GREEN-LIGHT revolution

Happy Monday!

Can’t believe it’s my turn to post again! It’s amazing how much has changed in such a small timespan. Guess what ladies?! I’ve moved back to Missouri and actually, I’ve been back for a month now! I guess you could say God has been doing some major prompting in the past few months. A long story short, I was here in Joplin for the tornado and realized that I really wanted to be here again, so I asked God to either give me a reason to stay in NH, or a reason to go back to Joplin. A few days later, I was given a reason to go, so here I am. Needless to say... I'm pretty excited! :D

Since moving back to Joplin, I’ve been thinking a lot about the meaning of “home”. For the majority of my life, I've lived in the same house in NH, so is that my home? Or is Joplin my home now? Does your home have to do with a location? People? Feelings? Where is my home? Maybe you’ve also pondered the same type of stuff before. I know that every time I start getting caught up with these thoughts, one word of encouragement always comes to mind. Just before I left NH for the first time, a friend of mine had a word for me saying, “As you leave your family, the places you’ve always known, maybe feel out of place or lonely remember to ABIDE IN JESUS. He is your home. He will always be you home.” Ok, maybe this doesn’t sound like such a revolutionary idea, but for me it was and continues to be.

The answer to my previous questions about home find their answer in Jesus. My home is with Him. In His presence. What a great reminder! Our home is with Jesus and it will be with Jesus for eternity! It doesn’t matter if I’m feeling lonely, or if I don’t know where exactly I belong, I’m ALWAYS home. I’ve probably quoted this Psalm before but I just can’t help but type it again...

You make known to me that path of life, in your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasure forevermore.- Psalm 16:11.

My goal is to rest in this encouragement! No one knows what journey is set before us. Maybe some of us will live in the same town for the rest of our lives, and maybe others will travel the globe... Either way it doesn’t matter because if we have Jesus, we have our ETERNAL home that will NEVER change...experiencing fullness of joy in His presence and pleasures forevermore. Amen to that!

Going green,

Abby

Oh and PS...Congratulations to our very own Rebekah Kruvand who got engaged last week! We are all so thrilled for you Bek! God is good! :D

Hello blog world. This is pt.4 of an ongoing series recording my journey through healing and freedom from bitterness. Read my previous posts here.

I'm still dealing with bitterness. Bitterness... that which is bitter. The word feels heavy on my tongue... compounded like layers of solid rock, heavy on my heart. Bitterness from past hurts: some self-inflicted pain (i.e. my own sin against God), some wounds caused by others (i.e. sin done against me).

The deeper I dive into relationship with God, the more He reveals His deep love for me. Part of His love in this season of my life is being demonstrated through His bringing bitterness to the surface of my heart: unforgiveness, resentment, false expectations... all things that are preventing me from loving others, things that are preventing me from walking in all the freedom that God offers, things that rob me from the joy of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes I wonder how I got here... 27 years and so much has happened. God reminds me He knows How to Save a Life.

One time in the ER, I had 8 stitches put into a deep cut in my foot without anything to numb the pain. First the wound had to be cleaned to remove bacteria. I then watched as the doctor threaded a needle in and out of the area, 16 times back and forth to close the wound. My friend grabbed my hand and I held onto it as hard as I knew how. I didn't say a word... the hot tears rolling out of my eyes said more than any words could. I remember my friend speaking words of consolation to me. I remember the Dr. encouraging me through the process, telling me I was doing a great job... telling me I was brave, telling me I was strong.

I was thankful for the hand of my friend that day. I held on like I'd never let go. I was thankful for the Dr.'s smile, his kindness and his words as he performed the painful task, a task that was absolutely necessary in order for my healing. I didn't question the Dr.'s intention.

But I have questioned God's intention. As He cleans the wounds of my heart, absolutely necessary in order for my healing, I've questioned why He is doing so, and at times I've even pulled away from Him because of the pain. Then I wonder why I find it hard to hear His voice.

Sometimes in the midst of great pain it's difficult to hear words of consolation. We hear the tone and the volume of a comforting voice, we feel the hands holding ours like they'll never let go, we sense the presence of those who love us around us... but the impact of the pain can drown out the comfort and overwhelm us.

