Women's Focus Ministries - From Our WRITING TEAM MembersWe are blessed to have several women who contribute their writings from time to time. Here is a collection of their writings.

The life of a Christian can be like an iceberg, the visible part receives the most attention and is often used to measure success or failure. Yet, its the par that is hidden from view that is of greatest concern to God. Oswald Chambers, who wrote My Utmost for His Highest, said My worth to God in public is what I am in private. The time that I invest in my private time with God has greatly affected my public life and leadership.

If we apply these six practices in our lives they will help to form the foundation of who we are. We need to have a good foundation (Matt. 7:24-27) whether we are alone or in front of a crowd, or these ideas are new or old, they are a worthy reminder to us who have the desire to walk worthy of the call or position God has for us.

Its hard to journal everyday, and dont feel guilty if you dont. I carry a small notebook in my purse at all times. The book is mainly for sermon notes from Sunday or other sessions/classes I am attending. But I use the back to write thoughts, quotes, or words that God places in my heart. It is a great help.

We should try to follow the example of Jesus in Matt. 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Find a quiet, secluded place so you wont be distracted, and the focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his presence. He is then able to encourage, rebuke, admonish and speak words of wisdom into our lives.

Since the unexamined life is not worth living, we should try to ask ourselves these questions below at the end of each month. For each question rate your current condition. (1 = never, 3 = sometimes, 5 = always)

I read through my journal (book) to remind me of thoughts or words that God has given me. Significant spiritual insights are often gained from this simple practice. It also reminds me of what God is going to do in my life, and how he wants to use me. It is a great encouragement to be reminded of Gods faithfulness to us.

It is helpful to set aside regular time to fast. It may be for just a single meal or for several days to a month, depending on how God directs you. This practice develops focus and personal discipline, and much more.

Find someone to be your spiritual mentor. Accountability that grows out of genuine relationship will strengthen you personally as a leader.

If we dont take time to slow down in order to be with God, then He usually catches our attention through a life event that brings us to a standstill. He often unfolds His plan over a space of time while we learn not to rush ahead of Him by applying foundational principals, like these, into our lives. God is more concerned with my relationship with Him than my ministry for Him.

A faulty Christian life, like icebergs, can cause shipwrecks that dishonor God and undermine leadership. Giving due diligence to the hidden parts of our lives will one day conclude with the words, Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

I step away from the campfire to let my eyes adjust to the darkness. Looking around, the dark shapes of trees emerge against the blackness and boulders begin glowing like shadowy balloons against the dark earth.

Inching my right foot forward, I feel for the edge of the first granite step leading down to the inky blackness of the lake. When my toe finds solid footing, I transfer my full weight and lift my left foot to explore for the edge of the next step.

After four steps I stop to look around. As my pupils dilate, the distant shoreline becomes visible as a solid row of tree silhouettes above a charcoal band of sand, the sheet of wet, black lake broken only by a sparse scattering of rocks breaking the surface a few feet off the near shore.

With my eyes adjusted, I abandon the toe-touch method and walk forward, more confident of the steps before me. I take the last step and feel the soft sand of the beach give away under my foot. I walk to the edge of the water and stand motionless.

The trees are perfectly still and not even a whisper of breeze gives movement to the water. No ripples lap the shore at waters edge. I close my eyes and taste the fragrant pine needles that were knocked to the ground by this mornings thundershower. My nose is filled with the strong smell of damp sand and cool, lake water.

I open my eyes to the night. The stillness is overwhelming, the blackness enveloping. My senses become hyper sensitive, believing they are being deprived of any input or stimulation. In my peripheral vision, I see movement in the water and look quickly left, finding myself staring at a pinpoint of light in the middle of the lake.

As I watch the light dance on the dark water, I become aware of more lights appearing all across the surface of the lake. A haze of lights covers an area to my right and even more bright points are flung across the flat blackness to my left.

The lights slip and shimmer before my eyes, forming patterns and shapes. One shape holds my attention, the shape of a giant ladle. I look up quickly and see the seven stars of the Big Dipper hanging low in the sky.

