Resolution for Women — Chapter 6 Overview

August 10, 2012 by girlfriendscoffeehour

Weekly Review

Our Memory verse this week was Luke 6:45

“out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”.

This has been an eye-opening chapter for me. I realized this week just how much I talk, and just how little I listen! I also learned just how much I talk “over” people…in other words, how much I interrupt others! As much as I do not like others doing that to me, I realized I do that to others, too! This is certainly something I need to work on!!

So, what did you think of this weeks chapter? What were your ah-ha moments?

Where did the Lord gently nudge you and say “We need to work on this?”

I think I highlighted the whole chapter. I think I needed to highlight the whole chapter! I know I have so much more to learn in this area, and it will truly be a chapter that I re-read over and over again!

So, let’s take a look back and see what the Lord was showing all of us this week:

Monday: Priscilla shared her words with us on the art of listening and edifying others, and the importance of both. She talked about the importance of “learning” how to listen to others. The art of really intentionally putting aside any our own thoughts, the distractions, and whatever else may prevent us from intentionally listen to another. Intentionally listening to others shows them they are important to us; they are valued; they are worthy of our time. It builds them up and encourages them. It feeds their self-worth. The art of listening is a discipline that we all need to work on. Listening is the most valuable gift we can give anyone.

Wisdom has two parts:

One part is learning what to say.

The second part is learning when to say it.

Tuesday: Megan talked to us about the gift of intentionally listening to others. The chapter also shows us how the gift of intentionally listening can lead into other gifts — the gifts of self-worth, significance, personal satisfaction. The kind of gifts that we all want to be known for. We learned how to bless others by really leaning into what they are saying, and forgetting about anything and everything else around us and giving our “all” to that person at that very moment. It is truly our gift to them, and a blessing!

The Gift of Listening

is the most valuable gift you can give someone.

Wednesday: Kelley shared with us about the habit of talking too much and how that can get us into trouble. Proverbs 10:19 says “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Pretty much puts it all in to one nutshell, huh?? The art of listening enables us to think before we speak. Weighing out our words before they are spoken. Waiting for the right time to say the right thing. Not sitting while someone is talking and contemplating what you will say next. Or not allowing the other person to express their own opinion, and thinking our opinion is the only one that counts!

Listen. Learn. Contemplate. Consider.

Weighing our words. Waiting.

The Blessing of Silence!

Thursday: Beverly shared with us the importance of the power of our tongue and guarding our hearts. Our heart is our inner being (the foundation)….the place where our thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs are kept. A reservoir for every thought, attitude, belief we’ve either placed there, or allowed to hang out there!

What are we allowing to hang out in our hearts???? Our heart is the essence of who we truly are, or who we are becoming. Out of the abundance of our heart, our words flow. Are we quick to offer an opinion? Are we constantly critical or demeaning to others? Do we frequently argue with others? Do we gossip? Do our words often speak of negativity, doubt, and skepticism? These are all conditions of the heart. The foundation of our being. So we have to ask ourselves what we are putting inside? What treasures are we storing in our hearts? Insecurity? Anger? Judgmental attitude? Low in faith and belief? No peace?

The author of the this book, Priscilla Shirer suggests that if we don’t know the answer to these questions, we need to just listen to ourselves for a couple of days. Listen to our topics of conversations. Then ask the Lord to forgive you for the words you have spoken, and to help you guard your hearts, making sure that you do not allow your heart to become filled with anything that will hinder you from being conformed into the likeness of Christ. Stay in the word. The more you stay in the word and in His truth, the more your words will then be filled with wisdom, kindness, and humility!

A woman whose heart is full of gratitude and humility, who is certain of God’s favor on her, and who genuinely prizes the worth of those around her will release a steady stream of graciousness that will refresh others through her conversation. Others will desire her company. She will invite the opportunity to listen to others. She will humbly offer wisdom that comes from a treasure box filled with a wealth of good things!

It’s not all about watching your mouth….

It’s about watching your heart!

Are you ready to sign this weeks resolution? Before you do, picture the people in your life who most need to receive this gift from you. Consider what changes you can make to become a person who is “quick to listen and slow to speak.” Be willing to make some of these practical and necessary adjustments so this resolution doesn’t just “sit on a shelf” in your life and become reality. THEN, when you’re ready, prayerfully read the statement below and sign your name.

Resolution #6

My Blessing

I will be a woman who is quick to listen and slow to speak.

I will care about the concerns of others and esteem them more highly than myself.

Signed: ____________________

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Next week, Priscilla walks us through the art of forgiveness into a resolution to release others from the prison of our hurt and anger. I can’t wait! Another AWESOME WEEK ahead of us!!!

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YOUR READING ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING >> HERE

Be Blessed & Be a Blessing to Someone Else Today!

