I have been a part of our wonderful for church for 3 years in June.

My husband, 4 sons and I moved from Bristol, England where we spent 4 years as Pastors with the Bristol Vineyard.

One of the things I personally became involved in was the huge population of very young single mom’s. A few of us teamed up with a support group in one of the local neighborhoods and we would go and give the young “mums” a day where they were pampered.

A day they could receive and refuel.

A day that the Lord could, without any hidden agenda, touch them in a very real way.

These women only needed an affirming word and not to feel judged. We wanted them to be proud of their decision to have gone through with their pregnancy when so much of the world tells them otherwise.

The woman in charge of the support center was completely shocked that we didn’t charge them for this service, and when I explained we wanted to bless them, she was silent and bewildered. It was a wonderful success and we went back a few months later to do another one.I know that God left a fingerprint on all those young moms and I personally feel blessed through that experience.

When I first arrived in Arizona, I was approached by Alecia Manes who had been successfully running an outreach for the VCNP called Single Mom’s Spa Day. Small world, and wonderful timing I thought! We had lunch together and I learned about this now 14 year ministry that she and a handful of other faithful women had started with 10 moms… I was so excited to hear how God’s hand was obviously in this and was delighted when she asked me to join the team. Like the outreach in Bristol, there was no charge for this day. The entire core team were excited about the idea of reaching out to women not just in the church but outside as well.To really focus on becoming an outreach, much in the same way the compassion ministry works. To reach women who were in the sex industry, victims of spousal abuse, recovering from drug and alcohol addition, HIV and AIDS positive mom’s and teen moms. We asked the Lord to bring half of the women from outside of the church, and in 2009 that is exactly what happened! He did it!!

We had 250 women come, and 125 of them were from outside the church!!! I had never witnessed anything like it.

Women were crying with gratefulness at being given a day where they are simply loved on. No hidden agenda, no surprise attacks or “Accept Jesus or else!” moments. Simply stepping out of the way, and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister with our actions and words of affirmation. Being an ear for them to be heard, and offering prayer if the Holy Spirit suggests it.I love that our church is willing to get messy and love those people that some may be afraid to love. I love that we invite everyone to come as they are, and yet be challenged to allow God to make you into more than you will ever expect to be.

Transforming ordinary people into extraordinary followers of Christ.

It is overwhelming to lock hands with our fellow sisters before the day starts and see the over 100 women serving together.

Striving to be 1 Corinthians 13 and allow God to use us to love on His people.

We get to do it again on May 21st and we cannot wait to see what God has in store this year!!!

Thank you VCNP for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful family.

Blessings,

Rebecca Turrigiano

Earth to Ana. Earth to Ana, my husband enjoys saying when he wants to get my attention.

Yeah, yeah, very funny…

Well, I guess I should be glad my husband has a sense of humor. It must be frustrating living with someone whose mind is often in Analand.

Yet who can blame me? Analand is an amazing place, filled with creative ideas, inspiring music, beautiful landscapes, and meaningful conversations with my own very agreeable self. It is no wonder I love visiting so often.

But eventually duty beckons, and I make the trek back to reality.

My reality, however, isn’t bad either. I live in a cute little house with a family that loves me. I have a great job and wonderful friends. I’m seldom cold and never go hungry. And even in times of struggle, I have an enduring conviction that God loves me and will be there for me through it all.

In fact, my reality is usually so cozy, I seldom stop to think about anybody else’s. But is that the way it is supposed to be?

Not according to Jesus.

Christian artist Matthew West challenges me with these lyrics:

What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world?

Truth is that outside my own little world there is need, heartbreak, strife, illness, poverty, loneliness, bondage… All of the things Jesus died on the cross for.

His resurrection message offers hope, healing, freedom, love, joy, peace, and so much more. But this powerful message needs to be shared by people who are willing to look outside their window and into a world crying out for help.

The Apostle Paul said that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”. But “how”, he continues, “can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
(Romans 10:13-14)

Oh, that my heart would be filled with passion for the lost, the broken and the needy, that I’d be willing to step out of my comfort and share the Lord with those who haven’t yet heard His message!

