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.

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