by Melissa White If I were to be honest, I would admit that during this pandemic, I have experienced some really strong emotions. I have had moments of sorrow, loss, anxiety, loneliness, frustration, anger, and, yes, even love. This last week, I have felt especially small in what feels like a giant, tumultuous storm swirling around me, out of my control. Nothing is “normal” or seems to be of sure footing. I have prayed for my family, the sick, their families, healthcare workers, our country, our leaders, the church, and for the rest of the world suffering from this crisis. With all of that, it has felt too selfish to pray for my own heart, even though my heart has taken a beating. We, as human beings, are funny. In the middle of all this drama, I found myself, on Memorial Day, scrolling through the internet to learn how to grow a lemon tree from lemon seeds. You see, my back porch is a place of refuge and peace for me. It has always brought me joy to fill it with beautiful, life-giving plants. To add to my lavender, sweet mint, and cilantro, I’ve wanted a porch-sized lemon tree. Seeds seemed like an affordable, although time-consuming, way to get one. Hang with me here, as I’m to the last part and point of my story. Around noon on Tuesday, I received a call from some very dear friends asking me to meet them in town. We agreed on a time and meeting place. I grabbed my mask and off I went. I pulled into the parking lot to find my friends standing in the middle of the lane holding a gift for me. You could have knocked me over with a feather at what I saw. . . . It was a lemon tree!!! Tears streamed down my face as I heard the gentle voice of my Savior say, “Melissa, I see you. Your heart is important to me. I know you and I love you. Here is your lemon tree.” You may wonder why this random friend is sharing this seemingly insignificant story in the middle of this very significant time in history. It’s because that lemon tree meant more to me than this article could ever portray and I want my precious friends, who listened to Jesus’ voice, to know just how thankful I am for it and for them. But, more importantly, because I wanted you to know that your heart matters to Jesus too! Your lemon tree may be a sunset that simply takes your breath away, a bird’s song that calms your heart, a warm gentle breeze that causes you to turn your face into the wind, a friend who texts just to say they are thinking about you, or a Facebook post that causes you to remember who you are to God. Whatever your lemon tree is, see it for what it is. It’s a loving reminder that you are SEEN, you are KNOWN, your heart MATTERS to God, and you are LOVED! Melissa’s love of people and her passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ has opened doors for her to minister in eighteen different countries on three continents in all types of ministry. She has held positions of youth pastor, children’s pastor, worship pastor, evangelist, and missionary. Her unique testimony has given her the opportunity to minister to people from all walks of life and of all ages.
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by Sarah Highfill “Ouch! That hurts!” I remember thinking to myself as I felt my muscles stretched beyond their current capacity. I had just started CrossFit in North Africa and we were only in the warmup, which was workout enough for me at that point. We were supposed to be stretching our legs as far apart as they could go with both hands on the ground in the middle. The problem: my partner was supposed to be pushing me deeper into the stretch with each count. “One”—a little push that wasn’t too bad. “Two”--another push. “Three. . .Four.” Now we were at “Five” and it was starting to be very uncomfortable. “Six” Why did we needed someone pushing us? When it was just me, I could control how far I was comfortable going. I didn’t realize I was resisting the stretch until my partner flat out told me—“Stop resisting.” I had gotten to the end of my comfort zone and was starting to feel some pain. However, once I stopped resisting, my partner pushed me deeper than I would have ever gone on my own. The Lord used this to speak to me. I was in a season of being stretched spiritually so I could grow and go deeper in my faith and in my relationships. I was being strengthened and didn’t realize it. My spiritual muscles were being stretched and I was becoming stronger. I felt the Lord whisper to my spirit, “Stop resisting what I have for you.” I couldn’t go deeper in my walk without the stretching and the strengthening. Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash I was reminded of this lesson recently at the conclusion of my time with my connect group. When we are being stretched and refined through the fire, it hurts, and the fire is very hot. But, it is worth it! The growth, maturity, steadfastness, and perseverance that comes out of these uncomfortable times is worth it all! James 1:2-4 ESV says “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The Living Bible in verse four says “So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems.” When I was being pushed into that deep stretch, believe me, I was squirming and ready to push my partner off me. In that moment I didn’t see it as a growth opportunity because I was feeling the pain and ready to squirm my way out of it. Sometimes we might be uncomfortable because previously we have never faced this particular kind of trial. But we don’t have to give into fear, and we are empowered to count it all joy. Are we willing to be temporarily