NEW RESOURCE, NEW BIBLE STUDY TOPIC AND NEW POEM!

Can't afford that new Christian book that everyone's been raving about? Perhaps you would like to just browse it first to see if its a book you would lay out the money for. Maybe you would like to recommend it to someone else and you know THEY can't go out and buy it. Or, living in Osoyoos you rarely get out to a larger center where there is a Christian bookstore and you are not comfortable shopping online and having it shipped. Well, if this is you, then we are here to help.

I've taken the opportunity to check the best sellers and popular lists from some of the bigger Christian bookstores - such as Lifesong in Penticton or House of James in Abbotsford. I also grazed the Christian publishing companies such as Zondervan and Waterbrook Press and from these stores I searched many titles in our local Okanagan Regional Library. Do you know we are truly blessed with our Regional library for they carry MANY up to date and classic Christian books!

I selected a wide variety of topics, some fiction, some non-fiction - something for everyone! I'm embedding a scribd link which will allow you to view and/or download the list which includes the cover photos and reference (ISBN) numbers which can aid you in ordering. I've actually ordered almost all of these books myself (wait till my husband sees the list of 59) so I can even bring some in for display occaisionally, giving you an extra chance to browse these books. There will be some on marriage, women's issues, teens, men's topics, childrens and study guides.

Did you know you can order your books ONLINE? If you need help figuring out how to do this do not hesitate to ask - just email me or call me and we can walk through the process together. Did you know you are allowed (and encouraged to) have up to 99 books out at one time?

I hope that if you like some of the books you read you will support our local (Lifesong) store or the House of James to purchase a book or two you especially enjoy - or buy one for a friend or loved one to support the folks that run these businesses.

I also hope to compile a list of Christian Music available through our ORL Library as well in the future. We really have a wealth available to us! You can print these pages out or simply view them larger by clicking the icon in the top LEFT HAND corner of this scribd viewer! CLICK THE X in the corner of the full sized document to be returned to this blog post! When you are in FULL view, you can also click the MORE button, located top left of the screen, which will allow you to save, print or even email your list to someone else!

OCC Booklist ORL

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

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Our bible study topic is changing this week to... OBEDIENCE. If you have a thought, scripture, poem, photo or song you would to share regarding this subject let me know and I will post it for you!


Rose Johnson has sent in this observation of our subject - obedience:

Moses was given the Ten Commandments for the Israelites. These Commandments actually are not just for them. It was better said they were given through the Israelites to the World. The first one we break knowingly as children is Deuteronomy 5:16: "Honour your father and mother, as the LORD God has commanded you, that your days may be long and that it may be well with you in the Land which the LORD your God is giving you." For the rest of our lives, we are suffering from the problems we usually cause ourselves.
Thank You LORD for our Salvation (Jesus) and for Holy Spirit He has sent to us as our Helper. For without Him we cannot even begin to successfully obey any of the Commandments; and if we live by the Commandments, we are obligated to obey every one of them at every time. Galatians 5:22 tells us the real way to obey:"the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no Law! Verse 25:"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit ..." If I seek to be Spiritually minded by the Word of God I try to read everyday, by the music I listen to, by what I watch on TV, then I become more able to walk as my Jesus wants me to walk.

Rose and Ken recently visited her son on Vancouver Island and this is a photo she would like to share here!

This photo is of Tim Lyons, Rose's son, Kelsey Lutz, his girlfriend and Ken and herself taken at Arbutus Park just north of Naniamo.

Isn't family a blessing? Thank you for sharing, Rose!

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WELCOME HOME to our sister Isabelle who has been in the hospital getting 'sorted out' and back to health for the past few weeks. Praise to God for our health care providers that they have been able to nurse her. I'm sure she is SO glad to be home. Why not give Isabelle a call in the next week to tell her how happy we are to have her back home with us.

Please pray for Angie as she's in the last days of her training and studies at Mariposa. We are thinking of you, and we're very proud of you!

Please pray for Pastor Jim as he is away this week. Pray for a safe trip and for the Lord's anointing upon him as he represents our Church and Jesus to others.

