October 2024

 

Harvest Time

from Marcia Reavely

 

I grew up on the plains of eastern Montana. Along with raising cattle on Sleepy Hollow Ranch, we also grew wheat. Barring a catastrophe of hail or grasshoppers or drought, each fall we brought in a harvest. Now, I say “we” as if I owned the place. But I didn’t, not at all.

 

I was just a child of the owner. But as a child, I was given the responsibility and privilege of participating in the harvest. I was needed, and it wasn’t just a token kid job either. The whole family took part, and it all mattered. Together we worked the fallow ground, planted seeds, fertilized. Some ran errands and fixed broken parts; others cooked for the crew. But when the grain was ripe, it was all hands on deck, because we knew time was short to bring in the harvest! It never walked in on its own; it always required workers.

 

Was the work hot, dusty, tedious, exhausting, less than glamorous and comfortable? Every day. Did I feel like doing it? Hardly a day. But the owner, my dad, knew it was necessary and knew it would be worth it. Harvest time is the reason for life on the farm. Though life was pleasant enough at times, we didn’t live there for comfort and ease. We were there for the harvest. Dad never left us to work on our own, though; he did the heaviest lifting. And day after day, sunrise to sunset, round after round, he was always on the seat of the combine encouraging us on with a smile and a wave.

 

Could Dad have done the work another way without me? I often wished he would, but for whatever reason he chose not to. I think he knew it would be good for me to participate in the process, and he was right. The harvest wasn’t really about me, but was there something in it for me? Absolutely. I was rewarded with some monetary benefits which helped me get through college. But far greater, I witnessed the miracle of seed to grain and grain to bread, and I was fed. I reaped the benefit of hard work and the character it produced. Best of all, I rejoiced with the family each harvest season as we enjoyed the comradery and satisfaction of a job well done.

 

In a similar way, we participate in another harvest, the harvest of souls. Our Father is the owner of this field, and in his wisdom he has designed that we work alongside him in the harvest (Matthew 28:18-20). “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together” (John 4:35-36).

 

The work isn’t all easy, but there is reward and rejoicing to be had. It’s harvest time! All hands on deck.

 

1st Thursday Connect

 

It’s time for 1st Thursday! New Life Women starts another season of 1st Thursday Connect on October 3, and the theme is Inside Out. If you haven’t seen the movies, you can expect broccoli pizza and some fun activities with emotions. There will also be teaching from Titus on what it looks like for Christians to live inside out. Dinner is provided at 6:00.

 

  • October 3, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

  • New Life Church West Linn, downstairs

  • Please RSVP for October’s 1st Thursday Connect at newlifenw.com/westlinn/women

 

We have been reading the books of Titus and Philemon in September, and we will read the book of Job in October. Come to 1st Thursday to receive a personal reading plan and Side by Side Bible reading questions to use with a friend throughout the month. Reading plans can also be found online and in the church lobby.

 

Ask someone older or younger, a neighbor, a co-worker, someone new to church, anyone you like to partner with you in reading God’s word Side by Side this month. You set the time and place. Or, join a group that meets Sunday mornings in the lower fireside room with Amy Crooks at 10:45. No preparation necessary; come whenever you can.

 

You don’t need to be participating in the monthly Bible reading to join us at 1st Thursday Connect. All are welcome, and each month stands alone, so if you miss one, join us next time!

 

Scripture Memory: 1 Peter

 

Would you like to join New Life Women in memorizing 1 Peter this year? We can do it in a year by simply working on a few verses each week. Pick up resources at 1st Thursday to make your own memorization booklet or find the file online.

 

Make your scripture memory booklet using the handouts and instructions provided. Then get started and learn and review a little each day! If you want to go slower, feel free to go at your own pace. If you get a late start, no problem. Even if you don’t get it perfectly, the process will be good for your soul.

 

Refresh

 

What a wonderful day God gave us at the Refresh Retreat on September 14! How are you doing at creating an event to merge your Christian and non-Christian friends? What are you doing to grow in your Christ-excitement? Are you praying for conversions? Are you trusting God and taking more risks? Have you used the story-telling approach in your conversations? Are you rehearsing the 4 R’s? Have you invited someone to enter the kingdom of Jesus? If you have a story to share, would you email wlwomen@newlife.com and let us know? We’d love to hear what God is doing!

 

If you missed the retreat or would like to review, the videos and handouts are available on the website.

 

Books

 

Each year the Women’s Ministry leadership team focuses on a topic for equipping and enrichment that often makes its way into the Refresh Retreat. For the upcoming year, we are centering our reading around the theme of “enjoying God.” The key book we will use is Truth on Fire by Adam Ramsey. Optional supplementary books will be recommended each month. For the month of October, Happiness by Randy Alcorn and The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God by John Frame are suggested additions.

 

If you are interested in joining this journey of personal growth, get the books and jump into the reading! You might also want to ask around and see if someone would like to read and discuss a book with you. Whew! This is a long newsletter! If you are still reading, kudos to you.

 

Links

 

Below are links to articles, books, podcasts, and music that might be of interest or help on various topics. Resources are curated but may not always reflect the views of New Life Church. Enjoy!

 
Marcia ReavelyComment