Christ Bell

I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8:1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3:12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?

Qualcomm Day of Prayer

For those who are interested in attending the day of fasting and prayer at Qualcomm - Maranatha Chapel is sitting in the Plaza level, 16 and 17. We suggest parking in the east section. We understand there will be concessions but you might want to bring water.

We hope to see you there! God Bless!

His View with Kathy Priest

How’s Your Heart?

You should know this, Timothy that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love ONLY themselves and their MONEY. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. (II Tim. 3:1-5)

People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth. Men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:26)

When Jesus returns it will be like it was in the days of Noah. Let’s not forget what “those days” were! The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and He saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. (Gen. 6:5) It broke the heart of God.

Fast forward to 2008 where lust rules their hearts and dishonors their bodies. Women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise men leaving natural use of the woman burned in lust for one another. Men committing what is shameful and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Rom.1:26b,27)

These are those days where good is called evil, where evil is called good! We must be ready for the stage is set! Jesus is coming back it says when we least expect it! People are watching a lifetime of savings and security for their retirement gone in a day. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Look at even the weather! The earth is in travail. The earth is declaring with birth pains that “HE KING JESUS IS ON HIS WAY”!

All this has been a dress rehearsal for that coming day. We have been being prepared for eternity. Our Father is only waiting because of one thing. All are not saved! The time is short and we must bring the good news to everyone everywhere that God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (Jn. 3:16)

Jesus died of a broken heart. His love took him to the cross for you and for me. There was a woman in a hospital that had to make the hardest decision of her life. Two young girls lay dying. Only one could be saved. With both girls on life support the doctor asked if this mom would be willing to give her daughter’s heart for a transplant so the other little girl could live. After much prayer and anguish she agreed to the operation. After a little time had gone by this mother made her way to this little girls room that was filled with balloons, family and friends and this mother knocked on the door and said “may I come in”? “I know you do not know me but I am the mother of the little girl whose heart was given to your daughter. I was just wondering if I could put my hand over your little girl’s heart and hear my little girl’s heart beat one more time?” Of course the mother said yes with tears of gratitude streaming down her face! This is the picture of God! Father God gave Jesus life and His very heart has been given to us as a transplant for eternal life! Without His Heart given for us we would surely die! We could not save ourselves but God stepped in and now we live because of what He did. He dwells in us through the Holy Spirit and we have this assurance that we will spend eternity with Him! We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us! (II Cor. 4:7)

Therefore do not lose heart even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day! (II Cor. 4:16) Let not your heart be troubled and remember that not a sparrow falls to the ground that our Heavenly Father is not aware of! Now -- how much more does He care for YOU?!

You are safe and secure in our Father’s Arms of Love. Put your faith, hope and trust in Him! Look to the Father and not to the World for He is our Peace!

Love, Peace & Joy in Him,

Kathy

I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ

by Bob Moorhead

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

I have Holy Spirit power.

The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made.

I am a disciple of His.

I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.

I’m finished and done with the low living,

sight walking, chintzy giving, dwarf goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position,

prominence, plaudits or popularity.

I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized,

praised, regarded or rewarded.

I now live by presence, lean by faith, walk with patience,

lift by prayer, labor by power.

My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is Heaven,

my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,

my guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured,

lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,

hesitate in the presence of the adversary,

negotiate at the table of the enemy,

ponder at the pool of popularity,

or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I will not give up, shut up, letup, until I have stayed up, stored up,

prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I must go until He comes, give until I drop,

preach until all know, and work until He stops me.

And when He comes for His own,

He will have no problem recognizing me.

My colors will be quite clear.

Amen.

His View with Kathy Priest

Forgive Us Our Trash

A Mom listening to her Son repeat the Lord’s Prayer was surprised to hear… “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trash as we forgive those who pass trash against us! And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever! Amen!”

Out of the mouths of babes He has ordained praise! There is so much truth to that statement! Forgive us our trash as we forgive those who pass trash against us. I have heard people say I will forgive that person when I feel it is right. That is never going to happen! Forgiveness is not a feeling. Forgiveness is a decision. People do not fall out of love, they fall out of forgiveness!

Jesus did not feel like going to the cross and being crucified! He went because He loved you and me and it was the only way we could be saved and have eternal life. You see we owed a debt we couldn’t pay. The wages of sin is death. But God paid a price we could never pay! His sinless spotless life in exchange for eternal life!

After being beaten and abused He said “Father forgive them for they know not what they are do.” What Love and what commitment! Jesus decided to forgive! He goes on to say in the gospel of Luke 6:37, “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

You are never more like Jesus than when you forgive. If you want to be free you will have to forgive! Unforgiveness blocks the blessings into your life. God will be glorified when you act in obedience and forgive. I have watched it personally in my own life. From bitterness to forgiveness and finally free!

