The ladies ministry of Central Triad Church [formerly Christ Temple Church] welcomes you to our site. We are excited and humbled that you've stopped by.
We are a diverse, and multi-cultural fellowship from every background and age that you can possibly imagine. From birth to ages 103 and beyond - you're accepted here in our hearts and invite you to come back as often as you like to find out what's new and maybe even join us for any one of our one-of-a-kind events that are constantly being booked onto our Events calendar. Just select the Events tab below.
Please check out all that we have to offer you for spiritual growth and encouragement. This site will have relevant teachings and current trends and ideas to help you grow from glory to glory.
We also hope to offer practical tips on how to get through the day without losing our composure . . . or our hair . . . all the while looking fab in our designer spirits with matching shoes & handbags!
We are real women who love God and each other and want to share that love with you whether it be in person or through this website.
So welcome to the wonderful world of unconditional love and acceptance by the ONE who invented it; He's made our lives worth living and we pray that you'll soon see & feel that He's done the same for you.
Please come and visit us again soon and check out all the new stuff that's sure to be posted here since your last look.
Here's our chance to meet ladies where they are and help promote them to where God desires to elevate them to. Through His grace and our involvement I believe we can live out His love.
Here's what we need to ask ourselves.... Can this be P.I.N.K.?
OBJECTIVE:
Personal:
To connect with women in a way that gives opportunity for discipleship, fellowship and growth.
Investment:
Can this gathering encourage women to live a more Godly life?
N:
in, involved, inherit
Kingdom:
Can this enhance the living stones of this body of believers?
EXAMPLES:
Christian Movie Nite, Park Play Date, Out To Dinner, Exercise Class, Shopping Day, Fix & Freeze (Group prep of food for personal & church family needs), Game Nite _ S.H.E.D., Coffee Talk, Series Studies, etc....
You come up with a gathering, outline details and create a sign-up sheet. Make it happen! The church will promote it. The gathering may have 5 or 105 ladies which want to participate but we want to make it available to whomsoever will!
Your requirement...share a scripture, encourage one another, have FUN!
I would love for every time an Esther-Gen lady sees the color or hears the word P.I.N.K. that she would be reminded of her Personal Investment N Kingdom!
Titus 2
1But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things 4that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works;
2012 EVENTS:
Central Fitness! / Beginning February 2012
Tuesdays & Thursdays
7P-8P
First Class: Tuesday, Feb. 7th, 2012
Register _ GC or Online
Location: S.H.E.D. [subject to change]
Central Fitness Facilitator: Miriam Willis [2nd Degree Blackbelt in Tai Quan Do]
SPECIAL NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU SIGN THE CENTRAL TRIAD FITNESS DISCLAIMER BEFORE BEGINNING CLASSES.
"It's FAST-inating!" Classes Beginning April 2012
DATE: Sunday, April 15th, 2012
Time: 3:30PM
Purpose: Share and discuss the purpose of fasting; who, what, when, where, how and why!
Practical tips on Fasting. Recipes. And more!!!
You don't want to miss out on these exciting classes.
Event Coordinators: Miriam Willis & Debbie Rhodes
Register _ GC or online!
Easter Sunday
Join with us as we express our uniqueness as well as our unity by wearing a P.I.N.K. hat, flower, feather, scarf, or bandana.
Esthers Challenge of 2012.pdf
E.S.T.H.E.R.'s Challenge of 2012
Esther was surely a woman of EXCELLENCE. Her compassion and SISTERHOOD to her fellow kinsman inspired a nation in the face of extinction. TENACITY was her backbone as she stood before the King, knowing that she could face certain death. However, as she proved with a choice to be HUMBLE; it would prove to be the key to unlock the greatest strength ever released in her lifetime personally and nationally. Her EXPERIENCES with God showed us all how to draw on His faithfulness and love no matter the circumstance. And finally, with REVERANCE for God and His Word she moved His heart and brought about great victory.
Certainly you've noticed that there are key words in all CAPS in the paragraph above. These attributes that Esther demonstrated will be our guide for the E.S.T.H.E.R.'s Challenge of 2012.
As this Challenge sparks your interest, please select one (1) to three (3) of the above qualities and proceed to answer the following questions:
1.Who, in your life, demonstrates this quality or attribute?
