LET THE STRESS BEGIN!
Is that what you thought this morning when you woke up? The first Monday back after what for most people was a long weekend and the realization has hit most people around you (and probably you, too) that Christmas is 26 days away from today.
Stress...party of one?! :0)
That's most, if not all of us. But let's take a minute and think about what exactly we're stressing about.
We're stressing about having the money for presents. We're stressing about finding the "perfect" present. We're stressing about making sure that each set of in-laws gets equal amounts of time with the grand kids. We're stressing about making the right foods. We're stressing about when we'll have time to put up all of those Christmas decorations that we love once they're up, but hate to dig out of wherever they're buried. We're stressing over the idea of having to fight the crowds at the mall. We're stressing about keeping the house "company clean" all the time for visitors. We're stressing about which picture to put on our Christmas cards and when is the exact time to mail them out so that they're not too early or come late.....
Did I get them all? Did I read your mind? Have these thoughts been keeping you up at night or keeping you distracted while you're waiting in car line or at red-lights?
With that in mind, I have one word for you: BREATHE.
Take a minute. Close you're eyes if you want to and think about what is most important. When you think about Christmas, what 2-3 things are most important? Is having the perfect meal your favorite childhood memory that you want to pass down or was your childhood Christmas stories all about the tree?
Isaiah 32:17-18 says: (17) The fruit of that righteousness [righteousness that comes from the pouring out of the Spirit in vs 15 & 16] will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. (18) My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
"Peaceful dwelling places," "undisturbed place of rest, " "quietness and confidence forever." Shouldn't these things be what this holiday season be about? Taking the time to rest in the knowledge that at this time the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD was born and you have the privilege of partaking in his inheritance in heaven.
Let's take the time this season to make this Christmas what it's truly about. Remember what you love about it: Christ and family. The rest...well...it's just window dressing.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday Morning Minute-November 22, 2010
THANKFUL FOR THE JOURNEY?
It's that time of year when Facebook posts turn to daily lists of what we're thankful for and countless art projects are brought home with scribblings of the same. And as we draw near to that fateful turkey day, I can't help but remember something that Priscilla Shirer said at the beginning of our Bible Studay, "One in a Million."
In talking about the Israelite's sojourn in the wilderness, Priscillas says that when we are all going through a wilderness season it's hard to see anything to be thankful for in the midst of the sand, rock and heat.
BUT...once we reach the other side, it's the looking back at what God has brought us through that brings us to that place of thankfulness.
Even Job, who had lost his family, his business and his health and had been tempted by his friends to curse God, was able to say in the end "I have hear of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You." (Job 42:5.)
At the end of his wilderness season, he chose to be THANKFUL that he had had the opportunity to move from a place of just hearing about God's amazing grace, to a place where he had experienced it first hand.
There were things in his life that he would never have had or never have learned had he not gone through what he had gone through and come out the other side with his faith intact.
So, what's your wilderness? Are you in a wilderness right now or trying to find the good in a wilderness you've just come out of?
During this season, take the time to be thankful for the journey God has you on. And remember, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Those plans are plural....God's got a lot written in your book.
God Bless and Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
It's that time of year when Facebook posts turn to daily lists of what we're thankful for and countless art projects are brought home with scribblings of the same. And as we draw near to that fateful turkey day, I can't help but remember something that Priscilla Shirer said at the beginning of our Bible Studay, "One in a Million."
In talking about the Israelite's sojourn in the wilderness, Priscillas says that when we are all going through a wilderness season it's hard to see anything to be thankful for in the midst of the sand, rock and heat.
BUT...once we reach the other side, it's the looking back at what God has brought us through that brings us to that place of thankfulness.
Even Job, who had lost his family, his business and his health and had been tempted by his friends to curse God, was able to say in the end "I have hear of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You." (Job 42:5.)
At the end of his wilderness season, he chose to be THANKFUL that he had had the opportunity to move from a place of just hearing about God's amazing grace, to a place where he had experienced it first hand.
There were things in his life that he would never have had or never have learned had he not gone through what he had gone through and come out the other side with his faith intact.
So, what's your wilderness? Are you in a wilderness right now or trying to find the good in a wilderness you've just come out of?
During this season, take the time to be thankful for the journey God has you on. And remember, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Those plans are plural....God's got a lot written in your book.
God Bless and Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Real Women Newsletter-November 14, 2010
Hello Everyone!
I just wanted to send out a quick update on some events we have coming up that you definitely don't want to miss!
1) Real Women's Bible Study is still going on! There are two days of study left-Monday, November 15th and Monday, November 29th (for those of you who were at the last meeting, this is a date change for you!) Even if you haven't been able to attend any previous studies, there is still much to learn (plus...we have a lot of fun!) Times are from 6:30pm-8:30pm each night. (Sorry...childcare can not be provided.)
2) All Church Date Day! Coming up on Saturday, December 4th, from 9:00a-2:00p, we will be having our first annual Christmas Date Day. This will be a perfect opportunity for you to get some Christmas shopping done-without kids! And please know...if you are a single parent, this event is open to you, too! Go spend some "me" time! We are hoping to have couples work 2 1/2 hour shifts. We already have one couple from 9-11:30, so we are in need of 1 more couple for the early shift and 2 couples for the 11:30a-2:00p shift. (You are more than welcome to bring your kiddos even if you aren't available to volunteer!) Lunch and snacks will be provided, but please bring any personal items your child might need while he/she is there (diaper bags, lovies, pull-up, etc.) A sign up sheet will be at the information desk starting November 21st.
3) Real Women Christmas Party! It's almost that time of year, so let's party! You are all invited to the Real Women NWA 1st Annual Christmas Party. It will be held Monday, December 6th, at 6:30pm at the home of Shandra Kinard-1 Spanker Circle, Bella Vista. Please bring your favorite appetizer or dessert and a $5 gift for exchange. A sign up sheet will be available at the information desk starting November 21st and is open to EVERYONE WOMAN! You don't have to have attend any other event. Just come and enjoy a great girl's night out!
Well...I think that is all for now. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to lead such a great group of women in a church that is just full of potential.
'Til we talk again, God Bless and have a great week.
I just wanted to send out a quick update on some events we have coming up that you definitely don't want to miss!
1) Real Women's Bible Study is still going on! There are two days of study left-Monday, November 15th and Monday, November 29th (for those of you who were at the last meeting, this is a date change for you!) Even if you haven't been able to attend any previous studies, there is still much to learn (plus...we have a lot of fun!) Times are from 6:30pm-8:30pm each night. (Sorry...childcare can not be provided.)
2) All Church Date Day! Coming up on Saturday, December 4th, from 9:00a-2:00p, we will be having our first annual Christmas Date Day. This will be a perfect opportunity for you to get some Christmas shopping done-without kids! And please know...if you are a single parent, this event is open to you, too! Go spend some "me" time! We are hoping to have couples work 2 1/2 hour shifts. We already have one couple from 9-11:30, so we are in need of 1 more couple for the early shift and 2 couples for the 11:30a-2:00p shift. (You are more than welcome to bring your kiddos even if you aren't available to volunteer!) Lunch and snacks will be provided, but please bring any personal items your child might need while he/she is there (diaper bags, lovies, pull-up, etc.) A sign up sheet will be at the information desk starting November 21st.
