The Courageous & Kind Project Magazine Fall/Winter 2020

The C&K Magazine

FALL/WINTER 2020

"LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART, SOUL, STRENGTH, MIND. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

LUKE 10:27

Fall/Winter 2020

Issue

Two

THE TEAM

Founding Editor

C&K Contributor Team

Jessica deLinde Dyckman

Marlena Copado Nicole Crabtree Ilissa Goines Carrie Kelly Jessica Kujawski Sydney Murrell Paula Webb Jessica Wuerffel Kristen Young

Creative & Arts Director Rachel Coney Copy Editor Chelsea Prince Julie Brierley C&K Guest Contributors Angel DeLuz Evelyn Hernandez Follow Us! @TheCourageousandKindProject www.courageousandkind.org

C&K Advisory Board Amber Bell Becca Hoyt Alissa Giangregorio Monica Groak Amanda Skawski

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.

And, love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

Table of Contents

3

Verse of the Day

4

Letter from the Editor

5

When God Hits the Reset Button

7-8

God is Patient

9-12

23-24

Finding Privilege in our Pain

26

Love the Lord your God

27-28

Making the Pivot Towards God

29-32 Christ First or Me First

33-34

Pray Now, Not Later

Setting Boundaries & Priorities

13

35-36

C&K Reading List

14-16

Unexpected Blessings

18-22 Experiencing Joy through Forgiveness Kejal Basi Featured Interview

Community Spotlight: The Bridge Ministry

37

Finding Meaning in the Mundane

38

C&K Help Wanted

2

C&K Founding Tenants: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself."

Luke 10:27

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.� Proverbs 31:25 Follow C&K on social media for regular encouragement and Bible verses to help you throughout your day.

Letter from the Editor Hey, y’all! I am delighted that you’re reading this, because it means we published our second COURAGEOUS & KIND magazine! Hooray! To say this publication has been in the works is an understatement. We started writing and gathering content last summer and then life happened.

How could we have ever guessed 2020 would look like this? This year has taken us by surprise and taken our breath away. It’s broken our hearts, refined our priorities, encouraged us, exhausted us, challenged us, quarantined us, and made us long for heaven even more. As we replay the months and moments of this year, let it remind us that we need Jesus more than anything.

From earthly injustice and dividing crisis to uncertainty and fear, we must be women who hold onto the truth of the Gospel, the Good News. Our hearts (and our world!) so desperately need it!

God is always with us.

He is constant.

He is steady.

He is unfailing.

He is willing.

He is worthy.

Where do we start? Begin by writing down some of your favorite Bible verses. Maybe you know someone who needs to read them as much as you do? Maybe you can share your story of a prayer that God had answered? What if you told someone how you decided to become a Christian? Can you recall a time when God helped you while you were in need? Maybe you know someone needs who needs to hear a personal story of God’s faithfulness? Share it!

Nothing is too small. No effort to share the Gospel is ever wasted. And, no God story is insignificant! The Lord delights in the small beginning of our efforts. He is the One who saves; He simply invites us to be His messengers of the Good News.

We can start by sharing our stories in our homes where our influence is most needed. From there, we can move to our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, churches, and community. The truth is that we have what everyone is looking for - we have the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ!

As our small and mighty teams of contributing volunteers self-publish this magazine, I pray that you’ll find your small start where you can share God’s truth to others in your life. Thank you for taking the challenge and being a part of The Courageous & Kind Project community!

He is present.

He is just.

He is good.

He is patient.

He is merciful.

He is love.

As the world marches on, it’s time for us to step up and move forward to a different beat. At C&K, we are beckoning women to answer the call to be courageous and kind, godly women. We have to commit ourselves to the Word and the hope that Jesus Christ brings. It's our only hope for this world! Let's also commit to sharing that truth with others as well.

Xoxo Jes Jessica deLinde Dyckman C&K Founding Editor

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When God Hits Reset Ilissa Goines "FOR I AM ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING NEW. SEE, I HAVE ALREADY BEGUN! DO YOU NOT SEE IT? I WILL MAKE A PATHWAY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS. I WILL CREATE RIVERS IN THE DRY WASTELAND.” ISAIAH 43:19

Editor’s Note: Ilissa originally posted this as a personal Facebook status at the beginning of the 2020 COVID-19 shelter-in-place mandate.

Exactly one week ago when I was told I could no longer do my job, I panicked. For twelve years, I have sat in the same room in the dentist office with patients laughing, crying, tutoring, mentoring, counseling, loving, and sometimes cleaning their teeth. I have people that sit in my chair every six months that are more like family than just patients. I have grown to love them; and after just one week...I miss them.

I miss going to work everyday.

But here is what God is showing me: my job is not who I am. It is what I do.

With nothing “normal” and no “routine”, the LORD is forcing me to sit with Him and I plan to soak it up. At some point in the near future, the hustle and bustle will resume, but I will have a new fresh perspective. I intend to rest and know that God has this in His infinite plan.

I’m not supposed to understand it. I’m just supposed to trust the One who does.

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

I do it well and very much enjoy it. But lately, I have been complacent and ungrateful. I’ve complained about getting up. I’ve complained about “cleaning more teeth”. I’ve been tired and worn and my heart has grown weary. I have allowed myself to forget what is important.

The mundane, everyday, routine of life became something I just survived. I wasn’t thriving! Not the way God intended for me too.

So the LORD hit reset... and here I sit.

Xoxo Ilissa 5

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Ezekiel 36:26

.efil wen sevig doG

God is Patient Paula Webb Why does God allow pain and suffering? Most are struggling with the distress of a global pandemic, racism, senseless violence, poverty, injustice…and God is allowing ALL OF IT to continue? Is He really in control or is He unable to stop what is happening? Does He truly love us because this never-ending suffering feels cruel.

His Word answers all of these questions with

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of

emotionally UNsatisfying answers, for now.

