Coffee Talk with Christie

My friend, Sunny

2011-03-04T14:04:00.003-06:00

So, my friend, Sunny may be reading my blog soon, and I wanted to update it just for her. She is so diligent about updating her blog - I've got to do better. She has inspired me.

I can never just say, "Sunny" when I am talking about my friend, Sunny - because she's "my friend, Sunny". That's how she is listed as my contact in my email account and that's how she is listed in my heart.

I am thankful for the people God puts in my path who help me become more like Him. My friend, Sunny, I really do love you very much and hope that we will always be friends.

I will share a little something here, since I've got it on my mind...I've had SO MUCH on my mind this week.

This scripture has been engraved in my heart as of late, (thanks to an amazing person in my life). This scripture has so much weight to it:

2 Corinthians 2: 7-11: Now it is time to forgive him and comfort him. Otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won't be able to recover. Now show him that you still love him. I wrote to you as I did to find out how far you would go in obeying me. When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive him (for whatever is to be forgiven), I do so with Christ's authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes."

I didn't realize that my choice to forgive could affect one's ability to accept forgiveness from God.

God, help me to forgive.

Help me to see Your plan for me and for those who share life with me. I do not want to hold anyone back from receiving true forgiveness from You. Without that (true forgiveness), I would be stripped of any hope I can feel at this moment for a life lived like You.

Inspiration...

2010-12-26T11:09:00.003-06:00

Inspiration... I've apparently renewed mine, or maybe my sweet sister-in-law has. View her blog here.

When looking at my blog, I noticed that I last entered a post on December 26th, 2009. WOW! A year has passed since I have written here. That's a shame. No doubt last year, at this time, I was also feeling inspired, to do things differently, to be more disciplined, to write more often.

I want to read more. I want to learn more.

My current reading adventure is Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

I have learned so far in my reading, that God pursues us passionately and that He longs for us to pursue Him too.

My sweet niece, London, came to mind as I read the first few chapters of Crazy Love last night. I thought of how Lo would say, "Unca Dan, I need you!" I often saw her holding on to Dan's pant leg or just wanting to be held by her Unca Dan.

I feel like this was an example to me of the way God wants us to connect with Him.

I am inspired.

I am loved.

I am refreshed.

I want more of Jesus Christ and I want Him to be the center of this movie, I call life.

Hi Olga!

2009-12-26T23:33:00.003-06:00

It was such a treat to meet you this evening. ;)

***

It's so interesting to think about how our path's cross with people who are genuinely VERY nice. I hate to use the word "nice" because it has come to have so many meanings... but I can't think of another word... what can I say? It's late.

So as to not bore you (with the ramblings of a semi coherent mind...) I'll leave you with...

Why is it?

2009-12-16T08:08:00.002-06:00

Why is it that we give give give and often get very little in return... I wish that I could get a sense of fulfillment in just giving... why is it that I have become accustomed to EXPECTING SOMETHING in return?

During a few recent conversations, I have found that it may be somewhat "normal" to find yourself between feelings of selfishness and feelings of being taken advantage of.

It seems there is a constant tug-of-war going on inside.

In the end, I do not know if we can really be taken advantage of, if we are selfish. This thought is a little confusing, but those of you who are "there" understand.

I'm guilty. I struggle, at times, with these feelings, as do others I have spoken with in the recent past and I do not want to struggle with these feelings in the New Year.

In the New Year - my hope is that I dictate where my time is spent and that my time is not spent in a certain area because OTHERS feel like that's where my time should be spent.

I know that I am a creation of Christ - and I will answer to Him one day for how and where I spent my time. Time is one of our most valuable assets, if not THE MOST valuable asset we have. I want to be more in control in the New Year of my time. I have allowed others and other things to take my time this year. I'm guilty. In the New Year though, I hope and pray that this will be different for me.

Take time during this holiday season to relax a little... don't get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas - enjoy Christmas - enjoy Christ.

Play Wii! Have fun! Let the cares of life take a vacation for a few days... TAKE CONTROL of your time, that's what I plan to do.

Rent-A-Friend

2009-11-11T22:00:00.008-06:00

Yeah, I know, I haven't written in over a month. What's wrong with me? How am I ever to gain a significant group of followers if I am inconsistent with my writing schedule? This is the question that plagues me each day. I admit it. Somehow, somewhere, I have learned the dreaded art of procrastination and I want to unlearn it already!

Now that I'm done ranting about my inconsistencies... I do have something to say.

Recently as Dan was going to spend time with a friend, I said, "Tonight is a night that I would like to have a friend." He, of course, then felt bad about leaving for the evening. I was fine. Really, I was. I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home, alone. I really was. Why I said what I said, still does not seem to set well with me. Maybe that's why I feel I should take the time to write about it.

Dan said, "Christie, you really should have a friend." To which, I replied, "I don't need FRIENDS." I then came up with a silly idea of starting a "Rent-A-Friend" business where you could rent a person who would hang out with you for a night - with no obligation of ever seeing them again. One rule would apply: They would not be allowed to COMPLAIN while they were in your presence. Nope. They would not even be allowed to think about it! They would leave after a few hours of hanging out, and that's that. No follow-up, just a night out with a "friend" that you rented. No obligation to set up a "next meeting" - nothing like that - just a rented friend. You can rent pets now and designer handbags, in case you didn't know... WHY CAN'T YOU RENT A FRIEND?

"She is crazy at some deep emotional level", I'm pretty sure that's what I hear you whispering under your breath as you read on...

The feelings of being obligated to nurture a deep, meaningful relationship has become so incredibly unattractive to me recently.

I want to be like Christ. I hope (and pray) that you've been able to decipher that from my writings. What was Christ's example to me when it came to having friends? This is the question I must ask myself if I want to be like Him. (and I really do)

He had an "inner circle" of three in whom He invested and He had twelve (the three of which I mentioned before are included in this number) who followed Him closely. He was kind to tax collectors, prostitutes, widows, orphans and even the so-called religious of His time... even though He had issues with the way they did "religion" without RELATIONSHIP.

Okay, so as I type, this word RELATIONSHIP really pops out at me - RELATIONSHIP - FRIENDSHIP - DISCIPLESHIP - where are the lines drawn that separate these three? Do they need to be separated?

If I help lead someone to Christ does that automatically make them "my friend" or a fellow Christ follower? (A DISCIPLE)

Seriously, I know I am thinking about this "FRIEND" thing way too much right now... I have even noted recently that I do not have nor do I want many friends - but I want a HUGE funeral when I die. I'm not sure I can have both... thankfully I will be long gone and know nothing of whether I have 2 people at my funeral or 200.

I am beginning to feel like MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS are becoming harder and harder at this stage of my life.

I quite regularly enjoy "pulling away" from others to reevaluate WHY I live life and what my purpose is. Maybe that's what I am doing right now, maybe that is what has prompted this whole friends shmiends talk.

In the end, I know that Jesus is a friend that sticks very close to all of us, whether we feel like we have friends or need them. This is NOT a relationship that requires little work either... there is HUGE responsibility that comes with nurturing a meaningful relationship with Him. At the end of the day, THIS RELATIONSHIP/FRIENDSHIP/DISCIPLESHIP is the most important of all. If I can get this one right, I'll stop worrying about the rest.

Note: While searching for a picture to add to this article, I found that in JAPAN this type of business REALLY EXISTS! INSANE!

Enjoyed Reading Today

2009-10-02T13:05:00.003-05:00

Matthew 7:16 - "You can identify them by their fruit, that is, the way they act..."

Fruit, to me (in the Bible), has always been a word I associate with the good health of a tree. I look at people as FRUIT. I need tangibles...

Today, I feel so free... here's why:

I remember sitting in a staff meeting recently saying, "I don't see my "fruit". I expressed this with tears flowing down my cheeks, and was obviously very hurt by this sad realization. I felt like I should see tons of people following Christ as a result of my efforts... to love, to serve and to connect with others in a positive way. This, in the end, is what I hoped would lead them to want to know more about Christ.

This scripture felt like a mini revelation to me this morning as I studied and here is what I have come to realize:

Even when I do not see "people" following Christ as a result of my efforts, I am free. I can't MAKE ANY ONE follow Christ.I can't MAKE ANY ONE GO TO CHURCH... All I can do is have good fruit. (aka - Act in a way that brings honor to God.)

This is something I feel like I CAN accomplish. Thanks God for reminding me today that life with You is not as complicated as I sometimes feel like it can be.

I'm afraid of the dark

2009-09-17T18:05:00.011-05:00

This is not just a catchy title; I really AM AFRAID of the dark. I admit it.

When Dan and I were first married, I would try to hide from him so I could jump out and scare him. He knew exactly what to do. He began walking around the house turning off all the lights... in the end, I came out of hiding to find HIM, because I was the one who was scared.

After a recent study on Genesis 1:2, I found that the dark is not something of which I should be afraid. This is what I read, "The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters."

Before anything else was, there was God. He dwelt in the darkness.

I Kings 8:12 says: "Then Solomon prayed, "O LORD, you have said that you would live in thick darkness. "

It may sound silly, but this thought today has helped me know that no matter if I am in physical darkness while falling asleep at night, or if I am feeling less spiritual from time to time (a type of darkness), God is ALWAYS with me.

What Daddy's Do

2009-09-09T22:47:00.008-05:00

Today's post will be about my relationship with my Dad.

There is something about the relationship between a Father and a Daughter that is so very special.

As a child, I remember regularly turning off the television and saying to my Daddy, "Alright! It's time to TALK now!" My Dad would, of course, be watching the weather channel, needing to plan his next route, (as an auto carrier), and I would make all of his planning come to a screeching halt just because I needed to TALK.

Those of you who know me, know that I still need to TALK sometimes. =) (smile)

My Dad graciously allowed me to turn the television off and he humored me for a while with what I thought and still think was meaningful conversation.

That's what Daddy's do - they make time for their little girls.

I remember walking out to my Dad while he was working, and handing him a baseball, then putting my brother's baseball glove on my hand while telling my Dad it was time to play catch. For some reason, looking back now, I thought the whole world revolved around what I wanted to do. It's interesting...thinking about situations like these and KNOWING that my Dad made ME a big part of HIS world.

That's what Daddy's do - They take time for their little girls.

I feel so loved today, and I believe my confidence comes from the love of my Father - he always pushed me to be the best. I knew I could do anything, when my Dad believed in me.

My mind goes back to sleepless nights as a child. I would run into my Mom and Dad's bedroom crying, afraid of the monster under my bed (or something silly like that). I would always go to my Dad's side of the bed and wake him up to tell him that I was afraid. He would say, "What did Jesus tell us? He said, "Fear not for I am with you always." He assured me that I was okay because Jesus was watching over me and keeping me safe.

That's what Daddy's do - They help their little girls feel safe.

If you are reading today's post and wondering what makes a Good Dad - here are a few resources that may help.

Graduate. It Pays. - Sign up to VOLUNTEER!

2009-09-09T07:37:00.002-05:00

I am a part of this wonderful organization called, Graduate. It pays.

Here's the scoop:

30% of 9th graders in the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Schools will not graduate.

Around 900 high school students drop out every year.

A dropout earns 32% less than a high school graduate
A dropout is only qualified for 12% of available jobs
A dropout is 3.5 times more likely to be in jail or prison as a high school graduate? That 80% of prisoners are high school dropouts
A dropout is more likely to be in poor health, on public assistance and the single parent of a future dropout.

