Rebecca St. James - publicaties

24-05-10: 5 WAYS TO STAY CLOSE TO GOD IN 2010!
28-04-10: FINDING SAFETY IN GOD
18-12-09: REBECCA SENDS WARM CHRISTMAS GREETINGS!
30-10-09: BEING A LIGHTHOUSE
16-10-09: KEEPING BALANCE
25-09-09: GOD HELP ME, I'M HURTING
10-09-09: LIVING AUTHENTICALLY
27-08-09: BE AN ENCOURAGER!
10-07-09: SOMETIMES WE NEED AN “EXTREME MAKE-OVER
25-06-09: LOOKING FOR LOVE
11-06-09: GIVING HIM ALL YOU'VE GOT
28-05-09: A MENTOR CAN HELP
01-05-09: BARGAINING WITH GOD
17-04-09: LOOKING FOR THE QUIET, SECURE PLACE?
02-04-09: WE NEED EACH OTHER –NOW MORE THAN EVER!
18-03-09: QUESTIONING GOD?
04-03-09: SELF-WORTH VS. GOD-WORTH
20-02-09: DON’T THINK LIKE “THE WORLD!
04-02-09: LONELY? DON’T FEEL ALONE!
30-12-08: A NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE FROM REBECCA
23-12-08: REBECCA’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

24-05-10: 5 WAYS TO STAY CLOSE TO GOD IN 2010!

"Each of these five points is something that God has challenged me on." --Rebecca St. James

We’ve all been there. We’re on track, fired up for the Lord, with our head in the clouds. Then suddenly we crash and find ourselves wondering “does Jesus really care?” It’s even tougher to stay close to God if you’re one of the hottest female vocalists in Christian music today.

32-year-old Rebecca St. James lives months out of the year on the road performing her pop/rock music for thousands of people throughout the country. A few years ago she began sharing five ways to stay close to God during her altar calls. “I wanted to leave people with something that would encourage them to stay true to the commitment they made,” St. James explains in a cool Australian accent. “Each of these five points is something that God has challenged me on. I mean if I’m going to be talking about it, I’m definitely going to be living it. It’s just a daily thing for me.” These steps work for her, and they’ll work for you too!

DIG INTO THE BIBLE

“That’s our instruction Book for life, His Love Letter to us,” Rebecca says. “Every day when we’re on the tour we have devotions. It’s a challenge to find time to be in the Bible, but it is a very big deal to me. So every day, whether it be backstage before I go on, in the motor home on the way to a concert, or here in the hotel room I set aside the time to feed my soul with God’s Word.”

Can’t understand your Bible? Too many “thee’s” and “thou’s”? Rebecca says, “I encourage people to read The Message Bible, besides whatever translation they usually read. It’s like a paraphrase, but it’s very easy to understand. A kind of ‘in your face’ message.” So find time to read your Bible, even if it’s just five minutes. “If we’re committed to living God’s way,” Rebecca continues, “we’ve got to be digging in the Bible, because otherwise we don’t know how to live.” God’s Word can change your life!

PRAY

“Never stop praying,” Rebecca emphasizes. “Realize the awesome fact that we get to talk to the Creator of the world! You know, that He listens to us and He speaks to us, and that prayer is a massively powerful thing.” Prayer is a huge part of Rebecca’s life, the easiest of the five steps for her. “I pray before everything: interviews, going on stage, writing, entering the studio, everything. And I always pray at the beginning of the day to commit the day to God. I try to be conscious of Him and offer up prayers, praises, or prayers for other people throughout the day.”

Rebecca and her family have seen amazing miracles happen through their prayers since coming to America from Australia in 1991. “I’ve seen how powerful God is,” she says, her voice filled with awe. Believing prayer should be a non-stop thing, she explains, “We must foster a lifestyle which encourages praying continually for other people, and praying that we’ll have Jesus’ heart and Jesus’ attitude. Continually keeping that line of communication open. Being more God conscious than self conscious. We need to keep that conversation going.”

GRAB ALL THE CHRISTIAN FRIENDS YOU CAN

“We can’t stand alone,” Rebecca says. “We need people in our lives who are going to challenge us and ask us how our walk with God is going.” On the road for weeks at a time, she keeps in touch with a few close Christian friends by e-mail or phone. Like Karleen, her friend back home in Nashville. “It’s so cool,” Rebecca shares, “She’ll talk about something God’s doing in her life, and I’ll talk about something He’s doing in mine. And there’s encouragement and accountability in that relationship. We’ll pray together and talk about different things. I always have a friend on the road with me, too. God is really showing me that I need that. Missing my friends is the hardest part of what I do.”

Rebecca also travels with her parents, siblings, and various cousins when she’s on the road. “My relationship with my parents is wonderful; there’s such a friendship there,” Rebecca says warmly. “I feel like I can talk about anything with my parents. Especially my mom. My mom and I are really close. And my dad too, but it’s a different relationship with Dad. Just a wonderful relationship with both of them. We talk about a lot of different stuff; we can really open up. They give me advice and wisdom. Without my family I would just go crazy!”

Rebecca talks about the importance of having close Christian friends in her song “Side by Side” (the remix version): Friendship is just a massive thing, because you need those people around you. Especially in today’s age to keep you accountable, to lead people, to be there, to lift you up in prayer. We can stand together. We are our brother’s keeper.*

GET RID OF THE JUNK IN YOUR LIFE

Watch what you feed your soul. “If there are things we’re watching, reading, or listening to, putting in our minds that we know God doesn’t want, we’ve got to get rid of them,” Rebecca warns. “We can’t let them hang around or they’ll hurt our relationship with God.” Rebecca doesn’t buy secular music or go to secular concerts. “I mean, not that the music in itself is bad,” she explains, “but the lyrics. It’s the message of the song that I just don’t want to get in my head. I want to fill my mind with things that are going to help me. That’s why I listen to Christian music.”

Music isn’t the only junk we have to watch out for. Rebecca goes on to say, “I heard once that Billy Graham was asked if he could do anything over again in his life, what would it be? He said he would watch less television. And that’s Billy Graham!” Rebecca laughs. “So I just think we can live without television. There’s always something else we can do that would be more encouraging for ourselves or other people.”

