What are you searching for?

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” Proverbs 8:17

If you were to google the phrase ‘top searches on google right now’ you would find a lot of sports inquiries. Doesn’t matter what team, just hundreds of thousands of people in unison asking about sports.  Over a million people recently searched for information about the Eagles football team in a 24 hour period? A million? Really? That seems like a lot of people searching for the same thing!

In fact, of the top 20 topics searched in the last 24 hours; 13 were sports, 4 were Hollywood, 2 were TV and 1 was music. If you were a curious sort and wanted to know what the top search in 2019 overall was, it was ‘Disney plus’. People are seeking, they want info, they want to know the answers.

What about you? Are you an ‘Alexa’ fan? Or perhaps ‘google assist’? Tools that help us in searching for answers. Of course, there is always the ultimate search engine… Mom! “Mom…where is my…” how many times have you heard that today?

We can’t deny that people are searching…

• Trying to pinpoint the right gift, or the elusive one.
• Trying to find the best way to cook a turkey.
• Trying to discover the reason for the season.

So, what if you find yourself still searching?

Is it possible that we are not really seeking earnestly? I recall my 3 boys playing hide and seek when they were all under the age of 8. I found the older two happily playing another game when my understanding was, they were supposed to be looking for their little brother. When questioned the oldest quickly announced that they weren’t really looking for him, but if he thought they were then he would stay quiet and the older two could play cars without him bothering them!

This advent we have been blessed by the words of many of the women of our church.  The advent books have been re-stocked. But how many of those books are being read?

How earnestly are you looking?

The advent devotional was written to help us pursue, hope, love, joy and peace. Hopefully we have walked this journey towards Christmas in search of Jesus, and just as the star led the wise men, God’s word leads us.

What if we are spending time with the Lord, and yet are still a little ragged around the edges?

Perhaps we are not letting the word penetrate our hearts? It is hard to stop. Hard to say I am going to sit and be still, be quiet. Sometimes it takes the flu, or a stomach virus to get us to be still.

I don’t want to resist stopping so much that it takes a bug to slow me down. I want to be in a place where I can voluntarily recognize the value in resting, reassessing, and rebuilding. When I stop, I will hear the Lord’s voice more clearly.

Searching is not a new thing…

Rumi a 13^th century poet said “What you seek is seeking you”

Marcel Proust a 19^th century novelist said “The voyage of discovery is not seeking new landscapes, but having new eyes.”

We are inquisitive people, we will always seek out answers to the questions we have. Anyone who is deeply interested in learning more, will learn more.

What are you waiting for? Turn to His word as the season of giving approaches. Accept His gift of salvation, and knowledge, and the blessing that comes with it. In the words of a fabulous hymn “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace”

CJ Crenshaw

Interested in becoming a Women’s Ministry blog contributor? Contact Jenn Dennard ( ) for details.

Interested in joining the Women’s Ministry team? Visit our Teams page to discover our various committees and which one might be the best fit for you.

In need of prayer or a fellow woman in Christ to chat with? The Women’s Ministry team would love to be there for you. Email Kim Edde ( ) to connect with one of our team members.

Connect with the Women's Ministry via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bhbcsistersoftheheart) or Instagram (bhbc_women)

Encourager-in-Chief

Encourager-in-Chief

Encourage one another and build one another up.  1 Thessalonians 5:11

I have a title, albeit over-used and under-appreciated: I am ‘Mum.’ Being British allows me the letter ‘u,’ and nothing could be more accurate. My life is not about ‘me’ but about ‘u’- my family - to whom I am called to encourage and equip.   

Don’t stop reading now! I am not only addressing mothers, for there is a universal title that all women have been given: ‘Glorifier.’ We have all been created to do the same job - Glorify God!

But how can a woman who feels as if she has no extraordinary gifts or circumstances bring God glory?

Simply love Jesus and live each day for Him!

We all have people watching us, younger in the faith or years; their eyes are on us. Our behavior can determine whether they will honor or profane God’s word.

No pressure! There is power in the God-given capacity we have. In Titus, Paul affirmed that women need women, and that our love-filled lives would speak more than words. However, we must know Jesus, ground ourselves in Him, move beyond the disappointments, define ourselves as a servant, and relinquish control.

Before I continue, I wish to give credit where it is due. Susan Hunt and her book “Spiritual Mothering,” along with two years of mentoring at Broken Chains International with Allison Williams, had a profound impact on my awareness of the responsibility I hold as a Christian woman. Many thoughts shared in this post have become mine; but only after God introduced me to some incredible women.

Susan Hunt says, “Many women today are overwhelmed with the complexity of Life.  They are floundering because they have no focal point. When their expectations are not realized, their emotional equilibrium erupts. When career, marriage, or children do not give them the security or significance they anticipated, their confidence evaporates. They are influenced by the unrealistic images of life and womanhood portrayed in the media. Their purpose in life is shaped by their desire to attain the personal happiness they are told they deserve. So, they are not only disappointed by unrealized expectations, they are defeated.”

I can bring God glory by ministering to those who feel defeated, for I have been there. I can be willing to take a phone call, to listen, to stop, and be present. Women long to be nurtured; 100 years ago, women did ALL of life together, but now we live in a world where Skype and Facebook are the closest some get to a support system. When they are encouraged, they rejoice and flourish; it pumps spiritual adrenaline into their souls. “Gracious words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Prov. 16:24).

Why are we not willing to minister?

Resentment, the product of a self-centered approach to life. The very fact that God has entered into a relationship with us should radically change the way we relate to others. We resent interruptions, and our own age, threatened by those who look, act, and seem younger/older. Instead, we should embrace each new life stage, helping to usher others into the same stage with grace.

Insecurity, lack of feeling safe; some retreat into a cave after experiencing pain while pushing to conquer the mountains they faced alone. We don’t want to risk getting involved in the lives of others because failure is real. Rejection, criticism, and guilt devastate. The Lord provides safety, and we must strive to do the same. For He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. (Ps. 27:5). Maybe you have been allowed to conquer that mountain so that you can show others it can be done.

The combination of spiritual maturity and life experience qualifies you to nurture, encourage, and equip. Don’t be fooled, it is not the same as pampering and indulging; we are not trying to be someone else’s god. Aim for a humble approach - not one that is passive or full of a syrupy sweetness, but one of rugged obedience.

Obedience brings our life under the authority of God’s Word; in it, we are able to offer verbal affirmation expressing kindness. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32) If you are seeking to grow and apply the Word, then you are qualified. You don’t have to be a theological expert or have reached ‘super sainthood.’

Connect with other women; exercise spiritual stewardship over each new day that God gives you.

Check out our website for more information on ways to connect through the Women’s Ministry.

Many blessings,

CJ Crenshaw

Interested in becoming a Women’s Ministry blog contributor? 

Contact Jenn Dennard ( ) for details.

Interested in joining the Women’s Ministry team? Visit our Teams page to discover our various committees and which one might be the best fit for you.

In need of prayer or a fellow woman in Christ to chat with? The Women’s Ministry team would love to be there for you. Email Kim Edde ( ) to connect with one of our team members.

Stay up to date with Women’s Ministry events here, and missions opportunities here.

Connect with Women's Ministry via Facebook and/or Instagram @bhbc_women