We must do better. Graduate. It pays. partners believe that increasing our high school graduation rate is the responsibility of the entire community and will take a sustained and coordinated investment of time and resources on the part of the school system, other public and private institutions, community organizations, and residents.

We invite you to join us.

Find out how we plan to stop the next 900 students from dropping out.

Let's make a difference, one student at a time.

Check out this link to sign up for volunteering! It only takes ONE HOUR A WEEK to make a difference, one student at a time.

I'm always working on something! =)

Always Working On Something...

2009-09-03T23:07:00.002-05:00

It seems I am always working on something. I suppose I am a bit too driven at times... I have only recently began to wonder if it is possible for an individual to be TOO DRIVEN.

Here is a quick bio for you:

I am driven to be the best.

I was taught the importance of setting and accomplishing goals at a very young age.

As a result of seeking accomplishment over the years, I now must DAILY seek BALANCE.

For me, truer words were never spoken, "There are not enough hours in a day".

When one carries a longing for accomplishment on the path we call life, the road, at times, becomes overwhelming and full of loneliness. Our commitment to work is far greater than our commitment to family. We struggle with balance. We all do. It's no big secret. We cannot do EVERYTHING. Let's confess. We are not perfect, no matter how bad we want to be.

I will not lie. I want and need to accomplish in my day to day - it gives me a sense of acceptance. I accept myself when I am accomplishing something.

So, let's see what I am up to today... I'm always working on something!

Ruth - Part One

2009-08-12T08:12:00.007-05:00

As I studied the book of Ruth this morning during my coffee time with God, I saw what I thought to be a number of comparisons between the life of Ruth and where The Church is right now.

This is what I learned from my study this morning:

There was a wealthy and influential man named Boaz who owned a huge field. He hired harvesters to tend to his field.

Ruth was a widowed woman who wanted to provide for her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth went to Boaz's field and after asking permission, began picking up what the harvesters left behind.

After a while, Boaz told Ruth to begin working beside his harvesters to gather as much grain as she could. He also told his workers to intentionally drop some heads of barley for Ruth to collect.

When Ruth took the basket of grain and barley to Naomi, Naomi told Ruth that Boaz was one of their closest relatives, one of their "Family Redeemers".

Our church has recently begun to set out to reach a harvest... a harvest of souls. (sounds so churchy doesn't it?!)

As we take the steps to do our part to help our Mother (aka The Church), our Family Redeemer (aka Christ) commands the dropping of a little barley here and a little wheat there until the field is harvested.

In chapter 3 verse 15 of Ruth - The Bible says that Boaz added SIX SCOOPS of barkey into Ruth's cloak to take back to Naomi. He didn't want her going back to her mother-in-law empty handed.

I believe that if we really want to receive the harvest - and we do our part to work in the fields, we will be able to bring a harvest with us. I don't want to go to church empty-handed anymore.

I feel like there is more to share about the "Family Redeemer", but I need to do a little more studying on that topic...

Openness

2009-08-10T09:49:00.004-05:00

It's been a while since I have written. Life has been busy. Life is always busy it seems.

The topic of my blog today is "Openness".

Over the past several months I have tried to understand my feelings of being desperate for transparency.

You know that vulnerable feeling you get when you allow yourself to become completely open with others - leaving nothing behind the dark curtain of your soul? It's an awkward feeling. It's uncomfortable. It's scary, and yet, I LONG for it. I feel drawn toward it. Sounds a little strange.

Then I begin to ask myself, when others see who I really am will their perception of me change? Will I lose the respect of those closest to me? Will I be talked about as lacking spiritually in some way? These questions flood my mind as I press on toward becoming what God wants me to be... OPEN. TRANSPARENT.

It is NOT the opinion of people that should drive this decision for me, this I know.

Galatians 1:10 says, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."

The word, "pleased" in this text is described as: "accommodating one's self to the opinions desires and interests of others".

I was reminded yesterday at church that God really wants us to STOP WORRYING about what others think of us - it's not about the opinions of others, it's about God's opinion of us. At the end of the day, that's all that really matters.

Friends

2009-06-09T23:14:00.003-05:00

So I'm walking down the road of life all by myself feeling like I am doing okay and all of a sudden I come to a road block.

Has that ever happened to you?

It happens to me with more frequency these days. I am thankful.

Tonight I learned that... (and I want this to be an official quote of mine by the way)

"Friends are like road blocks. They slow you down when you are too busy, they tell you of the harm that may lie ahead to protect you and they are always there when you least expect them to be."

In my lifetime I suppose I have had many acquaintances... but friends? Probably not many close friends.

I have had moments of weakness when I just wanted a shoulder to cry on besides Dan's shoulder - no offense to Dan. I just ALWAYS cry on Dan's SHOULDER. I need to give the poor guy a break every now and then don't I?

In these moments, they may be moments of weakness or moments of realness, coming to terms with who I think I am and who I really am.

My story needs to be shared.

When I am weak, I need to share.
When I am strong, I need to share.
When I am hurt, I need to share.
When I am clueless, I need to share.

The Bible says in Revelations 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Verse 10 says, the "him" in verse 11 refers to "the accuser of our brethren, which accused us before our God day and night."

What is a testimony? It's pretty much a story, I think.

Why feel accused by the father of all lies? Why not just share your story with others who need to hear it? THAT is how we WILL OVERCOME. (not to take away from also having the blood of the Lamb applied to our lives)

Tonight I am thankful for the transparent people in my life. My friends who share their story.

They please God, I am convinced. Psalm 51:7...wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. What is whiter THAN snow? Could it be something that is transparent?

Calm

2009-06-08T18:30:00.005-05:00

I recently saw a sign like the one you see in this post and thought... "traffic calming eh?" I would give anything to see a sign that says, "people calming ahead" or "thoughts calming ahead" in my day to day travel time.

I imagine if I saw a sign that read, "people calming ahead" I would want to live there. I would pull up to the place where I was to feel calm and just PARK THERE for a few hours a day.

I imagine that I would see thousands of others who also longed for an escape from the daily cares of life. (okay so don't start visualizing too much with me here... with thousands of people there's bound to be noise... and NOT a calming effect at all... my point is, that I'm sure thousands, perhaps millions also long for a place they can go to feel free from their worries and the daily stresses of life.)

The busier I become and the more I add to my plate, the more desperate I find myself for the quiet times in Christ.

After reviewing my trusty online scripture source - I found the word "calm" is located six times in the King James Version of the Bible. Two of these times, the article "a" is found before the word "calm" making it a noun.

These scriptures are:

Psalm 107:29 - He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

In this verse, the word calm is defined with the word, "whisper".

Jonah 1:11 and Jonah 1:12 mentions the word "calm" - in these verses "calm" is referring to being silent or being quiet.

I suppose the last definition is greatly in line with what I am craving right about now in my life... SILENCE. Quietness with Christ.

Based solely on these definitions: "being silent and being quiet" - it sounds to me like being calm is a CHOICE we must make in our day to day travel time - or daily walk with Christ.

I think once we take time to be silent, God whispers into our lives and we feel a calm that seems to wash away all of our worries.

Thanks God for showing me the importance of being quiet in your presence. I want to hear when You whisper.

He is Good

2009-06-08T10:07:00.001-05:00

Matthew 19:17 - And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Quote

2009-06-03T10:57:00.001-05:00

I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love. ~Mother Teresa

Great Quote

2009-05-28T06:27:00.000-05:00

By Abraham Lincoln: "It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues."

My friend sent this to me...

2009-05-08T12:43:00.001-05:00

WOW! This really impacted my way of thinking today. Hope it can touch you in a special way too.

The Skinny - The Inside Scoop on Christie's Monday

2009-05-04T16:28:00.002-05:00

Today while sitting at Flow Honda getting a much needed oil change, I met a 21 year old film student from NCSA.

After exchanging words about how we could help each other, he with creating a film for Heavenview's new members, of Heavenview's baptisms, changed lives, etc., and I with his event planning and fund raising needs, I began to see this as an open door. (I feel so strongly that God IS OPENING DOORS for me in my daily life that I WILL WALK THROUGH.) =)

Tonight, I will attend a Salem Preganancy mentoring meeting from 6:30 until 7:30 PM. I believe this is also an open door for us to teach the love of Christ to those in need.

Today, I left a voice message for Principal Wynn re: the idea of organizing a monthly "Career Day" where professional members of our community would come to speak to the Griffith Academy students at Heavenview about career choice.

Here's to a great week in Christ. (Christie holds up her Sprite to present a toast...) (after having WAY TOO MUCH caffeine.)

All the best,

christie

Learning is defined as a change in behavior. You haven't learned a thing until you can take action and use it.

— Don Shula and Ken Blanchard

Romans 1:11

2009-04-28T19:26:00.004-05:00

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.

As leaders in the church, we should DESIRE to IMPART something that will ESTABLISH others.

We are to impart VIRTUE to others.

Starbucks

2009-04-23T14:47:00.004-05:00

I am enjoying iced coffee with Ginger Bread Syrup and cream this afternoon. =)

Sitting outside in the sun, blogging - man, this is the life! =)

I am working on a few things too though, I am not totally slacking.

We have just created a business card that each church member can use when connecting with a newcomer.

If you are interested in seeing what we have made up, you can go to Dan's Community Pastor Blog.

Have a lovely day!

Earth Day 2009 - is TOMORROW!

2009-04-21T07:07:00.006-05:00

". . . on April 22, 1970, Earth Day was held, one of the most

remarkable happenings in the history of democracy. . . "

-American Heritage Magazine, October 1993

Click here to learn about the History of Earth Day.

Click here for "What you can do to make a difference in our earth".

What does God say about the earth?

Psalm 24:1
[[A Psalm of David.]] The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Psalm 119:64
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

Isaiah 6:3
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole [earthis] full of his glory.

Isaiah 45:18
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none else.

Isaiah 54:5
... the LORD of hosts [is] his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of whole theearth shall he be called.

Jeremiah 32:17
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:

While we take time to remember the importance of our contribution to the earth during Earth Day 2009, let us be reminded of the "Big Guy" who made our Earth Day possible.

Turn off the lights you are not using, take shorter showers, do not leave the water running while you brush your teeth, recycle... we can all do SOMETHING!

Why does SIN happen in my life?

2009-04-14T20:23:00.006-05:00

I have recently studied scriptures that have helped me understand a little more about myself and the sin we all fight off on a daily basis.

Questions that I have asked myself and that I imagine others who have fallen into sin may also ask themselves:

"What is happening to me?"

Romans 7:23 (NLT) - But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

"Why is this happening to me?"

Romans 7:25b (NLT) - ...but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

"What can I do to be different?"

Romans 12:2 - Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

After more time studying, I found the following verses that have really become a strong positive for me on my quest to learn more about being an overcomer.

Romans 1:18 (NLT) - But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.

Romans 1:19 (NLT) - For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts.

Romans 1:21 (NLT) - Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.

I ask myself, "Do I know God?"

I feel like I know a good bit about God. I was raised in the Church and was a Bible quizzer for years. (Bible Quizzers memorize the Bible and are quizzed on what they learn with other "Bible Quiz Teams" across North America.)

Then I ask myself, "How many times have I not worshiped God when I know I should have?"

..."Have I been thankful?"

It seems like Romans 1:21 is exactly what I needed to read.

I gathered two very important points from this scripture to catapult me into a new way of thinking.

If I worship God and remain thankful, I will not become confused and I will not find it difficult to make clear sin-free decisions.

