Hope – Jeff & Angie

faith, Focus Forward Ministries, Hope, Ministry, Mission Trip, Missions, Salvation, uganda

It’s ALMOST my birthday…. :)

November 30, 2024December 2, 2024 A. Knight

For those who know me–KNOW I do not care much for parties- BUT I do love giving. As soon as I buy a birthday gift or a Christmas gift–I want to give it IMMEDIATELY! It’s hard for me to wait!

I’m about to turn the BIG 6-3. Sounds like a score on a game. I’m still winning–because I am still on this side of the dirt.

We have never been one for a whole lot of “hoopla” on birthdays. I prefer a nice quiet dinner at home with my family and my favorite foods. I’d rather have a cupcake than a big cake. And lots of swirly icing.

Jeff’s mom used to make a “chess pie” for my birthday–because that was my favorite. I also love pie!

We have a few mission trips happening this year. I haven’t heard from God on which one I am to go on…but my ear and heart is open to Him. However-the most exciting thing for this year is our plan (hope and dream) to build our FIRST orphanage home in Uganda (Focus Forward Ministries).

The building the children are standing beside is the medical clinic built (with donations to FFM)

We have followed the government’s guidelines in all details in preparations for it.

FFM has built two latrines, one for girls and one for boys, drilled (hand dug by locals) a water well, built a small medical clinic and storage office, and erected a building for shelter from the sun and rain for the children during the weekly ministry and feeding of the children (225+!!!). This building will eventually be turned into the church, but we are needing to begin the work on the first orphanage home.

Exterior. All the buildings on the site are the same in appearance and construction.

My sister, Wanda would be absolutely giddy with excitement over this. I can picture her face at this news. (This makes me reach for the Kleenex box.)

Layout: center common areas, left and right sides for sleeping quarters.

Our mission team that will leave in February, for the first of three mission trips for FFM this year, will hopefully be able to do a large portion of the work on the building of this first home! Y’all…I can’t EVEN wrap my mind around this!

THIS is what I would love to have for my BIRTHDAY!

Help FFM raise the funds for the first of several Orphanage Homes.

For years I have had many dreams about children–children who were homeless, in danger, hungry, orphans…. and God has given us an amazing opportunity to help these in need.

Many friends and supporters of Focus Forward Ministries have sponsored a child in the village already for their medical needs and education, and our prayer is to have them all sponsored by end of 2025. These children need us.

Jeff, Chase, Chris and Elijah have held and hugged these little ones and our hearts yearn to do more for them. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with CoFam, a ministry born out of the heart of Sentamu, a man who works on a pineapple farm…because he saw a need.

Tell me….what do you see?

I see little ones (and big ones) that Jesus died for. I see hungry faces–not just for food–but for someone to love them and tell them they are beautiful-wonderful-loved.

The older ones feed and help the younger ones.

As Jeff, Chase, Chris and Elijah all held and talked to these children–their hearts were ignited with a passion to see them have more than a shelter from the sun and rain. We want to see them have a home.

So many of these you see in these pictures have nothing and no one. That was where Sentamu came in with a heart to help. That was also where we came in–through the Holy Spirit connecting Chase Curti and Sentamu. The few 50–60, quickly turned into 100, then 150+. We are now feeding about 225 each Saturday (our Friday) and they are being given love. They are given a day that is much like a “kids crusade” that we do in Bolivia. Singing, games and a Bible story with an opportunity to accept and know Jesus as their personal Savior.

Every Saturday–someone’s eternity is changed.

So…IF you have read all the way down to this point–THANK YOU for sticking around.

My big ASK for this 63rd birthday is for Chase to be able to contact Sentamu and say, “we are coming in February and we are going to help BUILD the first HOME!”

That is the BIGGEST desire of my heart–to go to bed at night and know that across the world there are children who are able to sleep in the safety of their own bed for the first time in their lives. (Kleenex time)

I’ve had a hard time writing this one–looking at all the pictures and wiping my eyes…. I’ve never been to Uganda, but I have been in other countries and know what poverty looks like. I’ve seen homeless on the streets of Costa Rica, Honduras and Bolivia. I’ve seen hungry faces in Cambodia…and know there is a great need all over the world.

