**  G.A.L. ( Gathering About Life) Groups**

As our church grows, it can feel like you are “lost in the crowd”, and it may be difficult to get to know other women.  Or, perhaps you just enjoy large groups, but would like the opportunity to get to know a few ladies better.  Whatever the situation, G.A.L. groups are for you!

G.A.L. groups are approximately five or six women who will be formed as a group with a designated leader.  The purpose is to create a bond between the ladies in the group where they can be accountable to one another for prayer and enjoy fellowship together.  Each G.A.L. group will decide how often they choose to get together, where, and what.

There is no pressure…just have a group of ladies to share life with and enjoy each other as God’s word direct us to!  There will be a sign up for those ladies who are interested in knowing more and a kick-off for G.A.L. groups on June 30th!  We hope you will consider!

( 1 Timothy 5:2)

Cause and Effect

Hey Friends-

FBC Branson has a really fun event coming up in a few weeks which involves our own Teresa Huddleston. (fbc children’s ministry director) It’s always been on Teresa’s bucket list to sing the National Anthem at a major sporting event and we’re trying to help make that dream a reality!

On Sunday, June 3, if we can get 200 people to buy tickets, Teresa is going to get to sing the national anthem at a Springfield Cardinals game! Please help spread the word! Tickets are $6 each. (Look for link at bottom of this email to purchase your tickets online or you may reserve tickets on Sunday at the Information Center.)

Just for fun- we’re also going to be selling red shirts with a similar logo. Deadline for shirt orders is Friday, May 18^th.  (Call the church office for details or check at the Information Center.)

CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE: https://public.serviceu.com/RegistrationForm/5962385-223241239/?OrgKey=3c009bc2-913f-419c-8763-315829609152
PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD AND SHARE THIS POST!

Hey Ladies, anyone looking for a NEW RECIPE!? I seem to daily ask myself, “What am I going to make for dinner tonight?” If it’s not Mac and Cheese, Spaghetti or Lasagna, whatever will we eat? :) Although these dinner ruts are my daughter’s delights, it’s fun to try something new.

Perhaps you’re in a “spiritual” rut today??? How about trying something new? Well, truly, the only thing new about it is how God’s Holy Spirit works in your heart when you put it into practice.
So, go for it! It’s a no-fail recipe for Life! Guarantee it!

Soft-Hearted Believer

1 Whole heart of HUMILITY (I Peter 5:6)

1 Whole heart of PRAISE / ADORATION (Psalms 146:1-2)

1 Whole heart of CONFESSION (I John 1:9)

1 Whole heart of THANKSGIVING (Psalm 116:7)

1 Whole heart of INTERCESSION (I Timothy 2:1)

1 Whole heart of MEDITATION (Psalm 119:97)

1 Whole heart of WORSHIP (Revelation 4:8-11)
————————————————————————

One ‘kneads’ HUMILITY with PRAISE and ADORATION in preparation for softening the heart of the believer. Once the heart is prepared, add sincere CONFESSION in order for the calluses to dissolve. Mix thoroughly with THANKSGIVING and INTERCESSION. Let the heart stand still to listen, ponder, and reflect through MEDITATION. Finally, may this heart rise up full of WORSHIP to her Maker!

Heat: Life Temperature varies – according to our “Maker”

Time: Life-long process with Eternal results

Yield: One soft-hearted believer who in turn softens the rest of the “Body!”

Enjoy! :)
– with love Amy Loewen

“But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;  but only a few things are necessary, really only one; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41-42. 

Jesus had a way of cutting right to the heart of the matter.  He said that there was only one thing necessary.  Wow, only one.  Out of all the things that we have to worry about and he brings it down to one.  I believe Jesus was making the point that we should not worry and make a fuss over “things”….

CLICK HERE to keep reading this guest blog from Marjorie :fbcWOMEN Service Projects

Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
(Aren’t we glad that our Lord knows what is best for us–even when we don’t always get our way!)

