during this year's District Council.

Coming in August 2013: HerGreenRoom.com

 

 

25 years ago we lived in Chicago and my husband Denny was asked to do his first funeral for a baby born prematurely to a woman we had been ministering to who was addicted to heroin. This was a heart wrenching experience worsened by the fact that she didn't make the funeral because she had to go get another fix.

Promise kept, we did the funeral; A Promise broken, a mother missed her baby's funeral.

A year ago a tornado ripped thru Kentucky. Christ in Action answered the call for help. We promised to rebuild a home for the Brown family there without cost to them.

January 6, 2013 - Promise kept (see video).

A Home For The Brown Family - KY Tornadoes

 Denny promised I would write this - Promise kept.

My eyes grew big and my heart almost stopped as I read the words, "Listen, O Daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." Psalm 45: 10-11.

I was sitting in my little room in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, thousands of miles from home, fasting and praying about the future. I had just completed an exhilarating two year mission assignment; however, I was 28 years old, single and had to make an important decision. I could return to my wonderful life as an American and to the relationship I had begun with a desirable Christian man who wanted me home. Or I could listen to the insistent urging in my spirit to stay and face my uncertain life in a communist country with a people I was just beginning to understand.   I was leaning towards the first option when this Psalm leapt out at me. I knew the voice speaking to me was not my own, but The Voice that would not go away for a long time.

Well, I did my part. I forgot my people (my lovely boyfriend) and father's house (all my family) and applied to AGWM. Then I spoke, wrote, traveled, raised money, phoned, visited, smiled a lot, prayed and, finally, in 1975 I returned to Yugoslavia for the adventure of a lifetime.

Now, "the king who became enthralled by my beauty" didn't show up for a couple of years, but in December, 1978, Bobi Arsenovic and I got married! The only part of Psalm 45 which didn't happen was the "sons who you will make princes throughout the land" (verse 16). Instead, I got two princesses who have made me extremely happy.

Sometimes the promise is unusual and scary, but I have loved following the Dear One who makes such outlandish promises.
 

 Nancy Arsenovic is a very retired missionary, married 33 years with two daughters and the most amazing sons-in-law. She loves gardening, bird watching and water colors.

 

Promise is a strong word. I learned many years ago NOT to promise my girls or my husband something I couldn't produce or do. The little voices saying "But you promised" were just too hard to hear. It's amazing how much guilt a mom can incur from an un-kept or broken promise. We promise our families, our friends, or even God that we will "really do it this time." But busy life happens and we fail. No matter how well-intentioned, we are human and therefore flawed. There's that guilt again.

Continue reading ...


 Kathy Marsh is the wife and ministry partner of Pastor Don Marsh. She and her husband have just accepted the pastorate at Ohio Valley Christian Center in Wheeling, WV.   Kathy has her Bachelor's degree in Special and Elementary Education and has homeschooled all four of their daughters. Besides pastoral care with her husband, she is a worshiper and is active in leading music and worship, teaching the Word, and mentoring women. She loves seeing others find the joy of fulfilling their place and ministry in the body of Christ

Promise -"A reason to expect something."  

That's how the dictionary defines promise, but isn't this also the perfect explanation for the hope that lies within us? Amazingly, we are christened as the children of promise; our very existence is by promise. (Galatians 4:28) And as believers we base our lives on God's promises. Consider that our hope for peace issues from Jesus' promise of peace (John 14:27), our hope for joy springs from putting our faith in the promise of who He is. (Psalm 5:11) Even our hope comes from the promise of life eternal ...resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time. (Titus 1:2) Oh think about it. Before one click of time's existence was marked off; God promised us the hope of life eternal. Continue Reading ...

Sandy Anderson lives near Richmond Virginia. She has been happily married to her husband, Lee for 30 years. They have two grown daughters, Lachelle and Janelle. She has a passionate desire for women to understand Papa God's unconditional love for them, to discover and walk out their unique giftings and for them to each experience an unequaled passion for Jesus Christ!  Sandy is a Licensed Minister with the Assemblies of God in the Potomac District where she is active in leadership, service, small groups, women's ministry and currently serves as her church's Community Director. She also enjoys writing in her recently launched blog and is published in various online devotional ministries and in her spare time she loves to read and spend time with family and friends

 

In 1982, Don and I were pastoring in Florida. We were contacted by the sister-in-law of a young girl expecting her second baby who decided she didn't want to keep the baby. Did we know anyone who wanted to adopt a baby?

 

A couple of weeks prior to this, I had talked with a family member about adoption. They had two biological children and were interested in adding to their family by way of adoption. I told them about this baby and gave my word that I would give the baby to them.  Continue Reading

 Rose Marie and Don Cox began full-time ministry in 1969. They have pastored in Florida and Maryland. In 1984 she was integrally involved in the founding of Bethel Christian Academy, a ministry of Bethel Assembly of God Church, Savage, MD where they served as pastors for twenty-one years. Rose Marie served as principal of BCA for twelve years. Don now serves full time as Eastern Section Presbyter. It's been a journey of ups and downs but God has always been faithful.

Married for forty-five years, Don and Rose Marie have two children, five grandchildren and 2 step grandchildren. She loves being a grandmother who spoils the grandchildren to Don's dismay!!

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 112:7

 

When tragedy or trials come into my life, it is like I'm hit in the head by a spiritual hammer. My spirit is drawn out of me and that awful feeling in my stomach begins to horribly take residence.   Then my head spins and my heart is struck with debilitating fear. And then....

 

I believe I have learned the secret of trusting God because of a godly mother and the great Christian environment I had as I grew up in Texas. Of course, everyone believes that trials come in threes! Well, not always, but it feels like that. I watched my mother attack trials with one weapon - prayer. I remember one time when the refrigerator, the air conditioner, and the car were in need of repairs at the same time. Not to worry she said. A week later, all three were working and most of the repair jobs were from the pastor's son who said pay him whatever we could.  Continue reading ...

Ruth Pabon, an ordained minister, works full time with the elderly. She is on the ethics, pastoral, and diversity committees with the health system she works with. She is also an adjunct professor at Bethel College in Hampton, Va. Her husband is pastor to the Spanish congregation at Williamsburg Assembly of God and works part-time. They have one adult son who plays piano at a local church

A. B. Simpson

(Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis

 
People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives...and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted. 
Nate Saint Biography 

http://dailychristianquote.com

 

It's the little foxes  that spoil the vine.  The devil is in the details.  Little things matter.  Our theme for the Summer 2013 WIM Connection is Little Things.  Tell us your story about the little things that matter.

Please submit your 300-500 word articles by June 7, 2013.  We are also always looking for humor, poetry, book reviews, etc.

Blessings on you all as you enter this busy Spring season.