Follow the Leader, Lead the Follower

November 3, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

When we see or hear of a “great” person, we hardly know of the trials they had to overcome to achieve this “greatness.” Let’s face it, no “great” person made themselves. Their character and wisdom are gained through decades of hard lessons or being humble and teachable. As Christians, we are called to have wise and trusted counsel by ones who properly represent the Word of God and not by selfish or worldly motives. Moses was mentored by Jethro, his father-in-law, Samuel by Eli, and Jesus mentored His disciples.

So, if you were to choose one person in the Bible to be your mentor, who would it be? Well, of course you would say Jesus, right? Ok, so who would your second choice be? Although choosing Paul is extremely tempting, my choice would be Elijah, and here’s why. Not only did he have a personal relationship with God, but he relied on Him for everything. Seeing his faith in action makes me want to know how I can get there. Elijah was zealous for the will of God and Israel. His humble heart and suppressed pride showed us that Yahweh was the one in charge in his life.

Elijah’s devotion to God was as bold as his name, which is translated “my God is Yahweh.” I’m sure you remember reading that during this dark period in Israel’s history over eight hundred years before Christ, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were murdering countless priests and prophets of Yahweh and replacing them with the prophets of Ba’al and Asherah. Nevertheless, Elijah’s strength was from the Lord and no matter how uncomfortable it made him, Elijah relied on God for ALL things and obediently acted upon His will and timing.

As an illustration, here are some of God’s works through Elijah: He confronted king Ahab of his evil doings and announced a consequential drought; retreated to the brook of Cherith relying on God to provide sustenance by ravens; lived with an extremely poor widow, again relying on God to feed them by the miraculous replenishment of oil and flour; brought back the son of the widow from death; confronted 450 prophets of Ba’al by himself on Mt. Carmel; poured water over the sacrifice, which was consumed by His Fire; made it rain to end the drought; was cared for and strengthened by an angel; met God face to face; parted waters; and to top it all, never experienced death because he was taken into heaven in a whirlwind.

We look at this list of miracles in awe of the power of God but the truth is, He could do this for every believer and not break a sweat. For me, the miracle is the obedience and faith of Elijah. He knew that if he correctly heard and was obedient to God, he had no reason to be anxious about anything. My favorite out of all the above miracles is when Elijah heard Yahweh in a gentle whisper while meeting with Him face to face. God didn’t show himself in the powerful wind that tore the mountain apart, not in the earthquake nor the fire, but in a gentle whisper.

Isn’t that what we want or expect most of the time? We expect this huge miracle with fanfare. We expect the voice of God to be louder than the distractions around us. Unfortunately, that is usually not the case. To have a fruitful relationship with the Holy Spirit, we need to have our senses in tune and in line with His prompting. It’s your responsibility and honor to humble yourself to serve the will of God, to quiet yourself from the distractions around you so you can have an open and honest relationship with Him. Oh, and although I would love to know how Elijah reached this level of relationship with Yahweh, I would selfishly love more for him to “show me” how to do it. To me, that is what a mentor is.

So, I have two questions for you. Who is YOUR mentor and who do YOU mentor? The first is one whom God has placed in your life to help guide you to have that personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. This is someone who will properly encourage you in reaching the destiny that God has in store for you: a life where He provides contentment and peace, regardless of the circumstances, and leads you to an honorable life with and for Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

By the same calling, we should actively seek to mentor others. This should start first in the home, as parents should be solid examples of how Christ expects you to live. Second, inside the church where new believers need guidance, growing deep in their knowledge of Word of God. Third, in the community, where we grow and encourage one another. Finally, in the world, as Jesus declares in the Great Commission to, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

Seven Questions with a Pastor: Wade Phillips of Madisonville Christian Fellowship

November 3, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

What caused you to want to be a Pastor?

If I’m to be honest, I never wanted to be a Pastor. I accepted Christ at the age of 31 and if you would have asked me then if I would be a Pastor one day, the answer would have been a resounding: “are you crazy?” I had worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for over 12 years and had every intention of staying thirty years and drawing a full retirement. But, God had other plans for me. About three or four years after I accepted Christ, He revealed the need for youth workers in our church and my wife and I answered the call as a Bi-vocational youth Pastor. Then in 2008, I began to feel the call to preach the Word. The rest is history. God called, I answered, and He used me to do His bidding. So, basically the answer is “God.”

