“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

Life Transformation – Realizing our Identity

I was

I have overcome many significant losses over the last 40 years of my life, but those victories came with a very heavy price. 

I never dealt with the emotional, psychological, or spiritual impact of those setbacks – but suppressed them instead of giving them to God.  It didn’t matter whether it was a job loss or firing, business lost or stolen, an inheritance that I spent in Kingdom ventures, or the death of family, friends, and dreams – each wound lodged itself deep into my heart and developed in me an impoverished soul.

18 months ago I experienced a series of devastating events that led to a mental breakdown.  I lost everything and now know that what I was experiencing was an identity crisis.

When I was confused about my identity as a child of God, my life and faith just fell apart.

Like the Prodigal Son who “came to his senses” when he was feeding the pigs, I realized that I was far from home and that somehow, I had to get back to my Father in Heaven.

In desperation in this Dark Year of my Soul, the only prayer I could conjure up was:

“Daddy, show me the path home, no matter what I have to do.”

I AM

I now realize that I am God’s beloved.  The Father has perfect love and never-ending mercy towards me.  Like the Bible promises, God has a future and a hope for me (based on His plans, not mine) – and my Father is committed to bringing good out of everything that has ever happened or will ever happen to me. 

It really is a great thing to be me!  I am no longer Bill.  I am now William, because like Jacob in the Bible, I have wrestled with God and man and have overcome with God’s power and healing.

“I am so looking forward to a life that will be full or restoration, favor, and blessings.”

We are all God’s greatest creation which He knows and loves deeply.  I was born to do great works for God, and it’s so exciting to have gone from a place of total despair trying to do everything in my own power, to total trust and dependence on a God who we can walk with and gain wisdom from in every situation.

The scriptures say that we can “have the mind of Christ”, and I am determined to live my identity as a Child of God.

Creation knows who we are and as followers of Christ – we receive all the promises and good gifts of our Heavenly Father as an inheritance.  God knows who I am, the Devil knows who I am, the angels know who I am, and today and for the rest of my life – I know who I am.

“I am just a Little Boy with a Big Daddy.”

I am seeing God’s promises come true in my life, and the seeds that He has planted are bearing fruit as I am faithful to work for God’s kingdom.  This awakening to who I am is leading to the restoration of my family, is blessing my children, and I pray it will bless all those who I can help discover their true identity.

I am passionate about leading others to realize that they are children of God with a real purpose in life, on February 6^th, we began a class on identity at Genesis Church. Also check out our “Overcomer Group” on Facebook!  My prayer is that we will be able to impact many people as we teach this truth and hopefully will be able to offer it many times over the next few years.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” Ephesians 1:17-18

I will lift my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Just over 18 months ago, Steve and Sue found themselves at rock bottom in their 10-year marriage. Steve had made some terrible choices and had left his wife and family. They were angry and bitter towards one another, living in separate homes, and discussing getting a divorce.  Their situation without God in their lives was one of hopelessness and despair.

Sue began to turn to God in prayer, and assured Steve that they (and their three kids) would be together again.  Steve remained stubborn and unwilling to ask God for help – and then an auto accident last October changed everything.

Steve badly injured his neck, and it was only by God’s mercy that he survived the crash that left him immobilized and unsure if he would ever walk again. At his lowest point, Steve realized that he had been running from God and God’s will for his life – trying to control and fix things in his own power.  In Celebrate Recovery, we learn to ‘Give our problems to God’ and to live out the Serenity Prayer:

‘Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, and the courage to change the things that I can.’

It was while in the hospital and recovery that he realized that there were two persons who truly were always there for him – God and Sue.

“We started praying together and asking for God’s help and healing.  God finally had me in a position of brokenness where I would listen to Him about how much He loved me and how important it was that my family be back together again. I decided to finally listen to God and ask for the courage to do whatever it took to rebuild my marriage.”

If we’re honest with ourselves, a lot of us have tried to do life our way and on our terms without ever asking Jesus to be our guide and help.  It’s in tragedy or loss that we learn that God is our strength and constant companion.

They began to put God first in their life and marriage, but the journey back to wholeness was not easy.  There was grueling physical therapy, lack of any work income, and the kids at that time were living with other family members, but Steve and Sue reunited at the Salvation Army in Fayetteville.

Sue had found a caring and safe haven in Genesis Church while waiting for Steve to get out of physical rehab. She says:

“God just keep telling me to pray, get plugged into the Genesis, work Celebrate Recovery, and to never give up or doubt that He could do miracles to change our lives.”

Homeless and without any family or outside help, they were determined to trust God’s promises and His ability to rebuild their lives. They both began to daily take steps of faith towards God and to Genesis.  God and the church had become their refuge – a place where they were not judged, where the past was forgiven, and they were valued and loved.

They became constant fixtures at the church and on Wednesday nights at Celebrate Recovery. God began a powerful healing work in both Steve’s health, their finances, and in their marriage as they sought through prayer, recovery, and worship to make God’s will the center of their lives.

