April 21, 2025

GCH:decaf — Meet Channa

January 11, 2013 by

I have enjoyed reading about all of the young ladies in the Decaf group. We have such a wide range of ages, that it is great to read what makes each one of you unique. After all, isn’t that what God intended? He has gifted each of us with talents and gifts that are still being discovered. Let me introduce you to Channa.

Channa

Channa is a lively and beautiful young woman who is currently attending Bethel University on a Choral Scholarship. She has been gifted with a wonderful voice that she aspires to use in ministry once she has finished her college career. Channa is the middle child of three siblings. Her youngest sister is attending high school back home in Rockvale. Channa, when home, is surrounded with a lot of family members. They each vie for her time and attention that does a girl good.

Channa’s favorite group is Sixteen Cities and her favorite song to sing of the group is You Are Someone’s Work of Art. I asked her if she was someone’s work of art and she said no, that she was a work on progress. Aren’t we all, I laughed. Then I asked her what her favorite worship song is and she said Our God by Chris Tomlin.

I asked Channa what stood out to her while reading ‘A Daughter’s Worth’ last year and she said the part about dating and holding yourself pure, keeping to your standards. When she went through the checklist she saw that she had all of the qualities but the young man did not. So that got her to thinking about whether she wanted in that relationship or not. So when she got back to college she made the break and is not looking back.

When I started asking her about whether she was a fan or a follower, she said she was a fan for right now and that she wanted to change that. She wants to get back to attending church while at college and surrounding herself with people that will encourage her in her walk with Christ. Channa wants to make a difference and needs help along the way, just like all of us. She loves making goofy faces and making people laugh. This year she is going to be more intentional with her studies while at Bethel and focus on her school work.

 

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Let’s pray:

Father, I thank You for each and every young woman in this Bible study. I ask that You will use this and other blogs to create a passion to serve You. Help us to see others as You see them and to prepare our hearts and minds to do Your work. We love You God and thank You for allowing us to use this media to further Your kingdom.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!

 

If you are interested in joining our online Bible study group, click HERE. Once we receive your registration, we will email you further details.

If you would like to send a private message to Tina in regards to this blog, you may email her at:  Tina@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

 

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A Daughter’s Worth: Our Final Day! PLUS, we have a BIG announcement! Don’t Miss It!!

December 21, 2012 by

Today as you and I look forward to Heaven with God, can you describe what thought or image comes to you? When I think of heaven I think of angels everywhere, singing with the ethereal voices of praises to God our Father. I think of mansions that we have built for ourselves and streets paved with gold and that we have no more sorrow or tears. I, like Ava, can most times cry at the drop of a hat. I think God likes that I have a heart for Him and his children.

When you arrive in heaven, are there women you would want to ask questions? My thoughts turned to Florence Nightingale, Joan of Arc, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. I would love to find out from Florence what sacrifices she had to make in a predominately male society to care for the sick and injured. For Joan of Arc, how God was there when she knew he was speaking to her and no one else accepted it. Then I would love to ask Mary what she thought about as Jesus grew older, and how her heart would swell with joy, knowing that God blessed her with His son.

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV) says 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. To me that is so exciting! Jesus cares enough about you and me to give us the hope of Eternal Joy and a hope that he will one day come to take us home with him. When life seems to get tough, and it will, we have the peace of knowing that God sent his son Jesus to redeem us, to save us and to help us.  With the assistance of the Holy Spirit you and I can share and spread the good news of hope, love, peace, rest and joy we have since we have accepted Jesus in our heart and consistently pursue Him.

Do you know Jesus personally? 2 Peter 3:13 says In keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new Heaven and a new earth, the of righteousness. The only way to get there is to ask Jesus into your heart, tell Him all of your sins, ask Him to forgive you and begin seeking Him by reading your Bible. Then, please let us know that you have made this decision to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. And if you have decided to rededicate your life to Him, we would love to know that as well. We all have strayed a bit or a lot. But God is faithful and His GRACE is enough to accept us when we truly repent and turn away from our life of sin. He loves us so very much.

Let’s Pray:

Father, I love You and I thank You for this Bible Study. I want to seek You and do my best for You and Your kingdom. Reveal to me where I can further Your kingdom right where I am. Forgive me for when I have strayed from my walk with You and I ask that Your Holy Spirit never depart from me. I ask that the Holy Spirit be my guide and assist me to keep my feet on Your path. Thank You for sending Jesus Your son to die on that cross for my sins so I can become a Daughter of the Most High.  Amen!!!!