Sometimes we feel justified to not forgive but Christ does not give us that option. He says if we will not forgive then He will not forgive us! My brother Bobby was shot and killed at 21 yrs. of age on purpose by a 17 year old step son. I know you are thinking that doesn’t make sense? However, my brother married this 40 year old lady because he was lonely and still looking for a mother. My mom had checked out long ago with alcohol and a mental breakdown and beat my brother very badly until one day he ran away and never came home. I am called to forgive this boy that took my brother’s life.

My husband Gary struggled with forgiveness because he hated my mom for what she had done to me with the beatings I had endured. Gary had come to pick me up for a date when I was 17 and stepped in and took a beating for me!

One of our very wise counselors at church read one verse in Heb. 12:15, “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become deviled.” Gary was able to forgive my mom in the Lord through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit and my mother ended up asking Jesus into her heart and forgiveness for her sins.

There will be a cost to forgive. It will cost you your pride! You will have to be Christ-like and die to self. Jesus knew you would not be able to do this in your own strength and that is why He did it for you! Trust Him to enable you to be obedient, to forgive. The moment you say not my will but Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, you will be free!

Love & Mercy~

In Him, Kathy

Guest Study - Os Hillman

From Pain to Destiny "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-5). God often allows pain to ignite destiny in our lives. Without motivation, many of us would never fulfill the purposes for which God created us. Oftentimes a measured assault invades our life and creates a depth of pain that all we know to do is press into God with all our being. At first, our motivation is to alleviate the pain. After a season of extreme emotional and sometimes physical pain, a second phase begins. This phase moves us to discover a new and deeper relationship with God. We begin to discover things about ourselves and about God that we never would have discovered without this motivation. Gradually, our heart changes our motivation from pain to loving obedience because there is a transition of the heart that takes place. No longer do we seek God for deliverance from the pain; we seek God because He is God. We seek His face and not His hand. When we move to the second phase we often find ourselves moving into a new destiny and calling for our lives because God often separates us from the old life in this process. No doubt Joseph and Peter felt the pain of their individual crises. However, later they could realize God's purposes in their crisis. Like Joseph, we are able to say, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." Today, let God move you from the place of pain to the place of destiny. Let God show you the secret things He has reserved for you as a result of the crisis you may find yourself in.

From Your Blog Editor

Hi Ladies -

Just wanted to let you know that I'll be on vacation for a couple of weeks. So there won't be any updates to our WiM Blog 'til I get back the week of the 18th. We hope you are enjoying the posts and we'll have more to share with you when I return!

Blessings in Him,
Lisa Christy

His View with Kathy Priest

The 2 Week Diet of Words

We are women of many words! Some of the first sounds uttered by children on the playground are boys making noises and girls using many words!

I guess I would be considered a mouth in the body of Christ. God has given me a gift to speak His Love to a dying and hurting world. There is a great responsibility for those that desire to represent the Lord whether we are at home or standing before a crowd.

Colossians 4:5-6 says, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

Knowing our greatest strength pushed out of balance can be our greatest weakness, here is a diet that all of us can do that will produce immediate fruit in our lives.

1. Eliminate- Cut words by ½ for 2 weeks!
2. Weigh- Everything that comes out of your mouth. Another way of wording it does it Bless or Blast? Heal or Hurt? Soothe or Slander?

a) Is it true?

b) Is it kind?

c) Is it necessary?

3. Not Allowed

a) No criticism

b) No boasting

c) No lying

d) No gossip

e) No evil speech

f) No anger

4. Unlimited Foods (The more you use, the better your diet)

a) Please

b) Thank you

c) I’m sorry

d) I’m praying for you

e) I love you

5. Seasonings

a) A little salt

b) Grace-lavish on freely

6. Everyday should begin with a Hearty Breakfast - Have breakfast everyday with the King! (Isaiah 50:4)
7. Goal- Know how to speak in the right way.
8. The Payoff- Proverbs 15:23 A man (woman) finds joy by the answer of her mouth. And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

Jean's Jems

Organizing for the New School Year

I was having a conversation with a fellow Mom yesterday, and as we were talking I mentioned that I have several schedules for getting ready in the morning for school. She suggested that I pass on these ideas, so here you are. Now before I get into the details, I do need to let you know that my close friends say that I am a bit of an organizing enthusiast. Anyway…when I was getting ready last year to start my 5 year old daughter off to a full day kindergarten, I knew that without some structure to our mornings, we would be in for a rough year. First off, I am not a morning person, so every bit of help in the morning is welcome. I am fortunate that my husband goes to work very early, so he is up and gone before either myself or my daughter are up, and I only have one child to get going. This eliminates much of the morning confusion that I hear about from my fellow moms. I do believe that these ideas would work well with a full household, too.

So, as I thought about what we needed to do in the morning, I came up with 3 basics: get my daughter dressed for school, get her breakfast and get her snack/lunch ready to take with her. This sounds easy enough. For a day or two, it is. For 200 days [Sep-June; M-F] this was going to be less than fun. So…with my organizing brain in gear, I created 3 schedules.

The 1^st was clothes for school. Together with my daughter, we created 10 school outfits and made a 2-week – Mon-Fri schedule and posted it on her closet door. We even included what shoes and how to wear her hair. Every night before bed we hung out the next day’s outfit all ready for the morning. This worked very well. I always knew that the clothes she needed were clean and ready and there were no morning “disagreements’ on what she was to wear to school.

The 2^nd schedule I created was for breakfast. This may seem silly to some of you, but remember I am not a morning person and deciding between eggs and Captain Crunch uses up those valuable morning minutes. Anyway…I made a weekly schedule for breakfast – again together with my daughter we created 5 nourishing breakfasts.

3^rd and lastly we created a weekly schedule for school snacks/lunches and after-school snacks. I put these together on one schedule and we posted it on the pantry cabinet door.

I have to say…these worked FABULOUSLY. I am just now getting ready to revise last year’s schedules for this fall. You can make this a fun family project, too. Put the schedules on a larger sheet of paper or poster board and let the kids decorate it.

I hope that this gives you some good ideas for your household. I would love to hear any stories that you would like to share and or ideas that you have to help keep your family organized.

God Bless, Jean.

A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

A Prayer of Worship

You and I breathe without really thinking about it unless we are stressed physically or emotionally. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to, “pray without ceasing.” How does anyone really do that? Reading through the New Testament you get a glimpse. I think it culminates in Romans 12:1-3 when Paul exhorts “Present your body as a living sacrifice which is your reasonable service…” The entire chapter is a primer for living, breathing prayer. To go along with that thought I wanted to share a prayer from 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers.

Lord, I’m Yours. Whatever the cost may be, may Your will be done in my life. I realize I’m not here on Earth to do my own thing, or to seek my own fulfillment or my own glory. I’m not here to indulge my desires, to increase my possessions, to impress people, to be popular, to prove I’m somebody important, or to promote myself. I’m not here even to be relevant or successful by human standards. I’m here to please You.

I offer myself to You, for You are worthy. All that I am or hope to be, I owe to You. I’m Yours by creation, and every day I receive from You life and breath and all things. And I’m Yours because You bought me, and the price You paid was the precious blood of Christ. You alone, the Triune God, are worthy to be my Lord and Master. I yield to You, my gracious and glorious Heavenly Father; to the Lord Jesus who loved me and gave Himself for me; to the Holy Spirit, and His gracious influence and empowering.

All that I am and all that I have I give to You. I give You any rebellion in me that resists doing Your will. I give You my pride and self-dependence that tell me I can do Your will in my own power if I try hard enough. I give You my fears that tell me I’ll never be able to do Your will in some areas of my life. I consent to let You energize me…to create within me, moment by moment, both the desire and the power to do Your will. I give You my body and each of its members…my entire inner being; my mind, my emotional life, my will…my loved ones…my marriage or my hopes for marriage…my abilities and gifts…my strengths and weaknesses…my health…my status (high or low)…my possessions…my past, my present and my future…when and how I’ll go Home.

I’m here to love You, to obey You, to glorify You. O my Beloved, may I be a joy to You!

Our Father in heaven sees you through eyes of love – so much so that He sent His only begotten Son. Don’t you think that He wants to hear your voice in worship and petitions? It is our part to sing unto the Lord whether it be praise or sorrow and then…to listen because He has so much to share with each of us personally, intimately, passionately.

His View with Kathy Priest

Are You Contagious?

Do people want what you have? Can people catch what you have? Do you bless or blast? If we are the only Bible some people will ever read then what are they reading in you? We were made by God to love Him and to love others. Finding a way to express that love is the question.

I have found if you listen to a person long enough you will hear a need. That’s the time to ask God, “How can I be a part of meeting this need?” People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!

How can I be so full of Jesus that it spills all over on them? I John 3:16 says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

We want to share Christ in a practical manner. When you are at the grocery store you can let someone in line ahead of you. As you walk through a door at the bank you can hold open that door. You can smile and compliment someone for doing a good job. You can make such a difference in people’s lives by simply saying “now what would Jesus do and what would He say”?

Just like a moth is drawn to the light so it is when the world sees that there is something different about us and the way we treat people. Have you heard that what you are doing is speaking so loud I can’t hear what you are saying?

We need to show people that God loves them! When you are transparent the love of the Lord shines through and the Bible says, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (Jn.13:35)

Remember, we live in a world with lost and hurting people. Be Jesus with skin on! Listen with compassion. Be His eyes, ears, hands, feet, and remember to brighten your face and smile! Yes! You are contagious!

