Knowing God Ministries: God's Amazing Work at Iron Sharpens Iron

Don't miss all the pictures below and the link to see more from last Friday's lunch!

Lt. Governor Dan Forest and his wife, Alice.

"No doubt, without Jesus, we would not have a marriage." Lt. Governor Forest

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.

(The Lt. Governor opened with this verse - from memory.)

To all of you who attended last week's luncheon...
To all of you who persevered and gave up time at work...
To all of you who drove long distances...
To all of you who gave up shopping on a beautiful Friday during this busy season...
To all of you who insisted your husband or friend attend -

THANK YOU! Thank you for making our first co-ed event a BIG success!

We pray you were blessed, encouraged and challenged to know and love Jesus more. Truly, last Friday was a unique opportunity.

As the leader of an organization, I'm very careful who I hand a microphone to - VERY CAREFUL. Our goal is always to discern God's messenger for each audience and invite her. (This time - it was a him.)

CLEARLY, if you were in attendance, you can attest: Lt. Governor Forest was God's messenger for this audience!

I have not spoken to a single person who was not BLOWN AWAY by his transparency; his candor; his courage and his honesty as he shared his story on Friday.

He shared what his quiet time looks like each day - The Bible; (Boot Camp girls - notice he has a literal Bible not an electronic Bible:); My Utmost for His Highest; Daily Light."

He shared that he used go through the motions of religion, but can distinctly recall when something transforming happened in his wife. That's when he realized he didn't have what "she had - and wanted it!" (Do you see the power of 1 woman in 1 family and how she changed a generation by taking the "Jesus thing" seriously??? That's next month's lunch!)

The One Woman, Alice Forest (center)

Without knowing, Lt. Governor Forest validated (from a man's perspective) what every speaker for the last 2 and a half years have said from the ISI podium concerning marriage and relationship with Christ.

Example: "It's not about religion - it's about a relationship with Christ. And it starts by spending time with him everyday."

Another Example:

"Ladies, your man wants respect. Men, your wife wants you to love her. In fact, you should date her. Do you have a regular date night? If you don't establish it now!"

Oh my word - I just wanted to jump up and down and shout, "Sing it brother!"

Without knowing, he even validated the impact of books we carry on a regular basis at our book table such as, "The 5 Love Languages" and "Love and Respect." I didn't tell him ahead of time to promote those books. Jesus did it through him, as God's chosen messenger for this audience, as he shared how these books changed his thinking and behavior.

If you live in the state of North Carolina, be encouraged! We have a Lt. Governor that's a family man. And he's a man who has a greater fear of God than the man or woman sitting across the table from him. With great boldness, he lives it daily on the stage called the Lt. Governorship by being the hands, face and temperament of Jesus.

Another thing that was VERY impressive about OUR Lt. Governor - He stayed until every person who wanted to talk to him - could talk to him. He was kind and approachable.

He was asked during the Q&A if he would consider a run for the governorship in a few years.

(Great question.)

But I later thought, "Governorship?" I'm thinking - THE PRESIDENCY.

It was wonderful having the men with us! I pray they enjoyed being included this month.

Personally, I was excited that my husband, Tim got to experience ISI. I was nervous about ALL THE DETAILS - Tim knew it and just stood beside me like an anchor of strength.

My Dad, got to come too! So grateful that he too could experience something he hears so much about and wholeheartedly supports. "Love you Dad!"

It wasn't just a couple event either. We also had girls come with their girlfriends. They had fun too!

We carried on like any ISI - corporate prayer and all! (A side note, do you realize how many people have been helped in their personal prayer life as a result of us taking time to model prayer each month? I should start counting all the people who share the difference this segment of the lunch makes in their personal prayer life. Some have even grown bold enough to start Prayer Ministries in their church because they've learned the basic fundamentals of prayer and practiced it in an environment that they don't feel judged.)

It was really cool to hear the men pray.

Want to see more pictures from Friday? Click HERE
Shout out to our amazing photographers: Fuller Harvey and her assistant Heather Garrity.
Contact her at photographybyfuller@yahoo.com if you ever need a photographer. She's awesome!

Again, thank you Lt. Governor Forest and Mrs. Forest for sharing your lives with us - for sharing how Jesus makes a BIG difference in your everyday life. Thank you for your willingness to put it on display for the encouragement of many! MANY were blessed and encouraged because of your willingness to tell your story. Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who came and supports our work at Knowing God Ministries. We pray that you want MORE of Jesus in your everyday life as a result of last Friday. (And every ISI Friday for that matter; as well as the blog and any other way we've helped you to know Jesus in a greater depth.)

As you allocate your end-of-year giving, we would be greatly appreciated your remembrance. Your entire donation is tax deductible and goes to further MORE ministry in Jesus name.

No amount is too small. Click HERE to support the work at Knowing God Ministries

Closing Note:

Emma, our intern will come into the office later this week. (I don't dare touch the recording without her help. I've erased entire messages trying to export a message. Praise Jesus for techie people!!!)

If you want a copy of Lt. Governor Forest's message - let me know. I can arrange to have them available on the website. Otherwise, they will be available at next month's ISI.

Funny Story

I rarely EVER eat at ISI. I move food around on my plate. So afterwards, I'M STARVING. And I don't want country-club food. I want Chick-fil-A waffle fries! Couldn't resist sharing the real us after a luncheon of this magnitude.