I don’t want to walk blindly into 2025 not seeing what God wants me to see. I want to run into 2025 with a determination to do every single thing I can to forward the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the nations–but especially to those where God has called our heart to. I don’t want to stand before my King one day and have Him look at me and say, “Angie, with all I blessed you with–you could have done more”….

If you have anything (the amount doesn’t matter) you would like to give toward the first home, or the ongoing medical needs for the clinic, you can mail a check, or give online. Chase Curti (FFM Sec/Treas) will assist you if you email us at focusforwardministries@gmail.com.

OR you can send a check to FFM, Inc., Post Office Box 5773 Marianna, FL 32447. You can also inquire about how to help on any mission trip or go with us! (We also need monthly supporters!

Mark your check or gift–Uganda Orphanage.

And…thank you for the birthday gift! I LOVE it and it will fit PERFECTLY!

An Angie Story, breast cancer, Devotion, faith, Hope, Life Issues, Salvation, SIN, spiritual warfare, Trials

Your Testing Ground

November 2, 2024November 5, 2024 A. Knight

Have I told you my story yet?

You’re probably like, “Angie, you have told me SO much, I’m not sure which story you are talking about! 🙂

When I heard about you and what’s going on in your life, I felt like there were some nuggets from my own story that might help you this morning (or evening-whenever you find yourself reading this).

Sometimes I find myself holding back — well, being transparent, I do hold back at times. But this morning, I wanted to share it all. I only like good surprises. If I know what I’m up against, I can be better prepared to handle what’s coming. Well, life doesn’t work like that. Only God holds our story. Only He knows what’s in the book. From the day you and I were born until the day we draw our last breath–He knows ALL the stuff in between. So trust me when I say…there is nothing He can’t handle. And He will walk you through ALL the things you would rather be delivered out of. Sometimes He will do it like that…and then other times, He’s like, “Hey, I’ve got some people down the road who will need to know your story–and How you trusted Me to get you to the goal…are you willing?” Well, when You put it like that…. (To read the rest, go here.)

Photo credit: free photos from Pixabay.com

Country Life Messages, faith, Family, Hope, Life, love, marriage, Missions, Reflection

Life and Blueberries

June 30, 2024June 30, 2024 A. Knight

You’ve heard the quote, “Life is like a bowl of cherries”, right? It’s actually from a song (I’ve never heard it) written by Lew Henderson in 1931 and actually written as “life is just a bowl of cherries”. Well, for us, life has been more blueberries.

Today, 42 years ago, we became husband and wife in Donalsonville, GA. Quite a unique story. It’s one for the records…pun intended, as we were married in the Radio Shack. It doesn’t exist anymore, but we do–by the grace and mercy of God.

You may think blueberries is an odd way to describe us. Well, let me tell you. You know when you are picking blueberries and you are picking fast–when you get home with your bowls and buckets of berries, and blue fingers, you dump them in the sink to give them a good rinsing…and you spy little leaves, and most likely some berries that aren’t quite ready…some that are “over-ready”. There is likely even a bug or two.

You remove the leaves and any bug. The green ones that snuck in there by accident have got to go. And you remove the ones that are downright squished. You’ve already decided on the jars for the jelly or jam. They’ve been washed and prepared. I can actually still see this going on in my granny’s old kitchen with it’s unleveled floor. She would have her handmade apron on and the hot kitchen would smell like sweet berries and pie. There would be a box fan sitting on the floor working as hard as it could to pull the hot June air out of the kitchen, only to circulate it right back in through the open window screens. Another box fan propped in the dining room window pulling air out to the hot Alabama summer.

The summer of blueberries I remember most vividly was the one in ’82. We drove up to the old log homeplace with it’s huge oak trees shading the road and house, and we parked near her pale green Monte Carlo. No one lived there except birds, snakes, mice and I’m sure some other critters. But there were two or three large blueberry “trees” in the back yard. They were actually bushes, but you had to use a ladder to get the ones from the top.

