Finding Joy in Times of Trial

Women’s Ministry Minute

August 11, 2020

With Carina Yanes

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1: 2-4

Hello everyone,

Overall the last couple of weeks with everything going on in the world, I have been looking over scriptures focusing on dealing with anxiety and trusting in God. As I approach my last year in college, I have been dealing with some anxiety about what will come next and overcoming all of the trials that Covid-19 has brought into my life. With school approaching soon, I have been anxious about my internship in the Champaign in an elementary and high school this fall with so much that is still unknown. This was definitely not how I had pictured my internship to be, filled with so much anxiety and concern about how things will be with keeping everyone safe and healthy. It is during these trials and concerns, though that I turn to God for comfort and trust in His plan for me. Growing up, my mom would always tell me that no matter what God will always provide and to trust in Him.

This verse in James helps remind me to change my perspective when looking at the different trials I have faced and will have to face. To find the positive in them and consider them pure joy instead of focusing purely on all the negative. It is through these trials that we must persevere so that we may grow and become more mature and complete in our faith. I know I am very anxious about what to expect for this upcoming school year with Covid-19, but at the same time, I know that this experience will be unique, and if I persevere and trust in God’s plan for me, it will be a great learning experience for me. We may not know what God always has planned for us, but as long as we persevere through the trials that are put in front of us, our faith will continue to grow as we remember that God is always in control, and we must trust in Him.

Sit in His Presence

Women’s Ministry Minute

July 9, 2020

With Rose Carpenter

Oh, where do I begin? Well I guess from the beginning of my journey of “Enjoying the Peace of His Presence.”
This year has been especially hard. Mentally, physically, and spiritually. I love “my kids” at school and I would have some wonderful talks and moments with them but the almost constant things I heard and/witnessed took it’s toll. Sometimes I would come home and just cry, “Why am I there?”, “I can’t do this anymore.” Then came the “stay at home.” At first it was, “Yes! This is what I need!  No more drama. No more my heart is aching so much for a child and I don’t know what to do about it.” After awhile though I was alone, no one else but me. I would talk with God but not TALK with God. Then one day I came across a book called, “Jesus Calling  Enjoying Peace In His Presense”. Tasha had given this to me months ago and I flipped through it and set it aside (sorry Tasha). I started to read it and WOW! Talk about an eye opener. I could hear God saying, “Ok Rose, you are ready to listen.”
This is what I have been learning (so far): I view each day as an adventure planned by God and He is with me every moment wherever it leads. I am not ashamed of my emptiness but I see it as the best condition to be filled up. He sees straight through me and is transforming my weaknesses into strengths. What I didn’t realize was my worries were infesting my mind and in order to break free of this bondage I had to trust in God. When I did this I would be refreshed in His Presense. (This was/is a hard one)
God is with me and for me and I face NOTHING alone. Much of my exhaustion resulted from my constant battle against the world, myself, and Satan. However, I am on the path of God’s choosing. When I feel like I’m sinking I call out, “Help me!” and He will draw me back even if I call out a thousand times.
And finally, with tears in my eyes (I know, you’re not surprised), I remember:
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8

I am a work in progress. Step by step. To God be the glory.

