Declaration of Interdependence
by BJ Gallagher and Lisa Hammond

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

That all women are created equal -
but each is blessed with different gifts and talents.

That all women are endowed with certain individual rights -
but each must assume shared responsibilities.

For the happiness of all
depends on the commitment of each
to support equality and individuality,
rights and responsibilities.

We declare all women to be mutually interdependent -
banding together to support one another,
sharing our experience, strength, and hope,
that all may enjoy life, love,
and the pursuit of laughter.

We agree to encourage one another in tough times
and celebrate in good times.

We commit to taking turns leading and following,
inspiring and teaching,
listening and learning.

We agree to give credit where credit is due -
including us.

We commit to loving ourselves first -
because we can't give what we don't have.

With this Declaration of Interdependence,
we set ourselves free -
free from old beliefs that are no longer true,
free from self-doubt, insecurity, and loneliness,
free from self-imposed perfectionism.

We set ourselves free -
heeding our intuition in all her guises,
loving our bodies through every change,
finding our voices to speak our own truths.

We set ourselves free -
to create fulfilling work,
to form nurturing families,
and to build great friendships.

We are strong;
we are beautiful;
we are generous;
we are wise.

We are women -
committed to creating
a world that affirms us all.

BLESSED MOTHER'S DAY


To day is mother's day. None of my kids are back, but I am sure that would have if they could. We had a wonderful service at GROW. I am indeed so bl est to have such a wonderful church. Its because of my three children that I am a MOTHER. I may have failed them sometimes, but I will never stop being there for them.Just to pick up the phone and hear that 'Hi Ma' makes my day. I connect with each one of them in a special way My son is the worrier, always worrying about me. He can read me well, and I just cannot hide anything from him. He knows me too well. Every evening while we drive home from work, Lizzie and I enjoy our chats. We can talk for more than half hour and before we know it we are home. I feel that I am in the car with her chatting. I value that time with her so much, where I am just her mum and she my little girl. Jess now is my sparing partner. We argue over everything when we are together but the minute she is on the bus I miss her and wish she did not have to leave. She has a warm and caring heart. How I miss them and often think of the days when they were at home growing up. I am so proud of each one of them, at the adults they have become.
I pray for them to put God first in all they do, seek him everyday to know his plans for them and know how much more he loves them. They are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus.

Sometime its hard to have hope. But without hope where will we be. I have been stuck in that place, hoping and hoping, but now I need to hope but move on also.I believe that God has his time and I can only hope.I cannot stop hoping like I cannot stop loving, these two go together. I have so many decisions to make. I need to make decisions that will alter the rest of my life. I need answers. One thing in me is that I hold on to the Lord, and I KNOW he is always with me. He may not always answer but that does not mean he did not hear.
He hears and see everything but always in his time.So I will wait and he will give the answers I seek. I trust him always and in all things. Even though one heart has been closed to me, he has opened another, his own heart. So I wait. Another new day, another new beginning. There is always tomorrow and Jesus has already gone ahead and is waiting there for me.

My niece in Perth wrote this------
LET US DRESS OURSELVES IN GENTLENESS, FOR IN OUR TOUGH UNBENDING
WORLD, GENTLENESS IS A VIVID REMINDER OF GOD'S PRESENCE AMONG US.

Somehow I find that so refreshing and calming.Holy Spirit teach me to have a gentle spirit, even in the midst of the storm.

Why can't people see that its not about us anymore but about Jesus only.Always only him. Its not about our hurts, ours, ours, ours but its all about his love and his grace, his forgiveness.When we can come to that point, we are truly one with him. That is my desire now. To know this God I love and serve. I need to know him so intimately, I want to see him and feel him passing me by. I want to feel his love all around me. I feel this during services in GROW. This awesome awesome presence . My legs turn weak and I just want to weep and weep. But I want more and more of him.He is more than enough for me. When I look back on my life, especially the last few months, I see his love carrying me through this storm. When I was condemned and made to feel so unloved and ugly, he made me see how beautiful I was and how much he loved me. When I felt alone and so lonely, he came quietly and wrapped his arms around me ands held me close. He saw my tears and healed my broken heart. So if anymore is in despair out there, remember that someone does care. JESUS cares. More than you will ever know. Its never about us or about what we are going through now, but it must be always about him and him only. So be blessed today and may the love of Jesus surround you always.

Just Think
You are Here, Not by Chance

Just Think you are here,
Not by chance but by God's choosing.
His hand formed you
And made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else - you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history
To fulfill His special purpose for this generation.

I got these from Dayspring, a beautiful must see website. God has a perfect plan for each one of us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. When we think all is hopeless and nothing can save us, he is there, in the midst of our hopelessness, to raise us up. Seek him now, today ,this instant, he is there waiting.

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life goes on, and it will be better tomorrow. My storm began eight months ago and I felt it was the end. I was broken but my saviour picked up the pieces and lovingly and carefully put them back together again. When I wanted to give up and die, he refused to let me. I felt unwanted and without love, but he showed his love in such marvellous ways an he began to build me up to be the person he all along planned for me to be. He amazed me with his love and I began to really know this God, I professed to serve.He took away all hurt, hate and bitterness from my heart so that I could be a better person. He showed me that I still had much to give and that I could make a difference. I work in a job now that sees hurting people everyday. God has opened my heart to see their pain and hurt. When I look at them it seems I can see right through to the pain and bitterness there. When I came to realise that its not about me anymore, but about him-his LOVE-his GRACE-his STRENGTH-his FORGIVENESS.I have began this journey eight months ago, where it will lead I do not know. But I know my SAVIOUR and that's all I need to know.When I want to give up on you and just go away, forget you were ever in my life, he tells me to hold on and do not let go. You run and try to hide but he knows, and your time will come. You search and chase after your youth, but you can never go down that road again. All I know is you are his son and he loves you so much.
He has given me three angels who constantly watch over me and lift me up. I thank god for you everyday.
So all you women out there, whatever you are going through, know that there IS someone who cares. You may not know him, but he knows all about you. In your time of despair and pain just call upon JESUS and he will come. I promise you that he will come. Seek him and you will find him. Give your life to him and see what does with your life.
He is a GOD OF HOPE AND LOVE. Shalom to you

One Flaw In Women Women have strengths that amaze men..... They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in.. They stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends.. Women have vital things to say and everything to give. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH. My wonderful sister sent this to me and it the best description of women I have ever seen. Thank God for making us as we are.