God." Romans 3:23

God’s love for all humanity delays His eventual return with judgement. He is patient! Yes~ God is,

Therefore since all have sinned, brokenness

and that is why suffering continues, for now. Is it

permeates mankind and the whole of creation

God’s patience we are to blame for suffering,

groans. No argument here! What humans crave

disease, poverty and injustice?

is a way to pay the debt for sin and be in right relationship with God. Pure justice requires

No, that is flawed thinking that needs to be

absolute moral rightness yet none of us is

righted in order for peace to override pain. Many

capable of that on this earth. The line for

confuse suffering as reason to doubt God’s

goodness, which God has drawn requires

goodness. Spiritual fists are shaken at God when

perfection. Without Jesus as our justifier we fall

faith struggles to endure hardship. After all, if

short of God’s requirement.

you or I were God, we wouldn’t allow good people, vulnerable people, voice-less people to

"God

suffer. Pain would be avoided and iniquity would

atonement, through the shedding of his blood-

be non-existent. Mankind wrestles with God’s

to be received by faith. He did this to

ways. Yet He has been very clear that His ways

demonstrate his righteousness, because in his

are not our ways (paraphrased Isaiah 55:9).

forbearance he had left the sins committed

Since Adam and Eve lost the first wrestling

beforehand

match due to temptation and rebellion, sin was

demonstrate his righteousness at the present

crowned the victor.

time, so as to be just and the one who justifies

presented

Christ

unpunished-

as

a

He

sacrifice

did

it

of

to

those who have faith in Jesus." Romans 3:25-26

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:9

7

God will come back to judge all the injustice one day and make it right. Suffering will end. Those are some of His promises found in the Bible. Hearts ache in the waiting, as we cry out. Before He returns however, God is waiting for more hearts to turn toward Him and away from worldliness. That’s what repentance means; turning back to God. Is God perhaps waiting for you or another, whom you love? God doesn’t demand repentance, He offers it to us freely! But it cost Him everything.

"Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 God’s love, patience, and kindness transcend time. What seems to be never-ending strife in our lives is a mist compared to eternity. Simply because He’s allowing suffering on earth doesn’t mean He can’t stop it… it means He actually loves even more than the temporal pain of sin; more than any of us ever could! He cannot bear eternity without the children He loves. Jesus’ sacrificial death confirmed it. And so He waits.

‘The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 Until the whole world knows, pray without ceasing and love well. Point all suffering hearts to God’s love, including your own. In conclusion, allow the Words of Jesus to search your heart…

“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-8

Xoxo Paula 8

Pray Now Not Later Jessica Kujawski When was the last time you said, “I will pray for you and meant it?” In our Christian culture we frequently say things like this, but how often are we keeping our word?

When God moved my family to California, we found a church and quickly began to settle in and plant our roots. I started attending Community Bible Study and joined numerous ministries at church. Shortly after, God called me into a leadership role with Community Bible Study.

Studying the Bible with these amazing women and hearing sermons and guest speakers at church, I noticed a theme, pray now not later. The importance of praying for others is shown in God’s word. "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the LORD's people." Ephesians 6:18 Not only did I realize I kept hearing this everywhere I went, but I started to understand this was God’s way of showing me where I needed to grow. As a Christian, I was often in conversations where friends and family were asking for prayers, but I did not always pray with them right then. I was also not always following through on praying for them at home. I had a laundry list of excuses, but I simply was not making prayer a priority.

Being at a church filled with moms of littles and in a Bible study with women of all ages, God started doing some serious work in my heart.

When someone needed prayer the women around me did not say, “I will pray for you.” walk away, get too busy with life, and forget. They said, “Can I pray for you NOW?”. It didn’t matter if they had two toddlers pulling their leg and were wearing a newborn. They made God their priority and prayed anyways.

retaL toN woN yarP "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the LORD's people."

Ephesians 6:18

10

Pray Now Not Later In all parts of my new life, I was noticing Christian

As a very independent person I struggled to ask

women showing me first-hand how to pray now

others for help. The stress began piling up. This

not later. I was learning to go from believing to

situation brought me to my knees praying for

becoming a leader for Christ. I began leading

God’s help. I was reminded of Philippians 4:6

others towards God through prayer.

I slowly

(NIV), 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in

started getting the courage to pray for others on

every situation, by prayer and petition, with

the spot. I realized it does not have to be some

thanksgiving, present your requests to God.�

elegantly prepared prayer.

God wants us to

Soon after, I began to share the medical

speak from the heart and show empathy

struggles we were going through with my church

towards others. When I pray aloud with others, I

and Bible study friends and the help came

sometimes stumble over my words or lose the

pouring in.

flow of my thinking, but God does not ask for

three to four appointments a week and not being

perfect prayers, he just asks us to pray. If they

able to lift my children I needed it! We had an

were brave enough to speak up and ask for my

amazing babysitter come to the house five hours

prayers, I should be brave enough to pray for

a day to cook, clean, and lift the baby in and out

them right then.

of the crib for me. We had friends bringing us

With a forty-five-minute drive to

meals. One friend even came to our house at God was about to show me how powerful it can

7a.m. and 7p.m. every single day to lift the baby

be to pray for others. We found out we were

in and out of the crib for me. God provided way

pregnant with our third child and we were

more than I could have ever dreamed of. Then

ecstatic!

finally my husband came home and that relieved

A few months later my husband, who

is a Marine Corps Officer, had to go to Korea for five weeks. At my eighteenth week appointment I was quickly referred to a high-risk specialist and diagnosed with complete placenta previa. I was put

on

modified

bedrest

with

numerous

restrictions and could not take care of my children or myself in the way I normally did as a stay-at-home mom to my one daughter and three year old son. The doctor explained that this condition was something that very rarely fixes itself because it was complete previa, along with all

the

scary

sounding

possibilities

of

complications that can go along with this. With so many limitations and my husband out of the country, I was feeling the stress.

Being apart

from my husband when finding out this news and during this pregnancy was so hard on both of us. We learned to appreciate every second of

some of the stress.

We were beyond blessed and so grateful! There was a lady in my Bible study who said from the start she knew God was going to move the placenta for me. I was hopeful she was right, but statistics did not look like this would be possible.

Frequently these ladies in Bible study prayed for me as we all prayed aloud together every week lifting each other up. Then, at twenty-seven weeks pregnant four of the ladies asked to put their hands on my stomach and pray over me for the placenta to move. I was not used to this type of prayer where people place hands on you, but it was worth a try. As these ladies prayed, I felt the Lord’s presence run through me.

I

had

goosebumps, chills, and just felt something amazing was happening.

communication we were able to have. With no family anywhere nearby, God was challenging me to lean on Him and trust His provision.

