It appears it is not the time nor the season for this blog...I am closing it for now. Maybe I will try again in the future...thanks to those who did come check it out.
Karen
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Heating up
Well our little Women's ministry at Valleyview bible is beginning to heat up. Another successful event has occurred...pizza and games night with 2 more being planned as I type and more great ideas flowing easily.
I am so thankful for my 2 helpers and their energy and enthusiasm...even enough to come last night while battling the horrible cold bug that is making it's rounds, thanks Marianne I hope you feel better soon.
Again it was a handful of regular attenders but a few new faces made it all worthwhile, not that it isn't for the regulars we learn something new about each other and grow closer each time we meet. But I really love making a new connection with people I haven't gotten to know yet, that is what really warms my heart.
Now the trick is to get women to come here and read what's going on here too...I have some ideas for that as well...keep coming back to find out more and to see what's going on with Women's hearts at Valleyview!
May God bless you today and everyday till we meet him face to face...
I am so thankful for my 2 helpers and their energy and enthusiasm...even enough to come last night while battling the horrible cold bug that is making it's rounds, thanks Marianne I hope you feel better soon.
Again it was a handful of regular attenders but a few new faces made it all worthwhile, not that it isn't for the regulars we learn something new about each other and grow closer each time we meet. But I really love making a new connection with people I haven't gotten to know yet, that is what really warms my heart.
Now the trick is to get women to come here and read what's going on here too...I have some ideas for that as well...keep coming back to find out more and to see what's going on with Women's hearts at Valleyview!
May God bless you today and everyday till we meet him face to face...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Challenge accepted!
I have started a one year bible plan that will have me read through my bible. I have read many bits and pieces but not the whole book.
Anyone else want to join me? I am really missing a regular bible study time. It is so hard to get people together and then to commit to a regular schedule. I won't let that hold me back, I will read the most precious book ever and even share some thoughts and ideas as I am going thru the plan here...maybe you can help me answer some questions I will likely have.
So join me...and we can support each other.
Anyone else want to join me? I am really missing a regular bible study time. It is so hard to get people together and then to commit to a regular schedule. I won't let that hold me back, I will read the most precious book ever and even share some thoughts and ideas as I am going thru the plan here...maybe you can help me answer some questions I will likely have.
So join me...and we can support each other.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Happy 2012....may blessings abound
A new year, a new start, a new beginning...there are many ways to look at the turning of the calendar year. One of my favorite things is taking down the old calendars and putting up fresh new ones. Looking back through the months and seeing what was written on the old...appointments, births, opening of new beginnings.
I will admit 2011 has challenged our family in ways I never ever thought possible but here we are beginning a new year intact, still struggling but in a lot of ways we are stronger, brighter and for me the most important more in love with my Saviour, Jesus.
There are still a lot of left overs from the previous year, challenges that are in progress but I know that trusting Christ is the only answer to moving forward, he knows the path I must take and I shall take the one he lays in front of me.
So today as I look back on the previous year as I change over my calendars I will do it with a prayer of thankfulness in my heart because I know that even if I do not immediately see the positive of a despairing time He does and I trust Him with all of my heart and every fiber of my being.
I pray also for my few friends who read my blog I pray for a day of thankful looking back and eagerness for what lays ahead...the good, bad and the darn right ugly...because there is beauty as we pass through this life with the promise of an eternity waiting for us. We only have to trust our Lord to see it.
May God bless you with His love and may you see the joy in even the hard days...trust, pray, love...
I will admit 2011 has challenged our family in ways I never ever thought possible but here we are beginning a new year intact, still struggling but in a lot of ways we are stronger, brighter and for me the most important more in love with my Saviour, Jesus.
There are still a lot of left overs from the previous year, challenges that are in progress but I know that trusting Christ is the only answer to moving forward, he knows the path I must take and I shall take the one he lays in front of me.
So today as I look back on the previous year as I change over my calendars I will do it with a prayer of thankfulness in my heart because I know that even if I do not immediately see the positive of a despairing time He does and I trust Him with all of my heart and every fiber of my being.
I pray also for my few friends who read my blog I pray for a day of thankful looking back and eagerness for what lays ahead...the good, bad and the darn right ugly...because there is beauty as we pass through this life with the promise of an eternity waiting for us. We only have to trust our Lord to see it.
