Focused Friday

Good FRIDAY!!!!! To YOU!!!!!!!!

We have made it through another week. Maybe your week was long. Maybe it went way to fast. Maybe you have struggled this week. Maybe you have had a prolonged mountain top weekend. I am still not sure where I have landed yet. Last weekend, many women in Greensboro attended the Beth Moore Simulcast. It was truly an event! I did post the "Commissioning" and the acrostic on my computer at work. A constant reminder in front of me. I also purchased the Travis Cotrell CD and I think it has played a 100 times in my office on the computer.

Now, to get to the point of this Focused Friday. I have talked to a couple of other women that attended and I keep hearing the same thing.

CHOICE.

CHOOSE.

SECURE.

I have come to realize that we have a choice.

We have a choice about our attitude.

We have a choice in our response.

We have a choice in our actions.

We have a choice to be secure.

WE SHOULD BE SECURE......WE ARE HIS!!!!!!!

Confidence does not equal arrogance.

We can be confident in HIM!

We can be confident in the CROSS!

We can have confidence in FORGIVENESS!

We can be confident in the RESURRECTION!

We can be confident in ETERNAL LIFE!

In that, we should be women who are confident, secure and beloved. We all have some type of "issue" with insecurity. I pray that you know Him. Oh, dear sister, if you do not, PLEASE, I beg of you, e-mail us, leave a comment and let us show you what security in Christ can do for you!!!!

If you are already a Beloved Child of the King, I would ask that you focus on Him today. Praise Him for your security. Make the CHOICE today to be that Secure Woman In Christ.

Secure,

Pam K.

Think About It Thursday

Ephesians 4:17-24 and 32

17-So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Worshipful Wednesday

Close your eyes and worship. You are His Beloved. Be Secure in it!!!!

Tuesday's Testimony

Well, if you were at the Simulcast this weekend, you probably took part in this "Commissioning". It was so powerful and so filled. If you were not there, you can get a glimpse into what all we learned.
I was a part of this and Beth and her daughters posted it on their Blog over at Living Proof Ministries Blog. If you want to read more, you can click on the link to the right.
These are the statements that we echoed while holding hands with another sister in Christ on Saturday.

My Dear Sister
If Christ is Your Savior
You are the dwelling place
Of His own Spirit
You have it IN YOU
to be secure.
Every day of your life
You have a choice to make
You can live in your old defeat
Or you can turn from your unbelief
And choose life
Make up your mind
To put off the old you
And put on the new you.
Never, ever, ever forget
That the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot
From being caught in a trap.
He will take care of you
To your very last breath.
Now, leave this place
And go out into the world
And act like a person
Who knows she’s dearly loved.
You were born to be exceptional.
So, Girlfriend, go forth
And walk worthy of your calling.
You are clothed in strength and dignity!
Now unto Him
Who can keep you from falling
Be glory and majesty
Power and authority
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Now and forever more
Amen.
So Long, Insecurity!

There was also an accrostic that went with the word SECURE. If you missed any of the letters...here you go....

A secure woman is

S-Saved from herself

E-Entitled to truth

C-Clothed with intention

U-Upended by grace

R- Rebounded by love

E-Exceptional in life.

I plan on printing this and taping it to my computer at work and on the mirror in the bathroom.

Pam

Tuesday, April 27th 7:30 Walk/Run group at Oak Ridge Park

Thursday, April 29nd 9:15 1st place for health Bible study led by Michelle Pizarro and Debbie Hahn

Friday, April 30rd 11:00 Moms connecting with Moms- Bring a lunch at Bur-Mill Park

Friday, April 30rd 12:00 Women's Prayer Group

Saturday, May 1st 7:00 Walk/Run group meet at the church

Saturday, April 1st 7:30 Walk/Run group meet at Bur Mill Park lower parking lot


A look ahead:
Next Thursday, May 6th is the monthly Ladies Night Out meeting in the fellowship hall.
Please mark your calendars and plan on a night of fun and laughter.



Happy Monday
Tara

Silent Sunday

THIS IS NOT SILENT SUNDAY!!!!!!
If you were at a Beth Moore Simulcast yesterday, there is NO WAY YOU CAN BE SILENT!!!!!!!!

I believe that the Lord poured out His blessing and presence in that place.
I believe He is starting a mighty work in the lives of women.
I believe He is up to something with Secure Women.

I could type for the next 3 days about what He said to me yesterday BUT I won't do that. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!!!!

Let's here it!!!!! What happened in your life yesterday? Are you different this morning?

