PT Women

Dear friends

Dear Friends,

Next Tuesday will complete our study of six of Jesus’ parables as we focus on how to apply the Parable of the Prodigal Sons to our lives.  Then it’s on to our socials on May 5^th.  

This has been a powerful semester for many of us as we’ve been challenged to:

• Seek God first.
• Love God with everything and others as ourselves.
• Be shrewd managers with our resources for God’s glory.
• Pray with persistence.
• Nurture good soil and allow God to sow seeds in and through our lives.
• Respond to God as He responds to us.  Enjoy relationship with Him!

This summer, the fun will continue!  I’d like to invite you to read Crazy Love by Francis Chan with me.  I will be setting up a blog by which we can discuss and challenge each other.  More details to come next week!  And then, we have UNVEILED, our ’09 Women’s Retreat on August 14-15.  Register now!  You don’t want to miss it. 

Thank you for partnering with me in a mission to grow closer to each other and to God!  I pray that we will allow God to move through us so powerfully that the world will be changed.  

Let’s be doers of the Word and make today different because we’re a part of it!

Let’s Live the Adventure Together,

Jennifer

 

BE “IN THE KNOW!"

HOMEWORK
Read and complete Week 13, pages 100-105, in your binder for April 28th.

SNACKS: These groups need to arrive early on Tuesday to make coffee and set up:
Morning: Harrell/McCauley
Evening: Timberlake

WEEKEND SERVING

This weekend the HEDRICK/YOUNG group is up in the rotation for serving in the children’s areas. Thanks for helping out!

UNVEILED-’09 WOMEN’S RETREAT-REGISTER NOW!

Register for UNVEILED at www.prestontrail.org/women/retreat.html.  It’s August 14-15.  We will stay one night at Camp Copass, enjoy three meals, lots of worship and incredible Bible teaching.  The cost is only $85.  Limited scholarships are available by contacting Director of Women's Ministry, Jennifer Long at jen@prestontrail.org or 214.636.7132.  

COMPASSION OPPPORTUNITY

We want to celebrate the mothers at Victoria Gardens Nursing Home.  Will you help?  We’re looking for volunteers to help provide food, gifts or to help serve and visit with the residents on Saturday, May 9th from 2:30-4:00.  Email Deena Peppers for more information at deenapeppers@yahoo.com.

BE ENCOURAGED AND CHALLENGED! 

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 –Luke 18:14

Be sure to check out Senior Pastors' blog: www.PBandJblog.com

Response

RESPONSE

Our days are full of ‘responding.’ We respond to our husband’s embrace, our kids’ laughter, our boss’ question, our co-workers thoughts, our growling stomachs and so on.

There was a time when my days were filled with a ‘no’ or ‘nothing’ response to God. I wanted to ignore Him and the nudges of the Holy Spirit. There have also been times in my life when I responded to Him with, “I’m doing everything I’m supposed to be doing, why do I feel like you love others more than me?”

Read More…

Next week we’ll venture into our final parable of the spring semester, The Parable of the Prodigal Son or of the Lost Sons. This parable illustrates the lives of two brothers whose response to their father is similar to mine. Through this parable we learn how God responds to us as well as how he wants us to respond to Him and to others. We’ll take a close look at the three characters of this parable and hopefully walk away with a better picture of God, ourselves and our relationship with God.

To Right Responses,

Jennifer

 

BE “IN THE KNOW!"

FEEDBACK

Email me at jen@prestontrail.org and let me know what Beth Moore study you would be most interested in doing.

HOMEWORK
Read and complete Week 12, pages 92-97, in your binder for April 21st.

SNACKS: These groups need to arrive early on Tuesday to make coffee and set up:
Morning: Frank/Ortega
Evening: Morris

WEEKEND SERVING

This weekend the HEDRICK group is up in the rotation for serving in the childrens' areas. Thanks for helping out!

REGISTER NEXT WEEK

Mark your calendars!  UNVEILED, PT Women's Retreat, is August 14-15.  We will stay one night at Camp Copass, enjoy three meals, lots of worship and incredible Bible teaching.  The cost is only $85.  Limited scholarships are available by contacting Director of Women's Ministry, Jennifer Long at jen@prestontrail.org or 214.636.7132.  

BE ENCOURAGED AND CHALLENGED! 

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 –Luke 18:14

Be sure to check out Senior Pastors' blog: www.PBandJblog.com

speaker notes: April 14, 2009

Download Women notes Sower 4.14.09

SOIL EVALUATION

 “…Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.” -Mark 4:18-20 (NIV)

What is the soil condition of your life? 

 

I encourage you to read Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love.  In it he urges us not to assume we're in good soil.  It's possible that many if not all of us have become used to our lives with weeds, rocks and all. So, we don't realize our soil isn't as good as God wants it to be. Even if we compare our lives to other believers the difference may not be very drastic. When we do encounter that drastic difference we may just stop and think, "Well, he/she is just special (or crazy)."  Or, "God must have a special plan for that person," all the while not realizing God's plan for each of us is more than we could ever ask or imagine. 

