The Tie That Binds

June 27, 2009 – 11:00 pm

Those who know me well understand how important my family is to me.  I look forward to spending Christmas at my sister’s; going on vacation with my family; talking to my Mom at least twice a day; sharing secrets with my sister; joking with my brother; getting to know my youngest nephew, and basking in the love of my first, born nephew. 

The Johns family is a close-knit family, and I am thankful for this tie.  I contribute the closeness to the wisdom God gave my daddy.  He always prayed with us, over us and in the midst of us.

The tie that binds, as daddy would say, is God’s love.  He always reminded me of how much God loves all people.  This love transcends what I could ever do. (I still need to be obedient and ask for forgiveness when I fail.)  In other words, love covers a multitude of sin.   Therefore, he would say, we are to love each other, no matter what. 

Sure he reminded us that we are still obligated to act respectfully toward each other and treat each other according to God’s Word and so forth.  Nevertheless, love should always be the tie that binds the Johns family.  This was  the Johns- family-call and our individual responsibility.  

In the midst of all that I am (a wreck some days; on task other days; loveable AND hate-able, etc.), I still try to live out of the tie that binds for all eternity–God’s love for me, my love for Him and His love for others. 

Let’s show the world the love that binds–God’s love.  Who knows…it might just be the very reason God allows a divine appointment with someone who crosses your path today. 

“Lord, you instructed us to love you with our whole being and to love our neighbor as ourself.  Please help us allow this love to be all that You desire.  May we get over ourselves and our stuff so that You can get through to others and us with the only love that binds.”

By Shelly Johns | Posted in Devotional | Comments (0)

On Top of Ole Smoky

June 25, 2009 – 1:12 pm

Written by Lauren Helfenbein, guest blogger

I grew up in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and there is nothing I love more than being in the mountains.  The first time I moved away from them to live on flat land, I literally felt off balance.  When visiting my childhood home, I swell up with pride once I have the mountain range in view.  The tedious miles are worth the trip the minute I top the hill of Hwy 66 and see my beautiful mountains!  I immediately shout with singing and my heart is filled with excitement.

My love for these mountains may seem backward or odd to some, but I love them because they invoke wonder and amazement at God’s handiwork.  The songs I sing when the mountains come in view are songs of worship to our Creator God.  When in the foothills, you can look upon them and see each ridge (if the sun is shining just right), and you see what looks like a painting in the fall with leaves of red, yellow, and orange.  In the winter the snow caps are breathtaking.  In hiking these mountains, one can’t help but think of how small we are and how majestic God is! 

I am not the only one in history to swell with praise at God’s creation.  King David writes in Psalm 19:1-2, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.“  God created the universe to show His glory.  Creation demonstrates God’s power and wisdom.  The intricate detail of creation is more than any creature could have imagined.  Creation is dependent upon God, Job 12:10 reads, “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.“  Creation should remind us of our need for the Father; it should drive us to know Him more, and to revel in His glory.

Let us go out today and enjoy God’s creation.  We should be challenged to look around and enjoy the goodness of His work.  Look for ways to be a better steward of that in which our Creator has entrusted us.  Let us cry out with Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you have created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” 

 written by Lauren Helfenbein, guest blogger

By Shelly Johns | Posted in Devotional | Comments (0)

…The Best Thing

June 21, 2009 – 5:48 pm

  One of my favorite things is watching a movie at the gym.  I am even one of those people who will phone ahead and ask what’s playing to determine whether or not to take headphones and watch TV instead or simply exercise at home.  (I try to disguise my voice each time.  Okay?)

Recently, while watching a particular movie, one character (a doctor of the patient who died) couldn’t understand why another person (husband of the patient who died) was so mad at him (the doctor)–even when the husband knew the doctor was not at fault.

When he (the doctor) finished explaining his thoughts to a friend, she said to him (and I loosely paraphrase), “you don’t get it do you?  You are a part of the worst thing that has happened to him.”

Just like that, the light was on, and the doctor glimpsed the man’s pain, understanding the state (the heart-felt position) of the man. 

This is when it hit me.  Jesus not only glimpsed our “state,” He “bore the sin of many (you and me), and made intercession for the transgressors (us)” Isaiah 53:12, and changed our (all who accept Him as Savior and Lord) state.

He, who had nothing to do with the worst thing that happened to mankind (through the disobedience of one), gave His life (the obedience of the One), which is “the best thing” that could ever happen.

I had to ask myself, “how’s your sharing, Shelly?  Are you allowing God to use you to be a part of “the best thing” that has happened (and will ever happen) while on earth in the lives of many?  In other words, am I living out the standards of His Word and sharing Him as He provides opportunities?”

Are you?

“Father, far too often, we are a part of some of the worst things that happen in the lives of others:  we gossip, cheat, steal, hold grudges, and often do not speak to others for petty reasons.  In light of the cross, any reason is petty, Father.  Lord the list goes on.  Forgive us.  May we be a part of the best thing instead—sharing in the eternal, life altering change of  Your forgiveness in the lives of others.  In Jesus’ name.”

