Women United RHC is once again sponsoring a retreat at Prayer Valley. We know from experience that this is a beautiful facility designed for the restoration of GOD’s saints. Please join us on September 24th and 25th for an exciting time in the LORD. For details please contact Charlene Kirst here on this blog, in person or at 1-608-268-6659.

             Does it sometimes appear as if living a Christian life is an unattainable goal? Are you stymied at the thought of giving up all worldly desire for the cause of Christ? Are you concerned about the everyday provision of food, shelter, and clothing?

In Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV Jesus says: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or, ‘What shall we drink?’ or, ‘What shall we wear?’ (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

             Human beings like to borrow trouble, or at least it can appear that way. We are so caught up with concerns about tomorrow that today does not get full attention. After all, how can you concentrate on the tasks of the day if tomorrow’s tasks are already occupying most of your attention? Why anticipate pain before it appears? Why assume that all will not be well before you have prayed for deliverance?Jesus is continually interceding on our behalf. He knows our needs long before we do. Trust Him to provide.

            Jesus teaches us to give all of our concerns about basic needs of life to Him. He is our Jehovah-Jireh, our provider, the helpful one in time of need. Sometimes we are so busy taking care of these things for Him that we can delay anything happening at all. It is not easy to turn everything over to Jesus, especially when we feel guilty because we do not feel as if we have given enough effort into providing for ourselves. Somehow we feel as if GOD would not be willing to provide for us if we do not first take the physical initiative. The whole key is to ask Him for provision first, then follow His lead through His Holy Spirit to it. This is an entirely different approach, isn’t it? You are not being lazy, you are being faithful.

           When troubles come, learn to lean on the one who died for you. Stop trying to think of every conceivable way that you can make things happen. Let go and let GOD happen.

                                                                                God Bless you, Charlene  

         I realize that it has been a while since I was on this blog. I just got back from the Rockies in Montana with the Worship Team. It was a truly awesome experience. The Holy Spirit washed us all with His love and inspiration, the teaching was God-inspired and gave us food for growth and ministry, and the natural sights were unsurpassed.

The food was wholesome and delicious, and the company was wonderful. Dr. Robert Cornwall, Ian and Rosemary Andrews, Mickey and Barbara Robinson, Jim and Ramona Rickard, Pastor Andy and Trudy plus many other wonderful speakers and ministers of the word inspired us all to be our best for GOD’s Kingdom, and to prepare to usher in revival.

The worship team grew spiritually as a result of this trip, and I pray that all we learned came back for Kingdom use. I thank GOD that we had opportunity to do His work and will.

                                                                                                           Charlene 

Psalm 121 has always been one of my favorites. This is a  Psalm of God’s protection of His people. When I lie down to sleep at night or while working at different times of the day, this Psalm comes to my mind and my heart. It is a Psalm that is meant to be shared. I pray that it blesses your heart as well.

                                                                                                                        Charlene

                                                                    Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon  thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

How can I despair when I read the message of this Psalm. It is a surety to me that GOD is on my side. His unconditional love for me surpasses any love on this earth. That is why I must praise Him. That brings us to another Psalm…

                                                             Psalm 77

I cried out to GOD for help; I cried out to GOD to hear me.

When I was in distress, I sought the LORD. At night I stretched out 

  untiring hands, and my soul refused to be comforted.

I remembered you, O GOD, and I groaned; I mused; and my spirit grew faint.

You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.

I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;

I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit

inquired. Will the LORD reject forever? Will He never show His favor again?

Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time?

Has GOD forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.”  I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your might deeds.

Your ways, O GOD are holy. What GOD is so great as our GOD? You are the GOD who performs miracles; You display your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people. The descendents of  Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw you , O GOD, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.

Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters. Though your footprints were not seen.

You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

This is a Psalm that brings the reality of GOD into my life. I can identify with the Psalmist–for I have also cried out in the night and have had the reassuring presence of GOD’s Holy Spirit comfort me. Life is not guaranteed to be easy and the further you stretch your borders of belief, the harder the struggle and the harder things may appear. As it says in this Psalm–remember the deliverance from trouble granted before, and trust GOD that help is on the way. 

                                                                                                            Charlene

Hi Everyone,

The Healing Conference was very inspirational. There were highlights that were of awesome, God-filled worth that I would like to share with those of you who did not get opportunity to attend the conference teachings. First of all, the two teachers, Dr. Carroll Thompson and Anthony Hulsebus, did a wonderful job of imparting GOD’s healing virtues to those of us in the classes. I will be writing from my own notes in installments,and where there is need of quotation marks to acknowledge a direct quote, they will be provided.

