More on the A21 Campaign

This video tells a little more about the human trafficking in Europe. It is a ministry well worth getting involved with, so check out the website http://www.thea21campaign.org.If you have not heard of Christine Caine, you can find out more about her ministry at http://www.equipandempower.com.

Project Rescue

This is another great ministry that is helping women and girls. Check out the website.

Abolishing Human Trafficking

This is an awesome ministry. The website to go to for more info is http://www.thea21campaign.org/index.php

Oh No. Never. By No Means...

Oh No. Never. By No Means…

Has anyone ever said something like that to you, or something similar?

That is exactly what Abraham told his servant. The servant questioned Abraham about taking Isaac back to his homeland, if the woman chosen for Isaac did not want to travel to where Abraham had settled…where God had settled him.

“Oh no. Never. By no means are you to take my son back there. God, the God of heaven, took me from the home of my father and from the country of my birth and spoke to me in solemn promise, ‘I’m giving this land to your descendants.’ This God will send his angel ahead of you to get a wife for my son…” Genesis 24:6-8 The Message

God will give us dreams and visions. He will plant a seed in our heart.

We know He is calling us to a certain task, but when we get in God’s way we begin to ask questions like the servant, ie. “Maybe this isn’t exactly what God wanted me to do.” “What if I begin and nothing happens or people won’t get on board?” “It is more difficult than I thought, I think I’ll stop and go back to where I’m comfortable.”

Those are not thoughts that we should allow to stay in our mind. We need to take those thoughts captive. 2 Cor. 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”NIV

Fear is not of Christ…so take that thought captive.

Uncertainty is not of Christ…so take that thought captive.

Confusion is not of Christ…so take that thought captive.

Worry and anxiety is not of Christ…so take that thought captive.

Those thoughts are not of Christ, so take them captive, making them obedient to Christ. God has called you to move forward in the gifting and calling He has placed before you.

His plan may be for you to be a stay at home mom at this point in your life. Your children are more important right now. Sure, do ministry, but not at the expense of your children.

His plan may be for you to go back to school, or teach, or preach, or co-pastor, or be an associate pastor and your spouse not be in active ministry; God may desire you to sit at His feet as Mary for this time in your life.

Whatever it is He is calling you to do always MOVE FORWARD, DO NOT TURN BACK. He will be the great I Am to you…whatever you need Him to be He will be. Take Abraham’s advice, don’t go back. The God who gave the promise or call in your life will go ahead of you. He is going to prepare the way because He has called you.

Don’t give up! Don’t quit! MOVE FORWARD AND SEE GOD’S HAND AT WORK! IT WILL AMAZE YOU!

No Matter What, I'm Gonna Trust You!

"No matter what…I’m gonna trust you.” Do we honestly mean it when we say that statement; or has it become cliché?

We go before God in prayer and tell Him we are going to trust Him. We are in the midst of situations and we tell God we will trust Him. We tell our friends and colleagues we trust God…but, do we really?

Our entire life and purpose is guided by this truth…trusting God.

It is easy to trust God when everything surrounding our life is going the way we want it to go. What about the times when God has a different direction He wants to go and you don’t see that direction so clearly? Do you trust Him, or do you question Him?

What about those we are connected with in leadership? What about our spouse? What happens when there is a difference of opinion? Do we still trust God? Can we trust God to work in the lives of those who are our leaders or our spouse? For some it may be a little more difficult?

But, you know what? That is when we have the opportunity to live out our trust in God. We get to exercise that trust. Others will have the pleasure, or the annoying realization, of witnessing the way we respond to trusting God, when things do not go the way we think is best.

There have been many times I have looked back and regretted the way I handled and dealt with situations, I thought should have been handled differently. I am praying I have matured a little since those times, but you know what? I still have to remind myself that God is in control. He can speak through others and if it doesn’t go the way I think…that’s ok. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Our personalities and the way we do things are ingrained in our being, and they have to come under the submission of the Holy Spirit often.

It is imperative we remember that spiritual maturity is an ongoing process. We never arrive at the place where we say we don’t need to mature. If we do, then we definitely need to mature some more. We have more to learn.