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: art of listening, Bible, bible study, Christianity, esteem, faith, family, Forgiveness, foundation, God, heart, listen, listening, Luke 6:45, power of the tongue, priscilla shirer, Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 18:21, resolutions, The Resolution for Women, women's bible studies

Resolution for Women — My Blessing

August 6, 2012 by girlfriendscoffeehour

Once again, I am going to share a video from Priscilla Shirer speaking about in the sixth chapter of her book ‘The Resolution for Women’. In this chapter, Priscilla discusses the “art of listening” verses talking too much; as well as the power of our tongue — whether it is faithless or faith-filled.

She discusses the art of edifying others, and building them up. Encouraging one another is truly a gift from the Lord! We live in a tough world! We are slammed with negativity every day in our lives, at work, at school, from the media, and sometimes even at home. The gift of edification is about being able to encourage others, lift them up with your words or prayers, and helping them feel better about their situation, and about themselves!

Luke 6:45 says, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”. Let’s learn how to fill our heart with the right things that will help our mouth overflow with the proper words, to be spoken at the right time.

And now a word from Priscilla Shirer:

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Your Assignment:

Comment below how you will effectively use the art of listening to a loved one today.

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Let’s Pray:

Father, Your word tells us that out of the abundance of our hearts, our mouths speak. Your word also tells us that Life & Death come from our tongue. Lord, we ask for this next week that You will give us revelation knowledge on how powerful our words are; and how we can tame our tongue. We know it is not possible to tame another man’s tongue, Lord, but it is possible to tame our own tongue. We ask that You will reveal areas in our hearts where work needs to be done, so the abundance that flows out of our mouths, will be pleasing unto You, Lord; and will bring life to others around us. We ask You to forgive us Lord for the times we have fallen short with our words, and when we have not chosen to really “listen” to someone who needs our full attention. Holy Spirit, we ask You to nudge us this week during those times that those around us need our FULL attention, in Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!

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Now it’s time to go back to your Facebook Online Bible Study Group to see what your Daily Activity is!! I’m guessing it’s going to be a fun one!! If you are not currently in one our FB OBS Groups, and would like to be, please send an email to: GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we’ll be glad to add you!!

That’s it for today. I hope you have an AWESOME Week!! Remember, THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!! Let’s CHOOSE to REJOICE & BE GLAD IN IT!!!

Living Intentionally Every Day to Learn How to Bless Others with My Ears & Mouth,

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: art of listening, Bible, bible study, Christianity, faith, family, God, Grace, Jesus, listening, Love, power of the tongue, priscilla shirer, Proverbs 18:21, resolutions, Self-Worth, The Resolution for Women, women, women's bible studies

Resolution for Women — Chapter 6 – My Blessing

August 5, 2012 by girlfriendscoffeehour

This week in The Resolution for Women, Chapter 6, we learn to esteem others with our time, concern, and full attention.

We’ll learn how to really listen to others, so they “know” we are truly listening.

We’ll learn about the power of our tongue, and how it can produce life or death.

We’ll learn how to control our tongue, to bring life into others and situations.

I’m very excited about this chapter, and what Priscilla has to say this week. The power of the tongue is a subject that we learned about the week before this study began. This chapter will reiterate what Robin Packer taught us during that week, and more!

So with that, are you ready???? Here we go!!

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Your Reading Assignment

for the Week of Aug 6th – 10th:

Aug 6th: My Blessing – Christi

Aug 7th: The Gift – Megan

Aug 8th: Shhhh – Kelley

Aug 9th: Underneath It All – Beverly

Aug 10th: Week Overview – Christi

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THIS WEEKS CONFERENCE CALL!!

Don’t forget our FREE Conference Call this coming TUESDAY night, at 8pm CST. Our Guest Speaker will be Connie Moss from Mesquite Texas. Connie is going to share her amazing testimony on how God delivered her from clinical depression! This call is for all of our Facebook Online Bible Study members. If you are not a part of our FB OBS Groups, and would like to be, please email us at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com! We’ll be glad to add you to a group!!

Let’s Pray:

Father, we lift this weeks chapter to You, Lord, and we ask for Your anointing upon our ears and eyes, that we may hear from You directly and also see what You are trying to teach us this week. Lord, we choose to put aside all distractions so that we can learn to become a blessing to others, with our words and actions. We pray for our Conf Call Guest Speaker, Connie Moss, and I ask that You guide her words and give her peace and boldness during her time with us on this call. I pray for hearts to be prepared before this call Lord, to be ready to receive what You have for them. Bring those Father, that You want on this call, In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!

See You Tomorrow!!

Be Blessed & Be a Blessing to Someone Else!

