faith – Page 5 – Jeff & Angie

faith, Family, For Sisters of Faith, Wanda

Today, February 1st

February 1, 2016October 21, 2016 A. Knight

It begins. Not that it ever ended–but today is a day like Frederick Buechner described:

“Joy is a mystery because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most unpromising circumstances, even in the midst of suffering, with tears in its eyes….” ― Frederick Buechner

For the last eight years, I’ve found joy amidst sadness. “The sad” tries to horn in on the joy in our daily giving of gratitude to God for His faithful love and ever Present Self. Don’t mistake this post or this month of beautiful February as a month to mourn. It’s not. It IS a month to celebrate life, love, faith and sisters!

After my sister Wanda left for her eternal home, several realities hit. I needed to live, as never before, to make a difference. To impact another life for God, and help someone lost find “Home”…. “heaven”…. to introduce them to Jesus Christ–my Savior… with every mission trip–and trip to Walmart–I hope I do. It’s my goal. But there are days–just like some recent ones–where the goal wasn’t on my mind. Instead the focus was — “get in–get out–get home”. I bet you have days like that too. It’s okay–as long as you know at the end of that day, God is still real whether you felt His breath on your face or you felt alone. And He still loves you and has a plan for your life.

Several weeks ago another friend left for her eternal Home. She left behind a precious sister and dear brother and my heart wept for them and I prayed for them because I knew what the days might look like ahead for them. For the sister, I knew there would be countless times she would pick up the phone to call her sister and tell her a funny, or to vent, or rant…. and to check on her. And that every time she sees socks, she will think of her–Christmas or not.

We do that with purple. Anything purple makes us remember Wanda.

Our sister Wanda loved the color. It was the final dress she wore. A beautiful shade of purple that was unlike any I had seen. It was my favorite suit on her–that’s why Aimee and I chose it. Wanda looked regal in it. Well, to us, she looked regal in everything!

After Wanda passed away, Aimee and I began celebrating purple–(and I can’t remember exactly how it all came about) –but it started with a beautiful cake a friend made to celebrate Wanda’s birthday and I had ordered about 2 dozen dark purple t-shirts. “Sisters of Faith” with her favorite verse, Psalms 27:14.

We absolutely celebrate every day. We wear something purple–even if it’s just earrings! And we enjoy the life God has blessed us with and we celebrate with joy–the fact that He gave us a precious sister like none other and we will have a blessed reunion one day in heaven. It’s a fact.

So, if you are blessed with a sister, or a dear friend that you feel is a sister–CELEBRATE her!

Celebrate your faith in God and the hope we have–and the love and life He’s given!

Celebrate life! Celebrate with purple! 🙂

We will.

Childhood Memories, faith, Family

Happy Birthday Mother!

January 31, 2016October 21, 2016 A. Knight

I think–probably 90% of the kids believe they have the “best” mother in the world…and I am one of that percentage. We believe it pretty strong…we are certain.

I read something from a book a couple weeks ago–about a conversation that perhaps “God” may have had. He hand picked some kids. Some that had special needs…and chose the parents according to the gifts that He put inside them. Their strength. Their passion. Their love. I believe God hand picked my mother and chose “us” to be blessed by her strength–her passion and her deep love. Her love for God is what has made each one of us who we are today.

When life handed her hard times, I won’t say she didn’t flinch–because as a mother and grandmother myself, I know that flinching often takes place–but we don’t turn away from what’s in front of us….she stepped up to the plate in the ballgame of life and took her best swing. And hit the ball smack-dab in the middle.

When money was tight, cupboards were skimpy, love was not. No one rode in on a white horse and rescued her–but she knew that her faith in God was firm, solid and secure–and He (God) never failed to supply our needs.

I think today about what kids are subjected to–what they are allowed to do–and how they respond to life and I can’t help but wonder what it would be like for some of them if they grew up in our house.

Laundry every.single.Saturday taught us all responsibility. You wear it–you wash it. You wash it–you fold it and put it away. Not next week. Not in a minute when you finish that game–but now. (When I was growing up, there were no games, only books.) We won’t even get started on the things different today versus how we grew up….you don’t have enough time to read all that!

