Saturday, May 29, 2010

Armor Bearers and Women's Ministry

There is a wonderful story in 1Samuel 14 where the Israelites were defeated by the Philistines and hiding in fear. Jonathan decided to go alone and fight the enemy. He told his armor bearer what he was planning, and the armor bearer answered him “Do all that is in your heart, I am with you heart and soul.” The two men went against a group of Philistines and started a chain reaction which resulted in a great victory.

Every spring I take a group of women away for a Women’s Ministry Leadership Retreat where we have times of fellowship, sharing, Bible study, a lot of prayer time, and planning Women’s ministry events for the next year.

How are these stories connected? There are women in my life and ministry who are “armor bearers”, always ready to do whatever is in my heart. I am so grateful for those women. Everyone needs someone who will say, Let’s Go, and not remind you that it might be hard and it might not work. We have a “yes” kind of atmosphere, so that when any of the women feel God has spoken to her about something, everyone is absolutely supportive. Rosella came with a burden to take a group of women to a conference in Ft Worth in the fall, Teressa wants to have a Mother-Daughter Luncheon (even though her only daughter lives in Georgia and won’t be here), Tara is planning outdoor events. It is so exciting to hear from a group of Godly women concerning the things He has put in their hearts, and then see everyone jump in to support and encourage.

So, all you ladies, get out your calendars and check out what we planned:
Canoe trip on the Brazos June 19
Mother/Daughter Luncheon July 24
Ladies camping trip July 17
Women’s Ministry Fall Kick Off Event August 23
Free Spa Day for Single Moms August 29
Fall Bible Studies on Monday night and Tuesday morning begins September 13
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David featuring Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur
Christmas Candlelight Celebration December 5

Spring events will be scheduled later, BUT, the annual Spring Retreat is March 4-5
Hope to see you at some of these events

Friday, May 21, 2010

Celebrating How He Loves Us

Sometimes I think a blog is kinda like a diary that is public. So, I have to write about Celebrate Recovery, because I can’t stop thinking about it. I have so much spiritual adrenaline in me right now, I can hardly stand it. My mind is saying, “He loves us, oh how He loves us…” We sang that song last night, led by my 60 year old husband, the most respectable man you would ever meet, careful, conservative…HE ROCKED. We all rocked. I was on the second row, and this group of about 40 people got so loud. We raised the roof. God is so good. His presence was overwhelming. Karen said, “I was crying and singing, I had chill bumps, I wanted to throw myself on the floor, but I couldn’t because I was running the sound.” (Good restraint, Karen). But it was that kind of night. As Aletha said, "can it get anymore awsomererr?"

We had a guest share her testimony, which was based on Psalm 34:17-18 THE RIGHTEOUS CRY OUT AND THE LORD HEARS THEM, HE DELIVERS THEM FROM ALL THEIR TROUBLES. THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED AND SAVES THOS WHO ARE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT!!!
We had several first timers (I don’t want to say visitors because that is not the way I think of them. When someone comes for the first time, I just think they are part of us, not visiting.)

After small group time, we gather for snacks and visiting. The room was full of laughter and talking. Vicki said, “It is so good to have friends again.” Never have I been in an atmosphere so charged with God’s Spirit, with love, and with joy.
Like Mendi said, “CR is always great, but there was something extra special about last night. And that husband of yours was on fire!"

"How He Loves"

Verse 1
He is jealous for me loves like a hurricane
I am a tree bending beneath
The weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I am unaware of
These afflictions eclipsed by glory
I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

Chorus 1
(Yeah) He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves
(REPEAT)

Verse 2
We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way that

He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

He loves us so
Oh how He loves us
How He loves us so
(REPEAT)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Entertaining Angels

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2-3

For our whole married life, we have always felt the call to open our home to basically anyone who needs a home. We have had over one hundred people stay in our home, some for as little as a week while between homes, some for several weeks while remodeling a house. We have had a number of college students live with us for a school year, and 2 high school exchange students. Some of these experiences have been pure joy. Some have been difficult, some pretty near impossible!