Isaiah 30:15

2009-03-04T20:42:00.003-06:00

In quietness and confidence is your strength.
Isaiah 30:15

Online Shopping Portal Ad

2009-03-02T08:15:00.003-06:00

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About Shop and Share
The idea behind this blog and the sister site is to generate revenue for various charities. I have always been moved by the needs of charitable organizations to which I have been exposed over the course of my life.

I have always given as much as my personal finances have permitted and I have also worked very hard to raise funds for the various meaningful causes that have impacted me. I have to confess though, I feel as if my impact has been minimal at best.

For years I have tried to be innovative in creating and implementing fund raisers. I must say, it seems like I have tried them all. Some were more successful than others but never have I entered into the realm of “changing my world” through fund raising efforts. This is precisely what my aim is in creating and maintaining this site.

Shop and Share has the potential to do just that… Change the World! The non-profit, charitable organizations that will become our featured beneficiaries on this site are all noble causes that have touched my life and the lives of others in powerful ways. I hope to be exposed to new organizations and causes that will one day join the list of organizations that will benefit from the funds that this site generates.

How Does It Work?
ECommerce has grown at an unprecedented pace in the past 10 years. Estores, Social Networks and data processing generate trillions of dollars of revenue each year on the internet. Any good business owner understands the success of your business hinges on the quality of your advertising and the creativity of your marketing campaigns. Advertising on the internet generates billions of dollars for e-entrepreneurs who host high-traffic, quality websites that assist in promoting the products and services you and I purchase on the internet every day.

One of the latest new creative ways to market goods and services on the internet is by using affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing consists of a retail outlet using private third party websites to promote specific products and/or services to potential customers. The content is provided by the retailer to a third party website publisher and integrated into their website’s content. When a potential customer comes to the third party’s website and follows the links in the affiliate marketing ad, it sends them to the retailer’s website with a cookie (a tid-bit of data telling the destination website where you came from and who you are) on their web browser. If the visit becomes a sale, the third party site owner receives a commission served through the affiliate marketing program.

The idea for Shop and Share is for you to use the Shop and Share Store to purchase products and services that you would normally purchase anyway with the good feeling that you are giving a percentage to charity by using the affiliate links we host on the Shop and Share site.

Remember, when you shop online, go to www.shopandshare.org first - to share with those in need.

The Importance of Mentoring

2009-02-25T09:51:00.006-06:00

I recently became a volunteer who oversees a mentoring program through the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce called Senior Academy. Click here to get involved!

Already, I see a difference in the lives of the students. Their desire to graduate has increased substantially.

Showing love never looked so good. =) Community leaders taking time to make a difference in the lives of ONE STUDENT, for ONE SCHOOL YEAR, by giving ONE HOUR a week - will be the difference between a student graduating or failing their Senior year.

I am so thankful to play a role in this life-changing effort.

On Saturday, June 13th, I will celebrate GRADUATION coupled with a BRIGHT NEW FUTURE with the students and the mentors who have taken time to dream of a better life.

Old News

2009-02-23T11:15:00.010-06:00

I Kings 18:26 (NLT) says, "So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, "Oh Baal, answer us!" But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made."

Hobbling is such a funny word to me... when I think of the prophets of Baal "hobbling" I think of old cranky self-called Christians. (just being honest) How pitiful!

Verse 30 speaks volumes to me - when it says that Elijah first "repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down" (he repaired in preparation for an unprecedented move of God)

When you become old and cranky in Christ, it's time to:

#1 - Rebuild the altar (others may have had an adverse affect on your altar, but it's time to rebuild)(verse 30)
#2 - Do what God tells you to do - no matter what others think (verse 36)
#3 - Have faith (verse 41) (Elijah heard an abundance of rain, before the rain came)

The result? God will give you "special strength". (verse 46 NLT)

How many times have we heard the stories of those who walked with God, then decided to go another route on their own? That's OLD NEWS!

Let's begin our week thinking about those who have remained strong in Christ - and make sure that YOU can be among those you reflect upon.

Rebuild your altar, do what God tells you to do, have faith and special strength to endure until the end is yours.

Bob Timberlake's Gallery

2009-02-19T13:26:00.007-06:00

Today, as I sit in the lovely Bob Timberlake art gallery, sipping Bob's coffee, I feel so thankful for a happy life. We all have problems, laundry to do, dishes to wash, carpet to stretch...

God has been so good to me. In this New Year, I want to share God's goodness with others.

I love the life God has given me. Each morning I thank Him for all the friends I have encountered and the loving family that will ALWAYS BE THERE for me when I need them.

Forever Young

2009-02-17T06:41:00.005-06:00

What can I say? I LOVE THIS COMMERCIAL! (and I LOVE THE SONG!)

While visiting my grandmother recently, I feel like God reminded me that He wants us to be "forever young" in Him.

Let me explain: Ephesians 5:27 (NLT) - He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

My grandmother has Alzheimer's. While I sat with her a few weeks ago, she was rubbing my hand and trying to gently push down the wrinkles I have on my knuckles.

While she did this I noticed her age spots. She is absolutely beautiful. I began thinking of spots and wrinkles and Ephesians 5:27 came to mind.

Even though this is not theologically correct (this is NOT what the scripture is actually saying), it drove a point home to me.

Jesus is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle. When I think of spots or wrinkles I think of the aging process.

I want to be young in Christ - forever young. I want to have the faith of a child, no matter how old I get. I want my relationship with Christ to be exciting and fresh, not boring and stale.

Fall in love with Christ again today - and be FOREVER YOUNG.

God's place

2008-11-03T06:46:00.005-06:00

I John 5:21 - "Dear children, keep away from anything that might take away from God's place in your hearts."

Do I daily recognize God's place in my heart?

Do I seek to protect that place for God only?

We have a Realtor coming to our home today - and as I was reading this morning I thought about having guests in my home. (and everything being in its right place)

Could you imagine how you would feel if someone came to your home, took over your bedroom, your bathroom, your closet area, everything that you were so used to having for yourself - (without you being aware of it).

You walk in, ready to climb in bed and notice that someone else is laying comfortably in your place... how uncool would that be? It would actually be VERY UPSETTING to me.

What if God would feel the same way?

We talk to Him daily and reassure that He has a place in our hearts, then one day, we miss our time with Him, and something takes His place.

This verse stood out to me today. Maybe it will help you too.

I never want anything to take God's place in my heart.

Rich much?

2008-10-23T06:27:00.007-05:00

In my study this morning I came across this scripture, it is very inspiring to me.

"Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and you are Christ's and Christ is God's."

I am feeling rich today.

I Corinthians 3:21-23

Leaving the PAST BEHIND

2008-10-09T07:05:00.010-05:00

Mark 5:1 - Mark 5:15

It was said of the "man who dwelled among the tombs" that he was always, night and day in the mountains and in the tombs crying and cutting himself with stones.

When Jesus appeared the man came running to Him and he began to worship Him.

The word, "tomb" in this scripture refers to: a monument or memorial, to perpetuate the memory of any person or thing.

Mark 5:15 (NIV) - When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

"Our BELIEFS influence our ATTITUDES which in turn influence our BEHAVIORS."

This man who made his home among the tombs, BELIEVED that Jesus Christ WAS THE ANSWER to his problems. His ATTITUDE then became one filled with worship. He began to BEHAVE differently after spending time in the presence of an Almighty God.

It is important that we realize that what we believe is the foundation for everything else in our lives. It will determine where we spend eternity. It will determine what we do with our time each day as we wait for Christ's return.

Let's not dwell in past hurts. It is time for us to stop living in self-pity.

See that Jesus is with you right now - it's time for us to let Him handle our problems.

If we believe that He WAS and IS and IS TO COME - it will make all the difference in our day to day faith journey with Christ.

Shut the horn up!

2008-09-23T12:33:00.009-05:00

Ha Ha! I knew this title would grab you! =)

Yesterday, in my time with God - I began to read the book of Daniel. My eyes fell on the seventh chapter - after which I became inspired to write...

Daniel 7:20-22 (NLT) - I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast's head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This was the horn that seemed greater than the others and had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and was defeating them, until the Ancient One came and judged in favor of the holy people of the Most High. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom.

The above words were written to explain a vision Daniel had.

When I read this portion, "the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns was the horn that SEEMED greater than the others and had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. This horn waged war against the holy people and was defeating them...", I thought, someone needs to shut the HORN up!

The scripture says that the horn is little - it just has a big mouth full of arrogant boasting.

Take whatever you want from this little revelation I have received - The Ancient One is on His way and we will be delivered! In the meantime, just remember, that mouthy little horn SEEMS bigger than it really is. In the end, we will win.

Command

2008-09-19T06:32:00.004-05:00

Proverbs 3:2 NLT says - If you do this, you will live many years and your life will be satisfying.

This was my iGoogle verse of the day yesterday.

I kept wondering what "this" is ("If you do THIS" you will live many years...), so this morning, I wanted to do a little research and share it with you.

Proverbs 3:1 NLT says - My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart,

Proverbs 3:3 NIV says - Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart.

What are the commands of God?

I started at Genesis and looked through over 100 verses to give you these little nuggets... based on a study of the word "command".

Deuteronomy 15:11 NIV - There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

Deuteronomy 19:9 NKJV - and if you keep all these commandments and do them, which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and to walk always in His ways, then you shall add three more cities for yourself besides these three,

Deuteronomy 30:16 NLT - I have commanded you today to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, laws, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and become a great nation, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

John 15:17 - These things I command you, that ye love one another.

I will study the word, "commandment" in the future and share my findings with you. For now, we have a few very specific commands from Christ that we can begin working on in our personal lives.

Good Eye

2008-09-17T12:10:00.007-05:00

I taught this lesson on Sunday to the Life Skills Class at Heavenview and thought I would share it with you today.

Matthew 6:22 - NKJV - "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.

In baseball, (according to wiki) a hitter who has excellent awareness of the strike zone, and is able to lay off pitches that are barely out of the strike zone, is said to have a "good eye."

The American Standard Version of the Bible puts it this way, "The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." Single here refers to being simple or simplified, more focused, perhaps on one purpose, blocking out anything that could become a distraction.

When we are focused on putting God first in our lives, which by the way, is our single most important purpose as a Christ follower, we find that we have a good eye. We become more aware of the adversary's striking zone and we are able to "lay off" (or quench/put out) the fiery darts that are pitched our way. (Ephesians 6:16)

The second piece to this thought was that our perception really does matter.

I want to see situations and individuals through God's eyes. I want to reflect God's awesomeness at all times.

"Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul." - Matthew 6:22 (NLT)

Rev. 3:8

2008-09-16T08:54:00.005-05:00

"I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. (NLT)

I was awakened by this scripture this morning.

I recently resigned from my job. My last day was almost one week ago. I have been diligently looking for another job - I need to work full time until January, at which time I may go back to school.

As you can imagine, I have quite a bit on my mind. I really feel like I did the right thing - I needed to move on. I, now, am left however, with worries of our current financial situation.

Dan begins a new job on October 6th.

Like all tests God brings our way - I know He will provide the answers.

I am really trying to show great faith. The above scripture brought amazing strength to me on this rainy morning as I pulled myself from the bed to continue my job search.

Thanks God, for inspiring me - You know all things.

A note between friends

2008-08-07T14:31:00.005-05:00

From me :
Is it FRIDAY YET?!?!?!? How are you doing today? I thought of you last night.

My friend:
I KNOW!! I’m sooo ready for this weekend. Thank you – it’s been almost 10 years but I’ll never stop missing him – he really was such an amazing man, father and friend and it is so devastating that he’s not here – I need him during the hard times and miss him during the happy times.

