Tag Archive | Christianity

Ladies Night 2011

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You

Guest Speaker

Jonna Gibson

Jonna is no stranger to the ministry of the Lord. Having grown up in church and giving her life to the Lord at a very young age, her testimony is one that proclaims the power of God’s love that keeps a young person pure and grounded in Him. Jonna has carried her commitment to the Lord and His Kingdom even into her adult years with the same consistency. She has been married to Pastor Donald Gibson since 1989 and although she has served alongside him as a helpmate, providing strength and encouragement for over 20 years, she is not without her own calling.

Jonna has been gifted to speak words of wisdom and discernment into lives and situations wrapped in a very real and straight-forward, yet mercy and grace-filled package. Setting her apart from others is her ability to connect with real people in real situations as she finds this common ground with them; that in addition to wanting to be loved, we are all created on purpose and for a purpose and life is about enjoying the journey of discovering what that purpose is. She is able to draw on her gifts in her service as a full-time RN where she is continually called upon to be a support to grieving families, giving her an opportunity to share Jesus in an otherwise seemingly God-less scene.

Together Donald and Jonna have two boys, Trey and Corey, and they reside in Houston, TX.

Ministering in Music…

Brandi Lee Booth

Moving Forward by the Grace of God…Born June 25th, 1981 in Freeport, Texas to devoted and loving parents Richard and Lee Ann Smith. Lifetime resident of Brazoria County. Married to husband Del Booth for 6 years and a proud mother of three beautiful children; Cheyenne, Michael and Brandon.

Currently she is a student at Brazosport College earning credits to obtain her teaching degree. She sings with passion for Christ and enjoys teaching children the incredible gift of worship through song and praise.

JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF FOOD FUN AND CELEBRATION

Location: First Baptist Church Brazoria
Date: May 14th
Time: 6pm
Registration Fee: $7.00
Registration Ends May 1st so call (979) 709-1840 or (979) 239-7091 to get your name on the list and make arrangements for payment.

Child care will be available.

There Is So Much More

Mar26

Recently I wrote “It Ain’t Always Pretty” but it was this morning during my quiet time the words jumped off the pages of my Bible and God spoke to me in the most vivid and comprehensible way!!!

Psalms 91:1 has always been my “Go To” scripture. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”. I absolutely love that verse!!! In-fact I alluded to it in the post “I’ve Got His Rib”. But, I find it sooooo awesome that’s not all…

Beginning in verse 9 He says SO MUCH MORE!!!

If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalms 91:9-16

WOW…WOW…WOW…

I have read this scripture many times before and it has ministered to me. But this morning….It SCREAMED into my ear!

I have work to do…I’ve got that~When God speaks and the conviction of the Holy Spirit comes over me, I know I had better listen. And, while It Ain’t Always Pretty, it is necessary to be obedient! But, here’s the kicker…

He has posted Angles around me…NOTHING (and NO ONE) can or will harm me! And…Wow be if anything or anyone tries…BECAUSE>>>

I LOVE THE LORD AND ACKNOWLEDGE HIS NAME

He has shown me His salvation and He will satisfy my every longing!!!

Praise God…There Is So Much More!!!

Love Lee ♥

Do You Have What It Takes

Mar24

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14: 22-33

Questions

If there were waves about your boat…Would you step off into the water?
If you felt yourself sinking would you fight to stay afloat or would you cry out and allow the extended hand to pull you out?
If He reached down His hand and pulled you out of the turmoil would you trust Him?
Does He need to perform a miracle in order for you to recognize it is Him?

To follow Jesus it takes courage, trust, faith, and daily worship…

Do You Have What it Takes?

Love Lee ♥

It Aint Always Pretty

Mar23

I often find it amazing how we frequently don’t want to deal with our issues…

In-fact, there are times it is down right horrible. To know you must change but to resist that change is such a challenge for even the most flexible person. Why is that??? To realize obedience is the only action which can truly bring inner peace or joy why on earth would we choose to be resistant to what God has instructed us to do?

Change takes us to a place which is not always comfortable at first. Think about it

When reducing caloric intake…hunger
When reducing spending…decreased material matter
When exercising…painful muscles
When changing mindsets…increased emotional challenges

Now…all of the above changes leads us to think of the negative connotations. Why is that? Why do we always tend to focus on the negative aspects rather than focus on the positive? Think about it…wouldn’t it be so much nicer if we choose to think

When reducing caloric intake…weight loss
When reducing spending…increased reserve
When excercising…lean and sleek muscles
When changing mindsets…open mindedness and positive attitude

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2: 12-13

Dealing with our convictions is necessary for peace and sound mind but

It Aint Always Pretty!

