Strong For Our Tasks

Women’s Ministry Minute

April 29th, 2020

With Jade O’Connor

“Strong For Our Tasks”

One rainy Wednesday a few weeks ago, I was having a really rough day. This was before the initial stay at home order, and before this new reality had become, well, real. Anyways, it was gray outside, my energy and motivation to go to classes was low, and it seemed like one of those days where I just couldn’t do anything right.

I sent out a text to one of my D groups, knowing that they could help pray for me and we would be able to talk about it at D group later that night. Less than 10 minutes later, I got texted a verse that changed my whole day and, little did I know, would contribute greatly to shaping my outlook on the self isolation that I would soon be going into just two days later.

“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:17 NIV

This scripture reminded me that with a heart focused on God, like the Proverbs 31 woman, we can all find the strength to do our tasks that we have set out to do and energy to get through the day in a way glorifying to God.

Looking back now, this was a verse I really needed to hear, because let me tell you, motivation to continue school and working my job from home during this time is difficult to find! I know that many of us can relate right now to a current reality that seems displaced from what we have known. Things are different, and it seems like my whole world has been flipped upside down.

Lately I have been studying out the book of Ruth, because she too had her whole world flipped upside down. Very suddenly, her husband passed away, and then in an act of faith to God and love for her mother in-law, Naomi, Ruth moved to a land forigen with her, living a life that was different than she had known and probably not what she expected her future would look like. Yet after she had gone through all of these things, in Ruth 2:2 NIV it says: “And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi ‘Let me go into the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor’”

While it doesn’t directly say so in the scripture, I infer that Ruth gave herself time to mourn the loss of her husband, and her old life, which is a healthy thing to do (plug for Ron and Patty’s grieving Bible class which can help all of us do this in our own lives!). However when it came time to be productive in her new reality, she didn’t shy away from working hard and being as serving as she could in her new circumstances. She set vigorously about her work, and her arms were strong for her tasks, Proverbs 31:17 in action! And in seeing how her story concludes, we can see how God works in our everyday lives to turn a not so great situations into a great ones.

“Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.” Ruth 4:11-12 NIV

As Ruth lived a Godly life in her new situation, she was able to meet someone, Boaz, who was able to be the redeemer for her family, and bring honor to Naomi’s line and bless her with a grandchild. Ruth gave birth to the grandfather of King David, a familial line that led all the way to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
There’s a lot that I have been able to learn through studying Ruth’s story and reflecting on it during this time of physical distancing. God is always present, He is always there, even when it seems times are the darkest. I am strong and can set my work vigorously by being deeply rooted in God and His word. And finally, my story isn’t over yet. Imagine if I had stopped reading Ruth in chapter 1, what a sad story that would be! But if we can be patient and remain steadfast in God, and keep reading till the end, blessings can happen and turn our life that we thought was flipped upside down back right side up, pointed towards God

The Golden Rule

Women’s Ministry Minute

With Georgeann Burch

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31

Most of us have grown up hearing this scripture described as “The Golden Rule.”  But I recently learned there are two other rules that can govern behavior – The Silver Rule and The Iron Rule.Whichever rule you follow, will guide your choices and impact your relationships.

Where does the term “The Golden Rule” come from?  Legend has it that when Roman Emperor Alexander Severus (222-235 AD) adopted it as his motto, he had it written on the walls of his palace and on public buildings…written in gold!

Christians have been taught The Golden Rule since we were children. Besides Luke 6:31, this principle is found in Matthew 7:12: So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (NIV).  Or as translated in The Message: “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get. In other words, treat other people as you would wish to be treated.

This teaching was familiar to the Jews, but Jesus stilltold them the story of the King at judgment day who welcomed people into the kingdom because they had treated him kindly.  When the people claimed that they had not done those things for the King, he replied that ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:40 (NIV). 

So following the Golden Rule not only guides us to treat people as we would want to be treated; it also pleases God that we would treat others as if he were the one in need. God expects us to take action to help others.

What is the Silver Rule?  The Silver Rule is expressed in many religions as NOT doing to others as you would NOT have them do to you.  For example, in Buddhism, the idea is expressed as: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”  Confucius is said to have taught: "Don't do to others what you don't want them to do to you."

How is this different from The Golden Rule?  The Silver Rule only requires a person not harm another.  It doesn’t say anything about doing good. Although it forbids bad behavior, it doesn’t encourage good behavior.  There is no expectation of acting with empathy or kindness or selflessness.

Lastly, there is also The Iron Rule.  Stated simply, it means “might makes right.”  Those who follow this rule believe that whoever has the power, has the right to do whatever they want to the powerless.

