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One day of rest can actually improve your productivity.

Cabin 1 Booked this Summer!

“Well, no, this couldn’t be from God, that’s definitely not it. You sure are lucky, though.” Words from a relative that sting as we share that God sent a work team to help us build cabin #2! “We just think your vision is too big and you are doing too many things. We can’t financially get behind you at this time.” Words from a church board member we attended for 15+ years. Sometimes the people who know you and love you, just DON’T GET IT! It’s painful. It’s awful. In your worst moments it makes you question all the aspects of ministry you know God has led you to walk out. But I encourage you (and me somedays) to remember: Some people understand what you are doing instantly. Some people will come alongside you at different points in your journey. Some people are called to support other people’s vision. God called lots of His people to do radical things. Gideon, David, Noah and Abraham were all called to do big things, go far away places and I’m betting many people didn’t get it and we KNOW many people didn’t follow! So, go ahead and be a Kingdom builder. Be a disciple of Jesus Christ who makes disciples who make disciples. Obey God’s Word. Be Transformed. The gate is narrow! Stay on your path!! If you are encouraging people in the Lord and walking in a manner worthy of the calling, then you have it right. Not everyone will understand and not everyone will go with you!! Go Anyway! Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Cedar Creek Ministries is funded by Christians and churches who believe in the call to offer our leaders the double portion! If you feel the desire to make sure all those men and women called to serve God in missions and ministry have everything they need to personally rest, restore family relationships and revive ministry vision, consider joining us in continual prayer and financial support!! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for our live videos and follow us on Instagram for weekly encouragement! This post was written by Nickole Perry, co-founder and Director of Operations at Cedar Creek Ministries. Share this post:

Love is an action!

When we hosted the Prayer Pledge Drive in February, I was blown away but how much 1 minute of focused prayer felt like at first! If you remember we gathered teams of 5-6 people and everyone picked a pastor to pray over for 1 minute a day for each of the 28 days in February! It was spectacular and helped create some great habits. Here are a few tips we all agreed really helped us all stay focused. 1. Pick the Same time everyday to sit down and pray: Everyone is different. Give your best minutes of your day to your prayers, not your worst. For me early morning and late night are out, but around 8:30 I could stop with my children and we could take a time of focused prayer. It actually started a time of prayer and worship in our home that continued long after the month ended. Whether you pray first thing, or find some time in the afternoon to sit quietly and plead on behalf of God's people, the point is that you pray. Schedule the time. Write it on your calendar. Pour your heart out and check your box everyday so you can get into the habit of daily, focused prayer. 2. Outline your topics/people: This can be as extensive as sitting down and writing a topic of focus each day on your calendar or it can be as simple as taking 30 seconds to jot a few things you don't want to forget on your paper before you go before the Lord. You can use a journal or just a peace of paper you will not keep forever. Some days I write a list of people and items and go down the list one by one. Other days I brain dump a collage of colors and thoughts for people as I pray for their lives and activities. Outlining your topics is a great way to keep on track, but remember to be open to the Holy Spirit moving and bringing things and people to your mind. 3. Write or type out your prayers: Though this is similar in keeping your focus as with outlining, it can be more personal and intense. Instead of speaking your prayers aloud or thinking them in your brain, you just write out your prayers to the Lord. It becomes a sweet, love letter, of sorts about all those in your life who you intercede for. It does take more time and thought, but it really deepens your prayer life in a very rich way. Don't settle for a boring or non-existent prayer life! Pray daily and purposely! Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Did you know it will only take 2000 Christians (out of 67 million professing believers in the U.S.!!) donating $1000 each to fund our facilities project?! Want to help make a difference in the lives of church leaders across the country? Donate today! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for our live videos and follow us on Instagram for weekly encouragement! This post was written by Nickole Perry, co-founder and Director of Operations at Cedar Creek Ministries and host of the Church Royalty Podcast. Share this post:

If I'm being really honest I'm rarely impressed by people. It happens, but not super often. I don't mean to be harsh, but on the whole, with the exception of those that are working like dogs in vocational ministry, most people I come across seem wanting in some way. Don't get me wrong! I know how judgey that must sound, but the thing is I adore people and wish the majority of them, Christians particularly, had a higher standard by which they were living their lives. This extremely long and wordy preface is to let you know that I'm not one for flattery or false praise for the sake of filling words, however I just have to tell you about this rad kid we met in our travels, how he encouraged us and then let him encourage you with some words he jotted down for his daddy's church. First things first. I should clarify. He is not a kid. He is 25 and quite a nice young man, but at 40, he just seems so young and thus, I will affectionately refer to him as, "kid," from time to time. Humor me. You know how sometimes someone who is SUPER quiet can come off as a little awkward? Not because there is anything really awkward about them, but because you feel uncomfortable that said introvert isn't a conversation starter. Well...perhaps that would be a good way to give a first impression of this young man of many talents. He's the town golden boy though he doesn't know it or believe. He's keeping his eyes open for a bride though there are a couple ladies around who I'm sure wouldn't turn down a proposal to this pastor's son who just so happens to be a pastor's grandson too which is perhaps how his excellence in character has been rooted so deeply...generations of faithfulness and whatnot. He is currently building a house on the land next his parents. He loves children and especially has a heart for our Howie's (age 4) launching hugs. I could go on and on into this kid's fabulous qualities in case you know an exceptional Christian woman who wants to settle down with a wood working Engineer in a quaint farming community in the northeast, but I'll just say... I don't generally steal (with permission of course) someone else's words at this length to encourage you, but they are from a good source and a worthy read. And so with no further delay here it is...an encouragement from a young man who isn't perfect, but is one of the most respectable humans I've encountered in my life. I suspect he just happens to be waiting for God's choice for his bride. "We all have things we are waiting for. Things that are seemingly so far away that we begin to lose hope. Maybe you're waiting for a prayer to be answered, a broken relationship to be restored, or for the doctors to have a clear path to healing. Maybe you're simply waiting for wisdom to take action. The list is endless and something different comes to mind for each of us. Even though waiting can be crippling at times and you would rather have the enemy battle-ready in front of you instead of looming in the next valley, you are EXACTLY where God wants you to be. You see, when there is nothing that can be done, nothing that can be said, nothing that can be bought, it is the perfect opportunity for God to show His power. Because then when God moves on our behalf, we have no choice but to acknowledge that it was God that moved and not our own strength. David waited 15 years after being anointed to become king, Jesus waited 30 years to begin his ministry, Grandpa Bob waited 70 years to shoot his first buck. So whatever it is you find yourself waiting for, take heart, dig in, look up, give thanks for the family that's by your side through the pain, see the sunrise from your foxhole, squeeze out the joy in the small things, and smile knowing that you are fully equipped for when God calls you to do your part. And when that does happen and you hear His voice, jump with all your might and every ounce of your being knowing that the outcome is already planned by the God who spoke the stars into place and is holding you squarely in the palm of His hand." Exhale sigh of relief.. . I've read it a good handful of times since the first time because I just so happen to be waiting for something. It was probably around the 5th time or so that I thought...there is a nice "to do" list here for those of us who are waiting! 7 Must "do's" of you are waiting: 1.Take heart: Gain courage and confidence while you wait. 2.Dig in: Refuse to give in to the discouragement and lies. Do not be pulled to and fro, but stay rooted in your firm foundation. Greedily consume God's Word. I don't know which he meant by dig in, but they are both valuable analogies. 3.Look up: Eyes on Jesus people!! Keep an eternal perspective and hold on to the truth of providence and God having a plan that is far better than your own. 4.Give Thanks : Thankfulness not only breeds joy, but peace in your circumstances. Daily thanksgiving should be a part of every believers life.. 5.Build your foxhole: Sometimes hunkering down in a defensive strategic position is what is required of us. Guard against the fiery darts of the enemy and for Pete's sake keep your armor on at all times! 6.Squeeze out the joy: Finding joy in your circumstances and in the little things is such a beautiful part of trusting God. If we believe He loves us and is in control then we can find joy in the wildflowers and sunsets. 7.Smile: Sometimes you just have to do it when you don't want to. Find something that makes you laugh and laugh. Be around people who make you smile, so you can smile. So from one fellow person longing for a promise of God to another, do the right things everyday. Hold fast to your spiritual disciplines. Chase joy. Breathe Gratitude and keep hope and grace and the forefront of all you do! Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Did you know it will only take 2000 Christians (out of 67 million professing believers in the U.S.!!) donating $1000 each to fund our facilities project?! Be 1 of the 1965 people left who help us reach our financial goal! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for our live videos and follow us on Instagram for weekly encouragement! This post was written by Nickole Perry, co-founder and Director of Operations at Cedar Creek Ministries. Share this post:

If you are thinking I'm completely biased and shouldn't be writing this article, you might be right, BUT I will say that I'm often my biggest skeptic and God has showed up in every single of the conversations we have had on the show. We have had youth pastors, senior pastors, pastors of small church and pastors of mega church satellite campuses. We have had men from all across America who have followed the Lord down roads they knew they were called, but couldn't see all the way. Every episode is full of faithful testimonies that will inspire, encourage and restore your faith in the men of God who lead American churches. 1. You will find a new love for church leaders across America: We are skeptical and critical, often looking for flaws in what we see as a broken system. Listening to these anointed and called men of God share their heart for their churches and Christians across the country ministers to deep parts of your soul. 2. You will find hope in the bride of Christ, flawed as she is: When are eyes are fixed on people you lose hope, but when you hear shepherds talk about their sheep you are moved with compassion for the sheep. When you hear someone share the love they have for someone you are moved to love. We need more of this feeling. 3. There are so many godly men whose voice you may never hear otherwise: This one really trips me out!! I never knew some of these men and if we had never heeded our call to go forward in ministry, I'd never know the hearts after God that live and breath for their Savior alone. In the same respect, if you don't listen to them, you will miss the sweet blessing of knowing these men (Season 1: Pastors) too. 4. We share some hard truths that it is time you hear: We ask tough questions and discuss painful topics. They are conversations that need to be both had and heard. Many of our episodes stir as much conviction as they do hope. Not a podcast person? Boy do I get that, but trust me, you want to be. Want to listen? Here you go! Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Did you know it will only take 2000 Christians (out of 67 million professing believers in the U.S.!!) donating $1000 each to fund our facilities project?! Be 1 of the 1965 people left who help us reach our financial goal! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for our live videos and follow us on Instagram for weekly encouragement! This post was written by Nickole Perry, co-founder and Director of Operations at Cedar Creek Ministries. Share this post:

