Sent

A while back our women's ministry worked through The Armor of God study by Priscilla Shirer. During that time the Holy Spirit gave me these words to pray:


You haven't sent me out with            
a wand of wishful thinking,
a whip of anger,
a club of stubborn argument,
a pen of intellect,
a map of self-direction,
or a velvet rope of feminine persuasion.

But, you've equipped me with the Sword of Your Spirit through Your word--a sword that is able to lead me, empower me, and bring me home to You in victory.

Help me put down the weapons of my own making and take up Your powerful sword--the sword of a warrior fighting for Your interests. In Jesus' name, Amen


Blessings,
Sue Belshe

Word of the Year

Time

- a point of time as measured in hours and minutes past midnight or noon.
- plan, schedule or arrange when (something) should happen or be done.
- the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, past, present,  
   or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events
   succeed one another.

Last Fall when we were presented with the question at Women Unplugged, "What is one of the most meaningful gifts you've ever given or been given?", I didn't have an answer. As I left Heartland that morning, I was still pondering the question. As I did, I began to feel ungrateful. I have received many beautiful and meaningful gifts over the years; jewelry that was purchased with purpose and meaning, Mud Pie dishes that friends and family have given toward my dish collection "addiction", and lots of others. All very meaningful.

As the day went on, I realized, however, the most meaningful gift for me was and is TIME. My daughters know one thing I treasure is coffee or lunch out with friends. Time away from life's demands, just to talk, share, pray, over a good cup of coffee or meal.

Time with my Mom, who lives in Montana. Time with family and friends that still live in Montana. When I travel back, I make sure I contact everyone to set up a time to get together, just so we can have a little time to reconnect.

After our last class reunion, my girlfriends and I decided we needed to get together more often than every 10 years. We discussed the fact that we had lost several friends to cancer and other situations, and recognized time is priceless. We have since met every summer, rotating to each other's homes/cities, enjoying each other's company while we just be.

And after almost 30 years of marriage, time with my husband. We were great at doing date night before we had our girls. Once they were born, we dedicated every free moment to them. Having fought infertility, we were willing and ready to spend all of our time with these precious gifts. Date nights went away and really, time together went away.

Well, life passes by and they grow up. Along the way, life throws you unexpected trials that consume your every waking moment. Time is spent on your knees praying for your child to do well, to be successful as she moves away on her own. Time is spent praying your child will surrender, and be healed of the ugliness life has dealt her.

Time becomes spent in prayer, for your husband & his career, your marriage, your children and their life choices, for family, and for the beautiful friends God has placed in your life along the way.

And finally, time is spent again with my husband; date days and date nights. A real treasure getting to know each other again, spending that one on one time we knew so long ago. Time planning our trips to visit our oldest daughter in Dallas, travel to see family, and just travel.

Many gifts we hold in our hands, place on a shelf for display, or give away. But the gift of Time is one we can share and hold in our hearts forever.

May 2017 be a year where you allow yourself Time; time to be intentional, time to be restored, time to get to know your spouse again, time to pray, and time to get to know Your Heavenly Father more. After all, He is the giver of time.

With that, my word for 2017? "Time"

Blessings,

Chris Jones

Chris is a prayer warrior among our community. Her words feel like a prayer from her heart for all of us. 

If you're curious about or considering a word for the year of 2017, WU Coordinator Kristy Smith recommends reading this post by Margaret Feinberg with a FREE download to walk you through prayerful exercises and asking God what word He wants to awaken you to this year.

Worship in the Waiting

Just a few weeks ago a small group of us met to grab a warm drink, catch up, share what God's nudging us about and pray for each other. Repeatedly, music (all kinds) came up. How it provoked us, moved us, and comforted us. While we were together, I jotted some things down so I could continue to pray over them.

As I've been praying for them and pressing into this advent season what has stood out to me is the waiting. We're waiting for the arrival of Jesus on Christmas Day. We're waiting for God in numerous ways. Desperate for Him to speak, to guide, or answer. Anxious for healing, forgiveness, and redemption. Waiting for this season of  to end or begin. Clinging to God's promises awaiting us.

Seemingly, the thread of music connects us to our human condition in therapeutic ways. A song that speaks powerfully to two people  also seems to connect those two people in unspoken ways. I thought I'd share what I've been listening to recently, confident we'll make a connection or two. Connect us in this season of waiting.


