Vineyard Women

Too Much to Do!

 Does anyone else feel it?  The pressure of this season?!  I do.  I don’t know how to get it all done and I find myself too often in a hurry, trying to do two things at once and then doing a poor job of both of them.

 The simple essence of hurry is this:  Too much to do! The good of avoiding hurry is not just pleasure, but to enable us to calmly and effectively do the things that are truly important with strength and joy.  I once heard Dallas Willard say, “We must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives.  It is an enemy of the spiritual life.”

 We don’t want to “skim” our lives.  We want to live them.

In order to not live in a state of “hurry” we must try not to live in a state of urgency.

 Here are some suggestions I heard from Dallas Willard:

To get the urgent off of our backs we must:

1. Form a clear intention to live without hurry.  Try one day.

2. Cultivate a mental picture of your place in the world before God:  What is God doing and where do you fit in?  Write it down.

On the basis of that:

3.  Begin to eliminate things you “have” to do. (Choose to do less better.)

 Examples I could think of include not answering some e-mails and facebook.  Even not reading all of the e-mails may be in order.  (I am actually not even on Facebook.  I am holding out as long as I can!)

 Don’t be afraid of doing nothing.

That is when we reflect on what is really important.

Please join me as I try to do less.

Blessings,

Thora

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the Salvation Army bell-ringers! I love the sound of hope the bells sing. I remember giving our kids money on the way into the store and on the way out of the store so they could drop their pennies into the bright red bucket! The bible says, “It is more blessed to give than receive,” Acts 20:35. It is satisfying and purposeful when we live life with open hearts, open hands and open wallets ready to be used by God to be a blessing to others. Mario and I have lived our lives throughout the years with hearts wide open for those around us, but last week God surprised me.

Wednesday evening I went to Wal-Mart to get a few things and to pick up baking supplies, as Thursday was my BIG baking day! As I was leaving the house I realized I had forgotten my purse in Mario’s car that was at the church. Ugggh! I had some cash so I decided I would carefully get only the things I needed. As I walked through the store, doing the math in my head, I was sure I was within budget! As I approached what seemed to be a very short line, I realized the woman in front of me was having trouble. There was a discrepancy in price with an item. I felt a tingle of irritation go through me and quickly reminded myself that was wrong, so I took my attention elsewhere. As I looked away, my eyes caught the eyes of a lady that was joining our line, I smiled, and she did not. No worries, it was now my turn! I had placed everything on the conveyer belt in order of need.  As the cashier began to scan the items at a certain point I asked her for a subtotal, I was over by $11!!!! I told the cashier I did not have enough cash, that my wallet was in my husband’s car and I needed to take a few items off. I could feel the penetrating eyes on me from my fellow line people and I could see in their eyes the same kind of irritation I had for the previous purchaser. I began to search through the bags when the lady behind me, the one who had not smiled at me, spoke up to the cashier, “How much is she short?” I quickly looked at her and said oh it’s a lot, I’m so sorry; I’ll be done in a moment. The cashier however said without hesitation, “$11!”Then the lady behind me said “Merry Christmas” and gave the cashier $11! I began to say, “Oh no that is not necessary,” when the cashier stopped me and said, “She said Merry Christmas!”

I’m usually on the giving end, I was humbled but that cashier reminded me I had to allow this lady to do this after all it was her blessing as well as mine! As I walked away God reminded me of the many times He had used me and now He wanted me to receive. And for all of you who know me well…yes I cried!

I learned that Wednesday evening hands and hearts that are wide open to give have to be wide open to receive as well.

From my heart to yours,

Blessings,

DaNetta Fernandez

I like to play games on Facebook. I like to farm, I like to build a happy kingdom, and I especially like word games with friends. Every morning I receive notifications in my email about gifts my neighbors have sent me. People send me cows, christmas lights, and money that can be used in the game. All these gifts are fun to get, but sometimes there are so many that the server gets bogged down and I get kicked out of the game.

It makes me think about all the sales the stores have going on right now. Hundreds, sometimes thousands of people line up to get the best deals on gifts they would like to give or even receive for Christmas. Advertisements fill the mailbox, the television, the internet. It can be overwhelming and may cause you to overspend. It can breed feelings of inadequacy when you can’t get what you think your loved ones want.

Here’s a gift just for you. The greatest gift that was ever given is already ours. He is a present from heaven. God gave us His son.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

This is where we focus our hearts. Rejoicing in this amazing gift that we could not live without. That which completes each one of us. The gift of Jesus into this world of never enough.

It changes perspective from desperation to celebration. May your gifts be given with joy in your heart. May your families be reminded of the incomparable blessing of the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas,

Kathy

Don’t forget to simplify this Christmas!

This is a crazy season and like most people, I have a difficult time not getting caught up in it.

I’m trying to remind myself to slow down, relax and reflect on why we are celebrating in the first place.  It is all about Jesus, even though I can get caught up in Christmas cards, candy, cookies, lights, programs, buying gifts, Christmas parties, etc.

Here is something you can do right now…Slow down.  Inhale and exhale.

