I am cheating...I realize today is the 30th instead of the 1st, but tomorrow is the Ham and Yam and dance and company for supper...so I am not sure when I would be able to post! And I already have my verse picked out well in advance. It was sealed when Beth Moore and Billie BOTH preached from it within 24 hours and then Billie said something to the extent of "everyone should memorize this verse". So it will not be a surprise for most =)
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Eph 4:32, NIV
Kindness...Compassion...Forgiveness - so easy to say yet so hard to live out!
One of my favorite all time quotes is "Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." How many times have I snapped at someone only to regret it after hearing what they have going on in their life!! Pray for each other...we don't always know when folks are fighting battles that we would not wish on our worst enemies!
Let's hear your verses! =)
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Except for Her...
Many of you heard Tammy testify last night to the amazing way that Beth Moore spoke to each of us. Like Tammy I did not get much out of the book personally because God and I dealt with my insecurity issues long ago. The book more reaffirmed things He had shown me over the last decade so I almost bailed on the simulcast because I could not imagine what God could possible have to tell me. I should have known better...lol...He always has a Fresh Word if we are open and listening. And Beth Moore can just flat BRING IT! Tammy shared the portion that spoke to me as well only with a slightly different spin. I thought I'd share it here (albeit it will be long and a tad personal...I can't believe I am actually going to type it for the world to see...so bear with me or stop reading here) .
You see for almost 30 years I worked very hard to make sure that I was "ACCEPTED" (pronounce it in your Johnston County accent or the whole rest of this fails...haha). I wonder if it came from growing up with an alcoholic, verbally abusive stepfather who constantly degraded my self-worth. Life was miserable at home and I sought refuge away from it! As the years passed all I wanted was to fit in...with everyone and anyone. In high school I was a band geek and head cheerleader at the same time, I dated an Ag boy who hung out on the shop hall, I took dance and made honor roll. I was Homecoming Queen runner up because everyone knew who I was...Miss Popular. I was consistently aware of whether others ACCEPTED me into their circles. I hated college life because I just DID NOT fit in...haha At times I (ashamedly) compromised my morals to fit in. Add to all that the fact that I was saved as a tween but had NO clue what a relationship with Jesus consisted of because at the Church of God where I prayed the sinner's prayer they never discussed relationships...only fear and condemnation and hell. Hell was very real to me but Jesus was not.
And then when I came to WMBC as a fairly screwed up 28 year old wife and mother of one...Jesus rocked my world. WMBC introduced me to Henry Blackaby and Beth Moore and the concept of Discipleship Training. Henry Blackaby (my earthly hero) showed me who Jesus was and Beth Moore taught me how to Break Free to find Him. All my childhood hatred was replaced with forgiveness. Forgiveness towards my then deceased step dad and forgiveness towards my mother who chose an alcoholic over me and was too timid and scared to leave him all those years. I do want to note that forgiveness is one thing and rebuilding relationships is another...and while the relationship is still struggling with current/new issues...the forgiveness for past wrongs has been healed. I was filled with Praise to God that my Daddy took me in when I was a young teen when I made that call the night I could stand it no longer...and then raised me as best he could (with lots of help!). And I Praise God for the miracle He did in me when I finally became a "Woman After His Own Heart". My life could have turned out so much differently without the grace of God. And I never understood that as clearly as I do today.
Well, until the Simulcast I did not have the words to describe it...but in the last 5 or so years God has repeatedly shown me (actually more times than I care to admit!) that it matters NOT whether anyone says they "ACCEPT" me...what matters is whether they "EXCEPT" me.
It's really such a simple concept...but so hard to live out! The transformation began years ago when God showed me that fitting in really was overrated...I look back now and laugh at that long season of sanctification although at the time it was so painful. Through MUCH Bible study, prayer and reading lots of Christian Living books I finally got the confidence in God to make better choices even when they were hard choices to make. Even when it would be against what the majority thought was appropriate or correct. The song "I'll Join the Rocks" became my theme song for life..."What if I'm the only one to break the silence? What if I'm the only one to crack the ice? I'll join the rocks!" God showed me that being "the only one" is really ok.
I am NOT perfect by any means and I still make poor choices and have to repent...but God is still showing me daily that it is His Will to be the "EXCEPTION". It is a slow process of transformation that ultimately will not be complete until I see His face in glory. But I know through His Word and affirmation that my hope is secure in Him and I need nothing this world has to offer. I just have to survive the temporary life here and tell as many folks as I can of His grace and mercy. So I echo Tammy's challenge...let's be the "EXCEPT THEM".