May God bless you with His love and may you see the joy in even the hard days...trust, pray, love...
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Success
What is the mark of success? A large turnout? Someone new? Good laughter and talking to someone new?
Women's ministry had a coffee house this past week. We invaded Frankly Coffee, they were so accommodating they stayed open for 2 extra hours for 11 women to have coffee and treats and fellowship. It was a good crowd and I even got to talk to some women I haven't had the chance to talk to before...(they sit on the other side of the church).
I have had this conversation in the past with other event planners. There are a lot of different ideas out there as to what marks success of an event. I think firstly you must decide what the purpose of an event is, who is your target, how do you reach that target and what your goals are for the event.
We had a few ladies I have not seen out at other Women's events so right there that is success.
We need each other...to talk, to listen, to hear, to support. That is what fellowship is about. So I hope we continue to have "successful" Women's events and that you will all join us in getting to know each other.
God Bless
Women's ministry had a coffee house this past week. We invaded Frankly Coffee, they were so accommodating they stayed open for 2 extra hours for 11 women to have coffee and treats and fellowship. It was a good crowd and I even got to talk to some women I haven't had the chance to talk to before...(they sit on the other side of the church).
I have had this conversation in the past with other event planners. There are a lot of different ideas out there as to what marks success of an event. I think firstly you must decide what the purpose of an event is, who is your target, how do you reach that target and what your goals are for the event.
We had a few ladies I have not seen out at other Women's events so right there that is success.
We need each other...to talk, to listen, to hear, to support. That is what fellowship is about. So I hope we continue to have "successful" Women's events and that you will all join us in getting to know each other.
God Bless
Monday, October 24, 2011
Answer to prayer
Sometimes it feels like prayers go unanswered for a long time and others it is amazing to watch the miracle of God work. Overtime I have come to realize that not all of my prayers will get answered when I want and how I want...I'm laughing right now at all those "I"s! Really it isn't about me it is about God and His perfect timing. We strive so hard to understand to make sense of which prayers are answered and which ones aren't.
The Lord has even shown us through scripture that it isn't for us to understand His ways but to Trust in Him always no matter what..."your will be done" such a simplistic statement. Yet we are always trying to put a reason to it. What would our lives look like if we prayed and then just finished it all off with that sentence..."Lord, your will be done in my life today, tomorrow and forever."
I was stressing out last week as I couldn't for the life of me come up with something to blog about...oh I had ideas but nothing was flowing...something was holding me back and even as I was praying for God to direct me nothing came. I was spending time listening intently for something to happen, for someone to ask me a question or even something to come up in my own life. Strangely enough I was quite ill last week with symptoms from my chronic condition and even still I was praying to God to give me work I knew I could not manage. Oh, but He knew, I'm feeling better this week and have even had the privilege of seeing one of my prayers answered in an obvious way. His will was done, perfectly and completely.
The prayer that was answered was that I have been struggling to come up with a meaningful Women's ministry I felt defeated and alone, no great ideas for great activities coming to mind and just a sense that I wasn't worthy of the title. Darn the evil whispers in my heart, but God was watching out for me and as I prayed for guidance and some sort of sign I was in the right place guess what happened? Yes, He answered my prayer in a very direct and obvious way. Two very wonderful ladies approached me on Sunday asking if they could help out...they both felt God directing them towards this, they were worried I might take it the wrong way. That is until I told them they were the answer to my prayers...WOW.
Even with the evil one whispering to my heart, and my own self doubts my Lord and Saviour has protected me again, reminded me once more that it isn't me alone battling these demons but Him and His army of sisters, and brothers, Praise God and be watching for great things to come...
His will be done...
The Lord has even shown us through scripture that it isn't for us to understand His ways but to Trust in Him always no matter what..."your will be done" such a simplistic statement. Yet we are always trying to put a reason to it. What would our lives look like if we prayed and then just finished it all off with that sentence..."Lord, your will be done in my life today, tomorrow and forever."
I was stressing out last week as I couldn't for the life of me come up with something to blog about...oh I had ideas but nothing was flowing...something was holding me back and even as I was praying for God to direct me nothing came. I was spending time listening intently for something to happen, for someone to ask me a question or even something to come up in my own life. Strangely enough I was quite ill last week with symptoms from my chronic condition and even still I was praying to God to give me work I knew I could not manage. Oh, but He knew, I'm feeling better this week and have even had the privilege of seeing one of my prayers answered in an obvious way. His will was done, perfectly and completely.
