Monday, December 29, 2008
Breaking ties
We're really split on what book we'd like to study next time, and we don't have much time to decide. I'm giving you until Thursday to vote again. I won't vote, then if there is another tie I'll just have to break it. (Don't do that to me!) I need to get them ordered if they aren't available in the book store. Happy New Year to all of you!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
What can you give?
As I'm packing to leave for Chicago, I'm thinking about all of you and hope your Christmas time is awesome. I can't give all of you a gift because I don't have the funds--but there is something I can give you. (And you can give it to others, too.)
I give you the gift of prayer. I promise to pray for you throughout the coming year. When you have needs or when you rejoice, I will pray. When you struggle, I will pray.
I hope you will do the same for me.
Let your friends know you give them the gift of prayer--and then do it!
Merry Christmas to you all! (Don't forget the Christmas eve service at 6 p.m. at the church!)
I give you the gift of prayer. I promise to pray for you throughout the coming year. When you have needs or when you rejoice, I will pray. When you struggle, I will pray.
I hope you will do the same for me.
Let your friends know you give them the gift of prayer--and then do it!
Merry Christmas to you all! (Don't forget the Christmas eve service at 6 p.m. at the church!)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Deanna's Mom
Please put Deanna Cross's mom on your prayer list. Her doctor thinks she has pancreatic cancer. They're doing tests to know for sure. Pray the doctor is wrong. Pray for complete healing. And, pray for Deanna. This is really upsetting to her. Thanks for joining me in praying for a Girlfriend.
Invisible
I borrowed this from my daughter's blog. Many of you have already raised your kids. But, the same principle applies to whatever it is you're doing: teaching Sunday School, hosting a home group, singing with the worship team, greeting people as they come to church, preparing a meal for someone who is sick....and the list goes on.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this??
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.
'I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it here.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Great Job. The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you. This is beautiful and makes a ton of sense. To all the wonderful mothers out there.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I am in much debt to my invisible Mother..
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this??
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.
'I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it here.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Great Job. The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you. This is beautiful and makes a ton of sense. To all the wonderful mothers out there.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I am in much debt to my invisible Mother..
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Looking at New Books
Here is a synopsis of the books to choose from for the study beginning January 7:
Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality In life by Beth Moore. This leads you through a study of the scriptures to discover the transforming power of Christian freedom. Based on Isaiah 61:1-4, this in-depth study draws parallels between the captive Israelites and today's believers. Beth uses scripture to point out the benefits of our relationship with God and shows you how to remove obstacles that hinder that relationship. As you identify spiritual strongholds in your life, you will progress on the journey toward greater freedom in Christ. Cost: $14.95
A Heart Like His: Seeking the Heart of God Through a Study of David by Beth Moore is an 11-week study of King David, focusing on his years as God's chosen king of Israel. Beth invites you to join her on an exciting and intimate journey to know King David, the man after God's own heart. On this journey you will experience the ups and downs of the shepherd king, and you will come to know and love his God in a new way. Cost $14.95
Jesus The One and Only by Beth Moore is an in-depth study of the life of Jesus based on the book of Luke. Come along with Beth on a life-changing journey which will lead you through the hills of Galilee with the Teacher, across the lake with the Master, and finally, on the road toward the cross with the Savior. Get to know Jesus intimately...as though you had walked with Him during His days of earthly ministry. Cost $14.95
To Live is Christ by Beth Moore looks at the life and ministry of Paul. Along the way participants will get to know the "Apostle to the Gentiles" in a new way. You will discover him to be a man who formed many close friendships with both men and women. He served faithfully and loved heartily. This study will challenge and encourage you with a new appreciation of servanthood. Cost: $14.95
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver is designed to show you how to draw closer to the Lord, deepen devotion, strength service and do both with less stress and greater joy. It shows how women can blend intimacy with Jesus and service for Him. Cost: $13.99
Chocolatherapy by Karen Scalf Linamen. What if, instead of reaching for the chocolate at the end of a long day, women reached for God to satisfy their inner cravings? This book helps women gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and what it is they really enjoy. This is not a workbook. Cost is $12.99
We're going to skip A Woman's Heart for Now. Someone has voted, so I can't change the poll now...but there could be a problem getting workbooks to match the video.
Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality In life by Beth Moore. This leads you through a study of the scriptures to discover the transforming power of Christian freedom. Based on Isaiah 61:1-4, this in-depth study draws parallels between the captive Israelites and today's believers. Beth uses scripture to point out the benefits of our relationship with God and shows you how to remove obstacles that hinder that relationship. As you identify spiritual strongholds in your life, you will progress on the journey toward greater freedom in Christ. Cost: $14.95
A Heart Like His: Seeking the Heart of God Through a Study of David by Beth Moore is an 11-week study of King David, focusing on his years as God's chosen king of Israel. Beth invites you to join her on an exciting and intimate journey to know King David, the man after God's own heart. On this journey you will experience the ups and downs of the shepherd king, and you will come to know and love his God in a new way. Cost $14.95
Jesus The One and Only by Beth Moore is an in-depth study of the life of Jesus based on the book of Luke. Come along with Beth on a life-changing journey which will lead you through the hills of Galilee with the Teacher, across the lake with the Master, and finally, on the road toward the cross with the Savior. Get to know Jesus intimately...as though you had walked with Him during His days of earthly ministry. Cost $14.95
To Live is Christ by Beth Moore looks at the life and ministry of Paul. Along the way participants will get to know the "Apostle to the Gentiles" in a new way. You will discover him to be a man who formed many close friendships with both men and women. He served faithfully and loved heartily. This study will challenge and encourage you with a new appreciation of servanthood. Cost: $14.95
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver is designed to show you how to draw closer to the Lord, deepen devotion, strength service and do both with less stress and greater joy. It shows how women can blend intimacy with Jesus and service for Him. Cost: $13.99
Chocolatherapy by Karen Scalf Linamen. What if, instead of reaching for the chocolate at the end of a long day, women reached for God to satisfy their inner cravings? This book helps women gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and what it is they really enjoy. This is not a workbook. Cost is $12.99
We're going to skip A Woman's Heart for Now. Someone has voted, so I can't change the poll now...but there could be a problem getting workbooks to match the video.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thankful Thursday
I'm thankful today for ending another good study. We just finished Bad Girls of the Bible, and it was great. Don't know for sure what we'll do beginning in January, but we will know soon.
Some prayer requests to remember from last night:
1. Kerry Fisher--something is causing back in her back and hip area.
2. Michael Chappelear--some problems with pain in his right side. They've been doing tests, but haven't found what it is yet.
3. Charles Allison--Jerry W.'s nephew. He is still in the hospital but has a long way to recover.
Some prayer requests to remember from last night:
1. Kerry Fisher--something is causing back in her back and hip area.
2. Michael Chappelear--some problems with pain in his right side. They've been doing tests, but haven't found what it is yet.
3. Charles Allison--Jerry W.'s nephew. He is still in the hospital but has a long way to recover.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Take Some Risks
I read something today that said your live is enriched if you are a risk taker--you'll experience joy, but you'll also experience tears.
We need to step out in faith and do whatever God is leading is today, whether we're thinking about something easy like working with a new ministry at the church, teaching a class, or whatever. Take a risk this week!
We need to step out in faith and do whatever God is leading is today, whether we're thinking about something easy like working with a new ministry at the church, teaching a class, or whatever. Take a risk this week!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Thankful Thursday
Today I'm especially thankful that when it is cold outside I don't have to get up early and go to work! I did it for about 46 years, and I no longer have to. What a blessing that God has provided that for me. What are you thankful for today?
Any Old Idols?
Last night we studied about David's wife Michal. I had never thought much about her. But in the study it is brought out that she put a large household idol in the bed and covered it up to fool Saul's soldiers that it was David in bed ill. I was thinking "What were they doing with a household idol in David's house?" I don't know if he knew she had it, but if it was big enough to substitute for a man's body, I think it would be hard to not know it existed. In Jonah 2:8 it says, "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." That made me start thinking about any old traditions I might have that I need to be sure aren't between me and God.
What "grace" are we missing because we're clinging to old traditions for tradition's sake? I'm just praying today that God will show me anything that I need to get rid of in order to be sure I'm serving only Him.
What "grace" are we missing because we're clinging to old traditions for tradition's sake? I'm just praying today that God will show me anything that I need to get rid of in order to be sure I'm serving only Him.
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