Heartlands Archives - Page 2 of 2

22 July 202224 August 2022

HEARTLANDS News Winter 2022

HEARTLANDS is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Table of Contents

Diary Dates

Check the details on these events by scrolling down.
Have you subscribed to Heartlands to find out about events in your region?

Fri/Sat 24/25 June SOUTH Shelter Retreat – read the overview!
Sunday 31st July NORTH Cosy Cuppa, Chat & Craft at Westbury Baptist
Saturday 17th September NORTHWEST Coffee and Walk, Latrobe
Late Oct/Early Nov World Women’s Day Of Prayer – events across the state

OVERVIEW: SHELTER Retreat

Southern Event

FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

How the Shelter retreat weekend unfolded

OUR THEME: SHELTER …

Everyone needs it. God provides it. We sleep, eat and live in it.

But how do you live in the SHELTER of the Most High God?

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1

Overview of the SHELTER Retreat

Denise Stephenson and Jenny Baxter — Denise and Jenny

The retreat was led by Denise Stephenson (LifeWay) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart)
A rejuvenating literal Sabbath, from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday
Delicious home-cooked meals, in an intimate setting
Great connection with old and new friends
Amazing harp music – live and in-person!
Times of input, plus silence and reflection
Creative activities to keep minds focussed, and hands busy
A trip to the beach to explore and reflect
Private counselling and prayer opportunities
A real sense of God’s SHELTER in this busy world

Denise and Jenny are available to run similar women’s retreats in other parts of Tasmania.
To express interest please contact Jenny at empowher@tasbaptists.org.au

What’s Coming Up?

Pig Island Walk, Latrobe

Northwestern Event

10:30am Saturday 17th September

Pig Island Walk with EmpowHer, Sept 2022

Invite Others! Download Brochure

Join a friendly leisurely walk at Pig Island Latrobe on the Mersey River.

Continue with coffee at at Monclair of Latrobe and Madame M Cafe.

All women welcome!

RSVP or MORE INFO:
Gabrielle – 0421 434 138

International Women’s Day of Prayer

Late October/Early November 2022

This year there will be Day of Prayer events held in the north, northwest and south of Tasmnia as we pray toether and raise funds for Baptist women working on some amazing projects in developing countries.

Subscribe to HEARTLANDS to find out details of these events as they come to hand!

Cosy Cuppa, Chat & Craft

Northern Event – NOW OVER!

2:30PM, SUNday 31st JULY 2022

Invite Others! Download brochure

Come along for a cuppa and craft at Westbury Baptist for a relaxed afternoon together.

We will be joined by special guests Maria Hutchison (Newstead) and Lacey Holloway (Westbury).

RSVP or MORE INFO:
Jenna – 0488 330 390; Belinda – 0408 267 188 | Or via our Facebook group: EmpowHer (North)

Action for You

Invite someone along

Have you noticed that not everyone is back yet?

Winter walk at the beach — We all need each other!

Post-Covid hesitancy is a thing. Maybe it’s because people are reluctant to move out of their houses and safe spaces. Or maybe we got used to managing on our own.

Whatever the reason, it’s true to say we all need each other. Being part of a community is critical to good mental and emotional health.

Whether or not you are wary about getting back into circulation, why not ask a friend to come with you? That could be as simple as going for a walk together on the beach, grabbing a coffee at a local café, or heading off to the gym or church together.

Or maybe you could invite someone to one of the EmpowHer events lined up in your region.

It’s a good time to be the blessing!

God’s Whisper

It’s so easy to think up your own answer to a problem. Instead, remember to listen for God’s still, quiet voice.

By Jenny Baxter

Too many people and not enough food!
How many times have you been caught in that situation? I have to admit, I’ve been there a few times. Tiny servings of apple crumble, and thinned-down pumpkin soup have featured on my table, much to my horror.

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to HEARTLANDS!

SUBSCRIBE HERE

22 April 202229 June 2022

HEARTLANDS News Autumn 2022

HEARTLANDS is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Table of Contents

Diary Dates

Watch out for more info coming from your region, directly to you.

Saturday 21st May NORTH Basin Café and Gorge Walk.
Saturday 24-25th June SOUTH Day-Retreat: “Shelter”
Late Oct/Early Nov World Women’s Day Of Prayer – events across the state

What’s Happening?

Basin Café and Gorge Walk

9:30am, Saturday 21st May 2022

EmpowHer Walk May 2022, Heartlands Autumn 2022

Invite Others! Download brochure

Join us for a cuppa at Basin Cafe (RSVP required)

A walk through the Gorge to Duck Reach will follow (weather permitting)

RSVP ESSENTIAL …

Jenna – 0488 330 390; Belinda – 0408 267 188
Or via our Facebook group: EmpowHer (North)

SHELTER Retreat

5pm to 5pm, FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

SHELTER …

Everyone needs it. God provides it. We sleep, eat and live in it.

But how do you live in the SHELTER of the Most High God?

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1

Led by Denise Stephenson (LifeWay) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart)
$45/person Covers food and materials. (This is a non-residential retreat.) Contact us if you have hesitations about cost. There are other ways you can contribute. Contact us if you have any hesitations about cost. There are other ways you can contribute.
Get your Rego Form Call or SMS Jenny 0401 652 566
Invite Others! Download brochure

Action for You

Praying with intention

Do you often pray like this?

God bless Mary
Lord, please look after my son
Jesus, can you please stop all wars
Father, give me a good life

These are all good prayers, and quite legitimate, but they are so general! They are all “motherhood prayers” – prayers so broad it is impossible to know if God truly answers them.

Instead, pray with intention. Fill those prayers with meaning and talk to God about what worries you. And, when prompted, follow up your prayer with action. Relationship is critical to answered prayer.

How different are these prayers to those above?

God, how can I bless Mary today?
Lord, give me wisdom as I call my son, so I can encourage him.
Jesus, I pray about the war in Ukraine. Is there something I can do to assist?
Father, help me to love and care for others around me, even if my life is not so good.

It’s a time to be the blessing!

Undervalued or Super Loved?

Women’s ministry at Beauty Point

By Rachelle Hawkins

Since the The Point* Baptist’s inception in 2006, we have endeavoured to hold many outreach events to reach our town of Beauty Point.

The message is always about who Jesus is, and why it’s important. These events include men’s dinners, women’s dessert nights, concerts, kids’ clubs, and an annual visit by Texan missionaries who do all the above, and more.

We, as a church, long to share the hope Jesus offers.

The Science of Seeing God

Gratitude and thankfulness for the World, the Universe, and Everything!

By A.J. Spurr

Recently, I interviewed a young man who had been struggling with addiction since the age of 12. He had completed a program at a Christian rehab centre, and while he was there, he encountered Jesus.

“The first thing I noticed,” he said, “was that I could feel the breeze on my skin. I’d never experienced it before, even though it had been happening the whole time. I was finally able to feel it.”

So, what had changed?

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to HEARTLANDS!

SUBSCRIBE HERE

22 April 202222 April 2022

The Science of Seeing God

Heartlands – Autumn 2022

In Awe of God’s Creation

Gratitude and thankfulness for the World, the Universe, and Everything!

"I could feel the breeze on my skin. I’d never experienced it before"
Seeing God — “I could feel the breeze on my skin. I’d never experienced it before.”

Recently, I interviewed a young man who had been struggling with addiction since the age of 12. He had completed a program at a Christian rehab centre, and while he was there, he encountered Jesus.

So, what had changed?

Romans 12:2 explains that you’re transformed as you renew your mind. But how does one go about doing that?

