Check out these words from Whitney...
Monday, March 5, 2012
Monday, November 28, 2011
TRUST ME…
{Proverbs 3:5-6}
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Trusting the Lord is sometimes, well more often than not, deliberately choosing to rejoice in situations that we do not understand. Situations of life that we find ourselves scratching our heads, bowing our hearts, and bending to our knees over, produce in us a powerful faith that overcomes the darkness.
I have recently experienced one such situation in my life. It was a situation that would have brought great amounts of joy, life and purpose, and at the same time would have been a long time commitment to responsibility that I felt I was ready to embrace. In the moments that I first realized that this situation was not going to play out, I experienced something that I had only in my life heard about before. Dear sisters, I was sad…yes sad…but I was not destroyed by the fact that it wasn’t going to happen. I was not destroyed, because in the past several months, God has been building in me a very deep trust in Him. In my past, I would have trusted…sure I would have…but I would have done so kicking and screaming and wanting to know why I couldn’t have my own way. You know what I’m talking about. Girlfriend, don’t be acting as if you haven’t had that moment…that’s right…one of those moments where we all but throw ourselves on the proverbial floor, and all but demand to know why we have been wronged…with all those thoughts of how unfair it is. Those moments when we are grateful that no one was around to see it! I bet you can think of one of those moments right now…I know you can testify, because we have ALL had those moments. But because of what He has done in me, I can now simply say “ok Lord…I don’t understand, but okay.”
AND GOD GETS THAT…He understands.
He knows we hurt. He built that into us so that we could recognize our need for Him. He sees each one of us, His precious little princesses and queens, and He desires to give us all good things. At the exact same time He knows we hurt, but He longs for us to trust in Him and to know…that’s right I said KNOW… that He works all things for our good in the end. Often times when we are removed from the moment, that could have caused us to despair, God can then show us why things happened the way they did. Sometimes it is to protect us, sometimes to teach us, sometimes to draw us closer to Him, and precious friend, sometimes He does it so that when He gives us that desire of our heart, it is an EVEN SWEETER reward for our obedience to simply trust Him.
It is HIS DESIRE that we trust with each thing we encounter, and praise Him that He is guiding our paths and working things out for our good. Yes praise Him. Let songs of joy resound from your heart and mouths even as the tears spill from your eyes…because He sees those and treasures them!!! Rejoice in the truth that HE loves you and is always in control despite what the circumstances may seem.
Check out:
Romans 8:26-28
1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Hebrews 10:23
I remember a song from a long time ago. Its words are true and resound as the Holy Spirit rings them through my heart today. I hope they resound within you as well:
God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don’t understand,
When you don’t see His plan,
When you can’t trace His hand,
Trust His heart.
{From Melicia Sharp}
Monday, October 31, 2011
Purchases for a Purpose
Mark your calendars! Don't miss our Christmas event on December 10! For more information contact Melissa Tennyson, Hollie Fuller, or Whitney McConathy.
We will be needing a lot of help with booths, lunch, and baked goods.
If you know someone with an at-home-business that likes to sell "craft show style," let us know and have them fill out the below "Vendor Booth Form" below (click and print.)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
A Little Thing Called… Bible Study!
For the last six Monday nights we have gotten together for some great Bible Study. No matter how tired we are after work, or how much we just want to stay home with our families… we are here and committed to studying the book of Esther. With each other and Beth Moore, I think we would all say that we leave refreshed and blessed every Monday night.
Melissa was modeling the workbook for us in this picture.
And Robin was waving hello asking me to take more picture of her. *wink, wink 
Live action shot of half of the group digging in to the weeks lesson. 
Janet didn’t know I was taking her picture… but Charlotte did.
Our fearless leader.
Like Hollie said this week… It seems like every week Beth Moore is talking straight to me and saying something that I need to hear.
What has stood out to you in the last six weeks?
(If you have done day one of week six this will help you with the personal question on page 134)
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I have learned a lot in these weeks, and enjoyed every minute. It has been challenging, but great at the same time. I have come face to face with my insecurities…. and at the same time feel God’s comforting peace. A couple of my favorite things have been in the last two weeks.
Many of you know that I have lost two dear friends very suddenly. Back in June of 2008 when Courtney died, I can pin point the night that I let fear take over. Since then the enemy has been using this against me. I have been fearful of everything…. Sure there were times when I let my faith lead me through the valleys, but really… I was a scared little girl inside. In session four, Beth Moore said some things that really opened my eyes to this bondage. She encouraged us to be brave and courageous, saying we are only one decision away from the most important step. We don’t deny our fears, we just deny it’s power over us. She continued the idea of having freedom from fear, teaching us about conditional faith…. It’s not enough to believe that what we fear the most will never happen.
I needed to hear this lesson in the worst way. I have been praying constantly that God would increase my faith and decrease my fears. I want to make decisions out of wisdom, not fear. God offers us His very presence… so I can be convinced that I am brave and courageous. Courage is not the absence of fear… It’s knowing that there is something so much better! Take that! Take courage! Do not give in to vain imagination.
The second thing that I just loved and have been thinking about every minute since she said it on Monday is concept of waiting on the Lord. I have heard this sooo many times… It was even read at my wedding… but it never clicked like this before. Session five was about the importance of knowing when it’s time. We all get impatient and things in our society just keep pushing immediate gratification, BUT if we cannot wait on the Lord, we will not fulfill our destinies.
Too many time we are waiting on the thing. Right now I am personally waiting on several huge things in my life. Our strength will just continue to expire if we continue to wait to the thing…. We wait on the Lord. The longer we wait on the Lord, the more our strength is renewed. Exalt God to the position to fight for you, humble yourself, and live a life full of passion and patience.
~Whitney~
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That is far too much from me... I want to know about you. Please take time to comment and tell us what God is showing you.
Also, if God is showing you too much to fit in a comment, please feel free to email me a new post.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Living Proof
We had a great time at the Beth Moore Living Proof Live Simulcast. It was a day full of teaching and learning…. along with some great fellowship, milkshakes, and memories.
The Ladies of Love Women’s Ministry is in full swing and God is blessing! If you aren’t a part, you should be!
A couple good lookin Bales…. Jennifer & Robin
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Marilyn’s sister (we are always happy to welcome guests!) Marilyn, Phyllis, and Jo
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A great lunch at Steak-n-Shake
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Mugs & Muffins 2011
(Picture Heavy)
Thank you to everyone who came to our great kick-off event. It was a huge success and we are excited for the things to come! Enjoy some pictures!
Hollie getting things started! Margaret making some coffee punch. Yum!
Two of our fearless coordinators, Melissa and Hollie.
Door Prizes! Centerpieces!
Chocolate Fountain! Excited Whitney!
Handing out some door prizes.
A little Mug Swap.
Three beautiful Bales!
One good looking plate of food! Guest Speaker, Glenette Russell
How we all felt after cleaning up!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Women’s Ministry
Don’t forget what Glenette talked about at Mugs & Muffins….
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23
Five Steps to Ministry
1. Commitment: He will not be glorified if it is a you thing.
2. Look: See where God is working and join him. {Ruth 2:2}
3. Communicate: Don’t keep it to yourself.
4. Ask: Always be sure you are asking the leadership of the church.
5. Believe: Know that God can use you to make a difference in the lives of others.
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