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About 6 years ago I started attending Woodland Hills Church somewhat regularly. I had been involved with the same youth group as Greg and Shelley, and I enjoyed visiting Woodland Hills from time to time. But when I started having trouble in my marriage and family, I needed a place for healing. I found that healing through many of the inspiring services here. Although I earnestly prayed with my friends and tried to put "God's unsurpassable love" into practice, my marriage still fell apart. I experienced deep depression and despair. My childhood was full of loneliness and rejection as I grew up in foster homes, so my prayer for many years was to meet a good Christian man and enjoy being "happy ever after". Well, that which I feared most happened to me. Even though I had put God first since I was 15 years old, I still ended up experiencing deep loss, disappointment and shame.
Greg's messages on the "Dark Night of the Soul" (7/4/04) were extremely helpful to me, as were the many precious friends I made at WHC and my job. God held me up even when my ship sank, and the most wonderful thing of all is that He helped me not to hate. I still strive to be more like Him, and I am happy to say that He has allowed me to be free – free to keep on loving and living an abundant life. I had pretty much resigned myself to being alone when God brought another surprise into my life – a new marriage. I did not think it was possible for me to trust again, but God encouraged me through an old friend who is very kind and loyal. I have loved God for many years, but having Him hold me up through my times of dark doubt and skepticism these past few years has caused me to embrace Him and enjoy Him even more.
– Bonnie
My family was never very religious. We never went to church and never spoke of God. As a teenager, I wondered, if there was a God, why does He let so many people get hurt? – emotionally, physically or mentally? Why does He let some people get diseases like cancer? In the midst of my confusion, I fell into a deep depression and experienced feelings of hopelessness. I started to listen to music that was either satanic or filled with rage and hate. I myself was filled with so much rage and hurt. I began drinking heavily whenever I wasn't working, but I stopped in my mid-20's when my daughter was born. It was a wake up call telling me that there really is beauty and purity and hope in the world. Still, I could not stand the thought of going to church or praising God or hearing anyone preach of God. It made me sick to my stomach and instantly filled me with rage. I always felt like, no matter what I did, it wasn't good. My heart ached all the time.
When the movie “The Passion of the Christ” came out, I felt something deep down that told me I needed to see that movie, so I went with my girlfriend. Throughout the movie, I could not stop crying. I felt so guilty that Jesus went through all of that pain to save me – and I was denying his love! Some time after that, a friend asked me and my girlfriend to come to Woodland Hills Church so we decided to check it out. I was blown away! I could not believe that church could be that exciting. The worship band was playing, and I really related to some of their songs. I again broke down crying. I wanted to be delivered from all the pain, sorrow and hate. All of a sudden I felt a tingle come over my body. I was terrified! Then, in an instant, I felt a warm embrace and knew that it was going to be OK. I gave my life to Christ that day. It’s been about two years since, and I am filled with so much love and joy for life. I owe it all to my Lord and Savior. As I look back at my past, all I see is darkness and evil. But now as I look forward, I know I will never have to walk in darkness again because I have been saved.
– Phil
I was raised in a Lutheran church in Birmingham, AL but was not held accountable for anything but attendance. Things went downhill after I turned 16. I began drinking and doing drugs. After being kicked out of the school I grew up in, I went to another high school and repeated my junior year. I quickly found the group of people that used drugs and drank alcohol. By the time I graduated (which was a miracle itself), I was selling marijuana to the kids at school as a full-time job. After graduation, I was arrested for felony possession. But this did not stop me. I began to sell cocaine and, by the age of 21, I was addicted. I discovered crack cocaine when I moved to Michigan to go to school. I somehow managed to keep my head above water, but I had ruined every single opportunity that God provided to me by the age of 26. I had no idea I was doing it. I was bound up in every imaginable way. I kept looking for reasons to fix myself. I tried everything…but I was searching for fulfillment everywhere but in Christ. After I moved back home, I was eventually presented with an opportunity to move to a Christ-centered recovery center. I’d tried everything else – why not God? So I went. Within two days, I had dedicated my life to serving God and furthering the Kingdom. That was on February 26, 2004.
