DFBC WOMEN’S MINISTRY Statement of Faith The Women’s Ministry of Duncanville’s First Baptist Church acknowledges the Bible as the inspired Word of God and final authority for faith and life. Statement of Vision We are women called by God to follow Christ, and through relationship with Him, growing into personal spiritual maturity, founded on a biblical world view, strengthening our families and church, and reflecting Christ’s love in the world. Statement of Purpose Ministry that inspires women to grow in passionate commitment to Christ and His church through: an accurate view of Almighty God the transforming power of His Word personal spiritual growth ministry in serving others training, mentoring, and teaching Letters to God In the movie, Letters to God (2010), we witness the life of Tyler, an 8year-old boy diagnosed with life-threatening cancer. Not only was he suffering the horrible illness and treatments, but his close family and friends suffered as they spent time with him each day fearing for his life. His mother continually questioned God and couldn’t understand why her innocent little boy had to endure so much pain and why she may face the heartbreak of losing her son at such a young age. On the contrary, Tyler endured and stood firm in his faith. With the help of an old friend, he realized that he was “God’s warrior” and had been specifically chosen by God to accomplish God’s work in spite of his illness. Scripture says that “God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). Tyler was called by God. God used Tyler and his letters (which were his form of prayer) to touch people’s lives in miraculous ways – specifically his mother, brother, mailman, friends, and others in his community. God chose Tyler because God knew that His Kingdom would increase and His name would be glorified through the illness that He allowed Tyler to endure. Second Timothy 4:5 (NIV) says, “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” Tyler was doing the work of an evangelist and did not allow his hardship to hinder the duties of his ministry. God does not delight in our hardships; He delights in our faith and perseverance through them. Since we live in a fallen world, we will face many hardships as a consequence of sin. Jesus says, “… Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Both Christians and non-Christians will face hardship here on earth, but the difference is that we have the promise and hope of Christ’s salvation! (continued on next page) Jesus said “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Page 2 Letters to God (cont.) Dear God, ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ Love, _________ We may experience the side effects and consequences of sin on this temporal earth, but we know that Jesus has already conquered the sin of this world and that we, as believers and followers of Christ, have a sealed reservation to be with Him in Glory for eternity! That is the hope and joy that Paul found in Christ when he wrote, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NIV). Maybe you can relate to Tyler or to his mother regarding a specific situation. Perhaps you are experiencing suffering which has caused you to question or even turn away from your faith in God. If you can relate to any of these situations, God wants you to know that He has a specific plan for you and will give you hope and encouragement if you call upon Him and seek Him with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13). God has chosen you for a specific purpose and wants to use you to further His Kingdom and to bring Glory to His Name! ~ Hannah Mason The Savior’s Sachet “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. II Corinthians 2: 15 Has there ever been a time you were suddenly aware of something different around you? Out of nowhere, a sweet aroma causes you to stop and search for it? It is not too sweet, not too strong, but just right. You can’t describe it with words, but it draws you to it. Then for the rest of the evening the aroma lingers long after the first time you smelled it. You might even smell that same aroma a few days later and the memory of the first time you smelled it came back in your thoughts. You wish you could find that smell and wear it all the time. This is the basis of real Christianity. Those who truly love the Lord emit a lovely aroma; one everyone will remember. One that some will search for. Christ has an unmistakable fragrance. Anyone who is a genuine Christ-like person and has a personal relationship with HIM gets this fragrance poured on them by God. Those aromas are the Spirit of God wearing His fruit in the lives of believers. Who comes to your mind when thinking of that Godly aroma? As you think of them, do the Fruit of the Spirit come to you: love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Most important our aroma should please God. How does one gain that aroma or maintain it? We must know HIM in a very personal way. By getting to know HIM in an intimate way we will each have our own fragrance that God can use for HIS purpose. God “makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of HIM in every place.” If we let God lead us in triumph, then our fragrances as believers, wherever we allow HIM to lead us, is