Gayla's Magazine

Crossroads Family Church - Fort Worth Texas

This weekend up in  Forth Worth, was the very special dedication of Pastor James and Carol Ann Merideth's new community center at their church.  And we were the special guest speakers at this celebration. 
Crossroads Family Church has been working on this project for a year and a half, and we are so proud of the completion! It will change their church family life.



Everybody had a great time together - some long time friends and family were there.  Like a family reunion almost!

Sir Winston Churchill

In my yearly personal inspection it's important to see what's been read and what area I should be studying next. A variety of books  is interesting, educating and so good for  mental training.  I have 4 books going this summer..... and enjoy reading each of them.
Sharing books is one way to encourage reading in those around me.  Pastor's wives often need the impute of other lives to strengthen or educate in important areas of which they are responsible for.  Also I find that reading important works is the way to truly grow mentally. 
Wait, before I show you maybe I should tell you that I am married to one of God's Generals in this generation.  Pastors everywhere recognize the extreme spiritual warfare that the church at large is involved in.  The intense battles of financial burdens, complicated legal systems, social and political pressures of increasing city and township inspections, rulings and  ever encroaching building codes and regulations weighs heavily on Ministers today.  They face pressures unlike any other generation before has experienced in ministry.  It's complicated, full of pitfalls with sensitive hurting people, and must provide for costly programs of provision in every church and ministry family.

Bishop Gregory L Holley and I  stand together working in these minefields, daily carrying out spiritual warfare on behalf of the church both locally and nationally.  I hear many conversations  my husband has daily with ministers across America who all are under the gun battling for their churches.

We made a decision some years ago to raise up the next generation of  Ministry here carefully and well equipped.  My husband works hard to raise up and imprint, impress, educate, support and train well ahead of the curve of the full weight of ministry for the young Pastor here.  We want his shoulders to be strong, and to see that he is well equipped for the challenges he will face in the coming years. 

So how do I handle all of this as a wife?  I read. And here is the current book I am studying personally that is fascinating.  It's about another great 'war hero' in the earth.  Sir Winston Churchill.  His battles, pressures and the forces against him are all insights for me as my General also in in a war.....

 

Winston Churchill CEO - 25 lessons for bold business leaders. For every Bishop and Pastor  who provide  leadership for the lives of others, this book is a wonderful resource! And for Pastor's wives?  Essential reading material!

This is my current study book.... it's a good thing.

 

Hearing God.....

I am reminded of words I have heard whispered in my heart.
The Sea is as my love for you.... can you drink it all up?

Don't be afraid..... they are just clouds in your life.  Here only for a little while then time will melt them away leaving you with a fresh sunrise of beginning.

The eventide of evening brings change to your life. Though it grows darker outside, yet within I stand firmly in charge of all the events of your life. Fear not.

Church for Women

The ladies start gathering for another wonderful service together. We had  a couple of guests with us, Pastor Hoxworth's wife, Bev was here as well as Bishop Malcolm's wife Margaret also was with us in service.  Margaret leads the  RMA ladies ministry in London England as well.  

Role Models of America has several church services designed especially for women and their needs through out the year. And I have to tell you that every lady who attends enjoys herself!  It's always a special time of prayer and praise, encouragement and an timely word spoken into every life. My heart goes out to the women who work so very hard for their families.  Working  full time at a job, keeping all the responsibilities of the workplace going, then come home and work another full time job keeping the home place  together as well as their families taken care of. 2 simple sentences written here, cannot describe the enormous workloads they all do everyday.  So this service held every is important for their support. 

We have a good women's band - who regretfully  I did not get a picture of to show you! We had a great time of worship with the Ensemble too. 

This particular service is designed for the daughters of Role Models  to lead out on.....  it's time for the next generation to begin to start helping in our RMA events. 

