Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day


It is
the VETERAN,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is
the VETERAN
who salutes the Flag.
It is
the VETERAN
who serves under the Flag.

God Bless them all!!!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Resting in the Palm

On our first night at "Barb's Folly" we rocked on the porch and watched fireflies dance on the moonlit canal. As if to light a lone actor on a stage, a moonbeam fell across the palm tree and revealed a gentle stirring in its plume. When I moved closer, I discovered that a turtledove had built her nest at the top of the thatched tree trunk where the palm branches sprouted upward. Because we were on the second story, we were at eye level with Mrs. Turtledove. As I moved closer to her, she didn't budge but sat steadfast in her perch.

Early the next morning, before the rest of the house guests stirred, I went on the porch to spend some time with the Lord. Mrs. Turtledove was there to greet me. I watched her. She watched me. Our eyes locked. We both blinked. A few moments later, Mr. turtledove flew in and perched on a nearby railing. The couple exchanged coos, and then he flew over to his beloved. When she stood up to welcome him, I noticed two tiny eggs peeking out from under the stubble. It seems this was Mother's morning out and Daddy Bird was here to watch over the soon-to-be little ones. Mama Bird flew away and Daddy took over the incubation and protection of their eggs. After a brief time, Mama Bird returned and Daddy Bird went off to work for the rest of the day.

During our entire vacation, Mama Bird did one thing and one thing only; she rested in the palm, warming and protecting her two tiny charges. On the afternoon when a violent storm blew through with loud claps of thunder, crackling flashes of lightning, and pelting sheets of rain, she sat undaunted by the storm and unmoved as the trees bent in the wind. When the children ran up and down the stairs inches from her nest and leaned over the railing to get a better look, she appeared unalarmed by the stir of activity. While other birds, such as cranes, pelicans, and seagulls, performed great feats, swooped gracefully in the water, and strutted about parading their showy display, her feathers were not ruffled, and she continued undeterred in her calling.

On the last morning of our vacation, I was enjoying a final cup of coffee on the back porch and once again relishing in quiet time with God and His creation. Of course, Mrs. Turtledove was there to join me.

"God", I asked, "I know You put this bird here for a reason. What do you want me to learn from watching her this week? I don't want to miss it."

Then God spoke to my heart. It was contentment. I was watching a picture of contentment in fulfilling God's call. She was doing what God had made her to do for this season of her life, and she was intent and content in doing it. Regardless of the storms, regardless of what seemingly showy birds were doing, regardless of the endless stream of activity passing by her nest, regardless of the stares of others, she was unmoved from her task at hand. "Is that it, Lord? Is that what you want me to see ?"

Just as I prayed those words, Mr. Turtledove flew in for his daily visit. When his lady stood up to greet him, I noticed a piece of eggshell attached to her leg. She flew away with much excitement, and then I noticed a change in her nest. There lay two downy hatching's. The eggs had hatched, and it was as if God were saying to me, "Yes Sharon. That's it. This has been My gift to you this week. Through My creation, you have seen a contented mother and the results of her commitment. You do what I've called you to do. Rest in the palm-----of My hand. Don't get distracted by the world around you: the storms of life, the endless stream of activity, other seemingly more glamorous 'birds'. Be relentless in your call. In due time, I will cause your 'eggs to hatch' and all too soon they will leave the nest"

About that time my 6'1" teenage son sleepily stumbled out onto the porch. I'm not sure if he saw the tears in my eyes as I looked at his ruffled hair, sleepy eyes, and face that needed a shave. "Hey buddy," I said. "Look the eggs hatched today."

An excerpt from Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God, by Sharon Jaynes

We enter into many seasons in our lives, when our children are small and need our constant care and attention, when they go off to school and start developing a little more Independence but still return to the nest for our love and care, and finally when they grow into adulthood and leave the nest to start their own lives. During those different seasons God has a call on each of our lives, things He wants us to do. Even though those things change with each new season, God calls for us to be relentless and steadfast in our calling, trusting and resting in Him.