What happens when a leader over you has a good idea and you have a good idea; or you feel the leader is not moving as fast as they should? How do you handle it when you and your spouse disagree on an issue? If they choose their idea how do you respond? Do you give them a hard time? How do you encourage them…or do you?

Take a look at Abraham. We all know the story of how God told him to take Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice. Read what The Message says in Gen. 22:1-2, “After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, ‘Abraham!’ ‘Yes?’ answered Abraham, ‘I’m listening.’ He said, ‘Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I’ll point out to you.’”

When Isaac asked Abraham where the sheep was for the offering Abraham answered in verse 8, “…Son, God will see to it that there’s a sheep for the burnt offering.”

What do you think was going through Abraham’s mind? I know we have heard this many times, but I want us to remember it for a moment. God had just promised Abraham that his descendents were going to be numerous. God also told Abraham to send Ishmael away and that this blessing was going to come through Sarah. So how was this going to play out if he sacrificed his son Isaac?

Abraham trusted God to the very end. Isaac was on the altar and God called out in verse 12, “Don’t lay a hand on that boy! Don’t touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God, you didn’t hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me.”

Can we lay down our dreams, our desires, the things that mean most to us for the leader we are following, or for our spouse? This is a hard question; but one we so need to answer. Are we willing to trust God in these situations? Can God look at us and say the following?

“Now I know how fearlessly you fear God, you didn’t hesitate to place your dream (that thing that means the most to you) on the altar for me.”

This is very, very difficult, but if we can do this there is so much more God will be able to do in our lives.

How much are we willing to sacrifice for God?

Just One of Those Days...

Have you ever felt like you're in the midst of tug of war with your kids? I have. You do what you can to encourage your kids and all they can see is discouragement. Back and forth...this is what I think...this is what I think. Can you see yourself tugging one direction and your child tugging the opposite? You both have your own opinion. That is good. Let God be God. Oh, how hard that is!

We continue on, knowing, at one point God will get through, but tug of war is hard.

Oftentimes, our children, especially if they have grown up in a pastor's home, want to spread their wings, basically grow up. Many times as parents we have a hard time with this. We have to allow them this right, but keep them in prayer. One of my daughter's has been committed to church and has her relationship with God on track. In my encouraging her to be careful about her priorities and her commitment to God/church, school, work, and then friends, I have to be careful to allow her the freedom to grow in her own right. Don't control...influence...give guidance and let them make the choice. As parents we need to let them make the choice and back off if it isn't the way we think it should go. I know it is hard. But,that is what trusting God is all about.

It is definitely hard, when you can see the stress they are under wanting to please their parents, but not wanting to do what their parents recommend. That is where trusting in the Lord comes into play.

As you know from a previous post I have been reading about Abram. When Abram and Lot's families and belongings became too large for the place they were staying; complaining started, so, Abram suggested Lot choose where he wanted live and move his family to that location. Lot looked around, and in reality was selfish, he chose what he perceived to be the best. So they went their separate ways. (Gen. 13)

In Gen. 14 Lot is taken captive, along with all his possessions. Abram drops everything and heads out to rescue Lot (vv13-16). We can learn from this passage of scripture. Abram loved his nephew Lot and allowed him to choose where he wanted to live. When Lot was in trouble Abram was there.

Allow our children the freedom to choose...we have raised them to know what is right and wrong. Pray for them. It might hurt when we see them making wrong decisions, but God is faithful. Keep praying. They know we are near. Continue to pray.

God will work it all out. So moms, dads, if you read this, keep your prayers going upward we will make it through. Until next time, Blessings.

Three Quarters of a Century is NEVER Too Young to START FULFILLING Your Vision!

I did a search on Google for "60 is the new 40" and found that, as well as "60 is the new 30." From what I read the 30 somethings definitely do not want to hear 60 is the new 30. The reason one person gave is that meant she must be 6 (or at least pre-teen). I read "Why 60 Is The New 40" at http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-60-Is-The-New-40&id=751232

According to this article the Baby Boomers who are just turning 60 are "radically reshaping society's notions of how "older adults" are supposed to act. Instead of sitting at home with a nice cup of cocoa and the cat, they're travelling, dating, and refusing to relinquish their youth. Today's older generation enjoys good health and a vitality that would have been unthinkable just a generation ago." The article goes on to say, "There's never been a better time to be a 40, 50, 60 or 70-something. Life today is all about options. You can sit at home with the cat and the cocoa, should you choose."