‘You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.’
Matthew 5:8 (MSG)

Awe and Wonder

Have you ever watched a newborn discover their hand for the first time? It’s mesmerising. They slowly turn their wrist, then watch in wonder as each finger, one by one, moves by the power of their mind, their eyes as wide as dinner plates at the sheer wonder of it. Then they discover their feet and toes and the slow, awe filled dance continues.

But then one day, their hands and feet are just ‘there.’ No longer mesmerising, just existing without fanfare.

A while ago, a friend severed the top of his finger and it had to be surgically reattached. His whole finger was wrapped up tight for weeks while it healed. When it was finally unwrapped, his fingertip was so sensitive to touch, like electricity running through his hand, he had to get used to it all over again. I imagine that’s what it feels like for newborns; every touch like electricity, until their brain and senses adapt.

Auto-pilot vs High alert

The fact is, if we spent our days staring at the wonder of our hands, and feeling electricity at every touch, we wouldn’t get very much done. So our brains have a ‘block out’ system, ensuring we only notice what’s ‘necessary’ at the time. It’s why you can drive home from work and have no recollection of the journey.

Your brain is on ‘auto-pilot’ in familiar surroundings. But it’s on high alert, taking in every street name and landmark when you’re driving in unfamiliar territory. Put simply; if we took in every piece of information thrown at us each day, our brains would not cope.

It means that noticing things which have become familiar doesn’t come easily. We have to consciously make an effort to notice, and strive not to lose the wonder in the familiar. Being transformed, as it were, by the daily renewing our minds (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.
Romans 12:2

Seeing God

So, what does a breeze have to do with seeing God? Well, what if I told you that God is speaking to you every day through His creation?

‘See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth… “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”’
Psalm 46:8-10 (MSG)

Your whole outlook on the world changes when you literally stop to smell the roses. Stand under a canopy of trees and recognise the creativity that went into designing each leaf, and the delight God must have felt as he crafted each of the colourful birds chattering amongst the branches, and taught them to weave elaborate nests, miraculously engineered to survive summer storms.

smelling roses, seeing God — “Your whole outlook on the world changes when you literally stop to smell the roses.”

I explain more about the science behind ‘God encounters’ in my book, ‘The Simple Joy of Seeing God.’ But when the Bible says, ‘Be still and know that I am God,’ here’s what it really means…

A while ago, I was struggling with anxiety as I walked through a particularly stressful season in my life. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, literally causing pain in my back and neck. My heart racing, tears flowing, I stepped outside and lay on the thick carpet of grass in our backyard.

As I lay still, gazing upwards, slowly, the thoughts in my head quietened, and for the first time in a long time, I started to hear birds happily chirping as they flittered to-and-fro, and the wistful hum of bees as they gathered around a tree bloom. A sense of peace and lightness came over me.

“Now,” His familiar voice gently whispers, “now I have your attention.”

‘Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made.’
Psalm 105:4-5 (MSG)

A.J. Spurr
Author, The Simple Joy of Seeing God (2021)

A.J. Spurr is a speaker, freelance writer and regular radio guest who has worked in media for over 20 years. A.J. is a praying mama of two boys and happy wife of a footy-loving, barbecue aficionado.

Undervalued or Super Loved?

Heartlands – Autumn 2022

Women’s Ministry at The Point

By Rachelle Hawkins

Since the The Point* Baptist’s inception in 2006, we have endeavoured to hold many outreach events to reach our town of Beauty Point. The message is always about who Jesus is, and why it’s important. These events include men’s dinners, women’s dessert nights, concerts, kids’ clubs, and an annual visit by Texan missionaries who do all the above, and more.

We, as a church, long to share the hope Jesus offers.

At the beginning of last year, we were feeling disappointed that international borders were still closed due to Covid-19. It meant our Texan friends could not come out to hold their mission outreach. As well, watching social media, it was clear our town had a number of people experiencing varying levels of anxiety, grief, depression, loneliness, confusion and hopelessness. We, as a church, long to share the hope Jesus offers.

