Wednesday, January 1, 2014

For January 1st:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU THIS NEW YEAR AND LEAD YOU TO A CLOSER MORE PERSONAL UNDERSTANDING OF HIS LOVE FOR YOU!

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

For December 31st:


Today’s entry is the final entry for this 2013 Living a Life of Gratitude Daily Devotional from the Christ United Methodist Church Women’s Ministry. We end this journey with words that sum up what we have been sharing with one another over the past year and that will hopefully inspire us to continue seeking Him in gratitude. Thank you all.
CUMC Women’s Ministry

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:6-7
The following is quoted from the newsletter of Charles Stanley. His words really spoke to my heart.

            “When people don’t have gratitude in their hearts, they don’t practice it with their words, attitudes, or actions. Let’s consider what it takes to have a heart that overflows with thanksgiving.
First of all, gratitude springs from a relationship with Christ. When we consider all the spiritual riches God lavishes on us because of our relationship with His Son, our hearts can’t help but overflow with thankfulness.
            Second, a thankful attitude is sustained by a lifestyle of walking with Christ. He works internally, changing us from self-centered, ungrateful, and sinful people into saints who display the fruit of the Spirit.
            Third, consistent gratitude is a result of being firmly rooted and being built up in Christ. Since life is filled with trials and heart aches which could easily cause despair, anger, and bitterness, we need to dig deep into scripture to gain God’s perspective on our difficulties.
            Fourth, unfailing gratitude is based on established faith. The only way to be consistently grateful is to believe God and His Word. When we have firm confidence that our God is good, even when our circumstances aren’t, we’ll be thankful in every situation knowing that He’s working it out for good.
            Instead of being discouraged by our difficulties, focus on the Lord’s blessings which are spiritual in nature and stretch all the way into eternity. If you begin doing this today, before long you’ll gain a heavenly perspective and overflow with gratitude to God, even when the storms of life rage around you.”

Tamara Klemm

Monday, December 30, 2013

For December 30th:


“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

 In Mark Flynn’s sermon series “Traveling the Prayer Paths of Jesus” the accompanying book of the same title discussed in its final chapter the above referenced last words of Jesus from the cross. The author, John Indermark (2003), offers this prayer in reference to Jesus’ words, “Grant me the strength to complete what you give me to do, the peace to let go what is no longer mine to carry, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.” These words spoke to me as this year and this devotional project draw to a close.
A little over a year ago I was faced with the challenge of fulfilling a commitment as the Spiritual Coordinator on the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team at CUMC. I was not sure what that “looked like” exactly. I prayed about what God wanted that to “look like”. His answer…”Our women might find encouragement from each other. Organize a daily devotional, where the women of this church share how they live in gratitude towards their Creator.”  That is how this “Living a Life of Gratitude Daily Devotional” began.
            It was a struggle for me to be obedient in this task and I tried my best to ignore His call, but after I finally gave in and began the journey that this project has become, it has been pure blessing. From the beginning, the plan has been to publish an edition each month, as long as there have been enough entries. I can’t believe this is the December issue--#12. Our women have been so faithful to take the time to write from their hearts. I have looked forward with anticipation to see whom God would inspire to share each month.
            AND, God had a much broader plan and audience than just the women in our congregation. I have very basic technical knowledge and skills, but through the encouragement of more “techno” savvy women, this devotional has gone global. Through the innovation of the World Wide Web and Blogger, and since its initial post in January 2013, our devotional blog has reached 6,834 women as of printing date, in 10 countries, including: The United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, Malaysia, Germany, Latvia, Ukraine, Canada, and Indonesia. In addition to those numbers, 63 people have signed up to have the entries delivered directly to their emails each day. And these statistics do not include the average160 copies that have been printed on paper and distributed each month (around 1,920) at the information desks.
            I am so humbled by the faith shown through the stories shared in the past twelve months. I am so honored to be in the midst of such Godly women. I remain in awe of all of you. “It” is finished, this work that God gave us to do during this “Living a Life of Gratitude” themed year. Thank you for the opportunity to be editor of this endeavor. It has been a joy filled “gift”!