Love Lee ♥

Heart of Worship

Mar22

Do you find it difficult to get to the heart of worship when bogged down with the cares of the world or overwhelmed with life?

Sunday morning the song “Heart of Worship” was sung in our worship service and it was a great reminder to return to the heart of worship….

Jesus

Have you worshipped today?

Love Lee ♥

Are You Stuck in the Middle

Mar18

Often we find ourselves between…Between Pay Checks, Between Projects, Between Jobs, or Between relationships. So, what does one do when living in the status of between?

Live

You keep on living. To stop living and enjoying your life should not be an option. Every day you should live your life to please Him. Living in the moment; basking in the here and now.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, Colossians 1:10

Laugh

Laugh a lot! Often you must laugh just to keep from crying! However, laughter really is like a medicine cleansing the dark corners of the soul.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Love

Extending love gives purpose and meaning to can often seem like a meaningless life. Loving others helps remove your focus off your self. It is difficult to have a pity party if your focus is on others.

The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:14

When you find yourself in the status of between in life then…

LIVE, LOVE, & LAUGH

Love Lee ♥

This is Your Life

Mar17

I remember several years ago there was a TV show called “This Is Your Life”. They would highlight the life of a person by bringing in people from their past to surprise them. They would play a clip of a person from the past sharing a memory while the contestant on the show would try to figure out who was speaking. Often the contestant had no idea how they had impacted the person from the past and on occasion would not even remember knowing them.

Today, you are impacting someones life while creating your past.. So in order to live today to its fullest and not regret your past, you must

Put God first
Treat people with dignity
Offer words of encouragement
Do what is right even when no one is watching
Go the extra mile no matter how tired you are
Show up and be connected

While God’s grace covers our mistakes and gives us a clean slate, it does give us permission to blow our days away without thought to consequences…We will be accountable for every word or deed so make today count because…

This is Your Life!

Love Lee ♥

What’s Your Weakness?

Mar16

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses and it is human nature to want to showcase your strengths and hide your weaknesses. However, it is in your weaknesses God can use you the most. Without weakness, God’s supernatural strength can not be exalted.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:7

Countless times I have counseled people who were at the end of their rope feeling there was absolutely no resolution for the problems they were faced, only to later hear them report God’s goodness and mercy; singing His praises for the deliverance He provided.

Wayward child returned home
Financial issues resolved
Crumbling marriages restored
infirmities healed

If You Want To Impress People Showcase Your Strengths But If You Want To Influence People Share Your Weaknesses.

When you share you weaknesses, God becomes the center of attention and His power is showcased. The focus is removed from you and placed on God’s power. By transferring the focus to God your problem becomes really small and His power becomes very strong.

Thus, your value is not determined by your problem but instead your value is determined by your God.

What’s Your Weakness?

Love Lee ♥

How to Avoid Workplace Drama

Mar15

How to Avoid Workplace Drama is one of the best written articles I have read.

How To Avoid Workplace Drama

While we must follow Christ’s command to love we can also take some pro-active measures which are based on common sense.

NO MORE DRAMA!!!

Love Lee ♥

What Are You Talking About

Mar14

When with others, what is the focus of your conversation? Is it your family, your possessions, your job, your hobby, or perhaps your passions? Are you able to talk about anything other than you? Are you able to relate?

In speaking with a friend recently she said, “that gal had no idea who she was talking to…all she could talk about was her spa days, cruises, and shopping sprees. Does she not have a clue?”. You see my friends comment was founded. She did not even have a job or a means to pay her mortgage or purchase food.

When conversing with others it is very important to know your audience. So, how do you get to know the person you are speaking with?

Turn the conversation away from yourself: Remove the words me and I from your conversation. Allow the conversation to be about the other person.

Give your full attention to the person you are speaking with: Remove the mental distractions which occupy your attentions

Ask questions about their life: Generally people will to tell you about their lives but want to be asked. It is vital to know your audience.

Really listen to what they are saying: Hear both the spoken and unspoken words. Listen to the true meaning of what they are saying.

Monitor your facial expressions: Your face says it all…are you conveying you care, you’re bored, you disapprove?

Be aware of your body language: Are your arms crossed in front of you, are you slouched down, are your hands on your hips? Your body language speaks volumes!

Most importantly, let your thoughts and conversations be wholesome, positive, and non judgemental.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14