The prayer that was answered was that I have been struggling to come up with a meaningful Women's ministry I felt defeated and alone, no great ideas for great activities coming to mind and just a sense that I wasn't worthy of the title. Darn the evil whispers in my heart, but God was watching out for me and as I prayed for guidance and some sort of sign I was in the right place guess what happened? Yes, He answered my prayer in a very direct and obvious way. Two very wonderful ladies approached me on Sunday asking if they could help out...they both felt God directing them towards this, they were worried I might take it the wrong way. That is until I told them they were the answer to my prayers...WOW.
Even with the evil one whispering to my heart, and my own self doubts my Lord and Saviour has protected me again, reminded me once more that it isn't me alone battling these demons but Him and His army of sisters, and brothers, Praise God and be watching for great things to come...
His will be done...
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
nurturing our own hearts
Every day there are many demands on women...schedules, children, work, home and for some the list is shorter for others even longer. Depending on our age and stage of life. But I don't think there is ever a time where we do not need to look after ourselves. If we are not well spiritually, mentally or physically we are unable to function to our full capacity.
One of my best learned lessons of the past few years has been to take care of myself. You see I have a chronic illness, causes me chronic pain and fatigue. I have had no choice but to learn how to slow down...pace myself and say no...sometimes to things I really want to do.
So what does that look like...firstly we need to look to our Lord, Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." We need to develop a long lasting deep relationship with our saviour. We need to take time out of our busy life and make time for one who loves us more deeply than we can ever imagine or feel. Think about that, think of someone you love dearly...your mother, daughter, friend, husband now take that feeling and double it...even just once and that doesn't even come close to matching how God is feeling about you right now.
We need to spend one on one time with Him...praying, reading...listening. Can you imagine if someone you love dearly didn't take time to be with you every day? If you went days, weeks or even months without time with them? Yet it is so easy to put off our time with God, to say I'll read my bible later or I have this really great novel I want to finish first...or perhaps a quick prayer when something comes up like a hello tossed over your shoulder when you run into someone downtown. Can you imagine the hurt you would feel perhaps even it would put a wedge between you and your loved one. But not God, he is still there waiting patiently, lovingly for you to just sit quietly for a few minutes with Him.
So what is really holding you back? What keeps you from spending time and showing your love to the one who loves you unconditionally, is always right there when you call? Could you look at your busy calendar and just schedule a daily appointment, rendezvous or meeting with your saviour, just 15 minutes or maybe even 5. Starting a new routine is hard but once established it becomes a way of life, He deserves it don't you think?
Until next time, God bless
Karen
One of my best learned lessons of the past few years has been to take care of myself. You see I have a chronic illness, causes me chronic pain and fatigue. I have had no choice but to learn how to slow down...pace myself and say no...sometimes to things I really want to do.
So what does that look like...firstly we need to look to our Lord, Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." We need to develop a long lasting deep relationship with our saviour. We need to take time out of our busy life and make time for one who loves us more deeply than we can ever imagine or feel. Think about that, think of someone you love dearly...your mother, daughter, friend, husband now take that feeling and double it...even just once and that doesn't even come close to matching how God is feeling about you right now.
We need to spend one on one time with Him...praying, reading...listening. Can you imagine if someone you love dearly didn't take time to be with you every day? If you went days, weeks or even months without time with them? Yet it is so easy to put off our time with God, to say I'll read my bible later or I have this really great novel I want to finish first...or perhaps a quick prayer when something comes up like a hello tossed over your shoulder when you run into someone downtown. Can you imagine the hurt you would feel perhaps even it would put a wedge between you and your loved one. But not God, he is still there waiting patiently, lovingly for you to just sit quietly for a few minutes with Him.
So what is really holding you back? What keeps you from spending time and showing your love to the one who loves you unconditionally, is always right there when you call? Could you look at your busy calendar and just schedule a daily appointment, rendezvous or meeting with your saviour, just 15 minutes or maybe even 5. Starting a new routine is hard but once established it becomes a way of life, He deserves it don't you think?
Until next time, God bless
Karen
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