Missions

Protected-Guided-Surrounded

Sounds better than the good hands of Allstate doesn’t it….

When I least deserved protecting….He protected.  There may have have been days- when I didn’t “feel” protected.  The days I felt I was taking such a severe onslaught of the enemy’s attacks…. but then I remember Job.

And I was surrounded…and I knew He was also surrounding those I was praying for.

Are you in need of “surrounding” today?  He’s there–just as His Word promises.

© 2015 Angie Knight- The Knightly News. All rights reserved.

Missions

Wake UP and Pray.

I think sometimes we forget what our missionary friends actually go through–to get to where they are….I’ve been guilty myself.  Until this past week.  Whammie reminders.

We had a great planning trip for next years trip to minister and build in Bolivia!  And I feel like this just might be the best trip yet!  (I know you just said, “she said that last year”)….it’s true…this could really be IT!

We met at the school in the village where we will be building a church–less than a mile away!  So many opportunities to sow seeds for Christ!  But let me back up before we get to that day…and tell you about some of the “tough stuff” of ministry on the mission field.

If you have kept up with us, you may be aware that we are in the “processing stage” for full time missions in Bolivia– we met with the missionaries who will be supervising us–and they are a great couple!  Fluent in Spanish…and the culture…. and I’m reminded again of all the things we “don’t know” yet.  It’s all a learning process, and every single missionary goes through this.

I had a thought before we left for this one though, wondering kind of to myself if we would get a “real feel” for what it would be like….and yes, I think in some ways we did.  I mentioned “information overload” in a facebook post the other day–and I was trying to take in all my surroundings the words spoken (in English) and wishing for a notebook to write things down in!  I had even left my list of questions at home…

Church service was great, the people so kind to us–every single time we go!  We visited an area where we will be doing a lot of work, and on another day we also visited a tourist attraction, something we have never done before.  This was the day it all seemed to collide in my head and heart.  The place we visited was some of the Inca Ruins on a mountain in the town of Samaipata.   I will be honest–the history of the place and the feeling there– was incredibly heavy to my spirit and I felt “creeped” out by details of what happened there–and by what I felt in my spirit.  It was almost too much.  As a matter of fact, as I climbed the mountain –leaning forward with a heavy load on my back, my heart became just as heavy.  I was at several points breathing heavy due to the load I carried and my mind was working, not just overtime–but “triple-time”.  I wasn’t even sure I would ever tell the details about the day.DSC_0378

Our friend and guide shared the history, as well as “current” happenings in the area–which also creeped me out and I began to pray in my spirit–and I tried to sing….I was trying to do anything to get my mind off of where I was, what ground I was walking on, and what forces were at work in the atmosphere.

As we left that day, and lunched down in the town, the thoughts kept coming of the people in the town–the people in the surrounding mountains and wondered what it must be like for them on a daily basis.  I scanned for a familiar church sign.  Few.  So few I think I only counted one.  Maybe two–but that might be a stretch.

Let’s fast forward to the night time.  For two nights I slept very little.  The first couple of nights it was just jet-lag and information overload.  The night we returned from the mountain excursion, it was so much heaviness in my spirit.

Something our missionary supervisors said to us on Sunday:  “Whatever weakness you have is intensified on the field.”  I began to wonder at my weaknesses.  I think the biggest thing that plagued me was the fact I wasn’t sure I would sufficiently learn the language.  I pray and pray and hope with all my heart that I can carry on conversations and build relationships with the ladies and children and learn from them as I desire to teach them things that I know as well–but I kept getting slammed with all the facts of how I have to study study study to learn–it doesn’t come easy for me–it’s big time work.  So my insecurity came floating to the top.  “You’re not “this”–or “that”….”Perhaps you are too old”….  I am not kidding when I say that I tried for hours it seems to go to sleep.  My mind was being attacked with such force–and I was trying in all of it to pray.  I wanted to shout at Jeff, wake UP and pray for me…I can’t go to sleep!  But of course, I’ve never ever shouted at him–and I wouldn’t wake him up unless I was sick…. and I wasn’t sick.

