God's Chosen People

Since traveling to Egypt, my heart hasn't been the same. If it's possible to fall in love with a whole country, I believe I did.

I remember being overwhelmed, one evening during the worship time in a church in Egypt, with the feeling of God's passion for His people. He spoke to me in that moment - as I scanned the congregation worshiping with all their hearts - He said, "Angi, this is just a glimpse of what heaven will be." It was clear to me that He was showing me a picture of HIS children... all together... worshiping Him! I fell in love, at that moment, with His children.

There is a lot of discussion, controversy, debate, and varied teachings on who are really God's children. Especially in the "Christian" and political worlds, this is a hot topic.

I, being raised a staunch Republican, have adopted some preconceived views that I never really studied for myself. As an evangelical Christian, in America, we try to be very careful to follow the Bible for our views. Along with that, we have taken God's Word to heart, as it states in the Old Testament, that the Jews are "God's chosen people". So, then, end-time prophecy comes into play in a big way! There are literally thousands of books on this topic alone.

All believers, and most of America, are standing by watching what will happen to the Jewish people, to see what the future holds for the rest of us. America has historically taken a "Christian stance" to ally with Israel - which has been of some comfort to Bible-believing Christians. Along with that fact, we are eagerly watching the events in the middle-east.

Of course, since 9/11, some of our views changed or escalated, as some Muslim terrorists attacked our homeland. We've taken this to an extreme as time has gone by. These "Muslim terrorists" have been changed to simply "Muslims"... including all people of this religion. We have, then, made all "Muslims" out to be terrorists, and enemies of Christianity and America.

My heart broke the other day, in having a conversation with a fellow minister. The statement was made that "if people knew how horrible Muslims were, and how awful they treat people, we wouldn't be tolerating them so much!" I bit my tongue. How is it that we have come to this conclusion? Media? Internet stories? Pictures? My mind goes back to my short time in Egypt. In the midst of Christian Arabs in the church, and in the midst of Muslim Arabs, outside the church, not once did I feel threatened, looked down upon, or mistreated in any way. Quite the contrary! Within the church, of course, I was treated with great respect, as I was their guest, and we shared the same God. Outside the church, in the taxis, hotels, marketplaces, and on the airplanes, I was also treated with great respect. Although, it was known that I was not only an American, but a Christian.

I have to stop and ask myself... what is God's view of these people? The answer comes quickly: HE LOVES THEM!

Jews? He loves them!
Muslims? He loves them!
Hindus? He loves them!
Buddhists? He loves them!
Atheists? He loves them!
Murderers? He loves them!
Me? He loves me!

Does God see our political views the way we do? Does He favor a government over another? When we ask "who are God's chosen people?" The answer needs to be, as God's word states: "For God so loved the WORLD..." The New Testament makes it clear that a Jew is no longer one who is circumcised physically, but those who are circumcised of the heart. The ones whom have had God cut away the old heart, and has made us new. This is not a "physical nation", this is God's kingdom... those who have humbled themselves to Him, and called on the name of His Son, Jesus - still the only way by which man can be saved. He chooses that everyone has an opportunity to hear this hope, and become His child. Those, are God's chosen people.

Angi Stephens, G.C,. G.S., B.B.

Well, after almost 30 years of serving in full-time ministry, countless moves, numerous congregations, children, youth, women, couples, and multiple ups and downs, wins and losses... and recently 9 additional courses... I have the opportunity to obtain official MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS with the Assemblies of God!

You may think "big deal"... but, for me - it is! Especially after the officials requested that I send them a "resume'" of my 30 years of ministry. Ha! How does one go about writing out most of their life in terms of a resume?? Teaching, praying, counseling, delegating, training, preaching, crying, winning souls... my whole life documented in a resume? Not easy. But, I made the effort, and I guess they were somewhat impressed, as they said, basically, "you are a minister". I knew that! I guess I've just wanted it acknowledged officially. Funny, huh? For a girl that had a rather difficult childhood, adolescence, obtained "just" a GED, no higher education... it means a lot.

I am grateful, though, in God's grand scheme: all that is required for a resume is His letter of recommendation: "She is my servant"... I'm God's Child, God's Servant, and I'm Blood Bought. There is no greater calling, no greater privilege, and no greater credential than that... Angi Stephens, G.C,. G.S., B.B.

Grandchild #6 Has Arrived!

After a long, 21 and 1/2 hours in the hospital, waiting for Sarah to go into labor, and then to finish her labor... Gibson Taylor Fazakerley was born! July 12, 2010. He weighed in at 6# 3.5 oz., and measured 18" in length. Steven and Sarah are ecstatically happy, and are already wonderful parents!

Hard to believe, this is now my 6th grandchild! Leah and Sarah plan to have more. And Bekah hasn't even begun! I could have a dozen grandkids within the next 7 years!

Yes, I know... I am exceedingly blessed!! And at this moment...(July 13, 2010)... EXCEEDINGLY tired.

My First Love

Call me "fanatical". Call me "intense". Tell me to "lighten up"... or "chill out"... or maybe to "cheer up"... Say what you want. All I know is my heart is heavy, and there's no other way to describe it, I guess, but to say my spirit is grieved.

Some people say I'm passionate for the Lord. Oh, I wish! He is my everything... EVERYTHING! He's the only thing that has been constant in my life. The only thing steady... the "ROCK". I want to share Him with everyone. Yet, I know I'm not passionate enough. I'm not turning the world "upside down" yet. I want to bring hope to everyone. I want to help people see who He is, and the light He brings. It seems so simple to me - there is no life or hope without Jesus leading you! I know - I've been there! There's nothing in this world that's worth living for, except for HIM. There's no purpose in life, unless you know your Creator - the one that designed you, and the plan for your life! Where else could I go?

After serving the Lord for almost 40 years, my world consists of mostly Christians - church people mainly. As a matter of fact, I just got home from church. So, why do I feel so heavy-hearted? I don't know.

I love to worship Jesus! What else is there? Yet, why does it seem like I'm pulling teeth when I go to lead people to worship THEIR God? Why does everyone sit way in the back? Come in late? Seem totally indifferent to worship, prayer, preaching. Not just this church, mind you, but the majority of churches. I've been in many! I'm talking about the people. Everyone seems so trapped in their hopelessness; their busy lives; stressful jobs; sicknesses; just plain tired. I guess I'm grieved, because I know that God doesn't want us to live like that. It breaks my heart. I hurt for these people, yet I know it's a trap they can get out of.

I know there are mountain tops and valley experiences - I've ridden the roller coaster many times! But I also know that God is faithful. He is the giver of breath, the giver of LIFE, the hope we have, the joy we have, the peace we have, the healing we have. Has everyone fallen asleep? Have we forgotten who set us free? Have we forgotten who we serve? Like the church in Ephesus... have we left our first love? God forbid it. Wake us up...

Mother's Day 2010

Well, my week was looking dismal as Mother's Day approached. I was caught in waves of overwhelming sadness throughout the week. Between missing my mom, who passed away over 26 years ago, and missing all my children - who are grown and on their own - all while anticipating Mother's Day. This would be the first M-Day that I have not had one of my children with me. I tried to fight the tears, but I admit I was succumbing to the loneliness. So, I decided to just go to bed at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. Quite a boring life I lead, huh??

I laid there wondering why Bekah didn't call me when she got off work. 'Cuz as any good mom would know, I knew she had gotten off work several hours earlier. "My kids are just all too busy with their own lives to think of me..." I wallowed. Then the phone rang at a little past 9 p.m. Yes, my baby, Bekah came through. Trying not to sound too desperate for her call, I calmly asked how her day was, etc. She asked me if I was ready to give my annual "Mother's Day sermon", as I was trying to relate to her my hesitations about my message, the doorbell rang. "Oh no!" I exclaimed to her.. "I'm in my nightgown, in bed!" I jumped up and closed the door, as the 2 dogs were going crazy as they always do when someone is at the door. "Ah.. do you have to hang up, mom?" she asked. "No, I closed the door. Dad can deal with it." "What? It's too loud... the dogs are barking too loud.. I can't hear you, mom!". "No, honey, I closed the door, you can't hear the..." then it dawned on me "Bekah.. Bekah JoAnne! Where are you??" (As I could hear my 2 dogs over from the other end of the phone). I open my bedroom door, and there she stands! She and her friend had just driven 6 hours to surprise me.

