by Rhonda Barnes (Reprinted with permission from the blog Secret Place Revelation.) It is that time of the year in many parts of the country to change shoe styles. I have accumulated too many shoes, so in order to make room, I pack away my sandals and get out my boots. It is important to have a variety of types of shoes to be prepared for every season, but today’s inspiration is less about style and more about fit. I have a great video of my daughter when she was about 18 months old trying to wear my heels. I heard the clicking sound on the floor and peeked around the corner to see her trying to walk in shoes that did not fit. It was video-worthy and something I enjoy watching, but trying to walk in shoes that don’t fit is simply exhausting. She no longer needed those cute little white walking shoes I had purchased, but she was not yet ready for mommy’s heels. In fact, as I watched my daughter grow into the wonderful young woman she is today, she never fit in mommy’s heels. First, she inherited her shoe size from her dad instead of me, but more importantly, heels were just never her thing. I remember in her teen years how she tried to fit into the mold of wearing what friends wore, but she quickly went back to the style that was more comfortable. Have you noticed that every shoe store or department has a section housing accessories for shoes that really do not fit? There are pads for the back of a shoe to keep it from slipping off. There are pads for the bottom of the shoe to keep your foot from slipping forward. There are barriers for the sides to keep your shoe from rubbing blisters. The interesting thing is none of these items is needed if the shoe fits! If we go to a store to buy a suit, it often will not fit. There are individuals trained to alter it. This may work for suits, but not shoes! If they are too small, they hurt, stifle, and hold you back. They are not satisfying at all to wear. If they are too large, they slip off when you try to walk. You cannot effectively walk, climb, or progress forward. While foot size grows during stages of maturity, for most people there is a point where the foot size is maximized and will not change. That is why I have too many shoes! I have been wearing the same size for a very long time. Over the years, I have collected a variety of styles and colors for many different seasons and activities. I love that I am not limited to one style. Seasons and conditions require us to have choices. These are options, but the size is not. The Creator determines the size! We read in 1 Corinthians 12 that there are a variety of gifts distributed by the Spirit to the members of the unified Body of Christ. Each is necessary for the Body to function properly. THE CREATOR DETERMINES THE SIZE! I have a passion to remind each person reading this how much your Creator loves you and how He wants to see you walk in the shoes He has selected for you. He chose them long before you were even here: 13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! YOU WERE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE! Each one of us is unique and distinct--no two of us with the same thumbprint--but each is given precious thoughts and plans from our Father! What we must contend for is our own unique size or individual identity in Christ. Each one is critical to the kingdom; if you are trying to wear someone else’s shoes, your identity is left abandoned on a shelf missing God-ordained opportunities. For example, my sister-in-law and I are very much alike. At her first Christmas with our family, we showed up wearing the exact same sweater before we even knew each other. A couple years later, we actually came to vacation with the same swimsuit, cover-up, and shoes! We are the same age, we have the same last name, and we even have the same shoe size. However, those who know us well will attest that if I tried to wear many of her shoes, it would not end well! Her style is often different from mine, and she wears heel sizes I cannot tolerate. This paints such a vivid picture of the fact that even though we have many similarities, I can’t be her and she can’t be me. We can only complement one another, encourage each other, and fulfill our own unique callings. This simple mistake has caused too many of God’s children to abandon the plans He has for them...trying to wear shoes that do not fit! We often feel like square pegs trying to fit in round holes, trying to fit the mold, or to meet everyone’s expectations. Let’s change that today and become free to be who He has called us to be! No apologies! Just be who He is asking you to be! No comparison, no intimidation, no jealousy or envy--just wearing the shoes that fit you in the right season and on the right occasion! Make a commitment today if you have not already done so to walk in the steps He has ordered for you. DON’T ALLOW YOUR ONE-OF-A-KIND DESIGNER SHOES TO BE LEFT ON THE SHELF! Rhonda Barnes is an author, speaker, Christian blogger, and gifted teacher of God’s Word. Rhonda was credentialed as an AG minister in 2002, and currently serves as Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church in Salem, Missouri. She has written three books, Road to Transformation, Journey to God’s Glory, Keys to the Kingdom, and It is Written. Rhonda is passionate about sharing the truths of God's Word and launched the Christian teaching blog Secret Place Revelation, inspired by Psalm 91:1. She enjoys writing, speaking, and teaching small groups.
