My last post was 12/1.
I settled in for the month of December to do a bit of a digital detox and to also step back and think about what I wanted to write and talk about in 2015.
It was great.
Until 12/30.
Last Tuesday, I got a text from a friend asking me if there was something going on with my site.
There was.
It was hacked… again.
This has happened before. This past August, I had a similar situation. It was resolved after a week and then I kept rolling.
Let me tell you. Having your site hacked is akin to coming home to find that you’ve been burglarized.
OK… maybe not AS bad, but it stinks pretty close.
Maybe God didn’t think I got enough good illustrations and good writing ideas over the break. Maybe He has a sense of humor and likes to see the control-freak in me squirm. Maybe I wasn’t paranoid enough to have two security fences on the front and two more on the back-end.
Maybe…
But whatever the cause, it happened. And I’ll be down for another week trying to get this all sorted out.
It’s enough to make a girl want to quit.
But clearly… CLEARLY… one of the messages that God has been repeating to me over the last few weeks. (therefore I assume He is trying to make sure that I hear Him loud and clear) is “DON’T QUIT”.
And if I quit, then I wouldn’t be able to tell you more about what He’s been telling me.
So, bear with me… it’s gonna take me a bit to get my little online spot together. I might have to hold a garage sale, peddle some baked goods, or sell one of my children to underwrite the cost of fixing this mess but I intend to do my best to get it cleaned up.
Just wanted to say hi, let you know that I missed ya, and keep you up on the latest in my world.
As soon as I get this place together, I’ll let you know.
In the meantime, feel free to leave a comment of encouragement below. I’ll take all of the encouragement I can get.
Here’s to hoping that your first Monday of the new year is a good one!
Happy New Year friends.
See ya soon!
It’s so good to hear from you today. Happy new year to you and your family. Although I am sorry to hear about your detour with the hackers. Just wanted to encourage you that in my reading this morning it spoke of when you go through trials you come out better on the other side. I know it doesn’t feel that way right now while you’re in the middle of it. Be encouraged my sister and know that we can’t wait to hear from you! Patiently waiting to hear what you have to share 😉
Thanks for the encouragement Veanessa!
Hi Chrystal!
Happy New Year!! Thank you for thinking of us and just know you and your family (and all things electronic) are in my prayers. I’ve truly missed you over the last few weeks but I’m excited to know that you are back up and running! May God continually bless you for all of your words of wisdom and encouragement. I can’t wait to talk to you during our Monday chats (I sometimes comment back during your podcasts like true friends would) and best wishes with getting back into the swing of things!
))Hugs((
-Amorette
Love that you “talk back” to me Amorette! The thought of that made me smile 🙂
Don’t quit! God is refining and making His people new. The enemy doesn’t want God’s family to Glorify Him. Don’t quit! The battle isn’t yours it is God’s. Let Him fight the fight. II Chronicles 20:15-22. Sing and praise. Don’t quit!
you have my prayers chrystal.
Hey Chrystal!! So glad to know that you took some time to digitally detox. It’s so great to step back,focus on what matters most, and seek God for His guidance. Im sorry to hear that the website was hacked. Take joy,however, that patience will have her perfect work. It will be so worth it. Looking forward to more posts in 2015. 🙂
Happy New Year & Welcome Back! I followed you some on social media over the break and you are a great encouragement. This is a reminder and echo: Don’t quit. My hope for you is that you will count this but a light affliction compared to the glory that He wants to reveal. Continued blessings to you and yours in 2015 🙂
Oh sweet friend be encouraged. I launched my website in October and it has been ‘broken’ ever since. I have been blogging several times a week crippled from my phone. I considered giving up. I thought Lord you gave me permission to do this 3 years ago so why all the drama and technical issues when this is something you gave me permission to do? I am confident and capable of doing many things but techie issues are my kryptonite. No one seems to be able to help. I cannot afford to pay someone. BUT…I remain steadfast and unmovable. I continue to write what He tells me to write, when He tells me to write it even if I have to draft in word and copy and copy and edit from a teeny screen.
So my sister stay the course. I need you. I know the world needs you. A friend and I were talking just last week about the wisdom you shared at the FBCG Women’s Conference.I’m believing God to provide us both a solution to the technical issues. Until then, keep smiling!
Hey Girlfriend! I was wondering what happened to you, now I know. Stupid hackers. Any way really nice to hear from you. Don’t give up. Me and Jesus got your back. I’m really looking forward to listening to your pod casts and reading your blogs to find out what’s up and hear your messages and whatever else God decides to lay on your heart. Love and missed you Girl. Have a Happy and Blessed New Year as well.
Good to hear from you, hope you are well rested and ready to make 2015 count, a challenge you put out there.
Hold the garage sale, sell the baked goods if need to, but dont quit. The world needs to hear what you have to share.
we are praying for you, God is able. Since walking with you on my Jesus journey, I started my blog after the interview with shundria, I completed I C25k challenge, going to keep pushing with that. I started the Gillian Bird foundation with the emphasis on ps 31:20. This year I’m leading our small group of women’s fellowship. Amongst the few things I started doing , all be because of something you said on a podcasts. I am raising two adult daughter’s still living in the house with me, and I cry every time I share something you said with them. Eventhough I am older than uou, you are my sister from a 1st world country, impacting my life in this thirs world country, together making a impact for the kingdom. Don’t you dard quit, dont you dare let the enemy unsettle you. We are praying for you, Chrystal
Dear Fellow Jesus Girl,
Know that no matter the “Wait” it’s all about Waiting on God! So onward you have been chosen to lead and this is part of the terrain.
Your Journey equips others to climb to the mountain of God to hear His the voice. Onward! Yes, there will be rocks, scrapes and even down time. That down time is to strengthen for greater strength building and equipping in the journey.
Your servant has found that when there is opposition there is greater blessing, Waiting on God along with you!
Shout of Jubilee,
Lily
Hang in there Chrystal…that’s what I am trying to do also with my weight loss journey. I have been trying to convince myself not to quit…not to give up. So you encouraged me even more to hang on. Keeping my eyes on the prize…knowing that all things are possible to those that believe…have a great day…
Linda
Hi just wanted to say first of all that God is good And God bless you and your famly I am a listener of your father which through his ministry helped me greatly I just want say to you to never quit your such an encouragement to me and so many keep letting God use you for his glory and to reach
the people God bless and thank you
Don’t quit. There are too many treasures inside you to be shared with the world. Love you.
Glad to hear all is well with you (except the hacking) I was wondering where you were. lol forward to more post. Prayers for you girl.
Good morning, and Happy New Year. It is great reading from you again. And I had gotten worried because I hadn’t seen anything from your blog. So please don’t give up or stop blogging. Your blog has helped me to look at myself, think about the small things that God does and your blog encourages me, and I have to say laugh a lot. Enjoy the listening time, because you have lots of ladies behind you waiting to be blessed through your ministry. thank you for answering the call.
“A lot are called, but a few are chosen”..
Chrystal was chosen.
Hi Chrystal,
Happy 2015. Don’t Quit. You are in my prayers and I know that you will get through this issue. The key word is to “REMEMBER”. Remember how you shared about preparing for your marathon and all the training and condition that goes into preparing for this event. Rain, Heat, Cold weather..etc….didn’t stop you from running. So now, there’s no room to quit. God is using your gift of writing to touch a lot of lives. We are standing with you and cheering you on. ” Go Chrystal Go” love you girl 🙂
Dear Chrystal,
My prayers are with you!
Chrystal, it just may be that you are on the brink of being more successful reaching people with your site and that it is under attack by Satan in an attempt to discourage and suppress your efforts. So, perhaps you can be full of cheer tgat your site has been hacked taking it it’s a sign that you’re doing great things.
Sorry for the typos- still getting used to my Christmas present!
Don’t quit! DON’T quit!! Don’t QUIT!!! DON’T QUIT!!!! I look forward to your podcasts. I was so excited this morning when I realized it was the 5th. I was like Yay!! Chrystal’s back! I’m sorry you were hacked. The enemy is angry, because of the work you are doing for God. Keep trusting Him and read Psalm 73 when you get a chance.
