I have to tell you this past weekend was wonderful in the life of Roswell Street Baptist Church. Our church family began this wonderful season of celebrating the life of Christ with our Women's Brunch and Bazaar focusing on supporting the Crisis Pregnancy Center. Kim Buckner, Mary Ann Baker, and Suzy Thrasher all blessed us with the message of Christmas through their sharing of Christmas Tradition and their beautiful voices. How blessed are we to have such talent and willingness to use their gifts to Honor the King of Kings!
Spiritual Gifts have been on my mind a lot lately. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? I recently heard it described in a really easy way to understand. The Spiritual Gifts we have are usually strongest in a few areas, making it easy for the Body of Christ to work together as one. It's like going to a Covered Dish Dinner, where you get a little of this and a little of that on your plate but you get a little more of some others.....that's a picture of our spiritual gift. Pastor James MacDonald recently preached a series on "Finding Your Place" that I get on my podcast and he speaks about how important the balance of gifts is in the Body of Christ. He is so right. If we had a church where the gift of mercy was all we had, we would be floating in tears. The gift of mercy is important but it has to be balanced with the other gifts. If we had a church full of the gift of prophecy, we would have parched ground as the prophets speak so frankly about what they see and understand. There has to be balance.
The problem comes when people do not use their gifts in His service. I keep finding that there are so many of us that don't understand what our gifts are. We have a wonderful opportunity to learn about our Spiritual Gifts at RSBC through Place Ministries. Take advantage of that resource to learn about all the spiritual gifts, take a survey that will help point you in the right direction, and most of all, roll up your sleeves and go to work in the church. If it is your giftedness, you will know because you find in fulfilling and you are not stressed over and you will hear compliments from others. If you wind up serving in an area that is not your gift, don't give up - keep trying different things until you know....
I'm beginning to think the greatest gift you could give this Christmas season is using your Spiritual Gifts in service to Christ the King!
This Sunday is our Missions Sunday where our goal is $390,000 from our church family for Missions this next year. Consider giving in honor of someone else this year and send that person a card telling them you made that offering in their name as their Christmas Gift....what a wonderful gift to give when we have so much and missionaries around the world have the opportunities to give eternal life through their sacrificial service....
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
So, why do we study the Bible?
Do you? study the Bible?.... There was a time in my Christian life when Bible Study meant nothing to me, well... not a lot. I guess as a young Christian I either was not discipled to be in the Word and thought listening to the sermon on Sunday morning was good enough and then when I went to Sunday School....well, I was doing real good. Twice in a week I had been in the Bible. Although both of those are good and they give you the perspective of the preacher/teacher at least 52 times a year. Don't get me wrong, I believe that my Pastor and Sunday School teacher are annointed by God and the spirit of God in them teaches me a lot. But, there are a lot more days in the year and a lot more Bible that could be covered and should be covered by me. As one of my heroes in the Faith, Kay Arthur, teaches us we should discover God's truth for ourselves, in context.
I'm not sure quite how long ago (you know, some of us women measure time by our children's lives - so I don't remember which one was a baby, but one of them was), I had been back in church for a while and trying to walk the right way when I attended a Women's Retreat in Helen Georgia held by the women of our church. Our teacher for the weekend was Patti. She was one of the sweetest, most gentle women I had ever met and genuine in every way. She taught me that weekend about the "imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" from 1 Peter 3:4. I was astonished...I had never heard that scripture. That weekend I realized that being raised in church did not make me someone who understood the Word of God. I prayed that weekend for God to give me a hunger for His Word that I might know how He wished me to live.....it has been a wonderful journey of learning who He is and who I am in Him. My prayer for you is that you join me on the journey.
So, why do we study the Word? Here are a few reasons straight from the Word:
God's Word gives us faith:
So faith {comes} from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ Romans 10:17
God's Word gives us profit:
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2 Tim 3:16
God's Word gives us joy:
Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
God's Word gives us success:
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8
God's work gives us victory and strength over temptation:
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping {it} according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precept. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your words And regard Your ways. Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.
Psalm 119: 9-18
God's Word gives us direction:
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
God's Word gives us peace
"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 Peace
God's Word gives us value:
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:7-10
(all the emphasis is mine)
I heard James MacDonald preach on this from a podcast this morning. It made me stop and reflect again on the importance of the Word of God in my heart...... In fact, it has been with me all day and now I get to share it with you during lunch.
Where are you in the Word? Time to get on the train girlfriend and learn the Word, put it in your heart and in the hearts of your children - not just on Sunday but every day of the week...who has time for that you ask? God will find you the time if you will be faithful. He is worth spending more time reading His love letter to you....
I'm not sure quite how long ago (you know, some of us women measure time by our children's lives - so I don't remember which one was a baby, but one of them was), I had been back in church for a while and trying to walk the right way when I attended a Women's Retreat in Helen Georgia held by the women of our church. Our teacher for the weekend was Patti. She was one of the sweetest, most gentle women I had ever met and genuine in every way. She taught me that weekend about the "imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" from 1 Peter 3:4. I was astonished...I had never heard that scripture. That weekend I realized that being raised in church did not make me someone who understood the Word of God. I prayed that weekend for God to give me a hunger for His Word that I might know how He wished me to live.....it has been a wonderful journey of learning who He is and who I am in Him. My prayer for you is that you join me on the journey.
So, why do we study the Word? Here are a few reasons straight from the Word:
God's Word gives us faith:
So faith {comes} from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ Romans 10:17
God's Word gives us profit:
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2 Tim 3:16
God's Word gives us joy:
Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
God's Word gives us success:
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8
God's work gives us victory and strength over temptation:
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping {it} according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precept. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your words And regard Your ways. Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.
Psalm 119: 9-18
God's Word gives us direction:
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
God's Word gives us peace
"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 Peace
God's Word gives us value:
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:7-10
(all the emphasis is mine)
I heard James MacDonald preach on this from a podcast this morning. It made me stop and reflect again on the importance of the Word of God in my heart...... In fact, it has been with me all day and now I get to share it with you during lunch.
Where are you in the Word? Time to get on the train girlfriend and learn the Word, put it in your heart and in the hearts of your children - not just on Sunday but every day of the week...who has time for that you ask? God will find you the time if you will be faithful. He is worth spending more time reading His love letter to you....
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Tell Your Stories
Psalm 145:1-7
I will extol You, my God, O King,
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Everyday I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
it says, "one generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts"
Do you?
Do you tell your children, grandchildren, other people about how God has worked wonders in your life?
Let me encourage you to tell your stories. Tell of God's mighty acts in your life and the lives of those that you love.
It is time to tell stories and share the majesty and wonder of our God to all those we come in contact with......
Tell me your stories.....
AMAZED!
I will extol You, my God, O King,
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Everyday I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
it says, "one generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts"
Do you?
Do you tell your children, grandchildren, other people about how God has worked wonders in your life?
Let me encourage you to tell your stories. Tell of God's mighty acts in your life and the lives of those that you love.
It is time to tell stories and share the majesty and wonder of our God to all those we come in contact with......