uncomfortable so our faith can grow? Are we resisting something God intended to produce growth because it may be painful, awkward, or uncharted territory? Do we unintentionally resist God because it is a troubling situation we’ve never faced before? Are we counting it…all of it…joy? I think it’s interesting that in several of the translations I looked, it doesn’t say to count it AS joy, meaning similar to joy or to the extent that it is likened to joy. But. . .it IS joy! There will be growing pains, awkwardness, and uncomfortable stretching, but guess what? We can be joyful and confident that God is working something wonderful in us by growing, stretching, and refining us to be more like Him. With the help of the Holy Spirit as our partner, we can relax and be taken deeper than we ever could go on our own or have ever been before. Sarah Highfill serves as a missionary to North Africa. She enjoys doing and coaching CrossFit. When she is state side she enjoys taking her Schnorkie, Shadow, for walks and being involved in the ministry of Stained Glass Theatre. by Mary Ann Martz “CANNOT UPDATE. CREATE SPACE.” The flashing message on my computer was not unexpected, but today required my full attention. The hard drive on my aged Toshiba, was simply too full to support the latest Windows update. But the message to “create space” spoke more deeply. Before the Coronavirus, our life in ministry was exceptionally full and pre-packed with expectations. Our culture applauds high productivity and, without realizing it, our ministry can begin to reflect these same values. Months before the shelter-at-home order, God had prodded me to slow down. These weeks of working from home, Zoom meetings, and recording Sunday services have become a “severe mercy,” forcing us to clear our calendar and quiet ourselves, seeking God’s direction. In her book, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton captures this tension: God is infinitely patient, and knows the greatest thing he has given us is our freedom. If we want to habitually, even exclusively, operate from the level of our own reason, he will respectfully keep silent. We can fill ourselves with our own thoughts, ideas, images, and feelings. He will not interfere. But, if we invite him with attention, opening the inner spaces with silence, he will speak to our souls, not in words or concepts, but in the mysterious way that love expresses itself—by presence.1 Isn’t this the essence of “being still and knowing” God, (Ps 46:10) by “creating space for God’s activity rather than filling every minute with our own?”2 Through silence, we consciously withdraw from the demands of life, the noise of our own thoughts, and our desire to control, to hear a truer Voice. To explore this further, Barton offers three strategies for creating space. 1. CREATE A SACRED SPACE Place has a particular stronghold in our memory. We are creatures of habit and creating an environment that is set apart for meeting with God—away from our responsibilities—can position us to hear His heart. Sacred space can be a comfy chair in a quiet room, a walk on a trail, even a prayer closet. As a young, stay-at-home mom, our piano was situated near an east-facing window. And each morning, the sun would stream in upon the piano bench, calling me to come sit, play, and worship. In that home, it became a sacred space where I met with God and learned to allow His creativity to flow through me. This was not productive practice for Sunday worship, but rather an intimate exploration, a gift offered back to God. Today, almost three decades later, others play on the platform, and that aging piano no longer sits in sunlight. But that bench still calls me to come and sit, to explore and improvise—to enjoy His presence. For me, it has become a sacred space. Photo by Anthony Ortiz on Unsplash 2. CREATE SPACE IN TIME Because time is limited, it has value. Creating space in time is to give God our undivided attention, set apart from preparing for Bible study, Sunday’s message, or even praying for needs. It is the discipline to refuse temptations and simply show up before God, letting Him do the rest. “Over time,” writes Barton, “our body and soul respond to established rhythms, so eventually the very act of entering this set-apart time and place ushers us into our own inner sanctuary.3 This is the principle of Sabbath, where time for God is written into the very rhythm of life. Creating time requires saying no—to expectations, digital devices, distractions—even to worthwhile things. It is to consciously turn away from the temporal to focus on the eternal. When Mother Teresa trained her young Sisters of Charity to live among the poor of Calcutta, India, she wrote time with God into the daily cadence of their lives. Each morning and afternoon, everything stopped for an hour of silence, prayer, and meditation on the scriptures. Why? We “need silence to hear God speak. . . . Silence of the eyes, the ears, the mouth. Who can underestimate it’s importance?”4 These words are true for us today, as we carve out space in time for God. 3. CREATE SPACE IN OUR SOUL In ministry, because we share our lives with so many people, it can be hard to maintain privacy with God. But “sacred space,” writes Barton, “is also a place in our soul that is set apart for God and God alone.”5 She encourages “pondering the things that take place during solitude in our heart, as Mary did, rather than too quickly using them as tools for ministry. This is a way of keeping some things precious and sacred, rather than allowing them