W3 (Women Who Worship)

Summer is rushing by so fast!  And Summer Shorts has really been great.   I for one will be a little sad to see it go, because it means Summer will be over.  But it is exciting to look ahead to the fall study:  Breaking Free by Beth Moore that will be starting September 5th.   And even more exciting is that we will be able to offer a daytime session on Thursday mornings at Liz Gleckler’s home in the Devil’s Lake area, provided there is interest!

What kinds of things do you struggle with?  Do you feel defeated or discouraged?  Does it seem like you just can’t get beyond things from your past or your present?  Do you struggle with worry, or habits or shame or pain?   It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set you free!

Check out this study and find out for yourself how to make the Freedom that you have in Christ a reality in your life everyday!  Learn to recognize lies that are holding you captive and how to apply the Truth of the Bible to your life to break free from them!  This  indepth study changed my life and I am so excited that we can offer the same opportunity to others!  Click on the Upcoming events link on the right side of the page or

 Check out this month’s edition of Frontline at www.ilovemychurch.org –to see what other Crossroader’s have to say about the impact this study had on their relationship with God and others!  Watch for sign up at the jail in the Grand Lobby coming soon…  and PLEASE consider attending one of the two sessions that will be offered. 

Deb D

What an interesting time we had at Summer Shorts this week.  We watched a DVD from Blair, er, Lisa Whelchel on Creative Correction and dealing with Sibling Rivalry.  It was fun coming up with a skit about how that happens and what moms might do to correct them.  After the video, we tried the new techniques.  For the teenage girls fighting over a water bottle, mom made them sing their argument and eventually they realized how silly their argument was.  For the toddler girls fighting over the baby doll, mom made them stand across the room and yell to each other “I love you and you’re my best friend” several times and eventually everyone is laughing.  The night was full of laughter and just fun.   We now have some new ideas on what to do when the kids are screaming at each other.

Next week, our Summer Shorts is going to be Priscilla Shirer on “He Speaks to Me”.  Ever wonder if it is God’s voice that you hear?   Do you wish He was speaking directly to you?  Do you think He says one thing and does another?   Come to Summer Shorts on August 1st and find some practical answers to these questions and more.  God wants to talk to you, will you listen?

Sunshine Plato

I started back to work on the 16th of July. For those of you who do not know me, I work for the YMCA in childcare. Since I had taken the full 12 weeks of the Family Leave Act, off before my hysterectomy not knowing for certain what lay in store for me surgery wise, the Y did not have an opening in my regular site as I was returning back 6 weeks early. I was told if I still wanted to come back early I could work as a floater at the main Y’s Summer Camp. Mostly I have been working with 3rd & 4th grade students. I have been suprised  and blessed by the children’s immediate affection for me considering the wonderful staff they already have in place.  Not only have the children embraced me as one of their own the staff, Mr. Brad, Ms. Summer and Ms. Jennifer have as well.

Last week was interesting. Mr. Brad, our “lead” is an exceedingly intelligent chemistry major with a wacky personality which defies discription. Kind of a cross between a Broadway Musical and Albert Einstin. Ms. Jennifer… she’s also a character matching Brad’s zany antics with her own brand of humor and panache yet hinting at a much more reserved underside. Ms. Summer is a young mother with a pre-schooler, a second child on the way and a wedding coming up in the Fall. And then there is me… What can I say?

Our group is constantly on the move. If we’re not on a visual scavenger hunt of downtown Adrian, we’re walking to Island Park, or swimming in the Y pool, or playing wild games in the mini gym, or going on a nature observation trip. Oh! and yes… freezing at Wampler’s Lake! The only “down time” we had last week if you can call that, was Bible Camp. For one hour a day we learned scripture verses, we heard stories from the Bible and also about a Missionary named John Paton. We learned a song in Swahili which I loved for it’s simplicity. ( Ask me and I may teach it to you. ) Many of the children desired to become believers by the end of Thrusday’s lesson.  I love that I work for the YMCA and that while other staff may have differing beliefs, I am free to express my faith with the children in my care.

Transportation with one car to the household has been my feet. Though I am taking a shortcut across the Courthouse parking lot it is still a mile + each way. The morning has been my favorite part of the day. As I walk to work I have time to reflect on God and his word. Nature for me has always been a prompter of praise. Once I’m past the Sheriff’s office and on the Kiwanis Trail the scenery turns from urban to natural. I see young rabbits and young groundhogs grazing while American Goldfinch sing from the trees. I am always taken a back by God’s creative hand when I am surrounded by the wildlife he made. Right now Chicory and Queen Ann’s Lace are blooming everywhere along the trail in periwinkle and white. It’s just a wonderful thing to see. By my walk home my knees are tired and I’m frazzled. The quiet of the return home allows me to let go of the noise of 70 children’s voices ringing in my head and unwind. Today I stopped to just watch the water flow in the river with my binoculars

Attention all mothers!

W3 is adding to our Summer Shorts video teaching a week dedicated to mothers.  In a society when “sparing the rod, spoil the child” is discouraged, mothers need to come up with creative and effective ways to “train a child in the way she should go…”  Lisa Whelchel, also known as Blair from the Facts of Life, shares her study about how to teach our children to obey God’s laws as well as her parents’ rules.

The best part about this Summer Shorts style Bible study is that we ladies can just chat with each other after the video about what works for some and what doesn’t work.  If you are a mom, or know a mom, or have a mom, consider attending and bringing someone with you.  I hope that it will be an evening full of laughter, enlightenment and reflection of Jesus.

