Refresh Ministry Women
  • Home
    • About
  • Blog
    • Submit a Blog
    • Refresh Writing Team
  • Connect
    • Group Leaders >
      • Gray
      • Hildebrand
      • Howard
      • Magness
      • Miller
      • Pritchett
      • Washam
  • NWM
    • NWM Monthly Resource
    • NWM Events
  • Lunch & Learn
  • Contact

Leadership Lessons from Mary and Elizabeth

12/17/2017

10 Comments

 
Picture
I never tire of the Christmas story and the Christmas season.
The miracle of God coming to earth as a baby, born in a manger, born to a virgin, the incarnate Christ, the shepherds, the wise men, all of it is simply and profoundly beautiful!
But right in the middle of this amazing God story are two 
women. One a young virgin girl, Mary, who said, in faith, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be done to me according to your word." Another is the older woman, Elizabeth, (the angel said she was in her OLD age), barren for so long, who is also carrying a miracle baby who says, "The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people."

Two women. One young, one much older. And God in His amazing grace and mercy, puts these two women together.

Tucked in this story are some powerful lessons for us. Right after Mary's encounter with the angel and she says yes to this virgin miracle, yes to carrying Jesus, the Savior and King, scripture tells us:

"In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah where she entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. . . . And Mary stayed with her three months; and then she returned home." - Luke 1:39-40 & 56

Here are 4 leadership lessons we can learn from these two women:
1.  God provides.
God is truly the great provider. I don't know all that was going through Mary's head and heart after the angel left her, but soon after scripture says she "hurried" to Elizabeth's house. I imagine her running all the way. God provided an older woman who was pregnant also, with a miracle baby, to be the safe place for Mary. Scripture says they spent three months together. Scripture doesn't tell us all they talked about, but I am sure it was personal. Girl stuff. Baby stuff. Husband stuff. God provided. He provided richly and personally. As leaders we must never forget that our God provides and we must lead in such a way that those that follow us believe that God provides.
2. God puts people in our lives that require focused time.
Three months. Elizabeth and Mary spent three months together. Scripture doesn't give us the details, but it does tell us the time. I can only image how very important this time was for both of these women. I believe Mary left Elizabeth's home a stronger and more confident woman in her faith and in her future. There are people in your life right now that need more time. God has placed them there for you to specifically pour into, to do life with, to encourage, to strengthen their faith, to invest in deeply. There are coffee moments with people and then there is the investment of more time. There may also be people that you need to "hurry" to see that will invest in you and pour into you. In the rush of our culture, don't miss the beauty of focused time.
3. We should be ready to give a blessing.
The first words out of Elizabeth's mouth when Mary walked in her home was words of blessing:

"You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed."

We need to carefully watch our words. We need to be ready to speak words of blessing in the lives of others. Words of life.

There were so many words Elizabeth could have said:

"Girl, what are you going to do?"

"What will people think?"

"Are you afraid?"

I am sure all these were running through Mary's mind, but Elizabeth didn't speak these words, she spoke words of blessings.

For us to speak words of blessing to others, we must spend time with God who blesses. It requires time in prayer and time in scripture. People are so hungry for someone to bless them.
4. We should give others a reason to sing.
​Elizabeth's words of blessing to Mary caused Mary to break out in praise to God (Luke 2:46-55). I image she sang these words as an expression of her worship and praise.  Beautiful and powerful words of praise.

When people are with you, do you make them want to sing? Do you so encourage their hearts that they are ready to praise God? Have you fanned the flame of their faith? Do they leave you, ready to boldly worship God and sing His praises? Ready to face the future because they trust God?

We need more people singing! We need leaders who give others the gift of a song.  Lead as one who gives people a reason to praise God.
Wherever you are this Christmas season, soak up the amazing truth of Jesus. Emmanuel - God with us! As the angel said to the shepherds,

"Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people: Today, a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David."


Are you a leader who gives people a reason to praise God?

