Relevance

Is the Bible relevant to our lives today? Is it applicable, does it really make a difference?... Is our women's ministry relevant? Are we talking about and dealing with the things that truly matter in the lives of women- the real struggles, joys, hardships, and passions in our lives? This morning I read a passage in Hebrews, one of my favorites, that talks about the very topic of relevance. Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." God's Word is not only relevant, it is alive and active. It is applicable in every part of your life. It penetrates the deepest recesses of your heart and mind, and applies to your every thought and action. God will speak to YOU through His Word - speak to you where you are today, speak to your deepest thoughts and fears, speak to your most desperate needs and longings. As we learn to dig into the Word of God for ourselves, we find that it is absolutely relevant to every part of life - our relationships, our jobs, our thoughts and feelings, our hurts, our hopes.... As we learn to talk openly and honestly about our lives and the relevance of God's Word within them - our lives, our churches, and our ministries become real and relevant. I love to hear women sharing the "real stuff" of life. We need so much more of that...Let's learn to apply God's life-changing Word to our real, honest, every day lives and then share it with one another.

I know for many of us, getting into the Word of God can be intimidating - we don't know where to start, we don't know what to read, we're not sure we really understand. If this is where you find yourself, please send me an e-mail (jpinkerton@theharvestchurch.org). Let's put together a few small groups to really get into the Bible together - to learn how to read it and apply it in our lives. God's Word will be powerful, insightful, life-giving, life-changing, strengthening, challenging, and equipping... more than relevant in your life!

How do I post a comment?

As it turns out, posting comments has been a little confusing, but I think we are figuring it out! If you would like to post a comment, click on the work "comments" underneath the posting. This will give you the opportunity to post your comment. You do not have to have a google account - anyone can make a comment. You can even comment anonymously if you would like.

If you click on the white envelope, this allows you to send this link to a friend, but it does not post your comment on the blog.

I hope this helps make it a little easier. I am so excited that so many of you are ready to join in the conversation. I think we'll have great fun with this!

Women's Life Groups

I remember the first time that we visited Harvest. It was December of 2000. We visited an ABF class our very first week - we were anxious to get plugged in! We were warmly greeted and felt right at home. Dan and Amy McCollum made sure we knew where to sit in service, and then invited us to join them for lunch after church. Our very first week at Harvest, I was invited to a life group for women on Tuesday night, and a playgroup for young moms on Friday morning. Instantly connected! I see a great need for more life groups for women. We need more opportunities to connect with women on an intimate level. I love ABF classes, yet they still lack some of the intimacy and in-depth study that can be found in a life group. Of course, I realize that we are all very busy. But, I don't believe that life groups are intended to make our lives busier,... but fuller, more connected, supported, encouraged. I would love to hear your thoughts and testimonies concerning life groups. Please contact me if you would like to be a part of a life group, or even if you would like to lead one - I would be more than happy to get you all of the resources that you would need!

Are you hungry?

I have a horrible habit of overeating at Thanksgiving - all the time really, but especially at Thanksgiving. I know I am not the only one. As our family gets together, we all bring our favorite foods to share - besides the traditional feasts, we bring chips and dips, salty snacks, and scrumptious desserts. We find ourselves eating all of the time! It's sad that as dinner time approaches, we are still stuffed from our all-day snacking....but, we fill our plates once again just because the clock says it's time to eat. We surround ourselves with delicious food, and we never allow ourselves to get hungry!....I find this is true of our spiritual lives as well. There is a verse in Psalms that says "In his pride the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." (Ps. 10:4) So the question is, are you hungry? Do you allow room for God in your life, or are you constantly stuffing yourself full with so many other things, that there is no more hunger - no room for God? I believe it's time for us to slow down a little. Let go of all of the stuff of the world - all of the stuff that fills us up, but never really satisfies. And allow ourselves to hunger - to hunger for more of God. He is the only thing that will satisfy and fulfill. One of my favorite passages is Psalm 42:1, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet with God?" It is my prayer today that we will all hunger and thirst - not for more food, but for Almighty God. Ask Him for a greater hunger. Take time to seek Him. Get alone and meet with Him. Taste and see that He is good!

Why blogging?

Why not?? I've recently discovered the world of blogging. My sister in law is an "avid blogger." I love checking out her blog site to see what is going on in her world, to see pictures of my nephews, to check up on my brother, and hear about all of the craziness and fun of her life. Just recently I was given a book called "The Blogging Church." I loved the idea of being able to share all of the happenings of the women of our church in an easy, fun, accessable format - what a great way to bring technology into our church! I believe that this is a place to share information and encouragement in a candid, authentic, "real" way. Some days we may want to announce an upcoming event...other days we'll want to share a short devotional or insight into God's truth....sometimes there will be fun pictures to post, or stories to tell...we may even want to review a great book, CD, or movie. Let's just share all that's going on among the women of our church! God is doing great things - let's stay connected and share all that He is doing in our lives!! Feel free to join in the conversation and share your comments about each post.

What is radiant living?

How I long for women everywhere to experience the fullness of living in the center of God's will! There is nothing more beautiful, more radiant, than a woman fully surrendered to the Lord and filled completely with His Presence. For in the Presence of the Lord, there is peace, joy, light, life, and great beauty- all of the things we're looking for. It is my hope that we will seek Him together - go deep in the Word of God - and find that He is everything we want - everything we need! Let's explore the power and relevance of God's truth to penetrate and satisfy every area of our lives. God is so good and life with Him is more abundant, more fulfilling, more complete than any kind of life we could imagine!... Scripture tells us that God desires to reveal His glory through His people - that He desires to let His light shine is us. It is my desire that when others look at me, when others look at us as the women of Harvest church, that they would no longer see us - but that they would see the radiance of our Lord - His glory, His life, His light. I am excited about exploring this truth together... helping one another to seek the Lord with everything in us and live completely the pleasing, abundant life that God intends for us!