Unexpected Joy

^"9"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. ¹¹"These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. ¹²"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. ¹³"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴"You are My friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵"No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you" (John 15:9-16, NASB).

Sunday was such a joy for me on many levels. Because of faithful preschool desk workers, I was able to go to the worship center for our service a bit sooner than normal. As I stood there chatting, a beautiful young woman introduced herself and told me that I had led her to the Lord years ago. I knew she looked familiar! Leslie was glowing as she introduced her husband and the fruit of her two girls, one in middle school and one in high school. I rejoiced at what the Lord had done because of her obedience to Him.

As my pastor began the sermon, his text was in John 15. What a great reminder that we are to abide in Him and He brings the fruit. Not only do people come to know Him, but our joy is complete in Him. I began to think of the fruit of Christ being produced in the generations that will follow us and the generations that follow in those we have introduced to Jesus.

Lord, help me be obedient to share you with others. I want those in this generation to know You, but also for those who come later to experience the firm foundation and true joy that only You can bring.

Henna Parties

"Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with all choicest fruits,
henna with nard" (Song of Solomon 4:13, ESV).



As women, we are always looking for ways to share the gospel of Christ in fun, meaningful, and creative ways. Within the last month, God has been showing me the way to use this Asian art form, Henna, to share the gospel. I admit that I was not really aware of it until one of my students wanted to do her research paper on henna evangelism with women. I looked into it and am amazed how many are already using it to share Christ. One of my other students hosted a henna evangelism party at her church this past weekend. The more I talk about it, the more I hear what others are doing! Below you will see two links to the ways henna can be used to share the love and stories of the gospel of Jesus!

http://www.go2southasia.org/resource/evangelism/henna/
http://www.go2southasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Henna-MiniBook.pdf

Do you ever wonder what you can do? You can organize a henna party. If you do, plan to suggest that those who attend go and share the gospel with someone using henna. Who knows what God can do through the creative arts! You are gifted2go!

Gifts that make a difference

If you are looking for a gift that makes a difference, allow me to recommend one:

Women at Southern:
A Walk Through Psalms
Jaye Martin and Alyssa Caudill, Editors
ISBN# 978-0-9840657-0-7

Published July 2010, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, $25

Foreword by Mary Kassian, 409 contributors

The devotional book costs have been underwritten so all proceeds go to women's scholarships at Southern.

Not only will women benefit by being able to go to seminary, those who read this walk through The Psalms will be blessed.

To purchase your copy, visit the: LifeWay Christian Bookstore on the campus of Southern Seminary or call them at 502-897-4506 or email southernseminary.4689@lifeway.com.

This Christmas, I will be giving some copies to those who need to know the love of Christ. Giving the devotional book, Women at Southern: A Walk Through Psalms, is a great way to share the love of the Lord.

I pray that God will give you opportunities to share the love of Christ during this Christmas season.

Follow Me!

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19, ESV).

The world is screaming, follow me! Look at me! Me, me, me! I want...I need...I think! Somehow in a world all about me, it is easy to get lost in ourselves, our desires, and what is the best for us. The enemy is (unfortunately) doing a good job of getting us off-center.

Jesus said, "Follow me." Over and over again, we see that He continually told His disciples to keep their eyes on Him. He wanted them to know that there was a great cause as stake. There was something more important than what they wanted; it was about what God wanted. Jesus wanted the disciples to follow Him so they could become fishers of men. He wanted the world to know that He was the answer.

I worked at our church's fall festival today. I admit to having one of those "me" days myself. Why am I here? Why did I volunteer? I have so much to do! Yet, as I watched the crowds, I realized how in the midst of all the fun festivities, people were still hurting. You could see it in how they dressed, you could hear it in what they said, you could see it in their eyes. Somehow, God showed me again how important it was that everyone work together for the cause of Christ. While there were a few at the helm, it took many volunteers to make this great outreach event happen. Had it not been for the church, none of us could have individually pulled it off. Today, our church was a gifted2go church. We all worked together, using our gifts, to make a kingdom difference. And while I didn't do much, I was there to lend a smile to those who came.

Let's be gifted2go individually, but let's be gifted2go in our churches. Let's work together to share the love of Christ. It's good to be reminded, that it is not all about "me"!

FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real!

"Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you...For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment."

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (HCSB)



As we prepare to share Jesus with others, the enemy uses one of his tricks to cause us to NOT witness...FEAR=False Evidence Appearing Real! God is not the author of FEAR, and through His Spirit He causes us to "FEAR NOT"!