Since then, I’ve almost completed a degree in graphic design with a full paid grant, I’m involved in my local church, and I have a wonderful girlfriend in a very godly relationship. I can't wait to see what God has for me next! I keep furthering my knowledge of God's Word, and I am constantly taking inventory of my life. From where I've been and from where God brought me, I know He set me on the Rock. Praise God! Hallelujah! I still live in the extremely hot and humid state of Alabama, and I listen to the Woodland Hills podcast every week. I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to write in and share a bit of my story. I hope it helps someone.
– Frank
Amazing! Refreshed! Renewed! This is how I felt after attending my first service at Woodland Hills on July 8, 2006. What a warm and inviting place! The Spirit was so strong. I had forgotten how wonderful it is to have the Lord touch my heart; how close I can feel to Him; and what comfort He brings to my life...when I am open to Him. I am so grateful to have found a place to worship freely! I am so blessed!
– Tina
I am so thankful for this website. I've attended Woodland Hills twice during visits to the Twin Cities, but I rarely travel that far. However the two visits and some of the sermon tapes have ministered to my heart deeply. The church I attend for my family leaves me feeling a bit empty and disconnected. I struggle to grasp the message there. So I dedicated a year to making Woodland Hills my church (breaking the ‘martyr complex’ in which I often feel ensnared) and that was a blessing. One thing I discovered in this process is that it is my responsibility to find supplements that meet my spiritual needs. God has blessed me with the Woodland Hills online sermon library. I listen several times a week. I appreciate so much the sermons on prayer, and today I listened to a sermon on encouragement that was very powerful and struck a chord in my heart. Thank you for what's happening in the Kingdom through Woodland Hills.
– Kris
It is so important to let people know when they have impacted your life in a positive manner. We are so quick to let others know when they do it wrong. I lost my husband suddenly 6 years ago and found that I didn't fit well anymore into the ideal ‘suburban church family’ with 3.2 kids and a husband and wife. I never felt so alone as when I sat in church. Having known Christ since I was 5, I couldn't just go through the motions of religion – I needed relationship…now more than ever. I ventured into new territory, and God led me to Woodland Hills.
The first Sunday I was there, I felt the battle in me telling me to leave. I stayed only to hear them announce that Pastor Peggy Riley was preaching that day. I thought, “Oh NO!” – I came out of a strong background that taught a woman’s rightful place in the church. I told myself it was OK to leave now. But then God said directly to me, “Sit down Vickie. I have something to say to you.” I am so glad that He did! Pastor Peggy’s message was about being still and knowing God. He wrapped His loving arms around me that day, and I have not been the same since. I never leave Woodland Hills without feeling the grip of God’s loving, patient, tender and yet strong teaching. I am so blessed when by the worship. It opens the door for me to enter into a place in communion with God. The sermons challenge years of my traditional thinking. I couldn’t even have explained why I believed what I believed. I truly (even though my circumstances could say differently) am at peace. I am not alone. I never ever feel lonely when I walk into the doors of Woodland Hills!
– Vickie
I just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed listening to your sermons. I am a member of another church, but I've really appreciated your messages when we've come to visit. I’d like to thank you and your technical ministries for making the Sunday messages available via podcast – I download these weekly and listen to them during my daily run. It's a wonderful service! I not only appreciate being able to use it, but I also appreciate the quality and consistency (the files are ALWAYS available during the first part of every week). Excellent service, excellent ministry. Thanks again to both you and your technical ministries.
– Kurt
I just wanted to say I really liked the poem [on our site] called "On Boys and Men." As a woman who has struggled with anger and bitterness towards men for various reasons, I was encouraged by what you wrote. It showed me that there really are men out there who do recognize and acknowledge the truth about their weaknesses and faults – and try to overcome them! I realize I need to stop being so sexist and stop stereotyping men as much as I do. It is so refreshing to be proven wrong. You certainly have proven me wrong about my assumptions on the male species! Thanks for being so honest and transparent. It contributes to the healing of wounds in myself and probably other women as well.
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