Ministry Update December 4 2008

Ministry Update December 4, 2008

Praise the Lord of Hosts. For the Lord is good. For His mercy endures forever.”
Jeremiah 33:11

Some days seem easier to praise the Lord of Hosts than others. When the concerns of daily living or inward battles drown out the attitude of praise we have to fight all the harder to maintain the desire to praise our Lord of Hosts. I continue to be amazed at how God becomes our strength in our weakness when we honestly admit our struggle and choose to rest in Him.

Such was my case last night as I drove to Mechanicsburg Brethren In Christ to speak with the youth there. I felt weak, drained, and questioned in my mind my ability to serve Him with any effectiveness. But the Lord is good and his mercies endure forever and so he had arranged for support ahead of time through the volunteer that went with me, Rita Simmons, and the youth staff and leadership of the church. As they gathered around me in prayer before the evening started I could thank God that when I am weak then he is strong. And the beauty of feeling weak is that fact of what Paul knew to be true, “Therefore I will boast in my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” His power, praise his Name, was over my weakness, and I could stand before this precious group of youth and proclaim God’s desire for them to know Him.

When I returned home late last night there was already a message for me through face book from one of the youth:

"Hi Anita, I was at McBic tonight where you spoke and was really blessed by your words. I can't wait to start the 21 day challenge tomorrow! Thanks for taking the time to come speak."

One of the youth leaders sent a message as well saying how JoyShop Ministries has impacted her marriage:

I pray blessings over your life and ministry and family! Thank you for pushing through, for fighting the good fight of faith! My marriage has also been blessed by your journal!

So praise God for his mercy over the ministry time at Mechanicsburg BIC church. Pray for all the people that will be starting the 21 DC today. Pray that they will become more hungry for God and in that hunger discover how much God truly loves them.

Update on November ministry

November 7 Ignite Young Adult gathering
Praise God for the good turn out. There were close to 80 or more students in attendance. What a privilege to pray with the leadership there before the event began. God blessed our time together and I know that many lives were impacted. One young lady sent me the following message the next day:

“I did exactly what you said this morning. I woke up and I really didn't want to get out of bed. But my friend and I last night promised we would, like you said "milk" this thing out as long as we could. So I threw off my covers and did it. You're right, it really makes a difference. I'm awake and ready to start my day. Thank you again Anita!”

On November 12 I had a group of about 15 young teenage girls and 2 hours to share the message of JSM and I trust God that He accomplished what was needed with that group.

My time at Mount Olivet United Brethren In Church went well on November 23. Paul and my parents traveled with me. It was a small congregation of 25 people! I was truly blessed to be able to serve them and was thrilled to receive a message from the only teenager that was there thanking me for coming! She said she read my book that afternoon.

One unexpected blessing I had this month was to visit my birth daughter, Twila, and her family in Florida. I think the picture attached to this post speaks for itself!

Two last testimonials I want to share have to do with the lasting impact of our message of seeking God first. We received a donation for the ministry and a note from a previous JoyShop attender years ago:

“Taking your JoyShop class has changed my devotional time, to be more meaningful for me. Thanks for all your work in helping fellow Christians to get into the Word of God and to know Him better.”

Recently I ran into a man who had attended a JoyShop two years ago and he commented, "I am still going strong with my daily quiet time. It has strengthened my relationship with my wife and children. God has become my friend through out my day." Yahoo!!! Praise the Name of Jesus!

Friends of the ministry, this should totally bring JOY to your heart. I pray that the Lord allows this work of His to continue and that we can be faithful to complete the work He has called us to. Please use these ministry updates as a reminder to pray for the lives being impacted by the ministry of God’s Word. God is calling forth the Bride of Christ to rise up into a deeper level of intimacy with Him so that we can show that we are His disciples by the love we demonstrate to those around us and the unity we walk in as brothers and sisters of Christ.

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for an anointing over our time at Youth Quest December 27-30, in Washington, DC. We are looking forward to this opportunity to serve the youth of the Brethren In Christ. Pray that God will be preparing the hearts for our message and that His Holy Spirit would supernaturally draw the youth who need our message the most to our workshop. It is one of many workshops that they can choose to attend.

Next week I will be interviewed over the phone for a future article in the Brethren In Christ quarterly magazine, “In Part.” This opportunity came about as a result of our time of ministry at the BIC headquarters in October. Pray that I will be able to adequately exalt His Name and His Word not JoyShop Ministries. In my zeal and passion for the call God has placed on my life I can unintentionally forget the true purpose I and this ministry exist for - HIM! So please continue to cover me in prayers. I never want to do anything that would dishonor His Name or His word.

Thank you for your partnership in this ministry! May God’s blessings overflow in your life today. From my home to yours – MERRY CHRISTMAS

With Love

Anita


Additional story if you want to take the time to read it

Last night after I was done speaking I had the opportunity to speak with a young woman who is an exchange student from Honduras. She told me she has devotions every morning but she struggles with staying awake. Did I have any suggestions to help her? I tried to comfort her with the fact that God is pleased to see her heart in wanting to spend time with Him first thing in the morning and that it was okay if she falls asleep now and then. As we talked further I discovered why she battled sleep so much…she was trying to have her devotions in bed! I couldn’t help but laugh with her and tell her it is no wonder she falls asleep during her quiet time! The solution is to get out of bed. She said it is so hard to get out from under her warm blankets. I gave her a verse to help her from Hebrews 12:1, in which Paul says, “…let us through off everything that hinders…” I told her for many Christians the blanket on our bed is what hinders them from getting out of bed to meet with God. Throw it off!!! She thanked me for that word and said she thinks she knows the place where she can go in the morning to have her quiet time. I still smile thinking about our conversation!

Ministry Update November 4

November 4, 2008


As I sit here in front of my computer staring at the screen, I have been talking to God asking Him where I should begin. So much has happened this past month and it seems almost impossible to put it all down in writing. So I will begin by saying that October was probably one of the hardest months of ministry for me for various reasons. I had the amazing privilege of giving 5 full JoyShops and I spoke two additional times. Full JoyShop’s take their toll on me physically and emotionally and I am learning that two JoyShops a month is the ideal. So you can see I went a little overboard this month! But praise God close to 1000 people heard the message of JoyShop and we trust God for the fruit of our hard labors.

Along with the busy schedule is just meeting my family’s needs and enjoying having 4 young adults living in our home….and all the dynamics that go along with that! But praise God every morning as I am waiting for the coffee to brew, I step outside and slowly watch the sunrise and rejoice in the fact that God is the giver of life and creation and He daily blesses me with His presence and strength so that I can face the daily challenges of life.

I just got back from voting for our next President. Every time this significant election comes around anxiety and fear creep up. On top of the fears of our country’s future we have our own personal fears and anxieties of the unknowns in our life. This morning in my quiet time God gave me three words for today and I would like to share them with you.

GRACE: II Corinthians 12:9

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

I don’t know about you but there are seasons in my life where I feel so weak, even to the point of wondering how I can possibly be worthy of serving our Savior, and yet God’s Word assures me His grace in my life is stronger than my weaknesses. His grace is more than enough to carry me through anything no matter how difficult or hopeless a situation might appear!

WAIT: Psalm 27:14, Lamentations 3:25-26, Isaiah 40:31

“Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart. Wait on the Lord.”

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”

Today, are you facing a difficult decision or circumstance that you lack the wisdom in knowing what you should do or how you should respond? Then wait for God to lead your steps and continue seeking Him with your whole heart! Be of good courage! He is strengthening your heart as you wait patiently.

JOY: Philippians 4:4, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 51:12

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”

“In thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore.”

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit.”

The word joy is mentioned 178 times in the Bible. Joy is a natural by product of spending time in God’s presence. If I want to truly experience God’s joy to the full then I must abide in His presence daily and respond lovingly to those around me each day. (John 15:1-11) The difficult and challenging circumstances we find our self in are never joyful. At least not for me! In fact often the enemy tries to drain the joy right out of us by our focus on our circumstances instead of focusing on our God and who He is. GOD IS FAITHFUL no matter what and He is worthy of our worship and praise, even in the difficult times.

So today as we wait for the outcome of the Presidential election and face our own personal challenges, vote for GOD and what His Word promises you. Vote to believe that His grace is sufficient to carry you through this day, vote to wait on Him and His sovereignty over our country and our lives, and vote to walk in His joy today and every day.

November is less busy at least from the speaking standpoint. But here are three events that you can be in prayer for:

IGNITE: Friday, November 7
I praise God for giving me one of the desires of my heart, the opportunity to speak at Ignite, a gathering for young adults in the Brethren In Christ denomination who have a heart and passion for missions. I will be given the chance to encourage and equip these young people in their journey of seeking God.

Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Center: November 12
This was an unexpected opportunity that just came up. Since the JoyShop we had scheduled on November 15 with another church was canceled I was able to take on this request. I will be sharing my testimony with about 15 teen girls at Grace Baptist Church for 2 hours. My focus will be sexual purity but more importantly equipping them to read the Word. Not everyone in attendance will be Christians. Please pray that I will be able to present the gospel message clearly and that some may come to Jesus as their personal Savior. Pray that the girls will be more motivated to strive to be sexually pure after hearing my story. And lastly, pray that I may be empowered from above to instruct them on how to hear God speaking to them and that they will have a desire to take the 21 Day Challenge and experience a revival in their own hearts.

