Just Give Me Jesus-Waco

Rummage Sale Update


Thank you for your questions concerning
this great event! Here is the latest news:

Volunteers needed!
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Call the office for information concerning availability for pick up items, 751-7200.
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Drop-off hours at Waco Baptist Academy :
Thursday, 12-5:00 p.m. and Friday 9-5:00 p.m.
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You do not need to price items!

Please pray for this wonderful opportunity!

Blessings to you.

Pulling Weeds

My apologies for falling off the the blog wagon. Rest assured it has not just been this blog, but my personal one as well. I have been doing a Bible study titled, "No Other Gods", by Kelly Minter. Let's just say I have been convicted in some major ways. I have been struggling with some empty feelings for several months. Feelings of loneliness and confusion. I asked The Lord to show me why. Why this sense of unrest and of all things...loneliness? Really? I am surrounded by family and friends daily. And surely a house full of crying, tantrums and screaming are not something that lends itself to emptiness. Except the fact that all of it takes away from my relationship with God. He has painfully shown me all the things I put before Him. Some of the things are actual things (TV, blogs, etc.) Others are relationships. Relationships that are not bad. They are in fact, good and necessary. However, all that I pour into them are taking away from my time with the Lord. Therefore, they are feeling pretty empty in and of themselves. Funny enough, the way to remedy all of this is simply to work on my relationship with Him. Just spending time with him. Such a "duh" concept, I know. But friends, I struggle with this simple concept and always have.

All of this to say, I am getting back. I have identified what has taken my time and I want to unselfishly give that time back to the Father. I have to! Otherwise, I will miss out on the blessings He has for me!

Insight with an Insider!

So so sorry for such an absence in my writing. Sistas, I have been tired and gone. However, I am back from the hiatus. Is anyone out there even reading??? If so, this post is for you!
A couple of weeks ago, some staffers from AnGeL ministries were here meeting with the JGMJ commitees. I got word that a young woman was on staff who knew all about blogging and wanted to talk to me! Wow! How exciting! So, Jamie and I met up to chat about blogs and what revival really means. Now, Jamie is the Associate Director of Event Ministries with AnGeL. Cool right? Guess what--she is younger than me!!! I am in awe of her job and it must say a lot about her that she would be so young and so thought of to serve at such a place. After talking to her, I saw why. She was so cute and poised and you know what...Christ beamed out of her. Not in a weird way either. She was so genuine and so in touch with her Father. And can I just tell you she graduated with a degree in Women's ministry?!?! What? I want that degree! Hello! I went to Baylor and I am quite certain there was not a degree of such a thing. Shoulda woulda.
Our main priority was to talk about how I could get young women involved. Basically, there is no real science to it. Jamie put it this way, "would you run a marathon the day of with no training?" Nope. I don't believe I would. That's why it is so so so important for us to be praying as a whole for this, but also to be praying that the Lord would specifically work in our own hearts. Prepare us for the revival within. We both sort of agreed that a lot of time conferences, retreats, women's "things" have a what I like to call the "church camp" effect. It's all fine and dandy when you are there. Then, you leave. Now what? And the fire dies. She said JGMJ is a no-frills conference. You get what you get and it is a nitty gritty spiritual event. Come ready to be changed. Come ready to leave changed. Come ready to live changed. Well, that got me excited. I love the simplicity. I love the message...JUST GIVE ME JESUS. She assured me Ann Graham Lotz is going to put it just as that. She is going to teach us how to be disciples. And all the while, the revival that comes from within, will be poured out into a city wide event--a domino effect, if you will. I can picture it all now...
So, ladies, get into a prayer cell group! Heck, you can come to mine! Pray and prepare. And COME the weekend of. Bring your friends, but be ready to leave changed!! Jamie and me---isn't she super cute?? Thanks for visiting with me, Jamie. Your heart is very evident. Can't wait to see you soon!

SOOO sorry! I missed last week's requests because I was trying to get out of town. I heard the rally was great! I would LOVE for some of you to contact me and let me know how the Spirit moved you there so I can write about it. Also, I had the privilege of meeting a staffer from AnGel ministries! Details and a picture to come!!!!