In His Love,

Tina

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Now a word from the AMAZING GCH:decaf Founder, Megan Smidt!  (She has a BIG announcement below!!)

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Worthy Daughters of the King,

WOW!!!!! We did it! The past 12 weeks have been one incredible journey and it has been an honor to take it with you! Congratulations on being a part of GCH:decaf’s very first online Bible study!!! I have learned so much with you along the way and I hope you all enjoyed this study as much as I did.

What was YOUR biggest take-away from the past 12 weeks? For me, it is that God does NOT call us to compromise in any area of our lives. As worthy daughters, He calls us to use our strong voices to stand firm for His Kingdom and He will always equip us with all we need, in every season, to fulfill His purposes on earth. How AWESOME is that!

The lessons of the past 12 weeks have laid the perfect foundation for the NEW study we will beginning in February! Are you ready to hear what it is!?!??! I have been SO very excited to announce this to YOU!!!

GCH:decaf will be starting our new online Bible study for Not a Fan: Teen Edition February 4, 2013! This will be a 6 week study and you will need the red book and companion journal for it. You can order your copy online or pick it up at your local Lifeway store. Ask for it for Christmas and read it in January to be ready to dig in February 4th!

Not a Fan - Teen Edition

Not a Fan – Teen Edition

Not a Fan - Journal

Not a Fan – Journal

Mama T, our other leaders and I want you to recruit your friends to do this study along with us! There will be a contest coming in January for friend referrals when we start sign-ups for this new study…. Be on the look-out for that!

We have one more announcement going into the new year. We will be breaking up GCH:decaf into two age groups…. “Venti” will be our group for young college-aged women ages 18-24, and our “Grande” group will be for our friends who are ages 12-18!

Sign up for this awesome study will start soon!  So stay tuned!!

Thank you for all you do to help make GCH:decaf such a fun and safe place to hang with your friends all over the world and grow in your walk with Jesus! God has big plans for you in 2013 and it is an honor to walk this season with you.

Make today and every day AMAZING,

Megan

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A Daughter’s Worth: Week 10 / Day 5 – Reach Non-Believers Around You

December 7, 2012 by

Prepare your hearts

As we come to the end of 10 weeks, we have been discussing how to tell your story to others, how to keep your life clean, continue to grow, and how to influence your younger ‘sisters’. That is a lot for some to do. Don’t feel overwhelmed though, you have a great resource to help you through all of this, God and His word, the Holy Bible, and your friends. Now it is time to discuss how to reach the non-believers.

Was there someone in your church or family that you looked up to? Did she talk to you every week, or maybe everyday at school? Is there someone who looks up to you? Ava gave us a check list as an indicator as for living our lives. Here is just a couple: Do you pray for unbelievers to see God, do you invite them to church? The list she gave was not all-inclusive but a good way to gauge where you are in your walk.

When we read about Paul’s situation in Acts 26: 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.(ESV)  This is a high road for anyone to follow, let alone Paul.

You see, Paul was a Pharisee, a man who was chosen to STUDY the Jewish laws and customs. A Rabbi never chose anyone to mentor unless that young man had potential. Paul was ready and willing to prove his love for the Jewish people no matter who he hurt in the process. While on the road to Damascus, Paul had a divine meeting with Jesus in a very unique way. Paul was blinded by a bright light. He could not see, but he could hear. Those with him probably did not hear what was being said to Paul, but could hear Paul Jesus speaking. Paul was told, as it is said above, to preach the good news of salvation to the Gentiles, that they may receive forgiveness of sins.

We should never assume someone is saved just because they go to church. Just because we sit in a church every Sunday, this does not mean we are saved. We are saved by asking Jesus into our hearts, professing Him as Lord of our life and following Him. In order for us to witness fully to our friends we need to do 4 things:

1) read God’s word daily and pray. Ask God for those moments when we need to share our story with someone. Maybe write out a short version pf your testimony and then write out one for when you have more time to sit and explain why it is important to have that relationship with God.

2) Pray about specific non-believers that you know and ask the Holy Spirit to be with you when you are sharing.

