Monday, May 13, 2013 WOW-Zine

Is it already a Monday again? Wow, how the time flies when you're keeping busy! We had a wonderful mini-retreat here at Ashberry Lane this past Friday and Saturday. Twelve women joined me and Nicole Paz as we went through the book of Nehemiah and talked about Doing the Impossible. We missed the three of you that weren't able to come at the last minute. Relationships were deepened both with each other and the Lord, and I think we were all glad we'd made the effort to do this.

This coming Saturday, May 18th, is our tea. Thanks to all who have responded and let me know you're coming. At this point we've got about sixty women planning on being there, but we still have room for more. BUT, you need to let me know no later than Wednesday morning. The event is free, but we need to be sure we have enough tables and place settings for everyone who comes. AND, if you've told me your coming, please make sure that you actually do! I don't want to have ladies work hard to decorate a table, and then have it empty because people forgot to come. If we all work together on this, it should flow smoothly. You are in for a treat when you hear our speakers--Kathy Togstad and her daughter, Melissa Buehler. They'll be talking about She's All That and a Box of Chocolates. Definitely not something you want to miss! Remember, that's Saturday, May 18th at 10 AM at the church. Feel free to dress up, and don't forget to bring a tea-type food to share with everyone.

I need some help the Monday after the tea. You see, we're renting a big hot-water urn from a place in McMinnville, and it has to be returned on Monday morning. I can't do it, as I'm leaving town Sunday morning. Would one of you be able to make a trip to McMinnville next Monday morning and take care of that for me? Please let me know so I can cross that off my list! Thanks.

Yes, I actually get to go on a little vacation next week, so there won't be any WOW-Zine coming out on Monday. Even though I'll be gone, our Bible studies will run as usual. Janet George will be leading Common Grounds next week, and Amy Rusaw will head up The Perk. Please make sure to come out and support these ladies.

This week in both studies (Common Grounds Wed. at 6:30 PM, and The Perk on Thurs. at 9:30 AM) we'll be looking at Luke 17:11-19, and probably Luke 18:18-30.  The MIC (Mother in Charge) will be Nicole Paz. By the way, if your schedule changes with sports and other activities, please feel free to attend whichever study day works best for you. That's one of the purposes of offering the same class twice each week.

Perhaps you've heard the announcement about Baccalaureate being held at the church on Wednesday, May 29th, and realized that conflicts with Common Grounds that week. Well, there's a way around that! We will meet at my house that Wednesday night, so just show up at Ashberry Lane at 6:30 PM instead of at the church. The Perk will meet at the church as usual the following day.  

Remember that our studies will be continuing throughout the summer, along with some special, fun events. I think I talked about them in last week's blog, and I'll do it again when I send a WOW-Zine out two weeks from now.

In the meantime, enjoy this blog from Holley Gerth. I know I post things from her a lot, but there's no reason for me to try to be creative when she can express things so well. One of the common threads from both retreats has been how many women feel they don't measure up or aren't worth much. I love what she has to say about that!