God is with us in pain and grief

Women’s Ministry Minute

July 7, 2020

With Natalie Brand

On July 31, 2017 I awoke to the sound of my alarm. Ugh... I thought.. its 6:00 a.m. already? I am not a morning person. I very slowly started my families morning routine. Eventually we were out the door and on our way to work and school. The day progressed as usual until around 1:30 pm. I was sitting in my office and the phone rang. It was Allen. I always love to hear his voice but this time it was different. I knew immediately that something was wrong. My mind began to whirl as I heard him say the words that would completely change our lives. “I have some not so good news”. He said, “They have decided not to continue the project. I am being laid off. “ Wait! What? What are we going to do? We just bought our brand new dream house. We have no savings. I do not make enough to support us! “God will provide,” he said. Truth be told, I hated this answer. While this answer showed my husband’s tremendous faith and trust in God, it meant that I could not control the outcome. It meant that I had to sit and wait and trust. That is not easy for me. I like to be in control. I always have a plan. Only, this time there was no plan. That ate at my very core. As I sat at my desk, tears began to flow and I did the only thing I knew to do: pray. Later on that day we found out that God was already taking care of us. Allen would receive a severance package. This would take care of our family financially for the next six months! Thank you Lord! Therefore do not be anxious, saying “What shall we eat drink? “ Or what shall we wear? “ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them all. (Mathew 6:31-32) For the next few months we began to pray that God would open our heart to possibilities and that he would make it obvious to us what his plans were for our family. Let’s face it there is not a nuclear plant around every corner. We knew that moving far away from all of our family and friends and out of our new home was a very likely possibility. Sure enough Allen received an offer from Clinton Power Station. This Southern girl was not so sure about moving to the midwest. Then I began to worry again. What about the nice big house we had just purchased three months ago! You see we lived in a neighborhood where thirteen other houses were on the market due to the same layoff. Our whole community had been affected by the ending of this project. How on earth would be sale a house that we had only owned for three months with all this competition? As I shared my anxious heart with my husband, he again said, “Do not worry. The lord will take care of us.” Again, I shiver at the sound of that sentence. Again, I am not in control. What about my job? I love my job. It has been my ministry for five years now. I will have to leave it. Once again my ever so patient husband says, “God will take care of you.” Consider the ravens: they neither so nor reap, they have neither store house nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! (Luke 12:24) Over the next two weeks we begin the painstaking task of moving. I leave my job and movers come in and pack all of our belongings. We say our emotional, tear, filled good byes to our church family of more than twenty years, as well as our physical family and we begin the twelve hour trip to our new home. I should mention that it was the end of September when we left our home in South Carolina and arrived in Mahomet, Illinois. I was wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt. When we arrived at our new home in Mahomet, we were greeted with many helping hands and smiling faces ready to help us move in. Thank you Lord for the generosity of the Kingdom and our new church family. However, I was also greeted with the midwest late September cold and wind. I knew immediately that I was no long in the warmth of South Carolina and the shorts and sleeveless shirt I had on were not going to keep me warm. The next few months were difficult for our family. We grieved the lost of our previous life, our friends, our family and the routine that we had become accustomed to. We all learned that homesickness is real! As we began to settle in, I began having health issues. I had been having horrible pain in my stomach. After many tests and a night in the Emergency room, I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. Now I had to change my diet completely. Shortly after that it was determined that I needed to have a hysterectomy. This was a major surgery that would leave me down for at least two weeks and at half capacity for at lease two weeks. I began to cry out to God. “God this is too much! You move me away from my family and friends to a strange place where I know no one and now I have to change my entire diet and have a major operation!! Not to mention the emotions my children were expressing about being lonely and missing their loved ones. This became my theme scripture: Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. ( Isaiah 54:10) Isn’t that scripture amazing?! Fast forward a bit. The last two years have been difficult to say the least. but things are looking up, we are getting ready to go on vacation. We are going to my favorite place. The place where my soul finds rest and connection with God: the beach. As I am packing for vacation, I get a phone call. It is the sister of my best friend of over 25 years. She is in tears. I can barely understand her. She tells me that my friend was found dead on the floor of her apartment. I am in shock! I am lost for words. Tears roll down my face. We both began to sob. She asks me if I will be in South Carolina in the next week and if I can speak at the funeral. I tell her about our vacation plans and that we will be in South Carolina next week. Once again, I am grieving. This time it is the loss of my very best friend since sixth grade. We have been by each other’s side through all of life’s milestones: high school, dating, marriage, babies. Now all I have is memories. In all the sadness I saw Gods hand. I saw how much he cared about the details of my life. The timing allowed for me to speak at and help plan her service. I was able to show God’s love and comfort her family. Little did I know that while I was speaking at her funeral my heart was about to take another hit. I was about to experience grief in a way I never though possible. That very night, as I was tucking my children in to bed, my phone rang. It was my mom. She was crying. She told me that my dad was very sick and that the medical staff had said that he didn’t have much longer. It felt as if 1000 pounds had been placed on my shoulders and I was sinking under the weight of it all. How could this be, God? I just lost my best friend, and now this! God where are you??? That night, Allen and I drove to my dad’s hospital room. As I watched both of them sleep I went into the bathroom and fell to my knees. I begged God to take this cup from me. I can not bear it. I cried harder than I had ever cried in my life but even on my knees sobbing in that hospital bathroom. I saw God’s love for me. I had moved many miles away and yet God’s timing was perfect. I was able to be there with my dad and I would be there with him until the end of his life. What a privilege to be able to comfort the man who raised me as he left this world. God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea. ( Psalms 46:1-2) To say the last three years have been difficult is bit of an understatement, The pain and grief have been very real and ever present. However, I have seen and felt God’s love through it all. I am so humbled to be the daughter of such a good, good father.

Roots

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 26, 2020

Katelyn Hamlow

 Roots

I don’t think that this is news to anyone, but for those who don’t know, my family and I live on a farm, and for as long as I can remember my family has had a garden. For our tomatoes and peppers, we always start our seeds in early spring in starter pods before putting them in the ground as plants. My grandma always taught me when you start seeds in the tiny pods you start with 3-4 seeds in the pod. Then as you watch the seedlings grow, you pull out the weak seedlings to make space for the strongest one. The interesting thing about pulling the weak plants is that sometimes you are actually pulling the tallest of the seedlings. Now for many people, this might seem counterintuitive. The tallest plants are often seen as the fastest growing or healthiest, but often that isn’t the case. Lots of time, the shorter, slower growing seedlings are actually the strongest. You see, the shorter seedlings have spent their time developing their root systems. They grow with stronger stems and end up doing much better in the harsh country wind, sun, and elements. As with so many things growing up on a farm, I can’t help but relate this lesson about plants to our relationship with God. When I think about all of the women I admire so much, who never waiver in their faith, who have weathered so many storms in their lives, the common thread is the same; they have strong roots. They are anchored in God’s word, and in his teachings. They have done the work, and put in the time, to have deep roots and strong stems. They might not always be the tallest or the easiest to spot, but they are strong and able to withstand the harshness of this world, and isn’t this what God is calling each of us to? 

I want to encourage each of you to grow your roots. Take time to develop your relationship with God, to get to know him, be anchored in his Word and teachings. Sisters, we do not always need to be to the tallest, the fastest growing, or the most seen. We need to plant our roots deep, where no matter the challenge, we can face it because of our relationship with our Lord. 

 Colossians 2:7; Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. 

Is Self care the best care?

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 25, 2020

With Avalon Negrette

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Whenever you hear someone talking about self care, what do you envision? 

Essential oils?

Face masks? 

A glass of wine? (Am I right?)

Bath bombs? 

Reading a book with a comfy blanket with no distractions?

All of these examples are super nice and maybe you want to be doing one of these things right now. And don’t get me wrong; I enjoy spending time by myself and opening up Avalon’s Beauty Shop on a Saturday afternoon, but it’s got me thinking about this whole idea of self care. Self. 

Singular. 

Just me, myself, and I.

 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

John 14:27

Do I seek to fulfill my own comfort? My own peace? Is my definition of  “self care” really just me escaping and avoiding going to God? Am I casting all my anxieties onto the Lord or am I casting them into my essential oil diffuser? Or my bathtub? Or my current summer romance novel? 

Where do I go first? 

I truly believe that bath bombs are a gift from the heavens, but I think that we could maybe do with changing the way we do self care in our culture. We need to be aware of what really fills us up. 

Praying

Meditating 

Yoga

Reading scripture 

Singing hymns etc...

