Monday, March 29, 2010

GUEST BLOGGER: Daneille Snowden

My friend, Daneille, currently resides in Newton, IL, where she and her husband, Brad, are ministering at New Life Christian Center. Daneille and Brad have been married for 22 years, and have been in the ministry just as long. They have 3 children: Nathan 18, Felecia 11 and Tabitha 7. Daneille says, "My heart is that everything I say and do will cause individuals to become closer to Jesus." She enjoys teaching from God's Word, first to her children, and to anyone else God sends her way.  Thankyou for sharing, Daneille!

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Asking for Prayer: It's Okay to Be Transparent
By: Daneille Snowden

I know for many people it is difficult for them to make a public prayer request known in church, e-mail or even facebook. Reasons vary; some of the most pronounced are, they are afraid others will judge them or will misunderstand their 'lack' of faith simply because they made the request. Others reserve the request to a small group who they know will REALLY pray (which is just fine).

There are always risks in being transparent and throwing your need out there, making yourself a bit vulnerable to the thoughts and words of others. I know this full well, being in the ministry for 22 years. But, the Lord has shown me time and time again; He didn't make me this way for me to hold the needs back; but to share them with brothers and sisters in Christ so they will pray and be a part of seeing God's Glorious miracles come to fruition.

Personally, I have held my dying mother in my hand believing for her restoration, I have been attacked, had my life threatened, sat at a lot of "last meals" trusting that the Lord (before the next) would supply. We have had witches from the occult surround our homes, as we called out to Jesus as well as having our church members pray.

What I am saying is, as one who has a need, don't hestitate to let your friends know so they can lift you up to the Throne Room. The larger percent really do care and will not judge, gossip or preach to you. They really will have godly compassion. As for those who don't, they will learn one day and be in need as well, in God's time. We all have something to learn.

To the ones who are reading or listening to a request, do that "listen-whisper" to God, praying, "If you have something for me to share with him (or her) to uplift him at this time, give me Your Words Lord."

One day this past week, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. with this heavy on my heart. I believe God wants more people to be open and to share their needs; and for more and more to really interceed. I feel the Lord challenging us. Let's really increase our ministry of intercession, more now than ever. We need each other.

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Sunday, March 21, 2010

GUEST BLOGGER: Rein Schmidt

Rein Schmidt lives in Newton, Illinois. He and his family are all involved at First Baptist Church where Rein teaches a Sunday School class, and helps teach with the Personal Touch Ministry (small groups) which meet once a month. The family loves being involved in the various ministries the Lord has given to them! Rein and his wife, Karen, have been married since 1973. He and his son, Eric, have their own Meteorology business in their home. Rein is the one in RED in the picture below. Thankyou for sharing, Rein!

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Running the Race
By: Rein Schmidt

Since the time I was a little boy, I always enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics. I was always fascinated by the athletes. They showed stamina, strength, and dedication to their particular sport. During each coverage of the Winter Olympics, the broadcasters would highlight a few of the athletes and tell the story of their achievements and success in getting to this point in their life. It was always remarkable to learn that each athlete dedicated an enormous amount of time to perfect their talents in their sport. For example, one story told of a figure skater who started at a very early age, learning to skate all the required elements so as to be able to compete competently. As she became older, she would get up and be at the ice rink by 4:00 in the morning and practice for 2 hours before school. After school she went back to the rink and practiced some more. This routine went on year after year. A broadcaster would ask her how she felt about giving up a normal childhood pursuing the goal of competing in the Olympics? She responded by saying, she sometimes wished she could spend more time with family and friends, but she just keeps her focus on the goal - the goal of winning a gold medal in the Olympics. That is the common element of all the athletes that compete in the Olympics. They all have sacrificed so much for the chance to win a gold metal.

This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 9:25, "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable". If the athletes sacrifice so much in pursuit of a perishable reward, how much more should we sacrifice in pursuit of an imperishable. When we accept Jesus as savior we become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). At that moment, a new process starts in our lives - the process of becoming more and more like Christ as we run in our faith. Our goal is worth so much more than a perishable reward.