It just doesn’t seem right when people like that are taken from us – I know I should look at it from the “everything happens for a reason” perspective, but that seems naïve to me most days. So I just keep living a life that I think would make him smile, carry his lessons and try to be as good of a person as he was.

From me:
My grandfather passed away over 20 years ago, and it has only recently become easier for me to talk about it. I did not talk to anyone about what happened to him or how it affected me deep inside until I met Dan – I could not even utter the words for over 10 years after it happened.

I did not trust anyone – I would not let anyone get too close to me – I always had my guard up, because I was afraid that if I got too close to someone they would be taken away from me. I did not want to endure the pain of that happening again.

He wasn’t my father, so I am not trying to compare my situation with yours.

I really feel for you. If I can ever listen, be a shoulder for you to cry on or a strength to you – I’m here.

It is also hard for me to think of things happening for a reason, sometimes I feel like we are all checker pieces, on a grand checker board, that God just moves as he pleases – which can be very frustrating.

I try to remember that God is sovereign and merciful – He loves us so much and keeps our tears in a bottle (that’s what the Bible says). I know He cares for us – I think He knows everything from the beginning to the end, so trusting Him (though it is so very difficult at times) is what I try to do to get through each day.

From my friend:
I’ve never heard of God keeping our tears in a bottle, but the concept really comforts me – it makes them not seem so wasteful – that they are precious, which they are.

From me:
Psalm 56:8 - You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

It is comforting, isn’t it.

Getting plugged in - a system that I want to explore given the opportunity...

2008-08-05T12:50:00.010-05:00

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Three is the New Two

2008-06-24T09:20:00.003-05:00

Three is the new two.

The most valuable relationships are not made of two people, they're made of three. A third person will always stabilize and grow the relationship between the other two. It's called a triad, and the more you create, the stronger your network. So next time you go to Starbucks, take two professional contacts and introduce them (or deepen their relationship with each other), on the basis of what motivates them, a mutual interest, or a shared project.

Listen for the values underneath it all when your companions speak. Discover mutuality. Then say what connects the two people at a deep level. You will instantly create a triad - the building block of a Stage Four culture and the basis of great Tribes.

Needle Moving Challenge:
To see a quantum leap in your relationships, set up three triads this week (even if only by email). You will quickly see a shift in your network or your office.

Send us a paragraph on how it went and we'll send a free copy of the book and our new DVD to the person who writes the best story (or we'll send one anonymously to the recipient of your choice).

The Tribal Tip is for leaders using principles from Tribal Leadership (HarperCollins, 2008 by Dave Logan, John King, and Halee Fischer-Wright). Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Send any input, or your own Tribal Tip to Dave Logan (logan@culturesync.net).

Want a friend to get the Tribal Tip of the Week? Send them to: http://www.triballeadership.net/ "Figure out a subtle way to share the book with your Type A's and prima donnas..." -- Inc. magazine

Organized Chaos

2008-06-20T13:57:00.004-05:00

The overman...Who has organized the chaos of his passions, given style to his character, and become creative. Aware of life's terrors, he affirms life without resentment.
- Friedrich Nietzsche -

GOLDEN

2008-06-01T20:24:00.010-05:00

Among the earliest appearances in English is Earl Rivers' translation of a saying of Socrates (Dictes and Sayenges of the Philosophirs, 1477): "Do to other as thou wouldst they should do to thee, and do to none other but as thou wouldst be done to." It is so well known that it is often shortened. (taken from answers.com)

Dan and I had a few freshly cut strawberries smothered in whipped cream beside a piece of chocolate chess pie from Fancy Pastry after a long relaxing Sunday afternoon nap.

This evening, we were free. What a nice change.

I noshed, while staring through our kitchen window, then began to think of my neighbor, Mrs. Anthony who was more than likely enjoying the same view as me.

I walked outside to sit on the stairs in front of our home looking forward to enjoying the warmth of the sun as it set. A few ants walked by, and a baby jumping spider. I enjoy nature but have not been known to connect well with insects.

This prompted me to get up and walk back inside.

I looked through my book drawer and found a silly little book from which I have gained encouragement in the past. The book is called, The Dot.

I took a few pieces of pie and The Dot to Mrs. Anthony and talked to her for over an hour.

When I arrived, I noticed she had not yet eaten dinner - so I called Dan.

He came over to bring her some of the leftovers from last evening's meal. I made Ginger Glazed Tilapia with roasted red potatoes and lightly steamed broccoli with garlic. It was delicious!

All I'm saying is... take what you have and share it with someone who doesn't have- what I experienced tonight was GOLDEN.

Monday, February 11

2008-02-11T13:10:00.002-06:00

At Subway, while talking on the phone, I snickered to myself.

As guests entered the sub, and now pizza shop, I realized that more often than not the customers walked to the door to give it their best push, to find that it could only be opened by "pulling" it.

While I laughed at their expression, a rather serious thought came to mind.

The door did not say, "push" or "pull" - it is left up to the guest to determine how the door can be opened.

When we do not receive direction, we can kind of screw things up sometimes. If you are anything like me, you understand exactly what I am saying.

I sit, eating my personal pan pizza and chocolate chip cookie feeling thankful that God doesn't leave a lot of guess work for us.

He says, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling".

We should have a healthy respect for the One who breathed life into existence. That's pretty good to know, right?

...and by the way, I don't think Jared could have lost ANY weight eating like I did today.

Subway=Healthy, what a joke!

wednesday, december 12

2007-12-12T15:23:00.002-06:00

Last night, I went shopping for "The Great Stocking Stuffer" program that the Salvation Army puts on each year for families that cannot afford to purchase Christmas gifts for their children.

http://www.salvationarmy.ca/stuffers/

Dan and I are sponsoring six children this year, we have never done this before, but it feels like the right thing to do.

**

For Christmas this year, we are giving gifts in honor of those who would normally receive gifts from us.

The six stockings that we are giving will be in honor of six of my co-workers at The Arts Council.

**

This is the email I received from one of my co-workers after I told her that I was not buying gifts this year, as I have in the past.

Wow, thank you so much! Honestly, that really is the best thing you could have done for me as I'm trying to move away from having a lot of things that just clutter up my life - I'm all about simplifying. I like that these gifts will be used to help those who really need it.

I'm really touched - thanks!

From me to my co-workers:

Dan and I are giving gifts in your honor, to the Salvation Army – through the GREAT STOCKING STUFFER program, for Christmas this year.

Click here for more details on the program: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/stuffers/

Best,
Christie

P.S. – We are trying to utilize our funds to meet real needs this Christmas.

Give

2007-12-05T17:37:00.001-06:00

i wanted to take time to write this evening as my week is quickly filling up with places to go and things to do...

i am happy to report that dan and i are going to asheville tomorrow evening for a birthday getaway, but will be back for our community volunteer service on saturday morning. we are going to the second harvest food bank in winston-salem to help sort canned food items for the hungry. tis' the season!

so... i was shopping at Target last thursday and ended up purchasing a chocolate fountain for the arts council - as i went to pay for my purchase, i pulled out my new card holder, that a precious friend gave to me. the cashier went crazy over my new gift.

i took note of her name - and made sure to write it down as i got into my car.

i rarely do this kind of thing - only because i tend to have quite a few meaningful intentions that fall through the cracks as i live my life.

this time, i actually followed through on what i thought would be a really cool act of random kindness.

i purchased a card holder for the cashier and took it to her on monday. i found that they sell these nifty little pieces of art at Steinmart.

yeah, i was a little nervous, i didn't want her to think that i was a weirdo - i just wanted to show her that sometimes people give for no reason at all - just maybe to show a little love to someone who needs it.

i waited in line, and for a split second i thought of just dropping the gift at the manager's station, but remembered that he told me to give it directly to the cashier myself...

oh well, i was up - it was my turn to purchase something - instead, i told her that she may not remember me, but i remembered that she loved my card holder - and i wanted to give one to her.

she came across the counter and hugged me so tightly that i thought i was going to bust!

she said, "how sweet!" "oh my goodness!" "i cannot believe you did this for me!"

yeah, i pretty much walked away feeling like i was floating on cloud 9 - it feels so good to make someone's day, for no real reason at all.

i gave her a Christmas card with my name and phone number in it - telling her to call me anytime, i will be there for her if she ever needs me.

hunger

2007-12-02T17:38:00.001-06:00

so... last week, i was very sick.

i was taking an antibiotic for upper respiratory complications.

the medicine that i was taking prevented me from sleeping much through the night (from Monday through Friday) - i decided not to take the last pill - because i have had enough of all the side effects of the medicine. i am feeling better now, so, no worries. =)

on friday evening, we had a youth Christmas banquet. we stayed in raleigh afterwards, and this is where i believe God began to deal with me in a very real way about hunger. (it will make sense in a few...)

falling asleep
it was close to 1 a.m. and dan and i were both falling slowly asleep while watching the dog whisperer in our hotel room.

alas! sleep
2 a.m. rolled around, i had dozed off, but woke up with tears flowing from my eyes, feeling as if my throat was being held shut, i couldn't breathe.

freaking out
that was all it took, i freaked out, then woke dan, which i hate to do, but i was really afraid and wasn't sure if this was yet another side effect of the medicine i had been taking. (when i called the pharmacist about the side effects i was having, days prior, he asked me if i was having trouble breathing, at that point, i wasn't... but i remembered that conversation when i woke up at 2 a.m. on saturday morning)

dan prayed for me and dozed back off.

it was 2:45 a.m. and i was still awake, not as freaked out as i was before, but my stomach began to feel so hungry!

at 2:45 a.m. i rummaged through my change purse to see what kind of coins i had for something from the vending machine that i dreamed was outside of my door, along with the soda machine. peanut butter crackers is what my heart was set on.

i quietly opened the door to our hotel room, and headed to the vending machine, only to find a soda machine. that's it, only a soda machine.

i went back to the room and slowly climbed back into bed, trying not to disturb my husband. (as i sulked)

i turned the t.v. back on to try to fall asleep again, i think it helped, by 3:35 i had fallen back asleep, only to be awakened by the smell of breakfast being made on the floor below us. "yes!" i thought, "it must be 6 a.m. already" - this is the most sleep i have had (consecutive hours-wise, in a week!)

i rolled over and turned the alarm clock toward me, "what?! it was only 4 a.m.!"

i was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hungry and i had nothing - i even thought of getting in my car and going through a mcdonald's drive-thru, anything to get some food, the hunger i felt was all i could think about.

i found one peppermint mento in my purse, and thought that might help.

through this past week, i hadn't eaten much because of the medicine, my stomach was sensitive to everything - so for me to feel hungry was different from the usual feeling i had when i thought of food.

i thought, "i will never be able to fall asleep with the wonderful smell of breakfast beneath me!" i had two more hours until breakfast would be served. this was absolutely horrible.

i prayed that God would help me ignore the smell of the food that i wanted to badly, and help me fall back asleep quickly.

i began to think of those who go hungry every night, those that have no place to sleep, to stay warm. i honestly felt like God was trying to show me something.

the next thing i remember was waking up at 8 a.m., getting myself together, just enough to take the elevator down to get breakfast. I slept from a little after 4 until 8 - this was a major success in my week!

i came back to the room, took my first bite, man, food never tasted so good! i made a waffle, brought up a blueberry muffin and a fruit and cheese danish for dan, along with two cups of coffee. it was just what i wanted.

the more i have pondered the events of that evening, my thoughts are not only about those that go without food, but it has developed into a spiritual thought over the past few days.

david said, "O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water."

i thought of the man vs. wild episode i watched that evening, this crazy guy was in the dessert in south africa, searching for something, anything to eat or drink to sustain his life.

psalm 107:9 says, "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."

job 23:12 says, "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food]. "

if only i hungered for God like i hungered that evening, i think i would be right on track.

