Category: Biblical Wisdom

Sometimes the answers we seek to life’s troubles are in the Bible. Can I make a difference? Does God care? Am I good enough?Yes!

The Call to Love the Lost

Posted on by Wendy
The church is called to fearlessly reach out to the lost, remembering that Christ is with us.
The church is called to fearlessly reach out to the lost, remembering that Christ is with us.

I just read a fascinating story that had tears streaming down my face and I just had to share it. On New Year’s Eve, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a small congregation was having a church service at 11:30. There were around sixty people in attendance. The sermon was about the recent gun violence in America.

A young man in his twenties, walked through the door of the church carrying a semi-automatic rifle in one hand and ammunition in the other and headed up the aisle. Predictably, panic ensued. Some parishioners headed for the door and some hit the floor. The pastor, Larry Wright, an army veteran, with almost thirty years of experience in the pulpit, said that he could feel the fear in the air.

I can’t imagine what must have been going through those Christians’ minds. I ask myself how I would have reacted. How would you have reacted?

Wright did what I think all Christians are called to do. He left the pulpit and approached the man. Wright is 6 feet two inches and weighs 230 pounds. He was prepared to tackle him if he needed to defend his congregation, but instead he reached out to him. He simply asked, “Can I help you?”

It often takes some serious courage to leave the safety of our church to reach out to the hurting and to those who might wish us harm. But, to walk towards instead of away from an armed man, takes some serious faith.

The man told the pastor that, “He came to do some bad things.” Apparently, he was a military veteran, had just been released from prison, and had been hurt by the church before. He talked with the pastor a few minutes and gave him his gun as well as the ammo, and allowed him to pat him down. I think it’s important to note that Wright didn’t just take for granted that the man wouldn’t harm the congregation. He verified it. God did in fact, give us working brains that I believe He expects us to use.

At this point, Wright could have called the police and have him arrested. They had been called, but he asked them to remain outside. He announced to the church that the man wanted prayer and asked some deacons to come forward and embrace him. They did. Then Wright began to pray for the man and he said, “The power of God hit and the man hit the floor on his knees and began to cry and weep, face down on the ground.”

He was then invited to stay for the sermon and sat on the front pew. At the altar call, he gave his life to Christ. He then asked to speak to the congregation and he apologized. He told them that he had come to do something bad, but God had spoken to him.

The police waiting outside, took the man to a hospital where he voluntarily checked in for some mental help. There have been no charges filed. The congregation has said if he returns, they hope to baptize him.

I think this is one of the most perfect stories I have ever read about how “the church,” is supposed to act and react to those who are lost. I imagine the Apostle Paul, up in Heaven doing a happy dance. I imagine Jesus smiling as He claims one more soul for eternity.

I am reminded that we are called to be fearless in our faith and to remember that Jesus said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

May the actions of Pastor Wright and his congregation remind us all.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Lessons from Mary and Joseph

Posted on by Wendy
What lessons can we learn from Jesus' earthly parents?
What lessons can we learn from Jesus’ earthly parents?

In an attempt to keep fresh in my mind what Christmas is truly about, I recently read through the Christmas story in Luke and Matthew. I really gave some thought to who Joseph and Mary were and what qualities they had as human beings that would allow God to choose them to raise His son.

God could have chosen any set of parents at any point in history. What did He see in them?

Mary, was a young girl who was engaged to be married. So, she had the same plans of other girls her age. She had remained pure. She was a virgin. She didn’t appear to be some highly gifted spiritual thinker. She was courageous. The scripture says she was troubled, not terrified at the news of her pregnancy and she asked the angel how it could be possible. But, after Gabriel explained it, she was obedient.

I can’t imagine what the conversation must have been like between Mary and her parents or between Mary and Joseph. “Umm, you’re not going to believe this, but and angel told me that I’m pregnant with God’s son.”

We don’t know if her parents believed her. We do know Joseph didn’t.