to be commandeered for utilitarian purposes.”6 For Mary, the events surrounding Jesus’ birth were unprecedented. But she pondered these things in her heart, storing them away like precious treasures. Thirty-three years later, as Jesus went to the cross, those treasures were there to sustain her. Each memory vividly underscoring God’s plan, bringing purpose to the pain of the cross. Recording our own moments with God has great value. Seasons will come when we may question our ministry, our direction, our purpose—perhaps even our faith. But reviewing those private moments with the Father can anchor us to our calling. They build a framework for our faith, acting as mileposts of God’s presence to reinvigorate our sense of mission and supply courage for the path ahead. At the time of this writing, we have no clear date for returning to ministry as we knew it. But it is evident that God has “created space” for us and given us a brief window to “invite Him with intention. And as we silence our eyes, our ears, our hearts to listen, He’ll give us wisdom and His strategy for moving forward. 1. Barton, Ruthy Haley. Invitation to Solitude and Silence (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004), 35. 2. Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, 35. 3. Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, 38. 4. Wellman, Sam. Mother Teresa: Missionary of Charity (Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour Publishing, 1997), 107. 5. Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, 38. 6. Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, 38. Alongside her husband John, Mary Ann has served in full-time ministry for 30+ years. A lead pastor’s wife at 23, she has experienced almost every role in the church, including teaching, leading worship, creating ministries, writing and directing productions, and developing projects. She looks for God’s truth and glory in unexpected places, and loves to explore through reading, hiking, snorkeling, and traveling adventures with her husband. They are passionate about missions, and have led teams to South Africa, Cuba, Vanuatu, Sri Lanka and Alaska. With two married children, they are savoring a new stage of life as grandparents. Mary Ann received her ministry credentials in 2014, and she and John have pastored Blue Springs Assembly for 22 years. They reside in the Kansas City area. by Terry Magness I'd like to share some things I experienced recently in my own backyard that remind me of God's promises for uncertain times. We live in the country overlooking a gentle rolling landscape of trees and pastures. It's beautiful and it’s spring. A herd of cows satisfy their days munching winter grass in the field below our house. When the grass is gone, the farmer brings in hay twice a day, honking and driving slowly across the field unrolling the bales. The cows come running. They are content. Their needs are met. So I ask, am I a content and grateful person? In all honesty, I have a strong temptation at times to grumble and complain. King David said, "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." Psalms 9:1 ESV. He certainly knew trouble and heartache. It is amazing how an attitude changes when we give thanks and rehearse God's goodness. Why worry? God has promised to take care of us. One day I noticed a cow separated from the others, standing over a newly born calf. She nudged and licked her calf for some time trying without success to get him onto his feet. She knew that if he didn't get up and drink her milk, he wouldn’t survive. Then she did something I had never seen. She straddled him with her udders over his head, and carefully laid down in front of him so as to put his food supply right under his little nose. He must have chosen well because soon the little guy stood by his mother's side. Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2 KJV. When Job's world fell apart, he uttered these words. "But he knows the way that I have chosen: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold... his way have I kept... I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." Job 23:10-12 KJV. As Christians we know the choices we make determine our outcome. Each day a new little black-nosed calf was added to the herd, until there were sixteen dotting the pasture. God's grace multiplied and blessed. Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash Then their world suddenly changed. The sound of a truck horn echoed across the hills. The cows were all leaving. I saw a solitary calf in the far corner of the field looking frantically in all directions. His mother was nowhere in sight. The few remaining cows with their calves trailed the rest of the herd that followed the red feed truck. It crossed the pasture, drove through the gate, crossed, and entered another pasture on the other side of the road. The confused young calf froze in place. One of three cowboys rounding up the strays saw him, rode over, and tried to herd the little guy toward the last departing cluster of cows, but the calf refused to budge. He moved a few feet, then circled back, and planted his little hoofs right where he had originally stood, as if to say, “I'm not going anywhere, and you can't make me.” Slowly, the cowboy dismounted, walked to the calf, picked him up, and gently laid him on his side. Before he could scramble to his feet, the man secured a rope around his lower legs, then left to help the other cowboys herd the stock through the gate. It took nearly forty-minutes to get all the cattle out of the road and into