WOMEN'S RETREAT 2019 - MAY 3-4, 2019

DAMAGED GOODS 

Our planning has been finalized-We are ready to embark on this exciting experience to...

Experience the Joy of Living Free! 

If you or your goods (children, family, relationship...) has been hurt, damaged or destroyed, you can't shake off the trauma of loss, guilt/shame of the past haunts you from time to time, secrets are burdening your spirit, or you're dealing with issues of fear, habits, attitudes, insecurities or life in general, then..

THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU! 

WOMEN'S RETREAT 2019 

Friday, May 3, 2019 - Saturday, May 4, 2019 

THEME: DAMAGED GOODS 

Face the Drama-Deal With the Baggage-Handle the Luggage

Location: # 19 A&B Strand Street, Frederiksted 

(Next to Frederiksted Hotel on the waterfront)

A BRIGHT FUTURE AWAITS YOU...

Get a FRESH Start as you...

Face It

Deal with It

Handle It 

Be blessed and encouraged as you bond with other women-some who have gone through your struggles/experience, retreat in prayer, worship and inspirational impartations! 

YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS THIS!   

RETREAT SCHEDULE: 

Friday, May 3, 2019 - 7:00 PM 

Welcome/Introductory Service:  Pastor Thora Daley

House of Praise & Deliverance Ministry

19 A & B Frederiksted, VI

Saturday, May 4, 2019 

8:30 PM       Registration

9:00 PM       Theme Devotional Breakfast Session:  

                     Minister Paula Modeste-Clarke

                     SM Church of God 7th Day, Miami, Florida 

10:45 PM     Impartation Session: Guest Speaker-First Lady Rolda Serieux 

                    Jerusalem Church of God 7th Day, Miami, Florida

12:30 PM    Lunch 

1:30 PM      Retreat Seminar Session: Pastor Julie Rhymer

                   Twigs Ministry, Inc & Worship Center Church of God 7th Day

                   #1 B Humbug, Christiansted, VI   

4:00  PM     Kingdom Woman (Monthly Session) - Pastor Julie Rhymer 

6:00 PM     Retreat Wrap-up / Fellowship Social / Vendor Sales

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS: FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 

(to get your t-shirt, meal and accommodation count)

To register visit our website at www.twigscog.com or telephone (340) 643-8423

Indicate t-Shirt size and meal choice of chicken or fish. 

Thank you for being a part of this wonderful experience.  Feel free to share our flyer with all your women sisters!  

God Bless you and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel- Pastor Julie Rhymer

REFLECTIONS OF THE HEART

OUTWARD ADORNING 

Your outward adorning reflects the things that are happening on the inside-in the core of your heart.  You may put up a front allowing your outwear to impress others.  In a world of confusion and a struggle to embrace/express one's identity, impressing others, living a lie, wrongful choices, vulnerability and keeping up with the "status norm" can send out the wrong message or reveal the real you!

Your outward wear, style or fashion may reveal your heart secret and desires to others.  Eventually, whether with time or pressure, your true identity is revealed.  

Many put on a camouflage to decorate or hide the pain they feel on the inside. Their outside behavior also demonstrates their character, personality, and or lack of spirituality.  Let's look at some examples: 

• Provocative clothing can reveal lustful traits or a need for attention
• Loud or excessive jewelry may reveal traits of selfishness, materialism, greed...
• Certain hairstyles can reveal identity issues, lack of self control or rebellion

These are just a few examples to the conversations of what's shown on the outside may be a reflection of the inside of the heart.

TODAY'S FOCUS:  CULTIVATE INNER BEAUTY 

Peter admonishes you that your adorning should not be on just hairstyles, jewelry or the clothes you wear-But rather the focus should be on the hidden man of the heart. 

1 Peter 3:3-4 (KJV)
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparel;
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  

Peter further encourages you to cultivate inner beauty like the women of old who were beautiful by their kindness, loyalty, faithfulness and love to God and their husbands.  

