Saturday, July 28, 2007
Local Women's Conference
The Aiken Baptist Association is sponsoring the Women's Celebration and Evangelism Conference on Saturday, September 29 from 9 AM - 3 PM at Clearwater First Baptist Church (17 Clearwater Road, Clearwater, SC). Women by Design Ministries presents "Here Comes the Bride...of Christ" to help you deepen your love relationship with Jesus. Tickets are $20 which included lunch and the deadline to register is September 15. Contact Karen Todd at 803-270-0719 (KarenTodd303@hotmail.com) or Gail Hodson at 803-593-5467 (Hgloverville@aol.com).
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Melissa Bernard's Journey...to Heaven
July 16, 2007 marked the end of a journey that I really had prayed would not come. Melissa Bernard, after eight months of a tremendously fought battle, died from anal cancer. She left an adoring husband, four adorable children and and extended list of family and friends.
I'm not exactly sure when I really got to know Melissa. Must have been the first few years we started attending Cedar Creek. I recognized her husband, Brian, because I had dated his brother in high school. I instantly remembered her to be a bubbly, energetic, fun-loving woman. People just wanted to be around her. My first personal memory of her was in 2004 when she was in charge of crafts for VBS. It was the first--and last--time I had led DJ's group, and I was simply astounded at what she had planned for those kids. Maybe elementary school kids were capable enough to give paint to, but three year olds??!! I could hardly imagine the mess they were going to make, but it was obvious that Melissa had no concerns for that whatsoever. The music was blaring, and she was dancing around with a paper bag hat on her head. And I came home with what is one of my treasured crafts that DJ has done. And why? Because his precious three year old hands painted that pillow. She brought out a creativity in him that I never dreamed would have existed. Just a month later, she and Brenda Klein organized and led the crafts area at our very first Girlfriends Night.
Last summer, I was communicating with Brian and Melissa to try and find his brother's contact information. They sent me an email telling me that he was in prison, married four times and had five children, who's names all rhymed except the fifth who was adopted. They even put a mailing address for a prison in Georgia, which I spent a great deal of time trying to track Chris down, because all of that information is public knowledge. It was the next day or so that they confessed it was an elaborate story, but they had me hook, line and sinker. They were still laughing on that Sunday when I ran into them.
Even as I type this, I still cannot believe that she is gone. The loss I feel is exascerbated by the loss I feel for Brian and the kids and her close friends and family. It is obvious in reading the posts on her website (set up by sister in law Vicki for family and friends to communicate with Melissa during treatments in Birmingham--it's in the links list) that she was loved by so many people. Her impact on this earth will certainly be felt into eternity.
I'm not exactly sure when I really got to know Melissa. Must have been the first few years we started attending Cedar Creek. I recognized her husband, Brian, because I had dated his brother in high school. I instantly remembered her to be a bubbly, energetic, fun-loving woman. People just wanted to be around her. My first personal memory of her was in 2004 when she was in charge of crafts for VBS. It was the first--and last--time I had led DJ's group, and I was simply astounded at what she had planned for those kids. Maybe elementary school kids were capable enough to give paint to, but three year olds??!! I could hardly imagine the mess they were going to make, but it was obvious that Melissa had no concerns for that whatsoever. The music was blaring, and she was dancing around with a paper bag hat on her head. And I came home with what is one of my treasured crafts that DJ has done. And why? Because his precious three year old hands painted that pillow. She brought out a creativity in him that I never dreamed would have existed. Just a month later, she and Brenda Klein organized and led the crafts area at our very first Girlfriends Night.
Last summer, I was communicating with Brian and Melissa to try and find his brother's contact information. They sent me an email telling me that he was in prison, married four times and had five children, who's names all rhymed except the fifth who was adopted. They even put a mailing address for a prison in Georgia, which I spent a great deal of time trying to track Chris down, because all of that information is public knowledge. It was the next day or so that they confessed it was an elaborate story, but they had me hook, line and sinker. They were still laughing on that Sunday when I ran into them.