A Sweet Reminder

This is such a powerful witness that we HAD to share it with you. Some of you may have seen this already, but each time you watch it, you see something new. Amazing grace, how sweet it is!!

Cardboard Testimonies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Rest

Children are such a picture to me of God’s best. Curled on a chair in the waiting room of the outpatient clinic, a sweet little girl of four or five slept peacefully in the early morning. Her arms and legs were wrapped around her to keep her warm and to help her fit snugly in the small space. She looked like a puppy between her Grandmother and her Grandfather. Neither of them even glanced at the child as one awaited surgery and the other busied himself with papers and books. I watched, wondering what their story might be.

The nurse came out and called the Grandmother in; the Grandfather started to rise and then sat again remembering his charge. The woman looked back as the girl stirred, looking startled. Their eyes met a moment and that was all. She threw her arm out, laying her head on the chair where the woman had just been seated. She closed her eyes with determination. The man quietly looked on.

As I waited for my friend this scene unfolded and I continued to watch thinking, “he should comfort this child. He should do something.” Soon the girl was fully awake. Still there didn’t seem to be any outward bond of affection between these two.

Then the picture became clear. She stood up, went over, and began rummaging through a bag that sat at his feet. He watched, finally reaching in to help find the treasures she sought; her workbook and a fistful of markers. She situated herself next to him again on her chair and set about working. Figuring out each problem, she spoke out loud, having a conversation with herself, loud enough for everyone close to hear. At a certain point, this little dark haired cherub with brown saucer eyes reached over and touched her Grandfather’s arm smiling. He looked up from his book and smiled back.

No words, no embraces, but with one touch and a smile the two showed without question there was love, trust – relationship – a place of safety and peace. Just as quickly she went back to conversation song, working on her important task, and he to his book while they waited with confidence for grandmother to come back “all fixed.”

As I prayed for my friend who was in surgery, I had a confidence that this was a picture of how God cares for us. We are the children who are so busy “working on our tasks.” I think that is why Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Mark that we must have the faith of a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven.

“In quietness and confidence shall be your great strength” Isaiah tells us in chapter 30:15. The nurse appeared again in the door and we all looked up. This time it was time for me to go and see for myself that “everything was all right.” My friend sat in a chair sipping coffee, a big clear patch over her eye. We looked at each other and smiled. God is good!

His View with Kathy Priest

God Has Got a Plan

My plan was to make it through the next weekend alive and hope my family survived. Yelling, screaming, beatings, and visits from the local police. That was pretty much the plan. Then one day, our neighbor lady, named Muriel, took pity on a 14 year old girl and invited me to church.

There for the first time I heard God had a plan! One verse would forever change my life. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Wow! God had a plan! The police couldn’t save me but God had a plan! Even before I was formed in my mother’s womb God had a plan.

My circumstances had not changed but I did! I said yes to His plan! Now I could go to sleep without fear. My sins were washed away and He took all my guilt and shame. Now I had a best friend I could totally trust and count on to be there for me. Now I had eternal security!

Quite simply He spoke to me and said, “Kathy I have a plan!” If you will open this book which is my love letter to you then I will reveal my plan. Jesus loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life and yours! Jer. 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

When I met Gary at a youth group, he became my first and only boyfriend. What I first noticed about him was he loved to laugh. I had spent much of my childhood crying so I just wanted to laugh. There he sat on a bundle of hay just laughing all by himself! I decided I wanted what he was having. God loves to see His children laugh. Laughter doeth good like a medicine. (Prov.15:13 LB) It has been 43 years since that day and he still makes me laugh!

My plan was to marry and have kids but God had another plan. Sometimes we make our own plans and then ask God to bless it. It was 12 years of being sterile and going to a fertility specialist before learning we would never have children. The death of that vision led us back to church where we rededicated our lives to the Lord and said God YOU have a plan even though we are sterile and we step into that plan. Whatever YOU want to do with our lives we say yes!

Just 6 weeks later God healed the barren womb and I became a mom and delivered a beautiful baby boy named Austin. God had a plan and His timing is perfect! He is never late or early because the plan of God is perfect! God can do anything! Matt. 19:26 says “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Guest Study - Os Hillman

Baptism at the Red Sea

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Rom 6:4).

When Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, he took them to the edge of the Red Sea. The people saw the sea before them and heard the chariots of the Egyptians behind them. They knew they were trapped - and they lost their faith in God. They thought God was no longer at work in their lives. In panic and despair, they turned on Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out into the desert to die? When we were slaves in Egypt, didn't we tell you, 'Just leave us alone and let us continue serving the Egyptians.' Better to live as slaves than to die out here!"

They couldn't imagine that God's path to freedom actually led straight into and through the deep waters! The waters of the Red Sea, like the New Testament sacrament of baptism, are a symbol of death. When Moses parted the Red Sea, the people of Israel walked upon the dry seabed with walls of water on either side. They descended into the depths of the sea. They died to their old selves and rose to a new life that led to the Promised Land.

