Where did May go?

On May 1st I turned the big 50! I've actually embraced this milestone (most of the time) and am looking forward to the possibilities of the decades ahead. The month included many other milestones for our family. A college graduation for my nephew Philip, a Coast Guard Academy graduation for my nephew Craig, a trip to San Diego for just my husband Bruce and myself ( it was a celebratory milestone trip for my birthday and more!)

There were other events, some sad good-byes, interesting challeges--all jam packed into one month that just sped by. As usual, God doesn't waste any of these experiences and I hope to be more regular in writing about a few of the things I learned this past month.

In contrast it was a difficult month at work as well with some staff layoffs--the painful reality of the economy hit us suddenly and smack in the face. Those laid off found it difficult to find support at church since that was where they worked. How does the church be the church, the body of Christ be the body when faced with difficult financial or strategical decisions? How do you treat this "family business" that is different than the typical family business but then again very similar?

Lancaster County National Day of Prayer

Celebration of Prayer

Thursday, May 7 6:00 pm

Long's Park

BethMoore will be the live speaker and Travis Cottrell will be the worship leader.

http://www.lancasterndp.com/

Beth was a recent speaker on the "Focus on Marriage" simulcast and gave many personal examples of how faith in God can impact our marriage journey...one memorable concept which I heard repeated by both husbands and wives after the conference was urging us to be satisfied with a "good" marriage rather than always hoping and wishing for an excellent or wonderful one. Isn't "good" good enough? she challenged.

Our Tuesday morning Women's Fellowship has been thoroughly enjoying Beth's study on the Book of Esther. I imagine her leading the attendees at the National Day of Prayer gathering at Long's Park in Lancaster will be Spirit led and worshipful as well.

Hope you can put it on your calendar!

Thankful Encouragement

As I was reading the Scriptures this morning I decided to check the translation in the Bible my parents had given for my 16th birthday--the one I had used for 14 years until my husband gave me a new one on my 30th birthday. It was the Bible used during the my earliest growth as a believer, through college, marriage, the birth of my first child...

Before I went to look up the passage I found a few items tucked away that were a blessing to me...notes scribbled in the margins, verses underlined, a note from my husband when we were just friends not quite dating.

One was a note from a woman thanking me for an article I wrote back in 2003 to women encouraging them to be examples of dressing modestly for the teens after spending a week at Harvey Cedars as a counselor with the Sr. High Youth. She encouraged me to keep addressing difficult issues...

I need to keep doing that...

Another lovely note came from a dear saint in the church expressing her joy that I was leading the Women's Ministries in the church, affirming my leadership and acknowledging the great responsibility it would be. She ended by saying "Just know, that I, as an older woman, am here for you--to come alongside you in prayer to be an encourager, to lend a listening ear--whenever there is a need that I could fill, call me!"

It's time to give her a call...

The verse I was looking for before I found those treasured encourgements was

" Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15

I'm thankful for many things but this morning I'm thankful for God reminding me through these notes from Judy and Lucille of how the body can encourage one another and work together.

Called to Lead?

If you attended the 9:00 am auditorium service last Sunday (July 27) you heard Pastor Kirk share his heart in the ongoing series about "A Church that Pleases the Lord". The morning's subject was "Willing to Lead" based on 1 Timothy 3:1.


He spoke about the desire to serve being good and the idea that it's the service itself that makes the tasks so noble. We serve a great God who desires to bring about great things--but by using ordinary people.


When calling individuals into leadership, God often begins speaking quietly speaking into their hearts through his word, life experiences, or the examples of others. He begins qualifying them through these same sources. While the call to lead is often quiet, the voices to disqualify one for leading are often louder. Voices of doubt, fear, uncertainty, can virtually "out shout" the call to lead and cause many to shy away, stop listening and in essence not obey the voice of Christ calling.


Pastor Kirk clearly spoke a challenge to women to answer the call to leadership in the church. He and I spoke the next day about how we see this, the needs, the difficulties with it, how to better address it and how to help women be sure they are responding to God's leading. We don't have it all figured out but following are a few thoughts to begin a dialogue as we look at this.



If a woman would come to me asking "What position of leadership can I fill as a woman at the Hershey Free Church?" I'd respond with other questions:
"Before dicussing positions, how is God leading or speaking into your life?

What are your passions?

How has he gifted you?

Where do you get really excited about serving?"

After hearing the answers to those questions I'd begin talking about what positions might be a good fit for her...

Leading for anyone can't be just about filling a void, grabbing recognition and power or trying to keep up or be equal...it needs to be in response to God's call on your life...

Let me know your thoughts on this, your questions, ideas and lets keep dialoging. If you're a woman wishing to explore where to be used of God in the church I'd be thrilled to meet with you! You can contact me at dnilson@hersheyfree.com.

A Turtle and Really Big Heavy Things

Last Sunday morning as I drove to church I had to swerve ever so slightly to avoid running over a turtle crossing Route 81. I looked back at him in my rear view mirror, relieved I hadn't hit him and continued to check for the few moments I could to be sure no one else did either. I thought it fortunate for him it was a Sunday morning and traffic was light--otherwise he didn't have any chance of making it safely across.

As I drove on I thought "little good that shell of his would do him if he gets hit by a car". It's great for shelter and against predators but not against cars, trucks or really big heavy things! He was no longer in my rear view mirror but looking back over the last few years of my life I realized my consciously putting on the armor of God draws some parallels to that turtle wearing his shell.

Even though I do all I can to "be strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power" it doesn't mean that really big heavy things which are beyond my control won't come my way. Knowing God's word, knowing truth, doing what is right, praying & having faith are all key to helping me stand firm. I have a choice to either stay put on the side of life's busy highway and worry about what's going to come at me--hiding in my shell--or I can venture out, with the peace of God trusting that I've prepared myself as instructed. When life does come my way, when the really big heavy things hit, it's God's mighty power that will get me through-- not my own efforts.

I'm so thankful for the many dear friends who have encouraged me along the way through when the really big heavy things hit. They cried with me, prayed with me, just listened, gave advice when asked and were just there for me. I believe God has created us for community and doing life with others can lighten the load in so many ways. I hope you'll find friends like this through the various ministries, classes, outings and opportunities to connect at Hershey Free.

I drive that stretch of 81 daily and didn't see the turtle crushed in the road...I'm thinking he made it across, keeping his focus straight ahead, plodding along...


"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10&11

Challenge Accepted

I love a challenge and I've accepted one to begin blogging. To make the challenge even sweeter my blog is to include a quote and picture of Alice Cooper. After some thought it was less difficult than I thought.

I grew up hearing his songs, not really listening to them. Certainly I knew I could qualify by safely just including "School is out for sum-mer", tack on a picture and be done with it. But, as I researched the titles of all his songs, there were many more than I expected. I hit the print button but left work before picking up my list. My co-worker who found the pages at the printer must have thought some poor mis-guided teen had printed the list -- I found it in the trash.

Since I work with women, I was amazed at how many of Alice's titles could apply to what a woman might think or say in her every day life...



As I begin my morning with the sounds of little feet bounding through the door "Wake me Gently" I say...They're Laughing at Me as they pry my eyelids open.

As they head downstairs I Wish You Were Here, but you're Somewhere in the Jungle, Lost in America. Dear husband, I Miss You, but go ahead and Make That Money as we chase the Great American Success Story.

It's 10 am and Enough's Enough, It's Much Too Late, your room looks like No Man's Land. "But I'm Eighteen! " My Teenage Frankenstein is navigating Little by Little through the Nightmare Years. "You Look Good in Rags" I say as you put on your jeans...I remember the Pretty Ballerina who once twirled through the house...

As I look into the yard I see the neighbors bully the smallest, thinking "Give the Kid a Break" hearing him yell "Stop Laughing at Me!". I wonder when I should No Longer Umpire but there will be Fields of Regret if I don't teach my children that a Backyard Brawl isn't worth it when they can play Space Pirates or Tag, You're It! Don't let anyone Step on You -- Love Should Never Feel This Way.

Dinner's on the stove, baby's Crawlin. It's Hot Tonight, Working up a Sweat because there is Still No Air. Maybe tomorrow we can go to Lowes, yes Refrigerator Heaven to look for a new air conditioner. Poor Dad is so hot and tired it's No More Mr. Nice Guy!

It's time for A Bedtime Story, Blow Me a Kiss, It's Much too Late, Give the Radio Back to your sister, one more Lullaby, Bye Bye Baby...no, The House is not Haunted...Be with You Awhile...gradually The Quiet Room gives way to You and Me.

My God... you're always Changing Arranging, How You Gonna See Me Now? From the Inside? It's Me. Every Woman Has a Name. I've been Cleansed by Fire... Hurricane Years...Stolen Prayer... Trash... Spark in the Dark...Spirits Rebellious...What Do You Want From Me?

I AM the Future, I'M Alive. I'm Living.




I hope you'll accept the challenge to live, to ponder, and share thoughts along the way.