Fellowship—January 2010

Extreme Makeover: Christian Edition Captain Trudy Medina

Eastern Territory
women about easy and inexpensive
redecorating ideas.
TV Shows
There are a number of shows on
television that deal with decorating.
HGTV’s “Dream House,” “Design
If there is an ARC in your area, ask if
Recognizing Antiques
Star,” or “Extreme Makeover: Home
someone on their staff could speak to
Edition” are a couple of these. Tape a
the women on how to recognize
portion of one of these for the women
antiques in their home or what they
to watch. Following the viewing have
should look for when purchasing
them discuss the ideas and if they
items from a thrift store.
could use them in their home.
Field Trip
Visit the ARC or a thrift store so the
Speakers

Contact a local home decorating women can see what bargains they
Redecorating a Room

company to see if they have someone could purchase to use in redecorating

who could come and speak to the
Mini–Home Show
Invite some of the women to bring
items from a room in their home that
demonstrates their decorating style.
For example, if they choose the living
room they can display their favorite
wall pictures, sconces and figurines
that depict the style—country, mod-
ern, antique. Their child’s bedroom
might have a sports or princess theme.
Display these items on the tables
throughout the room.
Depending on the number of tables,
the guests could move from table to
table where the hostess shows the
items that she brought and shares
about the theme of her room. Or the
hostess could address the entire group
and show pictures of her whole room
on a screen.
Refreshments
Ask each participant to provide a
plate of treats to share for the refresh-
ment time. Suggest that these should
be items that she would serve when
entertaining in her home.
Internet Sites
There are many sites on the Internet
on the subject of redecorating. Enter
the word “redecorating,” using your
favorite search engine.
A couple of good sites are the
HGTV Home and Gardens site:
www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_dod,
which includes videos on “design on
a dime.” The iVillage.com site has a
home and garden section that has
many ideas including decorating on a
budget, remodeling and how to inex-
pensively update your kitchen.
a room in their home.
A Personal Makeover
Who hasn’t dreamed of owning a beautiful home? We often walk
through our homes wishing we had an updated kitchen, a larger living
room or a huge walk–in closet for all our possessions.
Many of you have probably seen the TV show “Extreme Makeover—
Home Edition.” This is the program where a crew of designers and con-
struction workers totally remodel or rebuild a deteriorating house in one
week. This makes us think of all the remodeling we could do in our
homes if we just had the time or money. Our sink needs fixing, the walls
need re–painting, a deck would be nice, an extra bathroom would be
even better. There are so many possibilities.
But have you given thought to your personal life? Are there areas that
need a makeover? This could be something that will require God our
Maker to “re–do” in us. Is there something in your life you can’t fix on
your own? God wants to be our makeover Artist, our Designer, who
reminds us that we are the work of His hands. “O Lord, you are our
Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your
hands”(Isa. 64:8).
The Lord can perform whatever makeover, remodeling, or rebuilding
projects needed in our life. Nothing is impossible for our Designer. He
gives us this promise, “What a beautiful home, God ... I've always longed
to live in a place like this, always dreamed of a room in your house where
I could sing for joy” (Ps. 84:1,2 The Message). This verse reminds us that
once we begin the remodeling process in our personal lives, we already
have a room reserved for us in Heaven that needs no makeover, remodel-
ing or rebuilding. It’s a beautiful place we can only dream about now, but
where some day we will be forever singing joyfully.
How can we be sure that we have a room reserved for us in Heaven?
We need to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus lives in our
heart. We have to ask Him to forgive our sins and then begin making
changes in our lives. Once Jesus Christ reigns in our hearts, He will also
reign in our homes.
We may not live in the perfect dream house but isn’t it more important
to know that we have Jesus Christ reigning in our hearts and that He has
reserved a room just for us in Heaven? A room with everything we’ve
always wanted right next to Him.