I have been doing some internal reflecting–and I see where some of mine and Aimee’s “thinking” comes from. It comes from our mother and the foundation she laid early in our lives. Even when things were so hard and I saw tears in her eyes–I saw a strong resolve that no one in our house would ever feel the rejection that happens all too often. Her heart is always ready with generous portions of love, prayers, and the Truth that holds her foundation secure. And if you stop by, chances are, you will get a sack full of produce from her garden if there is something in season…even if it’s just garlic. 🙂

Mother, I pray that your birthday–even though your children are not gathered there today–is filled with love and knowledge that you have blessed the lives of 4 children that were gifts from God–and you did everything He assigned you –above and beyond your ability–because HE blessed you with ability beyond your imagination! We love you so much! I am grateful beyond words to call you “Mother”.
Thank you for standing with me and Jeff in our journey to the mission field…thank you for praying for us diligently and for you and Grandbuddy “sending” us. It is my greatest blessing to be your daughter. I love you– Happy Birthday.

faith, Life Issues, love, New Year, Wanda

HOPE is a CHOICE

November 30, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

2016 is not yet here—but it is coming! A year for HOPE. I don’t have my Christmas tree up yet….I will show you when I do, but my heart is already looking at 2016. I know. Stay in the present…but I find it hard sometimes. I keep straining to peek into 2016.

Before the New Year gets here, I wanted to share a little encouragement to those who may already have your blanket ready to pull over your head and hide for the next few weeks of seasonal festivities. I have one too…although, I pull it out much less often.

In 2013, I spoke at a Covenant Hospice event these words:

“Hope remembers the past, is aware of the present, but presses on toward the future.”

I was there to share an encouraging word to those who had suffered loss that year. It was the Christmas season—a time when we who have lost someone, remembers the heartaches of losing. More than losing a battle—or losing a game. This loss bears heavy on each person for months and years. Every anniversary we are reminded of the pain of loss. But today, I want to remind us of the HOPE we have. Let 2016 become a brand new start for each one.

Hope remembers. Hope can hear the past; the funny stories, the sweet songs, and Hope chooses that which is good. Hope realizes the present and has a determined focus to help someone else each day and believes firmly that tomorrow holds new life….as we are in Christ Jesus.

Hope rejoices. Psalms 146:5 “But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper-whose hope is in the LORD their God.”

As odd as this may sound, when my sister, Wanda was leaving this life, my younger sister, Aimee began telling funny family stories. We began to laugh. It was just the immediate family—and we felt at ease in the Presence of God. I even felt in my spirit that Wanda lingered a bit longer because she loved to laugh and loved a good “Aimee story”.

It’s okay to laugh—just as it’s okay to weep. We need both. It is a washing of the eyes and soul. And we all need that bath.

Hope is resilient. Hope resolves to continue on. Hope anchored in Christ recovers readily from the winds and waves of life. Hope pushes us forward, knowing “forward” is where healing and growth takes place, not with our heels and heart digging into the past dry dirt of yesterday. There’s no nourishment in the past.

As we navigated through our first Christmas without Wanda, I felt like I walked around wearing my clothes wrong-side-out. I felt turned around and upside down. This was new. I was not sure how I was supposed to transition through this season of life.

The joy of the LORD truly became my strength. I discovered that laughter is possible again—and love continues on. Even after they’re gone. And even with fresh tears, I can smile and rejoice at a new day coming!

Yes, our futures do look different when they are gone—but Hope can take that seat at the table and we can feast on the joy of the LORD. It takes time to see this—as that first year I didn’t feel that “Hope”, rather I felt the reminder of Loss. Navigation is painful—and often difficult. But when we allow the God of hope to guide our hearts and minds—it is possible.

We are approaching our 8^thyear of her home-going. Memories still flood the heart—but Hope stands strong beside each one. We remember all the blessings and we rejoice in God’s gift of life—and we become resilient as we keep our faith, trust and HOPE in Jesus Christ.

After all, Hope is a choice.

faith, Life, love, marriage

Two or Three

November 16, 2015 A. Knight

I love it when God does this:

As I was praying this morning for various needs that I was aware of, a blogger friend that I met several years ago in person at a She Speaks Conference came to my mind. Over and over her name kept calling out to me, as if to say, pray for me. So I did. From the bed where I lay, I began to whisper a prayer and asked God to meet the needs in her life–to shelter her, cover her, bring healing, peace, whatever her need might be- I didn’t know, but HE did. And that’s all that mattered.

Before long though, I had to get up. A feeling of “get alone with God” just kept me awake. So I rose and walked the few yards from our camper to our house. (Bathroom work being done and since we only have one, we need to sleep where there is one handy in the middle of the night.)

