Rejuvenate Women's Retreat

Winter blues... something I know all too much about on a personal level.  Do, I let it ruin my life?  DEFINITELY NOT!!  Girlfriends make a huge difference in my life... especially in my "winter blues" months!

Ladies, join me at this!!!

And, this March 2nd & 3rd, I'm going to be rested & rejuvenated (and pampered) at Madison Park Church's Women's Ministries winter retreat! It's going to be a fantastic time with the girls!! Get all the information below.

Rejuvenate Women's Retreat

If you are in the area, join the fun. Register at http://www.madisonparkchurch.org/news/winterretreat

RSVP on their Facebook Event Page at http://on.fb.me/Rejuvenate2012

Like the song lyrics say, "Girls just wanna have fun!!

Just one of my "Jobs"

This is what I do in my "spare time"...

Communications for...

Women's Ministries at Madison Park Church of God - Anderson, Indiana

I love connecting people AND connecting with people :D 

Here's one of our weekly notes:
Wellness of Mind, Body & Spirit

You can sign up to receive these notes by filling in a few blanks at http://www.madisonparkchurch.org/ministries/womensmin

Connect with each other & with MPC Women's Ministries in the following ways:

• FACEBOOK - "Like" us & Share our page at http://www.facebook.com/mpcwommin
• TWITTER - "Follow us & Share our posts at http://www.twitter.com/madisonpkwomen
• For Women's Ministries Updates to email addresses, your friends can SUBSCRIBE at http://www.madisonparkchurch.org/ministries/womensmin
• Find out what's happening in & thru Madison Park 24/7 at http://www.madisonparkchurch.org  

I Got Grabbed Today...

Sometimes... things just GRAB me!

It can be a shadow cast by the setting sun...

or the smell in the air from a flower or a spring shower...

or the sound of brook rolling over stones on it's way...

or the whispered sigh of a person passing me on the street... 

or the reflection in a pool of water...

or the lyrics of a poem or song...

This morning it was the lyrics of a song - the beginning line of one of the songs being sung by John Tibbs in the Crossroads services at Madison Park Church this weekend. The song is "Christ is Risen," (sung by Matt Maher). The opening line speaks to all of us...


"Let no one caught in sin remain inside the light of inward shame. We fix our eyes upon the cross & run to Him who showed great love... and bled for us... "

WOW! (I use that word a lot... but, seriously, WOW!) Let not ONE of us wallow in self-pity & shame... but claim the restoration & healing from our God!  Turn from the past.  Embrace the hope of a bright future.

"For God, in all His fullness, was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him, God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross." Colossians 1:19-20

Taken at Miller Chapel, School of Theology,
Anderson University - Anderson, IN

Bloom Where You're Planted

I was richly blessed to be a part of the memorial service honoring the 81-year life of my Uncle Bob from Middletown, OH. Uncle Bob had a sweet spirit and an infectious laugh & smile. His eyes smiled when he talked.  He was married for 53+ years to my dad's sister, Iona.  They loved & served the Lord in such a way that people who observed them truly desired to "have what they had".


I have many fond memories of my Uncle Bob & Aunt Iona from my childhood. My family stopped in Middletown EVERY year before & after Anderson Campmeeting. Their daughter (my cousin, Becky) was a treasured friend from as early as I can remember.  She inherited the gentle spirit and the same infectious laugh & smile of her father.

All I Really Need Today...

I don't want to get dressed & go anywhere today. It looks like a snow globe out of my window! I want to stay inside all by myself. I want to settle down with a nice cup of hot cocoa & listen to music or watch a mindless romantic comedy by a roaring fireplace. And, I don't really feel like making dinner for anyone (including me!).

Sometimes the simple things feel like all we really need on a given day. Other days, the simple things don't feel like enough!

 
My proclamation for today & for every day is that... HE IS ALL I NEED! God said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." Paul replied, "So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:19. I'm weak a lot -- especially in the winter months. I can take all the help I can get. Thanks God!

Paul also said in Philippians 4:19, "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

Someone who can create a living snow globe outside of my window one day & paint a breath-taking sunset on another day, is there reminding me daily of all of his glorious riches & gifts to us. His glorious riches are abundant. All we need to do is open our eyes.

My words to God... "O Lord, let me echo YOUR Word in my heart. Let those words be played out in the story of my life!"

Some days I want to stay in but, I also know that I really need community. I know I need to be in communion with God & his bride (the church). Are you a part of a weekly worship gathering? I am. It's a commitment I've made regardless of how I actually "feel" on any given Sunday. I'm looking forward to this coming Sunday at Madison Park Church. 

What will God think? Will He find my worship sweet? As told in John 4:23-24, "if we worship Him in spirit & truth, we offer true worship - the kind for which He longs." And, I can tell you, in the winter months, if I'm going to be truthful with God, I'm going to have to admit to Him that I struggle with being out & about. But, my obedience is part of my worship. And, He always honors that.  

Worship is between YOU and God. No one can worship for you. No one else can show God what His worth to you is. But, we can't worship just on our own. God desires us to be in community... God has given us all we need and, often those needs are met through community with other children of God. 

But for the moment, I shall enjoy the quiet peaceful home... I shall sit by the fire... I shall trust in the protection of God's angels... I shall seek to know Him better in the quietness...

All of this... knowing that God will give me the nudge that I need on Sunday to meet in His house and on other days to do what He needs me to do out in His world.

And I will reflect, each day, upon the words of God shared by the Psalmist in Psalm 46:10, 
"Be still & know that I am God." 
In the winter months, I'm good at being still :)
 

(written 01/13/12)

Shared with the #1000Gifts Community with Ann Voskamp... 

I long to accomplish a great and noble task...

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it's my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."
Helen Keller

Wow!  I mean, WOW!  I totally relate to that quote!  I grew up with a very poor self-image.  It's been something with which I've struggled for my entire life.  The skinny, gangly young girl has become the middle-aged not-so-fit woman.  The young child who heard over & over from a loved one that no one would ever like her if they really knew her has truly found complete acceptance & love from the One who created the universe... and LIFE!  The over-achiever compensating for feelings of insufficiency has mellowed over the years - but, still rears it's ugly head from time to time. I had the same dreams of almost every young girl - to become someone important, someone of influence. 

What my head knows & what my heart knows still continues to be compromised by the thoughts & feelings of "what if..." 

What if I'd become famous? Would I have made a more profound affect on this earth's inhabitants?  Would I have been able to bring more to the knowlege of Christ? 
What if I'd been wealthy? Would that have made it easier for me to spread God's news or would I have "sold my soul" for the comforts & influential friends of the rich?
What if I'd been incredibly smart or creative?  Would I have found a way to create something that would share the truth of God with more people?

Life is full of questions. 


This is a great reminder to me of where my value lies.

Life isn't always full of all the answers. 

But, I've learned, in the struggle, that some day all things will be brought to light. I have learned that in the struggle one becomes stronger. I have learned that what God gave me is enough to do what He needs me to do.  No one is equipped better than ME to do what only I can do for Him.

I am encouraged by the feelings in my heart, by the words in the Bible, by the small, still voice within my soul...

... that it's my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.

(written 1/12/12)

The Best Part About a Gift is the Delivery

To me, the best part about a gift is the delivery... was it delivered with a warm smile... with a heart full of love?  When you received it was there the understanding that you were loved & accepted just as you are?  Did receiving it inspire you to become a "better you"?

I had a dear friend several years ago (we'll call her Miss Debbie) who shared a wonderful "tradition" with me.  She called it a "Happy".  What exactly is a "Happy"?  It's a gift which doesn't have to be for a certain reason or for a specific occassion.  It's something that will bring a smile to the recipient - maybe something they mentioned or admired while you were being observant. A "Happy" can also be a handwritten note with a meaningful picture tucked inside. 

Remembering & documenting fun times with friends & loved ones are a great ways to celebrate the good moments of life.  Remembering those good times can help us in the tough times too.  It's just like the words written in Psalm 77:11&12: “I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them.”  The New Living Translation Bible Application Notes read: Memories of God’s miracles and faithfulness sustained Israel through their difficulties. They knew that God was capable and trustworthy. When you meet new trials, review how good God has been to you, and this will strengthen your faith.

One of my favorite "gifts"

Especially at this time of year I'm reminded that the "delivery of our gift of Jesus Christ" from the Creator of the Universe (all those years ago) was a wonderful "Happy"!  In the form of a tiny baby, came the hope of all eternity.  The gift of Jesus was free & given with no expectation in return. 

I love giving "Happy's"... and I love receiving them, as well. I love the fact that the cost of the gift has nothing to do with it's value. I love that they are often non-traditional & quirky. I'm pretty much non-traditional & quirky.  I love that there's no stress to finding a "pricey" gift.  By being observant, we can often find a meaningful gift.  The value of a gift is in the delivery - if you ask me! 

Hope you have a HAPPY Christmas this year. 

(shared this post with the Ann Voskamp One Thousand Gifts community)

(written 12/22/11)

Not Taking My Lights Down ANYTIME Soon!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season. I'm pretty sure you've heard that statement. I'm a firm believer that the excitement of Christ's coming to this earth is too great to celebrate in just a few weeks. I'm one of those weirdos who doesn't take the Christmas tree down on the 26th of December (or the 26th of January, for that matter). I love sitting by a lit tree in the winter months. It reminds me of the light & hope found in my life - as a result of my relationship with God. 

In the coming weeks, as you approach the beginning of a new year & as you walk into that new year, continue to think back on how the coming of Christ fulfilled centuries of prophesy & promises. Whether you put all the decorations away or not, continue to reflect upon the wonderful gift that was given to us -- in the form of a tiny baby in a manger. A gift that should be celebrated in our hearts every day. 

Some great prophesies & promises from Isaiah 9...

• 

  

  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:
  they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
  upon them hath the light shined
  Isaiah 9:2

  The time of darkness & despair will not go on forever... there will be a time in the future filled with glory... (vs. 1)
• The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.. for those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine... (vs. 2)
• Yokes of slavery & heavy burdens will be lifted... (vs. 4)
• A child shall be born to us... the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
• His government & its peace will never end... He'll rule with fairness & justice for all eternity... The passionate, commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen... (vs. 7)

Don't let the light, love & peace that come from Christ be diminished by the circumstances in your life OR by the changing of the seasons. His light, His love & His peace are freely available each day of the year!

Merry Christmas Friends!  May God's Light Shine Down & Illuminate Your Path!

(written 12/16/11)

I Was Created to REST

(written 12/15/11)

Really... ?  Did I say that aloud?  I was created to REST.  But, the truth is we were ALL created to rest.  We weren't created by God to be on-the-go 24/7.

In Isaiah 30:15 the Sovereign LORD says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength."

Sometimes we just need to put our feet up & rest!

Resting not only allows us to take a break from the things which are making life hectic but, it allows us to regain strength & focus to face the coming challenges.  The Bible also says in the 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes that there is a season for everything under the sun (http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Ecc&c=3&v=1&t=NLT#1).  It doesn't say that everything is right for every season.  Some seasons of life, God wants us to rest from certain things... resting in His arms & learning from our time of rest with Him. Some seasons He wants us to put our heads down & work at something specific to fulfill His plan.

I'm pretty sure, in the generation prior to mine, it was typically difficult to REST without feeling lazy or non-productive.  The other side of that though is the urge REST too much.  Obviously, there's a balance.  Just one more reason why we need to allow the Lord to order our steps daily.  Psalm 119:33 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=119&t=NKJV#vrsn/133)

Listen to Him.  He'll let you know when to rest, when to be productive.  The key is to LISTEN & OBEY... and don't forget to rest! 

 

Re-Entry... Can Be Rough At Times!

I am SO grateful that I had a WONDERFUL opportunity recently to get away from day-to-day life with my hubby of 20+ years. I call any time away with him "Couples Therapy." I'm a firm believer in remaining friends with your spouse -- after all, I married HIM - not my kids or the house or a job. This last get-away was a BIG one... an 8-day Eastern Caribbean cruise to St. Maarten, St. Lucia & St. Kitts.  We went with 2 other couples with whom we've traveled before & totally enjoy being around.