15
Education—January 2010
Major Lee Ann Thompson Laundry Hints from Sally
Central Territory
Laundry Party Games
A week prior to the meeting hand
Most Helpful Hint
out index cards and ask the women to
write down their favorite laundry tip.
It can be an idea that will help organ-
ize the task of doing the laundry or a
tip on how to remove stubborn stains.
Have the women vote for the best tip
and give the winner a prize.
Hang up two clothes lines in the
Clothes Line Countdown
room. Place one laundry basket full of
clothes and clothespins under each
clothes line. Divide the group into two
teams. The first team member must
hang up all of the clothes in their bas-
ket. The second member takes them
down and returns them to the basket.
This is repeated until one team is
declared the winner.
Laundry Hints
Use a gentle, nontoxic soap or deter-
Laundry Detergent Boost
gent and boost the cleaning power as
needed by adding 1/2 cup Borax. This
naturally occurring mineral has anti-
septic, antibacterial, water–softening
and whitening properties.
Add 1/4 cup to 1 cup of white vine-
Homemade Fabric Softener
gar to the final rinse cycle (never mix
vinegar and chlorine bleach). Try 1/4
cup baking soda in the wash cycle to
reduce static cling. Remove clothes
from the dryer while still slightly
damp. Line–drying will also help
reduce static cling.
Mix in a large tub:
Homemade Stain Remover
1 c. Clorox 2® powder
1 c. Cascade® powder
7 to 14 quarts hot water
Soak clothes in mixture for 6 to 24
hours. This may take out the color in
dark items, so be careful!
Borax is one of the most useful prod-
Borax
uct ingredients for making homemade
stain removers. You’ll find several dif-
ferent options and directions on the
box for use in laundry. One teaspoon
of Borax mixed with a teaspoon each
of white vinegar and lemon juice will
make a homemade stain remover that
effectively removes ink and many food
stains from most color–safe fabrics.
Baking soda mixed with water to
Baking Soda
form a paste makes an excellent
can be slipped right onto hangers. If
homemade stain remover for perspi-
you machine–dry a shirt, hang it
ration stains on clothing. Three table-
immediately and give it a shot of
spoons of hydrogen peroxide mixed
spray starch on the collar and cuffs to
with one tablespoon of ammonia is
make it look presentable.
another version of an excellent home-
made stain remover that can be effec- Add a dry bath towel to a load of
tive as a spot remover for delicate fab-
damp clothes and they will dry much
rics. This mixture should not be made faster. If you've forgotten a load in the
in larger quantity and should be dis- dryer and the wrinkles are set in,
carded after one use. throw a damp towel in with the load
and put it through a cycle again, set-
Saving Time
ting the machine to warm rather than
Attach a stain stick to the inside top
hot. If that doesn't do the job, use a
of the bathroom hamper. Rub the stick
pressing cloth dampened with diluted
on any stains as you put the clothes in
white distilled vinegar.
the hamper. If clothes don’t get
washed immediately, they’re already
pretreated.
CD–ROM
Check the CD–Rom for laundry
Before you wash shirts and blouses, health safety tips and how to deal
button alternate buttons starting with with odd and oversized items. There
the third one from the top. Arms won't are also ideas for laundry friendly
tangle in the wash and damp shirts refreshments.
Soak Me in Your Laundry
Read Psalm 51 from The Message.
I am sure we have all had a time when we’ve said, “Where in the world
did that spot on my blouse come from and how long has it been there?”
Perhaps we were engaged in conversation with a lunch partner or rush-
ing through a busy day with a bite to eat on the run when that phantom
spot plopped upon us. It’s always a little disheartening to find an offend-
ing mark but the sooner it’s dealt with the better chance we have of elim-
inating it.
King David wrote, “Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
scrub me and I’ll have a snow–white life” (Ps. 51:7 The Message). He wrote
this after he was confronted by Nathan about his affair with Bathsheda.
In David’s petition to God he reveals how his repentant heart longs for a
stain–free relationship with Him. David understands very well one of the
most important lessons any of us can learn. God and God alone can
cleanse our hearts from sin. Forgiveness is a deep cleansing from God,
one that not only removes the surface stain, but one that cleanses even to
the core of our being.
Like David, we can become spotted with sin. Sometimes we don’t even
realize how deeply it has affected us, much like that phantom spot that
appears on our blouse when we are not looking. Apply the words of
David to your life. Fall on the mercy of God and recognize it is only from
His hands that forgiveness can be given. Come to Him with a broken and
contrite heart and let Him clean you to the deepest recesses of your soul.
We wouldn’t take pride in wearing a stained article of clothing. Why
would we want to continue to wear a sin–stain on our soul?
16
 Laundry Hints from Sally
Decorations
Keep the decorations simple. Use
white candles or flowers floating in
glass containers filled with water.
Place on a white tablecloth and use
white paper products on the serving
table.
Laundry Health Safety
Residues from fabric softeners, as
well as the fragrances commonly used
in them, can aggravate allergies and
sensitivities. It can also be hazardous
in some dryers, leaving a buildup on
lint screens, which can block airflow
or on moisture sensors. If you use
the recommended amount of a
good–quality natural detergent, you
can avoid the detergent residue
buildup that causes clothes to stiffen.
All of the refreshments for the meeting should be light in color making them simple and clean just like you want
your laundry.
Serve chicken or tuna salad on crustless white bread, potato chips with sour cream dip, white chocolate fondue with
angel food cake, white grapes, white meringue cookies, white chocolate covered pretzels, white Jordan almonds and
marshmallows. The recipes for white drinks and white chocolate fondue follow:
White Almond Punch
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated
milk
1 tablespoon almond extract
6 (2 liter) bottles carbonated
lemon–lime beverage
3 (1/2 gallon) cartons vanilla ice
cream
Mix the sugar and water in a
saucepan. Stir constantly over
medium heat until the sugar is
dissolved. Remove from heat, add
the evaporated milk and almond
extract and let cool. Chill until
serving time. Combine milk mix-
ture with the lemon–lime drink in
punch bowl. Just before serving
stir in the ice cream breaking it
into small pieces.
White Cranberry Lime
Punch
1 (64 ounce) bottle white
cranberry juice, chilled.
Supplemental Material
Large items such as bedspreads,
Dealing With Odd and Bedspreads
comforters and king size blankets
Oversized Items
Most old stuffed animals can be sal- should be washed alone or laundered
Stuffed Animals
vaged. Place them in a pillowcase, tie and dried in oversized machines,
a knot in the case and place the ani- available in most Laundromats®.
mals in your washing machine on
gentle or permanent press cycle. You
can even dry them. For best results,
dry the animals for about 20 minutes
and then let them air dry. Your child’s
favorite stuffed toy may look like new.
Clean your favorite baseball cap
Baseball Caps
without destroying its shape by plac-
ing it on the top rack of the dishwash-
er. Run it through a complete cycle
and allow it to dry thoroughly before
wearing.
Laundry Friendly Refreshments
1 ounce sweetened lime juice
1 pint lime sherbet, softened
White Chocolate Fondue
1 (11 ounce) package white
6 ounces lemon–lime soda chocolate pieces
1/4 cup milk
Pour the white cranberry juice cock-
1 tablespoon crunchy peanut
tail and lime juice into a large punch
butter (optional)
bowl. Spoon scoops of sherbet into
Milk
bowl, then gently stir in the soda.
Makes 13 servings. In the top of a double boiler
placed over gently simmering
White Hot Chocolate water or in small heavy saucepan,
1 cup white chocolate chips combine the chocolate pieces and
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup milk. Heat, stirring con-
4 cups half–and–half stantly, over low heat until choco-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
late is melted and smooth. Stir in
Vanilla whipped topping and mint the peanut butter.
leaves for garnish
Cook and stir until heated
In a double boiler over medium heat, through. Stir in the additional
combine the white chocolate chips milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until
and heavy cream. Stir continuously the desired consistency is reach-
until the chocolate chips have com- ed. Makes 5 quarter cup servings.
pletely melted. Add the half–and–half
and vanilla extract. Stir occasionally
until heated through. Pour into very
small mugs and top with a dollop of
vanilla whipped topping and garnish
with mint leaf.
17

Mission Organization
Service Project
Survey the corps kitchen to deter-
mine how to organize it. Place labels
underneath cabinet doors and draw-
ers indicating what items should be
placed in them. Label three boxes with
the following signs: trash, recycle and
thrift store/give away. On the night of
the program this will help everyone in
organizing the kitchen. Have cleaning
supplies on hand.
Place numbered post it notes on each
cabinet and drawer. Place the same
numbered pieces of paper in a jar.
Have each woman pick a number
from the jar. Ask them to clean and
organize the cabinets that correspond
with the number they drew. They
should decide if the items in their cab-
inets will be kept, recycled, trashed or
given away. If the item is to be kept,
have them place it in the appropriate
cabinet. If not, it should be placed in
one of the boxes to be disposed of.
Games
Give each woman a nametag with a
What’s My Name?
cleaning product written on it and ten
star stickers. Everyone must address
each other by the name on their tag. If
someone calls her by her real name,
they must give her one of their star
stickers. The woman who has the
most star stickers at the end of the
night wins a prize.
Using the same nametags have the
How Am I Used?
women write as many ways their
cleaning product can be used.
Divide the women into teams of two.
Buff the Floor
Give each team a piece of strong cloth
or a large heavy–duty plastic bag. One
woman must sit down on the cloth,
while her teammate pulls her across
the floor around a chair and back to
the finish line. The team that gets back
to the start first wins.
Service—January 2010
Captain Robin T. Hackbarth
Southern Territory
times and must be used in one contin-
Divide the women into two teams.
Clean Sweep
ual sweep. They cannot go backward,
Place a chair at the end of the room only forward. The team with the most
across from the two teams. Scatter confetti wins.
confetti across the floor between the
teams and their chair. Each team CD–ROM
member must pull a broom across the Check the CD–ROM for the Mission
floor around the chair and back again. Organization program outline, deco-
The goal is to get the most confetti ration and door prize ideas. There are
back to their team’s starting point. The also Internet websites giving addition-
broom must stay on the floor at all al resources.
Spiritual Sanitizing
“Be virtuous and pure. Keep a good house” (Titus 2:1).
Have you ever been in a kitchen that is disorganized and dirty with
unwanted pests around? In order to get rid of those unwanted visitors,
you have to clean the kitchen from top to bottom. To accomplish this task
you must have the essential cleaning supplies and then make sure that
things are properly stored. Before you clean your house, you must rec-
ognize the fact that it needs to be cleaned. Sometimes this is subjective. I
may think something needs cleaning when my husband sees it different-
ly. You may need an objective eye.
Our spiritual life can become cluttered and messy just like a kitchen. It
will also need to be cleaned and reorganized. For this task we need the
objective eye of the Holy Spirit. He will let us know what is right and
what is wrong. He will see the unwanted rodents of sin that plague our
hearts. We just have to be aware of His presence and listen.
Once you have identified what needs to be cleaned, you must use some
type of cleaning product to get the job done. It is hard to clean glass with-
out glass cleaner and a rag. You cannot properly clean your kitchen sink
with just water. You would be left with a lot of soap scum. Likewise, we
must use cleaning agents to help us keep our lives pure and clean. The
most powerful cleaning agent is prayer. We read in Scripture, “If we con-
fess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and puri-
fy us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We must ask for forgiveness
for those sins.
After you have cleaned the kitchen, you must organize it. You will need
to put a system in place to keep the unwanted pests away. There are
many temptations that hinder our spiritual life. Our organizational mis-
sion is to keep our spiritual lives sparkling clean. Our instructions are in
God’s Word. “There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing
you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of
Scripture is God–breathed and useful in one way or another—showing
us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to
live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped for
the tasks God has for us” (2 Tim. 3:16,17, The Message). We need to apply
the lessons taught to us through the Bible. It will help us keep our spiri-
tual lives fresh and free of sin. When your house is clean, you can relax
and enjoy it. It is the same when our spiritual house is in order. We can
relax and enjoy fellowship with God.
Is there something in your spiritual house that needs to be cleansed?
Today is the day for cleaning. Let’s not be caught with unwanted pests in
our kitchen. Take a moment in silent prayer and ask God to wipe away
all that is not honoring to Him.
18
 Mission Organization
Supplemental Material