Like the people of Israel in their journey, we panic and cry out to God, "Did You bring me out into this desert of adversity to die?" We would rather live as slaves than die to self and yield control of our lives to God. But God takes us through the depths so that we can emerge as new people, ready to enter the Promised Land.

In general, I've observed that the greater and higher the calling, the more intense the adversity. I'm not saying one person's call is more important, but I am saying it may have a more far reaching impact on others. This often requires greater preparation.

If you find yourself in deep water, thank God today that He is preparing you for a life that is designed to impact many.

A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Working Out

How much time do you spend exercising? How much time do you spend making excuses for not exercising, knowing that you need to, but just not being able to find the will (most of us say the time) to do it? Well the weather is beautiful and the days are getting longer. It really is the perfect time, high time to be honest with yourself and get out there and “just do it!” All that sounds so earnest, so right, and yet we, (I,) still put it off; again.

After having a surgery I was unable to exercise for about 6 months except for non-strenuous walking. Well this just about drove me to distraction and made me feel very old. Then slowly I fell into the habit of not being active; knowing I needed to do something, but quickly pushing that thought from my mind. The repercussions for this consistent choice didn’t show up right away. Quietly it accumulated till I ended up back at the Doctor with aches and pains, weight gain and low energy. HMMMM! I was honest with him, confessing my lack of exercising but reminding him I did have a valid excuse. He patiently explained that our bodies are made to find and keep a balance. Exercise is a big part of that. Leaving his office, I was struck by my attitude that was building a quick defense; rationalizing my laziness and actually blaming the Doctor for not understanding.

Paul talking to the believers in his letter to the Hebrews in chapter 6 verses 10-15 says it like this. “God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Abraham is our example of diligence in hearing God’s promise; diligence in walking in the hope; "waiting for the hope and in being in relationship continually with God throughout.”

Exercising can be a great thrill to begin even though it may be difficult to learn the machines or routines. It is a need that is answered by making a conscious decision and then following that up with active discipline. Within a short amount of time we begin to see a change for the better; more endurance, weight loss or at least loss of inches, etc. There are a few things necessary to continue to grow in health and maintain strength. It is necessary to eat right, work out with consistency and growing resistance in exercise and hydrate. We never really arrive at a place of optimum health where we can slack off. That’s why they call it discipline. We have to be active if we want to have a quality of life. No matter how young or old; this is a fact.

God gives us pictures in the natural to teach His deep spiritual truths. Even as Paul encourages the believers, “Hey, you have done well and we want you to continue - don’t grow lazy.” Everything in this world can be very distracting. Good times and bad times turn our attention and we forget to remember the things we already know. That is why it’s important to have examples to follow; those who have gone before and have finished the race well. Abraham is called the ‘friend of God.” Proverbs tells us that a friend is faithful; going on to say that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus is our friend and more. He is our Brother, our great High Priest; He is our Savior!

It is my fervent prayer that we would be faithful, steadfast, immovable, diligent, always abounding in the will and work of the Lord; following the examples in His Word we can finish this race well. After all isn’t the very definition of a disciple?

So today is the day - begin now or with me, begin again. Every part of our lives are His. With Caleb (our example from the Old Testament), let’s take the mountaintops for the Lord when we’re old. It’s time to get into shape.

His View with Kathy Priest

Facing Our Fear -- Run towards the Lion

My husband was one of the original Killer Whale trainers of Shamu in the early 70’s! There was a procedure that was adopted by the trainers who worked at Sea World. Actually it was the trainers of lions who figured this out. If a trainer fell off the whale’s back or was knocked off, usually he would quickly swim away as fast as he could to get back to the place of safety. Unfortunately, that would send a signal that caused the whale to think the trainer was prey and then the chase was on!

Before too long the trainers tried a different method. If it worked for lions then why not whales? It was amazing how just turning and swimming towards the killer whale was the key!

How many of us are so afraid and running from the enemy? Satan’s tool is to keep us in a place of fear so that we will not go forward. The Bible says in II Tim.1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.”

Jesus showed us how He handled fear in the garden of Gethsemane. Judas was leading the troops to take Jesus away. John 18:4 says, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him went forward and said to them “Whom are you seeking?” Then in verse 6 it says, “now when He said to them “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”

The number one fear is public speaking. I believe one of the greatest tools we have is the ability to speak about Jesus to a dying world. The enemy wants us to be afraid of each other and keep us quiet. The Lord wants us to be bold as lions and walk forward in faith. When you walk by faith and believe what He says the enemy will flee! You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free! (John 8:32)

Believe what God says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18) Jesus will give the ticket to get on the train at just the right time! Whatever you need is as much as you need to fulfill His purpose and His plan in your life! That’s His love. His Grace is sufficient.

