Lawton First Assembly

4 spring/summer 2020 I f you are new to GLIFE, I would like to extend a huge WELCOME and thank you for opening the pages of our magazine. Our desire and purpose for GLIFE Magazine is to offer inspiration by sharing real-life stories and articles from women who may provide just the encouragement that you are seeking. Each story is unique, genuine and real. Each story shared is evidence that the Creator of the Universe is not distant or removed; rather, He is nearby and intimately involved in our lives. As you read each story shared in GLIFE, I trust that you will sense the heart of each writer to be vulnerable as they reflect on their journey to finding wholeness through an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. At the end of the day, that's what is most important – a relationship with Jesus. For the past 9 years, on numerous occasions, I have shared my journey through being diagnosed with cancer in December of 2010. I have shared with you in a very vulnerable way, the struggles, difficulties and the victories I have experienced through the journey. It has been, what I call, my "TRUSTING" journey. I want you to know that I continue to learn DAILY, more about TRUSTING in our FAITHFUL GOD! Several years ago, I decided to replace new year's resolutions with truth from God's Word. I began to ask God to help me focus on a Word or a theme for the year to help me stay grounded and focused. is year was no different. As I began to ask God to help me filter through decisions, calm my emotions, and face each day with resolve, I felt Him impress three words on my heart. ose words were, REST, REFRESH AND RECHARGE. Choosing daily to read God's Word will always serve as a reminder of His truth in your life and it will inspire you to live your faith each and every day. In order to trust God and be serious about our walk with the Lord, we sometimes need to get to a place of rest. REST. What does that look like? Well, for me, it is getting before God and allowing my soul, my spirit and physical body to be "quiet" and hear what God is speaking over me. ere are times when I believe God wants me to slow down. He wants me to take moments of time where I sit quietly before Him and just FOCUS and meditate on Him. It is a time where I am quiet. It is a time when I make myself available to God, soaking in His presence. It is in soaking and resting before God that we position ourselves to be REFRESHED and RECHARGED in our walk with the Lord. Too often our minds run away with all sorts of thoughts, and we don't take the opportunity to quiet our souls down in a peaceful posture, in quietness. It is in seasons and times of quietness that He refreshes us. Resting is being quiet, being still in our bodies, calming our spirits, and shutting down our thoughts. In 2020, my goal is that my sight will be clearer. I am orchestrating my day and changing my schedule to prioritize and give God and my physical body some time to rest in order to refocus my emotions and recharge my soul. ■ Living and Loving Life! GRATEFUL, Lawton First Assembly Women's Magazine Women's Pastor Debbie Pratt Assistant Bethany Kuehny Art Director Heather Chatterjee Editorial Assistant Sallie Koll Publishing Consultant Laura Clevenger Cover Photographer Melissa Jones Hall Contributors Debbie Pratt, Brandi Sims, Shereyl Grubbs, Tiana Manley, Whitney Neece, Sandra Fehring, Ashley Ghrayyeb, Jayme Stringfellow, Tammy Jenkins, Family Features Advertising Opportunities (580) 536-9325 E-mail: girlfriends@lawtonfirst.org G-Life Magazine Lawton First Assembly of God 2201 NW 82nd Street, Lawton, OK 73505 G-Life magazine is published by Lawton First Assembly. It is distributed free of charge throughout Southwest Oklahoma. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. G-Life magazine is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information we print, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. All photography and letters sent to G-Life magazine will be treated unconditionally, assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. For information on where to find G-Life magazine, or how to become a distributor, call (580) 536-9325 or e-mail girlfriends@lawtonfirst.org. Copyright 2019 by Lawton First Assembly. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is forbidden. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchaser, user, or patronage. ©Lawton First Assembly 2020 All Rights Reserved Volume 14, Number 1 girlfriends@lawtonfirst.org lawtonfirst.org/girlfriends facebook.com/lfagirlfriends twitter.com/lfagirlfriends Connect With Us welcome YOU will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. ~ Isaiah 26:3 NIV

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