 You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We recently moved into a newly built home and over the last few months we’ve had multiple contractors here to either repair or finish projects that were not completed before our closing. As a somewhat private person, I am not completely comfortable with welcoming all of these strangers into my home on a weekly basis. It seems like I am never quite sure of which rooms they will be entering and truthfully, there are just some rooms that I would prefer for people to stay out of. As I considered this matter, I wondered if as Christians there are “rooms” in our spiritual houses that we are not inviting Jesus into. The room that is ‘too dirty’: In a home with two little boys, messiness is inevitable, especially in the bathroom and sometimes a serious cleanup is required. On those days, I would want to hide the dirtiness behind the door. Is there sin in our lives that causes us to hide ourselves from God? When we knowingly sin, our shame can make us want to hide from the Lord. We may become distant in our prayer lives and feel like we need to veil ourselves from His sight. But, because of the cleansing power of Jesus’s death and resurrection, with a repentant heart, we can confidently ask God into our mess and experience the restoration of His amazing grace upon us. The room that’s ‘too full’: In Southwest Florida, houses don’t typically come with a lot of storage space, so all of our extra things often get crammed into a spare bedroom. These extra things aren’t necessarily bad and may even be neatly organized, but the room is just too full for anyone to fit into it. Are our lives too full of good things and busy schedules that we’ve left no space for the Lord? Sometimes our blessings can become our god. We can become so involved with what we have or with what we have to do, that we leave no space for the true God to have His way in our lives. When we invite Jesus to stand in the center of our full lives, asking for His will to be done, we can be sure that He will wisely order our days. The room that’s ‘too personal’: The home office allows us to keep all of our private business separated from the more public areas of the house. In fact, we may even put a lock on the door to encourage people to stay out. Are there things in our lives that we feel are too personal to share with God? The physical and emotional intimacy of marriage is an amazing thing, but there are difficult seasons and situations in marriage that are so deeply personal that we may prefer to keep them private. When we invite God into these personal matters we can trust that He will work for us; He created marriage and He deeply wants to preserve the beauty and holiness of it. In conclusion: So, even though there are days that I’d prefer to keep some doors shut, if I don’t let the repairman in, then the work on my home will never be finished. Likewise, if I don’t invite the Lord into every area of my life, then I will never fully experience His restorative and refining work in me. 
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Kim White
My precious husband, Bill, and I have been planted in Fort Myers, Florida for almost 35 years. As a newly married couple, God most graciously had placed people in both of our jobs to share Christ with us. Its hard to believe it has been almost 34 years since we asked Jesus into our hearts! Bill and I have been blessed with four children, 3 daughters, then a son. These blessings came quickly, all within 6 years!! During these years I'm so thankful I was able to be part of women's ministry classes at our church, helping me to grow in my walk with Him. Then came the day when I was asked that question that stretched me way outside of my comfort zone...will you teach a class? Its hard to believe that I have now been teaching more than 20 years. Bill and I love to travel, most of the time going to visit our 9 grandchildren, oh ya, and their parents! I also love reading, walking and hanging out with some very special young moms in Beloved that bless my socks off!
Julie Fuller
Julie is a Kansas girl who resides in sunny Southwest Florida. She's been married to her husband Sean for 23 years and they share two boys ages 21 & 17. She enjoys baking and biking, but her absolute favorite thing is snow skiing which is a little difficult to do in a sandy 80 degree land.
She became a follower of Christ at age 10. She loves studying and teaching God's Word. She has a passion for encouraging moms to love and follow Jesus. 
Beth Calhoun
Beth grew up in a loving home; however, in her early 20s she faced a very lonely time. During that time, she cried out to God and asked “If You are real, please show yourself to me!” God met her where she was and she trusted in the Lord Jesus at that time. Her life verse and desire is “no matter what happens, to conduct herself in a manner worthy of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27
Beth now resides in Tampa, Florida with her husband Larry. The Lord has blessed them by blending their family of five children. They currently have eight grandchildren and are hoping that there will be more grandchildren in the future. 
Donna Brown
Donna accepted Jesus as her Savior at the age of nine and has been amazed at God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout her life. She has been blessed to have had many mentors through each season of life, who have shown her what trusting God looks like. Donna and her husband, Bryan, make their home in central Arkansas. They have five grown children and are grandparents to wonderful grandchildren. Donna enjoys spending time with her family, laughing with friends (usually over coffee), going for long walks with her husband, and reading a good book (which may also be accompanied by a cup of coffee).
Sarah Spencer
Sarah is a true Florida Cracker. She was born and raised in Southwest Florida. At the age of 6, Sarah accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and she hasn't looked back since. Hebrews 13:8 is one of her favorite verses, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Eating delicious desserts, spending time with her family and friends, and teaching people about Jesus are a few of the things she enjoys to do in her spare time.
Sarah has been married to her best friend and husband, Brandon, for 7 years. They have been blessed with one beautiful, determined son, Asher, who keeps them on their toes. Sarah and her family live in the Tampa area. They love exploring their community together, family hugs, and eating pizza whenever possible. 
Katie Flint
Katie Flint just recently moved back home to Fort Myers, Florida with her husband, Ryan and two children, Collins and Madden. At the age of 5, Katie accepted Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of her life, after attending Vacation Bible School. Through each phase of her life, God has shown her that He alone is trustworthy. The verse that has been her life source is Psalm 46:10- “Be still and know that I am God.”
She is a stay-at-home mom and enjoys exercising and baking. She has been married to her husband Ryan for almost 9 years, who is her high school sweetheart. They enjoy trying new restaurants, family trips to the beach, and relaxing at home. 
Marsha Sommer
Marsha grew up in a small rural town in upstate New York. In 2006, after finishing college, she moved to sunny SW Florida where she met her, now husband, Shawn. Together they enjoy spending family time with their two fun-loving toddler boys Zachariah and Kairos.
Marsha enjoys living an active lifestyle, which is helpful, considering that her favorite hobby is baking. Though she attended church as a child, Marsha was not saved until adulthood when her eyes were finally opened to the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Since being saved, God has placed a loving burden on her heart to share the truth about God’s healing grace with those who may feel like forgiveness is not possible for them. Archives
December 2021
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