I can still see that little white haired granny of mine, standing on the ladder, with her sister, Votylee down below holding on to the ladder. Two little old ladies who had no business doing that–but as they say, “somebody had to do it”, or there would be no jelly. I called out to her as we rounded the corner of the house. We talked very briefly before I came right to the point. “Granny? Guess what?”

“What”, was her instant reply, in her little granny voice. “We got married today”.

“Whaaat?” This “what” was more drawn out in disbelief. She peered down at us, holding hands under the blueberry bush. She loved Jeff to pieces. He was a fishing buddy. She knew we were dating–but she was surprised at the suddenness.

I’m sure she asked a few questions, we answered and told her of our love for one another and then left her to her berry picking. When my life had fallen apart–Granny was who I moved in with. Later, I moved in with my cousin and we shared rent in an old house very near Granny’s.

Our life has had some leaves. It’s had some green berries that were not ready to be picked–and some that were over ripe. But in all the 42 years of our lives, we have made many beautiful jars of blueberry jelly (not really jelly, just a sweet life).

We’ve had to choose to discard the leaves and berries not fit for use in the jelly–and keep (in our memories) the best ones for jelly-making. There were times, if we both sat down with you face-to-face, we would tell you how hard it was. Very few people in our lives know the depth of the difficulties. But they also know the commitment–and the dedication that we have in our love for one another, and our family.

I asked Jeff last night if he wondered at times if we would make it. He quickly said, “no”. But he knew as well as I did, we both wondered in the extremely hard times. But God.

We chose God first. We put Him first. Yes, there were times we slipped and allowed other things or occupations, people, events, circumstances to overstep the boundaries; but we realized quickly what was happening and the destruction coming, and we lined things back up in the correct order: God, one another, our children, our extended family, church/jobs, then everything else.

It takes a daily exercise of purposeful love. We are much older than the 26 and 20 year old that we were. Our love has advanced to a strength that is what it is today ONLY because of God being first in our lives. Things aren’t always pretty. Days aren’t always fully of joy and giggles. Tears have ran more times than I would care to count… but the love and peace we have today is a testament to God’s faithfulness to His own.

We aren’t rich in money–but we are wealthy in love. We’ve had times where it was hard to buy groceries and pay all the bills. In this economy even now–there are struggles, just like everyone else. But the economy should have no bearing on the love inside the hearts and four walls of a home you build as husband and wife. If you only love when things are going well–you are in for trouble.

So, on our 42nd anniversary, we want to encourage you younger people… who are “thinking” of marriage. If God is not first in your life NOW, before marriage, it will be hard to make sure He stays first later.

If you are already married, and life just has more leaves and green berries, take the time to reorganize things. Prioritize your life in the order God meant it to be. Don’t compare your husband or your wife to another person. We are all individuals. You married them knowing who they were. What you loved about them in the beginning is still there. Find it. Stop wishing things were better–be intentional about the days you have NOW. Only you, your spouse, and God, can fix what’s wrong. Don’t be too proud to seek help. Christian counseling is available. (I’m not a counselor, but I do know a great one!).

It won’t work if only one is trying. This has to be a joint effort of 100% + 100%. It won’t be perfect. But God will be with you. If you aren’t willing to try–then I’m truly sorry for your spouse. And I will pray for you–both.

Get in the Word. Pray.

If you have devotions together, fantastic. If you don’t, it’s okay. BUT have devotional time with God yourself. The rest will come in time. Pray for each other. Make that a priority in your daily devotions.

You can still make the best blueberry jelly or jam in the world–if you remove the things that have no business in the jelly jar.

And don’t forget to add lots of sugar 😉

Photo credit: Blueberries, free from Pixabay.com

Bottom photo credit: Connie Haile, photographer extraordinaire.

