Doing the Hard Thing

A mullet seems appropriate for this occasion.

Some of you may know this news already...

My pastor says sometimes you have to give up the things you love for the things you love more. So it's with God's grace going before me, that I am leaving The House FM to pursue the dream that God has placed before me -- my love of writing matched with my call to missions.

Today is my last day on The House FM as part of the morning team. Please know that this was a very hard decision and one that has been bathed in much prayer. As I take this step of faith I would appreciate your continued prayers.

Do you know how much you mean to me? I would like to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family during your day to day. Your friendships from the last 13.5 years have been true blue. Thank you for doing life together as we have grown in Christ, for the laughs, the tears we've cried, the memories that God has imprinted on our hearts. I am so thankful for the time we have spent together.

A mentor once said that we should do what makes our hearts sing, and so it's with a big step of faith that God is closing this chapter of my life, to start a new one.

It's not about what I'm leaving but about Who I am following as I look to the Author and Perfecter of our faith for the next step.

I will continue to blog and write, write, write but mostly I am trusting with obedience in God's wisdom as He unfolds His plans for whatever is next.

I am not leaving Facebook, Twitter, blogging (please subscribe so you don't miss any more news!) and even considering podcasting too. You haven't heard the last of me and certainly God is not done with this voice.

As far as contacting me...check my evolving project...my website http://www.janellekeith.com/
Thank you again for loving and reading!!! Please...keep in touch! I cherish you all!

This Is Mission Trip Season

Hope Smiles

When preparing for a mission trip, I start praying towards the destination the day I understand that I am supposed to go. My list of prayers covers a variety of topics from safe travel, to providing enough funding, to bringing the right team together, and to being used by God. There are so many details that need to be in place before one steps foot out the door. 

The one of the biggest prayer circles I present before the Father is to accomplish His work in my heart. I don't want to wait until I get on foreign soil for Him to prepare it.

God always brings back my first mission trip experience in the Dominican Republic.  It was a hot day, on that little hill, when God burned the call of missions on my heart.  It was an unforgettably tender moment when He showed me His hope spoken by the hopeless.  He also showed me how my life was filled with distractions in the worldly life I was living.  That trip was a game-changer. 


My American dream was quickly cast aside when it collided with wide-spread poverty, and buried with the disadvantaged. That message was life-changing, not only for me but for most my team members.

I believe there are lessons that can only be taught on the mission field outside the church pew.  God always prepares you as you pray to prepare.

If you ask, He will move you  
to see their needs...
to humbly serve...
to love them as He loves.

Isn't that the point of going and being Christ to the nations?  

It's in missions that I can see my-God purpose.  

Once I see His heart...how can I say no?

Dance-Baby-Dance!

So You Think You Can Dance?

In Africa, our team learned a child's game that involved acting silly and dancing like white people only could while getting schooled by rhythmical kids.  Well...ok, maybe I was the only who might have felt a tad  inadequate while doing the chicken dance.  It was a game that involved a lot of kids as it showed their sweet personalities.  We cheered from the outer edge of the circle chanting..."Dance Baby Dance".  It good mixer game and needless to say, those kids knew how to dance.


Every time it was my turn there were people laughing of course, I will be the first to tell you that I am one uncoordinated white girl...ahem.  The next dancer was one of your choosing.  So as I scanned the smiling, chanting faces, I tried to pick one who hadn't had a turn yet.  That's why I picked her.


Her demeanor was quiet and timid.  I figured she didn't get picked often.  I knew how that felt as I was always last to be picked.  

When it came to playground games, I was usually on the fringe of fun.  

I think we do this with God sometimes.  Stand on the fringe of opportunities.  We want Him to pick us to play, and but then once asked to dance, we are are shy about getting involved in His work.  The way I see it accepting Christ as your Savior is a choice, but being his disciple isn't.  It's obedience.  It's His command.  The great commission in Matthew 28 is Jesus' first directive to move.


Go!  You can't go if you are standing still or standing on the sidelines, those fringes areas of faith.  God didn't call you to be a spectator.  God involves us because he wants to use us.  This party is really about Him, and proclaiming His name, making it known.  It's not about what we bring to the circle, with our dance moves or special talents.  He knows your abilities, He is more interested in your availability.  We must give Him an all access pass to our hearts!


Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Did you see the word between go and make?  Once you go, there is a second part.  Go and...get involved.  Engage your neighbor, serve in missions, reach the lonely, be an example or mentor.  Share history, share HIS-story.  Wear the Christ that lives in your heart!  Do anything, do something!  We can't do everything but we can do one thing that affects one person to let them know that they matter!  Make a difference, care about someone outside your circle of influence.

What are those fringe faith areas where you have been hanging out?  Go back there and teach people how to dance, make disciples.  Invest in someone.  Show them a few of your dance moves, tell them how Christ has changed your life.  Once they see God's skills....they will see real change.  Show kindness, show love, live compassion.

Simple Math

Adding the numbers

I didn't pay attention in math class.   I really don't like to crunch numbers.  Maybe the real truth is I wish I cared more about math equations and calculations.  I admire those who have amazing math skills beyond my comprehension. 

There are other numerical conundrums that amaze me too.  It's the numbers that increase when the power of the gospel is combined with the power of prayer.  I call it the Ato41 principal.  

Let me take you there…. The room was electric that day when the Spirit whooshed in to fill the hearts and minds of those who gathered.  Different tongues were heard to the highest volume of praise.  There was so much noise that outsiders thought the crowd had drunk too much wine.  

Contrary to the obvious confusion, the day was Pentecost and the gospel message collided with seeking hearts.  It was fifty days since Jesus had rose from the dead.  People had returned to their normal schedule.  Blanks from their wandering minds had been filled in with the “we’ll never know what that was all about” answer.  But there were a few good men left to lead in faith by having hope in the promised Helper who was still yet to come and empower them to grow the church.  Thus, on this day of combined prayer, fasting and waiting, the Helper showed up and showed up big time.  As a result of all the words spoken that day, many numbers repented and many numbers were baptized.  Many, as in 3000, numbers were added to the faith fold that day.  In a matter of moments, numbers were added to take a step of faith.

Working in ministry with Christian radio, there are a lot of people who come up to me and say, "Thank you for what you do."  I don't do anything except remain faithful to the call God.  With your support, God gives the opportunity to speak to you with a word of encouragement.  I don't get caught up in the numbers of listeners on paper, or Internet stats.   But I do know that every listener is a number indicative of God's story.  

the number of...
lives impacted by the power of the gospel.

restored marriages.

dedicated dad's leading. 

loving mom's tendering.

missions extended.

wayward hearts returned. 

I am all about these numbers and so is God as he brings change.  I love to be involved in God's stories.    

Here is your chance to get involved in the supporting the work of God in increasing the numbers of changed lives.