Mother/Daughter Extravaganza –
(See below)
“But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the multitudes,
they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
But while the disciples stood around him, he arose and entered the city.
And the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. “
Acts 14:19-20
I know. . . the title had your head spinning! But I hope the verses above clarify the “stoned” to which I am referring. Both could be considered a mind-trip, I guess, but when I say “stoned” I mean:
What happens to you when life beats you down?
- When the pummeling comes and comes and you feel left for dead?
- When the sticks and stones that break our bones ARE words, that truly DO “hurt me” – and you?
- When words from a parent or grandparent STILL echo across the decades and knock you down in the here and now?
- When all the other really big “BAM!” and “POW!”s of life come hard and fast?
WHO SURROUNDS YOU, THEN?
According to the scripture above, Paul was able to rise to stand and to continue with the Lord’s call on his life because the disciples stood around him. BEFORE THE STONING he had been wise enough to stop being a Lone Ranger, and come into a tight and amazing circle . . . the most amazing circle of friends the world has ever seen. THIS circle of friends changed the world, in Jesus’ Name.
According to The Blue Letter Bible (www.blueletterbible.org), the Greek work used here for “stood around” is also the same word used in Hebrews 11:30,
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down
after they had been encircled for seven days.”
Amazing! The meaning of that word which means “stood around” and “encircled” implies an intense, powerful, game-changing presence . . . to “encompass.” The way I see it, the same powerful force that brought the walls of Jericho DOWN was the same “intensity of surrounding” that raised Paul UP!
Bottom line: Your friends matter! Their degree of FAITH matters!
And having this support system in place PRIOR to the STONING MATTERS!
I’m not going to reinvent the wheel to tell you how to do this, because one of MY amazing sister-friends, Cindy Finley, has already done this for us.
[Click HERE to access Cindy’s encouraging steps for what to look for in a Jesus Girl.]
I AM here to say – DO IT! And DO IT NOW!
When a shout for prayer goes out amongst the KGM Team, via text or email, we SURROUND each other. We are God’s wall of protection around each other, literally in this photo, and spiritually in all things.
Knowing that kind of “surrounding” is my prayer for YOU in this day. If it is the cry of your heart, then celebrate: This is a prayer God delights in answering!
Psalm 68:6a says:
“God sets the lonely in families. . .”
Believe it.
Be purposeful and wise – but take action steps
to surround yourself with sister-friends who are Family,
and who will be there when you “get stoned.”
Let’s become like the disciples, creating circles of friends
which change the world in Jesus’ Name.
Mothers and Daughters (Age 7-14) – Saturday, May 17, 2014
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Join us for this super special MOTHER/DAUGHTER event SATURDAY, MAY 17th!
Myers Park Presbyterian Church- Oxford Hall
2501 Oxford Place Charlotte, NC 28207
Come dance and sing with the girls from 1 Girl Nation. These girls are passionate about teaching young girls to live for Jesus while they’re young. I will also be speaking at this event. Scoop up your tickets TODAY!
Back stage passes available!
THE PROGRAM BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 5:00PM AND ENDS AT 6:30PM
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