Tell me your stories.....
AMAZED!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
What's Going On in the Womens' Ministry
A LOT!
You know, women do really know how to cook and for those of us who are too busy to cook, there will always be Gabriel's Desserts. Our dinner last evening was wonderful with Lisa Baynes sharing about her first foreign mission trip this summer to Brazil and how God not only pushed her completely out of her comfort zone but also placed her in a classroom of children where she share "her story" about not having her earthly Father in her life as a small child but that her Heavenly Father filled that void and loved her. Lisa had no way of knowing until after sharing her story that most if the kids int he room did not know or have an earthly Father in their life. Many prayed to receive Christ as Savior that day! Lisa who was uncomfortable with the idea of sharing in front of the room, did a beautiful job sharing her heart with us last night. Thank you Lisa! Peter Cunningham then shared with us about the upcoming mission trip in October to Guatemala and we found out that we could help theme by gathering simple school supplies for them to take to the children there...So, look for a basket on or near the Women's Ministry table until October 17th and let's fill it with pencils, crayons, little scissors, pencil sharpeners, markers, glue sticks, small coloring books, etc.
Do you receive my emails weekly about what is going on? Send me an email to be added to my list at genaleal@comcast.net
You know, women do really know how to cook and for those of us who are too busy to cook, there will always be Gabriel's Desserts. Our dinner last evening was wonderful with Lisa Baynes sharing about her first foreign mission trip this summer to Brazil and how God not only pushed her completely out of her comfort zone but also placed her in a classroom of children where she share "her story" about not having her earthly Father in her life as a small child but that her Heavenly Father filled that void and loved her. Lisa had no way of knowing until after sharing her story that most if the kids int he room did not know or have an earthly Father in their life. Many prayed to receive Christ as Savior that day! Lisa who was uncomfortable with the idea of sharing in front of the room, did a beautiful job sharing her heart with us last night. Thank you Lisa! Peter Cunningham then shared with us about the upcoming mission trip in October to Guatemala and we found out that we could help theme by gathering simple school supplies for them to take to the children there...So, look for a basket on or near the Women's Ministry table until October 17th and let's fill it with pencils, crayons, little scissors, pencil sharpeners, markers, glue sticks, small coloring books, etc.
Do you receive my emails weekly about what is going on? Send me an email to be added to my list at genaleal@comcast.net
Friday, August 31, 2007
Women's Ministry Kick-Off August 26th
Ladies,
I would love some feedback on the event we had on the 26th. I was really pleased with several things:
The Leadership Teams put a lot of thought into the Ministry Tables to help everyone understand their purpose - thank you ladies!
Mary Ann Baker has one of the most magnificent voices! Mary Ann blessed my socks off with "It is Well with My Soul". Her range is amazing and her tone crystal clear....Thank you Mary Ann for sharing your tremndous gift with us - (The choir practices on Wednesday night from 6:30-8:00pm - I am looking for you there soon!)
Mary Kay Beard - what a sweet friend she has been to me for the past 15 years now - I am so blessed to share her story of God's grace and mercy in her life with you all. Her website is www.marykaybeard.com if you want to keep in touch or to encourage her at any time.... You can also order her book Rogue Angel there.
The tables were magnificent! Even when it is simple picnic fare, the women of Roswell Street Baptist know how to throw a party...what beautiful tables!!! thank you ladies....
Our food was out of this world! What talented women we had in the kitchen! Thank you ladies... Next time we'll add at least one more food line and maybe two to be able to fill up our plates and move forward with the program.
I had one suggestion that we open up our ministry booths at least 30 minutes prior to our next event because women felt they didn't have time to visit them all. We'll do that!
Now, it's your turn - what did you like? what would you change? what is your DREAM for our Special Events and for our ministry to meet women where they are, equip them and excite them about the Word of God?
I would love some feedback on the event we had on the 26th. I was really pleased with several things:
The Leadership Teams put a lot of thought into the Ministry Tables to help everyone understand their purpose - thank you ladies!
Mary Ann Baker has one of the most magnificent voices! Mary Ann blessed my socks off with "It is Well with My Soul". Her range is amazing and her tone crystal clear....Thank you Mary Ann for sharing your tremndous gift with us - (The choir practices on Wednesday night from 6:30-8:00pm - I am looking for you there soon!)
Mary Kay Beard - what a sweet friend she has been to me for the past 15 years now - I am so blessed to share her story of God's grace and mercy in her life with you all. Her website is www.marykaybeard.com if you want to keep in touch or to encourage her at any time.... You can also order her book Rogue Angel there.
The tables were magnificent! Even when it is simple picnic fare, the women of Roswell Street Baptist know how to throw a party...what beautiful tables!!! thank you ladies....
Our food was out of this world! What talented women we had in the kitchen! Thank you ladies... Next time we'll add at least one more food line and maybe two to be able to fill up our plates and move forward with the program.
I had one suggestion that we open up our ministry booths at least 30 minutes prior to our next event because women felt they didn't have time to visit them all. We'll do that!
Now, it's your turn - what did you like? what would you change? what is your DREAM for our Special Events and for our ministry to meet women where they are, equip them and excite them about the Word of God?
Blogs......
You know one of the reasons I love BLOGS? Because they can make you stop long enough to reflect on teh glory of Almighty God - I went to James McDonald's blog just a few minutes ago and read what he ahd written a couple of days ago about his prayer that day and most days...I want to share it:
My Prayer TodayPosted by James MacDonald on August 29, 2007 07:43 AM
Here's a prayer I pray in some way almost every single day. When I don't, I wish I had. Pray with me today . . .
Ephesians 5:18, Be filled with the Spirit.
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today. I can't fix yesterday, and tomorrow seems a long way off.
Today, Lord: Cleanse my heart from the fleshly residue of yesterday's fallen humanity.
Today, Lord: Scrub my thoughts and motives till they shine with singularity - wanting Your glory alone.
Today, Lord: Wash me and I will be whiter than snow, purposed afresh to follow Your footsteps.
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today. The tasks ahead are too much. If I must go alone, I cannot go at all.
Today, Lord: I'm not smart enough to know what is best, and not strong enough to choose what is righteous.
Today, Lord: My wife, my family, my friends, my church . . . I am not sufficient for these things, and I know it.
Today, Lord: Or what unfolds in the hours ahead will fade into the abyss of worthless, wasted time.
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit right now. Come, make these 24 hours all You created them to be.
Now, Lord: You know how to 'give good gifts' and I am so thankful to be called Your child.
Now, Lord: By faith, I receive the Presence You've promised, and delight to know that Your Word is true.
Now, Lord: You are filling my life with peace and purpose and freeing my soul to sing.
Galatians 5:16, 22, Walk then in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of your flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control.
Have a great day,
james
Did it make you stop and think about how you pray? It did me. It made me want to be sure that I talk to my best friend that way everyday, that I seek to fulfill all that He has for me to do and that I do it walking in the spirit and showing the fruit of the spirit as I go. Oh, I do lack just that on many days. Pray for me that I might be faithful to walk in the spirit....as I pray the same for you!
