star

O, star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to Thy perfect light.

- John Henry Hopkins, Jr.

bells

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet, the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

come

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free.

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

- Charles Wesley

bright

Silent night, holy night;

All is calm, all is bright. . . 

- Joseph Mohr

merry

God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay.

Remember Christ our Saviour

Was born on Christmas Day!

presence

Of all the gifts I may receive, 

there's only one I really need.

And it's Your presence, 

Your presence for Christmas.

Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

and ransom captive Israel. . . .

Happy Thanksgiving

thanks

For this food and for Your care, we give You thanks. 

Amen.

Women of Worth Retreat in Berlin, Ohio!

The Canton-Massillon Chapter of Women of Worth hosted its23rd Annual Retreat September 13-15 in Berlin, Ohio.  Over 160 women gathered at the Berlin Grande Hotel in Ohio’s Amish country for this longawaited event. 

 The women were greeted at the registration table with fresh apples and an emergency chocolate bar as they were signing in. Many of the rooms which were used this year had only recently been completed as part of the hotel’s new construction project. 

 The first session took place on Friday night, and after worship music and necessary announcements, Sarah Fry spoke on the topic “Blessed is She Who Thinks.”  She shared with the audience  the importance of right thinking. The Bible tells us to “take captive” wrong thoughts and to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” The brain has an amazing capacity called neuroplasticity, which allows it to create new brain pathways. 

 After the Friday night session, there was pizza and other snacks available and the ladies talked and laughed together in the main conference room. 

 On Saturday morning, the ladies enjoyed breakfast at the bountiful buffet provided by the hotel and then gathered in for two back-to -back sessions on “Blessed is She Who Gives”  and ‘Blessed is She who Listens.” The first session challenged the audience to look for the gifts (or tools) God has given them to use and to give out of health and fullness.  The second session gave the women listening tools for blessing others. 

 The women were dismissed at lunchtime to spend the afternoon as they desired. Many enjoyed a scrumptious meal at the Amish buffet next to the hotel; others chose similar dining venues.  And then most of the women used the afternoon hours to browse the many shops and markets in quaint Berlin and buy things from cheese to quilts to home décor. 

 On Saturday evening, the John Glick family gave a concert of gospel music, accompanied by many stringed instruments as well as keyboard. Their testimony of their ministry in prisons was inspiring and challenging. 

 Sunday morning found the ladies still enjoying the retreat. After the complimentary hotel breakfast, they gathered once more in the large conference center to sing praise in worship together and then to listen to one more session titled “Blessed is She Who Rests.” This session was convicting and reassuring, helping the audience see that rest is both a command and a blessing. 

 After enjoying box lunches, the women left, already talking about returning next year!

table

In every table setting, may we see Your

great gifts for today. 

thankfulness

The season of on-purpose thankfulness is here.

Great are your blessings, Lord. 

coffee

Let me welcome Your presence in the morning. 

You are my God.

museum

In the autumn, every pumpkin-adorned home becomes a museum.

leaves

The crunch of leaves underfoot is the music of autumn.

mountains

As surely as autumn cloaks these Smoky Mountains, 

God's seasons of beauty are always on time. 

Prayer Requested for Our Caribbean WOW Chapter

UPDATE:

We are so thankful that there were no deaths associated with our WOW Caribbean Chapter!  However, there is significant loss of property and much rebuilding to be done.  Thank you for your prayers and support!

As some of you may be aware, Hurricane Maria slammed the Caribbean island of Dominica as a category 5 hurricane the night of September 18th.  The tiny island was ravaged with wind and rain. We know from national news reports that the hospital and prime minister's residence both sustained heavy damage.  These two buildings would have likely been the sturdiest of buildings on the island.

Our request for prayer is for the whole island, but more specifically for our Caribbean ladies who are a part of the recently formed Caribbean Women of Worth.

First WOW meeting on Dominica

At this point, we have been unable to communicate with anyone on the island.  We do not know the condition of life and property.  Will you join us in prayer right now for our sisters on Dominica?

Please stay tuned to our facebook page for updates as they become available.  You can also donate to the relief effort at www.midwestphc.org.  Mark your gift for Hurricane Maria Relief, and 100% of your gift will benefit our WOW Caribbean sisters and their families.

cider

Raise your glass of cider and toast the 

lovely approach of autumn.

The Lord God made it all. 

acorn

The splendor of a tree is encoded in the acorn. 

So it is with God's life in us. 

grain

Lord, thank you for these days of "golden grain."

You bring forth bread from the earth. 

Bounty

As the harvest begins, let us celebrate God's bounty of grace toward us. 

grandparents' day

Work-worn hands bear testament to lovely blessings bestowed on others. 

Honor your grandparents today!

Happy Grandparents' Day 2017

retreat reminder

One week from today . . . it's going to be great!

labor day

And also that every man should eat and drink,
and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13

school

Yes, it's time.
Fresh school supplies remind us that
our lives revolve around routine.
And, actually, that can be good.

produce

The earth is bursting forth
 with praise to its Creator!
Summer produce reminds us that He is good. 

plantations

The place you long for isn't really of this earth
anyway. It's found in a land whose grass is greener and whose dwellings are richer by far than these plantations we strive for. 
- a Girl's Guide to the Perfect Home

daisy

On this bright, summer day, O Lord, I lift my soul to You
like a daisy opening toward the glory of the sun. 

friend

A day at the shore is better when shared with a friend.

church camp

To have a great summer, pack your stuff and go to a church camp.

berries

He refreshes us with Himself.
And all of life is sweeter because of it. 

