Kerri’s Blog

“The woman that I see walks in kindness, strength, and dignity and confers worth on every person she encounters.”

I think this might be one of my favorite points so far. For one thing, I think kindness rocks! When I think of kindness, I usually think of helping the poor and needy. But it’s really more general than that. Kindness is just this very simple way that we can behave  — it’s friendliness, sympathy, generosity, considerateness, putting others first, good manners — all those things wrapped up into this gracious and beautiful way of being. And it is a fruit of the Spirit.

I think walking in kindness starts with having an inner sense of strength and dignity — a sense of quiet rest in God’s ability to care for us. Our trust in His love for us gives a sense of strength and dignity that we can then confer upon other people. I love the idea that when we are drawing from God’s strength and from His love for us, we can confer — or bestow — that value on others as a gift.

Throughout our lives we will encounter many people who do not have the sense of strength and dignity that knowing our amazing Father brings.  We have the capacity to bless the people we meet with the gift of value by showing them kindness. Kindness doesn’t have to be a grand getsure. It can be found in the small things:

• stopping to look at someone in the eye when they are talking to us
• letting another person get that perfect parking spot
• letting the mom with a screaming toddler go ahead of you in the check out line
• pulling in your neighbor’s garbage cans after the morning pick up
• taking the time to write a note and tell someone that you think they did a great job 

Small kindnesses, little by little and over time, have the potential to soften hearts and lift a person’s vision of what he or she can be. What opportunities for showing kindness await you today?

“The Woman that I see lives generously, opening her heart to ever-increasing capacity for the kingdom of God.”

This past Sunday, Stovall talked about being generous in the One Prayer series. (Which, by the way, is going great — check out their website @ oneprayer.com to keep up with devotionals, etc.) I love the idea of a generous life! I think sometimes we narrow down generosity to money, but generosity starts in the heart. It’s an attitude that overflows from being unselfish in our appraoch to life. Dictionary.com gives us a great picture of generosity:

“Liberal in giving or sharing; free from meanness or smallness of character;large, abundant, ample; rich or strong in flavor; fertile.”

What this means to me is that a generous-hearted person sees their life in terms of what they have rather than in terms of what they don’t have. They see it in terms of what they can offer rather than in terms of what they can take. I also love that one of the definitions of “generous” has to do with a strong flavor. Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth. The Message Bible states it like this: we are to bring out the God-flavors in this life and in the world around us! (Ok, that’s a paraphrase, but it’s the basic idea.) 

I really believe that generosity is one of the things that sets us apart as Christians. It keeps us big-hearted towards others. It keeps us looking outward instead of being consumed with ourselves. It keeps us thankful for what we have. I’ve often said that I believe generosity is living with an open heart toward God and an open hand toward others. I will also add what Sovall said yesterday when he closed his message:

“You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.”

One day when I was trying to figure out who I was — in an existential sense, not literally, although now sometimes I even need help with that — I thought I would do something novel and look at the Bible instead of that DISC test churches give you when they are trying to get you to serve. So, of course I started off where any rational girl would start — at the beginning in Genesis. And to tell the truth, it really ticked me off. Because it was there, in Genesis 2:18-22 that I found out the purpose for which I was created. It was to be a “suitable helper” to a man. Or as the KJV so eloquently puts it, “an help meet.” As I look back now I can see that my initital reading of this passage was very shallow, but all the same I found myself getting a little angry.

In a moment of honesty with God, I said to Him, “Lord, this really frustrates me. Why did You make women for such a menial purpose? Why did you not make us first? Why did you create us only to be helpers? I feel like I have the capacity and the desire to lead. When I read this passage of Your word, I feel cheated at having been made a woman.” At that moment God asked me a simple question that totally changed my perspective. He said, “Kerri, do you know who else is also called The Helper?” At that question  I felt my heart come alive with joy, because I had just been studying John 14, and I remembered that the Holy Spirit was also called “The Helper.”