My Prayer TodayPosted by James MacDonald on August 29, 2007 07:43 AM
Here's a prayer I pray in some way almost every single day. When I don't, I wish I had. Pray with me today . . .
Ephesians 5:18, Be filled with the Spirit.
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today. I can't fix yesterday, and tomorrow seems a long way off.
Today, Lord: Cleanse my heart from the fleshly residue of yesterday's fallen humanity.
Today, Lord: Scrub my thoughts and motives till they shine with singularity - wanting Your glory alone.
Today, Lord: Wash me and I will be whiter than snow, purposed afresh to follow Your footsteps.
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today. The tasks ahead are too much. If I must go alone, I cannot go at all.
Today, Lord: I'm not smart enough to know what is best, and not strong enough to choose what is righteous.
Today, Lord: My wife, my family, my friends, my church . . . I am not sufficient for these things, and I know it.
Today, Lord: Or what unfolds in the hours ahead will fade into the abyss of worthless, wasted time.
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit right now. Come, make these 24 hours all You created them to be.
Now, Lord: You know how to 'give good gifts' and I am so thankful to be called Your child.
Now, Lord: By faith, I receive the Presence You've promised, and delight to know that Your Word is true.
Now, Lord: You are filling my life with peace and purpose and freeing my soul to sing.
Galatians 5:16, 22, Walk then in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of your flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control.
Have a great day,
james
Did it make you stop and think about how you pray? It did me. It made me want to be sure that I talk to my best friend that way everyday, that I seek to fulfill all that He has for me to do and that I do it walking in the spirit and showing the fruit of the spirit as I go. Oh, I do lack just that on many days. Pray for me that I might be faithful to walk in the spirit....as I pray the same for you!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Saturated in the WORD
WOW! I spent the weekend at the National Conference for Precept Ministries International in Chattanooga. We didn't get there until late Friday evening and missed Kay Arthur receiving a Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from her alma mater Temple University. What an honor and one that was richly deserved. Congratualtions Dr. Kay!
The National Conference is for me a refueling station in my year. An opportunity to be "saturated" in the Word of God. And, you can trust that opinion is not on the platform when it's a Precept Conference, it's the Word of God. Thank you Jack and Kay and all the wonderful staff members that work so tirelessly on that weekend each year. If you are interested in getting tickets for next year go to www.precept.org - they are moving the conference back to the beginning of summer since school has been starting so much earlier.
I enjoyed each speaker but I enjoyed the Word of God from them the most. Can't you tell when a preacher/teacher gets up and starts whether or not they have had a fresh WORD from God? Pastors and Teachers who spend time in the Word studying the Word of God regularly, daily are to be applauded as the faithful gifts that they are to the Body of Christ...
Chip Ingram taught us Ten Practices that Great Christians Have in Common. It is late so I won't go into detail tonight but will later. You think about these and comment back please. The are:
1. Think Great Thoughts
2, Read Great Books
3. Oursue Great People
4. Dream, Great Dreams
5. Pray Gret Prayers
6. Take Great Risks
7. Make Great Sacrifices
8. Enjoy Great Moments
9, Empower Great People
10. Develop Great Habits
Concur?/....................................................................................
The National Conference is for me a refueling station in my year. An opportunity to be "saturated" in the Word of God. And, you can trust that opinion is not on the platform when it's a Precept Conference, it's the Word of God. Thank you Jack and Kay and all the wonderful staff members that work so tirelessly on that weekend each year. If you are interested in getting tickets for next year go to www.precept.org - they are moving the conference back to the beginning of summer since school has been starting so much earlier.
I enjoyed each speaker but I enjoyed the Word of God from them the most. Can't you tell when a preacher/teacher gets up and starts whether or not they have had a fresh WORD from God? Pastors and Teachers who spend time in the Word studying the Word of God regularly, daily are to be applauded as the faithful gifts that they are to the Body of Christ...
Chip Ingram taught us Ten Practices that Great Christians Have in Common. It is late so I won't go into detail tonight but will later. You think about these and comment back please. The are:
1. Think Great Thoughts
2, Read Great Books
3. Oursue Great People
4. Dream, Great Dreams
5. Pray Gret Prayers
6. Take Great Risks
7. Make Great Sacrifices
8. Enjoy Great Moments
9, Empower Great People
10. Develop Great Habits
Concur?/....................................................................................
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Still Time
This summer has been wonderful for me and my family. We just returned from our vacation at the beach. We don't do much on vacation when I get my way. This year was my vacation for sure. I just sat on the beach for 5 days with a good book that I read from cover to cover, napped some, dipped my toes in the water occasionally but mainly just sat quietly and listened. Listened to the most peaceful sound to me and that is waves crashing on the shore, It's like each wave settles a piece of my being into comfortable stillness. It clears my head that tends to run in so many directions at once. It settles my body as I don't seek to meet too many people's expectations but just be still.
So many times over the years since God called me to Women's Ministry, I would be ready to roll wide open with an idea or a plan and God would put Psalm 46:10 in front of me: "Be still and know that I am God" He would sit me down again at His feet and teach me in that stillness. They were wonderful times, heart wrenching times, loving times, times of discipline but always still times. I continue to need more "still times".
We are too busy. We do not take time to sit and be still and listen to His voice in the silence. Have you ever stopped long enough to sit still, turn off all possible noise in your life (radio, tv, friends, facebook, cell phones, and on and on and on), openly share your worship and admiration for who God is - glorifying His name. Then, humbly ask Him to tell you what He wants from you....then with a pen and a piece of paper write down your thoughts as He talks to you not later but right then in that stillness, write all that comes to your mind, write freely and openly and humbly as God reveals His plans for you....
Of course, your relationship with Him will take you to different places....your walk....your confessions of sins....your forgiveness of others....your repentance meaning to truly walk away from that sin that keeps nagging at you - that all plays into our hearing our Father clearly....
Take all you've written when God is done and test it with scripture....bathe it in prayer....trust in His Holiness.....don't just talk to Him. Sit in stillness and know He is God.
I can sit here at the computer tonight and close my eyes and hear the ocean. I wonder if I can hear His voice tonight....can you?
Oh, how He loves you - Oh, how He loves me - Oh how He loves you and me.......sweet listening; it's better than sweet dreams!
May God bless you and your family richly with still time....still time with God... May He redeem your time and the use of it so that you will allot Him more time....May you each be blessed by the time to honor and glorify our King with the desire to serve Him and to serve others...May God bless you as you come in and as you go out....May He abudantly provide you with "still time".
So many times over the years since God called me to Women's Ministry, I would be ready to roll wide open with an idea or a plan and God would put Psalm 46:10 in front of me: "Be still and know that I am God" He would sit me down again at His feet and teach me in that stillness. They were wonderful times, heart wrenching times, loving times, times of discipline but always still times. I continue to need more "still times".
