Issue 28 - MARCH 2008
March Greetings From
Shannon Ethridge Ministries!
Encouragement Corner: The Beauty Of Black & White?
While speaking at Trinity Western University last week in Langley, British Columbia, I had the pleasure of taking in some of the local sights one afternoon with some of the students and staff. One quaint little shop we entered was quite unique in that every single item for sale was either black, white, or black & white. Clothing, Jewelry, home furnishings, bath products, ALL items from one end to the other, both upstairs and downstairs, were black and white. Even the store’s walls, curtains, floors, and light fixtures were—you guessed it—black, white, or some combination of the two. Although it may sound a little boring without a splash of any other color, it was actually a sight to behold and very soothing to the eye.
I contemplated why this was so, and realized that most human beings are more comfortable when things are black & white—not just physically, but also spiritually. We prefer to know full well whether something is RIGHT or WRONG, black or white, and when we get into shades of grey where we’re not sure how to tell the difference between right or wrong, we get nervous for fear of making a wrong judgment call, especially in matters of sexual and emotional integrity.
For example, consider some of the emails I’ve received from women in the past:
- My co-worker is married, yet flirts with me. I’m single, so I don’t feel guilty about it—that is, until his wife shows up at the office and I find it hard to look her in the eye.
- My husband says he doesn’t like me reading Harlequin romance novels, but if he’s going to watch sports (which doesn’t interest me at all), why can’t I enjoy reading whatever steamy paperback I want?
- My boyfriend tells me that he respects my commitment to sexual purity, but also says he’s more than willing if I change my mind. I feel as if he tries to push the envelope whenever we’re alone. Although we haven’t gone all the way, remaining strong is getting harder and harder. The line between integrity and compromise seems more and more blurry.
In each of these situations, the issues are actually far more black and white than these women realize. Letting a married man flirt with you is just as compromising as flirting outside your own marriage – it simply shouldn’t be done. What purpose does it serve other than to awake impure thoughts and create anxiety? How is a woman reading steamy romance novels any different than a man surfing online for pornography? Don’t both glamorize sex between unmarried partners and awaken lustful passions for someone other than your spouse? And dating a man who says with his mouth that he respects your commitment to sexual purity, yet says something completely different with his actions is one that I wouldn’t trust as far as I could throw him. If this is the kind of spiritual leader he’s going to be prior to marriage, how will he lead you inside of marriage? How will he ever manage to control his sexual desires with other women if he can’t control them around you?
If we’re honest with ourselves, sexual and emotional issues are often more black and white than we realize, which brings to mind the concept of the Black & White Dogs that dwell in a person’s spirit. According to an old Indian proverb, every person has inside themselves a Black Dog (a tendency for selfishness) and a White Dog (a tendency for godliness) that constantly battle each other for dominance. Which dog wins? Whichever one you feed the most. Therefore, let us always look to the black & white pages of Scripture for guidance when life choices seem a little grey.
Loving Jesus Without Limits Audio Books
 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 is now on audio book format! To order the lead book or any of the four devotionals, just go to www.oasisaudio.com.
As our gift to you each month, we’ll be sharing one reading from each devotional in every newsletter this year. Click here to learn about The Wisdom of Remaining Ignorant from Day 1 of Completely Forgiven.
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Host Your Own Completely His Women’s Event
In the past few weeks, I’ve attended Completely His Women’s Events in Tennessee, Texas, and Alberta, Canada, where women took our 14-page “Host Your Own Event” Information Packet, adapted it to suit their audience size of 150 to 500 ladies, added their own creative twists, and blessed their congregation beyond measure with an amazing retreat experience.
Regardless of the size of your women’s ministry, YOU can do the same in your church using our Completely His DVD set and ancillary products. Click here to start planning your next women’s retreat, and know that you can use as few or as many of these ideas as you like! Some churches prefer to do the full-blown “Wedding Supper of the Lamb Ceremony,” whereas others have done just the Reception complete with wedding cake, punch, and the works!. Either way it’s an extraordinary experience for all in attendance! The concept of embracing your role as the beloved “bride of Christ” comes to life for married, single, divorced, or widowed women, young and old alike, creating a beautiful intergenerational experience!
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!
- Victory Christian Center of Southern Illinois is hosting their own Completely His Women’s Event on April 5, 2008. Contact Tara Cherry at taracherry@victorycarbondale.com for information about how YOU can attend!
Mark Your Calendars - Shannon Is Coming To...
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.
Waterloo, 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 want you to know how much I am enjoying your Loving Jesus Without Limits devotion books I am really loving my time in God’s Word. The passages you have selected and the things you have written are exactly what I need each day. Several times lately my supervisor has come across me crying in the morning and asks me what is wrong. I keep telling her it is good. God is really changing my heart through the time with Him. Thank you for allowing God to use your life as an example for me.” —D.H.
“I just read the last page of Every Woman’s Battle—after having devoured Every Woman’s Marriage last week. I cannot even eat my lunch without stopping and thanking you for writing this, for your honesty and your openness about an area that so few women admit or talk about. I read thoughts that I have had and didn’t know anyone else had! I’m experiencing great healing—healing I didn’t know was possible. I praise the Lord for the words He has given you to share!” — T.B.
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!
Shannon's Prayer Requests
First of all, thanks to those who’ve been lifting our family up in prayer during this incredibly busy season. I’ve felt supernatural amounts of grace to cope with the demands of traveling, speaking, and writing, and I know that’s the power of the prayers going up on our behalf. I’d also like to ask you be in prayer for:
- My mother and her 5 siblings, who lost their 94-year old mother last month. Adjusting to life without Gran-Granny will be difficult, but we’re thankful for the long & fruitful life she lived.
- My daughter, Erin, who’s having her Sweet Sixteenth birthday this week and just got her first car. Please pray for a hedge of protection around her everywhere she goes!
- My son, Matthew, has his thirteenth birthday this week as well – a milestone in the life of every brand-new teenager. Please pray for him to continue growing into a godly young man.
- My husband, Greg, as he continues to keep up with the demands of being both a stay-at-home dad while he’s also trying to launch a new hydroponic strawberry nursery. If all goes as planned, he’ll be constructing his first big greenhouse very soon!
- I’d also appreciate your prayers as we complete the new Sexually Confident Wife manuscript and build a new website around it. Since it’s intended for the mainstream (secular) audience, we pray it will make a huge impact in women’s lives & marriages and be a brilliant light in a dark world.
How Can We Pray For You?
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! |
