“Attempt something large enough that failure is guaranteed… unless God steps in.”

For almost 25 years we have discussed starting a women’s residential ministry at America’s Keswick. Last July the Board unanimously voted to move forward with the development of the program in the Raws’ homestead on the property of Keswick, and to name it Barbara’s Place in honor of Barbara Bateman, the wife of our chairman of the board.

I just want to give you a quick update regarding our progress. I realize this is not our typical Victory Call but I believe you will be blessed to hear what God is doing here.

Renovation is well underway to the house and things are happening daily so by the time you get this even more will have been completed. We are aiming to be complete in the later part of July. A new roof has been installed, new windows are in process, and a dormer has been added to the top floor which increased space in the room significantly. The kitchen and bathrooms have been gutted and will be completely renovated. The front porch had sliding glass doors on three walls, which were removed and replaced with a half-wall with windows. This room will serve as the dining porch and has a great view. It is a hubbub of activity and I can’t wait to see the finished house.

Even though there is a lot of work going on and it is no small feat, the harder part is the development of the program and assembling staff. A few weeks ago we posted on the website the four job positions that we are looking to fill. If you or someone you know would be interested and qualified for a position please check out the postings at http://www.americaskeswick.org Contact us/year round employment.

Sometime this summer we are planning a house shower to allow people the opportunity to be involved in the furnishing of the house. We will register the house just like a bride would and invite people to donate new items from the registry for the house. As details become available we will let you know.

This is a huge endeavor and we need much prayer daily to move forward. This is totally God’s work because it is beyond any of our ability. Our best will not be good enough no matter who we hire. Thus the quote from a card I have in my office: “Attempt something large enough that failure is guaranteed… unless God steps in.”

Please pray for us.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years. She has 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

i Lawson Falle cards

I wish I could give credit for the following thought but I came across it in some of my handwritten notes without any indication as to who said it. But I appreciate the thought today as a wonderful reminder of its simple truth.

As followers of Jesus Christ, God is in the process of conforming each of us to the image of His Son. The more conformed I am to the Son in this life, the less of a shock heaven will be. The less conformed I am to the Son in this life, the greater the shock of heaven will be.

Walk today in the truth that God is transforming you…

Pray that at the end of the day you will be more like Jesus than when you woke up this morning.

Rejoice to know, He is actively at work in your life today even if you cannot see it.

Delight in knowing that one day, the transforming work of God in your life will be complete and you will be sitting at His feet forever.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” 2 Cor. 3:18

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years. She has 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

YOU MAY NOT HAVE HIM….

I clearly remember the day I stood on my front porch, angry with the enemy for the apparent efforts he was making in my family to drag a member off track. I stomped my foot and I shouted, YOU MAY NOT HAVE HIM!!!. It was war. I very much felt the pull of the enemy, far greater than I. I was no match for his evil cunning ways, BUT I KNEW MY GOD WAS (and still is).

If we see our prayers for our family and loved ones as war, I think we would take prayer far more seriously. Who goes to war unarmed? Who goes to war half-heartedly? Who rises for battle when they feel like it? When an enemy lurks, our senses are at the ready.

Your prayers matter. They matter to God; they matter for the ones for whom you pray.

For a long time I prayed more in fear than in faith. I spent my prayer time asking God to keep them from __________,and not allow them to ____________, protect them from ________, etc. After prayer time I was discouraged because I just spent all that time rehearsing bad things that could happen. Over time, I began to learn to pray in faith believing. Praying for the positive things to become a part of their lives.

Pray in faith believing.

Believing what? That God will do what I want? That I will get my way? NO.

Believing that God is able. God is sovereign. God is good. His answer is the absolute best answer whether we see it our not.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who make heaven and earth.” Ps 121:1-2

Stop and think about that. Where does your help come from even in the most stressful and difficult circumstances? From the MAKER of heaven and earth!

Try it sometime. Lift up your eyes to the hills, the stars, the heavens and remind yourself that the One to WHOM you pray created and sustains all of it… He really can handle your problems, and the problems of your loved ones.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years. She has 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

WHO ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR TODAY?

