Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Tuesday, August 26, 2014 WOW-Zine

Happy Last Week Before School Starts! I imagine a lot of you have a lot of things you'd like to fit in during these last few days. If a Beach Day is on your (sand)bucket list, have I got the opportunity for you! This Wednesday morning a group of us are meeting at my house at 10:30 and heading over to the Road's End area of Lincoln City. You know the routine--bring your kiddos, lunch, all the stuff you need for an afternoon at the beach. Right now the weather report is calling for a high of 68 that day, with a mixture of sun and clouds. That's perfect sunburn weather, so be sure to bring the sunscreen! If you're coming, please let me know so we don't leave without you if you're running a few minutes late. 

Both of our women's Bible studies will be resuming in September. Common Grounds will start up again on Wednesday evening, September 17th, and The Perk will meet on Thursday morning the 18th. Every year we end up with different women in the studies due to changes in schedules and commitments. I really hope you'll plan ahead to be a regular attender at one of these. Next week I'll let you know what we'll be studying. 

Here's a closing thought for you, ladies.


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Embrace Your Freedom Fully Today
Holley, 2014-08-20 10:30

Led by Love

Dear You,
We often picture God’s will for our lives like a thin, definitive line. A tightrope we must walk carefully and with the utmost caution. One wrong step and we’ll surely fall. And when we do, we’ll mess up our future forever.
But when we come to know Jesus, our life is not a tightrope but a wide, open space of grace. We have so much room to breathe, to grow, to learn. God knows we are human. He knows we will take detours, face obstacles, and make mistakes. If he were committed to using only those of us who never stray, then no human would ever be part of his plan.
The fear of not getting it just right can paralyze us. We stand with our toes on that imaginary tightrope, perfectly still, and we miss out on so much of what could be. We miss the invitation from the One calling us to his side.
You are made to move in grace—not to be held in place by fear. You are guided by love and by a God who can redirect you as many times as needed. You only need to be willing to follow where he wants you to go. He will do the rest. Life is meant to be a glorious adventure, not a continual test in which one slipup means you fail.
It’s okay to move forward, my friend. It’s okay to try something and see how it goes. If it works and God affirms it, do more of it. If it doesn’t, simply try something else.
You’re not made to walk a tightrope.
You’re made to dance.
And it’s not about getting the steps right.
Instead it’s all about being close to your partner.
Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Tuesay, August 19, 2014 WOW-Zine

Hello, friends! It seems like forever since I last stopped by for a visit. I've been on vacation for the past two weeks, and the days were packed. I attended a memorial service at Trillium Lake by Mt. Hood, which was in honor of an Ashberry Lane author who died a year ago. Her books are set in Scotland and her family had a bagpiper there in her honor. It was a wonderful experience to get to celebrate her life. Then it was right to the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference at Jantzen Beach, where Christina and I were the recipients of a Cascade Award for our book, On the Threshold. After four days of conference I was off for a week-long camping trip with John up by Mt. Rainier. We had a wonderful time relaxing plus doing a lot of hiking. Home for one night before taking off to the coast with my folks last weekend and celebrating Mom's 84th birthday. So lots of good things happening in my life. But now it's time to settle down and appreciate the "normal" life the Lord has called me to.

We're still on hiatus from our Bible studies, but they'll be resuming the middle of September. It will sure be nice to be back together again, won't it?

In the meantime, is anyone interested in getting together for a beach day? For the past three years we've gone to Rockaway, but I'm thinking it would be nice to change that up. (Most of you know I like change!) What about heading out Lincoln City way? I found a neat spot there on vacation (North Fogarty Beach) but it's several miles south of L. C. and is probably too far. But what about going to Lands End, there on the north side of town? I know we're running out of time before Labor Day and the start of school, but what about Wednesday, the 27th? This would be for moms and kids. Let me know if you want to go, as I don't want to go by myself! If no one has time to do this, I understand, and we just won't have a beach day this year.

Your Women's Ministry Team will be meeting the beginning of September to plan events for the coming year. Let me know if you have any suggestions, or if you might like to be on the team. 

Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699