Young Women’s VNTB #38
Director: Danine Gruber
Theme: RADIANT JOY
Date: March 15-17, 2024
Prayer “Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope.” Romans 15:13
Verse (their invitation) “I prayed to (sought) the Lord, and He answered me; He freed (delivered) me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” NLT Psalms 34:4-5
RADIANT JOY… Radiance: a visible representation that emanates or shines forth from a source within. Joy is defined as delight or pleasure. It is said to be synonymous with happiness except the latter is often more a response, a feeling that can flit away in a moment at the slightest whisper of a breeze. Joy, biblical joy, is akin to water from a well. It springs up in some of the most unexpected times and places.
The visual is two-fold. The pure white flower blooms once a year in the middle of a desert and in the darkest of night. It blooms, like we are invited to, simply because that is what it was created to do. It doesn’t matter if it is seen (by man), nor does it have a need of applause or comparison – its’ petals stretch out in praise for its Creator to delight in. The beautiful petals unfold and bless their surroundings with fragrance, testifying to the handiwork of the Father above.
The stars represent legacy and a lighting of the way for those who come after them, those often caught amidst dark journeys of their own. It is known that many of the stars that brighten our night, have long since ceased to exist, and their twinkle is just now becoming visible to our eye. I think of the struggles we endure, the hardships, and the dying to self for the sake of Christ; how long after we have grown through them, our testimony stands or serves to light the way for those looking to follow in His steps.
We do not RADIATE JOY unless we first know Whose we are. You cannot paint it on, it flows from beneath the surface. It is not swayed by winds of change. Delve deep and deeper still. You are seen in your desert, your dark night. You are purposed with intent and creativity to bloom and to shine.
As I prayed for this weekend for the ladies, it was the seemingly impenetrable shadows of anxiety, depression, hurt, shame, rejection, and unanswerable questions that weigh upon their shoulders. Hope may seem far off, what was known and sure in the temporal world often can morph into something quite different. Oh, but God. He IS at work in the desert valleys, tumultuous storms, and dark of night. He is NOT done yet. It is time for a shift in perspective, one that colors the world around us all. The enemy wants to put a period in the middle of a circumstance, but God has an ellipsis (…) There is assuredly more to come. Beauty, life, and color will arise from this weekend. I am excited that we get to be part of leading them to the well that never runs dry and that they can realize the place they are at today is truly just today’s steppingstone. It’s a place to grow, to blossom, but also a place to help others move forward into what Jesus has for them. What appears to be hidden in shadow, points to the light that is coming through.
The perspective shift comes through an invitation to a place of wonder and gratitude. Gratitude frames our circumstances and breathes life back into weary bones. Our song for this weekend is – Gratitude by Brandon Lake
Gratitude taps into the well of joy; it bursts forth and colors not only our circumstance but our world as we pilgrim onward.
Though our visual is in simple black and white, trust God to brushstroke our canvas with an array of color. That is just His way. (From His handiwork seen in the bright rainbow etched amongst dispersing storm clouds to the magnificent northern lights arrayed across a frozen tundra sky.)
Director | Theresa Castro
Theme | Beautiful Scars
Date | October 20-22, 2023
Weekend Song | Scars by I Am They
Weekend Verse
John 16:33
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
When we were children, we would fall, bump or cut ourselves (Some of us more than others!). Many times, these cuts would leave a lasting mark and become scars. Some people would cover their scars or try to make them go away with creams or ointments. Others chose to bear them as badges of honor.
Spiritually, it’s the same. We can be wounded in so many different ways. There are times when something is done TO us by someone else which leaves us feeling abandoned, abused or broken and causes a lasting wound. Or maybe words are spoken over us that cut deeper than a knife and leave their mark on our heart. At other times, we hold onto guilt or shame from mistakes that we have made (or are currently making). These self-inflicted wounds can be just as painful as ones caused by others. I have witnessed men and women that have been wounded, sometimes in their early childhood, that have carried these wounds their entire lives. They bring this wound with them – bleeding, open and festering. This wound then becomes part of who they are – their identity. It hurts my soul so deeply to see a beautiful son or daughter of a Mighty God stay in the grave that the enemy has dug for them.
Jesus’ wounds caused His death on that cross. But “Take Heart,” because He didn’t stay there. Our Savior overcame death, and His wounds were transformed into scars that He uses to this day to glorify God. Now, when the enemy wounds us, Jesus can heal us and then our scars can also be used to Glorify God.
My hope and prayer is that God’s theme for this weekend speaks to these young ladies (and the team) so that they can get out of that grave and live in the freedom that God planned for them. That they will boldly step out in God’s name and proudly bear their scars and pass on the comfort they received from God to others (2 Corinthians 1:4). The wounds that God has healed need to be worn as Badges of Honor! Praise God that we don’t have to stay broken or wounded, “He has overcome the world” and we get to be warriors in His army!
PRESENCE CULTURE
Director | Mazuli Sassaman
Theme | Presence Culture
Date | March 17-19, 2023
Weekend Song | Easy by Mercy Culture Worship
Weekend Verse
Exodus 33:13-14
…Teach me Your ways that I may know You and find favor in Your sight. Remember that this nation is Your people. The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
So, what does “Presence Culture” mean? It means establishing a culture built around the presence of God. Everything we need can be found in His presence because in it, we are whole. Heaven is built around His Presence, and if we’re called to reflect Jesus, who brought the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, then, ultimately, we are called to steward God’s Presence and build everything around it. So when we pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” we’re basically saying, “Lord, build it around Your Presence. Activate in the natural what is already done in the spiritual.”