Mt Olivet BIC Church: November 23
I will be sharing in their Sunday morning hour. Pray that the message I share will spur them on to seek God and to prioritize their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your prayers and all the many ways you support the ministry. I am so blessed to have a board of directors and volunteers that care about the mission and vision that God has given me. Many give generously of their time and I pray as you read through some of the following testimonials your will reap the joy of seeing that the time we give is not in vain.

Book ministry:
"I'm reading your story AGAIN and it makes me cry every time! I am so in awe of how God worked things out, your complete trust in Him, and your JOY…just wanted you to know that your story has blessed me today."

From a JoyShop attendee a year ago at the Table:
"Anita- I heard you speak at Table Church a little while ago. Your message changed my life. We spoke privately after the last evening and you gave me a special gift...I'm sure you don't remember, you meet so many people. God Bless You and Your Ministry!!"

More recent at Victory Church JoyShop:
The reason why I am writing you is to thank you for encouraging me to get into the scriptures. I have been enjoying it sooooooooo much. I love reading and asking the Lord for insight, and you know what? He gives insight! Praise God! I love journaling and just letting God speak to me as I write. You encouraged me to open up the very best treasure
I can ever or will ever have. Thank you for being so obedient to our Lord.

Finally, I can't wait until I see you at HBIC for another Joy Workshop. I told most anybody who will let me blab all about you and how God is using you. We at HBIC are in for a huge blessing. We will be praying about your visit.

Time at Brethren In Christ headquarters:
“I was at Grantham BIC JoyShop. God is doing wonderful things as the BICWM team took the challenge together and we share each Tues at our staff devotions … it sure is getting us into the Word First.”
From a young man at the BIC headquarters who chose to take the 21 DC:
“Each morning has been absolutely ALIVE! I’ve been reminded of the sheer JOY of knowing God! He has shown me clearly in just one week how starting the day intentionally putting him first sustains me through the day and shapes my daily perspective and has prepared me for times of ministry that I know were fueled by His Word and His Presence overflowing…it has directly affected my attitude/approach in marriage, work, etc.”

A young girl from the YES Discipleship program in Harrisburg who is adopted:
“Thank you for reassuring me that my birthmother truly does love me and thinks about me. I always held this sadness inside and this question of if she truly did love me...but now, I know, thanks to you. And every birthday I celebrate from this point on I will pray that God will fill her soul with peace...and that even though I may not ever see her face - she will know without a shadow of a doubt that I am okay. Thank you for your testimony...and for allowing me the opportunity to hear the words I have been longing to hear for so many years.

You have blessed me more than you can ever imagine...”


People who have been taking the 21 DC online at The Pocket Testament League:
“Very meaningful program. Renewed my faith and commitment to share His word with others. I must be more bold in giving out the Gospel of John.
Thank you in His name.”

“I loved the format... thought it was informative, & helpful, but concise...made it easy to recommend to friends as it wouldn't take up a large chunk of time to get them interested in participating. Wish you had more of these studies to keep people in the WORD daily. Going to the computer daily made it easier and special --- you felt connected with someone else and their thoughts rather than just doing it by yourself. Thank you for this opportunity. It was great!”

LMS student:
"You were awesome today in chapel
I over herd lots of my friends talking about how much they like your stories and your speaking"



May His Name and His Word continue to be exalted everywhere we go! Anita

Ministry Update Oct. 6 2008

Sometimes I am just blown away by God’s unexpected surprises and blessings. As you know I recently returned from a two week family vacation in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Literally I was home for 11 hours and then left again for Sandy Cove to be a part of a women’s retreat weekend. As I was getting ready to leave for Sandy Cove a rather large package came in the mail from my birth daughter, Twila. Can you feel my joy just in that statement? To receive a gift from your birth daughter for you birthday when you did not know where she was for 21 years is truly an incredible gift from our Lord!!! When I opened the package I was breathless as my eyes laid hold of the most beautiful hand made quilt I had ever seen! Her aunt and several relatives, including her mother, wanted to make the quilt as a token of love and appreciation for the choice I had made so many years ago. Also enclosed were some pictures of the women working on the quilt and they had all signed a special card. Tears still come to my eyes as I look at the pictures. It made turning 52 not so painfulJ!!! What an unexpected blessing to be able to take the pictures to Sandy Cove and share them with others. As one of my dear friends said, “The story continues!” (I have attached a picture of the quilt on my bed).

Ministry Update:
Sandy Cove went great. I praise God for His goodness to us as we served the women who attended the retreat. Kay Risser, Kim Wilson, Shelly Kibler and Kristen Funk joined me for most of the weekend and were a huge help to me. They set up our ministry table and manned it when I couldn’t as well as pack up the materials left over at the end of the retreat. I am truly blessed to have so many volunteers willing to give of their time.

Received this comment from Candy Davidson of Sandy Cove, “Thank you so much for coming to Sandy Cove to bless the women with your workshop … I want you to know that there were a number of women who mentioned on their evaluation cards how much you had blessed them …I am so looking forward to March when I can experience your whole JoyShop.” We had roughly 70-80 women who attended the workshop which was really good considering it was optional. Thank you for your prayers! We know that many lives were impacted this past weekend and many contacts were made that will help spread our message. The smaller above picture was taken with Candy, the main speaker, musicians, and myself.

I returned home Sunday night and was eager for Monday to come so that I could make an attempt to catch up from being away. With a busy week ahead I knew I had a lot to do. Before I had left for vacation I was asked if I would be willing to share for 25 minutes at my home church, Manor Church, with the fifth and sixth graders on how to know God. To be honest, there was a side of me that felt like saying no because my schedule was full enough. But I do have a soft spot for youth and certainly I wanted to give back to my own church. So I said yes.

As I went for a walk that afternoon before I was to share, I prayed and asked God how to best get the message across to this age group. Some ideas came and when I got home I quickly wrote them down. When I arrived at church I was greeted by one of the assistants of that class who promptly told me she was reading my book with her 5th grade daughter. What a blessing to know that she was finding the book helpful. As the 20+ students came in and sat in a circle, Sherilyn Schock gave a great introduction to the session and then we handed out our new teen journals with the highlighter and pocket testament. (BTW: my thanks to Jack Pieklo, Nicola Pearce and Deb Risser for the hard work they put in to our new design) The students were really excited to have them and I was excited to hand them out!

The next 20 minutes were just precious. It’s hard to explain except to say that they were so attentive and I could tell that many of them were grasping the message. At the end when I asked if they had any questions one dear little girl raised her hand and asked me, “Why did you give up your daughter for adoption?” I prayed quickly that God would help me to answer that question in a way that would satisfy her and at the same time make a spiritual analogy. I trust God that He answered my prayer. I then dismissed them for a practice time with their leaders so that they would leave knowing how to do the 21 DC and learn something new about Jesus. As I drove home tears filled my eyes, grateful that I had not said “no” to this invitation. When I think of what a privilege it is to be able to teach these children how to know God in a practical way, I can’t help but thank Him over and over for the JOY of it all. Daily I am aware of His grace in my life and I continue to rejoice that He allows us these many opportunities to impact lives for eternity!

On Thursday I wrapped up my time at Mt. Calvary Christian School. It was the closing session of JoyShop. I had previously given them the 21 DC to do. Again, I was reminded of the amazing privilege to impact these students to grow in their intimacy with Jesus. What was so cool was that I forgot to mention the fact that there were response forms in the back of their binder for them to fill out if they had time. But five students came up to me afterward and handed me their response forms. Some of the comments received:

“This JoyShop was amazing and I loved every part of it…I will never do my quiet time the same. I’ve grown so much closer to Christ in just the past month. Thank you so much for coming.”

“This workshop was awesome. Thank you for coming … to challenge, motivate, and encourage us. It is my desire to meet with God every morning. Pray that I may be obedient.”

Another dear student wrote: “I don’t do Bible Studies. I want to and I will try to get up early to spend time with God.”

One student told me that she wanted to fill out the response form but was afraid she’d miss something important in the session and that she would fill it out later and mail to me.

As I reflected over my time at Mount Calvary I couldn’t help but thank God for this ministry. I love it! To inspire people to seek God first on a daily basis and give them the tools to help them be successful is truly exciting!

Recently we received the following email in response to my book I had left purposefully on the bookshelf for a retreat house where I had done a youth retreat this past summer. “My husband's family spent the weekend at Charter Hall, a house on the Chesapeake Bay. Your book, THE FILE, was there at the house. Several of us picked it up and read the book. It was awesome! I just wanted to thank you for sharing your heart in an honest and powerful way. Isn't God awesome? He truly desires the BEST in life for each of his children and your story is evidence of this. The one thing that really impacted me was the response your parents had to your pregnancy. They could have been angry, withdrawn, and hurtful, but responded in love! WOW..... that's amazing. What a challenge for me as a parent of 4 to respond likewise!!”

