Fresh Grounded Faith

Hello again!

I know its only been a few days since I started, but I want to try to keep this thing going - so you can hold me accountable to that! ;-)

Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going to the Second Baptist Church Women's Ministry - Fresh Grounded Faith conference. I know, I know.....the christian conference high may come and go, however, my take-away from the experience truly gave me a fresh view of what "the church" should look like, and even better ways to hold each other accountable as women. So, I'll let this post-conference high be a little (or a lot) contagious!

Two of the main speakers were Chonda Pierce and Jennifer Rothschild.

Chonda is an outgoing mother and wife from Tennessee, who happens to be one of the most humorous speakers I have ever heard. Truly, not only has God worked in her life in some remarkable ways - but her gift in telling the story leaves you with such laughter and comfort, truly a blessing. Jennifer is an adorable woman who became blind when she was a teenager, and has gone on to literally walk out day-to-day what it means in "walking by faith, and not by sight."

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1, NIV

What I need to explain, is that I was actually asked to be a counselor for this event. Of course, I was honored to serve our Lord in such a capacity - to counsel and/or pray with any women who walked forward once Jennifer gave the invitation. As I sat there in my seat, strategically on the end of aisle preparing to get up and stand to be available for women to come forward, I was dealing with my own emotional turmoil.

There had been some recent events which had taken place in my life (which is an entire blog entry in and of itself) that left me holding back tears as Jennifer and Chonda talked about forgiveness, being whole in Christ, having complete faith, and of course - patience. It was even more likely that *I* was the one who needed to come forward for prayer/counsel. Then something Jennifer said, hit me where it counts:

"He (God) allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves."

She gave words to a thought so many of us, men and women alike, have had when we go endure hardship that may seem unfair. It was almost as somehow I was on the show Jeaopardy, and when I heard Jennifer's answer....I thought to myself, the matching question is "WHY?" - the kind where we ask, "Why God? Why?"

Further, she went on to mention how her and a few of her own girl friends hold each other accountable to becoming more like Christ. This truly impacted me, especially as a single 20-something, accountability is such an instrumental part of not only growing, but establishing healthy boundaries in dating and allowing men to pursue you the way a Daughter of a King should be pursued. Jennifer said her and a girl friend of hers would meet for coffee and ask the following three questions to each other:

1) What do you see in my life that encourages you?
2) What do you see in my life that you would caution me about?
3) What else would you like to tell me?

Truly, when asking questions of this nature to a handful of your most intimate and closest friends - pride needs to be stripped and defensive walls need to be torn down. These are not meant to be easy questions: you are holding up a mirror to yourself, to see the bad AND the good. To open up yourself - to be truly vulnerable - and allowing God to work through others to accomplish His work, is tough. However, if its not tough - than most likely it is not growing. Its almost as though these questions, when grouped together should come with a warning label that says, "HUMILITY REQUIRED."

I plan on implementing this accountability method with about five of my closest girl friends, and we are excited about it. Not just excited about growing closer as friends, but also letting God use each other to grow us for His Kingdom. Ultimately, it is Him we want to grow closer to; it is Him we want to please; it is Him we want to become more like; it is Him we want to serve; it is - and always should be - about Him.

If God is speaking to you about the need for accountability in your life, I encourage you to find a few close Christian-rooted and Jesus-loving friends of the same gender as you - and to meet with them. Pray for each other. If you feel leading from Jennifer's method, ask God if those are the questions you should ask each other. Let God use each of you to build each other up, to spiritually lead each other to become more like Christ, and encourage each other in your walk with Him.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV

I am praying for you, you can do this!

In Christ,
Kay