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True Abundance

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10(NAS)

My childhood Christmases were ones of material abundance. All the latest toys and games could be found under the ornately decorated tree. Our house was filled with Christmas music and the entire family was in the Christmas spirit. We had all our favorite cookies, snacks and candy that would keep us on a sugar high as we played with all our wonderful gifts late into the night. As a young married adult, I also experienced the material abundance of Christmas. We had parties in elegantly decorated homes with our friends and spent lavishly on gifts. Yes, many Christmases of my past were overflowing with material abundance.

One Christmas in particular, however, had no such worldly pleasures. Such extravagant Christmases of my past had no place inside the prison walls where I would spend that Christmas. In fact, it was easy to forget that it was Christmas. There was no tree, mistletoe or other festive decorations adorning the concrete walls inside the prison dorm. None of my fellow inmates were in the spirit of Christmas either. The day would come and go like any other day.

However, it was this Christmas in prison - spent without family, friends, gifts and delicious meals - where I discovered the real meaning of Christmas. I had already received the greatest gift ever given when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in a dark, lonely prison cell. I now understood that Christmas was not about all the extravagance we stress over every year. Christmas is about the ultimate gift delivered to each of us in the form of a helpless baby. That baby, God's only son, who would grow up and die for me so that I might have abundant life.

Funny word - abundant - it is not about all the things we can accumulate in this life. It is about the gift that has already been given to us and the relationships we build as we continually share that gift with others. How many people will we cross paths with this Christmas who do not know of the true abundance they have in Jesus Christ? How many people are seeking fulfillment in material things when all they need can be found in Christ? Let's all take time this season to share with another person the abundance we have in the greatest gift ever given.

Margaret Willis

A Season of Thanks

Fall is my favorite season too! The orange and red leaves, the smell of all spice, nutmeg, pumpkin and even that distinctive smell from the first time the heater gets turned on - love 'em all. Thanksgiving is a time of warmth, of brilliant color, good smells and above all, thankfulness.....No longer do I search for words to describe my thankfulness because there are not enough words and the words I know are not adequate. It's not that I don't try to express my thanks, because I want the Lord to know my gratitude, but I've come to realize my gratitude (or lack thereof) is the loudest in my everyday life. Without saying a word, the way I arise in the morning, drive in traffic, treat my co-workers and share my "stuff" say enough.
May thankfulness exude my every word, thought and action not only in this season, but throughout the year. Hear my prayer, O Lord, my Righteous Redeemer!

Philemon 1:4-7

Blessings to you and yours!
Lisa B.

Changing of Seasons

I love the changing of seasons. Fall is my favorite time of year so I am excited for the crisp air in the morning that turns into perfect park weather in the afternoon; all the beautiful colors that dust the leaves on trees; looking forward to the buffet at Thanksgiving, which of course means pumpkin pie, and football. We can't forget football! I love football. Mostly, I love the Aggies playing football---Whoop and Gig 'em! I love people getting together to root on other people and the camaraderie that goes into cheering for your team.

This thought leads me into how happy I am that all the Bible studies have started back up. Talk about rooting on others. If you need fans, get into a ladies' Bible study! In my adult life I have been surrounded by amazing women who love God, but none so like I have found in my Monday morning Bible study. Having only lived in Amarillo for 2.5 years, I have closer, deeper relationships than any in my 30 years previous to living here.

As Solomon says in Ecclesiastes there is a time, or season, for everything; a time to tear down and build up; a time to be silent and a time to speak. Maybe now is your season to tear down some walls around your heart and be silent no more.

Ayvrie Dixon

Kay Warren at Hillside Amarillo

I like Kay Warren. I've yet to meet her personally, but was introduced to her heart through the book "Dangerous Surrender. What Happens When You Say Yes to God." As one might expect, her story is compelling. She and her husband, Rick Warren, started Saddleback Church in their living room about 30 years ago. She's a two time survivor of cancer. She's a mom & grandmother. She's an advocate for orphans, HIV/AIDS, and suffering throughout the world. Her story could stand alone as a good read.