Other book news: I made a stop at Barnes and Nobles to find out if there is any way I can get my book on their bookshelves. To my pleasant surprise the Community Relations Manager told me that my book is actually in their system and that you can order it online. He then told me that they actually had my book for a season but only sold one copy so they sent their other copies back to the publisher. He also told me that for a first time author it is really a miracle that they even have my book! He said I was very fortunate. I gave God the credit! I happened to be shopping with my son, Josh, that day, and so I told him that I would pay him to sit at Barnes and Nobles in the coffee shop reading my book in hopes that it would inspire someone to buy it! He was gamed!!!! Anyway, at least now you know you can send people to Berean Bookstore or Barnes and Nobles to purchase the book.

Ministry Prayer Request:

Thursday through Friday, Oct. 9 & 10, I will be doing JoyShop in a retreat setting with the junior and senior high students of DaySpring Christian Academy. I am so excited to have this opportunity. Please pray that these students will be receptive and take to heart what they hear.

Tuesday, Oct. 14, I will be sharing the message of JoyShop with the leadership of the Brethren In Christ denomination which happens to be my church affiliation. I know in my heart that this is a divine appointment. I don’t know what the Lord is up to but I am extremely excited about this opportunity. Pray that JoyShop Ministries will find favor and that the Holy Spirit would reveal to us what role this ministry could have in impacting the denomination at large.

Well, this is enough for now. October is a busy month and there are other ministry events happening. In fact I have six full JoyShop’s this month. I usually do not book this many but it is just how it all fell. Pray that I will have the energy, passion, and discernment to serve effectively at every event. Thank you for being my support through prayer, volunteered time, and finances. I could not serve the body of Christ as effectively without your support and I am gratefully indebted to you.

In Him, Anita

Ministry Update September 10, 2008

Message from Anita

Mark 3:13-15
“And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out …”

This morning in my time alone with God, I decided to start our time together reading the assigned reading for September 10 from Charles Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening Devotional.” I was just hoping for words that would encourage and prepare me for the strategic planning day I was having with JoyShop Ministries board of directors. What a timely reading the Lord had in store for me from a man who lived in the 1800’s. Rather than explain it, I am just going to quote from the devotional.

“The call of Christ’s servants comes from above. Jesus stands on the mountain, forever above the world in holiness, earnestness, love, and power. Those He calls must go up the mountain. They must seek to rise to His level by living in constant reunion with Him. They may not be able to ascend to classic honors, or attain scholastic eminence; but like Moses, they must have familiar fellowship with the unseen God. If not, they will never be fully qualified to proclaim the gospel of peace.

Jesus went alone to have high fellowship with the Father. If we are to be a blessing, we must do the same. Little wonder the apostles were clothed with power when they came down from the mountain where Jesus was. This morning, we must endeavor to climb the mount of communion, for there we may be ordained to the life work for which we are set apart.

Let us not look on a human face today until we have first seen Jesus. Time spent with Him is repaid with blessed interest. We too will cast out devils and work wonders if we go to the world with the divine energy that Christ alone can give. It is useless to fight the Lord’s battle until we are armed with heavenly weapons. We must see Jesus. This is essential.”

Two hundred years later the message remains the same through JoyShop Ministries! As I think back on my “old” Christian days of spending time with God when it was convenient or when I felt I had the time, to where I am today after making the life changing decision to put our relationship first every morning….well, there is just no comparison! Every morning as I crawl out bed and walk “up the mountain” to meet with my Father, I know that He will meet me there and clothe me with His mercy, love, and forgiveness. As our hearts mingle and He speaks words of truth and power, I rest in the knowledge that He is in control of my life and JoyShop Ministries. And I come down the mountain equipped to face the challenges of my day.

Dear friends of JoyShop Ministries, I cannot stress this enough. If you truly desire to serve Jesus with your life, then climbing up the mountain daily to be alone with the Father is a must. May God grant us the desire to look upon His face before we see any other face!

Joy Alerts:

Thank you for your prayers. Wow! What a great week of ministry. It all began last Friday night at Victory Church which meets at Greenfield Industrial Park. It was a woman’s event and there were 40-45 women of all ages in attendance. Paula Frey served with me over the weekend and we sensed God’s presence in a powerful way! What a joy to see the Holy Spirit stirring hearts.

One young lady spoke with me afterwards with tears in her eyes, as she shared the revelation God had given her while I was sharing my story. She does not know her birth father and she had been spending time looking for him without much success. God gently reminded her that she should be spending the same amount of time seeking Him as she is putting in to seeking her earthly father! How I praise God for revealing this marvelous truth to her.

Received these message through facebook:
“Hi Anita! I wanted to proclaim to you the faithfulness of our God! Many, many things were settled in my own heart thru the teaching at your seminar at Victory! Thank you for your obedience for sharing this Gift with others. I understand that many years ago, God spoke "JoyShop" in your heart and life and I want to testify of the fruits of your obedience! Be filled with joy today, my friend. Thank you!”
“I can't thank you enough for doing what you do. To be so willing to follow God in faith, even when you don't always know what the outcome will be. I admire you for trusting God, especially during the tough times! I shared a bit with you about my past life … and where I'm at now. I'm so glad I've found my way back to God. I feel like I am being restored. I was so moved, while doing the exercise of reading John 15 at the workshop on Saturday. The theme of LOVE just kept popping out and screaming to me. I have so much hurt when it comes to feeling loved. I feel like there are clouds over my eyes, I can't see how anyone could love me. I know that those thoughts and feelings are all lies...Satan is feeding into my message of the wound, that I am not good enough. I know deep down that I AM good enough though. I am LOVED by God! I want you to know that I have accepted your 21-Day Challenge. I am soooo confident that God is going to rock my world through this. Already today, Satan is trying soooo hard to bring me down! It's not gonna work though! I'm praying that God will continue to bless your ministry.”
I praise God for every life He allows me to encourage. Do you see and feel the power of God’s Word already taking place in these women’s hearts? If we can just encourage everyone to seek God through spending time alone with Him in His Word, then He does the rest!!!

The beginning of the week I had two morning chapel sessions with 9th-12th graders at Mount Calvary School in Elizabethtown. We had the opportunity to serve over 90 students and faculty. Cindy Rutt, Shelly Kibler, and Kay Risser assisted me on those mornings. I had an hour and a half each morning and the students were very attentive. After each chapel service I had students come up to thank me and say how it had impacted their life! An adult who sat in one of my sessions responded through facebook:
"I joined a men's group (24 weeks) @ LCBC this morning @ 6:00 AM. I was so encouraged and inspired by your love and commitment to God that it clinched the decision to join this series (which actually began today)... I knew that I needed a kick in the butt … God clearly was telling me this was needed @ this time of my busy life. Thanks!!"

Another adult who sat in on the sessions said:
“It was Wonderful having you come to our school and speak these 2 days. I was truly inspired by your testimony and challenge. Please pray that I will give God authority in my life so that He can accomplish what He desires for me.”
One of the things that I personally love about this ministry is that it impacts the young and the old!

Strategic Planning Day: The board of directors had a great day with our facilitator today at The Hurst House Bed & Breakfast. The Hurst’s were kind enough to donate the meeting space to the ministry free of charge and Curvin and Cathy Hurst of Oregon Dairy, provided a wonderful lunch. We felt so blessed to have these provisions taken care of for us! The board worked hard at defining our strengths and weaknesses as a ministry. Together we came up with some goals for 2009 and ways we can successfully implement themJ! One of many things I have learned since the founding of JoyShop Ministries is that ministries evolve! They do not happen over night. Drats! Actually, I have learned to appreciate the process, knowing that God is always on time and we make less mistakes when we proceed cautiously.

This sums it up for now. I leave on Saturday with my family for Myrtle Beach, S.C. which has become a yearly tradition for us, 25 years to be exact! I know it seems like I just got back from vacation, but this trip I get to stay in one place and be with all our grown childrenJ! Yeah!

Thank you for your continual prayers for the ministry. Always remember, prayer is the greater work.

May His Name be exalted now and forever more!

Anita

Message from Anita September 4, 2008

I Samuel 12:20-24
“Then Samuel said to the people, ‘Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart…For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people…Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”

Recently I started to begin my quiet time with the Lord each morning with this prayer, “Dear God, please grant me a deeper realization of my sinfulness and a deeper appreciation for the surpassing worthiness of your Son so that I might serve and glorify you with ever increasing zeal and faithfulness.” Now this is a type of prayer that is a little scary to pray. Yet somehow this was a real desire of my heart. When one is busy in ministry for the Lord and you are constantly reaping the joy of seeing lives impacted for the kingdom, you can tend to forget the real wickedness of your own heart. What I wasn’t expecting was for Satan to jump on this request. One morning during my time in the Word, an assault began on my mind. At first I thought it was the Holy Spirit bringing conviction over sins of my past to remind me of how wicked my heart can be. Yet the strange thing is that I have always felt the Lord’s forgiveness and cleansing in my heart. For four days I searched scripture and cried out to God during this assault. God pointed me to Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Through out my days as this burden weighed on my heart, I kept praying what is called the Jesus prayer, “Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner,” and I waited on Him.