All of these fill our soul so much more than a Christmas scented candle ever will. Let’s go to our Lord first when we feel the need to kick up our feet and binge watch our favorite tv show. Let’s cast our anxieties onto Him who gives us peace that transcends all understanding. The Lord loves us and cares for us so much more and better than we care for ourselves. We need to let Him. 

God is here with us

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 24, 2020

With Marissa Arnett

Since the beginning of quarantine and COVID-19, so many things are different. All of the sudden, life was a novel. With tragedies and difference, defiance and truth, all happening as if a writer decided to give his story plot twist after plot twist, striving to keep their audience guessing. To keep their hearts beating rapidly and continuously, only to be lulled in a sense of security in which--almost immediately—is deterred, such as the snapping of a trap. We as the audience in this bizarre description, know all the emotions that come with it. Fear, love, sadness, joy, and so many others that can never be described yet we all know how they feel. The biggest and perhaps the most diversified feeling we’ve had is change. For instance, I’ve had to change the way I get my education, change the way I buy groceries, and change the way I walk into my house, all to keep others and myself safe. The most awkward change I’ve made, is with my times with God. All the sudden I had and infinite number of things to pray about, think about, and ask myself about. What is God trying to teach me, through all of the foreign happening outside my front door? It was overwhelming trying to navigate through the maze of conflict and trouble that was happening to so many people in the world. I felt as though I was in the eye of a hurricane, feeling the world’s wind and waves as they thrashed against my helpless body. To help with this feeling, I turned to the Psalms. Through prayer I was determined to help others in a way that always pointed to the goodness of God, as many of the Psalms do. But that isn’t what God wanted me to learn. Instead, praying about the goodness of God everyday taught me the most important thing I’ve learned from all this change: God is constant. As the world seemed to be crashing down around me, God remined me that He is here, always has been, and always will be; here with us. He was there when the world began, he was there when the Red Sea was parted, he was there when His son hung dying on a tree, and He is here with us now. He is here when thousands are dying. He is here when my black brothers and sisters are being persecuted. He is here when the world is in turmoil. He is here in the eye of the storm. If He has the power to command the wind and the waves, to break the bow and bend the spear, and to move mountains into the sea, why should I feel overwhelmed with the world? God is here and his power is unmovable. He is the one thing that hasn’t changed in this world of struggle. He is constant. Therefore, even as the wind and the waves beat against my body, I take comfort in knowing that the mighty God of Israel is here with me. I take comfort knowing that he is with the many, many, peoples who are hurting. I take comfort knowing that God has been here with us, reading each chapter with countless emotions as we are. We may not know the ending to the narrative, but we do know the author, and I look forward to facing the storm by His side.

Focus on the Lord

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 23, 2020

With Lisa Miller

During this season of "COVID 19" my thoughts, emotions and walk with God have been all over the place.  I have felt more scattered than usual!  I would love to be able to say this time has changed me in deep and profound ways; but that is still a work in progress.  However, this time has brought to the surface again, two of my biggest weaknesses.  The first being comparison and the second is saying "no" to all the apparent good and Godly things, which keeps me from saying yes to the best things.  

Both of these struggles take me to Luke 10:38-42;  

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"  "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed---or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Martha was doing a "good" work.  She was practicing hospitality, which was exceedingly important in biblical times (as well as now).  But, when she comes to Jesus is she in comparison with her sister?  Is she choosing the "best yes" spiritually?  At first glance, I've felt that Jesus's response to Martha is rather callous.  However, after I have studied and prayed about this passage; I have a new perspective.  I believe Jesus is addressing issues that for me, come with comparison.  How often, when I am in comparison, am I worried and/or distracted?  Questions race through my mind; Do I have enough?, Does everything look presentable? Could I do it better? So and so would have done it better.  Some of these questions seem innocent but generally I am in comparison.  Comparison distracts me from my best yes.  I am not saying we should not do good works as the Bible tells us to do good works ( Ephesians 2:10).  Nonetheless, if my comparison of good works or choosing too many are keeping me distracted from intimacy with God then something needs to change.  

The word translated "distracted" in verse 40, periespato, has the connotation of being pulled or dragged in different directions or in my case "scattered"!  Definitely during this time of COVID 19 I have felt pulled in different directions.  My business, my parents health, financial concerns can cause me to make poor choices.  This can leave me feeling "less than," especially when I have the tendency to compare.  I have learned to come to Luke 10 with different ears.  I am learning to hear compassion in Jesus's voice when he tells Martha there is need of only one thing.  I hear Jesus telling me that I am valued for who I am in Him and not all the "good" things that I can do.  Choosing intimacy with God and listening to His voice allows me to break my comparison trap and grow in my relationship with God and others. 

Let’s Talk About Change

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 22, 2020

With Trechae White

What seems to be an eye opener at this point and time, is not new. If we look back a year ago the same injustices exist, each year is more of the same. I want to believe this time is different, that the masses now see the racial injustices taking place TODAY. Think about this: As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matt 13:4-9 NIV). I hope NOW the good seed takes root. Open dialog and deep understandings that people of color have been experiencing for many years; in their homes, at school, out in the community, in the workplace, by the police and legal systems and at church. This can change if everyone does their part; remaining silent does not work, history WILL repeat. Whatever is in our hearts the mouth speaks. If each people expressive love and compassion things may begin to really change. Remembering 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many (Cor 12:14). We must be an example to those would express aggression, as well as, micro aggression's toward people of color. I know some people do not realize they are expressing their micro aggression even if you point it out to them. These people we must restored with gentleness and respect. God calls us to love one another this is not an easy task; but we are all God’s children. Events of racial injustices has been scattered so all can see, where will this land in all our lives NOW?

