prayer – Jeff & Angie

The Broad Way and the Fruitless Tree

November 5, 2024 A. Knight

There is a passage in the Bible that has been running through my brain for several days now:

Matthew 7:13-14 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (emphasis mine)

“The highway to hell is broad.” It’s broad because we live in a world where we are so caught up in the next big thing. There’s a rush to get it or do it.
Whatever the biggest influencer is influencing you to do, buy, or be, that’s the goal for many. But that should not be what the Christ Follower is influenced by. We should be To read the rest of the story, go here. (my prayer journal page)

Photo credit: Pixabay.com free photos

Devotion, faith, Family, marriage, prayer, spiritual warfare, Trials

Gear-UP

June 21, 2024June 21, 2024 A. Knight

Our oldest grandson has some favorite things: Wrestling, Marvel Movies, family, and a good banana split. Almost in that order. With him being autistic, I’ve had to learn a new approach on many things in our lives, but especially change when it comes to him. We stick to a routine as much as possible for his sake.

This past Saturday we watched a Marvel Movie: Captain America: The Winter Soldier. When something is said that catches my ear–I pay attention and generally pause the movie and write it down. I did so last….. (To read the REST of the story, run over to my personal blog)

Missions

My Thoughts on Our Journey Home

November 21, 2023 A. Knight

Yesterday morning, I begrudgingly got out of bed, still exhausted from the previous day; however, I knew my mind wouldn’t let me stay. Too many things racing to be lined up for the day.

So many changes this year—they came rushing in on the coattails of last year. We are no longer inching through weeks, months and years; we seem to be rushing headlong into 2024. What does it hold? For many people, much of the same as the last few years, for others, they are headed into the great unknown of dreams and plans long in the making. Some are about to hold a brand-new life, whether their first or third baby, the changes that little one will make will impact the full 24 hours of every-single-day. And many others are about to step into a new job or new school.

Those on my mind this morning are the ones who have been handed a more drastic change of life—the last days of having a loved one close by. All of these changes take time to process. Some are blessed to have those extra months, but for others, this change in life happens so suddenly it takes their breath away and catapults them into an abyss of sorrow they never expected.

Our family fell into the category of watching a loved one slip away over the last few years, as first the mind began to wander—and then the body began to fail.

You were the one on my mind yesterday morning when I grabbed my notebook and began to scrawl across the page the words below, describing what I could see our loved one’s experience in a place of the spirit that we don’t see physically. Often the emotions or the spirit of us experience things that the camera of the physical eye cannot capture. The paragraphs below are what I felt our loved ones, those who have followed Jesus Christ, may have experienced—not in a physical sense, but perhaps in their spirit.

To read what I felt in my heart, go to my personal prayer journal blog: A Knight’s Journey.

Devotion, faith, Holy Spirit, prayer

Close the Door

September 4, 2023 A. Knight

How many times growing up did you hear that phrase? “Close the door!” If it involved a screen door it might be, “don’t slam the door”.

In the early hours of Saturday morning I woke up praying. Has that ever happened to you? I’ve had it happen a few times–and it always involved a dream where prayer, urgent prayer was needed-immediately. It was 2:04 AM. When I woke, I was actually praying in the Spirit and the need was critical. I’ll explain in a minute.

I got up and came to the living room–knowing there was someone I needed to pray for but didn’t know who. On my knees I called out to our Father in Heaven. I don’t always kneel–sometimes I sit–but this feeling that I had–I felt I needed to kneel–like we did as grandchildren growing up when we stayed summers with Mama and Paw-Paw. On my knees it’s easier to block out other things.

I don’t remember how long I prayed–but when I finished I took my notebook and began writing all that I could recall of the dream. I don’t feel impressed to share all the details this time–but I do feel you need to know the message that I felt the Holy Spirit was impressing on my heart to share with you.

To read the rest of the blog devotion please visit my personal blog.

Photo credit: Pixabay.com

Missions

More about Prayer

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 A. Knight

I finished (FINALLY) the last portion from what I had in my notes/thoughts from my devotion I shared with our ladies at church a couple weeks ago. I really didn’t think I would get to this final point–because I knew my specified time, BUT I wanted to save it regardless for future writing purposes. So here it is! Hot off the press!