Finally on Tuesday morning, I woke up at 5:00 which isn’t too normal, and I just knew that God had some business to do with me so I went to my “spot” and just started devouring His Word and praying. I stayed at that spot for 4 hours! In that time, God pointed me to the passage above in I Samuel as well to another book that I felt God wanted me to read. I came to the realization that God had allowed Satan to torment me, but He used it to answer my prayer request of a new realization of my sinfulness and a deeper appreciation of what Christ has done for me. Yes, I am a sinner. I have had shameful attitudes and actions, yet God in His infinite mercy, keeps me from turning aside and has given me a passion to serve Him will all my heart. I don’t have to fear! To think that it pleases the Lord to make us His people is truly too marvelous to fully comprehend. Praise God! It just makes me want to shout for joy over all the great things He has done for us. I continue to pray that God will use times like these to keep me on the path of humility and brokenness in serving the body of Christ.

Ministry update
Our time in Franklin, Pa. was a lot of fun. The Todd Agnew Concert was great! He is a simple communicator with a gift of expressing his soul through song and guitar. Previously I had sent one of my books to his parents who live in Franklin, in hopes that they would pass it on to Todd as a way of introducing myself. To my surprise during the concert, Todd mentioned that he was adopted! After the concert, I had the blessing of meeting Todd, his parents and his adopted sister. They ended up sitting in on my session on Saturday morning. We enjoyed conversation afterwards centered around adoptions
More important though were the young people that I had the opportunity to serve! I only had one hour with them, but I pray that the workshop made an impact on their spiritual lives. . If you go to my blog and look at my last entry you will see a picture of Todd, his family from the area, and myself.

Sunday morning I spoke for one hour during a combined Sunday school hour with about 140+ people as well as Sunday evening for the youth/a few adults. This congregation was so receptive to the message and many shared with me afterwards that it had been just what they needed! One high school age male student handed me a note written on the church bulletin that said, “I’ve been praying for a message about what you gave us today. Thank you so much for speaking today.” That was worth it all right thereJ! Another great comment came this week in the mail from a woman in that congregation, “I want you to know that your message sunk in—my husband read his Bible before the paper on Monday morning!! A miracle, since he is an avid paper reader first thing each a.m.!”

An email we recently received:
“You spoke at Camp Hebron in June of last year and gave us the 21 day challenge and I took it! I was really amazed how journaling added to my devotions and Bible reading. I never thought that journaling would stick for me - I've tried over the years and my entries were few and far between! I now have over a full year of journaling the amazing things that God has been showing me, mostly through His word and I actually write in a nice journal instead of a little throw away spiral note book. :o) There really is an amazing connection that happens when you write down the thoughts the Lord gives you - not just leaving them swimming around in your head. So I just wanted to send you a note of encouragement and to testify to the Lord's faithfulness! Keep cheering for Jesus - it has impacted my life.”

As these words of encouragement come in I like to pass them along to you because with out your support I could not serve the body of Christ as effectively. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for partnering with me!

Ministry Prayer Requests:
--Sept 8-9, (Monday and Tuesday) Mt. Calvary Christian School
--Sept 10, (Wednesday) Strategic Planning Day for the Board
--Sept 27, (Saturday) Two one hour sessions at Sandy Cove

Pray for receptive hearts, an anointing of God’s presence and lives impacted for eternity.


A fellow God Seeker,
Anita

Ministry Update August 22, 2008

Ministry Update August 22, 2008

Acts 17:10-11
“…for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed…”

Thank you to all who covered my husband and me in prayer during our recent motorcycle trip out west. We had a wonderful time of relaxation and truly enjoyed God’s beautiful creation as we visited numerous National Parks in the United States and Canada. I flew home on Wednesday and Paul is continuing the trip home by cycle. I basically have had one day to catch up from being away for 3 weeks before heading out today for Franklin, Pa, for a speaking engagement.

The weekend retreat that I will be participating in is sponsored by Todd Agnew, a contemporary Christian musician. His songs are heard all across the nation. He will be giving a concert tonight and teaching tomorrow (Saturday) morning from 9-11. I will have a one hour session from 11:00 to 12:00, and another hour session from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The topic of my workshop that was assigned to me is, “Am I loveable?” Todd will wrap up the afternoon in word and song. Then Sunday I will be speaking at a church in the area during the Sunday school hour as well as in the evening with the youth group. I am thrilled at both of these opportunities and look forward to what God will do in the lives of these teens. I will return home on Monday.

My daughter, Shelly, is making the five hour drive with me and I am really looking forward to having time alone with her over the next four days! Even though she lives next door to us, it is hard to find quality time to be together so we feel this is a bonus to be able to spend time together as we serve the Lord.

This weekend will be busy so please pray in the following ways based on the above verses from Acts 17:
--Pray that the teens will receive the message that I and the other speakers bring with great eagerness.
--Pray that they will be motivated to examine and search the Scriptures daily to learn truth for themselves.
--Pray that many of these precious teens will believe the Word and grow in their knowledge of Jesus and settle the question once and for all, “Am I loveable?”

Ministry Update August 8

Ministry Update August 6, 2008

Message from Anita

Psalm 138:1-2
“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the gods I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”

As I was meditating on these verses the other morning, I happened to be on a balcony that has an incredible view of the glorious Rocky Mountains. I thought about how majestic and exalted these mountains are. The word, “exalted” means to be elevated in rank! As I stared at the beauty of these mountains, God reminded me that His name and His Word is more exalted than what my eyes were beholding at that moment! Now to be honest, every time I come to Estes Park, it is hard for me to take my eyes off of the Rockies. I just want to sit and stare at them because I know that soon I will be back home and I never know if I will ever see them again. God gently reminded me that this is how I should view His Name and His Word! My eyes should be glued to the beauty and wonder of these two things. Oh God, capture my heart with the beauty of who you are and the majestic wonder of Your written Word.

Ministry Highlights
I recently had the opportunity to speak at Vision, a gathering of teens and young adults whose heart’s desire is to worship and be taught the Word of God. Arriving a little early, I noticed a young man was there that I was pretty sure did not have a relationship with Jesus. In my mind I knew that this evening was going to be a divine appointment for this young man, at least that was what I was praying for. I talked with him briefly and then went to pray with the worship leader in preparation for the evening. I had decided in advance to speak on John 21 so I handed out Pocket Testaments for them to follow along. I did something that I have never done before….at least on purpose…and that was to just speak from my heart and have no notes to follow, not even an outline. Even though it was scary…I actually enjoyed it! I had to fully rely on the Holy Spirit and trust Him to speak a message that was needed that night. At the end I had them get into small groups to pray for one another. The following day I had the opportunity to talk to a close friend of the young man that had attended who had invited him to the event. He told me that after everyone went home he had the chance to lead his friend to the Lord! He prayed to receive Jesus! Praise God for this young man’s desire to lead his friend to Christ. He had been praying for months for this opportunity.

Rawlinsville Campmeeting:
A man who had strayed from God but had in the past two years come back to a relationship with God, shared with me his desire to grow spiritually and he wanted to learn how to journal! He asked if I could help explain how to journal and wondered what one journal’s about! So I briefly shared with him but told him I would be going into more detail the next day. He came back the following day and what a JOY to encourage him in his journey of growing closer to God.
A young woman came up to me on the last day, and shared how she had been at a JoyShop a year ago. She told me it has changed her life.

Comments recently received through the mail:
--“I am very glad I went to your JoyShop. I shall never forget your story and how you introduced the Bible to us anew. Thankyou!

--“We all needed to hear this so desperately! During the past week—spending each morning with the Lord I realized how I’ve missed so much—but I’m seeing his desire for me! Praise the Lord! I am so excited…!”

-- “Your testimony has changed my relationship with God. I've always craved a devotion time with Him, but relied on study guides to show me through the Bible. I just didn't
know where to start and didn't understand most of what I was reading because
I was reading too much in one sitting. Since hearing your description of the Bible being a letter to ME, I've been up EVERY morning an hour before my 4 kids and loving His word. Taking notes, understanding it, and praying over what He wants from me and for me. The Lord wakes me up faithfully every morning before 6. I treasure this time.”

--“You spoke at my church this past winter and just totally confirmed in my heart what
I know God had been asking me to do. By his Grace I have been more committed
with my morning quiet times than ever before! And I have seen so much fruit.
Obedience is a powerful thing! It’s like when we say yes to Him, it just
gives Him that much more opportunity to bless our cute little socks off! :-)
So thank you for giving me a huge boost in my devotional life and for helping me live more fully for Christ!”

How I praise God for the blessing of seeing fruit from the ministry. Many people serve the Lord without seeing the fruit of their labors so we are extremely bless to see immediate fruit!

Ministry Prayer Requests
--Right now I am speaking at the Women’s Week at Ravencrest Bible School in Estes Park, Co. Please pray for entire families to be impacted through the women that are attending this week. So many things have happened but I will share two highlights. I met a gifted artist on the hiking trail behind the facility here. I knew instantly that this was going to be one of those divine appointments. We had an amazing time of sharing our spiritual passions as we got acquainted. He told me that on his drive out here he asked God how does one really get to know Him. I ended up sharing a mini JoyShop! He so enjoyed the story that he told me he was going to go home and share the story with his five children! I happened to have some of the youth journals on hand that we hand out to youth and sent seven home with him, one for everyone, so they could do the 21 DC!

