Wonderful Christians #4: Sarah Mally!

During the first few days of my blog, I posted about three wonderful Christians. It wasn't that they were the only wonderful Christians in existence, it was just that they were the first 3 that came to mind. There are many,many more examples of lovely Christian people, and I intend to find them!

Anyway, I have been waiting and waiting this past week to sneak a certain person in, and today is the day I finally get to share about her! Wonderful Christian #4 is (drum roll please!) : Sarah Mally!!!

Sarah Mally is my idol. She is the most awesome, personable, and godly girl you will ever meet! (Okay, I haven't exactly met her, but its feels like I have!)

The Mally family, Harold and Rebekah plus their three children, Sarah, Stephen, and Grace, has their own family ministry called Tomorrow's Forefathers. Their goal with their ministries is just to spread God's word and encourage/strengthen families in Him. Sarah is all about ministering to teen girls. She may be 30 years young, but she ministers as if she were 17 again (no Zac Efron movie reference intended!), living the teen struggles along with you.

In 1996, when Sarah was 17, she became concerned about many teen girls walk with the Lord. She desired to design a ministry to reach teens and draw them closer to God. She named her ministry Bright Lights, with Bright standing for Being Radiant In Godliness, Holiness, and Testimony.

Bright Lights, which was initially held right there in the Mally family living room, have grown into a nation wide phenomenon among godly teens and pre-teens. There are currently over 350 Bright Lights groups. In the beginning, Bright Lights was targeted towards girls ages 10-13. This is the age when real "dating" first comes into play. Some teens get their first kiss during these very early teen years. Sarah felt  like this was the opportune time to reach girls, because it is right when they are making these important decisions about dating. There are SO many worldly, negative and inappropriate influences  (Note: Post about this coming this week!) in the day-to-day life of a teenager, and Sarah longed to provide the positive, pure, and HOLY influence.

In Spring of 2001, Sarah organized the "Strong in the Lord" Conference. The purpose was to give the older girls involved in Bright Lights an opportunity to minister and teach to the younger girls. The first conference was a hit, with skits, stories, testimonies, and important topics like keeping a clear conscience, giving your heart to your parents, and staying Strong in the Lord.

Soon after beginning the Strong in the Lord conferences, Sarah began the Radiant Purity conferences. Sarah continues to share with teen girls the importance of saving your heart for that ONE special someone the Lord has for you. It can be challenging, but its is so worth it.

Strong in the Lord Conference: This conference, including practical teaching, insightful testimonies, humorous skits, a chalk talk, harp music, singing, hands-on activities, and small group times with sharing and interaction will encourage young ladies to seek the Lord with all of their heart. It will challenge and prepare girls to stay strong for the Lord all the way through their teen years, and provide these girls with the friendship, fellowship, and godly influence of young ladies who are bright lights for the Lord.

 Radiant Purity Conference: This conference will encourage young ladies to be committed to emotional purity, to walk by faith, and to wait for God’s best in marriage. Creatively presented through stories and testimonies, practical instruction, skits, and real-life examples, this conference gives Biblical answers to everyday questions and deep life struggles. The material is discreet and appropriate for twelve year olds and yet relevant to all ages. Includes testimonies from young ladies who serve as Bright Lights staff, chalk drawings, and harp music.

Sarah and her siblings wrote a book entitled Making Brothers and Sister's Best Friends. The purpose of this book was to share that siblings can overcome all of their challenges and become friends. Family harmony is very important to the Mally's.

"This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. -John 15:12

Sarah's second book, Before You Meet Prince Charming: A Guide To Radiant Purity, is amazing. It is my very favorite book in the whole world! It took me a long time to find it because it wasn't at any local libraries or book stores! I had to order it on Amazon, but it was well worth it! She combines the story of a princess committed to staying pure with her own real life examples and advice. She encourages everyone not to be afraid of being single. The hardest task the Lord asks us to do is wait, wait for our perfect spouse, but if we do wait and stay strong in Him, then we will prosper. Sarah is still single, but she is proud. The most important years of your life are before marriage and relationships when you are growing closer to God. Sarah has obviously done marvelously at encouraging this. She isn't just sitting around daydreaming about that perfect man (again, not a Hilary Duff movie reference either!). She is touching the hearts of all those faithful girls out there, and encouraging them to follow God's way.

