November 16, 2024

Saturday’s with Shauna Jared

October 6, 2012 by

This blog is brought to you today by Shauna Jared

I am so excited that I was asked to do the Saturday craft/fun blog for the Singles Ministry here at GCH!  I love all things crafty, although it’s hard for me to find time to actually do them… but recently I’ve discovered a new craft obsession that’s relatively easy and inexpensive as well as relaxing, so I thought I would share it with you guys!  Hand embroidery! 

 

Now, I know what you’re thinking.  Embroidery?  You mean dishtowels with animated vegetables and teacups on them?  Puppies doing laundry and washing dishes?  Well, you certainly can embroider those patterns if you would like (I’ve found TONS of free vintage embroidery patterns online… see the links later in this post) and I actually find some of those old patterns quite charming!  As the Bible says in Revelation 21:5, “Behold, I make all things new.” 😉  But there are plenty of modern embroidery patterns out there and you can make anything from tea towels to quilts to embroidering on clothing and tote bags!  And embroidered items can make fantastic gifts!  (Christmas is only 79 days away, ladies…. )

 

So, let’s get started, shall we?

 

I’m currently working on a tea towel with some funky flowers on them (see photo above), so I’ll tell you what you’ll need for this project and where to get patterns and how to get them on your tea towel (or pillowcase or whatever your project is going to be!)

 

Basic tools you will need:

 

Embroidery pattern ( this is a link to Aunt Martha’s, but there are plenty of other options.  The one I’m using is “Fantasy Flowers” found at sublimestitching.com)  

Embroidery needles 

Embroidery hoop (5” – 7”) 

Embroidery floss (how many and colors will depend on your particular project) 

Blank Tea Towel (or pillowcase, tote bag, shirt, quilt piece, baby bib, whatever… you get the picture.  A “blank” just means an item that has no design on it – it is awaiting your brilliant embroidery masterpiece)

An iron and ironing board… I think most everyone already has these 😉

 

And depending on what type of pattern you have, you may need the following:

 

Vellum tracing paper 

Iron-on transfer pen

 

 

First, let’s talk about the pattern.  You can buy iron on transfer patterns and all you will do is simply follow the instructions on the package and iron it on to your blank.  Simple!  You can find the “Aunt Martha’s” brand of iron on transfers at Wal-Mart or JoAnn’s and these are usually the vintage type patterns.  I’ve also found a couple of awesome websites that offer iron on patterns for purchase:

 

Pattern Bee:  http://patternbee.com/MENU.html

Sublime Stitching:  http://www.sublimestitching.com/ (the pattern I’m currently using in the photo at the beginning of this post is “Fantasy Flowers”… they also sell everything else you would need for embroidery in their shop!  Even beginners kits!

 

You can also find patterns online (some free, some purchased PDF’s) to print at home.  You would then need some vellum tracing paper and an iron-on transfer pen in order to get the design onto your blank.  I’ve found many websites that offer free vintage embroidery patterns, so you would need the tracing paper and transfer pen to use these.  You would simply print your pattern out, then place a piece of tracing paper over it.  It is thin, so you can see the pattern underneath.  Use your iron-on transfer pen to trace the design onto the paper.  Then follow the instructions that come with the pen and iron it on to your blank.  Easy peasy!  (NOTE:  If there is lettering, make sure you are tracing it BACKWARDS so that the words show up correctly on your blank when you iron it on!  Let’s not talk about how I found this out…)

 

Here are some resources I’ve found for free patterns:

 

Pattern Bee:  http://patternbee.com/MENU.html (offers some freebies)

Vintage Transfer Finds:  http://mytransfers.blogspot.com/

French-Knots: http://www.french-knots.com/

nanaCompany: http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/ (beautiful blog and they offer some freebies)

 

I’m sure there are other ways to get your pattern on to your blank, but these are the two best ways, in my opinion 

 

Now that you have your pattern on your blank, you’re ready to go!  

 

Next, you need to put the hoop on your project to help you make even stitches and keep even tension.  Take the hoop apart and put the piece that isn’t adjustable underneath your fabric.  Your whole project doesn’t have to fit inside the hoop, you can move it around when you need to work on another part.  Now put the piece that has the adjustable screw on it on top of your fabric, over the other hoop, and push down until they go together.  Then you will need to tug at the fabric all the way around the hoop edge to make sure it’s good and tight.  And tighten up the screw if you need to.  Be sure to remove the hoop from your project when you’re not working on it for an extended period of time.  You don’t want it to get “hoop burn”!