the other field. The cowboy did not forget the frightened and helpless little calf. All three cowboys and the truck made their way back across the tired pasture to the calf. They picked him up and laid him carefully in the truck seat. The processional then delivered him to his mother who was waiting in the new pasture plenteous in water and sweet grass. Isn't this a beautiful picture of our heavenly Father's relationship with us? Let's be real here. When our lives take a sudden and dramatic shift, we too, may feel a bit lost, out of control, and maybe even afraid. Isn't it wonderful that there is a God in heaven who loves and cares for us? He is in full control. Nothing about our situation or its consequences takes Him by surprise. He is near to help, to protect, and to position us for greater things. Finally, here are helpful Biblical keys for standing strong, confident, and secure through times of difficulty and uncertainty. Rejoice in the Lord always (delight, take pleasure in Him); again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit (your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience) be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do no be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything (every circumstance and situation) by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your (specific) requests known to God. And the peace of God (that peace that reassures the heart, that peace) which transcends all understanding, (that peace which) stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (is yours). Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things (center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart). The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me (Paul), practice these things (in daily life), and the God (who is the source) of peace and well-being will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9, AMP Terry Magness is author, speaker, and founder of Grace Harbour Ministries, a Biblically based teaching and discipleship ministry to the nations. Terry is passionate in helping people to know God and the hope, healing, and power He offers for overcoming the challenges to victorious Spirit-filled living through Jesus Christ. As an ordained Assembly of God minister, Terry is called to undergird, encourage, and empower the church and its leaders. Her years in Biblical study, pastoral counseling, and more recently, coaching, have equipped her for this unique role. Terry enjoys writing, photography, art, and fishing with her husband, Don. They share with joy two adult children, Greg and Valarie, and three beautiful granddaughters. by Jill St. John At 5’2”, I frequently find myself on my toes--or “tippy toes”--stretching to reach a glass from the kitchen cabinet, turn on the lamp on top of the armoire, or kiss my husband. In this Coronavirus season, nothing is within easy reach. I feel like I am on my tippy toes for nearly every part of life and ministry right now. . .stretching to reach, accomplish, and connect. Figuring out how to connect with people and not get closer than 6-feet is stretching me! Leading meetings, strategizing responsibilities, and presenting content--only through a screen--is stretching me! Working, living, and being in the same space continually with my precious husband and kids is stretching me! Something that keeps us on our toes demands that we focus all our attention and energy on what we are doing until we reach it. We must keep our eyes on it and stretch to attain it. This season is requiring us to stretch, reach, and strain what we previously had no trouble grasping. Acts 20:28 talks about being on our toes: Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God Himself thought they were worth dying for. (The Message) A different version puts it like this: So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—His church, purchased with His own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. (NLT) In this season of Coronavirus and stay-at-home orders, this Acts 20:28 exhortation resonates deeply with me. Am I on my toes—guarding--myself and God’s people? What does it mean to guard myself and God’s people in this time? For me, guarding myself is all about self-leadership. In spite of not having my usual schedule, I must be engaged in daily disciplines: setting my alarm to spend early morning moments with Jesus and His Word, prioritizing exercise, and making time for personal care. Even though I am meeting with people through a screen, only seen from the waist up--and I could wear a ballcap and no one would care--I do my hair and make-up and get fully dressed. (Well, I get ready and fully dressed most days--there’s a balance as we enjoy some of the perks of stay-at-home!) Keeping my mind refreshed in God’s Word, and taking care of my physical self, helps my mind stay sharp and focused. This makes me more productive and purposeful throughout the day. Guarding God’s people means praying for them--engaging in spiritual warfare in this time of attack, illness, and hardship. As a we minister to God’s church while not being able to go to church, it means connecting with God’s people in all kinds of ways. Social media, texts, and old-fashioned phone calls allow us to encourage people to guard themselves through being in God’s Word and prayer, as well as praying with them. This helps guard them from hopelessness, despair, and negativity. Staying in God’s Word and encouraging one another will help us get through this together. . .stronger! I have been praying Acts 20:28 