 

Webster defines complacency as self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.  Wow.  That hit me. 

 

So the challenge and point of reference to determine whether our soil is good or not is the fruit of our lives.  Is God able to produce thirty, sixty, a hundred times through us what was originally sown?

 

Praying Through This,

Jennifer

 

BE “IN THE KNOW!"

HOMEWORK
Read and complete Week 11, pages 84-89, in your binder for April 14th.

SNACKS: These groups need to arrive early on Tuesday to make coffee and set up:
Morning: Jacobs/Fischer
Evening: Gregory/Crow

WEEKEND SERVING

This Easter weekend the Gregory/Crow and Wakeland/Whaley groups are up in the rotation for serving in the childrens' areas. Thanks for helping out!

WWW.BADECONO.ME

Easter weekend is April 11-12. We'll have four services; two on Saturday at 5 and 6:30pm and two on Sunday at 9:30 and 11am.

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendars!  UNVEILED, PT Women's Retreat, is August 14-15.  We will stay one night at Camp Copass, enjoy three meals, lots of worship and incredible Bible teaching.  The cost is only $85.  Limited scholarships are available by contacting Director of Women's Ministry, Jennifer Long at jen@prestontrail.org or 214.636.7132.  More details coming soon!

BE ENCOURAGED AND CHALLENGED! 

"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38

Be sure to check out Senior Pastors' blog: www.PBandJblog.com

speaker notes: April 7, 2009

Download Women notes Sower - 4.7.09

TOO GREAT NOT TO SHARE

I used to work for an international women's ministry where the goal was to tell every woman about Jesus. I traveled a lot, and my first trip was to Chicago where I spent several months. I had many firsts on that trip: first time to Panera's (many have followed), first time to be blown over by wind, and the first time to see someone with white hair say they wanted to know Jesus Christ. We went to a woman's house who was leading one of our Bible studies. She told us to pray ahead of time because a woman was coming and bringing her mother who was not happy about coming. We arrived a little hesitant at what we would find. As we came to a close the question was asked, "How would you describe Jesus?" There was a moment of silence, and this lady whom everyone was afraid of spoke up. Tears filled her eyes, her determined voiced tremored, she looked outside where the snow was gently falling and said, "He is like the air I breathe. I can't live without Him.."
What a moment! I'll never forget it. She got it! This woman's daughter knew what her mom was missing out on, and she didn't give up in sharing His love with her. We're now studying The Parable of the Sower. What are we sowing? What are we allowing to be sown into us?
Dallas Willard explains evangelism this way, "You ravish people with the blessings of the Kingdom. You make them hungry for it. It's the beauty of the kingdom that Jesus said was causing people to climb over each other just to get in. People become excited like the pearl-purchaser (Matt. 13:45-46) and they will give everything to get in.."
Are we showing others how valuable the kingdom is?
Let's Sow Some Seed, 

Jennifer

BE “IN THE KNOW!"

HOMEWORK
Read and complete Week 10, pages 76-81, in your binder for April 7th.

SNACKS: These groups need to arrive early on Tuesday to make coffee and set up:
Morning: Allen/DeWitt and Tomlin
Evening: Skinta/Dobbs

BIBLE STUDY LEADER MEETING

Leaders, don't miss our incredible Connection Monday, April 6th at Sonya Jacobs home from 6:30-8:30pm. Details have been sent to you..

WEEKEND SERVING

This weekend the Graham/Chambers group is up in the rotation for serving in the childrens' areas. Thanks for helping out!

PRESTON TRAIL FAMILY CAMP

Want to experience the beauty of Colorado with your family and make new friends in the process? Come to Preston Trail’s Family Camp at Horn Creek Camp in Westcliffe, Colorado, June 27 through July 4, 2009! For more information on upcoming info meetings, camp costs and registration details check out our Family Camp info sheet or email jd@prestontrail.org.

WWW.BADECONO.ME

Easter weekend is April 11-12. We'll have four services; two on Saturday at 5 and 6:30pm and two on Sunday at 9:30 and 11am.. Grab a "Saturday is the New Sunday" t-shirt if you're ready to commit to attending a Saturday service. And, don't forget to grab your www.badecono.me car decal to place on the outside of your rear car window.

BE ENCOURAGED AND CHALLENGED!

"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38

Be sure to check out Senior Pastors' blog: www.PBandJblog.com.

speaker notes: March 31, 2009

Download Women notes - widow judge - 3.31.09.doc

Prayer=Power

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.
~ Corrie Ten Boom

 

Prayer at it's best is not a monologue but a dialogue.  You may not hear a physical voice speaking back to you, but you will sense peace, a leading, direction.  The success of your prayer is not based on eloquence or saying the right words in the right way.  It's about the intention of your heart laid before the Lord.  You can be real with Him all the time--no matter what. 