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by Rebecca Barton Summer ended with shocking abruptness this year, hounded by back-to-school busyness and a flurry of ministry activities. I found myself scrambling to ensure the Fall calendar wasn't double-booked—my thoughts drifting and spiraling about like leaves dancing ground-ward. Ah, Autumn! Season that splashes our landscape with vibrant hues of orange and gold and purple! Your morning temperatures tempt me to brave the last of summer's mosquitoes, greeting the sunrise from my front porch swing with a steaming mug full of pumpkin-spiced beverage. I've always loved Fall—eagerly anticipated bringing in the harvest, shivering in bleachers under Friday night football lights, and shuffling through piles of rustling leaves. Have you ever found it curious that trees shed their layers right when we have to wear more of them? Have you ever found it curious that trees shed their layers right when we have to wear more of them? Fall. Why do we call it that? I'm sure the nickname originated from falling leaves, but other things also fall during this season: ripening fruit, lowering temperatures, flagging spirits. Yes, for some, Autumn signals a decline into seasonal depression that accompanies diminishing daylight hours. I've never been someone whose spirits were dampened this time of year. Instead, I almost always experienced the opposite—relishing in the colder, darker days by warming the kitchen with baking bread and simmering soup and curling up in front of the fire near my Honey to devour an excellent book. I've never been that someone...but I am now. This past week marked the one-year anniversary of my dad's departure from this earth, and this year, my mood has darkened along with the days. I find myself reflecting upon my memories of the twilight of Dad's lifetime, when like a giant oak that stood tall for such a long season, he swayed and shuddered, shedding leaf upon leaf of a layered life, until all that remained were frail branches—stripped bare and stretched heavenward. Unlike the oaks that grace our church campus, re-adorning the skyscape with lush green vegetation each Spring, my Dad's earthly frame has ceased to weather the seasons. I stroll now beneath the trees and marvel that they have stood the test of time...and I wish they could testify of all they have witnessed. My dad did. Testify, that is. His last will and testament wasn't best described as notarized words on paper but rather as a compelling urgency to share God's sustaining grace. As his flesh weakened, Dad spent his remaining strong-willed energy testifying to each of us of the goodness of God during his lifetime of faithful service. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that everything has a season and a God-ordained purpose, that He makes all things beautiful in His time, and that He has put eternity in our hearts. At this time, I am in a season of experiencing loss, and it is only timely that I embrace that season as a natural process our timeless Alpha and Omega God uses to create beauty within me. As surely as I stand in faith accepting that He ordains journeys through death and mourning, I can stand in hope believing that He orders steps into life and rejoicing. Note: If you find that your “season of sorrow” is so severe it prevents you from living at a functionally normal level, please reach out to others who can walk with you on a journey back to healthy acceptance of all of the seasons you experience. There is wisdom in Godly counsel. Please contact us confidentially at refresh@somoag.org if you need help locating a Christian counselor. Raised in a minister’s home, Rebecca was called into ministry at an early age. An Evangel University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education and a minor in Spanish, Rebecca has been a teacher, piano tutor, worship leader, office administrator, and bookkeeper. Rebecca currently serves with her husband, Scott, as lead pastors of Eldon First AG. They have been married 33 years--29 of those as pastors in Texas and Missouri. Besides being a pastor’s wife, Rebecca serves as the Publishing Team Leader for Refresh Ministry Women. Her interests include singing, playing keyboards, reading, genealogy, gardening, and crafting. However, her favorite activity is keeping up with her 3 adult kids, their spouses, and 3 active granddaughters. by Vicki MillerAre you the mom who cries on her kids’ first day back in school, or are you one of those moms who can’t wait for the little sweeties to be out from underfoot, so you can move on to other things that may seem more productive? If the latter, I bet you are ready to trade pool parties for coffee dates with friends, and unstructured living for routine mornings and early-to-bed schedules. Even if you don’t have children in school, you still feel the effects of an increased pace now that church ministries are back in full-swing. With the demanding schedules my husband and I have, it’s necessary to be purposeful in how we manage our day-to-day lives. I am not saying that we have it all figured out. However, we understand that if we “fail to plan," then we "plan to fail.” Perhaps these six practices will benefit you, too:So whether you have a busy-mom schedule, work a secular job, or are in full-time ministry, be proactive in living a life you love. Join me and other women ministers as we take just six weeks