Encouragement & Real Stories of Changed Lives

“If you are more fortunate than others, it is better to build a longer table than a taller fence.”

This past week I saw a new vision of this quote up close and personal through the lives of Chip and Joanna Gaines, America’s sweethearts of HGTV’s show, Fixer Upper. My sister, her daughter, and I visited the duo and their town, Waco, Texas - now a destination of more than a million people a year. Of course, tuning into the show we see the hard work and devotion they both pour into transforming a house in shambles to a home filled with beauty. The immense amount of time and love they have given their clients and community has ripple effects throughout Waco and even central Texas. They have leveraged their influence not for themselves but for their city and community. Chip and Joanna readily encourage any visitor to frequent the natural beauty of their city and other businesses in town.

Kid’s Back Yard Bible Club

 

Designed by kids, for kids!

 

Want to try something different with your family this summer?

 

Along with your summer bucket list of:

*pool time

*friend time
*vacation time

How about adding:

*neighborhood Bible club for kids!

Nine-year-old, Aiden, caught a vision last week to do such.

 

Debbie McGoldrick lead a workshop entitled “how to begin a neighborhood Bible study for kids.”  One such attendee was Aiden. After praying with his mom and dad he told them what he wanted to do. Aiden shared, “I want to teach kids about the Bible so that kids can know Jesus and go tell others about him and can become Christians too.” His mother, Heather, said, “he is so excited. We are truly excited to see what God wants us to do with this.”

 

The plan is simple. Heather discussed they will meet Tuesdays from 3:00-5:00pm in their home. The time will be spent developing friendships and reading from the Bible and talking about it. Their main desire is that their neighbor children know they can come to a “safe” place with their questions about God and they can learn what it means to have a relationship with God. She also shared her boys are running with the idea and they are trusting the Lord with all the details from week to week.

 

This week Aiden and his two brothers handed out rice krispie treats and flyers to the children in their neighborhood. How fun is that? They wanted to make sure all their neighbors knew about the summer Back Yard Bible Club. Heather also said she will have a private facebook group with the parents to keep them up to date with the weekly Bible verses.

Aiden’s favorite verse is Psalm 90:2. “Before the mountains were born you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.” When asked why this was his favorite, his reply
was, “it shows how much God knows and how mighty he is.

 

Way to go, Aiden! We can’t wait to hear about all the Lord will do through your step of faith.

 

What ideas have you had to reach out to children? What have you done to reach the children of your
neighborhood?

 

Joan Parsons, with three sons (21, 20, and 17 years old) and one girl (15), is thankful for her large capacity washer and naps.  She loves Mountain Dew, dance parties in the kitchen when all her kids are home, and laughing about anything. She remains bewildered with God's indescribable and constant love for her in the midst of heartaches and plain normal days.

Trusting God All The Way to Africa

(Enroute to Nairobi from London – after being awakened at 2:30 a.m. with a distressing phone call from home.  I don’t think I slept, but continued to pray, praise and rest in Your presence.  I sit between my husband Mark and a woman eating a Hindi meal.  In the quietness of this plane, I surrender to You afresh and so desperately need to listen. I so desire to hear Your voice.  I wait.)

 

Song I’m hearing:  “It is well with my soul.” I say "YES" it is well with my soul...it's my heart that is filled with sadness and grief for the choices, lifestyle, etc. that have been chosen.  I’m thankful You are his Shepherd and I’m just the Momma sheep!

 

My sheep hear My voice and follow Me.  I know them intimately – that is true for you, true for your children.  Keep listening, keep praying, keep loving, keep forgiving, keep joyful, keep content, keep settled, and keep at peace.

