God's Refrigerator

What’s on your refrigerator?  Not IN your refrigerator – but ON your refrigerator?  Mine is covered with stuff right now.  A repository of very important stuff.   You could find a lot of things there – among them would be a wedding invitation for January 8th, a photo magnet from a recent trip to the World of Coca-Cola, postcards sent to us from New York, Cincinnati, and New Orleans, a cartoon, car magnets used during football season to decorate the car when we travelled to games, and a letter. 

I started thinking about it when my son came home for Christmas.  The day he arrived, he received a letter in the mail from the university.  It was congratulating him on his academic success for the semester.  So, he did what we always do.  He stuck it to the refrigerator with a magnet.  The refrigerator – where we advertise our accomplishments, fasten the reminders of upcoming events, and display our memories to be enjoyed over and over again.  Every trip for ice or food or water gives us a peep at our lives.

A new year is about to begin – my signal to clean off those doors and get ready for a new year of mementos saved on the metal canvas of our refrigerator.  And so, I wonder.  What does God’s refrigerator door look like?  I can just imagine Him getting it ready for a new year – throwing some things away, storing some in boxes or picture albums – creating a clean slate, ready to start over.  I love new beginnings and second chances.  I love the idea that we get a do-over.  So, here is the challenge for you.  Make the coming year a great one for God’s refrigerator.  Accomplish some things that you can’t wait to put on His fridge .  Make sure that when it’s time to clean off the door this time next year that God will be smiling about the things that have marked your time for the year, the important and the everyday things that define your life.  

May 2011 be a banner year for your contributions to God’s refrigerator.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.   James 4:10

P.S.  If you have trouble with making resolutions for the new year, please check out Kim Arnold's post - you can click on this link to go there:   http://www.margeryraveson.com/2010/12/blank-page.html

Nine Weeks Gone - Really?

Nine weeks.  That’s all it took.  And we, the Ladies of the Tuesday Night Bible Study on Covenant, have learned a lot!  Our lives are busy and it can be difficult to fit everything in.  We work.  We have families.   We have obligations.  There are places we must go and things we must do.  And then, there is Bible study.  It is important, so we carve out the time – not just to meet together at the end of a long day, but to do the homework.  We are a good team.  We learn from each other.  We share.  We are all so different; we are all the same.  We are sisters in Christ – flawed and imperfect, but studying and learning and making progress.  Ladies, I will miss you on Tuesday nights – but only for a while.  New studies are coming.  See you in January?

P.S. - Since you have time on your hands now - don't forget about Satan Exposed, the study with no homework and no book.  You can still catch the second part on Monday, November 15th at 6:00 p.m. in the Reception Room.  We all need as much help we can get when it comes to understanding spiritual warfare.  It is very real.

Home Again

This is the day!  I am going back home – from one side of the country to the other – from California back to Alabama.  It has only been six days, but it seems much longer.  That is not to say that I didn’t enjoy it, because I did.  I went to a wonderful conference – huge, overwhelming, full of information, brimming with new ideas.  It was great!  It was fun!

And since I was in Anaheim, I went to Disneyland.  I really did.  I felt like maybe I should borrow a child from someone, but I didn’t.  I just went.   All by myself.  My hotel was close enough that I could walk, so I did.  And I had a ball.  I rode the rides.  I went to the shows.  I learned how to draw Tigger and Goofy.  I got a grape soda pin like the one from UP.  I had so much fun!  But, I was still all by myself.  What I really wanted was my family – my husband, my son, people I love.  I wanted the people who know me best.  The ones who know when to say, “NO!  You absolutely do not need to ride that!” or “YES! I want to do that, too.”  I needed someone to be a part of the memories.  Someone to say, “Remember when . . .” and we all remember. Someone to be in the pictures.   Someone who knows what was funny and why.  Someone who doesn’t need any explanations. 

 

That is what God must be like.  The One who knows me best.  The One who knows what will scare me and what will thrill me.  The One who gets the jokes and shares the memories.  The One who remembers.  The One who forgives and forgets.  The One who knows why I would go to Disneyland all by myself and have still have fun.

