Studio G | Spring 2016

Spring 2016 | Gateway Women’s Magazine

PINTEREST

IMPERFECTION

NEVER

TOO LATE

PROMISE

PRINCIPLE

BLESSED IN

THE MESS

STAY CONNECTED TO PINK!

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features

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17 A PLACE FOR YOU in every issue 2 3

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Pinterest Imperfection

by Christy Linder

Never Too Late

by Ashley Garza

Trust and Obey

by Rachel Pellegrino

FROM THE EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS

NEVER 12 too late 13 23 A Rodent of Unusu 24 25

STUDIO HEALTH

A Rodent of Unusual Size

Today Is My After

by Jannie Miller

by Cari Trotter

STUDIO FYI

Seeing Past the Giants

by Kendra Hunt

Illustrated Faith

by Tonya Hamilton

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Promise Principle

STUDIO SPICE

by Phillip Hunter

Linzer Torte

by Erin Eisenrich

Be All You Can Be

by Karen Harmon

STUDIO PULSE

by Elisabeth Dunn

STUDIO RECAP

Featured on the cover

Spring 2016 | Gateway Women’s Magazine

PINTEREST

IMPERFECTION

Cari Trotter

Lead Out of Your Overflow It started as a small rustling of leaves behind the back glass door—so Stacy Durham slight a disturbance tobythe relative peace, it didn’t provoke a reaction.

Then, another minute later, the slight rustling of blowing leaves made a noise that provoked a much more organized disturbance.

The sound was less rustling and more intentional scratching and pulling and wrestling—so much so that it caused me to jump and tell my husband, Toby, to take a look outside to see what was going on. Never in a million years would I have thought we would have seen what, in my elevated fear imagination, was most assuredly a “rodent of unusual size”—or ROUS—straight from the fire forest in The Princess Bride. No lie.

Photo Gallery

Pink Group Leaders: Rebekah Moes, Jackie Fink, Jen De La Porte, Susan Ogden, Jacqueline Gabriel, Chiqui Wood, Gaye Moss, Tyler Avary, Mari Eisenrich, Penny Spurling, Rachel Rowe, and Jessica Harry.

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NEVER

TOO LATE

PROMISE

PRINCIPLE

BLESSED IN

THE MESS

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Blessed into the Mess Toby pulled our curtains aside reveal a possum of the largest, by Tasia Holyfield most grotesque size wrestling a trash bag like a rag doll against our back patio glass door. Let me mention here that we live in urban Dallas, not out in theHollywood: country. I would love tofrom say asGod soon as Toby A Burden pulled back the curtain and banged on the door (and I screamed

by Emily Bua at an octave that could have shattered beveled glass) that he ran off for good, but that ol’ boy didn’t move a muscle. He continued to wrestle on, with great ambition, undeterred to take whatever he wanted from our deck. The possum, aka ROUS, simply looked back at us giving us a nod as if he was a celebrity in a crowded room of

To this day, I, like a every time I think o to march right up whatever he wante

Much like a ROUS, a dark moment to c John 10:10 says, “Th and to destroy.” He slight jealous threa territory are some if he isn’t run off r tion to steal, kill, an confidence, and dre have it because you spook him—you ha the sword of God’s him in your life. Ch and shout with a l “My God wants to es the throne of grace down, or steal, kill,

STUDIO

from the editor Why Studio G? The title, Studio G, was inspired

by Psalm 144:12, which is a prayer asking God “that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style.” The name reminds us that we, as Christian women, are in God’s studio as unfinished works of art. Studio G is committed to reminding us of the ways of the Master Sculptor as He continues to fashion us into “women of palace style.” In His studio, we discover who we are created to be, and we come to realize our true worth.

Hello Friends, Spring is all about inspiration. New is everywhere. New buds, new growth, new clothes, new shoes, new friends, new adventures.

Breathe and you can sense new. I know the new year is the start of new things for many people, but spring gives birth to the new.

Okay, I realize I might be pushing the boundaries just a little bit, but you have to admit there is something special about this time of year. Well, there is also something special about this issue of Studio G! Inspiration lurks on every page, but if you want to continue in the drab grays of your world, close this issue and hide it until you’re ready to get a spiritual pedicure and step out to really live.

You will be inspired by women who have faced their fears, obeyed God’s promptings, and are now smelling the fresh air of promises realized. These brave women allowed themselves to be challenged by a big God, and now they are sharing their amazing stories. We also have a very special spotlight in this issue. It features more incredible, courageous, beautiful women who have opened up their hearts to women by leading a Pink Group. Research shows the value of groups in our lives, and it’s been proven that people who are in community are healthier and happier. Pink Groups are

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a place where you can feel welcomed, receive a word of encouragement, or be prayed for; and that’s possible because of our leaders.

We couldn’t feature all of our amazing Pink Group leaders, but I want to say “thank you” to the hundreds of leaders who serve us so faithfully. You are our heroes.

Whether you receive Studio G in the mail or at Pink Impact, I hope you are ready for a new adventure and that you read every inspiring article. If you’re embracing the wonder of the new, or you’d like to let me know what your favorite article is, I’d love to hear from you.

Simply email me at debbie@gatewaypeople.com.

Love,

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STUDIO contributors 1

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1. TYLER AVARY is a zone leader for

4. ELISABETH DUNN loves to read

7. ASHLEY GARZA became a follower

Pink Groups. Tyler and her husband, Blake, also lead Newlywed Marriage Boot Camp classes at Gateway. She loves Camp Gladiator, connecting and encouraging God’s girls, and the TV show Fixer Upper.

and travel, and doing both at once is what she loves most. She is the coordinator for the central Gateway Pink team.

of Christ and a member of Gateway four years ago. She shares her testimony in the hope that others will be equipped to walk in freedom and healing and be more confident sharing their own stories.

2. NATASHA BROWN is a stay-athome mother of two children (and one dog) and is a former photographer. She and her husband, Aaron, are members of the Gateway Church North Fort Worth Campus worship team. Her hobbies include cooking, yoga, and online shopping.

3. EMILY BUA is a goofball at heart but enjoys being professional too. She serves as the ministry coordinator for Gateway Young Adults and loves connecting with people. She is married to her favorite guy, Eric and hopes to travel the world with him.

5. STACY DURHAM has been at Gateway for 12 years and coordinates the ministry teams for Pink Impact and serves as a zone leader for Pink Groups. She’s loved Jesus since she was six, her husband since she was 18, and coffee since she started homeschooling!

6. ERIN EISENRICH is an underwriter at a commercial insurance company and is passionate about carrying out the Great Commission in the corporate world. In her free time, she enjoys brunching, shopping, and working out.

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8. RACHAEL GILBERT and her husband, Matthew, own Back & Body Chiropractic.

She is an exercise physiologist who loves teaching group fitness classes, serving as zone leader of Pink Fit Groups, and using her blog, rachaelgilbert.com, to encourage others.

9. TONYA HAMILTON is a wife and stay-at-home mom. Leading women into a closer walk with the Lord is her passion, and she is able to minister through Pink Mentoring, Pink Groups, and writing for the Pink Blog as well as other ministries.

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contributors

10. KAREN HARMON is a wife, home-

15. CHRISTY LINDER works in Pink

20. CARI TROTTER has a tremendous

schooling mom, and physical therapist. She serves on the Gateway Worship team, leads the Propel Women Chapter at Gateway, and co-leads a married couples Gateway Group. karenharmon360.com

Groups at the Gateway Southlake Campus.

Being married to her best friend, Jake, and raising their two boys are her greatest joys.

She encourages women while sharing her artsy and DIY chalk paint projects on her blog, beautifulbranches.com.

passion to see women grow in their yearning and affection for God’s Word. Through her ministry, Glorious Daughters, she is equipping women to live brave lives of faith. caritrotter.com

11. TASIA HOLYFIELD is an event

16. JANNIE MILLER loves sprinkles,

project manager for Gateway Dallas and Frisco Campuses. She is a graduate of Christ For The Nations Institute as well as Hillsong International Leadership College. She is obsessed with any kind of chai tea and repurposing abandoned furniture.

snuggling puppies, baking, family-date nights, roller skating, and food. In her spare time you will find her at the gym, outside running with friends, reading, or creating amazing memories with her family.

