Sunday, October 23, 2011

Save the Hero 2011

Dear Ladies,
I am at the “Save the Hero” Penn Florida Conference this weekend in Orland, FL. It’s called Fall Break Away. I am grateful that the Lord made a way for me to “break away” and come to this event. I had no idea that the “everyday” women would be the hero they were talking about this weekend. Yes, Jesus is our hero, but women are often a stand-in for Jesus, an instrument extended. Now that we have established this, women, you know how amazing you are. You are heroes to those around us, and we are grateful for you! The problem is that many of these heroes are tired, they are falling like flies, and need to be strengthened.

Before this day, I had pondered many times what the topic was going to be about. I thought to myself, Jesus is my hero, and He does not need saving. Who is this hero of woman I am going to hear about? What do you have for me Lord? In short, I am a little slow and came here blindly believing that God would have a message for me; I was so caught up in serving that I neglected to see that I am hero to those around me. It hit me right between the eyes. Thank God, I did not miss it!

It is day two, and I’m already reveling in His love and His revelation is filling me to overflow, which I was I desperately needed but totally expected! I need to see myself as this woman they are talking about it. I remember a recent thank you event our women’s ministry gave to Pastor LaDonna Jones. Each one of us told her how thankful we were for all of the things she had done for us. We praised her for who she was in Christ, but she did not see all of it. It’s hard when you are living the hero lifestyle to see that you are a hero. It makes sense. You’re not in it for the money. You are in it unto Christ.

Being that women are the avid heroes day-in-and-out, we are busy saving or trying to save those around us. I’m not just talking about your home ladies, as your Proverbs 31 life extends to those whom you come in contact with on a daily basis. Though no one may never say to you “thank you for being my hero”, let’s not forget the influence, as well as the empowerment we have received from on high. We do it for the King! God created women with the instinct to nurture. Yes, He may have made us that way or set us up for this ministry (hee hee), but we have to be willing to be His servants and do what He calls us to do.

It’s easier to “save” our family because we are emotionally involved and invested with them, but what about the lady in the office who has no food? What about the young man who needs a place to stay? What about giving the stranger the last $20.00 dollars you have? What about taking a friend to have their car fixed? I have done all of these in my past among other things, but I am still giving and trying to save others through the blood of Christ. I want to be Christ to them. We sing the songs with the lyrics such as, “I want to be your hands and I want to be your feet. Go where you send me.” You have an area to take care of right around you first. Start looking with supernatural and natural eyes in your realm of influence, wherever it may extend. Helping people with the natural needs are the easiest ones to see and do. If you are doing that already, then ask God to broaden your ministry spectrum it. Again, we do it for the King!

Sometimes when we are busy giving or being a hero to a precocious one we can be misunderstood. But if we know the true desires and motivations of our actions, we do not have to crumble, walk away, or stop loving and giving. We do our best to flow in the supernatural power that He has given us, while using any natural resources at our finger tips. This could mean you give someone cash, food, or a place to stay if the Lord tells you to. These are just a few examples. We do it because we love Christ and them, but more importantly because we are indebted in Christ and not ashamed (Romans 1:14). So don’t stop helping and saving the people around you. Stay revitalized, by keeping in prayer and reading the Word. Keep your ears and eyes open, but make time to get away and seek God away from all of the hustle and bustle. I am already planning for Fall Breakaway 2013. I would not miss it. I know He will provide.Some of you are wondering about next year, as you missed out this year or some other conference you were informed about. Please have faith and ask God right now to make a way for you. If not this conference, go to one in your denomination or circles. Get away! I can’t look at next year’s speaker, Lisa Bevere, or title, “The Lioness Arising” and have negative thoughts for a second.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Pastor's Song - Donna Jackson


Dear Ladies,
This week I want to impress the importance of taking the time to thank your pastor and his or her wife for the service to you and your family and congregation. We really have no idea what it is like to live the life of a pastor. They have a large vision from God and only so much time, people, and capacity to live out the vision.

