What a GREAT first week we had as we gathered around the magnificent and somewhat intimidating “board room” table at the Berlin Inn Suites! It was the perfect setting to begin our journey through the Bible Study, “Believing God…”. As I sunk into one of the executive chairs, I thought, “Wow, this is a place where big decisions are made”, and that is exactly what I am believing for…big decisions to pursue Christ with passion, big decisions to conquer and take our land for God, big decisions to allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate our hearts with His ways… And along with the 12 in that room, you are invited on this journey with us!

One of the reasons for this blog is to allow our class to share scriptures and thoughts that are challenging and changing us. Each week I will post a blog and then the class and you can chime in with the things God is speaking to you about… so let’s get started.

We often hear about our “promised land”, and here are some of the nuggets we learned from Beth Moore as she opened the Word of God:
Our promised land is the place where what we believe (our theology) merges with our reality (how we really act and live).
Our promised land is a place of possessing Christ’s words, answered prayer, and the joy of Jesus.
Our promised land is a place of abiding in Christ’s love.
Our promised land brings forth a great harvest.
Our promised land involves conquest, and great victory over our enemy.

I was challenged as Beth spoke of sanctification for the journey, and choosing something to show our dedication to that. For instance, giving up something during this time - like TV - or committing to something - like prayer time. I am still contemplating what that might be in my life. If any of you have chosen something and you want to talk about it, that would be great! We can cheer each other on.

You will also see our class sporting blue ribbons on our right wrist. This is a symbolic reminder to us that we need to Believe God. So I confess that a few times I have been doing something like dishes or showering and thought, “What is that irritation on my wrist?” I’m then reminded that I want to believe God for so many things, and a little irritation is just the right ingredient to keep my mind on track.

I have one more piece of exciting news: The Believing God Bible Study is available ONLINE! That’s right, if you have a computer, you can sign up online and do this study for 24.95. I have had several women tell me they cannot attend a daytime study, but with this method you can do it at home at anytime. Then log onto our BCF website and post your comments along with us! We’d love to share the experience with you.

That’s all for today! Have a great week!

Faith unchallenged is faith stifled. Whooo Wheeee! Sounds so profound and like something I want to latch onto. It also means that I MIGHT - no, that when I DO - face challenges, that my faith has an opportunity to grow. The Bible says that “We walk by faith, and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). Beth Moore broke this down in the Greek for us. I’ll write it out for you this way: “We walk (make our way, progress, make due use of opportunitities, to conduct one’s self) by faith, and not by sight (external or outward appearance, form figure, shape).

This week I’ll face trials and so will you. Maybe there won’t be enough money to go around for all the needs, maybe there will be sickness, the car breaks down, there’s bad news - again, a family member is in trouble… Whatever the case may be, let’s see it as a “challenge” and “unstifling” of our faith and a chance to allow God to be Who He says He is. Let’s “walk by faith and not by sight”. Let’s find a scripture verse to encourage ourselves to BELIEVE GOD!

Every week I walk away from the Bible Study group in awe of the things God speaks to each person. This week, among the many, we talked about Abraham and how God asked him to leave his country, and go to a place “that I will show you”. To read from Beth’s writings, ‘One of Abraham’s monumental tests painstakingly challenges us: time. Between “go” and “receive” is more often than not the faith test of time.’ Isn’t that so true? How often have I said to God, “I’ll do whatever you ask me, just show me exactly what you want me to do and I’ll do it”. Instead, maybe God’s command is “go” and “I’ll show you when you get there”. YIKES! That means I have to step out in…FAITH?! Believing without seeing. And inbetween that go and receive how many tests of faith have I had? And am I willing to continue to the journey and learn along the way.

You see, God sees the big picture and we see a little at a time. I’m so glad we don’t see it all - it would be overwhelming! In the inbetween time is a time to build our faith, be purified, gain wisdom, get another chance… God in His wisdom has given us time to so that truly I can say “I Am Who God Says I Am”, our statement of faith.

This week let’s ask the Lord to work in the time he has given us to become a hero of the faith in our world.