Just before the holidays I stumbled upon the album Psalms by Sandra McCracken. It was about the time our church embarked on a time of pressing into prayer. I love this entire album, but most certainly the song "All Ye Refugees".

Christmas by Francesca Battistelli is another great album specifically for this season. I am partial to "You're Here", "Christmas Dreams", and "Go Tell it on the Mountain."

Then even though we've been listening to these songs during church services for years, just yesterday we were gifted with the ability to take them everywhere we go! Arrows by Nick and Julie Nave and handful of others from our very own Heartland worship team have produced a few of our favorite songs. It's my understanding that the cd will be available at Heartland on Sunday and a digital version on Friday. ALL 5 tracks are amazing! 

Hearts

Quiet My Soul

Empty Hands

Only You

Just As I Am

I hope you enjoy these and please share what you've been listening to with me via Facebook, Instagram, and email, or catch me in person! 

Blessings,

Nanette Haskin

At-Home Study: adapted from 'Advent: Born is The King' plan from She Reads Truth

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.

{Day 1} John 1:9-14

{Day 2} Isaiah 9:2-7

{Day 3} Philippians 2:9-11

Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Among

To be with, surrounded by, in association with-together.

Like the playground ball with it's tether,
to be beside, locked in with.
To lock eyes with, eyes.
Coexisting with intention.

Always seasoned with salt and spoken full of grace,
let our conversation be

AMONG.

In association with, included and inclusive.
A walking church. Making space.
Vulnerability surrounds and relationship happens...
As it would, 'cause God moved into the neighborhood.

AMONG.

There is such beauty in the tapestry,
No matter how slowly woven.
Each strand playing a perfect part naturally.

We are broken, and we are busted, but His beloved--
Loved beyond compare.
Be aware,
The closer we are knit, the stronger we become.

Your kingdom come.

AMONG.

Blessings,
Angela Scalise

At-Home Study: adapted from 'Advent: Born is The King' plan from She Reads Truth

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.

{Day 1} Job 1:1-22

{Day 2} Ruth 2:1-12

{Day 3} 2 Samuel 7:1-17

{Day 4} Esther 5:1-8

{Day 5} Jonah 1:1-7

Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Seasons

Holidays in a season of grief


Like many of you, I recently ordered our family Christmas cards. I had preselected a few layout options, had our family photos from a session this summer, and had my coupons to stack on Cyber Monday deals -- just like I do every year. But as I looked at our smiling faces in the photo above the simple message of holiday greeting, they felt hollow and false.

Those pictures of us were from an extended family photo shoot I had planned for the one-year anniversary of my father-in-law's death. I had encouraged/bullied my brothers and sisters-in-law to come to Kansas for a small reunion so we could join in support around my mother-in-law and process our emotions from the last year together. It made sense to me to push for this. Even though they would all still be hurting and our gathering would be tense from the obvious absence it would be okay because I would be there for everyone. I would be the strong one, I would be the clear-headed one who could smile, make a joke, and ease some heartache. This time together was what we all needed so that we could figure out what family looked like after their dad was gone. And if we happened to get a few quick snapshots -- by a professional -- of the grandkids with grandma and each sibling with his or her individual family plus one --or two -- of the whole group, well, it would be so natural who would even notice we were doing it?

Then my dad died, almost 11 months to the day after my father-in-law. And this well-planned photo session would now take place in the midst of my own fresh grief. I look at our faces in the photos and the normalcy of us makes me think I have the timing of things wrong. How could the people in these pictures have revisited the grave of one father and four weeks earlier buried the other father? I can't see any of the pain we felt in our relaxed smiles and easy poses. None of the turmoil, the tears, the sleepless nights are there with us in the photos. How is that possible? The most significant loss I have ever felt had just happened, but I look so...normal. There should have been no humanly way we could make smiles.


But we did. And while my grief has muddled my memory of the summer, I know there were moments when we did feel joy. I did crack a joke, my sisters-in-law did comment on how naturally and easily the photo session came together. So how do I capture all that in a holiday message that will look right in sparkling gold script?


For the second year in a row I have tried to pick the right phrase for the front of the card. To craft a short hopeful message on the back that would gracefully acknowledge our sadness and honor our lost loved one, while still allowing others to smile at the photo and then move on in the happiness of the season. It isn't as simple as you may think. This year my husband vetoed the phrases, "a hole that will never be filled," and "a heartache that may never end," as "a bit heavy for the medium" of Christmas card.


The message I settled on both years included thanks for our supportive friends and family. Last year I noted that our year was marked by deep sadness and yet deep joy. This year I wrote that we could remember this year as the hardest one, but instead we will choose to remember the year for all the love.


 John 16:33 says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." God doesn't want us to experience the brokenness of death and sadness. But we do and because that is our reality for now he did something amazing. He sent Jesus. He sent his son to overcome it all. So even in our sadness that is something to find joy in.



Blessings,
Meghan Hemenway

At-Home Study: adapted from 'Advent: Born is The King' plan from She Reads Truth

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.

{Day 1} Exodus 12:1-28

{Day 2} Exodus 17:1-7

{Day 3} Exodus 16:1-36

{Day 4} 2 Corinthians 8:9

{Day 5} Isaiah 9:6-7

Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Choose Truth

I’m an emotional lady. I cry at church pretty much every Sunday, cry at songs on the radio and movies often, cry when I see other people crying…you get the picture. I’ve always been very sensitive and wear my heart on my sleeve. My now husband had to learn this early on in our relationship. Poor guy. I know that God made me this way, but these big emotions get me into trouble sometimes. They lead me astray. Let me explain.

It is very easy to go down the wrong path when I am driven by my feelings. If I am feeling hurt, then I might naturally want to be hurtful in return. If I’m feeling sad, then I might want to have a pity party for myself. Yet, as a believer in Jesus, this does not bring glory to Him. When I let my emotions rule, then I am stuck inside my own head and focused on me, not on Him, and not on those He has called me to love around me. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says ‘And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and was raised again.’ What happens when I have a self-centered view instead of one focused on Jesus? I don’t love others well. I am too concerned with my own situation and feelings that I am not an encourager and servant to those around me. I’m too busy worrying about my inner struggles, that I don’t have time to love others the way God calls me to love them.

So what can I do to take my focus off of me and on to Jesus? I need to use God’s truth to replace my negative emotions. I recently heard Lysa Terkurst (Proverbs 31 ministries) say, ‘Lies flee in the presence of truth.’ I need to call to mind God’s promises to me and trust that what He says is true, no matter how I feel. I might feel lonely, but He says I am never alone even for one second. I might feel insignificant, but He says I am deeply loved and special. I might feel ugly, but He says I am a masterpiece and He looks at my heart. I might feel weak, but He says I can do anything through Him. I might feel insecure, but He says I find my identity in Him and am His daughter. I might not feel like forgiving someone, but He says I must forgive because He has forgiven me (many many times). The point is, many of my emotions can lead me away from God’s truth. I have to fight off the natural urge to let my emotions rule and tell myself ’Truth over emotions. Truth over emotions.’ This has become my mantra.

The bible says in Jeremiah 17:9, ’the heart is deceitful above all things.’ That means that my own heart, deceives me. That is scary to think about. Not to be a ‘Debbie Downer,’ but the popular phrase ‘follow your heart’ is actually not biblical. For those who put their hope in Christ, it should be ‘follow God’s truth and promises’ instead. This is a newer truth for me. I definitely lived by the ‘follow your heart’ philosophy of the world for probably the first 20+ years of my life, but it led me into poor decisions and sin and therefore consequences. Can you relate? Images of failed relationships come to mind for me, my heart feeling shattered to pieces. We have to learn to sift our feelings through the lens of God’s word. If our feelings do not gel with His truth or commands, then we have to ’take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5). This takes practice. This might mean praying immediately, calling a friend who keeps you accountable, memorizing verses to call to mind, etc. I can promise you that you CAN do this. God says so. You ‘can do all things through Christ who gives you strength’ (Philippians 4:13). You CAN take your thoughts captive and grab hold of God’s truth and refocus on the things that bring Him glory. I don’t do this perfectly, but the more I’ve practiced, the easier it has become to quickly switch my thinking. The more I choose to call to mind God’s loving truth and faithfulness regardless of how I feel, the easier it becomes to turn to Him instead of my emotions.

