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Kristina M. Rhoades

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Kris Rhoades and her husband, Lou, founders of The Well Ministries, have been involved in sharing the Gospel Message for nearly 20 years in one form or another. They began with Puppets for the King then added The Well Publication and Chalice Music Ministry as well as being active in their home church. Their philosopy has always been to “GO wherever God sends them regardless of the individual or church’s ability to pay.” Their goal is to be in full-time ministry. Married for 27 years they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren (plus another one is expected to arrive in a few months). Their oldest son is a pastor and planted a church in Oakland, Pittsburgh. Their youngest daughter plays keyboard for her youth ministry band.

The End: The Father Waits for You

Category: The End, Volume 10 Issue 3 | (0)

Luke 15:11-32 tells a wonderful parable that included the story of the Lost Son, sometimes referred to as the Prodigal Son. It is full of comfort and hope for the lost in Christ to regain their royal robes when they return to the Father. But there is much more to the story.

This story tells of a rebellious and reckless-then-repentant younger son who squandered his premature inheritance, shamefully living a life of luxury. After he runs out of money and a famine hit the land where he is living, he is reduced to feeding the pigs and eating… Read more

Tags: prodigal

What Can We Do For Our Lost Children

Category: Volume 10 Issue 3 | (0)

1. First and foremost, know that this can happen to any family. It doesn’t matter if you are the “perfect” parents and have done everything right. It can happen to pastors and church leaders. It can happen to rich or poor. Remember you can’t change the past. You are responsible for today and the future.

2. Tough love may be required. If they are old enough to leave home, let them go. Sometimes they need to experience the freedom. Sometimes they need to hit bottom before they start to look up. As it is with any addict, they cannot… Read more

Tags: prodigal

Movie Review: Fireproof

Category: In My Opinion, Volume 10 Issue 2 | (0)

For the first article in this series we’re going to take a look at the movie titled, “Fireproof,” by Sherwood Pictures. They are also the creators of the movie “Facing the Giants.”

From the Fireproof’s official website: At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter’s adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules.

Growing up, Catherine Holt always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter…just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped… Read more

The End: Why Should We Attend Church

Category: The End, Volume 10 Issue 2 | (0)

I have often wondered why people go to church. What is it that they expect to happen while they are there? Do they go for the social hour? Do they go to see what God will do for them? Do they go because they think it will affect their eternal salvation, like punching a time clock? Or do they just go because they enjoy the music or the preacher’s message?

The End: Freedom!

Category: Volume 8 Issue 1 | (0)

How Can We Break Free From Our Bondage?

Freedom is something that a lot of us take for granted. We can walk down the street and do what we want, when we want and we can say just about anything we want.

It wasn’t always like that. Our forefathers gained their freedom when they came to this country. Our ancestors fought for their freedom in wars. Our country once divided over freedom. Freedom is a privilege and something we think about this month because of Independence Day.

Our religious freedom, our political freedom, even our educational… Read more

Fire

Category: Volume 8 Issue 1 | (0)

For Father’s Day this year we got my husband, Lou a new gas grill. He was using it for the first time on our front porch (as he and our son Steven were doing some work to the deck). Well the hamburgers tasted so good that we all wanted a second one. So he went back out to cook another batch. Through the window I could see flames shooting up from the grill, which is expected sometimes from the grease. Everyone who cooks on a grill knows that the flames are hard to control sometimes. Well before too long a… Read more

The End: You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

Category: The End, Volume 7 Issue 1 | (0)

While we were in Niagara Falls traveling with Chalice this Spring we had a chance to spend some time at the falls. While we were there the younger boys, Steven and Evan, were exploring the park and found a few squirrels that were quite playful. These squirrels were so friendly that they would come right up to you and take food from your hand.

Now as a mom, all I could think of was, “Be careful. Don’t get bitten. You might get rabies.” But Steven was so amazed by this one squirrel. He had his mouth full of sticks and… Read more

The End: How Desperate Are You?

Category: The End, Volume 5 Issue 1 | (1)

When the Samaritan woman went to the well to draw water that day she went in the afternoon during the hottest hour of the day when she knew no one else would be there. She was trying to avoid seeing anyone. Because of things she had done in the past, having five failed marriages and living with a man who was not her husband I’m sure she was the “talk of the town” and she learned to avoid rejection by avoiding the other town women, her peers.

Imagine the rejection she felt not only from those women but from the… Read more

Thank You Lord!