A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Getting Ready For Summer

When I was young I looked so forward to summer. Spending long, lazy days of sun and fun, doing whatever we could imagine. We would climb trees, build forts, have elaborate adventures in the fields, lay in the grass watching the clouds, catch lightning bugs, play hide and go seek and tag in the moonlight. There just seemed to be more time. The pace of life has sped up for everyone now. Children and parents alike are pressed for time to “get it all done.”
One woman put it this way. “Every morning I wake up I am tired before I get out of bed because I know that there is a mountain to climb again and I just don’t know how much longer I can do it. I never seem to make it to the top and if I do there is just another taller mountain behind that one.”

As candidates have shouted, "It’s time for change." Why not just get rebellious this summer? Instead of dreading the day, begin it with praise. “For this is the day that the Lord has made, let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps. 118:24) The Psalmist faced disappointment and challenge. But in all his needs he recognized and prayed to the One who was able to bring change.
This prayer warrior worshipped knowing from where his salvation came. “The Lord is my strength and song and He has become my salvation.” (Ps. 118:14) He remembered the Lord and rejoiced “You are my God, and I will praise You, You are my God, I will exalt You.” Ps. 118:28

Circumstances may have changed. Time is shorter now. Things move quickly and life is challenging. But this summer is the time we can take the mountaintops like deer skipping among the heights. Join me in this holy rebellion. Let’s begin this summer to praise the Lord in the morning and speak to Him in the day amidst all the circumstances asking for wisdom and obeying when He gives it – even if it seems too simple. Join me in taking time to look up into the sky and feel the sun on your face, listen for a bird singing, watch for children laughing. In fact be a part of the joy of this summer. Determine to make someone smile everyday and it will make your heart laugh.

You’ll feel like a kid again and time will multiply because you will be doing the most important things done. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Ps. 118:29

His View with Kathy Priest

What's in Your Cup?

Imagine your body as a cup. Some are big, some are small, some are cracked, some have great designs with lots of color and flare! We women love to talk about our cups. We love to talk about your cups. We wonder if she has had any work done on those cups!

The purpose of a cup is to hold or carry the contents poured into it! How true that is for each one of us. Just like a cup we must clean it before using it. Sin contaminates the contents in the cup! The bible says if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) Just like a cup we get dirty every day and so we need to wash in the Word!

Next, fill it up! What do you fill your cup with? Is it TV, magazines, or perhaps gossip? Well, whatever you put in, will come out. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks! I like the NIV translation when it says “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks! (Matt.12:34b) That’s right! We get filled up to overflow and that’s when we spill on other people. Pastor Ray likes to say “we leak”. Every day we leak and that’s why we need a constant refilling of the Holy Spirit!

You never really know what’s in that cup until it gets bumped. Every day you will have an opportunity for your cup to get bumped. Life is like that. I read a bumper sticker that said life is the class and love is the lesson! What is your reaction to a driver who just cuts you off? Do you lose your patience with the kids? Austin was only 3 when he said “Mommy let’s pray for your temperature”! That’s what was in my cup!

Do you curse? Sometimes fear can cause you to forget how a Christian should talk. My first day in Africa I was charged by a lion, almost stepped on a snake, and put my hand next to a scorpion! I thought I had totally lost my witness with what came out of my mouth! That’s what was in my heart! Then the Lord gave me this verse I shall never forget in Psalms 91:11-14, “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you and in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and serpent because He loves me, says the Lord.” I will rescue Kathy! That’s good news! That’s why we need Jesus Our Savior!

In Gal.5:22 it says that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control! Remember you are a treasure and carry the gift of life in your cup! Jesus lives and speaks through you! We must never forget that what we carry is like oxygen to a dying world. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.“(IICor.4:7) NIV The days are short and we must be ready to offer all who come in contact with us clean pure water. “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come and whoever wishes let him take the free gift of the water of life!” (Rev.22:17)

Jean's Jems

We've received lots of requests for the instructions on these beaded bookmarks that were offered at our recent Women's Retreat. So here you go!

Each Bookmark Requires:

1. 1 Charm
2. 3 Yellowblue 8 MM round beads
3. 1 Blue 8MM round beads
4. 2 Green 3MM round beads
5. 1 Blue 3MM round beads
6. 2 Silver 3MM round beads
7. 2 Daisy Spacers
8. 1 Silver spacer
9. 14” Wire [Tiger tail]
10. 1 Eye pin 2” size
11. 2 Silver crimp beads
    
    ASSEMBLY

1. Put charm on eye pin loop.
2. Build fob on eye pin – layer as follows

• Daisy
• 8 MM Yellowblue
• Daisy
• 3 MM Silver
• 3 MM Green
• 3 MM Blue
• 3 MM Green
• 3 MM Silver