There is a lady in our group who is entering into a new season in her life and is leaving us. Heather Ellifritz, her husband Mike and baby Briella have been called to minister at another church and though we will miss them we want to wish them well and send them off with our love and prayers. Come join us Sunday night May 30 at 6:30 pm to say goodbye. May you rest in the palm of God's hand through each new season of your life and may God richly bless you.

Finally ladies as we break for the summer let's remember to remain steadfast in our calling and rest in God's presence no matter what season we are in or may be entering into. The season's may change, but one thing never changes, God's great love for us.


Kim Ratcliffe

Discounts Available

Looking for a discount at your favorite place? Check out the website "Your 4 State Deals" to find great discounts. Available today is half-price tickets for Catoctin Zoo in Thurmont, MD and Monkey Joe's in Hagerstown, MD. Availability is limited so check it out today!

http://whag.your4statedeals.com/index.php?index_type=promo-detail&pid=106542
Click on Current Offers to see what's available and purchase online.

Thank you to Janine DiGiovanni for bringing this information to us.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Join us!

God is...
Someone who understands your past
believes in your future
and loves you just the way you are.
Author Unknown

Sunday, May 30 Going-Away Party for Heather Ellifritz and her husband, Mike at Bethel Assembly of God in the gym at 6:30 PM. Bring a side dish and dessert to share. Meat and drinks will be provided. Please come and show your love to Heather and her family! The whole family is invited so please join us!

*If you have not contributed to Our Encouragement Jar for Heather, please write down a word or two of encouragement for her and give it to Lisa Fraley or bring it Sunday evening. The Jar will be presented to her at the Going-Away Party!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Answered Prayers

"Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder...Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, "Praise be to the Lord,...who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness." Genesis 24:15,26-27

Every godly prayer is answered before the prayer itself is finished-----"Before he had finished praying..."This is because Christ has pledged in His Word, "My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name" John 16:23. When you ask in faith and in Christ's name-----that is, in oneness with Him and His will------"it will be given you" John 15:7.

Since God's Word cannot fail, whenever we meet these simple conditions, the answer to our prayer has already been granted and is complete in heaven as we pray, even though it may not be revealed on earth until much later. Therefore it is wise to close every prayer with praise to God for the answer He has already given. "Praise be to the Lord,...who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness." (see Dan. 9:20-27; 10:12) from Messages for the Morning Watch

When we believe God for a blessing, we must have an attitude of faith and begin to act and pray as if the blessing were already ours. We should respond to God as if He has granted our request. This attitude of trust means leaning upon Him for what we have claimed and simply taking it for granted that He has given us our request and will continue to give it. When people get married, they immediately have a new perspective and begin to act accordingly. This is how it should be when we take Christ as our Savior, our Sanctifier, our Healer, or our Deliverer. He expects us to have a new perspective, in which we recognize Him in the capacity and the role we have trusted Him for, and in which we allow Him to be everything to us we have claimed by faith.

"The thing I ask when God leads me to pray,
Begins in that same act to come my way."

Devotional from Streams in the Desert

Love in Christ,
Kim Ratcliffe

Friday, May 21, 2010

Monkey Joe's

Just for fun try out this inflatable fun center with your children called Monkey Joe's in Hagerstown, MD!! There is wall-to-wall bouncing fun featuring inflatable slides, jumps, and obstacle courses for children 4-12 years of age and a seperate toddler area for children under 3.

When checking out this fun place online at www.monkeyjoes.com, be sure to click on Monkey Mail to receive great offers and discounts! Do this now because Mom's Connection is planning to go this summer on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. When attending with us in June, your child will receive an unlimited amount of playtime, one slice of pizza, and drink for $6.50 per child.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

A Rainy Day

I was sitting on my covered deck earlier in the week watching it rain. It was cool but comfortable outside and I was enjoying a time of prayer. I looked over at our gravel driveway and could see weeds poking up in front of the garage and happened to notice how very green they were. I felt that God wanted me to learn something from this so I asked Him to show me what it was.

First of all, I feel that I am someone who needs the sun. When it is rainy, especially for more than a day, I am down physically as well as in spirit. I find myself wishing it were sunny all the time. God reminded me, however, that it is the combination of the rain and the sun that make those weeds in front of my garage as well as the grass and the plants green and fertile. If it were sunny all the time the grass would become dry and brown, as opposed to the green soft carpet it was meant to be. It is the same in our daily lives. The stormy times in our lives combined with the sunny times keep us green and fertile as well.

My devotional from the other day said, "Much of the world's beauty is due to clouds. The unchanging blue of a beautiful, sunlit sky still does not compare to the glory of changing clouds. And the earth would become a wilderness if not for their ministry to us. Human life has its clouds as well. They provide us with shade, refresh us, yet sometimes cover us with the darkness of night." I may not like the rain but it serves a purpose in my life to keep me green and growing. God's word says in Isaiah 45:8 "You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the Lord have created it." The Lord created the rain and everything God has created is for a good purpose even when it does not make sense to us or does not seem pleasant. So let's praise God for the rain as well as the sun and the great purpose they serve in our lives.

Love in Christ,
Kim Ratcliffe

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Upcoming Events

"We don't have ordinary lives. Not any of us. Most are extraordinary, and each of us has had exciting, rich experiences and a story to tell." Kenneth Honeycutt

Thursday, May 20 May Day Prayer- Join everyone who wants to make a difference in our community at the Martinsburg Mall at the Food Court at 9 AM for a time of prayer! Let's unite in prayer for God to meet the needs of our community. Any questions contact Caroline Carte at cc_carte@yahoo.com. Mall entrances #4 and #5 and vendors will be open to accommodate this special time of prayer!

Tuesday, May 25 Topic meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV (just past City Hospital) in the MACE building (large activity building behind the church) in room 109 (large center room on first floor) from 9:45- 11:45 AM. We meet for a time of brunch, prayer, and discussion groups.
Childcare is provided on the premises for all ages of children. All childcare workers undergo a background search. Your children will enjoy a craft, story time, games, and snack.

This is our last topic meeting of the Spring Semester. Come and get your schedule of events for the summer! Join us back for topic meetings in September!

Sunday, May 30 Going-Away Party for Heather Ellifritz and her husband, Mike at Bethel Assembly of God in the gym at 6:30 PM. Bring a side dish and dessert to share. Meat and drinks will be provided. Please come and show your love to Heather and her family!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Meet...Deneil Busey

I absolutely love Deneil's upbeat personality. I have really enjoyed getting to know her over the past two years. I hope you will enjoy getting to know her through this feature.

Deneil has been married to her husband, Shawn, for 10 years. They met at a party at a mutual friend's house. They have two children Rebekah (5) and Phillip (3).

Her hobbies and interests include running, reading, and listening to music. She loves all kinds of music.

Deneil is a care circle leader at Mom's Connection and is leading one of the marriage studies this year. Her favorite thing about Mom's Connection is the comfortable atmosphere where she can be herself.

Deneil sees the Lord as her very best friend. She says she tells him all the time, "Jesus, you are my sanity!"

Her favorite Bible verse is Matthew 11:28, "Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This verse never ceases to bring her comfort and peace.
Tina Burton

Monday, May 17, 2010

Your Child's Original Design

Recently a book was given to me called, "Prayer Saturated Kids" by Cheryl Sacks and Arlyn Lawrence. It's a small book packed with vital information how to equip and empower our children in prayer. The very first chapter, a child's original design, altered the way I pray for my children and how I look at them.