Secure,
Pam

Searching For The Savior Saturday

Good Morning!!!!!
This is the day.
This is the day, that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice.
I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Today is the Beth Moore Simulcast at Cornerstone. Yes, I realize that probably most that will be there are all ready in a relationship with Christ. Yet, I also know that there will be some that are not. Maybe they have a false sense of a relationship. Maybe they are just going through the motions.
PRAY!!!!!!! for this event today. It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of praying. But it only one comes to Him in total faith, then it is all worth it!!!!!!!!
Update you tomorrow!!!!!! Stay tuned.
Oh, and if you are there today------comments and feedback tomorrow please!!!!!

Pam

Focused Friday

Less than 24 hours, we at Cornerstone and those around the US will be taking part in the Beth Moore simulcast. Praying and excited about tomorrows events is where my mind has been. All of the details, the weather, the food, the technical, and all of those other details that so many have worked so hard for.
Today, for those of you that maybe attending tomorrow at Cornerstone or at another church I have a couple of questions for you. Trust me, these are questions that I have thought about as well.

1. Why are you going?
2. What do you hope to get out of it?
3. Are you going with a sense of expectancy?

I would love to hear about what you are thinking about. PLEASE share!!!!!!!

Focused,
Pam

Some questions to think about today?

1. Why am I here on planet earth?

2.Why do I do what I do?

3. How do I measure success in my life?

4. Does God really expect us to live balanced lives?

5. How am I going to use the things I am learning to change?

Let me know what you think.
Happy Thursday Tara

Psalm 90:14

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Have you been satisfied this morning?

Tara

This week

Tuesday, April 20th 7:30 Walk/Run group at Oak Ridge Park

Thursday, April 22nd 9:15 1st place for health Bible study led by Michelle Pizarro and Debbie Hahn

Friday, April 23rd 11:00 Moms connecting with Moms- Bring a lunch at Bur-Mill Park

Friday, April 23rd 12:00 Women's Prayer Group

Saturday, April 24th 7:00 Walk/Run group meet at the church

Saturday, April 24th 7:30 Walk/Run group meet at Bur Mill Park lower parking lot

Saturday, April 24th 9:30-3:30 Beth Moore Simulcast

Happy Monday
Tara

Today I want to pray for the missionaries that we met yesterday. I want to pray for their ministries, pray that they get rested and the medical attention they need while they are here. Pray for funds to come quickly so they can return to their countries. Pray for the ones in transition as they are preparing to enter new territory. Pray that God would soften the hearts of the people group they are serving. Pray that God would use this time to grow their relationship with Him. Pray that they would have good fellowship with other missionaries.
Thank You,
Tara

searching for the Savior Saturday

Today I want to focus on the countries of the missionaries that we met today. I don't remember all their names but God knows all the details. Here are the countries.
Columbia
Ecuador
China
Tanzania
Israel
Undisclosed location

Focused Friday!!!

I got this in an E-mail and wanted to share it with you today!

Thought for the Week: "Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he." Proverbs 16:20b

An unhappy life causes negative emotions. This can invade your professional and personal relationships and destroy your self esteem. I have dealt with this in counseling individuals many times in various degrees. Sometimes people are unhappy in a job situation, their marriage or in life in general. We must learn to dig up the roots of the cause, just like you have to dig up the roots of weeds in your flowers or your garden to ever get rid of them.
What are we to do ? Focus on what makes you happy by doing some simple exercises.
Week One: Keep a daily diary. Identify daily activities, interactions, and occurrences that make you happy. Keeping a diary will help identify situations and people who make you happy.
Week Two: Fake it till you make it. Learn to smile even if you are feeling blue, grumpy or burdened.Studies show when you smile, you send a signal to your brain that says- "I am Happy". If you are smiling, you'll seem more approachable by others, people are more likely to smile back.
Week three: Create a diversion. When you are drowning in a sea of negative thoughts(like- I'm over weight, I'm unlikeable, Why am I here?) You need a strategy to stop. All you need are one or two escape mechanisms. If you are alone, put on your favorite music or go for a long walk. In a social setting try to concentrate on what others are saying rather than what 's going on in your mind.
Week Four: Random acts of kindness. Do one act of kindness each day. Put some change in some strangers parking meter. Send someone a thank you note. Pay someone a compliment. Give yourself a burst of positive emotion. When we practice small acts of kindness, we will perceive ourselves and others more positive. You will learn to appreciate your good fortune.
These two changes will help too. Take a sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D increases serotonin which is your mood neurotransmitter. It boosts your immunity, promotes health, helps protect you from cancer. 15 minutes in the sun a few times a week will accomplish this. Sunscreen prevents getting adequate vitamin D, try skipping sunscreen for just 15 minutes a couple of times a week. Vitamin D is also in milk, egg yokes, or supplements(1000 units a day). Then,Cut out caffeine. I can hear the yells already, "W-h-a-t-, me cut out my caffeine!!!!
Coffee increases anxiety levels, especially if you get more than 300 mgs. a day. Anxiety causes irritability.
You may want to try green tea, it has 1/4 the amount of caffeine found in coffee. Caffeine causes headaches,especially if you get over 300 mgs. a day. Caffeine causes fatigue, caffeine is addictive, so you may be physically dependent. Cut back gradually until you are off it completely. These helps along with walking with the Lord in fellowship with him will make a difference in you.
Pam

When your hut's on fire

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?' Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:
It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

I hope this will encourage you today if you feel like your "huts on fire".
Happy Thursday
Tara

Worshipful Wednesday

The verse this week...
Psalm 33:20-22
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

I pray that whatever you are facing today that you find your hope in Him and His unfailing love.

Tuesday, April 13th 7:00 Walk/Run group at Oak Ridge Park

Thursday, April 15th 9:15 1st place for health Bible Study led by Debbie Hahn and Michelle Pizarro

Friday, April 16th 12:00 Women's Prayer Group

Saturday, April 17th 7:00 Walk/Run group meet at the church

Saturday, April 17th 7:30 Walk/Run group meet at Bur Mill Park lower parking lot

Silent Sunday

Searching For The Savior Saturday

Welcome,
Nothing profound today but I have been thinking about something that I wold love to hear your feed back on.
Here is the question.
When you hear of devastation, a friend of a friend has passed away, someone has been diagnosed with an illness, what is your first thought?

Mine is typically, that my heart just hurts for them, for their family and of course usually wish that I could do something. I think that is perfectly normal. Yet at the same time, the past few weeks I have noticed that my first thought is "I wonder if they knew Christ?" "I wonder where they are today?" Shouldn't this be our first response? Shouldn't we be praying that people who don't know Him Will Know Him? I would love to hear your input.....please leave it in the comments!!!!!!

Praying,
Pam

Focused Friday

It's finally Friday!!!!! Praise the Lord! For me, it has been one of "those weeks". Lots of stress-ers in the midst of work and being just plain busy. At the same time this week, I chose to make conscience effort to focus on the positive and the good things. Trust me, I have discovered this week it is truly a choice.
Let's look at some examples......
Daycare is closed for Easter Monday
a)Get totally stressed because I need to work.
b)Pray about it and ask a friend who says "Of course, no problem"
New Electronic Medical Records System at work.
a)Become totally negative and want a pen and paper for life
b)Get excited about how much easier life is going to be once we figure it out and make it fun
Get home late and still need to do dinner, bath, bedtime, clean up a little
a)Get an attitude and bark orders and complain the entire time(Of course, I know that we don't ever do that right???)
b)Take one thing at a time and not get stressed and treasure every part of your evening.

Do you get the idea? I can honestly say that this has been a VERY busy week in our house and at work. I chose, with God's help, to stay focused on Him. What about your week? What and how did you chose to face your stess-ers?
Just something to think about and look at what you are focused on.....

Pam

What's your heart's attitude?

1 John 2:15-16
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world.

The Life Application Bible offers this insight:

Some people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior-the people we associate with, the places we go, the activities we enjoy. Worldliness is also internal because it begins in the heart and is characterized by three attitudes.

1) the cravings of the sinful man-preoccupation with gratifying physical desires;
2) the lust of his eyes-craving and accumulating things, bowing down to the god of materialism;
3) boasting of what he has and does-obsession of one's status or importance...

By contrast, God values self-control, a spirit of generosity, and a commitment to humble service. It is possible to give the impression of avoiding worldly pleasures while still harboring worldly attitudes in your heart.

Do you ever lull yourself into complacency because you DO all the right things? Have you checked your heart's attitude lately?

Just something to think about today.

Happy Thursday!
Tara

Testimony Tuesday is going to be different for a few weeks. A few months ago I felt God was asking me to start recording some scripture in a journal. So, I did. What I have found is that God has given me some scripture that I can not ignore. It is challenging me and changing my heart. So, each week I am going to share with you a piece of scripture. I hope that you spend the day meditating on it and I pray that it will change you.


Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave of himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Meet you there Monday

This week

Tuesday, April 6th 7:00 Walk/Run group at Oak Ridge Park

Thursday, April 8th 7:00 Ladies Nite Out Bring a appetizer or dessert and meet in the fellowship hall.

Friday, April 9th 12:00 Women's Prayer Group

Saturday, April 10th 7:00 Walk/Run group meet at the church

Saturday, April 10th 7:30 Walk/Run group meet at Bur Mill Park lower parking lot

Do you ever feel like you God is asking you to do something way beyond anything you can ever imagine doing? Pastor Rick Warren says you are in good company

"Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Johna was reluctant , Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zachaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. That's quite a group of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you too."(excerpt from the Purpose Driven Life)

When you hear that voice calling you to do something out of your comfort zone, I encourage you not look at your own inabilities and don't focus on your insecurities, but instead look at an Almighty God who is able. Get excited, wait and watch as He does a work in and through you.