Powerful God Tools

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 NIV “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 MSG “We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity."

WOW! I like the way the message says “we use our powerful God-tools for smashing”. Sounds like we have it made, doesn’t it? With God on our side and all His promises we don’t need to cower right??? BUT how many of us are cowering in fear at everything around us. We might loose our job and source of income. The aches and pains we feel might be something serious and life threatening. Our children may not be safe unless they are with me. The list can go on and on. We live our lives allowing circumstances and feelings to rule us and our reactions to things around us. We only turn to God occasionally when we have exhausted all our efforts.

Instead look at 2 Corinthians 10:4 “ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” How do we get those weapons of divine power? Do we go to the store and look under divine power tools? Do we go to ebay and look up divine power tools? No we are to seek God and spend time with him, learning from God’s word all he has promised us as we surrender our life to him. We STOP treating God as a genie in a bottle to be used sometimes when all else has failed.

It’s time that we sell out to God!!!! It’s time we spend time with God – morning, noon, and night. Time in prayer (not just asking for what we want), opening the lines of communication between me and God, listening to him speak through prayer and reading His word. Ladies this can take some time. You may need to skip that television show that you don’t want to miss. You may need to skip spending time shopping (most of us just aimlessly wander the stores anyway and spend money that we don’t have to spend). You may need to say “no” to a friend’s invitation. It’s time we spend time with God in order to gain those powerful God-tools for smashing the enemy and all he has in store for us. We need to gain the confidence that we belong to Christ that it talks about in 2 Corinthians 10:7. It time we become the structure of life shaped by Christ.

Seeking His face,

~Debbie~

Designed By......

I have always been a sucker for celebrity news and the happenings of Hollywood. I may or may not be guilty of purchasing certain magazines with the latest gossip and never before seen photos. I’m not quite sure why I have such a fascination with their lives but nonetheless, I find it interesting.

One of my favorite things to do is check out the red carpet photos. Of course we all know the most important detail about the red carpet is the designer the celebrities wear. You no sooner read the individuals name and then quickly preceding is the creator of their ensemble. As if, by the name they are wearing brings greater worth to the person they are.

So here go my thoughts… How much more valuable are we because of who’s name we wear? Think about it, God’s word says that we are made in His image.

Genesis 1:27
So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.

So you see, regardless the name on the clothing you wear, you’ve been created by the Ultimate Designer. The same One who spoke this very world into existence desired and fashioned you together. A priceless display of art is what you are. And not only are you worth more than the moon and stars but life itself as well. I think our Savior Jesus Christ examples that all too well.

It doesn’t take the spotlight or an event like the red carpet to display our Designer. Walk with your head held high because regardless of how we feel from day to day, we are worth more than any surmountable amount of wealth. Let’s wear His name proudly. Ladies, let’s share with the world all that our God has designed us to be.

~ Terica

You can't take it with you!

I was sitting in staff meeting last Monday night when wise words fell from Kazia's mouth..."You can't take it with you!" I think we were talking about explaining to our kids why they couldn't always have everything they wanted. Kazia mentioned that she could still hear her Dad ringing off this simple saying. Well, today as I looked around my house I certainly needed to hear that.

Ladies, if you are anything like we me, we take our house seriously. Now, I wish I could say that I kept it cleaned up, laundry always put away, and no dirty dishes piled up at the sink, unfortunately this is pretty much never the case unless you give me a 6 hour notice that you are stopping by. I just like to know that if I did get to spend the 6 hours working on it that I could make my house look nice and presentable.

Well over the past two weeks if it is possible for it to break it did: the lamp on our tv went out, the toilet thing-a-ma-bob stopped working, the other toilet was running, the valve on the tub broke, the shower backed up, the transition pieces between our wood floors and other rooms all came up (Tyler didn't help with that at all ;) ) and to top it all off Scott's car finally died. As I looked around at my house today and found tears streaming down my face, I heard Kazia's sweet voice comforting me, "You can't take it with you! You can't take it with you! You can't take it with you!"

