November 23, 2024

Captivating: One Thing Is for Sure (Wounded Hearts – Passive Fathers)

January 29, 2013 by

Childhood. This word means so many different things to so many different people. To some it means pain…to others it means joy. It may even mean both.  We may have mixed emotions about our youth. We may not be able to identify what we feel.

Our childhood was different from the woman next to us. It was unique. The pain we may have experienced was ours, our wounds were ours. You may or may not be able to relate to the stories written in this chapter. But we can all write our own stories. Our own wounds and hurts.

“This is not Eden. Not even close.”

“You cannot be alive very long without being wounded.”

“Because we are the ones loved by God, the King of Kings, Jesus himself, who came to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free.”

These three sentences stuck out in my mind the most this morning as I read. The words are all too real. We do not live in a perfect world, and we all know hurt and pain. A good amount of this pain can be traced back to our youth. We can even trace the pain back to a specific event. Our world was, and still is, far from Eden.

To be honest, this topic is not an easy one to discuss and there is only one absolute that I know of.

Despite the wounds our fathers may have caused, despite the wounds formed in our childhood, there is one person we can count on to heal those wounds. To repair the hurts we have.

 God, the King of Kings, Jesus Himself

 

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Psalm 147:3

 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.

 

Here to heal the brokenheartedI don’t know what your childhood was like; I don’t know if this chapter touched areas of your heart that only God can repair. What I do know is that we all have wounds of some sort. And I know that only God, our Heavenly Father, can heal those wounds. No, we don’t live in Eden. And, yes, our world is a troubled place, ready to hurt at any turn. But rest assured that we have God on our side. The Bible states it clearly: He is here to heal the broken hearted, to set us free from the bonds of our wounds.

With Love,

Tonya

 

 

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Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

We are wounded. These wounds are different for different people, but they are present. Thank You for being the Healer we desire, the Healer we need. Our world can be a painful place; hurts and hindrances are hiding around every corner. But You, Lord, are our Shield and our Strength. Thank You for healing our broken hearts, Lord.  Thank You for setting us free.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

 

Your Assignment:

I listed two Scriptures today. Is there a scripture you turn to when the pain of a wound is present? Is there a Scripture that brings you comfort. Please share these Scriptures—they may bless and comfort others.

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If you are interested in joining this online Bible study, please click HERE to sign up.

Once we receive your registration, we will email you further details.

 If you are interested in sending a private message to Tonya, please email her at TonyaEllison@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com

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Captivating: Nature vs Nurture (Wounded – Mothers, Fathers and Their Daughters)

January 28, 2013 by

I think most women ask questions like this:

Why is this the way I am?

         What made me, me?

We wonder what influenced our behavior, our actions, our taste in men, the choices in the friends we choose. We think about things like this. I know I do.

I know that God created me, He formed me in His image, and He knows everything about me.

But what makes me do what I do? Think what I think?

Nature vs Nurture?

The nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest issues in psychology.

Are our actions and behaviors determined before birth and driven by genetics? Or, are they directed by our experiences, what we went through as children and even in our adulthood?

I believe that both play a part, we are our parent’s children. Some of their personality traits were passed to us at birth, and what we heard, saw and experienced while growing up plays a major role in how we see and live life today.

My daughter will be 10 on January 31. I see so much of me in her is surprises me sometimes. My situation is special, like many other women in the world. I had my daughter at 18; her biological father chose not to play a role in her life. I was blessed with a husband who treats and loves my daughter as if she were his own. What surprises me more than how much of myself I see in her, is how much of my husband I see in her, and how much of  her biological father I see in her. Though one has been with her for almost her entire life and the other has not.

Through my own experiences I have learned that our fathers impact our lives in more ways than we can see, but I guess it didn’t become concrete for me until I saw this in my little girl.

It has been said before that single women have advantages over married women. More time to devote to God, without the responsibilities of motherhood and of being a wife. There is another advantage that I didn’t realize until after I became a wife and a mom, is that I had the time to pray for myself and my future family. Prayers for a Godly husband and father for my children, prayers for myself to be a Godly wife and mother to my children; I pray these prayers daily for my family now, and I see God moving in great strides, but I encourage you to start now.

Pray for the influence you will have on your future children, or pray for the influence you have on the children you already have.

Biggest ImpactOur fathers made a mark on our lives, some of those marks were better than others. But our Heavenly Father has the biggest impact of all. Remember that despite the happenings of our childhood (good or bad), God created us in His image, and with His heart.

