Judith Baker

Pretty as a Peacock Feather

2012-01-26T10:26:00.000-08:00

This morning as I was getting the day going I glanced at the Peacock feathers I acquired from the floral arrangement at mom’s home-going. They are so pretty, iridescent, colorful. It got me thinking, one feather alone is pretty yes, with shades of greens and blues but together in a plume they are absolutely breathtaking. Yet, it takes many tiny hairs that alone are not that impressive to make one feather, and many feathers to make a beautiful plume.

Magnolia Plantation, SC (2004)

The body of Christ is the same way, alone one little person may seem insignificant but then they stand in agreement to encourage a brother or a sister, they become like the Peacock feather. And when they all stand together in Christ, some are bright and shine the light and others are the shaft of the feather supporting the lights. But together the body is beautiful and can more effectively do a work for Christ to change the world like in the Book of Acts; or like World Vision, and Compassionate Ministries.

Remembering the Rest of the World needs us......

2011-09-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

Recently - I shared this e-mail from my friend in India:

"With great sorrow in my heart I write this email. India is one of the main victim in Asian continent that has become a regular prey to the terrorist attacks. We have lost many precious innocent lives in different kinds of terrorist attacks. The sad news is that many of these victims are even new born children and kids.

Today, at 10. 30 am a bomb blasted in front of the main gate in Delhi High court where more than 10 people died on the spot. Parts of dead bodies are laying in pool of blood. Around 60 people are critically injured and due to this the death toll may in increase. Terrorism is one of the main threats that India faces these days apart from poverty, illiteracy, natural calamity, communal riots etc. and all these things are keeping India from developments in all aspects. Delhi High court, where the bomb blasted is hardly 8 kilo meters away from our home.

I request your valuable prayer support for the peace of India. Churches and various Christian organizations are in forefront in the activities for promoting the peace and communal harmony through different kinds of activities. Since preaching about Christ "

Here is how my dear friend Darcy Erb Campbell responded - I had to share this with her permission naturally:

"Thanks, Judith, for sharing this firsthand account of the stuggles of the people of India. We are so lucky as Americans, and we so often forget to be grateful for such basic, fundamental things as our saftey, the saftey of children, babies. We take our freedom for granted. Our eyes land instead on what's wrong with our country, where we disagree politically, what's wrong with our personal lives... in short our eyes spend a lot of time on ourselves. I hope this person's struggles move the hearts of Americans to pray for India, and for many, many people of the world who live in fear, oppression and persecution. Freedom sure as the world ain't free, as you well know. But we, as a country, need to wake up and get serious about that. A Darcyism applies here: "Pray toward heaven, but row toward shore". God expects us to get busy on in defense of mercy for the persecuted. I don't remember anything about geographical or cultural boundaries to that uncomplicated goal. I don't remember Him saying that a military option was the only available option.as well as Christian activities are prohibited in many parts of India by the government and in other parts the persecution on Christians are increasing everyday."

If that doesn't make you think my oh my, or as one of my Facebook friends always says, "mercy!"

What I learned this Easter

2011-04-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

We as a small community church made big plans for our Easter program. Me being the detail-oriented nerd that I am, made this awesome DVD to accompany our Easter Cantata. Our choir rehearsed with the DVD and our pastor loved it. For our opening number I found the perfect song but needed to edit the Worship DVD for the song because it lacked a powerful and mysterious intro which oddly is on the recorded version. I added this amazing video which gave you the feeling of “…In the Beginning……..” The video I used in my edited intro, God provided royalty and cost free. Last but of notable mention we finally installed the wiring that enabled us to relocate the projector in the ceiling and move the DVD player and laptop for the PowerPoint into the sound both. This opened up the platform. Everything was ready, everybody had played an important part and it was time to give our best for Jesus.

Easter morning, the gentlemen at church prepared an awesome breakfast for us to enjoy. I found myself surrounded by the giggles of children as we broke bread together. Watching my church family cut up and enjoy the company of one another was wonderful. Then I glanced at the clock and realized we need to do a sound check.