Week Fourteen: Jesus, the Christ

"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." John 20:31

"Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Matt. 16:16-17

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor. 4:6

PRAISES:
~That God showed up in a powerful way at our Prayer Rally...through the leadership of Phyllis and spirit-filled worship of Gary...breaking down cultural, denominational and racial barriers and bringing unity as we sought God and prayed for revival
~For women who attended the Prayer Rally and have now gotten God's vision of the big picture of revival for Central Texas and who want to join God in what He is doing.
~For churches and individuals who have been led by God to respond to the financial needs of JGMJesus

REQUESTS:
~For special protection and enabling of the Bible Study Facilitator leaders during April with double training sessions each week
~For the conscious demonstration of support from the women of Central Texas by way of prayer, financial giving and service to the JGMJesus Revival
~That remaining information sheets for counseling will come in and God will arrange schedules for potential counselors to attend the 2 training sessions
~For the Promotion Co-Chairs to have eyes to see when the money is best spent and lead them to the right places to share the message of hope
~For a good response to the usher committee's email by women committing to be trained and to serve as ushers

Week Twelve: Jesus, the Deliverer

"The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." Romans 11:26-27
"I will love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my Deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:1-2
"But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my Deliverer; do not delay, O my God." Psalm 40:17
"Blessed be the Lord my Rock . . . My lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my Deliverer, My shield and the ONE in whom I take refuge . . ." Psalm 144:1-2

PRAISES
~For the growing number of churches and pastors who are willing to participate in JGMJesus with expectant hope for revival
~For good attendance, committed people, and the Spirit's guidance as the first follow-up Bible Study training began
~For the enthusiastic prayer zone leader's meeting full of wonderful ideas and suggestions for reaching more women to pray
~For many opportunities to promote JGMJesus and prayer leading to an awareness of God's favor on Central Texas in bringing revival and to many stepping out in obedient involvement
~For God's guidance for Anne in the provision for new leadership in AnGel Ministires...Brenda, our new revival director... and for Carole and what she has meant to us.

PRAYER REQUESTS
~For a great coming together of God's people in prayer for revival at the Prayer Rally on April 2 at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church..that nothing will prevent them from coming
~For the church liaisons to be a clear source of communication between the JGMJesus leadership team and for them to do all that they do for the glory of God and out of love for Him and His people
~Pray for the women and pastors of Central Texas to be not only willing to participate in JGMJesus, but that they will be filled with enthusiastic excitement in serving Jesus
~For God to open the doors and show the Fundraising committee the people to contact and for the wealth of Central Texas to be released for good works through generous giving to JGMJesus
~For God to lead and give wisdom to the Special Needs Team to recognize the needs and make appropriate provisions for all participants
~For the letters that were mailed to the pastors to get to the right place, for the pastors to receive the information with open hearts, and for them to respond by returning the card that was enclosed
~For continued protection for attendance for the follow-up Bible Study training, for the people to understand and complete their homework, and for God's use of His Word to strengthen spiritually
~For meetings with Brenda and Jamie this week...perfect scheduling, unity, and all questions answered
~For God's protection of and provision for the Leadership Team of JGMJesus, the Prayer Team, and volunteers .....energy, time, health, and personal lives

Recognize Falsehood

"They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood."

I was so touched by our pastor's message yesterday at church. It was so interesting. He preached a sermon (and I am paraphrasing here) on what the Devil might preach to draw people in. Basically, he would preach falsehood of what it will be like after accepting Christianity. He would promise a life that is "perfect"--no hurt, heartache, hardships, illness, death-- and when life disappoints, people would fall away from God in groves. Does that ring true for you? I think it does for a lot of Christians. The good life is not always "good" my friends. What you get out of your trials and who you seek in the troubled times are how we define ourselves. WHO DO WE SEEK in those times? Is it Christ? Is it really Christ? Or is it doctors, family members, spouses, medication? Life is going to disappoint us. Our purpose in life is not to possess a perfect life! I think a lot of things these days are gearing Christianity towards a better life! Have a better life--become a Christian! What a let-down. We still get sick, sin, get cheated, lose money, have way-ward children. What happened to the perfection we signed up for? The perfection is in Christ through us and in us! To know our job is a life of service towards Him regardless of the circumstances! Right?
All this to say, be aware of this in our attempts to bring revival to our town and the lives in it. Don't make promises of a better life to non-Christians. Make promises of HOPE in a life that will have turmoil. It is so tempting to offer a better life to those who don't know the Lord. While I don't think it is wrong to say it will be "better", you must watch the emphasis that is placed on that word. There are no guarantees. We don't want them to come to know Christ and then fall away when things are not glamorous in their new life. Let's make sure we are praying that we would all speak Truth in Christ. Offer a life of change, not in a betterment sort of way, but a source of HOPE when the troubled waters come. Hope this made sense to you...Pastor Barry said it better than me! Be blessed today. And much love to all of you!!