1. Loop and wrap eye pin
2. Fob is finished – set aside for the moment
3. Put crimp on wire
4. Add silver round spacer
5. Loop back through crimp
6. Pull tight leaving 1” “tail” and crimp the crimp bead
7. Thread on 8 MM Yellowblue [making sure to bury tail]
8. Thread on 8 MM Blue [making sure to bury tail]
9. Thread on 8 MM Yellowblue [making sure to bury tail]
10. Thread seed beads to make 10” [about 160 beads]
11. Add crimp bead
12. Thread on fob
13. Feed back through crimp and seed beads to bury the tail
14. Tighten and crimp the crimp bead
15. Trim any leftover tail

We'd love to hear back from you as you begin your own beading or crafting projects! Just click on the "comments" button below.

Tangible Love by Linda Dinning

Everyone needs compassion and kindness. It is the very nature of Christ.

What kind of people did Jesus associate with? Whom did He consider important enough to touch? He reaches out to all regardless of how great or unknown, rich or poor, young or old, sinner or saint. Jesus cares equally for all. No person is beyond the loving touch of Jesus.

The beating heart of Christ is to reach out to others. To truly show a compassion and a kindness to all people.

How great are these words of our Lord and Savior when He said:

Matthew: 25: 35-39

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

When did we see you sick or in prison and go and visit you?

The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Let’s all lock arms together and go out to do what Jesus has called us to do. What a high honor that is to serve the Lord and one another.

My encouragement in this is to reach out to someone by giving a word of kindness, showing a tangible act of compassion to someone. Whether they are in your family, a friend or someone who the Lord has laid on your heart. Show them the beating heart of Christ.

Can’t you just see Our Lord smiling down on us and saying, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Lord, thank You for You are LOVE and all that You have put in us by the Holy Spirit.

Always with His Love and Grace

Jean's Jems - The First Post!

Why do we craft? I know it’s not because we have lots of spare time on our hands. I don’t know a single woman who says she is looking for one more things to fill her day. Yet we do craft, a lot; scrapbooking, stamping, knitting, beading, just to name a few.

I think that so much of our day is filled with mundane chores and duties that our souls cry out with a need to have something that’s uniquely our own. We spend such a large part of our day caring for others, that we can feel that we lose some of ourselves in the day to day. A craft is something that does not need to be fed, changed, bathed, washed & dried, ironed or driven somewhere. I think that crafting can help us reconnect to ourselves. To make us feel special and accomplished. Crafting, whatever your specialty, satisfies a need to create something beautiful: crafts also connect us to other women in a way that is not connected to what we are -- a mom, a wife, a doctor, a teacher. Fellow Crafters appreciate the creativity, the time and the effort that go into each project like no one else can. Lastly, crafts are often a way to share ourselves with others. Giving a gift of a craft says I think you are so special that I made this for you.

A word of caution, be careful not to get too craft crazy. I recommend picking one or two types of crafts and resist the urge to jump into every project you come across. Pick crafts that fit your temperament. For example, if you like to finish things quickly and see fast results, then beading is a great craft for you. A pair of earrings can take just minutes and provide you with years of enjoyment. If you like to get really involved and have lots of ideas, then scrap booking might be the thing for you. You can get involved with hundreds of details and keep adding and adding to your album.

I have found a couple of simple rules for my crafting time. First, I never start a new project before I have finished the current one. I can hear some of you groaning at that, but unless you want 20 unfinished projects lying around your house [and I have been there – it’s no fun!] then this should be your rule #1. Second, I always make sure that I have the money to finish the project. It is easy to start a project and find that you need something to do the next step and again and again and you can find yourself spending lots of $$ that you didn’t budget for. My third and final rule – ENJOY if you don’t love the craft you are doing, but maybe got started because someone said they thought you’d like it, or you’d be good at it, or they were selling the supplies for it, or whatever if you are not in love with you craft – DON'T continue. Cut your losses, your time is precious and your craft should be precious to you.

In the articles to follow, I will be sharing some ideas and experiences with specific crafts. The ladies of Women’s Ministry got together before the retreat at Forest Home to make a beautiful beaded bookmark. They have been so warmly received that I will be posting the instructions in the days ahead.

I would love to hear any thoughts you have on crafting or special projects that you have done. Just click on the “comments” button below or you can e-mail me directly at jean4mcwm@san.rr.com. God bless & happy crafting!

His View with Kathy Priest

Identity: Who are you in Christ?

Identity is major! It was key to the hearts of the women! Who am I? I am God's child, His friend, His workmanship, His poem, His bride, His temple and on and on! If we know WHOSE we are then perhaps we won't be acting out in other ways!

What happens when our identity is shaken? No longer married, suddenly single, your child moves into drugs or moves away, loss of a spouse, a child, a parent, loss of a job, loss of health or a house, a church split, a betrayal of a best friend , and loss of income to be able to provide for yourself or your family. What then?