to focus on Healthy Ministry Life. See you at our first-ever Lunch & Learn at noon on September 8th. Let’s be healthy together! Vicki and her husband, Don, have been in ministry for more than 35 years. They have four daughters, four sons-in-law, four grandsons, and three sweet granddaughters who keep their lives full of joy and laughter. After pastoring the same congregation for more than 25 years, they now serve in ministry to SOMO District ministers and their spouses. Traveling is a shared interest between Don and Vicki, especially as they connect with churches and church leaders across our state and around the world. Encouraging ministry wives in their unique role and their walk with Jesus is one of Vicki's passions. For fun, she loves to read, sleuth décor ideas on Pinterest, drink iced tea (no coffee for her) especially with a friend, and take car rides in the country. by Pamela J. Morton I had one of those mornings. I'm sure you have, too. The mornings where you are in a deep, sound sleep dreaming blissfully of well-behaved children and the slimming swimsuit that actually keeps its promises. Then the alarm sounds. Bleary-eyed, I try to locate the annoying little beep-beep-beep of my iPhone. I used to "whack" the snooze, but no longer. Now with much genteel effort, I must brush the touch screen to purchase seven more minutes of sleep. I begin to prioritize the things that I need to do to get out the door. Let's see... Will my hair still look decent if I don't wash it today? What if I eat cereal instead of eggs? Slowly I begin to gain one minute here, an extra two minutes there...Zzzzzzzzzz........... My father got up every day at 5 AM even after he retired. He would sit at the kitchen table sipping his coffee, doodling on a napkin, and reading his Bible. When visiting my mother-in-law, I know she will prepare breakfast, fold a load of laundry, work on a sewing project, and start lunch before I even shuffle into the bathroom to splash water on my face. I push the covers back and begin my morning regimen. Some I know are like motorcycles. One turn of the key and rev of the engine and they're off. Others, like myself, could be compared to a push lawnmower which requires a few yanks of the crank and some serious coercion to get the motor going. Still, I wish I could be different... I stare at my closet, chiding myself for not planning the night before. But I never know how I will feel. Is it an aqua day? Maybe khaki pants and a sharp blazer? Or a swishy skirt to look easy, breezy walking down the street. As a woman, my mood can switch very quickly and the outfit that seemed perfect at 11 PM could be utterly unacceptable at 6 AM. Still, I could have risked it. I grab something that doesn't require ironing and move on mentally to breakfast and lunch. If my husband and I eat cereal, that will save me five minutes of egg preparation time. That's the ticket...except there's no milk. Seriously, I'm beginning to think the whole "get out of bed thing" was a terribly bad idea. Okay. Next plan. Maybe I can whip up a quick egg and put it on toast. (More mobile that way.) I look in the little egg caddy and see one cracked egg. How metaphorical. So, no eggs. Ooooo, here's one that Whole Foods people would be proud of. I cut up a fresh apple and place some roasted almonds into a little container. How very delicious. How very healthy. How very natural. (Now I'm thinking that I should change into the swishy skirt ensemble since that fits the "granola" outlook I'm currently adopting.) My husband announces that he's almost ready to go and begins to gather his things. Well, no breakfast at the table today. I grab my purse and my sliced apple. I start to pick up the small bowl of almonds and place them in front of me. Somehow, in my hurry, I miscalculate where the table is located and miss it by a full three inches. Almonds scatter all over the floor. I stare at the mess. No morning Bible reading AND no protein will prove to be a deadly combination for anyone who happens across my path today. Those poor, poor people! I can feel tears welling up in my eyes but decide I don't even have time for a good meltdown. I sweep up the almonds, throw them away, and run out to our vehicle with the now-paltry apple slices. Not a lot of food for sharing between two people. I tell my husband what happened, and he gives his most sympathetic smile. (Good, wise move.) He prays a prayer for me, and we begin our drive to work. How will the rest of this day unfold? Beep-Beep-Beep. My soul alarm goes off. Will I hit the snooze and go about my business in full grace-less fashion? Or do I take a deep breath, pause, and allow the Lord to flood me with His peace and mercy? Seven Steps to Starting Off the Morning Right