11

Pray Now Not Later The next week the doctor did an ultrasound. Then said he needed to do it a second time. He came back again and wanted a different technician to perform the ultrasound a third time to get another opinion. Waiting for the results was so hard and we were trying not to worry something was wrong. (We had recently had a miscarriage so we were preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. We had to focus on the Bible verse, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12) The doctor came in and said he could not believe his eyes and that my placenta had moved completely!

For this to happen at twenty-eight weeks with complete previa this was very, very rare. God blew us away and showed me in the biggest way possible the power of praying with others in the moment. We witnessed a miracle right before our very eyes. We ended up with a smooth delivery, healthy baby boy, and normal recovery for me.

I vowed from that day on that when someone asks me for prayers I will pray right then in that moment. I challenge you ladies to do the same!

God will give you the words to speak. Be brave and courageous and pray with someone today!

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Romans 12:12

Xoxo Jessica K.

12

C&K Reading List

Chasing Vines by Beth Moore Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers Afraid of All the Things by Scarlet Hildibidal Behind the Scenes with Jeremy & Audrey Rolof Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore Brave Moms Brave Kids by Lee Nienhuis Famous in Heaven and at Home by Michelle Myers Learning Contentment by Nancy Wilson 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller Union with Christ by Rankin Wilbourne New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp Why Jesus by Ravi Zacharias A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers It’s About Time by Valorie Burton

Unexpected Blessings Carrie Kelly A few weeks ago, I decided to sit down in my bedroom to have a quiet time. As I was sitting there, my one-year old-daughter, Cara, somehow made her way into my room. Not realizing that I was trying to have some much needed alone time with Jesus, she climbed into my lap, placed her head on my shoulder and just hugged me so tight.

We played peek-a-boo for a minute, then she

For many years I lived in a box. I married the

climbed down and waddled out the door to find

man of my dreams who surrendered to the

the next thing to grab her attention. I went back

ministry at a very young age.

to my studying, but a still calmness washed over

specifically thinking on our wedding day that it’s

me.

I remember

I realized how much I needed that

all clear from here. Here we are tackling the

unexpected cuddle and play time with Cara at

world together for Jesus -- nothing could stop us,

that very moment. It caused me to start thinking

no one could dislike us and nothing bad could

about what a blessing the unexpected moments

happen to us. My life was all about following

can be in life.

the rules of the Christian faith yet when an

However, this has not always been the case in my life. Looking back through the years, I shiver at how many times I probably pushed my other three children away when they tried to invade my personal time and space. I even pondered a little deeper to realize how many times the interruptions have always been uninvited due to my expectations of how life is supposed to pan out.

How many times do we miss these

moments? The moments that do interrupt our lives but also have the potential to bring blessing and deliverance if we would just take a moment to pause and rest in the unexpected.

unexpected blow came into our ministry it would rattle me to the core.

disappointment after

disappointment followed me everywhere, from different jobs to different churches to different opinions. I couldn’t understand why I was so unhappy and hated this life of ministry that I knew our family was called to. Then one day it hit me like a ton of bricks at a conference I was attending a few years ago. As I began to surrender my will over to God’s will, I realized I had been living out of my expectations for myself and our family as well as for other people. I learned through an encounter with God how the unexpected situations should be invited into my life rather than pushed out.

14

I know there are so many women that are possibly in the same boat as I was a few years ago.

You have a strong belief that something good and great is going to happen with the calling God has placed on your life and you just can’t shake it. You place all your time, hard work, energy, and prayers into this desire. Then unexpectedly, something comes into play that changes the whole plan completely.

A friendship

dwindles, a marriage fails, a loved one dies- you can fill in the blank with your unexpected blows that may have caused your life to stall. It’s not easy to let the expectations of life go, but when you learn to expect nothing and appreciate everything- God transforms those unexpected events into the most amazing blessings that you could never imagine for yourself.

How do we learn to invite the unexpected into our lives?

First, we have to learn to TRUST. We have to trust that God has our best in mind. Proverbs 3:5-6 says to “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” We can only begin to trust in God with our whole selves when we get to know Him. We get to know Him through reading His words in the Bible.

It is here that we gain wisdom and

understanding of the love He has for us. In turn, we learn that God’s purpose for our lives does not change just because our expectations aren’t met. We actually learn that He can do “infinitely more than we could ever ask, think or imagine” Ephesians 3).

Selflessness is a must. High expectations cause us to want to be in control of our own lives and even the lives of others. These expectations cause us to have a sense of selfishness or entitlement. Disappointment comes when we choose our own need for fulfillment over someone else’s. God’s Word tells us we are to “love our neighbor as ourselves” (Matthew 22). And we are to “Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Phillippians 2).

When we place our desires and

expectations to the side to love other people, God does a number on our heart. The unexpected blessings of others fulfills our hearts and can help point us into the specific destiny God is calling us.

15

Unexpected Blessings Lastly, gratitude is a necessity. As Cara walked out of my room that day, I couldn’t help but be thankful for the cuddles and play time we had just experienced. Cara, our fourth child, came six years after our other three children. Our lives as a family in ministry seemed to be taking off to a new level and dreams were starting to come true for us. Then, our lives halted for this sweet blessing to arrive and grow within our family. Having Cara at this time in my life has caused me to let go of all expectations and just enjoy the road God has set before me. With each unexpected event that happens in our lives we can be thankful that He’s already gone before us and created a way for His glory and Kingdom to be known through us.

Trust in the Lord “TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.” PROVERBS 3:5-6

Xoxo Carrie 16

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17

Kejal Basi Featured Interview

Experiencing Joy through Forgiveness Editor's Note: Kejal Basi, who so warmly goes by "Kay" was born in London, England into a traditional Hindu family, and bears a heart for Christ. Kay spent her youngest years in India with her grandparents, and overcame childhood tragedy. As Kay recounts her story of depression, forgiveness and abundant joy, we can see how the Lord has continually woven His love and His Presence throughout her life. She also shares how Christ has always pursued her and ultimately saved her. Kay now lives in Southern California with her husband, daughter, and son.

Kay, you had mentioned that you went to a Catholic school while growing up in a traditional Hindu family.

