Author: Sherri Miller

Sunday morning Mona and I went to Coastal Virginia Church or Cova Church where she attends.  The worship service was uplifting and there was a guest speaker that spoke about the missionary efforts to build schools around the world for the Pentecostal church.  He mentioned how God had to set certain things in place before each of the schools could be built.  For example, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the death or over throwing of several dictators in Africa and the Middle East all had to happen first.  He spoke about how they had to endure the hardship of those conditionals until God brought about the change that allowed their work to prosper and their dreams be fulfilled  He said not matter how daunting the obstacle, like the wall was, he and his group kept each other encouraged that God would make a way and that they needed to be prepared when the time came.  This went along with what Dr. Denman said about needing to encourage each other when things are not the way we feel they should be.

That evening we went to Bayside Church of Christ and Bro. Ross spoke from Acts 1:12-25.  It was the time before Pentecost but after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ.  According to scriptures Judas must be replaced as one of the 12 Apostles.  The new Apostle had to be one who had been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry and was an eye witnesses present at all His miraculous deeds.  Two men, Justus and Matthias fit the qualification and were prepared to step into the role.  They were not mentioned before this nor are they mentioned after this, but Matthias was sent out as one of the 12 to spread the gospel.  They didn’t know they would be called but they were prepared.

All three messages went hand in hand to confirm the message we were being given.

Mona and I got up bright and early to attend the Woman’s Ministry Workshop lead by Dr. Elaine Denman of TN.  There was a good crowd and we secured seats close to the front so we would not miss anything.  As the hostess welcomed us all to the event, announced the day’s agenda, speaker and topic I realized that I had the right speaker, but the wrong event. This was a one day ladies seminar not a two day workshop.  However, we were there and it sounded good so we stayed.  Dr. Denman’s topic was How Real Are You? Relationships, Encouragement, Authenticity, Love in a Fake Society.  It was amazing!  The scriptures were taken from Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 3:1, Ephesians 1:3-14 and Hebrews 10 – 11:1-15.  She talked about how our 1st and primary goal in life is not to be successful, make lots of money, drive fancy cars, have a million Facebook friends or Tweet followers but to Serve and Glorify God by having a true and personal relationship with Him that is actively cultivated every minute of every day.

How do we do this?  By prayerfully asking God to:  (1) Bless me with every Spiritual (not worldly) blessing;  (2) Chose me to be a holy and blameless instrument for His use;  (3) Adopt me as a true daughter (or son) freely immersed in His Grace, Redeemed and Forgiven;  (4) Chose me to Be a Praise of His Glory; and (5) To be included in Christ marked and sealed with the Blood of the Lamb in the Spirit of God.  Those are some TALL PRAYERS!  Dr. Denman illustrated how the Heros of the Old Testament showed these traits even in the midst if all their mistakes and imperfections.  Hero’s like Abraham, Issac, Jacob, David, Soloman and Rehoaboam.  They were able to accomplish all they did not because they were perfect, but due to their unwavering faith.  It also showed that is was generational.  A Mother with a strong devoted life of faith has a daughter who knows God but sees faith as more of an obligation than a choice.  That daughter has a daughter who doesn’t see what all the fuss is about has not use for God.  What happened?  The Mother allowed her daughter to see her faith but didn’t instill in her the reason for her faith.  Because if that, the daughter had nothing to give the granddaughter.

The blessings we receive from God are not for our benefit.  They are to show His glory, grace and mercy in our lives.  This will attract others to have Faith in God and want to serve Him because He is Good and Worthy to be served.

I could go on and on but I think that’s enough to get the meaning.   The seminar lasted from 9 am to 3 pm with lunch provided.  Many women renewed their commitment to Christ and some had questions about living a Christian life.  It was a wonderful experience that left Mona and I strengthened and more committed to be beacons to draw others to Christ.

I made it to DFW with no problems.  I had 1:20 mins to wait, before my 10:25 flight, so I found a Chili’s right across from my gate and had breakfast.  With 20 mins to spare I went to the ladies room, called Mona to tell her I was on my way and sat at my gate.  And sat.  And sat.  At 10:20 with no one else around I went to the next gate over to ask about it.  The plane had left 10 min early.  I had missed my flight.  I was DEVASTATED!!  I had not heard a sight page for the flight boarding or leaving at all.  In tears I went to Customer Service to see when the next flight would be.  While talking to a woman who was more concerned with going to lunch than my flight, to my dismay the next flight didn’t leave till 6:30 pm!!  There were 2 possible earlier flights but they were not definite.  I was put on standby for those 2 and put on the 6:30 flight.  I went to a chair sat down and cried for 15 minutes with Mona in my ear telling me to calm down and breath.  Once I resigned myself to my fate, I promised Mona I would pull myself together, check on my suitcase which was on the 1st plane and just relax.  We hung up.  I cried a few minutes more then checked on my bag.  I found a Starbucks Lounge wait in, set my phone alarm for 2pm (30 mins before the 1st possible standby flight) settled in and fell asleep.  The other 2 flight didn’t make so I had a late lunch, went to my new gate at 4:45, did and early check in and stayed there will time to board the plane.

I arrived in Norfolk at 10:15 EST, retrieved my long waiting suit case and walked out of the airport.  There she was.  My best friend, My sister, My long distance partner in crime,  Mona Carter.  I walked over to her and we hugged, cried and Praised God that we were Finally together.  It had taken 15 years and all Frazzling day!, but we were finally together.

This time tomorrow I will be in the air on my way to Norfolk, VA to spend a week with my best friend, Mona Carter.  This journey has been 15 years in the making and I am soo excited I CAN’T STAND MYSELF!!!!

Mona and I met online on a Vin Diesel fan site. ( Yes I know but it’s ok, Trust Me! {:^D )  We became friends on the site and started talked off site as well.  This went on for about 5 years and after the site closed we remained close.  We have been there for each other through some dark days.  She was not a Christian so I shared my faith and the promises of God with her.  She begain to do the same and became my sisters as well as friend.  This made our friendship even deeper and opened up another dimension for us to grow together.

We will be attending a seminar about Women’s ministries and administering to women in crisis.  We will also be volunteering at a Women’s shelter for at least 16 hours as part of the seminar.  We are both so excited and can’t wait to serve the Lord together, worship together then CUT UP FEROCIOUSLY!  In a perfectly respectable manner of course. (prayerfully)  {:^D !! {:^D !!