We sat in stunned silence as the DVD ended. Sniffles interrupted the quiet reverie. It was one of THOSE moments. The kind where you’ve just heard information and need to make a choice. Will you remain the same or choose to BELIEVE GOD and make a change? And since our Bible Study is called “Believing God”, we take one step forward into the world of something new and exciting.

Our title this week is “Believing God’s Word is Alive and Active in You”, quite a mouthful and apparently a lifetime full of learning to take God at His Word…to be “Armed and Dangerous”. Oh, it’s tempting to think “yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve heard all that God’s Word stuff before”. Well, in a sense we probably have heard about our tongue being a powerful instrument. It can gossip, lie, speak profanely, rudely, or unkindly. We can also praise God, speak encouragement, pray for someone, and yes, speak the Word of God. The question is not whether we have knowledge of this fact - it is whether we choose to use that most powerful instrument for good or bad?

In the book of James it says that salt water and fresh water cannot flow from the same spigot, i.e. our mouth. Will we choose to let fresh water pour from us?

This week we learned about the power of the Word of God. God’s Word is inspired and so when we speak His Word, we speak with power. I know, simple, huh? But do we DO IT? Do we JUST DO IT???

As the ladies of that Bible Study stood in a circle that day and held hands and cried out to God, and just plain cried, I can tell you that decisions were made to change the way we think about that most powerful instrument. That we will be “armed and dangerous” for the Kingdom of God.

January 23-24, 2009
Ever need Direction? Purpose? Answers? Then you will be as excited as we are about the 2009 Women’s Conference called “Light My Path”. Every day we are faced with the challenges of life - family, finances, relationships, calling, work, home… So how do we find our way? We look to the Light and ask Him to shine on our path. We journey through valleys and over mountains, across deserts and by the still waters, making our way with the Lord, and ever closer to the Lord’s heart.

Oh ladies, I can feel the anticipation building as I look ahead to January. This is one conference you do not want to miss. Our guest speaker is a woman of the Word and a prophetic voice in the Body of Christ today. She comes not to tickle our ears but to impact our hearts through the power of the Spirit. I am almost giddy with the thought. A safe environment for you and your sisters and girlfriends to come and be touched and changed by the presence of God. An atmosphere of cheering each other on in the journey of life. Jump into the river that is flowing swiftly to the ocean of love God is preparing for us!

Sign-ups are in progress now and continue through January 18. Oh how we want to share it with you. We look eagerly for your participation.

Friday, January 23:
5:00-6:00 Check-in
6:15-7:15 Welcome - Dinner - Door Prizes
7:30-7:50 Worship
8:00-9:30 Sylvia Evans
Personal Ministry Time

Saturday, January 24:
7:45-8:45 Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:20 Worship
9:30-11:00 Sylvia Evans
11:15-12:15 Break Out Session #1
12:15-1:00 Lunch
1:00-1:15 Break Out Session #2
2:30-3:30 Panel Discussion
3:30-3:45 Personal Testimonies
3:45-4:00 Closing - Final Door Prize
Prophetic Activation

Lies That Women Believe
Gina Fidler
As a church, we’ve talked a lot about truth and how believers are taken captive by lies. This breakout session helps us discover some of the lies that women believe about themselves and about their husbands. Join us as we examine the daily needs, emotions and desires of the heart.

Create a Visual Prayer Scrapbook
Angie Peck & Cheryl Miller
Bring a few pictures of people you are praying for and we will begin a visual prayer scrapbook. Cheryl will teach you the basics of creative lettering and embellishment. Angie will assist you with the fundamentals of scrapbooking at this hands-on class. Tools and supplies will be provided. Come away with some new skills and a creative prayer reminder to liven up your prayer life.

Illuminate - Teens Only
Joy Anderson

Provers 31: The Woman of Thrifty Character
Mandy Beachy
Join us as we discuss the art of stewardship in homemaking. Learn new ways to save money, make money, shop smarter and entertain on spare change. Our discussion panel will consist of Mandy Beachy, Carol Yoder, Geneva Schlabach, and Brenda Gingerich.