When the phone rings and you are very busy, inhale and exhale before you answer it.  (If you really have to answer it all that is)

Say “no” to some of those events you really don’t have to go to or that you are only going to so someone won’t be disappointed by you not attending.  (Unless, of coures, it is your child’s program. )

Buy your mashed potatoes at Cost-Co and don’t take time to peel.

Buy your pies for that matter.  Make cookies only if it makes you happy or if it is something you can do with your kids.

If it is a stress, skip sending out cards.

Use paper goods and throw them away on the 25^th so you don’t have to do as many dishes.  (I apologize to greenness.)

The simple answer is this….focus on Jesus, His birth, and loving those around you.  May the Kingdom break in for you this season as you experience the simplicity of the gospel.

Blessings,

Thora

As someone with a weak stomach for gory scenes and scary tales, I usually try to avoid graphic sci-fi and horror films. However, this fall there was no escaping from creepy, crawly, dark, hideous monsters that stalk in the shadows. 

My family and I recently moved into our new home. It had been a hard move and we were ready to settle in; but we soon realized that we were not alone. Our home was being invaded by Sewer Roaches!

Occasionally we began to see these dreadful bugs in one of the bathrooms. After several failed attempts to get rid of them, I became paranoid and envisioned them nesting throughout the house. I would check every seat, cover, and articles of clothing before using them. I felt trapped in my own home. I began to pray endlessly that God would forbid these creatures from entering my house, but he didn’t… and I know why.

In reality, these so called “MONSTERS” were just 2 inch long insects. Though most people would agree that they’re incredibly gross, we also know that they lack any real ability to cause us harm. With one step, or spray of the Raid, their lives would cease to exist. Yet, I was giving this tiny creature the power to rob me of my peace, joy, and sanity. 

As silly as my story may seem, many of us struggle with both rational and irrational fears. Whether we fear insects, heights, death, or something else, we allow our minds to conjure up thoughts and images that make our fears seem true.  Once we accept our fears as truth, this leaves us in a paralyzed state, feeling trapped and defeated by our enemy. 

2 Timothy 1:7 says…

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (NKJV)

As I called out to the Lord to deliver me from facing these pests, I was reminded of this verse. I soon realized that even though God had the power to rid my home of roaches, this would not cure my fear, but simply delay the confrontation. If I wanted the peace back in my home and mind, I was going to have to face these ugly creatures and take back the power I had given them! One afternoon, through the words and power of Jesus Christ, I was finally able to muster up the courage to kill one myself! Thanks be to God… though I still loathe these tiny foes, my peace came back and I have not seen a roach since! 

You might not have to face roaches in your home, but I’m certain there is some issue that God is calling you to face. As big or small as it may be, I am confident that God will give you the strength to defeat it.  As I have recently learned, sometimes it takes defeating the smallest of things, to give us the power to later face the giants.  

Donna

“Life is lived forward but understood backward.”  Soren Kierkegaard

 Christ rose after He was crucified.  Life in heaven happens after a sometimes debilitating disease here on earth.

Jesus is the Lord of Glory.

It is so difficult to understand why we go through some of the things we do here on earth:  sick loved ones, a life cut short, a tragic accident.  Yes, we do live our lives forward.  Sometimes, a few years down the road, we can understand some of the things that have been happening in our lives as we look backwards.  I think some of the things we encounter will not be understood until heaven.

This is where trust comes in.  Jesus never said we would be spared suffering.  Here is what He did say, “In the world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33)

Suffering and loss touch each of us in different ways.  But so also does the presence of Christ as we have faith in His presence and as we hope in His promises.

God is still trustworthy.  Think of Christians who have chosen to trust Him in the midst of tragedy(those in Rwanda, missionaries in China, etc.).  This same trust has sustained Christians for generations.

I cannot simply muster up trust.  However, I can pay attention to the faithfulness of Jesus.  He is always faithful!  I can experience insight into the reality of God!  I can ask Him to help me do that!

When living life, what I need to focus on is Jesus’ face.  I need to “live forward” looking at Him.

 Bless you!

Thora

It’s a marathon, not a sprint.  I tell myself this sometimes when I feel frustrated with life.  Life is hard.  The Christian life was not meant to be easy, either.

Sometimes I get frustrated that I am not more mature in my faith – I have to admit I get impatient with myself and my growth.  Things I want to change about myself don’t change as fast as I want them to!

Thankfully, our Heavenly Father knows us inside and out.  So, I turn to his Word, which is faithful and true, and there to help us in the midst of trials and frustration.  He inspired Paul to write these words in Romans 7:15, which help me when I am hard on myself. “I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do.”  That’s the New International Version.  The New Living Translation says it this way “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”

Even Paul struggled with the “already and not yet.”  He had Jesus living in him, but was still a human and would struggle with sin nature until he left this earth and went to be with Christ.

But the story does not end here.  We are not to wallow in despair.  Paul goes on to say in 7:24-25, “What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  We have a wonderful Savior who has indeed saved us from death, so we can rejoice!

One verse I find a lot of comfort in when I try to remember I will not be perfect in this life is Philippians 1:6, “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Even when I am frustrated because I don’t think I’m growing, God will not stop working on me.

I try to focus on that and ask Jesus to lead me every step of the way.

Melissa