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

The leaves are beginning to glo – they’re glorifying God with the colors of fall! As you notice the autumn leaves changing, glo with them – thank God for the change He’s made in your heart and life. That’s right, you glo girl!

Becoming a Leader After God's Heart
by Laurie Cole, Founder & President

You are a leader. John Maxwell, author and expert on leadership, says, “Leadership is influence,” and because your life influences others – your family, friends, co-workers, etc. – you’re a leader. Want to be a good one? Then let me give you five characteristics of godly leadership from David’s life to help you become a leader after God’s own heart:

5 Characteristics of Godly Leadership

1) A leader after God’s own heart: Develops an intimate relationship with God. Long before David ever led others, he led sheep – not a prestigious job. But during those days before becoming a powerful, well-known king, David cultivated a close relationship with God. The evidence of this intimacy is found in a Psalm he wrote when he was a young shepherd:

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man
that you care for him? …O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
Psalm 8:3-9 NIV

Become a leader after God’s own heart by giving your relationship with God priority.

2) A leader after God’s own heart: Is submissive to those in authority over them. As a young man, David was submissive to his father, Jesse, and throughout his years of service to King Saul, David was submissive to him. Even when Saul’s jealousy drove him to destroy David, David continued to treat Saul with respect. In fact, Saul himself told David:

“‘You are more righteous than I,’ [Saul] said. ‘You have treated me well,
but I have treated you badly.’” 1 Samuel 24:17 NIV

Become a leader after God’s own heart by demonstrating submission and respect to those in authority over you.

3) A leader after God’s own heart: Will be criticized by others, but will not retaliate. David always had his critics. One was a man named Shimei who publicly criticized and cursed David. This caused one of David’s men to request permission to retaliate and kill Shimei, but look how David responded:

“‘Leave him alone; let him curse… It may be that the LORD will see
my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am
receiving today.” 2 Samuel 16:11-12

Become a leader after God’s own heart by refusing to criticize those who criticize you.

4) A leader after God’s own heart: Leads in their own unique way. Just before David’s battle with Goliath, Saul took his own sword, armor and helmet and clothed David with them. But David said, “I cannot go in these.” The rest is history:

“David triumphed over the Philistine [Goliath] with a sling and a stone;
without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine
and killed him.” 1 Samuel 17:50 NIV

Become a leader after God’s own heart by leading in your own unique way.

5) A leader after God’s own heart: Succeeds because the Lord is with them. As a leader and warrior, David experienced great personal success as well as innumerable victories in battle. Yes, he was a disciplined leader and a well-prepared warrior, but the primary reason for David’s success is stated in 1 Samuel:

“In everything [David] did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.”
1 Samuel 18:14

Become a leader after God’s own heart by recognizing your success is because the Lord is with you.

God has given you a flock – maybe it’s your children, your friends, your employees, or maybe He’s called you to a place of service in your church. Right now, take the first step that will lead you to lead others. Bow your head. Commit to give God priority in your life – to love Him most and seek Him first. Follow David’s lead, girl, and you’ll become a leader after God’s own heart.

Email Laurie

Priority Passage of the

What’s the most important message of the Bible, and what should we do with it? Here’s the answer to both of those questions:

“I [Paul] passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NLT

Give the most important message of all – the gospel of Jesus Christ – priority by doing what Paul did: share it with someone else. Aren’t you glad someone shared it with you?!

Surfin' with Shanda
by Shanda Stiles, IT Director

Submit your favorite site and you could win free Priority resources!

Have you ever had trouble remembering where to find that one particular verse in your Bible? You thumb through the concordance, look for all your highlights, and even ask your friend, but you just can’t find that one certain verse. Well, 3 of your fellow You Glo Girl! readers, Norma Thomas (Amarillo, TX), Cindy Estes (Orlando, FL), and Hollie Waitkueit (Simi Valley, CA) – this month’s Surfin’ With Shanda winners – sent me links to some websites that can help you out!