If You Have about 20 Minutes Today....

....Listen to this (click on "this") and be encouraged!

Week Eleven: Jesus, the Name Above All Names

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Phil. 2:5-11

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." Matt. 1:21

"And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." John 1:16-18

PRAISES
~For God's divine provision of 2 enthusiastic and gifted Co-Zone leaders for Killeen/Ft. Hood and for the many contacts they and the other zones have already made
~For God's abiding presence in the day to day activities at the Just Give Me Jesus office - for new volunteers, new churches and new contacts
~For the buckets of rain that poured down on Central Texas last week - reminding us that even in the driest of seasons HE WILL PROVIDE what we need
~For the continuing number of people who are signing up to be facilitators for the follow-up Bible studies
~For allowing us to feel the Lord's guidance each day and for our knowing that prayer is working

REQUESTS
~For God to reveal the financial needs for JGMJ to potential donors causing them to trust Him in speedy and generous giving and/or pledging and to direct the fundraising committee to those whose hearts He has already touched
~For the Spirit's guidance of Wanda and Rita as they prepare to lead the first training session on Thursday, for 100% attendance for those being trained, and for God to use the time to prepare the women spiritually and practically
~For God to move the hearts of women in churches that are not represented in our facilitator list to sign up to facilitate a study
~For God to move the hearts of women in churches that are not represented in our follow-up facilitator list to sign up to facilitate a study
~For God to intervene in the personal lives of many of our leaders who are distracted from their work because of health concerns, houses to sell, family troubles
~For God's hand to guide all decisions concerning the spending of money - that we will be effective and careful stewards of that which has been so sacrificially given
~For men and women to desire to earnestly pray for revival and to be drawn to obediently attend the April 2 Prayer Rally
~For each of us to remember that we are ambassadors for the Lord and that everywhere we go--the people we smile at, the ones we help, the ones for whom we have compassion, the ones with whom we may get perturbed --we are the messengers with the love of the Lord

Week Ten: Jesus, the Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

John 1:1-4

“He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Rev. 19:13-16

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us – that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

1 John 1:1-3

"Prayer is to the spiritual life what the beating of the pulse and the drawing of breath are to the life of the body." - John Henry Newman

This week we praise Jehovah God for:
......the many women and men who are being called forth to pray - not just for JUST GIVE ME JESUS but for true REVIVAL to break forth in Central Texas - and for the exciting new contacts that are resulting from the Prayer Zone meetings
.....the peace we have - knowing that He has called us to this and has brought us this far - and that He will be faithful to complete it
.....being the orchestrator of all our activities and the perfector of all our strategies - clearing the way for us to go forward with fundraising plans and church relations procedures
…..filling our hearts with His presence in the zone meetings last week as women of different races, churches and denominations came together in love and unity praying for revival and for the deep awareness that we truly are one in the bond of Love as we joined our spirits with the Spirit of God
….. making our tax-exempt non-profit status official – we received our IRS Determination Letter
.....drawing more in obedience to be Bible Study facilitators and for those who have indicated which training session they can attend

We ask Almighty God to:

.....continue to call His servants - providing more follow-up facilitators, counselors and church relations volunteers, prayer leaders - and for their obedient response
.....calm the economic fears of potential donors, to release them to give generously to Just Give Me Jesus, and to bless them for their sacrificial giving - guiding every word of fundraising contacts being made this week
.....protect and bless our leadership and their families as many are traveling for spring break - either on mission trips or vacations - that all schemes of the enemy will be defeated in the name of Christ
.....make way for the finalizing of the Ferrell Center contract and for clarification of other budget expenses
.....ignite fresh energy in the Church Relations volunteers so they would desire to "adopt" more churches and be willing to report diligently and regularly on their activities
…..call a prayer zone leader for the Ft. Hood / Killeen area opening doors for connections to form prayer cell groups with wonderful prayer warriors in that area
.....remind those who have completed the forms for facilitating Bible Studies to indicate quickly which training session they would like to attend
.....guard the first Bible Study facilitator training (beginning March 19) - for calendars to stay clear, for good health so the individuals can attend, for the Holy Spirit to guide Wanda and Rita as they make preparations, and for great accomodations to be made in the churches with room and equipment
….change our hearts and raise up more prayer groups with a deep yearning for revival