In the dead of night it's hard to imagine the brightness of the sun, but the light always comes in the morning. The promise of relief always comes with Jesus. It comes in waves, it comes in the morning. Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning -Psalm 30:5.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under Heaven ... a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance... -Ecclesiastes 3

Going Green (and more free!)
Blogger Bek

...myself?

How will the world (i.e. my neighbors, my co-workers, my classmates) ever come to know the testimony, power and good news of Jesus Christ in my life if I never take the step of introducing myself?

I've pondered this question in my mind and heart...

Do I need permission to introduce myself to other people? Oftentimes in situations where I'm surrounded by strangers, my soul is gripped with the "fear of man." Too many times I refrain from initiating conversation with others because I seem to feel I need their permission to introduce myself... "Go ahead Rebekah. I won't reject you or your story."

In reality, I only seek to accommodate my insecurity.

The truth is I'm already allowed, freed and secured by the blood of Jesus Christ, to share my story with the world: "For God has not given [me] a spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7).

God's truth = perspective shift = attitude change: EXPECT me to introduce myself. Because I would love to hear your story world, and when the opportunity presents itself, I am secured in Christ to share my own.

Until next time... going green!
blogger bek

Hello, hello from GREEN-LIGHT Revolution! Blogger Bek here excited to be writing to you again!

My full name is Rebekah Kruvand. I am 26 years old, single and rocking it in the lovely city of St. Louis, MO. Recently I've entered into a relationship with an awesome man-of-God named Dillon Neely. A brother and friend in the Lord for the last 1.5 years who has humbly asked permission to pursue me. I've embarked on a new chapter relationally speaking, yet I still consider myself SINGLE.... single because until I'm married ladies, I'm SINGLE in heart and commitment before the Lord. That being said, I'm super excited --> new chapter, new challenges, new joys found in the Lord. Currently I belong to Jubilee Church (STL city) whose community I could not live without. I find myself more thankful for the love of Christ shown through the body of believers at Jubilee, everyday.

This week I've been pondering Matthew 5:37, "Let your statement be 'yes' or 'no'; anything beyond these is of evil."

"Yes" or "no" ...I find them to be simple words to say, but words whose meanings have had profound impacts on my life. To "grant permission" or "to deny" ...that has been the question.

I've discovered (by the grace of God) that I'm really good at saying "yes" to things... yes to people, yes to tasks, yes to making commitments... and not so good at saying "no." Matter of fact, I've gotten SO good at saying "yes," that I've come to question whether "no" still exists in my spoken vocabulary!

This week especially, I've realized that I am completely over-committed. It's been quite humbling, as I've been failing in the commitments I've made (i.e. things I've said "yes" to). I've forgotten to call people when I've said I would, I've had to request extensions on projects I've said I would complete, I've had to apologize for not being places I've said I'd be. I've realized that my "yes" has lost it's meaning. My word has become no good, because it does not mean to others what it's meant to.

God has been gracious enough to convict me about the need for balance in my life, the need to be able to say "no" once in awhile. When I'm over committed, when I've allowed my "yes" to become meaningless, everyone suffers.

The beauty of it all, is that through this process, I've received grace from God in the midst of failure. I've come to acknowledge and admit that I've indeed failed (something I've not been comfortable with for a good part of my life). I've come to make apology for doing so. I've come to humble myself before the Lord... and ya' know what? It's been INCREDIBLY FREEING! It's WONDERFUL to know that God finds perfection in Jesus Christ, not Rebekah Kruvand.

Until next time, let my spoken word be what it's meant to be: let my YES be YES!

Going green!
blogger bek

Hello, dear readers!

I'm excited to let you know that this space will soon be a happening spot again! On Monday, our new blogging schedule begins and we'll have fresh posts for you to read. On the right, you can see the lineup of bloggers for 2011/12, and let me tell you--they are a fun, passionate, Jesus-loving bunch of ladies! Be sure to join our Facebook group, too, and stay up-to-date on all things GREEN-LIGHT. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you Monday!

Going Green!

