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Lifting Up or Tearing Down
an article by Candace Crandall
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My husband and I were sitting at our ten year old grandson’s all-star baseball game. This was the first year he had been selected to the team; and while he had the opportunity to play, some of his time was spent sitting on the bench. When the game was finished I hugged our grandson and said, “I LOVE coming to your games!” His response, “I was sitting on the bench today.” Smiling, I said, “It is true you did not play but that does not mean what you did on the bench was not important. In many ways, it is the most important position on the team.” Looking at me bewildered, he tilted his head and said, “It is?” “Yes,” I said, “You have the job of reminding the players on the field who they are and what they can accomplish. When the game becomes tough, someone makes an error or strikes out, the team is losing, it is the voices on the bench that push players to keep playing and doing their best. That is what God calls us to do with each other. He is training you to be a support to other believers.” With that he smiled and his eyes lit up and he gave me a great big hug.
In the Body of Christ we have the responsibility to remind others in our lives who they are, by whom they are called, and what they can accomplish on their spiritual journey. In the world we live the tongue and the words spoken do little to lift up others. Language is often used as a weapon wielded with veiled judgments, malicious intent, to control or manipulate others, and more. Worse, words that edify are often withheld or shared with someone other than the person who deserves them. The Bible is clear, life or death are found in the tongue and what comes out of the mouth reveals what is in the heart of a person (Proverbs 18:21 and Proverbs 4:23, NIV). Speaking words of life into another person can create fear because it takes being vulnerable. To be vulnerable means that our facades, shields, protection are stripped away and we open ourselves up to an unexpected response. But, it is with vulnerability that what we speak can bring life, lift up, and “strike” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV) another toward living their potential in Christ. And, if we allow ourselves to courageously speak into another’s life we can find that God uses our words to heal a soul (Proverbs 12:18-19, NIV).
Every now and then our family will write letters to each other speaking of the qualities we love, the character, and the beautiful heart of that individual. I want to encourage and challenge us to speak life into others and may our prayer resonate with Psalm 141:3 (NIV) “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil.”
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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. Candace is a certified professional coach, personal 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
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ABIDE: Revive the Passion!
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Registration Opens September 1st!
Jesus never lacked passion. He was passionate to heal, to forgive, to train the twelve, to feed the multitudes, to teach truth but also show mercy, even to unleash his power over wind and waves, death and those in bondage. But his deepest passion was his dependence on his Heavenly Father as portrayed in his own self-portrait painted by these words; “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 work? your friendships? your ministry? your calling? But mostly for your relationship 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!
Vancouver:
Friday, November 8th, 2019
Glenwood Community Church
12201 NE 72nd Ave, Vancouver WA 98686
Portland:
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 a link to register:
www.westernseminary.edu/revive
For questions or student discount, email us at wcm@westernseminary.edu or call 503-517-1931.
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Fall 2019 Women's Transformational Leadership Classes!
Read below to learn how to apply and take classes through Western Seminary!
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WL 502 // Women in Pain, Part 1
Increasing awareness of experiences that cause a painful crisis in women’s lives enables one to offer strategic pastoral care and referral when needed. Issues discussed in this course will include domestic violence, eating disorders, post-abortion stress, and depression. In addition to the in-class topics, other issues students may choose to explore via a reflection/research paper could include same-sex attraction, sexual abuse, suicide, widowhood, and pornography. Students learn how, from a biblical basis, to help women grieve losses, begin a transition to health, and secure professional help when needed. 1 credit.
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TO TAKE WL502 FOR GRADUATE CREDIT:
- Graduate Credit Application Deadline: July 1st (final deadline)
- Cost for Graduate Credit: $600
- Application: If you have not yet applied to Western Seminary, you can do so on our website, or by clicking this link here
TO TAKE WL502 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: $130
- To Enroll: Click Here! (This option allows you to take classes to earn a certificate).
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Instructor: LaSondra Barnes
Location: Western Seminary Portland Campus
5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97215
Dates: October 18-19th, 2019
9:00am - 4:30pm
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In Sacramento and San Jose:
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WL 507 // Develop Life-Changing Bible Study Curriculum
Learn how to write, select and adapt Bible study curriculum that is biblically sound, relevant, and applicable to all areas of life. Grow in confidence in training discussion leaders to shepherd biblically stimulating and relationally healthy small groups. Glean an overview of training curriculum-writing teams that can create materials appropriate for the neighborhood and/or church-based Bible studies. 1 credit.
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TO TAKE WL507 FOR GRADUATE CREDIT:
- Graduate Credit Application Deadline: July 1st (final deadline)
- Cost for Graduate Credit: $600
- Application: If you have not yet applied to Western Seminary, you can do so on our website, or by clicking this link here
TO TAKE WL507 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: $130
- To Enroll: Click Here! (This option allows you to take classes to earn a certificate).
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Instructor: Ashley Ploen
Location: Sacramento Campus
290 Technology Way, Ste. 200
Rocklin, CA 95765
Dates: October 4-5th, 2019
9:00am - 4:30pm
Instructor: Ashley Ploen
Location: San Jose Campus
1000 South Park Victoria Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035
Dates: October 18-19th, 2019
9:00am - 4:30pm
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Contact us! We'd love to hear from you!
Women's Center for Ministry at Western Seminary
Phyllis Bennett, Director
Amanda Zentz, Administrative Assistant
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Email: wcm@westernseminary.edu
Phone: 503.517.1931
Fax: 503.517.1889
5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97215
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