Priority Ministries | Encouraging Women to Give God Priority | GloGirl | Volume 6.2, February 2009

Are you a Wonder Woman wannabe? Find out in this month’s issue of You Glo Girl! You’ll also find practical encouragement to glo (glorify God), the latest on Laurie and Priority Ministries, some fun Valentine pics, a delicioso Valentine dessert – we’ve even got some great gift ideas for you. It’s February – the month of LOVE – and we’re thinking you’re going to LOVE this issue of You Glo Girl!

Glo-ing and Growing: Are You a Wonder Woman Wannabe?

by Laurie Cole, Founder & President

Are you a Wonder Woman wannabe – a WWW? A woman who sees a problem then, faster than a speeding bullet, swoops into action-figure mode to save the day? Lots of us are WWWs, and this month I received a hilarious note from my sister-in-law, Cyndi, who openly admits to being a huge WWW. Cyndi’s note is a must-read for all of us WWWs, so prepare to laugh and to learn as she shares how the Lord is encouraging her to glo and grow in spite of her WWW tendencies.

Cyndi & Laurie

OK, Laurie, you asked for what God is trying to teach me this year, well here goes:

Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 NIV

As I watched the plane crash on the Hudson River in New York last month, I thought to myself “Holy moly, I'm glad I don't ever fly over water!” The news reporter said that all of the passengers were calm and listened to the flight crew. I thought, “I bet they were sure still and knowing who was God.” Then God slapped me (you know what I mean), and reminded me about all the times I’ve been on planes experiencing turbulence, lightening, etc. Never once have I gotten up and told the pilot or flight crew how to do things or fix the problem. That’s when God asked me, “So then why do you think you have to fly your own “life plane?”

I confess. I am a "fixer.” In my mind I am a cross between Wonder Woman and Handy Manny. When something doesn't go as I think it should, I go into Wonder Woman mode. I put on my wristbands, twirl around, and off I go to fix whatever or whoever needs fixing. When my “life plane” hits turbulence, I charge up the aisle, open the cockpit door, and announce, "Hey, do you know it's bouncing back there?" Then I hang over Pilot God’s shoulder and tell him, “Try hitting that button. Fly a little higher. Slow down. Speed up.” I’ve even been known to shove God out of the pilot’s seat, take the wheel, and say, “Move, I’ll do it myself.”

Then I take over the plane, dodge geese, become blinded by cloud cover... and slam into a mountain. Yet all the while, I could have been sitting in First Class, enjoying the ride, hearing God say, “Cyndi, be still and know I am God. I can take care of nations. I can take care of the earth. I can take care of you, too. Just be still, listen, and know I am God.”

So my dear sister-in-law and trusted friend, this year God is teaching me to put away my wrist bands, take off my headband, hush, and sit still in my seat. In 2009, I am trying my very best to let my heavenly Father take me where His flight plan says to go. I will then be able to reach my destination, poof out my hair, rejoice that I don't have any more stress wrinkles . . . and look mah-ve-lous as I glo and grow in Him.

Wasn’t that wonderful?! Don’t you wish you had a sister-in-law like Cyndi? I adore her, and I’m so grateful for her transparent testimony about what the Lord is doing in her life. And let’s be honest. We all struggle with trying to be WWWs. Every single day we are tempted to take charge of our lives (and anybody else’s life who will let us). Being still and knowing that He is God does not come naturally – but it can come supernaturally as we practice Psalm 46:10.

So, will you join me and Cyndi by committing to drop the WWW act? Will you confess to God your tendency to push Him out of the pilot’s seat and take over your “life plane?” Will you ask Him to supernaturally enable you to “be still and know that He is God” the next time you’re tempted to jump into WWW mode? That’s what Cyndi is doing. That’s what I’m doing. I don’t know about you, but that whole WWW costume and cape never fit me very well anyway.

