Month: October 2007

Missions

Rejoice! It’s Thursday!!!

A. Knight

I have anxiously waited for “THURSDAY”….not only because it happens to be next door to Friday either!

A day devoted to being thankful!

Just a few of the MANY things I am thankful for:

I am thankful for Iris, for being a friend….and encouraging me….and allowing me to share my faith in Jesus and ALL He has done in my life with a larger group! A group of extremely talented and awesome ladies! I am nothing! But I have learned God can make something from nothing….so I trust that He will take the words and touch a heart. Maybe bring a soul into communion with Him!

I am thankful (and a wee bit nervous), that we will be hosting a “20 Something Bible Study” in our home on two Tuesday nights of each month! Please begin to pray with us for these small group meetings….for lives to be changed for Christ! To do the will of the Father!

I am thankful that Iris pointed me in the bloggy direction of the “random drawing calculator”! It was neat! And—-I was so pleasantly surprised to see who won!!!

I am thankful that “Barnes & Noble opened last night in Dothan! Yipee!!! AND I am thankful that when I called to inquire about two books by R.T. Kendall that my brother-in-law recommended—-they can get it for me QUICK!

I am thankful that my SWEET man does not seem to mind too much my addiction to books!

I am thankful for a precious sister-in-Christ who directed me on the phone (which is next best to in person), through something I had never done before!!! AND I was able to retain that knowledge!!!

I am thankful that my SWEET man shared his testimony at our Youth Group meeting tonight and it was so good! I am thankful that he “listened” to the voice of God over 26 years ago!

I am thankful for a wonderful church full of precious people! I REJOICE in that!!!!

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7 Iris has shared these verses….wow! Rejoice ALWAYS!
Is that hard to do or what!

This week I found it hard at some points. To be called a fool for believing in someone….for believing in salvation and that it can CHANGE lives….that hurt. I even let it get to me….but I forgot something…something I read last Thursday on a precious sister blog. Tami from The Next Step shared with us something that “helped me” THIS WEEK! As I laid my head on the lap of my Savior and my tears fell fast He gently reminded me what I had read….

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. NIV

This inner struggle was feeling akin to a pit. It was hard. It was tough. It was showing in my attitude and outlook. Robin from Heart of Wisdom said this today, “The darkness lasts as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose.” Wow….do you see what I see? We may be in a dark place….but He has a flashlight….it is His Word—and it brings healing. His Word is EVERYTHING we need in life. When I went to bed that night, I placed my Bible across my chest open to the Psalms. I had read several passages from the study I was in, but I wanted to feel the “weight” of it against my heart. I wanted it to “sink” in. I wanted my Lord to hold me….and Mamma Doodle….He did. Just like you have told me many times that He does for you!

I have always encouraged my daughters, “take every problem to Jesus”….”He can fix it! He is waiting”….why did I struggle with this one? Because I am human. But I let it go.

As Jeff and I sat at supper the next evening, and I shared my pain with him, he ministered to my soul. He gave me my words right back that I have uttered to him and our girls time and time again. He reminded me that God was big enough to take care of anything.

I was discussing with the Lord the next morning the times that I had tried so hard to witness to this person. How I had shared with this individual of the great love the Father had for him. How He had spared his life. Watched over him. How Christ died for him. I am reminded by Jeff that I have done and said all I should. I am to let God do the rest.

I promise I will. I have made a promise with someone to pray everyday for the salvation of this young soul. And I will.

I love you girls (and anyone else reading!). Each one of you touch my heart with comments of encouragement, (((hugs)))) and love all along the way. If I start naming blogs, I will miss a favorite. They are all special and unique….just like their owner! So, do yourself a favor…..visit as many as you can! Comment on as many as you can…you have no idea how it blesses the writer! We are here for the same purpose—-“win the lost to Christ”—through every means possible!!!

I expect more blessings from reading the great “thankful posts” this week! Get on over to sweet Iris’s place and read more Thankful Thursdays!

Missions

In Other Words!