Loving and Leading your Children

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 19, 2020

With Kristina Roberts 

When I was a little girl, I loved playing with dolls.  They all had stories and outfits and accessories and names. At any given time, I was convinced that I was going to grow up and get married and have girls and name them the names that were my favorites at the time.  I knew that I would hug them and feed them and change their diapers and take them on walks.  As my visions of becoming a mother evolved through the years as I aged, so did the things that I associated motherhood with.  I would dream bigger dreams.  What would my child look like?  Would they love to ride horses? Would they be smart?  What would be their talents?  What career would they pursue?  Would they marry?  What would their spouse be like?  But as I mature, I know in my heart of hearts that the single most important thing that matters when it comes to my motherhood and our children’s lives is do they love Jesus? Do they know His love? Do they walk in His ways?  Will they marry someone who will be a follower of Christ?  Will they take their children to Sunday School? Will they know the Bible and love to read and study it?  Will they tell others about Him?   Will they know the joy that comes with being a part of the family of God’s church?

All of us who follow Him have these thoughts and desires for our children.  It is a natural progression or expectation when you are a disciple of Jesus.  I mean, all of us want this, yes?  But life is busy.  And hectic.  And distracting.  And tasty.  And sometimes at the end of the day, it is easier to put off the bath or the song, or the devotional book, and just tuck them into bed quickly before any more quarrels or squabbles occur.  Because after all, there are about 15 or 20 more things that I have on mylist to do after they go to bed, and they should understand that I am a busy person, right?  It is so easy to forget what really matters.

In the first chapter of 1st Samuel, we meet Hannah.  She so desperately wants a child.  Not only is she barren, but her husband has another wife who already has children, and this woman taunts her and makes fun of her inability to conceive. Talk about rubbing salt in the wound.  She is in such anguish that when she goes to the temple with her husband, she weeps so bitterly during her prayer that the priest accuses her of being drunk.  Hannah wants to be a mother.  So.  Badly.  During her prayer she pledges to give her child to the Lord for all the days of his life.  And after God allows her to conceive she does just that.  When the child is weaned, she takes him (Samuel) to the temple to live and to be raised up and trained by the priest and to live in service to God all of the days of His life.  

She wanted this child SO MUCH… it says she prayed for a baby year after year without ceasing. And then she promises to give him away!  Now I don’t know of any reasonable modes of following Jesus in this day and time that would require or even allow us to abandon or donate our children to the cause of God’s kingdom.  But we are called to be followers of Jesus and to raise our children to know Him.  Talk about Him.  Let them see you pray.  Study the Bible with them.  Let them witness your kindness and acts of service. Involve them in these things.  Take them to church every chance you get.  Discipline them so they understand right and wrong and responsibility.  Love them without ceasing.  

• Proverbs 22:6 “Start children off on the way they should go and when they are old they will not turn from it.”

• Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

• Deuteronomy 6:6-9 “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

Let God’s Light Break Through

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 18, 2020

With Jeri Callaway

At the age of 19, my father arranged for me to join a group traveling to Miguel Aleman, Mexico.  It is a border city overrun with corruption and drugs.  I arrived on a Saturday morning with my luggage, my camera, my Stephen King books and my disc man.  Sure, why not go with strangers?  I had aspirations of being a translator, and my employment as a photographer would come in handy to help document the journey.  I was, however, dreading being part of a group of American Christians who “knew better”, who would “fix” problems for the troubled Mexicans.  I WAS WRONG.  

I quickly was embraced and became a part of a group of humble, loving people who opened their hearts and minds to learn from the beautiful citizens of Miguel Aleman.  I documented our journey of faith, journey of sharing, and journey of deep bonding.  God turned me upside down with my perceptions.  It was on this trip, that my definitions of Christianity and blessings were forever changed.  I learned how to identify the “silver lining”, and I learned to open myself to the beauty that the entire world has to offer.    

Individuals who were persecuted, threatened by drug lords, hungry, etc., smiled and laughed as they cherished every moment of the life they were given.  We worked alongside them to build a cement wall around the church, and then we were served incredible, homemade food as a thank you.  The children took us on a tour of their community with such pride and shared traditions.  We listened, we learned, and we loved.  

On our last night, the host church held a worship service.  It was energetic and full of praise for new relationships, and especially praise for stronger connections with God.  To my left was an elderly gentleman (picture provided).  He had his Bible, and I could tell he was deep in prayer.  Just beyond him, was the concrete wall that blocked light from coming in the window.  This man didn’t need light from the sun; he had light from God.  It was in that moment of observation, I felt myself stand up and proclaim that I wanted to make a statement.  It was completely uncontrollable.  I began to sob and look around and gesture toward each person in the sanctuary.  I couldn’t make a statement, but I kept trying through gasps, tears, and cries.  I wanted to explain how I came down here an ignorant teenager with a negative assumption, but they changed me. They taught me what a blessing truly is. A hand gently took mine, and an elderly member of the church spoke to me in her soft, Spanish language, “It’s God, honey.  It’s ok, God, has shown you.”  She was right!  He was showing me how to let his light breakthrough the wall.  

Today, our "concrete wall” blocking God’s light is made up political unrest, racism, economic hardships, and many other worldly struggles.  I return to my memories of this experience during dark times to let God’s light penetrate my wall.  As I grow in my discipleship through the years, more and more light brightens my life, which helps me brighten the life of others. 

As you hold your Bible, think about your wall and allow God to breakthrough and shine brightly.  

Psalm 119: 105  Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 

My God, My God, I Can’t Do This!

Women’s Ministry Minute 

June 17, 2020

With Gloria Shasteen 

2 Samuel 17:10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt in fear, for all Israel knows that your Father is a fighter and that those with Him are brave.

We are all brave sometimes and fearful in other times but what’s important is to realize that we are not alone in our battles. On April 4, 2019 I lost my husband, Bob, and my world changed forever. 