But, still, Joseph appeared to be a man of character and mercy. He could have had Mary stoned in the public square. He believed she had been with another man. If he were a prideful man or a vengeful man, he would have immediately had his justice. The law was on his side. But, I suspect he was a humble man and he was willing to extend mercy to Mary. While he wasn’t interested in raising another man’s child and he didn’t believe her story, he was going to divorce her quietly.

But, his plans changed when he too, was visited by an angel in a dream that confirmed Mary’s story. When he awoke, he did just as he was commanded and married her. Joseph, too, was obedient to God’s plan.

When I think about these two people who raised God’s son, I see some similar traits in both. They were both people of faith who believed in God and His plan. They were both willing to be obedient to His plan, even though I’m sure the neighbors were talking. After all, they went from planning a wedding shower to a baby shower in no time flat and the baby wasn’t even Joseph’s. Yet, Joseph and Mary were obedient, no matter the cost.

Joseph’s strong character, humility and his ability to show mercy were also strong traits in Jesus. I doubt that is simply coincidence.

As I think about God’s choice of earthly parents for Jesus, I wonder if we shouldn’t all try to follow their example. They were people of strong faith who were willing to believe what was humanly impossible was possible with God. They believed in God’s plan and were obedient to His calling, no matter the cost to them personally. That took courage. They were humble people who didn’t run around telling people they were raising the son of God. After all, they spent the early years of Jesus’ life hiding out in Egypt.

As we come towards the Advent, surely there’s a lesson for us from Mary and Joseph. After all, they were average people just like us, who were chosen to do something world-changing by God.

Perhaps it’s a good time for us to take a leap of faith of some kind and to remember the importance of humility, mercy and obedience. I’ve no doubt that God would like to use each one of us too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Holiday Christianity

Posted on by Wendy
Perhaps we need to find away to share 365 days a year and not just at Christmas.
Perhaps we need to find a way to share 365 days a year, and not just at Christmas.

My hubby and I did a little Christmas shopping yesterday. As we approached the entrance to one of the stores we visited, there was a bell ringer from the Salvation Army. My hubby asked me if I had a dollar. I quickly scrounged for one. I rarely carry cash these days. My teens make sure of it, but I found a dollar and happily gave it to the man who wished me a Merry Christmas and thanked me for my blessing.

His words took hold in my heart and I thought about what he said for the remainder of the afternoon. It was just a dollar, but it was a blessing to someone who was in need. I could have given more. I probably should have given more, but it was what I had at the moment and for that gentleman ringing the bell, it was enough.

My pastor pointed out in a sermon a few weeks back, that people tend to be more generous during the holidays. He preached from Mark, Chapter 10, about the blind beggar who yelled for Jesus because he heard he was nearby. The Jews were getting ready to celebrate Passover and apparently they were more generous to those who were less fortunate when they neared Passover.

The beggar, Bartimaeus, got way more than extra coins that day. Although the crowds tried to shush him, he continued to call out and Jesus healed him. Jesus said, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Mark 10:52a The rest of the verse says that he could instantly see and he followed Jesus down the road.

What is it that makes us more generous and charitable during Christmas? Is it because deep in our hearts we want to share some of the many gifts that God has given us? Perhaps there’s something deeper. Perhaps it has to do with the baby who was a gift for all of mankind. Perhaps deep in our DNA, we recognize that gift and feel a deeper need to share it during the Christmas season.

But, maybe we should ask ourselves if we need to do a better job at reaching out to help others, the other eleven months of the year. The gift of Christ isn’t meant to be seasonal. It’s meant to be everyday. People who don’t have food to eat or clothes to wear are just as needy in February as they were in December. Right?

How can Christians be a blessing to others year round? How can we make a daily difference? Perhaps these are the questions we should ponder during Advent as we ready our hearts to celebrate the greatest gift ever given. How can we share that gift with others?

Because sharing our faith with those who are blind is the gift that never ends. Keep in mind, when Jesus gave Bartimaeus his sight, Bartimaeus followed Jesus down the road.

Isn’t that what all Christians are striving to do? How can we be 365 days a year Christians, instead of holiday Christians? I’m going to spend some time praying about that. Maybe you would like to join me.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Can You See Jesus?