12. KENDRA HUNT is the author of

17. RACHEL PELLEGRINO is a veteran

Encouragement Between Loads of Laundry. She is married to Kam and has two boys: Christian and Koda. She enjoys working part-time in accounting and serving as the treasurer for the PTA.

teacher of 15 years. She pours her passion for God, reading, and writing into Little Lamb Books, her faith-based publishing company. Rachel loves ice-cold Pepsi, Broadway show tunes, mystery novels, and visiting Disney World.

13. PHILLIP HUNTER is the men’s pastor at the Gateway Southlake Campus. He is head over heels in love with his wife, Shelly, and is the proud daddy of five children. This past March, they adopted their one-year-old daughter, Jubilee, from China.

18. JENNIFER STITT is married to Trevor, and they have three sons. She is a pediatric registered nurse by trade but is currently working from home as an independent distributor for LipSense and Senegence International.

14. STEPHANIE KELSEY is an associate

19. SHEA TELLEFSEN is an associate director of communications at Gateway, has a bachelor’s in journalism, and is involved in Gateway Performing Arts. She loves Pure Barre workouts and playing with her dogs.

pastor of Pink Groups at the Gateway Southlake Campus. She loves developing character and leadership as well as rollerblading, boot camp for workouts, and connecting with women.

21. JEN WEAVER is a volunteer Gateway Care pastor and also serves in Pink Groups.

She’s passionate about helping people experience freedom and fullness and enjoys sharing Christ’s love through conference speaking, teaching, and writing. thejenweaver.com 22. JOANNA WIESINGER is a chemistry nerd who is dusting off her PhD diploma after a season at home with her three kids. She is passionate about mentoring and teaching.

Joanna loves spending time with her husband and their funny teenagers.

Ask the Staff

Gateway Women’s Magazine

What’s your favorite summer vacation spot?

Editor-in-Chief

DEBBIE MORRIS

Hawaii

General Editor

Anywhere in the Mountains

LYNDA GROVE

Orange Beach, Alabama

Managing Editor

Senior Creative Director

Print Coordinator

STACY BURNETT

SHANE DENNEHEY

DAVID PHILLIPS

Senior Editor

Art Directors/Designers

Contributing Photographer

SHEA TELLEFSEN

CHLOÉ KENNEDY KIKI THOMPSON

CORY HALE

Editor

KATIE SMITH

Production Designers

Copy Editor

KATRINA SIRMON JULES ORAVETZ

GEORGETTE SHULER Copy Coordinator

MARSIA VAN WORMER

Make-Up Artists

HEATHER SPIVEY RACHEL KNAPSCHAEFER Project Manager

TRACEY SCHWELLINGER New England GATEWAY WOMEN

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Colorado

Destin, Florida

PINTEREST IMPERFECTION: NAILED IT! Christy Linder Recently I was taking “after” photos of my newly painted kitchen cabinets so I could post them on Pinterest. It was a very eye-opening experience for me! I spent close to three hours getting my kitchen photo-ready (I honestly didn’t think my kitchen was that dirty!), and I had a revelation—the pictures I look at on Pinterest every day of beautiful, spotless homes are not real. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some poor, exhausted woman with her dirty mop and bucket just outside the frame of the camera on nearly every shot.

This was the case in my photos, and the exhausted woman with the dirty mop was me! Yes, these perfect photos on my feed are fake, Photoshopped illusions, and yet I have measured my own performance and worth by these unattainable photos many times.

Perfect house, perfect body, perfect mom with the perfect kids, kitchen, job, vacation, hair ... it only takes a few minutes on Pinterest to find hundreds of examples of perfection in any category you choose. We have more food, possessions, and opportunities than any generation before us (not to mention much of the world today), and yet we still strive for something more that will make us happy.

It says in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that God set eternity in man’s heart. We were created with an innate knowing and longing for our eternal home with Jesus, and heaven is the place where we will finally find the perfection we seek. Our lives in heaven will be perfect, and the best part is we won’t have to strive and exhaust ourselves to achieve this perfection; it will come naturally.

While we’re still on earth, there is nothing we can do that will fill the void God put in us. He put it there on purpose—unquenchable by anything but Him—so we would seek relationship with Him and find rest for our souls, even in the midst of imperfection.

I have made perfection my idol before, wasting precious time and energy bowing to this impossible feat. Ironically, the closer I got to my goal the unhappier I became. It was like the more I fed this monster the bigger it got. Because let’s be honest—nothing is ever really perfect, right?

We can fake it, snap a picture, edit, post. But the reality is—we live in a fallen world where people, relationships, and houses get messy.

Now each time I see a picture of something that looks perfect, I’ll remind myself to look behind the scenes and think about the person who spent hours getting it “just so” for the photo. And I’ll wonder how few minutes it took to undo all the work that was done.

I’ll think about what it looks like when there is actual life lived in the space and it’s not just Pinterest-ready. And I’ll hope the people who live there are lucky enough to have some messy love in their perfect Pinterest kitchens.

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NEVER GATEWAY WOMEN

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too late

Ashley Garza thoughts to distance me from him for years. The memory of the last awful confrontation I had with my dad years ago had haunted me every day since it happened. In the seven years since, I joined Gateway, went through freedom ministry, attended conferences, went through personal ministry sessions, and even processed my feelings and thoughts with people I love and trust. Yet, I could not break free of this memory. It kept me from feeling love from people and made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. It even affected my ability to fully realize the Father’s love for me.

My story begins almost seven years ago. Major stuff has been happening in my life since then. My parents separated when I was two years old (I’m 26 now), and my mom raised my younger brother and me as a single parent. Growing up, we spent a considerable amount of time with our dad, but we lived our day-to-day lives without him.

So what happened seven years ago? My dad and I had a huge fight— a fight so big that it has kept us apart all these years.

I was hurt, angry, and upset—not just about this one incident, but about a lifetime of hurt and pain that had been bottled up and excused away my whole life. I told myself I would never let anyone else treat me that way ever again, and I began to isolate myself, slowly gaining close to 150 pounds.

It did not change until the Holy Spirit, in His perfect timing, told me clearly, “Go to your father.” Now the last memory I have of him is good and peace-filled. But I had to get up and go. My father was never going to make the first move. At the end of our visit, it was like a giant weight had been lifted off me. But that day wasn’t just about me.

Long story short, I had a very personal encounter with the Lord. He made Himself so real that I just couldn’t ignore it, and it was also then that I heard His voice for the first time. Right then, I made a commitment to follow Jesus. I went from depressed, hurting, and not caring about myself, or how I treated my body, to having the motivation to become a healthy person, both physically and spiritually.

I stopped by my mom’s house the next day and was telling her how the visit went with my dad, and how I was able to lay hands on him and pray for him. She said, “Well, you know, he’s had a lot of people go in and out of his room praying for him. Your brother said when he was there yesterday, one of his old co-workers stopped by, had your dad kneel, and led him to the Lord.”

Fast forward to last year. I found out from my brother, who heard from various family members, that my dad was diagnosed with cancer. I was so hurt that he wouldn’t call to talk to me that I decided not to care about him anymore. I wanted to move on, but I was still holding on to a lot of hurt. Even though I decided not to care, God wasn’t done with my dad and me yet.

I’m not sure there are enough words to convey how I felt. I never thought this could ever happen. This is a man I was convinced was too far gone … but he wasn’t. I’d given up on him, but Jesus hadn’t.

I want to encourage you if you have a relationship you feel is past mending—I promise you, it isn’t. If you let God write your story, it will turn out more beautiful than you could ever imagine. I know it did for me!

A few months later, my uncle called and left me a message: “If you have anything to say to your dad, you need to come now.” I felt the Holy Spirit say to me that this was it; I needed to go. When I arrived at the hospital and went in to see him, the level of peace I felt in that room was unexplainable. I’m not sure what I expected to find, but it sure wasn’t peace.

My dad and I sat next to each other and talked for the first time in years. He held my hand the entire visit and could not stop looking at me. Before I left, I turned to my dad and asked him, “Can I pray for you before I leave?” “Sure,” he said. And I did. I did what I thought I could never do. I prayed for peace, mercy, and love to overtake him. I prayed healing over his cancer-ridden body. I held his hand and made eye contact with him for the first time in years. I also remember putting my hand on his face and saying, “I just want Jesus to become more and more real to you.” His response was, “He becomes more and more real every day.”

