November 26, 2024

The Resolution for Women: The Affirmation Crusade

July 19, 2012 by

Memory Verse:

You did not choose Me, but I chose you.

I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit.

John 15:16

_______________________

A crusade can be defined as “a vigorous concerted movement for a cause or against an abuse.”

Yes, precious girlfriends, I agree with Priscilla….. what we need is indeed an AFFIRMATION CRUSADE!!!

My primary Love Language just so happens to be “Words of Affirmation.” Not only do I love to hear them…. but I am very generous in giving them out! Today’s lesson made me stop for a minute and think about why I might be so intentional about this and if I am only this way with certain people, or am I free with my affirming words to all I come in contact with.

I really think that I am so intentional about this because of the negative words I was bombarded with growing up. Of course, not everyone in my life did that, but 2 very close people to me did….. and it hurt. It made it hard for me to speak those words over myself for many years, but through understanding the truth of God’s love for me, I have been able to break that cycle.

It is important to be your friends’ biggest cheerleader! You might just be the only woman in their life who affirms them and that alone can completely change their perspective on their day.

I know I am hardest on my family and I am working very hard to change that. I expect a lot from them… more than I should. I do affirm them and cheer them on, but I also can be very critical. I am really going to intentionally do my best to squelch my critical spirit and focus more on building them up!

SO…. we have the “why”… so we need to know the HOW!”

How can you be intentional about affirming other women in your life? I’ve compiled a list here and I would love it if you could add to it in the comments section of the blog today! Let’s think outside the box and see what we can come up with together! Maybe a friend surprised you with some awesome words in a unique way that spoke directly to your heart. How did she do it?

 

You could……..

Write a letter….. you know, snail mail! How awesome is it to get something besides a bill in your mail box?!? Decorate the envelope in a fun way too! You can even address it “To the beautiful Mrs. Megan Smidt!!!” 😀 (…just a suggestion…)

For my daughter’s 14th birthday, we had a slumber party and all of her girlfriends wrote annonymous “love letters” that were full of affirming words and we left them all over our town. We put them on grocery store shelves, the pick up counter at Starbucks, in random mail boxes, and even in the pews at church. The girls had so much fun spreading this joy and Vicky has told me that her friends have continued to leave these letters around town even after they went home! We need to be modeling this behavior not only for our friends but also our children!

Sing them a song on their voice mail. It could be something like “That’s what friends are for” or “Beautiful, beautiful”

You could greet them in a fun way the next time you see them. Instead of greeting them with a simple “hello, ” How about giving them a huge hug and compliment them on something they are wearing or their hair. You could even address them as your “gorgeous friend” or your “most incredible sister.”

Make them a banner the next time you know they are coming to your house! Make it big and bright for all the passers-by to see! Hang it across your garage or over the front door so they can’t miss it!

Send them random txt messages every once in a while just letting them know how much you love that they are in your life!

Send their husband or kids a letter telling them how much it means to YOU that they let you have time together. Tell them how much your friend means to YOU!

What can YOU come up with???? What will you do this week to INTENTIONALLY affirm your closest sisters in Christ?

Priscilla points out to us that “…this resolution not only affects you. It will also enhance the women around you as they experience the affirmation that BUBBLES up from the security you’re living in. This should be our MANDATE, our CAMPAIGN. A MOVEMENT of women linked by our resolution and devoted to seeing it manifested in the lives of the women around us.”

WHen we are living OUR lives secure and complete in the authentically unique way that God created us, our salt and light is contagious! Give away your compliments freely to yourself and all those you love and see your love spread to all those around you! Let’s be infectiously bold in our own unique ways for our Lord and Savior! He commands it <3

AUTHENTICALLY ME

I will accept and celebrate my uniqueness,

and will esteem and encourage the distinctions I admire in others.

Signed x       Megan “Lucy” Smidt               

_________________

Let’s Pray: 

Dear Lord, we praise You for all of the unique qualities you have blessed us with! You have made each of us so unique for Your purposes to be fulfilled when we are true to who you created us to be. That is so awesome! Give us Your revelation into anything we are not seeing that might be keeping us from Your very best of us in this area. Help us take off our masks and be excited to show the world the beautiful and sometimes rough women you have so specifically made each of us to be. We love you, Lord, and we thank Your for Your perfect ways! In Your Son’s name we pray, amen <3

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Today’s blog assignment: 

Explore for a little bit why you are or are not affirming in your words to your girlfriends. Also… think about if there are any women in your sphere who you are not comfortable affirming…. why do you think that is? Then….. resolve to commend all of the women in your life for their unique value and worth to you this week! Read the resolution out loud and sign your name below it in your book.

If you are not a member of our OBS Facebook Group, and would like to be, please send us an email and we’ll be happy to place you!!   Our email address is:  GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com

my blog: www.glorytoglorylifecoaching.wordpress.com

My Craig’s blog about the Men’s Resolution journey: www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com

Many blessings,

Megan 🙂

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The Resolution for Women ~ Happy to Be You

July 18, 2012 by

Memory Verse:

You did not choose Me, but I chose you.

I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit.