Happy Mother's Day to me!! :)

Picking Fruit

Wow... it hasn't been 24 hours yet since my last blog. My ramblings about how much I would like to see a harvest from years of ministry.

Shortly after I posted that blog,I had an appointment scheduled to meet with a gal that wanted to learn more about the Bible. A meth addict, clean for only 3 weeks, she told me she knew there was no way for her to fix her life on her own. I did what I know to do. Explained God's plan for salvation; what repentance is; God's grace and forgiveness. She bowed her head and sobbed at my table, as she confessed her sins and asked for Jesus' cleansing forgiveness. We went on with the Bible study, with a very excited, happy new life, soaking up and writing down every scripture. Yes, God's grace is still amazing! Fruit.

As if that wasn't enough for God to reassure me that He still uses me, I get a message from a former college student that had attended our church in Kittitas several years ago. She had written me a note, thanking me for the time I went up to her at church and told her that God had laid her on my heart, and that I had been praying for her. She remembered she didn't say much to me in response, but that she was overwhelmed that God would care enough about her to send someone to pray for her, as she was going through a very rough time at that moment. (Which, of course, I didn't know). Fruit... from 7 years ago.

I'm humbled. And grateful that God is the keeper of the vineyards, and truly in due season, there is a harvest. Maybe not all at once, but sometimes tree by tree, branch by branch.

Thank you, Lord, for the reminders.

Harvest Time

For some reason, this week, I am fighting some discouragement. I haven't lost my faith, I haven't doubted God, I'm not even depressed - just waiting for harvest time.

I grew up in the parsonage - watching my dad and mom ministering faithfully to small churches. Getting calls at all hours of the night, sharing whatever we had with any transient going by, working multiple jobs just to help ends meet, all while endeavoring to Pastor the small congregation. That included children's ministry, bus ministry, youth ministry, nursery home ministry, weddings, counseling, taking in foster children, endless prayer meetings, hosting missionaries, evangelists, and answering to a board that never seemed to be satisfied with my parents efforts.

None of this ever shook my faith, because through all of these things, I watched my mother diligently reading the Bible and spending time in prayer, (even while working as a waitress full time at the "Corner Cafe"). I watched my dad's generosity, and compassion as he ministered and answered any and every call, even while working two other jobs. There were countless problems in our community, in the church, and many hardships in the parsonage. But I always knew that God was faithful, and I never doubted His love, mercy, and goodness to us.

So, now, over 30 years later, as a Pastor's wife, I find myself wondering..."when, God, will I see some fruit? When will I see a harvest? Will I ever see a harvest? Revival? What is it? Where is it?" Besides my years in the ministry, as a Pastor's daughter, there are now 28 years in the ministry as a Pastor's wife. I look back and know we have preached the Word, taught the Word, faithfully. We have never had any other desires, or even hobbies - we just want to win souls and make disciples. I've had the opportunity to personally lead several children, youth and adults to salvation. But I've also seen so many backslide. For each couple as we have counseled through marriage difficulties, we have seen as many divorces. All in all, I have no idea what fruit has lasted.

Pastoring a church is difficult. It seems you spend most of your time trying to win people to the Lord, and get them plugged into the church, to make disciples, and then the rest of the time we spend trying to KEEP them. It all seems so fragile... it doesn't take much to make someone upset, or to disappoint them in one way or another, and off they go.

My desire is to see people passionate for the Lord. For the captives to be set free, for people to repent of their sins, and to have the joy of the Lord. To witness people being saved and added to the church daily; for people to walk according the Spirit; for the church to move in the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Oh, yes, I want to see a harvest.

In my calendar, I've waited over 40 years... in God's calendar - well, it apparently isn't "due season". So, I'll continue to sow, and pray that before I leave this earth, I will be able to see a glimpse of the harvest.