Grace Spilled Over

Author Archives: Grace Spilled Over
- Just Passing Through . . .
  
  Posted at 7:51 pm by Grace Spilled Over, on May 3, 2018
  Her arm, shoulder and hand had tattoos. Her hair had this crazy bleached out streak in it, her style was definitely different than my own.
  
  And because of her differences, it was easy to assume she didn’t love Jesus like I loved Jesus.
  
  But that was just not so. Ashley loved Jesus with all her heart! And her love for Him spilled out onto those God brought across her path. The tattoos covering her body were Scripture she clung to. And in her short twenty-eight years she impacted the world for Christ in ways we probably will never know until we get to heaven.
  
  God called Ashley home just a few short weeks ago. Her absence leaves a gaping hole in our lives and we grieve because of our great loss. We grieve for the husband and daughter she left behind. We grieve for the experiences lost and the incredible way she served so many. How can we ever replace that? Our loss was heaven’s gain!
  
  But I refuse to call Ashley’s death a tragic accident. It’s easy to see it that way. One so young with so much living yet to do, suddenly gone. A family left behind. A daughter who will never have her mom pick out a prom dress with her. A husband with an empty space in his bed. Questions that seem to go unanswered.
  
  But it’s not tragic for Ashley! She is now living in the presence of the Savior she loved so dearly; more ALIVE than she has ever been. Dancing with Him, singing with Him and gazing on His face. She is HOME.
  
  But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control. Philippians 3.20
  
  It’s so easy to live like this life is all there is. To grab and cling to the here and now and forget that we don’t really belong here. This is just a stopping ground, a place to camp out until we reach our real home.
  
  Ashley lived in the knowledge that eternity was coming! She knew her hope was not in this life, that slips through our fingers like sand, but in the life to come. She lived with a confident hope that her last breath here would be her first breath in heaven. And it was!!
  
  I want to live this way! Totally sold out to Jesus. Holding nothing back. Making every moment count. I want to live. I want to laugh. And I want love like she did. Like Jesus calls me too. I want to remember this world is not my home, I’m just passing through . . .
  
  Spilling His grace,
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- Burn Your Ships
  
  Posted at 8:16 pm by Grace Spilled Over, on April 9, 2018
  The story is told of a Spanish sailor named Cortez, who landed in the Americas. After landing, he ordered the ships to be burned. There was no going back. They were there to stay.
  
  How often do we make a decision to let go but still find ourselves clinging to the old way. Holding onto things “just in case” it doesn’t work out. Never fully committing. Never completely letting go.
  
  It’s the woman on a diet who holds onto her “fat pants” just in case.
  
  It’s the newly married man who keeps the number of an old girlfriend in his phone, just because.
  
  It’s the teenager who gets the answers to the test. She doesn’t intend to use it but just in case she hasn’t had time to study . . .
  
  It’s the betrayed friend who hangs onto the bitterness, justifying her right to hold onto it. It’s the father who refuses to forgive a wayward son because he’s done it one to many times before. . .
  
  Never really ALL IN.
  
  Recently I have found myself on this journey of letting go of a stronghold in my own life. And I’ve realized I can’t cling to the old if I truly want to move on. I’ve got to “Burn my Ships!”
  
  There’s no going back. No secret out. No straddling the fence. It has to be ALL or nothing.
  
  And then the fear sets in and the lies become louder than the truth. What if I fail? What if it really isn’t possible. If I “burn my ship” what will I have to fall back on if this doesn’t work?
  
  But in the fear, when we choose to trust, when we choose to listen to truth and let the lies fade into the background, we realize God is greater. God is bigger. God is enough.
  
  And He gives us the courage to “Burn our Ships” and live in the land of the free!
  
  Because this land of freedom is where you intend to STAY, what “ships” do you need to burn in your life today?
  
  Don’t wait. Burn your ship. Step out in faith. Make a clean break. God promises to meet you there.
  
  Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” Jonah 2.8-9
  
  Spilling His grace,
  
  kristi
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- Living for the Applause of Nail-Scarred Hands
  
  Posted at 12:56 pm by Grace Spilled Over, on March 29, 2018
  As Easter approaches, my soul has never been more aware of the freedom I have in Christ because of His great sacrifice for me!
  
  For years I have had a stronghold in my life that has held me captive. I knew Jesus set me free, but I refused to step out of my chains and live free. I liked the security my chains gave me. I was comfortable with them. I was like a woman who refuses to leave her abusive husband because the unknown is just too scary. I know it sounds crazy. Oxymoronic even. Why would someone ever opt for chains when they could live a life of liberty?
  
  But that’s exactly what I have done for far too long.
  
  A few months ago, things came to a head and I knew I could no longer live the way I had been living. And so I began this journey of repentance and freedom. I didn’t know it would bring freedom at the time, I just knew I couldn’t live like I had been living. I was broken and undone.
  
  I was hesitant. I had been down this road before and it wasn’t pretty. I had failed. I was a failure at least that’s how I saw it. But God spoke deep into my heart and reminded me that I was made for more! He died to set me free from sin, not to wallow in it and remain in my mess. With Him ALL things are possible!
  
  One ordinary day, in this journey, I was challenged to come into God’s presence and sit with Him; with my fear, with my anger, with my frustration. Just to be. And while being, to picture Him sitting there next to me.
  
  The house was quiet. I sat at the end of my couch and pictured Christ sitting next to me. Sitting there I began to wonder what He looked like. Was He the Jesus of the Sunday School pictures I brought home each week as a kid? Did He have long hair? I realized I had no idea what He looked like but instead of staying there I began to think about what I would do if He were truly next to me.
  
  I knew immediately – I would hold His hand.
  
  So I held out my hand and pictured Jesus putting His hand in mine and when I did, I saw His nail-scarred hand! This visible reminder of His sacrifice for me! This sacrifice, at such great personal cost to Him, purchased my FREEDOM. And yet, I have continued to live in captivity. I have continued to dwell in my chains. I have continued to circle my mountain, instead of climbing to the heights!
  
  Once again I was broken and undone! How frivolous I have treated His lavish and costly gift. It was a sacred and holy moment as I felt God whisper gently into my brokenness.
  
  Jesus said in John 8.35, “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” I heard it loud and clear that day, “You are free Kristi, so be free!!”
  
  I no longer want to cheapen the sacrifice Jesus made for me by choosing to live bound up in my chains. I am free! And I am choosing to live free!
  
  “I want to live for the applause of those precious nail-scarred hands.” (Mark Batterson – The Lion Chaser Manifesto) Because nothing else matters more than Him.
  
  Thank You, Jesus – Hillsong
  
  Grace that flows like a river, washing over me.
  
  Fount of Heaven, love of Christ, overflow in me.
  
  Thank you, Jesus! You set me FREE. Christ my Savior, You rescued me.
  
  Take this life delivered, a vessel of Your love,
  
  Wholly now devoted, to see Your Kingdom come.
  
  Thank you, Jesus! You set me FREE. Christ my Savior, You rescued me.
  
  You’ve given me life. You’ve opened my eyes.
  
  I love You, Lord. I love you, Lord. You’ve entered my heart.
  
  You’ve set me apart. I love You, Lord. I love you, Lord.
  
  Thank you, Jesus. You set me free! Christ my Savior, You rescued me.
  
  Spilling His grace and LIVING for the applause of nail-scarred hands,
  
  kristi
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- Welcome Home!
  
  Posted at 11:30 am by Grace Spilled Over, on March 12, 2018
  Friday morning bright and early, my husband and I arrived at the airport ready to head to Honduras for our first missions trip together. We checked in and dropped off our bags and turned to head towards security. It was then we saw a tiny little boy and his family walk through the sliding entrance doors. All but the little boy, had on bright blue t-shirts that said, “Make A Wish”. As this little boy walked in, a cheer rose up from a crowd of people all wearing Mickey Mouse ears and holding a banner. There must have been thirty to forty people, each one having braved the cold and crawled out of bed at an ungodly hour to greet this little boy and his family.
  
