Studio G Magazine - Fall 2005 by Katie Coiner

STOP WAITING FOR CONFIDENCE STEP OUT WITH COURAGE LESSONS I LEARNED FROM

SUPERMAN

FINANCES GOT YOU WORRIED?

MYTHS ABOUT MONEY

ORGANIZATIONALLY

CHALLENGED

THE PERFECT AB WORKOUT

STUDIO G CONTENTS Debbie Morris, Editor-in-Chief

From the Editor

Stacy Pack, Editorial Director S. George Thomas, Editor Loresha Worley, Circulation Director

Family Busters

EDITORIAL:

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

by Debbie Morris by Joyce Simmons

Following God’s Call

Altar Ego

by Wilma Rummell by Thomas Miller

Stop Waiting for Conﬁdence, Step Out with Courage by Jennifer Rothschild

12 22 5 18 23

2121 E Southlake Blvd • Southlake, TX 76092 Phone: 817.328.1000 • Fax: 817.416.5701

gatewaypeople.com

Slice of Life

Never Alone

Somebody, Please Help Me!

Order Over Chaos

I’ll Forgive You Over Your Dead Body

Miles Away from Ordinary

Fit 4 the Kingdom—Strengthening Your Core

by Laura Vice Byrne by Lenora Oldham by Jeanne Preskenis by Debbie Morris by Terri Lugenheim by Linda Godsey by Emily Gilstrap

FROM THE EDITOR 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 find 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 flowing 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,

gateway church

Debbie Morris Editor-in-Chief

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.

by Joyce Simmons ne of the easiest ways to cause stress and conflict in your family is by handling your finances improperly. God lays out some pretty clear keys for financial success; yet if we ignore these principles we often find ourselves jumping headfirst into the troubled waters of financial woes and dragging our family along with us. The greatest reward of financial 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 find some way to pay for them proves fruitless in the scope of eternity.

In order to be financially 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.

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!

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 Selfless Love. Joyce, the mother of three and grandmother of six, is married and lives in Keller, Texas.

gateway church

• More money enables us to give more to God.

FOLLOWING GOD’S CALL

by Wilma Rummell

Faffie Siekman de Romero First Lady, State of Guanajuato

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

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 tinroofed 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?

gateway church

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

by Thomas Miller

gateway church

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 ﬁrst 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 ﬁrst 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 ﬁrst 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.

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

I know what I should do, but I don’t want to look stupid. 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.

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.

gateway church

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 ﬁrst 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 reﬂect 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

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.

life (līf) n. A source of vitality; an animating force; the quality that distinguishes the living from the dead.

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!

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 » fusion@gatewaypeople.com

Contact » life@gatewaypeople.com

men·tor·ing (mĕn´tôr’ing´) v. To give wise and trusted advice; to act as a counselor or teacher.

prayer (prâr) n. An act of communion with God.

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!

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 » mentoring@gatewaypeople.com

Contact » prayer@gatewaypeople.com

STOP WAITING FOR CONFIDENCE STEP OUT WITH COURAGE 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 “FOR WE step out! Don’t let a minor identity crisis WALK BY keep you from walking by faith. Don’t wait to feel confident in order to exercise courage. FAITH, God has given you all you need for life and NOT BY godliness. You, too, are cheery, bold and SIGHT.” colorful—live like it! As you do, you’ll find a 2 Corinthians 5:7, small risk is far more fun than a big rut. NASB

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.

gateway church

I WAS NEARING THE END OF A FASHION CRISIS!

gateway church

Mama’s chocolate fudge is unsurpassed. It’s fall on the floor, make you sass your grandmama, shout for joy unsurpassed. I’ve eaten professionally and commerciallyprepared 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 first time!

by Laura Vice Byrne

Momma’s Chocolate Fudge by 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!

Laura Vice Byrne and her husband, Greg, have been Gateway members for more than two years. They happily live only ﬁve minutes from the church in Southlake. Laura leads a Women’s Life Group on Tuesday mornings.

2/3 cup Hershey’s Cocoa • 3 cups sugar • 1/8 tsp salt • 1 ½ cups milk (Momma uses evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk.) • ¼ cup butter • 1 tsp vanilla

Slice Life

NEVER ALONE S by Lenora Oldham

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 find 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 unfit to care for her children.