We can only imagine that it must be hard. For example, think about being available 24-7 and to get up and leave your family right in the middle of dinner or during a dance recital to be with a family who lost a loved one. There is a great sacrifice that comes with being a pastor, though you never hear them complain. Aren’t you glad that your pastor is called to be a pastor? How about the days they go with little sleep. God has awakened them to pray for you and me. They also seek God for the words to preach to their congregation. They don’t fly by the seat of their pants. They are committed.
Think about all of the people they deal with day-in and day-out, both the kind and difficult and the ones in-between. In fact, patience is a gift that most pastors are blessed with. Again, this makes me think of a reason to thank my pastors Keith and LaDonna Jones. I am not horribly needy person, but I take up some of their time. Though they have laid their lives down for us and Christ, they have less time to take care of themselves. They want to make a difference for the kingdom of God. They give every part of themselves to it!

Our dynamite duo takes care of many things that go in the church, as well as the business aspect, but ministering to people and making programs to meet the needs of your congregation takes time and people to get the job done. It wouldn’t hurt to thank our pastors and leaders more than once a year on Pastor’s Appreciation Day. It wouldn’t hurt to ask your pastors where you can help and share their load. If it is a 24-7 job, and they need our help. I think they would appreciate that. If we can help just a little bit, how much more can they be freed up to do and serve? Let's give back!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

NO! You Can Say It!

Dear Kingdom Women,
I am writing to you today to encourage to use the short word: no. Are you spread too thin and going in a bunch of complicated directions? If you know me personally, you know that I am woman of God who serves and gives fervently. Yes, God has called us to serve; however, He also called us to be proper stewards. This means taking an account of what are priorities are. Sometimes we get pulled into a bunch of directions. Maybe it’s just that you are too afraid to say no, but if the Lord is behind you , as you move towards alignment off church, family, personal, and work alignment. He is sure to give you the words to speak. It’s only one word. No!


I had a difficult conversation that I had to attend to this week. I was about to embark on a temporary agreement, but I had to make sure that the contract was correct and that there would be no misunderstandings. I said what I could do, and the rest, I said I could not help with. I did not feel like I had to explain. Often, this is what we worry about the most. What will I tell them? Sometimes we don’t owe anyone the reason. If someone pries after you have said no, I question their respect and motivation.

Like I said, I am woman of God who serves and gives fervently. Yes, God has called me to serve; however, He also called me to be a proper steward. I have come to the end of myself, though it might be in near exhaustion. I just said no. I am proud of myself.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Love Your Neighbor


God has been talking to me about being more hospitable and loving towards my neighbors. For some ladies, this comes naturally, but not for me. I am a bit on the shy side. My husband Don is one who takes the lead in this area. He brings up the garbage cans for one of my neighbors each week. He is Mr. Sociable out there talking to them a lot of the time. He has the gift of gab that I wish I had.

So when I began to tell Him that God wanted us to bless our neighbors more and to love them, he began to question where this admonishment was coming from. You see, he was able to serve up a meaty list of how he has been a blessing to our neighbors. I, on the other hand, fell short. He uncovered my lack in love, which I respect. The next morning I opened my Bible to Romans 12: 9-21, where it talks about being a true Christian who is hospitable. Yep, I got my confirmation. I needed to head His word. We are commanded to love our neighbors. It’s time! I included this Veggietales song because it goes with the text rather well. Enjoy!

Below is a candid reflection of the above message and song written from heart.

Love Your Neighbor Poem:
Love your neighbor- even if they don’t chain up their dogs when they let them out to potty and their dogs chase you and your leashed dogs- love your neighbor.

Love your neighbor –even if you are shy and afraid to talk to them- love your neighbor.

Love your neighbor –even if they almost run you over as they back out of their driveway (this happened today)- love your neighbor.

Love your neighbor –bake cookies and take them over there with a smile on your face (I put this on my to do list for this week)- love your neighbor.

Love your neighbor –chat with them when they are outside and look for opportunities to invite them over to talk- love your neighbor.

Love your neighbor-they will see Christ in you the hope of glory and turn to God- love your neighbor.