Nanoprisms - Part 2!

I received the wrinkle cream filled with nanoprisms that I told you about (see post below if you don’t know about nanoprisms). The cream finally arrived that promised I would look 15-20 years younger, because the nanoprisms fill in the shadows of my wrinkles, making them vanish from human eyesight! Girl, when I got home from work and saw that brown package on the table, I knew exactly what was inside. I could hardly tear into the package because I was so excited. I finally got it open, grabbed up the TINY little jar and headed to the bathroom mirror. Of course the instructions were include so I snatched them up and read, “Do not rub or pat product on your skin, let it glide over your skin.” I got a dab of cream and I let my finger glide over my wrinkle shadows just like an Olympic skater glides over the ice. This was going to be so awesome! I put those nanoprisms in just the right places. I got everything set and finished my cream gliding. I looked in the mirror expectantly, but I saw nothing. Grabbing the instructions again, I read that in 10-15 minutes I would see a DRAMATIC difference. Bummer – I had to wait 5 minutes so I went to the den where I paced for a few minutes until I ran back to the mirror where I saw NO change! Well, it did say 10-15 minutes so I still had 5 more minutes to wait. I waited 15 more minutes and returned to the mirror. NOTHING – I saw the same me and not a younger looking version even though I had carefully glided nanoprisms in all the shadows I could find on my face. I grabbed up the instructions one last time and read these final words: “ After 10-15 minutes pass and you still notice fine lines or wrinkles, you are standing too close to the mirror!” It said that – I couldn’t make that up – it really said that! Well, DUH! If I stand far enough from the mirror I can’t see my eyeballs, much less wrinkles! I paid good money for that product and I expected NO Wrinkles, whether I was standing close to a mirror or not. It seems the key to looking younger is to just stand far enough away from the mirror and you will not have wrinkles or at least you won’t be able to see them. By the way, did I mention the name of the product? It’s called DECEPTION and no, I’m not kidding. I fell for Deception because I had such a need and desire to appear younger. What was I thinking? I really would appreciate it if the next time you saw me you would say, “Wow, you look so young! Have you had some “work” done?” I’m pretty sure it would make me feel a little better!

Isn’t that just like the world and how we view things? We tend to think if we just had the right sweater to go with the right pants, we would look so darling. If we had just the right man we would be so fulfilled. If we just had a baby we’d be so happy. If we could only lose 25 pounds we would be able to be somebody. If we just had the right job our troubles would be over and if we had a beautiful new house we would use it for the Lord! It’s called DECEPTION, ladies! It’s a lie that Satan tries to sell you. When you pin your hopes, dreams, trust and faith on someone or something other than God, The Father, you will always be deceived. Let God be the one who is your wrinkle remover. He will never deceive you. He will never let you down and He will always think you are young and beautiful just the way you are. -Vickie T

Send Me Some Nanoprisms!

I’ve just ordered a product that is guaranteed to make me look years younger! In 7-10 business days, when I receive this miraculous product, I will look at least 15 years younger than I do today. I can’t wait! When I read about it, I just couldn’t resist. I whipped out my credit card, to order online, faster than you can say - “Wrinkles, what wrinkles?” Girls, it has nanoprisms – “billions of microscopic three-dimensional nanoprisms!” Can you believe it? I’m not sure what a nanoprism is but it sure sounds cool and so sparkly. Here’s the way they explain it: “the human eye cannot see a wrinkle. What the eye sees is actually the shadow made by the wrinkle. And, since all those billions of microscopic nanoprisms refract and scatter light onto the “walls” of the wrinkles, when you use this product...” . There is so much more, but that’s the part that sold me. Imagine – I’ll still have wrinkles, but no one will see them because of the nanoprisms!! I’m lovin’ this!

As I was thinking about those nanoprisms that refract/scatter light and eliminate the appearance of my wrinkles, the thought struck me that I have a savior who does the same thing for my sins. Think about it. There is and will continue to be sin in my life, but Praise God – Jesus is the ultimate nanoprism that hides that sin. NO! He doesn’t hide it. He takes it away and there I stand – unblemished and wrinkle-free because of the sacrifice He made for me. Forget about wrinkles, forget about shadows – I will slather myself with Jesus and look like a brand new creation. There isn’t a product in this world that can promise those results. Thank you, God, for your unmatchable love and sin covering Son!

New Year, New Energy, New Ideas

There is something about the beginning of a new year that renews my spirit. A fresh start – days, weeks and months stretched out before me like a new road leading to new adventures. When I was a young girl, I loved the beginning of school. More specifically, I loved getting new school supplies and especially a new spiral notebook. The empty pages called my name – inviting me to fill each page with something wonderful. By the end of the year I had filled the notebook with lots of assignments. Some of the pages were terrific and some not so good, but it was always enlightening to see the progression of my year.