The house was quiet and warm. I put on coffee and turned on a couple of lamps and I felt The Holy Spirit with me. Some old fears have tried to creep up on me–from long years ago, but I push them aside, settle myself and begin to pray. The Lord brought two more to my mind to pray for and so they were added to my invisible prayer list.

A fraction of a verse came to me while praying, “two or more gathered in my name”…. I almost felt like maybe He had woke someone else to join me in this prayer vigil for these that I had no clue what their needs were…He has before. I love how He surprises me- especially when it comes to how He works in our prayer lives.

Just as I finished praying and writing some prayer thoughts in my journal, I opened my “God Calling”….and what do I see (this is a surprise, because I hadn’t looked at it in many days–and actually it was in the camper and at the last minute, I reached for it in the dark and tucked it in my bag before I left for the house), but this verse:

“Where two or three are gathered together in My name there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

I smiled–and thought how amazing God is. There is no way I could ever describe all the times He has done similar things –but suffice it to say, it has been many -and this morning I had asked for a rejuvenation in my prayer life–a constant awareness of His presence and He showed me after He told me.

The WORD is a constant awareness of His presence–

HIS power–

& His purpose for us.

We attended a wedding this weekend–it was beautiful! We attended one just a few weeks ago as well that was just as beautiful and the presence of God was so REAL in both that I could sense the Holy Spirit there.

As I thought about this verse this morning, the picture from both weddings came to my mind of the minister (who was also the dad), as he placed his hand on the shoulders of the bride and groom to pray over them.

Three. Where there are two, The Holy Spirit is the third person uniting in prayer with us–for us–to our Father for the needs in our lives or the needs of others.

I am so thankful to know that no matter what my needs, where I am, the distance I have traveled–HE is there. And He can and will wake someone up to pray for me when I am in need. I may never know who or when, but I believe and TRUST in His healing-saving-grace filled power!

faith, Focus Forward Ministries, Missions

But What Can I Do?

September 25, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

My husband often shares how he finally accepted the call to ministry. For so long he ignored the Voice that kept speaking –tugging– nudging his heart.

Finally one day in prayer, as a wrestling match was going on inside his heart, God spoke with the soft voice of the Holy Spirit and gave Jeff some great truths. “I never called you to pastor a church, I just called you to follow Me”.

Jeff’s granddaddy had been a pastor of a Baptist church in a small community for over 30 years. Jeff’s younger brother is an associate pastor in a large church in a college town (same church for 30+ years). Jeff had never felt drawn to either. He’s not a limelight kind of guy–he’s a worker bee. Loves to serve and do for others without being seen. God can use that.

HOWEVER, just because someone loves to serve off stage, doesn’t mean that they will remain there. God has a purpose and plan that is being opened up daily as we continue to “follow Him”.

Jeff said, “yes” to God’s call- and plan of action. Ministry has many avenues–and there are so many ways and places to serve and be a light for Christ. Missions has always been at the heart of what we think about– Jeff’s first trip was in 1994 and after that–it seemed God began to put it deeper in our spirits each year.

When missionaries would come to our church-it left me in tears–wanting to do all I could. We often think that unless we “go”, we aren’t doing what we can do. NOTHING could be further than the truth! There are things we can do from our own home!

Blogging is a big one–that’s mission work! You never know who will read–or when, but put the Truth of Christ and His love for others out there! Another one is “support a missionary”. Pray for a missionary! Find out things they need and help fill their list.

As Jeff and I embark on this new road, we realize all the things we have done in the past for missionaries is JUST as important as going. Helping one get there–is HUGE.

One of my sweetest little friends had a birthday party this year. Her 9th. Instead of gifts–she wanted all her family and friends to bring her school supplies…..so she could give them to US for our mission trip. Good grief I cried over that. She thought that up on her own. No one coerced her…or even suggested. She is sensitive to the voice of The Holy Spirit and obeyed.

As we get older–it gets harder to listen and obey…why? Because we think we need to insert our ideas and plans. News Flash (to myself), God doesn’t need help. He will give detailed instructions when it calls for it. There are times though that He expects us to use the ingenuity that He gives us…that’s relying on the direction of The Holy Spirit.

One of the ladies from our church–who is also my daughter’s mother-in-law, made almost 500 salvation bracelets. My son-in-law ordered business size cards with the colors and explanation of each color, the plan of salvation in Spanish. Okay–sounds simple–but it was crucial to us sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No one told either of them to do that. They listened to the voice of The Holy Spirit–and obeyed.

