Judy Templeton Ministries

Hope is that delicate life line that ties us to this world…

Judy Templeton

New Perspectives 4

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Producing Where You’re Planted— New Perspectives Series

This week, I’ve been thinking about recent life events in light of the everlasting. And the Lord has brought me back to seeds. Again. But this time, it was about seeds bearing fruit in a life so fruitful, that fruit continues to be produced even after the loved one has gone “home” to be with our Lord. And with that, I thought of Pastor Bob Templeton (Pastor Judy’s husband). He has been so much on my heart lately—everywhere I look, I see the fruit of his life and his ministry continuing on, and it’s been 10 years since his homegoing.

And then, I’ve been looking at all the Lord is doing in our little community, and I am finding myself beyond grateful that I get to be in the middle of it all. A while back, I was given a vision of a huge stadium with a large, well-used playing field. I had been thinking about what it means to bear fruit, and then I saw members of our body caught up in the action down on the field and I felt like the Lord was asking me, “Are you in? Are you ALL in?”

Even though it seems that seeds, fruit, and “all in” can’t possibly be related, I felt as though they really are connected. But how?

Then I considered this Scripture:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (AMPC)

Oh, Lord! Now it makes sense! When we’re “all in”—when we’re out on the field, getting dirty, right smack in the middle of what God is doing—when we’re busy doing all that the Lord puts in front of us to do and giving ourselves fully to Him—isn’t that when fruit flows naturally? When we’re a branch that’s so connected to the Vine?

Once again, seeds and fruit. Seeds planted, seeds watered, fruit produced, and fruit continuing even after He takes us home. Producing where He plants us.

That’s what I want. To be where He wants me to be, doing what He needs me to do, in order to accomplish what’s on His heart.

So yes, Lord. I’m all in. I want to be right in the middle of the action—I don’t want to miss a thing.

I want to see Your Kingdom come and Your will be done here as in heaven. And when it’s time for my heavenly homecoming, I do so want to hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Amen?

And it all starts with a seed. Praise God.

New Perspectives 3

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Connect the Dots—New Perspectives Series

Seven months ago, I received a prophetic word from Pastor Fred Brothers—one in which God was telling me I needed to “connect the dots”.  And then, on April 13th, Pastor Fred gave me the same word for our church after we posted the Superbloom blog.  

So I thought, “Lord, what exactly does that mean—to connect the dots?”

Then the Lord reminded me that over these past few months, I have seen accelerated growth—especially in our leadership team. In some, this growth has taken the shape of a sudden shift from where they were, to seeing them actually spearhead something new—and most of these new ventures are ministries outside the church! The picture I got was like the church’s walls were bulging outward from all the pressure and when it could no longer be contained, the walls let go with a burst of joy! And it was raining blossoms all over Cambria!  

And, then the Lord showed me another “dot”. Just last month, Pastor Lonnie Hilton spoke at our church and his message was about distraction. He talked about not allowing the distractions of the world to take our focus off Jesus. Hmmmm. Could I be so focused on what I’m doing that I’m missing out on seeing the BIG picture—on what GOD is doing?

The big picture. To be totally honest, until Kathy wrote that blog about the Superbloom, I didn’t even know there was a superbloom going on in California. But now I understand that our “Superbloom” is so immense that it can actually be seen from outer space. I’m also hearing though, that it’ll soon be coming to an end—that all those blooms are starting to throw their seeds, and that what had been green and vibrantly alive is now beginning to turn brown.

But there is good news!! All that seed will be waiting in the ground for next season! And for those of you who wonder why you haven’t seen or felt anything?  God is saying, “Just wait!” All that seed from this Superbloom foretells of an even greater harvest next season! Praise God!

Yes, this season’s blooms will die (the seed sown won’t come to life unless it dies—1 Cor 15:36), but the seeds that have been planted will bring an even greater harvest. And as I saw all the different colors and different species of flowers growing together, I wondered, could it possibly represent all the different Christian churches blooming together? Unity coming to the Body of Christ?

And in my own life, even as I’ve begun to look for and connect the dots in myself, my church, and my ministries, I feel like there are parts of the picture that haven’t yet “connected”.  But as I contemplate that coming greater harvest, I’m already excited about what’s ahead.

