Tag: christian community

The Work & The War Of My Time

Published on by Johnnatta Giles2 Comments

Well I have some exciting news to share! I have began to work with an organization called CareNet Pregnancy Services here in Kentucky. When I was pregnant with Victoria I had this growing hunger to get more involved with the pro life movement. That was God sowing in my heart desires I never thought I would want. After all, It was only a few years ago I was pro choice myself even while being Christian because of not knowing the fullness of what abortion was. I have been mentoring women in crises pregnancies for almost two months now! This was something I went fuller into detail on my channel on Rumble. I was honored to attend their banquet earlier this month for their ultrasound machine fundraising and I got to all about their efforts and future plans for the organization. God is truly doing amazing work through them.

Today I spoke for the first time at a church who humbly invited volunteers of CareNet to speak for their baby bottle campaign they are doing here in Northern Kentucky. I want to share with you my speech so you can see a small bit of the work CareNet does and also my heart concerning these things. Often I have say this will be the work of my time and the war I will happily fight. We are living in an historical moment no matter where your stance is on abortion and I hope that WordPress does not hinder me from continuing to speak freely on this issue. I say that because I have been censored and targeted by certain social media companies. I aim to only share my work and not to harass anyone. I hope this speech blesses you!

Me Attending CareNet’s Ultrasound Banquet

Good morning! I wanted to first say thank you for having me! I’m so very grateful for the opportunity to speak to you on behalf of CareNet Pregnancy Centers of Northern Kentucky

 My name is Johnnatta Giles, I’m a mom of 5 and I’ve been married to my husband James Giles for almost 10 years now. I serve as a volunteer mentor to women in crisis pregnancies at CareNet Pregnancy Services in Williamstown Kentucky. I want to tell you a little about me. My mother was an addict. Yet she gave me life. When I was 3, I was put into foster care because of her neglect due to her illnesses and later adopted out of the foster care system.

 I am grateful everyday that she let me go so I could one day grow up and make a life for myself. Many women face hopelessness like my mother and what I do is carry my story and give them what my mother never had. Not only do we encourage women to choose life, but we help them live abundantly. It is a humbling honor to serve them.

The lives of more than 2,300 precious babies hang in the balance every day because women and men facing an unintended pregnancy think abortion is their best option. The pro-abortion culture denies the sanctity of life and works hard to normalize abortion. They promise abortion is “safe and easy.”  But in reality there is no such thing as a safe abortion. The method they push the hardest is also the easiest to get—the abortion pill. 

In 2020, the abortion pill accounted for nearly 54% of all abortions. The FDA allows abortion pills to be shipped straight to home addresses in states where it’s legal. They don’t even require a physical exam, let alone that a doctor be present during the abortion. That puts women at risk. 

Not long ago, a young woman who thought she was only a few weeks pregnant came to Care Net. The abortion pill is aggressively targeted to women like her—those thinking about abortion and no more than 10 weeks’ pregnant. 

We thank God that she came to Care Net for an ultrasound—she was actually almost four months along. 

Women and their partners need to know the truth about the humanity of their babies. They deserve to know the truth about abortion. Our greatest tool to change the mind of a mother or father at risk for abortion is the ultrasound. 

Ultrasounds not only date the gestational age of the pregnancy; it also confirms the unmistakable proof of human life. Since we began offering ultrasounds in 2006, more than 1,351 babies have been saved—208 last year alone. We’re able to offer more than 100 ultrasound appointments every month. Calls to our helpline are answered live by our staff 24 hours a day.

All three of our locations—in Florence, Cold Spring and Williamstown—offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and education on all of their options. We follow up with material help and mentoring by trained volunteers in 21 educational programs. Last year moms and dads who desired to become great parents attended more than 2,000 parenting and education classes. Some of them break generations of poor parenting and lead their young families in entirely new, healthy directions. Glory to God!

All these life-changing services are free because people like you support pro-life efforts like the baby bottle campaign your church is participating in now.

To fight the abortion industry head-on in the marketplace, we have begun buying online advertising. Our ads are reaching more abortion-minded clients than ever, and still over 87% who see their babies by ultrasound choose life. We thank God for this success and are expanding our medical staff so more babies can be saved. 