Another friend came to me and said her church ladies makes little dresses in various sizes and wanted to know if we would take some with us for the little girls in Bolivia. Absolutely. It is the rarest of things for a little girl to get something brand new–RARE. Especially those that live in the outlying villages. Poverty dwells in abundance. So they made 50 dresses and bought matching underwear and bagged and tagged each one–with a sweet card that let the little recipient know she is loved and cared for. No one asked her to do that….They followed their hearts and did what they knew how to do. Sew.

What can you do? Have you ever thought about it? Some think that unless I have $100 to give–that’s not really enough. Let me share with you what one missionary told me this last week: “I would rather have 20 offerings of $5 from those who sacrificed to give than one $100 offering”.

Mission work comes in all shapes and sizes. Mission work is the day-to-day stuff.

Encouragement to one who is downhearted.
A cooked meal for the mom who is over-worked-over-stressed and on the edge.
A pack of diapers to the mom of the 12 month old–because at that point people forget that it’s still a need–and she gets very little rest.
Mission work is offering to sit with the kids while the busy mom takes a walk to clear her head–and you straighten her kitchen while she’s out.
Mission work is praying –at all hours of the day or night–whenever that nudge comes.

Simple mission work is often overlooked because we think it’s got to be big and grandiose. It just has to be from the heart. Big or small. That doesn’t matter….just give from the heart. Don’t let the head rule. The head will talk us out of doing–or going–or giving. The head will convince us that we “can’t”… or that it’s too small to count or matter…. or “what will they think of me”…. There we go…mission work work is not about “us”….it’s about them.

So. What can I do? More that what we are currently doing. God will absolutely use the very things that YOU love to do! If you love to sew–God will use it! If you love to cook—OH HOW HE WILL USE IT! If you love to give–He has missionaries all over that needs supporting…. and if you are willing to get in your “war room” and pray…. That, my friend, is one of the greatest ways we can serve as a missionary. I would love to hear of the ways that you enjoy serving! There is so much to do–so many who have never heard of Jesus Christ–who don’t know that He came to this earth as a baby, lived and died for our sins! We have little time left–we must do all we can today.

We lead mission teams–and love sharing with others the blessings that come from going-doing and giving. The more we do–the more we WANT to do. And now, God has called us beyond the borders of our comfort zone–and no joke–it’s a bit scary at times to consider all the mountains that loom in the distance–BUT God will supply our strength and resources as we continue to take steps of faith with Him. I am totally human…and break out in a hot-flashin’-sweat just thinking about it at times–but really–there is NOTHING in the world I want to do other than follow Jesus wherever He leads.

Will you pray with us? We would love to hear from you! You can find out more about our ministry and trip details and how to contact us at focusforwardminstries.com. Thank you in advance for being our prayer warrior! That’s what YOU can do!

faith, Missions

I need to tell you something…

September 12, 2015October 28, 2020 A. Knight

Whenever I hear those words, “I need to tell you something”, my gut always lurches. Always. Usually–or when we had kids at home, it was followed by a confession of something that had gotten broken during some “rough-housing”…and yes, even daughters do that. Or at least ours did.

It’s 11:33 pm and I’ve been sitting on some news since last Friday. So, a week ago we got a verbal answer to a prayer we had been praying for more than a year. Actually, if you want to get real technical and nit-picky, we’ve probably had this on the altar of prayer for about 4 years. Not sure what-when-how God would order our steps, we just knew (and know) He does.

In February of this year, we began the process to become missionaries to Bolivia. Santa Cruz to be really specific. The city and country that claimed our attention and heart after our first mission trip together. We actually celebrated Jeff’s birthday that first year there in 2011. We told very few people. We were secretly fearful that they would find all sorts of things wrong with us. Our past. Our lack of experience. Our age….and when it all boiled down to it, our age did become a factor.

The first thing we did was make a prayerful decision. Months of prayer–then one morning Jeff said it: “We need to fill out the paperwork to become missionaries full time to Bolivia”. Wow. You could have knocked me over with a feather. And that day– was an AMAZING day. I wish you could have seen the sky that day–why, it was the bluest it’s ever been! And the birds–well, they sang the best and the loudest that day! Do you get the picture? It was a spectacular–surreal feeling day. Then the next day came. And then the next…

After a few weeks of paperwork. Buckets of tears. (Maybe not quite buckets, but I was an emotional wreck for a few weeks.) Anyway, the process began with the big WAIT. Weeks went by. We traveled to Bolivia in May for our 2015 Mission Trip with an incredible Crusade Team and the Focus Forward Team. It was amazing. God opened a new door and two new Schools!