God is changing me in so many ways, and i am so very thankful for it.

Oh my!

2007-11-24T20:39:00.001-06:00

i just noticed that it has been one month since I have posted... oh my!

i read a scripture this evening and felt inspired to write.

psalm 9:18 (NIV) "but the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed."

it seems to be the new "thing" to rave about - how we are serving others - across our world.

we met a missionary from greece not long ago who has either made plans to create a community center of sorts, or has actually already created it. (i fear that my memory fails me at the moment) opening a community center is something that dan and i have talked about for at least two years - it's the right thing to do... that's all i can say. we are praying about the timing and feel that it will come soon.

the Church SHOULD be serving the community and meeting the needs therein.

when i read, "the needy will not be ignored forever" - i feel a sense of confirmation rising within me. what we are feeling is the right thing to feel. "the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed" reminds me that God cares about the poor, but how encouraging is it to think that He cares for the hopes of the poor. our hopes matter to God. how refreshing.

God, i believe, has impressed us to give more, to do more, but most importantly to BE MORE.

as we rave about what we are doing, let's be sure to keep ourselves in check - it's not only about doing, it's about being. it's not about marking another thing off of our list of good things to do for others, it's about living a life full of giving.

BLOG BLOG BLOG

2007-10-24T09:47:00.001-05:00

Hey guys,

Sorry it has been a week since I have posted - if you need your Christie fix - you can go to www.ninetyandnine.com/month - Dan and I blog there daily.

All the best,
Christie

altars

2007-10-10T15:04:00.002-05:00

Doors were closing in several areas of her life and important, life-changing decisions loomed overhead.

She and I had spoken recently of the imminent changes with which she would be faced. With two days to give her "Final Answer" - she hoped she made the right choice.

Have you ever been there?

I have.

The "odd sense of direction" comes into play when I feel like I am to be somewhere - or to be doing something very specific, and I am not there nor am I doing what I feel I should be doing. (I am speaking of my long-term God-given goal.)

I guess I forget that sometimes there are steps I must take in order to get to my final destination. (or to arrive at my "place of calling" - whether "place" references actual location, or specific ministry, depends on where you are right now, I suppose.)

I think of Abraham in Genesis 12. I reference this chapter regularly.

God told Abraham to "Get up and get out of your house so that you can go to the place that I will show you!"

Abraham didn't really know where he was going, at least I don't think that he knew where he was going - (he was trusting God for direction with every step along the way) - I think he knew that change was imminent even if all the details hadn't quite fallen into place as he may have liked or expected.

What did Abraham do? He built altars. He remembered who was leading him.

This blog should serve as a reminder that if you are not where you hoped to be - there's still hope... we are on a journey - keeeeeeeeeeep walking! (one of our favorite lines from An American Tale)

I feel confident that the end is greater than the beginning. You WILL arrive!

There are steps that we must take that will get us to the place that our heart longs for - that God-given goal will be accomplished... keep walking. Keep building altars.

tuesday, october 9

2007-10-09T22:08:00.002-05:00

have you ever felt like this?

like you are going in circles, or spinning your tires?

i absolutely loathe that feeling! i MUST feel productive!

even if you feel like you are not accomplishing as much as you would like to accomplish in a day, as long as you are trying, that's what counts.

a word of encouragement - the race is not to the swift but to the one that endures to the end - hang in there, and watch your wilderness become your land of promise.

friday, october 5

2007-10-05T09:23:00.001-05:00

today is my friend, mike's, birthday! happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to m-i-i-ke happy birthday to you!

so, yeah, i have not written in what feels like forever.

to give you an update on my neighbor, she was discharged the day i went to see her in the hospital. God had other plans for her and i am thankful for that.

as i was falling asleep last night i was singing of how much i love God - He truly inspires me each day - inspiration, if i remember correctly, means breathed - "God-breathed" - He has breathed into me the breath of life, His Words are as meat to my bones - (maybe i am reading too much lately =) ha! ha!) (that's another story for another time, or maybe not, now that i think about it! =)

i am thankful for true friends, a loving family, and my readers who click on my ads =) because that makes me a little extra cash...

speaking of which, did you hear about the pirate ship's treasure that was found recently?!?!

i would have loved to have found THAT treasure. (it is over three hundred years old!)

dan and i were talking about that this morning as we were having breakfast - that, my friend, would be a goldmine - i always say land mine instead of goldmine, dan always corrects me. =)

not sure if you are reading our ninetyandnine blog or not, but i recently decided to clean out our home office, and man, were there some pretty strong feelings surrounding that idea... check out our blog on www.ninetyandnine.com/month for more details.

have a wonderful weekend!

Christie

tuesday, october 2 - BONUS BLOG

2007-10-02T12:01:00.001-05:00

what?!?! i know!

i REALLY AM blogging twice in one day...

i am eating my lunch from cat's cafe - their famous chili is my favorite, even though it is making me cry, it is so hot!

i am enjoying my full-time job today.

i am going to visit my neighbor in the hospital after work.

i better get back to work now - just thought i would pop on for a minute.

hope you're having a great one!

Wait

2007-10-02T06:33:00.001-05:00

wow! this year is really flying by!

well, i started my new job yesterday - i mean, i went full-time yesterday - it was a really good day.

dan and i have determined that we will wake up at 6:30 each morning (m-f). we will have breakfast together, read the Bible together and take some time to catch up on our blogs as well.

yesterday morning i did all of the above AND was able to do a load of laundry. yipes! it's pretty scary to see how productive a person can be during the early hours of the day.

my dad really set me on this mission - he said that he used to feel like he was wasting his day, and asked God to help him wake up earlier... i guess you could say that I am proving God - two days in a row, isn't bad =) (God is coming through for us!)

dan and i are blogging each day for www.ninetyandnine.com - go see for yourselves, we have some really cool news to announce on the 13th of this month.

dan is blogging today for that site, we are taking turns.

i guess i better begin getting ready for work, i need to leave by 8.

here's to another great day (cheers!)

a scripture/song that comes to mind - "they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall rise up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint, teach me Lord, teach me Lord, to wait."

thursday, september 27

2007-09-27T11:57:00.001-05:00

reality is beginning to hit me - urgh... back to work i go... and full-time - beginning this monday.

enough complaining!

this morning i woke up and found myself falling back asleep while i was praying for my family. this happens just about each morning.

i have so much to be thankful for - i love my family, i love my husband, dan, ( here is a plug for his most excellent blog...http://danponjican.blogspot.com)

today, i feel very thankful for what God is doing in our lives and in our ministry.

last night we had teen class, the students seemed to have a desire to learn what we were teaching in order to teach inmates in a local minimum security prison - on what it is to be FREE. free from sin, free from negative thought processes and free to begin a new life - each day.

wednesday, september 26

2007-09-26T11:29:00.001-05:00

this morning was national day of prayer at school - also known as see you at the pole.

i went to north davidson high.

there were approximately seventy-five students gathered to profess their faith in Christ.

six of the students that dan and I teach in Heavenview's teen class showed up! i am so proud of them!

i met a new friend, named steve, who requested prayer for his grandmother who lives in sc - she is very sick.

i ran into my old friend, dino, who visited the lexington church a few times while dan and i were there.

i had the opportunity to speak with coach - he is very interested in me attending the weekly FCA meetings again. i will do my best to help him in any way that i can.

with going back to work full-time october 1st, my life is destined to be even busier than it is right now - i must keep my priorities in line with what God wants to do through me.

i am yours Lord.

tuesday, september 25

2007-09-25T09:23:00.001-05:00

i flew back to nc yesterday... i was so happy to see dan, but have begun missing my family already.

i went straight to work when i got back in town - southwest gave me a wonderful deal, i flew out of raleigh into philadelphia - it was about an hour and twenty minutes in the air, and only cost me $49 each way. what a great deal! i was in md yesterday morning, flew back to raleigh, nc, then drove to work in winston-salem to work my full day of five hours - all in one day, not bad, huh? (I am still part time =)

well, i guess i should talk about something more spiritual already!

this is my plug for See You At The Pole - i hope you are participating in it. (especially, if you head a student ministry or deal with students in any capacity)

what a positive influence you can have on these guys!

on wednesday morning, september 26th at a7:30 a.m. why don't you try to pray at a flagpole with the students at a nearby school - show them that you believe in what they are doing, and watch them grow tremendously in their faith walk.

check out www.syatp.com - the theme this year is gather. unite. pray. come together. (based on john 17:20-23)

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

car detailing, coins

2007-09-19T09:30:00.001-05:00

i am in md - with my family - we stayed up until after 2 a.m. counting coins last night.

eliz and i determined that we would count all of the coins in mom's coin jar - she has been saving coinage for almost ten years!!! my lord!

this has become our weekend project. =)

we have rolled $76 worth of coinage so far - today we are taking the pennies that weigh more than eliz and i combined to a coinstar... i know... they charge about 8% - which eliz and i think is worth it for the pennies... my mom wants to roll these right here and right now...

gotta run... i will write more later...

oh, one more thing, dan did his first detailing job yesterday and had great results!

i will write more later...

tuesday, september 18

2007-09-18T09:33:00.001-05:00

yippee! i am going home soon =)

i am so looking forward to spending time with my family, i have not seen them since may - i only live seven hours away... that's insane... i must do better in the future to find time to get away.

so, what's on your mind today?

i have recently become overwhelmed by God's perfect plan unfolding in mine and dan's lives.

God really DOES know the desires of your heart and He really will open doors for His purpose to be accomplished through you.

be encouraged, YOU ARE on God's mind - and He DOES hear us when we talk to Him.

wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart, wait i say, on the Lord.

monday, september 17

2007-09-17T09:21:00.000-05:00

my thoughts this morning...

i go back to work full-time on october 1st - having mixed emotions about that right now.

i love my mornings at home.

**

a book i have been reading that has relevance...

simply strategic growth - attracting a crowd to your church by tim stevens and tony morgan - you can buy this book by clicking this link: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/used/listingResults.asp?z=y&stage=csListingResults&WID=12554002

Here is an excerpt for you to ponder.

"When people come after you with a baseless accusation, just look for the kernel of truth that God may want you to hear, and let the rest of it go."