Adversity, Bolivia, breast cancer, Devotion, faith, Hope, Life Issues, Missions, prayer, Trials, Trust

Facts vs Truth

August 2, 2023 A. Knight

Yesterday, when I sat down to write and pray, I did what I always do: write the date. August 1, 2023. I knew immediately what Wednesday, August 2, 2023 would represent. Seven years since the diagnosis of breast cancer marched into my ears, as if it was going to take up permanent residence. It was not.

There are some things that chemotherapy snatched away from my memories–but that day feels as if it is grounded in concrete with rebar. After my physician, ….to read the rest, head over to my personal journey blog.

faith, Holy Spirit, Hope, Missions, prayer

There’s no title…but there is a word…

July 19, 2023 A. Knight

Sometimes I have a dream that sticks. It’s not often–but it happens. In the wee hours of today–it happened. The thing is, I only remember a small portion:

“I was on highway 177 in Bonifay and a tragic accident had taken place somewhere between Miller’s Crossroads and Bethlehem School. Tragic enough that it caused a very large gaping hole in the earth/road. I remember being on a motored bike of some sort–and I had seen it all from above the situation (don’t ask me how). I dreamed I was suddenly further back on the highway–closer to 79 and I was driving fast to give warning. I knew that if people didn’t turn around–they would be stuck. The traffic on that road in the dream looked more like I-10–heavy traffic. Lots of cars and trucks. I went from vehicle to vehicle telling people about what was ahead and that if they didn’t find a turning around place in the road and go back they would be stuck–for no telling how many hours. I remember some finding a place to turn around–while others were determined to stay on the road. Nothing I said could change their mind. Some of the people I knew…some were strangers to me. They would soon see for themselves there was no way out once they had reached a certain point–there would be no place to turn around.”

I woke troubled in my spirit. I dozed off again and found myself in Carmel AG–the church was full-and there were two men standing up at the front. One was holding the mic for the other, who was beginning to give a message in tongues and part English–when he suddenly stopped and said–“I may as well tell you in English–for I already know what it is: “Things will wax worse and worse….” I remember he said some other things, but I honestly can’t remember it all.

I looked at my phone in the dark for the time–4:17 AM. I got up. I needed to meet with Jesus in the living room. I say this like I figure everyone meets with Him like this, but I know everyone does not have this pattern of prayer. People either have a time–or they don’t. It’s either important–or it’s not. He’s either all….or He’s not.

The REST of this (and there is more) is on my personal blog. Click the link to read the rest.

Holidays, Hope, Ministry, Reflection

Anticipation

January 1, 2023February 13, 2023 A. Knight

Do you remember the old Heinz® ketchup commercial? The song that accompanied the slow pouring, best on fries ever—ketchup: “Anticipation”. “Anticipa-a-a-tion is making me wait”. It’s one of those songs that gets stuck in your head when you hear it—but in life—it’s one of those things we grow weary of doing. Waiting.

Well, you waited 365 days for 2023 and here she is! Bright-sparkly and brand-new! Maybe in your house—she’s not as sparkly. But 2023 is “new”, nonetheless. She’s never had footprints walk here before— but you and I are about to change that—putting our mark on 2023.

I generally begin considering what might be “my word” for the year in October or November. I always ask the Lord what He wants to say to me—or show me in the coming year. It was much later this last time. I asked mid-December. I asked—and the only thing that came to my mind in that very moment was “Anticipate”.

I’m not a gloomy person—but when I heard that word, I kind of sank inside. It meant (to me), I was about to “WAIT” for something. But couldn’t it also be…my “waiting” was over? Meaning, the things I had been seeking God about -was going to be realized this year. That’s the way I chose to see it.

Often, a big part in “anticipating” something is—letting go. Letting go can be painful. A big Band-Aid® won’t cover the pain that accompanies letting go.

Since I work at a funeral home—the letting go is something I see first-hand every single day. Letting go of someone you love is the absolute hardest—no two ways about it. Grieving happens in life with letting go of other things—but things can be replaced…people cannot.