I love you all! Share how He recently spoke to you at the simulcast or in another setting.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Rom 12:2
STILL Desperately Seeking Him,
Kristy =)
You see for almost 30 years I worked very hard to make sure that I was "ACCEPTED" (pronounce it in your Johnston County accent or the whole rest of this fails...haha). I wonder if it came from growing up with an alcoholic, verbally abusive stepfather who constantly degraded my self-worth. Life was miserable at home and I sought refuge away from it! As the years passed all I wanted was to fit in...with everyone and anyone. In high school I was a band geek and head cheerleader at the same time, I dated an Ag boy who hung out on the shop hall, I took dance and made honor roll. I was Homecoming Queen runner up because everyone knew who I was...Miss Popular. I was consistently aware of whether others ACCEPTED me into their circles. I hated college life because I just DID NOT fit in...haha At times I (ashamedly) compromised my morals to fit in. Add to all that the fact that I was saved as a tween but had NO clue what a relationship with Jesus consisted of because at the Church of God where I prayed the sinner's prayer they never discussed relationships...only fear and condemnation and hell. Hell was very real to me but Jesus was not.
And then when I came to WMBC as a fairly screwed up 28 year old wife and mother of one...Jesus rocked my world. WMBC introduced me to Henry Blackaby and Beth Moore and the concept of Discipleship Training. Henry Blackaby (my earthly hero) showed me who Jesus was and Beth Moore taught me how to Break Free to find Him. All my childhood hatred was replaced with forgiveness. Forgiveness towards my then deceased step dad and forgiveness towards my mother who chose an alcoholic over me and was too timid and scared to leave him all those years. I do want to note that forgiveness is one thing and rebuilding relationships is another...and while the relationship is still struggling with current/new issues...the forgiveness for past wrongs has been healed. I was filled with Praise to God that my Daddy took me in when I was a young teen when I made that call the night I could stand it no longer...and then raised me as best he could (with lots of help!). And I Praise God for the miracle He did in me when I finally became a "Woman After His Own Heart". My life could have turned out so much differently without the grace of God. And I never understood that as clearly as I do today.
Well, until the Simulcast I did not have the words to describe it...but in the last 5 or so years God has repeatedly shown me (actually more times than I care to admit!) that it matters NOT whether anyone says they "ACCEPT" me...what matters is whether they "EXCEPT" me.
It's really such a simple concept...but so hard to live out! The transformation began years ago when God showed me that fitting in really was overrated...I look back now and laugh at that long season of sanctification although at the time it was so painful. Through MUCH Bible study, prayer and reading lots of Christian Living books I finally got the confidence in God to make better choices even when they were hard choices to make. Even when it would be against what the majority thought was appropriate or correct. The song "I'll Join the Rocks" became my theme song for life..."What if I'm the only one to break the silence? What if I'm the only one to crack the ice? I'll join the rocks!" God showed me that being "the only one" is really ok.
I am NOT perfect by any means and I still make poor choices and have to repent...but God is still showing me daily that it is His Will to be the "EXCEPTION". It is a slow process of transformation that ultimately will not be complete until I see His face in glory. But I know through His Word and affirmation that my hope is secure in Him and I need nothing this world has to offer. I just have to survive the temporary life here and tell as many folks as I can of His grace and mercy. So I echo Tammy's challenge...let's be the "EXCEPT THEM".
I love you all! Share how He recently spoke to you at the simulcast or in another setting.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Rom 12:2
STILL Desperately Seeking Him,
Kristy =)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Growing - Gardens and Relationships
I shared this little analogy with one of my best friends recently and I feel God leading me to share it here; perhaps other folks need some affirmation or encouragement today...the subject is drawing closer to God...and it is not so much restricted to "Women's Ministry" but I did first share a much shorter version with a woman! hehehe
One of the keys to growing closer to Christ is to understand that it takes TIME to develop a relationship with Jesus. I think of it as gardening. You don't just wake up one day and decide to pick tomatoes out of the garden. You have to till the soil, plant the seeds, water the soil, fertilize the soil, chemical spray the plants (if you are a Gardner!), give it sun shine, and LOVE it. Same thing with a relationship with Christ...it takes TIME...read, pray, seek, etc...and most important to LOVE it!!!