In one of Jesus’ familiar parables, we can find people whose behavior and choices are examples of each of these rules of behavior. Before you read further, please get your Bible and read Luke 10:30-35, the parable of the good Samaritan.

Done reading? You probably saw right away that the robbers were acting according to The Iron Rule.  They took from the man what they wanted, and he was powerless to stop them.  The priest and the Levite must have believed The Silver Rule.  Although they did not harm the man, neither did they stop to help him.  They ignored him, even crossing the road to avoid him!  But the Samaritan shows us an unforgettable example of The Golden Rule. He pitied the stranger, but he didn’t stop there.  He took action, bandaging him, getting him to an inn, staying overnight with him, paying for his care, and offering to take care of any more expenses that the man would incur. Wow.  

What rule do you live according to?  What choices do you make when interacting with friends, family, strangers?  What opportunity to really live The Golden Rule is God bringing before you during this time of such disruption in our routines? Do you stop to think in a situation, how would I (my children, my friends) wish to be treated?  How would I treat God if he were the one in need?

We have choices to make every day regarding our schedules, our resources, our attitudes, and our actions.  Let’s pray that we will decide to let The Golden Rule guide us daily, so we can live in a way that is pleasing to God.

Heart Whispers in the Waiting Season

Women’s Ministry Minute

April 27, 2020

With Sue Santiago

Heart Whispers in the Waiting Season

I’m tempted to say 2019 killed my desire to write and 2020 has cremated it. I’m tempted to become bitter at the time I spent growing my craft. Hours and hours that probably add up to months and months I could have devoted to my family, especially during the tender years of early childhood. I’m tempted to become angry at God for planting this desire in my heart that never seemed to lead anywhere. And for taking it away right as I seemed to be getting somewhere.

I spend a lot of time talking with God about this. Talking might be a gentle way of describing what is really spats of anguish and anger, doubt and denial, all while craving comfort, direction, and certainty. One of my favorite ways to pray is to write a letter to God. I have this journal that is also a coloring book. I write my letter and then I color. As I’m coloring, I’m listening for heart whispers; I’m quieting the frenzy of my spirit so that I may listen for God’s quiet voice. I write down whatevercomes to mind, hoping that some of it might be God responding.

After writing a letter recently I did not get whispers in my heart. I got the idea to put on music - meditation music on YouTube. I picked the first one on my screen.

As I was coloring, I saw a scripture on the screen:

​Those who wait in the Lord 

​will renew their strength;

​they will soar on wings like eagles;

​they will run and not grow weary;

​they will walk and not faint.

​​​Isaiah 40:31

I’ve always loved that scripture and felt encouraged. I colored some more and listened for heart whispers. None came. The only thought I had was, check the screen. Psalm 27:14 now appeared.

​Wait for the Lord;

​be strong and courageous.

​Wait for the Lord.

(Did I mention I’m reading a book that a sister returned to me, which I forgot I loaned to her? It’s called, When God Says Wait.)

Coloring again, I begin to think about how I feel like I’ve been on the timeout bench for a long time. A third scripture pops up. Psalm 37:7. It starts with, Be silent before the Lord and WAIT expectantly for Him. But then it tells me, Do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way…

In my letter I confessed how I compare myself to other women who seem to be able to do it all and do so much good. I get jealous. I resent myself and how little I do that feels meaningful.

Fourth scripture Isaiah 30:18 - it ends with All who WAIT PATIENTLY are happy.

In my letter, I asked God to renew my mind, to fill me with His truth and purpose. Message received. I turn the phone over. I don’t need to see anymore scriptures. I get it. Keep waiting. Patiently. How? And where is He leading me? A little clarity leads to more questioning. I guess my patience needs some work too!

The cherry on top: A few days later I received a card from a sister-in-Christ. Inside was a slip of paper. It began with, “Waiting on Me means directing your attention to Me in hopeful anticipation of what I will do.”

So, here I sit. On God’s timeout bench. Listening for the heart whispers. Working on being obedient to His Spirit (like writing this. Mmhmm. I catch the irony.) When will I know He’s calling me in? What do I do in the waiting? Maybe that’s a discussion for another time. Let me know if you’re in timeout too. I’ll enjoy the company.

Quiet Your Soul & Hope in God

In the fall of 1977, while a sophomore in college, I became very ill. Like so many campus students, I was enjoying life and constantly on the go. I was trying to put more into a 24 hour period than I could physically handle, so when I got run down and sick, people who had advised me to slow down weren’t surprised.

After a week of fevers and no energy, I went to the campus health center where the doctor told me that I had a mono-type illness. The best thing that he could tell me was that I needed a lot of rest. Up to that point, rather than slowing down, I was still going to my classes, trying to keep up with my school work, and living in a campus dorm. Since my health was getting worse, one of my friends who had an apartment off campus thought that I would be able to rest up and recuperate faster if I wasn’t in the dorm. She had me stay with her. She lived far enough off campus that I would not be able to walk to any of my classes. I was very anxious about not going to class and not keeping up with the school work, but there wasn’t anything that I could do about it.

