theeffect women

Recovering / Opening up Our Eyes

2011-12-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

I, never in a million years, thought I would be a part of a Recovery Community. I was not the one with the "problem" ... Have you heard that before ?? But, after years of being thrown into a life situation that is here to stay, I have come to grips with, and have truly come to believe that "We are all recovering from something".

I also have to share how appreciative of this Recovery Community that I am.

I am a normy...that's what they call me. No outward addictions, no rehab for me.. but I have learned what living the truth really means... living without false pretenses, living in the moment, being raw and open and real and what that really means. Feeling safe with people who do not judge and are so appreciative when you do not judge them.

My understanding has grown leaps and bounds over the years. Another cliche... "I wish I knew then, what I know now", is an understatement. I wish I had stuck with Al Anon all those years ago. I would have spared myself and my daughter soooo much pain. I am so grateful to have this group in my life now. I wish I had attended open AA meetings years ago. I would have grown to understand addicts and I would have developed compassion (and not so much anger) so much sooner.

I now have hope for those who are addicted. I have met recovering heroin addicts, meth addicts and alcoholics, as well as those addicted to prescription drugs. I say "recovering" because they use the term, but many of these people have been sober for 5 yrs, 15 years, 35 years!! They know that with one mistake, they can fall back and they vow not to. They work their programs, they stay away from what would stumble them....they know they will always be a work in progress and they understand that and have come to terms with that. They collect their chips and cherish them and each other. They congratulate each other, they surround each other with support and celebrate each others ongoing recovery. My hope is for those beautiful people that I know "now" who are still addicted. To see some of them you would think that there is no hope....but, I have learned that there is hope. It might take longer than I would pray for, but I know it can happen! I have seen it happen!

Now, isn't this the way that we should all live? Open, honest, raw, hopeful? Those of us who are not addicted...I believe we all need a 12 step program. Why? Because it teaches you who you are. It shows you that there is a power greater than yourself, if you don't know that already. (I choose to call him Jesus). It teaches humility, and the fact that we all need each other. It teaches us how pride and arrogance will keep us down and how giving back will open up our lives and free us. It gives us a community of real, open, honest, transparent and transformed people that you can be yourself with....completely yourself. It gives you the the tools to know who "you" are and not what people want you to be.

Al Anon teaches us how to live in situations that are uncomfortable, but to never lose who we are. If we have lost ourselves, Al Anon is a program process of finding the person we once were and getting back to that place. Taking care of "you" first, then everyone else thereafter. Learning how to not live a lie, how not to cover up the truth, and fix things that you should not be fixing. Keeping our eyes on ourselves and letting others (who are going through their addictions/etc.) take care of themselves. We stop picking them up every time they fall, and guess what?, They start to learn to pick themselves up.

I am in awe of all of my friends in recovery. Real recovery, not white knuckle recovery. Your smiles, your laughter, your zest for life... So many people could learn from you. You have learned to appreciate life, and to not just "exist".

How many people can say that they are in that place? I know that I am working on this daily! I'm learning from my friends in Recovery! Thank you all!

Fetal Position

2011-08-08T18:11:00.000-07:00

I remember, the fetal position. It was not that long ago. And, no, I do not mean fetal as in womb. I mean fetal as in "pain". Not knowing where to turn. Not knowing who to talk to. Feeling so absolutely a l o n e .... even though I had people around.. I did not have people who understood.

Do you feel like this? Do you have days when you just can not cope? Are you dealing with your own addiction, or that of a loved one?

I was dealing with a loved one. It was as if I was mourning on a daily basis for someone who was very much alive. We started off with so much promise. Love. Friendship. Laughter. But, this soon disappeared and became something entirely different. You do not stop loving an addict...you do not stop loving those who have a problem with alcoholism..drugs, etc. But, you can become as sick as the one addicted...or on the other hand, "your addiction" is affecting your family, your friends, your co-workers, your loved ones. Don't be in denial. It hurts everyone.

I did try Al Anon. I didn't think it was for me. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was not continuing to find a meeting that worked for me!

For those of you contemplating Al Anon. Please GO! Don't hesitate. If you don't like the first meeting you go to, try another..and another, until you find the one, or two that fit you.

For those of you wanting to find help for your addiction. Go to an AA Meeting. If you don't like the first one, try another, then another, until you find the community of men, women or both that fit you. Don't hesitate..GO.

Do you need to talk to someone? Now? Contact theeffect. www.theeffect.org. We have Recovery Counselors wanting to speak with you. They have been there, on either side of the addiction. They are hoping to spare you from the ongoing, enduring pain of addiction. Don't get me wrong...recovery is ongoing..but you do not need to live in pain.

You might not be ready..but write this number down and keep it in your wallet or next to your phone...

949.218.2228

phone

888.690.0900
recovery helpline
http://www.theeffect.org

to visit us

27122A Paseo Espada, Suite 904
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

To check on our meetings / gatherings: http://www.theeffect.org/gatherings/gatherings.html

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE. IF YOU ARE IN NEED, PLEASE REACH OUT

Most Deadly Drug Revealed, Alcohol #1

2011-06-21T18:41:00.001-07:00

A recent study out of Great Britain suggests that alcohol is more deadly than crack cocaine and even heroin.

Scientists in Great Britain devised a system for evaluating the dangers of both legal and illegal drugs. The drugs were rated using a technique called Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) which assess damage according to nine factors with regard to harm to the user and seven factors that indicate harm to others. Factors which were considered for harm to the user were such things as drug-specific or drug related death, damage to personal health, drug dependence and loss of relationships. Criteria considered with regard to harm to others included crime, environmental damage, conflict within families, international damage, economic costs and damage relating to division within communities.

“I think that society, as a whole, doesn’t realize exactly how detrimental alcohol is,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center. “The attitude within the United States seems to be: ‘if you’re 21, the law says that you are old enough to drink, therefore there can’t be any real harm in drinking in moderation’. But, as this study shows, there are more factors to consider than just those related to personal health. Certainly, health is a major consideration, but personal, family and work relationships rank a close second. Educating young adults on the various ways that alcohol impacts on their lives and the lives of others can go a long way in decreasing alcohol abuse.”

The World Health Organization has estimated that factors related to alcohol and its consumption cause nearly 2.5 million deaths annually due to road accidents, suicides, heart and liver disease as well as cancer. Deaths related to alcohol factors account for 3.8 percent of all deaths worldwide and are the third leading risk factor for disabilities and premature death.
The MCDA technique utilizes a score system based on 100, with 100 being the most harmful drug and zero for drugs that are evaluated to be of no harm. Out of 100, alcohol scored 72 followed by heroin and crack cocaine at 55 and 54, respectively.

One Year Ago / Vanessa

2011-06-11T23:13:00.000-07:00

One year ago, I read a post on Facebook. It was from one of the most vivacious, beautiful and fun 20 something year olds I have known. She needed a ride home and posted her request on fb. I had this nudge inside of me...."reply Marian...you don't need to pick up your son from school for a couple of hours" Then all of the reasons why not..."She wouldn't want to go with you...you're old enough to be her mom...one of her friends will respond..she will be ok." Then that nudge again..."Just let her know you are there if she needs you" ...then the other voice..."She probably already has someone to take her home."

I left it at that... then, just a day later...I got the most horrific phone call. Nessa was found dead. The person who picked her up was a "user"... This sweet girl was in recovery and struggling and the person who picked her up was a dealer/user. She didn't go home. She went to his place. She had been down...that is the only reason I can think of when I wonder "why" she relapsed that day. She was given opana. A morphine type of drug. There are many side effects. She couldn't breathe. She was dying. The boy who brought her and gave her these drugs had just been in jail for dealing drugs. He was afraid to call the police or paramedics. So he let her die. He let her die.

Her father frantically tried to find her. She didn't come home. She didn't return calls. No one knew where she was. He received a call the following day. She had died the day before.

This is my memory of what happened. The timing and some of the facts might be a little wrong, but it is the way I remember what happened. Just a year ago.

We will be having a memorial this next Friday, June 17th at theeffect Recovery Church at 7 pm, for this sweet girl that we lost one year ago. Her name is Vanessa Corielle Porter.

It still haunts me that I didn't offer her a ride. I still don't know if she would have accepted from me....but I wish I had tried. I will from now on...I will watch for people who need me..need someone to help them. Vanessa opened my eyes to how we are all connected...how God nudged me that day...how much this loss has affected me and so many others. How we still can not accept that this young life was taken at such a young age. We are all still grasping for answers. Praying for peace. Hoping for justice. Missing her smile, laughter and presence.

We will always remember Vanessa...we will see her again one day. Whatever she was struggling with is not an issue anymore. She is in the arms of God...at peace...waiting for her friends and family.

Answer the nudges...listen for God's voice...take no one for granted....know that everyone God puts on your path is there for a reason...there are no coincidences with God...we are spiritual beings...all intertwined...and connected to our God. Love everyone..that is all God really asks of us...love everyone.

For you Vanessa, I will....I will try harder.

Love to all....You are children of God and so truly and unconditionally loved.. Yes, you are..no matter what you have been through in your life...please grasp that and know that and be free with that...let this truth truly set you free.

My heart and prayers go out to Vernon and his family as I am sure they are still grieving the loss of this beautiful child. Although she is in the arms of her Father in heaven, a huge loss is still felt here at home for so many.

Blessings!

How Strong Is Our Faith?

2011-06-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

Perpetua and Felicitas, Martyrs, Mothers, Brave to the End

The emperor Septimus Severus decided that the Jewish and Christian religions must be curtailed if Rome was truly to rule and command the masses it lorded over. There was no room for any other lord within the iron grip of the Roman empire and Septimus Severus had finally decided on one very specific way to put an end to non-Roman allegiance: outlaw conversion upon penalty of death. To further strengthen the decree he made it retroactive a number of months. Perpetua and her servant Felicitas were recent converts and they were caught up in the chaos of legalized death and persecution. Before the authorities could seize them, they were baptized by the priests of their congregation even as they knew this was signing their own arrest warrant. They along with a few others were arrested and imprisoned for the crime of their faith. Perpetua had just given birth to a baby boy and Felicitas was nearly eight months pregnant when they were imprisoned.

As a new mother, Perpetua was in pain and desperate to nurse her baby who had not yet been weaned. She suffered in her cell and struggled to maintain her faith even with the aid and comfort of her new sister Felicitas. Two deacons from her congregation bribed the jailer and secreted Perpetua's son into the jail. Perpetua nursed her baby boy and would remark that this single act of mercy by the deacons confirmed her faith in her in a powerful way. Further, it gave her renewed resolve to withstand the tortures that most surely awaited her and Felicitas. She wrote that after that blissful moment she felt as if her prison cell had become a palace. They were given something resembling a trial and given an opportunity to renounce their faith and save their lives. They refused and were taken back to prison with the words of their punishments ringing in their ears--"Cast them to the wild beasts and let them be torn to pieces."

That night Perpetua was visited by three significant events. Her father came to her carrying his grandson--Perpetua's baby boy--and begged her to reconsider her faith. He first pleaded and then commanded her to renounce her faith so that she might be a mother to her baby. Perpetua held fast and insisted that if she renounced her faith then she would not be a boon to her son but only a disgrace. After her father left she had a vision wherein she stepped on the head of a dragon and climbed a rickety ladder to a meadow of great pastoral peace. From the vision she found great peace and it further renewed her resolve to be martyred. Finally, she went to Felicitas who feared that she might not be allowed to be martyred with the others because of her pregnancy. As she was telling this fear to Perpetua and they were praying over it, she went into labor and delivered her own healthy child. In the morning, they were marched to the amphitheatre where they would be martyred and Felicitas carried her newborn baby with her. Christians accompanied them on the march and Felicitas gave over her daughter to a Christian woman so that the child might be raised in the Faith for which her mother was willing to die.