Mission Organization
Program Outlline
“... Be virtuous and pure. Keep a good house,
be good wives”
Titus 2:5 (The Message).
A Sparkling Beginning
Welcome and Opening Prayer
Let’s Put Ourselves in Order
Roll Call and Dues
A Fresh Moment
Song # 426, First Verse,
“I Want, Dear Lord”
The Salvation Army Song Book
Spiritual Sanitizing
Devotional
A Spotless Melody
Song # 426, Third Verse
“I Want, Dear Lord”
The Salvation Army Song Book
Sort Out the Players
Games
Mission Organization
Service Project
Cleansing the Appetite
Refreshments
Arrange For Dismissal
Closing Prayer

of Tonight’s Door Prize!” The number

Decorations
Purchase or recycle baskets from the
thrift store in a variety of sizes and col-
ors. You will need one basket for each
table.
Fill them with cleaning supplies.
These don’t need to be expensive.
They can be purchased at a dollar
store. Place the baskets in the center of
the tables. These decorations can also
serve as door or game prizes.
Door Prizes
Place the following sign in a number
of the cabinets or drawers: “Congra-
tulations! You Are The Lucky Winner
of signs would depend on the number
of door prizes available. Whoever has
to clean that cabinet will win the door
prize. If you use the decorations sug-
gested, those baskets can be used as
the door prizes. If not, purchase some-
thing that pertains to cleaning or
organization to give each winner.
Internet Resources
Check the following websites for
helpful information on organizing
and how to clean.
www.howtocleananything.com
www.lifeorganizers.com

19
Worship—January 2010
Captain Camie Potter My Heart, Jesus’ Home
Western Territory
devotional, illustrate with pictures or
doll house furniture.
Program Ideas
Show clips from “Super Nanny” or
from movies about nannies taming
bratty children. “Mary Poppins” or
Refreshments
“The Sound of Music” are alternate Serve an English tea in china cups,
choices. along with an assortment of finger
sandwiches, fruit breads and small
As the objects are mentioned in the cookies.

Surrender Control to Jesus

Running and screaming through the formal living room, she jumps on the sofa, tips over the coffee table, spills
juice all over the rug and breaks the lamp. What do you do with a screaming disobedient child? It’s “Super Nanny”
to the rescue! She observes the extremely dysfunctional family and comes up with a plan of action. If the family
follows her directions, they are successful. If not, well, we’ve seen the results.
When I watch “Super Nanny,” I question why the kids act naughty in front of the Nanny. It makes me wonder
what God thinks as He watches us, His children, throw fits, demand our own way and refuse to surrender to His
will. Does He think we are acting just like those children? We stomp our feet, raise our hands and scream, “No! I
want to do it my way.” God has given us a plan of action in His Word, but many times we choose to disregard it.
Perhaps we need to work toward growing up in Christ so that our lives are more pleasing to Him.
Our hearts should be Jesus’ home. Let us offer Him our formal living room, a room usually off limits for children
and childish behavior. The living room is designed for adults and grown up conversations—a place for quiet
repose. Today we will use some of the items found in a formal living room and relate them to spiritual insights
from Scripture.
Sofa—In the 1700s the sofa was only used for esteemed guests. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1
Pet. 3:15). We need to set apart our lives for Christ, putting away our own fleshly desires, keeping our minds clear
and fit for our walk with Christ. He is the special guest in our lives, but He is also the owner of our hearts.
Coffee Table—This is described as a sturdy table where you place your coffee cups and magazines. “And we pray
this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord … being strengthened with all power according to His glo-
rious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joy” (Col. 1:10,11). God’s strength flowing
through us allows us to be sturdy as we face difficulties and challenges each day. A sturdy walk with Christ pleas-
es Him, produces spiritual fruit and matures us as believers.
Fireplace/Mantle—Imagine a cold winter day with no fire in the fireplace. Sometimes we face cold spiritual win-
ters in our lives. I can’t imagine facing those times without the Holy Spirit as my Comforter. We were created to be
the temple of the Holy Spirit. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in
you?” (1 Cor. 3:16). Our hearts can be a place where the fire of the Holy Spirit burns brightly.
Portrait— Often a portrait of the family hangs on the wall in the living room. A portrait of Christ should hang on
the wall of our hearts to remind us that we seek to reflect Christ. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the
Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever–increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who
is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). We are blessed to be the ones He has chosen to reflect His image, a portrait of His love.
Thank God that He has qualified every one of us to be partakers in the inheritance of the saints.
Rug—The rug protects the floor and adds beauty to the room. In the same way we need to be covered and pro-
tected so that we are beautiful for God’s use. Read Ephesians. 6:10–18. We have been told to put on the whole armor
of God which He has given for our protection and comfort. We need to wear it.
Lamp—A lamp provides a source of light. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peo-
ple belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful
light” (1 Pet. 2:9). We are a people who belong to a holy God. We should be about His work, so that He shines
through us. “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He
loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (1 Col. 1:13,14). We now have access to the God of the
universe because of what Christ did for us on the cross.
As we learn to surrender every room of our home to Jesus, we will find that we are comfortable in His presence.
We will enjoy sitting with Him in the formal living room of our hearts as grownups in Christ.