A week later, I was no better. Being cut off from class, most people, work, and church was not making a difference. I still had a high fever and no energy. I slept all day long and was only up long enough to eat a little before falling asleep again. Now my parents wanted to get me and take me home to nurse me back to health, but I didn’t want to be farther away from the people and life that I had built for myself there.

A family from church offered to take me in to nurse me back to health. This was an acceptable solution to both me and my parents. For the first several days with this family, I continued to sleep all day. Slowly my fever started going down and I started getting more energy. It was humbling to need to be served so much by people I didn’t know very well. After missing a couple of weeks of classes I was also feeling very anxious about finishing the semester. The only thing that I could do was put my trust in God.

My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. Psalm 131:1-3

This is a lesson that I have needed to learn many times over my life. I can be quietly rebellious and go the direction that I think is best only to find that my life gets off track. Being humble, quieting my soul, and hoping in the Lord puts my life back on track.

Oh, the family that nursed me back to health, I started dating their son shortly afterwards. We have now been married for 39 years.

The Lord is My Shepherd

Women’s Ministry Minute

Phyllis Larr

April 23, 2020

The Lord is My Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Do you have special memories that you remember when you read Ps 23?

David begins the Psalm - “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Shepherd is one way to illustrate God’s character. There are many verses that describe who God is. Do a word search with “The Lord is my“ and you find:

Ps 16:5 The Lord is my portion

Ps 18:2 The Lord is my Rock

Ps 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation

Ps 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield

Think about the word “my” just as the other scriptures state; He is my portion, my rock, my light and so forth. The scriptures are telling me that the Lord is mine. It is personal. I love that! Who is God personally to you? David talks about God as if He belonged to him and he belonged to God. The relationship is personal, intimate, safe and permanent . Do you talk as if God belongs to you and you to Him?

Have you noticed in this Psalm how David shifts from talking about His Shepherd to talking to His Shepherd?

Sometimes our lives can feel lonely. As we are sheltered at home right now we don’t have the contact with people the way we would like. We can feel alone. We may feel anxious, depressed or confused . If you are like me, you have your valley that can make you feel alone. Regardless of your situation, the Shepherd knows and is fully present with you. We are not alone. He is our very own. Is there an area of your life where your feel like your in a valley alone? Sit with God your Shepherd and tell Him.

When David wrote Ps 23 he knew what it meant to have the character and nature of a shepherd for David had been a shepherd himself. He knew what it meant to have early mornings, watching the sheep all day alone, making sure no one gets lost. If a sheep wandered off or got lost, David diligently looked for the sheep. The Lord is your Shepherd who leads, provides and protects you. He will look for you if you wander off.

We have a few things in common with the sheep. Sheep go astray. It is our nature to wonder off. No matter how far we stray, God will bring us back and restore us to His side.

Sheep need guidance. We need God to be the GPS ( God Positioning System) in our lives. Pray Psalms 25:4-5 & Psalms 143:8-10. The Shepherd will lead you.

Sheep are vulnerable. We have times we feel unsafe and need protection. When praying Psalms 71, we can be assured God has our back and alway will.

Sheep are valuable. We can feel overlooked and under valued. The is not how your Shepherd sees you. Read Psalms 139 to refresh your view.

Sheep learn to associate the shepherd with their needs being met. The shepherd becomes their focus. They “shall not be in want” because their shepherd is with them. It is the same with us. We shall not want because we have a Shepherd who is always with us.

Thank God today for being your Shepherd who meets all of your needs.

God Works Through the Unknown

This period of time has been a period of progressive unknowns. Personally, as a (very) pregnant frontline healthcare worker (nurse practitioner for oncology patients), this pandemic has been life-altering and has rocked “my plan” for how these past few months would go. As for me, I wanted to continue working in the clinic Monday - Friday while continuing to work on an additional project. Additionally, I wanted to have Bob and my sister present at the birth. However, none of those things are a possibility at this time. My job has completely transferred to telemedicine, my patients are being triaged by importance. I of course want to be there in the frontlines, helping those in need—especially my cancer patients. Additionally, in a time of so much joy with our new baby coming, I’ve been met with a choice to succumb to anxiety over my circumstances or to turn to our loving Father. Shelter-in-place means no baby classes, no grandparents coming over, and no certainty about whether my situation will go any bit according to plan. The truth is, no matter our circumstances, we ALL have this choice.