Be encouraged, Chrystal! As you have encouraged so many in the past, it is so great being able to encourage you! My memory verse for this month is from Psalm 25:5 – “Lead me by your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” I love how God reminds us time and time again that He saves us. I’ve read it in at least 3 places in His Word today alone! Psalm 34:17-18, Psalm 35:9 are the others… While you’re getting your site together, God’s got you in His ever-so-strong-and-capable hands. Much love and peace to you in this new year!
Prayers for you, Chrystal! I enjoy your podcasts, etc! God has great things to do through you & Satan just can’t stand it! Keep up the good fight!!!
Happy New Years! Hang in the my sister and count it all joy!!
James 1: 2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Hi Chrystal. Please don’t quit. I attended my first session of the Kingdom Woman Bible Study on 1/3 and fortunatley I signed up to receive your blog before the site was hacked. I’ve been blessed tremendously already and I can’t wait to hear what God has in store. Great is your faithfulness!
Hi Chrystal! I was given your Kingdom Woman book last year for Christmas. After being encouraged by it, I discovered your blog and have been quietly listening to your podcasts ever since. As a young woman in my mid-twenties, I find your podcasts to be a source of guidance and inspiration. Please don’t ever quit! From one writer to another, you have inspired me to give blogging a try myself.
~Brittney
Hi Chrystal!!! I am so sorry to hear about your website. It’s really is a true honor to hear you on Monday and I missed you in the month of December. You are a very positive person that keeps things straight. I really like that about you. I will continue to pray for you as you work through any issues that you are having. Remember “Man meant evil against you, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result. Genesis 50:20.” Thanks again for keeping us posted, and I will look forward of hearing you soon.
When you get everything on the up and up, one of the things that I would like for you to speak or give advice about is how to become a motivator speaker. This is something that I feel I have a calling for, and I have been asked to speak at different churches before. But I just don’t know how to get my name to other congregations. What did you do?
Don’t quit! We need to hear/learn from you. We’ll wait as long as it takes.
Hang In there. I luv ur blog. U r a blessing to me.
The enemy is trying to shut you up. When you get up in the morning he shudders, oh no, it’s Chrystal! May God give you wisdom to circumvent the hackers & expose their evil deeds. I heard on the news the other day regarding Sony pictures, they said “we have hired hackers” to get to the bottom of this. Who ever heard of hiring hackers! What have we come to. You are an inspiration! Transparent and funny 🙂 May the Lord direct your steps.
Hello Chrystal! I have missed the blog but definitely understand needing down time. I was excited to see that you completed the marathon! It is encouragement to me to just do the 5K I plan to do this year (I realize that is very minimal compared to 26 miles)! I am very appreciative for all the wonderful encouragement in your blogs over the last year as well as your podcast. I look forward to what you are going to do this year and I can’t wait to read Kingdom Woman (it’s on my reading list for next month). Be encouraged and know that this too shall pass.
Tracye, Don’t minimize your efforts! A 5K is BIG deal. You can do it!
Happy New Year Chrystal and to you ladies. Don’t quit Chrystal He is doing a new thing with your ministry you don’t know it yet but it shall spring forth. You going placeswwoman.
Happy New year, Crystal! Sorry about your site! We know that God will provide and can’t wait for you to be up and running again. Praying for you and your family. Thanks for everything!
Hi Chrystal!
Don’t let satan discourage you! He is very threatened by the good your posts do so he has to try to stop you. But the One who is in you is greater than he. Praying for you as you get this resolved!
Don’t let this steal your joy! It is well.
This is you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw
OMGdness!!! That’s the best video ever Lynn! So encouraged while watching it! Thanks for sharing with me! 🙂
“Don’t quit!” I feel like that message is for me today as well. I have been trying to be faithful in honoring God by tithing and it seems like bill after bill after Bill has been hitting me. Literally, it feels like the pile keeps growing and growing. Today, I found out that the pool pump is out and needs replacing. After reading your post today, I feel like God is telling me I know it’s hard, but don’t quit! The bills will be paid, just trust me and don’t quit. I am not going to quit and you can’t either!