The Supreme Court could very soon rule on Roe v. Wade. This ruling could give the states back their authority to regulate abortion. Right now there are already states that can abort a child up to 9 months. The fight to save these babies’ lives and give their mothers and fathers hope will only increase. 

Pregnancy centers are being targeted and vandalized ever since the supreme court draft leak. We need the support of Christian communities and churches as we continue the work that God has called us to. Saving lives. Women could potentially run from state to state to access abortion but also order the abortion pill online putting them in even more danger than ever before. We must be ready to help these women and we ask you to help us be ready! 

Please pick up a baby bottle today and fill it with coins, bills or checks. Use it to start pro-life discussions with your children, too. Then return your bottles to church on your collection day. You can also give online at carenetnky.org.

As more clients come, we also need more volunteer advocates and mentors. In each bottle is a card you can return to let us know if you’d like to volunteer. If you own a business and want to stand for life by sponsoring an event, please let us know!

On behalf of Care Net’s board, staff and volunteers, and especially on behalf of those we serve, thank you for participating in this Baby Bottle Campaign. We are deeply grateful for your support. Thank you, and God bless you!

Sisterhood of The World Bloggers Award

Published on by Johnnatta Giles9 Comments

My sister in Jesus Christ Gail at GailLovesGod has nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

I am humbled and thankful for the nomination. Knowing that I am a blessing to others is blessing to me! All I want to do is spread the truth through Jesus Christ’s love for me and I am blessed to have met someone that shares that same heart as well! I love you Gail!

RULES:

  1. Thank the person who nominated you with a link to their blog.
  2. Nominate up to 30 bloggers and give them 10 questions to answer.
  3. Answer the 10 questions from person who nominated you.

Gail Sent me these questions:

Do you know how much God loves you?

Absoulutely! Everyday I am thankful for that truth.

What did you last blog about? (Link it)

The Last thing I wrote about was allowing God to fill my vessels. I have been away building on other things and I poured my heart out in the post about how I missed My Fathers Symphony. Writing was the beginning of my journey to discovering the hidden gifts of God inside of me for ministry and at times I miss it greatly. But I am allowing God to lead me wherever He wants me. Then I can pour into those things with the living water He gives me. For His Glory always.

How long have you been blogging?

Gosh I started bloging while I was pregnant with my son. That was back in 2014. 6 years ago. Alot of emotons going on then. Excited terrfied, insecure and seeking knowlegde on just how to even being. I went from writing to vloging to creating different content then starting my Instagram and writing a bit on there too. I have learned a lot and God and remains faithful to give me whatever I need.

Do you have any sisters?

I have two sisters who I am no longer in contact with. I wish them the best.

What are you reading in God’s word?

Today I was reading in Psalms 96:7-13. In the chaos we are seeing these days I am glad to know that God is always in control. And in the end He judges righteously. This verse captured me:

“Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns.’ The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved: he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, the earth be glad.”

How have you been affected by COVID-19?

Well I gues more frustration more than anything. But what this has really taught me is to be thankful and fully of joy that everyday I awake God is with me and for me and my family.

Are you and your family doing well?

We are doing great! Honestly God has been opening up doors and also preserving us in great ways. He is a good good Father.

How may I pray for you?

Pray that I continue to press on with the Call that God has for me. Pray for all Christians around the world that they will be bold in speaking truth but also wise in their actions. A spiritual war is rising so please for me pray for those who may end up lost because of the lies of the enemy and of men.

As long as it’s been since we’ve said hello, do you even remember me? (It’s okay if you don’t. I’m not offended. )

Your one of the few bloggers I make an effort to read. So yes I don’t think I will ever forget you 🙂 but I will make more of an effort to say hi every once in awhile!

What characteristic of God amazes you today?

His wrath. That though He has every right to hand it out He doesn’t do it lightly. And even in His wrath He is full of grace. Makes me feel like dust every time I think about it! But all in humbleness. Keeps me realizing that He ifs all powerful and because of that I have the utmost respect for Him more than I have had in the past. I will never again take advantage of His grace and Mercy.

