First Ladies

My Story by Milly Doughty

2009-05-12T15:20:00.002-05:00

This is prompted by several things-- Brother Ed--the challenge to send you our 'story', and the devotion a few days ago which said that you would imagine that someone healed of cancer would never take their health for granted, and Cindy--the Old Testament admonition of God to the Israelites to remember what God had done for them and where he had brought them from, and the study of Jehovah-Rapha. Cindy got the 'condensed' version last night, but there is so much more!

I have tried but I cannot get my story to be less than 100 words! My story is not so much salvation as it is healing. I was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ at the age of 7. My grandfather was a 'lay' pastor and I had the privilege of hearing him preach at revivals--he loved the Old Testament--Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and so on. The back of his Bible listed the date each time he read the Bible through. My grandmother seemed to be always busy in the church nursery. My mother was the church pianist, my dad taught high school boys Sunday School and helped with whatever needed to be done, and I started playing the organ at church from age 14 until I graduated high school in 1978. I got married the same year, and had my first son in 1979.

During college I have to admit I seldom went to church during school and in the summer of 1982 I was busy in the last weeks of my Medical Technology residency. At the age of 22 I was divorced with a 3 year old son. I had started having pains in my stomach that I attributed to nerves about all the upcoming tests I would have to take. It became so unbearable one Sunday night that I really thought I was going to die. After a few hours, I was able to get out of bed and get to the phone to call my other grandfather to take me to the hospital, and my grandmother to come over to watch my son. The doctor ran a few tests and thought I was just having 'cramps' or maybe had an abscessed ovary, and sent me home and told me to go to my gynecologist in a few days. I went to the doctor on Wednesday, and I had a fever of 105.6, and a WBC count of 38,000 (should be less than 10,000; another indication of infection) and was immediately admitted to the hospital and started on antibiotics. By Friday night, my intestines had stopped functioning, and the ultrasound had showed 'something' on my right ovary. The doctors decided to do exploratory surgery the next morning. They thought that they may be removing one ovary and tube, but if the infection was very severe, I would be having a total hysterectomy. My family was at the hospital (including Eddie, whom I was dating at the time), waiting for me to go back to my room, when they were notified that I would be admitted to Surgical ICU instead. It was discovered that my appendix had ruptured the previous Sunday night when I was in so much pain. Only the doctors used the term 'exploded' and part of my intestine had 'draped' over my ovary which is what had showed on the ultrasound. During surgery I went into acute renal failure due in part to toxic levels of Gentamicin that I had been given, and the peritonitis. The doctors told my parents that they couldn't give them a prognosis; not many people had survived what I had gone through.

To say I was in a lot of pain would be a gross understatement--I had tubes everywhere; drain tubes, an NG tube in my nose (that would stay for 3 weeks--I weighed 113 pounds when I was discharged!) and a Udahl catheter that the cardiac surgeon implanted in my heart through my jugular vein to receive hemodialysis. Although I was hurting, I was not afraid. I felt God telling me that I would be okay, and I was able to rest and be ministered to, and wait to get well. Many people prayed for and over me. God's presence was felt in so many ways. After all this time I remember so many kindnesses. There was a nurse who would try to pop in for visits during the nights when I couldn't sleep. There was an aide who was so gentle in helping to bathe me. There was a dialysis tech who let me squeeze her hand while they had to change out the heart catheter. Another aide admonished a radiology tech who was being pretty rough in positioning me for an X-ray that would show the position of the catheter in my heart. Another dialysis tech got my nephrologist to agree to let them wash my hair (pretty gross after 3 weeks!) You can't have any pride left after not being able to do anything for yourself! I remember quiet prayers of people who didn't think I heard, and of loud, showy, trying-to-impress-other-people type prayers. Satan did try to attack, as he always does. I really became discouraged when a dialysis nurse and social worker came in to talk about long-term dialysis and renal transplants. After a month in the hospital, although I wasn't 'well', the doctors decided to release me. I would continue to have dialysis three times a week as an outpatient. The dialysis center was really a depressing place to me, with all these people and their shunts, grafts & fistulas, and many of the patients seemed hopeless. After my 3rd outpatient dialysis on a Friday, the nephrologist came in and looked somewhat confused. He said that my BUN and creatinine (tests indicating kidney function) had gone down by half! He said for me to go to the lab on Monday (which was where I worked) and repeat the tests, and bring the results to him in his office in the hospital afterwards. Lots of prayers over the weekend!! On Monday, the entire lab, it seemed, was standing by the ASTRA chemistry machine waiting on my results! Lots of laughter and tears when my numbers had dropped almost into the normal range. I was healed!! I took my results to the doctor, and after I convinced him I hadn't 'paid anyone off' in the lab to give me these numbers, took the catheter out and said goodbye. I had stayed in the hospital for four weeks, receiving in-patient dialysis for three of those, and had had outpatient dialysis for one.

