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.

Excerpt from the book "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" by lysa Terkeurst

"Women who say yes to God will see life like few others. They are drawn in and embraced by a love like no other. They don't have to wait until the next time they're in church to experience God because they sense God's presence all around them, all through their day. Instead of merely walking through the motions of life, they pursue the adventure of the moment-by-moment divine lessons and appointments God has in store for them. They expect to see God, to hear from Him and to be absolutely filled by His peace and joy--and, therefore, they do and they are."


I want to see life like that. I want to be a women who says yes to God. How about you?

Think About It Thursday

Good Morning! Good Afternoon! Good Evening! Depending on when you are reading this. If you are a member of Cornerstone, you heard this on Sunday. If you are not, please let me give you a little bit of introduction. Pastor Rick is preaching through the book of James. Probably one of my favorites and it has so much in it. He was preaching on James 4:13-17. He was talking about boasting. How many times have I studied this book? How many times have I heard these particular scriptures shared? Have you ever had something happen where you are brought to familiar scripture and the Lord just flips the switch and you see it and read it and it jumps off the page at you? I call it an "Ah-Ha" Moment. So he posed this question. "What do you boast about? Well, that question has stuck with me the entire week. I keep going back to it. Thinking and pondering what I boast about and listening to myself and others talk.
So..........
What do you boast about?
As a wife and Mom, my first and immediate thought was.....
My children and my husband.
I thought about things like....
I have a roof over my head.
I have a job.
I have some education.
I have a family that loves me.
I have a few dollars in the bank.
I have medical insurance.

What about you? What do you boast about?
The house you live in.
The money you have.
The car you drive.
The education and degrees that you have hanging on the wall.

Then Rick said something that was my true "Ah-Ha" moment. ALL OF THOSE THINGS CAN BE TAKEN AWAY. OH my goodness!!!
The ONE THING that we should be bragging about....
The ONE WHOM we should be bragging about.....
JESUS!!!!!
God loves us!
God sent His Son to die for us!
We can have a relationship with Him!
He cares for us!
He wants so much for us!
He is alive and active!

Think on this today.
What do you brag/boast about?
When was the last time you bragged on the Lord?

Thinking,
Pam

Galatians 5:7
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?

Some things to ponder.
1. Are you running the good race?

2. In what area do you need to ask God to help you stay on track?

3. Are you letting some one or some thing "cut in on" you and keep you from obeying the truth?

4. Are you "cutting in on" some one and keeping them from obeying the truth?

Ladies, this race is hard and long but so worth it. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep running.

Have a great Thursday.

Have you ever found worry to be an effective tool for making you feel better or making your problems go away? NO, it only makes things worse. Worry can literally make you sick and rob you of health and happiness.
Next time you find yourself in a situation that would normally cause you to worry chose one of these four reasons NOT TO WORRY. Then reflect on the scripture reference to give you the supernatural power to be successful at “not worrying”!
1) Worrying Accomplishes Nothing - Reference Matt 6:27-29 - I don’t know about you but I don’t have time to waste these days. Worrying is a waste of precious time. Worrying won’t help you solve a problem or bring about a solution, so why waste your energy and time on it!
2) Worrying is Not Good for You! - Proverbs 12:25 - Worrying is destructive to us in many ways. It becomes a mental burden that can even cause us to grow physically sick.
3) Worrying is the Opposite of Trusting God! - Philippians 4:6-7 - The energy that we spend worrying can be put to much better use in prayer. Here’s a little formula for remember: Worry replaced by Prayer=Trust!
4) Worrying Puts Your Focus in the Wrong Direction-1 Peter 5:7 - When we keep our eyes focused on God, we remember his love for us and we realize we truly have nothing to worry about. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn’t care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on HIM. He will take care of our every need!

Think About It Thursday

As Valentines Day approaches, I received this in a packet and thought it would be appropriate to share.

Recipe For Love
Ingredients
2 Hearts Full of Love
2 Heaping Cups of Kindness
2 Armfuls of Gentleness
2 Cups of Friendship
2 Cups of Joy
2 Big Hearts Full of Forgiveness
1 Lifetime of Togetherness
2 Minds Full of Tenderness

Method
Stir daily with Happiness, Humor and Patience. Serve with Warmth and Compassion, Respect and Loyalty.

Think About It Thursday

Just something to ponder today. Nothing with a lot of words. Just something to think on today in this "Love Month" of February.......

Jesus loved you so much that He laid down His life for you.
How much do you love Him? Ponder on this...... How many verses do you know that talk about His love for you?

Just something to think about.....................Selah
Love,
Pam

I read this somewhere this week and it made me stop and reflect on my "experience of faith". The more I read the more this has become my prayer.

God's plan is for us to have an experience of faith that becomes the air we breathe and the very lifeblood of who we are.