Kari plays and sings a song she wrote. She is the daughter of  Role Model Carla, and her song was about standing in faith no matter what life looks like around her. A good message for every mom to hear.
The daughter of Role Model Cressie - Christi also sang a meaningful song about being in a war and how we push onward.  Spiritually - these two songs led up to the Word which was to come.... Then another daughter of Role Model Carolyn - Tiffany had created a power point presentation to the song - Lay M Down.  And it seemed every thing fit together preparing the hearts of the women and girls for what was to come.

Announcements were made by Role Models about the coming events this Fall.  Our Craft day is in September, and the RMA Fall Festival is in October.  Two big days coming that we are all excited about. We spent a little time revealing what all is going to be happening.

Then my own daughter Angela, who is a Role Model herself,  brought the Word to us and wow did she ever minister!  Her sermon was called, 'No one ask me'.

 

She had us all laughing and laughing and laughing!  But the word was powerful and so needed.  It was about the women in the Word who were not ask if they wanted to participate in what was happening.  Here is just a tiny part of what she preached about. 

Noah’s wife was not asked to be a part of this holiday cruise. In fact she is only mentioned twice: she doesn’t even have a name

But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark-- you and your sons and your wife, and your sons' wives with you

Gen 6:18

She by culture standards did not have a choice in her life – no one asked her if she wanted to

·        Help build a boat for 100+ years

·        Live in a boat for 120 days and night

·        Handle and live with as many as 5000 species of animals

·        Clean up after all those animals

Maybe she was not handling it well ?

Maybe that’s why she was practically left out of one of the best known bible stories?

 

King David’s Mother

Nothing is said about David’s mother

I have to suspect the David was deeply loved by his family the scriptures say he was a fine looking child and he was her last born son – her baby

When Samuel came to anoint the next king of Israel – David was either sent/hidden in the fields with the sheep, was this a protective mother trying to keep her last baby home?

With rumors of war and her knowing her other sons were going

Did she have a horrible attitude about not being asked, is this why she was not written into the story that is claimed to be the favorite bible story of most children raised in the house of God

 

Moses Wife

Exo 2:21-22 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. And she bore him a son

She has a name!!!!

She was mentioned 4 times by name in the exodus

She never was asked if she even want to marry the guy

Or if she wanted to go to Egypt and set a entire nation free.

Or if she minded plagues, people with attitudes or walking across entire countries.

Mary and Martha

They were not asked if they wanted 12+ extra men for supper

Lazarus as the man of the household would have made that decision

Martha

The original Martha stewart

Multi tasker

Take charge

Choleric

 

Mary

Free spirit

Go with the flow

Get to it in a second

Wants to be in the center of excitement

 

Luke 10:38-42

A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand."

The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her,

We are not sure how her attitude changed but – I can again only imagine that it must have I can see her putting down her dish rag and pulling up a chair

I ask the question which attitude are you? Will be the worshiper or the worrier

The one lost in the details or enjoying the moment

 

Ok you weren’t asked if you wanted to lose your job, house, child, marriage

Ok you weren’t asked if you wanted your spouse to die, friends to abandon you, cancer to come in an destroy your life

But its happened! What will you do.

 

Do you clam up and blame everyone else

Do  you throw a royal cross eyed fit

 

Or do you take it the father, cry a little, get up dust off your knees and keep walking

 

I ask the question which attitude are you?

Will you be the worshiper or the worrier

The one lost in the details or enjoying the moment

 

No one asked you......but the Father has a plan that is unfolding and you are in it! 

We had a wonderful time together!!!!

Personal Time

Every once in a while, it's wise to stop and take personal inventory.  Look back at the past.... what is still following me ..... what do I need to release and move on from...
Who do I need to pay more attention to..... who should I release...

Who do I need to forgive.... and who do I need to ask forgiveness from.  What am I putting in my mind to help me grow.... and what's stealing time from me. 

Each part of  life I search.... looking for areas to grow in. 

This picture from my car window reminds me of my lists to still complete. The busyness of my city life, while looking for a quiet season to  retrain my inner character.  This picture is a paradox,  like life is sometimes.....

I am half way through this year... what have I accomplished?
Who have I  mentored.... have I reproduced myself in areas of ministry....

