WOW! This is it! The day when we actually put a little window to the world from my brain out in public! It’s a little scary actually. To know that my random, personal, and bible study time thoughts are going out into cyberspace. The thought keeps coming to me “AM I EVEN QUALIFIED TO SHARE ANYTHING??????”
It is that very thought that stalks me that let’s me know – YES I AM! I am qualified to share because me and you are so much alike. ‘But Nicole, you don’t even know who all will read this!’ I know and that is really exciting! But it doesn’t matter if we have met or not – we have soooooo much in common.
We all have dreams and aspirations that are coupled with fear of rejection and lack of significance. Think about it. Every time we double check our outfit (don’t let the men lie, they do it too), we trip in public and look to see if anyone saw, we speak up at a meeting and wonder if we came across the way we wanted to or looked totally stupid and tripped over our words and got interrupted, meet a new neighbor or friend and really like them, we wonder if we are going to be accepted for who we are.
Then if we ‘feel’ they do accept us, the same feelings of ‘whatever we bring to the relationship isn’t as important as what everyone else is bringing’ or ‘I wish I could do something to make a difference’ creeps into our head to attempt to steal the joy of the victory of ‘I did good!’ or ‘They liked me!’
WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT????
It is about an enemy
Believe it or not, there is an enemy out there jealous of the very place we are now!
1Pet. 5:8 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
We have an enemy and his main tool is to whisper diminishing thoughts in the ear of you and I. If he can keep us from accomplishing, he has won. And he is so GOOD at it! And we believe him! Oh Snap!
So what do we do? How do we fight these feelings? Who says we are any better than these thoughts and feelings tell us we are?
I’ll tell you who says – God!
He created each one of us just the way he wanted us. And He is a fantastic artist. He took His time on each person with each nuance, unique gifting, a certain appeal, and an exclusive look. A couture original! (Don’t let me loose you here guys, think of it as a your favorite pair of sneakers that are perfect and worn just right for your feet and you love them and wouldn’t trade them for a new pair because they wouldn’t fit the same. That’s like couture for men.)
He said,
Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations—that’s what I had in mind for you. Jer 1:5 Message
God has plans for you and me
To reach our world. We are so important that the creator of the universe took time out of His schedule to form and create us just the way He wanted us. You can touch lives that no one else has access to. You can encourage someone that no one else will listen to. You are the person that God created to live in this time and make little comments, touches and changes on our path to encourage others to not listen to that enemy.
So that is why I am starting this blog. To remind you and I on a regular basis that we are significant. We have a mission. We are important. That God loves even us.
Here we go!!!
{ 75 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
In a world where one is told to be this way or that, it is nice to know that
God wants us to be ourselves – no matter how quirky or nerdy.
Thanks Pastor Nicole! You are a wise soul.
Dear Nicole:
I just wanted to say how much your messages really encourage me and always bring me to a challenge to stretch my faith a little more each week. When you have been talking about tithing and giving, it is such a blessing to hear your encouragement. I have been stretching a little more with my tithing by going from the gross instead of the net. I knew the that God was wanting me to move to this and I felt ready to try Him as He said in Malachi. And He certainly has proven Himself back to me and is showing me that He can out give me.
Also, the devourer being stopped..I have seen in our good health and teeth with no formal medical insurance…but God’s insurance, machines that keep going, our kids protected….all those things I have remember in opposite when I didn’t tithe. That is a real tried and true principle the Lord has told us to do.
I just recently received a much needed harp gig for paying down on our bills at the hand of a local harpist friend….just in time. And even though I have heard the message many times before, it seems it is always new when it comes.
I also loved you and Pastor David’s message last Tuesday night about relationship and his comment about family first and then the church. I have felt this way for so long, even in some circles where it has been challenged. It is so good for hear it from the pulpit and David’s boldness to say it.
I feel so privileged to be a part of our church family and almost like a Mary where the words just soak in and I can meditate on them for a more productive life in the Kingdom.
Thank you so much for your love for us as your church family.
Sue
Pastor Nicole Crank,
Thank you!! :)
Hello Pastor Nicole…
I just want to say how much I enjoyed the message over the weekend during the marriage conference. My husband is a new truck driver and was on the road and could not make it, but I still went and I am so glad I did. The message on Friday night really struck something in me, because I know I deal with pride, and some of things mentioned on Friday, I didn’t even realize was pride. It something for me to be more conscious of. You and Pastor David have been a blessing to our family. We have been attending the church for a couple of months now on a consistent basis, and we are looking forward to the next membership reception, and officially coming apart of this Great church. God has truly put an annointing on both your lives, your teachings are what I like to say “real time” and have been fruitful in my husband and I walk. God Bless You…and Thank you
Dear Nicole,
I wanted to share a poem with you that I’ve written. I’ve attended your church a few times with my family and I wanted to get your honest opinion. Please let me know what you think. This poem is called A Letter To God.
Where did you go
Why didn’t you stay
You left me in my darkest hour
Alone and afraid
I saw no light
No comfort no hope
Instead there was darkness
And the shadows they came
They promised to protect me
If I stayed
I learned quick
And I learned well
That they were the master
And me a mere servent
A slave
They said you abandoned me
They claimed you lied
I believed in them
And the comfort I thought
I had found
Yet one day
The shadows were scared
A light shown bright
In my world of darkness
I wanted to go
I wanted to stay
They’d been there for me
When I thought you had strayed
I started to come
The shadows held tight
They said if I went
You’d leave me again
When I need you the most
I took my chances anyway
Wondering what my future held
Though I want you to know
The shadows still lurk
Waiting for me
I don’t quit trust you
But I want to stay
They haunt my days
And overpower my nights
Reminding me
Of what I left behind
I am still weak
In mind and soul
And sometimes I wonder
If I should go back
To the life i’d known
But your true love
And power hold me where I am
Between life and death
Light and darkness
Truth and lies
I don’t know what to believe
And yet somehow I believe in you
Because I feel your strenght
Within me
Calling me
Holding on
And saying
All will be okay
I look forward to hearing from you.
From, Krista
The Lord has placed You and Pastor David in our lives. It is so good to be a part of a church family that loves and makes you feel welcome. What a great idea to have a ‘blog’. May God continue to bless you (so you can be a blessing) .
Dear Nicole, I really love your message of hope and encouragement. Like a breath of fresh air!!Sue and Indy
Dear Nicole:
I am reading your blog for the first time and I love it!! I could really use the encouragment today and your words are always healing to me. Thank you, Sue and Indy
Shannon – Great insight! I hope you share often.
Raimoni – Dance it Off was in January and is over :( But the Chic Chat Madhatter Tea Party is Feb 25 and looks like it is going to be a first for us and amazing! Check it out on the events page here. You don’t have to sign up – just show up :) And that night the girl’s are wearing our tea party ‘dress ups’. Girly dresses or gowns, hats, or gloves. Girls love a reason to pull things out of the closet that we never thought that we would get to wear!
Gloria – I am so glad that you are interested in the 10-10 80 principle. we just had a phenomenal testimony this past weekend at our church of a couple whose life has been dramatically impacted. And another couple shared a very similar story of life change through applying the biblical 10-10-80 principle in their life BEFORE the service and the other testimony was shared!
If you email me at pastornicole@faithchurchstlouis.com, I will make sure that we get a teaching to you on this subject. Just come back to the blog and share the life change!
Would you please give more details to the 10 10 80 plan. I thought the testimony Sunday was great.
Thank You.
hi pastor nicole i really love coming to faith because it make me fill welcome and this is my first time on your new blog. i was wondering how do you sign up for you dance please call larhonda at 314-***-**** love your church and your new blog love peace and Faith
Thank you, Pastor Nicole. I am in agreement that due to the enemy we owe it to ourselves to program/memorize what God thinks about us into our brains. So that it ingrains into our hearts and Spirit… So that when the enemy voice sneaks in… It is quickly crowded out by the Truth that we know inside and out. It is this truth, that if I personally will memorize it and speak it more often out of my own mouth, into my own life, will give me the confidence to claim the unique one of a kind that is ME. There will never be another like me and that makes me qualified to be who I am where I am right now. No one else can do what I can do in my own unique way. Just as you are so fantastically gifted in your ways – which I love so much! Thank you for doing this blog!!! And for taking the risk!
Dear Pastor Nicole,
Your an amazing lady! Thank you for taking out the time in your busy day to write so that many people can read and be blessed.
Donna Miller :)
Pastor Nicole,
You are such an inspiration!! Thank you for doing everything you can and using all that God has given you to reach those that are lost and hurting!! You mean so much to me and I know you mean everything to so many others!! We love you and thank you for all that you do!! May God continue to bless you and honor you and use you to make a difference in this world!!
Love Becky (Rebecca) Parker :)
Pastor Nicole,
I am really excited about your blog. You are truely an amazing women. Im looking forward to all your words of encouragment and your advise from the things you have expereinced in life. You are a blessing in my life.
Kelley
Pastor Nicole,
Your blog is awesome – you’re such a blessing!!!!!
I would like to Thank You, for all the work you have done getting this church together.
I mean it!! Have a wonderful week.
That’s a great idea Patti! I think a devotional would be a great idea for blog posts!
I have been hoping for a blog or devotional from Faith Church and you delivered!! Boy, did you deliver. This is exactly what I needed to hear and a message that we all need to share. Thank you God!!
Amen Sister!!! We all have a gift and a calling and sometimes we wonder when and where God will use us in this world. But I just wait, because I know Gods not done with me yet and His timing is perfect. I know He will hand out the blessing and make it happen. I always say God is 4 days late, but right on time.
Thanks for your blog and will be looking forward to your next one.
God Bless You,
Diane
Thank You Pastor Nicole for continuing your commitment to God, our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ and all of us whom look for guidance to understand our Father in order to have a better relationship with Him and detach ourselves from the weight, worries, pressures and blindsighting events of the world. Congratulations on your new blog!!! I’m really excited for you and those of us who seek understanding, guidance, and teachings of righteousness and love.
I love you Pastor Nicole!!!
I pray thatchu Be Blessed n the name of THE LORD
Phoinixx
This is amazing! It’s funny how, the same question you asked yourself when starting this blog, is the same question I asked my son’s Cubscout leader as we were talking about sharing information with others. I believe that when God imparts wisdom to us, we should share it with others. It’s information like this that will make a huge difference in someones life. I’d like to see whatever it is that God places on your heart to write about. He knows what information is needed and when it is needed. You are truly a blessing!
Simply and elegantly put…Each on of us is important. I am looking forward to more postings from you Pastor!
Pastor Nicole you are such a blessing to so many lives!! I’m so excited to follow you on your new blog. You are such a busy woman and you always have it all together. Can you talk about how you keep the balance in all you do?
← Previous Comments