Earth to Ana, Earth to Ana! I hear the world calling.

http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

Did you ever wish you had experienced the 1950’s?  (Penny loafers, rolled jeans, poodle skirts, Elvis, leather jackets?) 

 Have you been hoping for an event you can invite your “pre-Christian” friends to which will be fun?

 Well, here is your chance!

 June 25 is a date set aside for a “Girl’s Night Out.”  I don’t know about you, but every now and then, I am ready for some girl time.

 I wanted to “put a bug in your ear” so to speak, that this is a great opportunity to invite some sphere of your influence (be it your small group, friends, family or co-workers) to a fun night out for women.  This is a great opportunity to invite seekers as it is really a fun event.  I promise it will not be threatening and we won’t try to manipulate your friends to get saved or give a guilt trip to anyone about coming to church.  We want seekers to see that Christians can be really fun too!

 Please pray about either…

… inviting some of your friends from church to sit together (and then invite some more women to join you that night at your table),

…or ask some friends who don’t attend church to join you for a fun evening.

 Ask God it do exceedingly beyond what you can think with your invitations.

 It is my heart for this event to bridge the age gap and Girl’s Night Out is aimed from 6^th grade up to ……….well, the oldest women we can get to attend.  : )  My Grandmother is 101, but she lives in Missouri.  I wish she could come, but we advertised the event from 6^th grade to 100.  ; )

 It is also inexpensive!  Where else can you go for $3 in advance or $5 at the door for snacks and entertainment?  (No where I know of)  So, come and enjoy.  Get ready for some fun.

 For those of you who are really party animals, you can go out again with your friends after the event and stay out as late as you want.  (Or as late as your baby sitter will allow you)

 If you have questions, please ask.  Hope to see you there!

 Blessings,

Thora

“Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Psalm 96:3 (NIV)

One by one, each woman walked to the front of the small room, turned to face our little group of beginning speakers.  She straightened her notes, took a deep breath and proceeded to give a brief, but moving testimony of how God saved her from a life of misery.  Tears flowed in the room, as each listener empathized with the sadness of a broken life without God.

As my turn neared, my heart pounded.  Combined with the nervousness over public speaking, was insecurity about my own testimony.  No dramatic conversion was in my background, no painful loss, no rejection of God.  My story – compared to theirs – seemed tame.  In fact, at that moment, I was embarrassed over the ordinary-ness of my life.

After that training exercise, instead of feeling better equipped to speak, I was convinced I’d heard God’s instructions incorrectly.  Maybe I wasn’t supposed to tell others about what God had done in my life.  After all, it didn’t seem like much compared to everyone else.  What can a woman who became a Christian at an early age testify about?  That wrong line of thought affected me for years. 

God did open doors for me to speak and teach women, but instead of talking about what He had done in my life, I focused on the stories of others.  I taught from Scripture and books, but kept distant from my own life experience.  In some way I felt disqualified to share my stories.  They just didn’t seem dramatic enough, and that’s what I thought people wanted to hear.

The more I compared my own life experiences to others, the more I dismissed God’s work in my life.  Then one day, God gently challenged me to take my focus off of what He’d done in the lives of others and be amazed at what He had done in mine!  He showed me that it wasn’t ever about me and “my” story, it always was and always will be “His” story – and there was nothing ordinary or boring about that! 

I began to see things with new eyes.  What I’d written off as “normal,” became miraculous.  As I focused on how, over the years, God answered my prayers, took away my fears, taught me things, comforted me in sadness, brought me friends, and healed my emotions and body, my testimony grew.  Now, instead of glossing over the everyday experiences, I dissect them looking for God’s fingerprints – and find them everywhere. And, as I’ve been more faithful to tell about God’s work in my life, He has touched the lives of others.

I’ve learned there’s no “one-size-fits-all” testimony – but there’s always a story to tell.  I just had to take the focus off me and put it on God.  Then I can join the psalmist and “declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all people.”

