You Glo Girl! is our monthly opportunity to glo – to give God glory – and this month we’ve got lots to glo about. God has given us a new Bible study, and you’ll get the first sneak peek! And if you live in the
Houston
area, we’ve got a very special invitation for you. If it sounds like we’ve got lots to share, we do, so let’s glo, girl!
My Summer at Beauty School
by Laurie Cole, Founder & President
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This summer I’ve been hanging out with five women in the Proverbs. These five females – the Immoral Woman, the Indiscreet Woman, the Irritating Woman, the Captivating Woman, and the Ideal Woman – are the primary personalities of Beauty by The Book: Becoming a Biblically Beautiful Woman, the Bible study I just finished writing (thank you, Lord!). Here’s a glimpse of what God has been teaching me this summer at biblical “beauty school” – it’s a sneak peek from Week Four of that study on the Irritating Woman (sadly, as you’re about to see, I can so relate to her):
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Beauty by The Book – Week 4 Introduction
Wouldn’t you know it. Mere seconds before I began writing this lesson on the Beauty Don’t #3 – the Irritating Woman – I opened my mouth and became that woman. I should have seen it coming.
Clue #1: My husband Bill had been doing a small home repair project. Home repair projects seldom go smoothly at the Cole house. This should have alerted me to the very real possibility that things could be heading south fast.
Clue #2 came in the form of a question: “Do we have an X-ACTO knife,” Bill asked. Scary. So, I took a deep breath and replied, “Yes, it’s in the pantry in the tool drawer.” But I knew I should also have said, “Let me go get it and bring it to you.” But I didn’t. I didn’t want to. “Let him get it,” I thought to myself, “He’s a big boy.” And that sassy little selfish attitude was Clue #3 – I should have known what was about to happen.
Less than five minutes later, that contentious, crabby Irritating Woman appeared.
I walked into the room where Bill was doing the repair, and to my absolute horror I discovered he wasn’t using an X-ACTO knife. No, turns out, he couldn’t find the X-ACTO knife so he was using one of my very best kitchen knives. That man was carving into drywall with my good knife! Gasping then erupting, I exploded. Words gushed from my mouth . . . followed by silence. Too much silence if you know what I mean.
Fortunately, I have a very forgiving husband. After I apologized, peace prevailed. But oh, how I hate it when I foolishly ignore every obvious clue around me and give in to the Irritating Woman.
I wonder. Has the Irritating Woman shown up at your house lately? Have the people at your job ever met her? Are you ready to banish bossy ol’ Beauty Don’t #3 and replace her with her biblically beautiful counterpart the Edifying Woman? Well then, this lesson is for you. Oh, who am I kidding. This lesson is for me, too.
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My summer at biblical beauty school has been both glorious and humbling. Glorious in that God taught me so much through His Word, and humbling in that I experienced how quickly I can fall when I fail to apply what I’ve learned.
God’s Word is a two-edged sword – both glorious and humbling – and we cannot live without it. Nothing can satisfy spiritual hunger and sanctify us like His Word. And that’s why I implore you, dear sister, to make plans right now to get into God’s Word in an accountable way. Find a Bible study. Sign up. Show up. Do the homework. When you do, you’ll experience the same thing I did this summer: the glory and humility of God’s Word – it’s a biblically beautiful combination.
“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord,
and He will exalt you.” James
4:10
NASB
Priority Passage of the Month
Here’s a wonderful word from David – a man after God’s own heart – encouraging you to give God priority:
“Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately.
Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind.
…If you seek him, you will find him.”
1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT
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Attention Houston-area Glo Girlfriends!
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Hey, Houston-area glo girlfriends! Come join Laurie as she teaches her newest study "live" each week, and in 7 short weeks you'll discover how to become a Biblical beauty! Don’t spend your Tuesday evenings watching the tube. Come join Laurie and be a part of this exciting new study. Here's the scoop:
Beauty by The Book
Becoming a Biblically beautiful woman
A 7-week study "live" with Laurie Cole
September 11 –
October 23, 2007
at
Sagemont
Church
,
Houston
6:30-9 p.m.