….that people will follow God’s call to humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways

Week Nine: Jesus, the Truth

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
John 14:6

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
1 John 5:20

“But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.”

Jer. 10:10a

“Call us afresh to a life of praying with steadfast determination. Our own resolve is not enough. Infuse us with Your adamant, enduring zeal, O Lord.”


Praises:
For God’s provision of an additional co-chair, Sherry, to join the Church Relations Team and for the many churches reached through the volunteers.
For the huge impact that the Prayer Zone leaders are making within their zones to encourage prayer and for the growing number of prayer cell groups.
For the great and inspiring meetings that the Outreach Team has had with new volunteers in Gatesville and the Hamilton areas and for the new volunteer in the West area.
For every prayer zone scheduling their first zone prayer meeting.
For God’s going before the Prayer Rally co-chairs in making plans for the April 2 Prayer Rally at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church.

Requests:
*For Christ to encourage our hearts to pray with persistence and for God to inspire new movements of prayer in our cities, churches and families.
*For Zone leaders for the Killeen/Ft. Hood area, for cell groups to form there and for God to multiply the number of prayer cells in all the other zones.
*For great attendance at the zone meetings as those who have committed to pray for revival come together in cooperate prayer.
*For more commitments to serve in facilitating Bible Studies, church relations, counseling, and outreach and for God to stir hearts to give generously to JGMJesus.
*For the Lord to go before the church relations volunteers as they work quickly to contact churches and then complete and send in their information.
*For the 4 church relations co-chairs to coordinate with the volunteers and to communicate effectively with all the churches.
*For all information to be quickly received and coordinated for the church relation’s upcoming mailings.
*For the word to get out and for commitments to be made to attend the April 2 prayer rally.
*For all co-chairs and volunteers for their energy, strength, perseverance and time management as they minister to family needs, other responsibilities and Just Give Me Jesus.

Get in the ZONE

Please check and see when your Zone meetings are. If you do not know your zone, it is configured by the area your church is in, so pay close attention. Pray on...

TUESDAY, March 3rd
Zone 1 (Baylor, Bellmead, Bev. HIlls, Bosqueville, China Spring, Downtown, Elm Mott, Lacy Lakeview, Northcrest) at Highland Baptist Church 5:30 - 6:30
Zone 2 (Bruceville / Eddy, Hewitt, Golinda, Lorena, Moody, Robinson, Woodway) at First Baptist Woodway in the Parlor 6:00 - 6:30
Zone 7 (Aquila, Gholson, Laguan Park, Hillsboro, West, Whitney) at Central Baptist Hillsboro 6:00 - 7:00
Thursday March 5
Zone 3 (Clifton, Crawford, Gatesville, McGregor, Pottsville Valley Mills, Willow Grove) at Gatesville Historic Christian Church
Tuesday March 10
Zone 6 (Axtell, Ben Hur, Groesbeck, Hallsbur, Kosse, Marlin, Mart, Mexia Otto, Reisel) at First United Methodist Church Mexia
Thursday March 19
Zone 4 (Temple/Belton) at Temple First United Methodist Church

Week Eight: Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone

"Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.'"

