studio g magazine - fall 2005
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LESSONS I LEARNEDFROM SUPERMAN
STOP WAITING FOR CONFIDENCESTEP OUT WITH COURAGE
THE PERFECT AB WORKOUT
ORGANIZATIONALLYCHALLENGED?6MYTHS ABOUT
MONEY
FINANCES GOT YOU WORRIED?
EDITORIAL:Debbie Morris, Editor-in-Chief
Stacy Pack, Editorial Director
S. George Thomas, Editor
Loresha Worley, Circulation Director
Gelson Rocha, Creative Director
Katrina Sirmon, Graphic Designer
Gateway Media Services, Graphic Design
HOW TO CONTACT STUDIO G:STUDIO G
2121 E Southlake Blvd • Southlake, TX 76092
817.328.1000 • studiogmag.com
4 From the Editor by Debbie Morris
5 Family Busters by Joyce Simmons
6 Following God’s Call by Wilma Rummell
8 Altar Ego by Thomas Miller
12 Stop Waiting for Confi dence, Step Out with Courage by Jennifer Rothschild
14 Slice of Life by Laura Vice Byrne
15 Never Alone by Lenora Oldham
16 Somebody, Please Help Me! by Jeanne Preskenis
18 Order Over Chaos by Debbie Morris
20 I’ll Forgive You Over Your Dead Body by Terri Lugenheim
22 Miles Away from Ordinary by Linda Godsey
23 Fit 4 the Kingdom—Strengthening Your Core by Emily Gilstrap
by Lenora Oldham
16 Somebody, Please Help Me! by Jeanne Preskenis
18 Order Over Chaos by Debbie Morris
12
22
5
18
23
From the Editor by Debbie Morris
Family Busters
STUDIO G CONTENTS
2121 E Southlake Blvd • Southlake, TX 76092Phone: 817.328.1000 • Fax: 817.416.5701
gatewaypeople.com
Hello Ladies!It’s time for Replenish again! I’ve been looking forward to this ever since last year’s conference
ended. As soon as our conference site cleared out, the planning team and I began to work
towards this year’s conference. I know you’re absolutely going to fall in love with Jennifer
Rothschild and Rita Springer. Each woman has a different style and focus, but they both share a
common love for God and His people.
Don’t you fi nd it discouraging when over the course of life, amidst our day-to-day activities,
we start feeling spiritually sluggish? It feels as though something is clogging our spiritual veins.
Worry, anger, resentment and lust clog the arteries which normally release life into our spiritual
beings. Gradually, the enemy’s wily schemes block and hinder essential elements from fl owing
freely. Our clogged arteries leave us lethargic and defenseless against attacks. Only the Great
Physician can perform surgery on our hearts and save us. My prayer to the Lord this year is drawn
from Psalm 51:10, “Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within us.”
I hope you will allow this year’s conference, as well as this issue of
Studio G, to minister to you. If any of the words written on
these pages should happen to touch your heart, stop and ask
the Lord to help you experience the vitality you once had in
your relationship with Him.
Blessings,
Debbie Morris
Editor-in-Chief
Debbie Morris has been married to Pastor Robert Morris for twenty-fi ve years. They are blessed with two children at home and one married son. Debbie is the Pastor of Gateway’s Women’s Ministries and is the Editor-in-Chief of Studio G.
FROM THE EDITORg
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ne of the easiest ways to cause stress and confl ict in your
family is by handling your fi nances improperly. God lays out
some pretty clear keys for fi nancial success; yet if we ignore
these principles we often fi nd ourselves jumping headfi rst into
the troubled waters of fi nancial woes and dragging our family
along with us.
The greatest reward of fi nancial freedom is gaining spiritual
perspective—knowing things here will not last forever.
Only what we do for God’s Kingdom will last for eternity.
Exhausting ourselves to pursue things and then searching to
fi nd some way to pay for them proves fruitless in the scope of
eternity.
by Joyce Simmons
In order to be fi nancially free, we must guard against
the following money myths:
• Money determines happiness.
• Money means success.
• Money is our ultimate security.
• Money is the answer to peace and contentment.
• Money makes our marriage or family life better.
• More money enables us to give more to God.
Joyce Simmons has been involved in women’s ministry for 27 years. She has authored several books that include Shared Joy is Double Joy and Selfl ess Love. Joyce, the mother of three and grandmother of six, is married and lives in Keller, Texas.
Talk about each one of these myths as a family and
understand how easily we can fall into the trap of believing
they’re true. With each point, discuss ways to recognize and
avoid falling into deception.
Remember, money is not good or bad—it is simply a tool.
However, when we use money unwisely, the stress of debt
can become one of the biggest family busters of all time!
ne of the easiest ways to cause stress and confl ict in your
family is by handling your fi nances improperly. God lays out
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FOLLOWINGGOD’S CALL by
Wilm
a Ru
mm
ell
IN PREPARATION FOR GATEWAY’S FIRST GLOBAL MINISTRY TRIP FOR WOMEN IN FEBRUARY OF 2006, I TRAVELED WITH A SMALL TEAM TO GUANAJUATO, MEXICO, TO EXPLORE THE CITY AND DISCOVER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY.Founded by Spaniards in 1559,
Guanajuato is nestled in a beautiful valley
surrounded by majestic mountains about
200 miles northwest of Mexico City. With
its cobbled streets, stately cathedrals and
distinctive buildings, this gorgeous city is
Faffie Siekman de RomeroFirst Lady, State of Guanajuato
home for approximately 135,000 people.