John 15:16

Happy to be Me, huh?    As I sit here and attempt to relate this to a situation, to someone I know, or anything that would bring this to point for you, it dawns on me that I am one of those people who has spent years and years of my life ‘wishing or pretending’ I was somebody different ~ in every way possible.  For me that is pretty disappointing because I absolutely KNOW that I was created by my Heavenly Father specifically; down to every freckle, every flaw, every talent, every strength – I was designed just the way I was meant to be; however I’ve gone through life fighting that tooth and nail.  Have you?  Do you still?  I can honestly say to you that today I too  find myself still wishing I could get an ‘overhaul’ – picking and choosing the strengths and talents I see in those around me. Still unhappy being me, wanting to be better, wanting more in my life.  The difference today ladies is that I have a relationship with my Heavenly Father and with Him I can accept the things that are just “me” and  can change the things that keep me from being the best I can be, For Him. 

I grew up on a small street in Orchard Park, New York with several beautiful girlfriends. My friend Dawn had incredible talent, a voice that you could listen to all day (even as a child), she was model beautiful (but wasn’t one to know it or show it).  She went on to do Broadway and Vegas, she married well and has beautiful children – what I wouldn’t do to be Dawn!  (Really Kelley?) The complete package, no flaws (more realistically, no visible flaws)! Then there was Wendy who was just a natural -I remember playing softball together as kids – she was a natural, I was a ‘wanna be’.  At that time, I found it hard to retain the rules of the game nor was I as thin and athletic as everyone else.  Wendy always seemed totally comfortable in her skin – she loved life and embraced it.  If you didn’t like how she was, she didn’t care – she was going to be herself regardless.  It was your loss, not hers.  She was always laughing and enjoyed life, but realistically I know there were down times or times even Wendy was wishing or pretending she was someone else.  While you are meeting all of my friends, I had a friend Susan, her family lived on top of their family restaurant. WOW, how cool is that!  They had their own restaurant!  When I would spend the night with Susan, they would bring us big hot fudge sundae’s upstairs. These were very cool times!  But were they for her?  Looking back now, I understand that each one of these awesome friends very likely spent their own amount of time wishing or pretending they were someone else.  Growing up, I could not find ONE talent within me.  I loved to write poetry ~ but never felt good at it.  I spent day in and day out trying to find ‘WHAT” God blessed me with  that was comparable with what all of my friends were or had. 

Psalm 139:14-16 ESV says:

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

This reminds us that We are UNIQUE!  We are one of a kind! – we were built just the way we were supposed to be.  

 I met a new friend who could find nothing good about herself.  I challenged her (oh yes, I’m good and creative at helping others – it’s myself I pick and choose what I want to address).  I had her write down 10 things she liked about herself. She struggled with this for several days, but eventually got them!  For affirmation, I had her put these by her bed and read them over and over. She eventually was able to work this list up to much more than 10!  God makes no junk.

Priscilla challenges us today to get to know ourselves – to ‘strip away’  those things that mask us allowing us to be the AUTHENTIC person God created us to be; the person that was specially designed for His purposes.  

I’m going to use the word again – yes, the word we must live by that keeps cropping up throughout our studies. Be INTENTIONAL in accepting who you are.   Once we begin accepting who we are – when we allow ourselves to be AUTHENTIC and are okay with it – only then will we find freedom from the burdens of wishing we were someone else, of wishing we had the life of someone else, from the exhaustion caused as we fret over what we are not.  Live as yourself, as created by God, for His plans and purposes – not your own.  It’s time to stop fighting who we are and learn to bask in that the person God intended us to be!

Homework

Record your uniquenesses other people see in you.  Which of these surprises you?

Record how you can be more intentional about using and celebrating these characteristics.

How would the dynamics of your family, your office, or your relationships benefit from your doing this?

Hugs <3 Kelley

Prayer

Father God, thank you for making each of us with our own special uniquenesses.  Allow us through you to embrace these, celebrate these, and accept these for who we are in You.   Thank you for loving us unconditionally, for eternal life, and for every blessing. Amen.

 When you have completed the assignment here on the blog, return to your Facebook Online Bible Study Group for today’s FUN Activity!!  You just never know what we have in store for you!! :)

If you are not a member of our OBS Facebook Group, and would like to be, please send us an email and we’ll be happy to place you!!   Our email address is:  GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With:

The Resolution for Women- Supernatural Selection

July 17, 2012 by

Memory Verse:

You did not choose Me, but I chose you.

I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit.

John 15:16

 We have three takeaways from today’s lesson that we cannot take lightly or breeze right past. Please read and then re-read today’s lesson intentionally, my dear sisters because THIS is exactly where our true value lies…….. THIS is our value in Christ.

1. God chose YOU.

2. God set YOU apart.

3. God has appointed YOU.

Did you read that in the verse typed above? You probably read it…. but did you really sink your teeth into it? Dear friends…. it is so important that we let each of these truths intentionally penetrate every part of our hearts and souls. Let them weave their way into all of the places you have been stuffing down the lies that have been said over you during the life and let God’s truth bring light to those dark corners and crevices.

Have you ever really thought about why you are in a certain situation or circumstance you are in? Have you? I want you to think about one aspect of your life and dissect it with me here about your unique value to that situation or circumstance. We started this process last week, remember? Priscilla shared with us why it is good to be a girl and we were challenged to look at a specific role we play in our life and note how we are good for it, necessary to it, an important component to it, worthy to be part of it, and trustworthy to fulfill your role in it.

I hope you did this exercise along with me last week. If you did, pull it out because we are going to look at it from a little bit of a different perspective today. If you didn’t, that’s okay too….. just think of one of the roles you currently play in your life and get ready to explore it with us here.

