Tuesday, June 17.2014 WOW-ZineW

Welcome, ladies, to the first week of summer vacation and the usual cool weather that accompanies it! I seem to remember it being hot in California at the beginning of summer break when I was a child. But I guess not here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest! I think we're all being blessed by our new Bible study, Fingerprints of God. It's reassuring to know, and be reminded of, God's involvement in our daily lives. Last week we discussed how He is our refuge, just like the Cities of Refuge that were set up in the Old Testament for accused people to run to for protection. In the same way, we run to Christ when the accuser starts slinging lies about us. We also talked about Christ being The Rock, and how we're mere pebbles compared to Him. The we tied the two concepts together by realizing that the Cities of Refuge were surrounded by stone walls that people had to enter through in order to be safe. Just like people have to enter through Christ, The Rock, to be able to find spiritual refuge. We've got another good study on tap for this week, so please come join us. Our last study before summer break will be July 16th and 17th. And I'd like to give a special invitation to you women who work in the school system during the year to join us now that you're on break. Common Grounds meets Wednesday night at 6:30, and Rita has signed up for snacks. At The Perk on Thursday at 9:30, Nicole is on for snacks and Kristen is our Mother in Charge.  Circle the date of Wednesday, July 9th, on your calendar, as we've got a fun event planned for that day. We'll be meeting in Cherry Grove in the morning and hiking to Lee Falls. I've never been there and am waiting for more information from my source, but plan on bringing your kids that like to hike, as well as a picnic lunch. I'll have more specifics for you next week.

You Don’t Have to Try So Hard Today Holley, 2014-06-11 10:30 {all images are gifts for you to use and share however you’d like} Dear You, You don’t have to try so hard. I know sometimes you think you do. There’s a place inside that worries that if you let up for even just a little while, it may all fall apart—you may fall apart. But here’s the secret: you don’t have to hold yourself, your life, this world together. That’s far too much for any of us. Instead of holding it all together, can you let yourself be held by the One who loves you? He’s the One who told the weary to come to him. He’s the One who tells us it’s okay to lay our burdens down. He’s the One who invites us to a life not of perfectionism but of peace. He doesn’t require as much of you as you believe. It feels like he does because so many people have told you it’s true. But our God is not a taskmaster. Instead he’s a loving Father, and he wants his children to rest. Children are not meant to worry and work all the time. They’re meant to receive. What do you need from God right now? Slow down for a moment and tell him. Whisper the tiredness you feel. Tell him about your frustration. Put words to your suspicion that it’s all too much and you’re not enough. Then listen for God’s voice in return. Let him reassure you that he’s got you and he’s never letting go. Let him share with you that you are not responsible for results, only obedience. Let him free you from what weighs you down and instead lift you up with love. You don’t have to try so hard, get so far, run so fast. You only have to reach up to the One who promises to carry you like a daughter in his arms. All the way home. (inspired by Deut. 1:31; Matt. 11:29–30; 1 John 3:1) Until next week, Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699