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You won’t find these beauty secrets in the latest issue of Vogue, and you can’t buy them at the cosmetics counter either. Discover the dos and don’ts of Biblical beauty in this practical, female friendly study from the Proverbs. Find out how you can become a biblically beautiful woman at any age!
Register or get more info online! Childcare is available by reservation only. Click here for directions to
Sagemont
Church
.
Got questions? Contact Katia Banfield at 281-482-8516.
Need to Know God's Will?
by Pam Henderson, Production & Resources Director
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A summer trip to your favorite vacation destination may require a little research on MapQuest ™ for trustworthy tips on the surest route and best accommodations. How about the trip of your life – the one to your eternal destination? Perhaps you really want to do God’s will – you just don’t know what it is. And your circumstances are only making it less clear – are you in God’s will or not? In this very personal, practical message from Laurie, you’ll get a MapQuest™ Guide from God’s Word to help you find directions to discover God’s will for your life.
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| You’ll find this message on CD, A MapQuest™ Guide to God’s Will For Your Life, along with other Priority resources when you visit our online store. Or call us toll-free at 1-866-YOUGLOGIRL (1-866-968-4564) to order by phone.
Bless you and thank you for supporting Priority Ministries by purchasing our resources!
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Journey With Janet & Laurie
by Janet Valentine, Executive Director
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While I can't say I am a big fan of Willie's music, politics or lifestyle, this song comes to mind as I share our upcoming travel log with you:
"On the road again, we just can't wait to get on the road again
The life we love is makin' road trips with our friends
And we can't wait to get on the road again" (changes are mine :-))
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This summer has been filled with fun and family, rest and refreshing, and now we’re anxiously awaiting the start of our exciting Fall schedule. Check it out!
Our first trip will be an exciting one! Laurie, Stephanie, Debbie and I will be leaving to go to
San Diego
, CA
on August 10. Laurie will be speaking on
There is a Season to the women of
The Rock Church at their annual women’s retreat.
Please pray for our safety, the
hearts of the women who attend and
that Laurie will deliver these life-changing messages to the glory of God. We thank you so much for your prayers and want you to know that your support in this manner is invaluable.
| The other exciting bit of news I’d like to share concerns Laurie’s next and newest Bible Study. It’s entitled Beauty by The Book: Becoming a Biblically Beautiful Woman.
This 7-week study from the Proverbs will introduce you to the five women in the Proverbs – 3 beauty don’ts and 2 beauty dos – and will teach you how to become a biblically beautiful woman. If you live within traveling distance of
Houston
, we would love for you to come to
Sagemont
Church
and be a part of the pilot class for this brand new study. Laurie will be teaching it live each week, and we’re going to have so much fun studying God’s Word together. Get more information or register online now. Hope to see you at Beauty by The Book!
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Email Janet
Priority Bible Studies
Looking for a fall Bible study for yourself or for your group? Find out about Priority’s video-based studies and preview samples of our workbooks, videos, and leader guides now!
Encouraging and equipping you to give God priority . . . it’s why we provide Priority Bible Studies!
Visit us online or call our toll-free number to find out more.
1-866-YOUGLOGIRL (1-866-968-4564)
Priority Prayer Points
Please take a moment to check out our August Priority Prayer Points and find out how you can pray for us this month. We would be so honored if you’d tuck this list in with your quiet time stuff and intercede for us as you talk with the Lord each day. Thank you so much!
Priority Prayer Points
- Please pray for us as we trek to
California
for a women's retreat at The
Rock
Church
in
San Diego
. Pray for a powerful time of worship, and ask the Lord to empower Laurie as she speaks to these beautiful women. Pray for smooth preparations for the retreat leadership team, safe travel to the retreat for all, and for God’s glory to fall!
