November 24, 2024

A Daughter’s Worth Week 1: Friends and Boyfriends

October 2, 2012 by

AHH, Love.

Everybody wants it.  Everybody needs it.  How do you get it?  Where do you get it?  Is it really OK to ADMIT that you need it?

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24,

“A man(or woman) that has friends must show him(or her)self to be friendly and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs is a book of Wisdom written by Solomon almost 3,000 years ago.  I don’t think very much has changed in that time.  If we want friends we have to act friendly.  God gave Solomon wisdom because Solomon asked for it, then he shared his wisdom with us all these years later.

How do we show ourselves friendly?  We put a smile on our face, introduce ourselves, do something nice for someone, consider someone else’s feelings above our own…the possibilities are endless.  We have to be open to friendship.

As long as we are afraid to be friendly, we will not be making any friends.  No one wants to be lonely.  Movies are more fun with a friend, restaurants are more fun with a friend, games are… you get it – FRIENDS are a good thing.

Be the one who reaches out first.  You don’t know what that other person is going through.  God could be using you to fill a need in their life.  Be willing to be a friend.

What about the second half of that verse, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother”?  Can we have friends that are closer to our hearts than our own family?  I think so.  We don’t get to pick our family members (and sometimes we are too much alike to get along well).  Friends come along and fill in those places in your heart that time and distance cannot separate.  Through fellowship with this group of women and teens at Girlfriends Coffee Hour I hope you see how easy it is to love friends in different states and countries.  I hope you find a “soul sister” that you can open your heart to.

I pray that all the friendships we are building here bring out the best in us.  We should challenge each other to be better people.  Having good friends boosts our self-esteem.  We have a more well-rounded life.

Someday…..

What happens when friendships turn into something more?  As teens, you begin thinking about that special someone.  As Christ followers we should be thinking about that someone who God has prepared just for us.  Sometimes it’s hard to be patient for Mr. Right when we want a boyfriend RIGHT NOW.

I’ve heard some Christian teens say they won’t have a boyfriend or date until they find the person they are to marry.  Yet others enjoy having friends to hang out with and get to know in each life stage.   Which theory is right?  Can they both be right?  There are so many ways to think about dating and friendship.  Both schools of thought are ok.  The Bible even addresses the issue.  Because people are different, they have different needs – some need many friends while others need 1 or 2 really close friends.

Some girls need to have a boyfriend to feel happy, while others don’t want to be bothered with stinky old boys.  Either way your relationships should bring out the best in you – your attitudes, your behaviors, your SMILE and should bring glory to God.  Christ-centered friendships are AWESOME!  God made us this way and He wants what is best for us.

BONUS:

I interviewed a very nice young man for this blog, so I could pass some good information on to you young ladies.

Question: What do you find attractive in a girl?

Answer: I find attractive a girl who has a good head on her shoulders.  A girl who wants to try to be successful in her life.  A girl who has good values.  Who follows God, and tries her best to be close to family and really close friends.  A girl who values having a good time and having good memories, but not through drinking or drugs or bad behaviors.  A girl who is smart and funny and means well in her intents, but also will stand up for herself and what she believes in and the people she cares about.

Question: How do you know if a girl is real or fake?

Answer: There’s no real way to tell, you just have to trust them with how they act and see how it goes.  And I guess you could kinda tell if they put forth a lot of effort into the things they do and the passions they have and the people they care about to show they really do care and are genuine and aren’t fake.  And also I believe if she has a lot of faith in her relationship with God then that’s another way, too.

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I can’t wait to see you young ladies grow spiritually and closer to each member of your study groups.  Branch out and fellowship with the people in the :decaf Fellowship group.  God has brought together some very special Daughters of the King.  Open your hearts as we dive into the study,  A Daughter’s Worth, and see just how special we all are to our Heavenly Father.

PRAY WITH ME:

Heavenly Father, We thank you for this opportunity to make new friends.  You know our hearts and that we love you.  If we could speak all the languages in the world, but didn’t love others, we would be just a bunch of noise.  If we could understand all of God’s secrets and had all the knowledge in the world, but we didn’t love others, we would be NOTHING.  If we gave everything to the poor and sacrificed our bodies and felt really good about ourselves, but if we didn’t love others, we would have gained NOTHING.

We read in your word that Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  We thank you for your example of LOVE to us.  We love you Father and we pray that our hearts will be open to experiencing our WORTH in your eyes.  AMEN

Love,

Teresa Bolme (Mama T)

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For this Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. We will begin the devotional part of this study next week, so really, you have until NEXT MONDAY to get your book! You can even order it right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.

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

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Attitude…. Does It Really Make A Difference?

September 27, 2012 by

What does the word attitude mean? The dictionary states it as meaning: a manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially of the mind: a negative attitude; or a position or posture of the body appropriate to or expressive of an action, emotion, etc.: a threatening attitude; a relaxed attitude.