To my horror, none of the DVD’s were working. We could get sound but no video. To my ultimate perfectionist dismay, here we are with a sanctuary full of people and I am in “Martha” mode trying to help figure out what is wrong. As we are now 10 minutes late beginning our Easter service, in my brain and for one of the most important services of the year, one which we worked so hard for, we were not going to be able to have any video.

I stepped up to the microphone and mustered a brave face and transparently told our congregation and visitors that we are experiencing “technical difficulties.” But, it was not going to stop what God has in store for us because we are here to celebrate our Risen savior. From then on that set the tone and God showed up in a different way for me. Nothing went as we planned it, but it went how God ordained it as He took over the service. For the first time ever, when I was done leading worship, done singing in the choir and finally sitting with my husband in the audience preparing for the pastor’s message, I exhaled. Instead of beating myself up because things didn’t go this way or that way, or I didn’t sing this note loud enough or soft enough I dismissed it from my mind and I worshiped and really listened to the pastors message about our risen Savior.

Closing the service with “We Shall Behold Him” at the request of our Pastor and naturally pre-planned; I couldn’t help but think of my mom who went home to be with Jesus just before Thanksgiving. That was the last song she heard me sing and the last time I sang it was at her memorial services in TN and MI. Instead of worrying about do I sound too much like Sandi Patty and what happens if I don’t hit the high not at the end, all I could think about was mom. It felt like she was right there in the sanctuary giving me her nod of approval with tears in her eyes because she was so proud. I still felt very defeated and didn’t feel like I did anything to make her proud of me that morning. At the end of the service her dear friend came up to me and told me that my mom was there with us all watching and that she is proud of me. Well at that point I lost it and she held me and let me shed a few happy tears. As I am headed home with my sweet family after being showed with love from my church family who all expressed how much the service touched them. I was starting to re-think some things.

We invited a friend over to share the Easter meal. She was on her way, I was changing clothes and my hubby ran off to Kroger to pick up our cooked ham and trimmings which we were told all we had to do was heat it up. My friend shows up and we settle into the kitchen as my hubby came into the house and placed the box with our Easter meal from Kroger on the table. A few things are only best when homemade so we dove in and cooked chopped, prepared deviled eggs, mac & cheese from scratch, until we were ready to heat up our Easter meal. I open the box and was horrified to find the spiral sliced –yet pre-cooked ham in the store packaging, this strange so called green bean casserole with almonds and bacon and manufactured packaged prepared mashed potatoes. Not what I had planned for everybody. At that point, I chose to see the humor in it all. What else could go wrong? So we dove into unpacking everything and cooking more and heating up the Kroger food. Finally at 2:30 in the afternoon we sat down and had the best Easter meal together with our friends and with my family.

Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos my friend says to me…now understand she and I are very opposite in personality types...she states" it’s good we are friends because I (my friend) need someone to show me discipline and you (the Judith) need someone to show you it’s okay if everything isn’t always perfect." I hear angels sings and for a brief moment the heavens shone a bright ray of “ah-ha” light over my head.

So what did I learn? Dr. Seuss is right – “Be who you are and say what you mean because those who matter won’t mind and those that mind don’t matter." Sometimes people are more blessed when they see you are human too instead of the perfect superwoman. More importantly - God showed me that yes, He appreciates my dedication and commitment but even in the chaos which drives this anal-retentive-obsessive-compulsive “Martha” crazy, God will still come, He will still have His way. He really doesn’t need me and my task-oriented list to accomplish His will. If we can step away from ourselves and all our must dos thinking that’s what God wants…if we exhale and just breathe Him in – He can then do a mighty work and for a brief moment this Martha was at peace just like her sister Mary at Jesus feet.