We are too busy. We do not take time to sit and be still and listen to His voice in the silence. Have you ever stopped long enough to sit still, turn off all possible noise in your life (radio, tv, friends, facebook, cell phones, and on and on and on), openly share your worship and admiration for who God is - glorifying His name. Then, humbly ask Him to tell you what He wants from you....then with a pen and a piece of paper write down your thoughts as He talks to you not later but right then in that stillness, write all that comes to your mind, write freely and openly and humbly as God reveals His plans for you....
Of course, your relationship with Him will take you to different places....your walk....your confessions of sins....your forgiveness of others....your repentance meaning to truly walk away from that sin that keeps nagging at you - that all plays into our hearing our Father clearly....
Take all you've written when God is done and test it with scripture....bathe it in prayer....trust in His Holiness.....don't just talk to Him. Sit in stillness and know He is God.
I can sit here at the computer tonight and close my eyes and hear the ocean. I wonder if I can hear His voice tonight....can you?
Oh, how He loves you - Oh, how He loves me - Oh how He loves you and me.......sweet listening; it's better than sweet dreams!
May God bless you and your family richly with still time....still time with God... May He redeem your time and the use of it so that you will allot Him more time....May you each be blessed by the time to honor and glorify our King with the desire to serve Him and to serve others...May God bless you as you come in and as you go out....May He abudantly provide you with "still time".
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Stop and Evaluate Our Priorities
"I have a burden." I've heard those words many times in my life and I've equated them to a heaviness in the spirit, something that is really tugging at your heart, something that needs your full attention, something that is eating at the very center of your existence. I've heard others say that about their children when they are not walking in the way that they should or who have chosen the wrong path. I'm sure there were many years that my parents had a heavy burden in relationship to how I've walked at times (this is where I need to stop and Praise our Holy God for His grace and mercy to love the unlovely to love me regardless of my actions and to forgive me forever - not just for a little while but forever when I repent ((say I'm sorry, mean it, and walk away from it))
A burden.....what is your burden is it something not going right in your life, is it a hurt or a forgiveness that has not been forthcoming, is it a lack of understanding by someone you love - when you try and try to explain your feelings all you hear back is argument and more pain? As difficult as it is to walk in the spirit in those times, we must. We must realize who our Father is and how much He loves us and how His love letter (The Bible) will explain and cover every issue and every need. We must trust Him completely and stop trying to handle things in our own might. That would be one of my burdens - letting God handle the things I know in my head that He will handle perfectly without me in the way and yet I so want to take it up and handle it myself. As a true southern girl would say, "Fix it; I just need to fix it" Only the Creator can "fix it" and his "fix" might not be the same way I would want to, but His way will be the right way, the perfect way.
Do you know what I wanna fix? I wish I could wave a wand and fill the altar of our chuech of all churches with the Body of Christ on their knees, humble before a Holy God crying out for the souls of our nation and our world, crying out for the souls of our brothers and sisters, cyring out for the souls of our neighbors and our church members.
We MUST come back to prayer. Where did we get the idea that it was okay to start anything without talking to our Holy God first? Where did we turn away from prayer. When I was in High School, my basketball Coach had prayer with us before every game. Coach Ken Harris from Sprayberry High School was a light to me in that dark world of High School. He is still a light in our community. We all talk about how prayer was taken from school but we are lost in knowing how to turn it around and yet as we walk aimlessly through life without prayer where we need it, radical, false religions are growing at monumental rates and threatening our peace of mind and our safety because we've forgotten how important prayer is.
Pray with me....please pray with me that we would get on our knees and ask God to direct our every thought, step, and deed. I remember as a child Wednesday night prayer meeting at our little church in the country. The saints of God would fill the altar on their knees and pray to God with all their hearts and without shame as they cried to their Father about broken hearts, broken lives, and for revival in our community. Revival would break out in those altars. A renewal of dedication and service to Jesus Christ would be evident on those faces as they stood and hugged each other after an hour or so in prayer...An HOUR??? We can't pray now but a few minues and we feel awkward and don't know what to say to our best friend, the creator of the Universe who desires your and my companionship.
Remember how God walked through the Garden in the cool of the day looking for Adam and Eve to talk to them? Think of how that would be today. Then, stop, kneel before Him and ask Him to walk in the garden with you today. And sit quietly in His presence as He reveals to you what He wants you to hear from Him. Let's just pray for communion - a time with Him.
My burden is prayer.....prayer from the church (the people) body....communion - true communion with God. Prayer for our leaders, our staff at RSBC, for each other, for our nation, our Pastor, our President, our Deacons, our lives....
Will you pray with me?
A burden.....what is your burden is it something not going right in your life, is it a hurt or a forgiveness that has not been forthcoming, is it a lack of understanding by someone you love - when you try and try to explain your feelings all you hear back is argument and more pain? As difficult as it is to walk in the spirit in those times, we must. We must realize who our Father is and how much He loves us and how His love letter (The Bible) will explain and cover every issue and every need. We must trust Him completely and stop trying to handle things in our own might. That would be one of my burdens - letting God handle the things I know in my head that He will handle perfectly without me in the way and yet I so want to take it up and handle it myself. As a true southern girl would say, "Fix it; I just need to fix it" Only the Creator can "fix it" and his "fix" might not be the same way I would want to, but His way will be the right way, the perfect way.
Do you know what I wanna fix? I wish I could wave a wand and fill the altar of our chuech of all churches with the Body of Christ on their knees, humble before a Holy God crying out for the souls of our nation and our world, crying out for the souls of our brothers and sisters, cyring out for the souls of our neighbors and our church members.
We MUST come back to prayer. Where did we get the idea that it was okay to start anything without talking to our Holy God first? Where did we turn away from prayer. When I was in High School, my basketball Coach had prayer with us before every game. Coach Ken Harris from Sprayberry High School was a light to me in that dark world of High School. He is still a light in our community. We all talk about how prayer was taken from school but we are lost in knowing how to turn it around and yet as we walk aimlessly through life without prayer where we need it, radical, false religions are growing at monumental rates and threatening our peace of mind and our safety because we've forgotten how important prayer is.
Pray with me....please pray with me that we would get on our knees and ask God to direct our every thought, step, and deed. I remember as a child Wednesday night prayer meeting at our little church in the country. The saints of God would fill the altar on their knees and pray to God with all their hearts and without shame as they cried to their Father about broken hearts, broken lives, and for revival in our community. Revival would break out in those altars. A renewal of dedication and service to Jesus Christ would be evident on those faces as they stood and hugged each other after an hour or so in prayer...An HOUR??? We can't pray now but a few minues and we feel awkward and don't know what to say to our best friend, the creator of the Universe who desires your and my companionship.
Remember how God walked through the Garden in the cool of the day looking for Adam and Eve to talk to them? Think of how that would be today. Then, stop, kneel before Him and ask Him to walk in the garden with you today. And sit quietly in His presence as He reveals to you what He wants you to hear from Him. Let's just pray for communion - a time with Him.
My burden is prayer.....prayer from the church (the people) body....communion - true communion with God. Prayer for our leaders, our staff at RSBC, for each other, for our nation, our Pastor, our President, our Deacons, our lives....
