Encouragement & Real Stories of Changed Lives

Caroline’s soft voice drew the crowd closer. With attentiveness that no one expected nor planned for, her authentic words of vulnerability accomplished what some speakers only dream of but never achieve.

For Caroline, her size and stature began her testimony before she uttered the first word.

At age 18, she reached her full height, 3’7”. From birth, it was discovered that she had a rare bone and joint condition that would classify her as a “little person”. She was born on 2/10 at 2:10pm. Her life verse is Ephesians 2:10, “For I am God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

♥R eposted with permission from Calvary Life Magazine.♥

FEAR seems to be a common theme from those who have been sharing their experiences about their Neighborhood Bible study journey! “How will my neighbors respond when I invite them to come to my house for a Bible study? Will they think I’m weird, crazy, fanatical? What if don’t know how to answer their questions? WHAT IF NO ONE COMES?” On and on the doubts and fears go. Well, my experience has been no different! From the time two years ago when the vision was shared for us to go out into their neighborhoods, workplaces and families like streams in the desert, sharing the Living water, I knew that God wanted me to start a study in my neighborhood! BUT, all those fears I mentioned kept on rearing their ugly heads in my heart and mind!

I often wonder…. what if my desire to listen to God equaled His longing to speak personally with me? Listening prayer for me is simply being still in God’s presence, anticipating His voice, recording His words, impressions, or pictures, and then responding in love, faith and obedience to what He whispers. It’s amazing — I always receive exactly what my heart is longing for — sweet companionship, fresh encouragement, and specific guidance. I’m praying that this excerpt from my “Listening Journal” will encourage you to begin a practice of listening to God. –Debbie

I’m away at the Lake, seeking focused prayer time, while a bumble bee circles my head.  I hear God saying – “Bumble bees are like distractions. I have a Plexiglas fortress around you, that moves as you move.  Fear not the bumblebee’s distractions. They will not harm you – present but not potent.

Stressing out is not what you need to do. It expends energy and increases the intensity of the distraction.

See all distractions for what they are – move forward, don’t stop and pre-occupy yourself with them.

“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.