I have that same feeling of expectation today about our blog. After launching the Ribbons of Faith Blog, I have to admit that I sort of stalled out. I let myself be distracted and fooled into busyness. Someone once told me that if Satan can’t cause you to sin, he causes you to be to be busy. I'm going to work on my busyness because I beleive this blog has huge potential to be a tool in our ministering to each other. And let me just say, "STAY AWAY SATAN - I'm not going to be too busy to blog!"

I have a vision that our blog can not only be a useful tool for communication, but an innovative way to teach, encourage and reach out to women. I have a dream that some day many will check this site regularly to get a much needed boost of positive energy. Won't it be fun to have a great place to stop in for something refreshing - a bonus for our action packed, fast paced life! A little something for you to grab on the run!!

I have a strong desire to create a place where you can find encouragement, life lessons, and maybe a bit of laughter. It will be a place available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You won’t even have to get out of your pajamas to visit – what more can you ask for? I ask for your prayers, your ideas, and subjects that you would like to see discussed here. Please either leave a comment or send a message to me at vickiegg@sbcglobal.net. -Vickie Thompson

We Need You!

The Women’s Ministries need You! We have several volunteer opportunities if you have been looking for a way to get involved.

Betty Encalade does a wonderful job of keeping our kitchen clean, organized, and ready to use for each congregational event. She needs some additional volunteers to sign-up to help for one month a year. A co-leader to work with her would also be appreciated.

Ladies’ Day for early 2010, and a Spring Retreat are also in the planning stages. If you would like to serve on a committee for either event, please let any of the Women’s Ministry Committee members know.

For these immediate needs or in the future - we can find a spot for you if you would like to serve – on an ongoing project, or a one-time event. Please tell us your interests, or ask where you are needed.

Karan Bridgwater
Virginia Clayton
Karen Collins
LouAnn Jordan
Juli Beth Ledbetter
Teri McCalip
Sue Jones
Marilyn Stinson

Ribbons and Faith

Almost from the moment a female child is born, ribbons play a significant role in her life. As soon as a few twigs of hair can be gathered together, our mothers carefully place ribbons on top of our head! From that moment on little girls, of all ages, have a fascination with ribbon. From dressing up our pony tails to turning birthday packages from plain to gorgeous, ribbons always add a little flair to our lives. In just a matter of minutes, placing a few pieces of curly ribbon on a table turns it from a boring place for a meal to a celebration waiting to happen! A ribbon is a small touch that can be vivid, elegant, colorful, cheerful or exciting.

I’d like to suggest that faith can be like ribbons in our life – part of us from the time someone begins to teach us about the grace and wonder of God. Faith enhances our life like the ribbon adds flair to our hair. It can take us from timid to bold when necessary. Faith causes us to celebrate joy in our life even during tough times. Faith prompts us to help carry the burden for others who aren’t strong enough to carry the load they might be called to bear. Faith creates a desire in us for being more than ordinary and causes us to strive for the extraordinary. Faith sees us thorough the storms of life and directs us to the sun and the rainbows.

Ribbons add so much to a woman’s life. Faith is so important to a woman’s life. Ribbons of Faith is an incredible combination! I pray that through our women’s ministry your Ribbons of Faith will be strengthened. -Vickie Thompson

Lessons from Olga

I must confess, I am a Country Western music fan. I love those cheatin', hurtin', heart-breakin' songs. I always thought I preferred songs like "All My Exes Live in Texas", "He Stopped Lovin' Her Today", "I'm A Red-Neck Woman" or "Mommas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" over anything by Chopin, Rachmoninoff, Lizt, or Scarletti. However, several months ago I had an experience of enlightenment at a recital where Olga Kern performed. Olga Kern won the gold medal at the Van Cliburn contest in 2001 in Fort Worth, Texas.

There was no Country Western music there. This music was written by some of the master composers of this world. I was amazed at Olga's concentration on the music - complicated music! I dare say a bomb could have gone off and she would not have noticed. This music was intricate. I'm not talking honky tonk music with a few chords here. I'm talking extravagant pieces that should have taken at least six hands to accomplish. Olga played those pieces with dedicated focus and the audience was enthralled in her performance. It was awesome!

During the intermission my friend and I went exploring in the lobby of the music hall. There was a board that had pictures of Olga with an interview of her by one of the music professors at TCU. I found Olga's answer to this question fascinating: "While in Fort Worth this week, you'll also teach at the PianoTexas Festival. What is the most important thing you hope to convey to the students?" Her answer was: "It is in our hands, the music of the great composers; we are responsible for how this music sounds. Through us, through the artists, their music is still alive. This is what I always try to give the students - inspiration, and a feeling of big love for what they do." What a responsibility and sense of obligation she feels for the music of the masters.

When I read her answer it reminded me of what I hold in my hands - the music of The Master Creator; His love, grace and mercy. I have a responsibility for how God's message sounds to those in my life. Through the Spirit working in me, His music is alive. I have an obligation to give those around me the inspiration and feeling of BIG LOVE for what God has done for us. I pray that I can be as dedicated to God's message as Olga Kern is to the music of the great composers. -Vickie Thompson