New Location!

My new blog is located on the Common Ground Montgomery Website.
Here you will find a weekly written update on God's work in and through me!

Simple go to www.cgmal.org
Click on meet CGM
Click on my Name (Keisha Reid)
At the bottom of my bio Click on "readkeisha'sblog'

Thanks for your love and support!!!

Anxious about Public Speaking

So, I know the Bible tells us to not be anxious for anything. However, I think public speaking should be an exception. Just kidding. One of my struggles has always been speaking in front of others. Right before speaking my palms get sweaty, my heart beats rapidly, my mind goes blank and then, my only prayer is "God please speak through me." Is'nt it amazing how faithful and timely He answers our prayers. Tonight, I had the privilege of speaking to a local church about our ministry. I along with 4 other missionaries had the joy of sharing about God's work in our city. Although my heart rate rises exponentially the day of a speaking engagement, there is nothing I love more than talking about our Savior! However, when my focus in on myself and not on Him, anxiety within my heart becomes very present.

Having a fear of speaking in front of others has reminded me of my dependence on the Lord. Sadly, I don't always think of my inadequacies until I am faced to function in an area of weakness. Such awareness has lead me to now prayerfully and practically cultivate an attitude of dependence upon the Lord, that even when I function in the things that I am "skilled" at doing, I still want to be mindful that "all things are from Him and through Him and to Him." I don't want to only be aware of my dependence on Christ in my weaknesses.

"He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy." (Psalms 147:10-11)

Goodbye Summer...Hello Fall!

Today began the 1st day of our fall program!! Before I go into the plans for the fall, let me update you on the summer!!

This was my second summer at CGM, and what a difference a year makes. We had 120 children in our camp along with 16 interns. Although last summer was great, this year was even better. The interns along with our staff did an amazing job, in teaching the children the story of God’s Creation, Man’s Fall and His Redemption! The 1st week was filled with excited faces! The kids had waited all year for camp and what a 1st week it was. We went swimming, bowling, paintballing etc. We were having a great time! But no summer is complete without conflict. My 1st conflict resolution was with a white intern and one of our kids. This young girl had a problem with our intern being white and giving her instructions, so she chose to slander her. Here was an opportunity to teach about God's design in creating all of us in His image and the importance and beauty in loving and respecting those who are different.

Conflict provides an opportunity for us to teach the kids God’s way! To sit and dialogue with their offender or confess sin is foreign to most of our children. This is no small thing, b/c in our neighborhood conflict is sometimes ‘resolved’ with a gun. So, although I don’t welcome conflict I rejoice in the opportunity to teach the kids how to resolve their issues in such a way that brings healing!


I had the privilege of being with the older teenage girls! I always enjoy the honesty and frankness that characterize adolescence! The questions asked were so profound and the statements made were real and heart throbbing. I remember talking about the Fall of Mankind and the consequences we see, namely anger, drug addictions, broken families, imprisonment, murder, teenage pregnancy etc. One girl raised her hand and said this makes her sad b/c these are the things she sees around her. At this moment a lump was in my throat and my eyes were filled with water. How amazing it was for us to see that this young girl was making a connection between the truths of the Scriptures and the realities of everyday life. This is real!!! The story of redemption was the sweetest! This same young girl was angry and had a hard heart towards others, including the white intern. Yes, she understood the consequences of sin in the world, but what a joy it was to us when she understood that her sins separated her from a loving and gracious Father, who longed to have a personal relationship with her. Later on in the summer, this little girl said, “I want to be a Christian!!” Since then we have seen her go and ask for forgiveness to those whom she has offended and at times she would be the 1st to confess her faults. To see this girl love and enjoy being aroung those who are different is something only God can do! Her desire to know the Lord continues to grow and I am so encouraged to be a witness of God's work!


Overall, it was a great summer! The interns that served alongside
us are forever changed and our kids continue to learn about our Savior!!!! Thank you for all the prayers, encouragement and support!! I cannot do this without you!