Wish I Were There

I missed Bible study on Tuesday night – in more ways than one.  I simply could not be there, so I missed it.  (California is a long way from Alabama.)  And I wish I could have been there, so I missed it.  How strange that something I wasn’t all that excited about doing in the first place has ended up being so important.  Isn’t God something?  He can take someone like me – reluctant, half-hearted, uncertain – and teach them something very special, very important in spite of it all.  The only thing I had to do was go.  Make the commitment and go.  Decide that no matter how hesitant I might be, studying God’s word is more important.  He will do it for you, too.  So . . . next time you get the chance, next time you think you’d rather not, next time you think you just don’t have the time . . . go to Bible study anyway.  You will learn and be blessed in spite of yourself.

This Is No Pinky Promise

I really hate to admit this, but . . . not so long ago, anytime “covenant” got mentioned, I found myself kind of tuning out just a little. It seemed way over my head and slightly boring. I have already mentioned that I didn’t even want to DO the Covenant Bible study! That was then. This is now.
Just my opinion, but I think the whole church should do this Covenant Bible study. How it will open your eyes!! Really. We are studying covenants from Genesis to Revelation. Who knew it was so interesting?!

Okay, how many times have you heard of the new covenant? And how many of those times have you understood what it means? Really, really understood what it means? Well, I was one of those who understood it, got it, and could talk about it. But looking at the new covenant in light of all the other covenants gives me a brand new way of seeing it. You will understand the depth of God’s love for you if you study covenants.

Here’s a little Greek lesson for you. Did you know that there are two different Greek words for “new” in the New Testament? Neos means new as compared to old. But, kainos means new as in unique. In every passage in the Bible except one, guess which one is used for new covenant? Kainos. The new covenant is unique. It is different from and better than all the other covenants. It has promises never before offered by any other covenant. Here they are: we get the power to obey God (this is NOT a natural human response!); we get forgiveness (blood of animals cannot take away sin; Christ’s blood can); we get eternal life and a never ending relationship with God.

This is no pinky promise. This is the real thing. Please, please, please – make it a priority to study and understand the whole concept of covenant. It will change your life.

Friends

I do not take friendships lightly. My friends are my friends. Period. I might or might not be loyal to a fault. When I was growing up, we moved around and, as a result, I don’t have any of those friends that some people have. The ones you have known since kindergarten (or before). The ones that have just always been there. I went to three different elementary schools. Sort of eliminated that kind of friendship for me. So, when I say that I don’t take friendship lightly, I really, really don’t. What I learned from not having any of those friends-from-the-beginning-of-life is to let everyone in and see if a friendship developed – and then hang on to it when it did. I know the value of friendship.

A few years ago, I had the miserable and heartbreaking experience of being betrayed by a trusted friend. It was a take-your-breath-away and I-can’t-believe-it moment for me. How could this happen? I mean, I had been there for this person. I had prayed for this person through a crisis (or a few of them). I was there through major life events and had been supportive. I had upheld my end of the friendship bargain. And now, this?! This was not a small, easily forgotten betrayal. It was massive and it was miserable. It turned my life upside down. It hurt my family – and mamas don’t like it when their families are hurt. It cost me dearly when I had done nothing wrong. It caused my unbelievably forgiving and sweet husband to say unkind things – and that is hard to do. It made me examine other friendships. No way was I going to get blindsided again!

I wallowed around in my misery for a while. I told myself I had earned the right. The emotional pain was very real. It was a how-am-I-going-to-make-it-through kind of pain. And I didn’t really want to share it with anyone. The story was long and complicated. To really understand, you had to understand a couple of decades worth of friendship. And to explain it, I had to reopen that wound and I just didn’t want to do that. Much, much too painful. I shared bits and pieces, but the whole story . . . well, that was almost too hard.  But I did tell Someone. And He listened. He heard my suffering through every word, every tear, every sigh, every gulp, every sob, every breath I tried to take and almost couldn’t, every bit of pain that I couldn’t even put into words. He was my best Friend.