I would like to share with you three FEARS that the enemy uses to put out the fire of Godly courage in our gifted2go lives:

1. FEAR of Rejection! Truth that will set us free from fear=we WILL be rejected by people as a witness for Jesus...BUT we will NEVER be rejected by God! "I ask, then, has God rejected His people? Absolutely not!" Romans 11:1 (HCSB)


2. FEAR of Failure! Truth that will set us free from fear=we WILL fall short as a witness for Jesus...BUT we will NEVER be forsaken by God! "...I will never leave you or forsake you..." Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB)


3. FEAR of the Future! Truth that will set us free from fear=we WILL not be in control of the results as a witness...BUT we can leave the future up to our Faithful God that is Always in Control! "So, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (HCSB)

A "Gifted2Go" Word of Testimony: As a first-generation Christian, from the age of 22 when I first heard the name of Jesus, God called me to share Him with others from the day that I accepted Him as my Savior. I will never forget my first pastor sharing with me the very day that I became a Christ Follower for me to "Go, and Share with Everyone What Had Just Happened In My Life"...that is what I did, because FEAR was not something that I was feeling in my new LIFE in Christ, it was a moment full of FAITH! My first day as a believer I went door to door on my street as I shared with my neighbors how I had just given my life to Jesus; the responses from my neighbors were mixed from words of affirmation & joy as I learned that some of my neighbors said to me "that they had been praying for me and my husband (it was clear that we needed the Lord-Lost people look like Lost people!), but there were also some negative reactions from some of my neighbors and extended family that were not believers yet. With each negative reaction the enemy tried over and over to discourage me from being God's witness through the rejection that turned into the fears that I listed above...that is where the importance of discipleship and evangelism training came into my life (PTL!)...with every TRUTH that I learned and lived out from God & His Word, The Holy Spirit turned my FEAR into FAITH not just once but over and over again even up to this day 26 years later since the very time that I first heard the name of JESUS and ran to HIM with ALL MY HEART and made the sold-out commitment to follow Him and Share Him as His "Evangelistic Concerned for Others: Gifted2Go" Witness!!

What specific FEAR is stopping you from being God's Witness? Will you join me in giving God all of our FEAR as we exchange FEAR for FAITH? YES, LORD!! "...Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness, access, and confidence through faith in Him"!! Ephesians 3:12 (HCSB)

Enjoy these 2 songs that remind us that God has set us FREE from the chains of all FEAR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-mNT0axB9U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrO5KGCNGHM

Gifted2go Puzzle

Take the Gifted2go Puzzle. Choose the color or black & while (formatted for a notebook) version. Print both pages. Take the challenge and see where you fit in! Share with others and go! You are gifted2go!

Called to Lead

“According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness” (Ro.12:6-8).

The gift of leadership is given by God for the purpose of leading in the local church to direct the members of the body of Christ in fulfilling the purpose of the church. It is the ability to hear God’s vision, based on the truths of His Word, and lead people to work together to accomplish God’s plan.

“And God has placed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next, miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, managing, various kinds of languages” (1 Cor 12:28) .

The gift of administration is given by God for the purpose of managing the entities of the church in accomplishing the plan of God. It is the ability to organize and implement the plans given to God by the leader.

Each of has, by the very fact that we are believers, the calling and the capacity to lead. Some are gifted in leadership and so that gift is obvious to all. Consider the fact that we are all called to serve, yet some have the gift of service. Many of us are called to teach, but some of us are especially gifted in teaching. We are all called to be encouragers, yet some are have the gift of exhortation.

Whether we are gifted in the gift of leadership or not, we are all called to lead. The question is, how will we lead?

(Excerpts from Women Leading Women, chapter four, B&H Academic, Martin & Stovall.)

GIFTED and CALLED

“Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10) .

If God gave gifts to men, then we know that God had to be those things to give them. He can give leadership because he is the leader. He can give teaching ability because He is the teacher. He can give people the ability to shepherd because He is the shepherd. The list goes on. God is who He says He is and that is His character. While we could look at many aspects of His character, we will focus on that fact that God is the ultimate leader. We need to be looking to Him and His Word on just how to lead.

There has been a discussion for years whether leaders are born or bred. The answer is both are true. Some are gifted by God but as Christians, we are all called to lead. Leaders are those who see what needs to happen and then know how to make it happen. They know how to follow God and while doing so, know how to lead others. It is that balance of total submission to Him and His vision; but yet, total confidence in themselves as leaders. People follow people with vision.

Lord, help me to be faithful to serve others through the gifts you have given me.

(Excepts from Women Leading Women, chapter four, B&H Academic, Martin & Stovall.)