Monday morning I wake up feeling blessed. loved and forgiven and this quote was in my devotion - "I thank you, O God for delivering me from a way of life bound by impossibilities into one that burgeons with opportunities. I will no longer live timidly and cautiously, inhibited by the enemy, but confidently and valiantly, believing in a victorious Jesus Christ. Amen." - Eugene Peterson - that is exactly where I am today. Now, I am sure Martha Simon Peter will show up again (if you don't get this read about Martha and the Apostle Peter), but wasn't Peter eventually the Rock God build His church on? I am so glad God is still working on me and will one day will complete the good work He has started in me!!!

Stop Doing Church and Be the Church

2010-07-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Think about this.......
Just last week when I awoke the Lord laid this on my heart...."There is no perfect church of Christian organization. I believe it is because Jesus meets us where we are. So can we allow ourselves to step back and let Jesus work through us? The truth of the matter is if the church were perfect there would be no cross and no20place for sinners to come in reconciliation. The church as an institution will never be perfect but the church as the "Body of Christ" is washed in His blood and cleansed from our sins. Through the Holy Spirit we can shine God's perfect love and be Jesus to a hurting world. Loving and meeting people right where they are into redemption. So the challenge we face is are we going to be the body of Christ or the church as an imperfect institution?" - Judith

New Home Church - Bell Rd Church of the Nazarene

2009-02-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" - Isaiah 6:8

Breaking news to share with you. We are excited about this but melancholy at the same time. We have a new home church - Bell Road Church of the Nazarene, Nashville, TN, pastored by Rev. Brian Russell. Let me clarify the change has nothing to do with anything negative or bad. I do not want anyone to read something into this that just is not there. God is doing a mighty work at Grace in a mighty way. I have watched Him work so powerfully and it is just going to get better so why leave now right?

Our previous Pastor, Rev Ken Dove preached a sermon on Jan 18th about being "comfortable" in Church. It led to a lot of questions for us about our purpose at Grace vs. our purpose in our community. Bell Road Church of the Nazarene is so close to our house we could almost walk, it is our community. That sermon really convicted our entire family. We realized we were "comfortable" at Grace and not in a good way. God has been burdening our hearts with our community here in SE Nashville for quite a while and we all have just been pushing it a side.

After prayer, family discussions and all the things that go along with such a life changing decision we have transferred to Bell Rd. It wasn't an easy decision. We have had three wonderful years at Grace. We just can't be content to be comfortable. When we have teen angels that get that! Wow! Mom has already been playing the piano and God is opening doors in ministry for all of us. We have a burden for this church, these people and our community. We all sense God is doing something great at Bell Rd! It is confirmation that this is where God wants us to be.

I made a video to celebrate the ministries of Grace for Pastor Dove. I came out beautiful! – check it out when you have time here is the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ7w4-k6Bpk
We just have to be obedient and do the work God calls us to do. If you are interested in keeping up with ministry events you can join the mailing list on my website – http://www.judithbakerministries.com/. God is doing great work at Grace and Bell Rd. If you are looking for a good church home Grace or Bell Road are wonderful and will welcome you with an open embrace. I believe there has never been an urgency like there is now to be on fire and do something for God to further His kingdom! Can you feel it?

April and Pray for "H"

2008-05-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

April was a tough month. We already had a company coming out to correct our sagging floor with jacks and a convenient no interest 12 month plan to pay the 3,000+ bill in a year. Still, we started out off with a $400 dollar trip to the vet for annual vaccinations for our dogs; and a $947.00 bill on James' truck. We also knew it would cost something to have John's 3 cavities filled that were found during his March 31, visit and scheduled that for May. Previously, in February, we had already had service on the van and got new tires for both vehicles; so, one would be inclined to think both vehicles would be okay and remain operational.
The first weekend of April we rushed off to SC to see a family member, Uncle Roy. He fell off a ladder and broke most of his ribs (some in multiple places), his shoulder bone and collar bone. At first it wasn't looking good for him. The kids really wanted to see him just incase things got worse. So off we went. On the way home the van started making a strange noise. Praise God we made it back to TN and we decided to park the van until the 1st of the month when we could afford to put it in the shop. Right after we were home for merely hours, our microwave started sizzling, and throwing sparks. Just a few days later, I broke my crown on my tooth. While trying to print some labels for a CD, I discovered I needed a new printer because my old printer was not compatible with windows vista software and HP has no plans to do a patch. James and I had a trip scheduled to go to a pre-season Ohio State Football game and we nearly cancelled it. We went using the truck, an 8 cylinder, Dodge Ram extended cab! It did pretty good on gas but not as good as the van. We had an absolute blast! The Devil didn't want us to have some couple time God knew we needed.