We were thankful and saw and felt God move in our lives.

The summer came and brought lively camps. Jeff spent every Tuesday sharing our heart for our new mission project with Focus Forward Ministries sharing about The Genesis Project. The BIG WAIT continued. Still no word.

Finally a letter arrived. Not quite what we had hoped. Actually, it was nothing like what we had prayed for nor expected. We felt sort of shuffled. Aside.

Tears. Prayers. More tears. And finally, I settled it in my heart when I handed all my dreams and plans over to God. Jeff pretty much said the same thing. God had been working in each of us–and we were having the same feelings in much the same direction. We were going to wait on God no matter what He said or no matter how long it took. We knew He had a plan–and it was HIS plan–not ours that we wanted to see fulfilled in our lives.

Later in the summer we began to prepare for our ordination exam. Nerve wracking to say the least. It was like, “let’s just add a bit more stress and anxiety to the mix!”.

I remember being outside one day–I can’t remember what I was doing–but I felt a “stir”. It was one I had felt before. It was like “something is coming”-– I felt a definite change in the air. Maybe that “something” was news. News. Maybe it was changes in our lives. It actually was both.

Our District Superintendent and his wife, who is also one of our oldest and dearest friends came to our house last Friday night with the “news”. He played a recorded voice mail (which I recorded for future encouragement–who knew I would need it even this week!) of our “approval” to be missionaries to Santa Cruz Bolivia! Under the supervision of a great missionary couple that we had the privilege of working with THIS YEAR! God planned all that out in advance!

This is really skimming the surface of the news….but I needed to tell you…. After all, so many of you have been praying for us… and when things looked the bleakest— God was working on our behalf.

Some have asked–how long? When will you go? Well, first things first: Raise our budget. Raise our monthly support. Two separate things, but two necessary things. We don’t know how much yet that we have to raise, but we have much to do! We were told we could begin itinerating immediately! With that, I contacted one of the pastors who had sent a young couple with us to Bolivia this year to share our news–as they had been praying with us as well–and they said immediately, “sign us up!” Well, of course they will have to do that when we get our number, but honestly, what a shot in the arm that was for me! After all the months of waiting and all the stress and anxiety, I felt the Lord nudge me and say, “See Baby?” I have been taking care of this all along….I just wanted you to trust Me”. (If you’ve not read some of my old blogs, you wouldn’t know that when Jesus is being tender with me, He calls me Baby”.)

Just in case someone out there in “la-la-Blog-land” thinks that life in ministry is a cake walk–let me sit your sweet self down and assure you, nothing is further from the truth.

Life in ministry is, ahem, well, to be quite frank, it can be hellish at times. I mean, you aren’t exactly grooming the lawn of heaven. You are storming the gates of hell and trying to save those through your messages, preaching, teaching, blogging, loving and sharing Christ with the lost… You are pointing “souls to Calvary’ as the song says. And no one wants you to fail more than the devil himself. With every sinner set free he’s lost another battle. That infuriates him to no end. BUT to think, that someone would be willing to step out in ministry–to pastor a church, teach a Sunday School Class, lead a choir, or travel across the ocean to minister to a people that has no clue that they can have a real relationship with a God they’ve never heard of? That’s the last straw for him. He pulls no punches. He hits hard and fast and seemingly continual on some days.

BUT, I also want to tell you that life in ministry is unlike any other. The blessings of seeing one that you’ve been praying for come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, well, no words can describe that. Or seeing that complete stranger seek God…or those little kids clutch their Bible as if it’s Life itself… and it is. To hold the hand of a friend as she leaves this life, knowing her next step and next breath will be made in the presence of her King…oh, friend. There is pain mingled with the joy–but the joy surpasses it all.

In 2010 I heard distinctly God call me to walk closer to Him. He had in fact, been calling me closer for about 3 years…then a strong pull during the last 2 months of 2009, then WHAM!. The day came and it was so loud in my spirit and heart that I felt surely someone else heard it too. But no. It was just for me. It was undeniable. I even felt like the Marine Corp road signs at that point were all for me.

Ours has been a journey of stages. God has lead us along–and there have been days filled with SUCH joy, it is hard to put into words…and some filled with heartache. BUT, through all of this, God has shown Himself faithful and true. JUST as the Bible says. Faithful and True. Revelation 19:11

Can I ask you to pray for us? We’ve so much to do–and I feel the urgency of the hour upon us. We are almost out of time–and there are lives yet to be given a chance to know Him…we want to share Him with them. We can’t get there without support and prayers. PLEASE PRAY. That’s most valuable right now.