Later on in the day, a young woman who is serving as an intern here, told me she had heard my story when I spoke at the school in January. She ended up sharing with me how her life had been impacted by it. Her face was so full of joy as she spoke.

Every day, I am seeing fruit from the ministry. These precious women from all over the country have been so impacted that they are trying to figure out ways to get word out about this ministry! I feel like the Lord has given me another support team in the West!

As I wrap up this week and leave Saturday for a 12 day motorcycle trip out West, I would like to ask your prayers for safety in our travels. Numerous women here have expressed concern for me in that they know that Satan can not possibly like the ministry I am doing and they cautioned me to stand guard and be aware. They also have asked me if I have intercessors on behalf of the ministry and myself because they feel the ministry should be covered in prayer 24/7! I assured them that I do, but I guess you can never have too many intercessors. So I would covet your prayers as we travel these next couple of weeks.

May God richly bless your life for partnering with JoyShop Ministries through your prayers, financial gifts, and words encouragement!

Seeking Him Together

Anita

Message from Anita July 14, 2008

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from the Pocket Testament League asking me if I would be willing to write 21 brief daily devotionals to go along with the 21 Day Challenge. At the end of this month they will be changing their home page and encouraging their members to take the 21DC and members will have the daily devotional as an additional source of encouragement if they choose. My initial thoughts were, “I don’t have time to write these daily devotionals nor do I consider my self a gifted writer.” Yet in my heart I knew that I was to say yes to this project and completely rely on God for the resources to do it. I just completed day 11 so I am half way done! Here is a sample of one devotional that actually came to my mind as a result of the Pocket Testament asking me to do something that seemed out of my league:

His Word:
John 6:9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

My Thoughts:
I can picture it now, the guys all standing around Jesus, watching a large crowd of people coming towards them. Jesus, with a smile on his face, suggests that they feed the crowd. I would have loved to see the look on the disciples’ faces! “Yeah, right,” says Philip, “Eight months’wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Andrew makes a feeble observation and points out the young lad who has packed a small lunch. Jesus, still smiling, takes Andrew up on the offer, and takes the few pieces of bread and fish and proceeds to give thanks, distributing the food to the masses. Another miraculous sign!
Have you ever felt like that little boy must have felt? “I only have a little to give. How can Jesus possibly use what I have to help anyone?” Jesus doesn’t need a lot. He only smiles and says, “Bring me what you’ve got!” In giving the little that you have, he can bless it and distribute spiritual food to those around you.
My Prayer:
Dear God, I have to admit, that often I look at myself and wonder how you could ever use my life to bless someone else. The few gifts you have given me seem so insignificant. But today, you have given me hope. I am bringing you the few loaves of bread and two pieces of fish that I do have. I lay my simple gifts before you and ask you to bless them and to multiply them in a miraculous way. I’m praying for leftovers! “Let nothing be wasted.” In Jesus Name, Amen.

Ministry Highlights:
Wow! June and July have been busy months in light of the fact that I did not book my schedule as full as the school calendar year. A brief summary of where JoyShop Ministries has been:
Manor Church every Sunday in June
Byerland Mennonite Church youth/adults
Extreme Worship in Atglen, Pa.
Middle Creek Church of the Brethren youth/young adult retreat

I praise God for these opportunities to impact lives. A few comments I received:

“Where can I get 200 of your pocket testaments? I send out ebay orders and would love to include them in my packages.”

From a youth who liked having her devotions at night and questioned me on the early morning issue- “well wouldn’t you know it...In Ecuador Keith made time EVERY morning for us to do devotions. And the scenery in Ecuador is just breath taking. For sure only from God Himself. I am still working my way through Ezekiel. Not quite done yet…But yeah, devotions in the morning are a good thing. And I realized that I had time in my day before but I just wasn't making any. Now that I am I hope it brings more brightness to my day.”

From a youth that attended Extreme Worship; “I loved listening to your testimony! Thank you!"

From a young man who recently attended a JoyShop: “You helped me to realize that I need God in everything I do and it is amazing to be able to hear God and it’s definitely changing my life!”
From high school students: “Thank you so much for coming and spending time with us. Because of these sessions, I realized how much I was missing from my walk with Christ and I think it will be a lot better.”

Thanks for coming…some of your points hit close to home.”

“Your story touched my heart in so many ways. It has showed me that when you’re faced with an obstacle no matter how big or small trust God with all your heart and he will help you through anything and everything…I have been struggling…and instead of moving closer to God I got further from him and I don’t want that because I need him…God is using you to teach people like us all about him, and it is really changing lives because I know it has mine!”

I also received this response from a high school student who receives JoyShop Ministries Newsletter:
“Anita, I thank you so much for the impact you've had in my life…God has used you in my life as an example of how he wants me to grow as a believer in Christ. He used you in my life as the push I need towards seeking him each and every day and spending time
with Him. Although I have failed quite a few times, for I know I am a sinner
in desperate need of my Savior, I know that God will always bring me back to
the place where I am meant to be, which is seated before him each morning
praying to Him and reading his Holy Word… I hope that you will pray for me that
I will desire God and draw closer to Him each and every day and that when I
meet with Him, my heart and soul would be there, not just my mind seeking a
higher knowledge. Thank you so much for all that you do in spreading the
gospel to others.”

After being away all weekend, I came home to this dear message from a student at a local high school through face book:
“hey, I'm writing you because I need some advice. My family is like a family of lions. . . hungry lions. My brother almost all the time has an attitude and my sister always thinks she’s right and never really asks for things, just gets into it! My dad well, his back is always in pain and that makes him grumpy. I don't like to see him in pain. It hurts me to see him like that. I don't know what to do and I would like some help.”

I thank God for the amazing privilege to be able to connect with students and to be able to offer them a word of encouragement whether it is face to face or through face book. I continue to feel the tug on my heart to reach more youth and young adults. I believe that as this ministry continues to grow and unfold God will open the right doors and push us in the direction he wants us to go.

I praise God for the opportunity he brought our way through a radio interview that was done over the phone last Friday. Jane Richey with the American Radio Family Station, WAWN @ 89.5 FM, interviewed me for the upcoming Todd Agnew concert/retreat that will be held the last weekend of August in Seneca, Pa. I will be given a one hour slot along with another speaker, Don Nixon, of Youth for Christ, to speak with hundreds of young people that attend Todd’s retreat. My workshop session is titled “Am I Loveable”. This is kind of scary to admit this but Jane told me that we will be able to hear the interview over the internet by the end of this week. If you go to http://www.wawn.org/ and click on the left for fishermensnet.org you will see a section called “Looking Through the Community Archives” and then click this week’s date.

Ministry prayer requests:

Upcoming events where I will be speaking:
Vision (July 26)
Rawlinsville Campmeeting Women’s Hour (July 29-30)
Ravencrest Bible School Women’s Retreat (Aug. 2-8)

Ministry Praise:

What I am about to share with you is probably the funniest thing that has happened to me in ministry:

As I was wrapping up the retreat time with Middle Creek’s Youth Group, I wanted to get a group picture that I could include on my blog. Everyone thought it would be great to get one on the dock that sits over the bay at the retreat center that had been rented for the weekend. So about 25 of us lined up randomly with me in the middle…all poised as the youth advisors were aiming their camera’s to take pictures. In a split second, we heard a crackling noise and the deck just collapsed with us standing on it! Some of us got wet, a few had minor cuts and scratches but we praise God that no one was seriously injured. Once we knew there were no major injuries we howled with laughter. We then took some pictures with us on the collapsed deck. Too bad no one had a video camera going. I am sure we would have won an award on America’s Funniest Home Video’s! Hopefully I can figure out how to get them on my blog at http://www.joyshop.org/!

Seeking Him Together

Anita

Joy Alert June 23, 2008

Message from Anita June 23, 2008

John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Last night, my spirit within felt an urge to grab my little pocket testament and go for a walk through the fields behind our house. I needed some time alone with God to process a book that I had just finished reading, “I Would Die For You: One student’s story of passion, service and faith.” The story of B.J. Higgins, a missionary who died right before his 16th birthday is very compelling and challenging. Everywhere B.J. went he shared the gospel including those he ministered to on a Peru Mission trip where he contracted a fatal respiratory disease. The reader is left with the challenge, “Who will take his place?” Who is willing to lay down their life for Christ? Who is willing to die daily to the flesh and its selfish ways, and be more concerned about lost souls then their own personal pleasures?

As I walked through the peaceful corn field I kept asking God, “Do I have it in me, to die completely to self?” You see, just nights earlier, I had failed miserably at dying to self. The Lord showed me this through a pitcher of ice tea! For those who don’t know this, I am a southern at heart when it comes to ice-tea. I will only drink fresh brewed ice tea. I had made a fresh pitcher Friday afternoon and was hoping it would last a little longer than the last batch I had just made. A group of young adults had converged on my house for the weekend and had devoured one pitcher rather quickly.