Will you pray with me?
Friday, July 6, 2007
Colossians 3 - How we are to live....as Christians
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life,is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed which amounts to idolatry.
For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience
and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them
But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with it's evil practices,
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-
renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumsised and uncircumsised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another and forgiving each other whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you
Beyond all things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Whatever yo do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
Colossians 3 - are you living it? This morning God has revelaed to me some areas in my life that I need to die to....how about you?
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life,is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed which amounts to idolatry.
For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience
and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them
But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with it's evil practices,
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-
renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumsised and uncircumsised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another and forgiving each other whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you
Beyond all things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Whatever yo do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
Colossians 3 - are you living it? This morning God has revelaed to me some areas in my life that I need to die to....how about you?
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Granddaddy Whittled
Life is so full of things to take care of and we seem to move at break neck speed. I'm tired of it. I want to slow down and ponder. Do you ever do that? Do you stop the busy-ness of life long enough to think about the importance of all that goes on around us...or the lack of importance?
Sometimes I ponder whether or not I am getting old becaue I am thinking that way! Sometimes I wish I had done that more early in life. Took a day away from running in wide open speed and just spent it talking to God about the truly important things of life.
When I was younger, my Grandaddy Cook came to live with us some of the time. He would stay a few months with us and then go back to Alabama to stay there a while. He was not a man of many words. But even though he had begun to slow down his pace in life, he still kept his hands busy....the old "idle hands are the devil's workshop", I guess.... He used to find wood out in the woods to whittle.
Do you know what whittling is? I don't guess that happens much anymore. It's like so many things in our society, the craftsmanship is going away or being imported from other countries. It makes me sad. He would carve with his pocket knife. He kept that knife sharp with a whet stone (probably never heard of that either). He would carve animals or whistles, or whip handles. He used to find some kind of small tree growing and he would cut it down, peel back the bark in strips, cut out the middle of the tree between the bark strips, and then weave the bark into a whip. I can tell you that was an awesome toy for us - of course, we would tear each other up with them when no one was looking...... I've started rambling.
I would sit and watch Grandaddy and ask him questions as he whittled. Sometimes he would answer patiently but sometimes he would send me on my way so he could think. I think those were his times with the LORD. I think he pondered life and all that he had been through with the depression, the dust bowl in Texas, a house full of young children to raise when his wife died....I think he pondered how good the LORD had been to him to give him an old mule named Dick who lived 40 years and plowed most of them. What a blessing that old mule was to him and his family. And, when he thought about how his baby daughter had such a traumatic head injury as an infant, the docotrs said she would be a vegetable....but God was at work and that baby is my Mother - a precious woman. I think he talked to God...I know he talked to him when he really was sick....I could hear him praying out loud...
Do you ever stop to ponder where you've come from and how the LORD has blessed you? Do you ever talk to the LORD so that your children hear you? or your grandchildren?
Grandaddy didn't say much but He was a mighty big man in my life. He could make anything with his hands. He loved his family and he spent time pondering and listening to the LORD. Grandaddy prayed so that this grandchild heard him. He's been home now for more than 35 years.
One day, I will see him again.....and I'll bet I get to sit and watch him whittle as he continues to ponder all that the LORD continues to do for him.......
My prayer tonight is that you have the assurance you will soend eternity with your loved ones who have gone ahead of you to Heaven. You can only do that if you have a personal relationship with Jesus. You can leave me a comment if you want to know more about that relationship and I'll answer you....
God so loved the world, that He gave His only son (as a sacrifice) that whoever believes in Him won't die forever but have eternal life in Heaven after this life. It's like Grandaddy's carvings, God takes us like we are and makes us into a new creation by whittling away those things that are not of Him once you trust Him with you life by telling Him that you know you are a sinner (someone who doesn't do the right things), asking Him to forgive for those things you've done that weren't right, aksing Him to be the LORD of your life and walking away from those things like the new person in Him...
Sometimes I ponder whether or not I am getting old becaue I am thinking that way! Sometimes I wish I had done that more early in life. Took a day away from running in wide open speed and just spent it talking to God about the truly important things of life.
When I was younger, my Grandaddy Cook came to live with us some of the time. He would stay a few months with us and then go back to Alabama to stay there a while. He was not a man of many words. But even though he had begun to slow down his pace in life, he still kept his hands busy....the old "idle hands are the devil's workshop", I guess.... He used to find wood out in the woods to whittle.
Do you know what whittling is? I don't guess that happens much anymore. It's like so many things in our society, the craftsmanship is going away or being imported from other countries. It makes me sad. He would carve with his pocket knife. He kept that knife sharp with a whet stone (probably never heard of that either). He would carve animals or whistles, or whip handles. He used to find some kind of small tree growing and he would cut it down, peel back the bark in strips, cut out the middle of the tree between the bark strips, and then weave the bark into a whip. I can tell you that was an awesome toy for us - of course, we would tear each other up with them when no one was looking...... I've started rambling.
I would sit and watch Grandaddy and ask him questions as he whittled. Sometimes he would answer patiently but sometimes he would send me on my way so he could think. I think those were his times with the LORD. I think he pondered life and all that he had been through with the depression, the dust bowl in Texas, a house full of young children to raise when his wife died....I think he pondered how good the LORD had been to him to give him an old mule named Dick who lived 40 years and plowed most of them. What a blessing that old mule was to him and his family. And, when he thought about how his baby daughter had such a traumatic head injury as an infant, the docotrs said she would be a vegetable....but God was at work and that baby is my Mother - a precious woman. I think he talked to God...I know he talked to him when he really was sick....I could hear him praying out loud...
Do you ever stop to ponder where you've come from and how the LORD has blessed you? Do you ever talk to the LORD so that your children hear you? or your grandchildren?
Grandaddy didn't say much but He was a mighty big man in my life. He could make anything with his hands. He loved his family and he spent time pondering and listening to the LORD. Grandaddy prayed so that this grandchild heard him. He's been home now for more than 35 years.
One day, I will see him again.....and I'll bet I get to sit and watch him whittle as he continues to ponder all that the LORD continues to do for him.......
My prayer tonight is that you have the assurance you will soend eternity with your loved ones who have gone ahead of you to Heaven. You can only do that if you have a personal relationship with Jesus. You can leave me a comment if you want to know more about that relationship and I'll answer you....
God so loved the world, that He gave His only son (as a sacrifice) that whoever believes in Him won't die forever but have eternal life in Heaven after this life. It's like Grandaddy's carvings, God takes us like we are and makes us into a new creation by whittling away those things that are not of Him once you trust Him with you life by telling Him that you know you are a sinner (someone who doesn't do the right things), asking Him to forgive for those things you've done that weren't right, aksing Him to be the LORD of your life and walking away from those things like the new person in Him...
Monday, July 2, 2007
Kay Arthur is coming this Friday
Are you planning to come?
