Pinnacle of Joy

One of the greatest joys of this Christmas was receiving an unexpected message from a girl I haven't seen or heard from since college (7 years). Back then, I was a relatively new believer, learning how to be intentional with sharing my faith. It was a pivotal point in my life when God was beginning to develop in me a mindset for life-long ministry. Samm Bridgforth Poteat poured her life into me all four years of college, lovingly challenging me to give away what I had so graciously been given. Trembling in our boots, courageously so, my best friend and I moved to Scott Hall (the scary party dorm) our junior year with the specific purpose of sharing Christ. It was a hard year of ministry in many ways and we didn't end that year feeling very successful. Keia's testimony (see below) speaks of God's power working through weak, but willing vessels. She was one of the girls I developed a relationship with that year. I loved her dearly but honestly felt discouraged by the unapparent fruits of our labor!
One of the greatest memories I have with her is driving her home to Eastern N.C. from Atlanta, G.A. in the snowstorm of the century! That was a real bonding experience! Remember that Keia?!
I asked her permission to share it with you in hopes that it might encourage you to keep loving, keep sharing, and keep trusting God for the harvest! He may be working through your greatest weakness or insecurity. Whatever you do, don't give up or hold back!

"And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling. And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and power that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." I Corinthians 2:4-5

"Hey Heather I know that it has been a long time since I talked to you. I also know that the last time we talked I was so lost in the world and spinning out of control but my life is nothing like that now. Back then if someone was to ask me what the center of my life was, I would have answered," Sports, having fun, drinking, and spending time with guys who only wanted one thing from me." I was so lost then but I want you to know that I now thank God for placing me in that room on Scott Hall so that I would be able to meet you. I want you to know that the things that you told me all those years ago has stuck with me. Now if someone was to ask me what the center of my life is, I would answer with one word, "Christ." So I just wanted to take the time to say thanks for assisting me in making the greatest change in my life. It took me a long time to get to this point but I have made it and some of that has to do with you and others from Campus Outreach. Thank you for planting the seed in me and I want you to know that the seed has been firmly planted in me and I am living my life for Him.
So Thanks again and Merry Christmas to you and your family."
-Keia 

"And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1: 16-19

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." I Corinthians 3:7-9

Greatest Mercy

Joni Eareckson Tada who has spent the last 41 years in a wheel chair, prays, “Oh, thank you, thank you for this wheel chair! By tasting hell in this life, I’ve been driven to think seriously about what faces me in the next. This paralysis is my greatest mercy” (Christianity Today, January, 2004, 50).

I may never know the "hell" of living in a wheelchair, but may I count the portion of "hell" given me here on earth as my greatest mercy, that I might consider my heavenly home more than this one! A seriously challenging thought to ponder!

^"Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed."  Romans 8:17-19