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 governmentHebrews 13:5, KJV funded home. We went and looked Under the circumstances, I was forced at it, and sure enough, it had three to become the “mommy” at a very bedrooms! I clearly remember my first young age. My younger brother had the night in our new home. I lay on my bed, privilege of being potty-trained by me crying and thanking God for answering when I was three-years-old. As I grew my prayer. older, I continued to raise my brother, You may ask, “So what’s your point?” clean the house, shop for groceries and My point is simply this: God was with eventually balance the checkbook. It was me in the midst of it all. Although my obvious we lived at poverty level, and father wasn’t able to care for us like he we grew used to kids making fun of us in wanted, he did teach us to have faith in school. Although at times it was difficult God for whatever we needed. Thankfully, to bear the burdens of life, God was I was saved at the age of three and always present. received the baptism of the Holy Spirit One day, not too long ago, I was when I was eleven. God alone enabled thinking about my childhood and me to overcome the many challenges I wondering how my brother and I faced while growing up. He was, and is, survived without anyone to really care my best friend and constant companion. for us. God reminded me that He was Whether it was food, clothing or just the One providing and caring for us. He the sheer ability to not lose hope, God reminded me of all the times during my always provided everything I needed. It childhood when different people arrived 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. 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 Certiﬁcate 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.

gateway church

“ … for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP ME! by Jeanne Preskenis

gateway church

“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 find an older woman from church whom I could talk to, visit with and learn from. I couldn’t find any. Many of these “older women” felt they were done raising their families, and they expressed their desire for the younger

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, five 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 first and mothers second. Children eventually leave our homes, but our spouses remain. That’s how we fit 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 confirmed 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

“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 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.

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.

PrimeTime Upcoming Events 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 Rose at the church ofﬁce, 817.552.3636, or email primetime@gatewaypeople.com.

ORDER CHAOS

by Debbie Morris

OVER

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

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.

RACHELLE COPELAND’S TIPS Use 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.

JUDY BRISKY’S TIPS

THOUGHTS ABOUT SUBMISSION It 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.

Assign 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.

JUDY AND RACHELLE’S FAVORITE ORGANIZATIONAL SELF-HELP RESOURCES www.flylady.net Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley AKA The Flylady

Any book by Emilie Barnes including Survival for Busy Women and More Hours in My Day

Time to Enjoy Your Blessings by Dianne Haynes Miley

Disciplines Of The Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund

The Family Manager Takes Charge: Getting on the Fast Track to a Happy, Organized Home by Kathy Peel

The New Messies Manual: The Procrastinator’s Guide to Good Housekeeping by Sandra Felton

I’LL FORGIVE YOU

OVER YOUR DEAD BODY by Terri Lugenheim

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.

gateway church

HOW DO I KNOW? THIS IS MY STORY.

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-CalvéPerthes 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

Do you have a friend that would love to receive Studio G? Contact Loresha Worley at the church office, 817.552.3643, or email their name and address to women@gatewaypeople.com. Studio G is published quarterly by the Women’s Ministries of Gateway Church, a nonprofit 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

