May Day can be a great way to practice an act of random kindness.

Anybody out there grow up in the mid-west where you celebrated May Day (May 1) by taking flowers or candy to other people?

When I was a kid, this was a real treat. We got to make flower baskets and set them on a door stop, ring the door bell, yell, “May Day, May Day!” and leave someone with a nice surprise.

I found out when I had my kids do this to our neighbors, that they had never heard of this tradition. (I am from Missouri and they are from Arizona.) Even when I explained it, my neighbor had a quizzical look.

Well, we will try it again this year and hope for a better response. I mean, really, who can resist a couple of kids bringing you flowers and/or candy!? We plan to go to a few neighbors who didn’t live in our area last year as well.

I think it is great to look for ways to bless those around us. Eventually, I hope they will see something different about us. (in a good way.)

Little things can make a big difference. The other day at Chick-Fil-A, the lunch bag talked about random acts of kindness. I read the bag to my kids, Zoe and Luke. One example was to make the bed of your brother or sister. The next morning, Zoe made Luke’s bed. Wow! I didn’t think she was really even paying attention when I was reading what was on the lunch sack. I was amazed and pleased.

My point is that you never know what impact a small thing will have.

God bless you and have a great week! I know you too, will come up with creative ideas to bless others. If you have a really great one, please share it with us!

Thora

When I first became a Christian I wondered why serving others was so important to Christian belief. As I grew closer to the Lord I learned it was because we follow a God who serves.

This weekend the Women’s Ministry will be hosting a Spa Day for Single Mom’s.  I invited my friend to come serve with me by doing pedicures. Her eyes opened wide “FEET!” she replied. I laughed and explained to her that she will have gloves available during each session. She smiled and said “ok” as long as I have clean gloves for each set of feet I scrub.

 As I think back on the day the Lord Jesus Christ washed the disciples feet I can’t help but picture how dirty His hands were by the time He was finished. He did not have gloves to keep His hands clean and I’m sure the water was muddy after the first set of feet. Our Lord did not hesitate to serve His friends. His example of servant hood was one that will never be forgotten.

There’s power in serving others and the power I’m talking about here is not the type that usually comes to mind when you see the word power. The power I’m speaking of is more like power in terms of opportunity, serving others will result in powerful opportunities coming into your life that you never would’ve thought possible.

Opportunities to reach out to hurting people, broken people, people who feel forgotten. People who matter to God!

Can you remember opportunities that came your way while serving?

Love,

Eva

“Have you ever tried to explain what it feels to be pregnant to someone who’s never expected a child?” That is the question Rebecca Vaught posed during our recent Women’s Evening Bible Study Girl Talk.

Rebecca painted a vivid picture of the difficulties faced by single moms today – difficulties that are often hard to grasp by women who enjoy their husband’s physical and emotional support during the parenting years.

Even though some of us can hardly imagine what it would mean to be a single mom, we can do something to support them. As a matter of fact, the Bible commands us to do so!

James 1:27, Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (NIV)

There are many widows among us, but in today’s society, single mothers and their children are also part of the group of people James particularly encourages us to look after.

On May 2, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, our church will host a Single Mom’s Spa Day, “Bloom for a Day… Blossom for a Lifetime!” – a free event in which members of our congregation get together to pamper our single moms, giving them manicures, pedicures, massages and serving them a delicious brunch. Childcare is also provided. (For more information, please call Elaine Krug at 623.478.2600.)

I encourage you to consider taking part of this event. There are many ways in which you can help. To volunteer, please contact Alecia Manes at manesclan@yahoo.com or Rebecca Turrigiano at rturrigiano@gmail.com.

And, of course, if you are a single mom, we hope you can come and be pampered. This weekend (April 25-26) would be your last chance to register; you may do so after each of our church services.

In Jesus,

Ana

Yesterday, Pastor Brian taught us about the importance of belonging to a church.  Wrapped inside that great message, was a challenge to me.  And it had to do with planning spiritual growth.

