A Father’s Day card reads, “Anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a Daddy.” In this statement, the difference between being a father and being a daddy is one word, “special.” Webster’s Dictionary defines special as “great, dear, distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual.” How do you define your relationship with your Heavenly Father? Is He a Father to you or is He a Daddy? The answer lies in your revelation of His love. If you have mere knowledge that He loves you then your Heavenly Father is a Father to you. But if you have experienced a revelation of His love then He is a Daddy to you.

 

This Father’s Day as you celebrate the “Fathers” in your life, also seek to receive God’s love into your hearts. Write this Bible verse on your heart and turn it into a daily prayer.

 

May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Spirit. May Christ through your faith dwell in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth; that you may really come to know the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God!

Ephesians 3:16-19 AMP

 

 

Many of you have asked about having another Summer Sunset Social like we did last year in July. So, the waiting is almost over, get your lawn chairs ready and set aside the evening of July 29, 2007 for our next Summer Social. Look for more details to come at the BaysideWomens' table in the foyer at church or in next month's newsletter. Get ready to R-E-L-A-X!

 

“Love one another from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22

 

Warmly,

Valerie & the BaysideWomen Team

 

 

Great Women

May We Know One.

May We Be One.

May We Raise One.

 

On May 13th, mothers are lifted up among their families and are honored for all that they do.  It’s a day when “her own works praise her” and “her children rise up and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31).  It’s a day for celebrating “great” women.

 

Exactly what makes a woman “great”?  Look no further than the Proverbs 31 woman.  This woman’s husband “boasts of and praises her, [saying], ‘Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.’” Proverbs 31:29 AMP  But the thing that made her great is found in verse 30 “ . . . but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!”  It is her spiritual life that makes her great.  Isn’t that good news!  We all have the ability to be a “great” woman just by reverently and worshipfully fearing the Lord!  This Mother’s Day, take some time to reflect on your spiritual life and allow the Proverbs 31 woman to be an encouragement for you to continue to strive to be the “great” woman that God intended you to be.

 

“Love one another from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22

Warmly,

Valerie & the BaysideWomen Team

 

New Year's Resolutions.  Did you make any?  And, how are you coming along in achieving your 2007 goals?  Like many, by now the New Year's Resolutions that you were so passionate about at the beginning of the year have faded into the chaos of everyday life.  So, what were your resolutions?  Were they health related?  You know: exercise, eat right, lose weight.  Were they spiritual related?  Develop a daily quiet time, memorize bible verses, read the Bible in one year.  Were they relationship related?  Spend more time with friends, spouse, children.  Were they financial?  Tithing, spend less, save more.  Maybe you had a combination of all of these areas.  Most of the time, the goals we set for ourselves can be so numerous that the task is too daunting and we don't accomplish anything.  Discouragement and condemnation set in.  These are not feelings from God.  They are feelings and thoughts the enemy gives us.  So, if we give in to  those thoughts, the only one that experiences victory at the close of 2007 is satan.  Let's not let that happen!

 

Try this. 

 

Write down all those desires on your heart (or if you wrote them down at the start of the year, get them out).  Reflect and pray over the list and ask God to show you two or three things that would help you reap a harvest and focus on only those things.  By concentrating on only a couple of things, you are more likely to achieve success and dispel those discouraging thoughts. 

 

So, dust off those New Year's Resolutions and get focused!

 

If developing relationships was one of your New Year's Resolutions, then plan on coming to the BaysideWomen's Spring Social, Chat Café!  It is on Sunday, April 22nd from 3:00 to 5:00 and will be catered by Cool Beans.  Stop by the BaysideWomen's table in the foyer to learn more information or to purchase a ticket.

 

Was having a deeper walk with God one of your New Year's Resolutions?  Then plan on coming to the BaysideWomen's Encounter Retreat.  This retreat is a life-changing experience and is planned for May 4-5 at the Lake Aurora Christian Camp and Retreat Center.  For more information or to register, come by the BaysideWomen's table in the foyer.

 

"Love one another from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22

Warmly,

Valerie

The new Small Groups are off and running and it is not too late to still sign up! Small Groups are a great way to get connected with others at Bayside.  If you would like support in selecting just the right Small Group, then stop by the BaysideWomen’s  table in the foyer. There is always someone from the Women's Ministry ready to help you.   

 

Below are the groups listed in the "Women" Section of the Bayside Small Groups Spring ‘07 menu book.  Please feel free to contact a leader for more details.

1.    Boundaries – Karen Trim (962-7166)

2.    Developing the Leader Within You – Jalene Romano (739-0705)/ Rebecca Campbell (750-8619)

3.    Ephesians- Dale Woods (359-9686)

4.    Friends Meeting Friends Marilyn Kopnak (752-4444)

5.    Heart Friends- Leesa Heimann (739-0122)

6.    Intimate Issues- Cyndee Vanderford (746-8871)

7.    Praying God’s Word- Marybeth Witham (527-7283)

 

Mark your calendars for these two wonderful opportunities to connect and build relationships.

1.    BaysideWomen’s Spring Social (Chat Café) on April 22nd.   Stop by the BaysideWomen’s table for more details about this CHATTY event.

2.    BaysideWomen’s Spring Encounter Retreat on May 4-6th.  The retreat is an awesome chance to connect deeper with God and other women at Bayside.  

 

 

“Love one another from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22

 

Warmly,

Valerie

 

The month of February is here and, once again, everywhere we look, we see hearts.  At Bayside, it is our heart's desire that every woman connects with God and each other through healthy relationships. There will be many opportunities this semester to build these relationships through the new Small Groups that will be starting in a couple of weeks.  

 

Please stop by the Bayside Women’s table, located in the foyer at church and chat with one of the ladies from the Bayside Women’s Team about which Small Group is best for YOU!  This is the semester to connect “heart to heart”!  Remember, it is our goal to see Bayside Women who are “dedicated” to seeking God, “confident” in who they are in Christ, and “driven” to share the love of Christ with others.

 

“Love one another from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22

Warmly,

Valerie and the Bayside Women Team