 

Now, thread your embroidery needle with some floss and make a knot at the end… then we’ll take a look at a basic embroidery stitch!

 

The Back Stitch

 

 

So easy!  This is the stitch I’m using in the photo at the top of this post. Simply bring your needle from the back of your work, up through at “1”, back down at “2”, then back up again in front of “1” at “3”.  Then you would go back down at “4” and so forth.

 

There are other stitches you can do to get different effects, such as the stem stitch, satin stitch, split stitch, and French knot.  If the pattern you choose requires one or more of these stitches, it should give you a tutorial in the instructions.  If not, you can Google the stitch to find instructions or even find video tutorials on YouTube 

 

So that should be enough to get you on your way!  Are you addicted yet?  I certainly am.  I can’t wait to see your projects and hear about your new found love of embroidery, so please make sure to share in the comments below!  Praise God for embroidery!  Have a blessed day! 

 

<3 Shauna

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Lady In Waiting: Match Made In Heaven

October 5, 2012 by

As I re-read these six paragraphs for the third time now, I remember the thoughts the Lord put on my heart after reading this for the first time almost two years ago.  I highlighted many sentences, BUT this particular one stuck out, “courageously determine to pursue Jesus with your whole heart, soul, and mind”.  I had never heard it put like that before.  Those words changed me.  It was then I started to think about what a relationship with Jesus could be like.  Surely it couldn’t be like having a husband here on Earth, could it?  I remember specifically asking God that question.  Over the next few months He gave me reason after reason why it is not like having an earthly husband, IT’S BETTER.

I know what you are thinking because I thought the same things.  How can God hug me when I need a hug?  How can God really talk to me?  How can I ever have my dream wedding with God?  The Lord showed me the answers to all of these questions, and much more.

I have felt the Lord hug me before, His hugs are real.  It has been few and far between, BUT I tell you what, it was the BEST feeling I have ever felt.  I am confident HIS hug feels better than a husband’s hug.  The Lord talks to me every day.  He talks to me through His LIVING word, through the nudges he puts on my heart and through prayer.  We talk face to face, I just cannot see His face, but He sees mine!  Ok, here comes the tricky one, the dream wedding.  SIDE NOTE: Prior to reading this chapter, I had never thought of God being my “fiancé” this revelation intrigued me, and it also changed my dreams into God’s dreams for me.  Post having this revelation, I trust completely in the statement “The Lord gives me the desires of my heart” (Psalm 37:4).  This does not mean I will definitely get the wedding I have always dreamed of.  This statement means I will DEFINITELY get the life God has dreamed of for me.

Let this sink in and let’s think about this quote on page 22 “It will require a determined heart and more than a little courage to wrench ourselves loose from the grip of our times and return to biblical ways”.  Our times say you have to be married to be happy, you are miserable without a man to love you, and hold your hand.  You are incomplete without having a house full of kids and a perfect husband to go along with it.  Turn on television and all you see are “couples” that validate these ideas.  Watch any romantic movie and it leaves you falling for a false sense of what real love and real relationships are all about.  Look at the Bible and you will see the truth.  Nowhere in the Bible does it support the idea that you need a man to be happy, complete, or satisfied.  In fact, the Bible tells us, all we need is God.

Colossians 2:10

So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Philippians 4:19

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 63:5

You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.

I know there are some of us, including me at times, that know these truths, and are comforted sometimes by the words the Lord and loved ones give us.  But what about the times these words are just not enough because we still are eating alone on a Friday night?  We are still missing something to make us feel complete in Christ.  The Lord spoke to me my missing piece, “You were created for more than a marriage here on Earth; YOU were created for a perfect marriage in Heaven with ME, your Heavenly Bridegroom”.  WOW, Thank you Jesus for being my match made in Heaven.  When the encouraging words no longer bring me comfort the Lord’s words always will.  Knowing that I am created for God, for HIS purpose, for OUR relationship- will always be enough for me, even on the nights I have to order take out for one.

This is what God has shown me will bring a lasting comfort and how we can truly be satisfied solely in our heavenly fiancé.  We must train our mind, body, and soul with heavenly training.  We must go on a journey to find your satisfaction in God alone.  You must not sulk about having a ring less finger; you must EMBRACE the perfect, never-ending love of your perfect fiancé in Heaven.  When your mind gets filled with thoughts or feelings that are not from God, you must pray instantly and get rid of those thoughts.  Vow to God to love Him first, and to trust Him to guide you in the plan He has for you.  Pray about the desires He has for you.  Learn those desires, accept those desires, and live out those desires.  That is where you will be the happiest and feel His hugs!

