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March 2009

Dear Friends,

It’s my prayer that as a new season of spring begins to unfold around us, that your Spirit also experiences a new season of growth in your walk with the Lord. May the Lord bless you and may your hope be renewed today!

- Cheryl A. Botelho, Director

A Word of Hope – - Spring’s Preparation!
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
  Springtime is a time of anticipating new things.  But it does not come without stages of preparation. True, the cold winter is over, but it now becomes the time when farmers and gardeners till up the soil, getting it ready for the seeds.  The hard ground is broken up until the soil becomes soft and workable. This takes time and energy on our part. It may require removing rocks and tree stumps that are heavy or have deep roots.  During this process it is not unusual to see a farmer in the field from early morning until the end of daylight.  He takes advantage of every opportunity he can to properly prepare the ground for planting. When the soil is finally ready he plants the seed and waters it.  After this he waits.  Just waits.  At this point, there is nothing more the farmer can do.  The germination and sprouting of the seed are not in his control and are done out of his sight under ground.  But if he has prepared his soil well, planted and watered, the farmer can rest in faith knowing that the seeds will germinate and begin to grow at the proper time.

      In the same way, God develops the spring of our spiritual lives.  There first must be a preparing of the ground.  The Lord will begin to plow up the soil of our hearts so that he can plant the seeds of his Word.  Christ-likeness, hope, dreams, visions, plans-all these are seeds that God desires to plant in us. The Holy Spirit will show us the things that must be done in the process. There requires a cooperating on our part to work in unity with the Holy Spirit.  We may have to remove some rocky obstacles or dig out the roots of some old stump that is in the way. As we obey and yield, God will continue breaking up those hard places until they become ready.  Only when the soil is ready will he will plant within our heart a word, a promise, a dream, a vision, or a desire. And once the seed is there, like the farmer…we wait. 

    We may wonder if the seeds will ever grow.  These are the times we must water with faith and wait again. One morning the farmer will look out into his field and see rows of tiny green shoots pushing up through the soil- right on time- just like he expected.  And like the farmer we will also awake one morning and see tiny signs of life sprouting from the seed God has put in us.  And in the wonder of His grace we will watch as the plant begins to grow into its fullness. 

       Perhaps you are in the stage of preparation?  Perhaps you are waiting for God to plant the seed?  Or maybe you are in the waiting process and it seems like nothing is happening?  Then I encourage you to water the already planted seed with faith.  Regardless of whatever spring stage you are in, rejoice! God desires to produce a garden for his glory in your life. 

Quote of the Month

“God does not ask about our ability or our inability, but about our availability.”

Are you available to Him?

A Daily Dose of Hope

Click the here for a list of the MARCH daily devotions. 

THIS MONTH'S CALENDAR

Saturday, March 14, 2009

New Haven CT-   Women’s Fellowship Outreach and free breakfast.    Those who attend are invited to stay for a time of worship, devotion, prayer and fellowship.  Pray that the Lord touches hearts.  All are welcome!

Location: New Creation Church

33 Lamberton St., New Haven, Ct 06519

Starts @ 10:00am

Phone (203) 687-0872 or (203) 687-0958

New Projects

We have a whole list of new projects springing into motion.
For more details go to the project page.

Volunteer Opportunities:

We need volunteers to help with our projects throughout the year.  If you live in the CT area and are interested in becoming a part of our team, please email me.   info@restoringhopeministries.org

Coming in April…

“10-minute Audio Bible Studies to help jump start your week”