THIS IS A MAN I WAS CONVINCED WAS TOO FAR GONE … BUT HE WASN’T. I’D GIVEN UP ON HIM, BUT JESUS HADN’T.

I never thought I could do it, and I promise you if it were up to me, I wouldn’t have. But this is the beauty of our God—He chooses and transforms even the most unlikely of people. My father and I are just like the people Jesus looked at and said, “Come. Follow Me.” Sitting in that hospital room, I found that there were some things that I had to apologize for—my selfish and self-centered attitude, for one. I had made this entire situation about what he did to me.

My anger, my pain, and my hurt took over, and I allowed those

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Rachel Pellegrino When I turned 40 a few years ago, I made a bucket list. I added things like learning how to salsa dance, running a 5K, and attending a Broadway show every month. I also added to the list: Find my life’s passion and pursue it. Little did I know, two years later, God would show me my passion and give me the avenue to pursue it.

After 15 years, I left my teaching job to be a stay-at-home mom. But, I had been praying about how I could not only continue to make an impact on the world for Christ but also how I could build a legacy for my child. Then God started whispering to me that I was going to lead my own company, and I completely and totally ignored Him. I pushed His words aside. I allowed my inner critic to say that it was just some random thought and not from the Lord. The truth is I was really scared. I was “just” a wife and mom to a two-year-old.

Who was I to think I could start a business from the ground up?

Today, Little Lamb Books is officially filed as an imprint of my company Lamb Publishing, LLC. Our website is up and running, and we’re active on social media. We were invited to attend Barbara Bush’s 14th Annual Celebration of Reading, and we just recently signed our first author and plan to have the first book of her sixbook series available this spring.

Instead, I put my energy into my calendar of events and focused on taking care of my family. And, just like that, two years went by, and I was still asking God the same question—“What do You want me to do for You, God?”—even though I already had the answer. I guess I thought maybe He would change His mind. But He didn’t.

Don’t allow Satan to talk you out of your purpose. Say, “yes” to God. Trust Him with your passion. He knows what you want before you can even write it down on your bucket list. Listen to Him, and trust Him.

It was when I was reeling from the loss of a pregnancy that I hit rock bottom. I was devastated; I felt lost and like nothing was ever going to be okay again. Then, God whispered to me, “Trust Me; just trust Me. I know you are hurting, but just trust Me.” When I finally did, He began leading me in the process of creating an independent publishing company, now called Little Lamb Books, which focuses on faith-based fiction for middle school through young adult readers. It was during this time that I chose to join the summer 2015 session of WILD (Women in Leadership Development) and allowed the leaders to speak into my life and help me begin the process of learning how to say “yes” to God’s purpose for my life’s passion.

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“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

JOHN 10:27 (NIV)

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STUDIO health

TODAY IS MY

AFTER Jannie Miller My story starts like so many others. I grew up as an overweight child and gradually became a morbidly obese adult. I was happily married with two children and a college education. I had a great life and very few complaints. I was content being the mom who always sat on the sidelines, never participating in activities with my kids. I was content being the “fat friend” with a pretty face. Don’t get me wrong. I dreamed of losing the weight every day and tried every diet and fad imaginable—with no success. So I finally gave up and decided to be happy with content. And I was happy. But then my world was flipped upside down the day my dad died, and grief took over my life for two long years.

I neglected my marriage, my children, and myself because I couldn’t see past the grief. It was a black hole I just couldn’t pull myself out of.

Then in 2011, my husband was hired by Gateway, which required our little family to make a big move. We settled right in and knew from day

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one it was the right decision for us. It was a new beginning in every sense. I felt like I was breathing fresh air, and the sun was finally shining. The grief was starting to clear, and it was time to start living life again. Unfortunately, that was right about the time I stepped on a scale and was staring back at 300 pounds. I was put on diabetes medication, and I needed a machine to help me breathe at night because my weight was suffocating me. I knew in that

Content wasn’t going to be good enough for me anymore.

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moment that I was done. I did not want to be that person for one more day. Content wasn’t going to be good enough for me anymore.

My husband deserved better, my kids deserved better, and I deserved better. I wasn’t going to fail this time. Period.

It took two long years of hard work and sweat, but I gradually lost 162 pounds. I’ve kept the weight off for almost three years, and I’ve promised myself to never go back. People ask me about my journey and transformation all the time. “How did you do it?” “Why do you think it worked this time?” “What is your secret?” And, honestly, I ask myself those same questions almost daily. I’m no one special.

I’m not a superhero or a natural born athlete. I’m just ME.

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1. Jannie at the beginning of her weight loss journey (summer 2012).

2 . Jannie with her family (October 2012).

3. Jannie and her kids on a trip to San Francisco (2012).

4. Jannie and Justin’s wedding (September 13, 2001).

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5. Jannie’s kids happily fill in for the weight she used to carry!

6 . A bracelet Jannie got from her trainer while training for her first half marathon.

7. Jannie and her family after the Hypnotic Donut Dash (January 2016).

8. Jannie in her wedding skirt (summer 2014).

9. Jannie at the Dallas half marathon (2015).

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STUDIO health Here are some things I learned along the way that may help you get started on your “after.”

1. TAKE BABY STEPS. I wasn’t going to jump into extreme fads that cut calories, fat, carbs, or all three. That never worked before, so it wasn’t going to work this time. I needed to make small changes that were manageable and then keep building on those. I started by tracking my food through an app on my phone. I set a realistic calorie goal, and began cutting my portions of food to fit in the calorie range. But I was still eating the same food I always ate (fast food and junk), just less of it. I wanted to get used to eating less first. Once I got accustomed to that, I slowly made changes to my food: whole wheat instead of white breads and pasta, then less sugar, then more fresh foods and healthier substitutions for “cheat” foods. I applied the same principles to exercise. I started off slow with something that was fun and manageable. As the weight came off, I got stronger and I was able to do more and try more.

2. TAKE PICTURES. I always hated being in front of a camera, and now I wish I had more “before” pictures. I took one set of pictures to document the beginning of my journey, and I never wanted to look at them. But the first time I hit a plateau in my weight loss and felt like giving up, I pulled those pictures up on my computer and just cried. I didn’t recognize that person anymore, and the change I saw fueled me to keep going. Every single time I reached a new goal, I took a new set of pictures. They became a lifeline of sorts, and still are.

The photos don’t lie, even on a bad day when I feel like I’m doing all this work for little change. A picture really can speak volumes.

3. WRITE DOWN NON-SCALE VICTORIES. I keep a list on my phone of all my non-scale victories, and I am constantly adding to it. Sometimes a number on the scale just doesn’t motivate very well. But the first time I was able to fit a regular-size bath towel around me, I cried. The day I was able to fit into a booth at a restaurant, the day I could buy regular-size clothes, and the day I ran my first 5K—those victories will forever be at the top of the list.

4. FIND SOME CHEERLEADERS! I made the conscious decision to surround myself with people who would lift me up and support me unconditionally on this journey.

From day one, my biggest supporters have been my husband and kids. But your cheerleaders won’t always be the ones you think. My cheerleaders have been complete strangers at the gym, who I now

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consider family. They have been old high school acquaintances on social media. I even have cheerleaders who started out as teachers and moms at my kids’ school. My cheerleaders are invaluable because they truly want to see me succeed. I share my goals with them to hold myself accountable. They miss me when I’m not at the gym, and that motivates me to go even more than the actual workouts. They celebrate when I post on social media that I’ve reached a new goal. And my cheerleaders are the ones who really inspire me to keep going every day and help me remember just how far I’ve come.

5. THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS OR MAGIC PILLS. We’ve all been lied to, unfortunately. It takes hard work and effort, whether it is through exercise, nutrition, or a combination of both.

I had to learn about nutrition. I learned to prep fresh foods for the week and set myself up for success. I asked my fitness friends a million questions and have tried so many new things—from cycling to Insanity to running to lifting weights. I knew it was going to be work and wouldn’t always be fun, and I knew I was going to have to make a lot of changes and sacrifices. But it was worth it. And what has worked for me may not work for everyone. Heck, it doesn’t always work for me! I am constantly changing up my routine and my nutrition and challenging myself so that I don’t get in a rut. It’s a constantly evolving process.