I think about how Moses led the Israelites through their time in the desert, which is sort of a honeymoon with God. They were exiled from slavery in Egypt where they were treated poorly. However, when times were difficult and unknown, they had many chances to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness. I used to get annoyed by their choices, but as I’ve gotten further along in the faith, I realize that they are incredibly relatable. When we romanticize the past, we can often want to turn back to what God has brought us through (Exodus 14:11-12; 16:1-3). But God has something so much better ahead of us. He desires to walk with us through the unknown and guide us to new righteousness. Did God want the coronavirus? Certainly not. Is he more powerful than the coronavirus? Certainly so. I realize I have a choice: Cling to God when I am scared of the future or romanticize what the past was like and be stuck in discontentment.

Further reading: Exodus 19-34 (God speaks to Moses and gives him the instruction, then the Israelites out of fear start making cast idols), Exodus 24: 6-7 (my favorite way to describe God)

Practicals: Find a new Bible study where you can examine whole chunks of God’s word, scripture memorization, praying the Word, calling each other.

God Meets Us Where We Are

Women’s Ministry Minute

April 21, 2020

With Michelle Lutz

God Meets Us Where We Are

I saw an encouraging Facebook post last week that highlighted times when God came to women. We of course know this is not something exclusive for women, but I love that God meets people right where they are and loves them. That love strengthens them to face the next steps toward righteousness that He lays out for them.

Gen 16:7 “the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert” Hagar called God “the God who sees me” v 13 God then calls Hagar to go back to Sarah who was mistreating her. When Hagar is cast off into another desert in Genesis 21. God sees her and comes to her again! He helps her and blesses her.

An angel of the Lord appears to the woman who will become Samson’s mother in Judges 13. She had previously been barren and the angle gave her instructions on how she and Samson should act.

Jesus encounters the woman at the well in John 4. Her engages her in kind, meaningful and challenging conversation.

In John 8, when Jesus had gotten rid of the sinful women’s accusers, he offers her grace, mercy and forgiveness. He then challenges her to “leave your life of sin.”

Jesus came to Mary Magdalene in John 20 when she was grieving that she couldn’t find His body. He challenged her to not hold on to Him but charged her with bringing the news to the disciples.

These are only a few of the powerful vignettes we can experience through scripture. I’m always in awe of God’s love for us people.

Take time to pause today. Let God meet you where you are. Understand your completeness in His love for you. Allow that love to give you the strength to do what he is calling you to do. And if Disney is helpful for you, like it is for me, be like Anna from Frozen ll and “do the next right thing.”

Below is a link to the inspiration for this post.

Rooted in God

Several years ago, my mom, sister and I took a bus tour along the west coast.  We started in Seattle and finished in San Francisco.  It was a great trip.  One of the places we stopped was the Redwood National Forest. 

Redwoods can grow up to 350 feet tall and have a diameter of 24 feet around.  With as tall and big as redwoods can be, you would think they would have a root system that extended deep into the ground to support such a massive structure.  However, due to where they live on the west coast, the rain washes nutrients out of the soil fairly quickly so the redwoods support themselves by having shallow root systems that can spread out  over a 100 feet from the base of the tree.  By covering more area, the roots have a better chance of absorbing nutrients and water.  The problem with a shallow root system is that too much rain softens the ground and the roots can’t hold tight.  Strong winds can blow these giants over.  As they tumble down, they take other shallow rooted redwoods with them. 

About 150 years ago, most of Illinois was covered with prairie grasses and flowers.  Some of the grasses can reach about 10-12 feet tall.  Some have root systems that can extend that deep into the soil.  This deep root system is what allows the prairie plants to survive the sub-zero winters, the hot and dry summers, winds with the force of tornadoes, and being burned to the ground.  After in the spring or after a fire, the prairie plants will regrow from the roots. 

Our roots need to be in God.  Colossians 2:6-7  So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

What kind of roots do you have?

Do you have righteous roots?  Proverbs 12:12  The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers but the root of the righteous endures. 

Do you have roots?  Matthew 13:6  But when the sun cam up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 

Do you have roots that hold you in place?  Matthew 13:21  But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

I would like to say that I am more deeply rooted in God than what I am right now.  I have allowed myself to become distracted by my job, my hobbies, things in the media, lives of co-workers, and so many other things.  Today, I feel rooted in God but I don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  The cool thing is that I can water my roots with more of God’s word, more prayer and discipling, and my roots will grow deeper so that when the bad stuff happens, I won’t topple like the giant redwoods.

If you feel like your roots are giving way or you don’t have any roots right now, please feel free to contact one of the women’s ministry leaders or elder’s wives and we will be glad to talk and pray with you.

Is God Good?

