ICF Ladies Newsletter May/June 2012 Encouraging and Empowering Women Encouraging and Empowering Today’s Women Rescue from Lo Debar by Kelly Langston Captured in 2 Samuel is a story that speaks of God’s boundless, restorative love for individuals living with a disability. It’s a message that reminds us that we are never forgotten by God: He was a child of extraordinary promise and unlimited potential. Highly favored, he was a boy born into wealth and unparalleled privilege. The grandchild of a king, his father Jonathan lifted him high in royal hands and gave him a warrior’s name, “Meribbaal,” meaning “He who resists the idol Baal.” Ladies Calendar: May 6 – Ladies Retreat EarlyRegistration fee due: $35 May 7th – Prayer in homes. Church open for prayer from 7-8:30pm May 27th – Last Day to Register! Please reserve your hotel room by May 20 Can’t Wait for 2012 Ladies Retreat!! In one day, a life of promise turned into a life of disability and shattered dreams. It happened in the boy’s fifth year. That day, as recounted in 1 Chronicles 10, King Saul and his sons battled the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. One by one Saul’s sons fell—each struck down by the Philistine army. When enemy archers spotted King Saul in retreat, they shot the king. Saul’s rule had ended and David would be the new king. Continued next page 1 2 You are valued, remembered and loved beyond measure! The boy’s caregiver knew the boy was in danger. With King David on the throne, members of Saul’s family would surely be put to death— the customary way to prevent rebellion. Quickly, she snatched the child into her arms and ran outside. They needed to find refuge— a place of safety and obscurity– and there was little time! She didn’t see the stone that caught her foot as she ran. All she saw was the boy flying out of her arms and into the dusty air, strangely suspended for what seemed like an eternity before falling to the ground. She yanked herself up and stumbled to him, grasping him in her arms again. The boy’s legs were strangely bent. They fled to a forgotten town with an ugly name: “Lo Debar,” or “a place of no pasture, no communication, no words.” Meribbaal, disabled by the fall, would never be the same. In Lo Debar, the great promise of his early years faded into memory and he was given a new name: “Mephibosheth,” or “he who scatters shame.” Lo Debar. A place of no communication. Silent, alone. Ever been there? Had the story ended there, I might have stayed in Lo Debar with Mephibosheth forever. But God did not leave Mephibosheth in Lo Debar, and He will not leave us there today! 2 Samuel Chapter 9 continues the story: Years later, David remembered a promise made long ago with his friend Jonathan (See 1 Samuel 20:14-15) Remembering the promise David asks, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” A servant of Saul’s household replied, “One of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” So King David sent for Mephibosheth, bringing him back from Lo Debar. When Mephibosheth came before the king, he bowed low in fear of King David. “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” God did not forget Mephibosheth, and even today, God knows where you are. You are valued, remembered and loved beyond measure! From that day on Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, "like one of the king’s own sons.” Because of Jonathan, Mephibosheth was remembered and restored to a place of honor. Because of Christ, we are remembered by God and restored to communion with Him. Restored to a place of honor and favor. Rescued from loneliness. We have been rescued from a place of no communication with God and restored to a seat at the King’s table. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27). 2 1 Rescate de Lo Debar por Kelly Langston Capturado en 2 Samuel es una historia que habla del amor ilimitado y reconstituyente de Dios para individuos que viven con una incapacidad. Es un mensaje que nos recuerda que nosotros nunca somos olvidados por Dios: Fue un niño de promesa extraordinaria y potencial ilimitado. Sumamente favorecido, fue un chico nacido en la riqueza y privilegio incomparable. El nieto de un rey, su padre Jonathan lo levantó alto en manos reales y le dio el nombre de un guerrero, "Meribbaal," significando "quien resiste el ídolo Baal". En un día, una vida de promesa se volvió una vida de incapacidad y sueños quebrantados. Sucedió en el año quinto de chico. Ese día, como recordado en 1 Crónicas 10, el Rey Saul y sus hijos combatieron a las personas ignorantes en el Monte Gilboa. Uno por uno, los hijos de el Rey Saul se cayó—cada fulminó por el ejército filisteo. Cuando arqueros enemigos marcaron Rey Saul en la retirada, ellos dispararon al rey. El reinado de Saul había terminado y David sería el nuevo rey. El cuidador del chico supo que el chico corrió peligro. Con Rey David en el trono, los miembros de la familia de Saul serían puestos sin duda a la muerte— la manera de costumbre para