April 2008                                                                                   Vol 1, Issue 1

                                         Inspiring-Motivating & Empowering            
 

Women In Need of Empowerment  

I am the vine, you are the branches.

-John 15:5

                       grapes
Greetings! 
 
grapes      Heart to Heart:

 

Welcome to the first issue of Women In Need of Empowerment (WINE). I am thrilled that you have decided to join me on this journey of discovery. We identified the importance of putting first things first in the preliminary issue of WINE. To do so I stated that we must embrace the truth of discovering who we are by learning to abide in Christ Jesus. The foundation for all we do must be centered on sinking deeper into relationship with the Savior, or in one word, abiding. Exploring this truth through a myriad of concepts will be the basis of this newsletter.

 

Abiding requires us to move into position. This brings us to a place where we are no longer seeking His hand; instead, we focus on dwelling in His presence. I find this to be a rather unique factor because abiding does not mean that we are doing more. When we are truly abiding we are at a place where obstructions and distractions are removed. Now, we have entered into a place of total surrender by connecting with the source.

Abiding in Him is the key to tapping into the promises, which help us to: 1) Practice the art of surrender, 2) Position ourselves to hear, and 3) Prepare for the harvest. As a result of abiding we are reminded of the promises, "to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses which you did not fill, wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant" Deuteronomy 6:10-12.

 

However, be mindful that abiding requires something of us all - obedience. Ask yourself this question: Am I feeling a tugging to release anything that may have become a distraction or that may be diverting me away from abiding? If so, I encourage you to quickly embrace the ministry of release and let that hindrance go. Remember this formula:  Abiding + Obedience = Blessing.

 

 
Abiding in Him,

 
Jacqueline
Inside this Issue of WINE
Words of Wisdom
Quarterly Attributes
Empowering You
Tools to Empower: Featured Book
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Words of Wisdom: In the Cellar

by: R.L. Owensby

Author of the Inspiring Novel - We B. Family
 

Where Did You Leave Your Peace?

 

Sister, may I ask you something? I mean can we talk? As I look around at women today, I see struggle. Pain. Disappointment. Regret. Unforgiveness. Blame. This somewhat bothers me.

 

I am bothered because as a little boy I knew that everything was okay when Momma had peace. Dad could come in yelling or complaining about whatever (bills, bad times, his job, etc.), but nothing mattered when Momma had peace. She set the tone for the entire home.

 

No matter what the situation, your attitude sets the atmosphere. You heard the old saying "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Well, that plays true because the woman definitely holds the thermostat.

 

The enemy uses struggle and pain because he is on a mission to fill women with these negative emotions. He does this because he understands this principle, "You can only overflow with what you are filled with." Therefore, if you are filled with struggle, what will come out? Struggle. If you are filled with pain, what will seep through? Pain.

 

One of the tricks of the enemy is to isolate and separate, or as Jacqueline so eloquently puts it, keep us from abiding. When we are not abiding, we invite struggle to come in and reside. Have you ever tried to go against a strong wind? What happened? You found yourself struggling. In the struggle, you may have lost some things. Your hair and clothing were in disarray and most likely; this changed your entire attitude about the day.

 

What would have happened if you went in the same direction with the wind? You would not have to exert a lot of energy because you would allow the wind's force to get you where you are going. When you are abiding, you are not struggling. You allow the force and efforts of God to help you get where you are going.

 

Today, I want to ask you, "When was the last time you had peace?" You can begin taking steps to reclaim your peace by forgiving that one who hurt you. Perhaps you could sell that car you are struggling to pay for. Maybe, letting go of a dead relationship would get you back to that place of peace. However, you are required to take action for you. Exercise your faith today by reclaiming peace and balance in your life.

 
Until next time ...
Quarterly Attributes

  Three P's for you to cultivate!

1) April = Prayer

-Set aside a special place & time to spend time communicating with the Lord

 

2) May = Pamper

-Pick a day to do something special for yourself

 

3) June = Project

-Record one goal you would like to begin or achieve over the next six months

 

Each quarter we will strive to cultivate a more balanced lifestyle with three Quarterly Attributes, one for each month to further inspire, motivate, and empower. This is a great opportunity to begin journaling to provide yourself with a record of your growth and insights you may gain.

Empowering You: In the Vineyard
by: JOwensby
 

The Vineyard is the place of extended exhortation; the place where we inspire, motivate, and empower each other. Although in many cases, being able to encourage others can come with a heavy price tag. You may find that it is during many of your low points or once you have come through a major crisis that you are effectively able to uplift another.

 

Jesus found himself in a special garden, the Garden of Gethsemane (meaning oil press). It was in this garden that He wrestled with the idea that He; Himself would bear the sins of this world, so that He might fully extend encouragement and hope to us. Jesus was in a place where olives were crushed and ground; likewise, so was He being crushed for our sakes. Through His obedience to the cross, we have been empowered to go forth and prosper in all things - to bear much fruit.

 

I am speaking of walking in a way in which you become a change agent so that others may be inspired and motivated to receive this same empowerment to make a difference in our world today.

 

Challenge: What can you do to implement change within your immediate environment? This does not need to be a major undertaking. It may be downsizing your schedule to make more time for family, organizing a closet to create order, or putting off doing one more thing in order to give a loved one your full attention. Whatever the case, the idea is to make a difference that will inspire and empower your world.

Tools to Empower: Featured Book
   

Featured Book

 

Click on the link above to order your copy of the suggested reading for this quarter. Inspire/Motivate & Empower yourself by feasting upon the truth of who you are in this heartwarming revelation by Stasi Eldredge.

Announcements

Jacqueline will be inspiring and motivating others at:

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Teen Summit 2008 - Oct 4 - HAAC-Harrisburg, PA

For More Information: 717-561-0506
For More Information Contact:
 
 
 
 
 

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