So with that said take a look at the life of Abram. He was 75 years old when God gave him the vision to "leave your country, your family, and your father's home for a land I will show you." Gen. 12:1 The Message

If you are approaching 50, 60, or 70 DON'T YOU DARE give up on God! He is not finished giving you vision and fulfilling your destiny. YOU ARE JUST BEGINNING! Think of the years between 20 and 50 as your training ground. You were learning the in's and out's of ministry...what to do and what not to do. You now have the wisdom you need to continue on with CLEAR and RENEWED vision, energy, and strength.

Go ahead and plan for retirement, but that is a ways off yet. God has more He wants to do in your life and through you. Get out your pen and paper...or laptop and start vision casting. Ask God what His plans are for you at this stage of your life. Do you plant a church? Do you stay where you are? Do you change locations? It is all up to God. We are just the instrument He uses to accomplish His goal.

If Abram wasn't going to complain to God about traveling at his age, then who are we to complain that we are tired and weary from the journey of ministry this far? Allow God to rejuvenate your spirit and energize your body...

Where is He taking you?

Get ready for the ride of your life!

Monuments...Memories...and Motivation...

Many of us know what it is like to be in a traditional church, or a church that has been around a long time, having a lot of history. If you have been the pastor at one of these churches you know how hard it is at times to move a church, having a lot of history, into a church relevant for this generation.

We have to be relevant or we will lose a generation, which is what has almost happened, but we also have to remember "from whence we came." Don't build monuments, just for the sake of building them, build them as memories telling a story.

Each monument that is build should represent a time when God has spoken, or moved in your life; or the life of your church. Just because God has spoken in a certain way, or done something miraculous, does not mean He has to do it the same way again. That so limits God! Why should we limit a God who created everything around us. Allow Him to move as He wishes. Tell the story of what God did to motivate those around for two reasons:

1)It should motivate and challenge them to seek God and desire to get to know Him more,
2)It should motivate and challenge them to provide the necessary groundwork to give God fertile ground on which to move again...possibly the same way...possibly different.

How has God moved in your life? What are some of the ways He has moved? Are you expecting Him to move in the same way as before, or are you open to new and fresh moves of the Holy Spirit in your life and those around you?

Remember we are leaving a legacy for others to follow. Are we motivating and challenging them with by making monuments, sharing memories, and motivating them to capture the presence of God?

God spoke to Abram in Gen. 12:1-3, telling Him how he was going to be a great and blessed nation. When Abram arrived in Canaan God spoke to Abram again, promising him this land. In Gen. 12:7 Abram built an altar "at the place God appeared to him." Every time God spoke to Abram he built an altar, but CONTINUED MOVING. He did not stop and say God, "You spoke to me here, so this is where I want to stay." No He acknowledged God's presence and built an altar to remember, but kept going where God was directing.

Don't lose sight of what God is doing just because He met us in a certain place. Those places are meant to be looked BACK on in REMEMBRANCE and THANKFULNESS for what God has done. They are meant to MOTIVATE and CHALLENGE us. Look back and say, "Yes, God did that for me THEN, but I am expecting God to do MORE NOW." "Yes, God did that for our church THEN, but we are expecting God to do MORE NOW."

Go throughout your day remembering where you have come from, what you have been through, and what God did in your life and the lives of those around you; BUT, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in your life and what He is doing NEW AND FRESH NOW!

Blessings to you as you move forward in God!

Are We Leading the Battle or God?

Are we so controlling that we get in God's way?

Many times we have to have everything done the way we think it should be done. If it's not we get frustrated and sometimes hard to live with. As mom's we want our children or husband to help put dishes out of dishwasher, but if they put things in the wrong place we get upset with them. Now, if they are young we should be able to just be thankful they are doing it. When they are teens we should definitely be thankful they are doing it, but by this time they should know where things go, or we should show them.