Take the gifted2go puzzle. Where do you fit in?

God has given you gifts to go! You are gifted2go!

i press on

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you" (Philippians 4:12-15, ESV)

i press on. Not because i want to. Not because i can. Not because it is the right thing to do. Not because someone will notice. Not because i will be recognized for pressing on. i press on because of Christ Jesus. i press on because i am compelled to press on.

Watching the Academy Awards made me think about how hard these actors and actresses worked to get recognition for their art. That's not why i press on. i press on because there is a lost and dying world out there. i press on because there are broken people everywhere. i press on because, through Christ, God has called me to press on. i press on to somehow, make a difference...because of Christ.

From the bottom of my heart, i pray that we are pressing on because of Jesus...not because we are looking for recognition. i pray that our motives are pure. Frankly, i'm tired of some trying to "get somewhere" or "be someone" using Jesus name for the wrong reasons. There is a hurting world out there. Let's get to it.

You are gifted2go.

God and Spilled Coffee

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7, English Standard Version).

It took me a few days, but God took a seemingly insignificant thing - spilled coffee - and turned it into a defining moment for me. I had just finished my quiet time. One swoosh and my coffee dumped all over the kitchen table. The spilled coffee somehow managed to hit every single thing I had out - two copies of the Bible (my big Bible and my smaller compact one), my large calendar with my whole life in it, and my journal with every thought that goes on in my crazy head. I managed to grab a towel and soak up what was left while standing everything up to dry it all out. I got a good laugh out of it but didn't see any meaning in it until yesterday. Then it hit me.

• We have plans, but God has greater plans.
  
• We read His Word but He still has the final word.
  
• We know our thoughts but His thoughts are the only ones that count.
  
• We fill our cups with coffee but God fills us with His immeasurable riches that spill over when we are least expecting it.

I have been greatly blessed by God. I always feel blessed but especially this week. God has taken something that might have been difficult and turned it into a blessing greater than any one I could have imagined. Something in my life that seemed to be disappointing was hardly realized because God has been re-affirming things over and over again all week. I wish I could sit and tell you all the details; however, suffice it to say... but God has come through and used spilled coffee to remind me that He is in control and He has given us immeasurable riches for us to spill over into the lives of others.

It is time for a new Bible. It is time for a new journal. I am still gifted2go...and you are too!

(Don't let life's spilled coffee get you down.)
You know you are loved!

http://www.esv.org/

Explaining the Gift of the Gospel

"He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained the way of God to him more accurately" (Acts 18:26, HCSB).

Priscilla and Aquila "explained the way of God more accurately" to Apollos (who was a Jew). After Apollos spoke in the synagogue, they took him home and explained the promise of Jesus (the Messiah) in such a way that he could understand it.

What does this mean for us? The passage speaks to me on many levels. First, I love that Priscilla and Aquila were out in the marketplace. They were not just sitting at church waiting for an unbeliever to come to visit. Secondly, how cool is this...they must have gone up to Apollos after he spoke and invited him over to their home. They didn't go confront him but they friended him and invited him over - possibly for a meal or refreshment. Thirdly, they took him where he was (a Jew) and pointed him to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

When is the last time you sought out someone and invited that person over? When did you take that person and bring them with you to walk life with you? I was impressed with one of our seminary gals who befriended a young high schooler from another country to come to Starbucks with us. This young gal did not grow up learning about Jesus, but by the testimony and life of this student, she is seeing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Who are you explaining the gift of the gospel to? Let's agree to look for the opportunities that God has before us every day!

Christmas Parties With Purpose!

The film, "It's A Wonderful Life" by Frank Capra, tells the story of George Bailey and the Hope that is found in Life! Jaye Martin has taken this movie and created a party with a purpose; "It's A Wonderful Life" Christmas Party, shared in a way that provides an opportunity to "gently" introduce your faith & hope in Christ with others especially during the wonderful Christmas season! This "Christmas Party With Purpose" and many more for those of all ages can be found on this free download listed below as we look for creative fun ways to Keep Christ In Christmas!!! Here are the 4 great evangelistic Christmas Ideas & Parties for you to enjoy and share, each with great simple detailed step by step instructions that are found in this free down-loadable evangelistic women's leadership notebook. My prayer is that this will enriched your life in Christ in many specials ways like it has enriched mine!

http://www.namb.net/atf/cf/%7BCDA250E8-8866-4236-9A0C-C646DE153446%7D/2005%20HCLL%20NOTEBOOK.pdf (written by Jaye Martin, Director of Women's Leadership, SBTS)

The above download notebook is 51 pages full of awesome ideas and tools for anyone desiring to share Jesus in and through their lives! Here are the specific Christmas Parties With Purpose and the pages that you can find all of the fun simple step by step details for you:

"Christmas Traditions Home Decorating & Tour" can be found on Pages 37-41: Christmas decorating ideas that each have a purpose that all point to Jesus! You will LOVE these ideas can be used in many ways; for a Christmas home tour, personal home witness, personal Christmas focus on the real meanings of Christmas as you raise your children and/or desire for your home to point others to The Reason for the Season~Jesus!

