Jordan Ministries October 2009 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

"Peace be still," Jesus said in Mark 4:39, in the midst of a storm.  I have heard it said that you are either in the midst of a storm, you are coming out of one, or you are heading straight into another one.  Most of the time, the storms of life come unexpectedly, without warning, and the last thing we feel is peaceful.  I have been studying this week to lead a women's conference this Saturday in Maryville, TN, and this is the topic that the women's ministry director chose for me to focus on during our time together.  On a personal level,  it could not be more in tune with where I am right now as I am in the midst of a storm,  one that I never saw coming, and certainly would never have forecast. 

As I have talked with my closest girlfriends via email and phone calls over the last few days, I have been amazed at the magnitude of storms we each are facing right now.  One friend has had 3 deaths in her family, all within a week's time.  Another's mother is facing the end days in her recently diagnosed battle with cancer, while also caring for a daughter who has been unexplainably sick for two weeks.  Another is facing financial difficulties.  Two are facing the responsibility and decisions regarding the care of elderly parents.  A precious couple is facing the end of the husband's battle with pancreatic cancer.  On and on the list goes.  The saying is quite true, and we all have our own storms to weather.

Yet the other day as I was driving to a difficult meeting that was going to bring an outcome I so did not want, I looked over to my left and saw the most beautiful, complete rainbow, directly over my neighborhood.  It was a precious reminder to me that, yes, the storms are going to come, and the flood waters will rise, but God's promises are true, and we can count on Him even when we can't see past the downpour in our own lives. 

THIS MONTH IN MINISTRY:

I am looking forward to a busy month of ministry.  Oct. 2nd I will be at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN, for a women's ministry event.  Oct. 3rd I will be leading a women's conference at Madison Avenue Baptist Church in Maryville, TN, and then heading on back down the mountains to meet my little brother for supper in Tryon, NC, where he lives, before coming home.  Oct. 9-11 I will be at Reedy Baptist Church in Winterville, NC for a women's ministry event & Sunday morning service.

The weekend of Oct. 16-18 I am excited to be providing a host home for our home church's annual Student Ministries' Fall-In Retreat, and then Oct. 23rd sharing my story for the SC State School Nutrition Association in Greenville, SC.  To close out the month I will be at Sweetwater Baptist Church in North Augusta, SC Oct. 24-25, and then will look forward to being home with my family the last weekend of the month.  I'm so thankful for all that the Lord has allowed this month, and so very much appreciate your prayers as I travel and minister.  

NEW NEWS:

As the holiday season is just around the corner, I am delighted to let you know that Jerry Sims and I are busy finishing up a brand new mini-Christmas CD, which will include 5 new songs, including our much-requested version of "Mr. Santa."  We will let you know when they are available.

I am continuing to enjoy the work the Lord has provided for me through Kid Music.  I received the sweetest phone call last week from a dear church member, as she was excited to be ordering the "No One Like You" lullaby CDs for her grandchildren’s Christmas gifts as well as the brand new stuffed animals that she fell in love with as soon as she saw them. I love this project, and it really is a wonderful gift idea for the special little ones in your life. 

Kid Music has a brand new Personalized Singing Stuffed Animal that, among other songs, include the songs from the "No One Like You" CD. I'm going to have a link put on my web site but until then here's a direct link to check them out. They are very cute and have been a great hit so far.    

http://www.dawnsmithjordan.kidmusic.com/cgi-bin/item/SB/PSSA

Just like with the CDs, ANY Custom Name can be ordered, as they take all custom orders, email the name over to me, and then I sing it specifically for your child. Here's a link to the Custom Name Singing Animals: http://www.dawnsmithjordan.kidmusic.com/cgi-bin/item/SB-Custom/PCMCD

Thank you for taking the time to allow me to come into your day for these few minutes.  I know that you are either in a storm of your own, thankful to be coming out of one, or potentially heading into a new one.  But remember, I don't think Jesus was only speaking "Peace be still" to the wind and the waves that day in the boat with his disciples.  As Scott Krippane so beautiful wrote in his song, "Sometimes He calms the storm, and other times He calms His child," I find peace in knowing the Lord is in this boat with me, and He truly does give a peace that passes all understanding, that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7).

One of my friends mentioned above had posted a wonderful video of Casting Crowns singing "Praise You in This Storm" this week, and I have watched it daily since the first day I saw it.  It is such a reminder that we are to praise God for His peace in the midst of the storm, trusting He will bring us through, even if we can't see how or when.  A simple chorus says, "I will sing praise, I will lift my voice.  I will sing praise, I've made my choice.  I will sing praise in all I do, I will sing praise to You.  No matter the storms that come my way.  No matter the trials I may face.  You promised that You would see me through, so I will trust in You." 

Grace and Peace,

Dawn 

Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter/recording artist with Urgent Records
Professional Speaker, Author
www.dawnsmithjordan.com
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding,
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6

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This message was sent from Dawn Smith Jordan Ministries, Inc.  736-D St. Andrews Rd. # 179, Columbia SC 29210.