As a pastor, how do you balance church, your family, and your personal walk with God?

This is the greatest struggle for any Pastor. At first, I allowed the church to take up every minute of my time. I thought that I had to be at everything since I was the Pastor. It wasn’t long that I began to feel the stress of the job weigh me down. I quickly figured out that God had set an order of things for a reason. He comes first, family comes second, the church comes third. I start off most days in my office praying and studying the Word. It’s vital that I am filled with the Word so I can impart it to the people. I also keep a weekly calendar and I try to make sure I don’t overload myself. Finally, I take vacations. I went three years without missing a Sunday because I thought I had to be there. But, now I realize I must take time for my wife and myself. It took a while, but God revealed the right path for success without too much stress.

What is your church’s vision for people?

Matthew 22:37-40 says, “And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment.The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Our vision statement is “Loving God and Loving People.” So, the answer to the question is simply, “we plan on Loving People.” Loving them to Salvation through Christ. Loving them in fellowship with fellow believers. Loving them in Discipleship through biblical training. And, loving them into service for the Kingdom.

Which Bible character do you relate to the most, and why?

I most relate to Paul. Paul was a person who was determined to tear down Christianity because he was focused on religion. While he knew who God was, he, like most other religious leaders of the time missed the Messiah. He was so blinded by his religion that he couldn’t see the Son of God right in front of him. I was so blinded by my sin, I couldn’t see Jesus. But like Paul, I had an encounter with Christ. Paul encountered Him on a road to Damascus, and I encountered Him at a men’s meeting on October 9^th , 2001. And just like Paul, the scales fell from my eyes and I could truly see for the first time in my life. He was then able to use me to spread His truth.

What does a typical Sunday morning at your church look like?

The first word that comes to mind is “friendly.” Yes, while we have a lot of pre-service rehearsing, and lots of preparation at the various service areas, what really sticks out about Madisonville Christian Fellowship is that it’s a friendly, welcoming experience. We believe people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. When you walk into our church you will find a microcosm of our community. We have people from various ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds and they are all engaged in Love. So, the short answer is, it looks like Love.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to grow in their relationship with Jesus?

In the song He Lives, the chorus says “He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and He talks with me Along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.” To grow closer to Christ, you must realize that He is with you every step of every day. He is in your heart through the Spirit. Yes, you need to be in the Word. Yes, you need to be in prayer. Yes, you need to be in church. But, most importantly you need that daily walk with the Son of God. Once you realize He is with you everywhere you will begin to talk to Him in every circumstance. And when you begin to have that daily communication, He will fill you up in a way that causes you to grow deeper in His love.

What is something that the Lord has been teaching you recently?

The decisions I make don’t have to please people, they only must please God. Human beings automatically want to please each other. We long for approval from our peers. If I have learned anything over the years of my ministry it’s that you can’t please everyone on every occasion. Our decisions must be focused on pleasing God and not our congregations. Even if something isn’t popular; if it’s biblical, it is necessary. As a teacher of God’s word, James tells us we will be held to a higher accountability by God. Lately, the Spirit has been reminding me that God’s will far outweighs man’s.

Women of Faith: Cultivating a Spirit of Perpetual Thanksgiving

November 3, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

For centuries, our nation has been conditioned to turn its focus to a season of gratitude as we usher in the autumn months. In more recent years, many have even begun to turn to social media to record their daily “thankful fors” throughout the month of November. The Bible is full of verses that encourage us to practice the discipline of giving thanks. Thessalonians 5:18 even describes giving thanks in all circumstances as God’s work for us. Thanksgiving, therefore is not something we should exhibit for only a season, but is instead, a year-round assignment.

By the very definition of the word, “work” is not something that comes easily, but rather requires effort. However, with practice and discipline, we can hone our ability to exhibit gratefulness to the point that it becomes second nature. Here are a few ways to help cultivate an attitude of perpetual gratitude:

Be intentional about expressing appreciation to others.