Yes, growing up in the city of London, my parents wanted to send me to a private school, and the best private schools in our local area were Catholic. Now the extent of the level that each school practiced their faith and sharing was different, but at our school there were a variety of faiths and religions. I believe majority of parents who sent their kids to the school were not Catholic or Christian, practicing or otherwise. Still we all participated in the Christmas Mass, and I even joined the Christmas choir!

Tell me a little bit about your family and culture growing up in India and England.

My parents moved to England in the seventies from India. They were the first of their generation to move over and eventually my dad’s parents and siblings immigrated as well. My dad had to establish himself in this virtually foreign culture, so the first few years were very trying and hard on the family, especially financially. They worked hard establishing their business and foundation.

It’s very common in the Hindu tradition that the grandkids will be sent to India to stay with the grandparents for a few years. So at the age of two, I lived with my grandma, granddad, and uncle in India. It can’t have been an easy decision.

I couldn’t even think to do that now with my kids.

As shocking as it all sounds, I was loved. I literally was the apple of my grandparents eyes. I had great friends and it was the happiest time of my childhood with many lessons of blessings we take for granted, that I want to pass on to my children.

After a few years, I had to return back to London.

At that point, I was a six year old kid who was put on a London bound flight. The country was foreign and my parents were relative strangers (As my little memory served, I had only seen them once in my life when they visited India). However, I was anxious but excited to be with my parents and brother. A child always yearns for their mother and father.

19

That must have been quite the transition, especially since you were so close to your grandparents. How was your childhood in England in comparison?

In London, I became extremely close to my mum. My brother was a daddy’s boy and I was a mummy’s girl. There was bullying because I had a thick Indian accent, but I was happy at home and loved.

However, at 11, tragedy struck my family. In February 1995, my grandma passed away from illness. In May, my mother committed suicide in our home. In the space of three months, I lost the key maternal figures in my life. What I didn’t know was that my mum had suffered with depression from a young age and there was a lot more going on in her heart than I knew.

I became a Daddy’s girl when my dad remarried that year, succumbing to pressure from family that he had two adolescent kids who needed a mother-figure. That was the cultural mentality at the time. My step-mum was all but twenty-five at the time. She moved from a rural village in India to raise two adolescence kids. I didn’t see it at the time but that move was a much more difficult transition for her than it had ever been for me. As a stepmother, there are a lot of eyes on you. A lot of scrutiny. That scrutiny and control essentially got funneled to me. There became a sort of cinderella reality in my childhood home, and as a result, our “mother-daughter” relationship suffered immensely.

The intoxicating scent of depression lingered in my family home even after my mother’s passing. I even considered taking my life on a daily basis from the age of 15. See the thing is when there’s any act of suicide, it doesn’t just shake the family; it gives the surviving family members an option that wouldn't even be contemplated before.

Oh, wow! I haven’t ever thought about that: Right! What you wouldn’t think about all of a suddenly becomes an option in your mind. And that’s why there’s sometimes a trend where another family member or someone closely connected may take their own life in that way. We see this especially with teens.

The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. [Referencing John 10:10] The devil goes after young hearts, afflicts them, scars them and wants them to take their life before they can give it to Jesus.

That is what the enemy tried to do in my home. From the point after my mum passed, depression and talks of suicide ran rampant in my household. Talks of ending lives. Talks of not being happy because of the hurt we all would afflict on each other. I tried to keep the peace, staying silent against some atrocities afflicted towards me, but I was crumbling on the inside. We all were crumbling.

20

Listening to this, I can’t imagine the hurt in your home. Heartache from losing your mum, and heartache from your stepmum losing her family as she moved and came into this situation. How did you cope with it all?

During that time, I was looking externally for things in my environment that demonstrated I mattered. I was looking to be loved. When I got graded at school I used that as my litmus test to measure myself as a contributing member of humanity. To get an “A” I thought to myself “Oh, I must be okay.”. I made my existence a conditional measure of worth. But, now I know the truth. I am a child of God and He pours all His love on me. I am so incredibly grateful to Him for not only healing my heart but for filling it with so much joy.

At one time, I was close to taking my own life and the Holy Spirit intervened. To really go from that person who only knew torment and unlove to self-pity and entrapped in those emotions to becoming a woman who is led to joy. That is the work of our loving God. We are his masterpiece.

At the essence of my being, I am joy. That is what he has wanted for me. When I think fundamentally of who I am in any situation I hope to be a vessel of love and joy or bring out joy in others. I pray that same joy for my kids.

Kay, you are such a joy! God has answered that prayer of yours generously and graciously.

Can you describe someone who might be in a helpless situation and doesn’t have any joy, how may they find God and His joy?

Sometimes what holds us in bondage from experiencing joy is anger and resentment. The freedom from this bondage is simple, yet profoundly difficult for us to execute. The key to these shackles is forgiveness.

Sometimes we walk around with this notion that forgiveness is this big, nebulous cloud hanging over our heads. That forgiving those who may have “trespassed against us” requires a major event. That there would come a day, where there would be a conversation, there would be remorse, there would be a reckoning and ONLY then could there be room for forgiveness.

Let’s take my childhood and the relationship between my step-mum and me. For example, I held resentment for far too long. I knew I had to forgive in order to move on. That God wanted me to have forgiveness in my heart when I stepped to Him in prayer [referencing Mark 11:25]. I imagined sitting down with my step-mum and telling her that I was tormented and rejected in my childhood and it wasn’t okay. I thought about this big conversation with her and I would find myself rehearsing what I would say over and over in my head. You know what I am talking about? Those "woulda, shoulda, coulda" conversations.

But, I realized that forgiveness is not any one act.

The act of forgiving is a mindset. We are to stand in a posture ready to forgive for this is a broken world, and we are harassed and helpless until we put our faith truly in Jesus Christ.

Jesus, himself, told us it is not just seven times we are to forgive (as that was the Jewish custom back then), but seventy times seven [Matthew 18:21-23] . Now, I don’t think this meant we are to limit forgiveness to 490 times. But, rather have such a stance and discipline around forgiving others that it becomes hard for us to actually keep count. When I read this truth, I realized forgiving was more about my own character than it was ever about the action of forgiving others.

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Matthew 18:21-22

You said it! Forgiveness is so important yet, so hard. For those left wondering, how were you able to forgive?

