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

When my third child was born, my oldest was three.  And they were all active boys!

 My husband and I were outnumbered and my life was completely up-ended.  For the next three years, I couldn’t even go shopping at Target by myself with the kids.  While one raced down the aisle, the toddler climbed out of the cart – all while the baby, who disliked being confined from the moment of his birth, screamed!  I was a mess!  I felt like climbing over the cart and racing down the aisle screaming myself.

 In those difficult three years, I kept trying to regain my old life.  An organizer and leader by nature, I’d volunteer to oversee something at church and then make my kids and me miserable trying to get it done.   My heart is heavy when I remember the times I dragged my three little boys to one event or another, only to leave angry and in tears because they couldn’t sit still.

 Instead of accepting my life as it was, I plowed ahead, wanting to serve God and certain He was pleased with my sacrifices.  The problem was that my innocent children made the real sacrifice by enduring my non-stop lifestyle.  I wish with all my heart that someone had taken me out to coffee and helped me get some perspective.  I was too blind to see.

 What I know now is that sometimes God calls us to a new mission field that on the surface looks like we’ve been called out of the “game.”  But nothing could be further from the truth!  For those three years (and truthfully beyond that) I was afraid to stop pursuing my goals in case an opportunity might pass me by.  What happened was the opportunity to minister more deeply to my children passed me by.

 First Peter 3:8 says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:  With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day”  (NIV).  Although this verse is speaking about the Lord’s return, I believe it can be applied to any time of “waiting.”  God doesn’t see time as we do.  Three years seems like an eternity, when it’s really just a breath in time.  The first part of verse 9 offers hope to those who think opportunities are passing them by and God has forgotten them:  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.”

 I wish someone had told me that God would not forget me.  In fact, God had hand- picked me to be the mother of Joshua, Dylan and Robbie (and now our daughters – Cathrine and Ruth).   I have been called to raise these children.  I was, and still am,  right where He wants me. 

 Even though my days felt like years back then, they really were just a blink.  Funny how the rear view mirror gives you such a broad perspective.

In His Love,

Glynnis

Do you have a problem with ordinary?  I kind of do.

I’m ok with my ordinary house and don’t mind driving an ordinary car.  Don’t know much about designer brand names or the latest, hottest place in town.  As a matter of fact, I can thoroughly enjoy an ordinary meal and be perfectly content with a regular, department store pair of jeans – as long as they fit!

But when it comes to my life, “ordinary” is the farthest thing I want it to be.  I don’t want to pass through this world without leaving my mark, without making a lasting difference in the lives of others.  I long do extraordinary things for God! 

However, my good wishes and best intentions often clash and even crumble when confronted with the notion that I am just an ordinary girl.  Debilitating thoughts assault my mind with arguments such as:

Why would God use you? 

What do you have to offer?

Who do you think you are?

You’re nothing but ordinary.

The battle rages so fiercely sometimes, I give into their seeming logic and am tempted to surrender thinking:

Who do I think I am?

I’m nothing special.  I’m no expert.

Why would anyone want to read what I write or hear my message?

I must confess that I’ve wasted more time and energy battling my doubts than I have actually invested doing things for God. 

But last Saturday was different.

Last Saturday, during our Women’s Conference, as I listen to our guest speaker Eleanor Mumford talk about the power of ordinary, an incredible insight awakened me like a jolt of caffeine in the morning:  God can use ordinary people like me, because He is extraordinarily powerful!

I’ve been so stuck on the knowledge of my own limitations; I’d almost forgotten Who is at work when I surrender to His calling.  My own message and works may be dull and ineffective.  But God’s Word in my pen and on my lips and His Holy Spirit working in and through me in are mighty to save, to heal, to deliver and to restore!

And that, my friends, is nothing but extraordinary!

Ephesians 3:20 says that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

I sat on my chair last Saturday, pondering on this amazing revelation, brimming with renewed excitement, and trying really hard to refocus on Eleanor’s message.  Peace filled my mind as well as a new sense of purpose and direction for what I’ve dared to believe is God’s calling upon my life. 

