Gayla's Magazine

The American Bible Society

Yesterday was a real highlight around here.  One of the ministries that Bishop and I have personally supported for years came to visit us!  I am THRILLED  about this! Here is their mission statement that I so believe in! www.americanbible.org Go see them and join us in supporting a real cause!

From the American Bible Society's founding in 1816, we have been focused on translation, publication and the distribution of Bibles to as many people as possible.

Our mission today is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message.

The American Bible Society carries out its mission by:

• Affirming the power of God to speak to every generation through the Holy Scriptures.
• Providing translations of the Holy Scriptures that are faithful to the wording of the original language biblical texts.
• Working in partnership with all Christian churches and Christian communities.
• Producing materials that avoid endorsing or advocating any doctrinal positions.
• Utilizing appropriate communication tools that allow the Word of God to come alive in individual and public life.

The vision of the American Bible Society is to meet its continuing challenges with creativity and innovation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Among the opportunities presented in the third millennium are:

• The burgeoning youth population;
• The rapidly expanding numbers of people who seek political refuge and freedom;
• The growing number of persons who seek spiritual meaning in a secular or hostile culture;
• The many individuals whose main learning is in new idioms and electronic media, both audible and visual;
• The new media opportunities that are being developed on a routine basis.

 

Some of their staff came to see us and talk about vision for the future. This summer the American Bible Society Board will be coming to Houston and  this preliminary meeting is to start the details of their visit.

   

 

Lot's of details like Role Models of America, our Family Client Services, the Foundation and our programs to share with them.

 

Seeing our food pantry and it's functions was interesting for them. Lot's of questions and answers here.

 

 

They enjoyed seeing our Role Models of America store and how it all works together to be a witness and a support to hurting families.

 

 

Their visit to us was both informative for them as they see first hand what can be done in ministry besides 'having church' to reach people.  And we enjoyed meeting them  - personally I think that this ministry has some of God's hero's in it!! Spreading the pure Word of God is the right ministry for me to support. 

www.americanbible.org  pleeeeeese go see what is going on and jump in and support! You will never be sorry you helped send Bibles all over the world!!!

One Full Weekend......

Hurry hurry hurry

I have many things happening today. So this is short and sweet. This weekend was very full for me personally.

 

Saturday I was the guest speaker at a ladies luncheon to a beautiful group of ladies sponsored by www.secondbaytown.org and hosted by Patsy Brewer and her great team.  I got to take some Role Models  with me (12) and we had a great time together.

 

 

    

   

So it was a busy day. Then my husband ask me to speak my message for Sunday morning.  

It's called 'The Power of One'.  I will share it will you at another time. The Lord blessed!

   

Then we had the 2009 Kidtricity Round Table for our children's ministry.  The planning of the entire year was all done.  Everyone left excited about the future for our children's ministry. 

This morning I am rushing around because we have another very important group visiting us today - more about that later. Just look at the shape of my desk!  It's just going to have to wait till I get time to focus on this pile!

Richard Roberts Visit

 

Richard Roberts and daughter Jordan along with Adrian and Mike came to spend some time with us today in our Library. 

 

So much to talk about from missions to reaching the lost effectively to fund raising to compassion and crusades.  The subjects of interest burn in each of our hearts! Two important fathers - EL Holley and Oral Roberts birthed and blazed the trails for our ministries to travel on, and now the burden of reaching entire nations lies within our hands and we must blaze the trails onward for our own children following behind each of us.

 

Prayer time together in our Chapel leads to doing the will of God together in the future.

 

Give Lindsey a big hello from me and I look forward to her visit the next time you come to see us! 

 

Preps are being done for massive giveaways for future crusades.  Together we will impact the nations with the compassionate Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow is another important day.  I will try to give you a tiny picture into what I am doing.  Check back later!

The African Door

 

My Dad has an amazing artifact from Africa that I thought you might like to see.  It's now a family treasure from years gone by from our missionary years in Africa.  This is a door to a African hut that is mounted on my parents wall. It's about 5 feet long and heavily carved. It's one solid piece of wood.

 

The top and bottom have the hinge pins carved  that were used to hang the door on the mud thatched roof hut.  Actual huts have small doorways that one has to bend down to enter (why it's so short) The latch is on the left and is still in perfect order.  The carvings are of hunters with crocodiles and spears.  Very special.