When you hear the word attitude, what are some words that come to mind? Do you think of words like angry, bold, sassy, mean, and bossy? Have you ever looked at the word attitude in a positive way? Attitude makes all of the difference in the world! My mom used to say that your attitude will either break you or make you. I always wondered what she meant by that saying. I found out what it all meant once I got older. Look at it like this; if you look at something with a positive attitude, it will make you…you will see things in a more upbeat light. People will love to interact with you and will see you as a happy person, and most importantly, they will WANT to be around you. If you have a negative attitude towards things, people will NOT want to be around you and will avoid you at all cost. People with negative attitudes always look at the down side of everything and will have everyone around them talking and acting in a negative, bad way. Your attitude will dictate to others who you really are. Your attitude is like people seeing who you are on the inside.

          I can remember when I was younger, going through my teen years, my mother and I didn’t seem to see eye to eye on anything…I’m being honest. Whatever she said, I would say the opposite. If she said go left, I would go right. I don’t know if any of you can relate to that… I had a smart mouth, can you believe that?! I always had to get the last word and my attitude stunk, if you know what I mean. I needed what my mom called an “attitude adjustment,” and quick!

Well, that didn’t happen until I started getting a little Jesus way deep down on the inside of me. I couldn’t share a space in my heart with Jesus, that space that seemed to be so grim and bleak and nasty on the inside. I had to allow God to slowly come in and give me the attitude adjustment that I so very much-needed. I had to change the way that I viewed life. I was angry because of what happened with my dad and his drinking. I was frustrated with having to move. I was angry with my mom because I somehow thought that she could have helped my dad. I was young and scared and didn’t know how to process it all, so I took on a negative attitude towards a lot of things. Things such as life, people who were allowed to continue their lives on the Military base, my friends who got to continue to live that lifestyle, the lifestyle that I always knew. I was just plain ole Tonya with the ugly attitude that needed changing.

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me

            Well, once I started attending Young Life, the ministry that was picking up at my school in the afternoons, God used my Young Life leader, Rita, to help me with that process. I began talking more and not holding things in, I started reading the Word, I started spending more and more time with My precious Jesus and He began to create a new heart and attitude within me. I was being made into a new creation…God’s ultimate daughter! Jesus started taking up that negative space in my heart and mind and I began to change! The new me was and is so much greater and better than the old me! I just had to start looking at the positive side of things, which helped me to change my attitude. God is so awesome like that!! He can do the same thing for YOU!!! Why don’t you give Him a chance to show you? 🙂

Precious Jesus,

I ask that you please forgive us of the things that we have done that were not pleasing to you and we ask that you come into our hearts and start moving those negative things around and help us to move them out, so that we can have room in hearts for all of the positive things that you desire for us. Things like love, peace, joy and true happiness. Lord we know that you are able to do this and so much more. We are going to thank you now, in advance for what you are about to do. We thank you now in your Darling Son’s Jesus name we pray. Amen

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Our secret fellowship group on Facebook  is OPEN, so join us to make some new friends who love the Lord!!!! :)

AND…. all of our SECRET FB Bible study groups are opening TODAY!!!!!

Please “like” our Facebook Community page here to stay up-to-date on all we are doing for teens over here at GCH: decaf: https://www.facebook.com/GCHdecaf.

Be sure to email our lead barista, Megan, if you have any questions about the study or this ministry. She would love to hear from you!  Megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

Our first study will start October 1st! We will be studying A Daughter’s Worth by Ava Sturgeon.

Join by clicking HERE !!!

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A Pure Heart

September 26, 2012 by

 

A Pure Heart

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I’m sure you’ve all heard this verse, and maybe you even know the song… But what does this really mean? And how do we achieve a pure heart?

In Proverbs 4 verse 23 it says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” When it says “heart”, I think it means to be cautious of your thoughts, words, and the things you seek after. Notice in the verse in Psalms that GOD is the one who is creating the pure heart. Apart from the Lord, we are anything but pure. But because of JESUS, we have the privilege and the opportunity to walk in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. We can walk in righteousness and purity, because we have been made righteous and pure through Jesus’ sacrifice.

This also takes some work on our part. Hear me when I say this, you do NOT have to work for Jesus’ love. You have NOTHING to earn. But it is our responsibility, as believers who have been made new, to walk in freedom from the enemy. It is our responsibility to live a life that is holy, so that people will see Jesus in our actions and will want to know Him.

Here are some things you need to think about….

The movies & television shows you watch:

  • Do they portray things that are pleasing to the Lord?
  • Or do the story lines and actions that take place in the movie reveal things that are impure?

The music you listen to:

  • Do the songs exalt the name of Jesus?
  • Do they celebrate the things He has done?
  • Or do the words of the songs reflect the things God asks us to stay away from?

The words you use:

  • Are they encouraging?
  • Or are they sarcastic and intended to hurt people?

Girls… we HAVE to be realistic here. We must take practical steps in order to FEED our spirit and STARVE our flesh.