Cormorant Café - Undervalued or Super loved — The Point Baptist Church meets here:
The Cormorant Café, Seahorse World

A timely visit

When I was visiting Newstead Baptist Church, I was taken with the personable and articulate way Wendy Marston led the service. Her voice conveyed a particular sense of love and care. And her words conveyed her love for the Lord and the people and activities of the church.

After the service I asked her if she’s ever shared her story. At first she said no. Then remembered she had shared it once before. I asked if she would be willing to share her story again to a group of ladies in Beauty Point, and without hesitation she said yes, she would.

So we planned another women’s event.

And the response? Outstanding!

The vent was soaked in prayer - Super loved

We decided to host a 3-course meal in The Cormorant Cafe, cooked by our chef. Wendy would be our speaker, and I invited a musician – guitarist and singer/songwriter Briar Marshall to bring some music. Wendy titled her talk “Undervalued or Super Loved?” and this went out on all the invitations.

The event was soaked in prayer, and was run by a team of women helping the logistics.

The responses came flooding in. We were all floored when 54 people RSVP’d to come, with 26 of these not currently attending church. On the night, we announced we were about to start a new Bible study, designed to introduce people to the life and love of Jesus.

From this initial night, seven ladies became part of the Bible study. A follow-up Bible study is currently underway, with most of the same ladies plus some new ones.

The debrief – Reflecting on what happened

We consider this outreach meal particularly successful. What made it so, compared with many events we’ve held which were all equally prayed over?

Timing – it was June 2021 and people (especially mums) were keen to get out of the house
Offering a free meal in a café, which was neutral territory
The title of the talk “Undervalued …. Or Super-loved?” resonated with a lot of the attendees. This can not be stated enough, as a number of women commented that it sounded like something they “really needed to hear”.
Having the follow-up bible study planned, with flyers to hand out, which allowed the ladies to respond on the spot, by expressing interest in a bible study.

Beauty Point still has a whole lot of people who need to hear of the hope and forgiveness that Jesus offers, and the lengths he went to, to purchase it. We hope 2022 brings more opportunities to share His love.

Jesus died because sin is killing us

Undervalued and super loved

Invest in people's lives and get to know them. Super valued!

The important thing, in my view, is to recognise that without the forgiveness of Jesus, people all around us are heading for eternity without him. We, at the Point Baptist, feel the burden of telling that message clearly.

So whether that’s through personal/friendship evangelism or inviting friends to events such as the Tasmania Celebration with Will Graham. Perhaps by investing in people’s lives, getting to know them and showing a genuine interest in them. Or events like the one described above.

All these create opportunities to explain Jesus died because sin is killing us. His life and death was God’s plan to deal with our problem of sin and death. What an exchange!

Once someone accepts Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness, they have a restored relationship with the God of the Universe. Even more than that, He comes and lives inside them to guide, shape, convict and counsel them, and to transform them into the likeness of Jesus for the rest of their life!

That’s one heck of a deal that people living all around us don’t even know is offered.

About Rachelle

Rachelle Hawkins grew up in rural NSW and studied science at Newcastle University. Immediately after marrying Craig, they moved to Tasmania where Craig took up a job as a forester. Here she studied aquaculture and was employed as Senior Biologist at the newly starting seahorse farm in Beauty Point. Six children and many thousands of seahorses later, Rachelle loves nothing more than coffee with friends, time with family, her involvement with the Point Baptist Church, local soccer, and driving the taxi for her kids.

* The Point Baptist Church in Beauty Point is a small congregation in a small town. We meet at 5pm every Sunday in The Cormorant – Café on the Pier, which is upstairs in Seahorse World.

19 February 202220 April 2022

HEARTLANDS News Summer 2022

HEARTLANDS is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Table of Contents

Diary Dates

There’s a few things coming up in the EmpowHer Calendar!
Watch out for more info coming from your region.