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Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

There are times in our adult life where we sit back and wonder how we became who we are today. What influenced us, whether it be good or bad? Our mothers and fathers were chosen to be our parents for a reason. They influenced our lives as children, and we grew to be the beautiful women we are today. Thank You for being the biggest influence in our lives.   Thank You for giving us Your heart. We may have questions about our life, why questions, hurts You can only heal, but we know Your hand is on our life. We know that despite the question of nature vs nurture that God is the ultimate designer of and influence on out life.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Your Assignment:

I know that our childhood can be a sensitive subject. Have you ever wondered what influenced your life, or who influenced your life? Have you ever thought about your past and questioned the influence your mother or father had?

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If you are interested in joining this online Bible study, please click HERE to sign up.

Once we receive your registration, we will email you further details.

 If you are interested in sending a private message to Tonya, please email her at TonyaEllison@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com

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Captivating: Week 4 Reading Assignments

January 27, 2013 by

I hope everyone is enjoying the book.  Can you believe we are already entering the end of our first month?  I hope you are all able to take some time for yourself and read the chapter each week.  I can tell you, as a blogger, we love to see and hear your comments.  It’s good for the heart!  This week we are tackling Chapter 4: Wounded.  Sound’s a little intimidating doesn’t it?  I have no doubt that we will hear a good word for ourselves and be able to grow and heal through the process.  Lean on each other to help those wounds heal well!

WEEK of JANUARY 27 – Chapter 4: Wounded

Monday: Tonya – Wounded through Mothers, Fathers and Their Daughters

Tuesday: Tonya – Wounded Hearts through Passive Fathers

Wednesday: Carissa – Mother’s Wounds through The Messages of Our Wounds

Thursday: Michelle –  Wounded Femininity through An Unholy Alliance

Friday: Edwina – Weekly Review

LET’S PRAY

Father we stand in expectation for what You have for us as we begin week 4. If we are struggling, help us to let our fears go.  We know that You love us with an amazing love.  We strive to live completely for You.  Show us the lessons we can learn through our wounds and grow us in ways we can’t even imagine.  In Your Name we pray.  Amen.

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If you are interested in joining us for the “Captivating” Online Bible Study, please click HERE.  Once we receive your registration, we will email you fruther details.

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Love Letters From God

January 26, 2013 by

 

My story is made up of many love letters written from my heart to God’s heart and from His to mine.  I open up to Him with a pen in my hand and a journal in my lap.  The Lord speaks to me through my writings and I am beyond excited to share with you bits and pieces of different letters I have from God.  I share parts of my story so that God’s love, power, grace, forgiveness, so His perfectness may be showcased.  As you read I pray the Lord grabs a hold of your heart and fills you with hope!

 

Do not let your hearts be troubled;

trust in God, trust in God alone.

John 14:1

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for teaching me through afflictions I face in this life.  I know with every storm, drought, and sometimes tornado in my life there will always be an ending in which I am closer to You.  You teach me something through each storm.  When I am in the desert, I am learning.  When I am getting swirled around by this world’s vicious schemes, You are there holding me down; You will not let me get swept away in the tornado!  And for that Lord, I praise You.  There is one thing I struggle with sometimes, Trust.  That word scares me, BIG time.  I really want to trust You.  I do not know if I currently trust You.  How do I know?  Teach me Lord, during this waiting period in my life to trust You; please and thank You!

Love, me

Love Letters from God

Dear Precious Daughter of Mine,

Oh how I am smiling down on you to hear you praising Me through the many storms of your life.  If there is one thing I want you to know through any affliction you face in this life, it is that I am right beside you the entire time.  I never let go of your hand.  Praising Me in your storm is a wonderful sign of the trust that you have for Me; as your Protector, Savior, Healer, and most Powerful Being in your life.  It is not enough to say that you trust Me, you must act out the trust you desire to have for Me in your heart.  Trusting Me is learned through dependence on Me.  Trust comes when you wake up each morning, and empty out all of your desires, dreams, worries, stresses, sins, and burdens into Me.  It is best to trust everything in My hands.  Trust My hands that in return, I will give you My peace, comfort, love and blessings.  I promise you that when My timing is right I will give you everything you need as you need it according to My perfect will for you.  You will never not struggle with trust, because every day will bring something new that you will once again have to hand over to Me.  I wait patiently for you to surrender all to Me.  I desire to show you just how trustworthy I am.  Do not doubt your trust; just keep on surrendering and depending on Me every moment of every day of your entire life!