In our place of business or ministry we, hopefully, develop our leadership skills to the place where we can negotiate, and not always have to have everything go our way. If we don't we are not allowing God to develop us into all we can be as leaders and followers of Christ.

God "thundered a huge thunderclap exploding among the Philistines, They panicked - mass confusion! - and ran helter-skelter from Israel." (7:10) We read about God doing this as well in Judges 7 for Gideon.

As we do what God asks of us He will do His part. It is my opinion that too often we try to do it all on our own. We figure out the best way to do things then pray and ask God to bless it. We do it all backwards. We need to first pray and ask for God's direction and He will then guide our thoughts in planning and implementing what He has called us to do. In both of the instances of scripture I have mentioned Gideon and Samuel prayed to God for direction and God came through for them.

This is especially hard for those who are gifted with ideas, organizing, etc. Many times when we have these gifts we forge ahead on our own before we think and ask God for clear direction.

As we contemplate these scriptures ask God to bring to mind where you are in allowing Him to lead. Are we the ones who have the ideas and say, "OK God, this looks good. It will work this way, so please bless it?" Take some time alone with God and ask Him to help you redirect your priorities to ask Him first, before you begin the planning process.

You may be one who does a lot of praying and asking God for direction, but never get up and act. Then you need to ask God to help you get the courage to take the first step. He's there for us just waiting for us to acknowledge our dependence on Him.

Blessings to you!

Mother/Daughter Team Available for Events

Cheryl Turnbull and daughter, Catherine, are available for ministry together or separate. Catherine has a heart for teenage girls. She went through a difficult time transitioning when their family moved from one city to another.

Catherine knows what teenage girls are challenged with and has a desire to encourage them to become Godly young women. For the past year she has devoted her life to seeking God and has not allowed "boyfriends" to enter the picture of her life. In fact she invited a guy friend from school to church and he has been coming. He wanted to go out with Catherine, but she was honest with him and said she was focused on her relationship with God and didn't date right now. He respected her for her morals and said he had never met someone like that before and it was cool. He liked that about her.

I shared that to show you where Catherine's heart is and I am sure your girls would be encouraged and challenged by what she has to say. She is a senior in high school and is very active in church activities. She is on facebook, if you want to check her out.

Below is a sample of what we do together, but we will work with you on your specific needs.

Women’s Retreat
3 Session Outline

Session One: Women Full of Fun and Adventure
In this session women will be challenged to live a fun life in Christ. We will use the flip flop illustration out of the book “If the Shoe Fits.”

Session Two: Women Filled with Determination
In this session women will be challenged to live a life determined to succeed in Christ, confronting challenges “head on” and winning. The running shoe illustration will be used from “If the Shoe Fits.”

Session Three: Women Leaving a Legacy of Class
In this session women will be challenged to leave a positive legacy of what they learned on their journey with Christ. The classic pump illustration will be used from “If the Shoe Fits.” My daughter, Catherine, and I will be doing this session together. Catherine has a heart for young girls and I have asked her to speak to women on how to best help the teenage girls in their lives. She is available to speak directly with teen girls if you wish.

It has been my life purpose to get Christians, young and old, to enjoy their life in Christ. We were not created to sit back and watch others do life with fun and excitement. We were created to actively be engaged in a fun and fulfilled life in Christ, and it is our responsibility to pass on that legacy to generations to come.

You can contact me via email: hstrymknwmn@hotmail.com or Facebook or by phone at 757-343-7783

God's Love for Us vs Our Love for God

As we continue to work on seeking God and allowing His Spirit to shape our lives it is important to contemplate His love for us.

I heard someone speaking on this and it caught my attention. It is easy for us to focus on improving our love for God...ie, telling Him we'll do this for Him to show Him our love, etc. Have we really tried to focus on God's love for us? What He has done for us? What He has given for us?

