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Get A Kung Fu Grip on God’s Word

3 / 4 / 149 / 15 / 16

Recently, Ken and I went to dinner with an old friend who we have not seen in 15 years. After catching up on all that has transpired over the years; we begin to discuss our friend’s burden that she feels so distant from God. She admitted lacking the passion she once had. These two “spiritual midwives” knew exactly what had caused these “symptoms!” She had been neglecting her time with God and His Word! The next night, Jackie had a discussion with a dear young friend who is a THEOLOGIAN IN TRAINING and the young friend mentioned sometimes she is a little too busy for her “quiet time with God and His Word.” This brilliant theologian was facing the battle of reading God’s Word for her doctorate degree and neglecting the privilege of reading God’s Word to enhance the relationship she has with Jesus!

Then the very next day I receive this email:

“Today in my One Year Bible one small verse jumped at me today, “Hold on to instruction; don’t let go, guard it, for it is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13) Two words “take hold” of my instruction. Not READ it. Take HOLD is a much more powerful verb (GUARD) it. I think of it in my own language like “get a Kung fu grip on my gripping tightinstructions!!” Oh to GRIP the word of God like our lives depend on it (because they do!). This was a wonderful nugget to my heart today! Love you wild woman, forever grateful that 2+ years ago you told me that the Word of God would be the very thing that would heal my heart. Over 700 days later I am absolutely hooked to Papa’s medicine with a Chuck Norris grip! P.S. I am LOVING my one year bible, more than any other devo format I have used and so are the other 20 gals doing it with me. They don’t know the idea to buy the One Year bible came down from you. I told the group how you are doing it for your grandkids (this year I am personalizing a message each day to Emma Grace) and now TWO of the ladies are marking up their bibles with specific notes for their grandkids. Like a little mini food chain…one feeds the other…shares…feeds another!! Love you. Christina”

After back to back discussions on the critical reality and impact of neglecting our quiet time with Jesus; Ken and I knew we wanted to share this sweet reminder with those we love so much; which is all of you on our team! God forbid that we would be so busy that we neglect the critical “discipline” of time with Jesus in the Word.

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A Nobel Prize Winner in the Kingdom of God!

2 / 7 / 149 / 15 / 16
maryanne-puglisi
Maryanne Stonebrink Puglisi  (February 3, 1947 – January 25, 2014)

Recently I posted on Facebook my response to the memorial service of a friend’s sister.

Yesterday I went to a memorial service of another sister in Jesus who relocated to heaven last week. I wept as I listened to the profound impact of her life. I have never seen such a crowd. I watched men around me weeping as they listened to the testimony of this woman’s passionate life for the King! Oh that we all would live in such reckless abandon to Jesus that people will leave our funeral wanting to make a difference for our Incomparable King! I shout with Jesus, WELL DONE; Maryanne S. Puglisi.

A dear friend reading my post on Facebook shared it with her husband and he sent me the closing remarks on the sermon he would preach the next morning.

“Most of us have heard of The Nobel Peace Prize; named after Alfred Nobel. It’s awarded annually to the person ‘who has had the greatest impact for the promotion of peace in humanity’. What you may not know is this: When Alfred Nobel’s brother died, a French newspaper published a long obituary believing that it was Alfred who had passed away. He had an opportunity very few people will ever have; to read his obituary while still alive. What he read humiliated him. The newspaper described him as a man who had made it possible to kill more people and more quickly than anyone else who had ever lived. It read: ‘The merchant of death is dead’. Nobel mad a fortune by producing explosives. His most famous invention was dynamite. After reading that obituary, Nobel realized two things: 1. This was how he was going to be remembered, and 2. This was not how he wanted to be remembered. Months later, he established the award. Today, everyone is familiar with the Nobel Peace Prize, while few people know how he made his fortune.

Are You thinking about how your obituary is going to read? May this motivate you to rethink how you are spending your life”.  – Pastor Tim Cash

I think Maryanne was a Nobel Prize Winner in God’s Kingdom and may you and I also be recipients of such honor in God’s Kingdom someday!

