Comments for St. John's United Methodist Church of Ivyland, PA http://www.stjohnsivyland.com Located in Beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:04:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Holy Ground by Heidi http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2012/02/holy-ground/#comment-109 Heidi Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:04:21 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=1052#comment-109 Another great night at our small group. Ruth's sermon was amazing and really generated alot of intersting and thoughful discussion. Probably the biggest take home message for me was the thought that wherever we go God is with us, therefore we are always on Holy Ground. That really makes me stop to think about alot of my thoughts and actions. Do they seem Holy? Do I take time to 'stop' and include God in my daily life or just when I need him? Alison suggested we find a way to stop during our day and pray or spend time with God. Mine was every time I saw a green traffic light I turned off the radio and talked to God. I must say, it really made a diference in my day. I felt God's prescence. Try it!!! Another gem I picked up from this week's group was a suggestion from Linda. She mentioned that Dr. Charles Stanley has an app with his sermons and/or daily devotionals on it. I must admit I really didn't know who Charles Stanley was, but she seemed very impressed with his work. So, yesterday on my daily walk, I turned off my usual radios staions of choice, ESPN and NPR, and instead downloaded the In Touch app and listened to Dr. Stanley. Wow, what a great way to spend my time. His message was spot on and had application for my daily life. Listening to him combined with the beauty of my surroundings; let's just say I could feel God speaking to me. If I hadn't gone to small group that night, I may never have known about this wonderful app. Don't miss out-join one of our small groups. Another great night at our small group. Ruth’s sermon was amazing and really generated alot of intersting and thoughful discussion. Probably the biggest take home message for me was the thought that wherever we go God is with us, therefore we are always on Holy Ground. That really makes me stop to think about alot of my thoughts and actions. Do they seem Holy? Do I take time to ‘stop’ and include God in my daily life or just when I need him? Alison suggested we find a way to stop during our day and pray or spend time with God. Mine was every time I saw a green traffic light I turned off the radio and talked to God. I must say, it really made a diference in my day. I felt God’s prescence. Try it!!!

Another gem I picked up from this week’s group was a suggestion from Linda. She mentioned that Dr. Charles Stanley has an app with his sermons and/or daily devotionals on it. I must admit I really didn’t know who Charles Stanley was, but she seemed very impressed with his work. So, yesterday on my daily walk, I turned off my usual radios staions of choice, ESPN and NPR, and instead downloaded the In Touch app and listened to Dr. Stanley. Wow, what a great way to spend my time. His message was spot on and had application for my daily life. Listening to him combined with the beauty of my surroundings; let’s just say I could feel God speaking to me. If I hadn’t gone to small group that night, I may never have known about this wonderful app.

Don’t miss out-join one of our small groups.

]]> Comment on Making Room For Life: Managing Too Many Worlds by Linda Konicky http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2012/02/making-room-for-life/#comment-104 Linda Konicky Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:34:07 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=1001#comment-104 Small group study and worship keeps me focused on what's important in my life...God. I'm also reminded that I need to spend time in my relationship with Him. Relationships are not confined to family, friends and co-workers. The scope of our world becomes small when we focus on the "earthly" things..it becomes large and interesting when we focus on the Lord and his promises for our lives. Small group study and worship keeps me focused on what’s important in my life…God. I’m also reminded that I need to spend time in my relationship with Him. Relationships are not confined to family, friends and co-workers. The scope of our world becomes small when we focus on the “earthly” things..it becomes large and interesting when we focus on the Lord and his promises for our lives.

]]> Comment on Making Room For Life: Managing Too Many Worlds by AlisonBeal http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2012/02/making-room-for-life/#comment-96 AlisonBeal Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:39:36 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=1001#comment-96 We had a great gathering the other night. It's great to get to know the group better. So what have you done this week to change how you make time for God and what is most important in your life? I enjoy my morning devotional time using the <em>Disciplines</em> book given to the church leadership. Of course my dog, Amber, is bent on interrupting my time as she's looking for treats. I am also trying to connect with God as I do my every day activities. I'm trying to be more conscious on how I use my time and who I spend it with. How about you? We had a great gathering the other night. It’s great to get to know the group better. So what have you done this week to change how you make time for God and what is most important in your life? I enjoy my morning devotional time using the Disciplines book given to the church leadership. Of course my dog, Amber, is bent on interrupting my time as she’s looking for treats. I am also trying to connect with God as I do my every day activities. I’m trying to be more conscious on how I use my time and who I spend it with. How about you?

]]> Comment on Details, Details, Details!! by Wendy Hartman http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2012/02/details-details-details/#comment-90 Wendy Hartman Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:32:12 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=994#comment-90 I simply can't wait to hear the sermon this week, if it's anything like this reflection......I believe you must have my mind bugged as over the past few weeks, my thoughts and actions have been so befuddled. One morning I found I had put the chicken I had cut up in the cupboard, and the pot holder in the fridge! I really need time to remember that I simply can't do it all.....sometimes I just have to trust God, to give me the strength to make good decisions, and to handle one thing at a time instead of everything at once...thank you for reminding me..... I simply can’t wait to hear the sermon this week, if it’s anything like this reflection……I believe you must have my mind bugged as over the past few weeks, my thoughts and actions have been so befuddled. One morning I found I had put the chicken I had cut up in the cupboard, and the pot holder in the fridge! I really need time to remember that I simply can’t do it all…..sometimes I just have to trust God, to give me the strength to make good decisions, and to handle one thing at a time instead of everything at once…thank you for reminding me…..

