On Being a Mom- Sarah Chandler

When I was pregnant with my son, Michael, I have to say I did not think about his teenage years. I thought about the fun times with my new baby, cuddling him, feeding him watching him learn to walk, and to talk. I imagined playing together as he grew into a toddler and maybe as far as the first day of preschool. Nowhere along the way did I think about the struggles he would face as a teenager in middle school-- facing bullies, cussing, girls, sex, drugs and all the other temptations the world throws at children through the media and society.

For my daily quiet time, I have been reading the gospels, journaling and praying. I have really been trying to follow the scripture, Matthew 6:6-8, which tells me to carve out private time in a quiet place on my knees praying.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

One afternoon I was reading scripture in Luke 19, really struggling with some things going on with my son and needing some relief from worry. Afterward I get down on my knees and I am just sitting quietly with God and trying to feel His grace and give up (really hard for me to let go!!) my worries about Michael. All of a sudden I hear God speaking to me: MY plan for him WILL get done SARAH! I got chills. I was crying-- it was amazing. To make it even more amazing a verse in Luke led me to a scripture in Job 36:5 that I have since memorized. It provides me daily comfort:

“God is mighty, but does not despise men; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.”

As a mom I can’t tell you what a relief it is to know that God has a plan for our children. Yes, they will go through trials and hardships but His ultimate plan will get done. I still struggle to let go and give up my worries to God, to let Him be the control in my life and trust His plan for my family. But, I do notice things go much smoother when I do!

Guest Devotional- Sandy Mayer

I was reading my devotional this morning about influence. The question was: What is the difference between a leader and a boss?. A boss says Go!, a leader says Let’s Go!; a boss knows how it’s done, a leader shows how it’s done; a boss inspires fear, a leader inspires enthusiasm based on respect and good will; a boss fixes the blame for the breakdown, a leader fixes the breakdown.

Just before the Passover feast Jesus washed the disciples feet and said, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor messenger greater than one who sent him." John 13:15. Jesus is our best example.

Becoming a Christ-like leader is a process that Paul talked about in 1Cor 9:24-25. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

This scripture makes me picture myself and everyone around me (spouse, children, family, coworkers, neighbors, relatives) that I’m able to influence. As I look back at the race I have run so far I ask myself, was I a boss or a leader? I think back to when Ashley and Hal were toddlers and how I treated them as they grew up. I know there were times when my parenting was more bossy than I’d like. But, thankfully, there’s still a lot of race left to be run. Thank God.

I take this influence seriously enough to ask God to help me be an example. One that will influence those around me to want to accept Jesus into their hearts. Isn’t that what it is all about?? When Jesus is my example and I allow him to live in me, I don’t have to worry about being a bossy mom…

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Guest Devotional- Cheryl Holmes

I have been contemplating several things that I have heard in recent messages from our Pastors. One thing in particular is focusing on others rather than on me and my circumstances. Whatever situation you are in right now, you have a choice to make in how to respond. As Pastor Hal has said, you can let you situation or hurt define you or you can lean on God. Let Him carry your burden and ease your load. You are not alone-- God is waiting for you to call on Him and invite Him to help you with whatever you are facing. When I focus on others instead of my problems God can use me to meet a need in someone else’s life. When I allow Him to do that I don’t feel that my situation is so bad anymore. The more I lean on Him the less insurmountable my obstacles become. What about you? How do you handle the stress in your life? Are you leaning on God or are you trying to do it on your own?

Jeremiah 29:11-13 says this, “11 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 hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Lean on God today. Tell Him your troubles, your fears, your heartaches and ask Him to bear those burdens and carry you through.

Guest Devotional- April McCullohs

On Saturday, over 100 people gathered at Honeymoon Island to celebrate the baptism of 18 Jesus-lovers (who happen to go to Church at the Bay). Kids ran around, Carter buried my legs in sand (thanks for the sand toys, JP!), friends chatted and there was a lot of sunscreen!