I’m believing that Pastor Fred’s word was for all of us—a word that encourages us to take our eyes off of what ISN’T happening to see what IS—

Don’t be like me and look for what’s missing. Instead, be expecting and encouraged because despite what we don’t see, God truly is doing a new “thing” in us and around us!  He’s left a trail of seeds for us to follow and a lamp (Psalm 119:105) to light our way.

 So, go ahead. Connect the dots—and see what the Lord hath done!  

New Perspectives 2

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Servanthood— New Perspectives Series

First thing this morning, I was reminded of an old Don Francisco song—and the chorus goes something like this:

Do you love your wife? For her and for your children, are you laying down your life? What about the others—Are you living as a servant to your sisters and your brothers? Do you make the poor man beg you for a bone? Do the widows, and the orphans cry alone?

This song has always had a way of bringing me back to the truth of God’s love walk. And this week, He’s been dealing with me about becoming more excellent at my “one-anothering skills”—to reach out more often and spread those seeds of one-anothering. I guess He was wondering why, if there are so many of them to choose from, I’m having difficulty finding even one. Ouch. So, I thought I’d share my “woodshed moment” with you all.  

I love Faith Christian Fellowship, its ideals, its mandates, and its people. But most of all I love that the whole of it is truly about ‘relationship’— that no one should do ministry alone. God’s Word speaks of relationship from cover to cover. Yes, we are to reach out to the unsaved, the unchurched—but what about the family of God and our relationship to the body of Christ?

Romans 12:5 reminds us that though we are many, each of us belongs to the others. We are one body.

And, as such, the New Testament is filled with verses that define personal relationships in the Body. We are to love one another, honor one another, be in one accord, accept one another, instruct one another, greet one another, serve one another, carry one another’s burdens, bear with one another, submit to one another, and so importantly—encourage one another.

OK, don’t all amen me at once (smile). But here they are—ready for spreading. Seeds of servanthood.

Planted any lately?  

New Perspectives 1

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A Spiritual Superbloom — New Perspectives Series

Sitting in our local coffee shop, listening to the muffled coughs and muted sneezes around me, I smiled to myself. Much of our area is pastureland studded with oaks and pines, and right now, with all the blessed rain we’ve received, we have wildflowers aplenty. In some places, the yellows and oranges are so vibrant it looks like a sunrise might have dripped onto the hillsides! All that beauty is great news, right?  So what’s the bad news? The bad news is that right now, all of nature is celebrating the start of spring with an unprecedented exuberance that the news outlets are calling a “Superbloom”.

As I drank my coffee and breathed a silent prayer for all those battling allergies, I heard the words, “Seeds planted and watered.” And I thought “Yes indeed Lord! Seeds have definitely been watered. That’s good, Lord!” I even chuckled out loud. But then I felt the Lord drop in something else, and I began to think about the changes I had been feeling in myself and seeing in those around me over the past couple of weeks—an accelerated growth spurt—not just in our local flora, but in the spirit! Wow Lord! Could that be right?—That we are having a Superbloom in the Spirit as well as in the natural?

I’m seeing individuals in our church body move out in directions that line up with the passions in their hearts and God’s direction for their lives. And I know, for me, I have felt a new release and a new confidence. And I’m no longer wondering why I’m not in a new “place” like others around me. I beginning to understand that even though I’m not in a new PLACE, God is doing something new in ME—that the seeds He planted long ago have pushed up through the firmament and are in full bloom preparing to bear fruit! Wow God. I’m not really sure what all that means, but I do feel stirred up with anticipation—even excitement—to see what God is doing in me and through me!

So, in the days ahead, l urge you to look for what the Spirit is doing in this new season and “spring” into that new “thing” He has for you! He is stirring it up—not just AROUND you, but IN you!

Oh! And don’t be afraid to breathe deeply – it’s a SPIRITUAL Superbloom!

Holy Spirit 4

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Holy Spirit 4 – Encounter the Holy Spirit

During the posting of my last blog, we were in the final stretch of bringing my book to publication. The whole experience awakened in me a profound respect for others who write their stories. And since the book’s publication, I’m beginning to understand what it’s like to be vulnerable on a whole new level!

In my blog Reflections 4, the Holy Spirit had said to me, “You could have stopped at any point in this journey and I would not have been upset with you.” As He was speaking that to my heart, I felt like He understood how difficult each step had been and how proud He was that I didn’t give up along the way. And when I heard Him ask, “But hasn’t it been worth it?” The answer was from my heart— “Absolutely Lord!”

