Baptism Mentor

Since my calling to go to Emmaus Community Church in my hometown, I have been involved, something I wasn't really doing at my other church because of a split.

First, I was setting up for the church services as much as I could, then I became involved in the children's ministry, when a new children's pastor was hired. And ever since then, I've been helping the young people of the church to grow in God and in community.

And then I met a family: Lori, Pete, Stone and Hunter. An awesome Christ-centered family. Lori also helped in the children's ministry, so I often aided her as she taught. And I was able to get to know her and her boys and just have fun and hang out and share life.

When Stone, her oldest, wanted to get baptised, I was very excited to see that. (I was baptised at the same age). And I was floored when Stone asked me to be his mentor this last Spring!! It was awesome! I helped him prepare spiritually, mentally, and every other way. I attended baptism classes with him and I helped him read the Bible and what God expected of people who got baptised and what it meant to be baptised. This was a very unique role for me....as I did not have a mentor of my own when I was baptised and I didn't fully understand what was happening in an indepth description. Going through that class, almost 14 years later helped connect everything together in a way that I hadn't quite connected.


Being his mentor has blessed my life in more ways than I thought. Investing my time in a young person, to help prepare them for a life of Christian living has been something I didn't think was possible for me....yes, I am called to be a missionary, but to do this here, before I move to Idaho, it's great that I can make a difference here, while I am working--while I am going to school, while I am preparing for a bigger picture that I cannot see.

Right now, Stone is that big picture. He's just such a gentleman and yet, still a kid, so sweet and child-like and just such a joy to bring around.

And I am SO BLESSED that God has chosen me to be Stone's mentor, and that Stone and Lori listened to God!!

Father, I THANK YOU for all the joy you have given me and for some reason, during my month of depression, I forgot. I had forgotten the simple, joyous things in life and Father, I ask that you please help me to keep these blessed things in my mind when the devil is trying to take everything away from me. I ask that you please keep reminding me that you are there and please show me all the little things in life that are so precious and so wonderful and I just want to say Father, I love you. And thank you for blessing my life in all the ways that You have and will do. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless you guys for praying and encouraging!

Cody Marie Bolton

"Un-be-freakin'-lievable!!"

My perspective has been so positive lately that I cannot believe it for a second. Sure, I'm living it and I am really excited that I am in a happy time in my life after the month of depression, but I am just SO happy, it's unreal....rather unbelievable....hense the title. :P


Anyway, I had the most amazing day in a long time. I mean a LONG time. Right now I cannot even remember when I was this happy---so it was probably when I was a little girl.

Today was my traffic court date; I got lost and had a "Oh my gosh!" moment with my mom in the car (if it wasn't for her I would have never found the court!!) Anyway, so I wait in this really long line--btw, the only place where you get the feeling of being in an airport and a DMV at the same time is in a county courthouse...lol

Seriously, when I got to the window I had two options, pay the fine, sign up for traffic school and be on my way or try to petition the ticket and wait for HOURS to see a judge to plede my case. Honestly, I was speeding, so I paid it, signed up for traffic school and went on with my life...
What's so great about that? You might ask...I didn't have to stand in front of a judge like my dad told me I had to! I was SO nervous, it was a relief that all I had to do was pay and then leave! (And, yes I learned my lesson---NO SPEEDING!)

But that wasn't the best part of my day.

This was:

I recieved a notice on my Facebook page that a friend, who I will keep anonimous because I didn't get his permission to blog about him. I had been going to school with him for a long time, and although I never saw him much on campus, I would try and talk with him, he was very much misunderstood, and someone who repelled Christianity.

Today I found out and had an hour long or so conversation with him about Christianity. After high school I had lost contact with him, and during that time he became a Christian, he turned away from drugs and his anger problem was gone because of Jesus!! And now, even after only being a Christian 2 1/2 years, hes going to school to become a Pastor!!! I was smiling so much with my conversations with him; IT WAS "UN-BE-FREAKIN'-LIEVABLE!!!!"