To share a little background, Bob and I got married when I was just 16 years old and he was 22. Up until that time my parents made all my decisions. After we were married, Bob was in control. I stayed in high school to finish my education and now instead of my parents signing off on my report cards - Bob was! At that time report cards were sent home and had to be signed and returned. Anyone who knew Bob can probably imagine how much he enjoyed giving me static if I didn’t have straight A’s! I went  from my parents being in charge to Bob being in charge. 

When Bob passed, we had been married 60 years!  Now that Bob was gone, I was on my own to make decisions. Don’t get me wrong, Bob had already given me directions on what I was supposed to do at his death. He had laid it all out: 1) have an auction, 2) sell the farm, and 3) move to Champaign. The steps were clear but doing it was another thing. For years I had been struggling with knee pain and the thought of lifting boxes or going up and down stairs to clear the basement sounded beyond what I could handle. “God,” I prayed, “what am I going to do?” Well God answered! He said “Stop complaining; you are a strong, smart woman and I am with you! Begin by making a list.”

So I made a list, called an auctioneer, scheduled an auction date, checked out places to live in Champaign, collected boxes, and called a realtor to have the farm valued to set the price. Meanwhile, the neighbors on both sides of the farm called to see if I was selling and both offered to buy! One offered to pay the exact price and the other made an offer much less than asking. Of course I took the full price offer! Next, my family group of girls came and helped with packing and filling boxes. I set out looking and found an apartment in Champaign (located right by another family from our small group). Then my family group of guys came to the farm and set everything up for the auction. What a job that was!! The campus students also helped out by loading the moving truck and finally the day after church services on June 29th, twenty-six people from church helped to unload and move me into my new place! 

John 15:12-13 My command is this; Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

Through this I realized that without God I couldn’t do this, but with His help and His peoples help I could! I learned not to fear but to be brave and pray and God would take care of me. Through it all God showed me how much He loved me and that He would never let me down.

Psalm 144:2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues people under me. 

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. 

“The Power of Prayer, Taming the Tongue, & Resisting Satan”

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 16, 2020

With Monica Merkle

One of my favorite sayings dad says when things are going south on the farm is:

“Better start praying, Satan is loose.”

It’s something that brings a smile to my face mostly cause that’s how work is with my dad.

Lots and lots of prayer.

Spring 2020 has been a rough one for Merkle Farms, and constant prayer is one of the ways Dadio and I get through the daily trials

Some days it’s machinery calling it quits, or tools break, we hurt ourselves, or worse a pig dies .

Moments when I don’t pray and doubt God are some of the worst moments in the farm. Feeling even more isolated and cut off from everything, or powerless against the trials that besiege me. In these moments I get bitter, I feel tense, and work only gets harder.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Satan wants us to turn away from God, and rely on our own strength. Satan knows when we do this, we WILL fail no matter what. We might sustain briefly, but Satan knows all of our triggers, weaknesses, and sins. Like the lion he is, he knows exactly when to strike.

I find that impatience, anger, and frustration are things that plague me the most these days in quarantine.  As a new young professional I have a big struggle with wanting to get everything right the first time, and making my father proud to give more responsibilities on the farm. I get so anxious that I might make mistakes that I mess up anyway. Then  I just get angry at myself for being anxious. Then more work piles up. Causing Dad and I to get behind. Maybe I am having trouble with machinery that I’m unfamiliar with. Dad and I had a miscommunication and I don’t follow directions. I miss the mark, and I fall apart. When the work day is over I am often still one degree below boiling over. Simple questions or prying from my family set me off and loose my sunny demeanor.

“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3:7-10‬ ‭NIV

Watching those behaviors and patterns unfold in my life bring me back to the saying “Satan is loose, better start praying.” Because how else am I to protect myself from Satan and my own sinful nature. I also need to protect my loved ones from fits of rage as well. They don’t deserve to feel that way.

In the 1st Peter verse we know that casting our anxieties and struggles will help us through trials. Keeps us sober of mind to be watchful for Satan before he is able to strike.

This is why prayer has been so important throughout my day. Prayer has helped me move fight back satan as he picks on me and it helped me protect my loved ones.

To my Sisters,

When you feel frustrated, angry or impatient:

Take a deep breath and say it quick prayer.

Speak the Truth in Love

Women's Ministry Minute

June 15, 2020

With Claudia Salazar

Personally, I am really bad at handling conflict and difficult situations. I try to avoid conflict most of the time. However, lately, I’ve been presented with a situation where I had to have hard conversations that are uncomfortable and not fun. As I had these conversations, I realized that I lack the ability to point everything I say back to the word of God. I try using my own words and my understanding of God, but my words don’t do justice to the word of God. As a result, a lot of these conversations didn’t point anywhere, and, honestly, I have felt insecure about myself and my ability to handle the word of truth. Part of me thinks that I am not eloquent and that I don’t have the right words or that I will not let my point come across. Also, I’ve been having a lot of fears of pushing people away with my words and not using the word of God correctly. 

As all of this happens, God has been there to teach me a lesson. It all started by making research of the Book of Jeremiah for one campus ministry events where we share one of our fav characters. And as I was doing this, I came across to a scripture that I forgot about. 

6“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7But the Lordsaid to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:6-8

And then this remind me also of Moses. 

10Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” 11The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:10-11

This really showed me that a lot of the big characters in the Bible that I admire, really weren’t good at speaking or always knowing what to say, but God straight up told them that He was going to be with them. And that he was going to provide as He always does. 

As if that wasn’t enough, within that same week, in the Devotional lesson that Derek Shneider gave, he made a point that really shook me.  He said that we have to constantly be building up the culture in the ministry and one another. We have to learn how to have uncomfortable conversations. These things all made me reflect in my personal fear of pushing people away or turning them away from God. And then he said this"Silence is the opposite of care, it is not building at all.”   This made me realize that speaking up is an opportunity for growth and for building others up.    And that sometimes remaining silent to maintain peace is not alway a good thing. 
This remind of the scripture: 

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 

Ephesians 4:11-13

As all these events happened, I felt so blessed that God has put amazing people in my life that have been there to teach me, and to give me perspectives on how to have these difficult conversations. Also, how to be able to refer back to scripture and not just speak without being grounded in the word, and more importantly how to speak the truth in Love.

