Old Tennis Shoes

I have started a Bible study called " Walking by Faith, Lessons learned in the dark" written by a blind lady Jennifer Rothschild. It caught my attention because of the fieldtrips that God calls us to. I have never done one of her studies before but I can tell already that God is going to use this study in his word to impact my walk of faith in ways that I can't even imagine, so I am excited about that!

One of the lessons in the book that I was reading was about fear. The timing was ALL God! I have been experiencing some of that!

My mother was just diagnosed with a large clot in the main artery of her thigh. She has been undergoing shots and medicines to thin her blood. My mother is my BEST friend in life. I can tell her anything and everything and her unconditional love is something that has given me the strength to continue to walk many times. That is just ONE of the things that I was experiencing fear about.

This is what Jennifer writes. " Fear is a feeling, trust is a choice." My choice to trust God will envitably change my feelings of fear. She says, " When we say that we trust God yet never risk acting on His Word, we really don't trust Him at all. Trust shows itself when it leaves the tip of our tongues and lands on our tennis shoes and we begin to walk-not just talk-our faith."

I am learning that God wants us to have tennis shoes available as well as the hiking boots! There are times that we will have to run with perserverance.

"Let Us Run With Perseverance The Race That Is Set Before Us..." (Hebrews 11 and 12:1,2)

So how do we do this?

We shall keep on running regardless of distractions. We must run singlemindedly; run with a focus, a concentration, a determination that is aware only of the matter at hand. We must run with an intensity that unfailingly announces our steadfastness.

To run with perseverance means we shall keep on running patiently. The race of the Christian fieldtrip isn't a sprint that ends in 9.35 seconds. It's a long race, a lifelong race. We must run patiently.

Be sure to run so as to finish. It is only as we finish -- who cares if we get to our goal with scraped knees and bleeding face? -- it is only as we finish that we find ourselves admitted to the great cloud of witnesses in the company of our elder brother, Jesus. And it is only as we finish that God himself is glorified.

So Brothers and Sisters in Christ keep your tennis shoes ready too because we obviously need those as well as hiking boots, it depends on the terrain and know that there are others cheering you on as you trust God to get you where he wants you!

Dee Ann

Skate Church

Last night Rodney, London, Dastena and I went to skate church. I know your probably thinking what is skate church? Well, it is a ministry that our church has for mainly unchurched kids that skate and some that don't. It is an awesome evangelistic outreach. This will be my 3rd year to be involved at skate church. As you know, I am pretty busy these days with 3 teenagers , working full time, juvenile prison ministry and a ladies growth group! So, I have been thinking... not praying much but thinking... God I need a break! I had rehearsed my excuse several times in my head on the drive.

At the right time, I told the skate church's pastor's wife, that I was thinking about taking a little time off. She totally understood and was very gracious. Well, about 10 minutes after telling her this, I go outside to mingle with the kids. I start talking to a teen girl that one of the other leaders had mentioned that he thought she could really use a woman leader to talk to her. So, I start making small talk with her. While I am talking to her, another young man comes up and starts talking to us. Now this is where it really gets wild. It is a kid that use to be at Medlock. The Juvenile Prison that we go to minister at. SO... one thing leads to another and I start telling them my testimony. They both have very similar stories in that they have used drugs and are struggling just to survive. I shared with both of them how God has changed my life and given me a purpose and how he has a purpose for their lives as well. By this time, the young lady is starting to cry so I ask if she wants to go talk somewhere quieter. She says yes.

We talked for a long time and then I ask her, " where are you in your walk with Christ?" She answered, " Nowhere and I don't want to be." I was kinda taken aback and then asked "Why?" Her answer was that her Mother and Father ( who are divorced) claims to be Christian and if that is the way Christians are that she didn't want to be one. She proceeded to tell me through tears that her mother is a drunkard and sleeps with her boyfriend on Saturday night and then goes to church on Sunday. Her father is the same. My heart broke into pieces. I asked if I could pray for her and her family. She said ok. Her heart is so hurt and hardened. I felt so sorry for her. She truly didn't want to have anything to do with Christ. But, why was she at church? God is pursuing her and I told her that she can be a follower of Christ and not JUST a believer. I am praying that she will come to faith and will make a difference in her family.

On the drive home, I pondered everything. I went to resign and instead I connected with two kids that are hurting. God impressed on me the importance of our walk with him. These kids are screaming out " SHOW US this God stuff works in life." It made me really really evaluate my walk and the impact it has on others. God forgive me for when I haven't walked close with you and led others away from you instead of to you. God help me to walk so close that the sand is still warm from your footprints. Not running ahead or falling behind. Help us in this faith walk Lord!! Amen.