Ministry Update November 4

November 4, 2008


As I sit here in front of my computer staring at the screen, I have been talking to God asking Him where I should begin. So much has happened this past month and it seems almost impossible to put it all down in writing. So I will begin by saying that October was probably one of the hardest months of ministry for me for various reasons. I had the amazing privilege of giving 5 full JoyShops and I spoke two additional times. Full JoyShop’s take their toll on me physically and emotionally and I am learning that two JoyShops a month is the ideal. So you can see I went a little overboard this month! But praise God close to 1000 people heard the message of JoyShop and we trust God for the fruit of our hard labors.

Along with the busy schedule is just meeting my family’s needs and enjoying having 4 young adults living in our home….and all the dynamics that go along with that! But praise God every morning as I am waiting for the coffee to brew, I step outside and slowly watch the sunrise and rejoice in the fact that God is the giver of life and creation and He daily blesses me with His presence and strength so that I can face the daily challenges of life.

I just got back from voting for our next President. Every time this significant election comes around anxiety and fear creep up. On top of the fears of our country’s future we have our own personal fears and anxieties of the unknowns in our life. This morning in my quiet time God gave me three words for today and I would like to share them with you.

GRACE: II Corinthians 12:9

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

I don’t know about you but there are seasons in my life where I feel so weak, even to the point of wondering how I can possibly be worthy of serving our Savior, and yet God’s Word assures me His grace in my life is stronger than my weaknesses. His grace is more than enough to carry me through anything no matter how difficult or hopeless a situation might appear!

WAIT: Psalm 27:14, Lamentations 3:25-26, Isaiah 40:31

“Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart. Wait on the Lord.”

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”

Today, are you facing a difficult decision or circumstance that you lack the wisdom in knowing what you should do or how you should respond? Then wait for God to lead your steps and continue seeking Him with your whole heart! Be of good courage! He is strengthening your heart as you wait patiently.

JOY: Philippians 4:4, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 51:12

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”

“In thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore.”

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit.”

The word joy is mentioned 178 times in the Bible. Joy is a natural by product of spending time in God’s presence. If I want to truly experience God’s joy to the full then I must abide in His presence daily and respond lovingly to those around me each day. (John 15:1-11) The difficult and challenging circumstances we find our self in are never joyful. At least not for me! In fact often the enemy tries to drain the joy right out of us by our focus on our circumstances instead of focusing on our God and who He is. GOD IS FAITHFUL no matter what and He is worthy of our worship and praise, even in the difficult times.

So today as we wait for the outcome of the Presidential election and face our own personal challenges, vote for GOD and what His Word promises you. Vote to believe that His grace is sufficient to carry you through this day, vote to wait on Him and His sovereignty over our country and our lives, and vote to walk in His joy today and every day.

November is less busy at least from the speaking standpoint. But here are three events that you can be in prayer for:

IGNITE: Friday, November 7
I praise God for giving me one of the desires of my heart, the opportunity to speak at Ignite, a gathering for young adults in the Brethren In Christ denomination who have a heart and passion for missions. I will be given the chance to encourage and equip these young people in their journey of seeking God.

Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Center: November 12
This was an unexpected opportunity that just came up. Since the JoyShop we had scheduled on November 15 with another church was canceled I was able to take on this request. I will be sharing my testimony with about 15 teen girls at Grace Baptist Church for 2 hours. My focus will be sexual purity but more importantly equipping them to read the Word. Not everyone in attendance will be Christians. Please pray that I will be able to present the gospel message clearly and that some may come to Jesus as their personal Savior. Pray that the girls will be more motivated to strive to be sexually pure after hearing my story. And lastly, pray that I may be empowered from above to instruct them on how to hear God speaking to them and that they will have a desire to take the 21 Day Challenge and experience a revival in their own hearts.

Mt Olivet BIC Church: November 23
I will be sharing in their Sunday morning hour. Pray that the message I share will spur them on to seek God and to prioritize their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your prayers and all the many ways you support the ministry. I am so blessed to have a board of directors and volunteers that care about the mission and vision that God has given me. Many give generously of their time and I pray as you read through some of the following testimonials your will reap the joy of seeing that the time we give is not in vain.

Book ministry:
"I'm reading your story AGAIN and it makes me cry every time! I am so in awe of how God worked things out, your complete trust in Him, and your JOY…just wanted you to know that your story has blessed me today."

From a JoyShop attendee a year ago at the Table:
"Anita- I heard you speak at Table Church a little while ago. Your message changed my life. We spoke privately after the last evening and you gave me a special gift...I'm sure you don't remember, you meet so many people. God Bless You and Your Ministry!!"

More recent at Victory Church JoyShop:
The reason why I am writing you is to thank you for encouraging me to get into the scriptures. I have been enjoying it sooooooooo much. I love reading and asking the Lord for insight, and you know what? He gives insight! Praise God! I love journaling and just letting God speak to me as I write. You encouraged me to open up the very best treasure
I can ever or will ever have. Thank you for being so obedient to our Lord.

Finally, I can't wait until I see you at HBIC for another Joy Workshop. I told most anybody who will let me blab all about you and how God is using you. We at HBIC are in for a huge blessing. We will be praying about your visit.

Time at Brethren In Christ headquarters:
“I was at Grantham BIC JoyShop. God is doing wonderful things as the BICWM team took the challenge together and we share each Tues at our staff devotions … it sure is getting us into the Word First.”
From a young man at the BIC headquarters who chose to take the 21 DC:
“Each morning has been absolutely ALIVE! I’ve been reminded of the sheer JOY of knowing God! He has shown me clearly in just one week how starting the day intentionally putting him first sustains me through the day and shapes my daily perspective and has prepared me for times of ministry that I know were fueled by His Word and His Presence overflowing…it has directly affected my attitude/approach in marriage, work, etc.”

A young girl from the YES Discipleship program in Harrisburg who is adopted:
“Thank you for reassuring me that my birthmother truly does love me and thinks about me. I always held this sadness inside and this question of if she truly did love me...but now, I know, thanks to you. And every birthday I celebrate from this point on I will pray that God will fill her soul with peace...and that even though I may not ever see her face - she will know without a shadow of a doubt that I am okay. Thank you for your testimony...and for allowing me the opportunity to hear the words I have been longing to hear for so many years.

You have blessed me more than you can ever imagine...”


People who have been taking the 21 DC online at The Pocket Testament League:
“Very meaningful program. Renewed my faith and commitment to share His word with others. I must be more bold in giving out the Gospel of John.
Thank you in His name.”

“I loved the format... thought it was informative, & helpful, but concise...made it easy to recommend to friends as it wouldn't take up a large chunk of time to get them interested in participating. Wish you had more of these studies to keep people in the WORD daily. Going to the computer daily made it easier and special --- you felt connected with someone else and their thoughts rather than just doing it by yourself. Thank you for this opportunity. It was great!”

LMS student:
"You were awesome today in chapel
I over herd lots of my friends talking about how much they like your stories and your speaking"



May His Name and His Word continue to be exalted everywhere we go! Anita