Am I ready for more growth.... what shall I study.... have I been a blessing or a burden to others....

The questions of my heart to be answered sincerely before the Lord.

 

I have actually lived over the halfway mark in my life. There are less years in front of me, than behind me now.  How will I make the remaining years more effective, have more impact, leave my life fulfilled and complete in God's Will for me.  Where is the sun at now in my life......sun rise... high in the sky... low in the afternoon... or starting the evening blush of sunset.  Only God knows... but it's still my responsibility to repair, and prepare for destiny.

Inventory is invaluable in my intentions to serve the Lord in my future.

The Briefcase Miracle

I have a miracle to  start your day with today!

We lost a great prophet in our church, God took him to Heaven over a year ago now.  But before he got so sick he had  lost his briefcase with all the prophecies God had given him.  I remember him grieving over this and asking me to pray with him that he would find it.  It was never found.  He told me he felt irresponsible and like he had failed the Lord to keep good care of them.  

2+ years go by........

Wednesday a brother in the church called me in tears, telling me an amazing story that happened Tuesday night.  He was at a friends house discussing a business deal and they all spoke of needing a briefcase.  The woman in the group said she had an extra one that was in the back of  her closet. She had found it and kept it some years ago.  So she went and got it and brought it to the men.  When they opened it and found study papers, prophecies and books…. this brother  knew this was very important that it was a prophet’s personal briefcase.  He asked her where she got this and she said she had found it in the middle of a street.  And that  she took it home and just put it in her closet, because she didn’t know what else to do with it.  She had never heard of him, nor how to find him so she just put it away.  (All God's plan)

Then while reading a prophecy ..... he  found the prophet's  name written on a prophecy and he freaked out. He was shocked, awed, amazed and very touched that God would put this very briefcase in front of him and that he knew the prophet personally.    He started crying and shouting and suddenly was filled with the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues.  He got so excited - everyone in the house also was filled!   He was still so shaken telling me about this he could hardly speak! He said their meeting ended abruptly and they all had a prayer meeting that lasted several hours.

 

So I told him to bring the briefcase to me and I would see to it that his wife got it.  He brought it wed night to church, she was not there.  So I set it up for her to come in Thursday after work.  I did not tell her what it was about.  But previous to this .....

I had already gotten a sermon series set  about Laughter from another ministry and had planned to give it to her. She has been so deep in grief since his death and her pain has taken a real toll on her life.   Then yesterday  something else wonderful happened, while at RMA I found the very same book that went with the same sermon set.  Interesting!  So I wrapped the tape set and book up in a gift bag and planned to present all of it to her.  So I prayed that God would lift her from this season and begin a new one in her life, and that He would guide me to help her by this miracle.  

 

She came….. was afraid I had something bad to tell her.  I assured her it was a good thing.  So I brought out the gift bag first and talked a little about her season of grief and how God was going to take her from the valley of tears to the mountain of joy.  I reminded her of our last meeting and how much I knew she was still suffering.  So I wanted her to listen to the tape series and read the book and find a new place of joy in her life.  She agreed she would do it.  Then I said I have something very amazing to give to you.  Straight from the Lord to her as a sign that He was in complete control of every detail and direction of her life. 

I brought the briefcase out and she broke down in tears, she instantly recognized it.  She cried and cried, and they were tears of amazement.  When she calmed down and we opened the briefcase, more tears flowed.  I told her I had not opened it, I wanted her to enjoy touching his things by herself. 

She very gingerly looked over the books and then ask me where I had gotten this.  I told her the story….. she was overcome again. 

Then I was able to talk to her about moving to the future and out of the past.  That God had a plan for her to still do, she had life, family, her church ministry that all needed her abilities.  That she had grieved long enough and that her husband  would want her to start living again.  She needed to start thinking about moving to an apartment.  She totally accepted what all I told her and said she would start changing.

I told her she was only a couple of years older than me and  she had much to live for and God brought his briefcase back to her to show her He was in complete charge all the time. 

It was a good meeting and she left with a new light in her eyes, and her shoulders back and her head up. Still weeping, but tears of joy not of loss this time....

I am proud of God and His amazing planned detailed events of each day!

He knows how many hairs you have on your head - don't you think He is able to care for every detail of your life?

This Pastor's wife is convinced..... 

 

Church for Women

This Sunday evening is our Role Models of America - Church for Women.  It's going to be a wonderful service for all women and girls together in the Palace.  Today I will be settling details about what all will be happening. 

Pastor Angela will be the speaker - she has a great word, I have heard a tiny touch of it and I am so proud of her and what she is to speak on.  It's gonna be gooooood! Plus some new women/girls will be taking part in the service. 

So all ladies in Houston Tx - make a plan to attend! 7:30 pm - 2104 Underwood LaPorte Tx.

See you there!!!!

And the Word of the Lord came saying.....

My Word in prayer for the day is this:

Focus upon preparation not opportunity.

What does that mean?

It is better to work on preparation than opportunity because.....

Preparation:  means studying, learning, applying principals to my own personal life, studying to keep quiet,  keeping my head down and working upon my own growth.

Opportunity:  the open door of ministry with others, places, and actions of favor done for me.

Many people only focus upon opportunity, looking ... working ... watching for that opening to let them become something more than they are.  It's looking for the end result without the day to day dedicated works, and detailed efforts of being well trained and ready.  It's like looking over the wall at completion without being trained to actually get there. 

If I focus upon the end result and not the preparations - the opportunity of opening will not happen.  But if I focus upon preparations, WHEN  the time comes and opportunity knocks I am ready, prepared, focused, and have the learned word on my tongue to give. 

Hmmmmmmm

What a great word for my life and yours.

  

 

Moms Against Hunger - Ghana West Africa

The Ghana shipment of Moms Against Hunger food, clothing and shoes  arrived at last, and is it is off the docks and being distributed now.

This container is unloaded by hand.... a big job!

Unloaded right on the docks.  Africa is a whole different world with such lack that every single thing we sent will be gratefully used. Equipment is nonexistent and labor is all done by hand.

Once it is completely unloaded... then the next step happens....

The entire load gets loaded again by hand onto 'lorries'  - big trucks.  This takes hours and hours to do in the hot sweltering west African sun. 
Then it is taken to warehousing and the shipment gets divided out.....250,000 meals plus all the other goods tightly packed on top too!

7 Reasons Why You Should Go to Church.

1. You will receive a message that the Pastor has prayed and studied and poured his heart into, as he is led by the Lord.  His time has been spent preparing spiritual food for the city/town - your family -  to which he is called.You will miss something special God had planned to tell you!

2. You need the worship experience.  Hearing others worship the Lord encourages your own heart to be responsive to the Lord in praise.  You are drawn closer to God when you worship.You will miss the renewed spiritual connection between the Lord and you!

3. Your children need to be  taught and trained in the Word of God.  There are teachers who have prepared their lessons, and activities and much effort has went into the ministry as unto your children. Really do you want this present society, TV, peers, and school paradiams  to be only voice your children learn about reality from?

4.  You need a place to sow your tithes and offerings into.  Following the Word of God in it's completeness means we are to give our finances into the House of God.  When we all give together we have the ability to provide a quality ministry to the city/town in which we live. How will we reach our cities and towns if we don't work together to provide churches for the unsaved?

5. You need a place to get involved to use your own talents and gifting s for the Lord. Sharing your personal abilities with others is a expression of your own devotion to the Lord and His will for your lives.This cannot happen by yourself.

6. You need the Christian fellowship.  None of us can provide that for ourselves.  Other Christians challenge us and help us to be accountable and faithful in our lives. No one can live without others happily.

7.  Those who labor in God's Kingdom need your support and encouragement.  They fight a heavy 24/7 spiritual battle you cannot imagine, trying to bring the Gospel to your community. You are so needed!

Come on..... you know deep in your heart you miss it!  Come home to the Father's House. You need church and church needs you!