Your Worth is Beyond What You Know photo by Orin Zebest My husband and I flip through channels and land on a reality show about a pawn shop. We’re intrigued when a woman hands over a fistful of jewels. “My grandmother left them to me,” she explains. The owners of the store begin to debate. One instantly declares they’re worthless–only glass. Another isn’t so quick to dismiss them. “Let’s call in an expert,” he says, “We’ll let him decide.” In the next scene the expert stands over the microscope. He leans in and quickly pushes aside several of the gems. Then he pauses and beckons to the owner who wanted the evaluation. “Take a look at this,” he says. When the owner pulls back from the microscope he declares, “We’re going to change this woman’s life.” Because that’s what happens when the worth of what you have to offer is recognized. It turns out that, yes, several of the jewels were simply glass rocks. But one was a large ruby. Until someone in authority declared the value that ruby seemed like all the rest. Now it would never be seen the same way again. You are walking through life holding gems in your hand. They’re your strengths, gifts, and all that God has placed within you. The world will try to dismiss them. “Nothing special.” “Won’t amount to anything.” “Not good enough.” But hopefully your heart pauses and says, “Wait a minute. Let’s call in someone who can truly evaluate the worth.” That’s when Jesus comes enters the picture. He leans over your life and declares, “Priceless!” And it’s not just one of the jewels. All the pieces of who you are have value. Imagine if the owners of the pawn shop told the woman of their discovery and she said, “I’m sorry. I don’t believe you. All my life everyone I’ve met has treated this like glass. I just can’t accept that it’s a ruby. Just throw it in the trash with the others.” We’d probably jump up off the couch and holler at the TV, “Believe it! Believe it!” And that’s what I’m hollering to your heart today, “Believe it! Believe it!” Pretty please with sugar on top dare to accept that what Jesus says about you is genuine–that you a treasure, of great worth, a woman with infinite value. No matter what anyone says. No matter what you’ve done. No matter how you feel. It’s true. On the show the woman stands wide-eyed for a moment and then reacts with emotion fitting to such a find: JOY. Her life has changed because her perspective is different. It can be that way for us too. Are you wondering about your worth today? Then ask the One who loves you to show you what’s real.

 Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com    971-285-6699 

Monday, May 6, 2013 WOW-Zine

It's already mid-afternoon on Monday, so I guess it's about time I get my blog on! There was too much to do this morning--a walk with my husband, working on details for the Women's Ministry Team meeting tonight, and a shopping trip to McMinnville. But now it's your turn!

As we continue our study of Jesus the One and Only this week, we'll be looking at Luke 17:1-5. (Yes, you can trust me that this is the correct passage this week--I've triple checked it!) Common Grounds meets at 6:30 Wednesday night, and The Perk takes off at 9:30 Thursday morning. I truly hope you can work one of those times into your schdule, as the time we spend together in God's word is really worth it. And remember, there's childcare available on Thursday. Cindy will be the WIC (Woman in Charge) this week, along with her two helpers. Thanks to you ladies who are stepping up and volunteering to meet our childcare needs. We need a volunteer for next week.

Time is running out to make your reservations for our Feminini-Tea, which is Saturday, May 18th, 10 AM at the church. Please check your in-box for your E-Vite invitation with all the details. Thanks to those of you who have already responded. It's important that we have enough tables set up for everyone who comes, so that's why I need you to R.S.V.P. as soon as possible. May 15th is the deadline to do so, but earlier than that would be much appreciated. If you find it's just to hard to respond to the evite, and you plan on coming, please send me an email and let me know and I'll put your name on the list. (If you've signed up to host a table, I'll be sending you information later this week after the team and I get more planning done.)

This Friday and Saturday is the mini-retreat at Ashberry Lane. Please be praying for the fifteen women who have signed up to attend, as well as for me and my assistant, Nicole Paz, as we lead our time together. We're expecting the Lord to do great things! Plus we'll have a lot of fun in the process.

I got another great blog from Holley Gerth, who seems to look at life the same way I do. Maybe it will speak to you too!

  Why Whatcha Want and Whatcha Get Don’t Match 

By Holley Gerth

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.” — King Solomon

“You git what you git and you don’t throw a fit.” — Southern Saying

As I drive, my thoughts zip down a two-lane road in my mind as well. In one lane, I’m thanking God for answered prayers and desires granted. In the other lane, I’m feeling frustrated that my day-to-day reality doesn’t always line up with the magnificent vision I have in mind. I long to see a sign from God that one day those two lanes will merge. When will that finally happen?

It seems God has an answer for me. Um, heaven.
Oh, right. I should have seen that one coming.

We live in a paradox, friends. We are not Home yet. And on the journey to where we’re going, what we can dream up and what actually unfolds in our lives are never going to align perfectly. Never. I’m not saying that to be a stinker. I’m saying it to save us from one of the biggest dream killers: unrealistic expectations.

If we demand that our perfect vision be fulfilled then we will never be satisfied.

Not with our dreams.

Not with our marriage.

Not with our job.

Not with our church.

Not with ourselves.

“So why bother dreaming?” you might ask. It’s simply this: “Where there is no vision the people perish” {Proverbs 29:18 KJV}. In other words, our dreams and desires pull us toward life. They draw us toward Home. They keep us looking to God for his best in our lives. That’s a good and beautiful thing.

It’s only when we turn our desires into demands that we get into trouble.

You know what I’m talking about, don’t ya? Yes, ma’am, we all do.

What can we do to avoid that? First, we can accept that we will live between those two lanes all of our lives here on earth: the ideal and the real, the eternal and the everyday. 

Then we intentionally thank God for what’s less than perfect. And at the same time we keep pressing toward the vision he’s placed in our hearts.

We live in the paradox.

We release our expectations and yet we continue to look to the future with expectation.

One mile, one day, one dream at a time.

Yes, all the way Home.

So, ladies, that's it from Ashberry Lane for this week. May you have a super-blessed one!

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com    971-285-6699 

 

Monday, April 29, 2013

Those of us who were able to attend the Beth Moore conference in Eugene this past weekend were blessed right out of our socks! I wish you all could have been there. It was an event that was nearly as large as Women of Faith, with 7,3000 women (and a few brave men) gathered together. The worship times were inspired and intense, and I often found myself with tears streaming down my cheeks. And what a delight it was to be able to see and hear Beth teach in person! She is so genuine and down to earth, and yet such a gifted speaker/teacher. I'll let you know the next time she's back in our area.

Doing The Impossible, the mini-retreat will be happening in less than two weeks. This is your last week to sign up to attend that. I need to know by this Saturday, May 3rd, if you'd like to come to Ashberry Lane for May 8th and 9th. The cost is only $10, and you get to go home and sleep in your own comfy bed. We'll begin Friday night with dinner here at 6 PM, and we'll finish Saturday afternoon around 5. I've already sent out an e-mail to those of you who've told me you're going. So if you didn't get one, and want to be part of the retreat, let me know right away. Babies who are not yet walking around may come with you if you don't have other childcare available.

Common Grounds (Wednesday night at 6:30) and The Perk (Thursday at 9:30 AM) both meet this week. We'll continue our journey through the book of Luke as we concentrate on Luke 19:11-32, which is the story known as The Prodigal Son. Stephanie has signed up to be the mother in charge of childcare for Thursday morning. We're grateful for the wonderful care Becky provided last week. It seems to be working well for you women to take turns with the kids in order to give us an uninterrupted time of study. 

Our Feminini-Tea, with the theme She's All That and a Box of Chocolates, will be held Saturday, May 18th, at 10 AM at the church. Thanks to those who have agreed to host and decorate a table. You all should have received an Evite to this event, and it's really important for planning purposes that you respond to that. So far we have over thirty guests coming, but there's still forty-something of you who have not yet replied. We want to be sure we have enough tables set up, so that's why it's important to let me know if you're coming or not. Our guest speakers will be Kathy Togstad and her adult daughter, Melissa Beuhler. Please remember that any girls you bring must be at least four years old and able to sit quietly through the talk. Feel free to invite friends and family, and just include them as guests when you R.S.V.P. There is no cost for this event, but we ask that you bring a tea-type food to contribute to our meal.

Let me leave you today with an article written by blogger Holley Gerth. She calls this, "If You Ever Feel Like You're Not Living Up to Your Potential."  I hope you find it encouraging as you begin this new week. She says:

“I could do more.”

“I could try harder.”

“I could perform a little better.”

Thoughts like these run through our minds and in return we run through life never feeling like we are enough. What if we don’t live up to our potential? Wouldn’t that be the biggest waste?

And yet there is One who didn’t live up to His potential.

He could have fed more hungry people.

He could have healed more of the sick.

He could have ended sin once and for all.

Yet Jesus didn’t.
Have you ever thought about that?

And He didn’t reach the end of His life and say, “I didn’t live up to my potential.”

Instead He said, “It is finished.”
In other words, “It was enough.”

You are not called to live up to your potential–to do as much as you can, as quickly as you can, for as many people as you can.

{Hint: “Potential” is usually just a code word for other people’s expectations.}

You, my friend, are simply called to say “yes” to God.

With all your heart.

For the rest of your life.

Until the day He says you are finished.

And, yes, it will be enough.

Because there is no greater success than being a servant who simply brings joy to your Master…and you do.

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com    971-285-6699 
  

Monday, April 22, 2013 WOW-Zine

Hey, it's a beautiful Monday afternoon as I sit down to write to you. I hope you're able to be out and about and enjoying this wonderful weather, which I hear is supposed to get even better as the week goes on. I'm just getting over a short-lived cold and have appreciated being out in the sunlight today. It's about time to dust off the razor, get a new tube of self-tanning cream, and try on the capris from last year!

Be watching your in-boxes for an Evite regarding our soon-coming Feminini-Tea. It's important for the team to have a good count on how many of you will be attending so that we're able to set up enough tables and have enough hostesses. It would help a lot if you let us know if you're coming, and then be sure to show up! The last day to R.S.V.P. is Wednesday, May 15th. This event occurs on Saturday, May 18th at 10 AM at the church. We'd love to have all of you come, plus bring friends and family with you. The lower age limit is that little girls need to be at least four years old and able to sit quietly through a presentation. There is no charge, but we ask that you bring a tea-type food to share. Our guest speakers are Kathy Togstad and her daughter Melissa from McMinnville. I've heard Kathy talk in the past, and you're in for a treat! Her topic is She's All That and a Box of Chocolates!
 
Our mini-retreat on Doing the Impossible is coming up on Friday, May 10th, and all day Saturday, the 11th. I'll have the sign-up sheet available at both Bible studies this week. Cost is only $10, and you'll even get to go home and sleep in your own bed Friday night. The hot tub will be up and running for some down time on Saturday afternoon before the final session. I'll soon be sending out a letter to those of you who have expressed interest, letting you know more details. We're going to have a wonderful time together, so if you've not told me you're planning on attending, please let me know. This is an event that you can bring your young babies to, but not ones that are walking around.

This week in Bible study we'll be looking at Luke 13:31-35. I thought we'd get through that section last week, but there was too much good discussion! By the way, we don't have anyone signed up for treats for Common Grounds (Wednesday night at 6:30) so please let me know if you'd be willing to cover that for me. I'll have a new sign-up sheet with me that night so that we'll be taken care of in the future. The mom in charge of childcare this week for The Perk (Thursday morning at 9:30) is Becky Clark. We sooo appreciate you ladies taking turns providing adult back-up for our two young gals that help take care of the kids.

Let me leave you with a blog I read by a man named Daniel Darling. (Doesn't that sound like something out of Peter Pan?!) It was posted on Crosswalk.com last week, and I thought it fitting, especially considering how many people made decisions to grow spiritually as a result of retreat. I hope this encourages all of us:

 

HOW NOT TO GROW

How does a person grow? Specifically, for followers of Jesus, how does a person grow spiritually? Another word for growth is sanctification--that supernatural process by which the Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and forms us into Christ's image. Growth is primarily a work that God does in us--I can't, essentially, make myself grow. 

And yet you can't escape the New Testament's overwhelming pulse that God commands us to intentionally pursue Him, that growth is, in some ways, our job as Christians. There are quite a few texts that illuminate this, but 1 Timothy 4:7 comes to mind. Paul here tells us to "discipline ourselves to godliness." In other words, yes the Holy Spirit does the work in us, but we also will not grow if our Christian life consists of us sitting on the couch and waiting for growth to happen. 

