There is Hope - Our Story

This time exactly one year ago, Paul and I had both lost our jobs at the church we were working at in North Carolina due to the closing of the church. We didn't have enough money to stay afloat there as we were in debt simply with daily expenditures, insurance, groceries, etc. We had no clue that our living expenses for a month would add up to more than three times our rent. Oh what we would have done differently with some foresight!

Neither of us had ever had any credit card debt and in 7 months we owed $4,600 on our Visa. We now had no jobs and no way to pay our rent.

This time exactly on year ago, Paul and I moved into my parent's basement. I have always been smart with money and felt such despair. I was certainly down and out and definitely depressed. I cared much more about our debt than I did anything else and I let that get in between my hope in God to deliver us from our mess.

This time eleven and a half months ago I found a part-time job calling people while they were at home, asking them to donate to a specific charitable foundation and getting hung up on. Though I never thought of myself as a prideful person, this job knocked me down a few notches.

This time eleven months ago Paul found a part-time job at Hotel Bethlehem working overnight. The hours weren't ordeal, but they were hours. With two part time jobs there was no way we could even make a dent in our credit card debt. My concern for our debt had taken the place of my concern for what God was doing in my heart.

This time eight and a half months ago I was fired from my part-time job. I was relieved because it was a stressful job and I was only let go because I couldn't meet my donation quota as some people just didn't have money to give.

Eight months ago I got another part-time job cleaning homes and business. Cleaning toilets for $8/hr. I went to a four-year private college and had a few classes toward my master's degree completed and I would be cleaning peoples' doo-doo. For $8/hour! I had never felt so low in my life. Was everything for nothing?

I desperately desire a ministry job but in the process, God taught me a few things about myself that needed to be cleared out. A sense of entitlement is one. I felt that because of my accomplishments I am entitled to a ministry position with a salary and benefits. My resume showed (in my mind) that I was entitled to any position I would ever apply for. However, after applying to fifty secular jobs and several ministry jobs, it's funny that the only person who ever even responded to me was for this cleaning job.

God is the one who provides. Not my accomplishments. My pride in my accomplishments and the idea that I have formed that I can provide for myself because of what I have done needed to be obliterated. My pride may not be gone but God is doing a marvelous work in my heart.

Seven and a half months ago I got a $1/hr raise that I didn't ask for. Five and a half months ago I got another $1/hr raise that I didn't ask for. Five months ago my amount of hours for work began to pickup.

Four months ago I was handed $1,000 cash to pay off the remainder of my credit card. Three months ago a family member informed us that they would need us to stay in their home while it was empty for an entire year. For free with utilities paid.

A month and a half ago Paul got a full-time job with benefits doing what he loves - cooking. A month ago I was given $1/hr raise that I didn't ask for. Several days ago I paid $1000 off on my car and was told to forget about the remaining $1500. We now have a nice chunk of change in our savings that we never would have expected.

Twelve months ago I had no hope and was depressed. Today I have proof that God provides and my heart has been changed. I am entitled to nothing and if God would ask me, I would give away my bank account. For those of you who are wondering where God is because of your financial situation this year, maybe God is in the process and this time twelve months from now you'll be cleaning toilets with a nice chunk of change in your bank account and, more importantly, a changed heart.

Should Women be Silenced?

Below is the first note of a several notes regarding women in ministry that I will be posting over several months.

The first passage of Scripture that needs to be addressed is 1 Corinthians 14:33-36.

³³For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, ³⁴women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. ³⁵If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.³⁶Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

Many people read verses 34 and 35 without consulting the context of the verses and even the chapters or sections that the verses are a part of. At first glance, it is obvious that women should remain silent in church altogether! Such a view contradicts Paul's writing to the Corinthian women in 1 Corinthians 11:5, "And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head--it is just as though her head were shaved." (If I need to write a post about head coverings, let me know!) Here we can assume that it is necessary for the "every woman who prays or prophesies" to actually open her mouth and speak while in the assembly. 

Furthermore, another statement is made which seems out of place. In verse 34, the words "as the Law says" seems to be alluding to the Old Testament. However, as Dennis Preato summarizes numerous Biblical scholars in his article Did Paul really say, "Women Keep Silent in the Churches", Paul "always cites a text to prove his point" and in this particular instance he does not. Another interesting fact to note is the teaching that women should remain silent in the church and are not allowed to speak is not stated in the Law at all. Additionally, a staple of Paul is how often he reminds his readers that they are no longer under the Law. Why would he suddenly appeal to the Law and state that women had to be in submission to it? 

Both contradiction and inconsistency in Paul's writing style makes us question whether verses 34 and 35 are Paul's original words. Many Biblical scholars agree that verses 34 and 35 are words of the Corinthians themselves that Paul is quoting back to them. (1 Corinthians is a letter written by Paul in RESPONSE to a letter that the Corinthians had sent Paul. Do a word search for the words "now concerning" in this Corinthian letter and you will find all of the matters that Paul is addressing in response to what the Corinthians had originally written him). 