- Pray for the “birth” of Laurie's new Bible study, Beauty by The Book. Ask the Lord to place His hand over every aspect in producing this study, from choosing the right cover/artwork to creating the DVD's. There are a multitude of decisions involved in a project like this. Pray for everyone involved in completing this project asking the Lord to give us divine wisdom and guidance.
- Ask the Lord to continue to speak to Laurie and each of our staff members. We desire to serve the Lord in a way that pleases Him and brings glory to His name. Pray for protection over this ministry and our individual family members as we serve Him.
- Pray for women all over the country who will begin Priority Bible Studies this fall. Our heart’s desire is that these studies will encourage them to give God priority in every area of their lives.
We’d absolutely love to pray for you, too. Just email your prayer request to Stephanie Cole (Priority’s Prayer Director), and be assured of our faithful prayers and ongoing intercession on your behalf. We look forward to hearing from you!
Old Wounds
by Stephanie Cole, Administrative & Prayer Director
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Some memories are hard to erase.
I was seven years old, petite, and wearing a flowery blue summer dress. It was the middle of the church service, and all the juice I drank during Sunday school was catching up with me. I couldn’t hold it anymore and asked my mother if I could be excused to go to the bathroom. She nodded, and I was quickly on my way down the massive staircase. As I maneuvered the steps in my patent leather shoes, I couldn’t help but notice the young man sitting on the adjacent staircase watching me descend. I had a strange, uneasy feeling in my gut.
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I entered the empty bathroom, quickly found a stall, and closed the door. Despite my need to “go,” I just stood there, frozen. Seconds later, the bathroom door swung open. I glanced down to see the shoes of the newcomer and, to my horror, saw a shiny pair of boys dress shoes. The young man entered my stall and grabbed my arms. Somehow I broke free from his grasp, scrambled quickly under the next stall, and ran.
I realize how heavy God’s grace was on me that day, saving me from a more tragic experience. But I held onto this offense – this wound – for years. It pilled up in the corners of my heart, building on my growing sense of insecurity and leading me to a place of sin and emptiness. It’s amazing how an old would unhealed stings the same as a new one.
My past held me back for many years, and I can’t believe how long I allowed myself to suffer before finally surrendering my life to the Lord. There’s a difference between knowing God can change your life and seeing it unfold right before you. Now I know God’s love has the power to heal me, to make me whole, and to restore true joy and peace to my life. If you have any doubt about how the Lord feels about you, take a look at this verse I found in Isaiah:
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"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of
Israel
, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of
Egypt
, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” Isaiah 43:1-4 MSG
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I especially like what’s not included in this scripture. Nowhere in this passage does God place restrictions or conditions on his awesome love for us. No matter what happened in your past, no matter what wounds are in your heart, God will not abandon or turn away from you. He did not make any mistakes when creating you, and He desires for you to live a full life by His side.
If you’re at a crossroads today, bound by your past, but desperate for a fresh start, I invite you to pray this prayer with me:
“Father, I need you desperately today. I surrender my hurts to you. Let your Holy Spirit bind up my wounds. Cleanse my heart and mind of bitterness and fear, and help me to trust again. Take the mess I’ve made, and make something beautiful out of it. Grant me peace and courage. Fill the empty spaces in my heart with your unfailing love. Open my eyes that I may see your marvelous work in my life. Thank you for always loving me.”
In the words of Nicole Nordeman’s new song
Sunrise
, “Every shadow is evidence of sun, and every tomorrow holds out hope for us, for every one of us.”
Email Stephanie
Glo Online and Give
by Debbie Todd, Director of Stewardship & Support
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We’re so excited to announce that you can now Partner with Priority and…
Give online!!!
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Yes, we now have a secure and simple site where you can make your donation NOW, which means you don’t have to:
- Look for your checkbook.
- Look for our mailing address.
- Look for a stamp, or
- Look for time to do all of the above!
