Eye

opening

Revelation

and

Healing

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us...” - 2 Corinthians 5:20a

One of my pet peeves is an overloaded email inbox. I periodically review my emails and cancel any unnecessary subscriptions. A piece of mail which has survived these periodic purges is the “Word of the Day” from Merriam Webster. Recently the daily word was:

Plenipotentiary - adjective1: invested with full power; 2: of or relating to a person invested with full power to transact any business

Merriam Webster went on to state:

“‘Plenipotentiary’ gets its power from its Latin roots: ‘plenus,’ meaning ‘full,’ and

‘potens,’ ‘powerful.’ When government leaders dispatch their ambassador plenipotentiary...they are not just sending an agent to deal with foreign affairs but one having full power to act on the behalf of his or her country and government.”

I initially read the definition with a cursory glance. The Holy Spirit then focused my attention more closely on it and spoke to my heart.

He said “you are fully invested with MY power to transact MY business…” He was reminding me that I am HIS ambassador plenipotentiary.

Of course Scripture strongly supports this truth. It says that all those who are spiritually born again1 are not only His children2, His bride3, His younger brothers and sisters4, and His friends 5 but also that we are His ambassadors.6

What a glorious truth! What a privilege and honor - to be able to share in His life and then choose to let it overflow with love, compassion and authority to those around us!

1 John 3:3, 2 1 John 3:1, 3 2 Corinthians 11:2, 4 Romans 8:29, 5

John 15:15, 6 2 Corinthians 5:20a

I

know that I am

different now after attending

the retreat but I’m nothing yet

compared to who I will be by the

end of ADT! Day by day I’m learning

and allowing Christ to live it out in me so

I can give it out...to others. I cannot

thank the staff from CFT [enough]...for

their selflessness, compassion, caring

and loving hearts they showed us this

past weekend and the sacrifices

they are making everyday for

the King, Kingdom and us

“King’s Kids”!

I

was

overwhelmed by

grace,

tenderness, &

compassion.

I

thoroughly

enjoyed the retreat and

thought it was well planned

and organized. I didn’t know

what to expect and left feeling

loved, free and refreshed. I

realized that I am not alone

as well as gained a better

understanding of my

identity in Christ.

This

trip allowed me

to see that it doesn’t

matter profession or

gender, we all have the

same issues (as to why

we think and do the

things we do).

Q u otes

Through

my classmates’

transparency and

vulnerability, I could

witness the grace

and love of Jesus

in action.

o

r e t r e a trDT

Au

. ..

Brezina UpdateSpring 2014

† Christian Families Today † 174 Ashley Park Boulevard - Suite 1, Newnan, GA 30263 † www.ChristianFamiliesToday.org †

f rom

Praise and Prayer✦ Praise - the boys are doing well and continue to grow physically, psychologically and spiritually. We’ve

noticed an ever increasing number of groceries are required to feed four energetic boys! This spring is the first that 3 of the 4 are playing soccer simultaneously (Patti has a PhD in schedule management). She continues to do a great job at the huge task of teaching them at home. Our focus word this year has been “initiative” and we have seen them progress in taking initiative in their daily lives. Spiritually we all are learning to enjoy and express the fruits of the Spirit in our interactions with each other.

✦ Prayer - please pray as the Spirit leads that they would live like their namesakes (all Biblical prophets who were intimate with God, heard His voice and courageously responded to Him in love and obedience). Pray also for wisdom for us as we parent, teach, train and encourage them in their growth.

✦ Praise - CFT is flourishing. 2013 was a record setting year in terms of the opportunities God has given us to minister to hurting individuals, couples and children. The unity and passion of the staff is a blessing and makes ministering here a privilege. Prayer - please pray Beau experiences wisdom as he manages the office, continues to counsel and teach as well as works toward the completion of his masters.

✦ Many of you may have heard of our 6 year old niece Katheryn (Beau’s brother’s daughter) and her recent diagnosis of brain cancer. She had a successful surgery in early March and is now courageously working to rehab. The cancer was malignant so she will soon embark on her next step of treatment. Of course this is heavy on our hearts as a family. Please join us in praying for Katheryn, Ben and Ann Marie (her parents) and their medical team as they navigate this challenging journey. To follow her progress you can check out her Facebook page (Karing for Katheryn Brezina) or go to her care page at http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/karing-for-katheryn-brezina/147203

Many of you have labored with us over the past 9 years as we have worked in God’s harvest field. Together, we are extending a cup of cold water to those who are spiritually and relationally thirsty, a warm embrace of hope to the hopeless and freedom in Christ to the enslaved.

Your gifts have enabled us to minister to those who are hurting on a donation basis. No one is turned away because of finances thanks to God’s provision through you. We are deeply grateful!

† Christian Families Today † 174 Ashley Park Boulevard - Suite 1, Newnan, GA 30263 † www.ChristianFamiliesToday.org †

Beau and Patti

Q & A

(about our work at CFT)

Q - How do you daily deal with peoples’ stressful issues and not get overwhelmed? (one of our most frequent questions)

A - Jesus said all those who are weary and heavy laden are to come to Him for rest. While we have a clear and powerful Biblical counseling model that informs the way we work with people and their struggles, at the end of the day we rest in the fact that God is the one that does the work and brings the freedom we all long for.