6. I’M ONLY HUMAN. One cheat meal doesn’t mean I have to punish myself and start over.

A vacation full of terrible foods and no exercise doesn’t mean I’m a failure. I’m human. I’m going to make poor choices and feel like being lazy every once in a while. I allow myself those cheat meals and off weeks because in the long run I need them to be successful at this new lifestyle. I have to be realistic. If my very first goal, at 300 pounds, had been to be a size 4, I would have given up before I ever started. So my first goal was to lose 75 pounds. When I lost that, I wanted to get down to 180 pounds. When I reached that, I wanted to be a size 12. Those goals were all within reach. When I reached my goal weight, my goals started becoming fitness related.

I wanted to complete a specific fitness program from start to finish, then I wanted to build muscle by lifting weights, and then I wanted to run a 5K straight through. Those goals didn’t require me to be a superhero!

So how does my story end? You’ve heard all about my “before,” and the journey that led me to today. Now I am 162 pounds lighter. I am healthy. I am a better wife, mom, and friend because I put the work and time into ME. I am active in my kids’ lives. I am an athlete.

In fact, I ran my first half-marathon in February! I have gained far more on this journey than I have lost. My journey has no end date.

It’s a lifestyle change that is constantly evolving. I am no longer just content watching life pass me by—I am finally living it.

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A Rodent of Unusual Size Cari Trotter It started as a small rustling of leaves behind the back glass door—so slight a disturbance to the relative peace, it didn’t provoke a reaction.

Then, another minute later, the slight rustling of blowing leaves made a noise that provoked a much more organized disturbance.

The sound was less rustling and more intentional scratching and pulling and wrestling—so much so that it caused me to jump and tell my husband, Toby, to take a look outside to see what was going on. Never in a million years would I have thought we would have seen what, in my elevated fear imagination, was most assuredly a “rodent of unusual size”—or ROUS—straight from the fire forest in The Princess Bride. No lie.

Toby pulled our curtains aside to reveal a possum of the largest, most grotesque size wrestling a trash bag like a rag doll against our back patio glass door. Let me mention here that we live in urban Dallas, not out in the country. I would love to say as soon as Toby pulled back the curtain and banged on the door (and I screamed at an octave that could have shattered beveled glass) that he ran off for good, but that ol’ boy didn’t move a muscle. He continued to wrestle on, with great ambition, undeterred to take whatever he wanted from our deck. The possum, aka ROUS, simply looked back at us giving us a nod as if he was a celebrity in a crowded room of people acknowledging, “Oh hey, I see you.” The nerve! Little league baseball bat in hand, Toby finally chased that nasty rodent off our deck and watched it waddle deep into the Dallas urban twilight.

To this day, I, like any good bleached–blonde, Southern girl, squeal every time I think of the ridiculous ROUS and the audacity he had to march right up to our back door thinking he could just take whatever he wanted.

Much like a ROUS, there is a real enemy watching and waiting for a dark moment to cozy right up to us and take whatever he wants.

John 10:10 says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” He slinks in before we know it. Unresolved fear, a slight jealous thread, or insecure thoughts giving too much heart territory are some of the often-unnoticeable ways he gets in. And if he isn’t run off right away, he grows with increasing organization to steal, kill, and destroy your marriage, friendships, miracles, confidence, and dreams. He wants it all, but that nasty ROUS can’t have it because you belong to God. And you can’t just kind of, sort of, spook him—you have to run him off. Chase that devil down with the sword of God’s Word and let him know there is no place for him in your life. Chase him back down the alley he crawled out of and shout with a loud voice that shatters every ambition he has, “My God wants to establish the dignity of my position as an heir to the throne of grace. There is no place for you to crawl in, wrestle down, or steal, kill, or destroy in this heart. My God has come that I might have life and have it abundantly!” Next time the enemy tries to sneak into your life, just remember that God is on your side!

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

JOHN 10:10

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Kendra Hunt Joshua and Caleb are names that remind us of the importance of perspective. In Numbers 13, twelve men were sent to scope out the Promised Land, and when they returned, Joshua and Caleb came back with a very different story than the other ten. Both parties gave accounts that included the good things in the land of Canaan.

Both reports included exclamations of joy at the amount of milk and honey. So at what point did the reports take a turn? When the ten spies came back overwhelmed by the size and strength of the giants

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who possessed the land. It wasn’t that Joshua and Caleb didn’t see the giants. It was the fact that they saw that their God was bigger.

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Can you name one of the ten spies who came back with the bad report of the giants in the land? Did you know they are all listed in detail in the Bible? But we don’t remember them. We just remember Joshua and Caleb. We remember the two men who believed the promise of God.

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If you read this story of the twelve spies and think to yourself, Wow, that was a great story, you’ve missed the entire point of the Bible.

The Bible does not exist for you to read story after story and feel good. It exists to give instructions that will forever change your life.

So, when was the last time you were sent to “spy out” land? I’m sure God has promised you something, much like He promised Canaan to the Israelites, and maybe you aren’t quite sure how it’s ever going to happen. You can see the Promised Land, but it seems impossible to get there. It may be that some of your own giants are standing in the way.

Let me give you a personal example. I spent four years writing weekly devotions for my Pink Group. Time and time again, the ladies told me I needed to put together a book. I don’t know the last time you published a book, but it is not something you do in your free time.

It takes work—lots of work! And lots of courage! Arranging and printing words from your heart for others to read requires a level of courage that goes beyond the average day, the average year, and the average lifetime—at least for me.

As my husband and I (but mostly my husband) began to research the process of publishing a book, we saw what I would call giants.

Website after website said I needed to have a popular blog, a

platform, an author Facebook page with a large following, and a speaking schedule of some sort. That list felt like I was looking at giants. I didn’t even want to have any of those things. With all the demands of my life, I was overwhelmed by what the experts were saying I needed.

Over the course of a year or so, God has used so many people to encourage me to write a book. I saved encouraging emails from strangers who had received forwarded emails of my devotions and writings over the years. They would tell me, “I can’t wait to read your book.”

No pressure there! God was doing everything He could to remind me, just like the account of the twelve spies in Numbers 13, He was bigger than my giants.

Like Joshua and Caleb, I made it to the Promised Land: I finished and published my book! But I couldn’t have done it if I had focused on the giants. God is bigger than anything that tries to get in the way of your Promised Land. Your Promised Land might be a ministry, a great job, a project at work, amazing kids, a husband who loves the Lord, or anything else He has promised. Aspire to be like Joshua and Caleb—see past the giants and only see how big God is.

SO, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE SENT TO “SPY OUT” LAND?

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STUDIOfyi

Tonya Hamilton With all the decorative papers sticking out from the edges, the first Bible I used to illustrate my faith draws quite a bit of attention. While most use a journaling Bible with two-inch margins, I added paper to the slim margins in my Tree of Life Version to emphasize the verses that spoke to me.

ask if they have a Bible journaling meet up or beginner class. If you are already illustrating your faith, consider starting a Pink Group where you can share and journal together. You may find illustrating your faith is the catalyst you need to spend more time in the Word with the Lord this year.

When I started this method of relating to Scripture, the concept was less than a year old. Its beginnings are credited to crafter Shanna Noel, who, with one post of her decorated Bible page, started a phenomenon that left publishers clambering to fill the need for different versions with wide margins. Shanna has humbly accepted the charge of leading this movement, called Illustrated Faith, and by partnering with other companies, she helps provide the needed supplies to go deeper in Scripture by creatively drawing attention to key passages.

What do I need to get started?

Here’s a list of some basic supplies, but you don’t need everything. Start simple, and eventually you will find what works for you.

There are many who have started offshoots of Illustrated Faith with each person contributing their God-given gifts and talents and adding to the pool of resources available. If you search #illustratedfaith or #biblejournaling on any social media feed or Google, pictures of Bible pages will fill your screen, displaying artistic expressions ranging from sticker letters restating Scripture to elegant artwork in acrylic or watercolor paints.