Posted on by Wendy
Can you see Jesus in this space?
Can you see Jesus in this space?

Yesterday, I subbed in a gifted classroom. My first two classes of the day were fourth graders. Their task for the first fifteen minutes of class was to make a drawing of their own using these squiggly lines. They could draw anything they liked, but they were supposed to include lots of details and give it a title. They could add color if time permitted and when they were finished, we would go around the classroom and share their creation.

Most of them dove into the little art project. I ended up with lots of cloud themes, including dragons, rainbows and unicorns. It was fourth grade, no surprise there.

Then one little girl turned her paper upside down and created an angel.

Angels in the Bible, often had messages that turned everything upside down.
Angels in the Bible, often had messages that turned everything upside down.

I marveled at her creativity and was reminded that I had just written a post about how angels in the Bible, often appeared with messages that turned life upside down.

I continued to go around the room and had everyone share. They were all different. Each child saw something different in the squiggly lines. Then I came to this one.

She apologized for not finishing with her coloring before her time ran out.
She apologized for not finishing with her coloring before her time ran out.

I was so surprised. When I asked her to share with the class how she came up with her idea, see said matter-of-factly, that the squiggly lines looked like a cloud and Jesus was coming back on a cloud. There’s nothing like the faith of children.

We finished sharing everyone’s drawings and moved on to our next task, but I marveled at the little girl’s picture and how she saw Jesus in those squiggly lines.

The next class arrived and I gave them the same instructions. They too, all drew something different, most of them having something to do with clouds, but my last table group, surprised me again.

One little boy said that the squiggly lines reminded him of sheep and the shepherds who went to see the baby Jesus.

One little boy said the lines reminded him of sheep.
One little boy said the lines reminded him of sheep.

Two of the other children a the table came up with something entirely different, but the last child to share, once again, had me close to speechless.

One little boy created a church.
One little boy created a church.

He created a scene of a church that made me think of Heaven, complete with a cross and a Bible. He named it the, “Stairway to Church.”

These two classes were at the very beginning of my day and each drawing activity only took around fifteen minutes, but they had a lasting impact on me.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

I prayed on my way to school, that God would show me His face and give me enough wisdom to see it. He sent me children who looked at squiggly lines and saw an angel, shepherds, church and how it helps us ascend towards Heaven, and the promise of Christ’s return.

Oh yes, He’s everywhere. Look at the lines. What do you see?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

Upsetting the Status Quo

Posted on by Wendy
Christians are called to prepare our hearts both for the celebration of Jesus' birth and His return.
Christians are called to prepare our hearts both for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and His return.

The season of Advent is a time when we are supposed to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. The prophet Isaiah often gets quoted during this season. “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3

Those words appear in our Christmas Cantata this year and they were in last year’s cantata as well. When we think about preparing for Jesus’ birth, the story is not really complete without thinking about the birth of John the Baptist as well. It too, was surrounded by the supernatural.

John’s father Zechariah, was a priest, an old priest. The priests of the day, were chosen to burn incense in the temple of God, by lot. That simply means it was totally by chance. But, of course, we know that there is never coincidence where God is concerned. This situation would be no exception.

Zechariah went into the temple to burn incense and an angel of the Lord, Gabriel appeared, standing at the right side of the altar. The text says he was “startled and gripped with fear.” Luke 1:12

I’ve noticed that humans are often terrified when they see angels. Angels often tell them, “Do not be afraid.” That’s what Gabriel told Zechariah. I always thought he was afraid because Gabriel was huge and glowing and scary looking. Maybe he was. But, last Sunday, our pastor put a different spin on Zechariah’s fear that has fascinated me.

Our pastor pointed out that Zechariah was an elderly priest, a man of God, why would seeing an angel frighten him? His take was perhaps that Zechariah wasn’t frightened by the actual physical appearance of Gabriel, but by what Gabriel represented.

My pastor said that when angels appeared, the waters got stirred. He would have known the Old Testament stories by heart. When an angel appeared to Abraham, he and his 90-year-old wife, had a baby. When an angel appeared to Jacob, he wrestled with it all night long, got his name changed to Israel, and walked with a limp for the rest of his life.