I promise if you stick out a DAILY Bible Reading program or DAILY homework for Discipleship Training course study your heart will desire reading His Word more than anything else in life...and that is when you know you are well on your way! In time you will not even recognize the person you have become! It is an awesome transformation to go from Religion to Relationship! The blessings you will reap are beyond comprehension when you draw near to Christ. You see, anyone can be religious...you just have to attend church occasionally...but we were CHOSEN to have a relationship and to grow it until the day He calls us home! The relationship should never stop growing...never ever!
If you do not currently spend time in His Word consistently...start TODAY! Take baby steps...and see what He can do to multiply your time! That's how I started...and only 5 or so years ago. It does not matter what age you start seeking Him...just start NOW!
Take Baby Steps...commit 15 minutes to reading your Bible when you are at your best. Not everyone is their "best" at 5am. My personal best is 9pm when the babies (not so much anymore!) are in bed. I go to "my chair" and start with 15 minutes in my One Year Bible reading Guide. And then it is funny...sometimes an hour later I am still in that chair reading and praying. On other nights it's 15 minutes reading and I am up and moving to the chores ahead. Whatever I feel led to do that night. But I have that standing appointment and I rarely miss it! And honestly, I find that if I miss it...I don't sleep as well. =)
It is equally important to understand in addition to taking TIME...everyone has to build their OWN relationship with Jesus. I can't give you mine, Pastor Billie can't give us his...you have to do it yourself because you WANT to. Beth Moore said I think in the Esther study "at the end of the day people are going to do what they really WANT to do". You have to WANT the relationship before you can "do" the relationship. And every one's relationship is different...that's what makes it personal! So my quiet time prescription is different than yours...you can't treat pneumonia with a chicken pox vaccine! You will discover what works best for you when you make up your mind that you WANT to seek Him! Test out different times of the day until you find one that is CONSISTENTLY good for you...and then don't miss it! I am glad to talk with you one on one if you need some encouragement or special prayer or suggestions on ways to start out...just let me know...I am no expert theologian but I have researched and would willingly share anything I have read!
Desperately Seeking HIM!
Kristy
Click to view: (this is just a very small "few")
Deu 4:29
Heb 11:6
2 Chron 7:14
Acts 17:27
Psalm 119:2
Others
One of the keys to growing closer to Christ is to understand that it takes TIME to develop a relationship with Jesus. I think of it as gardening. You don't just wake up one day and decide to pick tomatoes out of the garden. You have to till the soil, plant the seeds, water the soil, fertilize the soil, chemical spray the plants (if you are a Gardner!), give it sun shine, and LOVE it. Same thing with a relationship with Christ...it takes TIME...read, pray, seek, etc...and most important to LOVE it!!!
I promise if you stick out a DAILY Bible Reading program or DAILY homework for Discipleship Training course study your heart will desire reading His Word more than anything else in life...and that is when you know you are well on your way! In time you will not even recognize the person you have become! It is an awesome transformation to go from Religion to Relationship! The blessings you will reap are beyond comprehension when you draw near to Christ. You see, anyone can be religious...you just have to attend church occasionally...but we were CHOSEN to have a relationship and to grow it until the day He calls us home! The relationship should never stop growing...never ever!
If you do not currently spend time in His Word consistently...start TODAY! Take baby steps...and see what He can do to multiply your time! That's how I started...and only 5 or so years ago. It does not matter what age you start seeking Him...just start NOW!
Take Baby Steps...commit 15 minutes to reading your Bible when you are at your best. Not everyone is their "best" at 5am. My personal best is 9pm when the babies (not so much anymore!) are in bed. I go to "my chair" and start with 15 minutes in my One Year Bible reading Guide. And then it is funny...sometimes an hour later I am still in that chair reading and praying. On other nights it's 15 minutes reading and I am up and moving to the chores ahead. Whatever I feel led to do that night. But I have that standing appointment and I rarely miss it! And honestly, I find that if I miss it...I don't sleep as well. =)
It is equally important to understand in addition to taking TIME...everyone has to build their OWN relationship with Jesus. I can't give you mine, Pastor Billie can't give us his...you have to do it yourself because you WANT to. Beth Moore said I think in the Esther study "at the end of the day people are going to do what they really WANT to do". You have to WANT the relationship before you can "do" the relationship. And every one's relationship is different...that's what makes it personal! So my quiet time prescription is different than yours...you can't treat pneumonia with a chicken pox vaccine! You will discover what works best for you when you make up your mind that you WANT to seek Him! Test out different times of the day until you find one that is CONSISTENTLY good for you...and then don't miss it! I am glad to talk with you one on one if you need some encouragement or special prayer or suggestions on ways to start out...just let me know...I am no expert theologian but I have researched and would willingly share anything I have read!
