August 2009
Did everyone have to take
6th grade wood shop? It would have never
been, a choice in my schedule, just as most
of the 6th grade boys would not have chosen
to wear an apron and join home-ec. Sadly, 12 year olds at
Desert Hills Middle School had to jump
through certain hoops to make it to the 7th
grade.
The plan was to get through the class, make
something for my mother, and not lose any
fingers in the process. I quickly chose to
make a set of salt and pepper shakers
thinking that it would fulfill all the
requirements. The shakers started out as one
piece of 4x4 lumber and by the end of the
class had been transformed into one well
rounded solid cylinder. Not exactly a
success. The process of becoming more like
Christ is fortunately in the hands of a
Master, and unlike the skill level of a 12
year old girl, the Craftsman has a perfect
plan and purpose for His creation.
Philippians 1:6 gives us a picture of the
work that is being done in us.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that
He who began a good work in you will perfect
it until the day of Christ Jesus.” NAS
What a promise. There is a Master Craftsman,
with ultimate abilities, wisdom, and love,
chiseling away the parts that do not belong
in His plans. We can be confident, that His
work will continue until the
project...us...is complete.
Of course there is frustration along the
way. We run into people that are further
“behind” in their process than we are, or
those who look more “complete”. It is easy
to get caught up in comparison and
disappointment and therefore become
discouraged. In reality, it should spark
hope inside of us. None of us are out of the
process if we remain in Christ, because God
is in the business of renewal, remodeling,
and reconstruction.
Where does women’s ministries fit into all
of this? We want to be a part of God’s tool
box in your life. It’s His Word, His people,
His work that all begin to shape us into His
image. That’s what women’s ministries exists
for. Our hope is that you will find a Bible
study, sewing group, or new mentor that fits
into your schedule so that Damascus
Community Church can be a part of shaping
you. We know that it is not a program or
planned event that will bring true change,
instead, it’s the sandpaper of his Word and
the “people chisel” that break through the
tough exterior into the tender areas that
need to be transformed.
It is clear; being a master craftsman is not
in my future. My salt & pepper shakers never
made it to my mother’s table, though I did
pass on to 7th grade and kept all my
fingers. However, in God’s “wood shop”
class, there is total confidence that we,
His projects, will not only pass, but will
be carried through to perfection in His
time.
In His service,
Amy Kendall
Women’s Ministry Coordinator
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