Biblegateway.com, Blueletterbible.com, and Searchgodsword.com are websites that offer great tools for searching and studying God’s word online. You can enter a Word or phrase, select a translation, and these sites will give you a list of references. Biblegateway.com and Searchgodsword.com even offer an audio version. You can turn up your speakers and listen to the Word out loud!

Our winners, Norma, Cindy and Hollie, will all receive a free copy of Laurie’s 3-CD set We Have a Latte in Common. Submit your practical, uplifting, or interesting favorite sites to me at Shanda@priorityministries.com, and if it shows up in my column next month, you’ll receive free Laurie's 3-CD teaching series, Who is Grace? And How Do I Find Her?

Submit your favorite website now!

Priority Products
by Pam Henderson, Production & Resources Director

Order now!

I love the fall season with its moderate temperatures and the transition it brings to winter’s more peaceful pace. It’s a time of reconnecting with dear friends, perhaps, through the new school year or in a weekly Bible study. Laurie’s 3-CD series, We Have a Latté in Common—Celebrating the Fine Blend of Friendships seems wonderfully suited for this time of year.

In Session 1 of this series, you’ll discover The Four Essentials of Enduring Friendship. In Session 2 you’ll learn all about Godsends: The Special Friends God Sends. And Session 3 highlights the Traits of True Friendship. It’s a heart-warming study I know you’ll enjoy, especially when shared with friends and a pot of good coffee!

You’ll find this series when you visit our online store. Or call us toll-free at 1-866-YOUGLOGIRL (1-866-968-4564) to order by phone. Your purchases support the mission of Priority Ministries: to encourage and equip women to love God most and seek Him first. May the Lord bless your study time with Him . . . and sweeten your friendships, too!

Browse a minute in Priority’s online store.

Journey With Janet & Laurie
by Janet Valentine, Executive Director

Yellow school buses are running the streets, and little ones leave each morning freshly groomed with their backpacks. I remember fondly those “first days” of the school year, don’t you? There is nothing quite as exciting and hopeful as brand new notebooks and freshly sharpened pencils. It’s with that same excitement that I share with you a brand new “first day” experience for Priority Ministries.

On September 11 and continuing through October 23, Laurie is piloting her newest Bible study, Beauty by The Book. This 7-week study is based on the 5 women found in the Proverbs, and it’s challenging us with some very pointed and practical application. We are learning how we can become biblically beautiful women. Over 200 women are enthusiastically gathering each Tuesday night at Sagemont Church in Houston . Many of them come straight from work – now that’s dedication! They begin the evening with supper, and as Laurie appropriately said last week, “If you feed them, they will come!”

Take a look at some of the candid shots from our Beauty by The Book pilot study so far:


Laurie is teaching this study live each week.	If you feed them, they will come! Here's what Bible study dinnertime looks like. Yum!	Katia Banfield and Pat Godwin are two of the fantastic leaders who are coordinating this study at Sagemont.


Small group sessions are held each week prior to Laurie's teaching. Here's a pic of Kathy Perry and her great group.	And here's another pic of Vanessa Byerly and her wonderful women.

If you live in the Houston area, and would like to join us, it’s not too late Contact Katia Banfield at 281-482-8516 or katiabanfield@yahoo.com. Or you can email me – I’ll give you the details. We are having a wonderful time! This study is an absolute must for women of all ages and God willing, we’ll have it ready for you and your group next summer. After all, God wants all of His girls to be biblical beauties!

Email Janet

Go-ing and Glo-ing

This month, Laurie and Janet are going and glo-ing to Weatherford , Texas where Laurie will be teaching two sessions from Beauty by The Book, her newest Bible study. Glo with them in the Spirit (by praying for them) or in person (by emailing the contact person and making your reservation to attend). Come and glo!

