Sparkle with Divine Shine - North Richland Hills Baptist Church
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Volume 22 Issue 1 - January 2020
Sparkle with
Divine Shine
by Tamara Roberts January 2020
“I will bless you … And you shall be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2
“Have a blessed day,” the clerk said.
“You be blessed, too.” I automatically answered. She had no idea how much I needed my day to
be blessed. It felt cursed until that point.
My friend’s father got a sudden promotion to heaven and I’d driven out of town for the funeral.
My blind daughter had called frantically. Her son wasn’t picked up from preschool. This was usually my
responsibility because she is legally blind and can’t see well enough to drive. I’d previously told her and
texted I wouldn’t be available to take him to school because I had an out of town funeral. She under-
stood me to say, I only couldn’t take him to school but never said I couldn’t pick him up. I thought I had
clearly communicated I wouldn’t be available at all that day. Frantic calls blew up my phone which had
been off for the funeral and graveside. When it turned back on—what a mess.
Heat rose in my face. I was sure steam exploded out my ears. Anxious grandson. Teachers incon-
venienced. Rage and embarrassment. Both of us angry that the other didn’t understand. It more than dis-
turbed my peace. I was nearly two hours away and unable to fix the problem. I groused to God, “If only
You’d heal her blindness like I’d prayed for years, this wouldn’t be a problem.” Thankfully lightning
didn’t strike.
continued
Instead of counting my blessings, I’d begun listing my sorrows. The
clerk’s words were a good reminder to capture those thoughts and count my
blessings. We’re blessed to be a blessing no matter the immediate circum-
stance and build each other up in the body of Christ.
I’d just read Given by Tina Boesch. She pointed out that in cultures
overseas, like Istanbul, where she’d lived for many years, blessings flowed
freely in everyday conversation. Here, not so much. A baby is born. We say,
“Congratulations.” They say a blessing like, “May he be strong and healthy.”
Thoughts about blessings rolled in. The first blessing that came to
mind is what God commanded in Numbers 6:22-27. “And the Lord spoke to
Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you
shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: ‘The Lord bless you and keep
you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The
Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.’ So they shall
put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” (NKJV)
A Jewish Rabbi said if we truly understood ancient Hebrew we would
read it like in Jewish ceremonies. “God will bless you and keep you; The Lord will make His face shine upon
you and be gracious to you, and give you peace.”
It’s not saying, “May the Lord.” That sounds like it means I hope the Lord blesses you. It firmly
states “He will.” The blessing is a definite promise not just a hope.
I’ve always wondered what the next part of the verse meant. “His face shine on you.” The Message
states it this way, “God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face
and make you prosper.” From that, I gathered it meant–God be happy with you, pay attention to your needs,
and mature you.
Tina Boesch identified this divine shine a little better. “Blessing, protection, grace, peace, seeing the
shining face of God and living in His favor–this is God’s blessing to those who meet with Him. It expresses
all that we’re meant to experience in worship and all that we’re meant to carry with us as we walk out of the
sanctuary and into the world.”
After reading this, I realized those words meant so much more than I’d understood. Entire books have
been written about that set of verses.
Isaiah 60:19b said, “The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Jesus
said, “You are the light of the world.” The children’s song, “This little light of mine. I’m gonna’ let it shine,”
danced through my head with a rich and deeper understanding of God’s divine shine and our reflection of
Him.
The last part of the verse, “and give you peace” was what I needed that day. Shalom. God’s peace.
Words poorly communicated or mis-understood had stolen peace and caused chaos.
We forget the power of our words. When we speak blessings, things happen because we’re made in
the image of God. Our words bring blessing and peace or chaos and heartbreak. More so for those of us who
are His children, His royal priesthood.
Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, Who Switched Off My Brain, came to mind. It spoke of how the words we
speak and hear effect our brain and body chemistry. When we speak blessings and mean them, our brain puts
out happy brain hormones for both us and the receiver of our blessings. Beware. Speaking without intention
is like a lie and has the same negative effect as yelling curses. That produces unhealthy chemicals to flow
throughout our brains and bodies. Not only does blessing others help them, it helps us.
I have frequently prayed using the B-L-E-S-S acrostic. B-Body, health, strength, and stamina.
L-Labor, work and finances. E-Emotions, peace, love, and joy. S-Social and Family relationships. S-Spiritual
growth, to surrender to and grow closer to God, being discipled and making disciples.
As we reflect the light of the Lord, may we sparkle with His divine shine, spreading His blessings.
