Priority Ministries | Encouraging Women to Give God Priority | You Glo Girl!

Something about Spring inspires you to freshen up your surroundings, start a few projects – even do a little spring cleaning. Find inspiration to get glo-ing on your Spring projects, learn how to clean closets God’s way, and discover the latest scoop about Priority in this issue of You Glo Girl!

Glo-ing and Growing: Spring Cleaning With God
by Laurie Cole, Founder & President

“That’s it! I can’t find anything in this house anymore. I’ve got to get rid of some stuff and clean this place up!” Sound familiar? Ah, yes. It’s the battle cry that precedes our annual assault against clutter, over-stuffed closets, and grime of all kinds. It’s Spring Cleaning and, make no mistake, it’s war.

But just as I began taking up arms to whip my house into shape, the Lord showed me a more dire area in need of cleaning. Then He got right in the middle of that mess and helped me clean it up. Now I’m glo-ing and growing because God did a spiritual Spring Cleaning in my heart, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

When Spring Cleaning season rolls around, the things that need cleaning are pretty obvious. But the more you clean, the more clutter and dirt you begin to see. Reminds me of the other day when I pulled out my refrigerator a little bit to recover something that had fallen into the space between the ‘fridge and the adjoining cabinet. Yeech! Let’s just say there was way more filth in that tiny, little crevice than I had ever imagined.

Spiritual cleaning is a lot like that. Sometimes we can’t see how much sin is hidden in the crevices of our hearts. But God can, which brings me to the mess He just dealt with in my heart.

It happened (as it very often does) during my quiet time the other day. I was actually feeling pretty “clean” that morning as I opened my One Year Bible, until God used the following passage to uncover the hidden “yeech” in my heart:

“Hidden among you, O Israel , are things set apart for the Lord.
You will never defeat your enemies until you remove
these things from among you.”
Joshua 7:13 NLT

As soon as I read that verse, I sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to pause and ponder it. So I stopped to read and re-read the passage. Then I inquired, “Lord, have I hidden anything from you? Have I kept anything for myself that belongs to you?” Immediately, He reminded me of an area in my life where I was experiencing defeat – a symptom of hidden sin according to Joshua 7:13 .

At first I couldn’t see how that specific area of defeat related to anything I’d hidden or kept from God. I just didn’t get it. And that’s when God pulled out the refrigerator. Yeech! The Holy Spirit pointed out some sinful filth hidden in the crevices of my heart. It broke me to see it. Then He lovingly led me through a spiritual Spring Cleaning process. It was tearful, and it was humbling, but the results were totally worth it: a clean heart and victory instead of defeat.

Think maybe your heart could use a spiritual Spring Cleaning? Is there an area of defeat you’re struggling with? Or, perhaps you’re experiencing a lack of spiritual power in your life? If so, then you need to invite God to get in the big middle of your mess by practicing a couple of principles from Joshua 7:

Present yourself to the Lord (Joshua 7:14 ). Ask Him if there are any hidden sins in your heart. Ask Him to reveal any areas of your life where you’re experiencing defeat.
Purify your heart by confessing, repenting and removing that sin from your life (Joshua 7:13 , 1 John 1:19 ).

In order for a house to function well, it needs a good Spring Cleaning from time to time. Same thing applies to us. As Christians, we can’t function well if we allow dirty dust bunnies of sin to accumulate in the hidden crevices of our hearts. But thanks be to God, He’s able to expose and expunge the hidden “yeech” in our hearts AND to enable and empower us to live in victory! And trust me. God will let you know if and when your heart needs a good cleaning. He’s a holy, white-glove, spiritual Spring Cleaning expert.

Well, dear sister, that’s how I’m glo-ing and growing this month, but what about you? I’d love to know how you’re glo-ing and growing, so let me hear from you. But for now, I’m heading off to the front lines of Spring Cleaning to wage war against my dirty house – and I’m starting with the floor underneath my refrigerator.

Your sister,

Email Laurie

Priority Passage of the Month

The perfect “spiritual spring cleaning” prayer:

Glo Girl Notes & Quotes

Thanks to everyone who emailed and shared testimonies with us last month about how you’re glo-ing (glorifying God) and growing. As you read the following excerpts, we know they’re going to encourage you to glo and grow, too!

Hello Laurie & Janet!