The role God CHOSE me for that I discussed last week was my role as “Mom” to Craig’s five kids from his previous marriage that I have since adopted. I joke with my daughter Vicky sometimes that when I was a little girl, I never dreamed of growing up to raise someone else’s FIVE children, but at the same time, I cannot imagine my life any other way. I know in my heart that God specifically had ME picked out for this not only because I am just THAT CRAZY (hahaha) but because I 100% fill the need in who I am that they were missing in their life. Does that make sense? Those 5 aspects that I bring to this role that I mentioned earlier explain exactly why God CHOSE me specifically for this role … it was just up to me to be obedient and bring my gifts and my unique self to this role for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in it.

God SET ME APART for this role. I am not like all the other moms out there. That used to be hard for me because I felt like such an outcast and like no one would ever take me seriously as a parent because I was so young and really did have NO IDEA what I was doing. But that was me giving into my insecurities as a parent from believing lies said over me my whole life. I never babysat, never changed a diaper, never cooked…. how could I possibly have what it takes to be a parent to my new insta-family? Well….. I could because God set me apart uniquely for THIS… at THIS moment in time, with THIS set of children, at THIS point in their lives and my life. When I tried to be the version of “mom” that I thought everyone expected me to be, it was a MESS!!! When I fully embraced each season we were in and lived fully in it, we ALL thrived! God has put me in every situation and circumstance in my to SET ME APART for this and every other role he places before me. It is up to me to CHOSE to thrive or merely survive in it. As I thrive, so do the lives He has entrusted to me.

God has APPOINTED ME. It really does not matter if I, personally, am happy with who I am or even happy with the circumstances I am currently living in. What DOES  matter is that *I* am specifically here for a reason intentionally and purposefully by God in His divine design. It is supernaturally ordained…. and He fully expects to reap much fruit from the seeds He is sowing through me being an obediant vessel in this circumstance and situation. I trust Him because he knows me intimately and I have grown and continue to grow to know Him.

He loved ME enough to make me like no other. He has given me this task that is mine alone to complete with His abundant help and empowerment. It would be denying HIM if I do not love myself as who I am… who He created. It would be denying His perfect plan.

I pray you are able to see this in YOUR role you chose to explore last week. Has God shown you yet WHY He uniquely created YOU specifically for that role? I would love to read all about it here in a comment on this blog. Please share how your unique role has come full-circle for you to know fully why he planted you where he did for His purpose. I would love to praise His work right along with you!

I understand now that my role in my kids’ lives is bigger than I could have ever expected ten years ago when I was “just” a weekend stepmom trying to keep my sanity as I navigated the turbulent waters of step-life. God had me in ever hard circumstance and every messed-up situation so that I can now speak into and encourage other stepmoms and kids through those hard relationships and confusing times. I have been there and I let God do His good work. I let Him use me and I continue to let Him use me no matter how ill-equipped or unworthy I feel. Feelings are deceptive but God’s truth is infallible!

_________________

Let’s Pray: 

Lord, we come to You today so grateful for Your supernatural selection! Thank you for making each of us so uniquely for our individual situations and circumstances to fulfill Your purposes on this earth. We are not worthy in our eyes Lord, but thank you that we are in Your’s! Help us to see ourselves more as You see us, Father…. perfectly created in every way for purposes bigger than anything we could come up with on our own! Help us today to see each of the roles we have as You see them…. perfect and planned for Your purposes….. and help us be willing to be obedient to Your call on our lives within these roles. Rid us of our selves, Lord!!! Help us be real with ourselves and each other to finally be SET FREE from the lies that keep us from Your very best! We love you, Lord, and we thank you! Amen.

_______________

Today’s blog assignment: 

Did you see it in there? Share whatever you feel comfortable about your role you explored and what God has shown you through this exploration.  When you have completed this assignment here on the blog, return to your Facebook Online Bible Study Group for today’s FUN Activity!!  You just never know what we have in store for you!! 🙂

If you are not a member of our OBS Facebook Group, and would like to be, please send us an email and we’ll be happy to place you!!   Our email address is:  GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com

my blog: www.glorytoglorylifecoaching.wordpress.com

My Craig’s blog about the Men’s Resolution journey: www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com

Many blessings,

Megan 🙂

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Resolution for Women – Intelligent Design

July 16, 2012 by

Click HERE for a Quick Message From Christi

________________________________

Memory Verse:

You did not choose Me, but I chose you.

I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit.

John 15:16

 

I have to be honest and tell you that today’s chapter really spoke to me in so many ways!  I can’t even tell you what an impact it has had on me!  I struggle with my value, like many of you do.  I always have.  It’s like I know in my head that I am valuable, but it just hasn’t reached my heart yet.  I can tell you how worthy you are, to God, and I do mean it.  I just need to take my own medicine.

Last week, I was on the phone with my Life Coach.  We discussed this very issue:  the feeling of no value.  Just after that call, I opened this book and read today’s chapter, and just about fell over!  I said, “Wow, God!  You know just how to get Your message across, don’t You!!?”  It was amazing!  But that really shouldn’t surprise me because God is always listening, and He is always ready to talk to us, when we are willing to actually sit down and listen!!

Today, I want to show you who you are in Him.  I am taking my own medicine in this lesson, also.  I pray that this scripture speaks to you, as it did to me when I read it.

1 Peter 2: 9-10 (MSG)

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

Let’s look at those two scriptures just a little bit closer.

  • You are chosen by God
  • You are chosen for the high calling to do God’s will
  • You are chosen to be holy, set apart, sanctified
  • You are His instruments to speak for Him
  • You are to tell others what God has done in your life
  • You have been changed from being a nothing, into being a “something!
  • You have gone from being rejected, to being accepted!

