when you just have to let it go, even if it means continuing the conversation at a later time. The person will go home, and what you said will get them thinking. It's rare that after debating that someone will just say "You're right, I believe now". I mean, that totally is possible, but it does take time. And you can't argue anyone into the kingdom of God. Jesus is the only One who knows and can work in the heart of man, and we are merely His tools.
P.s. Okay, so I know this picture has nothing to do with what I was just talking about, but isn't it cute?! That's my dog, Gidget - she's 4 years old but still acts just like a baby. Seriously, she chews up everything, but I love her! It's fun to wrap her up in a blanket, and tuck her in at night. =)
My brother said he thought we got our butts kicked, but I thought it was a lot of fun and I think we all actually learned a lot. As it turns out, I have known the "athiest" for a long time, he goes to our church. I guess a few people knew who it was already, but I didn't know, since I didn't hear anyone mention his last name. So I think knowing who he was made it less nerve racking for some. So he was just up on the stage and we were all in the audience and were supposed to raise our hands when we wanted to debate on something he said or just to pick a topic to debate. I must admit, I didn't raise my hand a single time! Yep, I didn't say a word, I felt bad, like I really wanted to say something, but I couldn't think of anything...besides, it was pretty entertaining just listening. It went pretty orderly, but occasionally it got a little crazy with everyone trying to talk all at once. Dave (the "atheist") clearly made it known beforehand that he is NOT an athiest and he does not believe any of that stuff.
At the beginning I mentioned that I learned a lot, one of the things that they said, was you can't be tearing apart the person, because then it's no longer witnessing, but just arguing. We are spreading the Gospel of love, and how can you do that when you insult the person for their beliefs which you find odd? Attacking the beliefs and the person are too entirely different things. Of course, you need to point out the faults in the beliefs, but you can do that without pointing out faults in the person. For example, saying "Wow, how the heck can you believe that? That's not very smart" probably isn't the very best thing to say.
Another thing, was a lot of what our group would debate, or want to make as a topic, really doesn't matter when you get right down to it. They said when you're trying to witness to somebody, just let the small things go. Even when people were trying to prove different stories in the Bible were true, that's not the point. The point is the Bible ITSELF. And, you need to go to the Cornerstone, go to Jesus, talk about Him, not about lots of little issues that really don't matter.
The last thing is you gotta know when to stop. You can go back and forth back and forth, but there comes a point when you just have to let it go, even if it means continuing the conversation at a later time. The person will go home, and what you said will get them thinking. It's rare that after debating that someone will just say "You're right, I believe now". I mean, that totally is possible, but it does take time. And you can't argue anyone into the kingdom of God. Jesus is the only One who knows and can work in the heart of man, and we are merely His tools.
P.s. Okay, so I know this picture has nothing to do with what I was just talking about, but isn't it cute?! That's my dog, Gidget - she's 4 years old but still acts just like a baby. Seriously, she chews up everything, but I love her! It's fun to wrap her up in a blanket, and tuck her in at night. =)
Friday, May 9, 2008
I made it!
Today's been busy, and I don't have much time, but wanted to just say, "I MADE IT!" I set a goal last night to raise $300 for the Pregnancy Resource Center and in less than 24 hours I raised $500! I thought I had all day to collect online pledges but I checked my email today at 11:15 and oh my goodness, I received a message saying all online pledges had to be made before noon. I panicked! I prayed and asked a friend to pray, and got on the phone.God is so good, for I know it was only Him, as I was so stressed today and cut for time, but, I exceeded my goal!!
Just wanted to share the good news since I'm so excited! :)
Just wanted to share the good news since I'm so excited! :)
My Song & Prayer
May Your joy be my strength and my song
May Your grace be what I stand upon
May Your words to me be sweet
May they always guide my feet
May I shine to others Your love
And may they glorify my Father above
May Your grace be what I stand upon
May Your words to me be sweet
May they always guide my feet
May I shine to others Your love
And may they glorify my Father above
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Life's Happenings
Well, since it seems it's been awhile since my last post I thought I should do so. :)
Things have been going well. I am really looking forward to summer. It is May - Yay! Our swimming pool is just about ready to open for the season, another BIG YAY!
We've also been remodeling our kitchen and bathrooms which makes things crazy. Not really having a kitchen, for awhile only having one bathroom with 5 people in the house, and having only one sink with running water makes things kinda crazy. But I am excited for when things will be all done.