My nomiees

My list is small but mighty. I nominate these women because their writing truly has blessed me:

Linda From Amazing God Stories

Nichole From Redeeming Home

Anna From Grace Shine and Glitter

Questions:

  1. Why did you start blogging?
  2. What do you think biblical womanhood is?
  3. Does your family read/ watch any of your posts?
  4. Do you have daughters? If so How do you raise them to be Godly girls?
  5. What is the one thing you think Christian women are struggling with these days?
  6. What is your favorite women’s ministry?
  7. What women influenced you the most growing up or in your adult life?
  8. What is your favorite ice cream??
  9. If you had a choice to stay home or travel somewhere for a week which would you choose? Why would you stay home? Where would you travel?
  10. How has knowing the Lord changed your own womanhood experience?

Take your time Ladies! I look forward to hearing from you. No need to do it if you can’t! It’s always fun reading each others replies and having a bit of insight non who you are. Continue doing th will of God for your lives and never be ashamed of being all for Christ. Give encouragement or a hug to another sister in Christ if you can!

Love Johnnatta Giles

I am Woman + Who was Eve?

Published on by Johnnatta GilesLeave a comment
Photo by: My Joy in Mae Creations

After I had my son, whom I thought then would be my final child, I started to hunger for a deeper understanding for what womanhood in Christ really was. Keeping house, submitting to my husband and serving in my church and community, seemed to be what I found every where I searched for this wisdom. But I did all those things and yet who I was as a woman never surfaced inside of me. You see, I had no women to tell me or show me what womanhood was. All my life I longed for an older women to pass on her wisdom to me as I rapidly grew from little girl to young lady in a blink of an eye. To my dismay all the women in my life either abused me, abandoned me or just simply forgot about me.

After becoming a mother and years of healing that lead to many dilverances, I looked to the word of God. I started where a large majority of Christian women are referred to when seeking out this very wisdom, Proverbs 31:10 The Wife Of Noble Character. And although the scripture paints a beautiful description of a women whom embodies virtue, I felt that it isn’t at all what womanhood really is.

My first thought was Eve herself. When I decided to look at Eve I realized, well there’s not much to see. We don’t know nearly as much as I would love to know about both Adam and Eve. I’m nosy that way. So I reread the small part of her story over and over again. Moving onto other scripture sometimes and coming back to hers, and then one day, something captured my attention.

Whats in a name?

“Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all living”

In Genesis 3:20 I notice the first clue about Eve. She didn’t choose her name, but Adam did. I saw the pure reasons why Adam may have given her that name. With my whole heart I believe that he saw her for more than just a partner, a helper or someone he would be intimate with, he saw her as life itself in the flesh. Her name alone must have reminded her every day of the power she held. That power was given to her graciously from her Creator. Despite her betrayal, He made her to do only what He can do and that is the power to create and give life. That humbled my heart. God gave such a magnificent piece of Himself to women what does that say about me as a woman?

Realizing this gave me an appreciation for the fact that I as a women, hold such a powerful gift that no man could ever do, the gift to give life. Not just in child bearing but in heart, body and spirit. It created instantly a pride in me I never possessed before not even after I birthed my own children. Every time I choose to love and nurture another human being on earth I am naturally able to spark life into them. The moment I speak up for the lost and choose to love the broken, life is being created, through love, with each word, and each action.

That’s why its much more natural for us to do because it’s apart of who we are! That was the moment I saw differently how I could impact my household as well. By embracing this gift in me I now know how to pray over myself and my family in times of much needed spiritual warfare. Who says we’re not super woman? Okay maybe not that one but you know what I mean.

The Breath of Life

“With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to her brother Abel.

After reading this scripture in Genesis 4:1-2, I realized Eve knew who her God. She knew that He was her helper and her strength but she also knew by the birth of Abel, that God held their very life in His hands. Abel’s name has been said to mean “Breath” now I believe that’s exactly what it means. But every where I have researched it says his name was given, because like a breath he would not live long. I am not going to go into a rant on that vague speculation. But what I do know is that Eve knew how her own existence came into being.

I know good and well that child birth can give you a whole new perspective on life. It’s terrifying at worse and humbling all around. And I am sure once she went through it under the curse for the second time she knew that God is the giver of life and therefore named her son after the same Spirit that was breathed into her as well. Therefore his name most likely means “Breath” not because of a short life but because of the Life Giver.

Eve knew who her God was and that in Him, He creates life, death, darkness and light. He is able to save and He is able to destroy and there was nothing she went through that had not already passed through His hands. He’s got her back! Though Eve was a woman created to give and create life, she knew that without her God none of it would be possible. These two powerful lessons are the first I have learned about who God made me as a women.

