Video: Behind the Song “Just For Who I Am”
Posted by Russell // April 5th, 2011 // No Comments » // Media
The first in a new series of videos that explains the stories behind the songs. First up is Kristi explaining “Just For Who I Am”, a song she wrote for the Heart Revolution project.
Journal – Receiving and sharing godly counsel
Posted by Kristi // February 26th, 2011 // No Comments » // Journal
When Russell and I were first married…well, let me back up to way before then… I was born the third, and final, of three girls – the baby. I loved being ‘the baby.” My sisters say I was “babied.” Maybe I was, I don’t know. I just loved being “the baby.” There were times that being “the baby” didn’t work to my advantage, like when I wanted to go with my older sisters and I was too young – really too immature – I didn’t like being “the baby” then.
Fast forward to when Russell and I were just married…I STILL loved being “the baby,” and Russell kind of helped “baby” me. We often laugh about the many nights he and I would watch a movie in the living room and I would always fall asleep on the couch. What would Russell do but carry “the baby” to bed and tuck her in! I LOVED it!
Then came children…
I wanted to have children. It was MY idea. I wanted to be a mom but inside, I secretly worried about the fact that I would no longer be “the baby.” I would have to care for the real baby! Slowly, I got used to the idea and hopefully, after two children, now five and nine years old, I have gotten past the need to be “the baby.” My daughter does a good job of it!!
Just like I have always been “the baby” in my physical life, I seem to have a hard time not being the same in my spiritual life. I want to be an example for younger girls looking to me to see how to be a godly mother and wife. I want to raise my children knowing how a mother and wife should live according to the Bible. I just get caught up in “the baby” thinking. I want to be mentored. I want to be shown the way. In a way, I don’t want to grow up.
It’s Biblical to continue to receive counsel and wisdom from those older and more mature in their faith. It’s also Biblical to pour what you receive into those younger and not as far along in their faith. I realized that what I was afraid of was letting go of “the baby” in me. I thought it had to be one or the other, that I had to be the mentor OR the mentee. I want to be both. I want to find someone that I think God would want me to soak up godly counsel and wisdom from and then pour it out on the girls in my life. I have a few precious ones in mind. One just happens to live with me!
What about you? Do you have someone in your life from whom you are receiving godly wisdom on a regular basis? Do you have younger lives who are waiting for you to share “the baby” status? I encourage all of us to seek out counsel and wisdom, as it says in Titus 2:
1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Southeast Conclave was a big success!
Posted by Kristi // February 5th, 2011 // No Comments » // Journal, News
The Southeast Conclave was a big success. All that I can say is wow! We met some amazing new people and were really surprised to see so many of our friends there, some that we had not seen in years! Events like this aren’t the norm for us, but we have felt led in the past year to try and reach out for new opportunities to discover what God has in store for us. We are already looking forward to next year’s Conclave and excited about the new ministry opps that lie ahead!
Our friends, Jennifer and Philip, are amazing…just so you know!!! They helped us tremendously and our booth reflected their hard work! Thanks Jen and Philip!! You are awesome!
Join us for the Adore Marriage conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Posted by Kristi // January 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // Journal, News
God has allowed us to see his great works in marriage enrichment throughout our years and it is certainly a passion for Russell and myself. We have all too often seen people we love and care deeply about devastated by divorce and by major problems in their marriages. And like all other couples, we struggle from time to time in our marriage, as well. So, after several years of talking back and forth about marriage events, we decided to bring one to our home town – I mean, where better since we live in a resort town, right?
So, we are pleased to present the Adore Marriage conference in Myrtle Beach on March 4th through the 6th. The conference will be at the Hampton Inn and Suites Oceanfront, located at 18th Avenue on Ocean Boulevard. We are very happy that Eddie and Janet Thompson have agreed to come and lead the teaching portion of the weekend. Eddie and Janet are amazing people who we met through retreats where we led worship at Fort Caswell in North Carolina. These two share an amazing passion for marriage and work full time for the North Carolina Baptist Association leading marriage retreats to bring couples closer to Christ and to each other.
We would certainly invite you to come for this wonderful weekend of marriage enrichment. For more information, see the event website at www.adoremarriage.com or call the Adore Marriage information line at (843) 560-9449. The cost for the conference is $149 through February 4 and we have discounted room rates through the same date.
Traveling to Southeast Conclave
Posted by Russell // January 26th, 2011 // No Comments » // News
Next week we will be traveling to the Southeast Conclave in Chattanooga, TN. We are excited to be exhibiting at the event, which is a conference and training event for youth ministers and their teams throughout the South. Our prayer is to meet and speak with a lot of new people and hopefully discover some new opportunities for ministry for ourselves. If you or your youth team is going to be at the Conclave, please come by and see us at booth number 329 in the exhibit hall.
Inspiration this Christmas
Posted by Kristi // December 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Journal
I thought I would write something this Christmas that would hopefully encourage you and inspire you to really seek out the true wonder and awe of Christmas…then I stumbled upon this. I know…God sent this to me! Please read this and be encouraged to pause…to ponder…to wonder…to praise the only One Who is worthy! Merry Christmas!! ~Kristi