Many are asking these days, “Is God good?” If he is good, how can there be so much suffering? As a child, I pictured God as an all-seeing eye, ready to zap me if I wasn’t good. In my child’s understanding of God, there was no goodness or kindness, just stern watchfulness waiting to punish me for wrong-doing.

A few years ago, I decided to answer this question for myself using the Bible. I discovered that there are a lot of verses that speak of the goodness of God. One of them is Psalm 119:68.

You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.

A few verses later, though, this passage made me really ponder my life.

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71

Is it possible for God to be good and for bad things to happen in our lives? Does God’s goodness change when something bad happens? I believe that all people with some knowledge of God come to a point in their lives that causes them to wrestle with these questions. For me, it was after a bad car accident. For my husband, it was learning that he has two kidney diseases.

The accident itself wasn’t good, it caused a lot of pain and loss. Because I could physically do so little, I had to choose between focusing on the bad and being depressed, or thinking more deeply on God’s word and what it meant to me. Now I am glad for what the accident brought to my life, which is a deeper understanding of God, and a greater empathy for those who live with chronic pain. I have learned to celebrate the victories in life, no matter how small they seem. I also take joy in helping others celebrate the victories in their lives.

Through difficult times, God can still bring good things to pass if we are willing to seek him. God’s goodness doesn’t change, but my perspective does change. It is up to me whether my perspective will be changed for the good or bad.

Pray Without Ceasing

Women’s Ministry Minute

April 16, 2020

With Phyllis Larr

Pray without ceasing

As we began to study out prayer this month, I looked at 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in different versions Pray without ceasing (ESV) Be unceasing & persistence in prayer (AMP) Pray all the time (MSG) Pray regularly (CJB) Never stop praying (CEV)

This is a short yet mighty scripture is simple in wording yet deep in thought. It seems easy, yet it takes persistence and determination.
As I meditated on this scripture, I asked myself what does it say to me? Praying all the time on my knees would be impossible. However, I can have an attitude of prayer at all times, regardless of my posture or place. My attitude is built on acknowledging my dependence on God my father. I realize God is always with me & my desire is to obey him, to be close to him. I can and will grow in finding it natural to pray short spontaneous prayers to my Father.

My prayerful attitudes is not a substitute for regular times of prayer but should be an extension or outgrowth of those times. I still have my regular times of praying with God which continues to transform my life. God hears all of my prayers and is answering my prayers with a yes, no, not yet. I trust God is already working when I pray.

Here are a couple of practicals that I have found that help me.

First of all, in the morning, I look at my schedule and see when I can set aside times to pray, such as when driving (thanking God for His beautiful day), taking a walk (being thankful for my health) or doing some cleaning around my home (praying for family).

Secondly, I set a timer on my phone for every couple of hours throughout the day to stop and pray for what is happening at that time. Maybe it’s asking for wisdom, thanking God for blessing.

I believe praying consistently throughout the day is for my heart and gratitude. This is something I am always seeking to grow in.

I hope this helps you as you grow to pray without ceasing and draw close to God.

I am not going to be held captive…I chose to live!

Women’s Ministry Minute

Angela Tomlinson

April 15, 2020

I am not going to be held captive…I chose to live!

As I sit and type these words, I am finding it hard to breathe, I can’t stop the tears. I honestly feel like I’m ready to throw up at any moment and I’ve run out of Kleenex. I’ve resulted to wiping my nose on my sleeve!

Life, Satan has a way of throwing things at you that you just don’t understand, you just don’t comprehend, you just flat out hate. I’m asking myself over and over why, why again, why now, when will it end, where is the peace, the calm? And just to be clear, I’m not talking COVID angst.  I’m talking my life right now hurts and I’m finding it hard to come up for air. I’m finding myself wanting to get in my car and just drive, find that road somewhere that leads to nowhere and just hide, but of course because of COVID I can’t do this. I’m stuck in these 4 walls.  My mind tells me that if I just bury my head in the sand, it will all go away, right??

WRONG- 

In the midst of all of my tears and snot running down my face, I heard “I am not going to be held captive- choose to live.” Now, honestly if I tell you the truth, most of the time I don’t stop to listen when I hear things like this, call me stubborn, call me not heading the spirits call…most of the time I’m just in so much angst that I can’t hear! But today I did hear, today I stopped and took notice to what the spirit was trying to get me to understand.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST.”

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

John 16:33

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.

You see, in the midst of my angst and tears, I was allowing my mind to go to very dark places, and I had forgotten the very basics of being a Christian, I HAVE THE SPIRITS POWER IN ME… I CAN CONTROL MY THOUGHTS! I CAN BREAK FREE FROM THE FEAR OF MY THOUGHTS. 