And now, having written the book, having made myself vulnerable and now walking through it into a new place of freedom—my answer is still the same. Yes, Lord. Yes. It was so worth it.

In this new season, as people read the book, my ability to overcome vulnerability is once again being tested. But, there’s a key word here—overcome. I AM an overcomer. Because He Who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. Amen?!

And, much to my surprise (mostly because I thought no one would actually read the book), I have overcome. When I thought I would be most vulnerable–now that the book is actually available and being read–instead, I have an overwhelming sense of joy and peace. I’m seeing the hope contained in the book spilling out and overflowing as it is received with open hearts by believers and non-believers alike. I’m hearing stories of the book’s impact on lives—through its pages, people have been able to see themselves and their circumstances and hear the voice of the Holy Spirit guiding them through their own storms.

These testimonies of the book’s impact have been an answer to my own prayers, that God would use this book—my story—to show how He brings peace to the storms of life, and restores hope when all hope is lost. It’s really then, not my story at all. But the story of God’s goodness, mercy, and grace—for everyone. What He did for me, He WILL do for you.

And I am so, so grateful.

When I started to pen this blog, my intention had been to offer some guidance on how to spend time with the Holy Spirit. But, the truth is that He is ever present, always in us, and always “on call” for us. He’s always talking, always sharing with our hearts—but we need to be listening for His still, small, voice. We need to be able to recognize His voice and know when He’s speaking to us. The only way we can do that is by spending time with Him.

If this book opens that door for its readers—if it helps them connect with the Holy Spirit, then I’ve done my job.

I always found it interesting that I had no problem encountering the Holy Spirit in prison—but out here in the ‘real world,’ it’s been so much more difficult. It took me years, but I finally realized that it was because I didn’t set time apart for Him. My schedule was always packed and my mind was always too busy keeping up with my schedule to make space for the Holy Spirit. But, as I rearranged my life to make time, I found the Holy Spirit waiting for me! He never left—I did.

Now, He is my source for abundant life that He promises in His Word to all of us, and, as Dr. Pat Harrison says, “The Holy Spirit is everything that Jesus said He would be to me.” 

Is He your everything?

Photo by ConfinedRiley on Unsplash

Holy Spirit 3

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Holy Spirit 3 – The Power of God in the Midst of Your Storm

I’m sure you’ve noticed that it’s been a while since I’ve posted. During this break from blogging, I have been working to get my book, The Power of God in the Midst of Your Storm, ready for publication. And, as of this writing, both the Kindle and Paperback versions are available on Amazon!

But during this final push to get the book ready, the question came up—why did I write the book? What was the purpose behind sharing my story?

And, the answer has everything to do with the Holy Spirit.

In fact, it was the Holy Spirit who, in 2017, put it on my heart to write a book. But just because He asked, didn’t mean it was easy for me to say, “Yes!” 

I started out slowly—just sharing small portions with friends who were struggling to find hope. But I was always careful not to go deeper and share about prison. At the time, I didn’t want to share that part with anybody—let alone write a book about it!  And, as the Holy Spirit began to remind me of testimonies and details of that season, it occurred to me that maybe writing a book was just for me. His Word says that Jesus came to set the captives free. But wasn’t I already free?  Though the prison bars were long gone, my thoughts and fears had been holding me in a different kind of bondage and I discovered that I was not really free after all.  

As I began to dig into my past and put my story on paper, I realized that God was using the writing of this book to heal me—not only freeing me from the fear of what people might think, but He surprised me by showing me that I had been holding onto unforgiveness. But I didn’t need to forgive someone else—I needed to forgive myself.

And as He walked me through the process of healing, forgiveness, and rebuilding my life, I began to feel a new freedom that I hadn’t even known was possible. And I found a new boldness that let me stand and speak with confidence and compassion about all that He worked through me and in me during that season in my life.

What a God we serve! All the while I thought I was writing this book to help others walk through their storms, He was using it to rebuild and restore me in the aftermath of mine.

It has been a slow process for me to feel free enough to open up and talk about that darkest season of my life. But my hope, my prayer, is that whoever reads this book, will be encouraged. No matter your circumstances, no matter what it looks like—God is in it with you. And He is truly for you, not against. And oh—those signs and wonders? Yes, they are for today. He just needs a vessel He can work through. I have no doubt that what He did for me, He will do for you.