3) Real Women Christmas Party! It's almost that time of year, so let's party! You are all invited to the Real Women NWA 1st Annual Christmas Party. It will be held Monday, December 6th, at 6:30pm at the home of Shandra Kinard-1 Spanker Circle, Bella Vista. Please bring your favorite appetizer or dessert and a $5 gift for exchange. A sign up sheet will be available at the information desk starting November 21st and is open to EVERYONE WOMAN! You don't have to have attend any other event. Just come and enjoy a great girl's night out!
Well...I think that is all for now. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to lead such a great group of women in a church that is just full of potential.
'Til we talk again, God Bless and have a great week.
Monday Morning Minute-November 15, 2010
Last week I dropped my husband off at the airport so that he could go on his first international business trip. I was nervous. Partially at the thought of having three small children by myself for a week and partially, because the love of my life was not only going to be in another country, but on another CONTINENT! I was feeling seriously uneasy.
On my way out of the airport terminal, I ran into my husband's assistant who was one of the 3 people accompanying him on the trip and I jokingly told her "Take care of him for me." Well...I was half joking. :0)
As I drove away from the airport, I settled into my own worried spirit and fretted for a few miles down the road. So many things could go wrong. I had given my husband's life over into the hands of other people.
And as I drove, a small voice whispered in my spirit "How do you think I felt when I gave my son's life over?"
I was floored. First of all, because I have never heard the voice of God so clear ever in my entire life. And secondly, I had a profound sense of....well...stunned silence.
Here I was fretting over what might be, when God gave his son over to a people who he knew would betray, humiliate, beat and eventually murder on a cross.
What love is this? Yes...I love my husband more than anyone on this planet and I hope to grow old and grey with him. But God's love for me is even bigger than the love I hold in my heart for my husband.
His love is bigger because he gave what was most important to him, with the foreknowledge that his son's death was the only thing that could save this fallen world.
I am humbled...in a small way I am shamed because I had forgotten in the hustle and bustle of my everyday life, the all-encompassing, all-consuming, sacrificial love of God.
And I am challenged...to remember everyday what way given so that I might live and to pass it on to a dead and dying world.
I hope this story challenges you not to forget....
On my way out of the airport terminal, I ran into my husband's assistant who was one of the 3 people accompanying him on the trip and I jokingly told her "Take care of him for me." Well...I was half joking. :0)
As I drove away from the airport, I settled into my own worried spirit and fretted for a few miles down the road. So many things could go wrong. I had given my husband's life over into the hands of other people.
And as I drove, a small voice whispered in my spirit "How do you think I felt when I gave my son's life over?"
I was floored. First of all, because I have never heard the voice of God so clear ever in my entire life. And secondly, I had a profound sense of....well...stunned silence.
Here I was fretting over what might be, when God gave his son over to a people who he knew would betray, humiliate, beat and eventually murder on a cross.
What love is this? Yes...I love my husband more than anyone on this planet and I hope to grow old and grey with him. But God's love for me is even bigger than the love I hold in my heart for my husband.
His love is bigger because he gave what was most important to him, with the foreknowledge that his son's death was the only thing that could save this fallen world.
I am humbled...in a small way I am shamed because I had forgotten in the hustle and bustle of my everyday life, the all-encompassing, all-consuming, sacrificial love of God.
And I am challenged...to remember everyday what way given so that I might live and to pass it on to a dead and dying world.
I hope this story challenges you not to forget....
Monday Morning Minute-November 8, 2010
*****Forgive me! This didn't get posted last week, so here is double duty this week! Be Blessed!*****
Through the course of our study of Priscilla Shirer's "One in a Million" bible study, we have gone through the phases of Deliverance and Development and now we are learning all about our Destiny.
At the beginning of Deuteronomy, the Israelites had finally reached the end of their wilderness journey, ready to step into their destiny of the promise land and Moses began to speak. It would become his farewell address and he chose to start it by reminding them what God told them in the beginning.
Deuteronomy 1:6-7a says "The LORD our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain. (7) 'Turn and set your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites..." {bold added}
From the beginning, God had given them very specific instructions: TURN, SET, GO.
They had been there long enough. Long enough in bondage. Long enough living with the enemy and feasting at their table.
Now, we all know how the story goes. The Israelites chose not to have faith in God's promise, so they were forced to wander the wilderness until all but two of the unbelieving generation dies out, which took 40 years.
But...even in their failure, I think we can learn a very simple truth: God didn't ask them to leap tall buildings or have miracle-laden crusades or anything so seemingly impossible. He simply asked them to TURN, SET and GO.
He wanted them to TURN from that life, SET their minds on the promise land that he had already ordained would be theirs and GO forth in the comfort and knowledge that it was theirs.
What is God asking you to turn from and set your mind on? Anytime he asks us to turn from something and set our mind on something new, it's because he wants us to GO someplace he's never taken us and just like the promise land for the Israelites...it is someplace good.
John 10:10a promises "I {Jesus Christ} came that they {that's us!} may have life {and not just any life}, and have it abundantly." {I added a few things!}
TURN-from the things that are keeping you from an all out, sold-out relationship with God
SET-your mind on the things that will get you where you want to be
GO-in the direction God has called you to go
And don't be nervous that God will take you faster than you can handle. A great preacher I know used to tell his congregation "God never leads you in leaps; he leads you in steps."
Take it one step at a time and you can reach your promise land....and probably in less than the 40 years it took the Israelites! :0)
Through the course of our study of Priscilla Shirer's "One in a Million" bible study, we have gone through the phases of Deliverance and Development and now we are learning all about our Destiny.
At the beginning of Deuteronomy, the Israelites had finally reached the end of their wilderness journey, ready to step into their destiny of the promise land and Moses began to speak. It would become his farewell address and he chose to start it by reminding them what God told them in the beginning.
Deuteronomy 1:6-7a says "The LORD our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain. (7) 'Turn and set your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites..." {bold added}
From the beginning, God had given them very specific instructions: TURN, SET, GO.
They had been there long enough. Long enough in bondage. Long enough living with the enemy and feasting at their table.
Now, we all know how the story goes. The Israelites chose not to have faith in God's promise, so they were forced to wander the wilderness until all but two of the unbelieving generation dies out, which took 40 years.
But...even in their failure, I think we can learn a very simple truth: God didn't ask them to leap tall buildings or have miracle-laden crusades or anything so seemingly impossible. He simply asked them to TURN, SET and GO.
He wanted them to TURN from that life, SET their minds on the promise land that he had already ordained would be theirs and GO forth in the comfort and knowledge that it was theirs.
What is God asking you to turn from and set your mind on? Anytime he asks us to turn from something and set our mind on something new, it's because he wants us to GO someplace he's never taken us and just like the promise land for the Israelites...it is someplace good.
John 10:10a promises "I {Jesus Christ} came that they {that's us!} may have life {and not just any life}, and have it abundantly." {I added a few things!}
TURN-from the things that are keeping you from an all out, sold-out relationship with God
SET-your mind on the things that will get you where you want to be
GO-in the direction God has called you to go
And don't be nervous that God will take you faster than you can handle. A great preacher I know used to tell his congregation "God never leads you in leaps; he leads you in steps."
Take it one step at a time and you can reach your promise land....and probably in less than the 40 years it took the Israelites! :0)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Monday Morning Minute-November 1, 2010
When I was in college, my professor of psychology made this statement :"There is a reason there are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 30/31 days in a month."
