SHINE 

Well I think winter has finally arrived here in the Midwest.  The cold weather makes for a great reason to stay home and enjoy your family!  Or maybe do a little bit of sledding with them!  How about some family devotions?  If you need ideas I highly recommend the family night tool chest material from Heritage Builders.  You can check that out at their website www.heritagebuilders.com

 

 

SHINE 2007

Unveiled

Here is a quote from Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge that I want to share with you, “A woman who is unveiling her beauty is inviting others to life.”  Wow, did you ever think of it that way?  When we allow ourselves to fully understand who we are in Christ we unveil our beauty to others and invite them to that same freedom we have found.  If you want to know more about that I invite you to attend this year’s conference.  We are so excited to be welcoming Kendra Smiley this year and hope you can plan now to join us the first Saturday of October 2007 for another incredible day of inspiration and encouragement.  Come be, unveiled! 

 

Thoughts…

One of the core values we hold dear at SHINE ministries is Prayer.  It is important to us to pray individually and as a team for God’s guidance and direction.  We also love to pray for each other and for you.  Are there things we can pray about for you?  We really do take this responsibility serious and will pray for God’s will in anything you request us to.  Please email us requests at shinewomensministry@yahoo.com 

 

Encouraging Words

By Maddie Forbis

 

            When Marla asked me to do this month’s newsletter, I pondered for about two minutes before it hit me,  what do I know the most about that I can share? Friendship…and how important it is to be a friend and to have friends.  I have been so incredibly blessed with some of the most awesome friends a girl could want.   I have friends far away (my Nona in Iowa).  I have friends close here in town.  I have cherished friends that love me even when I don’t love myself.  They are always by my side and on my side.  I don’t know where my walk with Christ would be without the friends He has so graciously put in my life. 

             Proverbs 17:17 says " A friend loves at all times".  Also in Proverbs it says in chapter 27:6 "wounds from a friend can be trusted".  I love that one.  I know that the trust sometimes can be very painful, but the truth is always the most important, and I take it a lot better when a friend has the courage to tell me so.  

            Are you a good friend?  Ladies it is so important to have close relationships with other woman.  People we can share our hearts with, our fears with, our joys and sorrows with.  I encourage each of you to tell a few of your friends this week how much you
love them and appreciate their friendship. 

            Even more importantly, let’s not forget our closest friend of all~Jesus.  Wow, where would we be without him?  Who else knows our hurts, joys, disappointments and worries as well as our Father?  No one!  Who else loves us so unconditionally?  No one!  If you do not have this relationship with Jesus, please do not hesitate to do it now!!  Bow your head and just tell him you love him and you’re sorry for the mistakes you have made.  Tell him that you believe in Him and you don’t want to live one more day without his friendship and his love!!  Your life will be forever changed.  If you have questions about this friendship with Jesus or if you just made that decision please email us and let us know.  We would love to rejoice with you! shinewomensministry@yahoo.com I would also like you to ponder the words of one of my favorite hymns, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” 

 Your friend in Christ, Madelyn  
  

What a Friend We Have In Jesus

Words by Joseph Scriven

 

What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer.

 

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.              

 

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never get discouraged

Take it to the Lord in prayer

 

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

 

Are we weak and heavy laden.

Cumbered with a load of care

Precious Savior, still our refuge

Take it to the Lord in prayer

 

Do thy friends despise forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee

Thou wilt find a solace there.

 

 

 


 

Marla Graham

SHINE Ministries

www.shine4jesus.com