Kim will be the featured guest singer and speaker for the Ladies Christmas Dinner at
Rosemont Baptist Church in LaGrange, GA.
Joe and Kim Stanley Ministries
Leading Worship in Spirit and in Truth
Kim will be the featured guest singer and speaker for the Ladies Christmas Dinner at
Rosemont Baptist Church in LaGrange, GA.
…no, no…not in the mistress sense,
But a kept woman in the abiding Presence of Christ.
This is my reality.
My choice is to believe and trust and live from here.
The One who has captured my heart keeps it very well.
Even in the messes around me – and in me – that seem to want to swallow me up
~unfinished projects (this could be a whole blog in itself)
~laundry
~feeling misunderstood
~wishing I was a better friend
~returning phone calls and writing that letter
And all other moments lived in yucky flesh ~ rebellion and self absorption.
Truth:
The One who saved me has sealed me and has promised to never leave me.
He comes after me – in my mess – with conviction, not condemnation,
To rescue me from the pit of self….
To remind me that Life is in Him Life is Him
That He is in me and I am in Him…. by the power of the Spirit, not by my striving
Makes these eyes stare at Jesus
He must increase – I must decrease
Michael Wells (www.abidinglife.com) said, and this may not be an exact quote, but my takeaway,
”Abiding is not a feeling, it’s not a work I must do, it’s a knowing that I am kept.”
Paul said from a Roman prison, waiting to die…
“…for I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom I have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which [a] I have committed [to Him] until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12 MSG)
I’ll say it: “I’m a kept woman – and grateful for it.”
Joe has the undeniable privilege of visiting those who are currently serving their time in State and Federal prisons. He went on one such trip last week with a group of Christ followers, led by a very faithful saint , and after worship in song and testimony, witnessed 24 sisters trust Christ as their Savior. He comes home from these visits more alive and grateful because He has seen first hand the transforming power of the Word made flesh, the One who draws others to Himself and uses people just like you and I to be a part of His great work. We, no I, take for granted sometimes that the single, most supernatural miracle is when someone who was dead is brought to life. “For we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ” Rom. 3:23, a key word being “all.” ” But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ” Rom. 5:8. I don’t want to ever get over this.
Joe also says that he sees more freedom in those who are behind bars than in some who are free to go and worship in their own churches any given Sunday. They worship freely, loudly, foolishly perhaps to some, because they have found the treasure no one can take away from them. They live free because of what Christ has done on the inside. They know they are new creations in Him, and the old is passed away, even though locked cells and heavily secured walls keep them from coming and going as they would like. I believe they believe this: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now have received reconciliation.” Rom. 5:10-11.
i have a very insightful husband!
makes me want to shout and dance! will you join me?
a little Roman Road for today….may it lead to true freedom!
January 11th – Touching Hearts Women’s Ministries (new season begins) – Kim
January 7th – Orchard Hills Church
January 14th – Orchard Hills Church
January 21 – New Rocky Creek Baptist Church – Joe
February 10th – West Metro Church of God, Douglasville, GA