Recognizing the Power of Your Influence
JoAnn Hershberger
In this breakout session we will look at several women of the Bible and see how their influence made a difference in families and nations. We will also look at some of today’s influential women and see how they have affected our current time in history. All of us influence people around us either in a positive or negative way. Questions we will consider include, “How do I influence my family, church, community, and my nation? What steps can I take to make sure that I am having a positive effect on our world” and “How to handle the responsibility that rests on us as Christian women in business”. This session is good for any woman whether you are a housewife and mother or a businesswoman.

Writing to the Heart: Creative Writing for Everyday
Diane Shew
Just as orange juice isn’t just for breakfast anymore - writing isn’t just for journals! Do you love words? Do you read everything you can get your hands on? Do paper, pens and notebooks fill your house, car and purse? Does God tug at your heart to put words on paper? Then recapture your “self” through writing. Find time for friends, work through rough decisions, pray and reconnect - deeply - with God, your daughter, your dad - all by writing life down!

Wish I Wanted To…I don’t have Time To…
There is more at stake than just losing weight.
Jamie Shaw
Do you want to improve your overall health and well-being but just can’t get motivated to go for it? Is exercise something that’s just not fun for you or seems impossible to fit into your busy schedule? This class is for you. It will give you ideas on how to tone and trim without going to the gym. It’s not just about losing weight, this class will give fun ways to add exercise to your life and also reveal long term health benefits you receive when you make exercise a part of your daily routine. We always think of exercise as a way to lose weight and don’t really think of the other benefits that maybe more important.

Selecting a theme and a speaker for our conference each year is so exciting that I look forward to it with great anticipation. It officially marks the beginning of the “conference season”. Our women’s team meets together and prays during a daylong session where we seek the Lord for the upcoming conference and for the entire year. I had a strong sense that we should keep the focus on God’s Word, but we struggled with the phrasing for a long while. Eventually we were reminded of Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” It captured both our imagination and our hopes for the 2009 conference.

Excitement grew as we learned of the ministry of Rev. Sylvia Evans from Elim Bible Institute. Sylvia is an in-depth Bible teacher with prophetic anointing. She seeks the Lord for a “word in season” for each occasion as she ministers at conferences, churches, leadership seminars and elsewhere. Sylvia is the founder/director of Creative Word Ministries, a title that clearly describes her style as well as her gifts. In addition to focused teaching and preaching, Sylvia sometimes includes personal counseling, prophetic words and prayer, warm singing, and vivid storytelling and poetry. Sylvia loves the Word and makes it come alive for all that hear. Doesn’t that sound inviting and a wonderful match with our theme!

For this year’s conference - at the request of Sylvia - we are taking a free-will offering instead of having an established fee. This will be the first year we have ever taken an offering during the conference. We believe this is an opportunity for all of us to put our trust in God. He is ever faithful.

Sooooooooooooo Girlfriends - Get Ready! Anticipate! Invite all your friends for a wonderful fun exciting memory-making weekend. Share this weekend with those you love.

Chris Bower

Bad news about the economy dominates the nightly news. Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the US, says this is a time of opportunity for those in a position to take advantage of it. Dear friends, a time of great opportunity has just developed for women that want to attend the 2009 Feminine Heart Conference. In response to mounting economic pressures affecting families in our congregation, the Women’s Ministry Team has decided to move the 2009 conference here to BCF. We had originally planned to hold the conference at The Carlisle Inn, Sugarcreek - perhaps you received a brochure that listed the hotel as our location. That was before the recession became “official”.

Holding the conference at the church allows us to dramatically decrease our registration fee to a mere $35 per person. We believe the Lord is showing us how He lights our path - the very theme of our conference. Please join us at Berlin Christian Fellowship, January 23-24, as we explore the theme “Light My Path” in a very real way.

What does your registration include?

Two main events with our special guest, Rev. Sylvia Evans. She has an international ministry of teaching, singing and prophecy.

Two creative and inspiring breakouts, led by our own talented women

Friday evening dinner, coffee and muffins Saturday morning, and lunch on Saturday (prepared by Sweet Basil Catering)

For those wanting overnight accommodations:

Berlin Hotel and Suites is holding a block of rooms
o $101 for a double Queen room for up to 4 women (includes tax)
o Tell them you are with BCF Feminine Heart Conference to get this special rate
o Rooms are available on a first come first available basis
o Check out the hotel amenities at