Guanajuato was built upon the wealth
generated from silver mines. In fact, at
one time it supplied one-third of the
world’s silver supply.
Immediately upon arriving, we were
taken to Trigo y Miel, a church where
40 women leaders were waiting for us.
We had the opportunity to share about
persevering, believing and trusting in
a supernatural God, regardless of the
situation. Nearly all the ladies responded
to our call for prayer, and we had a
wonderful time of ministry. We gave the
women Spanish copies of Pastor Robert
Morris’ book, The Blessed Life, as well as
pink Gateway T-shirts. The women were
so thrilled and overjoyed with these
tokens of love.
The next day, God gave us another
ministry opportunity. This time it was
at El Cerezo prison. Every week for the
past five years, Trigo y Miel has provided
worship services, Bible studies and craft
workshops within the prison. Through
their efforts, half of the women in this
facility have received the Lord Jesus Christ
into their lives. During our meeting,
the women worshipped the Lord with
such joy and freedom. We concluded
our visit with a message of hope and
encouragement for the future. Upon our
departure, the prison captain asked for
an extra copy of the book we distributed
to the women so he could give one to his
wife.
After ministering at the local church
and community prison, I started
wondering if God had any other
opportunities for us. He did, and this
time my heart was touched like never
before. We had the opportunity to
meet Fernando Fernández Arriaga and
José Cruces Carrillo who direct the
Development of Family Integration (DIF)
in Guanajuato. They manage community
programs targeting the poor, and their
mission is to “eliminate the suffering
caused by extreme poverty and offer a
life with dignity.” As president of DIF,
the First Lady of Guanajuato, Faffie
Siekman de Romero, has been involved
in the creation and promotion of these
initiatives.
One of the programs offered by DIF is
“Mi Casa Diferente” (My Different House).
This program is specifically designed
for families currently living in extreme
poverty in cardboard boxes and tin-
roofed houses in the rural communities
of Guanajuato. DIF sends a social worker
to live in the community for a six-month
period in order to evaluate families.
Once a family qualifies for the program,
DIF provides them with construction
materials and technical support to
build the homes. The family, with their
neighbors’ help, constructs their own
home. In 2004, DIF was able to provide
1,508 homes. The waiting list for these
homes is long, because the primary
Wilma Rummell has been a member of Gateway Church with her husband, Richard, for the past five years, and is the mother of three beautiful children: Alexander, Katie and Joshua. She is the Ministry Trip Coordinator for the Women’s Ministries; she has served as a Life Group Leader and has helped the Women’s Ministries in countless ways.
challenge facing this ambitious project is
funding. The cost of one home is 18,000
pesos or approximately $1,800. Last year,
Gateway Church was able to provide
funding for eight homes.
In February of 2006, the women of
Gateway Church will have the opportunity
to impact the beautiful city of
Guanajuato. We will equip and encourage
local leaders, build homes, provide school
supplies for children, visit the prison
and so much more. There is so much to
be accomplished in this wonderful city.
Wouldn’t you like to get involved?
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by Thomas Miller
Being the red-blooded, all-American boy I was, my absolute favorite time of year during all of my “wonder years” was summer break—that time of year when all exercises of learning were suspended for the ultimate higher goal of
having fun! Waking up on the fi rst day of summer vacation, I experienced the most surreal feeling of freedom. I had the entire summer (which felt like an eternity) to do NOTHING!
Now, the one thing I looked forward
to more than anything else during
this break was church camp. In fact, it
was always THE highlight of my year.
I couldn’t wait for Camp Whitney to
start so I could be with some of my
best friends in the whole world, many
of whom I hadn’t seen since last year’s
camp. I loved being with my friends,
making new friends, and developing
new, uh, friendships with those of
the opposite gender. I anticipated
camp so much every year, I’d count
down the days (starting around Day
350) until the next camp rolled around. I
remember it all so clearly …
Finally, the fi rst day of camp is here! I
check into my dorm room, throw my beat-up
suitcase on the most comfortable-looking,
wire-framed bunk available, say “goodbye”
to my parents and immediately start
hanging out with all my friends. After an
afternoon of catching up, we all eat dinner
and go get cleaned up for the fi rst evening
service.
That evening, as I sit in the old chapel
building (without air conditioning), the
service begins with the camp director
welcoming us to another year of camp.
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by going to the altar? While the preacher
implores us to come, the God of all creation
speaks to me.
About two nervous minutes pass. Still, no
one goes to the altar. I know what I should
do, but I don’t want to look stupid. Finally,
after a few more moments of queasiness, I
surprise even myself by standing up,
walking past my friends and heading for
the altar.
As I kneel at the altar, I feel a sense of
peace and pleasure from God. I know I’ve
done the right thing. As I confess my sin
and my devotion to Him, God embraces me
with His love and grace.
Rising from the altar, I’m surprised to see
a lot my friends
also down at the
altar making things right with
God. You mean they were feeling
the same way?
Camp Whitney will always hold
a special place in my heart. It’s there
that the roots of my relationship with
God were given a strong foundation,
and I learned the truth of openly
confessing my devotion to God, even at
the risk of looking foolish.
In fact, I now view worship in the
same light as going forward to the
altar at that old country church camp
twenty years ago. Worship is meant for
God alone. It is openly confessing my
devotion to God, even at the risk of
looking foolish.
So the next time you want to kneel,
clap your hands, raise your hands, shout
or cry in the presence of God, don’t
worry about what others think. This act
of worship is for God alone. In fact, you
may even be surprised at how many
others join you.