There’s more to share–but now that I’ve finally gotten that off my chest and mind–I think I can sleep…..

Connect with us on Facebook if you don’t already. We would love to hear from you!

faith, Focus Forward Ministries, Missions

I Know

July 8, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

Most of our readers/friends know that our oldest grandson has autism–and he sticks with a particular phrase or two when you tell him something. Currently, the favored one is “I know”. “I know Nana, or I know Papa”.

I tell him, “I love you Rylan”, and he responds with, “I know”. When I say, “You’re so smart Rylan”, he says, “I know”. Now he’s not bragging, he’s simply stating a fact. He knows we love him. And– he is smart. When he stayed with us a couple of weeks ago, I heard that phrase many times –and I told him better responses for some statements –like when I said, “Rylan you are so handsome”…and he said, “I know”…. *grin*. I told him it’s best to say “thank you”.

This morning while I was driving to Dothan, thinking about our lives and the questions that hang in the air–this verse came to my mind: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This morning those two words rolled over and over all by themselves. “I know”. I realized something–maybe for the first time, “if I know He knows…then I don’t have to know.” And I know He knows. He said so in the Bible. Often.

There are some things we know, and some things we don’t know. But I’m no longer fretting over what we don’t know. It all belongs to Him…and I trust Him completely.

I know He has opened doors that amazed us in the past year. More doors opened this mission trip than we imagined! Focus Forward Ministries has launched a new project–and you will want to know about it!

faith, Life, love, marriage

Happy Anniversary-to My Love.

June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 A. Knight

You started this morning with “Endless Love”….the very song that we claimed as “our song” 33 years ago.

I didn’t wear a floor length white gown…You didn’t wear a tux. We didn’t have all the bells and whistles of a big cathedral…but tucked inside the heart of us, was a steadfast-strong love. A love that could endure hardship– the kind that would last years. There were times it was so hard I began to try and figure out which of us broke the mirror. Neither of us. It was not a run of bad luck because a broken looking glass–it was just life stuff. And it happens to everyone at some point.

But we never went hungry. You saw to that. I cooked–what you provided (even though we had chicken legs for every meal over a week) –you always said, “thanks-I enjoyed it” (Do people still say that?) –and we shared our heart with our Father–and were thankful for the two best and dearest blessings of life, our baby girls. And God saw us “through” each and every trial.

I told Aimee this week that of all the trials that had come our way, God had always saw us through. He had never removed Himself from our situation–no matter how tough it might have been.

When you tell someone our “story” of how and where we married, I smile inside–because they really have no clue. Young adults who are now planning those amazing weddings –[with the glitter and candlelight]– I hope they realize without God as the center of their marriage–AND the center focus of each one’s own life, their marriage may not survive the holocaust against the sanctity of holy matrimony in the coming years (even as of this week).

We don’t live in Mayberry…

I hold dear and am so jealous to maintain our love and the special bond that we hold sacred. There are moments in our lives etched in my brain. Like this morning when you handed me your phone to play this song and said you were trying to get it to facebook but was having trouble. And moments when you held our babies. And our grandbabies. And the morning that the mouse had chewed my favorite skirt that my mother made me and I cried and you pulled me onto your lap and I believe you would have shot the mouse…

Sure, like any couple, there have been tough times–times when the love wasn’t burning with passion–but we choose to remember and hold onto the precious times and learn from mistakes of the past. It’s an incredulous expression you get from those that you tell, “Angie and I have never had an argument”… I want to even laugh now, because while I know it’s true–we have a certain gift from God in that. I quickly assure them, “It’s not that we’ve never had a disagreement–or that I’ve never had my feelings hurt–or that neither of us has ever been mad at the other”… we have. All of that. But it’s what we choose to do. We talk our way through it when the time is right…and the temperaments are calm–and after God has been sought.

[I want to say to anyone reading and you have just gasped at the thought of not “giving them a piece of your mind”…honey, give your mind to Christ. If you start handing out pieces to your spouse every time they make you upset–you’ll have none left in a few years–]

I am so NOT perfect. Even after 33 years– I still mess things up. I still burn cookies and pizza because I get caught up in something else. And I’m glad that after 33 years– we are just as much in love as the day we said “I DO!” in front of God, our 3 witnesses, the Justice of the Peace–in the Radio Shack. (I guess that will give folks something to talk about!) LOL.