Mid-morning, we all gathered on the shore while the pastors stood waist deep in the waves. Brother and Sister, Mom and Daughter, Husband and Wife, Teenager and Retiree—they all professed faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and then participated in a 2000 year old ritual.

I have a special affinity in my heart for beach baptisms because it’s as close as I think we’ll get to celebrating baptisms the way the first disciples did.

We stood on the shores of the beach; the first disciples stood on the shores of the Jordan River.
We wore board shorts, sundresses and cowboy hats; they wore robes and sandals.
We ate Papa John’s pizza; they probably had something a bit more organic (before organic was trendy and expensive!).

But it’s what keeps bringing people to the waters of baptism that’s the same-—2000 years ago to today.

It’s a need for forgiveness, cleansing and a second chance.
It’s the grace of Christian community and the joy of deep fellowship.
It’s the beauty of a God who invites us to identify with His Son’s death, burial and resurrection.

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” Acts 22:16

Guest Devotional - Alexis Albright

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

As I am preparing for the arrival of our third baby boy, due in November, I am trying as hard as I did the last two pregnancies, to prepare. I am reading articles on newer baby devices that I didn’t have with the last two boys. Mail is coming in left and right for offers to know more about formulas and to receive free trials. Working on the nursery is a task all in itself. Where is this child going to sleep? What am I missing from the many items I already possess? And most importantly, who is this child growing inside of me? How many times a day is he kicking? Are those hiccups? I guess he doesn’t care for spicy foods. But the greatest part of pregnancy, in my opinion, is the few times I am granted the opportunity of seeing my child as close up as possible, on an ultrasound. At that moment, it is as if I really know my baby. I hear his heart beating and I see him moving. Sometimes, I really believe he’s even waving to say, “Hey Mama, can’t wait for you to hold me.”

You know, in some ways, this is like our relationship with Jesus. I Corinthians 13:12 talks about our knowing Jesus here on Earth, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” And in order for us to know him in our life here on Earth, we have to seek him with our whole heart (Jer 29:13). This means, we must learn everything we can about who He is. We must dialogue with him. We must daily choose to pick up His word and allow it to penetrate our hearts so that it transforms us from who we are into whom He wants us to be. It is in the true thirst for relationship with Jesus, that we get our ultrasounds - He reveals himself to us – we see His heart beating and we see Him moving. He speaks to us as if to say, “My child, I can’t wait to hold you.”

Guest Devotional - April McCullohs

We’re all familiar with the story of Mary. She was a young girl, probably no more than 13 or 14, and engaged to a well-respected man. In Luke, we read how Mary was visited by Gabriel, a big-time angel. Gabriel gives Mary the news—“You’re going to bear the Son of God!!” She was bewildered, to say the least.

Imagine her situation. She was thrilled—God knows my name! God thinks of me as “highly favored”! But I’m sure her mind was also racing. Becoming pregnant before marriage was a quick ticket to being cut off from her tight-knit community and it most likely meant the end of her engagement to Joseph. Public humiliation.

Before Gabriel’s finished speaking with Mary, he explains to her that her cousin Elizabeth, one who was way passed the age of childbearing was pregnant also. “Nothing is impossible with God,” Gabriel declares.

Now, I’m sure God had Gabriel speak of Elizabeth’s situation to boost Mary’s faith. But, I also think in His compassion he wanted to comfort Mary.

Elizabeth was one who knew what it felt like to be the subject of town gossip.

Elizabeth knew what it was like to see the impossible happen.

Elizabeth knew where to find maternity clothes and what oil to use to prevent stretch marks!

God knew Mary would find comfort and companionship with her cousin Elizabeth.

And I think that speaks of God’s design for women. In the ups and downs of life, amidst the ordinary and the supernatural, God has designed for us to connect in deep friendship, sharing this journey of faith together.

Let’s dare to become authentic, vulnerable and honest. Let’s dare to let each other see our weaknesses, along with our strengths. As we take next steps in our relationships with God, think about who your Elizabeth is. In Christian community, there’s great potential for each of us to see the impossible come to pass with God.