Intermixed with the sound of whirling
ceiling fans, I hear her say that God is going
to do something amazing in our lives this
year at camp. At the moment, however, I’m
more interested in so many things other
than whether God does something amazing
in my life, although the thought does seem
quite intriguing. Next, the song leader
comes to the platform, sits down behind
his synthesizer (this is the ‘80s) and starts
leading us in the camp songs we’ve all
learned over the years.
After about twenty minutes of singing,
all of us sit and the preacher approaches
the pulpit. He begins by telling us we
shouldn’t wait until the end of the week to
“make things right” with God, but tonight,
the fi rst night of camp, is the absolute best
time to make sure our relationship with God
is in great condition. As he preaches, I feel
as though he’s speaking right to me. I know
this past year I haven’t been living for God.
Sure, I go to church on Sundays and youth
group on Wednesdays, but my day-to-day
life doesn’t refl ect a life surrendered to God.
As the message closes, the song leader
returns to his keyboard and softly begins to
play a song of surrender. With tremendous
humility, the preacher gets down on one
knee and pleads with us to come to the
altar and get things right with God.
As I sit there, my heart starts beating
faster and faster, my palms are sweating
(and not because of the heat) and my mind
is racing. Here’s my dilemma: Do I stay in
my chair and completely ignore everything
I’m feeling right now or do I risk making
a fool of myself in front of all my friends
Thomas Miller is the Executive Worship Pastor at Gateway Church. Before coming to Gateway, he founded the School of Worship and the Arts at Christ For the Nations Institute (CFNI) in Dallas, Texas. Thomas is the blessed husband of Mary Beth (whom he did not meet at church camp) and the proud father of Harrison.
I knowwhat Ishoulddo, butI don’twant to
lookstupid.
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gate·way (gāt´wā’) n. Something that serves as an entrance or a means of access.
connecting people into authentic community
Wherever you are in your journey of life, there’s a place for you at Gateway Church!
fu·sion (fyōō´zhәn) n. The act of coming together; the merging or blending of two or more things.
Dive into friendship and fun through Fusion Groups. These groups are your springboard to connecting with others who share your interests or hobbies. Choose from numerous small groups with diverse interests such as arts & crafts, business, drama, fitness, health, movies, music, nutrition, pets, sports and many more! You name it, and we’ve probably got a Fusion Group for it. If you’ve got a hobby, an interest or just something you’re absolutely crazy about and you’d love to meet others at Gateway who share your passion, find your place in a Fusion Group. The ideas are endless! The possibilities are limitless!
Contact » fusion@gatewaypeople.com
men·tor·ing (mĕn´tôr’ing´) v. To give wise and trusted advice; to act as a counselor or teacher.
Mentoring takes place when a person of experience helps someone discover more about themselves, their potential and their capability. Mentors lead through positive role modeling, help to make informed decisions, give confidence by walking alongside and provide opportunities for growth and development. Through active involvement, a mentor offers support, guidance and assistance through difficult times or during new challenges. If you have a desire to learn how to apply biblical principles to your everyday life, get involved in one of our Mentoring Groups!
Contact » mentoring@gatewaypeople.com
life (līf) n. A source of vitality; an animating force; the quality that distinguishes the living from the dead.
The scriptural formula for a church is simple, yet powerful. Celebrate Jesus with the crowd. Come together for relationships and ministry in small groups. Love one another. Serve one another. Use your gifts and abilities to bless others. This is our vision for Life Groups. This is our passion at Gateway Church. Life Groups generally range between three to fifteen members. They meet weekly in area homes, restaurants and businesses. Life Groups incorporate worship, fellowship, teaching, discussion and prayer so you can mature and grow as a Christian. Join one of our many Life Groups today!
Contact » life@gatewaypeople.com
prayer (prâr) n. An act of communion with God.
At Gateway Church, we’re passionate about prayer. We’re not simply a church that prays—we are a praying church. It’s the heart of our DNA. It’s who we are. We are all called to bear each other’s burdens through prayer. However, we’re not all called to pray identically. God gives us each different, but equally vital, burdens to bear. We want prayer to play an essential role in your everyday life. Prayer Groups help you identify your burdens and connect you with others who share your same passion. Come be a part of a Prayer Group. Get involved. Your life will be changed forever!
Contact » prayer@gatewaypeople.com
For months I fought the urge to wear
the same style of clothes I’d worn for
the past decade. Not that there was
anything wrong with these clothes, it
was just time for a little adjustment.
The old wardrobe needed a little lift, a
little spice. It was time to step out!
You see, I was getting in a rut. I
owned four safe and traditional suits.
They were actually all identical, except
for the colors. And even the colors weren’t very adventurous:
black, gray, brown and you guessed it … the ever-exciting navy
blue! So, at the urging of my most honest and loyal friends, I
went shopping. That’s when I discovered I not only had a fashion
crisis, but also an identity crisis. I had no idea what to buy! I had
no idea what to wear!
I wasn’t sure how to update my style. The clothes my friends
brought into the fitting room were cheery, bold and colorful. As
only good friends can, each one reassured me that by nature I
was also cheery, bold and colorful! I could do this! I didn’t feel
much confidence in venturing out into the world of hot pink
and leather—especially when both were on the same piece of
clothing. But, I decided to be brave.
So, instead of gravitating to all the classic Jackie O. clothes
I would have normally chosen, I laid aside my insecurity and
added a splash of trendy J.Lo to my wardrobe. (My husband Phil
now calls me J.Ro!) Now, I’m the proud, yet slightly insecure,
owner of a pair of leather pants and a hot pink suede jacket.
