By Terry Magness

match. Instantly its brilliance lit up the entire room. We could see when moments before we were blind in the dark. Oh, how we embraced the light. 

When God created the world and everything in it, it was pure, holy, set apart for His purposes. But darkness entered the world through sin, and great was that darkness. 
 
God in his amazing mercy sent His Son, a Light in the darkness, Jesus Savior of the world.  

Yes, the Light came, but not as expected. He entered the darkness as a human baby, helpless, innocent, needy. We find in John 1:10-11, that Jesus came to his own, a people of his own creation, yet they did not embrace the Light but chose rather to stumble around in darkness.  
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV.   
John tells us, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4 KJV. 

In John 3:19 ESV, we read this sad commentary, "...that light has come into the world, and the people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."  

The fact is the Prince of Darkness rose up to extinguish the Great Light who was a threat to the darkness of this world. For three days it appeared the Light of the World was indeed snuffed out, but on the third day, that Great Light burst into a mighty flame of Life, conquering death, hell, and the grave.  

Today, The Light of the World illuminates heaven, a kingdom where no darkness exists, and has set ablaze multitudes upon the earth throughout the centuries with a fire fueled by His Spirit living within them. Darkness enveloping this world, has tried to douse the flames of those lesser lights as well, with some seeming success. But the faithful lights continue to multiply and shine brightly, dispelling darkness across the world.  

Darkness still rules over the earth, but The Light of the World has promised that a day is coming when he will gather up his lesser lights, darkness will be apprehended, and the Light of the World will rule the earth once again. 

This is the Season of Lights, Christmas, a time we remember God’s grace and love, and His son Jesus, the Light of the World, sent to dispel our darkness.  Let us determine to shine ever brighter in an ever-darkening world! 
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“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 KJV. ​

Like the ebbs and flows of any ministry, ours was beginning to become like an unnavigated river of uncharted waters. Did they not see all our efforts to minister to them effectively? Did they not realize how many hours Tim studied to prepare the sermons? Did they not see the time I put into preparing the children’s church lessons or the time I took to study and prepare the Adult Sunday School lesson? I guess they didn’t think about the time I spend helping prepare the worship or notice the special meals I prepared and organized for our holiday lunches, Tuesday night ministry, and the donuts and coffee provided every Sunday morning.
  
It’s not that our people were mean, but I was expecting more of an outward appreciation for our efforts and the new vision God had given us as pastors. This was my gauge in how well I thought we were doing as leaders. I would hear of all the niceties from other friends and family in ministry on how different parishioners in their congregation would bless them in special ways, not to mention showing up for special services or acknowledge them on their birthdays or anniversaries. I began allowing the enemy to reside at my table of thinking and started feeling inferior. He would say things like: “You’re not good enough!” “Why did you think you could make a difference?” or “What made you think you could be a good pastor’s wife?” 

One day while venting to the Lord, I was reminded of Matthew 25:40 NIV “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” God was reminding me that he saw what we were doing and regardless of outward appreciation from others, he was pleased at our obedience and servant’s heart to love on these people.  

I truly wanted to please the Lord and have the right attitude. I loved these families and wanted to make a difference. We wanted to be light in the darkness. 
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Like many small rural congregations, we navigated through Covid. We began broadcasting on FB Live and God has grown our congregation in a different way. Tim and I team preach on Sunday’s and Wednesdays. Rarely do the people come in person but watch on-line. Being a pastor’s wife looks different for me, and yet I’m finding it exciting to still be cultivating relationships with our people and seeing how God is helping us navigate this aged ministry into a new chapter of revitalization. In the spring, we had a business meeting where we all agreed to sell the building. The plan was to relocate the ministry to be more effective, and presently, we are working with the SOMO District to do that. I look forward to one day growing the church physically again, and with the help from the Lord, he’s allowed me to see his acknowledgement of our efforts and his approval are what really matter.  ​

A thirst resides deep within the heart of man, a longing for beauty—the fresh colors of spring, blue lazy rivers, white cascading waterfalls, crystal raindrops dancing on clear windowpanes, and spectacular rainbows of promise.