So how do we grow? What are the tools God uses? That question could fill up a year's worth of blog posts. It certainly has motivated the writing of many books, sermons, etc. But maybe a better question is this: what are some ways to ensure that we DON'T grow spiritually? I've got five ways to ensure that you, as a Christian, do NOT grow spiritually: 

1) Don't Be Intentional About Your Spiritual Life. I'm amazed at how little Christians prioritize their spiritual growth. If you treat church as something you do if you can feel like it, then don't be surprised if you don't "get fed" at the place you worship. If you don't intentionally pursue knowledge about God through reading of good books and listening to good podcasts, don't be surprised at a lack of spiritual fruit. If you don't prioritize a study of God's Word, prayer, and the spiritual disciplines, you will not see continued growth. You will stay the same. If you don't want to grow in Christ, make sure your spiritual life is something that gets the leftovers of your times and energy and effort. Make sure you never read a book that makes you get out a dictionary. Feed your soul on the light fare and the junk food.

2) Always Hang Out With People Just Like You. One of the ways God uses to stretch us is by putting people in our paths who are radically different from us. We live in a world of radical individualization and, if you are not careful, this can creep into your life, especially as you get older and more secure in your worldview. You'll be tempted to hang out only with people who agree with you and reinforce your own biases. This will ensure that you have the exact same opinion on every single issue as you did five years ago. It will also keep you from being exposed to people from differing cultures, tribes, and perspectives. If you don't want to grow, keep looking for friends, churches, associations, blogs, books that just tell you what you like to hear all the time. Make sure you never have conversations with people who disagree with you, radically. Yeah, do that. This is a real growth killer. 

3) Never take any risks. If you want to ensure that you are the same exact person you were five years ago, be so conservative in everything you do that you don't take any risks. But here's the thing, if you construct a life with minimal risk, you're essentially editing out the need for faith. I heard this last week from a talk by Bryan Lorits. He essentially said that faith assumes risk. Imagine if Abraham stayed in Ur, because Ur was more secure. Would he have experienced all the richness of God's love? Would he have grown into the mighty man of faith we see in Hebrews 11? No, he wouldn't have. We probably wouldn't have heard of him, would we? Take some risks in life. Put yourself in some situations, relationships, job assignments--that are completely and totally foreign, that will require maximum effort and knee-knocking faith. 

4) Keep patting yourself on the back. There is a reason that the Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). You only grow and you only find wisdom for life when you realize that you need to grow and that you need wisdom for life. Lot of young guys do this. They don't read, study, ask questions, because they think they've got it figured out. This was me until I became a father of four and realized I have no clue about life and I need God to pour wisdom into me. I find this dynamic in my role as pastors. The most humble, searching, digging-into-the-Scriptures guys are the ones who have lots of responsibility (family, job, etc). They know they are in need of divine guidance. If you don't want to really grow spiritually, keep thinking you know stuff. Wisdom only comes after you've bowed your knee in humility to the God who knows all things. As long as you think you are the master of your universe and that you don't need any help with anything, you will ensure that you will not grow. 

5) Chase trends and dis faithfulness. If you want to have a life of unfruitfulness, keep chasing new trends and paradigms. Keep looking for the easy way out, the shortcut. People who stay the same are people who don't like to work hard at growth, who don't want to put in the blood, sweat, and tears of a life of impact. My generation--we love to talk big about how we are going to change the world--but I wonder if we value faithfulness and steadiness like previous generations. If you want an insignificant life of spurts and starts and stops, keep chasing the next big thing, keep avoiding the hard choices, the sweat, the grind of daily life. Keeping your hand at the wheel, year after year, ensures a life of depth, of weight, of character.


With that, ladies, I leave you for this week!

