Job 12:7‑10

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

My husband woke up before sunrise, cleared his schedule, drove for two hours and then hiked a mile to photograph this breathtaking scene. It made me think how in life if we truly want to see the beauty of our relationships, we have to wake up early, walk the mile and clear our schedule to give our all. If we become distracted by temptation, get off track, or decide to quit, we miss out on the greater blessing that waits. Like this picture, I want to reflect God's amazing beauty in all my relationships...peaceful, breathtaking, God inspired beauty. His hand IS the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind! Have a blessed day. I hope you find YOUR waterfall.

How Pure Is Your Water Tank?

As per Wikipedia: Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, materials, and biological contaminants from raw water. The goal is to produce water fit for a specific purpose. In general the methods used include physical process such as filtration and sedimentation, biological processes such as slow sand filters or activated sludge, chemical process such as flocculation and chlorination and the use of electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet light.

The purification process of water may reduce the concentration of particulate matter including suspended particles, parasites, bacteria, algae, viruses, fungi; etc.

Have you ever had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with a good friend and said to her after; “You are so refreshing!” Can you think of a time when someone has said that about you? I remember my husband saying it to me on our first date and eight years and two kids later I am wondering how often I am “refreshing” in the eyes of my family.

In our fast paced world filled with daily demands, pressures, heavy burdens and disappointments it’s hard not to feel like there is nothing left to give to those you love most.

When a woman is truly living life as God created her to be, she is like a drink of water to her family.

So the question is, what kind of water do you want to be? Contaminated river water or purified spring water? If your heart is harboring something that is inhibiting you from being a true blessing to your family what can you do about it? This week in my bible study group we discussed forgiveness. One sweet woman pointed out that as Christians we often assume that because we are Christian we think we should have it all together. Our leader said that being a Christian is all the more reason to make asking for forgiveness a daily part of our journey.

Like the process for purifying water, we too need to be filtered through God's amazing grace, which cleanses us from all unrighteousness, purifies our hearts and fills our tank so we can be that refreshing drink of water for our family.

How pure is your water tank?

2 Corinthians 7

¹Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Putting God On Speed Dial

Recently my husband went on a business trip. While he was away, my phone system broke down. I could not get a line out and because I don’t own a cell phone I was completely disconnected from him. It was strange not being able to hear his voice, ask for his opinion about the kids, get his feedback on the Olympics or find out how his day was. I missed him and I had no way to tell him so.

It made me wonder how often I am disconnected from God. I think I sometimes take for granted that God is even an option. Can you relate? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve consulted a friend, my parents or even Google for answers, comfort and understanding while the Lord waits for my call like a gentleman. Isn’t that an awesome visual? God, the perfect gentleman, waiting for you…waiting to hear your hearts desires, wanting to know the details of YOUR day, wanting to connect, to speak, to heal, to love. That’s it! I’m putting God on speed dial!

Three years ago while attending the ACF women’s retreat, Susie Davis gave an inspiring talk about slowing down. She encouraged us to find a quiet spot to just be with the Lord. I walked through the woods until I found a small clearing where there were logs placed around a fire pit. I sat and prayed and listened and watched for God to show me, speak to me, and connect with me. At that time my husband and I had been trying to conceive our second child. After three years and no baby, doctors had called it “unexplained secondary infertility.” All I ever wanted was to be a wife and mother and to struggle with getting pregnant just tore at my heart. Wanting something that badly is tiring let me tell you! As I sat in the quiet, the breeze around me, my eyes became fixed on three hawks that were gliding in the sky. Their wide wings flapped only periodically allowing the wind to carry them. When their wings were still, they were graceful and beautiful. That’s when I heard God’s message for me. He said: You and your family are the birds. See how when they are still, the wind carries them? I am your wind. I will carry you. You don’t have to work so hard to achieve your goals. Let me. I wept and thanked him for freeing me. If I had been in the woods texting or talking on the phone, or even reading a book, I never would have heard God’s very important message for my life. Two weeks later I found out I was pregnant. The power of connecting to God is life changing and although he doesn’t always answer you in the way that you hope…he DOES answer and he delights in hearing from you. Will you put God on your speed dial and connect with him more often? He waits, a gentleman, and wants nothing more than to answer your call and be the wind beneath your wings.

Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God.

My Greatest Love

My Greatest Love

I met him when I was very young. I accepted him easily and spoke to him often over the years going to him to help me work out feelings of loneliness. He was always there for me and I took him for granted.

In my 20’s I still had a relationship with him but it was distant. I had my own agenda and no longer listened to his whispers of wisdom. I had a plan of my own and believed that I could achieve my goals without his guidance. I thanked him for the good things in my life but rarely consulted him in the decisions I made. My decisions were sometimes poor and clouded by my desire to be loved.

I eventually stopped listening to him altogether.

When I choose to dwell in a dark place, he forgave me before I even asked him to. I fell hard in the darkness and tried in vain to swim out of the murky water I dove into. Finally when I thought I might drown, I called for him, surrendered my life to him once again as I had as a child and he swooped in without questioning me, breathing new life into my soul. The love that overcame me was like a peace I had forgotten existed. I no longer had to strive and struggle only to sink…my life was in his hands and I could trust him completely. The love I had with the Lord freed me from my insecurities, my fears of being alone and gave me the knowledge that I could do all things through him that strengthened me.

I live a fulfilling life with my loving husband and two beautiful daughters and I know it is because I listened to God's plan for me that I am where I am. Life is not perfect and I do struggle like everyone else, but I know that during THOSE times, I can lean on Him and He will carry me through, whispering wisdom in my ear like he did when I was a child.

Today and everyday I will listen and know that He is Lord of my life, my greatest love.

Have a Happy Valentines Day.

May you love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul!

Intentional Living

Intentional Living.

This morning I drove my parents to the airport in the dark. New Year’s Day waiting for the rising sun to announce it’s presence. 2010! How many resolutions made? How many sworn diets already broken by a breakfast croissant smothered in butter? I tend not to make New Years resolutions.Things like eat less, exercise more are more of a daily challenge than a yearly promise. Still, as I drove home from the airport I started thinking about my life and how the older I get, the faster the years seem to slide away and the importance of “to do” lists seem more urgent. My young children are such a measure of time. It’s as if I blinked and my baby marched her way into kindergarten. Six years gone and committed to memory. As I pulled into the driveway I thought for a minute about how I got there…to my driveway in the dark, the road I travelled often, committed to memory as if I drove on autopilot barely thinking about my route. Had I been living my life like this also? On autopilot!? Sleep, eat, work, sleep, eat work. Sleep, eat, get married, have children, do laundry. Sleep, eat, do laundry. And suddenly in the dark of my garage at 4am I knew that my New Year’s resolution ought to be to LIVE INTENTIONALLY…to be aware of the speed at which the days pass and to live each one with purpose. To live each day for Christ. I know for sure that I will struggle with this but I also know that it is worth the struggle and that driving on autopilot in the dark is a spiritual journey God wants us to take so that we may see the light beside us glowing over the head of our savior…the pilot.

Happy New Year!

To read more about “Intentional Living” refer to the women’s ministry page for a list of studies available.

Intentional living studies will help you learn what God has to say on various life topics so that you will choose to live your life for HIS purposes. These studies will include video series, books by Christian authors, and teachers from our own Women's ministry. Personal study time, small group discussions, and lectures will help you in this process.

Creative Christmas Gifts From The Heart

One of my favorite Christmas gifts that I get every year from my mother-in-law is a beautiful tin of her homemade short bread cookies. She brought them one year to share with the family and after tasting the perfect buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, they instantly became a “must have” on my wish list! They are yummy, can’t be replaced by store bought cookies and are made with love.

Here are some other gift ideas that are from the heart.

10. A BUTTERFLY GARDEN - A single butterfly milkweed bush attracts so many butterflies. It's a simple pleasure that will grow in your friend's garden for years to come.

9. A COMPLIMENT JAR - Fill a decorated mason jar with words of affirmation for the one you love. Have your kids participate in this project. They’ll have fun coming up with nice things to say about daddy, nana or a close friend.

8. A PHOTO BOOK - Do you love scrap-booking but don’t have the time? There are so many computer programs now that allow you to create a photo album quickly and at a reasonable price. These are especially great for loved ones that live far away.

7. BABYSITTING/COOKING SERVICE - Who couldn’t use a night out with free babysitting or a home cooked dinner delivered.

6. A LOVE LETTER – Tell your spouse why after all these years he’s still the one or send a letter to a friend listing all the things you admire and love about her. Include a coupon for coffee or her favorite dessert shop.

5. A COOKBOOK - Your friends are always asking you for your latest recipes. Compile a list of your best dishes and pass it on.

4. THE GIFT OF TIME - Tell your daughter-in-law that you’ll babysit for an hour once a week. Get on the floor and play with your kids for an hour every day. Give your husband an hour every night to unwind without asking him do anything. Call your Grandmother once a week and have a nice chat.

3. A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT - My best friend and I give each other a Christmas ornament every year. We try to find ornaments that reflect the year our friend has had. When my husband and I bought our first home, my friend sent an ornament that said “home sweet home” and when she opened a music school I sent her an ornament shaped like a musical note. Every year when I decorate my tree I think of my friend and the memories we have shared.

2. LESSONS – Have you ever heard a friend say: “I wish I hadn’t quit...fill in the blank”. Do you have a talent for photography, tennis, playing the piano? Give the gift of free lessons.

1. A SPIRITUAL MAKEOVER – Enroll a friend in a bible study with you. An hour at an ACF bible study is like a facial for the soul. Bonus…babysitting is often included! Check out women’s ministry main webpage for a list of upcoming studies.

I would love to hear from YOU! Share your creative gift ideas along with your email address in the comments box. The most creative idea will win a gift certificate to STARBUCKS!

It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

Spare A Little Grace?

You’re at the grocery store getting milk, bread and oh you’re here anyway so you might as well pick up a pint of Bluebell ice cream. Make it two. You notice a woman yelling at a beautiful child no bigger than a flowerpot. You don’t hear what she’s saying because you are so taken by this sweet little girl whose large brown eyes seem to say “take me home and be my mommy.” You are angry with the yelling woman and leave the store thinking, “What is wrong with that woman?!”

I

You’re having a lovely dinner out with your husband. The kids are at home tucked in bed and sleeping under the watchful eye of the best babysitter in town. You’ve just talked about the kids, work, and plans for a vacation. There is a pause. Your husband mentions how high the grocery bill has been lately. Another pause. (You know you’ve over spent the budget this month and you need to deflect!) You say, “You wouldn’t believe how many pairs of shoes Mary from down the street has. We’re not talking Target here. For the amount of money she has spent on shoes, we could take our entire family to Disney World! You are so lucky that YOUR wife is not high maintenance.” (You grin and play footsies under the table)

AM

You call your sister with exciting news. You got your first teaching job. Your sister is happy for you but she can’t talk. The kids need dinner. The smallest one is crying into the phone. The dog is eating someone’s library book. She says a quick goodbye and hangs up. You think to yourself about how your sister never has time for a phone conversation and there’s always an interruption if she does. Why have three kids if you can’t handle them! I mean, how hard can it be?

BETTER

You’ve just finished your fifth batch of homemade baby food and placed it in ice cube trays for the freezer labeled and dated. Laundry done. Check. Dinner ready. Check. Kids homemade Halloween costumes made and ironed. Check. You look at the clock. Husband due to arrive home in 15 minutes. Lipstick? Check. Just enough time left over to call your sister and tell her how perfect you are! Check.

THAN

Your best friend hasn’t called in 3 months. You’re thinking it’s time you find a new best friend.

YOU

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Spare a little grace for the women in your life. It’s easy to judge others when you haven’t been in their shoes. If you were the one being misjudged how would you feel? Why do we expect the women in our lives to be perfect when we’re not? The truth is, our friends, mothers, mother in laws, sisters and neighbors are huge supporters of us! If we walk around judging them we diminish the bond we share and alienate ourselves from what we crave most. Connection.
Spare a little grace and ask that a little grace be spared for you -- after all, God will willingly supply us with all the grace we need, we just have to go to Him for it!

By Karen-Ann J. Harrison