Lynn Fleshman

I've got family in from California & Florida ... and I will just say, living in STL I get my ocean-culture fix via my relatives, for sure! Makes me want to pack myself in their luggage, buy a surfboard and hit the oil-free beach with them when they return home (I can hear the Jaws theme song now! ... ha)

My gramps recently passed away, and my family (mom's side) is in town for his funeral on Saturday. I've had an extra dose of "the fam" this week as I've not only been hangin' with my dear, out-of-town relatives, but I've been house sitting for my Aunt (dad's side) here in the Lou as well. I've loved spending this time with family members who I don't often see. We grew up together as kids--it's been a blast reminiscing AND making new memories with them. Long story short, life has been as busy as an F5 tornado these past two weeks and I'm exhausted in the best way possible! So here's my short & sweet nugget of a post for this evening:

With all my family in town from out-of-town, I've been thinking a lot about how much I love them and how much I wish we lived closer to one another. Although we grew up together, there are so many things I don't know about who they are now as adults, and I'm finding that I so long for more time to get to know them better--the week is passing quickly and there's so much more to get to know!
When I think about The Church and God's Kingdom, I think about how my time with my Kingdom Family (The Church) is everlasting--praise Jesus!--and I think about why I value spending time with the church body outside of Sunday meetings. For me, life without time spent in community is not living, because living without relationships is completely fruitless. As I spend time getting to know others, I get to discover who they are, I get to know myself, and the best part is I get to know God (my Father) more and more!

There have been times in the past when I've almost pulled away from the church (the local family God has put me in), as I somehow thought I could live life better solo. And I'm thankful (and humbled at the same time) to say that God has graciously taught me THE JOY of spending time in relationship with Himself and as a result, with others.

Today I can say that I completely value Family and am incredibly thankful to God for the creation of it, all starting with Father-Son-Holy Spirit. I could never live without it! And that leads me to ask, how's your Family life these days?

Going Green,
bek

God has been developing something new in me: He has given me a singing voice!

I've always sung during times of corporate worship or while listening to the radio, but for the last couple of months I've begun to pick up my guitar, play what few chords I know and simply spend time worshiping God in song. I've found there's something about the strumming of the guitar strings that moves me to enter into God's presence, worship Him and bare my heart before Him. Let me just say, it's literally been life-changing! In this way, I've entered into new realms of intimacy with Jesus through the Spirit's leading.

This past week God gave me a clear picture: I saw a music box. I saw the box unlocked and the lid lifted, and out were flowing streams of music alive with color.

God has made it clear to me that my heart is the music box; that this picture is a representation of what He's been doing in me over the last couple years: He's unlocked the lid on my heart & soul by filling me with the gift and promise of His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14); He's been winding the gears and strumming my heart strings; and out has come the music of my Spirit as I've been overflowing with songs in praise of Him.

All of this reminded me of a preach Terry Virgo gave last year at Equipped for Mission '09 entitled Worship: Liberty, Faith, Presence (download this message at newfrontiersusa.org >> media archive) in which Terry talks about the importance of songs in the bible, and why singing to God, both corporately and individually, is so important for our souls.

I highly recommend a listen.

Going Green!
bek

For those who have wondered why this blog was named GREEN-LIGHT revolution, here is our first attempt at breakin' it down blog-style...

Gender: Girls
Origin: Singleness
Meaning: Yes
Pronunciation: (Green Lahyt Rev-uh-loo-shuhn)
Form of: Jesus Christ
Rating: ★★★★★

when we say GREEN we think
ENERGY | growth | LIFE

when we say LIGHT we think
BURDEN-FREE | truth | VISIBILITY

when we say revolution we think
CHANGE | orbit | TURNING-POINT

when we say GREEN-LIGHT we think
GO | movement | UNRESERVED

when we say GREEN-LIGHT revolution we think
INSPIRATION | encouragement | RELEASE

Our hope is that through our testimonies and the recognition of the life Jesus Christ offers, you will find yourself inspired, encouraged, and released by His Spirit into the overwhelming victory and love that our Father has had in store for you.

Going green!
the authoresses of this crazy blog

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and you must know... I am NOT single! That's right folks! I've got myself one smokin' hot date! This Guy sweeps me off my feet EVERY time.