Friday night a 16 year old young man came to our house to swim. My son had told me he is gay and each time he has come to our home I have made time to get to know him. My son was away for the evening so I decided to stop working and take time to talk with him. As we sat on the deck talking, he asked me if I had anything to drink. (This is where the selfishness came out!) I did not want to share my ice tea with anyone at that moment. So I told him that I had water and milk to drink. He said water would be fine. So I poured a glass of cold water with ice for him. You know the saying, “your sins will find you out?” Well, it is so true! A few minutes later, another young man who happened to be playing volleyball on our volleyball court came into the house to help himself to a drink. He comes walking out on the deck where we are sitting with a tall glass of ice-tea!!! Of course my young friend could clearly see that the other guy had ice tea and proceeded to ask, “hey, where did you get that ice tea?” I won’t take the time to tell you how I wormed my way out of that one.

The gravity of my selfish heart did not hit me until Sunday morning, as I was teaching JoyShop at my church. I had given everyone the assignment to read John 15:1-17. As I was reflecting on that passage of scripture for the umpteenth time, the Holy Spirit convicted my heart. I heard this question from Him, “Anita, who committed the greater sin Friday night, your friend who does not really know me and is living a gay lifestyle, or you, who claims to be my follower but was unwilling to share your ice tea? How can you say that you are willing to die for me, when you can’t even give up a glass of ice tea in my name?” Tears flooded my eyes, as I heard this question repeated over and over. It was a sobering reminder that my heart is wretched and it was for this very reason that Christ had to come to this earth and die for my sins. I immediately confessed my sin and asked God for forgiveness, thanking him for pointing out the “beam” in my eye.

With God pointing out my selfishness and lack of love for others that morning, and reading about the selflessness of B.J. in the book I read that afternoon, I knew I had to get alone with God in that corn field and talk it over with Him. I found a place to sit, pulled out my pocket testament and began to read John 19:17-18.

“Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.”

It was the phrase, “Jesus in the middle,” that I could not shake. Yes, everyday Jesus is in the middle of so many decisions. We have two choices, just like the two criminals that were hanging on crosses beside Jesus. They each had a choice in how they were going to respond to the “King of the Jews”. The one blasphemed God and the other plead for mercy.

In the quietness of the evening, looking up to the sky, Jesus stood in the middle of my thoughts. I asked Him to have mercy on me and to renew my heart’s commitment to him. Acknowledging that I am incapable of truly showing the gratitude that He deserves for dying on the cross for my sins, I once again surrendered my heart to him and asked him to make me willing to die for Him.

As you go through the day, I invite you to take this phrase, “Jesus in the middle,” and apply it to the circumstances you encounter today. Put Him in the middle of every decision and may our hearts have the same plea for mercy as that of the one criminal, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Ministry Highlights

Praise God for the open door He gave JoyShop Ministries at Lancaster County Youth Intervention! I had the opportunity to minister to about 14 teen girls. I was permitted to give every girl a Pocket Testament (with the staples taken out), a journal and a highlighter. The Chaplin felt my time there was very profitable and gave me an open invitation to come again. Pray that God will send others to water the seed that was planted in these young women.

Praise God that the Pocket Testament League is able to print more of JoyShop Ministries pocket testaments, but it will take about two months before they are available again to their membership.

I continued to be blessed with the opportunity to serve my own church each Sunday in June. Recently I received this email from a man attending the JoyShop:

"Just wanted to drop you a note.. I have started the 21 day challenge.. WOW...Just looking back over these past years.. How I have missed Gods blessings...in my life of serving him...I love your study guide I will be using it for other chapters I read...It was last week every morning at my desk for devotional time... I asked God to show me with his presence of his beautiful birds, I asked for a different color bird each day and God did just that.. that is just WOW...

Thank you for opening my eyes to what I have been missing....

The ministry also received this email from a woman who had attended a JoyShop Retreat back in the spring. She wrote, “My life has been transformed because of the message you shared through the power of God’s Holy Spirit.”

From a Messiah College student through Facebook I received this message:
"hi anita! I asked you to be my friend on facebook a while ago around the time that you spoke at my school…I heard you speak both at chapel and at a workshop that evening. I wanted to let you know that I just bought your book, "The File" off of your joyshop website. I am anxious to read it this summer. Although I already heard your story at my school, I am excited to read your words. Thank you for everything that you do...God is definitely using you in more ways than you probably know. Good luck in everything you do!"

From a student at Lititz Christian:
"hello again. so i just finished reading your book! it was really good! haha i could hardly put it down :] thanks so much for giving it to me, i will pass it on to my friends and hopefully then we can donate it to the LCS library. thanks again!"

From a man I met in Dallas recently who is a business administrator of a large church in Californina:

“That night I opened your book and began reading the Introduction-and Icouldn't put it down. I read it clear through that night. Since I returned, my wife has read your book. Next it goes to a new believer in our 'not-so-small-group'…Next it goes to our Youth Pastor…she is anxious to get her turn. We have a thriving youth ministry of about 176 youth. With that many youth (over half new believers coming from outside families in the congregation) you can imagine, we deal with every kind of life situation. We will have some interesting conversations of how to best utilize this resource.Where it goes from there, only God knows.”


Only God knows is right!!!! I say this all the time to our operational team and board. We really do not yet know the full magnitude of where the Lord is going to take JoyShop Ministries but we are so excited and confident in the One who does know!

Ministry prayer requests

As I wrap up my last Sunday at Manor Church, pray that many will make a heart commitment to prioritize their relationship with Jesus. Unless the Church makes their relationship with God their first priority, they will never fulfill their true destiny as a Christ follower.

Sunday night I will be speaking to youth at the Byerland Mennonite Church. They have invited youth from other area churches. Please pray that many teenagers from the community will be looking for something to do that night and that the Holy Spirit will move in an unusual way to stir hearts into action.

While you are at it, you can pray that I have strength to speak three times in one dayJ!

Tuesday night, July 1, I will be speaking to a large group of young adults at an event called “Extreme Worship” in Atglen. Pray for an anointing of the Holy Spirit over my mouth and what comes out. Pray for changed lives. Pray for a revolution to begin in the heart of every person that attends.

Please continue to pray that the Lord will lead the team as we make decisions about the direction of the ministry and how to increase the awareness of JoyShop Ministries to colleges and high school settings.

In closing we continue to thank the Lord for His hand on this ministry and the way He provides financially as needs arise. Recently the board had approved a budgeted amount that we could spend on professionally taping JoyShop so that we could have video footage to use on our website as well as a promotional DVD. Amazingly we had already received a generous check from a supporter of the ministry earmarked for this project but we needed a lot more! God had been nudging me for months to approach a couple about partnering financially with us on this project without having to pull from our checking account. Two days after the board meeting, I had lunch with this godly couple and shared my heart with them. Within a couple of days they handed me an envelope with a personal note that they were pledging $5000.00 towards the project and we would have it by August 1. Tears came to my eyes as I realized their check plus the other one was enough to cover the budgeted amount for the project! Does not God’s goodness just blow you away!

As you each partner with JoyShop Ministries in your own unique way, know that you bring to this ministry what is needed to impact lives for eternity! I thank God for your support and for enabling us to fulfill the call that God has placed on each of us!

Learning to die daily,

Anita

JOY ALERT! June 7, 2008

Joy Alert!! June 6, 2008

John 15:4-5
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me….If a man (any believer) remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

This past week the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to get away for a couple of days to have concentrated time of “remaining” in Him so that I can be more fruitful for him. Through the generosity of a couple who supports the ministry, I was given a quiet and peaceful place along the water to be still and listen to the Father’s heart.

As mentioned in previous ministry updates I have been slowly working through the gospel of John and it just so happened that today’s reading assignment was John 15:1-6. As many of you know, John 15 is the passage of scripture that I use in the JoyShop for participates to practice what they have learned in the workshop. So with much joy this morning, I picked up my little pocket testament, read the assigned verses, and then began to work my way through the detailed commentary’s remarks on this brief passage. The Holy Spirit taught me so much but I will try to summarize a key point or two.

The Lord tells his disciples to remain in Him repeatedly in John 15. The word, remain, in the Greek means “to abide, continue, to dwell.” In other words Jesus tells us to maintain our fellowship with God with vigilance! Why? Because, He is the vine, we are the branches, and the sole purpose of the vine is to produce fruit for our Father, the gardener. This morning the Holy Spirit reminded me in a forceful way that my time on earth is not about me and my desires but about the Lord Jesus, producing fruit through my life for the Father. John 15: 8 confirms this, when Jesus spoke to the disciples, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciple.”

It is my responsibility to abide in personal communion with God it is His responsibility to produce the fruit!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God the Father has granted us life, physically and spiritually. It is His desire that we produce much fruit while we have breath for His glory. There is no other purpose. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to waste my life chasing after the things of this world. I want a life that bears fruit for the Father! And this can only be accomplished through abiding in him. In the words of Arthur Pink, “To abide in Him, then, is to have sustained conscious communion with Him. To abide in Christ signifies the constant occupation of the heart with Him—a daily active faith in Him.”

Have you thought much of Him today? Are you occupied with an intense focus of dependency on Him as you go about your day? Friend, we can do nothing apart from Him. Nothing means NOTHING! Big or small, whatever we are doing today, we need to do in dependency on Him. And if we truly desire Jesus to own us so that he can produce fruit through us, then we have the responsibility to have constant communion with him on a daily basis. Then we can rest. We don’t have to produce fruit. God the Father does it for us through Jesus. May we bow our hearts before God right now, confessing our lack of being occupied with Him and our lack of bearing much fruit. May we each take personal responsibility to guard our time alone with Him. Our number one priority has to be daily time in the Word so that we may have fellowship with the Father and that He may produce the fruit he desires in our life. Apart from intimacy with the Father there will be no fruit. PERIOD!