Sarah Mally continues to impact my life every single day.I know that I am completely willing and completely over the moon bursting with joy that I can wait for the Lord to pick my future "Prince Charming". I've already made my commitments to the Lord and he has blessed me for that. My first kiss was not at 10-13 years old. My first kiss will be on my wedding day! I want to stay a pure rose spreading His word to others until God decides it's the time for me to marry.  I'm so happy to share the ways that this wonderful woman has changed my life and drawn me closer to God.

If I end up being even half the truly wonderful Christian Sarah Mally is, I would be honored. I'm the oldest in my family, and I look to up to Sarah is a big all-knowing sister, just as I know so m any other girls do. I'm committed to staying radiantly pure, until I meet that special someone. I'm completely willing to wait for God's best. He has fantastic things in store for me, for ALL of us, if we will just put our faith, trust, and hope in Him. Be unwavering in your faith and commitments!

"I solemnly tell you," said Jesus, "that if you have an unwavering faith, you shall not only perform such a miracle as this of the fig-tree, but that even if you say to this mountain, 'Be thou lifted up and hurled into the sea,' it shall be done." -Matthew 21:21

Sarah is awesome, so please check her out! She is a most wonderful Christian. God bless her!!!

God Bless (Don't worry, I didn't forget about you guys!),

Sydney

FYI: Starting two weeks from today, on February 13th, I will be hosting a read along of Before You Meet Price Charming! Get your copies bought so you can follow along!!! I will review a chapter of the book each Sunday. Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity to fellowship with others and gain some great knowledge about staying pure in this not so pure world. It's going to be fun, and I'm really excited to read through my favorite book with everyone!!! Be there!

Sufficient Grace Ministries

Kelly Gerken

I was just blog surfing a few days ago when I came across Sufficient Grace Ministries. I was so interested in the movement, and now that I know more about it, I am so thankful for it. I obviously do not have children, but I do know some lovely people who have lost children. I think that Sufficient Grace Ministries is a wonderful comfort to all those hurting Mama's out there. I can't even imagine the pain and heartbreak a tragedy like that would cause. I only know that it is a time to stick close to God and follow his example rather than pulling away.

Kelly gave birth to her son Timothy in 1994. Two year later, she got pregnant with twins, only to discover complications. Her daughters had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Kelly was in the hospital for a while, until one day, November 3rd 1996, an ultrasound showed that her babies were at peace. Kelly lost her two twin daughters (Faith and Grace) at 26 weeks gestation.
Another two years later, Kelly got pregnant with a son. Half way through her pregnancy, Kelly found out that her baby boy had Potter's syndrome. He had almost no chance of survival, but there was still that glimmer of hope in Kelly and her husband, Tim's hearts. She carried him until July 14, 1998, when she delivered. Thomas lived for 6 miraculous hours, then he moved on to a better place.
This was a horribly challenging and devastating time in Kelly Gerken's life. She did not know of any possible way to cope with all the grief. Kelly was made stronger by God's grace. She did not succumb to the heartbreak she felt then, and still feels everyday. Far from it. She created the wonderful Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women in 2004. She started off with baby books in memory of babies once alive and always loved. They are called Dreams of You Memory Books. Comfort Bears are an idea Kelly's mom came up with, so that grieving Mama's will always have something to hold.
In 2001 God did grace Kelly with an amazing and healthy son named James. On Earth, Kelly has her children Timothy and James, while in heaven Faith, Grace, and Thomas are all waiting and watching over her.
The purpose of Sufficient Grace Ministries is to comfort and encourage Mama's who have lost babies through miscarriage, stillbirth, or death. Kelly shares her testimony with other Mom's and families as a way of encouragement. No one is alone in the great journey of loss. Our Heavenly Father is always there, even when he seems forever away.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort that we ourselves have received from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Weakness is made perfect in God's strength. No matter how overwhelmed we feel, how strongly we feel that it's all just too much, we CAN handle it. God does not put anything on our plate that we cannot handle. Even in crisis, just put your faith in Him and all will be well. When we pray, God does answer our prayers. It may not be in the way we expected, hoped, or dreamed, and we may not understand at first, but in time, we will.
Kelly's middle three children were taken back to live with their creator, but with that loss, Kelly was able to create something so beautiful. Her ministries have reached so many Mama's out there and given them that hope, that faith, that reassurance that God does love them. He is never going to leave them, and believe it or not, they will be alright. They will surpass their hardships and grow strong in His abundant grace.
Cling to God's every word, follow him, stay Faithful to Him Always. He can mend your aching hearts. He can do anything. The possibilities are endless, as long as you pray and give it all up to Him.
Be sure to check out Kelly's breathtaking website and blog. You will be stunned by her beautiful, heartfelt words. Everyday, Kelly and so many other Mama's remember their perfect babies resting up above. They want to breakdown, but instead they draw closer to Him and embrace the life He is given them.
Please pray for all the grieving families out there. As I always say, anything is possible with the power of prayer. God's will conquers everything.
In memory of Faith, Grace, and Thomas Gerken.
God Bless,
Sydney

Wonderful Christians #3: The Duggar Family!