It wasn’t one single event as I had expected it to be. Forgiveness came in tiny, subtle loving little steps. It was like this lightness. Let’s take my step-mum for example. She came out to visit me here in the States. I decide to lean in to forgiveness. I prayed about it - deeply prayed about it. She saw me for who I was and a lot of that was for my faith and the impact that trying to live in obedience to Christ has had on me and my family. I didn’t see her as my wrong-doer or target of my resentment. I saw her for who she was and truly felt love. When you are filled with God’s love, you can really see His light in others.

His light can be seen effervescently in you as well.

I have a loving mother-in-law too. I truly knew maternal love after knowing my mother-in-law.

Not only did Christ bring me to a loving husband and to Himself, but a wonderful mother-in-law and best friend. The maternal loss in my childhood, God restored in my adulthood.

God gave me a complete and full heart by His love, because He had better plans for me. God has restored my relationships and God has made me complete in His love. To think I might not have lived this abundant life if it weren’t for the Holy Spirit and God’s love. To think all the blessings God had in store for me that I may not have received if I had let the enemy "steal, kill and destroy" me in late teens and early adulthood.

So there we were, vacation almost over and that sit-down conversation I thought I needed to have never happened. In fact, as I was saying goodbye to her at the airport, we embraced and that is when we just broke down into tears. My stepmum kept saying, “thank you, thank you, thank you” into my ear between sobs. And in those words I just heard everything that she had ever wanted to say. That is where the Holy Spirit intervened and I was able to release it all. To truly forgive and to fully love.

Whatever is your obstacle to forgiveness. First know that you are fully loved by the only love that matters - God’s love.

Wow, that’s incredible!

I wish I had said this to my younger self, "The only love that matters is the love of God for you.

God gives His love freely. You had God’s love before you even deserved it." I used to think that I had to earn God’s love and love only existed on conditions. But God already loves me. He had been chasing after me. All those years, He was chasing after me with His love. I just had to receive His love and grace.

Now, I love my step-mum dearly with a love that only God could give. My stance with her is love.

My step-mum and I are very close with a deep friendship. She is the first one I told with the news that I was expecting our son. I have put her in a place in my heart that nobody will ever touch and that’s really how I feel.

Editor’s Note (Continued): God has continued to show Himself to Kay throughout her life. At C&K, we believe that with God nothing is happenstance. The Lord has a plan and purpose for each of us. He has gracefully orchestrated the events in our lives to provide the opportunity to have a relationship with Him through faith and forgiveness.

For anyone struggling with the questions of life or consider committing suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. There is hope for you and a future for your life in Jesus Christ.

22

Finding Privilege in our Pain Sydney Murrell

"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 Motherhood has easily been one of the most humbling experiences. Although truly a privilege, it has challenged me and tested my courage to trust God more than I could have imagined. As I battled with my screaming two-year-old last night between the hours of 10:00 pm to 2:30 am, I could not help but notice something: privilege often comes with struggle or great responsibility, sometimes both.

You see, I am not talking about the silver spoon kind of privilege, I am talking about divine privilege. A privilege that comes when you are living out the calling God has set for you.

Oftentimes our callings and the passions of our hearts stem from our struggles and pains, ones that have healed only because the hand of God intervened.

In the midst of our privilege, we often find ourselves walking through the pain not believing we will see God’s divine power deliver us through to the other end. So what do we do when the struggle is real and the pain is deep? How do we endure our pain and hang on long enough to allow ourselves to see all that God has for us on the other side?

The Bible tells us to hope, and not only for our pain to just disappear, our circumstances to change, or our strong willed toddler to just go to bed. We hope because we trust God is who He says He is, and trust that “He works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.

This is a little easier for me to do when I battle a nights sleep, but it is far more difficult when I battle struggles that seem to linger with no hint of solving themselves. We can hope, but somewhere deep in our human hearts we can slowly lose heart too.

“IN YOU, LORD MY GOD, I PUT MY TRUST.” PSALM 25:1

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Finding Privilege in our Pain For me, this roller coaster of hope and losing

In the middle of a temporary struggle with my

heart started a little over a year ago after

two-year-old last night, God reminded me of a

experiencing my first of many panic attacks. It

bigger struggle: no matter how hard some

came with no warning, but one day this weight

seasons get, there will be purpose for all this

came upon me and I still carry it with me today.

pain. Not one ounce of it will go wasted, and we

Months

can hope in a God who in His time, will redeem

of

x-rays,

lab

work

and

doctors

appointments all to tell me that I was living with

and restore all things.

a “panic disorder” and that this would be my new “normal.” If I am being honest, it felt like it was

So, if you are in the midst of a hard season, can I

the worst news of all. I wanted them to find

encourage you of this...be courageous! Trusting

something, anything that could possibly be

God is one of the most courageous things you

wrong and then we could tackle it, I could see

can do and I won't pretend it is easy. Day by day,

relief and I could put it behind me. I wanted relief

hour by hour recite these verses: “In you, Lord my

from the fear that while watching my two

God, I put my trust.” Psalm 25:1. When you put

toddlers I would have the sudden feeling like I

your trust in God, He will be there.

was going to pass out, or worse, have a heart attack. I wanted a quick fix, or go back in time, anything to not feel the way I did. Fortunately (yes fortunately), that has not been the case.

In the past year I have gone through waves of clinging to God, to yelling at Him, ignoring Him, to flat doubting Him. I was left wondering why I was making another trip to the ER with young kids at home, feeling neglected by Him. But what I learned this past year was that God never changes. He is constant. He is steady. He is always present.

When my heart changes in an instant, He remains faithful, and not because of anything I have done. He is who He says He is and He can be trusted in all things. As I look back, this past year has been extremely uncomfortable and I would take healing in a heartbeat. But I also know God is working something out in my life, something that will contribute to my calling and doing His work, and to that there is no greater privilege.

Xoxo Sydney 24

Love the Lord your God with all of your strength.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.�

2 Timothy 1:7

“Love the Lord your God with all Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. Love your neighbor as yourself..” Luke 10:27 Jessica Wuerffel Love the Lord Your God with all of your strength.

Strength.

Not always an easy thing to find, is it? I am pretty good at lassoing in my complaints, confusion, anger, and worry. Or even my laughter, wonder, thankfulness, and awe.