2.What is the definition of this quality or attribute?
3.Where would this quality be developed in you?
4.When could you apply this quality in your life?
5.How would you develop this quality?
6.Why is this quality important in your faith & love walk with the Lord?
Now that you're finished delving into this challenge - find you an accountability growth partner to help develop these attributes and qualities into your everyday responses. You are a Queen in the making! And remember, you are LOVED & ACCEPTED.
Esther-Gen
"The Spark"
Women's Conference
Fall 2012
Stay tuned for more details and registration information Jan. 2012!
Kingdom "Lights"
From the very first moment our little ones arrive, they are cared for in our nursery by a loving caregiver. Ages: Birth - Three
Kingdom Quest
From ages three through 12, our pre-school, elementary age and Jr. High girls are empowered, encouraged, and enlightened with the Word of God as their foundation, ensuring that they will develop into the lovely young women of God that we would all aspire to be like.
H2O Youth
Ages 13 through College are guided and mentored by our phenomenal Asoc. & Youth Pastors.
Our Senior High and College youth are better prepared for ministry as well as real life.
Girls of Grace
Girls of Grace is a mission-minded sisterhood of young ladies, ages 12 and up that come together to learn to love each other as we reach out to share God's love with our neighbors.
We are learning to not only be hearers of the Word but doers also.
Life360 Small Groups
We currently have two (2) Life360 Small Groups that meet for a time of deep study into the Word along with a great time of fellowship.
These groups are geared toward women's needs, regardless of age or background.
One of our groups is for Singles Only while the other is open to all women regardless of relationship status.
For more information, such as where and when they meet, please click on the link below and review the information located under the Life360 Small Groups Tab [located under the Get Connected Tab]. We look forward to seeing you at a Life360 group very soon.
Golden Girls
And last, but certainly not least, is our Golden Girls - for ladies ages 55+.
You don't want to miss out on anything that these energetic women of God have in store - you're sure to be empowered and blown away by their commitment to you and each other to make the latter rain way more glorious than the former.
For more information and volunteering, please click on the link below. Thank you - we look forward to serving with you soon.
Each and every department could always benefit from committed, quality and service-oriented women who love the Lord and are willing to serve one another.
For more information on the how-to's and whereabouts regarding volunteering, please check out the Department Leaders list found here and then fill out our Volunteer Registration Form on our Corporate site by clicking below.
Kingdom "Lights" Department Leader: Pastor Annette Kelly
Department Leaders: Patrick & Natalie McMasters
H2O Youth Department Leaders:
Asc. & Youth Pastors Dave & Joy Brown
Girls of Grace Department Leader: Tami Lilly
Golden Girls Department Leader: Patsy Todd
Be sure to check out all the areas available to minister to God and each other.
It's Time to go Fishing!
1 Peter 5:7 AMP 7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
I'm not much on fiddling around with worms or bait or too eager to try and maneuver small, sharp objects that have the potential to cause me pain. I am, however, very interested in catching some rest from toting all this stuff around in my head and heart. How about you?
Well then, let's go fishing.
Whenever I read or hear the word cast, that is what I think of fishing. I can picture loading up the pole, the hook, line and sinker and of course, the bait and casting it into the water in an attempt to catch a fish, either to eat or just for the sport of it.
That's when I realized that prayer is similar to fishing. We load up our prayer lists, lay out our lines before the Lord and bait Him with if You'll do this, I'll do that. Or maybe, with all sincerity we present our requests, our burdens and our concerns to our loving Father and finish up by saying in the name of Jesus, then we pack our burdens back into our tackle box and carry them back home the same way we brought them.
When I asked the Lord about that, His response was clear. He said, The next time you go fishin, let go of the pole. The thing about fishing is that you can reel that line back in anytime you want, reload and recast. Many prayers have been done the same way. We pray about a matter, reel it back in, recast it on the Lord and then reel it back in and go home with the same burden we started with.
It seems to me that if we let go of the pole, we can't take back what we've asked the Lord to take care of for us. You see, the bait on the end of the line is the burden. That heavy thing we've been carrying around and can't seem to get relief from it. We can't get relief from it because we're always carrying it! Let go, let go, let go of the pole!
