AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
No. 9
2015
FOOD FOR SOUL
M A G A Z I N E
Food For Soul Is a menu of inspirational articles, and information to encourage a deliberate lifestyle physically, emotionally, but most important spiritually. Food For Soul serves up recipes for the kitchen, as well as for life! The contributing writers come from all different backgrounds, professions, and experiences that contribute much inspiration! The magazine is a ministry tool to raise funds both globally and locally for causes such as, WATER FOR LIFE, STAR OF HOPE MISSIONS, FAMILIES FEEDING FAMILIES, and many more. We sponsor advertising for these organizations to encourage giving, and inspire communities to get involved as we spread the message of Jesus Christ. We pray that you will join us on this mission to mend and help enable a community broken. Sponsor an ad for as little as $39 a month in this magazine and receive up to a full page ad for your business. No contract required. Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) ‌to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
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www.foodforsoulmagazine.com P.O. BOX 304 TOMBALL, TX 77377 Disclaimer of Content Food for Soul assumes no responsibility for the relevance, accuracy, completeness or quality of information provided in this magazine or on the website. Liability claims against Food for Soul which refer to damage of a material or immaterial nature caused by use or disuse of the provided information, or the use of incorrect and incomplete information, are excluded unless Food for soul is at fault through intention or negligence. All tips, and offers through advertisement and or articles and content provided by contributing writers are subject to change and are non-binding. Food for Soul reserves the right to change, add to, delete and temporarily or permanently alter and or edit articles, commentaries, and content in part or in its entirety without prior notice. Any and all information pertaining to health, medical, or mental well-being is provided2 for reading entertainment purpose offering alternative tips by your choosing not to diagnose or treat any condition. We advise that you speak to your doctor before adding or changing a regimen in your diet and or medication.
A Word from the Publisher Greetings and a warm welcome to our 9th issue of Food for Soul Magazine! We couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to bring to our reading audience pages of aweinspiring articles, information, and recipes for the soul and the kitchen. Please take some time to get to know the layout of our magazine. You will notice each page is filled with material to enhance, encourage, and provide practical ways to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. You can look at one category at a time, or examine the articles page by page to choose which to read first. Just as with any paper magazine, you can choose to sit and read the whole thing at once, or come back to this issue several times to digest the articles more leisurely. We established this on-line magazine to promote a strong deliberate life-style of giving and a heart to serve. What you will find in the pages of Food for Soul Magazine, is a collection of inspiring, educational articles written by actual, honest, downto-earth folks who work hard to live deliberately, but who are not afraid to admit the struggles that we often sometimes experience. We are honored to share the work of committed people who live their lives with a purpose and a plan to promote a work that will help many lives. Feel free to leave comments and share your thoughts or ask the authors a question. We appreciate your support and are so pleased to have you as a reader of Food for Soul Magazine. With warmest thanks,
Brenda Graff
Brenda A. Graff FOUNDER Food For Soul Magazine Being a former news reporter sparked a great desire in me to continue writing and researching, but with a purpose to help others. Being a wife, and mom of six has had its challenges, but it has taught me much along the journey and to utilize the experience to ignite a passion for positive change in our communities. Much time is spent on projects, and ministry. At other times you will find me in the kitchen creating new dishes. Currently, I am a busy homeschooler, Grandmother of two, and when I’m not wrapped up with family or community…spend many hours working on my God-given passion, which is pen to paper with a purpose!
Seeking contributing writers Send comments, recipes, photos, articles, or poems to: INSPIREME@FOODFORSOULMAGAZINE.COM FOOD FOR SOUL MAGAZINE - P.O.BOX 304 TOMBALL, TEXAS 77377
www.foodforsoulmagazine.com 3
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By Justin Irving
A few weeks ago Tasha and I celebrated 17 Years of Marriage! Part of this year’s anniversary celebration included some time for Tasha and I to reflect on lessons from our first 17 years of marriage.
Here is a quick overview of our 17 Lessons:
1. Prioritize Time Together 2. Keep Short Accounts 3. Laugh Often 4. Learn and Speak One Another’s Love Language 5. Appreciate, Don’t Expect 6. Celebrate One Another, Including the Differences 7. The Kids Are #2 8. Ride the Waves like a Pro with the Ups and Downs of Life 9. Keep the Friendship, and the Romance, Alive 10. Give Tech a Timeout 11. The Grass is Greenest Here 12. Enjoy the Mountaintops and the Mundane 13. Dream and Grow Together 14. Change Yourself, Not Each Other 15. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff 16. Listen and Learn 17. Stay Connected to the Vine
1. Prioritize Time Together A healthy marriage doesn’t just happen. It takes time— time together. So we start our list off with this simple and vital lesson: Prioritize Time Together. Do this daily through small acts like enjoying conversation over coffee or a meal. Do this weekly through time away from daily routines while out on a date. Do this quarterly and annually through retreats—spontaneous nights away at a bed and breakfast, camping over a weekend, or mini vacations. Do this periodically as you celebrate big for the 5, 10, 15-year and beyond anniversaries. 2. Keep Short Accounts Learn to keep short accounts. It’s easy to hold on to what offends us, but this is not a recipe for healthy marriage. We are reminded in the Bible to “not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26). While this doesn’t mean that we magically forget all offenses as the sun goes down each day, this does point us to the principle of regularly, even daily, forgiving and being forgiven from the small offenses that can build up in a marriage. Jesus taught His disciples to pray “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). Similarly, we read in Colossians 3:13 to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” The Gospel reminds us that the need to forgive and be forgiven is a regular part of healthy relationships. Because we are forgiven by the Lord when we trust in Jesus, we also ought to regularly and generously forgive one another.
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3. Laugh Often Tasha and I love to hear each other laugh. I find that it is really hard not to smile when I hear Tasha laugh. Laughing often is good for our relationship. But there is one important qualification here. Humor and laughter needs to be with, not at, each other. Laughter at the other’s expense can be dangerous if it becomes the norm. While it is helpful to not take ourselves too seriously, regularly laughing at one another can slowly erode a healthy marriage. Rather, learn to laugh often with each other. Remember, “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). 4. Learn and Speak One Another’s Love Language What communicates love most to your spouse? Over our first 17 years, Tasha and I are continuing to learn and aiming to speak one another’s love language. While there are many ways to communicate love, author Gary Chapman points to five primary languages of love: gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, and physical touch. What is your primary and secondary love language? What are your spouse’s primary and secondary love languages? Are you taking time to learn these languages? Are you intentionally stepping out of your comfort zone to speak in the language that speaks to them?
Rather, Tasha and I continue to learn the importance of appreciating rather than expecting. A mindset of appreciation helps us to receive from one another with gratitude rather than implicitly demand from one another with our expectations. A focus on appreciating nurtures the spirit of grace and gratitude we desire to have with one another rather than a contractual, quidpro-quo type spirit. We are learning the joy of generously giving to one another and returning this generosity with appreciation rather than expectation. 6. Celebrate One Another, Including the Differences Celebrating both common values and complementary personalities has been a key for Tasha and me over the years. This translates into genuinely celebrating one another. From a common core of values, such as our common faith in Christ, we are able to enjoy and treasure our differences. For those that know MBTI personality types well, we are a marriage of an INTJ and an ENFP. Although we share our common “N” of iNtuition, we are on opposite sides of the continuum on most of the other personality dimensions. While this is only one way of looking at our differences, for us the adage that “opposites attract” feels quit true for us. From the way we approach work, problems, parenting, and beyond, our differences regularly complement one another.
For Tasha, 17 years tells me that quality time is a key love language for her. In the busyness of life, I can’t use a quick gift or word of affirmation to replace quality time. Time matters for most people, but it especially matters for my bride.
Though early in our marriage these very differences often became points of frustration, over the years we have learned that these commonalities and complements enrich our lives and make us better people. Both the commonalities and complements are to be enjoyed and celebrated in healthy relationships, and Tasha and I are learning to do this a little better each year of marriage.
Learn your spouse’s love language and speak it often.
7. The Kids Are #2
5. Appreciate, Don’t Expect Somewhat of an extension of our previous reflection on learning and speaking one another’s love language, managing our expectations has been very important for us. Tasha and I have learned that we cannot expect each other to “read one another’s minds,” though we often want that. When we come to expect something from each other, we often are setting ourselves up for disappointment.