God says in His Word, “I am the Lord. I change not.” Rather, everything changes when it’s in His Presence. Everything is easy in His presence. The things that are difficult for us are easy for Him: Hearing His voice, healing, freedom, obedience, rest, etc. If we want to change culture, then we cannot conform to it; what we must do is establish a new culture, one that is built around the Presence of God. A Presence Culture.
So will you join me in stewarding this weekend and building it around His Presence? Will you join me in placing His Presence over culture? Will you join me in expanding His Presence Culture?
Lord, “teach us Your ways, that we may know You and find Your favor.”
Young Women’s VNTB #35
Young Women’s VNTB #34
Date: March 18th – 20th, 2022
Verses:
“And I will be to her a wall of fire all around,” declares the Lord, “and I will be the glory in her midst.” – Zechariah 2:5 ESV
He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” – Daniel 3:25 ESV
VNTB Community,
It has been a year since we last met and planned a weekend and over that time life has been full of ups and downs. As you know we had planned for Stephanie Hand to direct the #34th VN weekend end but God had other plans.
When I got that Stephanie felt God was asking her to step away and that I was being asked to step in. I knew right away this was God’s plan. I was ready to go that night and start calling the team, to share the theme God has give us for this weekend and catch up with you. I can’t wait to start building this team over the next few weeks.
The theme for VNTB #34 is Holy Fire. God’s Holy Fire can mean and be so many things. It can be the Fire of a refiner when He wants to burn away old things. It can be the presence of the Holy Spirit during powerful prayer. It can be the wall of Fire surrounding you when the enemy’s darts are flying in from every direction. It can be light when we walk by when we feel lost in the desert. It can be God standing next to you so you don’t get burned in the furnace. What this past year has shown me is without a doubt when things get Fiery, and they will get fiery, I want God in it with me.
His Fire is always loving, purifying, powerful and we have access to it through our salvation in Jesus and relationship with the Holy Spirit. Our weekend verses are: Zechariah 2:5 ESV and Daniel 3:25 ESV.
I want to invite you to join me and our youth director Sarah Ordonez (Sarah Brooks) in serving the candidates on this 34th Girls VN weekend. If you are as excited as I am to see everyone, go ahead and sign up to serve. Sarah and I are also praying about who God would have me ask to join the team and will reaching out over the next few weeks. Will, you Answer God’s call to serve these candidates and see what Holy Fire God has in store for us.
Hannah McFadden
VNTB #34 Director
Young Women’s #33
Theme: I Am Yours
Here is where God is leading us this weekend – throughout life and circumstances, we allow ourselves and others to place labels on us. We walk around with these labels, whether positive or negative, and we allow them to define us. When we allow these labels to define who we are, we have the tendency to fall into negative behaviors because we are ruled by who the world says we are. For me, from a young age, I felt I could never measure up and I could never get enough attention. This lead to me picking up the label of rejection.
But God! He tells us that our identity comes solely from Him. When we believe that truth and take off the labels that us and others have placed on ourselves, there is freedom! And, with freedom comes the ability to delight, trust and rest in the Lord.
My challenge for you as you spend time with God leading up to our team meetings are these two questions: (1) What labels have you allowed to define who you are? and (2) What circumstances may God be allowing right now to draw you closer to Him as your source of identity?
Our scripture for the weekend is “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)
Theme Song: You Say by Lauren Daigle
Young Women’s #32
Theme: More Than Anything
While I was praying about what God wanted as a theme for this weekend, I knew God was telling me that the focus had to be on Jesus. Of course, I figured this was a given and continuously prayed about what this meant. God guided me towards realizing that He was telling me that the focus of life is Jesus, to want Him more than anything giving me the theme of VNTB #32, More Than Anything.
This may seem simple or obvious to most of us, but through this theme I want to challenge myself, the team, and the candidates to really reflect on if we truly want Jesus More Than Anything every minute of our lives. Even that statement, “every minute”, does that give us pause? Do we feel like that is too much to ask of us? When I say “More than anything” what do you think of? Choosing church over sleep or choosing to read the Bible instead of watching television? Those are important actions but let’s take it a step further. What about our relationships? Our education? Our jobs or careers? Our family? Do we want Him more than those? How about when we go through difficult times in our lives? Or when all we FEEL we need is healing or saving from the hurt we’re experiencing? During these moments do we truly know that He has already given us what we already need. Do we still want Jesus more than what we ask of Him? Or when He gives us an answer we weren’t expecting or wanting? Do we want Him more than we want to be comfortable in this life?
We live in a world that tells us our main priority is to be comfortable, to take care of self no matter what the cost, but this is a lie. The truth that Scripture teaches us is to take up our crosses and follow Him. This might result in difficult, very uncomfortable times; however, things don’t often grow in comfortable environments. It is about having an eternal mindset. If our goal is to be more like Jesus than He should always be our focus, not comfortable living. Once we live for heaven, our joy is no longer tied to our circumstances. One of the weekend verses, Colossians 3:2-3, states “Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Could any place be better than being hidden with Christ? Jesus must be our ideal, our focus, the Lord of our life, our everything. He wants to be our everything so much that He tells us in Matthew 10:37-39, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me and whoever loves son and daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worth of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” These are extremely powerful words that demonstrate just how much we should want and need Jesus more than anything this life can offer. He is to be loved even beyond some of the nearest relationships we can have in life. We must value Jesus more than this life, otherwise we cannot be His disciples.
Young Women’s #31
Theme: Transformed...a Work Of God
Verses:
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Theme song: Masterpiece by Danny Gokey
Amidst my everyday life God pointed out a transformation process similar to ours. One Saturday morning I walked out my front door to see my neighbor’s yard covered in dandelions, the small tenacious flower most people consider an undesirable weed. A week later they all transformed into seed clusters, ready for the right breeze to carry them off. ….(remember when you were a kid and you loved to blow the seeds off and make a wish). This view to anyone else was probably unimpressive but in that moment, God spoke “Transformed” to me again.