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: Bible, bible study, Christianity, faith, family, God, Jesus, Luke 6:45, Power of words, priscilla shirer, resolution for women, resolutions, tongue, women

The Resolution for Women: Week 5 Overview

August 3, 2012 by Megan Smidt

Weekly Overview

I don’t know about all of you….. but this lesson about being our best for God has really been challenging AND freeing at the same time for me. Let’s take a look back and see what all we learned this week.

MONDAY: It was all about BOXES! You know…. all the millions of things that we have pulling and tugging at us for our attention and resources every day while we are working so hard to achieve perfect balance in our life. God certainly intends for us to live full lives, but not to be stretched so thin that we burn out and are miserable. God calls us to have order in our lives and to line up our priorities with His will. Priscilla asked us to list our “boxes” and to be real about which ones might not need to be filled in this season.

TUESDAY: This day we learned about how important timing is in being able to be our best. God intends different priorities for us in different seasons we are in and we must not mix them up. This day was about boundaries and freeing ourselves of any obligations we currently have that are not meant for us in our current season. We were to pray for discernment and begin to take action to be able to live joyfully in our current season doing all of the things that God uniquely designed us to do.

WEDNESDAY: Oh Wednesday…. it was about anything, everything and whatever! You know what this means right? It’s all about how we can’t do anything well when we choose to do everything, so we decide to just do whatever. We were to list out our “whatever” places and pray over which ones God needs us to shift to the background during our current season. We are to do all of our whatever’s with everything that we have because THAT is part of God’s divine design!

THURSDAY: Priscilla gave us some breathing lessons worth noting. She urges us to intentionally make time in our daily lives to fill our oxygen tank so that we can breathe. That can look differently for everyone, but whatever you do to “re-fuel,” do it often! All of our loved ones need us to be our best and God does not intend any of us to grow weary in doing good. I hope you gave yourself a break…. because I did and it felt so good! Be sure so make this a habit!

….and in all this lies our fifth Resolution!

MY BEST

I will seek to devote the best of myself, my time, and my talents

to the primary roles the Lord has entrusted to me in this phase of my life.

Signed X___________________________________________

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

________________________________

Next week, our topic is

“My Blessing— a resolution to esteem others with my time, concerns, and full attention.”

Oooooooh…. this is going to be good!!!

Have a Great weekend Ladies! See you again on Sunday with our assignments for next week!!

Please keep in mind that if you have fallen behind in your reading, the weekend is a great time to get all caught up!

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: 1 cor 10:31, Balance, Bible, bible study, Christianity, faith, family, God, Jesus, my best, priorities, priscilla shirer, resolutions, seasons, The Resolution for Women, women

The Resolution for Women- Week 5: It Only Works When I Breathe

August 1, 2012 by Kelly

The past two-three weeks at work have been crazy! I was assigned 3 projects to work on all at the same time, all with deadlines of yesterday. I also had my Online Bible Study groups , my family, grandchildren to spend the night, was planning for a mission trip to Nicaragua, and was attempting to keep up with all the day-to-day tasks. By the way, the list goes on! I desperately needed oxygen. Unfortunately for me it was not dropping out of the sky ready to be used! In addition to this, the ‘boxes’ that we talked about the other day that could be rearranged or moved around were not the ones that were labeled W O R K, they were the things I enjoyed – the things that brought me peace. Lovely, huh!? Have any of you ladies had this problem? –as I chuckle! Of course you have. To bed late, up way too early, running kids here, running kids there, working, doing laundry – running yourself ragged – trying to do it all…..needing a LARGE oxygen tank! Suffocating from attempting the impossible. Do any of us think about how destructive this behavior is to our bodies? Nope, we totally believe we can do it all! In our book Priscilla explains what this type of behavior provides us ,

“by running yourself ragged, trying to do everything morning till night, you’re in essence trying to be God. Overwork is a form of unbelief. You’re saying through your actions that you don’t believe He can take care of everything, meaning you’re on the hook for it” (page 109)

Ladies, it’s time to stop and smell the roses, time to find your oxygen tank whatever, wherever that may be. There is no possible way that you can help anyone else – not your children, your husband or anyone else when you are out of ‘gas’. I will be honest, even during those very difficult weeks at work recently, I made time for the one thing that totally relieves me of stress – even if only for a few minutes – my MuayThai class. For 1 solid hour 3 times a week no matter what goes on, I go and hit pads, kick bags – relieving every ounce of frustration and finding my’oxygen’. I would leave work so tired, seriously feeling like I could go straight home and go to bed, then I would change into my gym clothes and head to the gym. By the time I left, the good endorphins in my body were rolling, my energy level was up, and thankfully I had found my oxygen tank – right in the nick of time!