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com   971-285-6699 

Monday, April 15, 2013 WOW-Zine

My apologies for getting this out to you so late in the day, but may I just say I'm moving in slo-mo today?! The retreat this weekend was fantastic and I have an adrenaline high while I'm there, but it always takes me a day or two to recuperate afterward, and I'm sure some of you feel the same. But wasn't it worth it?! I wish all of you had been able to be there, as we had a marvelous time together. We met new ladies and became connected with them in just a couple days time. Those of us who already knew each other well, now know each other "weller!" And we all know our Lord in a deeper way too. Teaching together with my daughter, Christina Tarabochia, was a joy that few moms get to experience. And thanks again to the special ladies on the ministry team who helped put this event together--Karen, Debbie, Janet, Darci, Nicole, Amy, and Susan. It wouldn't have happened without you! And to the worship team--Sherri, Heidi, and Jennifer--thanks for blessing us with such a wonderful time of singing together. It was absolutely beautiful. We've already booked the house for our retreat next year (the second weekend of April), so you can start to plan ahead. 

Because I'm basically brain-dead today, this is going to be a pretty concise WOW-Zine with not much personality. But you do need to be aware of the following things coming up in Women's Ministry:

BIBLE STUDIES--Common Grounds meets at 6:30 Wednesday night at the church, followed by The Perk at 9:30 Thursday morning. We'll be covering Luke 12:35-48 and possibly Chapter 13, focusing mostly on verses 31-35. Remember that we have child care provided on Thursdays, and Kristen has signed up for this week. I see we don't have anyone that volunteered to bring snacks for this Thursday, so just drop me a note if you'd like to do that.

MINI-RETREAT--Friday and Saturday, May 10th and 11th, at Ashberry Lane. Cost is only $10 for a scaled-down version of the study we went through last weekend. I'll start registration for that this Sunday. Checks can be made out to the church but given to me. 

Our Third Annual Feminini-Tea is slated for Saturday, May 18th, at 10 AM. This event has grown every year, which means we need more help every year. Thank you to you ladies who have already signed up to host a table. That's a big help. But we still need more of you to volunteer to set up a table (which are provided) with decorations and tea service. It's a fun time to bring your daughters (age 4 or above), dress up a bit, and have a girlie time together. Everyone brings some type of tea food (little sandwiches, cookies, muffins, scones, fruit, etc.) to share as we sip our tea while crooking our pinkie! Our guest speaker this year is Kathy Togstad from McMinnville, who will be speaking on She's All That and a Box of Chocolates. You know you won't want to miss anything that has to do with chocolate!

So, that's it for this week, ladies. I hope you make good connections with each other throughout the week, and remember to pray for each other.

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com    971-285-6699 

Monday, April 8, 2013 WOW-Zine

It is. Yes, it is. Whether you like it or not, it's Monday! Time to grab that cup of coffee as you're headed off to work or busy getting the kids ready for school. I guess it's supposed to be drippy outside, but remember you've got the Son in your heart, so you can manage today.

This is a busy week for a lot of us, as retreat happens this weekend. Yay!! After months of writing about it and planning for it, it's almost here! We've got 40 women attending Doing the Impossible, and it's going to be an incredible weekend. If you're going, please start praying for both yourself and the other ladies, that the Lord will work in a powerful way in our lives during our time together. If you're not attending, that doesn't need to stop you from praying for us. And please pray for my co-leader, Christina, as she's dealing with bronchitis and laryngitis. I need her well!!

Because of all that is involved in putting the retreat together, there will be no Common Grounds or Perk this week. Next week we'll resume our regularly scheduled programming! It's been exciting to have new women joining our studies. Remember, you can always invite your friends to come along. 

Our mini-retreat will be May 10th and 11th at Ashberry Lane. The cost is only $10, and I'll start registration for that in a week or two. This will be a wonderful opportunity for you to experience getting to study the same material we'll be covering this weekend, and to get to know some of the women a bit better. Young babies are invited to this event. We'll meet on Friday evening, go home to sleep, and then spend Saturday together. We'll even have some free time for the hot tub or playing games. So let me know if you're interested in this activity and I'll add your name to my list. 

Saturday, May 18th at 10 AM at the church is our annual Feminini-Tea. You've been hearing me talk about it the past couple of weeks, so I hope you've put it on your calendar. I'm looking for ladies who would like to host one of the tables, and I'll share more information about that in next week's WOW-Zine. We had 70 women attend last year, so you can see we'll need some help with this.