May this be the prayer for all of us.

Have a great day!

Last week we were reminded who we are. This week a reminder of Whose you are.

Whose you are
El Roi- the God who sees
El Elyon-the God most high
El Shaddai- the all-sufficient one
Jehovah Jireh- the provider
Jehovah Rapha-the healer
Jehovah Shalom-my peace
Jehovah Raah-my shepherd
Jehovah Nissi-my banner

Take some time to Worship Him today.

Who are you?
You are a child of God
You have been created by him and for him.
He has equipped you for every good work.
Every gift has come from the Father.
He knows everything about you.
He says his work is good(that's you).
He loves you enough to lay down his own life for your freedom.
He declares you as valuable.
He is committed to providing all your needs.
He has a design-plan, intent and purpose- for your life.

Just in case you had forgotten. I hope you spend the day basking in who you are.
Happy Thursday.

If our love relationship with God is going to grow, we must be ruthlessly honest with Him and let Him be ruthlessly honest with us. We must above all give Him time-time in which we can expose the real core of our being. We must dare to be real and open and vulnerable with Him. Tim Hansel


I want to challenge you as me move into the first week of 2010 to dig deeper with God this year and give your relationship the time it needs to be authentic.

Happy Thursday

What is most meaningful to you at Christmas?

For me it is reading Christmas stories to my kids and seeing the wonder of Christmas through their eyes.

Leave a comment and share what is meaningful to you.

I was reading the Christmas story in my Bible and it has the title "Child of Hope" for Luke 2. I hope that in the hustle and bustle of the season you can remember that no matter what the last year has brought, the little baby in the manager is all the hope we need. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus sweetest name I know.
Have a great Thursday.

John Ashcroft wrote that in order to clean up New York City, " Rudolph Giuliani started by going after the little things. 'I am a firm believer in the theory that "minor" crimes and "quality of life" offenses are all part of the larger picture,' he explains. Among the first elements to go were the 'Squeegee Men', drug-addicted and shady-looking riffraff who personified New YOrk's rough edge. Armed with a soiled rag and a dirty bottle of watered-down Windex, these men would bully and badger motorists of money.

"Giuliani said, 'We're not going to put up with this anymore,' and he brought this intimidation to an end. He then declared war on graffiti, subway panhandlers, loitering, broken window, and petty vandalism-minor offenses that would have gone unnoticed in days past while the police force was overwhelmed with homicides and violent crime. But Giuliani had a hunch: If you send out a signal that you won't tolerate the minor offenses, people will get the idea that the major offenses will be treated even more seriously...It worked. Giuliani has been successful in reducing crime beyond all expectations."

What if we began the same policy concerning the "city" of our hearts? If we declare war on the "minor" sins, surely the major sins won't be able to lodge in our cities and defile the quality of our walk with God.

Think about it.

Psalm 127:1 says "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stands guard in vain"

If you are a child of God, you can know that whether you live in the heights or the valley, the mountains or the lowlands, the Lord in watching over you.

I hope that is a comfort to you today.

Love
Tara

Happy Thanksgiving
The Women's Leadership Team hopes you have a great Thanksgiving. We have shared what we are thankful for and encourage you to leave a comment about what you are thankful for.

Thanksgiving: we give glory to God for what He has done for us.

I'm thankful for HIM saving me, my husband, my daughters Dena and Zoe and my mother!!! That the Father has given each of us to Jesus and He will never let us go!!!

I'm thankful that Jesus wants to hear my voice and saves me each day from myself!!! He has given me a spirit of joy over a spirit of despair!!!

I'm thankful that my Jesus listened to my prayers today and then confirmed HIS Presence and concern for me by letting go of two shooting stars at 4:35 am this morning--for me to see!!! He knows how to show off!!! (Why was I up so early? Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) has a leader's meeting; and speaking of BSF, if you are not in a Bible Study, Monday eve 12/7 (6:45-8:45) is an intro for the Book of John at Westover Church. I'm very thankful for BSF! He has taught me so much in each study!!!

Joanne Schulze

Healthy family,
- How God provides all our needs,
- Assurance that God is in control, no matter what our circumstances.

Thanks,
Tammy


I am full of thanks today for:

1) My eternal redemption by Jesus Christ on Calvary
2) An amazing, Godly husband to share life with on earth
3) Two fantastic sons which God gave me the privilege of being their mother
4) Two Godly parents who raised me in a Christian home where they practiced what they preached
5) An opportunity to serve the Lord at Cornerstone, for such a time as this
Happy Thanksgiving,
Pam

Here are a few of the things I am thankful for
1. My salvation and my relationship with Christ.
2. My healthy, loving family. I see God working in it daily.
3. My church home.
4. A warm place to live, a place to run, good food to eat, and a country where I can freely worship.
Love
Cassy


I am thankful
1. That my husband has a job he loves that provides our needs.
2. That I get to stay home with my three children.
3. For a God that loves me and wants a relationship with me.

Happy Thanksgiving
Tara

Hard to limit this! I am thankful for....
1. Total, unlimited access to God at any time!
2. A family that loves the Lord and desires to have His will in each of our lives
3. Praising and worshipping God through song
Suzanne

Many things I have to be very Thankful for, however the things that come to mind that are very important and special blessings are:

That no matter where our children are in life, their age, or how far away from God they are, HE is still pursing and calling them back to Himself. We can pray confidently in that promise and find peace in it.

The unexplainable Blessings we experience when He calls us to serve someone in His name, bringing Him the Glory that is due Him. I pray for as many opportunities as He will give me this Thanksgiving and Christmas to reach out in His name and Bless someone: by helping provide for someone in need, loving or encouraging someone, praying for others, or sharing the Gospel. When you realize that he allowed you to participate with Him and feel the Blessing it is truly a WOW feeling only He can give.

The importance of sharing life with others: family, friends and the Body of Christ

Thankful for each of the Ladies He has called together to lead the Women's Ministry at Cornerstone, their hearts of love and caring for their sister's in Christ.

The poem about "what kind of impact can I only one person do to make a difference". We underestimate the Power of God at work in our lives and when you combine us together as His Body, He accomplishes Great and Mighty things that TRULY DO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN OUR WORLD.

Love and Blessings to you and your family

Naomi

I wanted to send you items I am thankful for, the list is long but I am picking a few to give you.
My husband
My children, & that they are all Christians.
My terrific Christian parents
God's blessings & His faithfulness.
Our church & friends

Love Sharon

The enemy Part 2

Do you feel like Satan is attacking you in every area of your life? I find that he tries to attack my time with the Lord the most. I am thankful God provides me with everything I need for the fight. I hope this encourages you today.


John Dorsey describes the mighty battle between the believer and his ultimate enemy, Satan.

I had a battle fierce today within my place of prayer;
I went to meet and talk with God, but I found Satan there.
He whispered, "You can't really pray, you lost out long ago;
You might say words while on your knees, but you can't pray, you know."
So then I pulled my helmet sown, way down upon my ears,
And found it helped to still his voice and helped allay my fears.
I checked my other armor o'er; my feet in peace where shod;
My loins with truth were girded 'round; my sword the Word of God.
My righteous breastplate still was on, my heart's love to protect.
My shield of faith was all intact-his fiery darts bounced back.
I called on God in Jesus' name; I pled the precious blood;
While Satan sneaked away in shame, I met and talked with God!

Serving with fervor,
Tara

A guilty conscience is a hidden enemy. -Indian Proverb

Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese soldier, lived in a cave on the island of Guam. Fearing for his life, he fled there in 1944, when the tides of war began to change. He stayed hidden for twenty-eight years, only venturing out at night. During this self-imposed exile, he lived on frogs, rats, nuts and mangoes. Even when he realized that the war had ended, he was afraid to come out for fear of execution. Shoichi was found by two hunters, who escorted him to liberty. He had stayed hidden because he was afraid to face his sins. If he had come out sooner, he would have experienced forgiveness and freedom.(Story from Infosearch, version 4.11d, 1996 adapted)


Doctors believe that people get sick physically and emotionally because they are not facing their sins. Studies have shown patients with head noise, blurred vision, dizziness, neuritis and persistent indigestion only received relief when the patient broke down and confessed their hidden sins.

Although nothing we do can be hidden from God, sometimes all of us would like to hide from the consequences of our actions. But hiding never brings healing. John wrote, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin"(1 John 1:7)
Today maybe God is calling you to confess a "hidden sin". Maybe he is saying "Come out, come out wherever you are!" (Live Fearlessly Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose)

Think about it!

Serving with fervor,
Tara

As the holidays are quickly approaching life gets busy and stressful lets remember this:

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
Epictetus, Geek Philosopher(55-135)

The Bible puts it this way:
Everyone should be quick to listen and slow to speak... James 1:19

I hope you have a great Thursday.

Chore or Necessity?

Dear Lord, so far today I am doing pretty well. I haven't screamed at anyone or thrown anything in a burst of anger. I have not grumbled or gossiped or whined. I haven't been greedy or self-centered. I have not yet charged anything to the credit card, and I haven't pigged out on the chocolate cake in the refrigerator. However, in a few minutes I will be getting out of bed, and I am going to need your help to make it through the rest of the day. Amen

We may laugh at this prayer but this woman recognized her need for God's help to make it through the day. She obviously considered prayer a necessity. What is prayer to you? Is it a burden that you must get done each day so you can check it off your "to do" list, or is it a blessed necessity in you life?

Think about it!
Excert from the book The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd