Welcome to the new One Degree! I am honored that you are here. The talented folks at Tekeme Studios have done a beautiful job, haven’t they? I would love to hear your feedback on the new place! I encourage you to check out the new “media” page that we added. If I haven’t connected with you via Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter yet, there is a new set of “icons” under the main header for you to click on now too. I would love to meet you!
I pray that this corner of the internet would bring glory to our amazing God, and that it would encourage your heart. At the end of today’s post, there is a GIVEAWAY that you won’t want to miss.
It is an honor to walk beside you…
Saturday morning finally arrived. As soon as Chad and the kids finished breakfast, I packed up my computer and headed to Paradise Bakery for some “quiet” writing time.
What happened at Paradise Bakery that morning was anything but quiet.
It was glorious.
I didn’t write much.
I attended church instead…
Ahh…peace and quiet. The words were building in my heart, and as I started to work them out on screen, a group of young men gathered around the table adjacent to me. I was annoyed at first because I knew their conversation would distract me. There were plenty of empty tables around me. Why one right next to me?
Because God knows the depths of my heart, that is why.
Only God knew that, under the surface plans of my heart that day, there was a longing for fellowship. A longed to be built up, challenged, and encouraged in my faith by someone.
God not only brought me someone, but He showered me with someones right there in Paradise Bakery.
I had barely finished typing a paragraph before the name of Jesus was uttered. I glanced up from my computer and watched as the group of men bowed their heads, joined hands, and began to pray.
The next hour and half blew me away. Church happened at Paradise Bakery. These men discussed what God’s Word was teaching them. They encouraged one another to be better men of God. And just when I thought things couldn’t get more awesome- they did.
God just keeps getting more awesome.
While waiting for her order, a lady turned around and started listening to their lively conversation. She asked if she could join them, and they invited her to sit down. She spoke love and truth to them. She prayed over them, and they over her. And then she got up and proceeded to her next destination.
Wowzers.
No blog post was written that morning. I just listened and prayed silently with these dear brothers. It encouraged my heart to see these men following hard after the same Savior that I cherish. The aroma of Christ that drew that woman into their group drew my heart to. I came home to my family with a fulfilled and strengthened spirit that day.
This world is getting darker.
We need each other.
Make it a priority to invite the aroma of Christ into Paradise Bakery, Barnes and Noble, or Starbucks. Meet with other believers, and give doing so in public a try. You never know who is sitting beside you staring at the screen in front of them. They need the aroma of Christ.
Make sure they are saturated with Him before they leave.
“And let us consider how to stir up on another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
~Hebrews 10: 24-26 ESV
Special GIVEAWAY: Paying the aroma of Christ “forward”
In keeping with the theme of today’s post, I am doing a different type of giveaway! I pray this will help spread the “aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). In the comment section, leave the name of someone or someones that saturate others with the “aroma of Christ.” Has a family member, teacher, pastor, mentor, or friend drawn you to Christ? How are they serving or worshipping Him in a way that drew your heart closer to God? (personal example: I would nominate my mother-in-law if this wasn’t my blog. Debbie is gifted at sewing, crocheting, and quilting. She makes prayer shawls and hats for cancer patients and for those who are homebound. She sends crochet cross squares to our deployed military troops. Giving her a gift certificate to JoAnns would help her to continue to spread the aroma of Christ. Love her!)
Or… perhaps you’d like to nominate a group of someones (missionary agency, church etc.) that spreads the aroma of Christ to the hurting world around them. Simply leave your nomination in the comment section below. The winner’s someone or someones will be selected at random, and will be given a donation to help them spread the aroma of Jesus Christ. The winner will be announced on tomorrow’s blog post!
Mindy McLarren – she is such an encouragement to young moms in what can be a difficult and lonely time of life. She prays for us, has us over for chat time, and recently became a mentor mom at MOPS to use her gift for the widest good. 🙂
Thank you Amy for reading and for your comment. I love MOPS mentor moms too. They are such an encouragement! Now that all of our moving is over for this year :), I hope to get back to MOPS!
There are so many people in my life dear Tracy that are living out their lives for the causes that our precious Lord has placed in their lives, making all the difference in the world for the people they are touching deeply each and everyday! Bo Chancey’s words came alive this morning on facebook and I want to share them here: Your role as a proclaimer of the gospel has importance beyond comprehension. Imagine the power of your words to those who haven’t met Jesus. You too have reminded me this day on your beautiful blog that IF we as believers would share ALL the Blessings that our precious LORD has brought into each of our lives our world as we know it today would be profoundly different! Keep on Keepin ON!! You are one of His Brightly shining lights in our darkening world! Blessings to you and all who are sharing all our LORD is doing in their lives! Prayers for you and each of them! Our LORD knows all of their hearts! Love to you Always!
Hi Terry! I appreciate your encouraging words and prayers. Thanks for sharing the quote from Bo. I agree that the way the Spirit moves and uses us is beyond comprehension! Praise Him 🙂
Tracy, loved this!! And you my friend along with a list that is too long to repeat, have touched my heart and my life in so many ways for His glory! I kept waiting for you to tell me you joined in on “church”!
If you’re going to make me pick one …. it would be Susan Lawrence with Pure Purpose. I actually wrote a blog post about Susan – “The Silent Sales Partner” and how she reflects Jesus in all that she does. Love her heart and how God has called her to pour herself into the women that God brings into her life and she expects nothing in return – a true example of agape love.
Donna- yes you know me, I have no problem talking and joining in. But I felt led to just listen and pray that day. Thanks for reading and for nominating miss Susan.
Tracy,
I love this post!
I would have to say my amazing husband David. For several months now he has been meeting with another sweet man of Christ from church at Panera on Wed. evenings to study Revelation. With all the other commitments we have as a family it is hard to give him up for another night. But…..since meeting they have picked up a few people who have overheard their study and have continued to join them!
He is such an example of encouraging and teaching others more about Christ as he follows Him.
oh wow Jasmine! I love your comment and hearing about how God is moving at Panera. Go David! I also love that the study is on Revelation…
Your new look is beautiful Tracy and I so enjoyed hearing about this Godly moment!
I will pick my pastor, Clayton Blackstone. He has been meeting with my husband weekly for the past many months, mentoring him and praying over the possibility of my husband becoming pastor and taking over the church when he retires. He has been open minded, given his time, and resources (through the purchase of books), and is already giving Josh the grace of preparing and practicing preaching in front of the church. In fact, they’re away at a leadership conference right now! 🙂 God is truly on simple and humble scales building up our little community! My husband Josh and I greatly appreciate his almost 40 years of pastoral experience and friendship now. ~ Love out girl, Amy
I love hearing how your pastor is pouring into your husband! He is leaving a legacy… thanks for sharing sister 🙂
Love your new site! So many people in my life make this kind of impact, but I think I would nominate Sharita Knobloch and 7 Days Time – a blogging ministry with a heart to share the Love of Christ with others. Sharita just had a baby, but her Factor of 7 will continue with her sharing money and resources with those in need. Love her!
Hi Kelli! I have been blessed by Sharita and her ministry too. I love seeing her continue ministering as a new mama now 🙂 Thanks for reading and for nominating miss Sharita.
I love this post!! I would have to say my Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study Group, they have shown my husband and I the true meaning of Jesus Christ unconditional love in more ways than I can have imagine. They have been a great support for me as I begin the newbie in Jesus Christ. They have also have helped us in more ways than I ever imagine, when my husband was out of work. I love the ladies!! God Bless to all
Hi Orenda! I am so glad you stopped by One Degree today. Thank you for nominating your Bible Study Group. Welcome to the family of Christ- even though you may feel a “newbie”, you can still encourage and share the love of Christ with the “oldies” in your group :). Blessings as you walk with Jesus!
Oh sweet Tracy, I love the redesign esp the one degree symbol as part of the N as well as your new button! Awesomesauce.
As far as my nominee, I would have to say my beloved husband Brandon. He was MY catalyst for Christ when we met 4 short yrs ago…. he continues to share Gods love with those that cross his path in his job w the army and community as well as keeps me grounded and focused w our own ministry.
