I remember the first time I heard Pastor Kim Ryan from North County Christ the King preach. Conviction oozed from him as he led his congregation through the touchy subject of abortion. By the end of the evening, the entire assembly was on their knees in repentance for the nation. It was  a powerful service. One my husband and I will never forget.
We have never lived close enough to Pastor Kim to be an active part of his church or to be able to benefit from his excellent council, but when we get the opportunity, we really enjoy learning from him. He is one person I have always felt linked to in purpose and destiny. We just “get” each other. Even my husband sees that and often comments on the similarities which leads me again to sit in awe of my God and how He always provides these moments of “coincidence” to leave our minds reeling!

As I released my first book, Defeating Fear, in November, I just knew I had to give one to Pastor Kim.  After all, much of the book was influenced by several of his sermons, especially the closing chapter.  I have always had a strict rule of not working on Sundays, but the week I heard him speak on the acorn and the oak tree, I begged my husband to give me an hour to write so that I could “get it off my chest.”  It was that night that I wrote the conclusion to my book long before most of the pages were even written and thanks to the inspired preaching of Pastor Kim.

Two weeks ago, we were blessed to be able to attend North County Christ the King to witness the baptism of one of my sons best friends.  Pastor Kim once again gave an inspired talk.  I took the book I had signed for him so that I could give it to him in person.  I had no idea he was preparing to do a series on fear.  I just wanted to thank him.  He told me he would read it right away (which I doubted since he is a busy man!)  But guess what?  He did.  And the following week, he honored me by quoting my book in his sermon on fear.  Here is the sermon.  It is powerful, from the heart and I believe truly inspired.

Never Alone (Fear Not – Week 1) from North County Christ the King on Vimeo.

I could have let fear keep me from releasing the book, I almost did. I could have allowed fear to keep me from giving Pastor Kim his copy, I almost did that too. But instead, I chose to walk in complete obedience to God as I forged ahead and did the hard things so that I could truly live out His purposes for me. So fear not, for He is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He cares for you and He has great plans for you. So go ahead. Do the hard things today. Your destiny is waiting!