But it's her heart's tenacious desire to yield fully to God that grabbed my attention. It stunned me.

In a world where so many messages are diluted of the real power of humility, her's is concentrated and potent. If you want to know more about the amazing movements that she is involved in leading to help change lives around the world, check out www.kaywarren.com.

And if you want a chance to hear this ruined, dynamic, passionate voice call us to the core of what it means to love God enough to say "yes" ... here's your invitation.

Kay will be speaking at Hillside Amarillo on Friday, April 16th at 7:00pm in the auditorium. It is free to the public. Childcare is available for 5th grade and younger, if you register. Contact Lisa Bradshaw at 806.457.4930 for more information. Although this evening is sponsored by HillsideWomen, it is not for women only. Invite anyone you know to attend!

If you've ever wondered "What could I possibly do to make a difference?" when overwhelmed at the world's suffering, injustices, or needs... I implore you to come hear Kay Warren. But WARNING: If you come hear her message of yielded surrender, you may be ruined as well.

FALL GetAway- November 6 & 7

It's time to start making reservations to be a part of HillsideWomen's Fall GetAway! We'll have a registration table in the lobby at all services this weekend. Come by and see us and get the details. Online registration should be up by Oct. 6.

iConnect will once again be HillsideWomen's retreat theme, with many of our great slate of teachers returning from last year.

You can choose one of these tracks during the weekend:

iConnect with God

iConnect with Family

iConnect with Community

We're also very excited to announce that during our large group gatherings, we will have the pleasure of hearing Lisa Jernigan & Patty Wyatt speak about the importance of connection in friendship. These ladies are the founders of Girlfriends Unlimited. You do not want to miss hearing them!!

This year our Fall GetAway will be a staycation in Amarillo! All events will be held at Hillside Christian Church. With classes, materials, speakers and meals included, it is a REAL bargain for anyone. The cost is only $50!

As an extra option: If you are wanting to spend the night away from home with your friends, the Ambassador hotel is offering a special rate of $89 per room, up to 4 person occupancy. They will also offer breakfast in the Atrium on Saturday morning for $10. Again, staying at the hotel is optional.

We feel like this year's staycation approach will give even more women the option of attending and connecting with other women. And isn't that what it's all about? We exist to love God as we lead others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Come join us!

Room to grow...

It was soo nice to feel the cold front "breeze through Amarillo on Monday. Having high temps in the 60's has been very pleasant with the sunshine. This, and the seasonal calendar, now mark that fall has officially begun.

So, what does fall mean for you? Is it a time to regroup or a time to retreat? Is it a time to connect or a time to pull away from people? We hope that it will be a time you can find women of every stage of life to connect with and grow with. Right now we have two MOMS groups meeting, a great senior adult women's Bible study, several Bible studies on mornings & evenings, a spectrum of support groups and lots of small groups gathering throughout homes to fellowship and grow together.

Don't let this fall pass you by without joining in somewhere and being a part of this amazing, loving community. Call Lisa 806.457.4930 if you just aren't sure where to start. We want to give you every opportunity to form lasting relationships with people you don't even know you love yet!

We Want to See You Here!

Don't forget to come by your HillsideWomen's table in the lobby the entire month of August.

Why be there for an entire month? SO MUCH is going on in the next few weeks that we don't want you to miss.

1) Women's Fall Dinner: August 20th, 6:30pm in the Loop & Chapel at Hillside. This year's speaker is Margaret Willis. Margaret's story is INSPIRING!!! You may remember Margaret from Hillside's first Cardboard Testimonies. With God's transforming power and the love and support of some amazing people, Margaret went from being a convicted felon to one of HillsideWomen's beloved Bible Study teachers. Her humble nature and belief in God's grace and love will make her time with us unforgettable. Tickets are $15. Contact Lisa Bradshaw for more info at 457-4930.

2) Beth Moore Simulcast: Friday, Aug. 28 & Saturday, Aug. 29. Friday night's session is 7:00 - 9:30, and Saturday will last from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the HCC Auditorium. All tickets are general admission. This year Hillside is offering childcare for 5th grade and under. Tickets are $30 without childcare and $40 with childcare.