Pam and her husband, John, and two teenaged daughters packed up their fulfilling, understood Midwestern lives and moved to Cairo, Egypt in 2009. Her dream of serving overseas became a shocking reality of daily cultural encounters that often left her wondering if she’d actually landed on Mars instead! From Cairo to Khartoum to Upper Egypt to deserts unknown, Pam continues to learn, live and thrive in a sandy, sweaty, hospitable land. An author, global worker, teacher trainer and self-proclaimed “professional luncher,” Pam wants to share laughter, life and hope with her dear Middle Eastern neighbors while providing insight into their customs and everyday life with her friends in the West. by Terry Magness A friend and I were enjoying a leisurely afternoon breakfast at Village Inn before heading home when I suddenly realized I had forgotten to return a package to The UPS Store. Google Maps showed there was one less than a mile away, but in the opposite direction from where we needed to go. Maps also gave another option in the general direction we desired, but it required a sizeable detour from our route home. My friend chose the second option. When I pointed out the difference in mileage, she responded, “But that’s in the wrong direction!” I explained the difference between the two extra miles it would take to drive to the first store and back, and the five to six extra miles it would require driving the detour to the store on our way home. She didn’t get it. Her focus was on her desired destination. Traveling in the opposite direction of home—though it consumed less time, less car mileage, and less gasoline—simply did not make sense to her, and from her perspective, seemed an imposition. We have often seen or perhaps experienced this scenario first-hand. Something happens. Life presents us with an unexpected turn of events or change in direction. It seems wrong, possibly ominous, unpleasant, and sometimes downright painful. So, we set our compass and step on the gas, speeding in the direction we have predetermined, only to discover the road we are traveling has endless hills and valleys, blind intersections, road barriers, detours, potholes, and stand-still traffic. Eventually, we discover our wheels are spinning in place and we are going nowhere--and we are not quite sure how we got here. What if we were to put on the brakes and consider? Does God have a plan for my life? Can He be trusted? Does He really love me? God’s Word answers these questions in the affirmative--Yes. Yes. And yes! Jesus said you would have trials in this life, but He has plans that will prepare and equip you to prosper in the journey, that you may arrive at your destination triumphantly. Right? So then, you might ask, “If He loves me, then where is He in all this?” A dear friend, Linda Brown, is a Celebrate Recovery leader and Certified Peer Specialist at Burrell Behavioral Health. Her occupation and mission in life is to help souls find healing, deliverance, and redemption. Linda loves and follows the Lord with her whole heart, but a phone call one morning changed the course of her life. Her daughter, Jessica, the mother of her three grandchildren, died in a tragic auto accident in May 2021. Linda now parents one of those children. How could she ever imagine this as the right direction for her life? It feels completely counterintuitive and is still unbearably painful at times! Please allow me share what she wrote in her blog on the first anniversary of her daughter’s death: One year ago today I received the worst phone call of my life. No words can describe it, or the year that has followed. I can say, however, and mean it, that God has shown himself to be loving, good, and faithful through every circumstance of my life, including this one. Christians are not exempt from hard things, because we live on Planet Earth where sin, sickness, and death are. Sometimes there are seasons of grief and deep sorrow, sometimes there are times of anger and questions with no clear answers. Sometimes there are days when you just can’t think about. one. more. thing. When your life takes an unexpected turn that doesn’t make sense, run to God. Leave your will at the door. Seek His guidance; ask Him for direction. Remember, He knows this road you are traveling. He has designated your route. As Linda does, read His Word and pray every day. Peace and assurance will come that God loves you--that He is good. Look for the beauty He provides in each day, and realize He is working His beauty in you. God’s Guidance System (GGS) is foolproof and trustworthy. Follow His step-by-step en route instructions to reach your destiny. 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. Terry 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 Kim Boley Have you ever eaten too much? Like, where you’re just miserable? It feels kinda gross, right? What about when you enjoy a meal, you’re full, but you don’t feel miserable? You still feel normal and pleasant? It’s so nice! I love that feeling when I’ve enjoyed everything on my plate, but I don’t feel awful. This is how I recently began looking at my time. I’ve been offered some amazing things the past couple of years, but I know I can’t say yes to it all. Even with the amazing things I already get to do, I’ve been offered more. But I’m limited. I hate that. So how do I determine what to say “yes” to and what to say “no” to? I remember saying to my husband one night when discussing what my roles should look like in Chi Alpha next year, “I think my plate is too full.” And I was hit with this metaphor. I saw a plate full of delicious food: My main course was my family—my biggest priority after God—my daughters and my husband, and yes, my dog. My favorite side dish is our ministry—Chi Alpha at Southeast Missouri State. Which, honestly, is super easy to fill up on. I love what we do, so it’s easy to put a lot of that on my plate, and I must be careful how much space that takes up. Other side dishes are things I do for National Chi Alpha and our district, but I must keep these dishes small. Desserts are my hobbies. Mostly reading. I know I could indulge a lot on it, but I also