Love Always and Forever, Your Trustworthy Father

Trustworthy Father,

Thank You for helping me learn how to really trust in You alone!  I do not want to just say I trust You I want to act it out too.  I am glad that trust is not a one and done type of deal.  Trust is something that will be a continuous effort in my life.  Every day as I grow closer to You, I grow in trust as well.  Thank You Jesus that I can trust my heart and all of me, with You!  I am excited to see where this journey of trusting You leads me.

Love, Diane

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Questions for Reflection:

  1.  TRUST a small five letter word that can be a BIG problem for us sometimes.  Think about what areas of your life you are not trusting with God.  Ask God to help you turn over these areas to Him alone!
  2. Meditate on Psalm 62:5-8

 

 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.

Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

God is waiting patiently for you to pour out your heart to Him!

Copyright 2013 Diane Meyers

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If you would like to send a private email to Diane in regards to this blog, please email her at:

Diane@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com

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Captivating: Chapter 3 – (Pgs 56-59) Indulging – Eve’s Lingering Fear

January 24, 2013 by

Ladies, have you ever had that feeling that something was just “meant to be” or you just know that there is a reason God orchestrated something to happen?  Well, that is how I felt as I read the section of the book I am blogging on today.  If I wasn’t made to talk about this subject, I don’t know who was!

Yesterday Carissa talked about hiding our true selves.  The problem with hiding is that is doesn’t make the problem go away, it doesn’t ease the ache.  It just isolates you and, more often than not, causes you to turn to other methods to ease the pain.  We call them indulgences.  I love what the Bible calls them in Jeremiah 2:13—our “broken cisterns.”  These cisterns are different for every person.  What is yours?  Where do you tend to turn when things get tough?  When your emotions get too much to handle?  Food?  Shopping?  Alcohol?  Internet?  Television? Drugs?  The list could go on and on.

Yes, all of these things make can us feel better.  The problem is that it is a temporary fulfillment.  After a few minutes…a day…a week…the pleasure goes away and that ache is still there.  That is because we are created to be fulfilled by only one thing—the love of God.  Until you start turning to God to fill the empty places, you will never find true peace.  You may not think what you do is a big deal, that it’s harmless.  So I had a piece of cake; so my credit card bill just got a little higher; so I spent a night zoned out in front of the tv;  so what’s the big deal?  In my quiet time with the Lord this morning, I read this in my Bible and I immediately thought how perfect it is for today’s blog: It’s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion – going about your life in your own way.  But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you.  The choice is yours.  Will it be God, oryour own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute?

I speak from experience.  For many years I turned to food as my “broken cistern.”  It was my medication, it was my comfort, it was my love.  I was a compulsive overeater AND a bulimic.  I tried so hard to control my circumstances through food.  What a horrible idea!  As I neared 300 pounds, I knew something needed to change.  It was my focus.  I stopped focusing on the problem and the food and I started bringing it to God.  When I wanted to binge, I prayed.  When I was upset I turned to God instead of the kitchen cabinets.  In no way am I saying it is easy, there were many tears shed and angry words uttered in the process, and it is still an ongoing process, but after losing 90 pounds, and faltering along the way, I can say, without any reservations that turning to God instead of my indulgences made the life changing difference for me.  He is always there for us, no matter how far gone we think we are, no matter what decisions we choose.  The good news is that, according to Ezra 9:9, “God has not deserted us in our bondage.”

Are you in bondage?  If you need to make a change, what does that change look like for you?  Remember, it doesn’t need to be a “major” indulgence that keeps you from God, the enemy works in the little things, too.  These substitutes will never resolve the deeper issue in our souls.

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LET’S PRAY

Father, we come humbly to You today to ask for forgiveness.  We have turned to things other than You for comfort.  We have tried to ease our pain with worldly methods.  We know that You are the only answer.  We know You are the only one who can take our struggles away and give us the love and comfort we desire.  Thank You for the grace and forgiveness You offer every time we falter.  Give us the strength to turn away from the easy fix and to fix our eyes on You.  We ask this in Your Heavenly Name.  Amen.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

What are your broken cisterns?  Where do you turn other than God when the stress gets to be too much or the pain is tangible?  If you have overcome these issues share some practical strategies with us.