If I could leave you wanting ONE thing in your life it would be to have you so hungry for God that you rearranged things in your life and house so that you carved out that special time for just you and God. It is the most precious and vital part of my day. If I don’t have this every day-it’s like I am missing an important piece of my clothing…

Getting up early with Jesus, OR staying up late [as I felt led to do for two weeks in a row] is the best part of any day for me. I reached a point in my life many years ago–it was no longer “if I have time”…it was more, “what can I skip so that I can MAKE the time”.

So, join me at my prayer journal blog: avknightsjourney.blogspot.com And bookmark the page so you can return (IF you know how to help me with a subscribe button, message me on Facebook.)

Missions

Thankful Thursday

April 14, 2022 A. Knight

It’s been a minute.

Last week, on the phone with someone from a family we were currently serving at the funeral home, the caller asked to speak with a co-worker who was also on the phone. I asked the caller if she could call them back in a few minutes. The caller said, “is it a minute that’s just a minute, or is a minute that like hours long.” That took me by surprise. No one had ever asked how long a minute was….it was 60 seconds last time I checked. I don’t think the span of one complete minute has changed since I went to school, but then I remembered; the term “it’s been a minute” could mean anywhere from one minute to several months, possibly years I suppose, for this generation.

I get confused at times at the changes in terminology. It’s been actually a few years since I wrote a Thankful Thursday online. Back in 2007, Thankful Thursday’s were a regular occurrence with several other devotional writers. It caused me to pause every single Thursday and give thanks out-loud to the World Wide Web. Yesterday–I was reminded…it’s time. It’s been over a minute.

There are so many things I have to be thankful for, I will hit just a few this morning:

The presence of and my relationship with God.

I’m thankful for Friday: A specific Friday, and what took place on the “Friday”: The complete and total sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as He surrendered His life to the cross for our sins, and was resurrected on the third day–and now is at the right hand of God the Father, always attentive to our lives and the needs in our lives.

I’m thankful for the ability to pray and attend church services freely without fear of death or persecution.

I’m thankful for my sweet family–every-single-one. We have been blessed to have mother and grandbuddy move closer to my sister, Aimee and I–and with things in this world as they are and health issues, I’ve never been more grateful that to have the ability to just drive about three miles to check on them.

I’m thankful for our home. We’ve been in our home since February and I still walk around sometimes in amazement that God would bless us with the desires of our heart so deliberately. I mean–you would have to know how many times my sister and I walked by this house built in the early 70’s and almost jokingly claimed it for us as a retirement home because of it’s perfect location. It was no joke to God. He knew exactly what we would need and when we would need it.

I’m thankful for health. We have faced new health issues the past few years and they have made me appreciate the good health we have had for so long. Heart issues are scary anyway–but when it’s the love of your life having them…we celebrate the fact that God hears and heals. Sometimes He does it outright–sometimes He uses medicine, procedures and physicians. We are thankful for all of it! And I’m thankful to have my sweet husband a little less stressed 🙂

I’m thankful for our daughters, their husbands, and all the wonderful grandchildren! From 20 years old to two years old–we have the blessings that only can come from the grace and mercy of Almighty God! Are they perfect? Are you kidding? But they are ours and we love them and pray for them all constantly.

I’m thankful for our church family. I have learned so much in my life sitting under various pastors, and I’m thankful that every single one of them have had a heart for missions;–the community, the city, the nation and the world. And our church reaches both near and far. It’s sad to watch churches dwindle down to nothing and have to close it’s doors. I wonder sometimes if it is their short arms…. not reaching beyond their doors, not looking at the whole picture–the whole world.

I’m thankful for my job. I found it very odd that when we returned from Bolivia (early), as I was struggling with severe depression–(a few times I felt to the point of just wanting God to take me home), that God would sit me down to work and serve in a funeral home. How ironic. But He as the healing and restoration has come, God has allowed me to love on and serve hurting families. Healed through serving. I don’t think it happens like that much of the time. But for me, He chose this way.

I’m thankful for my next door neighbors. 😉 This was actually the sweetest prayer answered, to me, since my baby sister lives next door! We both realize that nothing in our lives is guaranteed to stay the way it is, especially for those serving in ministry. I’m not so tied to this home, nor she hers, should God see fit to call either of us to a place beyond the limits of our sweet city. We must all remain flexible and pliable in God’s hands. Otherwise, the twisting and molding, chiseling and carving that must be done on us can get so painful (hand raised in acknowledgement). The process of change still hurts, but when we surrender to His hands–and are still before Him, it’s much easier than if we balk and demand our own way. Our way is not the best way–only God’s way is.

