twyla

[kendra, beka, me, twyla]
can i just tell you how blessed i am to know this woman?
she [and her husband, steve] have blessed my life more than they may ever understand.
the wisdom and confidence that they carry i covet.

paul tells the corithians, "be imitators of me, as i am of Christ." [1 corinthians 11.1]
i hear this same call from so many godly men and women and these two are no exception from them

and i take an example from Jesus' disciples who seek not only to know the teaching of their master, but who desire to be just like Him and who then have a ministry to call others to follow them as they follow Christ.

and i will not hesitate to say that i hope [and pray] to one day have a ministry with even half of the impact as the Lees'.
i have had the opportunity to sit as a disciple in their class, in their office, in their home this semester and to leave is one of the most bitter parts of this semester's coming to a close.
i've sat and talked with them enough times, gaining God's perspective and His wisdom, and being reminded of the differences between His voice and that of the enemy.

satan’s voice:
rushes/pushes/frightens/confuses/discourages/worries/obsesses/condemns
God’s voice:
stills, leads, reassures, convicts, enlightens, encourages, comforts, calms

i've observed how precious and impactful a ministry can be in which two people partner together in all grace and vision to love people for God's glory, not their own.
i asked twyla that night, as our bread dough baked,
what would you say are the three biggest factors that brought you and steve into the place of ministry and influence that you have with young adults today?
without hesitation her first answer was: God's grace. there's no way steve and i could have lasted apart from Him.
the second explanation she gave was: partnering in ministry. we've always done ministry together.
and the third: commitment. and hard work.

i've begun to understand and accept my value.
i've learned to pinpoint some of the lies that i have believed and i've learned to replace those with Truth.
i've experienced love in way that i haven't felt the need to perform in order to be "good enough", but simply to run after Jesus as i am.

oh, and i'm home. all is very well.

merry christmas :)