Because . . . we have a covenant. And thanks to the fall Bible study we are doing – Covenant by Kay Arthur – I understand it so much better. He takes care of me when I can’t take care of me. He fights my enemies - when I cannot as well as when I can. That “two become one” thing – that is us. God takes care of me because I am His. He gave me His armor, so I can fight, too. But, most important, He is always there. When I can’t, He does and He will. Always. Forever.

Join us for Bible study. We all watch the same videos and do the same homework, but there is always a message there that is just for me. There’s a message in the study that is just for you, too.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:13-16

Except for the Scar

There was a time when we had quite a menagerie at our house. We had fish too numerous to count in one big tank and three guppies in their own little habitat. We had two gerbils that we called Him and Her because we could never decide on a name for them. We had two dogs. And we had Sparky, the rose-kneed tarantula. That’s right – we had a pet spider. Sounds exotic, but they really don’t do much of anything and we never did figure out how to play with him. Didn’t find out until after we got him that they live a l-o-n-g time. I discovered one fine day that they molt. When that happens, you go in one morning and find what appears to be another whole tarantula sitting in the spider house. Quite a shock, really. Not to mention a huge relief to find out that it is a hollow shell. But now, we are down to two dogs and one persistent fish. (Sparky lasted 10 years with us!)

If you are not a pet person, then you will probably have a hard time understanding that I am completely besotted with my dogs. Zorro and Lily are part of the family. It doesn’t matter that they are four legged and canine. They have a place in our hearts and our home; we love them. Period. It is okay if you don’t understand. It is not going to change. So, one day I noticed that a little bit of Lily’s fur was poking out in a funny way. And then I noticed a little bitty bumpy place on her skin. So I took her to the vet where she was poked with needles and examined. The veterinarian said that she needed some surgery to remove the growth; that would be the safest thing to do. That was on Friday and she had surgery on Monday. Between Friday and Monday, I prayed for Lily. Yes, I think God cares about my dog, too. I picked her up and took her home afterwards, all stitched up and grumpy, waiting for the report from the lab.


Lily on the way home from surgery

A week later, we got the call. Lily’s growth was a type of cancer. But there was good news. It had been completely removed and the “edges” of what had been removed were clean. Lily’s cancer is 100% curable. And she had already had the treatment. Our vet said that she will be just like it was never there –except for the scar. Can’t do anything about that. We celebrated. Extra dog biscuits for both Lily and Zorro to go along with the pain pills for Miss Lily. Woo-hoo!! We are happy at our house!



So, this really does have something to do with our Covenant Bible study. We have been learning about all kinds of covenants – Old Testament covenants that involved Abram/Abraham, Laban and Jacob, Jonathan and David – and New Testament covenants that involve me (and you!). Over and over again we have heard that a covenant is a solemn, binding agreement. And it means that the covenant partners become one – they have the same friends and the same enemies. They share completely. When we have a covenant relationship with Jesus, we have a solemn, binding agreement. We belong to Him and he will fight our enemies with us. He will never leave us. And, our sins are gone. Even our “edges” are clean. Forgiven. Forgotten. Just like it was never there. Except for the scar – a reminder of what once was but is no more. I am so thankful, thankful, thankful for my covenant relationship with Jesus. I hope you are, too. Go celebrate.  Better yet - join us for Bible study - what a difference it will make in your life.

Dressed for Success

Have you seen The Princess and the Frog? Yes, I know it is an animated movie (sounds better than “cartoon”). I watched it anyway. And I liked it. So, if you are not familiar with the story, there’s a prince who travels to New Orleans in search of a rich girl to marry. The Shadow Man turns him into a frog and only a kiss from a princess will turn him back into a prince. So, the frog meets Tiana, a poor girl who dreams of opening her own fancy restaurant and serving gumbo made with her father’s fabulous recipe. Now, the frog meets Tiana during Mardi Gras. He mistakes her for a princess because she is wearing a tiara, a beautiful dress, and really looks the part. The frog convinces Tiana to kiss him by promising enough money to help her make her dream come true. She kisses him and . . . instead of the frog turning back into a prince, Tiana turns into a frog! The frog can’t quite understand what went wrong. And then, he finds out that Tiana is no princess. He got fooled by her clothes. Her clothes said one thing, but real life said another. The frog/prince added the tiara to the ball gown and concluded that she was a real princess because she was dressed like one. Big mistake.

