Posted on: December 9, 2009 by Terri
Isn’t that the title of a rock and roll song? As our CLEAR leadership team continues to think and pray and talk about all the things we want for women, these words keep coming to my my mind - girls, girls, girls. There are little girls, young girls, girls becoming women and women, like me, who like being referred to as a girl! For our team, age isn’t an issue; we want to come alongside all women and help them navigate through the waters of the Christian faith! We keep coming back to what we want most for all girls, young and old, - their own personal relationship with Jesus that transforms their lives.
2010 is almost here and we’ve planned a year full of opportunities for women to be challenged, to be inspired, to bring their friends, to meet other women, to serve other women and to pursue spiritual growth. We want all of you to come along as we continue the journey of becoming amazing women of God!
Watch this blog, talk to me (Terri Stone), Diane Karchner, Becky Preston, Renae Stone or Jennifer Thompson. We’re the CLEAR leadership team and we’re here to help you connect with God and each other and to help you grow in your faith. What are you waiting for? Jump in and be part of what God’s going to do in the lives of so many women!
Tags: Christianity, clear, Faith, friendship, God, individuality, jesus, Relationship, Women Filed Under: Christianity, Community, Influence, Leadership, Relationships, Women
Posted on: November 1, 2009 by Terri
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-20
This is one of my favorite passages from the Bible. Many years of my life were spent feeling weary and burdened that was until I began following Jesus and believing in what these words mean.
I told a couple of people last week that I was weary, tired and running on empty. As much as I love ministry, I sometimes find myself frustrated, disappointed, irritated and wondering why it has to be so hard.
Ministry’s hard because it’s all about people. We’re complicated, set in our ways, wounded, arrogant, doubtful, side-tracked and unmotivated. What I do becomes difficult because I’m one of those people who sees everything in black and white, right or wrong, which leaves me perplexed at times. I also happen to be a highly-driven perfectionist who will work non-stop to get it all done and get it done right! These traits, unfortunately, give me a narrow viewpoint when I’m under a great deal of stress.
How I’m “wired up” leads to being weary and burdened, but only when I keep Jesus at arm’s length. I end up experiencing weariness when I lose sight of the fact that God is using me to do his work, not mine! It’s so easy to forget that God’s in control, not me.
These times of unrest always pass thanks to the help of friends in ministry and out reminding me that Jesus is there every step of the way guiding, supporting and reaching to me. I just have to remember to reach back and find in him what I need.
Tags: Bible, friendship, God, jesus, Relationship, teaching, trust, Women Filed Under: Bible, Connecting with God, Faith, Growth
Posted on: August 7, 2009 by Terri
Women, if you haven’t seen the movie, you should. I caught the end of it yesterday and watched it with my daughters. I saw it in the theater shortly after its release. Loved it then, bought the DVD, love it every time it’s on one of the movie channels. I never saw the show, but obviously that doesn’t matter because you get it when you see the movie. The “it” is the friendship these women share. It is freaking amazing. Each woman is a unique individual living her own life and the others support her regardless of her choices - good or bad. They tell each other the truth, they fight, they tease, they laugh together, they cry together, and they come to each other’s rescue. They are there for each other through it all.
Don’t we all want girlfriends like this? I know I do. Instead, here’s what I see: women keeping women at arm’s length, women talking behind women’s backs, women judging and critizing women who aren’t like them, women who are lonely, women who want to be accepted by women, women standing by watching women struggle and doing nothing. women who can’t commit. I know it’s a movie, but I know in my heart of hearts this kind of friendship can exist.
I’m one of the fortunate ones; I have a few friendships like this. If we don’t have friendships like this, why don’t we? I know friendships can’t be forced, but how can we women start treating each other the way Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte treat each other? The best place to start is with ourselves. We need to make the decision to see other females as valuable human beings with unique life expereiences that make them who they are. We need to start with a blank slate and an attitude of love, acceptance and genuine interest in the future of each individual woman.
There were tons of funny scenes in the movie that bring my point home. The clothes, jewelry and hairstyles are fabulous, the dialogue is raw and the sex scenes are very, very naked and steamy. But above all those things is an amazing friendship shared by four women just like you and me. What do you think? Do you think we girls can stop all the foolishness and start enjoying relationships with other one another that rock?
