Hello, all, and thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. My name is Stuart Kingsley, and currently I am a graduate student at the University of Georgia.
In 2003, I felt God telling me to write a book that would be called Sticks and Stones. In my mind, I felt I hadn't experienced enough to write a book, so I kept the idea locked away in my mind. I know blogs are a dime a dozen these days, but I felt that since I haven't begun writing Sticks and Stones in novel form I could at least start composing my thoughts in a manner I could share with others. I keep a journal, and God has really been moving through His Word, so I hope that most of this blog will be rooted in Scripture.
That being said, allow me to explain the story behind Sticks and Stones. When I was a Sophomore in high school, I read Frank E. Peretti's book This Present Darkness. It literally changed my spiritual walk. It changed my prayer life drastically, and it opened my eyes to the importance of spiritual warfare. Now, when I say spiritual warfare I do not mean just God vs. Satan or Angels vs. Demons. Spiritual warfare is really a war against our own sinful natures. Our battle is against our flesh, and we fight for a closer walk with Christ to become more like Him. I will definitely speak more to this in later posts. In 2003, I attended the Georgia Governors Honors Program with 675 other qualified Georgia high school students. At that time in my life I was coming out of a dark period where I had been running from God. A friend of mine started a Bible study at GHP, and asked if I would come to it. At first, I thought it was just an attempt for her to show off how much more holy she was than the rest of us, and I told her, "I am not being attacked right now, so I think I'm good." She rebuked me, and I needed it. I realized that if Satan was not making an effort to take me out of the game, then I wasn't doing my job. I now refer to those 6 weeks as "The Battle of GHP" because I was literally under attack from Satan every day as I witnessed to someone who eventually accepted Christ. So, it was a victory for God's team. I had never felt more alive even though I was kept awake at night by shadows moving in my room, and I was also sick every day. God gave me a purpose that summer, and the 8 years that have followed have been an incredible ride. More details should come out in later posts, but this is just an introduction.
So, why "Sticks and Stones" for a title? Those of you who know me know that I carry around a stick. I bought a $2 broomstick at Home Depot my Sophomore year of high school after reading This Present Darkness, and wrapped it in black athletic tape. It now symbolizes spiritual warfare for me. (I can't carry around a real sword. It is frowned upon.) "Stick" comes from Psalm 23, which talks about how God is the Good Shepherd, and that His rod and staff comfort us. Also, Moses and Aaron rocked the world with some sticks. (Exodus 4:1-5, for one) Most importantly, however, Christ was crucified on a big stick. Because of His sacrifice on that Cross, I am able to write this blog. I am able to live and breathe even though I deserve death. Don't get it twisted, the stick is not an idol. It is a ministry tool, and so far it has been used to start a lot of spiritual conversations. When God is done using it, He can burn it, break it, whatever. "Stone" comes mainly from Psalm 118:22, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone". That verse is referenced a lot in the New Testament and speaks about Jesus the Messiah. His own people rejected Him, and now He is the cornerstone of our faith and our only hope for salvation. Also, they put Him in a tomb and thought a big stone could contain Him. You can also say that David killed Goliath with a stone. My point is that sticks and stones are all throughout the Bible, and all point back to the Creator.
So, as I read Scripture and learn, I hope to share what I learn with you that God may work in you as well. I do not claim to be an orator, or a master of words. I cannot promise you a Pulitzer or #1 NY Times Bestseller, but I can promise you that I will be open, transparent and honest so that even in my weakness the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Messiah, will be lifted high.
For the Kingdom,
Stuart
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