I've got to admit, it was a bit weird talking Christianity with him, but that just made my day. Absolutely made my day--made my week, most likely made my month, that's how excited I am to hear about him and what's been goin' on with him. He even emailed me his full testimony! So amazing, his story is. Absolutely crazy! And at only 2 1/2 years of being a Christian embrasing persecution for believing in Christ!! (I've been a Christian for my entire life, relapsing once, and I am NOW JUST starting to embrace persecution for Jesus' sake.)

Anyway, I just wanted to share my AWESOME day today and I am wishing that all of you are havin' a great day in Christ Jesus!

God Bless you all!!

Cody Marie

Update on January Post

There were a couple of things that I had mentioned in my January blog that have changed and I wanted to share them with all of you as well.

I am going to transfer to Northwest Nazarene University (that hasn't changed) and major in Communications to get my BA degree, then head into four areas for Masters degrees. (I might be crazy here, but this is where I feel God is leading me--who knows, it might change, like some of it has already.) After my BA in Communications, I am going to start "Spiritual Formation". I am REALLY excited about doing that; but I have to take things one step at a time and I cannot be so focused on the future, which I am most of the time. After that is "Pastoral Leadership", I am still not sure why God is leading me in this direction, but I am excited to find out. Next is, "Missional Leadership" (I think that's the official name, but I could be wrong--this is focused on missions. Last is "Christian Education" which will be a great deal of fun too. And after that I am going to start that ministry which I blogged about in January. (If you want to read it, you've got to scroll ALL the way down to the bottom of the page)

God Bless all of you and thanks for the encouraging messages you have left me on Facebook!

Cody Marie

Stress: Another Failed Test From God

Isaiah 43:1-4:
1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia[a] and Seba in your place.
4 Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you."

Footnotes:
Isaiah 43:3 Hebrew Cush

After reading these verses I began to cry. They were exactly what I needed to hear, right at that time. Why did I suffer for a month? Because it was time for me to "go through deep waters". Problem was, I didn't reach for God to keep me above the water, instead I was drowning...now my head is above the water...my body filled with new strength to reach the land, the finish line: graduation.



For the past month, I have let stress take over my life. I have been SO BUSY that I haven't had time to breathe and take a day off. And I know this is a failed test from God.

Today, as I sought help from a friend of mine for a Bible verse to help me relieve stress (the one above) and God spoke through her, rather, chatted through her while I was on Facebook, and I feel INCREDIBLY BETTER than I did just three hours ago.

Other verses recommended by different friends were:
Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

2 Corinthians 9:7-9: "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.""

Job Chapters 1-3

Ecc. 11:4-6: 4 "Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. 5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. 6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both."

this song on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM,

Psalm 118:8: " It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people."

and Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

(Not to mention that this last one was another anwer to a different prayer--I'll blog about that later)

Stress is SO consuming....it takes control and it doesn't let go and then I get too busy and I don't read the Bible, and then not only was my body tired, but my soul also. It started to get chocked off and then I fell apart.

I cannot believe I tried to do this on my own....instead of saying, "God hold me above the water and help me get there." I tried on my own. I had a strong start, but at the end of the first day I could already tell I was slowing down, my destination wasn't getting closer and I wasn't getting any younger. Then the first week ended. My mouth was under the water, my nose barely above it...struggling was definate. By the end of the second week, both my nose and mouth were under, I was trying to keep my eyes above. The end of the 3rd week (today) I was giving up, my arms, which were just above the water were sinking below the surface, like the Titanic. I was drowning and I couldn't figure out how to keep myself alive.

Then, when I saw my friend on Facebook Chat today, I reached out, almost like I reached up toward her boat sitting ontop of the water, and she reached out her hand, doing God's instruction. God had her pull me from the water. And now I'm on the boat, ontop of the water, soaking wet, and fighting the urge to jump back in; to let the raging waters of Stress take me over again.