Desperately Seeking HIM!
Kristy
Click to view: (this is just a very small "few")
Deu 4:29
Heb 11:6
2 Chron 7:14
Acts 17:27
Psalm 119:2
Others
Monday, April 19, 2010
Weekend Recap
Hey y'all! I just wanted to recap the awesome weekend at church! I hope everyone who was able to make it to the tea had a wonderful time! I love hosting a party...and the tea party is special to me because it's a chance that I can give back to the women at church who do so much during the year to make our Women's Ministry what it is! It is the day we set aside where I can tell you all thank you for everything you do! Particularly this year I am so thankful to Tonia for heading up the catering. She did an amazing job after lots of research and in the midst of a family crisis...she ROCKS! And those that helped her with the food were wonderful too! And I am so thankful for Karen who never has told me NO regardless of what I ask her to dress up as...lol She made a wonderful Annie Armstrong. And Ms Amber always does such a cool GA Tea Party...the girls LOVE it!!! Most important I thank Jesus...for inspiring the WMU Pioneers to create a program that enables missions to be supported throughout the Baptist community of believers. There are leftover placemats on the welcome desk if anyone wants extras...
And then the concert...I was left SPEECHLESS!!! I love hearing the Young Disciples. I never grow tired of them! And me and my Buggy Babies had us a rocking time! They were complete angels and we did not miss a single song! They clapped and threw their hands in the air...I just know they were Praising Jesus! I think that was the most fun I have had in a Sunday night nursery service EVER...lol
And tonight it just carried forward...I gave up on Travis being in town on the 3rd Monday night of a month and finally asked my Mom to come babysit so I could attend the WOM meeting. It was wonderful. Ms Debbie Barbour did a great lesson and gave us a new fun reminder to pray for our missionaries and each other throught the month. That group is growing and they are having a ball showing others the love of Christ. I was so excited to be a part of it this month. You should try it one month...I promise you will receive a blessing from it!
Tell us your favorite weekend moment! Have a great week In HIM!
His Servant,
Kristy =)
And then the concert...I was left SPEECHLESS!!! I love hearing the Young Disciples. I never grow tired of them! And me and my Buggy Babies had us a rocking time! They were complete angels and we did not miss a single song! They clapped and threw their hands in the air...I just know they were Praising Jesus! I think that was the most fun I have had in a Sunday night nursery service EVER...lol
And tonight it just carried forward...I gave up on Travis being in town on the 3rd Monday night of a month and finally asked my Mom to come babysit so I could attend the WOM meeting. It was wonderful. Ms Debbie Barbour did a great lesson and gave us a new fun reminder to pray for our missionaries and each other throught the month. That group is growing and they are having a ball showing others the love of Christ. I was so excited to be a part of it this month. You should try it one month...I promise you will receive a blessing from it!
Tell us your favorite weekend moment! Have a great week In HIM!
His Servant,
Kristy =)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
SMC
Hi y'all, it's scripture memory day! yeah! I admit...I am still struggling with my last one, but I decided to press on and get a new one because I am close to having the other one. Feel free to repeat one if you struggle with it. Just don't give up! This time I have chosen a promise from the Old Testament:
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
I love the book of Jeremiah. And I love that we can call on God to tell us things we do not know. And I especially love that He only tells us what we can handle at that time in our life. I look back over my years of being a Christian and I thank Him for showing me little glimpses along the way to grow my faith! I cannot imagine if He had flooded me then with what He tells me now. I was so immature it would have blown my mind and probably caused me doubt and more confusion. It is awesome that He doesn't tell you anything UNTIL you seek Him first...because then you are ready to be receptive and obedient. And it is awesome that He only reveals as you are obedient. Seek and Obey...let's hear your verses!
In Him,
Kristy
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
I love the book of Jeremiah. And I love that we can call on God to tell us things we do not know. And I especially love that He only tells us what we can handle at that time in our life. I look back over my years of being a Christian and I thank Him for showing me little glimpses along the way to grow my faith! I cannot imagine if He had flooded me then with what He tells me now. I was so immature it would have blown my mind and probably caused me doubt and more confusion. It is awesome that He doesn't tell you anything UNTIL you seek Him first...because then you are ready to be receptive and obedient. And it is awesome that He only reveals as you are obedient. Seek and Obey...let's hear your verses!
In Him,
Kristy
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Few Reminders!