over my husband, our family, our church staff and leaders, and I would like to pray it over you and me: Lord, please anoint and empower us to guard ourselves and Your people. Help us to be faithful to feed Your flock by imparting Your Word to them, encouraging them, and teaching them to dive into Your Word for themselves. Anoint us to shepherd Your flock with compassion and tender care as some of them are hurting, wounded, and afraid. Prompt us to continually be yielded to the Holy Spirit so Your power may flow through us to those who need Your touch. Thank You, God, for the privilege of being appointed as leaders and pastors in this historic time. May we daily remember that You thought we were all worth dying for. How glorious and awesome is Your love and Your plan. Please use us for Your glorious purposes. In Jesus’ Name—Amen! Jill St. John, once a high school English teacher, is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God. She serves as Co-Pastor alongside her husband, Jason. For the last 23 years, they have served at Evangel Church in Kansas City: 6 years as youth pastors, 17 years as lead pastors. Jill has a passion for Jesus and a zeal for teaching God’s Word – helping others walk in God’s love and purpose. As a 4-time cancer survivor, she knows the goodness of God through the highs and lows of life and ministry. Jill is an authentic, enthusiastic messenger of God’s joy and hope. Teaching, cooking, laughing and hanging out with her husband and two children are the delights of her life! by Vicki Miller I found myself upset with a friend. It’s rather embarrassing to admit, but it happened. Simply because of her “emoji” response to my comment on her social media post. Sounds silly, huh? It was like any other typical skimming of current posts. However, I found myself looking at all the other comments and her response to them. . .LOVE. Her response to mine. . .LIKE. What?! She didn’t LOVE my response? Immediately, my heart sank, my thoughts began to race, and I found myself wondering what I had done to receive a lesser acknowledgement. I was comparing my simple comment to all the others. “She doesn’t like me as much.” “My words aren’t as deep or meaningful as the others.” “I’ve done something to offend her.” Really? I’m a big girl! I’m a grandmother for crying out loud. I’ve raised four daughters and walked through bigger drama than this. My reaction was an overreaction. Not directly to her—she never knew how I felt. But to myself. It caught me by surprise! I found myself in major comparison mode, measuring my worth and my value by this one simple emoji—LIKE. There are so many underlying reasons why this may have happened, but when it came down to where the rubber meets the road, I had to make a choice: Hang my head low because of one meaningless emoji and live in defeat for the rest of my life (sounds pretty grim) or I could search my heart, recognize the source, and surrender it to God. Obviously, I chose the latter. I chose to walk in victory. Perhaps my experience is not unlike what you have experienced in our ever-increasing use of social media platforms. Maybe you have struggled with feelings of rejection or acceptance. Perhaps you have found yourself comparing your life to other’s “picture-perfect” lives. If so, may I say this? Stop it! Stop it, right now! You are too valuable to God and to the kingdom to go into self-destruct mode. Learn from my mistake and keep yourself free from the disillusions that can happen in the world of virtual conversations. As I have had to do, I invite you to submit any insecurities and feelings of inadequacy to the Lord. He will help you. Five things I have learned from the LIKES and LOVES: 1) Social media emojis do not determine my value. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14 ESV. He uniquely purposed me, and no one can change that. 2) Social media does not give me the full picture of someone’s life, thoughts, or motives. Jesus says this in Matthew, “Judge not that you be not judged.” How often do I take one moment in time to form an opinion about someone? I may not know her circumstances, or what could be going on with her hormones, or the fact that she’s total unaware of how she is presenting herself. Be understanding of that possibility. Give her the benefit of the doubt. 3) Be happy for the positive affirmation of others. It’s not all about me! “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor,” Romans 12:10 ESV. Everyone needs encouragement. Either be a giver of uplifting words or be content that someone else is receiving praise where “praise is due.” 4) Because of this experience, I can more-easily recognize the enemy’s schemes and surrender them to the Lord. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me,” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV. Whether it’s my flesh or a divisive scheme of the enemy, I can quickly submit it to the Lord, or rebuke the devourer, and move on. 5) My Heavenly Father made me (and you) and His response is always. . .LOVE. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:4-9 ESV. Praise the Lord! He may have to correct me, along the way, but it’s okay, because He loves me.