By Shelly Johns | Posted in Devotional | Comments (0)

Oh how the Lord answers prayers!

June 18, 2009 – 4:38 pm

A couple of days ago my youngest son who is 14 was playing soccer.  He ended up getting hit in the head pretty hard by another player.  After about an hour he still seemed dazed and fuzzy so I took him to the ER just for safe measures.  After waiting the usual 4 hours they declared that he was all good from his head butt. Great! Let’s go!  But….the doctor proceed to tell us that on the CT scan they found a 13mm cyst in a gland of his brain.  What?!

Being the Internet savvy mom that I am as soon as I got home I started researching this particular cyst.   Everything I found was not good.  At 16mm people had died from it.  Surgery was the common cure for the cyst, but of course it had complications to.

The doctor ordered an MRI to get a better look at the cyst.  We had 4 days to wait and worry.  We called, e mailed, and text the prayer request out and then we waited.

We have been in the ministry a long time and it seems like every time the church seems to grow, my health gets bad.  I have blamed it on the devil trying to get my husband’s (Tom) eyes off the Lord’s work.  I have always told him to keep going and let me tend to me.  Soon enough the devil gets the picture and quits.  I always feared the day that he moved on to our children.  This, I felt, was the time.

Today as soon as medical records opened I ran down there and got a copy of the MRI results.  NO CYST!!!  That’s right-NONE!  There is a small area that had been misdiagnoised has the cyst.  The spot is fine and will not cause problems and he can do whatever he wants!

Oh how the Lord answers prayers!!  With much joy I called everyone to tell them the news.  Elation spread throughout!  Thank you is just two small words, eight tiny letters, but to me it holds the weight of the world in gratitude to my Saviour!

By Aundie Starks | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Soaring Higher

June 15, 2009 – 3:15 pm

  While riding in a friend’s car, I heard a minister discuss the importance of your attitude.  He mentioned how we give witness to God with the proper countenance, which is dependent upon one’s attitude.

My favorite part of the message was in how he related an eagle’s response to a crow’s pestering.   He does not stop flying.

According to this minister, often times, when a crow pesters an eagle, the eagle will simply spread out his wings and soar to higher heights. 

He continued by stating that an eagle can even soar to 20,000 ft-the height of many planes!  The crow cannot do this, as he is unable to breathe (exist) beyond a certain height.

I recalled the many times that I have let someone else disturb me to the point that I have changed altitudes-lowering my attitude because of “crows” such as a negative comment, a disapproving look for no apparent reason, a gesture that was obviously done out of total disrespect for me as a human being, or someone’s jealousy (or my own!).

As a child of King, we have a position because of a Person-Jesus Christ.  This position obligates and the Holy Spirit empowers us to be imitators of Christ.

When we govern ourselves according to the Word, we soar above the ridicule, jealousy, anger, negative situations, hurt, failures, etc.  The things or concerns of this world are rendered powerless over our attitude because of our focus, which allows us to soar.

So, let’s give those “crows” a shake the next time we are “pestered” by the things of this world.  Let’s “prepare [our] minds for action; be self-controlled; [setting] our hope fully on the grace to be given… [for we] are a chosen people…belonging to God” (1 Peter 1:13; 2:9).

By Shelly Johns | Posted in Leadership | Comments (0)

Riding on Clouds

June 7, 2009 – 1:22 am

 
 I was on a plane Saturday.  Before boarding, I was talking to the Lord.  At some point in the conversation, I asked God to help me see His wonders “this day.”  About 40 minutes into the flight, we ran into bad air.  (For just a minute, I thought perhaps I should have been more specific.  Smile.)

Before the turbulence, I was reading Psalm 121 and then continued with Psalm 122.  Of course as the turbulence increased, so did my prayers.  (It’s only natural, right?)

As I looked out the window and continued to pray, I felt God say, “read Psalm 68.”  I began with verse 1 and stopped after verse 4, which read “…extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name Yah (Lord), and rejoice before Him.”

At that moment, I looked out the window and saw the most beautiful clouds that I remember while flying.  They actually looked like cotton balls scattered all around.

Momentarily, I was shot forward into child-like faith, and I asked God, “Which cloud are you riding?”  (Children are usually literal processors.)  In the quietness of my spirit, I heard Him say, “I am on all of them.”

I choked back tears as I “rejoiced before Him.” Although I was looking out of the same window as I was before, I forgot about the turbulence because I was so focused on extolling the Lord and rejoicing before Him because of my new focus.  Before I realized it, we were preparing to land.

Friend, He is Lord.  Your situation or turbulent path at the moment should not be the focus.  From that same “window,” focus on Him so that You don’t miss His wonders along the way.  They are too awesome for words.  Before you know it, you will land in a new place with Him. 

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation” (vs. 19)!

By Shelly Johns | Posted in Devotional | Comments (0)

Living in a connected yet disconnected world

June 6, 2009 – 4:45 pm

I was listening to the radio the other day and a caller was complaining about how has a society we have become the most connected, yet disconnected group.  He is totally right!  We communicate more now than we ever have…e mail, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and texting.  We are in constant contact with people, but are we really connected to them?