Jane Newman
  


Sunday, December 29, 2013

For December 29th:


“For everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Women’s Ministry Leadership Team announces the Women’s Ministry theme for 2014:  For Everything There Is a Season. Just as the calendar shows the seasons - spring, summer, autumn, and winter – there are seasons of our lives. In 2014 our Women’s Ministry events will reflect on these seasons.
Solomon tells us Ecclesiastes 3 that God has a plan for all of us, a time for everything. There is a season for every kind of activity under heaven.  During all of these seasons in our lives, God promises to make everything beautiful for its own time.
Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth, and resurrection. All living things awaken in spring to newness of life. Spring is the season of hope following a winter of discontent. As our human spirit awakens, it is the time to clean and empty the clutter of our lives so that we can live a life re-energized for God.   In the “spring” of our lives we look to God to renew our spirit and give us hope in the future he has planned for u.
Summer is the time when nature comes into its fullness. The blossoms of spring produce an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Summer is a time of playfulness and leisure. Our inner summer is also full of light and growth.  Being connected to God in the “summer” of our lives will help us to mature in our faith and to sow seeds of goodness in the world.
Autumn is the time of harvest. It is the season of gratitude for the abundance we see all around. Autumn is the season of letting go as the green colors of summer are replaced by warm and radiant hues. One by one the leaves let go allowing us to see other things more clearly. In the “autumn” of our lives we look inward to see what needs to fall away. We look to see what we need to gather into our spiritual storehouse.
Winter is a season of rest. Ponds become frozen; hibernating creatures snuggle in their homes; and branches are barren. Nature accepts the changes in the cycle of the seasons. It is the time for withdrawal and restoration of energy. We often encounter storms and hard times during our interior winters. We often lose heart and forget about the hope of spring, the fullness of summer, and the abundance of autumn. In the “winter” of our lives it is time for spiritual rest, a time to reflect on God and his faithfulness. It is God’s perfect order of creation that we rest periodically.
Every season’s entrance and exit is part of the cycle of life. The four seasons tell a story of transformation. And so it is in our lives. As one season flows into the next, we live in a perpetual state of change. Every season in our life cycle is an invitation to grow. The one constant in this cycle of change is God. He promises to be with us in all our seasons and “promises to make everything beautiful for its own time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
We look forward to seeing you at the many opportunities we will provide to celebrate life’s seasons during our 2014 For Everything There Is A Season!

CUMC Women’s Ministry



Saturday, December 28, 2013

For December 28th:


“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16

The Women’s Ministry would like to express our gratitude to all the women who have shared their stories the past year in this devotional. Many of us have answered God’s call to submit an entry and that obedience was outside of our comfort zone. Most of us experienced our first time writing a devotion, and then followed with a second or even third. Several of us shared testimonies that were difficult to talk about. All of us have been humbled by the honesty.
The irony is that you are the Women’s Ministry at Christ United Methodist Church. If you have participated in this “project” in any form, be it a devotion writer or contributor or reader, you are who we are and you are the reason God asked us to put this year of devotions into action.
So, thank you to those who have made reading these devotions a part of your prayer time daily. And thank you to all the women listed below who submitted an entry. All of us have glorified our mighty God through Living a Life of Gratitude this year.

Mary Austin                                                Vicki Boring                                    Danielle Brinkley
Michelle Brock                                    Barbara Carlton                        Jackie Caruso
Erin Cody                                                Jeani Cranford                        Cynthia Dale
Caroline D’Andrea                                    Lisa D’Andrea                                    Verna Rae Dawson
Judy Driggans                                                Emily Dykstra                                    Bette Edmonson
Mary Katherine Fortner                        Claire Frye                                    Becky Hall           
Mary Beth Hammett                                    Pat Hammond                        Sheila Haynes           
Jennie Hobbs                                                Katie Goss                                    Jan Griffin
Jessica Griffis                                                Glenda Gwaltney                        Shelley Irwin           
Jo Lake                                                Nikki Lockerby                        Lori Kelley
Tamara Klemm                                    Kylie Machacek                        Meg Maddox           
Kristen Maurice                                    Addie McCallie                        April McPherson Ginnie McPherson                                    Elisha Millan                                    Lisa Miller           
Jane Newman                                                Megan Parr                                    Stephanie Pearson Billie Phifer                                                DeAnn Rauth                                    Janie Riddell           
Jody Riggs                                                Melissa Shaheen                        Angela Shannon
Lesa Smith                                                Melinda Thedford                        Natalie Thedford Tracy Thompson                                    Bobbie Thompson                        Beth Tribble           
Cathy Turner                                                Angie Van Sickle                        Sandra Wagner Jeanette Walker                                    Bonnie White