Now, I need to share something that has been rolling around in my head for a week. In the Covenant Bible study, Kay Arthur said, “Watch how you behave because you have His robe on.” This statement came from our study of the covenant between Jonathan and David. Jonathan gave David his robe and armor. It was a way of Jonathan saying to David, “You are putting ‘me’ on when you wear this. We are the same. Your enemies are my enemies, and I will fight with you.” Our covenant with God is similar. As Christians, we are “wearing His robe.” So, we better be careful how we act!! Like it or not, when we are wearing His robe, our actions get judged based on what others expect of us. Will they expect something different from us than they do from those who don’t have His robe? Yes. And they should.

I think my grandmother lived in fear that I would do something to bring some sort of dishonor to the family. She constantly reminded me, “Remember who you are.” Pretty good advice, really. So . . . when you are wearing His robe, remember Whose you are. That robe you're wearing - it was purchased with the blood of Christ.

Tighten Your Belt

It is fall!  Yes!  Finally.  As of last Thursday.  According to the calendar, anyway.  On the first official day of fall, the temperature was still in the nineties, and—well, that just screams “summer.”  But, I truly, truly love fall, so I am sticking with the calendar version and will just ignore that lingering reality of heat and humidity.  I barely tolerate August—my least favorite month of the year—but when September hits, I start counting the days until it is officially  fall.  I love the colors of fall and the way the air begins to feel in the mornings.  I love tucking my flower beds in for the winter.  I love pumpkins, leaves changing colors, football, Holiday Market,  fall festivals, Oktoberfest, Thanksgiving, every fall decoration you can imagine, and baking. 

And, I love fall Bible studies.  We just finished our third session of Covenant by Kay Arthur.  How many times have you read the verses in Ephesians about putting on the full armor of God?  Did you ever really get it that its God’s armor.  As in, He is clothing us in His own armor so we will be ready to fight the battles with Satan that are surely, certainly, no-doubt-about-it, on the way.  It is all part of God’s covenant with us—for our benefit, not God’s—more of that “what’s mine is yours” thing.  Like:  Take my armor, use it, and don’t ever forget that I am fighting for you.  Forever.  I like that whole concept, really.  I’m not in this alone.  God is REALLY on my side!  And now, when I read about Jonathan giving David his armor, I really “get it.” 

Jonathan was pretty much saying—”Here, take all of this.  It was mine and now it is yours.  You are the same as me.  You get all the benefits I would get—you are the son of a king, too.”   Jonathan gave David his robe along with his armor that included a belt, a bow, and a sword.  A belt???  That is armor??  Yep.  Guess why.  The belt is what keeps all the other pieces of armor right where they need to be and ready for battle.  Kind of gives “tighten your belt” a whole new meaning.

My son has always made up words.  Not gibberish, but things that could be real words because I always knew what they meant.  One night it was time for bed and Matthew wanted to get up and do something (play).  So, I said no, it’s time for bed.  I told him he could do that tomorrow.  He reached up and very gently held my face in his little hands and whispered, “No. No. No.  Please, Mama.  To-now.”  From then on, we had a new word in our house.  We  already had “today” and “tomorrow.”  But, for those times when things just could not wait, we had “tonow.”  So, if you are hesitating about wading into a Bible study, and your head is saying, “No.  No.  No.  Maybe tomorrow.”  I would like to make you an offer.  Please . . . how about tonow?  It isn’t a word, but I know you know what it means.  Tighten your belt and join us . . .  tonow.

