Bloom Where You're Planted

"Preach the Word to ALL Peoples." I Can't Wrap My Mind Around That

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:59:00 +0000

Along the Roads

Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world's people. -1 John 2:2

“Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” -Mark 16:15

I’ve never been good at numbers. Especially the big ones. “For all peoples,” for instance.

I can’t wrap my mind around that.

This year in Novo we’ve been leaning into three places to flourish as a follower of Jesus: The Cave (in private with God), the Table (in fellowship with believers), and the Road (being a light and witness to the world).

These years since returning from Asia, I’ve spent a lot of time in the Cave. After four years in Chattanooga, we're now sitting at many different Tables, and often have people around ours. In 2023 I've been on many kinds of Roads.

Have you been paying attention to the roads you are traveling? Here are some of mine.

A 5-Lane Freeway of an International Metropolis

As the year began, my family was having a cultural crash course in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil.

Nine nights. Each in a different hotel (Jim and Tyler planned the packed schedule).

On the last night we traveled across Buenos Aires on a strip of highway we’d already driven more than once.

The highways of major cities are just about the same in every country. As you drive, you pass blocks and blocks of apartment buildings.

We pass by not thinking that behind every window of every high rise there is a human, or humans. Each has a story. Each wants to be seen. To be loved.

I can’t wrap my mind around the numbers of people God created, Jesus knows, and the Holy Spirit woos.

"Lord, you know them. You know their story. What do they need from you right now?" I lean my heart in to listen and intercede.

"The gospel is good news for all peoples."
I can’t wrap my mind around that.

An Interstate between Nashville & Chattanooga

It’s a dark night in February and I have a two hour drive home. A stream of white lights are on my left. Going back home on Hwy 24 from an event in Nashville.

There are pairs of red tail-lights running on ahead of me.

Sedans. SUVs. Semi-trucks.
Where are they coming from?
Where are they going?

The pairs of taillights are all different sizes and shapes. I never paid attention to taillights before tonight.

Inside the dark vehicles, behind those windows, are people of even more different colors, sizes, and shapes, and concerns. And dreams. It may be a single driver, or someone rides along. Who?

"Lord, you know them. You know their story. What do they need from you right now?"
I lean my heart in to listen and intercede.

"The gospel good news is for all peoples."
I can’t wrap my mind around that.

----- Click to read the rest of the story on the Novo blog a devotional series "What is the Gospel?" (Hint: My roads get smaller - to what I can wrap my mind around.)

Or click here for the entire devotional series ebooklet.

Never stop learning!

I'm just about to finish reading Streams of Living Water. Have you read this? It's about the essential practices of 6 great traditions of the Christian Faith. Oh my, how did I miss such a spiritually enriching book? I feel like I'm a brand new follower of Jesus as I read it! Nearly a quarter of the book is now underlined. Amazon makes the first part of it available through the Look Inside feature.

Would you join me for some Summer Reading?

If I can find a couple friends to read it with me, I'll just start right back at the beginning and read it again. If you'd like to join me I'd like to read at a clip of about 30 pages a week, shoot me a reply if that sounds appealing to you. The first chapter is a brief intro of all 6 of the traditions, then subsequent chapters take a deeper dive. I'm not sure we'll get through Appendix A & B (Critical Turning Points in Church History, and Notable Figures and Significant Movements). But it's so good, I've found myself reading all the endnotes as I read this first time.

Join me at a conference?

I've registered for Inner Healing Prayer and Deliverance, June 22-24 (in Costa Mesa, CA). Everfree is my Novo Colleagues Keith and Megan Peeler. I've registered for the conference online, but if someone wants to meet me there and attend in person, I'll book a plane flight). Keith was part of the retreat in Spain, and I've enjoyed learning from them on their Everfree podcast.

I'll be in Ft. Worth, TX September 11-14 for Global consultation on Arts, Music, and Missions. I been able to attend this every 4 year event only once, and it was great! If you are a Creative living missionally, you will be inspired with some outside-the-box creativity and inspiration for sharing the Gospel. Some from my Makers Team in Novo will join me. Anyone else interested in a trip to Texas?

Speaking of my Makers team...Will you pray for me? I leave Friday for 6 days in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with Novo colleagues. Alice Collier has invited me to help with a Women's Retreat on the weekend. She's cooking up some other things to do through creativity and prayer during the time.

Jim's doing well too... As you are well aware, people LOVE Jim. The way he facilitates, coaches, and offers wisdom to meetings or Bible Studies has resulted in a fuller plate than this retired man had expected! He loves it.

Try Prayer Walking

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Tue, 09 May 2023 19:19:00 +0000

This month walk with me in learning about Prayer Walking

Only 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, our Lookout Valley is a sleepy little suburb of Chattanooga with about 6000 residents. One big supermarket, one High School and Elementary School, one Thai food place (that's great), and two Chinese (which are terrible). Six fast food joints, two bars, and one CBD store.

This is where I've begun to prayer walk this year.

Prayer walking is a type of intercessory prayer that involves walking in a particular place while praying. As we prayer walk, our prayers extend beyond your own concerns, focusing directly on the needs of others and opening yourself to see them with God’s eyes and heart.

Prayer walks are a means of asking God to give us a heart for your neighborhood, city, and land. It gives us a concrete means of doing something for the well-being of our town as we ask the Holy Spirit to pray through us as we observe the world around you.

Before heading out for a prayer-walk ask God to give insight into what other's needs might be. Your heart will be moved to pray for the things you see during the walk.

Full article from the CS Lewis Institute

Have you thought much about what YOUR "patch" is?

Whether it's the square footage of your apartment, your street or office, or something much larger, God invites us to be intentional about spiritually cultivating that place. We do this in work, service, engagement somehow; but also in prayer. If you haven't really thought about it, I'll bet it wouldn't be too hard for you to figure it out. I would love to know what it is for you.

At the end of last year my Novo team challenged one another to identify the "patch" that the Lord has invited us to spiritually garden. Many of us have spent years in foreign places. We find ourselves now in the USA applying a missionary perspective to the place we find ourselves.

Starting in January, each month we have chosen a different cultural topic (ie. Government, Education, Families, etc). In a posture of prayer, we take the month to listen and learn more about the places where we live/serve, go to some of those places and pray. During the month we will often create something, capture images, or write something. Then, on the 3rd Thursday (10:30AM EST) we meet by Zoom to compare notes, learn from, and inspire each other.

The Makers Space has started to grow beyond Novo colleagues. One of my Singapore artistic friends joining the calls from a little village in Germany where she lives now. If you're curious about it, and want to know more, please let me know.

Here are some of my "creations" that you might enjoy too:

Prayer Walking Playlists

Below are links to playlists on music streaming platforms.

The lyrics of the songs are prayers for others, or proclaiming who God is. All suitable lyrics for praying for places as you walk or drive through your "patch."