During this time God provided babysitters for my son, and my parents not only found, but paid all my bills. One of my classmates hadn't been planning on working yet because she was getting married and moving to Dallas in September. She worked my position in the lab during July and August which allowed me to keep my job, as I did not have nearly that much sick time. God allowed me to be well enough to take the Registry test that I would have to have for my job as scheduled in August. The doctors had told me that my fallopian tubes were damaged from the peritonitis and I probably wouldn't be able to become pregnant. Michael was born 7 years later, and Kathryn 5 years after that!

I don't pretend to know why God chose to heal me. I believe it increased some people's belief in the power of prayer. I believe it brought glory to Him. It showed me that He is always with me. I wish I could say that I thanked him for it every day, but I don't. In fact, I forget about it for months at a time, until I notice one of my scars, or see someone who has a shunt, and think, Oh Yeah--I had acute renal failure! And when I remember, I do feel special. I feel so blessed to be alive, not having to schedule my life around dialysis every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, to have gotten married again and had two more children, and now to see my first grandson!

Elohim: Our Creator

2009-02-18T07:26:00.002-06:00

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.

4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

As we consider what it means to know our Creator - Elohim - we find in scripture that the One who made us - made us in His image and created us for His glory. According to Kay Arthur in the book, "Lord, I Want to Know You", glory is defined as ...
"to give the correct opinion or estimate of".

We have been created for God's glory.

We are to live in such a way that we will give a correct opinion of who God is to everyone around us.

Read the words of Ruth Myers from her book, Thirty One Days of Praise...

"I give thanks to You, O Lord, and I stand in awe of You, for I am wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works! Thank You that You uniquely designed and created me with the same care and precision You used in creating the universe... that You formed me in love exactly to Your specifications.. that You embroidered e with great skill in my mother's womb.
I am grateful that my looks, my abilities, and my personality are like a special picture frame in which You can portray Your grace and beauty, Your love, Your strength, Your faithfulness, to the praise of Your glory. I rejoice that You have gifted me for the special purposes You have in mind for my life. I thank You for Your loving wisdom in allowing the things that Have influenced me throughout my life - the things that have prepared my heart to respond to You and live for Your glory. I might not have turned to You if things had been different!"

Consider whether your life gives a "correct opinion" of Christ to those around you. What needs to change?

31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers

2009-01-17T09:21:00.002-06:00

Day Seventeen

Thank You that You have me in the place You want me just now... that even If I got here through wrong choices or indifference or even rebellion, yet You knew my mistakes and sins before I ever existed, and You worked them into Your plan to draw me to Yourself, to mold and bless me, and to bless others through me.
Thank You that, even if I'm here through the ill will or poor judgment of other people, all is well; for in Your sovereign wisdom You are at work to bring about good results from all those past decisions, those past events beyond my control - good results both for me and for others.
Thank You again that You meant for good the terrible things that happened to Joseph, who was sold into slavery, exiled to a distant country, and later sent to prison on false accusations... and that through all this You had him in the right place at the right time, for highly important reasons. I'm glad, Lord, that You are the same today - well able to work things out for us, to turn evil into good. I stand amazed at the complexity and mystery of Your wisdom. How safe it is for me to trust Your reasons for acting (or not acting) and Your methods of working!
Thank You that I can safely commit my location and situation to You. I can "be willing for You to shift me anywhere on life's checkerboard, or bury me anywhere in life's garden, gladly yielding myself for You to please Yourself with, anywhere and anyway You choose" (source unknown). Thank You that I can trust You with my future places - ready to go, ready to stay.
So I rest in the fact that You have me in this place for this day, and I praise You that You will faithfully guide me throughout life to just where You want me to be, as I seek to do Your will.
And most important of all is my place in You. How delighted I am to have You as my dwelling place where I can settle down, feel secure, and be content anywhere on this earth... You are my blessed home, "where I can enter and be at rest even when all around and above is a sea of trouble" (Andrew Murray). How my soul delights to hide in the secret of Your presence... to take refuge in the shadow of Your wings, to eat at Your table, to drink my fill of the river of Your delights. How blessed I am, my King and my God, for You have chosen me, and brought me near, to live in Your presence, to behold Your delightfulness, to seek Your counsel.. And to think that I will dwell in Your house forever!

Hide Them in Your Heart

2009-01-06T09:02:00.001-06:00

Will you join me in this new year of hiding God's Word in our hearts?

Just to the right of this post you will find the current scripture to be memorized.

Only good can come from reading and memorizing scripture.

You can do it - Let's do it together!!!!

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T08:58:00.000-06:00

Here it is - December 23, 2008 and I am thinking of ways to slow these days down and simply enjoy the celebration -
the time with family -
the sounds of Christmas - I love Christmas music -
the sights of Christmas - lights, decorations -
the spirit of Christmas - people are often friendlier -
I love to hear people say "Merry Christmas" -
I love to say "Merry Christmas".
But somehow I want to convey the depth of that statement - Merry Christmas!!!
I want to stop and say...
"No, really - I want you to know the Christ of Christmas.
I want you to experience the Peace that Christ brings.
I want you to stand in the hope that we have in our Savior.
I pray that you can know the love that God has for you.
I wish for you JOY.

