Giving Thanks and Miracles

Giving Thanks and Miracles

While preparing my message for Sunday, the Lord began to show me an amazing connection between Thanking God and Miracles. Like most human beings, we generally give “thanks” to God  AFTER a prayer is answered or something good comes our way. During my studies this last week the Lord showed me clearly in the scriptures how Jesus, our best example, gave THANKS to God BEFORE the answer came or before the need materialized. Allow me to share with you one of the accounts where Jesus proved this to be true: “So they rolled the stone aside-then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, FATHER I THANK YOU for hearing me…You always hear me-but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me-then Jesus shouted “Lazarus come out!” and the dead man came out…” John 11:41 There is POWER in giving THANKS before we see the outcome, power enough for miracles to happen in our lives.  Why? Being thankful NOW, before we see the result IGNITES Faith...and from here we will see God’s MIRACLES take place in our lives. If you  would like to learn more about this amazing truth I invite you to go to http://www.poncechurch.com/ click “Download Audio” and it will take you to my newest message “Giving Thanks and Miracles” You can listen right from there or you can download it to your computer or MP3.
God Bless,
Pastor Nina Tidwell

Leslie Nielsen dies Sunday at 84

Meeting Cousin Leslie Nielsen in Arizona

Leslie Nielsen known for his comic role as  Frank Drebin in the popular film series “The Naked Gun“, “Airplane” and 1972’s film “The Poseidon Adventure” died at the age of 84 with his wife and two daughters at his side.
Leslie and my father the late Marinus (Bob) Nielsen were first cousins.  I remember as a child while visiting family in California, my parents would go and visit with Leslie and his family.  It wasn’t until as an adult while  living in Arizona was I able to meet Leslie for the first time.  My husband who worked in advertising  had heard that Leslie was going to be in the Phoenix area promoting his golf video.  I was able to contact the company that was head of promotions at the time and they forwarded my message to Leslie.  That evening I received a call and when I picked up the phone, I knew by the sound of his voice who it was.  As he began to kindly introduce himself, I said, “I know who you are” and began to thank him for taking time out of his schedule to call.  He invited me and my family to meet him at the location that he would be promoting his golf video.  I remember it was a video store (of course) the manager allowed me, my husband Rick and our son Rich to wait in the back.  I remember seeing through the back entrance door, (that had been left open) a car pull up and watched him as he walked up the steps.  Leslie was very kind.  We chatted a bit about family and about his career.  We were so excited to meet him…I couldn’t believe it, I remember thinking “I’m related to a big movie star!”
I will always cherish a photograph that was taken and given to us by a local photographer.
I am also sad that now as a full time minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ,  I was not able to share the Love of God with him.  In fact, the night before his death, for some odd reason I remember thinking (not knowing he was hospitalized for Pneumonia) “Does Leslie know about Jesus?” “He’s getting old, is he going to die soon?”  It’s ironic, because just a few years ago after visiting my Dad in Michigan, and while I was driving away, I had this thought, “Is my Dad going to go be with Jesus soon?” When I arrived back in Florida, about a week later, I received a call from my older sister that our Dad had just passed.
I have made the decision that I am not going to hold back anymore.  When I feel a compelling to share God’s love with anyone, especially family…I am just going to do it!  I am no longer going to worry about offending them.  If  I do, then I’ve at least done what is in my heart to do and at least, even if it’s not accepted well, they will have heard and be given the opportunity to open their hearts and lives to the One who loves and died for them and who God raised from the dead.  They will have heard that Jesus,  the Son of God is their only way into Heaven.  I love my family and friends that much!
If you’re still reading this then chances are you’re open.  Maybe your a blogger, or someone I know, you may even be a member of my family…whoever you are, just know that God loves you!  Jesus died for our sins, the bible says that He (Jesus) became sin, who knew no sin….and that because of what He did for us, made it possible for us to enter into Heaven, just by believing in Jesus Christ….all He asks of us it to believe, ask Him to forgive us and believe me He WILL, that’s how awesome He is.  Ask Him to help you follow him.  He will not force himself on you!  He will not make you change!  But if we ask Him, His love will compell us to “want” to know Him more! And believe me, you’re life will be all the better for it.
God Bless You!
Pastor Nina (Nielsen) Tidwell
Ponce Church
poncechurch.com

127,000 Visit the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse each year!

