Longview Texas and A Special Prayer Request....

Well, I made my way down to the Lone Star state this past week. Met with an awesome group of women to discuss the up-coming trips o Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Greece. We had a sweet time and I always love seeing new faces and getting to hear their stories. It is amazing to watch how God is at work in women’s lives preparing them in advance to get on board with the ministry before I ever get to share my heart with them. I love how He works in our lives. He Knows.

We are negotiating contracts with the hotels this week. So we will most likely open registration for the conferences in Southeast Asia and Guanajuato City, Guanajuato, Mexico, the week of March 28. So get the word out to your friends that are serving in those areas of the world. Remember first come, first serve. Also, the teams are filling up that will be traveling to these countries. We have gone to a waiting list on the Mexico trip for team members, as of last week. If God is moving on your heart to be on a team, please contact me even if we are on waiting list status, because it isn’t uncommon for people to be moved up from the waiting list with team members and/or our missionary women.

I have a very special prayer request. Jon Moore a precious friend and co-founder of Christfollower.com was diagnosed with stage two Lymphoma cancer last August. He went through treatment and was given a cancer free status. However, this past week they found three nodules on his thyroid, one of them is malignant. They will have to take out his thyroid gland. The prognosis for this surgery is good. I am asking that you add him to your prayer list and that his body will continue to heal by God’s grace and the men and women He has gifted in the medical field.

I want to close by sharing with you something Jon shared in the note he sent out to his prayer warriors. I love it because it shows you his heart and the quote by Corrie Ten is such a truth for all of us regarding the darkness we come up against on our journeys. And I quote.....

We were initially taken back by the news, but on reflection and prayer realized it was no surprise to the Lord, and we have every confidence He will walk with us (and carry us) through this as He has on numerous occasions in our life. The Lord has been so good and gracious through all of this, and He led me in my reading just two days after receiving the news to a quote by Corrie Ten Boom (author of "The Hiding Place"). Her statement, "When a train goes through a tunnel, and it gets dark, you don't throw away your ticket and jump off the train. You sit still and trust the engineer!"

My dear ones, I pray if you are in a dark place, sit still and trust the engineer!

Love you all,

His,
Vickie                                                   

What a Joy and a Good Laugh...

Monday night I had the opportunity to speak at Evergreen Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK. It was such a sweet time of fellowship as I was able to meet with some of the ladies that make gifts for our trips, go, pray, and support our missionaries on the field. Also I was able to make some new acquaintances and had several women step-up that are prayerfully considering traveling with us this fall or in the spring of next year.  

This brings me to this bit of information. The slots are starting to fill up for the teams to Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Greece. Please contact me at vickie@purejoyinternational.org soon if you are interested in going and/or know someone who might be. I will be glad to come to your church location if you would like for me to share with your women how they can be involved in going or just being a part of a trip without leaving the country.

The above part of the blog was the ‘what a joy’ part. But this is the ‘good laugh’ part....

Monday as I was coming into Tulsa, Deb, our logistics person was at the hospital with her husband and mother-in-law who was having shoulder replacement surgery. I headed that direction because we were going to ride together to my speaking time since I was staying the night with them. Well, as life would have it, I was busy thinking about my thoughts as I was driving along and I ended up in the wrong lane to go forward at a busy intersection. So I honked at the guy to the left of me to see if he might let me pull in front of him when the light changed which would put me in the correct lane. He gave me a hand signal like “show me the money and I will”, which off course ticked me off because I wasn’t in the mood for stupidness; didn’t he know I had a church function I was going to speak at. In the meantime while I was dealing with Mr. Show Me the Money, the car behind me was laying on their horn because of course I was blocking the lane that would allow them to go ahead and turn right on red. Where is the compassion; didn’t they have enough sense to know I made a mistake and it was obvious? And yes, I was in Oklahoma with my Arkansas license plate showing. Well, the light changed and Mr. Show Me the Money let me go in front of him at which time the girl in the car behind me swooshed by on the right close enough for me to be able to tell what color eye shadow she had on as she gave me the proverbial hand sign. Now at that second I lifted my hands up as to say, “sorry” - after all I was on my way to a church speaking engagement, but while my hands were lifted up in the pose of “sorry” my ‘flesh hands’ and body were secretly out the window and fastened tightly around her little neck shouting “What is wrong with you? Do you really think I wanted to be stuck in the wrong lane with Mr. Show Me The Money and you leaning on your horn while I know I’m stopping up your passage way!” And again I reminded myself “you are speaking at a church tonight; gather your flesh and put it under the control of the Holy Spirit and for Pete’s Sake, pay attention to what lane you are supposed to be in from now on.”

Just a little true story to remind us all that apart from Him we are one big mess!!!

Love you All…

His,

Vickie

Consolidate....

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting with a young man (25-year-old) to look at some possible updates to our website. The young man is very wise for his age and probably doesn’t even know it. Notice I said ‘wise’ not ‘intelligent.’ However, it just so happens he is very intelligent, too! What a powerful combination!