Nehemiah encouraged the people in building the wall and protecting their families to fight for their loved ones. “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Neh 4:14

Will those that come behind you find evidence of faith? Will they be keenly aware that you fought for them? Are they aware that you ARE fighting for them?

WHO ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR TODAY?

Michael Katz quoted Adolf Hitler: “Whoever wants the next generation most will get them.”

WHO ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR TODAY?

Your prayers on the behalf of your loved ones matter. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” ESV “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” NIV “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” KJV James 5:16b

WHO ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR TODAY?

Blessing,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years. She has 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

We are at war. There are several weapons at our disposal but my focus for the next few days will be on the powerful weapon granted to us by our Father the King. The weapon of prayer.

What do we call a person that we know is faithful in prayer? A prayer warrior. We can be princess prayer warriors.
You are a woman of influence. Let me say that again. You ARE a woman of influence.

I love the Steve Green song “Find Us Faithful”
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we’ve left behind
May the clues that they discover
And the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them
To the road we all must find

My simple premise is this: THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN, NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS IS PRAYER. IT IS YOUR MOST POWERFUL WEAPON AND THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT YOU CAN GIVE.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years. She has 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

I was sleeping fitfully, drifting in and out of awareness of my surroundings. My dreams were pleasant but interrupted periodically with shouts and noises. I was relatively unconcerned and rolled over and drifted back to sleep.

It was early morning when, in my dream, my husband and I were enjoying a very relaxing canoe trip on a warm sunny day when I heard banging. My first thought was that my husband was somehow banging his paddle on the side of the canoe for some reason, but that thought quickly passed as I became aware that the banging was not in my dream but at my door.
Somewhat groggy and irritated that I was being awakened from my slumber, I put on my robe and made my way to the door hoping I didn’t look like I had just gotten out of bed.

I peered out the window to see who was so bold to be waking me this early in the morning. I recognized the person at the door but the look on his face was alarming. My heart went into double-time as I quickly opened the door.

He was frantic. “You are in danger” “Quick, The enemy is on the prowl. Where is your battle armor? Your weapons? You must stay alert.” Suddenly, every one of my senses was at the ready. My presence of mind returned as my groggy mind cleared. “We are at war,” he said. As we stood at the door, I could hear explosions and gunfire in the background. Fear was palpable.

I shook my head. What could I have been thinking? I knew we were in a war. How could I have drifted off to such blissful sleep? I remember sitting down for just a moment, with my battle armor in hand. I was so tired; I just wanted to rest for a moment. I would keep my weapons ready. I wanted to rest just for a moment. Just for a moment… just for a moment.

It’s coming back to me, sometime during the night, my armor was getting heavy and my weapons slipped from my hands. The sound as they hit the floor roused me from sleep but only momentarily. I was too tired to pick them up, too tired to remember, we are at war.

Fully awake now, I wanted to kick myself. How could I forget? There was a time that I fought tirelessly following my orders from the Commander – I didn’t hesitate to carry them out. I knew being in His army was the best choice and in the end I was assured of His victory. I was excited that He wanted me in His army. I was a novice and knew nothing of war, but He assured me He would not only teach me everything I needed to know, but He would also provide the power to accomplish all He asked and that He would never abandon me. How did I forget all that?

Ephesians 6:11-18 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…”

Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years. She has 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

We live in perilous times. Paul warns Timothy, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come time of difficulty. For people will be lover of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…”

I think we would agree that the condition of the world, our nation, our schools, our families, even our churches (in general) is deteriorating.

We have a very real enemy. Peter warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Lest we get discouraged we must remember we have a bigger God. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him…”

I believe God is raising up an army well skilled in the use of the weapons that are much needed and most powerful for the spiritual battle that rages now and yet lies ahead. Paul says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

There is a spiritual war raging around us. Are you up for the fight?

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years. She has 2 adult children, 3 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all. She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

i 2 Timothy 3:1-4
ii 1 Peter 5:8
iii 2 Chronicles 16:9
iv 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
v Ephesians 6:12

“I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor demons, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38

Are you persuaded to believe this verse this morning? Perhaps, you woke up with many things already spinning in your head. You know you need to get up, get dressed and get on with your day. You know what faces you as you bring children to school, go to work, do errands, cook, clean, garden, attend Bible Study. You know what you need to do today. But do you know you need to know, be persuaded to remember, that God loves you today? If you and I are not mindful of that fact the frustrations and unexpected things of your day will certainly persuade you to forget. Do you know that you know that you know . . . He loves you? Nothing will ever change that! God’s love for us is a fact, not always a feeling. God’s love for us is steady in the midst of any circumstance. No one and no thing can separate you from Him…..EVER!

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy’s on staff at America’s Keswick in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 28 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday school and Bible studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

I’m going to plagiarize a bit from the Living Proof Live conference with Beth Moore that I recently attended. Beth’s overall theme for two days was “Forty Days.” I know, doesn’t sound real spiritual or inspiring, does it? Well, when you think about 40 days, in terms of Scripture, what comes to mind? Forty days and nights of rain for Noah and the ark? Jesus’ wilderness temptation? Yes, those are just 2 instances of periods of forty days in the Bible. Beth took us to several more that never really stood out to me before.

One of those instances takes place in Numbers 13 when Moses sent the 12 spies into the Promised Land to check it out. Check out verse 25, “And they returned from spying out the land after forty days.” Twelve men, one from each tribe, went to the same place. Spent the same amount of time. Saw all the same things. All twelve saw a land flowing with milk and honey. But ten saw fortified cities, giants, and insurmountable obstacles. Two said, “let’s go, we can take them.” What was the difference? Perspective. Ten saw the obstacles. Joshua and Caleb knew that the Lord was with them.

As Beth put it, “In spiritual terms, WHO we see dictates HOW we see.” Do we have our focus so clearly on Jesus that the obstacles before us, the challenges around us, appear small in comparison? Or are we overwhelmed by all that is around us so that Jesus is obscured and we can only see our problems, challenges and difficulties.

Lord, change our perspective. Keep our eyes on You so that this world and all its problems will be small in comparison and we can see that You have already won the victory for us.

Ruth Schmidt is on full-time staff at America’s Keswick, and grateful to be a daughter of the King.

Psalm 121
My Help Comes From the Lord

Most of us want what we want and we want it now. With that frame of mind we will often assist God in getting what we want. And with this frame of mind we will also cause grief to ourselves with anxieties running rampant, and ultimately cause us to make unwise choices. In other words, emotions will rule. We will be like the hamster in the cage running around in circles.

Life’s journey sometimes can be very difficult and downright fearful: so many “what ifs and should be, what will I do if this happens or that happens?”. I’m at a place today waiting for an answer that could change my life in a moment’s time. However, since I’ve learned the benefits of waiting on God I haven’t lost any sleep. That’s not to say that I don’t have a concern or a fear that creeps in to try to rob me of the Joy of the Lord. Waiting and trusting God will always spare us from allowing anxieties to rule our lives.

Ladies, I know that God’s waiting room can be lonely, dark and scary, BUT God is in the waiting room with us. Just call upon Him and trust Him! God promises us He will always be with us!

Our God is Longsuffering, so waiting on God’s answer to our prayer (prayers) sometimes can be agonizing. Longsuffering is patiently enduring wrongs or difficulties: long and patient endurance. God uses trials and time of suffering for His purpose. Sometimes God reveals His purpose to us immediately; sometimes it’s years later. And sometimes our pain remains a complete mystery to us.

There is some pain that we will not understand until we see Him face to face and understand completely (I Corinthians 13:12).

There are two women in the Bible that I remember their stories, and it helps me remember the benefits of waiting on God to endure the journey. Sarah & Hannah both wanted a child. One manipulated and assisted God and the other one trusted God and waited. Read Genesis 16 and I Samuel 1 & 2.

Call upon the Lord. He is always available and He cares!
Psalm 121 “My Help Comes from the Lord”

God has perfect timing
Never early
Never late
It takes a little patience
And a whole lot of faith
BUT it’s worth the wait (Godvine.com)

Blessings,
Pat Spies
A Servant of the Lord and a Friend of Keswick