As Rebecca sings in this chorus: We don’t need it, ‘cause God has given us our needs. We don’t want it; shouldn’t He be our priority? We don’t need it; Jesus said to leave it all behind. Let’s keep our eyes on things above, ‘cause we don’t need to want to need it. **

GET INVOLVED IN CHURCH

Find a Bible based church where you’ll grow and get fed spiritually. “For us it is a challenge to get to church because we’re out on the road so much,” Rebecca laments. “But when we’re home we definitely go out of our way to be in church. Sometimes we’ll be on one side of America Saturday, and we’ll catch the midnight flight, or the five or six AM flight, on Sunday morning to get back for church. It’s a real important thing for us. I wish we could be at church more.”

Rebecca and her crew occasionally attend a local church in whatever town they’re performing. Other Sundays they have their own church services, since their team consists of as many as 24 people. “This is probably the hardest step for me,” she admits, “just because of the lifestyle we live. You know, out on the road, in a different town every day. But we truly try so hard to be back with our church family as much as we can.”

Being in fellowship is a great way to learn to share God’s light and His Love with the people around you. So, if you’re tired of the ups and downs of your spiritual life, and you want a deeper Christian walk, take Rebecca’s advice: “The Christian life might not be the easiest one, but it’s the best one. It’s the most wonderful one. And it only gets better as we daily pursue God with a passion. God will use us to make a difference.”

by Tracy Darlington

28-04-10: FINDING SAFETY IN GOD

Hi Everybody!

Rebecca here—happy Spring!

I am very much enjoying seeing flowers bloom and basking in the warmer weather!

I’m such an outdoorsy person and it’s such a joy to be able enjoy the sun and get out on my roller blades. I am truly an Aussie girl who definitely hasn’t forgotten her roots!

I’ve recently been reading some very intriguing books that I’d like to share with you. I just started a book called God Is the Gospel by John Piper. Really fascinating! Talking about wanting God for He, Himself, not just for the blessing He brings to our lives.

Also on the recommendation of my best friend, I just started reading So Long Insecurity, You’ve Been A Bad Friend, by Beth Moore. It deals with a subject we all deal with at certain points in our life--the subject of insecurities. A key point is finding our safety in God and our relationship with Him—good stuff!

Also been blessed lately to get involved with a local Christian community group and a philosophy group where I am studying a book called The One & The Many –really fascinating! It lays a really strong foundation for theology based on St. Thomas Aquinas’ wisdom and thoughts on philosophy. I really feel in my life right now that I am being “sown into” and filled up on a content and community level—both of which I am thankful for!

I’ve also been working on my own new book, called What Is He Thinking? It’s a dating book and I would love to request prayer on it! Doing lots of interviews with single guys on their views of love and dating and romance –it’s been fascinating and I am learning a lot! It’s been very encouraging to find guys with hearts that want to honor God with their relationships.

Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers! Looking forward to running into you on the road sometime soon…

Blessings always!
Rebecca

18-12-09: REBECCA SENDS WARM CHRISTMAS GREETINGS!

Hi my friends..

Happy Christmas! Wanted to write a quick note to you, to tell you about some of the meaningful 'snapshots' God has given me over this Christmas season.

Recently I attended a Christmas oriented young adults event. Amidst the worship and teaching, we had about 5 minutes of intentional silence. It was very powerful. About 400 people in complete silence, together encountering God in different ways. The pastor shared that in this lead up to Christmas time, we get caught up in the crazy, frenetic pace of work, travel, parties, family duties, gift buying/giving. We don't stop to listen to God calling us to the manger/cradle of His Son.

I have a friend who is going through a very difficult time in her life right now, relationally and vocationally. I knew she'd had a challenging upbringing as well, but she recently shared with me the pain of knowing that her mum had tried to abort her. I cried for her. Just a few weeks ago she texted me and said, 'I want to feel God's love..'

Just a few nights ago, I was hanging out with some friends at a Christmas fireworks event in my community. Before the fireworks, a band played Christmas songs; Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy To the World. It was profound for me. Not only did this remind me of my childhood...going to Carols By Candlelight events in Australia, but it was so beautiful to hear Jesus being sung about in the streets of my town. Thousands and thousands of children, mothers, fathers, teens and grandparents from all different backgrounds, listening to and singing along with these classic worship songs written for newborn Jesus.

The silence, the need for His Love, the worship. These snapshots have been calls from God for me to be still, to love those around me with the love He has given me, to worship Him from the heart at Christmas...and throughout the year.

My roommate and I were talking this morning about the fact that the end of the year is a time to reflect. Take some time out to do so. Reflect, listen, BE.

Have a peaceful, love-filled, worshipful Christmas. Grateful for your support and prayers..

In His love,

Rebecca
Luke 2:19

30-10-09: BEING A LIGHTHOUSE

“Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns.”—Philippians 2:15, 16, The Message

As you stand for purity, God will use you to carry this message to others who need to hear it. We live in a very dark world, but there are people all around you (in your home, your church, your work) that are looking for others who are willing to stand out and be different. You never know when your example will be exactly what another man or woman desperately needs to see . . . that it is possible to live a pure life in this dark and perverted world!

I’ve had the privilege of seeing God on the move in Europe. In places like Holland, Norway, and England there’s such a joy with which they receive the encouragement that comes from Christian music, such a fresh enthusiasm that I sense over there. Whenever I travel to Europe I’m excited to see what God is going to do. Proverbs 11:25 says, “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” That’s really true. I am always refreshed by being with my brothers and sisters in these parts of the world.

In June of 2006 we took a midnight tour of Red Square in Moscow and posed in front of the light-bathed Kremlin. Russia was truly an incredible experience! From the bouquet of roses we received at the airport to the tremendously warm reception we received at the concert from the Russian people, God is moving in Moscow and it was such a wonderful experience to be a part of what He is doing.