I had forgotten the very first steps from my spiritual discovery class – Stop and Consider- what am I thinking…is it a true statement? Recognize the spiritual battle- how is Satan tempting me here?  Tell myself the truth… 

This is where I believe we get tripped up the most, we honestly believe the lies that Satan is throwing out at us.  This is the end, it will never get better, there is no chance, there is no hope.  

There is always hope, hope does not disappoint us.  

Rom 5:5

Love you ladies-

Always Pray and Don’t Give Up

Women’s Ministry Minute

Tuesday, April 14

with Michelle Lutz

Luke 18:1-8

Be Renewed This Spring

One of my favorite things about living in Illinois is the changing seasons.  I love sitting outside on a hot summer night looking at the stars or picking the harvest of fresh vegetables from my garden.  The crisp, cool nights in the fall and the changing colors of the leaves can’t be beat.  The beauty of snow or ice on trees with the sun shining behind them creates an amazing winter wonderland.  But I think that spring is my favorite season and it is HERE!  My daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips are blooming.  The songbirds are singing and I heard a Great Horned Owl and a Barred Owl the other night.  The frogs have started croaking at night.  The days are longer and the sunsets have been amazing.  To me, spring is a time of rebirth and renewal.  Flowers that we have not seen for a year are in bloom.  Trees that lost their leaves last year are budding out.  The geese and other birds are finding their mates, making their nests, and laying eggs. 

Psalm 104 has to be for the nature, or changing seasons, lover like me.  To say that it describes how God takes care of all living things on this planet in addition to the planet as well would be an understatement.  The verse that catches my attention the most and makes me think of spring is verse 30.  Psa. 104:30  When you send your Spirit, they (all the creatures) are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

There are over 7 billion humans on this planet, an estimated 9 million different species of living organisms all sharing a planet with a surface area of about 197 million miles squared and God can renew it all.  That is a mind-blowing thought.

2 Cor 4:16-17  Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  Despite everything going on around me, I am being renewed by God every day through my prayer, bible study, relationships, and for me, through nature.  How are you letting God renew you?

Here are a couple of spring activities you can do with your kids:  Take a box of crayons outside and have your kids find things that God made that match the color of the crayons.  Watch a sunset with the kids then have them use water colors to paint their own. 

Gratitude Honors God

Recently, I restarted keeping a gratitude journal. I had been effectively ignoring a small voice for several months that kept urging me towards gratitude. A few weeks ago, I could no longer ignore that voice. Gratitude journals take work and consistency and I hadn’t been ready to do either. After all, I wasn’t ungrateful, but the fact is that I needed to be reminded of what I have to be grateful for now. There is so much that is unpleasant, uncertain, scary, and sad in our world today that I need to focus on what is good, right, and pleasant.

I started my first gratitude journal in 2011 after having been in a car accident that changed my life due to a spinal chord injury and being in a lot of pain. At that time, a dear friend shared her concern that I was becoming depressed. Since I didn’t want to deal with pain, other symptoms, and depression, I decided to go to the Bible to find some help. This passage is what first caught my attention.

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21

This passage kept going over and over through my mind for months. I decided that futile thinking and darkened hearts sounded like depression. The question that I asked myself was, “Would giving thanks to God change my perspective on my life?” That’s when I started my own gratitude experiment. I started keeping a gratitude journal and studying gratitude in the Bible.

Before long, writing in my gratitude journal was one of the most peaceful times of my day. I would sit with a cup of tea in the evening before going to bed, while all was quiet, and reflect on what I had to be grateful for that day. Looking back on some of those posts make me smile today. I was grateful for the ways that my husband served me and was so considerate. There was gratitude for the growth I saw in my children. Joys were considered and celebrated. Friends were honored for their service.

As I read those posts, what stood out the most was that each day I had at least one thing that I was grateful for; who God is, his character, and how he showed his love to me. That was a real eye opener to me as I read it today. My current gratitude journal was not producing the same sense of peace. I have been completely forgetting to be thankful to God for being God!

I give thanks to you , O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify (or honor) your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalms 86:12-13

The whole point of being grateful is to honor God. I will be making a course adjustment today. I will not only be thankful for the beauty and selflessness of others, but I will be thankful for the beauty and selflessness of God, for his steadfast love and deliverance.

Peace

Women's Ministry Minute

April 9, 2020

Phyllis Larr

Peace

Philippians 4:6-9

I took a survey the other day. It was asking, on a scale of 1-10 how concern am I about coronavirus affecting me, family, community, etc. It asked how the quarantine affects me emotionally — check all that apply. Honestly if I had  known what the survey was about I would have passed. I was having a great day, then this survey had my mind racing about this virus. How was I really doing? Am I deceived? Am I  not OK at this moment? I thought, “what happened to my peace?”.