Your sister,

Email Laurie

Priority Passage of the Month

On Valentine’s Day and every day, here’s your priority for all of the people in your life and the reason why:

Love Notes

You’ve heard the saying, “Behind every great man is a great woman.” Well here at Priority, the opposite is true: “Behind every great woman is a great man.” And to prove it, we’re honoring our husbands this month by sharing their pictures and a little something about why we love them so much. Please meet the loving, supportive men behind the women of Priority Ministries:


Bill & Laurie Cole The thing I admire most about Bill is his integrity. He's real ... and his love is, too.	Lee & Janet Valentine When your last name IS Valentine, February 14 is a very special day! My husband, Lee and I have been married 32 years this April. He is very tender hearted and generous; and he spoils me rotten - I like that in a man!
Bill & Debbie Todd What I love most about Bill is that he makes me feel secure in many areas of my life. He is strong, yet tender!! He is a leader but still wants to know what I think. I feel honored and loved by him.	Joe & Pam Henderson What I admire most in my sweetheart, Joe, is his wise, unpretentious, and kind character; and he still has a sparkle in his eye for me!
Morgan & Shanda Stiles One thing I love and admire about Morgan is that he is the ultimate Mr.-Fix-It. He can fix, remodel, or build just about anything! And he's great at picking out just the right gift.	David & Stephanie Cole What I love about David (which is obvious from this picture) is his sense of humor. It keeps me on my toes!
Richard & Jan Hart The one thing I admire most about my sweetheart of 43 years, Richard, is the unconditional love and support he shows me day after day.	Lance & Courtney Hays What I admire most about Lance is his outgoing, fun loving, spontaneous personality.

Jots from Janet
Janet Valentine by Janet Valentine, Executive Director

This year Laurie and I began our travel schedule with a trip to New Orleans , LA. Cornerstone Community Church of Marrero, LA was the host church, but the event was held at White Dove Fellowship in Harvey , LA. There were many other churches represented, and may I just say that God started off our year of retreats and conferences with a blessed bang! We met 300+ women who really took praise and worship to the next level. Just take a look.


The women of Cornerstone Community Church	The praise and worship train

We are thrilled to welcome 4 new Priority Partners and 140 new You Glo Girl! subscribers this month! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with our precious Louisiana sisters and felt the freedom of the Holy Spirit as He moved and changed the hearts of women through the truths they embraced from Laurie’s Beauty by The Book teaching.

Laurie teaches Beauty by The Book

The Cornerstone/White Dove Women’s Conference was led by Linda Hudson, Frances Autry, Elaine Mille’, and Melissa Marks. None of these women had their spiritual thirst quenched by Hurricane Katrina but instead were living, breathing, demonstrations of God’s power and love. What a privilege it was to fellowship and co-labor with them!

Last Friday evening we joined Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for a very fun-filled Girls Night Out. These girls really know how to have a good time! But it was more than apparent that their hearts were receptive to the truth-filled teaching of Beauty by The Book. We met many new friends, and several groups and women who came from nearby churches (here’s a shout-out to our girlfriends at Clear Lake Presbyterian and Nassau Bay Baptist) because they are currently doing the Beauty by The Book Bible study. Laurie was humbled to sign many of these workbooks purchased by women committed to studying the standards of biblical beauty from Proverbs.

On another note, thanks to all of you who contacted me following my article in last month’s You Glo Girl! I appreciate your prayers so much. And I want you to know that He is answering them and encouraging me through them.

Even today I was encouraged through a sermon from Nehemiah 6. Nehemiah was called to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem . The job took many years and Nehemiah met with repeated attempts from others to discontinue His mission. He was presented with distractions, discouragement and finally deception to keep him off balance.

In verses 3 and 9 of Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah answered those who opposed and distracted him with these words: “I am doing a great work and I can’t come.” Finally, they approached him with threats and lies, but rather than listening and becoming discouraged, Nehemiah prayed, “Now strengthen my hands for the work that remains.” I was filled with encouragement as I heard these truths.

You see, I believe God called me to serve through Priority Ministries. And as I travel with Laurie to her scheduled events, I believe my health and present circumstances may become issues. But I am praying and trusting that God will strengthen me for the work that remains. Bless you and thank you for your continued prayers for me as I continue to serve Him.