Joy Alerts:

Praise God for the fruit that came from our time at a church in New Tripoli, Pa. This JoyShop was opened up to the community and close to 50 women were in attendance plus a few men! A few comments we received:

“Thank you so much for coming today. It really made me consider about seeking God first every day.”

“Thank you for speaking clearly and lovingly of God so that I could understand the path of putting God first in my life. The first step in my journey begins TODAY!”

“I needed this so much. I appreciate the love and acceptance that I received.”

From a teen: “Thank you for coming and telling your story and stuff.”

Frequently we get comments like the following:
“I wish I would have brought some friends with me. I hope there will be a next time.”

One of the hardest things for me to endure personally is the fact that I know that in the audience there are many people sitting there thinking the very same thing. This is why I continually ask you to pray as a team that everywhere Joyshop Ministries goes, that the Holy Spirit will draw those He wants there and that some day He will cause thousands to flock to a JoyShop so that there can be an awakening of the spiritually dead, and new fruit producing lives for the glory of God.

Praise God for the opportunity God has given me to take JoyShop to my own congregation during the month of June. I am teaching it during both Sunday school hours. The first Sunday there were over 200+ in attendance ages 14-80! One man came up to me afterwards who had never attended a JoyShop before. He told me that he had tickets for Hershey Park the next Sunday, but he didn’t want to miss the next session so he planned to give up some of his time at this amusement park to learn more about how to seek God. PRAISE THE LORD!

I also received an email from a man in our congregation telling me how awesome the first session had been and how he was looking forward to the next four Sundays. He said,
“wow what an adventure looking up each verse on seeking God... and then I read the sub notes about each verse... Thank you so much for the Joyshop.
Everyday I try to spend at least a 1/2 hr in God’s word doing your workshop.”

Another blessing I received this week came through the mail by a mother from my church, “Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that my son really enjoyed listening to you speak on Sunday. He was proud to show me his JoyShop notebook and eager to show me he was filling in the blanks. This all coming from a child who didn’t think he wanted to go to JoyShop. I had been encouraging him to attend during the month of June. I was so encouraged by his excitement and I just wanted to pass it on to you.”

Please pray that God will use Joyshop Ministries to impact many lives at my church and that we will become a fruit bearing people to reach our community.

Remember how the Pocket Testament League partnered with us in producing a Joyshop Ministries pocket testament? They printed 20,000 and sent us 4,000 to start with. On April 7 of this year, they sent out an email to all of their members introducing our pocket testament. Six weeks later, all 16,000 pocket testaments are gone!!!! Praise God!! Members liked the look of our pocket testament and the title on the front, “Letter from God.” Think of all the people that will be receiving our pocket testament with the 21 Day Challenge on the inside cover. Pray that everyone who receives these will take the challenge and grow in their knowledge of God. Here is a story that was recently published on their website from a woman who had attended a JoyShop:

"I received my testament at a ladies retreat. it was a very special gift to me. It showed me that God does love me no matter what i have been through. I recently committed myself to Jesus and became a member of my church and am considering baptism. I would like to share my experiences with others hoping that they too can come to know that our savior loves them as well."

How exciting, how thrilling that the Lord allowed us to hand this young lady her own pocket testament and to now have the joy of seeing the fruit! Just think of the lives this woman will impact!

Our June/July Newsletter just went out and I instantly received this wonderful message through face book:

"I enjoyed the newsletter I just read. I know it had a good word in it for me and I enjoyed reading your views on how to approach "an encounter with Jesus". That was good and I needed to read that. I forwarded the message to my dad - the part about being discouraged. I think he will really take a lot from that just given life circumstances right now. Thanks for the time you take to make that letter!!"

Comments like this make all the time I put into writing the newsletter worth it! If you are not receiving the bi-monthly newsletter then please notify Deb Risser at info@joyshop.org.

I am sorry for those who missed the JoyShop Ministries Cookout last Sunday night at our home. My husband, Paul, was the chef, and we had lots of food and wonderful fellowship. There were 50+ in attendance and it was a blessing for all of us to see who all is involved in supporting the ministry through prayers, time volunteered, and finances. I enjoyed the blessing of being able to share personally some of the highlights of this year as well as projecting what we see in the future.

Praise the Lord for the finances that continue to come in. As we make plans to do some professional taping for promotional purposes, etc, please pray that the necessary funds will come in to complete the project in a timely way.

Prayer for the following upcoming events:
June 11: JoyShop Ministries Board meeting
June 12: Lancaster County Youth Intervention
June 19: Cocalico Place (Retirement facility)
June 29: Byerland Mennonite Youth

June 12 is open to anyone who feels led to partner with us in corporate prayer for the ministry from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at my home.

I praise God for each of you who have allowed me the opportunity to share my heart with you. Your partnership with JoyShop Ministries is significant to me, the advisory board, and the volunteers who run the daily operations of JoyShop Ministries. May you press on to take hold of Jesus and all His fruit He wants to produce through you! Amen!


Seeking God First---Anita

Ministry Update May 12, 2008

Ministry Update May 12, 2008

As I continue to work my way through the gospel of John, I was struck this morning by the story of the blind beggar in John 9. It reads, “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned…but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life…having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go’, he told him, ‘wash in the pool of Siloam’…so the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”

Often when I read a story of a healing in the gospels I try to put myself in the recipient’s shoes. If the man was blind from birth, he did not know what he was missing. He had never seen light, people’s faces, creation, etc. Without sight he was completely dependent on others for everything. Thus he sat along the road begging for anyone to have mercy on him. Not only did he live in a very dark world but his survival was a daily issue.

I was reminded how every single person that is born into this world is spiritually blind. In fact, we are so use to our blindness that we can’t even comprehend light. Blindness is the natural state of all mankind. But then came Light! ‘I am the light of the world,” Jesus Christ proclaims. John 1:5 tells us, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood.” No one can receive spiritual sight apart from coming to Christ in faith for the forgiveness of sins and receiving the gift of life from Jesus. In receiving our sight, God desires to work through our life, so that His glory may be displayed!

As I thought about my life and the many blessings that have been mine because of receiving the light of Christ at a very early age, I was reminded of how I have taken the gift of God’s light for granted. When you have been in a relationship with Jesus Christ for along time, you almost forget what darkness is like. I needed the reminder that if it hadn’t been for coming to Jesus at an early age, I would be depending on relationships, positions, possessions, and possibly some substance to meet my needs, and what a dark world that can be. Oh how I pray, that the Lord will always remind me that I was once a blind beggar and if it hadn’t been for Him opening my eyes, I would be wondering around aimlessly in this dark world trying to make sense of it all. How I praise God for bringing Light to mankind through Jesus Christ. How thankful I am to walk in the Light. He brightens my whole world! Every day as I spend time reading the written Word, my spiritual eyes are opened and I am washed clean.

The thing I like about the blind beggar is that he took Jesus at his word. Jesus said “Go,” and the beggar went with out asking any questions. In other words, he had no doubts. He simply obeyed God. His obedience led to receiving his sight. I daily pray that the Lord will help me to “Go” in simple obedience and do what He asks me to do no matter how crazy it might look! That blind beggar set an example for all of us!



Praises:
Praise God for the way he is using the story of my painful past so that the work of God can now be displayed through JoyShop Ministries! The following comments are responses I recently received.

“Hi! Thank you so much for coming and most of all for being real w/ the group. I know you gave my husband and I the challenge of getting up every morning for devotions so since Wed. we've been getting up together and have devotions separately. It's great to have each other for accountability and to make sure we actually get up! I read your book in a day, I just couldn't put it down! Having a small daughter of my own, your story really really impacted me. I think it is incredible how God used something so painful to be something so beautiful and reach out to so many lives… I appreciated how you kept your book very focused on this event and how you relate it to our relationship with God.”

From teens:
“Thank you so much for your practicality and ties with life connections. You have spurred me on. Thank you for your encouragement.”

“I really enjoyed your presentation! Something about it had me very interested. Also to hear about your personal experiences made me realize that if I take out just a little time each day great things will happen.”

“The story about your first baby was very touching. I liked it a lot! Thanks you so much for taking your time to talk to us. I really think your stories have touched a lot of us and I think we learned a lot!”

“Thank you for your message! Christians are now the minority at youth group and we really needed to hear what you talked about.”

The following comment came from a lady in California:
I was talking to my friend and co-worker a month or so ago when she told me about a book that her friend, Anita Keagy wrote titled “The File: A Mother and Child’s life-changing reunion.” I had no idea what the book was about, other than a Mother and Daughter. I have 2 daughters, ages 11 and 14, and for some reason just felt compelled to go immediately to Amazon.com and purchase it. When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find out what it was about. You see my husband and I adopted both of our daughters at birth, after 5 years of infertility. Needless to say, I read the book (almost straight through) in a matter of days. (As you know, it is very difficult to find “alone time” to read when you have kids and school and soccer and work and a house to take care of, etc.) I just wanted to write and tell you how much …I loved the book. It gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes, to really hear what a birthmother can go through...”

I also received a phone call recently from a woman telling me that she attended the JoyShop at Pequea last year and she has been in the word every day since then.

Last Wednesday I finished up my last session at Penn Manor High School. Afterwards a pretty young teen came up to me and with tears in her eyes she thanked me for my book. She said she had read it and it had really helped her. She also thanked me for the JoyShop saying that it had impacted her life. A teen boy shared with me that he finished the 21 DC and loved it.

This past Saturday I spoke with a small group of women at a morning tea gathering. As Deb Risser and I were packing up to come home the women thanked me. One sweet older woman told me I was so easy to listen to! But the comment that went through my heart with a sharp pain was the comment by another woman who said, “Your message has to get out to the Church!” As I type this comment the tears are coming. I can’t help it. The message of seeking God FIRST needs to be taught in every church in America. A quote I received from a woman I recently met, captures our dilemma,
“Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible. It wears us out by multiplying distractions and beats us down by destroying our solitude, where otherwise we might drink and renew our strength before going out to face the world again.” (A.W. Tozer)

Prayer request:
--This Saturday I will be doing a JoyShop at New Tripoli, Pa. Pray that people will respond to the Spirit’s prompting and that many will come to a new understanding of what it means to seek God.
--As I prepare to do JoyShop at my home church in Lancaster County during the Sunday School hour in June, pray that God will give me the ability to minister effectively to the high school age students as well as the adults.
--I continue to cry out to God to allow me to reach larger numbers for Him. I plan to keep going, ministering to one group at a time, with all the strength that He gives me and as long as He chooses to sustain me. JoyShop Ministries belongs to God. He formed it! He brought you to me. We are in this together. Your support through prayer, time volunteered, and finances, continues to bless me. I ask for your continued partnership in leaving a legacy of lives impacted for the kingdom.
--Please pray that the fire that burns within my heart will never dim and that He will grant me a holy passion to serve the body of Christ across this nation.

I hope that you can come to the JoyShop picnic at my home on Sunday, June 1. You can arrive anytime after 4:00. We will eat around 5:30 and wrap up the evening with a ministry update from 6:45-8:00 p.m. This is a family event. You can bring anyone with you that you think is interested in knowing more about JoyShop Ministries. All I ask is if you can preferably rsvp at info@joyshop.org by May 29 just so we have a rough count. There will be soft serve ice-cream for everyone! If you kids want to swim we have a pool for their entertainment!

Serving Together, Anita

Ministry Update April 28, 2008

Ministry Update April 28, 2008

John 6:27
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you…”

Well, Jesus sure gave me a ton of work to do this past week. How I praise Him for giving me the energy and passion to get through the week. I will do my best to sum up highlights of this past week.

Full JoyShop in Manheim for a local Farm Women’s group:
There were about 13 in attendance and we met Friday night and Saturday. It was a delightful group of ladies and I totally enjoyed my time with them, not to mention the good food we had! I was grateful for the opportunity to share my heart and passion.

“Serving with Excellence” conference in Dallas, Texas, April 20-24
To be honest, I could probably write several pages on what all happened in Dallas! From the time that Deb Risser, Judy Harnish, and my self boarded the plane in Philadelphia until we returned home, we felt God’s presence and leading. We made so many great connections as well as having many divine appointments. Some of the speakers we had the privilege to hear were Chuck Swindoll, Tony Evans, Ken Blanchard, Patsy Clairmont, Chip Ingram, Jill Briscoe, and Steve Douglas, President of Campus Crusade for Christ. We were challenged not only by their teaching but also by the leaders of the many workshops we attended throughout the week. It was exciting to be able to get my book into the hands of many people from all over the country! We definitely did some networking handing out many ministry brochures to help give JoyShop Ministries some exposure.

At the hotel where the conference was held, “Christian Leadership Alliance” had a table set up where any one could display their ministry brochures, etc. I noticed that someone from the Pocket Testament League had laid out about 30 pocket testaments with various covers. So this prompted me to lay one of JoyShop’s pt’s with the pile. A few minutes later as I was coming out of the ladies room, I noticed a tall man looking over the pocket testaments. As he shuffled through them he ended up picking out JoyShop’s pt! It was such an affirmation that I went up and gave him a copy of my book and told him all about the ministry! (poor man!) Turns out the woman that was traveling with him got a hold of my book and she later told me it was a divine appointment to receive my book!

One other highlight from our time in Texas: There was an exhibit hall for vendors to show off their offerings to help churches and Parachurch ministries such as ours. As we were strolling down the aisle, a man kind of jumped out in front of me with his arms wide opened and said “Anita!” Honestly, I had no idea who it was, so I looked at his name tag and couldn’t believe it. For the first time I was meeting face to face with Chuck Jones from North Carolina who I had met on Facebook! He is on staff at a large church in Charlotte, N.C. and had grown up in the same small town in Tennessee as I had. It was such a pleasant and unexpected surprise!
Ran into the President of Lancaster Bible College as well as Water Street Rescue Mission!

The only down side of the conference is that I am sure I came home a few pounds heavier. I won’t speak for Deb or Judy!

Manor Men’s Retreat at Kenbrook Bible Camp:
What a JOY to serve 10 men from Manor with the message of JoyShop! I have to admit I was a little intimidated by this, but from the moment I pulled in they greeted me so warmly and made me feel very comfortable. I felt the Lord’ presence with us and I just couldn’t help praising the Lord for this amazing opportunity. I could possibly be the only woman in America who can say she has taught at a men’s retreat!!!! After my last session one of the younger men came up to me and said he couldn’t believe he had never attended a JoyShop before in that I have probably done at least five at Manor! He said he loved it and was so glad he had come…even thanked me! I felt so blessed to have been an encouragement to him.

At Kenbrook there were other retreats going on and everyone ate at the same time in the cafeteria. Saturday morning before I went to breakfast, I prayed for a divine appointment with either a group of teens or women who I assumed would be at breakfast just so I could encourage them to seek God FIRST! Of course, I kind of forgot about it as I was eyeing up all the food choices for breakfast. Once I had my food on the tray I looked around for a table to sit with and saw one with two women sitting there. So I made my way over to them and asked if I could join them. As we exchanged info as to why we were at Kenbrook for the weekend, I soon knew that God had arranged our meeting. In fact one of the women used the very words, “divine appointment” to describe our meeting. Bottom line, one of the ladies shared with me that she was tired of the Christian life she was living. She wanted the abundant life that Jesus promises in John 10:10. She even mentioned that the Lord had been impressing upon her the verse in Matthew 6:33, “…but seek first the kingdom of God…” My heart sang with JOY as I shared with her about JoyShop Ministries and its mission. I invited them to sit in the back and be apart of the “classroom” setting and learn what they could from the two sessions I had yet to give to the men. It worked out perfect for them because they had the morning free. I love how the Lord answers our prayers and gives us the desires of our heart!

Trinity ECC mother and daughter banquet Saturday night:
Close to 100+ women attended this event. Deb Risser and her daughter, Alexis, traveled with me. Several women shared privately with me after the event that the message they heard had impacted them. One used the word “life-changing”!

How I thank God for creating this ministry to meet the needs of the many hungry and starved people of our day. It truly is a JOY to travel from place to place sharing our message. I sincerely thank you all for your support through your prayers, finances, and time.


Praise:
--Received a call from the person who is going to redesign the home page of Pocket Testament League asking for our content of the 21 Day Challenge so that they can add this to their web site to encourage their members to take the 21DC.
--Many new opportunities have opened up to minister to teens! One locally at Beyerland Mennonite Church, and I am working on finding a date to speak to students involved with the FCA at Warwick High School. We also received an invitation to speak at a youth retreat of about 300-600 students in attendance. Todd Agnew, a contemporary musician will be giving a concert at this event. This event is slated for the last weekend in August and I am looking forward to confirming the details in the next couple of days.
--The door has been opened for me to return to Penn Manor on May 7 to finish up the JoyShop, thank the Lord!
--A couple of men that attended the men’s retreat are going to try to find a way to have me speak at Columbia High School next year.

Prayer Request:

--Continue to pray the Lord will perfect and refine the message of JoyShop Ministries. I depend on Him to teach and instruct my heart or I would never have the nerve to step out and speak.

--Pray for all the people that received my book at the conference and on the plane! Pray that God will market the book for us and that it will get in the hands of those who need the message.

I close with a recent testimony we received through our website:
“I attended your JoyShop in Lancaster with Dove Christian Fellowship. I can't thank you enough for sharing. I have successfully completed the 21 day challenge and am still seeking him every morning in my chair with my hot tea! I love it!!!!!!!!! I can't believe how much it has totally transformed my relationship with Jesus.....ya know what I mean!? I also started journaling and I start my writings with Jesus, Good morning.... He really does like to listen to us and I can't even start to tell you how much I have noticed my God sightings now, it's amazingJ! Thank you ...”

This is what it’s all about, empowering and equipping brothers and sisters in Christ to find a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to the praise of His glory! Just think of how many lives will be impacted just by this one person! Amen!

Seeking Him with my whole heart---Anita