Believe*Remain*Trust

There have been a lot of wrong-way driving incidents in the news recently haven’t there?

Unfortunately, some of these stories have had tragic ending.  Others have made me think “oh no, not again!”

I had my first encounter with a wrong way driver about 12 years ago.  We were coming home late one night after a long weekend in Heber. We’re driving South on the 87, just a couple of miles north of the Saguaro Lake  turn-off.

Do you know the area I’m talking about?  Big rocks between 4 lanes.  Very clearly a divided highway.

I’m driving in the left lane, just cruising along listening to my favorite CD.  So I’m be-bopping down the highway and in the far off distance I see headlights coming.  As we get closer to each other I realize this car is coming towards me in my lane!  And they weren't slowing down either!  As our cars approached each other I suddenly swerved into the right lane to avoid a head-on collision.

I watched in my rear-view mirror as their tail-lights disappeared into the night.

I was thinking what just happened?  My heart was pounding, my palms were sweating, and I was freaking out.

I do know this, it was a very surreal moment; kind of like a scene from the Matrix.  A couple of weeks later the incident was filed away as a distant memory.

BELIEVE * REMAIN * TRUST

Just a few weeks ago I had another encounter with a wrong way driver.  Only this time it was broad daylight.  Right up the road on Sossaman.  I was coming South on Sossaman just before you get to the airport. 

Here comes a car driving on the wrong side of the road.  The car travelling in front of me swerved over and for a split second I’m flashing back to that night 12 years ago.

Again it was surreal, why is this car coming at me, confusion because it’s not a normal to have a car traveling at you right.

BELIEVE*REMAIN*TRUST

God used this recent wrong way driver incident to remind me how subtly I can get distracted.  As I was talking to some friends about the recent wrong way driving events I shared that in that moment, that split second when the car is coming at you, your mind can’t process the fact that a car is coming at you in your lane.  It’s not what my brain will immediately process as truth.  But, if I don’t react and get I the other lane I’m going to be in an accident!

Maybe a few days slip by and I haven’t prayed, opened my bible or looked at my devotional.  If I’m honest with myself I am easily lulled into believing I have my life under control,  Surely, I’d know if I were being led astray.  I've got my words/desires under control.  My husband will understand if I’m gone a few extra nights this week.  Which turns a few extra nights for weeks.

Just insert whatever may be going on in your life right now.  Is it pride? Doggone it you’re right you just know it!  Is it anger? Maybe you’re so angry with someone right now  can't seem to focus on anything but how you've been wronged?  Maybe your life isn't turning out to your expectations.  Or perhaps, perhaps the rug just get jerked out from underneath you and you’re still trying to catch your breath?

BELIEVE* REMAIN*TRUST

It’s been my experience that I’m either going into a season, I’m smack dab in the middle of what seems like it’s never ending season or I've just come out of a season. 

If you've known me for very long you've probably heard me say, “it’s a process” or “I’m in the process.”  I believe for me it’s in the process not the outcome that God teaches me.

  BELIEVE* REMAIN*TRUST

Believe – What do I believe?  Do I believe what the world says is true?  Or do I take a moment to seek God and read what he says in his word?

Hebrews 11:6 NLV

“A man cannot please God unless he has faith.  Anyone who comes to God must believe that HE is.  That one must also know that God gives what is promised to the one who keeps looking for Him.”

Trust – Do I trust myself?  Should I trust myself?  My best friend?  Or do I trust in the One who won’t misled me, who truly wants what’s best for me?  Did you know that trust in the bible is often times translated as lean on?  

 Proverbs 3:5 AMP

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with ALL your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.”

Remain – Just as in my wrong-way driver experience: Am I going to remain in the wrong lane or am I going to switch lanes per say?

  John 15:5 NET

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  The one who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.”

It’s my hope that these 3 simple words will be our mantra or theme this year.

                                                      Believe * Trust* Remain

What I believe builds on trust.  The One I Trust in is only solidified when I remain.

In life we won't be in control of our circumstances, but we have a choice in how we react.  I pray this for each of us:

When the world seems uncertain we

BELIEVE

When the outcome seems hopeless we

TRUST

In the midst of life’s storms we

REMAIN

Pray: Lord, we humbly come before your throne today, so grateful for Jesus.  Father, as your daughters empty of us of our unbelief.  Fill us with the ability to believe even more than we ever thought possible.  To trust in you implicitly when the chaos becomes great.  To remain steadfast under your guidance.  Thank you that today we have an opportunity to know you a little bit better than we did yesterday,

I pray all this in Christ Jesus name, and all Jesus girls said….

~Julie

Let's Do Lunch!

Join us as we launch the 

Epic Women's Ministry 2014-2015 year

When: Saturday, September 6th, 2014

Time: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Who:  All females ages 12-100+

**Be sure to invite a friend or two to come with you!

Cost:  Bring a delicious potluck dish*

A-G: Salad's  H-Q:  Casserole's  R-Z:  Dessert's

Sign-up's will be at the women's ministry table in the lobby.

Where:  Calvary Chapel Church of Queen Creek

19248 E San San Blvd,  Queen Creek, AZ  85142

**No childcare will be provided

"For whenever two or three

are gathered together

in My name,

I am there among them."

Matthew 18:20 HCSB

An Invitation To Attend: Regenerate Conference

Hello sweet ones!

I wanted to take a moment to invite you to an upcoming women's conference.  I don't know about you, but my life often gets a bit 'sideways' as my husband so loving refers to my sometimes overbooked, chaotic life.

I would so enjoy spending some time with you getting inspired, worshiping the Lord, laughing, catching up and yes maybe shedding a tear or two.  But hey, that's sometimes what it takes for God to get my attention (perhaps you too)!