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LET’S PRAY:

Lord, I thank You so much that You love us perfectly.  I thank You that You have a beautiful plan for us.  I ask that You help each and every one of us to live for YOU alone.  I ask that You get rid of any desires that we have that are not what You want for us.  We trust that Your desires are not only best for us but will also bring us the fullest measure of joy when lived out.  I ask for Your continued comfort and that we are able to experience Your hugs!  We love You so much, Amen.

You’re Assignment:  

Please answer any of the questions in the comment section below.  What is your missing piece?  Is it the same as mine?  Do you believe God really is your match made in Heaven?

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Want to join the conversation in our Online Bible Study Facebook Discussion Group?  We would love to have you, just click the Sign Up Here button at the top of this page and follow the directions.  See you there!

If you have not accepted Christ as your Lord & Savior, we would love to pray with you.  Please contact our Prayer Team leader by emailing  Robin@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.  Someone from our prayer team will contact you soon!

God Bless, 

Diane

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Lady In Waiting: Dividends from High Places

October 4, 2012 by

Choices.  Doesn’t it seem like we are making choices constantly from the time we get up, until the time we go to bed?  What’s for breakfast?  What to wear? What route to take to work?  Meet that friend for dinner?  All day long we are called on to decide.  Many of these decisions are not life changers.  We don’t fall to our knees and ask God if we should have raisin toast or Cheerios.  Thankfully, most choices we make are based more on preferences than facing a real consequence.

In our book, we see a difficult life changing decision that Ruth had to make.  Should she stay with ‘her people’ or does she follow God and go with Naomi?  As we know, Ruth made the decision to follow God, and we see the blessings she received because of it.  How did God reward Ruth’s choice to follow Him rather than the “do whatever you want”, hedonistic society she came from?  He provided her with a godly husband, a son who would be King David’s grandfather and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  Not a bad deal!

As single women in our society, we have to decide to break from the “American way” constantly.  Sometimes this is not easy.  I know personally there are times when I am tempted to take the easy way out.  Why not have a few drinks?  I will be more relaxed.  Why not watch those movies?  I’m not hurting anyone.  Why not let that guy in even though I know he isn’t the right one for me?  I’m lonely.  Why not sacrifice my purity?  Girls, I know these are not easy decisions, and these scenarios are just a few that we face.  Our friends may treat us differently when we make the right choice, we may even lose some of those friends.

We may face lonely weekend nights because we have nowhere to go.  We may be made fun of, or looked down on.  I was actually told by a male friend that I would never have the chance to get married because I won’t have premarital sex.  Now I KNOW that is not true, it isn’t God’s truth, but don’t you know that during those times when the nights are long, and hope is fleeting, the enemy uses those words.  I have wondered if maybe my friend was right, and I will never find someone because I don’t follow the way of this world.  These are the times I need to cling to Him, and His truth and have faith that that is what is real.  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. (2 Peter 2:4)

But why?  Why bother following His ways when the other ways seem to be so much more fun, or seem to have a better pay off.  I say to some trusted friends all the time, “I don’t understand, why do I have to be “perfect” for God to give me someone?  This Christian here is messed up, that one over there is messed up, yet God gave them someone to love them.  Why am I different?  Why not me?  Does God think I’m not good enough?  Is he punishing me?”

Girls, the reality is that God is not punishing us in our singleness, and we are definitely worth it.  He has amazing plans for us, if only we put our trust in Him.  Look what He says in Matthew 19:29: And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Ruth received her 100 times.  She found her godly husband and all that went along with that.  Is that God’s plan for all of us?  I can’t say it is.  What I do know is that the rewards for following Him are far greater than any temporary pleasure that come of following the ways of this world.  Stay strong girls.  You are worth it!!

Let’s Pray
Father God, we ask you to give us strength.  We want to stay strong in your promises.  Some days the temptation of worldly sin seems so strong.  We don’t know if we have what we need to overcome it.  But we know that when we don’t have what we need, you supply it.  In Your strength we can conquer anything and make the choices that are best for us.  We know you have amazing plans for us. Even when we don’t know exactly what they are, we rest in the promise that they exist.  Thank you Lord for being there for us in our weakness.  In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Your Assignment
Please leave a comment below sharing your struggles with obedience.  Is it hard to resist the temptations of this world?  If you don’t struggle, what are some of the strategies you use to avoid these feelings?  How can we pray for you?