Now, I know what I must do to keep inside the boat, I'm gonna do that now :)

Ephesians 5:1-20

Living in the Light

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”

Living by the Spirit’s Power
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.


(copied from http://www.biblegateway.com)


This is one of the reasons why I like Paul SO much. It's the fact that he's blunt....he told the Christians how it was and what was needed to be done...even if it was hard for a lot of people to hear.

What impure things have you been doing to your body, instead of using it to glorify God?

How can you change that?

Father God, I pray for those that are doing impurities (myself included) that you take away those desires and banish them back to the devil. Father I ask that you show us how to live without falling in sin's path. Father we ask for forgiveness for the things that we have done wrong and will try and change it for you to better your Kingdom and to better our place in your Will. In Jesus' name. Amen.

1st Corinthians 5:10-17 (NLT)

¹⁰ I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters,^c]">[c] by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. ¹¹ For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹² Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,^d]">[d]” or “I follow only Christ.”

¹³ Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! ¹⁴ I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. ¹⁶ (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) ¹⁷ For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.

(copied from:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201&version=NLT)

I was thinking about this verse today as I was web-surfing in the computer lab at Sierra College. And, from personal observations about denominations and even within denominations there is so much division. These verses need to be taken into every Christian's heart.

It seems like over the years many people start churches, not for trying to reach more people for Christ, but to make a church that they liked. How wrong this is! These verses have just so much to say, and although written by Paul, they should still be REALLY important in growing in our faith. (That's why they are in the Bible!!) Verse 17 "For Christ didn't send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News..." that calling is for ALL of us. Yes, baptizing comes with being a pastor/minister, but the MAIN focus is preaching "the Good News" to the people of the world.

I pray that you guys read the passage again, and reflect on it. What does God lay on your heart? How can you implement this into your daily lives? Not all of us were specifically called to lead a church or to become a missionary in some foreign country. Some were called to be teachers, and truck drivers, and administrators, and computer techs and mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers and friends and janitors and whatever else. But how can you "minister" (tell others about God's Word) at your job? How can you use 1st Corinthians 5:10-17?

Leave comments and revelations!

God Bless all of you!!

Cody Marie

Classes at Sierra College

Since I have started at Sierra, I just wanted to hurry up and get my A.A. Degree in Deaf Studies and move to Idaho to start a Deaf ministry. Boy, I have learned a lot in the last two years of college life. Not just growing as a Young Adult, but especially in my faith.

My first semester at Sierra, Fall 2007, I was nervous. I had just graduated from Lincoln High and I was finally in "The Real World". I started coming to "Intervarsity Bible Study" everyweek and that group has helped me SO MUCH in my faith, I cannot believe it. :p

I decided to try 4 classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, all day long.
I had scored low in my admittance testing (I am not a good test taker) so a councelor recommended me to take "English 50", a reading class. I also took "Wind Ensemble" playing the clarinet, I took "English A" which was a the basic level of college English. And I also enrolled in "Deaf Studies 1", which was my favorite class.

Looking back, I remember only thinking that the Deaf Studies 1 class was the only one I really needed. But, after starting my 3rd year I realized that each one of these classes has prepared me in a way that will benefit God in one way or another.

Spring 08 I started taking classes Monday through Thursday, spreading out my classes so they weren't all day. I took "Wind Ensemble" again because, for some reason, I cannot give up music, my biggest spiritual gift. I also took "Math A", which was a basic math class, because I tested low, and "Deaf Studies 2" with a Deaf professor, and I took English 1A, with Professor Fishman. This semester was the HARDEST semester to date and I became REALLY frustrated with how my english class was going. I knew a secular colleges I would get a professor who disliked Christians, but I didn't think that I would clash the way I did. I remember staying up, EVERY WEEK NIGHT, redoing the same essays over and over again, and getting them rejected because of a minor mistake...I worked so hard in that class I neglected my other classes...that semester I got 3 As and 1 D. Now, then I see this professor at the campus, he ignores me as if he never "tried" to help me every Wednesday in the Help Center....anyway...