So... today I am going to find ways to attempt to convey that to the people I see. I'm not sure how.
I am asking the Lord to show me - to give me words and expressions that speak peace and love.
I don't want to be obnoxious or inappropriate.
I just want to say "Merry Christmas" and really mean it.

31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers

2008-11-11T08:12:00.002-06:00

Day 11
"In EVERYTHING give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I'm so grateful that all my circumstances were permitted by You to make me see my need of You and prepare my heart for Your Word... to draw me to Yourself, and to work out Your good purposes for my life. I rejoice that You are the Blessed Controller of all things - You are now, You will be throughout the future, and You always were. All my days had Your touch of love and wisdom, whether or not I can yet fully see it.
And Lord, I choose to look beyond my past and present troubles in this life - this temporary life- and fix my eyes on the unseen things that will last forever, I praise You for the eternal glory these things are piling up for me as I choose to trust You.

31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers

2008-10-15T06:24:00.003-05:00

This my favorite devotional book. I have been reading it now for over 7 years and God does something new and fresh each time I read a specific day.
Let me share from today's reading...

"I'm so grateful, Lord, that the Christian life is not a rigorous self-improvement course or a do-it-yourself kit... that it is not a call to prove myself by overcoming my own shortcomings and failures, in my own way, but my own resources. Thank You that, instead, You are at work in me and in my situation to break old patterns of thought and action, to create within me both the desire and the power to do Your gracious will... and to make me a joy to You in new ways.
Thank You, too for the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength. I praise You that He is in me to enlighten me through Your Word, to flush away my anxieties and fears, my resentments and hostilities, my guilt and regrets, as water flushes away dirt and trash... to keep me filled with Himself and to flood my heart with Your love... to produce through me the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... and to enable me to give thanks for all things as the hours and days and weeks pass. I rejoice that You are able to do far more than all I ask or think according to Your power that is at work within me - the same power that raised Jesus from the dead!

What a mighty God we serve!

The Shack

2008-10-09T07:35:00.003-05:00

Have you read "The Shack"?

If so, we want to hear what you thought.

If not, read it.

More later...

If you Seek Him, You will Find Him

2008-09-03T07:26:00.003-05:00

Did you ever play "Hide and Seek" as a child? I wasn't very good at that game because I gave up too quickly. I would look in the obvious places and then decide to just stand and wait for my friend to come out of hiding. Of course, no one wanted to play the game with me because I didn't do what the game said to do ... SEEK.

Seek is defined as an attempt to find something. If you are playing Hide and Seek, then, as the "seeker", it would be your job to truly attempt to find the "hider".

Proverbs 3:6
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

As we continue to look at our focus passage in Proverbs 3 we come to the next step in learning to trust in the Lord with all our heart and that is to continuously seek Him - get to know Him better - learn His Word - understand His love for us...
When we do this we will encounter a path that leads to to His will for us.

So, what does it mean to seek? Let the scriptures tell us...

Psalm 105:4
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Lamentations 3:25
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

We are not to be passive in our search for the Lord. We are not to stand and wait as I used to do when I played the game of Hide and Seek. We are to be active in our search for the Lord and His will for us. We are to work at it and be passionate about it.

It means that we devour His Word.

It means that we fall on our faces before Him and give Him praise and adoration.

It means that we pray without ceasing - allowing Him to adjust our every move because we are in constant communication with Him.

If we seek Him, we will find Him, if.... we seek Him with ALL OF OUR HEARTS!

As we learn to Trust in the Lord with all our hearts, it will be easier because we seek Him - discovering the beauty of seeing that path that leads to His will for us. This is not a one-time event. It happens constantly throughout our day.

Will you seek Him with all your heart?

Whatever you do, Don't Lean!

2008-08-13T07:11:00.003-05:00

Proverbs 3:5 b
Lean not on your own understanding.

Basicly, this means don't let your mind get in the way of your trust.

Last night I found myself lying awake in bed in the wee hours of the morning trying not to "lean on my own understanding". I was looking at an issue from work through my own eyes and I was not practicing "trust in the Lord with all your heart".
When we let our brains guide our emotions the enemy brings fear. Plain and simple - the scripture says that fear is not from God. So, there you have it. When we lean on our own intellect, logic, knowledge, facts - we will be filled with fear and doubt.

The Message says it like this.. "don't try to figure out everything on your own"

You see, when we face a struggle we have two choices. We can wallow in our thoughts and work hard to try to figure out how this will all end or...

We can trust in the Lord with all our heart - every fiber of our being - and allow Him to carry the burden.

Where are you right now?

Leaning on your own abilities and thoughts or TRUSTING?

Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light'. Matthew 11:28--30

If you are tired of "leaning" - accept Jesus' invitation and allow Him to carry your load.
You will find rest and encouragement. when you exchange your burden for His.