I may have inherited a fallen flesh, but I am a Queen forevermore redeem by my Savior, restored to my former glory through the Creator.

I hold the power of life within myself and I am able to bring that life into my arms and in the world around me.

A power that creates love, unity and justice that leads to humble hearts and stories of forgiveness.

That same power allows me to be the head and never the tail. And to have full authority over everything God places into my hands.

It gives me the ability to no longer be the victim, but the warrior that fights for the freedom of others leading them to their own victory.

All of this is what Eve taught me and the Holy Spirit gave me. This is the woman that God sent his son to die on the cross so that we may be restored back to. Daughters of Zion behold your God and let Him bring you into true womanhood!

J.S

To The Church, With Love

Published on by Johnnatta Giles6 Comments
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Long ago I sleepily entered an old church in Downtown Cincinnati. It was Sunday and the early morning dew met with my black dress shoes as I entered the side door. This was not my favorite place. Unwillingly I had been here many times, but I had no idea that day would be different.

As a child church confused me and greatly terrified me. There was never a place more isolating to me than the place of worship. At the start of church we would first gather in the sanctuary. The sanctuary was where I felt more comfortable because the crowds swallowed me up. I could hide and not be seen and blend in. But Sunday school was a whole different story. There was not many kids there and being extremely shy I had not one friend. It was a constant reminder of how alone I really was and brought up my feelings of abandonment.

One Sunday a crowd of kids showed up. It must have been Easter Sunday because that was the only time our Sunday school room was so full. I did as I do in crowds and hid among the many excited kids waiting for the lesson to start. At the end of the presentation the leader began to speak of something I heard every Sunday after the lesson was done. Salvation. But this time my ears were opened and I met my God for the first time.

I received salvation in a baptist church around the age of 7. It was just me and the Lord and no one knew about it. And as I grew up with a new awakened Spirit in me, no one also knew the struggle I had with the church itself. There was my love for it, because it was the only public place I could feel the spirit of God move and hear the word of God preached. The only place I saw people gather and encourage each other no matter how rare those occasions were throughout the year.

But as I grew up, in my heart, there also grew a hatred for it. The pressures each denomination placed on me to be what they said was Holy. The hypocritical people that were open about their sin, causing constant turmoil and pain in the church walls. So at the age 16 I ran away from all forms of congregation. I was angry but in truth, I set off to find out who God was on my own. To this day I have never regretted that.

But when I was 22 years old I rejoined a congregation with my husband and first daughter. That church split and we went with those who left. Soon we were given heartbreaking news that the pastor was giving up. And so I found myself confused and lost not knowing where to go. We eventually settled into a new church home where we served for a few years only to be, this time, called away from that congregation. It was exhausting to say the least. And I see now more than ever, I am not alone in my experiences. I know many of you have been hurt by people in a congregation. And I get that. In fact, it was professing Christians that betrayed me, used me and rejected me.

So believe me when I say I truly understand. I want you to know that your feelings and pain does matter. I would never tell you that your wrong for feeling what you do. But do not let you pain overtake you to the point where you turn your back on God. God is not the church and I can say for a fact that He would never call you anywhere that would hinder your relationship with Him.

I am not saying to do what I did. My family and I chose to do what God called us to do. But what I am saying is, never let the pain of what someone has done to you be the basis of your decisions. My first break from the church was not based off my anger, it was my hunger to know who God really was. As daughters and sons of God, we are to be led by the Spirit not by our feelings. To those who do judge others for leaving the church and never returning, we also have no right to judge what God calls His own to do.

If the Lord calls you to a church I want to share with you what He showed me: Jesus never commands me to be apart of a church. Men may, but He does not. But if He does call me to be apart of a church I have to understand that the church has nothing to do with my relationship with God. A church is a place to serve and do the will of God no matter how I feel about the people there or what they try to do to me. I am there for Him and Him only, therefore my leaving is according to His purpose for me.

Because of me understanding this, I was able to serve in a church with my full heart until I was eventually called away. I will not return to a congregation, not because I have been hurt, but because I go where God leads me only. God is wherever I am and my place of worship is forever held in my heart. Though I was in a church when I received salvation, the fact still remains that it has always been just me and my Abba from the beginning. And that will be all that matters in the end.

With Love,

J.S