Did you guess it right? I know everyone was dying to know and here is is: The Duggar Family are Wonderful Christians #3! I'm pretty sure you have heard of them, from their television show 19 Kids and Counting (Formerly 17 Kids and Counting and 18 Kids and Counting)! I am a hardcore fan of their family. I can't help it! They are the most wonderful you will ever meet (or more accurately, watch on t.v!) This family is probably the most wonderful Christian family I will ever blog about!

Now, I could go on and on for hours about the Duggar family, (and truthfully, I wouldn't mind that one bit!) but I will try to give everyone the more abbreviated version!

Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Ruark married in 1984. They were a good Christian family, getting along with no more than they needed, and trusting God with everything. Four years into their marriage, Jim Bob and Michelle decided to try and have a baby. On March 3, 1988, they were blessed with their first child, Joshua. About a year later, Mrs. Duggar found out that she was expecting again! She was ecstatic, until she suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage. The miscarriage came as a devastating blow to the small family. Mrs. Duggar had been on birth control before having Joshua, and she had gone back on after having Josh, feeling they weren't quite ready to have more children. She had gotten pregnant on the pill, and that was the reason they believed she had miscarried. Mr. and Mrs. Duggar felt that their selfish decisions had caused them the life of that precious child. At this point, Michelle and Jim Bob resolved to trust God with the timing and amount of children they would have. Just a year after this big decision, on January 12. 1990, Michelle was doubly blessed with twins!

Since then, Michelle has given birth to 19 children, including 2 sets of twins! It hasn't always been easy, but they have always gotten through it with their strong faith in God. They have raised all of their children to have a strong dedication to the Lord. Even throughout the challenging times, such as their recent year-long struggle with Josie (She was born at only 24 weeks and spent the first half of last year cooped up in the hospital), they have stayed strong by His grace. Everyday, this wonderful family continues to be an inspiration to many others all over the world.
If you would like a chance to admire this amazing family, tune in to TLC! Reruns of their show run at 7:00am and 7:30am on weekday mornings, and season 6 of their show premieres on February 1st at 9:00pm. If you are more of a reader, then drop by your local bookstore and pick up a copy of The Duggars: 20 and Counting!: Raising One Of America's Largest Families- How They Do It. If you can hold off until June, then grab a copy of A Love That Multiplies, their latest book out on June 7, 2011!
Until then, you can instantly check out this colossal family on their family website at http://www.duggarfamily.com/ . Another great place to go for the hook-up on the latest events in the Duggar family's life is the Duggar Family Blog: http://www.duggarsblog.blogspot.com/ . I love to recommend a good blog, and this blog is probably my favorite of all! Lily and Ellie will supply you with great information, recipes, updates, and fun facts about the entire Duggar clan! Visit them!
I will leave the Duggar family blogging to Lily and Ellie. I just wanted to introduce everyone to these Wonderful Christians! I have no doubt that Jim Bob, Michelle, Josie (1), Jordyn (2), Jennifer (3), Johannah (5), Jackson (6), Justin (8), James (9), Jason (10), Jeremiah (12, Jed's twin), Jedidiah (12, Jer's twin), Joy-Anna (13), Josiah (14), Joseph (15), Jinger (17), Jessa (18), Jill (19), John David (21, Jana's twin), Jana (21, John's twin), Josh (22), Josh's wife, Anna (22), Josh and Anna's daughter, Mackynzie (1), and Josh and Anna's second child due June 2011, (Wow, try saying all that in one breath!) will continue to inspire and amaze you!

Fun Fact: Yes, in case you didn't notice, all of Jim bob and Michelle's children's names start with a J! They picked the biblical name Joshua for their first child, and for their twins they just liked Jana and John. When Michelle got pregnant with her fourth baby, she wasn't sure if that would be her last baby or not. She didn't want the baby (Jill) to feel left out so they gave the baby a J name and on the tradition went!