Prayer: Father, help us begin this year with an attitude of blessing. Show us opportunities to
bless others with our words and deeds, share Your gospel of peace, and bring You glory and
honor.
*For reprint permission email tamara@tamroberts.com with reprint in the subject line.
Pray for our Church Family
NRHBC Hospital Board & Prayer Sheet as of December 18, 2019: Kami Howell (Celesta’s dtr-in-law), Fran Lucas, Danny Staf-
ford, Alice Christman, Robin Herron, Sue Martin, Vickie Stone-Auberry, Family of Anthony Poole (Robert/Mickey Woodard’s grand-
son), and Family of former member Curtis Moore.
Pray for these with continuing needs: Scott Annable, Erin Attaway, Barbara Atwell, Robert Atwell, Jeremy Berveiler, Pete Berveil-
er, Claudia Bone, Ron Boswell, Charles Bourne, Sr., LaVeda Brooks, Shirley Brooks, Charlie Brown, Don Bunch, Dawson Ca-
ladrese, Al/Jonathan Cardenas, Maddox Carmean, Margo Carstarphen, Treagin Casselman, Anita Christensen, Sherry Christensen,
Carmen Coleman, Jackie Comple, Janie Corbett, Pat Coyle, Betty Crumpler, Carma Davis, Trudy Delp, Vonda Denton, Scott Don-
aldson, Jean Doyle, Don & Gaylene Draper, Katie Dukes, Willard Elrod, Shari Emmons, Vernalee Ernst, Becky Farris, Janice Fen-
imore, Marinell Fidler, Joy Fowler, Bert Frie, Judy Gangwere, Barbara Gant, Tammy Garcia, Jan & Ramon Giles, Jimmy Goin, Olivia
Gregory, Betty Gresham, Perry Griffey, John & Janie Groce, Jerri Hajek, Mark Hays, Melissa Hays, Shelly Hardy, Tom & Hue Leita
Harvey, John Heath, Virginia Hitchcock, Thomas Hoodenpyle, Paul Hopkins, Mark Howell, Vaughn Kankey, Beth & WO Kelly, Mary
Frances Kelly, Lee & Peggy Kibbe, Ed & Minerva Kimbell, Helen Kingston, Betty Kleppelid, Thomas Landis, Becky Leatherwood,
Ruth Leeth, Ezio Liete, James Long, Steve Lovette, Lisa Mapula, Ken Martin, Tommy Martin, Charlene McGee, Charles McManus,
Joann McMorrow, Janell Miller, Bob Miner, Imogene Mochizuki, Jenny Moore, Barbara Nichols, Ruth Osborne, Eva Pannell, Eric
Pence, Jean Preslar, Jean Pulliam, Frank Purdy, Dean Radke, Marian Ramsey, Vickey Rice, Dell Richardson, Nelda & Ron Roik,
Wynona Rush, Sutton Savage, Don Shaver, Steve Sheedy, John Shelton, Becky Shroyer, Steve & Brenda Slaughter, Edith Smith,
Glinda Smith, David Sobel, David Spradley, Beverly Spivey, Elma Stafford, Joyce Stafford, Matha Sterling, Grady Stone, Kim Stone,
Phillip Strother, Keith Stubblefield, Gary Suggs, Ladena Sullivan, Shirley Teems, Leland Thomas, Andrea Vargas, Homer Wallace,
Barbara Warner, Scott Whitworth, John Williams, Lorene Williams, Allene Wilson, Thomas Wittner, Lisa Wood, and Mike Yount.
Pray for Ministries of NRHBC & Cross Church
Scott Maze, Senior Pastor requests prayer for: Jody Hayes, Wellness & Senior Adult Ministry re-
Friends, family & co-workers who are lost. Pray for people by name. quests prayer for:
Danny Roberts, Executive Pastor requests prayer for:
God to provide opportunities for the wellness staff &
volunteers to share Christ with those utilizing the
Our people as we are challenged to name our “Who’s Your One?”
wellness center.
This will be our evangelism emphasis for 2020.
Wisdom in using resources which God has entrusted to us. T. J. Daugherty, Director of Global Missions requests
Our church as we determine ways we can reach our community prayer for:
around the NRH and Cross Church Campuses. God to continue to raise up harvesters from NRHBC
& Cross Church to go to mission field.