The dandelion scattered by the wind, puts its roots down anywhere and can survive in just about any location. From a little seed to a pretty yellow flower to a white bloom, it produces many seeds to be scattered, all so the process can begin again. God was giving me a picture of us and our Christian life. We are first transformed at the moment of salvation and with “watering”, through mentoring and fellowship He transforms our minds and hearts to become even more Christ-like, transformed into His image.”
While seeking God to show me what He wants VNTB#31 to reflect, He gave me the word Transformed. At first I was like “WHAT? really God? I was looking for something that sounded more exciting to me”; but everywhere I went and everything I heard spoke Transformed to me, so I surrendered to God’s plan. I decided to look up the definition of the word Transformed, and my favorite definition says, “to make a thorough change in the form, appearance or character of something.” I was so glad I listened to God and let Him transform my thoughts for this weekend.
Have you ever doubted God’s power to transform certain characteristics in you and instead settled for just saying “it’s just the way I am?” or maybe you used the ever so popular “God made me this way” I have. But God can change those character traits. He can change lives and desires to do so! It doesn’t matter what hurts, habits or hang ups you have– there is hope in the transforming power of Jesus.
God led me to look at Mary Magdalene. One of Jesus’s most powerful allies, he transformed her first by casting the demons out of her, then just by his mere presence seeds were planted in her life that transformed her further. Her faith and willingness grew and that allowed her to then be used for a greater purpose. She followed Him sharing the seeds of how He transformed her life and the lives of others along the way. Much like a dandelion scattering it’s seeds. God also brought to mind some other women who were transformed and used by God, such as Esther, Ruth, Deborah, Hannah, the woman at the well, the unclean woman who touched His garment, just to name a few. Even though they lived in a different time they faced many of the same issues we face. Yet these women show us how God loves us where we are, and He uses willing individuals to impact change for those who choose to have the faith to follow Him and be transformed. No matter what obstacles we encounter, if we choose to continue to trust the Lord and be transformed into His image, He is faithful to see us through transforming each of us into that Masterpiece he sees.
Being Transformed is a continual process, a work of God, from salvation to death (or rapture whichever comes first). Now, for this internal transformation to take place we need to spend time with our Abba daddy. Philippians 1:6–says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ
Jesus not only saved us to give us eternal life but to also have a relationship with us and that through that relationship we would become more like Him, transformed. And it’s not something we do alone. We are Transformed by the Word ~ by Sacrifice ~ by trials ~ by His presence ~ By yielding to the Holy spirit and listening to the Lord.
Young Women’s #30
Theme: Flawless
Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love.
Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—
that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Young Women’s #29
Theme: Spirit Move … in the Refiners Fire
“There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us,
and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged.
Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”
Expecting Him to Move! –In the secular world we think of this as positive thinking. In the Christian walk we know it means SO much more!– But we’ve got to be looking for Him! Looking for His Glory
and His Beauty in the midst of our struggles. Knowing, trusting and believing that Holy Spirit intends to Show Up and Move in our life (and in this weekend) in a big and bold way! And it is in the struggle that He is refining us!
There is NO refining without the struggle! No one wants the refining. It’s painful.
But it’s the only way to move closer and closer to Him. *Not only are we never alone in this walk, but there are blessings in the midst of His refining better than we could ever imagine for ourselves!
The Visual: I’m a Louisiana girl. Tim and I grew up in Louisiana. The Louisiana state wild flower is the Iris which symbolizes and resembles the fleur-de-lis which symbolizes our Cajun French heritage as well as the Holy Trinity.
When thinking about how I might incorporate the fleur-de-lis image in my weekend, I went hunting for images and discovered there is actually a variety of Iris called Refiners Fire.
Weekend Song: Spirit Move by Kalley Heiligenthal (Bethel)
Director: Sarah Shepherd
Theme: Who He Says I Am
Verses:
Isaiah 40:27-29 and Isaiah 41:10
“My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Identity is a huge deal. Everyone knows that. But what is my identity? Where do I go to find it?
It seems like everyone has an opinion of who other people are. But they still have no clue about who they are themselves.
People tell me, “Go to God”. And, that’s great. But what does that actually look like in every-day actions? How do you hear from God?
First, you have to know who God is. Ok, who is God, actually? Without all the filters and all the things people have told you, do you actually know what He’s like and what He’s capable of?
Second thing. Who am I? Well, really, to get the truth, you need to ask a slightly different question. Who does God say I am? Because He is the only one that never lies and sees EVERYTHING about me. So, He is really the one (and only one) who is qualified to answer that question. Guess what? It’s not what you think. …
The more you focus on getting to know Him, the more He will teach you which thoughts are from Him and which aren’t. The more you get to know Him and who He says you are, the more confidence you will have to face every day’s challenges. The more you let Him help you with every-day things, the better you can face anything that comes your way. He’s got this. He’s got you. Therefore, you’ve got this!
My prayer is that both servers and campers will be able to discern the counterfeits in life from God’s voice and then have the confidence to step out and go on adventures with Him! You can serve, you can sponsor a young girl, you can donate and pray. All these things are very important! Please pray about which of these things God wants you to do and see where it leads you!
Sarah Shepherd
Director VNTB #28
Director: Jennifer Chadwell
Theme: But First
Verses:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
English Standard Version
"But first, be concerned about His kingdom and what has His approval. Then all these things will be provided for you." God's Word translation
Our culture and our society trains and encourages us to live and choose with our flesh, for our pleasures, seeking what is quick, instant, easy, and our way.
The choices we make from this position model that our decisions and our desires trump all else!