But strength? How can we love the Lord our God with all of our strength when we often feel so weak? If I loved the Lord with all of what I FEEL is my strength, that would be a very small love indeed. How about you?

You might be missing the hidden mass of strength you have lying deep in your belly that gets you through every minute of every day. It lies beneath the surface like the great core of an iceberg. Your strength helps you when you don’t know you need help. We all know that facing our fears is a daunting, strength-infused venture, right? But how about getting out of bed on a day that promises to be nothing more than another COVID-filled groundhog day? What gets you through making yet another meal, playing another board game, having ZERO time alone, caring for all the people in your lives, running all the businesses, finding creative ways to convert your days into functional moments, and to do all the things? What helps you EXIST? STRENGTH! And a whole lot of it.

Xoxo Jessica

So, how can you harness this inner strength and use it to its maximum potential? First of all, there is a vast amount of caring for others that our current life has brought to us, and doing so can be draining. We all have to work to take care of our own bodies (physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational) first before we can do an effective job of caring for others. What is the constant message you’ll hear on an airplane? “Secure your oxygen mask before assisting others.” Why? Because if you don’t take care of yourself first, you will be physically unable to help anyone at all! Caring for you brings out your strength; it makes you stronger.

A second way to harness your strength is to get moving every day. On those days when you find it hard to push through, or to even push at all, go outside. Take a walk, go for a bike ride, take a swim, paddle a canoe, go on a run. Whatever you need to do to move your body will automatically release that inner Hercules that lies within.

Movement releases serotonin, dopamine, and norephinephrine (aka “endorphins”) into your system, which are the “feel-good hormones” that boost your spirits. You see, God already gave you the “turbo” button you need! You just have to activate it.

If you aren’t accustomed to exercise, you will need to take it slowly at first. Doing any of the exercises mentioned above are good places to start. Once you acclimate to moving and shaking, add in some additional challenges (distance, time, resistance, intervals) to make yourself stronger. Begin to incorporate weight-bearing exercises to build muscle mass (weights, bodyweight, or resistance bands all do the trick). Find an exercise app, a friend, or an online group to provide structure, challenge, and accountability.

But most importantly, always remember: YOU ARE WORTH MOVING FOR! So don’t give up! To love the Lord with all your strength, the strength first needs to be found, recognized, and then harnessed. Once you dig it out and expose it to the Light, you can become the Superhero God already designed you to be. Then you can love Him with POWER!!!

26

Making the Pivot Towards God Marlena Copado “The safest, most wonderful, most beautiful privilege it is to lead worship when all hell is breaking loose.” Darlene Zschech This is one of my all time favorite quotes. I have felt this, led this, battled and cherished it. I have led in heartbreak and pain, as well as, through tremendous joy. We choose to worship. Including in chaotic and ridiculous times.

Kind of like the times we are in right now. What a time it is. That all over the world we all are experiencing something together. Granted the world was already chaotic and ridiculous on its own before COVID. Since December, I have moved to a new city and started a new job. In which, two months in COVID hit and we were all shut down. I barely got started as Creative/Worship Director at Clovis Hills Church in Fresno, CA (just the fact of relocating to Fresno from San Diego was a big change!) and hadn’t even got the chance to know my new team, let alone make friends and community. I was already so alone and struggling on the floor of my apartment from night one and then quarantine.

In the first few months, I was scared and uncertain, and had no clue what was next. What I was certain about was God led me here and I trust Him. Next, the pandemic hit. Those nights crying about a new town seem so small now! Perspective shift. I continued to just be “waiting for my new life to begin.”

First it was, “after Christmas I’ll settle in.” Then, “after conference” (yep, first three weeks in and we had the Ignition Southern Baptist Convention Youth Conference the day after Christmas, and I was leading my new team.

When I say I landed running I mean it). When it felt like half my worship team moved into the next seasons of life (which is normal in transitions), ALL, and I mean all of my insecurities and things I thought I had healed from were back. I was also traveling to and from San Diego to tie up previous commitments and events still on the calendar.

Not to mention just coming out of a year-long battle of depression that led me to outpatient treatment. Phew!

Take a breath.

I do not list all this off for you, the reader, to feel sorry for me. Nor do I wear any of it as scars. I am beyond aware that this is daily life for some and others are in this new season struggling the same. We are at this moment together in the pressing and the crushing.

Our lives have been disrupted and thrown out of sync. Or, if you’re like me, it feels as though it has been interrupted before normal could even exist. What is normal?

If God is constantly doing a “new thing” (Isaiah 43:19) and we’re trying to get back to normal, then doesn’t that suggest normal is stagnant, old and unchanged? So what’s your mindset in this time? Get back to normal? Or pivot and allow God to do a new thing? The pressing and the crushing.

That’s how new wine is made. There is a breaking of the grapes and the juices flow from it. And even when that new wine comes in the form of our character being stretched and the fruits of the Spirit tested, we cannot “go back to normal.” We cannot put new wine in old wine skins.

27

Making the Pivot Towards God With or without a global pandemic, the Lord is

Matthew 11:25-30 (The Message-MSG)

constantly crushing and pressing to create newness and richness in us. In this place is

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you,

where we get to see what really is inside of us

Father, Lord of heaven and earth.

and how our relationship with the Lord really is.

concealed your ways from the sophisticates and

In that place we must choose praise, we must choose worship again and again and again. And then we choose it some more. In fact, it is an honor to do so. We GET to worship the Lord Almighty, our Heavenly Father. You may not be leading worship in a corporate worship setting, but you are leading yourself and others by choosing and trusting in the Lord.

So, I ask again. What is your mindset in this season? Longing for “normal”? Or pivoting toward the God who has you and is doing something new?

“For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun!

Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:19

You’ve

know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”

Jesus resumed talking to the

people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say.

This is a

unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen. Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

A few months ago as I was whining about this “interruption” in my new life, the Lord so gently said to me, “Marlena, this isn’t the interruption, this is the assignment.” There’s the pivot. And I turned to the Father.

Turn to a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is ready to receive you and keep you. There is a place right in His arms, friends. Don’t stop now. Pivot.

Feel free to keep connected by following me on any social media platform @marlenacopado

Xoxo Marlena 28

Are You Living Life Christ First, or Me First?