The apologetic study (apologetics defend our Christian faith) has been going great. I at first was thinking we had all summer to study, but really we only have 3 lessons. The debate will take place on May 18th (one week from this Sunday). I have been finding it all so interesting and I really enjoy it. It's also been a LOT of history and it's one of those things where it would be nice to be able to listen to it over and over because each time you'd catch something else. Last week was the most interesting so far, talking about "how do we know God exists?" The teacher asked everyone if we can PROVE He exists and of course we are all nodding our heads. Finally the pastor in the back said "Nope". I was a little surprised since I thought the class was going to be saying how we can prove God exists. But, really, we can't. Not scientifically, but if we BELIEVE He exists, then we should be able to give reasons and evidence. And really, it makes a whole lot of sense. And after discussing it for a long time it helped me understand that when we choose to believe in Jesus, we're not just taking a blind step of faith. It logically and truly does make a whole lot of sense. A point that I found very interesting was this: using the scientific method we can't "prove" God exists. We can't "prove" He exists by observable and repeatable experiences. However, using that method it can also equally be said that using the scientific method you can't "prove" Napoleon existed.The limitations in the scientific method is it must be repeatable, but can we relive History? No. Can we go back to when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated? Can we go back to when Hitler was alive? Can we go back to the crucifixion of Christ? No, we can't. But just because we can't, doesn't make those events any less a reality.
People will wonder why a lot of "smart" people don't believe if it really logically makes sense. The answer is that a lot of the issue is not that people don't have enough evidence, it's the moral issue, they just don't want to believe. Because, when you believe in God, you know you need to submit to Him, and people don't wanna do that. We also went into A LOT of different other beliefs and I was amazed at some of them. I think "how could anyone truly believe that?" and yet they do, and that's sad. Some people don't believe in any god and some have like 50. It's a crazy world, and I know that God wants us as believers to shine to others His love, His Son. I thank Him for the grace that allows us to do so. I really would like to explain more on why it makes so much sense God is real, and I plan to do just that after I finish studing some more. I have it all in my mind and yet I can't explain it very well. I also hope to share more on other religions, because I have found it very interesting. I left my "handout" with a lot of information at church but the teacher has another one for me that I will get next time I go. He also has a lot more stuff on apologetics that I plan on asking for.
Things have been going well. I am really looking forward to summer. It is May - Yay! Our swimming pool is just about ready to open for the season, another BIG YAY!
We've also been remodeling our kitchen and bathrooms which makes things crazy. Not really having a kitchen, for awhile only having one bathroom with 5 people in the house, and having only one sink with running water makes things kinda crazy. But I am excited for when things will be all done.
The apologetic study (apologetics defend our Christian faith) has been going great. I at first was thinking we had all summer to study, but really we only have 3 lessons. The debate will take place on May 18th (one week from this Sunday). I have been finding it all so interesting and I really enjoy it. It's also been a LOT of history and it's one of those things where it would be nice to be able to listen to it over and over because each time you'd catch something else. Last week was the most interesting so far, talking about "how do we know God exists?" The teacher asked everyone if we can PROVE He exists and of course we are all nodding our heads. Finally the pastor in the back said "Nope". I was a little surprised since I thought the class was going to be saying how we can prove God exists. But, really, we can't. Not scientifically, but if we BELIEVE He exists, then we should be able to give reasons and evidence. And really, it makes a whole lot of sense. And after discussing it for a long time it helped me understand that when we choose to believe in Jesus, we're not just taking a blind step of faith. It logically and truly does make a whole lot of sense. A point that I found very interesting was this: using the scientific method we can't "prove" God exists. We can't "prove" He exists by observable and repeatable experiences. However, using that method it can also equally be said that using the scientific method you can't "prove" Napoleon existed.The limitations in the scientific method is it must be repeatable, but can we relive History? No. Can we go back to when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated? Can we go back to when Hitler was alive? Can we go back to the crucifixion of Christ? No, we can't. But just because we can't, doesn't make those events any less a reality.
People will wonder why a lot of "smart" people don't believe if it really logically makes sense. The answer is that a lot of the issue is not that people don't have enough evidence, it's the moral issue, they just don't want to believe. Because, when you believe in God, you know you need to submit to Him, and people don't wanna do that. We also went into A LOT of different other beliefs and I was amazed at some of them. I think "how could anyone truly believe that?" and yet they do, and that's sad. Some people don't believe in any god and some have like 50. It's a crazy world, and I know that God wants us as believers to shine to others His love, His Son. I thank Him for the grace that allows us to do so. I really would like to explain more on why it makes so much sense God is real, and I plan to do just that after I finish studing some more. I have it all in my mind and yet I can't explain it very well. I also hope to share more on other religions, because I have found it very interesting. I left my "handout" with a lot of information at church but the teacher has another one for me that I will get next time I go. He also has a lot more stuff on apologetics that I plan on asking for.
This weekend should be fun. I just decided to participate in "Steps for Life" with my church, a walk-a-thon that supports The Pregnancy Resource Center. Since it is on Saturday, I really don't have much time to raise money for it, but I set a goal and will do my best to achieve it! Any little bit helps and we will have a good time. I've never done this before, although my church does this every year, so it will be a fun time.
So yep, that's basically what's going on in my life right now! Nothing too exciting but I really wanted to post so thought I would :) I hope God is blessing you all lots!!
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