The old has past, the new has come...

Oh, I am so very thankful for January 2009! It's been one full year since I was declared free of the cancer that inhabited my body for those few months in 2007 and the physical healing began after the hysterectomy.

God's done some more healing of my emotions in regard to babies this year as well, and I am so grateful to be able to hold an infant in my arms and not fall apart inside. It just took my allowing Him to do it--all I had to do was let Him. Wow. I'm holding on to my little baby (now 4) a little tighter than I might have otherwise, but I'm merely treasuring the sweetness and sincerity in his heart that shines through his eyes and smile.

I'm so very thankful that these wounds are healing and in the past and a new day and a new year of hope dawns at this very moment. My medi-port was removed at the end of 2008 and my hair is steadily growing back (I SO need a haircut!), and I am only left with a scar to remember that trial.

As I am about to venture out and actually TEACH a Bible study this coming Thursday, I am amazed at what God has done and what He is calling me to do. I know it is nothing I could ever do on my own, but it is He that has given me strength, wisdom, and perseverance to write and prepare a study that I hope and pray will change the lives of many women and their families. I'm humbled and amazed that He would choose me.

Thank you, Lord, for the newness you create in our lives every time we turn around!

Money

*for women only*

Led by Wendie Beddingfield

Completely customized for the women at New Hope and our community, this study of God's word delves into the different aspects of earning, spending, saving, and attitudes toward this powerful tool God has given us. During the ten weeks of this course, you will not only discover freedom through what God's word says about handling money and possessions but also receive hands-on instruction in applying this knowledge to your daily life.

With understanding taken from the Bible as well as authors like Randy Alcorn, Howard Dayton, Larry Burkett, and Dave Ramsey, Wendie Beddingfield will cover a variety of subjects and focus directly on how God intends women to view and use money. Each week will introduce a new facet of application:

God's job vs. My job, Giving, Work, Spending, Debt, Saving, Honesty, Counsel, Teaching our children, and Investing & Eternal Perspective

Much like a Home Team, you will experience small group discussion, praise and worship, but you will also hear teaching each week on the various topics as well as first-hand testimonies of God's glory and special helps for application. Additional recommended reading is strongly encouraged to enhance understanding and application.

Materials for recommended reading: The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn, Your Money Counts by Howard Dayton, The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, Money, Possessions & Eternity by Randy Alcorn

**In joining this study, you will in no way be required to reveal any of your financial details with either the leader or the members of the group. Confidentiality is mandatory for all members.

Thursdays from 10:00AM to 11:30AM

starting January 22, 2009

Sign up in the lobby at New Hope Jan. 4 and Jan. 11

All classes will be held in the Zone at New Hope. Cost is $3.00 per person. Optional study materials may be purchased in addition to the basic course cost. See order form for more details.

Childcare provided by reservation & requested donation of $2 per child per week.

Money Problems

In the Christian community we find lots of people who have found victory in many areas like overcoming alcoholism, drug addictions, pornography, infidelity, etc. Many Christians still struggle with these problems, but not every Christian has ever had them. Some have never touched beer or wine or even thought about having an extra-marital affair. However, I see that it is true that the majority of us, both Christians and non-believers have had some kind of problem with money.

I've found that I seem to run in to tons of people who are currently struggling with money issues--being overdrawn, being deep in debt, wanting to give but not having the funds, unable to afford groceries or their mortgage/rent/electricity bill and more. We all have money, or need money or want more of it regardless of how much we have. We can't live in this society without money--it's just not possible.

Now money is different than credit. Contrary to popular belief, you can operate in this society without using credit cards or getting huge loans for cars and homes. I'm not saying that it's all that easy to do, but it can be done, and when we think about how many problems the mortgage loan industry is in (and we're in because of it), not to mention the credit card industry's death grip on many of us---it would seem worth it to stay away from the trap of easy money with credit and "no money down" financing.

