Thursday, January 30, 2014

Teaching the younger women...

Titus 2:3-5 "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."


God is wise!  He knows that women need the wise counsel of other women; He did after all create us to live in relationships with others.  And these are verses have really been sinking into the hearts of our women at Redeemer.  We are praying that God will transform our behavior and each of our relationships so that loving each other and encouraging each other is the God glorifying focus.  Our bible studies, gatherings and upcoming things like the annual Tea, the Women's Retreat in April and Sunday School classes are all surrounding this topic.  We need Christ!  And we need his people! 

So we thought it would be nice to do a series of Testimonies giving God praise for what He has done in our lives and also to prepare us for our upcoming retreat where part of it will be sharing and listening together about our walks with God.

The following testimony is from Lisa Trigstead.


It's hard to put your testimony down on paper, compressing all that the Lord has done in your life into a paragraph or two. But here are the things that stand out most in my life. Things that changed my life forever, thus drawing me ever close to Him.  When I was six years old, my mom became very ill, mental issues that would later be diagnosed as schizophrenia and manic depression. She could not recover and was sent to live in a mental home. My dad remarried when I was eight, and I became the oldest of seven children. We attended the Catholic church and I did all the things growing up like taking my first communion, first confession, confirmation, etc. For me, it was just going through the motions, never understanding why I was even doing it, or ever feeling conviction of my sin. I always felt a hollowness, a longing to have that hole of missing my mom filled, which led to making bad choices for myself.  Fast forward a few years, to a time that was very difficult for me, a sweet Christian friend came along side me. She was my co-worker and took notice of my deep need of His Saving Grace. She invited me to go to her church and see a Wednesday night program on Heaven and Hell. I was very moved, and at that time felt the Spirit stirring in my soul. I gave my heart to the Lord a short time after that, and have been walking with Him ever since. I praise God for using all these things together for His Good. I am thankful for my friend's witness in my life and for loving me enough to speak His Truth to me. Of course there is so much more to this story, of which I would be happy to share at anytime, but suffice it to say, I cannot imagine my life without His Love and Saving Grace pouring over me.  Amen.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

What is your gift? ~Ashli Kottwitz

When I joined Redeemer Presbyterian Church, the elders asked me very directly how I was going to use my God-given gifts to help the church. I panicked for a moment, then I remembered how much I enjoy cooking for others and entertaining others. So, I hesitantly stated my thoughts. I was relieved to hear there was a place for me to use this gift in God’s church. Since then, I have reverently tried to answer every call to cook for another and have entertained covenant members of our church when I could. I have also been on the recipient’s end of this gift. While my husband was in the hospital with cancer, I cannot innumerate how many blessed women of the church brought meals to us. It was such a comfort to know that with all the hardships facing us, dinner for my family would not be one. During that time, women used their gifts to clean our house, take care of my toddlers, send me encouraging cards, visited us at the hospital and much more. I believe, that is truly how we can extend God’s arms in a real way to our community; it’s what make our church special, because we all take this request to heart.

Then I served on the Women’s Ministry board as the Hospitality helper. I asked to take on the role of managing our annual tea during that time. I loved seeing us all celebrate being women! We do not get many opportunities to sit as women together with our teacup and rejoice in God’s love for us. Each year, it is so fun to see the wonderful table the ladies decorate. I enjoy finding a unique theme, gathering the ladies together and get excited to experience a grown up tea party. I think we forget that being a lady is very special. Our annual tea gives us a chance to show love to the cherished ladies in our lives.

You are cordially invited to join us this year: Saturday, February 15th

Our theme is: A Cup of Tea, Sweetened with Love

We ask that all women please bring a finger food to share. Also, please respond on the Evite if you are able to attend. All ladies are welcome who can hold a precious teacup.

With love, Ashli Kottwitz