This week all the Rothschild's have been under the weather and, speaking of weather, we are also frozen under almost two inches of ice! So, I decided to grab something I wrote this summer when Sudafed wasn't coursing through my brain! Its posted on my Self Talk Soul Talk book blog... and I hope it will encourage you in the way you talk to yourself and others.

Philosopher Benedict Spinoza observed, "Experience more than sufficiently teaches that men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues." It doesn't take a philosopher to know that! Most people readily admit how hard it is to control that tiny muscle.

Oh, the power of our words! Our tongues must be governed so they won't destroy us. Even the unspoken words you speak to yourself can bring life or death, growth or starvation, prosperity or poverty. The Psalmist lamented the sad fact that hearts filled with destruction will produce destructive words. He wrote of tongues speaking deceit from throats that were like open graves.

There is a definite and undeniable link between the soil of our hearts and the words that blossom from our lips. That's why we need God to cultivate the soil of our hearts. We need truth planted deep within. The words we say (even silently to ourselves) are the direct result of the thoughts we think and the emotions we feel. Our hearts are like a fertile garden that sprouts the unseen seeds planted there. Unproductive and destructive self talk is like a weed that chokes the life out of us. Remember, a weed won't grow in a garden where it can't take root. So plant some truth within your heart where it will spring up and overflow!

Here's some truth to plant within your heart:

I am a new creation. (II Cor. 5:17)

I am forgiven. (Eph. 1:6-8)

I am gifted with power, love and a sound mind. (I Tim. 1:7)

I am chosen for success. (Jn. 15:16)

I am complete. (Col. 2:9-10)

I am secure. (Rom. 8:31-39)

I am confident. (Phil. 1:6)

I am free. (Rom. 6:18; 8:1)

I am capable. (Phil 4:13)

I am spiritually alive. (Eph. 2:5)

I am God's workmanship. (Eph. 2:10)

I am welcome in God's presence. (Eph. 2:18; Heb. 4:14-16)

I am sheltered and protected in God. (Col. 3:3)

I am valuable to God. (I Cor. 6:20)

I am a member of God's family. (I Jn. 3:1-2; Eph. 2:19)

I am God's treasure. (I Pet. 2:9-10)

I am dearly loved. (Col. 3:12)

I am being transformed. (II Cor. 3:18)

I am an heir of God. (Rom. 8:17)

I am a friend of God. (Jn. 15:15)

I am given spiritual blessings. (Eph. 1:3)

I am God's delight. (Zeph. 3:17)

I am invited to confidently draw near to God. (Eph. 3:12)

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET

The best information we receive about the nuts and bolts of Women's Ministry is when we hear what you all are doing "in the trenches." Our weekly poll is your opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge with all of our subscribers!

Each week we ask a question, and share a link for you to post your answers. The following week we provide a link where you can see the results of the question, along with a new question. It takes just a minute, and your input is immediately added.

This week's question is:

Does your ministry include an opportunity for women to mentor other women?

Answer the question HERE.

Here are the results from the last three polls.

What is the primary goal behind the special events you do for your women?

• Relationship Building - 87%
• Spiritual Development - 69%
• Reaching the Community - 53%
• Fun Night Out - 43%
• Provide Opportunity to Get Involved - 39%
• Traditional Events - 26%
• Seasonal/Holiday Events - 25%

What kinds of classes do you offer for women in the summer?

• 12-week Bible studies - 10%
• Shorter Bible studies - 45%
• Book clubs - 19%
• Devotional series - 7%
• Topical workshops - 15%
• No classes in the summer - 31%

20% of you engage your women in other activities that ranged from weekly picnics in a local park to a summer retreat. Overall, it looks like summer is a difficult time to engage women; creativity with a healthy dose of relaxation is likely the best answer.

How many women are on your leadership team?

• Church size: 0 to 100 - Average # team: 4
• Church size: 101 to 300 - Average # team: 6
• Church size: 301 to 1500 - Average # team: 6
• Church size: 501 to 1000 - Average # team:8
• Church size: 1001 to 5000 - Average # team: 10+
• Church size: 5000+ - Average # team: 6

Following the Shepherd. Impacting the world... one life at a time! This Christ-centered mentoring program by Edwina Patterson will give the women of your church concrete, practical examples of ways to apply God's Truth to their daily lives. Click here for information.

Book your 2008-2009 event today! Catch Bridget this Spring - Tampa, FL; Elkin, North Carolina; Kenosha, WI; Springfield, MO; Tokyo, Japan. Listen to her new cd "The River" at bridgettaylor.com.

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This idea was sent in by Robin who lives in Bangkok, Thailand. Their women's ministry is called Encouraging Women (E.W.) and is attended primarily by English-speaking expats.

For this event we set up our room with a camping scene on stage including tents, sleeping bags, fake campfire, camping gear, etc.

We performed a camping skit and sang a hilarious camp song. (We rewrote the words to the song "Hello Mudder, Hello Fadder" to fit our situation.) We also had a marshmallow-guessing game with prize and gave out mini flashlights, tick pencils and journals.

WM.NET Note: You can even take this idea a step further with a "faux" camp sleepover. Have the women bring sleeping bags (air mattresses too) and create a camp atmosphere with t-shirts, counselors (small group leaders), silly games, food served on trays, etc.

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.

Obviously, because you are receiving this eNewsletter, you are signed up for the Jennifer's "weekly" WomensMinistry.NET eNewsletter. However, if you want to get up close, and personal with Jennifer, just click on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email, and select the Java with Jennifer interest group when asked to update your profile.

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Here's what some of our recent Ad Sponsors are saying:

"We have never been disappointed in how advertising in the WomensMinistry.NET newsletter has put us in touch with women of prayer all across the world. Thank you, Phil and Jennifer, for this AWESOME newsletter. The MDOP ministry will be forever blessed because of it." Kathy Coleman, Founder, Mom's Days of Prayer

Last week we asked you to brainstorm with us and come up with some ideas for Carol's new hobby/crafting evening ministry for women. We had a great response and here are some of our favorites.

Snip, Snack & Chat
Collective Creations
Crafting Sisters
Crafty Ladies Kickin' Back
Hallelujah Hobbies
Heavenly Hobbyists
Artistic Angels
Craft Connection
Godly Gals Get-together
Sew & Sow
Crafty Queens
Queens of Craft
Creative women (CW)
(CPR) Cultivators, Planters, & Reapers
Happy Scrappers
Women's Patch Workers (WPW)
Fruitful Crafters
Ladies of LOT (Little of This, Little of That)
TOFFEE Club (Time Out For Friends Enjoying Each Other)
Sit, Chat, Finish That
Finish Your Project (FYP)
Crafty Characters for Christ
Christian Crafters for Christ
Crafty Chicks ( will it be males too?)
UFO - Unfinished Object Night
TFY Nite (Time For You Nite)
TSP (Talk, Snack, Project)

There are amazing ideas and great giggles there ... Thanks for sending in your ideas ladies!

In Him... Robyne Beaubien, Editor
P.S. Have I told you lately how creative you are?!

Our popular WomensMinistry.NET Directory of Speaker, Authors, and other Gifted Communicators is where Women's Ministry leaders and event planners find great speakers for their events. Also, Silver and Gold Listings receive special pricing on eNewsletter Sponsor Ads.

From one tool to another, I thank you from the very depths of my heart for your wonderful article, "Tool Talk." It was amazing timing on God's part as I am sitting in a hotel room right this very minute. This weekend, I am one of two speakers at a conference in North Carolina. By the way, they found me through womensministry.net and flew me in from California. May God continue to use and bless your fabulous ministry! ~ Dori Drabek

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