YouTube*

Spotify Playlist

Amazon Music

A Guide to get started

Here's a link to download a 5 page Prayer Walking Booklet. Jim and I now have a regular date (once a month) to explore Lookout Valley with others. This booklet helps participants feel more prepared. I'll also repeat the workshop from March again in July.

Here's another booklet that might inspire you to enlist saints who may feel set aside because life is keeping them stuck at home: Prayer Walking for the Homebound. I made a set of 30 printed photos to inspire them as they pray with visual reminders of the familiar places in our community.

Lord guide and go with us as we begin to visit believers in Lookout Valley who are shut-ins. For Ashley, a young mom in my church, who will be going with me, may this be a special time of ministering and mentoring. Inspire us all to pray more earnestly and offensively for the places where we live. Give us eyes to see the spiritual needs, and wisdom how to meet them. AMEN.

Family News

Tyler's been in Asia making us all homesick. Cameron called me today from Austin, TX where he lives. He confirmed again: the Singapore photos Tyler's sent our family chat even got him choked up.

The Asia Adventure started out in Singapore staying with the Wuus. Sally and Franklin are the closest Singaporean Aunt and Uncle he has. Our 3 Wuu godchildren finally learned that Tyler was a REAL person, and not just a photograph. Twelve years after he left for University,Ty revisited important places from his childhood.

He's been in Thailand with an Army friend for a week, and off to 7+ weeks in Taiwan. He'll get some Chinese language cultural immersion with some divine appointments we're all still marveling at. He'll get to play wing man to @yvonnejiann @taiwanocc and some other missionaries in Taipei. Then hel'll be back to Singapore again to be a tourist with another <3 Army friend.

We have all LOVED being this being his base camp for a year.

His last Global Nomad adventure will end when he moves back to Columbia, SC for an MBA in International Business. Graduate School starts the end of July. Rejoice with us that his "Year of Discernment" ends with clear direction from the Lord.

Jim and I just enjoyed a weekend with his Creasman cousins in Savannah, GA for the memorial of on of their dear cousins Janet. For this only child from California, Jim is thrilled with these opportunities to grow closer to his family here in the Southeast.

I always look forward to hearing how God is working in your life too!

Kimberly Creasman

*The YouTube QR code above takes you to mine and Jim's recent favs. I have playlists of other genres of worship music that are suitable songs for prayer walking. You can search of them in my YouTube account. Search for them in YouTube @KimberlyCreasman.

Prayer Walking Playlists - An Easter Gift from me.

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 21:40:00 +0000

The most significant four days of the year.

If the busyness of life has kept you from dialing in to the significance of these next few days in our calendar year, this email is an invitation to remember!

It's Thursday of the Passion Week.

The night Jesus had his last meal with his friends. My favorite section of the whole Bible is what he did and had to say to them that night. John chapter 17 is the best!

Jim is thinking the same things today. An hour ago I popped in on him where he was working, with a "What's up?" and he'd read this to me. It's too good not to share with you as we head into the weekend!

These few days changed EVERYTHING.

"...not for people to go to heaven but for people to discover that God's new world has begun, and we can be part of it.

I hope it is now clear why the reurrection of Jesus is so central and vital -- as Paul insists again and again, especially in 1 Corinthians 15:17. 'If the Messiah wasnt raised,' he writes, 'your faith is pointless, and you are still in your sins.' If the Messiah is not raised, the covenant is not renewed, creation is not renewed, and...he is not even Messiah in the first place....

He was inaugurating a whole new world, a new creation, a new way of being human. He was forging a way into a new cosmos, a new era, a form of existence hinted at all along but never before unveiled.

'Here it is,' he was saying. 'This is the new creation you've been waiting for. It is open for business.'"

N.T. Wright Simply Good News, p 100-1.

(I loved this so much, I made a recording for you of the whole devotional and put in dropbox here.)

Ramadan 2023, Gillian Ferwerda

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 21:35:00 +0000

My new friend in the Maker's Space* has prayed for the Muslim world during Ramadan. Gillian wrote this as she prayed. Used with permission.

The fasting hunger -

Like empty spaces

Between ladder rungs;

You cannot place feet

Where there is nothing.

See the Son of Man:

Fullness of God and

Fullness of mankind,

Flesh of your own flesh;

Who knows your hunger

But fills all in all;

Who opened wide the

Heavens and now stands,

Stands high your Ladder.

On him the angels

Ascend and descend.

On him and in him

You are invited

To heaven’s fullness.

Let him take your feet

And carry you high.

(April 2023)

*The Makers Space is a private FB group that is growing out of what was an artist group meeting to practice creativity with activating prayer. There is now a small Novo Mission team from that original group for whom this is no longer our "side-hustle" ministry, but the main focus of what we do full time. Where we have our boots on the ground, and serving other mission teams in need of some creative juice. If you are interested in perhaps joining our Makers FB group which meets by zoom on the 3rd Thursday of the month, contact me!

I've been drawn to "The Lord's Prayer" a lot recently.

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 20:24:00 +0000

Today I was listening to A Beautiful Church (the podcast from Chattanooga House of Prayer). In the episode, Adam Whitescarver and MickiAnn Harris unpacked The Lord's Prayer which the Catholics call the Our Father.

Since my trip to Spain last month, I've been practicing this prayer using a rosary ring. I've been wanting to write up instructions for how I do this, for my sensory friends who like to keep focused in prayer by touching something. I've been mulling over what we have in common with Catholics, and what are the sins or blind spots on both sides of the reformation divide.

Have I written anything before on this prayer? I searched my computer and found a devotional I wrote in 2015 and had completely forgotten about! Looks like I never posted it before here.

SCRIPTURE READING

This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. - Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

MEDITATION

These five verses of the Lord's Prayer present a powerful compact primer from Jesus himself, but it easily can become thoughtless and rote. Growing up in a Christian family, reciting this prayer was common practice both in church and as a private discipline. I have not done it much lately. I need to.

We first address the one true and holy God. Before the example of Jesus, Jehovah God had been feared and worshipped but never related to as a Father. We acknowledge that he powerfully reigns over all the universe. But because of the liberty he has given us and the mess we have made, his Kingdom has not come in fullness yet. His will is not yet done, and it should be. So we ask and wait in hope. We can also ask for the small things, expecting him to provide for our needs. We must admit our failures and forgive those who fail us. In walking with him, we can know he will not lead us to temptation. He will keep us safe from the enemy of our souls. He is a good and gentle Father.

Years ago I used to use a drama sketch regarding this prayer. It was written by Tom Long of Friends of the Groom in Ohio.

In it, God talks back and surprises the person who is ritualistically saying the prayer. God keeps interrupting her. Midway through, the woman complains, "Here I was, doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups."

And God answers, "Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you know. That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep on praying. I'm interested in the next part of your prayer."

