Recently we were in Alabama, experiencing a new place and new grace to do it.  On the morning of our departure, after a very wonderfully intense 5 days, I awoke early.  I wondered if the alarm would go off in time, so I kept checking the clock from time to time to make sure I didn't miss my awake hour.  Sure enough it went off on time.  While I was waiting for it, I began to rehearse all the things I needed to do to make this day work out:  get up, take my shower, pack the rest of my things, spend time with our friends with our friends before leaving them, driving back to Huntsville, finding out where to return to car rental.....about that time the Lord said to me,  "Stop".  That got my attention.  Then He changed my vision perspective. 

Andrew Phillips asked us to review this article, and when we did felt very strongly we needed to make it available to a much larger audience than he currently has.  Andrew is currently a full time youth pastor at Real Life Church in Maple Valley, WA.  These revelations stirred him up and have stirred up all those he has shared them with.     By the way, Andrew is also our son-in-law.   Used by permission.

The Releasing of the Gift of Faith

Article background: The article below was written
by Cheryl Musser.  The church she belongs to has gone through some
major battles over the past few years.  This has resulted in some
casualties. As the church administrator, she, along with the pastors
and elders are presented with the facts of church life that are not
very pleasant.  Here are some very honest and challenging emotions and
feelings that we all go through when some one leaves a church due to
hurt feelings, disagreements or perhaps a growing coolness to the

This is a special article.  It is dedicated to my husband. On May 25th, we will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary.  In meditating on Building Together Across Generations, I realized that good solid marriages build bridges to the next generation.  When Darryl and I met in 1972 in a rickety house in the central area of Seattle, I did not dream that he was the answer to my heart cry!  As most young girls, I would think about being married and wonder about my future Prince Charming.  However, as a realistic, practically bent young woman, I knew he would not be perfect, nor would he whisk me away to a fantasy castle to live the life of a princess. (This was not my desire anyway!)

Article background: The article below was written by Cheryl Musser.  The church she belongs to has gone through some major battles over the past few years.  This has resulted in some casualties. As the church administrator, she, along with the pastors and elders are presented with the facts of church life that are not very pleasant.  Here are some very honest and challenging emotions and feelings that we all go through when some one leaves a church due to hurt feelings, disagreements or perhaps a growing coolness to the things of the Lord.  Cheryl read via Facebook how a former church family had found this wonderful new church, a very painful way to discover that they had, in fact, left their former church home.

Sisters, Please take time to enjoy the Spring time—as your soul is refreshed, you will be a better daughter, mother, employee and believer.  God sends the spring to remind us of His Hope, Love and Future.  

Psalm 39:7    “And now, Lord, what do I wait for?   My hope is in You.  Enjoy the journey as you wait for Him to reveal Himself to you, to bring solutions to any problems, or just grow in your friendship with your Savior.

One of the most painful issues a parent must deal with is watching and listening to their children misunderstand, fight and bicker among themselves. I believe it must be the same with our Heavenly Father. Hearing His children criticize, complain, and put down each other for their differences must be difficult for Him to bear. Reading John 17:20-23 brings home this point.

REAL Women - Issue 2 - Volume 12

Articles:   

"that they all may be one"
The time of refresing is here, don't miss it
The cry of those left behind
Anniversary Special

From time to time, I make a statement that becomes quotable. This
section is a growing list of those quotes gathered from sermons,
teachings, mediations on God's word, and conversations. It is my prayer
that they will be fuel for thought and inspiration, perhaps a
jump-start idea that will lead to other ideas. All of these quotes are from Darryl Rodman