Once they were in the amphitheatre, they were whipped and beaten before the bloodthirsty crowd. Wild animals were released into the arena to kill the Christians and all but Perpetua and Felicitas were soon dead. Perpetua and Felicitas were mortally wounded but this was not enough for the fierce crowd. They gave each other the Christian "kiss of peace" as their executioner approached with his sword. He killed Felicitas and then turned to Perpetua. He was shaking at the thought of yet more murder and so Perpetua guided the blade of his sword to her neck and gave him silent permission to perpetrate the Empire's atrocities.

Although the execution in the Coliseum was intended as entertainment, and enjoyed as such by most of the jeering crowd, some of the spectators, inspired by the martyrs' fearlessness, became converts; nor were these spectators the last people who would be encouraged by Perpetua and Felicity, who, even at the cost of their lives, worshipped God and not the state. They are celebrated on March 7.

I attended a Bible Study at Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo. The topic for the summer is "Top Models" and women of the Bible will be studied, and I feel honored as their stories are shared. I had never heard the story of Perpetua. It moved me so much that I wanted to share it with you. If you would like, there are many versions of the story..the story remains the same, but the way it is written is different. You might want to share it with your family and/or friends. I believe we are all being called to strengthen our faith in God. This life is not easy. I don't know how people live day to day without the knowledge of our God, our protector, our provider, our comfortor. Please share Him. He longs for all to know Him!

2011-06-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Today I can be grateful that the earth will continue to revolve without any help from me. I am free to live my own life, safe in the knowledge that a Higher Power is taking care of the world, my loved ones, and myself.

(Courage to Change, pg. 283) Thank you Lord!!!

Come Do Your Work In Me

2011-06-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

David Wilkerson Today
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

COME DO YOUR WORK IN ME

by David Wilkerson
I believe if a Christian has an intensity for a holy life—if he desires to give his all to the Lord—there can be only one reason why he fails to enjoy the blessing and freedom promised by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That reason is unbelief. As surely as Jesus could not perform his works when there was unbelief, so his Spirit cannot do anything in our lives when we harbor unbelief.

It is vital for every follower of Jesus not to judge God’s promises according to past experiences. If we cast ourselves fully on his promises—believing them with all our being, trusting him for a supply of faith, holding the Spirit to his own word—then we can know the results are all God’s responsibility. And
we’ll be able to stand on judgment day, having been faithful. We simply cannot give up our desire to enter into his promised blessings.

There was a point in my life when I had to cast my eternal future on God’s promises. I determined to trust his Word at the risk of my very soul. I put out this challenge to almighty God: “Lord, I’m going to believe you’ve given me your Holy Ghost. I believe he alone can deliver me from every chain that binds me. I believe he will convict me, lead me and empower me to overcome. I believe he causes me to obey your Word. And I believe he will never depart from me, nor will he let me depart from you. I won’t limit your Spirit in me. I’ll wait on him, call on him and trust in him—live or die.”

“Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:4). We’re to do what the Lord told Ezekiel to do—pray the Word of God. We are to remind the Holy Spirit of God’s promises to us. We’re to tell him, “Holy Ghost, the heavenly Father promised me he would put you in my heart—and I’ve committed myself to that promise. I will yield and I will cooperate, for I want to be holy. You said you will cause me to walk in his ways and obey his every word. I don’t know how you plan to do that—but you made an oath, and you cannot lie.

This is all written in the Word, Holy Spirit. So, come—do your work in me. I’ve entrusted my very soul to this promise.”

Other Mothers

2011-05-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

Treat . . . older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. —1 Timothy 5:2

I’m old enough to recall when you could get in trouble everywhere in your town by any female adult who felt motherly toward you. If someone caught you doing anything immoral, illegal, disrespectful, or even questionable, they were not deterred by the fact that they did not share your particular strand of DNA. Wrong was wrong, and if you were wrong, they felt a social obligation to step in and mother you occasionally. That was the downside.

The upside was that you also had a cadre of women who would love, support, and encourage you in areas where your own mother did not have a background for input. This is the aspect of having Other Mothers that allows young women to excel and spread their wings beyond their own heritage. When women who are not bound to you by relational duty look into your life and tell you that you are gifted, you tend to listen to and believe them primarily because they aren’t your mom.

You may be a woman who needs an Other Mother. You might be a woman with Other Mothering to give. Truth is, you’re probably both. I hope you will seek out the Other Mothers you need and give Other Mothering liberally to the girls coming up the path behind you.
—Anita Renfroe

Frugal meals ~ Depression Era Recipes

2011-03-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

We are not going through the Depression of the 30's, but more and more people are showing up after church needing help with food staples every Sunday. The cost of gas and food is rising. We need to save every penny in this house. I thought I would share what I am finding. I know my mother has some wonderful recipes too. I will try and accumulate more and start a new blog for these... Hope this helps!
Vintage WW1 Eggless, Milkless, Butterless Cake

1 cup water
2 cups raisins
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup lard (shortening)
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Place water, raisins, cinnamon, cloves, brown sugar, lard (shortening), nutmeg and salt in a saucepan and mix. Place on heat and bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes. Allow to cool, then sift together the flour, baking soda and baking powder. Stir into cooked mixture.

Place in a greased loaf pan and bake at 350F for one hour.

Ritz Mock Apple Pie

The classic pie, featuring Ritz crackers baked in a golden crust, is perfect for the holidays.
Pastry for two-crust 9-inch pie

36 RITZ Crackers, coarsely broken (about 1 3/4 cups crumbs)
1 3/4 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Grated peel of one lemon
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Roll out half the pastry and line a 9-inch pie plate. Place cracker crumbs in prepared crust; set aside.

Heat water, sugar and cream of tartar to a boil in saucepan over high heat; simmer for 15 minutes. Add lemon juice and peel; cool.

Pour syrup over cracker crumbs. Dot with margarine or butter; sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll out remaining pastry; place over pie. Trim, seal and flute edges. Slit top crust to allow steam to escape.

Bake at 425°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is crisp and golden. Cool completely.

Fould on this Blog: http://cherryblossomtable.blogspot.com/

Under Construction

2011-03-07T12:10:00.001-08:00

Please pray for me....as I ressurrect our Blogs.. it's been a long time since I have written.
If anyone has anything that they would like to share, please let me know. An event, a movie review, book review, restaurant, and outing for our church idea... please share!

Thank you so much!
Marian

Bible Study

2010-08-27T16:32:00.001-07:00

Need ideas for a new Bible study.... also..are we better off on Friday mornings, or would an evening be better? Please let me know.

2010-08-03T11:20:00.001-07:00

The Whisper of God Thought for the Day: “Never underestimate anything you do. Even the smallest act of kindness can bring God into someone’s life. You are God’s ambassador, represent Him well.” Have a sensational day today my friends! – Elmer Laydon

What do you do?

2010-07-19T13:27:00.001-07:00

When someone won't forgive you?

What Matters Most

2010-07-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

July 19, 2010

By: Julie Clinton, M.A. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

Food. Alcohol. An affair. Shopping. Exercise. Obsessions with hobbies or a job. Too often, instead of looking to God and the relationships He’s placed in our lives, we look to other things to fill the emptiness and ease the confusion we feel. But how well we live hinges entirely on our ability to develop healthy relationships with others.

And herein lies the secret to making every day count. To focus on what matters most – time with God and those we love. This is incredibly difficult to do in a world that values anything but intimacy with others. Wealth. Beauty. Fame. The decision to focus on our relationships—with God and others—is directly at odds with what society values.

If relationships with God and others are what matter most in life, we need to ask ourselves what we’re doing to strengthen these closest relationships. Often, we’re so caught up in life that we inadvertently put our connections with others on autopilot, hoping that the relationships will still be intact when life settles down a bit. Because life rarely settles down, we can go weeks, months, and even years without investing time in the people we love most.

Where is your heart? Is it trapped by the human desire to store up treasure in this world? Or do you focus on people the way Jesus did when He was here on earth?

Prayer
Prayer: O Lord. Fill me with the desire for relationship—with You and with the people I love the most. Help me to realize that if I treasure relationship above everything else, that is where I will put my heart and my time. Amen.

Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:

Monday: Ephesians 5:2, 19, 30

Tuesday: Colossians 3:16

Wednesday: Colossians 2:2

Thursday: Malachi 3:16

Friday: Luke 24:13, 14, 15

Saturday: Psalm 55:14

Sunday: 1 John 1:3, 7

Lost Emails

2010-07-02T16:17:00.001-07:00

A glitch on my computer took all of my email addresses over a month ago. I have lost all of you. If you would like to be on the Women's Ministry email list, please forward your email addresses to Marian@theeffect.org. Thank you!!!

2010-06-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

We start our days with the best of intentions. A good morning to God as we whisk our way out of bed and start our routine. Making lunches, making breakfast, making sure the kids are dressed and ready for school, make sure they have everything they need to take to school (or you'll get a call sometime during the day to make that trip again). Then the tornado we call getting ready in the morning has to be tended to. Picking up clothes off of the floor, cleaning the kitchen, dishes, floor stovetop. If your kitchen is like ours, everything ends up here...kids toys, books, mail, drawing creations, etc. It is hard to figure out what must go. New things do not always have a desingated place, so much to the chagrin of my husband, these things stay in the kitchen.

We drag ourselves to the bathroom, look in the mirror and somewhat remember the face staring back at us. Is that really me. Mom? Are you visiting? Who took my face, I want it back. I realize I had too much salt the night before and my face is a little doughy today. The bags under my eyes will slowly disappear (I've heard that hemorroid cream is good for this). A shower, some make up to replace the color that age seems to have taken away...doesn't just happen to leaves my friends. Squeeze into my jeans, I can swear they fit me yesterday..remembering the chips, hmmmmm.

The dogs have no food. There is no more syrup for pancakes. This is drastic in my home. Off to the store. By the time I reach the checkout somehow 20 more things that I must've needed have shown up in my cart. Budget, yes, we have a budget, but a staple in my home is tortillas, another is shredded cheese, oh and Kraft macaroni (pandomonium sets in when there is no Kraft or Top Ramen) soda, even though we have been saying for years now that we are going to quit.. "Thank you Mrs. Brisbin!." "You've saved XX dollars today"...with a smile.. and I know she is thinking in her head, "And you have secured my job for yet another day, keep coming back, it works!

This is just a part of my day. Why am I regurgitating my morning? To show you that in that time I had just a little bit of human contact. From the sleep eyes and groans from my children, to the "almost made it" kiss from my husband as he darts to his car. From the slam of the door from my 20 year old... I have been on my own. Now roaming the isles of the local grocery store, it's Stepford Village. Either there is no eye contact whatsoever, or it is a grin from a beautifully dressed and gorgeous woman who really should have sent her maid to do her shopping (I would hate to break those nails...must've cost at least the groceries I am about to purchase).

Human contact! We need it. We thrive in it. We shrivel without it. We resort (not I, of course) but many resort to chat rooms.. a voice on the other end of the keyboard! "They" understand! For me, it has been facebook. Connecting with old school friends and workers has helped me feel connected to the world again. But what happened to human contact.

We come home from our days, exhausted, spent. Maybe there was a school meeting that needed to be attended. A church meeting, a sporting event, we just keep moving...moving...no time to sit and talk. Like people before our time used to do. They didn't have it easy either (no washing machines!!!) But somehow they managed to get everything done (or save some for the next day) and sit on a porch and watch their children play. Maybe sit with a few neighbors over coffee or lemonade and chat. Those days are gone. Do you know there are interenet groups now called Mom's Cafe? It is supposed to resemble mom's sitting around connecting. This is what life has come to.