1 Peter 2:6

"For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

1 Cor. 3:11

"The amount of power you experience to live a victorious, triumphant Chrisitian life is directly proportional to the freedom you give the Spirit to be Lord of your life!" __Anne Graham Lotz

Praises:

For the committed believers that the Lord is calling to serve as Bible Study facilitators
For the 54 women who have signed up for the training sessions for the Follow-up Bible Studies
For the many volunteers who want to serve on the resource sales and ushering committees
For all those who stand in the gap by praying morning, noon, and night
For the additional Church Relations co-chair, Jan Olinick

Requests:

For the women who have committed to be facilitators to sign up for a specific training time
For God to draw more women whose hearts have heard His call to step out and facilitate a Bible Study Group
For the right timing for the Outreach Committee to contact organizations and businesses and that they would be receptive to the message of Just Give Me Jesus
For more women to hear God's call to volunteer in counseling, outreach, church relations, and fundraising
For a prayer zone leader for the Killeen/ Ft. Hood area
For wisdom and guidance regarding fundraising
For God to bless the fundraising letters that are sent out so that they will be well received and for the recipients to respond generously
For God to lead the way in arranging appointments with possible donors and for God to touch their hearts to respond very generously
For the churches that have received their packets to get excited about Just Give Me Jesus, promote it in their churches, start prayer cells, and pray for revival that will transform their churches
For God to increase our spiritual hunger to see Him bless our churches with a great spiritual renewal

Week Seven: Jesus, the Good Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."

John 10:11-16

"Now the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus form the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Hebrews 13:20-21

"Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us Your salvation. I will listen to what God the LORD will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints - but let them not return to folly. Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land." __Psalm 85:6-9

2 by 2

"Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life came to Noah and entered the Ark." Genesis 7:15

I want to share with you a tidbit of how Good our God is. Without going into great detail (it would be entirely too long, but I assure you, the details are great--and by that I mean wonderful) I want to tell you about a friend of mine and what God has done in her life.
When I was a working woman I was a social worker. My last job was in a Christian pregnancy center. My dream job. I was able to actively share the gospel with my clients and disciple them amidst their chaotic lives. What. An . Honor. Can I just tell you most of them were pregnant outside of marriage and it would be an understatement to say that was the LEAST of their problems! Are you following me? Lost, hurting people.
I had the blessing of meeting a sweet girl (I'll not say her name since I have not asked for permission--although I know she would not mind) who was not pregnant, but struggling with the loss of her children to CPS due to her boyfriend's abuse towards her and them. She was desperate. She was a past user. I am talking hard core. Used to use with her parents. We talked for hours and I shared the Gospel with her. She excitedly accepted. Oh friends, the story gets to be so so so good. I wish I could write it all down, but this woman's life was forever changed. Eventually, she got her kids back, got an awesome job, joined a FABULOUS church and get this...is getting married to a wonderful, Christian man!! We still keep in touch and I can attest that she is a totally different person. I mean, it was truly the old person was dead and a new woman began. She seemed to be the ultimate "damaged goods", even though she was born again, no man would ever marry her with her baggage. Did God not see differently?

I write all of this because she was on my heart this morning. She now lives in a different town, so I texted her and said, "thinking of you...are you getting excited about the wedding?" She responded with this, which I loved, "Yes, God is so good." Simply put. I can just hear her sweet voice saying it as she wrote it. Wow. I am still amazed at this story. And I want to add that I take ZERO credit or glory. It was totally something that could only be from the Lord, trust me, I am only a tee-niny vessel.

So, I was furthering meditating in the enormity of our Father after we shared several text messages. He gently spoke the above verse to me. I was forced to ask myself why I have not shared the Gospel more- knowing the outcome could be as it was with my dear friend I mention to you today. Is it not the ultimate glory to God? How many others are missing the mark because of my inability to share His word? So, this morning, God has said to me, "2" over and over. Thinking about this revival makes me want to extend the challenge to you to invite 2 women. 2 women you know are not believers. Simply put. Guess what, ya'll? These women are not only the ex-users in turmoil. These non-believers are our friends. They are the ones who are in church with us, but do not know Him. They are in our supper clubs. Our playgroups. And we are ignoring them...

...until now. Here is what I feel prompted to do. It is a challenge I want to extend to you that I feel has been a word from the Lord. Think of 2 women you know who are non-believers. Think about it. I do not think they cannot be home-less hurting women, they are important too, all I am saying is that sometimes it is closer to home than you think. Let's take the next several mo already have my 2 and I am ashamed that I am so close to them and have not shared my faith with them. Please think on and pray for these women. I tell you this now so you can prepare yourself. Pray for them outloud by name. Get in your prayer groups and pray for them by name! Then, come September, I want them to be at the "Just Give Me Jesus" revival. Let's stop being scared, ya'll. Look what people are missing out on. These women are hurting. They need a light in their life. They need a legacy for their children. And we are passing them over because we are either scared to share, or are too consumed in our own lives to notice. We are needing a touch of His light in our own lives. So, let's think on the 2 women you know (OF COURSE it can be more than 2!), pray for them, prepare to invite them, and become an example in their lives....
ARE YOU WITH ME??

