Knowing God and Making Him Known

At ReNEWed Life Women's Event on August 17, 2019, we were blessed to see this video. We are grateful for the way God has worked in Jackie's life. Her words are testimony to His great faithfulness, provision and peace. We pray Jackie's story encourages you as you get to know God and make Him known.

No.

     I’m so thankful for the opportunity to spend Sunday mornings worshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ, being fed and stretched by the Word, and experiencing fellowship in the Lord.

     Last Sunday afternoon, after experiencing the above together, two members of the RL Leadership team asked me about specific songs, and if we were singing them at ReNEWed Life this year. After a short time, I responded with “No,” and joked, “where were you 6 weeks ago?” Note, I did not say, “Beautiful songs; I’ll pray about them.” I did not thank them for their kind suggestions. I just shut them down.

     Everyone thinks this is really out of character for me, and it usually is, depending on what’s at stake. We laughed about it at our meeting last night. If it hadn’t been through text messaging, I would not have answered as I did. I would have said something like, “Hmmm, let me think about that,” or, “Great idea, I’ll see how those fit with the other songs that have been selected.” I mean, I rarely just say no!

     But, I was feeling pretty good about the songs we have, and thankful to have made some final decisions that help me move forward with practices, PowerPoint slides, song sheets, etc. I mean, there’s a lot to get done in the next week and a half! So what hits me on the way home from the meeting? CONVICTION. I am not sovereign over the song selections for RL, God is. I am not sovereign over the technology and presentation, God is. I do not have control over how my days play out between now and then, God does. He knows. He leads. He cares. He IS. Isaiah 55:8 – “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.”

     A danger then slips in. Satan whispers, “Do you really think God directed you in those songs you chose? They’re just songs you like! Do you really think God wouldn’t give the right songs to your more spiritual and more mature friends? You don’t know what you’re doing, and you just wait and see how I’m going to make a fool of you!”

     Thank you, Lord, that Pastor Tim just preached about your provision and protection over us. I raise my shield and extinguish those flaming arrows, and I secure my helmet, knowing my salvation is secure in You, and not in what I do or don’t get right today.

     I don’t know if you will hear those song suggestions on August 17^th. God knows. Logistical reality says that final decisions have to be made. Pages have to be printed. PowerPoint slides have to be prepared. I trust Him to lead, in the right time, to the right decisions. Don’t stop suggesting, sweet sisters (for next year, that is!). And whether I’m made a fool or not is irrelevant, because God Almighty will be made much of.

     Come, sing with me!

Thinking about renewal...

Friend, we often say "ReNEWed Life Women's Event is a one day event, but renewal must happen over and over again." I'm not sure if you sense that need in your life, but I know I do mine which has me thinking about renewal today. 

Life can leave us worn out. Daily demands drain us. Broken relationships hurt us. Illness and death change our world. We need God, His grace and His provision. He can renew us. 

I pray the verses below bless you, remind you of Truth and become part of your prayers. May the quotes encourage you to join God in this great process!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, 

the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16)

"The God who made us can also remake us." Woodrow Kroll


"Renewing the mind is a little like refinishing furniture. It is a two-stage process. It involves taking off the old and replacing it with the new. The old is the lies you have learned to tell or were taught by those around you; it is the attitudes and ideas that have become a part of your thinking but do not reflect reality. The new is the truth. To renew your mind is to involve yourself in the process of allowing God to bring to the surface the lies you have mistakenly accepted and replace them with truth. To the degree that you do this, your behavior will be transformed." Charles Stanley

Join us for prayer!

We will be meeting together at 7pm this evening at the First Congregational Church in Cresco. Even if you can't be there in person, join us in spirit by lifting up the preparation work and the preparation of hearts for our time together on August 19th. James 5:16b - The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Greetings from part of the ReNEWed Life Worship Team!

We're excited to be working on music for our day

together on August 19th - see you then!

L to R - Emily, Kathy, Kayla and sweet baby A

Final Give-Away!!

Are you looking forward to this year's ReNEWed Life Women's Event? So are we!! God continues to put details together and show us His faithfulness.We are looking forward to a day of encouragement, fellowship, worship and growing in our faith. But before that day comes we have one more give-away! Today we are giving away a registration, so be sure to enter.

It's simple...just leave a comment with your answer to this phrase - "I'm looking forward to ReNEWed Life because ____________________________________________________."

Also, share this post, let us know and get your name in the hat a 2nd time!

If time is short, simply leave your email address.

We'll announce the winner on July 25th!

Remember early registration ends July 30th so print a form and register today. If you win and have previously registered we will reimburse at the event on August 20th.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Another Give-Away!!

Welcome Friends!! Brooke Sprung come on down you are the winner of Mary DeMuth's "Worth Living"!!! We will be getting you your prize real soon!! If you didn't win this time, no worries - we're doing another give-away today!!

Wendy Blight joined us at ReNEWed Life in 2013 and early this year released another new powerful Bible study. "I Know His Name" is an in-depth study of the names of God. If you long to get into God's Word and want to know Him more this book is for you!

Want to know more about the book? Here's a quick summary -

In this five-chapter Bible study book, Wendy Blight implements her practical and approachable style to equip readers to study the Word of God and then apply it to their own lives in practical ways.

I Know His Name is a Bible study for any woman who wants to move beyond simply knowing about God to really knowing God in a very personal way! Join Wendy as she teaches how the very names of God reveal His character and heart. 

To learn more about the book and receive a FREE 5 day devotional, visit Wendy HERE.

So, if you want to enter to win a copy yourself, leave your answer to this question along with your email address.

"What name of God do you use the most when you pray to Him? Any reason why?"

If time is short, simply say "I'm in." 

Stop back next week for one more give-away - a FREE registration to this year's event!!!