International Bible teacher and five-time Gold Medallion award-winning author Kay Arthur founded Precept Ministries International with her husband Jack in 1970 with the vision to establish people in God’s Word. Today God is using Precept Ministries to reach more than 140 countries with inductive Bible studies translated into more than 65 languages. Kay is also the teacher and host of Precepts for Life, a radio and television program, which reaches a worldwide viewing audience of over 94 million, teaching them how to discover Truth for themselves. Kay has authored more than 100 books and Bible studies and shares the office of Precept CEO with Jack. The Arthur's live in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
7PM at Roswell Street Baptist Church - arrive early for good seating - I hope you'll all come....
Please let us know how you feel about events like this one and give us feedback about what you learn Friday night. Let me hear your thoughts and share anything God reveals to you during the time Kay teaches us on Understanding the Times and Knowing How to Live in these Days...
I am so excited as we get closer to this wonderful event!
International Bible teacher and five-time Gold Medallion award-winning author Kay Arthur founded Precept Ministries International with her husband Jack in 1970 with the vision to establish people in God’s Word. Today God is using Precept Ministries to reach more than 140 countries with inductive Bible studies translated into more than 65 languages. Kay is also the teacher and host of Precepts for Life, a radio and television program, which reaches a worldwide viewing audience of over 94 million, teaching them how to discover Truth for themselves. Kay has authored more than 100 books and Bible studies and shares the office of Precept CEO with Jack. The Arthur's live in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
7PM at Roswell Street Baptist Church - arrive early for good seating - I hope you'll all come....
Please let us know how you feel about events like this one and give us feedback about what you learn Friday night. Let me hear your thoughts and share anything God reveals to you during the time Kay teaches us on Understanding the Times and Knowing How to Live in these Days...
I am so excited as we get closer to this wonderful event!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Are you a scoffer?
Walk, Stand or Sit
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
You know, I've heard that Eileen Dover is trying to setup a prayer chain. I just think that is ridiculous. You can't have prayer chains anymore; they just become gossip lines for people to talk about others troubles. They never serve a purpose anymore.
I know, and that Dover lady is trying to hold a big event here at the church next Saturday to reach out to our new neighbors in the community. Why, I'll just bet you noone comes. What a waste of money to send out all those postcards. I wonder how much it cost. Who in their right mind will take the time to spend an entire day trying to learn about the Bible.
The conversation between these two scoffers could be very real to some of you. Have you ever participated in "scoffing"?
The dictionary says "To mock or treat with derision. To treat of express derisively; mock. An expression of derision or scorn. Derision is "an object of ridicule or a laughingstock."
Ever ridiculed the sermon, the Sunday School teacher, the Deacon, the people serving God with all their hearts?
Ever think you would have handled it better than someone else but didn't offer to help? maybe just talked about how it was done wrong?
My, we do love to talk about others and tear down what others are doing, don't we? Let's be completely honest: there are just some of us that could do everything better than anyone else, to hear us talk.
Scoffer!
God has a remedy for your ailment. Look at the next line in scripture.....it tells you what to do......it tells what the cure is to what ails you - that scoffing will come to an end if you take that advice.
Hey, it's the Word of God - our map to life. Believe me it is absolutely, without a doubt - totally and completely accurate.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night
P.S. Read your Bible and learn to delight in the law of the Lord - think about it all day and all night..........
Father, God may my words glorify you in all that is said. May you grant me Your grace to be a positive influence and not a negative one in the lives of others. God, help us all to be increasingly grateful for your bountiful blessing and let our mouths speak words of gratitude continually...
Amen
What is your passion?
I've been contemplating a good bit lately...wondering what the women of Roswell Street are thinking about....what your passion is...how does God fit into your life? what do you see as your ministry? do you think you have a ministry? do you feel too rushed and too busy to take time out for Him?
It's hard to say sometimes because many of us have different aspects of life that seem to capture our attention and then become our passion for a short time. I wonder at how quickly that can change based on our circumstances.
We've been dreaming BIG in the women's ministry for a few months now and we've watched in amazement as God equips one ministry after another and how He brings different people to different functions and we seem to be connecting two or three at a time. Which is wonderful because that is how you build relationships and I believe building relational bridges is the basis for reaching not only our sisters in Christ but also our future sisters in Christ.
In the survey that many of the women completed early in the year, you said you wanted fellowship time and yet the time we've set aside to try to accomplish that is not well attended yet. We need your feedback: why? How can we get together monthly, without much ado, and still fellowship and get to know each other better? Share your thoughts, please...
The small groups are growing so that we may need to add new ones soon. If you are not involved in one and are interested in doing so, please contact Zenita Beeler zenitabeeler@roswellstreet.com or me genaleal@comcast.net and we will hook you up with a small group....
Please be mindful of the announcements. Our Quarterly Covered Dish dinner is coming up in June where all our small groups come together and bring a covered dish. Your admission to this event is Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Supplies, Toilet Paper or Paper Towels that we can give to Cobb Street Ministries. Carol Paschal will be speaking to us about this mission field right here in Cobb County that evening and sharing about how this ministry is changing lives for the Kingdom. She's also looking for small groups or Sunday School classes to come out during the summer and cook out for the residents. Invite ladies from the church and outside the church to join us for these covered dish dinners. They do not have to be a member of a small group to attend.
We need women to join with us to support several ministry areas with in the Women's Ministry. We want you to listen to God's call in this ministry, not ours....
We need ladies to help with our "Special Touch" ministry that will be putting together and delivering "Special Touch" bags to the hospital for families that are there, to the homes of those that are homebound, or to the homes of those that have been ill. Please contact Debbie Heininger if you are interested in assisting her. debbieheininger@bellsouth.net
We need ladies to send out cards of encouragement to those that may need a little lift or a note thanking them for their service, contact Anne Powell anne@jea-architects.com to assist in sending "Hugs" through the mail.
Zenita Beeler needs someone to assist her with the administrative functions for the Small Groups zenitabeeler@roswellstreet.com
Michelle DeFrancesco needs prayer warriors to join us in praying for those who have prayer needs, in praying for our students as they go to camp, praying for our ministerial staff, praying for our folks that are headed on a mission trip rsbcprayerteam@comcast.net if you would like to join this prayer team
Kari Norman is about to get Working Women started where women who work outside the home can get together for breakfast or lunch to meet with other women and open the Word of God without taking time away from the family. Contact Kari if this interests you and you would like to assist in the organization and planning kari@lamplighterbiz.com
Our Special Events team is getting busy planning our event for August. Please contact Barbara Sanders barbarasanders@roswellstreet.com or Angie Green angiegreen@roswellstreet.com if you are interested in working with us as we prepare for those events.
The opportunities to serve are here....You are gifted...Let's join together and fulfill our role as the Body of Christ - working and reaching outside the walls of Roswell Street Baptist to meet women where they are, to teach them the truth of the Word and stand with them as they grow and learn to serve by watching us serve and grow.....
Thank you for your prayers for this ministry as we seek to honor and glorify God in all we do or say....Gena
It's hard to say sometimes because many of us have different aspects of life that seem to capture our attention and then become our passion for a short time. I wonder at how quickly that can change based on our circumstances.
