Church of the Nazarene

January

New Beginnings

January typically include New Year’s Resolutions and promises that this will be the year we actually follow through on them. Use this time to encourage women to follow through on their resolutions. Also remind them to be grace-giving to themselves when they stumble. Encourage them to keep striving rather than giving up.

Principles for a Devotional Life

1. Set aside time to be alone with God. Aletha Hinthorn in How to Read the Bible so It Changes Your Life suggests finding fifteen minutes. If can’t find a block of fifteen minutes, find few minutes here, few minutes there, and another segments of a few minutes throughout the day.

2. Remember the Bible is a collection of books. Often we approach reading Bible like would typical book—start at beginning and read to end. This may not work well for young readers, new Christians, or pre-Christians. Starting with Gospels is wise; John’s Gospel lays a good foundation.

3. Find a translation of the Bible that works for you. Morris Weigelt in The Upward Call says Bible becomes teacher for understanding nature of relationship with God. Bible is source of reproof, correction, and training.

4. Begin and end with prayer. John Wesley believed Holy Spirit is involved in guiding reading was in inspiring writers. Beginning with prayer acknowledges seriousness of text and formational power in lives. Ending with prayer moves reading from words on paper to truth becomes practice.

5. Set a Designated Time. Find comfortable place away from distraction. As important is, don’t become slave to specific time or structure so miss the joy of Bible reading.

6. Read with eyes of heart. Ephesians 1:17-19 is Paul’s prayer for his readers:
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

7. Pay attention to entire Bible.

8. Meditate on Word. Throughout day, recall passages read. How can the passage change my life? Where do I need to give more attention to my relationship with God? How can I share the good news of the Gospel with my neighbors and co-workers? What insights have I gained that may help my Christian brothers and sisters?

Talk about ways to develop accountability, as needed, for women as the work toward fulfilling their New Year’s resolutions and in their personal devotional life.

Recommended reading: (available through Nazarene Publishing House— www.nph.com)
How to Read the Bible So It Changes Your Life by Aletha Hinthorn
The Upward Call by Wesley D. Tracy, et all

What To Do When a Coworker Has CancerThese suggestions are the AMJ 2000 issue of “Ministry Through Women.” They are easily adapted to other situations and help us to respond to those in need with grace and mercy.

1. Let her know you care. Simply asking, “Is there anything I can do?” opens the door for her to accept your assistance. Consider other options like leaving a flower or muffin on her desk.

2. Take your cues from her. If she wants to talk about her illness, listen. If not, respect her privacy. But don’t ignore her or leave her out of office functions.

3. Offer something specific. Perhaps you can start a collection to purchase something not covered by insurance. Offer to drive her to and from an appointment. Offer to help with child care, if you know the children, or give money for a babysitter to give her a night off. Run errands for her. Think about what you would like if you were in her place and put those thoughts into action.

4. Don’t offer unsolicited advice or tell “horror stories” of someone else’s treatment. Each woman reacts differently to cancer and to treatment.

5. Don’t assume she can’t do her job or patronize her in any way.

6. Don’t take her moods or her need for time alone personally.

7. Ask how things are going.

Leaving Your “Holy Huddle” As we start a new year, one resolution may be to become better acquainted with your neighbors. Here are suggestions from the JFM, 1999 issue of “Ministry Through Women” adapted from Bonnie Nikkel in Today’s Christian Woman.

1. Make it a priority. Look for reasons to spend time together. Celebrate a birthday or promotion. Mutual interests such as sports and hobbies open doors to share experiences.

2. Discover their interests and invite them to attend a related activity with you.

3. Tackle a project together. Host a block or neighborhood garage sale. Help them wash and wax their car. Shoveling snow or raking leaves provide opportunities to be a good neighbor and making the task more enjoyable is a serendipity.

4. Let your children open the doors. Car-pooling to after school activities or sports practice offers the opportunity to exchange responsibilities and become acquainted.

5. Ask for help. Rather than always looking to Christian friends, ask a neighbor for assistance. Helping others in need results in positive feelings for the provider.

6. Explore their culture. If your neighbors originated from another country, learning about their background benefits all. You learn and they remember.

7. Offer help as you see needs. Provide meals during times of illness or following the birth of a child. This is God’s love in action.

8. Serve your community. Use your talents as a means of ministry to the community. Teach someone to read or learn English as a second language. Relationships may develop from these experiences.