We were blessed to be able to bring God’s message to parts of Europe—many of them formerly Communist countries—that few Christian artists have been able to see. God is alive and on the move in such places as the former Soviet Union, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Estonia, Austria, and Bulgaria. We saw some incredible moves of God—but also some profound pockets of darkness throughout our European travels. It encouraged me to want to go back—and encourage others to take up the challenge as well.

Just as Jesus challenged His disciples, He is calling you to step out in faith beginning with where you live (your Jerusalem), then moving on to your Judea, Samaria, and possibly the ends of the earth. You may never get the chance to carry the gospel of Jesus to Europe, but then again, you just might. Opportunities to stand for purity and God’s truth are all around you. What will you do today?

Rebecca

16-10-09: KEEPING BALANCE

Not too long ago I was greatly impacted by something my life coach did. I was sharing about the challenges of keeping balance in ministry. As usual he listened intently and then brought wisdom to the table. At the end of the conversation, he shared that in his own life he too had struggled with exactly the same thing. I was so impressed that he, in his position of leadership, was so vulnerable with me.

Often I’ve felt that professionalism requires a strong front rather than what many people perceive as a sign of weakness. Over the last few years I have learned that sometimes one of the most powerful and surprisingly strong things we can do as leaders is to share vulnerably at appropriate times. This invites beautiful community. We all hurt and by sharing in this way, as led by God, we invite others to relate deeply with us.

I have a very open and honest relationship with my best friend Karleen. She is married and has four kids. It’s amazing because she lives in a completely different world from my life, yet we have so much in common! When we get together we can relate on so many levels. Spiritually, she’s strong—she brings accountability and encouragement to me. Sometimes we are going through the same things, or have similar challenges in our lives, but they are due to a completely different set of circumstances. I constantly see how God has ordained our friendship and provided us for each other. I so see God’s beautiful hand on our friendship.

The apostle Paul once wrote these challenging words: “Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you. Our hearts are open to you. If there is a problem between us, it is not because of a lack of love on our part, but because you have withheld your love from us. I am talking now as I would to my own children. Open your hearts to us!” (2 Corinthians 6:11-13, NLT).

Hearts wide open before others. That’s a very cool thought. If we live with a purity of spirit we’ll have nothing to hide. We have nothing to be ashamed of, no fear of being found out. What a liberating feeling! That doesn’t mean we’re perfect, just that we are committed to living openly and honestly before others. The Dutch priest Henri Nouwen said that we could be “wounded healers.” We may have struggled with certain things in the past, but now we are not looking back, we are looking toward the future. We need to be as vulnerable and open with others as possible as we do life together.

The book of Proverbs offers some great wisdom on this theme of the value of living honestly before others.

• “Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty” (Proverbs 11:3, NLT).
• “The godly are directed by their honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin” (Proverbs 11:5, NLT).
• “Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth” (Proverbs 16:13, The Message).

Is there an aspect of living vulnerably before others that is scary? Absolutely. But we are made for community. Sometimes it can be messy, but where would we be without the help of others speaking into our lives? Choose one of the verses above and commit it to memory. Then walk in the truth.

Be encouraged!
Rebecca

25-09-09: GOD HELP ME, I'M HURTING

One of the ways in which God purifies our spirits is by allowing us to go through struggles. As Christians we can sometimes feel like we’re supposed to have it all together, that we shouldn’t struggle. But when we experience difficulty, it’s OK to cry out, “God, help me, I’m hurting,” just as the people of the Bible did.

In Psalm 109:26, David wrote, “Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love.” We all go through times when we feel alone or afraid, moments when the circumstances we’re in pierce us with doubt and uncertainty. Those times call for faith on our part. Faith wouldn’t be faith without having to trust what is unseen. Sometimes it’s easier to put our trust in what is seen, what is tangible. But God wants us to put one foot in front of the other and just step out in faith.

And when we truly do that, we will begin to see Him working in our lives in very active ways. But we’ve got to look for His provision. His answers are not going to just pop up right in front of us in 3-D, because that wouldn’t take very much faith. God is calling us to completely and fully trust in Him as the God of my future—to really know that He has an amazing plan for our lives and He is going to take care of us.

God understands our trials. He wants us to turn to Him and share everything we are going through. God is always there for us to call upon. He’s our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble. Whether we sing out to Him with our praises or cry out to Him in our weaknesses and tears, He is always there to meet us, even through the simplest heart cry, “God, help me!”

Are you a “do it yourselfer?”

When you’re in the midst of a tough time, do you seek God’s face for a solution as the first or last resort? Do you sometimes think the small things are too trivial to bring to Him, and only approach Him with the real biggies? Because He cares so desperately for you, He wants you to bring them all—big and small—and lay them at His feet. What’s preventing you from doing that today? He’s waiting.

Rebecca

10-09-09: LIVING AUTHENTICALLY

Most Australians are known for their direct, straightforward, in-your-face approach when it comes to speaking to others. I was fourteen years old when our family moved to America and dove straight into the heart of American culture, an area of the country widely known for its southern hospitality—Nashville, Tennessee. I found this to be a lovely thing for the most part. But it was an awakening to us the first time we heard “let’s get together” and “let’s do lunch,” when sometimes those words were said with insincerity. Initially that was very hard for me to adjust to.

How do you know when someone really means what he is saying? How do you know when she is really being authentic? How can you tell when someone is not sincere, but just trying to be nice? A girl befriended me in church while I was still very new to America. She was very pleasant and warm to me. Then after two months she abruptly backed off and wasn’t as nice anymore. I discovered later that she had been asked by a Sunday-school teacher to befriend me because I was the new kid. I remember being very hurt by that. I would’ve preferred not to have that friendship at all, because it wasn’t real.

In Jesus’ parable of the soils, He spoke about the seed that fell into the fertile soil and grew up to produce a large crop. Luke 8:15 says, “The good soil represents honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest” (NLT). God places a huge importance on our being honest in our hearts and walking in truth with one another. By living out that truth we will bear much fruit. Jesus died so that we could lead a life of freedom in Him—free from our sins, and free from the lies so prevalent in the world around us. One of the ways in which we can live out the full expression of that freedom He has given is by being authentic with one another.

