Identity Theft: Taking Back What the Enemy Stole
He exploited my good name with my personal resources at stake.
Robbed. Bamboozled. Deceived.
Stolen Identity
Information security failed, leaving me open to attack. So a crafty thief stole from me. Stripping me bare of belongings and draining me dry.
And he left me utterly bankrupt and exposed to the most common scam on the planet.
A victim of identity theft. No, not the kind you hear about in the media. My identity in association with bank accounts and financial credit remained undamaged.
Also, no one robbed me of “who I am” by posing as me online, running up a money debt at my expense. These areas remain secure and not breached.
But a vile enemy sabotaged my identity. The thief who intends to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). And he robbed me of “who I am” by strategic lies in my mind and labels imposed on me by others.
Who is this enemy? Satan. The chief of thieves. And the evil one.
The Enemy Versus God
March 9, 2017 at 11:24 am | Uncategorized
Not Ashamed: I Worship Jesus Christ
Tears pooled. A lump formed in my throat. In that instant, the enemy ambushed my heart.
I’d lost sight of who I worship.
Because the words of praise gnawed at me. Why all the glory and honor for her? I celebrated alongside her. But secretly I felt overlooked. Shoved further away from the spotlight.
Unsolicited thoughts snuck up on me. Drumroll, please. Everyone lift her up!
I cringe at such ugliness. It’s hard to confess. Embarrassing.
But the spotlight was never intended for me. The Lord reminded me of the words He’d stirred in my soul.
If I can’t lay down my own glory, Jesus will never get His.
Surrendered Worship
“Lord, haven’t I taken this class before? Glory belongs to you alone. Will this be an endless struggle? A spiritual handicap to overcome?”
March 2, 2017 at 10:34 am | Uncategorized
4 Ways to Click the Refresh Button in Your Marriage
Refresh. It’s a click away.
Refreshing takes place everyday in my home. Because the button’s been clicked countless times on my computer. In fact, every time I make edits to this blog site, the changes only become visible after I refresh my internet browser.
And the same holds true with social media. I refresh to see the updates made to my profile. But if I don’t hit refresh, my computer sees the former version of a page in its memory.
So, the same holds true in marriage. Changes we’d like to see are visible after we refresh. Re-energizing our marriage takes intentional effort.
Most of all, refreshing is biblical. For instance, Sabbath rest (Exodus 23:12 ESV). There’s also soul refreshing (Psalm 23:2 NIV). Refreshed by another Christian’s presence—company (Romans 15:32; 1 Corinthians 16:18 ESV).
Finally, the love relationship (Song of Solomon 2:5 ESV). While the pages in our memory may contain fun-loving moments.
Sometimes we hold too tight to yesterday's marriage memories instead of making new ones. #marriage Share on XYet, God intends we revitalize our relationships. First and foremost, a daily interaction and intimacy with Him. Secondly, letting the Lord give new energy to our marriage as we set our sights on the refresh button.
Whether we desire to rekindle the romance or deepen the friendship or both. To create today versions of our marriage, it means we refresh the relationship. Because if everything we hold true and lovely about our marriage is in the former category, it’s time to hit the button.
Here’s 4 ways to click the refresh button:
February 23, 2017 at 9:53 am | Uncategorized
2 Kinds of Christians: Church Steeple People or Jesus People
Church, we come worshiping and leave serving. Pastor Mike Friday
Several years ago, my husband preached a message on how serving God follows worshiping God—in that order. Worship aligns our heart with the Lord. But it also acts as the catalyst to serve Him.
Originally a church plant, Believers Church has moved locations several times in our history. Now, we meet in a former warehouse. The building offers a contemporary feel with renovations to our worship center, meeting areas, offices, and children’s department.
But, there’s no steeple. No ornate widows or tapestry. No pews. And no religious traditions of men.
Still, I’ve seen breath-taking sanctuaries and marveled in architectural designs of churches. The pure beauty of historical cathedrals and the modern design of present day buildings often dazzle our eyes and prompt a visual stir.
The Early Church
Yet, the early church met and worshiped in homes. And house churches exist today. A diversity of worship venues plot our world’s map; modest, huts, underground-secret-rooms, homes, modern, traditional, grand, and ornate.
On a college mission in Zimbabwe, Africa with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ), we showed The Jesus Film by generator in small church buildings.
February 16, 2017 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized
Beat the Valentine’s Day Blues: Here’s How
“I’m skipping Valentine’s Day this year!”
When February 14 comes near, I hear and see the sting of broken hearts disenchanted with the whole “will you be my valentine?” charm or its absence.
As a young and vulnerable heart, Valentine’s Day without a boyfriend seemed ghastly to me. The Valentine’s Day blues at its peak. A girl in love with love.
Does Valentine’s Day define us?
Why do we think being someone’s valentine defines us? At least thinking it’s the tell-tale sign of who we are in regards to having and owning love. Like the cliche’. “I’m lucky in love.”
For the security of celebrating the day-of-love holiday, I often see girls and women date someone other than their “first pick” until after the holiday. Guys do this, too. Settle. To fill the spot for grandiose images of candlelight, romance, flowers, and chocolate.
Yet, I’ve always wanted close relationships with people who really get me. To know my heart as much as a person can know another human heart. Do they know what makes me smile, moves me to tears, causes me to laugh out loud, brings me to sadness, or throws me into a tizzy?