When I began thinking of all the things that I let go of in the last 61 years of my life—I couldn’t help but recognize that to let go meant that sooner or later—I would be receiving something else. I jotted a few things down:

When company cutbacks caused Jeff to lose his job (many years ago), even though I cried and grieved about this—soon, God showed us that this was the opportunity for Jeff to do what he had always wanted to do—begin his own business. That business led Jeff to do some fill-in work at our church fellowship headquarters—and in turn—that led to a full-time job with benefits.

Years later, when we were called to the mission field, it required for us to let go of the life we had loved and enjoyed for 12+ years. Yet in doing so, that offered us the opportunity to live in two different countries, experience two different cultures and meet and love so many new people.

In life—we are all in a constant state of letting go. But do we anticipate what comes with that action? Sometimes we have to let go of our children to allow them to walk in the mission field that God has already mapped out for them. Sometimes we have to let them go “their way”—even knowing it is against all we taught them—but praying with a fiery passion that God will bring them back to the place they need to be in Him—even if it means a crushing in the process. Oh, that hurts.

In a conversation with one of our grandsons recently, I reminded him that all his decisions would affect more than just himself. And consequences of poor decisions would often follow him for the rest of his life. God forgives…yes. But our memories of rebellion are a constant reminder of the pain we caused others.

“Let go and let God”—as cliché as that sounds—it’s true. As long as we try to work the situation our way—God cannot do what is necessary to get them to the place where they surrender…even if that place is the hardest most confusing place we’ve ever been. I guess you can tell I’m speaking with experience here. Our prodigal’s journey was the most excruciating walk I’ve ever had—hot coals type of walk. 15+ years of it. But God….

We still have prodigals in our family—and I’m still praying the diligent prayer—anticipating the day when God has their full attention and they want nothing more than Him. Am I willing to endure the slow process if it takes it? Yes. The wait for Heinz® ketchup is nothing compared to this. Eternal life with all my family is worth whatever He feels necessary.

And now—as we have anticipated, 2023 is here. What kind of mark do you want to make? I want my mark to be a mark of powerful prayer. I want it to be impacting prayer. What does that take? Practice. Daily. Not ritualistically, but as a privilege. That’s what it is to me. I get to have a conversation daily with the Creator of the universe…

What is He saying to you? Nothing, you say? You must not have asked Him…because He is always saying something. Sometimes it’s a simple, “I AM here”.

I want to close this out with a challenge: Ask Him. Anticipate a response. Wait for it. It’s the best you will ever taste.

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Psalm 34:8 ESV

faith, Hope, Life, Missions

Hope Holds Your Hand

January 25, 2018January 25, 2018 A. Knight

There was a time when I saw the visible signs of Hope change the atmosphere in a room. We had felt the fingers of fear and death- grip the door frame and try to come in, but HOPE walked in and slammed the fingers in the door.

The atmosphere was gripped with fear because the doctor who brought the fear into the room offered no hope when my sister, Wanda was on the brink of leaving this life and her baby girl was not even a year old….(And I didn’t care much for that doctor at all) This was many years ago.

With the hope we received that day from the prayers we prayed, the words of encouragement that came from the mouth of her pediatrician (the doctor with hope), they made a game plan. God brought renewed strength, and death was ushered unceremoniously out of the room. Even though the LORD called her home a few years later, I believe with all my heart that trusting in and seeking God’s timing is where I get my hope.

We have since come to look for HOPE in every circumstance and we try to keep fear locked out. In all situations of our lives. We have been “stationed” in a waiting zone–waiting for the Bolivian Consulate to process our documents so that we can be on our way. But today, that all changed.

There was a frenzy of activity in the kazillion days prior to this one. I’ve been getting “over” a cold and just being exhausted for a few days and the LORD had me resting. I told Jeff this morning it had been days since I had written in my prayer journal and this was something I didn’t like. At. All.

There are many things–unknown things going on in the country we are headed right now–but this ONE thing we KNOW: We have HOPE in Christ. It’s what started this journey all those years ago. I have wondered many times why God couldn’t have called us when we were younger and had more energy and stamina. Why wait until we are both gray haired and at the age most people our age are getting their retirement affairs in order. Ours are far from “in order”.