After Philip first met Jesus, he told his friend Nathanael that he had seen the Messiah they had been waiting for, and because Nazareth was not known to be a place of nobility, Nathanael questioned, “Can anything good from there?” When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching Him, He could see straight into his heart and He affirmed his authenticity: “Here comes an honest man—a true son of Israel” (John 1:47, NLT). The Message translates that verse, “There’s a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body.” We don’t know much else about Nathanael from the Bible record, but he certainly could not have received any greater commendation than what Jesus said about him.

As you live with others, is it easy or hard for you to be completely honest? What keeps you from being more authentic with those closest to you? Give your fears about that over to God, then take the risk to be vulnerable, and watch what happens!

Rebecca

27-08-09: BE AN ENCOURAGER!

Because of the international focus of our ministry, we’ve traveled to bring encouragement to Christians in some pretty dark places. In a number of post-Christian cultures we’ve seen some gorgeous cathedrals and church buildings, but they’ve been more like museums that people go to marvel at, and there is no longer an alive body of Christ that is there. The church is not about magnificent architecture, but is about an active, breathing body that sustains each of its members. Brothers and sisters lifting each other up in the journey of faith.

God designed us to live in community with one another. He knows that we need each other in order to make it. One of the favorite ploys of the enemy is to attack us while we’re vulnerable, while we’re alone. He knows that none of us are a match for him without the support of God’s strength and good Christian friends who encourage us to walk counter-culturally. Be involved in a community of faith, the local body of Christ, where you can be encouraged to pray and to seek God with all your heart. These days on earth are short, they’re numbered. Let’s seize the day, and be radical for God. We will make it by encouraging each other every step of the way.

Rebecca

10-07-09: SOMETIMES WE NEED AN “EXTREME MAKE-OVER

“Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness—righteous, holy, and true.”—Ephesians 4:21-24, NLT

One day I was having a conversation with my brother Luke in the kitchen of our family’s farmhouse. We both expressed our mutual desire to grow closer to God and connect with Him deeply. We discussed how easy it is to fall into the trap of learning about God without really getting to know Him personally. We live in such an instant information culture today in which you can get on the Internet and discover all sorts of things about a favorite movie or sports star without ever having a personal relationship with that person. You may know tons about the person, but not really know the person.

Forgiveness of self is essential when dealing with sexual purity. None of us has handled this area perfectly, and some of us have messed it up big time. Whatever your past consists of in this matter, God can give you a new start. Whether you’re married or single, when you go to Him, He can help you not only heal from the past, but also send you into the future with new habits and a new determination to remain pure. It all starts with what you commit to in your mind.

In the Scripture verses above, Paul told the Ephesians that they had “heard” and “learned” the truth about Jesus. But, for there to be lasting change, they would need to allow God’s Spirit to take up residence in their hearts and transform their “thoughts and attitudes” from the inside out. That’s the way a new nature, created in the likeness of God, becomes apparent to others. Having this kind of purity of mind may require a lot of slow, diligent work, but it is well worth the end result—a life lived in confidence, free of fear and worry, knowing that God is pleased with your thoughts, attitudes, and motives.

One of the greatest examples in the Bible of someone who completely did a one-eighty from the inside out is the apostle John. He experienced a radical transformation in his thoughts and motives. When Jesus first called him and his brother James to follow Him, He named them Boanerges, which means “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). At one point in Jesus’ ministry, He and His disciples passed through a Samaritan village, but the people there did not welcome him. James and John asked Jesus if they should call down fire from Heaven to destroy them. These rough fishermen were not exactly gentle guys filled with compassion.

But, after walking with Jesus for three plus years, John softened quite a bit and a completely new attitude took over in his life. He became known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. The Gospel of John and his three epistles are filled with multiple references that we are to “love one another.” John stands as a testimony to the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17: “. . . those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” (NLT).

Are there parts of your thought life in which you need a new attitude? In what ways do you need God’s Holy Spirit to do an “extreme makeover” in you from the inside out? Confess those aspects of your life to God today, and then ask Him to affect change in your thoughts, motives, and habits.

Rebecca

25-06-09: LOOKING FOR LOVE

We all are in desperate need of love. Unfortunately, a lot of teenage girls and young women in this generation are looking for love in the wrong places. They look for it in a guy’s physical attention and affection—and too often the attention they get comes from dressing immodestly and performing sexually. Some young women struggle with taking drugs, cutting themselves, and other various addictions, which usually stem from the hopelessness they face because of a lack of feeling deeply loved. The end results include extraordinarily low self-esteem, teen pregnancies, diseases, and even suicide.

Some of the angst and hopelessness I’ve seen among young people today arises from the genuine loss of reasons to live. Perhaps they’ve never really felt accepted—at home, or among their peers. One big problem with so many people is that they surround themselves with their peers who are searching just as desperately as they are. When we hang around people who are speaking negative things into our lives, it’s tough to feel hopeful ourselves.

Where is God in all of this? Please know that God is passionate about His love for you. Everything else in the Christian life flows from that. We can get into a very legalistic place where faith just becomes religion, but the essence of the Christian life needs to be lived out from the knowledge of God’s extravagant love. Once we understand and accept His love, so many other things in our lives fall into place. Things start to make sense. I can’t imagine going through life without realizing how incredible God’s love is for me. I don’t know how people make it without this knowledge. This is the hope, truth, and life that this generation is looking for—and it’s found in Jesus!

The cure for the hopelessness that exists in the lives of so many people today is radical hope, which is recorded all over the pages of the Bible. In the Psalms David often proclaimed to God that he had put his hope in Him alone (25:5, 21; 39:7; 62:5). The weeping prophet, Jeremiah, knew that it was only in the hope of the Lord that Israel would rise from the ashes (14:22; 29:11; 31:17; Lamentations 3:21-24).

We should live in such a way that others see our actions and attitudes and want what we have. The apostle Peter gives this challenge, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

The apostle of love, John, sums it all up so well:

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3).

