November 21, 2024

GCH:decaf – Meet Mary Ruth!

January 16, 2013 by

 

Mary Ruth  is 14 years old, and she lives in Smyrna, TN.

Mary Ruth

Her favorite artist is Chris Tomlin.  While he is not my all-time favorite, his songwriting and worship leading has totally changed and introduced new things to worship in our churches today. If you have not already done so, you need to listen to his music!

Her favorite movie is “Flipped.” I’ve never seen it, but I typed it in Google and found all about the plot. It sounds like a great movie!

Like her sister, Michaela, who I interviewed last week, Mary Ruth’s favorite TV show is “Once Upon A Time.” I LOVE this show! Another one of her favorites is “Emily Owens M.D.” I have only seen one episode of this show and, from what I have seen, it is so funny!

I loved her response to my question about fashion and what her favorite article of clothing is. She said, “Anything…as long as it shows my personality.” She is all about comfort! She loves graphic t-shirts and sweatpants. What girl doesn’t love a good pair of sweatpants, right? Her favorite accessory is a necklace.

She loves to hang out with her friends during school and outside of school. They love to make jokes!

Her favorite restaurant is Cheddar’s. I have never been there, but I hear they have awesome sweet tea! She also loves green grapes. Grapes are one of those foods that I could snack on ALL day long.
I asked her what was something that had changed her life, and I loved her response. I had tears in my eyes when I read it. She said, “Moving in with Teresa Bolme and her family. She has taught me so much about life and God, and I’m so happy to have them in my life.”

Mary Ruth, you are a PRECIOUS woman of God!! I’m so blessed to have gotten to know you a little better.

~Jordan

If you are interested in sending a private message to Jordan, please email her at Jordan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

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GCH:decaf – Letting God Into Our Study

January 14, 2013 by

Hello there everyone!  

I know that we have been doing interviews and that is probably what you are expecting from me today.  I know you are probably wanting to get to know another friend that will be doing this study with you, but truth be told I was unable to interview someone this week.  I was nervous about what I was going to do, kind of feeling like a failure.  I was praying about it a lot and then God gave me an idea.  One thing I have learned in my life is that no matter what – God always comes through.  When I think there is no solution, the Lord opens my eyes to HIS solution!  Just when I was worried about my blog this week, God came through with the most perfect idea for a blog post for you.  I may not have a decaf friend to introduce to you this week, but I have another friend who I would like to share with you this week, Jesus!

I am wondering how many of you have done a Bible study before.  My first study was in 6th grade.  We did a study on Job at church.  I still remember things from that study.  One thing I really liked about the study was that we prayed before we discussed the study.  The leader would welcome God to our study that day.  Being eleven years old, I was kind of confused as to how God can be in our study with us.  I believed that God was there, but I could not see Him so if it were not for that prayer, I would have completely forgotten that God was really there with us doing the study with us.  He was the most important part of our study.

Let God In

God is the most important part of GCH: decaf.  God has placed each and every one of you here for a reason.  God desires to be apart of not only this study, but our lives too.  Without God, there is really no point in doing a Bible study.  As we start our new study, Not A Fan, let’s think about what God wants this study to be.  What do you think He wants you to learn?  What do you think He wants to you say?  There is something for each and every one of you that God has prepared for you in this study.

I have done this study years ago.  When I did this study, my take away moment was learning to picture myself following God everywhere I go.  This has made my relationship with God even closer.  It has helped me remember that even though I cannot see God, He is there, desiring to have me make Him the most important part of every aspect of my life.

I want to dedicate this blog to honoring God for bringing us together and giving us this opportunity to make new friends and grow closer to Him.  I want to invite God into every aspect of our group!  Giving God control of this study can only guarantee one thing: It will be better than anything we can picture or imagine!  Letting God into our study, we let Him transform this study into something HUGE, something better than we could ever do on our own!  I do not know about you, but I am really excited to grow closer to God with all of you.  Would you like to get to know God more and more?  I hope you see Him as your friend, comforter, and Savior.

For me, God is where my heart is.  God is the reason why I am here.  I love God so much.  I look to Him as my Father, and Protector.  He is the most important thing in my life.  Let’s share today who God is to us.  I thank God so much for being exactly what we need!  I thank Him for being a part of this group!  I thank Him for loving us!