She reluctantly prays the next part, knowing that God will certainly have something to say about the forgiveness part: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." And God reminds her of the friend she's holding a grudge against: "What about Sue?"

You see, God knows what you need, or need forgiven, or need to do, even before you tell him (Matthew 6:8). But we need for our sakes to say it.

In Andrew Murray's classic book from 1858, Lord, Teach Us To Pray, each chapter ends with a recap prayer. The first chapter includes:

O my Lord! Strengthen my faith so in the Father's tender love and kindness, as often as I feel sinful or troubled, the first instinctive thought may be to go where I know the Father waits, and where prayer may never go unblessed.

May we, too, understand the Father's tender love and kindness, and may we be willing to go to him in prayer, trusting in his eternal goodness.

QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION

Have you ever memorized this prayer that Jesus gave us? Take five minutes today to shut out the distractions around you and read it again, trying to memorize one line at a time. If you can recite it at the end, say it by memory one more time.
As you say it, don't rush. Listen for what your Father in heaven has to say to you on each of the subjects. It will not necessarily be audible words, but you will experience his presence. Thoughts as reminders, or conviction, or other gentle suggestions will come to mind. Pay attention to these and respond to them in your heart.
The Lord's Prayer is a great way to talk about Jesus with people who don't know him. Many pre-believers are familiar with the prayer. Look for a time this week to talk to someone about it. You could simply tell them you've been thinking about The Lord's Prayer this week, and ask if they are familiar with it, or if they have ever sensed God speaking to them. You do not need to convince them, just get them thinking. God's Spirit can do the rest. Even if there is no initial positive response, you've let them know that you're a praying person who they can talk to about spiritual things.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kimberly Creasman and her husband, Jim, served for the past 17 years in Southeast Asia. They are now taking a transitional home assignment year in Los Angeles. Jim is a spiritual mentor and executive coach to Christian leaders with a passion for Asia, and Kimberly, a creative artist and performer, is now focused on her writing and speaking. Their two sons graduate high school and university this summer.

In Spain ~ Creative Ideas for Prayer ~ Jim's upcoming March Madness Retreat

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 17:31:00 +0000

Forward

The second half of February was serving at a Spiritual Retreat for missionaries.

Traveling to meet up with my Novo team of creatives last month I learned that Malaga on the Southern Coast of Spain is a hub for Missionary Care. SentWell, is Novo's member care division, and we were honored to be part of the innaguaral group retreat held at their own, new retreat center La Morada.

Listening prayer is not something this hyper-active gal did very much of before. Then I started hearing! Turns out, God does speak if we take the time to ask him to...and if I take the time to LISTEN!

If you'd like, we've created a Hearing God booklet that's free! Also, I just wrapped up taking the Novo Spiritual Authority Cohort (for the 2nd time!). I'm looking forward to finding more people who want to go through it with me again.

March 25th I get to teach about prayer walking at our home church here. This is another active way of praying, and listening to God lead in how to pray for the places we go. This kick off event for our annual Missions Conference is the first time I've been invited to lead something. We'll make it kid-friendly so that families can learn to pray for their neighborhood (and the world).

You CAN try this at home!

God has abundance for us in our experience of life with him, and we often forget! Here are some of the exercises we did at this "Storehouse" retreat. It was all so enjoyable! Here are some of the ideas you can try too:

Get Outdoors for a hike! Go with a group for a prayerful silent walk outdoors. Pay close attention to the sights and sounds and smells. Listen for the Holy Spirit to speak through nature things that you need to know, or remember.

Take a walk in the spaces where you spend time and have some influence. Where there are people you care about and things you are responsible for. What patch of the earth is and area can you claim as yours to love, nurture, serve, and bring the Kingdom of God?

Make and Raise a Banner. In this place where you have spiritual influence, what is it that God brings through you to this place? Is there a proclamation you want to make? A word of blessing? As you spend time with the Lord in quiet, get out some art supplies to make your own banner as you listen to some worship music.

Go through, go through the gates;

    prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
    clear it of stones;
    lift up a banner over the peoples.

Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
    to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
    “Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.”

And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.

Isaiah 62:10-12

Even the men joined in and liked it! *

What would be your word? All week I was kept thinking that He is The Lord God Almighty. That's what I wrote because I want to proclaim: He's in charge! Other words were Love. Safety. Healing. Find Rest. and Flourish.

And flourish is what you help me do through knowing you are a partner in this Gospel work in your corner of the world!

Novo Makers met for two days before the SentWell retreat. This was our first time serving together. I turned 61 in Spain, and being able to be on a mission trip was a fabulous birthday gift!

Thank you for your prayers about my time of traveling to a new place, with new people. I'm quite out of practice travellng without Jim!

Since this was the first SentWell retreat at their La Morada retreat center, we took time to bless the land, and the couple who is now living there. Jeff and Candy are both experienced counselors.

Fondly,

Kimberly Creasman

*Speaking of MEN... Jim is having a pastors' retreat here March 16-20th. Seven of the eight guests were pastors at Rolling Hills Covenant Church in the '80s-'90s. They've stayed in touch over the years when Jim organizes a tournament bracket for March Madness and a flurry of email catch ups.

At first Jim Stewart was planning to come for a weekend of college basketball, but one Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, my Jim got on the phone with the rest. Maybe one of the other guys could come too... and six said yes!

Now we've got our live-in helper Tyler inventorying the sheets and getting out air mattresses to make room for Dave Engel, Bill MacPhee, Michael Risley, Bryan Glanzer, Michael Pearsall, Kevin Hughes, and the original invitees - Jim Stewart and our Novo BFF Roger Hederstedt. My girlfriends tell me it's a good excuse to make another trip myself! Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world!

A Ministry Update ~ February 2023

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 19:14:00 +0000

It's been awhile!
So much has happened, it was hard to know WHAT to write about! If you sent us your Christmas news, Thank You! This was the first year we didn't even do that! But...
We've got a new bio on the NOVO website.
Click to read about our new roles, our history, and a nugget about the boys.