Love from His Servants,

Ken & Jackie

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A Spiritual Midwife

1 / 15 / 149 / 15 / 16

Recently I was sharing with a Pastor the critical gift of one’s presence during a person’s time of adversity. I shared with him my clear memory of every person who showed up during times of trouble during the last 4 decades of my life. I can even remember the food people during the MANY funerals Ken and I were hosting. As I pondered this often neglected ministry by so many Christians in a BUSY world, this verse came to my mind:

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”. – Proverbs 17:17

I spent some time looking more closely at this proverb and found several nuggets. The word “friend” actually means ‘part of the family’. We as Christians are part of a massive family with so many needs. God forbid we are too busy to be available when a friend, family member is facing a crisis. The verse states that a friend loves at all times; whether one’s friend is in a crisis or finally exiting the crisis.

Then I looked up the word adversity and found the word tightness and opponent. When a crisis arrives it crowds its way into one’s life and the trial feels like an opponent. As I considered a crisis an opponent, I immediately say the preceding phrase “born for”. Spiritual siblings are not just related they are “born” for the days of tightness and older younger handsopposition. I looked at the verb “born” and found the word “midwife”. As I meditated on the reality that ‘a brother is the MIDWIFE for adversity’, I decided to look at the term “midwife”. We assume it refers to child birth and that is one definition but the second definition for “midwife” is: “one who assists in or takes part in bringing about a result”. The light came on as I realized that we as Christians have the privilege of assisting our siblings during their time of crisis. Each of us as a Spiritual Midwife can help “bring about the results that God intends”. The Spiritual Midwife’s presence during a time of crisis, gives the one facing the adversity the courage to continue and hope in God’s faithfulness.

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

Love from a wildwoman and Spiritual Midwife,

Jackie

 

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A Prisoner of Hope in 2014

1 / 9 / 149 / 15 / 16
During the last few days of 2013, I heard so many people talking or posting on Facebook how glad they would be for 2013 to soon be over. Many of those people were in a countdown to GOOD BYE 2013. During those last days of 2013 I read a verse that shook me to my core.
“Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double”. – Zechariah 9:12
I started to reflect on how a person can become a prisoner of despair during difficult times. Sitting in my quiet time chair I prayed that in 2014 my soul’s default setting would be on a being a prisoner of hope rather than a captive of despair. As I looked back on 2013, it was a difficult year but the fruitfulness was as abundant as the trials. It was an “Ephraim” year that only encourages me to head for the stronghold of Jesus and willingly wear the “prisoner clothes of Hope”. A prisoner of hope knows deep in his soul the he/she is part of God’s FAVOR-ITE Tribe! Isaiah was prisoner of hope as clearly declared in Isaiah 61:7
“Instead of your shame there shall be a double a portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion, they shall have everlasting joy”.
THANK YOU**MERCI** MUCHAS GRACIAS**DANKE
prisoner-of-hopeIf I typed Thank You in every known language, it would not express the depth of Ken’s and my gratitude for the sacrificial giving to our ministry account at the end of 2013. For months Ken and I have been praying and discussing the serious need in our ministry account. We were so busy serving this fall, that we honestly didn’t have the time to call everyone of our support team and tell them of our very specific need. We just kept praying and serving and refusing to be prisoners of doubt. We were counting on God’s holy nudge in the hearts of people who would choose to send funds to the ministry at the end of the year. Major THANKS for those who listened to the holy nudge.
“Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world”.  -Psalm 31:19
Love from Two Prisoners of Hope,
Ken & Jackie
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Never Too Weak to Lead

12 / 10 / 139 / 15 / 16
In our November letter we mentioned we would be flying to Seattle to be a “spiritual Midwife” to friends who are facing a Goliath opponent. Ken and I went hoping to inspire and encourage a beloved couple who have touched thousands through more than 4 decades of ministry. Our dear friend Norm Evans was the one in need of a “Spiritual Midwife”. The best way to describe Norm besides 40 years of working with Professional Athletes Outreach is to define him as the Billy Graham of professional athletes”. We have never met an athlete who is a greater soul winner than Norm. When the “Perfect Season Miami Dolphins” went to the White House this year, Norm was busy sharing Jesus with the White House by passing out his personal life story card and praying with several.
As Ken and I entered the hospital room where Norm was, we were stunned to see our robust friend, very impaired by a doctor’s mistake in surgery. As our eyes filled with tears, Norm just burst into praise to God for His Grace that flows over him like a wave. Norm never asked “why”. He only asked that God would allow him to be a bold witness to every hospital staffer that came to help him daily. He is so beloved that all the therapists at the Acute Rehab Center fight over the chance to work with Norm. One morning the Lord gave me a scripture for Norm that brilliantly displays the reality that one is never too week to lead.
“So take a new grip with tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” – Hebrews 12:12-13
 