Thirty Weeks of Prayer
For Just Give Me Jesus

Week Five: Jesus, the Messiah

"One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus."
John 1:40-42

"He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.'"
Matt. 16:15-17

"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. . . . 'Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people of Israel.'"

Luke 2:25-26; 29-32


"Prayer to the Father cannot be in vain. He will reward you openly." ¡V Andrew Murray

Praising God :

For wonderful progress in the preparation and refinement of volunteer lists, contact lists and church lists

For the steady flow of financial contributions

For insight in dividing the greater Waco area and satellite areas into 7 prayer zones

For faithfully walking step by step with the Para-Church Outreach co-chairs and for providing 25 committee members¡K exactly what is needed

For hardworking, committed Team Leaders and for the growing bonds between them

For a good response of people from the kickoff signing up to facilitate Bible studies and for completed forms from people arriving in the mail daily.

Asking God:

For time and energy to get everything done before Varyn leaves town, for her safe travel to Atlanta, and for successful back surgery for her mom - no complications, relief from pain

For God to raise up a third Co-Chair to help our Church Relations team

For the 4 Church Relations team training sessions on Monday and Tuesday : a good turn-out, concise and simple instruction, good division of labor and for the volunteers to perform to the best of their God-given talent
For direction for the Para-Church Outreach committee as they organize the volunteers and perfectly match each one with specific organizations to reach

For individuals who have received packets in the mail from the Follow-up Bible Studies team to return the forms and for wisdom in finding the best time to schedule the training sessions to facilitate those who respond

For God's appointment for prayer zone leaders and that a wealth of prayer cells will spring up in each zone

For God to multiply time for committee co-chairs with their expanded work load since the kick-off and to guard communication and relationships within the leadership team

What Can Brown Do For You?

I want to first say, that if you missed the Kick-Off event for Just Give Me Jesus Waco, I am sorry for you, friend. I do hope that you will consider going to the revival in September. Please get your MomAgenda out and write the date down. September 11-12, 2009. As I was there, I was astonished at how many young women were NOT there. There were a handful, but surely we can represent better than that. I know, I KNOW it is hard to do things like that during the week. I probably would not have gone had I not been invited many many many times by my MIL! SO, no sweat, but please pray about how you can serve in the upcoming months....as I would say in my sorority, glory days, "Get EXCITED, girls!!"

I have to tell you that I am a skeptic when it comes to hearing people "preach." Or "deliver a message". Whatever you want to call it. I want to be moved and touched and convicted every time. Maybe that is not fair, BUT it is what I want when I hear a sermon. Anne-Graham Lotz convicted me on Tuesday night. Sometimes, I feel sorry for people who have to follow in their parent's footsteps. Can you imagine being Billy Graham's children? The PRESSURE!! Don't feel sorry for her. She holds her own. The message was too too close to home.

I would not do her any justice to even try to paraphrase or summarize what she talked about. My words would totally botch it up. I can tell you what I heard from the message. She talked about how we don't always like the way God packages things in our lives. It's not the gift wrap with the pretty bows and paper. Sometimes, it is just an ugly brown package. And we don't like the way it looks. When all the while, the inside is awaiting us...and it is good.

Lost jobs, wounded relationships, abuse, poor health, death. Where is the good in it? And worst, how can we praise God for these "brown packages?" I think about the times in my life when I don't like what is handed to me. Especially because I for sure do not want to wait on what good will come out of it! How do I praise Him through the event? In spite of the event I am facing...can I still be a woman of God? Am I still that contagious infection of His love like I mentioned earlier? I am sad to say that my answer is truthfully NO. I throw out the brown package before I open it and see the wonderful gift inside.

My favorite part of the message was when she talked about how no one wanted to hear about my love for Jesus if my hair, house, dress, car, marriage, children....life was always perfect! People want to be able to relate to struggles! They want to see that your overcame the doom still loving The Savior! How often do we try to pretend our lives are perfect? For me, it is more often than I would like to admit!