A friend of mine was talking about her daughter and her new boyfriend.  She asked her if they ever talk.  She explained that they text all the time!  My friend was surprised and asked, “but do you talk to each other?”

There is a big difference in technical communication and verbal communication.  We lose the closeness that we had.  You can’t hear how a person is doing by reading words on a screen.  They can’t hear the love and concern you have either.

Teenagers today have fallen into the techno trap.  They do everything by technology.  That is how they are learning to do things.  As adults we too are heading in that direction, just a little slower.

I am very guilty of it myself.  I check my email, get on Facebook and send text all through my cell phone.  I am NEVER without my cell phone.  I use it for everything…calendar, calculator, computer, photo album, MP3 and I can even watch some of my favorite shows I have missed on it. 

When I heard this gentleman on the radio I realized that we all (me included) need to take the time to make a phone call, go see someone in person, write a hand written letter!  Take the time to show others we really care!  Let’s teach our children about technology, but also about the wonderful world of old fashioned phone calls and letters!

By Aundie Starks | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

In her honor…

May 28, 2009 – 6:02 pm

 Paula Powell, my ministry assistant of five years, walked out of the building today for the last time as a Kentucky Baptist Convention employee.

She decided (not today… a couple of months ago.  smile.) that it was time to enjoy her grand kids (quintuplets), her husband, other family members and have the freedom to volunteer in God’s service, whereever He leads.

Paula was more than an assistant.  She was/is my friend.  I was able to share ministry thoughts with her, unload frustrations,  and shout praises.  I was even allowed to be grumpy without penalty.  (She was given this grace as well.)

She was one of those people (few and far between) who understood the greater work (as unto the Lord) and approached the work with great integrity, a sense of calling to ministry as well, and impeccable attention to detail.

Paula understood the meaning of confidentiality and loved taking the time to encourage a caller who would sometimes need to have a sensitive, listening ear (when they really called to inquire about a Bible study).

I will miss my assistant and friend who joined me in ministry with her heart and hands.   ”Paula, thank you for your commitment to God and  faithful service at the Kentucky Baptist Convention.  You will be greatly missed.”

By Shelly Johns | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Single to Single…

May 24, 2009 – 6:13 pm

Lessons come and go; however, there are those that linger longer in your heart because of the situation, what may have been lost, or perhaps because of what God allowed you to discover–about YOURSELF.

One recent heart-lesson will not soon be forgotten.  I had to “cast aside a weight” because he was (in the words of my best friend) not “adding anything worthwhile to my life.”

Afterwards, I shed a few tears, wrote some words in my journal, and thanked God for His intervention.

Later I was talking to a friend who reiterated wisdom to me:

1.  don’t date anyone who is not attracted to the God in you.  (Physical attraction is normal, but the great guys are also attracted to the spiritual side of you too–assuming that you are staying in step with the Spirit.)

2.  make sure that you do not compromise Christian values–NONE. (Dating can be fun, but be alert to subtle or not so subtle changes in your faith walk.)

3.  quickly release the “catch” if he is not adding anything to your walk.  (In other words, if he is not one of the motivating God factors in your life, why are you in the relationship?  You should both spur each other on toward righteousness. There are other fish in God’s sea!)

Well, my sisters (single or not), let’s keep our hearts laid bare before God and with His guidance “throw off everthing that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

By Shelly Johns | Posted in Single Women | Comments (0)

Heart Reflections…

May 21, 2009 – 2:07 pm

 My friend and KBC women’s ministry blog writer, Donna Coffey, has taken a momentary hiatus to walk with her husband through his  (their) cancer journey.

Donna and I have partnered in women’s ministry for some time, starting after I enlisted her to lead a workshop during Super Saturday at least five years ago.

As she continues offering support and love to Tom, please read her words to me in an email, which I share with her permission:

many years ago, God laid on my heart a book entitled “Living With Cancer.”  At  the time, I assumed that I would be the one with cancer, writing about my experiences, and I had never related it to my current situation. But this week, in my quiet time, God revealed that I am indeed am ”living with cancer” right now.  When a family member has cancer, the whole family lives with it too.  I’ve also come to understand that there’s an entire area of ministry that’s often overlooked when it comes to ministering to patients and their families during this process.  Please pray with me  that I will follow God’s direction on this matter and that I will use the quarantine time at the hospital to focus on this writing.

You just heard a bit of her heart.  Please pray with and for Tom and Donna during this time.  They and so many families need your prayer support.

Thank you for standing in the gap for this family and many others fighting for their lives.  To God be the glory for all that He has done, is doing and will do.  Blessings.

(Donna, thank you for seeking God’s face in this journey.  You are an extraordinary woman of God.  Much love to Tom and you, in the mix of endless and fervent prayers.  Be strong and courageous!)

By Shelly Johns | Posted in Devotional | Comments (0)