20

Home, Where My Heart Is
Worship Center
Display a small house made out of
Legos®, Lincoln Logs® or use a doll
house. Add a small wooden box or
trunk to include small treasures, small
dolls to depict a family and a Bible.
Fundamentals
“What makes a home?”
I asked my little boy;
And this is what he said:
“You, mother,
And when dad comes,
Our tables set all shiny.
And my bed,
And mother, I think it’s home
Because we love each other.”
You who are old and wise,
What would you say,
If you were asked the question?
Tell me, pray.
The old wise ones can answer
nothing more.
A man, a woman and a child,
Their love, warm as the gold hearth
fire along the floor.
A table and a lamp for light
And smooth white beds at night.
Only the old sweet fundamental
things.
And long ago I learned home may
be near, home may be far,
But it is anywhere that love and a
few plain household treasures are.
—Author Unknown
ProgramAids, June 1983
Program Ideas
Between each activity sing one of the
following songs:
“Home on the Range”
“The Wise Man Built His House
Upon the Rock”
“I’ve Got a Mansion”
Fellowship—February 2010
Major Margaret Goding
Diana Clemons
“My Home Is in Heaven,” #740* Lapace
Mapenttar
Palace
“Love at Home,” #664*
Glooi
Apartment
Bodea
*The Salvation Army Song Book Igloo
Lispt velle
Adobe
Divide the women into small work-
Build a Home
Tihew Shoeu
Split level
ing groups. Provide them with gra-
Ogl binca
White House
ham crackers, gumdrops, marshmal-
Thecal
Log Cabin
lows, icing, pretzels and candy. Ask
Chalet
them to build a house from these sup-
plies. Award prizes for the most origi-
Ask the women to create two lists of
Treasures in the Home
nal and best use of material.
the treasures found in their homes.
The first should contain those items
Unscramble the words related to that have monetary value—stereo, TV,
Game
types of homes. The answers are in silver, china, jewelry. The second list
italics. would be those items that are senti-
mental in nature but have little or no
Oconlila monetary value. Invite them to dis-
Chnra
Colonial
cuss the following questions:
Nett
Ranch
Ardardcob obx 1. Which list was longest?
Tent
Satcle 2. What do you value most from
Cardboard Box
Annomis either list and why?
Castle
Mansion
Home
As we transferred to each new appointment and began to settle our-
selves in the new quarters, I felt it was important to keep some stability
in the home; not so much for my husband and me, but more so for our
children. Wherever we lived, as we unpacked our stuff, we soon realized
this was our home. For our son, it was being able to use our own personal
glasses that were put in the kitchen cupboard. Who would have thought
jelly jar glasses would be such a treasure in our home? Then there were
all those magnets on the refrigerator. They had to be the last things
removed and the first things put up. Little things meant so much. These
treasures were what made that house our home. Unfortunately, too often
treasures begin to consume our time, plans, money—us!
Read Matthew 6:19–21. In this portion of Scripture Jesus warns us that it’s
not what we accumulate on earth that really matters. Rather, it’s what we
are storing up in heaven.
As humans, we tend to put our emphasis on things that have no signif-
icant, lasting value or worth. Jesus said these treasures could rust, be
burned, stolen or moth eaten. But treasures stockpiled in heaven will last
forever. “For where your treasure is, there your hearts will be also” (Matt
.6:21).
Heaven is God’s home and He wants us to live with Him there for all
eternity. That, however, depends on where we put our hearts. Are they in
treasures here in our homes or in treasures there in His home?
My secretary said that, as a child, it just didn’t seem like home to her
unless her Mom was there. The house would have an empty, cold feeling
if she were gone because the warmth of her presence was missing.
How much our spiritual hearts are like that—empty and cold—until we
ask the Lord to come in and take control. When He does, that’s when we
begin to store up for ourselves treasures that will last. That’s where we’ll
really find our hearts!
21
Education—February 2010
Major Mary Duskin Getting Personal
Central Territory
Program Ideas
Invite a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or
Speakers
someone from the health department
to speak on the following subjects:
❋ The proper care and disposal of
medications
❋ The misuse of prescription drugs
❋ Over–the–counter medications that
are often misused by young people
❋ General bathroom safety
Visit a pharmacy that caries supplies
Field Trips
to assist the elderly. Have a staff mem-
ber explain the bathroom devices
available.
Visit a baby store to learn what sup-
plies are available to assist parents in
keeping their bathrooms a safe place
for toddlers.
Visit a container store to see what
items are available to organize and de-
clutter a bathroom.
Bathrooms are often called the read-
The Reading Room
ing room. Decorate wicker or plastic
baskets suitable to put in the bath-
room to hold magazines or books.
Bathroom Quiz (True or False)
1. It is okay to share your prescription
medicines with someone else. (F)
Your doctor prescribes your medication
based on your weight, other medications
you are taking and for a specific medical
condition. All of these factors could be dif-
ferent in someone else.
2. It is never okay to flush an unwant-
ed prescription down the toilet. (F)
For a list of drugs that should be flushed
check the federal guidelines: www.white-
housedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/factsht/pro
per_disposal.html.
3. The appropriate way to dispose of
outdated medications is to flush them.
(F)
Other medications should be taken out
of their original containers and thrown in
the trash.
4. Tubs and showers should have non-
slip mats or strips. (T)
5. It’s a good idea to have a night–
light in the bathroom. (T)
6. It is nice as well as safe to have
throw rugs in the bathroom. (F)
If you have rugs, make sure that they
have a non–slip backing.
7. The temperature of a water heater
should be set at 140 degrees. (F)
Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). (T)
It should be set at 120 degrees or lower to
prevent scalding. This is a tool that protects you from a dan-
8. It’s fine to have glass containers and
gerous shock when water and electricity
drinking cups in the bathroom. (F)
come together.
12. Never leave a young child alone in
9. You should get rid of clutter on the a bathtub. (T)
floor and shelves in the bathroom.(T)
10. Store things where they are reach- water, so stay close enough so that you
Children can drown in just a few inches of
able so the elderly don’t have to reach
or stoop for them. (T and F)
can always touch them.
13. You should know what is poison-
ous in your bathroom and its antidote.
(T)
Medication, cleaning supplies and make-
up should be placed in cupboards not
accessible to children. America’s poison centers are open 24
11. The electrical outlets in the bath-
hours a day, seven days a week. Keep the
room should have a Ground Fault
poison help hot line number on hand for
emergencies—1-800-222-1222.
Practice Hospitality
“Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as
healthy as I know your soul is” (3 John 2 NLT).
The disciple John was concerned about his friend’s physical health. He
knew that Gaius’ spiritual health was good and prayed that his body was
as good. Gaius was a fellow believer who frequently showed hospitality
to traveling missionaries. John wanted to commend him and thank him
for his willingness to invite these missionaries into his home. So John
wrote this letter to encourage those who were kind to others.
Not everyone has the gift of hospitality, but all of us can show hospital-
ity in how we treat others. When we read the rest of John’s letter, we see
that Diotrephes not only didn’t invite people into his home but excluded
people from the church who did show hospitality. John was telling Gaius
not to follow Diotrephes’ example, but to do what was good.
Hospitality is important in every culture and time. In reference to hos-
pitality The Touchpoint Bible indicates, “Hospitality is a friendly hand-
shake, a warm smile, a good meal. It is warmth of presence, an extension
of personhood and expression of love. How we treat others is a visible
badge of honor, revealing our true character to others.”
I like my house to be clean and orderly before inviting people over. The
problem is that it is never perfect enough, so I sometimes avoid inviting
anyone. I have had to deal with this attitude and my feelings concerning
welcoming others into my home.
Christian hospitality is different than social entertaining. When we
entertain socially, we focus on the cleanliness of the house and what food
we will serve. Christian hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guests and
their needs. This might mean nourishing food, a listening ear or a place
to stay. This can happen in a messy house with shabby furniture over a
meal of canned soup. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality because you are
too tired, busy or don’t have much money. Don’t let things get in the way
of ministering to others. Paul wrote to the Romans: “Share with God’s
people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Rom. 12:13).
22