Did you see that?  We have such a high calling on our lives because HE CHOSE US!  He chose US because He knew we would do what He called us to do!

He did not reject us!  He accepted us!

He turned us from being a nothing, into being a something!!

Wow, Ladies!  What more do we need to see here!?!

We should never allow others, or things, to control our thoughts about who we are, and what our value is!  God says it right here….WE ARE CHOSEN TO DO HIS WORK!  That is VALUE!  He would never choose us if He didn’t think we couldn’t do what He is calling us to do!

Whether your job is as a homemaker, a nurse, a doctor, a teacher, or a ….. the list could go on and on…..  HE CHOSE YOU to be that person!  He chose you.   Therefore, He will equip you.  If He will equip you, He will be with you all the way….  All the way, my dear Girlfriend!  He sees your worth to do His work; to spread His word; to spread His love!  And if He has chosen you, this means He thinks you are worthy and valuable enough to do what He needs you to do!

I don’t know about YOU, but I am about to jump up and down and shout, “Hallelujah!!!”  Can I get an AMEN out there???!!!

As Priscilla said on page 53, “this resolution is important – this commitment to assign genuine value to who we are based on our God-given worth, talents, gifts, and abilities.  Because once we’ve settled this issue (in our own hearts … my emphasis here), everything else can begin falling appropriately into place.  We’ll have the freedom to build our lives on what really matters, discarding all the things that don’t.”

Wow!  I don’t know about you, but I am ready to discard my stinkin’ thinkin’ and start focusing on what God’s word says about me!  I’m ready to stop owning those negative thoughts, and start taking back my life, and my value, for God!!

Remember, “The life you are renovating has far too much God-given potential for you to plant its roots in something so menial.  Dig deep and lean in to the truth – the truth of who you are and what He’s created you to offer to the world – and then orbit your life around that steadfast knowledge.”  That steadfast knowledge!  That knowledge that will never let you down, no matter what!  AMEN?

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Let’s Pray: 

Oh Father, we come to You today with open arms, and tears of repentance for the times we have doubted our worth; for the times we have not chosen to believe Your word, and allowed our stinkin’ thinkin’ to take first place over You.  Lord, please forgive us!  Cleanse us of all that junk that keeps us so bottled up inside.  Cleanse us from the pity-parties that we throw for ourselves!  Cleanse us from all the lies that we have told ourselves, and have allowed ourselves to believe.

Lord, I give You praise for all that You have shown us in this chapter today!  Thank You for opening our eyes to see who we truly are, in You Lord!  May we stand in that knowledge today, and allow it to sink down deep into our hearts, so that we know that we know, that we know!  Thank You Lord for revelation knowledge!  May we never go back to that stinkin’ thinkin’ again!   In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

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Today’s blog assignment: 

Name some things in your life that you have allowed to shape your self-worth or self-image?  When you have completed this assignment here on the blog, return to your Facebook Online Bible Study Group for today’s FUN Activity!!  You just never know what we have in store for you!! 

 

If you are not a member of our OBS Facebook Group, and would like to be, please send us an email and we’ll be happy to place you!!   Our email address is:  GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com

 

BE BLESSED!!

 


Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Resolution for Women – Authentically Me — Week 3

July 15, 2012 by

Hello Sweet Girlfriends!

Today’s message is going to be short and sweet!  I had surgery on my finger on Friday, and am doing well.  Thank you for all the prayers!  I appreciate it!

Memory Verse:

You did not choose Me, but I chose you.

I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit.

John 15:16

This week’s reading assignment is as follows: (Feel free to post your comments after each blog; but then return to our Facebook Online Bible Study Group for each day’s FUN Group Activity!) 

Week 3:  July 16 – 20

Authentically Me

16th:   Intelligent Design – Page 50 – Christi

17th: Supernatural Selection — Page 54 – Megan

18th:  Happy to Be You – Page 60 – Kelley

19th:  The Affirmation Crusade – Page 63 – Robin

20th:  Week Overview — Christi

This is going to be another amazing week with the Resolution for Women!  I hope you still have your seat belts fastened, as Priscilla suggested in the beginning of this book!  This is an amazing journey that God is taking us on!!  Praise God!

________________

Let’s Pray:

Oh Lord, we give You thanks for all the things that You are teaching us through Priscilla’s book.  What an amazing tool You have placed in our hands, Lord!  We’re learning so much about who You created us to be, and I am forever grateful Lord for this study!

I pray Lord that You will open our eyes even more this week, as we discover being Authentically Me ….  I have a feeling Lord that we are going to discover some amazing things that we never knew before, in this week’s lessons!

Thank You Father, for all that You are doing in the lives of each woman that is following along in this study with us.  We ask that You bless them, and their families Lord, as they spend each day seeking You through this study.

Lord, I ask that You continue to give the GCH Blogging Team wisdom and direction, as they post what You want to say each day.  I am blessed immensely by this Team of amazing women, Lord.  May You bless them, also Lord, for the time and energy that they put into this ministry.

In Your Precious Name, 

AMEN!

BE BLESSED! 

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: ,

The Resolution for Women — Week 2 Overview

July 13, 2012 by

Weekly Review

Hasn’t this been an awesome week learning how to be God’s Girl!  Wow!!!  I have so enjoyed reading all of your comments this week!  It blesses me to no end to see how God is working in your lives, and how excited you are about it!  Praise God!!