When we renewed our vows on our 5 year anniversary and took communion with our then Pastor Wayne Fussell, I walked out feeling just as married as I had before–but there was a deeper sense of commitment–that would be needed in the coming years. God has been INCREDIBLY awesome to knit us together as one.

A side note to couples– pray for one another. If you don’t you won’t make it. That’s just the truth.

When Guy Tatum gave the “Band of Brothers” their new “One Year Bible” and encouraged them to “pray for their wives” (I know this not because Jeff told me [there’s a sacred code of honor among this prayer group of men], but because it showed up in our lives), it made an impact on our marriage–in our home–MOST OF ALL, in ME! My “security” level went through the roof–because Jeff took the time each morning to hold me and pray for me. And if by chance I left before he was able to get back home to pray (he left for his camp work around 6:00 each morning), then he would call me as I drove to work. He prayed, I drove, I cried, and I praised God for him. And I GREW spiritually. Hey–it doesn’t have to be a long prayer–just ask God to bless them and keep them safe! Start there! Ask God to protect their mind from the enemy attacks–I can promise you this–there is an enemy out there who wants to destroy all marriages that God has put together–and the enemy starts with insecurity in the heart and home.

Yes, our actions do speak louder than our words!

If you want a marriage that lasts…finding the one God has created JUST FOR YOU is first on the list of to-do’s before the I-Do’s. You won’t know by trying them all…you will know by waiting on God and praying. 2) Put God FIRST. 3) PRAY TOGETHER. It’s the cement in your love. You could have the most passionate love–but it will not be that way in 50 years…I mean face it–you will AGE. And aging shows up. 🙂 What you lay as the foundation of your marriage in the early years, will carry you through the later years. If your spouse is your best friend–you will enjoy life, love and marriage a whole lot more. To the fullest!

And the final thing that will hold your heart, home and marriage secure: Put God FIRST. I know I repeated that one–but God is the only one who knows and does what is best for each one of us….when my honey has hurt my feelings–I tell God. When I have made him aggravated…I know he tells God. Because it is the Holy Spirit who softens my heart–and it is the Holy Spirit that helps Jeff see my side. Not that my side is the right side. Jeff often maintains his view, but at least he can see where I’m coming from and he can better understand. See? It’s God who holds the manual for marriage….and it’s The Bible.

I gave all of that for free…call it Jeff and Angie Marital Advice 101. What I give my darling man, is all of me for the rest of this earthly life. God is first– and I’m thankful that He gave me you. He knew just who I would need to lead me further spiritually–and who would love me for all my days….the young vibrant and fun days–as well as these “wee bit older” and hot flashin’ days. You are my dearest-bestest-friend and I promise to love you and bless and cherish you–till death do us part.

You are my –Endless Love….

Easter, faith

Pray

April 4, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

He went out and made His way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When He reached the place, He told them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me–nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:39-42 HCSB

The evening had come, the supper partaken.

The sounds from the city wide festivities created a background noise in the room, which seemed to echo the history rehearsed at the table. This night, would embed itself into the minds of the disciples as nothing else, until the cross. From the water trickling over their feet as Jesus knelt before them, to the dipping of the bread, —as each word spoken by Him would hang in the air- they would soon see Him on the cross.

But before the cross, came the garden. The place they must have gone time and time again for rest, relaxation. A familiar place that perhaps had peaceful memories, but tonight- their failure to be watchful, would haunt their hearts.

They are weary. And who could blame them? The sun beating down, walking for miles and miles, days on end, that is wearying enough. But now, the temperature is cooler and with appetites satiated, they seem carefree. The dangers Jesus had spoken of earlier–now a distant conversation as they joy in the songs and being with Him alone, rather than sharing His presence with thousands.

Their eyes adjusted to the moonlit night in such a way that they have no difficulty seeing where they are going. They find a comforting spot to rest as He instructs, “pray that you might not enter into temptation”.

That seems to be the struggle with many. I know I struggle with praying–not the words so much, as the purpose of getting away with Jesus. I let too many hindrances take rule in that area. My attention gets diverted by the activities of so many things going on at one time– and I succumb to the busy rather than the quiet He instructs…. “pray that you might not enter into temptation.”

And pages before we found Martha–she was busy about some good things–necessary things, but Mary…Mary had chosen the better. Jesus confirmed it. The better.

There are things that clamor daily for our attention. Yours and mine. And more often than not, I let the wrong thing rule.

The better thing is to come aside with Him in the garden, pray with Him. But here I sit, asleep. You too maybe?

