Reviews, Interviews and Other News: Tuesday Word of Inspiration

Reviews, Interviews and Other News: Tuesday Word of Inspiration: I absolutely love the passage below we are called by God to glorify His name. In the midst of our calling lay victories and treasures for us...

Our Gifts What are we Doing with Them?

This past Valentine's day my husband gave my daughter among many other things a little tin princess purse. He told her it was for all of her jewelry. Well when I heard this I automatically thought to myself, that's not for jewelry, it could clearly be used as a cute little snack carrier instead. So when my husband left the room I told her that is not what little girls put their jewelry in. Jewelry is put into jewelry boxes and this clearly is not one. I told her we would use this instead for a little snack carrier. Well we are actually heading out so I told her to bring me her little snack carrier so that I can put snacks in it for the road.

I started filling the little tin purse with snacks but when I tried to put the juice in it would not fit. I struggled with it for about a couple minutes as my daughter stood there watching me. Then out of frustration I said out loud, "Why isn't this fitting in?" So clearly and audibly I heard God say, "Because it was not meant for snacks but for jewelry." Immediately I was convicted. I put the juice to the side and my daughter asked me, "why it wasn't going in?" I told her because it's for your jewelry and not your snacks. I gave her the little tin purse and she ran off excitedly to her room and placed all of her play jewelry in it. Needless to say it made loud clanking noise wherever we went.

How often have we taken the gifts God has given us and used them for our own purposes? We may have success in some areas of it but just like the juice would not fit, when it comes to completing what we want it will not work. God's design is meant to bring us success not frustration, anxiety or trouble. Our designs bring about these things. I don't know about you but I want the plan of God to fill my life to overflowing without any of my interruptions. Let's all purpose today to allow God to nurture the gifts He has placed in us that He may glorified and we may have joy.

The Amazement of our God

No matter what kind of week you have had you cannot deny God's ever flowing grace and mercies in your life. All things honest we do not have days full of roses in sweet smelling gardens all the time but we do have the friendship and son/daughter ship of the King of Kings. How awesome is that when you think of it? Pretty awesome right. Well let me take you a step further by entering into this kingdom, yes even while you are here on earth. It is more than possible.

The possibility lies in the great gift of the Holy Spirit. Praying constantly in the Spirit will open up revelations in your life that you will sit in awe of (I mean the awe of tears, stillness and thankfulness). We can feel God's presence at times with us when we move about in this world but when you allow the Spirit to take over in your time alone and focus your hearts and mind on the wholeness of Christ, you will be amazed and refreshed. You will see God leading you "from" - "to". In this you will rejoice greatly and bow on your face before your King who is the only one which can bring this about.

So I urge each and every one of you no matter what this week has been to you, find your quiet place and allow God to lead you to places you never dreamed of. God has so much for you and loves you beyond your imagination. My prayer for each and every one of us this week is that we enter into the presence of God and allow Him to lead us "from" - "to" and that we would walk in humility and thankfulness for His love and what He has done for us. To God be all the Glory forever. Amen.

Up Close and Personal with the Ladies behind Houston KidzRAP

You know when we serve in a ministry together each individual brings something so unique and awesome to the team that the blessing to those involved and those being touched has a unique and special anointing. God has blessed each and every one of the women in KidzRAP Houston with humble hearts to serve those in need but not only that to please Him in every way.

It’s so important to be connected in so many ways that we wanted to share with you some things about us that are dear. So here are some little tidbits about the women you may not already know.

Amy Farque (KidzRAP Houston Leader)

Who is God to you, what does He mean to you? He is my everything; I realize and understand that without God I can do nothing. God is my directing compass in everyday decisions. My number one heart desire is to show God how much I love Him.

What scripture speaks most to your heart? Joshua 1:9 (AMP “Have I not commanded you? Be strong, vigorous and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”)-This scripture found its importance in my life when I had to move from the home town I had grown up in all my life with my family. I saw the scripture on the back of a bumper sticker and looked it up. From that moment I knew that it didn’t matter where God moved me He would never leave me.

How did you come upon KidzRAP and what is your mission for the ministry? Well after being in Houston for about 6 months I received an email from an acquaintance in Little Rock, Arkansas. The email informed me that KidzRAP was creating a new website. Now I had heard about KidzRAP in Arkansas but had been fully exposed to it. I checked out the website and felt deep down this is something that I could do. So I contacted Karman, we met and together we came up with a step by step game plan to have my first event.

