Copy
Women's Center for Ministry Newsletter 
October 2019
In this issue:
-Let the Lion Roar
  an article by Dionne Joseph
-In the Presence of Holiness
  a poem by Candace  Crandall
-Practice Celebration!
  an article by Trish Bussey Jeter
-"Shadowlands" A New EP by Lisa Reiff!
  Find out more about REVIVE & IGNITE worship leader Lisa Reiff's upcoming album!
-ABIDE: Revive the Passion!
  Register now for the Vancouver or Portland Revive!
Let the Lion Roar
an article by Dionne Joseph
The sound of thunder from the mouth of a beast is fearsome to even the brave. The lion is an adversary wild and ferocious. Menacing. Intimidating. Before him, most recoil or flee. Who can prevail against this night hunter; the destroyer who roams, seeks to devour? How do we, in a sense, become undevourable? A foreign object lodged in the trachea that causes the beast to sputter, gag and spit us out—as Jonah’s fish did, exactly where we ought to be.

It’s a valid question because as our weak knees are strengthened by God’s Spirit to walk straight paths, Hell will roar. Leave your Bible unopened. Keep your mouth closed. Drift preoccupied, in culture’s current of trivial and fleshly desires and you will not hear the beast. Not because it’s not a threat but because you are already in its mouth.

The mouth of a lion is no place for a woman who desires life. Regardless of whether we’ve been swallowed by some grim circumstance or stumbled into a death-trap, Jesus Christ issues the same command he once offered a friend.
 
When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” John 11:43, ESV

Come out! A tomb is for the dead, a lion’s mouth for the nearly dead, but our God is God of the living.

So, we’ll read the Word. We’ll open our mouths to give Him praise. We’ll fill our minds with that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy. We’ll focus on that which is above and higher and better because the wisdom of God is eternal. We’ll repent. Forgive. Love.

And when that ancient beast of old rears its ugly head to spew venom laced with fear and doubt and condemnation, we’ll bow feeble knees, clutch trembling hands and call to our Redeemer as David did:

My soul is among lions;
I must lie among those who breathe forth fire—
I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.
He will send from heaven and save me. Psalm 57:4, 2-3
 
Death was forced to loosen its grip on Lazarus when Jesus called him to life. Soon after, death’s head was crushed by His bruised heel. And now, that holy Spirit is ours, in Christ.

Grace. And power.
 
“O God,” David cried, “shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD. Let them flow away like water that runs off.” Psalm 58:6-7, NASB
 
Against Heaven’s Champion, exposed by the light of His glory, the fire-breathing beast is but a wet, writhing cat stalking in shadow; hissing deception.

 

Known as "Auntie-Mom" to the children she meets through a ministry of foster care, Dionne Joseph is a writer, advocate and conference speaker who lives on mission with her family near Seattle, WA.  She loves encouraging women to pursue Jesus, the source and sustainer of all the purpose, satisfaction and rest our souls crave. Join her at www.thefinishlines.com 

.

In the Presence of Holiness
a poem by Candace Crandall
“Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up.”
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
“Do not come any closer,” God said, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground," (Exodus 3:2-5, NIV).
 
There was a time when man dared not enter the Holy Ground
On which the Holiest of Holiest took His stand.
Man could not enter the glory of God;
Could not see Him pass by,
Breathe in His presence, commune in conversation
Or fellowship with Him side by side.
 
The wall was built between God and man
When man and woman shared the fruit in Eden.
The veil fell over their eyes keeping all humanity
Captive to carnal desires.
The promises spoken by the deceiver
Firmly took hold and root, severing eternal ties.
 
Holiness sought to break the bondage enslaving man to sin.
His heart cried for mercy.
His desire-relationship with those who bear His image.
The price was his Son, Jesus Christ.
Perfect, unblemished, and without sin
He went to the cross, bled, and died to redeem the lost.
 