Suddenly, I realize that the mysterious lights on the lake are stars reflected on a mirror of black glass. The first bright light that caught my attention was Polaris, the North Star, and that haze of lights hovering to my right are the millions and billions of stars and planets known as the Milky Way.

The stars spread before my feet and the heavens wrap around the earth overhead. The disorientation of vertigo takes hold as I can no longer differentiate where the starry sky stops and the reflected lights begin. I focus on the dark tree line to reorient myself, but immediately allow the silhouettes of the trees to fade from focus when I decide the optical illusion of earth and sky united is a more thrilling place to be.

How many times have I stood on the shore of this dark lake and never experienced this display? When have I ever seen such complete blackness of the night sky and such absolute stillness of the waters surface? I have never known a time for such perfect conditions to exist or ever imagined that I would be allowed this momentary glimpse through a window of heaven.

And a window of heaven is what it must be. A moment to see something so overwhelming as to cause my eyes to well with tears. An instant to experience something so profound as to make me stop breathing A split second to feel the perceptible weight of the glory of creation around me. To know, without conscious thought, that I am standing with God.

I am unaware of time passing but start to feel the damp chill of the night air setting into my arms and legs. I am reluctant to leave the spectacle of the stars, afraid if I turn from the lake the nearness of God will somehow evaporate behind me. I walk slowly up the beach toward the campfire, turning to take a final look before climbing the granite steps up the shore. I try to etch the amazing scene into my memory and the emotion into my heart, before my vision is corrupted by the brightness of the flames and glowing embers where my family sits roasting marshmallows.

I reclaim my lawn chair at the end of the fire pit and thoughtfully watch the kids ignite their marshmallows into flaming blue torches before blowing them out and slapping their pieces of sugared charcoal into a graham cracker and Hershey bar sandwich.

Staring into the embers, I think how much our lives need a starlit night by the lake. Our bright city nights, when the lights of life obscure our view of the stars, becomes normal. We no longer look for, or miss, the glory of the heavens in our hurried world. The stars are gone from our sight and we adapt to heavens without lights, life without the nearness of God.

But thankfully, just when one starless night runs into another and God seems as far away as a distant galaxy, an astounding heavenly display silently shouts the stars have not changed, God has not changed, He is here.

Psalm 19:1-4 says:

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.

How grateful I am to have heard the stars speak. All in a moment by the lake - an unexpected encounter with creation and the God who made it all.

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualitieshis eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

God is myConstant

Lord I ask that you give me a clear mind and an open heart to receive your wisdom.

God has a better way. Has God called you to climb the mountain and you cant see the top or the path looks impassable? Wait on him and be led by Him. For He has promised joy and that you shall go forth with His promises.

The word of God brings life and in it hope grows. His love rains down and waters the seeds that have been planted in us to work and to grow.

When the turmoil of this daily walk seems overwhelming, I take comfort that He will never leave me or forsake me..

I rejoice and sing with all creation that He is faithful and steadfast. Salvation is come and deliverance at hand.

Real Communion

This is a true, beautiful story written by my friend Jody that I want to share with you. It is truly precious. Enjoy!

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Real Communion

Gramma, we want to go in big church with you.

I groaned inwardly and looked in my rearview mirror at the two hopeful faces strapped into their car-seats behind me, while trying furiously to think of a way to convince them to go their Sunday School class.

We want to hear the singing. Are you singing today, Gramma?

I looked at the clock in the dashboard. Of course Im not singing today. Singing is starting right now and we dont even have a parking space yet.
No honey, Gramma isnt singing on the platform, but Ill still be singing where I sit, I answered calmly. Do you want to go to Sunday School after the singing?
Nooooooo, they sang. We want to stay with you."

What was I thinking when I agreed to this? I love when my granddaughters spend the night but usually, Grampa gets breakfast together while I get ready and then we trade off so he can jump in the shower. This morning I was on my own and I had seriously miscalculated the time necessary for a distracted seven year old to finish eating and a four year old to pick out her shoes (with only two choices available, I might add.)

I swung hard into a parking spot, slammed on the parking brake and turned to look at the girls.