Whew! I haven’t been brave enough to wear them out in
public yet, but I recently decided that I won’t wait until I feel
confident; instead, at the first available opportunity, I’m going
to slip my forty-year-old-self into those sassy pants and be
courageous! I will forge through my fashion crisis and turn my
insecurity into an adventure! In other words, I will have courage,
even if I don’t have confidence yet. Courage and confidence are
not the same thing, but I’m convinced we gain confidence when
we exercise courage. In our spiritual lives, many of us simply
wait for feelings of confidence to come before we exercise
courage. However, the Bible shows us countless examples of
those who had no confidence in the flesh, but they mustered up
their courage and did what brave believers do—they stepped
out! Do you think Abraham felt confident when he climbed Mt.
Moriah without a sacrifice? Did Yocheved feel totally confident
when she laid her precious baby, Moses, in a basket to float
down a river? We can all identify with how a grown-up Moses
wore his own lack of confidence on his sleeve when God asked
him to confront Pharaoh—he stuttered his way through all his
insecurities. God doesn’t require confidence; He only asks for
courage.
If we always wait for a feeling of confidence to settle in before
we step out, we can get stuck in a rut and grow stagnant in our
walk of faith. We have to be willing to get out of our comfort
zone. When we do, we find confidence—an amazing confidence
in God and in His promises.
When I step out, trust Him and kiss my comfort zones
goodbye, that is when I gain confidence. And so will you! Sisters,
God did not give us the spirit of timidity. Instead, He promised
us we can do all things through Christ. So
step out! Don’t let a minor identity crisis
keep you from walking by faith. Don’t wait to
feel confident in order to exercise courage.
God has given you all you need for life and
godliness. You, too, are cheery, bold and
colorful—live like it! As you do, you’ll find a
small risk is far more fun than a big rut.
“FOR WEWALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT.” 2 Corinthians 5:7, NASB
STOP WAITING FOR CONFIDENCESTEP OUT WITH COURAGE
I WAS NEARINGTHE END
OF A FASHION
CRISIS!
Jennifer Rothschild will be
our guest speaker at Replenish
2005, Gateway Women’s
Conference, in September.
She lives in Missouri with her
husband, Phillip, and their
sons, Clayton and Connor. Not
only has Jennifer authored two
books, Lessons I Learned in
the Dark and Touched by His
Unseen Hand, she is also an
accomplished musician.
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SliceLifeof
Mama’s chocolate fudge is unsurpassed. It’s fall on the
fl oor, make you sass your grandmama, shout for joy
unsurpassed. I’ve eaten professionally and commercially-
prepared fudge in the candy shops of New Orleans, New
York, London and Paris and in an old Chocolate Factory
building in San Francisco, so I know what I’m talking
about. Everybody brags about the fudge produced in
their hometown. Those professional fudge-makers are
mere amateurs compared to my mama.
When Daddy was courting her after returning from
Japan at the end of World War II, she captured his heart
with her red hair and her fudge. She concocted a lot of
fudge on my grandmother’s butane-burning, cast-iron
stove, way out in the country on Grandpa’s rice farm. The
fudge was so intoxicating that Daddy thought Mama was
the best cook in South Louisiana. The truth is, the only
thing Mama knew how to cook was fudge, but Daddy
didn’t discover this until after they had been married for
a month and he couldn’t eat any more fudge. Try it out
yourself. I’m positive you’ll be shouting for joy when you
taste “Mama’s Chocolate Fudge” for the fi rst time!
by Laura Vice Byrne
Laura Vice Byrne and her husband, Greg, have been Gateway members for more than two years. They happily live only fi ve minutes from the church in Southlake. Laura leads a Women’s Life Group on Tuesday mornings.
Momma’s Chocolate Fudgeby Louise Vice
2/3 cup Hershey’s Cocoa
3 cups sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups milk (Momma uses evaporated milk,not sweetened condensed milk.)
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
Combine dry ingredients in large, heavy sauce pan. Add
milk gradually. Mix thoroughly, bring to a bubbly boil on
high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium,
continue to boil without stirring until it reaches 234
degrees on a candy thermometer or forms a soft ball
when a small amount is dropped into cup of cold water.
Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla. Set pan in cold
water and cool to 110 degrees. Beat and stir until fudge
thickens. Pour and spread in lightly buttered pan. Cool.
Cut into pieces. Enjoy!2/
3 cu
p H
ersh
ey’s
Coco
a •
3 cu
ps s
ugar
• 1
/8 t
sp s
alt
• 1
½ c
ups
milk
(Mom
ma
uses
eva
pora
ted
milk
, not
sw
eete
ned
cond
ense
d m
ilk.)
• ¼
cup
but
ter •
1 t
sp v
anill
a
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S
Lenora Oldham is a graduate of Christ For the Nations Institute (CFNI) in Dallas where she received a Diploma of Practical Theology with a Music Minor. She holds a Certifi cate of Theology from Oral Roberts University and is also a licensed minister through the Fellowship of Ministers and Churches. Lenora and her husband, Matthew, have three children: Gabrielle, Michale and Ian. They attend Gateway Church and are actively involved in ministry.
Some people might say I had a tough
childhood. Growing up, I never knew
what it was like to have a “normal family.”
I was raised to believe in God, go to
church every time the doors opened and
live a moral life; but life at home was
far from normal. My father worked all
the time, not only to provide for our
family, but also to fi nd an escape from
the reality of life at home. My mother
had the mentality of an eleven-year-old
and was verbally abusive; two conditions
which left her unfi t to care for her
children.
