In Full Bloom Women's Conference

BLOOM!  Get from under the cobwebs of winter and get ready to join us on May 4th and 5th for what promises to be a life-changing conference!" Our team has been praying, working, and praying some more as we plan and follow The Holy Spirit to make this time with The Lord very special for the women of Christ Church and this region.

We can't give too much away yet, but just know that this is one event that you don't want to miss! You will be encouraged, refreshed, and renewed by the workshops and activities that we have planned."In Full Bloom Women's Conference" will be here before we know it!

Prepare your heart along with our planning team this week as we pray for clarity and discernment in the planning the workshops and Friday evening service so that we can meet the spiritual needs of every woman attends.

"For with you, O God, is the fountain of life, and in Your light we see light" Psalm 36:9

We love God and we are praying specifically for discernment.  What does that mean? The examples are endless, but basically we are praying for the following as we plan and prepare for our Women's Conference:

• To see things for what they are and recognize our limitations. To perceive God at work in our lives and in the world.
• To be discriminating about our choices (relevance of topics,etc)
• To avoid making assumptions, judging too quickly, or jumping to conclusions.
• Make wise decisions.
• Distinguish good ideas from those harmful to ourselves, other people, and our environment.
• Be aware and appreciative of the goodness and godliness around us.
• Be aware of the need to pray about whatever disturbs us.
• Recognize real love when we see it.
• Recognize the light of Christ in ourselves and other people.
• See all of creation in the love and light of God.

We are excited about  what God is doing for the women of Christ Church and in this region.  Journey along with us as we seek God and don't forget to check back each week for an update on the conference and our specific prayer requests.

Spring is Here! Let's Go Fishing?

Today it is 72 degrees in Northern New Jersey.  Not so typical for March 13th.  Last year on this day the high temperature was 53 degrees and we were quite happy.  The winter of 2011 was one of the harshest in our area's history.

So we are basking in the sun, delighted to not wear coats and sweaters, and generally very happy.  What does this have to do with fishing?  Well, we are bound to be out doors more, running in and out of coffee shops, stores, meeting friends, making new friends, etc.  More time to fish for "men".  "Men" (and "women") for Christ. If you've been to service at Christ Church in the past few weeks, you've heard the sermons about "Fishing for Men" as well as Pastor David's prophetic dream about fishing and catching people of all walks of life for Christ.

In Luke 5:4, Jesus says "“Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch”. The disciples had apparently finished washing their nets and had probably hung them out on the ship to dry. Jesus had likewise finished His teaching, and asked Peter to put out to deeper water, and to let down the nets for a catch. 

 Jesus did not make a suggestion; He made a command. And He did not order the disciples to let down their nets to try to catch fish, He ordered them to put out their nets for a large catch of fish. In other words, Jesus was issuing both a command and a promise. The command was to put out the nets. The promise was that there would be a catch. And it was a tremendous catch! 

What does this have to do with Spring?  Well, when you are out with friends, remember that you are an example of who God is.  " Let down your net" and invite a friend to church or to our upcoming Bible Studies on the book of Jonah at the East Campus or at the East and West campuses. Cast your net wide and don't assume that a person won't attend a service or want to come to an event with you.   As we learned in service, 82% of people who receive a personal invitation to church, will attend.  So fill up your net, and don't give up.  And enjoy the grace and mercy of these wonderfully warm days.

WOMEN OF THE WORD PRESENTS "JONAH: NAVIGATING THE INTERRUPTED LIFE"

Join The Women of the Word for an incredible Priscilla Shirer bible study that begins on March 20, 2012 at the Christ Church East Campus.  Study with other women as you discover God's purpose for your life. The course if free of charge, but the workbook (which can be purchased at your favorite online bookstore) does have a fee.  We look forward to seeing you as In Full Bloom provides more spiritual nourishment for the women of Christ Church and beyond!

"Paint Your Picture" by Julie Meyer

This is the beautiful song that our Praise Dancers worshiped to at our In Full Bloom Launch Service.  Enjoy!

An Incredible Night of Worship!

What a glorious time we had in the Lord! Thank you to the dancers, singers, comedienne Pat Andrews, and Pastor Marlinda Ireland for bringing the Word and ushering in The Holy Spirit! We now have a bigger picture of what it means to be beautiful inwardly for God. Smile today in that knowledge . "Our worth is not in how we look. We are God's representation in the earth.".-Pastor M.

 So let's all walk firmly and continue to be obedient to Him. The obedience of God will keep us safe from doubt".-Pastor Marlinda. 

Obedience to God means that we must remember:

•  1-We've been created in God's image;
•  2- It is our desires that open the door to deception, But God cause our destiny to be intact; 
• 3- Trust, Obey, Believe and Fight Doubt!

What a glorious time we had!  Our Retreat in May is going to be even more powerful and life-changing!  Save-the-Dates of May 4-5, 2012!  We are making history in this region for Christ!

The First Flower of Spring!

It is March 1st.  We made it through the winter months and can now look forward to the Spring and all that comes with it. More sunlight, warmer weather, grass, trees and flowers blooming.  The daffodil is the March birth flower. Daffodils have the flower meaning of rebirth, respect, regard and unrequited love. The daffodil is one of the first flowers of spring, therefore it is a symbol of rebirth.

Rebirth, respect, regard and unrequited love are all attributes that remind us of God's pure love.  Easter certainly reminds us of the "rebirth" of Christ as He rose to be with The Father.  There is no greater love than that rebirth. " But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God," John 1:22

Respect is defined in the book of Matthew (among others) Matthew 7:12-“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Respect for our bodies, our lives and others is recounted in the bible many times, To respect is to demonstrate that you value someone's interests, values, or feelings.

Regard, or to be concerned with something or someone, is defined  in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20-"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."  Regard for our minds, health, and most importantly our relationship with The Father, are all paramount as we grow in Him.

Unrequited love, or basically loving someone who doesn't love you back, seems to be most challenging for most of us.  However, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us the exact instruction for loving unconditionally :"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things hopes all things, endures all things" 

We are just a few days away from "In Full Bloom" and learning what it means to press in and move closer to the plans that God has for us.  It seems so fitting that we will begin our journey together during this month of March.. A month  defined by a flower with attributes that capture the essence of who we can all be in Him. 

Get Ready to Blossom!

One week from today we will be celebrating "In Full Bloom"!  Just what does that mean?  Well it promises to be a night of worship, praise, and laughter!  Our Women's Ministry is launching to new heights as we walk into God's promises for our lives.  This is an exciting time in the lives of the women at Christ Church! Child care will be provided, so just make sure you get there in time to get a seat.  You will also have time to sign up for our women's ministries including "Women of the Word" and "Moms In Prayer".

Get ready as God does a "new thing" in the lives of the women in our area!