One of the definitions of cast is to shed, or get rid of. Shed, get rid of, and let go of the pole and the burden and let God do what He does best, reel us in a real winner!
Written by:
Debbie Rhodes
Fruit of the Spirit ~ Love
Galatians 5:22-23
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is not law. NKJV
As a new believer, I always found myself confusing the Fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit and exactly what these things meant; but as I studied more of the Word, when I now read this particular scripture, it is abundantly clear that if we choose to live for God, He will pour out upon us these blessings and transform our personalities to the very core of who we think we are.
Essentially, the premise behind this Scripture appears to be twofold 1) that we should choose to adopt the ways and develop the mindset of Christ; and 2) that the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit by some translations) who was referred to by Jesus as the Helper in John 14:15, will create in us these gifts once we have appropriately aligned ourselves with the will of God.
A great analogy would be an orange tree. Like most fruit trees, it starts from a small little seed that is planted into some cultivated ground and staked and bound so as not to fall. From there, constant care is taken in soil preparation, feeding, watering and pruning to produce the best looking fruit. Continual nutrition is supplied to fortify the seed so that the tree first buds, then blossoms, and finally produces luscious fruit.
Now, let's take this analogy and apply it to our lives. First, the seed. It's difficult to say how the seeds emergence will begin, perhaps it will be through a kind word or deed from a believer within your family or maybe even a stranger who had witnessed to you or prayed with you at an altar. Perhaps you received a word from a moving sermon through a dynamic pastor or possibly from some lyric within a song of worship and praise. However this ignition starts, the seed is something meant specifically for you and was purposefully planted within you by God Himself! In His perfect timing, God positions you some place where someone or something will soften your heart so that the seed may begin to germinate burst forth into mighty existence to exalt Him!
You may not even know that the seed exists; it may lay dormant for years until the He decides that the time is now. In 1 Peter 23-24 states that the seed is in fact an imperishable seed from God:
23Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love; love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 24since you have been born again not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God. ESV (emphasis added)
You see, the seed has been planted within you directly by God and has been there since before your birth waiting for God to awaken and stir it into development; its sole purpose to teach you how to glorify Him in all things!
As God deals with your heart and cultivates and enriches you from within, the seed slowly develops and emerges; developing within you an unquenchable thrust for the Truth and a desire to align yourself with His will and His Word. Through gentle and continual pruning and feeding, He promotes growth and provides all the nutrition you need. As you continue to align yourself with His will, you will blossom and produce fruit for His kingdom.
God formed you and loves you unconditionally and just as a seed takes hold of fertile soil, so does God want you to take hold of His love and compassion for you. He will take you in His arms and love you openly just as you are. He knows your past, but more importantly He knows your future!! His mercy and grace are great enough to forgive you, no matter what sins you have committed. Youll find that His love for you is bigger than any problem you can place before His feet at the altar.
As you sincerely repent, His love for you will not only forgive you, but He will nurture and mold you from the inside out just as a potter throwing clay on the wheel. He will shape you into the beautiful person He originally created you to be! His heart delights in your desire to freely worship Him!
The LORD deals with the inside first, gently correcting your path, bending you into alignment so that it becomes your desire to be more like Himto give of yourself completely - unselfishly. It is through His unwavering love that He desires you to operate. Lets look more closely as to what the scriptures say about the first Fruit of the Holy Spirit - LOVE.
Love is mention over and over again in His Word and yet there are so many times that we fail to understand what real love is. As humans, we think we know all about love, often seeking love in the wrong places instead of running to Him the very one that understands and created love! The very one who robed Himself in flesh and came to earth to be sacrificed so that we may have everlasting life! If you accept Him as your savior, truly repent of your sins and have your sins washed clean through baptism (Acts 2:38), you will find that Gods love is more fulfilling and greater than anything you could ever experience here on earth.
So what is love? To define love, all we have to do is look upon the cross where Christ died for us. He gave Himself unselfishly, even in His dying moments He asked that we be forgiven for we knew not what we were doing. Jesus took the place of the sacrificial lamb on the cross and His blood was shed for all of our sins so that we could be forgiven. This self-denying, self-sacrificing opened the door as the final covenant between us and God; that we would receive everlasting life through our Savior Jesus Christ.