spread. Whoever seeks HIS fragrance through us is given the sweet fragrance of eternal life. Isn’t it great to pass on the fragrance He has poured on us? When we spend more time around God than in the world then we start smelling like HIM. People sense something different, something they need and want. The fragrance of God is powerful! All we have to do is let God use us totally. The sinners want to know that different fragrance and it stays with them and makes them want more. We are not adequate to dispense the fragrance of God in our own strength. We must abide in HIM to cover ourselves in HIS fragrance. “Our inadequacy is God’s sufficiency”. II Corinthians 4: 12. ~ Jeanne Shouse Page 3 Ladies Fall Retreat: “The Savior’s Sachet” At our Ladies Fall Retreat the theme of it was “The Savior’s Sachet”. We all had a great time singing praises to the Lord and learning more about Him and how we are a fragrance of Christ. Our speaker was Diane Machen. She blessed our hearts and our souls. All the ladies were excited to get to meet new ladies and we all enjoyed getting to know one another better. If you didn’t get to make it this year, be sure to come next year. You’ll be glad you did. On the side are comments of some ladies that attended the Retreat that were asked what impact the Retreat had on them. Speaker: Diane Machen “Enjoyed getting to know other women better. I was truly inspired by Diane.” “Lots of fun and laughter. So blessed by the love of sisters of God.” “We’re all in different places with different backgrounds - God meets us and loves us where we are.” “It showed me how to keep my faith strong during hard times and to how to continue to walk with the Lord.” “ To let me know that I am not alone in my struggles.” “I loved the way Diane led us in worship Connecting during the Holidays As a Christian, the Lord will be leading you to share the love of Christ with someone during the approaching holiday season, so consider implementing this simple and enjoyable idea. Invite your friend or neighbor over (or out) for a cup of coffee and to read together the Nativity story from the Bible. Select which scripture passage and pray beforehand (Luke, chapters 1&2 are a good place to start - maybe also Isaiah 9:6-7). Then trust in the Lord to lead you and you’re friend into meaningful conversation over His Word! If you’d like, you can do this over the Thanksgiving holiday as well by selecting some favorite scripture passages to read with a friend. Share why you are grateful for God’s love & also grateful for your friend! Some scripture passages that you may like to consider using are Psalm 100:4, Hebrews 12:28, Philippians 1:3 and 1 Thessalonians 3:9. The Lord will bless you as you bless another! Mark Your Calendar October 30 - November 3 - The Bible Ministry Exhibition of the Protestant Church in China, Northwest Bible Church, 8505 Douglas Ave. Dallas 75225 For info. go to: http://www.chinabibleexhibition.com/index.html November 9 - Reach Out 9:30-11:30, room A109 adult building, bring scissors November 12 - Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer - 10:00 - 11:45am To be held at Park Central Church in Dallas, call Lyndie Blevins for info. December - Angel Tree gifts need to be turned in by first week of December December 9-12 - Christmas Pageant. Bring your neighbors, friends & family January 5 - Bible Study with teacher Bobbye Hill. Registration in December March - Book Club will be starting up again - Facilitator - Jayne Fisher More info. to come later on Book Club Who Am I? The last Mystery Women One was Doris Lancaster, Two was Debbie Hoffmeyer. The winners that guessed correctly are: Sherry Sanders and Linda Klager. Hopefully you are enjoying this game where you guess the identity of women who are members of DFBC. What a fun way to get to know each other a little better. Ask around and find out who this Christian sister is and you may discover other fun facts about others in the process. The first one to guess the mystery woman and emails in the answer, gets a prize! One guess per person, per time. Send your email guess to: [email protected] www.dfbconline.org/women Mystery Woman I have been a member of DFBC for 20 years. I have lived in Duncanville for 4 years. I am married with one son. I was raised in Dallas. In High School I was in the choir and in several musicals. I was a member of the Nat’l Honor Society. I was a teacher for 9 years. I like to travel, do crafts and gardening. I have traveled in 48 states. DFBC WOMEN’S MINISTRY There is a growing desire by many women attending DFBC to connect with their Christian sisters more than just on Sundays. If you have any questions about how to get more involved, feel free to contact one of the women listed here: Women’s Ministry Team Lyndie Blevins cell: 214.794.2155 [email protected] Becky Latchem home: 972.296.0456 [email protected] Lilly Naylor cell: 972.480.1945 [email protected] Jeanne Shouse cell: 972.948.6665 [email protected] Lashanda Willins cell: 817.680.2458 [email protected] Young Women’s Ministry: Hannah Mason cell: 972.310.2915 [email protected] Tapestry Team: Cindy Talley cell: 214.334.5676 waiting4hisreturn @sbcglobal.net Luci Tumas cell: 972.296.5135 [email protected]
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