Email Janet

Glo Girl Notes & Quotes

We love hearing from you! May these notes and quotes from a few of your recent emails bless and encourage you to glo, girl!

“One way I am glo-ing and growing is by offering my services to cook for any family going through mourning. I have already cooked for one family twice (and took them Christmas gifts). I’m now going to prepare a meal for a woman (whose) husband died last week. This woman is all alone, and I am praying that a home-cooked meal will show her the love of Jesus and encourage her in God’s love for her. My husband is going with me to deliver the meal, and since she mentioned she has two porch lights out and her address is hard to see, he is going to replace those light bulbs for her.We are so blessed serving Jesus, our Savior and (others).” -- Mary A.

“A few weeks ago, just into the New Year after listening to a radio broadcast I heard a word from God. What I began to ponder was IF God is really in control of my entire life, and IF I truly trust Him, how does that change my life? After I came up with a few thoughts, I knew that I did not want to reflect on that question any more. The list of things that need to change in my life was too long. (But) God has once again used you and You Glo Girl! to minister to my heart. You didn’t know that God has been waiting for me to be obedient to Him yet you are a part of what He is doing. This is how God is growing me and encouraging me in 2009: He is putting people in my path and emails in my box to remind me to, ‘Be still and know that He is God’ (Psalm 46:10).”
-- Janice W.

Finally, here’s a note from one of our beloved California girlfriends:

“Your newsletter got me to thinking. I know God is working in my heart in a lot of ways, but I am going to try to pay more attention and seek after Him with my whole heart not just half. The verses you quoted, Matthew 22:37 and 1 John 5:21, really spoke to me. I get side-tracked way too often doing things that I think are “godly” when I’m not really doing it for His glory. I so appreciate your ministry.” -- Sandy S.

Thanks Mary, Janice, Sandy, and all of you precious sisters who wrote last month. Keep those emails coming. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Priority Prayer Points

We covet your prayers for Priority. Please take a moment to read and intercede for the following prayer needs. Bless you!

Pray for women all across the country who are partipating in Priority Bible Studies this month. Ask God to transform their lives through His Word.
Pray for Janet Valentine as she continues chemo treatments for myelofibrosis.
Pray for Priority as we continue seeking God's leadership to secure office space.

How can we pray for you? Email your request to Stephanie, our Prayer Director, and we promise to pray for you, too.

Email your prayer request to Stephanie

Glo-ing at Home
by Jan Hart, Administrative Support

This month has to be at the top of everyone’s “fave” list – it’s all about showing our love to the special people in our lives AND chocolate! My February recipe is perfect for this occasion, so I hope you’ll check it out.

Plus, I’ve got some Valentine gift ideas for you and your kids, coupons you’re going to love, and the secret to buying the freshest bread on your supermarket shelf.

Click on the recipe below to print!

Need an easy and inexpensive gift for Valentine’s Day? You can download and print Valentine coupons – too cute!!

Are your children wanting give something to the special people they love? Then check out these websites for some fun and creative crafts.

Valentine's Day Card

Valentine's Day Vase

Finally, when you buy bread, do you generally “squeeze” to find the freshest loaf? Well then, let me let you in on a little secret to buying the freshest loaf on the shelf. Since bread is delivered to stores five days a week, each day has a different color twist tie:

Monday – Blue
Tuesday – Green
Thursday – Red
Friday – White
Saturday – Yellow

So if today was Thursday, you would want a red twist tie; not white which is Friday (almost a week old)! Here’s to celebrating Valentine’s, enjoying some chocolate, buying the freshest bread, and glo-ing at home, girls! See you next month.

Gotta Glo

We gotta glo for now but before we do, here’s a Valentine prayer from us to you:

May “your roots grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to fully understand.
Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT

Every time you see a Valentine heart this month, remember: We love you, but God loves you more! Think about that, and you’re gonna glo, girl!

Loving Him most, seeking Him first,

Your sisters at Priority,

Laurie Cole, Janet Valentine, Courtney Hays,
Pam Henderson, Shanda Stiles, Jan Hart,
Debbie Todd, and Stephanie Cole
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.