Hope for 2013!

Happy New Year!!  Hard to believe it is 2013 already.  I don't know what your 2012 looked like.  But my prayer is that 2013 will be an awesome year for you.  One way for this to happen is to "Start Your New Year God's Way".  This was the title of Pastor John Mark's sermon this past Sunday. If you haven't heard the message I encourage you to go online and listen to it. 

God desires to spend time with each of us every day.  God desires to have a intimate relationship with you.  God desires to speak to you and show you how to live for Him.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps."  Proverbs 3:5-6.

On New Year's Day in my quiet time with God, He spoke to me.  His word for me this upcoming year is Hope.  To forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead.  Don't slide into a pit of despair, depression, apathy, or complacency.  God is present.  "I wait in hope for the Lord, He is my help and my shield, In Him my heart rejoices for I trust in His Holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest upon me, O Lord, even as I put my hope in You."  Psalm 33:20-22. 

For my hope to rest in God, I have to spend time with Him.  Make your time with God a priority.  Set an appointment and prepare for it.  Take your Bible, notebook, and pen and just sit with God.  Pray, talk to Him about everything.  God wants to have an intimate relationship with you.  Start today.  He is waiting, He is never busy, He is always there.  I pray that 2013 be a year of hope for you.  Put your hope in God!

Blessings,
Melody 

A Victorian Tea with Brigitte

Victorian Tea With Brigitte

Ladies,

Have you ever just wanted to sit down, share a cup of tea and chat with someone new just to get to know them?  Well, ladies, now you have the opportunity! On Saturday morning, September 22, we will have a Victorian Tea with Brigitte Harrison, our Lead Pastor's Wife.  Come at 10:00am for tea and refreshments.  Brigitte will share her testimony and answer some questions. You may dress Victorian, but you don't have too.  Ladies from 1 to 100 are welcome!  See you then!



In Christ,
Melody

The Important Pinky Toe!

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Well, I finally did something I had never done before in my life . . . broke a bone.  It was only a small one, but it hurt!  I broke my little toe on my right foot.  I saw a spider in my kitchen and turned quickly to get something to kill it with and bam!  I hit a chair leg.  My little toe went right; it made my two smallest toes look like a capital L.  It was painful!

What do I do? Yell for my daughter, Megan, and then close my mouth to keep from screaming.  She called my son-n-law, Ryan, the fireman/emt, and asked if I should go to the doctor.  He said that the only thing they would do would be to x-ray it and tape it to the next toe.  We could do that.  I put my toe back in place and Megan taped it firmly in place.  I lay down with ibuprofen and an ice pack and stayed off my foot. 

The next day it was difficult to walk.  The toe and foot was swollen and very colorful with bruising.  This hurt toe is like having a toothache in your foot that will not go away.  The swelling did begin to go down and the colors began to fade.  But what I was not expecting was the headache and back pain from the stress of walking.  I was adjusting my walk to protect my toe.  I did not realize how much your little toe helps you balance.  As I compensated and walked a little differently it made my back and hips hurt, then up my neck and into a stress headache.  So I called my chiropractor who made adjustments that have helped. 

As I wait for my toe to heal, which I am told can be a longer process than I first thought.  I have been contemplating what I am to learn through this.  Number one; be careful in the kitchen around chairs!  Number two; practice patience.  Number three; how important every part is.  The little toe doesn’t seem to be that important to the foot.  It balances out the toes when getting a pedicure.  Most importantly it helps you keep your balance when you stand and walk. 

Just as that little pinky toe is important so is every person in the body of Christ.  “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans 12:4-5.  Each of us is important.  All the work of God’s Kingdom is important, the big jobs that you notice, but also the small things that go unnoticed.  In 1 Corinthians 10:31 we are told “…whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.  “So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.  Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Don’t forget you are special to God.  And if you are feeling unimportant read Ephesians 1.  “Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ…” Ephesians 1:4.  “For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10.  God has a plan and purpose for each of us and gives us the strength and ability to do the work He gives us.  So whether you are the leg, the eye, the arm or the little pinky toe you are important to God and to the family of God!

Bible Study: Nehemiah

Ladies, We met last night for our introduction to Nehemiah. If you missed it, you can still join us. For the next 7 weeks we will be studying the book of Nehemiah. We will meet in Room 206 at 6:30 on Wednesday nights. We will watch a 20 minute video by writer, Kelly Minter, and then have our discussion. This is for ladies of all ages, age 13 and up. Nehemiah's heart broke for the suffering Jews in Jerusalem. Nehemiah was compassionate and he had a heart that broke for others. Hanani, one of his brothers returned from Jerusalem and told Nehemiah that "the wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire. When I heard this, I sat down and wept." Nehemiah 1:3-4. Then Nehemiah prayed and looked for God to work. And he made himself avaiable. Through seven sessions, Nehemiah will inspire you to listen to what God has put in your heart to do and guide you in real-life ways to put your faith into action. Let God break your heart for a hurting, lost world and move you in compassion to be the hands and feet of Jesus. What are you compassionate about? What causes your heart to break? Today, I invite you to come join us on this journey through the book of Nehemiah. I invite you to follow God outside of yourself, out of your safe comforterable world. Consider the needs that surround you. Ask God to give you a heart of compassion for others. If you have any questions please contact me at melody@apexbaptist.org. In Christ, Melody Merritt

Friends, As I sat down to write this blog, I wondered what to say. What do I want to talk about? What do I want to share with you? I just want to share some Truth with you. God is good. God is faithful. God is trustworthy. In the midst of our busy lives God does not change, He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I don't mean these as just words. I believe them. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps." Proverbs 3:5-6 I can tell you that I know this to be true. Even when our lives don't turn out the way we planned, God is there. When life takes a turn that leads in a different direction, God is there. Put your trust in the Lord. Even when things don't make sense look to God, the Great I AM. He will direct your steps. God is bigger than your circumstances. You can trust Him. Hallelujah! Melody

Sea Side Escape

Ladies of all ages (well, 6th grade and up!)

You are all invited to our Ladies Spring Retreat, Sea Side ESCAPE!, Better than a day at the beach! March 23-25, 2012! Are you longing for a time to slow down, wiggle your toes in the sand, and bask in the warmth of God's Presence? Join us at SeaSide Escape. It's a beach-themed retreat where you'll experience meaningful Bible Study and Worship, connect with other women, and have time for quiet reflection and plenty of Laughter!

On Friday, March 23 jump on the bus and go with us to a Sea Side Escape! We will bring you back on Sunday afternoon, March 25.

We are going to Fort Caswell Baptist Assembly on Oak Island at the North Carolina coast. Check out their website at http://www.fortcaswell.com.

We will be staying in Redwine and Palmetto. Redwine is a house with 4 large bedrooms each one having 5 bunk-beds. So that means there will be 10 ladies in each room, lots of fun and fellowship. Palmetto is like a motel each room having 2 double beds. Our meals will be served in Redwine by our very own Tammy Lancaster and crew! There are stairs to climb and some walking, not too strenuous though.

The cost is $70 per person until March 1, then the cost goes up to $80.
Sign up online at www.apexbaptist.org and sign up early!

That weekend you will need sheets and blanket, or sleeping bag, and a pillow. Bring your towel, wash cloth, and toiletries. Comfy, Casual Clothes!

AND Bring a 5 X 7 Picture Frame for a weekend craft!!

Ladies, you do not want to miss this weekend! Bring your mom, daughter, and friends and come on down!!

See you at the Beach!

For more information contact Melody at melody@apexbaptist.org.

Blessings,
Melody