Now, for the fall! We are starting to cultivate a new way of doing things! As a ministry we want to create an atmosphere of love, structure, discipline and grace! We desire to be intentional and share our lives with them as well as help in their long-term development! This means that we want to be in their lives constantly, especially during those times when they are most likely to engage in idle behavior that may be destructive. One way in which we do this, is through our after-school program. We help them with writing, reading etc. We also get into their world and help them to think critically and biblically about the messages that are communicated in the world, via media. We also have taekwondo, basketball, cheerleading and a girls group. We teach them about God and His Word in every area of life. Our goal is to help shape their view of the world in hopes that they will see the frailty & despair that this world offers and as a result seek and cling to the truthfulness of who God is and His desire for them to live a life consecrated to Him!

Today was the 1st day of the after school program, so please pray for us as we seek to be good stewards of this ministry in which God has entrusted to us!!!

Also, I will hopefully begin the Monday night Bible Study in Sept! Please pray that God would send women who are serious about forsaking the things of the world and pursuing Him!

I will keep you all more updated…

Help My Unbelief

So, it is true of anyone in ministry that one of our objectives is to love others in the most tangible and practical way in order that some may be Won to Christ. For this we labor, that God's name and renown would not only be the desires of our hearts, but also the desires of those we minister to. What happens when such a desire begins to stir up within the hearts of children? I wish I could say that a child asking to be a Christian excites me, but unfortunatlely to my own shame, I confess that I am quite the skeptic. I am at times like the faithless disciples who forbids the children to go to Christ. Of course, I don't tell them that they can't become a Christian, or that they are too young. No, infact, I believe the opposite. I strongly believe that a child who has heard the gospel, can understand that they are little sinners in need of a Great Savior. However, I do at times doubt the authenticity of a child's desire. This is indeed a shame and sin, of which I confess. Over the past few weeks, we have had about 7 girls ages 7 -16 come to us (staff) and told us that they wanted to be Chritians. As a staff team, we are passionate about teaching and living according to the truths of the Scriptures.

Our theology is not only about God's love, but we lovingly tell the children about the wrath of God as well as His expectation for them to live obedient lives. It's only fair, and I do strongly believe that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." So, you must understand that we teach the truthfulness of the Scriptures, so when a child ponders the things we talk about and respond in the affirmative, then one would think that it is sincere. But, again, I am a skeptic. These young girls have sat under our teaching for many months, they hear us talk about Jesus everyday and if my objective is to scatter seeds in hopes that it will fall on good soil, then why do I doubt in the power of God? Yes, I emphatically believe that God can and does call little children to Himself.

It is clear in the Scriptures and it is clear in the life of one of my heroes of the faith, John Piper, who became a Christian at 6 years old. So, yes I believe that he can change one child but 7, well that's a bit much, right? Of course not, He is God! The God who channels the kings heart, and bids the children to come unto Him! So, who am I then to question the work of His hands? I do agree that we have to be discerning and use wisdom in leading a child into the faith, but there should be no unbelief in wisdom, only faith in the power of God's initiation. As we pray with the children who after a series of questions as to why they desire to be a Christian, we
then tell them that its not a prayer that saves you, but it's faith in what Christ did on the cross. We say this to help them to know that they cannot just pray a prayer and continue to live their lives contrary to the Scriptures, conversely the way they live their life will be evidence of the sincerity of their prayer. In short, God is the one who knows the hearts of these young ones, not me. Therefore, I want to be faithful in teaching the children the counsel of God and hope that He will impress His truths upon their hearts to the point of true change. And when a wave of children decide that they want to follow Christ, and if ever I am tempted again to doubt the magnificent power of God, I will confess that, "Lord I believe, but help my unbelief!"

Praise God for the 7 little girls who decided that they wanted to invite Christ in their hearts and begin living for Him!!! Please pray that these young girls will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Great Lord and Savior!

Instruments in the Redeemers Hand

Over the past few days, I have been thinking about what it means to be God's instrument or vessel. According to one defintion, an instrument is a "means by which something is effected or done." There is a great parallel between being God's instrument and His servant. In fact, it is one in the same. Because I am His servant, then He is my Master. A servant has no right, to tell the master how he/she desires to be used.The servant's purpose is to be a "means" by which something is effected or done. Hmm? From the Scriptures I know that God is at work in and through us to accomplish His glory. This isn't egocentric of Him, but becasue He is the Master, He has all rights to use His creation, namely you and I, to accomplish His effected purpose.

It was once said that a human servant, goes to His master and asks him, "what do you want me to do?" and then he goes off and does it. While this should be true of a heavenly servant, it is different in that God works through us to accomplish His will. He just doesnt create us and tell us to go and do something, instead He goes with us. This is comforting for me, because in ministry I take great joy in being a vessel of the King. I know that I was created to love Him and to bring Him glory all the days of my life! However, the problem comes in, when I as a vessel want to be the Master. There are days when my desire is to do things selfishly, independently of the Master. When I do, there is trouble and heartache. But I thank God for being a committed Master. He who began a good work will complete it!! Oh that I would live as an instrument and trust the plan and the work of my Redeemer!!!

When Da Vinci created the Mona Lisa, spectators didn'tsay, 'mona lisa is great, she did a good job on herself." No, instead they marveled at the artist because of his creation.

My prayer is that as I live life as a 'mona lisa', people would marvel at my Creator.

Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something on the wheel.
But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.
Then the word of the LORD came to me saying,
"Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand."

Jeremaih 18: 3-7

May we live moldable lives in the Fathers' hand, for His glory!

Thankfulness

As I ponder on the reasons to be thankful, I am reminded that despite my circumstances, unfullfilled longings, difficulties in ministry, difficulties in family relationships, there are hundreds of reason to be thankful! Why is it so easy for me to choose ingratitude rather than gratitude. Yes, life is difficult, confusing, and at times lonely, but it is so much easier for me to fix my eyes on the 'difficulties of life' and allow that to dictate my joy in the Lord, my treatment of others and even my countenance.

This past Monday I had the privielege of teaching Bible Study to a few of the women in our neighborhood. We are studying the book of 1st John. After laying the foundation that one of the purpose of the book is so that our joy may be complete, but only in fellowship with Jesus Christ, the ladies had the opportunity to share about joy or the lack of joy in their lives. One of the mothers who is a Christian shared that her joy comes from reflecting on the ways that God has provided and kept her throughout the years. Such thoughts of God's faithfulness, she said, helps her to be joyful. So, this begs the question, what does it mean to be joyless? I believe that one of the subleties of sin is a heart of unthankfulness. If in my heart there remains unthankfulness, then it will be nearly impossible for me to find joy. How can one be joyful? Psalms 16: 11 tells us that in the Presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy. What does it mean to be in the presence of the Lord? The Psalmist answers this for us in the same passage by saying, "I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;...I have set the Lord always before me, Becasue He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices, My flesh also will rest in hope."

Wow! "My flesh also will rest in hope." A Christians' joy is not found in the circumstances of this world, but to be joyful is to have my mind and my heart FIXED on the Lord. A heart that is fixed on the Lord will inevitably rest in hope! Hmmm?! Is it possible then for my mind to be fixed on the Lord without being thankful? NO. This is impossible, becasue all that I have is a gift, even the desire to do minsitry, it is a gift; my family is a gift, my circumstances as hard as they may be are gifts that have been providentially given for my sanctification. Even the battle between the flesh and the Spirit is a gift-A gift that has been given through Christ my Savior - and has left me with the seal of the Holy Spirit of Promise, so that even as my members wage war against each other, I can be thankful, that my Spirit is not at peace with sin.