A Place for My Things
Introduction
Foster care can
be a lonely, scary
and overwhelm-
ing experience
for a child. Child-
ren from all
walks of life find
themselves sepa-
rated from their
siblings and parents. In some situations
they are moved from home to home. As
foster children they lose their identity
and the confidence of who they are and
to whom they belong. It is hoped that
when these children are placed they
will become quickly content and happy
with their new homes. The gift bags
that the group will prepare for them
will add something special to help in
their adjustment and let them know
that there are people who care about
them.
Program Ideas
Contact the county office and ar-
Speaker
range for a speaker to share with the
group about the foster care program
in your community. Indicate that the
women’s ministries group would like
to put together backpacks for these
children and request suggestions for
suitable items and age groups for this
project. At the conclusion of the pro-
gram, present the backpacks to be
given to children experiencing the
trauma and adjustment of moving to a
foster home.
Ask the women to donate appropri-
Backpacks
ate items as suggested by the speaker.
For younger children this might be
teddy bears, small blankets, dolls,
match cars, books, crayons and color-
ing books. For older children suitable
items might be school supplies or per-
sonal hygiene items. Place the items in
inexpensive backpacks.
As the women arrive ask them to
decorate 3 X 5 cards to place inside the
backpacks. The cards should have a
Scripture verse or verse from a chil-
dren’s song printed on them. Suitable
songs would be “Jesus, Loves Me This
I Know,” or “Jesus Loves the Little
Service—February 2010
Captain Lynn Irish
Captain Andrea Ellis
Children, All the Children of the Southern Territory
World.” Fill the backpacks with the
supplies. It is a good idea to identify their suitcase. The first team to com-
the age and gender of the child who plete the task wins. To make this game
will receive the backpack. more fun, provide an ample number
of items that will fit into the suitcase
when they are carefully folded.
Games
Form the women into two teams.
Pack a Suitcase
Fill a bag with items associated with
What’s In the Bag?
Using identical bags, the first team
member must pack the bag with the traveling. Pull out the items one by
clothing provided and close it. The one and show them to the women.
next team member must unpack the Then replace them in the bag. The
suitcase and repack it. This continues women are to write down as many
until all team members have packed items as they can remember.
To Whom Do You Belong?
The Salvation Army’s Missing Persons Bureau searches the world to
locate many missing loved ones for family members. In 1993 the Eastern
Territory Missing Persons Bureau received a letter from a man asking for
help in searching for his birth mother whom he had not heard from in
over 30 years. The Social Security Administration agreed to forward a let-
ter to his mother. The mother in return contacted the son and they were
reunited. This is a letter from the mother:
Dear Major Miller,
... When he’s older, he will seek you out ... Thirty–three years ago my mother,
who passed away recently, made that prediction. I was a child of divorce and had
constantly been torn apart between my mother and father. I vowed never to have
a child of mine go through that agony. So when my son’s father and grandmoth-
er started to fight for his custody, I stepped out of his life. I then lived with the
faith and trust that someday God would reunite us.
One day that dream came true. After speaking to you, I notified all my family.
With the urging of my daughter I called the number you gave me. It was 10:15
a.m. on May 24. The last time I heard my son’s voice he was seven years old. I
asked, “May I speak to Michael?” He said, “This is he.” I replied, “Michael, I
understand you have been searching for me, this is your mother Mary Anne.”
“Mary Anne,” he gasped. “Oh, Mom, is it you? I almost gave
up hope of ever hearing your voice or seeing you.”
We cannot look back, but surge forward. We have much to learn about one
another. What a wonderful feeling to be wanted and needed. At the next reunion
he will meet his aunts, uncles, cousins and hopefully his brother, Mark.
Occasions when families are brought back together remind us of Isaiah
43. “But now, this is what the Lord says, He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have
summoned you by name; you are Mine.’” These missing individuals are
often restored to their families and relationships are re–established.
How thankful we can all be that God is with us. He is everywhere,
whether we find ourselves alone in another home or country. He is
always present and loves each of us. Our identity lies in the Father’s
hands. He formed us, He created us and He calls us by name. As
Christians, we have the assurance of a heavenly Father who loves us no
matter what our circumstances or who our families are. He is there wait-
ing and wanting to care for each of us as His own. Do not let the prob-
lems of this life toss you about and make you feel lost, alone or scared.
Put your hope and trust in our heavenly Father who knows your name.
23
Worship—February 2010
Captain Christa Mitchell Remember Me
Western Territory
Introduction
My heart is Christ’s home. As I invite
Him into my dining room when I say
grace before meals, I need to stop and
consider the habits of my life that deal
with eating. Sometimes good habits
become rote and lose their meaning
and purpose until we stop to consider
the reason we are doing them.
As Christians, we begin our meals
by saying a prayer of thanks. Indeed
we are thankful for the food, but if we
take Jesus’ words to the disciples at
the Last Supper to heart, “Do this in
remembrance of me”(Luke 22:19) each
meal will become an opportunity to
stop and remember that Jesus is with
us at our table. Each meal becomes a
time of communion because we re-
member what He has done for us.
Meeting Outline
Call to Worship—Psalm 34:1–10
Song #970, “We Gather Together*”
Placemat Blessings
Song #650, “Break Thou the
Bread of Life*”
(Between the verses invite the women to
share Scripture promises. Promise boxes
with appropriate Scripture are available at
the Bible bookstore.)
Devotional—Communion
Discussion
Song #512, “My Life Must Be Christ’s
Broken Bread”
*The Salvation Army Song Book
Placemat Blessings
12" x 16" pieces of cardstock, laminat-
Supplies Needed
ing material, flowered wrapping
paper, lace, ribbon, permanent
felt–tip pens
Invite the women to write prayer
blessings on their cardstock placemat.
Here are some samples:
❊ For food and friends and all God
sends, we give Thee thanks.
❊ God is great; God is good, let us
thank Him for our food.
❊ Bless us, O Lord, and these gifts
which we are about to receive from
Your bounty, through Christ our Lord.
Have the women decorate their place-
mats by gluing on flowers cut from
wrapping paper, pieces of lace or
ribbon. Once completed, laminate them
so they can be used multiple times.
Discussion
Following the devotional, break the
women into small groups and invite
them to discuss the following:
❊ Do you always pray before meals? er insight into why we should pray
❊ What does it mean to remember before meals?
Jesus when we say grace? ❊ How will this program affect the
❊ Did this devotional provide a deep- way you pray before a meal?
Communion
When we give our lives to Jesus, we acknowledge Him as the owner of
our hearts, which makes our hearts His home. As we allow this holy
Guest access to our home, consider these words of Jesus as they relate to
the Christian mealtime. “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it,
and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body given for you; do this in
remembrance of Me’” (Luke 22:19).
Christians pray before every meal to thank God for the food, but how
often do we really use that prayer time and that meal to remember Jesus?
When we neglect to remember Him, we rob ourselves of a rich time of
communion and fellowship with Him. Here are four important reasons
to remember Jesus as we enjoy our meals with family, friends and other
believers or even as we eat a solitary meal:
First—remembering keeps us from becoming casual in our thanks for
what Jesus did for us. Our relationship with God should never be casual.
He takes it seriously and so should we. He wants to change our lives, to
impact every area. What Jesus did on the cross, hanging there for all
those hours, was hardly a casual thing. Our remembrance of Him should
not be casual either.
Second—remembering draws us to deeper love for Jesus. When I inten-
tionally reflect on the love that drove Jesus to the cross on my behalf, I
can’t help but desire Him all the more. This happens especially when I
reflect on the fact that I don’t deserve it. His love, as shown in the break-
ing of His body and the shedding of His blood, demonstrated His love
for me. He wants me to love Him back.
Third—remembering draws us to a deeper level of commitment to live
for Jesus. There is a story about a man who was in prison overseas. Each
year, he was told that he could leave the prison and go home to his wife.
All he had to do was renounce his allegiance to Christ. His answer was
always the same, “Since Jesus has done so much for me, how can I deny
Him?” That is true commitment.
Fourth—remembering helps us to consecrate our lives to God. Jesus
said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your strength and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). So often
we spend too much time trying to figure out just what it means to love
God. We forget that one little word describes how we’re supposed to love
God. That little word is “all.” We are to love God with all our heart, all
our soul, all our mind and all our strength. We’re supposed to consecrate
our entire being to loving and serving God.
God isn’t some distant force that existed and worked only in the ancient
past. He exists and is working today. He is mindful of us all the time. Not
just as a group of people who call themselves Christians, but as individ-
uals. Remembering what He did in the past helps us to rely on Him now
and for our future.
24