I've known Him for a long time now. I met Him when I was about 5 or 6, but it's only been in the last couple of years that we've REALLY been getting to know each other. He's become my Best Friend; and more recently, He's also become my full-time Lover. I was waiting for Him all along... all these years, though I didn't know it... until one day He spoke to me and said:





The only thing special about Valentine's Day is that it's another day to be with my Lover... THE ETERNAL LOVER OF MY SOUL. His name is Jesus--the name you've been dying to hear. If you've not met Him yet, He's got more love to give than you could ever imagine. And He'll rescue you--just give Him one chance.

If you do know Him, why don't you plan a date together tomorrow? Matter of fact, why don't you just show up and give a knock on His door, cuz I guarantee He's already got one amazing date planned for the two of you--a very special Valentine's Day between you and the God of the universe who loves you eternally more than anyone on planet earth tomorrow could.

Here's wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day.

Going Green,
bek

While running in the park on Monday afternoon, I found myself almost oblivious to St. Louis' cold temperature, wind and snow. There's no question conditions were adverse--I saw only two people throughout the entire course of my run--a normally busy park was completely empty.

Despite the cold, I was filled with a complete pleasure! I thoroughly enjoy running, and there's something about being outdoors, especially during inclement weather, that invigorates my mind, body and soul. And so, I completed a 5 mile run, unrestrained by the winter weather.

Stretching afterward in the parking lot, I saw those only two people get out of their car with their dogs and begin walking. Suddenly there was a bark, and the couple shifted pace into a brisk jog. I watched as they ran, laughing while their dogs pulled them along. What particularly struck me about this scene was the man's business suit... including his nice pair of shoes! And there he was, in the winter wind and snow laughing and jogging along, uninhibited by his suit and unrestrained by the weather. I thought to myself, "I want to have joy like that--uninhibited and unrestrained--regardless of circumstances!"

More-so than my running, I've thoroughly come to enjoy God's love and grace in my life, and there's something about running through the adverse times knowing He's with me that invigorates my mind, body and soul more than anything else. Life's seasons aren't always favorable, but knowing His love allows me to "run free" even when things are rough. I don't always enjoy life, but I thoroughly enjoy living because of God's love and the true life He's gifted me in Christ. In His love and His love only, I find complete joy and feel His good pleasure.

Daily His love invigorates my soul. May I be more uninhibited and more unrestrained in expression of that joy which only His love brings me, especially when conditions are adverse.

Going Green,
bek

I bet I've got ya' interested already, eh?! Well, enjoy this little story:

So I was serving tables the other day (like I do most days), when down sat a party of old ladies. I patiently started taking drink orders amidst the hearing aids and obscure questions, and by the time I made my way around the table, the woman in the final seat asked me for an iced tea. Not unusual.

At this point I gave her the tea choices (as we have more than one tea), but all of a sudden to my surprise, there came an unexpected & witty reply: "Oh honey, give me the Tropical Passion Iced Tea (the house tea)... because at my age, I could use a little passion!"

HAH! Go ahead & laugh a little bit! Ok, now that you've got your giggles out, let us continue...

I smiled with a twinkle in my eye and before I could make reply, she immediately continued: "Now, I know that's hard for you to imagine at your age sweetie... but believe me, when you get to where I'm at (85 or so), you need every bit of passion you can get... and this tea is just what I need today!" I smiled, and responded somehow (I forget)... but here's what I thought as I walked away:

"Nope, not hard for me to imagine. Trust me. I've lived for long periods of time without it (passion in my soul that is), and I'm just a wee whipper-snapper of 25." Perhaps, just perhaps... our definitions of passion are different.

My life experience thus far has told me that passion clearly has NOTHING to do with age, or physical fitness, or intimate relationships with the opposite sex, or the amount of $$ I have, or where I live, or what my hobbies are. Nope. It is true for me to say that, in my own life, these things can, and do indeed, stir my passion, but they WILL NEVER, EVER provide the SOURCE for the eternal passion in my soul.

By God's lavish grace, I have learned this much by the ripe-old-age of 25: that passion in my life has EVERYTHING to do rather, with Jesus Christ and His robust love for me--His resulting death on the cross (John 19:16-30) and His miraculous resurrection from the dead (see John 20 & 21). If my passion in life isn't rooted in what Christ has done for me on the cross, it is eternally destined to fail... and I've found it usually does so sooner than later.