With five children in our family, parenting is a major part of our lives. Although we treasure our kids, Tasha and I feel that one of the best things we can do for our kids is to show them that when it comes to Mom and Dad’s relationship, the children come second (sorry kids!). Rather than being the center of our relationship, children are an outgrowth of our marriage relationship. 6
Marriages that are centered on children often run into difficulties when children are launched from the home. Conversely, marriages that celebrate and prioritize one another often stand the test of time. We are not talking about being selfish and withholding what kids genuinely need. Rather, it is about affirming that the best gift we can give our children is a stable, loving, and health marriage. Part of fighting for the joy of our kids is by keeping each other, our friendship and our romance, as the priority in our family as the years of parenting move forward. 8. Ride the Waves like a Pro in the Ups and Downs of Life As Tasha and I once heard musicians Sara and Toby Groves joke about in one of their concerts, we also sometimes say “We’ve been happily married 15 years, and married for 17.” While we joke about this, there is certainly truth behind the humor. Not every year of our marriage has been full of joy and ease. We have had significant seasons where frustration, arguments, and depression have colored our relationship. For us this came around years four and five of our marriage especially. As we think back on those difficult days, we are grateful for the help of pastors, counselors, friends, family, and neighbors who supported us along the way. In addition to the support around us, Tasha and I are also thankful that early in our marriage we banished the “D” word (divorce) from our relational vocabulary. Though we have had difficult seasons, we have drawn on our promise to one other to stay, and part of this has been to never channel our feelings in such a way where we would threaten each other with the language of divorce. As we are now 17 years into this journey of marriage, one key benefit is the perspective that comes with the gift of time together over these years. When we had a difficult year after only four years together, it was challenging to find perspective. But now we have more shared history in life together. This history provides perspectives for us to see that the ups and downs are a normal part of life together in relationship.
Like surfing pros find the most joy in turbulent waters, 17 years into marriage Tasha and I are learning to ride the waves together through the highs and lows of life. We promised each other we would stay “for better, for worse … till death do us part,” and we actually meant it. There is no one I’d rather go through the ups and downs of life with than my bride. 9. Keep the Friendship, and the Romance, Alive Just before our wedding, Tasha had the following engraved on the inside of my wedding ring: Song of Solomon 5:16. The phrase to which Tasha was referring is this: “This is my beloved and this is my friend.” When I look at my ring, I am regularly reminded of this precious and unique beloved-friend relationship Tasha and I share. Our marriage is the only relationship in our lives that embodies this unique combination of both friendship and romance. Although I have many friends, only Tasha occupies the position as my closest friend. Although I have many friends, Tasha alone is my lover. With five children, our marriage relationship is not 24-7 roses and candles. But in the midst of “mundane” living, we daily have the opportunity to nurture both the friendship and romance in our relationship. Although this sometimes finds its expression in an intentional romantic evening out on a date, the friendship and romance is more often found in the small gestures— gestures like checking in with one another throughout a busy day, serving one another with a task the other finds burdensome, or the lingering hug and kiss as we pass in the kitchen. Keeping both the friendship and romance alive is vital for a healthy and thriving marriage.
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10. Give Tech a Timeout As we are now 17 years into this journey of While it is true is noisone than Tasha I marriage, onethat keythere benefit theother perspective would rather be next to as we are on our phones, tablets, that comes with the gift of time together or computers, better When than this to justa be with each over these years. weis had difficult other as we “give year after onlytech foura timeout.” years together, it was challenging to find perspective. But now we The point is not to demonize technology, but rather to have more shared history in life together. This prioritize technology as it should be—behind and history provides perspectives for us to see subordinate to our relationship. that the ups and downs are a normal part of life in relationship. Onetogether of the things I appreciate most about technology is its capacity to facilitate communication with people Like surfing pros find the most joy in turbulent through pathways like email and Facebook. As a married waters, 17 years into marriage Tasha and I couple, however, these other forms of communication are learning to ride the waves together must not take priority over our marriage and friendship. through the highs and lows of life. We promised each we me would stay “for in One of the keys forother Tasha and is to be proactive better, for worse … till doset usaside part,” and communicating when wedeath want to technology we actually meant it. There is no one so we can focus on one another. At times this I’d means rather leaving go ourthrough phones the in another ups androom downs as of welife enjoy with than my bride. conversation and time together. Other times, this means we mutually decide we want to catch up on emails ________________________ together. As you consider the principles of (1) Whether utilizing technology, or giving tech a timeout, appreciating over expecting, (2) the key is to be proactive in seeing that technology celebrating both commonalities and serves your marriage and friendship and does not take complements, (3) prioritizing our spouse over away from it. our kids, and (4) riding the waves through the 11. The Grass is Greenest ups and downs of life,Here what is your biggest takeaway this week? In the book of Exodus (20:17) and Deuteronomy (5:21), weKeep find the command: shall not covet 9. thefollowing Friendship, and “You the Romance, your neighbor’s house.” The New Testament also Alive reaffirms these cautions around coveting (e.g., Luke Just before our wedding, Tasha had the 12:15 and James 4:2). What is behind these commands? following engraved on the inside of my How does this relate to marriage? wedding ring: Song of Solomon 5:16. The The concept of coveting is about desiring phrase to which Tasha was referring is this:after something does not belong you.friend.” Here’s one “This is mythat beloved and this to is my formal definition: “to my desirering, wrongfully, When I look at I am inordinately, regularly or without due regard for the rights of others.” reminded of this precious and unique beloved-friend relationship Tasha and I In marriage, it is right, fitting, and beautiful for Tasha and share. I to desire one another, fantasize about one another, and enjoy one another through physical intimacy. This is the relationship in which these desires are to find their expression for us.
In contrast to these healthy and beautiful expressions in marriage, sin also promises to fulfill desires. The problem is these desires are counterfeit and rob couples of true and lasting pleasure. Here are a few counterfeits that compete with marital love in our day: pornography in all its expressions (from visual images to fantasy novels); looking longingly to the romance of others through film and other story book forms; or, looking to other individuals outside of marriage to find physical or emotional fulfillment of desires. Often times, such outlets are motivated by comparison. We think that the “grass is greener” somewhere else. The problem with this line of thinking is that it is comparing the real to the counterfeit. While the counterfeit entices with fleeting pleasure, the real offers stable and lasting pleasure. In other words, the grass really is greenest right here. For Tasha and I, the grass is greenest and the pleasure is the best right here in our marriage. The Bible’s wise cautions against coveting are not about killing joy, but rather fulfilling joy. Treasure the gift God has given to you; enjoy the real and set aside the counterfeit. 12. Enjoy the Mountaintops and the Mundane In the Movie “Good Will Hunting,” the character named Sean (played by Robin Williams) shares life lessons with the young Will (played by Matt Damon). As Sean remembers his wife who passed away two years earlier, he recounts for Will “the good stuff” from their relationship: “Wonderful stuff, you know, little things like that. Ah, but, those are the things I miss the most. The little idiosyncrasies that only I knew about. That’s what made her my wife. Oh, and she had the goods on me, too, she knew all my little peccadillos. People call these things imperfections, but they’re not, aw, that’s the good stuff. And then we get to choose who we let in to our weird little worlds. You’re not perfect, sport. And let me save you the suspense. This girl you met, she isn’t perfect either. But the question is: whether or not you’re perfect for each other. That’s the whole deal. That’s what intimacy is all about.” 8
Tasha and I enjoy the mountaintops of life together. Some of these are memorable times away on vacation when it is just the two of us lingering together in the beauty of nature. Other mountaintops have come on days we will never forget, like our wedding day and the days our children were born. But it is important to remember that most of life is not lived in the mountains. It is lived in the mundane day-today life in the valley. Along with Sean in Good Will Hunting, Tasha and I want to treasure “the good stuff” that comes along with daily life together. This daily life often includes casual conversations about our days and how the kids are doing and a daily cup of coffee together in the morning. The key for us is to enjoy both the big and little parts of life—learning to treasure both the mountaintops and the mundane. 13. Dream and Grow Together Part of doing life together as a couple involves sharing in one another’s dreams and being one another’s biggest fan as we pursue new opportunities and adventures. Some of these dreams have been shared dreams, like the desire both Tasha and I shared for adoption even before we were married. This dream came to fulfillment in our delightful daughter who is now five. Other dreams are more individual in nature. But in a marriage, individual dreams are still fulfilled as a couple. For Tasha, this has included dreams like going back to school for a master’s degree and engaging in travel that has helped her connect with her love for both art history and biblical history. For me, this has often included dreams in the academic realm. One of the most expensive and challenging of these dreams was pursuing and completing a Ph.D. process. In both of our cases, Tasha and I would say that we could not have made these journeys without the support and celebration of the other along the way. Seventeen years into marriage, we are still dreaming. Just last night as we were out on a date Tasha asked: “So what would you like to be celebrating a year from now?” As we shared our dreams for the next 12 months, I found myself once again thankful to have such a dear friend with whom to share life. What a great question to help each other keep dreaming and growing together!