So, I Was Wrong - Again

My options for Bible study this fall were limited.  I work full time, so the night time studies are the only ones that I can do.  My choices were Daniel (already did that one) and Covenant.  So, Covenant it is.  I will just go ahead and admit that I wasn’t that excited about it.  It was the name, actually.  Covenant.  It sounded stuffy, boring, tedious . . . you get the picture.  I kept asking myself, Do I really want to do this every week for the next nine weeks? No. Yes.  No. Okay.   But, I decided that it could be worse -  someone could sit there and read Leviticus out loud every night. I went.

Let me just say here and now that I will NEVER look at a rainbow the same way again.  I have a whole new respect for  Noah, Mrs. Noah and the family.  I FINALLY understand that whole  name changing thing with Abram/Abraham and Sarai/Sarah.  And there’s Moses . . . a reluctant leader who delivered the covenant to the Israelites from God.  (By the way, one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible is Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  I am SO bad at being still.  I would have been a terrific Israelite, though, moaning and complaining all the time, hollering that Moses got me out of Egypt only to kill me in the desert.)  And, then, of course, there is the Last Supper that included quite a covenant!

Was I excited about Covenant?  Nope.  Am I excited about it now?  Yes.  Absolutely.  No doubt.  Looking forward to the homework.  That’s right.  I WANT to do the homework and see what is coming next.  Who knew?!

Maybe you haven’t begun one of the Bible studies this fall.  IT IS NOT TOO LATE!  I promise , promise, promise . . . it is not too late.  Just come and join in right where we are—doesn’t matter which study you choose.  Just come and be a part of a wonderful time of finding out what God’s Word has to say to us.  The Bible verses we have read in the study so far are things I have read countless times.  And, boy, did I miss some stuff!!  Maybe you missed some stuff, too.  Come find out.

Do More Than Nothing

Okay, Ladies . . . this is it!  Our Fall Bible Studies have officially begun - and I hope you were there. This is such a busy and exciting time in our church.  With One Month to Live going on in addition to all our "regular" activities gearing up once again, we have plenty to keep us busy and MUCH to be thankful for.  We are truly, truly blessed with so many opportunities to learn and grow.  I know it makes it difficult - we want to do it all and we can't.  But, please, please, please - don't do nothing just because you can't do everything.  Be glad that you must choose from so many wonderful opportunties.

Now - back to the Bible studies.  Monday and Tuesday were the very first meetings. So you are not behind, even if you could not make the first night.  We say it all the time - Bible study is the heart of the Women's Ministry.  It was the very first thing we ever planned when the ministry started years ago.  It remains the most important thing that we do.  If we could do only ONE thing for the women of our church each year, it would be Bible study.  Make time for Bible study. 

I love, love, love to read.  I usually have two or three books going at once.  Can't explain it - it just happens.  This time, I am doing the Kay Arthur Covenant study, and she made a point that really stuck with me.  There is no book that has more to offer than the Bible.  It is God's holy word, written for us.  And when we study it, we need to STUDY it - make it a priority - don't just squeeze it in when there is spare time.  Sometimes our approach to homework is - YUCK!  HOMEWORK!  And we sound a lot like our kids when they complain about homework.  Do you know the first question anyone ever asks about new Bible studies?  No surprise here - it is "Is there much homework?"  Yes, there is homework.  Just do it.  And if, for whatever reason, you don't get it all done - do what you can.  As Kay Arthur reminded us - whatever studying you do is more than nothing.

So, join us for Bible study.  Do more than nothing. 

Hearts Under Construction

 Just in case you missed it . . . the Hearts Under Construction
Kick Off Dinner was a LOT of fun!

Hearts Under Construction

PLEASE say that you didn’t miss the Kick Off Dinner on September 9^th!!  I have been waiting since June to tell you about our theme for the coming year – Hearts Under Construction.  At the Women’s Ministry Kick Off Dinner on Thursday, our theme was introduced and information was shared about the many activities that make up the Women’s Ministry at Eastern Hills.  Every woman at Eastern Hills is a member of the Women’s Ministry.  You don’t have to join.  Actually, you CAN’T join!  You just ARE a part of the Women’s Ministry and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

This time next year, you will be learning about a completely new theme, but for now – for THIS year – our prayer is that you will use this time to experience some changes and renovations to your own heart.  We know that our hearts are important to God.  He told us.  Remember when Samuel went looking for the second king to anoint?  Remember how he ended up with Jesse and his family?  And the first of the eight sons he saw was Eliab – tall, handsome, very “kingly” looking, I am sure.  And Samuel, like some of us (I'm afraid that would be ME), got all impressed and thought, “This must be the one.”  God had other plans.  “But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. – 1 Samuel 16:7”  Yikes!  No matter what I do to make myself look better, God is never fooled.  He just looks right inside and sees what is there – and sometimes . . .well, it isn’t pretty.

So, use this year as a time to let God build the heart that you need – the one that He truly wants you to have.  Come to Bible study.  Spend time with other ladies who are much more like you than different from you.  Get to know some folks who will help you on your journey to be the person God means for you to be.  Will it be easy?  Probably not.  But, it will be worth it!

Make HIM Real in Your Life - Sunday Night Service

If you missed the Sunday night service last night - well, you just missed a real treat.  It was a wonderful night of music, worship, and testimonies.  Our theme was "Make HIM Real in Your Life," and it was apparent from the first notes that Teresa Hicks played on the piano that it was going to be a special night.  Jo Anne Green supplied us with these pictures, so I wanted to post them here for you to see and remember!

Carol Handey sharing an excerpt from "I Saw the Lord" by Anne Graham Lotz

Jamie Golden, Deana Bruner, and Hannah Pope singing "Jesus Will Still Be There"

Jane Martin - a very capable music director

Julie Merritt sharing a wonderful testimony about God's Strength

Leisa Harrison sharing a testimony on Wait, Pray, Hope

Peggy Kendrick sharing a testimony about Search, Joy, Peace

Terri Golden and Cheryl Chappell singing "Jesu Fill Us With Your Love"

A time of fellowship following the Sunday Night Service

The fellowship continues...

and continues...

Dottie Blevins and Evelyn Pate.  Evelyn coordinated the wonderful reception.

Growing Godly Girls - First of the Blueprint Studies

A new type of Bible study is beginning next week.  The Blueprint Bible Studies are one of kind studies.  No books.  No homework.  Really.  The first study, led by Jill Wells, will be Growing Godly Girls.  This is a two night study – Tuesday, August 31^st and Tuesday, September 7^th – at 7:00 p.m. in Room 139.  If you have wanted to try a Bible study but have been reluctant to commit to the homework or to the extended length of time, then give this one a try.  It is the first in a series of studies that will be taking place over the next few months.

New Fall Bible Studies

Regular Bible Study
Monday 1:30 p.m., Tuesday 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
September 13 & 14 through November 8 & 9
Covenant: God’s Enduring Promises by Kay Arthur
Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy Part I by Beth Moore (Note: Daniel study offered only on Tuesday)

Tuesday 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
September 14 - Precepts: John by Kay Arthur
February 18 - Precepts: John by Kay Arthur

January 17 & 18 through February 28 & March 1
Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer
Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy Part II by Beth Moore (Note: Daniel study offered only on Tuesday)


“Blueprints” Bible Study lecture series at night - NO HOMEWORK!

Aug. 31 and Sept. 7 - 7:00 p.m. - led by Jill Wells - Growing Godly Girls
Nov. 8 and 15 - led by Debbie Borden
Jan. 10 - led by Jan Howard
Apr. 11 and 18 - led by Joette Castleberry

COST OF BOOKS:
Covenant - $15
Daniel - $12
Precepts - $40.50 (use for both studies)

Have You Ever Heard of Eden's Rain?

This news is too good to keep! You probably know that the Women’s Ministry Servant Team works all year to plan and carry out events and activities for the women of Eastern Hills and for the community. We make all of our plans after MUCH prayer and we try very hard to do what the Lord leads us to do. We are so excited to be able to tell you about the retreat planned for January 28 and 29, 2011. That’s right – 2011. Are we on the ball or what?!

Arrangements have been worked out for Eden's Rain to lead the upcoming retreat. The two ladies who make up Eden's Rain have a heart for women’s ministry and will share their considerable talents with us during that time. You will not want to miss their testimonies and see how God is using these women in a wonderful ministry. Would you like to know more about them? They have a website – www.edensrain.com. If you visit it by clicking here, you can read about them and listen to some of their music.

There is always a reason that God puts us where we are for the time that we are there. He may not wave His arms and holler to make you know that He made the arrangements, but never forget that He is orchestrating your life. There is a reason for you to spend January 28th and 29th at this retreat. Come and meet Leila and Shannon – Eden's Rain – spend time with other ladies who might just be or become some of your best friends – and enjoy a time of renewal, relaxation, and fun. There will be more information coming later – but put it on your calendar now!

Here's a Challenge for You

Well over a hundred years ago, a book written by Charles Sheldon was published. That book – In His Steps – is the source of the famous “What would Jesus do?” question. No . . . it really didn’t begin with those ubiquitous WWJD bracelets and associated paraphernalia. So – have you read it? Ever? I confess that even though I knew of the book, I had never read it. But, because the Women’s Ministry selected In His Steps as its book for the June meeting, I bought it, read it, and am still amazed.

Here is my story. As I read through the pages of In His Steps, I couldn’t help wondering – What if I applied the “what would Jesus do” test just like some of the book’s characters did? How difficult would that be? Oh sure, there are times when it would be easy and times when it would give me the push to do the “right” thing. But, what about the times when I would be uncomfortable, or others would be made uncomfortable as a result? What about when it would be really inconvenient? What about when it would have a cost I didn’t want to pay? What about when it impacted what other people thought and how they treated me? What about when it actually had an unwanted, unwelcome effect on my life, my family, my job, my friends, my hobbies . . . so, you get the idea. Yes, I want to “do what Jesus would do.” But, my goodness, I don’t want to suffer . . . not really! Guess what. I don’t choose the consequences; I only make the decision. And it IS a hard decision – it only sounds simple.

So here comes the challenge. Get the book and read it! It isn’t hard to find – it is one of the bestselling books of all time – seriously. Then, leave a comment at this blog about your reaction to the book. Have you already read it, but it was a L-O-N-G time ago? Read it again. It’s that kind of book – one you need to keep and re-read every so often.

True confession. One reason I never read In His Steps is because it is so old – it was written in 1896. And my experience with the “classics” isn’t so positive – I mean, did you ever read The Red Badge of Courage? Didn’t like that one. At all. But, you know what? My favorite Book is MUCH older - and I can’t get enough of it! Okay – so go find In His Steps and read it. And tell us what you think.

A Meal Fit for a Princess

Here’s a chance for you to celebrate your inner princess. You KNOW she’s in there – that princess you once upon a time imagined yourself to be. So, here’s some good news - your princess DOES exist . . . because you are a Daughter of the King. Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 2nd and join us at noon for the “Daughters of the King” Women’s Luncheon in the gym. The cost is only $5.00 and all princesses 6th grade and older are invited. Take advantage of this opportunity and invite a special woman in your life to be your honored guest – your mother, daughter, friend, teacher, mentor, neighbor, coworker – and celebrate being a daughter of the King. Don’t forget to bring an old picture of yourself for a game. Childcare is available, but ONLY by request. Registration begins Sunday, April 11th and ends Sunday, April 25th. Added benefit - tiaras make you look taller.

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:16-17

Easter Crosses for New Families

Several years ago, the Women's Ministry began an Easter Cross project. Each year, we try to make the crosses available to the families who have joined Eastern Hills since last Easter and do not have one of the Easter crosses. We are very happy that the Women’s Ministry is once again making and distributing these wooden crosses for your yard. The crosses are about 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide and come with a “kit” of 3 colors of cloth to put on the cross. Instructions are included for when to use which color. The crosses will be “BY ORDER ONLY” for new families who have joined Eastern Hills this past year. This is a wonderful way to be a witness for our Lord during the Easter season.