Carry each other’s Burdens

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 10, 2020

With Sarah Tomlinson

I have the privilege of facilitating a group for women in my church called Spiritual Discovery. In it, and in my daily and weekly conversations with women in my life, I can often be found listening and trying to help people identify the differences between carrying ‘your burden’ and carrying ‘your own load.’ To (very) quickly sum it up. Load-In Greek, Phortion, it’s translated to describe a soldier’s pack--a load each man must bear themselves. Burdens, however, are vastly different. In Greek,Burden- Baros, means a weight. It can be described as “anything that makes a demand on you physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually that is too heavy to carry on your own.” (Spiritual Discovery). Some examples would be loss of a loved one, sickness, disease, trauma, or another life crisis. It can also be a need for spiritual guidance of encouragement. (Spiritual Discovery). If I can be totally honest with you, 2019 was NOT ‘my year’. It felt like life event after life event and bad decision after bad decision were just coming together in what felt like a never-ending onslaught of hurt. Saying goodbye to Grandma Judy Hiemberger after her battle with cancer late last summer was the icing on the cake of truly what felt like one of the worst years of my life. My season of grieving lasted a long time. A really long time. And I know it did for some of you as well. There are still moments and days when it’s hard to think of her not being physically present for some big moments in my life and others. It was a Burden that I had no idea how to carry on my own. I tried y’all. I really did. But I HAD to let others carry my burdens. I would have been crushed under the pain if I hadn’t. I vividly remember a moment with my brother, where we were simply able to share our grief. He reached over and just grabbed my hand and held on tight. Though his own eyes were filled with tears from his grief. He didn’t say a word, he was just there, sharing in my pain and my tears. He helped carry my burden, and I hope I helped carry his. Another dear, dear friend helped as well, Harriet Kersh, or as I like to call her “my other mama”. She saw me, truly saw me, in a moment of utter panic and overwhelming emotion and all she did was walk up, reach out for me and hold onto me tight. For a long time, while I cried some real ugly tears. She listened to my hurt, and in that moment, she sat aside her own pain for losing her friend, and just shared in my grief and in my pain. Her daughters, who are some of my closest friends, and people I truly consider to be family, did the same. I will forever be grateful for them for those moments, and so many others that we have shared over the years of being in each other’s lives. Lord, may I be someone who can help carry their burdens as we walk through this life together. If I am not, make me into that! I think we can all agree that People of Color have long carried burdens that some of us will never fully truly comprehend or understand. Black and brown people have carried the weight of oppression and trauma for centuries. I’m not going to go into all the atrocities that have happened, as that’s not what I want to focus on- but, it’s burdensome. It’s heavy. I imagine it sometimes feels like the weight of the world is too much to bear. I can’t honestly say that I fully know that because I have not experienced that specific pain. I will never truly understand what some of that pain and utter anguish feels like. But, I do know what pain feels like. I know the anguish of loving someone and watching them pass from this life. I know the hurt of being rejected, of being afraid. (is it the same thing as the current issues right now? No. not in the slightest. I’m not arguing that point at all..) What I am saying is that I can empathize, and I can love. I can do my part to help carry my brother and sister’s burden. I can reach out and I can embrace. I can try and find common ground. I can offer the hand of friendship. We all have pain. I’ll say it again, We all have pain. Sometimes, we need to just try and set aside our own stuff for just a minute to reach out to your friend who is in anguish; our friend or our fellow human who is burdened with a weight they can no longer carry. May we all be image bearers of Christ in this way. I believe as followers of Christ that we are called to help break the chains of injustice. We are called to take the yokes off of our fellow man’s backs. We are called to love. We are called to carry each other’s burdens. If you are still wrestling with what to say, or how to help carry this or other burdens for your friends, here’s some quick practicals:

1. LISTEN. Don’t judge. Don’t argue. Just LISTEN.

2. Do your best to validate their pain, even if it doesn’t fully make sense to you. Acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers, but thank them for having the courage to share their heart.

3. Be a safe place for your friend. Practice empathy. If you don’t understand how to empathize, or what that actively looks like, do some homework. Engage in workshops, classes, get on YouTube and listen to Tedtalks about empathy and trauma. Anything. It’s a start.