It seems like so long ago that you two joined our Jersey Village Baptist Church ladies for retreat in Round Top, Texas . As you know, I feel very much called to the ministry of hospitality. After coordinating many retreats, catering them, and doing some speaking, God laid it on my heart to put together a retreat on gracious living and hospitality. I took a step of faith and signed a contract at Round Top Retreat Center for the retreat to be held this April 17-19. This is a huge undertaking since I have never done all of this at once before! So, with the help of some very good friends, we hope to bless a group of women this April!

Please pray that He will be glorified and that the women will feel truly blessed and leave with a new perspective on gracious living and hospitality. I would appreciate very much your passing along the information to any women you think might be interested. You can get a brochure with all the information from a link on my website: www.anaffairoftheheart.net or www.pennyward.com.

By the way, our JVBC ladies just finished Beauty by The Book and loved it!

Blessings,
Penny Ward

Note from Laurie: Girl, Round Top Retreat Center is glorious – there is no prettier place to celebrate Spring and be spiritually renewed. Penny’s still got space for you to attend, so visit her site and check it out now!

Dear Laurie,

In June 2008 God started speaking gently to me to start a "Single Women's Bible Study Group" in my home. The whispers got louder and, of course, I kept on telling God that I didn't know how to go about doing something like this in my home and (asking Him) who would come.

Being unfortunately divorced for the past 22 years and still wanting to find that special someone, I finally surrendered to the Lord and accepted being single. I started purchasing video Bible studies and (received) the blessing from the elders at my church, ( Pine Grove Bible Church ), and my first meeting was held in my home on November 22, 2008 . We are 8 ladies that meet every second Saturday and the studies we have shared together along with the camaraderie have been a blessing. Our group is open to single, widowed, and divorced women who attend my church, but also to women God has brought into my life either on the bus (I don't have a vehicle) or at my local grocery store.

I feel that God has blessed me so much in the past months and I am forever thankful to be able to share his Word with our group. I am glo-ing and growing for God.

Yours sincerely,
Janet B.
Ottawa , Ontario Canada .

Note from Laurie: Janet, you are so dear! Thank you for your willingness to follow God’s lead. I praise Him for the way He is using you for His glory!

Laurie,

I have been directing the Reflections Women’s Bible Study for 4 years and have loved every minute of it. We use a variety of Bible study books (this year we are using Beauty by The Book to close out our year).

Last year God asked me to write a simple study on the book of Philippians. It was powerful and the ladies liked it! (I was amazed at what God was letting me do!) This year I was burdened to write a study on the new things we are in Christ when He regenerates us. “What’s New” came to fruition and we will finish this week. The ladies responded with great enthusiasm. Some learned things they had never heard before.

I was so thankful that someone brought your website to my attention. You are a true encouragement!

Serving Him alongside you,
Norma O.
Reflections Women’s Bible Study
Chicago , IL

Note from Laurie: Norma, you are an inspiration! God bless you as you faithfully disciple other women in His wonderful Word. Your labor of love for Him and others will certainly be rewarded.

Hi, Laurie,

I have agreed to head up the Welcoming Committee for our Women's Fall Retreat. What started out as a simple suggestion on my part to welcome the women to the retreat became an encouraging (response), "So you'll head up our welcoming committee?" “Oh, yes!” I replied. I'm truly looking forward to it.

For the glory of God,
Sherri

Note from Laurie: So funny, Sherri! But so beautiful, too. God gave you an idea and it’s turned into a ministry. Thank you for saying, “Yes!”

We want to know how God is encouraging you to glo and grow! Email your testimony to Laurie, and you might just see it in a future issue of You Glo Girl! Can’t wait to hear from you.

Priority is Glo-ing to Uganda

Robin Cook

Talk about glo-ing and growing! On April 16, one of our dear friends, Robin Cook, will be going on a mission trip to Mityana , Uganda where she will be teaching The Temple: Glorifying God in Your Everyday Life. Here’s the scoop and information about how you can be a part of this amazing mission through your prayers and intercession for Robin.

Becky Miller, Robin’s neighbor and friend, moved to Uganda last year to do mission work in an orphanage in Mityana. That mission has expanded rapidly, and God is opening doors right and left for Becky to share the gospel. Although there has been much evangelism in Uganda , there hasn’t been as much discipleship – which is exactly why Becky invited Robin to come teach The Temple and disciple a group of young, Christian women. And the Lord has certainly prepared Robin for this since she and her small group women’s Bible study just completed The Temple this past fall.