A. Knight

“We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we
have to prove our mettle.”
~ Oswald Chamber~

Laurel of Laurel Wreath Reflections is the precious host this week for “Tuesdays In Other Words”. She has given us an awesome—heart searching—soul speaking—quote. If I may copy the definition she uses….”mettle—one’s disposition or temperament”…hmmmm—this gives me cause for pause.

Saturday, when the boys were playing, Rylan became very aggressive. We were in a valley experience. This happens from time to time. These days, more so as the doctors are adjusting his meds. I had pulled him to another room to talk to him about his behavior. You have to pull his attention to you continually (almost every other word). Having never dealt with an autistic child before, it is a struggle at times—indeed can be a valley. But what the Lord show me about me through Rylan’s life….shows me my “mettle”. My disposition comes through sometimes loud and clear. Especially when my patience is at the very last thread….

I told him that his behavior was not pleasing the Lord. The Lord was not happy with the way he was treating his brother. Hitting, pushing and punching was not nice. I try and keep the conversations short, so the next thing was to “pray” about the attitude and actions. I asked Rylan if he wanted to pray. He nodded his head and laid his head on my shoulder. I could not understand what he was saying in the beginning, but about mid way through some of the words began to become clear….. “…and to dah m-public for which it tand, one mashun unner God indi— (undecipherable) wit libbirddie and just for all…” okay…I know you may not have understood a single word….what he said was not understandable……To me……But to God…(what do you think?)….to me that wasn’t a prayer…it may have “sounded” prayer like…because of the “tempo and inflection” he used, but still not a “real” prayer. But to his mind…it was a prayer. To God it was a prayer. Why? Because God knows his heart. His heart was “sorry” for the way he acted to his little brother.

Here we go to the mountain. After his prayer, we prayed again. For his love to show. It was a short prayer, but you could “see” his love in his eyes. In his heart is the mountain top. Through the ordinary of everyday….God gives us little mountain top experiences….sometimes we can’t see them for the clouds. But I am glad for the journey there….He shows me what needs to be fixed in me.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2

Whether the “dwelling place” is the mountains…or the valley….if God is our Shelter…we are safe. His word speaks to my heart on a daily basis…but when I am in despair…not only does it speak….It HEALS….it is a balm….it is “antibiotic ointment”.

Fear not; for I have redeemed thee,
I have called thee by thy name;
Thou art mine.
When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee,
And through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee;
When thou walkest through the fire,
thou shalt not be burned;
Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Isaiah 43:1-3

Missions

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger Book Give-away!

A. Knight

As promised, I am giving away this book! When I read this, I was overwhelmed with the thought of dinner with my Lord. But if you stop and think about it….He is with us all the time! Whether we take the time to thank Him for the food, acknowledge His presence or not, He is there. Watching…waiting to be invited to our tables, into our homes and into our hearts and lives.
I had purchased this from books-a-million several months ago intrigued with the title. When I sat down and read it one Sunday afternoon a couple of months ago, I was mesmerized. I wanted to sit at that table and look into the eyes of the One that gave His life so that I would have the chance to sit at the “big table” one day….in the not to distant future….
So, if you don’t already have this book….and you’d like the chance to read it, simply leave me a comment on this post or the Thankful Thursday post requesting to be entered into the drawing! The drawing will be held Wednesday, October 10, 2007 and I will announce the winner on Thursday during the Thankful Thursday post!
By the way, if you aren’t presently participating in the Thankful Thursday, let me encourage you to do so. You have no idea how you will be blessed until you do! God will take His flashlight of love and shine it into your heart and allow you to see the things you may be overlooking as blessings!!! If you are one of my regular sweet readers….(which I absolutely LOVE to pieces) —and do not have a blog, I encourage you to read as many of the others participating as you have time for. The Lord will bless you in amazing ways! Take the attitude of Thankful Thursday into your lives on a daily basis. Yes, life is tough…..but it is tougher when we don’t recognize what we have in Jesus!
Now about the book…
The mysterious envelope arrives on Nick Cominsky’s desk amid a stack of credit card applications and business-related junk mail. Although his seventy-hour workweek has already eaten into his limited family time, Nick can’t pass up the opportunity to see what kind of plot his colleagues have hatched.
The normally confident, cynical Nick soon finds himself thrown off-balance, drawn into an intriguing conversation with a baffling man who appears to be more than comfortable discussing everything from world religions to the existence of heaven and hell. And this man who calls himself Jesus also seems to know a disturbing amount about Nick’s personal life.
When he sees the “thirty-something guy in a blue business suit” waiting at the table in the upscale restaurant, he’s still not easily persuaded that the man is Jesus Christ. Cynical and mocking, Nick looks around for hidden mirrors and throws out the first challenge: sipping the wine (a mid-range white) he asks, “Can you turn this wine into water?”
How his dinner partner deals with that and the far more important questions that come up is the theme of Dinner with a Perfect Stranger , a little book that touches on issues rarely dealt with in popular fiction.
I leave you with that!…..kind of makes you hungry for more huh? Even if you aren’t a “blogger”, you can participate. If you post your comments as anonymous, please be sure and e-mail me. I will certainly include you!
Country Life Messages, Thankful Thursdays