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If you are interested in joining our Singles Online Bible Study Discussion Group, please click on the “Sign-Up Here” button located at the top of our web page, and follow the instructions!  We’ll be happy to add you to our group!!!

God bless,

Michelle

 

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Lady In Waiting: New Friends / New Surroundings / New Faith

October 3, 2012 by

 

Today’s lesson is brought to you by Tonya Ellison – GCH Singles Ministry

I want to be a woman of God. I want my thoughts and actions to glorify Him. I want to find my worth in Him before I look for that love and validation in any other person. I want to develop a relationship with Him before I invest time into any other relationship. How do I fully embrace this?
When I started reading this book last week I came up with a little saying on these three sections:

 

Person, Place and Faith

(because faith is more than just a thing)

New friends (person):  Who am I allowing to influence me?  How many times have I found myself spending time with friends and something just didn’t feel right? I’ve been in seasons in my life where I have to stand back and ask God and myself “How did I get here? What’s the deal? And to be perfectly honest I didn’t consider my friends to be part of the problem. I’m grown, I’m not doing what they’re doing, and I’m just there spending time with them.  I’m not letting them control my thoughts or actions either.

I was wrong. Like the authors said, I wasn’t spending time with other Christian women who encouraged me to live my life for God, women who “spurred” me forward on my journey.  My friends weren’t necessarily pulling me down but they weren’t pushing me forward either.

I’m not sure if you’ve experienced this but being a Christian woman in today’s society isn’t always going to make you the most popular person in the group. I found myself looking the other way and ignoring the behaviors of my friends because I didn’t want to lose them as friends and because I didn’t want them to look at me differently, mainly because I didn’t want to feel alone.

“Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals”

1 Corinthians 15:33

New Surroundings (Places):  I have to ask God where He wants me to be. Like the example in the book it can be something as minor as a choice between two activities, or something as big as a move across states. He has places picked out for us, whether it is a church, a job or a home. He knows where He wants us.

Surroundings pt. 2: Culture. The culture we find ourselves in today is not always the most growth producing place to be. I have to ask myself on a daily basis if I am reflecting a “Christ-like culture, or am I molding to the culture of the world? I understand how hard it is to not do as others do.

We need to reflect His culture;

we need to be influenced by his behavior.

New Faith:  “…devoting as much energy to Jesus as I would in a relationship with a boyfriend.”  Wow! I want to devote more to Him than I would, my husband, my kids, my job, my friends, more than everything. Without a true relationship with Him, without a true journey with Him, I am not going to become the woman He destined me to be.

I have to give Him my all

before I can give any part of me to anyone or anything else.

So, what does this all mean to me? I need to look at who I spend time with, where I spend my time, and my willingness and readiness to place all of my faith in God and focus on my relationship with Him.

Who and what am I allowing to stand in the way of my reckless abandonment?

Let’s Pray:
Lord, I pray that you open our eyes and our hearts to the new things we need in our lives. The new areas that will allow us to grow in your love and to be the women you destined us to be. Please help us to love our friends who have not broken their alabaster box at your feet without allowing them to influence our thoughts and actions. Please help us to seek your will when it comes to where we need to be, where we need to work, worship, live. Lord please give us strength when we walk our journey with you, when we choose your culture over the culture of the world. Thank you for your grace in this journey. Thank you for your hand on our lives as we strive towards reckless abandonment.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

Your Assignment:

In the comment section below, please answer the following questions:  What do you look for in friends? What do you do, or does a friend do for you in regards to encouraging growth, and a stronger relationship with God?

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24

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If you would like to take part in our Online Bible Study Facebook Discussion Group, please click on the Sign-Up Here button located at the top of our website, in the Menu Bar.  Once we receive your request, we will add you to our group!

 

Blessings,

Tonya

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Lady in Waiting: Ruth’s Reckless Abandonment

October 2, 2012 by

Ruth is one of my favorite characters in the Bible.  Every time I read her story I discover new things about this dear Lady of Reckless Abandonment.

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But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1: 16).

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What a profound statement from Ruth to Naomi, her mother-in law.  Today we are taking a trip to meet this wonderful woman.  What makes her say such words to Naomi?  What did she “taste” to make such a reckless decision to leave her people to follow her mother-in-law to Bethlehem in Judea?

Let us read the Bible to meet these two precious women of Faith.

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

3 Now Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

When she heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me.9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”
Then she kissed them and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has gone out against me!”