Sunday 27th February Northern Walk at Tamar Island. SEE BROCHURE for details >
Monday 4th April Release week for HEARTLANDS Autumn
Saturday 9th April Proposed Southern Day-Retreat: “Shelter”
Saturday 21st May Northern event. Stay posted for details!

Recent EmpowHer Events

Ladies Event at Ulverstone Baptist

Tuesday 30th November 2021

Ladies evening with Amanda Cox 30Nov21, heartlands-news-summer-2022

The evening went off! Attending on the night were 93 women to hear speaker, Amanda Cox, talk about belief systems.

Many of the women at Ulverstone Baptist invited their friends and family members. The talk was both inspiring and challenging, and the delicious supper afterwards was a great time to share some treats and good conversation with friends.

Congratulations to Gabe Fife and her team for pulling off a wonderful pre-Christmas event.

Action for You

Thinking outside your box

It’s both an interesting and challenging time in Tasmania. COVID has caught up with us! No matter where you are in the pandemic journey, it’s always good to connect with others to encourage, and intentionally create a safe space to engage.

So . . . who can you catch up with, one-on-one? Who do you know who might need someone to talk to? You could go out for coffee. Meet at the park. Call someone up. Or, make an effort to connect more deeply after church.

These can become moments of connection, support and encouragement for both you and your friend or family member. Maybe you could even offer to pray for them, or ask them to pray for you?

There are many ways you can interact to make sure others are cared for during this time.

It’s a time to be the blessing!

Praying for Alice

By Jenny Baxter, Tasmanian Director, EmpowHer

Praying for Alice became my lifetime passion

While my life flashed before my eyes, I sat in the Spanish winter sunshine, nervously waiting for the bride, our Alice, to be given away.

Well, it wasn’t my life exactly. It was pieces of Alice’s life I’d kept close in my heart. Moments I had participated in, helped with, and cried over.

The memories flickered through my mind like precious flowers, once fresh but now pressed, faded and time-worn.

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to HEARTLANDS!

SUBSCRIBE HERE

26 October 20218 November 2021

WALK | PRAY | LOVE

Heartlands SPRING 2021

Walk | Pray | Love Events during November 2021 (scroll down)
Being an Imperfect Ministry by Jenna Blackwell
Baptist World Day of Prayer for Women by Elissa Macpherson

NOVEMBER 2021 EVENTS

Join with others state-wide to walk, pray, love and enjoy the company of other women.

REGION	DATE	TIME	WHERE	WHAT
North	Monday 1st Nov	7:30-8:30pm	Homes and Groups	Global Day of Prayer
	Saturday 20th Nov	11:30am	Hollybank	Hollybank Picnic Adventure
Northwest	Monday 1st Nov	7:30-8:30pm	Homes and Groups	Global Day of Prayer
	Tues 30th Nov	7:00-8:30pm	Ulverstone Baptist Church	Ladies Evening with Amanda Cox
South	Friday 5th November	7:30-8:30pm	Hobart Baptist Church	Global Day of Prayer
	Saturday 13th Nov	10am-1pm	Claremont	Windermere Bay-Claremont Loop

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE INFO

NORTH – walk | pray | love

Monday 1st November

7:30-8:30pm Global Day of Prayer Informal Gatherings
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Saturday 20th November

11:30am Hollybank Picnic Adventure
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Walk Pray Love: Hollybank Picnic Adventure

NORTHWEST – walk | pray | love

Monday 1st November

7:30-8:30pm Global Day of Prayer Informal Gatherings
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Tuesday 30th November

7:00-8:30pm Ladies evening
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite
RSVP to Yvette: admin@ub.church by 25th November | $10 pp on the night

SOUTH – walk | pray | love

Friday 5th November

7:30-8:30pm Global Day of Prayer Coffee and Dessert Night
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Saturday 13th November

10:am-1:00pm Claremont-Windermere Bay Loop Walk
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Walk Pray Love South Windermere Nay walk

EmpowHer is an activity of Tasmanian Baptist Women

OUR VISION is to see a network of women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

26 October 20219 November 2021

Baptist World Day of Prayer for Women

Heartlands Spring 2021

Baptist World Day of Prayer for Women by Elissa Macpherson (scroll down)
Being an Imperfect Ministry by Jenna Blackwell
Walk | Pray | Love Events during November 2021

prayer:

Participate in a Global Event

Every November, Baptists from all over the planet come together to pray for women, and support them financially.