Now ladies, I know, in my head, where my treasure lies, and that it's not on this Earth. But sometimes my head and my heart aren't always on the same page. Today my heart was broken at the disrepair of my safe place, but I had to find a way to tear my eyes away from what they see in the natural to what God sees in the supernatural. No, my house doesn't look clean to God, but more importantly that isn't what He is interested in in the first place. He is simply interested that I keep my ears in tune to His voice, and keep my spirit chasing after His. God revealed to me today that the part of me that still finds my value in the things of this world has to die, so that more of me is open to be filled up with his everlasting joy. Ladies, an old friend of mine always used to tell me, "Take care of your crap before God has to!" boy do I wish I had heeded her advice and torn my self-worth away from my house prior to my multi-stage breakdown today. Thank you, Lord, for dealing with me so gracefully! I encourage you to take stock of your value system. Is your treasure really in heaven, or do you just 'know' that it should be?

I love you ladies! I can't wait to share in the joy God has stored up for us together someday, but for now I am going to actively remind myself when I look at the things of this world that "I can't take it with me!"

~Laura

20I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. 21I don't turn my back on God's undeserved kindness.If we can be acceptable to God by obeying the Law, it was useless for Christ to die.
-Galations 2:20-21

What's In A Name.....

Two years ago when Brooks and I, surprisingly, found out we were going to have another baby we began mulling over what we would name our precious bundle of joy. We wanted something different, something special, the perfect name. After all you only get one shot to name your baby so you don't want to get it wrong.

It took a lot of deep thought, endless conversations and the opionions of many but we finally narrowed it down to one boy's name and one girl's name. We soon found out we were having a girl and subsequently settled on Shelby Grace. Beautiful isn't it?

I must admit names have always fascinated me. I love looking at baby name books and studying the origin and meaning of each name and I find it fascinating to hear stories of where parents got their child's name and why they named them what they named them. Did they name them after a family member, a favorite movie star or a biblical character? Did they have that name picked out for years or did they wait until after their baby was born to decide on what they would call them?

Growing up I never cared much for my name. I was called everything and anything you can imagine and it always embarrassed me. Now being older and a little wiser (emphasis on a little) I realize just how important and special your name really is. It's amazing how one name can tell an awesome story and can represent so much. I looked up the word Name in the dictionary and found the true definition is as follows:

a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a bodyor class, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known;
meredesignation, as distinguished from fact; a reputation of a particular
kind given by common opinion; a distinguished, famous, or great reputation

According to this your name defines who you truly are. People associate your character with your name and to some your name might mean many different things. So a few questions you and I should be asking ourselves are "Am I representing my name in a way that would be pleasing to God?" "What do people immediately think of when they hear my name? Is it good, bad, indifferent?" "Does my name represents the same things at church as it does at work or school?" Proverbs 22:1 states:

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

Read it again! Let it fill your mind. One of the greatest things we can do for ourselves is to make certain our name symbolizes everything that would define us as Christ-Followers. I want to challenge you all, just as I have done, to take stock of your life and think about what you are representing with your name and make it a high priority to ensure that your name tells a truly remarkable story.

~Kazia~

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." Genesis 12:2

A Happy Life

"Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life! Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered." Psalm 105:1-5, (MSG)

How's your day going so far? How’s your week going? How’s your month going? How’s your life going?

I wonder if the weather where you are is good or if you woke to clouds and felt a little blue. I wonder if your family, friends, co-workers or boss have aggravated you recently. How is your mood? Are you thinking about an unpleasant interaction, dreading a task, or maybe unhappy about some aspect of your life?

What about people in your life, your friends and family, are they affecting your attitude? Do you let outside circumstances rule your life? Do you find yourself waiting for the other shoe to drop? Are you expecting bad news? Do you overlook reasons to be happy because you are so focused on what is wrong?