My initial involvement in the ministry was due to the fact that my family was already serving together and I just thought how awesome it would be if we could get more families doing the same thing. It proved to be such a blessing in many ways to me. I was able to meet so many of God’s precious children that otherwise I may never have met.

I really believe the ministry of KidzRAP is so awesome in that it is a two-fold purpose; it helps and ministers to those in need as well as motivating families to develop a heart to serve and to eventually go out on their own and serve.

Share something that you enjoy? I enjoy reading historical Christian non-fiction. I also enjoy doodling on the internet with pictures. I love the outdoors.

Aaron Bearden (KidzRAP Houston Prayer Leader)

Who is God to you, what does He mean to you? I fully dedicated my life to Christ when I was twenty-one. He is my friend and my companion. He stays in my thoughts on a daily basis. My life’s goal is to please the Lord. I want to fulfill what He has for my life on a daily basis.

What scripture speaks most to your heart? Ephesians 2:10 (NIV “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”)- Oddly enough this is the scripture theme for KidzRAP but it was has kept me. I cling to this scripture because it gives me purpose in every area of my life. I’m not a hyper person but I have to admit that I can sometimes get anxious when I feel I may have missed God’s plan or purpose for my life. This scripture helps focus me letting me know that God created me and He knew beforehand that I would do and make the decisions that I have made yet His plans have not changed. I know that as long as I am seeking Him I am on the right track.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”)-This scripture has been a theme for my family. It has truly blessed us and focused on hearts on God’s plan for our lives no matter what happens.

How did you come upon KidzRAP and what is your mission for the ministry? I have a strong desire for my children to serve. I would think of things such as taking them to soup kitchens, helping with pantry’s…just thinking of ways to expose them and get them involved in serving. I wanted them to develop a heart for service. So one summer God laid it in front of me. A neighbor showed up at my door, I had lived in this neighborhood for over a year and we never really spoke. She began to share with me about the KidzRAP ministry. I knew this was from the Lord. I immediately wanted to know more about it. I found out when the next meeting was and attended. Ever since then I have been a part of the ministry and my girls and I both have enjoyed it.

I feel that there are steps in our lives to fulfill God’s calling and for my family KidzRAP is definitely one of them. KidzRAP plays a part in developing my family’s heart of service.

I would love to see this ministry touch moms in my position who have a desire for their children to serve. I would love to see KidzRAP expand into a TeenRAP and NeighborhoodRAP. I would love to see the vision that is unfolding in Karman’s heart to be birth in other churches all across Houston.

Share something that you enjoy? I enjoy doing something that is called Geocaching. This is an outdoor treasure hunt game where you locate containers with GPS devices inside. I enjoy doing this is with my family. I would love to do it every weekend if I could. I also love teaching. I love teaching kids of all ages. I enjoy seeing children develop a real understanding of the love of God. I also love how God reveals thing to children.

Crystal Kelly (KidzRAP Houston Communications Coordinator)

Who is God to you, what does He mean to you? God means everything to me. He is my guide every day. God is the revealer of my life. I’m afraid to move without Him. I know that there is nothing worth more than my relationship with Him.

What scripture speaks most to your heart? There are so many because I am constantly being faced with so many things that many times different scriptures will be my theme at that moment. But right now the scripture that speaks most to my heart is Luke 1:13, 20 (NIV “But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. Vs.20;….which will come true at their proper time.”)-This scripture speaks so much to me. When I am in prayer over a situation and I cannot see the results this scripture encourages and ensures me that God has heard and He will answer at His appointed time. God has such a major plan not just for me but for everyone and His will is we through our lives glorify Him and all that will be accomplished through our faithfulness at His appointed time.

How did you come upon KidzRAP and what is your mission for the ministry? I actually came upon KidzRAP in my bible study class. Amy was also in my class and she praised God for the success and the blessings He was delivering upon what she had started with KidzRAP. Well I approached her to learn more about it. I had before then been praying for the Lord to open a door so that my daughter would have an opportunity to serve those in need. I wanted her to have a thankful heart yet full of compassion. I went to the next KidzRAP meeting and knew it was where I needed to be at the moment. I know God has amazing things for my family and I do believe this is a step in His plan. I feel that as we obey Him through each step more doors will open.