Trust

2008-08-05T15:57:00.001-05:00

Proverbs 3: 5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

This is one of my favorite scriptures. I find myself getting comfortable with a favorite passage and not really taking the time to absorb it’s meaning – meditate on it – let it do its work on my heart.

What does it mean to trust?
Websters says it is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something.
Have you ever done a “trust fall” – where you stand on a ledge and fall backwards, trusting that the people behind you are prepared and able to catch you?
Can you picture yourself falling backwards into God’s arms?
Do you have a confidence that He will catch you every time?
This is trust!

How do we know we can trust God?
He has proven Himself faithful. He is all-knowing. He absolutely knows what is best for us. He has a plan for us.

Share how you have experienced trusting God in your life and how He has proven Himself trustworthy.

Raising Spiritually Healthy Children

2008-07-21T18:36:00.002-05:00

Raising Spiritually Healthy Kids

1. Start praying for your child’s salvation and relationship with Christ before they are born. Prayer will intervene in the spiritual realm where the enemy battles for the souls of our children!

2. Start early
Begin to tell your child that God loves them, God made the flowers and so on. I have heard parents say, “My child is too young to understand about God”. How sad! Children accept what we teach them by faith. The scripture speaks of child-like faith. This faith comes easily for them. Their innocent minds are not overcrowded with reason and doubt.

3. Be real
Our faith in Christ does not mean that life is without difficulties. Children need to see how our faith helps us handle tough times. They need to understand that having a relationship with Christ does not mean that we are immune to illness or people being mean to us.
The key – how we respond to these events teaches our children how they can deal with life.

4. Model your love for Christ
Do you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?
Our children will not know what a true love for Christ looks like without seeing it in us.

5. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me!”
Do your children see that God is a priority in your home and in your life?
Is it understood that you and your family will be in Bible study and corporate worship every week?
Do your children see that everything in your lives center on Jesus?
Do other things in your world interfere with the things of God?
For instance, do you allow your children to miss church due to sports events or other activities?
Do you plan your church life after you plan your kid’s activities?
We allow “things” in our lives to become gods. If they are more important than God – they have become gods or idols.
Idols can be TV, an obsession with appearance, a desire to have “things”, or simply placing our own children above God.
Don’t misunderstand me – I’m not saying you can’t have a TV or fun things. I’m not saying that your kids can’t play sports or wear cute clothes. I’m not saying it’s wrong to love your children.
I am saying that in everything there should be a balance with Christ at the center.

6. Love the Word.
If you aren’t already, fall in the love with the Word of God. Teach your children the beauty of getting to know our God through His Word. If you don’t understand the importance of this, read Psalm 119.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

6. Be consistent.
In everything you do – your relationship with Christ, the discipline of your children, your marriage, your friendships – be consistent.
We should be examples of integrity – the kind of people who always keep their word.
The scripture speaks of the double-minded man being tossed back and forth by the waves. Don’t let that be you.
Know what you believe, live it, teach it to your children!

Knowing and Doing God's Will

2008-07-09T22:23:00.000-05:00

When I am confronted with decisions, my tendency is to analyze, list the pros and cons, and determine the most logical answer to the problem. I keep a note on my computer monitor that says "I need God!" This is to remind me that I need to go to my God and seek His desires for me instead of attempting to problem-solve my way through the issues.
Recently my husband preached a very practical sermon on this subject. I am including a simple summary from the Word.

Romans 12:1-2
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• Do this – offer ourselves as living sacrifices as an act of worship
• Don’t do this – conform to the world and what it tells you to do
• Instead… be willing to allow God to renew your mind
• Then… you will be able to discern God’s will for your life

Global Food Crisis and What we Can Do

2008-06-26T07:43:00.000-05:00

My son, Brian works for Compassion International. Go to his blog to find out how you can be a part of the solution! Let's don't just sit and ignore the massive numbers of people who go to sleep at night hungry. We are a blessed people who need to step up and help in Jesus name.

Flowers in Your Hair and Rings on Your Fingers

2008-06-15T15:52:00.002-05:00

My granddaughter and I are doing a study of Proverbs this summer and I am struck again by the richness of this book. Did you know that when God said He would give Solomon whatever he wanted, Solomon asked for a discerning heart? It’s pretty scary to think of what we might ask for if God gave us that choice.

In working with teenagers and their families for more than 18 years, I find that a missing element in their lives is discernment – common sense – good judgment.
How do children learn these things? As a parent we have been given an incredible responsibility of teaching our children the source of wisdom – the meaning of discernment – the importance of the truth. Have you asked God for a discerning heart?

When you read the first chapter of Proverbs it quickly becomes clear that living a godly life is not rocket science. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” It’s simple – just respect, reverence, be in awe of, honor who God is and obey His Word.

The Message says in Proverbs 1:7
“Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.”

I have read verse 8 many times and thought of my own parents instructions but re-read that verse and think of what it means to you as a parent. Are you giving your children instruction that is pleasing to the Lord – something that they will hold to for a lifetime?