I’m actually going to have our beautiful Megan Smidt, do the Weekly Overview this week.  I am actually at the hospital today having surgery on my finger!  So I pre-wrote this to make sure I could “talk” to you myself this week!  I hope you have enjoyed this last week as much as I have!

I must admit that I’m not really a girly-girl, but after this week’s lessons, I am sure encouraged to start looking for ways to become one!  It is such a blessing to be a GIRL!  God created us to be women for a reason!  He could have chosen to make you or I a male, but because of the special plan that He had for our lives and how He was going to use us to serve Him, He chose to make us a Girl!  I am honored to be a Girl!  I am honored to serve Him in whatever capacity He asks of me.

So, with that Ladies, I am going to turn today’s blog over to Megan so she can review this last week with you!  I pray that you will have an awesome weekend, and I’ll see you back here again on Sunday for next week’s reading assignments!   BE BLESSED!

Living Intentionally to Be My Best for Him,

Christi Wilson, Founder of Girlfriends Coffee Hour

___________________________

HAPPY Friday, my dear friends!

WHAT A WEEK! I don’t know about all of you, but this book sure is rocking my world! It’s all good of course, but as I sort through all of the junk I am resolving and being released from FOR GOOD, I can’t help but be a super-girly emotional mess! God is healing some places in me that I didn’t even know were sick….. and I pray He is healing your heart and soul as well.

MONDAY: We had a giveaway and our BIG WINNER of that super cute t-shirt was Donna Slaten!!! Congratulations, Donna! We want to see a photo of you strutting your stuff in it once it arrives! 🙂

TUESDAY: We started off Week 2 learning what it means to have biblical femininity and to and live it out loud. Priscilla Shirer helped us to begin to understand the full scope of this aspect of our resolution by asking us to explore how we have seen feminist ideals affect women in the way they dress, act and make decisions. We thought about some ways we see young women today turning away from biblical womanhood and we mulled over what biblical principles of womanhood strike us as stifling or repressive.

That was a lot for my little head to digest…… but with all of your help, I made it through to day 2 and I’m glad you all did, too!  🙂

WEDNESDAY: We had a good time on day 2 as we talked all about how good it is to be a girl! What an affirming day this was! I loved how much I saw everyone encourage each other as being GOOD, NECESSARY, IMPORTANT, WORTHY, and TRUSTWORTHY in every single role we live in our precious lives on this earth! I struggled quite a bit with the “worthy’ part of this exercise and I heard from many of you that you did too, but what it all came down to was that even if WE don’t feel worthy, GOD deems us as super worthy and the more we let that seep into our hearts, we will believe it too and live our every role with the COURAGEOUS confidence that God calls us to have!

We also talked about the importance of raising our children and all the young people we come in contact with to understand submission to authority and the value of women. You all came up with some great ways YOU can influence the young people in your life to appreciate biblical femininity and be their very vest for God to get all the glory!

THURSDAY: It was all about submission in the last segment of reading for this week “Role Reversal.” With Priscilla’s help, we learned that surrendering to submission is not devaluing or demeaning your talents and gifts….. rather it provides boundaries within your potential can truly flourish! “Your strength can best be displayed, its benefits most fully experienced, when you choose the trusted, effective boundaries of God’s established order.” Wether leaders in your life live their responsibilities well or not, they will be held accountable for how they handle their role, just as we will be. It is our job to function well within our submitted roles all while we put our trust in God’s faithful love and goodness by obeying.

There is so much freedom and peace in that, dear sisters!

….and in that lies our second Resolution!

PURPOSEFULLY FEMININE

I will champion God’s model for womanhood in the face of a post feminist culture. I will teach it to my daughters and encourage its support by my sons.

Please sign here: x _________________________________

Please leave a comment below about one “ah-ha” moment for you this week! We want to know how this lesson spoke to your heart!

________________________________

Next week, our topic is
“Authentically Me— a resolution to value myself and celebrate others”.  
Oh…. I CAN’T WAIT for this!!!
 
Have a Great weekend Ladies!  See you again on Sunday with our assignments for next week!! 
Please keep in mind that if you have fallen behind in your reading, we weekend is a great time to get all caught up! 
 
Make today AMAZING, 
 
Megan <3 
www.glorytoglorylifecoaching.wordpress.com
 
Craig’s taking the Men’s Resolution Journey: 
www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com
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Let’s pray:
Father, thank You so much for all You showed us through Your Word about biblical femininity and thank You for every revelation in our spirit. We know it will be impossible to live this resolution OUT LOUD BOLDLY in our fallen world, but we know that through YOU all things are possible! We thank You Lord for what You are doing in all of our lives through this study.  We ask special blessings upon Priscilla Shirer, the author of Resolution, for the work she put into writing this amazing book!  I thank You for protecting all of our homes from any and all negativity and confusion that satan might try to throw our way to distract us from YOU purpose through this study. We love You Lord, in Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
 
After reading today’s blog, please return to our Online Bible Study Group on Facebook for your daily activity!  ♥  You just never know what we have in store for you!
 
 
If you are not currently a part of our Online Bible Study group, and would like to be, please send an email to GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we’ll be glad to add you!
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The Resolution For Women – Role Reversal

July 12, 2012 by

Memory verse:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

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Remember the feminist movement in the 60’s and early 70’s? The one where women wanted and demanded equality with men? They burned their bras in protest, stating the bras represented being constricted and confined. Some of those women really, really, should have kept theirs on, know what I mean? Anyway the girdles, bras, and pantyhose came off.  This is how the women were going to “show those men that they were no longer going to be confined!”.  Now I’m not really understanding how this was going to “show the men” because the men LIKED the women going bra-less, you know how men can be…..

