Love in LoCo

This past Thursday, August 24, was the first day of school for Loudoun County Public Schools.  I spent a lot of time that day reflecting over the past year and how wonderfully God has moved in my life.  The first day of school last year was straight up HARD.  I cried.  At the time, I was in the throws of raising support to come on staff with FCA, so I had no income and no real idea when I would have enough raised to start my new women’s ministry role.  I was so sure that FCA was something God had called me to, but the enemy had started to sow seeds of doubt and, unfortunately, I had started to listen a bit to those uncertainties.  How crucial it is that we proactively arm ourselves with the Word of God so that in times of trial we have a weapon to combat the doubts that so easily arise.  And according to 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He will remain faithful – for he cannot deny Himself.”  Over and over God brought new donors into my li...

Last week our Northern VA/DC FCA staff once again had the privilege to take a couple of days away for our staff retreat to pray, dream, and plan for this upcoming ministry season.  Before the retreat, I was asked to lead a staff devotion on morning on serving.  Serving is one of FCA's 4 Core Values (along with Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence).  As I prepared for what I would share, I reflected on the details of Who we serve, why we serve, and how we should go about serving.  Here are some of the thoughts I shared with our group: Why do we serve? -It’s why we were created: Ephesians 2:10 à “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” -Because Jesus did: John 12:25-26 à “ Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone   serves   Me,   he must follow   Me;   and   where ...