Even as I type this, I still cannot believe that she is gone. The loss I feel is exascerbated by the loss I feel for Brian and the kids and her close friends and family. It is obvious in reading the posts on her website (set up by sister in law Vicki for family and friends to communicate with Melissa during treatments in Birmingham--it's in the links list) that she was loved by so many people. Her impact on this earth will certainly be felt into eternity.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Great article from Lifeway Women's Ministry
Considering the makeover journey we are on with regards to Women's Ministry at Cedar Creek, I thought this article was especially appropriate for us...and maybe you too!
http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D157063%252526M%25253D200858%2C00.html?
http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D157063%252526M%25253D200858%2C00.html?
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Greetings from the beach! The first full day here was my birthday, and it was quite a day with the Father. All of the prayers that went up for Abby to sleep made it to the throne; however, DJ woke up at 5:15 AM (and he was sleeping with us, so the "princess" wouldn't be disturbed during her sleep). I hit the beach for a long walk at 6:00 AM and did something I've never done before. My devotional the night before highlighted the longest Psalm--119--as the reading passage, and so I stood on the shoreline and read it aloud before I walked. If you haven't read it recently, it talks over and over about loving the law, knowing it and meditation on it. It was such a reminder of how God wants us to be emersed in His word. So many things that day were a joke about my age, and as I walked I simply could not remember the words to many of our praise songs. I resorted to what I might never forget---old hymns. I sang "Amazing Grace" and thought of the many families in our church who are dealing with an impending death. The sun had hidden behind the clouds as it came up but then burst forth in such radiant glory that it could only make me think of heaven and God's glory. What a day!
We've been highlighting one question each week to pray about. As I think about "what's missing in our ministry to women," I don't believe that fun or enthusiasm are missing. We really captured that with Girlfriends Unlimited and have that fully under our belts. We are lacking goals--how do we move women from interest to belief to disciple? I know that we cannot get hung up on numbers, but if we don't have some measureable goals then we really won't know if we are accomplishing what we set out to do. I think the passion I'd like to see is one to know God's word and have an intimate relationship with him. One of those quotes I copied recently about knowing God's character when we don't understand the circumstances around us seems to be important for all of us to know, especially right now.
The enemy must have been made keenly aware of the time that the Lord and I were going to have because by lunch time on Thursday I began to feel achy all over and have a severly sore throat. I spent most of the remaining day in bed and a great deal of Friday too. We were supposed to go boating with some friends which we had to cancel. I've felt absolutely miserable and DJ had an even worse night sleeping on Thursday night. We totally regrouped last night and got better sleep, and I am fully loaded on ibuprofen. Thank goodness I'm starting to feel better, but what challenging few days it's been.
We've been highlighting one question each week to pray about. As I think about "what's missing in our ministry to women," I don't believe that fun or enthusiasm are missing. We really captured that with Girlfriends Unlimited and have that fully under our belts. We are lacking goals--how do we move women from interest to belief to disciple? I know that we cannot get hung up on numbers, but if we don't have some measureable goals then we really won't know if we are accomplishing what we set out to do. I think the passion I'd like to see is one to know God's word and have an intimate relationship with him. One of those quotes I copied recently about knowing God's character when we don't understand the circumstances around us seems to be important for all of us to know, especially right now.
The enemy must have been made keenly aware of the time that the Lord and I were going to have because by lunch time on Thursday I began to feel achy all over and have a severly sore throat. I spent most of the remaining day in bed and a great deal of Friday too. We were supposed to go boating with some friends which we had to cancel. I've felt absolutely miserable and DJ had an even worse night sleeping on Thursday night. We totally regrouped last night and got better sleep, and I am fully loaded on ibuprofen. Thank goodness I'm starting to feel better, but what challenging few days it's been.
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