Crystal Stine : “Accidental Community Builder” for Christ

I met Crystal Stine at Allume in 2014. She encouraged me and uplifted me in prayer during a session.

Before going to Allume, I read many of her posts which increased my excitement of attending. I especially loved : 5 ways to rock a conference when you’re an introvert.

She is a wonderful role model for bloggers who really cares about each of her readers. She serves as the leader of the Write 31 Days community. I hope you enjoy her profile and are inspired in your own walk with Christ as a woman firstly, and if you blog, a blogger secondly.

 

Crystal Stine :Biography

 

A self proclaimed “accidental community builder,” Crystal is a coffee & chocolate loving, full-time working mama married to her high-school sweetheart. Crystal is passionate about cultivating a community where faith, fitness, and friendship come together. Author of “Creative Basics: 30 Days to Awesome Social Media Art,” speaker, event MC, coach, and host of Write 31 Days, Crystal writes regularly at crystalstine.me.  Crystal lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Matt, and daughter, Madison.

Crystal Stine : Gospel story, How she came to know Christ as her Savior.

She pointed me to her (in)courage post about her conversion entitled Build Up Hope.

My favorite passages from this post is as follows:

I was 16 when God shook me awake. I don’t have a specific date, but I was in the auditorium of our high school with a group of friends who led Bible study and worship each morning before we were called to our public school homerooms. I was sitting in those hard folding chairs because the friends were kind, they asked me to join them, and it felt like the “right” thing to do.

I might not have understood friendship or community, but I was really good at making sure I was doing the “right” thing. Honestly? I’d been in churches all my life with my grandparents but never understood that God wanted a relationship with me, but I thought I knew all the requirements on the checklist. I think I prayed along with every salvation prayer, never knowing if the last one was good enough. Never believing God had truly heard me the first time. Never able to reconcile the disappointment of an earthly father with a perfect Father in heaven.

But that morning? It was the first time I felt the presence of God in the way that to this day leaves me a sobbing mess on the floor when it happens. It was His personal assurance that He had not forgotten me. God had not left me alone. He still had plans for me. And when a kind friend came over to check on me, I excused my tears as concern over another friend who had been in a very minor car accident.

But God knew it was really the beginning of the most glorious exchange. 

My sin for Christ’s salvation.

My fears for His peace.

My loneliness for His presence.

My bitterness for His healing.

My agenda for His plan.

Her Favorite Verse and How It Became Important to Her

Psalm 19:14 is the one I return to often – it’s my reminder of the impact of the words I use in writing, speaking, and the work I do as a coach and freelancer. I don’t know about a life verse, but God continues to use it to grow and encourage me.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord,
my strength, and my redeemer.

 

Her Top Three Posts Based on Readership Statistics

WHAT IS PERISCOPE, AND HOW DO I USE IT?

HOW TO LOVE WELL

THAT TIME I SAID “YES” SO SOMEONE ELSE COULD SAY “NO”

 

What Inspires Her to Write for Christ?

This post explains it well: http://crystalstine.me/may-the-words

 

My favorite quote from this post:

If we’re to be intentional about how we use these places and spaces that God has gifted us – a gift of words given by the One who IS the Word – shouldn’t we pause to consider what we’re sharing?

If I said “x” – would it be acceptable to God?

If I argued about “x” – would it be acceptable to God?

If I wrote that, Tweeted that, blogged that, Periscoped that, Instagrammed that – would it be glorifying to God – or to me?

We are called to shine a light into a dark world, to let our broken places be the spaces where God beams through and those around us see Jesus in our hope and our joy. We’re not called to be perfect, but we’re called by the One who is perfect to make disciples, to share His word to the ends of the earth, and to serve His kingdom – not ours.

 

We are called to shine a light into a dark world, to let our broken places be the spaces where God beams through Click To Tweet

Her Blogging Tips

Don’t pull your motivation and inspiration from other writers or bloggers. If God has called you to share your story online in some format, do it. Do it whether you have 1 reader or 100,000. Write your story the way God created it in you – funny, serious, emotional, poetic, stoic – use your words to show who God is in your life, not to be like anyone else. Learn as much as you can, ask for help, encourage one another, and be generous with your knowledge.

Write your story the way God created it in you Click To Tweet

 

Last Minute Thoughts On Inspiration and Uplifting

God, the Creator of the Universe, has never – and will never – run out of unique, creative, amazing ways to design His children. You are exactly where you are meant to be, your story is perfectly yours to tell, and the words you share in your own special voice will make a difference. You’ve got this.

Crystal Stine: Social Media Links

You can connect with Crystal Stine on her blog, her Facebook page, and her Instagram and Twitter platforms.

 

Your turn: What inspired you most about Crystal Stine and her blogging story? Have you read her blog and what do you find inspirational about it?

---

Contributing to many linkup communities listed on my Linkup Parties page,

Be sure to check out my introduction post to see more features of inspirational Christian women bloggers.