3) Fall Bible Studies: Drop by the table to see a complete list of classes offered this fall. Everything from short courses, to "Me, Myself & Lies", to a new Beth Moore class called "Inheritance." It's going to be fantastic!!!

HillsideWomen- You are Wonderful!

Huge thanks to everyone who joined in our four week Bible study on Tuesday nights. There were between 250-400 women each night, digging into the Word and worshipping God together. (And eating a little ice cream afterward!) We absolutely LOVED it!! It is a thing of beauty to watch this community grow and connect together. Be watching for important information about our kick-off dinner August 20 and for the Beth Moore Simulcast Aug 28 & 29.

We continue to believe God's Word when it says to help others through our God given gifts and resources and to be representatives of God's grace and love to those in need. You have blessed us with your excitement and desire to serve people outside the walls of HCC.

WOW! You ladies collected a great wealth of books & Bibles for the Downtown Women's Center. We will give DWC these books to furnish their reading room and allow for God to use these tools to enrich the spiritual walks of the women entering Have House.

Also you stepped up in a BIG way to purchase beautiful bedding for Haven House. Watch for an opportunity to join us in giving this special gift to DWC. We LOVE you and are so proud to walk in ministry WITH you.

We exist to love God as we lead others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Midsummer Bible Study Continues- He IS!

As you can see, there has been a GREAT turnout for the midsummer Bible study!! Here are our ladies watching Beth Moore teach on Hebrews 11:6. There are still two weeks left, if you would want to join us. We would LOVE to see you there.

(On Tuesdays- July 14th & July 21st at 6:30pm in the Chapel)

We worship together for a few minutes, study for the hour and then fellowship afterward. Each night the fellowship time has lasted well into the evening. Watching everyone connect during the summer has been fantastic!!! There's been a lot of laughter, connection, prayer for each other and community building. Remember to reach out and meet someone new each week!! :)

Coming this summer! Registration now open!

http://www.hillsidewired.com/ministries/adults/for-women/



During the middle of summer, meet us in the Chapel on Tuesday nights for a great study together!! We are asking one and all to join us for the study "HE IS", June 30-July 21 from 6:30pm - 8:30 pm.

"HE IS" is a dvd collection of four one-hour messages by Beth Moore. Based on the scripture Hebrews 11:6 "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that HE IS and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (This dvd series does not have a listening guide or indepth homework) We will begin each evening with a short worship time and end each night with fellowship & fun! Childcare is available with reservations. Call Lisa at 457-4930 if you have any questions.

BE. lifted high at GetAway

Just got some images from HillsideWomen's GetAway. So many have asked if we have it on DVD for sale. We aren't quite to that point, so I hope some images will help you remember

and continue to BE. one who will life Him higher this week!

We love you wild, worshipping women!

HUGE thanks and gratitude for Lisa Bradshaw, Julie Mathis, Katie Edins, Aubrey Ferguson, Becca Attaway, Tiffany Vokes, Mary Margaret Girty... for your beautiful voices, pure attitudes and desire to worship with all of us. God sure did shine through you! Also a great big thanks to the guys in the band for making it possible and for Jeffrey Reed & the tech team! And a huge thanks to the Guest Services Menfolk who served and served and served!

We so appreciate ALL you guys!

BE.forehand

I love fabric stores. Walking the aisles, I imagine what certain materials can look like sewn into a jacket or draped over a picture window or covering a chair. Fabric stores are a dreamer’s paradise. Full of potential!

When we were in India a few months ago, I was struck by the beautiful fabrics everywhere. It was a visual masterpiece!! My hostess took me to the market & on the streets were beautifully woven fabrics and rugs, hand crafted with care. Before that trip I hadn't thought much about where some fabrics come from or how thoughtfully they're made. I had envisioned machines doing the job, taking for granted the work that goes into the fabric… the design…the care.