As I studied the ministry of the Holy Spirit I began to notice some very distinct qualities. I look to these qualities as a model of Christlike femininity. I don’t want to imply in any way whatsoever that I think the Holy Spirit could be a woman. This revelation is not about gender, but about function. Woman was created to be a helper. The Holy Spirit is identified by Jesus as “THE Helper” in John 14. (This is in the New American Standard Bible. Other versions use different words, but in the Greek it is the word Parakletos, a masculine noun which means, “one who is called alongside to help.”) If I want to be the very BEST helper I can be, if I want to fulfill my destiny at the highest level of excellence, I have an incredible role model in the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit!

What I now understand is that God does not place the role of “helper” in low postion. It is we who have made it into something undesirable. Injustice and oppression have warped our concepts of being a helper into something “less than.” But from God’s vantage point, the promised Holy Spirit came with Helper as one of His main titles and functions! Now when I remember that I am created to be a helper, I don’t feel cheated or second place. I feel empowered and valued. I know that as a woman I reflect the same aspects of God that are part of the function of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. That is my contribution, and it is no small thing!

So — I am back in the blogging game after a trip to London with Stovall. What an incredible honor for Stovall to be invited to speak at Hillsong London! As many of you know, Pastors  Brian and Bobbie have had such a big influence on our church and on us as leaders and pastors. Pastors Gary and Cathy Clarke lead the London church, and we had a great time getting to know them and their executive team.One cool thing about being there was that the whole church is so diverse. Not just in terms of ethnicities, but in actual nations represented. It was really astounding — like being in a Christian U.N. 

While we were there we also got the chance to catch up with our friends Nick and Chris Caine. They have just launched their A21 campaign in Greece. A21 is their anti-trafficking project and stands for “Abolish slavery in the 21st century.” I had no idea that human trafficking was so prevalent in Europe. It is incredible how pervasive it is there. I am so glad that we have the priviledge of partnering with Equip and Empower as they take on this injustice!

After London I came home, but Stovall went to Moscow and then to Kiev to speak at the Hillsong churches there under the leadership of Pastors Zhenya and Vera Kesavich. Some of you might remember them. They came in April — what awesome friends they have truned out to be!

So — we are both back home now, working through the jet lag, catching up at home and work, and getting ready to press forward to the next thing, the ONE Prayer series launching this weekend. I am really excited about this series which is bringing nearly 1000 churches together in unity across the U.S. and the world. We are really fortunate to live in a time where technology makes it possible for the church to rally together on a global scale and show the impact the church can have when we stand together.

Anyway, just wanted to check in with all my girls from church and anyone else out there who is reading. I will be back to my regular blogging flow next week.  Until then, live beautifully.

xoxo — Kerri

Soooo—- what can I say about SHINE 2008? I want to write a recap blog while my heart is still full. It exceeded my every expectation. I am beyond thankful to Jesus for carrying the conference by the power of the Holy Spirit. His presence was definitely there, and lives were changed forever.

This year there was just so much peace over the whole conference. Even though I felt we got off to a late start promoting it, things just fell into place. We experienced growth in every area, but more importantly I think as a group of women we crossed a spiritual line of maturity, vision, and unity.

Our speakers this year had such a unity about the messages they spoke. We had not talked to each other at all prior to SHINE, but it was as if the Holy Spirit was trying to imprint the message of love revolution upon us so that we could take it to our worlds. To that end, I am so happy to report that as a group we fully financed the sewing project for the carepoint at Sauerstown in Zimbabwe. You truly rose to the challenge to live generously and gave over and above. I can’t wait to hear the stories of lives changed through the sewing machines we gave.

From the first note of the opener to the last frame of the closing video, God’s love was poured out on us and our capcity to love God and His people was enlarged. I was so proud of our women — your hunger for the word, your responsiveness to the Spirit, your passion in worship — it was so beautiful. You made me so proud to be a pastor in this house. Everyone who visited said they could feel the tangible love of God the whole time.

I have to say thank you to our team of INCREDIBLE volunteers! You make SHINE happen every year with your amazing heart for service. I sensed that the capacity for love and service was so increased in our volunteers this year. There was definitely the annointing that is brought by unity — where God commands His blessing. Without a doubt we will be sharing the rewards in heaven for every life that was touched at SHINE 2008.

And finally, to our  staff. You guys — the words fail me to express how much I love all of you. Thank you so much for standing with me and making this weekend happen. Thank you for your prayers and love and support. Here’s to 2009 and all the joy to come!

Love to all,
Kerri
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