To understand me and love me. For. Me. As. Me.
3 valentines I always wanted to be:
February 9, 2017 at 10:46 am | Uncategorized
Bless My Heart: 6 Greatest Joys in Being a Pastor’s Wife
“Honey, bless your heart!” The response when announcing I’m a pastor’s wife. At least sometimes here in the southern part of America.
And to be fair, not only does bless your heart carry the connotation of empathy for the person’s situation. But it’s also admiration for courage or honor in taking on certain roles—bless your heart for doing that.
Last week I shared, My Top 6 Confessions About Being a Pastor’s Wife.
Part 2: Joys of a Pastor’s Wife
So, I identify myself as a pastor’s wife in every venue and at every corner of life. Further still, my family’s blessed with three of us. Yes, three. My twin sister, Sharon, is a pastor’s wife. And my younger sister, Wendi, is married to a pastor.
Also, we’re all different denominational churches. Yet, “in Christ.” And you can count on this, three Christian women who function as a triple threat to spiritual darkness.
In addition, the position comes with bragging rights. When an athlete or musician successfully achieves an ambition or wins a competition, it merits bragging rights. Great things they can boast about.
I haven’t achieved greatness or won a competition in these areas. But I know the One who’s great and victorious over this world, the enemy, and spiritual death. Rather, I boast about my Lord.
Christians have bragging rights. Boasting in a Mighty God who's done great things. #Christianity Share on X6 Greatest Joys and Their Blessings:
February 2, 2017 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized
My Top 6 Confessions About Being a Pastor’s Wife
So, confessions are good for the soul, right?
Sure, confessions before God rid our soul of sin—forgiveness for our wrongs. Yet, there’s another release when we make confessions before people.
Not only for wrong behavior, but also to let go of struggles.
My family has ministered in eight churches over the last thirty-two years. And my husband, Mike, currently serves as Lead Pastor for Believers Church.
While pastor’s wives often try to live-out the loudest “Amen!” and “Hallelujah!”
Still, we carry burdens.
In addition, we struggle with ministry issues.
6 Confessions and Lessons Learned
January 26, 2017 at 8:00 am | Uncategorized
5 Things I’m Breaking Up With And Never Making Up Again
Breaking up is hard to do.
He slid the note across a neighboring student’s desk, motioning to pass to the intended recipient—me. My name visible along the top fold of paper.
Feeling as though the world came to an end that day and I would never survive breaking up. The quirkiness of seventh grade. When did I decide boys didn’t have cooties? This should be re-evaluated.
Still, sobering breakups thundered in my young life. I made it out alive. Yet, as with most hurting hearts, my heart lacked resilience.
Breakups are hard. Heart. Breaking. The larger the investment of time, the harder we fall.
Breaking Up?
But, although painful, some breakups are in my best interest. Therefore, I’m composing a note to send, specifying the exact reasons I want out. If you’re a neighboring heart—a kindred spirit—please pass on to the intended recipient.
January 19, 2017 at 8:00 am | Uncategorized
I Can’t Keep Quiet: 2 Ways I Stand With Jesus Christ
Please be quiet!
Shushed. It happened in elementary school. And at the library.
My mom insisted I be quiet in church—the right thing to do. So, apparently the preacher could yell. But me? No freedom of speech from the pew. True, I didn’t have the floor or the stage.
As a child, I remember when grown-ups asked for a little peace and quiet—for their sanity.
Oh, if we rewound the tape, there’s more examples of attempts to silence me. Instead, let’s fast-forward to present day.
I Can’t Keep Quiet
I’m a woman now. Sure, certain scenarios in life call for silence…for no talking. When my husband’s watching one of his favorite TV shows or wants to hear something on the news. I get that. I need to hush.
Still, the world and culture want to silence me. They whisper, “Shush.” But there’s one thing I can’t keep silent about. No way. No how. Never.
My name is Karen Friday and I refuse to be quiet about my Lord.
January 12, 2017 at 8:00 am | Uncategorized
DIY Myth: Pull Yourself Up By Your Bootstraps
Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!
Tumbles and stumbles. My worst moments in life. Like the time the short-cut down the embankment proved the wrong way—for me anyway. Flailing legs and arms on display for the whole world. Well, at least the people close enough to catch the show before the show.
And the times life knocked me off my feet in spirit. Culture implores me to pull myself up by my bootstraps. But is it even possible?
Have you ever fallen? Physically? What about on the inside? So, did you get back on your feet? And by yourself?
The bootstraps myth
Imagine you set out on a nice afternoon stroll through the countryside. But you trip over a branch and tumble to the ground. You are alone. No problem. Firmly grab ahold of your bootstraps (only one finger fits through the loop) and pull yourself to an upright position. Simple. Easy-peasy. A do-it-yourself task. No help necessary.
Now envision this same scenario taking place on the inside of you—deep within. The innermost part of you tumbles and you can’t get up. So, go ahead. Do it. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.
But it’s an impossible feat. A complete myth. And a lie from the enemy. If we tumble in body or spirit, a DIY project’s not a suitable technique.
Life turns hard without fair warning.
January 5, 2017 at 11:21 am | Uncategorized