]]> Comment on Vision, Faith, and Courage by Heidi http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2012/01/vision-faith-and-courage/#comment-89 Heidi Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:34:08 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=980#comment-89 That is a great story. It may seem small, yet it obviously had a big impact on that gentleman's evening. I had a small experience also. I was at my daughter's gymnastics class, talking to her young instructor. The young lady mentioned that she had gone to college to become a teacher, yet had not yet passed a required exam in order to teach. Hence, she ended up teaching gymnastics to young children. She shared that she had caught some grief from her parents about not using the skills they had paid for her to attain. I asked her if she liked what she was doing. She replied that she loves it and realizes she is probably more suited for this work than being in a classroom. Normally, I might have just quickly responded "that is great.". But instead, I remembered our group and replied, "When God closes a door he opens a window. It sounds like God knows exactly where you needed to be." She smiled and said, "You are so right." She then went on her way teaching. The other cool thing is there were other parents/kids around who also heard our conversation. Who knows, maybe listening to us was just what God ordered for one of them also! Looking forward to meeting again on Monday and seeing everyone on Sunday. Would love to have more join us! That is a great story. It may seem small, yet
it obviously had a big impact on that gentleman’s
evening. I had a small experience also. I
was at my daughter’s gymnastics class, talking
to her young instructor. The young lady mentioned
that she had gone to college to become a teacher,
yet had not yet passed a required exam in order
to teach. Hence, she ended up teaching
gymnastics to young children. She shared that
she had caught some grief from her parents about
not using the skills they had paid for her to
attain. I asked her if she liked what she was
doing. She replied that she loves it and realizes
she is probably more suited for this work than
being in a classroom. Normally, I might have
just quickly responded “that is great.”. But instead,
I remembered our group and replied, “When
God closes a door he opens a window. It sounds
like God knows exactly where you needed to be.”
She smiled and said, “You are so right.” She then
went on her way teaching. The other cool thing
is there were other parents/kids around who
also heard our conversation. Who knows,
maybe listening to us was just what God ordered
for one of them also! Looking forward to meeting
again on Monday and seeing everyone on
Sunday. Would love to have more join us!

]]> Comment on Vision, Faith, and Courage by Alison Beal http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2012/01/vision-faith-and-courage/#comment-88 Alison Beal Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:38 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=980#comment-88 So I think I had my first divine appointment yesterday afternoon. I noticed how miserable the check out person was at K Mart. So when it was my turn I decided to ask him if he was having a long day (Yes). I asked how much longer he had to work (about an hour). We continued talking. His expression was changing and there was a little smile as I told him to "hang in there" as I left. I know this seems like a trivial story, but I would like to hope that taking time to notice people who cross your path might make a difference for them. So I think I had my first divine appointment yesterday afternoon. I noticed how miserable the check out person was at K Mart. So when it was my turn I decided to ask him if he was having a long day (Yes). I asked how much longer he had to work (about an hour). We continued talking. His expression was changing and there was a little smile as I told him to “hang in there” as I left. I know this seems like a trivial story, but I would like to hope that taking time to notice people who cross your path might make a difference for them.

]]> Comment on SMALL GROUPS FORMING by Linda Konicky http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2012/01/small-groups-forming/#comment-87 Linda Konicky Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:38:16 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=938#comment-87 We had our first small group meeting this past Monday evening. It was wonderful to discuss the sermon on a deeper level in an informal setting and meet two new people at the same time. I encourage others to join small groups! They are the way to go! We had our first small group meeting this past Monday evening. It was wonderful to discuss the sermon on a deeper level in an informal setting and meet two new people at the same time. I encourage others to join small groups! They are the way to go!

]]> Comment on Vision, Faith, and Courage by Alison Beal http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2012/01/vision-faith-and-courage/#comment-85 Alison Beal Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:42:03 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=980#comment-85 I really enjoyed our Small Group discussion last night. And it was great to get to know each of you a little better and to spend some time discussing the sermon topic. I'm keeping my eye out for my "Divine Appointment" this week where I can practice conquering my fear and taking a risk. I'll let you know what happens...... I really enjoyed our Small Group discussion last night. And it was great to get to know each of you a little better and to spend some time discussing the sermon topic. I’m keeping my eye out for my “Divine Appointment” this week where I can practice conquering my fear and taking a risk. I’ll let you know what happens……

]]> Comment on We’re goin’ SKIING!!!! by Brownell's http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2012/01/were-goin-skiing/#comment-79 Brownell's Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:44:38 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=859#comment-79 Oh we are sooo going skiing, even tho none of us know how!! haha We hope many can come, THE MORE THE MERRIER!!!! Oh we are sooo going skiing, even tho none of us know how!! haha We hope many can come, THE MORE THE MERRIER!!!!

]]> Comment on Pastor Janice’s Blog on Life and Death by Connie Whalen http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/2011/10/pastor-janices-blog-on-life-and-death/#comment-12 Connie Whalen Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:05:31 +0000 http://www.stjohnsivyland.com/?p=676#comment-12 Thank you Pastor Janice, Chris's cousin passed away yesterday morning and what you are saying does seem true. It seems like death goes in spurts, one after another after another. And the older I get it seems like they don't just come in 3's anymore, it's more like 6's! Anyway, your words, like always, are comforting. I think we are blessed to have this kind of technology... this website. I want us to be able to guide people to it and make good use out of it. Especially since you are writing on it so much. I want to use it as an outreach tool! I AM USING YOU, lol. Thank you Pastor Janice,
Chris’s cousin passed away yesterday morning and what you are saying does seem true. It seems like death goes in spurts, one after another after another. And the older I get it seems like they don’t just come in 3′s anymore, it’s more like 6′s!

Anyway, your words, like always, are comforting. I think we are blessed to have this kind of technology… this website. I want us to be able to guide people to it and make good use out of it. Especially since you are writing on it so much. I want to use it as an outreach tool! I AM USING YOU, lol.

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