know my entire meal can’t be made up of just dessert. But a little is very enjoyable, and I could argue dessert is very necessary! Coffee is my connection with friends. Sadly, I feel as if this one does get sacrificed a lot, but I’m so aware that I need it to get me through. I’ve been prioritizing this one more lately. You might be wondering where God is in this metaphor? My time with Him is the napkin. So simple. So necessary. Cleans me up no matter what’s gotten on my hands and face. Refreshes me. My time with Him determines the quality of the napkin. The plate is my time. My time has not grown and never will. I still have only twenty-four hours in a day. My plate is fixed. About a year ago, I recognized my plate was full and I’d already included dessert. Sometimes dessert was knocked off the plate for a bit. But if I add one more thing, something more important than dessert would fall off my plate, and if I was not careful, I’d drop the entire meal. So, when asked to take on another project or step into another role, I needed to assess the overall priority. What kind of dish is this? What will I lose on my current plate if I take this on? How many meals will that be? Is that overall worth it? Yes, there are seasons of tasks, projects, etc. But how long do I want less of my main dish? How much extra of that smaller side do I want on my plate? Thanksgiving does have a big meal but that’s not meant to be consumed every day. Sometimes my kids only eat mac and cheese for dinner but that’s not supposed to happen at every meal. I don’t want to feel too full and miserable. I don’t want to stack so much on my plate and cram it all in those twenty-four hours that I feel miserable afterwards. I don’t want to rush time with my kids because I have to get something else done for Chi Alpha. And I don’t want to do so much for our ministry that my time with my family gets covered by it. Then when I go to bed, I feel miserable, because I didn’t do any of it well and I can’t even remember the last time I had a cup of coffee! I don’t know if any of this will help you or not. Life is busy. But it’s okay to say no. It really is. I’ve been practicing it more. I’ve been getting more creative with what I do and embracing peace about passing on things. I’m not perfect but I’m getting better. I would encourage you to write out your own “meal” plan. Talk to your spouse and/or an awesome friend on your priorities. My husband knows things that will tempt me and knows what I would say yes to and make room on my plate for, should certain opportunities arise. This helps when I’m tempted to take something on that doesn’t fit; he can remind me what kind of meal I committed to eat. And, of course, don’t ever forget your napkin! Kim serves alongside her husband, James, as Chi Alpha missionaries at Southeast Missouri State University. They have 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 Pamela J. Morton Although I can’t say math is my favorite subject, I do have varied calculations for determining how and when a vacation could and should take place. If you'll indulge me, I'll share the process with you. (You may have already seen me on the cable channels late at night demonstrating how it works and telling you that it could be yours for only 5 installments of $19.95.) Question #1: How much do I want to spend on vacation? (This includes the TOTAL amount.) Question #2: How much can I REALLY spend on vacation and not go into debt? (Have you been watching Suzi Orman? She would NOT approve of overspending right now.) Question #3: Where do I want to go? Where does my husband want to go? Where do the kids (if applicable) want to go? List all possible destinations. Question #4: How will I get there? Plane? Train? Car? Rickshaw? Question #5: What is the most economical transportation for all travelers? Question #6: What kind of lodging will I stay in? 5-Star, camping, hostel, 3-Star, Mom and Dad's? Question #7: How many days will I stay? (This could affect lodge prices based on length.) Question #8: How much do I have left from the grand total when I subtract transportation and lodging? Question #9: How many days can I stand to eat bologna? (No, seriously...now on to food budget.) Question #10: Will I eat three meals a day plus snacks? If so, will it always be at restaurants, or will I have a place to do some cooking? Does the hotel include breakfast? Question #11: Realistically, how much will it cost for each traveler to eat a day? Question #12: What is the projected total cost of food for the vacation? Question #13: What is my new total of money left? Question #14: What would I like to do at the destination? Will it cost money? (For instance, a day at the beach usually doesn’t cost anything, but a trip to Disney World...well, Mickey needs a new pair of shoes.) Question #15: Can I balance “expensive” days with “low-cost” days and stay within budget? Question #16: Are there any discounts available for pre-purchased tickets, AAA, or package deals? Question #17: Now how much money is left from the grand total? Question #18: How much "fun money" do I allot for each vacation day? (You calculate this by your remaining balance, subtracting a small emergency amount and dividing by the number of vacation days. Any money left over from a day can be rolled over to the next day as bonus money.) Question #19: Am I disciplined enough to put this on a credit card and immediately pay it off with the cash tucked