Christian Momma

1. Have you ever found yourself ‘in faith’ yet bewildered or demoralized?
I guess I’m not real sure how to answer this…

2. Do you consider yourself content? Would you describe it as Decidedly Content or Dreamily Content?
No, I’m not content…I know I should be, but I’m not. I want more for my life.

3. If you are not content, are there circumstances that keep you from this feeling?
Lack of faith in God. Always wanting more (not necessarily Spiritual stuff either).

4. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you looked back on a period of your Christian walk and believed a great opportunity passed you by?
Yes, I do, I see how “on fire” I used to be for God and have spent many, many times begging to be that “on fire” again. Seeing how much faith I had and the knowledge of God, wishing now for more.

5. Do you ever believe your faith was stronger in an earlier time in your Christianity and find yourself floundering now?
Yes, I am (see previous answer). Time and time again, I ask myself why am I not spending the time I used to in the Bible? Why isn’t there that desire to learn more and more? Why do I struggle with not focusing on God at times I need to? All these things used to come easy. But lately (and I can almost pin point the time frame when this happened) I struggle with every step I take!

6. Can you recognize that this season may be one of great preparation instead of a period of “I Was”?
Yes, I can. I see things on the horizon coming my way. I am taking baby steps (although I wish they were leaps and bounds) toward my goal. I still struggle, but at least I know I’m heading in the right direction. Through prayer, and time in the Word, I know I’ll get there.

1. I am going to present to you a little acrostic to begin our discussion today. What is your latest NLIP? (Not Like I Planned?)
Well, I NEVER planed on being involved in a Children’s Ministry after the problems that I faced when I went to another church (long story). So I guess I’m in the midst of the “Not Like I Planned” position. A little different than what you are asking, but you get the idea.

2. How did you react to your NLIP? Are you still upset about it? Happy about it? Baffled by it? Explain.
Very nervous and yes baffled. I can’t say I was upset, but I did drag my feet so hard I left ruts all over the place!

3. Have you ever attempted to step into an area of ministry and found your desire rejected? Did this cause you to question God and yourself? Perhaps distrust what you perceived to be your calling?
Sort of…I was interested in an area, but never really stepped into it…I have since realized that it wasn’t a calling from God, but a desire of mine that I had…something I had been involved in when I was at a different church that I missed (our current church doesn’t do it).

4. Do you harbor any bitterness towards any individual or situation which you believe waylaid your best laid plans?
No, you can’t! That’s like not forgiving in my head! If I don’t forgive, then God won’t forgive me. If I hold bitterness or hold a grudge about something, I’m not walking in the forgiveness that God has called us to walk in.

5. Have you had a life experience or trial that left you with a shaken faith because it ended in an NLIP? Please share if you feel free.
Oh yes, I felt like a church trapped me and my husband into the Children’s ministry at a church. At that time, I didn’t feel the calling, and I know my husband was not called to teach 4 & 5 year olds. I didn’t CHOOSE to be in that ministry, I was TOLD I had to if I wanted my children to be in those classes. I would go to class with a resentful attitude…not something you want to do with 4 & 5 year olds. When we moved here and joined this church, I held that hurt in front of me as an excuse to not be involved in the Children’s ministry. When approached about the Children’s ministry at our church, I was open and honest with the Children’s Ministry Director. I told her about what happened and how I felt. She assured me that she would NEVER pressure anyone into something they didn’t feel God calling them to.

5. Based on Moses’ response of faith to his own rejection, how will you re-evaluate your own experiences or look at future ones differently if a NLIP presents itself?
Well, with my openness and through prayer, I have felt God calling me into the Children’s Ministry at our church. In stepping up, I have felt such a Peace and Excitement as I walk into the children’s room! I don’t teach 4 & 5 year olds, I teach 1st & 2nd grades. I never thought I would ever get to the point of being involved in a Children’s Ministry again from my past experiences. I know my husband still has that sour taste in his mouth and I believe that is why he hasn’t gotten involved anywhere in the church (which saddens me…he is so gifted in so many areas…there are so many places the church could use him at!).

I had rejected the calling God had on my life to be involved with the Children’s Ministry…I have since fully (well, maybe not fully…that’s yet to be determined through prayer) embraced it! Teaching 1st & 2nd graders and Directing VBS for 2008 is so exciting to me! I’m so greatfull that God never gave up on me!!

Ok, now that I’m done typing my answers to all those questions, I’m starting to second guess myself. I’m NOT going to reevaluate my writing though…I just don’t feel I fully answered those questions in the way I’m supposed to. BUT I did it in the way that was beneficial to ME…that’s what this is about right??

1. It was stated in the Lesson that God has made you “once, twice, three times a lady.” Where are you in this progression? Obviously we have all been physically born, but are you ‘twice a lady’? Have you been born again spiritually? This may be a private matter you’d like to discuss confidentially. If so, email me. If you have already received this gift, write a brief prayer of thanksgiving or testimony.
I have been a Christian since 1995! Praise the Lord! I’m thankful for God’s loving kindness and mercy that has brought me through this far! I grew up going to church, but it wasn’t until I got married and my husband and I went to my sister’s church. At the alter call, we both went up. We both became Christians on the same day! How neat that God put it on both of our hearts at the same time! God is Awesome!!!

