Joann Edwards

Job Opening Spaulding Children's Ministry

We have a children’s ministry job opening at the Spaulding campus. This is a part-time, hourly position, and is open immediately. We are looking for someone who is loves Jesus and loves our kids at Keystone.  The job involves a lot of team building, leadership development and organization.  A job description is attached with more details.

Please join us in praying for the person to fill this position. If you are interested, or know of anyone who is, please let Chris Konyndyk know.

chrisk@keystonecc.org 
616-957-2244 x314
Download SS Children's Job

Sharing the Big Idea Anytime and Anywhere

Is it summer? For real? We had our first "Boatin' Big Idea" discussion group in the family room at Camp Flathead this week instead of on the Barnacle... Cold and rainy weather didn't put a damper on the discussion, but we're looking forward to a dat (like today) to cruise around w/friends and share the Big Idea. I'm excited (and hopeful) that the weather will be better by next Tuesday! And, excited about the prospect of doing the Big Idea as a family over the holiday weekend July 5. I was part of a planning meeting this week about the July 5 Big Idea, and I can tell you it's shaping up to be GREAT. We'll all be able to say that we can connect w/God and others anytime and anywhere through the Big Idea.

Still have a couple of spots available on the boat email me (joanne@keystonecc.org) if you're interested!

Judy Sharp Says Thanks All

Judy Sharp would like to thank everyone for their love & support, meals and care during her recent illness and recovery. Bless you Judy!

Religion VS Relationship

I ran across so old (2001) writings from a website I used to haunt called www.wuzupgod.com. They posted , "G Words" a dictionary of sorts, with definitions and sayings & scripture of what they thought God might be say to us about a variety of subjects. I thought these two fit with our current series...

On RELIGION:
("God" says religion is) Your creative attempts to get right with me by imaginative rituals, exercises, self torture, etc...When I have already done all the really hard work for you Instead of trying to guess what I want from you why not read my "bestseller", the Bible and let me get our RELATIONSHIP started on the right foot.

Note, according to the site, the word "religion" appears no where in the Old Testament and the only place where it's described in the New Testament is in the following verse:

James 1:27. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is the: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

On RELATIONSHIP:
(the opposite of RELIGION, "God" says it's) My effort to get you right with Me, by My hard work, love and persistence.

Isaiah 65:1-2. "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by thouse who did not seek me. To a nations that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.' All day long I have held out my hands t oan obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations."

Good Friday Devotion

But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ – dying that death, shedding that blood – you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything. (Ephesians 2:11-13 The Message) Covenant Through Christ In Old Testament times, the Jewish people enjoyed a unique covenant with God. This covenant included special promises, perks, and privileges: If you live by my decrees and obediently keep my commandments, I will send the rains in their seasons, the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. You will thresh until the grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting tome; you’ll have more that enough to eat and will live save and secure in your land. I’ll make the country a place of peace – you’ll be able to go to sleep at night without fear; I’ll get rid of the wild beasts; I’ll eliminate war. (Leviticus 26:3-6 The Message) Who wouldn't want that? In fact, that was the idea. The Bible tells us God intended for His covenant with His chosen people to produce a sense of, "I want that!" in the heart of everyone else. Jesus' death on the cross extended God's covenant beyond the Jews and made it available to anyone who receives Him as Savior. Now because of Christ – dying that death, shedding that blood – you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything. (Ephesians 2:13 The Message) What a great deal! Through Jesus we've inherited the promises, perks, and privileges that were once restricted to the nation of Israel. Instead of being alone, we've been brought near.

OMG: Why Singing? Staff Devotionals (Blessed Be Your Name)

Here's a second devotional based on a favorite worship song, by Joann Edwards:

“Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful, where your streams of abundance flow”… and

“And blessed be Your Name when I’m found in the desert place, though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your Name.”

These words attempt to paint the best and the worst of life. They serve to remind me that my balance is found in God, and that I must lift my eyes up and praise God everyday…good or bad.

It’s easy for me to lift up God’s name in praise when things are going well, but not so when life takes a dive. In fact, when things are their bleakest, it doesn’t take much for me to start blaming God for my troubles instead.

That’s why I love this song, because when I sing it, I’m reminded that what ever I’m experiencing whether it be pain, sorrow or joy and peace and the lessons I learn are gifts from God, that I’m not alone and that my heart (must learn to) choose to say, Lord blessed be your name…

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed Be Your name in the land that is plentiful, where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name when I'm found in the desert place. Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in, Lord still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me. When the world's 'all as it should be' blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your Name on the road marked with suffering.  Though there's pain in the offering  Blessed be Your name

You give and take away, You give and take away
My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name

OMG: Why Singing? Staff Devotionals (Who Am I?)

Some of us on staff were asked to write short devotionals for our favorite worship songs to prepare for this past week's message. Publishing them did not quite work out as planned, so I thought we would post a couple here: This one is written by Carol O'Connell.