No man is an island. Most of us interact with others on a daily basis, and these encounters often result in their providing help, support or encouragement that enriches our lives. This could range from refilling our drinks at dinner, to collaborating on a project at work, or simply listening. When a thought of gratitude for someone who has blessed you crosses your mind, act on it right away instead of dismissing it. This might mean penning an “old fashioned” thank you note (a true novelty in today’s day and age), sending a quick (but specific) text message of thanks, or even a more public recognition of appreciation by means of a social media post. While any one of these methods of thanks would not doubt be well-received, face-to-face interaction is hard to top. A heart-felt, spoken expression of thankfulness (perhaps more than just the word, “Thanks”) coupled with eye contact and a genuine smile can convey a warmth that blesses both the speaker and the recipient.

Take the Joy Dare.

Writer, Ann Voscamp has an excellent, free online resource available for developing a spirit of thanksgiving 365 days a year. The Joy Dare, best completed as a journaling project, consists of a daily prompt challenging the writer to search for gifts (or blessings) in three, specific categories. These daily cues help the writer to think outside of the box, and keep their eyes open to common place blessings that might have otherwise escaped their attention. As the project goes on, the participant will find that they have become conditioned to looking for blessings all around them, contributing to a sense of wonder and appreciation in the every day.

“It’s habits that can imprison you and it’s habits that can free you. But when thanks to God becomes a habit – so joy in God becomes your life.”

—Ann Voscamp

Various studies have shown that keeping a gratitude list may contribute to a relative absence of stress and depression^[1], progress toward important personal goals^[2], higher levels of determination an energy^[3], deepen existing relationships and desire to build stronger relationships^[4], and increase general happiness by 25%^[5]. With all the benefits of a lifestyle of thanksgiving, it becomes more apparent that God has intended this “work” for our good.

Dedicate time in prayer, specifically for giving thanks.

As we become more attuned to the practice of pausing and reflecting on our blessings, it is only appropriate to express our thanks to the One from whom every good and perfect gift comes (James 1:17). If we aren’t careful, daily (or even less-frequent) prayer time can easily become a laundry list of needs and wants that no-doubt paint us as ungrateful, entitled children to our Father. Instead of leading with a list of demands, try opening your time of prayer in reflection of who God is and spend some time simply thanking Him for these aspects of His character and the specific ways in which you have sensed His presence. Similarly to the Joy Dare—when we pause and ponder God’s movement in our life, it helps shift our perspective and focus to details we may have otherwise overlooked in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

God unceasingly lavishes his love and mercy on us every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). This year, don’t wait for November to start counting blessings.. Begin giving thanks right now, and let it become a way of life as you lean into the work God has called you to, year-round.

Recommended Reading: Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp

^[1]Woods et al., 2008

^[2] Emmons and McCullough, 2003

^[3] Emmons and Mccullough, 2003

^[4] Algoe and Haidt, 2009

^[5] McCullough et al., 2002

Finding Love Half-Way Around the World: An Adoption Story

May 17, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

In April of 2004, Will and Sherri Sakson embarked on a journey that would change their lives, and their family, forever. The Sakson’s wanted a baby: someone that they could love, cherish, and nurture. Little did they know that their simple desire would lead them half-way around the world with 13 other families desiring the same thing.

After trying, without success, to conceive naturally, Will and Sherri Sakson felt a shift in their hearts. “We began to feel a different calling, a calling to adopt,” explained Will. “Love is an infinite thing. You can’t run out of it. We knew that we had love to share. We had something worth sharing with someone: our faith, our marriage, our home.” Thus began the Sakson’s journey to find Zoe, the daughter awaiting them on the other side of the world

“The first 6 months was a paper chase,” explained Will concerning the process of filing for adoption. Locating documents, submitting forms, and meeting with social workers, consumed much of the next year. However, nearly 12 months later, all the waiting became worth it. In April of 2005, Sherri and Will received the document containing the identity of their soon-to-be daughter. In an instant, they were ready to bring her home. Six weeks later, the Saksons found themselves on a plane to do just that.

Will and Sherri used Great Wall Adoption, a non-profit located in Austin, Texas throughout their adoption process. Great Wall Adoption has assisted the Chinese Government in placing more than 9,000 children with families. In April 2005, there were thirteen families adopting children alongside the Saksons. Soon after arriving, these thirteen families found themselves together in a conference room in Lan Zhou, China, anxiously anticipating the moment that would change their lives forever.

