Benjamin Franklin once said: “He who can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.” Do you know why he compares the ability to rest with world domination? Because both require discipline. We must discipline ourselves to rest... emotionally, mentally, and physically.

We set ourselves up for failure and tread the dangerous path leading to burn out when we don’t take time for rest. Researchers define burnout as: “A state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by long term involvement in emotionally demanding situations.” (Ayala Pines & Elliott Aronson) We are all involved in emotionally demanding situations. For some of us, it’s our ministries or jobs. For others of us, it’s family responsibilities. For some, it might be all of the above!

Burn out doesn’t occur just because your life has demands that you resent or dread. Oh no, even good things you enjoy can be emotionally demanding. If those emotional demands last a long time though, without a rest now and then, burn out is inevitable.

When we are burnt out and worn out, we are subject to attack. That’s what happened to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 25:17,18. The entire nation of Israel learned about the high price of exhaustion while they were on their exodus from Egypt. Talk about emotionally and physically exhausted! God said to Moses, “Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind...”(Deut. 25:17-18)

Who were the ones that were lagging behind? They were the ones who were feeble, tired and worn out... the ones who desperately needed rest!!

This enemy didn’t go for the strong ones or the ones up front, marching forth in victory and confidence. No, this enemy, like the enemy of our souls, went for the weary, the stragglers, those who were tired and barely hanging on.

When we allow ourselves to be physically and emotionally spent and worn, we become susceptible to the enemy’s attack. We become an easy target, a sitting duck. Our enemy attacks us with despair, depression, illness and myriad other maladies... all results of a fatigued soul and body.

When we discipline ourselves to rest though, we protect ourselves from the enemies of fatigue, burnout and mental fuzziness.

Rest is not only what our bodies need. Our souls need rest also. Our wills need it; our minds need it and our emotions need it too. But sometimes the silent signals of exhaustion of our souls aren’t heard as easily as the signals that alarm when we need physical rest. Our minds must receive rest. Our wills must experience rest. Our emotions must engage in rest.

Like the psalmist said, “Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother; my soul is like a weaned child within me.” (Ps 131:2) That kind of rest is a decision. It’s a choice for our wills to cease from striving, for our minds to quiet the noise of thought and for our emotions to de-tangle the knotted feelings.

Take a few minutes today and determine if your soul or body needs rest-if you immediately think “I don’t have time,” then you are the one to whom I am writing... you need rest! Is it your mind that needs a break? Is it your emotions that need a holiday? Is it your body that needs a nap?!

My friend, protect yourself from the enemy by disciplining yourself to rest.

“Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.” Ps. 116:7

Getting to know the women in a small group or Bible study is part of growing together. Try this fun activity to spend a little time laughing and learning together.

Objectives: sharing and laughing

Materials: pen & paper

Procedure: Hand every person a small piece of paper and a pen, if needed. Instruct them to write something about themselves that no one else knows. When they are done, have them wad up paper and through it in the middle of the floor or fold the paper and put it in a basket . The leader opens one slip of paper at a time and reads it out loud. Everyone then votes on who they think wrote the paper.

There are no prizes, but lots of laughs as you learn about the girls in your group.

Submitted by: Rebecca, East Peoria, IL
Email: bythe12@sbcglobal.net

Jennifer Rothschild will make a guest appearance on LIFE Today in Euless, Texas, Tuesday, March 13th at 7 pm.... and you are invited to be in the studio audience! Tickets are free, but you must reserve your seat. To do that, call 817-354-3655 or e-mail audience@loi.org .

WomensMinistry.Net has a brand new bookstore featuring all types of books and resources for Women's Ministry. Check it out today!

Take a minute to revisit last week's sponsor...

• Bridget Taylor's "I Choose Joy" Women's Conference
• Mom's Day of Prayer

Someone submitted this theme without their name and as soon as I, Robyne, read it, ideas began jumping around in my head. It is a fun idea for a theme and I thought it would be interesting to see how some of you creative girls would develop it...

So, below is the theme, scripture reference, and decorating ideas. Put together a few ideas telling how you would take this theme and turn it into an event. Would you make it a Ladies Night Out, a retreat, or other event? How would you expand on it to fit the type of event? What other great ideas does it stimulate?

Let me hear from you! Next week we will post some of the responses.

Theme Idea: In Step With the Spirit
Scripture Reference: Gal 5:25
Description/decor: Shoe theme in hot pick, lime green, black & white

Java with Jennifer is an informal monthly ministry update specifically for friends who want to keep up-to-date on what is happening with Jennifer Rothschild's ministry of writing, speaking, and singing.

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This ministry focuses on the widows of our church.

We invited all the widows in our church to a tea and asked if they would be interested in a monthly activity.

We formed our group beginning with 12 widows. We hold monthly meetings with optional dues of $1.00 per month. At the meetings, we have devotions, fun and games or guest speaker and give them a hot meal. The church has given us a small budget, but the leaders of the group are able to finance most of the things on their own and consider it a privilege to do so.

The group has also formed a choral group and do the Sunday Morning music special about once every six weeks.

We also ask what their need they have around the house that we can help with and present these to the appropriate people in the church to take care of them (yard raked or mowed, etc.). The group has grown to about 30 women.

What a blessing!

Submitted by: Lynne Trivett
Church: First Baptist Church of Draper, Eden, NC
Church Size: Below 250

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Encouraged by Jennifer's message to slow down and rest? Here are some books that focus on the Christian disciplines that help us slow down and focus on God.

Fasting: Spiritual Freedom Beyond Our Appetites by Lynne M. Baab

A Quiet Center: A Woman's Guide to Resting in God's Presence by Susan Scott Sutton

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Praying God's Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual Strongholds by Beth Moore

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Don't forget... The Billy Graham Television Special featuring our very own Jennifer Rothschild is airing across the United States and Canada March 3-11, 2007. Watch a preview now or check your local listings here.

In addition to local listings, it will also be broadcast across the nation on Friday, March 9 on the Trinity Broadcast Network at 7 p.m. your time