In His Love,

Glynnis Whitwer

When my sister Paula lived out of state, I loved to stay at her home.  Not only was it great to be with family, but Paula’s home invited me to rest and her thoughtful touches showed her love for me.   I was always blessed by staying at her home.

As the summer travel season approaches, we have the opportunity to bless our overnight guests with small gestures that show we care. 

In II Kings, chapter four, we read about a woman in the town of Shunem who went out of her way to create a welcoming guest room for Elisha, a prophet of God.  She made up a space on her roof (I’m guessing it was flat) and put a bed, table, chair and lamp for Elisha to use whenever he traveled to Shunem.  The Shunemite woman’s hospitality meant so much to Elisha that he asked God to give her a child, and God fulfilled that request.

We may not all have the luxury of a private room for our guests, but we can see to their comfort and offer some pampering as well.   I know from the experience of being a guest, how hospitality can convey God’s love in a personal way.

When preparing a place for your guests, try and anticipate their needs.  Some guest room niceties include an alarm clock, a lamp, a Bible, a devotion book, light reading materials like magazines, extra blankets or pillows, a fan, room to hang clothes with hangers, and a place to set a suitcase.

When I have guests I like to prepare a basket of lotions, hair products and other toiletry items.  I place this in the bathroom with a note inviting my guests to please use the items.

Another idea is to place pre-packaged snacks and candies in a basket, and put the basket in the guest area.  Often travelers might like a snack late at night, but don’t want to ask the hosts.

In your kitchen you might consider creating a drink center on a pretty tray.  Include mugs, spoons, instant coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cream and sugar.  Place the tray near a microwave or the stove.  Stock your fridge with cold drinks and invite your guests to help themselves.  I love it when someone remembers I like Diet Coke!

Our homes can become a ministry tool as we take the time to plan for the comfort of our guests.  As they experience our love for them, let it be our prayer that they are drawn to the Creator of Love – God. 

As you prepare for this summer season, begin to pray for the guests who will visit your home.  Pray that their hearts will be open to receive all that God has for them.

In His Love,

Glynnis

Have you ever been touched by a random act of kindness?  I have, in a most particular way.

Yesterday my husband, my son and I went to the movies.  As we settled ourselves down and began to munch on our popcorn two young moms walked in with their children.  The theater had quickly filled up and they were obviously going to have a hard time sitting together.

I noticed that the three seats to our right and the three in front of us were still empty, so I asked these ladies if they wanted us to move so that they could seat together.  They thanked us profusely as we moved down one row.

We settled ourselves down once again, and once again we resumed munching on our popcorn.

As the lights dimmed down and the previews began, I was surprised by a tap on my shoulder.  It was one of the two young moms.  She handed me a bag of M&Ms and said, “This is for you.  I want you to know you made my day.”

I was so overwhelmed, I could barely focus on the screen.  I mean, I hadn’t done anything great or heroic.  Yet I had managed – in total random – to make this lady’s day!

I might have made her day, but the kindness she showed in return meant more to me than she’ll ever know.

As I enjoyed the movie and my M&Ms, I thought about a testimony I had heard earlier that day, during church service.  Ten years ago Alicia Manes, a young woman at our church, and the small group she lead began serving single women by putting together a “spa day”.  What began as a small act of kindness has evolved into a full-fledged yearly event.

I was touched by Alicia’s testimony, but what I especially appreciated was hearing that she and her group had made all kinds of mistakes along the way, had little resources, had felt overwhelmed,  yet they kept on going, showing kindness to single moms and being obedient – a word Alicia repeated over and over again as she spoke that morning.

Obedience…  Saying “yes” to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to display His love, His ways, and His kindness.  The Apostle Paul said it so well, “God’s kindness leads [us] to repentance.”  (Romans 2:4)  Alicia and her group had lead hundreds to experience the changing power of God’s love.

Thinking back on yesterday’s pleasant experience at the movies, I can surely say that a little bit of sweet kindness sure goes a long way.  How has kindness touched you?

I’m eager to hear,

Ana