Who Am I?  Whenever I sing this song, it causes me to pause and reflect on just that, Who Am I?  While watching the inauguration of our President Barack Obama, I was awestruck by the number of people crammed together; millions of Americans were hoping to see and hear from our newest leader. 
Seeing this vast number of people made me wonder just who am I amidst all those in the universe? I am just a speck.  And yet, the Lord of all the earth knows my name, and cares to feel my hurt.  Those days when I feel down and alone, this song comes to my mind and helps me remember that I am not alone, the Lord knows who I am, looks on me with love, and He is the one that calms my soul; not because I have done anything to deserve His love, just because I am His.

Who Am I?   Casting Crowns

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth, would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt. Who am I?
That the bright and morning star, would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am. but because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling, Lord you catch me when I'm falling, and you told me who I am.
I am yours. I am yours.

Who am I? That the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love
And watch me rise again Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea, would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,but because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done. but because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.

I Hear You!

Most of us can hear, but during a good storytelling conversation, we (should) move beyond hearing to really listening for what is being said. By working on the skill of listening, a leader is better able to connect and care for others more completely. Here are some thoughts on listening...

"What About Me?" no not selfish listening, more like internal listening. We are thinking about how what is being shared relates to us and working through how we will respond. A good leader will think at this level about things like:

1. What does this mean to me? and
2. How can I encourage this person? or
3. How can I relate my experiences to what is being said?

"What about them?" or externally focused listening. As you listen at this level, you should be able to ask questions that help you learn more about the person you are coaching. Learning to listen at this level will help you become a more effective leader. Ask questions like:

1. What does this mean for you?
2. How does/did this experience affect you?
3. How do you respond differently towards others because of your experience?

"All In" listening helps to get at the emotions being shared. This type of listening can lead you to an empathic relationship. Let's face it, most of us long to be understood.. Once you begin to "get" what the other person is feeling, they will begin to feel understood and the two of you can take it up a notch. Friends who I have this kind of relationship with are the ones I know, "have my back". This is, though the place where you begin to put yourself on the line as well, where honesty, vulnerability and authenticity come into play.  Have someone you're ready to go here with?

Sharing Stories

Our Network Services volunteer group includes Thursday mornings (when we provide childcare) and moms AND dads can come in to spend the morning volunteering around Keystone serving a variety of ministries while their little ones are looked after. Network Services volunteers also include a BUNCH of you who volunteer from home or stop in other days of the week in areas such as graphic design and promotions, web-wiki updating, database updating, stuffing and mailing, shopping.

One of the biggest things I've learned about you recently is that, even though many of you are quiet, behind-the-scenes kind of people, is that everyone (including me) needs to have a place (safe and welcoming) to share stories.

It's the piece we've added to our time together on Thursday mornings that's really put it into perspective for me. Even though our Thursday group is very task oriented and dedicated to processing all kinds of materials, to a person, we've welcomed making the time to share. And we've experienced God... in a dramatic way over just two weeks of prayer. Ask any Network Services staff (Carol, Sue or me) or a Thursday volunteer you know. We'll share AND invite you to join us. It's really not about the work (it gets done) its about the story.

Interested in (or maybe you already have a group and you're wondering how to incorporate story telling/sharing into it? Here are a couple things you can do:

1. Use the Big Idea materials as a starting place. It's what we do on Thursdays
2. Ask Good Questions like these
   
   1. How did you start coming to Keystone?
   2. Was church part of your life growing up?
   3. Who have been the most influential people in your life?
   4. What do you do for a living? Why did you choose that career path?
   5. What are some of the most memorable experiences you've had in life?
   6. When did Jesus first become real for you?

Next time: Learning to Listen

Finding Your Rhythm

If you want to be a difference maker for the long haul, you must discover the right rhythm for your life and live it consistently. So, what are the things that fill your tank?

Relationally
Who are the folks that build you up, encourage and challenge you?
Is there a healthy balance in your life between the people that drain you and those that are nurturing?
Are you protecting your schedule for those key relationships?

Physically
Are you protecting time for physical activities that energize you or time of rest that refresh you?

Mentally/emotionally
Are you taking regular breaks from the mental and emotional drains of ministry?
What activities are mentally restful for you? Make time for them in your schedule.

Listen to what God says...
"Come away with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest for a while." Mark 6:3

I had a great reminder this week about this topic. Thursday mornings Network administrative volunteers get together to serve AND run through the Big Idea together. Its a huge blessing to carve out that time from our morning to "chill" as one of the folks said this week. You see, many of the volunteers ALSO lead in other ministry areas and they (and we) welcome a time where we can take off our "leader" hats and instead share our lives with each other, praise God and spend time in prayer together. Its (and they) are a refreshing gift and blessing.