Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
We also made cards for all the ladies posted on the blogger page under Leanne. One young lady opened hers up immediately and began to ask Pam questions. They had the opportunity to have a very good conversation. She wanted to know where we all went to church. Pam explained that we were all from different churches and she told her where we went. She made a promise to look us up one the internet and post a comment. I hope she does. We will be looking for you.
Next we were onto the Sweet Stuff, The women and children has their choice of Vanilla Ice-Cream, Neapolitan Ice Cream and Strawberry Swirl. There many toppings, Oreo topping, Nuts, Sprinkles,Chocolate Syrup and Pineapple Toppings.
After everyone was served we took a few minutes just to talk and spend time with the ladies and little ones. Many little laughing voices could be heard as SALT leaders interacted with them. Many of the Women mentioned their thankfulness for our giving and serving.
Our Contact Person at the Shelter asked if we minded our pictures being taken,,, we had no idea why until the end when she announced that our pictures would be put into the upcoming Hubbard House News Letter and that she would sending us copies of the pictures..
Our Gifts.....................
To Our Surprise they had gifts waiting for us! We were given Hubbard House Canvas Bags and Visors.
What do you think of THAT CAPTION, "WHAT IF!"
Overall we had wonderfull time, I was ready for a Power Nap when I got home, I snuggled up with baby in the chair and fell asleep.
Oh, By the WAY, A SHOUT OUT TO THE SALT TEEN VOLUNTEER! KATLIN DEAN
THANKS FOR BEING WILLING TO SERVE!
THANKS LADIES FOR ALL YOUR HELP! RYAN WE MISSED YOU!
Labels: Hubbard House, Ice Cream Social
Friday, March 20, 2009
"Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9
God birthed in me a ministry called "Praying Wives Club". We have been alive for more than 10 years now and is a ministry under SALT. This is the Testimony and foundation of "PWC"!!
I gave my life to God 12 years ago. At that time Bill and I had been married 4 years. We loved the same movies and music. We are both musicians and is one of the things that brought us together..
One of the changes in me was instant... Music... God said to me, "Do you know how much music I have for you?" I thought, no... The very next day on my way to word, I started searching my radio for a Christian Station.. We were stationed in Newport News VA at the time and they didn't have anything except on the AM station.. Arghhh... The AM station had a lot of feed back and static but it was better than not having any to listen to..
The next change, how I began to see movies.. I didn't realize it at the time but I was seeing things through God's eyes.. I had given my life to him, joined his team, now he was opening his world to me and his thoughts on movies is huge.. I became frustrated about the content and don't let me get started talking about how people taking God's name in vain! I don't like it, don't want it, and couldn't believe people would say God's name in that content.. The changes in me were real and and evident by the change in my choices and Bill could see this..
Side note.. Jesus teaches us that the only unforgivable sin is to Blaspheme the Holy Spirit (Curse).. I asked God one day, why the Holy Spirit and not You or your son... God's answer showed me so much.. People speak God''s name and Jesus's name in vain and curse their names all the time, on tv, movies, books, everyday conversation.. But they don't do this to the Holy Spirit.. So many people would be lost to God, maybe even you and I if he had extended it to all three.. God's Grace for us abounds.. His thinking and Love for us overwhelmed me!!
Back to our devotion! :o) A few months latter we transferred to Jacksonville FL. While setteling into our new home I get a call and it went something like this..
Bill: Hon, we need to talk
me: sure, what's up?
Bill: I'm not happy anymore
me: why? (while my heart begins to pound so loud I can't hear myself think)
Bill: you don't like the same music I like, you don't like the same movies I like anymore.. We're on two different paths and I want a DIVORCE!!
me: Silence.................
I can't explain how I was feeling at that moment but I asked him if we could talk when he got home and hung up the phone. This was the last thing I thought I would hear!! I began to panic... Then I remembered I had Jesus.. I went right to my knees and began to pray.. I called my Pastor in VA but couldn't reach him.. I then called my best Friend Kim in Va and she answered.. I explained my situation and she had an answer..She told me to go right then to a Christian book store and buy "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian.. In all honesty I thought she was crazy.. A book can't help me.. I need prayer... She laughed and said, Cherie... This is Prayer!!!
I bought the book and began my journey. I learned that scripture is also prayers.. Prayers for me, my marriage, my children, all of my situations..And I put them into practice right away.. As you have been reading these devotions, you have already seen that we are a work in progress. Though we have come a long way, we still have work to do!! I love my Husband with all of my heart and so thankful to God that He loves my marriage even more than I do.. It was a long, long, long year of hurts and pains but in this great deep valley God took the opportunity to change me in the midst of it!! He showed me to hold on to his word and our scripture today was instrumental in keeping me where God wanted me during this trial. He is so faithful to us.. to me and my love for my husband.
I know this one is long and I appreciate you giving me the time to share with you why this ministry means so much to me.. Since that year, I have given away many of these books, prayed with countless women over their marriages and interceded for them.. God is a good and faithful God but he is also our God of Restoration. If you need restoration in your marriage, you have come to the right place... Prayer Changes Everything!!
One last thought... Praying about ALL aspects of a marriage keep the concept of divorce from gaining any hold. We mustn't neglect what seem to be minor issues, even if we don't think they are important.
Lord I come to you now and reject and rebuke any thought of Divorce over the wives reading this. Work in their hearts to stand resolved to see their marriage all you created them to be!! Only you Lord can take the word Divorce out of the hearts of these wives and husbands.. Bless them Lord and keep them in your wings just as you did me...Help them to not grow weary as they are doing good for their marriages that they may reap their due rewards.. I pray a hedge of protection around them for each day.. Help them to hold every negative word captive! Only your Word stands True and brings Truth into our hearts!! Thank you Lord for your Faithfulness to us and that every marriage is precious in Your site! In Jesus Name I pray.. Amen!!
God's blessing to each of you and your walk with HIM!!
Labels: husbands, marriage, restoration, salvation, wives
Thursday, March 5, 2009
1 “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. 2 In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. 3 Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” Hosea 6:1-3
At Praise AG our Pastor's wife put out a proclamation that we are "Breaking Free" this year from all chains, bondage's and strongholds. This past week I got hit with something that really hurt me. I talked to God about it, cried, and shared with him how hurt I was over the situation. He reminded me of Kim's proclamation and said this.." To break free, all things have to come to the surface to be dealt with." The deeper the issue the deeper God has to go to bring it to the surface breaking us to pieces in the process. This brought me peace because I now knew God was using this to break me free from past hurts.
A few days latter a friend and I were getting the music ready for this weeks "PWM" meeting God lead me to Hosea 6.. Wow, confirmation for the word he gave me a few days before... When we are serious about healing and breaking free God is quick to begin his good work in us. He tears us to pieces so he can heal us.. Hosea says, as we press into him he will respond to us as surely as the dawn comes.
The next time your dealt a situation that brings hurts or a sin that keeps raising it's ugly head, run to God. Though he allows us to hurt he's faithful to heal us in the process.
Hmmmmm........ Healing Salt for our wounds. :o)
Cherie