Tuesday, August 9, 2016 WOW-Zine

The weather being what it is today, you'd think I had a WOW event planned!! I, personally, am looking for the heat "they" say is coming later in the week. How about you?

Just a reminder that The Perk will not resume until Thursday, September 22, at 9:30 AM. It's not too soon to start inviting your friends to join us. I know some of you are involved with Bible Study Fellowship on Wednesday mornings, but I'd like to encourage you to come on Thursdays to be able to grow closer to our own women. And since there's no homework involved, it's just a "simple" matter of getting dressed and out the door. We're through at 11 AM. 

Even before The Perk starts up again, we have the opportunity to get together for the Beth Moore Simulcast at Grace Baptist Church in Newberg. It only costs $25 for the day ( 9-3:30) and includes snacks and lunch. The date is Saturday, September 17. Go to their church website at https://fbcnewberg.radiantwebtools.com/. Their current sermon series is listed on the left, but there's a form on the right hand side of the page where you can register for Beth. Either pay by PayPal, or send a check to the church (address is at the very bottom of the form) to the church. Who's with me??!!

Here's a great reminder of an important truth from blogger Holley Gerth:

Jul 27 (13 days ago)
to sherrieashcraft

The Secret Strength of Patience Holley, 27 Jul 05:30 AM {my graphics are free goodies for you} Better to be patient than powerful. {Prov. 16:32} I Web Version  Subscribe      The Secret Strength of Patience Holley, 27 Jul 05:30 AM {my graphics are free goodies for you} Better to be patient than powerful. {Prov. 16:32} I read these words one summer morning curled up in bed and I write them in my journal. I don’t understand at first why they resonate with me. After all, I don’t consider myself someone who grasps for power—at least not in the traditional sense. But as I get up and begin to go about my day I realize I want powerover certain things. I want to control how my day will go. I want people to like me. I want to do my work flawlessly. And to make sure that happens, I push. I try hard. I rush and hustle. And all of this, I suddenly see, is different than patience. Because patience is about receiving. It’s about believing that everything will work out. It’s about resting in the shade of God’s love instead of toiling in the sun of striving. But patience also requires giving up control, it means surrendering our perceived power. This is hard and scary for me. Yet it is also what our weary souls long for, what they are really hoping will be the outcome of all our efforts. Patience isn’t just about time; it’s also about trust. It’s about saying, “I don’t have to be in control. I don’t have to hold the power because I know the One who does. And He is for me. He is always working on my behalf. And this means I don’t have to strive or reach for control.” This is the true work of patience; not only to help us wait but to help us worship. To empty our hands and bend our knees and bow our heads. This is a wild, heart-freeing thing. Because what we want even more than to be in control is to be cared for by Someone who truly loves us. I let out a sigh of relief as I realize all over again we are. We always have been. We forever will be. God is inviting us to see it even now, to believe it, to know it all the way to our bones. Waiting for us patiently.

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