What Are You Attached To?

Recently I've been immersed in a Bible study called Breaking Free by Beth Moore . In her book she presents the idea that God's children can be oppressed and become reliant on oppression. She writes, "We were created to attach and depend so that we would migrate toward God and find safety. To entice us, Satan offers us alternate attachments masquerading as fulfillments to our inner needs." She goes on to write, "let me alert you to a toxic emotional cocktail: a relationship made up of someone who has an unhealthy need to be taken care of and someone who has an unhealthy need to care-take." In John 10:2-3 Jesus said, "The man who enters by the gate is the Shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." The lesson God has been impressing upon me over and over again is that I must listen only for the shepherd's voice and that my attachment to Christ must surpass all other relationships. Sounds easy enough, but if I asked you to whom do you give preference to you as you walk through your day or to whom or what do you run to when your heart is breaking, would your answer be Jesus or another?

An Eye On The Hurting

Sometimes do you wonder if anybody sees your pain or suffering. In Genesis 16:13, Hagar says of God, "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."

God so her plight and He is attentive to the cries of his children. In like manner, He calls us to keep our eyes open to the needs of others. Do you know a couple that is struggling in their marriage and could use some encouragement? I challenge you to invite them to come to The Matters of the Heart Marriage Conference this weekend at Mt. Gilead. By strengthening marriages we strengthen entire families for Jesus sake.

Another opportunity to reach those in need will be the "Courage to Be You Benefit Concert," which will be held on Sunday, October 24 at 6 p.m. at Redwood Covenant Church in Santa Rosa. The concert is to bring awareness to the Sonoma County area on the horrific acs of sex/human trafficking happening both locally as well as nationally. These young girls need our help. The concert will help raise funds for "Courage to Be You" to build a ministry safe house in Sacramento. The concert is free but there will be a free will offering taken at the event. For more information call Redwood Covenant or visit KLOVE's website.

The Sanctuary of the Lord....

"I have beheld you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory." Ps. 63:2



When we go to church on Sunday's so often we sit in the pews and focus on what is happening on stage, but I would share it is far more remarkable to stand on the stage and watch the power of God at work in the lives of each of you. Last Friday night, I literally had the opportunity to see the power and glory of God in the sanctuary of Sebastopol Christian Church at the Praise and Dream Night as together we worshipped God. To see you embrace the songs of worship, drama, flags, prayer and devotional stirred my soul. Viewing 183 women in Sonoma County passionately pursuing God with heart and soul runs counter to our culture and I think the Lord couldn't be happier. Thank you for joining us!

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!