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by Kim Oyler As is typical in life, I have something to celebrate this season and something to mourn. We are new to farming and to cattle. This was our first experience with calving, and we were so excited. I was especially looking forward to the birth and new life on the farm. I wanted to experience it all! I was even willing to get my hands dirty in the process if need be. Actually, I was secretly hoping to get my hands dirty! I was all in! At the very least, I was hoping to be able to witness the birth, watch our first-time heifer cow become a mama, and watch our new calf’s wobbly first steps.
So began the questioning of ourselves: What if we had been there? Could we have saved it? What did we do wrong? And then the sad conclusion: we’re bad farmers! In addition to that conclusion came an onslaught of disappointment and regret. We were now back to square one. What we had worked so hard for was gone and now we had to start over. This last year felt like a waste. And now we must wait another year to see the fruits of our labor. It felt a lot like ministry. The hard work. The investment. The dedication. The anticipation. The hope of seeing all of that hard work pay off. When things don’t work out, we feel the disappointment, the regret. We ponder the "what ifs" and the "if onlys." We question our ability. We question our efforts. Was it worth it? Did we just waste our time? Will anything good come out of this season? The strength to keep investing, keep working, keep loving what we do is challenged. But the Call to Serve is still strong. The Call to Love still beats within our chest. The lack of success at the moment is met with the hope for a new day, a new season, and a chance to try again. My husband and I are non-traditional church planters. We started with a desire to pastor and the blessing of a small building but nothing else. No money. No staff. No mother church. It has been a slow and steady progression of “success” for ten years, but this past year, a setback. A dead calf if you will. Everything we were building and working towards seemed threatened as we experienced our first church split. A reason to mourn. A reason to question ourselves. Are we bad pastors? Could we have prevented this? What did we do wrong? The feeling that we are starting over is real and present. The reality of continuing to work hard is true. We continue to dedicate ourselves to the church and to the people but also knowing there will be a delay in seeing the fruit of our labor.  by Jeffrey Schwartz, from Getty Images ~~~~~~~~~~ Today on the farm, a live calf was born to another first-time mama in our pasture. A reason to rejoice! ~~~~~~~~~~ Much like ministry, there are painful things that exist alongside joyful things. We can mourn our losses. But we must choose to see the new birth that is happening alongside the loss. Currently, we are meeting new faces every week. New life is springing up. People are hungry and growing. There is new freedom bursting forth in our services. So, I will celebrate the new life in the face of mourning our losses. I will also choose to look ahead with hope and expectation for more new life in our church and on our farm!  Kim and her husband, Brad, have been in ministry 30 years, the last 11 years as copastors of Courageous Life Church in Independence, Missouri. They have two adult sons, 3 grandchildren and 2 middle school aged sons that keep them busy. Kim enjoys farm life and being outdoors, as well as writing and teaching. She is stepping into a new season of courage and obedience as she continues to grow in her walk with the Lord.
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by Linda Brown You know that person to whom nobody knows quite how to respond?. The one who makes some people say things like, “She keeps talking about this thing that happened almost two years ago.” “Where is her faith?” “She has lost her joy. I feel kind of sorry for her, but I never know what to say when she talks about her grief.” “It’s like she is a different person.”  by SolStock, from Getty Images Signature Sometimes I am that person--the one with whom nobody knows quite what to do. They kind of hope I don’t talk about suffering today, because it’s an uncomfortable topic. However, it seems like almost every conversation leads to it at some point. To be perfectly honest, sometimes I don’t know what to do with me since losing my daughter, Jessica. I am a different person. My thoughts are different. I see things differently. My faith is different. Let me clarify that statement. My faith is deeper than it has ever been. My joy is deeper, because it is only in Jesus, not in people or things. My perspective is deeper. Losing a loved one—especially a child—makes you take an immediate inventory of what is important in your life. That is partly because you don’t have the emotional energy to deal with the things that aren’t important. I find that I cling to the things of this life less tightly. I love my Lord, I love the Word; and I love my family and friends. Those are what bring me joy, along with so many other things: music, wildflowers, singing birds, sunrises, sunsets, the color green (because grass is green), delighting in a good, sweet watermelon in the summer, and sitting on the porch with my husband and neighbors.  by Johannes Plenio, from Plexels Having joy—living a life of joy—does not necessarily mean laughing all the time and being the life of the party. Speaking of suffering does not necessarily mean a person is filled with depression and gloom. Having a proper understanding of suffering has led me closer to Jesus. He suffered, and He assured us that we would suffer, too. He said that in this world we would have plenty of troubles; but in that same sentence He told us that He has overcome the world (John 16:33 ESV). Because He lived, suffered, died, and rose from the grave, we have a fabulous HOPE! We have the assurance that the pain of this life is not all there is. When we are surrendered to Him, we can look forward to the prospect of spending the rest of eternity with Jesus, while living out the good plan He had for us from the beginning. The question is, "How am I going to live out the rest of my life while I am here on Planet Earth?" I want to be a living example of life, love, and hope, and at the same time, point people to Christ. God had a purpose for me the day before Jessica died; and He had the same purpose for me the day after she died. My life circumstances are entirely different now than they were then. However, my purpose is the same--to love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, strength, and soul, and to love my neighbor as myself (Mark 12:29-31). The opportunities each day may look different, but the purpose is the same. It’s not about me, but about what I do with those opportunities. Did I ever think the death of my daughter would be an opportunity to share about the love and hope of Christ? Nope. And it’s certainly not an opportunity I wanted. But here it is. Our suffering may not feel good, but does that make it bad? None of us are Job, but as that wise man said, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” (Job 13:15 ESV) And thousands of years later, we read the story of his great faith in the ultimate goodness of God. If you can relate to this, or if you are struggling with this, I pray for the peace of God to wash over you. There will still be hard days, but be comforted in this, “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort, too.” (2 Corinthians 1:5 ESV).  Linda Brown is a local teacher of the Word, women’s mentor, Certified Peer Specialist, and taker-of-sunrise photos. Her passion is encouraging and discipling women, and she does this through engaging in life with women in her community, writing, leading Bible studies, and facilitating small groups through ministries such as Celebrate Recovery, GriefShare, and While We’re Waiting, which is a biblically-based group focusing on the unique and seldom-talked about needs of bereaved parents. As a bereaved parent herself, and one who has overcome many life challenges through God’s word and the healing power of the Holy Spirit, Linda relates well to women who struggle with similar challenges, and delights in pointing them to the Hope she has found in Christ. Linda lives with her husband Paul and 13 year-old granddaughter in rural Missouri, where they enjoy porch time, and occasionally wrangling turkeys and cattle.