14 At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her.  15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”  16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.”  Ruth 1:1-18 NIV 1984

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When Ruth married into Naomi’s family, she saw something different about the way this Jewish family lived their life.  She must have wondered about these people who were foreigners in their land.  They had different gods in Moab and Ruth and her people worshipped them.  However, these foreigners worshipped only one God, Jehovah.

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You see Naomi and her family did not leave their God and faith behind when they left Bethlehem in search of food.  They did not try to fit in so that the people of Moab would accept them.  They didn’t comfort to the ways of the Moabites.  They knew that their stay in Moab was temporary and when the famine is over they were going to return home.

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As Naomi spent her time with the two women Orpah and Ruth, she must have told them how God took them out of Egypt to the Promised Land.  How God fought their battles as they passed through other countries on their way to the Canaan.

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However, we should note that this family lived in Israel during the time when the Judges ruled.  This was a time when people lived as they pleased.  They would do all sorts of evil things in the sight of the Lord.  God would use other nations to oppress Israel in order to get them on the right track.

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So to have this family to live their faith in such a time as this and in a foreign land for that matter is something to be applauded.  Their faith won Ruth’s heart and she didn’t want to stay behind and continue to live a mediocre life.  She wanted to go with Naomi so that she could meet this God and know Him the way Naomi knew Him.

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Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi to Bethlehem impacted generations for eternity.  Ruth is found in the genealogy list of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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LET’S PRAY
Father, I realize that the time that Naomi and Ruth lived is not different to ours; I pray that as we live this life, we will fearlessly share our faith and let others know whom we serve, the One True God.  Like Ruth and Naomi, I want to live my life with reckless abandonment to you.  Help me Lord in this decision I have made.  In Jesus Name. Amen.
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YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
Answer one, or all, of the following questions below in our comment section:

  • If you look at your own life, how are you living your faith?
  • Are you living in such a way that someone can leave their lifestyle to follow you?
  • What impact am I making for the generations to come?

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We would love to invite you to join us for this Online Bible Study!   The Sign-Up button is located at the top of our website page, in the Menu section. Click on that button and follow the directions. It’s that simple! We hope to see you soon!

Be Blessed,

Jackie

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Lady In Waiting: Lady in Reckless Abandonment / Alabaster Box

October 1, 2012 by

I started this book with excitement.  As someone who runs the book club at her church as well as bible studies, I enjoy reading, and I get to read a lot of quality Christian books.  But one thing I do not get to do is focus on myself and my ‘singleness’.  Our church is mainly composed of families, so in planning events singles are rarely taken into consideration.  So I sat down with eagerness to focus on me a little bit.  Then it hit me, the emotion.  I was taken aback when I saw my feelings in print.  So yes, I struggled a bit, but the message in our chapter this week is just amazing ladies.  Have you been thinking about your alabaster box?

Did you all know the meaning of the alabaster box?  I had heard of it of course, but I did not know how significant it was, and how relatable it was to me as a single woman.  Throughout the whole chapter I just kept wondering, “Could I, would I have done what Ruth did?”  Recklessly abandoned.  Am I?  Are you?

We face a lot of challenges as a single woman in our society.  The pressure to be pretty, to be thin, to be sexual and through all this we are trying to draw closer to Jesus.  As you were reading did you think of each little section as I did?  Like a little checklist to take my “reckless abandonment” temperature?  I like to think that I am close to Jesus.  I have used this time of my life to work on my spiritual growth.  I lead Women’s Ministry at my church, I am a Youth Leader, I am the administrator for our youth group as well as our Worship Team, and I sing on the worship team.  I run bible studies and retreats, I talk to trusted Christians to help me in my walk, I thought I was doing just fine.  Sure, I’m close to Jesus!  Then the “checklist”:

~ Am I willing to let friends go if they are standing in the way of my growth?
~ Am I willing to switch churches or jobs if that is what God wants me to do?
~ Am I spending enough time WITH Jesus instead of just trying to serve Him?
~ Am I willing to let go of society’s norms and take the chance of being singled out for being “different”?

I may be clutching my alabaster box a little more tightly than I thought I was.  Letting a few drops out here and there, maybe even a little stream if I am feeling really good (or really bad) that day.  But have I smashed my alabaster box at Jesus’ feet?  I can’t say I have.  I still struggle with the “missing puzzle piece” as Jackie and Debby call it.  Knowing that the only way I will be complete is through Jesus.  When I am lonely I wonder how that can be enough.  Even as I just typed that out and read it as it went across my computer screen, I realize how dishonoring that is.  How can Jesus be enough?  Really Michelle?  Did you just say that “out loud” for everyone to see?  So yes, through the study of this book, I will be working on fully and completely smashing that alabaster box at the feet of Jesus as I ask His forgiveness.  Are you with me?

Let’s Pray
Father God, we ask today for Your forgiveness.  We are sorry for not being fully and recklessly abandoned to You.  Please help draw us closer to You.  We love You Lord and we want to trust in the truth that You are all we need.  We will never be complete without You.  No matter who comes into our lives, they will not be able to fill the void that only You can fill.  Renew our minds and hearts as we seek to live fully in Your love.  In Your Holy Name we pray.  Amen.

Your Assignment
Please leave a comment below sharing whether or not you have broken your Alabaster Box at the feet of Jesus.  Are you afraid to break your box?  Why?  How can we pray for you as you start this journey?

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.  He is the head over every power and authority (Col 2:9 – 10)

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If you would like to take part in our Online Bible Study Facebook Discussion Group, please click on the Sign-Up Here button located at the top of our website, in the Menu Bar.  Once we receive your request, we will add you to our group!  🙂

 

Blessings,

Michelle Graziano

Filed Under: Singles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Lady In Waiting: Let’s Begin!

September 30, 2012 by

Good Morning!

My name is Jackie Chingawale, and I am the Singles Ministry Co-Leader of Girlfriends Coffee Hour, also known as GCH.  I want to welcome you to GCH! We are a group of women all across the world that love the Lord Jesus, and are always looking for ways to better our walk with Him, and improve not only our selves, but those around us, as well. PLEASE be sure to read this blog post all the way through, as there are some very specific directions for you towards the end. 

Today, we embark upon a new journey as we begin our first Singles Ministry Online Bible Study “Lady in Waiting – Becoming God’s Best While Waiting for Mr. Right by Jackie Kendall and Debbie Jones.

I can’t begin to tell you just how excited I am about this study! Being involved in Singles Ministry, I have learned that single women across the world face struggle with loneliness and finding their place in a society which tends to give emphasis on women based on their marital status.  A single woman is perceived as someone who is not complete!
As I began reading this book, I wanted to write down all of the things I could find that would help explain to you what you can expect from this study.

  • Jackie Kendall and Debbie Jones want to direct your attention toward the One who really understands the longing of her heart.  Too many women grow up believing that the inconsolable ache in her heart is for “a man.” To love a man, get married, and then have children is thought to be the only script that will satisfy her heart’s deepest longing. But no man, woman, or child can appease this longing; it can only be satisfied by the ultimate Bridegroom, Christ Jesus. This book nudges a woman closer to God, while acknowledging any longing she may have to be loved and cherished by a man.
  • You will discover that Lady in Waiting is not about finding the right man, but being the right woman.
  • The focus will be on the ten qualities of a godly woman that are found in the Book of Ruth. These qualities will not only enhance your love relationship with your heavenly Bridegroom, but also guide you as a single woman, guard you while you date, support you in marriage, and comfort you if you are ever widowed or divorced.
  • Lady in Waiting goes beyond pop psychology and clings to the steadfast foundation of God’s Word. Creatively integrating biblical truth with an honest evaluation of the struggles facing today’s single woman.
  • You will find hope and practical illustrations to apply to everyday challenges in being God’s woman.
  • You will find prayer, support, encouragement, accountability, motivation, love, from other women, just like you, who are currently single or divorced or married and are willing to share how they face each day with the help of Christ Jesus.

Wow! Now can you see why we are so very excited to go on this journey with you!!??
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Let’s talk about HOW this Online Bible Study works.
1. Each SUNDAY, you will want to come here for your reading assignment for the week.

2. Every Monday through Friday, you will come here to read what we have blogged about for that day’s lesson.

3. You can leave your comments in the comment section of this blog, if you wish. We actually like it when you do because it gives us feedback on how we’re doing! So please do comment! Remember, anything shared here on our blog is open to the public. It is not private. HOWEVER, you do have the option of commenting anonymously, as well.