Ponce Inlet Jetty

Ponce Inlet is a town in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,513 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,178.

The Town of Ponce Inlet is located on the southern tip of a beach peninsula, south of Daytona Beach and Daytona Beach Shores. Several marinas are located in Ponce Inlet, which is considered one of the area’s prime fishing spots. The area is prized by residents for its relaxed lifestyle and natural, uncrowded beaches.  The Ponce Inlet Jetty is also home to many local surfers in the Daytona Beach area.  During the summer months the swells can reach up to 12ft.  Surfers from all over the country seek out this popular surf location.

Ponce Inlet Surfers

The lighthouse 

Lighthouse in Ponce Inlet, FL

Completed in 1887, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station was built when the area was known as Mosquito Inlet. After decades of restoration by the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association, it stands today as one of the best preserved, most complete Light Stations in the nation.

Visited by 127,000 people each year, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998. The lighthouse tower and museum are located 12 miles south of Daytona Beach and are open to the public year round. The lighthouse is close to Orlando attractions, historic St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest lighthouse in the nation. Visitors who climb the 175-foot-tall lighthouse tower are treated to a magnificent view of the Florida coastline and Halifax River from Daytona Beach to New Smyrna Beach.

The lighthouse keepers’ dwellings and other historic light station buildings are now home to the lighthouse museum, with exhibits on lighthouse life, lighthouse and Fresnel lens restoration, the keepers and their families, Daytona Beach and Florida history, and shipwrecks. The Ayres Davies Lens Exhibit Building houses one of the finest collections of restored Fresnel lenses in the world, including the rotating first order Fresnel lens from the Cape Canaveral lighthouse and the restored original Ponce Inlet lighthouse first order Fresnel lens.

FIRST CHURCH in the HISTORY of PONCE INLET, FL

Ponce Church, Ponce Inlet, FL

In 2003 the Tidwell family came to this beautiful town and founded Ponce Church the first Christian church in the history of Ponce Inlet.  Ponce Church and it’s congregation have welcomed hundreds of visitors over the years.  Some are year round residents and others are winter visitors along with those who vacation in Ponce Inlet during the summer months.  At Ponce Church you will be welcomed by founder and Pastor, Rick Tidwell along with his wife Pastor Nina.  Hot coffee and donuts are served at the coffee station right as you enter.  The atmosphere is very casual since Ponce Church is a Surfside church.  Shorts and sandals are encouraged, even the Pastor dresses in casual beach attire.  Ponce Church worship is contemporary.  The pastors oldest son Rich,  is the lead vocalist and plays guitar.  Brandi, his Fiance’ is also a musician sings and plays the piano. Their youngest son Robert plays the Djembe drum.  Pastor Rick a bible teacher of over 30 years delivers relevant messages that can be applied to modern-day life.  Service begins at 10:05AM – 11:00AM every Sunday at the community center in Ponce Inlet: 4670 S. Peninsula Dr.  More information can be found at http://www.poncechurch.com

Come and visit Ponce Inlet, Florida one of the most sought after beaches in the country.

Alaska a Hit!

Palin Home located in Wasilla, Alaska

Over 5 million viewers tuned in to the debut of “Sarah Palin’s Alaska”  Sunday night on TLC’s cable channel far exceeding the show  “Madmen” at 2.9 million.
Palin  invites us into her home located in Wasilla, Alaska overlooking Lake Lucille and the beautiful  Chugach and Talkeetna mountains.  Sarah also takes us on a journey 110 miles from her home to a popular fishing location where Grizzly’s  feast on a never ending supply of salmon.  During this episode  Palin conquers her fear of heights by climbing Denali, the summit of North America.