 

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If you are interested in joining us for this online Bible study, click HERE to sign up.

Once we receive your registration, we will email you with further details.

 If you would like to contact Michelle in regards to this blog, please email her at:  Michelle@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

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Crazy Love – Chapter 3 – Pages 57-60 – Wanted

January 23, 2013 by

Wanted!  Oh, how I longed to hear that word when I was a child! I think all of us have the need to know we are not here by accident, that we are wanted. That’s why I loved the verses Mr. Chan shared with us in Jeremiah 1:4-5, “The Lord came to me saying, ‘ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart: I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’ “

When I was a teenager I met God and was so blessed to find out through His word that I was not a mistake, I was WANTED! It was threaded throughout His word as proof!! I was actually planned!!!

When my husband and I married we actually wanted a dozen kids! Really!! When nothing happened for almost 2 years, we went in search of answers. My doctor tested both of us and came back with the devastating news…we would never have any children! My husband and I, not really serving God as yet, cried in each others arms. We were heartbroken. Then my husband said three words that I will never forget. Speaking of the doctor, he said, “He’s not God!”

Now we had both had an encounter with God when we were young, but we were never discipled and so fell away from God. I always knew God was there, I just hadn’t figured out how to serve Him. So we both decided we’d pray about having children. Come to find out God was at work all along!  I was pregnant even during the testing. I just didn’t know it yet. Isn’t that just like our God? When we left it up to God how many children we would have, He took care of it. We were blessed with two daughters and a son. That was God’s plan all along!

 

I’m so glad I have a Heavenly Father, aren’t you? I don’t have to worry about what to do from day-to-day; He will direct my path. In fact, He wants to! He loves us so much. He planned for us and wanted us and has a plan for us. He even made a way for us to spend eternity with Him if we just accept His FREE gift. We don’t have to work, because our works are as filthy rags to Him.   All we have to do is accept Him.

Thank you, Father for Your free gift of eternal life with You!!

Be Blessed,

Donna

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Let’s Pray:

Father, I praise You from the depths of my being for wanting and planning for me. I am not worthy, but You made a way for me. I pray for any ladies who are reading this who have not accepted Your free gift of salvation. May they do so today by just praying and asking You for it.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Your Assignment:

I love reading in Scripture how God has wanted me from my formation in my mother’s womb. Read these verses and meditate on them for a while. Then tell us how they are speaking to you today.

1 John 4:19

Leviticus 26:12

Jeremiah 1:4, 5

Jeremiah 29:11

Psalms 139:13-16

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If you are interested in joining this amazing online Bible study for Crazy Love, click HERE to sign up. Once you are registered, you will receive an email with further details.

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

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Captivating – Chapter 3: A Woman’s Deepest Question – The Curse

January 22, 2013 by

We were driving the other day and my 6 year old son proceeded to tell me that when I get old there was this stuff he saw on Television that I could use to take the wrinkles away.  I sat in the front seat stifling a laugh and thanking him for his concern.  But I found myself wondering about the quality of my skin. Do I have wrinkles? Is it time to invest in more effective skin products? I think of the days where I have a pile of clothes on my bed because all of the shirts I have tried to wear that day just didn’t look right. I think of my daughter, who will be ten later this month, preparing for the day in the mornings and taking a good amount of time doing so because she wants to get everything just right. We want to be lovely, we want to be captivating.  We question our inner “loveliness” in addition to our outer beauty. How do I come across to others? Do I display the traits of a Proverbs 31 woman?  We are always questioning a loveliness that was once natural and automatic or women.

Biting that apple changed everything…

How often do I find myself taking matters into my own hands? How often do I find myself telling God that I put all of my faith in Him to give me the life He wants me to have, but then I “take matters into my own hands”? Speaking for myself, the answer is far more often then I would like to admit.

 Proverbs 19:21

Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.

This scripture brings me such peace, no matter what plans we may have, or how much we try to be in control, God’s plans for our life will come to pass. And He plans for us to be lovely and captivating.

The implications of the curse can be intimidating; they do not paint a very promising picture.  But we cannot allow this to deter us.  Yes, we women do have vulnerabilities…we do have the habit of wanting to control situations…we are affected by relational issues, but where we are weak, He is strong.

 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak ]in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

Rest assured God knew what was going to happen; He knew what the outcome would be. He also knew that, despite the curse and despite the fallout from the bite, we would be beautiful!  We would be—and are—captivating.