14. Change Yourself, Not Each Other As we dream and grow together, it is important to approach growth in a positive manner. Although both Tasha and I have areas of our life that frustrate one another, we need to be careful that we are not focused on changing each other. When there are areas of growth in a relationship, the best way to pursue this is not by aiming to change each other, but by aiming to change ourselves. Tasha and I have found that when we are starting to feel empty (spiritually, emotionally, physically), we begin to project our emptiness through frustration with the people and circumstances around us. In other words, we try to inappropriately gain fullness in our lives by changing other people or each other. As you can imagine, this approach rarely ends well. One key to a healthy marriage is learning to love and serve one another out of fullness (wholeness) rather than focusing on getting from one another in an attempt to fill our emptiness. Although the gospel reminds us that we are needy people who bring our emptiness to Jesus to be filled, constantly bringing our emptiness to the people around us leads to drained and broken relationships rather than ones that are healthy and vibrant. In our final lesson, I will spend a bit more time on where we can go with our emptiness, but here I will end with emphasizing that Tasha and I are learning that when change is needed, the focus should be on changing ourselves rather than one another. When one of us becomes short and irritable, the problem is almost never with the other person. In these moments it is time to look in the mirror and consider how we may change so that we can return to one another with a posture of giving rather than taking. 15. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff As we live life together in our marriage, there are issues that come up between Tasha and me on a regular basis. One of the keys for us has been learning when to let things go and learning when to press into important conversations. 9
I have heard it said that there are two important rules for life. Rule #1: “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” Rule #2: “It’s All Small Stuff.” Although Tasha and I mostly agree with these principles, we would modify it a bit. It is also important to not trivialize what is a big deal for our spouse by treating it as a small deal. The reality is that 99% of the issues that come up in our lives on a day-to-day basis are “small stuff.” For these items we need to graciously overlook our concerns and frustrations. Proverbs 19:11 puts it this way: “it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” We see this as being relationally gracious with one another as we let the small stuff go. But there are a few items that are a big deal, at least from one of our perspectives. For Tasha, one of her “big stuff” items is time together. When life gets too full and we are struggling to have time together, this qualifies as a “sweat the big stuff” conversation. It is right and helpful for Tasha to raise her concerns. For me, one of my “big stuff” items is making sure we stay on track with our personal family finances. For me, this qualifies as a “sweat the big stuff” conversation. In the case of both of these items, the criterion for becoming a “big stuff” issue is that it is something that can significantly impact the health and well-being of our family and our relationship. So, “don’t sweat the small stuff”, AND keep your “big stuff” issues to a minimum. 16. Listen and Learn When it comes to a healthy marriage relationship, communication is key. While this certainly includes talking, we find that it is vital to emphasize listening and learning. In James 1:19 we are reminded that “everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” In our relationship, Tasha and I want to keep our curiosity for one another at a peak level. Although I’m sure others might find some of our conversations boring (I know, that is hard to believe!), for us these conversations are of high importance. Because there is no one else with whom we are more interested in this world, listening to the important thoughts and feelings we share about our day or something that has been on our mind is fascinating.
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17. Stay Connected to the Vine This brings us to the final lesson: Stay Connected to the Vine. In John 15:5 we read the following words of Jesus: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” It’s hard to overestimate the importance of this principle for us. In discussing lesson 14, I highlighted the need to come one another with fullness, wholeness and a posture of giving rather than emptiness and a posture of taking. But this raises a key question: where do we find fullness and wholeness when we really are broken and empty people? The answer we find in John 15 is that we are to stay connected to the vine — we are to stay connected to Jesus. While this verse points us to the reality that apart from Jesus we can do nothing, we can also speak to this reality from our experience.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in ME and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from ME you can do nothing.” John 15:5
When we are not daily drawing near to Jesus through trusting His work on our behalf, celebrating Him in our hearts through worship, talking with Him in prayer, and reflecting on what He wants to speak to us in His Word the Bible, Tasha and I experientially relate to one another differently. When we are not intentionally drawing on the grace of God found in Jesus, we become short with one another and more selfish in how we relate with one another. Conversely, when we are drawing on the grace of God in Jesus—that is, when we are staying connected to the Vine—we are able to keep the small stuff in perspective, we are able to gracious with one another, and we are able to focus on serving rather than taking from one another in our relationship. And so our final lesson is a reminder for us to stay connected to Jesus, for He is the one who ultimately is able to bind our marriage together for a lifetime. Although Tasha and I are only at year 17, we look forward to catching up with the 72 years of marriage my grandparents enjoyed together before their passing earlier this year. God’s grace to each of you as you live out these 17 lessons in your own lives and relationships. 11
Justin A. Irving, Ph.D. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I now live in Minneapolis, MN with my wife, Tasha, and our five children. I am a Christ-follower on a journey of learning what it means to live, love, and lead with purpose. I formerly served as a pastor, and now have worked at Bethel Seminary for 15 years in a variety of faculty and administrative roles. I currently serve as Professor of Ministry Leadership, and Director of our Doctor of Ministry program. Reflections on the practice of living, loving, and leading with purpose are available at my blog: www.purposeinleadership.com. More information on the leadership programs with which I work at Bethel Seminary are available at: Doctor of Ministry: http://seminary.bethel.edu/academics/st-paulprograms/doctorate-ministry/ Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership: http://seminary.bethel.edu/academics/st-paul-programs/transformationalleadership/ Find me on LinkedIn and Twitter @lead2purpose.
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John 3:16
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Chris Gomez is a Contemporary Christian artist called to change lives through music and testimony. He is first a vessel for God and second a musician. Chris is a 19 year front man of popular rock cover bands. After a spiritual revelation, Gomez turned his life around, both spiritually and musically. For his new group’s debut, he said, his goal wasn’t to melt faces anymore. It was to save souls. Chris was a three time award winner of 'Chattanooga's Entertainer of the Year' by the Chattanoogan.com music editor. Invited to perform three times in the Chattanooga All Star Band at the annual Riverbend Festival. His group was chosen the Chattanooga Times Free Press Newspaper 'Cover Band of the Year'. His group was also a three time award winner of 'Chattanooga's Party Band of the Year' by the Chattanoogan.com music editor. Despite the success in the Southeastern United States, Chris felt he’d found himself in an emotional abyss well below rock bottom in June of 2013. Estranged from his wife and still engaged in the kind of raucous behavior expected of a rock musician, he pleaded his life to God in an all-night rage of crying in humility. First with curses and later with heartfelt prayers, he told God he would do anything he wanted to just take the pain and conviction out of his heart. According to Chris, “I yelled at God ‘look at the voice and guitar skills you gave me! Send me out into the world to bring lives to you! I don’t care! I’ll do anything! Just please, take this pain and conviction out of my heart!” When he woke up the next morning, he felt a sense of conviction and began making calls. His first was to his wife to ask if she was interested in reconciliation — she was — and the rest to his bandmates and venue owners explaining that he was severing ties with the club scene. This was the second time Chris had found his life in the “belly of the whale”. He was heavily addicted to hard street drugs from 2001-2003. He lost everything he owned through pawn shops, drug deals, and foreclosures. Chris will tell you, “When I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, I walked away from hard drugs in 2003 and never looked back.” Since then Chris has married the love of his life, Michelle, and returned to college to graduate as a Registered Nurse. Since then, Chris has found a renewed sense of purpose and musical inspiration. He states, “I haven’t written these songs, God has written them through me. I am just his vessel here on Earth. I pray every day that he will use me for his glory as I feel he has huge plans for me. I am called to change lives through music, ministry and testimony. This is my purpose.”