It's natural for us as parents to have great plans for our children. We want them to do something great in their life. Maybe we want our child to become a doctor, missionary, NFL football player, or the next American Idol? But what if our hope for our child is not the same as God's? In Psalm 139:16 God's Word says, "God saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed". God knows better than us what our children were meant to do. It's praying not my will but yours, Lord!

We are aware everyone is made with different strengths and weaknesses. When looking at these differences in our children we can see God's blueprint. God has designed our children with unique characteristics such as personality traits, character qualities, talents, abilities, spiritual gifts, and life callings. We, through practical observation, discernment, and inquiring of the Lord, can pray God's original design for our children and for it to come to fruition. We can partner with God to help our children become who God destined them to be.

An important part of this process is to first release our own expectations and dreams of who we would like our children to be. It's easy to project our own hopes and desires onto them and miss God's plan. Instead set out to discover their "natural bent" which is their inner design or direction. You will find clues to your children's original design in their behaviour, their likes and dislikes, the kinds of friends they choose, and so on. Cheryl Sacks and Arlyn Lawrence in their book note that "You can also listen to God's voice telling you how He made your children. The Holy Spirit may show you specific character qualities as you pray and listen for His voice. Or, long after you've actually prayed about it, He may give you a flash of divine insight when you least expect it. Listen, take note, and meditate on what the Lord reveals, even as Mary meditated on the things the angel revealed to her about Jesus: 'But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart' (Luke 2:19)."

To help you get started, saturate your child with this prayer today:
Lord, I thank You that You knew my child in the womb, and even sooner, and You designed and declared a marvelous plan for this child's life. I want to be able to see this child the way You do, Lord. Please point out to me the unique characteristics You have woven into their temperament. Give me insight into their calling and destiny. Help me encourage and pray for my child according to the natural bent that You planned---close to You, led by You, and fulfilling Your original design in every area of this child's life. Amen.

Blessings,
Lisa Fraley
 

Friday, May 14, 2010

Autism Friendly Movie


Do you have a child on the Autism Spectrum? On June 19, 2010 at 10 AM at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Winchester, VA there is an opportunity for Autistic children to be able to view a movie showing "Marmaduke" rated PG. Tickets are $6 for children and $7 for adults. Breakfast will be a buffet style at the theater for $9 each (totally optional but is served between 9-11 AM).

This showing is based around the specific needs of Autistic children such as there will be some noise and the lights will be 1/2 up because these children deserve to get to go do things other kids can do. Autistic Children get kicked out of the movie theaters because they can't sit still and be quiet. Or parents get upset, and just walk out. This will not be the case. The showing is available for everyone but keep in mind the environment will be different. To view the trailer, go to www.TheMarmadukeMovie.com.

If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany Bowers at kaylaa0518@aol.com.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Shadows of a Friend by Lorra Stinnett

Sometimes at night I sit and cry, when all else is asleep. And when I think no one is listening, I hear a voice call down upon me.

"Take my hand, and I will lead you. Let me be your friend. I'll take away your sorrows, if only you take my hand. Let go of all your troubles, say goodbye to your sins. If only you believe in Me, I will be your friend."

I look upon the shadows and see the forgiving hands of Christ the Lord, standing above me, calling me to be His friend.

So many days, weeks, and months, the years have passed and grown. That, I have forgotten those forgiving hands, calling the shadows my own. But now I realize, It's Christ the Lord, whose shadows seem to grow. "Dear God, I pray, and thank You, for never letting go."

"Take my hand, and I will follow. I'd like to be Your friend. Please take away my sorrows, please take my hand. I'm letting go of all my troubles, saying goodbye to my sins. Dear Lord, I believe in You. Forever, We will be FRIENDS!"

Mark Your Calender!!

Tuesday, May 25 Topic meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV (just past City Hospital) in the MACE building (large activity building behind the church) in room 109 (large center room on first floor) from 9:45- 11:45 AM. We meet for a time of brunch, prayer, and discussion groups.
Childcare is provided on the premises for all ages of children. All childcare workers undergo a background search. Your children will enjoy a craft, storytime, games, and snack.