"It's natural to want to defend yourself and your ministry. I wanted to pick up the phone and call this guy. I wanted to explain to him why he was wrong and what we were really trying to do. I wanted him to meet a thousand people who have had their lives changed by Jesus while at Granger. If they could tell their stories, surely he would change his view! I wanted to invite him to Clear Lake on a Sunday afternoon in September so he could watch 400 adults being baptized in one service. I wanted to sit down with him and watch the video of the service in August when 365 people publicly accepted Christ into their lives. But I realized it's not my job to change his heart. We just need to keep doing the next right thing. We need to continue to reach our community with the love of Christ. We need to look for opportunities to reach out to him and his church in love, but really - we just need to keep doing what God has called us to do."

be encouraged today... you cannot please man AND God, so you might as well just do your best to please God and let Him worry about man.

wednesday, september 12

2007-09-12T08:41:00.001-05:00

yesterday was my little sister's birthday and as we all know the anniversary of a very sad time for our country.

i took time to call my sister to chit chat about her happy day.

i also took time to reflect on the loss that was experienced by many on september 11th, 2001.

i remember the day so well. dan had taken me to work at dupont pharmaceuticals in wilmington, de and was on his way to my parent's place.

it was around 9 a.m.

i was working in my office, listening to christian radio online, when i heard the horrible news, that i didn't even believe at first. i honestly thought that it was some kind of halloween trick, even though halloween was still a while away.

once i realized this was actually happening, i called dan and asked him to pick me up, our office closed down almost immediately.

i joined my family to watch the news. how devastating this attack was - and the lives that were taken, how could this have happened?

i do not remember feeling worried or thinking twice about our freedom, until that day.

now, each time i am in a large public gathering or on an airplane, i wonder if i am really safe.

i know God is watching us. bad things do happen to good people though.

not to get too spiritual here, the Bible says that it rains on the just and the unjust, and God is no respecter of persons.

i guess this means we should be ready for our eternity at any time. we never know when that will be. life is truly a vapor. we are here for a season and then we are gone.

saturday, september 8

2007-09-11T21:28:00.001-05:00

saturday we served our generation by washing cars for FREE in the community where we gather to worship.

we washed over fifty cars for FREE and handed out bottles of water to show God's love in a practical way - it's FREE too, just a reminder. =)

dan did a fantastic job at keeping us all on spot - from people working the crowd telling them what we were doing, to window washers for those who did not have time for a full car wash, to the laborers and those that marketed our really cool product.

this event was held at an advance auto - they gave us three parking spaces where we could wash cars as the customers shopped. they also supplied us with liquid and a few bundles of paper towels.

one family came to our church on sunday afternoon, then to our annual church picnic that evening. it's really cool how "being the church" makes a positive impact on others, not to mention the impact it has on the ones serving to meet a need.

we collected several email addresses - the next time we have a free car wash, people of the community, who have no relation to our church want to help! how cool is that?!

thursday, september 6

2007-09-06T09:35:00.001-05:00

how great is our God, sing with me how great is our God, and all will sing how great, how great, is our God... la la la

dan and i went to grandfather mountain on labor day - to go hiking.

what a beautiful sight to see, sitting at the top of the mountain. God's creation is perfect. it is mind-blowingly gorgeous. (mind-blowingly is a self-made word, and i am proud of it.)

i want to go back regularly to journalize, take pictures and feel closer to God.

**

today, i ask this question based on last night's teen class discussion... is it is a sin to live with guilt?

i don't think there are many who read this post, but those who do, i want to hear from you! - and begin a bit of a debate.

i have asked myself, "is it a sin to be guilty?" I think that guilt and conviction work hand in hand, even though they are not the same thing.

living with guilt on the other hand - i seriously wonder about...is this what God wants for us? could we go as far as saying it is a sin?

post your comments now!

tuesday, august 28

2007-08-28T09:11:00.001-05:00

myspace, facebook, e.c. - aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

who has time to keep their profile updated on all of these sites?

not sure how many people read this here little blog (said with the most southern accent Christie could conjure up) but do YOU have a preference?

i have recently been introduced to facebook by my friend, Sam, and i think it is more user friendly than myspace.

now, for the REAL deal... last night... i couldn't sleep. i take that back, last night, i kept falling asleep only to be awaken abruptly by who knows what.

ever try praying when you are half awake and half asleep - i felt like it was useless, i couldn't keep my thoughts together long enough to whisper complete sentences. how frustrating.

i kept thinking of my family up north - i need to make a trip up that way - i miss them so much!

today's thing: i want to be the church, yes. more than doing a good deed, i want to create lasting and meaningful relationships with seekers.

yesterday, my eye was bothering me. the head of the hr department where i work, came to my desk to chit-chat - and the next thing i know, she is offering up a prayer for my eye. (not to mention my patience level, which had sunk beneath the deepest pit of the earth.)

i'm telling you, my watermelon NLT has gotten me places over the past few days that i never imagined. this same lady and i are planning a lunch date to talk about the different versions of the Bible.

God is so cool. all we have to do is knock, (carry around your Bible) and the door will be opened to you (for conversations about the words inside that powerful little book.)

happy "be the church" day!

Fear God Instead

2007-08-27T09:42:00.001-05:00

this is going to be a very short blog - i am running way late for work this morning! yipes!

i took time to study a bit in the book of ecclesiastes this morning - reading chapters one through five.

solomon was quite the negative little creature!

the verse i found this morning that most stood out to me was "talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. fear God instead." (5:7) so there!

i once taught a lesson to a group of students on "fear God. live forever." i thought it was a pretty cool lesson, i mean, i still remember it. =)

gotta run, i am so late!

saturday, august 25

2007-08-25T11:04:00.001-05:00

i'm really diggin' my new Bible.

i have used the nlt version a number of times in my online studies, but wanted to have something to keep at my side for "anytime" study... yes, my dear friend, i am really diggin' this thing!

it turned heads when i took it to work yesterday. that's how cool my new book looks.

during my "God time" this morning while sipping my mudslide coffee from gloria jeans, i acknowledged that i may have been a little too stuffy with sticking to the kjv only. (before you throw stones, hear me out...) (i don't know why i think that some would throw stones at me for changing up my study version, i know that sounds silly... )

generally when i receive a revelation, it's something that an ant could understand. (why i chose an ant, i have no idea)

in my new watermelon Bible, the first verse i turned to was john 1:1-5 - it says, "in the beginning the Word already existed. the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. the Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."

this simple revelation of mine, is just that, the spoken word is so powerful.

what we say can really affect someone else in amazing ways.

*the bad*

according to james 3:2 (kjv) - "for in many things we offend all. if any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body." (or show excellent self-control)

james 3:8 says, "but the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." (kjv) or (nlt) "but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison."

by these two verses, we see that the tongue can be such an evil thing - used to spread poison that can offend others.

*the good*

john says, "the words that i have spoken unto you are spoken through the Spirit and they are life." (john 6:63)

i peter 3:10 says... "if you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies." (nlt)

proverbs 25:11 - "a word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver." (kjv)

today, my desire is to speak life into God's creation. (that's pretty deep actually) i will be thinking on that for a while. =)

wednesday, august 23

2007-08-22T22:04:00.001-05:00

"reality" video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3PC0XHe_4Y

christie's "be the church" report:

...so I met my neighbor yesterday. i must stop in again soon to sit with her. she seems very nice, her name is ms. anthony.

oh, yes, and ms. ford, she has asked me to help her start a women's group Bible study for an hour and a half each week.

she told me that she has been praying for God to send her a young lady who could help her. she has envisioned this ministry for many months now and feels very passionate about it. i told her, that i am happy to help her in any way that i can.

she and i will connect soon to begin planning times that will impact the women in our area in a very positive way.

**

a scripture comes to mind... james 1:27 - "pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction..."

**

if you are interested in reading more about project 22:39 in charlotte during nayc - click here...
http://www.ninetyandnine.com/Archives/20070820/cover.htm

Jonathan Dean and Ms. Ford

2007-08-21T09:00:00.002-05:00

the more i seek you the more i find you, the more i find you the more i love you... i want to sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hand, lean back against you and breathe, and feel your heartbeat, this love is so deep, it's more than i can stand, i melt in your peace, it's overwhelming

if you have not heard this song before you MUST buy the CD - here's your link: http://www.whitesteeple.com/music.html

this is jonathan dean's newest release - it's called the praise and worship project.

it minsters to me many times throughout the day - i feel like i have a "God moment" each time i hear this song - it is as if this song flows straight from my soul.

christie's "be the church" report:

dan and i went to ms. ford's house last night. She had 22 different food options - that woman is so wonderful! we left feeling stuffed! we laughed a lot and enjoyed her company.

she told us that she loves to talk when she has an audience. =) we gladly listened - she has so much to offer.

today, i am stopping in at ms. ford's house (before i go to work) to pick up a plate for my shut-in neighbor that i told you about in an earlier blog.

dan and i are going to learn a lot from this woman. she is such a saint!

Being the Church

2007-08-20T08:04:00.002-05:00

time has moved so quickly.

the weekend is over.

i fear that i barely remember the last few months.

life gets so busy.

too busy sometimes.

this is why, since north american youth congress, i am adamant about being the church.

time is passing far too quickly for us to NOT be making an impact in some one's life.

this weekend, my friend, sam and i went to "be the church" down the street from where i live.

we knocked on the door of a lady that i met three years ago, she reminded me... =) i thought it was only two years ago.

she has been to china, i have been to sri lanka, we met up in a grocery store years ago and promised each other that we would connect, to exchange pictures from our travels.

she goes to the baptist church around the bend.

i have joined her and her church family at Christmas tea.

she has joined me and my church family for a Christmas concert.

she is probably in her mid-late 70s. she is a retired school teacher and a widow.

sam and i stopped in to ask her what we could do for her. i knew she had a long list, because every time i drive by her place, she is out doing something.

we cut rubar then made a bed for her, in her guest house. more than working, she just wanted to sit down and visit.

we stayed for close to two hours, and have been invited back for leftovers tonight. =) we are really looking forward to a southern home-cooked meal.

she also sent us away with homemade grape jelly. it was so yummy, i had this on a peanut butter sandwich last night before i took my snooze.

she was probably equally "the church" to us as we were to her.

it still felt like the right thing to do.

at first, sam and i thought that we may be shoveling dirt for Ms. Ford, which we were both ready to do. (me in my swim shoes that sam made fun of. =) i guess God had other plans. =)

great friends, doing great work, what else could one ask for?

wednesday, august 15

2007-08-15T09:45:00.002-05:00

it truly was an amazing success - after everything was said and done, i think that "most" were on location on time and worked diligently to show love to their neighbors in charlotte.

i have received a lot of very positive feedback, for which i am most grateful.

God was in this project from the start - christie breaks into song, "who am I that the Lord of all the earth, would care to know my name... la la la" (shameless plug for Casting Crowns) - this was a God thing!

i am thankful that i was a part of putting close to 1,500 students and adult volunteers on the streets, in the parks, in the homeless shelters, at classroom central warehouse and at second harvest warehouse in charlotte to show the city that we love them.

that day, we put our words into action by serving them at their greatest need.

another shameless plug - danny rivers rocked my safe comfy little world with his highly influencial message on friday afternoon of nayc. his site is www.bethechurch.cc i have visited this site several times since last friday and it has already impressed me tremendously.

after listening to his message, in my car - (i was so busy on friday, the 10th that i didn't make it to the service...) - after listening to this message i just wanted to GO do something, anything, just get out there and be the church!

to which, i have written a letter, i know, that does not sound like much, a letter? BUT, this letter is to my next door neighbor, i noticed that she has recently had a ramp built in front of her home, for wheelchair access - i didn't want to startle her by going over and knocking on her door, so i have written a note to ask her if i could come and sit down with her to just spend time with her, do her grocery shopping, anything i can do to serve my neighbor, i will do. i know this sounds like a small task - but it is about being the church - meeting people at their need - that's what my friend, Jesus, did.

christie breaks out into song again.... "to be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, on earth i want to be like Him, all through life's journey, from earth to glory... la la la

i will write more about p2239 soon - this is going to be an epidemic, just let me tell you that right now - p2239 will live forever in mine and dan's lives - pray with us that God will have His way in everything we do - i am dreaming REALLY BIG right now!

