Our Stories
|
In the last nearly 3 years that I've been off and on (now mostly on) attending church @ Compass, today
is the 1st Sunday where I served in some capacity in the church service. In our prior experience, it was typical for me to serve in a position that I saw as “above others” every Sunday. Today, I helped set up and made coffee. As I was making sure the coffee was together and participating in the praise portion of the service, I got pretty emotional. When I was in my prior experience I thought I was pretty important, and doing an important job, for an important ministry Today, I thought about the simple act of making coffee and it seemed so much more important than anything I'd ever done before...crazy hunh?! I also thought about redemption in this small act of service. Being able to do something for God again. Thank you for creating a space of authenticity for me so that I can make coffee, find solace, redemption and an opportunity to identify and work on my stuff. I just want to take a second and brag about my Compass Family. I think it's awesome that Compass is so outward focused and in to serving the community but nothing meant more to me than when two particular women saw my need and showed up instantly. I had been holding it together very well while my husband was gone for a good five weeks. Week six was super tough. I just couldn't keep going at the pace I was. I started having dizzy spells. My doctor put me on an antidepressant. The Sunday at the beginning of week seven, Peggy came up and asked me how I was. That one question opened up a floodgate of tears. I couldn't stop them. I was telling her how hard it was and I didn't know how I was going to make it, but I didn't know what to ask for because I'm not really one to ask for help...I do it all. She took my number down and called me the next day, not to ask me what I needed but to tell me that she was coming over and helping me out with some housework. Donita saw us talking, me crying and she just came to my house after church. She talked to me, comforted me and asked Joe and me what we like to eat. She made sure we had a different and delicious dinner every night of that week. On that Friday, Bob and Peggy came over to watch the kids just so I could get out of the house by myself. What was even better, was that they did it as if they were looking forward to it, as if I was doing them a favor by letting them hang out with little kids. What an immeasurable blessing the Schunnings and the Jacksons were to me and my family. They made it possible for me to get myself together so that when Scott finally got home, the house was decent and I wasn't a basket case.
I just wanted to let you know what the Compass family means to me. I pray for extra blessings for them and their families. Dorrien, You're never going to believe this!.. So you know how I talked to you after church about giving because of what you mentioned in your message today?.. If not, basically I gave nearly everything I had in my wallet; Anyway, so tonight I was on my
cokerewards.com and just won a $100 Visa Debit card; I'm not saying it is divine intervention, but it's at least a pretty big coincidence. Love Like Jesus Challenge...
I bought a $20 Speedway gas card and then asked the Holy Spirit who to give it to. The timing wasn't right for a few people. But then I saw a woman pull up and get out. I walked over to her and asked was she getting gas, she said yes. I told her God told me to give her the $20 gift card and that he loved her. She said thank you and asked could she give me a hug, I said sure. She was from Cali. Love Like Jesus Challenge…
At the grocery store, the woman in front of me had items in her cart that she didn’t put on the belt. Before I put my stuff up, I asked her if it was ok. She said she was waiting to see if she had enough money to cover the items. Her toddler was also in the cart. She told him she had to see if they had enough money. The items were like cereal, oatmeal, a snack, cereal bars...stuff he could eat too. I gave her money and told her to put her items on the belt. She said "are you sure?" After her bill was paid she had change and tried to hand it to me. I told her to keep the change. She told her little boy to give me a hug. His little arms opened so wide and he gave the warmest embrace. My hearts was on full!!! |
Dorrien, I really enjoyed your message and reiterating to my son what I’ve spoken with him about brokenness and pressing on regardless of circumstance, and forgiving ourselves and others and what I’ve/you’ve shared with me recently with my struggles and the worry that I carry around based on what others have thought. In my search for the truth I stumbled upon a scripture that had such a profound impact on my thoughts and this Sunday’s service reminded me again. It was Ecclesiastes 7:5 “Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool.” I’m realizing I’ve spent most of my life criticized by fools; yes I’ve been praised by them at times, but man to be criticized by them and actually care. Whoa! I’ve always enjoyed catering to others. I always thought of myself as a natural born accommodator. I grew up trying to please people who were not by their own faults, fools. I always felt successful if I could please others or make others smile but didn’t know the difference of who I was serving.