There have been times when at home I would wake in the middle of the night and have someone on my mind–and I would know almost instinctively, they need prayer.  So I would pray.  There have been other times when no name came, but I prayed anyway–and it was for me or us that I needed the extra prayer in the next few days.

DSC_0352The day we went to the mountains and everything got so rough for me–I have a dear friend in Florida who messaged me that evening, asking if we were okay.  She said that all throughout the day we had kept coming to her mind….OH MY GOODNESS!  I told her briefly of some of the things, and GOD was so spot on with sending me a timely prayer warrior!  Did YOU know He did that?  I did.  And it was so good to know we were not forgotten, nor were we alone!

I believe I saw in those few days the joys as well as the times of trial and stress that happens for missionaries, not that I’ve seen it all–because I know I haven’t.  But I peeked in the window.  And I have to confess….there were days that my little house and my little life dangled like a carrot in front of my vision when I was trying to pray….THEN there would flash that little one with the big needs in her life.  Or the little boy at the school that just wanted me to take his picture–because he had very little attention…. or those who have never been to a church, and never heard the Gospel, and didn’t know about Jesus and how He came and died so that she/he might live…

I couldn’t hang back and decline the call of God on our lives for anything.  I feel with even MORE urgency that God has assigned us this country–and a particular area–and the 8 schools and “counting” who have opened their doors to us to come in whenever we can and minister and share what and Who we have.  We share JESUS.  THEY need JESUS.   I don’t want to Americanize them…. They don’t need what we have.  It’s not “things” that will save them….It’s only Him.

I encourage you to go on a mission trip if you’ve never been.  I encourage you to get out of your box and see how others live–see what they see on a daily basis–just for a week.  See if that doesn’t change your perspective on things a bit…. don’t be afraid….and even if you are afraid…do it afraid.  God may not ask you to rearrange your whole life—to move to another country– BUT He may speak more strongly than you’ve ever heard about what you are to be doing right where  you are….

DSC_0658And friend?  When you wake up in the middle of the night….can I ask you to pray?  Pray for us.  Pray for all those who leave family, home and friends to live in a strange land among a people they love without even knowing quite how it happened…it just happened…

We all need to wake UP and pray.  More.

That’s it for tonight.  If we were sitting together, drinking a coffee or something, I might be tempted to keep talking…but we aren’t…and I haven’t caught up on rest–or housework–or anything else yet. 🙂

I’ll share more pictures and a few more thoughts as they return to my busy mind. Until then, “pray”.  And keep on praying.  Without ceasing.  That’s what will get us through to the next steps that God has for each of us.

DSC_0652

faith, Focus Forward Ministries, Missions

But What Can I Do?

DSC_0278john316My 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!  

© 2015 Angie Knight- The Knightly News. All rights reserved.
Missions

I need to tell you something.

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…..

Until He Comes,

Angie100_1069changeherworld

faith, Missions

I need to tell you something…

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!
© 2015 Angie Knight- The Knightly News. All rights reserved.
Life Issues

Watch Your Mouth

How many times have you heard that?  Said it?

I can’t even begin to remember how many–but I am certain I’ve been told that as much as I’ve said it.  Generally it starts when our mouths begin to get sassy.

Oh, it doesn’t happen by itself.   Our mouths really don’t have a mind of their own…it operates solely upon what is generated from the brain.  And unless you are looking in a mirror…you can’t really “watch your mouth”.  But then, that wasn’t the point anyway.

This summer I have had the privilege of loving and caring for some of our grand children.  In most cases, they were mini-versions of their parents.  Not just their moms.  I saw versions of their dads as well–and I saw the reflection of what they have consumed from life.  When they prayed–oh how sweet!

They are fun-neat-hilarious-and at times right on target with the surprising things they say.  We’ve had a blast.  One thing I have said a time or two– “watch your mouth”.