This situation made me think of the definition of peace~ freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety. Before I took the survey, I was at peace. The opposite of peace is uneasiness, fretful, anxious, fearful, insecure. Do you feel like me? Do you feel all kinds of emotions daily, flip flopping? One minute you feel at peace then wham you feel anxious? It is normal to feel these emotions as we live through the coronavirus.

As I have studied out peace, I was reminded that it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). It’s not just a peaceful mind, it is a godly characteristic. The Holy Spirit helps my mind and character to grow in peace. When I pray and lay my request before God with thanksgiving, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7). When I pray about my anxious thoughts, I let God settle my heart.  

Phil 4:8-9 teaches me that if I think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy think on these things. The peace of God will be with me. I can grow in the fruit of the Spirit of peace. 

To grow in having a mind and character of peace I must readjust my thinking daily, often several times throughout the day. I must take my thoughts and turn them to Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5).  What helps me is to write out my thoughts, what makes me feel anxious, uneasy, insecure. I then find scriptures that are truth and write them along-side my anxious thoughts. As my mind starts to go towards those anxious thoughts again,  I have scriptures to readjust my thinking to focus on the truth. 

If you’re feeling anxious or stress during our time of quarantine, take time to pray quickly to think of things that are pure and right.  Write down your anxieties and cares and look to Gods Word to readjust your heart.  Sunday I’m going to be sharing a Top 10 list of how to be at peace during the coronavirus. You can watch our service on line at www.champaignchurch.org/live

Faith not Fear Peace not Panic

Have a peaceful day!

Check in on Mental Health

Women’s Ministry Minute

Angela Tomlinson

April 8, 2020

“Don’t do my fears all by myself- don’t do it in isolation”

Good morning ladies -As I am sitting here thinking about what I would like to share, what would be best for each of you, I finally settled on this.

Psalm 18: 29-36

“With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the rock except our God? It is god who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure…Vs 36- you provide a path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.”

I mentioned some in my post last week the need to be aware of our own mental health and the mental health of those around us.  We all need to get better at asking those probing questions, it has become too easy to just ask “how are you?” Maybe instead we can try asking “how has being isolated for so long affected you?”, “what are some of your fears if this continues much longer?” “have you noticed any differences in how your children/spouse/roommates are reacting to things?” and just straight forward asking “how is your mental health?” 

Sometimes I think that too many of us believe we can’t or shouldn’t speak of our mental health, that if we dare to share what is REALLY going on in our head, we would appear weak, or possibly even unfaithful. We worry way too much about what others might think of us VS doing exactly what Tracy spoke about this past Sunday: getting emotionally connected to God in prayer. Taking these cares and concerns to God in prayer, for as the scripture states- “it is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure”.  When we inquire about how someone is doing- that is what we are trying to do- to connect emotionally, to get to the real you. This is what God wants from us as well.  I can’t remember which one said it, Ron or Tracy, but one of them said something to the effect of ““Don’t do my fears all by myself- don’t do it in isolation “. Be honest, be vulnerable, be real about what is really going on in your head and your heart, not just with God, but with your friends too.  I honestly believe that when we do, we will see that the ones we might have been most fearful to open up with are actually our biggest cheerleaders!

If you are finding yourself having some concerns about your own mental health or the mental health of someone else; please reach out to a professional, please reach out to us and we’ll help connect you, just reach out to someone. We are here to listen and to try and help in any way possible.  

Breathe deep- Gods got this!

Love you all-

Angela Tomlinson

I am very blessed to work with some pretty amazing people, from all over the world, in all different countries. We have many devotionals that I get the honor of sitting, listening and learning from each of them. 

Some suggestions and thoughts that you might find helpful that HOPE worldwide’s mental health advisory and SPARK (disaster support program) teams have compiled:

:https://www.facebook.com/sparkacademync/videos/202909837801596/

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-UyjyRJm3ifZe44St-tiAf9jIf7XrpAJ/view

https://hopeworldwide.box.com/s/mvg7yz397df0kanw7dkj6um3yzmh8psj

If you’d like to learn more about what HOPE worldwide and theICOC church families are doing, please visit www.hopeww.org and https://www.disciplestoday.org/ 

Discipline

Women’s Ministry Minute
With Michelle Lutz

I have been struggling a bit with discipline during this time. I’m a partial extrovert, and am very externally motivated. In this time of heightened virtual connections that require a lot of personal and internal effort, I find myself being drained very quickly and constantly loosing steam. At times I can feel like I’m drowning with trying to keep up with the children, dishes, cleaning and laundry all while I’m desiring to be up to date with virtual interactions. My motivation to do any of it is intermittent. With my “type B” personality I love to sit and try to figure out how to do tasks while expending the least amount of energy possible. This can be very confusing to my “type A” workhorse of a husband. The past couple days have been getting better as I’m finding a new groove and I make sure to talk about how I’m doing in my d times and with Josh.