gateway church

grow with each passing day. Jesus’ words about receiving forgiveness was the one who had been holding back One day, from out of the blue, my “in the same way we forgive others,” the healing. husband announced that he planned to hit me like a ton of bricks. I was I began to seek the Lord like never leave me. I thought to myself, “You’re experiencing torment in various areas before with an obedient heart towards leaving ME? You should be grateful I’m of my life because I was unwilling to all He showed me in His Word. God still here, after all you’ve done to me!” forgive. My spirit grieved as I read the started moving powerfully within my My view of this desperate situation last verse again, “So My heavenly Father family. My middle son was healed of became skewed. I began to pray, “Lord, also will do to you if each of you, from asthma, and soon after my oldest take him out! Just take him out in a car his heart, does not forgive his brother son was healed of Legg-Calvé-Perthes accident.” disease— I really without the I REACHED A PLACE—A VERY DANGEROUS PLACE— believed prescribed God was surgery! WHERE I ENTERTAINED THOUGHTS OF HOW MY on my side. I now HUSBAND SHOULD DIE AND FREE ME FROM MY MISERY! After all, I realize the was a really enemy good person and my husband was his trespasses” (Matthew 18:35, NKJV). has no power over my marriage and definitely not. I reached a place—a The Lord dealt mightily with my heart. my family. With every new day, my very dangerous place—where I was I realized forgiveness was a decision. It marriage moves towards restoration, and entertaining thoughts of how my didn’t have anything to do with how my understanding of true forgiveness husband should die and free me from my I felt or how I’d been wronged. The and obedience has transformed my misery! task of forgiving, which once seemed tumultuous marriage into a peaceful Then one day, while still searching impossible, suddenly became easy. one. for answers, I heard a message about That night I went to my husband Terri Lugenheim attends Gateway Church. the unforgiving servant described in and repented for my unforgiveness. I She has been married to her husband, Frank, Matthew 18:21-35. As the teaching told him I loved him, forgave him and for the past thirteen years and is expectantly looking forward to many more years together. progressed, God gave me a vision of nothing would ever cause me to live in She is the mother of three sons, Christian, Caleb my husband behind bars—bars of unforgiveness again. It was at this point and Joshua, and has been a licensed hairstylist unforgiveness—and I realized the that God began to restore my marriage. for the past 23 years. Terri also leads the prayer team for the Healing room at Gateway Church. “wicked servant” was a reflection of me! It seemed like such a long road, but I

gateway church

by Linda Godsey

Do you realize that it really is okay In a flash, Clark’s supernatural, to be ordinary? Are you aware, like extrasensory abilities kicked in. I am, that we all have limitations? I He was instinctively aware of the personally believe people will only be impending accident involving a successful once they have come to runaway locomotive. Clark knew terms with this unvarnished truth. what he must do to stop the train I admit, it’s sometimes hard for me from crashing to its destruction. to come to grips with this truth and But first, he had to dash into the still remember that God views me as nearest phone booth to change into a priceless treasure. Psalm 17:8 tells his Superman outfit in order to keep me I’m the apple of His eye and that his superhero identity a secret. Then I’m miles away from being ordinary he rushed off to perform his heroic to Him. duty and “save the day.” Like a jetYears ago while watching propelled bird, Superman flew Superman, I became to his destination fascinated by the and jumped in w o n superhero’s front of the yk trul u won’t u o y desire locomotive. With o Once u are, y d for “ to be his incredible, yo ee .” who el the n o know ordinary. unlimited powers, fe et e els n o y In his he stopped the an earthly locomotive cold in its tracks! human The people always clapped and identity, he was cheered because their lives were simply Clark Kent, reporter for the spared. Daily Planet Newspaper. That all With his task completed, changed of course, whenever a Superman returned to the runaway locomotive threatened the office of the Daily Planet lives of innocent people. Then Clark as if nothing unusual Kent became the extraordinary had happened. His fellow Man of Steel. co-workers always teased

him, “Where were you during all the excitement? We were working on a headlinemaking 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

FIT 4 THE KINGDOM By Emily Gilstrap

“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

Strengthening Your Core One of the buzzwords flying 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 benefit 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 benefits 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.

Abdominal crunches:

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. Excerpt taken from “Fit 4 the Kingdom” Wellness Newsletter.

gateway church

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 find 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.

WOMEN-CONNECTINGTO-WOMEN GATHERING 7:00 pm | Thursday, October 20 Gateway Church Auditorium Do you have a desire to find your place in God’s kingdom? Are you looking for friendships and a way to get plugged in at Gateway? This 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 Groups and hear about upcoming events for women. Come and get connected! For more information, contact Katy Byrne at 817.552.3600 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.

GATEWAY FALL FESTIVAL

All women of the church and their friends are invited to the

Annual Women’s Christmas Party

Thursday, December 8, 2005 7:00–9:00 pm Gateway Church 6:00-9:00 PM | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 GATEWAY CHURCH

Cooking Demonstrations Desserts • Crafts Bingo • Bunko

This is a fun time for all ages and best of all, it’s FREE! For more information, contact Melanie Bailey at 817.552.3685 or email children@gatewaypeople.com.

For more information, contact Loresha Worley at 817.552.3643 or email women@gatewaypeople.com.