The fabric maker isn’t thinking about keeping the material on the loom, but dreaming about what it can become when someone’s imagination takes it and runs. Beauty meets function. Fabric isn’t meant to stay on a bolt, but to be taken down, cut into pieces and sewn into something useful. Last time I checked, people don’t just display rolls of upholstery in the living rooms. They usually purchase a piece of furniture where the material has been stretched over a frame to give us a place to rest. Just as it was designed.

Ok, why the talk about fabric & furniture? I was reading Eph 2:10 this morning and rolling around the word “beforehand.” If I want to BE. who God has made me, then I probably should go back to the BE.forehand… pausing to remember it’s God who ordained my purpose before I even existed. He gave it thought and fashioned me to be to be fitted for something. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

That word workmanship means “a product, i.e. fabric: thing that is made.” It just made me smile to think of God putting me together, preparing me to be stretched out for something good.

We’re like bolts of extravagant fabric, woven together with care, prepared to be fitted into something gorgeous… not to stay safely on the rack so that people can talk about how pretty we are or what we could be. But to let ourselves be stretch into the thing God ordained BE.forehand.

Have you ever dreamed of what He planned for you... BE.fore you came to BE.?

HillsideWomen on Twitter

If you twitter, come follow us! @hillsidewomen. If you would like to follow and get updates about sign-ups, summer events, maybe coffee and conversation, get in at http://twitter.com/home.

BE.

The worship tonight was astounding... to see so many women taking time away from stuff to just BE with God produced a sincere joy in many of us. I WISH you could have heard your voices in unison from where we were standing!!

Several women tonight began to share their stories... what distorted reflections they are fighting and how they want God to be their identity maker. Be encouraged! Your identity, value and purpose come from a perfect source... not what people think about your title, your appearance, how well your children behave or your special talents. Kick down the circle of mirrors- put it BEhind you- and walk... no, RUN toward the one who knows you best.

And this week- BE compassion. BE love. BE yourself.

Wanna GetAway?

What commercials are branded in your brain? Even though they are intentionally crafted by creative people to help us remember to purchase specific products, I often wonder if the ones I remember most have something to say about my twisted sense of humor... or maybe about things I wish to have. Hmmmm.

Don't you love those Southwest Airlines commercials? You know the ones I'm talking about? Where someone has done something completely boneheaded... usually left to hang in the awkward tension of everyone's stares. Then you hear the very recognizable SWA "ding!".. "Wanna get away?"

It usually makes me giggle and think... "uh... yeah."

Who doesn't want to get away from every day life sometimes? Stress... temptation... work... carpool... things I won't mention because it would offend my husband and sons (oops). But whenever we choose to get away from something, aren't we really choosing to GO TO something else? Where will you go to get away? And what will you find when you get there?

Christ pretty much summed it up. Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Rest. Ahhhh. Such a beautiful word... even to a driven girl like me.

Yet, we can't mistake rest for saying "someone else will take care of my stuff" or "I'm going to take a life-nap while God addresses all the junk flying around me." Rest is really more a state of the soul.

Worship, prayer, reflection, the Word, and listening are just a few of the ways we can approach God for rest in our souls... to simply cup our hands and say "God, I'd love to exchange my gritty attitude and exhaustion for some of Your peace and strength. (or maybe) Could you pour out some grace for a girl who doesn't have it all together?"

Well here's an opportunity, HillsideWomen! Thursday, April 23rd at 6:30pm we will have a 90 minute worship retreat and spend some time adoring God together. A time to GET AWAY. And a time to GO TO.

Childcare is available, but please make a reservation by April 19th. Drop by our GetAway table on April 12th & 19th, call Marie at 457-4918, or email Lisa Bradshaw at lisa.bradshaw@hillsidewired.com.

Make it a girlfriend night! Bring a friend! Come GetAway with our Lord for a couple of hours. Never know what you might walk away with... perhaps something you can GIVE AWAY to someone else!

Faces in the Book

What's "Faces in the Book?"

We used to shake our heads at our sons when they initially spent so much time on Facebook, browsing through all the profiles, pictures, stories, comments and information... accumulating friends like football cards. But it was amazing to watch how many details they learned about their "friends" through this little social tool. Through people's bios and comments, they sometimes discovered more about their friend's character that was attractive.... and sometimes quite the opposite. Either way, they always seemed to be a little more in touch with some people than they ever had been before. (Hey, and they were reading more!)