I hope to see more families involved in serving. There is so much need to be met and we are such a small group but even though small we can touch in a large way. I hope that through avenues such as the blog, Facebook and the newsletter that many more people would be alerted to how easy it is to help those in need and it can be done as a family entity.

Share something that you enjoy? I love writing. I always have since a young girl. I love playing dolls with my daughter. I enjoy seeing young girls free from the bondage of insecurity. I enjoy designing things.

Called to be Set Apart

I think the very words "Called to be Set Apart" speaks volumes because this call comes from our God, Our King. Our call is not empty but filled with promises of fulfillment beyond our imagination made to fit our personal situations. "Set Apart" in the past two months alone I have been hit with these words through Bible Studies, Church Sermons and personal revelations. I believe to hear this so many times understanding that this is what a Christian individual is called to do I can only come to one conclusion; we as Christians are not doing this.

I believe the leaders and teachers in Christ are led by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The message to be set apart is not only "now" but there is an urgency in it (at least that is what I have perceived). If we take into count what Christ in His love has done for us we will see that He himself has pulled us apart from the world. When you were steep in your sins Christ came and pulled you from the grips of death into life. He removed your old rags and placed new garments on you, standing you up tall in His presence removing the burdens of sin and the stench of the world. We go back and mingle in not on purpose of course.

I do not need to spend a paragraph listing how we do this what I do want to spend time in saying is 'be careful to mind your steps and your thoughts, purpose to live set apart.' The only way this can happen is through keeping your face in the word and staying on bended knee. In everything PUT GOD FIRST. THE TIME IS NOW NOT TOMORROW OR LATER BUT NOW. GOD HAS A MESSAGE HE WANTS TO DELIVER TO HIS PEOPLE SET APART DON'T MISS OUT BECAUSE YOUR HEAD WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD. GOD LOVES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US SO ALLOW HIM TO SHOW HIS LOVE, HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY AND ACT UPON IT.

Praying that each and every one of us purposes in our hearts and minds to live set apart. Ask God to reveal to us what that truly means.

You Don't Have to Wait

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:25)
This is such a true statement. When we chose to give of ourselves as well as from what we have willingly how does that make you feel? I hope the answer is good, even better you feel God's love filling you reaching to that other person.

KidzRAP is an excellent ministry that allows families to come together and serve. The need to serve will never go away because needs will never go away. We will always need God's love and provision so in turn when we are able when the moment or opportunity presents itself we should willingly lend our service to those in need. Coming out every third Saturday each month to participate in KidzRAP is an enormous dedication with an enormous impact on the lives touched.

The good news is that you do not have to wait until then to participate in serving. There is so much need around us that our service never has to be put up on the shelf. Needs come in many different forms, some may need someone to say a kind word to them, some may need food, clothes or maybe even a ride to work or elsewhere. Let's pray that as we go about our daily business God would open our eyes to see the need around us and ask Him how we can be a part of fulfilling that need, allowing our hearts and minds to be led by the Holy Spirit.

 

Who will be My Hands and Feet?

We answer this question Christ pose every time we serve in His name.
Not even the rain stopped what God had in store for the kids at the Krause Children's Center. So many wonderful families showed up this morning to participate in making pillows and treasure chests for the children at the Krause Children's Center. The abundance of the wish list items that were donated was such a blessing to see. I know that the children at the Krause Children's Center will be so blessed and appreciative of each and every item.

So much thanks to Tawana Goodwin the director of volunteer services at the Krause Children's Center for coming out to share with us. Hearing about the lives of the children their moved and touched the hearts of everyone listening. Our partnership with the Krause Children's Center does not end here. We will partner in praying for the children entering and leaving the center.

We pray that the most important decision they can make in their life which is to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is made. In order to do this they must have an amazing encounter with Him. Partner with us in prayer for these children. We pray that God would send warriors and soldiers from His Kingdom to meet them in their paths and share the truth about their existence. We pray the truth that is sown into their hearts and minds never be uprooted by the works of the enemy but through every trial cemented leading them into God's will and purpose for their lives. We also pray that God would continue to give the staff at the Krause Children's Center wisdom to direct and minister to these young and precious lives. To God be all the glory forever and ever.