Taken in part from an article published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press © 2014 Times Free Press
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Kevin Adams is a fresh voice among today’s best Christian writers. What he’s not, however, is a pastor, theologian or pulpit preacher; he doesn’t have a church, a fan club, or a flock. He’s just a regular guy with a powerful story, and a God given gift for sharing it that will challenge the faith of even the most seasoned, veteran believers. His transparency and intentional, elevated writing style has earned him a trusted reputation across the online Christian community. His work escorts readers through his own challenging experiences of loss, betrayal and impossible odds, to just beyond the comfort level of most Christians–the place where absolute faith is required. Kevin takes a genuine approach to modern Christianity that would rather tear away empty pockets than fill them with empty promises. Yet, his story is filled with indisputable proof of our Heavenly Father’s better-than-we-can-imagine desire for each of us, and the delight He takes in our learning to rest in His arms like happy children. Kevin is the author of The Extravagant Fool: A Faith Journey That Begins Where Common Sense Ends, Released May of 2014, and founding partner in a new discipleship ministry being developed around the book. Kevin’s life verse is Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you”. (NKJV) And his philosophy on life can be summed up in a single thought: “Only when God becomes all that we want do we truly see that He is all we need.” –Kevin Adams 2014 Kevin is husband to Holly, his beautiful partner in faith, father to three wonderful children, and a compelling new author for Zondervan. WWW.EXTRAVAGANTFOOL.COM
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What Light Am I In? –Brenda McAninch
I remember when I discovered make-up. I guess I was in the 7th grade when the “coming out” was in. All of the girls began with tinged lips and a little blush on the cheeks. I’m sure, peering back at that time, we all looked a bit clownish, as the products were not perfected to give that “glow” that is promised today. So I got hooked into the belief that this liquid I religiously smeared on my exterior would suddenly make me attractive and confident. It’s amazing how vulnerable we females can be. For years, I would tamper with finding just the right shade to cover what flaws I would envision because I was truly the only one who magnified the little bumps and spots. I remember once as an adult, I was recovering from a terrible break in my ankle and had to forego the daily ritual of “putting on my face” for many weeks.
Oh, I still have the morning ritual of placing the color on this aging cover of my projection to the world, but I have the thought as I do so, “Am I in the right light today? Do I give off the glow of Jesus when I meet those who see me? Am I just a ‘painted lady’ who is disguised, or am I the free woman God intended who is giving her best as well as looking her best? Dear God, Help me each morning not to get distracted as I prepare for Your day. Amen
But
let
your
adorning
be
the
hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
I Peter 3:4
One day I was feeling well enough to attempt to cover up again with the magic of a new shade to transform even my personality. I couldn’t rely on my own opinion of my reflection. I always wondered, did this magic actually do its job? One day, as I was completing this change for the morning preparation, I asked my oldest daughter, as she stepped into the room, “Does this make-up make me more appealing?” Without hesitation she remarked, “It depends on what light you’re in.” I’ve thought of her comment many times as I put on my face. Just what light am I in? Am I soaking in the light of self-absorption? Am I so engrossed in my exterior that I forgo my interior? Just what am I projecting? What light am I in? That was a moment my view turned. I made the decision that I wanted to be in the light of the One I professed was living within me.
AVAILABLE AT AMAZON
Is a retired elementary school teacher, former children's minister, Mother of 2 daughters, Grandmother of 3, and Author of As the Ice Thaws.
As the Ice Thaws, presents hope for those with bipolar illness and for those who live with them. Brenda McAninch started her career teaching elementary grades. She worked with all levels of students, but her proudest achievement was starting and directing an afterschool program. While working with college students, she began to see the path of some as similar to hers. She has taken a risk in revealing her struggles with bipolar illness and shows how her personal God stepped in for her in specific ways. 16
www.reflectivelifeministries.org
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Apple Cider Vinegar God’s Gift of Nature For centuries, Apple Cider Vinegar has been used for various household and cooking purposes. It is claimed to lead to all sorts of beneficial effects… some of which are supported by medical science. Here are a few health benefits, which are supported by scientific research. Apple Cider Vinegar is high in Acetic acid, which has potent biological effects. Acetic acid is a potent Antimicrobial and can kill off some types of fungus and infections. It has traditionally been used for cleaning and disinfecting, treating fungus, lice, warts and ear infections. Vinegar has been used as a food preservative, it inhibits bacteria (like E. coli) from growing in the food and spoiling it. Apple Cider Vinegar may lower blood sugar levels. Vinegar has been shown to have numerous benefits for insulin function and blood sugar levels: Improves insulin sensitivity during a high-carb meal by 19-34% and significantly lowers blood glucose and insulin responses. Reduces blood sugar by 34% when eating 50 grams of white bread. 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime can reduce fasting blood sugars by 4%. Numerous other studies, in both rats and humans, show that vinegar can increase insulin sensitivity and significantly lower blood sugar responses during meals. Apple Cider Vinegar may help with weight loss. A study in obese individuals showed that daily vinegar consumption led to reduced belly fat, waist circumference, lower blood triglycerides and weight loss. Apple Cider Vinegar may have some benefits for heart. Health Studies showed that apple cider vinegar can lower cholesterol and triglyceride level. Apple cider vinegar may also contain the antioxidant chlorogenic acid, which has been shown to protect LDL cholesterol particles from becoming oxidized, a vital step in the heart disease process. There are also some studies showing that vinegar reduces blood pressure. Vinegar may be protective against cancer. Some studies have shown that vinegar can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. My favorite…it heals the gut! I have tried everything under the sun to get rid of acid reflux using some natural remedies that worked for a while but weren’t permanent. I’ve tried dietary changes, and yet suffered painfully with ulcer like symptoms every time I ate or drank anything. Pharmaceutical didn’t work either….until one day God sent this angel to share with me her story of bleeding ulcers, and how this tonic of Apple Cider Vinegar changed her life. I thought she was nuts. She said I was lacking acid to break down my food. Sure enough, literally by day 3…I was cured from the agony of pain. I even ventured to eat some chili hatch peppers with a sample of food one day, and shocked no reaction! I mix 1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar in 8oz. of water and drink first thing in the morning. “I have personally experienced the benefits mentioned, except for the diabetes…since I don’t have that. It can take as little as 2 days or 2 weeks for results depending on the person and consistency.” -Brenda Graff *Be sure and monitor intake if on heart meds, diuretics, and insulin. There are many more benefits from this wonder drug….research online, or visit your local library.
Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for18meat. –Genesis 1:29
Living to Give
While shopping at a local market to grab some dinner items, I ran into this man standing at a kiosk sampling some food. The Chef wanted me to try some Italian Moscato wine with strawberries in which I had to turn down because I can’t tolerate acidic fruit. As I was speaking to the Chef in regards to methods I have been trying to use to heal my stomach, the gentleman next to me joined in the conversation. I was speaking of the bone marrow broth I often make. He joyfully begin speaking of his childhood memory of his mother making the broth every week. He implied how soothing it was, the aroma in the house, and to the tummy. I was excited to run across an individual who could relate to the goodness of this savory broth. For so many others haven't a clue of what I am talking about or too afraid to try cooking it. He smiled with great delight thinking about growing up on a farm as he shared a little more of his story. As we continued to talk, we moved on to the next kiosk sample of Tilapia fish and sautéed vegetables, we commented on the flavor enhancing sauce that was used. He then asked for more of the sautéed goodness. At one point, he stopped with head bowed looking down at his shirt and said, “I’m so embarrassed, I must look awful, this shirt is so filthy”. I laughed and said, “My husband works in construction I see this every day”. He smiled and said, “I have another shirt in my car, I should have changed”. I said, “I wouldn’t worry about it, people come in here shopping all the time covered in debris from work, your good”. We departed with wishing each other a great rest of the day.