Jeremy Winters, Cross Church Campus Pastor requests prayer for:
Generous giving toward “Stronger Together” building fund. Dave Bryant, MS, & HS Ministries requests prayer
Effective strategy/leaders for community engagement. for:
Our students to recognize their area of influence and
Stuart Pendell, Couples Pastor requests prayer for:
their school as their mission field and for boldness to
2Moving Re-Engage marriage program to Wednesday nights in the proclaim the gospel.
spring. Pray that this new time slot would reach couples that were God’s guidance and planning for DNOW; To raise up
previously unable to attend, that they would first find hope in the Host Homes and Leaders, and for students to regis-
Gospel and secondly in their marriage. ter.
Daniel Stafford, GPS (Singles) Ministry requests prayer for: Michael Slater, Dir. of Communications requests
God to reach 30/40 age group.. prayer for:
A single, Mark Moses, a missionary in the Philippines. More volunteers for Media Ministry.
Male facilitator for Divorce Care Support Group that meets at 10:45 -
12:15 every Sunday. D’Ann Laywell-Children’s Ministry & Caren Crow-
Preschool Ministry, Betty Tatum-Cross Church
Our Single & Parenting Support Group.
Children’s Ministry & Sandra Zwerg-KID Worship
Single Adults in our community during the holidays. Ministry requests prayer for:
D’Ann Laywell, Women’s Ministry requests prayer for: Januaary kick-off for all programs: W.I.L.D., VIP,
Women in our church to form friendships. Kids Night Out and KID Worship as we minister to
Bus Ministry requests prayer for: families each week. We really need some kids in
Adult riders (18 yrs +) to assist Sundays. DC4K (Divorce Care for Kids) right now.
Danny Koonce Worship Pastor requests prayer for: The community to embrace Cross Church.
Recruiting more participants.
Numbers to call for Prayer Concerns: North Richland Hills Non-Profit
Organization
International Mission Board Baptist Church US POSTAGE
Prayer Line 1-800-395-PRAY (7729) 6955 Blvd. 26 PAID
FT. WORTH, TX.
North American Mission Board Prayer North Richland Hills, TX 76180 PERMIT NO. 586
Line 1-800-554-PRAY (7729)
International Mission News
http://www.imb.org
North American Mission News
http://www.namb.net
General Prayer Requests
diane@nrhbc.org
Let us pray for the special activities of our church
Jan 1—New Years Day!
Jan 3-5—Young Adults Retreat 2020. Academy Home School Choir
Jan 5—Lord’s Supper at NRHBC. Adopt-A-School Mentoring
Angel Land Preschool
Jan 5 & 26—Discover Cross Church Lunch
BSF Groups
Jan 7 & 14 & 21 & 28—GALS will be at Tuesday Morning Bible Study, 10 a.m. in
Fellowship Hall. Bus Ministry
Jan 8—Pastors Bible Study begins for the new year, 6:30 in Room 110. Celebrate Recovery
Child Care Ministry
Jan10—Kids Night Out Childcare & GPS (Singles) Stroke Awareness Training.
Jan 12 & 19—Connect Fair! Children’s Choir
Jan 12—Bible Fellowship Groups Open House, New Members Class, 9:30 in Par- Children’s Ministry
lor. Students SNAC, 5 p.m. in the gym. Deacon Meeting, 5 p.m. in Room 110. Connect Classes
Couples Ministry
Jan 19—Quarterly Food Drive. Free Parent Talk, 9:30 a.m. in the gym. Men’s Steak
‘n’ Bake, 6-9 in the gym. Cross Church Campus
Jan 22—Connect Classes begin. Divorce Care
Divorce Care for Kids
Jan 24—Women’s Ministry Game Night, 6:30 in Fellowship Hall.
Jan 26—Baptism Sunday. Donuts with Dad. Discover Cross Church Lunch. Leader- ESL Program
ship Equipping Meetings, 5 p.m. Financial Peace University
Tues Ministry Choir sings at various facilities; Tues Morning Sr Adult Bible Study Fine Arts Academy
KID Worship KIDs Beach Clubs Ladies Prayer Group Food Pantry
G.A.L.s Drama Group
Library Ministry Media Ministry Men’s Bible Study
Men’s Ministry Music Ministry Pastor’s Prayer Team Global Focus Ministry
Preschool Ministry Senior Adult Ministry Spanish Speaking Ministry Good News Club
GPS (Singles) Ministry
Students LIVE Upward Basketball Wednesday WILD
Wellness Ctr Ministry Women’s Ministry Youth Ministry GriefShare Ministry
Young Singles 20s Ministry Homebound Ministry
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