If you want to know more than what's there, I've added a little more here. Last month a praying friend sent us an email asking for an update on our boys and if I'm still writing to prisoners.
Kimberly & a New Team: Makers
All these years I've been focused mostly where my "boots are on the ground."
In this new chapter, I get the opportunity share what I've learned about adding creativity to gospel movements with missionaries around the world.
About 10 years ago, Artists across CRM/Novo had found each other and started meeting virtually. Together they explored creative ways to partner in seeing the Kingdom of God come.
I joined these Makers after returning to the USA. None of these missionaries live in the same place. Many of us have decades of residential cross cultural experience. The results of our coming together virtually has prompted Novo to invite us to create a team.
Since the summer, and a reorgainization with NOVO, we now get to infuse creativity into all of Novo - to pass on what we've been learning. We are being invited as a team to go where other teams are and teach, inspire, and co-create with them.
February 16-26th I'm heading to Spain for SentWell's Storehouse retreat.
With some others in new positions with Novo, we will have some time face-to-face for prayer, planning, and collaborating. Well, yes, and enjoying this opportunity to be in a beautiful place together seeking the Lord.
Alice Collier in the photo with me is our team leader. We were together in Chattanooga last month to do some planning for the year. Lots of good ideas!
Lord, when the sky is not the limit for ways to creatively serve you in this world, we look to you for guidance and clarity. We need to know the steps to go. At least the next steps! You have affirmed our strengths as creatives by forming this team. But you also know our weaknesses (ie. not so logically strategic)! Thank you for the chance to be together this month to hammer some of that out.
Always humbled by your care, support, and partnership with us.
Kimberly & Jim Creasman
Instagram: @Spicetolife
(My feed includes a bit about getting our boots on the ground of continent #7 prior to Tyler's 30th birthday)

Personalizing the truths in the Bible

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 17:39:00 +0000

Back when my son Cameron was a feisty middle schooler, I had a season of waking him up for school with this reminder of who he is:

"GOOD MORNING Child of God!
Today you're going to be such a gift to your teacher, and friends, and the world!
You're going to learn more about how this world works and your place in it.
You are not just my son, you are a child of the King of Kings!"

He'd throw the covers over his head, groan, mock me...but I know he loved it.

He's 26 years old now, and today I was looking at Psalm 139, thinking about this son who was formed in a teenager's womb, but just after birth became my son. I re-wrote the Scriptures and sent this to him.

You are a CHILD of GOD! We all can use that reminder from time to time!

Keep Praying for direction, even if answers don't come easily

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 01:15:00 +0000

spice2life

A gloomy winter twilight in my neighborhood. It wasn't cloudy down at my house. After an afternoon of praying for the community I now live in, I drove up the mountain to take a photo.
I narrated in the video* where and why I was walking out to this lookout, even though it was dark and cloudy. Then I took 3 consecutive panoramic photos in the direction of the valley.

Here’s what happened between photo 1 and 3.

For the second one, the fog parted a bit momentarily.

Do you see what I see?

It was much more clear in person, but the visible lights shown in photo 2, were in the shape of a cross.

A sweet encouragement to keep praying.

What is YOUR patch of territory to pray for and show the love of God to? To bring his Kingdom in ways he’s made you skillful and gifted?

If you are, or want to be, intentionally praying over your “patch” this year, PM me about our Novo ”Makers Space.” It's a private group for Missional Artists (recently switched from Workplace to Facebook).

We have a monthly zoom experimenting in using creativity in our practice of Biblical Christianity. This is organized for creatives who are living missionnally.

We’d love to have you join us.

Here's a link to the video. It was a bit too large to post here.

#expectmiracles #gospelmovement #prayerwalking #activatingprayer @novomission

My Echo on It's Own, Just Started Playing a Song.

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 01:38:00 +0000

I am wanting to practice Sabbath better in 2023.

I had no plans on Sunday afternoon.

Church had been sweet. Communion weekend. A heartbreaking, and beautiful symbol of the Lord Jesus' broken body

and shed blood.

The pastor up front didn't rush into announcements the moment we had swallowed our juice.

(This is an answer to a secret prayer)

In worship I finally had some clarity about what God is asking of me in the new year. Make much of others. Die to self.

"THEY must become greater, I must become less" was what came to mind. A new take on one of my favorite verses:

"He must become greater. I must become less."

- John the Baptist (John 3:30)

Making Room

In this past year I've realized that my heart is finally settled here. There is no longer the urgency of figuring out life in a new city, making friends, finding a church.

It's time to tidy up. There are piles literal and figurative, that have been ignored. Now is the time to clear it out.

Both in my soul - with things I realized are issues from my past that need the care of inner healing prayer this year.

And in my home.

My computer files and photos are chaos! The attic crammed with all of our parents passed on things. We'd rushed to ship with our own belongings at the beginning of Covid when we sold our LA home. I have boxes of papers and cards and things from the kids that have never been sorted and I've not dared to toss. I'm not a hoarder. But if this house were smaller, it would probably be starting to look like it!

All of this clutter is keeping me from living a life that is all that Jesus has offered me. The messes are getting in the way of fully being able to taste the purity and delight of all of his goodness.

It already January 15h.

I'm not ready for it to be the middle of the month.

I missed my annual reflective week between Christmas and New Year and only returned to the US yesterday.

I poured a small glass of real wine and decided I'd go sit at my office desk.

Mess though it was.

I would resist the urge to tidy up just yet.

As I walked through the doors I prayed,

Lord, how about I just sit

and you guide me

in rifling through these items

that have been laying here

since before Christmas?

Before I sat down, SPONTANEOUSLY, the echo on my desk,

(the one I've still never learned to use for myself)
started playing! It was a song I was unfamiliar with.
It wasn't just playing a song. It was displaying the words.

I sat down and watched the lyrics in holy amazement:

Audrey Assad

I Shall Not Want

From the love of my own comfort

From the fear of having nothing

From a life of worldly passions

Deliver me O God

From the need to be understood [okay, now she was hitting the nail in the head for me...]

From the need to be accepted [ouch.]

From the fear of being lonely

Deliver me O God

And I shall not want,
I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness
I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness
I shall not want

From the fear of serving others

From the fear of death or trial

From the fear of humility

Deliver me O God

And I shall not want,
I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want

No, I shall not want, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want

When I taste Your goodness I shall not want

Riveted I listened. And I listened again.

And then listened again as I sipped that small glass of wine.

I may be getting a late start to my New Year ritual: "Hearing from God" about my Word, or my Theme, or my goals for the year.

But this Sabbath afternoon, he confirmed very clearly that I was on the right track:

Taste my goodness.

Get rid of the garbage.

This is a year of Deliverance.

(see the comments below for a version of the lyrics where you can fill in the blanks for what you fear or need.

I'm making my own version!)

Where I'm From - Making a Poem from Prompts. You Can Too

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 20:13:00 +0000

by kimberly

I am from sheer pink curtains

and a “rod of correction” hanging in the hallway.

I am from a freezer full of ice cream flavors; a magnet home to the neighbor kids.

A home not just a house.

(One where we added on a larger family room instead getting another sibling).

I am from a backyard garden of berries and veggies

whose clippings and seeds came from sweet grandma Bessie’s garden.

She liked to nibble on my ear.

I am from Fancy Eileen and her love for entertaining. I have her quick laughter and love for beautiful things.

I’m from hard work, responsibility and family devotions.

From popcorn or pancakes for Sunday dinner.

I am from sitting through endless boring baseball games.

But with a few art lessons could sit for countless focused hours making pictures with embroidery thread.

I am from hospitality and generosity.

And attending church every time the doors were open.