CUMC Women’s Ministry   



Friday, December 27, 2013

For December 27th:


“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”
Proverbs 3: 5-6 AMP

Have you ever questioned God or even been a little angry with him? I have. 
In Feb 2000 our mom had a stroke that left her unable to swallow food. My oldest sister called me & said in a few minutes mother's doctor is going to call you and the decision for a feeding tube for her is yours. Then she hung up... The doctor called - I ask questions I knew to ask, I ask what should I do and he replied that decision is yours.  I was weak and decided I could not allow her to go without food, knowing she really wouldn't want to live in her condition. I was upset with my sister for making me make that decision alone without her or my other sister's help. Then two months later I had an idea why, a terrible car accident with both of my sisters. My  oldest sister died in the wreck and my other sister was terribly shaken as she had been driving. My older sister had always been our mom's caretaker, she had always made decisions, taken care of the financial decisions and now it was me. Why did God take our sister and leave our mom? Our mom unable to live a productive life, now not knowing who we were or even what day it was.. Why take a life that was so filled with giving and leave a life filled with nothing? So I questioned God for many years, now I realize He had a plan I just didn't know His  reason or plan.  I believe God has plans for our lives and there are times we have to accept and not question his wisdom.  Our mom went to join our dad and sister in heaven in Feb of 2002, during those two years God graced us with a few more smiles from our mom and a peace that after our sister's death we had cared & watched over her as our sister would have done. I am grateful for the time God gave us with our mom even during those difficult days.

Prayer- God, help me to accept the circumstances in life that I cannot understand the reason and not to question Your wisdom.  But to accept  Your plan and Your timeframe for our lives and to be grateful for the time we have with loved ones here on earth and to make each moment count. Amen.
Beth Tribble


Thursday, December 26, 2013

For December 26th:


“Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.” Deuteronomy 8:6
Wanna walk 60 miles with me?
I thought my sister had gone crazy. Why was she asking me to walk 60 miles? The phone call actually came this past May from my sister, Char, who is in her first year as a breast cancer survivor. She had heard about something called the Susan G. Komen         3-Day. It’s a three-day walk for people who are dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. You walk 20 miles a day for three days in a row. She really wanted to do it and wanted me to join her.
I was a little hesitant, but not because I don't love walking. I love to walk. My Twitter handle is @walkingjennie, after all. I was hesitant because I wasn’t sure we could do all that was required. You not only have to walk 60 miles, but you have to raise $2,300 to have the privilege of doing it. I agreed anyway, and we started training, fundraising and getting more people to join our team. We ended up with an amazing team called Charley’s Angels that included Charley (my awesome sister), Mary, Lisa, Loren, Jamie (my incredible 17-year-old daughter), and me.
The weekend after I walked 60 miles with my sister and her team, my blisters had almost healed, but my heart will never be the same. I watched my sister walk each and every step of the 60 miles. I watched my sweet Jamie walk 20 miles for the young woman’s walk when she didn’t think she could. At the end, she actually skipped across the finish line. I watched Char’s friends support her and walk for a cure. I watched more than 700 men and women walk to cure breast cancer. I saw women that weren’t in great physical shape walk 60 miles. They were motivated because they were walking for someone. Some were walking for their moms, some for their aunts, some for their best friends, some for their sisters (like me), and some for themselves. What I really saw was devotion – strong physical and emotional devotion to someone. It was incredible and very moving.
What kind of dedication and devotion do I have for my God? Do I strain and push myself to show my love and gratitude to Him? Is it evident that I am devoted to Him and doing His work? That is my goal going forward that God, me, and others can see I am 100 percent devoted to serving him even when it feels like I have to walk 60 miles and am not prepared. So I ask you the same question: Are you willing to walk 60 miles for our Heavenly Father?
Jennie Hobbs