<written by Priority Ministries staff>

Good news!   Laurie’s schedule has been gloriously full so far this year.  Actually, overflowing is a better word.  She has travelled and spoken at retreats and other events all over Texas while also putting the final touches on a brand new home. The bad news is that she is under the weather with the “bug” that’s going around town and, unfortunately, did not write an article this month.

However, this newsletter is all about glo-ing (glorifying God) and in the midst of all of the good and the bad, Laurie is thinking of you, praying for you, and sends her love to each and every one of you glo-girls.  She sends an extra-special welcome to all of our brand-new You Glo Girl! subscribers!  You are a blessing to this ministry and we hope this newsletter will bless you each month by encouraging you to give God glory and priority.

Stay tuned next month for pictures from all the events where Laurie has spoken this year.  You won’t want to miss it because your picture might be one of them!

Email Laurie

Cinderella's Shadow
by Emily Ryan, Executive Editor 

During our most recent trip to Disney World, one of the events I most anticipated was a late-night dinner in Cinderella’s beautiful castle. Being a few months pregnant and unable to enjoy most of the rides in the parks, I knew the castle visit would be the highlight of my trip.

Since we’d be taking a lot of pictures that evening, I tried to dress a little nicer for dinner than I had during the day. After all, it’s not every day that you get to rub shoulders with princesses and dine in a castle, so I didn’t want to look as if I’d been walking around in the September heat all day.

The big moment came and it was everything I imagined it would be. The inside of the castle was breathtaking, and Cinderella herself talked and took photos with us while we waited to be seated. She commented about our long “carriage ride” from Texas and shared home-decorating tips from her elaborate castle (apparently, it’s all about having pet mice to help with the work!). Then I watched as she doted over my two “little princes” and taught another little girl how to properly twirl and curtsey.

Later, as we ate our supper just as the fireworks show lit up the sky outside the widows of the castle, I knew that nothing could spoil this magical evening.

I was wrong.

As we left, our waitress gave us a commemorative folder that held the pictures we’d taken with Cinderella earlier that night, and the minute I looked at the photos, my magical evening disappeared into a puff of ugly reality almost as if the clock had just struck midnight.

Next to Cinderella, I looked like an ugly step sister! While she stood tall and thin, with a beautiful ball gown and perfect hair, I was short and round, with swollen ankles, wrinkled clothes, and hair that had succumbed to the Florida humidity. Her skin was flawless, her smile inviting, and even her gloved hands looked as if they had been professionally positioned for every shot. Meanwhile, my face was red and splotchy from several days in the sun, my mismatched mommy-bag hung awkwardly across my giant middle, and my “glass slippers” were my ugly brown Crocs.

Before I saw myself in Cinderella’s shadow, I had been pretty confident of my appearance. I knew I wasn’t “princess material,” but at least I felt passable.  But when I stood next to true beauty (albeit Disney magic beauty), I saw myself for what I really looked like – a tired mommy in desperate need of a fairy godmother!

Sometimes we can get caught up in how we look spiritually as opposed to those who are not as mature in their faiths, and we can become pretty confident in our own righteous appearance. But the Bible says that our righteousness is like “filthy rags,” and that’s a truth we sometimes forget when we compare ourselves to others. Perhaps we tithe more than our neighbors, read our Bibles more than our coworkers, or volunteer more than some of our friends. On the surface, we feel great! We may even go so far as to metaphorically pat ourselves on the back and congratulate ourselves on how “holy” we have become.

But the day will come when we stand next to the One who truly is holy, and that’s when our own righteousness will be revealed for what it truly is. Filth. Dirt. Rags. Sin. Next to Christ, we are nothing but worn-out tourists standing next to a flawless Cinderella. There is no comparison.

Thankfully, all hope is not lost. When Jesus died on the cross, He exchanged His own royal robes of righteousness for our filthy rags of sin. And when we accept that marvelous display of love, our filthiness disappears, and we become the righteousness of Christ! No fairy godmother needed!

Emily

Click here to email Emily

Here's where Laurie will be going and glo-ing soon.  Please pray.  Thanks!

Get ready to grow and glo at Priority Ministries’ first annual Glo Girl Conference! This two-day event combines dynamic teaching with moving music for an inspirational weekend of spiritual growth designed specifically for women and teens ages 13 and up.

Conference speakers include Priority Ministries’ own Laurie Cole and Jan Silvious, author of Big Girls Don't Whine. Topics will include "Growing Up: Becoming a Real Disciple" and "Growing Up: Becoming a Big Girl." Music will be provided by Bill Cole and the Sagemont Praise Team, with special music by Lisa Pierre.

The conference will be held at Sagemont Church in Houston, Texas, on Friday evening, Sept. 23, and Saturday morning, Sept. 24. Mark your calendars now and watch for registration information in next month's You Glo Girl!

Partners Wanted

Over the past several months, so many of you have blessed us with your one-time financial gift to help us reach our goals for Beauty by the Book for Teens.  We are so thankful for those gifts and know that God will continue to provide in His perfect timing. But right now we also have a need for more Partners who will help support our ministry on an ongoing, monthly basis. Did you know that you can become a regular Partner by donating as little as $10 per month? Plus, you’ll be among the first to know about ministry updates and information through our exclusive Partners and Friends newsletter. If you have any questions at all about becoming a Priority Partner, or if you would like to make a one-time contribution, contact Priority’s Director of Partners and Marketing, Mary Burnett, today!

Priority Ministries is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization. All gifts received are tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

Priority Prayer Points
by Nancy Campbell, Prayer Director

	Continue to pray for the remaining funds for Beauty by the Book for Teens. And pray for us as we finalize printing options and requirements. Continue to pray for the behind-the-scenes preparations for the Glo Girl Conference in September. Pray for Priority’s Executive Editor, Emily, and her husband, Jason, as they plan to welcome their new daughter into the world this week!
Can we pray for you too? Email Nancy Campbell, Priority’s Prayer Director, with your prayer requests. Email your request to Nancy

Gotta Glo

Gotta glo for now!

Your Priority sisters,

Laurie Cole, Pam Henderson, Shanda Stiles, Jan Hart,
Stephanie Cole, Nancy Campbell, Emily Ryan, and Mary Burnett
Priority Ministries Staff