Anyway, to my point, ever since this movement, women have been demanding equality with men; the ability to participate in previously male-dominated sports (football, basketball, hockey), equal pay in their careers (I agree with this one as a woman who is doing the same job as a man SHOULD receive the same pay),the ability to become licensed and ordained ministers and priests, congressmen, president, the right to work outside the home, etc. Women fought for the right to do anything a man could do. Remember the commercial where the woman “could bring home the bacon, and fry it up in a pan, and never, ever, them him forget he was a man?”

We’ve come a long way baby, but still have a ways to go. Yet in my opinion, it’s gotten out of hand. This chapter Role Reversal is a good one, as is the whole book. I was watching a TV show last week where the wife was a realtor working very long hours and bringing  in a lot of money. The husband called himself a “stay-at-home dad”, took care of the kids, cleaned the house, ironed, did the grocery shopping, cooked dinner, massaged his wife, and ran her bath daily, and she made all the major decisions. Before you ask “where can I order one of these?” think about this…..what is wrong with this picture according to the Word of God? Don’t get me wrong, if you must work outside of the home, you must. No judging, this is MY choice.

Ephesians 5:22-23 says that we are to submit to our husbands, not vice versa.  Now don’t get me wrong here, my Gorgeous Husband does all the above (with the exception of the bath), but this is not his primary role, it’s mine as the homemaker.  HOMEmaker, not house wife. To me a house wife just cleans the house, a homemaker makes a home. Yes we clean, cook, etc. but we’re the nucleus of the family. Ever heard of the expression “if mama ain’t happy, ain’t NObody happy!”  It’s our job to pray over, teach, lead, guide, minister to, and love on our family. The godly woman’s touch if you would.

Now while doing all of this we are under our husband’s prayerfully, godly authority, we’re to submit to our husbands. To not do so is rebelling, and rebelling is as witchcraft. (1 Samuel 15:23)

Is this always easy? Nope! Sometimes we’re right, and they’re wrong. We agree to disagree so that we’re in agreement, and seek our Father’s face for direction (remember the triangle I talked about in the conference call?) For those of you who weren’t on it: take both your thumbs and put them together tip to tip, next take your index fingers and put them together to form a triangle, you and your hubby are the left or right side, from the knuckle. God is the top as He should be, when you or your hubby are discussing, (look from left to right at your thumbs), and you don’t agree, one (or both) take it to the Lord, (go up from corner of triangle to the top of your finger), pray and talk to Him asking who is right and to minister to you both, then God ministers to your husband (look down from the top of triangle down to your left (husband), he “gets it”, then talks to you ( look left to right)and all is well!

God designed our husbands to be our spiritual head, our covering, our protectors. When we wrongfully try to assume that role we are out of God’s will, off balance, and out of order. Read Ephesians again: “Wives be subject to your own husbands, as TO THE LORD” (emphasis mine). “As to the Lord”, so not only are we being submissive to our husbands, but we must do it as unto the Lord! We don’t want to disrespect our Adonai do we?!  We want to be obedient to God, being submissive to Him.

Those of you whose husbands are not saved, or are not walking with the Lord as they should be, THIS is what you think of when you’re being submissive to your husbands, that you are doing it as unto the Lord, to and for HIM, God.  God will bless and honor your obedience. Your husbands heart will be changed, “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the Word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives….”1 Peter 3:1

Also read Titus 2:5, 1 Corinthians 11:3, and Proverbs 31:10-31. Being submissive to your husband doesn’t mean you’re a doormat. You have a mind and a mouth.  We’re to be our husbands partners and helpmates.  God blesses us with wisdom and discernment as we minister to our men.  They in turn have responsibilities towards us: 1 Peter 3:7 and Ephesians 5:28-29.

As Priscilla said, if you are being abused do not accept it!  This is not of God and please seek help whether it be your pastor, a counselor, or local police.  Get help!

Let’s get back to our rightful roles according to the Word of God.  It does not make us meek and mild, on the contrary, our role is critical to our family and to our household. God has entrusted us with an awesome and beautiful responsibility, let’s walk in our roles! <3

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Let’s Pray:

Adonai, I lift my Gorgeous Girlfriends to you in love.  I ask You to minister, lead and guide them in Your  Way and Your Truth. Open the eyes of their hearts so they may know and understand You and the roles and responsibilities You have placed on them, yet You wouldn’t have them do this without Your help. Minister to their husbands  so they understand and actually do what You’ve called THEM to do, all to Your glory. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

_________________

Our 2nd Resolution

Purposefully Feminine

I will champion God’s model for womanhood in the face of a post feminist culture.

I will teach it to my daughters and encourage its support to my sons.

I’ll sign this.  Will you?

 

Leave your comments below about today’s blog  and be sure to go to the Online Bible Study Facebook Group to see what Megan has in store for us!!  If you are not part of our Online Bible Study Group on Facebook, and would like to be, please send an email to us at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we will respond as soon as possible!

 

 

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: ,

The Resolution for Women ~ It’s Good to be a Girl

July 11, 2012 by

Memory Verse:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

Wow, I had to read our chapter over and over today before actually finding the words to blog for you!   – Do I say this every week in my blog?  I think so [grin]  because it seems every week it takes several times before I ‘get it’ and truly understand what it is that God is instructing me to pass on to you!  