Under the circumstances, I was forced
to become the “mommy” at a very
young age. My younger brother had the
privilege of being potty-trained by me
when I was three-years-old. As I grew
older, I continued to raise my brother,
clean the house, shop for groceries and
eventually balance the checkbook. It was
obvious we lived at poverty level, and
we grew used to kids making fun of us in
school. Although at times it was diffi cult
to bear the burdens of life, God was
always present.
One day, not too long ago, I was
thinking about my childhood and
wondering how my brother and I
survived without anyone to really care
for us. God reminded me that He was
the One providing and caring for us. He
reminded me of all the times during my
childhood when different people arrived
NEVER ALONEby Lenora Oldham
at our front door bringing food, clothing
and care.
As I headed into my teenage years,
another need surfaced—my own
bedroom. I was an eleven-year-old
girl having to share a bedroom with a
younger brother in a small, rundown
house. I remember consciously deciding
to pray every day for an entire month
that God would give us a new house. It
seemed like a total impossibility at the
time, since my father didn’t have any
money. However, when I came home
from school one day, my mother told
us someone had
contacted her
about moving into
a government-
funded home. We
went and looked
at it, and sure enough, it had three
bedrooms! I clearly remember my fi rst
night in our new home. I lay on my bed,
crying and thanking God for answering
my prayer.
You may ask, “So what’s your point?”
My point is simply this: God was with
me in the midst of it all. Although my
father wasn’t able to care for us like he
wanted, he did teach us to have faith in
God for whatever we needed. Thankfully,
I was saved at the age of three and
received the baptism of the Holy Spirit
when I was eleven. God alone enabled
me to overcome the many challenges I
faced while growing up. He was, and is,
my best friend and constant companion.
Whether it was food, clothing or just
the sheer ability to not lose hope, God
always provided everything I needed. It
was He who strengthened me and gave
me the tenacity to know that as long as I
had Him, I could do anything. He desires
to do the same for you. I encourage
you today to trust and rely on Him for
whatever you need because He is always
there for you.
“ … for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Hebrews 13:5, KJV
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“Somebody, please help me!” was the cry of my heart in 1988. I was
entering a unique phase of my life and I desperately needed some godly wisdom and vision. I was 38-years-old, my children were in high school and I knew the kids would soon be off on their own pursuing their own dreams. What was I supposed to do with my calling to be a mom, which seemed to be rapidly drawing to an end?
My husband’s vision was completely unlike mine, and this only
added to my need for godly wisdom. He was thrilled the children
were moving on and was expectantly ready for whatever God
had planned next in his life. In many ways he thought a new
life was beginning, and I thought my life was ending. It didn’t
take me long to realize my thinking needed to be realigned with
God’s.
At the time, we belonged to a non-denominational church in
Massachusetts, and I longed to fi nd an older woman from church
whom I could talk to, visit with and learn from. I couldn’t fi nd
any. Many of these “older women” felt they were done raising
their families, and they expressed their desire for the younger
SOMEBODY, PLEASE
HELP ME!by Jeanne Preskenis
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women to pick up the slack, so to speak. They wanted the
younger women to plan, teach, bring desserts and clean up for
the Bible studies. They seemed unapproachable, as though they
were part of a special club. I felt like a relationship with them
was off-limits for me; I didn’t want to bother them. And on top
of it, my mother was ill and couldn’t help me out either.
“Somebody, please help me!” continued to be the cry of my
heart. Soon I met two women, fi ve and ten years younger than
myself. We all desired the same thing—to live out God’s plan and
purpose for our lives. We started meeting at my kitchen table for
weekly Bible studies. As this continued, we realized something:
God viewed us as wives fi rst and mothers second. Children
eventually leave our homes, but our spouses remain. That’s how
we fi t into His design and plan. The more we studied, the more
God realigned our thinking to look at our lives as part of a much
bigger plan than we could ever imagine. Everywhere we turned,
He confi rmed His Word in us. It’s almost like God breathed a sigh
of relief when He saw His three little housewives getting the
picture.
During this time, I received a book about being a godly wife.
Our little group read and read that book and then turned around
and read it some more. I contacted the author and drove 100
miles to Boston to take her out for lunch and have her tell me
everything she knew. That was the beginning of a wonderful
mentoring relationship. I listened to her, checked things out with
the Word and acted on it. What an answer to prayer! The three
of us invited her into our lives to offer instruction as well as
correction. She always pointed us back to God’s Word and led us
towards an intimate relationship with Jesus.
Months later, our pastor’s wife asked us to lead the women’s
ministry in our church. Eventually some younger women started
Jeanne Preskenis attends Gateway Church with her husband, Mike, and is the proud mother of three married children and six grandchildren. Jeanne and Mike are marriage mentors with Marriage Ministries International, and she is an independent caregiver for the elderly.
coming
to us and
asking us to
mentor them. Months
turned into years. My children left the nest, and my life
took on a new job description. God wanted me to give to other
women what He had freely given to me through the light of His
word. I began teaching, planning, bringing desserts and cleaning
up. The surprising thing was that it became a pleasure and not a
chore.
“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls …”
(2 Corinthians 12:15, NKJV). He is not done with my life yet.
There is no retirement for God’s “older women”—maybe a
change of job description, but no retirement.
“Train the young women to
love their husbands, to love
their children … that the word
of God be not blasphemed.”