So, why am I rambling on. I am putting out a call to all ladies, single, married, young and old. We all need each other. The young (even though they don't see it yet) really need the wisdom of the older women. The single need the wisdom of the married women, sometimes the married woman needs the wisdome of the single woman...just to put some life back into our lives.

Friends and family are so important. Women, find friends!! They are out there. I know, I have heard. Thinking of starting a Bingo or Bunko night here, just to get the ladies together.Praying that God will send me a revelation of where to start and what to do to bond and grow the relationships between the women of our church and beyond. Sisters....we need sisters.... and that doesn't mean just biological. Men need men, women need women. Some of are losing that. We need it back.

Since I am just sitting in the office right now, I do not have my Bible next to me. I have someone elses, but I have my scriptures marked. I will share them with you later to complete this thougth.

Please pray about this. Bonding and growing our Women's ministry, relationships, friendships to last a lifetime. I believe this is what God wants for us. I pray that we have time to make this happen.

Have a wonderful day! Love you all!
Marian

We Will Not Forget You Vanessa!

2010-06-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Expectations

2010-06-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

I know that a book can be written about "expectations" and how they can move us forward, and how they can destroy us... But I won't go there right now.

We need to put our expectations in the Lord and not in things and people. I know that this is easier said than done. I have done this myself. So, let's start here:
"Lord, I look to You for everything I need in my life. Help me to put all of my expectations in You."

And whenever you are disappointed because your needs are not being met, talk to yourself and say, "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." (Psalm 62:5). Then tell God about your needs and everthing that is in your heart. Don't worry, He won't be surprised or shocked. He already knows. He is just waiting to hear it from you.

Seven Signs of a Desirable Friend - By Stormie Omartian

2010-06-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

1. A desirable friend tells you the truth in love. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:6)

2. A desirable friend gives you sound advice. "Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight in hearty counsel" (Proverbs 27:9)

3. A desirable friend refines you. "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs: 27:17)

4. A desirable friend helps you grow in wisdom. "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20)

5. A desirable friend stays close to you. "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

6. A desirable friend loves and stands by you. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17)

7. A desirable friend is a help in time of trouble. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

God in Our Lives

2010-05-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

June 30, 2009 By: Elmer Category: God in our lives
I always try to keep a positive attitude.
For the most part, I believe that I have a pretty good life and overall there really isn’t a lot for me to be in much of a bad mood about. However, like everyone else, from time to time it happens. The reason for my getting in a bad mood is generally due to life stresses that we all face on a daily basis.
As much as I might try to keep a fairly level head and calm attitude, there are times that it seems that certain things “catch up to me”. However, when they do, I always try to relax and return to the fact that I do have a pretty good life.
Sometimes, even though I have faith that my life is playing out the way that God wants it to, I need a little reassurance to let me know that all is still good. So when I do, I will ask God to give me some kind of sign that whatever I am troubled over is going to be alright.
I am always surprised with the answer that I get.
The other night, while at the end of a vacation, I was a little upset about what seemed to be a lot of little things. I was sitting at a restaurant on the water and had just watched a beautiful sunset. After the sun had set and the sky had darkened, I was thinking about why I was upset and, as I do sometimes, I asked God to give me a sign to let me know that everything was okay. As I asked that, simultaneously a star appeared in the sky and a light from a boat appeared on the horizon. I was wondering if this was supposed to mean something when a thought popped into my head: I am like a boat at sea navigating with a sextant and God is my guiding star.
I started wondering to myself if I was just making this all up in my mind; so, I asked if this was really the sign I was supposed to get. At that moment one of the biggest shooting stars that I have ever seen shot straight across the sky right towards the boat and the star. I knew that I was not alone – God was with me – and that all was going to be alright. So I gave my troubles up to God and enjoyed the rest of my evening.
God gives us signs all of the time. In case we don’t see the signs, we have been told by God that we should not fear anything because He is always with us.
If we look to the bible for how God’s love for us helps us through difficult to troubling times, we can find the following passages:
Psalm 94:18-19 says “When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
God does help us navigate through the daily stresses of life and He is always there with us. So next time you are feeling stressed, reflect on the two passages above and ask God for a sign that everything will be okay. Once you do, keep yourself open as you never know how His sign might come to you.

Just Another Day

2010-04-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

Fed the dogs, fed the cat, took my shower, woke up Sean, woke up Brennan, followed Sean around the house making sure he was getting ready. Made my coffee.....ok, now I'm awake. Reminded Dave he was driving Sean to STAR testing today. Sleepily, he responded...but did he truly hear me :o) ? Tried to find clean clothes for Sean, got Brennan dressed. Made breakfast for Sean, and a healthy snack to take to testing. Asked Dave again if it was ok that he take Sean to testing, he seemed soooo tired. He responded with a nod.. no smiles on anyone yet. Packed a snack for Bren and me to take to work. Filled my car with Brennan's Nintendo 64 and all of his games (he will be with me until 2 pm), and some toys he requested. Got Sean up from the couch to brush his teeth and hair.. heard an "ughhhh" come from him.. no one was speaking yet, except for Brennan, who can speak in his sleep and non-stop all day long, and with a happy smile :o) .. Handed Sean his healthy snack and a water and watched Sean and Dave drive away, on their way to Mission Viejo. Finished dressing, makeup (much needed) hair...yes, it's red again. Clothes are fitting a little tight, whew, found something that fit. Made it to the car with time to spare... needed to be at work at 9:30 am. Clicked Brennan in, pulled out of the driveway and we were on our way!!!

All of that in 1-1/2 hour!! We made it.

Now Brennan and I are here at work. Made coffee for our customers, set up Brennan's games. It is slow, so I have time to Blog. Found a cartoon that Brennan loves on Frank's computer (thank you Frank!).

A couple of hours pass... I am shopping for the store... Dave called. His van broke down!! He was on his way to pick up Sean from school! Ok...here we goooooooo... Now I'm AAA service, with a smile of course, and need to really get my smile on because Sean will be upset that he was the last one picked up from school. (embarrassing to a 13 year old), and Dave will be upset, because he let his van run out of gas ( embarrassing for my guy)....San Juan Capo to Mission Viejo in 10 minutes! How did we do that? Thank you Lord. Now to pick up Dave. Yep, he's not on top of the world. Let's go get some gas... let's go home!!

Why am I writing all of this???

Moms! I want you to know, that even if you don't hear it on a daily basis...you are the heart of your home. God has given us this immense task. Your attitude, mood, everything about you sets the tone of your home and of your family, and sometimes just those you find yourself with. Sometimes I feel this is unfair. We have our bad days too. We can't go in our room and have a tantrum and slam the door. We can't get in the car and drive away (fast) when we have little ones at home. Our husbands...as loving as they are, do not understand what we go through on a daily basis. Remember, Men are from Mars, Women from Venus? I never read the book .. the title was enough for me.. yes it is true.

So, who do we go to when we need to be refreshed, affirmed, held, filled? Our husbands, yes, Friends, yes, we need our friends. But, before all others, there is One above all people that we should lean on, lean into, call on, cry to, pray to when we need that steel support to hold us up.

Have you called on Him lately, or are you feeling so down you are like the super slime stuck in the crevices of my carpet? (thanks kids). Maybe you feel you can't breathe, can't find one positive thought today? Have you felt like this for too long? Then my friend, what you have is a syndrome called "Wrong way Pathitis" That's Path "I" Tis. You are not on the right path. You've stepped off somewhere along the way. Can't remember when? It's ok.. It's not hard to find that path again. I've been there, done that....The direction, the way, is in your Bible.

Follow me.........Here we go....... baby steps...one in front of the other...come on ladies, moms, grandmothers, aunties, all of you...deep calming breathe..now read:

Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; Psalm 37: 7

Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous; is not proud; is not conceited; does not act foolishly; is not selfish; is not easily provoked to anger; keeps no record of wrongs; takes no pleasure in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. ~I Corinthians 13:4-7

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5

In the day of my trouble I will call on You, for You will answer me. Psalm 86:7

Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of a good report - if there is any virtue and if there is any praise- think on these things. ~Philippians 4:8

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Don't' worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:4-7

GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalm 46: 1

Keep your love for one another at full strength, because love covers a multitude of sins. ~I Peter 4:8

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life. ~Ephesians 6:1-3

How happy is everyone who is in awe of the Lord, who walks in His ways! You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you...May the Lord bless you from Zion, so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life, and will see your children's children. ~Psalms 128:1-2, 5-6

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing can separate us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord! ~Romans 8:38-39

The peace of God, that is surpassing all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:7

Do you, once again, feel the path underneath your feet? If not, maybe that's because our Lord is carrying you through whatever you might be going through. Rest in that embrace and know you are loved. You are His child. He is focused on you. Not the newspaper, the movie, the book, the computer, work...He is focused on you and He will see you through.

Now, in addition to these wonderful words that were gifted to us from on high...yes, I do believe they are inspired and for us today...these words are living and active and relevant for all today as well as yesterday...

And in today's economic times, don't you wish we could put a dollar amount to everything we do? This is one estimate of our economic worth today... wouldn't I love this check!! Oh, the possibilities! :o)

A mother's worth: she's worth nearly $775,000 per year (up $12,050 from last year), according to Edelman Financial Services' Annual Mother's Day Index(TM). This lighthearted study includes the salaries of the many occupations that a typical mother might hold during the course of a given year.

Mother's day is coming quickly..but this is for all women.. young, old, in-between. ( You young ones, please listen to the older women...believe me they have been where you are today and will have words of wisdom to ease your mind!!)

Women, YOU are wonderful! Loved! Essential! You are laughter, tears, warmth, love. You nuture,calm and protect. You are strength beyond reason. You were designed by the greatest designer there is, God, but you are beyond a designer label. You are an individual (and yet, have the ability to bring many people together), so delicately knit in your mother's womb. God knew you before you were born. The puzzle of DNA that makes you who you are belongs to no other, so unique! He has plans for you, yes you, even if it is just to relax today! Listen for His Voice, His gentle nudge. He singles you out daily and checks on you, yes you! That is who you are! Wow, you are amazing!!! Rest in that knowledge you beautiful, beautiful child of God. The world would be an empty place without you.

Love you all!

2010-04-26T15:45:00.001-07:00

BLOGS n LINKS

2010-04-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out the "Favorite Blog or Links" sections? If you have a Blog or a Link you love and would like to share it with all of us, please let me know! Women helping Women!

Why We Need Girlfriends

2010-04-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

It's official. The books have been ordered. Women's Friday morning Bible study will be covering the book mentioned below. "Why We Need Girlfriends." A Christian perspective.

If you would like a book, please let me know and I will be sure to have one for you. They are $13.00 ea. and will cover a 7 week span.

Class starts at 9:30 am in the front bldg. Suite 1001, in the counseling room.

A safe class, a safe space to come and just "be" with wonderful women.

Blessings! See you there!
Marian
949-291-2553

Why We Need Girlfriends

2010-04-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

A decision has been made!

For our next Women's Bible Study, we will be reading "Why We Need Girlfriends" by Frankie Sherman.

This interactive seven-week study highlights the unique relationship of Mary and Elizabeth and gives God's design for friendships between women.

If you click on the title above you will be able to read some wonderful reviews from women just like you and me. I felt this was so important, as we continue to slide into the world of technology, texts, email, we almost don't have to see each other any more. Let's not lose that. We will also delve into the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth, and I am very curious to see what Frankie Sherman has to say. This is her website, just in case you would like to know a little more about her. http://www.frankiedsherman.com/

This coming Friday, we are celebrating that humongous accomplishment of getting through a year of a Beth Moore study "The Patriarchs" it was wonderful, in-depth and intriguing and no one does better than Beth. I am so thankful to those ladies who hung in there until the end. It was wonderful being a part of your life for so long, I can't imagine life without you now.. I hope we can continue to study together. This coming Friday we are celebrating with a movie by comedienne Anita Renfroe. We will start up the new study the following week. It will be a shorter study and we will have some time off during the summer to be with our family and friends!

