Is There Life After "No"?

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

I was so blessed by this devotion today from Lisa-Jo. I needed it! God spoke directly to me and I pray it will do the same for all of you!

Ann

"For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philipians 4:11-13 NIV

When we were living in Ukraine, someone once told me, "You know how we can tell if someone's American? They're the ones smiling for no reason."

Wrap your head around that one.

I heard it five years ago and it's still a brain teaser for me. In person and over a cup of tea, I could spend hours dissecting the cultural differences it alludes to. But, of late, it's been the Christian culture I've been thinking about more than any other. And how that statement might apply to us all.

"You know how we can tell if someone's a Christian? They're the ones smiling and smiling and smiling. Sometimes for no good reason."

For two years after our time in Ukraine we were anything but fine. After a decade away we had moved back to South Africa with high hopes for relocating back to my motherland. Those plans were eroded; slowly, painfully, and unexpectedly. Not a single step of our homecoming unfolded as we had so blithely assumed it would.

But, by all appearances we were fine. And if anyone asked, that's what we told them.

I smiled at church. I smiled at playgroup. I smiled at bible study. And I smiled at kids' birthday parties. I smiled for no good reason I could think of. Other than that I was sure no one expected me to respond to their generic, "So, how're you doing?" with a bust gut of agony and bloody tears right there in the meet and greet between the worship and the sermon.

How awkward would that be?

"Snot en trane" – the spot-on Afrikaans expression "snot and tears" – is not generally the appropriate response to a pre-service handshake.

So instead I plastered a stubborn smile, band aid-like, over my bleeding innards and got really good at making small talk and deflecting anything that might try to peel back a corner of the tape.

But 18 months later things were worse. And for the first time I was faced with a "no" answer from God that I couldn't seem to change or understand.

No, your husband won't get the job he needs.

No, you won't be able to stay in South Africa.

No, you don't get to choose where you go next.

I realized I had been expecting the easy "yes" of what I now recognize as Christianity-lite. I thought if I could grin and bear it long enough, things would finally go my way. I know you've heard it too. The fluffy take on some pretty serious verses that try to tell you, "All you need is faith" and you'll get what you want. "Just believe and the Lord will provide." "Ask and you shall receive."

So, this profound and resounding "no" was off my grid by a mile.

Things were not fine. Things were not good. Things hurt inside and out. We had to pack up our house and our new baby boy and move away from the family and country we were just rediscovering. The loss was physically painful.

I wrestled a long time with this new God of my "no." But slowly I discovered that His answer didn't dismiss my loss. Not if I saw it in the context of His ability to understand and respond to that loss.

Do you know the Bible story of the infertile woman whom God blessed with a child? The prophet Elisha had prayed for her. But before the boy was grown up, he died. And his desperate mother went looking for an answer. Listen to what she says when the prophet asks her that hardest of questions, "How're you doing?"

"'Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?'" And she answered, "It is well." 2 Kings 4:26.

She was far from fine. But she took that agony to the only person who could understand it. And at the feet of the God she could share her agony and outrage with, she was well. She was able to be real. Her answer didn't dismiss her loss. It simply put it in the context of God's ability to respond.

That is where He met me. At the cross-roads of his decision and my acceptance of it; he led me out of my heartache and into a season of redemption and beauty. All without changing his answer.

Instead he changed me.

Does God bring someone in your life to mind when you read this?

Take time this week to let them know you are praying for them and send them a note of encouragement.

Devotion excerpt by Lisa-Jo, The Gypsy Mama. For more devotions like this, go to: mailing@dayspring.com

WOMEN'S JAIL MINISTRY BEGINS!

Dear Jail Ministry Family & Friends,

After leading a March orientation and four April training sessions, the Blackshear Place Baptist Church Women's Jail Ministry, in Flowery Branch, Georgia, began the Tuesday night services at the Hall County Jail last night, June 8, 2010!!! We have a total of 14 women volunteers placed on five jail teams.

With the warm welcome of Chuck Hewett, the Jail Administrative Lieutenant, we discovered the rest of the jail staff to be most gracious and helpful as well. This fairly new large detention center is responsible for a 1,000 plus inmates and appears to be remarkably well managed. I am glad to report it was a positive experience and an encouraging beginning for this new women's church jail ministry.