Do a historical and cultural study of men and women of the first century. Women were uneducated, looked down upon, and considered to be sub-par when compared to men. The words "as the Law says" in verse 34 was most likely referring to Jewish and rabbinic teachings of the time which the Corinthian men were trying to impose on the women. One view on this passage of Scripture states that Paul replies to the Corinthian slogan (verses 34 and 35) with verse 36, "Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?" Negating the slogan of the Corinthians and dismissing the rules they are putting on the women in their churches. 

If, however, verses 34 and 35 is not a slogan of the Corinthians (which a great deal of evidence makes it seem as though it is indeed one of their slogans or a quotation from their letter of questions to Paul) what should we make of these verses? Some say that since this is in the section regarding how to conduct a worship service and how spiritual gifts should be used, verse 33 is the reason for verses 34 and 35. 

"God is not a God of disorder but of peace." Have you ever been in a room where there are several conversations going on while you are trying to speak to a particular person or group of people? If you are a teacher, I guarantee that this happens every day of your life. Could it have been possible that while men were conducting orders of business in the assembly women (who were uneducated) were asking their husbands question after question while the church meeting was going on thus causing disorder? 

Regardless of your stance, it is always important to take into consideration the historical and cultural background of every passage of Scripture and even the author's writing style in order to be sure that we're not establishing a dogma or doctrine based on lack of information. 

Works Cited: http://www.godswordtowomen.org/Preato2.htm 

Logic: The Cancer of American Christians

Cancer’s two main characteristics are uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to migrate from the original site and spread to distant sites. If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death. (from: http://www.answers.com/topic/cancer)

Yesterday I went to see the movie Inception (which was sweet) and it got me into a “remembering my dreams” mood. God often speaks to me through my dreams about situations that I’m in but mostly regarding the nature of my character. A couple months back I had a dream about sharing the Gospel out on street to random strangers. I was initially stoked at the thought of the venture but ended up convincing myself not to share the Good News because it made sense not to. It was just logical to allow people to live their lives rather than interrupt their day with Jesus.

The American Christian’s cancer is logic. In the Gospels, Jesus is asked a pivotal question, “And who is my neighbor.” In summary, Jesus replies – anyone who needs you to be a neighbor to them. America, however, tells us that many neighbors (or people in need of help) are potential threats. We fear for our lives too much to pick up someone who is in need of a ride to the extent that it is even illegal! (I’m not telling you to break the law, so don’t…) Our logic tells us not to allow strangers into our home because they may take our possessions or harm our family. Our logic tells us not to give homeless people money because they will buy drugs with it and logic tells us not to take them to dinner because they will steal our wallet and murder us in an alley. Our logic tells us to not pray for people we don’t know and not to tell them of the love that has found us because someone may get offended. However, God tells us if someone is in need of help, we are to help them. We have allowed the wisdom of the world to take over our thoughts even though God has made it clear that this type of wisdom is foolishness.

Logic often prevents us from living the way God intended us to live. Instead of living for God and loving others, we have ended up living to keep ourselves safe in our bubbles and not bothering anyone else in theirs. We are striving to preserve our empty lives that became that way because we are living in a shadow of the greatness we should be. We must be reminded: To live is Christ. To die is gain.

The American Christian needs some type of blast of radiation to eradicate this cancer that has taken us over. When did we allow our minds the power to overrule our spiritual being?

Take today and ask God to reveal any wisdom that is in you that is foolishness to Him.  

New Website Launched!

Hello Everyone!

I am pleased to announce the launch of my new website. You can view it at the following link:

Nicole Marie McKay

Here you can read updated information regarding my music, upcoming performances, One Year: A Practical Guide for New Ministers, and additional contact information.

We trust you will be blessed during this season!

What to do with the Nay Sayers

Highlights are in red for those of you who don't have time to read all of this through.

I don't know if I'm the only one who has experienced this, but have you ever been told you couldn't do something that you KNEW God called you to do?

I'm reminded of many times when I would sing or play guitar and hear people laughing because my playing stunk or saw their faces react when I hit a wrong note. Some have even gone out of their way in the past to tell me that I wasn't doing things right and that I will never succeed. Have you ever experienced this type of opposition that goes against everything you believe that God has spoken into you as your purpose? We often are crushed under such opposition and frequently give up. Nehemiah took a different stance that, I think, we can learn from.

Some background to the text: Nehemiah and the exiled Israelites have reunited in order to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem because God had placed it in Nehemiah's heart to do so.

Let's read Nehemiah 4:

1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?"