By now the month was nearly gone but on the 25th we were mysteriously locked out of our bedroom and had to call a locksmith to let us back in which was $65 dollars. On April 29th as we were driving the truck to pick up the van from the shop which had to have the alternator replaced at almost $600.00, the truck started overheating! So we picked up the van and dropped off the truck. This caused us to miss church on Wed evening. If I didn't know better I would say I was under a spiritual attack. In the middle of all of this I was preparing for an event in Ohio on May 3rd to be exact. I was writing a message for a ladies banquet and I felt led by the Lord to write the ladies I would be speaking and singing to their own song - "Daughters of the King" which was the theme of the Banquet. James was also gone traveling with the Army most of the month of April.

I was very glad to see the month of May come. Yet, in all of this financial drama, I was never worried. I had a peace that God would take care of us and He did. God always provides. James received his clothing allowance which was a huge help, travel money came in that I forgot about which helped. I was able to purchase a new fax/printer with points from a travel club membership. We purchased a new microwave and our bank increased our credit card limit so we could pay for the truck repairs. The kids needed to have their registration fee paid for teen camp and because they had participated in fund raisers during the year � all we had to pay was about 20 bucks! All just in time for me to head off with mom, on May 2nd to Ohio for our "Daughter's of the King" Banquet.

When we got home from Ohio, I told mom, now I understand why we were having so many problems. The devil didn't want me to go to Ohio and minister but God had other plans. Here is the recap. The couple we stayed with Lynn were so gracious and kind. Ladies from the church cooked our meals and left them with Lynn to simply heat up so we were well fed. We also got to zip over and see my niece, nephew and their mom, which made mom and I very happy. Lynn happened to be a MI fan and here I am the OSU fan and we both had our PJ's on showing our support for our teams. It was very funny. I have pics posted on the website.

During the event this woman who came spiritually jumped out at me and mom. She seemed to be very dark, gothic, and demonic. I was glad to see her at the event. For privacy sake I will call her "H." At the banquet one of the door prizes was a ticket and trip paid for to Women of Faith. As the names of 7 ladies were drawn, the minute "H" came out of that pile I knew, in the Spirit she was going to win. If I remember correctly she was the third lady to pick a prize and you got it, she won the WOF ticket. I knew God is at work here! Her comment on winning was "my mother jinxed me." Hmmm... I wouldn't call a free ride to Women of Faith a jinx and it clued me in spiritually that this lady was not where she needed to be. She is one of my "Broken Souls"

Our banquet was God blessed and God breathed. We closed it out as we all joined together singing Amazing Grace as Mom took the lead. Yet returning home I still had "H" on my heart. When Sharon, the Women's Ministry director e-mailed me to thank me and follow-up on some other close out issues I e�mailed back and told her this lady had been heavily on my heart and moms heart. Sharon e-mailed me back to tell me it turns out even though "H" was raised as a Christian; she has chosen a darker path. She may still be mixed up in drugs, satanic worship and her husband committed suicide a few years ago leaving her to raise her two young boys alone. She also was very thin and struggles with anorexia or some eating disorder. They have given "H's" mom a free/paid trip to Women of Faith. Sharon urged me to pray like I have never prayed before that "H" and her mother go! Sharon is just so worried that "H" will not go. I in my heart feel like she will go and God will deliver her. That is our prayer!

