Women's Retreat March 2009

I have been asked to speak at a woman's retreat this spring. I am so delighted yet also scared to take this step of faith. I will be speaking at Emmanuel Bible Fellowship Church in Sunbury, Pennsylvania on March 13 and 14, 2009. The theme for the weekend is Healing and Hope for the Journey. The contact person is Julie Powell and she can be contacted at 570-286-6475. The retreat will cost $50,00 for the weekend. This does not include a place to stay.

I would appreciate your prayers as I prepare my talks for the weekend. My goal is to share my testimony and the story of how God has worked in our lives after the death of Tonia. I hope that God will use our story to reach out to other women and families who are struggling with issues in their lives. I would like to encourage everyone to lean on God and to share their needs with their friends and families.

If you would like to attend you can call Julie. Thank you for your support and prayers!

I Love you! Hugs!

Grace and a Southern Version of the 10 Commandments

From my favorite devotional, "Strength For the Journey" by Joe Stowell. Paul in Romans says that as Christians our lives should be marked by “reliable grace” toward others.

What do we mean by reliable grace? I’m glad you asked. Here’s a definition: “Reliable grace is the predictable action of abundant kindness, regardless. . . even to the most undeserving offender.” It means that people can count on you to pour out grace—active, predictable kindness—into their lives. It is unconditional and available even to the most undeserving of offenders. Anybody have an undeserving offender in your life? More than a bumper sticker, more than a fish or a cross on your car, more than a T-shirt or a WWJD bracelet, we demonstrate our loyalty to Jesus by extending His reliable grace to others.

My life has been filled by the grace of God and of others. I can only hope that I too can respond to others with God's grace.

On a lighter, sillier note: I wanted to share with you this version of the 10 Commandments. I am going to print this and post it by my front door! It is priceless!

Ten Commandments

Some people have trouble with all those 'shall's' and 'shall not's' in the Ten Commandments. So, in middle Tennessee they translated the 'King James' into ' Jackson County ' language..... no joke, (posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Gainesboro, TN)

(1) Just one God
(2) Put nothin' before God
(3) Watch yer mouth
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
(5) Honor yer Ma & Pa
(6) No killin'
(7) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal
(8) Don't take what ain't yers
(9) No tellin' tales or gossipin'
(10)Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff


Now that's plain an' simple. Y 'all have a nice day.

Encouragement

Yesterday as I wrote my latest note I was very tired, very discouraged and hurt by events that have happened. Today I was reading a Purpose Driven Life devotional and found so much comfort and reminders about who is ultimately in charge. I thought I would share the devotion. I get overwhelmed by my emotions at times, especially as the holidays are getting closer. I forget that this world is only temporary and one day eternity will be filled with joy and exuberance. But today can also be filled with the blessings around me! Thank you for walking on this journey with us!

“But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NLT)

*** *** *** ***

In today’s passage, God is talking to King Jehoshaphat and the Israelites. They’re about to be attacked by three enemies: the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Meunites.

Jehoshaphat had to be worried about how his people could defend themselves in such a battle, but God knew exactly what Jehoshaphat was thinking. He said, “You will not have to fight in this battle.” Now, that’s the kind of battle I like!

What God tells Jehoshaphat in this passage, and what he would remind us today, is this: “The battle is not yours; it’s mine. You don’t have to fight in it.”

In other words, it’s God’s problem. Let him solve it.

The fact is if you are God’s child, then your problems are his problems. And he’s much better at fighting your battles and solving your problems than you will ever be. Your job is to trust him to work it all out. Perhaps the reason we have so many tired, fatigued, and discouraged Christians is because we think, “It all depends on me.”

The day you resign as General Manager of the Universe, you’re going to find that it doesn’t fall apart. You can relax in faith, trusting that God is able to run things without your help.

Twice in this passage it says, “Don’t be afraid,” and “Don’t be discouraged.” When you face a seemingly impossible situation, don’t be afraid and don’t be discouraged. Has God ever lost a battle? No. He doesn’t lose battles.

There’s an important phrase in verse 17. God tells Jehoshaphat, “Take your positions and stand firm.” What does it mean to stand firm? It means to have a mental attitude of quiet confidence. It is never God’s will for you to run from a difficult situation. I’ve discovered that when I run from a difficult situation, inevitably God always brings it back around and gives me another chance. Why?

Because God wants us to learn – and he wants to teach us through experience – that in every situation he is sufficient. He is competent and capable and he will meet our needs in that situation. Don’t be afraid; fear is the opposite of faith.

You stand firm on two things:

* The character of God – He’s faithful. He does not bring us this far just to let us down. He doesn’t bring you out on a limb and then cut off the limb. Have faith in the nature andcharacter of God.

* The truth of his Word – God’s Word is faithful. You can count on the promises found in the Bible.

Stand still. Remember Who the battle belongs to. Trust that he is able to deliver you. And then watch him do it!
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life.