It was really good to get back to our Bible studies last week. This week we have a slight change with Common Grounds, our group that meets Wednesday nights at 6:30. The youth need to use the sanctuary for a movie, so we ladies will be gather across the street in the annex. If you usually park out front or at the Tire Man, you'll want to pull around to the back for this week only. Also, BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) as I won't have coffee and tea available. Janet will provide a little something to go along with your beverage of choice.
On Thursday at 9:30 AM The Perk meets to study the same material I cover on Wednesday nights. Nicole is on for treats this week. We've been blessed to have Nola helping with childcare but she won't be able to be there for a while, so I'm going to need a mother to volunteer to go across the street with Danielle and the kiddos during our study. Please let me know if you'd be willing to do that. And thanks to Cindy for stepping in last week.
Have you started to put money away toward our April retreat? It's not too soon to start. Remember, it's Friday, April 10th through Sunday, April 12th at the beautiful beach house in Lincoln City. Our speaker this year is Gina Detweiler, niece of Carol Gross. I'll be sharing more about Gina as our event gets closer. Our theme this year is Hope, an Anchor for the Soul. If you've never been to one of our retreats, this would be a great year to start! If you've been before, this would be a great year to continue!! The price is only $80. We are limited to a total of 40 women, and we fill those spots on a first come basis. (You have to pay in order to be registered.) Registration will begin February 22nd for Women of Wapato. On March 22nd, ladies who have come to retreat in the past but don't attend Wapato are able to register. Then, if we still have any open spots after that, on March 29th it opens up for you to bring friends or family.
Let me close out this week's WOW-Zine with a devotion from FaithHappenings:
Let God Steer ~
I’ve never had the opportunity to ride a bicycle built for two—but I’ve ridden double on many a bike meant for one. The experience might be similar but I expect it’s nowhere near as exciting.
Riding double was our standard mode of transportation back on Bull Run Road. I’m talking about the extra seat, the one provided on the handlebars. If you’ve ever ridden up front there you know it can be exhilarating on the handlebars. Life’s anything but dull when you’re trying to balance on a tiny chrome bar while keeping your feet out of the spokes.
Another plus to riding the handlebars is being able to benefit from someone else’s labor. Neat.
Of course, there are times when it can be less than pleasant for the one up front. I remember several failed attempts at our rural version of tandem biking. Sometimes one of my visiting city boy cousins (who were almost always smaller and weaker than us girls) would decide he should be the one to peddle. Bad idea!
Here’s a handlebar lesson for the uninitiated: If the weaker one insists on peddling, the bike will wobble fitfully down the road at best and crash at worst. And it doesn’t help if the weak one decides to stand up and put his pitiful might into it. The ride only gets shakier, making the experience even more uncomfortable for everyone involved.
I realize giving your life over to God can often feel as scary as riding on the handlebars, but it’s a fantastic deal. Your Creator is fully capable of handling the job and His offer is almost too good to believe. We can rest on the work his Son did on the Cross by giving up and giving in.
But that’s where the rubber often hits the road, pun intended. See, one of the things I remember about tandem biking is that along with putting the Stronger One on the pedals, it is imperative that you not try and steer from the handlebars. Actually, it’s outright dangerous! That’s one time when two sets of hands never proved better than a single skilled pair.
Sometimes, we agree to ride on God’s handlebars…as long as we still get to steer. Bad idea! God wants to power your trip and steer it, too. Are you scared? That’s okay. It’s even a bit healthy. Think of it as “hanging on for dear life” on the adventure of a lifetime.
Previously at newsstar.com
Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
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