Just go to our website, click Support Priority, and follow the links to donate!
With your gift of $25 or more, you’ll receive Laurie’s CD message, “A MapQuest® Guide To God’s Will For Your Life.” Or, with your gift of $100 or more, we’ll send you a beautiful pink, faux leather One Year Bible and a cute custom journal. It’s our desire to bless you for blessing us.
Thanks in advance for considering partnering with us in this way – and you didn’t even have to look for a pen!
To make your gift as a Priority Partner, register online today!
Email Debbie
Priority Ministries is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Glo-ing in the Kitchen
by Jan Hart, Administrative Support
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Whew! Busyness reigns in my household these days and I love it! This summer, I’ve had the privilege of many visits with my children and grandchildren, and it’s been such fun. We’ve laughed, played, laughed some more, and enjoyed lots of hugs and snuggle time! Plus, you know how I love to cook, so I’ve had many chances to do just that!
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My oldest granddaughter, Caroline (age 11), is developing a real love for cooking. In fact, I have designated her as my assistant chef this summer. Caroline is quite capable with several recipes of her own, plus she really likes to “experiment.” We have had fun adventures to produce markets, seafood shops and our favorite kitchen store looking for gadgets. Needless to say, I am thrilled. I feel it is so important in this day to help our girls develop a love for taking care of home and family.
Why not try one of mine and Caroline’s favorite recipes……
SHRIMP or LOBSTER BISQUE
16 ozs. cooked shrimp or lobster meat
4 tablespoons sherry cooking wine
1 teaspoon thyme
4-6 green onions with tops, chopped
4 tablespoons butter
2-10 ¾ ounce cans condensed tomato soup*
2 soup cans measure of milk*
2-10 ¾ ounce cans cream of mushroom soup*
1 ½ cans measure of heavy cream*
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Finely chop the shrimp or lobster meat and marinate 30 minutes in 4 tablespoons of sherry cooking wine and thyme.
Saute onions in butter until soft. Add shrimp or lobster meat and cook over a low heat for 3 to 5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, combine tomato soup with milk and blend mushroom soup with cream. Combine the two soup mixtures with the shrimp or lobster sauté. Simmer over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Add additional sherry cooking wine if desired. Cool. If desired, you may mix (small batches) in blender until thick and smooth. To serve, reheat in a double boiler. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Serves 8-10. (Note: This recipe can be cut in half for fewer servings)
* To save calories, you may use fat-free half and half, low-fat milk, and low-fat soups.
Email Jan
Gotta Let Glo
| For the past three years, Lezli Busbee has faithfully, lovingly served as Priority’s Administrative Director. In answer to our prayers and at just the right time, God sent her to us. She’s paid our bills, kept our books, and she enabled us to apply for and receive non-profit status – all of which requires lots and lots of paperwork and goo-gobs of patience and expertise. But God has other plans for Lezli these days, so we gotta let her glo. |
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Lezli and her husband, Reagan, will remain on Priority’s Board of Directors, but she will be focusing now on raising her two beautiful daughters, and leading the Women’s Ministry at
Sagemont
Church
– both of which are full-time jobs. Lezli, we love you dearly and thank God for your sacrificial service to this ministry. We know you gotta glo . . . but we’re so happy you’re not glo-ing too far away!
As we close this issue of You Glo Girl!, we also want to thank you for your prayers and support for this ministry. We praise God for you, and we’re so grateful you’ve chosen to subscribe to this newsletter and keep up with Priority. And although we are a very small ministry, God has given us a very big mission – to encourage and equip women just like you to give God priority, and that’s why our primary, ongoing prayer for you – and for ourselves – is that God would always find us . . .
Loving Him most and seeking Him first,
Laurie Cole, Janet Valentine, Lezli Busbee,
Pam Henderson, Debbie Todd, Stephanie Cole,
Jan Hart, and Shanda Stiles
Priority Ministries Staff
“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.