But, our lives have been so enriched by each experience. You develop deep relationships when you live in together, even if it is a short time. You really get to know each other; the good, the bad, and the ugly. God has used these experiences to build deep friendships, and also to show me the ugly things that are in me; and to live out the scripture, as in Romans 12:10-13 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

Our newest adventure begins next week. A friend is sending a young woman and her 3 year old son from another state to stay with us for a few weeks. They will arrive next Tuesday, for a time of rest and healing after going through a really difficult time.
We hope to offer her a refuge where she can be showered with the love of Jesus. Our mutual friend says she needs to be loved on, and no one can do that like Cottonwood Women!
Do I hear an AMEN?

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Still going strong


Carolyn Ross is an inspiration to everyone who knows her. She and her husband Gilbert spent 47 years living as missionaries in Mexico, where they poured out love and shared their life as well as the gospel with the people. They raised their five daughters there. Mexico was home to them until Gilbert began to have health issues and they moved into a little house they built next door to one of their daughters in Dublin. Eventually Gilbert had to go into a nursing home, where Carolyn visits him almost every day. After 47 years as a missionary, you might expect Carolyn to “retire”, but NO, she has such a heart to serve the Lord, she is still going strong.
Carolyn is one of my very closest friends, and she is one person I count on as advisor and supporter in Women’s Ministry. Although 78 years old, she is one of the first to sign up for any event; retreat, hike, Bible study, cooking meals, serving in any way. I told my daughter today that Carolyn has the biggest “yes” of anyone. Before I get the question out, she says, “Yes, I will,” with an absolute brilliant smile. She is at Bible study every week, as well as Monday lunches, and Wednesday night prayer meeting. Besides that, she teaches English as a Second Language at Cottonwood every Tuesday night, leads a Spanish speaking ladies Bible study, and helps teach a Spanish Sunday School class on Sunday mornings. She also serves as Secretary/Treasurer for the Dublin Sr. Citizens Center, and exercises there three mornings a week.
Carolyn is an absolute precious jewel and I am so grateful for her. You know what, besides all of that, she loves me. We spend a lot of time together, and she acts like she is the one being blessed! She is amazing.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Don't run out of steam

I am still digesting some things from yesterday. For those who were not at Cottonwood yesterday, we had a great day, getting ready to send a couple to minister long term in Asia. Mike Stroope reminded us that 10 years ago, we "adopted" a people group who basically had no access to hearing God's word, with no Christian presence and no Bible in their language. We committed to doing whatever we needed to do to live among them, build relationships with them, and give them the opportunity to know Jesus.
During that time, we have sent a number of people to live among the people for a a few years, and we have sent hundreds on short term trips. Now, we are getting ready to send Katie and Baxter to live there until God decides to bring them back.

So, since we have been on this course for 10 years, where do we stand?
When we first heard about the concept of a local church sending their own to other countries, and supporting them financially and personally, we said, "Yes" to God. We did not know exactly what that would look like or how it would work out, but we wanted to be obedient. Sometimes, it is easy to jump in, but hard to keep up momentum.

Luke 14:28-31
28 "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'

When you read that passage, do you automatically think he ran out of money? I just noticed yesterday that Jesus did not say money. I always assumed that was the "cost" he referred to, but the cost can be a lot of things. Why didn't the man finish the tower? Jesus just said he was not able to finish it. After the sermon, I kept thinking about that. It was easy to apply this passage to going to overseas. After some yearsof sending people, we needed a reminder that we have to finish the work.

I felt that there were more applications, though. I have put my "yes" on the altar for whatever God would call me to. As Mike said, we just say yes, and let God fill in the details. What if I don't like the way God fills it in? I have to believe that my yes still stands. I know that God has put some things on my heart, some of them are from many years ago. What if I get tired of doing the things that God has given me? I don't want to "run out" of energy, motivation, or heart, and not finish what God has sent me to build. The cost may be high to selfish desires. I may not have the time, energy, or money to do some things that I want to do. BUT the rewards are so great; new brothers and sisters, seeing people walk in freedom, new friendships, most of all, someday to hear my Lord say, "well done, good and faithful servant".

