Vows

We haven’t posted in a couple weeks as we have been steady working to get The Cool Table mini camps kicked off. You can help by using our Amazon link to make all your Amazon.com purchases and be sure to share it with family and friends. It is painless for you and puts a little change towards the vision for us!

Ok so here it is, we were cleaning out some files today and found our wedding vows. It was great to take a minute to reflect on the promises we made and to gauge where we are with those promises. It was also nice to remember the joy, love and healing that filled that day. Since we our sharing our life journey with you, here we will share our wedding vows too:

To Chris:

God has indeed blessed my broken road. Everything I have read in scripture in relation to marriage and everything that I have needed and desired He placed in you. You have already displayed the attitude of love and adoration to me that Christ has for the Church. You are steady and selfless. You cover me and make me safe. You love me despite my flaws and failures and you have washed my account clean of past mistakes.

Today my tears of brokenness have turned to joy and it is with confidence that I make this life long commitment to you. I choose this day and everyday forward to love and comfort you, to pray for you, and to be a source of encouragement and support. I commit to listen to your hopes and dreams and to rejoice in your victories; to be a place of refuge for your fears and a place of renewal in your trails. I will take pride in honoring and respecting you. I vow to work daily to keep our marriage and home our oasis, a sweet place of renewal, laughter, and joy.

To Shante:

I have prayed and waited for you my whole life, not knowing who or where you were. I have fought through pain, heartache, and disappointment waiting for the time that God would reveal you. I have waited 30 years to be your husband and you are more than worth the wait. I can not think of anybody better for me than you. You truly are my rib and I am complete now.

I promise to love you unconditionally (even when you don’t love yourself) I promise to protect you, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I promise to cover you with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. I promise to take care of your children as if they were mine. I also promise to serve God alongside of you and most importantly I promise to lead us before the throne Of our Lord in everything we do. I love you more than you will ever know.

　

 

 

From Chris to Jeremiah and Sierra:

I promise to love you and your mother unconditionally. I will protect you in all things. I will guide you with grace, and provide a nurturing home for you so that you may become and know all God has designed you for.

Who I Am Part 2

As I continue looking at what scripture says about the position of those who have accepted Christ, here is another truth I would like to share: You can be confident in your outcome.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I would be willing to say that a large majority of the world’s population who qualifies, as the scripture says, as loving God and being called according to His purpose has experienced events that would lead to questions as whether or not God does work for our good. 

There are painful and confusing situations that this life brings which often leave us with questions of why God would allow such things.  I have experienced the same and do not have the answers to the “why”, but what I do have is a promise from God’s word saying that He is working in ALL things for the good of you and me.  I can trust this promise because I have seen the character of God as He has proven Himself time and time again. Have confidence that although you may not see the end or understand the path that God is working for your good that the outcome be what is needed.   

Along the path you may encounter thorn bushes, detours, uphill climbs, and weary travels but take comfort in knowing that when you reach the destination the troublesome journey will seem to vanish in the sight of the promise you get to behold.

Shante 

Confidence or Bragging What's the Difference?

I have the privilege to coach a running program where the goal is to encourage positive self image in girl’s through curriculum that promotes physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health.  Recently we dealt with the subject of having positive body image with a focus on inner beauty. The assignment had the girls celebrate things that described their inner beauty.  Some girls took off on the mission and completed it with ease while others struggled.  Both responses were to be expected; however there was one who seemed to be overly perplexed.  So finally she asked the question “Isn’t this like bragging?”

It stopped me as I began to process my own thoughts.  I too, deep down, have felt that if I find any beauty or any strength in me then it means I lack humility. So went my response, “Bragging is building yourself up, often with the intent to tear others down.  Having a positive self image is becoming a confident person who is able to be kind and help others.” Whew, there it was.  The truth had been spoken from my lips which created a challenge.  I must now live according to the truth I spoke.

A positive self image truly does create confidence that allows one to be free to help and encourage others. There is freedom from the insecurities that cause wars within one’s self and with others.  There is strength that allows one to reach out into a misunderstood or unpopular situation without concern of losing popularity.  Then there is peace that allows one to live with purpose and be a catalyst of hope, and that my friend is BEAUTIFUL!

Shante

Who I Am

Over the next several weeks, I will take time each Sunday to reflect on a scripture which identifies who a person is through Christ.  My hope is that this will help encourage and remind some of us (me included) what position, power, and responsibilities come with having a relationship with Christ.

While I  will speak directly to those who identify themselves as having a relationship with Jesus, I hope that those who are skeptical or even turned off by the notion will continue to stick around and read.  This is your opportunity to sit back and get an inside look at the relationship.  It may answer some questions or uncover something you never realized. 

So you also are complete through your union with Christ (Jesus), who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians2:10 NLT

Used as an adjective, complete means having all the necessary or appropriate parts.

Colossians 2:10 describes one through his/her union with Christ, as being complete. It then goes on to describe Christ as the head over all rulers and authorities. This is important because without that description of Christ this verse might not hold as much encouragement.Because Christ holds this authority, the verse should provide much encouragement and power for a person who has chosen to identify themselves with Christ.

If you have made a decision to accept and follow Jesus, here are my words to you…
When feelings of inadequacy say that you are not enough, have hope and believe the words of God which say that you are complete.  When fear paralyzes you from living out your purpose, listen to the One who created you.  He says that He has equipped you with every appropriate part needed to be who you were created to be and do what you were created to do. When the evils of this world seem to be multiplied, take heart for you have the One who overcome this world and Who is the head of all rulers and authority on your side.

Here is a simple prayer that may help practice the truth that in Christ you are complete: Lord, thank you for making me complete.  I am equipped to do what I was created to do and be who I was created to be.  Even when I feel incomplete, remind me that I am complete.

Shante