Jessica Kujawski Most things in culture today find their root in self-

I found myself living a very “me-first” life in my

gratification. The world wants us to think that if

teens and early 20s. Then on my first mission

we put ourselves first, then everything else will

trip, I met a group of young adults also in their

fall in place. We should simply put all our energy

20s who were truly trying to live a Christ-first

into making ourselves the best we can be to “live

life. With all of my regular distractions gone, God

our best life.” When we talk to others, we feel

opened my eyes to see that while I thought I was

the need to brag about how our life is going. We

living a very Christian life, I really wasn’t. I

do this through social media and when talking to

realized I had been living selfishly and relying on

friends and family. We are so caught up in

my own strengths and hard work rather than

building ourselves up, we forget to lift each other

looking to God to see what HE wanted me to be

up and spread God’s love.

doing.

Once my eyes were opened to how I

should be walking faithfully with God, I had to This way of thinking and living goes completely

go back and reread the Bible and begin to study

against what the Bible tells us.

The Bible

God’s word more frequently. I also had to begin

teaches us to put CHRIST FIRST and TRUST

to seek out Christian friends and mentors who

GOD’S plans for us. When we are being blessed,

could help guide me towards living a more God-

we are to give all the glory to God, not take credit

centered life. This is a hard task, a process the

ourselves. We are reminded of this in Matthew

Bible calls sanctification. It is something I must

6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his

constantly focus on and remind myself to keep

righteousness, and all these things will be given

my eyes up and open!

to you as well.” God is the one who will give us

Christian friends and family members in my life

the knowledge and wisdom to accomplish the

from the start and they planted the seeds of

tasks He asks of us. We are to pray and listen

faith.

for God to lead us in the way we should go. The

gratification and selfish living that I was missing

world tricks us into thinking we have the power

out on the deep satisfaction and peace that

to be anything we want to be and if we work

comes from a correctly oriented relationship with

hard, we can accomplish anything. While God

God. Praying on top of a mountain in Haiti, I

encourages us through Philippians 4:13, “I can

decided it was time to change the way I was

do all this through HIM who strengthens me.”

living. This still is a slow and ongoing process.

God put amazing

I had been so enticed by the instant

God’s strength and power is so much more than we could ever conger up ourselves through hard

We are human and sinful in nature. Therefore,

work. God says there are NO qualifications for

we must continue to die to ourselves daily and

Him to use us for His work. So why do we fall

surrender to God. We need to do more listening

into worldly thinking so easily?

and less talking. We need to pray for others as well as talk to God about our personal concerns.

29

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 God instructs us to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 How can we pray and lift others up through their times of need if we do not take the time to LISTEN to what is really going on in their lives? And on the other end of the spectrum, how can others pray for us if we are not willing to open up and share our struggles?

As a society, we need to form bonds beyond the surface level. As technology and social media continue to take over our lives, deep conversations are falling away fast. God created us to live and grow together in Christian community. God instructs us to love others, share our burdens, and pray for each other. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 We are stronger together. As a military wife currently living overseas, I am shown this every day! I have no family even on my side of the world right now! I must fully rely on the support of my Church family here in Okinawa, Japan. God already loves us unconditionally, so we are prepared to go out into the world and love others.

As you take the quiz on the next page, I challenge you to reflect on your life. It is simply a heart check to see where you are at and where you can improve. Who are you putting first when you are talking, praying, listening to sermons, making your schedule, and spending your money? Think about what areas could use some adjusting and ask for God’s help. This is a daily struggle for me and something I will continue to work on until the day I get to Heaven.

When I hear a sermon, I must prepare my heart ahead of time to listen to God’s message for ME rather than what hearing the sermon could do for someone else. Church is a time to strengthen MY relationship with God and not judge others. When talking to others, I try to focus on asking questions and letting the other person share first.

This helps me not to take over conversations and make it all about myself. Being a talkative person, this will always be a challenge for me and something that requires focused attention to work on. I pray we can all use this heart check as a tool to help us to grow closer to God and live GOD’s best life for us!

Xoxo Jessica K. 30

Are You Living Life Christ First, or Me First?

Reflection Bible Verses “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain

The way we act towards others

conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

The way we spend our finances

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Hebrews 13:6 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but

The way we decide how to spend our time

be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2

The way we care for and pray for others

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;

The way we apply God’s word

meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Joshua 1:8

Are You Living Life Christ First, or Me First?

1. When talking on the phone to friends or family do you spend A. More than 50 percent of your time talking about your life?

B. More than 50 percent of your time listening and asking about their life?

C. An equal amount of time talking about both of your lives?

2. When praying to God do you spend A. More than 50 percent of your time asking for personal prayers?

B. More than 50 percent of your time praying for others or praising God? C. An equal amount of time praying personal prayers, praying for others and praising God? 3. When listening to a sermon or reading the Bible what comes to mind first?

A. Thinking of SOMEONE ELSE who needs to hear this sermon?

B. Reflecting on how YOU can change by hearing this sermon?

4. When thinking about your weekly schedule how do you spend MOST of your free time? *ME time: TV, social media, shopping, napping, hobbies, etc. *Helping others: volunteering, babysitting, helping with house chores, making meals, praying for others, sending cards/emails to others, etc.

A. More than 50 percent of your time is ME time B. More than 50 percent of your time is spent helping others C. An equal amount of ME time and helping others 5. When you get a larger than expected paycheck or a financial gift beyond your normal paycheck what is your initial thought?

A. How you or your family can spend this money B. How you can use some of this money to bless others C. To save the money

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Setting Boundaries & Priorities Angel Deluz “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:6 Editor’s Note: This story was originally written

Part of my job is to help people along in their

before “working from home” was the norm for

personal and professional development which

many. We love Angel’s important reminder of

includes things like, well, creating boundaries. So

setting boundaries and making time and space

this should be easy for me, right? WRONG!

for the people and things that matter most.

Well to start, I put down my phone and from

One night after work while I was making dinner and talking with my kids, my BlackBerry “dinged” to let me know that I had another email. I stopped

the

conversation

with

the

kids,

answered the email, and then told them that would be the last time I would pick it up for the night. Since God has a great sense of humor, it immediately started ringing, we all stopped and paused. I looked at them and said, “Nope, I am yours for the rest of the night.”