Love and Prayers,

Diane

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If you are interested in sending a private email to Diane, you may email her at:  Diane@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

 

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Seeking Him by Coleen Hayden

January 12, 2013 by

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Each Saturday for the next four weeks, we will look in-depth at a few of the most important aspects of having a dedicated, purposeful quiet time.  Last week I had the privilege of sharing with you a few thoughts from some friends about their own quiet time.  Gathering from their experiences, there seem to be a few basics which include:

Bible reading
Prayer
Praise Songs
Meditation
Seeking the Lord

This week in our current series, Seeking Him, we are focusing on one of the most important building blocks of a devotional time—spending time reading the Bible.  If we are to come to know God, we must begin to seek Him where He has made Himself known…and that is in His written Word, the Bible.

I would venture to say that almost every single one of us owns a Bible (at least one).  Did you know that the Bible continues to be the best-selling book in the world?*  One reason the Bible is so popular is that it is God’s Rule Book. He reveals Himself within the pages of the Bible.  In the words of His written Word, we find that:

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:7-11

So, we learn that the Bible—which contains the Lord’s law, testimony, precepts, commandments and judgments—is to be desired!  It can be, as the Psalmist wrote, more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey!  And, in keeping (obeying) the words of the Bible (the Lord’s law, testimony, precepts, commandments and judgments) there is great reward!  Such encouragement then to spend time reading the Bible, wouldn’t you agree?

One of my oh-so-very favorite Scripture passages is Psalm 119.  (And, yes, it directly correlates to the psalm we just read—Psalm 19!  You noticed that, hmmm? Watch, you’ll see!)  Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of any of the 66 books of the Bible; it totals 176 verses.  Each of these 176 verses communicates a truth about the Lord’s law, testimony, precepts, commandments and judgments along with His ways, statues, and ordinances.  I find it so amazing (our Lord IS so amazing!) that every single verse tells us something new and different!  Reading and considering and meditating upon the dynamic truths contained in this ONE chapter could be a continuing study for your quiet time.  Perhaps these three verses would be a good place to start:

With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O Lord;Teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:10-12

Our desire, our intention, our focus, our goal, our purpose, our heart is to seek God!  He is what we yearn for…being with Him!  And these three verses express that desire so simply.

Here is a link to a cd that I think you will find a useful tool for your devotional time.  It is called Psalm 119 in Song by Susie Kimbrough,  a compilation of the 22 songs from Psalm 119 all of which are original musical compositions.  Listen to each of the selections and meditate on the Scriptures being sung.  http://www.shepardmusic.com/ps119cd.php

Keep Seeking Him and enjoy your quiet time with your Lord!  As you do, He will keep you from wandering, help you not to sin, and will teach you His statutes.

Praying for each of you!  I know that the Lord will answer your heart’s cry as you are Seeking Him with all your heart!

<3 coleen

*The Bible is the best-selling book in the world:

http://www.booksellerworld.com/bestselling-booksever.htm

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/1/best-selling-book-of-non-fiction

If you are interested in more information about GCH:decaf, email us at: GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen concerning this series, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com

 

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GCH:decaf – Meet Miss Michaela!

January 9, 2013 by

Michaela Woolridge is 18 years old, which means she can vote! She lives in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Her favorite music artists are Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin (he is a lyrical GENIUS… AMAZED by the Church’s response to his songs), and Unhindered. I’ve never listened to Unhindered, but will have to check them out since they’re her favorite!

Her favorite movie of ALL time is Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”.  I LOVE this movie, and all Disney princess movies, for that matter. Her favorite TV show is “Once Upon A Time”. This show is all about the storybook characters, and Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” is one of them! She loves to watch this show with her family, and they watch episodes over and over. “Once Upon A Time” is one of those shows that I could watch a million times and never get tired of! Maybe one day we can all have a marathon.

Her style is business casual. Her favorite accessories are soft colored earrings; the perfect touch to a cute outfit! She loves stylish heels, and she is ALL for some natural beauty. Amen to that!

Michaela

Her exact words, when asked what her favorite foods were, “Bread, bread, and more bread. But since the Bible says she can’t live on bread alone, she likes chicken and cheesecake.” That answer definitely made me laugh out loud.

Michaela had a life-changing revelation the day she realized that her Heavenly Father wasn’t like her earthly father. Her Heavenly Father is FAITHFUL, GRACIOUS, and LOVES to spend time with her. She just got back from Passion Conference, and the Lord spoke to her about communicating with Him. She said, “I realized He wants me to talk to Him.”

What an awesome girl Michaela is! I was so excited when she answered these questions for me, and it was so fun getting to know a little bit about her, even if it was through Facebook messenger! I will be praying for you, Michaela, as you seek the Lord and His plan for your life. Bless you, sweet girl!

~Jordan

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

We’ll be starting our next online Bible study soon! So be sure to keep checking back for sign-up details to be posted soon!

If you are interested in sending Jordan a private message in regards to this blog, please email her at: Jordan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

 

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