If you like to bowl, you'll want to take part in our annual WOW Bowling Party at the Four Seasons Bowling Center in Hillsboro. The date is Saturday, March 5th, at 10:30. You certainly don't have to be a good bowler to participate. In fact, it's more fun if you're not! Feel free to bring daughters who are in fourth grade or higher. We usually bowl a couple of games, then have a leisurely lunch at the good restaurant that is there. If anyone wants to carpool from Gaston, meet at The Hub at 10 AM and see who shows up! As an added bonus, here's a good coupon to use:
https://www.groupon.com/deals/four-seasons-bowling-center-3-portland
Congratulations to Bryan and Kaitlyn Marsh on the birth of beautiful little Avenlea Elizabeth last night! We'll be helping out with meals when Kaitlyn gets home, so keep an eye out for a Takethemameal notice in the near future.
This week in both our Bible studies we'll be continuing in Colossians 3. What great discussions we've been having!! Feel free to join us at The Perk, Thursday from 9:30-11 AM, or at Common Grounds, Thursday evening from 6:30-8. This week Jody is bringing snacks in the morning, and Helen in the evening.
If you already know all about retreat, you can skip this next part! If not, read on.
We already have 33 women signed up, with a cap of 40. To hold your spot and select your bed just give me $90 and fill out a little slip of paper. I will have the forms and the Book of Rooms (pictures of the rooms and beds) with me at both Bible studies and again at church on Sunday. You can check out the beautiful house we stay at:
https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p290753
Retreat Date: April 8-10th
Location: Lincoln City
Theme: Who's Your Daddy ?(Re-defined by His Love)
Cost: $90
Friday Night Fun: Talent Show!
On February 28th registration will expand beyond you Wapatonians to include those who don't attend here but have been to one of our retreats in the past. And if there's still room, it opens to brand new ladies on March 13th. As the event gets closer I will be sending out informational letters to those of you who are going, so you'll know how the carpooling works, schedule, etc. At this point, all you need to know is that you'll have a fantastic time!!
I'll close with this recent post from blogger Holley Gerth:
I settle into a comfy chair in a counselor’s office and begin to share the lies that sometimes swirl around in my mind. Like a tornado they threaten to destroy everything in their path. My peace. My joy. My belief that I’m loved. When I lean into the wind I hear things like…
You’re not good enough.
You need to try harder.
You should have it all together by now.
I say to the counselor, “I know these words aren’t true. But in the hard moments they feel true. And that’s where I’m stuck.” Can you relate? I hope by hearing me confess that it reassures you none of us are immune. I also want to reassure you it’s possible to beat those lies. Yes, it’s not only possible it’s your right as a daughter of the King.
For years when I heard lies my default response was “try harder.” In other words, if I heard “you’re not a good Christian” I would just try harder to be one. But after months of counseling, conversations with friends and time with Jesus I’ve learned a new way. These days my response is no longer “try harder” instead it’s “fight back.”
The accusations toward our souls aren’t proof of our inadequacy; they’re proof that we have an adversary.
And the enemy is not me. There’s a reason we use the phrase “beating ourselves up.” When we think the problem is us we become harsh toward our own hearts. But lean in and listen to this above the wind instead…
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph. 6:12
Our primary battle isn’t against any person—including ourselves. And the lies we hear have the same source as the first lie spoken to Eve in the Garden. If you are a woman in this world, you are at war. It is not optional. And while you may not go roaring into battle, at the very least you need to know basic spiritual self-defense.
That’s what I lacked. Even after writing books, even after encouraging thousands of women, I didn’t know how to defend my own heart. My husband and I recently watched a TV show in which the hero faces a powerful opponent. At one point the hero becomes weary and takes punch after punch. With tears in my eyes I said over and over, “Fight back. Please fight back.”
It’s the same feeling I get when I look at my sisters in Christ. It’s the same one I get when I think about how I let my own soul be treated. And it makes me want to shout: NO MORE. It’s time to fight back. It’s time to guard our hearts. It’s time to protect our minds. It’s time to stop taking the punches and instead take the victory in Jesus’ name.
If you’re too tired to even think about this, too weary to even imagine being a warrior, too busy to feel like you can even bother then that’s just fine. It’s the same place I started, too. And that’s why I’m here. I’m starting a new series called “What’s True About Us” that will remind you of the truth of who you are and start helping you learn the art of spiritual self-defense. All I’m asking you to do is show up, read one post a week and perhaps pass it along. {If you haven’t subscribed by email yet, I hope you will so that you don’t miss anything.}
Here’s the truth about us this week no matter what we may hear: We are overcomers. We are more than conquerors. We are stronger than we know, braver than we feel and loved more than we can even imagine…
Until next time,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
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