I am from the moments

Being affectionately tucked into bed,

or called to from the stairs,

"Goodnight John Boy"

I am from the security of knowing

I was deeply loved

even if I was to them a

Perplexing, moody,

creative mess of a child.

Make your own:

https://freeology.com/worksheet-creator/poetry/i-am-poem/

What a BLAST! Teaching Missions in VBS

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 02:03:00 +0000

Alright. You kids. If you are growing up a Baptist, you're going to think Missionaries are heros. You're going to hear ways to pray for them. You're going to feel like you really care. But you're not going to really have a CLUE where they are in the world.

Now, I'm not going to make you learn all 200+ countries in the world. But you WILL learn your continents. This is so important that you AT LEAST know this, that I'm going to threaten you.

When you boys are grown into men, and you girls are beautiful women, you might be getting married someday. When I go through the reception line at your wedding, in front of your newly wedded spouse, I just might put you on the spot:

"Tell me the names of the seven continents!"

And you WILL remember them!

It's possible they won't invite me back next year.

But the kids did know 'em by the end of the week

(and a whole lot more about missions too!)

Reflecting on 2021: I saw/knew God was doing something when…

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 02:22:00 +0000

One day I asked my released from prison friend Mike if there was some kind of work he liked to do. Something that didn’t cause stress and he knew he was good at. He said “yard work.”

This was something that didn’t have to do it with people (he doesn’t trust people), he likes being outside in nature (it calms him and he feels closer to God), he could do the physical work and handle the tools for it well (it gives him a sense of worth that he can do something well).

I told him that I envisioned a day when he’d be able to do yard work for Seniors and people in his neighborhood. I felt blessed to be able to help him out in ways he couldn’t help himself right now, and I can see a day when there were going to be people who are needier than he is, and he’d get that sense of blessing to be able to help them and show them God’s love.

My dream is that he’d even get some supplemental money for that service. Not a great “hourly wage” but something to supplement his SSI without going over what he’s allowed to earn. I wanted to help make that happen, with a local church, or charity group in the city…even if I had to help raise $ to fund it.

A couple weeks later Jim and I were visiting an inner city community center. We learned that one of the things they’d enjoyed this past year was a season of serving Seniors in the area through cutting grass is a ministry. One of the staff leaders had loved doing that with some former felons he know, but had been curtailed a few months earlier.

Soon, Mike began working 2-3 days a week with some cash under the table from us. $50-60 a day. The folks at Hope say he’s a blessing to them because he’s not only a good, hard worker, but he’s participating in their staff devotions and meetings. He’s a spark plug for them with vision of what God can do there. We’re only funding 2 days a week. Staff at Hope are kicking in. Mike is so happy there that he’s even volunteering 2 days!

It gives him a sense of purpose and made him feel he was part of a team.

“Hope is my Happy Place!” he says all the time!

Why can’t he just be employed there? They want to hire him for the maximum hours he can work and still keep his disability for mental illness. I got nowhere in trying to reach his case worker at Social Security or at Joe Johnson Behavioral Health in the months before we met the folks at Hope. The Social Worker at Hope is trying to reach them too. Get a definitive answer.

Because…Mike’s fragile, and not really able to be a reliable full time worker, and may be doing good right now, but chances are at some point he will “decompensate”…and not be able to work there if he falls apart, and he will need that SSI then just as he has since he got out of Prison in early December 2020. To get on SSI disability takes moving a mountain; so it’s better to stay on rather than get off and then try to get BACK on.

This isn’t some rainbows and ponies happy ending though. He’s still living with daily trauma and violence and drama with his family members and where he is living. But he has nowhere to move. There is ZERO section 8 housing available, and even no way to sign up on the WAITING LIST for government assistance with housing. This dude has been a REALLY REALLY bad guy in the past. There is a reason doors are closed to him and old relationships are tentative when it comes to trust. I’ve not yet met or heard of any of his connections being anyone who can be of much help anyway. And those fringe family members are taking notice of the changes in him.

It’s hard to live off of $750 disability for his mental illness and $500 under the table. $1250/month. Especially if one [probably] has a drug adiction.

A few months ago he reported that he'd started getting zero in food stamps (but his connection with Hope came just in time – they have a food bank!). He has free health insurance and his strong psych meds are only $16/month. However, he has a $400/month nicotine habit that is hard to break when one has been smoking for 50 years and lives where people are crashing cars, shooting guns, taking drugs, and pulling doors off hinges.

No matter what kind of nicotine patch is available, a few cigarettes a day can help calm the nerves of an old man with PTSD (starting from childhood abuse that he was never rescued from) and Bi-Polar disorder.

I see God at work in coming alongside Mike. I'm just not sure whether he will take the lifeline.

You are not a Felon. In Christ, the Bible says you're a whole lot of wonderful things!

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 02:53:00 +0000

Matt, is one of the two guys I stay in touch with now that he has come out of prison. Normally this isn’t something the volunteer writers do, but Matt went to live in a Christian sober living ministry called “Friends House” that Jim and I have been getting to know and support.

Matt lived with them until he blew it, and had to go to another place! He’s now graduated from the second program, and is roommates with a recovering alcoholic who was a guard at one of the prison units where he was incarcerated!

When I first met Matt, I gave him a printed list of Bible verses about “Who I am in Christ.” and some instructions:

“Wrap it around that awful FELON ID card.

The one you have to carry in your wallet.

You are not defined as a felon by God.

This is who you are now!”

The first time I met him in person, he brought along to show me all the letters I had written him while in prison!

During Covid, I began writing to others who still didn’t have a volunteer to write to them. They are all affirming about what the letters mean to them. They write how much it encourages them to know someone is praying for them, and cares. They really open up in their letters. Even with the hardships (especially during Covid lockdowns and no visitation), they are hanging on to faith and hope; even if sometimes by a thread!

Shut up and BE the change already

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 04:09:00 +0000

Before the absolute craziness of 2020, I was already weary of the shouting in the culture wars.

Seriously.

Imagine Kimberly taking to the streets, or social media, and acting on her instincts to protest against the protestors:

"Go teach a kid to read.

Teach an adult to manage their limited finances.

Be a Big Brother or Sister.

Go volunteer at a school.

Just SHUT UP already!"

I know. I know. I am a sanctimonious old person now.

This angry attitude is what's kept me from writing any more posts or newsletters this year.

We're all tired of reading, and hearing, and talking about _____ (fill in the blank).

I didn't know how to write to you, my friends, without including something about all the [you-know-what] that we're tired of talking and reading about.

But I'm writing now.

At Thanksgiving.

Because I'm thankful.

Truly.

In 2019 I began writing encouraging letters to prisoners who call Chattanooga home. I came upon Chattanooga Endeavors randomly. And I don't believe anything happens by chance.

Writing these letters has kept my head on straight in the midst of all the noise. It's doing something that does make a change in the eventual success of losers once they get on the outside.

Yeah, I wrote that. LOSERS.

Felons are modern day LEPERS.