Why did he says this?
It was his belief that reading a chapter of Proverbs each morning was a perfect way to increase in practical wisdom for daily life. And...he was right!
Proverbs 1:2a gives the purpose of the whole book right off the bat. It says:
The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline...
Gaining daily wisdom is important in keeping ourselves from straying to the left or to the right because it is so easy to get off the path of Christ by being distracted by the things of this world.
And I think the idea of reading a Proverbs a day can easily serve two kinds of people:
1) There are those who think they just don't have time to read their Bible everyday. Reading Chapter 1 this morning took me 3 minutes. Take 5 minutes a day...read a chapter and write down the one or two verses that stick out to you. Allow those thoughts to be on your mind constantly throughout your day. Joshua 1:8 says "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Although this verse is talking about the Old Testament law, the concept still applies!
2) Maybe you're new to Christ and you just don't know where to start....START HERE!!! Reading a chapter of Proverbs a day is an easy Bible reading plan that is not intimidating and will be easy for you to stick to and form the beneficial habit of reading the word everyday. (Extra Tidbit: Mark is an excellent place to start reading in the New Testament.)
So, start this easy reading plan and, as it says in Proverbs 1:5, "...become even wiser."
Why did he says this?
It was his belief that reading a chapter of Proverbs each morning was a perfect way to increase in practical wisdom for daily life. And...he was right!
Proverbs 1:2a gives the purpose of the whole book right off the bat. It says:
The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline...
Gaining daily wisdom is important in keeping ourselves from straying to the left or to the right because it is so easy to get off the path of Christ by being distracted by the things of this world.
And I think the idea of reading a Proverbs a day can easily serve two kinds of people:
1) There are those who think they just don't have time to read their Bible everyday. Reading Chapter 1 this morning took me 3 minutes. Take 5 minutes a day...read a chapter and write down the one or two verses that stick out to you. Allow those thoughts to be on your mind constantly throughout your day. Joshua 1:8 says "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Although this verse is talking about the Old Testament law, the concept still applies!
2) Maybe you're new to Christ and you just don't know where to start....START HERE!!! Reading a chapter of Proverbs a day is an easy Bible reading plan that is not intimidating and will be easy for you to stick to and form the beneficial habit of reading the word everyday. (Extra Tidbit: Mark is an excellent place to start reading in the New Testament.)
So, start this easy reading plan and, as it says in Proverbs 1:5, "...become even wiser."
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday Morning Minute-October 25, 2010
Ever feel like you are completely alone? Like no one understand what your going through...they have no clue what your facing?
I having definitely felt that way a time or two in my life. The future looked so bleak that you wonder if God himself even has any clue just how bad things have gotten.
If that is how your feeling this morning, my sisters, I have a scripture for you.
I read it for the first time this morning and I have not been able to get it off my mind:
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up to it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Let's take it a piece at a time.
1) "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man" You are not alone!!! It says right there that nothing you are going through it new under the sun. Other people have made it through and so can you.
2) "God is faithful!" (I added the exclamation point because it needed it!) PRAISE GOD!! He is faithful. One of the definitions of faithful is "firm in adherence to promises." God has made promises and he will be faithful in keeping them.
3) "he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." We've all heard "he will never give you more than you can handle." But how many time in the midst of our storms to we forget that God made us and he knows us better than we know ourselves? He knows what you are capable of, even if you don't.
4) "But when you are tempted..." (you will be tempted) "...he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." So, you will be tempted, but God always provides a way out or a way to stand within the storm and not perish.
Now, if you are like me, when I see the word "tempted," my mind automatically goes to the temptation of sin, which this scripture can also be related to, but it doesn't always mean sinning.
Maybe you're tempted to write off a wayward child. Maybe you're tempted to watch your favorite TV show instead of picking up your Bible at the end of the day. Maybe your temptation is that yummy box of chocolates you have hidden in your cabinet. Or maybe you're just tempted to give up on life in general because the storm is just too hard or it has just gone on for too long.
None of these are "sins," but they are still temptations that God has promised that you have the POWER to overcome.
God is proud of and faithful to reward the little steps we take each day our of the storm, as long as those steps lead us closer to him.
You CAN be victorious...according to 1 Corinthians 10:13 it is already within you to do so.
I having definitely felt that way a time or two in my life. The future looked so bleak that you wonder if God himself even has any clue just how bad things have gotten.
If that is how your feeling this morning, my sisters, I have a scripture for you.
I read it for the first time this morning and I have not been able to get it off my mind:
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up to it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Let's take it a piece at a time.
1) "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man" You are not alone!!! It says right there that nothing you are going through it new under the sun. Other people have made it through and so can you.
2) "God is faithful!" (I added the exclamation point because it needed it!) PRAISE GOD!! He is faithful. One of the definitions of faithful is "firm in adherence to promises." God has made promises and he will be faithful in keeping them.
3) "he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." We've all heard "he will never give you more than you can handle." But how many time in the midst of our storms to we forget that God made us and he knows us better than we know ourselves? He knows what you are capable of, even if you don't.
4) "But when you are tempted..." (you will be tempted) "...he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." So, you will be tempted, but God always provides a way out or a way to stand within the storm and not perish.
Now, if you are like me, when I see the word "tempted," my mind automatically goes to the temptation of sin, which this scripture can also be related to, but it doesn't always mean sinning.
Maybe you're tempted to write off a wayward child. Maybe you're tempted to watch your favorite TV show instead of picking up your Bible at the end of the day. Maybe your temptation is that yummy box of chocolates you have hidden in your cabinet. Or maybe you're just tempted to give up on life in general because the storm is just too hard or it has just gone on for too long.
None of these are "sins," but they are still temptations that God has promised that you have the POWER to overcome.
God is proud of and faithful to reward the little steps we take each day our of the storm, as long as those steps lead us closer to him.
You CAN be victorious...according to 1 Corinthians 10:13 it is already within you to do so.
Real Women Newsletter-October 25, 2010
Good Morning Everyone!!!
It's been a while hasn't it? :0)
I hope your week is shaping up to be excellent.
Real Women's Ministry is back in full swing! Here is what you can look forward to for the rest of the year:
Upcoming Events/Things You Should Know:
1) Women's Small Group is meeting on Monday nights, 6:30 at the church office. It is never too late to join the discussion and the fellowship! We are currently going through the video series "One in a Million" by Priscilla Shirer.
2) Our next Real Women Outing will be the afternoon of Saturday, November 6th. We will be going to see "Like Dandelion Dust" at the Rogers Malco Theater. This moving is based on the book by the best selling Christian author Karen Kingsbury. The exact time will follow, but it will be in the 4:00-hour so that we can still get matinee pricing! :0)
3) The next Date Night will be....well..not at night. Saturday, December 4th, from 9:00am-2:00pm we will be offering you a chance to get that Christmas shopping done...without kids! More information will be coming, but I am looking for volunteers! You would not be working the full 5 hours. Instead I would like 2 couples from 9:00am-11:30am and 2 couple from 11:30am-2:00pm. If you are interested in participating or volunteering, please let me know! (A sign-up sheet will be available at the information center in a few weeks.)
4) Scrapbook Day! I am so exciting about this! We have not set the date yet, but we will be hosting an all day crop at the church office sometime before the end of the year. Even if you don't scrapbook yet, it is a great time to learn or just to come and fellowship. It will be open to the church and open to friends you would like to invite. It will be free to attend; however, we'll ask everyone to bring snacks to share and be responsible for your own lunch/dinner.
5) As always, the Real Women NWA Blog, is updated weekly. Check out our "Monday Morning Minute" (or "Tuesday Tidbit" if I don't get it posted on Mondays! LOL!) for some uplifting, quick devotionals. Copies of our newsletters are available there as well. http://realwomennwa.blogspot.com/
6) On the subject of the BLOG, do you have a story to share? I would love to share your story with our readers. Email it to me and I will do my best to share it with the ladies that read our blog.
Hopefully this wasn't too long for you to read. There's so many great things going on and with the crazy holiday seasons just around the corner I wanted to give everyone a heads up!
Have a blessed week and I will see you all soon.
It's been a while hasn't it? :0)
I hope your week is shaping up to be excellent.
Real Women's Ministry is back in full swing! Here is what you can look forward to for the rest of the year:
Upcoming Events/Things You Should Know:
1) Women's Small Group is meeting on Monday nights, 6:30 at the church office. It is never too late to join the discussion and the fellowship! We are currently going through the video series "One in a Million" by Priscilla Shirer.
2) Our next Real Women Outing will be the afternoon of Saturday, November 6th. We will be going to see "Like Dandelion Dust" at the Rogers Malco Theater. This moving is based on the book by the best selling Christian author Karen Kingsbury. The exact time will follow, but it will be in the 4:00-hour so that we can still get matinee pricing! :0)
3) The next Date Night will be....well..not at night. Saturday, December 4th, from 9:00am-2:00pm we will be offering you a chance to get that Christmas shopping done...without kids! More information will be coming, but I am looking for volunteers! You would not be working the full 5 hours. Instead I would like 2 couples from 9:00am-11:30am and 2 couple from 11:30am-2:00pm. If you are interested in participating or volunteering, please let me know! (A sign-up sheet will be available at the information center in a few weeks.)
4) Scrapbook Day! I am so exciting about this! We have not set the date yet, but we will be hosting an all day crop at the church office sometime before the end of the year. Even if you don't scrapbook yet, it is a great time to learn or just to come and fellowship. It will be open to the church and open to friends you would like to invite. It will be free to attend; however, we'll ask everyone to bring snacks to share and be responsible for your own lunch/dinner.
5) As always, the Real Women NWA Blog, is updated weekly. Check out our "Monday Morning Minute" (or "Tuesday Tidbit" if I don't get it posted on Mondays! LOL!) for some uplifting, quick devotionals. Copies of our newsletters are available there as well. http://realwomennwa.blogspot.com/
6) On the subject of the BLOG, do you have a story to share? I would love to share your story with our readers. Email it to me and I will do my best to share it with the ladies that read our blog.
Hopefully this wasn't too long for you to read. There's so many great things going on and with the crazy holiday seasons just around the corner I wanted to give everyone a heads up!
Have a blessed week and I will see you all soon.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday Morning Minute-October 11, 2010
I am in LOVE with the series we are doing for our Monday night Women's Bible Study.
It's Priscilla Shirer's Series "One in a Million." It's all about finding your promise land and taking that promise from the pew to the pavement.
On Day one of the personal Bible Study, Priscilla tells the story of when she and her sons visited the circus. As they were leaving the big top, they saw an elephant munching in a fenced-in area behind the circus tent. Seeing the elephant through the un-jaded eyes of a child, her three year old asked a very simple question: Why doesn't the elephant just break through the fence?
After watching the elephant for a few minutes, Priscilla noticed something that was not easily noticed upon first glance: this huge elephant was tied to the ground by a small iron shackle around it's left ankle.
It was held captive by something so small that he could have easily snapped it and do you know why?
That massive elephant was held in slavery because he didn't know that he ALREADY HAD the inner strength to break free from it. Circus elephants are trained from a young age. As a young elephant, they are placed in a shackle and because they are not strong enough, they can't break free. And after a while of being unsuccessful, they just stop trying.
Through out each of our lives we have things that have tried to keep us captive. It could be a situation, like the children of Israel being physically held captive by the Egyptians or it could be emotional, like the Israelites fear of what would happen should they choose to try to break free of their bondage.
It doesn't matter what the bondage is...you already have the strength to break free.
Psalms 18:32 says "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."
From the moment you gave your heart to Christ, you have been ARMED with the strength to break free.
Choose to walk in that strength.
God Bless and Talk to you next week.
It's Priscilla Shirer's Series "One in a Million." It's all about finding your promise land and taking that promise from the pew to the pavement.
On Day one of the personal Bible Study, Priscilla tells the story of when she and her sons visited the circus. As they were leaving the big top, they saw an elephant munching in a fenced-in area behind the circus tent. Seeing the elephant through the un-jaded eyes of a child, her three year old asked a very simple question: Why doesn't the elephant just break through the fence?
After watching the elephant for a few minutes, Priscilla noticed something that was not easily noticed upon first glance: this huge elephant was tied to the ground by a small iron shackle around it's left ankle.
It was held captive by something so small that he could have easily snapped it and do you know why?
That massive elephant was held in slavery because he didn't know that he ALREADY HAD the inner strength to break free from it. Circus elephants are trained from a young age. As a young elephant, they are placed in a shackle and because they are not strong enough, they can't break free. And after a while of being unsuccessful, they just stop trying.
Through out each of our lives we have things that have tried to keep us captive. It could be a situation, like the children of Israel being physically held captive by the Egyptians or it could be emotional, like the Israelites fear of what would happen should they choose to try to break free of their bondage.
It doesn't matter what the bondage is...you already have the strength to break free.
Psalms 18:32 says "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."
From the moment you gave your heart to Christ, you have been ARMED with the strength to break free.
Choose to walk in that strength.
God Bless and Talk to you next week.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Monday Morning Minute-October 4, 2010
Today’s Monday Morning minute is not something I came up with, but rather a story that the well-known speaker, Priscilla Shirer, uses to open the first session of the bible study, One in a Million.
She says….that every Christmas her mother plans a “girls only” brunch at a restaurant called The Zodiac in Dallas, TX. The restaurant has a large Christmas Breakfast brunch, complete with beautiful crystal and dainty china, but to start with, each person is given a small cup of broth.
Now, this broth isn’t anything special. Priscilla says that it’s good tasting and is meant to cleanse the pallet, to prepare the drinker for the food that is to come.
She goes on to say that last year, while they were sitting there sipping their broths and chatting, she thought to herself that she was glad that when they were done with this little cup that the waitress didn’t bring them their bill and send them on their way.
That little cup was just there to prepare them for something bigger, better, more delicious and more exciting that is to come.
She parallels that with how many Christians have become content on a little “Christian broth.” We sit in church and listen to the word each Sunday and leave…thinking that what we’ve just received was the full meal, when in reality…it’s just the broth.
It’s just there to prepare us for the bigger, better, more delicious and more exciting things that are to come.
I can admit that there are seasons when my only sustenance comes from the word of God that I hear on Sundays and then I actually wonder why I have rough weeks in between Sunday. It’s because I was spiritually starving myself during the week.
My body could not live on a small cup of broth every seven days…what makes me think my spirit could live on it?
What are you living on?