Sometimes even people like me, who have found victory in the area of finances, particularly deep credit card debt, still find ourselves being tempted and giving in to using those stupid plastic cards to get what we want without waiting for the money to be there. Yes, I screw up, a lot. But because I know where it will end up if I don't confess my mistakes and ask for forgiveness from God-- I get back on the road to waiting on God's provision and determine to use more self-control by the power of the Holy Spirit. I hate the consequences of screwing up, and I absolutely love the freedom of not having to make payments every month for something that I've already thrown out or digested (if you know what I mean) or at the very least is worth much less than what I financed it for.

"Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:7

Christ said he came to set the captives free--we can't be free if we're offering ourselves as servants to the credit card or finance companies. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Galatians 5:1

We all have to use money, but it's how we use it and how we perceive it (is it our security or our tool?) that makes the difference.

Faithfulness

So, hey, I am in the middle of a very cool Bible study by Beth Moore, and this week's lesson is concerning Faithfulness as an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit.

I'm ALSO working on developing a study on finances, geared toward women only, and this week, I'm working on what it means to be a faithful steward or manager of God's money and "stuff." I've done this thing before, and I know what it means to be a faithful steward--but now it just means so much more! For some reason, I just didn't put together "faithful" and "faithfulness" when it comes to the Holy Spirit and all that history lesson from Hebrews 11 and the long list of faithful people from the OT.

Even with finances, we're called to have faith especially when we can't see what God's going to do or even what the final result is of our saving, spending, giving, etc. We're to listen to God and move forward despite our blind-spot and be faithful with what he's given us and what he's given us to do.

I can only be truly faithful if I have the Holy Spirit within me, allowing Him to reign in my life and show the fruit that He brings forth.

Cool stuff.

Now, if only I can keep this one down to 30 minutes when I teach it in the Spring! :) That's for another lesson--the one on self-control.

First Anniversary

This day marks the one year anniversary of my diagnosis of choriocarcinoma and the day the whirlwind of testing led to the whirlwind of learning about and acquiring the medications to be taken at home and the chemo drugs I would be given in the office, the out-patient surgery to implant a medi-port, and the beginning of chemo the very next week.

This day is a GOOD day because that's no longer a part of me. Yes, I still have the scar; yes, I still am left in a different state than where I was one year ago; yes, I still have the medi-port; and yes, I still blame my forgetfulness on "chemo brain." But that's not who I am.

This is a GOOD day because I AM ALIVE! I am able to spend this day with my family and friends. I am ABLE to look back and see what Great things the Lord has done in me and through me. I am ABLE to look forward to days ahead in which God will use what I have experienced to encourage and comfort others facing life-threatening illness---and even more!

"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

Read the whole psalm here... I SO relate to what he's saying. "I will not die; instead, I will live
to tell what the Lord has done."

I turned 34 yesterday. The time I spent in chemo is a little blip on the screen of a long life. My life here on earth is a blip on the screen of eternity--thankfully, it's only the beginning!

Want to know some more great news??? We paid off all our medical bills on Friday-- just before this anniversary!!! God is SOOO Good!!!

Let us be thankful for this day, for the Lord made it! Let us be joyful and be glad in it, too!! You're alive, and God still wants to use you!!

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

2 Let all Israel repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
3 Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Let all who fear the Lord repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”

5 In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
and the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
7 Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.
I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in people.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.

10 Though hostile nations surrounded me,
I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
11 Yes, they surrounded and attacked me,
but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
12 They swarmed around me like bees;
they blazed against me like a crackling fire.
But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
13 My enemies did their best to kill me,
but the Lord rescued me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
15 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
16 The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
17 I will not die; instead, I will live
to tell what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not let me die.

19 Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
and I will go in and thank the Lord.
20 These gates lead to the presence of the Lord,
and the godly enter there.
21 I thank you for answering my prayer
and giving me victory!

22 The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.
24 This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Please, Lord, please save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.
26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God, shining upon us.
Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God, and I will exalt you!

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.