A Plate Full of Thankfulness!

A. Knight


Last week I made the decision to write out “Thank you cards”….not the kind you generally think of….but “reminders” for me of all the blessings of God. I would write each day a blessing….something I am thankful for. No matter how trivial some might view it, if it meant something to me, then I should be thankful.

The Lord started speaking to me some verses that went along with some of them. I have been amazed at the things I have been taking for granted. But when January 1, 2008 makes its grand arrival, I will have filled 100 cards with notes of thankfulness. I am learning to appreciate things more. I am learning to praise God “from whom all blessings flow”.

The picture may not appear at first glance to “go with anything I have written. But just wait…..

Our ladies ministry has a special “tea” once a year to raise money for missions. The tea always has a theme. Last year was my first year participating in said event. I enjoyed it immensely. God was good. My sister Wanda, and our sweet friend Wilma, prepared our table with delicacies from our kitchens, and we set the table with finery. There were grand displays of God’s goodness all around the room.

This year the theme is “The Glory of Autumn”. Last year I had purchased 6 plates and 6 cups and saucers from TJ Maxx. I liked the brown and cream dishes. I liked the feel, the colors and the look of the dishes. But though I searched in every nearby city I could only find 6. We even called some friends in neighboring larger cities and gave detailed description but to no avail. Six was all it would be. Well, if you know anything about TJ—you know that unless it is a “big brand” you aren’t likely to ever see it again. I had called Jeff one day (had a brain storm to check e-bay), and asked him to look on the back of the dishes for a name….he replied…”microwave and dishwasher safe—Fine China”.

My heart really wanted to use these dishes this year for the tea. However, I needed 8. How many do I have? Six. Well, I am THANKFUL that I have friends that love me enough to “keep an eye peeled”. My sweet friend that scours TJ for goodies constantly called me a few days ago and said, “Angie, you aren’t going to believe this….I think I have found your plates.” The way it went down is so “GOD like”—–read on!

If you faithfully trudge through the aisles at TJ Maxx, you know very well how “full” the dish shelves are. Sometimes, you have to literally dig and stack your way to what you want. This store was not any different. Stacks of plates, cups, bowls, platters simply covered every shelf. Every shelf but one. On this lone shelf sat two…..yes I said 2 plates of the sweet brown rose pattern. All alone. Displayed in such a strategic way that she would not miss them. Might I suggest that an angel came through the store just before she did and unearthed them from the piles of china and stoneware and pushed EVERYTHING else aside so that they would not be missed? Well, believe what you will, I happen to serve a God that when He says He will give us the desires of our hearts, I believe He actually meant it. Do you realize that 6 + 2 = 8? Yeah, I thought you’d pick up on that!

Well, not only did He supply the plates…..but my friend’s sister….while on her vacation….was sent a picture on her phone of “what to look for”….and low and behold…..2 cups and saucers. What do we have???? WE HAVE A SET OF EIGHT!!!!! That is what kind of God we serve ladies! He cares about our “tea parties for missions!” I am thrilled beyond words that He took the time to take care of this small detail. Could we do the tea without them? Absolutely. I could have even borrowed some pretty white dishes from my mother that would grace the table with refined elegance…..The dishes themselves will NOT save one soul. But maybe the witness of God’s miracles will impact someones life.

