Throughout the Bible, God asked people, “What is in your hand?” to show them that he uses the ordinary to do supernatural things.

Do you want God to do extraordinary things through you?

What ordinary things do you have in your hand today that He can use?

 
At the monthly Culpeper County Minsterial Association meeting on Tuesday November 15, Rev. Liz Danielsen shared a powerful devotional titled “What is in your hand?”

My spirit was stirred so much by that message that I asked Chaplain Liz to record her message later in the week to be able to create a video to share with the world. You are now a beneficiary of that obedience.

Rev. Liz Danielsen is a nationally endorsed healthcare chaplain. I knew Chaplain Liz when she was the former chaplain of Culpeper Regional Hospital in Virginia where I used to work.

She is the Founder and Director of Spiritual Care Support Ministries (SCSM), which provides support and education to those who are sick, grieving, experiencing personal losses, and those who journey with them. The ministry of SCSM is expanding.

In her devotional, Chaplain Liz shares a short, but important message about how God uses ordinary things and people to accomplish His extraordinary purpose.

Throughout the Bible, God asked people, “What is in your hand?” to show them that he uses the ordinary to do supernatural things.

Do you want God to do extraordinary things through you?

What ordinary things do you have in your hand today that He can use?

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Exodus 4:1-17 (NIV)

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. The LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.

Then the LORD said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. “This,” said the LORD, “is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”

Then the LORD said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous; it had become as white as snow. “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.

Then the LORD said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.”

Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

But Moses said, “Oh, Lord. Please send someone else to do.” Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you.

You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth and I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.

“But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

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God took Moses’ staff and with it led the Israelites through the Red Sea and the wilderness?

Throughout the Bible, God asked people, “What is in your hand?” to show them that he uses the ordinary to do supernatural things.

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1 Kings 17:10-12 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” So she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”

1 Kings 17:13-15 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. “For thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.’” So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.

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1 Samuel 17:48-49 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

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Do you want God to do extraordinary things through you?
What ordinary things do you have in your hand today that He can use?

Blessings to release what is in your hand?

Joseph

Joseph Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
THE CONNECTOR and The Journal Guy
Breakthrough Life Coach
Creative Marketing and Communication Specialist

 
If angels walk among us, Gladys Williams is one of them.

The longtime director of the Culpeper Senior Nutrition Center earned the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce’s highest honor at its 97th Annual Meeting and Banquet Thursday night.

Williams is the 2011 recipient of the L.B. Henretty Memorial Outstanding Citizen Award.

Dressed in a denim vest and sneakers, the always youthful, always smiling community servant wiped her eyes as she approached the stage at Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center.

“Johnny and I are not usually at a loss for words,” said Williams of her partner in accepting the award before hundreds of community leaders. “All I can say is thank you so much, and I truly appreciate it.”

For nearly 30 years, she has dedicated her life to serving local seniors at the nutrition site, a program of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board. Williams loves everybody and lets them know it. But she also shows it. Williams volunteers at church and with the Salem Ruritan Club, and has been described by her seniors as, “One in a million.” To be around Williams is akin to sitting in a ray of sunshine.

A few years ago, Culpeper County Government named Williams among its honorary Culpeper Colonels and she’s also won the town’s Spirit Award.

Last year’s L.B. Henretty Award winner, Chuck Gyory, in his introduction, bestowed another honorary designation upon her.

“She’s been rightly called Culpeper’s Mother Teresa,” he said. “She has worked tirelessly to support nutritional health and the mental and physical well-being of local seniors.”

Gyory said Williams was the perfect example of what the award was all about: Service and assistance to individuals or groups.

“The primary consideration should be effectiveness of service and leadership,” he said.

Williams received a standing ovation as she got up from her chair in the back of the large room to accept the acknowledgement.

Earlier in the evening, the chamber welcomed its 2012 chairperson, Raven Yates. A Culpeper native and lifelong resident, Yates said she was humbled and honored to serve in the role, helping to lead a chamber of commerce that’s been around for 97 years and now has 520 members.

She encouraged those in attendance to take business matters into their own hands.

“We are the economy,” Yates said. “We need to stop waiting for the economy to turn. We need to turn our economy.”

That happens locally through partnerships, organized programs and support, all of which was evident at Thursday’s chamber event.

