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

2009 has been a year of both blessing and testing for Priority, and we know that’s also been true for many of you. So in this issue of You Glo Girl!, we want to invite you to join us in a season of prayer as we commit to intercede for one another. All you gotta do is send us your prayer requests (ours are listed below), print and post our pretty Priority Scripture Art (it’s free and it’s included below), then get to praying! In seasons of blessing and testing, pray – and you’ll glo, girl!

When a Friend Suffers: 8 Dos & Don'ts
by Laurie Cole, Founder & President

Is someone you love suffering? Are any of your friends experiencing heartache, hurt, or loss? What should you say? What should you do? These are the questions I’ve been grappling with recently as I’ve watched two of my dearest friends (and Priority staff members) walk through deep, dark valleys of suffering. Graciously, the Lord reminded me of a book in the Bible that answers those very questions. If you desperately want to know what you should and shouldn’t do when a friend suffers, here are 8 dos and don’ts to help you and me.

The Old Testament Book of Job chronicles the true-life tragedy of Job, a righteous man who suffered enormous loss and tremendous pain. As he suffered, a small band of his friends gathered around him. Job poured out his pain to them. He vented. He even questioned his Maker aloud. Then Job’s friends responded – and it wasn’t pretty. The dialogue between Job and his friends is brutal. Instead of helping, Job’s friends hurt him.

Unfortunately, it’s very easy to do what Job’s friends did. I know because (I’m ashamed to say) I’ve done it. I’ve offered platitudes without patiently listening. I’ve relayed empty answers without ever being asked a single question. And although I may not have said it aloud, I’ve often thought as I’ve watched others suffer, “You’re probably reaping what you’ve sown.” At times I’ve been just as insensitive as Job’s friends were. Have you?

So, what should we do when a friend suffers? Let’s let Job answer that question himself by looking at 8 dos and don’ts from the Book of Job.

When a friend suffers, do:

Go to them; be there for them. Job 2:11
Weep with them; share their grief. Job 2:12
Let your words be few. Job 2:13
Listen as they grieve and even vent. Job 6:5, 7:11
Be kind. Job 6:14
Be understanding; even the strongest Christian may question God when suffering. Job 10:1-2
Speak words that comfort. Job 16:5
Be merciful. Job 19:21

When a friend suffers, don't:

Question their faith. Job 6:5-6
Assume or accuse them of sin. Job 5:3- 7
Offer unsolicited advice. Job 5:8
Be afraid and avoid them. Job 6:21-23
Be critical. Job 6:14
Shame them. Job 11:2-6, 15:2-6
Preach to them. Job 18 & 20
Offer simple solutions to explain or relieve their suffering. Job 22:21

Several years ago, I experienced a season of suffering. The Lord sent a tiny handful women – some of whom I barely knew at the time – to minister to me. They came. They listened. They prayed and didn’t preach. As a result, God not only used them to ease my suffering but to begin the healing process within me. And that’s how I want Him to use me to minister to my hurting friends. Don’t you?

Which brings me to one final and very important thing you can do when a friend suffers: pray. Pray for your friend. Pray for their family. Pray for their circumstances. But as you pray, listen. Hearing and heeding the still, small voice of the Lord is the key that will unleash His divine power to help you help them.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2

Your sister in prayer,

P.S. Join me in this season of prayer by praying for my beloved friends and Priority staff members, Debbie and Janet (see details below). I look forward to receiving your prayer requests and to praying for you, dear sister, too.

Email Laurie

Priority Passage of the Month

Busy? Lots of us are. All the more reason that we read and heed these words of Christ:

As you juggle your endless, daily to-do list, give God and His Word priority – it’s a huge mistake not to.

Priority Prayer Points

As we enter into a season of prayer, these are the specific requests we invite you to intercede with us about:

1. Pray for Debbie Todd, Priority’s Director of Stewardship & Support, her husband, Bill, and their children, Brittney and Brett. Bill was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. They will be meeting with doctors at M.D. Anderson soon. Pray that God’s supernatural power and grace will bring healing, strength, hope, encouragement, wisdom, and peace to this godly family

Bill & Debbie Todd

2. Pray for Janet Valentine, Priority’s Director of Marketing & Events. As many of you know, last year she was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia (myelofibrosis). Janet just started her second clinical trial of a new drug treatment. We are thrilled to report that Janet is feeling well and that she does not have to take steroids with this treatment. But please continue to pray for healing and specifically that her white blood counts will improve. For more info, click here to see Janet’s caringbridge website.

3. Pray for Laurie as she writes a new Bible study. Ask the Lord to enable her to guard and use her time wisely, and pray especially that the Holy Spirit will guide and teach her as she studies and writes.

What about you? How can we pray for you in this season of prayer? Please email your specific prayer requests to Nancy Campbell, Priority’s Prayer Director, and we promise to faithfully and confidentially pray for you. Blessings to you!

Email Nancy now.

Nancy Campbell,
Prayer Director

Free! Season of Prayer Scripture Art

Priority’s gifted glo girl, Pam Henderson (Production & Resources Director), has created something very pretty and practical to help all of us remember to pray for one another. It’s a beautiful Scripture Art print for you to post to your ‘fridge, etc., or to place beside your quiet time chair.

Download your free print now to join us as we begin this glorious season of prayer!

Jots from Janet
Janet Valentine by Janet Valentine, Director of Marketing & Events

Summer has flown by! It is so hard to imagine that fall is just around the corner. My calendar hasn’t been filled with Priority events but, nonetheless, it’s been full with grandkids (yes, I have pictures) and visits with and from many friends.

Me (Nana) with Jackson .

Me with Avery.