Thanks for reading! (I know I said I would try to publish the short version of the story but... I guess I got carried away! Hope I didn't bore you TOO much!)

God Bless,

Sydney

Wonderful Christians #2: Bill Gothard!

The second wonderful Christian person I would like to talk about is: Mr. Bill Gothard! If you have ever heard of IBLP (Institute in Basic Life Principles) or ATI (Advanced Training Institute), then I know you know of him because he is the founder of these lovely organizations!
Bill Gothard was interested in God from a young age. He attended Wheaton College and graduated with his M.A in Christian Education in 1961. He had been doing a lot of work with church groups, youth camps and families that he used to write a thesis on a youth program. That one simple thesis led to the development of Bill Gothard's 7 core principles of life.
He established a youth group shortly thereafter, and that led to the creation of what we now know as IBLP!
In addition to IBLP, Mr. Gothard also established a homeschooling program called ATI (Advanced Training Institute of America) that uses concepts from the Bible to teach many other subjects.
Bill Gothard is the ideal Christian role model for anyone. IBLP is such a great organization! You can sign up for Bill Gothard's IBLP Daily Success emails, using this link: http://iblp.org/iblp/discipleship/dailysuccess/enroll/ . You will receive daily emails for the next 49 weeks, starting the first Monday after your enrollment. I have gone through the program before, and trust me it is so worth it!
Every year, regional ATI family conferences are held. It's a fun event for the whole family, and a great opportunity to fellowship! 2011 Family Conferences are as follows: Big Sandy, Texas- April 26-29, Nashville, Tennessee- May 31-June 3, Sacramento, California- June 28- July 1, Indianapolis, Indiana- August 2-5!
Bill Gothard is truly a wonderful Christian and I'm glad to have been exposed to him! Check out his programs and resources right away!
Hint: I'm sure everyone is wondering who Wonderful Christians #3 are. If you were being alert, you might have noticed that I mentioned the number 49 in this post. Yes, the list of 49 Godly Character Qualities did originate from Bill Gothard, but that's not how I found out about it. I found out from Wonderful Christians #3, who are still a secret until tomorrow!

God Bless!

Sydney

Wonderful Christians #1: Joyce Meyer

To start off this blog, I wanted to introduce some of my very favorite Christian people. The first is Mrs. Joyce Meyer. I had heard of her before, but it wasn't until just a few months ago that I really gained an interest in her. "She's just some boring and crazy religious woman!" I used to think. However, let me be the first to say that I was wrong. Joyce Meyer is amazing!

The first thing you should know about Joyce Meyer is that her teachings are far from conventional. She is nothing like the minister at your own church. She is a very outgoing person and her teachings are very intriguing. Something else you should know about her is that she is a loud woman! She speaks loud to begin with and she yells to get important points across. Don't let that discourage you though: I feel like the fact that she gets so worked up about everything shows that she is passionate about what shes teaching. She's a funny minister too. When you listen to her you will find yourself doing a lot of laughing. She often practices the robot routine, where she mimics or chants something important she wants to get across to her followers.

Joyce Meyer grew up in an abusive home. She never went to church as a child and she was perpetually unhappy. However, she turned to God when she was still quite young, at age 9, and became very passionate about getting the word of God across to people. One morning, 33 year old Joyce Meyer was driving to work in her car when she heard God call her name. This experience gave Joyce an even deeper faith in God.

In 1985, Joyce Meyer officially started her ministry, then called "Life in the Word". Since then she has expanded her ministry into a worldwide effort to get the word of God across to hurting people. She is a servant to God and only God. She follows the Bibles teachings and lives her life in God!

What I think is most amazing about Joyce is that she can forgive. Her father abused her all throughout her childhood. She hated him for that and resented him for her problems. However, once she found God she forgave her father for sinning against her. SHE FORGAVE HIM! Think about how hard it would be to forgive someone who has so deeply hurt you like that! She forgave him and loved him until he died. She even took him in to live with her when his health was poor!

Joyce Meyer has written many books about Christianity, she has her own television show and her own podcast. Her podcasts are available on Itunes and Zune or you can go on her website at http://www.joycemeyer.org/ and listen to a daily 28 minute podcast. She is a very encouraging Christian woman with a great story that you need to hear! I promise you will thoroughly enjoy every minute you spend listening to her podcast, watching her show, or reading Joyce Meyer's books!

God Bless,

Sydney