When I think of retirement, my mind actually has nowhere to go. Serving the LORD in whatever capacity He provides is where our hearts lie. It’s the niche where we are challenged, changed and actually comfortable–in the quandaries of it all. No, I don’t like unknowns. I like to know what is going to happen next–but in our case–and in YOUR case, unknowns are the threads that hold the tapestry together.

I think, if we had the answers, and had the energy and strength, we would begin to think “we could do it in our own power”. We can do nothing in our own power.

Today is a BIG day. We are ON OUR WAY…We’ve waited for it, wondered about it, and to be quite honest, there was a time or two the enemy just out and out told me it wouldn’t happen.

Of course he lies.

What things are you seeing in your near or even distant future that you have all but given up on coming to pass? Care to get them out?

If God spoke to you an assignment, get it back out, dust it off and get ready to follow Him. Don’t doubt (yes, it happens, but you don’t have to stay in doubt). Renew your promise and passion. Ask the LORD to reignite your heart and eyes to see and believe.

Ask Him to restore HOPE.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 hcsb

As you take the next steps forward, whatever they might be, remember:

#aknightsjourney

http://www.jeffandangieknight.com

Bolivia, faith, Hope, Life, Ministry, Missions, prayer, Trust

You Have to Believe it to See it

January 16, 2018 A. Knight

You’ve heard people say,– I’ll believe it when I see it? Try believing before you see. Try seeing it in your spirit. And then watch Him unfold the journey.

When in Costa Rica, I almost forgot that a blue this color existed. But the skies are that blue at home. #nofilter. And at night, the stars shine bright. It’s especially beautiful on a cold night. Head thrown back, thanking my Father for such wonderful gifts like this!

Every night while home, when I took my Gracie Mae out, I would look up at the night sky and draw in a deep breath of cold air and proclaim aloud my gratitude for the heavenly display of night-lights. I love it. If you have never had a length of time when you couldn’t see the stars– or a cloudless blue sky this spectacular– like only Northwest Florida (at my moms house) can produce, then maybe you don’t quite understand my immense joy. Even though I couldn’t SEE the stars in Costa Rica, I knew. I believed. They were still hanging around up there. Waiting to be seen!

I love coming home. Although we didn’t stay at mother’s this visit– (the things we both had to do were concentrated in Marianna), I still enjoyed my few short visits back home. It’s was really odd- the LORD really helped me deal with the emotions of each place I called home. The people– that’s another thing. It hurt to leave them again.

Our daughters and their boys are the delight and light of our hearts– but we have an urgent compelling to follow what God has laid on our hearts. It’s a compelling that we just can’t turn off.

The other night I heard something- it was actually in the wee hours of the morning– I lay there very still and the Holy Spirit whispered again. I got up to go to the bathroom with intentions of writing it down (typing it on my notepad) when I got back to bed. But just that fast– that word was gone. Stolen from my mind with all the busy things that kept rolling through night after night while we’ve been home.

As I lay in the bed, very still and quite, I asked the LORD, “please give it to me one more time.”

He did.

“You cannot unhear a call from God.”

Just like you can’t unsee something you wished you hadn’t seen- or unsay something you said and instantly regretted, you cannot unhear once the voice of God has called your name.

Oh how I love Him. I am so thankful that when He looked for someone to “go”, we both said “yes”. How in the world did it all happen?? Only by God’s grace and HIS divine guidance. All the pieces of this journey will hopefully one day find its way to a book– that’s what my friend Betty and I had hoped to get to work on– but it didn’t happen– too many things going on. We’ve planned it and talked it for several years now though. And God has kept piling on the Words and the journey is sweeter with every passing day.

A lot of things look different than what I first supposed. But I have followed Him long enough and lived for Him long enough to know that He is very purposed about every detail of our lives and this journey.