4. Ask yourself what areas you need to grow in in empathy and compassion.

5. Be willing to make mistakes. And to be humble about it when you do.

Love must be Sincere

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 9, 2020

With Sally Allender

Within this past year and a half there have been a lot of transitions in my life. Getting married, graduating, working full time, leaving the campus ministry, and entering the “yo-pros.” These past 4 months have been a monster of their own. But, a couple months before all this I was struggling to want to have any time with God. I blamed it on being “busy,” and kept saying I would get to it. I realized when I did have time with God, it was very rushed and almost forced. I started to realize that leaving campus ministry (obviously) had a huge impact on my walk with God. No more planned lessons on what to learn, when to reach out, and what to study in my quiet times to name a few. Along the way, I somehow learned to go with the motions, it was like a switched flipped off. Sadly, I lost the sincerity of loving to just be with God. One of my favorite scriptures- Romans 12:9 “Love must be sincere…” But I realized, was my love sincere? I came across Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled from a guilty conscience…” This is exactly what I wanted to be able to do. The word “sincere” in Greek means “opposite of counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended.” WOW, I was shocked when hearing this because that was my walk with God. I felt overwhelmed as to how to change it. Like many, I grew up in a Christian household, and have gone to church my whole life. Because of this, I am starting to see how deeply rooted these hidden motivations are. I started to hear the true thoughts regarding my time with God…“I should just do it and get it over with,” “it’s the right thing to do,” and “God will be angry if you don’t.” Somehow I thought this this type of guilt driven fear and almost fakeness toward God was the goal. 1 John 4:18-19 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us.” 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” These scriptures tell me that He wants me, genuine me. I was approaching Him like I would in a business meeting, with an agenda. I was not actually letting out my thoughts and anxieties. Would I ever want a friend to be my friend out of guilt or withhold their feelings? No. He showed us the perfect way to love first! Honestly, for the next couple weeks I decided I wouldn’t out of force or guilt have times with God. It was hard to notice at first when I was being disingenuous with God, but then it was very clear. I had to retrain my mind. There were days I didn’t talk to Him at all. There were days I only prayed or only read. And then as life went on and I would go days without talking to God I realized how much I missed Him, and the guidance and wisdom only HE can give. When situations came up in my life, I immediately thought about scriptures and His wisdom. Psalm 119: 45,47-48 “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts… for I delight in your commands because I love them. I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.” I love this because there is such freedom with God. And I am learning that the motivation of walking with God, as that scripture says, is that there is love for what He says and what He did for us. It took me time, but I realized I love what God says. And I love that I don’t have to rely on my sinful, insecure self to get through this time on earth. I challenge you to reflect on how you feel about your times with God, and catch those thoughts that are disingenuous and address them directly. God sincerely cares for us, and wants to go through life with us. He wants the good, bad, and ugly!

And Yet

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 8, 2020

With Madlyn Stevens

This year so far has been strange, confusing, and very very heartbreaking. The upside-down state of our whole world has affected me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This drastic upheaval of “normal life” leaves me feeling drained, heavy, unmotivated, and downhearted. I begin to lose sight of who God is. ​David wrote Psalm 22 when he was at the hands of his enemies, being attacked on all sides, and at some of his lowest points. He laments to God in a very vulnerable, revealing way throughout the entire psalm. His deepest emotions about his current circumstances bubble up and he wrestles with them, works through them with God, and ends up on the other side, praising the Lord. David’s pain is obvious and deeply rooted, but still cries out to God and acknowledges his faithfulness at the same time. After each cry of anguish there is a bit of hope and an “and yet” moment. David says that he cries out for God during the day and cannot rest at night, “and yet” God is still enthroned and holy. David writes about how he is being mocked and insulted, “and yet” God gave him life and made David trust in him. A pack of villains encircle David, “and yet” God is still his strength. While terrible things are happening to David, there is still hope in the back of his mind that God will deliver him. I read this psalm in my lowest moments and am reminded of God’s character and it brings me hope that God is my “and yet.” A scripture I hold close is Exodus 34:6, which says, “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. ‘” This is where God reveals himself to Moses and describes his own character, a description that is used repeatedly throughout the entire Bible and has proven to be true time and again. When my faith is weak and I feel small, I remember God’s character. He is gentle, compassionate, just, and full of everlasting, loyal love. My faith ebbs and flows like the tide of the ocean. It is impossible to be strong one hundred percent of the time, and more often than not, I feel like David. Hopeless, confused, and in need of a reminder of God’s character. He is faithful to his people and has promised to never leave or forsake them. My life can be a mess, and yet I know there is a God who feels compassion towards me. I make the same mistakes, and yet I know God is slow to anger and gives me grace. I get lost in a spiral of doubt and faithlessness, and yet God is loyally loving and a rock of faith. God has proven to me that he is who he says he is. This year might not get better. Our political, economic, or social situations might not change like we hope they will. My own faith will rise and fall and stagnate. And yet, God is faithful, compassionate, and loving until the very end of the age. “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3: 21-23

Faith is being sure of what we Hope for

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 5, 2020

With Jane Kuppler

Thank You Father for Your Word. Thank You for Jesus who opened for us through His blood the way to You. (Heb. 10:14) “because by One sacrifice He made perfect forever those who are being made holy” v22 “​Let us​ draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith 23 ​Let us​ hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for He who promised is faithful, v24 and​ let us​ consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deed” During these last couple of months of working and living from home I read a book on how to study the Bible, then began a study of Hebrews. Daily as I came to my “sacred space”, a corner where I meet God, I would sit and start with quieting my mind, breathing in slowly (BE) breathing out slowly (STILL) repeating often, (BE) (Still) ( Be ) (Here) until my mind quieted letting go of to do’s, worries, past thoughts and distractions. (Be) (Here) (Know) (God) (Be) (Still) (God) (Knows) Daily I read, prayed, journaled, reverenced my way through Hebrews and Always in awe of God’s deep love for me. How He pursues us! His desire is that we know HIm, come to Him, live our lives as if we FULLY trust He is God (11:1). Others lived in full faith and assurance of God being God and His love. Dan. 3,(“O nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want uou to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or workshop he image of gold you have set up) please take a moment and slowly read Psalm 84 Enoch walked with God, pleased God by earnestly seeking HIm. I seek answers, I seek wisdom, comfort...but do I really seek God?) Noah obeyed God “in holy fear”, he took God at his Word, he did not stop when others mocked him or misunderstood his choices. Noah was righteous because of his faith in God. (Can I obey with holy fear when life doesn’t make sense and when because of how I live seems to separate me when I long for connection?) Abraham lived as a stranger on this earth, faithful to God. Through miles, and miles, years and years, yet never “arriving”. He knew his home was heaven. (Can I live fully this day with my feet on this earth, but my eyes on heaven pleasing God with my faith in Him as evident by my love and choices) Moses persevered because he “saw” him who was invisible.(Num. 12:7-8 Moses talked with God, knew Him personally. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being SURE of what we HOPE for, and CERTAIN of what we do not see” We have so many who went before us who lived to know and please God. ( side note: Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Mother Theressa..) During these turbulent, uncertain and confusing times- Yes our prayer is for hope, safety, peace, healing, comfort, wisdom and compassion for all who are hurting (no matter how they express their pain). May we also meet with our God in our sacred spaces and pray to know Him, walk with Him and live as strangers in holy fear.