NAYC

2007-07-22T20:43:00.002-05:00

so... i know i haven't written in forever...

i admit it! what a slacker i am... and... i'm okay with that - (for Jenn's benefit) =)

i have really been working diligently to ensure that Project 22:39 at North American Youth Congress is a success.

if you have not yet registered to participate in this project, please do it now! go to www.northamericanyouthcongress.com and click on Project 22:39

if you want to read my e-interview you can click on www.ninetyandnine.com to learn more about these absolutely tremendous giveback opportunities.

i know this was quick, but i'm signing off. have a great evening!

thursday, june 21

2007-06-21T08:10:00.001-05:00

genesis 3:8 says, "and they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden."

how many times have you heard that adam walked with God in the cool of the day?

i have heard this on many occasions...

for a little debate, the Bible says, that adam and eve heard the voice of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day. did they really walk with him and talk with him or did they hear his voice as they were walking together?

i will write more on this later, but just thought i could wet your taste buds for a nice little thought provoking time in the Word.

I wish I could forget

2007-06-12T08:17:00.002-05:00

wow! we have been non-stop lately!

as i have already noted, i have been reading a book by t. f. tenney, called "some things i wish i could forget".

i was thinking this morning when i woke up about writing my own thoughts on this subject.

i wish i could forget about all the times i have failed God. oh wait! isn't that what baptism is all about? and faith? knowing that we have been covered by the blood of Jesus and His forgiveness is ours each day?

i wish i could forget about all the things i have to get done long enough to sit and truly be refreshed in the presence of God. wait a minute! isn't that why i am here? to experience life more abundantly walking in God's steps and waiting on Him for the answers to the questions i have in my life?

i wish i could forget sleepless nights. what ever happened to me believing that God is not a God of fear, but of love, of peace and of a sound mind?

i wish i could forget the harsh words i have spoken in my neglect to care for the feelings of the one to whom i am speaking. the scripture comes to mind, a soft answer turns away wrath, and the verse that says if i say i love God and do not show love to my brothers and sisters in Christ, i really cannot love God.

i wish i would not feel kicked in the butt so often in my walk with God. i must be really trying to reach a goal of pleasing God, or i guess i wouldn't feel anything when i mess up.

thanks God for your forgiveness and for your mercy that is brand new each day.

the prodigal

2007-06-07T07:08:00.001-05:00

last night brian careccia spoke about the prodigal son. i have learned quite a bit from his teaching on this subject.

brian mentioned in last night's message that the robe, found in luke 15:22 is a re-covering of God's righteousness - it covers our sins. the ring is for showing the world that we are heirs of God or children of the King and the father gave to the son upon his return to the palace, finally, a pair of shoes for his feet.

the shoes, brian said, were to heal the son from the hurts that he had experienced, the scrapes and bruises on his feet from the long journey back to his father.

how neat to hear the word of God in terms that we can understand and apply to our lives.

i am so thankful for the robe of righteousness, the ring and the shoes that only my father can give me. He is truly a very present help in the time of trouble.

thanks God, that even when i have walked away from you, you have sought me out and called me back to your kingdom, with compassion and forgiveness.

gone fishin'

2007-06-05T08:38:00.001-05:00

i've been saved to sacrifice
that's what he said
you are not to be lazy, or be misled

just keep on fishing!
these words still ring true
if you're not fishing for others, you are looking at you

Lord let me fish with all the strength that you give
and Lord always show me the way i should live

thanks for your word, it is truly a light
and each day i read it, it helps me to fight

fight for my freedom, my freedom from sin
that you gave me years ago, now i know, i win

my heart gets a bubble bath

2007-06-01T10:05:00.001-05:00

this year is flying by!!!

i cannot believe it is already JUNE! it's kind of scary actually, when i look at this year and see what we have accomplished and think of all we could have accomplished, i feel a little kicked in the butt.

i will just have to do more for the rest of the year to make up for some of the things i wish i would have done earlier on. isn't it so cool to think of how life is with God? every day is a new day, old things are passed away and all things are become new, with each new morning.

i thank God that every morning when i wake up, i know that i have a fresh new start - regardless of what happened yesterday, if i have failed God in some way, and asked for forgiveness, i know he has forgiven me.... having faith is the coolest gift ever! i really believe that God gives my heart a huge bubble bath every single day. (that's putting it in kindergarten terms, i know... but the visual i get, is well, i guess like when i was a child - which God asks us to become when it comes to our faith in him) okay... moving right along...

i read last night, before falling asleep, 2 timothy 1 - i was really impressed by all that helped the apostle paul out on his journey - taking him in, seeking him out when he was in town to bless him in some way...

i would like to be like those wonderful saints of the most high... i want to be a blessing to others each day.

i am running late for work, so i better be going, but i wanted to encourage you today, to encourage others, seek them out and bless them by your words, your deeds, whatever, just do it in the name of the Lord. =)

thursday, may 31

2007-05-31T09:55:00.001-05:00

so, i am not keeping up with this blog every day as i had hoped... beda beda... i know. late nights and not so early mornings have been the norm lately. i must do better.

this morning i read a chapter out of a book by t. f. tenney - the book is called, "some things i wish i could forget." it is a very interesting book, and it is easy to read. each chapter presents a completely different topic with many thought provoking tidbits.

today i read a chapter on the church and the church board. i learned about deacons this morning. instead of being granted all the power in the church, they should be first servants to the congregation. the congregation should help in making decisions, the deacons should serve the congregation and the pastor in making those decisions realities. interesting thought, being a servant first before anything else... i mean, i know that this is how it is supposed to be, but hearing it from bro. tenney, brought it to light again in me today.

bro. tenney also mentioned at the close of this chapter that Jesus' greatest weapon was a towel. he served others by washing their feet.

i recently read an article by http://www.wiredchurches.com/ - i love this site, by the way... the article that i read talks about how we must invest before we invite - speaking of promoting growth within your church.

i think Jesus did it right. he served people, (invested in them) then invited them to follow him.

i hope i lead with a servants heart and with actions that show my humility in ministry. i want to invest in the lives of others, so that when i am ready/God is ready for me to invite, they will come.

tuesday, may 29

2007-05-29T09:22:00.002-05:00

we just got back from maryland late last night. we had a great time.

i am so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

on sunday we went to bvwc soon to be the journey. we heard a marvelous message from pastor mark about being persecuted for Christ. this morning, as i read the Bible, i found this verse, "yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

pastor tim rutledge, at our ywts a few saturday's ago, mentioned that if we say we are a friend of God, we need to be prepared to suffer... most of Jesus' disciples were tortured before they died or murdered. we sing the song, "i am a friend of God", but are we really willing to suffer for His name's sake?

just a thought that i have had floating through my mind for a few weeks... i hope i am truly a friend of God and willing to do whatever He asks of me.

Slogish and Jeremiah 1:5

2007-05-23T07:41:00.001-05:00

i really meant to write these past few days but just never got around to it... i know, beda beda.. (slovac for bad bad)

breaking news: a HUGE congratulations to sam and jonathan on their first new little (or not so little) baby boy, weighing in at a little over 10 pounds!

i am so happy for you guys!!!

this is for little ethan:

jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee..."

psalm 139:14 says, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well."

all the best to you and your family!

love,
dan and christie

Mom and Dad and Grateful Hearts

2007-05-22T13:57:00.001-05:00

so, i woke up this morning thinking of my mom and dad and how grateful i am for them.

after my alarm went off a gazillion times, i woke up, clicked the snooze button (for five more minutes of blissful rest), and began praying for my dad and my mom...no joke, like every single time my alarm went off, i would awake and begin praying... then fall back asleep again... i know that's horrible... but it's the thought that counts, God honors that!

i was very persistent! between 7am until, dare I say, my husband called in the later hours of the morning, i did this...

i need to call my parents today, i miss them so much.

we are going up north this weekend for memorial day, i am very thankful for this!

matthew 19:19 says, "Honour thy father and [thy] mother:..."

i give honor to my mom and dad today and always... i am so thankful for the many sacrifices they have made for me to live the life that i live and that i love living... they showed me the truth as a youngin' (as my mom would say), and they have led me in it all of my life. the Bible says, train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it. i am a testimony of this.

i cannot say enough about my parents, they have always believed in me, and that has meant the world! i certainly could never be where i am today, with the confidence that i have today, without their godly influence in my life.

i ask God everyday to keep His hand of protection upon them and to bless them in every area of their lives, physical health, finances, wisdom, patience, etc., etc., etc. =)

thanks God, for knowing exactly what i needed - before i was even born.

you have given to me the best parents on the planet!

do nt forget the small things

2007-05-21T07:48:00.001-05:00

i took time to write two different posts on friday, but both got deleted... so i am attempting to make up for those in this morning's post.

as i began studying the bible this morning, ii timothy stood out to me - there is so much in the first four chapters to digest, needless to say, i have alot on my mind at the moment.

if i must choose one topic, (and i must for the sake of time) i will go with ii timothy 4:5 - "but watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

the nlt(new living translation) says it this way, "but you should keep a clear mind in every situation. do not be afraid of suffering for the Lord. work at bringing others to Christ. complete the ministry God has given you."

the translation of the word work is business, employment, that which any one is occupied, that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind.

evangelist is translated as a bringer of good tidings, the name given to the NT heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles.

make full proof is translated as: to cause a thing to be shown to the full, to be persuaded, fully convinced or assured, to fill one with any thought, conviction, or inclination, to carry through to the end, accomplish.

ministry is translated as of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men, those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities, the service of those who prepare and present food, of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders, etc.

i feel myself getting into the habit of leaving my blogs open-ended - i think i do this so that you can come to your own conclusions based on what i have found in my studies.

***

i pray that you feel instructed today, by the scriptures and encouraged to find something that you can do for God realizing that no matter how great or small, it is a ministry. (if it is done unto the Lord)

i recently gave to a girl, that i have begun mentoring, a pack of cards. she is unable to work, she cannot go to school and she cannot drive, but she can write. =) she may not be the best at it, but she can do it.

i gave to her addresses, stamps, envelopes and cards. i expressed to her that writing a note of encouragement, alone, is such a great ministry to those who need a boost in their daily walk. i know this sounds small to some, but to this girl, who is trapped at home all day, because of a physical handicap, this is going to become one of her ministries.

next on our list is volunteering at the local children's hospital. we have our first meeting this thursday. we are so excited about working together, ministering together, telling others about Jesus Christ, the hope of life and the reason for living.

Happy Birthday to a Special Friend and What's in YOUR wallet?

2007-05-17T07:21:00.002-05:00

happy birthday to christie leigh burchfield-stephens, happy birthday to christie leigh burchfield- stephens, happy birthday dear christie, happy birthday to you! IT IS THE BIG 30! =)

christie has been and is still the only one of my friends that (i think) really understands me.

when i am feeling wonky about something, i give christie a call. she almost always answers but without a doubt, she always explains the situation as she sees it, even if it makes me feel like i messed up. i really love having a friend like that. she is completely honest with me, as she speaks words of wisdom and advice in love. really, you could not ask for a better friend.

we have had so many memories together - from playing dress up in my mom's house robes years ago, to messing up each others hair then sitting in awe as if it were the most beautiful hairstyle ever invented (without laughing)...

...from sliding across the doorway at my parents home waving while we pulled each other across by the ankles, to diving under the bed because Augustine (someone in mexico) was trying to give us his stinky sweaty jersey under our hotel room door, but we thought he was coming in the outside window! hilarious memories!

i remember when i first met christie, i did not like her at all, because...i know, how childish, well, i was only like twelve - because she spelled her name just like mine. that's it, i did not like her because she spelled her name just like i spell my name.

after i gave her a chance, and i guess she gave me a chance too, we really became the bestest of friends, long story short, christie married my brother, several years ago, so she also took my maiden name =) ah ha! my legacy lives on! =)

i had no intention this morning of writing my entire blog about christie, no offence, but this is my coffee time with God - so let's move on...

okay, one more thing, christie, i wish you the happiest thirtieth birthday ever and i love you dearly.

moving along...

each morning i enjoy reading a few quotes, short stories, a scripture and my email, (in no particular order) all of these items are found on my new google page, which, by the way, i absolutely adore! (thanks danno) if you have not created a google homepage, you must.

while i was reading this morning, i found the following article, it is from "reuters, oddly enough":

"MADRID (Reuters) - A Spanish bank repossessed a house and put it up for auction complete with the mummified body of the former owner who had missed her mortgage payments, newspaper El Pais reported on Wednesday.