In the scriptures you will find that love, in actuality, is a requirement. John 13:34-35, Jesus states:
34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you and also love one another. 35By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. NKJV
This does not remove our responsibilities of following the Laws of Moses as previously scribed in the tablets of stone, known as the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:2-17, however, Jesus clearly stated that the Eleventh Commandment, as it is often called, is the most important of all to love one another.
Learning to love fellow believers seems to be fairly easy to do; perhaps loving non-believers might come easily for some. There are those of you who might find loving yourself to be the hardest challenge because of issues from your past. Regardless of what comes easily or not, the LORD stated specifically that we have a responsibility to love those around us. I Corinthians 13:13 states:
13And now abide faith, hope, love these three; but the greatest of these is love. NKJV
Jesus emphasized that love is the single most important commandment we have to fulfill. As you accept Christ in your heart, your focus will change from self to a true desire to help and love others; regardless of their creed, color, religious beliefs, circumstances, personal situations or appearances. Jesus commanded us to just love them as they are and HE will do the rest.
As the LORD continues to touch your heart, this affection will become more genuine and will be used to glorify His Kingdom. This outpouring of love will be an experience like never before and a true sense of love for the unsaved will blossom. If properly fed through the Word, prayer and fasting, this love will produce unbelievable fruit which will magnify and exalt Him and glorify His kingdom. In your daily devotions, ask the LORD to provide a deep abiding love for the unlovable, lifting up those by name that you have difficulty dealing with or those that need His special touch. Pray that the scales fall away for the eyes of non-believers and that a specific person will cross your path that you may witness to, perhaps through word, action or deed.
Always remember: Christ wants us to love the sinner, not the sin and that none of us are sin free. As you seek Him, His love will envelop your heart and you will begin to more Christ like seeing the hurting and loving them rather than judging them just as He intended it to be.
Let's all practice the art of loving one another, not just this month of February where we express love to one another on a designated holiday known as Valentine's Day. We have a formal commission or obligation to accomplish the final commandment to love everyone every day.
Prayer for the Fruit of Spirit - Love:
"Heavenly Father, thank You for the love and forgiveness that You so graciously provide to me on a daily basis. Thank you for Your continued blessings and compassion. I exalt You and worship You as my God and my Savior. LORD, today I ask that You provide me with the Fruit of the Spirit known as Love. Teach me and allow me to develop true compassion for my fellow man, . I willingly choose to worship You and wish to align myself with Your commandments. LORD, prune me so that I may bear plentiful fruit that is pleasing and acceptable to You. Change my heart so that I may be an overflowing vessel of Your love and I will give You all the praise and the glory! Precious LORD, thank You for hearing my prayer. I love and adore You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."
Inspired by Our Lord and Creator
Written by: Donna Zappala
Fruit of the Spirit: Self Control
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Wow! Sounds so easy when we read it on paper doesn’t it? I mean when you take away the everyday circumstances of life that antagonize us beyond measure, and cause us to lose all self control, it seems like a pretty easy task to maintain all self control and exemplify all the correct behaviors of a Christ-like attitude.
But it is truly when we are tested most often by those we are closest to we seem let go of our religion and let it fly. LOL!!!
One thing in particular has always helped me was something my mom taught me as a young girl.
I truly didn’t embrace it or even understand it then but now it’s a truth that I cling to daily to help me truly walk in the spirit and exemplify His spiritual fruits in my life.
She always told me, you are not responsible for what others do to you but you will always be responsible for you own actions. What she was truly saying is that no one can make us sin…isn’t it true that when we mess up we always look for something or someone to blame. We excuse our behavior as a normal reaction to how we have been treated or mistreated.
Circumstances certainly have a bearing on our reactions, but the liberating concept is that “You will not have to give account to God for what someone else does to you , but you will be held accountable for how you respond."