prevenir rebelión. Rápidamente, arrebató al niño en sus armamentos y corrió afuera. ¡Debieron encontrar refugio— un lugar de seguridad y oscuridad– y había poco tiempo! Ella no vio la piedra que agarró el pie como corrió. Todo lo que ella vio fue que el chico que volo fuera de sus brazos y en el aire polvoriento, extrañamente suspendido para lo que pareció una eternidad antes de caerse al suelo. Se tiró arriba y tropezó con él, agarrándole en sus brazos otra vez. Las piernas del chico fueron dobladas extrañamente. Huyeron a un pueblo olvidado con un nombre feo: "Lo Debar," o "un lugar de ningún pasto, ninguna comunicación, ningunas palabra". Meribbaal, incapacitado por la caída, nunca sería el mismo. En Lo Debar, la gran promesa de sus años tempranos apagados en la memoria y él fueron dados un nuevo nombre: "Mephiboset," o "quien dispersa la vergüenza". Lo Debar. Un lugar sin ninguna comunicación. Silencioso, sólo. ¿Has estado allí? Si la historia terminaria allí, yo quizás hubiera permanecido en Lo Debar con Mephiboset para siempre. ¡Pero Dios no termino con Mephiboset en Lo Debar, y El no terminara con nosotros hoy! 2 Capítulo de Samuel 9 continúa la historia: ¿Años más tarde, David recordó una promesa hecha hace mucho tiempo con su amigo Jonathan (Vea 1 Samuel 20:14-15) Recordando la promesa David pregunta, "Es cualquiera todavía vivo de la familia de Saul? Si eso es el caso, yo quiero mostrar la bondad de Dios a ellos". Un sirviente de la casa de Saul contestó, "uno de los hijos de Jonathan está 3 [Continued] 2 todavía vivo. Es paralizado en ambos pies". Entonces el Rey David llamó a Mephiboset, devolviendole de Lo Debar. Cuando Mephiboset vino antes del rey, él hizo una reverencia profunda en el temor de Rey David. ¡No "tenga miedo"! dijo David. "Quiero mostrar la bondad a ti a causa de mi promesa a tu padre, Jonathan. ¡Te daré la propiedad que le perteneció una vez a tu abuelo Saul, y tu comerás aquí conmigo en la mesa del rey"! Dios no se olvidó de Mephiboset, e incluso hoy, Dios sabe donde usted es. ¡Es valorado, es recordado y es adorado enormemente! De ese día en Mephibosheth comió regularmente en la mesa de David, "como uno de los hijos propios de rey". A causa de Jonathan, Mephiboset fue recordado y fue restaurado a un lugar de honor. A causa de Cristo, nosotros tambien somos recordados por Dios y restaurados a la comunión con El. Restaurado a un lugar de honor y favor. Rescatado de la soledad. Hemos sido rescatados de un lugar de ninguna comunicación con Dios y restaurados a un asiento en la mesa del Rey. La Paciencia By Luz Cintron (Mar. 2012) La paciencia es una ciencia y un tema digno de estudio una disciplina incluso que nos entrena en la espera. El que espera desespera si la paciencia no guia pierde la vision que dicta la esperanza de la entrega. Sin vision que nos proteja el corazon se derrama pierde su norte y alcanza solo el miedo de la espera. Queda mirando las huellas de lo que ha acontecido sin encontrar el camino que lo llamo hacia esta senda. Y aunque entregado se encuentra al miedo y las ansiedades no es la entrega lo que vale sino hacia donde nos lleva. La paciencia es una guia que nos toma de la mano como ciegos va a guiarnos y nos devuelve la vista. Llenos los ojos de vida nos sostiene el horizonte nos aploma en los dolores con la esperanza que anima. 4 El paciente dictamina su victoria en el ocaso pues la esperanza le anima y le organiza los pasos. Alli donde se quebranta alli donde pierde todo el paciente encuentra el modo de perseverar la marcha. Perseverando ahi alcanza a reversar su fortuna el que persevera triunfa porque aprende la templanza. El dolor nunca quebranta la senda de su destino porque templa su dominio y establece su esperanza. Es entonces que uno alcanza a comprender las verdades que la paciencia es la clave donde El Amor nos avanza. Si el Senor es una puerta la paciencia es una llave que introduce al que la halle al costado de la espera. Y en esa espera es que encuentra abierto alli en Su Costado camino y vida centrados, proposito y recompensa. Pre-Registración - $35 ( Mayo 6) Registración - $45 (Mayo 27th) Un solo dia - $25 Hotel - $95 mas impuestos Penny’s Page The Other Side of the Coin As a young child, I had trouble telling the difference between coins by looking at their backs, because they seemed to looked alike to me. The side with the heads didn’t confuse me, as the faces looked different. Life’s problems are similar to that dilemma. Our view of the situation is framed by our perspective of it. Athletes are often encouraged to “get your head into the game” to focus on their skills, the strategies of a changing playing field and how best to confront them. They are encouraged to leave personal situations in the locker room and focus on the game. Our view is similarly confined by where our “head” is by how we are viewing our current circumstances. Just as coins have two sides, possibilities come often as the flip side of problems. I was recently comforting