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
Our purpose is to encourage women to pursue a growing, passionate relationship with Jesus Christ through support, fellowship and discipleship. We strive to provide many opportunities to help women grow in relationship with Christ; to live the abundant life that Jesus promised, a life of joy and freedom, and to have relationships that are healthy and fulfilling.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
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)
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?
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?
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