If your identity is in Christ Jesus~you will be secure and you will not be moved! However, if it is in any other thing...you will be shaken !

His View with Kathy Priest - The Description

For those that haven’t had an opportunity to experience His View yet, I wanted to give you a sense of what this column will look like.

My hope is that thru this column and thru live panel/audience discussions during the summer (via the Girls Night Out Summer Series @ Maranatha Chapel) we can openly discuss and address real-life issues that we face as Christian Women each day.

Your affliction is your platform!
Your mess is your message!
Your test is your testimony!
Other people find healing when you share your hurts!
There's purpose in your pain!

Our greatest message comes out of our deepest hurt. You are only as sick as your secrets.

HIS VIEW is filled with Vision for where there is no vision the people perish!

INSPIRATION because it is inspired by The Holy Spirit to lead and guide our sisters in the way that's right! We are told NOT to seek the counsel of the ungodly but that All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man (woman) of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work! II Tim.3:16,17

ENCOURAGEMENT to give hope, confidence, support and help that we might not grow weary in well doing for in due season we will reap a harvest if we don't give up! Gal.6:9

WISE WOMEN that's what we want to be! My life verse is Ps. 90:12,"Teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of Wisdom." Let us be the older women teaching the younger how to apply His View in every aspect of our lives!

V is for VISION
I is for INSPIRATION
E is for ENCOURAGEMENT
W is for WOMEN

The format is filtered through the Father's Love. I believe, as the Bible says, there is going to be a great falling away in the last days and we want to be wise women not buying into the world's view. Keeping His Perspective! Looking Through His Lens of Life! I saw a bumper sticker that said, “Life is the Class...Love is the Lesson!” How true that is!

Take a look at the link on the right side of this page to submit a question for me or you can also click on “comments” at the bottom of this entry and submit a question.

"HIS VIEW" in everything we do & say.

A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Seeing and Being Seen

So often we look into the mirror and think, "oh it's just not a good hair day, or my clothes don't seem to fit anymore - how did that happen, or, I look just like my mother!" In other words we are shocked or dissatisfied with something about our appearance. The apostle John wrote a beautiful, encouraging letter to the believers of his day (and us today). He understands exactly how we feel and helps us see what we really long for as we look into our mirrors. He writes in chapter 3: 1-3 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure." Perspective determines outlook!

As long as I am trying to see myself in the reflection of the mirrors of this world; the expectations I place on myself, the demands of others, or the perceived goals named by world values, I will continually fall short, no matter how accomplished, beautiful or picture perfect. It will never completely be "good enough."

But when I come to realize there is a God who is good; a heavenly Father who loves me so much that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus. And when I look at the love of Jesus, who lived life experiencing sorrow and disappointment, joy and happiness and I learn that He humbled Himself to become a man; to live and die for me a holy sacrifice that paid for every sin I ever committed -- when I hear that on the third day this man Jesus who is God rose from the dead to conquer death and hell, I have a choice to make.

Will I continue to see myself through the mirrors of this world or will I surrender to Jesus view? Will I believe what He says from the beginning; that I am made in His image and after His likeness, precious in His sight? I am His masterpiece, a love poem. The mirrors of Jesus’ eyes are not like the mirrors of this world. They show facade; but the reflection we see in the eyes of Jesus reveals the heart. He promises to give me a new heart; to make me new; born again. I may never look like the "beautiful people" according to this world. But to be seen through eyes of absolute love, I am beautiful in His sight.

Perspective determines outlook. We see ourselves truly as we believe, receive, seek and learn who the lover of our souls is. Jesus is the express image of the invisible God. God is love. Jesus is love with skin on. John puts it this way, "...as He is, so are we in this world." John 4:17b. Beautiful to behold as we behold Jesus.

Just Click on the Pictures to View the Slideshow from Our 2008 Retreat

Photobucket Album

Sweet Memories - Forest Home 2008

All the planning. All the anticipation. All the excitement! And as is so often the case -- the Women's Retreat Weekend positively F-L-E-W by. But the memories last a lifetime. Here are a few that stick out in our minds:

• His View - Love & Truth and opening up to one another
• The Friday Nite Pajama Party - Massages, facials, games and tons of junk food! Woo-hoo!
• The Zip Line - you wild women, you!
• The Bear Encounter - yes, we couldn't leave the mountain without at least ONE bear story!
• Our "Fearless Leader" - and her insistence that stinkin' Satan was NOT going to win on Saturday nite! Hallelujah! God is faithful!
  
• Restoration, healing and salvation
• Friendship, friendship, friendship!!
• Awesome worship & prayer
• The grace, simplicity and love of our Heavenly Potter who molded and shaped the perfect weekend to bless us with and to ultimately draw each of us into closer communion with Him!