They looked at the phone and let me know that it was my boss. Ugh, now I have to answer it, and I did. My boss said, “Angel, what are you doing answering the phone? You should be spending time with your family. I just wanted to leave you a message about something I need you to take care of tomorrow.”

that day forward I didn’t pick it up (much) after I arrived home. Eventually, I was able to turn in my work phone and not have to answer calls or emails after hours which helped too.

Obviously this story is a bit old, I mean who even has a BlackBerry anymore?? The thing is that even after all these years, I am still struggling to balance my home life and my work life, as well as, with boundaries in many other areas of my life.

But I’ve learned to make small adjustments to see how they work out, then and keep moving forward. So here are a couple of suggestions to get you started with creating work-life, homelife boundaries: How do you want to be remembered and by

That was the first time that I realized my job had

whom?

taken over my life.

Will you ever get tonight back if you don’t

If I was being completely

honest with myself, I had noticed how much

spend it with the special people in your life?

work had crept into my personal life, but I just

Where do you spend most of your time?

didn’t know how to stop it.

Where do you WANT to spend most of your

Sure, plenty of my friends had told me that I needed boundaries -- but nobody ever explained to me what that meant or how to make them?!

OK, that’s not completely true, either.

time?

What’s something small that you do to make that change?

If you don’t finish that work task today, does it lose value?

33

Setting Boundaries & Priorities Let me bring you in on a secret, answering these questions aren’t going to immediately make you have balance.

Hopefully, it will help you get

started in the right direction. The challenge, though, is that you must be honest with yourself through this journey!

When I started on my journey, this is where it began, and since then I have been able to slowly, very slowly, move this into my workplace, friendships, and even with my family.

Remember to forgive yourself often through this journey and keep your eyes fixed on the Lord because God isn’t done with us yet, so it’s going to take time!

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 Editor’s Note Continued: We believe people have the power to change through God’s strength and work

through

the

Holy

Spirit.

Nothing

is

impossible with God (Luke 1:37) and He delights in the sanctification process (when we become more like Christ). In our modern day when it’s so easy to blur the lines of work and family life, we want our C&K women to be intentional with where they spend their time. When we seek God first, everything else will fall into place, including developing healthy boundaries and priorities. At C&K, we’re praying for you and your journey! We believe God can do incredible things in our lives when we are steadfast in His love.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Xoxo Angel 34

Community Spotlight The Bridge Ministry by A Beacon of Hope A Beacon of Hope hosts The Bridge Ministry for women who choose to parent despite significant pressures to abort. Bridge empowers these women to transition from crisis to stability through education and practical support until their child turns two years old. Last year, they served 1,582 women in the metro Atlanta area, many between the ages of 15-28.

It is easy to welcome major life events when you’ve had time to plan and prepare for the transition, but what if the major life change is an unplanned pregnancy? Unplanned events in our lives can be difficult and stressful, especially if it’s an unplanned pregnancy.

Several of those seeking services for unplanned pregnancies also are experiencing other types of stress in their lives. From financial instability and unemployment to lack of health insurance, broken relationships, housing problems, or school responsibilities, an unplanned pregnancy adds to the stress she is already battling and could leave her feeling panicked and alone with no foreseeable options.

As A Beacon of Hope, we are thankful to be a place where young women can feel safe and loved during this period of uncertainty. For women who choose to parent, we partner with them over the course of nearly three years through our Bridge Long-Term Care Program. From the moment they decide to parent until their child turns two, the Bridge Program empowers moms to transition from crisis to stability, so they can give their babies a healthy start in life.

The Bridge classes cover prenatal care, parenting and life skills development, and encourage healthy relationships. Earlier this year, a guest speaker from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia shared a prenatal care presentation with the class. The curriculum covered pregnancy, birth options, postpartum care, Medicaid support options, oral health and infant health. Presentations like these provide critical information and resources to bolster the health of both mother and child.By attending parenting and life skills classes, Bridge patients earn “baby bucks” to purchase necessities for their baby at our Baby & Me Boutique.

Patients not only appreciate both the financial relief and community of support the Bridge provides, but the opportunity for spiritual growth as well. At Bridge classes, we share a Biblical devotion as an opportunity for each patient to learn of the hope and love found in Jesus Christ. Our prayer is that the young moms and families know they are loved – and that their babies are outrageously loved, too.

One of the most beautiful benefits of Bridge is the honor of building relationships with these new moms and dads over the course of nearly three years, and watching their babies grow up and hit key milestones.

Last year, 94 moms participated in the year-round program, which means 94 babies have safe and loving homes with all of their needs met and a bright future ahead. Praise be to God!

To Support The Bridge Ministry www.friendsofbeacon.com

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Community Spotlight

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Finding Meaning in the Mundane Kristen Young Moses was keeping the flock.

The woman was getting water from the well.

Gideon was threshing wheat.

Simon Peter and Andrew were casting their net.

And God came to them. In the smack-dab middle of their ordinary tasks of their ordinary lives. The very God who spoke galaxies into existence met with them. The greats of the faith weren’t doing anything great when God met with them. They listened. They obeyed. They were changed, and then history changed.

God came to them in their mundane.

The mundane is meaningful. The everyday is extraordinary. The monotony is making you new.

Whatever you do—laundry, dishes, a tedious work project, changing diapers, giving out 47,839,284 snacks, leading companies and people, teaching—embrace it.

It is those everyday, seemingly annoying at times, tasks that grow you. That teach you. That sanctify you. That God meets with you.

One choice leads to growth, contentment, and joy. The other leads to frustration, discontentment, and a hurried life.

Life is made up of small moments. So, who we are in the small moments is who we are.

The making is in the mundane.

The growing is in the grueling.

The shaping is in the showing up.

The learning is in the living.

The refining is in the repeating.

Big moments are a collection of the small one.

Submit the small, ordinary moments to Jesus and let Him work in you..

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” —Colossians 3:17

It won’t always be rewarded. It won’t always be noticed. But it will be transformational if you let it.

We have two choices: 1. Embrace the ordinary and make the most of it, choosing gratefulness and contentment, OR 2. Fight back against the everyday, constantly seeking to fill our life with “big things” and end up frustrated and discontent.

Xoxo Kristen 37

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