As I headed out of the store after checking out, I noticed that same gentleman sitting at an outside lawn table displayed for sale. It struck my heart at that very moment that the man was homeless. He was just trying to cool off from this grueling heat, and was sampling to get what little morsels of food he could. My kids asked how I knew. I said, I just do. The memory of the comment about the dirty shirt came back to me. My heart sank, as I remembered us talking previously in the store at the sample cart, and here I stood with a cart full of groceries, while his stomach was probably screaming for anything to fill it. I knew I had no cash on me, and nothing edible to hand him immediately. Sure enough my children and I watched him start walking down the hot streets of Houston with sign in hand asking for food, or anything that would help. We were stuck at traffic light watching people passing by without acknowledging him, as he waived and said “God bless you” anyway. The kids and I decided that we needed to get to a fast-food place for him. As I was driving in my barely air-conditioned vehicle and complaining of the traffic and heat, I almost decided to just keep driving straight home. We had already been overheated at the gym, and a little aggravation at the long line and wait at check out. I even said out loud to the kids, “You know by the time we get the food and make it back around the freeway stuck in traffic he will probably be gone”. Their reply, “But Mom…we have to at least try….right?” Ugh, I knew they were right....I was just so tempted due to the heat. Yet, I knew this man and others were experiencing worse. I absolutely knew that in normal circumstances I wouldn’t pain stakingly whip around the crowded freeway to run back to sit in extreme temps. However, God spoke to my heart, stopped me dead in my tracks at a drivethru which we waited another twenty minutes
“There is no greater feeling of love, then to give.” 19
through an overly crowded order process…clothing soaked sweating profusely. When I finally got up to the window, almost became briefly impatient for lack of heat tolerance, as it seemed they had to go grow the cow first to make the burgers I ordered for the gentleman. There were two ladies who questioned my sign on the vehicle and asked for a card. I shared with them briefly the ministry of Food For Soul Magazine and that the rush for food was to get it to a homeless man that we now had to drive back another three miles and somehow snag before traffic lights turned green. It excited them to see someone bringing food to the homeless. It became a testimony of an act of kindness if nothing else. We quickly got back on the freeway feeder and headed back missing a turn and getting stuck once more in the onslaught of cars baking in the heat. We searched for the man but couldn’t see him. We finally drove under freeway and across and there he was! Cars were rushing passed us and almost into us as we pulled over quickly with hazards on and honked at him. He ran to the vehicle recognizing our faces from the store immediately. We handed him a water bottle and the food explaining that I didn’t have any cash on me, he grabbed my hand kissing it and thanking me over and over. He reached in cab to hug me and told the kids… “You have a great mom”. My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude! You see, I had a very rough start that morning. I was hurt by some words that penetrated my soul. I almost didn’t even leave my house allowing this thing to get to me. If I had allowed myself to get stuck on the emotion of pain, I would have never been able to bless this man with some food. I would have never received the blessing of his kind words. I would have never been shopping in a store with the company of this pure gentleman and having great conversation in which not once did it seem he was homeless or once did he ask me for anything.
When this gentle homeless man kissed my hand...I felt a kiss from God. It was more than just doing a good thing, it became a personal thing. I tear up now just thinking about it, because so often we miss opportunities to be God’s hands and feet because we get stuck on ourselves, our personal stuff that tends to distract us from our destiny. We think that we are the ones being a blessing to the receiver, but no my friend...it is the giver who receives the richest blessing of all... There is no greater feeling of love, then to give. I can’t explain it. If I had to stop giving, I would literally stop living.
He answers and said to them, He that has two coats, let him impart to him that has none; and he that has meat,
let
him
do
likewise. -Luke 3:11 `
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Opposing sexual exploitation. Defending human dignity. All individuals have a right to be free from the effects of pornography and all other forms of sexual exploitation
Areas of Concentration:
DONATE 202.393.7245 public@ncose.coma
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‘You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.’ -Psalm 139:16. God has a vision for every person’s life; a specific, handcrafted purpose that only you and I can fulfill. Often what we see in our future is quite another compared to what God plants in our heart as we allow Him to mold us and as we yield ourselves to His process. His vision is always way beyond our abilities, loaded with hope, destructive to darkness, redemptive in nature, layered with purpose, and Kingdom driven. His visions are what fuel the soul through the Spirit to go where it would not otherwise go, give what we would otherwise keep, and sacrifice what we would otherwise say is too much. Our life is not a collection of random occurrences in the Hand of our Maker, unless we allow it to be so. God has a perfect plan that will break the box we have held Him in and shatter every preconceived idea and notion. How often we think we know it all, even concerning ourselves, when we actually know very little. The Lord’s ability to orchestrate details, transform hearts, and establish new beginnings is exactly what He does because of who He is, a good God, a Father restoring family one son and daughter at a time. Our marriage story is not a fairy tale, but it is His Kingdom Tale. You see, little did I know that as I, Renee (aka ‘the wife’), transitioned to the cities, July 27, 2011, that I was moving in to the very house of the man I would first despise and rebuke only to later respect and love with all my heart. Little did I know that as my life fell apart in TN, his life fell apart in NE as well, and we both returned to our Minnesota roots in 2009 to heal and start over. Though our circumstances were different, pain is pain and God is in the business of restoration and redemption. I think He delights in a good challenge and displaying how Omnipresent and Omnipotent He really is! God foreknew His divine plan to redeem hearts for His Kingdom Tale.
To provide you a quick snap shot of my journey with the Lord, at the age of seventeen I broke-up with my only boyfriend, recommitted my life to Jesus Christ and realized I did not have a clue who would be the right man for me. During this time, God spoke a simple word to my heart that would guide and protect me for the next thirteen years as I would wait and prepare for my husband. Do not settle. Position yourself with Me. Allow me to prepare you. Allow me to make your life a gift. I took that word deeply to heart, fixed my eyes on Jesus, and trusted that as I sought Him first everything else would follow (Matthew 6:33). I resolved that He would bring the right man, at the right time, and in the right way. Fast forward thru Christian college, lots of emotional ups and downs, taking a massive leap of faith to Nashville, TN to intern and eventually work for a high-profile ministry for five years, giving God everything I knew how, and then some, every step of the way, only to hit a massive wall that manifested in severe depression, months of insomnia, and suicidal ideation. After a week’s stay in a hospital, followed by a three month medical leave from the ministry, I resigned from my position and made the hard decision to take the time I needed to heal back in Minnesota. Were there surrounding circumstances that created a ‘perfect storm’ that sought to take me out? Absolutely, but the real issue was not the external but the internal exhaustion from years of striving, performing, and attempting to please God with my good works instead of receiving and resting in His perfect and unconditional love for me. For a decade, I tried with a sincere heart to be right and do right for Him, but it was a relentless and ugly way to live. 22
My heart broke under the weight of everything I tried to carry for myself and others. And my heart tore as I tried to live out the ‘perfect’ Christian life, whatever that is, without truly knowing how much God loved me regardless of my performance. When I was at my worst, totally incapable of doing one thing for myself, I experienced the purest and sweetest encounter with the power of God’s grace that set me so free I could only feel His peace and love abiding in me, holding me in a cocoon of healing. This led me to transition to the cities with a strong pursuit of ministry and desire to dive further into the very plan He had laid out for me. The story of how God divinely orchestrated a room for me to rent, out of the upper level of a five bedroom house, is nothing short of Him showing off and setting me up to walk out unfulfilled promises in the most unexpected way! As Renee was moving in to my mother’s home, I, Justin (aka Renee’s husband), had relocated to Minnesota after my divorce in order to be with my mom, home owner of the five bedroom house, who was struggling with fibromyalgia (has since been healed), and to enroll at the University of Minnesota to begin carving out a better path for me and for my daughters as life up to this point was full of regret, bondage, and failures. You see, my life did not have the greatest start. On February 8th, my father was walking on the side of a road at 2am in the morning, in Minnesota, drunk while I was being born. At the age of ten, my mother remarried a man who disguised himself as an angel of light but the spirit he carried was the farthest thing from ‘light’. He hated my very being, literally, and threatened my mother that if she spent time with me, he would take it out on me. Well, he took it out on me regardless. I grew up being verbally pummeled every day, isolated and confined to a basement, while becoming familiar with the sexual attention initiated by a stepsister. As my identity and worth were being stripped from the verbal abuse, it was