In order for the Lord to reveal to you what it means to have a pure heart, you have to spend time with Him. I know that life is busy, especially in junior high and high school. I promise you, it will NOT kill you to wake up an hour early to spend time with Jesus. Here are some other things you can do throughout the day to spend time with our Lord and Savior:

  • Whenever you have a free minute in class, pull out your devotional book.
  • Say little prayers throughout the day.
  • Be in communication with Jesus. He LOVES to hear from you, and He LOVES to speak to you, too.
  • Find some good worship music. I listen to worship music all the time. It helps you fix your gaze on Jesus, to fix your heart on Him.
  • Get in the habit of reading your Bible every day.
  • Put notecards inside your locker with lyrics to a worship song or a Bible verse so you can be encouraged throughout the day.

The more time you spend doing things that remind your spirit to worship, and the more that you do to fix your heart on Him, the more you will see your heart beginning to transform into a pure one.

Pray with me~

Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for redemption, and thank You for allowing me to have a relationship with You. I ask, Lord, that You would begin to change my heart, and that You would reveal the things in my life that I need to lay down in order to be more like You. Give me wisdom and discernment to know what You say is best for my life. I love You, and I worship You. Amen

~Jordan

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Our secret fellowship group on Facebook  is OPEN, so join us to make some new friends who love the Lord!!!! :)

Please “like” our Facebook Community page here to stay up-to-date on all we are doing for teens over here at GCH: decaf: https://www.facebook.com/GCHdecaf.

Be sure to email our lead barista, Megan, if you would like to join a small group or if you have any questions about the study or this ministry. She would love to hear from you!  Teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com .

Our first study will start October 1st! We will be studying A Daughter’s Worth by Ava Sturgeon.

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Resolution for Women: Choose Wisely

September 24, 2012 by

Ladies…. if you have read today’s resolution you know that it is imperative that you ask yourself the following questions…

  • Are you making today’s decisions with tomorrow’s impact in mind?
  • When you’re arranging your priorities and forming your habits, do you think about your children, your grandchildren, about the kind of character they’ll remember about you and inherit from you?
  • When you spend your money, or sport your fashion sense, or speak your piece, or spare your time, does it ever occur to you that you;re not just making a choice for yourself, in the moment?

The types of resolutions you choose to make each and every day not only matter RIGHT NOW, but they keep on mattering because they are your LEGACY!

Proverbs 13:22

A good (woman) leaves an inheritance.

Last Sunday my family and I were having dinner and my 14-year-old daughter Vicky announced to everyone that *I* am her God story.I was blown away. She said that through watching me, she has learned how to have an intimate relationship with the Lord and she doesn’t think she would be this close to Him if I was not in her life.

I am not her biological mother. I have been her mother for the past 10 years and have been walking with Jesus for only that last 6 of those years. I have yelled, I have screamed, I have been mean, I have gotten frustrated and I have not always been the best example. I HAVE BEEN HUMAN.

BUT….. that isn’t what she credits me for. By the grace of God, she chooses to credit me for teaching her to pray and walk with our Lord and Savior. I can’t think of anything more humbling…. can you? I can only pray that her brothers will one day be able to say the same thing. They have all seen me INTENTIONALLY spend my time every day working to be BETTER in all that I am and all that I do.

They see me serve. They see me pray. They see me say “yes” to God when I want to say “no.” They hear me encourage and they see me be a good steward of my time and other resources. They see me work hard. They see me mess up and they see me repent. They see me give and they feel my love.

I am telling you all of this for you to see that leaving a legacy does not mean that you are perfect by any means. It means that you purpose to be your BEST and live intentionally with the future in mind. It means that it’s not about YOU… and if it has been in the past, you can change that NOW and be a difference maker for you and your children… and every other life you make contact with. It is not too late. Please, let your legacy begin now <3

Let’s pray:

Lord, I ask that you be with each and every one of us as we determine to start this day anew with a fresh heart and spirit and intentionally look to the future in all our actions. We want to be difference makers, Father, and we desperately need your help in order to impact our children the way you intend us to. Help us leave a legacy like only we can, God! We thank you for this perfect provision! In Your Son’s matchless name we pray, amen <3

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Don’t forget!!! Our next Women’s Online Bible Study starts next week on October 1, 2012!!  We will begin an awesome study by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller, “Winning Him Without Words…10 Keys to Thriving in a Spiritually Mismatched Marriage“.  We are VERY excited about this study!!  This study will end on December 13th.  I hope you will join us!!  To sign up for this study, please email us at

WOMENS@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com

We will send you all the details to get registered.  All you will need is a copy of the book, a pen/pencil, your bible, and a journal (if you like).  Each day, Monday through Friday, we will blog about this study RIGHT HERE on our website!  Then you will go to our Facebook Discussion Group, where we have set up a SECRET Facebook Group, so you can share your thoughts privately with just the women in that group.  The Facebook Groups are an awesome way to let your hair down, be yourself, be real, and not have to worry about the whole world reading your thoughts!  Plus, it’s a GREAT way to meet other Christian like-minded women and build friendships all over the world!  Give it a try!

Many blessings,

Megan 🙂

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How do I know I belong to God?