Doing an inventory of the heart will reflect deep rooted issues which manifest in outward behaviors-Your outward reflection will change by changing the man in your heart. 

As a daughter of Abraham you have the privilege of having your outer beauty reflecting good deeds-Allow the hidden man to be Christ Jesus, your Lord and Savior.  Ask Him to beautify you with meekness and love.  Then when you dress, your outwear will reflect Him in beauty, respect and spirituality.  That does not mean you don't have to groom your hair, wear no jewelry or have your clothes sweeping the ground-but you will be modest and moderate, beautifully adorned with the ornament of meekness.   

Remember, "what matters, is not your outer appearance-the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes-but your inner disposition." (MSG).  Don't be intimidated, be beautiful inside out.  Don't depend on jewelry, hairstyles, and or beautiful clothes for outward beauty.  Depend on the Hidden Man in your heart to reflect your beauty. You are precious to God-Be beautiful with the "lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious to God. (TLB) 

God bless you and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

A MARTHA'S WELCOME

LET'S TALK ABOUT MARTHA 

The story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 is a remarkable occurrence of hospitality that is often overlooked by the emphasis that is placed on Mary for choosing the good part. 

While Mary chose the good part, Martha was very hospitable.  

Martha knew what it was like to entertain a guest in her home-Far more this special Guest, Jesus that day.  She knew that Jesus came from a long way, and that He was tired and hungry.  Although it may seem  that she chose hospitality over being in the presence of her Lord-Her attributes of serving are phenomenal. 

Let's look at what Jesus' response to Martha's choice: 

Luke 10: 40 (KJV) 
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

It's not as bad as it seems-Jesus was not discrediting what she had done, but merely saying that He didn't want her to be overwhelmed by doing good even if it was for Him.  

TODAY'S FOCUS:  PHENOMENAL ATTRIBUTES 

While Jesus' response indicated Mary made a good choice, He acknowledged some attributes that has some positive reflections:  

Martha welcomed Jesus into her house 
She was cumbered about much serving
Jittery and Concerned over preparation
Fussing and upset about details 
Getting worked up

Let's discuss them: 

Martha welcomed Jesus  
Is Jesus invited in your home, is he welcomed and at home in your heart/home? 
How do you demonstrate that Jesus is welcomed? 

Martha was eager to serve
Are you available to Serve? 
In what area do you serve Jesus? 

Martha was jittery and concerned over preparation
Do you put thought in the preparation of the things of God? 

Martha was fussing about the details
How detailed are you when it comes into being creative about what you do for the Lord?  (examples)

Getting worked Up
Are you using this attribute in the things of God? 
Is there evidence that you are putting effort into what you are doing? 

While you seek to first be "heavenly minded", be also of "earthly good"! 
Ensure that Christ is your first choice and that you prioritize being in His presence over everything else.  In the meantime take time for preparation and service!

Remember, that nothing replaces the good part that Mary chose-However, there are some phenomenal attributes we can learn from the other sister, Martha. You must ensure that Jesus is at home in your heart; be eager to serve Him by serving others; put thought and preparation into your assignments; be creative and detailed-take no shortcuts; and be enthusiastic enough so others can see the evidence! 

God Bless You and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel 

FRIENDSHIP

DEFINING THE ROLE

This picture expresses the definition of friendship as, 

"Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.  

What comes to your mind as you reflect on this picture?  

I see the differences are uniquely knitted together

Different hair color, skin tone but woven in heart. 

Embracing and complimenting each other. 

There is a close bond that ties them together. 

Is this what your friendship look like? 

Who do you share that kind of friendship with? 

I am blessed to share this type of friendship with my blood sisters, some church sisters and a few others.  

As women, we crave for girlfriends that can share our hearts-whether they are celebrations, sorrows or even secrets.  