replaced with an identity rooted in sexual attention and became the only sense of self-worth I had. It was at this point in time that I rejected God, because I would experience Him at youth group or camps with other students, but never at home where I desperately needed Him the most. In rebellion and with a numb heart, I married at age 19 and it failed miserably, except for the three precious gifts of my daughters. After almost ten years of enduring further rejection and being verbally abusive myself, it ended in divorce. Along with developing anger issues, I became numb to the point where pain felt good. In order to ‘feel’, I sought cage fighting and a sexually promiscuous lifestyle that would make 50 Shades look like a Disney picture. Although my intentions were to start over in Minnesota, location change does not equal heart change, and my lifestyle screamed wounded! After moving in with my mother, I was not around much as my addiction to alcohol increased along with sexual promiscuity. I usually had different women lined up to stay with throughout the week, so for the first eight months of Renee’s stay she barely saw me. However, I finally reached a place where I realized how destructive my lifestyle was becoming, both to me and the women I was with, as well as being done with ‘committed’ relationships since I was always unfaithful anyway. At this time, I started consistently residing in the lower level of the house, and my presence changed the entire atmosphere and demonic activity was loosed! Renee was exposed to all the filth and junk that I spiritually brought in the house from the bars, alcoholism, and sexual promiscuity as I still snuck women in. It was extremely heavy, and she was so spiritually sensitive that it disrupted her sleep. At one point, she did not sleep for seven days and had to call in sick several times to work. 23
It became so intense, that she would plan and travel to friends and family, sometimes hours away, for weekends in an attempt to sleep and find peace. In fact, my presence was so troubling to her that on June 8th, 2012, Renee woke up at 2am in the morning and had the courage to come downstairs and rebuke my behavior and disrespect of my mother’s home while I was intoxicated and having inappropriate conversation with two women. I lashed out at her, called her a few inappropriate names, swore at her, and told her to go away in some very unkind words. Through all this, despite her strong desire to move out, she was obedient to the Spirit who told her to stay put. She could not understand why God would keep her in this position, so she told God with a tear-filled plea that He had to change her heart because she could not change the situation. Often times, God does not change the situations in our life, because He is waiting for us to allow Him change our hearts, in order to overcome and bring victory to the situations we are in. Our obedience is never merely about our life but it is always about the lives of others. God did indeed have a plan in motion. On November 8th, 2012, I woke up healed from over 25 years of sexual addiction, along with alcoholism and anger issues. I went to bed drunk as I always did to find solace from a tormented mind full of regrets, and woke-up experiencing the presence of God. God not only healed my heart, but He cleansed my mind to such a degree that recent behaviors seemed but a distant dream of the past. I was not looking for God, nor desiring Him, but He worked through a multitude of years of prayers from others. I was not asking to be delivered from the lifestyle I was in bondage too. That night He immersed me in His Holy Spirit like a cloud gently settling in and saturating my very being. I read a passage in Deuteronomy, and it described exactly what I felt happened to me because of the goodness of God.
Deuteronomy 12:11-12 (KJV): Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there…(12)And ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God… That night God chose to have His presence dwell upon me. In a single night, I woke up with a pure heart and a cleansed conscience from experiencing God’s presence. Just like gold is pure because it consists of one element, a pure heart is like gold in that it is a life that only consists of seeking God, a life only existing to honor and know God’s perfect love. That morning, this became the intense desire of my heart, to know Him and honor Him with my life. It may not begin as an intense desire as it was for me, but the more you spend time with God and understand His presence and love is always accessible, the greater intensity you will have in your desire to seek Him. Your natural reaction to God’s presence is a purified heart, and results in healing. In fact, we are always being healed by God’s Word (Psalm 107:20), but what often negates the healing is when we return to the thoughts and behaviors He is healing us from. There is no room for addictions in a heart when it is filled with the fullness of God’s love (Ephesians 3:19). When I woke up, I looked for my Bible, blew the decades of dust off of it, literally, and craved to read it. In one day, my nightlife went from being in bars to being in the Bible. Shortly after I was healed, Renee returned home from spending a month away house sitting for some friends who knew of her situation, and let her reside in their home for a break from the chaos. Upon her return, she had an unexpected encounter with a man she did not know, who met her at the front door and helped her carry her luggage up to her room. That man was me. Renee instantly noticed the change in my very being. She saw that rather than being a child of darkness, I was now a child of light. She instantly noticed the change in the spiritual atmosphere of the home. There was peace. Needless to say, she was able to sleep.24
As Renee continued her cautious observation of the new creation God made me, she became curious. She had seen transformation of broken lives from her time in ministry and had heard stories alike, but never witnessed such a dramatic change in an individual first hand. As I became more social and would spend more time upstairs, she would begin to ask questions, curious to see how genuine this change truly was. Next thing you know, we were having three hour discussions about our faith, what God was revealing to us through His Word, and sharing the simple things about our day. That being said, after walking out this previous season of turmoil with her inner circle, Renee was now going to them for prayer and guidance because she was falling in love with the man she once asked to be delivered from! As you recall, she despised me, literally. After God healed me, she freaked out because she began to develop feelings for me. Renee despised the previous state I was in so much that she was rightly concerned about her heart changing towards me. She specifically told God “It had better not be him!” So, the very first thing she did was involve and ask her inner circle for prayer and guidance concerning the feelings she was developing for me. Remember, these were the same friends and family she called on for prayer because of the distress she experienced from living in the same house as me before my transformation. Keep in mind, this transition was difficult for me as well. Finally, God healed me from my addiction to women to such a degree that I was legitimately happy and fulfilled being a single man, because I was complete and whole in God’s presence and love. Now, He was sending me my kryptonite! He was sending this man, who had never been faithful to a single woman, a woman who had never given herself to a single man. Uncertain, I fasted to hear God’s will clearly and one more time to make sure I heard Him correctly; the answer was ‘Yes. If I am going to entrust her to you will I not provide her with the very desires of her heart, even if its through you?’ Bam!
Smacked the fear of not being right for her right out of my heart. After everything that occurred, the lifestyle I lived, all the difficulties I brought Renee, and all she had conveyed to her friends and family who were concerned for her, there was only one individual who questioned our relationship, just one person. How amazing is that? That is the unity of the Spirit. This is a great example of how, in the eyes of the world a situation like ours could have seemed like a no brainer. That one, such as Renee, who was a Godly woman, remained sexually pure, and refused to date for thirteen years because she was waiting for God to bring the right man, would be foolish to enter a relationship with a man who had never been faithful to a single woman his entire life, and who had a history of being verbally abusive. If her inner circle consisted of people who were not Spirit-filled and walking closely with the Lord, I am certain that most would have told her to run the other way and stay away. But God knows better (Isaiah 55:8)! He is the author of life, the restorer of lives. He can take a man as filthy and imperfect as I was and make him a pure, righteous man of God who is fit to have a Proverbs 31 wife, such as Renee. He has the ability to change the heart of a man, enabling Him to love His wife as Christ loves the church. And God used many of His men and women to encourage Renee with His plan and purpose for the two of us to be together. Renee’s friends and family affirmed the direction she was receiving from the Holy Spirit, and empowered her through prayer into a marriage that the world would have viewed as relational suicide. They were able to transcend the peace and wisdom of God into Renee, through counsel and encouraging her to stay obedient to the Holy Spirit. As a result, they supported her into a marriage that fulfills her perfectly through 25 Christ (as well as me!).
While on our honeymoon, Renee looked back in her journal entries and discovered something amazing in the details of dates surrounding our relationship. Renee noticed that we were engaged on June 8th, 2013, exactly one year to the day of when she came downstairs and rebuked my drunken state on June 8th, 2012. Don’t tell us God doesn’t have a massive sense of humor! Then it hit her that we were married on November 8th, 2013, exactly one year to the day of my supernatural healing that took place on November 8th, 2012. Realizing it was God’s work, we were curious of the significance of the number 8. In the Bible, the number 8 symbolizes a new beginning, or a new order of things, a new creation, a new birth, and the resurrection to eternal life. In Hebrew the number eight is (Sh’moneh), from the root (Shah’meyn), and means “to super-abound.” As seven was so called because the seventh day was the day of completion and rest, so eight, as the eighth day, was over and above this perfect completion, and was indeed the first of a new series, as well as being the eighth. If that were not enough as it is, Justin was born on the February 8th, 1978. God knew that Justin’s life with Renee would be a story of transformation and restoration before He was born, a story of the new life that is characteristic of His plan for all of us, a testimony for the perfect, healing, and restorative love of God. Regardless of where you have been, what you have done, or what you are presently going through, God’s presence will lead any past into His healing, restorative, perfect love. God is the Creator of new life, of new beginnings. He is the Author of perfecting purpose. He is the God that knows you better than you know yourself. He orchestrated a master plan for your life before you were even born, and that includes who you will marry. . If that plan is not manifesting now, then be encouraged and allow Him to prepare your life to be a gift for someone as He prepares their life to be a gift to you. Preparation time is never wasted time in the Kingdom.