We have a choice in what we look for. Even when everything is going wrong and destruction is all around you there is still happiness to be found. God is in the beauty making business. Just glance outside and see what I mean. Even if it's cloudy or rainy, there is beauty to be seen. And if you choose, to be experienced.

God's beauty is everywhere. It is most clearly seen in His creation. You can hear it too, in the sound of birds as they gather on the wires every morning and every evening to sing God’s praises for the day. Have you heard it? You can also see it in the way a mother cradles her baby, or the way a woman looks adoringly at her fiancé, or the way a child splashes joyously through puddles in his rain boots. Have you seen it?

Psalm 34:8 says "Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him." (MSG)

Have you opened your eyes to see how good God is? Have you run to him?
Have you created any beauty yourself today? Have you hugged someone? Planted some flowers? Smiled at a stressed looking stranger? Written someone an encouraging note? Put on some pleasant background music? Have you mulled over your blessings, allowing them to change your outlook and your attitude? Doing these things to the glory of God transforms them into worship, transforming your outlook in the process.

Try reading Psalm 105:1-5 again. NOW LIVE IT!!

~Debbie~

The Little Things

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" - Matthew 6:25-27

I just have to brag on my God for a moment. He cares about the tiniest details of our lives, girls. Here is an example of how He has recently proven this to me.

Over the last few weeks, my son has been playing All-Star t-ball. This was a big achievement for him and one in which was celebrated in our house. As the season began to unfold, I found myself worrying that my work schedule would interfere with my ability to make his games. The fear of missing a game weighed heavy on this mom’s heart. The thought of it would bring me to tears. Now, my husband, being the wise man that he is, continued to tell me everything would work out. And you know what, he was right.

Somehow, someway, my work schedule would be just what I needed in order to travel to and attend my son’s games. Not one game did I miss. I was able to see every at bat and play my little #52 made. Now, this is not coincidence. This is God. I feel so loved knowing that my Heavenly Father so beautifully orchestrated my days in order that the desire of this momma’s heart could be fulfilled.

Ladies, regardless your need, desire or hope it is oh so important to our God. He loves us so. He works in our lives so beautifully. Take a moment today and reflect on how He is at work for you.

~Terica

Take it to God

Pure exhaustion are two words that are at the forefront of my mind right now. The girls and I just returned from a long, long trip to see my parents. We really had a terrific time, but while we were away my girls really didn't sleep well. Not that that is anything different than the norm, but I didn't even have my own bed to crawl into after begging them to go to sleep.

After a very long drive home yesterday I was sitting on the couch reflecting on my trip and how tired I was when a scripture I have read over and over dropped into my spirit and flooded my mind.

"Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

The truth is being a wife and mother is exhausting. There are many days that I don't know which way is up or down or if I am going forwards or backwards. There are so many balls to juggle and hats to wear. There are times when I feel the weight of the world rests on my shoulders and I must fix it all. In all of the stress and chaos or life I forget sometimes that these burdens are not mine to carry. God in His graciousness has given me the freedom to take all of my weariness, worriness and burdens to His feet and leave them there. Never to pick them up again. Pretty awesome isn't it?

I hope today that you find the peace and rest you are so desperately seeking. Go to God. Leave it all at His feet cause He is there waiting for you.

~Kazia~

NewLife Kids Ministry

To me one of the most important ministries at NewLife Fellowship is our children and here are some reasons why I am so passionate about NewLife Kids.

Our children are the future church. That means that in a few years, people will only hear about our loving heavenly Father from the generation that is attending children’s programs in our churches today. How important does that make our children’s ministry departments? Facts are that children are 32% more likely to embrace a relationship with Christ between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. By the time they reach 13 years old, most children have already established their spiritual identity. The kids who visit us on the weekends are in our care for an extremely short amount of time (on average 40 hours per year). That means that we must reach each and every child that enters the doors of NewLife Fellowship with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This ministry is urgent and it is serious but at the same time it’s the most exciting and fun area of ministry. What we do each and every week directly impacts the eternity of the children in our care.

At NewLife Kids our mission is to:
• Show kids God’s love
• Help kids love to come to church

Proverbs 22:6 says “Train a child in the way he should go. When he is old, he will not turn away from it.” (NIV)

We are committed to lead and teach children with age appropriate activities to learn to love God, to learn how to live for God, have FUN and want to come to NewLife Kids each and every Sunday.

One person cannot accomplish this. It takes many people working together with our own unique gifts, willing to serve our children each and every week to accomplish God’s vision for NewLife Kids. Every Sunday we have 10 to 12 adults and students working with the children of NewLife Fellowship. We have kids from birth to 5th grade in age appropriate classes learning about God and His love for them. Each summer we hold Adventure Week and we minister to the kids from NewLife and the Keller area during this week by gearing fun filled energetic services each night to make a difference in the lives of the children that attend.

If you would be interested in working with our NewLife Kids department we would love to have you join us. Rest assured you are NEEDED and would be greatly APPRECIATED!! We are expecting God to do great things in and through our Children’s department.

I’m excited to see what God has in store for us as we team up for the kids of NewLife Fellowship. Working together for a common goal: reaching Kids for Christ – one at a time.

TEAM means: Together Everyone Achieves More

Together we can!!! Ecclesiastics 4:9, 12 say “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work….Though one may be overpowered two can defend themselves, a cord of three is not quickly broken.” Let’s step up and be that cord of three (a team standing strong) so NewLife Kids will make a difference for eternity in the lives of each and every child that attends each Sunday.

Come be a part of this growing ministry opportunity. To find out more or to choose to serve in NewLife Kids contact debbie@newlifewired.com.

~Debbie~

Ministry Spotlight: LifeTeams

Have you ever desired to feel connected ? To be a part of something that was greater than yourself? Then let me introduce you to LifeTeams.

LifeTeams are the small group ministry of NewLife. The purpose…it’s simple…we do LIFE together. People from every facet and walk of life, gather together in homes, dive into conversation with and in God’s word and grow together. Not only do we grow relationally with one another but our spiritual walks are strengthened as well.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Friendship and a sense of community are accomplished by meeting regularly with one another. LifeTeams are a safe place to share, question, pray, laugh and cry. As we take part in this ministry, our faith grows roots deep in our understanding of God’s Word and how it applies to our everyday lives. As we begin to relate with one another we are encouraged and inspired. There are times in this life when you need a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold during a difficult situation or someone to jump, yell and scream with in celebration…your LifeTeam is always there.

God’s word in Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Find, connect and involve yourself in a LifeTeam. Our next semester will begin in September. Make up your mind now that you will get involved. Your LifeTeam will become more to you than just a simple gathering. It will become your lifeline. Those whom you get to know will become more than just acquaintances, they will become your family. I am so thankful for mine.

As iron sharpens iron, my friends, we will become an unstoppable force for the cause of Christ and NewLife.

~ Terica

Ministry Spotlight: Host Team

As an adult going to church was always a little scary because I didn't grow up going to church on a regular basis and the older I got the less and less I went. I have made my fair share of mistakes, lets just say I wasn't an angel. With saying all of that, it was hard to go walk through the doors of any church because of my own guilt. On occasion when I would go to church I always felt like I was being judged or I had a sticker that said I'm new, I don't go to church, or I don't belong here. I never really experienced a time in church where I felt loved, welcomed or like they even cared if I was there or not.

It had been years since I had went to church and one day my husband and I visited New Life. Driving there I was trying to talk myself out of going, then we pull in the parking lot and I'm thinking I don't want to get out of the car, but I did. Someone opened the door to let us in, smiled and said hi. Beyond that, there was someone waiting inside with a smile and they said hi too. They were talking to us like they cared that we were there. After service they said bye and chatted for a minute with us. It was obvious we were new, but they weren't treating us like we didn't belong. It was a great, like nothing I have ever experienced before.