When Holiness stepped into my heart
He erased the sin that marred
And began changing me within.
He has spoken my name and reminded me I am His.
My tattered, worn, broken path
Was pierced by Holiness on my behalf.

Daily, Holiness whispers in my ear,
“I am here. Come stand with me on this Holy Ground.”
If my ear is bent to Him,
I can breathe Him in.
Whether busy or still
My LORD comes to penetrate my day with the Holiness of who He is.
 
Be still my heart! Quiet yourself!
Let the hush of Holiness rush in.
Let it breathe life into my soul.
Oh wandering heart, STOP!
See evidence of His daily presence-
Claim His engagement with the life that you lead.
 
Drink deep of His unwavering peace;
Hear Him whisper, “My Beloved,
Come walk with me. The Garden of your life
Is where we meet.
Transcending peace is what you will find.
I am yours and you are mine.”
 
Moment by moment I am drawn to His Holiness.
If I allow, step by step I can tread daily with Him.
I can take His hand and let Him lead
In the dance of life with me.
Whether the music is full of life or dread,
The hand of Holiness will be present never to leave.
 
My life is the sacred ground on which He treads.
I am the temple where He resides.
Let my prayer be,
“In the presence of Holiness may my life be
An offering testifying of your great love.”
Faithful and present you prove daily, life is lived in the presence of Holiness.
 

Candace Crandall and her husband of 24 years live in the beautiful state of Washington. Beautifully blended, they have four kids and four grandkids and consider themselves abundantly blessed. She a certified personal coach, professional coach, and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in life coaching. Her deepest desire and greatest passion is encouraging others, especially women, to walk in their genuine and authentic selves taking ownership of the good, bad, and the ugly. Candace believes that living joyfully consists of purposeful intention, honest evaluation, and a strong desire to let Jesus strip all facades.
 

Practice Celebration!
an article by Trish Bussey Jeter
One of the greatest days of celebration of my life was when I married my husband Pete. It was a celebration of God’s goodness, a celebration of an answer to prayer, a celebration of our love, and a celebration of our covenant to spend the rest of our lives together. How about you? What was your best celebration? A birthday, anniversary, the birth of a child, winning a competition? 
 
God loves celebrations! He wants us to enjoy life and celebrate Him and the amazing life He’s given us. And God wants us to experience an abundant joyful life (John 10:10 NIV).  I believe that followers of Jesus need to be the most joyful people on the planet.  While we practice many other spiritual disciplines, we don’t often think of celebration as a discipline we need in our lives.   The salvation and freedom we have in Jesus is a reason to celebrate every day!
 
As Paul closes his letter to the church of the Thessalonians in chapter 5, he teaches us what life should look like for those who know and follow Jesus. Verses 16-18 provide a wonderful outline for how we can practice celebration.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV)
Make a choice to practice celebration:
  1. Choose to Rejoice
Paul calls us to rejoice always, which implies that our joy is not dependent on our circumstances. We focus on God and make a conscious decision to have an attitude full of joy.  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that should be present in our lives. Start now. Start today.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  (Psalm 118:24 NIV).
  1. Choose to Pray
Worship God! Celebrate Him and all that He’s done. Pray a psalm of praise every morning like Psalm 145 (NIV).
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
  1. Choose to Be Thankful
When we practice thanksgiving, it turns our hearts toward God and that gratitude leads to joy.  One way to practice thanksgiving is to keep a gratitude journal. Every morning write down 3 things that you’re grateful for.   
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.
(Psalm 107:8-9 NIV)
 
I love that Paul states these as commands. He uses the words always, continually and in all circumstances. That means this is not optional or something we do when we feel like it.  When we choose to rejoice, to pray continually, and to be thankful in all circumstances we can live a life full of celebration!