I challenge you all to think of your brown package today. Think and pray on it. What is making you angry about your life? Are you bitter? Jealous? Did The Lord leave a brown package at your doorstep that you threw out? Go get that package and try to upwrap it...use it to His Glory. Thank Him for it. What came out of it? Praise Him.

Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. "

xoxo

HOW TO POST A COMMENT

It has been brought to my attention that there may be some new bloggers, some "newbies", if you will. WELCOME to the addicting world of blogs, newbies! I hear you may have some trouble commenting, well, here is how you do it.
1. click on 'comments' at the bottom of the post you would like to comment on.
2. type your comment in the given box.
3. under 'choose identity', if you do not have a google account, or are not a registered blogger, click on "anonymous".
4. click "publish your comment"

hope this helps! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment so I know that you all are reading!!

xoxo

Contagious

con·ta·gious
adj.
1. Of or relating to contagion.
2. Transmissible by direct or indirect contact; communicable: a contagious disease.
3. Capable of transmitting disease; carrying a disease: stayed at home until he was no longer contagious.
4. Spreading or tending to spread from one to another; infectious: a contagious smile.

If you are anything like me, you see this word and cringe. I think about taking my tiny tot to his MDO and what germs he will bring home for the rest of us to share in the afternoon. Dr, is he contagious. Yep. Watch out and be super cautious over the next couple of days. Yuck. I think I loathe the word itself.

Starting this blog was birthed from an infection. A contagious one. Let me explain, please. My dear and sweet mother-in-law has a love for the Lord. She has been working on this Just Give Me Jesus Revival for quite some time. I never really asked her about it, I just knew it took up all of her time. All of MY free-babysitting time. She asked me the other day, months after she had begun working on the revival, to pray about being a part of it in XYZ ways. Not really understanding the whole premise, I called her. Before she even answered my mind said this, "do you know I have a 6 week old baby at my house, sleeping in the other room?" "Oh, and there is this other kid here too, he is currently rebounding a basketball off of her head in his diaper." Translation: (and I know you mommies out there feel me on this) "PLEASE do not ask me to start any projects...I don't have time."
Well, she explained to me the whole idea of this Revival in Waco. She stroked my ego a little...told me I was good at certain things. But honestly, it didn't matter. It was simply the idea that I want women's lives to be changed by my Jesus. Plainly put. I wanted my own life to be changed by Him too. I know I love Him. I know the rules and the game. But I need Him now more than ever. I know my friends need Him. I know the un-churched and un-loved need Him. I know my own life is consumed with other things. I used to be so on fire for this kind of stuff. For salvations. My mind is racing. The excitement takes over me. Infected. By Jesus. He is contagious.
So, at the very least, I offer my blogging services. Something I do when I should be doing other things. Still, I understand blogs. I love to write. I am a super duper amateur at it. But I can offer it as a mission. Are you still reading? I hope this blog gets you young women, young mothers excited. Maybe you will decide to serve in the revival in some capacity. Maybe you just need to go. Maybe you need to catch something like this. I don't know. But I invite you to read, to come, to serve. To bless and be blessed. Sisters, I know we are weary. I know the day to day grind is tough. Raising our children to love the Lord and still be potty-trained at the same time. To love on a husband when you would rather take a shower. To cook a semi-homeade meal only to find your picky eater would rather eat cereal. It is wear and tear. Or worse. Working through the wounds of a fresh divorce. A disabled child. A bruised past you can't shake. Where is our Savior?I know each of you desire the deep friendship that I do. I know I look in all the wrong places. I want and desire a deeper level of relationship with my Father.
Maybe today you can ponder someone you want to infect. How are you contagious? ARE you contagious? If you are...go breathe on your neighbor today. If you aren't...go get your Bible.

Luke 1:58
"Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy."

Kickin' It Off!

Kick-Off Event with Anne Graham Lotz

This event is for all women of "influence" in the Central Texas area: Bible Study leaders, Sunday School teachers, community volunteers, small group leaders, etc (this means all of YOU!)

... Anne Graham Lotz will be the featured speaker.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Time:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:
First United Methodist Church
Street:
Cobbs
City/Town:
Waco, TX

Time of Prayer

Please join in prayer for the kick-off event

Hillcrest hospital cafeteria.

Friday, January 16th

12:00 noon