Now, over a year and a half later my husband and I have been saved, are partners with New Life and we both serve on the host team. Walking through those doors changed my life, I saw and understood the Love of Jesus Christ. I know there are people out there that feel like I once did and I have loved ones that feel that way. I'm very passionate about serving on the host team at New Life. We always want people to feel welcome, loved, and cared for. We want people to know the love of Jesus. You never know when that could change someones life forever.

Tiffany

Ministry Spotlight: U-Turn Students

Today, I was the worst mom ever...Tyler woke up, had some milk, and I had a to-do list. First we went outside and tackled cleaning out the car, quite a feat after a week at camp with teenagers. Tyler sat in the front seat and "drove" while I worked. Then it was time to go to the bank. After that, the grocery store. We finally got home and unloaded the car around noon, and Ty was one tired toddler. So off to nap time he went. He slept for quite some time and must have been up playing in his room for a while because when it was time to leave for church staff meeting I went into his room to wake him up only to find him chilling out watching tv. So we ran off to staff meeting. At staff meeting he was full of temper-tantrums at every mention of the word "no," but I chalked it up to getting close to the 'terrible twos.' On the way home from staff meeting Tyler was starting to get to the screaming at all costs stage, and I'd had enough.......until I suddenly had a realization.....Tyler hadn't eaten anything but milk all day, he had completely missed lunch due to his nap and all he wanted for breakfast that morning was milk. HE WAS ABSOLUTELY STARVING. For those of you who are moms, you know that the single most heartbreaking cry you will ever hear from your children is one of hunger, particularly when there is nothing you can do to fix it for the moment. Don't you know that was the longest car ride home for this momma. I was almost in tears at every red light thinking about how I could have prevented this pain, listening to his hungry cries.

But the Lord spoke to me and said that we have a generation full of kids crying out in hunger in this world...our teenagers. They are hungry for love. The only love they have ever known in this world has been broken. They have come from broken homes, from homes with absent fathers and sometimes mothers, homes with parents that allow them to do what they want because who are they to decide was is right and wrong in this world. They come from homes where the expectations are so low they don't think their parents believe in them, or from homes where the expectations are so high they feel they can never live up. Yes, there are some that grow up with two parents who hold them to a biblical standard with love and responsibility, but let's face it, all kids grow up to a certain age where their parents are no longer their primary influence, their friends are. And who are their friends? The ones who come from broken homes, from homes with absent parents, etc......you see the problem? We have an entire generation that feels cut off from the previous generation like never before. What's worse, we allow the lie to continue that they don't want anything to do with us. The opposite couldn't be more true. This generation is crying out for someone to step up and show them a better way than the world has to offer. A way that doesn't require being so high off drugs you can't feel pain, or getting drunk every night so you can feel like you were the life of the party, or feeling like you have to have some sort of sex to make yourself feel like you are worth someone else's love. Believe it or not, the teenagers that live these addictive lifestyles hate it. Once they come out of it they all say the same thing: the only thing they miss is the friends that they left behind, but they hoped they would never have to feel the pain they once felt.

I have a New Living version of the bible and all throughout Acts they refer to Christians as followers of "the Way." I just love that, it is the perfect picture of what our entire lives should look like. We have found "THE Way" and now our job is to go back to the highway of life and desperately try to point others towards the narrow path. That is our call for this next generation. Let's not leave them racing towards death and destruction, let's answer their hungry cries! Let's point them towards "the Way" with everything we have.

How? What can we do to break the cycle? Well there are some simple ways, as well as some not so simple but definitely rewarding ways.

Simple: Pray, Pray, Pray! Pray not only for your kids, but for all of our amazing teens in our student ministry, pray that they stay strong to the call that God has on their lives, pray that they not give into the temptation to fall back into familiar patterns at school, pray that they would be bold in their witness for Christ, pray that they would start a movement of purity and holiness in an environment where that is unheard of and even laughed at. Pray for the schools that our kids attend (Central High School, Timber Creek, Fossil Ridge, Kell High, Glenview Christian....) Pray that the students would have a strong hunger for the Word of God. Pray that their daily walk and relationship with Christ would remain fascinating to them. Like I said, PRAY!