Many have asked, “Why would you want to draw in your Bible?” I find I am meditating longer on a passage of Scripture as I illuminate key points. Others have a newfound desire to read the Word and hear God speak to them through the passages they illustrate. Most of my illustrations are found between the covers of my Bible, but there are others who dedicate a journal or art spiral for this purpose.

Frequency and location of Bible journaling are your choice. You can create daily, weekly, or even monthly. I often work on a simple entry during my daily quiet time. When I have more time, I revisit a previous page and expound upon it or work in depth on a new passage.

There are also times a friend and I get together and focus on a specific Scripture together, and once a month I join a group of “faith friends” at a local crafting store. During the group’s time together, we share our entries, read a devotion, and learn new techniques. This is a great way to get started—you’re not only encouraged by others but you can also learn which materials work well and which ones don’t.

• Bible (most use a journaling Bible with 2” margins)

• A pencil and a good eraser

• Bleed-proof pen such as Faber Castell Pitt Pens, Micron Pens, or Illustrated Faith Pens • A coloring medium – Colored pencils – Watercolor crayons – Inexpensive watercolor set • Stickers – Alphabet – Words • Rubber or polymer (clear) stamps – Alphabet – Words – Acrylic block (for polymer stamps) – Stamp ink pad (I use a chalk ink) I’ve got my supplies, what do I do now?

Here are some ways I am inspired to illustrate my faith: • While reading a Bible passage, a word or phrase will stand out.

• A sermon point or devotional message grabs my attention.

• Lyrics from a worship song prompt deeper meditation.

It won’t be perfect, but that’s okay! We’ve all made mistakes as we Bible journal. Be willing to embrace the mistakes and move on. Don’t let the fear of a misspelled word (hand raised here) keep you from going deeper with God by illuminating the Scripture.

For more inspiration and instruction, visit illustratedfaith.com, rebekahrjones.com, janngray.com, and homegrownhospitality.typepad.com. The Little Blue House in Keller is a great resource offering beginner classes, technique classes, and supplies.

Are you interested in getting started? Contact your local small business with a focus on scrapbooking or mixed media materials and

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I came across this quote on Pinterest, and it just really resonated with me. I feel like it speaks so much with so few words: 1) Look up and breathe and surrender it all to Him; 2) Feel grounded and remind yourself that you are at the right place at the right time; and 3) Realize you have enough passion in you to love your family and friends, to pursue your dreams, and to fight your battles.

- Natasha Brown

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STUDIO spotlight

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I

t’s a weekend service at Gateway and worship has just ended. You cringe because you know that means it’s time to “greet someone standing around you.” Maybe you’re new to church or you’ve just been looking for a connection, for a friend, but shaking someone’s hand on the weekend isn’t going to do it.

This is where Gateway Groups comes in. God never intended us to get lost in a sea of people—especially if that gathering of people happens to be in a church building weekly. We weren’t created to live life alone. God desires for us to go through life with friends who are more than weekly appointments or casual acquaintances.

Pink Groups, which are Gateway Groups for women, bring women together to help our growing church not seem so overwhelming and make what seems big actually pretty small. All it takes is one woman, just like you, saying “yes” to leading or attending a group—whether that’s sharing a meal, studying the Word, getting coffee, or working out.

WE’VE GATHERED SOME STORIES FROM PINK WOMEN WHO’VE HAD ALL KINDS OF EXPERIENCES WITH BEING A PART OF AND LEADING A GROUP. AS YOU READ, WE HOPE YOU’LL BE ENCOURAGED BY THEIR TESTIMONIES AND EVEN RELATE TO SOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCES. ULTIMATELY, WE WANT EACH ONE OF YOU TO FIND YOUR PLACE IN A PINK GROUP!

STUDIO spotlight Jennifer Stitt’s Story

A TAPESTRY OF FREEDOM Five years ago, I was a brand-new mom and wife, new to the Colleyville/Southlake area, and desperate for community, more than I even knew. I longed for other moms and wives to hang out with and learn from. I had no idea what I was doing.

After all, my husband, Trevor, and I had just gotten married in June, when I was six months pregnant. Now here we were in September, blessed with a little bundle of joy that God used to redeem our relationship. But we were clueless. Clueless of the beautiful tapestry He’d weave our mess into over the course of the next five years.

I carried so much guilt and shame from our past; I didn’t even know it at the time. Desperate and determined to find a place at Gateway to break free from bondage in the midst of community, I reached out to multiple Pink Groups I found online and just showed up. Stepping out in faith, without knowing anyone or anything about the group, God guided my path to a group called “Wives and Mothers Accountability.” How appropriate! (He’s so sweet like that.) I landed exactly where He meant for me to be.

Community isn’t always easy and doesn’t happen right away, but as I allowed Him to use our group leader, Crystal, and the other girls I now call friends, to learn and grow from, I began to understand and experience His true grace and a deeper longing for true freedom and His presence in my life. I had no idea of the ride He would bring me on or the desire for leadership I’d have through this one Pink Group.

After attending this group for a while, God led me to Titus 2, a women’s discipleship group, which I have been involved in for the last four years. Every Tuesday, there’s worship, keynote speakers, and then time in small groups to process information.

Titus 2 has been my safe place, my constant through all life’s changes. My place where I learned to hear from the Holy Spirit and experience true freedom in areas I previously carried so much guilt and shame. My place where I stepped out in obedience into leadership, after only being involved for a year.

How could He use my story to bring freedom and encouragement to other women? Well, He did, and He does! That’s all I know.

The word of testimony is powerful, and there’s freedom in it!

We do not go through anything in this life that He cannot use, thank goodness. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without Pink Groups. They have been a catalyst in my spiritual growth during my time at Gateway. I’m forever grateful that God loved me too much to let me stay where I was, in bondage to guilt and shame.

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Tyler Avary’s Story

PLAYGROUPS WITH A PURPOSE

In the summer of 2013, I had a three-year-old and an 18-month-old, and I was pregnant. Gateway Groups were on break for the summer and my husband was traveling a lot for business. I needed to find somewhere to belong. Thankfully, a group of my friends from Gateway and I started meeting once a week to let our kids play together. We met at parks, Bubbleland, the library, and restaurants.

Our kids looked forward to it every week, and so did we. I was able to have an adult conversation with someone other than my Tom Thumb cashier!

By the time summer 2014 rolled around, our group, which we now called our “playgroup,” had grown to 30 moms! But this time, instead of meeting each week to just let the kids play, we decided to be a little more strategic in our conversations. During this time, we shared ideas for kid-friendly recipes, children’s daily devotional books, educational apps—any practical but important information we used on a daily basis. Our playgroups had found a purpose designed to equip us and encourage us in our roles as moms, wives, daughters, sisters, and friends.

By 2015, we had grown to 12 playgroups! Playgroups have become a way to connect our children to other Gateway families outside of the short time they spend together once a week at church. They are a way to shepherd our kids into making lifelong friendships while we share and connect with one another.

This summer, we have playgroups of all different ages and provide moms an opportunity outside of church to make friends. If you’re a mom, we’d love to see you and your kids this summer!

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spotlight

Stephanie Kelsey’s Story

FAMILY—ANOTHER NAME FOR GROUPS

Most people tend to dip their toe in the water by attending a group when they’re ready to get involved. But not me! I led the very first group I was ever in. It’s not that I felt qualified to be a leader right from the start, but my need for adult interaction was much stronger than the voice that tried to tell me I was not qualified. You see, I had moved to South Africa and had a little baby and no car to get out and visit with people. I decided if I had the small group at my house, then people would come to me. I guess you could say leading my first group could be considered a lifesaver to a lonely momma.

Rachael Gilbert’s Story

HOW GOD USED GATEWAY GROUPS TO CHANGE MY MIND

I visited Gateway for the first time 10 years ago. My husband and I had just moved from Oklahoma with our two-month-old baby girl. We knew God had called us to Texas, but I had serious doubts when we got here because I was swallowed up by how everything truly was “bigger in Texas.” When my husband said he wanted to attend Gateway, I told him I would try it but was not sold on the idea of attending a “megachurch.”

When we visited Gateway for the first time, God met me in the most personal way. It immediately felt like home. Yet, I still argued with God. How can we be called to a megachurch with so many people when we are in a new city, and I really need community? I loved the service but had reservations about being able to connect and make friends. So the next week when I received a call from the church thanking us for visiting, I was shocked someone called because I was expecting a megachurch to be cold and impersonal. As I talked with this person, they shared about some of the ministries Gateway has and one was Gateway Groups.