2. Are you three times a lady? Has God given you a stirring deep within your Spirit to be a ‘deliverer’? Do you have a desire or are you already meeting a need in the life of the church, a particular ministry (such as jail ministry, food ministry, etc.) or perhaps individuals who share common issues?
I have shared this before…I recently have felt the nudge from God to move forward and get involved in our church. I co-teach the 1st and 2nd graders in Sunday School (and I absolutely love it…I just need to work on timing…I’m always running out of time do do everything) and I have also stepped up to be the 2008 VBS Elementary Director. I will be working with the Children’s Ministry leader as well as the Preschool Director (as long as someone steps up to do that). And singing…Oh do I enjoy singing! I’m on the Praise and Worship team…I fall in love with God all over again during Praise and Worship!!

3. Do you ever get tired of waiting for that opportunity to do something
worthwhile for God? Do you ever feel God is using someone else instead of you?
I have to say I used to feel that way. Until I started praying that God would show me where I should be in our church. Now it seems as though a new door has opened up…it’s wonderful! I used to sit back and wonder why God called them to do that and not me…that usually wasn’t the case…it was more of me not listening to God calling ME to do something!

4. What do you consider ‘worthwhile ministry’? Are you like me and sometimes find yourself mistakenly thinking it has to be Big to be Important?
Every little thing you do in the church to help out is a worthwhile ministry! The person who does the grounds keeping…no one ever sees them, but if they weren’t there, our grass would be long and weeds would have taken over the flowerbeds! The person who mops the floor…who cleans up a spill…the person who opens the door for someone…the person who smiles at another person…all those are worthwhile ministries. Things that aren’t seen, but are being done to keep the church alive an running. It’s those small things that sometimes mean more than the big stuff. Someone having a bad day sees someone else smile at them, it cheers them up!

5. Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts test? If yes, what are yours? If no, here’s a good one from Ephesians 4 Ministry. Will you take it and come back with a response? Knowing some of you like I already do, I can almost pick out what your gift is before you say it. I can’t wait to see if I’m right!
I had taken one of these years ago…Showing Mercy is my big one. Another big one of mine is Administration.

What is your initial response when anyone suggests you are beautiful?
I usually say thanks. When I’m down, I don’t believe them. When I’m in a good mood, after saying thanks, I think about it a little then just completely forget that they said that to me.

Do you find you engage in a lot of negative ‘self-talk’? How much of your thought life does this form of thinking consume?
I do a little negative “self-talk”, but not nearly as much as I used to do. Which I’m glad I’m headed in the right direction. I would say not much of my thoughts are consumed with this. As a teenager, things were quite different, but as I’ve grown (not only by age, but in God), I don’t seem to dwell on negative thoughts of myself. I actually find myself frustrated and disgusted when others talk negatively about themselves, saying they are fat or ugly. That is something I try to avoid. If someone starts talking negatively about themselves, I will disagree with them, then change the subject.

What is the most radical transformation you’ve witnessed in an individual after they were born again? It’s okay to tell about your own!
My father changed so much from the point he became born again and now. He became so much more compassionate. You can see the love on his face…it is beautiful!

The imagery of being a City Girl has absolutely changed the way I perceive my worth before God. Does it yours? Will you receive this truth and let it boost your righteous confidence?
I’ve always been a “small town” girl. Hearing about being a City Girl changes my perspective on everything! I AM a City Girl…a heavenly city! I’m an heir of a King…a Princess! This knowledge will change the way I look at things.

1. Are there any circumstances or relationships in your life where you can see God has intentionally placed you? What do you perceive may be at stake if you do or do not speak out for Him?
Yes, I have a few friends who constantly lean on me in their times of trouble. I have also been placed here for my family as well. To support and to stand up in my faith (not that I have been doing so well at times, but I know I’m supposed to).

2. Can you honestly describe yourself as a woman with a ‘yes’ in her spirit? If not, what keeps you from this?
No, because of fear. Fear of the unknown, Fear of failure…which all boils down to Fear. I need to step out in faith and not to fear. God has not given me a spirit of Fear, but of power, might and of a sound mind!

3. Do you recognize any circumstances in your life which could be described as an ‘unrecurring event’? Have you ever said ‘no’ to one and watched God use someone else instead?
I do, there have been times that I felt a crushing in my spirit when seen something done that I knew in my heart that I was supposed to do, but for some reason (probably fear) I didn’t step up to do.

4. Are you in an emotionally and spiritually healthy place? If yes, how are you using this freedom to minister to others? If no, what do you feel is holding you in your Egypt?
Yes, some days. I am taking steps to keep me Spiritually healthy. Some days I fail, but I dust myself off and try again! I have begun to commit to prayer. Praying for those in need and those whom God lays on my heart.