Love and blessings to all.

Imagine

2010-04-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Imagine Yourself at a Women of Faith Weekend! September 10th and 11th.

We went last year and it was wonderful.. There were about 12 of us. If anyone would like to go, plesae let me know. It would be nice to get a group of women to go.

I felt that last year I was a little too pushy with this.. I was excited..it was my first real job for Women's Ministries. I don't want to push this year, but rather make it flow...

I am praying that if God puts this on your heart, you will want to go and you will call me. I would love to go with you.

Lord I pray deeply for each and every women that comes to our church, our meetings, our building....I pray for all women that you have your hand on for this Women's Weekend, that you would bring them to me and make us a strong group of like minded women with a heart so strong for you. Bring those who's heart's may not be strong, so they may be strenghtened.

I pray for you guidance and help with this group, their decision, and all of our planning. I know you were so with us last year, it is obvious that you had your hand on us. Please bless us again.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

BRAVO BURGER

2010-03-24T09:55:00.001-07:00

The wonderful management at Bravo Burger has offered our church a wonderful surprise. All meals on Sunday are 15% off!!! All that you have to do is bring in your effect flyer that is handed out at church on Sundays and the meal is discounted!!! I'm in! How about you!!?

Thank you so much Bravo Burger!!!

Women's Bible Study - Friday Mornings, 9:30 am

2010-03-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

Our last day of our current Bible study will be this coming Friday. In the meantime, we are looking forward to finding a short study that will take us to summer, and then allow us summer break.

I have come across some Bible studies that seem a good fit for us. Most of the 5 star studies listed on Christian Book.com are what we are looking for.. I also thought..if you would like...after we break for summer, if we would like to pick out another one we can do them at home and touch base by email just to share thoughts and keep our minds focused on our Father over the summer months..and with each other. (Can't imagine my summer without you guys!!)
The other study came up when I Googled Bible studies... "Why we need girlfriends." It seems like a very good study.
If you can, please try and look these over and if you are interested in joining our Friday morning study and have input, please let me know!
With love and friendship, in Christ,
Marian

5 STAR BIBLE STUDIES FOR WOMEN FROM CHRISTIAN BOOK.COM
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?N=1112231+5401+4294967215&kw=women's_bible_studies&event=PPCSRC&p=1018818&cm_mmc=Google-_-Bible%20Study-_-bible%20study2-_-women's%20bible%20studies&gclid=CPvel9S5y6ACFRUSswod-0Wk0A

Why We Need Girlfriends-A Great Bible Study for Women!
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=why+we+need+girlfriends&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=3289180217&ref=pd_sl_34epcrycr3_e

Life at theeffect!

2010-03-21T21:46:00.000-07:00

theweek@theeffect

Monday
March 22
7PM
Sanctuary: Young Adult Worship/Message

Tuesday
March 23
7PM

Recovery Gathering

Wednesday
March 24
6:15PM

Open AA Meeting

Wednesday
March 24
7:30PM

Conversations

Open topic question and discussion.

Thursday
March 25
7:00AM and 9:30AM

Women's AA Meetings

Thursday
March 25
7:00PM

The Artists’ Way

Friday
March 26
9:30AM

Women's Bible Study

Friday
March 26
11:30AM

Women's AA Meeting

Saturday
March 27
9:00AM

How We Heal

Sunday
March 28
10AM

Sunday Gathering

Pancake Breakfast and Potluck @ 11:30AM

Storehouse216 Foodbank @ 11:30AM

Daylight Saving Time

2010-03-13T18:00:00.000-08:00

Daylight Saving Time - 2010

In the US and Canada

Daylight Saving Time always begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November.
This means that, on March 14, 2010, at 2:00 a.m. - you set the clocks ahead one hour. (Spring forward)

And on Sunday, November 7, 2010, at 2:00 a.m. - you set the clocks back an hour. (Fall back)

Good / Bad

2010-02-11T11:06:00.000-08:00

I have my computer back!! After weeks of it being down...and withdrawals on my part... we're back! Ready to Blog again!

I get emails from beliefnet,com.. and they send some pretty deep and interesting things at times. Today the email was about being grateful. Here is a quote:

"Gratitude feels so good because it is the state of mind closest to your natural state in which you were born to live."
-Abraham-Hicks

Now, my question for everyone is.... I hear so often that we are born with sin on our souls... "Born into sin"
How can we be born with gratitude on our hearts and also be born into sin?"

I think this is a really good question for Wednesday night "Conversations" at church!

Quotes on gratitude for your day!

2010-02-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

"Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty."

--Doris Day

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving."

--Kahlil Gibran

"Giving thanks for abundance is sweeter than the abundance itself...
-–Rumi

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart.""

–-French proverb

"The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it."

--Richard Bach

"I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God."

--Helen Keller

"Real life isn't always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgement of what is working in our lives can help us not only to survive but surmount our difficulties."
--Sara Ban Breathnach

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

--Albert Einstein

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice."

--Meister Eckhart

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

-–Melody Beattie

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

--John F. Kennedy

"Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality."

--Alfred Painte

"When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them."

--Chinese Proverb

"Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life."

--Christiane Northrup

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

--Thornton Wilder

"If you can't be thankful for what you receive, be thankful for what you escape."

--Unknown

"Here are the two best prayers I know: 'Help me, help me, help me' and 'Thank you, thank you, thank you.'"

--Anne Lamott

2010-01-12T17:46:00.001-08:00

I am sorry I have not been blogging regularly. Computer issues. That's what happens when the computer you use comes from another decade :o) ... the bandages are falling off and the info is seeping out :o) ... I love to put pics on the blogs too, but my camera died and I can't afford a new one right now. I'm not complaining... I'm just sharing :o)

But the good news is that I am getting a hang of the Mac that the kids use here at home. I use to work on Macs all of the time and thought they were much easier than PC's, but when you've been using a PC for over 10 years and the Macs are not the little boxes you used to work on, it takes some getting used to.

Soooo, I can type you little notes.. reminders and such until my computer comes back from the doctor's office (Ehren Beckwith :o) ).

I wanted to share a website that I found through facebook months ago. Recipes! And they are really good. Some easy, some hard, but something for everyone. So here it is. I hope you enjoy it!

God Bless you!!!

Laura's Recipes

If a brother of sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them,

"Go in peace, be warmed and filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

James 2:15-16

Bible Study -

2010-01-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

Women's Bible study resumes this Friday... Bring your slippers and comfy clothes and be comfy while we watch Beth Moore share her message with us!

Slippers are optional :o)

Let's make time to share a little too. It's been so long since we have sat together. I hope your holidays were a wonderful blessing for you and yours!

Vision Boarding

2010-01-11T13:12:00.001-08:00

Women,

Don't forget about Friday night, 7 pm. Vision Boarding. Bring scissors and magazines. If you can make it, please email Ingrid Paulicivich at ohmystarrs@cox.net.

What is Vision Boarding? We take pics out of magazines of things we aspire for or to be, to accomplish...in all areas of our lives... spiritual, family, personal, and we affix these to boards that we will take home. These boards are kept so that we can be reminded of how we want to see our lives progress. It helps us to not be stagnant and to not take life for granted.

Please join us. It should be a lot of fun.

One Flaw in Women

2009-12-07T17:31:00.000-08:00

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men...

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS

ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

God Uses His People

2009-12-03T10:58:00.000-08:00

God uses people to refresh other people. He so loves this kind of ministry that he moved the prophet Malachi to speak of it as a most-needed work in the last days. Malachi described how, in his day, God’s people built each other up through one-on-one edification: “They that feared the Lord spoke often one to another” (Malachi 3:16).

When did this happen, exactly? Malachi’s words came during a time of rampant ungodliness, when the “devourer” had destroyed much fruit in the land. God’s people had grown weary and started to doubt that walking with the Lord was worth it. They thought, “We’re told it pays to serve the Lord, obey his Word and carry his burdens. But as we look around at the proud and the compromisers, they’re the ones who seem happy. They’re pursuing prosperity, living carelessly, enjoying life to the fullest.”

The Holy Spirit began to move in Israel, and soon the fear of the Lord came upon a God-hungry people. Suddenly everyone in Israel, young and old, became one-on-one missionaries. By the Spirit’s prompting, people opened up to one another, edifying each other and building up and comforting those around them.

I’m convinced Malachi’s word about this ministry is a mirror image of the present day. He has given us a picture of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days, as God’s people stop gossiping and complaining and instead minister refreshing. It’s happening by phone, by letter, by e-mail, and face to face. And God is so pleased with this ministry, we’re told he writes everything down. Every kind word spoken, every call made, every letter written, every effort to comfort the downcast is recorded in a “book of remembrance.” And the Bible says each of us whose deeds are written down will be precious to him: “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels” (Malachi 3:17).

Be a Titus to someone who’s downcast in spirit. Pray to have the spirit of Onesiphorus, who sought out the hurting to bring them to healing. Think of it: You’ve been given all the power of heaven to refresh a hurting believer, someone who needs the consolation that God has given uniquely to you. Yes, there are people who need you and the Lord intends your past consolations to bring refreshing to them. Call that someone today and say, “Brother, sister, I want to pray for and encourage you. I’ve got a good word for you.”

David Wilkerson

Psalm 111 - A Thanksgiving Prayer

2009-11-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

Psalm 111

^1-10 Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got—
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—
This God of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last—
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God—
Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!

For Your Kids : http://www.just4kidsmagazine.com/nov.html

2009-11-24T01:01:00.000-08:00

WISHING YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING DAY!

Please keep your mind and eyes on the Lord this week, and please keep in mind all that He has given you. Let us all be so thankful for His love and His constant embrace. Children of God... He loves you so. He has risen and has left a helper, His Spirit to be with you always!

Love and Blessings, and I pray for an attitude of gratitude for all!!

See you soon!

Beautiful Ladies

2009-11-24T00:56:00.000-08:00

Please help me in welcoming Ingrid Paulicivich to the position of Women's Ministry Leader. She has answered a prayer that I have held for as long as our church has been in existance. I know she comes at a time when growth is upon us, and the women are ready and longing to know each other and to find things to do with each other. Ingrid will be so creative! Her love for God, her desire to seek Him so strongly, her enthusiasm and her beautiful spirit is what we have needed for so long. She is truly a gift from God.

I will be her right hand and will be there to help her in all she does. A lot of women signed a "Women's Committee" sheet this last weekend. I am so happy that we are all on board and are ready to make things happen.

See you all very soon!

The Patriarch's

2009-11-21T13:14:00.000-08:00

Our Friday Women's Bible Study had brought so much depth and fruit into our lives over this past year. If I could share everything, I would be writing for hours. But, I realized that I should share the most important points that we have learned with you all.

We are studying Joseph right now (do you know he bragged incessantly, tattled on his brothers and was probably very spoiled as a child?). Before him it was his father Jacob (who stole his brother's inheritance and his brother Esau..of course we learned much about Isaac and Abraham (who asked his wife to pose as his sister so that he would not be killed) One thing that has been pointed out over and over is just how human these men (and their women) were!! They were not perfect! They lied, deceived, bragged, stole...and yet they were God's chosen? What this all brings to my mind is how I have placed these Biblical human beings (not just characters in a book) on such high pedestal's over the years. These were God's chosen people. He loved them deeply.

Yes, they had their major flaws, their weaknesses, and yet, God so truly loved them!!! He stood by them, he taught them, he carried them, because they loved him and worshipped him. He turned their bad decisions into good. He pulled them out of the holes that they dug themselves into!