by Larincia Hambrick A few years ago, we were house shopping and in the market to purchase a new home. We were so excited! Although my husband and I had been married awhile and started our family, this was the first time we had been house shopping together. As Realtor.com and Zillow junkies, we knew if we saw a house on the market that we liked, we had better move quickly, or it would be gone. We had just relocated to St. Louis and lived in my childhood home. That was a blessing, because we were able to save money for a down payment; however, it was not in the best neighborhood, so our goal was to find something quickly. On Sundays after church, we would load up the kids, pack their snacks, and tour as many open houses as we could. The moment came when we thought we’d found the one. The house was absolutely stunning! It had recently been updated, and the smell of fresh paint filled every room. The kitchen had large cabinets and a center island. Each room on the first floor from the dining area to the living room, kitchen, and family room were encapsulated all around with big, beautiful windows where natural light filled the rooms to create an open and airy ambiance. We decided to put an offer on the home and to get an inspection.  by SDI Productions, from Getty Images Signature As a woman, I could already visualize where our furniture would be placed and the family meals we’d be eating together, but as the inspector looked closely at the house, he noted several major things wrong that a person with an untrained eye could not see or know to look for at first glance. The house had evidence of untreated termite damage. The chimney needed to be repaired and the bricks needed to be tuck-pointed, and most of the beautiful windows were missing the springs made to hold them in place when you raised them. The basement was not waterproof, had cracks in the walls, and leaked water in from three sides of the house, which would cause the basement to flood. The inspector also found black mold behind bathroom walls...and the list goes on. The laundry list of issues with this house was unbelievable, because it was aesthetically beautiful. The necessary repairs would be thousands of dollars, and we didn’t have thousands of dollars to sink into a house, so we backed out of the contract. Often, it is the same with us. We look absolutely stunning on the outside, yet on the inside, we have cracks in our soul and are wreaking of bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness.  by rappensuncle, from Getty Images Signature During the inspection, the inspector called me into the master bathroom. He pushed the bathtub stopper down, turned the water on, and filled the bathtub with water. He then pulled the stopper back up to see how quickly the water would drain to empty the bathtub. He discovered something was clogging the drain because the water drained very slowly. This is exactly what happens in the spirit realm when we harbor unforgiveness; our hearts get clogged. It’s hard to hear from God, experience His presence, have viable relationships with others, or even love ourselves properly when we fail to forgive. There’s no doubt about it, ministry is messy. Our hearts get clogged, and sometimes our experience with just a handful of people can taint our relationships with others we need to let in. As women in ministry, we should be compelled to extend grace, because God has graciously extended it to us. In Matthew 18:22 ESV, Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive his brother. He wanted to know a specific number, so Peter inquired further and said, "Should I just forgive him seven times?” Jesus responded and said, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” The Lord was trying to show Peter that forgiveness is limitless; it knows no bounds. If you can count the number of times you have forgiven someone, then you haven’t forgiven enough. We all have moments we struggle with forgiveness. That’s the reason Jesus talked about it so much in the gospels. The Lord never made forgiveness a conditional act. He doesn’t tell us to forgive if this or if that. The Word declares we must forgive others for their trespasses against us. Forgiveness should be granted without condition and limitation. We constantly need to be forgiven, and we constantly need to extend forgiveness to others. Luke 6:37 ESV says, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Prayer Lord, I choose to forgive and release for . I forgive myself for the mistakes I’ve made. I receive your grace and forgiveness. In Jesus Name. Amen.  Larincia holds a B.A. from Kentucky State University, an M.B.A from Indiana Wesleyan University, an A.A. from Valor Christian College and is an ordained minister of the Southern Missouri Ministry Network. She serves as the CFO of WEMA Logistics and is passionate about impacting her community. Larincia is a dynamic speaker, and is the founder of Destined to Reign Ministries, I Am Destined to Reign Boutique, the author of I Am Destined to Reign: Ditch the Baggage, Discover Your Identity & Walk in Royalty and a new devotional book entitled Gratitude in the Journey. Larincia is the proud wife to Hervera Hambrick, Life Groups Pastor at Twin Rivers Church in St. Louis, MO, and is the mom of two amazing boys--Josiah & Gabriel. When she isn't working, you can find her decorating, inviting people over for dinner, reading, or traveling.
by Julie Davenport See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:11-12 I have lived in Missouri for almost all my life. They say if you don’t like the weather in Missouri, just wait until the next day, and it will change. I love that we have four seasons. I love the new life in spring, the sun in the summer, the beautiful leaves in the fall, and I even like to watch the falling snow with my red birds at the bird feeder in the winter. If there is one of those four seasons that I look forward to being over the most, it would have to be winter! Even as I type this and look out my window, it is sunny. Looks can be deceiving, though, because it is actually cold! I am ready for warm!