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were old and had no children. They had likely made peace with that fact. My pastor thinks that the appearance of that angel signified that life was about to change.

We often don’t like change. Even if we aren’t particularly happy or fulfilled, we humans like to stick with what we know. The unknown tends to frighten us.

Perhaps Zechariah was no different. He was right. Gabriel told him that Elizabeth would have a son and he would bring many of the people of Israel back to God. John the Baptist did just that.

God hasn’t changed since He sent Gabriel to Zechariah all those years ago. He’s rarely satisfied with the status quo and doesn’t expect us to be either. He invites us to celebrate the birth of Christ as well as to prepare the way for the second coming of Jesus.

Both simply require us to open our hearts, to pray, to listen, be obedient and to share the good news with others. That can sometimes upset the status quo.

Yet, that is what Christians are called to do and when we do, as the Bible shows us repeatedly, the miraculous can happen.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

He Doesn’t Need Us, But…

Posted on by Wendy
Our reply has eternal repercussions.
Our reply has eternal repercussions.

A couple of Sundays ago, my pastor made the bold statement that God doesn’t need us. I say bold, because in the narcissistic, selfie-stick buying, completely self-absorbed world that we live in, could that possibly be true? Gasp! Is telling people that God doesn’t need them, any way to draw folks to Him?

He’s not a new pastor and he’s very clever with his messages. He got everyone’s attention, which was exactly what he intended. He was actually preaching on a portion of Revelation, a book of the Bible that churches seem to spend little time on these days.

But, he wasn’t talking about all of the end time events depicted in it. He focused on God being the great I Am, the Alpha and Omega. God is, was and will be.

Think about it for a minute. The God who parted the Red Sea for Moses, is the same God that we pray to today. The God brought down the walls of Jericho for Joshua, is our God. The God who sent the Angel Gabriel to tell Mary she would carry His son is the same God today as He was then.

The God who called the universe into existence and created the stars, and mountains, and oceans, is the same God we worship.

And my pastor was right; just as God once said to Job, who was complaining, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell  me if you know so much.” Job 38:4

We have to ask ourselves: Where was I? Where were you?

Oh yeah, we wouldn’t be born for thousands of years. Our God does not need us, but He loves us and He wants us and that’s even better. Think about that. To be loved and cherished, when we are not needed, that’s true love.

Letting that sink in can be difficult for those of us waiting for a catch. There isn’t one. He doesn’t need us, but my pastor reminded us that He will use us if we let Him. We have to agree. Jesus will never invade a closed off human heart.

And the part that really stuck with me was when my pastor said, “when we agree to be used, we get to change the landscape of Heaven.”

The words we use and the way we live our lives as Christ followers help other people decide whether or not, they want to follow Jesus and how they will spend eternity. God gives us the ability to help others get to Heaven.

That’s some powerful trust He gives us. He doesn’t need us, but He wants to use us. It’s humbling and overwhelming at the same time and the repercussions of our reply are eternal.

What is your answer today?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

Leaving Nothing to Chance

Posted on by Wendy
We should too.
We should too.

My hubby and I recently taught our middle school Sunday school class a lesson on David and Goliath. They usually know the basics, but it’s really cool to dig into the scripture with them and fill in some blanks. They always light up and sit a little taller when we tell them that David was around their age.

We can also see the wheels in their heads turning when we explain that David was willing to risk his own life, not because the giant had physically attacked the men of Israel, but because he was taunting and terrorizing the,”armies of the living God,” with his words.

Words mean a lot to young teens today. They meant a lot to a young teen back then too. David had so much respect for God that he wasn’t willing to allow a bully to terrorize God’s people.

That got me to thinking about how modern-day Christians are doing with allowing unbelievers to taunt us with words. Do we cower, like the warriors of Israel or do we fight for the respect of our living God? I’m not talking about using violence, of course, but how often do we actually defend our faith?

Do we find it easier to turn our heads or are we willing to demand respect? David demanded and God stood with him.