How many times do we make horrible mistakes? Some of us have gone through such hard lessons in life that we try and follow God more closely and try to live our lives in a better way (from our past). Some of us are just now starting to understand and embrace God. Either way, we are still making mistakes. We hurt each other, we don't always make the best decisions for all of those around us... but we love the Lord and we know that He watches over us....even though....we are flawed, we are not perfect.

We sometimes make decisions that don't include God... we go on on a path He has not chosen for us and we feel that something is very wrong. We feel that God has turned His back on us. I beg you, when you are feeling like this, look at your life and analyze where you are. Are you allowing God on the path you have chosen, or do you know He wouldn't want you there? Are you seeking Him? Are you speaking, praying to Him? Because God never turns away, we do. God never stops trying to get our attention, we turn our backs. He is always there waiting, like a father waiting for a long lost child to come home. He longs to hold us and to tell us everything is going to be ok. Will you allow him to do that for you?

I ask you, this week, to read Genesis if you have time. See what I have seen in the heroes our Bible speaks of. You will see that you are just as worthy of God's love as they were. Don't ever feel that you are not. His door is always open.

Dave says that hell's door is locked from the inside, meaning if we feel like we are in the depths of hell here on earth, we have the power to let ourselves out and back into the light of God. All we need to do is turn the handle and walk through and God will be waiting there for you, with arms stretched wide and probably with tears of joy on His face. Waiting for you.

I will leave you with that beautiful picture!

He is waiting, to bring you His Kingdom on Earth today. To fill your days with joy and love...today.. don't wait, run and don't miss another minute of all He has for you!

God bless you and yours on this beautiful day!!

2009-11-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

However, as it is written
No age has seen
No ear had heard
No mind has conceived
What God has prepared for
those who love Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

2009-10-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

"It's not what you do once in a while, it's what you do day in and day out that makes the difference."

—Jenny Craig

The most beautiful things in the world are not seen nor touched. They are felt with the heart.

—Helen Keller

"Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

—Eleanor Roosevelt

"I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances."

—Martha Washington

"Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use."

—Ruth Gordon

"If you look at what you have in life,
You'll always have more.
If you look at what you don't have in life,
You'll never have enough."

—Oprah Winfrey

"We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
Our statures touch the skies."

—Emily Dickinson

"The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind."

—Caroline Myss

"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be."

—Grandma Moses

Banana S our Cream Bread

2009-10-14T12:45:00.001-07:00

Thank you Linda Cox. My thighs thank you too :o)

Banana Sour Cream Bread

Rated:

Submitted By: Esther Nelson

Photo By: MuffinPuffin317

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 1 Hour

Ready In: 1 Hour 10 Minutes

Servings: 32

"Sour cream gives enough tangy bite to take the edge off this banana bread 's sweetness. Dusting the baking pans with cinnamon sugar gives these small four loaves a gentle spice undertone."

Ingredients:

1/4 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup butter

3 cups white sugar

3 eggs

6 very ripe bananas, mashed

1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking soda

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease four 7x3 inch loaf pans. In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Dust pans lightly with cinnamon and sugar mixture.
2.	In a large bowl, cream butter and 3 cups sugar. Mix in eggs, mashed bananas, sour cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Mix in salt, baking soda and flour. Stir in nuts. Divide into prepared pans.
3.	Bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/14/2009

cruel!

2009-10-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

2009-09-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Ps 121:7-8 NIV

ANITA RENFROE

2009-09-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

For all of you women that came to the Women of Faith Conference, I know you will appreciate this link!!!

For all of you women that could not make this Conference, I know "you" will appreciate this link also!!!

If you want to laugh and start your day on a bright note... watch Anita..and tap into her sense of humor!!!

http://www.anitarenfroe.com/video_clips.htm

You can find more on Anita here: http://www.anitarenfroe.com/index.htm

Enjoy!

"Leaf" It To God

2009-09-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

'Leaf' It to God

A widow loses her wedding ring...but finds her faith

By Carol Gimbel, Earlysville, Virginia

Carol Gimbel

I dragged my rake through the leaves, thinking about how last fall Steve would have been here with me, helping out with Aunt Maudie’s yard.

It had been five months since my husband’s death from a heart attack.

I struggled to go on. I’d prayed and prayed for relief from the gray sadness I seemed to live in. But it seemed impossible without Steve.

Tired, I knelt down to pluck leaves from my rake. That’s when I noticed—my left hand, the hand where I wore the diamond ring Steve had given me, was bare. The ring must have fallen off while I was working.

I dropped to the ground and sifted through the pile of leaves, trying to stay calm and not start sobbing. I wasn’t sure I could take another loss right then.

Aunt Maudie asked her neighbors to help my search. One neighbor even walked the yard with a metal detector. We scoured the ground and leaf piles for hours. I knew for a fact that I’d been wearing it when I started raking. But the ring was gone.

Just like Steve, I thought, trudging into the house for dinner with Aunt Maudie, feeling more hopeless than ever. I took my place at the table, but I didn’t feel like eating.

Aunt Maudie was having none of it. “Dear Lord,” she said, praying boldly, “you know where that ring is and how much it means to Carol. I know you can bring it back to her if it is your will. Amen.”

We had gone over every square inch of that yard. Aunt Maudie had to know that her prayer was impossible. Yet here she was, after all the hopeless searching, still trusting that God could find it for me. If I had faith like that, I thought, I could even imagine going on without Steve.

After dinner I stepped out onto the back porch and looked out at the newly raked yard. Suddenly something flashed on the ground. What’s that? A bright twinkle, almost like…

I stepped into the yard and bent down. My ring!

Impossible? No, prayer is never impossible. It just took losing Steve’s ring for me to understand that even without Steve I am never alone.

______________________________________

The reason I posted this message..... years ago I had gone shopping, needing an outfit for a special occassion. I went to several different stores and tried on clothes, but couldn't find anything I liked. When I got home, I realized one of my earrings was missing. Theses earrings never left my ears.. they were given to me many years ago by a loved one who has since passed on and they are very special to me.

I called the stores I had visited and naively asked the store clerks to look in the dressing rooms to see if they could find my earring. They grudgingly agreed, but all came back with a "no" to my earring. These earrings were a bit valuable, so I figured, even if found by someone, I would never get it back.

This bothered me for days. I know we are not supposed to be attached to material things, but it was the sentiment behind the earring that I was upset about. I prayed to God to forgive my selfishness, but if there was any way to get that earring back, I knew He could find it for me. I asked Him to either please help me find it or to take away this feeling of loss for me, so that I would not miss it. Within seconds, I looked down on my bedroom carpet, which just happened to be shag, and saw something shiney. There was my earring!!!

I realized it must have come off before I even went shopping that day, while I was changing my clothes! I could not have found that without God's help!!

The other little fact around that time was that I used to vacuum our bedroom often. I just didn't feel like vacuuming for a couple of days. If I had, and the earring had been there all along, it would have been gone forever.

This was "All God"

I was not one to pray to God for "little" things, like finding objects before. But I had remembered someone saying that God wanted our prayers for little things and big things, so I just prayed. I am so happy I did, because He heard and He helped me.

Nothing is too small or too big for our gracious God.

Praise God!

Fear

2009-09-19T00:52:00.000-07:00

Fear is an illusion; only love is real. When I am experiencing fear, it helps when I remind myself that fear is simply the absence of faith. When I began my spiritual journey, one of my mentors told me either God is or God isn't. The idea that God isn't didn't make any sense, so when fear rears its ugly head, I remind myself to have faith.

Susan Gregg

Women of Faith

2009-09-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

I attended my first Women of Faith event this past weekend. I am still 2 inches off of the floor. Between the women in our personal group that attended and the speakers, oh my goodness! Luci Swindoll, Lisa Weltchel, Mary Graham, Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg. The Worship team was soooo good and Aiesha Woods and her brother sang and really made the walls shake with worship and praise!

I know that some women did not or could not attend. They had other commitments, children at home, too much on their plate and not enough help to be able to take 2 days and refresh, refill, rejuvenate. Or maybe there was a darker force that made it really hard for them to do something for themselves (yes, I truly believe that happens!!)

I am putting the word out that I would love for us to do this again next year. I will not push or prod, I will not make anyone feel guilty to go. It was so hard to get a group together this year.

But, I have to say...LADIES, it is your turn! It is your turn to get rest, to get refreshed. It is your turn to bond with like minded women and just be YOU for a couple of days.

I felt the same pangs of guilt...should I leave my husband with the children for two whole days? Should I have my son miss a day of homeschooling? Should I leave the animals in the hands of my family and think they will be taken care of and fed? Should I leave the laundry and dishes that will ultimately pile up while I am gone.

My answer to me and to you is a big "YES"

We have a year to plan. We can do this!!

Can you spend the night? "YES" Of course, Anaheim is close, but by the time the Friday night event is over, you will be darn tired!!! Yes, you can drive home..but there will be a driving urge to stay home the following day. I say stay. 4 to 5 women to a room brings the cost down drastically. The Women of Faith organizers will have discounted hotels for us. Or, Priceline.com was our saving grace for this event. We decided to stay at the very last minute and most of the hotels were already booked. We stayed at a Hilton not too far and 3 of us shared the cost. It was wonderful. We ate dinner there and didn't need to drive around town in traffic for food. AND, by the time Friday night was over and we were at our hotel...our heads hit our pillows and we were out!!!

We were blessed tremendously!

We all sometimes feel that someone like Sheila Walsh, Luci Swindoll, or the rest of the speakers much have it all together, right? Why else would they be asked to speak to us?! Well, let me tell you sisters, that we are "ALL" broken!! We all have the same problems!! We all put our pants on one leg at a time!! We are all equal in God's eyes! You would not believe what these women shared with us!! The trials that they have been through..AND JUST RECENTLY!!!

Sometimes we NEED to hear the testimony of others, so that we know we are truly all connected! That we ALL face the same challenges and that trials come our way! The difference between us and someone that doesn't know God is that we have the tools to ride the storms and the peace to know that the outcome will be a blessing and will create a blessing in us and for our future. (We just don't see that right now...but with sister's in Christ...we have that encouragement to be reminded of and to hold on to)

When you walk down an aisle at a grocery store and you come across that woman that looks all put together and perfect... honestly, you have no idea what is going on inside of her. She may have an abusive husband, a child addicted to drugs, a special needs child, a horrible employer, an abusive past that she has stuffed down to her innermost being that has not been healed. The makeup and clothes do not make the woman! It is our soul and our devotion to our Lord that gives us the glow and the strength to carry on!!

We are all equal in God's eyes and we are all here for "each other"

Praise God, that He has given us each other!! Let's celebrate that! Let's really seek each other out and get to know each other. He doesn't have us cross paths on accident. There are no accidents with God. We are all on the same journey, and right now, on the same path for a reason. Before He moves you on to another or different path, I want to know you!

Please, if I have not introduced myself to you yet, please come to me. I really want to know you!

God Bless you all... Big Hugs and Big Blessings to you and Yours.

As my new friend Liz would say...

"In His Grip"

Oh, and I forgot to add.. Steven Curtis Chapman was fabulous!!! I will forever be a fan now!
What a special man of God!

Girls

2009-09-14T11:37:00.000-07:00


	When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, And then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.
	One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.. Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom. Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities. One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,' Another , 'Let's fight together,' Another , 'Let's walk away together.'
	One friend will meet your spiritual need, Another your shoe fetish, Another your love for movies, Another will be with you in your season of confusion, Another will be your clarifier, Another the wind beneath your wings.
	But whatever their assignment in your life, On whatever the occasion, On whatever the day, Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself . Those are your best friends.
	It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several.. One from 7th grade, One from high school, Several from the college years, A couple from old jobs, On some days your mother, On some days your neighbor, On others, your sisters, And on some days, your daughters.
So whether they've been a friend for 20 minutes or 20+ years, AND ONLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO, Pass this on to the women that God has placed in your life To make a difference.