She says….that every Christmas her mother plans a “girls only” brunch at a restaurant called The Zodiac in Dallas, TX. The restaurant has a large Christmas Breakfast brunch, complete with beautiful crystal and dainty china, but to start with, each person is given a small cup of broth.
Now, this broth isn’t anything special. Priscilla says that it’s good tasting and is meant to cleanse the pallet, to prepare the drinker for the food that is to come.
She goes on to say that last year, while they were sitting there sipping their broths and chatting, she thought to herself that she was glad that when they were done with this little cup that the waitress didn’t bring them their bill and send them on their way.
That little cup was just there to prepare them for something bigger, better, more delicious and more exciting that is to come.
She parallels that with how many Christians have become content on a little “Christian broth.” We sit in church and listen to the word each Sunday and leave…thinking that what we’ve just received was the full meal, when in reality…it’s just the broth.
It’s just there to prepare us for the bigger, better, more delicious and more exciting things that are to come.
I can admit that there are seasons when my only sustenance comes from the word of God that I hear on Sundays and then I actually wonder why I have rough weeks in between Sunday. It’s because I was spiritually starving myself during the week.
My body could not live on a small cup of broth every seven days…what makes me think my spirit could live on it?
What are you living on?
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday Morning Minute-September 27, 2010
"God helps those who help themselves."
We've all heard it. And it is probably the most quoted statement that is attributed to the Bible, but is not actually found there. It has been credited to both Ben Franklin and a columnist from the late 1600s named Algernon Sidney.
The quote is a poetic way of saying "I can do it myself."
Sound familiar? How many times have we all thought that we shouldn't "bother" God or other people with our problems because we can handle them or we don't want to bother them with our issues?
Proverbs 11:14, however, directs us differently.
"Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances." (Message translation)
Wise counsel is important. Next to going to God, wise counsel is imperative to making it through the trials of life. Vs 14 says that your chances are better with it, which means your chances are WORSE without it.
Set your pride aside for the greater good of your life. You'll be happy you did.
We've all heard it. And it is probably the most quoted statement that is attributed to the Bible, but is not actually found there. It has been credited to both Ben Franklin and a columnist from the late 1600s named Algernon Sidney.
The quote is a poetic way of saying "I can do it myself."
Sound familiar? How many times have we all thought that we shouldn't "bother" God or other people with our problems because we can handle them or we don't want to bother them with our issues?
Proverbs 11:14, however, directs us differently.
"Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances." (Message translation)
Wise counsel is important. Next to going to God, wise counsel is imperative to making it through the trials of life. Vs 14 says that your chances are better with it, which means your chances are WORSE without it.
Set your pride aside for the greater good of your life. You'll be happy you did.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday Morning Minute-September 20, 2010
This week, my sister in law cracked my up with her status update.
It's not like her to rant about anything, but she spent a good 7 lines rebutting a conversation she overheard while at her daughter's tennis match. The person spent most of the match complaining about how busy she was and how exhausted she was because she was so busy.
My sister in law's main rebuttal was that we are all busy with the activities of children or just life in general and rather than seeing it as negative, we should have a cheerful heart and be glad that our children have all of these chances to explore their options.
I had to shrink a little bit. I know I have been guilty of the same rambling as that lady at the tennis match and more so, of having the same nasty attitude.
Proverbs 17: 22 (God's Word Translation) says: A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength.
Depression or negative thinking drains your strength, while having a joyful heart is like an instant B12 shot to your life. No wonder we're exhausted with the things that have to get done it a week! It's not the activities themselves-it's the attitude with which we pursue them!
So be an example this week of a cheerful heart and be good medicine to yourselves and those around us this week. You'll be surprised at how much better your week will go.
It's not like her to rant about anything, but she spent a good 7 lines rebutting a conversation she overheard while at her daughter's tennis match. The person spent most of the match complaining about how busy she was and how exhausted she was because she was so busy.
My sister in law's main rebuttal was that we are all busy with the activities of children or just life in general and rather than seeing it as negative, we should have a cheerful heart and be glad that our children have all of these chances to explore their options.
I had to shrink a little bit. I know I have been guilty of the same rambling as that lady at the tennis match and more so, of having the same nasty attitude.
Proverbs 17: 22 (God's Word Translation) says: A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength.
Depression or negative thinking drains your strength, while having a joyful heart is like an instant B12 shot to your life. No wonder we're exhausted with the things that have to get done it a week! It's not the activities themselves-it's the attitude with which we pursue them!
So be an example this week of a cheerful heart and be good medicine to yourselves and those around us this week. You'll be surprised at how much better your week will go.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday Morning Tidbit, September 14, 2010
Eighty Percent of my life is ruled by a Type A personality.
I like rules.
I like following rules.
I am the first to read the rules of a new board game, explain them in minute detail and the first to drop the hammer if you dare violate said rules.
However, until recently, I didn't realize that I was taking that engrained need for rules and order and letting over shadow my spiritual walk. I had begun to believe that if (and only if) you do A, B, C and/or D, you get to heaven; if you don't..well you would go to the other place. It was all very black and white.
But one day, a few months ago, Pastor Benny said something that revolutionized my way of thinking. He said "Why are we so quick to send people to hell? Isn't God's grace enough for everyone?"
I was dumb-founded. Is that really what I had been doing in my mind? I thought I was being the good little Christian and abiding by all the rules I was suppose to and as a good little Christian I was making sure that everyone else was as well. But...had I really been mentally religating each of those people to hell because they didn't measure up to my ABC rules? Did I not think that God's grace applied to them as well?
Talk about a wake-up call.
I went on to read verse after verse in Romans about grace:
Romans 3:24 " are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Romans 4:16 "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law..."
Romans 5:2 "through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
Romans 6:14 "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."
The list goes on...
So I had to change my way of thinking. And maybe today, so do you.
I needed look at people through "grace-glasses" instead of by my list of rules and how I think things should be.
What about you?
I like rules.
I like following rules.
I am the first to read the rules of a new board game, explain them in minute detail and the first to drop the hammer if you dare violate said rules.
However, until recently, I didn't realize that I was taking that engrained need for rules and order and letting over shadow my spiritual walk. I had begun to believe that if (and only if) you do A, B, C and/or D, you get to heaven; if you don't..well you would go to the other place. It was all very black and white.
But one day, a few months ago, Pastor Benny said something that revolutionized my way of thinking. He said "Why are we so quick to send people to hell? Isn't God's grace enough for everyone?"
I was dumb-founded. Is that really what I had been doing in my mind? I thought I was being the good little Christian and abiding by all the rules I was suppose to and as a good little Christian I was making sure that everyone else was as well. But...had I really been mentally religating each of those people to hell because they didn't measure up to my ABC rules? Did I not think that God's grace applied to them as well?
Talk about a wake-up call.
I went on to read verse after verse in Romans about grace:
Romans 3:24 " are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Romans 4:16 "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law..."
Romans 5:2 "through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
Romans 6:14 "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."
The list goes on...
So I had to change my way of thinking. And maybe today, so do you.
I needed look at people through "grace-glasses" instead of by my list of rules and how I think things should be.
What about you?
Monday, September 6, 2010
Monday Morning Minute-September 6, 2010
DECONSTRUCTED
I've been sitting on this MMM for a few weeks and have not felt a release to leave it on paper. However, I think now is the time.
A few weeks ago my 3 year old daughter and I were driving to the Mom's day out where I work and she attends, when we passed some road construction.