Summer 08, I retook English 1A with an AWESOME professor, and although she was a "fallen Christian" she allowed me to write all my papers related to Deafness, which expanded my knowledge. One of my best friends took the class with me :) I also took Deaf Studies 3 with a certified interpreter of ASL and English. (For my Extra Credit assignment, I signed the song "All The Glory" done by Emmaus Church Community's Worship Band)

Fall 08, I took "Deaf Studies 4", "American Deaf Culture/History", "English 1B" and "Math D"...I also added "Wind Ensemble" again, and made up my math class in lab. By this time, I couldn't believe that I was in my 2nd year of college, almost done learning sign language. This semester I had also changed jobs, which made it even more stressful because I was a seasonal cashier for Target...

Spring of 2009, I began to realize that if I didn't start taking more classes, I wouldn't be able to graduate by Spring of 2010, so I could more to Idaho when I felt like God wanted me to. So, I enrolled in 6 classes, "Intro to Deaf Education", "Classifiers in American Sign Language", "United States History", "Statistics " (Math), "Wind Ensemble" and "Assertiveness Training" (who would have guessed that I was the only agressive person here?) Anyway, I did great in these classes, except for Stats, so I have to take that Spring of 2010.

I couldn't believe how all these classes blended together to help shape my perspective on life to better me in getting ready for Deaf Ministry...and I thank God for this opportunity!!

Summer 09 I took "Group Communication" with my sister, "Learning Orentation" (which tested for learning disabilities, because I think I have dyslexia and possible ADD) and Anthropology 9 "Magic, Witchcraft and Religion". The latter class I couldn't have taken any sooner, otherwise I would have lost my faith...I couldn't believe how persuasive this professor was (research "John A. Rush" and I wouldn't have believed that anyone would take his believe that Jesus was a mushroom...yes, a mushroom...

Now, I am enrolled in 7 classes....I don't know exactly what I was thinking, except staying on track for graduating in the Spring of 2010. I am taking "Sign Language Interpreting", "Creative Sign Language" which is finishing my AA degree (already! I can't believe it!!) "Physical Geography and the Lab" "Intro to Journalism" "Symphonic Band" and "Visual Perceptual Skills"...the Learning Orentation class recommended that I take a vision correction class to fix a problem that I have with reading...

Anyway, I know this was long, but I wanted to update you all on where I am now. God bless you guys!!

I am SO excited for all the work God has been doing on my college campus since I have been going to school there. I cannot believe what God allowed me to do that I still smile WIDE every time I think about it. :D

I am a part of "Intervarsity Bible Study", which is an International Christian Organization in the US, Canada and Europe. My campus has a small group, but expanding each semester and Thursday, 9/17/09, will be a day in which I will never forget.

A few friends from the group were out promoting the club on "Club Days" where the school's clubs set tables out in the campus quad and promote. Well, I have been doing this for a couple of years and I was always excited when someone would sign up, I didn't think though, that on the 17th someone would sign up for Heaven. :D

I was the only one not talking to someone, when two people came up. A young woman and a young man. The young woman informed me that her shy friend wanted to be saved. :D I smiled and I walked over and I prayed with the three of them, allowing his friend to start the prayer. When she was finished, I asked him the 3 "ABC's" of salvation, that I had learned at VBS (Vacation Bible School) when I was younger, and he Admitted that he was a sinner, he Believed that Jesus died for his sins and he said he Confessed and will confess to others about his salvation. When he had finished talking, I was so overcome with joy that I hugged him at least 3 times; I'm certain that they felt it too. It was so amazing that God has used me to bring one person to share with Him eternal Glory in heaven!!

Anyway, I just wanted to share this with you and I want you to please pray for him. His name is Jason. :D

Thanks and God Bless you guys for praying!!