Oh yeah, not only does one person oppose us at times, other people like to chime in, too:

3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, "What they are building—if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!"

What I see here is a scene from high school. One of the not-so-cool freshman has some good things going for him, then the seniors come in, surround him, and take their shot at bruising his ego until he's crushed and no longer poses a threat to the seniors. Not so with Nehemiah, however. Here is Nehemiah's response:

4Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of [a] the builders.

6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."

11 Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work."

12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us."

13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

How to Respond to Opposition:

1. Pray (vs.4)

Express your heart to God and turn to Him for help as Nehemiah did. When opposition arises against something God has spoken into your heart and you feel you are not capable of completing your task, remember this, "God does not call the equipped, He equips the called." (Author Unknown).

2. Persevere (vs. 6)

Even though there were naysayers about Nehemiah's task, he and the Israelites continued their work.

3. Make Practical changes (vs. 13)

Nehemiah took the opposition seriously and took practical steps to assure that the words of his opposers would not come to fruition. When they said they would fight against him and his people, Nehemiah placed the people strategically along the wall with weapons.

When people oppose you or what God has placed in your heart, you might just have to make some changes. My example is perfect: people told me I stunk and I would never succeed so, to this day, I practice and practice ... and practice. I made practical changes to my 'game-plan' so that even if the opposition I faced was true, I would correct what needed to change (persevere) and come out better than before.

Nehemiah's practical change was a solution to the opposition he faced, but may also have been a proactive way of integrating rest into the Israelites' schedule. When something is meant for evil, God often means it for our good, and He makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him.

If you've been crushed from opposition against something God has placed in your heart to do, take the steps Nehemiah took: Pray, persevere, and make practical changes, if necessary.

May He cause you to prosper in this season. :-)

Why should I celebrate?

This Sunday I had the distinct honor and pleasure of preaching at Total Life Church. I love the sense of community there! After lunch a few of us went over to my friend's house (Rick and Melissa) and played ping pong, halo (the guys), and had a sewing party? (I NEVER thought I'd be caught in the midst of a sewing party but let me tell you!, it is a blast!)

Now I know facebook is used for connecting and keeping up-to-date with friends far away as well us keeping your friends up-to-date, but I think there's an epidemic of complaining and self-pity occurring on facebook status'. Before you set your status next time, check to see if it's a celebration, complaint, or pity-me status. In the midst of our lives, we can find reason to celebrate. Here is a short version of the sermon from this Sunday entitled, "Why Celebrate?"

Why Celebrate?

Why should we celebrate nowadays? Our National Deficit continues to grow, the housing market continues to drop, I think santa clause is even poor this year, and you're most likely not getting an awesome Christmas present. The sun's not going to be out much longer, it gets dark earlier, it's cold, it probably won't snow this Christmas, did I mention that I think even santa clause might be poor this year? The song title "bleak midwinter" never rang truer and it's hard to find reasons to celebrate this Christmas season. However, in the midst of the grimness in the material scene, there is reason to celebrate.

We can start to take some of our cues from a prophet named Isaiah. Approximately 700 years prior to Christ's birth, the prophet Isaiah began proclaiming the message of God's judgment and His redemption. During the ministry of Isaiah, there was a great moral and spiritual decline. Because of the idolatry in the land, God sent the Assyrians to destroy Israel and expand their own territory. In their oppressed state, Isaiah urged the Israelites to find their allegiance in God; instead, the Israelites took sides with who they thought may be most powerful - the Egyptians or the Syrians. I'm not sure if this all was happening in the "bleak midwinter" but I know for sure that in the midst of the grimness in the material scene, Isaiah found reason to celebrate by writing the following hymn in Isaiah 9:4-7. I'll start from verse 3:

³ You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;^[a]
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
⁴ For You have broken the yoke of his burden
And the staff of his shoulder,
The rod of his oppressor,
As in the day of Midian.
⁵ For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
⁶ For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

1) He has made the Impossible Possible (2 parts)

a) Gideon fought the Midianites (vs. 4, "as in the day of Midian"

i) God dwindled his army down to 300 men fighting several hundred thousand men. (More than the grains of sand)

ii) Rejoice when God makes the impossible possible

b) Isaiah Remembered this feat

i) The fight of Gideon and the Midianites occurred 500 years prior to Isaiah writing this hymn

ii) When God does the impossible in your life, remember it and continue to rejoice. Rejoice over impossibilities being overcome even prior to your lifetime

2) He Has given hope for a day of peace

a) Vs. 5 shows imagery of the end of war

i) The boots or sandals used in battle would be burned

ii) The garments rolled in blood is not entirely clear but there are verses in scripture that speak of rivers as an analogy of the amount of people that were murdered in battle

iii) Isaiah writes this because of the Assyrian oppression over the Israelites.

iv) Regardless of what the garments being rolled in blood actually means, the idea is clear: Isaiah's hymn speaks of a day where war and oppression ceases completely.

b) We should rejoice because physical war and oppression will one day cease

i) Unless you have a family member in war, this may mean nothing to you

ii) Unless you're being persecuted for your faith, this may mean nothing to you

iii) If this means nothing because you're not oppressed and have no direct relationship with someone in war, we should rejoice that one day the oppression/war will cease and the people who are at war and who are oppressed will experience peace.