1:8 My child, listen when your father corrects you.
Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
What will they remember about your instruction? Do you feel the responsibility as a parent to be constantly in the Word – attempting to discern God’s direction for you? Do you know the Word well enough that you can easily teach your child TRUTH– not situational ethics – not “if it feels right do it” or “every man for himself” – but God’s TRUTH. You have to know it to teach it.
And then there is a promise –
9 Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair,
like rings on your fingers. (The Message)

We must be teachers and we must be teachable. If we do this, the rewards will come back to us in the form of children who love the Lord and seek to follow Him with all their hearts- like flowers in your hair and rings on your fingers.

Happy Birthday!

2008-05-31T21:45:00.004-05:00

I don't usually put anything personal on this blog. But today I want to honor my husband on his birthday.
Ed is a godly man, an amazing husband and father, a pastor who loves his church and desires more than anything to serve the Lord with passion and integrity.
Please remember to pray for him - our pastor- as he seeks to lead our church and be the man God has called him to be.

Servanthood

2008-05-15T21:53:00.001-05:00

Colossians 3:22-24
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

When I was in high school I went on an overseas mission trip a few summers in a row. The organization I went with had a two-week training period they liked to call “boot camp.” During boot camp, our team got to know each other. We learned how to cook for 60 people, set up and tear down tents, get up in 5 minutes flat, memorize scripture, share our faith, and respect God’s creation. We would sometimes go 3-5 days without showering and we would also get in trouble for complaining about it. During one of these prolonged no-shower periods, four of our senior staff sat in lawn chairs and watched as our entire team passed by a piece of trash sitting out in the field we were tenting on. One lucky student from our group, Jonathan, passed the trash, turned around, picked it up, and was immediately cheered and rushed at by the senior staff. He was granted a shower for taking care of God’s creation. Most of us had seen the trash but had not bothered to pick it up. To this day, it makes me cringe to walk past trash and not pick it up. I pick it up, not because I’m hoping for a free shower or a pat on the back, but because I learned a valuable lesson that day: It is my responsibility to take care of God’s earth, and it is the Lord Christ I am serving. I should serve whether or not people are watching.

According to Colossians 3, a true test of servant hood is when I:

´ Obey those in authority over me
o Question: Do I have a rebellious spirit when it comes to authority? Am I obedient?
´ Serve when no one is looking
o Question: Do I serve when no one is looking, or when I know I will get credit for what I’m doing? Do I tell others when I have served and no one saw me so I will be acknowledged?
´ Serve with sincerity of heart
o Question: Do I grumble and complain inwardly or outwardly when asked to serve? Do I serve for ulterior motives of acknowledgement? Is my heart sincerely serving those around me?
´ Serve with reverence for the Lord
o Question: Do I have profound awe and respect for the Lord when I serve? Am I considering that He is the God I am serving when I serve?
´ Serve with my whole heart
o Question: Do I serve half-heartedly? Am I distracted? Do I dread the opportunity to serve? Is my heart in this?
´ Work for the Lord—it is Jesus I am serving
o Do I serve as if it was Jesus who asked me to do the task? Do I consider that it may be His house I am cleaning, His church that needs help, or His mouth that needs to be fed?

Today, if you feel like you can’t
o Wash another load of laundry
o Do another load of dishes
o Clean up after your family one more time
o Volunteer at church—AGAIN
o Stop to help someone in need
o Pick up one more piece of trash

Remember that it is Jesus Christ you are serving. Do it for the Lord, not man. Do it when no one is looking. Your reward is in heaven—an inheritance that cannot mold, rot, or be destroyed!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T14:44:00.002-05:00

To all of you who have birthed, raised, taught, cleaned, protected, nurtured and loved children - Happy Mother's Day!
I pray that today you are begin honored for a difficult but most important job on earth. Loving children and leading them to know and love Jesus is an honor.
Love to you all,
Cindy Seay

The Cutting Edge by Julie Romero

2008-04-19T15:49:00.003-05:00

2 Kings 6: 1-7: An Ax Head Floats
The company of the prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live."
And he said, "Go."
Then one of them said, "Won't you please come with your servants?"
"I will," Elisha replied. And he went with them.
They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was borrowed!"
The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. "Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

Have you ever been in a place spiritually where you feel completely distant from God? I’ve been there. When I finally wake up and realize that I need to return to God, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. It’s times like times that I ask myself, “Where did I lose my cutting edge?”

Elisha, a major prophet in the Old Testament, and a band of prophets get together to build a bigger meeting place. One thing to remember about prophets is that they weren’t very popular. They usually brought messages of doom and destruction unless people repented. So the fact that one of the prophets had a friend he borrowed an axe from is a pretty big deal. Prophets probably didn’t make a lot of money, either, so borrowing an axe would have been essential.

One particular prophet was chopping away at some wood when his axe head fell off and dropped into the Jordan River. I’m imagining that on the backwards swing, the axe head kept on flying backwards and landed in the river. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure iron doesn’t float. This prophet freaks out and the only thing he can think of is that it was borrowed. Maybe he was thinking he was about to lose his one and only friend!

