Everyone Has A Story
I really enjoy hearing people’s stories. I heard that Billy Graham’s story started out with his first sermon being eight minutes long, and people told him that he better find another vocation. Boy, were they wrong! Billy Graham has led millions of people to the Lord.
Everybody has a story, and it always amazes me the journey of where people come from and where they are headed. We all want to share our story with somebody - to be heard, encouraged, to walk away with hope for our future. I’d like to share my story, and I pray it brings you hope and encouragement for your future.
About 21 years ago, I realized my life was a mess. I was broken-hearted, financially distressed and devoid of hope for a better tomorrow. I shared some of my thoughts and concerns with a friend who was a co-worker. She confirmed to me that, in fact, there was more to life than what I was experiencing. She proceeded to tell me about a loving God that I could have a relationship with through His Son Jesus Christ. She informed me that it didn’t matter what I’d done - that He loves and forgives me, and that He will take me just the way I am. That sounded great, especially since I was in such a mess. The part that really amazed me was when she said it was as simple as opening my heart to Jesus. I thought, “What a deal this is!”
On Tuesday, February 14, 1989, with the help of my friend, Mary Ann Catena, I opened my heart to Jesus and started a love relationship with God. Three days later I was in my first small group and twenty one years later, I am still involved in a small group and passionate about helping others get connected in a loving community as well.
My small group journey
I started with a women’s young adult group. It was my opportunity to be discipled, transparent, sharing my thoughts (and therefore my mess). I remember being like a sponge, absorbing God’s Word, memorizing scripture, praying scripture and watching the other girls in the group live their lives “out loud” right in front of me. My group prayed for me and challenged me in love. That accountability was vital to my spiritual and emotional growth and kept me on track. (Proverbs 27:17)
I still stay in touch with some of those women and thank God for positioning me with such a great group. The group eventually grew and multiplied into two groups. I discovered with a smaller group, there was more opportunity for everyone to share and more room for new women to join the group.
Then comes marriage
My husband Sam and I joined a couples group. It was a new season in our life and frankly, we had no idea what to do. Nobody gives you a manual on marriage when you say, “I Do.” However, just being involved in a couples group helped guide us and keep us from feeling alone. We grew in our relationship with Christ and learned how to love and respect each other according to the Bible. (Ephesians 5:22-23) We were challenged to keep returning to God’s Word to discover what He says about marriage and how to apply it to our own. Being in a small group with other couples gave us the opportunity to have married friends, to laugh, go on dates and share prayer requests.
Then come the babies
After Sam and I had our first child, I got connected in a MOPS group, Mothers of Preschoolers. Thank God for MOPS, that’s all I have to say! God knew that this was a group I needed in this season of life, because becoming a mom was a major adjustment for me. I received great teachings on how to be a mom who was developing disciples for Christ and I made some great friends.
While I was in MOPS, Sam got involved in a men’s small group. I know it helped him because I was able to see the difference in his life. He was leading our family in prayer, making plans for our future, laying hands on our boys and praying protection for them and having family devotions. (I’m sure getting married and having kids is quite the transition for any man!) The men’s group helped equip Sam to be both a husband and a dad. It also provided him an environment in which to be mentored. That’s important, since Sam grew up with an absent dad, few men in his life, and a lot of sisters. Presently, Sam is leading the men’s ministry to include Men’s Fraternity Small groups and other Study Small groups for men.
Family Groups
We now have groups in our home involving parents with teens. (Acts chapter 2 & 4) This is another season in our lives when we give and receive support, encouragement, prayer, God’s perspective, and we have opportunities to celebrate as we develop our teen boys into Godly men.
As you can tell by my journey, I am a strong believer in small groups. In fact, I can honestly say if it wasn’t for the small group communities I have connected with, I’m not sure where I’d be today.
Small groups have provided me with the following:
- Discipleship
- Celebrate victories and share burdens
- Place of authenticity – I can be real in my group
- Healing community – where I practically live out my Christian life.
- Fun and laughter
- Be with like-minded people who also want to grow
- Make a difference in the lives of others
I’m convinced small groups of believers saturating our city will make the difference in the lives of people, both now and for eternity. Sometimes it really is the difference between life and death. In my case, it helped replace loneliness with hope. It gave me purpose in my life. I am confident that if people are in a small group, whatever age or stage we find ourselves in - no matter what’s going on in our life -we’ll be alright! Small groups played an important role in my story and I’m sure it will do the same for you. I’d love to hear your story, please feel free to email me at kelly.mata@shoreline.net and share your story.