Oct. 6

Women's Luncheon
Northside Baptist Church, Weatherford, TX
Contact Joy McKay

Read & Intercede

We are so thankful for your continued prayers on behalf of this ministry, and we would be honored for you to remember us again this month in your daily time with God. Check out our October Prayer Points and stand with us in faith as we watch the Lord answer.

October Prayer Points

Please pray for provision as we move toward the production phase of our new Bible study, Beauty by The Book. We are asking the Lord to provide the $40,000 needed to produce and print workbooks, to videotape, edit and produce the companion DVD and CD teaching sets, and leader guides
Continue to pray for us as we complete the pilot study for Beauty by The Book at our home church, Sagemont Church in Houston . Pray that the Lord will equip Laurie as she teaches each Tuesday night and that we will receive helpful feedback from the participants. Pray for wisdom for Laurie and Pam as they begin to make the final edits to this study.
Pray for Laurie and Janet as they travel to Northside Baptist Church in Weatherford , TX to speak at their fall luncheon. Pray that God’s Word will be embraced as Laurie presents the dos and don’ts of biblical beauty.

We want to pray for you, too! Please let us know what your needs are by emailing your prayer request to Stephanie Cole (Priority's Prayer Director). We would be honored to pray for you in your time of need. We look forward to hearing from you!

Send us your prayer request.

Don't Feed the Animals
by Stephanie Cole, Administrative & Prayer Director

The past few months at my house have been a wildlife bonanza. There have been opossums and armadillos teasing the dogs, raccoons trapped in the garage, wasps in the chimney, a skunk in the front yard and a mouse vacationing in my pantry. It's enough to make a girl want to pull her hair out! But I’ve learned some really valuable lessons while wrangling these creatures that I want share with you.

Lesson 1: It's never too soon to call a professional. I can tell you from experience that one wasp can turn into hundreds before you know it and at that point, a can of bug spray just won't do the job. You need help!

Lesson 2: An open bag of dog food is an open invitation. Raccoons love to party and apparently they love dog food, too. We have accidentally trapped our neighborhood raccoon in our garage several times now, and getting it out has required several brooms and quick feet.

Lesson 3: It takes a Big Girl to catch a mouse. Last week I had a pantry crisis unlike any other – there was a mouse in there jumping around boxes of cake mix and crackers. I was struck with mental images of the National Geographic specials I’d seen on rats where they’re literally pouring out of buildings and swarming everywhere. And for some reason, I imagined this little rodent was out the get me. My husband was in a meeting, so I called my blessed mother-in-law, Laurie, for some advice. “Baby, you're gonna have to be a big girl,” she said. “Just pretend it's a hamster.” And so I did. I captured the mouse with some Tupperware, and after a brief show-and-tell with my two-year-old, I released him outside into the company of the other critters.

Yes, these are valuable lessons in life, but I believe God speaks to us through even the simplest occurrences in our lives. So allow me to share some of the spiritual parallels and lessons I’ve learned through my recent wildlife adventures:

Lesson 1: It's never too soon to call on God. In Psalms 34:5, David proclaims, “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” Self-help books will only get you so far. Lean on God's holy Word, and run to Him as soon as trouble appears.

Lesson 2: Be careful how you allow yourself to be exposed to the world. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” It's much easier to keep your heart clean than to deal with the messes later.

Lesson 3: Big Girls deal with it. We cannot foresee all of the circumstances that will come our way, and there are some things that no one can bail you out of. In times like these, remember, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13 ).

I hope God has reminded you today how He uses everyday moments in our lives to show us His purpose and plan. Are you seeing His hand in your daily life? Do you want to? Then pray this prayer with me:

“Dear Father, reveal Yourself to me today, right where I am. My desire is to be closer to You, to know Your ways and walk in Your truth. Send your Spirit to wash over me and remind me of Your presence. Help me to see Your hand at work in my life. Thank you, for the joy and strength You bring to my life, even in the midst of trouble.”

So . . . what’s God trying to teach you today?