The Lord’s extraordinary power is at work on this world, and He chooses ordinary people – like you and me – to carry it out for His glory.  All we need to do, get to do, is join Him.

Ana

http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

My husband and I didn’t pick the smartest week of the year to get married.  We were juniors in college and got married two weeks before classes started.  On one hand, we prepared all summer, on the other, we had little time to squeeze in a honeymoon before school and jobs started up again. 

Between moving in to our new apartment, working part-time, and full-time school, writing thank-you notes for our wedding gifts fell to the bottom of my to-do list.  Month after month went by, and it was Christmas break before I seriously thought about them again.  By that time, I was just plain embarrassed to send out notes.  My closest family received them, but I neglected the rest.

That breach of etiquette has bothered me for 25 years.  It probably explains why I’m a stickler for my children and me to write thank you notes for every gift.  In hindsight, I should have sent out the notes at Christmas.   Truly “better late than never” should have been my guiding principle.

Jesus spoke about a similar principle in the parable of two sons (Matthew 21:28-32).  Both were asked to work in the vineyard by their father.  One said “no,” but changed his mind and went.  The other said “yes,” but didn’t go.  Jesus asked the poignant question, “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”  The answer was the first. 

Jesus used this parable to show the religious leaders that the “tax collectors and the prostitutes” were entering the kingdom of God ahead of them.  The religious leaders professed to obey God in their heart and actions, but they didn’t.  I think this is a principle we can apply to our everyday life.

Many times we know God is calling us to do something.  It could be to share our faith with a co-worker or family member.  Perhaps God has been tugging on our hearts to increase our financial giving.  Maybe we need to take a leap of faith and change careers, go back to school, or do mission work.  We say “yes” when God first prompts us, but then do nothing.   Time goes by, and we think, “It’s too late now.”

Unfortunately, that type of thinking leads to disobedience.  This parable shows us that it’s never too late to obey God.  It doesn’t matter how old you are, or what you’ve done since God first asked you to do something.  It doesn’t even matter if you’ve stomped your foot, crossed your arms, and told God “no.”   Today you can make your Father happy by doing His will.  

We serve a gracious God who doesn’t hold our disobedience against us.  We may need to confess it as sin, but when we do, it’s as good as gone. If God has asked you to work in the “vineyard” and you’ve said no, or delayed obedience, make today the day you get to work.  I wonder if I still have that wedding gift-list

The other day, as I browsed through my mail, I came across the Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC) Newsletter.  A group picture of smiling women, clad in bright orange suits, caught my attention. 

“Nurses?” I pondered.  Nope.

I began to read the article below the picture and realized that these women were actually inmates at Perryville Prison.

These ladies decided they wanted to do something for CPC.  So they began crocheting booties and baby sweaters for the clients at the centers.  At first, only a few knew how to knit or crochet, so they taught others who wanted to participate.

“They also saved up their 10 cents an hour wage to put toward a sizable $600 plus donation – that’s 6,000 hours!” says Cathryn Merring, Director of CPC Phoenix.

Talk about generosity!

It reminds me of the actions of a very poor, yet generous woman.  Luke 21:1-3 says,  “As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. I tell you the truth, he said, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Reading this passage always brings tears to my eyes.  (Yes, I cry easily, but you get the idea.)  I picture the old lady humbly waiting in line for her turn to offer her contribution; then, I see her reaching out with her wrinkled, shaky hand to drop the two small coins.  Last, I picture her walking quietly back home, without being noticed, without anyone ever knowing the depths of her contribution and sacrifice.

But Jesus noticed.

In contrast to the women at Perryville, many times I feel like unless I do something “big” nothing I do for the Lord will really matter.  But they’ve proven me wrong.  Like Pastor Brian said this morning, “The Kingdom of God is about big things, but it’s also about small things.”

Mmmm…  Maybe my “small contribution” isn’t as insignificant as I might think.  Maybe one day my actions will impact others’ lives the way a modest group of inmates’ generous acts has impacted mine.

How do you feel about your own contribution?

This past weekend, Pastor Craig, shared the Vineyard saying:  “Everybody Gets to Play.”  It reminded me of a something that happened when I was a child.