I wish had had gotten this truth faster and sooner and easier, but the Lord has his way of teaching us all these valuable lessons. And through the years I have come to see how important this principle is because throughout our lives there will always be people and circumstances that try to bring out the worst in our character, but at the end of the day we have to leave it to God Himself to right the wrong of others. But our responsibility is is to respond in faith and obedience to His Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
That’s what He will hold us accountable for…that means our responses don’t have to be controlled by the situation around us. We may be surrounded with ungodliness, we may have ungodly parents, an unloving or ungodly husband, we may have children who thrive on disobeying us daily and fight back in resentment and lash out at us in rebellion or hurt.
This is the real world many of you are living in today and you say huh!! Walk in the spirit!!
I am pushed to my very limit on a daily basis, how can I show the true fruits of my heavenly Father in the middle of chaos?!?
Yes, all of these things we face on a daily basis affects our humanity and launches us into a display of fleshly reaction,
But can I tell you today that by God’s grace you can respond in love and humility to the circumstances in your life that hurl you out of control.
Walking in the Spirit is truly not as simple as we read it in this article, but with a little effort and dedication from you, you can overcome these temptations.
First we must learn how to walk in the spirit from examples of those who had to demonstrate it the most…Jesus himself learned to overcome his flesh by fasting and praying and remember when the devil came to tempt Him He quoted the Word for Jesus understood there was Power in The Word.
Secondly, council your heart with this truth: I may not be able to change or control people or circumstances around me but I do have a choice about how I will respond and my own behavior to others.
As you accept responsibility for your own actions and reactions you will learn to love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, as you depend on the Spirit of God and His love in us.
Then we can truly say it is not I, but Christ in me.
One of my prayers that I pray every day is Lord, make me one with you, help me to take on the mind of Christ, to see as you see and to know as you know, Lord help me to others the way you see them.
John 15
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Love and Joy Perfected
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
Jesus teaches us to seek to be one with Him. He has promised us to be over comers and challenged us to bear fruit. As we look inward together today let us abound in the realization that we can maintain responsibility for our actions in every circumstance and let us cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in our lives by applying these principles daily to our heart.
It is a journey but we can do it together!
Message By: Pamela Dickerson
Tremendous Thoughts by Trivie:
(Singing) Oh when I think of the goodness of Jesus…..and all He’s done for me. My soul cries out HALLELUJAH! I thank God for saving me!
I remember hearing those words when I was little. I would roll my eyes under the misconception of its use. It was my belief then that it was something Baptist preachers said when their sermon was going sour or they wanted people to dance in the spirit. I was around six or seven.
It wasn’t until I got older and had a few tests of my own that I understood and had to repent! How much of a relief it is to dance before God in a spirit of freedom. Wigs would fly, slips would fall, and tears would flow. No one cared! You would gather that woman’s things, sit her on the pew, and fan her.
So many times we can forget that God brought us from somewhere.
Another’s cross might be easier to bear. That’s exactly why God did not give it to you. You needed another kind of challenge. The same hands that you use to point down at someone can also be used to lift that person up.
Those words hold so dear to my heart now. I don’t have to think very hard before a shower of power flows over me. My own tests are not the only ones that I get this wonderful feeling from. I can look over the lives of others and get caught up in the goodness of God. I can stand on the mountain top or watch a sunset and get overwhelmed by his wonderful works.
And when my soul cries out HALLELUJAH, it is about the only thing I can do to keep from bursting. If you can’t rejoice for yourself, find someone to uplift, and praise God for His saving grace. I’m sure that if you think hard enough you will be able to find something though.
Be Blessed!
Trivie Brock
Love Them All by Donna Zappala
As I close my eyes and whisper a prayer,
I find You Lord, awaiting there,
What words do You need for me to hear?
Tarrying until Your presence is near.
Your grace and mercy I do not deserve,
But as Your child, I’m committed to serve,
Who should I help? Please help me to see,
There so much more to life than “me”.
Those who are hopeless and feeling forlorn,
The sick, the saddened, the tattered and torn,
Please cross my path with someone tomorrow,
Who needs You to lift them from their sorrow.
Hurting or sad, perhaps lost and broken,
Provide the right words that need to be spoken,
Let me see them through Your eyes of grace,
And hold them close as tears cover their face.
As Your words soothe and Your peace enters in,
Grant them strength to turn from their sin,
Let this change start by answering Your call,
And show me Lord how to love them all.
