*Day 88 of being the FIANCE of Martel Johnson:
Hello Friends, life has been so eye-opening for me lately!!!
Here is an update on Martel and I:
1. We just started MARRIAGE COUNSELING with Dr. Carson,
at Germantown Baptist Church
2. We absolutely adore our engagement photo revealing by
Lyndsi Photography!
3. We are working together on our spiritual homework, as a couple
4. We are affirming each other DAILY more and more to destroy the habits of worldly couples and to put on the habits of a Godly soon-to-be married couple.
5. Lastly, we have 167 days left until our friendship becomes an eternal bond in holy matrimony: September 15, 2012
One thing that I noticed in my life since I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, that has been truly consistent is the GIFT of DISCIPLESHIP. This constant thread in my life has weaved me into so many wonders beyond my joy that sometimes I can't even find words to explain. It is a blessing that I believe that I am most eternally grateful for including my salvation.
In 2007, I began my very own first journey of discipleship through my dear angel: Kelly Scott. This humbling woman of God came up to me and shared the Gospel to me for the very first time when I was moments from hearing about the passing of my dear grandmother. I was devastated, heart-broken, lost, and confused beyond living at that point, but behold a voice crying in the wilderness for me was Kelly Scott. She came and sat down by me with tears staining my face and began to share, so calmly, the most beautiful words of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I had never and ever heard. The word that she spoke from the Lord was the best thing that I could have ever heard at the worst time that I really didn't want to hear it. From then on, I desired to FOLLOW Kelly wherever she went without even noticing that my feet were moving. Oh the POWER OF DISCIPLESHIP!!!
I was not a Christian at the time when I met Kelly, but I stayed on her like a blood hound trying to soak up all that she knew from the unknown God that I still did not know myself. I have to admit, since I had not heard of the story of Jesus Christ before I met Kelly, I was quite the stubborn skeptic because I did not want to say that I was an Atheist. So, I know that I gave Kelly a run for her money in her dealings with me, but the curiosity to know Jesus more closely never left hindered my skepticism. She read the Bible numerous times to me, she gave me handouts to study, she suggested tons of books for me to read because she knew that I loved to read, she introduced me to so many other people who where just like her: A Christian, and she practically lived out her life before me like an open book just to show me how real her God is.
Do you remember when that first 'sinner saved by grace' came into your life and just wowed you with the Gospel? Have you planted your own pillar of memorials to thank God for those special encounters from those who not only follow Him, but they are literally after God's own heart? Have your ears just heard the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 or has your whole being EXPERIENCED the GREAT COMMISSION?
Well Kelly Scott took a risk and she placed her faith in God, to forsake all others, for the sake of watching me be able to surrender my very own life to Jesus Himself, who had already given up His life for me. Because the Lord used Kelly to sow a seed in me, Kelly along with so many other faithful servants along the way, have played the most important roles in my life: Disciple-Makers. I would not be the woman of God that I am today without the life and truth transference of women and men who decided to take a risk for me to lose their lives in Jesus Christ to do whatever it takes for me to know Him deeply. I will never forget the endless readings in the Word of God, the long list of questions that I contemplated over when I would stop to consider such an eternal God, the endless conversations of the Lord's goodness, miracles, faithfulness, discipline, and everlasting love, the thousands of friendships that I instantly gained just by becoming an adopted daughter in the Kingdom of God, and lastly I will never forget the GIFT that just keeps on giving the transformation to change the world: the beauty and cost of DISCIPLESHIP.
Thank You Jesus for changing the game and deciding that we should be last before we can be first, that we should serve rather than to be served, and that we should lose our lives to have you save them. Lord, You are the reason that I follow the narrow path because the journey of discipleship is costly, but it has been the most rewarding of relationships in that I will never truly understand your love story from the Gospels than to sacrifice my life, for the sake of those women that you have allowed me to impact over the years, to know You more deeply that is what I call worth it!!!
Thank You Kelly Scott, Lee Denton, Ollie Johnson, Martel Johnson, Pie, Precious, Patrice, Krystal, Amber, Paula Ortega, Emile McDuffin, Anna Lansford, Brianna Bland, April Jackson, Ashley Heliwell, Chris Novi, Roy, Kendall, Bess Norwood, Tezar, Leonard, Deborah Lansford, Jordan and Bree Holbrook, Mike Turner, Brian Crenshaw, Brett Wynne, Stew, Nate, Molly, Anteelah, Brett & Kat, Lindsey Gus, Michael Majors, Jessica Swinger, Sydney Mcgee, Michelle Neal, Faith, Courtney Smith, BJ & Vanja, Martell Hixson, Lawerence, Candice, Leah Fox, Aaron Mccain, DJ, Chad & Jeanie,Marcus & Jaki, Jermey & Threasy, Jessica Laws, Kenyota, Clara, Emy, Grace, Angelic, Raven, Jessica Bell, Marsheka, Fadwa, Faye Kelly, Joy, Verdella, Taylor, Chaz, Stephanie Knight, Cherice, Natalie Cole, Tiana, Kennon V, Renata, Zipporah, Roz, Nicole, Simone, Joe, Rachel, Tracee, Amber Rose, Chas, Matthew Love, and anyone that I missed because there are absolutely too many people to name who have placed huge footsteps on my road towards discipleship in Jesus Christ baby baby!!!
Currently, I am walking with my sixth discipleship group of women in Christ: Courtney Smith and Kenyota Ward. My beautiful spiritual daughters encourage me so much and they are always cracking me up with their funny stories and imaginative skits. We are growing through Titus 2 by many different lessons and teachings that will ultimately building a solid foundation in us to not only be women of can embrace sound doctrine, but we can also be women who are spiritual disciplined to hold true to our convictions to capture our sinful nature for Christ DAILY.
Courtney is a fashion merchandiser major, enjoys sharing the Gospel to new people, and she cannot wait to spread her talents and giftings for Jesus with her dream clothing line called: SBG after my favorite verse ever Ephesians 2:8-9. Kenyota is a biology major, enjoys digging deep into God Word, and she cannot wait to use her education to soon have her own clinic to serve the Lord and his people. Thank You Lord for these beautiful women who simply want to never stop growing in their faith for you and without me they will still yield for you which makes me so elated to admire their incredible humility for discipleship.
Lord may discipleship never stop beating in my heart, may my feet never grow weary from following You, and may I never realize that a Disciple-Maker's life will ever end.......
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