When I ask my Dad if he remembered how he got this, he said an African was running through our area and carrying this.  He offered it to my Dad.  We suspect he had been involved in attacking an nearby  village and stole this valuable door (maybe to the Chief's hut because of the carvings)

 

But in those days, without any government protection, no police presence, or any other form of protection - all we had was God and His angels always stood guard around us.  No one EVER attacked our missionary bases while we lived there. So this door stands as a testimony and a treasure to our family of God's care over us. 

Bible Adventure is ready to build

 

I have lots of silk plants we can draw from. And old beat up pottery can be watched for .  Even a big old metal pot can be spray painted and used as a great prop.

 

I can even use just plain old rocks added here and there around the set. Some palm branches will cover any edges I want to hide on stage. Spray paint old metal buckets and they will fit right in.

 

This would be PERFECT to use. If I can just find one. Anybody got one they would like to donate?

 

And if I can find one of these I think even it could be useful on my stage set. Okay I have all my ideas lined out and drawn on paper.  Let's gather the troops and get things going.  It's going to be great! 

This Jerusalem street scene will be the backdrop on our children's stage for our Wednesday night Kidtricity Program.  With  lot's of planning and careful attention to detail I think we can transform this large room into a wonderful place set in another time.  To have a children'ministry that is exciting and alive and captures the children's attention, our teachers have to be inspired, enthusiastic and love what they do.  I hope that this Jerusalem market scene will do just that for both teachers and children. It's a Bible Adventure! Wanna come?

Bible Adventures for Kids 3

 

Look at how this awning is held.  I can get some old curtain rods and drape fabric across them for a similar effect. Take apart old metal lamps for the curved parts to glue on the curtain rods for additional effect. 

 

I think we still have the tattered shreds of an awning still hanging from after the hurricane.  It would be perfect to use!

 

Even an old tan blanket could look 'leathery' after a can of bronze spray paint is dusted over it! Not to worry we shall have awnings in our kids special stage for 2009!  Just wait till you see what we have created! I will be sure to show you. 

Bible Adventures for Kids 2

 

 

I am going to need old curtain rods (can spray paint if I need to) Just a rug thrown over one brings atmosphere. And old light fixtures that are worn out can be hung from the ceiling for special effects  Any old pottery can be painted to fit in well. I will use even a old broken table and fill it with old baskets with fruit and vegetables.  Our Bible Adventure stage set up is going to be very impressive to our kids.

 

I have access to lots of 'stuff' like this to use through our thrift store.  I think I know where an old brass room divider is that has nails pounded all around the edges. Perfect for this dramatical set. And I might can find a rusty brass lamp stand that would look middle eastern when I get done with it!

 

I have seen so many ideas I can use. Our kids program is going to jump!

Bible Adventures for Kids

 

Images can inspire and bring a new imaginative thought to life.  While on our recent family Christmas trip I saw so many things that were a springboard for fresh ideas for me.  2009 is going to be exciting with some different plans for children's ministry, choir plans and drama's for this pastor's wife!

 

 

 

 

 

What do all these things have to do with a preacher's wife? Keep looking......

 

 

Here's my idea. I am going to create the most fantastic new 'set' for our children's ministry for this year.  We are going to call it 'Bible Adventures' and the entire stage will look like a market street in old Jerusalem.  We will have brass pots, and old trunks, and carpets, and clay pots with old wooden pillars holding up awnings and chains holding back doorways with copper plates, big old used candles  and worn wooden bowls and baskets of all sizes...... I can go  on and on...... I am going to create a beautiful 'movie set' for the background for our Kidtricity Auditorium area.  Now can you see my inspiration?  Our kids and teachers are going to love it!

I am calling in everything I need in the next 2 weeks, and we will show you the results!  Can't wait to get started!

Thus Sayeth the Lord

Gayla rise.......... the light of your God shines on you.  This is as all the voices of the ages that call upon the Lord that look for redemption.  You seek for solutions and bring your sorrows to the table of the Lord.  While the times change not upon the hearts of the people we look for that which will cause the issues that be, to become the passing timetable that is the past.  You seek for the continuance of all things and I seek to tell you that the season that is changing becomes a new focus within your heart. 