@ 2010 Kelly Mata
Click here to learn more about small groups
 Kelly Mata is the Pastor of Small Groups & Assimilation at Shoreline Church where she has been in full time ministry for 20 years. Her passion for helping people get connected to God and each other are contagious. She thrives on encouraging people to reach their potential by using their unique gifts and talents to serve the local church, their community and the world. Kelly serves alongside her husband Sam and their 2 teen age sons, James and Robert.
You can follow Kelly on Twitter or Facebook or become a fan of Shoreline Small group page.
We've Been Served
Jesus came to provide for all of humanity. His willingness to exchange His life for ours is the ultimate in reckless compassion.
We were created in the image and likeness of God the Father, who sent His only son to serve humankind. Therefore, the genius to give is in our DNA. It is simply who we are.
Everyone has the capacity to reach out to someone who needs a hand up in life or someone who has been affected by adverse circumstances.
Serving may come in the form of a simple smile or embrace, providing a hot meal for a homeless individual or supplying funds to dig a well in Africa. When we give to others we are faithfully expressing the grace of God in various forms.
This year’s theme for SHINE women’s conference is ‘Serve Her’. Just as Jesus intentionally washed the feet of His disciples, we want to reflect this expression of love by washing the feet of humanity through serving. Justice provides freedom, value, purpose and hope to those on the receiving end.
It is the very heartbeat and nature of God to give; He gave. And with Christ’s response we have an example of extreme obedience, an action that can be replicated by each one of us.
Jesus came, not to be served but to serve. We are Christ’s. He is our standard. This is our legacy.
‘If we have no peace, it’s because we’ve forgotten that we belong to each other.’
~ Mother Teresa
@ 2010 by Cheryl Luke
Click here to learn more about the Shine Conference
 Cheryl is the Women's Pastor at Shoreline Church in Austin, TX. You can email Cheryl at Cheryl.Luke@shoreline.net or follow her on facebook or twitter
Unprecedented Friendship
“God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing.”
Psalm 68:6 [New International Version Bible]
Southeast Asia was ravaged in December 2004 by a tsunami that eventually took the lives of 280,000. Separated from his herd, a baby hippopotamus was spotted standing alone in the coastal waters of Kenya. Alienated from everything familiar, the hippo’s fate was uncertain. Volunteers captured the 120-lb infant, named him Owen, and transported him to Haller Park Animal Sanctuary where every attempt would be made to save his life.
Seeking comfort in his new and unfamiliar surroundings, the baby hippo tagged alongside Mzee, a 130 year old giant tortoise and the subsequent events can only be described as miraculous. The tortoise became a surrogate father of sorts, teaching Owen what to eat and how to swim. With no scientific reason the two species should be engaged, they are documented napping together and even developed a language to communicate with one another. Their friendship evolved in spite of their differences. As time passed, young Owen changed his role as the mentee in the relationship, and assumed the role of protector. When scientists attempted to rope Mzee in order to conduct studies, Owen hissed and charged in order to guard his mentor from any harm.
A believer’s privilege is two-sided. God ordains relationships that add to our physical, emotional and spiritual health as well as gives us opportunity to make a place in our full lives and schedules for those who need to be refreshed. Sometimes, those relationships aren't the ones we would choose for ourselves. God required Hosea to pursue a prostitute as a wife. The Samaritan rendered aid to a Jew (unheard of). Jesus and the thief crucified next to Him are enjoying eternity together.
Are you in need of a spiritual parent or sibling, or are you called to fill the half empty glass of one whose future is uncertain?
The only way to have a friend is to be one.
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Reflection: Is there someone whom you’ve not considered as a potential friend because of their differences? (Is there an Owen stranded on your beach?)
Prayer: Lord, help me to be like the Samaritan that met the needs of his enemies. I know you love my enemies like you love me and I want everyone to see your love through me. When I feel lonely, I know I can trust you to hold my hand. I want the best you have to offer. Please bring unpredictable friendships into my life. Confident in whom You are, amen.
Additional Scriptures: Proverbs 3:28, Matthew 25:35-40
@2010 by Yvonne Sanchez
 'Unprecedented Friendship' an excerpt from Fingerprint:Uniquely Marked for a Purpose, soon to be published.
You can contact Yvonne at yvonnesanchez55@gmail.com
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