Have you ever been in a season of life that you are ready for it to be over? I remember when I went through many years of infertility, I was so anxious to someday have babies. When I finally had my two miracle babies, I was looking forward to the day when they would be out of diapers. When they were in all kinds of activities and I was chauffeuring them around, I was looking forward to the day they would drive. Now, looking back, it all went by so fast. Although I miss those days of my girls being little, I am enjoying this season of having them as my adult friends. Now is a season of grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, and I am loving every minute. So many times, we end up wasting our time of enjoying the season we are in by always looking to the next season. I remember a particularly hard season in my life several years ago about this time of year. I gained a bonus son in my second marriage, and he was going through a very low point in his life. We were desperate over his situation. At the same time, our youngest daughter had travelled to India for an extended stay to work as a missionary associate. I was concerned about her being so far away from home and the conditions she would be staying in. On the spring morning after she left, both of these situations were heavily on my mind and in my prayers. I looked outside. In the little tree in my front yard were two dove eggs. I became fascinated with watching them hatch. In just a few days, they did! I watched them learn to fly and leave the nest in the days ahead. Amazingly, every day for a few weeks, they would both come and sit on the rail of my back deck. I named them after our son, Donnie, and my daughter, Chelsea. You may think I am a little crazy, but it was a reassurance to me every day that I saw them that Donnie and Chelsea were in the Lord’s hands. One day I only saw one of them! I was like, “Is that Donnie or Chelsea!” Thankfully, Chelsea made it home safely from India and is now married and a mother. Donnie came through his crisis, miraculously, and came back to the Lord. After that, there would be more hard seasons to come. We have all gone through many seasons of sadness and sorrow. However, the Lord is always faithful. He always brings us through. I want to encourage you today if you are in a hard season, know that “this too shall pass.” God will carry you through, and when you look back you will be stronger and more ready to face the days ahead. Even if like me, you are older and have been through many seasons, you can look forward to the days ahead. I love this scripture in Proverbs 31:25 NIV: She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. I encourage you to embrace the season you are in today. God will not fail you. He never has and He never will. He has promised to clothe us with strength and dignity and that we can even face the days ahead with joy and laughter. One more scripture from Psalm 126:2 KJV to put some spring in your step: Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. My prayer for you dear ladies is for you to have a spring and summer filled with laughter, singing, and joy. No matter the season you are in, you can always find something to be thankful for and little things to celebrate. I know that looking back at raising my children and the many seasons we have been through, I can say with confidence that the Lord has done great things, even in the midst of some of the hardest seasons. There have been treasures in the darkness. I am praying the same for you! Happy Spring and Summer!  If one word could depict a life, Julie Davenport’s would be “redemption.” As a child, Julie’s character was forged within a legacy of faith, godliness, and ministry, so when she married a charismatic young pastor on the fast-track to prominence, life was everything she’d dreamed it would be...on the outside. But inside, alone and hidden from view, Julie endured abuse, betrayal, and infidelities that spiraled to include miscarriage, cancer, divorce, mental illness, and eventually suicide. Julie is now an ordained AG minister who through speaking engagements and two daughters continues the legacy of ministry, God is using Julie’s life-story to validate His immeasurable grace and prove His power to redeem what Satan tried so hard to destroy.
by Kim Boley"Teamwork makes the dream work!” ¹ My oldest daughter and I share this quote with each other anytime we’re working on something together. Cleaning up the house, picking out clothes for tomorrow, whatever. One of us will shout, “Teamwork!” and the other finishes by replying, “Makes the dream work!” and we usually high five. This not only gets us in a fun mood, but also helps her to see it’s good to include others in a goal. We can’t do life alone. This thought hit me the other day during our Tuesday night worship service (we’re college missionaries). As I watched my husband, James, preach that week, I was reminded how most of our students don’t know how hard each of our staff members and leadership team work to make that night possible.
However, there are many moving parts to create an environment that is smooth and welcoming to all who attend. It’s something we work at very hard, and each person has a role to play in creating this. ¹ John C. Maxwell, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work. |
 | Kim serves alongside her husband, James, as Chi Alpha missionaries at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO). Theyhave two daughters, Abbi & Lizzie, and one fur baby, a black Labrador named Natasha. Kim attended Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, where |
she was introduced to Chi Alpha Campus Ministries her freshman year. After she graduated in 2006, she spent the next seven years at the University of Missouri in Columbia, serving as a missionary associate with Chi Alpha. In 2013, she and James felt led to pioneer a Chi Alpha where there wasn’t one. Through a series of God-moments, He brought them to Cape Girardeau, MO and the campus of SEMO. Since then, they have both become ordained ministers, learned even more about life and ministry, and fallen more in love with God and each other. Kim is a huge fan of coffee, dogs (especially labs), books, and her college kids. She loves doing Chi Alpha with her whole family by sharing life together.
by Majetta Morris
by cstar55, from Getty Images Signature
God’s love is such a beautiful treasure. His love is above all others. Except through the Holy Spirit, man cannot love as God loves. His love is pure and unconditional, without expectation or exception.
God’s love is such a beautiful treasure. His love is above all others. Except through the Holy Spirit, man cannot love as God loves. His love is pure and unconditional, without expectation or exception.