Do you know someone who is in desperate need of hope and love? Is there something simple you can do today to communicate God’s love in a practical way? What about composing and sending a thoughtful letter or e-mail, serving the person in secret (by dropping off a surprise gift in her mailbox, or having flowers or a pizza delivered), or some other kind of thoughtful gesture? Then pray for God’s love to break through the hopelessness that you sense.

I need to share through my life. From how I relate in my relationships with others to what I say onstage, the message is “we are extravagantly loved by God.”

It’s a message of hope this generation needs to hear. No matter where you’ve been and what you’ve done . . . you are loved.

Although most people think of the narrative Jesus told in Luke 15 as the parable of the prodigal son, in reality it is the story of the “loving father,” because the lesson to be learned is more about the father’s incredible love than the son’s rebellion. Most everyone you know at one time or another has played the part of the prodigal. They have either run away from God through willful, deliberate sin for a relatively short season of time, or have left the fold and sought to live their own way for an extended period. When that happens, what’s the appropriate response? Much has been written about the necessity for tough love from parents and friends toward one who has willingly turned aside to wallow in the mire of a pigs’ sty. But, even though the father in this story allowed his son his freedom (and even gave him his inheritance), he never stopped looking and waiting for his return home. And his message would always be, “You are loved.”

Is there someone in your life that needs to know he is loved? Do you have a friend who is broken and desperately needs to know that she is loved?

Our Abba Father’s love for all of His creation is far beyond anything we can possibly imagine. Pray for an opportunity to speak God’s words of love to the one who desperately needs to hear those words!

Rebecca

11-06-09: GIVING HIM ALL YOU'VE GOT

“Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.”—Luke 12:48, NLT

God calls us to use whatever talents He’s provided in order to expand His kingdom. If you’ll use the abilities that He’s given you for His glory, He promises to give you even more. He will develop the skills you have so that your talents will continue to improve. I’ve seen this demonstrated many times in my life when I found myself doing something I never would have dreamed of doing. Often, when I looked back on the experience I knew it was totally a God thing. When I moved into my new home I loved spending time doing some new things—learning how to make curtains, cooking meals, biking, and gardening. God is so good in providing opportunities for us to explore new hobbies and pursuits. We can view all of these interests as ways in which we can glorify Him.

I do not feel worthy of being entrusted with most of the opportunities God has given me. I ask Him, “God, do you really trust me with that?” There are so many better singers and speakers and writers. When I started in ministry at such a young age I had a lot of insecurities, and they still creep up now and again. As a member of the presidential prayer team, I had the privilege of being the spokesperson for the National Day of Prayer. I never would have dreamed that I’d get to sing at the White House! I have gotten to travel to numerous countries located on five different continents, and seen some of the most beautiful sights in the world. My ministry is really just an example of the weak things of the world confounding the wise.

God has entrusted us with carrying His good news to others through a variety of means. He wants us to creatively use the talents He has blessed us with in order to share the story of His Son Jesus to all who will listen. The message is always the same, but the means of delivery might differ from person to person, depending on the unique giftings God has placed within us. Being trusted with this task is both exciting and scary. But, it is absolutely rewarding.

There’s an old saying that is appropriate for today: “Use it or lose it.” That was certainly true in Jesus’ parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25. In one of His last parables before His death on the cross, Jesus told about a man going on a journey who entrusted his property to three servants. He gave a certain amount of money to each of his servants, each according to his ability. When the master returned from his trip he was pleased that the first two servants had each doubled the amount given to them by making wise investments. But when he discovered that out of fear the last servant hid the money—not wanting to lose it—the master was furious, and he responded:

“That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest” (Matthew 25:26, 27, The Message).

The servant’s fear of losing the talent was the very thing that caused him to lose it. The master took the talent away from the lazy servant and gave it to the servant who had gained the most return on investment, then threw the worthless servant outside into the darkness. The point of the parable is this: We must ready ourselves for the return of our Master, Jesus, by taking what He’s entrusted us with and producing results, rather than simply coasting along and playing it safe.

When others talk about your talents, what do they speak about? Are you using those skills to accomplish God’s purposes or to further your own agenda? How have you felt God tugging at your heart to use a particular talent to spread His good news? Surrender your talents and abilities to God today by asking Him to take your efforts and accomplish more than you ever would have dreamed of.

Rebecca

28-05-09: A MENTOR CAN HELP

As you travel along the journey in your quest to live a pure and devoted life, it may be helpful to follow the example of others who have gone before you. I look up to heroes who have shown me how to navigate this journey of life. A mentor is someone who can guide and coach you, a tutor who has blazed the trail before you. One of my mentors is Evie Tornquist-Karlsson. She began in the Christian music industry as a teenager, as I did, and she experienced many of the same pressures along the way. My family has known her for years and has highly respected her Christian walk. She even held me as a baby while she toured through Australia. Evie was a natural mentor for me. She is an amazing woman of God. We get along well as kindred spirits with similar personalities, similar giftings, a love for people, a love for God and a desire to please Him. Because she lives in Florida and I live in Tennessee, we most often communicate through phone and e-mail, asking each other how we can be praying for one another. Her voice of understanding is priceless and so valuable to my life.

Recently, a friend and life coach named Ken has influenced my life greatly. He’s encouraged me to read books that have powerfully impacted me spiritually, including Inner Voice of Love, by Henri Nouwen, and Francois Fenelon’s Let Go. Ken has encouraged me to see the grace and love of God for me, and not merely the justice and holiness of God. I grew up in a world saturated with Christianity (which is not a bad thing!), but for a long time I think I bought into the “do’s and don’ts” system—a more legalistic form of Christianity. Through this mentoring relationship I’ve come to focus more on the Father aspect of God, how loving He really is and how much He wants the best for me. This revelation has been really very renewing in my walk with God.

When I think about Bible heroes, my mind turns toward Ruth. She was someone for whom life had its challenges. Her life didn’t quite turn out exactly as she hoped it would. During a famine in the land of Moab, she married, and then her husband died. But she kept her heart focused on trusting her God and was loyal to Him and to her mother-in-law Naomi (who was also a widow)—even when given the option of returning to her home after her husband’s death. God rewarded her faithfulness by bringing another husband to her, and through him she had a son who became part of the bloodline of Jesus. I desire to imitate the loyalty and faithfulness of Ruth.