Remember
Then Elisha comes along and asks, “Where did it fall?” This is where our story comes in. When you feel distant from God, the question you need to ask yourself is “Where did I lose my cutting edge?” Go back to the place where you remember being the closest with God. What happened right after that? That’s where you lost your cutting edge.

Repent
After Elisha cut a stick, threw it at the place where it had fallen, the axe head floated to the top of the river. After pointing to where you lost your cutting edge, it’s important to repent of it to God. Confess that you sinned. Do a 180 and go the opposite direction of where you were heading. Turn back to God. God will restore you to Himself. He will make the axe head float.

Repeat
Elisha then said, “Lift it out,” and the man reached in and lifted it out. When you confess your sin to God, you must once again use your cutting edge. Don’t just watch it float, or leave it in pieces on the riverside. Use it. Start doing the things you were doing when you were close with God the first time.

Today, as you evaluate your relationship with God, ask Him to show you if and where you’ve lost your cutting edge. Repent of that sin and start using your cutting edge again to glorify God.

How to have a Successful Retreat

2008-03-31T15:03:00.010-05:00

We have had many wonderful retreats in the 18 years that I have been at First Baptist, Magnolia. But I am not sure if there has been one in which the Holy Spirit had such free reign to move and work in the lives of women present. I have had several people ask me why this one retreat was so "successful".
1. PRAYER - we had a committed group of ladies that met together regularly to pray for each woman attending, the logisitics, the leaders, and the speakers. I believe that God honored their commitment to pray and their faith that God was hearing and would respond by preparing the hearts and minds of women before they ever arrived at Crier Creek. This was evidenced from the very first moment that we began to worship together.
2. WORSHIP - God called out a group of women who would lead our worship several months ago. They took this task very seriously. They prayed over the music selections. They prayed for hearts to be tender toward worship and they worked hard at being all that they were supposed to be as leaders of worship.
3. TEAM WORK - There was an awesome evidence of women working together to make this weekend a special one. Thanks to everyone who had a part in planning, preparing and leading.
4. LOCATION - Crier Creek is an amazing place to meet the Lord and to simply have a good time.
This list is in no way complete. We would love to hear your reasons for having a great retreat weekend. Please take a minute to post a comment.
Here are few comments from women who attended...
A. said...This weekend was amazing. I was awed by the power of God over and over. His provision was poured out upon me...I'm find myself grappling for words that could come near to describing the holiness of His presence among us. I am grateful to the depths of my soul for each lady who dedicated herself to covering each of us with prayer before and during this retreat.....it is all about prayer....and I for one experienced the fruit of those prayers. I am so excited to see what God does in each of our lives as a result of the places He opened in each of our hearts. WOW WOW WOW. God is so amazing!

I thought the location was perfect as was the food.

Thank you to everyone involved for all your hard work. The retreat flowed so smoothly that it appeared effortless.....but I know that was only because of all the hard work, preparation and prayer that was laid as the foundation before we ever stepped one foot into the retreat. Thank you for blessing me.

K. said... The weekend was AWESOME for sure! This weekend I learned just how much God loves me and that I love Him
back by loving others! I had doubts in me before the retreat that I was not sure I loved or even knew how to love unconditionally, but after this weekend......I know without a doubt that I can and I DO simply because I love God SOOO MUCH! It is amazing what happens when we take ourselves out of the picture. I am not saying it is easy but what joy comes from obedience.

Sometimes I make things SOOO difficult and that is not what God wants for me, He wants me to be full of peace, joy and love!

J. said... this weekend gave me a sense of peace and has renewed my faith in God's miracles. I am asking for prayer that God will work yet another miracle in my life. I appreciate your prayers and if you would just be sure to thank those ladies that were responsible for this weekend (you amongst those) for such a wonderful experience. Most of all I give the Lord the praise for being such an awesome presence during this retreat and for moving and bringing peace and healing to so many ladies (I am tingling as I type this). I so look forward already to next year. Thanks again.

T. said... I thought the whole retreat was awesome! But I have to say what touched me most were the three testimonies. It was such a God-thing for those women to be willing to be so transparent and open up their lives so God could teach us in such an intimate, personal way that would usher in His healing for their sisters. I know God has huge blessings for all three of them for their obedience. And the fellowship: getting to know the women from our church and beginning new friendships was awesome!

C. said... God did allot of dealing with me this weekend! It wasn't easy, but he has shown me, I have pride that needs breaking! So many area's of my life, He's working on. I know He is working everything for my good! My spiritual good! It is such a hard journey, but it most definitely needed doing! I was blessed by all the openness and love of the ladies this weekend,also
by your healing testimony.

S. said... First off I made some great new friends and I was in real need of that. But I renewed my First Love and I made some new commitments to Him and my self and I asked for several of my "new" friends to hold me up and accountable and I know He will prevail. Thank You I loved every minute.