All eyes were trained on the elevator doors attached to the conference room: every parent knowing that once the doors opened, they would gaze for the first time into the eyes of their child. As the doors opened, groups of people carrying babies exited. “It was all very surreal,” explained Will while depicting the gravity and overwhelming joy of the moment. Tears flowed freely from the eyes of moms, babies, and dads alike. The room buzzed with happiness and newfound love, every family swapping cameras and taking photos for each other.

After eight more days of bonding and fellowship, the Sakson family returned to the States with Zoe, their daughter. Will and Sherri were greeted at the airport by their parents and in-laws. Reflecting on that day, Will remarks, “It was so great to let her meet her grandparents”. The journey to finding Zoe had ended, and a new life, full of amazing experiences and adventure, awaited.

Though many years have passed, the families that gathered in the conference room on that fateful day share a bond unlike any other. They remain in close contact and get together as much as they can. Since being back in the States, they have had two reunions, one of which was hosted by the Sakson’s in College Station, Texas.

In ten short days, Zoe will be thirteen years old. Her father, still as in love as he was the moment he first laid eyes on her, proudly remarks, “She is a great kid. She is everything that you would want your child to be.”

7 Questions: Rev. Caressa Murray & Rev. Jonathan Murray

May 16, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

7 Questions

with Rev. Caressa Murray & Rev. Jonathan Murray of Covenant Presbyterian

What makes your church a home for those seeking the Lord?

Covenant Presbyterian is a place where all are welcome, no matter your stage of faith – whether you are new to the faith, grew up in the faith, or it’s been a long while. We are all seeking the Lord, but we find ourselves in different phases of our walk in faith. Covenant is a place where you can come and be yourself – whether you are at a good place in life or find yourself struggling or in need of healing. Covenant is a place of grace where you encounter God through worship and relationships with one another.

This issue of Peace Magazine is all about serving the community. What are some of the benefits of serving? As Christians, are we called to serve?

We are called to put our faith into action and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world today. This world is a broken and hurting place, and now, more than ever, Christians are called to serve so the world might encounter “Jesus with skin-on.” The benefits of serving are seeing peoples’ lives transformed, encountering God in new and different ways, and getting a glimpse of God’s kingdom here and now.

What is your favorite character in the Bible and why?

Rev. Caressa: My favorite character in the bible is actually a dynamic duo: Mary and Martha. I seek to be like Mary, carving out time in the daily “to do’s” to sit at the feet of Jesus to listen and learn. At the same time, I resonate with Martha in her diligent and heartfelt task-oriented ambition to serve. I seek to have a heart like Mary in the busy world of Martha!

Rev. Jonathan: Despite the brash personality quirks, I admire John the Baptizer, because everything he does points to Christ. He knows he is unworthy, and yet his role is to lead others to recognize and interact with God in the new Kingdom come and coming.

What impact has serving, either in church or in the community, had on you as an individual?

When I serve others, I am compelled to break through the cultural barriers and stereotypes and see people for who they really are – a beloved child of God, uniquely and wonderfully made in God’s image. I no longer see black or white, rich or poor, whole or broken, but my eyes are opened to a brother or sister in need. By serving others, I am humbled and reminded that I too am a child of God in need of God’s transforming grace.

What is the purpose of the local church?

The Church exists to gather the Body of Christ: the broken and the healed; the lost and the found; the haves and the have nots; the newbies and the veterans of the faith, to encounter God’s Living Word and give thanks and praise for who God is and what God has done, is doing, and will do. The church encourages people to learn and grow in their faith, and empowers people to discover their gift and niche for God’s ministry and put that into practice.

How does your church serve the community?

Covenant is committed to serving others through hands-on mission, sharing of resources, financial support, and prayer. Within its walls, Covenant provides facilities and resources for two Boy Scout troops and three Girl Scout troops, community groups, like the Brazos Valley Community Band, and provides a full-time childcare facility and a part-time day school for families in the surrounding neighborhoods. Covenant serves the young people of the community by providing a safe place for our youth to grow and learn in faith through experiences to serve others.

Jesus commands us to go forth and make disciples. How can Christians do this in their daily lives?

By being connected to God, the Vine, we are empowered to branch out. “Going forth and making disciples” must be a daily activity. As disciples, we are to be aware of God’s presence and seek to participate with God, who is at work in and around us. As Christians, we are to be intentional about finding ways to meet people where they are, hear their story, share our story, and welcome them into God’s story. When we do, we open the door for the story to be unfolded and God’s impact to be made in the lives of another, and that is when disciples are made.

