Paint My Mind

"Lord I know you can't erase every line and every trace of a used to be, but the marks will cease to show when they're placed beneath the flow of Calvary.
Lord, paint my mind with Calvary's blood, wipe away the stains of yesterdays pains with your brush of love.
You've covered the earth, the skies and seas Lord please do just one thing for me, paint my mind with Calvary's blood". ~Paint My Mind, By: Wayne Lawhorn

I'll never forget the first time I heard that song, I could not stop weeping. I was still somewhat fresh out of the world and the bad memories were not so far removed from my mind. On my way out of town with my husband this weekend that song came on, and it brought up a lot of emotions but not the same ones as before. I began to feel convicted that I had become a little too comfortable with my life the way it is now.

I had lived life to what I thought was the fullest for 18 years, I have scars that have faded physically and emotionally. Its the fading of the "emotional scars" that somewhat scares me. If I am not careful I can forget just where God brought me from. God forbid that I ever begin to feel that I have a good husband, a good job or a good life because of something I've done. The things that I do have, including my right mind is only by the grace of God.

I remember for so long not wanting to have anything to do with my old life and I believe that I have achieved that but I can't afford to forget that I was once bound by sin. Thank you God for my life and all you've done but please don't ever let me forget my testimony.

If you're reading this and were raised in the church the fact that God kept you is a beautiful testimony. You don't need to come from a life of sin to appreciate what God's done for you.


Love,

Siena

Its a small world after all...

How many times have you gone on vacation and noticed other church folks but are too afraid to say hello? I’ll be honest, I’m guilty (and you are too) but why do we do that?


If there is ever a group of people we should feel totally comfortable walking up to and making introductions its other Pentecostals. There should never be the “intimidation factor” with church people. Just think how joyous it will be when we get to glory and we recognize faces we’ve met over the years. Life is tough, we are a gazing stock to the world but we gain our strength from God and one another. Why not get to know as many brothers and sisters as possible?


Let’s not get in ruts or cliques. A clique can be one of the biggest tools the devil uses against young (and older) people. It’s easier to wander off when you feel alone or to make friendships that are unhealthy. Could it be intimidation? One of our young ladies made the comment that she was afraid to make friends because she didn’t look like the other girls. Other excuses I’ve heard is their not friendly because their P.K.’s, which is totally an excuse (and FYI G180 youth that doesn’t fly with me!). No more excuses!

I think there are a lot of friendly folk out there but WE are the ones that need to get over our pride or fear and just say hello. Let me be the first: Hello, my name is Siena. Thanks for stopping by! If it’s your first visit, Welcome! If you publicly follow, thank you! If you follow privately, chicken (j/k)!

Siena

Love, Life and God’s timing

I was blessed to be able to celebrate my 7th wedding anniversary with the love of my life this week. God truly blessed me with an amazing husband. 

On the way back from Youth Alive my husband and I were chatting with some of our young ladies about love and life. The girls had decided to make a list of everything that they wanted in a potential husband. The list had everything that we both expected, that the person would love God with all their heart etc. etc. What I found most interesting was none of the girls were really sure how long it would take to make sure “Mr. Perfect” matched their listed criteria. 

Let’s be honest folks, there is a perception in Pentecost that if you’re not married by the time you’re 24 you’re an old maid. How horrifying (an untrue) is that! Why would we want to rush into a relationship that we’ll be in for the rest of our lives and will have a huge impact on our salvation? Take your time.

Some of you know my testimony. My husband and I started dating in high school and had been dating for 5 years before we got into church. We knew we cared for one another but it would have been a horrible mistake for us to get married any earlier then we did. God was still working on us.

The first year we “took a break” and decided to focus on God was one of the hardest times of my life. I will spare you the details but I was in a fairly sad state.  That time apart was the best thing that could have ever happened to either one of us. It allowed us to figure out that we wanted to live for God as individuals not because the other person was doing it.  After many months of struggling I made up in my mind that as much as it hurt if we were not meant to be I wasn’t going to fight it anymore.  I can take you to the spot where I was standing when I told God “I give up, I’ll accept your will no matter how much it hurts”. That very evening everything changed! From that night on we started talking again, eventually courting and finally engaged.  I don’t think it could have changed until my will had been broken.  It was simply God’s time. Lord only knows the trials we were spared from because we didn’t get married right away.