I love to plan.  I plan my menus for the week.  I plan my day.  As a family, we plan our vacations.  My husband even puts our trips on a spreadsheet.  I know that would freak out the spontaneous travellers, but it works for us.  As much as I enjoy planning, I never thought about planning my spiritual growth until yesterday. 

The Bible verse Pastor Brian read was Hebrews 6:1a.  It says, “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity” (NAS). 

Brian asked if we knew anyone who had been a Christian for 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years who wasn’t very spiritually mature.   While I might have been able to think of someone else, my mind immediately went to those areas in my own life that I wish were different.  I can easily list a handful of spiritual fruit that is still unripe on the vine.  And I can see how  I haven’t applied as much consistent effort and planning to those areas of my personality, as I have to my to-do list.  

Today, I’d like to invite some conversation on the blog about this concept.  I’d like you to share one or two ways you have planned your spiritual growth.  Or maybe you have a habit or practice that helps you grow spiritually.  Please post a comment on the blog so we can all learn.

As an incentive, I’ll be giving away a book called ”His Princess Bride” by Sheri Rose Shepherd.  This is a beautiful little hardcover book filled encouraging words of love from Jesus to His bride.  On Wednesday at 5 p.m. I’ll randomly select someone who posted to win the book.  Please make sure you include your email address in the post so I can contact you.

As an editor of a magazine, I get lots of free books.  This is just the first of many we’ll be giving away. 

Have a great week in Christ!

In His Love,

Glynnis

www.GlynnisWhitwer.com

We recently hosted (because she wanted it in our home) a party for Zoe’s 6^th birthday.

This is the first party we have hosted where Zoe was really old enough to invite “her own friends.”  (Let’s make that about 20 of her own friends.)  She also invited Adult friends like and Al and Pat, our next door neighbors who are retired school teachers, but Zoe did tell them they didn’t have to dress up… since they were adults.

Zoe chose a “Princess and Pirate” party because she wanted boys to be able to come. (Specifically we’re glad Francis from school came because after his choice of a gift of a beach Barbie and Ken and a Barbie pool and accessories, Zoe wants to marry Francis.) : )

Well, I worked hard on this party because I wanted it to be a memory she will have forever.  I made a princess cake with turrets, cupcakes, gift bags, and planned games for outside.  Let’s face it…who wants 20 kids in the house?!  I planned and planned and after so much planning, we told Zoe her next big party will be when she is 10 (because I think I may be recuperated by then).

Anyway, the Friday night of the party, we had an unbelievably windy night.  We tried to get the kids to eat outside and the plates were literally flying away.  No one wanted to do the “walk the plank” game…..too windy.  Then we moved another game inside, but most of the kids just wanted to run around or play on the trampoline.  Go figure!

It didn’t turn out the way I had planned, but when it was all said and done, the purpose of the party was accomplished.  Zoe had a great time.  She loved planning for the party (She even decorated herself with crepe paper and construction paper streamers she made) and her friends seemed to have a great time too.

This party reminds me of parts of my own life.  So often, I have a pre-conceived idea of the way something should be, should look, or should work out.  Then, the event or activity turns out completely different from what I had expected, but I can still see God’s hand in the midst of it.  I encourage you to take a step back and see how God is at work…even though it may not be exactly what you expected.

Lately I have been surrounded with negative people who have bad attitudes! It’s so hard to Love people when they act selfish, rude, and arrogant. Sometimes I want to hide from them so I don’t have to hear them complain about everyone and everything they can think of.

I know, I know, you never feel this way right? I’m a Christian what is my problem? Well, it’s hard sometimes! Then the words of Pastor Brian run through my mind… “we are in the people business”.  We are called to love; this is how they will know we are His children.

So I ask the Lord to show me why it is so hard for me to show love to these people. I realized it is because I try to love them in my own strength. Sometimes we forget that we are not able to love people on our own! When I try to love people with my own abilities it never last. I let them down, they let me down, and we set expectations that can’t be met!