Youll have to sit through Pastors sermon. I was sure the threat of advanced theology and Biblical boredom would have the desired effect.
Okay, they said in unison, hope growing on their faces.

My dreams of dropping them off at Sunday school and getting some quiet church time after a hectic morning were fading fast. And youll have to be quiet. No squirming. No scribbling on all the prayer cards and the offering envelopes.

They nodded furiously, obviously smelling the blood of victory in the water and sensing Gramma was on the ropes.

If you cant behave, if you make noise or wiggle, Im taking you to class. Understand? Great. Now Im reduced to threatening them with Sunday School.

Lots more nodding and big silly smiles. Gramma knew she was a goner. And no running back and forth to potty, I said sternly, trying to salvage my shredded authority.

I selected seats towards the back of the church near the exit so we did not create too much disruption when we made our exits, which I was certain would follow shortly after the music ended or someone had to make a bathroom run, whichever came first.

As we took our places and started to sing, I noticed the communion table set up in the front, with its gleaming gold containers holding unleavened crackers and plastic mini-cups of grape juice. Great. Now what do I do?

They had spotted the table and were already poking at my leg so Id bend down where they could kid-whisper questions at me. Oh, Lord, not today.

Whats thaaaaaaaat? they both hissed and pointed.

That, is called communion. Have you heard about communion, when we remember what Jesus did for us.

I looked at them and felt the tearing of indecision. Did I let them take the communion elements without understanding the meaning of what we were doing, or should I cause a ruckus and enlist more questions by denying them participation, or should I whisk them off to their Sunday School classes which is where they should be in the first place. God, I need some help here.
The seven year old nodded smugly and leaned in. Its about His body and He died.

The four year old stood dejected, head bowed, as if shed been left out of a wonderful secret that everyone else knew but her. I dont know about it, she mumbled.

I sat down between them and pulled them close so my voice would be near their ears. They pressed into my sides to listen to me explain in my best stage whisper.

This is something very important. We do this to remember everything Jesus did for us. The bread we use crackers reminds of His body that He gave so we could have life with Him. The little cups have grape juice to remind us of how His blood washed away all our sins.

They were hanging on every word. Pastor asked the congregation to sit and prepare for communion as the ushers moved forward to distribute the communion elements. The girls strained their necks to get a good look at what was inside the containers.

The Bible tells us to do this, take the bread and the cup and remember how much Jesus did for us, I said.
The four year old looked at me with big serious eyes. He died, she said softly. On a cross.

But its nothing to be sad about! I said. He didnt stay dead. He rose from the grave and now all of us can live forever with God, because of Jesus and what he did. Thats what we celebrate at Easter. Its the most wonderful thing. So when we eat communion, we are telling God thank you for Jesus and everything He did.

The ushers were getting closer. I looked at the seven year old. Do you believe Jesus died for everything youve ever done wrong, and will ever do wrong? Do you believe He rose from the grave and lives in our hearts?

She looked at the usher and back at me. Yes, she said firmly. I felt hot tears come to my eyes as I turned to the four year old and looked in her eyes.

Do you believe Jesus died for everything youve ever done wrong, and will ever do wrong? Do you believe He didnt stay dead and now lives in our hearts? She paused, then nodded slowly and seriously. Now, my tears flowed freely.

The usher stood before us with the communion trays. I indicated for each girl to take a piece of cracker and a tiny plastic cup. I followed when they were finished and we held them in our hands, according to Pastors instructions. The three of us huddled closer and bowed our heads as I led them in prayer.

Father in heaven, thank you for sending your son Jesus to earth. Thank you that He was willing to suffer and die on a cross for all our sins. Thank you that He didnt stay dead, but rose from the grave and is living today. Help us to live the way You want us to and to make Jesus happy. Amen.
Amen, said two little voices. One word, so earnest, so sincere.

Pastor began reading from the Bible. Now, Gramma? the four year old asked, showing me her piece of cracker.
Pastor will tell us, just listen, I whispered back.
As Pastor began his prayer, the seven year old leaned closer. When do we eat?