Semi-Simple: Engage with them! Whenever you see anyone at all from this generation, prove to them that our generation hasn't given up on them. Be encouraging, ask them what they are reading in their bible, tell them about your walk with Christ, tell them what you are currently struggling with, ask them to pray for you right then and right there. Don't let what God has done in them slip away from them. They are supposed to be the immature ones, but we are not! We have got to step up and fight with our words and our actions. Show them that they are important to you by talking to them. They may seem skeptical at first, but once you prove to them that you are really listening, they will be putty in your hands.

Not so simple: Really step up to the plate by volunteering your most precious commodity: your time. Show up to our student services and activities. Just simply be there. Our services on Wednesdays bring a lot of painful subjects to the surface, be there as a shoulder to cry on. It's ok if you don't have all the answers for them, most of them just want to be heard, (and even if you did have the answers they will probably try it their way first!) Get to know the kids and become a part of their lives. You won't regret it!

Not even a little-bit simple: Take on a mentoring role with one of our students. Agree with them to meet once a week for a coffee (for you, a monster for them.) Hold them accountable, be their sounding board for advice. Pray for them in front of them so they learn how to pray, let them pray for you, its great practice. Talk about where you are at in your bible and what you gleam from it so that they can learn how to find life inside the pages. Tell them you are proud of the person they are becoming. Help them through the rejection and hard times. Live your roller coaster life in front of them so that they know that when tough times come that if they endure they will find joy in Christ!

All in all, we need to do everything we can to point our starving children to the only One that can truly satisfy them. As our teens hungrily launch themselves at the things this world has to offer we have to choose to stand up and show them the way. You moms know I didn't leave Tyler in the car when we got home. Yet all too often, we ignore the cries of this generation. Who is going to answer their cries? Who is going to feed them?

I will.

What about you?

~Laura

Ministry Spotlight: LifeImpact

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10.

A few months ago the staff of our church had the priviledge to read the book Servolution by Dino Rizzo. I think I can speak for everyone here, it changed our lives and renewed the vision behind LifeImpact and why we do what we do. We firmly believe that impacting the community around us is one of the greatest things we can do as a church and we are committed to sharing God's love & changing lives through simple acts of kindness.

Just recently we partnered with The Community Storehouse, right here in Keller, during their Summer Lunch Program. Every year The Community Storehouse provides paper-boxes stocked with basic, child-friendly food items to about 150-155 families per month. This may be an entire month’s worth of groceries to some of these families. These boxes provide breakfast and lunch to kids who may not otherwise have these meals during the summer months.

A few weeks ago the U-Turn students of NewLife Fellowship stepped up to the plate and went above and beyond anything any of us would have ever dreamed of by going door to door to collect food items for us to donate along with everything else we collected at the church. We even had a few students who went out on their own, in the blazing heat the very next day and collected food in their neighborhoods. As you can see, they collected an abundance of goodies. Outstanding U-Turn Students!!!! You guys are awesome!!!!

We have also hosted food, toy and school supply drives, assisted with the annual Holiday House Christmas event and helped distribute food for The Community Storehouse's annual summer lunch program.

LifeImpact not only serves the community around us but we also assist people in need in our very own church. We provide support, meals and help to those who may have recently had a child, had surgery, been ill, experienced a death in the family or just unable to perform specific tasks in their own home, like cleaning, grocery shopping, changing a lightbulb or any sort of maintenance.

Next on the agenda for LifeImpact is to help distribute food boxes at The Community Storehouse as they wind down their Summer Lunch Disbribution program. This will take place August 26th, 5:30pm - 8:30pm at their Roanoke Location. Also we have reserved a spot to help at their annual fundraiser "The Run in the Dark" September 18th. Stay tuned to newlifewired.com for more details on both of these events.

