Valley Ministries Purpose ... Love God ... Love Others

 We read in Mark 5:25-34 about the woman with the issue of blood and how she spent her time, money, and life going all the way to receive the healing she wanted. We know that she touched the hem of the garment of Jesus and she was healed. But the journey to Jesus was not easy. It took all she had to find the wholeness in Jesus. I note here; this woman was willing to do whatever it took to receive, and she put her faith in Jesus.   
 
I wonder if we would be willing to go this far to receive healing for our Mind, Body, and Spirit. We say we want it; but saying it and receiving it are two entirely different things. The real truth comes when we are willing to do more than just say we want wholeness for our mind, body, and soul.
 
We may complain that we have to work or there is a struggle to get things done; but then we don’t use our time wisely. We squander opportunities that could benefit us spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
We may tend to blame others for us not being fit, and yet we were the ones that put the donut in our mouths; or we were the ones that stepped away instead of stepping up and unpacking our unhealthy attitudes or feelings.
 
We live in a society that wants and expects quick fixes for the messes we’ve made. Sometimes we reflect the responsibility for our ‘stuff’, our shortcomings onto others instead of working through to wholeness.
I have many times felt desperation and uncomfortable; but that is often what it takes to help me to move and break the cycle (If I allow it to move me in the right direction). The uncomfortable place is where wholeness truly can happen. However; you have to stay with it; press on, and pray up! It is easy at this point to quit, step back, and wonder why we are doing the things we do. Quitting is a spiritual stronghold and must be broken! We can’t allow the negative attitudes toward spiritual renewal and wholeness to stop us from being the whole people of God.
 
Sustaining wholeness in our spiritual lives takes work. When we step up to serve, we can be assured we will be tested. Sadly many people don’t acknowledge the test as such. People tend to struggle because they are not clear about the process of spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is like any other area of our life; it needs our attention and faithfulness. 
 
It takes faithfulness and work to sustain spiritual, emotional and physical wholeness.  We must be willing to work for it to sustain wholeness in our lives. I do believe we are called to live out our lives in wholeness; but you see, it is up to us to do the work in our own lives!
 
Let me suggest some things that can help you:
 
Seeking Spiritual wholeness: attend worship regularly, attend a Care group regularly, bible study, devote time for daily prayer and meditation. In all things I am reminded to keep God in the center.
 
Seeking Emotional wholeness: Read scriptures like Philippians 2:8-9 and then apply it to your life. Seek outside help like a counselor, mentors, support groups, AA, Grief group, etc. Meet with people who you respect for honest input and spiritual direction.
 
Seeking Physical wholeness: Take a walk instead of sitting and watch TV. Or, if you watch TV, stand up and do some exercise at every commercial break. When at work get up and move at least 5 minutes every hour. Put good food in your body like fruits and vegetables instead of chips and cookies.
 
Keeping these in balance will lead to a whole and healthy life! Yes, it takes work but so does living unhealthy because we pay with negative attitudes, poor health, and a broken spirit. I believe God is trying to get our attention by showing us the power of touching the hem of Jesus! With God we can do anything.

Blessings
Rev. Terri

 Homeless backpack needs:

We thank all of you and hope that many blessings are sent your way.

Supplies we ask for to meet our goal each month are:

Deodorant

Toothpaste

Socks (white)

Stamps

Wash cloth/Scrubby

Place your donated items in the box in the entry way. Replacement packs are also available. These are the large clear packs sitting beside the backpacks. No quantity is too small. Many thanks to those who have given of their time and money.

The Message on YouTube 

Our Speakers: Pastor Terri Miller

Service Date: June 16, 2013

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:33-51

"33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth." 34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you." 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. "I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 "Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!" 45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran."

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