Robin will leave for Uganda on April 16. It’s a 27-hour trip, and she will be making it alone (although we know the Lord will be with her). You can participate in this mission by praying for Robin in these specific ways:

That God’s presence will comfort and encourage her as she travels, and that she’ll be able to rest on the plane (she doesn’t usually sleep well on planes).
That she and her luggage will arrive safely AND together.
That God will give her the words to share with the Ugandan women as she teaches The Temple .
For health and protection while she’s travelling and ministering.
That lives will be changed and God will be glorified.

To find out more about the mission in Uganda , check out Becky Miller’s blog – it will bless your socks off: http://www.beckyinuganda.blogspot.com/

Thank you for praying for Robin. When she returns, she’s promised to send us some pictures and a report on her mission. We love you, Robin, and we’re so proud of you. You really do glo, girl!

Jots from Janet
Janet Valentine by Janet Valentine, Executive Director

“God works in marvelous and mysterious ways.” This phrase is often heard and spoken especially among Christians, but I want to tell you today that it is true! Ever since I flipped the calendar to 2009, God has been working in ways that are absolutely mysterious and marvelous. There is no other explanation for all that I’m about to share with you except to say that He is Sovereign, and He is always working.

On February 25, a retirement luncheon was held for my husband concluding a 32-year career in the oil industry. Two days later, Laurie and I went to East Texas to an event at First Baptist Church , Linden . At the conclusion of the event she shared with the group about my illness and asked them to pray specifically that my blood count numbers would go up. They all said that they would, and within 12 days they more than doubled. All of them! Now that is mysterious and miraculous don’t you think?!

Janet's husband, Lee, at his retirement luncheon

I feel led to ask all of you join together and pray that my blood count numbers will again make a tremendous jump in the days ahead. Would you please pray for this specific request? Let’s pray together in one accord and ask God to really show off His marvelous, mysterious works again. Thanks!

Daphne Fine

On March 6 and 7, Laurie, Debbie, and I went to Corpus Christi where Laurie spoke at the Bay Area Fellowship Glo Conference. This very contemporary, in-love-with-the-Lord women’s ministry team led by Daphne Fine and DeeDee Sharon prayed about this event for many months. They promoted the event on the radio, television, newspaper, and local magazines. Everything humanly possible was done to draw the city of Corpus Christi to Bay Area’s first ever Women’s Conference.

They had a very cool stage with a live band that would rival any concert, and their praise team brought heart rates both physically and spiritually to a new level. There were T-shirts with a cool logo and even an instant audience polling system so everyone in attendance could vote (like “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”) and voice their opinion on many different questions. So, why did Bay Area Fellowship pray for months, prepare for weeks and weeks, and work so hard for a weekend women’s conference? To point everyone who attended (approximately 1200 women) to the ONLY ONE who can give you the “glo” – the ability to live a life that glorifies God.

Live band

Audience participation

Laurie was hosted by Cheryl Grundy, a beloved sister in Christ who is a member at BAF and a missionary for Water for Life. Laurie’s message was powerful and Holy Spirit-inspired, and on Friday night 116 women prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior. Now that is mysterious and marvelous! Glory!!! Please pray for these new sisters in the Lord and also for Bay Area Fellowship as they begin Laurie’s Beauty by The Book Bible Study as a group.

Laurie, Cheryl Grundy, Debbie

Laurie teaching

Ladies shopping at the
Priority resource table

The rest of our weekend at Bay Area Fellowship in Corpus Christi was just outstanding, and we’re thrilled to welcome 263 new You Glo Girl! subscribers from the Corpus area and ten Priority Partners. We are so grateful for your support!

My husband, Lee, and I are getting away for 10 days to celebrate his retirement and our 32^nd anniversary. Please pray for safety, physical and spiritual refreshment, and an enjoyable vacation. We both could sure use it. J And on a personal note, we celebrated my granddaughter’s (Avery) first birthday. Here is our three-generation picture.

Janet, Courtney, & Avery

Sisters, God is always at work, and He’s still doing marvelous and mysterious things – we just don’t always pay close enough attention and recognize His handiwork. He’s proven His sovereign power to me over and over again this past month. So be on the lookout – it won’t be long before you see His marvelous and mysterious power working in your life, too.

Email Janet

Answered Prayer: Nancy's Back!

We have an exciting announcement! Nancy Campbell is returning to serve as Priority’s Prayer Director. Nancy faithfully served in this position for four years until she and her husband, Jim, moved to Wimberley , Texas , two years ago to care for Jim’s mom. But (hallelujah!) her mother-in-law’s health has stabilized, and Nancy believes God is calling her once again to lead Priority’s prayer ministry. And thanks to technology, she can do this from her home in Wimberley.