Another object lesson we covered was the rocks and the slingshot. David wasn’t a classically trained warrior; so he used what he had and what he knew. He picked up five smooth stones. He packed back up. Do we carry some kind of back up when we take on something much bigger than we are?

We have the resources, with prayer, scripture and a praying community of friends. Do we engage all of our resources before we go into a battle of some kind? Isn’t it foolish not to? If God gives us resources, doesn’t He expect us to use them?

We asked the kids to ponder those questions as we passed out smooth stones for them to hold in their hands.

Finally, we pointed out a piece of the story that many miss. David took his shot and knocked Goliath down and out with his sling shot, but he used a sword to finish him off. David left nothing to chance. Goliath would not be coming back to cause any more trouble.

When we take on something big, a Goliath in our lives, anything from addiction, to debt, to past wounds, to insecurities, to unforgiveness of some type, and God helps us to knock it down, do we do what it takes to keep it down? Do we close the door and lock it permanently or do we leave room for the possibility for it to return and taunt us?

David’s story reminds us that when God is with us, we are capable of anything. There is nothing out of our reach, but it also reminds us to be prepared with what we know and what we have learned, and to leave nothing to chance. We are reminded to finish the job.

Maybe you needed reminding today.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

The Beauty of Waiting

Posted on by Wendy
Waiting can be a beautiful time of preparation.
Waiting can be a beautiful time of preparation.

Yesterday, marked the beginning of the church calendar. The “church” doesn’t run on the January to December calendar or the fiscal year calendar, that ends in June. The “church,” ends its year with Christ the King Sunday, which focuses on Jesus’ second coming, and begins it’s year with Advent, which focuses on getting ready to celebrate Jesus’ first coming, or his birth.

Makes perfect sense, right? Advent is the time where we ready our hearts for the entire notion that God loves us puny humans enough to become one of us. It’s kind of a blow-your-mind concept, when you really think about it, and we really don’t think about it too terribly much, do we?

We eat our Thanksgiving meal and then we are off to the races. We have trees and houses to decorate, and lists to make, gifts to buy, relatives to visit, parties to attend, meals to cook, and the list goes on. It’s awfully easy to lose the true reason that we celebrate Christmas.

We often promise ourselves each year that we will slow down next year and do it all differently, but then, we don’t. It can be incredibly difficult to focus on the “things of God,” when we live in the world of man. Yet, that’s what we are called to do.

Our sermon yesterday, focused on God’s timing and the perfection of it. Our associate pastor pointed out some of the many people in the Bible who had to wait on God’s timing. Abraham and Sarah waited twenty-five years for their promised son. David was anointed as Israel’s future king, but waited anywhere from fifteen to twenty years for God’s promise to come true. But, it did come true.

Our congregation was reminded yesterday that God always keeps His promises and His timing is perfect, even if we don’t understand it. He will keep any promises He has made to us. The Bible shows it over and over.

So, as we enter this season of Advent, let’s reflect on God’s promises and His timing.

First of all, let’s take some time to remember the enormous gift that was given to mankind over two thousand years ago. A child was born that would give every single human being the opportunity to live eternally. Let’s make a little extra space in our days to truly prepare our hearts for that gift.

Secondly, let’s ask ourselves, what areas of our lives do we feel that we have prayed consistently about, but are still waiting for answers, or deliverance, or provision from God? May we take this time of preparation and remember, that just as God perfectly timed the birth of His son to a teenaged girl in the small town of Bethlehem, He has perfectly timed plans for our lives too.

Waiting doesn’t have to be boring or monotonous. Just ask a bride-to-be or a mother-to-be. Waiting can be beautiful time of loving preparation for what is to come. May this Advent be that for you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

There is Power in the Name

Posted on by Wendy
We are called to be God's light.
We are called to be God’s light.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris, the entire world is on edge. We don’t normally hear about that kind of mass killing in the Western world. However, Israel has to deal with terrorists on a daily basis and they don’t just target the Israelis or Jews.

Back in October, a 78-year-old Christian woman named Marike Veldman, was riding on a bus in Israel. She was from the Netherlands originally, but had lived in Israel for many years. She had opened a home for Arab children 32 years earlier.

