Personal Vistas offer just a glimpse of some of the beautiful colors on the canvas of the Master painter...
God has blessed me so much this year and Vista has made so much possible. I have found where God wants me and it feels amazing!
Towards the end of the service, I was just shaking in my seat and it was the clearest act of God that I have ever experienced. There was no way that I was going to go another day without taking this next step of faith.
I wanted to let you know that last weeks sermon hit home with our 10 year old. On our way home from church he asked if he could make a chart to track how many times he complained during the week. This coming from what you said in the message about how we spend our time. So, he set to work and made a chart, not only for himself, but also for the whole family to chart our complaining. We were all on board with the idea. Anyway, we have tracked all this week and have found that we do not complain that much. However, I think we were all more aware of how often we might have complained if we were not keeping track. (We were on our best behavior.) This has opened up many conversations this week about how we spend our time, treat others, and how thankful we are for what we have. Good stuff!
I am so happy to have found a church with a young audience and a message that applies to my life...You make the scripture meaningful and relevant every Sunday morning and I can, for the first time in a long while, take the message with me throughout the week.
I have attended Vista the last four out of five weeks... I’m currently in a small group where I’m learning so much about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me through your sermon. Unfortunately, I can relate to so many of your points and currently live with an anxious heart that is weighing me down. I’m doing exactly what you said, “Faking it so I can make it.” I’m doing my best, though, to find solutions through “The Presence of the Shepherd.” So I just wanted to reach out to let you know that I feel like the Holy Spirit is speaking to me through you and Vista which is making a difference in my life.
About three weeks back, our daughter, 2 1/2, would not stay in her classroom so she was with me in church for the beginning of one of your talks. At some point you mentioned the presence of God, well, I guess she was listening. She said, very loudly, "I want a present from God." It was loud enough I thought maybe you would even hear her, ha! She got some chuckles from those around us.
...God is "knocking down the props" [in my life] and starting something new. Of course, the most new and most difficult is learning to depend on Him every day during this time trying time of being unemployed. On top of that are my health issues. But I think this is exactly where God wants me. He is my source for getting through this, and I tell you, my faith is growing stronger every day. I believe that God has a special plan for me. It might be getting the right job, maybe not. Whatever will happen, I'm learning the true meaning of "walking by faith, not be sight." - KS
...for the first time in her life, [my daughter] is asking us if we are going to church... You are doing great things at Vista! I feel like I have been hit over the head spiritually by a two by four but that's okay because I needed it. Growing up [in church] had not prepared me for the Unveiled Service, I have never felt such power and emotion in a church service. By the way, we went twice on Sunday, we brought family and some friends with us to the second service. - KN
...I find myself looking for inspirational/gospel music online. Not because I think I should, but because I want to. I even download your messages when we can’t attend. I find myself questioning my dedication to faith – for the first time. I am starting to ask myself if I am the man I really want to be. The father I want to be. Do I have too much… and not enough. Do I agree or disagree with what you are saying? I am for the first time actually thinking about my faith, my convictions, and who I am. I actually went to a Christian bookstore! Who da thunk? - ER
...I decided it was time to offer forgiveness as well as ask for forgiveness for [certain] situations. I had dinner with [them] last night and we did all the forgiving of the situation. Things went really well and I have felt my heart release the hate and anger finally. I feel so much better! We hugged and plan to keep in contact and to start building our friendship again...
I am definitely loving being a part of Vista, and I have met some amazing people...and I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have met them all. They're all so welcoming and genuine; what a special group of people! It's been so great for me because I am a newer believer and I just moved to Columbus last June, so I'm still finding my way. I feel like I've definitely found a home at Vista, which is so relieving and exciting!
I just wanted to let you know how AWESOME the Easter service was. We came away from yesterday morning talking about how great it was - the message, the music, everything was amazing. I feel like i could've stayed there all day!
I do a bible study with about 10 women, some go to Vista while others belong to other churches. Today we ladies of Vista shared your message with the other women. It was awesome to see how they reacted. Wanting to serve and deciding to use their God given gifts.
I am seeing a lot of change and challenges pushing me in my private life, and it has allowed me to have faith like a mustard seed... ...this has really given me something to chew on! I am loving it, I am loving Vista, and I am loving the direction the Lord has shown you to take us as a church. Just some encouragement for you and all involved at Vista.
How cool it is to love your church?
Last night my wife and I nearly cried when we saw the pictures of your beautiful kids [at the new orphanage]. God bless you and your church for your faith and your faithfulness. You have truly saved the lives of these children.
I have been more moved to act in the last 3 months than maybe any other time in my life.
My dad was so moved by the Christmas eve service that he told mom thathe wants to start going to church again...this coming from a man whohasn't wanted anything to do with church for many years... PRAISE GOD& thank you to all of you for keeping it real, serving and lovingChrist.
We feel so connected! Vista is what we have been looking for for a long time. We appreciate the leadership, the desire to do things right & well and being real with each other!
I am just awestruck by what God is doing...and I am blessed to be able to be used in this work.
We are really enjoying Vista! Every service we walk away say "WOW"!!!
I am excited about the positive impact Vista is already having on Dublin! I will continue to pray for Pastor Mike & his family, along with the other leaders.
I am a happier person at Vista, happier than I've ever been in my walk!
I have never loved a church so much!!! thank you!
As I walked out of the service Sunday evening, I said to my mother, who was with me, "I love this church." There are struggles, as there are with any new venture, but the energy, faith and positive momentum are obvious.
This is my second time at Vista and I couldn't wait to be back!
We use to go to church because we knew it was the right thing to do, NOW.... we WANT to go...
It is nearly 3 AM in the morning . I am sitting here in Hamburg, Germany on one of my frequent Global trips trying, unsuccessfully, to adjust to the many different time zones I am experiencing. I want to share this story with you on the extended value and usage of the weekly podcast messages that you makes available to all of us. I call it God's message "On Demand". Unable to sleep, I reached over to the side table to grab the Bible and sure enough there it is The New Testament......only in the local language "Das Neue Testament". I quickly realized my German is not good enough to capture the right message. In other words I could not read it at all. I am tired and my soul needs to hear a message from God, I get so distracted traveling the world, meeting customers all day, and then dinner out and often late nights. My body and my soul can often get tired and out of whack. I missed this past Sundays sermon and I just needed to hear your teaching to get my soul adjusted. I then jumped out of bed and onto my PC, opened my bookmark to vistacommunitychurch.org and with great comfort I have in front of me a years worth of sermons and in that moment I felt so much comfort. So thank you for being there and allowing your message andteaching to be available 24/7 all over the world.
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