An EGG-cellent Home
Craft Idea
Resist Dyeing
One hard–boiled egg for each
Supplies Needed
woman
Herb and flower petals
Old clean panty hose (one pair will
do two eggs)
Food coloring
Twist ties
Since these eggs have to completely
dry before they are taken home, set up
the egg dying stations before the meet-
ing. Allow the women to start on their
eggs as they come to the program.
Invite the women to arrange the
herb leaves and flower petals on the
outside of the eggshell. Holding the
leaves tightly against the shell, put it
into one leg of the nylon hose. Pull
gently to tighten the nylon against the
eggshell. Tie the ends of the nylon
with twist ties.
Dip the nylon enclosed egg in food
coloring or another dye mixed with
water. Let the egg completely dry
before you take it out of the nylon. The
egg will be dyed all over except for
where the leaves were placed.
Games
Divide women into pairs. Have team
Egg Roll
members sit across from each other at
a table. Set a time limit of 30 seconds.
During this time they are to roll a hard
boiled egg back and forth. The object
is to see who can get the highest num-
ber of rolls. Because the egg is not per-
fectly round it is not as easy as it
sounds.
This can be set up either outside or
Egg Hunt
indoors. Fill plastic eggs with Scrip-
ture verses about beauty—our beauty
and Christ’s beauty—and tickets for
the door prize drawings. Following
are some verses that could be used:
Proverbs 11:22; 31:30; Song of Songs
1:15; Isaiah 4:2; 28:5; 52:7; Matthew
Fellowship—March 2010
Captain Patricia L. Kurtz
Eastern Territory
26:6–13; 1 Peter 3:5,6; 1 Peter 3:3,4; ❋ What special features would your
Matthew 5:8; Psalm 27:4; Ecclesiastes kitchen have to make your life
3:11; John 3:17; John 20:14–16 easier?
❋ Does a well–decorated house
After the egg hunt, discuss the fol-
guarantee a peaceful home?
lowing questions, interspersed with
❋ React to this statement: “It’s the
the Scripture verses from the egg hunt:
family that makes a house a
❋ What does your dream house look home.”
like? ❋ What do you think makes your
❋ How is it decorated? home beautiful?
Lessons From a Hen House
The inside of a hen house normally consists of several nesting boxes for
the chickens to sit in while laying their eggs and perches for them to use
while sleeping. Often the floor is covered with straw or wood chips to
contain the chicken waste and to allow easier cleanup. The chicken coop
also has feeding and watering devices and some kind of ventilation sys-
tem to mitigate odors. Since chickens are often prone to illness from
drafts and poor weather, hen houses are best designed to be warm when
it is cold and cool when it is hot and as draft free as possible.
These chicken condominiums are probably the most foul structures on
the farm. Soon after the tenants move in, the place becomes filled with
cackling, crowing and hen–pecking. The smooth wood gets marred and
scratched up; saw dust becomes soiled. We must remember though, this
house was built for a purpose. The “ladies” who have set up housekeep-
ing are hard at work laying eggs.
Like the rest of the farm animals, the hens are dependent on the farmer.
No matter how industrious they are, they are not able to feed themselves.
They also need the farmer to keep the hen house clean and well repaired
to keep them safe. The farmer knows this, so he diligently takes care of
each hen. Now he does have a motive. He is expecting the hens to pro-
vide him with a daily supply of eggs.
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved
us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His
mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the
Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ
our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become
heirs having the hope of eternal life“ (Titus 3:4–7). This portion of
Scripture tells us that it was out of kindness and love that Jesus saves us,
not because we perform a righteous task. No matter how industrious we
are, we can not earn His love. It is a gift freely given to each of us. There
is no hidden motive with God. He saves us because He loves us.
Sometimes our homes may seem like that noisy hen house and we long
for a few minutes of peace. Maybe our family responsibilities crowd out
our personal and devotional times with the Lord. We may feel like the
egg farmer everyone depends on. Take heart, there is a more egg–cellent
way!
Just like those hens give fresh eggs to the farmer every day, so the Holy
Spirit gives us new life every day. We do not have to hunt for it. It is given
freely with no strings attached. When the Holy Spirit renews us the joy
of the Lord will transform our hearts and our homes. Then we can say
with the Psalmist: “What a beautiful home, God ... I’ve always longed to
live in a place like this, always dreamed of a room in Your house where I
could sing for joy” (Ps. 84:1,2, The Message).
25
Education—March 2010
Major Beth Trimmell
Central Territory
How to Turn a Thumb Green
Ask the woman from the women’s
ministries group who is most experi-
enced in gardening and houseplants
to present this program. You will find
information on “How to Turn a
Thumb Green” on the CD–ROM. This
article gives the basics of houseplant
care, which may be supplemented
with the presenter’s own experiences.
Decorations
Place packets of seeds around a pot-
ted plant or flower in the center of
each table. The seed packets make
great table favors.
Refreshments
Provide a fruit buffet for refresh-
ments, with an assortment of fresh
fruits, each in its own bowl, so the
women make their own choices of
ingredients for their salad. Other
bowls could include an assortment
of fruit dips, whipped cream, nuts,
coconut, maraschino cherries and
dressings.
Games
Place a pair of garden gloves and a
Chewing Gum
package of gum at each table. The first
woman puts on the gloves and opens
the package of gum and puts a piece
in her mouth before passing the gum
and gloves to the next woman. This
continues until everyone has a piece
of gum in her mouth.
❋ A charge to remember.
Hidden Flowers
Forget–me–not
❋ Sought by young men. Tulips
❋ A well–dressed dude and the king
of beasts. Dandelion
❋ Used by the cook in making cakes.
Buttercup
❋ Often found between two thorns.
Rose
❋ What we throw in winter.
Snowball
❋ Another name for Dad. Poppy
❋ Son’s morning reveille.
Johnny–jump–up
❋ One way for a man to get rich
quickly. Marigold
❋ How can you tell if she will have
you? Aster
❋ An hour in the afternoon.
Home Grown
Four–o’clock
❋ Two familiar girls’ names.
Rosemary
Give each woman a sheet of paper
Flowers, Trees, Plants
that has the words “women’s group”
at the top with each letter in a separate
column. The women are to write as
many flowers, trees and plants that
on the website: www.tallmouse.com/
begin with the letter in that column.
Players receive points for each item projects/spring/gardenjar/main.htm
listed, plus 5 bonus points for each provides instructions for a lovely gift
one not listed on anyone else’s sheet. that could be made by the women.
These could be used as gifts for visitors
or included with an outreach
Service Project
The Garden–In–a–Jar project found invitation to women’s ministries.
When I Get On My Knees
One of my favorite songs is “I Get on My Knees.” It reminds me that
wonderful things happen when I’m on my knees. I commune with God
when I pray. I commune with nature, His creation, when I garden.
Gardening has some other similarities to spiritual life.
When I decide to plant a new garden, I think about it first. I consider if
I really want to put in the time, money and effort to sustain a garden.
There is nothing quite so disgraceful as a neglected garden that has
become the eyesore of the neighborhood. Instead of bringing neighbors
delight, the garden fosters their resentment. So too is the effect of
Christians who excuse sin in their lives instead of weeding it out.
Jesus said, “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would
begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then
checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills?” (Luke 14:28
NLT) and in verse 33, “So no one can become My disciple unless he first
sits down and counts his blessings and then renounces them all for Me.”
After committing to a garden, I must get on my knees to plant and weed
it, regardless of weather conditions. When I am tired, if some of the
plants die and others fail to bloom, I am not excused from gardening. It
is similar in our Christian walk. When I am tired, when others gossip,
when life is just plain hard and unfair, I still must pray and read my Bible.
Gardens rarely look exactly as we planned them. Some plants thrive
and multiply; others die. A friend may give you a start of a plant with
which you were unfamiliar. Even though the garden will never be exact-
ly as envisioned, if work continues it will be a wonderful sight.
Our lives also diverge from what we have planned. For some, it may be
more children than planned; for others, no natural births. Unexpected
career opportunities, loss of income, accidents, bonuses, transfers, deaths
and inheritances all can alter our lives from what we expect. If we perse-
vere with God, obediently trusting, we can say with Paul, “Yet I am not
ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that
He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day” (2 Tim.
1:12). Our life will be a glory to Him through His plan, not ours.
To accomplish a thriving garden that beautifies the neighborhood and
to maintain a transparent, truly Christian life, I must get on my knees.
26