G. said... Cindy, the retreat was amazing alright. I really didn't know what to expect...I've never been to one before. It was truly a blessing in disguise. I really got to know some of the women I have seen in passing. The pre-conceived notions of what that person might be like were totally stripped away! I have NEVER felt closer to a group and my guard was down.
The women who shared their Testimonies are truly courageous and blessed by doing so. Many of us (I know myself for sure) will benefit from their stories and straight-forwardness.
We are all just women (children) who want to know the Lord, his word, to live as he wants us to, broken in some way, sinners,
desiring his love, comfort, struggling with our past sins to be forgiven by totally turning them over to God, then letting go of
them ourselves, afraid, want to belong to him. I could go on and on and on... The presence of the Lord was in the air...the hair
on my arms stood up...it was truly electrifying...I sobbed and wasn't sure just why, but I know the Lord will show me in his time. I am just bubbling or flowing or gushing over with I don't know what....Love I guess, warmth, shaking, happiness.....
Amazing...yes...Amazing Grace.

Discover the Joy of Doing Less

2008-01-28T10:42:00.000-06:00

This year for Christmas I received two meaningful home decor items. One is the word HOPE in metal letters and the other is a sign that says "SIMPLIFY". Wow, do I ever need to ponder both of these. Finding simplicity in my crazy life almost seems impossible. But, I am determined this year to find it. Pray for me that I will be obedient in this journey to simplicity.

We miss out on God’s best for us because we are swallowed up in an endless array of duties, responsibilities and service. This “activity” often steals our creativity, our fun time, our joy and leaves us physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually depleted. God has a beautiful invitation to all who find themselves caught up in a lifestyle of too many things to do with not enough time to do them. Through Isaiah, God issues an invitation to all who are too busy to enjoy His peace and joy:

Isaiah 55:1a, 6, 8,
“Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters… Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.

If you feel anxious, pressured or depleted by the demands placed on your life right now, God has something better in mind for you. Too little time is not the problem. The core of the problem may be having too much to do! And through accepting the invitation of the Lord to come to Him, He will give you His thoughts about the scheduling of your time. God does not want you to do every good thing. That’s why you must check His thinking and seek His counsel in everything you do.

For me, the revelation about what should occupy my days comes in my quiet time as I pray over each item on my daily schedule. More than once, He has impressed me to strike something off my list.

I believe God wants us to learn to enjoy His fellowship at a more relaxed pace. For some reason, we busy women equate being busy for God as being productive for Him. But He is showing me that I’m more productive when I’m less busy and more relaxed.

Check your life. Are you overcommitted? Take time with the Lord to seek His direction. And remember, making sure you’re less busy will help you have more time for sitting at the feet of our Master, and that’s to our advantage!

2008: Year of Hope

2008-01-09T21:01:00.000-06:00

On the way to work, I saw these words written on a sign. It said, "Hope Is Real." As I pondered the simple little phrase, I realized that for many people hope is not real. This is perhaps one of the most important gifts we can give to another person, the gift of hope.

You see, someone who is hopeless and alone usually cannot help themselves out of their situations. There is a great sense of loss and helplessness. We must come alongside and bring the good news of Jesus Christ and all that He has to offer.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

One definition for hope is: To look forward to with confidence or expectation. We must bring the Word of God with all its hope to someone who does not know it is real. When we bring hope, we bring life. It is life changing to finally believe again.

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13 NIV

There are so many people who have lost hope... so many hurts, problems, sicknesses, troubles, financial woes, family problems, world issues, political concerns, etc. It seems the world has no hope.

Apart from God, it is an awful, hopeless place. But with God's help, we can make it.

I want you to know that whatever situation you find yourself in at this moment, there is hope. You may not be able to see or feel the hope, but it is there for you. How do we find the hope? There is only one place where hope can be found, and that is in Jesus Christ.

A word search in the Bible for the word 'hope' yields many wonderful passages - mostly in Psalms and Proverbs of course. David found himself in situations many times and had to remind himself that Hope is Real. It comes from God. Here are a few of David's prayers to God:

Psalm 42: 11 NIV "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

Psalm 25: 4,5 NLT "Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you."

Psalm 25: 3 NIV "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,"

Psalm 33: 18 NIV "But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,"

Psalm 119: 49 NLT "Remember your promise to me, for it is my only hope."

Here are a few key scriptures that help us to understand what we need to do. Words like "be strong, take courage, wait, reverently and worshipfully fear God, tarry for the hope, wait patiently for it, and be joyful in hope. They are all action words we need to work on. Read these scriptures out loud during your devotional times. Watch how hope will come alive in your heart as you speak the Word of God over yourself and your situation.

Psalm 31:24 AMP "Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!"

Isaiah 40: 31NLT "But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Romans 8:24b, 25 NIV " But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

Romans 12: 12 NIV "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Pray out loud the words of hope into your life and your situations. I have hope! My hope is in the Lord! I will be strong and wait on the Lord. I trust God with my life and the life of my family. Speak these words every day. Hope Is Real. It comes from God! He has placed it in your heart. Speak it out and watch what God will do for you.