Picture
This blog by Selma Wilson is posted at Propel Women.  Selma Wilson is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an advocate for moms, a cheerleader for marriages, a lover of Jesus, a family and marriage counselor/speaker, and the Executive People Leader at LifeWay Christian Resources.

Would you like to attend Refresh Breakaway 2018 for FREE?


​Comment on this blog post. That's it!  You're now entered to win a Refresh Breakaway 2018 package valued at $99 (includes registration, lodging and three meals). 

Each time you comment on a weekly blog post, your name will be entered into the drawing. Please give your full name when commenting. Drawing ends January 31, 2018. A winner will be announced February 1, 2018 and notified by email by February 5, 2018.

So, come on! We'd love to hear from you and see you at
Refresh Breakaway 2018!
10 Comments

What Our Children Will Remember About This Christmas

12/11/2017

11 Comments

 
Picture
My happiest Christmas memory is the time each year that my aunt Nancy directed my cousins and me in a reenactment of the nativity. The youngest among us--a girl--was always baby Jesus, and as Mary, my main job was not dropping her when I placed her in the manger. That and avoiding wayward staffs twirled by the ragtag band of shepherds played by my boy cousins.

When I reflect on those memories, the principal player was my aunt Nancy. The yearly play was her idea, so of course we looked to her for to take the lead and to direct us as to when to proceed solemnly into the living room for our performance. But more than that, we followed her lead because she cared. She was enthusiastic about the story we were reenacting, so we naturally were too.

My happiest memories as a child, and the ones imprinted most indelibly on my heart, typically involve a happy or enthusiastic adult--a teacher who taught my class to dance the Virginia Reel during our Civil War unit, a softball coach who infused fun into every practice, and a band director who loved his job.

But the happiest of happy moments always involved my parents. When my dad laughed or my mom got excited about something, time stood still and my heart threatened to burst. I delighted to see them delighted; their enthusiasm and joy instantly and naturally transferred to me because I loved to see them happy.

Kids learn to love what makes their parents light up. I see it in my own kids now. My oldest son brings me the Sunday comics, points out a good strip, and waits expectantly to hear me laugh. All of my sons are adamantly loyal to my college team only because they know that I am. And when I ask them what they’re thankful for, they’ve learned to add a spiritual element, because they know Who it is that I love.

So what does this speak to me and to all parents during this Advent season?

Sometimes Christmas can feel like pressure to a young mom who wants her children to be well-versed in all things Jesus. There are countless (wonderful) Pinterest pins, blog posts, activities, and books about how to make the most of the season and communicate the meaning of Christmas to our children. This year I have felt this pressure acutely, for I can count down on one hand the years my oldest remains in our home. I want to make Christmas special and say all the right things that will imprint its meaning on each of their hearts.

I imagine, however, that what they’ll remember about this Christmas and all the Christmases of their childhood combined will not be coloring sheets or books or a lit candle on the Advent wreath, although these will certainly hover with warm connotations in the background of their minds. No, if they are like me, I imagine that what will have the most impact are the happy and enthusiastic adults in their lives, namely my husband and me, who have the story of Jesus joyfully tumbling around in their hearts throughout the year and the Christmas season.

Am I happy in the story of Jesus? Am I contemplating what His coming has wrought? Am I looking expectantly for His return? Am I enthusiastically speaking of it as I sit with my children in our house, and when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up?

This is what our children will remember about Christmas, long after the presents are opened and the Advent calendar is put away. They will not remember the details of their December experiences, but they will remember what delighted us. And because it delights us, it will delight them too. ​

​What delights you about this Christmas season?

Picture
This blog by Christine Hoover was posted on her web blog Grace Covers Me on Dec 6, 2017. She says, "On this blog, my goal is to not only give voice to the honest (and often unrevealed) thoughts we all have, but to also shine a light of grace and truth onto them."

Would you like to attend Refresh Breakaway 2018 for FREE?
Comment on this blog post. That's it!  You're now entered to win a Refresh Breakaway 2018 package valued at $99 (includes registration, lodging and three meals). 

Each time you comment on a weekly blog post, your name will be entered into the drawing. Drawing ends January 31, 2018. A winner will be announced February 1, 2018 and notified by email by February 5, 2018.

So, come on! We'd love to hear from you and see you at
Refresh Breakaway 2018!
11 Comments

The Women of Christmas: The Wondrous Gift Is Given

12/4/2017

25 Comments

 
Picture
Was it a census that sent Mary and Joseph on their long journey to Bethlehem? Or was it God?
​
You know the answer. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). This was God’s plan from the very 
beginning, now unfolding on the road south from Nazareth.

Mary was “great with child” (Luke 2:5) as they traveled. We can only imagine how uncomfortable, unsettled, uneasy she felt. Where will my child be born, Lord? I am certain he will survive, but will I? Though Joseph has no recorded dialogue in Scripture, he no doubt encouraged his young bride, mile after difficult mile. I heard from an angel too, Mary. I know whose child you carry. I will care for you and keep you both safe.
​

A few miles beyond Jerusalem, the town of Bethlehem finally came into view. Nine months of expectation were over. Time for the Christ child to appear.

Read Luke 2:1–20

In a grotto beneath the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a silver star marks the traditional site where Jesus was born. But two thousand years ago, his birthplace looked nothing like this.

Mary labored in a lowly stable, and laid the Son of God in a feed trough meant for livestock. However fresh the hay, there was nothing clean about the place, nothing pleasant, nothing fragrant.

Even so, God came to us. Cast his lot with us. Became one of us.
“She gave birth to her firstborn, a son” (Luke 2:7). A handful of words, as simple and humble as her surroundings. Mary wrapped him in strips of cloth, cocooned him in linen, and held him close.

Surely she wiped away tears of joy and relief, kissed his brow with trembling lips, counted his fingers and toes, then took him to her breast.

Everything about this birth was both ordinary and extraordinary.
The Son of God wasn’t born to a princess; he was born to a poor, uneducated young girl. His first bed wasn’t covered in gold; it was stained with dung. He didn’t come in power; he came as a helpless newborn...

...Mary had treasure on earth: the Son of God, nestled in her arms. We have an even greater treasure: the Spirit of God, residing in our hearts. He is the One who urges us to value what is truly valuable, and let go of things that aren’t treasure at all, but trash. Disposable, unnecessary.
​
An interesting lesson for the Christmas season, isn’t it? While we spend, spend, spend on gifts that are quickly forgotten, neglected, discarded, the Lord is gently reminding us, “The gift that matters is my Son, who came to earth with nothing.”
Read the Rest of the Story Here

Picture
The Women of Christmas offers a heartwarming Bible study by Liz Curtis Higgs wrapped inside a beautiful gift book. Verse by verse, Liz unwraps the biblical stories of Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna, who each welcome the Christ child into the world in a marvelous and miraculous way. 

Would you like to attend Refresh Breakaway 2018 for FREE?

Comment on this blog post. That's it!  You're now entered to win a Refresh Breakaway 2018 package valued at $99 (includes registration, lodging and three meals). 

Each time you comment on a weekly blog post, your name will be entered into the drawing. Drawing ends January 31, 2018. A winner will be announced February 1, 2018 and notified by email by February 5, 2018.

So, come on! We'd love to hear from you and see you at Refresh Breakaway 2018!
25 Comments

    Picture
    This is a safe place for ministry wives and women ministers to be renewed, resourced, and build relationships with others just like you.

    Picture
    Join a Connect Group Here!

    Categories

    All
    Books
    Healing
    Health
    Leadership
    Marriage & Family
    Mental Health
    Ministry
    Personal Growth
    Relationships
    Women

    RSS Feed

    Archivescives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About
  • Blog
    • Submit a Blog
    • Refresh Writing Team
  • Connect
    • Group Leaders >
      • Gray
      • Hildebrand
      • Howard
      • Magness
      • Miller
      • Pritchett
      • Washam
  • NWM
    • NWM Monthly Resource
    • NWM Events
  • Lunch & Learn
  • Contact