BUT, Matthew 6:33 instructs us to seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness - not ours, but HIS!
Not just in times of trouble or need – or when we thank Him when He answers us the way we wanted Him to. But also in our day-to-day tasks (Father, should I have lunch her today?), the enjoyable-but-not-pressing matters (Lord, is this movie appropriate for my eyes and heart?), the major decisions we may not recognize should be seek-Him decisions (God, I need your guidance on this vehicle purchase!), and in quietness as we listen and talk to Him throughout our day. Not just for our needs and wants, but for simply being in His presence, too.
Let us re-write our hearts to remember to seek Him first, when it's easy and when it's hard, when decisions are big and when they are little, in our busy-ness and in our calm,
when it's popular and when we must do what is contrary to what our culture says we should.
No matter the position, it all begins when we seek Him first!
I pray you will join me on this journey, in prayer, study, and action!
:: Pray for our team and our candidates, and for every detail He sees as important for this weekend ::
:: Study His word on this topic and look for an area or areas where He's nudging you to put Him first ::
:: And join me in service on this weekend, as a team member, as a sponsor, as a provider of our special blessings :
Jenn Chadwell
Director :: VNTB #27
Director: Mindy Bowman
Theme: Furious Love
I pray that Christ may live in your hearts by faith. I pray that you will be filled with love. I pray that you will be able to understand how wide, and how long and how high and how deep His love is I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself.
There comes a time when every girl dreams that her white knight will ride up on his trusty steed and battle all the forces of evil to rescue her from the ivory tower. Most of the time our reality is far, far from the truth.
The world continues to drum into our heads that we need things and people to “save” us. While these things can be great at teaching us lessons, they mean nothing unless we understand one, simple truth – God needs to be our foundation in ALL things.
His love is a furious love that knows no bounds. His love will follow you to the ends of the earth and back. His love will battle the forces of evil and save you from your ivory tower. And we all have our ivory towers - female and male alike.
I pray that you will be able to understand how wide, and how long and how high and how deep His love is I pray that you will know the love of Christ.
His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself.
I also pray you will join me in serving the candidates and team of VN #26 where we will learn about and experience God’s Furious Love.
Director: Tiffany Catledge
Theme: Redeemed and Renewed
Verses:
Isaiah 43:1a-2 (NKJV)
“'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you."
Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Redeemed and Renewed
Have you ever felt like there was no way Jesus could ever send you to shine His light because of how dark your past
(or even your present) feels?
Do you ever struggle to accept and live out your true identity as God's daughter because you feel ashamed or unworthy?
Are we overwhelmed by His grace and empowered by His Spirit?
Do we run into His arms, knowing He loves us?
who Jesus has saved and set free!
Verse:
Director: Christine Olivieri
Theme: Shine!... Out of the darkness
Verses:
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way,
let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness
into his wonderful light.
VNTB #23 -Shine! ...out of the darkness
Darkness – is the absence of light.
Flipping a switch makes the darkness vanish in an instant.
Fear of what is around the corner?
Suddenly you are aware of being alone and not in control.
What will happen next? Sometimes our fears hold us back from moving forward.
And guess what, we have an enemy that celebrates when we are frozen by these fears.
If we are frozen we are held back from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.
When we ask God to help us conquer these fears one by one, we are able to move forward - bolder, more confident and in union with our Heavenly Father.
For me, fear held me back from so many things throughout my life. Fear to speak and say the wrong thing.
Fear to participate, fear of being rejected, fear of being alone, fear of being labeled stupid, ugly, not worthy....and my list can go on and on...
Vida Nueva #23 is all about how God cancels out the darkness in an instant with HIS incredible power and love. We are not left alone to stumble in the darkness;
HE is always with us. HE gives us the sun in the morning, the moon at night, plus HE gives us the light of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.
HIS light gives us such a hope and a peace that it is way beyond our own understanding.
HIS amazing light fills the shadows and empty places in our hearts
so nothing is hidden. Our ultimate goal is to reflect God’s image and shine like the SON.
Do you have fears that are holding you back?
Do you feel frozen and stuck in some areas in your life?
Let God have full reign so He can turn our light on so brightly that others will see HIS power and HIS Glory in everything that we do.
Verses:
As we get closer and closer to the next upcoming VN weekend, my anticipation builds! I am always in awe of what God delivers when we seek him! Having said that, I was feeling crazy pressure after I said “yes” to the call to be upcoming director. I couldn’t get out of my own way with my thoughts of insecurities. How could I possibly be like the many directors before me who always left me looking up to them with such admiration? Then came the list in my head of all the reasons why I shouldn’t do this. Honestly, I’m not in His Word daily, I’m uncomfortable praying out loud, I’ve broken more than one commandment (and probably will again), and I’m afraid of being judged. After really seeking him, and taking time to listen to what God wanted me to hear, I realized something that changed everything. It’s NOT about ME! Duh! Wow! That took some pressure off! This, and every other VN weekend is about HIM and allowing God to reach us wherever we’re at, imperfections and all, and truly being able to trust in his timing, and his choices in our lives knowing HIS plan is perfect. Throughout this I kept hearing “Let it go, Cindy” God already has this weekend ordained to be exactly what HE wants it to be. I’m only here to be the party planner, with Jesus as my boss. And, anyone that knows me knows how much I love to plan a party! The theme for VN # 22 is “Let Go...And Know!” Do you know someone who needs to “let go and really KNOW and trust God and his plan for your life?” Do you have trouble with control or your temper? Do you struggle with lying or conforming to the world in order to feel connected? Do you have to be perfect...the perfect student, perfect mom, perfect girlfriend or wife in order to “prove something to yourself or others?
Director: Michelle Licea
Theme: Love Me Free
Verses:
“And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them;
and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh;
and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God].”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLV)
”The heart is free where the Spirit of the Lord is. The Lord is the Spirit. All of us, with no covering on our faces,
show the shining-greatness of the Lord as in a mirror.
All the time we are being changed to look like Him, with more and more of His shining-greatness.
This change is from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
In our seasons of brokenness God sheds light to lead us to a place of wholeness.
This is where I find myself as I accept the honor of being director of VN #21.
Unknowingly, the journey was set into motion during VN #16 when a candidate said, “I want God to Love Me Free”.
It resonated in me and began a quest to understand it’s meaning. With Jesus as my Teacher the best resource has been the experiences in my own life.
Not a request to be loved; but more of a request to be free:
2.) To be engaged to love God; myself and others freely; with abandonment; vulnerable and courageous.
The lies we believe and the unholy vows we make as a result of our past, present or future have held us captive to an untrue image of ourselves and of others. We have allowed our circumstances, along with disappointments and hurts from the world, and sometimes even religion, to harden our hearts. This denies true intimacy and vulnerability in exchange for a false sense of control. The truth does not come from how we feel or think, but from the ability to have God’s truth be known through His Holy Spirit within us.
Ezekiel 11:19 (AMP) “And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them;
and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh;
and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God].”
He promises to remove our hardened and rebellious heart in exchange for (another; a do-over) heart of flesh, tender and responsive to Him. To give us “one heart” (in Hebrew “first soul”). The original heart He had intended for us from the beginning that would think, feel, and will as He does. A new spirit that through the work of our Lord Jesus we would have within us the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the spirit of the “new man, new creature”. He made a way and equipped us to have the ability to be sensitive and responsive to God’s love and will.
The promise is a heart that is free by the presence of the Lord, who is the Spirit, within us (foretold in our Ezekiel Scripture). We can then experience the power of His love and freedom from those things that confine us.
As we commune with His presence, with uncovered faces (hearts free), we are then able to see and experience
the change into His likeness. To reflect the greatness of His love.
To reflect this kind of likeness in love and freedom can at times have a cost. In fact, sometimes there are moments
(or stretches) of discomfort and even pain.
However, truth prevails because His Word is filled with the rewards that come from this love and freedom,
both here on earth and in Heaven.
It’s so worth it! Jesus knew it was. So, are you willing to allow God to Love You Free?
If so, join me as we walk out the journey of VN #21.
Love and being loved is a powerful force. As girls especially, we crave it and God made us that way. Just like we need air to fill up our lungs to breathe, we need love to fill up our souls. We know in our heads that God loves us, but for some reason we don't rely on His love to sustain us. From the time we are little, we look for a tangible, touchable love from the people and things in our lives.
Verses:
Joel 2:25-26
"The Lord says " I will give you back what you lost..you will have all the food you want
and you will praise the Lord your God, who does great miracles for you.
Never again, will you be disgraced or put to shame"
Nehemiah 8:10
" the joy of the Lord is my strength! "
Satan is a liar. He always whispers that if we are abused, slow, forgetful, fearful, or different that we are less than perfect. God says when we accept him we become righteous or just like him. As Christians we have tremendous power. Power to do anything. Power to refuse to believe the taunting lies of our enemy. Christian teenagers face a fierce battle, one where their heart and God assure them of one thing but the roaring liar says otherwise. VN # 19 is a call to stand firm in our power (God’s power) and know that as we fall, as that is inevitable, that we are picked up each time by the very one that taught a bird it’s song and created each of us to be beautiful and unique. My desire is that each of the candidates, as well as each of us, look into the mirror of our soul after failing and falling and only see the reflection of our Jesus. After all, as children of God…that is all that God sees when He looks at us - Jesus, not our mess ups. VN# 19 is a vision adjustment to see the truth, believe the truth, and realize that even as imperfect as we are…we are valuable and strong. He promises and actually says that we will come through these times, praising him, lacking nothing and never, never have to be ashamed of anything. God died for each shameful moment of our life and we can be secure in his love, his forever after love. VN# 19 is an encouragement to praise God through every fear, failure, and frustration and realize that we are complete and lacking nothing. God is wiser, stronger, smarter and more compassionate that the accuser of the brethren and as His children so are we. Conflict should just be a stepping stool to victory. We are loved and adored by a very gracious God. If God is calling you to be a part of VN# 19 please submit your application as soon as possible as team selection is currently in process. Be radically expectant of an explosion of freedom. "Radical and Crazy Free" Karen West Director VN# 19
Director: Melinda Veloz
Theme: The Beautiful Fight
Verses:
So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen;
for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Cor 4:18
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Eph 3: 16-17
So often what we see, the external things, physical things the byproducts of what could be seen is how we perceive who we are, how much we matter, what we are worth.
We even allow it to effect how we perceive God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit. God is good when all is well,
when all is as we think it should be, but what about when things are tough,
when the outcome isn't quite what we expected. When you have had a rough, day, month, year,
maybe even life. What then....do you still believe God loves you? That He is good? That He is with you?
That His word is truth? Do you believe when everything around you is telling you the exact opposite.
When you feel alone and can't hear Him or feel His presence, do you trust that He has not forsaken you?
When we focus on the temporary external, physical things, it makes it almost impossible to see anything else. We surrender our feelings and our thoughts to be consumed to that which is seen. In essence we walk in defeat, because of the evidence we brought forward in the case we made against ourselves.
Our Heavenly Father is calling us to go beneath the surface, to fight beyond all that is seen and meet Him in the unseen. To take our eyes off of the temporary and fix our eyes on eternity with Him. There is so much to be revealed in the unseen. In fact, everything we see is the manifestation of something that was once unseen.
The Holy Spirit longs to strengthen our inner beings...to open our spiritual eyes, so that we may be able to comprehend what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love.
Will you join us in "The Beautiful Fight" to go beyond the exterior looking interior, beyond the seen into the unseen, beyond the temporary and into the eternal?
Love & Blessings,
Melinda Veloz
VNTB #18
"The Beautiful Fight"
Verses:
We each need to consider who, why, when, where, and how God uniquely created us to discover what He wants to do in and through the life He gave to us. Come, join the team of VNTB # 14, and hear how God has been actively involved in the lives of His people, and carrying out His ultimate plan for His children! Begin to see the gifts and talents He has given you, and be amazed at the marvelous things GOD will accomplish through YOUR LIFE! “For Such a Time As This” Young Women’s Theme Have you ever really stopped to think about who you are and how and WHY God created you the way He did? I have battled “me” as far back as I can remember; from my short legs and frizzy hair to my quick tongue and ungentle answers, and probably everything in between. I’ve always wondered why I had to be ME, and couldn’t be someone else! Now keep in mind, I wouldn’t have a clue WHO I WOULD want to be, if given the choice, but I didn’t like who I was. I am assuming that most, if not all, of you can relate to this feeling of inadequacy. The good news is that God promises that in our weaknesses, He is strong! So it’s actually a GOOD thing to be weak, so that He can shine through us. But the focus of this weekend is not on the weaknesses each of us feel we have, but rather, on the PURPOSE for which He created each one of us.
Verses: Romans 12:1-2, Isaiah 62:1-4
This weekend’s theme is “Captivated Freedom”.
What we find is that often we are captivated by things, stuff filling holes with temporary solutions, and instant gratification.
And we do it in the name of being young. The enemy wants us to have our focus on these things, he elicits these desires in us to distract us. And as soon as someone tells us its “wrong”, we say “I’m just trying to figure out who I am”,
“I’m supposed to do this when I’m young”. But when you’re captivated in the world, trying to rebel, be your own person, figure out who you are, you tend to think you’re testing the waters and trying to be “free” and find “freedom”. But what we don’t realize is that by doing this we actually become captives of our environments.
We are chained to this world.
The Christian band “Run Kid Run” has a song called “Freedom” that starts by saying “all these chains, I can’t disengage,
I don’t believe that I want to…One hand sings your praise, the other brings me shame, I have selfishness to blame.”
So we have to ask ourselves, do we want to let go? Only when we are captivated by God are we really whole.
Being a prodigal child is good if it is God doing the prodigal act. God wants you to run, and run fast, but towards Him and away from this world. In Romans 12 of the message it tells us what we should do. “God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.
Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, and develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Ladies, God wants to give us freedom…he wants to break our chains to this world and give us the ultimate freedom we find in him. Listen to what the past weekends have shown us: The Lord delights in you. He thinks you’re wonderful, and one of a kind. Our God rocks and looks at us as his princess. Through this relationship we find true love. And by putting ourselves in the hands of the potter we grow in belief of God’s amazing grace. We are reborn, with authentic beauty, and with that, overflow with joy as we bask in God’s overwhelming mercy. Now, let’s embrace that captivated freedom he is so willing to give. Ladies, we’re going into battle. We have friends, siblings, cousins, hurting, lost in this world, needing to be rescued.
I challenge you to examine yourself, ask yourself if you’re willing to take the challenge of being captivated by God.
Accept the freedom only He can provide. And show that Freedom to these candidates. Fight for these girls, they need your help. God wants us to stand there on Friday night and tell these girls in our own words what God told us in Isaiah 62: “Because I love [you], I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for [you], I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for you until your righteousness shines like the dawn, and your salvation blazes like a burning torch. The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the Lord’s own mouth.
The LORD will hold you in his hand for all to see—a splendid crown in the hand of God. Never again will you be called
“The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,”
for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his bride.”
Will you accept the challenge? I will.
Blessings,
Ali Russell Director
VNTB #13 “Captivated Freedom”
Romans 12:1-2, Isaiah 62:1-4 
Verses:
Romans 15:13
Hebrews 10:23
God’s creations are awesome reminders that express His love for us.
I can’t help but look at a waterfall and see it as a sign of living water flowing over an embankment that can’t hold it back.
Can you imagine allowing HIS living water to pour into you so strongly that you just couldn’t hold it back? And what about a rainbow?
In the midst of a rain shower, God shows us that His promises are real and JUST for us! These promises can hold so much! Joy, peace, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and hope.
Hope is often one of the hardest things to hold onto. This broken world can bring us so much pain. We wonder how we can find hope in the middle of it.
Our circumstances too often dictate feelings of despair, loneliness, abandonment, and anger.
Even we as Christians, sometimes live day to day just trying to survive and yes, even fighting the feelings of hopelessness.
Romans 15:13 says “May God, the source of hope fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust Him, then you will OVERFLOW with confident hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” And in Hebrews 10:23, we know that we can hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.
I believe that God is wanting us to trust Him so much that the promises He longs to give us will overflow into our lives. If we completely surrender our circumstances to Him,
He can use them to grow us into the confident women that He wants for us to be. Then we, in turn can OVERFLOW into the hearts and lives of others.
I feel that God has given me the theme for the Vida Nueva #12 Young Women’s weekend. It is OVERFLOW.
Think back to before you asked Jesus into your heart, was there an emptiness longing to be filled? Well, if you are living your life for Jesus Christ,
then he has placed His Spirit inside of you to fill that emptiness. He wants to OVERFLOW in your heart.
My prayer for this weekend and the months leading up to it, is that it will be a time for God to shower us with His living water, through His written word, worship,
prayer and serving together in a Spirit of love and honor. And I pray that the candidates will discover the source of Hope and trust His Spirit to fill them to overflowing.
If you desire to share in this special weekend, I encourage you to pray about serving.
Robin Conn
Director, Young Women's VNTB #12
March 13-15, 2009
Romans 15:13
Hebrews 10:23Director: Rebecca McDaniels
Theme: Authentic Beauty - Living a Life of Purity
Verse:
Psalm 119:9-11 "How can a young woman keep her way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." "...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spiritof despair." — Isaiah 61:3 -
"I read this question the other day, and it really hit home with me…. “What makes me feel most dead to myself and alive in Christ?”
That is just it! We all know that we must lay down our own ideas of what we want to do in life, and do what Christ would have us do, but that is really hard.
Our selfishness tends to get in the way. We as girls can become so caught up in the emotions of life, Our looks, clothes, boyfriends, and more,
that we tend to forget that it is ALL about HIM.
What is truly important is what God thinks of us. He sees you as His princess, and He calls you beautiful, and wonderful. He wants to show you the beauty that He intended,
the beauty you might overlook. He wants us to live a “set apart” life of purity for others to see. Pure in our mind, heart, soul, and with our bodies.
The really cool part about this is that if we are following the path that He has planned for us, then being pure with our thoughts and with our actions will be so much easier.
I know that when I am having daily communion with my Jesus, that my mind is clearer to listen, my heart is longing to be obedient, and my spirit is filled with joy.
Living a life of purity is not the easiest road, but that is OK. As we are lead to the cross, our beauty will shine forth,
and He will be able to use us in ways we could never have imagined!
I am so excited about what God has in store for the team of VNTB #11 and the candidates to come. God is an amazing GOD that can do marvelous things
if we are open to listening and obeying. I feel so honored to be the director of VNTB #11, Authentic Beauty, Living a Life of Purity.
Please pray and ask God if He is calling you to serve on this weekend.
I would be so blessed and thrilled to serve along side of any one of you.
Rebecca McDaniels
Director: Katie Johns
Theme: Amazing Grace
Verses: Ephesians 2:6-10 & Isaiah 43:2
Ephesians 2:6-10 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
God’s Amazing Grace is given to each one of us because He loves us. There is nothing that we can do or say that will ever have God take it away from us. It is hard to understand this amazing gift that he so freely gives. It is just not possible for us to truly comprehend the magnitude of his grace, at least on earth. BUT, we can come to know grace better and more intimately.
My prayer for this VN weekend is that the candidates and team will feel and see God’s grace pouring forth. He washes us with it in each stage of our lives. When we accept Christ into our hearts, He never leaves us. We can lean on our Heavenly Father in trials and celebrations.
Please pray about serving our Lord this VNTB#10 Weekend. Bask in his Amazing Grace!
In Christ Love,
Katie Johns
Director: Marilyn Hough
Theme: Believing God
Verse: Luke 1:45
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished. "
Believing God is far different than believing in God. Even the demons believe and shudder states James 2:19.
Many people believe in God and do not know Him as their savior and Lord. To walk in the victory He won for us on the cross, we must believe:
God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's Word is alive and active in me.
(These statements of truth are from the book and bible study, Believing God, by Beth Moore.) This weekend will challenge the candidates and team to begin believing God by acting as if we believe. It will challenge one to move from mental agreement to acting upon the Word. I might mentally agree with the scripture that states that "I am the temple of the Holy Spirit," but do my actions show that I believe it? Would I be in the backseat of this car with my boyfriend or at this party if I believed the Holy Spirit was with me? Would I be making fun of my friend's clothes if I believed Jesus when He said, "as you do unto the least of these, you do unto Me?" Do I believe I am who the world says I am, or who God says I am? I act according to who I believe I am. Vida Nueva #9 will challenge me to believe "I am who God says I am," and that through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, living and active in me, I am becoming the young woman God has called me to be. Mary, in spite of being a virgin, believed the Angel Gabriel, when he brought her news that she was highly favored by God and she would bear the Christ child. VN #9 will challenge us to believe every aspect of His Word by acting upon it!
"Lord, help my unbelief!"
Marilyn Hough
Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”
For young women’s Vida Nueva #8 God has given us the theme of In the Potter’s Hands. God tells us that we are the clay and He is the potter. Have you ever thought about what that means? When a potter works with clay the first thing he has to do is kneed it and make it pliable and soft. The potter puts the clay on the wheel, centers it and begins working the clay. The potter uses water to soften the clay as he shapes it. If the potter doesn’t use water it becomes brittle, cracks and eventually breaks. The potter takes time to mold the pot because he is passionate about his creation, his treasure. Sometimes the clay becomes off center and bends or becomes misshapen. Because of the passion the potter has for his creation he doesn’t ever quit, he adds the water it needs, the time it needs and works it in his hands for it to become what he planned all along. As we start our lives we are pliable and soft but as we grow and mature we can become dry like the desert. The way we make ourselves pliable is by giving ourselves water, the living word, the Bible. We can come off center like clay by making mistakes and falling off the course we know God has planned for our lives. Our God is mighty; He will never give up on us. He tells us in His word that “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”. In our lives we go thru many trials and circumstances that can cause us to become cracked and broken. In the story of Gideon God used the cracked and broken pots to shine brightly to defeat the Midianites. The imperfections or what we would call mistakes were there for a purpose. The potter already has a vision for our lives; he knows the outcome of every circumstance and uses it for His glory. Will you allow God to mold your life to be a light to others?
Laura Priolo
Verses:
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (The Message) I’m absolutely convinced that nothing-nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way Jesus our Master has embraced us.
Do you realize that even before there was light, there was God’s love for you? Before He created the world, He loved YOU! And He has loved you with an eternal, unchanging, uncompromising, unfailing, absolutely amazing love. That’s true love! Not this conditional, temporary, worldly stuff. God’s love is different. We know the New Testament is about God’s love, how He loves so much He sent His one and only Son to die for us (Jn 3:16). How Jesus, God and Man, left the throne of heaven and died such a horrible, excruciating death out of love for us. How Jesus prayed and the Father sent us the Holy Spirit to live within each of us for our Councilor and Comforter—out of love. But that’s not all--the Old Testament is also FULL of God’s love for us. His unfailing love will lead us (Ex 15:13). He is compassionate and gracious . . . abounding in love and faithfulness (Ex 34:6-6). He will keep His covenant of love with you . . . He will love and bless you (Dt 7:12-13). The earth is full of His unfailing love (Ps 33:5). His love is better than life ((Ps 63:3). He does not withhold His love from us (Ps 66:20). His love stands firm forever (Ps 89:1-20). His love supports us (Ps 94:18). He crowns us with love (Ps 103:2,4). His banner over us is love (S.S. 2:4). God’s love is not the weak, watered-down stuff Hallmark talks about. This isn’t hearing “I love you” from someone today, only to be rejected tomorrow. This isn’t “if you really love me you will.” This isn’t “do this for me.” This is “I did this for you.” This is “I love you always. I want only what is best for you. You are my beloved.” This is God’s love--powerful, passionate, positive, and perfect. I want us all, candidates, team, & community—to “get” this. God shows us true love, anything else is a fake, a fraud. The world’s love will fail you, bring you down. God’s love will lift you up, preserve you, enable you to be the “you” He created you to be. He will NEVER leave you and NOTHING can separate you from His love. Immerse yourself in His love, draw near to Him, trust Him, rest in His true love. His desire is for you to love Him, with all you heart, soul, mind, & strength. If you fulfill His desire for your love, He will fulfill you in His true love.
In His love, Tricia McClendon
Verses: Psalm 45:13-14 & Psalm 5:8
Psalm 45:13-14 (NIV) 13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber ; her gown is interwoven with gold. 14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you.
Psalm 5:8 8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make straight your way before me.
Will you be My Princess?
Every young woman will eventually have to address the question, “ Will you be My princess?” Our Heavenly Father calls us to service, to choose whether or not to represent our King and His Kingdom. What we fail so often to see is how our King sees us already. Psalms 45:13-14 says “All glorious is the Princess within her chamber, her gown is interwoven in gold. In embroidered garments she is led to the King. Ladies your body, mind and souls are your chamber, you are always in your chamber. The Lord sees you as glorious. He sees you thru the righteousness His Son has imparted on you thru His death. He has clothed you in your bridal gown white as the snow, interwoven in gold. Your gold ladies is what makes it thru the fire of testing of your life. Our garments are embroidered by the life we live and when our Father sees us He sees His finished work. He is leading you to Himself, thru His Holy Spirit. The question remains, “Will you be My princess?” He has given you the power to fulfill this calling. His son said “Not my will, but yours Father” and he humbled himself to the point of death on the cross for you and me. If you to desire to serve your King and make a difference in others lives won’t you join us in serving the Young Women who will be attending this Spring’s Vida Nueva #6. His Princess, Linda Schilling
Verse: Isaiah 25:1 & 26:4
Isaiah 25:1 1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
Kathy Beyer
Director: Tina Gasperson
Theme: One of a kind
Verse: Romans 12:1-2 (From the Message Version)
"1So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 2Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
Tina Gasperson
Verse: Psalm 139
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
We are FINALLY underway with Vida Nueva #3. I am very excited about all that God has already done and will do through each of you WONDERFUL ladies. We will be focusing on the part of Psalm 139 that says, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Just so you can start planning ahead, we will be using sheep, lambs, and Jesus as the Shepherd as part of our theme. We have lready had a blast finding all of the after Easter sales sheep everywhere. We figured there wouldn't be too many sheep out in the fall with all the Halloween junk. So you can start your palanca parties ladies! We now have our 3 Spiritual Directors. Rev. Noriega from Idlewild Central, Randy Evans from Grace Christian Fellowship, and David Brantley from Texas. I know that none of you probably know David, but he helped start Tres Dias in Tampa and is is from the area too. You'll love him also. I will not be choosing the team until school is out. I am really praying about where God wants you. I don't want to put people where I want them, but where God wants them. I have been talking to a few ladies about Head positions and then we will plug all of you in. So you be praying too. I really need it. I'll keep you informed.
Denise McDaniel
Director: Gentry McDaniel
Theme: He Delights in YOU!
Verse:
Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
“The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior."
He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
He delights in YOU!
As girls, we all have the desire to be loved and to be noticed. We look for this attention and affection from our dads, our husbands, our boyfriends or others male figures. Yet we often forget that a loving God, who wants to fulfill each of these needs and longings, placed these desires inside of us. He is the One who will never leave your side. He is the Mighty Warrior that protects and guards you and He is the handsome Prince that will rescue you. He leaps for joy at the very thought of you and is not ashamed to be known as yours. He longs to wrap His arms around you when you’re scared or sad and holds on to you until your heart is quiet and calm. He rejoices over you and enjoys being with you. He truly delights in you. The flowers symbolize the gift that God gives us; a thoughtful gift of beauty for His “precious one”. He has handpicked each flower in order that you may know and remember how important and special you are. The heart is to show God’s never-ending love for you. The star reminds you that you are the twinkle in His eye and the spark that keeps Him fighting for you. The fun swirl stands for the delight and the joy that God takes in you and in just being around you.
Gentry McDaniel
Director: Glenda Watson
Theme: Hold on to God