Life in the Middle by Tammy Whitehurst

May 3, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

Life in the Middle

by Tammy Whitehurst

Life isn’t sugar coated. It can leave us upside down and spinning around. It would be great if it was as simple as doing the hokey pokey and turning ourselves around. But, it’s rarely that easy. Life has a beginning and an ending. It’s the things in the middle that build our character, strength, patience, and most of all our faith. The middle is life’s wilderness filled with struggles, strains, tears and fears. A jungle of sorts. The good news is we can grow there.

In the middle is where we go our way or God’s way. Many of us have tried both. It didn’t take long to realize we needed the hand of Jesus to walk us through. In the middle is the realization of how fast time flies, how to make the most of life, how messes make us stronger, and how to finish with a focus. God doesn’t promise life to be all roses and red hots, but He does promise it is going to be worth it in the end. If our goal is to finish strong, we must make it through the middle.

Time Flies

Life has a big bulldozer called time and it doesn’t come with brakes. We watch our children go from diapers to dates in no time flat. We have learned a few things through the years and now we can look forward to the days ahead. We discover we are wiser as the wrinkles begin to claim space on our face. Friendships take on a deeper meaning. Stopping to smell the roses is finally understood. We realize staring death in the face, rising above it, and emerging stronger is possible.

By this age, we have seen modern day miracles, and we can laugh in the face of a challenge. We fight with faith instead of fists. We realize a step backwards after a step forward is not a complete disaster; it’s the cha-cha. Most of us have danced it a long time before we realized a waltz with the Word was more satisfying. There are unexpected delights in the days ahead. Don’t miss a single moment of what God is teaching through life in the middle.

Life Is What We Make Of It

Do you ever feel like you’re running in circles making no progress? We all have dreams and goals we want to fulfill. But life is confusing and chaotic at times.

We all remember the days of looking eye to eye at someone and saying, “Make me.” Our days are what we make of them. We can make an entrance, make it work, or make a mistake. We can make believe, make memories, make a mess, or make up our mind. We can make some noise, and in some instances make up for lost time. Our journey in life will be what we make of it. Let’s make it a journey that kicks life up a notch by asking God to use the messes in the middle and show us the beauty in the midst of the mess.

In The Mess Is A Message

If we are honest, we will admit life not a walk in the park. There comes a point when we will stare at the biggest challenge of our life and realize we are not in control. There is good news. We have a Messiah named Jesus to lean on. He gives us peace through life in the middle of all the mess. If we lean on Him when we need strength and trust Him even if we do not understand, we will be okay. We have had days when we wondered if that was true. But when we take it one day at a time, our Savior will clean up our messes. In the middle of the mess we become stronger.

Begin the day focusing on what really matters. Find reasons to be thankful. Remind yourself that Jesus is in the middle with you and will work things out in His time.

Focus on the Finish Line

Don’t give up. Life is not about who finishes first. It is about who finishes —–period. Just get through the middle. We cannot move forward, sideways, or any way because we are stuck in the rut of worry. It leads to relational, emotional, and yes, even physical problems. It is a view that somehow God lost control of the situation.

He didn’t.

Our problems are not too big for God to handle. Be a warrior not a worrier. Take it one day at a time to get to the finish line.

Beginnings set the stage and the end sums life up, but the middle always tells the story. Your story has power even if you think it’s not fancy. It’s not about being in the spotlight. It’s about discovering the Light. The true light in the darkness. It’s about surviving rock bottom and knowing where the strength to rise comes from when you are still in the middle. It’s about the trials that lead to triumphs in the end. Your story can help people get right side up when everything is upside down.

