Ok, I will take a minute to spout my opinion about all of the Easter merchandising I am seeing this year.  I realize this makes me sound like I am turning into my Mother–or possibly your Mother.

 I was struck when I went to Target yesterday by how many aisles there are devoted to Easter “stuff.” Most of it, of course, has absolutely nothing to do with the real reason we celebrate the day.  There was one whole row of toys to buy to put in your child’s Easter basket.  (It reminded me of the row of similar toys at Christmas time except they had Santa on them.)

 Don’t get me wrong.  I like chicks and bunnies. My children, Zoe and Luke, do decorate eggs.  I can eat malted Easter eggs with the best of them and I do enjoy it.  (That is my favorite Easter candy.)

 I do believe, however, we live in a time where we really are counter-culture as Christians in our society.  We especially see this at holiday times such as Christmas and Easter.  Christmas is so much this way, that when I asked our neighbor’s daughter who saw a nativity set at our home, if she had ever heard of Jesus and Mary and Joseph, she simply said, “No.” This was not part of the Christmas she had experienced.

 So, my encouragement would be to also buy some Christian things this Easter if you are already purchasing things.  When you purchase cards to send to family, think though the real meaning and don’t just pick the cutest thing with the bunnies on it.  When you purchase that Easter craft for your kids, choose the cross or lamb instead of the bunny.  Christian themed things are getting harder and harder to find (unless you shop at Hobby Lobby that is) and I fear in a few years, we may hardly be able to find any at mainline stores.  (And then what will I put up for my neighbor’s daughter to see?)

 Ok, I will get off of my soapbox.

Happy Easter!

He is risen!

Blessings,

Thora

Have you ever felt like you were facing obstacles too big for you to conquer? 

Seems like most of us these days are facing an overwhelming problem.  Whether it’s in the arenas of parenting, marriage, finances or health, we are encircled with challenges.  We wonder if God really sees our situation, and if He does see, does He really care.  All we see is the problem and no source of help.

At times I’ve discounted God’s help, not because He isn’t able, but because I figure there are others more in need of His help than me.   Also, because I’m a realist by nature, I know that sometimes God is going to let me go through a problem rather than get me out of it.   There have been many times when I find myself resigned to suffer rather than believe God is going to save me.   But I’m pretty sure that’s not how God wants me to think.

There’s a story in First Samuel about Jonathan, the son of King Saul.  Jonathan was facing an enemy of Isreal -  the Philistines.  While we know about David’s bravery facing the Philistine giant Goliath, we seldom hear of Jonathan’s bravery facing the same group of warriors. 

In 1 Samuel 14, we read about Jonathan seeing a detachment of Philistines.  Without the protection of his father the king, or any armed men, Jonathan sets off with only his armor-bearer to face the enemy.  The two  young men approach the enemy, and Jonathan said, “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.  Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

Within minutes those two untrained youth faced a trained army.  Here’s what the Bible says happened:

“The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him.  In that first attack, Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.”

I know that’s kind of brutal, but it shows the Lord’s victory using just a few untrained believers. When the Israelite army finally figured out what was happening, they arrived on the scene to find this:

“Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle.  They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.”

I love that Jonathan went into the battle confident that God would use either many or a few to save him.  He didn’t know how God was going to save him, but he was sure it was going to happen.

Let’s have the mind of Jonathan today as we face our own battles.  There is no reason why we can’t have that same confident attitude.  God hasn’t changed.  He still cares for and protects His beloved.  He is bigger than any problem you and I have.  And He has access to every resource available. 

Nothing can hinder God from saving you.  Whether by many or by few.

In His Love,

Glynnis

www.GlynnisWhitwer.com

We’ve been blessed with an above-average rainfall this year and as a result, we’ve got weeds popping up everywhere – even in those tiny little cracks in the driveway! Oddly enough, those little driveway cracks made me think of Pastor Brian’s message a few weeks ago about entropy.

Quite honestly, before his message, I hadn’t a clue what entropy was. Brian defined entropy as “everything has a tendency to deteriorate.” Once he explained God has given each of us a vineyard to maintain (our lives), living responsibly and purposefully to avoid deterioration took on a whole new meaning for me.