away for this trip or am I better off going with the "cash-in-envelopes" system? Question #20: Am I ready to have a fun, guilt-free time away? You may laugh and think, "Does she really, really do all this?" The answer is "YES!" I have a few more questions I include for personalizing the trip, but overall if I follow this method, I am never surprised by the amount of money spent or feel the "post-trip guilt" of overspending. For fun (or some might say ridiculous) I'll go through all the receipts to double check my projections and see how close I came. Having had vacations that provided a time of rejuvenation only to be confronted by a pile of credit card charges upon return has cured me of future similar behavior. I enjoy having parameters. It brings peace to my life. (I think Charles Schwab would be happy.) Sometimes the budget will only go as far as a weekend away to a local hotel with a pool. At other times, places more exotic. Either way, we go knowing that it is all good and we can have fun with no worries. Question #21: Do I think Pam needs a vacation from her planning? YES! Yes, she does. Pam and her husband, John, and two teenaged daughters packed up their fulfilling, understood Midwestern lives and moved to Cairo, Egypt in 2009. Her dream of serving overseas became a shocking reality of daily cultural encounters that often left her wondering if she’d actually landed on Mars instead! From Cairo to Khartoum to Upper Egypt to deserts unknown, Pam continues to learn, live and thrive in a sandy, sweaty, hospitable land. An author, global worker, teacher trainer and self-proclaimed “professional luncher,” Pam wants to share laughter, life and hope with her dear Middle Eastern neighbors while providing insight into their customs and everyday life with her friends in the West. by Julie Davenport Much of life has to do with our perspective or point of view. I am so thankful for God's word often making me aware of my point of view. Many times, during worship or a sermon, the Lord has spoken to me about my perspective. Although I was raised on the King James Version of the Bible and now mainly read the New International Version, sometimes I get another perspective from paraphrases such as The Message: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” John 1:14 MSG When Jesus came to earth, He moved into our neighborhood. A few years ago, I resigned a staff position at church because of needs in my family. I walked my neighborhood feeling a little sorry for myself and thinking, "I wish I could go to an unreached people group!" I had recently done a 30-day LIVE DEAD devotional. LIVE DEAD focuses on the unreached people in our world today. I have a few friends who are missionaries to these unreached peoples, and I greatly admire them. They are heroes to me. I know it is not all glorious and glamorous to minister to unreached people. It is hard. It is a sacrifice. However, I got to thinking about what my missionary friends often do to reach these people. They move into the neighborhood. I was convicted as I felt the Lord speak to me that if I wanted to reach the unreached, all I needed to do was to look around me at my own neighborhood. Many of my neighbors living within walking distance do not know the Lord. I began to pray for the Lord to use me to reach my neighborhood. That very day on my walk, I saw a young mother strapping her baby in a car seat. I could see that she was crying. I walked up to her and started a conversation. She was going through a very difficult situation in her marriage very similar to what I had gone through years ago in my own first marriage. I began a relationship with her that continues today, some seven years later. I invited her to my house. I sat with her kids when she went to court. We talked and stayed in touch. She got a job as a real estate agent and was our realtor when we sold our house. She recently visited my church and is doing well. I began to invite other neighbors over to my house for coffee or tea. In the winter, I made a pot of chili and invited a few close neighbors over. In the summer, we had a barbecue and invited a few more close neighbors. I helped organize a block party. We lived in that neighborhood for five years. By the time we moved, I knew over fifty of my neighbors by name. One of the neighbors who had some hurts from church and was only watching online is now a dear friend and involved in our church. Three other neighbors have visited our church. My next-door neighbor became a dear friend and is walking with the Lord. When our other next-door neighbor had a tragedy in their family, I went with her to the hospital to visit her son and walked through it with them. The husband of the couple who bought our house when we moved a year ago passed away from COVID-19 within months after moving. I invited her to our new house for coffee. She now attends our church and is in our life group. When we moved to a new neighborhood, I was excited for a new mission field. However, it was in the middle of the pandemic, so I didn't meet as many neighbors at first. Nevertheless, in the summer when they opened the neighborhood pool, I met several women in my new neighborhood. (I guess you could say that I have been called to "pool ministry"). I am looking forward to my walks this spring and summer hoping to meet more neighbors. For many years, I was so busy attending committee meetings and ministering to those already saved, my focus was not on those right in my neighborhood who needed relationship and needed Jesus. I am thankful for those who are called to minister and disciple those already in a relationship with the Lord. We all have different callings and seasons, but maybe you are in a season where you have more time? Maybe you are looking for more purpose? I am sharing this not to bring attention to what I have done. I am sharing it in hopes that whether you are in a position or you are retired: Don't forget about your neighborhood! There are unreached people in your path. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. We are called to do the same. Just like those overseas, you don't always get converts immediately. Sometimes it takes months and years of building a relationship. Sometimes it involves simply listening to someone's story before you are able to share the full story of Jesus. There are people all around us who are hurting and who don't know the Lord. You may not be able to walk your neighborhood, but what about the people who come across your path at the gym or the grocery store or the restaurant or the hair salon? May the Lord help each of us to reach those who are in our path and in our neighborhoods. Jesus heard about it and spoke up, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.” Luke 5:31-32 MSG 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 Have you ever lain on your back and watched the clouds form pictures in the sky, listened to the soulful sound of a train whistle blowing in the distance, snuggled with a stuffed animal, or napped with a pet, satisfied that all is right with the world?
Have you ever listened to the tree frogs or crickets on a warm spring night, lost yourself in a good book on a cloudy afternoon, watched a bee flit from one flower to another gathering the makings of their golden nectar and pollinating God's garden? Have you ever followed a colony of ants carrying weights much heavier than they, yet keeping perfect form one with another? Have you ever smelled a rose or picked a daisy, made a clover chain, or blown wispy dandelion seeds into the wind? Have you ever run through a sprinkler on a blistery summer day, rolled in the warm green grass, or popped glistening soap bubbles carried on gentle breezes, gazed in wonder upon a 4th of July sparkler and wished it would last forever? Looking up at the night sky, have you tried to count the stars, or marveled at the vastness of the Milky Way, or questioned how the Big Dipper knows to point to the North Star? Have you slipped your toes into the cool refreshing waters of a placid pool or tossed pennies into a fountain, strolled through a park still wet with morning dew, or watched young squirrels chase one another through overhanging branches? Have you mimicked a monkey at the zoo, pet a beetle ambling through the dirt, or watched lightning bugs glow in a jar? Have you caught your breath at a cat’s astounding acrobatics? Has a mockingbird’s rhapsody prompted you to really listen? Have you been rocked to sleep by the cooing lullaby of a dove, or been caught off guard by the course, throaty call of a crow? Have you been captivated by the amazing maneuvers of the tiny hummingbird, the beauty and swiftness of a red-tailed hawk, or the proud majesty of an eagle soaring high among the clouds? Have you ever touched plush moss clinging to the north side of a tree, collected colored leaves in the fall, or smelled the rich fragrance of honeysuckle and sucked the sweet juices from its flower on a warm summer day? Have you roasted marshmallows over an open fire and burned them...on purpose? Have you hugged a child or kissed a baby? Have you picked a bouquet of pretty weeds for someone dear, or colored a picture to give to your teacher? Have you ever explored the delight of cotton candy melting in your mouth, sticking to your cheeks and hair? Have you ever played dress up, paper dolls and Barbies, hopscotch, double jump rope, or jacks? Have you ever roller skated or ridden a bike and had the exhilarating feel of the wind in your face? Did you play "King of the Hill", cowboys and Indians, trucks, or Matchbox cars? Have you collected sparkly gravel in mason jars, bitten your toenails, stuck bubble gum on your nose and looked at it cross-eyed? Have you ever waded in a creek, skipped rocks across the water, caught a fish on a pole or a crawdad in a food strainer? Have you climbed a tree or chased butterflies, made bucket-mounds in the sand, squished mud between your fingers and toes, slipped the food you did not like to the dog under the table, or startled your mom with a frog—and she said the frog would give you warts? Have you ever sneaked a cookie out of the cookie jar, or cut your own bangs? Ever taken a walk in your own back yard just to see what you might see? Life is full of wonder...adventure...beauty...discovery...and fun! Awareness and reception are mostly notable in childhood. Perhaps that is why Jesus said to come to Him as a little child. A child freely experiences, trusts, learns, and enjoys. We mature; yet remaining childlike in heart assures we continue to grow in knowledge and wonder, and to enjoy and rejoice in the beautiful God-given stuff of life that keeps us smiling and forever young. Terry has been in Christian ministry for nearly fifty years, is a licensed minister, author, pastoral counselor to church leaders, missionary, and founder of Grace Harbour Ministries, a Bible-based