She asked me "Mommy, why are they tearing up the road?" And without really stopping to think about it, I answered "Well, sometimes they have to tear things down so they can be built up even better."
After that came out of my mouth, I thought about the it the whole rest of the way to work and thought how true that is sometimes. Sometimes what we see as a storm or a crisis, is really just a chance to God to break us down so that we can be rebuilt: bigger, better and more beautiful.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-5, 9-10 says:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows....Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us."
We have received comfort from Christ so that we might bring comfort to others and even though we might feel like our storm is holding a death sentence over our lives, he WILL DELIVER US and He will CONTINUE TO DELIVER US.
Be comforted during your deconstruction phase that you will be delivered to the other side.
God Bless and have a great Labor Day.
Keri
I've been sitting on this MMM for a few weeks and have not felt a release to leave it on paper. However, I think now is the time.
A few weeks ago my 3 year old daughter and I were driving to the Mom's day out where I work and she attends, when we passed some road construction.
She asked me "Mommy, why are they tearing up the road?" And without really stopping to think about it, I answered "Well, sometimes they have to tear things down so they can be built up even better."
After that came out of my mouth, I thought about the it the whole rest of the way to work and thought how true that is sometimes. Sometimes what we see as a storm or a crisis, is really just a chance to God to break us down so that we can be rebuilt: bigger, better and more beautiful.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-5, 9-10 says:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows....Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us."
We have received comfort from Christ so that we might bring comfort to others and even though we might feel like our storm is holding a death sentence over our lives, he WILL DELIVER US and He will CONTINUE TO DELIVER US.
Be comforted during your deconstruction phase that you will be delivered to the other side.
God Bless and have a great Labor Day.
Keri
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday Morning Minute
What are you shopping for?
Yesterday, Pastor Jabin Chavez, Youth Pastor at the Church at South Las Vegas, made a comment in his sermon that went something like this: stores entice you to come inside by placing their best outfits in the window in hopes to draw you in to see the other things in their store and hopefully buy something.
And I mulled over that thought (and I apologize Pastor J-I think I missed the next 5-10 minutes of your sermon) for a while and began to think how much like stores we are.
We dress up the outside of our lives with words, acts and fashion, but how often do we take a good look around what's on the inside?
You see, a window display might get you in the store, but if there is truly nothing of value or nothing of beauty once you pass through the doors to the inside, then you most likely will turn around and walk right back out, empty handed.
Our relationships, with others and ourselves, are the same way. The window dressing may draw people to you or make you feel good about yourself for a while, but if you don't choose to invest in good merchandise on the inside, you will never be happy with who you are and others will never make a investment in you long-term.
So my question for you is, what are you shopping for? Are you investing time and energy in outward appearances and window dressing, or are you taking the time to invest on the inside, which will lead to richer relationships and a happier you?
Yesterday, Pastor Jabin Chavez, Youth Pastor at the Church at South Las Vegas, made a comment in his sermon that went something like this: stores entice you to come inside by placing their best outfits in the window in hopes to draw you in to see the other things in their store and hopefully buy something.
And I mulled over that thought (and I apologize Pastor J-I think I missed the next 5-10 minutes of your sermon) for a while and began to think how much like stores we are.
We dress up the outside of our lives with words, acts and fashion, but how often do we take a good look around what's on the inside?
You see, a window display might get you in the store, but if there is truly nothing of value or nothing of beauty once you pass through the doors to the inside, then you most likely will turn around and walk right back out, empty handed.
Our relationships, with others and ourselves, are the same way. The window dressing may draw people to you or make you feel good about yourself for a while, but if you don't choose to invest in good merchandise on the inside, you will never be happy with who you are and others will never make a investment in you long-term.
So my question for you is, what are you shopping for? Are you investing time and energy in outward appearances and window dressing, or are you taking the time to invest on the inside, which will lead to richer relationships and a happier you?
Monday, August 9, 2010
Monday Morning Minute
Ok...so I know it's not morning, but I hope to have a little nugget each Monday morning to start your week of right.
So here goes....
This morning I was reading in Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver (a follow-up to the wildly successful Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World) and she brought up a scripture that a lot of us are familiar with: Philippians 3:12-14. And as I read the passage, I came across something I had never remembered reading before.
In this letter to the church at Philippi, Paul is writing a thank you letter to them for their support and also using this opportunity to pass along some wisdom.
When we come to chapter 3: 12-14, we read the familiar:
....butI press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me....forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
And at that, we all say "YES" and "AMEN!" Because we are all on this road straining toward the prize.
But, how often do we question God's ability to work through us when his plan is different from out own? Or do we let sin take our eye off the prize and allow that moment of failure to be a roadblock, rather than a stepping stone?
You see, when I read that scripture this morning, there is a Part A to verse 12 that we rarely hear repeated when this passage is quoted. It goes like this:
...Not that I have obtained all this [this being the power of Christ's ressurrection and fellowship in his suffering-vs 10], or have already been made perfect....
Three little letters: N-O-T. Not.
We have not obtained all Christ as for us, and probably will not this side of heaven.
We have not already been made perfect.
And because of these "nots," we do as verses 12 & 14 tell us do to: WE PRESS ON; exchanging our need for answers for childlike faith in a Heavenly Father who wants the best for us and dropping our need for perfection and picking up grace and forgiveness.
Press On. Not toward perfection, but rather to the person that God has called you to be through Him and through the power He has given you as a Child of God.
So here goes....
This morning I was reading in Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver (a follow-up to the wildly successful Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World) and she brought up a scripture that a lot of us are familiar with: Philippians 3:12-14. And as I read the passage, I came across something I had never remembered reading before.
In this letter to the church at Philippi, Paul is writing a thank you letter to them for their support and also using this opportunity to pass along some wisdom.
When we come to chapter 3: 12-14, we read the familiar:
....butI press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me....forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
And at that, we all say "YES" and "AMEN!" Because we are all on this road straining toward the prize.
But, how often do we question God's ability to work through us when his plan is different from out own? Or do we let sin take our eye off the prize and allow that moment of failure to be a roadblock, rather than a stepping stone?
You see, when I read that scripture this morning, there is a Part A to verse 12 that we rarely hear repeated when this passage is quoted. It goes like this:
...Not that I have obtained all this [this being the power of Christ's ressurrection and fellowship in his suffering-vs 10], or have already been made perfect....
Three little letters: N-O-T. Not.
We have not obtained all Christ as for us, and probably will not this side of heaven.
We have not already been made perfect.
And because of these "nots," we do as verses 12 & 14 tell us do to: WE PRESS ON; exchanging our need for answers for childlike faith in a Heavenly Father who wants the best for us and dropping our need for perfection and picking up grace and forgiveness.
Press On. Not toward perfection, but rather to the person that God has called you to be through Him and through the power He has given you as a Child of God.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Real Women Newsletter-August 5, 2010
I hope the end of summer is finding you all happy, relaxed and tan!
Real Women's Ministries has taken sometime off for the summer, but we are back and ready to do great things together!
So, here's what we've got going on!
Upcoming Events/Things you need to know!
1) DATE NIGHT! Friday, August 20th, from 7pm-10pm, the Church at Northwest Arkansas will be hosting it's very first date night. We will be watching the kids at The Office, located at 903 SE 28th St, #9. Please sign up at the information table so that we can be adequately staffed!