We've been dreaming BIG in the women's ministry for a few months now and we've watched in amazement as God equips one ministry after another and how He brings different people to different functions and we seem to be connecting two or three at a time. Which is wonderful because that is how you build relationships and I believe building relational bridges is the basis for reaching not only our sisters in Christ but also our future sisters in Christ.
In the survey that many of the women completed early in the year, you said you wanted fellowship time and yet the time we've set aside to try to accomplish that is not well attended yet. We need your feedback: why? How can we get together monthly, without much ado, and still fellowship and get to know each other better? Share your thoughts, please...
The small groups are growing so that we may need to add new ones soon. If you are not involved in one and are interested in doing so, please contact Zenita Beeler zenitabeeler@roswellstreet.com or me genaleal@comcast.net and we will hook you up with a small group....
Please be mindful of the announcements. Our Quarterly Covered Dish dinner is coming up in June where all our small groups come together and bring a covered dish. Your admission to this event is Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Supplies, Toilet Paper or Paper Towels that we can give to Cobb Street Ministries. Carol Paschal will be speaking to us about this mission field right here in Cobb County that evening and sharing about how this ministry is changing lives for the Kingdom. She's also looking for small groups or Sunday School classes to come out during the summer and cook out for the residents. Invite ladies from the church and outside the church to join us for these covered dish dinners. They do not have to be a member of a small group to attend.
We need women to join with us to support several ministry areas with in the Women's Ministry. We want you to listen to God's call in this ministry, not ours....
We need ladies to help with our "Special Touch" ministry that will be putting together and delivering "Special Touch" bags to the hospital for families that are there, to the homes of those that are homebound, or to the homes of those that have been ill. Please contact Debbie Heininger if you are interested in assisting her. debbieheininger@bellsouth.net
We need ladies to send out cards of encouragement to those that may need a little lift or a note thanking them for their service, contact Anne Powell anne@jea-architects.com to assist in sending "Hugs" through the mail.
Zenita Beeler needs someone to assist her with the administrative functions for the Small Groups zenitabeeler@roswellstreet.com
Michelle DeFrancesco needs prayer warriors to join us in praying for those who have prayer needs, in praying for our students as they go to camp, praying for our ministerial staff, praying for our folks that are headed on a mission trip rsbcprayerteam@comcast.net if you would like to join this prayer team
Kari Norman is about to get Working Women started where women who work outside the home can get together for breakfast or lunch to meet with other women and open the Word of God without taking time away from the family. Contact Kari if this interests you and you would like to assist in the organization and planning kari@lamplighterbiz.com
Our Special Events team is getting busy planning our event for August. Please contact Barbara Sanders barbarasanders@roswellstreet.com or Angie Green angiegreen@roswellstreet.com if you are interested in working with us as we prepare for those events.
The opportunities to serve are here....You are gifted...Let's join together and fulfill our role as the Body of Christ - working and reaching outside the walls of Roswell Street Baptist to meet women where they are, to teach them the truth of the Word and stand with them as they grow and learn to serve by watching us serve and grow.....
Thank you for your prayers for this ministry as we seek to honor and glorify God in all we do or say....Gena
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Where are you standing?
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
"Nor stand in the path of sinners".....what can that mean? Does that mean that we shouldn't associate with sinners?
How else can we develop relationships with people to be able to tell them about God's amazing grace and how He sent His only Son to accept the sin of the World and die for that sin to offer us the opportunity to come to know God. All we have to do is repent for our sins and ask Jesus to save us and He will do so.
We definitely have to develop relationships with people who do not have a relationship with Christ. If we don't, most of the time they would not listen to us; their perspective could be that we feel like we are better than them because we are Christians. Who wants to be with someone like that? If the world sees us in that light, then how can we be "light" in their dark worlds? We can't. We have to develop relationships with those who do not know Christ as their Savior. We have to love them where they are.
That, however, does not mean that we have to "love" their behavior that is unGodly or even that we have to tolerate that kind of behavior in our presence. The way to handle that is to ask them kindly not to use God's name in vain, to please not use foul language around you because it bothers you...by handling those things in love and without condemnation, you give them something to desire in their lives.
We have to be wise about where and how we hang-out with non-Christians. It doesn't mean that we participate in their lifestyles that disagree with our Christian belief. We have to stand firm on the principles of God in our behavior regardless of whom we are around. That is exactly what it means to not stand in the path of sinners. We don't need to get comfortable in an environment that is not honoring God. There are many ways to walk away from the sin (not standing in the path) and still love the sinner.
Dr. Easley challenged us this week to step outside the walls of the church. We can't share the hope we have with the world if we don't step outside the church. We have to think of ways to involve our community across the street, and touch the communities across the state, and reach out to the communities across the seas. It is the simplest thing but requires us to come out of our comfortable pews and touch others that may be just a little different or that we don't know yet.
We have to walk through those paths to let them see "salt and light" in our lives that becomes a beacon to their heart. Be wary Christian woman, others are watching you to see how you are going to behave when the stress and struggles of life come your way. Will they continue to see Christ in you? Oh, I struggle with that one - when I am stressed, I have to stop myself and look at how I react. It is not something I am proud of many times. We have to choose to keep walking through those areas and not to stop and stand in the path of sinners. It can pull us in the other direction is we stop right there on the edge and watch.
It really is all about the choices we make.......do you stand in the path of sinners?
Monday, April 23, 2007
Walking in the Counsel of the Wicked?
Walk, Stand or Sit
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
Have you ever known someone who "walks in the counsel of the wicked"? As a young woman in my twenties, I had a friend whose Mother was a self-pronounced psychic. My friend's Mother read Tarot cards and told me my future. If I had believed her and begun living as if what she said was true, that would have been an obvious example of "walking in the counsel of the wicked". And, to be sure people like that can lead you astray and open the door for demonic activity in your life. Anything to do with the occult would obviously be wicked but....are those the only wicked people we do not need to listen to?
What about television shows that promote living together outside of marriage, or homosexual relationships, or treating your neighbors with disrespect, or engaging in adultery....or even gossip....the list goes on and on. When we watch programming like that, are we not allowing those thoughts in our minds and then we become more and more accepting of that kind of behavior? Does it affect the way we then treat others? Does that influence equate to the "counsel of the wicked"? I believe it does and I believe that it dishonors God. I think each individual needs to seek God's face on what you allow yourself and your family to put into their minds from the influence of not only TV, but also the music you listen to and the movies you watch. Do we depend on worldly views to establish our limits, like a PG-13 movie? In recent days, my son and I walked out of a PG-13 movie in the first 10-15 minutes the movie that is portrayed as comical and fine for kids, was overtly sexual and used God's name in vain.
How much is too much compromise with the world? How does the worldly counsel affect you and your family? When I think back to TV shows I saw as a kid and movies, it is amazing to me how the limits and criteria have changed to include things that would have shocked us 20 years ago. That's how much the counsel of wicked has affected us; there were no overtly sexual public displays of affection from couples, much less public displays of affection from homosexuals; abortion was not a debate, it was a disgrace.