international teaching and discipleship ministry to women. She oversees and teaches needs-based Overcomer classes in her local church, dedicated to helping men and women apply Biblical principles to life situations. Terry is a lover of people in general, and her family in particular. She enjoys good friends, stimulating conversation, writing, photography, and fishing with her husband, Don. by Jill St. John “The church should really do something about .” “The church could really use someone who could .” Do those words ring as familiar to you as they do to me? All kinds of things can fill in those blanks. Usually, I whole-heartedly agree when people come to me with those “shoulds” and “coulds.” The Church really should do something about whatever it is, and the Church really could use someone who could do all the things! Our community and church family have so many needs. Ultimately, Jesus is the answer, and thus His Church is the answer. And, how do we actually go about meeting those needs? More specifically, how do I actually go about meeting needs when I feel like I am not enough and that what I offer is not enough? The disciples were struggling with something to this effect in Mark 8. During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” The disciples were doing the math: 4,000 hungry men + women and children + no food = 1 hunger + angry (“hangry”) disaster waiting to happen! I grew up on a farm in South Dakota in a remote place; the nearest supermarket was seven miles away. That’s not very far by car, but as I put myself in this pre-automobile setting with Jesus and His disciples, I imagine being on the farm, surrounded by thousands of hungry people. I probably would have panicked and figured out how to slip away unnoticed before a ravenous riot ensued! But not Jesus. He was driven by compassion and was about to band together with His team and throw down a Miracle Picnic. According to Merriam-Webster¹, Jesus had compassion--“a sympathetic conscious-ness of others' distress, together with a desire to alleviate it.” And He invited the disciples to consider with Him how they could act in compassion to do something for the hungry people. The disciples were asking, "Where can we get enough bread to meet this enormous need?" Jesus asked, “How many loaves do you have?” (Mark 8:5 NIV) The disciples were looking at the lack; Jesus was looking at the disciples. What do you have? Jesus is saying: Let’s start where we are with what we have. What resources do you have that don’t seem like enough? They had seven loaves and a few small fish. The disciples handed over to Jesus that seemingly insufficient offering. He instructed the throng of thousands to sit on the ground; it was time for a Miracle Picnic! Jesus took that little bit of food, gave thanks to the Father for it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples to feed the people (Mark 8:5-7). Verse 8 describes how it turned out: The people--we can safely infer that this includes ALL OF THE PEOPLE--ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Miracle Picnic indeed--plus leftovers! Won’t He do it?! Fresh lessons abound from this familiar passage. When I am faced with a need, or that familiar phrase, “The Church really should or really needs,” Jesus asks what I have to offer. Not what I wish I had to offer. Not what others have to offer that I would like to have to offer. Not even what others seem to wish that I had to offer. He is asking what is in my hands; what is within my abilities and capacity? As I offer that to Jesus, inadequate though it usually seems, He takes it. He never rejects it or says: That’s all? It is so humbling to think of this pattern that our Savior, King of Kings Jesus, takes what we give Him, thanks God for it, then multiplies it to meet needs. Miracle Picnics of provision have been part of my experience of Jesus “feeding” me so many times through the offerings of others. I think of Don and Connie, my Sunday School Teachers/Small Group Leaders when I was a new believer, freshly saved out of a pit. They owned a small sporting goods store and were a part of Wellesley Park Assembly of God in Wayland, Massachusetts. (How did a farm girl from South Dakota end up in a suburb of Boston? That’s for another blog!) They had love, time, and kindness that they offered to Jesus. He thanked God for it, multiplied it, and applied it with His compassion to the needs of my life, as well as many other young adults in our church. My hunger or need was to experience and receive God’s healing and freeing love. Jesus met that need through Don’s and Connie’s love and discipleship of me. It came by way of their example of giving what they had: opening their home, feeding me actual food, and teaching me God’s Word. They did not have divinity degrees nor formal training of any kind. What they had was kindness and love; Jesus took and multiplied that, bringing restoration and nourishment to every part of my life. God used what they offered to build His foundation in my life, leading to His call and to my serving as an ordained minister. Using their example, along with countless others, I go about serving and ministering, offering what I have to Jesus to multiply and meet needs. What we offer is enough because He is more than enough! 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, and 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! |
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