3) He has sent His Son

a) Isaiah's hymn now becomes prophetic - let's take it verse by verse now - This section is the FOCAL POINT of the hymn.

i) Vs. 6-7 most likely were originally directed toward a prince becoming king. However, Isaiah's hymn foretells the plan of God's redemption through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

ii) The government will be upon his shoulder - when kings took the throne, their "proof of office" or ensign of office was worn on the shoulder of the king. This is the opposite of verse 4 if we look back where Isaiah speaks of the impossible being made possible. Notice: you have broken the yoke that was on his shoulder. God breaks the yoke on their shoulder and the government is placed on the shoulder of the Messiah.

iii) He shall be called: When a king was taking the throne, the people gave him 5 names according to their qualities and accomplishments. Often, their name could be read as a sentence. The Child is born and given, and his name will be called:

(1) Wonderful

(2) Counselor

(3) Mighty God - mighty warrior

(4) Everlasting Father - he is both a child/the son as well as the father which is interesting and points partially toward evidence of the Trinity. While earthly kings reign only for a while, this King will reign forever.

(5) Prince of Peace - he is and will be our peace.

iv) There will never be an end to his reign and his peace.

4) Why should we rejoice? (RECAP)

a) He makes the impossible possible and we should always remember those instances

b) He brings hope of a day of peace (in this lifetime and the next)

c) He has given His Son

May God bless all of us this Christmas season and may we forever remember to rejoice because of his miracles, promise of peace, and the birth and sending of His Son: Jesus Christ.

What to read in the Bible, when to read it...

During my devotional time this evening I came across a verse that struck me. I did a search on the phrase "Jesus said" on Bible Gateway to meditate on Jesus' heart (from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, right?).

Matthew 15:32 refreshed me, "Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."

Jesus fasted for 40 days, He knew full well that they weren't starving. In fact, I'm pretty sure that when they got to their houses they would have their fair share of the ancient equivalent of the modern-day double cheeseburger and large fry meal. I'd say it's safe to say that they weren't in NEED yet Jesus had compassion on the fact that they were hungry. They were hungry because they'd been with Him for three days. They sacrificed eating to learn from the Messiah. I was encouraged because I realized that Jesus most likely has compassion for me too, especially when I sacrifice something to follow Him - even when it's not a need... wow.

What should I read in the Bible and when?! I was studying 1 Thess. with Paul but I happened to want to do this search instead and I feel relief and peace because of it. What do we do when we're reading through the Bible in a year and we're stuck in Leviticus or Numbers or Revelation...(I know I'm being ungodly by even thinking that - there are great sections in every book and I know that God has breathed it for a reason, I just don't happen to know all of the reasons..."and 36,000 were in the tribe of whosawhatsit and he was the father of ...").

Here is what I do which may or may not be helpful to somebody:

1. Read through the Bible in a year - You're bound to run into something that applies to you somewhere at some point in time.
2. Study a particular book at a time - This gives you the liberty to meditate on God's Word and choose what you feel you need to learn.
   
3. Get familiar - Find out what books and what chapters in the Bible talk about what (I know we're talking 66 books here, but it's worth it). I know off the top of my head that if I am concerned about spiritual gifts or communion I should go to I Cor. 11-14, or if I've lost my sense of authority as God's child I can turn to Ephesians 1 or colossians 2, I can turn to Romans 8 if I feel like I'm being separated from Jesus, if I can't express my anguish I know to go to every other page in the Psalms (haha). GET FAMILIAR with books and outlines. It will greatly affect the way God speaks to you through His Word.
   
4. Know your favorite verses - If you have a few key verses that always speak to you, go to the context and read the verses and chapters around that verse.

Out of the four, I've found that number three, getting familiar with Scripture, has been the most beneficial to me in my daily time with Jesus (without getting rid of the former ones or latter). I often either read through the Bible in a year or pick specific books to study AND also read from sections of Scripture that I know might have a great impact on me. It's especially great to study books/chapters/verses where you haven't visited in a while because, well...you don't know everything and there might be something there that God will speak to you that He didn't the last time you read it because you didn't care last time. Just like my Matthew 15:32 tonight.

• Read through the Bible/Study a specific book to find your Matthew 15:32.
• Get familiar with the Bible to be able to flood your heart with truth when you know you're being lied to.