I'll close out this week's news with the article I just finished writing for the church newsletter that will be coming out this week. 

                                                         Self-Discipline
 
Self-discipline. The combination of those two words do not give me a warm-fuzzy feeling! Instead, they sound like work, and maybe some sweat, and for sure some deprivation. That's not the kind of thing I easily embrace. But it’s a term that I’ve seen at work in my life over the past three months. I’ve gone through a significant weight loss, and discovered so many lessons along the way. As I’ve learned how to go from being “not sick” to being healthy, I recognized that so much of what I’ve experienced in the physical realm carries over to things in my spiritual life. See if you can identify with any of my findings.

We have to realize we have a problem before we’re able to do anything about it.
Most of you had no idea how much extra weight I was really carrying. Because of my height, I was able to spread the extra pounds over nearly six-feet of body. It didn’t show up to most people. I could look around and compare myself to others and think, “I’m not so bad.”

Isn’t this what we tend to do spiritually? We compare ourselves to those around us and think, “Well, at least I’m not as bad as that person! Sure, I’ve got a few issues, but I can hide them from others.” We can go through life wearing layers of “clothing” that make it impossible for people to see the real us. It’s not until we stand in our spiritual birthday suit before the mirror of God’s holiness that we finally see the real us. And that’s when we have the choice to either add another layer of cover-up, or to be honest before the Lord and admit our need for change.

A detailed plan helps guide toward personal success.
I was not uninformed about how unhealthy my eating habits were. I skipped breakfast (just had a mocha), usually skipped lunch, started snacking mid-afternoon on high-carb goodies, ate a big dinner, and snacked again at night. I read magazine article after magazine article about how to lose weight. I could tell you the right thing to do, but wasn’t doing it for myself. And I wondered why the pounds kept coming on! It wasn’t until I connected with my health coach, Nicole, that I found the help I could put into practice. It was one thing to read about the right way to do things, and another to have a person telling me exactly what to do. As I told Nicole, "I’m a good obey-er. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.” She did, and I did! The personal involvement and knowing what I could eat when is what made a difference.

Do you see how that’s true with our spiritual health? We can know the right things in our heads, but until we put them into practice it doesn’t do us a lot of good. We can hear great sermons, read wonderful devotionals, and spend time in the Bible, but until we start acting out of what we know, it really won’t impact our lives. And it helps to have a real person walking along beside us, giving encouragement when life gets hard, telling us they believe we can do it. Celebrating even minor victories with us. That’s what happens when we’re involved in a women’s Bible study or a home fellowship group. It’s a safe place to say, “I’ve been carrying around a lot of baggage. I’m weighed down by life. Can you help me?” Spending time together in the Word, finding out exactly what we should be doing in order to be healthy in our spiritual life, is a huge benefit to us.

We can, with the Lord’s help, do much more than we think we’re capable of.
In those magazine articles, they all talked about cutting way back on white flour and sugar. Of eating more protein and getting the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. I knew this. But, I also knew there was no way I could ever do that. Give up all my favorite things?? Why would I do that to myself? I didn’t like a lot of fruits or veggies. I loved desserts. I loved bread with lots of butter, potatoes with lots of butter, butter with lots of butter. (My family has kidded me for years that when I die and am cremated, they’ll put my remains in an “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” tub!) But as I bought into my eating plan (literally!) I found a new side to my personality. I did have self-discipline. I did have the ability to hold an Elephant’s Ear at the zoo and not eat it. I did have the fortitude to bake brownies, not lick the spoon, and not eat even a crumb of the finished product though people around me were enjoying it. My tastes changed, and the healthy things became much more appealing.