September 24, 2012 by

Made in Heaven

 

There are just some things you notice about people that stand out in a way in which you know there is no way they are not related.  One day I saw a momma with her two kids, their facial features were IDENTICAL.  There was no way those precious children were not hers.  My nieces have the same long, blond, straight hair.  They look like twins.  When you see them, you know they belong to one another.  Now on the contrary, you will see that family of red heads along with a blond haired little girl.  Does that blond girl really belong with the rest of the family?  There is no way by just looking at that family you would be able to say without a shadow of a doubt that the blond haired girl is related to the rest of the red heads.

Have you ever felt like the blond haired girl with Jesus?  Feeling like because you do not fit in with the rest of the world that there is no way you fit in with God?  How many times do you think to yourself, there is no way I belong to God?  I am not sure that I am His, and that He is mine forever.   You let doubt sink in, and because you do not think you resemble God in any way, shape or form, you fall into the lie that you are not His, you do not belong to God (He is a red head, you are a blond).

With every lie we sometimes believe, there will always be a truth to go right along with it.  Please listen to this truth and let it sink into your hearts; YOU BELONG TO GOD, HE IS YOURS, YOU ARE HIS, HE CALLED YOU BY NAME, AND CREATED YOU FOR SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PURPOSE!  Don’t just take my word for it, take the Lord’s word for it; lets seek the Bible for this truth!  Isaiah 43:7 says, “Everyone (insert your name here) who is called by my name whom I have created for my glory I have formed him, yes I made him”.  We are literally called, created, and made by God.  God loves us so much!  Anytime you want to believe the lie that you are not God’s precious daughter, remember this truth and let those lies melt away!

Do you think people know you are related to God when they see you?  Do you think you resemble God?  The coolest thing about being in God’s family is that we do not resemble him by looking the same, we resemble him by being different and standing out in HIS love.  We were not created to fit into this world, but rather created for God’s glory by standing out in His love and beauty.  This has to do with our actions, and remaining obedient to Him.  People see Jesus in us when we “act” differently.  Instead of cheating on a test, we study hard.  Instead of teasing kids, we stick up for the bullied.  We stand up for God in a place where people talk badly about Him.  Let us desire for others to know positively when they see us that we are God’s forever and ever, and that they are too- no matter what color their hair-no matter what they have done or where they come from.  We are all made in Heaven, and living in this Earth-for God’s glory.

Let’s Pray:

Lord, I lift every single person reading this up to you!  I pray that you let them stand strong in YOU and accept the truth that YOU love them and that YOU called them by name and have created each one of them for YOUR glory.  I pray you help us to stand out in your beauty, and not be discouraged by being different.  We desire to fit into YOUR life for us.  I thank you so much for this comforting truth: we belong to you, and we are yours forever and ever.  Amen.

I have learned that doubt has a really tough shot trying to sneak in when I can shout it away with the Lord’s powerful words.  Meditate on the power of the Lord’s words in Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the LORD’s (belongs to the Lord) and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”  Let’s memorize this verse together.  Let us hold onto this truth and use it against Satan when he tries to fill our head with lies! 

<3 Diane

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Our secret fellowship group on Facebook  is OPEN, so join us to make some new friends who love the Lord!!!! :)

Please “like” our Facebook Community page here to stay up-to-date on all we are doing for teens over here at GCH: decaf: https://www.facebook.com/GCHdecaf.

Be sure to email our lead barista, Megan, if you would like to join a small group or if you have any questions about the study or this ministry. She would love to hear from you!  Teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com .

Our first study will start October 1st!  We will be studying A Daughter’s Worth by Ava Sturgeon.

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Letters from Grandma

September 21, 2012 by

Have you ever had a pen pal? I remember in elementary school that was the thing to do! We were actually required to find and keep pen pals from all over the world. Back then it was hand written letters not emails. I loved having pen pals, but unfortunately the only lasting pen pal I had, was my grandmother. From the time I was a little girl my grandmother and I have been writing letters back and forth. She always tells me, she doesn’t do email and is so excited that I still write to her! I don’t think she knows the excitement I have that my grandmother takes the time to speak truth and love and hope into my heart through her precious letters to me!

My grandmother is the sweetest lady you could ever meet. Her obedience to the Lord is not only captivating but completely inspirational and encouraging to me. She is always ready to talk about her relationship with the Lord and what He means to her in her life. She is always prepared with encouragement she has studied throughout the Bible and daily devotionals. When I look at my grandmother, all I see is Jesus. It is truly amazing. She is such an angel in my life. I look up to her, and truly admire her for the way she lives her life, by following Jesus.

When I was in high school, I bombarded my gram with lots and lots of letters. All of them were filled with the “junk” I had to go through as a teenager. I would pour out my heart to her, telling her exactly what was going wrong in my life. I would tell her about the boys that I liked but never seemed to notice me, the girls that were being mean to me, the fights I was having with my parents, the sadness I felt when my sisters got to do cool things and I was not allowed. Every time my grandmother wrote back to me, it was always exactly what I needed to hear. It was like God himself was talking to me through her letters. Her letters were completely Spirit-filled. She gave me Bible verses that went along with every struggle I had. I called her letters magical. I am so beyond thankful for her letters in my life. God was using and still is using my grandmother to speak truth, hope, and love to my very soul! Where I would be without her letters, I do not want to know! By her sending and sharing what the Lord laid on her heart for me, the Lord saved my life through her!