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

A time for every season

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
…He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart,
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

God said that there is a time for everything; things that we consider positive and things we think not so great. Life is made up of the good times and the bad times. But then, God says that He has made everything beautiful…everything. There are things on the list that we try to avoid. We like the times to heal, laugh, embrace, and dance; we see that they are beautiful. It is harder to see the beauty in the times to weep, mourn, hate, and die.

Yesterday, I helped my parents move from their home into a Senior Living Apartment. That was a really hard step for them to take. The season they are in is one they do not like. At 93 and 94, they have become weak and unable to do all the things they would like. My mother has problems in her hip and back that make it hard for her to stand or walk for long. They both just wear out quickly. For their age, they are in amazingly good condition, both physically and mentally, but they have lost the vigor and vitality of younger years and they forget names and details a lot. It is a season that is not pleasant, but, God says there is a time for this season. And, God says there is a beauty in it.

We can experience the beauty of EVERY season and every condition because God has put eternity into our hearts. The beauty of the bad experiences is that God is at work through them. Eternity in our hearts means that something of God is within us. This life is not all there is. God is working in this life to make us ready for the next life, which is the actual real life. The next life will be different. There will only be a time to live, to laugh, to dance, to embrace, to love, to keep, to build up.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day Meditations


I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.3 John 4

It is the evening of mother's day, and I have been thinking the last few days about being a mother. I LOVE being a mother. I was not always a really good mother. I made a lot of mistakes, and did not do everything right. I am so very grateful for God's amazing mercy and grace. I have four daughters who are absolutely amazing women. All four are married to wonderful men and, all together they have 8 children, but this post is about my girls. I hope it does not sound like I am boasting. My boast is in my Great God who has done more than I ever expected or deserved.

Libby is an outstanding nurse who cares for her patients with compassion and excellence. She has one biological son, and has adopted three children from Korea. She is an advocate for orphans around the world and helps educate people interested in adoption. She has the biggest heart and is eager to go anywhere in the world to minister to the poor, the orphan, the hurting, and the hungry.

Emily is creative and motivated, and is a teacher at heart. She is certified and has taught in a bunch of areas, but is now using her creativity teaching art. As a teacher, she goes out of her way to reach the students that are not easy; the ones at risk, those who lack parental support, the ones who need an extra push. She comes up with really new ways to make sure that special needs students are able to participate in her art classes. She also is the mother of three precious little girls.

Melody and her husband have chosen to obey the call to be foster parents. They have a georgeous daughter that they were able to adopt, but they also have a precious little boy they are loving and caring for until he is able to go back to his mother. Melody is sweet and tender and puts her heart on the line for the sake of children in need. She also chooses to use her experiences to minister to women who are struggling with infertility and miscarriage.

Katy has a "fire in her belly" for God and His work. She is gifted in the areas of communication and organization, and works in Women's Ministry at a large church. She is planning a trip to Greece with a ministry that helps to rescue women who are caught in human trafficking. Recently, she was part of a group of women who went to a strip club to give pedicures to the dancers. She is willing to go anywhere and do anything God tells her to do; always with enthusiasm.

My daughters are my friends. When the five of us are together, we stir each other up and plan how we are going to change the world. One of us will have an idea, and the others are ready to join in and help. Some of the ideas are a little crazy, some are a little too big, but I love that when we are together, the sky is the limit. No idea is too wild. If we cannot really carry out one idea, we will try something else. We all agree that we want to change the world.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Shopping Spree to Fight Slavery!


I have written posts a few times about the terrible problem of slavery and human trafficking. The problem is so bad and so big that it can be overwhelming. We want to run and hide and forget it, just go about our easy American consumer lives, but many of the products that we buy are produced using slave labor or child labor, or workers who are paid so minimally that they are almost slaves.

The US Department of Labor provides a list of goods that are produced by forced labor or child labor every year. From carpets and flowers produces by children in Afghanistan, garments made by children and slaves in Argentina, shoes made by children in Bangladesh and China, cattle and corn produces by slaves in Bolivia, fruit and sugar grown by children or slaves in Brazil, jade and rubies mined by child and forced labor in Burma, coffee and sugar grown by children in Colombia, down through the alphabetical list of nations, line after line of goods produced by children or slaves, through cotton from Uzbekistan. I could hardly believe the long list of perpetrators. You can see the whole list at
http://www.dol.gov/ilab/programs/ocft/PDF/2009TVPRA.pdf

We all like bargains. I have always been on a tight budget and if I can find something that is inexpensive, that is what I buy, but I will not support manufacturers who are using slaves or children for their profit if I can help it. One problem, though, is the cheap shirt I pick up at the discount store does not have tag that says, “Made by slaves”. A garment may have been made by union employees in Chicago, but the cotton could have been grown by chilren in Kazakhstan. The whole thing can be just too complicated.