Think about that for a minute. It's an anthropologically valid noun.

So, writing letters not just encouraging them now, but it's effecting recidivism rates, reducing crime, and changing lives (apparently studies show, but I'm not going to bore you with that right now).

It's made me thankful every day that I've found a lane where I know these letters make a difference in suffering lives. Lives that, according to Scripture, matter.

"Remember the Lord’s people who are in jail and be concerned for them. Don’t forget those who are suffering, but imagine that you are there with them." - Hebrews 13:3

(And, by the way... a large percentage of those prisoners are black lives who matter.)

This year, in 2021 that lane got wider. I was no longer merely writing and putting stamps on envelopes. It's been up close and personal, almost daily.

Since the Spring I've spending a lot of time with a 59 year old black man who grew up in Chattanooga. He has spent much of his adult life in state prisons.

He's a month older than me.

But we couldn't be more different in our life stories. I'm enjoying a season of growing older feeling content and safe having had a life well-lived and materially blessed. Mike on the other hand has a long list of challenges and an equally long list of former offenses and psychological trauma from his childhood, drug abuse, homelessness, and mental illness.

But, even in the midst of daily battle with the Enemy, my friend has hope and is moving incrementally in the right direction. He's trusting me, and trusting God, taking three steps forward and two steps back.

There are no easy answers for our neighbors who've grown up in systemic poverty. We want to help but it truly seems impossible. In the past it's been easier to say, "Nothing is impossible for God." Now, I can question that. Change has to be a big part miracle. Jim and I are depending on the Spirit's guidance for wisdom in what part of those challenges we can help.

With Jim's support, I'm in desperate dependence on the Lord for discernment and direction. My heart, my mind, my patience, and wallet keep getting stretched and poured out.

Mike is a big reason why I've not been writing much this year. Encouraging and supporting him is new territory for me. I've had a hard time putting it into words for my friends as I discover how badly the system is broken. Even with others (in addition to me) trying to help navigate it all, it's hard to not keep falling through the cracks.

There are a few positive things that have happened since Mike came back to Chattanooga. Divine appointments. I asked him to "trust me to introduce him to more people he can trust."

He's learning what it means to be trustworthy as well. That's a tall order for a person who's prefrontal cortex has never developed. God's grace, and encouragement are helping him grow in character. But the Enemy is positively livid about that! I've never experienced such warefare.

What I've known in my head forever, hadn't really touched my life:

There are no easy answers for our neighbors who've grown up in poverty, and trauma.

In 2021 I've learned this in my being. It physically hurts now just to type it for you, so that you will read it on your screen. I'm more thankful for believers who are social workers, or counselors. People who's work is to assist more than just one.

And I'm thankful for the ways my faith is stretching. With Mike, I MUST trust God every day for his presence, protection, and provision.

Pray for Mike.

Pray for all the people living in this world who like him have so so very much to overcome.

Thank you for loving and praying for me.

Update on Book Project: Experience God with Your Unique Spiritual Personality

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 15:19:00 +0000

On the Book Project:

Hit Pause & Pray with me!

Last Friday and Saturday I had two surprising emails. The first sent me to the depths of despair, and the second created an eager hope that the booklet might get more traction and exposure than what I imagined possible. Gary Thomas the author of Sacred Pathways likes my Experience God booklet and my explanation for why this kind of "intro" to Sacred Pathways is necessary. He is exploring the idea of partnering with me to make some modifications, and publish it together.

In the meantime, those who asked for an advance copy are helping me discover: will Experience God with Your Unique Spiritual Personality be a good tool for having conversations about faith? Will it spark joy, and new insights for those who already love and follow Jesus? Will it help create more unity in the church?

There are so many other stories to share. Prison & Rehab ministries. Hope*Writers. Divine Connections. Loads of guests coming through. Even some Novo staff that just moved to our neighborhood in Chattanooga. But we'll save that for another email!

Will you pray with and for us about these things? Then let us know, how we can be praying for YOU...(besides your blessing and joy)!

Kimberly & Jim Creasman

Also...

Jim's doing great.

He's had his last follow up with the surgeon, and continues to slowly heal. You can bet we'll be vigilant in checking for more odd skin markings and quarterly visits to the dermatologist. Thank you for praying!

What we're Reading & Listening to:

With TWO dogs now, Jim's plowing through audio books.

We've begun listening to a podcast The Place We Find Ourselves. Produced by a very pastoral Christian Counselor Adam Young. It's helpful to understand ourselves, as well as love and understand others better. Tyler's been ploughing through the episodes faster than we have.

The World & Everything in It, and another podcast Effective Compassion are two of our favorites. Non-snarky news from a biblical Christian worldview. Kimberly listens to the daily news podcast with her prayer journal open, pen in hand.

World's research into helping ministries teaches that it needs to be challenging, personal, and spiritual. Lasting change usually doesn't come without all three components. The first 2 seasons of Effective Compassion evaluated various homeless ministries, and then recovery programs in the USA. Wow. Just wow.

BTW: We've long ago turned off network news, and we have so much more joy!

Learn about World News

How does this mom handle a break up for her son?

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 01:37:00 +0000

^{Written June 13th, 2021}

^{to September 21, 2021}

It’s the middle of June and Spring has

S t r - e - t - ch - ed

into summer.

[…Now it’s July,

…Now August,

…How can it be September already?]

My heart still hurts over what I don’t understand, and details I don’t know.

A weight won’t lift from my chest.

My sorrow hasn’t found an outlet.

An early June weekend in Charleston helped.

A first mother/son trip (Both of us still blue).

He keeps things close to his chest as he learns about grief,

Seeks advice from a counselor.

And waits on a silent God for direction.

What to do with all that love?

It just takes time to know.

Oh how I’ve wanted to reach out across the miles

To a delightful,

Beautiful,

Mysterious,

Wounded,

Girl.

The silence is weird.

“It’s not my place”

May make a good excuse.

But I want to say something. Something like

“I love you still.”

“I pray every day.”

“I bless you.”

I want to offer comfort.

I want to ask, “Is there something I can do?”

People had warned me

Not to fall in love with the girls your sons fall for.