There is one group of letters that will forever be a part of my memory, ones I look back to and are such a reminder of God’s faithfulness to me. In this particular letter to my gram, I asked her to please pray for me. I told her that I felt distant from the Lord and that we were so far apart. I described to her how lost I felt and that I didn’t think God cared for me or liked me very much. When my grandmother wrote me back, I have never forgotten the words she wrote that spoke directly to my heart, The Lord never leaves us, He waits patiently for us to come back to Him! I am praying for you. There is no way she knew the impact those simple words had in my life.

Well, three years later, I got to write my gram telling her all about the impact they had. How the Lord waited for me, and I am back in His arms! It was the best! I started to realize that not only do I have my grandmother for support and advice, but I have my Heavenly Father to write letters to, and He will always write back!

It is so very important to have friendships with other godly women, women who will lift you up in prayer, give you advice based on what the Bible says not this world, women who will encourage you with the truth of God! I think one thing about GCH: decaf that I am most excited about is having just that! We have the access to letters, and emails, and messages, and private groups where we can all share our hearts and our junk with one another; in response you will not receive judgment or feel ashamed, instead you will feel the power of the Spirit working through the fingertips of each one of us!

How blessed we are to be able to share what the Lord has taught us or showed us about things that someone else may really be struggling with. How thankful we are for a Heavenly Father who never leaves us and is with us in our group! He is writing right along with each and every one of us. I pray that we allow the Spirit to work through our every word we write, that we are able to say what He is guiding us to say, knowing it will help and bless others too. Without His guidance, and leading, we are going nowhere. I desire to get mail from Him daily in our group! I look forward to writing many more letters to HIM with each and every one of you.

Psalm 73:23

The Lord is always with us, he is holding us by our right hand.

Let us pour into our groups what he is pouring into our right hand, LOVE, PEACE, COMFORT, WISDOM, TRUTH, FORGIVENESS, GRACE, and MERCY!

<3 Diane

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Remember… we are giving away 5 copies of the book for our very first Bible study A Daughter’s Worth by Ava Sturgeon!!! TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER TO WIN!!!

How do you enter to win?!?!?!?

1. Tell your friends about the Bible study! You can call, txt, email, FB, etc…. any of your best girlfriends that YOU think would benefit from this online Bible study!

2. Have them send an email to teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com to sign up for the Bible study and have them give us YOUR name as referring them.

3. The 5 people who refer the most people to the Bible study WINS a FREE copy of the book!

Our secret fellowship group on Facebook  is OPEN, so join us to make some new friends who love the Lord!!!! :)

Please “like” our Facebook Community page here to stay up-to-date on all we are doing for teens over here at GCH: decaf: https://www.facebook.com/GCHdecaf.

Be sure to email our lead barista, Megan, if you would like to join a small group or if you have any questions about the study or this ministry. She would love to hear from you!  Teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com .

Our first study will start October 1st!  We will be studying A Daughter’s Worth by Ava Sturgeon.

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Resolution for Women: Ok

September 18, 2012 by

“For the law was given through Moses,

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

John 1:17

 

Some of you know that my oldest son James (who I CANNOT believe will be 21 this month!!!) has Asperger’s Syndrom. One of the characteristics typical to Aspies is that they tend to not show a whole lot of emotional about things and can even have a robotic-type of sound to their voice when they speak.

My Aspie is no different and it used to drive me crazy when I would be really upset with him about something and the only response I would get from him would be “ok.” You see, I am an extremely passionate person… when I am happy, I am super happy. When I am upset, I am super upset. SO, to have someone simply say “ok” in response to one of my epic rants would just drive me insane…… but it always instantly got me to calm down and it diffused the situation.

I know I say this all the time, but it’s true…. EMOTIONS ARE DECEIVING!!!! Ladies, we don’t always HAVE to be right, or get the last word in, or be in the driver’s seat for every conversation. We need to just STOP and simply say…

Okay.

That’s it.

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

On page 235, Priscilla writes:

“Truly the wise woman doesn’t always seek to be heard or validated but sometimes- in order to protect and preserve relationships, in order to invite peace back into her home- chooses a soft, delicate, gentle response in place of one that’s harsh and explosive, harmful and wounding. She is resolved not to tend the fire of quarrelsome conversations, knowing she’ll only be covered in ashes long after the embers have burned out… she is patient. She brings calm to the storm.”

Choosing to respond in this way, and NOT react makes you wise and graceful… not a pushover or a doormat. I cannot think of a more intentional way to show grace, respect and honor in conversation than to be so careful with your words. God calls us to this, but it is up to us to obey and show this grace.