You know the scene…you are in a store and you hear screams and crying of a demanding child who is not getting her way. Usually it involves the child not getting the toy she wants or something relatively minor, but the “fit” is major! We all know that children cannot get everything they want; and all too often, they don’t even know what is really in their best interest. Well, we, as adults, often don’t easily accept those times in our lives when things don’t go our way. We get frustrated, down, or even resentful. Furthermore, these plans are often made without prayerfully considering God’s will for us. So, the real issue becomes for us to make plans, pray and ask for the Lord’s will to be done, and then to accept the outcome. Moreover, it is the way we respond that determines “who we are” when times are difficult and not going our way. Our reaction to a situation may not be perfect; but, it is the way we respond over time that reveals our true character. We can choose to dwell on the negative and on the circumstances, or we can “let go” and trust that “our ways” are not always “His ways”. It is in these times when God’s word gives us the assurance that He always works for good for His children, and that He really does have a purpose for us even when it isn’t our plan!

-Julie Baker

Hi ladies, we have an opportunity this week to make an impact within our local community and would love to have your help! Let’s be ‘doers of the Word’ and not just hearers… 1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love in merely word and tongue, but in action and Truth.” I want to encourage all of us to take time out this Thursday, March 8 from 9:00 to 10:30 am to help package lunches for Jesus Was Homeless.(see link below) We will meet at Jesus Was Homeless (176 Summerbrooke Lane) and show others the Love of Jesus through our service to them.

For additional info please contact me, MeLissa Clarkson, Women’s Ministry, Service Project Coordinator 417-593-9969 or melissafox1978@gmail.com.

Learn more about the ministry by clicking here to read “How Much Is a Life Worth” from Jesus Was Homeless.

I look forward to hearing from you!

MeLissa

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

 Attitude to me is more important than facts.  It is more important than circumstances, failures, successes, and what other people think, say or do.  It is more important than appearances, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company… a team…

a church… and a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for the day.  We cannot change our past… we cannot chance the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our ATTITUDE.  I am convinced that life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.  And so is it with you.  We are in charge of our attitudes.”

- (Charles Swindoll)

Aaahhh, wise words from a godly man.  Another wise man exhorts you and me to have the attitude or mind of Christ Jesus through loving one another, putting others above ourselves, and living in obedience to what God calls us to. (Phil. 2:1-11) By NO means does any of this come easy, but, it is “right” and it is a “choice.” 

Choose the right string to play on today!  Choose the attitude of Christ Jesus today!  We grow and mature one step at a time by God’s grace  — so ask for His help today! 

- with love,

Amy Loewen

This past Sunday, Pastor Neil was speaking on Ephesians chapter 6 and specifically about putting on the breastplate of righteousness. He spoke of imputed righteousness, which is given and not earned. This is the righteousness that characterizes God which is exemplified when God’s wrath is poured out on Christ for us.

He also spoke of imparted righteousness, which is the process of possessing the position of righteousness or living in obedience to Jesus. It’s the practical, daily righteousness that should define our lives. It’s the reflection of Jesus that lives within us.

I have spent most of the week thinking about this imparted righteousness and how our lives as christians are impacted by failing to put on the breastplate of righteousness. We know that the world has its pitfalls and that there is so much strength and power, and protection from it when we walk with Jesus. (1John 4:4) We become vulnerable to our own sins and to the evils of the world when we stray from Jesus. We can daily put on this protection by staying close to Jesus and allowing Him to produce in us the fruits that become our spiritual breastplate. Our lives as christians become a reflection of Jesus that dwells within us by letting Him shine forth through our words and actions(Matt 5:16).

It is my hope to encourage each other this week to spend time with Jesus (praying and studying His Word) and to allow Him to flow through you and show others His love (kind acts).  God loves us all so much and has given us such a gift, it is our job to spread this message of His love, but we can only rightly do this by becoming warriors for him and one aspect of that is to guard our hearts from sin and evil (breastplate) which frees us to openly and practically live out our Love for Jesus.

Spirit of God descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I thought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.

Has Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart, and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling.
Oh let me seek Thee and let me find.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me too love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The kindling of the Heaven-descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.

(Hymn by Frederick C. Atkinson)

May the Spirit of God who dwells in you descend upon your heart this week. May He teach you to love Him wholly and offer your life back to Him!

with love,
Amy Loewen