by Kimberly | Apr 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
My husband and I sit down for dinner most nights and when we think about it (3-4 times a week) we read a Scripture verse together and then pray. Last night we flipped to a new verse and he had me read it.
Funny part: I quickly read the address and thought it said John 1.8. As I started reading I said to myself, boy, this sounds like it should be in the Old Testament!” Go figure, it said Josh 1:8 instead.
“This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good succcess.” – Josh 1:8
In business, ministry, personal life, Christian walk, there is usually something written on how to succeed. Just go look at any local bookstore and you will find more than you could possibly read on the subject.
So, here was the nation of Israel coming out of years of wandering, crossing into the land the God provided them, the death of their faithful leader was in their recent memory and a young guy comes to lead them. Joshua was brave and faithful when others weren’t. But, what does God tell him to do in order to be successful at all that may come his way (and the Israelites) as he led them? DO NOT let the Word depart. That means just what it means in Deut 6:4-9: think, read, say, do the Word ALL THE TIME.
Joshua needed to be successful. God gave him the way to do it. God had given His people His law and He demanded they keep it (and side note: since they couldn’t keep it, He had to make provision to by sending His Perfect Son who could keep the Law to be our perfect atoning sacrifice).
Anyway…
Success doesn’t come with making more money. This isn’t the health, wealth, prosperity verse of the Old Testament. If you take it with the rest of Scripture, you will find that even the faithful face many trials and even death (we all face death – but Jesus made death die).
Success doesn’t come with having a broader and bigger ministry. God may give you success by being in your home with your children, writing for a few, or speaking to none, or maybe you will have the opportunity to speak to nations or write a best-seller.
Success doesn’t mean life is perfect. As many successful people will say or at least the line of a Dan Seals country song “for everything you win there’s something lost”. Success hurts some people. Folks don’t know how to handle the success they are experiencing and some things (family, other relationships) completely fall apart. I saw a preview for a new “reality” show where 3 successful, handsome, most of the time shirtless men are looking for love. They are successful but still don’t have the love of their lives and think that a reality show is going to help find that for them.
God does promise (and He always keeps His promises) that we will have success in this life when we follow His rules. He is the Governor of this world. His success isn’t the same as our success. But, I know I would rather have His success than my own!
by Kimberly | Apr 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
People watching, I’ve loved to do it for a while. What I’m seeking to do is not pass judgment (which is a constant Spirit work in my heart), but make observances. I’ve been doing family ministry (or involved in it) for about 6 years now, so it always peaks my interest to see what I see.
I am sitting here today at my local sanctified chicken establishment. Watching families as they eat lunch, use their technological devices, and play on the indoor playground. Here are just a few glimpses into families in Little Rock. I guarantee you can find families like this in your neck of the woods, and probably in your church as well. More questions for that at the end.
1. A Mom and teenage son and daughter arrive in a purple Escalade. Mom didn’t say a word to either since they got out of the car. Son has earbuds in his ear and hasn’t said a word since sitting down. Daughter is struggling with her weight (like the rest of family) and is wearing VS Pink sweatpants. Mom finally spoke – when her cell phone rang. Other than that they are all not talking to each other and are all on their devices, whether texting or listening to music.
2. A business Dad on his lunch break (has on bank nametag and in a business suit, so I’m making an assumption here), has a quick lunch break with his son. They exchange a few words, then they depart after being here less than 15 minutes.
3. A runner-Mom (attire fits the description) allows two toddlers to play in the playground while settling into a conversation on her phone while they play.
4. A group of young moms sit together and chat while their children play on the indoor playground. They seem like they are having fun and the kids are playing nicely together.
Here are just four snippets into American life as we know it. Now, how does this apply to our churches and family ministry?
1. Family Ministry isn’t perfect. We can have the best parenting classes and programs, but our programs aren’t perfect nor our teachers – neither are the people in the class. Sin has damaged every family since the beginning of time (see Genesis 1-4).