As a wife and a mother, I’m ashamed to admit, I’ve spent more time worrying about my husband and children’s vineyards rather than my own. After all, if their vineyards are littered with weeds and infected with pests that reflects poorly on me and how well I’ve done my job.

We women have a tendency to place a great deal of importance on the appearance of the perfect vineyard. When in fact, most of us are hiding a thorny patch covered in briars we’d rather throw a tarp over and ignore. Oh wait, maybe that’s just me.

Without attention even the most manicured vineyards can deteriorate.  One little gopher or unattended patch of weeds can quickly choke the life out of your ripening fruit.  While there’s nothing wrong with offering occasional landscaping tips regarding another vineyard, it’s important to tend to the vineyard given to us.

It’s a wonder my vineyard hasn’t been condemned because of neglect.  I’ve had a lot of rain lately in my personal vineyard and upon first glance I’m seeing more briars than fruit and some stuff sprouting up, I’m not sure how to label it.  Are they fruit, are they thorns?  Who knows!

To avoid deterioration in my vineyard, I’ve enlisted the help of a marvelous landscaping company. Perhaps you’ve heard of them:  Trinity Landscaping. It’s a Father and Son outfit, but the real backbone of the company is the silent third Partner who’s had remarkable results with his own brand of fertilizer.

Once covered with this special fertilizer my vineyard stands a better chance of growing healthier and producing richer fruit.  While the fertilizer may stink things up for a while making life a tad uncomfortable, the end result is a flourishing, thriving vineyard that becomes the envy of the neighborhood – one you’ll be proud to open to the public.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)

Blessings in Christ,
Kathy Kurlin
www.kathleenkurlin.com

I have a secret. 

It is something I’ve struggled with for a long time and something I was ashamed of and afraid to tell anyone else.  Who would understand?

One day I felt so desperate I decided to share my secret with Susan, a woman in my small group.  The words and ensuing tears gushed out like a torrent I could no longer control.  I told her that ever since my teen years I had battled extreme fatigue; that when my kids were little there were days I felt so tired I didn’t think I would make it; that I felt like a failure because I couldn’t keep up with my house chores, and that there were mornings my muscles ached so bad I didn’t want to get out of bed.

I told her about my feelings of guilt and frustration; that I felt like a horrible mother because I had no energy to play with my kids or to treat them with patience; that I felt like a bad Christian who had a wonderful message to share but no strength left to do it.

When the words and the tears finally stopped, I lifted my head very slow, scared to look Susan in the eye.  Certainly she would think I was just lazy and a coward.  But when our eyes met, all I saw was compassion.

“Oh, Ana!” she said, “I know exactly how you feel.  I, too, have struggled with fatigue for many years.”

Susan hugged me tenderly and prayed for me, then she encouraged me to talk with my doctor about my symptoms.  After several years and many different tests, my doctor finally figured out what was wrong with me.  My chronic fatigue and achiness were caused by the Epstein Barr virus.  I would’ve probably never gotten the help that I needed if it weren’t for Susan.

I’ve learned to control my symptoms with diet and exercise, but I still have bad days – days in which I am tempted to give in to depression and hopelessness as I wonder, Will I ever feel ok again? 

But because of friends like Susan I know now that I will be ok.

The Apostle Paul encouraged the early believers to “carry each other’s burdens” and in that way fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).  Through my struggles, my friends from church have shown me what it means to be carried.  I still battle pain, fatigue and depression, but I no longer have to face this alone.

My secret is out in the open.  And I am no longer ashamed.

Ana
http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

If you are looking for a safe place to meet the kind of friends that will be there for you in good and bad times, join a small group!  Our church has dozens of different groups that meet throughout the Metro area.  For a list of small groups and more information, click here: 
http://vineyardnorthphoenix.com/section/small_groups

Blessed are the flexible, for they will not easily be broken.  This thought helps me through many situations as they arise.  Whether it is my kid’s school calling to say they need to reschedule my appointment with the teacher for the second time, or finding out my doctor’s office sent me a bill much bigger than they should have which I will need to work out, I need flexibility.   (I also need to act nice on the phone.)

