Walking Blindly, Trusting Completely - A Guest Post by Brianne Rask

What a delight it is for me to share with you a story my sister sent to me recently. I was so excited that she gave me permission to share it with you here. (I love how God used our everyday lives to speak into our souls, don't you?)

I had to take Mattie, my 12 year old daughter, for a home school test today. When we got there, she helped get Phoebe (3 ½ years old) out of the car. There was a really sweet exchange between them: Phoebe had sun in her eyes. She walked a few steps toward the street. Eyes closed. With her hand in the air. Trusting that her big sister would grab that little hand and guide her across the street. And sure enough, her big sister came through and got her safely across the parking lot.

God spoke to me in that moment, I really feel like He did. That's how we should trust Him. We can blindly walk into what may seem to be danger, with our hands to heaven, knowing He will take our hand and guide us through it. ~ Brianne Rask

This made me think of the promise Jesus left His followers (including us) when He said that the Holy Spirit would be our guide (See John 16:13). We don't have to go it alone - in fact, we can't even if we want to! Our God is always with us. But our experience with Him will be determined by our trust in Him. 

I pray that we will choose, like sweet little Phoebe, to raise our hand -even if our eyes are closed to what's ahead- and trust that our Heavenly Father walks beside us and that His Spirit within us will guide us.

Meet Brianne Rask (my sister!)

Raskal & Bri play electronic music of all hues and colors, bringing it to rooms large and small across Atlanta and beyond. 

From their home base in Atlanta, Raskal & Bri are becoming preeminent players in creating a more dynamic ATL underground music scene.  They have shared the stage with many diverese Artists, like Dave Seaman, John 00’ Flemming, Keys & Krates, Victor Niglio and Judge Jules. This is the time though to start really pouring into the Atlanta Scene and Raskal & Bri are up for the Challenge. 

Having been a part of the music scene since the 90’s only to recently find their way back, they have a desire to spread the positivity deeply embedded in the music.

And did we mention they are one of the few Married DJ couples that exist in Dance Music today? Also having 5 kids, they bring the feeling of Family to each one of their fans. We all need each other. Raskal & Bri are working tirelessly to bring quality, cutting-edge dance music to Atlanta’s clubbers, both through their own music, and any event they are partnering with. Their passion for the electronic music and people in the culture permeates every project they take on and every set they play. Always looking to expand the minds of their fans through their love for them, the music, and each other.

Please join us at Church 4 Chicks in praying for Brianne and Ronnie Rask - AKA Raskal & Bri - as they take the light of the Gospel to others through their music these opening doors in Atlanta and beyond!

Lessons Learned in the Pond By Cheryl Laurenza

I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.

13 No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.

Philippians 3:12-14 TLB

Hey Ladies. I hope you are enjoying Spring time. Here in NH it is gorgeous after such a harsh and loooonnngg Winter. I want to share some thoughts I've had as I kayak around the pond.

I love kayaking, the serenity, the fresh air, me and the dog, time with God and his creation. We have a couple of Beavers that I watch from time to time. When something or someone breaks up the dam and water starts to leak out, these amazing creatures jump into action - actually, they don't jump, they seem to remain calm and  just continue on diligently fixing the leaks.

Here's how it works :

*Leak detected

*Investigate situation, assess damage and what needs to happen
*Gather help, and sticks, lots of sticks, and mud
*Together repair the spot making sure it is water tight, leaving no room for danger
*Go back to work cutting down trees, monitoring home, continuing to do what they are created to do, steadfast

For us, it would be a good take away to remember not only the steps, but the overall position of the beaver. They may become alert to a serious threat, be concerned, yet they don't freak out, remain calm, trusting their friends, being diligent in doing what they were created to do, and moving forward. They are responsible, hard working, and vigilant.

In Christ, we are equipped to do the same.

Blessings

Cheryl Laurenza, LPC, LCMHC
For more information on aloneness in marriage or otherwise, check out Center For Relational Care out of Austin, TX or contact me via email.
calaurenza@comcast.net
www.refugecounselingcenter.org

Letting Go by @emilylaney

Image via Google Images (creative commons)

 “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” – Isaiah 43:1-3 

I’m writing this to you all from thousands of feet, flying cross country to my beautiful home in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve been in Tucson, Arizona this week for work. So of course, two plane rides necessitate completing this journey. I’ve been on a lot of planes in my 29 years, nearly 200 if I had to guess. I spent much of my twenties traveling to the developing world doing missions and humanitarian work, and some of my destinations required 6-7 flights. But guess what?