Lets also pray for Lillian Wood who has moved to England with her young family. She's been gone now for about six months and we really miss her - and I hear she misses us too. HI Lillian from all your "sisters" here in Osoyoos!

A reminder we have our Wednesday Night online Women's meeting on msn at 7:00. If you have not joined us before and would like instruction to get up and running just give me a call or email me and I'll help you get set up!

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I was given this lovely, thoughtful poem by Marie Primeau recently, and in light of Isabelle's being in the hospital, and Marie having to nurse her husband, its a very appropriate one. Written by Marie in 1984, its still relevant and timely!

MY HANDS

My hands I dedicate to you LORD,
Please use them for YOUR own,
That they may soon join the million hands,
Raised up before YOUR throne.

May these hands do naught but honor THEE,
In everything they do,
May they bring comfort to those in my care,
May they bring glory to YOU.

A gentle touch from a gentle hand,
Means so much to the lonely,
To the sick, the tired, the scared, the scarred,
May mine glorify YOU only.

A hand held out in friendship,
A hand raised up in praise!
This is my wish for these hands of mine,
To the end of my earthly days!

by Marie Primeau

WHAT'S LEFT OF EASTER?

I was walking along the highway the week after Easter and I was drawn to this piece of chocolate laying on the shoulder. It occurred to me that this was someone's last vestige of 'EASTER' - the last reminder of what commercialism has done to minimize the sacrifice that Jesus made for us as he hung on a cross, and the real reason that we do celebrate, that He DIED for us, for our sins, then He rose again and lives in us today. He's not walking away from US, we need to make sure we make sure we're walking aside Him.

And when we drive places, I am always aware of the small roadside memorials people have erected for loved ones who've perished in accidents. Flowers, crosses, teddies, notes etc dot the highways and byways. Tributes are on tv for famous people - tributes in song on YouTube etc. Sometimes I think much more effort goes into remembering the dead than the Living God. I know I need to remind myself often. How humbling it is when I contemplate that HE died for ME. Sinful, rebellious, stubborn, selfish me. When my 'today' is possible because HE died for my transgressions - what a difference it makes!

Bunnies and chicks are cute, and I'll be the first one in the bin for discounted chocolate afterwards - but I try to keep myself back at the cross, back at the tomb. It should not be that we begin walking away from the cross/tomb and let life get back to 'normal'. No, EACH day is a celebration. Each day can be a NEW day - thats the message we should come away with.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

Do you know someone who, now that the chocolate and chicks are gone still has a NEED that can only be filled by knowing the GOOD NEWS of Jesus? Perhaps now is an opportunity to help lead them closer to the Cross - today!

A POEM SHARE BY ELAINE!

Hoping you all had a wonderful, meaningful Easter!

Thank you to Elaine who's so thoughtfully (thank Goodness, for I was seeking something and this fits perfectly) provided this poem. With all the earth springing into new growth its so appropriate!

Tendrils

Vines are growing, searching, knowing

Looking forward never showing

Any fragrant flower or fruit

Only giving newer shoot

Upward climbing, won’t remain,

In one place or pause to train

It’s hidden ways, but will protect

Should someone greater, observe, inspect

This leafy wonder on the vine

Wandering over land and time

Taking ground and always knowing

Never any fruit is showing

In distant rows a man is singing

The words are faint but He is bringing

Pleasant words in song and note

To a wandering vine who cannot quote

A single famous verse or line

That would protect her precious vine

From Him who walks with muddy boots

To hear her story, see her shoots

And listening, grasping he lifts her head

The vines are branches, she is dead

From shame and hurt and divination

A life alone in mind and station

She sees His face, He is the Truth

He never left her in her youth

He let her grow as branches do

Until this time, until she knew

Her vines were branches in The Root

An now the Gardener will proceed

To cut away the rot and weed

And clean a place for her to grow

Her old gardener must let go

She will be trained upon the wire

Her branches cut, her leaves inspire

Other shoots to do the same

To let the Savior come and tame

And let this branch have time to flower

But this time by the Savior’s power

She lives.