We are captured by soft-skinned babies, wide-eyed youth, and weathered smiles of the aged—masterful paintings and serenading songbirds.

John Eldredge suggests in his book “The Sacred Romance,” that beauty extends to us a heavenly calling of things to come. It beckons us heavenward and allows us a taste of heaven’s glory.

After holding a series of meetings in Scotland, our host took my co-worker, Judy, and me on a day sabbatical—an hour and a half drive into the Scottish countryside to Fyvie Castle.

This old castle, unlike the cold, dank atmosphere of other castles I had visited, was warm and inviting, lavishly furnished, and filled with light. One room—the Gallery—caught my attention. I imagined the sounds in years past of rustling petticoats under floor-length gowns, the clickity-click of men’s buckle boots on lovely inlaid floors, and music hosted by the lord of the castle and his wife, who warmly welcomed all who came to the frequent concerts.

Alone and feeling quite small standing in the middle of that great room, I gazed upward in amazement at the geometric acoustical ceiling, the huge wall tapestries that were indeed works of art, the majestic self-playing pipe organ towering and filling one end of the room, and, as the centerpiece, the museum quality five-hundred-year-old grand piano.
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Suddenly, the silence was shattered. . .“Can she play that piano?”

Photo by Alasdair Massie on Flickr

I whirled around to see Judy pointing directly at me. Before I could protest and silence my companion, the room attendant answered, “Yes, of course.”

“I can’t play piano, Judy,” I blurted out!

I could play certain songs—that is with words and written chords—but not well. I mostly sat at the piano during my quiet times with the Lord, but never in public. Besides, who was I to strike the keys of such a fine instrument? I was embarrassed at being put on the spot and not a little put out with Judy. Knowing that my fingers fall over themselves when I am nervous, I worried that other tourists might come into the room.
Sensing my frustration with her, yet persisting, Judy said, “Just sit down, Terry, and play.”

Surprising even to me, I sat down on the piano stool like a disgruntled child and began obediently to play.

My fingers touched the keys, hesitantly at first, then gradually gained confidence, and as if with wings, flew effortlessly across the keyboard. I was a reluctant participant in a song of breath-taking beauty and soaring worship. I was lost in a melody I had only heard but had never played. As the music rose from the strings of this treasured instrument of antiquity, the sound of it swelled and swirled around me, wrapping me as if in divine arms. I felt lifted from earthly restraints to heavenly freedom in ascending worship of the Unseen, yet very Present God.

He was with me—and in me—working through me—filling me. His nearness was overwhelming. I ran from the room, passing the previously unnoticed small crowd that had gathered to listen. My heart was full. Tears of inexplicable joy streamed down my cheeks as I sought a solitary refuge with Him.

God’s love in that moment was transcendent; and for a few brief moments it seemed heaven and earth united with my Father and I being one. There is no explaining my experience any more than we can explain Jesus’ resurrected presence with Mary in the Garden after his burial. We have a multitude of examples, written and unwritten, of God loving man and making Himself known to him. Is this so surprising when we recall his promise to be with his people always? Is it not also written that when we come close to God, He will come close to us? In fact, haven’t there been moments in worship and in prayer when He draws so near that we can fairly feel His breath upon our cheeks?