Category: Volume 5 Issue 1 | (0)

Recently, Steven, our 8½ year old middle child, brought home a daffodil bud from school with instructions from his teacher to cut the bottom off and put it in a vase of water which we promptly did.

Later that evening I could hear the kids in the kitchen “Mom, she’s looking at my flower!” He was referring to Emily, our 5 year old youngest child. I tried to explain to Steven that it was OK for Emily to look at his flower, she wouldn’t hurt it. He said his teacher told the students the flowers might bloom that night and… Read more

You Are Not Alone

Category: Volume 4 Issue 2 | (0)

I have read this little story recently about an visitor from out-of-town who drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. A local farmer came to help along with his big strong horse named Buddy.

The farmer hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, “Pull, Nellie, pull!” Buddy didn’t move.

Then the farmer hollered, “Pull, Buster, pull!” Buddy didn’t respond.

Once more the farmer commanded, “Pull, Coco, pull!” Nothing.

Then the farmer said very nonchalantly, “Pull, Buddy, pull!” And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.

The motorist was most appreciative and very curious.… Read more

The End: A Divine Plan

Category: The End, Volume 3 Issue 1 | (0)

We don’t always understand why things happen the way they happen but we do know that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. There are several stories in this issue of “The Well” that reinforce this. Why would someone call at the exact moment another person needed it? Why do you feel drawn to speak to another person at a particular moment? God knows the reasons, and He has the plans.

Last weekend we traveled about 5½ hours away from home for a puppet program.… Read more

Amazing

Category: Volume 3 Issue 1 | (0)

Isn’t it amazing how God works in our lives!

On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn’t answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn’t answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn’t answered before, and she said that it hadn’t rung at their… Read more

The End: I Surrender All

Category: The End, Volume 1 Issue 16 | (0)

Another year is coming to a close. With it is another opportunity for us to make New Year’s Resolutions, some we keep and some we don’t. One resolution people seem to make is to “surrender” more of their life to God.

Have you thought about what surrender really means? When I think of the word “surrender,” I think of the song “I Surrender All.”

“All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow, worldly pleasures… Read more

When Change Comes

Category: Volume 1 Issue 10 | (0)

A Testimony of Change

A few months ago we printed a story called “Change” in an issue of “The Well.” I can’t tell you how many people have called or written to tell me how much that story ministered to them. It was a story that blessed me as well.

To quote Rev. Earlene Coleman from the November 1999 issue: “If we are honest with ourselves, most of us do not like change. We become comfortable with the way things are. It may not be fulfilling or satisfying, but it is familiar. Change means dealing with the unknown, and as… Read more

Making a Difference

Category: Volume 1 Issue 11 | (0)

February 14th is the day the nation celebrates Valentine’s Day, the day of love, but it is the day we celebrate my birthday. On your birthday, when you turn a year older, you might think about your life and wonder if you’ve made a difference in the world. I’ve already started thinking about this.

Two weeks ago we got a telephone call on a Sunday afternoon from our 9 year old son Steven’s principal from school. His teacher had died suddenly that morning and they were calling all the kids’ parents to ease the shock of the children… Read more

The End: Y2K

Category: The End, Volume 1 Issue 9 | (0)

This month is not only the end of the year but the end of the millennium. Some have said it’s going to be the end of the world too. I’m sure there isn’t a person who hasn’t heard of Y2K and what it means.

The end will come some day. No man knows the date or the hour. As Jesus taught us, “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When her branch is tender and the leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is almost here. Just so, when you see all these things beginning to happen, you… Read more

Our Gift To Him

Category: Volume 1 Issue 9 | (0)

‘Twas the night before Christmas
and in a small stable
a King had been born
and it isn’t a fable.

The animals were nestled
all snug in the hay.
The little King slept.
A manger’s where he lay.

While Mary and Joseph
rested with care
Knowing many visitors
would soon be there.

When what to their wondering
eyes did appear
A star above the stable
It shone bright and clear.

The King had finally come
The news would be spread.
Shepherds arrived
It was just… Read more

The End

Category: The End, Volume 1 Issue 3 | (0)

If you think this is the end, it’s not. It’s only the beginning. God loves you and He wants you to experience peace and life. If you’re not experiencing this right now God wants you to. God desires to have an intimate, personal relationship with you. He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother. He will never leave you or forsake you. No matter what you are going through, God is always there.

If you already know God but you’re feeling just a little dry, then go back to the well and take a drink.… Read more