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Let’s Pray:

Lord, help us to temper our tongues and show grace in every conversation today. We need you to work within us from the inside out to get out-of-the-way be graceful in all circumstances. Help us to model this in our homes, in our work places and in our communities. Help us be difference-makers, Father! Give us the courage and wisdom to know when to be silent or only mutter the tiny word “ok.” We thank you for this provision, Lord! In Your Son’s matchless name we pray, amen <3

Your Assignment:

Prayerfully consider how you can apply the message of these verses in your life today:

  • A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)
  • Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.” (Proverbs 25:15)

Resolve to respond with “ok” as much as you can in the next 48 hours in order to begin to make this a habit. Take note of the impact it makes in your closest relationships <3

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Reminder… on October 1st, we will begin our brand new Online Bible Study, entitled “Winning Him Without Words” by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller.  If you are in an unequally spiritual marriage, you won’t want to miss this study!!

To sign up for this study, please send an email to:  Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com and we will send you all the details you need to get started!

Now jump on over to our Facebook Group for the daily activity!! If you do not yet belong to this group, and would like to, send us an email at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com with FB GROUP in the subject line, and we’ll be glad to add you!

Be a blessing,

Megan 🙂

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

Tonya’s Journey to GCH:decaf!

September 16, 2012 by

Introducing……

GCH: decaf blogger Tonya Elliott

I have always known who God was. I can remember as far back as 4 years old, kneeling beside my bed, with my mom and dad on each side of me, teaching me how to say my prayers…you know how it goes: “Now I lay be down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…”. If my mother and father didn’t do anything else, they made sure that my sisters and I had some form of concept of who God was. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6.

You have to understand that my mother and father weren’t avid church goers, but my mother would consistently place my sister and me on the church bus every Sunday to go to church. In a way, I am so glad that she did that, because those wonderful ladies helped introduce Jesus to my sister and I more and more…more seeds were planted…”I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6). Thank you Jesus for the lovely women of Christ who took time out to plant seeds, while others watered and I can now definitely see God’s increase! God is awesome like that!

I spent most of my elementary and middle school years traveling back and forth between Germany and Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Ft. Campbell, Kentucky was my father’s home base. He was a Sergeant First Class in the Army…a Mess hall Cook. I LOVED my life growing up on the many military bases. What my sisters and I didn’t know was that our father’s drinking problem was starting to affect his work, and he was making more mistakes with his cooking.

I can remember coming home from school in the 8th grade, to my mom packing our belongings. I was used to packing and moving, but I knew that my dad was not scheduled to be transferred anywhere else, so I asked her what was going on. She replied that we had to move because my dad was being discharged because of his drinking. I was devastated! My world as I had always known it was coming to a complete halt!

How does a person…a young teenage girl comprehend all of that? To be honest with you, I had a difficult time trying to adjust to the news. I was angry, I was frustrated, sad, confused, all of the above. We ended up moving to Memphis, Tennessee, which was where my parents were from. We moved with my mother’s family and the saga began. I won’t go into details about all of that, but I will say that it was a very emotional time in my life. We went from having everything we wanted, to not having anything at all…well; at least we still had each other, right?

During this time, I met a lady who changed my WHOLE life around! She was my Young Life leader who would take the second baton of my Christian  growth and help me to run with it. She took the time to get to know me, share with me in my time of hurt, frustration, confusion, and anger, through the love of Jesus Christ. She took what was a horrible time in my life and helped me to refocus everything in my life towards Jesus. She loved me in spite of what was going on in my life.

Did my dad ever stop drinking, I am sure that you are asking? Unfortunately no, he did not, but our relationship got better. I loved my dad unconditionally, even through all of the hurt and disappointments. I learned to see him through the eyes of Christ…and believe me, once I truly became a Christian, that wasn’t hard to do at all! My dad passed away in November of 1998 and I miss him so much, but I know that God has him in His care. I have learned so much since then.

Today I am a Young Women’s Coordinator for a ministry called Red Zone, which is under the Memphis leadership Foundation umbrella, here in Memphis. I work with youth in the inner city Memphis area. I work primarily with middle school aged youth, but I have been working with the youth in that particular area for such a long time, that I have youth who are now grown and some married. I know that this is what God was calling me to do. He wanted me to go through what I went through, so that I could see that trying Jesus really does work and that He could work for the youth too.

I was married for 14 years and I have been divorced for 2 years, and I have 4 AWESOME children of my own, who have faced all kinds of odds, which I will share with you a later date. Trinicia (19), Jonathon (15), Justin (14), and Carlia (12).

Smiling is my thing! It is one of my ways of encouraging others. I am crazy enough to believe that if you share your smile with others, especially those who may be having a bad day, you just might brighten up their day!

I found Girlfriends Coffee Hour and it has been the BEST thing that I have ever done! GCH has brought life back into my world, and I feel alive again! My desire is to come alongside teen girls through this new ministry and walk with them and mentor them and share with them the love of Christ.

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Please “like” our Facebook Community page here to stay up-to-date on all we are doing for teens over here at GCH: decaf: https://www.facebook.com/GCHdecaf.

Be sure to email our lead barista, Megan, if you would like to join a small group or if you have any questions about the study or this ministry. She would love to hear from you!  Teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com .

Our first study will start October 1st!  We will be studying A Daughter’s Worth by Ava Sturgeon.