Today many friendships come with a price tag.  It's more like, "what's in it for me", rather than how can I be a friend to you.  Perhaps it's time to do a friendship evaluation.

TODAY'S FOCUS:  FRIENDSHIP CHARACTERISTIC INVENTORY 

Let's begin by reflecting on this scripture: 

There are “friends” who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 TLB

Are your friends true friends?  

As you read and reflect on the following, determine if they measure up to the definition of the picture above...

A true friend - not just in good times, but when you are down and out

Genuine - not fake or force the relationship
Loyal - not inconsistent or unreliable
Honest - not lying or misguiding,
Lends a helping hand - not just suggests solutions
Gives time - not just gifts or money
A listening ear- not just talk and or voice their opinions
Offers you grace - not judge or condemn you
Respects your values- not ask you to compromise your standards
Honors your beliefs - not try to covert you to their way of thinking
Keeps your secrets - does not share them or gossip about you
Appreciates you - not take you for granted
Adds to your worth - not depletes, deprive, or diminish your strength and resources
Admires your talents/gifts- not compete with you or sabotage you
Goes the extra mile - not thinks you are a burden
Comforts you - not create/apply stress to you or your situation
Believes in you - not questions your vision or innocence
Understands who you are - not try to belittle, discredit, humiliate or embarrass you
Invests in the friendship - not just make demands, oppress or inconvenience you
Trusts you - not suspicious or questions your motives, actions, and or trust
Walks with you - not against you or let you walk a journey alone
Happy for your success - not envious or jealous
Lets you be yourself - not ask you to pretend or mask your identity
Loves you unconditionally - not for your status, what you can give or who you can connect them to
Loves God - not criticize your religion or discourages you from going to church

Friendship should not be a burden or a stress.  True friends should be reliable, dependable and understandable.  

If they are leaning heavily on what friends are not, it’s time for a friendship evaluation of your friend inventory list.  

God has blessed us with angels, we call friends. I am thankful for the ones that have been placed in my life, and that I have been able to count on through the years.

While this saying is relevant to me... the best friendship is having Jesus as my friend!

Your friends should also have a relationship with the Friend of all friends, Jesus Christ. When He becomes their friend and lives within them, they will become a true friend.

Remember, your friendship list should be audited to ensure that your inventory of friends match up to the image and definition.  A friend is woven at the heart and not at what they can receive from the friendship.  Remember, also, to be the friend you want others to be to you!

God Bless you and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

POP UPS

POP-UPS

We apologize for our absence as we were restructuring and preparing for our 2018 identity conference.  We will be doing a new face to our blog which will be tailored more to our women's ministry soon.  

By definition a pop up is...

• "an unrequested browser window, especially one generated for the purpose of advertising."
• 
  

This can create a distraction and must be closed immediately to inadvertently affect the project you are working on and or make you lose your work.  

Some people pop up to your house, party or other places uninvited.  If it's not someone dear to you, it's not a very welcoming experience.  It causes rifts and whispering through out the event as people go around greeting, pointing out the uninvited guest to others.  Sometimes that person is allowed to stay to save face and can cause some to be uncomfortable.  However, at times they can become a nuisance and thrown out.  In some instances damage may have been done before the person(s) are thrown out.  

Similarly there are things that pop up on the screen of our lives that come to distract us from seeing a clear view of our purpose and or assignment.  

They may come in the form of thoughts, images, words or demonstrated actions of others.  Pop-ups main intent is to rob us of our joy and distort our purpose.  

TODAY'S FOCUS: POP-UPS STEALS YOUR JOY 

Perhaps you had every intention to pursue a dream (go back to school, start a business, write a book or do something special for the day), and immediately begin to have those self pop-ups that tell you, you're too old, you don't have money, or nobody likes what you have to offer....  You probably decide to share it with a friend who immediately gives you 20 reasons why you shouldn't or maybe you see a commercial or another business and begin to feel intimidated.  This makes you drop the ball and abort your pursuit for your happiness. 

