Greetings!
What comes to mind when you think of summer? Maybe it's a sweet reminder of family vacations, swimming, sleeping late, drinking lemonade and fun in the sun. It is often the break we need to relax and let go. Often it is easy to get so caught up in the lazy days of summer that we miss our quiet times with the Lord. Sleeping late creeps into our normal morning routines of time alone in the Word and prayer. Let's all challenge one another to not take a vacation from sweet moments with Jesus. Let the Light of Christ shine in and through you daily. If you are in need of a Bible study to help you stay in the Word this summer, Reflecting Him is now available at www.reflectivelifeministries.org.
From My Heart to Yours,
Carla McDougal
Founder/Speaker/Author for Reflective Life Ministries |
Reflecting Him Is More Than Just a Book
By Kitty Self The heat is rising in Texas, and so is the excitement about Carla's Bible study: Reflecting Him - Living for Jesus and Loving It! It is hard to even know where to start to bring everyone up to date, but here goes.
WinePress Publishing told us the book would be shipped in June, but in May, Carla got a call that the books were on their way. I was not there to see Carla's expression when she pulled the first one out of the box, but I can imagine her excitement and even incredulity that the books were actually in her hands, ready for people to read. Thank you for all the prayers for this project over the last two years. Your encouragement about the project was very inspirational. You can order your book through www.reflectivelifeministries.org.
Carla thought the project was over after Reflecting Him came into print. But, to her amazement, God had more in store. At the end of April the Lord inspired Carla with a new piece to the puzzle, and she approached Robin Murray, the Playwright for RLM, with the idea of her writing a drama to go with each week of the Bible study. After much prayer she sensed God's hand upon this idea. Within one week Robin created a script powered by the Holy Spirit. God provided the actresses and actor along with a director and production team. A full scale production of the video starts this week, so please pray for the people and work involved.
Next, Carla mentioned to her sister, Cindy Vinson, that she wished she had some music to tie the study and drama together. Cindy surprised her by saying she wrote 8 songs over 10 years ago, but had not done anything with them. She played them for Carla, and surprise, surprise, it was as if Cindy wrote them specifically for Reflecting Him! This month Cindy is recording the songs. This is another prayer opportunity for those prayer warriors who keep lifting this ministry up. The songs will be used in the drama video and will also be available for purchase.
But that isn't all that is going on right now! The latest idea that has taken off with wings of its own, is a Reflecting Him Facebook Group Bible study. Women are already signing up to comment, encourage, and ask questions as they go through the book. So if you don't have a group to do the study with, or if you want to get started right away, get your book, get on Facebook and join in. Carla explains how to connect in another article in this newsletter.
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Facebook Reflecting Him Bible Study Group The newest buzz on the internet is the Facebook Reflecting Him Bible Study Group. I love the Lord's creativity. The birth of this idea happened in the blink of a second. I thought about all the women working through the study on their own and how they might have questions. This idea emerged in hopes of providing a place to share ideas and insights, give testimonies, ask questions and more. It is a way to provide encouragement for one another! If you are interested in joining, here is what to do...
· Join Facebook
· Search... Reflecting Him Bible Study Group
· Click... Join the Group
· Click... "Discussions" at the top of the page
· In the "Discussions" section there is a list of options. Click on "Reflecting Him Book in Hand" and tell us your name, where you live, and how you heard about the study.
· After you finish each day or week of Reflecting Him, go to "Discussions" and search for the day. For example, Week 2-Day 1. Connect with other women around the world, share ideas, thoughts, and testimonies. Listen, meditate and more!
· If you don't have a Reflecting Him book, you can order through www.reflectivelifeministries.org.
· Anyone can join at any time. Invite your friends and family. Work at your own pace.
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| Ministry Moments... The Coupon Angels
Who are these women? What is their purpose? Coupon Angels? The buzz around town continues to heighten as Monday after Monday they gather with their coupons in one hand and Starbucks in another. Why do they choose to spend their time this way? I needed some type of explanation!
So, one Monday morning, I decided to visit The Coupon Angels. My goal: to catch them in action. With pen and notebook in hand, I strolled into Starbucks. Scanning the room, I noticed a table covered in coupons and grocery ads. Eight women surrounded the mound, definitely on a mission. On the surface it looked like a game of "Coupon Go Fish." As I approached the table I heard statements like, "I need a Starkist tuna and here is a Softscrub. Oh, you take the Kroger special on peanut butter." In the blink of an eye my mind experienced overload. I began asking the "Coupon Arch-Angel", Melinda Trawick, some questions...
· What gave you this idea in the first place? "One Sunday morning my pastor said, 'When God calls you to do something, do it!' It had come to my attention that the shelves at the food pantry were empty, so I started using coupons to purchase food to help stock the bare shelves. It occurred to me one day, that for the price of a lunch and my coupons I could help more organizations like this one."
· How did others get involved with you? "I decided instead of asking friends to lunch, I would invite them to Monday morning coffee at Starbucks. The only stipulation was they must bring coupons, grocery ads, and what they would spend for lunch that day."
· What results have you seen? "Our purpose is to be more Christ centered. This group has grown from 1 to 20 women. We collect coupons through the week and scan the new ads for Walgreens, Target and Kroger. "Divide and conquer" is our motto. After matching the coupons with the ads, we split The Coupon Angels into three groups. Armed with our coupons, we go our separate ways to shop, like angels on the move. We save on average 40% to 50% each time. All for the price of our lunches! We have helped stock three food pantries in our area."
· Where did you get the name The Coupon Angels? "We saw our savings multiply as we learned how to use these coupons. Also, the food pantries are recipients of our efforts and their prayers are answered. The name surfaced one day as we pulled up with a trunk full of food."
· How do you see God in all of this? "I think of the Biblical account of Jesus, the disciples, the 5000 hungry people, and one boy willing to share his 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Because the boy unselfishly handed over his lunch, Jesus multiplied it to feed 5000 people. This is similar. Jesus is calling us to give up what we would spend on eating lunch at a restaurant and use it to help families in need. He is the one who is multiplying our savings!"
A look of awe adorned my face. Tears began to pour as I watched these servants of the King in action. In the midst of their service, they lifted prayer requests on behalf of people in need. Oh, what a blessing to observe The Coupon Angels in action.
Driving away, God gave me a revelation. He calls each of us to do our part to accomplish His purposes here on earth. The question arises: Am I willing, like the boy and his lunch, to give up my own agenda, time and money to be the hands and feet of Jesus? At that moment, an eruption of confessions filled my car as His tenderness washed over me. I thanked Him for the way He used The Coupon Angels to teach me a heart lesson.
Is God calling you to give up something in order for His purposes to be accomplished through you? Listen to His voice. Act on His calling. Surrender it all to Jesus!
If you would like more information on starting a Coupon Angel group in your area you can contact Melinda Trawick at melindatrawick@comcast.net. |
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We are happy to announce that Reflecting Him is here! Buy your copy online at www.reflectivelifeministries.org.
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Stay Connected
Find us on FACEBOOK for RLM media, news and special updates. Get to know Carla through her personal blog, Carla's Corner.
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Upcoming Dates
Please keep all of these events and
dates in mind as you are praying for RLM.
JUNE 2010
Blog Talk Radio
Click here for more information.
Book Signing for Reflecting Him
Meet the Author-Carla McDougal
June 12 The Creative Christian
10am-4pm
ICRS Conference in St. Louis
Reflecting Him Book Release...
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