Five churches, two continents, and three states later, I’m still just as passionate about the impact groups have had on my life. The majority of my married life, my husband and I have not lived near our extended families, so groups have been family to us. I know that if anything significant happens in my life, my group is my first point of contact to pray, celebrate, cry, come to the hospital, bring a meal, or get encouragement. They are my Texas family.

Families are a place where you can be yourself. Family members around you love you and accept you unconditionally. Yet at the same time, they challenge you and help to knock off the sharp edges that don’t work well for you out in the world. One night in our couples group, I remember someone told me I sounded a little bitter after sharing a prayer request about a hurt. I thought, What? Me?! After I got over being offended, I realized that person was just showing me love by telling me what they saw that I couldn’t. I valued that person in my life even more after this experience. I knew I could count on them to not judge me but speak truth in a loving way.

Groups have been invaluable to me over the years. I have attended churches that range from 200 to 30,000 people and have found that I can be disconnected and lonely in churches of any size. Only when I connected to small groups and was willing to put myself out there did church become my family.

The next week, I went to a Pink Group and didn’t know a soul or what to expect, but when I got there everyone was so welcoming. The love the women showed me was unlike anything I had experienced before; they treated me like family! One woman even blessed me with clothes we needed for our baby girl—they were the next size up I’d been praying for. As I drove home that day, I was in tears. I felt seen, loved, and like I belonged.

This group was just the beginning of my groups journey at Gateway.

I have attended and led multiple groups over the last 10 years and every group is a blessing in ways I could have never imagined.

Attending groups has not only brought me lifelong friendships and helped me grow as a believer, but it has also changed my mind about feeling lost in a big church. More importantly, Gateway Groups changed my mind about God. He showed me no matter how large the crowd, He always sees me.

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STUDIO spotlight Joanna Wiesinger’s Story

BECAUSE THEY ASKED

We were a mess—three young kids, brand-new house in a brandnew state, no friends, and no family to lean on. All we had was a deep sense that God moved us to Texas for a reason. We knew we needed to find a church, and my son’s new friend—all of 8 years old—mentioned his church, Gateway.

Jen Weaver’s Story

A CREATIVE GOD CREATED YOU The day finally came. I exhausted all my excuses and put my foot down against further procrastination. With my son snuggled into bed, I entered my office and flipped on the light switch.

Time to clean up.

The room housed a tumultuous horde of projects: stacks of marked-up manuscript pages, a sewing machine, a half-finished scrapbook, and props from my last blog photo shoot. As I began to tidy up my creative messes, I thought about how each activity could feel so enjoyable but, at the same time, so isolating.

Closed up to work in my little office … solo.

Craft, paint, design, edit, and write … alone.

While I often enjoy quiet times to create by myself, I started thinking about how the enemy tries to pervert God’s gifts for harm instead of good. How if I weren’t careful, I’d find myself competing with my creative peers—usually without their knowledge. Comparing my talent to another’s. Wishing my gifts were as well received. Starting a new task and stopping halfway through, out of discouragement.

The Lord made us for community, which is why I’m so excited to participate in Gateway’s Pink Creative Groups. Slightly different from typical book-and-bible study groups, creative groups consist of women who come together to encourage one another to grow in love and build community through similar creative interests.

Skilled or not, novice or professional, our group members create, pray, and encourage one another. Sewing t-shirt dresses for girls in underprivileged areas, studying Psalms together, appreciating God’s creation through iPhone photography, or connecting over dreams, prayers, lattes, and calligraphy paper—we have it all!

When we visited, we loved it! During the service, Pastor Robert encouraged everyone in the congregation to get in a Gateway Group, so we immediately got involved. Six months later, we were leading a group of our own. It was far from ideal; busy kids played while their tired parents struggled to stay focused on the lesson. It wasn’t easy, peaceful, or even very spiritual, but it was real life and lots of fun! Because Pastor Robert asked, we said yes and found lifelong friends.

Some time later, the pastor of Family Groups invited us to lunch and asked us to consider becoming section leaders. Section leaders provide friendship and covering in prayer for other group leaders.

Even though we were pretty tired, we loved being group leaders and he genuinely believed in us. Because he asked, we said yes to a new leadership role.

During this time, we had an awesome married couple as our leaders. On one occasion when they were pouring into us, they asked how we were doing—really doing. We knew we were busted. We were a mess. My husband was traveling a lot and our preteen son was acting out. As we shared our burdens, our friends gathered around and prayed for us. Then they brainstormed practical ideas for helping our son. Because our friends asked, we said yes to opening up, healing our family in the process.

When was the last time you asked someone else to tell you their story or share a meal with you or help you lead your group? When you ask another person a genuine question, you make them feel seen and heard. There is power in that!

God doesn’t limit His interest in our lives to spiritual endeavors. Our heavenly Father knit us together in our mothers’ wombs (Psalm 139:13).

He is the potter and we, the clay (Isaiah 64:8). The skies proclaim His handiwork (Psalm 19:1), inspiring our creativity. Our passions are gifts we can use to uplift and edify the body—strengthening our sense of connection and family instead of detracting from it.

If you have a favorite creative expression—song, word, dance, art—I encourage you to view your gift as an expression of your Creator.

The creative One patterned you after Himself, and you were made to carry on His creativity.

To lead or find a Pink Group, visit pinkgroups.gatewaypeople.com.

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Special Opportunity for Pink Impact Attendees Join a 6 for 6 group to stay connected after Pink Impact!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 6 People (Your Group) 6 Weeks (Once a Week for 6 Weeks) HOW IT WORKS Visit your campus booth in the Pink Impact lunch room.

Choose the group that works for you.

Show up at your group.

Connect with other women.

Remain friends!

Easy as that.

See you at a campus booth!

GOD IS SPEAKING ALL THE TIME. DO YOU HEAR HIM? Available Now

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Imagine walking into a fitness center because you feel pathetic and out of shape. You find a trainer who represents what you want to look like and ask them what you need to do to get in shape. The trainer replies confidently, “If you consistently do this workout and stay away from these types of food, you’ll look like me.” Then you say, “Sign me up!”

If you’ve been in church long enough, you’ve heard the word discipleship. It is the word we identify with the process of becoming spiritually fit after we become a follower of Christ.

In the gym scenario, what if the trainer had responded differently and said, “Get yourself a membership, hang out around the weight lifting equipment, and hope for the best.” You would probably say, “That doesn’t sound reassuring!”

Is discipleship supposed to be ambiguous? “Take some classes, read some books, and hope for the best.” No, Jesus has a specific plan, and He can confidently say, “Do this with consistency, and you will look like Me.” Jesus is our personal trainer, and He told us to make disciples by “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”

PHILLIP HUNTER

(Matthew 28:20, NIV). I believe Jesus had a specific plan when He said this. He knew our sin nature obeys what we feel and how we think. Those thoughts and feelings are controlled by our everyday circumstances. When we are made alive in Christ, our thinking must be transformed. We must learn to obey everything He commanded that is Spirit and life (John 6:63). That’s spiritual maturity—growing our spirits to lead our souls in changing the way we think.

Peter, Jesus’ disciple, gives us a discipleship fitness plan for spiritual maturity in 2 Peter 1:3–5. It says God has given us everything we need for godliness through His promises. We can even participate in His nature rather than ours. He has a methodology of discipling us to obey everything He commanded. I call this discipleship plan the Promise Principle. Here’s a new technique for reading the Bible using the Promise Principle.

FOUR STEPS to SUCCESS CHOOSE A BOOK OF THE BIBLE.

UNDERLINE THE PROMISES IN SCRIPTURE.

Read one chapter each day.

Every truth and commandment in the Bible is a promise from God. When you read your Bible, underline every promise.

IDENTIFY THE CIRCUMSTANCE. Do you live by sight (acting on circumstances) or walk by faith (acting on the promises of God)?

What circumstance(s) do you obey rather than this promise?

The Holy Spirit will lead you into truth on this.