Maybe in the middle of your planned day, you get an unimportant phone call which interrupted you, and you were too engrossed in the conversation to remember your schedule. Or... perhaps like me, in an experience I had while leading a group of women,, had a pop up that tried to tell me what I was doing was a waste of time-simply because the result I expected was different to what I received.  

Sometimes instead of closing the pop-up that comes in the browser, we tend to let it steer us away from what we are doing.  This creates other pop-ups as one window leads to another and another.  As you navigate from your original work, you find yourself on another course.  Perhaps on another website that gets you into trouble like shopping and buying things that were not in your budget.  You may also see something that may steer and tempt you into sites that are not within your standards or ethics.    

Sometimes it could be the innocent or subtle suggestions or actions of others!

  

Be mindful...

POP-UPS STEAL AND ROB YOU OF YOUR JOY AND CAN BE A DISTRACTION ON YOUR JOURNEY OF PURPOSE!  

Let's discuss: 

What are some of the pop-ups that can occur as you pursue your dreams/goals? 

What are the pop-ups that you are presently experiencing? 

What's your strategy to eliminate and close the browser? 

What can you do to keep your focus on your assignment? 

Remember, you must control your thoughts and utilize the sword of the Spirit (the word of God) to fight every attack of the evil one.  He is a joy thief who does not want you to experience joy!  Immediately close any pop-ups that come up in your mind, and avoid at all costs those that show up as uninvited guests, suggestions, views, recommendations, discouragements, evil or well intended actions of others!  While others contribute to joy, don't rely on anyone or anything to prevent you experiencing joy.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR JOY! 

God bless you and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

REMEMBERED IN HISTORY

ROYAL PAIN 

Today's blog comes from an inspiration from my Women In Christian History Devotional of Queen Anne.  She was a woman who suffered many things in her childhood to adulthood.  

"She was pregnant seventeen times, but bore only five living children, with one surviving infancy."

Other challenges faced by Queen Anne were:

She was considered fat

She suffered an eye condition when she was a child

She had a painful public falling-out with her best friend

She contracted small pox as a young woman

She was lamed by gout in latter years

Have you watched others come to power while you struggle to own what's rightfully yours?

Queen Annie, though a princess, saw others who were close to her came to power.  This could have easily discouraged her and cause her to slip into depression or other emotional distress.  

If you wishing to be a queen, or dream to be in power-"Be careful what you wish for!" Queen Anne had it all but with much pain and suffering-Royal Pain!"

 

Learn from Queen Anne-while it seem that she was a royal pain subject, but through all her suffering she was remembered differently in history. She redeemed herself and her past!

TODAY'S FOCUS:  MAKING HISTORY MAY COST YOU PAIN 

As we reflect on Queen Anne's story, it appears that her mark in history cost her much suffering and pain.  There were physical, emotional and even spiritual struggles.  However, that did not stop her from making a positive difference to be remembered in history.  

History remembers Queen Anne for an annual allocation called, "Queen Annie's Bounty."  This was an amazing thing that she did early in her reign as queen.  She decided that the "first fruits and tithes" received from the churches, which was like a tax, be given back to the churches.   

There's always someone who will be facing worse situations than you-How will you be remembered by them or others in history in the future? 

Are you imposing burdens or releasing favor? 

Are you inflicting pain or extending grace?

Are you hating/hurting/wounding or are you showing love and compassion?

Are you criticizing/condemning/judging or encouraging and inspiring others? 

Watch your actions, for they will bring good or bad results.  What you do will be remembered and be marked down in history. Be careful as you may eat the harvest of what you have planted or may hand it down to your children/grandchildren.   

Everyone will have their fair share of struggles/challenges and accomplishments/successes!

Life will deal you both good and bad, but you must choose in spite of the challenges to do something that will positively impact the lives of someone, your church and or community.  

