Welcome to the new look Activate-your-life website. Activate-your-life takes a unique approach because we encourage 'ordinary', individual Christians to be active; we know that you can be effective just by being yourself.
With 4 decades of experience behind us and an exciting future ahead, we'd like to invite you to join our community of 'girls getting out there' sharing God's love in natural, meaningful ways.
Our aim is to offer stimulating articles, fun ideas and challenging topics for discussion. We need you to join in and help us by posting articles - or even writing a regular blog; joining in forum discussions, voting in polls, or simply telling others about useful resources you've discovered. So why not log on and help us build… We look forward to welcoming you.
Fiona Castle - President | Mandy Catto - Director | Sarah McKerney - Director
Activate Dates For Your Diary
'One Day In Your Life'November 13th 2010
Oasis Centre, London
For the first time, Activate Your Life will be hosting a one day London gathering. We will meet in the Lincoln Suite of the Oasis Centre within walking distance of Waterloo station. More details of the seminar teaching, group workshops, worship sessions and networking opportunities will follow. This is a training day, designed to resource and inspire Christians to get out there with Activate's core mission purpose - friendship evangelism. Coffees, teas, a light lunch provided by the Hub cafe team will be included for £20, and our chocolate fountains will be flowing all day. Meeting between 10am and 4pm the space is limited to 100 delegates; put the date in your 2010 diaries now and use the paypal button booking system below to pay. This is one day in your life that could make all the difference to you and those who you know...
'Better Than Ever'March 4th,5th,6th 2011
Four Pillars Hotel, Cirencester
We are delighted to announce a new venue for our next weekend away. We have secured a booking in a contemporary four star hotel on the Cotswolds lakes, with a fabulous spa, excellent catering and lovely bedrooms – many of which look out onto the surrounding lakes. Water sports can be booked adjacent but we will have a packed programme with our special guest Michele Guinness. This time we offer one or two night stay options – arrive on Saturday at 9.30am for coffee ready for the conference to begin at 10am. A full programme of speakers, workshops, seminars and worship will follow, including lunch and a gala dinner, then another full day on Sunday, finishing at 5pm. For a twin bedded room this price will be £170 per person. If you want to add in an extra night on the Friday, add on £60. Internet booking will open soon.
Raised with Christ
Jesus truly is alive today. But compared to his atoning death, author Adrian Warnock says that “Jesus' resurrection is often only mentioned at Easter” and sparks relatively little discussion in the church. Warnock goes on to say “Not preaching about the resurrection is a major reason for the weakness, lack of joy, poor growth, spiritual decline, compromise with sin and many other problems in the church today”.
Appeal by Pam Rhodes for the Arthur Rank Centre
An appeal by Pam Rhodes on behalf of Arthur Rank Centre will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday 11th March at 15.27.
ARC has supported the rural community and its churches with training, local facilities, housing, and care for the most vulnerable people in rural society for over 35 years.
It is estimated that 900,000 households are living on or below the poverty line in rural areas of England including 700,000 children. The rural community is becoming increasingly isolated due to diminishing local services and the lack of affordable housing.
Not some crazy myth that comforts you
“Well I’ve heard it all before, cranky people at my door
With their pious smiles and frumpy clothes that made my eyes sore
Well they said I must repent, wasn’t quite sure what that meant
But I need someone who will help me with my life,
Someone who can sort out my boss, my debts, my wife.
I need someone who’ll understand what I’m going through
Not some crazy myth that comforts you.”
© Julia Bradley
Over the years, the Activate Your Life team have aimed to include issues in our weekends away that are relevant to today’s woman; issues that many women would express the need for help and support with.
Recently, I came across an article that I feel effectively explains why this is so important.
I wish for you...
I Wish for You...
Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence for when you doubt,
Faith so that you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
And love to complete your life.
I asked the Lord to bless you,
As I prayed for you today,
To guide you and protect you,
As you go along your way.
His love is always with you,
March Devotional - Palm Sunday
As faithful followers of Christ, we are called to relive the emotional journey on Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem bringing excitement, joy and celebration with His disciples and friends. Joy turns to sorrow, celebration turns to grief as they move towards Jesus’ death culminating in an unbearable tension of emotions.
The Knots Prayer
A brilliant prayer I came across asking God to untie the knots in our lives. It says so much about how we are often the ones holding ourselves back from being all God intends us to be
Dear God,
Please untie the knots
that are in my mind,
my heart and my life.
Remove the have nots,
the can nots and the do nots
that I have in my mind.
Erase the will nots,
may nots, and
might nots that find
a home in my heart.
Release me from the could nots,
would nots and should nots
that obstruct my life.
And most of all, dear God,
I ask that you remove from my mind
Britain's Most Powerful Women
I read with interest an article from my daughter's Glamour magazine (February's edition) referring to a compiled list of the most powerful women in our country relating to six groups 'Fashion & Beauty', 'Entertainment & Media','Sport, Culture & Society', 'Science & Technology', 'Politics' and 'Business & Law'. Information was taken from news archives, music charts, best-seller lists, richlists, factoring in Google hits and column inches. A panel of judges were consulted including Piers Morgan, Amanda Platell, Emma Crosby, Jo Elvin and Marigay McKee.
An Element of Freedom
I've just heard the title track (all 12 seconds of it) from Alicia Keys latest album. I was so struck by it that I've added it to the growing number of quotes in my email signature.
"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight and closed in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom. This is the element of freedom."
That's it. Just 12 seconds of her speaking. But what powerful words!
Fairtrade Fortnight - Get Involved!
When I first started buying Fairtrade products I did it because I knew it was the ethical thing to do and I rarely enjoyed the products - the coffee and chocolate tasted pretty grim! How things have changed in the last ten years! Buying fairly traded goods is a tasty and relatively easy option as more and more shops and manufacturers are going for the big 'FT' badge. I love Divine chocolate bars, I cheered loudly when Cadbury's Dairy Milk joined the club and I have just heard that Ben and Jerry's icecream and KitKats are about to go 100%.