Meetup.com

2009-09-14T11:28:00.001-07:00

We are now registered with Meetup! If you join either the Blog, or Meetup, you will always know what is going on with theeffect Faith Community!

http://www.meetup.com/theeffect-community

If you would like me to send you an invite link to Meetup, just email me at mbrisbin@cox.net!

Spread the word...let's grow our Faith Community. We are relevant for everyone today. God has his hands on us..we can just feel it!!

May God bless your week with a rich abundance of peace and joy!

Spirituality

2009-09-07T15:10:00.001-07:00

True spirituality helps you with life's challenges.
It is touching God and from that touch we long to touch mankind.

John Paul Jackson

To Celebrate Growing Older :o)

2009-09-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or j
oyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, Today is special.
22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone and everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give it time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come. 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

Prayer Request

2009-09-07T13:55:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share that I have just learned that a friend's dad was diagnosed with Cancer in his pancreas and Liver. It is terminal. If you could all please put her Dad, Fred Hulse and his wife Carol and Michele and their whole family in your prayers they would greatly appreciate it... Thank you so much.

Update:
I just wanted to share that Mr. Hulse passed away a week ago. The cancer was too severe for him to survive. Please continue to pray for his family as they deeply feel the loss of their loved one. Thank you!

Prayer Requests Always Welcome.

You Are A Beautiful Butterfly!

2009-09-05T23:30:00.000-07:00

I have come across so many women and men that are going through trials lately. I wish I could hug them all and tell them that everything is going to be ok, but the fact is, sometimes things don't turn out the way that we hope they will.

But here is another perspective. Could it be possible that the trial you are going through might have a beautiful outcome? I know when we are in the midst of the pain that is not something we see or believe, and when we are in the midst of pain, we sometimes find ways to bypass it. Maybe we just stuff it deep down into our soul. Maybe we do absolutely nothing...but let it fester and grow and take a root of bitterness deep within.

Do you know the story of the butterfly?

There was once a man watching a butterfly working it's way out of it's cocoon. He watch intensely as this beautiful creature struggled so hard to work it's way out of it's sheath. He felt helpless for this poor little thing, surely he could help it along.

He pulled at the cocoon and helped the butterfly escape the grip of it's former home. The butterfly fell before him. He watched as it tried to open it's wings. The wing that the butterfly pushed through the cocoon opened beautifully. What a work of art this Godly creature was. But, the man noticed that the wing that he helped out of the cocoon did not open. The butterfly struggled helplessly, but he could not open this wing and lay there thrashing about, struggling, helpless, to no avail. He was crippled. What the man did not know was that the butterfly had to go through this process. The painful struggle of pushing it's way out of this cocoon. It is with this process that the butterfly becomes strong, that fluids push through it's body and wings, and where the creation of our God takes form. It is painful, but it is necessary. When a butterfly is able to work through this painful process by itself, it transforms into a gorgeous creation, almost artwork that God has gifted us with.

We are like butterflies. We have obstacles to overcome, that we need to "push" our way through. We can not take side steps or find that easy path if we want our trial, our journey to transform our life. With every trial there is an outcome. For children of God there is always beauty to behold in the near future. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But the beauty comes. And when it does, we realize that we needed to go through the painful process that now lays behind us, to make us the stronger person that we are today.

That is why we praise our Lord in all things...good and bad. If your heart is with God, truly with God, you will recognize the beauty that appears before. you.

You are a beautiful creation. You are more than that, you are a child of our Lord. You are part of a bigger picture. You are a part of the family of God. Your life transforms... and will keep transforming. This is a promise!!! It just gets better!!

Philippians 1:3

3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A Woman of Strength

2009-09-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape, but ...
A woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything, but ...
A woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her, but ...
A woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future, but ...
A woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks surefootedly, but ...
A woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face, but ...
A woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey, but ...
A woman of strength has faith that in the journey she will become strong.

Isaiah 41:10"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold theewith the right hand of my righteousness.

http://www.my.homewithgod.com/mkcathy/inspirational/strength.html

My perspective...just a note.

2009-08-30T00:53:00.000-07:00

It's after 12:00 am. and I am still here at my computer. People ask me why I am up so late so often. Well, Dave is still working on his sermon for the morning and I wait for him to finish. I have to admit, I can't always wait.. get too sleepy.

The life of a Pastor's Wife :o) .. I'm still getting used to it. At first I really fought it. I thought, I'm not good enough, outgoing enough, talented enough. I can't play piano and sing, You sometimes feel like you are under a microscope, and feel that you need to watch all you say and do. I realized that tonight when I was joking a bit, and it wasn't taken the way I intended. I just need to watch what I say.. Sometimes the old me creeps through a little bit. Or maybe I just needed a little more grace at that moment :o) ...

I'm not fighting it anymore. God has really put His Huge soft hands on my shoulders and has given me much comfort. In a time when anxiety should be expected, I am feeling good. I realized that I just can't stop conversing with Him. I need to talk to Him. The more that I do, the more I feel His presence in our lives. He is watching over our family.

He is also watching over so many people that have come to the effect. Whether they are there for a day, or they stay and become like family... We have been seeing beautiful transformations in people that warms our hearts and helps us to keep perspective of what we are doing and what we are involved it.

God truly makes plans for us. Sometimes we go unwittingly at first, but we find our place and He sends His comforter. He opens our eyes and hearts and minds to accept what we see and what we hear. His Grace has truly been the greatest thing we have witnessed since starting theeffect. He truly loves us all.

I have seen a transformation happening in our Pastor Dave over the years... a huge transformation. His life is devoted on teaching all about the Jesus he has learned about. The loving Father that never stops loving us. He preaches with a message of love, not fear. Because, God is love and casts out all fear. Instead of fear we have an immense awe of a creator that is beyond our comprehension...but we keep trying to comprehend. Dave studies continously. Prays continuously. We pray that he is a conduit of God's word to everyone he speaks to.

That's my little perspective for tonight. I'm getting a little sleepy. Can't hold out much longer. Guess I'll be going to bed with a book for a bit :o) ..
Good night all! Hope to see you in the morning!! Donuts are waiting! Lots of coffee for me!

2009-08-30T00:51:00.000-07:00

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.'
When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you,
but merely opening your hands to receive something better.
Concentrate on this sentence...
'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Something good is always near...

Information for Women of Faith Event

2009-08-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

From: Women of Faith
Date: 8/20/2009 3:09:21 AM
To: mbrisbin@cox.net
Subject: Before You Go...Information About A Grand New Day

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.

Anaheim, CA
September 11 - 12, 2009 - Honda Center

5. IT’S NOT TOO LATE!
We still have seats available for your friends and family. Send them to womenoffaith.com or have them call 888-49-FAITH to register.

4. WHERE AND HOW MUCH?
Click here for a map, directions, parking prices, special needs, and more.

3. HUNGRY?
We’ll break for lunch at approximately:
Friday: 11:30 AM 12:30 PM
Saturday: 12:30 PM 1:30 PM
Concessions will be open both days
Arenas generally do NOT allow any outside food or beverages. Some exceptions may be made for medical reasons. Check with the arena for details.

2. GET YOUR ZZZZZ’S
View a list of discounted hotels. You may not sleep much, but you’ll need a place to hang out with your friends

1. PLAN AHEAD
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. (You’ll probably climb stairs at some point.) Layers are always a good choice.
Say ‘No’ to bulky accessories. Security will search them and there’s no place to stash them anyway.
Pick a place (in advance!) to meet in case you get separated from your group.
Although outside beverages are prohibited, you can usually bring an empty water bottle and fill it at a water fountain inside.
Come expecting to have a grand time!

Women of Faith | 820 W. Spring Creek Pkwy. Suite 400 | Plano, TX 75023

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2009-08-07T13:38:00.001-07:00

"In solitude we can listen to the voice of him who spoke to us before we could speak a word, who healed us before we could make any gesture to help, who set us free long before we could free others, and who loved us long before we could give love to anyone."

Henri Nouwen

2009-08-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

You will never have a beauty secret with more visible results than the study of God's Word.
Let His Word evoke your beauty daily.
~ Beth Moore, Author

Does Your Faith Make You Feel Like This?

2009-08-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

God wishes joy for our lives. If you are not experiencing joy, please seek God, please speak to a pastor. Our lives are meant to be lived fully. I pray that your hearts are filled with fullness of Spirit and an abundance of joy!
God Bless You!

2009-08-05T16:53:00.001-07:00

God esteems the worship of no one more than that of a devoted servant.

Women's Bible Study, Starting Friday, August 7th.

2009-07-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Women's Bible Study will be starting up again on Friday, August 7th at 9:30 am.
There is child care available.

We are studying The Patriarchs, by Beth Moore. Believe me, if you have not joined us yet, it is ok... you can hop in any time with this study. It is so relevant for our lives today, and it might be just what God has been putting on your heart.

My prayer for our Women's Ministrie's is that we grow strong and bond tighter. That our meetings will always be a safe place for study, prayer and sharing. Would you like a safe place with women... a place to get away from the practical needs of your day and tend to your spiritual needs. We are not good for our family or friends unless we are healthy and whole. Are you needing spiritual healing? Please join us!

Let us praise Him,
By keeping His Word on our hearts,
Singing and Dancing and Praising Him,
Listening to His voice,
And By always loving each other!

Bless You!

PLEASE PRAY UNCEASINGLY

2009-07-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

Please keep our church in your prayers continually.

Prayers:

That the Lord will bless us with His felt presence every day of every week, at every service and function in our church. That His Spirit would flow and be a part of our lives in a radically healing way.
That the Lord will continue to bless those that come to theeffect, and that the church will have a ripple effect in our lives, in our families, friends and community. (Our nation, Our world!)

That the Lord will bless us with the resources to keep theeffect community, and recovery ministry strong, and our doors "always" open.

That the Lord will continue to heal those that come to our church.

That all families will not know the word "dysfunctional" and will be whole and healthy.
That marriages would become stronger.

That friendships would abound.
That we would truly become a "community" of believers.
That our women would become like family to each other and be there for each other in times of need.
That our men would become like family to each other and be there for each other in times of need.
That leaders would be raised in our church.

That those who see needs in our church would respond to them. If the Lord puts it on our hearts to respond.
Pray for "His Will" to be done in our lives.. That our will be His will.
This will bring a wholeness to all of us that He wants for us so desperately!

If you have prayer requests, please email them to me so that I can share them. If you would like them to be anonymous, just let me know. (marian@theeffect.org)

Please know that God is listening. He knows our hearts and minds. He is ever constant and ever present. If we don't feel Him, it is because we are holding Him at arms length. Some of us are hurt so badly, and don't trust that He will answer. It is that hurt that creates a strong wall that can not be penetrated without the healing of God's love. Ask for it, desire it, lean into Him even when you do not feel Him. He is there, and He is just waiting for you to come to him. Like a parent who longs to see a long lost child...He is waiting for you. He wants to you come and sit with Him.

A QUIET MOMENT TO MEDITATE ON THE LORD:

Imagine yourself sitting at a stream... a gentle stream...the time of day when shadows are crisp and vivid.

You are listening to the stream.

You are shaded by a large tree, and you lean against it to rest.

You dip your feet into the stream and feel the gentle warm current embrace your feet.

You feel at rest.

A man comes to sit by the stream.

You do not know Him, but it does not worry you.

He is praying.

You hear the gentle voice pray as you lean against the tree.

It is the Lord, and He is praying for you.

You realize this.

A complete peace comes over you.

A feeling of love that you have never felt before.

You rise slowly and you go to sit with Him. You know that you are welcome to. You just know.

He cups His hands gently on your face.

He looks so deeply into your eyes.

You have never felt such love upon you.

He takes your hands in His.

