Happy Thursday.
My heart was both heavy and full yesterday. As I read your comments, I could identify with your pain, fear, and doubt. And yet, my heart was also full as I read about your hope and as you identified God’s leading in your situation. I was reminded of how much God is involved in our lives and is at work on our behalf.
My prayer for you today is that you would realize the height and depth of God’s love for you.
You’re in for a treat today! I would like to introduce you to my dear friend, Karen. She’s beautiful inside and out. Her heart for others to know God’s Word and find freedom is contagious. She is bold for Christ but her spirit is gentle. Here’s Karen!
Hi Y’all! You’re in the right place; this really is Micca’s blog. She’s just giving me the sweet honor of being her guest blogger today! So, who am I, how do I know Micca and what in the world is she doing letting me put a post up on her blog?
I’ll answer that last question first. I had the wonderful blessing of meeting Micca at last year’s She Speaks Conference when I was assigned to her speakers group. Recently I reconnected with Micca via email and God continues to use her as a huge source of encouragement in my life.
So who am I? I’m Karen and I am passionate about God’s Word. I hope that when you finish reading this post that what you will remember is just, well, that, you have met a sister who loves Jesus and is compelled to share God’s Word with women.
At this point I need to be really honest with you about something. Things will probably go better that way for both of us! You should know I didn’t grow up in the church. I wasn’t part of a youth group. I never attended a church camp. But, I did attend Vacation Bible School a couple of times when I was around 8 or 9 years old! And I clearly remember not excelling in the Vacation Bible School craft area!
I trusted Jesus Christ when I was a freshman at the University of Memphis (back then it was called Memphis State!) and I was baptized at 18. But, it would be many years before I made him, Lord of my life. At 40 years of age I stopped running from God and I fell in love with Jesus. The last eight years have seen me face down in God’s Word and allowing him to heal me, change me and make me a new creation in him.
Today I walk free in Christ! Leaving behind a past of childhood sexual abuse, a lifetime of chasing after significance from this world and not understanding who I am in Christ. As the women’s ministry director at my church, and as a speaker, I have the amazing privilege to be used by God as I teach women his Word. I would love to share the messages God has placed on my heart with you and your women. Please contact me at Karen@summitlife.com for a list of my speaking topics or visit my blog at www.KarenBarrows.blogspot.com
I’m thankful that Micca has allowed me to share with you today! I leave you with the same sweet encouragement that Micca has given me: “Nothing gives me strength and renews my spirit and commitment like spending time with Jesus for no other reason but to worship Him and let Him love on me.” I pray that today you will spend time with Jesus for no other reason but to worship Him and let Him love on you!
Blessings!
Karen
Perhaps you, like Karen, are in a place where you have accepted Christ’s death on a cross for your sins, but you’ve yet to make Him Lord. Maybe you identify with Karen’s abuse. If you’d like a word of encouragement, you can visit Karen’s blog or email her a question or comment. Karen@summitlife.com
Thanks, Karen for being my quest today. I look forward to having you again. I’ve asked Karen to share her story about how she overcome her abuse. Be sure and check back often. You don’t want to miss it!!
Lee Milstead says
Trusting God in the dark times…….is the only way to navigate through…what I learned in a season of lose was that I need to to trust him in all times….yes, He has been by my side through it all and looking back I know He was always there.
oh if we can only follow your lead and and just immerse ourselves in His living word…amen
Phillip says
Thanks Micca for allowing Karen to share. She is an amazing woman full of God’s spirit and overflowing with the love of Christ. It is a true blessing to be married to such a kind, gentle and wonderful woman. I pray that God will use all that we do for his GLORY!
Karen Barrows says
Phillip,
More than anyone I know, you represent Jesus Christ on a daily basis to me. You are amazing and I am so thankful for you! Thank you for loving me, never leaving me and allowing God to do His work in our lives.
I love you.
Karen
Suzanne says
Thank you for sharing today, Karen. I will be praying for you as you work on writing down your story.
Micca, thank you also for continuing to facilitate encouragement through the Holy Spirit and the people God directs you to. Since I have stumbled on your blog, I have been praying for you and the work God is doing through you.
Eph. 6:10-20
Karen Barrows says
Suzanne,
Thank you so very much for your prayers. It means a lot to me that you would leave a comment here and that you would be praying for me. I am so thankful for you!
Praying His sweetest blessings for you, Suzanne.
Love and blessings,
Karen
Tammy Staab says
A little bird told me that you would be visiting this blog today. But my God has told me to encourage your heart today, Karen, as you reach out to women in need of hope and love. Thank God that He doesn’t give us our life assignment based on our vacation bible school craft projects. Because I know that He has given you an amazing assignment and is using you to show His love and mercy to everyone with whom you come in contact. I’ve watched your journey over these last 6 years, and am so proud of how you have obeyed His Spirit. I know that your journey has not been easy, but I know that God has used this to give you an amazing understanding of the depths of pain that others feel and an urge to act in order to help their suffering. In this way, I truly believe that God is using all of your bad for His amazing glory!! I love you, my friend!! And I look forward to God’s grace story in your life!! (PS. My VBS craft projects were awesome. What does that mean?)
Karen Barrows says
Tammy,
It brings a smile to my face that you excelled in VBS craft projects!! And, I had an even bigger smile on my face when you led the youth/girls down the aisle today and to the second row this morning! I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Mrs. Staab, you rock as a youth leader!
Thank you, Tammy, for leaving a comment here on Micca’s blog 🙂 Your encouragement means so much to me. And, I’m grateful that the Lord has had us on this journey together for the last six years. Love you!
Dina Stolz says
Micca,
Thank you so much for allowing Karen, my dear friend and sister in Christ to visit your blog site. God has blessed Karen with a hard but beautiful grace story and a gift for sharing her story and her life with other women who are searching for a hope that can only be found in Christ Jesus! She has taught me so much about Jesus by her example of loving others and her desire to connect every woman into a loving relationship with Him. I’m sorry that I am not a wonderful writer, because it is hard for me to put into words how much I love Karen and how she has helped guide me into a deeper relationship with Christ and with other women. I can’t wait to continue reading your blog and also Karen’s story when she makes her next guest appearance!
Karen Barrows says
Dina,
I think you are wrong when you say you are not a wonderful writer 🙂 You, my friend, are a beautiful writer and your words have blessed me. Thank you for being you and allowing the Lord to use you in women’s ministry AND children’s ministry! I am excited to see what God has in store for us this year. Yes, it’s time we JUMP!
I love you.
Karen
Rivera Douthit says
Earlier, I wrote a Facebook status that says, “A God-confident and secure person can not only rejoice in another’s success but is also willing to contribute to it.” That’s what I see here:) Thank you for sharing.
Karen Barrows says
Dear Rivera,
You are right:) Micca Campbell is that God-confident and secure person willing to contribute to the success of someone else. I will be forever grateful for who she is in Christ, her encouragement to me and for allowing me to share here on her blog. She is a wonderful blessing in life.
Love and blessings,
Karen
Pat Layton says
Beautiful post sweet Karen!!
I miss you 🙂
Pat
Karen Barrows says
Dear Pat,
Thank you for leaving a comment here!
I miss you, too.
Karen
Karen Barrows says
Dear Micca,
You are such an incredible blessing in my life. Thank you for showing me, and others, what it looks like to come alongside a sister in Christ and shower her with love and encouragement.
Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Thank you for allowing God to use you in my life and the honor of being introduced on your blog. You bring great glory to our Father.
Love you!
Your sister in Christ,
Karen