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Women's Center for Ministry Newsletter April 2019
In this issue:
-Lessons from an Old Woman and an Old Horse
  an article by Marie Dezellem 
-What Kind of Friend are You?
  an article by Robin Mounce
 
-Still After Me
  Poem by Bethany Feil (a response to Ephesians 6)
-WL 504 // Women in Leadership
  Learn more about auditing a WL class this Summer!
Lessons from an Old Horse and an Old Woman
by Marie Dezellem

I will always treasure the summers I spent working at camp.  My duties over the years ranged from the volunteer dishwasher to the program director and everything in between.  One of my favorite jobs was serving as a horse wrangler. 

A horse named Jonah holds a special place in my heart.  He was an old and gentle fellow to whom I could trust the most timid of campers.  Though a gentle steed, Jonah was accident prone, often getting himself into trouble.  Once Jonah got stuck in a tree in the pasture.  We had called the herd in for breakfast and noticed Jonah was missing.  Fearing the worst, a staff member hiked up to the pasture and found him wedged in a tree, unable to get out.  He didn’t seem distressed, just calm, trusting his caregivers to find and rescue him.

Another time Jonah got a large abscess under his chin.  Every day after lunch for a couple weeks one of my duties was to help clean out his wound.  I can’t imagine this was a comfortable experience for him, but Jonah stood idly by, allowing us to complete the painful task.  Having been around for many years, Jonah knew to trust those caring for him, much like someone who has faithfully walked with Jesus for decades.

Years later, I met an elderly woman in the ER who was having a heart attack.  She would soon be going to cath lab to attempt to resolve the blockage in her heart.  There was a possibility that this woman would not survive the procedure and she was fully aware of this.  She was alone, awaiting the cath lab team, so I sat with her.  Thinking I was giving her the gift of my presence, I will never forget the gift she gave me.  With a hope-filled glimmer in her eyes, unlike anything I had ever seen, she smiled at me and said, “Oh I just can’t wait to see His face.”  Such peace and joy filled her at the thought of finally meeting her Savior that it enabled her to face the possibility of death with confidence and even delight.  She was clearly a well-weathered saint, having followed Jesus faithfully for many years.  She intimately knew his tender mercies and could trust that her good shepherd would carry her through to eternity. 

May we trust Jesus like Jonah trusted his wrangler and this woman trusted her dear Savior.  A deep unconditional trust that says whatever life throws our way we can trust him to rescue us when we’re trapped, tend to our wounds though painful, and call us home to finally see him face to face.  In the words of Paul in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Marie Dezellem finds deep joy in teaching God’s Word, especially to women and youth. She recently completed a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries from George Fox University.  Marie works as an ER nurse and serves the youth at Yamhill Christian Church.  In the past, she has been a program director at a Christian camp and a youth pastor.  She enjoys reading, gardening, snuggling with her cat, sipping chai tea, and travelling with her husband James.

What Kind off Friend are You?
by Robin Mounce

What kind of friend are you?  

 

I have been studying the book of Philippians these past few weeks.  I am in chapter 2 and Paul is stuck in house arrest in Rome and is writing letters of encouragement to the Christians in Philippi. He encourages them to have joy in all circumstances and that Christians are to live in harmony with others.  He also testifies about his close relationship with both Timothy and Epaphroditus.  Paul writes about his friend Timothy,  “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.  For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.  But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel” (Philippians 2:20).  And later Paul writes about his friend Epaphroditus, “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs” (Philippians 2:25).

It is obvious that Paul is a loyal and good friend to Timothy and Epaphroditus.  And like-wise, Timothy and Epaphroditus are loyal to their friend Paul.  Their relationship as friends, mentors, and lovers of Christ is a gift from the Lord that we too should desire as we walk with the Lord.   

I listened to a sermon by Alister Begg a few weeks back on this subject of friendship.  He brought out the fact that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were available, sensitive, and reliable friends.  They were available to help each other out when they called for help.  They were sensitive to each other.  In Philippians 2:27 Paul relays that Epaphroditus was ill and says, “Indeed he was ill, and almost died.  But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.”  Paul would have been emotionally brokenhearted if Epaphroditus died.  Paul was sensitive to his friend.   And finally, Timothy and Epaphroditus were reliable.  They were dependable and true to their word. 

Back to my original question.  What kind of friend are you?

Are you a friend who is available, sensitive and reliable?

Also, are you a friend that encourages your relationships to walk with the Lord?  Are you able to make Christ the center of your Christian relationships?  In Dee Brestin’s book, The Friendships of Women, she writes, “We can also find ‘saints’ who are so abiding in Christ and His Word that they see life differently from most Christians.  Jesus says that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of—and when you are with some people, it is like sitting under a spiritual fountain, for you are continually being sprinkled with the overflow of a rich heart.”

Are you the spiritual fountain?  Do you ask your friends good questions that go deep so you can understand what is going on in their hearts and minds?  Do you give your friends the gift of listening and really try to understand where they are coming from?   Do you stimulate your friends to think about spiritual issues?  Do you share what God is revealing to you so you can be honest about your relationship with Jesus Christ?  Do you make it a priority to spend time with your friends?  Are you available, sensitive and reliable? 

What kind of a friend are you? 

Robin Mounce has walked with the Lord for over 50 years. While she does not always enjoy the process of sanctification, God has taught her that his healing is what keeps her intimately walking with him. Robin has mentored and discipled many women, including future pastor’s wives at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (Boston) and at Western Seminary (Portland), and taught many Bible studies. She recently opened a coaching ministry, Visionwalk.us, that helps women who are experiencing personal, marital, or professional transition and are looking for a new vision for their lives. Robin has been married 33 years and has three adult children.

Still After Me 
A response to Ephesians 6 
Poem by Bethany Feil
I sigh, “Refreshed!”
and then I see
the Enemy still after me;
 
To steal my joy
and quake my peace
to sneer and say, “there’s no relief!”
 
Why this ache?
This bitter strain?
Does no one see the depth of pain?
 
Not flesh and bone
but powers dark
would tempt despair and rend my heart.
 
Faithful Shield
Salvific Dome
Spirit Sword – Thy Word alone
 
can fight the battle.
Victory won.
Serpent crushed by Father’s Son.

 

Bethany Feil was born in Portland, OR but raised in California where she received her B.A. in Dance from California State University, Long Beach. She enjoyed a career as a professional dancer with Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX and is now the Artistic Director of Instruments Ballet Academy in Oregon City.  Her national and international dance experience has given her a passion for sharing the hope of the gospel through the arts. Bethany returned to her Portland roots in 2016 to study at Western Seminary.  You can find Bethany traveling, watching British dramas, or satisfying her sweet tooth.
 

WL 504 // Women in Leadership
Read below to learn how to audit classes and earn a certificate!
 
WL 504 // Women in Leadership
This course offers a comprehensive look at what it means to effectively shepherd and care for women. Students will learn how cultural and spiritual aspects of womanhood not only shape pastoral care, but also contribute to a woman’s role in the Kingdom of God. We will discuss gender and cultural stereotypes as well as a woman’s evolving place in society. In understanding a woman’s season of life as well as her emotional and spiritual needs, students will grow in mentoring, developing friendships, offering group support, and caring for women pastorally.  2 credits
TO TAKE WL504 FOR AUDIT/ENRICHMENT (NON-CREDIT):
  • Prerequisite: High school diploma or GED
  • Applications due: One week prior to the first class meeting date.
  • Cost to Audit: $240
  • To Enroll: Click Here! (This option allows you to take classes to earn a certificate).
Instructor:  Mary Ann Noack
Location:  Western Seminary Portland Campus
                   5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd
                   Portland, OR 97215
Dates:   June 21-22 & Aug. 2-3, 2019
              9:00am - 4:30pm
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

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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.
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Women's Center for Ministry - Western Seminary · 5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd · Portland, Oregon 97215 · USA

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