God loved me before I was even conceived. He knew and developed me for each endeavor planned for my life—who I would be. He placed me in the family He knew would raise me to be the adult I needed to be for His plan for my life. He planned for each item in my life that I consider success. He planned each heartache I would face to develop the spirit to be who I am. He has placed His imprint on my life. He always knows what my decision in any situation will be before I make it. Although I do not always see it, He developed me into His image. When I look at myself, I frequently see only what is wrong. But He always sees what is right.
Without God’s love, what would I be? As a teen one evening as I babysat my nephew, I was greatly tempted to have a cigarette. I had never smoked, but my aunt was a chain smoker. The odor of cigarettes permeated the house. I suddenly felt the need of a cigarette. I immediately asked my Savior to remove the desire and give me the strength to refuse the temptation. In His awesome love, He did. I never had the temptation again. Had He not moved in my behalf, I may have become a chain-smoker and died of pancreatic cancer as my aunt did.
God’s love sent me the godly husband He intended for me. Although I was a young teenager and he was an adult when we first met, God brought us together again a few years later. Thousands of miles separated us. Our dating happened by snail-mail over a period of a couple of years. God placed a love and a call to the mission field on both our lives, then fulfilled that call.
I can love others because He first loved me. I can love others whom I may think unlovable as He loves through me. I do not always see others as He does.
My heavenly Father loved me so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for all the things that I do and have done wrong. In fact, His Son loves me so much that He willingly gave His own life for my sins.
Love is a beautiful treasure from the heavenly Father. Love is a beautiful treasure from His son, Jesus. Love is a beautiful treasure of guidance and love from the Holy Spirit. No other love can compare.
Without God’s love, what would I be? As a teen one evening as I babysat my nephew, I was greatly tempted to have a cigarette. I had never smoked, but my aunt was a chain smoker. The odor of cigarettes permeated the house. I suddenly felt the need of a cigarette. I immediately asked my Savior to remove the desire and give me the strength to refuse the temptation. In His awesome love, He did. I never had the temptation again. Had He not moved in my behalf, I may have become a chain-smoker and died of pancreatic cancer as my aunt did.
God’s love sent me the godly husband He intended for me. Although I was a young teenager and he was an adult when we first met, God brought us together again a few years later. Thousands of miles separated us. Our dating happened by snail-mail over a period of a couple of years. God placed a love and a call to the mission field on both our lives, then fulfilled that call.
I can love others because He first loved me. I can love others whom I may think unlovable as He loves through me. I do not always see others as He does.
My heavenly Father loved me so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for all the things that I do and have done wrong. In fact, His Son loves me so much that He willingly gave His own life for my sins.
Love is a beautiful treasure from the heavenly Father. Love is a beautiful treasure from His son, Jesus. Love is a beautiful treasure of guidance and love from the Holy Spirit. No other love can compare.
Majetta, 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 publishing your writing projects.
by Terry Magness
It was a “leftovers” dinner night. I’d had a busy day and it was getting late. Thank God for microwaves, right? A little grilled meat and some creamed corn constitute a sure win with my husband.
So, I grabbed a glass food storage cup from the fridge containing excess creamed corn from a meal a couple of days earlier. Peeling off the plastic lid, I noticed the contents came nearly to the brim, but hastily stuck it into the microwave anyway and nuked it. Predictably, the creamed corn bubbled up, and like hot lava, flowed over the sides, leaving the container bottom submerged in a hot, gooey puddle.
Like most of you, I have learned from experience that the sooner I tend to a sticky mess like this, the easier it is to clean up. Left unattended, it has a way of cementing itself to everything it touches.
When our minds are filled to near capacity with sticky memories, they lend themselves to hurtful, possibly angry thinking. Fueled by careless words, thoughtless or selfish deeds, and set ablaze by rehearsal-fanned emotions, they can bubble and boil within the cauldron of our soul. Pressure-poised for eruption, they can overflow from the eyes in hot rivers of tears as well as from the mouth in a fiery explosion of molten words capable of igniting all in its destructive path. Left unattended, that torrent of toxin has the power to cement itself in the hearts of those we love.
At this point, we are left with a choice to either get busy, do the hard thing, and attempt to clean up our mess and make amends; or we, feeling self-righteous, can ignore what we have done and allow it to make it’s permeating mark.
So, I grabbed a glass food storage cup from the fridge containing excess creamed corn from a meal a couple of days earlier. Peeling off the plastic lid, I noticed the contents came nearly to the brim, but hastily stuck it into the microwave anyway and nuked it. Predictably, the creamed corn bubbled up, and like hot lava, flowed over the sides, leaving the container bottom submerged in a hot, gooey puddle.
Like most of you, I have learned from experience that the sooner I tend to a sticky mess like this, the easier it is to clean up. Left unattended, it has a way of cementing itself to everything it touches.
When our minds are filled to near capacity with sticky memories, they lend themselves to hurtful, possibly angry thinking. Fueled by careless words, thoughtless or selfish deeds, and set ablaze by rehearsal-fanned emotions, they can bubble and boil within the cauldron of our soul. Pressure-poised for eruption, they can overflow from the eyes in hot rivers of tears as well as from the mouth in a fiery explosion of molten words capable of igniting all in its destructive path. Left unattended, that torrent of toxin has the power to cement itself in the hearts of those we love.