Won't you join me?

Author/Speaker Bob Goff
To learn more about Bob Goff click here.

Singer/Songwriter Francesca Battistelli

To hear Francesca's latest click here:

Comedian/Author/Actress Anita Renfroe
To learn more about Anita click here

When: September 12-13, 2014. 

Check in starts at 5:30 PM on Friday Night

Friday 6:30pm - 9:30pm, After-Party to follow 
Saturday 8:30am -12:30pm 
Where: Central Christian Church Mesa Campus

Click here for directions:
Early Bird Registration: $49 until July 13 
Regular Registration: $59

Click here to register now

Finite vs Infinite

It's that time of year, again.  I say again, because just like clock work May came rolling in full of hope.  

It's now the beginning of June, all kinds of graduations & celebrations are taking place; Kindergarten to first grade, Jr High to High School, High School to College or sometimes not.  This is often when everyone and everything we've known and held so dear changes.  What about when dear friends and precious family move. Sometimes its just across town, sometimes they move to another state. If I'm honest, sometimes I feel like I've been left holding a heavy and very messy bag of garbage. What then?  Where's my hope and joy when it feels like life seems to be passing me by.....

As participants in this crazy thing called life we watch, we wait, we lecture, beg, plead, maybe even yell and perhaps we pray.  I don't know you or where you're at in life....maybe you pray like you've never prayed before or maybe it's the first time you've taken this prayer thing seriously.  

Because as I continue to learn, God doesn't answer my prayers all nice and neat just like I've requested. Sometimes it seems like he doesn't answer at all.  Perhaps God didn't hear me the first 100 times, maybe I could strike a deal with God. Could I have I prayed my prayers a different way?  Could I have more faith, what if I trusted him more....maybe then?  Am I being punished?   

Painful isn't it...the agony of waiting.

As a professing believer in Jesus, I've been led to believe if I just had more faith, if I just trusted God more my prayers would be answered.  Others look at me strangely, as though who am I to ask God for anything. I endeavor so hard to understand, to wrap my finite mind around what only an infinite God understands.  Try as I might I can't see minute into the future.  Yet my heart and head collide over the reality that EVERYTHING must pass through his sovereign hands.

At times it may not seem like God hears my whining, my pleas, the crazy dreams I lay at his feet.  And yet just today, he sweetly reminded me that does hear me.  By allowing me to read this poem written by one who had endured so much. And so my journey continues.

"Life is but a Weaving"  (the Tapestry Poem)

"My life is but a weaving

Between my God and me.

I cannot choose the colors

He weaveth steadily.

Oft' times He weaveth sorrow;

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper 

and I the underside.

Not 'til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas

And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

In the weaver's skillfull hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;

Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives the very best to those

Who leave the choice to Him."

~ Corrie ten Boom

Annual Christmas Party & Cookie Exchange

Do you wish you were more connected in friendship? Do you need some more laughter and joy in your life this holiday season? Could you use a sampling of some amazing, delectable, Christmas goodies? (You know you do!)

Join us for our annual Christmas party and cookie Exchange!

You won't want to miss this fun, relaxing, festive event. We'll laugh, eat, celebrate, and even do a little bit of Christmas caroling. (Don't be afraid! It is so much fun and thankfully some of our wonderful vocalists lead the way, drowning out the other… joyful noises… that some of us make!)

There are lots of details to follow.

Option One: Simply come and have a fantastic evening!

Option Two: Come, and participate in the cookie exchange. Bring 3 dozen homemade specialty cookies or candies:

• 2 dozen packages for the exchange in one dozen containers.
• 1 dozen on a plate to share at the party

Option Three: Come, participate in the cookie exchange, AND enter the Cookie Contest in one of the following categories:

• Best Tasting
• Best Presentation
• Most Unique Ingredient

(There are fabulous prizes to be won!) Hope to see you there!

The Creator - Elohim

Throughout Scripture, God reveals 
His complex character by identifying Himself 
by different names-names that shed light 
on who He is and how we should relate to Him. 
We wanted to share with you 
the forty names listed in the book, Knowing God By Name to
help you draw closer to God and learn to trust him more fully.

The Creator - Elohim

Elohim is the first name for God in the Bible, and it is found in the first sentence of God's Word.  

"In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth"

(Genesis 1:1) 

Every human life is sacred, no matter how it began.  Before the creation of the world, there was nothing. But into nothing God spoke, and what was not became what is.

Think about this sweet ones, carve into your hearts, etch into your mind.  Remind your family and friends, especially your husband and kids: God doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do.

• God didn't create me because he had to, he created me because He wanted to.
• God didn't make a mistake when he made me, he made me perfect in His eyes.
• God doesn't love me because he has to, he loves me because He wants to. (Flaws and all)
• God didn't send Jesus to die on the cross for me because it was his last ditch effort to save me,God sent Jesus because he loves me and I'm worth whatever it would cost him to see me saved.

Julie

Friendship Forum

What is friendship? When we surveyed women we found that most of us just want someone in our lives that has our back, who sticks by us through the thick and thin of life, who will love us no matter what. Do you have a friend like that? Are you a friend like that?

If you missed last night's forum on friendship, we had fun, even though we winced a little.

We talked about personalities and temperament and took a test to determine our profile. Are you bold? Decisive? Emotional? Introspective?
You can print your own test by clicking HERE and take it yourself! (This is the complete file if your packet was missing a few things.)

I hope it will help you understand yourself and understand your friends better!

You can also read the notes from the forum by clicking HERE. We hope the nuggets and insights will help you have life-giving friendships that are a wonderful blessing and honor the Lord!