Every woman needs someone who really understands what she feels and the pressures she faces. Everyone needs someone with whom she can openly and honestly share life. And when a mentor has walked that same road before her, there is the assurance that there will be acceptance, compassion, and powerful prayers offered on her behalf.

Everybody needs a Paul, and everybody needs a Timothy. The apostle Paul called Timothy his son in the faith, because he mentored him in spreading the good news of Jesus throughout the pages of the New Testament. Paul was the teacher, Timothy the learner. At any point in our lives there are people that should be looking up to us for spiritual direction, and there should also be people to whom we’re look for guidance, because we’ll never be at a place where we have nothing else to learn.

Do you have a spiritual mentor in your life right now? What specific issues do you need to bring to her attention for prayer? If you do not presently have a mentor who regularly speaks into your life, begin praying that God will bring such a person to you. Then look for His answer.

Rebecca

01-05-09: BARGAINING WITH GOD

“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?”—Matthew 7:7-11, The Message

When I go on a shopping excursion, I love hunting for great deals. What girl doesn’t love the adventure of finding the best clothing or the coolest decorations for the best price? I think it’s part of our DNA as females. A few years ago I bought a house and named it “Avonlea,” after one of my favorite books, Anne of Green Gables. I really like the hardwood floors in my house. I want my home to be an eclectic, comfortable, and welcoming space in which to relax. When shopping for furniture I bought most of the pieces secondhand. When I’m on the search for something to add to my home décor I love finding just the right accessory. And, if it’s a bargain, I get all the more excited.

No wonder it’s easy at times for us females to approach God and begin to bargain with Him. In our hearts, we know that He knows what’s best for us, yet, we tend to be concerned with what the whole “deal” looks like. Sometimes the fear of not knowing everything He has planned keeps us from giving our dreams to Him. We may not say these words, but we may be thinking them: God, I’ll do this if you’ll do this. I’ll give you this if you’ll give it back to me the way I want it. He’s the Lord of the universe, yet sometimes we act as if we can manipulate Him! But God already knows our human ways. And He wants more than that when we approach Him in prayer.

It really all comes down to a matter of trust. God wants us to live fulfilled lives. He wants to shower us daily with His extravagant love. He is not withholding good things from us. He desires that we come to Him in obedience—pure and simple. And, if we do that, we will be free, and that’s what He most wants us to be. I can’t think of a better deal anywhere.

The Old Testament wisdom books offer some great insight into this theme of accepting from God what He wants to give us, rather than bargaining with Him. We may not always understand what God is up to in our lives, but we can be assured that He’s all about what’s good for us!

Do you spend more time in prayer asking God for His guidance, attempting to bargain with Him, or simply coming to Him in obedience? Make a concerted effort in your prayer time today to leave the bargaining out, and a willful obedience in.

Blessings!
Rebecca

17-04-09: LOOKING FOR THE QUIET, SECURE PLACE?

Scripture Message of the Week:

“I’m asking GOD for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with him in his house
my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
I’ll study at his feet.
That’s the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world,
the perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.”
—Psalm 27:4, 5, The Message

OK…I admit it…I’m a dedicated list girl! I love my lists. There’s nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when I have a ‘to do list’ with all the boxes checked because all my ‘to do’s’ have been accomplished! So many of us are wired to be doers, aren’t we? When you think about it, our obsession with checking things off a to-do list is a worldly success thing. We feel successful and efficient when we cross something off our lists. But I’ve felt God tell me, “Spend time with me, even though you’re not being ‘efficient.’ Just love me and allow me to love on you.”

Whenever I draw away in an extended time with God, He has taught me the importance of being, not just doing. Every day I try to spend quality time with Him, which is like mini “being” time. I like to go for walks, when I can listen to nature or stare into the sky. I love being outside in God’s creation, delighting in this world He’s given us. At times He wants us to just be with Him, and not accomplish anything. Sometimes I sit and read a book in a hammock at my parents’ place. If you have kids you may not have much down time, but maybe you can take mini-sabbaticals, like taking a couple of hours when the kids are napping to do something you enjoy.

“Just learn to rest in me,” God says. “I’m not requiring anything of you.” Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” It’s about Him; it’s not about us. Knowing that should really free us to focus on trying to be faithful to His plan for our lives. And, at the end of the day, that’s real success.

I love the story of Mary of Bethany in the New Testament. Jesus and His disciples were on their way to her home in search of an oasis of calm in the midst of some pretty intense weeks leading up to the cross. Her older sister, Martha, was appropriately named. Martha Stewart had nothing on her, as Luke 10:40 says that she “was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” She was stressed. Everything had to be just so. She was so bothered that she asked Jesus to intervene. She approached Him and asked if He cared that she was doing all the work, while Mary did nothing but sit at Jesus’ feet “listening to what he said.” Mary was soaking in every shred of truth spoken by the Master, and she hung on His every word.

Jesus responded to Martha, “My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her” (Luke 10:41, 42, NLT). Martha had thought that many things were necessary for the Lord’s comfort, and she was wearing herself out in an effort to provide them. But, Jesus was more concerned with just being with them and sharing life, and Mary’s devotion was more important than any of the delicious food Martha had prepared. How easy it is to get distracted with so many things competing for our attention, when only one thing is really needed—intimacy with Jesus.

What kinds of things distract you from seeking intimacy with Jesus? What can you do today to just be with Him? Being with Jesus—let’s make that a ‘to do’ for life!

Rebecca

02-04-09: WE NEED EACH OTHER –NOW MORE THAN EVER!

Have you ever met someone who said, “I don’t need the church! There are too many hypocrites in it. I can worship God in nature all by myself . . .”?
It is true that we can worship God on our own, but God created us to live in community. He knew just how much we would need each other. None of us have it completely together. We need safe places where we can share our joys and our struggles with others who can rejoice—and empathize—with us. When Jesus first sent His disciples out on a mission of goodwill, He sent them out in twos. They were able to encourage one another as they set out to spread the good news of His kingdom.