How to Turn a Thumb Green
Getting Started
Instead of purchasing one large or
expensive plant, select five or six
small plants. These can be guinea pigs
from which to learn. Some of them
will die and some will live. Learning
how to care for plants will occur in
each case, without much investment.
At the end of a year, a green thumb
will be evident in the grower.
House Plant Basics
1. Water and light are the two most
Water and Light
important factors in helping a plant to
thrive.
2. All plants need sunlight and
should be placed in a window during
the fall, winter and spring months.
Plants requiring low light can be
placed in a northern window. All oth-
ers will appreciate a west or southern
exposure except during the summer
months.
3. Most plants love to vacation out-
side during the summer. They can go
outdoors when the danger of frost has
passed. It is best to place them in the
shade in a sheltered spot initially, so
they can gradually become accus-
tomed to more light and breeze. Most
plants appreciate some periods of
direct sunlight each day after they
have acclimated to being placed out-
side.
They will also require much more
water, even daily watering. This does
not need to be burdensome, as the gar-
den hose can be utilized. Be sure to
bring them back inside in the fall
before the nights get too cool, so they
aren’t shocked by the temperature
change.
4. It is best to water plants in the
morning, when they most need the
moisture.
5. Watch closely when watering. If
the water drains quickly, it was thirsty.
If the water stays pooled at the top of
the pot after you water, it has been
over–watered.
6. It is better to water thoroughly
once or twice a week, than to water
sparsely more often. When watering
Home Grown
Supplemental Material
the water should go entirely through
the whole plant, reaching the roots,
not penetrate the top layer only. If it
sits in a saucer, water should seep into
the saucer.
7. Plants that have very thick, fleshy
leaves, such as aloes, cacti, or kalan-
choes, require much less water.
8. Test to see if a plant needs water-
ing by touching the soil. If it is moist, Do not fertilize after September.
wait to water. If the plant is crisp and 2. Systemic time–release fertilizers
brown, you have waited too long. are easy and effective. They are pellets
that gradually release fertilizer for
1. A plant should be repotted when it about a 3–month period.
Repotting Plants
has outgrown the current pot. One
indicator is roots that are coming out
Insects and Disease
1. If the leaves are turning yellow,
of the bottom of the pot or are visible
sometimes with black spots, the prob-
at the top. Another sign is when the
lem is most likely over–watering.
plant is disproportional to the pot and
appears top–heavy. 2. The three most common insect
problems are spider mites, white flies
2. It is important not to transplant
and scale. Because insecticides are
into too large a pot. It may seem easi-
often carcinogenic, it is best just to try
er to go directly from a small pot to a
to keep the plant alive until it can be
large one, but if the pot is too large,
placed outdoors. Scale will disappear
the plant’s growth will be inhibited. It
outside. Spider mites hate to be wet,
is preferable to graduate the plant
so they can be dealt with outside sim-
from a small to a medium pot.
ply by spraying the plant down with
the hose during watering.
3. Most pots have a hole in the bot-
tom for drainage to allow excess water
3. Another insect is the mealy bug. It
to escape. This is important, as most
appears suddenly, in mass and has a
plants will not tolerate “wet feet.” If
white cotton–like appearance. If
you use a pot with no opening at the
mealy bugs appear, throw the plant
bottom, place rocks or broken pottery
away. They infest the soil and are a
pieces in the bottom 1–2 inches of the
menace to get rid of.
pot before adding the soil and plant.
This will allow a buffer zone prevent-
ing the roots from being water–
Blooming Plants
1. Some blooming plants have a bulb
logged. or rhizome underground. These types
of plants require a resting or dormant
4. A good quality potting soil, which
period after blooming. Examples are
has both peat and vermiculite should
gloxinia, cyclamen and amaryllis.
be used when repotting.
After blooming, the foliage will grad-
5. If the plant is root–bound, with the ually die. At that time, place it in a
roots interwoven round and round or cool, dark place, such as a basement.
in a tight ball, it is best to loosen the Check it once per month and water
roots and trim them before repotting. just a bit if it is totally bone dry. After
6. Don’t pack the soil too tightly, as 3–5 months, bring it up into the light,
fertilize and water regularly.
plant roots need air.
2. Some blooming plants are called
“pot plants.” They are annuals and
Fertilizer
1. Fertilize plants beginning in
gradually die after the blooming stage
February or March, when they are
is complete. Cineraria and Calceolaria
reviving from their winter rest. This is
are examples of pot plants. There is no
also a good time to give them a trim,
reason to feel guilty when they die—
at the beginning of the spring growth
they are supposed to die.
spurt.
27
 Service—March 2010
Welcome to the Library Captain Kathy Williams
Southern Territory
online reading at www.web-books.
Ask the women to discuss a favorite com.
Book Report

book or author.
You can read books online for free
and customize the visual page to fit
Invite the women to bring a book your needs at www.classicbookshelf.
Share a Book

they no longer wish to keep for a book com.