The same is true in our spiritual life. When we begin to cut out the things that aren’t good for us, and ingest the milk and meat of the Word, we start to lose our taste for those things that aren’t good for us and can even harm us. Philippians 4:13 reminds us that we can do all things through Christ, who gives us the strength. This is the basis of our self-discipline. It’s not that we’re so great and that we can withstand temptations on our own, but that He enables us. Maybe your downfall isn’t butter. Maybe it’s worry, or anger, or fear. It can be anything that keeps us from experiencing spiritual health. We can either say, “I just can’t give that up,” or we can rely on the truth that we can do what we need to do because of His strength. We can exhibit self-discipline because our self is hidden in Christ.

Will you see me eat dessert again? Sure. I might even lick the spoon! Will I slather butter on everything possible? No, I’m not going there again. Life is meant to be abundant. God gives us pleasurable things that we can enjoy in moderation. My goal is to not allow food to control me again.

Is there an area of your life that you know needs a little self-discipline applied to it? If so, I hope you can use some of these lessons I’ve learned. You’ll probably find some of your own. Challenge yourself to continue to grow in your walk with the Lord. And don’t be surprised if He spreads a little butter on your path!

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com    971-285-6699 



 

 

Monday, April 1, 2013 WOW-Zine

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, filled with the joy of celebrating what Christ has done for us, as well as getting to spend time with family and friends. My Easter was chock-full of good people from Thursday through Sunday. Now it's time to get back in the swing of things. (Which makes me think I just may need to go spend some relaxing time out on my porch swing this afternoon!)

 To those of you who are going to retreat in just under two weeks (April 12th-14th), check your in-box tomorrow for special information regarding our schedule, setting up car pools, Top Secret Sisters, etc. Remember how far away it seemed when I first started talking about retreat? It's no longer very far away! Due to a couple cancellations we still have three spots available, but they need to be snatched up this week. So if you or a friend would like to join us, it's still possible. And for the low cost of only $80. Contact me ASAP.

Our women's studies are happening this week--Common Grounds Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8, and The Perk on Thursday morning from 9:30 to 11. I missed all of you last week when we were off for spring break! This week we'll be going through Luke 11:14-28. and then skipping to Luke 12:1-34. Yes, you read that right! We're making up for the bite-sized piece of scripture we covered last time. Childcare is provided at The Perk, but I need one of you moms to help out this week, as we forgot to pre-plan that last time we met. So if you're willing to help our two teen helpers watch the kids across the street during our study, please text, phone, or email me. If not, you'll have to fight over the opportunity when you get there Thursday morning!

The live Beth Moore conference in Eugene is April 26th and 27th. I've made motel reservations for that Friday night, and we have a bed for one more person if you'd like to join us. 

Our mini-retreat will be held at my house (Ashberry Lane) on the Friday night and all day Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, May 10th and 11th. You could always tell your husband that what you'd like for Mother's Day is a chance to get away and get spiritually refreshed for a couple days. Cost is only $10 and I'll start collecting that after our main retreat. I'll be covering the same material, Doing the Impossible, which is based on the book of Nehemiah. You'll be able to bring your young babies with you to the mini-retreat. Let me know if you'd like the join the group of women who will be attending this. (You'll be going home to your own bed on Friday night, and then back again in the morning for a full day, with time in the afternoon to relax in the hot tub or play games. Sorry, I don't have any outlet malls close to my house here in Gaston!!)

A week later, on Saturday May 18th, we'll all have a chance to enjoy our annual Feminini-Tea at 10 AM at the church. This is for women ages 4 and older. (The really young women need to be able to sit through a 30-minute talk. Well, so do the really old women!!) This is an opportunity for you to invite friends to join you for the event. I'll need people to host tables (more later about what that involves), and everyone brings tea-type foods to share. We had about 70 people there last year, and are hoping for at least that many again this May, so make sure you've got it on your calendar!

Okay, that's probably about as much information as your brain can handle at one time. There's no reason for you to get bored, as we've got a lot of things available for you to participate in, don't we? I sincerely hope you're able to come out to a lot of these events, as we always have a good time whenever we get together.

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@yahoo.com   971-285-6699