With all Paul endured while in the middle of his life, the apostle tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Previously published in Lifeway Mature Years 2015
Tammy Whitehurst is a Christian motivational speaker and writer from Texas who is an empty nester living on the lake with her husband and german shepherd. To learn more about her go to TammyWhitehurst.com

Broken Bread by Monica Huffer

May 2, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

Broken Bread

by Monica Huffer

Close your eyes and imagine the miracles the apostles had stored inside their memories. Peter walking across water, like a toddler testing the foundations of the world for the first time. Jesus asking for food to feed thousands when only a few pieces of bread and a couple fish could be found. The anxiety of telling Jesus there was no food or money to nourish the people He lovingly looked upon. The fear of worrying He would rebuke you for not understanding, for not being or having enough. The grace and wonderment of seeing Him take the minim and multiplying it beyond belief. Do I want to multiply bread? Yes. The answer is, and will always be, a resounding yes. I want to stand at the throne of God and have miracles pour out of my hands knowing it’s only possibly because He died to send His Spirit and have it dwell within my bones – to give life more abundant and brilliant than what could ever be imagined.

But sometimes I long for a physical miracle and miss the true miracle of Jesus. Sometimes I want the gift and forget the giver. The truth is Christ is the living bread. To take communion is to remember this facet of His being. He broke His bones wide open before us and freely let each be crushed beneath our sin in order to infuse ours with everlasting life. He poured the Blood of His life into a cup to let us taste the only sacrifice strong and pure and righteous enough to shake the scales of sin and death. He is broken Bread, multiplied without end for each one who calls out in starvation to be filled with His nourishing presence.

While I delight in the ability to multiply physical bread and feed grumbling bellies; my soul is starving for Christ to take root in my inner being and teach me to crush my bones for the starved and drain my veins for the lost. I want to be broken so those who feel broken can be healed, so the works the Lord allows me to do in His name are expounded without end for His glory – crying out Holy is the King who made a way.

We may be amazed by miracles, but we are made for servitude. Not a forced servitude, bound in chains to a cruel master; but a chosen service to the one who set us free and whispers beloved promises from His throne. A servitude where the more you work the less weary you become, the more you give of yourself the more there is to give. A servitude where joy is the standard and miracles are commonplace, because you walk in the light of the King – a light able to raise the dead and give sight to the blind. A servitude where five pieces of bread and a two fish feed five thousand with twelve baskets leftover.

Jesus promises in Matthew 10:39, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Each one of us has felt the tug of the world. The desire to cling to our lives, regardless of the death awaiting at the end. I’m my short life, I’ve realized the compassion of Christ to this plight. He rejoices in every freewill offering, every small piece of our lives we lay before His throne. Start with a prayer or scripture or decision to lay down fear and take up hope in Him despite what you see and are told about the world. If you give what you can for the day, the Lord sees and multiplies your offering into an abundance. An abundance of joy. An abundance of strength. An abundance of healing. If you haven’t made Christ Lord of your life, ask Him to take root in your heart. Ask to be emptied of the world and filled with His Spirit. Ask to be taught from His endless stores of wisdom and knowledge. Ask for faith to move mountains. Ask to be surrounded by people who can encourage and help you. Seek all these things and you will find them. Seek Christ and you will find life – a life of multiplication, no longer bound by years or the strength of your hands, but unrestricted and higher than the grandest imaginations of men. A life where multiplying bread is as simple as sharing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

10 Prayers for Your Daugher

April 26, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

By Lysa Terkeurst

There is something I’ve come to realize I need to guard against as a mom. I sometimes want to be God in my kids’ lives.

I want to write their stories.

I want to set the courses of their futures.

I want to determine what’s best for them.

I want to prevent them from ever being hurt.

I want to be their provider and protector.

And I want to be the one to set anyone straight who messes with my kids.

Can you relate on any level? I think most moms can. We love these people entrusted to us more than we ever knew possible. And despite all the infant sleepless nights, toddler tantrums, tween eye rolling, and the teen decisions that break our heart slap in two… they are ours. To love. To lead. To launch.

And we want to make it all good.

But then things happen so beyond our control we eventually have to face the reality that we aren’t God. And we can’t operate like we are.

So what do we do with that gap where our mommy capabilities end and trusting God begins? I want to trust God with everything beyond my control with my kids but it’s so scary. It feels so risky.

And scary and risky are two words us moms don’t want as part of our kids’ lives.

So, how do we deepen our trust in God? How do we make peace with the limits of what we can and cannot protect them from? What do we do with the risky and scary feelings that can make a mom lose sleep at best and feel crazed with fear at worst?

We must fill that gap with the only thing that bridges the space between our limitations and our trust in God… prayer.

I know, I know – that can sound like such a cliché Christian answer. Typical. Too hyper-spiritual. Not the answer we want sometimes.