Overcome Evil with Good

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 4, 2020

With Amy Myers

Most people know me as someone who is pretty laid back, slow to anger, quick to forgive. However, there are a few things that will flip my switch. One of those is a bully. I was bullied in middle school to the point that I started studying karate – and I learned it well. Extremely well. Fortunately, I also learned to “use my words.” Over the years, I have taken down several bullies, mostly with words, but not always. Sometimes they were my bullies, but sometimes they were messing with someone else. Either way, I always felt compelled to act.

What happens when the bullies are on a national stage, though? What happens when an elected leader is a bully? Or when police use their position to abuse or kill someone? Well, it turns out that my anger just burns, and there is no apparent outlet for it.Yes, I know about righteous anger, but what I’ve been feeling is not always righteous. It has ventured into hate – and not just hatred of sin, but hatred of the people who sin. Now I’m the one in sin! What happened to my laid back, slow to anger, quick to forgive nature?

Tracy’s lesson on Sunday really hit home for me.  Eph. 4:31-32, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This is possible with people around me, sometimes difficult, but usually not. It’s very hard with people I don’t know personally and can’t approach like those on the national stage. My inability (unwillingness?) to get rid of my bitterness and anger is beginning to have negative physical and emotional effects on me – just like Tracy talked about in Sunday’s lesson.

Our country is facing some incredibly challenging issues that need our attention. I am not suggesting that we be silent and allow the abuse to continue. Far from it! However, being angry to the point of hate is not the answer. I’ve been extremely challenged reading Romans 12. A few phrases that keep pokingat me include, “hate what is evil, cling to what is good,” “Do not repay anyone evil for evil,” “Do not take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath.” There is so much more in this chapter, but verse 21 is the real clincher for me: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

I’m still figuring this out, still struggling. It’s going to take a lot more fasting and praying, begging God for a heart like Jesus, who asked God to forgive his most awful oppressors. Let’s all keep after it. Don’t give up!

When God Doesn’t Make Sense

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 3, 2020

With Bonnie Kile

When God Doesn’t Make Sense is the title of a book written by Dr. James Dobson that was recommended to me when my husband died suddenly of a heart attack when he was 42 and I was 39. We had two boys age 17 and 14 at the time. This book tells many stories of people who have experienced a tragedy that cannot be understood. That’s where I was on that horrible day in 1993. Nothing about my husband’s death made any sense to me. I decided that God made a mistake- he was supposed to take me!! But he didn’t- so I had to come to terms with it. What do we do when we don’t understand what God is doing? During my loss the scripture I leaned on was 2 Cor. 4:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Our “light and momentary troubles” - are you kidding me Paul? Your troubles could hardly be called light and momentary- and mine didn’t seem light and momentary either. But Paul says we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. My “seen” at that time was not so good. My children’s father was gone, our main breadwinner was gone - I was working but my gross salary was $26,000. What would I do? How could I make this new life work? I prayed a lot. I begged God a lot. He answered my prayers and took care of me and the boys. Today they are wonderful men, husbands and dads. But at the time I was going through this I was so scared. But I kept turning to God. What about for me and you today? All of our lives have been turned upside down. None of this new life we’re in makes any sense to us. Why is this happening God? Christians all over the world are praying for this disease to be taken away but so far God has not removed it and there is suffering in every country. Why? Dr. Dobson wrote, “If you believe God is obligated to explain himself to us, ...examine the following scriptures, Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter.” Isaiah 45:15, “Truly you are a God who hides himself.” So what do we do? We trust in God. As Paul said, “so we fix our eyes on what is unseen” - on our God. We don’t have to understand. We don’t have to agree. I certainly didn’t agree with God’s decision to make me a widow at 39! But God doesn’t need to explain himself to us or get our approval. Our only job in this life is to trust him. Us telling God how to run the universe is as ridiculous as a toddler telling her daddy how to run his family!! There will always be times in life where things happen to us - around us - that we don’t understand- things we don’t like (like the disease hovering over our world, the violence in our society, our own personal losses, etc), but it’s in those times that we fix our eyes on God and trust in Him. I think this verse says it best, Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” All my love to you dear sisters,

Bonnie Kile

A Heavy Heart to the continuous loss of God’s Children

Women’s Ministry Minute

June 2, 2020

With Jasmine Gencik-Shannon

A Heavy Heart to the continuous loss of God’s Children

Disclaimer: I purposely chose this imagine because I know this statement is one that people have a lot of thoughts and opinions on.

If anyone knows me, I care a lot about social justice and I mean A LOT, so the current state of the world has me, to be honest struggling, hurt, and sad.

Being raised bi-racial and for the first decade of my life as a black appearing girl in all white household was awkward and at times troubling, especially because the views that some family members had were directly and even indirectly against the people who made up another half of who I am. Due to this very thing, I was always “that person” to speak up when problematic things were said that we’re always met with the, “I’m not racist, I love you don’t I?”

Aspects like this and my experiences in the world before and after becoming a disciple is why I have no problem being “that person.” I will say though, after becoming a disciple, the way I approach matters has definitely been refined (in a positive way).

I’m not going to lie too, I cried while writing this because of the state that the world is in right now, so many people like me, black people have been are are dying. Disciple and not, at the end of the day, all Gods creations.

A scripture that I been clinging to, at least trying to is in Luke 4:18 where Jesus said:

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,”

Even though times like this are tough this scripture reminds me that Jesus will turn and we will be free from any hurt or oppression.

That’s not to say days aren’t going to just suck sometimes because this world is straight messed up, and Satan has a strong foot hold. However, God has another plan and one day we will be free.