A couple in our church got married in their later years (the wife is in her late 30's, husband in his late 40's) and had a baby approximately a year ago. As those of you who have had or have a baby know, a baby brings many changes! Most of the changes are incredibly blissful! As I inquired this morning as to what Christmas morning was like for them, this being his first Christmas, the joy on their faces was precious as they recounted every detail! This child has especially been a blessing to Grandma, who has dementia. He has brought her a new reason to live! She spends much time bragging on him!
Many years ago, a baby came into this world in a humble manger. When He was born, everything changed! He was the One all had waited for...He would be the Savior of the world! Because of that birth, our whole lives can be turned around if we will allow Him to be part of our lives!
In this new year, ask yourself "Am I ready for change?" We talk about resolutions - losing weight, reading our Bible more, etc. but no resolution could be greater than to let that Babe entirely bring about a revolution in our lives. Let that baby change everything in 2010! Here's to a New You!!!!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thanks but no thanks?
It's that time of year again...time to reflect on our gratitude (or lack thereof) for all the Lord's blessings. We had a family style Thanksgiving dinner at our church today. The day did not start out well! I lead worship and I had placed the cd (we have to use pre-recorded sound traks as we have no full time piano player) in the player. I thought I would practice before the service started. As I played the first song, I knew it was not right. My husband took over and when he did, it would not play at all. I had placed the cd on top of another one and it jammed the machine. Needless to say, my husband was not too happy and neither was our board member who had to take the entire machine apart to try to fix it. So...we did acapella hymns just like I'm sure the pilgrims did way back when! Maybe God has a sense of humor! I was not too thankful!
During the dinner, we went all around the table sharing our traditions and then stating what we were thankful for. At the end, everyone pulled together in cleaning up and doing the dishes. It did my heart good to see everybody pitching in. As we were cleaning, I was speaking with someone who has always hated the holidays ever since I've known her. I shared with her that she needs to come up with a plan to be thankful through the holidays and somehow find a plan to make them less stressful. It's all about focus! God deserves to be praised and celebrated! It's not about football games, turkey (aren't you glad you don't have feathers?), shopping (although I'm one of those die-hard black Friday shoppers - I'm out the door at 4:30 am) or stuffing ourselves until we pass out on the couch. It is a time to think about the blessings of family, health, freedom and life in Christ! May we all take time to push aside the stresses of life as we gather together and have an attitude of gratitude! Happy Thanksgiving!
During the dinner, we went all around the table sharing our traditions and then stating what we were thankful for. At the end, everyone pulled together in cleaning up and doing the dishes. It did my heart good to see everybody pitching in. As we were cleaning, I was speaking with someone who has always hated the holidays ever since I've known her. I shared with her that she needs to come up with a plan to be thankful through the holidays and somehow find a plan to make them less stressful. It's all about focus! God deserves to be praised and celebrated! It's not about football games, turkey (aren't you glad you don't have feathers?), shopping (although I'm one of those die-hard black Friday shoppers - I'm out the door at 4:30 am) or stuffing ourselves until we pass out on the couch. It is a time to think about the blessings of family, health, freedom and life in Christ! May we all take time to push aside the stresses of life as we gather together and have an attitude of gratitude! Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Pastor Appreciation Day
October is Pastor Appreciation month. I had the joy and privilege of helping our church surprise my husband/pastor this past Sunday. They presented him/us with a gift certificate for a night away. We are so excited as we are using it to go visit our close friends in Pennyslvania!
I had been asked by our church leadership if I would preach and give him a break on his special day. I prayed and thought about what to share and a passage that came to mind was the passage in Exodus about the battle that took place between Israel and the Amalekites. As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed. But...Moses hands became tired. Aaron and Hur stepped in and came to his aid and began to lift his hands up, one on one side, one on the other. There is a lesson to be learned by that story related in the Bible. When we hold up the hands of our pastor, not only are we aiding him but we are aiding the church and we are aiding Christ! If we would only keep that focus in mind, many battles would be won in our churches.
5 ways we can hold up the hands of our pastor:
1. Partner with him in doing the work of the ministry.
2. Participate by being involved in activities in the church
3. Promote - show enthusiasm and pride in your pastor and church
4. Practice - what he preaches
5. Pray - for your pastor and his family. He prays for you!
It's the small things that will encourage your pastor. Make a photo album with index cards where members of your congregation have written notes of encouragement and appreciation. Buy him his favorite chocolate. If they have small children, offer to babysit. The list is endless!
So...I want to encourage all your women's departments out there to bless your pastor this month of October and send me a note letting me know what you did! Email it to nywomenofpurpose@gmail.com. Blessings to you as you bless your pastor!
I had been asked by our church leadership if I would preach and give him a break on his special day. I prayed and thought about what to share and a passage that came to mind was the passage in Exodus about the battle that took place between Israel and the Amalekites. As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed. But...Moses hands became tired. Aaron and Hur stepped in and came to his aid and began to lift his hands up, one on one side, one on the other. There is a lesson to be learned by that story related in the Bible. When we hold up the hands of our pastor, not only are we aiding him but we are aiding the church and we are aiding Christ! If we would only keep that focus in mind, many battles would be won in our churches.