But prayer is the only possibility with real possibility.

Earlier this week my friend, Brooke McGlothlin, wrote an article I posted on Scriptural prayers for boys. Today, I want to post some specific Scriptural prayers for our girls.

I’ve prayed these and I’ve seen amazingly powerful things happen in the lives of my daughters.

I can still fret and worry and want to mess with anyone who messes with my girls.

My girls still make mistakes, and cross lines, and give the principal reasons to call me.

But where would we all be if the power of prayer wasn’t in the mix of our lives?

And what might these prayers be working out for their futures that I won’t see for years to come?

Yes, prayer is the only possibility with real possibility. And that brings me to the place where I can finally say… “Hello, my name is Mom. Not God.”

10 Powerful Prayers to Help You Fight for the Heart of Your Daughter:

Give my daughter a deep desire to listen to You, Lord, and pray often, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:14b).
Let her learn early in life that to obey You, God, is the best way to the life her heart truly desires, (1 Samuel 15:22).
May she find comfort in Your ability, God, to reach her, hold her, and rescue her, (2 Samuel 22:17-18).
May she please You, Lord, by desiring, asking for, and utilizing a discerning heart full of wisdom, (1 Kings 3:9-12).
Let her find confidence in You, God, even when hard times come and she doesn’t know what to do, by keeping her eyes fixed on You, (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Give her a great desire to accept Your word, God, and store up Your commands within her so her ears will turn to Your wisdom, (Proverbs 2:1-2).
May she keep herself under control and not give full vent to people and situations that anger her, (Proverbs 29:11).
Give her the ability to rise above the traps of people pleasing so she can be kept safe by trusting You, Lord, (Proverbs 29:25).
Let her walk in the security of Your assigned worth to her. Give her a strong work ethic and health to accomplish all her tasks. Give her a heart that desires to extend her hand to those in need. Protect her for the right husband, a man of respect and godly honor. And let her be a woman of joy and laughter whose Christ-centered character is what makes her most beautiful, (Proverbs chapter 31).
And every time you, Jesus, whisper, “Follow me” she does so with great grace, (Matthew 4:19).

Modern Day Miracle: Turning Tragedy into Testimony

April 3, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

When Sean speaks, people listen. Public speaker Sean Carter speaks via an iPad, but it’s a special calling that Sean knows God himself has placed on his life: to encourage teenagers and young adults not to give up, to look for our hope in Christ, and to choose not to drink and drive.

Sean and his mom will both tell you that his life as a public speaker is really a miracle of God taking something tragic and using it for his glory. They travel the country speaking at schools, churches, and other organizations through their non-profit, WhenSeanSpeaks, Inc., but the hope, faith, and joy that is such a deep part of Sean’s life came through very painful circumstances.

About eleven years ago, Sean and a friend were coming home from a night of drinking, when Sean’s friend wrecked their truck against a tree. The friend wasn’t injured at all, but Sean received a traumatic brain injury that left him in a coma for weeks, and his life has never been the same again. When he woke up, he was not paralyzed at all, but his brain had lost the ability to tell his body what to do.

Sean’s physical challenges were extremely difficult; he had to relearn basic things like how to swallow, and how to shift his body. He also had a lot of spiritual challenges, wondering why this happened to him, and how he could ever live a valuable, independent, or pleasant life again. Although those painful times were the darkest times of Sean’s life, they also gave Sean the authority to tell others that they can still have hope, and created the reason why he is now a public speaker.

Sean says the greatest change came when he realized that God loves him, that there’s nothing he can do to make God stop loving him, and that the reason this happened wasn’t because God might not love him. Sean says he realized that a lifetime of trying to make things work on his own, over and over, was crazy, and he was ready for a change. That’s when he decided to really start submitting his life to Jesus Christ, and he has been growing closer to God ever since.

Sean will tell you that his life is a miracle, especially if you look at the truck from the wreck. Although none of his healing has been instantaneous, he says that he trusts God, he knows that God loves him, and he’s thankful for the ways that God has used him in teens’ lives. Sean says that he and his mom often receive emails or letters from teenagers who tell them that Sean’s story deeply encouraged them. They’ve even gotten letters from people who were contemplating suicide, but when they saw the joy and the purpose in Sean’s life despite his disabilities, it gave them more hope for their own lives.

