An e-newsletter of the North American Baptist Conference Women’s Ministry November/December 2017

Moments

My children like to play a game called

“trust fall”. My sons or daughter will attempt to

fall backward into my arms, trusting that they’ll be caught before hitting the ground. The first few falls often result in stumbles, but if I stand close enough in the beginning and move progressively

farther away, it’s amazing how they willingly fall backward, certain that they will be caught by my hands just inches from the ground.

This game came to my mind as I was reflecting on the life of Mary as inspired by Christy Fay’s chapter in our theme book Reclaimed. Mary’s trust in God was tested time and time again, and she lived with humble certainty that God was there to catch her. She experienced the apprehension of becoming a mother before the “proper” time; she navigated the worries of parenting, such as when Jesus got lost as a boy; she felt the tug of protection as she watched his unprecedented ministry unfold; and endured the heartache of witnessing first hand his rejection, suffering and eventual death.

So many of those moments must have felt like the edge of a precipice and sometimes it seems like she might waver. And yet, looking at her life as a whole we can see that she maintains a consistent posture as first exemplified in Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” She held God’s promises close and lived in perpetual faith that all these things

belonged in the hands of God.If there’s anything we all

hold in common with Mary, it’s that our trust will be tested as well. And as Jesus’ followers, like Mary we too can hold God’s promises close. I often feel like my trust has limits, like there are things I just couldn’t bear. But then I’ve witnessed a fellow mother trusting

God through breast cancer or another the death of a child. As these friends pondered the complexities of “why?” and experienced unimaginable searing pain, they somehow also spoke with deep knowledge of Christ as their “light on a moonless sea” (to quote Elizabeth Elliott). I see them in a trust fall with the hands of God ready to catch them.

Sometimes it seems like trust is the only strength they have left, as if they’ve discovered the truest purpose of trust in God. Their trust strengthens mine and reminds me that trust in God has the quality of stretching further and further, and of actually being a tangible act of mercy and hope in the midst of trial and despair. Indeed we can rest assured that the landing is in His arms.

Mary’s Life, Like Ours: An Exercise of Trust

2 Mary... and Heather2 Heather Hayashi Bio3 News from Baptist Women

of North American3 Women’s Luncheon4 Daily Devotional reviews4 Save the Date Triennial 2018

CONTENTS

The life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the last in Christy Fay’s book Reclaimed Uncovering Your Worth. What a delightful study of the women who appear in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. We have enjoyed sharing this study with you and hope you will check it out and consider doing it with a group of women or by yourself. —JeanAmber Dowd shares her thoughts with Mary’s Life, Like Ours: An exercise of trust...

SHARE A CUP WITH JEAN...

BY AMBER DOWD

e-Java Moments November/December 2017 • 2

2000 years ago, a young girl named Mary heard an angel tell her she was

to be the mother of God’s son, and she had the courage to say yes to the work God required to accomplish in her life.

In 2012, a young mother named Heather Hayashi heard the voice of God tell her that the Christmas season should be a celebration of joy and not the stressful time it had become.

So Heather had the courage to say yes to God and change her heart. For the next 31 days of December, she would discipline herself to sit quietly with the Lord, read Scripture and respond in prayer. For her it would be a discipline of making time to do this, not just finding time when things slowed down. She decided to post her prayers on her blog to encourage others.

The daily blogs developed into a book, “31 Days of Christmas – An Experiment in Rest”. Each day has a deceptively simple layout – a Scripture passage, a confessional prayer and a penetrating question.

And what did Heather discover with this change of heart? Here is what she writes in the Introduction:

What I discovered was a deep quieting of my heart. I sensed God’s Spirit inviting me to walk closely with Him, to relax, to be loved, and simply, to love others. I released my grip on schedules, ideas and strategies for spending or not spending money. When I felt tempted to scramble for control, I held back and listened.

By the end of the month, I was renewed and refreshed. Not only was my heart more attentive to God, but some of the hidden drive behind my actions was revealed as God showed me my fear and insecurities. In that space where I relinquished control, I was able to see God pour out His love to me and through me in a gentle and life-giving way.

Like Mary, Heather responded to God’s voice just as Mary did – “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” And like Mary, Heather

could also say in joyful celebration – “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”.

Heather’s prayer for you is that you experience God during this month of December and find your life, and this world, quieted by His love and profoundly changed for His glory.

“31 Days of Christmas – an Experiment in Rest” by Heather Hayashi is available from her. Google Heather Hayashi for her blogs and podcasts and bookstore.

Mary... and Heather

BY HEATHER HAYASHI

Heather Hayashi is a reader, writer, lover of coffee and curious about many things. She and her husband Randy live in Edmonton, AB and have two young adult sons, Zac and Nathan. She is a graduate from Taylor Seminary with a Master of Theological Studies Degree and received her training as a spiritual director from Urban Sanctuary. She is the author of 31 Days of Christmas, Pray Any Way and is currently working on a third book. Heather lives with chronic illness and pain and has come to love God deeply through this experience. It is from this ongoing need to surrender her will to God that she is honoured to write and speak about His goodness and grace!

e-Java Moments November/December 2017 • 3

Women’s LuncheonALL LADIES WHO ATTEND THE TRIENNIAL 2018 ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SPECIAL LUNCHEON AT THE WESTIN EDMONTON.

Friday, July 27, 2018 12:15 pm–1:45 pmPre-registration requiredHeather Hayashi will be our luncheon speaker.Explore as women what it means to be “Clay in the Potter’s Hands” as God

molds and shapes lives for His special purpose. Enjoy connecting with friends, old and new. Hear how women throughout the NAB are letting the Potter mold and shape them to be on mission with God in their neighborhoods and communities. Hosted by the NAB Women’s Ministry Leadership Team, this luncheon will provide inspiration for ways to connect with other NAB women.