3) Speak from your heart and share what God lays on your heart to share.

4) Know that the Holy Spirit is there with you, praying you through and giving you the confidence to share.

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We need to prepare our hearts in order to share effectively with others. Ask God to reveal places where forgiveness is required and ask how to receive or give forgiveness. Do you need to rededicate your life to God? Then do it, you will reap such huge benefits. Now Ava asks that you think of 3 people whom you will pray for regularly for the right opportunity to share what God has done for you and how living in His perfect will has made a huge difference in your life.

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Let’s pray:
Father, we come before You asking that Your Holy Spirit reveal in us places where forgiveness needs to be given in order for us to share Your love, grace, and mercy with others. Lord use me as Your mouth piece even when it is scary. Help me to slow down and listen to Your prompting and help me see God opportunities as they appear. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

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For the A Daughter’s Worth Online Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

 

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A Daughter’s Worth: Week 8 / Day 5 – You Can Enjoy Being Single

November 23, 2012 by

 

Growing up in the South, it meant that teenage girls were supposed to have a boyfriend and be ready for marriage by the time you were out of high school. If you didn’t then you were expected to find a job and maybe find a future husband there or at college, if you could afford to go. That was a lot of pressure for a young woman, who may not have the self confidence she needs to be in a healthy relationship.

Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians said it is better for you to be single, so you could be about the Lord’s work, than if you were married, because being married would be a distraction. So by reading 1 Corinthians 7:32 would you say that you could still serve the Lord if you were dating someone? I know it would be hard, unless he was as dedicated to serving as you would be.

Waiting for God’s best may not be easy, but it is so worth it. He may not want you to be married. He may want you to be a missionary that travels around the world telling others of His love for them.  He may want you to get married in your forties. Whatever God’s plan is for you life, make sure you are praying for clarity and not what you want. Ask him to give you a peace and comfort while you kneel before our heavenly Father and give him your heart and let him bring you his best.

Let’s pray,

Father, I want to do my best is serving you. Show me how I need to do this in order to bring blessings and honor to my life and glory to yours. Thank you for what you do for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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For the A Daughter’s Worth Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Our new study is A Daughter’s Worth! Please email megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information

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A Daughter’s Worth: Week 6 / Day 5: A Good Friend Holds You Accountable

November 9, 2012 by

How many of us want a good friend? I remember once, when I was 14 or 15 years old a friend who was not doing what is right. I told her that I did not think what she was doing was appropriate. It upset her and her brother, who was older, got on the phone, and told me to mind my own business that not everyone believes as I do. I became upset. My dad happened to come by when I was upset and after relaying the story he told me that I should not to try to tell someone else how to behave, that it was not my responsibility. Oh how I wish I knew now, what I needed to know then. I was discouraged from sharing and calling out anyone else until I became older.

Proverbs 15:31 states, “The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.” (ESV) If you or I were to speak with someone about what is going on in their life, would they turn from the path he or she is going towards? We would not know unless we speak out. Ms. Sturgeon asks us to pray first about the confrontation before you give advice and your example to lead them back to Him. 2 Timothy 4:2 gives us great advice on what to do: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage –with great patience and careful instruction.”

When confronting your friend you may be rejected, but they will come back to you. I know my friend came back to me and we were great friends for a very long time. Have you ever been on the receiving end of reproving? I have, and it is hard to receive. Pride gets in the way and I had to move it aside and ask God to reveal to me what my friend saw that I was doing. After much thought I realized my friend was right and how I have sinned in that situation.

We all fall short of our goal when we are not held to a higher standard. We will not meet our full potential unless we are purified in the fire and come out on the other side, new and shiny. When we reprove someone or we are on the receiving end of reproving, then we need to thank God that someone loved us enough to take the time to speak with us. That is showing gratitude to our Father!

Let’s pray:

Father, give me the courage I need to speak up when my friend is not living according to your word. Help me to know that your love for them is as great as your love is for me. Help me show my friend that I want to see my friend succeed in every aspect of her life through making the godly choices she needs to make. Use me Father as you see fit, give me the words to speak, not mine, by your words. Thank you for all that you do in our lives and we thank you most of all for your son Jesus.

In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen!

Blessings, 

Tina

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For the A Daughter’s Worth Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Our new study is A Daughter’s Worth! Please email megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

Filed Under: Teens Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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