The corpse, preserved by salty air in the seaside town of Roses after an apparent death by natural causes, was discovered by Jorge Giro, who entered the house for the first time on Saturday after buying it at the auction, El Pais said.

The dead woman, described by neighbors as having been in poor health and often absent visiting relatives in Madrid, had stopped paying her mortgage six years ago.

The unnamed bank which eventually repossessed the home never bothered to look inside before selling it."

this story made me think of that phrase"what's in your wallet?" (some credit card company that tells us that if we have their card in our wallet, all of the monsters will go away... (okay, so i hope i did not just make that up... i think i remember seeing a commercial where monsters were coming after this guy and the guy pulled out his capital one card, and all of the monsters went running...) please, correct me if i am wrong...

my thought was, what's in your wallet?, then, what's in your house?

dan preached (not all that long ago) an awesome message, called, "lost in the house" and it highlights the woman who lost a coin. he tells of how she swept her house until she found it. the foundation on which this message was constructed is that many of us "go" to church, but many of us are not really being "plugged in" to the church or any ministry. we are in the house, but are we lost?

are there dead corpses in your house? has a dream or vision that God has given you died recently? (or in the past six years, since you stopped paying your mortgage, or stopped giving your time to God, working toward having a more personal relationship with Him?)

i encourage you today to look deep inside and ask God to help you clean out the dead parts of your heart. ask Him to make something even more beautiful out of your life, than you could ever imagine.

Psalm 139:23 - Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Delight in God

2007-05-16T08:42:00.002-05:00

This morning I am going to do a quick study on Psalm 37:4

"Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Delight in this verse is translated as being soft or dainty, to be glad about, to be in the dainty habit of, to make merry over. (sounds kind of funny, huh?)

The Lord is Jehovah, "the Existing One".

We understand "give".

Desires is tranlated as the petitions or requests of thine heart.

Heart is translated as the inner man, mind, will, understanding, inclination, resolution, determination.

Now we can read this scripture like this...Be glad about/make a habit of being glad about the Existing One and He will give us the petitions or requests of our inner most being.

Sounds easy enough to me... =)

Loving to sleep in and loving my husband

2007-05-15T08:09:00.002-05:00

the early bird NAYC registration is due today! you only pay $30 (per person) if you register before 11:59pm. go to http://www.northamericanyouthcongress.com/ to get registered!

dan and i just registered and are very excited to be a part of this unbelievably awesome event!

**

when i awoke, all i could think was, i need to help dan get on his way by making him a cup of freshly ground, freshly brewed snickerdandy coffee and an extremely crispy thomas english muffin on which I would cake strawberry cream cheese.

feeling like it was the crack of dawn, at 7:30am, mind you, i pulled myself from our soft, warm covers, thinking, it is way too early for anyone to be out of bed, i hope dan is grateful for all that i am doing for him...

...just being honest...

then i remembered a scripture i read not all that long ago that said, those that seek me early shall find me.

okay, so God totally knows that i am not a morning person, so why would He say, if we seek Him early we will find Him? (i'm just bold enough to believe that God really DOES care that i, christie ponjican, am not a morning person and that i would have a really hard time staying awake long enough to make one complete sentence in prayer before drinking three cups of coffee) I guess the question is how early is early? =)

so, here's the scripture... proverbs 8:17 - I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

trying to justify not getting up at the crack of dawn, i decided to study what early really means here. maybe it means in advance of our problem... seek God each day, before a problem even arises?

according to http://www.blueletter.com/ and it's translation of this phrase, "and those that seek me early" is translated as, "to break, to break forth as light, as the dawn, to break into, to pry in, hence to seek"

oh! what a relief, you do not have to seek God early in the morning. instead, according to this verse, the phrase "we are to seek Him early" means, seek Him with the same fervency as the sun when it is shining brightly through the blinds of your bedroom window... it seems to break in.

the thought of the lady with the issue of blood comes to mind, she stopped at nothing to be healed, "enough is enough!" she said, "i must touch the hem of His garment." she was a seeker, and as God always seems to do, He kept His Word. those that seek me, shall find me.

thanks, God, for being so real to me today, and for understanding that i really enjoy sleeping in sometimes. i am so glad You're cool with that. You do not require more of me than i can give. i know, God, that the Bible tells us not to love sleep, and the sound of, "go to the ant thou sluggard!" rings in my ears weekly, you're working on keeping me balanced, and i am so thankful.

as for serving my husband each morning, i am working on doing that with a smile on my face.

i am really thankful for dan, he is one of a kind and truly the best there is!

The Lame Guy

2007-05-14T13:09:00.002-05:00

The scripture in Acts 3 was in my mind all day on Saturday.

Acts 3:11 says, "And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John..."

To go back a few verses, we find the following: "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him."

As if this story isn't powerful enough as it was written, I wanted to dive in a little deeper and focus more on the 11th verse.

We know that Peter and John were being used of God to speak faith into this lame guy's life... and healing.

After the healing what did the guy do? The Bible says that he was leaping and walking and standing and praising God, and going into the temple with them. How exciting! What an awesome testimony! Right?

When studing this text, verse 11 really stood out to me because it says that the lame guy that was healed, HELD Peter and John...

Held is translated as, "to hold fast, i.e. not discard or let go, to take hold of, take, seize, to continue to hold, to retain, etc." (according to www.blueletter.com)

This takes me to first time guests at our local churches... they walk in, they receive something so incredible from God, then walk out of our service, having no one to hold onto, someone that could perhaps help their experience become greater than one healing.

Mentoring comes to mind.

You and I can both agree that once you have what seems to be a miracle, a touch from God in your own life, you tend to, after a few days, settle back into the here and now, and the issues of your day to day begin to take over, once more.

What if we had someone to hold onto (I know we have God!, but someone that you can pick up the phone and contact, to help you keep your miracle alive in your life? Someone (physically) tangible.)

I believe that God sends people into our lives to minister to, and those that will minister to us - I encourage you today, do not be too busy to let someone "hold" you - you may be steadying them in their walk with God - especially if they have just received an amazing answer to prayer or if they were touched by God's presence for the very first time recently.

Steady them, hold them, encourage them along the way... they need you, they need me.

God comes through again

2007-05-14T12:56:00.002-05:00

On Friday morning at 1 am, we received a phone call from Dan's Dad - who told us that Dan's Mom had a heart attack.

We took a moment to really touch God - asking Him to answer our prayers for Mama's safety and better health fast.

In times like these, you feel helpless and like your next breath depends on you hearing something from God that will help you believe that everything will be okay.

After praying, we began searching the earliest/cheapest flights to NJ from NC.

Then, we decided to drive up, because there was no way we were going to be able to sleep.

We quickly threw a few essential pieces into a back pack and headed out the door.

God always gives me a scripture at times like these - this time He led me to Psalm 119:17 - it says, "Deal bountifully with thy servant, [that] I may live, and keep thy word." I began praying over and over again, "Mama is your servant, deal boutifully with her and let her live."

Faith began to rise within me - I knew everything was going to be alright.

Thanks, God, for always showing up - right on time. You really do answer our prayers!

Spiritual Foundation

2007-05-14T12:55:00.002-05:00

Spiritual Foundation

I Timothy 6:19 - says, "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

This short study goes along with what I studied yesterday, in Psalm 40 - David wrote about God lifting his feet out of the miry clay and establishing his feet on the rock.

In Isaiah 28:26, we see that Zion is built on the foundation of a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:

In Matthew 7:24 we read that a wise man builds his house upon a rock.

In I Corinthians 3:11 we see that Jesus Christ is the foundation.

2 Timothy 2:19 says that the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, "The Lord knoweth them that are His."

I want to build a stronger foundation for myself in the Word of God every day during my coffee time with God. =)

I want the foundation or beginning of my day to be in His Word, gathering strength, becoming more sure of who I am in Jesus each new day.

If I build my life upon Jesus, I can be sure that in time to come, when I need Him most, He will say,"I know you, you are mine, I will take care of you, because you have built wisely." (2 Timothy 2:19)

Ask, Knock, Seek

2007-05-14T12:53:00.003-05:00

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luke 11:9

After studying the above verses in my God time today, I am intrigued by the translation that http://www.blueletter.com/ offers for the word seek.

Seek translated is – to look in order to find, to find out by thinking, meditating, reasoning and enquiring, to aim for, to require, to demand, to crave, to demand something from someone.

These verses are so easy for me to quote, and no doubt, they are tremendously inspiring and encouraging. To be real with you, however, I find it a little difficult sometimes to truly depend on scriptures like these during my daily walk with God.

I am learning each day to truly SEEK God, as He has told us to seek Him in His Word – seek, by meditating, enquiring, craving, desiring Him more than anything else – and we will find Him and know Him more.

Another scripture comes to mind, Psalm 42:1 - As the hart (deer) panteth (to long for, to be untamed) after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

And another…Matthew 5:6 - Blessed [are] they which do hunger (to crave ardently to seek with eager desire) and thirst (to eagerly long for those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened) after righteousness: for they shall be filled (satisfied).

Thanks, God for the reminder today, that as long as I keep my end of the deal, you will keep yours.

Speaking of Seek

2007-05-14T12:48:00.002-05:00

Speaking of Seek…..

Matthew 6:33 comes to mind…

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The word, seek, is translated here the same way as it was in yesterday's study: to demand, to require something of someone…

What are we to seek? This verse says that we are to seek, crave, long for more than anything, the kingdom of God.

What is the kingdom of God? Is this an actual place for which we should seek? I want to be clear on this – I want to be seeking after the right thing… kingdom of God translated is "the power or reign of God in our lives".

We are to crave the act of God taking over and reigning in our lives, okay, that makes sense…

Reading on, this scripture also says, we are to seek or crave His righteousness…righteousness translated is the state of him who is as he ought to be, integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting.

So, I have learned from this verse so far, that if I crave God's power and authority in my life, and crave His virtue, His purity, His perfection, His rightness, THEN all of these things will be added unto me – well, what are ALL OF THESE THINGS?

As I am writing this I am studying for myself – and am in awe of God showing me through His Word and my trusty http://www.blueletter.com/ that "all of these things" are exactly what we have been reading thus far – all of these things are His righteousness, His power, His authority, His freedom to reign over our hearts and minds, and in our lives.

Okay, so today's thought is a little simpler than I thought it would be… I thought "All of these things" was related in some way to the desires of our hearts as found in Psalms. The scripture says, Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thy heart. (Psalm 37:4)

God's Word is so relevant – and easy to understand – I know I tend to make things more difficult sometimes… I am thankful today that God has shown me His love and has uncovered a greater truth to me, that if I seek Him, He will let me find Him. =)

I will compare Matthew 6:33 with Psalm 37:4 in another study – I hope you have learned something today – I know I have. =)

First Post

2007-05-10T19:10:00.000-05:00

This is Christie's first post. She just woke up so she doesn't feel like thinking so I am just writing this so there is something on here!