I just realized I’ve written more than the normal “thankful Thursday” used to be. We kind of kept it at a shorter limit…because you know, people get tired of reading… But my heart and life is full of things to be thankful for! I bet yours is too. Feel free to leave a comment with YOUR thankful’s for this Thursday!

A beautiful park not far from San Jose, Costa Rica! One of our favorite places to live!

Missions

Sons & Daughters, April 15, 2021

April 15, 2021May 24, 2022 A. Knight

To the sons I never gave birth to:

I have been amazingly blessed with two precious and incredible daughters. I have also been given the opportunity to sow into the lives of many girls over the last 35-40 years. I’m almost 60. I’ve accumulated MANY blessings in the form of some other mother’s daughter and now, some sons.

First, God blessed me with two kind hearted and loving sons-in-law. This isn’t about them, nor necessarily for them, although, if they are as smart as I think they are, they will pull some nuggets and put them in action.

What got me thinking in this line of thought are the five most recent young fellows God has blessed my life with in the past three years. I won’t tag them, nor state their names, they know who they are. And they know they are precious. Fellas, Mama Angie is about to give you some “mama advice”. You all have your own mama—I’m not that. But I believe in sowing seeds of faith and love wherever God plants you—and I’ve been planted here—and you are there as well, so get settled to listen a few minutes.

You are either just married, about to be married this month, or will next year. I’ve seen the rings. “Y’all did good!” I pray the coming years are even better!

So, let’s talk. Or, let me. (If you know me well, you know I will be honest and upfront if asked my opinion—but today I’m giving my unsolicited opinion.)

These are in no particular order of importance except this first one:

Pray for her. Not just in your own prayer time, but hold her hand or hold her close and pray OVER her. When I worked in Dothan, Jeff began doing this in the last couple of years that I traveled back and forth, and let me tell you—what a difference it made in my day! As well as how loved I felt—words can’t express the depth of that feeling-emotion. Just try it and see what happens. You will have a happy wife on your hands—and God will bless YOUR OWN life. You are her prayer covering. You are the priest of the home. You don’t have to use fancy words. It doesn’t even have to be long. If you feel too shy—do it anyway. Guys—if you cannot pray over her—stop and rethink this. This is a must for a blessed and whole marriage. Oh, you will still have a marriage, it just won’t be as blessed and amazing. (Girls, this is for you too.)
Find out her love language. If you’ve never read the book, “The Five Love Languages, by Gary Smalley”, I encourage you to read that. At least enough to get the gist of it. Her love language is what makes her “feel” loved. Guys we may “KNOW” we are loved, but we like to “feel” loved. That happens with the love tank being filled. Daily. I confess, I didn’t read the whole book and what I did read was many years ago, but it stuck. Find out what her love language is. It’s a short little quiz you can take online without even buying the book and it will open up your world! Everyone is different. My love language is three top contenders: physical touch, quality time and words of affirmation. Physical touch doesn’t just mean the bedroom (yes, I said that—you are either married or about to be—figure it out). Physical touch is holding her hand when you walk sometimes. It’s your arm around her when you sit close, or rubbing her shoulders—or feet! (If she loves that.) If you are doing this with sexpectations, you are doing it for the wrong reasons. And yes, I said that too. And guys, as you get older, you have to be more intentional. Life happens and we all get busy—just don’t get too busy to be there for each other—in the small ways as well as the big ways. If the church service is the only time you are close—go back to number 1. Pray. Ask God to remind you of the love you once had. When you find out what her love language is, not putting it into action is like saying, “I don’t care or it’s not that important to me”—if that’s the case, you are in a mess. Only God can help you. (Girls, SAME SAME SAME)
Help each other. If she needs help with a big job in the house, i.e., moving furniture, help with patience. If you need help with an outside project, ask for her help. Chances are she will love that opportunity to spend some extra time with you (but don’t get angry if she’s neck deep in the middle of something and can’t instantly to run help you). If that’s YOUR love language, make sure she knows that. She won’t know until you tell her. I personally love helping Jeff. We work pretty well together on projects—he knows my physical limitations—and while there was that one-time helping sheetrock I cried, it hasn’t been often—it’s a true joy to work side-by-side. (We grew that day.). Going through struggles is going to happen. Go together. Don’t struggle alone. The devil gets in when you try to go through things alone and he plants crappola in your mind and her mind all day long—we each have the ability to help one another and make it stop.
Be a good forgiver. My mother had Jeff and I sit down and read 1 Corinthians 13 together the day we married. We have both had to put it into practice many times in the last almost 39 years. And we have both fumbled at it at times—but we keep at it. This translation and I like the way it reads, 1-8:

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!

Don’t spend more than an agreed upon amount without discussing it. That means, don’t go out and buy a boat without sitting down and seeing what’s coming up, where you are financially and can you afford this…. And girls, same goes for you. When I find something I think I just have to have, I will send Jeff a message or call if it happens to be over the agreed amount. This is just good common sense.
Keep a little cash stash for emergencies, i.e., a special date night to a really nice place rather than just same-old-same-old. Plan ahead for vacations by saving and sticking it back. Makes vacation more enjoyable when you know it’s already funded. There were many years we never took one—it wasn’t in the budget. I didn’t pout—we did something else together. (Even if I pouted initially, I got over it really quick.). Goes without saying, girls SAME.
DO NOT YELL. Ever. If you feel the blood boiling, go wash the car or truck, cut grass, chop wood, or something constructive. Calm down. Talk about it before the week is out. Sometimes it takes a few days. Just don’t let it fester and become infected. Get it out and get rid of it. The devil loves it when we hang on to hurt. We have all been guilty of that. Girls SAME. If you yell, I will be very disappointed.
Give her the attention she needs. Girls, same. Give him the attention he needs. It’s biblical. Don’t make either one a beggar. Not only is that wrong biblically, it also lets them know—your needs don’t really matter to me. If there’s too much going on in your life and your mind can’t stop—work on that. Spontaneity is great—but planning is better. Planning shows you really care about the other person’s needs. I remember one time I was working two jobs and one was at the law office all day and the part-time one was at the mall in a small dress shop. Jeff knew I was exhausted. I was helping out a friend who was on maternity leave. I always called him to let him know I was leaving Dothan. He timed it just right and had me a hot bubble bath ready when I got home. Yes, I cried. Guys, pay attention to what she needs. There may be times she can’t put it into words…learn to read her heart.
When children come along—remember the little lady was here first. Love her big. Girls, SAME THING. If you have to “make a date night”, do it. There is a grandma who would LOVE to watch that little baby for a few hours while you have a special date. If you live away from parents and grandparents, find a responsible young lady or couple at church and ask them—whether you can even leave the house for a date or not, make it special. Intentionality speaks VOLUMES. Those little babies do go to sleep sometimes….don’t worry about the house—it will be there. Give one another some real listening time. If she needs to talk—listen. What she really might need is for YOU to talk. Girls, SAME. (Listening to Jeff is in my top five favorite things. He doesn’t talk a lot—so when he does, I pay attention.)
Be a saver more than a spender. This also speaks volumes. It means you are looking to the future and not just living for the present.
If a particular task makes her just nuts, help her with it. (Tax time is a good time.). Girls, SAME.
TELL her each day something you like or love about her. Whether it’s her hairdo, her eyes, her outfit, her nail polish or the way she loves you…make it personal. Not about what she cooked the day before. She needs this. I heard an older preacher say once, “son, if you don’t tell her, someone at that office will”. BIG side note: Girls, SAME. Tell HIM what thrills you about him. I love telling Jeff this—because number 1, it’s true. He’s the most amazing and handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on, and 2, he’s mine. I want to take good care of him. Because he’s mine.
KISS. KISS. KISS. I laughed when I typed that because that’s something we ALL need. If she’s a kisser –KISS HER. Girls, SAME.
Don’t go to bed angry. I’ve done this. I’m sure in the almost 39 years we’ve been married Jeff has too. BUT if you do, pray until you aren’t angry any more. Praying for her will remove the anger and help you love her through whatever made you angry.
Send her sweet texts in the day, write her sweet notes (I love a handwritten note). Generally, Jeff and I do cards rather than gifts at birthdays/anniversaries/valentines etc. Sometimes there’s a gift—but there is almost always a card. Make it one that says your feelings if you have a problem writing yours out. I’m a writer—so I have no problem with writing. If you are NOT a writer, do it sometimes anyway. I treasure each one Jeff has written.
Go the extra mile. Sometimes it may seem you are the only one going the extra mile—(girls don’t let that happen). Don’t carry resentment with you. Go with love for her.
Holidays are generally times we have to do more than we physically feel like doing—don’t fuss about going to her family’s house for a meal. Girls, SAME.
If you get mad with her about something….for Pete’s sake, DON’T go tell your mama. Don’t tell anyone but God. Unless you need a counselor. GIRLS, SAME SAME SAME.
If she handles all the household chores, tell her THANK YOU. If you share in those chores, great. That doesn’t always happen. Side-note to girls: if he takes care of the maintenance on your vehicle –tell him THANK YOU! Find lots of things to thank the other one for. A thankful heart is a happy heart. And lastly,
Go back to number one. Pray for each other. Prayer is the glue that will keep your marriage together in the hardest of times.