We would love to see you!  Come Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at the LCS cafeteria at 6:30–8pm.  If you have questions or comments, please leave them here.

Sunshine

“I can only imagine…”, the title of one of my favorite songs by Mercy Me. However, we do know a quite a bit about heaven (and don’t have to only imagine) and Anne Graham Lotz, Billy Graham’s daughter, shared with us an interpretation of Revelations 21. 10 women sat listening to her as she described in detail the measured dimensions of Heaven, the 200 foot diameter pearls that are the gates to Heaven.

Heaven is a prepared place, a perfect place, a physical place, and a populated place. She gave us a lot of detail and shared stories about how to have HOPE when you are defeated. One great analogy she used is how to explain to unbelievers who think God is too exclusive and that everyone should be allowed into His home. She said that it is possible that some people will go up to her father’s house and stand at the gate and say, I’ve read your books and I’ve seen him on TV and I know all about you, so let me in. And what would you do if a stranger wanted to come to your home and be let in automatically? You probably would keep the gate locked and say I do not know you. But when she (Anne Graham Lotz) goes up to her father’s (Billy Graham’s) gate, the gates are gladly opened because she is a child of her father and it is her home. This is the same way our heavenly Father sees us. He will gladly let in His children, but turn away those who did not call Him Father.

What are some things that God has taught you through “The Vision of His Glory”? Is there something you would like to share that we didn’t get a chance to discuss? Did you miss this study and would like to know more about W3 Bible Studies? Please leave us a comment and we hope to respond to you shortly.

Sunshine

At Summer Shorts this week, we watched a video by Mary Kassian called “Conversation Peace: The Power of Transformed Speech.” Although I found it very hard to watch due to so many scene changes, Mary was deep within the Bible about how what we confess with our mouths is where we are in our faith walk. How does your “talk” align with the Bible?

We learned that we need to have the right navigational tools to sail through this life (yes she used a variety of ship terms), referring to the Bible and Christian mentors. Please leave a comment here if you have any questions or insights. We would love to hear from you.

Next week, July 18 is our next Summer Shorts with Anne Graham Lotz who will talk about “The Vision of His Glory: The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” It looks to be a great one telling us about how Revelations describes Heaven. He created us to live forever, so let’s be excited to learn about where He wants us to live when “forever” begins.

A great read is the Book “HEAVEN” by Randy Alcorn. It is deep and in essay form, but is so informative and true to scripture.

See you at Summer Shorts! Sunshine

I am sorry about that. One of these times I will get it right the first time. Most of my recipes I dont’ write down so I go from memory. Here is the missing ingredient

1 6 or 8 oz. yogurt plain or low sugar (browncow or stoneyfield)

I find that your kids get more excited about drinking it if they help make it..

Chrisite

Most people I have talked to say that they struggle with getting their kids (and themselves) to eat breakfast. Research shows breakfast is an important meal it fuels our bodies for the day. Especially important when our kids start back to school. Try this and you might be surprised.

Berry Smoothie (3 servings)

1/2 c. coconut milk full fat

1/2-1 c. 100% juice O.J. or apple juice (no sugar added)

1 c. frozen mixed berries

1 banana

3Tbs. protein powder

Mix in a blender and serve a quick healthy breakfast everyone will love. If it is too thick add more juice.

If you want to add more nutritional value try adding:

2Tbs. powdered greens (I use fiber greens GPRX Jordan Rubins’ brand)

2Tbs. flax seed oil

If you have any questions or comments please leave them.

Christie

Romans 12:1

So the truth is out. This last week without Amber home has been, well… boring! Sigh and it’s only Wednesday. The baseball game Saturday night was a nice chance to be alone with Michael and he suprised me with a trip to Meant to Bead, on the way to Toledo. (note to self. be prepared for that next time have a specific list of items in mind) Monday Michael practically begged my best friend Kath to take me to her house for a swim in the pool just to break the routine.

I started taking Arimidex (inhibits my body from using any of the stored estrogen) last Tuesday to help shrink the tumor and it is taking it’s toll on my attitude. I think it’s more from lack of sleep due to all the hot flashes at night, than the actual drug itself. (I’m finally getting good sleep after 6:00 am.) Either way, were it not for the Holy Spirit, I would be one glum gal. Well anyway, I’m not my usual popular sanguine/ADD-self. With the physical restrictions a person is under after a major surgery I find myself straining against the restraint… I know I can do more than I’m allowed, but I’m trying to be a good patient and listen to my doctor. This is adding to my state of blah. Yardwork beckons me, okay I did a little… housework I shouldn’t do which normally wouldn’t even bother me, is bothering me. Yes, it’s true. I have cabin fever and I’m whining about it! The one thing I can do has even been temporarily taken from me. I started walking the dogs out on the Kiwanis Trail last week. By our third walk we were up to four miles. Right now it is too hot to go after 10:00 am for my two primarily black dogs and I’m not going out there alone. And… since I’m not getting to sleep until 6:00 am, getting up before 8:30- 9:00 has been problematic.

Yet with all this going on, or I should say NOT going on… there are so many places where God has shown himself to be a God of his word, answers to prayer abound, our needs are being provided for. Amber is safe and having a wonderful time in Alaska. The weather in Nikiski, is not the gloomy, chilling rain that was forecast, but mostly sunny and comfortably cool for construction work. Even when I am the most down, I can still lift my heart in praise to the Lover of my Soul because I know without a doubt God is with us every inch of the way guiding us in our every step. So instead of leaving this on a sour note I would like to invite you to come…. Maginify the Name of the Lord with me, let us exault his Name together!

Cat

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