Isn’t it interesting how things work together?

Here I am on vacation in Colorado. The good news is that the wild flowers are in full bloom, the hummingbird wars at the feeder are astounding, the  lull of the rushing Crystal river a few feet away doesn’t even drown out the beautiful bird songs, and the views of the beautiful red stone mountains never becomes dull. We’ve seen a fox, an elk, dozens of chipmunks and butterflies, and a mountain lion! 

The bad news is that I’m studying for a systematic theology exam. 

The interesting part is that as I’m studying about God’s universal revelation, and how through general revelation He is revealed through His creations, I have this vivid example in real life all around me. 

Prayer requests.

- Pray for wisdom as I prepare for the upcoming state leaders’ wives conference

- Pray for understanding as I stretch my brain for today’s systematic theology exam

- Pray for safety for Steve and Tylor as they fish the Crystal River. Those two are having a blast, and it’s such a very major blessing to spend time with Ty. They’re catching their limit each day, relaxing and enjoying vacation as it should be! That’s Steve in the top photo.

- Pray that these hummingbirds learn to get along and share my unending supply of sugar water. (just kidding!)

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Almost every day I receive calls or emails or letters about my new book, Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry.  It’s exciting to watch how God is working in women’s ministries across our country.  I received this note in the mail:

“Diana,       I bought your book in Indianapolis, brought it home to use as a resource, but couldn’t put it down the fist time I cracked it open. So well written! Love the continuing story, and as always the creativity is truly inspired. So many people I want to sent it to!…”

What a great recommendation and encouragement! Pray that God will use Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry to challenge women to touch their world for Christ.

Isn’t this a fun theme? At last week’s deacon wives conference in Ridgecrest North Carolina, we used “No Miniblinds in a Fishbowl” as a theme. One breakout class was titled “swimming lessons” - with tips about how to minister to church members in crisis. 

Steve used a fishing theme with the deacons, too:  “What’s In Your Tacklebox?”  They had an excellent challenge to keep evangelism at the forefront of ministry - “Wishing I was fishing!”

As we head off for vacation time in Colorado, Steve and our son, Tylor, will be doing lots of fishing.  They’ll spend every day in rubber boots in the middle of the Crystal River, fly fishing and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation and some great father-son time.  And I’ll be sitting on a rock surrounded by beautiful wildflowers next to the Crystal River, working on my laptop on a manuscript for a book for pastor wives.

Pray for great weather and great fishing. 

Pray for those wonderful deacon and deacon wives we enjoyed at Ridgecrest last week.

And pray for me as I write — for God’s wisdom and inspiration. It’s going to be a fun vacation! 

Psalm 37:37a
“Watch the blameless and observe the upright…”

Marriage matters…

Our daughter, Autumn, is engaged to be married to Yale Wall!  Marriage matters.

Aunt June and Uncle Ferris celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary last week.  Marriage matters.

Steve and I will celebrate 37 years of marriage this month.

Marriage matters.

I just spent a week teaching the Deacon Wives track for Ridgecrest’s Evangelism/Discipleship week. Each of those women in the class spent the entire week learning how they can serve alongside their husbands. As I observed their commitment and excitement about serving God AND encouraging their husbands, I was reminded again…marriage matters.

Exciting days area ahead for Autumn and Yale.

And June and Ferris.

And Steve and I.

And all those deacons and wives. 

I’m so thankful that God gave me the gift of marriage to my husband. 

Proverbs 5:18
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

It was a highlight of the year!  We attended the Commissioning Service for International Mission Board missionaries on Friday. The ceremony was held in Oklahoma City at Southern Hills Baptist Church.  As each person shared his or her journey and preparation and calling to missions across the world, there was a true sense of awe.  God truly calls out his best to serve Him!

Two of the missionaries being commissioned were Joel and Mary Ellen Ragains from Graceland Baptist Church in New Albany Indiana. They serve at the Kiev Theological Seminary in Ukraine, preparing Ukrainian church planters to share Christ with their country.  Their work as ISC (shorter-term) missionaries has been exemplary. They just graduated their first seminary class of young men who went through the entire church planting degree and graduated. Each has begun at least one church in the Kiev vicinity.

Steve and I have been to Kiev to assist them on a couple of trips, and I’ve got to say these are some of the best missionaries alive!  Please check out their website and pray for Joel and Mary Ellen as they commit to vocational missions and continue the work that God has started through them in Kiev. 

And, as God tends to orchestrate, there was another bonus! When my husband, Steve, was pastor of First Baptist Church of Humble (1988-ish?), we loved serving there with Randy and Susan Lind. Randy was the minister of music there, and–you guessed it!–he’s recently been called from Humble to Southern Hills Baptist in OKC.  We loved seeing our dear friends, and hearing their choir and orchestra, and visiting in their home.  Double blessing!

LifeWay Christian Store in Oklahoma City hosted a book signing for the new Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry book. Travis, the manager, created lovely signs and arranged all the details beautifully.

It was such fun! I saw old friends, met new friends, and since my sister lives in Oklahoma City, got to spend some time with Nancy! (see photo below)

 Isn’t God good to work “all things together for those who love Him” ?!

It was a wet Saturday in Indiana last week! After many months of planning, many of the CrossOver Evangelistic events planned in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention were either post-poned, drenched, or relocated inside.  As much of our state was enduring horrific flooding, God continued to work through the efforts of hundreds of Christians from across the country who came to help with Crossover.

Here’s one idea that I loved:

Hull’s Grove Baptist Church in Vale, N.C. brought anvils and hammers and horseshoes all the way to Indy.  Wearing ten-gallon cowboy hats, their crew hammered out personalized horseshoes for hundreds of children at Hope Community Church and Eastside Community Church’s block parties.

The horseshoes had “John 3:16″ printed on them, and each child’s name was chiseled across the top.  As the cowboys chatted with kids and parents, they shared about God’s love and plan of salvation. 

Here’s what I really like about their gift:

- it’s personal

- kids will never throw it away

- it opens a door for talking personally about God

How unique! 

Such fun!  I got to do two book signings during the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis, and it was such a joy to chat with lots of women’s ministry leaders from across our nation.

Here’s a photo of the B&H Publishing display at the Southern Baptist Convention this week.

I was excited to see my new book, Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry, featured in their display!

…but look a little closer…

When you create displays for events at your church, small details grab attention. Here’s a great example.

The solid black background makes the books “pop.” 

The simple addition of tulips repeat the photo on the book and cause the viewer to look again. 

The lighting draws the eye to the book covers.

 I worked for years with the National Main Street program - part of the National Trust for Historical Preservation. It’s a program of revitalization for downtowns through historic preservation of buildings, addition of new businesses and event planning to bring people into the downtown area.  One interesting piece of the program involved window decor tips for downtown businesses.  Like this display, decor can feature color, repetition, simplicity, light, etc. 

As you plan displays or promotion for your church, allow those who are gifted with artistic ability to use that talent.  Go the extra “inch” and create visuals that will cause the viewer to pay attention.

You’re going to love this!  My daughter is a missionary in Sheffield, England. She is youth minister at a new church there, and is reaching out to gothic teens. It’s so exciting to see how God has used her to reach many for Him!

So here’s an idea she did last week.  They sewed together four queen-sized bedsheets and painted a gigantic Twister game on it. Then she took her teens to a place where teenagers hang out in a downtown skate park, and just began playing Twister.  They couldn’t believe how many joined in!  I can guarantee you those new kids will hear God’s plan of salvation.

Get creative. 

Get outside the church walls.

There are people, old and young, in your community

who are waiting

for someone to show love

and share Jesus.