Within a few months of faithfulness to God they had their family all together in their own home.  They had a peace and joy from knowing that God was at work in their lives, and they were determined to give back to our Genesis community.  Every week they serve in the Actions and Truth ministry by loving and serving others.  Their experiences of hardship and of turning to God for help have become an example and inspiration for many that come to Genesis for love and assistance.

“When we decided to put God first in our life, when we allowed Him to lead and guide us, we saw that He truly loved us and had a plan and a future for us and our family”

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Lunch Buddies 

A simple act of kindness can make a huge impact on a child’s life. Each fall and winter semesters members of Central team up with Asbell Elementary School for a program called Lunch Buddies.  A Lunch Buddy is the pairing of an Asbell Elementary student with a volunteer for the purpose of providing extra attention to children who may have home life challenges.  

Here is an example of the relationships developed between our Lunch Buddies and their student.

“On the Tuesday before Christmas break, I gave my little buddy a plush “Frozen 2” hoodie. It was pastel with a big, sparkly snowflake on the front. “I love it!” she shouted as she broke open the box before even seeing what it was. She put it on right away. I was happy to see her so proud of her new, beautiful hoodie.

On Friday of the same week, I went back to Asbell for the class party. I was surprised to see her wearing the hoodie I gave her. “I’ve worn it every day!” she exclaimed with a big smile. And I believed her. There were black and orange streaks of marker stains across the front along with dripped, matted food stains, and the pockets were ripped on both sides. While the hoodie was super cute and snuggly, given with the intention of keeping her warm, it had become a symbol of our friendship, love and acceptance. Despite its imperfection, it was a physical reminder to her that someone thought she was special.

I’m so grateful for the unique privilege of sharing affirming love with my buddy.” 

“Lunch Buddies is a judgment-free zone, where the buddy acts not as an authority figure but as a friend. An opportunity where the church meets the community to create an environment where kids know they matter.”

-Melanie Faught

If you are interested in getting involved with Lunch Buddies, contact Melanie Faught at 479-200-4829.

Interested in what’s been going on here at Central? Our brand new Quarterly Report, The Review, is now here! It's undergone a bit of a format change but it's the same old Review that you know and love, just in a new place!

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Keep Reading

As you read Scripture, how do you respond when Jesus does something that surprises you...when he does something that seems out of character?

When I come across something that confuses me, I’m learning to ask a simple question: Why? And then I keep reading.

I’ll give you an example....but first take a couple minutes to read Luke 11: 1-46 for yourself.

No really, read it. I’m not going anywhere.

Thank you! Now let’s talk about it...

Jesus receives word that his close friend Lazarus is near death. Even before we can read the next sentence, we might imagine Jesus springing to action like Clark Kent entering a phone booth. Except he doesn’t.

Jesus does not rush to Bethany to intervene.

Jesus does not rush to console Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus.

And so we sit here with an open Bible, confused.

Jesus has not met our expectations.

We gasp in disappoint.

We groan with frustration.

Why?

Why, Jesus?!

On behalf of the Mary and Martha we cry out in bewilderment: Jesus, why are you doing nothing when I know you can do everything?!

Jesus, don’t you care?

Keep reading… 

Two days later, Jesus returns to Bethany. By now, Lazarus has been dead four days.

The body lies in the tomb. Mourners have gathered. Many are weeping. Jesus weeps with them.

To be honest, we feel like weeping, too. This is not the way things are supposed to be! We are tempted to close the cover of the Bible and walk away.

Keep reading...

Jesus orders the stone be rolled from the tomb. Martha worries she will be publicly embarrassed, for surely the stench of a decaying body will roll out of the tomb as the stone is rolled away. We cringe with Martha, expecting the worst 

It takes all we can do to keep reading...yet when we do, our confusion turns to wonder. Can it be? There is NO odor?

Keep reading....

Jesus is speaking now: Thank you, Father, for hearing me. Wait – what? “For hearing me?”

What prayer had the Father heard and when had he heard it?

Could it be that when Jesus appeared to be doing nothing, he was actually praying?

Could it be that when Jesus appeared to be delaying, he was pleading with the Father to restore life to Lazarus?

But… Why the delay? Why the seeming lack of concern?

Keep reading...

A miracle is unfolding.

At the call of Jesus, Lazarus rises and walks out of the tomb!

“The result of all this was that several of the Judeans, who had come to Mary, and who had seen what he had done, believed in Jesus” (John 11:45).

The puzzle pieces now come together and we can see the bigger picture. There was purpose in Jesus’ delay. Jesus was praying when we thought he lacked compassion. Jesus was doing the most important thing when we thought he was doing nothing.

So what’s the takeaway?

Keep reading…keep reading Scripture.

And keep reading your own story.

Your story is not finished yet.

Jesus is still writing your story.

If Jesus seems to be ignoring your desperate pleas, trust him anyway.

If Jesus seems to be delaying his response to you, trust him anyway.

Despite difficult circumstances, remember that Jesus loves you.

Despite pain and loss, remember Jesus is your advocate; he carries your request directly to the Father.

Jesus will hold onto you even when you have trouble holding on to him.

Jesus will call you by name just as he called Lazarus by name.

You will walk out of the darkness and into new life.