From cities far and wide across the world, women and men join the World Day of Prayer. They pray from Cameroon, to Cambodia, to Croatia, and Canberra. They unite in one cry for women: “Lord, help the women of the world, sisters facing persecution, civil war, natural disaster, and poverty.”

Reunite women . . .

. . . Who live in desperate times

Colombian Women at a Day of Prayer event

The World Day of Prayer began in 1948, in response to the devastation and division created by WWII. To facilitate healing, the Baptist women of Europe organised the first Day of Prayer, aiming to reunite Baptists alienated by war.

The movement gathered momentum, and now Baptists globally gather in groups of five, 20 and 100s. They represent over 200 Baptist women organizations, and pray in more than 80 languages. They unite in prayer under the banner of Baptist World Alliance Women (BWAW). This is a global collective representing Baptist women from 145 countries. They have networks and projects across the world, but this is the one day they focus on the most important activity of all: PRAYER!

Just like the devastation of WWII, our world is once again in a global crisis with the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, there are Baptist women bravely giving free medical care amid the coup in Myanmar; leaders dealing with devastation caused by earthquake in Haiti; Baptist sisters volunteering as midwives in remote villages in PNG; and yet others providing a 24-hour helpline for women feeling distressed by unplanned pregnancy in Argentina.

Inspire HOPE

Being a light to the world is integral to the call of BWAW. Consequently, as part of the Day of Prayer, an offering finances the ministry and support global projects. This year’s financial gifts will support a frog farm in Thailand, sewing clubs in Vanuatu, a library in Cameroon and a resource kit addressing mental health issues in the Philippines.

These projects will inspire hope and enable women to flourish.

You are invited to be part of this day. Why not gather a group to pray, and let the voices of Tasmania join the global movement?

Elissa Macpherson
President, Baptist Women of the Pacific
Contact Elissa for more information and support.
(president@bwpacific.org)

Complete guide to running your own World Day of Prayer: BWA World Day of Prayer >>>

What to do next

The World Day of Prayer can be held on any day in November.
HERE ARE SOME PRE-ORGANISED TASMANIAN EVENTS!

PARTICIPATE WITH WOMEN IN TASMANIA

NORTHWEST
7:30-8:30pm Monday 1st November
Gather in homes and groups to pray.
DOWNLOAD FLYER >>> |
Contact Gabe Fife (gabfife@gmail.com)

NORTH
7:30-8:30pm Monday 1st November
Gather in homes and groups to pray.
DOWNLOAD FLYER >>> | Contact Wendy Marston (wendy.marston@iinet.net.au)

SOUTH
7:30-8:30pm Friday 5th November 2021
Coffee and Dessert evening at Hobart Baptist Church.
DOWNLOAD FLYER >>> | Jenny Baxter (jenny@tasbaptists.org.au)

READ THE 2021 WORLD DAY OF PRAYER PROGRAM >>>

Baptist women in Papua, Indonesia at a Day of Prayer gathering, 2021

27 May 202125 October 2021

Keeping it Real – #nofilter Church

food for thought:

By Denise Stephenson

Denise Stephenson is a trained Spiritual Director and, until December 2020, was Spiritual Formation Pastor at LifeWay Baptist Church Devonport. What is #nofilter church? Read on to find out!

I love Instagram!

All those squares filled with beautiful pictures of magical places, designer interiors, and adorable children dressed in linen!

Most of us (on our good days) recognise that Instagram is the home of “This Filtered Life”. Isn’t it tempting to apply a “filter” to life so it looks good on the outside?

Whilst none of us really expects social media to be an honest reflection of life, most of us hope our communities of faith would be the one place we feel safe enough to be our “unfiltered” self. But if I am honest, church is often a place, as much as any other, where I have felt pressure to look, act or feel a particular kind of way.

We say, “Come as you are”, but really we mean come if you feel upbeat, on top of things, happy and well – and if you’re not, at least try act as if you are. Apply the “worship” filter where it’s smiling, happy people holding hands. “We’re here to worship God!!” Amen?!

We try and “stay together”

What would our community of faith look like if it was #nofilter? Denise Stephenson

What would our community of faith, and our worship, look like if it was #nofilter? In the weeks following my husband Mark’s cancer diagnosis, I really didn’t feel like going to church. But, being one of the pastors, I turned up to church each week, determined to keep it all ‘together’. I had my “filter” firmly in place.

As soon as the songs started, every word would punch into my gut, and I would start crying… which was the LAST thing I wanted to do. Welcome to #nofilter! It was awful but it was real. Without me noticing, people would come to stand with me, and after the service, friends would slip into the chair beside me and pray for me.

I would go home, still in pain, still afraid, a blotchy, red-faced teary mess but having what I needed to keep going.

Embrace what God does for you

It takes guts to show our vulnerabilities, our weaknesses, and our messiness – to be real. But that’s exactly what God wants from us. God isn’t fooled by the filter, and wants to see the real person made in his image. I find that such a relief. I love The Message translation of Romans 12:1-2 which says:

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. 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, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Romans 12:1-2 MSG

Let’s start #nofilter Sunday, and see what happens when we give God our real self. I think it could change church.

For good!

Denise Stephenson

Denise, and her husband Mark, recently moved to Lymington (south of Cygnet) where they are exploring new ways of being a community of faith in their new neighbourhood. Even so, Denise still works in Cygnet as an offshoot of LifeWay Devonport. Denise and Mark sail, garden, chop wood (it’s cold down here!) and hang out in cafes, getting to know their new neighbourhood, and keeping a lookout for what God is doing down in the deep south.

Diary Dates

OVERVIEW: SHELTER Retreat

FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

Overview of the SHELTER Retreat

What’s Coming Up?

Pig Island Walk, Latrobe

10:30am Saturday 17th September

International Women’s Day of Prayer

Cosy Cuppa, Chat & Craft

2:30PM, SUNday 31st JULY 2022

Action for You

God’s Whisper

Diary Dates

What’s Happening?

Basin Café and Gorge Walk

9:30am, Saturday 21st May 2022

SHELTER Retreat

5pm to 5pm, FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

Action for You

Undervalued or Super Loved?

The Science of Seeing God

In Awe of God’s Creation

Awe and Wonder

Auto-pilot vs High alert

Seeing God

Women’s Ministry at The Point

A timely visit

And the response? Outstanding!

The debrief – Reflecting on what happened

Undervalued and super loved

About Rachelle

Diary Dates

Recent EmpowHer Events

Ladies Event at Ulverstone Baptist

Action for You

Praying for Alice

Heartlands SPRING 2021

NOVEMBER 2021 EVENTS

NORTH – walk | pray | love

Monday 1st November

Saturday 20th November

NORTHWEST – walk | pray | love

Monday 1st November

Tuesday 30th November

SOUTH – walk | pray | love

Friday 5th November

Saturday 13th November

EmpowHer is an activity of Tasmanian Baptist Women

Heartlands Spring 2021

Participate in a Global Event

Reunite women . . .

. . . Who live in desperate times

Inspire HOPE

What to do next

PARTICIPATE WITH WOMEN IN TASMANIA

By Denise Stephenson

We try and “stay together”

Embrace what God does for you

SUBSCRIBE TO HEARTLANDS!