Bravehearts Mentoring Group

Jerry Little

The goal of BraveHearts mentoring group for guys is to encourage and support young men in their quest to be men of purity, strength and direction. GODLY, Men of Honor! Hopefully, their father will join us in this effort, but we have many Uncles and older brothers who come along-side the young men in this quest. Fathers, your son would love for you to spend this weekend with him. As the Chaplain for The Youth Center of The High Plains, I talk to a lot of youth that don't think their dad cares. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "He doesn't have time for me". Please hear me, when I say, you don't have anything more important than this time with your son, as we help him realize "He has what it takes."

“It's not a question. It's THE question, the one every boy and man is longing to ask. Do I have what it takes?” John Eldredge, Wild at Heart

We all need to know we have what it takes. Have you seen the commercial with the little boy throwing a ball in the air while he says, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world”? He swings and strike one, he misses the ball. He picks up the ball again, throws it up in the air and says, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world”. Strike two. He picks up the ball the third time, turns his hat around backwards and says, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world.” Strike three. He then looks down at the ball, and with a huge smile on his face he says, “I’m the greatest pitcher in the world”!

We all need to know we have what it takes and we all need to know our Father knows we have what is takes. “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22

    

I would also like to invite you (father and son) to join us for Thursday Night Thunder as we become Gate Takers. Matthew 16:18 says, “…and on this rock I will build MY church and the gates of hades will not prevail against it.” We meet with the BraveHearts group and discuss the war we are in; Revelations 12 talks about how the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her offspring who keep the commandments of GOD and have the testimony of JESUS CHRIST. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your advisory the devil walks about the earth like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”1Peter5:7-9 Satan is at war with us.

We meet on these Thursday nights to empower the BraveHearts to "be strong in the LORD and the power of HIS might. Put on the whole armor of God, that they may be able to stand against firm Ephesians 6:10-11 so we can be on the offense and help the Gate Takers kick down the gates of hades and bind Satan with the keys of the kingdom given to us by our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Matthew 16:19

Our goal is to use TNT to bring the BraveHearts back together on a monthly basis, in order to encourage them to stand together in their schools as a "Band of Brothers" as "Gate Takers" for Jesus Christ. So they realize they’re not alone. They do have like minded friends going through the same battles they are. We will award the attendee's with a "Wheeler Peek Expedition" in the summer.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD Your GOD is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 

I challenge you to bring your son and join us as, "God shows us great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

Jerry "Gramps" Little

You are Chosen!

Candy Gibbs

I asked 15 college students the question, "If you had 15 minutes to speak to a group of middle school students,what would your topic be?"  Though they stated it in different ways, without exceptions they answered...their identity.  All of the college students described how insecurity about who they were designed to be and trying to "fit in" were their biggest struggles as middle school students.

Certainly, as I have interacted with this age group fairly extensively, I would agree 100%.  The ages  8 - 12 years are some of the most difficult in a person's lifetime.  We cannot escape our surroundings.  The name of the game in middle school is...make fun of someone before someone makes fun of you.  It is a hostile, dog eat dog environment. 

Strengthening our character is no different then strengthening our bodies.  It takes time, focus and dedication.  We start with light weight and increase the amount we can handle as we commit to the process and our body begins to respond.  The same process is necessary as we seek to strengthen our character. 

Several years ago, the Lord put on our hearts at CareNet the desire to strengthen the next generations of young people.  They are being eaten alive...drugs, alcohol, sex, bullying, technology, and the culture are literally overpowering them.  Overpowering Christian kids and unsaved kids alike.  Overpowering our kids who have the Spirit of Almighty God living on the inside of them.  The same Holy Spirit who parted the Red Sea and raised Jesus from the dead is theirs to give them direction, ways of escape and victory...yet, the culture, peer pressure and sin seems to be the tag line of the day.

What were we going to do about?  Not take it laying down, that's for sure!  We began offering several mentoring programs...one of which I am thrilled to introduce you to today!

CHOSEN is a Bible study curriculum for young ladies ages 8-12 years.  The curriculum is 26 lessons in all and is broken up into 4 sessions.  The curriculum comes with a Leader's guide which contains all the lessons, explanation of activities that help to bring each topic to life, and a letter to give to the girls' moms each week.  We want parents to know what the girls are learning so that they can have valuable discussion with their own girl about the different subjects.  Also, we have a journal for the girls to use throughout all 26 lessons.  The hope is that by the end of week 26, she will be having her own powerful and personal quiet time with the Father each day.  An amazing gift from the Father, are the 4 posters contained in the journal.  The posters are prints of four original paintings done by Ginger Nelson.  They are divinely inspired and covered literally in all of the scripture contained in each session!  The posters serve as reminders to the girls of all they have learned and accomplished.


The lessons are practical and on her level.  We talk about the character qualities that we should have as fruit of the Spirit living in us.  It is the Spirit that gives us the power we need to be more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  So, when you have a friend gossiping about you during lunch...how would the Father want you to respond?  Even at 10, we don't have to be ruled by our emotions.  We can be Spirit lead and that is the goal...to see these girls living lives that powerfully, boldly and lovingly reflect the face of our Great King!

We would love nothing more than for you to be connected and involved with us!  If you live in the Amarillo area and would like to sign your daughter or a young lady in your life up to participate in our next CHOSEN session...you can contact us by visiting our website www.youarechosen.org or calling our office at 806-354-2288.  We would love the opportunity to journey with her!  OR you can purchase the CHOSEN curriculum and lead your own sweet group of girls through the program.  It is easy to use and we are happy to help you in any way we can.  I believe that the next generation can change the world...but we must prepare them on purpose!  It won't happen by accident.

Please contact us today to sign your girl up or to start a group of your own.  Also, please let your friends know about the program.  I would love for you to follow us on twitter @CandyKGibbs and post us on your twitter or facebook account.  For all of you Pinterest addicted, you can pin us there too!

I am so thankful for the opportunity the Lord has given us with these precious girls...every time I stand in front of them and look out at their sweet, innocent faces...I am reminded that in our weakness, He is strong!!  Our enemy better look out, because oh the mighty warriors for the Kingdom that I serve!

All my love to you!! To you be all glory, King Jesus!

Contact us today and please spread the word!

Mentoring Programs

Cathy Reyna

        I was introduced to CareNet in 2005 when my daughter completed the first Pearls class, the initial mentoring program began by Candy Gibbs. That 10 weeks of study and focus for my child impacted our entire family. We were a Christian family but we were struggling…a blended household, stepchildren, both parents working full-time stressful jobs and the busyness of sports, academic and teen social activities of our kids. It seems in all that chaos that 24 hours could hold we were losing true vision of what was actually valuable in our lives. The Pearls class and the banquet that followed centered us once again on His vision for us, His plan and His power to change chaos into calm.

Colossians 3: 15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” 

We were indeed thankful and in turn I looked for a way to share that with others. As you continue to read on in Colossians 3:16 the answer was obvious, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” It was time to pass on what Christ had done for us to other teens, other families; I could not walk on and not look back to help others as they struggled.

That’s how I became a mentor. I had seen what was possible through God and through this program at CareNet. I wanted to see it continue and grow; to reach lives and encourage young people to see Jesus and His plan for them. Titus 2: 3-5 tells me to “teach what is good and train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be pure, self-controlled and kind.” Through the mentoring programs we can bring these principles to life and become a part of these kids’ everyday existence at school, with friends and at home. God’s Word is not just something read at church or on special occasions, but a tool to be used daily to guide and to comfort. Satan’s temptations are everywhere, crying out for satisfaction and heard in every situation; we as Christians should be right there toe-to-toe speaking God’s truth and instilling in young people the “bread of life” spoken about in John 6.

As years went by I continued to mentor with the Pearls program and even to ask God if He had a bigger plan growing in that direction. I am an RN and have loved serving both patients and coworkers in that capacity. But as time went by I continued to feel the call of Jesus pulling me towards serving Him and an even bigger commitment of my time and energy. Last January I stepped out in faith and joined the CareNet staff as fulltime Abstinence Director. I now see the path that the Lord has laid before me through the years of education, experience and “mothering” to serve in a new capacity. It is full of challenges, joy and growth.

The very best part of mentoring however has everything to do with the relationships you make. Seeing the future unfold in the lives of these you’ve invested time and prayer over; hearing the joy in a mom’s voice as she calls out to you at the store that her daughter is doing great and leading a Bible study for her peers. Watching young mentors you work along-side have their own families and develop new ideas to encourage and reach out to those they teach. It is a rich reward of seed planted and getting to see the harvest that the Lord brings forth. It spurs us on to continue working! Join us in the adventure. It is never boring!

Thankfully the mentoring programs for kids ages 8-19 are continuing to grow at CareNet. Men teach 8-12 year old boys at SQUIRES what their purpose in the Lord is and how they can serve Him; always encouraging dads to participate. The girls class, CHOSEN, is for preteen girls and currently has the largest group of participants. They joyfully worship, make new friends and study God’s Word every spring and fall over a six-week time period with Mom’s serving as mentors. The teen boys have three opportunities a year to join in on active weekend retreats with Christian men at BRAVEHEARTS to examine what a man of God looks like and how to grow into that; making unforgettable memories alongside their fathers.

PEARLS continues to reach out to teen girls and enrich Godly relationships in their lives and discover what true purity is. Both PEARLS and BRAVEHEARTS who have completed classes meet also monthly to encourage spiritual growth and friendships among believing students. Our latest endeavor is to offer an apologetics course, TRUE-U, for older high school students and college-age to strengthen them for the confrontational style of college professors who may not share their faith.

Let me encourage you as readers to step out of your comfort zone and join us on the front lines of spiritual battle. Put Your life experience,

Your loving heart and Your Godly wisdom into action as a mentor in CareNet’s youth outreach!

Cathy Reyna, RN, Abstinence Director

CareNet

Sanctity of Life Sunday 2012

Hello All!  Happy New Year to you!  I am so excited and encouraged about 2012!  My prayer for you, for CareNet and for our families this year is that the Lord would make us strong: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, relationally and physically.  I am asking the Lord to equip us to run the race He has laid out for each of us.  That we will all stand in the place He has asked us to stand and together we will see miraculous advancement of His Kingdom. 

This Sunday, January 22nd is Sanctity of Life Sunday.  Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is a national day to raise awareness about the intrinsic value of human life and the fundamental right to life.

In 1983, President Reagan issued a proclamation creating this special day. It is held on the Sunday in January that falls closest to the day on which the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions were handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 1973. 

I recently saw a quote from Christine Caine, "Once you know...you can't un-know." 

Pretty profound statement and I think it has great application related to the subject of abortion.  Years ago, we debated the issue of when life begins to determine whether or not we were even talking about a baby.  Thanks to scientific advancement and ultrasound, we have a window into the sacred sanctuary of the womb and we know what we witness is the life of a baby yet to be born. 

I have had the privilege of visiting with many, many women facing all of her options in unplanned pregnancy.  As we approach the 2012 election, there are many people voicing their opinions about many issues, one of which being abortion.  We hear things like: It's a woman's right.  You can't legislate morality.  It's her body.  Talk about things that are important, like the economy.

I can assure you that when women come into CareNet and they are face to face with the life and death decision of abortion.  Her reasons for considering that choice sound nothing like the arguments listed above.  She says things like:  I have no money and don't know how I will care for a baby.  My parents will kick me out.  My boyfriend will leave me.  I was on my way to college.  The fact is that there is "some - thing"  making her feel as though abortion is her only option.  It is our opinion, that the loving thing to do is to help her with that "thing" so that she can make a positive choice for herself and her child.

It takes courage to journey with and step into a difficult life situation with another.  Especially when you may gain nothing...only offer a hand to hold as you gentle guide her to the garment of the gentle, Savior who holds her salvation and redemption.

Fact is we now "know"... it is a baby, we know abortion takes the life of an innocent child, that abortion scars a woman in the most intimate places, that it isn't an answer to a difficult situation but a quick fix that is only a band aid to the real issues and struggles.

If we now cannot "un-know" we are responsible to act. 

There is beauty and hope all around us.  As Christ-followers, may 2012 be a year when we approach situations and people with eyes wide open.  A year that He allows us to see through the chaos and confusion to see the heart of the matter.  That we would choose life.  Choose hope. Choose Him and help others to do the same.

Candy Gibbs
Executive Director

The Gift of a Lifetime

Stacy Willis

The Gift of a Lifetime! Have you ever thought of what that really means? First, I have to think about what it would be like for my family, what would life be like for them without me in their life?  You see I was a gift given to them by a precious lady who carried me for 42 weeks and then placed me as a gift for adoption.  Because of her gift  to my family I was given a mother, father, brother, two sisters, and numerous extended family members. 
I always knew I was special because of how my family made me feel and I loved being adopted. At least I loved being adopted until a wounded person in my life told me that my own mother didnt want me. Those words were so hurtful they caused years of damage to my heart. They made me begin to doubt my own self worth.  It was not until my early 30’s that believed I really did have a purpose and God had a plan for my life.  I was introduced to Psalm 139:13-18,

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts. O God!  How vast is the sum of them!  Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.”

I read that scripture that day and fireworks went off!  I was not a mistake. God had a plan for me all along.  Wow a plan for me!  I think I reread and reread that scripture several times just to make sure I really understood what it was saying.  Tears ran down my face.  I really was meant to be I really was a gift to my family.  Satan had used that one thing for years to destroy my worth, and I let him.  After seeing the truth written in His word I was healed.  I knew from that day forward I wanted everyone else to know they also were meant to be they had a plan a purpose in this life. 

God has given me a lot of wonderful gifts in my life too many to name them all.  But one gift I am happy to have been given was CareNet  Pregnancy Centers.  I had attended some crisis pregnancy banquets in the past.  I had heard a director talk at those banquets and at a church.  I then had heard Candy Gibbs and her dad speak at a meeting I had attended with a friend at another church.  I sat there the whole time thinking how happy I was my birth mother gave me the gift of adoption.  I thought how cool would it be to get to work at a place like CareNet and help others in crisis situations.  

Wow! Here I am working for CareNet  Pregnancy Centers.  I am getting to share Psalm 139 and other scripture with many people.  This fall we started a post adoption bible study and had two ladies who came and shared their hearts of a precious gift they carried and placed with a family.   I am so proud of them.  I can’t even imagine the smile on God’s face toward their sacrifice of love that was given to such a precious gift.  We also had to precious volunteers help to teach the class that have also been involved with adoption.  They have a heart to share their experience with adoption with ladies that take the class. I am so excited for them to share their stories and help the ladies find healing in their hearts upon giving a family an incredible gift.  This first class was awesome!  If you know someone who has placed a baby in adoption please tell them to call us at CareNet.  We would love to be a support to them.

Thank you to all the birthmothers who make a choice to give a gift of a lifetime to others.  God is incredible and He blows me away with all He does in my life!  I hope He does the same to you! 

Relax

Sharon Perkins

All who know me very well know that I Love to swim!! When we were children Mother would take us swimming often, (probably to get us out of her hair). We took swimming lessons enough to know how not to drown (ha) and we spent hours at the pool.

When Dalon (my husband) and I moved to Amarillo from Shamrock, we were led to a church that had a wonderful

young married couples class.  Some of the women in the class decided to go to the YWCA and take swim lessons and although I already knew how, I decided to go along with them. It would be a good time of fellowship and I could get away for a while.

 
  Our instructor was the most graceful swimmer I’d ever seen (other than Esther Williams). I was so inspired by her graceful strokes and when she dove in the water there was hardly a ripple. She looked like a beautiful swan. It didn’t take me long to realize, truly all I knew about swimming, was how to fight the water and get across the pool. There was no grace about it. We could swim under the water well but that was hard on breathing. My sister Sandra was especially good about underwater swimming. She was always disappearing under the water. We’d begin to worry about her and about that time she’d come up for air.

 
I never missed a class, I learned to really, really enjoy my swim. I didn’t fight the water

Anymore. Now, it is the most relaxing exercise and enjoyable times I have and it is all due to learning the proper strokes and breathing techniques.