Hey y'all,
Here are a few reminders =)
Here are a few reminders =)
- Tomorrow is the 15th...be praying for God to reveal the scripture He has picked out for you to memorize. If you have not participated in the past...start NOW! Just check tomorrow's post and either use verse from the post or your own...it is totally up to you! We would LOVE for you to join us in hiding God's Word in our hearts. Billie's message Sunday night was "on time". You may not always have your Bible available when satan attacks or tragedy strikes...you need scripture in your heart and mind to pull out for comfort and as weapons!
- Saturday is the tea PARTY! woohoo!!! I can't wait for the food, fellowship and guest speakers from far, far away! It's going to be great!
- Next Monday night is Women on Mission...it's a great place to plug into our WMU.
More tomorrow! Have a great day in HIM!
Kristy
Thursday, April 8, 2010
It is almost Party Time!!
I absolutely LOVE a party. Granted it needs to be a party where everything said or done builds up people and gives God glory. The kind of parties that you want to have pictures of to share and not the kind of party where you would D-I-E if anyone from church actually saw the pictures. It needs to be parties where everyone feels welcome and comfortable with the atmosphere...where Jesus could sit at the table and enjoy the conversation. Those parties in today's world are hard to find. I think hospitality is my favorite spiritual gift...unfortunatley God gifted me first with Leadership, then with Administration, and sadly Hospitality came in third! haha.
Sorry...I digress...back to the topic...Anyway...the tea party is coming quickly and it has potential to be the best one yet! I am so excited about it. It is my favorite party of the year. This year God led us to a theme that is just going to be awesome! And our travelling visitors are going to be great to listen to and get to know better.
If you are free, be sure to come Saturday, April 17 at 10am and check it out for yourselves!
Have a great week!
In Him,
Kristy
Sorry...I digress...back to the topic...Anyway...the tea party is coming quickly and it has potential to be the best one yet! I am so excited about it. It is my favorite party of the year. This year God led us to a theme that is just going to be awesome! And our travelling visitors are going to be great to listen to and get to know better.
If you are free, be sure to come Saturday, April 17 at 10am and check it out for yourselves!
Have a great week!
In Him,
Kristy
Thursday, April 1, 2010
SMC
Good morning!
My verse this time is from a friend of mine. She gave it to me when I was struggling with a decision to step out of my comfort zone and do something new and challenging. I was hearing God's soft voice but honestly I was ignoring it. I thought if I ignored Him long enough He would send someone else to do it. How sad is that? But it was going to be hard or worse it could possibly be fruitless and inefficient and y'all know that would drive me nuts! And life has become so easy for me in this season...but deep down I was so excited to be asked that I couldn't hardly stand it. I was honored and humbled that my name had even surfaced in the nomination discussion by folks I do not even know. Then in the midst of all that it hit me...my earthly hero Henry Blackaby says "you cannot go with God and stay the same" You have to be changed if you continue to go with Him! So ultimately I had a HUGE Moses at the burning bush moment that finally brought me to my knees and I said OK OK I'll do it. That was one of those times I truly understood the "fear of the Lord"! And this verse she shared was one of the final straws that broke me.
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (NIV)
Effective June 1st...I'll be serving on the Johnston Baptist Association WMU Board as the Mission Consultant for the county. Pray me up girls! I need it!
Have a wonderful day in Him!!
Love ya
Kristy
My verse this time is from a friend of mine. She gave it to me when I was struggling with a decision to step out of my comfort zone and do something new and challenging. I was hearing God's soft voice but honestly I was ignoring it. I thought if I ignored Him long enough He would send someone else to do it. How sad is that? But it was going to be hard or worse it could possibly be fruitless and inefficient and y'all know that would drive me nuts! And life has become so easy for me in this season...but deep down I was so excited to be asked that I couldn't hardly stand it. I was honored and humbled that my name had even surfaced in the nomination discussion by folks I do not even know. Then in the midst of all that it hit me...my earthly hero Henry Blackaby says "you cannot go with God and stay the same" You have to be changed if you continue to go with Him! So ultimately I had a HUGE Moses at the burning bush moment that finally brought me to my knees and I said OK OK I'll do it. That was one of those times I truly understood the "fear of the Lord"! And this verse she shared was one of the final straws that broke me.
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (NIV)
Effective June 1st...I'll be serving on the Johnston Baptist Association WMU Board as the Mission Consultant for the county. Pray me up girls! I need it!
Have a wonderful day in Him!!
Love ya
Kristy
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