This scripture always convicts me:

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

— Proverbs‬ ‭6:6-11‬ ‭

 The beginning of this chapter is essentially taking about getting out of debt, and in verses 10 and 11 it says poverty will result from resting too much and being lazy. There have definitely been times where I’ve felt like I’m in “debt” with house work. Josh is incredible at helping around the house but he shouldn’t have to “bail me out” a bunch. I know I need to rely on God and the spirit as my motivation and not my own strength which is clearly lacking. While that scripture in proverbs is convicting, these two are super inspiring.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

— 2 Timothy 1:7

“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”

— Proverbs 31:17

God has given us his powerful spirit a spirit of love and self-discipline. When we rely on his strength, we can make progress with any challenge.

My Shelter

Psalm 55:4-8

4 My heart is in anguish within me;
    the terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Fear and trembling have beset me;
    horror has overwhelmed me.
6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
    I would fly away and be at rest.
7 I would flee far away
    and stay in the desert;
8 I would hurry to my place of shelter,
    far from the tempest and storm.”

As I was trying to look up another scripture, I ended up in Psalm 55 instead of where I was trying to go. I am glad I had the incorrect scripture because I needed to read Psalm 55.

As I was reading the above verses, my mind went a lot of different directions. I know in my life I have had events happen that made me want to escape. I just wanted to get away from everything. Other, smaller incidents, had me looking for shelter in the wrong places. I am an emotional eater and when I am needing comfort or shelter, I turn to food. Other people may turn to alcohol, drugs, TV, sex, etc. A couple of years ago, Kevin and I bought a home and property that has become a type of shelter for us lately. Having stuff to do on our property has kept our sanity the last couple of weeks.

Many Americans subscribe to a survivalist or prepper mentality. A prepper is a person who takes measures in advance to ensure the economic, physical and emotional well-being of their family during times of struggle. They have their shelter ready to go when times get bad. I realized I had not done enough prepping to make sure I remembered the shelter of God was within arms reach all the time. I realized I needed to pray more, read the bible more, seek discipling more, so that when things get bad, all I have to do is call on God and I am in his shelter. Reaching for the bag of cookies, a glass of wine, going for a walk, or talking to friends are not bad things but they will not put me in the shelter of God. Those things will not bring me the same type of peace that the shelter of God can.

The shelter of God is there for us all the time. We may have strayed, wandered far from its opening, lost sight of that shelter, misplaced the map to the shelter, lost the GPS coordinates, been too prideful to ask for directions, but it is still there for us if we are willing to look. Psalm 55:16 says “As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. In verse 22 it says that the Lord will sustain me if I cast my cares on him. The right kind of shelter can save our lives and sustain them until the storm passes. When the storms of life hit, I hope to see you in that shelter with me.

If you are feeling like you are caught up in a storm and can’t find shelter, please reach out to someone. Phyllis, Michelle, Angela, Patty, and I are here for you. We will do our best to help you find that shelter in God and if we can’t then we will help you find someone who can.

God is our Refuge in Grief

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:5-8

We live in very unsettled times trying to navigate our way through the coronavirus. This will affect all of us in many different ways from social distancing, to school closings, working from home, to reduced wages, or loss of jobs.

Social distancing has a different meaning for me as my sister recently lost her battle with cancer. Things that we take for granted in terms of setting up a funeral service are now different. Not all of my sisters were able to attend as some states were already closing their borders. We learned of resistance to a small service by a community member who was responding out of fear. During our funeral service, all of the seats were placed at least six feet apart. This resulted in me feeling like an island of grief when all I wanted was to hold someone’s hand or give and receive hugs.

The next day, we buried her three hours away in the cemetery where our parents were buried. Afterwards, there was no family home to retreat to have a meal together. There were no restaurants open to enjoy each other’s company. But Chick-fil-A had their drive-up open and there was a large parking lot close by that was only sparsely used. We ate together in a cold and windy parking lot, told stories, and enjoyed the comfort of family for a short while. This was a treasure for my heart.

Other people will not be able to experience even what we were able to do as the virus spreads and even more actions are taken to halt the spread of this disease. We will need to be creative in reaching out to those who are grieving in order to show that we care and to show through us that God cares.

Waiting in silence before God has calmed my soul as I understand that he already knows my needs. I can pour out my heart to Him knowing that He is big enough to handle all of my concerns and sorrows. This reaffirms to me that I trust Him. He is my rock, my refuge.

Reconnecting with God

Women’s Ministry Minute
With Phyllis Larr

Reconnecting with God - Psalm 103