I didn’t listen.

~~~~~~~

When you entered Tyler’s life,

my heart had been light for nearly a year.

A constant song.

As parents, we weren’t merely spectators.

Perhaps coaches. Friends. Cheerleaders.

It was so romantic.

It was delightful.

And then, all of the sudden,

It wasn’t.

Yours was such an unusual courtship;

Stretching across the globe.

S t r - e - t - ch - ed

your creativity too.

Dating by zoom.

Practicing Yoga,

Cooking together

Reading books,

Listening to podcasts.

We all found “The Place We Find Ourselves”

Virtually.

In 2021 the whole world was stuck

Navigating life with a dangerous virus that closed borders.

The months went on.

Dragged on. Pressed in.

S t r - e - t - ch - ed

more than creativity.

It stretched Patience. Grace. Will.

Exploring options. Researching. Praying. Waiting. Imagining.

Our hopes had been in Tyler finishing his military commitment by early summer.

Then awful unexpected news came: Another YEAR was required.

And grad school in Sydney postponed for what felt like an ETERNITY.

How could Tyler show her that he was committed to her?

Perhaps by following Beyoncé’s admonition about a ring…?

(That was the advice anyway.)

Surely it was a misunderstanding

That turned the relationship sideways.

And something unforgiveable buried it upside down.

Tyler got a motorcycle. We got a third dog.

I remind myself that this is not the first time

I’ve surrender to Sovereignty

When life is painful.

A “School Plant” in the Inner City

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 15:04:00 +0000

The Greenwood School will launch in the fall of 2022 from a renovated building of New City Fellowship, a remarkable multi-racial church that has a long history of innovative ways to bridge racial divisions in a southern city. We had the joy of helping raise funds to get that building up to code!

In neighborhood where there are poor school options, this new school will give hope for local kids and strengthen their families. And this isn't just wishful thinking.

In 2019, Chattanooga Christian School started "The Kings School" downtown at Olivet Baptist Church. This is the second school being "planted" as an outreach/tithe of Chattanooga Christian School. And we've got some impressive test scores to show that it's working. They raise the funds, provide the scholarships, teachers, and curriculum. Amazing!

Here's a video report on the Kings School. What a remarkable testimony for CCS. And they have another one in the works for 2022!

Are You Slogging Through? Me too.

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 23:59:00 +0000

I waited patiently for the Lord;

  he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
  out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
  making my steps secure.
3

Psalm 40:1-2

I know you've been there.

Slogging away at a project

that seems like it will

never get finished.

Wanting to just give up,

but knowing you have to keep going.

The end is not in sight anymore.

And you know it shouldn't be this hard.

You cry out, or silently think out, to God,

"Why is this taking so long? It feels like I'm trudging through mud!"

And then he reminds you that you're in a spiritual battle.

And then you do say outluud to the one who is doing what he can to make things seem hard,

"I renounce any schemes of the enemy! In Jesus' name he cannot thwart what God has led me to do.

I'm working on a project like that.

Trying to get it across the finish line.

I started it in 2016 actually. More than four years later I dusted off a little booklet project.

Last October I rallied to see if I could get it done for Christmas gifts.

It seemed like the right timing.
It would be
   a happy accomplishment
       to celebrate
           after a year that gave us much
               to mourn
                   and be unhappy about.

The process bogged down, and I thought EASTER 2021 might be a more realistic goal. Now here I am still tweaking with the designer, and offering to pay her more than the contract said.

My back is to the wall with a deadline, and so many tasks still should be done in order to share it well.

This isn't my project. This isn't even my life. I am the Lord's, and so is this project!

So, Pray.
Keep praying.
Each time I get the overwhelm

from all the options and advice offered in the publishing world.
Keep moving forward in the quest,
but keep praying.

For peace.
   For favor.
       For guidance.
           For wisdom.

Yesterday afternoon I prayed, "I'm overwhelmed by the printer options out there. Lord can you help me identify a local one? Being new here in Chattanooga, and I'd sure love to give this job to someone locally. Get to know more people here, let them have my business."

Later, in the evening, I pulled up the links to the options again. My editor/designer had recommended five websites. Only one, it turns out, prints the size of booklet I want it to be.

Can you guess where that printer is located? Yep. Chattanooga!

This morning, after thinking about being stuck in the mud. I had been reading in multiple places that a book landing page is the MOST important marketing tool, so I searched domain names. And...a really great one - that includes the title - is still available.

Then this afternoon, I had scheduled a call with a mentor/friend. The prolific author Pam Farrel was willing to spend some time with me to give me advice, to help me find my way clearer through this miry bog of the publishing industry. (She and her husband Bill authored Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti, and between them have 50 others). She LOVES the project. She rejoiced about the printer and the domain news. She gave me heaps of advice and I have a clearer plan for my next steps. Something WILL get done by Easter, but MORE will wait until my 60th birthday next February (in time for Easter 2022!)

In her time with the Lord and his word this morning she was reading from Psalm 40. This time I included the next verse, which feels quite prophetic, in light of my hopes for this booklet:

I waited patiently for the Lord;

  he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
  out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
  making my steps secure.

3
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:1-3

Photo Credit: Annie Spratt, Pixbay

Outrageous Justice ~ Join me for the next 6 Mondays?

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 18:34:00 +0000

I'm about to teach my first zoom class and I wanted to let you know because you cheer me on, and/or might be interested to know (and you might want to pass this on to someone you know is interested in justice issues and the action we can take)!

January 25th to March 1st, 7:00–8:15PM EST, I'll begin a multimedia small group curriculum developed by Prison Fellowship. It will educate you on various aspects of the American criminal justice system.

You will explore how you can pursue justice and bring about true hope, restoration, and healing. Please note: Prison Fellowship is a Christian non-profit organization, so it is presented from that world-view.

After you have registered, you'll need to download the study guide to follow along with during the course. Videos are used to let you hear from people who have been affected by the Criminal Justice System. These people are also highlighted in their Outrageous Justice book which was used to create the study (pdf or kindle).

What is the commitment?

This group will meet via video conference call for six 75 minute sessions. We stay in the large group format and don't break out into discussion rooms. Individual participants are invited to have input regarding their impressions and experience, but no one is required to speak up if they do not wish to!

There is no outside reading/homework required to participate, but we will offer you practical action items you can do after each session.

The following Monday, March 8th we'll hold another zoom intro to Stephen's Table for any new volunteers who want to learn more before getting involved in writing to our neighbors spending time in TN state prisons. Also, on April 5th, we plan to run a second Outrageous Justice course for anyone who missed it this first time around.

Here is the place on Eventbrite, where you can register for this FIRST time around!

If you have any questions, just give me a call. I do hope you will join me, and consider inviting a friend or two!

Kimberly Creasman

Explorer | Encourager | Creative | +Volunteer with Chattanooga Endeavors’ Stephen’s Table