a friend along these very lines. As we discussed her harrowing situation, I had opportunity to relate an event in life where my viewpoint was changed dramatically, and I was allowed to see the providence and goodness of God in an unhappy moment. We were loading the trunk of the car with suitcases, preparing to leave on a trip. At the last instant, my husband threw in an extra spare tire. Then, with a frown, he picked up and threw in another tire; it wasn’t even mounted on a rim. I was secretly amused by this, as I knew he had already carefully prepared the car for the trip. About halfway through the trip we had a flat tire. No problem! We pulled off the highway, changed the tire and resumed our trip. Less than five miles later, we had another flat tire! This time, we limped off the road very slowly, to a gas station. Unfortunately, they didn't do the type of servicing, and they directed us to a station down the road. My father took one of the flats and began rolling it away. I looked at the other nasty tire and at my new, white skirt. Well, I began rolling the tire towards the bridge as my father had done but the tire kept rolling away, so I finally had to pick it up. I trudged dirty, sweaty, tired and angry off the bridge and towards the service station. Just as I was thinking some pretty harsh things about the people of that town, a man ran out of the motel I was passing and thrust his keys towards me. “Take my truck.” He led me to a brand new pickup truck, tossed the tire in the back, unlocked the front, “I’m the bartender in the motel, just bring it back when you are done”. I was speechless. God sent me help, “better late than never”, I mused. But a God that can send help could have sent it sooner, or could have prevented the flat tire. “Why didn’t He?” In another mile or so I had my answer. A huge accident had happened and we missed it. By the time we passed it was being cleared. There was my answer. Many times we are not permitted to see the other side of the coin. We are expected to be patient, trust God and believe Him. We rarely get a definitive answer to our persistent “Why?”. No matter our circumstances, our point of view, or where our “head is”, God IS good, He DOES love us, and He IS working in our lives. - PLH 5 1 2 3 Brandy’s Page Reasons To Be Debt Free Debt presumes on the future. When people commit themselves to payments over a period of time, they are presuming that there will be no pay reductions, no loss of job, and no unexpected expenses. That is an improbable assumption (see Proverbs 27:1). Debt lowers future standards of living. Money that is borrowed today must be repaid over time along with interest, which means that those things purchased with credit will cost more “tomorrow” than they did today. Therefore, the standard of living will have to be adjusted to compensate for the added expenses Debt focuses on façade decisions rather than reallife decisions. Debt encourages people to make decisions based on whether they can afford a monthly payment, rather than on whether they can afford the total cost of the item. It makes it easy to say yes to low monthly payments while ignoring the real cost of items. Debt leaves people at the mercy of the power of compound interest. If consumers pay the minimum monthly payment on a $1,000 debt at 19.8 percent rate of interest and never charge anything else on that account, 6 it will take eight (8) years to pay back the $1,000 and they will pay $2,023 for the privilege of charging $1,000. Debt could delay God’s plan. God said that He would provide for His people’s needs. Debt allows needs to be met now, from a means other than through God’s provision. Debt provides instant gratification, at the expense of financial freedom, rather than waiting on God’s perfect plan and His perfect timing. Debt clouds the line that separates wants, desires, and needs. Needs are necessary purchases such as food, clothing, shelter, medical coverage, transportation, and others. Wants involve choices about quality of goods. Discount shopping versus specialty shopping, lobster versus chicken, or a new car versus a good used car, and so on. Desires are those things that can be purchased only after all other obligations are met and only if there are left over funds available to purchase them. Debt allows desires to become wants and wants to become needs. Debt encourages impulse buying and overspending. The chief financial officer of a national credit card company said that consumers spend on the average of 25 to 30 percent more when they charge than if they purchase with a check or cash. Debt teaches children that the world’s method of managing money is normal. Debt causes children to have a casual regard for using credit cards, obtaining loans and mortgages, and keeping vows to pay the bills. For this reason, we have children who have graduated from college by borrowing for education expenses and living to the limit of their credit cards. They have never considered paying cash for transportation or anything else and have begun adult life with so much debt that they have to work for years just to pay it off. Conclusion - Debt-free living is still God’s plan for His people today. The blessings of becoming debt free go far beyond the financial area. They extend to the spiritual and material realms as well. The effects of financial bondage on a marriage relationship can be devastating. Currently 50% of failed marriages is due to financial incompatibility. Therefore, it is to all Christians’ advantage to strive to become debt free. (Crown Financial Ministries) I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. – Abraham Lincoln A Special Note To my mom: Carol Ashcraft, Mom, thank you for your godly example and character. Thank you for your untiring sacrifice and commitment. Your prayers and hard work are paying off, mom! Love you much! Your daughter! One Flaw In Women Submitted by Beth Rexford Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH. 7 May Birthdays: Sandra Moreno – 5/4 Clara Santow – 5/4 Chasya Enriquez – 5/7 Christine Olague – 5/16 Barb Vondras – 5/22 Saharai Malagon – 5/25 Angela Gonzalez – 5/27 Melanie Moore – 5/29 Edna Alvarez – 5/30 June Birthdays: Yeni Aguillar – 6/6 Rosario Casillas – 6/6 Marti Hannon – 6/8 Leticia Garcia – 6/9 Naomi Irizarry – 6/12 Miriam Rios – 6/16 Jennifer Rodriguez – 6/19 Zugey Trullijo – 6/21 Tianna Strong – 6/25 Happy Mother’s Day to all ICF Mother’s and Mentor’s! You are Special! S’mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe from Picky Palate Submitted by Angela Gonzalez 2 sticks (8 ounces) softened butter 1 cup granulated sugar ¾ cup packed light brown sugar 2 eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla 3½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 24 graham cracker quarters or 12 full sheets separated at perforations 3 Hershey Bars, broken into rows of 3 bars 12 large marshmallows cut in half lengthwise 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silpat liner. 2. In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until well combined. 3. Place flour, salt and baking soda into a bowl; mix to combine then add slowly to wet ingredients along with the chocolate chips. 4. Layer a graham cracker quarter with 3 Hershey chocolate squares and 2 marshmallow halves. Close with another graham cracker. 5. Top s’more with a large scoop of cookie dough. Place in hands and place another large scoop on bottom then front and back sides as needed. Form dough around s’mores. It is much easier than it sounds, just make sure your dough is around room temperature, and make one big disc shape. Pinch off excess dough if you have too much. 6. Place large cookies onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are cooked through. Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. or serving plate. 1 2 Romans 1:23 We do not take wood or stones and make idols. We do not pray to statues or prepare food for idols to eat. It is not with our hands but with our imaginations that we carve out little gods to worship. Just like those who carve out idols with their hands, we make little gods out of our fear and ignorance. Our fundamental problem is that we imagine a God that comes out of our human experience. We imagine God to be like the people we have known in our lives. If we have been raised with impossible expectations, we may find ourselves worshipping the god-of-impossible-expectations. If we have been neglected, we may find ourselves in the service of the god-who-does-not-care. Since these gods do not respond to us when we call, we work harder and harder to please them. We try to be good. We try to be religious. But, we can never do enough. In this way we trade the 'glory of the immortal God' for the very dysfunctional images which arise from our experiences with 'mortal men'. The good news is that God is not the way we expect. The one true God, the immortal God, is a glorious God. God is a compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in love and mercy. HOPE Ministry (Healing Our Painful Experiences) 2nd Sat. of month 11am-1pm May 12 – Holistic Health June 24 – Hope Fundraiser Chicago Bike Hike $25ea. (Hope gets 10% ) Lord, you can see how I cling to my little gods. I have tried so hard to please them. But, they are harsh and abusive. I cannot please them, but I can't seem to get rid of them either. They are awful little gods, but they are all I know. • • • • • • • I have grown accustomed to them. I have adapted my expectations to match their smallness. I am weary to death of the gods who come from shame, Lord. I long to worship you, God of Grace. I long to worship You. You are the God of Glory. Give me eyes to see you more clearly today. Give me a heart that hopes in you. Amen. Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan Encouraging and Empowering Today’s Women International Christian Fellowship . 9146 Lincoln Avenue . Brookfield, IL 60513 (708)387–9009 www.chicagoonfire.com