2) SMALL GROUPS! With this session of small groups, set to start up at the end of August, we are going to be introducing a weekly Women's Bible Study on Sunday nights. The actual study is yet to be decided, but it will be open to all women: married, single, divorced, kids, no kids, ect! It is a group for women, by women. More information to come and if you have any suggestions for studies, I am still open to suggestions.
3) REAL WOMEN OUTINGS!
SEPTEMBER (Date to be announced): We will be going to see the movie Like Dandelion Dust, based on the book by Karen Kingsbury by the same name. If you've read the book, you know what an amazing story it is; if you haven't, you still have time to read it before. This movie as swept Film Festivals across the world!
OCTOBER: TBA
NOVEMBER: It's time to start spreading the love. In November, Real Women Ministries would like to embark on their first outreach. We will be preparing "goody" bags of necessary items and treats to bless the residents of TouchStone Retirement home. More information to follow!
4) The Real Women Blog has been updated! Along with information on upcoming events, check out the story The Godly Closet Cleaning. If you think miracles can't happen, you might change your mind after reading it.
So, as you can see, we have a lot going on. I hope to see you all soon!
Think Miracles Don't Exist? Read On....
This was a Godly encounter a co-worker of mine had and I had to share it.
A Godly Closet Cleaning by: Vickie Mullen
My husband works out of town every week. On this particular morning I had the urge to clean up and clean out our closet. Our closet was your typical closet: shoes on the floor, dirty clothes hanging out the clothes hamper and shelves in disarray. I was on a mission, I had a Walmart bag that I was putting the things in that I was getting rid of .
I started on the top shelf and worked my way around the closet, ending by the closet door. Like most men, my husband had a "collection" of ball caps. I thought, "Oh, does he need that many caps". I told myself that I would go through them and get rid of some and he'll never notice that probably 1/2 of the caps would be gone by the time he got back home. I just pulled all the the caps down all at once. They fell to the floor and a little red sack fell straight to the floor. My first thought was, "What the crap, he'll keep anything. ". I never looked in the red bag, I thought I'll throw this away and he'll never miss it. I just remember shoving it in my trash bag.
Finally, I was finished cleaning our closet. I tied a knot in my trash bag and took it straight to the pantry garbage and as I put the bag in the garbage I remember very vividly seeing that small red sack in my trash bag. All that happened on Monday morning.
On Wednesday, our trash bins were placed on the curb for pick up. I was so excited on Thursday to show my husband. He was impressed by the work I had done that he walked straight to where his ball caps used to be and reached up to the shelf and asked me, "Where is my little red sack?"
My heart sank to my stomach.
I told him that I had thrown it away. I asked, "Why?"
He said, "You didn't!, you knew that's where I kept my side business money."
I was devastated. We tore the closet apart. I guess I just going through the motion of helping him look, but I knew I had put the red sack in the Walmart bag which I placed in the garbage and I also knew that the garbage had been picked up on Wednesday.
He told me that he had saved about $450.00 cash , in order to make our 1st car payment. He forgave me and we both agreed that he would open a separate account for his side business and I told him I would look in things BEFORE I threw anything away. We joked with each other that we had so much money that I actually throw it away.
The little red sack was always on my mind. I looked for it every time that I was in my closet, all the while knowing that it was in the land field. I was sick over what I had done. I felt like God was telling me/us that we were depending too much on money and not trusting him enough.
I told only1 person what I that done, my chiropractor. She was shocked, but she had words of wisdom. She told me that maybe God would let someone in need find the sack that needed the money more than we did.
Those words were affirmation for me. I told God that I was sorry and I would let go of that dependency I had on money.
Two weeks later on Sunday my husband's work took him out of town early that week. Sunday night I went to bed early around 10pm since my husband was gone and did the normal nightly routine, brushed my teeth, checked on my boys, turned the lights off in my closet and room and went to bed.
I woke up earlier than I intended to and decided to start getting ready for work. I went straight to the closet to decide what I would wear to work.
And as I stepped in the closet that little red sack was in the middle of our closet floor, with the money in it. I got chills and looked straight up expecting to see a hole in the ceiling where the bag had fallen through. I immediately called my husband crying telling him what I had found laying in the middle of the closet floor.
I had been in my closet hundreds of times during those 2 weeks and that little red sack WAS NOT in the middle of the closet on the floor. We truly believe that God put it there as a sign for us reminding us to trust him with everything. After I found the sack of money, I didn't hestitate to tell anyone who would listen. Some friends were skeptics while other friends called it a miracle.
And the little red sack didn't have $450 it had $520.00 cash. And God did let someone needy find the money, ME! God is So Good, if we just take the time to look.
Still think miracles don't exist?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Mother's Day Message 2010
For Those who might have missed my Mother's Day Message, here is a link to a PDF of my notes (you might have to copy and paste the link!)
Be Blessed and Be changed! ~K~
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/1908605/mother-s-day-blog-post-pdf-may-12-2010-10-42-am-137k?da=y
Be Blessed and Be changed! ~K~
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/1908605/mother-s-day-blog-post-pdf-may-12-2010-10-42-am-137k?da=y
Newsletter-May 12, 2010
Hello all Real Women!
I hope you all had a fantastic Mother's Day. Did you get some extra sleep? Some beautiful flowers? A fantastic present? I hope you got all of the above and felt loved and appreciated!
In case you were off spending time with your mother and missed it, I had the great privilege of bringing the word for our Mother's Day service and I believe it was a word from God to not only the mom's there, but everyone. If you missed it and would like to hear it, Pastor Tim recorded it and DVDs are available. I will post my notes on our blog (http://realwomennwa.blogspot.com/)
UPCOMING EVENT! Don't miss a fun outing this weekend! We will be meeting at 3:30 at the Rogers Malco (the theater by Old Navy/Kohls...not the mall) to see "Letters to God" at 4:00. After, we'll head to The Atlanta Bread Co for some discussion and fellowship. AS always, Real Women events are open to everyone, so feel free to bring your girlfriends along! It's going to be fun!
I haven't received any prayer requests for our Monday morning list, so those of you who signed up for it, that is why you haven't received it. Please feel free to email me any prayer requests you might have (if you do not feel comfortable giving specifics, feel free to say "unspoken.")
I think that is all for now. I hope you all have a blessed week and see you Sunday!
In Love,
Keri Sallee
Real Women Coordinator
I hope you all had a fantastic Mother's Day. Did you get some extra sleep? Some beautiful flowers? A fantastic present? I hope you got all of the above and felt loved and appreciated!
In case you were off spending time with your mother and missed it, I had the great privilege of bringing the word for our Mother's Day service and I believe it was a word from God to not only the mom's there, but everyone. If you missed it and would like to hear it, Pastor Tim recorded it and DVDs are available. I will post my notes on our blog (http://realwomennwa.blogspot.com/)
UPCOMING EVENT! Don't miss a fun outing this weekend! We will be meeting at 3:30 at the Rogers Malco (the theater by Old Navy/Kohls...not the mall) to see "Letters to God" at 4:00. After, we'll head to The Atlanta Bread Co for some discussion and fellowship. AS always, Real Women events are open to everyone, so feel free to bring your girlfriends along! It's going to be fun!
I haven't received any prayer requests for our Monday morning list, so those of you who signed up for it, that is why you haven't received it. Please feel free to email me any prayer requests you might have (if you do not feel comfortable giving specifics, feel free to say "unspoken.")
