I met this amazing couple as a new staff girl coming to serve w/ CRU at Texas A & M. Ken and Ann Cochrum poured time, love, guidance, truth & kindness into our team. Then, as now, their walk with Jesus & their loving marriage impacted many! Ken & Ann were the first couple I’d ever seen willing to leave life here to share the gospel with those who’d never, ever heard of Jesus! Those early years of ministry with Ken & Ann taught me how to build teams, disciple women, & endure in trials. They saw my weaknesses yet graciously gave me room to grow up! Brian knew & loved these great friends even before we got married. Now, 2 decades later, it’s always a huge blessing when we can see each other! So grateful for their example of loving Jesus well! (I still want to be Ann Cochrum when I grow up! 😉) #WinBuildSend #2Timothy2:2 #kingdomfriends — with Brian G. Fisher, Ann Cochrum and Ken Cochrum.
Microwaves, Crock Pots, and Faith
It’s the silly things God can use to teach you. Like, um…a microwave oven?  I  use my microwave multiple times a day. It’s fast and requires minimal work. I dig speed!  My faith can be like that silly  microwave…punch it, zap it and heat it up fast! I want God to answer my prayer requests FAST & I want character in 30 seconds! It’s HARD to wait. I want powerful faith in less time that it takes to make my popcorn.
But, biblically, God seems to use a slower pace more often than not. He uses it to mature, to deepen, and to refine.
If I step back from chaos & activity, I realize I want that. I want to hear Him, have time to think deeply on what He’s revealed, and to relish in His love for me. Â Â
Not microwave faith Lord? Ok. Â What then? Not that opposite-of-who-I-am machine that I never use?! That old school way of expressing my domestic (read: food) love for my people?!
THE DREADED CROCK POT. Â
This thing is not my speciality. Cooking with a Crock Pot takes forethought, planning, and even time. Â I don’t even speak this language! Why do people use this thing? Because the food tastes better than microwave food. Â It’s rich, moist, and flavorful. Â I get it , Lord. You want to do something new in me. You challenge me to simmer, not nuke. You want depth in me. Flavor that comes from the Cook.
Apparently, a Crock Pot makes good food. Â Why? It has to cook SLOWLY to be really good. Â Â
 God kindly shows me things in me that need to change, but mostly how much He loves me.  My favorite thing is that He is increasing my level of thankfulness for everything..especially Him. “Promised Land Living” by J. Oswald Sanders is about the book of Joshua.  In it, Sanders uses one of my favorite phrases “the Realized Presence of God.”. To experience the “realized Presence”, I have to stop & receive . I have to be quiet to hear Him and go slower to experience His peace. This is no 30 second experience.Â
Lord, free me from speed and the immaturity of instant gratification. Deepen my faith and increase your Aroma of Grace through me.
Now, time for dinner.
Tristie Fisher, 2014
TEACHING YOUR KIDS SPIRITUAL TRUTHS
FRIENDS–
About 2 years ago, one of my friends, Lainie, and I put together a must list for our children in teaching them about God. Don’t be overwhelmed… sooo much of this comes from conversations with kids, I am convinced!
Teaching your Kids:
Basic Doctrine… Â Existence of God, Trinity, Deity of Jesus, Security of Salvation and the Inerrancy of the Word
- The Gospel-What is it?
- That God has a plan for each of our lives.
- We were born sinners and also make “mistakes” or sinful choices.
- Jesus Christ, the perfect One, died in our place for those sins.
- That Jesus wants to come live inside our hearts -giving us HEAVEN and an ABUNDANT LIFE HERE.
- How to walk With The Lord... Here’s an example of our Top Three: ASKING JESUS TO HELP US, READING THE BIBLE TOGETHER, AND LEARNING TO PRAY!
- Forgiveness… in relationships !(Parent to child, sibling to sibling, Â and friend to friend)
That’s just some of the rich spiritual life (I’m sure !) you’re demonstrating to your sweet children. It seems EVERY DAY there is at least one opportunity for me to live by faith  (Mommy encourages me!) and for them make a choice regarding Christ-like choices. (Think sibling interactions! )
May these ideas bless you! HE WILL HELP YOU!
What would you add to the list?
TRISTIE