Life still has its challenges for Sean, but he loves where he is. After spending the last ten years in a wheelchair, last year after a lot of hard work and intense therapy, Sean can now walk with a walker. Sean continues to work hard to learn to walk unassisted, and to talk again. He loves College Station, his Bible study and his group of friends that he’s made at Grace Bible Church, where he feels like “part of the gang.” Sean says he’s learning more truth about the Bible and God’s love for him and others every day. Meanwhile, he’s working with a friend to put together an autobiography that he hopes to eventually have available at his speaking events, and he’s still traveling to schools and speaking out against drunk driving. If you feel like there’s a tragedy that you can’t overcome in your life, he hopes you will think of him, a successful public speaker despite his disabilities, and be encouraged that God can heal and use you, too!

If you’d like to learn more about Sean Carter’s story, are interested in learning more about traumatic brain injury, or would like to hire Sean to speak at an event, please, visit his website at www.WhenSeanSpeaks.com.

Faith & Business: Q&A With Kent Lyons, Owner of Amish Furniture for Generations

March 31, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

Amish photo

What is the name of your business and what do you do?

Amish Furniture for Generations.

The name of the business implies everything that I do. We sell furniture made by Amish craftsmen that will last for generations. The Amish are noted for their quality of craftsmanship as well as their lifestyle. Not only is the craftsmanship excellent, they are using quality materials. We have a very large variety of pieces available for all areas of the house. Whether it is dining, living, bedroom, office or outdoor furniture, we carry it all. We also have the ability to offer customization on existing pieces or drawing something completely from scratch to fit the customer’s needs.

What is the best advice you could pass onto a Christian hoping to start a business in the secular world?

The best advice that I could give a person starting up a business for themselves is to pray and have a clear understanding of what you want to do. Then lay out a plan, including monetary goals or restrictions. Never lose sight of who is really in control of the big picture. Sound Christian principles can seem like a thing of the past, but they are more important today than ever. Honesty, integrity and courtesy are traits needed to succeed.

How do you incorporate your faith into your business?

I incorporate my faith into my business through being grounded in God’s word. Without a sure foundation in Christ, whatever you accomplish will not benefit you in eternity. Keeping that in mind, God’s Word will have the answers you need. How to deal with people, money, problems etc. I have had many challenges in the 14 years that I have owned my business. When I face things I am not knowledgeable in, I pray. I can’t count the number of times I have had help come to me: from many different directions and from countless people along the way.

The business world can be hectic. How do you make time for your faith and family while owning and operating a business?

My business is a family business. My wife and I have been in it together since the very beginning. We have set our business hours so they accommodate the public and still allow us plenty of family time. Sunday is our day of worship and we are closed that day. At one point in my business I was working 6 days a week. I was putting in long hours and I had not taken a vacation in over 5 years. Suddenly I had a God moment. One of my customers, an elderly man, had inquired about my family. When he heard that I had not taken any time off in 5 years, he gave me a good talking to. He told me that my two daughters would be grown and gone before I knew it, and that I needed to spend time with them before it was too late. It opened my eyes and helped me focus my moral compass back on family values.

What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

It’s very difficult to choose a single verse out the Bible as my favorite. The Word of God is a living, breathing thing. You can read the same scripture with a different set of circumstances influencing your life, and a totally different application of the verse can come to life. If I had to boil it down to just a single verse it would be 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul was writing to Timothy and reminding him of who he was, and what he needed to do in order to become the man God created him to be. For Timothy, that was accomplished by studying God’s word and understand how to properly apply its knowledge and wisdom. When you have the words of the Bible in you then you have the tools to accomplish the task set before you. It teaches you all of the things you need to run a business. It teaches community and how we all interact in the bigger picture. It teaches money principles, how to save, how to work hard, and ultimately how to have a great quality of life.

Is “giving back” important to you as a Christian business owner? What role does this play in your business?

Giving back has been a part of my business from the beginning: whether it was monetarily, through donations to various causes, or through trying to help people I have met along the way. I have always tried to make a difference. I can’t do everything but I have learned that I can do some things. I’ve found that the most rewarding time to give is when nobody’s watching. Sometimes I have been able to watch from a distance and see the results of my company’s giving. Other times, I’ve just known that it was the right thing to do.