These are only a few examples of the many ways you could reach out and serve by partnering with NewLife Fellowship and LifeImpact. I urge any and all of you to somehow, someway, reach out and serve someone. I know without a shadow of a doubt that your life will be enriched in a very profound way. I know mine has and will forever be changed because I stepped outside of my bubble and reached out to those who are desperate need of help.

Please visit our website often for various serving opportunities throughout the year. You may also visit The Community Storehouse website for more information on their incredible programs and ways to volunteer directly with their organization.

Blessings and Love!

~Kazia~

"People discover personal healing through helping others." #servolution

With Mixed Emotion

Have you ever looked forward to something so much and at the same time dreaded it?? I have committed to attend my 35 year high school class reunion. Yes, I said 35. That means that I graduated from high school in 1975. That was a long time ago and yet it seems like it was only yesterday. Where does the time go?

What will I find at the reunion? Will everyone be different? Will they think I am different? Will I recognize anyone? Will they recognize me? Wow, I feel like I did in high school. Each day brought a new uncertainty. Each day brought a new dilemma. Oh well, I survived before and I know I will again. I really am looking forward to be able to catch up with everyone. So ready or not Virden High School class of 1975 here I come from several miles away and with several tales to tell.

~Debbie~

Taking Inventory

On Saturday, our church had the privilege of hearing from Pastor Brian Houston of Hillsong Church via his One Prayer message. His talk was about the Unstoppable Life. There were three main points he shared...

The Unstoppable Life:

1. Believes the best for the future.
2. Talks to the future.
3. Commits to the future.

Thought provoking. Over the last few days I have been taking inventory. Do I continually live an Unstoppable Life? At times I have. Say, when I'm believing for something specific. For instance, when I was hoping for my son. I believed one day I would have the child I so desired. Then I spoke health over my baby and pregnancy. Plus, I was committed to parenthood. But what about the day to day? Am I unstoppable? If you asked yourself the same...what would your answer be?

The other day, my son, was talking about what he wanted to be when he grew up. Being all of 5, his possibilities are endless. As his mom, I believe with all my heart he can succeed at anything. I don't think anything is out of his reach. As I was listening to him, admiring his innocence, the thought hit me. Just as I believe, with all that I am, in my son, my Heavenly Father believes just as much in you and me. Life doesn't have to throw us some major curve balls in order to distract us from our possibilities. So often, we just settle into life. Then occasionally, maybe we entertain the thought of our future. What does it look like? What more does God want for you and me?

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I love the beginning of that verse. "For I know the plans I have for you..." that is declared by our God. He has plans. Definite plans. Mind-blowing, life altering plans beyond our wildest dreams. Ladies, take a moment and let that sink in. Shake off the comfort of the mundane. For a moment, allow yourself to dream. Think...what if? Ask your Father above about the plans He has for you. Seek after the One who so beautifully knit you together. You were designed for this day and this time. You, my friend, can be unstoppable.

~Terica

Nothing Can Seperate Us...

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Ladies whatever you are going through today lay it down at the feet of Jesus! There isn't anything that you are going through that isn't too big for our Heavenly Father! There isn't anything that you have done in the past that you should feel guilty about. Your past can't separate you from Him! Let it go, lay it down, and leave it there! Let your God fill you everyday with the greatest joy possible! He loves you with an everlasting love! Soak in it today! Love Him back with EVERYTHING that you are!