Women of Worth National Committee Meeting in June

travel

Wherever your summer takes you.
Whatever you're traveling in.
However long it takes.
Do the trip with grace.

America

There is always a place for the Stars and Stripes
in our homes and in our hearts.
Happy Birthday, America!

free

Because of him, she is free.
Today, thank one who serves.

tide

Every tide we face is under His watchful eye. 

Father's Day 2017

A good father is a girl's first hero.
Our Heavenly Father will always fight for us
and shield us with His love. 

Women at Risk

Sonja Vernon,

Dean of Women,

God’s Bible School and College

For the last 17 years, I have been blessed to work with young women, and one of the most important things I've learned during that time is that every young woman can teach me something.  I've also found that first impressions aren't always reliable and that behavior (good or bad) doesn't exist in a vacuum.  There are always reasons for the way we act and interact.  We all have a story, and some of those stories are painful, some are shocking, and some are hard to hear.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in four girls will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old.  Did you read that closely?  That means that in a Sunday School class of twenty girls, it is likely that at least five of them have been sexually abused.  And before you say, "Surely that can't be true among our church children!", let me tell you that according to some research, the faith community may be even more vulnerable to abuse.  Another reason this rings true?  I've talked to the victims.  I have cried with them, prayed with them, and supported them through years of therapy.  I have held them as they wept, sat beside them as they huddled in the corner, listened to them cry out in rage and pain, spent hours with them in psych wards, walked with them through horror.  Trust me.  It happens.  The problem is real, and it's right under our noses, sitting in our church pews, visiting in our homes.  All around us are women who are carrying the heavy, crippling load of abuse, and often they carry it in silence.

So what do we do?  Can we make a difference?  Oh, yes!  A thousand times yes!  One of the most powerful avenues of healing that God uses to mend the broken is the community of believers, the body of Christ.  We are chosen to be His hands and feet, His listening ear, His loving heart.  And as such, He can and will empower us to be agents of His grace to those in need.  If you wish to be part of His healing work, below are a few practical tips (by no means an exhaustive list):

Cultivate the art of being a "safe" person.  What does it mean to be safe?  Keep confidences (unless there is a threat to safety).  Be trustworthy.  Actively listen without judgment.  Practice these skills with everyone!  If you become known as this kind of person, the opportunities to share love and a listening ear will appear at your doorstep.  Trust me.

Understand that trauma is very real and has deep, life-shattering effects.  The individual's ability to handle and process trauma will be affected by things like the length and duration of the abuse, who the abuser was (was it someone who should have been "safe" like a parent or close relative?), the response of those who found out about it (was the victim believed and were steps taken to stop the abuse?), whether or not professional help was received or available, and many other factors.  Their behavior may be confusing at times and maybe even inappropriate.  You will reap what others have sown into their life.  I've heard heartbreaking stories of girls who were told that "boys will be boys" and of children who reported the abuse but nothing was done.  Remember that trauma goes deep, and healing is slow.

Allow them to be open and honest - even when it gets messy.  Some things will be very hard to hear, and some may even be hard to believe.  Many trauma victims may engage in self-harm behaviors (like cutting) to help them deal with the pain.  Don't panic or overreact!  Understand that they are using it to cope.  Help them to find healthier ways to do so.  (Professional help may be necessary.)  Also understand that sexual abuse may open areas of sexual temptation and struggle for victims.  Don't further stigmatize or guilt them.  Lovingly guide them toward purity but do so with understanding and grace.  Listen with an open heart and mind.  Don't shut them down or dismiss them.  Listen.  Listen with love.  Listen to understand...not just to answer.

It's OK not to have easy answers.  In fact, knee jerk, spiritual platitudes, clichés and/or reasons "why" are usually very unhelpful and can be extremely damaging. They cut off communication.  You won't have all the answers.  Make peace with that!  Knowing this brings freedom and a deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Love them.  Love them unconditionally - even when it's hard.  And it may be.  Love doesn't mean allowing them to take advantage of you.  Set reasonable boundaries and hold to them, but keep loving. Victims of abuse need to see consistent, unconditional love.  They need people who will believe in them, encourage them, pray for and with them, and hold them accountable.  Love is powerful!  Practice it!

Be ready to engage professional help when necessary.  Sometimes we in the church shy away from professional counseling.  However, we are quick to rush our children to the hospital if they have a broken limb or a cancerous growth.  Why not trust professionals in the area of mental health as well? Do your homework before recommending a counselor, but there are many licensed Christian counselors who are trained to walk abuse survivors through the healing process.

In conclusion, I hope we can see both the need that exists and the fact that we can do something!  However, in order to make a difference, we first must have a vital relationship with Jesus.  Without His Spirit, we will not have the discernment and wisdom necessary to do eternal work!  But when we cooperate with Him, we will have a beautiful opportunity to offer His grace to those in need.  May I issue a challenge?  You can’t afford to sit on the sidelines in a world of hurting people.  

Give them a voice, an ear, a heart.  

Give them yourself.  

Give them Jesus.

journey

If God is leading the journey,
He will provide flowers along the route.