I think that is all for now. I hope you all have a blessed week and see you Sunday!
In Love,
Keri Sallee
Real Women Coordinator
Monday, April 26, 2010
Newsletter-April 26, 2010
Hello All and Welcome to the first ever Real Women Newsletter!
For those of you who are new to the Church at Northwest AR or might not know me, my name is Keri Sallee and I am excited to be heading the Real Women ministry. Since we are a new ministry, the field of opportunities is WIDE open! Are you as excited as I am!?
I'll try to keep this short, but I wanted to lay out a few things that are upcoming for us Real Women:
1) Real Women NWA Blog: At our blog you will find recent and past newsletters, upcoming events, and devotions that we've done at events (as well as extras now and then.) I hope this will be a place for you to be both informed and inspired! The address is: http://realwomennwa.blogspot.com/
2) Prayer/Praise List: Starting next week, I will send out a weekly prayer & praise email each Monday morning to those who would like it. If you would like to be included, please contact me by Sunday (email/phone/catch me at church.) If you would like to receive the list each Monday, please respond to this email and let me know.
3) Upcoming Event: We have some fun events coming up.
May 15th (Sat)-We'll be going to see "Letters to God" at the Rogers Malco Theater. We will attend a matinee performance around 4:00 and then head to Atlanta Bread Company for fellowship and discussion. DISCLAIMER: If you haven't seen the previews, just a warning...bring tissue! :o)
June- Calling all scrappers and non-scrappers alike! We will be having a fellowship and crop. There are a few details to iron out. More info to come!
July- July has us heading to paint pottery. Again, more details to come.
4) Extra Info/Help needed- We are always open for ideas, so please feel free to email if you come across an activity you think would be fun or a cause you think Real Women would like to participate in.
Well....I think that is all for now. Please feel free to forward this email or give the link to our blog to anyone I might have missed or anyone you think would like it!
Have a great day and see you all soon!
P.S. The first blog post, "Dare to Dream Big", was the devotion from our first Real Women outing earlier this month. I know a lot of people were busy or out of town, so I hope you take the time to read it.
For those of you who are new to the Church at Northwest AR or might not know me, my name is Keri Sallee and I am excited to be heading the Real Women ministry. Since we are a new ministry, the field of opportunities is WIDE open! Are you as excited as I am!?
I'll try to keep this short, but I wanted to lay out a few things that are upcoming for us Real Women:
1) Real Women NWA Blog: At our blog you will find recent and past newsletters, upcoming events, and devotions that we've done at events (as well as extras now and then.) I hope this will be a place for you to be both informed and inspired! The address is: http://realwomennwa.blogspot.com/
2) Prayer/Praise List: Starting next week, I will send out a weekly prayer & praise email each Monday morning to those who would like it. If you would like to be included, please contact me by Sunday (email/phone/catch me at church.) If you would like to receive the list each Monday, please respond to this email and let me know.
3) Upcoming Event: We have some fun events coming up.
May 15th (Sat)-We'll be going to see "Letters to God" at the Rogers Malco Theater. We will attend a matinee performance around 4:00 and then head to Atlanta Bread Company for fellowship and discussion. DISCLAIMER: If you haven't seen the previews, just a warning...bring tissue! :o)
June- Calling all scrappers and non-scrappers alike! We will be having a fellowship and crop. There are a few details to iron out. More info to come!
July- July has us heading to paint pottery. Again, more details to come.
4) Extra Info/Help needed- We are always open for ideas, so please feel free to email if you come across an activity you think would be fun or a cause you think Real Women would like to participate in.
Well....I think that is all for now. Please feel free to forward this email or give the link to our blog to anyone I might have missed or anyone you think would like it!
Have a great day and see you all soon!
P.S. The first blog post, "Dare to Dream Big", was the devotion from our first Real Women outing earlier this month. I know a lot of people were busy or out of town, so I hope you take the time to read it.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Dare to Dream Big
Dare to Dream Big
When we were all young we all had dreams of what we wanted to be when we grew up. Recently I walked past a Barbie display at Walmart and it said that Barbie has had over 120 careers since she was introduced in 1959. I’m sure we all remember pretending to be anything from an astronaut to a vet to a mom. There were things that, even at a young age, God began to plant in to our hearts that would someday grow into full-fledged dreams.
As we grew up, though, life began to get in the way of those little girl dreams.
Today I want to talk about some of those obstacles that might have gotten in the way of those dreams and desires that God put in our hearts and what the Bible says about overcoming them so that we can live to our fullest in God’s will.
1) Circumstances
One of the most obvious things that can be an obstacle to our dreams is our current or past circumstances. We can so easily be derailed from dreaming big by simply looking around at what we’re doing or looking behind at what we’ve done and thinking because of that, God can’t possibly use me. I’m too old, too young, not talented enough or I’ve just messed up so much, my dreams are just not even possible anymore.
But if we look in the book Revelation, we see what God says about overcoming and I love the way the Message puts it.
“Here’s the reward I have for every conqueror, everyone who keeps at it, refusing to give up: You’ll rule the nations.” Revelation 2:26
Those who refuse to give up will be given authority over nations. So if God, in the end, will give you power over nations, how much more likely is he to work out your dreams and goals for his glory while you’re here on earth.
2) People
Another obstacle that can keep us from dreaming big is the people around us. In every group there is a Debbie Downer or a Chicken Little that says the sky is constantly falling and he/she wanted to make sure you knew about.
Being around that kind of person can such the hope out of even the most optimistic of plans and be a roadblock to the plans God has in your life.
But, what if for a second, you saw that person as a stepping stone, instead of an obstacle?
In Exodus, we find the story Moses being called to be the delivered of the Israelites who have been in captivity for hundreds of years at this point. In chapters 7-11 we see Moses coming to Pharaoh 10 times, only to be turned away each time and in the midst of what had to be a discouraging situation for Moses, God slips in this little nugget that no one expected, in Exodus 9:16:
“But I have raised you [speaking of Pharaoh] up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
You see, people from the outside and I’m sure even Moses, saw Pharaoh as an obstacle standing in the way of what God wanted to do, but vs. 16 tells us that wasn’t the case at all. God had placed Pharaoh there, not as an obstacle, but rather as a springboard for his name to be proclaimed and his power to be shown.
3) Self
The third, and probably the biggest hurdle to overcome, is the battle within you. You can be in a crowd of people and being having a complete argument with yourself or even God.
But what we sometimes don’t realize or remember is that God wants our dreams full-filled just as much as we do.
Philippians 2:13 tell us “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
Taking that verse step by step, we can see that God is already working in you by first giving you the desire to do something great for God and secondly giving you the power to bring that desire or dream to reality.
I want you to take a minute and really think about the desires and dreams that God has placed in your heart. Don’t let your brain get in the way and try to talk you out of it. Don’t think about your circumstances or what other people have told you. What is the biggest dream you could do, that would bring God the most glory?
Write it down and keep it in a place you look at often. It doesn’t need to be out in the open for everyone to see. It can be in your wallet, where you see it every time you’re at Wal-mart or in your Bible so you see it as you do your devotions.
Look at it each day and make an effort to do one thing to help reach that dream. It doesn’t have to be big…it just has to be a start.
There is a quote by Picasso that I love and I’ll leave you with…
“Inspiration Does Exist, but it must find you working.”
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