God has ordained intimate fellowship with His beloved. All creation declares His glory. With beauty He surrounds us. He offers us glimpses of His beauty, draws us nearer to his heart, whispers His love, and reminds us of His promise to come.
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God sets beauty in our hearts. We, my friends, are invited to bask in His sweet, abiding Presence—now and for all eternity. The Apostle Paul assures us that even though we view God now as if we were looking through a dirty pane of glass, there will come a day, dear daughters of the Most High, when we will see Him clearly—face to face in all of His glory.​

As women in ministry, to be sure, we need safe spaces to express ourselves honestly and openly. If you don’t have that, I urge you to seek out a Connect group or other Jesus-centered support. But sometimes all the things stack up, and we’re tempted to express ourselves where it’s inappropriate or unwelcome. We can make others feel uncomfortable or even not want to be around us. The last thing I would want is to break connection with someone or turn them off by my indiscretion. So, imagine the smile on my face when I heard about a new approach, especially regarding casual conversation with others.

​Since experiencing those recent events, I happened upon a bit of reframing advice in a comedic video clip by The Holderness Family that was profound to me. It impacted me deeply, as comedy often does in all the seriousness of life. This is the new challenge to myself for the foreseeable future. Instead of asking “How are you?”, I will try asking, “What’s good right now?” And maybe, when I hear that question asked of me, I can respond by saying, “Here’s what’s good…”

If you’re interested in the comedy video I watched, you can view it here.

In today’s culture, spankings are mostly unheard of because of being taken too far and becoming abuse. But I believe there are times for spankings—a small spat only to get the attention, not injure, the receiver. I believe God gave me a well-deserved spanking for lack of gratitude.
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My romantic, loving, and caring husband gave me a ring for our 50th Wedding Anniversary. It is aquamarine stones and diamond chips set in silver. Although it is beautiful, to me it looked like some costume jewelry I had seen. I attempted to look happy with it, but he felt my dissatisfaction. He explained that he had chosen the aquamarine because it is the December stone—the month of our anniversary.

When I researched “aquamarine” and found it ranks with diamonds as one of the top four gemstones, I was somewhat mollified. Once when I did wear it, a total stranger saw it and exclaimed profusely over the aquamarine color and setting, telling me how beautiful it was. That did markedly boost my opinion. But there was another issue. It was too large. A few weeks before, we had had our fingers sized for rings. So, he knew my size. Then my husband allowed the clerk to talk him into getting a size larger by saying, “Women’s hands always swell.” Well, mine don’t! After trying to wear it several times even in the summer, I put it away because I was afraid it would slip off and be lost. It was just too big!

I didn’t like the color and I didn’t like the size of this thoughtful gift, so I didn’t wear it and honor my husband.

About a year later my husband mentioned that he had not seen me wear the ring recently. I told him it was too large, and I was afraid I would lose it. I got it, put it on, and showed him. As we were leaving for our weekly shopping excursion, I left it on my finger.

First, we went to Aldi, then to Walmart, then to several other stores. When I arrived home, I realized the ring was not on my finger. I looked in my coat pocket. I looked in my purse. I looked in the car. It was not to be found.

Spat! I felt the sting of correction in my heart. I didn’t want to tell my husband I had lost my ring. We had been so many places during the day, I was afraid I could not retrace my steps. We did nothing more. . .except, I prayed. I asked the Lord to forgive my ungratefulness, my pettiness, my unloveliness. I asked the Lord to help me find the ring.

One week later, we again made our round of shopping. We began at Aldi as usual walking each aisle. When we reached the last aisle—the freezer/refrigerated section—an employee was stocking. I politely asked him if anyone may have found and turned in a ring the week before. I described it in detail. He asked me to wait a moment while he checked in the back.

He returned with my ring! I was amazed! I was so excited I almost hugged him!
I felt that the loss of the ring was a spanking from God, but in love, He returned it to me. . .He got my attention! Who would think that to go back a week later a small ring which had been lost somewhere in a grocery store could be retrieved?!

Needless to say, we had the ring resized. Each time I wear it, as I do frequently now, I remember to be grateful and appreciative.
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“…For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all." Hebrews 12:6-8 NLT

Majetta Morris, a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God, began her first Sunday School teaching assignment when she was twelve. With husband, Wayne, and daughters, Scarlett and Keena, she ministered throughout the southwest U.S. in Kids Krusades for ten years before going to Okinawa, Japan to minister in schools, churches, and the local community for a total of sixteen years. After retiring in Springfield, MO in 2007, she began professionally editing as a freelancer at the request of a friend. Majetta loves reading, writing, crafting, teaching, and editing.