I smiled. Just wait. Pastor will say when. We all do it together. I had never seen them listen so closely to Pastors words.

Please stand andlet us partake together. The magic words were said. The girls popped the crackers into their mouths and chewed. The cup followed. The four year old drained hers in one gulp, like cough medicine. The seven year old tested it with a three-drop sip, then a slightly larger sip, then two more dainty sips until it was gone.

We handed our plastic cups toward the end of the aisle where the ushers collected them. The four year looked at me, giving me her biggest, cheesy grin the one that makes her eyes almost close and her nose wrinkle. I gave her the same face back.
As we settled back into our seats, the seven year old tugged my arm. Gramma, that was gooooood juice. Is that all we get?

I smiled and squeezed her in a hug. You just got everything there is, I said.
As Pastor began his sermon, the girls snuggled against me, one under each arm, and settled down to behave as they were instructed and not wiggle. I didnt hear much of his message that morning because God had already given me a lesson, an opportunity, a blessing and a joy all before the sermon even began.

Jody Ward

2010

Gods Makeup Box

My child, as you gaze into the mirror what do you see? Do you see the wonderful person I made or do you see something else? In the morning you apply makeup to cover up the imperfections that you see or enhance features that you like and you become something less than what you could be. I am not speaking of makeup for the outward physical body but of makeup applied to the essence of you, in the inside, deep in youre your spirit.

It is difficult not to put on the hurts, disappointments, loss, failures, low self esteem, even troubles that you have worn so long that they have become your make-up.

My child, I love you so, and I would like to show you a better way. Here take this alabaster box. It is Gods makeup box. See how it is translucent and it shines as you look upon it. There are no secrets here. Open it and see my makeup.

See there is the potters clay. You know I made you. I made you perfect in my sight. I love what I made. In fact I had the blueprints of you long before you were conceived. Sometimes you forget who you are and I would like to remind you that you are my child and I will always love you. There is nothing you can do that will make me love you less.

In my makeup box is a candy heart. Taste and see that I am good and my mercies endure forever. I abide in you. Remember to call on me and I will open up a spirit of revelation and wisdom to you.

I see a artist brush. Each day I paint a new picture of my love for you and It tells of my walk with you each day. I take particular pleasure in each stroke, and variations of color and hue. The shadows cast such depth, I am indeed lost in the beauty of it.

There are eye drops here made from my tears. I feel every heartache and weep with you in your sorrows. But see beyond sadness. May your sight be quickened into the ways I have for you and to see others as I see them.

There is a small cap here. You could call it a thinking cap. I smile when I think of it. Place it on your head to have the mind of the Father, that you can know what is my will for you in your life and for others. I pleasure and delight over this for you.

In my makeup box are many gifts for you. Take time apart with me and we will open them together. Mysteries and lessons I will teach.

Your makeup has been by God designed. You are perfect and well loved. Think on these things.

I WILL GAIN HOPE..

Therefore, I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert (the wilderness is not a place of punishment but a place of privacy) and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor (means trouble) A DOOR OF HOPE (God redeems situations). There she will sing (respond) as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. In that day, declares the Lord, you will call me my husband; you will no longer call me my master.

What does this sayGod is leading me into the desert, a solitary place, a place I dont understandand in this strange place He is going to speak to me, in this hard place I will hear Him, He will be near to me and provide for me, this will be a place of privacy for Him and mebut He says this place of trouble will be redeemed and become a place where I begin to have new hope. It is in this desert wilderness. I WILL GAIN HOPE.. This does not compute. I should have blessings in easy situations, where the goodness and honey flows...but not here. There are times God leads us into the wilderness to speak tenderly to us. Then, after we have heard His voice in this place, He begins to restore and redeem our lives, and we sing, have joy, and respond to the Lords voice as when we first knew Him. Have you ever experienced this first loves joy after coming though to the other side of something hard? What do we take out of it? The Lord says it is here that you begin to call me my husband and no longer call me my master. Hes our husband, our covering, our provider, our healer, our protector, our lover.

Ah, my friends, be blessed today for the One who understands all things is walking with you