At this point, we are left with a choice to either get busy, do the hard thing, and attempt to clean up our mess and make amends; or we, feeling self-righteous, can ignore what we have done and allow it to make it’s permeating mark.
by Yuri Manei, from Pexels The best option, however, and the most Biblical, might be to remove those toxic thoughts from our mind. Our thoughts may seem like wild stampeding stallions, impossible to stop or corral. God, however, has told us to “take every thought captive.”¹ Really? Yes, really. The Lord has given us responsibility for what we think.
You might argue, “I can’t just stop thinking a thought, can I?” What if I were to tell you to stop thinking about purple socks? My guess is that purple socks now are what is on your mind. Our mind cannot operate in a vacuum. In order to change our thinking, we must replace a thought with a thought.
Here is an idea. Why not begin collecting scriptures from your daily Bible reading, and write them on notecards—good words, praiseworthy stuff, thoughts that lift your heart and cause you to rejoice. Find scriptures that tell you how God sees you, who you are in Christ, who Jesus is, what God has said He will do, and what He has promised.
Then when those toxic thoughts pop on the scene, bring out your scripture cards and wield your Sword of the Spirit! Speak, out loud, the mighty, full-of-power Words of the living God. By doing so, you will win the battle against the enemy’s attempts to imprison your mind. You will have replaced his toxic words with God’s life-giving Truth. That, my sisters, is “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”¹ “For as (she) thinks in (her) heart, so is (she).”²
¹ 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
² Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
Here is an idea. Why not begin collecting scriptures from your daily Bible reading, and write them on notecards—good words, praiseworthy stuff, thoughts that lift your heart and cause you to rejoice. Find scriptures that tell you how God sees you, who you are in Christ, who Jesus is, what God has said He will do, and what He has promised.
Then when those toxic thoughts pop on the scene, bring out your scripture cards and wield your Sword of the Spirit! Speak, out loud, the mighty, full-of-power Words of the living God. By doing so, you will win the battle against the enemy’s attempts to imprison your mind. You will have replaced his toxic words with God’s life-giving Truth. That, my sisters, is “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”¹ “For as (she) thinks in (her) heart, so is (she).”²
¹ 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
² Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
Now an ordained AG minister, Terry Magness was once a broken, wounded, angry, and abuse-hardened woman, until God’s redeeming love confronted, delivered, healed, and transformed her life. In 1995, Terry founded Grace Harbour Ministries, a not-for-profit, Biblically-based teaching, prayer, and discipleship ministry to women. Through Biblical counseling, coaching, and mentoring, she helps soul-wounded women come to know God in a personal way, conquer sin, overcome life challenges, and live Spirit-empowered lives. Throughout her global ministry she has witnessed God’s captive-freeing power at work. Terry has authored two books--Ever Increasing Grace and Azadiah Reynolds: God's Jamaica Man—and three booklets in her Pocket Scriptures series. She enjoys people, writing, photography, art, nature, and relaxing on the water while fishing with her quick-witted husband, Don, who keeps her laughing. Their amazing children and three priceless granddaughters remind them daily to be ever thankful for God’s wondrous blessings.
by Majetta Morris
by svetikd from Getty Images Signature We experience a wide range of emotions during Christmas time. Although we are Christians, we can allow ourselves to become overwhelmed with the busyness of the season and fall into negative thought patterns.
Recently a news commentator commented on the mental health of many facing loneliness this season. Loneliness is more common than you may think. Each of us has probably faced it at some time. It can be crippling when we see others who seem to have many friendships and we desire someone to reach out to us. We think, “Wouldn’t it be nice to meet someone for coffee?” But then we undermine ourselves with the second thought, “That would just be one more thing to demand my time.”
Depression and discouragement can easily take over when I feel trapped and overwhelmed with all my perceived responsibilities: decorate the church; decorate my house; plan and execute the church board party; plan and execute the staff party; plan and execute the ladies’ Christmas party; ensure the Youth and Children’s Pastors have what is needed for the children’s program and parties; buy Christmas gifts for staff, board, church, and family. Then I learn that family is coming from out of town for Christmas at my house. My bad! Family always comes last, and my family comes last of all!! Not fair!!!
Anxiety, frustration, and exhaustion increase as I consider how I’m going to accomplish all that is on my plate. I would like help but feel it would take more time to train someone than to do a task myself. Could I let go and allow permission to do it another way? I need to examine my thoughts to see if this is a control issue on my part.
As perplexity grows, so does irritability and lack of joy. Every morning I arise and think, “This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. . .yeah, right!” My peace has already gone out the window. I get hubby off to work, kids off to school (or to schoolwork, if I’m homeschooling), and I rush through morning devotions—if I even allow myself time to read from my current devotional book. But I skip the verse or two from the Word. I’ve forgotten to make “Jesus the Reason for the Season.”
I need to approach this from the other side and intentionally make “Jesus the Reason for the Season” in my life. Most ecumenical churches use the Advent as a guide for sermons each year for the four Sundays surrounding Christmas. Each Sunday emphasizes a characteristic of Christ--Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace--which can be mine when I give Jesus first place.
Depression and discouragement can easily take over when I feel trapped and overwhelmed with all my perceived responsibilities: decorate the church; decorate my house; plan and execute the church board party; plan and execute the staff party; plan and execute the ladies’ Christmas party; ensure the Youth and Children’s Pastors have what is needed for the children’s program and parties; buy Christmas gifts for staff, board, church, and family. Then I learn that family is coming from out of town for Christmas at my house. My bad! Family always comes last, and my family comes last of all!! Not fair!!!
Anxiety, frustration, and exhaustion increase as I consider how I’m going to accomplish all that is on my plate. I would like help but feel it would take more time to train someone than to do a task myself. Could I let go and allow permission to do it another way? I need to examine my thoughts to see if this is a control issue on my part.
As perplexity grows, so does irritability and lack of joy. Every morning I arise and think, “This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. . .yeah, right!” My peace has already gone out the window. I get hubby off to work, kids off to school (or to schoolwork, if I’m homeschooling), and I rush through morning devotions—if I even allow myself time to read from my current devotional book. But I skip the verse or two from the Word. I’ve forgotten to make “Jesus the Reason for the Season.”
I need to approach this from the other side and intentionally make “Jesus the Reason for the Season” in my life. Most ecumenical churches use the Advent as a guide for sermons each year for the four Sundays surrounding Christmas. Each Sunday emphasizes a characteristic of Christ--Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace--which can be mine when I give Jesus first place.
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
Because of God’s Love, we have Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace to give to others. I can love you because God first loved me. Without God, I would have nothing to share.
Without faith/hope in God, I cannot do anything of heavenly value, I cannot overcome, I cannot live victoriously. When I exercise my “Faith,” I give my “Amen” to God’s truth, to His reality, to His love, to His salvation. . .not just with my mouth, but with my heart, my mind, my emotions, my strength, and my life—my entire being.¹
The "Triunity" of God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—speaks to the Love that God has for us. It takes three to have love:
Love is one, and Love is three. God is One, and God is Three in One.²
God’s love abides with us, walks with us, and stays with us through everything. God’s love puts Himself in our place, giving us the desire to want the best for another. Then we can put ourselves in the place of others to feel as they feel, cry as they cry, have joy for their joys, and walk a mile in their shoes.³
Because of God’s Love, we have Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace to give to others. I can love you because God first loved me. Without God, I would have nothing to share.
Without faith/hope in God, I cannot do anything of heavenly value, I cannot overcome, I cannot live victoriously. When I exercise my “Faith,” I give my “Amen” to God’s truth, to His reality, to His love, to His salvation. . .not just with my mouth, but with my heart, my mind, my emotions, my strength, and my life—my entire being.¹
The "Triunity" of God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—speaks to the Love that God has for us. It takes three to have love:
- The Father is the Subject, the Lover, and the Source.
- The Son is the Object, the Beloved, and the Receiver.
- The Holy Spirit is the Verb, the Love itself, and Love.
Love is one, and Love is three. God is One, and God is Three in One.²
God’s love abides with us, walks with us, and stays with us through everything. God’s love puts Himself in our place, giving us the desire to want the best for another. Then we can put ourselves in the place of others to feel as they feel, cry as they cry, have joy for their joys, and walk a mile in their shoes.³
by Kameleon007 from Getty Images Signature One of my favorite hymns from childhood is Joy Unspeakable written by Barney Elliott Warren, inspired by 1 Peter 1:8 KJV. I cannot sing the song without a smile on my face! JOY! Although I don't always, I should always have “joy unspeakable” flowing from me as a redeemed child of God.
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.” Romans 4:7,8.
A Buddhist parent of a student one day asked me, “Why are you always so happy?” My heart responded, “Why should it be so difficult?” “But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.” Psalm 68:3
On a second trip to my home, a salesperson once said, “I love coming here. It is so peaceful.” Peace, from the Prince of Peace! How soothing and calming! “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27. We can stew, worry, and fret ourselves into a tizzy and ruin our own peace or can know according to Isaiah 26:3, “[God] will keep in perfect peace all who trust in [Him], all whose thoughts are fixed on [Him]!” We can have peace with God, peace with others, and peace with ourselves.
I pray you will live on the positive side of your Christmas emotions. When things start bogging you down, remind yourself that the God of Love is right beside you.
A Buddhist parent of a student one day asked me, “Why are you always so happy?” My heart responded, “Why should it be so difficult?” “But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.” Psalm 68:3
On a second trip to my home, a salesperson once said, “I love coming here. It is so peaceful.” Peace, from the Prince of Peace! How soothing and calming! “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27. We can stew, worry, and fret ourselves into a tizzy and ruin our own peace or can know according to Isaiah 26:3, “[God] will keep in perfect peace all who trust in [Him], all whose thoughts are fixed on [Him]!” We can have peace with God, peace with others, and peace with ourselves.
I pray you will live on the positive side of your Christmas emotions. When things start bogging you down, remind yourself that the God of Love is right beside you.
Unless otherwise marked, all Scripture is New Living Translation (NLT).
¹Chan, Jonathan, The Book of Mysteries, Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group. www.charismahouse.com, 2016/2018, Day 26.
²Chan, Jonathan, The Book of Mysteries, Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group. www.charismahouse.com, 2016/2018, Day 32.
³Chan, Jonathan, The Book of Mysteries, Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group. www.charismahouse.com, 2016/2018, Day 12.
¹Chan, Jonathan, The Book of Mysteries, Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group. www.charismahouse.com, 2016/2018, Day 26.
²Chan, Jonathan, The Book of Mysteries, Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group. www.charismahouse.com, 2016/2018, Day 32.
³Chan, Jonathan, The Book of Mysteries, Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group. www.charismahouse.com, 2016/2018, Day 12.
Majetta, 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, Missouri 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 publishing your writing projects.
An Exposition on Isaiah 9:1-7
by Julie Davenport
by Julie Davenport
Some people just LOVE Christmas! I have friends that listen to Christmas music starting months before December or even all year long! Are you one of THOSE? I start the day after Thanksgiving and stop the day after Christmas. I do love Christmas, though, and the wonderful feeling you get during the most wonderful time of the year.
One of the most enjoyable things about Christmas is giving gifts to the kids and seeing their excitement. When they are really young, you can get by with less expensive gifts. I remember one year when my daughters were little, we gave them ten gifts each. They were so excited to count all ten! They didn’t care that one of the gifts was a toothbrush, another was a pair of socks, and the rest didn’t cost very much. The fun was in opening all those gifts.
After Christmas, even as adults, there is sometimes a little let down when it is all over. As believers, however, we have the gift of Jesus, the gift that keeps on giving. In Isaiah 9:1-7, we have a passage that lists ten gifts that are available to us all year long. These gifts are not inexpensive ones, they are priceless!
One of the most enjoyable things about Christmas is giving gifts to the kids and seeing their excitement. When they are really young, you can get by with less expensive gifts. I remember one year when my daughters were little, we gave them ten gifts each. They were so excited to count all ten! They didn’t care that one of the gifts was a toothbrush, another was a pair of socks, and the rest didn’t cost very much. The fun was in opening all those gifts.
After Christmas, even as adults, there is sometimes a little let down when it is all over. As believers, however, we have the gift of Jesus, the gift that keeps on giving. In Isaiah 9:1-7, we have a passage that lists ten gifts that are available to us all year long. These gifts are not inexpensive ones, they are priceless!
Those living in the days of Isaiah were seeking light and happiness in good things like the strength of their nation, gathering land and goods, moral and religious duties. They even sought happiness through evil things and sought out sorcerers and mediums, but they ended with only darkness and gloom. In Isaiah 8:22, we see their circumstances:
“Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land when they are famished, they will become enraged and looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.”
Doesn’t sound very “Christmasy,” does it?
Just like all of us, they were seeking happiness and fulfillment in other people and other things and in their circumstances. This passage in Isaiah is for those of us who have learned that happiness is not found in us trying to bring our own light to our life. True light and satisfaction and joy can only be found in the Lord.
Here are ten gifts available to us all year long:
Just like all of us, they were seeking happiness and fulfillment in other people and other things and in their circumstances. This passage in Isaiah is for those of us who have learned that happiness is not found in us trying to bring our own light to our life. True light and satisfaction and joy can only be found in the Lord.
Here are ten gifts available to us all year long:
- Gloom Remover
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.” Isaiah 9:1 NIV
"Nevertheless” can mean “in spite of.” God wants to remove the gloom and distress in our lives and replace it with His joy. - Darkness and Shadow Replacer
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2 NIV
Darkness symbolizes emptiness and pain. The Lord wants to replace our darkness with His light, symbolized by fulfillment, joy, and peace. - Joy Increaser
“You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy.” Isaiah 9:3 NIV
It is an ever-increasing and eternal joy. The verse goes on to say, “they rejoice before You.” If you are before the Lord, it is because you have been accepted into His presence. You are welcomed there and loved by Him. - Shoulder Bar Lifter
“You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.” Isaiah 9:4 NIV
I personally need this one. It has been a heavy season for all of us. We often feel we are carrying the heaviness like a yoke on our shoulders. He wants to shatter it! - A Child Named Jesus
“For to us a child is born: to us a son is given.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
The source of this light for our lives is surprising in that it is given to us in the form of a child--a baby Jesus. He is sent as a gift to us to rescue us out of our darkness. - Government Controller
“And the government will be on HIS shoulders.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
We really need to be reminded of this gift in our present times. The seat of control is on His shoulders, not on any man.
Our final four gifts are four names of this child, Jesus. Names give the essence of a person. If we could truly get the impact of the meaning of these four names that are gifts to us, it would radically change our lives. - Wonderful Counselor
“And He will be called Wonderful Counselor.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
I am an advocate and believer in counseling and in sharing with someone the things we may be going through. However, we also have as a gift the greatest Counselor of all. He has greater wisdom than Solomon or all the wisdom of anyone in this world. - Mighty God
He is our “Mighty God.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
He is our Hero God. He saves us when we cannot save ourselves. He rescues us over and over again. - Everlasting Father
He is our “Everlasting Father.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
These gifts are everlasting. They don’t wear out. He is our everlasting Father forever and ever. You are a child of God. - Prince of Peace
The best of all gifts, He is our “Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
When we have anxiety or fear, we don’t have peace. When peace is absent in our relationships, there is quarreling and fighting and chaos. He walks into our darkness as our Prince of Peace.
As a bonus to these gifts, we see in Isaiah 9:7 that there will be no end to the increase of His government and peace, that He will reign forever, and that it is He (not us) who will accomplish these gifts in our lives.
I’m praying for each of you to enjoy these marvelous gifts and to have a wonderful Christmas season!
I’m praying for each of you to enjoy these marvelous gifts and to have a wonderful Christmas season!
If one word could depict a life, Julie Davenport’s would be “redemption.” As a child, Julie’s character was forged within a legacy of faith, godliness, and ministry, so when she married a charismatic young pastor on the fast-track to prominence, life was everything she’d dreamed it would be...on the outside. But inside, alone and hidden from view, Julie endured abuse, betrayal, and infidelities that spiraled to include miscarriage, cancer, divorce, mental illness, and eventually suicide. Julie is now an ordained AG minister who through speaking engagements and two daughters continues the legacy of ministry, God is using Julie’s life-story to validate His immeasurable grace and prove His power to redeem what Satan tried so hard to destroy.
by Terry Magness
Ever asked that age old question, “How in the world did I get here?