Hi Bob:
I wanted to take a moment to thank you again for your presentation/sermon a few weeks ago on the Five D's of the Devil's Plan. Your words really spoke to me since I find myself often struggling with all five (especially lately). I actually took your list and developed a personal reminder sheet for myself which I have attached. This is hanging in my office at work, at home and in my car. I need all the reminders I can get : >. As I went through each of these, I realized that at the end of the day it is all about fear. All five lead to fear which leads to a weakening of faith which leads to looking for a solution in place of God. A solution you think you can manage and control on your own. That definitely leads to trouble! Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for doing such an awesome and timely job. I personally appreciate it! I just wanted to Thank YOU so VERY much for your prayers this past week. The enemy was really at work TRYING to prevent us from doing God's Will. But PRAISE the Lord, thanks to all of you wonderful prayer warriors, strengthening the angels around us, we made it there to share a message of hope, forgiveness, love & what is only possible through a relationship with Jesus.
I wanted to share with you one amazing story that I'm aware of: ALL Praise, Glory & Honor to God!!!! A woman came up to me afterwards (bent over, limping & in obvious pain) she told me that she had been hit by a drunk driver 1 year ago. She said that she has not been able to forgive that man, nor did she want to. She said that now, she felt like maybe she could, that she had a different perspective on it & on forgiveness. PRAISE YOU FATHER!!!! Thank YOU for allowing us to be a part of something so wonderful!!! Thank you for shedding your truth on the enemies lie that has been keeping her in bondage. I ask that you help her forgive this man & heal her body for YOUR glory - in Jesus Name. Amen Thank YOU Church was great. Every time I step foot in Compass it's a great time. Pastor always for some reason has a universal message that applies to us all. Love that place. Honest people and great vibes to strive to be a better person and to learn how to let Christ determine where your life shall go. Great message today.
Love Like Jesus Challenge...
We had the opportunity to buy groceries for an older gentleman at Aldi's. He was a little confused about what was going on at first so the lady ringing us up explained it to him. The line was long and people seemed upset, but when they overheard her telling him that we were getting his groceries, there was a visible change. People were smiling and I know that God was blessing not only that gentleman, but us and everyone else there too. Pastor Dorrien,
Thank you for speaking to God’s people yesterday! As I searched for church’s Sunday morning, out of curiosity, I was planning go to the Vineyard Church. Over the years I have heard about this group and felt I wanted to understand first hand what their ministry was like. As it was closed, I asked God to show me another option. Typing church’s near me, Compass came up and I followed the GPS to your site. For this I will be forever grateful. When I came into the building, I think her name was Lori, showed me around, invited me to their volunteer devotional, led by Byron, The DR ?, and offered me coffee. We talked and prayed together as though I had always been with your group. Your words to the congregation were exactly what I needed after a week of travelling as a Sales Person, and anticipating a convention and sales meetings back to NW Minnesota. Specifically, God spoke to me through you about money and male friends. As you mentioned, God is our provider of resources regardless of how we understand our circumstances. My devotional Sunday morning spoke of God knowing our needs before we ask. These themes fit together for me. In the past few years, I have experience a change of residence and jobs. For whatever reason, I have been the “Lone Solider” caring for my family and getting by from day to day. Through you, God reminded me that I need male friends I can trust and gather with, share ideas, concerns and life. After the service, I was talking with Chuck. It sounds as if he travels as well and I found comfort knowing that things work out. As the days move forward, the shirt Lori gave me will be a reminder of your congregation, God’s message to me, and need to pray for your ministry. Thank the church for ministering to me. |