After being in language school with over 30 other students– from other districts, we do know that our district is the best. (Grinning– because our district is family) The West Florida District Presbytery Board gathered around us this afternoon before we left and prayed for us– and we have such admiration for what they each do. They are amazing. And one of them is our oldest daughters Pastor. And I had the opportunity to thank him for all the prayers he has prayed over our girl and her boys. God has been faithful!!

If you’re dreaming a BIG GOD SIZED dream– keep believing. If it won’t turn off in your heart and mind no matter what- keep praying. If every sermon you hear, every song and every Word keeps you coming back to circle your dream again– trust that In HIS timing, it will all line up.

No, it may not look like you imagined. You may be older, gray haired, a little weaker in body, but stronger in spirit, … believe to SEE the impossible. Believe to LIVE the improbable. And believe to be used by the Master Himself when the time is right. That’s what we are here for. Bring HIM glory, through telling His story which is our story and HIS story in us. That may have sounded like a jumble of confusion there– but it’s late. Jeff’s driving and I’m blogging on my phone.

When you look up at the blue sky– think of us. Pray for me that I will keep my eyes open to what HE wants to show me next. And when you look up at the night sky and see stars, count yourself blessed. There were many nights I teared up wanting to see them. I’ve never been on a mission trip to Bolivia and saw the stars. I only saw about 5 stars (and only saw the moon about 5 times!) while in Costa Rica. It saddened my heart a great deal because I love looking at the sky.

Well. It’s late. For us anyway. We may stop and sleep soon and get an early start in the morning. We love y’all. Every single one. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep giving Him Praise and Glory!

Believing…. and seeing. They go hand in hand.

Believing BIG-

Angie

#aknightsjourney

faith, Hope, Trust, Wanda

Face Your Facts With Faith

July 9, 2014October 21, 2016 A. Knight

The last Sunday of June, Doug Clay, General Treasurer of the AG, brought a message that struck and stuck.

If you would like to listen, go to the church website and click on “Hanging Out In God’s Waiting Room”.

The audio/video quality is not the best–but the message was spot on. My interest was highly piqued when he started asking the question, “how many of you feel like you’ve been in or are in God’s waiting room?”

I don’t know if you remember, but that was the only blog post my sister, Wanda, and I wrote together. It was originally on our site, Sisters of Faith, with the title “God’s Waiting Room“, and it was also featured on her funeral service guide.

I had created that blog site so in hopes that it would revive her weary heart with something fun and inspirational to do before her last hospital visit–but God had other plans. Although our lives were dramatically altered, we know His plans are always best…His timing and order always flows in the right direction. And we carry with us, the faith that bore her on.

Sorry to side track–it happens at my age, more often than not….But back to the message by Bro. Doug. It was one of those that resonated in my spirit. I heard– as much as felt the vibrating of the strings as my heart was plucked along with the words, as God began to remind me of the journey we began. I had almost forgotten. No, not really, but as I told a friend — there are days that the memory of what He called me out for is faint–covered with a mist- or fog–like your bathroom mirror after a hot shower–wipe it off.
Now. Can you see…and remember.

I can’t re-preach his message–but I do want to share what God has been reminding me of since that day:

His promises are true. What He said He will do–He will do.
If He has called you to a place–He expects you to follow Him. No dawdling on the road side.
Time is short. Get busy with the gifts He has given you and be contentious with His resources.
Faith is believing without the basis of proof. A missionary cannot prove to you that God spoke to their heart and called them to serve Him in a foreign land (foreign to them, may not be foreign to you)…but they believe and therefore they put their belief into action.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 12:8) By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful. therefore from one man–in fact, from one as good as dead–came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore. (Hebrews 11:11-12) (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

You and I can have power to conceive…that dream…that promise…

Maybe the facts are not in your favor…but Faith is.

Face your facts with faith*. Watch God in action.

*Statement from Doug Clay’s message, “Hanging Out In God’s Waiting Room”.