Joy

Guest Blogger: Sadye Bockhoff

Well, this week I get the privilege to hang out in an atmosphere where God's presence is so thick that you can't ignore it. Yes, that's right, we're at YFN, where our students go to camp each summer! I felt it was only appropriate to hear from one of our students today about their experience from our first night's service. So here she is....Miss Sadye Bockhoff!
-girly

Tonight at YFN I walked into the building certain I wanted something to happen as far as an encounter with God but I wasn’t sure exactly what. I have always struggled no matter where I am with being so concerned with what others are doing or feeling around me that I have a hard time concentrating on what I want for myself so tonight I tried to change that. The girls and I had been talking about what we wanted out of camp and one of the leaders had said if you go into service wanting something specific you would have a better chance of God fulfilling your wants, which was ironic because the speaker was talking about the exact same thing. As soon as he started I knew that maybe if I just separate myself from the people I know well I would be able to concentrate on my relationship with God instead of everyone else. During praise and worship I started out with my youth group but then I reminded myself that I needed to separate myself from that comfort level and went to the front. As soon as I got up there I felt like I had broken through a gate and for once in my life I was having a conversation with God, just him and I. I wasn’t concerned if someone was upset beside me or if they were having a good experience, it was awesome. Overall I think I have a pretty close relationship with Christ but tonight made me take that step closer to make him my best friend I can talk to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

~Sadye~

Hope in God

There are days where it seems all I hear about is how someone is in the middle of fighting the greatest battle of their lives. I see it on the news, I hear it from the grapevine and I just see it on the faces of the women I encounter day after day. My heart goes out to all of these women.

If you have been given a very harsh dose of reality ~ know today there is hope! That hope is Jesus Christ and He has given you a very powerful weapon, the very Word of God, to use in the midst of your darkest times. Take it and stand firm on it today. Write it on the tablets of your heart and let it saturate your soul.

I want to encourage those of you who are facing a very big mountain this day to seek God and find refuge in His Word. Search it and find the hope you are desperately looking for because, believe me, it's in there. Rest on His Word today and be assured God is bigger than whatever it is you are facing right now.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,for the Lord has anointed me to
bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the broken hearted and to
proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent
me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with
it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he
will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like
great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory." Isaiah 61:1~3

Blessing to you all!

~Kazia

Just Follow Me

Have you ever had anyone say to you “Oh, it’s easy just follow me”? What happened when you followed? Did you question yourself?

Well….. my son told me he was going the way I was asking about yesterday. He said we would turn left and go around the circle towards the middle school, then pass the elementary school and we would come out by the Pizza Inn not far from home. “Follow me”, he said. So I did. We took a left and then started going around the circle… and going around the circle… and finally I caught on – he was laughing and having fun while I followed his lead. Now I must defend him and tell you that he is very good about helping me and not leading me astray most of the time – but today he thought he needed a laugh so he had some fun.

This got me to thinking, how many times are we lead astray or the long way around because we decided to “just follow me”? Sometimes we follow people who care about us and sometimes we just follow anyone trying to get where we are suppose to be going. I don’t know about you but I have found myself on more than one occasion being in the wrong place and lost because I followed the wrong person. Life is hard enough each and every day without taking the long way or taking unnecessary detours. In Deuteronomy my bible is very clear about who I should be following.

"You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him."
Deuteronomy 13:4 (NASB)

Don’t be so fast to “just follow me” next time but line up with the Lord and where he is leading you to get to your final destination!!

~Debbie~

Get Your Glow On

Ladies, I cannot even begin to explain the depth of my desire for women, young and old, to know the absolute greatness of our Savior. To tangibly experience His overwhelming love and acceptance. To know within the inner most part of who they are…who they truly are. To believe without waiver that they are strong, beautiful, courageous & desired. One of a kind meant to shine.

It is out of this knowledge and conviction that I invite you to Glow. Exfoliate your soul and restore the natural beauty the love of our Savior provides. Let’s break free from the labors of this world that often dull our radiance. Girls, this is your time. Will you join us and shine?

For information, check out http://www.newlifewired.com/. This is for you, your mom, your sisters, your girlfriends. It is my burning desire that God move among the hearts of His daughters. I am believing for an army of women, supercharged by the love of their God and radiantly glowing for all the world to see.

My heart explodes with anticipation.

~Terica