If Only I May Finish My Course

Networking!

2008-08-02T06:11:00.000-07:00

I want to invite any and all reformed bloggers to join a new network: Http://reformedbloggers.ning.com. I hope it will be a place where we can connect and meet new friends.

Fighting the Freak Out

2008-07-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

We're having car trouble. This is something that usually causes me to freak out. Like, really freak out. Tears and moping and stressing and the whole deal. How am I going to get to work? How are we going to pay for the repairs? I'm going to have to get a second job! We're going to end up begging on the corner! It's really pretty pathetic.

When my husband let me know about our car trouble today, of course I started to go into freak out mode. But then something interesting happened. Something inside of me said, "This reaction is in direct contradiction to Scripture." But...but.... "No buts. It directly contradicts Scripture. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Well, when you put it like that...no, I guess I don't. It's difficult, but I am doing my best to fight the freak out.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me -- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. -- Philippians 4:6-9

From Genesis to Revelation

2008-07-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

When I find myself in a pattern of behavior that is not God-honoring or downright sinful, I often look back to see "How did I allow myself to get to this point?"

For me, the answer seems to be the same every time: When I started abandoning my daily disciplines of prayer and Scripture reading.

So what are my discipleship partners (including my spouse, my ultimate discipleship partner) doing to keep ourselves on track?

We're reading the Bible in 90 days.

"Can you really do that?"

I think so. WGNR promotes it yearly. Can I do it? I'll let you know in September. So far, so good.

I have read the Bible from cover to cover once before. As I begin again, it is amazing to see how it all fits together, how consistent and faithful our God is, and how everything in the Old Testament points to the New Testament and the coming of Christ. I am really seeing for myself how the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the God of Crystal, too.

Have you read the entire Bible, cover to cover? You should. Whether it's 90 days or a year, make it a priority and start today. If someone told you they had an instruction manual that would answer every situation in life you would ever face, you would want it, right?

You already have it.

The deeper the roots, the higher the reach....

2008-07-19T11:44:00.001-07:00

That was the quote I saw on a picture in the Starbucks bathroom as I was washing my hands today.

It really struck me. One of the reasons I am so passionate about children's ministry is because I was so affected by my Christian upbringing. I definitely had my time as a prodigal in high school and college, but when I re-dedicated my life to Christ, I was coming back to a foundation that had been firmly built throughout my childhood years. Things like the inerrancy of Scripture, the deity of Christ, and existance of a literal heaven and hell were not things I struggled to believe, because they had been taught to me as truth from a young age. Even though my tree of life has had some errant branches that needed to be pruned, when I got serious about growth, I already had deep roots.

This doesn't make me special or better than anyone else; it makes me fortunate. It's the reason why I serve in children's ministry today. I want to pass on what I was given. And to all the parents out there, I urge you to do the same. In an age where only 4% of Americans and 9% of Born Again Christians have a Biblical worldview, it is of the utmost importance.

Give your kids the gift of a Biblical, Christian upbringing. They may grumble now (I sure did), but one day they will thank you.

Thanks mom and dad!

Heartbreaking News

2008-06-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/16614018/detail.html

My home church was vandalized over the weekend. It was truly heartbreaking to come in and see the damage. However, as we sang hymns while waiting for the police Saturday night, I was reminded of how good God is, and how the damage could be so much worse. Please pray for us as we rebuild and heal.

Accountability

2008-06-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

How do you keep yourself accountable to walking the Christian walk? Who is it in your life that holds you accountable on behalf of the Holy Spirit?

I have two sisters in Christ that I trust who are my confidants and accountability partners. These are women that I have one-on-one discipling relationships with. We have made an agreement that no areas of our lives are off-limits to each other; we share and allow each other into every part of our lives. Outside of my relationship to my husband, these relationships are the closest that I have.

With one of these sisters I have daily accountability through shared devotionals. Each day we read My Utmost for His Highest and share our reflections over email. This has been a great help for me...if I miss a devotion, my friend knows it, and she doesn't let me get by more than a day without checking in. And vice-versa! It has grown both our personal relationship, and our relationship with Christ. I have gained so much by having these women "up in my business" as we like to say.

Do you have an accountability partner? If you do, how does that relationship work? If you don't, why not?

About This Blog

2008-05-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

Hello!

My name is Crystal and I am the program director of an amazing ministry called Helping Hats of Indianapolis. I am also a member of New Life Community Church on the northwest side of Indianapolis.

After starting our Helping Hats blog, I felt led to start a personal blog as well. I think blogging is a great way to connect with other Christians and to see all that God is doing in our lives and in our communities.

Things I am passionate about:

Children's Ministry - in particular leading children to Christ and providing them with a strong Biblical foundation.
Discipleship - one-on -one discipleship with young women seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Being Discipled - studying with mentors who help me grow in my faith.
Scripture Memorization - "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11).
Evangelism - sharing my faith and living a life of action.
Indianapolis - I love my city and want to see it become a city on fire for the Lord.
The Local Church - I believe the local church is the hope of our community, through the power of Jesus Christ.
The Multi-cultural Body - I support the de-segregation of Sunday mornings and think our churches should reflect heaven in their worship and their composition.

Things I struggle with:

Walking by faith and not by sight.
Loving God with my mind.
Seeking God with my WHOLE heart.
Being still and knowing that He is God.
Balancing work, ministry, my personal relationship with Christ, and supporting my husband.
Discouragement when times are hard.
Submitting to my husband.
Worry, fear, and doubt.

I was raised as an IFB - Independent Fundamentalist Baptist. I thank God that I was brought up in a Bible-believing church where I was taught the Word of God from a young age. I currently sit under a great pastor and my understanding of theology and my own faith is growing all the time. I believe in the the Holy Trinity, the deity of Christ, and the inerrancy of Scripture. I believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works so that none can boast. I would probably best be categorized as a Reformed Baptist, but my allegiance is not to a denomination or title, but to Jesus Christ.

The title of this blog is based on one of my "life scriptures," Acts 20:24. Aside from Jesus himself, one of my role models for Christian living is the apostle Paul. I strive to have the radical obedience to Christ that Paul had. I strive to be content in my situation. I am moved by his passion for the gospel.

That's me. I look forward to learning more about YOU, and growing in Him together!