Ladies, we can CHOOSE. Each time we have an unhealthy thought, or a lie the enemy has placed in our heads, we can choose to dwell on it or squash it. We can choose to go down the ‘feelings road’ into self pity or anger or jealousy, etc. OR we can choose to grab hold of God’s perfect truth and the promises He speaks over our lives. I invite you to join me in choosing to not be a woman driven by the ups and downs of her emotions, but a woman who stands firm and steadfast on God’s truth. Jesus says ’the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32). Be free ladies, not a prisoner to your emotions. Be the strong woman of God He created you to be.

Love, 

Kristi Brooks

At-Home Study: adapted from 'Advent: Born is The King' plan from She Reads Truth

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.

{Day 1} Isaiah 9:6-7

{Day 2} Genesis 2:8-9

{Day 3} Genesis 4:1-16

{Day 4} Genesis 12:1-4

{Day 5} Genesis 14:17-24

Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?

Why and How Should I Tell Others?

I read through the book of Revelation last year in a Bible study group. It was confusing, terrifying, and then opened up to such beauty and hope that my life felt different with this new understanding of the end of the story. I felt compelled to share, but conflicted because of the intense and graphic nature of this book of the Bible. How exactly do you let people know that you believe that the end of the world is coming with horrific beasts and monsters, but if they believe in Jesus there will be streets paved with gold?

God calls us to share his message because his mercy and love is for all his children and he wants us all to come back home. But sharing that message will look different and sound different for each of us.

My dad died suddenly and unexpectedly this summer. My family was together getting ready to celebrate the fourth of July at the family cabin. Instead of watching the fireworks display over the lake we buried the leader of my family: the oldest son, the big brother to five siblings, my one and only dad. Normal life stopped as we tried to make sense of this new reality. Who were we all now without him? How could any of us feel joy or see good in this world? It was in these times that I found verses from Revelation and other places in the Bible coming out of me as if it were my own words.

I sat on the couch with my uncle and told him that I didn't know exactly what heaven would be like, but I believed in it and I believed that Jesus has gone before us and prepared rooms for all of us in his father's home. (John 14: 1-4). I laid in bed next to my mom and told her that one day God would wipe every tear from our eyes as tears poured down our cheeks. (Revelation 21:4). I told my sons when they couldn't sleep that Papa was now in a place where there was never night or darkness or reason to fear because God is a glorious light that fills every corner. (Revelation 21:23-25). And I told my grandmother who had lost her husband a year and a half before losing her oldest son, that nothing could separate her from the love God has for her (Romans 8:38-39). I told her not to grow weary of doing good and not to doubt her faith, (Galatians 6:9). She has been our family's arrow to Jesus and even her terrible grief is not enough to make that change.

I could say these things because I knew they were true. I didn't have to search for words of comfort for those grieving all around me because the words - God's words - just came out of me. I had read, studied, prayed and when the unimaginable happened I had my heavenly father's comfort to offer to others. I didn't have to look for an opening to share God's truth - I had to speak as I watched His children grieve and question and cry out for answers.

As time has passed and the shock gave way to a different stage of grief, my resolve grew a little shaky, my hope a little dull, my urgency to share a little less important. My Lord felt distant and silent, but even then I had God's word to rely on. Like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses's arms when he grew weary I found support from others when I felt weak and alone. I saw that two are better than one because if one falls the other can help him up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) and I felt the Lord's presence near my broken heart through the kindness and understanding of others (Psalm 34:18).

Sharing God's word won't be the same for everyone. I know some are able to share their beliefs without the need of tragedy ripping open their hearts. For me, when my heart was torn open I found that what came pouring out was not only my sadness and grief, but my trust and faith in how much God loves us. That was too powerful for me to keep silent. As my heart heals, I may be a little less vocal, but that sharing has changed me. I pray that it changes you too.

Blessings,

Meghan Hemenway

At-Home Study

Pray: ask God to reveal Himself to you through the scriptures, to help you receive the message He has specifically for you today.

Read: each passage twice in 2-3 different translations.


{Day 1} Matthew 28:16-20

{Day 2} Matthew 5:13-16

{Day 3} 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

{Day 4} Acts 4:23-31

{Day 5} Mark 4:1-20


Observe: What is happening? What catches your attention? What is the message of this passage?What thoughts or feelings does it provoke?

Reflect: Why do these things catch your attention? Why do you feel or think certain things from reading it?

Apply: What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about God's plan for us? What does this mean for you? How can you apply what God is saying to you?