"It's A Wonderful Life" Christmas Party can be found on Pages 42-43: This evangelistic party is based upon Frank Capa's film "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. This party of fun and hope has been used to provide opportunities to "gently" introduce individuals to your faith in Jesus Christ as you also send a message of hope and availability to those needing to know more about where your Hope comes from! There is a step by step party planning guide that you will LOVE! I can already smell the popcorn:-)!

"Happy Birthday, Jesus" Christmas Party can be found on Pages 44-45: This evangelistic party is planned with young children and their parents in mind. The party host/hostess are your children or any children's ministy. You and children of all ages will LOVE the fun party planning simple guide as a Christmas atmosphere is enjoyed by all!

"Jesus Cake" Celebrations can be found on Page 46: You will LOVE this edible witnessing tool as the fun simple baking directions are listed for a wonderful evangelistic dessert! What a great tool that helps us all keep Christ in Christmas and keeps the message of Christ coming from our kitchen:-)! You can share this cake with family, Christmas gatherings, co-workers, neighbors, delivery people, anyone..... as we share The Greatest Gift~Jesus through this evangelistic edible GIFT~"Jesus Cake"!

Happy Birthday Jesus~Welcome To Our Christmas As We Share You With Our World!! AMEN!!!!

Welcome To Our Christmas Jesus~Welcome To Our World!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogWRU29J78I (you will love this song!)
Happy Birthday Jesus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQyXWllz5Ao (you will love this song!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oar123wgUH4 (you will love this song!)

empty life

"For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation—created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10, HCSB).


This week, I am finishing up the writing of session one of the eco: gifted2go launch package (the training course). I sure do covet your prayers and your input! As I think about this first chapter on grace and salvation, I cannot help but be thankful to God for the gift of Jesus Christ.

Many times we are given gifts and don't even appreciate them. Maybe it is a birthday gift or a Christmas gift, but we don't realize the time it took or the price the person had to pay for the gift. We may even like the gift but we take it for granted.

I admit that there have been times in my life when I have not appreciated the price that Jesus paid for my sins. I have not understood the sacrifice that God made by sending Jesus to die on the cross for me. He died to cover my wrongdoing and to give me entrance into heaven. He is there every single minute of every day to listen to me and to guide me. Is it too much to ask for me to share the gift of Jesus with others? I think not. It should be what I live for every day.

My life would be empty without Christ. What about your life?

• What makes life empty?
• How does God fill your life?
• What do I need to include in chapter one on Ephesians 1 and 2?

I would love to hear from you. I would love for you to pray for me this week as I seek Him and allow Him to write through me.

eco: gifted2go

"For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation—created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10, HCSB).

I am on my face thanking God that He is continuing to open doors for eco: gifted2go to reach a wider audience. I have learned that there are no assurances in life and especially in publishing, but it looks like my passion of mobilizing women may be able to happen with a publisher picking up my new material. Can I hear a HUGE GLO-reh???!!!

For those who have not heard, the material is based on a study of Ephesians with the four sessions of the course focusing on: grace and salvation, unity and giftedness, spiritual gifts for sharing Christ, and families and warfare. Ephesians 2:8-10 is the meat of it all with a simple gospel message using the logo above of an empty box illustrating an empty life, cross symbolizing a Christ-filled life, and the infinity sign placed on top like a bow to show the eternal difference that Christ makes in our lives and the eternal difference we can make in the lives of others. We have The Gift of Jesus, are able to give The Gift and thus we are gifted2go! The eco becomes our theme song as it stands for evangelistic concern for others and we are hopeful that all products will be eco-friendly with recycled products and natural material. Save the World. Give the Gift! As women go to the ends of the earth, they should be challenged to share the message using their spiritual gifts.

At this point, I am working on a little book (point-of-sale) called gifted that would give the gospel message and challenge women to go. I am also working on finishing up chapter one on Ephesians 1 and 2 (grace and salvation). I seriously need to know what you think needs to be included in this course and any thoughts you have on what this first chapter needs to include.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!