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Tonya Elliott is a 40 year old Memphis native…  but she was raised all over the world, Germany, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc…Her father was in the military for 16 years. She has 4 beautiful children, Trinicia (19), Jonathon (15), Justin (14), and Carlia (12).

Tonya met Christ when she was 7 years old and really began to walk along beside Him when she was 14 years old. She has always had a heart for youth ministry! She currently works for a faith-based organization called Memphis Leadership Foundation as a Young Women’s Coordinator, working with middle school aged girls, and she loves it!

She was married at 23 and divorced at 37 years old, but she is thankful for that part of her journey because it has helped to shape her into the woman of God that she is today.

She loves to read, read, and read!! Tonya also loves to learn new things and is currently seeking her degree in Human Services. She is eager to see where God is leading her.

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we just LOVE that Tonya is serving with us on our Leadership Team AND with your precious daughters! Please take a moment to leave her a comment and let her know how happy you are that she is answering God’s call eith GCH:decaf!!

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

Coleen’s Journey to GCH:decaf!

September 15, 2012 by

Introducing……

GCH: decaf blogger Coleen Hayden

I love this J.J. Heller song.  Take a listen…or sing along.  Wait!  Maybe you should get a tissue or two first…you ARE going to cry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Kf51ulLEM

Who will love me for me

Not for what i have done or what i will become

Who will love me for me

‘Cause nobody has shown me what love

What love really means

 

<Big sigh!>  wiping away the tears that have splashed onto the keyboard, I pray, “Please, Lord, help me to love ’em!  Please give me YOUR heart!  Lord, please show me how!”

…and I struggle, wondering how I can possibly help a girl living in Montana trying to maintain her purity. “What can *I* really do,” I thought, “for a teenager in Texas who really doesn’t think she is smart enough to pursue honors classes and go to college?”  How can I even begin to be Jesus’ hands and feet to a young lady in Virginia whose parents are divorcing and her heart is being torn apart?  I don’t know how to even start to help a girl in LA see her beautiful self through God’s eyes not the world’s viewpoint… and what do *I* possibly have to say that could bring peace to the heart of a teenager in New Jersey, where gangs and violence make her scared to go to school?

 

Then I remember… I can PRAY!!! For them, with them, over them, and I can show them in the Scriptures that THEY have access to their heavenly Father.  I can teach them how to lay down their worries, fears, cares, and concerns at the feet of Jesus.  I can help them to recognize that God is always listening. I can inspire them to believe that God hears and answers.  I can encourage them to voice their own prayers…simply and with faith.  And, even from a distance, I can pray with them and show them God’s love. This, THIS is why I have committed to GCH: decaf.

 

Thousands of girls all over the world have hearts that yearn to feel safe; to be cared for and wanted ‘just because’ They want to be filled with peace & joy, they desire to feel pretty, and they need to know that who they are is enough.  I know Who knows exactly how to meet their need—my Lord, Jesus Christ. All that they need, want, yearn for, and desire can be met through Jesus Christ. He is the only Way to His Father, the Almighty God.  GCH: decaf is a place to come and meet my Savior, to learn about Him and His Father, to find a relationship with Jesus.  And, if you are privileged to already know this awesome Jesus…to build on and grow in and thrive in your relationship with Him!

 

Perhaps GCH: decaf is the place where you, if that is your heart, can come and be encouraged.  Maybe Girlfriends Coffee Hour is the place where moms and daughters can have a meeting place where they can grow together.  Possibly GCH: decaf is where you will learn about God’s love and all that He provided when He sent His Son to die for all mankind.  GCH: decaf, for me, is where love and compassion and acceptance are found.  Come visit us at GCH: decaf and see if you agree.

 

My name is Coleen Hayden and, with God in Christ in me, I will…

 

Love you for y.o.u…..

Not for what you have done…or have not done

Not for what you will–or won’t–become

I will love YOU just simply because you’re YOU

and, by God’s grace,

we will each be reminded of what love…what love REALLY means.

God loves you…and I do, too. <3

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Please “like” our Facebook Community page here to stay up-to-date on all we are doing for teens over here at GCH: decaf: https://www.facebook.com/GCHdecaf.

Be sure to email our lead barista, Megan, if you would like to join a small group or if you have any questions about the study or this ministry. She would love to hear from you!  Teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com .

Our first study will start October 1st!  We will be studying A Daughter’s Worth by Ava Sturgeon.

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Coleen Hayden enjoys the privilege of being a housewife.  She and Robert have been married for 18 years and currently live in the Capital District area of New York state. They have one beautiful daughter, Kassia, who is married to the best son-in-law, Matt, and their marriage has produced 3 sweet grandchildren—Elijah, Kaylie Joy, and Levi.  They thankfully live close to these sweethearts and spend much joyful time together.  Her extended family includes 7 siblings and their spouses, 19 nieces/nephews, her mom, dad and step-mom, and her step-granny.

Coleen has a testimony of God’s awesome grace & mercy towards her when Jesus captured her heart 31 years ago.  She was an unwed soon-to-be mother with little hope, but God had a plan for her life and made a way for her and drew her to Him.  She is still growing and changing and, by God’s grace, becoming more like the image of God that He made her to be.

The Haydens have led a home Bible fellowship each week for over 5 years.  The folks who join them share a meal, Bible study, sing praises to God and pray for one another. Coleen also facilitates a womens’ small group which meets in her home.

Coleen has been blessed by God with gifts of intercession, hospitality, and encouragment.  There is not too much that makes her happier than living out Titus 2:4. Well, maybe her grandbabies…. 🙂

Coleen and Robert are thankful that God has allowed them to minister together through praise & worship.

Coleen’s hobbies include sewing, cooking, and playing the piano…. and if you need someone to pray with, she would love to do so!

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As you can imagine, we are so happy to have Coleen working with us on our Leadership Team AND with your precious daughters! Please take a moment to leave her a comment and let her know how happy you are that she is answering God’s call!

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

Jordan’s Journey to GCH:decaf!

September 14, 2012 by

Introducing……

GCH: decaf blogger Jordan Spring

Hello precious readers!! I am SO excited to be writing this blog post, and I can’t wait to write more in the future. I really feel so honored and so thankful that the Lord has connected me to all the right people in order to be involved in this ministry, and because God is the ultimate networker, He brought them all to me!

I am currently in a “waiting room” season in my life. I’m 20 years old, and because of our financial situation, I have yet to start college. I have spent many days these past few months asking the Lord what His purpose is for me while I’m in this season, and I firmly believe that GCH:decaf is one of the reasons the Lord has not opened the doors for me to go to school yet.

Looking back on my teenage years, I can see clearly where the Lord used other women and girls within the Kingdom to minister to me. Many times He would speak into my life through mentors or friends, and He always brought about the conversations exactly when I needed them. My teenage years were not all butterflies and gumdrops. I loved Jesus, but I, far too often, allowed other things to take His place as first in my heart. I was constantly searching for friends to tell me my worth, and when they couldn’t be found, I went to boys. It took me a very long time before I BELIEVED in my heart that JESUS defines me. JESUS tells me I’m beautiful, worthy, loved, etc. Only He can satisfy my heart. Once I had that revelation, I fell madly in love with Him. I want to be a part of what God is doing in the Kingdom in any way that I can. I want to make Him known and to be an instrument of His hands.

My prayer for you is that, through this ministry, you would allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you about who you are in Jesus. We serve a God who is SO much stronger than any lie the enemy uses to keep us in a place of insecurity. You are all called to something very specific and very unique, and we NEED your gifting. The Kingdom needs you to walk out your calling CONFIDENTLY; knowing who God is and believing what He says about you. I also want you all to grow in your relationship with Jesus while growing in friendship with girls who are seeking the Lord alongside you. Fellowship is SO important. Jesus says, “Where two or more are gathered in My name, I am there.” So He is definitely HERE in GCH:decaf! I believe that He is going to move mountains in your hearts as we begin our first Bible study. I believe that He is going to bring healing to the brokenhearted. I believe that He is going to give hope to the girls who have been burdened by the struggles they have faced. I believe that Jesus is going to show up, and He’s going to change lives through our time together.

I hope you’ll join me on this amazing journey we’re about to begin. And I PRAY that you’ll have an open mind, an open heart, and open hands to receive from the Lord through this ministry.

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Please “like” our Facebook Community page here to stay up-to-date on all we are doing for teens over here at GCH: decaf: https://www.facebook.com/GCHdecaf.

Be sure to email our lead barista, Megan, if you would like to join a small group or if you have any questions about the study or this ministry. She would love to hear from you!  Teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com .

Our first study will start October 1st!  We will be studying A Daughter’s Worth by Ava Sturgeon.

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Jordan Spring is 20 years old, and is waiting on the Lord’s timing for her to go to school for ministry. She was saved when she was five, has led worship since she was 13 and senses a calling on her life to lead worship full time. Her dream is to travel around the world and lead people in worship. Her heart for worship comes from walking through brokenness and having encounters with the Holy Spirit during those seasons, and she wants to lead people into His presence so that they, too, can encounter His love while walking through fire. She also writes songs, and her prayer during her songwriting is that she would write songs from the Lord that would give people hope and would draw people to worship.

Jordan has such a heart for teenage girls and LOVES to talk to them about Jesus. She loves to encourage them to walk in the confidence of who God is and who God has created them to be! She works with teen girls at her church and has lead them in small groups and retreats.

She loves blogging, singing, eating healthy, all things Christmas, coffee, a good book, fuzzy socks, Disney World, frozen yogurt, and rainy days. She also LOVES headbands, pearl bracelets, hairspray, and loves to put together outfits that are trendy, cute, comfortable, and modest.

Jordan grew up in Jackson, MS. She and her family moved to the Sunshine State when she was 18, where they now live in Pensacola Beach.

We are so happy to have Jordan working with us on our Leadership Team and with your precious daughters! Be sure to leave her a comment and let her know how happy you are that she is answering God’s call!

Be sure to check out her personal blog here: www.justacupofjo.com

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