The main focus was “The Father’s Heart”. Please read Isaiah 61: 1-3; The year of the LORD’s favor: ” The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our GOD, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”  NIV

Dr. Thompson spoke of the Year of Jubilee.  Every fifty years debts would be forgiven and land would be returned to its original owner. In the area of sin in our lives we are granted Jubilee each time that GOD pardons our sins and restores the covenant between Himself and us. Our spiritual roots can then go down deep and produce fruit for the LORD’s Kingdom.

Dr. Thompson saw the issue as originating in perception of the Heart of GOD by mankind and the unwillingness to bow our will to His. This root is rebellion against authority and a spirit of lawlessness. This rises out of an independent spirit that cannot release control and cannot give of the heart.

Restoration is rooted in righteousness.

Introduction to Sisterhood  April 23, 2010

Sisterhood: Connecting Women For GOD’s Glory

God created woman. She was beautifully and wonderfully made in His image, and even though subject to the Fall—through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, today’s woman is privileged to inherit into the Kingdom of GOD. Hebrews 9:15 states:”… Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Church women have the capacity as sisters in Christ to unite their hearts and minds together in worship, celebration, service, and encouraging one another. The fruit produced is the Garden of GOD’s Heart, and Jesus makes each flower bloom in its own way in its own time.       

Song of Solomon 2:1 says:“I Am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valleys”. KJV

     What is more beautiful than a fresh, white lily–the rays of the sun striking rainbows on it’s flesh, the sweet dew glinting as diamonds. Jesus as the “Lily of the Valley” gives forth a marvelous fragrance as the source of miracles in our lives. He brings refreshing healing to us in times of crisis, in times of hurt and pain. Does your pain seem prolonged, even endless? Do your prayers seem to go unanswered? Trust in the divine miraculous intervention of the Living GOD! Not only is He willing and able to deliver you, but he will also shower you with fragrant blessings from on High. The lily in the natural world will fade from view–the “Lily of the Valley” will never lose His beauty, or His fragrance, or His heart.

     The miracles of Christ reveal GOD’s work of restoration–delivering and restoring His Creation. Making the blind to see; the lame to walk; the dead to rise is Christ’s way of showing the grace given to us. We are never deserving of the miracles in our lives. These miracles are gifts from above. Let us be thankful that we have a Savior who cares for His Creation enough to die for our many sins. That is the ultimate miracle.

Through Christ, we are given power to raise the dead, to heal, to deliver, and to set the captives free. The church is the bride of Christ and the church is composed of people, not walls. That is why it is so important to bear witness to share with others who are going through experiences that are similar to our own already delivered circumstances. Such is the power in ministry, and, for us assembled here tonight, the power in women’s ministry.

Women’s ministry addresses the desires and needs of our sisters whether they are spiritual, physical, mental, or emotional. As sisters in Christ it is our desire to pray restoration and deliverance into the hearts of those women entrusted to our care. It is through seeking connection to the LORD that we can experience the agape love revealed in Christ that is spiritual, selfless, and a model for us to follow.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men, knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD Christ.” Colossians 3:23 &24

Di Anne Giebler and Christine Stovey are here to share the heart of sisterhood with us tonight. Let us encourage them as they seek to bloom in GOD’s garden.

                                                             Charlene Kirst

The women are truly enjoying the teaching: You Matter More Than You Think by Dr. Leslie Parrott. We have been exploring our roles as women in GOD’S Kingdom by studying women in the scriptures–Ruth, Deborah, Mary, Mary and Martha, Tabitha and others.  We are also studying Paul, Barnabus, and Timothy as additional  examples of servant leaders. The goal is to inspire each other through teaching the WORD to be our best for the Kingdom as women ordained to do the LORD’s service. We will then apply these principles to our lives and the lives of those around us.

The Women United Gift Store is open for business. I have ordered to check out the process and will showing you the item I ordered when it gets in. Feel free to order what you wish.   Charlene

        Once again, Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of our LORD and SAVIOR is here. This is the season of recognizing the sacrifice that Jesus the Christ made for each of us to have access to eternal life. Through intercession, Jesus paid the price for all of ours sins committed and not yet committed. That we are not worthy of such unconditional love has been covered by His blood shed for the remission of sins. We are all loved beyond our own comprehension.

A striking portion of scripture that epitomizes this love is found in John 21: 1-25. Jesus had prepared hot coals and was cooking fish for the disciples as they struggled for a catch. Just as when they had first met, Jesus told them to “throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. When they did, they were unable to haul the net because of the large number of fish”. This was representative of the many “fish” or followers of Christ yet to be caught for the Kingdom of GOD.

As we contemplate the true meaning of Christ’s sacrifice we should focus on the “Great Commission”. First of all, Easter is for everyday and everyone. That the holy day is celebrated once a year does not detract from the fact that Easter’s message applies each day. We are as Christians to fish for others to gather them into the Body of Christ. GOD’s Holy Spirit guides our fishing methods as all are not the same. However, each method should contain the same message and yield the same result. Why make Jesus’ sacrifice and love nil? To give His act meaning is to spread the Word and the Joy of Salvation. Then we may partake of the Lord’s Supper just as Jesus shared bread and wine with His disciples before His death, and then shared bread and fish with them after His resurrection.

Easter should continue long after the calendar appointed time of its celebration. In a world and a time when men do not want to hear the Word of GOD, let us as followers of Christ continue to study, teach, preach, and spread the news of the gift above all gifts–Salvation.

                                                                          A Joyous Easter, Charlene

That a name can have spiritual power is understood from the Holy Bible. It is through the power in the name Jesus Christ that heavens are moved and the earth is shaken. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under  heaven given to men by which we must be saved”  Acts: 5:12 NIV

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”. NIV

 The origin and meaning of the name of our LORD, Jesus Christ is rooted in the Hebrew Yehoshua or Yeshua of which the English form is Joshua.  Literally translated Yeshua means “GOD is salvation” thus revealing the Father’s plan in naming His Son, Jesus. Salvation is in His name. Acts 10:37-38 states: “You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached–how GOD anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because GOD was with Him” NIV. Anointing through GOD’s Holy Spirit is a consecrated act of setting apart the individual for service in the work of a Holy GOD.  An additional reference is Romans 5:5. Jesus was epitomized through the meaning of His name. Since we are made in GOD’s image I believe that we would be the same.

As we explore this teaching together, we will be examining how Jesus’ name and our own names form a covenant partnership, and how we are led to be what is expressed in the meaning of our names. Does your name have a negative meaning or no apparent meaning at all? We will explore how what we believe, say, and do can change the meaning of a name.

What is in a name? I have always been fascinated by the field of etymology (word origins and meanings) especially the etymology of names. My own first name, Charlene, has never been the most popular on the baby name list. However, in my own family it has a significant meaning and contains a morsel of family history.

 The Korean War came on the heels of World War Two. My Uncle Charles was deployed in 1952 to serve in Korea, and my mother, Irene, in an effort to preserve what they meant to each other as siblings, combined Charles and Irene to form my name, Charlene. What was interesting was the fact that she did not know that the name already existed. Charlene was such a rarity that when I met a schoolmate in the eighth grade named Charleen–she was the first person I had ever met with a form of my own name.

It took several years into my adulthood before I felt compelled to search for the word origin and meaning of my name.

Charlene is a feminine form of the name Charles. Charles is a French name which means “a manly freeman”, so Charlene as a diminutive means “a  free woman”. I could stop there except I must include the meaning of Irene in my own name. “Irene” is from Greek origin and means “peace”. Therefore, when combining the two names I get the meaning “free woman of peace”. What a wonderful legacy! All that I am is expressed in my name, and through the power of Christ I can strive to live according to the name given to me by the leading of the LORD.

Surnames are also important, so I am going to explain the meaning of the name Kirst. Some find it hard to pronounce this name properly, especially if they have not seen it in it’s written form. Therefore they mistakenly pronounce it “cursed” which is not it’s true meaning or pronunciation. There is a t at the end of Kirst ( pronounced Kurst or Keerst) which makes for a clear, crisp ending to this name. My husband’s family for generations extending back to Germany has pronounced this name Kirst(Kurst).

The name Kirst had its origin in Northern Germany. It is a short form of the name Kirsten which derives from the Greek name of Christian.   This is derived from “Christos” which means “anointed”, which is rooted in “chrio”–”to anoint”.  In the Hebrew ”Christos” means “Messiah”. There is a clear connection between Christ and Kirst, a wonderful covenant relationship that I pray will go on for as many generations as GOD has ordained.

My family has a book called “The Book of Kirsts” which contains everything about Kirst that you can imagine.  The meaning of the name as defined in that book is “descendants of followers of Christ”. Rejoice! Rejoice!  Now I can say that my name means “a freewoman of peace who is a descendent of followers of Christ”. Hallelujah!! With this revelation comes responsibility to live in what this name means. Since I have the name through adoption into this family (marriage) it reminds me of how I am adopted into the inheritance of Christ and therefore into all of the privileges and power of His name.

As I continue to explore name origins in Christ there will be information given to help others to find their own name meanings. Just comment on this teaching and give me your name. We’ll go from there.

To be continued in Christ