When you are walking in your calling with purpose even the most challenging of moments and circumstances are full of life and hope. As we have been traveling this last year my heart has been heavy with grief over the wasted years. Was the Lord training and preparing us? Yes! Has He redeemed our testimony? Of course! Did we find purpose in the ministries we were a part of before? Without a doubt! Were we comfortable and happy and spiritual gluttons? Well, you may be starting to see a pattern here, the answer to this one is yes too! When I look at our lives in our beautiful house, facilitating ministries, serving and teaching all while in good, strong fellowship and having a grip of babies, I look back with fondness, but I do wish we would have started this journey sooner. Perhaps it was all God's perfect timing and so I always take captive my thoughts, but my mind also often wanders to those who are not walking in their calling. Are we all called to sell all our worldly possessions and hit the road to minister to the nation like the New Testament believers we read about? I suppose not, BUT we are called to obey the Lord where ever He has called us to be and there are too many Christians waiting to start their ministry out of fear or because they feel like their season of life is too busy to take on just one more thing. One right thing is better than all the things!!! If you know God has placed a ministry on your heart, you should go ahead and start it...like TODAY. 5 Reasons you Should Start your Ministry...like TODAY: 1. It can take a REALLY long time to build momentum: Just the paperwork alone if you are going the 501c3 route is enough to make a person want to give up. There are places you can use like LegalZoom that make the process go much easier for you. It still takes time and money so just start slow, but start. 2. If you are not walking out your purpose you are wasting your life: I know we need jobs and money and provision and all that, and I'm not advocating being irresponsible, BUT if the Lord is calling you to step out then you have to trust that He will provide and you may not use fear as an excuse. 3. Seasons will not get less busy unless you make them so: We have 8 children. On my worst days, I look at our God and I say, "Couldn't you have sent someone with less children?" And yes, He ncould have, but he didn't! He chose us in all our imperfections with our grip of littles to travel the country in a camper for who knows how long while we run his errands. Do not use your blessings as excuses. 4. People need you RIGHT now and you don't even know it: We didn't know there were people who needed what we are offering years before. We didn't know the Lord had placed our vision on the hearts of other faithful believers who had grown weary and given up. If the Lord is calling you, the I implore you to be willing to go because He wants to use you. 5. Many are called, but few heed the call:  When the Bible says the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few, He isn't kidding! There is a ton of work to be done to reap the harvest and there are so few people willing to work that it discourages the most steadfast soul. Walk forward in your calling. Well, there you have it. No more excuses. Be faithful in your gifting's and go where you are called to go. God is faithful and even if you are paralyzed with fear, embrace the power of the Holy Spirit and move forward in spite of yourself. Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Did you know it will only take 2000 Christians (out of 67 million professing believers in the U.S.!!) donating $1000 each to fund our facilities project?! Be 1 of the 1965 people left who help us reach our financial goal! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for our live videos and follow us on Instagram for weekly encouragement! This post was written by Nickole Perry, co-founder and Director of Operations at Cedar Creek Ministries. Share this post:

The nice guys like to call them "the consumer church" goers...I believe I have coined a new phrase that though not as gracious, creates a fabulous visual comparison we can all agree is loathsome. In last month's article I shared my first experience with the concept of church "takers"...the ones who constantly need and take and rarely if ever give. They always ask to be served and complain when their needs aren't being met. My husband and I recently had some heated fellowship about calling people out on their weaknesses. He said I lacked tact. Probably true. I said he sugar coated things making weaknesses appear to be strengths. Probably also true. However as I found myself apologizing to a friend who my husband said I was harsh with he responded with something I will not soon forget. "Accepted. Your words challenge and strengthen me, carry on." The hard truth is we don't really want to be more like Christ if we are not willing to change! We will not grow if we are only receiving false praise and never looking to be challenged or strengthen by the wounds of our friends. We must not seek the kisses of the world, when believers are speaking truth into our lives. Let's make one idea very clear: God's church is designed to be a healthy body of properly functioning parts. (Eph 4:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ) I'm not making this stuff up, it's actually in the bible. God calls us all to be different parts and when we are all working well in our full capabilities the body flourishes! So, let's get down to it. How do you know if you are a healthy, "normal" church goer or if you are in danger of or have already become a church leech. You may be a church leech if: You do not tithe. You do not serve. You complain about worship. You complain about the leadership. You always find something wrong You gossip You have never met your pastor. If you are reading through these justifying the to yourself, please STOP IT. Your church needs you to be a part of the body. Just like our physical bodies, when all the parts are working how they are supposed to a great many things can be accomplished! As far as it concerns us as the body of believers, we do not want to be the malfunctioning part! So often I think we are worried we are going to mess something up with our imperfections but the truth is it's our not even showing up that is preventing the body, YOUR local body from working at it's full, God given capacity! So I implore you, as a fellow servant of the Most High God to tithe, serve, be content, stop complaining, look for the good, encourage, be a peacemaker and introduce yourself to your pastor with a thank you note and a gift card for some coffee or lunch on you! Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Did you know it will only take 2000 Christians (out of 67 million professing believers in the U.S.!!) donating $1000 each to fund our facilities project?! Be 1 of the 1965 people left who help us reach our financial goal! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for our live videos and follow us on Instagram for weekly encouragement! This post was written by Nickole Perry, co-founder and Director of Operations at Cedar Creek Ministries. Share this post: