My Life Archives - Page 6 of 8

Whispers from God

04/07/201404/07/2014 Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

As I sit, reflecting on an action-packed weekend, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for all of the bold (as well as subtle) reminders of how God is at work in and around me.

For the past few months, I (along with my mom and sister) have been planning to host a Priscilla Shirer simulcast event at my church. We were so excited to welcome the ladies joining us for the simulcast this past Saturday. The worship, led by Priscilla’s brother Anthony Evans, was spirit-filled and uplifting. The Word that Priscilla brought impacted me so deeply that it will take quite some time to process it all. I felt God whisper to me…

Being with other women is life-giving…

There is safety in My presence…

Feeding your own soul spiritually is vital to your relationship with Me…

I want to be part of EVERY aspect of your life.

After the simulcast concluded, I helped my son pack his final things for his senior class mission trip. Early yesterday morning, we sent him off to serve in Belize. For the next week, he (and his classmates and chaperones) will run a VBS and Easter Egg Hunt for a local school there in Belize. This year has been filled with moments of letting him go and this one was a big one! Sending my firstborn on his first international mission trip was a huge deal for me, but I know that (1) he’s ready, (2) he’ll enjoy being with his classmates, and (3) he is so capable of helping to run the VBS and egg hunt. I’m so proud of him and the ways God is shaping is life. I felt God whisper to me…

You love him but I love him more…

Each season of his life will be filled with exciting and teachable moments…let him go…

All of the ways you and Lance have raised him have prepared him for this moment.

As if that wasn’t enough, my new Associate Director of Children’s Ministry was commissioned for service yesterday. I am so thankful for her and the energy, gifts and passion she brings to the team. I cannot wait to see all that God will do through her ministry to our children, families and volunteers! I felt God whisper to me…

I am faithful…

I heard your prayers for many, many months. My timing is perfect…

Cherish her, mentor her, do life with her. She is more than your co-worker.

And last but not least, five children in our ministry celebrated their First Communion yesterday. For the past three weeks, these children (plus an additional one whose First Communion will take place later this spring) have learned what Communion is, why we take it and how to personally reflect before taking it. As I watched those precious children partake of the elements, I felt God whisper to me…

What you do matters…

What you train and equip others to do matters…

You are impacting my Kingdom for eternity…

This is the call I have placed on your life.

The prayers I have prayed in recent weeks have been some of the most heartfelt I’ve ever prayed. I have seen God’s spirit move in mighty ways. For that, my heart is grateful.

What are you grateful for today?

This is How I Work

02/27/201402/27/2014 Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

Late last year, my friend Trevor Lee and I spoke about me being included in his “How I Work” blog series, which is dedicated to sharing the tools, technology, wisdom and resources ministry leaders use to lead. Something about this was intriguing but I was very apprehensive. So apprehensive that I told Trevor – and this is an exact quote – “If you need an average, run-of-the-mill kidmin leader, let me know.” His response – “Average…LOL! Seriously, is there such a thing as an ‘average’ kidmin?”

So, I decided to do it. Trevor and I have connected on social media but it wasn’t until last week that we made a face-to-face connection (virtually – gotta love technology!) I even had a chance to meet his lovely wife.

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to get a peek into the life of an average kidmin leader, today’s your lucky day. You can learn more about how I work by jumping over to Trevor’s blog and reading all about it.

Thanks, Trevor, for a great conversation and for nudging me out of my comfort zone!

Two Great Simulcasts I Will Attend – You Should Too!

02/13/201402/13/2014 Kathie Phillips 3 Comments

Below are two simulcast events I will take advantage of in the coming months. Both are reasonably priced and will be worthwhile investments – I’d love for you to join me!

The Justice Conference is a two-day annual event to promote dialogue around justice related issues such as human trafficking, slavery, poverty, HIV/AIDS and human rights.

Come see why The Justice Conference has become one of the largest international biblical and social justice conferences and an annual pilgrimage for justice workers, students and learners from all over the world.

A live simulcast will happen in Towson, MD (just north of Baltimore City) on February 21-22, 2014. Click here to learn more about the speakers and how to register.

My mom, sister and I are looking forward to hosting Priscilla Shirer’s one-day, LifeWay Women simulcast event at my church. Ladies, grab your girlfriends and join us for a time of meaningful worship and rich teaching from the Word. The event will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2014 in Towson, MD (just north of Baltimore City). Click here to get more details and secure your spot.

Praying for Romeo (or Juliet)

01/17/201401/17/2014 Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

My daughter’s 9th Grade class just finished reading Romeo & Juliet. In a recent class assignment, my daughter and her classmates were given this question: What are the top five qualities you are looking for in a ‘perfect’ mate? I’m sure getting her students to think ‘mushy’ feelings was a little challenging for my daughter’s English teacher!

They were then given a second question: What are the top five qualities you think your parents would want for your ‘perfect’ mate? Again, probably challenging for the young minds, especially since we don’t want them dating at a young age let alone thinking about marriage at age 14!

The students were then given homework: Ask your parents the following questions:

List the top five qualities that you think your son or daughter would want in a ‘perfect’ mate.
List the top five qualities you want in a ‘perfect’ mate for your son or daughter.

When my daughter got in the car after school that day, she was excited that Mom & Dad had homework. But as she described the assignment, I knew that those questions would make for excellent dinner table conversation.

Fast forward a few hours…

We’re seated at the table (my husband, our 17-yr old son, our daughter and I) and my daughter pulls out her questionnaire. Mind you, I had a slight advantage over my husband – I had a few hours to ponder the questions while my husband had 2 minutes. I wish you could have seen his facial expression. 🙂

Question #1: List the top five qualities that you think your son or daughter would want in a ‘perfect’ mate.

Hmm…what would Kennedy want in a perfect mate? Knowing our daughter’s personality, it was surprisingly easy for both my husband and I to answer this question. My husband gave his top five and I followed with mine. We know our daughter pretty well – we both scored 4 out of 5. Not bad!

Question #2: List the top five qualities you want in a ‘perfect’ mate for your son or daughter.

This question was a little more personal as this would reveal more of our heart. Again, my husband went first and I followed. What i found interesting was that my husband’s responses were more ‘selfish’ – meaning that he listed qualities for someone who HE’D like to get along with. My responses, on the other hand, were more for the man my daughter (and Lord-willing, grandchildren) would love and live with.

I love that this assignment provided us with some good table talk but it also got me thinking – How often do I pray for my children’s future spouses? Honestly, not often enough. And that was convicting for me.

As a mom, I pray many things for my children..

…that they would love God first and most

…that they would live God-honoring lives and make wise choices

…that they would have friends with similar values

…for their overall safety in an unsafe, dangerous world

…that they would treat others the way that they want to be treated

…and many other things too numerous for me to mention.

But praying for their future spouse? Not something that I regularly prayed for – until recently.

If you feel so led, do this exercise with your family and see what conversation emerges as a result. You’ll get to know your child’s heart a little better and they’ll get a peek inside of yours. And you might have a few good laughs like we did!

*Disclaimer: My daughter attends a Christian school, so that’s the angle that the assignment was taken from.

What about you? Do you pray regularly for your child’s future spouse? What do you pray for?