 

I AM -  that’s enough for you, for this situation, for your time in Kenya, for the ministry I’ve prepared for you to walk in – you are:

 

My daughter

My mouthpiece

My channel

My water faucet

My cherished one

My love

My friend

 

I am your child’s:

 

Father

Friend

Deliverer

Rescuer

Counselor

Discipliner

Trainer

Mentor

Lover

Forgiver

Savior

 

I am all I am in My names.  I am to you and I am to him:

 

Jehovah Jireh

Jehovah Nissi

Jehovah Shumah

Jehovah Rophe

Jehovah Shalom

Jehovah Isidkeru

Jehovah Rohi

El Shaddiah

Almighty – Adonai

Elohim

Elroy

 

Rest – He is in My everlasting arms 

Rest – He is being broken, molded,  shaped

Rest – I am sovereign

Rest – I am aware and know all

Rest – Roll all your burdens into Me and leave them there

Rest – I am on the move

Rest – I am awakening his heart

Rest – My ways, you would never figure out

Rest – be still and know that I AM GOD

 

Wait on Me

Think on Me

Dwell in Me

Let My words dwell in you

 

It is well with your soul – because as you press in and lean into Me – you sense no panic, no fear, no calculating, no figuring or forecasting.  My heart is calm.  My way is not hidden to you My daughter.  You continue to run the race I’ll set before you.  Run with joy and endurance with your eyes focused on Me.  You need to trust Me to rescue him in My way and in My time.  I will.

 

Rest, wait, and trust

Don’t worry

Don’t be fearful

Don’t be discouraged

The BATTLE is not yours but Mine

STAND and see the salvation of the Lord!

Lift up your head...see My glory

Expect a miracle

Expect to see with your eyes of faith a vision of him as I see him.

(Listening prayer for me is simply being still in God’s presence, anticipating His voice, recording His words, impressions, or pictures, then responding in love, faith & obedience to what He whispers.  It’s absolutely amazing, I always receive exactly what my heart is longing for…. sweet companionship, fresh encouragement and specific guidance.)

 

Debbie McGoldrick is the founder of NBS2GO, blessed to be married to Mark, mother of 2 married children and Dee Dee to Maddox and Joshua!  Debbie is an avid collector of heart rocks and shells, a lover of color, and always looking for a reason to go to the beach.

 

 

Mothers need one another. I don’t know how else to say it. We need advice. We need “oh ya, I’ve been there too.” We need encouragement. We need affirmation. We need help, for pete’s sake.

 

Gathering mothers together is really fun. Throw out this question, “tell your worst/best parenting moment” and let the laughter, tears, and connecting begin.

 

How to host a neighborhood Mother’s Day Brunch

1. Choose a day, time and home to gather in.


2. Ask a good friend to share thoughts on Motherhood


3. Send simple invitations


4. Prepare for the details of the day (clean, cook, ask a few others to cook too, etc)


5. Welcome each guest and tell them you are glad they came


6. Facilitate a “getting to know you” time


7. Pray a blessing for the food and the ladies who came


8. Eat!


9. Listen to “speaker”


10. Clean up

 

So simple. So needed.

 

We all desire to build “community” right where we live. Gathering neighbors together is vital to this. Sharing life with one another communicates value, love and care. Hosting a Mother’s Day brunch is a wonderful way to have women in our homes to produce this community!

 

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

 

As followers of Christ may we continually be known for caring for our neighbors, extending a helping hand, welcoming them in our homes and initiating relationships.

 

Do you have an idea for Mother’s Day?  Please share it with us.

The NBS2go Team

5 Ways to connect with your neighbors at Easter

 

A pastor was recently sharing that his family initiated with a neighbor who lived two doors down. They had the family over for Easter lunch.  As the conversation progressed he asked them what Easter meant to
them.  The wife responded, “what do you mean? It’s all about the Easter bunny and spring and such.  Does it mean something different to you?” He thought he would ask the question in a different way. “What significance does Easter have to you spiritually?” The wife responded again, “does Easter have anything to do with God?”



Does this story burden you like it does me?  The crux of the Christian faith hinges
on the reality of the resurrection. Our team put together a brief list of ideas to connect with our neighbors during the Easter season.