With love,

Tonya

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Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord, we wonder about the opinions of others…we question our inner and outer beauty…we worry about looking right and acting right. We are vulnerable, and like to take matters into our own hands. Please help us to remember that where we are weak, You are strong.  Help us to keep our eyes focused on You, and remember that Your plan for our life was written before Eve took that bite.  And that Your plan will happen. Thank you for making us beautiful and captivating, Lord.  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.

Your Assignment:

I have the habit of taking matters into my own hands, or trying to that is. This week I am going to intentionally give everything to God. I carry a journal with me. So when a situation comes up, and I get that urge to take care of it, I am going to write it down…pray…and give it to God. I encourage you to do this. You can use your phone, a notebook, or whatever you are comfortable with.

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If you are interested in joining this online Bible study, please click HERE to sign up.

Once we receive your registration, we will email you further details.

 If you are interested in sending a private message to Tonya, please email her at TonyaEllison@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com

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Captivating: Chapter 3 – “Haunted By A Question” – What Happened

January 21, 2013 by

 

I had to laugh when I read the story at the beginning of the chapter. I laughed because I have been the woman accused of having too many groceries in my basket and because I have been the woman who was doing a silent count in my head of the basket in front of me, making sure they had the allowed amount of items.  It’s not only situations like that, it’s others. I can laugh now but after the “incidents” of losing my temper, jumping to conclusions, being unnecessarily rude, lacking faith etc. all I felt was a sense of guilt and shame. I asked myself the same question Stasi asked herself “What’s going on here?”

I’ve always wondered what the world would be like if Eve wouldn’t have eaten the apple… What kind of woman would I be then?

 

If Eve

 

Has this question ever ran across your mind?

“Eve was given to the world as the incarnation of beautiful, captivating God, a life offering, life-saving lover, a relational specialist, full of tender mercies and hope. She brought strength to the world, but not a striving, sharp-edged strength. She was inviting, alluring, and captivating.”

We often don’t feel like this. Life can be overwhelming, and we can feel caught in the struggle of balance. We may not feel inviting, alluring and captivating. ..

BUT, our God says we are. He created us as the incarnation of beautiful, each in our own way. We are relational specialists, a Gift from God. We are strong, a feminine strength that only women possess.

Deep in my heart I don’t believe that Eve’s decision that day changed God’s purpose for women. We were still created to be beautiful; we are still created in God’s image. We have tough days where we are the 15 or under police in the line at the grocery store, and we can’t explain our feelings. But God knows us, He knows who He created, He knows our tendencies, our strengths, our weaknesses and our struggles.

The days where we feel torn and unbalanced are the days we need to remember the most that we are God’s. We are inviting, we are captivating and we are alluring.

 

With Love,

Tonya

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Lets Pray:

Dear Lord, it is hard to be a woman some days. Our emotions and feelings can feel uncontrollable and we can’t justify our thoughts and actions, especially when they don’t line up with those of the woman we strive to be. But, on these days we know that we can turn to You. We can remember that we are Yours and that You created us. We don’t have the answer for the question of why we may react the way we do at times but the one definite thing we can rely on is that we can turn to You.  Thank you for loving us through our unbalanced imperfection.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Your Assignment:

On days where we wonder “what’s going on here?”, what do you do to bring your focus back to God?  What do you do to help yourself to remember that despite the situation you are still a beautiful woman (inside and out) that was created in Gods image?

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If you are interested in joining this online Bible study, please click HERE to sign up.

Once we receive your registration, we will email you further details.

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

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Captivating: Chapter 3 Reading Assignment – Haunted by a Question

January 20, 2013 by

Ladies, I hope you enjoyed studying Eve last week, from a whole new perspective.  I know that my thinking was challenged and I definitely had a couple of “a-ha” moments.  The journey of getting to know the feminine me that God created has been an eye opener.  This week we look into the fall, the fatal decision made in the Garden of Eden.  Here are our reading assignments for the week:

 

WEEK of January 20th – Chapter 3: Haunted by a Question

Monday: Jackie – Haunted by a Question through Eve, What Happened

Tuesday: Tonya – A Woman’s Deepest Question through The Curse

Wednesday: Carissa – Dominating Women through Desolate Women

Thursday: Michelle – Indulging through Eve’s Lingering Fear

Friday: Edwina – Weekly Review

 

LET’S PRAY

Lord, I ask You to come alongside each woman this week as we continue the study of Captivating.  As we look into the life changing decision Eve made, and the ripple effect it has had, let us be open to the message you have for us, the lesson you want us to learn and the growth you want to see.  Thank You so much for Tour love and grace, because without that we would be nothing.  In Your Name we pray.  Amen.