Of course we couldn't let them have all the fun. (Funny how the things we initially mock, we end up appreciating) We joined the cult phenom and have reconnected with friends from high school & college and keep in touch with family and friends. It's also an easy way to pass info about upcoming events!

Many of you probably already have a Facebook. Most of you might already have a Bible, too.

Quite a tool... this amazing Book of profiles, pictures, stories, and lessons of life. This spring we are focusing all our Bible Studies on the lives of some of the Book's greatest characters. We want to seriously invite you to join us for the "Faces in the Book" studies. Invite your friends to join too! For several weeks we'll take a regular look at several people's profiles in the Bible and hopefully learn a thing or two about ourselves along the way. On the right side of this page you'll find a list of everyone we're going to get to know better.

Registration is on, friends! Take a chance and join us this Spring! http://www.hillsidewired.com/ministries/adults/for-women/faces-in-the-book

Lisa Shares: Remember When?

Remember When?

Tommy recently asked us at Pageant if we remembered when we got that special present we asked for one Christmas. I do. It was Christmas of 19.., oh well, that doesn’t matter. Let me just say I had just turned 6 and wanted a "big girl bike." There it was on Christmas morning; a shiny, royal blue Schwinn. (That was top of the line in those days!)

I couldn’t wait to get outside to ride it, but my Mom said I had to wait. So my Grampa winked at me and told me to follow him. I went down the hall to my bedroom where he met me and said “Hop on!” “Really?” Yep, we were going to ride gently down the hall. Now mind you, the hall was probably 10 feet long.

Well, I hopped on, got a little push and down the hall I went. Bam!
I didn’t know how to stop it and I crashed into the wall by the kitchen. My Mom came flying out and stood in the hall with her hands on her hips and observed the GIANT black tire mark on the wall. That was the end of the bike for the day.

Have you ever worked really hard for something, or maybe even manipulated a situation, thinking the thing or result was going to make you the happiest person alive? Then, surprise, you realized that thing or person only caused you grief or heartache? Life is full of those lessons, like the bike. Got one to share?

How did u-connect?

This past weekend over a hundred wild-for-God women spent time drawing closer to Him and each other. This was not just a "nice gettaway in the mountains"- it was purposeful time to break the magnetic draw of the everyday and purposefully connect with what the magnificent One has to offer in living through Him. There have been so many stories shared of how God changed some hearts and will change some lives. We wanted to give some space for you to share how God spoke to you.

What did this time change in me? The message on Friday night is still rolling around in my head. It has shifted my thinking about Christ's blood. It's always been hard to imagine God did all that for me. It sometimes felt like too much pressure, you know? But understanding the sacrifice process and that the blood wasn't "for me" but "for God" has liberated my mind!! Understanding that God is "satisfied", I can grasp the thought that there is no time I will ever be loved by Him more than right now. Most of us probably struggle with feeling unworthy of receiving the blood- but if it was for God's satisfaction and not mine- that flips a thinking pattern in my mind. And it strangely brings a fresh freedom perspective that I can't "unworth" my way out of.

At iConnect, I also received the blessing of new friendships and a tighter sense of community.

I love you, HillsideWomen!

What an experience!!

Ok, we're going to be sharing more about iConnect and some great life stories later this week. But frankly, we're so spent from the experience that all we can really share on this misty, fall afternoon is "Thank You." Thanks to all the women that risked attending a retreat for the very first time! For the women who wondered if it was going to be worth the investment of their time. Thanks to those who came anticipating a weekend that would challenge their walk and inspire their spirit. Thanks to the teachers and leaders who sacrificed their time and served in every way- from carrying the women's luggage to teaching deep and wonderful classes. Thanks to Becca, Rob, the band and Tommy for worship experiences our women will not forget. And for a teaching time that really flipped our understanding of the blood of Christ!

This morning we began to read your stories. We are so touched by your transparency and by how God has moved you. Stay tuned to share in the blessings!