Good news! There are places (and web sites) that sell only goods made under the Fair Trade Act, which guarantees that no children or slaves, or sweatshops were used. Ten Thousand Villages is a Fair Trade retailer. Fair trade provides under- and unemployed artisans with an opportunity to earn vital income and improve their quality of life by establishing a sustainable market for their handcrafted products. They have products that come from all over the world, handmade, and unique. I ordered some of the products. (Just to show support of course.) And they are all beautiful. The picture is not good, because my camera battery is dead and I cannot find the cord to charge it, so I used my phone, but you can get an idea. The pink bag cost $11.00, and the jewelry items shown ranged from $4.00 to $10.00. So, the prices are good, the products and good, and the cause is urgent. Check out the website. www.tenthousandvillages.com. There are a lot of websites that sell products, but this one had the most variety.

Bag, $11; necklace, $9; providing income that will keep someone out of slaver, priceless.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Enjoying God's Promises

I have been thinking a lot about God’s promises this week, and just celebrating all that God does for us. One of my favorite songs right now is “Promises” by Jon Egan.

Promises

All of Your promises won’t let go of me
All of Your promises won’t let go of me

I’ve surrendered my life to Your ways,
I have learned what it means to obey
Jesus my heart has been changed by You.

I am walking the path You have made,
I am seeking the truth every day,
Jesus my heart has been changed by You.

I couldn’t walk away if I tried
‘Cause Your love is better than life
The sun’s shining bright and it just won’t set
‘Cause Your love is alive and it lights my step
My heart is amazed everyday to the next
Your joy overtakes and I can’t forget about it

I especially love the first line, that God’s promises won’t let go of me. God’s promises are latched onto us and we cannot shake them off. Here are some of God’s promises that I have meditated on this week. I hope you enjoy them.

" Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27-28

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Tim 1:7

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:32

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Psalm 55:22

"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Luke 10:19

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16

Thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you. Isaiah 43:1-2


Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:37-38

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, Eph 1:5

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death Rom 8:1-2

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Cottonwood Summer of Service


"Don't look for big things, just do small things with great love...Mother Teresa

I have read that quote many times lately. I love what she said, and I find that very encouraging. So many times, Christians are waiting for and watching for the next "big thing". We need to value the small things that we all can do every day. I am asking myself the question, "How can I be the hands and feet of Jesus today?" The answer is by doing small things to share God’s love with those around me.

Our Women’s Ministry has made several efforts to reach our community through giving out small gifts with a card that tells about God’s love and has our contact information. Our Youth spent a week in New Orleans serving a neighborhood by helping out with home and yard projects. These are examples of practical ways we have shared God’s love with people.

This summer, the Cottonwood church staff is working together to bring the opportunity to reach out to our communities every Wednesday evening. We are planning to come together in three different groups to minister in different ways.

One group will come together to do some service projects that are preplanned for people who need the help; yard work or minor maintenance jobs. You may know some in the community who do not know Christ, or do not attend a church, who have some practical needs that we could help with; no large projects, just simple things that could be done in about an hour. If you do, please contact Chance Yankie, 254-485-6536, chanceyankie@yahoo.com.

Another group will come together to go out to the community for the purpose of evangelism; giving small gifts to show God’s love. If you have ideas about simple ways to go out and share with people contact Jeannette Maxwell, 254-485-6539, maxwells256@embarqmail.com.

A third group will do some planned visiting; those who are in the hospital or at home but ill. As the time comes near, and you know someone who needs a visit, in the hospital or nursing home or in their only homes, contact Scott Hooper, 254-485-6538, scott@cottonwoodtx.com.

I am very expectant and excited to see what God will do this summer.