Happy New Year Chrystal! So sorry to hear that this has happened. I love that you are being obedient to God and making the decision NOT TO QUIT. You are so encouraging to so many women, please don’t let this stumbling block hinder you. You’ve inspired me as a mother of boys myself and I’m so amazed with your weight loss journey. Take this time to hear from God and we will be patiently waiting for your return. I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait….I hope God does something incredible!
Good Morning Chrystal!! As you can see you’ve touched so many people. Your podcasts help me get through my day, they encourage me in so many ways. Most of the time I’m at work when I’m listening and I don’t care if I’ve heard the same one 3 times or 5 times, I hear it in a new way each and every time. You’re such a blessing. I’m praying for you!!! Keep up the God work!!!!
Happy New Year!
Don’t give up….don’t let satan have his way! I love to look in my emails and see your name there! Be encouraged there are lots of women waiting patiently!! God’s work goes forth!
Girlllll…..you cannot quit! I hate to hear this happened to you again and I miss you this week. You are like the girlfriend-in-my-head that is encouraging, letting God use you to speak to me. Your subject matter is real, timely, and you (albeit I haven’t met you) are still touchable through your podcast, and not “unrealistically churchy” if that makes sense. God must have something to say through you that’s BIG….because the thief literally broke in your site but he can’t stop your flow! Can’t wait till next week!
Oh Chrystal, it has happened again but as you said God is trying to give you more to bring to us. I was worried when I did not see a podcast yet but am happy to know that you have not gone away from us. Waiting patiently and praying the HACK DEMON away in the name of Jesus!!!!
Chrystal, Keep on keeping on. Momentary setbacks are God’s tool to strengthen us and grow us deeper in faith. You have been such a blessing! I thank God for your walk and your testimony. Not long ago I gave Priscilla a picture of your family that I had when she was at a True Woman conference. You were about 13 years old. I praise the Lord for how you have handled your life, setbacks and all. You are the kind of example we need for people, young and old alike. What do I know? But I believe God wants to use you in a mighty, powerful way for His glory. After much prayer, I pray you come to the same conclusion. I can certainly identify with wanting to quit, but keep on keeping on sista girl! [imagine me talking like this in my 70s!! :0) ]
I just want to say first please do not quit because we need what you put out there for us. You are such a blessing and so encouraging to all of us. These hackers we just have to pray they get a real job so they want have so much time on there hands. I don’t understand why people want to hack other people’s sites and i am glad i don’t understand them but i pray for them. The thief has come to kill steal and destroy but our God has come to bless and he will through you lady. Be strong in God and keep on keeping on we have your back!!!!!!!
Hi Chrystal! I get the feeling last night’s word at New Year’s Revival is for you too. All hindrances whether, physical, spiritual, or emotional (and electrical!) end now! Keep moving forward because we truly appreciate you! The Body needs your voice.
Peace and grace to you. As we say at my church, you are grace-ified!
You’ve encouraged me so much throughout 2014 with all of your blogs, posts, and pictures that it’s only right that I try and do the same for you!!! I just got done hearing your sister Priscilla speak a couple nights ago about encountering Jesus in the midst of our trials. The most encouraging words she said were “Running out of something is a prefix to running into Jesus!” Just be encouraged and know that God is right there walking through this trial with you and that this is yet another way to encounter Him. Be on the lookout for what he is doing while you’re in this trial and the lesson that he is trying to teach you during this test. Thank you so much for all the hard work that you put into your blogs and posts and reaching out to others. It is greatly appreciated. 🙂
Hey Chrystal! Please Dont Quit! I am new to site and have been looking for some needed encouraging words,smiles, and prayers on a daily basis. Its nice to see people doing what God has called them to no matter the circumstances. Please keep doing what your doing it gives me hope and encouragement ro continue the mission God has called me to.
Be Blessed my sister!
OMG, I haven’t visited in a while due to taking my own little sabbatical. I’m so sorry to hear this, Sis! Be encouraged and I pray it all gets figured out and fixed sooner than later and without breaking the bank!
Just want you to know I am praying for you.
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