2011 Culpeper Chamber of Commerce award winners

• Gladys Williams: L.B. Henretty Memorial Outstanding Citizen Award
• Business of the Year: Integrity Automotive, 902 S. Main St.
• Nonprofit of the Year: Piedmont United Way, 118 E. Piedmont St.
• Small Business Person of the Year: Chris Pearson of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., 1100 Sunset Lane
• Most Improved Business Location: The Copper Fish, 140 E. Davis St.
• Young Professional of the Year: Jonathan Krawchuk, Culpeper Media Network, 105 N. Main St.

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Source: Culpeper’s Mother Teresa, Culpeper Star Exponent
By: Allison Brophy Champion
Published: November 18, 2011

Dear Friends,

Greetings & blessings to you in the Name of Jesus Christ,

Please accept our invitation for fellowship as we celebrate another year of God’s grace and mercy among His body of Christ here in our region. Please take a moment to consider attending this special luncheon and bringing along a number of your guests from your church/ministry circles. Please RSVP to our CCMA organizer, Nancy Sharman 718-1086 or e/mail nancyndp@verizon.net.

ANNUAL MINISTERIAL THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON

• For Whom: Pastors, Lay ministers, and their invited guests
• What/Why: Annual gathering for thanksgiving fellowship.
• Special program: Rev. Pierre Bynum, Chaplain and National Prayer Director for the Family Research Council
• Where: Culpeper Best Western, Peppers Grill
• When: 11:30 – 1 PM
• Cost: $12.00 (includes tax and tip)

Please come!

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Jeff

Jeffrey D. Light

Culpeper County Ministerial Association President 2010-2011

Pastor, Novum Baptist Church
1629 Novum Church Rd
Reva, VA 22735

8:00-8:30 am – Gathering & Prayer – Meditation music provided by Brother Gene Foret

8:30 am

Welcome, Acknowledgement of Guests – Jacob Phillips, Presiding

Devotional, Liz Danielsen (What Is In Your Hand)

Program of Discussion

CCMA ANNUAL CULPEPER THANKSGIVING SERVICE – UPDATE

CCMA Annual Culpeper Thanksgiving Luncheon

• For Whom: Pastors, Lay ministers, and their invited guests
• What/Why: Annual gathering for thanksgiving fellowship.
• Special program: Rev. Pierre Bynum, Chaplain and National Prayer Director for the Family Research Council
• Where: Culpeper Best Western, Peppers Grill
• When: 11:30 – 1 pm
• Cost: $12.00 (includes tax and tip)
• Please RSVP to Nancy Sharman (540) 718-1086 or e/mail nancyndp@verizon.net

CCMA Annual Thanksgiving Service

• For Whom: All Culpeper Citizens
• What/Why: Annual gathering for thanksgiving Worship
• Special program: Rear Admiral Barry C. Black (Ret), 62nd Chaplain, United States Senate
• Where: Culpeper Baptist Church
• When: 7:00 PM (arrive at 6:30 for a time of fellowship in advance)

Special Features:

• The Harbor Lights family gospel singing group
• The Junior Marine Corps Reserve Officer Training Corps From Eastern View High School will post the colors
• Time of fellowship afterwards in the Culpeper Baptist Church fellowship hall, co-hosted by CCMA churches

Doug Schiffman, Coordinator, Protective Money Management Program of the Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services Board (RRCSB), (301) 370-4210 (cell) DSchiffman@rrcsb.org, www.rrcsb.org (PMMP)

Juanita Whitesell, Synopsis of Financial Peace Program (www.daveramsey.com), (540) 825-0277 jimnitaw@comcast.net

Nominating Committee Submission of 2012-2013 Slate of Officers and Committees

Brief Announcements and program updates; Benevolent Needs updates

This year Rear Admiral United States Navy (Ret.) Barry C. Black, the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate, is paying a visit to Culpeper to deliver the message at the Annual Community Thanksgiving Service being held at Culpeper Baptist Church Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.

US Senate Chaplain Barry Black feature

 
This year’s annual Community Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Culpeper Ministerial Association, is an invitation for all citizens in and around Culpeper to join together, thanking God for everyday blessings that are evident all around us.

This year Rear Admiral United States Navy (Ret.) Barry C. Black. Black, the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate, is paying a visit to Culpeper to deliver the message at the Annual Community Thanksgiving Service being held at Culpeper Baptist Church Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.

Black, who served as Chaplain for the U.S. Navy for 27 years, is the first black man to hold the office of Chaplain for the U.S. Senate. His message, titled “The Habit of Thanksgiving”, is the meat of the community service.

“The thought I want to leave people with is that we should strive to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving,” Black said.

Raised in a poor Baltimore neighborhood, Black grew up with a strong faith. In a recent interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News, Black recalls how his mother gave him and his siblings five cents for each verse of scripture they could recite. It didn’t take long before he memorized the whole book of Genesis.

Opening the Senate with prayer every day, Black runs four Bible studies and is a pastor to Senators, staff and families, a group encompassing 7,000 people. He doesn’t take his responsibilities lightly, saying in his Fox interview that, “I never walk into this building [U.S. Capitol] without a sense of wonder and without a sense that this was my destiny.”

Nancy Sharman, organizer of this year’s service, said Black is amazing. “His voice and articulation – he’s mesmerizing. To get him out of Washington is awesome; you don’t get him out of Washington,” she said.

“A guest speaker, such as Black, really highlights the importance of Thanksgiving to our Nation,” said Wayne Duncan who is assisting with the plans for this year’s service.

Elected officials will be in attendance, “as we are saying thank you to our public officials and honoring them,” said Duncan.

“This isn’t about us,” said Sharman. “It’s about the community. It’s our invitation to come together.”

Harbor Lights is providing music throughout the service. The Hochstetler family, residing in Madison County, comprises the a cappella group of nine. Junior Marine Corps ROTC, from EVHS, will be presenting and retiring the colors for the service.

With a focus of encouraging folks of all denominations to come together for Thanksgiving, this community service provides that opportunity.

“People should seize the opportunity to come together to give thanks. It can produce greater unity,” said Black of Culpeper’s Thanksgiving service.

Amy Wagner covers church news for the Star Exponent. Have a story idea? E-mail her at recopps2002@comcast.net

Want to Go?

What: Annual Community Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Culpeper Ministerial Association

When: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Where: Culpeper Baptist Church, 318 South West Street

For more information, contact Nancy Sharman at nancyndp@verizon.net or 540.547.3012

ii. Bishop Harry Jackson, Washington, DC http://www.thehopeconnection.org/index.php/understand-hope/senior-pastor/

iii. Rev. Stephen P. Burke, Temple, Texas www.thelordwillprovide.org

iv. Others

Explanation:

I believe this to be a special time for the people of God in this region. God is once again graciously on the initiative to stir His people back to Himself; To Himself that they would be One in Christ, ready and willing for His purposes NOW and TOMORROW. “Wake up, Be Ready, Walk United”

This is the result of the prayers of many over the past several years. Hearts impassioned for unity and integrity, coining such phases and names as: ‘Pray Culpeper’; ‘One Culpeper’; ‘Culpeper Revival’; corporate prayer activities (e.g., NDP, GDOP, Lenten, Thanksgiving service), Billy Graham Crusade and more – the prayers and heart cries of the churches for God’s will to be done here now.

This is not about a conference – not about another activity. Indeed – God has begun this work we are merely attempting to catch up and get in step. We sense God has been sending forth waves of such initiatives and this is the latest of His wake up call to His people. The times are critical: NOW. Ad this will provide training for the faithful should the Lord permit us to serve Him TOMORROW. The call: Being Prepared for the Kingdom work Today. Change is coming. The season of special grace may well be over.

Issues within the Body of Christ:

· We have forgotten who we were and who we are in Christ

· There is severe decay/we have permitted deep encroachment of the enemy

o Weak in areas of:

§ Unity of the Body of Christ

§ Integrity of the Body of Christ

§ Basic Relationships affecting the health of the Body of Christ: Marriages, Child/parent/other

God seems to have chosen the 2011 10th Anniversary of the Terrorist attacks to rally His people to (a) unity and to (b) connect in preparedness (ministry expo):

o September 9-11 Conference & Ministry Expo (See details below)

§ Unity in Christ – Worship & Prayer & Action

§ Preparedness – Motivational Preaching/Teaching

§ Preparedness – Practical Ministry Networking

§ Preparedness – Practical Ministry Breakout/Teaching

1. WORSHIP & PRAYER – We will worship as one; we will pray as one – intentional leadership teams and special participants are being formed to catalyze corporate worship and Prayer through unified teams (representation across the Body). Folks are being directed to sign up for this at www.walkunitedinchrist.org – a dedicated website for this conference.

2. MOTIVATIONAL PREACHING AND TEACHING – God is selecting and bringing His special speakers to Culpeper. We don’t understand it all as of yet (and not too proud to admit it)J – But as of now, we are so blessed to know the special speakers listed above have committed to come and be used by God. Thanks to much Tom, Harry, and Steve.

3. “Practical Ministry Expo” – Booths/tables of local ministries relevant to the conference theme and our regional body of Christ, sharing information, resulting in synergy and increased awareness and collaboration. Getting the word out over the three day period – For examples, but not limited to the following list. Folks with ideas/a desire to include a practical Christian ministry are invited to register the ministry for the expo at www.walkunitedinchrist.org:

a) In Support of Disaster Relief/Preparedness

i. Christ In Action

ii. Crisis Relief International

iii. Culpeper Emergency Services Association

iv. Culpeper Regional Hospital

v. Other

b) In Support of Healthy Families

i. Adoption

ii. Foster Care

iii. Children’s Bible Ministries

iv. Young Life

v. Gideon’s

vi. Pregnancy Centers of Central VA

vii. Marriage Matters

viii. Spiritual Care Support Ministries

ix. Senior Citizen groups (Aging Together; etc…)

x. Jail Ministry – Chaplaincy/re-entry

xi. Parenting Education

xii. Other

c) In Support of Regional Communication

i. WPRZ 88.1 FM Praise Radio

ii. Virginia Living Television

iii. Culpeper Times Exponent

iv. Cable Channel 21

v. Other

d) In Support of Benevolence

i. Culpeper Social Services

ii. Piedmont United Way – First Call For Help

iii. Helping Hands Ministry

iv. OMEGA Partnership

v. Warming Shelter

vi. Food Closet

vii. Christian Service Project Organizations:

a. Habitat for Humanity

b. “Kelsey’s Big Give”

c. Impact Virginia

viii. Other

4. “PRACTICAL MINISTRY BREAKOUT SESSIONS” – The conference will feature practical breakout sessions (+/- 90 minute) for the Body of Christ to learn/become informed of special activities of the Lord in our region. These will be added as the Lord leads. Tailored as the Lord leads (some will be panel discussions, some will be round table, etc..). Those breakouts known to be planned at this time as listed below. Folks with ideas/a desire to lead a breakout session are invited to register the session at www.walkunitedinchrist.org:

o The Art of The Healthy Marriage – Dwayne & Julie Higdon

o The Art of Christian Worship – Stacey March, Tabatha Haines, David Wheatley

o The Art of Christian Prayer – The Culpeper Prayer Room, Pastor Adam Meisberger

o Women’s Ministry Focus – Rev. Nancy Sharman

o Men’s Ministry Focus -

o Youth Ministry Focus

o Children’s Ministry Focus

o God’s Word for Peace & Justice

o Adoption, Foster Care, Healthy Pregnancies

o Called To Serve (a series of breakouts by special interest/areas of passion to serve)

§ Information Services (Web Design, data bases etc)

§ Construction Services (Carpentry, Plumbing, HVAC, etc..)(e.g., “Habitat for Humanity”)

§ Community Benevolence beyond the net (Omega Partnership)

Hospice of the Rapidan will offer free workshops for people who are grieving the loss of a family member, loved one or close friend this holiday season. The holidays can be especially difficult when dealing with the loss of a loved one. The program offers participants the opportunity to discuss their feelings, concerns, and questions with others who are going through similar experiences and to get assistance from Hospice of the Rapidan’s grief support team. All members of the public are welcome.

Four workshops will be offered, two in Warrenton and two in Culpeper. The Warrenton workshops will be held on Thursday, November 18th and Thursday, December 9th from 2:00 to 3:30 pm at the Warrenton-Fauquier County Visitor Center, 33N Calhoun Street. Workshops will be held on Tuesday, November 23rd and Tuesday, December 14th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Hospice of the Rapidan’s office, 1200 Sunset Lane, Suite 2320, Culpeper.

Pre-registration is appreciated but not necessary. For more information or to pre-register contact Craig Wilt at 540-825-4840 or cwilt@hotr.org, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Hospice of the Rapidan is a licensed, Medicare certified, nonprofit community hospice that provides compassionate and dignified end-of-life care to terminally ill patients and their families in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock and surrounding counties.

It offers high quality medical care and emotional, practical, social and spiritual support for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less as well as caregiver and grief support for their loved ones regardless of ability to pay. Hospice of the Rapidan cares for most patients in the comfort of their own home, but also provides care in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals. To learn more about hospice, grief support, or becoming a volunteer call Hospice of the Rapidan at 540-825-4840 or visit www.hotr.org.

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