Email Stephanie

Priority Partners
by Debbie Todd, Director of Stewardship & Support

I’ve got the perfect “Word” for all of our Priority Partners. It’s the perfect expression of our heart for you, and here it is:

“I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel
from the first day until now, being confident of this, the He who began
a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Chris t Jesus.”
Philippians 1:3-6

Amen! We indeed thank God for you and your partnership in this ministry. God has continued to do amazing works in and through Priority Ministries, and we are always excited to share them with you. It is our sincere hope that you feel connected to what we are doing here at PM and that you know what an important part you play in this ministry to women all across this country.

If you have a testimony about how this ministry or one of our Bible studies has affected you, we’d love for you to share it with us. My desire for you, dear Partner, is that you’ll get to know other Priority Partners through your testimonies, comments and, yes, your ideas!!! So bring ‘em on and send them to me at: Debbie@priorityministies.org.

If you have not signed up to make your Partner donation online, I encourage you: Do it NOW !!! It is really, really EASY . . . and easy is really, really good.

	Find out more about becoming a Priority Partner.
	Register now and donate online. It’s easy!

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

Hey glo-girls! I want to take a lovely fall stroll down memory lane – come join me!

My husband and I took a trip to North Carolina one fall. On a Sunday morning, we drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway enthralled by God’s incredible creation – it was simply indescribable. Every color of leaf you could imagine. Gorgeous mountains. Breathtaking valleys. One minute we were gazing as far as the eye could see, and the next minute we were driving through a cloud.

As we rounded a curve, we came upon an apple orchard. Being from the Gulf Coast , this was definitely a novelty. Taking a sharp right led us down a winding, country road. In the distance we saw an outdoor church. We could hear dulcimers playing Amazing Grace and the people singing along. As we neared the country store/outdoor church, we saw people climbing in wagons to go out into the orchard and pick those incredible apples. It was breathtaking – like we’d stepped back in time. Of course, we had to purchase some of the wonderful apples which proved to be quite a challenge to get back to Houston on the plane. But believe me, it was well worth the effort.

What an incredible Sunday morning that was. The Lord seemed so near as we enjoyed His glorious creation. This month, let’s remember to enjoy this incredible season we’re in and spend some time with Him in the beautiful creation He’s given us. What a blessing!

There is nothing better than those first crisp apples of fall. Kick off your own autumn celebration with this delicious and different way to enjoy them:

Upside-Down Apple Pecan Pie

1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted
15-oz. Pillsbury All Ready Pie Crusts
1 teaspoon flour (for pie crusts preparation)
6 cups sliced, peeled apples
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

In 9-inch pie pan, combine pecans, brown sugar and margarine; spread evenly over bottom of pan.

Prepare pie crust according to package directions for two-crust pie, placing bottom crust over pecan mixture in pan.

In large bowl combine, apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; mix lightly. Spoon into pie crust-lined pan. Top with second crust and flute edges; cut slits in top pie crust.

Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender. (Be sure to place pie pan on foil or cookie sheet during baking to guard against spillage.) At end of cooking time, remove pan from oven and cool pie upright in pan for 5 minutes.

To remove pie from pan, place serving plate over pie; invert and carefully remove pan. Some nuts may remain in pan; replace on pie with knife.

Cool at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish as desired. 8 delicious servings.

Email Jan

Gotta Glo

God bless you, dear glo girlfriend, for your prayers, interest, and support for Priority. We gotta glo for now, but how grateful we are for the opportunity to keep in touch with you through this newsletter. Thank you so much for subscribing! We sincerely pray this month’s issue has blessed and encouraged you to give God glory AND priority in your life.

As the beauty of fall begins and the season changes, may God’s beautiful work in you continue to change you into the image of His Son. Our prayers are with you! Keep glo-ing girl!

Loving Him most and seeking Him first,

Laurie Cole, Janet Valentine, Pam Henderson, Courtney Hays,
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.

Keep glo-ing. Visit our You Glo Girl! archives