To order a cross, please call Debbie Johnson at 272-4144 or Melody Merritt at 514-9462. Please leave your name and telephone number so we may contact you. The DEADLINE for orders is Sunday, March 7th. We do not charge for the crosses, but donations will be accepted! Everything you need for the cross, including the fabric, will be provided. If you need a cross, call NOW ... before you forget and miss out on this wonderful way to celebrate Easter with your neighbors.

Easter Sunday is April 4th this year!

New Bible Studies Begin January 11th and 12th

You’ve heard this before, I’m sure – Bible study is the heart of the Women’s Ministry. If we could sponsor only one type of event, it would be Bible study. While we believe that everything we do is important and worthwhile, we know that there is no substitute for Bible study and its impact on our lives. After a busy holiday season, we can look forward to the daily (hopefully!) study of God’s word and the weekly time of sharing and learning with others.

The Bible studies that will begin on January 11th and 12th were selected with you in mind! Please know that the studies being offered were selected based on much prayerful consideration. Take a minute to read through the following information and see which Bible study seems right for you.

“One in a Million” by Priscilla Shirer begins January 11th and 12th
Monday at 1:30 p.m. led by CeCelia Armstrong
Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. led by Joette Castleberry
Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. led by Joy Priester
All sessions will be held in Room 139. Cost of the book is $12.

“Me, Myself & Lies – A Thought Closet Makeover” by Jennifer Rothschild begins January 12th
Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. led by Brittney Gardner
All sessions will be held in Room 135. Cost of the book is $12.

“Precepts: Isaiah” by Kay Arthur begins January 12th
Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in Room 143
Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in Judy Ray’s home.
All sessions are led by Judy Ray.

“EnJOY – A Thirst Quenching Look at Philippians” by Tianne Moon begins January 12th
Tuseday at 9:30 a.m. led by Karen Gosselin
All sessions will be held in Room 135. Cost of the book is $12.

If you need childcare, it will be available upon request. Please call Diane in the church office (272-0604) to make your request.


Right now, you might be thinking of every reason why you can’t (don’t want to) participate in one of these studies. Any reason is a good enough one for something you don’t want to do! But, please remember that there is no better use of your time than when you spend it learning the lessons God has given us in His Word. Never been to a Bible study and feeling a little intimidated? Everybody who has ever completed a Bible study had a first one! There are no prerequisites. Come as you are and you’ll leave a whole lot better. Don’t let fear or worry about not being able to do the homework keep you from doing something wonderful for yourself – join us for Bible study!

Popcorn and a Movie - It's FREE!

Have you ever laughed so hard that tears ran down your face? Have you ever heard someone describe a person, a situation, an event . . . and you think, “I KNOW him/her!! I’ve been there!” Have you ever been to a movie that made you laugh, cry, and laugh some more? Well, here’s your chance! Whether you are experiencing Chonda Pierce for the first time or have enjoyed her performances before, you don’t want to miss this.

On Thursday night, February 11th, the Women’s Ministry will be sponsoring a popcorn and movie night. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. in Room 139 for a Chonda Pierce movie. Chonda Pierce is a Christian comic, author, and television hostess. Born in South Carolina as the child of a preacher, she has authored six books and several of her DVDs are certified gold and platinum for their sales. In Chonda’s own words, "I come straight from the world of wooden pews and hell fire preaching. Some of it probably did a little damage -- that's where I get my warped sense of humor -- but most of those days gave me solid roots. You learn a lot from your past -- what to weed through and throw out and what to hold onto forever."

Come and enjoy an evening of laughter and fellowship – and find out exactly why Chonda Pierce is in such demand as a speaker and entertainer. There is no registration required for this free event, so come and bring a friend with you. If you have any questions or need more information, call Melody Merritt at 301-3996.