path-to-the-lightAs Ken and I watched Norm share God’s love with everyone that came within 12 inches of him, we were so inspired that even when one is weak, God’s strength can just flow through a weak vessel and make this weak person a great leader for others! How ironic, Ken and I go to Seattle encourage and inspire Norm and he inspires us. We returned knowing that God can use us even when we are weak, tired, discouraged, or very sick. Norm reminded us that our circumstances are never an excuse to not share the love of God and rest in God’s Grace. Please pray often for Norm’s long road of recovery and his dear wife Bobbe as they navigate this difficult journey.
Even the King of Kings, coming in the form of a “weak” infant, profoundly impacted the world then and even this Christmas season. May you and I though “weak” rise up and with a flowing wave of God’s Grace and bless others during this Christmas season and in the New Year!
We are so thankful for years of your support that has allowed Ken and me to be a Spiritual Midwife to thousands of our spiritual siblings.
As this year is approaching its conclusion, please pray about what you can do in relation to keeping Ken and me on this particular Adventure for Jesus that began in August of 1989. We would like it to continue, if the Lord Wills. Your financial gift is so needed at this critical time!
Forever grateful for your support and the privilege to serve even when weak.
Ken & Jackie
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A New Year with a New Assignment for Each of Us

1 / 13 / 129 / 21 / 15

It is absolutely natural to “watch out for and care for” those you love: family and friends. But recently while studying a very familiar verse I discovered an assignment that ALL of us have been given.

            “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” (Heb. 12:15)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe first four words, look after each other, are an assignment for each believer. We are instructed to “give attention and take care” of each other. This assignment can also be described as “shepherding” one another. Why do we need to look out for one another? Each of us has times in our life when we are vulnerable to bitterness; when our faith is outrun by our suffering. Suffering without encouragement is soul soil that a poisonous root can begin to burrow into our heart.

It has always felt like and oxymoron to use the terms “bitter” and “Christian in the same sentence. But as I thought about some of the bitter Christians I know, I began to consider the possible neglect that resulted in their bitter condition. I have wondered where were the Christians who neglected their assignment to “look after each other.” We as Christians are to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:1-2). Another aspect of this assignment is that my neglect of watching out for my Christian siblings, not only harms my sibling but also will harm me inevitably, bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” How ironic, when I am too busy to “look after each other,” this neglect of my spiritual siblings is actually self-harming. Our spiritual life is not only our responsibility but also the responsibility of our big forever family. In this New Year, “Don’t forget to ‘look after each other’ because; we are family!”

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A Christmas Gift for Your Marriage

12 / 13 / 119 / 21 / 15

Recently I read little book with a BIG MESSAGE. It was so encouraging that I wish I had lots of money and I could buy copies for everyone I know and love that is married. The book is very little, not complex but the message is so profound. Just one quote from the book is worth the purchase. Here is that quote:

wedding-rings-2-1414664-638x423 “One choice changes the construction of a life. You’ll NEVER experience the joy and tenderness of a LIFELONG LOVE unless you FIGHT FOR IT.”

           The title of this Christmas gift for your marriage is: A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman. Why not consider giving this little book to the one you love this Christmas? On my birthday last year, a young pastor’s wife gave me a THANK YOU birthday card, thanking me for cheering her on as she “fights for her marriage.” This little book made me think of her remark.

            Ken and I have been fighting for our marriage as of this month, for 37 years! We are in a season of such joy and love that I feel so spoiled! I believe that too many marriages never experience the joy of a lifelong love because they QUIT on their Marriages before they get to the BEST PART! Our children are now BOTH MARRIED and Ken and I pray that they will have the courage and faith to fight for their marriages rather than “faith-less-ly” run away from marital struggles.

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Thanksgiving in a Storm

11 / 3 / 119 / 21 / 15

We are all familiar with the passage of scripture that instructs us to give thanks in all things. I have spent years trying to grasp the depth of this verse. My precious mentor Bettye often jokes about wanting to remove one verse from the Bible and it is I Thess. 5:18

“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I have practiced giving thanks in all types of trying situations and this faith filled thanksgiving ultimately leads to joy. Ironically, when storms arrive thanksgiving isn’t the first response. Too often our first response to an emotional storm is a vain grasping to silver-lining-2-1516614-640x480gain control of an often untamable situation. Ironically, the more one tries to control the chaos of the storm, one ends up destroying one’s joy. How could one have joy in life’s storms? A person forfeits this joy when they refuse to apply I Thess. 5:18.

Giving thanks in every situation is not only an act of faith but also a bridge that allows one to walk boldly into surrender. This faith-filled surrender allows the one giving thanks to experience joy in a storm. Such joy flows from the reality of the emptying of our will. This is the secret of joy’s flame, humble surrender. Jesus experienced this joy going to the cross. The joy set before Jesus (Heb. 12:2) allowed Him to surrender to the cross; emptied of His will and surrendering to the Father’s will. Jesus walked out of the storm of Gethsemane with joy set before Him because of the joyful, “not my will but Thine be done!”

As I have read and re-read the preceding paragraph, I have decided that we need to edit the way we end our prayers. Instead of tacking on the common phrase: “in Jesus” name, I think a more perfect ending to our prayers should be: “Not my will but Thine be done.” (Matt.26:39) Such a closing to one’s prayer is a demonstration of not only my surrender but a confident thanksgiving; even in a storm.

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“O Sweet Jesus”

10 / 4 / 119 / 21 / 15

jesus-on-the-path-1493449-639x945           Recently another dear friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer. I was sharing this information with someone who didn’t know yet about our friend’s cancer and her immediate reply was, “O Sweet Jesus.” I smiled when my friend said; “O Sweet Jesus” and I began to think about the most common reply to bad news: O. M. G. As I pondered the reply to bad news, I began to wonder about lamenting and complaining when suffering knocks on the door of our lives. Lament or complain what is the difference between these two responses to suffering? Is one more biblical? Is lamenting Biblical? Here is a great explanation I read in the best seller, “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp

            “Lamenting is the cry of belief in a good God, a God who has His ear to our hearts, a God who transfigures the ugly into beauty. Complaining is the bitter howl of unbelief in any benevolent God in this moment, a distrust in the love-beat of the Father’s heart. True lament is the bold faith that trusts Perfect Love enough to feel and cry authentic.”

My precious friend who just learned about her cancer said, “I am choosing HOPE (based on Ps.62:5) rather than fear.” This precious friend is refusing the enemies’ lie that God is not good. Instead she is declaring boldly to others that NOTHING CAN SEPARATE HER from the love of God, not even cancer! She is making her cancer a megaphone to proclaim the ultimate goodness of God. She also shared with me that as she awaited the results of her biopsy she knew in her heart that she had cancer and she heard the Lord whisper, “a gift is coming.” Our theories and theology are ‘stillborn, if they don’t take on flesh. I am in awe! Talk about making Jesus look stunning!

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Don’t Be a “Glory Robber”

8 / 24 / 119 / 21 / 15

   We had a guest this summer that was such a blessing that her visit was just too short. During hours of sharing heart to heart, I was sharing a new message that I was developing titled “Glory Robbers.” I shared how I felt that we were created to bring God glory but we are constantly robbing Him of the glory He is due. I shared how too many Christians have made their life so “Me-Centric” that they are daily glory robbers.

    “I was thinking more alonely-bouquet-1385870-640x480bout being a “glory-robber” and I remembered an illustration that happened to me back in May, and maybe you could use it in your material. Being a glory-robber is like being a bridesmaid who is more worried about making herself look good rather than making sure the bride and groom look good and have all they need. I was a bridesmaid back in May, I just kept thinking that as I watched all of the other bridesmaids getting ready and worrying about how THEY looked and such. I just kept thinking, “No one is even going to be looking at us, we are delusional if at any point in this wedding we think it is about US as bridesmaids.”   And then it ticked me right off when some of this girl’s (close childhood friends) who were bridesmaids, were really only conveniently around when the photographers or videographers were around but they were nowhere to be seen when it was time to take down the reception hall or unload trucks back at home.  Glory robbers often serve the bride of Christ and the Groom, when it is convenient for them or publicity is involved.  These were just some thoughts, take it or leave it, just thought I would share”. C. V.

After our wonderful guest left, she was pondering the “Glory Robber” theme and she sent the following:

“everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my Glory” (Isaiah 43:7)

Let’s not be like the delusional, me-centric bridesmaids in the story above. May we resist the temptation of being an “ovation-aholic” and strive to be a true servant of the King. Such a servant is comfortable with esteeming others more important than themselves (Phil. 2:3).

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