 Soon, we will move into a new auditorium at church and we will all need flexibility.  Things may not go the way we think they should.  We may have to walk a bit further.  Blessed are the flexible.  Someone may be sitting in the seat I thought I would sit in.  Blessed are the Flexible.   Someone may be parked where I wanted to park.  Blessed are the flexible.  It may take standing in line for a bit longer than I want, in order to pick up my children during the transition time.  Blessed are the flexible.  My ministry area may be affected by the remodel (soon to come) on the old auditorium which will become the new youth auditorium.  Blessed are the flexible.

 So, why be flexible?  Sometimes it is good to reflect on why we are doing the things we are doing.  Personally, it is good to be flexible for our own personal witness for Christ.   As a church, our members need flexibility because it has an impact on our community.  We could ask ourselves, “What business am I in?” and, “How is business?”  (We are in the “moving people toward God” business.  We are in the “loving people into a relationship with God” business.) 

 I think you could say that there are two kinds of people in the world.  There are those who are lost and have ruin and wreckage in their lives. (which is all of us at least some of the time) and there are those who have a heart to reach the lost people who have ruin and wreckage in their lives.  Sometimes it takes flexibility to reach others.  Other people’s needs often do not come at a convenient time for us. 

I experienced a rude young women a few weeks ago at church.  I don’t know if she was a Christian or not, but I tried to be “flexible” in my dealings with her.  Blessed are the Flexible. J

 Reaching out with grace takes work and patience and sometimes, remembering to be flexible.

 God Bless you!

 Thora

I know I shouldn’t complain about the cold.  After all, other parts of the country are facing blizzards.  Nevertheless, I’m ready for spring.   I’m ready to stop using my electric blanket (yes, I am a wimp), stop wearing a jacket, and stop having my fingers cold all the time.  I’m sure my teenage sons are ready for me to stop driving them to school in my pink bathrobe.  (I’m saving now for their therapy sessions)

The weather report shows we might be headed into warmer weather next week, and I’m ready for it!

As we move into a new season, I always find myself ready for some changes.  I’m ready to fill my hanging baskets with pansies, clean my windows and put out a decorative flag in my garden.   The spring cleaning bug is hitting.

It’s also the time when I think about getting outside more with my family.  Knowing how short this beautiful spring season really is, I want to make the most of it.  For today’s post, I want to share some ideas for getting outside with friends and family and enjoying God’s beautiful creation. 

Here are some suggestions on things to do outside:

Hiking:    We’ve got some great hiking paths around town.  I encourage you to do some research and discover a new trail.  Two of our family favorites are the White Tanks and South Mountain.  You can read about some local hiking trails on the Phoenixgovernment site.  http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/hikemain.html  I also recommend buying travel guides.  We have one that lists 100 best Arizona hikes.  We bought it years ago when our children were small, and it is still good today. 

Picnics:  What could be more fun than a Saturday or Sunday afternoon picnic?  Invite some friends, set up a grill and have a cookout.  If you’ve never been to Encanto Park in central Phoenix, I encourage you to check it out.  It’s got a lake, a small amusement park and lots of grass.  It will give you a taste of old-time Phoenix.  Or, visit Papago Park by the zoo. 

Desert drives:  One of my favorite places to drive to is the Cavecreek/Carefree area.  I love the desert around there, and it’s always fun to get out for an ice cream cone, and a walk around some interesting shops.

Zoo:  Don’t forget the Phoenix Zoo or the World Wildlife Zoo.

Horseback Riding:  Although it’s just a trail ride, there are many places to ride horses around Phoenix.  Do an Internet search to find some.  Last year we did one around Arizona State University.  The corral is just off the 202 and Rural. 

Now it’s your turn.  Please post your favorite thing to do outside.  I’d love to hear if there are any farmer’s markets  or festivals you can recommend, or any other fun way to experience our beautiful state.

With “warmest” wishes,

Glynnis Whitwer

www.GlynnisWhitwer.com

One of the best ways to grow spiritually is to memorize Scripture. 

