CLEAR

Girls, Girls, Girls

Posted on: December 9, 2009 by Terri 1 Comment

Isn’t that the title of a rock and roll song? As our CLEAR leadership team continues to think and pray and talk about all the things we want for women, these words keep coming to my my mind - girls, girls, girls. There are little girls, young girls, girls becoming women and women, like me, who like being referred to as a girl! For our team, age isn’t an issue; we want to come alongside all women and help them navigate through the waters of the Christian faith! We keep coming back to what we want most for all girls, young and old, -  their own personal relationship with Jesus that transforms their lives.

2010 is almost here and we’ve planned a year full of opportunities for women to be challenged, to be inspired, to bring their friends, to meet other women, to serve other women and to pursue spiritual growth. We want all of you to come along as we continue the journey of becoming amazing women of God!

Watch this blog, talk to me (Terri Stone), Diane Karchner, Becky Preston, Renae Stone or Jennifer Thompson. We’re the CLEAR leadership team and we’re here to help you connect with God and each other and to help you grow in your faith. What are you waiting for? Jump in and be part of what God’s going to do in the lives of so many women!

Personality, Gifts, Passion

Posted on: October 15, 2009 by Terri No Comments

I’m sure most of us have taken the “Myers Briggs” somewhere along the way, in school, the workplace, at church - you know, the results give you four letters that describe your personality: E or I, N or S, F or  T, J or P. There are 16 different personality types. I’m an ESFJ through and through - Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging. Here’s how an ESFJ is described:

Warmhearted, conscientious, and cooperative. Want harmony in their environment, work with determination to establish it. Like to work with others to complete tasks accurately and on time. Loyal, follow through even in small matters. Notice what others need in their day-by-day lives and try to provide it. Want to be appreciated for who they are and for what they contribute.

Gifts refer to the spiritual gifts I received when I made Jesus the leader and forgiver of my life and was baptized. My top 3 spiritual gifts are evangelism, teaching and leadership.

My passion centers on people. What makes my heart beat fast is helping people meet and form a relationship with Jesus, coming alongside them as they learn about him and connecting them into the life of the church. I love doing these things, just love them!

These descriptions all look good on paper, but in reality it’s not always that peachy! The last couple of months have been extremely stressful for me at work. I know, I know, most would say, “how can working for the church be stressful?” It can be. While my personality is described as this warm and fuzzy, upbeat, team player who goes around all day making sure everybody’s needs are met, when things aren’t working out so harmoniously, my deadlines are impacted by others, and I get verbally roughed up by a co-worker, I’m like a volcano that grumbles and heats up and eventually erupts thousands of feet into the air. And what comes out is just as hot and dangerous as what comes out of a real volcano! What’s more difficult, is that I want to speak up, work it out, and explain myself, but most of the time I can’t do it. I can’t do it because, for years, I’ve been told I’m too emotional, unapproachable, too black & white, overly upset. If I’m quiet, others can’t say or think those things about me which is what an ESFJ wants - harmony!

My volcano erupted last night and it wasn’t good! Two people I love and trust said I need to figure out how to STOP letting stuff impact me so deeply and so personally. Yeah, I know that, but boy is it hard to put into practice. They also told me the only thing I can control and change is me. They’re right again.

So today’s a new day. I’m up doing what brings me comfort and hope - reading my Bible, talking to God and writing it down. Prayer, Jesus’ words, and time alone always bring the start of change and healing; the continued growth toward Christlikeness.

Leaps of Faith

Posted on: August 31, 2009 by Terri No Comments

Every time I’ve taken one, as scary and as painful as it was, it ended up being a meaningful experience in my life. Moving to Pennsylvania from Colorado 9 years ago, leaving behind a brand new grandbaby was a huge leap for me. How would this little girl know I was her grandma if I didn’t see her every day? I prayed that God would help me build a relationship with her even though we were miles apart. Then after living in Pennsylvania 4 years, my husband left corporate America with all its perks and a child headed to college, to become our church’s Executive Pastor. This was definitely a leap of faith.

What’s most difficult in these situations is knowing and trusting that God’s there through the fear, the doubt and the uncertainty. We worry and stew over what might be when all along God’s guiding, loving, teaching and stretching us to his outcome. My questions is: When we have to make hard decisions, do things that make us uncomfortable, whatever, why is it so hard to give God our complete trust, love and devotion? Why is it we struggle believing these words from the Bible, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”?

Recently my family took another step off the ledge trusting in God to take care of a major situation. While it was stressful, scary and at times uncomfortable, God worked it out. He answered prayers and provided what was needed. Our entire family has been significantly impacted by the experience - spiritually, physically and mentally.

What’s going on in your life right now? Do you need to take that leap, that step off the ledge knowing that God’s got you taken care of? Trust me, it’s an amazing experience or better yet, don’t trust me, trust God!