You do not speak. You can't.

There is no need for words.

You feel the Spirit of the Lord flow through your body with a warmth and embrace you have never felt before.

You feel so loved.

You feel so whole.

You feel a part of something so beautiful. Beyond words, beautiful.

You close your eyes and let this all seep into your soul,
your whole being.

You rest in this perfect moment for what seems like forever.

You want it to last forever.

You do not want to leave this moment.

You slowly, very slowly, open your eyes.

You are leaning against the tree again. Your surroundings so crisp and vivid.

Your feet are in the gentle current of the stream.

It's as if you never left this spot, by the tree, by the gentle stream.

You still feel he warmth of God with you.

You rest in this.

When you are ready to leave this stream, you know you will take this warmth with you.

When you life gives you bleak moments, you know you can come back to this moment and know, just know, that you are not alone in this universe.

God is with you. You know this now, there is no doubt... You feel this now.. You embrace this now.

Take this with you today... know you are loved wholly, fully, in a way you could never have imagined.

You don't have to wait for heaven to feel this perfect love.

He wants this for you TODAY.

You are so very loved!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember also, that God puts people in our path. People you "should'" know. People you will learn from. There is a reason for every human connection that comes your way. Keep your eyes and hearts open to this. God uses each of us as His hands, His feet, His Heart, His eyes. He uses us to help each other. He may call out to you to help someone. He may call out to someone to help you. Keep your hearts open to this. We are "all" recovering from something. We all need the touch of our our Lord. All of us.

We are not inanimate objects. We are spiritual beings that have been blessed with a soul and have been blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ in all that He has done for us. We are truly, truly children of God.

Do not let the enemy take this away from you. Do not listen to evil! Listen with your heart for the Lord.. He is always speaking to you.. Let His voice be the loudest one. Let His voice be the one that drowns out the needless ones! It will be like a gentle wind, but it will penetrate more deeply than the busyness and loudness of everything else that comes your way.

May God bless your life abundantly... in Love and Spirit and continuous healing.

WORK AT HOME JOBS!

2009-07-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

I read this today.. and got some really good ideas :o) .. I've tried selling jewelry, Avon, you name it, but here in this attached article are some very viable work at home options. So many of us moms want to stay home and work, but it just seems out of our hands!

I thought some of you might be interested.

WORK AT HOME

Michael Medved (author, speaker) also speaks highly of www.Incomeathome.com

FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT ON A DIET :O)

2009-07-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

MINIATURE FRENCH BREAKFAST PUFFS

1/3 c Soft shortening/butter mix
1/2 c Sugar
1/4 ts Nutmeg
1 Egg1/2 c Milk
1 1/2 c Sifted flour
1/3 c Butter, melted
1 1/2 ts Baking powder
1/2 c Sugar
1/2 ts Salt
1 t Cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease bottoms of 48 smallmuffin cups. Mix shortening, 1/2 c sugar, and eggthoroughly. Sift together flour, baking powder, saltand nutmeg. Stir flour mixture and milk alternatelyinto sugar/shortening mixture. Fill greased muffincups 2/3 full. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.Dip immediately in melted butter, then in mixture ofcinnamon/sugar. Serve hot.

Makes 3-1/2 to 4 dozen.

From Luci Swindoll

2009-07-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

July 22, 2009

I just got home from church. My brother, Chuck (whom I call “Babe”) has started a new series on 2 Timothy. Today was focused on the first seven verses of chapter one. It was an outstanding sermon.

How many times have I heard Babe preach? Dozens. Hundreds. Dare I say thousands? I’ve lost count. The church where he ministers–Stonebriar Community, in Frisco, Texas–is maybe three miles from my house, if that...and I came home last night, immediately after the Women of Faith Cleveland event in order to hear him today. Just ask me if it’s worth it. Oh my goodness–there’s nobody like him in the world and every time I have the opportunity to hear him speak, I’m THERE...even if it means taking The Red Eye, or getting up at the crack of dawn to beat the crowd.

As I sat in the service this morning, my mind floated back to when we were kids, tossing a football in the backyard of our little Swindoll home in Houston. Then I thought about all the fishing trips we’ve been on as a family. I remembered Babe’s graduation from high school when he received honors in academia, drama and music. There was a mental picture of his wedding 55 years ago when I was one of the soloists. I recalled his graduation with honors from Dallas Seminary; even his becoming President of DTS some years later. I have the forty-seven letters he wrote me during his time in the Marine Corps and especially when he was stationed on the island of Okinawa, back in the ‘50s. In my library are copies of all the books he’s written, inscribed to me...and in recent months, piles of sermon notes from various messages he’s preached that I’ve shared with friends. And this doesn’t even begin to touch the emails where he’s answered questions I’ve had or given counsel I’ve requested. He’s a fabulous brother and a joy to my life in a thousand ways.

But, here’s my favorite of life’s sweetest joys–when I moved back to Texas five years ago from having lived thirty years in Southern California, I did so to be closer to the Women of Faith office and more centrally accessible to an airport for our weekend trips. And what did the Lord do in the meantime? He moved Babe and Cynthia down the street from me, about six blocks away. And why did God do that? Because

“He’s famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to His surprises” (Job 5:8). I didn’t know that was going to happen when I moved to Frisco. And now, there they are...just down the road. In a matter of months, Babe will be 75 and I’ll be 77. All of a sudden we’ve been given these final years together and I couldn’t be happier. We’re closer than we’ve ever been... in every way. It’s a gift of God’s grace!

Don't miss out on God's surprises. Pay attention to the little things God does...especially those for which you’ve never asked. Then thank Him and tell somebody what He’s done. Remember–He’s famous for those gracious acts.

Much love,

IT'S OK TO DANCE!!

2009-07-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

2 Samuel 6:5
David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments - lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals!

FRIDAY JULY 7

2009-07-08T14:18:00.001-07:00

SOAK NIGHT AT theeffect!!

Bring your pillow, jammies, beach chairs..whatever makes you comfortable and share 2 hours of praise and worship with a wonderful group of people and the best worship team on this planet!

If you would like to much afterwards... you might want to bring something to share.

Of course, low cal, low carb, low fat... :o)

See you there!!

2009-07-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Ladies,

We have 7 spots left for the Women of Faith Conference. Please, please, please, If you know of anyone that would like to attend, or who might want to sponsor a woman who would love to come but can not afford it, please let them know about this event.

I know that it is going to be a huge blessing for everyone attending!! We will all be sitting together, which will help us all get to know each other a little better too! I love that!!If you have sisters, mothers, cousins, friends, work companions...any one who might want to come, please let them know all about the event.

If you need more information: http://www.womenoffaith.com

Some of us will be spending the night on Friday night...and there are a few women that would like to come just for Saturday only. As soon as I have a final number on hotel needs, I will book the hotel rooms. For those of you wanting to come only on Saturday, I will get in touch with you soon. We might have some drivers to take you all there!

The reason for maybe sounding urgent is, based on the signatures that I received at church for this event, I knew that I needed to reserve seats, or non of us would be sitting together. In order to do that, I needed to reserve the seats. I would love to see all of these reserved seats get filled with special women!!

I know God will bring all of those who would benefit most from this event! It will be wonderful spending the weekend with you!

Again, please put the word out to your peoples :o)

Blessings!
Marian Brisbin
949-291-2553

PRAYER

2009-07-01T11:57:00.001-07:00

My brother-in-law has been in a hospital in Lake Tahoe for over a week now. He is in intense pain, and his insurance company is holding something up. My sister and brother in law live in Aptos, CA, and it sounds like the insurance company will not pay to have him moved to a hospital closer to home. My sister has been staying in hotel rooms, while Bill lays in the hospital. He has complications and a fever that will not go down. There is undoubtably an infection, but he is not gettin the help that he needs.

Please keep Bill and my sister Chris in your prayers! I do believe that God answers prayer, always. It doesn't always come when we ask, and it also doesn't always come in the form that we think it should, but the answers do come!

I know we are all praying very hard, unceasingly. I pray that our prayers will reach our Lord and His love will heal my brother.

THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER!

John 15:7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

James 5:13
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Kings 13:6
And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.

IMPORTANT! Women's Mini Retreat - Sept. 11-12

2009-07-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Call Marian for More Information! 949-291-2553

Friday, September 11th and Saturday September 12th
Please Join Us!! effect Women's Retreat...
Everyone Welcome!!

We need to sell 12 more seats!
Please think about coming and being a part of the effect women's family!
We need you. Sisters, Mothers, Cousins, Friends, all can come!
The cost is minimal compared to the excellent speakers they will be sharing with us
and the 2 boxed lunches! $79.00!

If you can't make it, would you consider sponsering a woman who would like to come? There are some that would come in a heartbeat, they just can't affort it right now.

Thank you!

Please pray for the women attending. Please pray that all who want to go will be able to go. Please pray for the church that we will have the funds to cover our commitment.

Blessings to you all!

Please call me if you have not signed up and would like to attend. The church has purchased the tickets so that we could hold places for all wanting to come. We will have a spot for you open!

If you would like to spend Friday night with some of the women who would like to stay, please let me know also.

Thanks so much!

Marian

949-291-2553

Comfort

2009-07-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God[a];
trust also in me.
2In my Father's house are many rooms;
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4You know the way to the place where I am going."
John 14

Walking Wednesdays

2009-07-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

Our Wednesday Walks have all but stopped.
With summer here, by 10:00 am it is already hot.

I am willing to walk if you are. Just call me the day before
and I will meet you. If you would like to meet at 9:00 am,

that would be really fine with me. School is out and I can

make it.

Walk with me, talk with me, pray with me!
Blessings!

Rest

2009-07-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to take time for yourself today.

Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

2009-06-30T21:44:00.000-07:00

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew."
Saint Francis de Sales

"A pearl is a beautiful thing that is produced by an injured life. It is the tear [that results] from the injury of the oyster. The treasure of our being in this world is also produced by an injured life. If we had not been wounded, if we had not been injured, then we will not produce the pearl."
Stephan Hoeller

Black Dots

2009-06-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Have you taken the right path in life? The right path for you? Do you feel that something is missing? Is there an emptiness?

Maybe you go to church every Sunday, you do Bible studies, you have Christian friends, you try to always do the right thing. What is missing?

I was raised to go to church every Sunday. I was told about heaven and scared about going to hell. I tried to be a really good person, and yet.. I was crying out to God so often, wondering why I felt the way that I did.

A nun told my 1st grade class that every time we sin, we would get a black dot on our soul. Once our soul is full of the black dots and all black, there was no turning back. We would have only hell to look forward to. Can you imagine what that did to me and the children I went to school with? Young children are so impressionable and believe what those in authority tell us. I don't know about the others, but I sure believed her.

I reached an age where I knew my soul was black. With the lies and bad things I did in my life, surely I was now going to hell. The crazy thing was, at this age of realizing that I had sinned often, I was old enough to know better, to know that the nun was out of her mind telling young children this story, but there was a part of me that sincerely believed it. The years after that (knowing my soul was pure black) were black..selfish, very worldly.

I stopped going to church after the 8th grade.. I visited friend's churches occassionally, but I didn't feel worthy of doing anything more than just visiting. I even had some people pray for me and prostelitize to me when I was in my 20's and when I could not accept that they were telling me, they cried. They said they wanted to see me in Heaven someday and if I did not accept Jesus soon, that might not happen.

I didn't feel good enough, Christian enough, holy enough. I felt that if people really knew the real me, they would stay 10 ft. away, or rather shun me. My thoughts were not always pure.. my past was something out of movie...surely God could not forgive me!! I mean really!