Now without further ado, along with reading the words Priscilla wrote, I googled ‘the great women of the bible’.   I googled the women I didn’t know well, googled those I did, and really tried to get to know these women so I could share just the right message.   Then it became apparent, a light bulb went off ~ He truly wants me to teach you  that it’s more than okay to be a girl ~ it’s an honor and privilege to be a girl!  The heck with society – as women, we have a purpose!    

~we are fearfully and wonderfully made – Our God makes no junk! (Psalm 139.14)

Unfortunately being raised Catholic, mass, confession, and communion were all led by priests.  Attending the Baptist church, I soon learned that there were certain situations where women could not teach or lead men.  There is and has always been an awful lot of emphasis on what women could not do, could not say, or could not be, instead of  what WE CAN DO (based on the God-given talents we received and His intent for our lives).   This is intent, by the way, that He blessed us with at creation ~ it’s not something He decided years later to develop or invoke ~  it’s part of the BIG picture, His BIG plans for us – the ones he put into place many, many years ago as he was picking out the color of our eyes and the number of freckles on our noses! 

We are  NECESSARY –  Did you realize the statistics in church these days?  Sadly, there are more women than men in attendance.   On Father’s Day in the church I attended, there were  1/3rd the number of men to women.   Although men are to be the leaders in the homes and in the families, many families are unequally yoked and it is necessary for the women of the house to ‘train up their children’ in the ways of the Lord.  We were given the characteristics of a ‘feminine heart’ full of wisdom, along with the gift of soft touch ~ things as wives and mothers we will use to keep Christ in our homes.  We have been prepared ahead of time for what the days may bring.

We are IMPORTANT and WORTHY – When Jesus met the woman of Samaria at the well he treated her with mercy and love.  He held conversation with her that showed he truly cared, that she mattered.  He asked her opinions and valued her responses.  Jesus treated her like a somebody, he treated her with importance and worth.  He set the stage for the women of today – we too are valued.  We are worthy of the Messiah’s ‘living water’.  – Let me say that again,  “WE ARE WORTHY OF THE MESSIAH’S LIVING WATER”

Are you there yet?  Are you believing how great it is to be a ‘girl’?    We have been given gifts in abundance!  Our cups runneth over with amazing goodies to be used as we work with little children or the elderly ~ as we travel to other countries to share our hearts ~we lack nothing and have been blessed with all ~

Along with Priscilla in her book The Resolution of Women, there is another author who does an amazing job showing us we are loved by our Heavenly Father ~ through LOVE LETTERS to us from Him,   Sheri Rose Shepherd teaches us where we stand in the eyes of our Abba Father.  Here are a few of her quotes.  I know they will touch you as they have touched me. 

Favorite Quotes by Sheri Rose Shepherd

  • Although I am God, my arms are not too big to hold you, My beloved daughter.
  • Don’t let anyone define you but Me, your Daddy in Heaven.
  • The beauty I had in mind when I created you is a reflection of Me.  (WOW!  yes, created in His image)
  • You are royalty even when you don’t feel like a princess.  (always important to Him!)
  • Inside you is a supernatural surprise a gift that is waiting to be unwrapped…by you.  (continued blessings!)

Regardless of the situation, regardless of the time and place – we are WOMAN, hear us ROAR!  No, Seriously, I say this time and time again to those with no self-esteem, to those who feel less than adequate – to those that are unhappy with their physical appearance and allow that to carry over into their hearts and abilities – GOD MAKES NO JUNK!    

We were each individually, especially made to fulfill God’s plans for our lives.  We are not PERFECT, but being made by the KING we are precisely and exactly what we are supposed to be – each flaw intended!   We are beautiful, worthy, necessary, gifted and blessed beyond words!  

PRAYER:

Abba Father,  Thank you for the blessing of being women who were created specifically to fulfill your plans and purposes; who were designed wonderfully with beautiful hearts, tender touches, and amazing gifts.  Who are worthy Father of your ‘Living Water’ and understand your intentions in creating us.  Be with us as we utilize these many tools, that lives are touched and that everything we do brings glory to you.  May we always embrace your/our purpose.  In your precious and Most Holy Name we Pray,  Amen.

HOMEWORK:

Choose one of the many roles you currently play in your life and record for each one how you are…….. Good for it, necessary to it, an important component of it, worthy to be a part of it, and  trustworthy to fulfill your role in it.   Comment on the blog and let us know what this role is for you and ‘how you are’ with it.

Remember, You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made – God doesn’t make Junk! and don’t forget to go back over to our Facebook group and see what fun Megan has going on for you over there today!

<3   Kelley

 

 

 

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Resolution for Women: Pretty In Print

July 10, 2012 by

And the winner of yesterday’s giveaway is…….

Donna Slaten!!!!!

Congratulations on being the winner of the gorgeous T-shirt!!! Donna, please email us @ GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com ASAP with your address & size (small to X-large) and it will be mailed to you within the next two weeks! WAY TO GO!!!!!

…and now for Pretty In Print!!!!!!

Memory Verse:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

What Kind of Woman are you going to be?

One of my she-ros is Poet Laureate Maya Angelou. I would love to sit and have a nice cup of tea with her…. wouldn’t you? I honestly think that I have read everything that she has ever published and I have read it all more than once. She is 100% woman and I admire so much about her. Have you ever read her poem “Phenomenal Woman”? If you haven’t, now is your chance….