I want to focus on his wisdom in the blog today. As I said I was meeting with him to look at our website together and get a ‘younger mind’ perspective. In the character of the apostle Paul he started out by telling me the good things about our website. He even went on to share that we had most of the guts (my word) needed for a website to communicate. He then shared with me that while the look of our web site isn’t bad, it is just out of date. We then proceeded to talk about how to make it more user friendly, communicate what we wanted communicated more clearly and improve the look. Then he made a statement that I shall forever have packed away in my little ‘nugget bag’, “The goal isn’t to tear away features but to consolidate.”

My mind immediately switched gears from our conversation (of course he had no clue my mind had left the table) to how many marriages, families, churches, ministry organizations, etc., I have watched be destroyed over the past many years because someone didn’t like something anymore and instead of having the wisdom to know how to consolidate, they became a wrecking ball. (Please note: I realize that sometimes you cannot consolidate, so there are exceptions but I am talking generically.)

Consolidate means to:

1.      Make something physically stronger or more solid “the first phase of the project is to consolidate the outside wall.”

2.      Combine a number of things into a single, more effective or coherent whole “all manufacturing activities have been consolidated in new premises.”

Synonyms: combine, unite, merge, integrate, amalgamate, fuse, synthesize, bring together, unify

The goal with our website isn’t to go in and tear away features but to consolidate them, to do whatever it takes to make the website stronger, more effective, and a more coherent whole. 

In marriage and/or family counseling, I’m not looking at the gaping hole in the wall but I’m listening to see if I have any building materials left to work with to bring the marriage and/or family back together. To consolidate, make it stronger with what I have left to work with, not to destroy it all because of a hole. 

In churches and organizations the trend is for someone to come in and tear away the features of that church and/or ministry organizations instead of looking for and listening for ways to consolidate those features and make it stronger and unified. That is a missing piece of wisdom in our leadership today in many churches and ministry organizations. 

Can I ask you a question? Is it time to ‘listen’ instead of focusing on the hole in the wall in your marriage, family, church, and/or ministry organization? Is it time to apply the wisdom of learning that you don’t have to tear away all the features but you need the wisdom to know how to consolidate, bring together, unify, etc.?

Please be willing to step back and ask yourself these questions. Be willing to kneel before our Heavenly Father and ask Him to show you if Satan has deceived you into believing a lie that God isn’t big enough to consolidate and strengthen what the enemy has tried to take a bite out of!

Be praying for Southeast Asia. We are zeroed in on our hotel and hope to open up registration to the m’s come the first part of March. Our theme is Fight the Good Fight from 1 Timothy 6:12. 

Because we have two conferences going back to back please make sure in your giving to designate to which trip you want sponsorship for the m’s to go - Southeast Asia (September) and/or Mexico (November).

Love you all and can’t wait to watch all that God is up to for the m’s that will be attending these retreats.

His,

Vickie

 

 

Pushed out......

Have you ever been in a situation where you were 'pushed out' of your position? Maybe standing in line for tickets to an event, boarding a plane, in line to enter an event, etc. Our flesh certainly rises up in those circumstances, doesn't it? That flesh nature of ours wants to respond immediately with "Hey! Who do you think you are?" Translated, “What about me?" Sometime we are more politically correct with a smug "Excuse me" which still translates “What about me?” Our flesh nature loves for us to snuggle up close to it! Otherwise it means death to the flesh!!!

Well, recently in reading one of my favorite authors, A.W. Tozer, he made this statement as part of his prayer, "O God, My Father, Fill me with Thyself until all myself has been pushed out."

Wow! I love that word picture. I can see and know the battle between my flesh and spirit. I can see my flesh fighting for position! I know my heart desires to submit to His spirit in me. I cry out too, LORD fill me with Thyself until all myself has been pushed out!" How ‘bout you? Need a little push today?

Teams are beginning to form for three trips in the near future. The first trip will be to Southeast Asia in September 2016. The second trip is Guanajuato, Mexico, in November 2016. And finally, Athens, Greece, February 2017.

If you are interested in going on any of these trips contact me now at vickie@purejoyinternational.org. The teams are already forming.

Love you all!

His,
Vickie

Line Leader...

My great nephew is 3 and 1/2 now. As I have mentioned before he attends Little Lambs Learning Center in our hometown. One of his favorite things to do is be the 'line leader' for the day. In fact, something he asks frequently when entering the class in the morning is, “Am I the 'line-leader' today?” Now understand, ‘line leader’ translates to helping with cups at breakfast and lunch, helping the teacher at circle time, and picking centers first for inside play. But, the important thing is – they are in charge of helping. ha,ha,ha,ha,ha

  

The seriousness of the role of being 'line leader' came out Sunday night as we were celebrating my sister’s birthday. My great nephew and I made the cake and he decorated it.