It’s when I ask the Lord to give me eyes to see them the way He does that I begin to see the good in them and not the bad. It’s when I say Lord here I am “your servant” love them through me, that I can love them unconditionally!

Attitude makes a huge difference in how we react to life. When we live our life with the attitude that God calls us to everyday can be a good day! Writing from a prison cell, Paul writes, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). In other words, no matter what distractions, frustrations, and inconveniences come your way, make sure that you respond with a Christ-like attitude. Paul later writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:5). He also urges us in (Ephesians 5:1) to be “imitators of Christ as dearly beloved children.”

I love this quote from Charles Swindoll: “I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. And so it is with you….We are in charge of our Attitudes.”

So how is your attitude lately?

Love,

Eva

I am amazed at how many times fear has held me back.  The fear of failure, the fear of ridicule, the fear of the unknown, (and I could go on) has stopped me in my tracks more times than I care to admit.  The sad part is wondering how many times that has held me back from what God wanted me to do.  

Ouch. 

Years ago I had the opportunity to speak out, and failed.  We were breaking down the track after a motorcycle race when one of the crew brought out a new cd she bought.  Everyone was listening and laughing to this popular group.  “Isn’t this great?”  “This is so cool!”  They loved it.  I thought it was horrible.  The words were some of the worst I had ever heard. I felt it: this was my turn to speak up, to say something – anything.  I didn’t.  I made it to church that night, and I don’t think I have ever felt so out of place walking through those doors.  I knew I had missed an opportunity with God.   

Looking back, I wonder who God had in mind to hear those words.  Maybe one, maybe many.  Either way, they didn’t hear it from me.  And what did I miss out on? 

What if I had said ‘Yes’ to God’s nudge?  What was the worst that could have happened?  I doubt they would have stoned me to death, and they weren’t going to drop me from the roster.  But that fear of ridicule, that fear… 

A few years ago I was asked to do four videos for the summer WEBS series.  I said “Yes!”  I started writing the scripts, and the fear of failure kicked into overdrive.  “No one will think this is funny.”  “No one will get anything out of this.”  I felt over my head and drowning.  I was going to let everyone down.  In stepped Ana.  I told her what was happening.  She read my scripts, and thought they were good.  Ana would do one.  She called over Katie who said she would do one of the videos.  Wow, I had good scripts and a cast.  I kept going. 

This time I didn’t miss out. 

We will probably never know most of the women we touch out there, but as long as we keep saying “Yes,” God does the rest. 

Luke 11: 28 (NIV)  He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” 

“Yes.”  “Yes, Lord.”  “Okay, God!” 

Totally worth it. 

Peace! 

Barb

Only four months have passed since Christmas time, for many, the sweetest, most tender time of the year – and my favorite Holiday!  However, for us Christians, no other time of the year is a greater cause for contemplation and celebration as this weekend.

During Christmas, we celebrate the birth of our Savior, the greatest gift to humanity.  Yet, during Easter, we remember Christ’s sacrifice at the cross and His glorious resurrection! 

John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for the Easter celebration.  I encourage you to take advantage of this pious time next year.  But it is not too late to appreciate what this weekend means to those of us who love Jesus.

Here are a few things you can do:

1.     Read the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection, found on the last three chapters of the book of Luke.

2.     This is a tradition followed in my country of origin, Guatemala:  At 3:00 pm – the approximate time in which Jesus breathed his last – pause whatever you’re doing and take time to reflect on his immense sacrifice.  Thank Him for the cross.

3.     Invite others to come to join you during Easter service.  You could even take it a step further and invite them to have dinner with you.  Holidays like this are great opportunities to reach out to those you probably wouldn’t be able to at other times of the year.

4.     Pray, pray, pray!  Pray for God to prepare your heart for this very important season and to do His work in your heart and your loved ones’.  Pray for opportunities to reach out to others.  Pray that God will move in people’s hearts and draw them to Him.  Pray for your pastor and those who will participate in the Easter service, that God will use them to share His message of love, forgiveness and redemption in a powerful manner.