​Contact Majetta at bright.light.editing.coach@gmail.com for assistance to publish your writing projects.

​It is possible for us to delight Jesus! He feels how much we love Him. He is highly aware of our choices to respond to situations in faith and obedience, and He sees each sacrifice we make to care for others. To Him, these expressions of love are like an alabaster jar full of fragrant perfume. When I discovered the “alabaster jar principle” years ago, it became a major metaphor of my life and has transformed my trials and challenges into noble and beautiful opportunities.
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Do you remember Mary’s story? Her family in Bethany was holding a dinner party to celebrate Jesus raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. While Martha lovingly served, Mary walked into the room holding her very costly treasure. She knelt beside Jesus, and with a loud crack, shattered her exquisitely carved, shimmering alabaster flask. Then she poured out on Jesus’ head and feet its entire contents of extremely expensive spikenard ointment.

The nard had been carried overland from India, thousands of miles through treacherous mountains and deserts. Upon reaching Israel, it was cultivated into spikenard, the most elite of perfumes. In today’s currency, Mary’s dazzling jar and its prized contents would be worth about $40,000. This was Mary’s treasure. She lavished it all on Jesus, and it gave Him great pleasure! He exclaimed, “She has done a beautiful thing to me!”

We have an alabaster jar to give Jesus, too. It isn’t something tangible, but it is an expression of something valuable to us. Giving it to Him in faith and love costs us a lot. To give you an example, I will share about the alabaster jar I gave Him years ago and what I am giving today. I was married to an evangelist who was involved in fraud and immorality. Standing true to Jesus through the whole thing was a severe fiery trial, but I loved Jesus so much I couldn’t compromise with evil. During that agonizing period, I wrote the following song:

Years ago, in preparation for our church's annual Resurrection Week drama depictions, I was asked to paint a four-foot-tall solid iron crucifix found in an abandoned cemetery on church grounds. I spent the week meditating upon the graphically portrayed "body" of our Savior nailed to the cross, which was lying on our kitchen floor, while reading familiar passages of scripture and pondering what the Bible says happened the week leading up to and including our Lord's crucifixion.

As I began carefully applying paint to each perceived bruise, each laceration, each puncture, my soul was carried to a place and time in human history unlike any other.

Jesus, prostrate before his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, travailed so intensely in prayer that blood oozed from his pores and dripped to the ground. Knowing what he was to face, yet He was willing because only He could provide the sinless sacrifice.

Upon rejoining his disciples on Mount Olivet, an incited mob crests the hill to arrest Jesus. The blood-thirsty crowd grabs Him, binds his hands, and marches him first to Annas, and then to Caiaphas⏤his son-in-law and current high priest. Still tied, the ropes rub his wrists raw. Only one disciple, John, remains with him. In the courtyard, one of the two disciples who have not run in fear crouches before the fire; and at this moment, even he denies that he ever knew Him.

An officer, furious with the answer Jesus gives Caiaphas, rears back and slaps His face.

​Taking Jesus from Caiaphas' house to Pilate in the Praetorium, they hope for a judgment against Him. Pilate instead determines Jesus has done nothing wrong but has Him whipped to placate the Jews.

​The soldiers⏤mocking him⏤plait a crown of acacia that they cram upon his head. The toxic thorns pierce his scalp to the skull; blood runs down his forehead into his eyes. A purple robe is thrown across His beaten bloody shoulders. They hit His head with reeds, spit in His face, beat Him, and rip out His beard with bloody hands, while bowing in mock reverence and jeering, "Hail, King of the Jews."