The first team, Samantha, Shelley, Libby and I, proceeded to Pod 125 just prior to our 7:30 - 8:30 PM service last night. Amazingly, twelve women inmates came quietly and respectfully with their ears open, ready to receive God's Word! Shelley warmly welcomed each lady. Samantha touched their hearts both in prayer and a personal expression of her sincere love for them all. Libby shared her life-changing Christian testimony. I led in some praise songs and then shared the Gospel message. Thanks be to God, all twelve women inmates prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord! It was a glorious time in the Lord!

I had prepared a lesson from the Book of John 3:1 - 21, "What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?" However, due to the length of the Gospel message, we didn't have time to go through it. (This often happens in jail ministry, by the way. I've learned after 17 years, we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead as He often changes our well laid out man-made plans!) As a result, the lesson became their homework this week which worked out even better! This will give the women daily study time in the God's Word plus clearer understanding and assurance of their new salvation in Jesus.

Next Tuesday, June 15th, the next team (Brenda, Rena and Janice) will lead the service. However, I will again bring the lesson and songs so during the month of June, each team will have an opportunity to observe the process. During the months of July - August, I will be preparing and going on a mission trip to Zambia with those whom I worked with in the Florida jail and church ministry. (www.womenintruth.org). I know I can count on the Blackshear teams to carry on beautifully and be both blessed and a blessing at the Hall County Jail on Tuesday evenings! Kay Herrin has graciously volunteered to be the coordinator during this time. What a joy it has been to work with this wonderful lady!

I thank God for all our lovely church women jail volunteers who truly love people equally,unconditionally and without judgment. As we all know, one of the most excruciating experiences in life is to be left out, to be unwanted. More than likely, the thief on the cross knew the pain of rejection. Our Lord in His compassion brought a thief out of sin and into salvation. May we never forget this is what Jesus has called us to do: compassionately leading others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ so they will turn from their sins and receive the greatest gift of all, eternal life in heaven forever!

As a result, when the women inmates are released, may they turn away from the "old people, places and things," finally experiencing the abundant life Jesus came to give every Believer. May their hurt, rejection, pain and guilt be removed as they begin their new life, warmly welcomed and received into our church and other church fellowships with spiritual nurturing and the love of Jesus.

We are off to a great start! Can't wait to see what God is going to do next.

With love In, For, and Through Jesus Christ,

Ann

Wendy's Testimony - Failing To Share The Gospel

Note from Ann: Wendy is one of the first ladies I met in the jail years ago. A couple days after her release, she became one of the founding WIT members of the first WIT Sunday School Class. She is a perfect example of a woman who has overcome her drug addiction by discovering strength through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Now look at Wendy! She is married to a fine veterinarian, is raising her son and daughter, has a lovely Christian home and guess what, she volunteers in Jail Ministry! Praise the Lord! She called this week in grief. May we all learn from Wendy's experience.

I pray that my experience will help others in Christ to be quick to share the gospel with others. A woman I recently met was struggling to stay clean. She was running geographically, from Connecticut to Florida, afraid the authorities would take her three year old daughter. I saw myself in her as years ago I did the same thing. To see that fear in the eyes of another mother brought me back to how far the Lord has brought me.

I met her in a Twelve Step Recovery Fellowship. Since that time, over the past two months she has called me after drinking, just to talk. I counseled with her; first I suggested she call me before drinking and most importantly, if she stopped the behaviors that would get her daughter taken away, she wouldn't fear anything.

I invited her to church and had the ladies praying for her to come. Finally, she agreed to come on Sunday, May 30th. I was so excited she was coming! I just knew the Lord would move her as he did me.

On Thursday, May 27th, at 2:00 p.m., a friend from the recovery fellowship came to Chic-Fil-A where I work to inform me she O.D. (Overdosed) THAT MORNING AND WAS DEAD!!

I was so sad and immediately went to check on her daughter to make sure she was safe. At this point in my grief, the Lord spoke to my heart and I heard Him say, "Wendy you invited her to church which is good but you did not ask her if she died, did she know where she would spend eternity?" God gave me an opportunity and open door to share the Gospel with one of His lost, hurting women. I failed to do so. I took the easy way out and just invited her to church. She never made it.

I beg every person who hears and reads this testimony, please do not be hesitant to tell people about Jesus. We truly are not promised tomorrow.