That is the depth of the love of our God. He cares so much about you that He is in the seemingly insignificant, brief blips of everyday life that lead us directly into a personally tailored plan of victory and fulfillment. He is our Matchmaker and the best one for the job! Hear the Father whisper to your heart…‘Do not settle beloved child of God. I am the greatest Lover you will ever know. Come away with Me first. Allow Me to be your first love, so I can entrust you with the heart of another in My timing and in My way.’
Justin and Renee Petrick petrickministries.com
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Stretching in Hebrew, has a meaning of stretching oneself. madad (maw-dad') to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended:-measure, mete, stretch self. To stretch oneself is more than a physical motion by which you spread your limbs. It is to physically, emotionally, and spiritually move beyond your limits to help another. It is what God has called us to do. It is our Father’s will by leading of the Holy Spirit. We were not called to this earth to just take up space, and use up resources, and end up on a golf course upon retirement, or a nursing home till we leave this world for our eternal home. Not to say we can’t enjoy golfing, or whatever hobbies God has provided. It means that we are to live our days with consciously being aware and listening to the leading of the Spirit to direct our steps in assisting someone other than ourselves. Helping others has a proven medical and scientific effect on our health, and mental wellbeing. CLCIK HERE TO READ MORE You say you don’t have much. You’re not feeling well yourself? You’re broke? What do you have to offer? Here are a few things to start with: You can offer a 1. hug 2. smile 3. shoulder 4. hand 5. ear 6. lift 7. tear 8. call 9. word 10. water 11. prayer And it won’t cost you a dime!
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” 27
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Disaster Relief, Recovery, and Rebuilding to Resilience Victims in Disaster situations require immediate relief aid, transitional recovery assistance and long-term resilience. CitiIMPACT believes that local churches are uniquely positioned to lead the way. Forging partnerships with local faith communities, CitiIMPACT brings organizational experience, a calming influence, and resources from its nationwide partners to make a difference in others’ lives.
Response, Recovery and Resilience "It can't happen here." "It's never happened here." "It won't happen here." These are phrases we've all heard or maybe even said... They're simply NOT true! CHAOS of disasters can be managed, when a clear plan is in place and trained individuals are ready. Since no disaster response agency can meet all of a community's needs during a disaster situation, the greatest impact results from preparation and collaborating partnerships for response.
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With multiple experiences in every phase of disaster response, CitiIMPACT will design and provide customized training with the needs of each church or organization in mind. CitiIMPACT is a catalyst of HELP & HOPE... with you.
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Fingerprints of God How Do We Learn to Pray? It was the end of a hectic day for my three-year-old granddaughter. The intense manipulation of her dolls and building toys had completely tuckered her out. Looking at her countenance, one could easily see what her day had been like, and she was hungry. So my daughter placed the final bits of the meal on the table. Mackenzie decided to fulfill her desires by reaching for the chicken nuggets before the prayer had been said. “Mackenzie, we need to pray first.” “No, I don’t wanna.” “So, do you need to go to the bedroom until you are ready?” “I’ll pway,” as she quickly closed her eyes and folded her hands. I love how children are so blatantly open with their feelings that we learn from them more than we’d sometimes like to admit. Don’t we sometimes have to be put into a position of being locked into a situation before we’ll pray? Dear Lord, Help me to turn to you before I’m forced to. -Brenda McAninch Author of As the Ice Thaws
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The Power of Words -Nancy McDade
Have you ever had a bad day and, just out of nowhere, your child wraps his arms around you and says: "Mommy, I love you."? Those four sweet words can change a bad day into a good one. Those words can make all the troubles seem to fade into the distance. Have you ever seen someone who was sad, and beaten down light up like a candle with a few simple words of encouragement? Words work like that. Words are like salt, spoken in kindness, at the right time, words can heal, preserve, and even melt a frozen, hardened heart. On the other hand, words used the wrong way or at the wrong time or in the wrong tone can be like salt in an open wound. Bitter words or words spoken in jealousy or anger can pierce the heart. Even well intended words can hurt when spoken at the wrong time. Maybe this is why God spoke about "taming the tongue." In James 3: 1-12 the Bible speaks about controlling our tongues. Did you know that you can cause your future to be good or bad just by how you speak? You can speak doom and gloom and, before you know it, you have doom and gloom. You can speak life, and before you know it, you have life. It has taken me many years to learn, sometimes it is best not to speak at all unless it is going to be positive. Why would you want to speak negativity over any situation? It just makes no sense at all. Have you ever been around someone who, no matter what, always sees the glass as half empty? It makes no difference if they just won the lottery, they are sure "somebody will cheat them out of every penny." These type of people can zap away your energy little by little with negative words if you stay around them very long. As a mother of two young boys, I have to choose my words carefully. Children are especially sensitive to words. One harsh word can spoil a day full of sweet words. James 3:11 says: "Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?" Just like one rotten apple can spoil the bushel, one word spoken in frustration, can break a child's spirit. Often times a child carries a broken spirit into adulthood. Years of negativity can cause a person to become negative. If you tell little Tommy he "will never amount to anything" then, most likely, as an adult, he will never amount to anything. He has had doom and gloom spoken over him and now he believes it. It takes the hand of God to heal a broken spirit. All this being said, why not speak life? I declare that my children are blessed beyond measure. They are healthy. God has great plans for their lives. They are smart, kind, and will succeed in this life. Yes, they will make mistakes along the way but the mistakes will make them stronger and smarter. Let's let our tongues speak life, not death. May our tongues bring forth healing and not hurt. In Jesus name, Amen. Nancy is a wife, mother of two boys, and a registered nurse for 21 years. She enjoys writing, reading, camping, and spending time with family. She is A Warrior Princess for God – A powerfully prayerful soul.
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Gumbo that will keep you crawling back for more... Ingredients: 10 lbs. Live Crawfish 1 lb. Andouille Sausage 1 lb. Shrimp (Peeled) 1 large Yellow onion 1 Red Bell pepper 1 Orange Bell pepper 1 Green Bell Pepper 3 Stalks of Celery 1 cup of Okra 1 cup of Sweet Corn ½ cup of water
Directions:
4 cups of Diced Tomatoes 4 cups Low Sodium Vegetable Stock 4 cups of Water ½ cup of All Purpose Flour 4 cloves of Garlic 2 tsp. Thyme 4 Basil Leaves 2 tsp. Cumin (Comino) 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika 4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper 1 tsp. Black Pepper 1 tsp. Sea Salt 1 stick of Butter 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 tsp. Filé Powder
Crawfish are a good source of phosphorus, providing 25 percent of the DV per serving. A 3ounce serving also provides you with 10 percent of the DV for zinc, 8 percent of the DV for magnesium, 6 percent of the DV for calcium and 4 percent of the DV for iron. Phosphorus and magnesium help your body create and store energy, strengthen bones and teeth and assist with muscle and nerve function. Zinc makes it possible for you to smell and taste, assists with wound healing and immune function and the formation of DNA and protein. When you eat a serving of crawfish, you get 30 percent of the daily value for vitamin B-12, 10 percent of the DV for niacin and folate and 4 percent of the DV for riboflavin, thiamine and vitamin B-6. These B vitamins are essential for nervous system function, turning the food you eat into energy and keeping your liver, eyes, skin and hair healthy.