Adversity, faith, Hope

Foggy Faith

July 17, 2012October 21, 2016 A. Knight

A few years ago, I wrote a devotion for Internet Cafe` called “Faith in the Fog”…it may be worth a re-visit if you have time (click on the link)…here are some new thoughts on that–which came to me after a drive to Tallahassee…and reading a post by my dear friend Marsha Harwood on Facebook…and like Marsha, I will borrow from a writing of Corrie Ten Boom.

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”

I’ve been in the dark before…when you don’t know where you are–it can be pretty scary.

And sometimes, even when you are very familiar with your surroundings…it can still be a bit discomforting. However, there are those “real life” instances when the snuffing out of the lights happens so suddenly, we are taken completely by surprise.

This past Saturday I was driving on the interstate with a favorite passenger of mine. We were talking about what God is doing in our lives and in the churches in our area–and all of a sudden–from out of nowhere, we were engulfed in a fog so thick everyone hit their brakes.

This particular fog looked like a dense cloud of smoke that had settled on the highway. It completely covered the two lanes we were on–but not the opposite side of the road. Afraid that perhaps someone had a wreck and the smoke was the result–my guts clinched in a knot.

We both stopped talking.

Time for concentration…and we prayed.

As we entered the great expanse of darkness–I was amazed at the fact there was no smell of smoke…I decided then–it was “fog”. The thickest–[way past the pea-soup stage]–fog I had ever encountered. It caused me to suck in air–as if that alone would help me get through the murky road.

As we went along, the semi-truck in front of me seemed to lurch to one side suddenly as I noticed he avoided a car that was trying to pull back onto the highway. (That one was a NUT.)

Let me tell you what I discovered just by watching the actions of other drivers on the road that day….

Fog happens. It can happen to anyone–at anytime. A good day or a bad day. It can happen early–or late;

Do not leave the roadway. You will cause much confusion to those coming along behind you if they see you pull off the road. They may even think YOU are the cause of the fog;

You will have to slow down…but don’t stop. Once inside the fog, it’s a bit easier to navigate if you don’t stop suddenly. Stopping suddenly will definitely cause a wreck. If not a wreck…a severe tongue lashing that you won’t be able to actually hear–but will FEEL;

When inside the fog–keep your lights on. It’s just one of those things I like to do even on a sunny day–I drive with my lights on. Let the LIGHT shine is what I say;

Remain steady–and focused. Talking to anyone other than God–is completely out of the question;

Remember, it won’t last forever–and there are things to learn while in the fog. No, you didn’t make the fog…but remember Who did…and the fact that as long as you keep HIM as your Navigator and Guide–you will come out on the other side…just keep going on.

You may be thinking…this is not a “devotional” post here, Angie. But–I beg to differ.

Re-read. Turn that interstate highway into your walk with God. Perhaps you have just stepped out in faith–or maybe, you stepped out awhile back…and there have been more foggy days than sunshiny ones…and maybe you have grown a bit discouraged by what you’ve not seen–even though you are seeking…and expecting…and yes, even believing! (Been there.)

Can I tell you that just because we don’t see the “results” we may have expected…and just because things have become dark at times…that is no reason to stop. No reason to pull off the road until things clear up a bit.

Friend, there have been some “doozy days” in my own life in the past 4 years…but I wouldn’t trade a second foggy second–for the clearest-brightest day.

In the fog, Jesus taught me how to trust. How to lean on HIM and not my own understanding.

In the fog, Jesus taught me how to “see”k Him first–and continually.

In the fog–He showed me His power–HIS strength would become mine–because in the fog–at times I was weak.

Can I encourage you today? If you were here–or I were there–I’d hug you and tell you very clear–our God is bigger than the fog is thick. Don’t hang back. Keep doing the things He has placed in your heart to do…you already know what they are–and you are sitting there right now thinking, “but I can’t”.

But HE CAN. (And He will–through YOU!)

And hey, as long as I’m handing out advice here–I learned it’s okay for the tense knots to build in your belly…it reminds us that we are NOT in control of a single second of our day…God is. And as long as He is…then you can relax in HIS arms. Sometimes though, He sends the foggy reminders just to let us know “He’s got this”…