This is our last topic meeting of the Spring Semester. Share your thoughts on upcoming topics in the fall. Come and get your schedule of events for the summer! Join us back for topic meetings in September!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Before I was a Mom.....
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

Before I was a Mom...
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom...
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
I had complete control of my mind
My thoughts
I slept all night.

Before I was Mom...
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests
Or give shots
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom...
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom...
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was Mom...
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night,
Every ten minutes to make sure all was okay
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a MOM!

Author Unknown

Friday, May 7, 2010

Ou Mother's Day Breakfast







I believe everyone would agree that we had a lovely time this past Tuesday at the Holiday Inn for our Mother's Day Breakfast. The buffet style breakfast was delicious! Our special speaker, Pastor Jane Campbell, gave us a great message on being encourager's to one another and to our children. I hope we strive on becoming balcony encourager's to those around us.

Thank you to Donnis Lloyd for taking pictures of mothers/daughters and the event at large. Thank you to Sandie Ridenour for giving us great service at the Holiday Inn.

It is my hope all the moms who joined us were blessed! Have a Happy Mother's Day!
Lisa Fraley

Thursday, May 6, 2010

The Possibilities are Endless

All women who come to Mom's Connection should feel welcomed, loved, appreciated, and feel like they have found a landing place among friends. Friends that make them feel like a valuable part of the group. Friends who have been through or are experiencing a lot of the same trials and triumphs. Friends that they feel comfortable enough with that they can share their thoughts and feelings and know that their friends will rejoice with them through the "ups" and pray with and for them through the "downs".

To be able to build these friendships we must first be given the opportunity. Every new lady who visits with us is a new and awesome opportunity to make a new friend. The new lady's first impression of us as a group is make or break. This impression will determine whether she comes back to join us, brings a friend or two to meet us...or whether she writes us off and moves on.

In effect, we have to "Greet Her Right the First Time". This phrase is one of the two new motto's that is going to be part of the Hospitality Team's vision for the future. The second phrase is "Hospitality is Every one's Responsibility".

Let me first explain to you what greeting her "right" looks like. Let's call our new lady "Tammy". As Tammy walks into the building she will be greeted by two ladies at the door. These ladies will then introduce themselves and introduce her to yet another lady. This lady she has just been introduced to will be her taker. Her taker is charged with making Tammy feel welcome and secure. The first part of making her feel secure is letting her know that her children will be well taken care of while she is in the topic meeting so the first place the taker will take her to is the childcare rooms. Once her children are settled in then her taker will lead her back down to the meeting room and will show her where she can get refreshments. The taker should not leave her side until she has been settled into a topic study and met her care circle leader. The entire time that the taker and Tammy are enjoying their refreshments they should be talking as well. The taker should take every opportunity to introduce her to ladies she may have something in common with. Also, Tammy should be introduced to the Hospitality Coordinator (myself) and the Care Circle Coordinator (Donnis Lloyd). I will then give Tammy a welcome bag that has a registration form, hospitality cross bookmark, recipe cards and some other goodies. The taker should make sure that she fills out this registration form because this form contains contact information for the new member. This is the only way we have of getting in contact with her and letting her know that we enjoyed her company.

It is absolutely crucial that each new lady Tammy meets greet her with a smile and a handshake. This is where our second motto for Hospitality comes in with, "Hospitality is Every one's Responsibility". Being hospitable does not end with that initial topic meeting. She will receive a phone call from either myself or Robin Coburn (our Assistant Hospitality Coordinator) and will also receive an email from me welcoming her to the group. When she returns to Mom's Connection for the meetings after that very first meeting she should be greeted as warmly as she was at the first meeting. I encourage you to write down her name when you meet her that first time so you will remember it and try to greet her using her name when she returns. This will make her feel that she made a positive impression and that you care enough to remember her. She will probably not remember the names of all the people that she was introduced to at the first meeting but she will be well on her way to getting to know us better and if we share about ourselves she'll share about herself.
 