Remember, you will be remembered in history for what you endured as well as the legacy you lived-good or bad.  Know that there are others who are enduring and facing tougher battles than you.  Share a kind word, a gift, your time, an opportunity or a word of hope.  This can be your "bounty" and redeem your past struggles and make a memorable history! 

God bless you and Keep the faith! 

Virtuous Jewel

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

THE HISSING WORD 

There is a word going around that is hissing.  Like a snake it is a deadly dangerous and poisonous word.  It has ruined many marriages, separated many friends, broken many hearts and even caused many to be in jail and or in their graves. 

The word that hisses is considered just casual talk, but it's actually....

General observations simply spoken impolitely  = G O S S I P

By definition the dictionary states that gossip is:

casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.

Other words used for gossip are: rumors tittle-tattle, whispers... 

A person who likes talking about other people's private lives is also called a gossip...

and is considered as a gossiper, scandalmonger, gossipmonger or tattler 

The scripture calls a gossiper a busy body, and is despised by God: 

1 Peter 4:15 (KJV)
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters

How are you known? Are you known to be a gossip? 

What about a flibbertigibbet? ( "a frivolous, flighty, or excessively talkative person")

Are you the subject of gossip? Let see what happens at the scuttlebutt!

TODAY'S FOCUS: THE SCUTTLEBUTT 

The scuttlebutt was known...

"early 19th century (denoting a water butt on the deck of a ship, providing drinking water): from scuttled butt . Sailors would traditionally exchange gossip when they gathered at the scuttlebutt for a drink of water."

One of the meanings for butt is: "the square end of a plank or plate meeting the end or side of another, as in the side of a ship."  Where is your scuttlebutt?

What scuttlebutt are you currently using to make general observations simply spoken impolitely? 

Perhaps at work the "scuttlebutt" would be the lunchroom.... 

Church- Water fountain, hallway, bathroom, parking lot or even right in church

What other scuttlebutt are out there? 

Telephone/Cell - Calls, texts or pictures

??.......

What does the "scuttlebutt" say about your boss, friend, sister/brother, mother/father, husband/wife, minister or pastor?  Has it been verified?  If it is, is it edifying, virtuous, of good report or of praise?  If not, DO NOT ENGAGE IN IT! 

How can you tell you are at a scuttlebutt or someone is about to gossip?

Did you hear that so and so....

Rumor has it that.... 

School children say...

Don't tell anybody i say, but....

Sentences that start with a chuckle saying.... Gurrrl/Boyyy/Maaaan I just heard that...

You can identify a "gossip" and know when you are at a scuttlebutt when the beginning of the sentence opens up with the words listed above or when a person starts asking you, remember whens-about something that happened to a person that was not pleasant.  They appear to be generally concerned but are either going to gossip or try to get you to engage in gossip.  

Watch who you speak to-Usually, one who brings gossip, carries gossip or is looking for information! 

In most instances the message brought is usually not the original, It can be a modified, diluted or a revised version to get your input. Additionally, the information can be from a "hear say" source or a person who is trying to get information about something they heard.

Whisperers will not make it into God's kingdom:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (TLB)
Don’t you know that those doing such things have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who live immoral lives, who are idol worshipers, adulterers or homosexuals—will have no share in his Kingdom. Neither will thieves or greedy people, drunkards, slanderers, or robbers.

Don't fool yourself or say that you made an observation when you are actually gossiping. If something is not polite, it should not be said even if it's true. Whenever you are tempted to engage in gossip, put yourself in the person's shoes that you are talking about. Hopefully, it will make you stop!

Remember, gossip can be general observations that can be misunderstood or misinterpreted. God does not take lightly to gossipers at any scuttlebutt. They are listed with other criminal offences and will not inherit the kingdom of God. Defuse gossip by not engaging, informing or fueling the "gossip!"  Read Proverbs 26:20-28 - Learn to pray and praise about and for others!

God Bless and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel