Issue 28 - February 2008
February Greetings From
Shannon Ethridge Ministries!
Encouragement Corner: Are You Running in the Right Direction?
“Does God ever get tired of you and your sins?” That was the anonymous question posed by a mom to a group of teenage girls at a recent conference where I spoke. The exercise is simple. One generation of women pose anonymous written questions to another generation and listen while they respond. It’s a great exercise to get moms and daughters talking more openly with one another, but on this particular day, I was disheartened by what I heard. The first girl who spoke up said, “Well, yeah. God gets tired of us bring the same old sins to Him over and over again.” Other heads nodded in agreement, and soon they were all in one accord, declaring, “Yes, God gets tired of us and our sins!”
Normally, my rule is that if you’re not in that generation, you just listen. No interrupting, no interjecting your own two cents worth. Just listen. But I simply couldn’t do it on this particular day. I couldn’t let these precious young girls live their lives believing the lie that God’s love and patience has limits! That’s certainly NOT what the Bible tells us about God’s character. Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Surely this is the passage of scripture that inspired Thomas Chisolm to write the hymn:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not:
As thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
I was speaking on this very topic in Memphis just days ago, about how we try to put God in a human box. We assume that because we get tired of other people and their sins, and others get tired of us and our sins, God must feel the same way. But by no means can we measure God’s love and mercy by comparing it to our own! His love and compassion is LIMITLESS. Believe it or not, He loves Mother Theresa and Britney Spears exactly the same! He loves Billy the Kid as much as He loves Billy Graham!
After my talk that night, a woman who was most likely in her seventies approached me and began sobbing on my shoulder. Through her tears, she cried out, “I’ve been running from God for decades, but if HE really loves me and forgives me like you say He does, then I don’t want to run anymore!” Today, Shirley is running in the RIGHT direction – toward God and His limitless love rather than away from it!
What about you? What direction are you running? Are you assuming that God has run out of patience and mercy with you? If so, let me set your thinking straight. GOD IS WOOING AND PURSUING YOU, girlfriend, not to punish you, but to provide all of the unconditional love, grace, and mercy you could ever need. Don’t waste another day running away from Him. Run toward Him, and find complete forgiveness in His loving arms.
NEW! Audio Books Release THIS Month
Do you prefer listening to books rather than reading them? Do you have a long commute each day, or are you planning a long road trip? If so, you’ll be glad to know that the entire Loving Jesus Without Limits series has just been released on audio book format and will be available after February 20th! To order the lead book or any of the four devotionals, just go to www.oasisaudio.com.
As our Valentine’s gift to you, we’d like to share one of the readings from the first devotional in the series, Completely Loved. Click here to be encouraged by the story of Hagar, and how we are Completely Loved by God as He witnesses our every moment in life.
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Each 30-day devotional will walk you through a particular passage of scripture, inspire you with a daily reading to help you apply what you’ve read, and challenge you with questions for introspection. Watch for future PodCasts from each of these devotionals to be posted in upcoming e-newsletters.
Just imagine what God could do in your life if you dedicate 120 days out of this year for Him to speak directly to your heart through His Word! God is wooing and pursuing you throughout the pages of scripture, girlfriend! Turn your heart toward your Heavenly Bridegroom and develop a healthy habit of basking in His presence until you overflow with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control!
Host Your Own Completely His Women’s Event
Using our newly released Completely His DVDs and ancillary products, churches everywhere can host their own Completely His Women’s Event! Click here to download our special “Host Your Own” Information Packet.
Or if you’d like to inquire about having Shannon speak LIVE at your event rather than using a DVD, click here.
We’re already booking into the 2009-2010 season, so think ahead!
NEW For Group Leaders!
Are you interested in leading a group of women through Shannon’s newest book, Completely His? Click here for our free gift to you – a list of Group Discussion Questions for each of the twelve chapters in the book! Enjoy! And let us know how your groups are enjoying the experience!
Tune in With Us…
Special thanks to Dennis Rainey & Bob Lepine of FamilyLife Today for re-airing the 5-part Every Woman’s Battle series. We invite you to catch these interviews by tuning into your local Christian radio station the week of February 18-22th, or go to www.familylife.com for local listings in your area.
Mark Your Calendars - Shannon Is Coming To...
Tyler, TX – February 29 – March 2, 2008 – Completely His Women’s Event at Pine Cove Christian Camp, Tyler, TX. For more information, click here!
Langley, British Columbia – March 10-11, 2008 – Shannon addresses the student body of Trinity Western University at their chapel services.
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada – March 14-16, 2008 – Sunnyside Christian Retreat Center, Shannon speaks at a women’s retreat Friday evening – Sunday morning. For more information, contact Kendra LaPorte at kendralaporte@shaw.ca.
Sulphur Springs, TX – March 28-29, 2008 - The staff of Women Offering Women Support will be hosting a Completely His Women’s event benefiting the Chrysalis House, a local ministry providing assistance to women in need. For more information, email Tammy Pearson at tammy@chrysalishousetexas.com.
Charlotte, NC - April 8, 2008 – Young Adults & Singles Worship Gathering sponsored by CHARLOTTE ONE at First United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Contact David Hickman at 704-650-0595 for more info.
Wichita Falls, TX – April 11-12, 2008 - Shannon address military wives Friday evening – Saturday afternoon at Camp Chaparral Baptist Center. For more info. contact Mimi Barr at GAL4GOD78@AOL.com.
Tyler, TX – Green Acres Baptist Church – April 14, 2008 – Shannon speaks at the Celebrate Recovery Support Group. Contact Marty at martyK64@aol.com for more information.
London, Ontario, Canada – May 2-3, 2008 – Girls’ Heart Point Ministry Conference at the University of Waterloo, 7-10 p.m. Friday, 9 am – 4 pm Saturday. For more information, contact Mike Mitchell at ghp@girlsheartpoint.ca.
Colorado Springs, CO – May 16-18, 2008 - Join Shannon and husband, Greg, for their “Taking Your Marriage Over the Top” conference at the magnificent Gleneyrie Conference Center. For more information, contact Hannah Larson at hannah.larson@navigators.com.
Big Bear, CA – May 30 – June 1, 2008 - Shannon will be speaking at a Ladies’ Retreat at Pine Summit Christian Conference Center for the Church at Rocky Peak Women’s Group. For more information visit www.rockypeak.org.
“Land Down Under” Speaking Tour – August 1 – 15, 2008 - Shannon and family will be touring the Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast area on a mission to impact Australian teens and adults! If you are interested in having her speak at your church or school, please contact John & Judy Bradford at jjbradford@westnet.com.au.
Sterling Heights, MI – October 16, 2008 – Ladies Banquet at Community Christian Church. For more info. contact terese.rea@cccsterling.org.
Saskatoon, SK– October 31 – November 1, 2008 – Women’s Journey of Faith Conference at TCU Place. For more info. contact jodi@wjof.com.
Cozumel, Mexico – February 5-9, 2009 - Sail with Shannon’s family and other speakers on a Premier Christian Cruise from Mobile, AL to Cozumel, Mexico! Mark your calendars now -- More info. to come!
Lebanon, TN – February 12, 2009 – Mother/Daughter Banquet at Friendship Christian School. For more info. contact Brooke Akin at brookeakin@friendshipchristian.org.
HOW COOL IS THAT?
We love hearing from you about what God is doing in your life as you read! Listen to these cool testimonies, and praise God with us…
“I just finished reading Every Woman’s Battle and all I can say is WOW! How can God do a work so profound? I was praying one day about all of my relational hang-ups, like how I can love God with all my heart but still have these issues. I prayed and asked God to do something for me. I went to the book store the same day and picked up both Every Man’s Battle and Every Woman’s Battle. I thank God for the ministry He has entrusted to you. I feel loved, very loved. I feel like someone cares. I really desire to be used by God, but the book you wrote helped me to receive His unmerited mercy. I finally understand that he really loves us and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. I don’t even know you and I feel like we’ve sat down and had a long conversation. Thank you so much for allowing God to use you in a magnificent way. Thank you for the seed you have planted in my life.” – K.N.
“I just wanted to let you know your book Completely His and the devotionals have really blessed me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt closer to God. I am 58 and have been a Christian many years. I spoke to my pastor about the books and she has asked me to talk and work with a few young ladies. I feel God wants to use me in a whole new adventure. I can’t wait to see where this goes. I have always felt a burden for young women to fall in love with Jesus, even the married ones. I have been married 40 years and my love affair with God is just enhancing my love affair with my husband.” - K.W.
If God’s doing something in your life, marriage, or ministry as a result of reading one of Shannon’s books, we’d love to hear from you!
How Can We Pray For You?
A few weeks ago all of the Shannon Ethridge Ministries prayer warriors gathered together for a Soup Supper and extended prayer time. Shirlee State, our faithful prayer coordinator since day #1 of this ministry reported that our prayer requests have increased dramatically, from around 200 in 2006 to over 500 in 2007! We’ve been particularly encouraged by folks to contact us after we’ve prayed for them with praise reports of what God has done. Please join me in expressing a sincere THANK YOU to our 15+ prayer warriors, and wishing them well in 2008.
If you have a prayer request we can lift to God on your behalf, please let us know by clicking here.
You can also click here to post prayer requests or connect with other readers on the Every Woman’s Battle Message Board.
We appreciate your prayers and encouraging support
for the staff and volunteers of Shannon Ethridge Ministries! |