In Mom's Connection no lady ever needs to feel she is alone. If a mom is sitting by herself and nobody is taking an interest in her then we have failed as her friends and as a community. Our mission statement for Mom's Connection states that we are a ministry to nurture all mothers and we are to reach out to each other with friendship, encouragement and support. If she is being offered friendship, encouragement and support then she will, in turn, offer that to other ladies that may come in to visit with us for their first topic meeting and our group will continue to grow. Then we will reach our ultimate goal and reach as many women as we possibly can and connect them to God, grow them in faith and then we will see them and their families become participants in His kingdom.

I challenge you at the next topic meeting and during our summer events to either sit beside or strike up a conversation with another mom that is either new to the group or that maybe you don't know that much about. The possibilities for awesome new friendships are endless!

Tina Burton

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Upcoming Events!!

"We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders,... so the next generation might know them- even the children not yet born- and they in turn will teach their own children." (Psalm 78:4,6 NLT)

Friday, May 7 Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A in Martinsburg, WV for Ignyte Women's Ministry at Bethel Assembly of God from 5-8pm. While there, they will provide a craft for women to participate in. They will earn 20% of the sales if you tell them you want to support Ignyte Women's Ministry.

Tuesday, May 11 Topic Meeting Canceled due to No School.

Tuesday, May 25 Topic meeting- Join us at Bethel Assembly of God in Martinsburg, WV (just past City Hospital) in the MACE building (large activity building behind the church) in room 109 (large center room on first floor) from 9:45- 11:45 AM. We meet for a time of brunch, prayer, and discussion groups.

Childcare is provided on the premises for all ages of children. All childcare workers undergo a background search. Your children will enjoy a craft, storytime, games, and snack.

This is our last topic meeting of the Spring Semester. Come and get your schedule of events for the summer! Join us back for topic meetings in September!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Think Big

"He did not waver...regarding the promise...,being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. " Romans 4:20-21

"Scripture tells us that Abraham, 'without weakening in his faith,...faced the fact that his body was as good as dead'. (vs.19). He was not discouraged, because he was not looking at himself but at Almighty God. 'He did not waver,,,regarding the promise' but stood straight, not bending beneath the staggering load of God's blessing. Instead of growing weak, his faith grew stronger, exhibiting more power, even as more difficulties became apparent. Abraham glorified God for His complete sufficiency and was 'fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.' The literal translation of this passage from the Greek expresses the thought this way: God is not merely able but abundantly able, bountifully and generously able, with an infinite surplus of resources, and eternally able 'to do what He had promised'. He is the God of limitless resources---the only limit comes from us. Our requests, our thoughts, and our prayers are too small, and our expectations are too low. God is trying to raise our vision to a higher level, call us to have greater expectations, and thereby bring us to greater appropriation. Shall we continue living in a way that mocks His will and denies His Word? There is no limit to what we may ask and expect of our glorious El Shaddai---our Almighty God. And there is no way for us to measure His blessing, for He is 'able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us'". (Ephesians 3:20) A. B. Simpson

"The way to find God's treasure-house of blessing is to climb the ladder of His divine promises. Those promises are the key that opens the door to the riches of God's grace and favor."
Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman

Sometimes it is hard to think big when we look at our circumstances, our weaknesses, our failures. Sometimes when I think of who I used to be, the things that have happened in the past, it is hard for me to believe that God can use me to do anything significant or meaningful. It is then that He reminds me that it is not about me or my limitations. It is about Him and His will and all He requires of me is a willing heart that says "Here am I, Lord send me." It is then that He empowers me through His Holy Spirit and equips me for the work that He wants me to do. God opens the doors that no man can shut. We in our power are small, but our God is a big God. Let's think big today.

Kim Ratcliffe