2. Are we ready to ministry to dysfunctional families? Rarely do you see intact families these days: one marriage, kids in the family. Is that really typical? Not anymore? I’m not saying we need the 2.5 kids, white picket fence, and golden retriever, but how do you minister to families that don’t have it all together?
Answer: Prayer, biblical counseling, and coming alongside them – not just preaching at them. Share your life with them. If there is no Dad in the picture, Dads – be a Dad to those kids. If a widow, then be the church and practice true religion by loving and serving them.
3. How do our church members relate to those incoming families that may not look like everyone else? Do our members or staff want to only ministry to the put-together families or do our members and leaders want to get our hands dirty. I admit it is hard. The family I grew up in is far from perfect. There would be much I would want to change in my own family now as we raise our son. But, ministering to families who are completely different than you is hard. It takes faith and grace.
How does your church minister to families? How are you reaching a familial society that doesn’t communicate and are seldom sitting down together to talk, eat, share a meal, or even play games or do an outdoor activity or trip together?
by Kimberly | Mar 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
No electricity, milking cows, sewing my own clothes…that’s not what I mean.
However, the Amish people have a simple way of life that I think would benefit everyone to look at more closely.
Leadership strategies and professors and books would say the same thing: be intentional and prioritize your life. To be successful at anything you can’t try your hand at everything. So, how am I as a wife and mother (as my day job) seeking to live this out on a daily basis?
I have five goals. 5. Count them on one hand. Everything I do in this life I try to stick to each day (note: some days are better than others).
1. Love Jesus. Ok, this is a copout right? Wrong. If I don’t get this one right, then I don’t get any of the others right. As Matthew’s gospel says, “Seek first…JESUS”. What this looks like in my life: praying without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17), hearing my hubs read the Word or read books to me (love this time either right when we wake or right before we go to bed – this week its Passion by Mike McKinley in time for Easter), studying and journaling through my devotions (right now it is Psalm 119).
2. Love my family. My husband and son, outside of Jesus, are the two most important men in my life. I live with them, love them, serve them, rejoice with them, weep with them. I would NOT want to live life without them. So, during my day, I ask myself: what would most benefit them? Then, I try to do it. That may be doing something I dislike: ironing pants or changing diapers – or something I like: making a yummy dessert or snuggling with my boy.
3. Invest in my home. I am at Rainwood (our home) most days out of the week. I actually really love it. That is not to say that I don’t ever like to go out and have somewhere fun to go and yes, I do get stir crazy when its really cold and I don’t want to take Little Buddy out in the cold to go for a walk. But, I love seeing what our home is capable of: painting, designing, cooking, grocery shopping, menu planning, etc. I’m not a wonderful homemaker like some people I know are, but it is growing on me. I doubt I will be like some homemakers I know who sew everything, cook everything from scratch, and are up at 430 in the morning. That’s not me. If that is you, go for it. Live intentionally!
4. Invest in my creative outlet. I have two main creative outlets: this blog and other writing projects and also Grateful Praise Photography (see link at top of page). I have to have a creative outlet somewhere and these two are it. I want to put time and energy into writing and taking photos/making cards/running this business so it is successful.
5. Have meaningful friendships. I want to live a life of authentic community with people. I love opening up our home and having people in to eat and hang out with us, be a part of our family. This is something the Sweet Mister loves as well. It is our shared common vision for Rainwood and our marriage. I also want to have real relationships with people. You can’t have real relationships with people if you aren’t wiling to go beyond the surface in your conversations. You have to be willing to admit your failures. Especially as an Elder’s wife in a church: most women in their church don’t know their elder’s (or pastor’s) wives. This needs to change. And I can help implement that change.
What are your life’s goals and how do you structure your schedule to fulfill your goals?
by Kimberly | Feb 10, 2013 | Uncategorized
Several of you have asked to see this, and we finally got it put together to the point where I was ready to show you. I’ll tell you at the end what other things we still wish to do in his little room! We are thankful for finally be in a spot, now that he is almost 5 months old, for him to actually have his own room with all of this goodies in place!
This lamp was designed by Ashley, our sweet friend in Durham. LOVE IT!
We got this in St. Augustine shortly before little guy came into the world. Buddy gave me 12$ to spend, and I found this mobile of a lighthouse for 11.95!
This is the first big book we are reading. I read a chapter to him about 3 days a week. LOVE Pooh and all of his friends!
Our little library lamp is from Eric’s nursery. It is charming and plays a little song.
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Thank you Jenn for getting LB this for a shower gift! It sits perfectly in the window sill of his library nook!
I’ve had this ulster mouse from Ireland in my collection since 3rd grade. It’s from a friend of my Dad, David. Thank you! He is still in good condition!
This door knob goes to a secret hideaway in his room – really a large storage area. Once we make sure it is safe – we will let him play in there (when he gets really old)!
LB’s life verse – as we’ve been praying for him. My friend from Flagler, Karisse, made him this! Thank you!
My adorably talented best friend, Rachael, painted a little something for Baby Campbell for his nursery. Love it, friend!
I painted these for LB while my friend Gray was over (she was cooking). It was fun to be artsy!
This was Eric’s changing table. Thank you Oma and Granddad for the new pull knobs and thanks to Heather for the bedding! We ordered a special fit pad because it is a different size than standard for today
We keep all his storage stuff in there: diaper bags, diapers, bath goodies, meds, etc. Thanks to the Elders wives at FBCD for this useful gift!
This is the latest piece to the collection. This came in the mail from Oma and Granddad. Love it! Keepsake. They ordered it from Morgan Imports in Durham
We love the paint color and the light from this little window in his reading nook. The boat pen and ink is the mainstay in his room of the USS Constitution and thanks Mimi and Pops for the crib and Heather and Billy for all the bedding. The America map came from Peggy and Bekah – thank you! Can’t wait to start traveling with the little guy!
This sits on top and is a Scripture pic from my friend Kathy in St. Augustine. Such a beautiful reminder to pray Scripture over him!
So, what do we have left to do. I want to do more canvas art for his walls including a Calvin prayer that Mister loves for him. I want to paint the bookshelf red to match his room. And we want to get a little rug. The rug we had picked for his room doesn’t fit. So, we’ll have to use it somewhere else!
Thanks – and visit anytime, to see it in person!
by Kimberly | Feb 6, 2013 | Uncategorized
Yesterday I visited my friendly neighborhood Whole Foods (I love that it is less than 2 miles from our new home) and walked out the door with this thought: “I gotta write a Danny Franks blog post”!
As I was standing in line I was casually listening to the customer in front of my interact with my cashier. The skinny jean wearing, burlap bag carrying customer was buying her very first Pacific Rose apple. She had never had it before. The cashier was telling her what kind of apples she did like and why she didn’t like red apples (the skin is too thick). The purpose of this blog isn’t to discuss apples, but to discuss how we can be like this Whole Foods cashier in our local church.
I’ve never met a rude or unfriendly Whole Foods cashier. They always want to talk to you, see how you are, they are interested in what you are buying, etc. This friendliness needs to happen in our churches as well. I’ve been in some grocery stores where the cashiers hardly speak to you, they have a scowl on their face, and just want to do their job. I’ve been in some churches where that is the case, too.
My husband and I recently visited a church in Orlando. The winning factor about this church was the friendliness of their people. We walked in and over to the Information desk to see where the nursery was in case we needed it for LB. Before we got to the desk, we were greeted by the pastor, then another person showed us where the cry room, nursing moms room, and nursery were located. Then he handed us a bulletin. We sat down in the back row, and before the service started at least 5 people came to talk with us: elders and regular members a like. While I could just claim they wanted to see baby – this was not the case. They were asking us about where we were from, why we were in Orlando, if we had been to this type of church before, how we heard of it, etc. What a great experience.
I’ve been in some churches that I was there the entire service and before and after and not one person spoke to me. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. I was greeted at the door and during the obligatory “shake hands” time a few in front of me turned around to say hi. That was it. That is a sad realization in most of our churches.
Here are some practical ways that you can make sure your church has a friendly atmosphere to those visiting, or even members.
1. Have someone at each door to greet those walking in. This may seem like a no-brainer but it doesn’t happen in every church. Even after the service starts, I would have someone in the main entrance because there are always late-comers.
2. Have a welcome time for first-time guests after the service. I say this because it is very awkward for first timers, especially unbelievers, to stand up or where a funky name tag, or wave their hands or something during the meet and greet. But, they will come to talk with some folks after the service.
3. As regular members of the church – talk to people. If you know them, if you don’t know them…talk. Say hello. Comment on a necklace. If you’ve never seen them introduce yourself and ask how long they’ve been coming to the church.
These are just a few examples. There are many more. Be creative. The church we are attending now is very good at friendliness before and after. We’ve been warmly welcomed here – even on the first Sunday we ever visited and no one knew who we were – it was great.
Make your church like a friendly, neighborhood Whole Foods: a company who loves what it offers and wants others to benefit as well!
by Kimberly | Feb 5, 2013 | Uncategorized
When your almost 5mo naps well and sleeps well at night, you have opportunity to think a lot. That is what I’ve been doing – and it isn’t easy on my heart, to say the least. The mister and I have had many conversations about discouragement in certain areas for me: good thing is he is a man who prays for his wife.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ll always struggle with ________”? What that said person is saying, in my opinion because I say it too, is “the gospel isn’t big enough to cover that sin”.
Oh, how far we are from the truth when we assume that we will always sin or struggle with a certain sin – is the blood of Christ not richer and deeper than that said sin?
Instead of pointing fingers, I’ll speak about some areas that I have said that:
1. Weight/Food. I’ve been overweight since I was in 4th grade. Don’t know what happened. I was thin in 3rd grade, and pudgy in 4th grade and the pounds kept coming. Puberty? Too much eating? Family dynamics change? I don’t know, but I do know when it occurred. Since then I’ve either been overweight or thin – but never able to stay either place for long. I’ve eaten too much, grown out of my clothes, been too lazy to exercise on a consisten basis – then the scale numbers have gone up and I’ve been unhappy. (Note: I really think the Spirit being grieved in a believer’s life will make us sad.) And if the scale is going down or at a point where I want it to be: I concern myself with clothes or looks too much, counting calories too often and it consumes my every thought, or I judge those who are eating too much. Do you see how many sins are wrapped up in this one area of “overeating”
2. Patience – or my lack thereof. Here is one example where this has come to light in the last few months. If I have to repeat myself or feel like I am not being listened to, I get all huffy and repeat it in a snappy tone and very unloving to the one it is said to. Since when is pride and impatience a part of love?
So, do I really believe all this talk about the truth of the gospel and how He can penetrate and change every heart that is out there because He created every heart and all things were created for Him and to Him and through Him? Do I really believe that God has a grand plan for my life and it doesn’t include these sins or any other? Then why do I allow myself to struggle with such sins?
God is bigger. God is better. As a friend of mine said today about something totally different: “I can’t do this.” You are right, M, you are right. I can’t do this. But, the power of the gospel working daily in me to make me more like Christ can (Romans 8). I am reading Elyse’s new book on Comforts from Romans and I look forward to hearing the nuggets of truth ring in my head as I am reminded about the gospel once again. I am in daily need of it.
The phrase that the Spirit put in my head today is: Your heart must be Mine. And that is the truth. I need my heart to be captivated by Something so much better and bigger than me that I no longer desire to struggle with weight and food issues, impatience, bitterness, popularity, judgment.
Is the Gospel big enough in your life