 

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If you are interested in joining us for this online Bible study, click HERE to sign up.

Once we receive your registration, we will email you with further details.

If you would like to contact Michelle in regards to this blog, please email her at:  Michelle@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

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Love Letters From God

January 19, 2013 by

My story is made up of many love letters written from my heart to God’s heart and from His to mine.  I open up to Him with a pen in my hand and a journal in my lap.  The Lord speaks to me through my writings and I am beyond excited to share with you bits and pieces of different letters I have from God.  I share parts of my story so that God’s love, power, grace, forgiveness, and perfectness may be showcased.  As you read I pray the Lord grabs a hold of your heart and fills you with hope!

 

The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them, He delivers them from all their troubles. 

Psalm 34:17 

 

 

One night, one very dark, painful, terrified night I cried out to the Lord….

Dear God,

I am crying out to You right now for lack of any better ideas.  I do not know if You will hear me.  You are probably so mad at me and You probably do not want to talk to me ever again.  I know that I have made a mess of everything.  I know I should not go back to my sinful ways but I cannot stop.  I do not want to go back to the things that cause so much hurt and pain in my life.  Is there anything that will not cause me pain?  Is there anyone who will ever love me?  If my sorry is worth anything at all, I am sorry.  If my love is worth anything at all, I love You.  I am desperate, I am at a loss.

These feelings bottled up inside are toxic, Lord: I am being used, I am being taken advantage of, I do not have a voice in these trials or an open door to walk away.  I am miserable.  I am in pain.  I am choosing wrong over right and do not know how to stop.  I am going back to someone who is trying to kill me.  Please Lord, just DO IT FOR ME, I CANNOT DO IT.

That night, the Lord did it, He did it all! (I cry every time I remember that night and remember these words He spoke directly to my heart…)

Love Letters from God

Precious Daughter of Mine,

I not only hear your cry, but I feel the pain behind each and every one of your tears.  I am here; never will I leave you, NEVER WILL I FORSAKE YOU.  You are weak, but I am strong.  I will do it all for you.  My love is worth it all and I love you, Diane.  My forgiveness covers your sins.  You are forgiven, Diane.

I never stopped loving you; I will never stop loving you.  I will take all of the weight of your burdens in My hands, where they belong.  You are mine, and I will not let anyone harm you.  I will give you EVERYTHING you need to fight temptations.  I will open your eyes to the door that has been here all along, waiting for you to walk through out of your past and into My abundant future for you.

I am holding your heart.  I have been waiting patiently for you to give up so I could step in and give you My all.  Please, promise to always accept My love in every situation you encounter in your life.

*********

Dear Lord,

There are no words this side of Heaven to thank You enough for what You have done in my life.  You have turned my painful tears into happy ones.  You have saved me from a life of sin and have prepared the most abundant life for me to live out with You by my side always!  You have waited for me to turn to You. You healed my broken heart.  You fixed my mess.  You did it all and I am forever thankful.  I wish there was a word I could use to express this feeling of complete adoration I have for You—but every time, I come up empty.

I promise to love You with my words, with my actions, with my WHOLE LIFE.  Thank You for giving me the most beautiful love story with You; one my soul has been longing for ever since I was born.  My heart will continue to long for You until that glorious day when You will finally give me the words I have been searching for, all for You!

With Love,

Your Free Daughter

 

Questions for Reflection:

  1.  Have you ever cried to God out of complete desperation?  Did you believe He would hear you?  Are you scared to for fear that He will not care or hear you?  The Lord is waiting patiently to speak the words you need directly to YOUR HEART; will you let Him?
  2. The Lord wants you to give up so He can give you what you need.  Is there an area in your life where you are in desperate need of God’s healing touch?  Pray to God, letting Him into this area.  See what happens when you live constantly surrendered to God.  (Do not get discouraged if you have to continuously surrender…sometimes I have to give the same thing over to God many, many, many times a day!)
  3. One of my favorite verses is Galations 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Memorize this verse and remember that God offers you His freedom so you can live out the life He has perfectly planned for you.  It is your choice and I pray you choose His freedom always!

Love and Prayers, my dear Sisters,

Diane

© Diane Meyers

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

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