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a secretary. When I put on that perfect black and white plaid dress with a red sash my aunt Jean bought me, I felt like an executive assistant. I imagined sitting behind an important looking desk, erect, shoulders back, legs crossed, and poised with pad and pencil in hand, ready to take notes for an appreciative boss who couldn’t get along without me. The thought of it warmed me inside. I felt valued. That was something I desperately needed in those days.
Sure enough, one of my first jobs when I entered the world of employment was as a secretary in a loan company branch office. Next, I worked as a typist in the secretarial typing pool of a large corporation, and finally, I served as a G2 clerk/typist for a Company Commander on a military base. I learned relatively quickly that being a secretary was not what inspired me.
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a secretary. When I put on that perfect black and white plaid dress with a red sash my aunt Jean bought me, I felt like an executive assistant. I imagined sitting behind an important looking desk, erect, shoulders back, legs crossed, and poised with pad and pencil in hand, ready to take notes for an appreciative boss who couldn’t get along without me. The thought of it warmed me inside. I felt valued. That was something I desperately needed in those days.
Sure enough, one of my first jobs when I entered the world of employment was as a secretary in a loan company branch office. Next, I worked as a typist in the secretarial typing pool of a large corporation, and finally, I served as a G2 clerk/typist for a Company Commander on a military base. I learned relatively quickly that being a secretary was not what inspired me.
by Sabrina Cuadra from Getty Images ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paths are
interesting,
aren’t they—even amazing?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is a distinct but narrow path in our front yard that begins in a field across the road. The path divides and circles in opposite directions around our house to the concrete patio at the back door. This path was made by a badly scarred but beautiful Golden Beagle. The first day he showed up at our door I could clearly count each rib in his badly malnourished body. Extraordinarily skittish, he jumped at the slightest movement and wouldn’t allow me within five feet of him, and least of all, to touch him. Hunger urged him to forge this path to our house. We comforted him with soft words, and we fed him.
Each day for two and a half years he faithfully followed the path--often many times over--and peered through the glass, hoping to catch our attention. One day, his friend, a small black, brown, and white Beagle, joined him. She too came hoping for food and was just as nervous and afraid as he had been.
In short order their sides filled out, and then one day their eyes shined, and their tails waved high flagging their contentment. Happy, healthy, and strong, they continued learning to trust, because now they were valued and loved. Their basic needs were being met. To this day the grass does not grow in their path to our house, because it is a well-worn path.
What about my path? At the age of thirty, I too was badly undernourished in my soul, was replete with old and new hurts, and found it hard to trust. My scars were not visible, but the wounds were deep, and my heart was dry as stone. I found myself trudging alone on a hopeless, destructive path until unwittingly, I stumbled upon another path that changed the course of my life forever.
Each day for two and a half years he faithfully followed the path--often many times over--and peered through the glass, hoping to catch our attention. One day, his friend, a small black, brown, and white Beagle, joined him. She too came hoping for food and was just as nervous and afraid as he had been.
In short order their sides filled out, and then one day their eyes shined, and their tails waved high flagging their contentment. Happy, healthy, and strong, they continued learning to trust, because now they were valued and loved. Their basic needs were being met. To this day the grass does not grow in their path to our house, because it is a well-worn path.
What about my path? At the age of thirty, I too was badly undernourished in my soul, was replete with old and new hurts, and found it hard to trust. My scars were not visible, but the wounds were deep, and my heart was dry as stone. I found myself trudging alone on a hopeless, destructive path until unwittingly, I stumbled upon another path that changed the course of my life forever.
by Pixelshot ~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Master of the House saw me peering through the glass, opened the door, spoke softly to me--and then He fed me with love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Master of the House saw me peering through the glass, opened the door, spoke softly to me--and then He fed me with love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you were to come to my home today, I would be hesitant to let you see the room I call my office. At any given time, you might find stacks of unanswered, unfiled, unattended papers, various begun-yet-unfinished projects, research, teaching and counseling materials, writing assignments, and books in various stages of completion, covering almost every surface in the room. It is now I who needs a secretary!
I love neat and complete, but my interest and energy these days is spent on the path that I know has brought me healing, restoration, and is God’s path for my life. Who but He could have imagined that one day I, an unlikely minister of the Lord, would take hurting women by the hand to walk this well-worn path with me, so they too may know His loving grace to live free and whole, and discover God’s path for their lives? “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” Prov. 4:18 ESV
I love neat and complete, but my interest and energy these days is spent on the path that I know has brought me healing, restoration, and is God’s path for my life. Who but He could have imagined that one day I, an unlikely minister of the Lord, would take hurting women by the hand to walk this well-worn path with me, so they too may know His loving grace to live free and whole, and discover God’s path for their lives? “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” Prov. 4:18 ESV
Now an ordained AG minister, Terry Magness was once a broken, wounded, angry, and abuse-hardened woman, until God’s redeeming love confronted, delivered, healed, and transformed her life. In 1995, Terry founded Grace Harbour Ministries, a not-for-profit, Biblically-based teaching, prayer, and discipleship ministry to women. Through Biblical counseling, coaching, and mentoring, she helps soul-wounded women come to know God in a personal way, conquer sin, overcome life challenges, and live Spirit-empowered lives. Throughout her global ministry she has witnessed God’s captive-freeing power at work. Terry has authored two books--Ever Increasing Grace and Azadiah Reynolds: God's Jamaica Man—and three booklets in her Pocket Scriptures series. She enjoys people, writing, photography, art, nature, and relaxing on the water while fishing with her quick-witted husband, Don, who keeps her laughing. Their amazing children and three priceless granddaughters remind them daily to be ever thankful for God’s wondrous blessings.
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