Phenomenal Woman

by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies.

I say, It’s in the reach of my arms The span of my hips,

The stride of my step, The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.
I walk into a room Just as cool as you please,

And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.

I say, It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered What they see in me.

They try so much But they can’t touch My inner mystery.

When I try to show them They say they still can’t see.

I say, It’s in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style.

I’m a woman
Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.
Now you understand Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing It ought to make you proud.

I say, It’s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand,

The need of my care, ‘Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

 I believe THAT is the kind of woman God calls me to be. Phenomenal!!!! I can’t imagine Him expecting anything less from me, actually. As I devour His Word and let it breath into every aspect of my heart, soul, and being…. how can I be anything less than phenomenal for my God? He created me for it… specifically ME!!! I am the only woman on this earth who can do what He created me to do. If I don’t live each day to be intentional about my phenomenal femininity….. who will? He has created me to be ME….. every single circumstance and situation I have been in through my whole life has molded me into the perfect creature God has meant for me to be…. phenomenally for His glory!
Yes, I have seen how feminist ideals affect women in the way they dress, act and make decisions. I lived it for many years of my life. Those things have made me who I am now…. for better and for worse. They have helped me to appreciate all the more why I am here and look the way I look, act the way I act and make decisions the way I do for God to get all the glory! It wasn’t always for Him….. He knows that and He loves me anyway… purple hair and all!
How do I see young women turning away from biblical womanhood? I see them not being taught HOW to live with BOLD courage to embrace the incredible femininity that God means for all of us as Christian women. They are bombarded all day long everywhere they turn look and be how the world wants them to look and be…. and that anything else is NOT desirable or phenomenal and will not get them happiness, the job they want, success or a mate. As phenomenally feminine Christian women, it is OUR job to speak these biblical truths into their lives and into their influence. We cannot sit back and stay silent while we let the world influence our girls.
Personally, I do not feel stifled by any biblical principles of womanhood. I feel gloriously FREED by them! I am important, valued and treasured in the eyes of God. The world has never felt that way about me. The world will always tell me that i am not good enough, pretty enough, tall enough, short enough, thin enough or fat enough, dumb enough or smart enough. To God, I am perfect and wonderfully made. Period. He gives me guidelines in His Word to SET ME FREE, not to stifle me or make me feel repressed.
I don’t fit a mold… THANK GOD!!! I don’t look or act the way our world expects a God-loving, 36-year-old non-biological mother of 5 kids ages 14-20 should look or act. THANK GOD!!! I am phenomenal to my God and that is all that matters. My husband and my kids happen to love me just the way I am, so that is a nice bonus, too. I never fit into any mold growing up and I am so happy to say that as I have “matured” I have become more comfortable in my earth suit than ever and I can’t imagine being any other way.
God created you to be unique and to fill your shoes, and dress, the only way that YOU possibly can. Embrace it, dear sister, and know that you are PHENOMENAL just the way you are! Embrace your curves, embrace your femininity, embrace every way that you are uniquely YOU and live BOLDLY how GOD created you to be….. with biblical femininity and grace by just being YOU <3
Lord, I pray that You sing the sweetest love songs over each of Your precious daughters today. Show her how she specifically can live for YOU in her own uniquely phenomenal biblically feminine way. Help her to feel amazing in her earth suit and may You get all the glory, Lord, for the amazing way she stands for YOU in this fallen world. Renew her spirit today and help her see herself as you see her, Lord….. beautifully feminine in every way! Speak into her tender spirit about any priorities she might need to realign with Your Word on this issue, Father, and help guide her to be all that You have created her to be. In Your Son’s name we pray, amen <3

HOMEWORK:

Your assignment today… comment on this blog post about how YOU specifically can encourage women in your direct sphere of influence to turn towards biblical womanhood.

Be blessed and be a blessing….. and don’t forget to go back over to our Facebook group and see what fun we have for you over there today! 🙂

<3 Megan 🙂

my blog: www.glorytoglorylifecoaching.wordpress.com

Craig’s blog: www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Resolution for Women …. Another Giveaway!!

July 9, 2012 by

Are you ready for another Giveaway??  I AM!!!  I can’t wait to show you what we are giving away today!  You’re going to LOVE it!!

How do you qualify for the giveaway, you ask??  Well, that’s easy!  All you have to do is post a comment below sharing something that you learned from last week’s chapters.  Any chapter….  Just share what God showed you last week, an area that you know you need to work on and resolve to be more content.  That’s it!!  We will draw the name of one lucky winner and announce the winner on tomorrow’s blog!

Now, are you ready to see what the prize is???  You’re gonna love it!

It’s a grey colored “I am Resolved” Tee shirt that comes in sizes small through X-large.

I LOVE THIS Tee!!!

So, once again, all you have to do is post a comment below about one thing that the Lord spoke to you about in last week’s chapter.

ONE NAME WILL BE RANDOMLY DRAWN AND ANNOUNCED IN TOMORROW’S BLOG!

STAY TUNED!

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After reading today’s blog, please return to our Online Bible Study Group on Facebook for your daily activity!  ♥  You just never know what we have in store for you!  If you are not currently a part of our Online Bible Study Facebook group, and would like to be, please send an email to GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we’ll be glad to add you!
 
Remember to invite a friend to join you in this new journey of discovering God’s resolutions for you!  
 
That’s it for today!  Enjoy your Monday!
 
Resolving to become better in Him, 
Christi 
 
 
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