Bro. Wayne Lawhorn preached an amazing message called “Missing God in Marriage” (I highly recommend it for any single person). In the message he made a statement that really resonated with both my husband and I, he said “lust is instant desire, but love is a friendship caught on fire”.  So true.

It’s alright to take your time in getting to know someone. You’ll have the rest of your life to enjoy the blessings of God if you can stay in step with God’s timing. 

A very happy wife,

Siena

P.S. I know I’ve done more rambling then posting of flowers lately. Yes, I am still sewing and hope to have more photos up soon.

I love you Bryan!

The Power of Friendship

This blog entry is dedicated to all the young ladies in the G180 Youth Group, I love you girls.

We often talk to young people about being cautious of who influences them but I want to take a different approach. Who do they influence?

My husband and I have been working with a young lady close to 5 years now that has her share of problems. She's been bounced around the foster care system, often times become self destructive/self mutilating and is constantly battling depression. For four of those five years we have done our best to include her in all youth activities and events but to her "Sis. Siena invites me and picks me up because its her job to do that". Roughly a year ago we started noticing a shift in our youth group. Our young people were starting to mature and have a burden for their peers. In the process our girls have really rallied around this one young lady. She's received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, has a desire to get baptized and seems to no longer desire a self destructive path. She is just now starting to live for God, after five years.

So what changed? Did God's love for her change? Of course not but the love she felt from her peers did. We don't serve God because of friendships but friendships and disciplining is crucial in building a walk with God.

My firs Pastor would tell us almost every service "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care". Do we have the truth? Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt. Will arguing doctrine with a single mother trying to survive let her know how much you care about the well being and salvation of her family?

I heard a message once of about a great army that linked their shields when they went into battle so that if someone stumbled or fell the soldiers to their right and left could support them. I pray that army be a model to our young people and to our church. You never know when a trial may come and you find yourself the unstable soldier in the middle. We are our brother's keeper, and sisters too.

Please pray for my youth group, I mean that with all sincerity. I know there are folks reading this blog that do not follow publicly but I am asking for your prayers. We have a lot of new young people looking our way and I pray that our youth can be used to disciple them. If you have a prayer request you'd like to have folks of like precious faith pray for feel free to leave it in the comments section or email me directly. You have my word that myself, my husband and our youth will hold it up before God in prayer.

In all sincerity,

Siena
vanheusenconsulting@gmail.com

Youth Alive

Hello All,

We are just a few days away from our trek to Burbank for the Youth Alive Conference. Our Youth Group/College and Career are really looking forward to it. We did a little extra fund-raising this year so we could spend all day Sunday in Disneyland!! Woot woot!

Since we are within a few days of our departure I must give the "Last Call" on any flower orders. I am sewing like mad and hope to get the last of my current orders complete by tomorrow. If you see something you are interested in please e-mail me as soon as you can at vanheusenconsulting@gmail.com .

Thank You!

Siena

Revival Tabernacle Youth Service and Lock-In

We are swiftly approaching the Revival Tabernacle Annual Youth Service and Lock-In. We had an amazing time last year and are looking forward to the same this year.

After a power pact service we will be heading over to City Beach of Fremont to enjoy exclusive use of the facilities massive rock climbing gym, basketball court, volleyball court and inflatables.

More information will be mailed to your Pastor. If you have questions feel free to contact me at vanheusenconsulting@gmail.com . Hope to see you there!!
...
Bro Bryan & Sis Siena Van Heusen
Revival Tabernacle Youth Ministries

Details:

When: Friday October 22, 2010. Service starts at 7:00. Lock-In 10:30pm - 2:30am
Service Location: 205 I Street, Fremont
Lock-In Location: City Beach of Fremont (RSVP is required)