Staff at Novo.org & Loving being a resident of Chattanooga since 2018!

Reflections & Resolutions 2020\21

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Gathered with a few women across the globe this week. Women who at one point of our lives we converged and did life in Singapore. And did these Reflections and Resolutions face to face.

If you want my 2021 sheet, PM me and I'll email it to you.

Launch Team?

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 23:54:00 +0000

Pray for me as I’m wrapping up with a designer the little booklet I’ve written called EXPERIENCE GOD.

If you want to be on my “launch team” PM me! I’ll send you and early copy!

Aiming to have it out before Easter 2021

EVERYONE LOVES PEANUTS!!

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 23:50:00 +0000

My "Christmas-Cheer-Traveling-Card-Kit" is ready to go out & gather signatures today through the 18th.

Then they’ll be delivered to those who will be in jail over Christmas. 

You can have a significant role in reducing crime and changing lives. Letters and helping keep a social bond with home reduces recidivism. 

Jan 7th at 7PM is a Zoom date for those interested in volunteering to regularly send encouraging notes to someone sentenced to state prison. 

#chattanoogaendeavors comes alongside them when released to help them adjust to and succeed with life on the outside.

#secondchances
#noogatoday #blackcreeklife

Thanksgiving! We're LOVING Fall!

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:36:00 +0000

Thanksgiving cards went in the mail last Friday.

Nope. Not to you;

but to 70 people I may never meet:

People serving time in prison who call Chattanooga home.

When the blank Thankgiving cards arrived in the mail, I prayed that the Lord would provide at least 15 names signed on each card.

For a prisoner to see a BUNCH of names, it would be a powerful visual that they are not forgotten. I thought that 15 names was a big ask, seeing as we're all still pretty isolated.

Turns out 15 names wasn't too much to ask of God. In the last couple of weeks about 20 people signed them!

My hairdresser did, while my color was processing. Yes. I cover the grey.

Fifteen girls who live in an addiction recovery home run by our church signed. Below is a photo of a few who don't mind having their photo taken.

There's more...

There were some Covenant College girls who wanted to spread the stack of cards on a table in the dining hall one night last week. They'd planned to invite friends to come sign at dinnertime. Then, a bad Covid case quarantined all of the on campus students for the rest of the term! Only 4 roomates signed them. But that's okay!

Two women invited me to their Bible Study groups. A high school girl who was fundraising door to door for her band stayed a few extra minutes to sign.

Some of these people wrote verses or words of encouragement. They also learned more about caring for the prisoner.

At the bottom of this email is a sampling of recent letters that came for me from Tennessee state prisons. So much hope!

What are you most thankful for this week?

Cameron called me last week to ask for Grandma's Orange Candied Yams recipe. it. He baked it for his "Friends Giving" last night.

My mom hated those yams. But she faithfully made a huge batch every year because we all LOVE them! Every year in Asia we had guests or open house for Thanksgiving. Those orange candied yams always went fast. The stuffing, however, was the favorite among our Singaporean and Chinese friends!

We're thankful for our first GORGEOUS fall, and for our supportive friends!

Kimberly & Jim Creasman

P.S. I put an update on the family below for those who missed our last eNews.

A letter from William

"It is inspiring to me, to see people like you..doing so much to reassure men and women behind the wall are certain that someone out there cares about us and we are not forgotten. That there is hope. Hope for reform. Hope of a brighter tomorrow. Hope of love and hope to laugh again." --Arthur D

Arthur writes that he is reading his new Insider Bible free from Prison Fellowship, he's memorizing some verses in Colossians with me, and has his kids signed up for gifts from Angel Tree this year.

from Michael

from Kenneth

If you missed our Family News last month:

In September Tyler flew Cameron out to Columbia, South Carolina for a long weekend. We joined them for two of the days. This was thefirst time we'd been all together since my mom's memorial last September. Expect a happy Christmas card photo in your mail next month (if you don't get one, it means we don't have a correct address for you!).

Jim is loving his trees, his dogs, American football, investing, giving, mentoring calls, and retirement! Kimberly is getting more connected with other NOVO ministries she can partner with. She's also learning the staff admin requirements that Jim did all these years (Bless you and Thank you JIM for the years you let me be FREE of that!). We both LOVE having a house!

Tyler is investigating graduate schools in the US and abroad. The Army has him until Spring next year. After grad school he wants to work internationally for a government agency or an NGO.

Also, Tyler has fallen in lovewith a nurse in Sydney, Australia. Sweet Keara Chan is a Singaporean/American gal who attended the same Christian High School as our boys. We all see that the Lord's hand is in their relationship. Even Cameron, who can't believe his big brother is so smitten! We don't know WHEN they'll have the chance to be physically together (thank God for news of a COVID vaccine!), but their courtship, so far, has been sweet. Lord we pray for Tyler and Keara. What are your plans for them? We pray you will to bring your justice and hope to the nations throught these third culture young adults.

After layoffs in Austin, TX, Cameron found work with California Pizza Kitchen in Cedar Park, TX. He's a a positive and encouraging young man finding his way in the world.

We're looking at making a trip with Tyler and the dogs to see Cameron the week before Christmas. Happy, happy momma! And Thanksgiving in Atlanta with brother and family...

Hutchmoot ~ Homebound 2020

noreply@blogger.com (K!Mberly) — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 23:55:00 +0000

My contribution to the #beeconspiracy #hutchmoothomebound #hutchmoot quilt. If you're an artist who follows Jesus, you need to connect to The Rabbit Room folks. Their Hutchmoot annual gathering was amazing even as a virtual event.

http://about.rabbitroom.com

Bloom Where You're Planted

"Preach the Word to ALL Peoples." I Can't Wrap My Mind Around That

Try Prayer Walking

Prayer Walking Playlists - An Easter Gift from me.

Ramadan 2023, Gillian Ferwerda

I've been drawn to "The Lord's Prayer" a lot recently.

In Spain ~ Creative Ideas for Prayer ~ Jim's upcoming March Madness Retreat

A Ministry Update ~ February 2023

Personalizing the truths in the Bible

Keep Praying for direction, even if answers don't come easily

For the second one, the fog parted a bit momentarily.

Do you see what I see?

It was much more clear in person, but the visible lights shown in photo 2, were in the shape of a cross.

We have a monthly zoom experimenting in using creativity in our practice of Biblical Christianity. This is organized for creatives who are living missionnally.

We’d love to have you join us.

Here's a link to the video. It was a bit too large to post here.#expectmiracles #gospelmovement #prayerwalking #activatingprayer @novomission

My Echo on It's Own, Just Started Playing a Song.

Making Room

Where I'm From - Making a Poem from Prompts. You Can Too

What a BLAST! Teaching Missions in VBS

Reflecting on 2021: I saw/knew God was doing something when…

You are not a Felon. In Christ, the Bible says you're a whole lot of wonderful things!

Shut up and BE the change already

Update on Book Project: Experience God with Your Unique Spiritual Personality

On the Book Project:

Hit Pause & Pray with me!

Also...

Jim's doing great.

What we're Reading & Listening to:

How does this mom handle a break up for her son?

A “School Plant” in the Inner City

Are You Slogging Through? Me too.

Outrageous Justice ~ Join me for the next 6 Mondays?

Reflections & Resolutions 2020\21

Launch Team?

EVERYONE LOVES PEANUTS!!

Thanksgiving! We're LOVING Fall!

Hutchmoot ~ Homebound 2020

Here's a link to the video. It was a bit too large to post here.

#expectmiracles #gospelmovement #prayerwalking #activatingprayer @novomission