Just as the athletes lay aside every encumbrance that would hinder them in achieving their goal, so are we to lay aside every encumbrance that hinders us from becoming more like Christ. According to Galatians 5:16-23, the deeds of the flesh are what hinder us from running the race. But, in comparison, the fruit of the Spirit is the right training for that race. Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…"

As we grow in Christ, we need to remember that He always has our best interest in mind (Romans 8:28). We have the assurance that God helps us in our running of the race. So let us continue to run. Let us keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. When we get to the end, let us be able to say what the Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Our reward will last forever and ever!
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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Some Do, But Only A Few...

As we near St. Patrick's Day, I think about the kind of life "St. Patrick" led and how he became determined to share his beliefs in Christ with others in the country of Ireland.

Below, you will see a little diaglogue I wrote that is meant to encourage us all to tell others about the Lord and what He has done for us. This can be done through our words AND our actions.....

SOME DO, BUT ONLY A FEW...

"Do you consider yourself to be a missionary?"

"A missionary! Me?"

"Yes, You."

"No, not me."

"Why not you? You're a Christian, aren't you?
"Yes. But, I . . . "

"You what?"

"Oh, I hate bugs!"

"Heh heh. I'm sorry, but that's not an excuse."

"What do you mean?"

"It's silly. You can't get away from bugs no matter where you are."

"That's true, I guess, but I'm allergic to the jungle."

"The jungle? Who said anything about a jungle?"

"You did."

"No I didn't. I asked if you consider yourself as a missionary."

"Well, don't missionaries go to the jungle?"

"Some do, but only a few."

"You mean, as a missionary I wouldn't have to go to Africa or South America?"

"Of course not. You don't even have to go overseas."

"Isn't that what missionaries do?"

"Some do, but only a few."

"So, where do the rest go?"

"They stay where they are."

"I don't understand."

"The definition of a missionary is: One who is sent to do a religious or charitable work in a certain territory. In other words, you can stay right here in your home town, tell others about the difference Jesus Christ has made in your life, and be considered a missionary."

"So, if a person is a Christian and is being a good witness for Christ through his words and actions, he is a missionary?"

"That's right. Not every Christian is commanded to go overseas, but we ARE all commanded to be witnesses for Christ."

"But, not every Christian obeys this command, do they?"

"Some do, but only a few."


-Victoria L. Stankus

Acts 22:15 - For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. (NAS)
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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Here for Each Other

I admit there are times when, in spite of all the encouraging words I have dished out, I can get just as discouraged and overwhelmed as anyone else. This past Friday was one of those times.

I had 5 different things I was trying to work through at once and, finally, it all came to a head. I was completely overwhelmed with trying to “fix” everything that wasn’t the way I thought it should be... my recent health issues related to my thyroid, my son’s issues related to his Tourettes Syndrome, my daughter’s issues related to her autism, curriculum issues related to finding the right fit for my children, and my husband’s issues related to the stress he has been under for various reasons. I’ve always been very pro-active in researching various things to help my family and I make the right decisions, and it is enough to have just one of these issues to deal with, let along FIVE of them! (I’m not trying to make anyone feel sorry for me, but am just explaining what I was feeling and how overwhelmed I was at the time.)

However, through the encouragement and prayers of friends and family, I was able to make it through this difficult spell. I am so thankful for all of you who reached out to me in my time of need.

I espeically want to thank Derek Martell for allowing God to speak to me through your sermon at church today. Derek was talking about the trials we go through in life and, at one point said, instead of asking God “Why?” we should ask Him, “What can I do to use this for Your glory?” I realized, at that point, the reason I was so overwhelmed by my recent struggles was because my focus was in the wrong place. I was focusing on ME and how these issues are interfering with MY life when, instead, I should have been focusing on how God can be glorified through them. That’s what life is supposed to be about. Its not about US, but about serving God and glorifying Him in all we do.

So, the next time I get discouraged and overwhelmed by something, I give anyone who is reading this blog permission to remind me of this. And, I hope you will not be upset with me if I remind you of it as well. We are all here for each other, and we need to help keep each other on track.