I’ve written a ton. More than I planned—but it just kept coming out… so maybe you needed reminding of what she needs. It’s not all about you. Girls, SAME.

Bolivia

Proving His Faithfulness

January 31, 2018October 28, 2020 A. Knight

We are here. The Lord has been full of mercy- and has been gracious to my weary heart when I felt I would faint from all the newness surrounding me.

Overwhelmed. That has pretty much summed up my feelings the last several days. I’m surprised He hasn’t obliged my behind with a swift kick. But again… He’s full of mercy and it’s new every morning.

We went apartment looking yesterday and today – yesterday one out of three was a keeper – except for that little thing called a budget.

To find something in a safe area And affordable I was beginning up thinking was nigh impossible. But God looked down and set us up.

“When things look impossible will you still trust Me? “

I trusted Him without a second thought during my cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiation…. What was the problem trusting and believing Him to find us an apartment? I was bone weary and emotionally spent. Every single ounce of my flesh screamed “stop and take a breath!”

We had several – what I will call “prayer crisis”. When we got to the Miami Airport to leave, we discovered that my tourist visa had expired. And to get one at the airport requires certain documents. Well, you would have thought we knew that it expired – but since Jeff’s was a 10 year tourist visa we never thought to check mine… We assumed. Yeah yeah. I know.

So there was a huge emotional deal going down in my head when we got to the airport checking in our bags. I asked a few prayer warriors to pray. Well…. They let me on the plane.

Of course you must know it was not a peaceful flight like I had “planned”. Instead my heart was filled with anxious thoughts. When we finally got here and deboarded the plane it was another ordeal and phone calls and anguish and tears – finally I was spent…. I was ready to go home and say “forgetaboutit“. I sat there in tears (while Jeff was – I’m not sure where, trying to get me in) and told the Lord “I’m done”. I said it twice for good measure. I was, as they say–being real with God.

That very instant when I admitted to having NO abilities on my own, and our merits could get us nothing, the guy walked over who had told me my papers were no good and not enough–and he asked for them again and he made it happen. More than an hour after we landed, we walked out into the freedom of a tourist.

There’s a LOT of spiritual lessons here once I unpack it all, but know this, God proves Himself daily. Every single minute of every day.

We are grateful to a lot of people-both here and at home. Our prayer partners are relentless. And so is our God.

My friend, Paola wanted to get Jeff to try something – her words were “have you proved this”?? He had not tried it… That’s us. Try HIM. Prove Him. He is trustworthy. It may not look like we thought…. I may not understand the whole process but His ways are eventually visible.

One last note – we don’t have wifi yet, but we have phones. If you see our family – love them for us. Hug them. This is the Hardest thing for me because I love my family more than anything.

I’m reading a book called “A Tale of 3 Kings”, by Gene Edwards. I want to leave you with a quote:

“… God did not have -but wanted very much to have – men and women who would live in pain. God wanted a broken vessel.”

I think that can often sum up the life of followers of God. To die to the desires of our own hearts and take up His. We are no different than you. Just a different assignment today.

(special thanks to Stevie Elam for this amazing gift!)

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

Missions

I need to tell you something.

September 12, 2015 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…..

Until He Comes,

Angie