April 2008 Archives

April 29, 2008 will forever be a special day in my life. It is the day I became an American citizen.

That morning Michael, David and I headed to Portland to the CIS office for my citizenship interview/exam. Later that afternoon I was sworn in to become an American citizen. The ceremony was simple, yet very touching. The CIS director in Portland spoke to all of us, the 26 new Americans-to-be from 14 different countries. Then we took our oath of citizenship, and in a blink of an eye, we became American. We said our pledge of allegiance to the flag for the first time with a new meaning.

This was a very meaningful event for me. Although I have called the USA my home for almost 16 years, I am now a real American - in the words of the director of CIS - as American as the most direct descendants of the Founding Fathers.

I am grateful that I was able to move to the US together with my parents in 1992. America is, and has been for many generations, the greatest country on earth, one that people from all over the world, who are seeking liberty, opportunity, and hope, set their eyes and hearts toward. As someone who grew up in the then-totalitarian Russia, I place a great value on the freedom available to all here in the USA. The prosperity that is within reach for the average person is by far a different standard than what I am used to growing up. Yes, of course, there are problems, but as I keep in touch with some of my friends back in Russia, I understand they would gladly trade theirs for ours...

Yelena

It's written that Jesus "didn't consider equality with God something to be grasped but made Himself of no reputation". Philippians 2:8

In today's world where reputation is considered everything, we see here how much value God has placed on it. Jesus came with no reputation, nothing that would make Him highly esteemed among men.

       "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
       nothing in his appearance that we should desire him."
                                                                    Isaiah 53:2

Yet what He did come with was a body that was willing to do God's will completely in everything and this the Father found well pleasing.

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

      " Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
      But a body You have prepared for Me.
       In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
      You had no pleasure.
       Then I said, 'Behold, I have come--
      In the volume of the book it is written of Me--
      To do Your will, O God." Hebrews 5:7


It matters not if I'm gifted with many talents or if I have a status in society or what my appearance is like. God has prepared a body for us as well, to do His will. The only thing that matters is that I do God's will and for that to happen I need hear His voice and obey His word.

Praise God for His word and for giving us the Holy Spirit who is able to lead us along life's way. May each one of us take heed to what we have heard so we become a vessel of honor prepared for every good work.

http://www.brunstad.org/

It’s been said “Brunstad Christian Church, is the best place on earth” why? because this is where faithful men and women have come with God’s word in spirit and power, with the message that it is possible to live a Victorious life over sin.

This Word is able to divide between soul and spirit, to discern between the thoughts and intents of the heart and is also able to do a transforming work in us. Hebrews 4:12

Since the turn of the century when Johan Oscar Smith first responded to the call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, there have been many brothers and sisters through the years, who have wholeheartedly answered the call to “Come!”

“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

May each one of us wholeheartedly answer the call so God can work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philip. 2:13

Part I: Brunstad—From Farm to Paradise

Part II: “Come See How We Live! Come to Brunstad!”