Kids pick up words from other kids.  I know mine did.  I know I did.  They don’t use the vocabulary of their parents most of the time, it’s their peers.

I wonder at the end each day, how many times The LORD has looked at me and wanted to scream, Angie! Watch your mouth!  Instead, The Holy Spirit nudged me…and it was my choice to listen and cease–or keep right on with my opinion–vocalizing it to the hilltops.

I’ve heard it said –can’t remember where I read it–so it’s not my quote, “you can’t unsay words.”

Good grief–how true that is!

I’ve had my feelings hurt…I’ve gotten mad….been sad….with a full conversation–all in my head,  and as long as it stays there until I’ve listened fully to what God has to say on the matter, I’m okay.  But the instant I let words flail and fly out of my lips without so much as a “test run” with The LORD, I’m in big trouble.  Generally people get hurt.  The hearer as well as the speaker.  (Remember “do unto others as you would have them do unto you?”)

I have said things I’ve had to go back and apologize for.  I’ve said “I’m sorry”, more times than Carter’s got liver pills.  But that’s okay.  The instant we think we don’t need to say I’m sorry, or that it shouldn’t be us saying the I’m sorry–then we are in a bad way.  Spiritually speaking–as well as emotionally and futuristically speaking.  (I think I made up another word!)

Tonight–as one grandson has played a game–I have said several times to him, watch your mouth.  Meaning, he has used a silly word that has one meaning to him (he got from his friends), but it has another meaning in the dictionary.

As hurtful things have flown through social media, and from conversations of people, I have to remind myself, watch  your mouth.  I need to keep my opinion to myself.  And an opinion cannot be based on one side of any story.  The seeds you sow in words will root out and spoil good words sown in the past.  Rash and sudden decisions based on immediate feelings will often do more harm in the long run.

I remembered a “rash” decision I made about 20 something years ago, that I made out of hurt feelings.  Not taking time to rationalize, or see another persons view point–only mine.  It was solely from my perspective that I based my decision–and even claimed to have prayed about it.  Well, funny thing was, I did pray.  I “told God” what He already knew.  However, I didn’t wait to see what He had to say.  Instead, I did what soothed my hurt feelings.

I have learned along this almost 54 year journey, that God wastes nothing.  Not even poor decisions, or big mistakes.  He uses every-single thing on our journey.  Teaching, training, molding and making us into what He purposed for our lives.  Sometimes, like Moses, it’s a wandering in a desert.  Even as long as 20 something years.

We assume (incorrectly) that surely “this” must have needed to take place in order to get me to this point in life.  Are you kidding me?  He is GOD after all.  He can change our address in a breath.  Just ask Philip (Acts 8:39-40).

This life on earth is temporary.  We are spiritual beings having an earthly experience–and what we do here–affects our eternal.  Make it count.  (I am speaking to myself as well.)  Don’t let words that need to be said, go unsaid.  Words like, “I love you”.  “I’m sorry”.

If you are a parent especially listen to my voice of experience…. always end the night with your child in “I love you”…. It doesn’t matter how hurt or angry you may be with them…love them.  And get their side of the story–don’t just believe what you were told.  YES, I know they may lie….but listen to the WHOLE story first.  NOT just one side.

These little guys that have been here this summer–have been fun.  I’ve listened to two sides to many verbal tussles.  When I wanted to holler at one for being hurtful to the other–waiting paid off.  Oh how I do love these little guys.  I love being a mom, and love even more being a grandmother.  It does keep me on my toes.

Maybe they learned something this week.  Maybe they learned to watch their mouth.  Not looking in a mirror…but guarding what they say–making sure good things come from their heart and lips.  Teaching kids to guard their heart- their mouths and minds is more important now than ever before.  They experience far more of the world by the age of 10 than I had experienced at 15.

While we are teaching…we should also be remembering it for ourselves… Watch our mouth.

© 2015 Angie Knight- The Knightly News. All rights reserved.