(ps you dont have to enter him in the drawing, because since I am married to him I am biased)
(pss typing one handed while feeding a baby is not easy lol)
(psss Thanks Kellii for the nomination for 7 days time… made my day!)
Hi Sharita- I am so glad God brought you Brandon. I love hearing your story! I am still entering him in the drawing and kudos to typing with one hand while holding your sweet angel!
Tracy,
Your new look is amazing! There’s not one person I can choose who leads me to Christ more than the other. Since I met up with you, Sharita Knoblock, Kelli Womack, and Amy Alves at She Speaks 2012, my heart has been blessed by all of you through your blogs and your sincere, intentional and personal messages on my blog and FB pages.
God’s glory covers you all as you selflessly share Him with the world.
May God richly bless you as you continue to seek Him with all of your heart!
Love,
Dawn
Hey Dawn- thank you for your kind words. God has given you a wonderful ministry to. I am grateful God has connected us. Much love to you 🙂
Love the new site! You are such a loving person to bad I can’t nominate you….lol
Dawn-thank you. I really enjoyed working with Tekeme on the site and I thank God for allowing me to be here with you all. It truly is an honor to share life with you despite the miles between us. Blessings sister!
I have several of these, but my friend Krystal Fawl, as well as her husband Russell, come to mind. They have perfected the love language “acts of service”. Their home is open to anyone, particularly the teenagers they have come to love from his coaching/teaching job. They are not only willing to help, but they offer out of the blue to help with anything from peeling wallpaper to childcare. Krystal prays so diligently that she often “knows” something is going on before you even tell her, and has already covered you in prayer. They are a blessing beyond words…truly the hands and feet of Jesus!!
Hi Traci! What a great example of those who are spreading the love of Christ. Thank you for reading and for your comment. God bless!
Woot woot! So glad you came to the SDG party, Tracy! I love the new design. I’d have to nominate Lyli Dunbar. She is one of my sweet SDG sisters and she is such an encouragement to me.
Woot woot to the SDG community! I am so excited to join you all. I have to get busy reading everyone’s blogs :). Thanks for stopping by Jen and for nominating miss Lyli.
Oh, I wish I’d been in that bakery with you. I have so many dear friends who spread Christ’s aroma to the world, but tonight my friend, Robyn, is on my heart. She and her husband and their beautiful family of 4 kids live in France as campus missionaries with the Cru and they work tirelessly to be the fragrant offering of love to college kids there. Can’t wait ti’l Heaven when we’ll see the impact they’ve had and the fruit that’s bloomed from all the seeds of faith they’ve planted over the years. Glad we were neighbors at SDG tonight! Love your site.
Hi Alicia and welcome to One Degree! I am heading over to your place shortly-it’s nice to connect with you. May God continue to protect and bless the ministry of your friend Robyn and her family in France. My background is in youth/college ministry-so my heart goes out to them and I know that the Holy Spirit is using them 🙂 Praise Him!
I am new here but really felt the words of your post in my heart. Being a light in this dark world is so very important, critical actually! I have a special person to nominate …my mother-in-law, Rosalyn. She has gone home to be with the Lord, but this precious woman gently talked with me as a new Christian, married to her son. She opened my eyes to Jesus more and more. She opened her door to those who needed her in whatever ways she could help and spoke to each about Christ. She was NEVER afraid to talk about her Savior for she knew what they may not have known. I was very blessed to have her for my other mother. ~ linda
Oh Linda-your comment touches me. My mother went home to Jesus last October. She opened my eyes to Jesus more and more too. I am so glad you joined us here and thank you for sharing your heart. You and I are blessed to know these “mothers”… may God help us to love as they loved, amen? God bless 🙂
Great post! How awesome it would be to observe a group like that and the way their excitement for Christ spread throughout that bakery. I have to nominate my dear friend (and Bible Study leader), Jen Ferguson.
Hey girl,
So glad you linked up today! I used Tekeme for my very first ever blog!
One person, huh? You know I’m loving this…ok, I would nominate my friend, Renee because pregnant with her third child, she still makes time to volunteer at a home for sex trafickked victims, and those girls love, love, love her spunk and spirit. In fact, they just had a surprise baby shower for her complete with homemade gifts.