I pray this will be an incredible, meaningful Easter celebration for you and yours.  I am praying for you!

Happy Easter,

Ana

Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38

A few years ago, my small group took communion. As we encircled a friend’s living room, I dipped my piece of torn bread in the cup of dark purple juice and placed it in my mouth. I tasted the ripeness of the fruit and savored the texture of the bread. “I will remember, Lord.” I spoke the words in my head, silently thanking Jesus for the sacrifice He made for me on the cross. My mind and heart were fully tuned in to communion.

Yet within a minute, the aftertaste of the strong grape juice distracted my communion meditation. It was more bitter than usual and I thought about taking a sip of something else to remove the flavor from my mouth. Should I grab my coffee, or some water? My thoughts had definitely jumped far from communion with Christ.

Immediately, the Lord spoke to my heart: “Suffer with me awhile.”

Tears filled my eyes as I realized how quickly I wanted to move away from the unpleasant taste … and how fast my thoughts drifted from the suffering of Christ to my own comfort. And my mind went back to the first night followers of Christ took communion and what happened.

On the night of His betrayal, after sharing a meal in the Upper Room, Jesus went to pray and asked Peter, James and John to stay awake, and watch and wait for Him. Jesus knew His death was imminent and was grieving what was about to happen. In Matthew 26:18, the Bible says our Lord was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” that night. And while He prayed, His closest friends couldn’t keep awake. Three times Jesus returned to find them sleeping.

For those three disciples, it was sleep that drew them from Christ’s request to keep watch with Him. What is for me? What keeps me from obeying Jesus’ requests? Oh, the easy ones I have no problem with. It’s the ones that infringe on my comfort that I wrestle with.

Tomorrow many churches will remember Jesus’ final night on earth in what is called Maundy Thursday. On Friday we will remember the day of Jesus’ death. And on Sunday we get to celebrate the greatest miracle the world has ever seen.

I love Easter and celebrating the resurrection. But that morning at my small group, Jesus clearly called me to remember His suffering as well as His victory. This is something God calls me to remember every day, and apply it to serving Him. While my flesh would prefer a cushy assignment, I don’t want to shake the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, the hands that touched lepers, the hands that stroked the head of a broken sinful woman, with hands that have never gotten dirty with life.

This week, I’ll be the first to wake up and greet my family with “He is Risen!” But I’ll also spend some time remember Christ’s suffering and the suffering of so many around me. And it’s my prayer that I’ll stay awake and alert to whatever Jesus wants me to do.

In His Love,
Glynnis Whitwer
www.glynniswhitwer.com

Now that I have two children, I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a single Mom!  I am so thankful for a husband who helps with my children in “all things concerning Zoe and Luke.”

Having a spouse to bounce decisions off of (something I take for granted), would be a huge loss to me if that component of my life were missing. (Not to mention things like help with baths, tooth brushing, putting on clothes, playing games, etc.)

Well, now is a chance for many of us to minister to those single mom’s who don’t have a “helping hand” living at home.

On May 2, we will be hosting our Single Mom’s Spa Day.  Our theme is…

“Bloom for a Day…

 Blossom for a Lifetime!”

The day will run from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm.

If you are raising children as a single mom, you can register at the sign up counter every weekend in April before and after services for pampering such as pedicures, manicures, massages and much more.  For more information, please call Elaine Krug at 623.478.2600.

A wonderful free brunch and childcare are provided.

About eight years ago, Alecia Manes, a young mom in our church, had a heart to minister to single moms.  She started this ministry, which has grown from the humble beginning of hosting about eight moms, to what we have now:  a day of ministering to over 200 single moms.  (Some of the women even come from women’s shelters.)  I have been so blessed as I have seen this ministry grow and so many women who want to bless single moms. God continues to amaze me!

Please pray and consider taking part in this amazing adventure.  To volunteer, please contact Alecia Manes at manesclan@yahoo.com or Rebecca Turrigiano at rturrigiano@gmail.com .