                                                                                                      

How shall the voice of the gospel be heard within your heart and how shall the day within you stand become that which brings you to the actions of the spirit?  By my timing.  All these things that face the end of time would be relieved by the voice of the Spirit, yet they would not.  Yet they would not. 

But the Bride and the Spirit agree that those who stand ready at my Word will give voice to the Word upon my timing and direction.  Open that which causes spirits to glower and see the heart of man remove his face from you.  But see my own upon you and know that the calling voice of the Spirit of God would bid you to come forward at my Word and speak. 

I see the hour and the time.  We are upon the schedule of the Spirit and the passing days bring certain closure to these matters that concern you often.  Waylay the thoughts and know that I am completing that which was begun by the Spirit within you, causing you to yet again become that which moves in the earth through man and Me. 

 

Can you see the rising sun?

No Lord it is 4:30 am here. 

But yet you know the sun is rising upon the earth? 

Yes Lord

Then see the tail of the sun and know that this too will change with the light and the heat of the season.  Nothing in your life can be unmovable.

 

Let my voice give you peace and rest in this stance you are in.  This too comes to pass.  And the voice of your God brings certain endings and certain openings to you day by day.  Rest in this that I AM in this place with you.  Are not even the hairs on your head numbered?  So these measures and accounts also are watched over and bring about their own victories unto us. 

 

The Mary Experience

 

Back home and getting ready for 2009 I am excited about Role Models of America's first event of the year. I believe strongly in the power of prayer and in my personal life God has answered in incredible ways - our every need!

Our RMA prayer and praise service is a power packed event that brings every woman to a refreshing spiritual renewal. Want to see what is planned? Wish you could be here!

Role Models of America

Prayer and Praise Service

Sunday January 18th, 2009

6:00 pm

 

Pre service power point  (scriptures about prayer)to be playing as Ladies arrive.

 

Pastor Gayla - Opening and invitation to join in prayer and praise.

 

Deborah – Multimedia Presentation   - The World God Loves Focus

                    After Video, Pray for MIssionaries  around the world (Name countries, pray for missionaries, evangelists, teachers, prophets, apostles and pastors)

 

Rhonda – Song “If My People Pray” The United States of America Focus

                Pray for America (Pray for President Elect Obama, and his Inauguration on Jan. 20th, Congress, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, Armed Forces, Homeland Security, Terrorist attacks and National/World Leaders.)

 

Constance – Song “Blessed Assurance” - Our city of Houston Focus 

                     Pray for our city of La Porte and surrounding communities, Baytown, Pasadena, Deer Park, ect. (Mayors, City Officials, Police force, area Churches, Schools, businesses. For protection from any attack,  job security, economics and  our towns to be blessed)

 

Video - The Family Prayer Song - Family Focus 

Angela  –  Pray for the Marriages and Family of New Life (Finances, past hurts, forgiveness, bitterness,  bind divorce, pray  provision for family, job security, mortgages to be secure, unsaved husbands, wives and children.)

 

Cressy – “Hungry”  Teenager Focus

            Pray for  our teens ministry and our teens needs (Free from drugs, alcohol, school, peer pressure, sexual morality, lust of the eyes, lust of flesh, prayer for spiritual worshipers, have a calling on their life, hunger for the Lord in 2009.

 

Rhonda – Song “We Pray” Children Focus

Walterene – Pray for Spiritual Educational Ministries (Sunday School Teachers, Family Life Teachers; name all the classes, generational, safety, schooling provision, hunger for spiritual learning to increase, children to be called into the ministry at young ages)

 

Shelby –   Praise Dance/”Footprints in the Sand”  Women Focus

Video – “Voice of a Savior” Personal Focus

 (silence to be open to God's voice )

 

Polydore Girls – Praise Dance –“Never could have Made it”  Gratitude Focus

Carolyn –  Pray for New Life (Bishop and the Vision of the House, Pastors, and the fulfillment of the Vision, Finances in 2009 to be met., Foundation, to be blessed.)

           

Song – “God Speaking” – Christine  and Video Presentation -Destiny Focus for each woman

 

Pastor Gayla – Pray for RoleModels of America/ close 

              

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