I hate flying.

I really do. I love the destination, but I hate to fly. Some of this is likely due to my control freak tendencies and desire to always have a plan in place. I like to be in control, and when I’m flying, I’m not in control. I have to trust the pilot, mechanics and other involved airline employees to get me where I’m going. Flying, for me, is a practice in letting go. I don’t do it well, but I have no choice. In fact, on this very flight we’ve experienced turbulence during take off. I felt my heart beat rapidly and fear entered my mind. I anxiously picked at my nails and fumbled for my phone so I could listen to some worship music to take my mind off the bumps and impending fear in my heart.  Some of you reading may roll your eyes at this, but others of you know EXACTLY how I felt during that moment.

Fear is part of life. Relinquishing control is part of life. It’s not an easy part of life, but it is a necessary component of our journey. It may be plane rides, or public speaking, or illness, or rejection- but these tough moments happen more often than we would like them to. And much like I have to let go and trust the pilot of my plane right now, I have to let go and trust God in moments of uncertainty in life.

Why is it so difficult to trust God? I wonder that in moments of difficulty. I feel doubt and uncertainty creep in and anxious thoughts fill my mind. God has come through in countless ways for me in my life. He’s rescued me from danger, he’s comforted me during grief, and he’s provided for me when I wasn’t sure how I could make it. In many moments, it’s much easier to try to control situations on my own instead of trusting God. But I know in my own life, the times where I relinquished that control and passed my burdens, my fears and my doubts to my Heavenly Father, a peace that I couldn’t explain washed over me. So whether it be a bumpy flight or a lost job, God is there to wrap his arms around us and soothe our fears. He’s there to provide for us in ways we can’t even fathom, and comfort us in such a supernatural way that it can’t be explained. I’m so grateful for the cross, and so grateful for God’s grace. Without it, I truly don’t know where I would be.

What areas of your life do you need to ‘let go’ and allow God to take control? 

 

Emily Laney is a social worker, educator, and justice seeker.  She has worked with vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad and loves to help startup nonprofits reach their goals.  She is a Passion City Church door holder and leads a team of abolitionists at Not for Sale Georgia.   She loves her husband Brent and their rescue pup Biscuit. Sunsets and Sushi make her happy.

You can connect with Emily on twitter @emilylaney or on her blog www.emilylaney.com

Feeling a Bit Overwhelmed with Bad News? ~ By @ShelleyHendrix

I was struggling a bit one morning recently as I read the headlines and even the posts running through my social media newsfeed. There are so many needs. 

There are so many things going wrong. There is so much injustice in the world. 

Stephen and I were the recipients of some of that "injustice" recently. It reminded me of a picture my mom gave me when I was in 9th grade. I searched the pic out so that I could put it here for you to see. 

(I don't have rights to this pic below, and found it here.) 

Do you ever feel this way?

So, I took a long walk. I listened to my playlist while I walked alongside the ocean in my new home town. As Seth Condrey sang "Here I stand, arms open wide. I am Yours, and You are mine;" and as I listened and prayed and walked and listened some more, I began to feel God's peace and presence. 

Yes, there is a lot going on. Any one of us would change it all if we could. But as His child, I'm choosing once again to trust my Heavenly Father's goodness, awareness, involvement, and plans for this world and for my own life.

"I am Yours and You are Mine."

A wise woman once told me that God put us in a body for a reason: He never intended us to be in more than one place at a time. This helps me remember to engage where I am and to be present with those around me as much as possible.

My friend, Steve Mason told me, "All any one of us deal with is what God sets before us at any given moment. It is so easy to be overwhelmed by this world. When we are overwhelmed we cannot be present for the next person who needs our attention and love."

Let's continue to pray, to give of our time and resources, and to go where He leads; but as we do, it's also helpful to keep in mind that God never expected us to save the world. He has already taken care of that. 

 Shelley Hendrix is the founder of Church 4 Chicks as well as Shelley Hendrix Ministries and the co-founder of a new ministry collaboration called Team Redeemed (a ministry to those whose lives have been impacted by infidelity). 

You can find Shelley's website, social media links and more at www.ShelleyHendrix.com but you'll typically find her sipping coffee, scrounging for chocolate, and petting her dog while hovered over her laptop.