5 ways we can hold up the hands of our pastor:
1. Partner with him in doing the work of the ministry.
2. Participate by being involved in activities in the church
3. Promote - show enthusiasm and pride in your pastor and church
4. Practice - what he preaches
5. Pray - for your pastor and his family. He prays for you!
It's the small things that will encourage your pastor. Make a photo album with index cards where members of your congregation have written notes of encouragement and appreciation. Buy him his favorite chocolate. If they have small children, offer to babysit. The list is endless!
So...I want to encourage all your women's departments out there to bless your pastor this month of October and send me a note letting me know what you did! Email it to nywomenofpurpose@gmail.com. Blessings to you as you bless your pastor!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Women of Purpose Conference 09
I had a date with my "honey" today! We went to the mall to pick up a birthday gift for one of the teen girls from our church. In perusing through the mall, I discovered a wonderful coffee shop and it's aroma drew me in. The pumpkin latte was calling me! As I savored the fragrance of the spices and pumpkin, I was reminded of the sweet savor of last weekend's Women of Purpose Conference. The blend was just right! Dr. Eve Fenton ministered the Word powerfully! Elisabeth Burns heart spoke abundantly through the lyrics and melodies of her music. My wonderful team of representatives and assistant director "ground" together a fine packet of activities and displays. They are Starbucks personified! And just as you can go to a coffee shop and get a gift card that can be reloaded for future use, so the ladies at the conference were at the altar "reloading"in the gifts of the Spirit for future battle. God was faithful!!! To my fellow coffee lovers and New York Women of Purpose - may God continually give you a fresh brew each day as you spend time in His Word perkin up!
Monday, September 7, 2009
counting down
Counting down! A little over two weeks until the Women of Purpose conference in Binghamton! I am praying that the ladies are coming full of expectation! Are we coming confident and full of belief that God is going to move in our lives?
Our theme this year is "Life in Christ...good to the last drop!" I just got a new coffee maker, a model that brews the coffee into a stainless steel pot that continues to keep the coffee hot for hours. I know, I tried it! There is nothing like a brew of coffee that keeps its freshness and isn't stale from sitting hours on a burner. I tried some 3 hours after it was brewed, still hot and good to the last drop that remained in the pot! Are we ready for a fresh brew in 2 weeks? I don't know about you, but I want God to do something new in my life! Do you need more joy in your life? Let Him perk you up! I love flavored coffee - Irish creme being my favorite. Let God flavor your life - begin to release the talents and gifts He has given you. Let September 24th-26th be the start of God doing something unimaginable in your life! "God can do anything...far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" Ephesians3:20a The Message Hope to see you there!
Our theme this year is "Life in Christ...good to the last drop!" I just got a new coffee maker, a model that brews the coffee into a stainless steel pot that continues to keep the coffee hot for hours. I know, I tried it! There is nothing like a brew of coffee that keeps its freshness and isn't stale from sitting hours on a burner. I tried some 3 hours after it was brewed, still hot and good to the last drop that remained in the pot! Are we ready for a fresh brew in 2 weeks? I don't know about you, but I want God to do something new in my life! Do you need more joy in your life? Let Him perk you up! I love flavored coffee - Irish creme being my favorite. Let God flavor your life - begin to release the talents and gifts He has given you. Let September 24th-26th be the start of God doing something unimaginable in your life! "God can do anything...far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" Ephesians3:20a The Message Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Get Motivated August 18, 2009
I had the opportunity to go to a Get Motivated seminar in downtown Buffalo today. I got to hear one of my all time favorite motivational speakers Zig Ziglar along with Rudy Guliano, Gen. Colin Powell, Tamara Lowe and a list of others. It was an incredible day. What did I learn today?
* Take the word "impossible" out of your vocabulary - don't you believe God is bigger than that? *Your past does not define you. The decisions you make today determine your future.
*People need you more at a funeral than a wedding - they need to know you love them and care. *Mirror, mirror, on the wall - do I have a prayer at all? Yes!
*There are 3 kinds of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who say "what just happened?"
And last but not least...from Zig Ziglar "If you get discouraged, remember Moses was a basket case and he came out okay!" I love that one!
Be encouraged today and know that God is for you!!!! Don't box Him in!
* Take the word "impossible" out of your vocabulary - don't you believe God is bigger than that? *Your past does not define you. The decisions you make today determine your future.
*People need you more at a funeral than a wedding - they need to know you love them and care. *Mirror, mirror, on the wall - do I have a prayer at all? Yes!
*There are 3 kinds of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who say "what just happened?"
And last but not least...from Zig Ziglar "If you get discouraged, remember Moses was a basket case and he came out okay!" I love that one!
Be encouraged today and know that God is for you!!!! Don't box Him in!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)