 
  My dear friends, I often think of the Christian Life this way. As we learn to trust Christ in the way I learned to trust the water to hold me up, we quit fighting His leading and relax! Have you ever tried, on purpose, to get to the bottom of the pool? It is hard to do. The Lord holds us up the same way. It is “Christ living in us” that holds us up. We can fight against His leading, or follow His leading. The most relaxing is the latter. Follow wherever He leads and He will give us rest. MATT. 11:28-30

 
  I started teaching swimming after I learned the proper technique. And that’s exactly how I felt when I finally learned the mystery of the “Normal Christian Life". Col. 1:27 “Christ in you the Hope of Glory”. The life Christ wants us to enjoy, how he sees us, why he came, he says in John 10;10….. “I am come that you might live life to the fullest.” I realize so many Christians are like I was, struggling to live the Life after accepting Jesus as savior. Knowing we are going to heaven but not enjoying the journey on the way there.  After I came to the end of my struggling self, knowing there had to be more, a better way, things weren’t consistent. On one hand I saw faithful Christians that were just grinning and bearing their life (so to speak) and on the other hand I heard preachers that spoke of living life to the fullest. I knew there was something I was missing. I began diligently seeking Him and God, brought many books and people into my life to show me the way. One book was “The Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee. Another book that was very instrumental was, “The Saving Life of Christ” by Major Ian Thomas. When I learned these truths I had to teach it. I didn’t want others to have to struggle, and fail. When I was approached to teach a Bible study at Carenet many years ago I knew what the Lord would have me teach. And to this day I’m still sharing the things I’ve learned to the classes at the end of childbirth sessions. If only I had been more aware at that age and time in life. But it’s never, never too late to learn and of course we would all be better Moms by enjoying our Christian life instead of constantly struggling.

  This class is known as Victorious Christian Living. I always look forward to teaching this to any class, anytime, because it keeps me in the Word and is a reminder to me, of where I came from. It was a hard lesson to learn, but now I never want to go back to wilderness living. Oh yes, I find myself there sometimes but at least I recognize the problem and quickly run to Jesus and His word. Wilderness living is not what God wants for us. Praise God! Thank God for Carenet and the opportunity to serve the Lord in this wonderful place.

Healing from Abortion



Carol Phillips



 Seven years ago, I would not have imagined that I would be so blessed to participate in the CareNet ministry.  In fact, I was not even open to any kind of ministry.  I attended church, did a few little feel-good services at church and then went about my empty life doing only what I thought at the time was making me happy.  God certainly had another plan and knowing me better than I knew myself, decided it was time to bring me to my knees, a place I had not been in a very long time. 

My journey started with a phone call from a friend asking my husband and me to join them for the CareNet banquet.    After attending the banquet, I felt like this would be another great feel-good ministry for me.  I went in for the interview for volunteer training and that’s when God put the first kink in my plan.  I was told that because of something I had done in my past, I would not be allowed to volunteer before an additional class was added, along with volunteer training.  What was this “thing” that I had pushed out of my mind for so many years?   I had an abortion when I was in college.  It happened over 30 years ago and I was sure it had no effect on me, but if those were the rules, and I signed up for New Dawn Post Abortion Forgiveness Bible study.  

With a heart that wasn’t really into it, I started going to the New Dawn study.  I was halfway through the study when God must have decided enough was enough.   We were on the chapter that was about God revealing the name of our aborted baby.   I had only written down one name because that was all I could think of.  There on a handout just given to us, in bold letters, was the name I had written down in my study book.  I turned white and was having trouble breathing.   From that moment on, I knew Christ was in control and he had my full attention.    He showed me that I had lived a life of short-term relationships, multiple marriages and very bad decisions because I knew in my heart that I was not worthy or deserving of any better.  I had killed my child and what mother does that to her baby?  God had thrown me a life-line with New Dawn.  From the moment I asked, accepted and believed His forgiveness, I started pulling myself away from the grasp of Satan and into a life that I love now more than ever.   

Right after I started volunteering here, the Sonogram coordinator position opened.  I wasn’t sure I was ready for that kind of commitment, but if God opened the door, there must be a reason.  It was not long before I knew what it was.  Most of the pregnant girls want a sonogram and some are considering an abortion.  He wanted me to share with others the downward spirals your life will take if a mother chooses to abort her baby.  I was scared and nervous the first few times and afraid of not saying the right words. Now I say a prayer that Christ helps me find the right words.  He is always in that room with all of us as we work as a team to give the gift of life to the unborn. 

Today life is completely different than seven years ago and I thank God every day for that.  If God hadn’t loved me enough to change me from the self serving person I had been, then I would have never known the real joy of life and being a servant of God and loving every minute of it.  CareNet was my lifeline and we all see that it is for so many clients.  We pray God brings them to their knees so they will reach up and take the precious gift that He is offering if only you will reach to Him!!