We are looking forward to meeting online, tonight at 7 on msn for those of you who are able to join in! If you've not been able to yet and would like to do so, my username is lalalime - you're welcome to add me to your msn and I can walk you through. Our chat times have been a wonderful time of connection and power-prayer. Alternately, if you cannot make the chat but would like to request prayer for yourself or someone who needs intercession, please email me at lalaime(at)hotmail{dot}com or give me a call! We would love to lift your needs!

EASTER BLESSINGS

Wishing you and your family a Blessed Easter.

New Bible Study Subject!

Melissa has chosen this week's bible study topic. It is FAITH. What does the Bible say about faith. What does God say about faith - what do YOU interpret faith as?

If you have an hour and would like to listen to a radio program from Midday Connections here on your computer, called "Intimate Faith" - then just click HERE and look for in the archive for the March 4th program, then click where it says LISTEN and you will be able to hear the show. These shows are always full of great information!

Please, feel free to leave a comment here - or email me, or phone me. Your study could lead you to share a poem, story, thought, prayer or photo. We welcome your view on this subject for the next two weeks. Visitors - you are invited to share your wisdom with us as well!

Thank you for visiting the OCC Women's Online Blog

Thank You for Our Youth!

photo: luci@sxc

I was very blessed and encouraged this week by one of the younger members of our congregation. As much as I treasure the wisdom and knowledge our Senior sisters have to share, I learned that I can definitely benefit from taking time with the younger ladies in our Church family.

I think this might be why it says in the Bible that there is a season for everything - cause each season brings something vital to our walk with the Lord. As we grow older we forget some of the ways we were when we were younger. When we are young, we would be good to listen to the wise counsel which springs from the experiences of our elders - they've paid the price for many traps we could avoid if we'd simply listen.

This young woman caused me to think. She's not YOUNGER younger, like as in a teen. No, she's a bit older than that - old enough to have had to be out in the cold harsh world some. She's learned that toothpaste, toilet paper, household essentials cost money. Money she has to earn to support herself. She's had some knocks, and it gets lonely living on her own. She's had to put herself through school and then some courses to secure a better than minimum wage job, a job with some future to it. And right now - she's kinda living day to day, saddled with student loans etc. And its often lonely. And part of her is still a kid wanting to party while the other part needs to be recognised as an adult.

I got a new appreciation pondering this and I'm so greatful that I don't have to be where she is right now. But the blessing came in being able to mentor to her. Funny, but it turns out that SHE was the blessing to me!

I have often noticed that no matter how much is going on in her life - even when its really tough, even when she's chaffing against the dedication and sacrifice it takes to be a "good" Christian Woman - she still ATTENDS. And this past week, in our Women's Online Meeting she PRAYED OUR SOCKS OFF. Both me and the other lady who was present had asked her to lead out in prayer for the various requests we'd gathered from within our congregation (via telephone during the day).

Even though this young lady had requests of her own which we'd covered for her, she began to pray. As she did (this all done on a chat program) an amazing thing began to happen. She prayed. And prayed. And prayed! The clock crept past the appointed cutoff time for our meeting and she continued, in fact she prayed for a good HOUR! While she prayed we were ALL lifted - and by the time we closed we were all walking on clouds! All our hearts were completely changed, and still days later we were able to walk in the anointing her prayers had brought down. Who would have thought!

What she brought to us which was fresh and new, still not SO far off of being younger that she still could take a chance to open up (probably once again, in a place where perhaps she's had hurts before) and allow the Holy Spirit to just ROCK HER WORLD!

Ever since, I've been coming up against these fine examples of youth and the passion and candor they bring to us. As I was taking part in a blog-train on Friday I visited the blog of Julie, called Shabbywears (Proverbs 31:30) who is Mom to a young lady who sings out this very thing and who has allowed us to feature her daughter as she sings a song she composed. This song is called "Kiss Your Feet" and as you listen to the words of her song I'm sure you will see (hear) what I hear which is so fresh and beautiful.

Thank you LORD for giving us our Young Ladies of integrity - that we can be blessed by their wonderful enthusiasm.