RESPOND TO THE PROMISES IN PRAYER. If the promise is a truth, thank God for it in prayer. If it is a commandment, ask God in faith to empower you to do it. Sometimes, it is asking and thanking Him at the same time (Philippians 4:6–7).

To learn more about the Promise Principle, visit thepromiseprinciple.com.

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Karen Harmon As a kid, I loved the Army commercial that proclaimed “Be All You Can Be!” Something about that slogan resonated loudly with me, and as I grew up, I ran with it. I traveled the world doing worship ministry, earned my Master’s degree, got married, and became a mom. Then began some unfulfilling years. I subscribed to a myth that Christian women had to put aside other gifts and callings for the sake of their roles as wife and mom. I LOVE my primary roles, but have also realized that God created me with other abilities and callings to be used to further His kingdom and do good works. My life now consists of being wife, homeschooling mom, physical therapist, worship leader, and mentor while having other hobbies, interests, and ministry opportunities.

Walking in what the Creator designed for our lives brings blessing and joy, and that design is different for everyone. For example, I know an amazing single woman in full-time ministry who has a side business making floral arrangements that brings joy to many people. I know a stay-at-home mom who has a knack for sales and entrepreneurship that now has an extremely successful business helping people be healthier. My sweet friend, who is an attorney, mother, and wife, has a passion to help women coming out of sex trafficking. She regularly attends prayer meetings for these women; has traveled overseas to aid in the fight; and is very active in raising awareness and funds here at home.

These are real women leading where they are by being all they can be and showing the love of Jesus in all they do. But how do we live and lead effectively in every role and season of our lives while juggling all our daily responsibilities as women?

Our identity in Christ launches us to lead ...

First, we must know our identity in Christ. Our identity should not be rooted in what we do but in who God is and says we are. We cannot be effective in all our roles without first knowing who we are in Christ. This requires letting go of past failures and believing in the potential God placed inside of us by releasing fear, comparisons, and ideals. We have to trust and be confident in God and in ourselves, while digging deep into His Word and seeking His face. Our identity in Christ launches us to lead while providing us a safe place to land.

Second, we must remember our passion, purpose, and vision, and keep it in the forefront of our minds. We are all uniquely created with different interests and talents, and have various life experiences. Use these things to ignite or reignite your passion.

Knowing your passion will reveal your purpose. Knowing your purpose will clarify your vision. Are you being a wise steward of the one life that God has given you?

Just like Esther did when she saved her people by going before the king uninvited, taking a brave step forward can bring about something powerful and life-changing. Your vision may be to open a business or non-profit, start a small group, go back to school, start a blog, invest in your marriage and family more, or climb up the corporate ladder. Whatever it is, know and write down your passion, purpose, and vision. Include practical action steps like budgeting, creating goals, listing priorities, scheduling and delegating tasks, and organizing a support system.

Third, we must be intentional with our influence. With every role comes the opportunity to lead by serving, encouraging, and pouring into people. Take the focus off yourself and put it on others. Jesus’ life is the ultimate example of servant leadership.

Draw out the potential and purpose in those around you, and let them shine. Be a loud encourager and a gentle corrector when needed. Your influence may not be off a platform to thousands, but in daily life to a few. Go and confidently, passionately, and intentionally lead where you are by being all you were created to be!

For more information about Propel groups and Pink Groups, visit pinkgroups.gatewaypeople.com.

Taken from propelwomen.org.

Overflow LEAD OUT OF YOUR

Stacy Durham

There she is. That woman. You know her. The one who always stands out in a crowd. Not because she is overwhelmingly beautiful, although she seems to be radiant. Not because she’s dressed in high fashion, although she’s intentional about her style and appearance.

Not even because her wit and banter are superior, although each word she speaks manages to drive anyone listening to be curious and want to hear more. You’ve met her. You notice her. You find yourself wanting to stand beside her. You find yourself wanting to ask leading questions just to hear what she will say. You find yourself contagiously drawn to the peace she exudes; to the identity she owns; to the presence she carries. You find you both walk away glorifying God more. She leaves you hungry for Him, and somewhere deep within you, you know you could be just like her.

What is it that she does differently? She leads out of her overflow.

So, what does it look like to lead without striving? To stop fearing man’s opinion and start following the leading of the Holy Spirit?

To propel from pressure to presence? How can we go about our day, splashing over onto all those we come into contact with, simply because the overflow of Christ in us cannot be contained?

Meet and know the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The saturation of His presence in your life will allow you to be a part of countless encounters where He meets others right where they are without ever putting pressure on you to give them what they so desperately need most—Him. Stay in His presence, perpetually.

As for me, it is good to be near God. Psalm 73:28 (NIV)

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Conquer this spiritual beast of offense.

Resolve to never land in the pit of offense. Ever. This particular demonic spirit will eventually rot your soul, ooze out onto others, and kill you inside. Lay down your burdens before God’s throne and let Him heal the hurt. Whether the offense was intentional or not, our choice to hold onto it will always affect our ability to live and lead out of overflow.

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city.

Proverbs 18:19

Soak in the Word of God relentlessly.

This is your greatest counterattack to insecurity! When we don’t know our maker, we will never fully know ourselves. A pastor by the name of Kris Vallotton phrases it this way: “Who Jesus is to you is who He is through you.” To be overflowing, we must be ingesting His words and letting them build the foundation of who we are.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8 (NIV) Whatever season you may be in, there is someone in your life who could benefit from the overflow of your time with the Father. The ministry that takes place in your own life will always determine the impact you have on others. So go ahead, let your hair down, crawl to His feet, and humbly lavish your oil upon Him in only the way you can—the way He created you to. Then, sweet woman of God, let Him pour in until it is pressed down, shaken together, and, yes, you guessed it—overflowing!

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spice

Linzer Torte Erin Eisenrich On a sunny summer day, I slipped out of the office for a breath of fresh air during lunch and wandered into a nearby bookstore.

While I was casually perusing the sprawling selection of books, I happened upon a little gem—The Kinfolk Table cookbook. Its cover is simple and beautiful, just the sort of thing I love. And it was on sale!

It felt like a kiss from God. Those who know me well can attest that I have never actually cooked anything from some of my favorite cookbooks. Their pages are full of stories and beautiful pictures that are just as exciting to me as the meals they can produce. But this

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cookbook is one I love to read just as much as I enjoy cooking the recipes, which are submitted by people from all around the world.

It’s a collection of everyday recipes made during family gatherings and special occasions.

The recipe for the Linzer torte caught my eye because it looked fancy, something that would impress at a party. One thing I’ve learned from the women in my life is that it’s always good to have a signature recipe, something you are known for and people ask you to

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STUDIO spice bring to their holiday parties and get-togethers. This has become my signature recipe, but I am going to share it with you because a good thing is always better when shared.

Don’t let this recipe scare you away just because it looks special.

It’s surprisingly easy to make. The key to a beautiful Linzer torte is the right pan and a high-quality filling. I have a pan with handles, so it’s easy to put into and get out of the oven without messing up the crust. The ridges in the pan do all the work for you. Note that the dough for the crust is very crumbly, so don’t be dismayed if it’s falling apart when you mix it up. Pack it tightly into the bottom of

the pan and all around the edges. You’ll want a thick crust, partially because it is delicious and partially because it helps the torte hold its shape. The most difficult part of this recipe is getting the rounds for the topping cut correctly since the dough is crumbly. I have found that trial and error is the best method; this is a good opportunity to leave perfectionism at the door. I use Bonne Maman jams for the filling, which can be found at most grocery stores.

This recipe makes for a lovely dessert or a delightful breakfast.

Bon appétit!

Almond-Jam Tart (Linzer Torte) Adapted from The Kinfolk Table Serves 10

8 tablespoons of unsalted butter, room temperature

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 ¾ cups almond meal

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

O cup sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

¾ teaspoon almond extract

12 ounces high-quality raspberry jam

½ cup sliced almonds

coarse sugar for topping

Position a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat oven to 350º.

Grease a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray.

Combine the flour, almond meal, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar with the paddle attachment in an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, then add the egg, and beat until fully incorporated. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and beat until just incorporated.

Combine the flour mixture and butter mixture together with a rubber spatula until fully incorporated. Dough will be crumbly, but it should stick together when packed.

