This was a devotion I read last week and it really spoke to me. I often wonder how my experience in banking, real estate, lending, managing, organization, etc. will configure into the ministry in Arizona. I can't wait to see how God has prepared me to fit in. Please read and see if it speaks to you ~ Liz
"LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”- (Ps 16:5-6).
Most of us will have many jobs over our lifetime. As I look back over my past, I've had quite a varied history of jobs that included being a waiter, retail clerk, golf pro, advertising sales executive, ad agency executive, and ad agency owner. Today, I am a writer and lead an international workplace ministry. All of these jobs were important because they gave me a level of experience from which I now express God's ministry. I am able to relate to those in the workplace because of my varied work experience throughout my career.
With each of our jobs, God is building something in us that will be used for His purposes now and in the future. Oswald Chambers says "In the beginning we do not train for God, we train for work, for our own aims; but as we go on with God we lose all our own aims and are trained into God's purpose. Unless practical work is appointed by God, it will prove a curse."
Jesus was prepared for His ultimate calling by working with His father in his carpentry shop until He was thirty years old. More than 54% of Jesus' teaching arose out of issues in daily life experience. Joseph was prepared to be head of a nation by serving prison time and being a slave in Potiphar's house. Moses was prepared to lead a nation out of slavery by serving in Pharoah's house and later working forty years as a shepherd.
Do not despise the small jobs-for they are stepping stones to a greater purpose in God's plan for your life and for God's preparation for your ultimate destiny. Some of these jobs are necessary for the message He is forming in you.
Daily Workplace Inspiration by Os Hillman
Live Life on Purpose
We are currently reading the book Live Life on Purpose by Claude Hickman in our Church. It is a book helping people to find God’s purpose for their life.
It has caused us to look back over our journey for the past few years and wonder what would be different if we had chosen to move 4 years ago when we felt God pulling at us?
· Our house was worth much more - we calculated we had enough to sell it, payoff what we owed, including credit cards and cars, with a little extra for a down payment on a new place in AZ.
· Our kids were younger and most likely would have moved with us – at least 2 (not saying which ones), how would they feel changing their lives in the middle of their teen age years.
· Unsure of the team we were planning on joining.
Instead, we felt we needed time to really listen to God, really pray and seek Him. Here is some of what we experienced –
· With my job loss, collapse of the housing market, all our savings/retirement gone, we nearly lost our house as well. We had to do a government modification on it to try and save it; we are upside down currently.
· Our oldest is married; our middle child received a job promotion and our youngest starts college this fall.
· A new ministry formed with our dear friends doing what we feel God wants us to do, 3:18 Ministries.
· We finished the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class, I completed a 2 1/2 year study as well as continuing our studies in Bible classes.
· Daily prayer and reading of the Bible.
I feel confident God had us wait. We weren’t ready. We learned to earnestly pursue Him daily. He has stripped away from us all we did not need, and has taught us to truly trust in Hi
m and His provision. Though a lot of it has been quite painful, He provides all we need. Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Philippians 4:6-8 tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Liz
It has caused us to look back over our journey for the past few years and wonder what would be different if we had chosen to move 4 years ago when we felt God pulling at us?
· Our house was worth much more - we calculated we had enough to sell it, payoff what we owed, including credit cards and cars, with a little extra for a down payment on a new place in AZ.
· Our kids were younger and most likely would have moved with us – at least 2 (not saying which ones), how would they feel changing their lives in the middle of their teen age years.
· Unsure of the team we were planning on joining.
Instead, we felt we needed time to really listen to God, really pray and seek Him. Here is some of what we experienced –
· With my job loss, collapse of the housing market, all our savings/retirement gone, we nearly lost our house as well. We had to do a government modification on it to try and save it; we are upside down currently.
· Our oldest is married; our middle child received a job promotion and our youngest starts college this fall.
· A new ministry formed with our dear friends doing what we feel God wants us to do, 3:18 Ministries.
· We finished the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class, I completed a 2 1/2 year study as well as continuing our studies in Bible classes.
· Daily prayer and reading of the Bible.
I feel confident God had us wait. We weren’t ready. We learned to earnestly pursue Him daily. He has stripped away from us all we did not need, and has taught us to truly trust in Hi
m and His provision. Though a lot of it has been quite painful, He provides all we need. Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”Philippians 4:6-8 tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Liz
Mourning
So...
I read a couple articles that got me to thinking.
One was about an eighth grader who was shot and killed by police while he was at school. The article was really one sided. They portrayed the kid as a good kid who was doing well and the parents couldn't understand why the police would use such brutal force to stop this poor kid. This poor kid had gone into school punched a kid in the face and pulled a gun. The police confronted the kid and he refused to drop the gun, it turns out it was a pellet gun, so they shot him 3 times and killed him.
My first reaction was the police were justified because he was a threat to everyone. 
Plus it is difficult to tell it was a pellet gun. The police had to make a decision on the spot. Here take a look. Can you tell which one is a pellet gun and which one is a real gun? So I just knew I was on the cop's side on this one. Btw...the the kid's pellet gun is on the left.
Plus it is difficult to tell it was a pellet gun. The police had to make a decision on the spot. Here take a look. Can you tell which one is a pellet gun and which one is a real gun? So I just knew I was on the cop's side on this one. Btw...the the kid's pellet gun is on the left.The second story is about a woman who went to have an abortion. She was having twins and one of them had a heart defect so the doctors said she should abort the child. She agreed but they aborted the wrong one. Then they had to do a C-section to remove the other. So this woman lost both of her children. This article was also written with a bias. It was written as such a terrible tragedy. The doctors made a huge mistake and this family is devastated. Me? I was angry, my first thought was what is going on here. How could the doctors do such an awful thing?
Then I heard the story of a 15 year old girl who was being "bullied" by other kids at school and on Face Book. She was so distraught that she wrote a suicide note and stepped in front of a bus. The article said she killed herself because she was bullied. They actually said the cause of her death was the bullying.
These three articles got me to thinking. And here is the conclusion I came to. It is our fault. We as a society have devalued human life. I didn't mourn for an eight grader who was so messed up he took a pellet gun to school. I could only think it was his own fault. That his life meant nothing.
Women get "legal" abortions all the time. We as a society don't value human life. I know some will say that it isn't a life yet. That it's just a piece of tissue. If that's the case then why are we upset that this woman lost both pieces of tissue. We are upset because the doctors made a mistake by killing the wrong "CHILD." We should be upset that we as a society don't care about human life.
And this 15 year old didn't kill herself because she was bullied. She killed herself because we as a society taught her that human life isn't important. If we tell her that an eight grader deserves to die and a child with a heart defect deserves to die then how can she ever know how important her own life is?
I know I've stepped on a lot of toes. That was not my intention. This is something that I have been struggling with for the last couple of days. So today I will mourn for and eighth grader who died when he didn't have to, I will mourn for Two children who died when they didn't have to, I will mourn a 15 year old girl who stepped in front of a bus and died when she didn't have to and I will mourn for all of as we have all allowed this to happen right in front of our eyes and have done nothing about it.
Robert
2012
CREWS FAMILY 2011
Beginnings and Endings…
I don’t know about you but 2011 has moved at lightning speed for us. This year had some major, life changing moments, some good, some not so good. It is a year we will always remember for many different reasons.
The year began with Robert and I signing up for the World Perspectives class offered at Church. A mind and heart altering class, to be sure. We found ourselves pushed beyond what we thought we could handle both in stacks of homework and papers but in our understanding of God’s plan for us, for all of us.
Liz was part of a short-term mission team that went to Toronto, Canada to work with Churchill Meadows Christian Church. It was a great time of learning about the cultural diversity in Canada. We spent time with a Polish Church plant, Portuguese start up church, and of course Churchill Meadows.
Then later that summer, Robert and Liz returned at Churchill Meadows request for Robert to perform some gospel illusions for a youth camp there and a little R & R for the two of them. Robert did an incredible job sharing the gospel through his sleight of hand and speaking skills. The adults were just as captivated as the kids.
We then moved into full wedding mode. Wayne married his beautiful bride Jamie November 5th, 2011 on an incredibly lovely day sandwiched between 2 days of pouring rain. The outdoor wedding was gorgeous, as were the bride and groom. Kathryn was promoted at Kohl’s to the store admin and truly loves her job. They count on her for so much and she loves the responsibility. Shelby has been studying, taking her SAT’s and applying at colleges; deciding where she will study Youth Ministry. Our children are all moving into the next season of their lives.
Among these unbelievable joys we have experienced, there have been some sad and heavier moments to deal with as well. Our sweet dog Ginger, we have had as a member of our family over 5 years got out of our backyard and ran away. She has not been found. We were and still are devastated, especially 2 days before the wedding. Our other dog, Toby, who ran away with her was located and returned to us. He was pretty shaken up and he still misses his best friend deeply; as we all do.
That same day, 2 days prior to the wedding, I received word that my former boss passed away. Gary was a kind, generous, funny man both Robert and I got to know well. He allowed us many opportunities to share Christ with him. Gary was Jewish, but questioned so much in his life. He was honest and direct and asked tough questions. He and Robert had many conversations about who Christ is. We spent lots of time sharing with him and encouraging him to question and seek who God is and what He did for him. It is difficult not knowing what was in his heart before he met with Christ, but we continue praying for his family as they grieve; he will truly be missed. Then, December 12, 2011 our Uncle David passed away of lung failure; an unexpected shock for the family, especially for his beloved wife Catherine. They were in love, true love and best friends.
Of course with Life’s ups and downs, it continues to march on…2012 looks to be a year of change and movement for the Crews’. As our kids are settling into the next period of their lives, we are getting ready for ours. We are preparing to move to Arizona at the end of 2012. The time has come for us to hand our lives completely over and take our next step. We ar
e settling our kids into their lives, college, and packing (or getting rid of) our belongings and going. In this time, would you please pray for our family? Your prayers have sustained us through many difficult and tumultuous seasons and we are beyond grateful. There is much more news to come so stay tuned as we take the next Leap of Faith!
May God’s love bring you and yours peace, love and joy in the New Year!
Robert and Liz Crews
Beginnings and Endings…
I don’t know about you but 2011 has moved at lightning speed for us. This year had some major, life changing moments, some good, some not so good. It is a year we will always remember for many different reasons.
The year began with Robert and I signing up for the World Perspectives class offered at Church. A mind and heart altering class, to be sure. We found ourselves pushed beyond what we thought we could handle both in stacks of homework and papers but in our understanding of God’s plan for us, for all of us.
Liz was part of a short-term mission team that went to Toronto, Canada to work with Churchill Meadows Christian Church. It was a great time of learning about the cultural diversity in Canada. We spent time with a Polish Church plant, Portuguese start up church, and of course Churchill Meadows.
Then later that summer, Robert and Liz returned at Churchill Meadows request for Robert to perform some gospel illusions for a youth camp there and a little R & R for the two of them. Robert did an incredible job sharing the gospel through his sleight of hand and speaking skills. The adults were just as captivated as the kids.
We then moved into full wedding mode. Wayne married his beautiful bride Jamie November 5th, 2011 on an incredibly lovely day sandwiched between 2 days of pouring rain. The outdoor wedding was gorgeous, as were the bride and groom. Kathryn was promoted at Kohl’s to the store admin and truly loves her job. They count on her for so much and she loves the responsibility. Shelby has been studying, taking her SAT’s and applying at colleges; deciding where she will study Youth Ministry. Our children are all moving into the next season of their lives.
Among these unbelievable joys we have experienced, there have been some sad and heavier moments to deal with as well. Our sweet dog Ginger, we have had as a member of our family over 5 years got out of our backyard and ran away. She has not been found. We were and still are devastated, especially 2 days before the wedding. Our other dog, Toby, who ran away with her was located and returned to us. He was pretty shaken up and he still misses his best friend deeply; as we all do.
That same day, 2 days prior to the wedding, I received word that my former boss passed away. Gary was a kind, generous, funny man both Robert and I got to know well. He allowed us many opportunities to share Christ with him. Gary was Jewish, but questioned so much in his life. He was honest and direct and asked tough questions. He and Robert had many conversations about who Christ is. We spent lots of time sharing with him and encouraging him to question and seek who God is and what He did for him. It is difficult not knowing what was in his heart before he met with Christ, but we continue praying for his family as they grieve; he will truly be missed. Then, December 12, 2011 our Uncle David passed away of lung failure; an unexpected shock for the family, especially for his beloved wife Catherine. They were in love, true love and best friends.
Of course with Life’s ups and downs, it continues to march on…2012 looks to be a year of change and movement for the Crews’. As our kids are settling into the next period of their lives, we are getting ready for ours. We are preparing to move to Arizona at the end of 2012. The time has come for us to hand our lives completely over and take our next step. We ar
e settling our kids into their lives, college, and packing (or getting rid of) our belongings and going. In this time, would you please pray for our family? Your prayers have sustained us through many difficult and tumultuous seasons and we are beyond grateful. There is much more news to come so stay tuned as we take the next Leap of Faith!May God’s love bring you and yours peace, love and joy in the New Year!
Robert and Liz Crews
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