I grew up here in Glendale a freckle-faced brunette in a neighborhood of blonds – 13 of them.  Not just any blond, but the light, almost white kind of blond.  To say I stood out in the crowd was an understatement.  Normally it didn’t matter to any of us, except when we played “Big Valley.” 

In the late 60s, the Big Valley was a popular television show.  For those of you over 40, you’re humming the theme song right now … “The big valley, the big valley …” (Ok, I know there weren’t words.) As little kids we would reenact the various episodes and inevitably, there was an argument over who would get to play Audra Barkley.

Audra was the beautiful, longhaired daughter, who was fussed over by her mama and pampered by her three handsome brothers.  As much as I would have liked to play Audra, that was never an option.  You see, Audra had long, blond hair.  With my brown hair, I wasn’t even considered for Audra.  I did, however, get a part.  I was Nick.  Not Heath, the handsome younger brother – Johnny (with blond hair) got to play him.  But Nick – the hot-headed, troublemaker.

When I didn’t play Nick, I (gulp) played a horse.  These are embarrassing facts of my childhood that I’m only now able to talk about.  I would have made a great Audra.

Although I write that tongue-in-cheek, the truth is, it hurts to be left out, or relegated to a role that doesn’t fit you; whatever age you are.  What I love about God’s Kingdom here on earth is that everybody gets to play!  And we get to play a part specifically designed for us.

Each of us is called to serve God in a wonderfully unique way.  God gives us skills and talents at birth, and then calls us into service.  Once we say “yes,” God fine-tunes our skills and increases them according to our faithfulness in using them.  Yet many Christians never fully discover their gifts. 

When that happens, there’s nothing more frustrating than an under-used Christian.  I wonder what would happen if every believer were serving God according to his or her gifts and talents – and not based on where there’s a vacancy in children’s ministry or on a committee.

My challenge is to discover my God-given gifts and talents and surrender them to God and His purposes.  If my gift is teaching, then I need to be somewhere I can teach.   If I have financials skill, then I should be working with money.  If I love to pray for the sick, then I should be praying for the sick.  It would be nice if someone identified my skills and asked me to serve accordingly, but the responsibility for using my gifts ultimately falls to me.

Although my days of the Big Valley and playing Nick are past, I’ll never forget feeling out of place, and longing to play another role.  God’s Kingdom is big enough for each of us to fulfill the calling God has for us.  We need to say “no” when someone asks us to play “Nick” and we need to pursue opportunities to play our own brand of “Audra.”

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

This past weekend Brian taught about our gifting and serving in the church. I’d like to look at that a little more. A number of years ago when I did a study on Spiritual Gifts I was and still am in awe of the way God designed the church. His plan is for each one of us to play a part in the church by using our gifting, skills and abilities. I also learned He created us each different; not everyone is going to have a heart of compassion or have the patience to run the video during service or have the skills to play for worship. But no job in a church is unimportant in the building of God’s Kingdom. Brian mentioned this in his sermon when he talked about not ever wanting hear anyone say they just… volunteer or clean toys, etc. I so agree, all service within the church is so important! When God showed this to me I was running the slides that go on the video screens and I realized that if I goof up majorly it would really distract from people’s experience in Worship and take the focus of God.

I love Paul’s analogy with the parts of the body in I Corinthians 12:12-30. Like in I Corinthians 12:17 Paul writes, “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” Can you picture it the whole body being one big eye or ear? Wow, that would be really scary. Just as scary as everyone trying to make free coffee at one time and no one greeting or everyone cleaning the bathrooms and no one working with the children.

When I first realized God gifted each one of us for a path of His choosing I was so relieved. I didn’t have to beat myself up because my Christian walk didn’t look like someone else’s. Don’t get me wrong there are a number of things all Christians are called to do or strive toward in ever increasing measure. But there are areas of gifting, service and passion that are unique as each one of us, and God will reveal this to us as we try out different areas of service and look for guidance from classes like the SHAPE class.

As you can see in my bio, I oversee the Women’s Conference each year, lead a Care Group, and help in the Finance Ministry. I’d love to hear how you serve in the church?

Thank you for serving,

Susan