Sure we thank Him for giving His only son for our salvation, but is that just remote thanks; or do we really comprehend all God has done? This is hard to do, especially if we are young and have never had children. It is very hard to grasp. God created the universe, but when He created us He created us for fellowship with Him. We are like no other in creation. Do we take this for granted?

The speaker I heard used Peter. Remember when Peter said I love you Lord and Jesus asked Him 3 times? Peter was all into serving and standing up for Jesus, but when rubber met the road (did they have rubber back then?) he didn't have what it took. Was he trying to do it in his own strength? Also, remember the conversation between Peter and Jesus at the Last Supper? "Peter said, 'Master, I'm ready to do anything with you. I'd go to jail for you. I'd die for you!' Jesus said, 'I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me.'" The Message

Of course this was before Peter received the promised Holy Spirit. The point...he was trying to do this all on his own...his enthusiasm, his commitment, etc. We cannot do this on our own and in our own love for God. We need to understand how much God loves us and gave for us. Grasp hold with all we have and allow the Holy Spirit to formulate in us a power that is unstoppable.

Can you imagine the impact we would have on those around us, if we truly got hold of this?

As we are allowing the Holy Spirit to form us into the image of God, make it a point to try and understand the magnificence of God's love...from there the love we have for Him will be a love that is passionate and contagious.

I want to end this post with a passage of scripture where Jesus is responding to someone who asked Him if only a few would be saved. This is His reply from The Message version,

"...Whether few or many is none of your business. Put you mind on your life with God. The way to life - to God - is vigorous and requires your total attention..." Luke 13:23-27 It is well worth reading the whole portion of scripture. Jesus says in verse 27, "Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don't know the first thing about me."

Now this is a hard statement, but I want to challenge each of us, especially if we have known Christ as our Savior for a while. We have to be careful in how we live and our knowledge of God. Don't take it for granted. He loves us so very much. Let's make sure we are getting to know this person who is God in our lives. Really seek Him with all of our heart; do not get so busy with doing life and ministering to people, we lose the meaning of why we are doing life and ministering.

Be vigorous and seek God with your total attention!

Become strong women!

Become unstoppable and bring others along on your journey!

Have a blessed day!

Shaping our Lives by Praying for Our Leaders

I have been contemplating what I am writing about, in this post for a week, and finally put it in words.

If we truly desire to be the woman God has created us to be and be shaped into the person He wants, I believe we will put this following scripture into practice more and more over the next months and years.

"The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

"He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned; that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us - Jesus...

"Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray - not shaking angry fists as enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God...doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it." 1 Tim. 2:1-10 The Message

If you read my posts you know I like to quote from The Message most of the time. It just tells it so great. This passage of scripture came to mind last Wed. after our election of President.

Whether our choice for President was elected or not doesn't matter at this point...what matters is...

Are we praying for our elected leaders?

Paul doesn't tell us to only pray when our candidate is elected. He admonishes us to pray for ALL those elected. It is our duty as believers to lift those in authority up in prayer.

Part of leaving a legacy for others to follow is a good example of this scripture and others like it. We are to treat those in authority with respect, whether we agree with them or not. We should not bad mouth them. We should not criticize. We should keep them in our prayers, asking God to help direct the leaders ruling over us.

As we begin our week, ask ourselves the question,

"Am I praying for my leaders?"

"What kind of words come out of my mouth regarding my leaders?"

"Am I leaving a good example for those around me to follow?"

It is always so much harder to pray for someone when we disagree with what they stand for, but this is an awesome opportunity for each of us to show our "true spiritual colors" to those around us who know we don't agree. Allow positive words to come out of your mouth, ie "You know, I may not agree with our leader, but he/she is in my prayers, because they have an overwhelming responsibility to lead our country."

By doing this Paul says we can become beautiful, according to the above scripture.

I hope you receive this and allow God's spirit to continue to form you into His image. Until next time...

Blessings to You!

I VOTED!

Where are You Going...What is Your Destiny?

We have been discussing the subject of seeking God and His Spirit forming us into the women He has called us to become. This thought was presented in a sermon I heard recently..."Is Your Destiny Connected to Your Leader?"