Lake Lucille, Wasilla, Alaska

One of the things I loved about the show is that Sarah is a typical mom interacting with her children.  I  was also pleasantly surprised that she works at her computer located in the kitchen barefoot and wearing shorts just like me! What amazes me is all of the judgment that this woman endures.  Probably because she is not afraid to voice her opinions or beliefs.  I am even more amazed of the harshness that comes from other Christians!  She is a mother who loves her children, a woman who has passion and loves her country.  Is she perfect? No. Who is? I fully believe that if she were a man she would gain more respect from the public.  It’s a proven fact that strong women are looked down upon, but have a man step up to the podium and speak as she does with authority, he would have the respect from all those who hear.
My advice would be to watch her show before you judge it! So far it has nothing to do with politics…and even if it did, what does that matter?
I am so looking forward to next weeks episode!

The Beauty of America!

Sarah Palin's Alaska

I have never considered myself a very political person until I witnessed along with the world, a woman with passion, strong convictions, and a voice that was uninhibited by the naysayers of America: Sarah Palin.  Ever since her speech during the 2008  McCain-Palin presidential campaign I was a believer.  I admire Sarah’s drive, her vision, her spiritual beliefs and her strong convictions.  I have always been drawn to women who are not afraid to believe in themselves and are not afraid to speak out.  I admire their passion and drive and the inner strength that they posses.  Like myself, I especially love the fact that when others look at you and say, “You can’t do that!” It adds fuel to my passion and makes me strive for it all the more!
This happened to me years ago while living and raising our children in Arizona.  I witnessed a special on TV regarding school buses and seat belts and what happens to our children when there are no seat belts especially during a collision or rollover.  Something inside of me that day said, “Something must be done about this!” So I became the advocate in our school district at the time to approach the school board about this issue.  I learned then the power of passion, the power of speech, the strength to not back down especially when the superintendent called me on the phone literally screaming at me, “What are you doing!” I was amazed at how much resistance there was, mainly because schools did not want to publicly admit that their buses were “not safe” along with cost of  retrofitting the existing school buses.  It took me almost two years to convince the all woman panel to agree on piloting 10 new school buses with seat belts.  I learned how to stand my ground no matter what!  I also remember feeling the pressure to quit from the “good ol’ boys” superintendent and  vice-superintendent at the time.  I was told by one woman who worked with the school board that she was told, “women are to be barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen” can you believe that?!   I knew right then what I was up against.  So what kept me from throwing in the towel? God.  I remember crying and thinking, “this is too hard, I can’t do this anymore”  right then I heard a still small voice that told me to not give up and that I would learn from this experience.  Like Sarah, I drew from that inner strength and months later stood before the school board and witnessed the victory with my own eyes! Every single member (all women) on the board voted in favor of piloting 10 new school buses with seat belts.
So if some of you are wondering, “Why do you believe in Sarah?” My answer is:  She holds strongly to her convictions and backs down to no one.  I can get behind a woman like that and I am so thankful that I have the freedom to believe in and support anyone I choose, that’s “The Beauty of America!”

http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/sarah-palin-alaska/?mkcpgn=semtlc2

Not Guilty!

 

Not Guilty!

Years ago millions of people watched as the american justice system pronounced O.J. Simpson “Not Guilty!”  The truth is, no one really knows if the glove fit except O.J. and God himself!
As I think about O.J.’s trial, I visualize what it would be like if we were to stand before God himself the true judge without the sacrifice of Jesus?  How would God see us if it were not for His Son taking our place, crucified for our sins, the wrongs committed by all of mankind?  All Hell would break loose! But thank God, because Jesus who took our place, paying for our wrongs, we, by the Grace of God have been given a “get out of jail free” card!
“This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body.  As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and BLAMELESS as you stand before him without a single fault” Colossians 1:21,22 nlt.

WOW! Think about it, this amazing, loving and merciful God does NOT hold our sins, our wrongs against us.  But before Jesus, we, like O.J. were on trial…except our fate would have been much worse…we would have had to suffer for eternity, no getting out! Yet now, we have this hope that because of Jesus death, burial and resurrection…we stand before THE Judge, “Not Guilty!”