Life

Camp has Ended

And lives were changed.  All over the place—hearts were directed to the path God had planned when they were created… and so it begins….the anticipation as each new step is taken….

Our granddaughter was one life changed, along with my sister, Wanda’s daughter, Victoria.  Both were filled with the Holy Spirit on Wednesday night!  When my daughter texted me the news—so many emotions flooded.  Memories of how I felt when Tiffany and April had such life changing experiences…And I could just feel the joy in my heart for Wanda’s “no-longer-little-girl”….

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He’s necessary you know.  The Holy Spirit is necessary for the hard days ahead.  We have no clue how tough things are going to get—but we will need all the Resources that God has to give…

I won’t even attempt to tell you what my thoughts are for the near future… I don’t want this to become a political rant—instead, I want to encourage us all.  Myself included.  GET INTO THE WORD.

Memorize as much Scripture as possible.  Know it front to back.  (I am telling myself this with much emphasis.)

The things that have happened this year—that even some “Christian communities” have fallen for, still makes my heart ache.  It’s like they have taken “white-out” to the Bible and removed, as far as what they read/believe, all the parts that they don’t agree with. 

And all the mess going on—all over facebook—the flag business and race business…oh my goodness.  It’s more than I can even put words to tonight.  Heart breaking…that we—the citizens of the United States are falling prey to the powers that manipulate…oh yes…  Have you ever watched the movie “Wag the Dog”?

All while Kids Camp and Youth Camp has been going on—we have had “grands” staying with us.  And boy-howdee have I felt my age! I think my poor washing machine has too.  I forget how much work goes into kids being in the house—but we have had a great time.  Two more come next week and then I’m pushing the pause button. 

One of the best things—listening to them pray.  And encouraging them to deepen their conversations with God.  I love my girls and praying with them growing up, but praying with our grandsons has been a sweet –unexpected, joyous treat.  Thank You JESUS for all Your blessings in our lives!

I hope your summer is going well—ours is busy—and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon! Winking smile

 

 

© Angie Knight 2015. 

faith, Focus Forward Ministries, Missions

I Know

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!

© 2015 Angie Knight- The Knightly News. All rights reserved.

faith, Life, love, marriage

Happy Anniversary-to My Love.

Happy Anniversary 2015

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….

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Missions

Time Flies On a Mission Trip

Time is short….or is it fast?  Either way—we seem to be running out of the year before we accomplish all we feel we need to accomplish.

So, you can imagine what one slice of that 52 week segment looks like.  Unbelievable – WITH Unprecedented speed—the days flew by.

We met and worked with a new missionary.  We have been so used to working with seasoned and much loved Missionary, Mike Baldree, that working with someone new seemed—well, like putting on tennis shoes without socks.  I could still wear them—but it didn’t feel the same.  Probably not a real good analogy, but hear me out.

This was a unique week.  It was learning.  Stretching.  Newness.  God placed Missionary Jeremiah Campbell in our lives for a reason…and he sowed some seeds of faith.  Stretch what we have—and lean in for more.  It was a good—really good week.  He brought with him a young man of strong faith and character, Evan Thacker—we got to know him a little better than the other members of his team simply because we had more time with him.

I know without DOUBT that they probably wondered what they had gotten into with our band of northwest Florida “country-talking” missionaries.  But our heart’s are just exploding with love for Bolivia and missions and the call of Christ Jesus.

I was able to have a great conversation with Jeremiah about some of the ins-and outs of mission work.  And in a conversation that he had with someone from our team (I was a listener), he shared things about missions that I had had questions about—but had never voiced aloud.  That, my friend, is the God I serve. 

Here are a few pics from the few days.  I really spent a lot of time behind the camera and very little talking with others unless we were sitting at a table…I felt like I could best serve the mission—and future mission projects with my focus clear….
After all…we have so little time…

Jeremiah Campbell’s Team
© 2015 Angie Knight- The Knightly News. All rights reserved.