We shouldn't focus only on the obvious; gossip can be and is one of the most harmful ways the counsel of the wicked makes its rounds. We must learn to NOT speak about others lives and stand in judgment of things we don't completely understand. Don't misunderstand, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to hold one another accountable for living lives that do not honor God but we need to be sure of our information. Matthew 18 tells us we are to go to our fellow Christian in love when we have an issue with them and then gives specific instruction to handle the complaint after that meeting takes place. However, we are not supposed to talk with others about it. I have to admit this one is hitting home with me even as I type. I have been guilty of this very thing recently and need to make things right.
I am continually amazed, in working with teenagers, at how many families that proclaim Christianity but listen to music that talks about all things NOT Christian or love TV shows that are overtly sexual in nature, or have no problems with allowing their young teenagers to watch R rated movies. Maybe you need to deal with God on these issues too? I've certainly had to. I have to constantly remind myself to not "walk in the counsel of the wicked".
My desire is to walk my talk... To honor and glorify God in all things... I fail miserably but His grace is AMAZING..... Let's choose to walk in the counsel of Holy God!
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
Have you ever known someone who "walks in the counsel of the wicked"? As a young woman in my twenties, I had a friend whose Mother was a self-pronounced psychic. My friend's Mother read Tarot cards and told me my future. If I had believed her and begun living as if what she said was true, that would have been an obvious example of "walking in the counsel of the wicked". And, to be sure people like that can lead you astray and open the door for demonic activity in your life. Anything to do with the occult would obviously be wicked but....are those the only wicked people we do not need to listen to?
What about television shows that promote living together outside of marriage, or homosexual relationships, or treating your neighbors with disrespect, or engaging in adultery....or even gossip....the list goes on and on. When we watch programming like that, are we not allowing those thoughts in our minds and then we become more and more accepting of that kind of behavior? Does it affect the way we then treat others? Does that influence equate to the "counsel of the wicked"? I believe it does and I believe that it dishonors God. I think each individual needs to seek God's face on what you allow yourself and your family to put into their minds from the influence of not only TV, but also the music you listen to and the movies you watch. Do we depend on worldly views to establish our limits, like a PG-13 movie? In recent days, my son and I walked out of a PG-13 movie in the first 10-15 minutes the movie that is portrayed as comical and fine for kids, was overtly sexual and used God's name in vain.
How much is too much compromise with the world? How does the worldly counsel affect you and your family? When I think back to TV shows I saw as a kid and movies, it is amazing to me how the limits and criteria have changed to include things that would have shocked us 20 years ago. That's how much the counsel of wicked has affected us; there were no overtly sexual public displays of affection from couples, much less public displays of affection from homosexuals; abortion was not a debate, it was a disgrace.
We shouldn't focus only on the obvious; gossip can be and is one of the most harmful ways the counsel of the wicked makes its rounds. We must learn to NOT speak about others lives and stand in judgment of things we don't completely understand. Don't misunderstand, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to hold one another accountable for living lives that do not honor God but we need to be sure of our information. Matthew 18 tells us we are to go to our fellow Christian in love when we have an issue with them and then gives specific instruction to handle the complaint after that meeting takes place. However, we are not supposed to talk with others about it. I have to admit this one is hitting home with me even as I type. I have been guilty of this very thing recently and need to make things right.
I am continually amazed, in working with teenagers, at how many families that proclaim Christianity but listen to music that talks about all things NOT Christian or love TV shows that are overtly sexual in nature, or have no problems with allowing their young teenagers to watch R rated movies. Maybe you need to deal with God on these issues too? I've certainly had to. I have to constantly remind myself to not "walk in the counsel of the wicked".
My desire is to walk my talk... To honor and glorify God in all things... I fail miserably but His grace is AMAZING..... Let's choose to walk in the counsel of Holy God!
Friday, April 13, 2007
For Such A Time As This - Where are you supposed to be?
For Such a time as this.....
Several women in our church have been praying that God would bring forth women for leadership to continue a legacy of women who have served in our church in the past. It has been an amazing journey for many of us seeking to follow God's call in our lives in obedience. I believe it was Dee Dee Walker that said we should be keeping a list or journal of all the things God has put together without our hands. I pray that you will choose to join us on this amazing journey to please the King....
Esther, a Jew, found herself in the position of Queen of King Xerxes Court in Persia. Her heritage was not known in the King's court; she had been silent about her Jewish background. When a plot to eradicate all the Jews became known to the man who had raised Esther, Uncle Mordecai sent word to her that she must intervene. Understanding that the she was not welcome in the King's presence without an invitation, she feared for her life.
Esther 4:12-14:
"When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this."
There are many lessons in Esther and many things to ponder in our own hearts....First and foremost is:
"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this"
Have you stopped to long enough in your busy schedule to realize that if you are a child of God, saved by His grace and He is the King of Kings, then it stands to reason that you, also, fall into the royal family. Your are a princess - daughter of the King of Kings...
I ask you this now: And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Serving Him does not take perfection, it takes availability.....serving Him does not take knowledge of all that He has, it takes obedience.....serving Him where and when He has called you is not exhausting, it is fulfilling.
I challenge each of you to seek God's call to serve in your life. If you are serving under His call you will have an abundance of peace regardless of life's circumstances. Please post a response about the call in your life....how God has made that clear to you....how you can encourage other women to seek His will in their own life....how wonderful it is when He raises his scepter toward us......
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful " 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Gena Leal
Several women in our church have been praying that God would bring forth women for leadership to continue a legacy of women who have served in our church in the past. It has been an amazing journey for many of us seeking to follow God's call in our lives in obedience. I believe it was Dee Dee Walker that said we should be keeping a list or journal of all the things God has put together without our hands. I pray that you will choose to join us on this amazing journey to please the King....
Esther, a Jew, found herself in the position of Queen of King Xerxes Court in Persia. Her heritage was not known in the King's court; she had been silent about her Jewish background. When a plot to eradicate all the Jews became known to the man who had raised Esther, Uncle Mordecai sent word to her that she must intervene. Understanding that the she was not welcome in the King's presence without an invitation, she feared for her life.
Esther 4:12-14:
"When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this."
There are many lessons in Esther and many things to ponder in our own hearts....First and foremost is:
"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this"
Have you stopped to long enough in your busy schedule to realize that if you are a child of God, saved by His grace and He is the King of Kings, then it stands to reason that you, also, fall into the royal family. Your are a princess - daughter of the King of Kings...
I ask you this now: And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Serving Him does not take perfection, it takes availability.....serving Him does not take knowledge of all that He has, it takes obedience.....serving Him where and when He has called you is not exhausting, it is fulfilling.
I challenge each of you to seek God's call to serve in your life. If you are serving under His call you will have an abundance of peace regardless of life's circumstances. Please post a response about the call in your life....how God has made that clear to you....how you can encourage other women to seek His will in their own life....how wonderful it is when He raises his scepter toward us......
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful " 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Gena Leal
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