Lord with each moment of each day, please cultivate in me a heart of thankfulness that rest in the unchanging truth that you work out all things according to the counsel of your will, for your glory and for my good...Thank you then for not Wasting Anything - not even my tears!!!! (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 8:28-29; Ps. 56:8)

REASONS TO BE THANKFUL



- Salvation - CHRIST IS MY BEST FRIEND - no joke - AND FOR THIS I AM THANKFUL!! (John 15:13-15)



- Family - My sweet siblings keeps me on my knees and have taught me to "watch and pray expectantly with thanksgiving." (Col. 4:2)



- Ministry to Common Ground Neighborhood & now my family - I am thankful that each day provides the opportunity for me to see God move and then for me to BOAST in Him!

(I am also thankful for all the kids in S. A. who have showed me How BIG GOD IS)



- Friends - I think I have the greatest friends in the world all over the world. (Prov. 17:17)



- Supporters - Thanks to everyone who supports (prayerfully, financially, enouragingly) the ministry in which God has entrusted me with. (2nd Corinth 9:11)

OK I could write all night about why I am thankful...But I'll stop for now!!!

Oh, thanks for checking out my blog!!!

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1st Thess. 5:18)

Remember the days of old

This morning I asked the Lord to help me to never forget my life prior to knowing Him. For the past weeks, the Lord has provided many opportunities for me to become more acquainted with some of the women in our neighborhood. God has given me such favor with the women; they have opened up immensely. One of the ladies shared about being in and out of jail because of relational issues. Some have shared their inability to trust other women because of fear of being slandered in the streets. Some have even asked “why” did God choose a certain life for them. The questions and conversations I have had with a few women always leave me with a brokenness for people and the hope of knowing that only God can mend that which is broken. Yesterday, a mother shared with me her wish of having another opportunity to start over, to make different choices and to do things differently. What a joy it was for me to share that God is in the business of making beauty out of ashes. He is able to restore! I hope she was encouraged about the great hope that there is and the opportunity to start over in Christ! “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Please pray for wisdom for me as I share the Redemption and Transformation that comes as a result of knowing Christ. Please pray for the hearts of the women that they will truly understand the forgiveness, hope and newness of life that comes in knowing Jesus Christ!

So, what is it that I want to Remember? This morning I read 2nd Corinthians 6 & 7:1. This is a great passage for ministry as it is titled, “Marks of the Ministry.” What stuck out to me in this passage is the statement, “Not to receive the grace of God in vain.” A constant prayer for me in ministry is to not have a heart of indifference or passivity towards the circumstances and hearts of the people I minister to. I also read in the book, “Respectable Sins,” the ungodliness of pride in, “moral superiority.” There are some things that I cannot relate to with the ladies I minister to. However, there are many things I can definitely relate to, I am a sinner, I have failed to live a perfect life, I have failed in many ways, we all have. The temptation for many of us, including myself is to look judgingly and even condemningly at people who seem to be morally impure, especially when the consequences are so visible. But then I remember that the same message of grace that I preach to others is the same message of grace I have been a recipient of and therefore need to preach to myself. Grace that is greater than all of our sins! My sins, my rebellious agnostic heart has lead me to think, say and do things that are so not pleasing to God, of this I am ashamed, yet hopeful, in that I can remember the days prior to knowing Christ, and see and be reminded of His amazing grace that was extended to me. Then I can put my hands over my mouth and repent of my ungodliness. But not only repent, but also cultivate a heart of humility that knows that, “But for the grace of God, go I.” Like Lots wife I want to look back, I want to remember the days of old, not with the sinful desire to preserve my life, but to look back and be reminded of the degree in which I have been rescued from my sins. I want such remembrance to motivate me to serve the Lord in meekness of heart, and sharing in the plight, sufferings and brokenness of others.

“Let me not forget where you have rescued me from Lord, give me a healthy remembrance of my life prior to knowing you; not so I can have a fatalistic attitude; but so that I continue to see the magnitude of your grace in my life and as a result extend it to others.”

For He says, “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” (2nd Corinthians 6:2)

"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people" (Psalms 77: 11-15)