Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Dear ladies, I skipped writing to you last week as I was out of town at a writers' conference, and I didn't post yesterday as I was white water rafting down the Deschutes with my grandson, Josh. What a fantastic experience that was! I know there have been plenty of books written about stepping out of the boat when Jesus calls us to do something, but yesterday I believe His will for me was to try to stay in the boat, which I'm proud to say I did. Even when going through Class 4 rapids!

Just four more weeks until The Perk resumes. I can hardly wait! I've missed spending time with you each week in God's word and sharing what's going on in our lives. But on Thursday, September 22nd, from 9:30-11, that will all change! We'll start the new year of Bible study with a brunch, so plan to bring your favorite dish to share. We'll be studying through a book called Stronger: Finding Hope in Fragile Places. I know we've all had times when we know our strength is weak and we feel very vulnerable and fragile. Our time together will help us learn strategies for depending on God during such times. And remember, you don't need to buy a book--just show up with your Bible.

The Saturday before that, on the 17th, there will be a Beth Moore Simulcast at Grace Baptist Church in Newberg. I hope you've signed up for that and paid the $25 for the day. It's always a special time. 

Why We Don’t Have to Feel Ready Holley, 24 Aug 05:30 AM I’m an amateur eavesdropper. I often work in coffee shops where conversations swirl around me as thick as the scent of espresso. Most of the time I’m able to tune them out but sometimes one makes my head snap up from my laptop. I’ve heard scandalous confessions of love, details of doctor’s appointments and workplace complaints of all sorts. This morning I found myself the recipient of some unsolicited wisdom. A young man and his mentor sat next to me talking about faith. Apparently they’ve been meeting awhile because the young man asked, “When am I going to be ready to help someone else?” The mentor paused and then answered, “I think you’re asking the wrong question. Because as long as you ask ‘Am I ready?’ then you’ll always be able to find a reason you’re not. A flaw. A struggle. Something you think you need to learn more about. The better question to ask is, ‘Have I received something?’ If so, then you have something to share. When is the best time to start passing it on? Yesterday.” I looked over for a second just to be sure he wasn’t talking to me. Because I have wondered this as well. Haven’t we all? Here is a secret of faith I’m learning: We never feel qualified. We never feel like professionals. We never feel like we’ve got it together enough to really make a difference. And maybe this is a good thing. Because the only folks who seem to have believed otherwise were the Pharisees. God is not looking for perfect examples. He is looking for ordinary people willing to just love one another. He is calling the messy, the broken and the incomplete. This is good news for all of us. It meansour role is not to show off; it’s just to show up. He will give to us and then He’ll give through us. We’re simply asked to be willing and brave enough to do it as we are and not as we’d like to be. My heart needed to hear all of this today. Maybe yours did too. Perhaps sometime we’ll run into each other at a coffee shop and we can talk it over. And when we’re done, I’ll try very hard not to eavesdrop on you… Until next time, Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699