Everyone said.. just say this sinner's prayer and God will take care of the rest. Well, that is like telling someone... just sit here on this couch and a job will fall into your lap. God does want to complete what He started in us.. but He does need a little bit of our help. If we don't hear Him, He will send people our way to help us get on the right path.. but we have to be open to that. I had people in malls walk up to me and give me pamplets. I had people walk up to me at the beach and at the grocery store. It was a little embarrassing.. because it happened a lot. I look back now and see that God had a hand in this.. He knew how dense I was and was really trying to get the point across!!

I realized later in life, that I really didn't know Who God was. Who was this Jesus that could come and cleanse me of my sin, and asked for nothing but my faith. How could I have faith in someone I could not see? I wanted to much to believe. I wanted so much to fit in. Everyone else seemed to understand, seemed confident and I still felt lost.

Who is God? How can you really describe the indescribable? How can you put into words the immenseness of Who God is? Is He church? Is He the Bible? What is He? Was going to church enough? Why was I still empty?

It wasn't until I started to pray...not the rote prayers of my childhood, and not what people told me to pray. I started to ask Jesus to reveal Himself to me. Now I pray for that daily. I didn't have a mountain experience in my walk with the Lord, like some people do. I did not have a honeymoon period in the beginning, if that is what you want to call it. But, I can say, that when I pray, when I find that little bit of time to be alone with the Lord. In my home, my car, where ever I am.. I feel something. The more I do it, the closer I feel. Sometimes, I don't use words to pray. I just sit. I ask Jesus if He has anything for me that day. I do get up at times and feel that I had no connection at all...but then, as God usually works in my life, I see things all day long that can only be from God. He opens my eyes to goodness, to laughter, to His holiness in many ways.

I find that these times with Jesus are my favorite. Another favorite time is when I am singing and praising Him with others. Worship is such a special time in church. I close my eyes and I feel the music and I ponder the words in the songs being sung... and as I and all of the others are sharing our love for God with the joy of singing, I feel Him.

I found my Jesus when I was alone and when I begged Him to be in my life and I took the time to "just be" with Him.

I am not saying to not go to church.. of course not. I am not saying that God's Word in the Bible isn't created for us to read and to help us. It truly is for us and from God. What I am saying is that God is this and so much more. I went to church for years and never questioned anything or anyone. I wanted so badly to be clean, to be accepted, that I believed what seasoned Christians told me. I listened to how they interpreted the Bible. I stood on the hardline of fundamentalism with fists clenched tight and with a self righteousness of believing that "I knew it all." Of course, because I studied the Word, I went to church, I wore the right apparel, I tried to look the part and be the perfect Christian.

I am here to tell you that no one knows it all. And, when someone says something to you that doesn't sit well with your heart, question it! And, if you speak to a pastor or a seasoned Christian and what they say doesn't sit right with you, question it! Go to God Himself. Even the most scholarly and well intentioned of Christians might have it wrong once in awhile... We can intercede for others with prayer, and they can do the same for us, but we can also go to God without a middle man. This was a concept I that was hard for me to accept, because I was raised in the Catholic faith. We weren't even given Bibles in parochial school.

Church is a special place... and there are so many different kinds of churches! Try many! You might find that one holds a special place for you. A place where God may want you to be for awhile, to grow, to make friendships, to learn. But, it is in that quiet personal time with the Lord, that time for just you and Him, where a personal relationship with Christ is truly born. It is that "personal relationship" that Jesus longs for with us.. and our heart longs for with Him! It is when you start to build that foundation, and that relationship, where the emptiness starts to disappear, the lonliness goes away. This is where God fills you so full, that when you are overfilled with His Spirit and His love, you reflect Him. This is when you realize what it is truly meant to be a "Christian". This is when God transforms you, and you let Him.

Our Abba Father is waiting for us to come to Him. He longs to hold us. Like a father or mother who has not seen their child in years, He waits and longs for us to come to Him. He longs for us to know Him and to trust Him.

For the nun who told me that my soul would fill with black dots.... I do forgive her. She meant well. It is the way of many to scare us into goodness and belief. I think there is a better way, but she truly did not mean to hurt us...she wanted to save us. (Jesus never used scare tactics)

So, you've said the sinner's prayer (which can be whatever words you want to use). Now what? Spend time alone and know that God is with you. He has always been with you. He is listening and He will finish what He has started in you. Find a church you love and feel comfortable in. If you have questions...please ask questions! Human beings are not perfect, but they are trying to do the right thing for you.

Know that God is pure love! Pure love. Where there is light there can be no darkness. God is pure light. We bring the wrath of darkness upon ourselves if we step out of His light. Why would we want to do that? ( 1 John: 5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin. )

Read the Bible, Pray, Find Alone Time With God, Find a good church, God will lead you to the rest.

I would choose a church which endeavors to practice what it preaches, translating its beliefs into everyday life. . ." I would choose a church which endeavors to practice what it preaches, translating its beliefs into everyday life. . ." Billy Graham

Blessings and Love be with you. I pray that you will embrace God with your whole heart today and live a life of the fullness that God wants for you. He wants that for you today. You don't need to wait until you get to heaven...He wants that for you today!

HAGAR

2009-06-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

As we study the Patriarch's and we have embraced Hagar in our most recent study, I thought this would be appropriate. For a more complete story of Hagar, please read Genesis.

Hanging on to Hope

By Mary Dunham-Faulkner

The brazen servant-who-was-a-mistress for a short, exalted time was paying for her sins. Yes, she had been cocky and shamelessly proud. After all, she had slept with and produced the joy of his heart--more than his wife had done for him. Sarah had punished her for her sin, banishing her from the only home she had known. And Abraham, the one who was always gentle and loving to the boy and her, had betrayed her too, sending her and their son away into the desert of certain death.

But was it so wrong to revel in that brief moment of her life when everything looked good, as if life was finally coming together for her. Who destined one to be a Sarah-beauty queen of the desert, wealthy and blessed, and one to be a Hagar--servant, lowly, used? Who decides which one gives the orders and which one obeys them? Commanding someone to sweep the floor and feed the camels is one thing. Demanding she give up her body and put her womb out for hire is quite another.

Still, she had been the winner. At least for one lightning-second-moment when Abraham had sought her out to make love to her and then later, to check on his son. Her son. Their son. The intimacy she had craved all of her life was as sweet as the gurgling baby in her arms.

But now, along in a hot, blazing desert, she realized it was only a mirage, a life-picture too good to be true. Her one priceless dream--her son--was a few feet away, dying. She had sat him down and moved away so she wouldn't hear his soundless cries for food and water. After he died, she would wait and pray for death, too. She had nowhere to go, no one to lean on

Hagar, Sarah's bondservant, did what all of us are tempted to do when we don't see any way out. She gave up. After all, what use is there in praying when God has never seemed too interested in what happened to you anyway? Her story yields lessons for you and me offering wisdom for those times when our desert feels like the most deserted, deadly one. Hagar, this low-class servant girl, is our teacher here and shows us how to survive abandonment, despair, and the death of a dream.

Your greatest enemy in the desert is fear.

Hagar thought she needed water, food, and shelter to survive. It turns out that her real need was confidence-a belief that she was going to survive this latest crisis in her life. She had been in the desert in similar circumstances; maybe not as bad as this, but she had survived the experience.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you thought you could not do."

Looking fear in the face takes courage. Refusing to be overcome by a spirit of paralyzing, terrorizing panic requires an unmovable faith in the fact that God will keep His promise of never leaving us alone.

My ninety-two year old mother tells the story of coming home from the doctor's office several years ago after he told her that she had cancer in her uterus. "O God! What am I going to do?" she cried out alone on her bed that night.

We'll do this together," He promised her. She testifies of a peace that washed over her that night and has never left her since. Peace, that wonderful gift of God, is all we need in any adverse circumstance. The enemy of our soul cannot manufacture or pierce the tranquility of a soul-quiet so strong it can overcome anything-even death.

Don't make major decisions about life when you're discouraged and down.

When we find Hagar in the desert in this dramatic story in Genesis 21, she is on a deathwatch; sure her only child is going to die. It turns out that she was not alone at all, her son did not die, and her life did not end. Making decisions when we are depressed, afraid, or angry assures a crop of failure. Pain distorts vision. When you are surrounded by darkness, it's not a great time to pick up the phone and call your offended, sell your house, or declare God to be dead. What seems absolutely true today does not necessarily make it so. There is always one more thing you know about your own circumstances.

Just because you can't see God in Your Desert of Death doesn't mean He's not there.
Hagar thought she was alone, but obviously she was misinformed. God was there. Did she think God only cared about Sarah and Abraham, the really important people He had chosen for His really important work? She was wrong. Perhaps if she had not experienced this terrible desert, she would not have discovered that God is also the God of the destitute, the rejected, the refugee, and the one who has received the sentence of death.

Just as He had a great plan for Sarah, the wealthy mistress who had everything, He had a unique, grand plan for Hagar-the poor unimportant bondservant, too. He shows up in her desert, just like He will show up in yours. His words were straight and to the point, refusing Hagar the pity we all want at such a time. "Get up" He commands her. Obviously self-pity and prophecies of doom are not appropriate, ever. Excuses of why others can, but we can't, are not acceptable. Simply, "Get up." Now there's a word from God that will work even on our good days!

Just like Hagar, sometimes we are so self-involved, focusing on what might happen that we don't see the things around us that will see us through. I'm wondering why Hagar didn't see the well of water nearby her when she thought she and her son were going to die from dehydration. When God shows up, He shows her the solution that was there all along. Just a few feet away from her was the water she and her son needed to live.

The ordinary, everyday miracles of our life are often overlooked while we cry out to God for "a miracle to see us through." Miracles can come in the shape of an old friend who is always there come hell or high water or in a still undeveloped talent that has the potential to start a new business...or in the junior college in our community or the Christian counselor who helps us see our problem in a new way.

Look around you. Your water-well is close by. It's okay to ask God to do what He did for Hagar, to simply open your eyes to see something you never saw before.

Ishmael, Hagar's son, didn't die. In fact, God grew him into a nation. And Hagar? She ended up being the ancestor of even more sons and tribes and nations. Crises don't change us. They simply hold the seeds of change in their dry, never-ending, thirsty deserts. It's up to you and me to invite the Holy Spirit to come into our situation and show us things about the Father that we may have forgotten; that He loves the lowly, needy one; that He visits us in our deserts; and that He always enlarges us through the thing we thought was going to kill us.

Prayer

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Please pray for my brother in law Bill Spindler who is being operated on right now for complications with his gall bladder. He was in so much pain.

Please pray for my nephew who seems to be coming back to the Lord.

Please pray for my mother who found out she has coritid arteries, and strokes run in our family.

Please pray for all of the new graduates, that they find their way in this world, with the help of our Lord Jesus.

Please pray for marriages. Many are being strained right now, which is just what the enemy would like to see! He knows what buttons to push... push back!!

Please pray for Iran and its people, for peach and democracy.

Please pray for all of our soldiers and family that might be overseas helping in these and other efforts. Lord please plant your mighty angels around them and protect them from all evil.

Please pray for those that have recently lost jobs, houses, and more. These are tumultuous times and we need to watch out for our brothers and sisters!!

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Psalm 63:2-3 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

Women's Bible Study Vacation

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The Women's Bible study will be taking a short break through the month of July and will continue in August. There were a lot of get away plans for this month, so this seemed like the right thing to do.

If anyone would like to join up in August, we would love to have you!!!

Call Marian for more information~ 949-291-2553

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Friday, September 11th and Saturday September 12th
Please Join Us!!
Call Marian at 949-291-2553

WELCOME TO OUR WOMEN

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I am creating this Blog for information pertaining to the women of the effect! If you have anything to share with us, please do.

My first message to you is that our Women of Faith Event is coming soon and I really need our payments in by this Sunday.. June 21. If you can not pay by this Sunday, please let me know and we will work something out.

Thank you so much!!
Blessings!

Marian