4. Then you will go to the Facebook Online Bible Study Discussion Group where you have been assigned, to discuss that day’s lesson just a bit deeper than we do here on the blog. THIS is where you will be able to share openly and honestly without anyone outside of that group reading what you’ve posted. This Facebook Group is set up to be a SECRET Facebook group. That means two things: 1) No one outside of this group can even find this group, and 2) Everything shared within the group cannot be seen by anyone outside of the group! How cool is that, huh? We want to make sure that we provide a place for you to share your heart without the concerns of a friend or family member seeing what you are posting! We take every precaution to make this a SAFE place for you!
That’s it! Pretty Simple, huh?? There are just TWO places that you will want to check every day: HERE (our blog) and Your Facebook Group! It can’t get much easier than that!! 

In your Facebook Group, we have a team of women put together for you that will be there to pray with you, and encourage you along the way. They are members of our Prayer Team, who have specifically asked to be placed in the Women’s Ministry group. They have a heart for prayer, and for women’s ministry! I’m sure you will grow to love them just as much as we do!!

We also have an AMAZING Team of Bloggers, who will be blogging about this study! You are going to love these women and their hearts for the Lord, and for Singles Ministry! We took quite a while looking for the perfect women to work with us on this journey, and we believe we have found the perfect women for this study! We can’t wait for you to meet them! Their names are Michelle Graziano my Co-leader, Tonya Ellison, Diane Meyers and I. Amazing Women!!!

Well, now it’s time to actually begin this study!! Below you will find your reading assignment for each day, Monday thru Friday, and who will be blogging for that day! So, let’s begin!!

Your Reading Assignment:

October 1: Lady of Reckless Abandonment / Alabaster Box – Michelle
October 2:   Ruth’s Reckless Abandonment – Jackie
October 3: New Friends / New Surroundings / New Faith – Tonya
October 4: Dividends from a High Place / Dividends from a High Place – Michelle
October 5: The Missing Puzzle Piece / Satisfied by a Heavenly Fiancé – Diane
October 6: Fun with Shauna

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DON’T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Monday, October 1st, Conference Call Special Guest Speaker is:

Lois Breit

Lois has an amazing testimony of how God took her mess and turned it into a message!!  She is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and works as a U.S. Missionary to Single Moms.  She speaks at Single Mom events for all denominations across the United States and teaches leadership workshops to help better equip the Church in reaching the single parent families of their community.

If you would like to take part in this call, you must sign-up for this Online Bible Study!  You can do so by clicking on the “Sign-Up Here” button that is located in the Menu Bar at the top of our webpage.

YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THIS ONLINE BIBLE STUDY GROUP TO PARTICIPATE.
__________________

Let’s Pray:
Father, as we begin this new journey learning how to become God’s best while waiting for Mr. Right, we ask Lord for Your wisdom, direction, discernment, and guidance. We ask Lord that You open each heart that is represented in this study; prepare that heart Lord to receive what YOU have for them. Remove the veils Father, so we can each clearly see what Your intentions are for our lives.
I pray Lord for each woman that is feeling lonely and abandoned in her journey as a single woman. I ask that You touch her Lord, and love on her. Help us to minister words of love and encouragement to her Lord. Help us to see her Lord, through Your eyes.

Father break our hearts for what breaks Yours, in this Lady in Waiting study. Lord, I also pray that You show us through the first few chapters of this book that there is HOPE, and that it IS possible to thrive in these marriages! That it is possible to get past the hurts and offenses of the past. That it is possible to forgive and forge ahead in the plans that YOU have for us!

Lord, Your word tells us that You have plans for us. Plans not to hurt us, but to prosper us, and to give us HOPE and a FUTURE! Lord, I claim that now for each woman who has signed up for this online Bible study, and I thank You now Lord, for the mighty work You are doing in each life represented here. Lord, we give You honor, glory, and all praise for the good work that You have begun in each us, and for continuing that work!! In Jesus’ Precious Name, AMEN!!
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We would love to invite you to join us for this Online Bible Study!   The Sign-Up button is located at the top of our website page, in the Menu section. Click on that button and follow the directions. It’s that simple! We hope to see you soon!

Be Blessed,


Jackie

Filed Under: Singles Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Lady In Waiting …. Starts SUNDAY, Sept 30th!

September 28, 2012 by

 

Begins Sunday, Sept 30th!

To join this amazing study, click on the Sign-Up Button at the top of our webpage, complete the sign-up form and hit submit.  As soon as we get your request, you will be placed inside one of our Secret Facebook Online Bible Study Groups, where you will meet other single ladies who are looking to become God’s BEST while waiting for Mr. Right!

We hope you have enjoyed meeting our blogging staff this week!  I believe God has given us an amazing team of women who truly have  a heart for Jesus, and for Singles Ministry!