 

The other day, I was driving and thinking over my to do list.  My mind was racing.  I had problems to solve, a baby crying in the backseat, and I was late.  Stressed, tired and late!  Then, I remembered, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalm 46:10.  Why was I trying to figure everything out (worrying more than logically thinking) when God already has the answers?  I took a deep breath, maybe several, and started praying.

 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28.

 

My prayer for you today is that you pray today, throughout the day.  That you're still before the Lord and find rest in Him.  Don't just believe in Him.  Believe Him!

 

Be Still and Rest,

Jennifer  

 

BE “IN THE KNOW!"

HOMEWORK
Read and complete Week 9, pages 68-73, in your binder for March 31.

SNACKS: These groups need to arrive early on Tuesday to make coffee and set up:
Morning: Moss/Stringer
Evening: Morgan

WEEKEND SERVING

This weekend the Frank/Ortega group is up in the rotation for serving in the childrens' areas.  Thanks for helping out!

 

PRESTON TRAIL FAMILY CAMP

Want to experience the beauty of Colorado with your family and make new friends in the process? Come to Preston Trail’s Family Camp at Horn Creek Camp in Westcliffe, Colorado, June 27 through July 4, 2009! For more information on upcoming info meetings, camp costs and registration details check out our Family Camp info sheet or email jd@prestontrail.org.

 

WWW.BADECONO.ME

Easter weekend is April 11-12.  We'll have four services; two on Saturday at 5 and 6:30pm and two on Sunday at 9:30 and 11am.  Grab a "Saturday is the New Sunday" t-shirt if you're ready to commit to attending a Saturday service.  And, don't forget to grab your www.badecono.me car decal to place on the outside of your rear car window.

 

BE ENCOURAGED AND CHALLENGED! 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7:7-8

Be sure to check out Senior Pastors' blog: www.PBandJblog.com.

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.
~ Corrie Ten Boom

 

Prayer at it's best is not a monologue but a dialogue.  You may not hear a physical voice speaking back to you, but you will sense peace, a leading, direction.  The success of your prayer is not based on eloquence or saying the right words in the right way.  It's about the intention of your heart laid before the Lord.  You can be real with Him all the time--no matter what. 

 

The other day, I was driving and thinking over my to do list.  My mind was racing.  I had problems to solve, a baby crying in the backseat, and I was late.  Stressed, tired and late!  Then, I remembered, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalm 46:10.  Why was I trying to figure everything out (worrying more than logically thinking) when God already has the answers?  I took a deep breath, maybe several, and started praying.

 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28.

 

My prayer for you today is that you pray today, throughout the day.  That you're still before the Lord and find rest in Him.  Don't just believe in Him.  Believe Him!

 

Be Still and Rest,

Jennifer  

speaker notes: March 24, 2009

Download Women notes 3.24.09

Prayer is the Key

Listen to this song.

 

How did you start your day today?  Did you rush out of bed to get ready for work?  Did your child wake you out of deep slumber?

 

Or, did you spend time talking to God first?  Were you still before Him? 

 

"Work, work, from morning until late at night.  In fact, I have so much to do that I shall have to spend the first three hours in prayer."  ~ Martin Luther

 

Don't miss this next Tuesday as Robin Johnson teaches on Luke 18:1-8, the parable of The Widow and the Judge.

 

Deuteronomy 4:7 reminds us that God is near to us when we pray to Him.  Matthew 18:19-20 says, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."  And Matthew 21:22 tells us, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

 

Prayer, conversation with God, is the key to our relationship with God.  It moves the hands of heaven for the circumstances of earth, reconditions our hearts, and ignites a closeness with the God of the universe.

 

Read Hebrews 4:14-16.  We can approach God with confidence.  He wants time with us!

 

Praying For You,

Jennifer  

 

BE “IN THE KNOW!"

HOMEWORK
Read and complete Week 8, pages 60-65 , in your binder for March 24.

SNACKS: These groups need to arrive early on Tuesday to make coffee and set up:
Morning: Anderson/Moskovitz
Evening: Long/Stafford

WEEKEND SERVING

This weekend the Dolch/Riordan group is up in the rotation for serving in the childrens' areas.  Thanks for helping out!

WWW.BADECONO.ME

Easter weekend is April 11-12.  We'll have four services; two on Saturday at 5 and 6:30pm and two on Sunday at 9:30 and 11am.  Grab a "Saturday is the New Sunday" t-shirt if you're ready to commit to attending a Saturday service.  And, don't forget to grab your www.badecono.me car decal to place on the outside of your rear car window.

BE ENCOURAGED AND CHALLENGED! 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7:7-

Be sure to check out Senior Pastors' blog: www.PBandJblog.com.