GCR Women

It was so foggy this morning.  The air was heavy and damp, drizzling its chilly droplets on everything, everywhere.  As the day progressed, a cold rain began to fall to an ominous wintry thunder echoing eerily in the distance. The world was shrouded in winter's dreariness but I was safe and warm, cuddled up in my comfy chair next to the fire.  I did not dread the damp; I did not fear the thunder.  I sat securely under my warm blanket. Troubles creep into our lives sometimes, as thick as a dense fog, obscuring our view, chilling our hearts. Sometimes trouble rains heavier, soaking us with fear, rumbling threats of more trouble to come. That's the time to get closer to our Father, sinking deep into His comforting word, resting confidently in His promises.  As trouble seems to grow, pull the cover of His love securely around your heart.  He gently whispers, "Don't be afraid; I Am right here." Comforted, Patrice Romans 8:38-39 NIV For I am convin...

Welcome 2017!  As a new year begins, our minds turn toward making resolutions to improve our habits and quality of life.  And year after year, we tend to disappoint ourselves by not keeping these resolutions. So, this year, are you going to make resolutions?  Are you committing yourself to a better you?  Will 2017 be different?  What's it going to take to make real change happen this year? I know I need to resolve again to improve things in my sphere.  What has stopped me in the past from sticking to my resolutions?  Different things, to be sure, but I'd say the main reason I fall short of accomplishing what I've set out to do is that I'm not really serious about real change. It's much easier to let things continue as they are.  Real change takes real work, real commitment. In spite of my past failures, though, this year, I'm going to try again.  Just basic changes, some self-denial, lots more discipline.  So, what will make this ...

January 1, 2017 is nearly upon us and we'll begin a new year of memorizing 24 verses from God's word together. Here's how it works:  I'll write a new post on this blog on or about the 1st and 15th of each month and include at the end of each post my memory verse for that two-week period.  You respond with a comment to my post that contains just your first name and the verse you've chosen for that same two-week period.  Please include the version and location of the verse. About a year from now, we'll come together to celebrate the completion of our year's journey and we'll share our verses with each other by quoting them aloud. Our goal is to post 24 verses during the year (one for the 1st and one for the 15th of each month) and memorize them. When we get together for our celebration, be prepared to quote at least 10 of the 24 verses. That's not so bad, is it?  I hope you'll join us. Blessings in the New Year! Patrice

2016 is almost at an end.  As this year closes, we celebrate the birth of Jesus once again.  I can't get through the season without listening to Handel's Messiah. The text is written using various verses from the Bible and the choirs and soloists have memorized these scriptures in order to perform it. You've probably heard all or part of this oratorio, especially the Hallelujah Chorus. One of my favorite movements is #12, based on Isaiah 9:6.  As I follow along, my heart rejoices at the glory of the Lord.         For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:         and the government shall be upon his shoulder:         and his name shall be called         Wonderful,         Counsellor,         The mighty God,         The everlasting Father,        ...

One of the sure signs that Christmas is near is when I start wearing my Christmas socks.  I have red ones, green ones, reindeer socks, snowman socks, socks with Christmas trees, socks with Christmas lights.  I love my Christmas socks!  They give me that Christmas spirit right down to my toes. In scripture, we aren't told what kind of socks to wear but we are told to put on the footwear of the gospel of peace. There are a lot of different kinds of peace.  Peace between neighbors, peace between family members, peace between nations, peace between factions, personal peace, world peace.  But the kind of peace Paul tells us to wear is the gospel of peace.  What is the gospel of peace?  I've heard different explanations but here's what makes sense to me. Where is this instruction to put on the footwear of the gospel of peace?  In Chapter 6 of Ephesians.  It's listed as part of the full armor of God that we're to wear as we prepare for daily ba...

Internal struggles in Kenya led Grace on a journey through the worst times imaginable to deliverance at God's hand.  Somehow, through it all, Grace knew in her heart that God is faithful and would provide.  Grace's story of terror and despair was just the beginning - the prologue, if you will - of her story of faith and victory.  If you didn't hear Grace's story Sunday, I invite you to visit KWO's website and watch the video for yourself: Kikitemo: A Story about Grace . After meeting Grace and hearing her testimony, I realized again just how blessed I am.  Even the worst things I've experienced are nothing but minor inconveniences by comparison.  So, I stop once again to reflect on what I have to be thankful for. I have a faithful, loving husband.   I have two wonderful sons with beautiful families. My home is safe and sound - heated in the winter, cooled in the summer, with electricity and running water & sewer. Grocery stores are just around ...

On our recent trip to Virginia, John & I hiked nearly to the top of the Crabtree Falls trail.  We went as far as the last place you could view the falls from the trail - about 1.5 miles up and 1.5 miles back down.  This time of year, the whole area is just beautiful with leaves is various shades of green, yellow, gold, orange, red and brown. But all along the way, there are dangers hidden in plain sight.  The park service posts warning signs clearly at the beginning of the trail and at dangerous spots along the way.  Poison ivy and poison oak intertwine with other vines and trees ready to be touched or grabbed mistakenly when a handhold is needed.  The edges of the rocks lining the waterfalls are coated with clear algae - a substance that looks just like wet surfaces but is so slippery that many unwary or reckless hikers have lost their footing and their lives on these slick spots. Besides these dangers, the path itself is difficult.  It starts as ...