The Lord encouraged His people in Deuteronomy 11:18-20, Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

This was followed by a promise:  So that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. (v. 21)

God wants us to enjoy a long a prosperous life.  Knowing and following His Word are key means to achieving this.

In his book, Faith Set Free, Pastor Will Davis Jr. shares the following tips for Scripture memorization:

1.     Use flash cards.  Write down the verse in an index card and go over it until you’ve memorized it.  I really like something I saw Mario Fernandez (one of the pastors at our church) do:  He laminates a set of small flash cards with different Bible verses; he punches a hole on one end of each card and then holds them together with a key ring.  This allows him to carry along his Bible verses and work on memorizing them whenever he has some spare time.

2.     Write them out.  “Pick two or three verses you want to learn each week, then write them out every day,” says Pastor Davis, “before the week is over, you’ll be able to write them from memory.”

3.     Sing them.  Pastor Davis suggests making up tunes or using tunes we already know to sing passages of Scripture.  I have to confess, I’d feel silly doing this, but that might work for you!  (And you’d probably sound much better.)

4.     Post them.  This tip is actually not in the book, but it’s worked great for my family.  I copy a Bible verse in an index card and “post” it on my refrigerator – one of the most popular and visible places in my home.  Some people post their memory verses on their desk, computer, or bathroom mirror.  Just make sure to change your cards on a regular basis. 

5.     Learn them with a friend.  Pastor Davis suggests finding a friend that would commit to learning a weekly Bible verse with you.  You could agree to call or e-mail each other to recite your weekly memory verse.  Something I did (that I need to get back into) is read our weekly verse to my family before thanking God for our dinner.  Back when my kids were little, I would have them repeat this verse back to me.  They would participate enthusiastically, but now they’re too cool for that.  I guess the trick is to adjust this practice to your family’s growing needs.

I hope these tips will encourage you to pursue the practice of Scripture memorization, so that — like Job — you may say, I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. (Job 23:12)

Ana

http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

I grew up attending a very traditional mainline denomination.  We sang hymns, recited the Apostle’s Creed and planned potlucks.  I learned a lot in that little church.  I learned how to live in a family of believers, how to study God’s Word and how to be a faithful follower of Christ.  I also learned about church history and traditions.

One of those traditions is happening today, and that is Ash Wednesday, which typically marks the beginning of the Lenten season.  Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, and is to be a time of preparation – much like Advent is for Christmas. 

The traditions of Ash Wednesday go back to the 6th century, when Christians would mark their foreheads with ashes to signify penitence in preparation for Lent.  Some churches still follow that tradition today. 

While we at the Vineyard don’t have any special services for Ash Wednesday, I think it can be a time for us to reflect, and to set our hearts right in preparation for Easter.  What does that really mean, though?  Let me explain what it means to me, and to do that I need to go back a in time a bit.

Growing up as a “good” Christian has its drawbacks.  One of them is that it’s easy to miss your need for a Savior.  You see, when you have avoided many of the obvious sins (no stealing, lying, cheating or killing anyone) you get confident (over-confident, really) in your own abilities.  You forget that it’s only by grace that anyone is able to stand strong.  And more dangerously, you can overlook the fact that at our very core – everyone is a sinner in need of a Savior. 

For years, I lived unaware of my great need for salvation.  Not a good place to be.  When I did come to truly understand my need, my life was transformed.

In light of all our need for a Savior, Lent can be a time to focus on that need, and the sacrifice that Christ made because of it.  It can be a time to do a spiritual inventory and discover if we’ve been hanging on to any remnants of sin.  Some of those that are stubborn, difficult to identify, and even harder to deal with can be pride, judgement, resentment and unforgiveness.  Then it’s a time to repent and turn back to God, with grateful hearts.

We all need Jesus … desperately.  The more we understand that need, the greater our appreciation for Christ’s sacrifice will be, and the even greater our joy will be as we celebrate His resurection on Easter. 

Romans 5:7-8 sums it up perfectly, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Praise God!

In His Love,

Glynnis Whitwer

www.GlynnisWhitwer.com

I was blown away at seeing God at work during the Women’s conference.  So many good things were happening.