What we enjoy in life matters to God. We matter to Him. Our faithfulness to Him is important.

Psalm 37:3-6 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

We must Trust in Him, dwell with Him (daily walk), delight in Him (be joyous over Him), commit our ways to Him (dedicate our lives daily to Him) and He will gladly shower us with His love, mercy, grace and ……plates, cups and saucers!—-the desires of our hearts! Our hearts desire should be what HE WANTS in us.

Trust Him. Walk with Him. Invite Him to “ride” with you daily. Be joyous over Him–rejoice out loud to Him of His wondrous love and mercy! Your “cups and saucers…..will run over with His best!

Now, as to the book pictured…..I didn’t forget to mention it—-I am having another “GIVE AWAY”. No tricks—-just a treat for someone—-just make a comment that you’d like to be included and I will tell you more about the book and the day of the drawing on Friday.

For more….”Thankful Thursday” post head on over to sweet Iris’ place and be thankful! It is amazing how you will feel refreshed in spirit when you start thinking of all that we have to be thankful for!!! By the way….Iris, I missed you….glad you are BACK!!!

Missions

Discipleship

A. Knight


(Award created by Management by God–Dan King)

I have been blessed—all glory….for anything that is accomplished through me or anything I do, goes to God. For His grace and mercy in my life. I was honored by Debbie Shank with the pictured award. I searched out the roots of this award and would like to share it with you.

Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple (per the Great Commission) is to make more disciples. The call to make disciples was not given to just the pastors….but to all—of —-us. There are many people in my life that I feel fit the category of living the life before others in such a way as to lead others to Christ through witness, various ministries, prayer and counseling. I now share this award with some of those that have influenced my life, my walk and my heart—-along with countless others! Each individual has their own way of sharing Christ. Unique to themselves. Same servants heart….just different styles. That’s what wins souls. We are not called to be cookie cutter Christians….but are called to live in Christ…in the world He placed us in….with our personality…but His message!

These five all share the message in their own creative ways, and I admire them all for what they do. God bless you all—for you have blessed my life!
e Pastor Juno—your blogging ministry has blessed me—especially since I cannot hear you preach each Sunday!
e Sarah—you have been there—guiding me along the “new journey” of youth ministry blogging! Your encouragement and help goes way beyond what I can express!
e Lynn—how you have prayed—I have felt those prayers lifting my spirits! Your words of wisdom in your posts are incredible! I find constant delight for my soul when I “plop myself” on the spiritually speaking “blogger sofa”! Bless you !
e Vicki—I am revived! I stand near the window (pictured on your blog) and feel the breeze of the Holy Spirit! Your words are a band aid when I need it…cool water when I thirst and necessary redirection to my heart when the Lord feels I need that too! It is too awesome to tell—what an encouragement your blog ministry is to me!
e Melissa—Her ministry in her blog is what the title says….a “Breath of Life”. There you will find life…in Christ….encouragement for the soul. Joy of heart! I have recently added Melissa to my page to make it convenient for me…(probably a bit selfish of me 😉 ), but I wanted to share her ministry with those that visit my page. I have been told by friends/family that they do visit the others on my page. That is encouraging! What you write—-reaches far and wide into the kingdom of God!

There are many names I could add (but was restricted to 5)—as I have leaned heavily on Iris, Laurel, Ellen, and Robin for their godly counsel in my own life. Their blogs are drenched in His Holy Spirit. I encourage you to seek them out from my sidebar. Sting my Heart, Laurel Wreath, The Happy Wonderer, and Robinznest! You will find godly counsel. You will find peace, joy and truth. There are days you will also laugh out loud (scaring everyone around you!), but there is definite joy in the journey with the Father! To these four precious sisters in Christ….I lift my “mouse” in salute to you! Go forth and continue bloggin’ for Christ! I am “sneaking” your “mathetes award” to you with this post—sssshhhhh—don’t tell that I went over the limit!


Galatians 6:10 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
That is what we do daily for one another…..here in this place—-these blogs—-He is here working through us…for us….in us…..all.

God bless you friends!