  As I watched the joy on that little boy’s face, the tears began to pour. I had to turn away or I would’ve been a blubbering mess.
  
  Later as I sat on the plane reflecting on what I had just had the privilege of witnessing, I couldn’t help but think of another welcome party that had happened just a day before this. I didn’t get to see it but I couldn’t help wondering what it must have been like when Billy Graham stepped into heaven.
  
  When the Lord welcomed him Home and said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Oh, what a beautiful moment that must have been. I wonder, were Moses and Daniel holding the banner? Were the angels singing? Was there a line of people waiting to greet him, anxious to tell him that they were there in part because of His obedience and servanthood? Were people dancing and praising God for this surrendered servant who had finally come HOME! Because I know for sure, it wouldn’t have been about Billy Graham. It would’ve been about God and his miraculous work in the heart and life of a man totally sold out to Jesus!
  
  Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1.10-11
  
  Oh, how I want to live a life of faithfulness to the end, like Billy Graham. To step into heaven and have Jesus meet me there with open arms and say, “Welcome home, my faithful servant, well done!”
  
  Mark Batterson says it well in the Lion Chaser Manifesto:
  
  Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.
  Run to the roar.
  Set God-sized goals.
  Pursue God-given passions.
  Go after a dream that is destined to fail, without divine intervention.
  Stop pointing out problems, become part of the solution.
  Stop repeating the past. Start creating the future.
  Face your fears. Fight for your dreams.
  Grab opportunity by the mane and don’t let go!
  Live like today is the first day and last day of your life.
  Burn sinful bridges.
  Blaze new trails.
  Live for the applause of nail-scarred hands.
  Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God.
  Dare to fail.
  Dare to be different.
  Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.
  Chase the Lion.
  
  Mark Batterson,(2016-09-06).
  Chase the Lion: If Your Dream Doesn’t Scare You, It’s Too Small.
  
  There is a saying in sports, “Leave it all on the field.” In other words put everything you have into the game and hold nothing back. That’s what I want to do with this life. To step into heaven, totally used up, having laid it all on the line with no regrets!
  
  Hearing those beautiful words, “Welcome Home!”
  
  Spilling His grace,
  
  kristi
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- Red-Light District
  
  Posted at 8:32 pm by Grace Spilled Over, on February 1, 2018
  It was a day of contrasts in a city in Southeast Asia. Of good versus evil. Of light and darkness. Of beauty and desperation. It was an afternoon spent with beautiful women living in abject poverty and yet finding life and love and hope in Jesus. It was an evening walking the narrow walled in streets of a red-light district, feeling the darkness swirling around us and witnessing the hopelessness, despair and depravity of life without God.
  
  We were unable to bring cameras, so I will attempt to paint a picture of all that I saw and experienced that evening.
  
  Venders were selling everything from street food to sticks of wood. The streets were filled with pedestrians, motorcycles, vintage yellow taxi’s and rickshaws powered by running men. We made our way gingerly around it all and paused to split our group up into threes to pray and walk the red-light district. It’s not a very safe place to be and my heart skipped a beat as our little group turned the corner and headed into the narrow walled in street. Incense from the many temples, the odor of many unwashed bodies and other smells accosted our senses.
  
  To say I was uncomfortable bordering on terrified, would be an understatement. I have never ever experienced anything like this before. But if I’ve learned anything from this new journey I’m on it is that God calls His children to carry His light into the pit of darkness. To face the enemy knowing HE has won the war.
  
  Knowing this doesn’t remove the pain of it. Knowing this doesn’t make it more comfortable or any easier. It feels like it is more than I can bare. It is more than I can take in and it shakes me to my core.
  
  Walking those streets, I was confronted with my apathy in regards to human trafficking. Honestly, I haven’t wanted to really expose myself to what is being done day after day to these precious souls. After all what can one human being really do? And what do I do with what I’ve seen? I can’t bear to think about what might be happening to young innocent girls in places like this. My selfish heart tells me life is so much more comfortable when I don’t expose myself to such evil.
  
  But God hasn’t called us, His children, to shy away from sin and darkness but to step into it bravely as we carry the torch of His brilliant light.
  
  And so we did.
  
  We walked the dirty, narrow streets with our inadequate prayers. Because really how do you pray for this dark overwhelming place of sin and degradation? Yes, I know there are no inadequate prayers but honestly that is how it felt in that moment. In that moment I couldn’t pray. I couldn’t think of anything because I was so overwhelmed with the enormity of the depravity and darkness that coiled around us.
  
  So I cried and prayed for God to break my heart for what breaks His.
  
  Why do I pray prayers like that? Because once again, I felt my heart crack into a thousand pieces as I looked on woman upon woman standing in doorway after doorway plying their wares. Heavily made up, robed in brilliant clothes hoping to attract a customer. They were like dolls in a shop – objects to be used and discarded at the owner’s convenience. This is the life these women have always known. They don’t know they’re loved and treasured by God. They don’t know they can be something more than an object in a window. They don’t know there is a better way. And the really heartbreaking part is most would never choose the better way, even if it were offered to them.
  
  It left me reeling and unsettled, uncomfortable and troubled. It was a restless night as I prayed and cried and brought this burden to my Father. How brokenhearted He must be to see what humankind has done to His beautiful gift of sex. How angry He must be that our beautiful sisters are treated as objects to be discarded never knowing His great love for them. How saddened He is that we the church have stuck our heads in the sand and pretended this doesn’t happen in our city. That we hesitate to step into the darkness to carry His light. That we choose to walk in apathy because it’s easier than facing into the darkness.
  
  I’m convicted and wrecked.
  
  I know I can no longer live with blinders on, no longer sit on the sidelines, no longer live uninformed. What this will look like, I truly have no idea but I do know He will be with me. He will be my shield and my rock in whom I can trust as I carry His light into the darkness.
  
  Spilling His grace,
  
  kristi
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- Fixed
  
  Posted at 9:40 pm by Grace Spilled Over, on January 10, 2018
  My heart can be so fickle. My attention span, short. My purpose of mind, capricious. I have a tendency to get side-tracked, to be unfocused, and am prone to giving in when my comfort is threatened.
  
  I hate admitting this but it’s true, especially in a specific area of my life that has been a stronghold for far too long. I have rationalized, justified and flat out refused to surrender this area of my life to God. Oh, I’ve tried! I’ve prayed! I’ve begged God to just wave His magic wand and set me free. After all isn’t that what He died for?
  
  But truthfully, I haven’t wanted to do the hard work of rooting this idol out of my life. I haven’t wanted to look deep into my heart and see the ugly. I haven’t wanted to surrender to the pain of the Surgeon’s knife. I can’t tell you how many times I have started with such good intentions and how quickly I’ve failed and given up. It’s just too hard. I love my comfort more. Sadly, “I want the warmth of the womb and not a new birth.” (Wilbur Rees, I’d Like to Buy $3 Worth of God Please)
  
  BUT, recently God has once again revisited this issue (let’s be honest, it’s SIN) in my life and I believe my heart is ready to look deep into the abyss and see the ugly.
  
  So we (God and I) have begun to explore this room in my heart that I have barred God from entering for years upon years . . .
  
  I have begun to see how this idol has enslaved me and how it’s kept me from living FREE. How it’s holding me back in my ministry. How it is affecting other areas of my life. And I have come to understand; I can’t do this without God!! Doing this without His strength and power is why I’ve tried and failed so many times in the past.
  
  As we have journeyed down into the dungeon of my soul I’ve found God so ever present. As we have looked at the darkness of my sin, I have found Him not condemning but illuminating. Whispering, “There’s a better way to live, Kristi. It’s what I died for . . . you’re no longer a slave but my daughter and you are FREE.
  
  Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through. John 8.35-36 (MSG)
  
  Hebrews 12.2, says, “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfector of our faith . . . “
  
  I love this! Jesus started this work in me and He will perfect it. What do I need to do? FIX my eyes on Him.
  
  Focused. Resolute. Intentional. Immovable. Anchored.
  
  It’s what will bring . . . Freedom. Victory. Fortitude.
  
  Yes, this is just the beginning, and yes there will be more difficult roads ahead but sticking with Jesus like glue, centering my heart and mind on Him, will set me FREE and allow God to shape my heart into His design instead of mine.
  
  This is my word for the year; FIXED! I’m stripping off the weights and sins that have held me captive (Hebrews 12.1) and fixing my eyes on Jesus who promises to do His good work in me and give me an Undivided Heart!
  
  Spilling His grace,
  
  kristi
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- God’s Messengers
  
  Posted at 2:06 pm by Grace Spilled Over, on December 24, 2017
  As I reflected on the Christmas story this past week, my heart was drawn to the lowly shepherds. It was these lowest of the low, forgotten, marginalized and unseen shepherds whom God chose to share the greatest news the world had ever heard! God sent his messenger to these herdsman on the hillside to announce the birth of the Savior of the world and it wasn’t just one but many angels that joined with the messenger to praise God and bring hope to the world!
  
  I couldn’t help but see the parallel of this story to my story! No, I’m not saying I’m an angel. Just talk to my husband and kids and you’ll know that’s not true. But I am God’s messenger, chosen by Him to go to the cast-outs, the marginalized, the forgotten and unseen women of the world and the beautiful thing is . . . I’m not alone in this journey! I have a whole host of people who have joined with me in serving these desperate women.
  
  This message, brought by one angel would’ve been enough for the shepherds but when the host of angels joined him it added emphasis and power to the message. That’s what each of these members do when they pray for me, contribute financially and join with me. We are the Grace Tribe, spilling God’s grace and hope on the hurting and broken.
  
  We tell these marginalized women, they are valued, they are important, and they are loved! They are worth our prayers, our finances and whatever hardships there might be to share with them the Good News of a Savior!
  
  As we reflect on the greatest gift to mankind, let’s not forget that God first chose to share the Good News of Jesus’ birth with the ordinaries of this world!
  
  Merry Christmas!
  
  Spilling His grace,
  
  kristi
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- Greater Things
  
  Posted at 5:08 pm by Grace Spilled Over, on December 12, 2017
  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” John 14.12-14
  
  This past week this verse grabbed hold of my thought process and wouldn’t let go. I’ve read this verse plenty of times before but for the first time, I took time to pause and reflect on what Jesus was saying.
  
  All throughout the book of John is this simple phrase Jesus says, “I tell you the truth.” And it’s always followed by a very profound TRUTH. You get the feeling every time He says it that He’s really saying, “Stop, pay attention this is really important! This is Truth. Truth you can count on, Truth you can live by.”
  
  This “I tell you the truth” statement is followed by an incredible statement!
  
  ANYONE, who believes in me WILL DO the same works I have done and EVEN GREATER WORKS.
  
  What? We will do even greater works than Jesus? How can that be?
  
  Remember Jesus said, “I tell you the truth!”
  
  Do we believe this? Do we live like this is possible? Do we pray this way?
  
  I think Paul did. Paul traveled sharing the Good News of Jesus with people all over the known world. Jesus didn’t go beyond Israel. Paul healed, cast out demons, raised people from the dead and constantly remembered this power wasn’t from him but from the One who had died for him. He gave Jesus glory and counted it a blessing to suffer for Him.
  
  It’s not a competition, it never was and it never will be.
  
  What it is . . . is refusing to keep the joy and life we have experienced in Christ to ourselves. It’s choosing to share Jesus with our friends, our families, our community, and the world. It’s making a difference, living outside our comfort zone, and radically following.
  
  Jesus isn’t saying we will BE greater than Him, only we will do greater things than Him. Why? He knew that we would be able to do greater things when He went back to His Father. Think about it. The Holy Spirit would come to dwell within us. The power that raised Jesus from the dead would reside in us! Immanuel – God with us!
  
  Believers would be unleashed to spread the Good News throughout the world, touching hearts Jesus never could and the Kingdom would expand exponentially!
  
  As I consider this new journey, what would happen if I began to pray that I might do greater things? Could it really be possible? Think what God could do with a nobody who is totally sold out to Him! Not in our own strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit. Not to bring us glory but to give God glory. To expand HIs Kingdom.
  
  What if you and I were to take Jesus at His Word and live like this?
  
  What would our communities, our country and the world look like if those who truly believed in Jesus really believed this was true?
  
  “Jesus will you enable us to do Greater Things not for our glory but for YOURS, because You are with the Father and You say to ask anything in Your name and You will do it! I believe and trust in You. I desire to proclaim Your truth and see Your Kingdom expanded! Amen.”
  
  kristi
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- Celebrating this Year of Change
  
  Posted at 9:41 pm by Grace Spilled Over, on October 31, 2017
  A year ago this month (November 2016), I visited the home office of the EFCA ReachGlobal for the very first time. It’s crazy to think about all that has transpired since that time and how faithful God has been. He deserves all the praise and glory . . .
  
  December – was officially accepted as a full-time, long-term missionary with EFCA ReachGlobal.
  
  January – wrapped up my time as women’s ministry director for my church and celebrated the nine years of ministry God gave me with these beautiful amazing women. Reflected where I was just one short January (2016) ago when I chose the word DARE for my Word-of-the-Year, knowing without a doubt that my life was going to be completely different come January 2017 but not really knowing how.
  
  February – Resigned my position and had my first exposure to ReachGlobal missionaries in Thailand at the Asia Conference. Was profoundly impacted by these simple unassuming missionaries- their sacrificial living and commitment to following Jesus; forsaking home, family and all that is comfortable to follow!
  
  March – Returned to EFCA headquarters for Ministry Partner Development training. Something in this new job I was dreading. I had never had to raise money before in my life – not for a mission’s trip, not for camp, nothing. Was encouraged and challenged through the training but still overwhelmed!
  
  April – Despite my apprehension I hit the ground running raising support and developing ministry partners. And in the process God totally flipped the tables on me! One day while meeting with a single mom, newly divorced and struggling, she asked me to share with her about my new ministry. I shared with her some of the details and how excited I was to be ministering to women all over the world. When I finished, she exclaimed, “So how can I help?”
  
  Normally, I would’ve said, knowing her situation, “would you pray for me?” But I felt God prompting me to say something else. So I looked at her and asked, “Could you give $5 a month?” She replied, “Umm, that’s a coffee.” “Yep” (We were at Starbucks and had just spent $5 on a coffee.). Then she got this big grin on her face and said, “I can do that!” She was so excited. She never dreamed she would be able to be a part of something like this and now she could!
  
  That’s when I felt God whisper to me, “This is way bigger than you, Kristi! This is what I’m doing. You’re just offering people the opportunity to be a part of what I am doing around the world.”
  
  Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of April
  Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for April.
  
  May – Dinners. Lunches. Coffees. Sharing the dream.
  
  Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of May.
  Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for May.
  
  June – change for CHANGE, a young family’s dream to invest in this ministry to women around the world and to encourage others to join. Visiting Greenville Missionary Church in Greenville, Ohio and deeply touched by their generosity and willingness to join with me in ministry.
  
  Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of June.
  Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for June.
  
  July – Honduras, a time of encouragement, experiencing a new culture, engaging with believers young and old and ministering to women. God confirming in my heart – this is what I was made for!
  
  Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of July.
  Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for July.
  
  August – meeting with old friends and new, sharing the vision and watching God build the Grace Tribe!
  
  Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of June.
  Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for June.
  
  September – Kenya, vision trip and CHE (Community Health Evangelism) Training in Women’s Cycle of Life in Nairobi. Life changing two and half days with the Maasai women of Namanga. Connection with a young woman doing ministry in Kenya that I hope to partner with in the future.
  
  Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of September.
  Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for September.
  
  October – Biblical Worldview Conference and CHE training – where God expanded my horizons and opened doors for future ministry!
  
  Prayer: God would provide the last of my funding $700 per month for October
  Prayer answered: $567 per month (Just $133 left to be FULLY FUNDED!)
  
  My heart is so full of all I have seen and experienced in this incredible year of change.
  
  God is GOOD.
  
  God is FAITHFUL.
  
  God is AWE-MAZING.
  
  May He be Praised!!!
  
  For Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 57.10-11
  
  Spilling His Grace,
  
  kristi
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- A Patched-Up Heart
  
  Posted at 1:21 pm by Grace Spilled Over, on September 30, 2017
  My heart cries out, “Will this be what it is like everywhere I go, Lord? Will my heart be torn into a thousand pieces and left in different parts of the globe? What will I have left? Will there even be a me?”
  
  As I sit amongst these beautiful, engaging Maasai women, I can’t believe how dear they have become to me in such a short time! Was it only just two days ago, that we had tumbled out of bed at the crack of dawn, crammed into our tiny van and traveled three hours to this place?
  
  It seems like I’ve lived a lifetime in just this short space of time.
  
  I will never forget my first glimpse of these warrior-like women dressed in brilliant colors with many beaded necklaces and bracelets walking across the arid plain to the aluminum-sided church building. The mountains stand tall in the distance. Dry brush and acacia trees cover the landscape. Beautiful blue and orange birds chirp and flutter from one tree to another. Termite hills dot the countryside, an antelope grazes nearby and a dog wanders aimlessly looking for food. The absence of city sounds is striking, I only hear the laughing and chatting of women and birds. No car motors, no honking sounds, no airplanes flying overhead.
  
  And now, it’s time to leave. How can you feel like you’ve lived a lifetime and yet not lived even one hour?
  
  How precious and how beautiful these Maasai women are! My heart is so connected to them in ways I never thought imaginable. So much as transpired in these few short days . . .
  
  I witnessed the pain that their culture inflicts upon them. I heard the trembling voice of a young woman unveiling her heart to me about the pain she endured in her home. I laughed with them, sang with them and tried to mimic their amazing dancing. I listened to them arguing, discussing and singing in a language that wasn’t my own. I drank Maasai smoke tea and was given a window into their hidden world of giving birth. I experienced the darkness and evil of the vain traditions that hold them captive and powerless. I witnessed the spark of light brought through God’s truth. This tiny remnant, of powerless women, now awake to the power of God’s Holy Spirit ready to bring about change in their culture!
  
  Jesus said in John 10.10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
  
  And for a long time, the thief has had his way amongst the Maasai but NO LONGER! It has begun and my heart is so hopeful for them!
  
  As we drive away, I know I have left a piece of my heart there and the pain is excruciating.
  
  I wonder . . . Is this even a little hint of what Jesus felt for me? Was His heart torn into a thousand pieces when He saw the brokenness and pain of this world?
  
  Then Jesus said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?” (Luke 9.23-25)
  
  This is the beauty and mystery of grace. It is the backwards, upside down way of living in God’s kingdom . . . giving to receive, denying ourselves to find our true self, dying to find life!
  
  What excruciating pain and yet what joy! What sorrow and yet what beauty! As I give my heart away, I trust God will patch up this broken heart with His love – a love that knows no bounds and has no limits!
  
  And in this process of patching and refining I find LIFE, LOVE and new STRENGTH to give my heart away again.
  
  Spilling His Grace,
  
  kristi
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- A lover of Jesus first, a mom to four grown men and married to my best friend. A writer, speaker and amateur photographer armed with an i-phone, a travel geek, and a confessed tea snob. Crazy about finding kindred spirits in unlikely places and watching God transform a life. On staff with ReachGlobal and traveling the world empowering women with the gospel of Jesus.
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