Romans 15: 13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
What is your need today? Is it for a financial blessing, healing in your body, a new job, a house or car, etc?
Whatever it is, take it to Jesus today.
Is there someone in your life today that needs encouraging?

Speak the Words of hope that bring life. Hope Is Real, just try it.

Let's declare 2008 as a year of HOPE.

A Heart that Believes

2007-12-11T00:19:00.000-06:00

Luke speaks of Mary, the mother of our Saviour, as a woman "highly favored by God". I believe that Mary was a woman of faith. Luke 1:45 says of Mary, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

Can that be said of us?

Life is full of surprises. Mary had an encounter with an angel and her life was changed forever.

We may find ourselves, at any given moment, with a surprise of our own. We have a friend who recently learned that she has breast cancer. Another young woman in our church lost her husband with no warning whatsoever.

Life is full of surprises and life is not fair.

The key is this - Do we believe that what God has said will be accomplished? Do we believe that God is who He says He is?

Only with a heart of faith can we endure the surprises that life brings. Only when we believe in who our God is can we walk a journey of grief and pain.

Within our family of faith, there are many who are struggling this Christmas season. Please pray for our sisters in Christ -
- in the next 7 days these women need your prayers...

Verna will have surgery for breast cancer.
Jan will have a knee replacement.
Nicole Larson will have a complicated surgery in San Antonio.
Carroll will have both knees replaced.
Ali needs your prayers as she grieves the loss of her husband.

Let's pray like women who believe that what God has said WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED!

Christmas Time is Here

2007-12-01T07:53:00.001-06:00

Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

I love the word "ponder". Ponder means "to weigh in the mind with thoroughness and care".
Can you imagine being Mary - suddenly pregnant by "immaculate conception" - the potential for chaos in her life because of this pregnancy - the looks, the whispers, the challenges that this young woman, chosen by God to mother His Son, must have faced.

Yet, as the story unfolds and Christ enters the world the scripture tells us that Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart. These were things that she hardly understood. Surely those around her were blind to the truth. Perhaps she no one but Joseph that she could share these things with. It must have a lonely time for her.

Yet, through God's grace in her life, she took these moments, experiences, snapshots in her mind and placed them in a treasure box in her heart. I am sure that through the years Mary would mentally open this treasure box - taking out one memory at a time and pondering each - surely still in awe and wonder that God would gift her with the privilege of mothering His own son.

Have you pondered the truths of Christmas - the mystery - the miracle?

Take some time today to consider this ... John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
Focus your thoughts on the majesty of our mighty God glimpsed through the Savior's humanity. Augustine, the 4th century theologian, said, "By his very natitivity he made an eye-salve to cleanse the eyes of our heart so that through His humillity we might see His majesty."

What a mighty God we have in Jesus, an omnipotent Lord who chose to limit His infinite power by clothing himself in the weakness of human flesh. Emmanuel God with us!

I Am Thankful for You

2007-11-19T21:00:00.000-06:00

Phillipians 1:3-6
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.
Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,
for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News
about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work
within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished
on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

I am taking a moment tonight to entertain thoughts of Thanksgiving and all that comes with it. Of course I am creating one list after another - one with dishes that other family members are bringing and another with tasks that must be completed before all 40 family members enter my home and still another that contains the dreaded grocery list (only dreaded because the stores will be treacherous).
But who can even speak the word "Thanksgiving" without taking time to consider all that we have to be thankful for. I feel doubly blessed - I have a precious family with lots of grandkids and I have a church family that blesses me continuously.
Tonight, as I think of you - our church family - my sisters in Christ - my heart overflows with thankfulness. You are our partners in ministry. You are our burden bearers - our encouragers - our prayer warriors.
Thank you for being all of those and for supporting us for all of these 17 1/2 years of ministry here in Magnolia.
I challenge you to take the time to be thankful.
You might even take a moment to leave a comment and share with us what you are thankful for.
Have a blessed day of thanksgiving!
Cindy Seay

Women's MInistry Council

2007-10-12T21:00:00.001-05:00

Women's Ministry Council Meeting - Sunday, October 28 after the last service in the Adult Center - Lunch will be served.
The Women's Ministry Council is composed of women who desire to be a part of planning Women's Ministry events. We meet approximately 6-8 times per year after the last morning worship service. We share lunch together, pray, and plan. If you would like to be a part of event planning please join us for the next Council meeting. The Women's Ministry will only be effective if we all work together.

Consider being a part of one these Event Planning Teams...
Christmas Banquet
Spring Retreat
Titus 2 Brunch/Spring Tea
Girlfriends Unlimited

For more information about the Women's Ministry contact Cindy Seay at cindyseay@fbcmagnolia.org

Connecting with Women in our Body

2007-10-12T20:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our very own blog! It is my desire that we use this site to share thoughts, favorites- books, scriptures, hobbies, etc.

We will also use this site to remind you of ministry opportunities - ways that we can reach our community and ways that we can touch the world with the love of Jesus Christ.

Please share your thoughts and ideas for this site as well as for our ministry to women.