Because of Jesus love in my life, I ask, hope and anticipate to have such a passion as great as His (John 15:12-15). And as a matter of fact, while I grow in knowing Christ throughout my time here on earth, I only expect my passion for living to INCREASE. Ask me how I'm doing when I'm 85.

Until then... going green!
blogger bek

"Circumstances, difficult. God's goodness, never more apparent."

For the past two months I've found myself walking in the midst of trying circumstances, and this statement rings all-too-painfully-true in this here heart of mine.

Glancing down the path ahead of me from the very beginning, this was not a trail I found myself wanting to take with the Lord; yet I knew it was one He was asking me to walk alongside Him on. I felt a familiar inkling in my Spirit that the Father was wanting to both lead and love me down this path... and love me well He has indeed!

In the events that transpired this fall, the Lord graciously revealed past shrapnel splintered and buried in the deep crevices of my tender heart--places where Satan's lies were desperately trying to hold on with all their might. I've come to find in my own life, that oftentimes (for me personally) the Lord takes a "hands on" approach when it comes to removing these splinters.

It's in obedience to His leading me through difficult experiences that I find a truer and deeper intimacy with Him. And although the removing of these shards has been, and is always painful, the truth and love that God replaces their vacancy with, eternally out-weighs the cost of my suffering their removal. EVERY time. I praise Him for the grace He gives me to remain obedient to Him when ALL my flesh feels like running in the opposite direction.

The victory I find in perseverance only serves to strengthen my faith in Him and my trust in His GOODNESS. And with each and every victory the Lord gives me, may He grow the battle cry of this Warrior Princess stronger and stronger:

"Blessed be the Lord, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle; My loving-kindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge" --psalm 144 (NASB)

Going Green!
Rebekah Kruvand (aka BexEna, Warrior Princess)

God has blessed me with a huge second chance: He has given me the opportunity to enjoy a second season of singleness with Him.

As I previously mentioned, it has been two plus years that I've been steadily and consecutively single while pursuing God. In a very painful past, all of my "relating abilities" were severely crippled at one time or another. Some were buried and hidden underneath the hard exterior I was beginning to take on, others were crushed to a point beyond recognition.

I knew something was wrong with me and my relationships, and getting worse... but I wasn't keenly aware of my issues because I had no community (aka relationships) in which to see a clear reflection of myself. I wasn't engaged in many friendships period, and a good deal of those I was engaged in were only detrimental to my mental, emotional and ultimately spiritual well being. In other words, they were pulling me away from God, not pushing me towards Him. In general, I was becoming more and more isolated--Satan's #1 goal.

But God, out of His amazing mercy and love, transplanted me into part of His community here in STL. There were multiple times I almost left this blessing of His behind, as things like selflessness & accountability were completely unappealing to me. Yet, I felt Him gently asking me to stay, and by His grace, that's exactly what I did. He likewise, kindly pushed me into the deep end (relationally speaking) and helped me to swim, knowing all along I would absolutely love His community! It is true when I testify that His perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).

Lately God's been putting the "icing on the cake" in regards to my relationships within community... and that would be learning "how to be a sister" to all of my wonderful brothers.

My first instinct was to quickly retreat from any relating period regarding the opposite sex, which is perhaps exactly what the Dr. ordered. But it quickly came clear that I couldn't stay put, as I found insecurities & wrong assumptions running rampant in the presence of brothers.

So what does it mean now to say, "Love ya like a sister, bro!" Ha... just when you thought I had the ultimate answer! ...or maybe you didn't, but guess what? I'm still learning! Here's what I've picked up so far:

• it means my identity rests in Christ, and not in you or your reactions, brother
• it means my security rests in Christ, and not in the amount of attention or affection you give me, brother
• it means my heart motivations in regards to you are pure, brother
  
• it means I can be generous in giving sisterly affection & encouragement, having a pure heart before God
• my security in Christ allows me to enjoy the protection and support you provide to the sisters you love, brother

To be continued... but as for sisterhood in Christ:

Going Green!!
bek