 
Trish Bussey Jeter is passionate about teaching, mentoring, and discipling others to help them discover who they are in Christ, and thrive in their relationship with God. Her desire is to see people grow spiritually, and live abundant joyful lives in Him!  Trish is a graduate of Western Seminary with a Master’s in Ministry and Leadership, and has an MBA from Baruch College in NYC. Trish serves as Community Pastor for the 11 am gathering at Vancouver Church.  She enjoys teaching as a member of the Women’s Transformational Leadership team at Western Seminary. Trish has been happily married to Pete for six years, and they love to travel, admiring the beauty of God’s creation.
 
New EP "Shadowland" Coming Soon by Lisa Reiff!
Read about her heart behind the song and the album, and listen for a special message from the artist herself!

The Shadowland Project has been a lifetime in the making, in that it is a musical reflection of my journey with the Lord over the last many decades. The songs are very personal and reflect my lengthy walks through the dark places of depression and circumstance that I have come to refer to as the “Shadowland.” 

 

There is such power in sharing our testimony of God’s faithfulness in the dark places in our lives—there is hope in Jesus! Those of us who have come through the dark place have the awesome privilege of calling back to those who may find themselves there, bringing words of life and hope and encouragement. That is my biggest prayer for this project, that others would be encouraged by God’s faithful presence as they hear my own Shadowland stories. 

 

I had the privilege of sharing the first single, Shadowland, at the IGNITE conference last spring and there are now two singles available on all the platforms where you download or stream music. The EP (a small collection of songs) will be available later this year, and the full album will follow. If you would like a physical CD or don’t stream music on any of these platforms, please contact me through my website at lisareiff.com and I will be sure to get you a copy. You can also read the stories behind the songs and project there, as well as find links to all the platforms.

 

I pray you will be encouraged by the goodness of God as you listen to pieces of my story. 

Listen as Lisa shares about the power story and testimony, and how it's impacted her a worshipper and artist!

Lisa Reiff has a deep passion for leading in praise and worship out of a grateful heart and an overflow of God’s presence in her life. She attends River West Church.

ABIDE: Revive the Passion Registration is OPEN!
Registration is OPEN!

 

Jesus never lacked passion.  He was passionate to heal, to forgive, to feed the multitudes, to teach, to show mercy, even to unleash his power over wind and waves, death and bondage. But his deepest  passion that empowered his whole life was his dependence on his Heavenly Father as painted by his own self-portrait; “the Son can do nothing by himself, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19) 

Waning in passion lately?  Longing to wake up each morning full of passion like Jesus? For your family? Your friendships?  Your calling as a woman involved in ministry?  But most of all for your intimate walk with Christ?


Stay tuned for upcoming emails with more details about our keynote speaker, our breakout sessions, and worship! If you haven't recieved emails about our REVIVE and IGNITE conferences, you can sign up HERE!
 

Come join us for ABIDE: Revive the Passion!

 

REGISTER HERE for Vancouver Revive: 

Friday, November 8th, 2019

Glenwood Community Church

12201 NE 72nd Ave, Vancouver WA 98686

 

REGISTER HERE for Portland Revive:

Friday, November 15th, 2019

River West Church

2000 Country Club Rd., Lake Oswego, OR 97034

 

Some additional details:

Doors open at 8am, Conference goes from 8:50am-12:30pm

Cost: $17 regular registration. $12 student price.

 

Visit our website for more information and registration links:

www.westernseminary.edu/revive

For questions or student discount, email us at wcm@westernseminary.edu or call 503-517-1931.

Contact us! We'd love to hear from you!

Women's Center for Ministry at Western Seminary

Phyllis Bennett, Director
Amanda Zentz, Administrative Assistant
Email: wcm@westernseminary.edu
Phone: 503.517.1931
Fax: 503.517.1889

5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97215

Facebook
Website
Email
Instagram
Share
Tweet
Forward
The opinions expressed by the various authors in this newsletter do not necessarily represent those of Western Seminary. We provide information on an as-is basis. We make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog, nor will we be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.
Copyright © 2017 Western Seminary All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list