GCR Women

If this past year or so has taught us anything, it’s taught us that fear is contagious. I saw a quote today that read in part: “Fear doesn’t stop death. It stops life.” Isn’t that how this past year feels?  Between masks & stay at home orders, it feels like life almost stopped.  But I refuse to live in fear!  I try not to be reckless or cavalier toward danger, but I refuse to live in fear. Over and over (some 365 times) in the scriptures, the word of God says “Fear not!”   Am I concerned about everything that’s happening around us? Of course! But being afraid won’t help. Instead, I choose to pray, have faith and trust God. Faith is the antidote to fear. We mustn’t let Satan push us around and cause us to cower in fear. Stand up. Put on your Godly armor and STAND! Our God is good. Our God is mighty. And our God will never leave us or forsake us.  Fear not! Love,  Patrice I John 5:4b NIV This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith!

We had our family reunion the first weekend of August. It was good to get our family together. Family is important.  Sheree said they went to their family reunion the first weekend of August, too. And then she said the sweetest thing: “Family doesn’t always have to be blood! Y’all are family!”    My heart flooded with the warmth that genuine love brings.    And that’s what family does - it loves.  When we’re in Christ, we’re family. We love each other, accept each other, take care of each other. We gather for our family reunion weekly around the Table of the Lord.  You’re my family, my sisters. I love each of you.    It’s time to plan our family reunion.  Love, Patrice ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ‬‬

Sue started each day quoting Psalm 143:8.  It reminded her to trust in God and it reminded her that God is trustworthy.  In April 2020, Sue began her fight with pancreatic cancer. She and those who loved her prayed for God to intervene with His mighty power and heal her miraculously.  She went through all the recommended treatments:  chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery. She modified her diet and personal life. And she continued to trust.  I visited with Sue about three weeks before she went to be with the Lord. She told me she didn’t feel like she was close to death and she continued to pray and believe for God’s healing miracle.  As the end neared and her pain and discomfort grew, Sur and her family realized God would heal her by taking her home. Yet through it all, with questions and prayers going up to God, Sue and her family trusted God.  Now that Sue’s at rest, her trust is perfected. Now, she knows and one of the things she knows is that he...

Our gracious Father is holy. Our precious Jesus is holy. Holy Spirit is holy.  So what then should we be?   Think about it. Can we be holy?  Is there any way we can be anything less than holy? The Father created us, loved us, gave us Jesus and resurrected Him from the dead. Jesus lived and died for us and reigns at the right hand of the Father. Holy Spirit lives within us, guides us and expresses our hearts’ desires when we can find the words.  I’m not suggesting that we can be perfect but holiness is not only desired but it’s a mandate. We must be set aside for the Lord. We must be single-minded in our devotion and faith.  We must be like Him. I don’t know about you but I’m not there yet.  God and I have some serious work to do together. Prayerfully seeking God’s holiness, Patrice ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:15-16‬ ‭NIV But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”‬

We all know lots of people. People in our families. People in our churches. People in our neighborhoods.  And even though we know lots of people, there are few we trust. Why is that? Trust is fragile.  Trust can be broken and lost. Trust is earned. When we trust someone, we’re vulnerable. Who can we trust?  How can we trust? Those questions we each have to answer for ourselves. There are common characteristics of a trustworthy person but finding them in one person - ah! That’s like finding gold! The good news is that even though people may let us down, there is One who is always worthy of our trust: the Lord. When all else fails - when everyone else fails - He alone can always be counted on.  Rejoice!  We can trust Him.  Patrice Psalms‬ ‭33:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. ‭‭

I don’t listen to the radio much anymore but recently I heard a new song on Christian radio:  “Truth Be Told.”  A few days later, I heard another new song:  “I Got Saved.”  When you hear a new song that speaks to your heart and soul, it sometimes has special meaning to you and you alone, a special meaning that no one else would understand.  I think that’s what the new song will be like when we sing it before the Throne. It will be a personal praise song to the Lord that expresses the gratitude for being redeemed. It will tell my redemption story. It will tell yours.  It will be different from any song we’ve ever sung before because our redemption will be complete! Let’s get ready to sing! Patrice Revelation 14:3a NIV “And they sang a new song before the throne.....”

As parents, especially of teenagers, we’ve probably all said at one time or other: “You need an attitude adjustment!” Sometimes I think I can hear the Lord saying the same thing to me. When I try to adjust my attitude myself, the adjustment doesn’t last.  I might be able to control my outward responses for a while, but deep down the attitude stays the same and resurfaces when it wants. Please, Lord, change my attitude from the the inside out, so I no longer reflect who I was but so I can reflect who I am in You! New attitude, new self. Patrice Ephesians‬ ‭4:22-24 NIV You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ‭‭