Register for the Triennial at nabconference.org Click on Triennial.

• Baptist Women of North America (formerly NABWU) is one of the 7 continental unions that form the Baptist World Alliance Women’s Department.

• There are 16 member bodies that make up the Baptist Women of North America. North American Baptist Women’s Ministry is one of these member bodies.

• The World Day of Prayer is sponsored by BWNA and written this year by the African Women’s Union.

News from Baptist Women of North AmericaA MEMBER OF THE BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT

North American Baptist Women’s Union North American Baptist Women’s Union held its

every 5 year assembly in Toronto, Ontario October 19-22. Women from all over North America attended this gathering that voted to change its name to Baptist Women of North America. There has been confusion when referring to the former name with our own North American Baptist Conference Women’s Ministry. New officers were elected at this Assembly.

Some fast facts about Baptist Women of North America (NABWU):• The mission of BWNA is to “encourage

women to live out kingdom life, especially in the area of helping the vulnerable through networking, mentoring, resources, and grants.” One-half of the Day of Prayer offering is used for grants for groups in North America working with the vulnerable among us.

• Two North American Baptist Conference women have served as president of this organization: Doreen Walth and Linda Weber.

DAY OF PRAYER NOVEMBER 6, 2017

The day is over, but you can have your own day of prayer at any time.

Thank God for the women of Cameroon and their dedication to their work among the women and girls. Pray that God would continue to provide strength, direction, and wisdom as the leadership sees needs and seeks ways to meet them.

Five W’s of the Day of PrayerWHAT? Each year, Baptist women around the globe gather together in their local areas to pray for one another, give an offering, and engage in Bible study and reflection.

WHO? Family, friends, church members, colleagues, community members.

WHEN? Anytime. A full day, weekend, or a couple of hours.

WHERE? In your church, home, workplace, community park, senior’s home, or wherever you are.

WHY? We uphold and support one another in prayer because we know that nothing is accomplished without prayer, and great and mighty things come into being because of prayer.

The offerings during Day of Prayer are essential as they are the main source of income for the ministries and partnerships of the BWA Women’s Department and the 7 continental unions.The Day of Prayer program prepared by the Baptist Union of Africa.Find it at the website: www.bwawd.org under the theme “Arise Shine: When We Rise Up, He Shines through Transformation.”

Offerings may be made payable to:

USA North American Baptist Women’s Union PO Box 282 Bordentown, New Jersey 08505

Canada Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario/Quebec 34-750 Burnhamthorpe Rd. East Mississauga, ON L4Y 2X3

CONNECT WITH US

North American Baptist Conference

1219 Pleasant Grove Blvd. Roseville, CA 95678

wm.nabc@gmail.com nabconference.org

MORNING MOMENTS WITH GOD BY GRACE FOX

Do you desire to draw near to God? Discover fresh biblical insights and renew your spirit as you journey through more than 150 new devotions for women. These gems of godly

wisdom focus on God’s faithfulness and reflect on His power, presence, and promises in your life today.These engaging devotions for women allow you to draw near to God as you develop a greater appreciation for how God’s truth is woven throughout all of your days and deepen your trust in Him to provide for all of your tomorrows.

DAILY WISDOM FOR WOMEN 2018 BY BARBOUR PUBLISHING

Develop an intimate relationship with your Savior and Friend, Jesus, with the Daily Wisdom for Women collection. Offering a powerful

devotional reading and prayer for every day of 2018, this beautiful volume provides inspiration and encouragement for your soul. Allow God’s Word to bless your heart through this beloved daily devotional--and come to know the fulfillment and beauty of your life in Christ.

FLOURISH BY MARGARET FEINBERG

Join Margaret Feinberg for this fifty-two week devotional that’s like reading a treasured letter from a longtime friend. Through her winsome

stories and heart for Scripture’s healing beauty, you’ll discover deep encouragement on every page. Beautiful coloring pages beckon you to slow down and reflect on Scripture. Worthy Inspired

JESUS CALLING BY SARAH YOUNGTestimony by Heather Senges

About 18 months ago, I was in hospital having my poor arthritic hip replaced. I had taken along my “Jesus Calling” devotional book, knowing these short, encouraging

devotionals would be just right. On Day 3 post- op, feeling nauseated and still in pain, here was the thought for that day: My Face is shining upon you, beaming out peace that transcends understanding. You are surrounded by a sea of problems, but you are face to face with Me, your Peace. As long as you focus on me, you are safe.I clung to that thought, that God’s Face was shining on me, and what joy it gave! Recovery was steady - and I am back to 100%. I still rejoice each day in His Face beaming on me!

UNSHAKEABLE BY CHRISTINE CAINE

Everything in our world that can be shaken will be shaken. And yet, the Bible assures us it doesn’t matter what happens politically,

morally, socially, or economically in the world around us if we have Christ in us—if we have the kingdom of God within us—because His kingdom is Unshakeable.In this daily devotional, bestselling author, speaker and activist Christine Caine will take you on a year-long journey of building your faith in our Unshakeable God. Through inspiring personal stories and powerful scriptures, she will equip you to live boldly and courageously, fully trusting our faithful God. She will inspire you how to activate living your life on mission. Unstoppable. Undaunted. Unashamed. Unshakable.“All of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.”

–Hebrews 12:27 NLT

Begin the New Year with a Daily Devotional

FOR MISSION

Edmonton, ABTriennial 2018

Save the Date

July 26-29, 2018