Set apart by God to pray and intercede, Nancy is a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led prayer warrior. In the weeks ahead, she will begin building a Priority Prayer Team. But until then, please feel free to email your prayer requests to Nancy – she and our staff will be privileged to pray for you. Nancy , welcome back!

For the past two years Stephanie Cole has served in a dual role as Priority’s Prayer Director and Administrative Director (bookkeeping/finances) which has been quite challenging since she’s also a young wife and mother of two small children. We are so grateful for the way God has used Stephanie to lead the prayer ministry, but we know Nancy ’s comeback is truly an answer to Stephanie’s prayers! She can now focus solely on her role as Administrative Director. Please pray for both of these wonderful women as they serve their families and the Lord.

Got a prayer request? Wanna welcome Nancy back? C’mon! Email Nancy now.

Priority Prayer Points

You’ve been praying for us! Thank you so much! Here are just a few of the ways we’ve seen God answer your prayers:

Recent tests reveal Janet Valentine’s blood count is up which is a huge answer to prayer. Please continue to pray for complete healing (Janet was diagnosed last year with a rare form of leukemia: myelofibrosis).
On March 2, the Life Today television program re-aired Laurie’s interview with James and Betty Robison about our Beauty by The Book Bible study. The tsunami of blessing continues (see last month’s newsletter for more info) as hundreds of people from all around the world contacted us and ordered Priority Bible Studies and resources in March.
We recently signed a contract to lease office space for the ministry! As we take this new step of faith, please pray that God will be glorified as we begin a new season of ministry.

We covet your continued prayers, beloved sister, as we pursue the mission God has given us: to encourage and equip women to give God priority. Thanks for praying for us!

Email Nancy with your prayer request.

Glo-ing at Home
by Jan Hart, Administrative Support

Spring is here, a time of renewal, energy bursts, and big plans at home – including spring cleaning. Now you may not think the phrase “spring cleaning” sounds very wonderful, but wait. It really can be a good thing, especially if you have some quick and easy solutions. And that’s exactly what I’ve got for you this month. Discover how to make your spring cleaning easier than ever with some great tips from a real spring cleaning expert.

Also, I’ve got a couple of recipes for environmentally friendly cleaners that are cheap, cheap, cheap (and we all need that right now, huh?). Plus, you probably have all of the ingredients on hand:

All-purpose cleaner and deodorizer – 4 tablespoons baking soda, 1 quart warm water. Pour solution on a clean sponge and wipe.This solution is great for kitchen counters, appliances and inside the refrigerator.

Glass cleaner – 2 cups water, ½ cup white or cider vinegar, ¼ cup rubbing alcohol (70 percent concentration), 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil (optional). Combine and store in a spray bottle. Spray on paper towel or soft cloth, then on the glass.

Happy spring cleaning, glo girls!

This month’s recipe is a new twist on an old stand-by, and I think you will love it!

Click on the recipe below to print!

Gotta Glo

We gotta glo for now, but we can’t wait to see you next month. Until then, please feel free to drop us a note, prayer request, or a testimony about how the Lord is encouraging you to glo and grow. And if you’re involved in a Priority Bible Study, we would completely LOVE IT if you’d send us a picture of your group – we’ll even share it with our readers in an upcoming issue. Way fun!

Whether you’re cleaning out a few spiritual closets with God or spring cleaning your entire house, until we see you next month, you glo, girl!

Loving Him most, seeking Him first,

Your sisters at Priority,

Priority Ministries Staff
Laurie Cole, Janet Valentine, Courtney Hays,
Pam Henderson, Shanda Stiles, Jan Hart,
Debbie Todd, Stephanie Cole, and Nancy Campbell (not pictured)

“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart…soul…(and) mind.” Matt. 22:37
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” Matt. 6:33

Contact us at
www.priorityministries.org

Priority Ministries
P. O. Box 590663
Houston, TX 77259-0663

Priority Ministries is a 501(C)3 non-profit ministry.

Enjoy this 10-CD set of Laurie's teaching for $40 (a $60 value). Ten full-length teachings on unique topics. Perfect for road trips!

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This month with your gift of $25, you will receive this limited edition make-up bag. Every time you put on your lipstick, you will be reminded that "Biblical beauty never fades."
1 Peter 3:3-4
Click here to find out how to make a donation.

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