In large skillet prepare roux (the thickening agent) by melting butter on Med-Hi, add flour and whisk briskly while adding a little water periodically to form a brown thick but gravy-like substance. Pour into large soup pot. Set aside. Prepare veggies, minus tomatoes and corn by washing, slicing, and sautéing in heated olive oil in skillet, until they become caramelized or onions translucent. Slice sausage, and add peeled shrimp into skillet of veggies and mix well, let simmer on low for 10 minutes. Place pot on Med-High adding all ingredients prepared, water, broth, tomatoes, and seasonings minus the Filé Powder. Bring to quick boil tossing in washed live crawfish, cook for 10 min, then reduce heat to MedLow and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve over wholegrain rice or cornbread with a dash of the Filé Powder. 34
SLEEP WALKING -Brenda A. Graff The alarm sounds, its 4:30 a.m. as you already hear the alarms going off in your head of the day’s task ahead of you. It seems to be a struggle just to kick the covers off and prepare to get up. Feeling as if you haven’t slept one hour the night before. Still tired, half asleep you stumble to the bathroom, take a look in the mirror, and ugh! You think to yourself, “Where have the years gone?” This person staring back at me cannot be me! Counting a new wrinkle, a gray strand of hair, you wonder how life went by so fast. There is a point in life when you reach a certain age you begin the countdown of years left. If you listen to statistics then you count every second. It’s enough to set you in panic mode, trying to cram every activity possible into every breathing moment. You don’t want to miss a thing. You still got the bucket list of things you want to experience before the ultimate departure from this world. I got to thinking about this the other day, seriously thinking about it found myself wondering what on earth is there that I would want to experience before I die? I’ve had the privilege of experiencing much so far. I’ve met BETH MOORE in person and had the honor of her blessings over my life in one of the most unexpected places (a grocery store). That truly was one for my real bucket list. I’ve met some wonderful celebrities and sang on stage with a few in little watering holes years ago. I have traveled to New York a few times and heard the homeless sing in the subways, and dance on the trains freely gifting the audience with their incredible talent. I continue to meet wonderful scholars, teachers, speakers, writers, and musicians. I have had the privilege of holding six beautiful babies at birth, my very own...who caused love to pour out of me in ways I didn’t know existed. I have worked with Special Olympics and children with autism finding their joy is unexplainable, yet so incredible, and contagious! I had the honor of speaking in prisons, domestic, and community shelters, and watching a miracle of God give way as many gave their lives to him despite their circumstance. God has blessed me with the ability to write, and publish books, and articles (something my mother always forecasted I would do since small...wish you had been here to see this ma). I have had the pleasure of holding a hand while reading Psalms to persons waiting to be taken to their eternal home. I have water-skied, went tubing, roller-bladed, ice-skated, rafted, traveled through many states, climbed water falls, and camped in some of the highest mountains. I’ve had the incredible honor of meeting many women and men in nursing homes who fought in wars, ran our cities, and states with stories of heroism and sorrow. I’ve had the pleasure of feeling the little arms of a grandchild around my neck and hearing “Grandma”. I've laid on the cool grass of the eve and starred into the sky of a million stars in awe of God's incredible beauty. I've sat on the shores at the beach and felt the winds of sea water brush over me with pure "peace be still". What more could I want? Perhaps an uninterrupted date night with Hubby before retiring to a nursing home or grave would be really awesome!
Referenced Bible verses in magazine used versions: KSJ, NIV, NKJV, ESV, HCSB
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After mulling over a few possibilities such as: a trip to Paris (ugh...no...hate flying too long), a cruise (not wanting to catch dysentery), bungee jumping (not ready to die that way), swimming across an ocean (not prepared to have leg gnawed off by sharks). I realized I would probably settle for back stage passes to meet Andrea Bocelli and a chance to accompany him on stage singing “The Prayer” song. I would also love to take all my six kids and grands to Disneyland. Even though four of mine our already adults. I think I would still get to experience the glistening wonder in their eyes of excitement over the animation and thrilling sights and sounds…and perhaps they would have a taste of what it was like to be a kid again, and not live their lives so fast, and serious all the time just as I have. Maybe they wouldn’t ever have the unfortunate opportunity of waking up too young in the mirror looking old and asking themselves, “Where have all the years gone?” Did I sleepwalk through mine? Much! I was so overwhelmed with responsibilities and circumstances around me, I exhaustively lived. Rarely getting sleep, kept me in a constant state of insomnia and exhaustion. It wasn’t until in this recent year that I had to force myself to slow down. Take a nap when needed. Turn off cell phones at times for total peace and quiet. Yes, sometimes even overnight. Sometimes there are times, you just have to do that. Staying in a constant flight or fright mode awaiting for stuff to arise, is exhausting. It got to a point where I dreaded answering my phone for any reason. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be another death, cancer diagnosis, accident, divorce, or depression call. Yet, the ministry God has called me to for many years is to handle these very issues, whether it be consoling a family at funeral processions, waiting it out with someone in a hospital waiting room, or holding the hand of someone who is broken hearted. Actually he has called us all to do just that. (Isaiah 61:1) You don't need to be ordained, just available! However, I do believe that at times you can get so busy putting out fires you forget to fill up the extinguisher. Over time this can make you become desensitized, overly exhausted, and seemingly insensitive to the needs of others. Before you realize it, you have slept walked through the years. Unable to comprehend how the toddler who once sheltered behind your legs hanging on for dear life, is now moving off to college. You realize that you won’t get to hear the echoing sounds of your daughter’s screeches as she screams “higher daddy, higher” on the swing set of joy, it’s too late for that…instead you will walk her down the aisle into the arms of the other man in her life, her husband. Suddenly, your spouse who you promised you would take to the opera, or dinner someday only has a date with chemo. The friend you said you would visit years ago, will only get to experience your presence at their graveside. Have you been sleep walking? Stop living life vicariously through others, social media, or television. This isn’t the new normal! We are supposed to live and live life abundantly. This has nothing to do with the big home, the fancy cars, or ginormous diamonds to wear. You can’t take any of that with you when you die. Prestigious titles, positions, and salaries are not going to bring you to a place of everlasting joy or close personal relationship with others.
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Money can’t buy you love. Money sure helps though. It is a struggle to be struggling all the time, don’t get me wrong. However, if I had to choose who I would want to be stranded with, it would have to be the person who was made up of heart, not gold. Money is not evil! However, it can drive a person who worships it to an early grave and cause them to suffer many relational issues. It can cause someone to sleep walk through a marriage, rearing of children, time with spouse, and time serving God. Because having it all is never ever enough. (Ecclesiastes 5:10) Anyone can throw money at a cause, but to give time away, is more of a precious commodity. It is in that time you develop relationships. You experience the realness of another’s soul. You learn something new. There has to be balance in work, play, family, and ministry. There has to be time for restoration, and separation. A time to laugh, a time to die. You can have a meaningful or meaningless life. (The book of Ecclesiastes) Do you want to sleepwalk your way through life or experience it? Life isn’t like “Motel 6” it won’t always leave the light on waiting for you to come home. (James 4:14)
DEDICATED TO MY DEAR FRIEND MATTIE RIPLEY WHO PASSED AWAY JULY 30, 2015 – R.I.P.
Psalms 23
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Creates Disciples who Impact their Community for Eternity.
Rick is the Pastor of ChristBridge Fellowship who is also the author of two books: ME Addiction: Having it my way isn’t so great after all and X-Odus Files: Following God in an Alien World.
Our worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday!
29510 Tomball Parkway
Rick is the Pastor of ChristBridge Fellowship in Tomball, TX, and has served on a City Council. He spends much time writing, speaking, and coaching others. He is married and has two grown sons and one daughter-in-law.
Tomball, TX 77375 www.christbridgefellowship.com www.rickbrown1Life2Love.com
Get Directions 281.351.4445 info@christbridgefellowship.com 38
WORDS TO LIVE BY
Galatians 5:22-23
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What’s Your Story? Do you have something inspiring to share? An experience that has changed your life? We would love to publish it!
Send to: inspireme@foodforsoulmagazine.com
Or mail to: FOOD FOR SOUL P.O. Box 304 Tomball, Texas 77377
We are a forgetful people. We need Storytellers. We need someone to lay the drama of God’s love before us. We need to be reminded of the uncommon grace of God. -William R. White
But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4 (HCSB) 40