I heard lots of great stories.  I will share a few.

 We experienced great worship and the presence of the Lord.  Fantastic!  It was a joy just to see women having a great time laughing together and being inspired in their Christian walks.

 One woman told me about being inspired to reach out more in her “normal ordinary daily routines and being more like Jesus to those around me.”

Another said she was inspired to pray for others with more confidence now.

Another now said she realizes her guide to  life is the  Bible!  (Go God!)

One woman’s husband thought it would be such a great experience, he donated scholarships to some who couldn’t afford the conference fee.

 Another woman experienced the joy of praying for someone and seeing God move in a measure of healing for the first time.

 One female pastor from Louisiana e-mailed to say, “I so needed the time with women leaders of the Vineyard!  Our time together was such a reminder that no one church does it on its own.  All Vineyard churches belong to a larger family of which I am happy and honored to be a part.”

I talked to a few women whom the Lord ministered to powerfully as the result of a word of knowledge. 

I just wanted to share some great reflections with you of things God is doing that we don’t usually get to hear.

 Bless your day!

Thora

“How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways”.  These are beautiful and oft repeated words from Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s lovely poem.  With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I have actually been giving some thought to “the ways,” and how often we overwork or undervalue the word “love.” 

My husband, David, and I have what I think of as mature love.  We’ve been married 32 years, and have been on the mountaintops as well as deep in the valleys as child-rearing, in-laws, finances and careers have affected us. 

I enjoyed watching our two daughters, Christa and Amy, go through puppy love several times as they flitted their way from toddlerhood to adolescence.  Then there was young love as they became interested in some nice young men who were around the landscape for weeks or even months.

Unrequited love is something we’d probably all like to live without.  Both girls had crushes on guys who didn’t notice them.  (As a doting & proud mother, I think those guys must have had rocks in their heads, or been blind.)  Fortunately, we all lived through those phases, but not without tears and disappointment.  Pouring salt on the wounds were the occasions when one daughter liked a guy, but he liked the other sister.  What a mess!

Another challenge is tough love.  When our girls failed to stay within boundaries we had set, consequences followed that no one enjoyed.  It really is true that this hurts parents more than it hurts the kids.  As they grew older and failed to set their own appropriate boundaries, they got hurt, taken advantage of or were disappointed.  Then they had a better understanding of what we went through.

 Just for fun, I love going to Mimi’s with David.  (I tell him I like it when he speaks French to me.)  I love watching ASU or Cardinal’s games and yelling my head off in the living room, even though David keeps telling me they can’t hear me.  I also (mostly) love HGTV, and I definitely love the British versions of the Jane Austin classics.  I love my family; it’s a great one!  And of course, I love my husband, who tells me and others that it’s his job to be an Ephesians 5:25 husband; and to make sure there’s always money in my checking account.

 I love my Mother who is generosity personified.  I love my 3 beautiful and intelligent sisters.  I love my one living daughter, Amy, who makes my life more worthwhile, and I positively love & adore my twin grandsons who are cuter and more fun than a barrel of monkeys.  I cherish the love and memories of my first daughter Christa, who lives with and enjoys the love of the Father in heaven.  And I can’t leave out how much I love my numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, who are too numerous to count.

 I proudly love my country, many of my co-workers, and some good books I’ve read more than once.  I love a relaxing vacation as much as I love a rousing debate on one of the educational channels.  I love my church and the friends we’ve made there.  I love serving meals to our small group, and I love to worship.

 And speaking of worship, that really brings me to the most important and profound love of all, the love of the Father.  The love poems that lighten our days, our nights, our burdens and grief; the prophesies that give us a future and a hope; the instructions on living fruitful and righteous lives are all delivered in a love letter from God: the Bible.  

 Just think of the love He rains down on us:  For God so loved the world … How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God … Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God … It is not good that man should be alone, I will make a helper … Come to me, all you who are weary … and I will give you rest … Your sins are forgiven … And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.  Amen and amen.  That is the love that we all can earnestly and fervently desire and pursue.

Paula Gray