I have watched and participated in many Passion Plays –and with each one, rehearsing the story over and over, reading it for myself from the thin pages of my Bible, I could see it unfold. Yet, we tell the PG rated version– because in reality, our minds and eyes couldn’t not handle the full truth of the passion of Jesus Christ.

I remember watching the movie, “The Passion of The Christ” in a theater, and left that night in such anguish. I could hear people all over the theater sobbing– and I did my best to hold in as much as I could–but my guts clinched and my tears ran like rivers, as I watched-what was more like the truth of what Jesus actually endured that night. We can’t fully know. We couldn’t handle fully knowing.

When we left the theater that night, neither one of us could speak for what seemed like hours. Conversation seemed trivial. It was as if what He had done for humanity had come home in our hearts. And we would never be the same.

Today, Saturday– I know He’s at the right hand of The Father, forever making intercession–but THAT Saturday, His disciples were mourning–they were remembering…

“Pray, that you might not enter into temptation”….

faith, Missions

I Just Did It!

February 20, 2015April 17, 2023 A. Knight

“Just do it!” A phrase coined by the Nike Corporation to inspire us to get up off the couch and go to it! Get those new Nike brand shoes, because surely, that’s where the answer to life lies…in the sole of a shoe.

Their take on it was simple–if you have a body, you are an athlete.

When I first began blogging– I really didn’t know where this vehicle would take me…but looking back, I see that I’ve gone (via cyber-space) to the far reaches of the world. And I took the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I “just did it”.

I have a friend who loves Jesus with all her heart. She wanted to be a missionary when she was young, but because of decisions and circumstances in her life-before she came to know Jesus– the answer was no. Not no from God, but “no” from the office where she inquired.

Thankfully, God didn’t accept the “no”. He didn’t depend on the “no”. He gave her a tool to use, birthed that same desire in her child, and low and behold, her typing fingers, blogging heart, and desire to share what God has done for her and will do for others, she is a missionary. To the farthest reaches of the world. She just “did it”. All for His glory and honor…

There have been so many times that things looked impossible. The road, impassable. The idea, improbable. But God.

But GOD –Giver of life--planted an idea. Sowed into you and me a desire to “do it”… the job of telling others about Jesus Christ–my Savior-when I was at my very lowest, most displeasing state of being… He. Loved. Me.

He didn’t don His Holy Nike shoes, He went barefoot–to the cross.

No, I don’t know if perhaps part of the way He had His sandals. It’s not written in Holy Scripture. What I can imagine, His torturers were so intent on making things as miserable for Him as possible–beating Him almost to death–scourging Him, lashing Him, piercing His brow, I don’t imagine they left His shoes on to protect His feet on the road to Golgotha –the place of the skull.

I don’t know if He ever said those words, “just do it”....but that was the mindset He had when He arose from kneeling- in the garden- spying His followers, asleep on the job. He saw their weakness beyond their pledged allegiance. And yet, even then, eyes on their sleeping selves, He loved them so tenderly and dearly, He went to the cross to “just do it”. Intent. Purposed. Knowing -tears come in the night–but JOY cometh…. in the morning.

My heart is so burdened for the lost. Even right now, tears form and spill because I see me in their eyes. I see where I was before Christ. I see the desperation to find something to fill that empty life–that hole in my heart that only God can truly fill…

What has God assigned to you, friend?

Have you followed through?

Or, are you in the “waiting room”? Oh, that’s a tough place to be (I’m there).

You know your assignment, but the door hasn’t appeared–YET.

Keep a strong heart.

Believe what He told you.

Go back to the day He said it–and remind the enemy that you have a purpose and you won’t stop until you fulfilled His calling on your life…no matter who says “no”…

Just…do…it…

Our time to impact the world is drawing to a close–the signs are in every news story. The world is hurting–raging–and chaotic. Peace is only found in the heart of a Believer in Christ–not in the next new pair of name brand shoes… Nike has nothing on the Peace Speaker.

Just do it. Realize you can’t do this life without Him…and seek Him today.

I’m a missionary. Full – time. Whether I’m typing on this keyboard and the reader is in Honduras, Hawaii, or the Himalayas … The message of the love of Jesus Christ is getting out there. And then there are those incredible times–where I actually put the sole of my shoes on foreign soil…and I rejoice in sharing the pictures and stories with you…

My message is simple. Seek Him. Today.

Allow Him to have full control of your heart and life–give Him full access- and see what happens…

Just do it.