Many times women try to get ahead of God in their destiny and the timing He has for them. I understand it is difficult to wait, but God has a reason and purpose for ALL things GOOD. I have written about this in previous posts; but think of Esther and David, Esther waited months before going before the king and David waited years before he was king...even after Samuel anointed him king. We can definitely look to scripture for many more examples of God's timing.

It is important we put our ministry and calling into God's hands and His timing. Do not get ahead of Him. If you are married you have to look at your ministry as connected to your leader...your husband. We are co-heirs and co-minister's TOGETHER, but where are you going? Are you together or are you going separate and not thinking of your husband? So many times women get mixed up in their thinking. They begin to think their ministry is more important than their husbands and miss out on the blessings God wants, so much, to give them.

The man and the woman can both have ministries, but they have to be in agreement on what they are doing, whether together or separate. I know of a woman who is the senior pastor of a thriving church and her husband has a very active and blessed ministry to leaders that takes him around the world. They both knew she would be a pastor one day. He told me that when they were first married she told him she would raise the kids and after they were grown she was devoting her time to being a pastor.

Together they both planted churches and she has planted this one alone. He also said that he travels a lot with his ministry. He jokes that she doesn't allow him to come to the church because he causes problems. The reality was when he would go to the church people would look to him as pastor even though it was very clear who the pastor was...his wife.

They both came into agreement of how they were each going to do ministry. Her destiny was attached to her leader...her husband...and they worked together to bring about ministry they were both called to do.

I can also think of another woman whose marriage fell apart and she and her husband are going their separate ways in ministry. I do not believe God would have us do that...family is of utmost importance to the Kingdom of God. We cannot believe God would have us leave our marriage to pursue ministry.

Has God called you to ministry? Does your spouse know where your heart is? Do you both understand each others call to ministry? These are important questions to discuss. If you are not married please remember to discuss these very important questions with the special someone God brings into your life. It is imperative you BOTH UNDERSTAND where you each fit into ministry.

This is an important aspect of how God is shaping our lives. The ball of clay takes on more form as we allow the Holy Spirit to continue to work in our lives.

Continuing to Develop Our Shape as We Mature!

In the previous post we read from Ecclesiastes that there is an opportune time for everything. We may be going through a time where we have the opportunity to allow God to expand our faith and trust in Him. Maybe we need to expand our faith and trust in other people, or some one in particular. Read the Bible and ask God to help you understand what He is trying to tell you through His Word. Even though I have read the Bible many times I find I enjoy reading The Message version. It basically tells it like it is in our language. I have my NIV close at hand for in depth studying. It is amazing what might "pop" out at you as you read.

You may be going through a time in which you need to ask advise from another woman in ministry regarding a situation you are going through. As women in ministry we can definitely go through low, dry times in our relationship with God. There is just so much "stuff" we have to deal with in ministry, we sometimes can feel as if "all hell is breaking loose." How can that be when we are honestly trying to do God's will? How can the people in church not understand that and want to work against us? We have to be careful to keep our heart sensitive to the Holy Spirit. This is when we so need to have another woman in ministry to talk to...so seek her out.

If you are a woman who is not in ministry you may need to seek advise from a pastor or his wife, and ask them to recommend a woman who can mentor or coach you in your new found faith. There may be a situation you are dealing with in which you need advise. Seek this advise. Do not try to figure it out on your own.

WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER!

In both situations you will find yourself getting stronger. You will find the ball of clay we spoke of in a previous post is not as round as it was before. Your spiritual life is now taking on form and shape. You are becoming a beautiful woman of God. Your ministry and calling is taking on the shape that God has specifically designed for you.

Some women may be way past this stage. That is wonderful. Maybe you are one God can use to be a mentor or coach to another woman just beginning her walk in faith or as a woman in ministry. Ask God to prepare your heart and mind for this adventure in your life. It can be exciting and unpredictable. You never know who God will place in your care and how they will respond.

It is important to make sure that we as women of God continue to grow and develop. Be careful to not get to the point that you feel as if you "know it all." That is a dangerous point to be. Always, always, always, have an open, impressionable spirit in which God's Spirit has fertile ground in which to grow.

Until next post...Blessings!