You Are A Beautiful Butterfly!

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

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.

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!

'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

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


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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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"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

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?

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!

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

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

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

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!

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