As I leaned in as if I was going to help blow out ALL (sorry, sister, ha,ha,ha,ha) those candles and sing Happy Birthday, he leaned in front of me and looked me straight in the face and said, “I’m the line leader!” and proceeded to lead us in singing Happy Birthday and blowing out the candles. We all burst out laughing. It was too precious.

  

Observing him asking that question so often upon entering his classroom during the week has made me think about something God has given me a real heart for over the past years - healthy leadership in our churches and para-ministries. 

  

May I share a couple of truths with you that are pretty common sense but good to be reminded of when it comes to healthy leadership:

• Healthy leadership is God-centered not people pleasing. When a leader is God-centered they trust God to take care of pleasing the people. They keep their eyes on God and move in a spirit of love. 
• Healthy leadership is God-centered and not moved by circumstances. When a leader is God-centered they trust God to deal with the attacks against the plans He has instructed them in and do not take up an offense, become defensive, and/or blame others when questioned. They know Whom they have believed. 
• Healthy leadership is God-centered and does not have a need to be in control. When a leader is God-centered they are a humble person that knows Who is in control. You will not sense a haughty spirit (pride) in someone who is trusting God. You will not see scheming, dishonesty, or manipulation at work. 
• Healthy leadership is God-centered and does not intentionally bring harm to others in word or deed. When a leader is God-centered they desire spiritual growth in the lives of those they serve and serve with. They promote unity not ‘yes men’.
• Healthy leadership is God centered and does not hold grudges and un-forgiveness. When a leader is God-centered they understand the need for repentance and forgiveness and extend it to others.

These are just a few important reminders to us who are called to be 'line leaders' of some form or fashion, whether in a church, lay ministries, para-ministries, etc.
The following cartoon is one I use in leadership training. It is a sure sign of dysfunctional ‘line-leaders and follow-ship. The reason being it promotes the proverbial “no talk rule”.

It really needs no words. But to stay with our topic of 'line leader,’ allow me to encourage you to never blindly follow a 'line leader'. It may lead you off a cliff spiritually. My 'line leader' is Jesus. He does not ask me to blindly follow Him. He asks me to step out in faith because He has made Himself known to me. 

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Proverbs 29:2 (KJV)

Please know that all of us are capable of being unhealthy ‘line leaders’ throughout any given day if we are not anchored to HIM.

May all of us who have been asked of God to serve in the capacity of ‘line leader’ of some form or fashion bow the knee and recognize that only by His Grace can we bring glory to Him in the journey He has called us to.

Love you all so much.

His,
Vickie

I've come to the Garden...

I apologize for no blog last week....

You know, my grandmother used to love the song “I’ve come to the Garden Alone”. I can remember her singing it and playing on the piano when I was a young. If you have never heard it please take the time to go to this link http://youtu.be/mhWOKhGdUZY

I love that song because it says I’ve come alone to a place to meet with Jesus. Sometimes we come on our own and sometimes life circumstances bring us there. The place where only Jesus is the voice that will sooth our soul. Here are the words:

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am his own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am his own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.

I'd stay in the garden with Him,
Tho' the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go thro' the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am his own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.

P.S. Don’t forget about the trips on the books so far this year. Be praying about what God want you to do. We are in the process of locking in our hotels and dates for Mexico and Southeast Asia. If you are interested in any of those trips please contact me as soon as possible with your questions. The teams are starting to form. vickie@purejoyinternational.org

Hanging in the Garden,

His,
Vickie
 

 

 

Look back but don't buy a parking place there...

As we come to the end of another year many shows on TV and many conversations that take place in the next couple of days that have to do with the year 2015.

Many of you have heard me make the statement God has covered the past, He holds the future, but He dwells in the present.    As you assess the year 2015 look over it well.   Celebrate those things that are worthy of celebrations:  new jobs, births of children and grandchildren, a new home, the sale of a home, being newly married, maybe you became a believer in 2015, maybe you decided to truly submit to him as LORD for the first time in 2015, etc.  Grieve the losses: many of us lost dear ones in the year of 2015, many of you lost homes, jobs, income, etc.   Learn from the mistakes: Relationships that weren’t handled well, business decisions gone wrong, broken promises, etc.  The list could go on and on.

  

But hang on to this truth.  No matter what 2015 brought into your life, it is past.  You have no control of it.  It is done.  You can’t change it.  You may be having to make decisions today based on the outcome of some of the things that happened in 2015, whether those be good or bad.  But the actual events themselves are over.  Again, look back, celebrate, grieve and learn from it.  But don’t buy a parking space there because any car left parked there will rust.

Do step into 2016 with your eyes fixed on the author and perfecter of your faith.  Hang on to this truth as well.  Things are not getting better.  God’s word is clear that we are in the last days.  I see more and more people “feeling” hopeless and I am talking about believers!   This year commit to the truth of “clinging to Christ alone.”  He is our hope!  He dwells in the present.  He holds the future!  He’s covered the past.

Matthew 6:32-33 (ESV)
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Love You All

His,

Vickie

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL THE STAFF, BOARD AND ADVISORS OF PURE JOY INTERNATIONAL.