In the music ministry I have seen the body of Christ come together in a powerful way to reach people with the gospel. Record labels, radio stations, Christian television stations, newspaper and magazine staff, local promoters, church leadership, festival organizers, stage managers, agents, and band management all come together for a common goal—to reach as many people as possible with the message of Christ! When all these people work as a united team, great things happen. That’s one of the reasons our ministry has continued to partner with the church, because we believe that together we can share the love of Christ more effectively than if we attempt to do so apart.

Perhaps nowhere else is Christian unity demonstrated more powerfully than when there is a crisis. A few years ago when the tsunami hit Southeast Asia, the world rallied around to provide real help for hurting people. As the hands and feet of Jesus, believers from around the globe came streaming into the countries that were devastated. God can bring good out of tragedy, and often His people are part of the solution. Many times when we look at a difficult situation and ask, “How could He ever bring any good out of that?” we come to see that His compassionate heart is expressed through the community of faith. We are one of the ways in which He brings comfort and peace. We really do need each other.

Out of necessity, the early church banded together to fight persecution and advance the cause of Christ. There was a spirit of unity that superseded individual agendas. Luke records these words: “They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met”

We’re in Australia for Easter concerts—please pray for us—and I am closing with this prayerful Easter blessing for you, my friends!

“Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.”
—Acts 20:32, The Message

Rebecca

18-03-09: QUESTIONING GOD?

I don’t think I’ve ever had a time in my life when I doubted that Christianity fit me or necessarily wanted to cast it off. But I have questioned God a lot, asking, “Why did you choose to allow this?” and “What are you doing right now?” and “Why do you seem so far away? The longer I am a Christian, the more I realize God can handle my questions. He can handle my anger, He can handle my hurt.

As Christians, I believe God is always re-tooling the way we think. God wants us to share our whole hearts with Him—not just to share the parts we think He wants to hear. Sometimes, like David, we share the anxious, hurting thoughts and then resolve them with praise. We often feel like we need to be positive all the time and say that life is great, when really it isn’t—it’s challenging. I think of David being “a man after God’s own heart,” and David was one who could ask God the hard stuff. The Psalms are filled with it.

The book of Job is full of questions. Job was a righteous, God-fearing man of integrity. Yet God gave Satan permission to test him to see if he would still be faithful to his God. Job had seven sons and three daughters, and in one day, all of them were killed. It’s impossible for us to imagine that, and perhaps even more impossible to comprehend Job’s response to the calamity. In an act of intense grief, Job tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground in worship, and said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” I love worshiping God with the song, “Blessed Be Your Name,” written by Matt and Beth Redman, which is based on this verse.

Even though there are questions we don’t understand, as Job found out in a dramatic way, God is still God. He can handle our praise as well as our hurts. He can handle our needs as well as our thanksgiving. Part of being worshipful is being very real with what’s going on in our hearts. We can share our angst as well as our adulation, and know that God is capable of receiving us before Him in total honesty.

As you question God, question with a view toward knowing that even though you don’t understand the complexities of life, you can know that the One who created everything you see has not abandoned you. He is still in control.

What questions do you have for God today? Be honest with God. He can handle it.

Rebecca

04-03-09: SELF-WORTH VS. GOD-WORTH

We live in a culture that speaks the sermon of selfishness all the time. It places so much emphasis on self-help, self-worth, self-this, self-that. Because many people spend much of their time trying to please others, they’re uncomfortable in their own skin and don’t know who they are. Unfortunately, they derive their sense of worth based on what they do or don’t do for others. It’s all based on a false and conditional love. We can get so wrapped up in our selfishness that we can’t see beyond ourselves to find our worth in God—who we are in Him.

Several years ago I embarked on a five-week long life-changing experience in Switzerland. I needed spiritual, emotional, and physical recuperation, and I found it at L’Abri (which means shelter), a community study center where Christians and non-Christians can seek honest answers about God and His purposes for their lives. It was there that the Lord spoke to me of my God-worth to the point that it was replacing my self-worth. Before this experience I don’t think I had ever really discovered the sense of wholeness in God that I felt there.

One of the things I had to confront in my life was the issue of perfectionism. When you are a perfectionist you tend to either push yourself all the time to be better, or you are in failure mode and about to give up, believing that you’ll never succeed. My tendency was to live with a sense that God was disappointed in me—that I was not good enough. Through study and prayer and time alone with Him, the Lord assured me that I am loved and secure. I know that I’m His princess, accepted and cherished.

If you’ve read The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien, or have seen the movies, you’re familiar with the creature Gollum and his obsession with “my precious,” the ring. He was willing to do anything to keep it, and then went to great lengths in an attempt to reclaim it. Ultimately, his selfish fascination with the treasure cost him his life. Unlike Gollum, God’s love for us is purely selfless because He was willing to give up what’s most important to Him—His only Son—to redeem you. He cherishes you as His precious creation. The apostle Paul put it this way:

“Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him” (Romans 5:6-8, The Message).

How much time do you spend in the morning each morning thinking about how others will perceive you based on what you look like today? How could you spend some of that time contemplating your worth in God’s eyes? Look in the mirror and realize how precious you are to Him.

Rebecca

02-20-09: DON’T THINK LIKE “THE WORLD!

A Different Way of Thinking

It’s so easy for us to buy into the current thinking of the day—whatever that is. Whether it concerns same-sex marriage, our politicians’ view on abortion, the popular notion of a man and woman living together before marriage, or tolerating all world religions as equal in God’s sight, Christians are often seen as intolerant if they don’t swim with the current. God is concerned that we retain His views on these topics as He revealed them to us in His Word. He wants us to be pure in our thinking. When one speaks of a certain breed of animal as being purebred, it means that the animal came from one strain of pure blood with absolutely no mixed ancestry. Even though we must live in this world, God doesn’t want us to allow the various strains of impurity to infect our hearts and minds. It’s a high calling, but God intends for us to think radically different than the rest of the world.

People admire us when we stand for purity of life. They can see that we don’t have to escape the world’s pressures and find love and acceptance through doing drugs and alcohol, and engaging in promiscuous sex. When others see God’s true love, joy, and peace lived out in practical ways, they will want what we have. The thing that speaks the loudest to non-Christians is when we live out our faith. When they see us not only talking about God but living it 24/7 the best that we can, that’s when people really can see the Jesus difference in us. That’s our loudest witness. This should be our daily prayer, “God, show me how to live a life that’s more pleasing to you.”

The word “holy” is something we don’t hear much of in our culture today, unless it’s used in a context in which someone is making fun of one who is a “holy roller” or has a “holier than thou” attitude. The root word means to be “set apart” or “consecrated” for a specific purpose.

Let’s challenge each other!
What things prevent you from thinking and living differently from what you see all around you? In what specific ways would you like to be different than those around you? Make a list of those things, then talk to God about your desires, and ask Him to empower you to walk a “set apart” life today.

Rebecca

04-02-09: LONELY? DON’T FEEL ALONE!

Loneliness! Not a fun word! Over the years, I have often felt it in the toll of my continuous travel. Ever felt that everyone around you is with someone—except you? I have.

Loneliness is a problem that plagues everyone, whether you’re a single adult or married. God can really use the times of loneliness in our lives if we will let Him. We can be like Jesus and use the time to grow closer to God. Jesus often went off by himself to be alone with His Father in prayer (see Luke 5:16). When we’re alone with God, without the distractions of the world, we can hear His voice much more clearly. Then, we can seek to do His will.

We can also use our lonely times to take a closer look at the gifts God has given us. The apostle Peter challenges us with these words: “Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything . . .” (1 Peter 4:10, 11, The Message). Even when we’re feeling lonely, God calls us to give ourselves away by serving others. Every day we see so many people who are hurting and lonely and need us to share Jesus’ love with them. Can you imagine what would happen if every Christ follower would take that responsibility to love seriously? Revival would break out.

When you are walking in intimacy with God, one is a whole number. He promises to meet all your emotional and social needs, and He is dependable to do it. It becomes a matter of changing our minds and attitudes from feeling sorry for ourselves to being grateful we have time to spend alone with God and to reach out in service to others in need of companionship and care.

There are people in your life—at home, at school, at work, in your neighborhood—who would love to know that someone else cares about them. The next time you feel lonely, think about the people you could minister to. Think of practical ways you can serve them in God’s name. When you reach out to others, you will be encouraged and God will be pleased.

Rebecca

30-12-08: A NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE FROM REBECCA

Often we think of new things on January 1, but God is about the business of newness far more frequently than that. God is a God of new things.

"Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands."—Isaiah 43:18, 19, The Message

A few years ago I learned the hard way that it's very important for people in ministry to take "time out" and be still. Recently I took an extended sabbatical and really focused on praying and seeking God on what this time should look like. My life is pretty mapped out—with touring, book writing, songwriting, and time spent in the studio. Sabbatical is a time of open space to approach God with open hands and heart and to say, "God, renew me, speak to me, prepare my heart for new things that you want to do in my heart and in my ministry." I really have a sense of anticipation that God is moving me into a new "room" of my life—that I have actually been in one room for some time—and He is moving me into another space in the house of my life.

I'm very excited about this coming season—that God is already opening some new doors of ministry. I'm also in this season exploring some film and acting opportunities that I have been wanting to explore for some time. It just feels to me like a season of newness and I think this sabbatical is very key to that. Ultimately, I always want to be in the center of God's will and involved in the adventure He has for me. One has to sit and hear from God—and be still—to be sensitive to His will for what's His best for us as He writes the story of our lives.

There are many good songs already in existence. Why is God so concerned with new ones? Because they arise out of new experiences, new ways in which God has recently revealed himself in our lives. He's not just the God who did some amazing things in our past—He's the God who is doing some amazing things now! And since He is the Creator He knows how to invent newness in the lives of His children. He simply wants us to come to Him and ask for new times of refreshing.

If you feel as if you are in a spiritual rut, ask yourself why. Have you allowed yourself to settle into a state of apathy or mediocrity, because the same old songs drone on in your life? All you have to do is ask, "God, what new thing do you want to bring in my life this season?" If you are willing to ask, He is willing to answer. What are you waiting for? Do it today.

A blessed New Year to you, my friends!

Rebecca

23-12-08: REBECCA’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Dear Friends-- Happy Christmas and Greetings from the RSJ Team!

I want so say 'thank you' for all of your support this year! It's a joy to be able to
serve God and impact the world with His hope together with you.

In this time of year, I get asked a lot about Australian family traditions and I want to share one with you that speaks of the essence of Christmas to me. One of the things our family has continued to do even as we children have grown older is gather as a family around the Christmas tree after a huge turkey and lamb dinner and present openings.

One by one in turn, we individually share what God has done in our lives over the past year. It's one of the things that feels essential to me now at this Christmas time—it's a time to thank God, and reflect on His goodness—express our gratitude to Him for Jesus—and acknowledge all the good things He's done in our lives.

At this Christmas time—I want to encourage you and yours to take that time to reflect and see the goodness of our God!

Best wishes for '09 –love in Jesus!

Rebecca

A "PS" MESSAGE FROM RSJ…

As I've been running to buy Christmas presents and getting my beloved Starbucks coffees—chatting with people along the way—I have really made it a point to say "Happy Christmas" to the people I meet and I want to encourage you to do the same as you're out and about in your busy travels. I think one of the things that really troubles me in the Christmas season of late is the agenda to take 'Christ' out of Christmas and to make it a 'Happy Holiday" instead of a "Happy Christmas." It may seem like a subtle thing but I really want to encourage you, my friends, to focus entirely on Jesus at Christmas –even down to the subtleties of your greetings. There's a focus on Jesus that comes through to people—it's a witness in our smile, our countenance, our greeting says a lot about what we believe—and shines for Jesus. Let's join together to focus on a "Christ-mas" –a true celebration of Him!