Roll the remaining dough into a cylinder about 9 inches long and slice it into rounds about ¼ inch thick. Note from Erin: This is the part that I find particularly difficult, and I have found it best to work in cylinders about 3 to 4 inches long.

Arrange the rounds on top of the jam so that they are barely touching, starting around the edge and working toward the center. There will most likely be some dough left over. Sprinkle the tart with the sliced almonds and coarse sugar. Note from Erin: I lightly toast my almonds on the stovetop first for a little extra flavor.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the jam filling is slightly bubbling and the dough rounds are lightly browned. Transfer the torte to a rack while it is still in the pan and cool completely, about 1 hour.

Remove the torte from the pan, transfer to a serving plate and serve.

Press two-thirds of the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the tart pan. Spread the jam evenly over the dough.

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Tasia Holyfield I used to work at a retail store, and we would frequently do “guts and refreshes.” We’d wipe the slate clean in an area of the store and give it fresh life. But doing it meant we had to start by making a massive, somewhat confusing mess. We’d empty every fixture and end up with temporary racks and bags full of clothes. Organized chaos! However, this whole process gave us the chance to show the customer our newest merchandise and to fold and tuck away the older things.

After emptying the fixtures, we’d find a “muse piece” to center the shop around and start the creative process of making order—and something beautiful—out of the chaos. We’d take all the data into account—what’s selling for the company and at our local store, what the customer wants and needs for that season, and more.

Because we majorly looked into the minor details, we’d end up with an inspiring, new shop with every chance for successful selling. I think this process relates a lot to how the Lord works in our lives.

At times, it feels like our lives are falling apart, but the truth is God is in control and “gutting” an area of our life to do some serious work.

It feels like there is not much order; it’s awkward and even a little scary. Life becomes a massive, confusing mess ... until the pieces start falling into place. The Lord is the master thinker, a supreme strategist, and He knows exactly what He’s doing. He knows the end from the beginning. He is okay with the transition and tension, because He knows it’s good for us.

I think of Jesus’ incredible Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 where He describes who is blessed, and it’s nothing like we would typically describe it. He says, blessed are: “the poor in spirit,” “those who mourn,” “the meek,” “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” “the merciful” (meaning you’re in a situation that feels like it requires vindication—intense!), “the pure in heart,” “the peacemakers” (willing to insert yourself into tension in hopes of bringing about peace), and “those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (the insulted and lied about ones).

Most of those things sound terrible. But you have to look at the flip side. If you’re going through any of those things on a surface level, something amazing is going on inside of you. He says, “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” “they shall be comforted,” “they shall inherit the earth,” “they shall be filled,” “they shall obtain mercy,” “they shall see God,” “they shall be called sons of God,” and to rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven. These are amazing, encouraging things promised by the Creator of our entire existence.

The trials we experience are always temporary, and the effect left on us is always eternal. When we’re going through a hard time, God can use that to bless us! Endure, stand, overcome, and, by the grace of God, be triumphant and wait on Him to restore what is broken. He tears down, but He builds back up, and He wastes absolutely nothing. He is faithful and has integrity in His plans for all believers—including you.

“Life becomes a massive confusing mess ... until the pieces start falling into place. The Lord is the master thinker, a supreme strategist, and He knows exactly what He’s doing.”

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HOLLYWOOD: A Burden from God Emily Bua What is your passion? That’s a question that, until recently, stirred up more anxiety in my heart than excitement. My interests span the length of the Atlantic and trying to narrow it down to one particular passion has always been a struggle. Can travel, music, theater, people, food (lots of good food), ice cream, and Starbucks all tie into one comprehensive passion? Maybe you can relate.

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So when I heard Dr. Ravi Zacharias share at Gateway’s Bless Weekend last year about pursuing the burden of our hearts, you better believe my ears perked up. Though a simple concept, it was like fresh letters on a page to my soul. Do you mean God has identified a specific burden for each of us that aligns with our personality and giftings?

Realizing He does brought new clarity and purpose to my life. Not to mention some excitement and anticipation.

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The fulfillment of this burden is constantly evolving but has initially manifested in two ways. Similar to Nehemiah, what began as a broken heart turned into compassion and then a passion for intercession. Simultaneously, the Lord reawakened my spirit to the arts in my own life. As a young girl, I had aspirations of one day singing on Broadway in a lead role—Elphaba or Mary Poppins would do. But over the last few years, I had really begun to suppress my creativity. This is largely due to the active work of the enemy in my life, always ready with a well-crafted lie to speak into my heart at the right moment.

“I too was eager to embark on this

JOURNEY for myself.”

Nehemiah models for us the appropriate response to receiving a burden from God. So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 1:4 Upon hearing that the walls had not been rebuilt in Jerusalem, years after the temple’s restoration, Nehemiah was deeply grieved. His first response was to fast and pray for the children of Israel. As the appointed cupbearer to the king, an influential role in the palace, God positioned and equipped Nehemiah to carry out this burden for His people.

I too was eager to embark on this journey for myself. I prayed boldly that the Lord would reveal a specific burden to me. One that could not be ignored, that would have to be accomplished through His power, not my human abilities. What He showed me certainly surprised me.

It was time—time to silence the enemy’s voice in this area of my life. I have chosen to believe God’s truth; that He gifted me with musical abilities and artistic talent for a specific reason. I’ve been invigorated by a renewed pursuit of the arts and reminded of the privilege it is to be creative. The opportunity to construct beautiful things is a profound gift from God. All creative expression—whether a song, dance, painting, or poem—when done for God’s glory and through His power is a beautiful reflection of His love.

Ultimately, that is my prayer for celebrities. To see their hearts stirred for truth. And as they seek it, that they would find the Truth and be set free. That they would be drawn to their Creator and view their artistic talent as a gift, an expression of God inside them. My prayer is that their lives would be transformed and they would use their platform to promote God’s name above their own.

Have you ever asked the Lord for such a burden? He is gracious to give us what we can handle. I encourage you to step out in faith and allow the Spirit to use your unique wiring in a profound way. You may be surprised by what He tells you and even more amazed at how perfectly it aligns with the person He has created you to be.

Celebrities. Individuals in the entertainment industry who have attained fame and seem to “have it all” but miss the very key to life itself—Jesus.

I have to admit, I’ve had my fair share of doubts. How can a Texas girl influence celebrities? Did You notice the chasm here, Lord? While I didn’t have a clear vision of how His plan would unfold, God began to work by opening doors. Over the next few months, my mind was awakened to a whole new world. (Now I'm starting to sound like an actress and an animated one at that!)

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No Longer an Orphan

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by Dana Stone Elisabeth Dunn

When my friend Dana Stone asked me to be one of the first to read her book, No Longer an Orphan: Never Abandoned, Never Alone, I had no idea what an impact it would have on my life. Each chapter touched my heart in a different way. I was reminded again and again of the Lord’s faithfulness in my own life as I read her words. In the book, Dana shares 27 attributes of God, artfully interwoven with the story of her life—from her childhood to the adoption of a beautiful baby girl from China. Her honesty is refreshing and many times caused me to stop while the Lord ministered healing to me personally.

As you read, you will be tempted to jump ahead, but don’t! You will miss one of the best parts of the book. At the end of each chapter, Dana has included a declarative prayer. You will want to take the time to pray these over yourself and your family. One of the things I loved most about No Longer an Orphan was feeling like Dana was right there sharing her story with me. There is something in this book for every woman no matter your age or season of life.

From our very first date, I could tell Todd was different. He knew who I was, and he knew all about the choices I was making; yet he saw past it all. He saw things in me that I didn’t even know existed. He saw strength and wisdom. He saw purpose and passion. He saw an amazing testimony just waiting to be shared. And he spoke life into all that he saw. He reminded me on a daily basis that I was a young woman who deserved and should expect men to honor and respect me, and above all else I deserved someone who would guard my heart. Over the next two and a half years, he showed me what that kind of love looked like. Todd quietly mirrored the character of God and filled the holes in my heart with truth, love, and commitment. He guarded my heart with great care, and he loved me unconditionally. I began to see myself through his eyes, and through those eyes I saw Jesus for the first time. For the first time in my life I didn’t feel alone.

EXCERPT FROM

No Longer an Orphan Available at Gateway Bookstore and Amazon.

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