Energy Boosters

This weekend my kids and I had a very early morning appointment in the Bay Area. My son was exhausted and after our appointment decided to try an energy drink. He went from dragging around to warp speed. Sometimes I think our marriages could use a little energy booster...a chance to renew and refresh one of most imporant relationships in our lives. It is wonderful to take time for one another and build new life transforming memories. I am very excited that on October 8-9 and also December 3-4, Allen and Terri Haley, professional Christian counselors, will be hosting two marriage workshops right here at Mt. Gilead!!! Allen and Terri's ministry is called Matters of the Heart and I encourage you to sign up for one their conferences. You won't regret it.

www.mattersoftheheartresources@comcast.net

Watching Gifts Unfold

I love my job! I get to be somewhat of a talent scout. The Lord shows me people with gifts that He has given them and I get the privilege of asking them to use their gifts in ministry for Mt. Gilead audiences. It is heart warming to see gals that are unsure of themselves, steadily surrender their gifting to the Lord and watch how they develop into women that no longer second guess whether or not God is going to use them. They know that God will use them.

Tonight I had the privilege of watching the Hessel Drama Team rehearse in preparation for the Praise and Dream Night. I thank God for their willingness to portray on stage some of the inner turmoil and victories we experience as women seeking to live out our faith in a world that is not our home. I pray that as we gather together September 24th for the Praise and Dream Night with the drama and worship teams you will not leave the same.

Are you standing?

I recently stumbled on a verse in Scripture that I never recall having noticed before, but I saw the profound wisdom in the simple passage in Isaiah 7:9, "...If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." How true it is that we seem to be unable to resist the tide of the culture or resist the temptation we are drawn to unless we stand firm in our faith. It is the power of God that helps us stand firm. It is the passion of my heart that the women's ministry at Mt. Gilead support and undergird the faith of women striving to stand firm in the faith and it is my fervent prayer that for those women out there that don't know the love of God and his power to forgive and heal, that our ministries would help direct you to the life giving hope found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you want to know more about having a relationship with Jesus Christ I encourage you to contact me at Mt. Gilead.

Get the Word Out: The Praise and Dream Night

The Praise and Dream Night Extraganza is just around the corner. We are excited to have Soma Church Community, Calvary Community and Hessel Church women's worship teams come and lead in worship. We've mailed out flyers and posters to 30+ churches in the area and we are promoting this event with K-Love and The Candle radio stations. If your church has not received information please call our office at 823-4508. We would love to have our Mt. Gilead friends get the word out about the Praise and Dream Night Extravaganza!

Ever felt scared and wondered....

I spoke with Susan Farren our speaker for our Pre-Conference Luncheon and she shared about her theme, "Wake Up Jesus! My Boat Is Sinking! Susan reflected on the need to pursue God's perspective when life seems frightening and out of control. She shared it seems as though Jesus is unaware of our suffering and circumstances at times. It is in these moments that we need to look deep into the word of God. Come join us March 18th for our Pre-Conference Luncheon. You won't want to miss it!

Susan Farren, women's retreat speaker

I had a wonderful visit with Susan Farren our featured speaker for Women's Retreat 2011. Our theme for this year's retreat will be "Extending Grace: Healing Fractured Relationships." Susan will share from the heart and from God's word insights and practical ways to work through reconcilation. We are excited to see how God will move, transform and free us as his daughters, when we extended grace and forgiveness. I encourage you to mark your calendars for Women's Retreat, March 18-20, 2011.

Women's Retreat Speaker

I will be talking with our speaker, Susan Farren this Saturday to begin preparing for Women's Retreat 2011. Susan is the author of The Fireman's Wife and travels all over the country speaking and sharing about the work God has done in and through her.