Titus 2:4-5, ASV
Bible Fellowship Class 9:30 am | Sundays | Room 206
12:34 PrimeTime (50+) Singles Lunch 12:34 pm | 4th Sunday of each month | Location Varies
PrimeTime Excursion October 6–9 | Branson, Missouri
Global Ministries Trip for PrimeTime December 9–10 | Fort Worth Women’s Shelter
Night of Songs 6:30 pm | Sunday, December 11 | Gateway Church Auditorium
Global Ministries Trip for PrimeTime January 14–21, 2006 | Colima, Mexico
For more information on any of the PrimeTime events, contact Carol Roseat the church offi ce, 817.552.3636, or email primetime@gatewaypeople.com.
PrimeTime Upcoming Events
I AM ORGANIZATIONALLY CHALLENGED.I lack the skills necessary to keep things in their
place. What’s worse, I really don’t care whether
these things have a home. I don’t mind that
books are displaced orphans without a shelf
to hang out. It doesn’t bother me that several
of my drawers are called “junk drawers” and
contain a broad range of items such as pens that no longer function,
sticky notes which have lost their stickiness and out-of-date pizza
coupons.
I was okay with my organizational lifestyle, or lack thereof, until I
recently visited two friends, Rachelle Copeland and Judy Brisky, who both
happen to be organizational gurus, complete with their private libraries
of organizational self-help books. They actually get excited about buying
and reading that stuff! This organized duo even knew of a website that
sends helpful tips and reminders if one has a desire to be organized.
Whether you’re super-organized like my friends, or whether you’re
more like me and you just have a slight desire to be a “little more
organized,” it’s important to remember that order was created by
Debbie Morris has been married to Pastor Robert
Morris for twenty-five years. They are blessed with
two children at home and one married son. Debbie
is the Pastor of Gateway’s Women’s Ministries and is
the Editor-in-Chief of Studio G.
OVERORDER
CHAOS
God—He is a God of order. Genesis 1:2 says,
“The earth was without form, and void.” Many
believe the earth was full of chaos. Chaos, by
definition, is the absence of order. It was God
who came and spoke order into the earth. I
would definitely be more into order if I could
just speak words like, “Kids, put order in
your rooms,” and their rooms would suddenly
become neat and orderly. However, I’m
obviously not God!
God’s order goes far beyond everything
merely having a place or things being kept
neat and tidy. He not only spoke order into the
universe, He spoke order into government. He
spoke order into the church. Most of all, He
spoke order into the family. He said children
should obey their parents and wives should
submit to their husbands. Why would God
speak order into our families and tell us as
wives to submit? It’s simple. He wanted families
to live a lifestyle void
of chaos. If chaos is
crouching at your
doorstep, check your
heart and actions for
unsubmissive attitudes
which could be the
open door that lets
in chaos. God spoke
order into those things
He cares about most,
thus a home in order
is important to Him.
by D
ebbie
Mor
ris
THOUGHTS ABOUT SUBMISSIONIt starts with a desire to obey God.
It’s a choice only you can make.
It comes from the heart.
It honors God.
It protects us.
It releases blessings in our home.
It transfers blessings to our children.
It brings order where there is chaos.
JUDY BRISKY’S TIPSAssign each room in the house a day of
the week to be cleaned. For example:
Monday=Family Room, Tuesday=Living
Room. My children help with this and are
also responsible for keeping their bedrooms
and bathroom tidy on a daily basis.
Dirty laundry can really mount up! Try to
do at least one load a day—wash, dry,
fold and put away. I’ve found if you leave
out the last two steps, a mound of clean
clothes can pile up.
Weekly menus are such a help. You know
what you need to buy in advance, and you
have everything you need when you’re
ready to start cooking. When you have a
full schedule, planning ahead helps alleviate
stress.
www.flylady.net
Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley AKA The Flylady
Time to Enjoy Your Blessings by Dianne Haynes Miley
The Family Manager Takes Charge: Getting on the Fast Track to a Happy, Organized Home by Kathy Peel
Any book by Emilie Barnes including Survival for Busy Women and More Hours in My Day
Disciplines Of The Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund
The New Messies Manual: The Procrastinator’s Guide to Good Housekeeping by Sandra Felton
JUDY AND RACHELLE’S FAVORITEORGANIZATIONAL SELF-HELP RESOURCES
RACHELLE COPELAND’S TIPSUse see-through plastic shoe racks (the kind that hang on the back of a door) for different items. In the kitchen, hang it on the inside of your pantry door and put your spices in it. In the kids’ rooms, put small toy collections, such as Barbie dolls or Power Rangers, in each slot. In the game room, you can put art supplies in each pocket, and in the bathroom, you can use each slot for lotions, soaps and razors.
Organize just about everything in your house with baskets of all shapes and sizes. In the
bathroom, roll up towels and put them in a huge basket. In the kids’ rooms, use baskets for socks, art supplies and dress-up clothes. You can put small baskets on shelves to store books, CDs and envelopes. Use them in the pantry for packets of gravy and taco seasonings. You can even place one between the seats in the car for Kleenex, hairclips and very small toys.
Closets can often present a major challenge. It helps to organize the clothes in your closet by color. You can do this by placing all whites together, all blues together, all greens together and so on. You can also apply this system to your shoes and other items in your closet.
Although I’m a Christian and love
God with all my heart, I found
myself imprisoned in a self-made hell
after 11 years of marriage and three
children. I spent 10 of those 11 years
in unforgiveness! The gradual buildup
of my husband’s words and actions had
wounded me deeply. I could bring to
mind every single occurrence at will. I
could even tell you in great detail what
he was wearing, where he was standing
and describe the look on his face. But
thankfully, God in His mercy did not
leave me there.
One morning while preparing lunch,
I noticed my oldest son’s leg looked
considerably thinner than the other.
He’d been limping for several weeks,
but I simply attributed it to “growing
pains.” As more time passed and there
were no signs of improvement, I became
concerned. So I took him to the doctor
for a checkup. After several X-rays and
appointments with different specialists,
my son was diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-
Perthes disease, a slow disintegration of
the top portion of the femur head, due
to a lack of blood flow.
Fear and doubt flooded my heart. I
cried out to God to heal my son, but
nothing happened. After a while, I began
to question my faith. If God promised to
heal ALL our diseases (Psalm 103:3), why
wasn’t my son healed?
Several long weeks of prayer and
medical visits culminated in our decision
to follow the doctors’ recommendation
and opt for surgery. My son suffered
in a body cast for four weeks while
physicians only gave us hope for a
possible 30% chance of recovery.
Over time, my second son started
having asthma attacks, and my marriage
began to fall apart. My entire family
was miserable! The enemy was having
a free-for-all, and I felt powerless to
do anything regardless of how hard I
prayed. I began to ask, “Where is the
Jesus I read about in the Bible? The One
who did miracles and healings?” The
intensity of my misery only seemed to
Have you ever considered how harmful it can be to hold a grudge against someone? Unforgiveness takes you further into bitterness than you ever planned to go, costs you more in grief than you were willing to pay and keeps you in longer than you intended to stay.
HOW DO I KNOW? THIS IS MY STORY.
I’LLFORGIVE
YOU
OVERYOURDEADBODY
by Terri Lugenheim
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grow with each passing day.
One day, from out of the blue, my
husband announced that he planned to
leave me. I thought to myself, “You’re
leaving ME? You should be grateful I’m
still here, after all you’ve done to me!”
My view of this desperate situation
became skewed. I began to pray, “Lord,
take him out! Just take him out in a car
accident.”
I really
believed
God was
on my side.
After all, I
was a really
good person and my husband was
defi nitely not. I reached a place—a
very dangerous place—where I was
entertaining thoughts of how my
husband should die and free me from my
misery!
Then one day, while still searching
for answers, I heard a message about
the unforgiving servant described in
Matthew 18:21-35. As the teaching
progressed, God gave me a vision of
my husband behind bars—bars of
unforgiveness—and I realized the
“wicked servant” was a refl ection of me!
Jesus’ words about receiving forgiveness
“in the same way we forgive others,”
hit me like a ton of bricks. I was
experiencing torment in various areas
of my life because I was unwilling to
forgive. My spirit grieved as I read the
last verse again, “So My heavenly Father
also will do to you if each of you, from
his heart, does not forgive his brother
his trespasses” (Matthew 18:35, NKJV).
The Lord dealt mightily with my heart.
I realized forgiveness was a decision. It
didn’t have anything to do with how
I felt or how I’d been wronged. The
task of forgiving, which once seemed
impossible, suddenly became easy.
That night I went to my husband
and repented for my unforgiveness. I
told him I loved him, forgave him and
nothing would ever cause me to live in
unforgiveness again. It was at this point
that God began to restore my marriage.
It seemed like such a long road, but I
was the one who had been holding back
the healing.
I began to seek the Lord like never
before with an obedient heart towards
all He showed me in His Word. God
started moving powerfully within my
family. My middle son was healed of
asthma, and soon after my oldest
son was healed of Legg-Calvé-Perthes
disease—
without the
prescribed
surgery!
I now
realize the
enemy
has no power over my marriage and
my family. With every new day, my
marriage moves towards restoration, and
my understanding of true forgiveness
and obedience has transformed my
tumultuous marriage into a peaceful
one.
I REACHED A PLACE—A VERY DANGEROUS PLACE—WHERE I ENTERTAINED THOUGHTS OF HOW MY
HUSBAND SHOULD DIE AND FREE ME FROM MY MISERY!
Terri Lugenheim attends Gateway Church. She has been married to her husband, Frank, for the past thirteen years and is expectantly looking forward to many more years together. She is the mother of three sons, Christian, Caleb and Joshua, and has been a licensed hairstylist for the past 23 years. Terri also leads the prayer team for the Healing room at Gateway Church.
Studio G is published quarterly by the Women’s Ministries of Gateway Church, a nonprofi t corporation, Southlake, Texas USA © 2005 Gateway Church. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Studio G has no subscription price and is supported through ministry contributions worldwide. All gifts to this ministry are tax deductible (in countries where this applies). For more information or to order, call 817.552.3643. Internet address: studiogmag.com
Do you have a friend that would love to receive Studio G? Contact Loresha Worley at the church offi ce,817.552.3643, or email their name and addressto women@gatewaypeople.com.
Studio GGateway Church, a nonprofi t corporation, Southlake, Texas USA © 2005 Gateway Church. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Studio G
Do you have a friend that would love to receive Contact Loresha Worley at the church offi ce,817.552.3643, or email their name and addressto women@gatewaypeople.com.
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Do you realize that it really is okay
to be ordinary? Are you aware, like
I am, that we all have limitations? I
personally believe people will only be
successful once they have come to
terms with this unvarnished truth.
I admit, it’s sometimes hard for me
to come to grips with this truth and
still remember that God views me as
a priceless treasure. Psalm 17:8 tells
me I’m the apple of His eye and that
I’m miles away from being ordinary
to Him.
Years ago while watching
Superman, I became
fascinated by the
superhero’s
desire
to be
ordinary.
In his
earthly
human
identity, he was
simply Clark Kent, reporter for the
Daily Planet Newspaper. That all
changed of course, whenever a
runaway locomotive threatened the
lives of innocent people. Then Clark
Kent became the extraordinary
Man of Steel.
In a flash, Clark’s supernatural,
extrasensory abilities kicked in.
He was instinctively aware of the
impending accident involving a
runaway locomotive. Clark knew
what he must do to stop the train
from crashing to its destruction.
But first, he had to dash into the
nearest phone booth to change into
his Superman outfit in order to keep
his superhero identity a secret. Then
he rushed off to perform his heroic
duty and “save the day.” Like a jet-
propelled bird, Superman flew
to his destination
and jumped in
front of the
locomotive. With
his incredible,
unlimited powers,
he stopped the
locomotive cold in its tracks!
The people always clapped and
cheered because their lives were
spared.
With his task completed,
Superman returned to the
office of the Daily Planet
as if nothing unusual
had happened. His fellow
co-workers always teased
him,
“Where
were you during all the excitement?
We were working on a headline-
making story!” Clark usually made
an excuse and sheepishly smiled,
while maintaining his persona as an
average, ordinary reporter who was a
little clueless and naïve.
I am fascinated by Superman’s
ability to just step back into his
ordinary role as Clark Kent. He never
seemed to feel the need to declare
to everyone what he had just done.
He would save hundreds of lives and
exhibit incredible power that was
nothing short of miraculous; yet
when faced with the opportunity to
show everyone he was somebody,
Clark Kent chose to remain an
obscure nobody.
If I’m perfectly honest with myself,
I have to admit that I’d want to
tell everyone what I had just done.
Wouldn’t you? Be honest now! I’d
probably have called everyone I
“Once you truly know
who you are, you won’t
feel the need for
anyone else to know.”
by Linda Godsey
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Strengthening Your CoreOne of the buzzwords fl ying around the gym these days is “core strength.” While
dancers and athletes have long known the advantages of having a strong torso, the
idea of core strength can benefi t the rest of us as well. What is core strength, and
why should we worry about it?
All of our movements are powered by our torsos. The abdominals and lower
back work together to support the spine when we sit, stand, bend over, pick up
things, exercise and more. The torso is the body’s center of power, so the stronger
you are in that area, the easier your daily activities will be. Movement originates
with these “core muscles.” They are the source of our stability. Whether running,
lifting weights or picking up a toddler, these muscles help keep the body stable and
balanced. Core training has many benefi ts including:
• Improved performance in sports.
• Reduction in the risk of injury and low back pain.
• Better ability to perform day-to-day activities.
• Interesting workouts that challenge you in new and different ways.
The following exercises can be a starting point for your core strength workout.
Both exercises require the use of a resist-a-ball.
know to brag about my great exploits.
I would bask in the praise and
accolades of my friends and relatives;
and enjoy the great level of respect
newly shown to me by the press.
Observing Superman’s display of
humility, I whispered to the Lord,
“How can he go about business as
usual without telling everyone what
he’s just done?” Deep inside, I heard
my answer, “Once you truly know
who you are, you won’t feel the need
for anyone else to know.”
I don’t know about you, but I want
to know who I am in Christ. I want to
know that simply belonging to Him
is more than enough. I want to fi nd
my completeness, my worth and my
value in Him. I want to be who He
has made me to be—no more and
no less. And I want to know that it’s
okay to be ordinary; it’s okay to have
limitations.
In reality, there are no supermen
or superwomen. The sooner we
accept that we’re ordinary, limited
human beings with a bent towards
sin, the happier we will become.
The fact of the matter is, we are all
ordinary until Jesus does something
extraordinary in us. Regardless of
IQ or human strength, we all need
a Savior. The truth is, I am a loved
and cherished child of God, seeking
for His excellent life to reside in my
ordinary life.
By Emily Gilstrap
FIT 4 THEKINGDOM
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price;
therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NKJV
Excerpt taken from “Fit 4 the Kingdom” Wellness Newsletter.
Abdominal crunches: Start with 2 sets of 10 repetitions
and work up to 4 sets of 20.
Back extensions:Start with 2 sets of 10 repetitions
and work up to 4 sets of 20.
Emily Gilstrap, a former All-American gymnast, has a Masters degree in Adult Fitness Management and over 23 years experience in the Health & Fitness industry. She is an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University and is married to Matthew, Gateway’s Director of Security.
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7:00 pm | Thursday, October 20Gateway Church Auditorium
WOMEN-CONNECTING-TO-WOMEN GATHERING
Do you have a desire to fi nd your place in God’s kingdom? Are you lookingfor friendships and a way to get plugged in at Gateway? Th is night is for you!Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship and delicious desserts. You will have
the opportunity to meet the leaders of Women’s Fusion and Life Groupsand hear about upcoming events for women. Come and get connected!
For more information, contact Katy Byrne at817.552.3600 or email women@gatewaypeople.com.
Children’s Ministry is available for children from birth to 5th grade,but reservations are required. Please contact Kristen Rusche at
817.552.3657 by Monday, October 17 to reserve your child’s place.
All women of the churchand their friends are invited
to theAnnual Women’sChristmas Party
Thursday, December 8, 20057:00–9:00 pm
Gateway Church
Cooking DemonstrationsDesserts • Craft s
Bingo • Bunko
For more information,contact Loresha Worley
at 817.552.3643 or emailwomen@gatewaypeople.com.
6:00-9:00 PM | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27GATEWAY CHURCH
This is a fun time for all agesand best of all, it’s FREE!
For more information, contactMelanie Bailey at 817.552.3685
or email children@gatewaypeople.com.
GATEWAYFALL FESTIVAL
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