Evil vs. Good ~ It's really just a matter of surrender...

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."  Genesis 50:10

A year ago this month, I was unexpectedly unemployed but God wasn't taken by surprise.  He knew His plans for me included trials that would help shape and grow me more into the image of Christ but also an overflow of blessings so numerous than I would lose count.

Satan has taken every opportunity to attack me, my family and my ministries but God has used those attacks to show His healing powers and that all things can be used for His glory...if only surrendered to Him.

I've had the amazing privilege of learning more about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit through the growth and restoration of relationships with my husband, my children, extended family and friends.

I've been humbled to serve alongside some spirit-filled servant leaders of  Alabama SOS A Life Saving Ministry and am astounded at the over 400 salvations and over 270 assurances which this Holy Spirit-led ministry has documented during 2013-2014 as a result of prayer and its partnership with my brothers-and-sisters in Christ at my church family of  Eastmont Baptist Church.

Though I have no idea what 2015 holds for me, my family or my ministries, I know it will be awesome because that is the kind of God we serve.

My prayer for you, your family and your ministry is that you will obey God ~ no matter the cost ~ knowing that He loves you, that you can trust Him, and that you can bring Him glory through any situation that you surrender to Him.

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."  I Peter 4:12-13

"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, ' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."  Proverbs 19:21

I'm a Missionary! {No, you are not.}

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you."  Matthew 28:19-20a  The Great Commission

"I'm a Missionary!"  ...  "No, you are not."   This has been my inner dialogue for months now... 

Yesterday, I saw a previous coworker and she asked me what I was doing now.

"I'm a Missionary!," I exclaimed.  "I'm working with an evangelical ministry called SOS Events, Alabama SOS, telling people about Jesus!"

The initial and immediate look of surprise and disbelief on her face was priceless.  And I know it only too well because I've had those same emotions course through my body when I think of myself as a Missionary...

{Inner dialogue, again...}


"How dare you call yourself a Missionary!  You and your family don't live in a third world country, under persecution and hardships.  You have a house and a car and you live right here in Montgomery, Alabama {for goodness' sake}.  What makes you think you can call yourself a Missionary, Patty?  Huh, huh?  Well!!??  Hmpf."

On Wednesday nights, my co-teacher and I show and tell our 3 & 4 year old Mission Friends about Jesus' love for them.  We talk about missionaries {some} and we play {lots}.  We ask "What is a missionary?"  And the answer is "Someone who tells people about Jesus."  And then we tell them "Did you know that YOU are a missionary?"  We talk about the missionary's family...what their lives are like...we pray for them and each other...and we play {lots.}

So are they REALLY missionaries...or is it all a lie?   


I see signs at some churches that say "You are now entering the mission field."

So wouldn't THAT mean we are supposed to be missionaries...or is it all a lie?     

So when I think of myself as a Missionary, why do I cringe...feel like a fraud...shrink back from it...minimize it...
The answer:  Quit listening to the devil's lies and focus on God's truth instead!

God's truth tells us if we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are commanded to be missionaries.  That it is not even an option.  We. Are. Missionaries.

So guess what?  I'm laying a bold claim to the title of Missionary...with authority from the Almighty...with the knowledge and conviction that I have surrendered my life to Christ and His command in my Life Verse "And then He told them, 'Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to everyone."  Mark 16:15

And instead of listening to the devil's lies, I will focus my eyes upon Jesus, His word and His mission for my life.

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Therefore beseech the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers into his harvest."  Matthew 9:37-38

"Declaring the glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the people!  Psalms 96:3

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:  and be ready always to give an answer to everyman that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."  1 Peter 3:15