My husband, Don, and I have been in ministry, together, for more than 35 years. We have four daughters, four sons-in-law, and four grandsons who keep our lives full of joy and laughter. Having pastored the same congregation for more than 25 years, we now minister in a place where we enjoy serving our district ministers and their spouses. Traveling is a shared interest between us, especially as we connect with various 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 my passions. After serving Jesus most of my life, I am still amazed at the grace and goodness of God and I pray that I never get over it. For fun, I love to read and sleuth décor ideas on Pinterest. I enjoy drinking iced tea (no coffee for me), especially with a friend, and taking car rides in the country. by Delores Carr During this Pandemic time, many of us have spent more time than usual alone. I have never minded being alone. It’s time for thinking, praying even as I do my work, and quieting myself. I enjoy it. However, I have never had enforced long periods of aloneness. I don’t know if I would like that. Even now, my husband is here after work and weekends. He is an essential worker, so he is coming and going each day. I have someone to talk to, to bounce things off, and someone with whom to interact. I talk occasionally, at a “proper distance” to my neighbor. I email and talk by phone to family and friends. I received a phone call a couple of days ago from a friend of twenty-seven years who lives in another state. She told me her husband had died suddenly that morning. I was stunned. She did not want to talk. She did not want me to pray with her. She just wanted to let me know. She hung up, and I began to weep and pray. But HOW do I pray? After all these years of gently witnessing to this couple, I had no assurance he was ready to meet God. He was a good man. He ran his business with honesty and integrity. They were faithful to their old-line church. But they had difficulty seeing their spiritual need. They knew nothing of God’s Word or about a personal relationship with Him except what we had told them as the Lord had opened opportunities. They were touchy and resistant to talking about spiritual things. One time when I mentioned the Bible, she told me, “We don’t use the Bible in our church. We have prayer books.” I thought at the time, how sad. Just as is described in 2 Kings 22, the Word of God had been lost in the house of God. So, after hanging up the phone, I prayed in the Spirit according to Acts 8:26-27, as I didn’t know how to pray. Aren’t you thankful for the Holy Spirit at times like this? It’s never a good time to lose someone you love. Often during this unusual pandemic time in our nation, I have thought how sad that people cannot have a proper funeral with the support of friends and family when death comes. Now my friend is there. We can’t attend his funeral. We can’t be there to say, “We love you” or to comfort her. I can’t offer to come there and help with all the stuff she must deal with. She is alone. And she is even more alone as she does not have the personal relationship with a Savior and God. I cannot give her the same healing words of encouragement from the Word that we give our Christian friends and family at these tough times. I don’t know that he is with the Lord. I don’t know that she will see him again someday. So, at this point, we DO grieve as others grieve. It’s awful. But I can pray. I ask God to somehow make Himself real to her. I pray that she will not become bitter. I pray that God will give her guidance and clarity in working through all the “stuff“ that is associated with the aftermath of a death. Paperwork alone can be overwhelming. And I pray that somehow, she will come to a personal relationship with Him. I pray she will turn to Him for help. For a moment, stop and thank God that you are never alone when He is your personal Savior. Reflect on what a tremendous blessing that is. Be grateful for His presence whatever your circumstances. Be still and know that He is God–even when you are all alone. Or, maybe especially then. Delores and her husband, David, have a long and rich history of ministry. From youth pastor to senior pastor, from church planter to teaching in AG Bible colleges, they have covered this nation from coast to coast. Delores has been director and teacher in pre-school programs, filled the pulpit from time-to-time, and a speaker to women's groups. She loves music and writing, and hopes to one day write a book about her family history in the Ozarks. by Julie Davenport Keep Calm and Carry On was a slogan printed on posters by the British Government on the eve of World War I as a message of reassurance in the threat of the troubled times ahead. The troubled times did come as they do in all of our lives. I have needed reassurance in recent months with the passing of my precious mother after her long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was my best friend and loved me unconditionally. Rather than focusing on the difficult days at the end, I am focusing on the wonderful and godly influence she had as my mother and as the grandmother of my children. I am learning to keep calm and carry on. We each have multiple roles that may include mother, grandmother, pastor's wife, credentialed minister, teacher, co-worker, etc. We influence many around us by the lives we live before them. We influence others daily by being consistent and faithful with the little things as well as the big things. Carrying on can simply mean to continue what you are doing and not give up. Many times, we can grow weary when troubled times come. However, we can be encouraged to carry on with examples from the life of Timothy given to us in the words of Paul. When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing [carrying on] the work of the Lord, as I am. I Corinthians 16:10 ESV First, Timothy carried on by living a life of sincere faith. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 2 Timothy 1:5 ESV. He was a very young man. For him to be chosen to go with Paul and Silas on their missionary journey, he must have learned from his godly grandmother and mother. I am reminded of the lives of my own dear Grandmother Perkin, my Mammaw Wilkerson, and my dear mother, Faith. Without their influence, I would never have been able to have the strength for the things I have gone through in my life. I hope I am carrying on some of their traits and influence with my children and grandchildren. Secondly, Timothy carried on by living a life where others spoke well of him. Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Acts 16:1-3 ESV. Again we see the influence of Timothy's mother. His mother was Jewish and a believer, BUT his father was Greek (possibly to insinuate that his father wasn't a believer). Paul had Timothy get circumcised—Timothy willingly obeyed and went through the pain of circumcision, because Paul asked him to do it "because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek."—so Paul knew others were watching them. Paul wanted people to speak well of Timothy. Finally, Timothy carried on by "waging the good warfare" (fighting the battle) and holding on to faith. This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith. I Timothy 1:18-19 ESV. Paul had literal shipwrecks, but here he is talking about shipwrecks with regard to the faith. I am thankful through the shipwrecks of my life I had the example of my parents and grandparents that helped me to not have a shipwreck with regard to the faith. It is worth it to fight the battle well and hold on to faith for the sake of your children and grandchildren. The greatest joy is seeing your faith passed down through the generations. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4 ESV. When we see what we believe passed down to our children, grandchildren, and others in our circle of influence, we realize it is worth it to carry—keep the faith—to pass it on. "Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise." Andy Stanley If one word could depict a life, Julie Davenport’s would be “redemption.” As a child in the Perkin household, 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. With a BA in Art Education from Southwest MO State University, Julie served as a parent educator with the Independence MO School District for many years. She is now an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Today, through speaking engagements and two daughters continuing 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 An amazing tree-covered lane near my home is one of those take-a-deep-breath-and-let-it-all-go places. You know what I mean. Exiting the main road onto a rural farm road after a harrowing day in traffic, a half-mile canopy of sheltering branches opens its arms to welcome you. Streaming sunlight casts wonderful limbed shadows across your path while squirrels scamper for walnuts dropped on purpose. The white flash of a deer's tail appears suddenly, as he jumps the fence, hides in the woods, and watches just feet from your passing car. Startled by a stranger on his turf, a raccoon quickly rushes into the brush. In your heart you know all is well with the world. As a visual person, serene beauty like this brings healing relief from the stresses of the day. Eagerly entering its sanctuary, I find myself wanting to slow down and soak awhile in its peace. What an earthly reminder, yet merely a taste of the glory awaiting us in the secret place of the Most High. A few weeks ago a strewn beer carton and plastic bottle shouted to me from the side of our beloved lane. Their presence desecrated and marred its beauty. “Someone needs to pick this stuff up,” I muttered to myself. Running behind, I drove on home. The next day, a paper drinking cup carried by the breeze, bounced along the pavement. Not wanting to be late for my appointment, I thought, “I can pick it up on my way back.” By the time I returned, it was after dark, and I simply couldn’t be out on that rural road alone at night, right? Discarded items continued accumulating alongside my peaceful tree-covered lane until one day wrapped bundles of blue shredded hay bale plastic appeared scattered along the entire center section of road. I shook my head in dismay, but it was too cold to stop and pick up all that stuff. Surely, the farmer who lost it will see it the next time through and retrieve it. Each day I dodged those ugly clumps of blue plastic and tried my best to ignore the other litter invading my space. My displeasure and focus upon these unexpected distractions grew in intensity until they robbed me of my peace and tranquility. It hurt my heart to see them lying there. Angry and agitated, I could no longer see the beauty here or feel the breath of God on my face. It was then I realized I must seek refuge in another beauty-beyond-description place nearby, a heavenly haven available to me anytime I choose to enter in. In this secret place, under the sheltering outstretched arms of Jesus, I can see the situation from His vast perspective. In this wonderful place He shields me from the earthly, the rude and insolent assaults of each day. I am reprieved from distractions and narrow escapes on the noisy and congested road of life. I am cleansed of the dingy road film and mud that clouds my understanding, brings shame, and hides the pure. I am freed from the distractions and trials of the day that seek to bury me in their lies. Here in this place I am refreshed, energized, and healed from the abuses of life. I am strengthened and delivered from all the cares and worries that strangle my God-given vision and stifle His creativity in me. It is in this beautiful atmosphere, I receive an attitude adjustment. With my focus upon the Lord, attitudes that held me captive to any number of emotions and behaviors changed. No longer honing in on the way I want things to be, my yearning heart enters His presence and finds rest. The following day I again turned the corner onto the beloved lane near my home. Sun glistened through the bare limbs of the trees pouring its warmth through my windows. In the beauty of that place and in the warmth of His nearness, my soul filled with surrendered love and gratitude. . .just as my eyes fell upon one of those clumps of plastic. Pulling to the side of the road, I put my car in park, got out, picked up the bundle, and put it in the back floorboard. I got back behind the wheel, drove to the next pile, and picked it up. . .then the next, and the next, until every pile had been retrieved, as well as the beer carton, and a plastic bottle or two. What joy! A great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment swept over me as I threw the last of that unsightly pile into our trash dumpster. I felt free! With the right focus intact, beauty, order, and rest was restored to our beautiful lane. . .but most importantly, these priceless essentials were restored in me. Terry Magness has been in Christian ministry for forty 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 Overcomers classes in her local church, dedicated to helping men and women apply Biblical principles to every 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 Kelly Godzwa My morning meditation was entitled, “Finding Courage in the Storm.” It was certainly appropriate and timely given the state of our world and the “storm” that is COVID-19 with its effects. You see, I decided to read the book Meeting God in Scripture by Jan Johnson, which contains forty guided meditations, during Lent this year. As I read Chapter 21 and the passage from Mark 4:35-41, I followed some of the author’s suggestions—thinking of a time when God calmed your fears, reading and rereading the passage, understanding certain words or phrases a bit more deeply, picturing the scene, placing yourself in the story, etc. I thought back to a time last year when anxiety came over me as Dave and I sat in a bank in Mexico working through the steps to get the money from the sale of our vehicle that was in the Mexican bank transferred to a US account. Even though we went through correct protocol, one glitch after another seemed to arise. There we waited—not in control of the situation and powerless to do anything about it, but not really able to leave or distract our minds with something else. How hard can it be? They’re a bank! Don’t they do things like this every day? What if the money is stuck here? What if. . .? As fear rose in me, the Holy Spirit reminded me of an exercise to name the things I was feeling, thinking, and doing. I found paper in my purse and began writing. Frustration had turned into worry. But, what did I believe about God? What was true in my situation? Who, but God, could turn this situation around OR give me peace in the midst of it? As I read this story Mark writes about Jesus’ disciples—with Him asleep in the boat when a storm suddenly springs up—I have to smirk a bit as I picture it. The first thing I realized is that the disciples must have been furiously working to scoop water out and man the sails when someone notices that Jesus isn’t helping! How could Jesus sleep at a time like this? We’re all going to drown! “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” It seems as if they just wanted His help, but He appeared to be oblivious to their peril. Then much to their surprise when He does gets up, He doesn’t grab a bucket. He speaks. However, he speaks not to them, but to the wind and the waves! “Be quiet! Be still!” When I read this passage aloud, tears came to my eyes. Although a different type of anxiety from what I felt while sitting at the bank, there is fear in the hearts and minds of many of us as we face the unknown—the storm with its effects. Perhaps, like the disciples, we are scooping out water, lowering the sails, and trying to lessen the severity of the consequences. Our frustration turns to worry, and we wonder if God is asleep. Why won’t He help? But. . .what do we believe about God? What is true in our situation? Who, but God, can turn this situation around OR give us peace in the midst of it? Let’s name our fears. What are we thinking, feeling, & doing? How does that align with the fact that Jesus has power over wind and waves? Might He have power over viruses, too? Our fears are not silly or small; it just helps to readjust our perspective in light of what we know to be true about our God. Do we have faith in Him? He doesn’t tend to work like we want Him to or when we think He should, but when He does act, we will be in awe, reminded again of Who loves us and sees us, even at our most vulnerable moments. Kelly and her husband, Dave, have served as SOMO missionaries to Mexico since 2006. While they have recently moved into the role of Mexico Area Directors, she remains active online as publisher of the Refresh Newsletter and is a part of the District's Connect Refresh groups. They have 2 college-age children, a son in high school and a miniature schnauzer. disciplemexico.org |
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