COME BACK HERE ON SUNDAY,

where we will begin with your Weekly Reading Assignment!

Have a GREAT Weekend, and we’ll see you Sunday!

Christi Wilson

Founder of Girlfriends Coffee Hour

Filed Under: Singles Tagged With:

Lady In Waiting: Becoming God’s Best While Waiting for Mr. Right

September 18, 2012 by

 

 

“What is your alabaster box?  Is your box full of fantasies that began as a little girl while you listened to and watched fairy tales about an enchanting couple living happily every after?  Have you been holding on tightly to your alabaster box of dreams, frantically searching for a man worthy of breaking your box?  Take your alabaster box to Jesus and break it in His presence, for He is worthy of such honor.  Having responded to your heavenly Bridegroom in such a manner, you can wait with confident assurance that, if it be God’s will, He will provide you with an earthly bridegroom.”  Excerpt from “Lady in Waiting” by Jackie Kendall and Debbie Jones

 

Being single can truly be what you make of it.  It can be an exciting time in your life.  Or it can be a dark time in your life.  Learning to see Jesus as your Bridegroom is one of the most important achievements as a single woman.  Learning that He is your ultimate source for all things.  He is always there for you, as He promises to never leave you nor forsake you.  He is a constant assurance in your life.  He is always there to listen, to give you comfort, to give you joy, to provide all of your needs.  He truly is the perfect Bridegroom!

 

Some people have a negative opinion of being single.  Some have a very positive outlook on it.  We are here to share the joys, the sorrows, the ups and downs of being single.  We are here to encourage you in this walk of life.  We are here to pray with you, and support you spiritually.  We truly will walk alongside you in this journey, as you seek the perfect Bridegroom!

 

This bible study begins on October 1, 2012.  It will teach you how to build that perfect relationship with Jesus, your Heavenly Bridegroom.  On that same day, at 8pm CST, we will host our very first Singles Conference Call with guest speaker Lois Breit!  We are very excited about to have Lois on this call!  Lois is the U.S. Missionary to Single Women for the Assemblies of God Church.  She has an amazing testimony to share with us!  What could have been a disaster in her life, God chose to take her mess and turn it into a message of hope and encouragement, for all single women!   You won’t want to miss this call!!  This call is FREE to all of our Online Bible Study members!

 

If you are interested in joining this study, please send an email to:  Singles@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com and we will send you all the details you will need to get registered.

 

Next week, we will begin introducing you to our Blogging Team, who will be walking alongside you during this study.  We have the most amazing team of women in place for this study!  We can’t wait for you to meet them!

 

So make sure you get registered today, and we’ll see you again next Monday!!

 

 

Filed Under: Singles

Announcing Our Next Singles Bible Study!!

August 26, 2012 by

Jackie Chingawale and Michelle Graziano, the Girlfriends Coffee Hour Leaders of the brand new Singles Ministry, are so excited to announce the first bible study for the Singles Ministry of Girlfriend’s Coffee Hour!  This study will begin on October 1st!!

We will be reading and discussing “Lady in Waiting: Becoming God’s Best While Waiting for Mr. Right” by Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones. This is not just another book for singles! With humor, honesty, and biblical truths, the authors help point women to being the right woman and not just finding the right man. By studying the biblical character Ruth, women learn the characteristics that every woman of God should develop. Learn how to become a lady of purity, faith, contentment, patience, and more as you pursue a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus. You’ll discover that only a relationship with your Heavenly Bridegroom will satisfy!

Are you a young woman preparing yourself for the man God has chosen for you? A woman who had been on a journey and is still waiting for God to show you his plan? Divorced and looking for security in The One who loves you no matter what? This study is for YOU! Even if you are married, but still struggle with dependence on your husband’s love, rather than turning to God for the security you desire, this study is for you!

A bit about the authors:
Jackie Kendall, as president of Power to Grow Ministries, is much sought after as a conference speaker for people of all ages and stages of life. Her teaching style is hard-hitting, humorous, healing and encouraging. Jackie resides with her husband and two children in Florida.

Debby Jones, a speaker for Crossover Communications International, has had the privilege of communicating the message of God’s Word in Europe, Latin America and throughout the United States. Debby resides in Columbia, South Carolina with her husband and four children.

 

If you are interested in joining this study, please send an email to:  GCH.Singles@gmail.com.  We will send you all the details you need to get signed up for this awesome study!!  

We look forward to taking this journey with you!!

Filed Under: Singles Tagged With: ,
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