The very next weekend I find myself as an extra, on the set of the "Billy Graham" movie, produced by Robby Benson, and I am getting my makeup touched up after eating. The grandfather of the young man who is playing Young Billy in the movie and I began talking. We both quickly discovered we share the same passion for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He introduced me to one of the other actors, another grandson I think, and we started talking about his work in LA and all he is doing with the homeless (the grandson). "H" popped into my mind. I asked them if they would remember "H" in their prayers and gave them a little background. Next thing I knew, on the set of a movie, there was a group of Christians, actors, hair dressers, make-up artist, holding hands as I prayed for "H" and they all prayed with me. Wow! Is God good or what! One of the other extras came in while we were praying and when we were done commented on how great it is to see prayer on a movie set. It was INCREDIBLE! I have urged our SS class and the choir to pray for "H" and will continue to do so as long as God lays her on my heart.

Now I know why April was such a hard month. If I had been focused on finances like the devil wanted me to be I would have never been sensitive to God laying "H" on my heart. So PRAY FOR HER! Pray that she and her mom go to Women of Faith. Pray that God will deliver, heal and restore her! God will do it because "God Still Makes a Way"

I write this with transparency and details to let people know that many times when you experience an encounter with one of us, who make music for God or proclaim the Gospel, you are getting a finished product. But we have lives, circumstance, events that burden us just as much as any other person. I am confident the tragic death in the family of "Steven Curtis Chapman" drives that home. In our individual transparency, when we allow others to see what we are experiencing and at what depth we allow others to "taste and see that the Lord is good." We allow God to show the next person that in our trials, un-planned expenses and just the daily living of our lives He will meet our needs right on time. We just have to stand in our Armor and remember the battle is not ours, it is the Lords!

Studio's and Straight Hair - All in God's Timing

2008-03-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

Last night I spent an amazing hour and a half with one of our IH members recording vocals for her on two very beautiful original songs. The producer we worked with said a prayer before we started and God was there! I could really feel His Spirit as I sang. How many times have I knocked on the doors of studios to have them not even open. Letting go and letting God - He brought this opportunity to me in His Time from out of the recesses of the internet through Indieheaven!

Switch gears with me if you will. I have naturally curly hair and at this moment in time it is very long. What does hair have to do with God? Everything! All my life I wanted straight hair, I envied straight hair, coveted straight hair. I tried perms, irons, blow dryers, creams, gels, till I finally gave up and accepted what God gave me. Just a few weeks ago my dear "Ya Ya" sister introduced me to a flat iron that is uses a certain ionic technology. Being a doubting skeptic I agreed to try it and to my surprise it worked. At this moment in time when I could care less about straight hair and have fallen in love with my own curly locks.

Vainly looking at my long straight hair in the mirror on Easter morning it dawned on me how much our walk with Christ is like me and my battle with the hair. You see we become Christians, but what are we trying to change that God has given us for our good? My straight hair takes almost 3 hours to complete when my curly hair I can walk out of the house with it wet. That's 3 hours I could spend in prayer, in my bible, with my doting husband, with my kids, my mom, a hurting friend. I learned even more how when we are ready He will give us the desires of our heart. Just like one of my true desires is to be a studio/session singer. He didn't let me have straight hair until I was ready, He didn't let me work in a studio until He was ready. Why? I think because if we get everything we want when we want then what do we need Him for and do we give Him the Glory when things go our way.

I also know our steps are ordered. If I never went to my church, I never would have met my "Ya, Ya" sister, I never would have been blessed by her friendship, blessed by her loving heart and willingness to share her flat iron. Not to mention joining Indieheaven! Psalm 37:23 says "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." (KJV) So as I wash the straightness out of my hair, grateful to have options but more grateful that my steps are ordered and in Christ because I surrender to Him and let Him live in me thereby it is He that orders my step for this moment in time. He brings us to it and through it. I continue to be humbled, amazed and stupefied in my humanness when he gives me another desire of my heart no matter how simple, silly or unimportant it is in the grand scheme of things. All Glory be to God for studios and straight hair.