exchange.
Service Ideas
✛ Repair the corps songbooks and
Download classic books for free
Websites
Bibles. Use tape the same color as the
books to be repaired, which is avail-
able at most home improvement store.
✛ Check for reading opportunities at
local care facilities. Many seniors who
reside there have failing eyesight and
enjoy someone reading to them.
✛ Inquire at the library regarding vol-
unteer opportunities, such as reading
books to children, helping people with
the computers or restocking the
shelves.
✛ Check with local shelters or hospi-
tals to see if they accept used books for
their clients to read. Organize a book
drive to collect the books.You can ask
for specific types of books such as
Christian authors, daily devotionals,
children’s books or paperback novels.
✛ Include a bookmark made by the
women in each book collected for the
book drive. Cut 1 1/2 to 2 inch strips of
colored card stock. Choose Scripture
verses ahead of time that the women
can copy onto the bookmarks or
preprint the verses on the card stock.
Decorate the bookmark with stickers.
Laminate them so they will last longer.
Punch a hole near the top and loop
yarn or thin ribbon through the hole.
For ready to print bookmarks check
the website www.christianfreebies.
com (click on bookmarks).
Program Ideas
At www.freeclassicaudiobooks.com
you can download free audio books in
MP3 and Ipod® book format.
Worship the Lord
Read Psalm 100:1–5.
Psalm 100 declares that worship is for everyone. It begins with “all the
earth” and ends with “all generations.” It is everyone’s responsibility and
privilege to worship God. It is not just for when we are enjoying good
times but also during the bad times. This applies to every stage of our
lives. Unfortunately, sometimes we base our worship on how much we
have or how good we feel. It should not be that way. It should be based
on who God is and what He is doing in our lives. Job, in the Old
Testament, is a good example of how and when we should praise God. He
praised the Lord even when he lost everything, including his children.
When we worship the Lord with gladness we maintain a joyful attitude
in all that we do. Joyful Christians are contagious. No one wants to be
around a sour Christian. A joyful attitude helps us to focus our attention
on the Lord. We are able to block everything else out and direct our atten-
tion on Him.
Worship also evokes action. Verse 4 of Psalm 100 instructs us to “Enter
His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” He wants us to
share the victories that have happened to us throughout the week with
other believers. When we attend a sports game, we go with anticipation
and expectation. We give high fives and yell encouragement when the
players score a victory. Shouldn’t we do the same when we enter into the
church? When we come together, we should be shouting the praises of
what God has done for us.
Worship is a time to celebrate. There are several instances mentioned in
the Bible where the people shouted praise to the Lord. The wall of Jericho
came down because of the shouts of praise of His people. When the Ark
of the Covenant came into Israel’s camp, the ground shook with praise.
When we worship, service should flow out. Service is humble submis-
sion to God. We are not to serve the church, leaders or preachers; we are
to serve the Lord. We serve Him when we feed the hungry and clothe the

Invite a librarian to speak about the naked. We should not serve because we are feeling guilty or obligated to
Speaker

history of books, how to find a book
in the library and the proper care of
books. Or take a field trip to the local
library to discover all of the resources
available firsthand.
Invite the women to participate in
Tongue Twisters
do so. Service to others is a witness of the Lord in our life. When service
flows out of us because of what God has done for us, that is true service.
When we worship, we are invited to come into His presence, to come
before His face. What a gracious invitation to come face to face with God.
We are to be glad even in times of pain and sorrow knowing He cares for
us. He created each of us as unique individuals designed to worship
Him. We are to come with a joyful song, knowing that we are His chil-

reciting tongue twisters. There are dren and He wants the best for us. Praise Him today as you give thanks
many sites on the Internet. for everything in your life.

28
Worship—March 2010
Major Cindy Dickinson
Western Territory
Welcome
Worship Meeting Outline
Song #664, “Love at Home”*
Prayer
Song #661, “Happy the Home
When God is There”*
Remember When (Photos)
Scripture Reading
Colossians 3:1–17
Discussion
Devotional “What Happens
in Your Family Room”
Chorus #96, “Savior, to Me
Thy Love Impart”*
Closing Prayer
*The Salvation Army Song Book
Program Ideas
Invite the women to bring in family
Remember When
pictures and share about their fami-
lies.
❅ What childhood memories do you
Discussion
have of activities shared with your
family?
❅ What activities do you enjoy doing
now at home with your family?
❅ How has family time changed over
the years and how it has remained
the same?
❅ How important is family time to
you?
Ideas for Simple Family Fun
Spending time together as a family
doesn’t have to take excessive plan-
ning or money. There are lots of fun
things to do right in the comfort of
your own family room. If there are
children in the family, let them take
turns each week to choose what activ-
ity the family will do together. Here
are some easy ideas:
1. Play a board or card game
2. Play charades
3. Read a book together
4. Do a puzzle together
5. Make popcorn, cuddle up on the
couch and watch a movie
6. Teach your children a game you
played as a child
7. Have a campout in your family
room
Making a Difference
8. Look through the family photo
albums
9. Have family devotions
10. Pray together
11. Talk—schedule a time when each
member of the family can share
what is happening in their life
Refreshments
Ask the women to bring a favorite
treat, homemade or store bought, that
was special to them growing up.
During refreshment time have them
share memories of what made that
treat special.
What Happens in Your Family Room?
If you walked into my family room, in just one glance you would know
we have a busy family. On any given day you would see books that one
of our three children is reading, baby dolls that our daughter is mother-
ing, piano or cornet music and Bible Bowl materials our oldest son is
studying. Our middle son is creating new adventures with action figures,
Bionicles® creatures and Legos®. Our family room is a gathering place. It
is the room that we have fun in, share stories and laughs in. It is the room
where we pray together before we head out the door to start our day. It
is the room we come to in the evening and discuss the events of each per-
son’s day. It is the room we sat in together as we told our children that
Grandpa’s cancer had returned. It was there that we talked openly about
cancer, death and God’s promise of eternal life. It was there that we
hugged and then prayed for Grandpa and found peace.
It is important that we create beautiful homes for our families, not only
through the décor of each room but also through the décor of our lives.
As we gather with our families it is important that we create an attitude
and atmosphere that leaves no doubt in their minds that Christ Jesus
lives in our hearts. It is our responsibility to help build a Godly home.
Colossians 3:12–14 tells us, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy
and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humili-
ty, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever
grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord for-
gave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity.” Biblical commentator Warren Wiersbe wrote,
“When love rules in our lives, it unites all these spiritual virtues so that
there is beauty and harmony, indicating spiritual maturity. The harmony
and maturity keep the life balanced and growing.” As the virtues out-
lined in verse 12 of Colossians 3 grow in our lives they will be seen by our
family members through our everyday living.
Enjoy time in your family room and make the most of every opportu-
nity. Remember to laugh, share, cry, talk, pray and read God’s Word
together so there will be no doubt that Jesus lives in your heart and is the
center of your family.
To Ponder or Discuss
Would Jesus feel comfortable with what goes on in your family room?
If not, what changes should be made? How will you begin? Would Jesus
feel comfortable in the family room in your heart? Would Jesus have first
place there or would He be second or third to family matters?
29