Afterward, He is presented to Pilate, who in turn presents Him⏤still with crown, robe, and blood⏤to His accusers⏤the chief priests and officers.

"I find no fault in him," Pilate insists.

But they shout, "He has blasphemed God and broken our Mosaic law. He claims he is the Son of God!"

Pilate returns inside and asks Jesus, "Who are you?"

Jesus remains silent.

Pilate snarls, "Don't you know I have the power to crucify you, and I have the power to release you?"

Jesus answers, "You have no power at all over me unless God gives it to you."

Pilate negotiates with the Jews to no avail. They choose instead to release a murderer and to crucify Jesus. Pilate absolves himself of the guilt and allows the crucifixion.

Along the Via Dolorosa⏤the way of the cross⏤the sleepless Lord Jesus⏤beaten, shamed, and bloody⏤carries the weight of our cross upon his shredded back to Golgotha⏤the place of the skull. The people scorn him, wagging their heads with his every tenuous step.

There they impale His hands and feet to the cross. His crimson blood runs down the center beam as they raise Him high upon that cross, then drop it with a thud into the hole between two thieves also being crucified. Pilot orders a sign that reads, "King of the Jews" to be nailed over His head. It is the third hour of the day.

Jesus hangs on that tree of cursing for three long, excruciating hours as endless mocking voices crow below. An eerily thick darkness descends upon and covers the earth.

At the ninth hour, Jesus cries loudly, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"

Below, they think He calls for Elijah. Someone raises a sponged reed with sour wine to drink, but He refuses it.

​Jesus cries out once more and dies.

The earth trembles with a mighty earthquake. The tapestry between the people's sanctuary and the Most Holy Place in the temple where the ark of God and His Presence abide rips in two from the top to the bottom.

​The centurion at the foot of His cross exclaims, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"

With Passover soon approaching at sunset, the centurions work quickly breaking the legs of the thieves and thrusting a sword upward through their sides into their hearts, to insure instant death.

When they come to Him, Jesus is already dead. The centurion thrusts the sword into His side anyway. Out gush blood and water. He has died of a broken heart.

​Jesus is taken down from the cross and buried.

On the third day He rises from the dead! He walks, eats, and talks with people, showing them the scars in His hands and His feet. In fact, over five hundred people witness that He is indeed alive before His disciples watch Him ascend to take His place on the heavenly throne at His Father's right hand.

Wow! What powerful words, what an impactful life! As each detail of those scriptures came alive in my heart and in my mind, I experienced such intimacy with Jesus, and gained a keen awareness of what He has done out of His great love for me, and for each of us. 

​Since then, meditating upon God’s Word has become my daily exercise. May He capture your imagination and enrich your life too, as the days of our Savior’s passion, death, and glorious resurrection approach, and as you ponder and savor every word of His miraculous story for yourself.
 
*Created originally for Calvary Christian Assembly of God Facebook page video 4-2020

“We’re closed!” is what I wanted to say. At 5:05PM–one hour and five minutes after closing–the church office doorbell rang just as I slung my computer bag over my shoulder to go home. In my head, I was already on the road. In my head, I was already at home, hoping the chicken was sufficiently thawed for the Savory Spiced Chicken recipe I had in store for our family dinner. Both of my kids and my husband would be home to join me around the table; I could hardly wait to hear about an oral Spanish test and progress on an important project. Snapping me back to the present, the doorbell rang again.
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Relinquishing my computer bag with a heavy sigh and not a very Jesus-hearted attitude, I went to the door and saw a young woman new to our church family. This precious single mom had recently made a commitment to Jesus, and we had been helping her with all kinds of messy life situations. (I hail from messy life situations and have been eternally blessed by many Godly women alongside me in my journey, so it is truly an honor to come alongside others.) All of that flashed through my mind, along with the realization that this was going to take time and I was weary. My family and the spiced chicken were calling my name. I also sensed God’s prompting and knew that the Spirit would give me strength. As Jesus’ heart warmed mine, I opened the door and said, “Come on in!”