At one of the bus stops, two Muslim terrorists boarded the bus. One had a gun and one had a knife. They yelled, “Allahu Akbar,” and the one with the gun headed to the back of the bus and began shooting. The one with the knife began stabbing Marike.

But, Marike had her own battle cry which apparently trumped theirs. She began calling out in Dutch, “Lord Jesus! Lord Jesus! Help me! Help me!” She said at the sound of the name of Jesus, the terrorist ran away from her to the back of the bus and allowed her to escape through the opened door.

She was weak and bleeding and walking alone when a Jewish passerby, she calls a good Samaritan, picked her up and drove her to the hospital. She had a punctured lung and a shoulder injury. Two people died in the attack and sixteen were injured.

Seventy-eight-year-old Marike, is expected to make a full recovery. She says that she has no doubt that God intervened and that it was the name Jesus that saved her. Seventy-eight is kind of old to be walking away from a stabbing and with a punctured lung no less, yet God has shown us many times that He is not bound by human weakness or understanding.

I also find it pretty amazing that the woman called out in Dutch, her native tongue. The terrorists were not Dutch and surely didn’t understand what she was saying. Yet, the name of Jesus carried the same amount of power, no matter the language barrier.

Jesus said in John 14:13-14 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.”

Marike’s actions certainly brought glory to God, and Jesus came through just as He said He would.

Philippians 2:9-11, tells us that, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Marike was never alone that day and neither are we. She remembered to call on the One who could save her and He did. The world has always been full of people who love evil, but we are called to remember that we worship a God who is good and He will win.

We are not called to live in fear, but to live courageously like Marike, knowing that He has a plan. The days may be dark, but, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Listening Quietly

Posted on by Wendy
Desperately seeking quiet
Desperately seeking quiet

I live near a town which is home to a large university. It never ceases to amaze me when I go into a coffee shop, how many students are working on homework on their laptops. It’s often noisy. Sometimes there’s even live music, yet they tap away on their keyboards. Sometimes they even have ear buds in their ears too.

It’s not as if their isn’t a library or any place, quite frankly, that would be quieter than a noisy coffee shop. Can they really be learning anything?

I’ve witnessed my son attempting to do his homework in front of the television. It never works out very well and I always make him turn it off, much to his dismay.

It’s amazing how noisy our society can be. When I was a kid, there was children’s programming on Saturday mornings. That was pretty much it. We could catch a daily hour of Sesame Street, but the 24/7 extravaganza of kid’s shows was nonexistent.

We have raised a generation of kids who are literally uncomfortable with quiet and in doing so, many of us have become the same way ourselves. We have to have the radio or television on for background noise. If we go outside to rake leaves, we bring our music with us. If we cut the grass, we take our music with us.

It seems like we will do just about anything other than be alone in a quiet place.

Why is that? For one thing, we get bored very easily these days. Thanks to laptops and smartphones, we have endless entertainment. There’s always something funny on Youtube, Facebook or Instagram. Why should we ever be bored?

But, when we ask ourselves when we make time to talk to God, the response is often when we lie down at night, or when we are driving, or maybe when we are in the shower. Those are all fine times to talk to God. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.

However, when we lie down to go to sleep, they day is done. We can’t really ask for guidance on a day that has already passed, and if we’re honest, we will likely go to sleep before we get any of the answers we may be seeking.

When we are driving, we are still doing something. We are watching for other cars, or for our turn, or for a red light.

We often complain that we don’t hear from God. Could the reason be that we don’t stop and listen? I mean sit quietly somewhere with no music, television, cell phone, etc…, and actually talk to God and listen for His response.

Elijah was one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. He communicated with God regularly. In one instance, there was a powerful wind, but God was not in it. Then there was and earthquake, but God was not in it. Next, there was a fire, but God was not in the fire either. Finally, there was a gentle whisper and at last, Elijah heard God.

Perhaps, being quiet should be more active than we think. Perhaps if we were to seek more quiet, alone time with Him, where we just sit and listen, we could hear Him too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