Many of you have inquired about my health, and I’m so appreciative of your interest and continued prayers. During the last 19 months since my diagnosis (myelofibrosis which is a rare form of leukemia), the two words that best describe my emotions would probably be “roller coaster.” It may sound unspiritual, but it’s true.

My faith has been stronger and yet weaker in never ceasing cycles much like those screaming rides we used to consider fun. I have experienced faith, denial, fear, anger, depression, pain, loneliness, being misunderstood, fighting for some kind of control, and I’ve hosted several pity parties that no one attended – and I even made good food!

God has never left me, although at times He seemed so silent and distant. I have questioned, “Why?” and yet I know and believe that in His sovereignty He owes me no explanation. Through all of the ups and downs, He has remained faithful and full of grace.

Recently, God revealed Himself in such an unmistakable way that I just have to give Him glory!

Since becoming a patient at MD Anderson Cancer Center here in Houston , I have had several treatment plans – none of which have produced any marked improvement. My last clinical trial ended on May 14 after 9 months of painful side effects. I was thrilled that it was over but disappointed and confused that there weren’t better results. I know now that I was also disheartened and afraid. After all, so many people were praying. Why had God not answered?

I was to begin the next clinical trial 2 weeks later... which turned into 2+ months. But during that time without the chemo drug in my system, I began to feel better. In fact, I felt so much better that I even considered telling the doctor that I wasn’t going forward with any more treatment.

On Thursday, July 23, I was finally contacted to begin the new clinical trial – my third treatment. I was willing and fearful but also hopeful.

Then Gods’ plan began to unfold…

July 23 commenced exactly like so many other days I’ve spent at MD Anderson with a blood draw and vitals, lunch in the cafeteria, waiting for the doctor appointment, and finally meeting with the doctors to hear the test results. When my name was called to go and meet with the doctors, the results they gave me were staggering. In the 9 short weeks I had been off the chemo, all of my blood counts had dropped dramatically. It was the biggest single drop to date. And because my counts were so low, my doctors told me that I no longer qualified to fill one of the slots on the clinical trial I had been dreading. I became desperate.

The medical staff said I could do nothing to raise my numbers. In my desperation, I turned to the only One who was able to turn my numbers around quickly enough for me to still qualify for the clinical trial: My Heavenly Father. The same One who was silently waiting for me to surrender completely.

I enlisted the prayers of everyone I knew and everyone they knew. Prayer warriors flooded heavens gates with the plea for help! Then, on Saturday afternoon, a peace fell over me that defied all understanding as I totally gave God my future – whatever that meant.

Now, I realize that Scripture says God speaks in a still, small voice. However, on Tuesday, July 29, when I went for my next appointment at MD Anderson (and only 5 short days since my last one) my Lord and Savior – Creator of heaven and earth, lover of my soul, and ultimate provider of all my needs – showed up, showed off, and shouted! My numbers were not only up enough to start the chemo, they had made the largest jump ever since my diagnosis 19 months ago!

God’s ways are a mystery, but He is ultimately wise in all things.

Are my emotions and resolve still volatile? Well, just ask my husband. Yes. Am I still fearful of this mystery ahead? Yes, but I believe I have crossed through a valley that will, hopefully, take me forward in this journey.

My precious friends, Debbie and Bill Todd, are now entering this same portal of health challenges with Bill’s recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Will you please pray for all of us as we turn our eyes upward? And know this: even when we don’t understand, we still believe that God is able.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

Email Janet

Glo-ing at Home
by Jan Hart, Administrative Support

Since I last visited with you, I’ve had some great times at the beach. Each trip was totally different, but equally enjoyable and relaxing. One of the most fun times was a spur-of-the-moment trip – no firm plans, just threw some things in the car and went. Yippee! Sound good to you? Then enjoy some last-minute, spur-of-the-moment fun with your family and friends by using these quick, easy ideas and recipes inspired by my recent road trip.

Here’s a thought – why not pack a summer-time fun bag complete with towels, sunscreen and a few other essentials; then you can just grab it and head for water!! And to make your trip even more fun, why not try these new products:

A wonderful new canvas bag – The Saltwater Canvas Whale – that sports pockets galore and even a mesh fabric around the bag that allows sand to fall through before you load it in the car. You can find it at saltwatercanvas.com.

Try Dr. T’s Supergoop SPF 30 Deet-Free Bug Repellent spray that will keep you burn and bite free. It is organic and completely safe. Check it out at supergoop.com.

Hearthsong.com offers wonderful beach toys for all ages. Take a look at the fun sand toys that takes sandcastles to a new level. These are not only great toys for kids, but mom and dad will love it as well.

And last but surely not least, you will need some quick and easy snacks. Here are a few ideas:

Cheese sticks
Fruit (melons and cantaloupe) or fruit kebobs
Nuts with dried fruit
Pita chips
Lemon Blossoms (recipe below)

With crazy schedules and limited time these days, I am really in to quick and easy. This month's recipe fits that criteria and is sure to please friends of all ages. (Bet you can’t eat just one!!)

Click on the recipe below to print!

Gotta Glo

We gotta glo for now, but as we do please know that we’re praying for you. And we’re thanking the Lord for your support and interest in Priority. We count it a privilege to have you as a subscriber to this newsletter, so thank you soooo much!

Prayer. It’s a powerful thing. That’s why we hope you’ll join us right this minute as we partner together for a season of prayer. The Lord is listening. Let’s fill His ears and the halls of heaven with our praise, prayers, and petitions. Then let’s watch and wait in faith for His response. Until we visit your inbox next month, let’s pray and (as always) let’s 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.

What a beautiful reminder to give God priority! Purchase one for yourself, for your friends, or get one free with your $50 purchase from our online store.

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