Instead of the agenda I had in mind for the next hour, I knew from the first word and embrace that this was a much-needed time of sharing, showing, and telling of God’s love to my struggling sister in Christ. It was God’s Word coming to life in that moment: So, we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us. (Ephesians 1:6-8a NLT)

In reminding my sister of God’s love and grace for her and of her belonging to Jesus and His family, God showered me with His kindness and grace for me. We need God’s grace straight from His throne. We also need His grace straight from one another through a patient listening ear, gentle words of encouragement, and time sitting together sharing our struggles. This is grace. God’s grace. His grace flowing to us, in us, and through us.

It could go without saying, but I want to go ahead and say it: I need and am so grateful for God’s grace to me. I am so thankful for the grace of others to me. How I need all that grace! How God’s grace is needed in our world, our country, our communities, and our churches. I am humbled when God shows His grace through me. Through the simple interaction that day, God profoundly imparted His kindness and grace. Words of love and grace may not have been on the tip of my tongue and what I wanted to say when the doorbell rang but thank the Lord they are what He wanted to say!

In the words of the late Paul Harvey: And now for the rest of the story…
I am a firm believer in healthy boundaries, and I do not always open the door whatever time of day or night. But I knew that day the Holy Spirit had an appointment for me that was not on my calendar. So instead of Savory Spiced Chicken, which waited another day, our family gathered around the table for a later dinner of “Take 2” (that’s what we call leftovers at our house). The oral Spanish test went better than expected, and the important project was on schedule.

I wish I could report that the young single mom I sat alongside that evening is now more healed and whole-heartedly serving Jesus. That is not the case; however, it is what I pray in faith believing for her. In light of that, I do not wish I had said what I wanted to say: “We’re closed!” I am so grateful for God’s continual invitation to abide in and experience His presence. It is what He says every time: “Come on in!”

Ingredients:
​3 tsp. ground dried thyme
2 tsp. seasoned salt
2 tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. garlic salt
1 ½ tsp. paprika
½ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional depending upon your spice preference)
2/3 cup (11 Tbsp.) butter, melted
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
4-6 chicken breasts (bone-in or boneless/skinless)
 
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine the first 6 (or 7) dry spice ingredients.
Place the chicken breasts onto a sheet pan.
(Line with parchment for easier clean-up.)
Sprinkle the spice combination onto both sides of the chicken.
Whisk lemon juice and mustard into the melted butter.
Pour or brush the butter mixture over the chicken.
Roast the chicken until cooked through.
(bone-in: 60-75 minutes; boneless: 45-60 minutes)
 
Enjoy!

​Jill St. John, once a high school English teacher, is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God. She serves as Co-Pastor alongside her husband, Jason. For the last 23 years, they have served at Evangel Church in Kansas City: 6 years as youth pastors, 17 years as lead pastors. Jill has a passion for Jesus and a zeal for teaching God’s Word – helping others walk in God’s love and purpose. As a 4-time cancer survivor, she knows the goodness of God through the highs and lows of life and ministry. Jill is an authentic, enthusiastic messenger of God’s joy and hope. Teaching, cooking, laughing and hanging out with her husband and two children are the delights of her life!

Way back in the Fall of 2018, we introduced one of our "sister" ministry video resources featuring Debbie Cole at the Northwest Ministry Network (NWMN).  Just like reminders on our phones or calendars, we're sending a little loving notification to encourage you to take advantage of this great content. This particular video focuses on our behaviors in communication.  Although the context is marriage, there are some gems for any relationship as Debbie engages in conversation with Dr. Renee Bourdeaux.

Is there something that really struck a chord with you in this presentation? What's one tip or some advice that you have found helpful in your own relationships?  Please share it in the comments!

Off Script With Debbie is now in Season 4!  You can check out her channel here.