So let’s think about this ladies. What is something that you can do each day to re-energize? Perhaps it’s your quiet time with God, or maybe your on-line bible study time. Perhaps it’s an amazing tough workout at the gym or a much-needed date with your hubby. Whatever it is, it is necessary to reach out and grab it, to find that oxygen tank and use it! For me it’s an hour in the gym, for you this time may mean 10 minutes with Jesus. Whether it’s a quick outdoor walk or getting an hour-long massage – it is absolutely imperative that you take this time to replenish your soul, to fill your lungs with fresh air, to suck up the molecules necessary to rebuild the cells throughout your body – Only then can you be the person you need to be for yourself and for those that are depending on you.

And let’s not forget to seek guidance from the Lord as we handle the many things we do. We need to work with Him and let Him show us the tasks and priorities we need to be addressing, not all of them belong to us – although we think they do!

Assignment for Today

When will I put on my oxygen mask so I can …. bre-e-e-eathe? What does my oxygen mask look like? I would like for each and every sister here to commit to some time each day to breathe and replenish their body. Share with us what that will be for you.

Prayer

Dear God, Guide and direct us each day as we go through our daily tasks. Help us to reach for our oxgen in whatever form works for us, Provide us with the understanding Father that you are the only one in control, you are the only one capable of handling all of the tasks laid out for our lives. Father, we love you and thank you. We worship you and praise you. It is in your name we pray. Amen.

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After you have completed this assignment here, go back to your Facebook Online Bible Study Group, and see what fun activity we have for you there! You never now what we will come up with!! If you do not belong to an Online Bible Study Group, and would like to, please email us at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we will be happy to add you!

Love,

<3 Kelley

…Don’t forget about the Men’s Journey over here:

www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: 1 Corinthians 10:31, Balance, Bible, bible study, Christianity, faith, family, friendship, God, Jesus, marriage, my best, NO, Prayer, priorities, priscilla shirer, resolutions, season, The Resolution for Women, women

The Resolution for Women: Anything, Everything, and Whatever

August 1, 2012 by girlfriendscoffeehour

“Anything, Everything and Whatever”

From Christi: I would like to take a moment to introduce you to Beverly McCormick, our newest Blogger for Girlfriends Coffee Hour. I am very excited that she has agreed to become a regular on a blog! I hope you enjoy her blogs, as much as I think you will! Welcome Bev, to the Girlfriends Coffee Hour Blogging Team!

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We can’t do anything well, when we choose to do everything, so we decide to just do whatever.

WOW, this statement hit me hard as I studied this lesson. Then I took a look at our scripture verse for today,“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory”. 1 Cor. 10:31.

and then another scripture came to my mind, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him”. Col 3:17.

God is really trying hard to give us a message through this study today

Whatever we do

Do it for His glory

Then give Thanks.

Like many women we constantly feel like we are failing at everything, we go to bed feeling inadequate, that we just don’t have what it takes, that we just don’t have it together like everybody else. As this lesson taught us we set the bar too high, we get discouraged, we can’t do anything because we are exhausted from trying to do everything.

As Priscilla’s friend told her and should stand for us too “you cannot do a thousand things to the glory of God, but you can do one or two.”

And Paul teaches us that we should zero in on our unique set of “whatever you do” qualities, because there is value in the way we do them.

God has put us where we are in this season of life for a reason. It may not be the most glamorous role we will have, it may not have been our choice, but it was the place He designed and chose just for each of us. We are in this place (this season) on purpose.

God is not concerned at all about what we think we should have accomplished in our life or where we should be or how we compare to others, but God is concerned about what we are doing in the place (the season) that He has assigned us to. God doesn’t ask us to do what other people are doing. He wants us to do what He has told us to do and do it with all our being in the place we are in, even if the place is the “whatevers”.

Here are some of my “whatever” places that my life consists of:

-laundry
-dishes
-cleaning
-mothering
-chauffer
-cook
-library assistant
-mechanic
-nurse
-teacher
-wife

We must realize what God has gifted each of us to do and do them with all our might as unto the Lord. Each of us will have our own set of “whatevers” because each of us are uniquely designed for a purpose.

We must take a moment to consider what God has uniquely equipped us to do as well as what He’s asking of us or (what He’s NOT asking of us) in this season of our life, then no matter what day it is, or how old we are or what the moment demands we can be ourself, fully believing that our personal “whatever you do” is fulfilling the purpose of God and that it will bring Him glory and honor (in anything and everything).

Pg. 100 of todays lesson from Priscilla Shirer “Resolution for Women” Paul’s instructions are not meant to inspire us to become like somebody else – to start doing more of the things they do, like they do them. It’s calling for “whatever YOU do”. There is value in the unique way you mother your children, love your husband, do your job, oversee that committee, participate in that organization and spend your time. It’s what YOU do, how YOU do it and that’s what He has promised to undergird with His power, causing Himself to be magnified through your actions.

Be encouraged my dear sister, we are where we are on purpose – by His design. We are in this specific season of life for a reason, so whatever your whatevers are – do them all for His glory and don’t compare your whatevers to someone else’s. Be faithful and accountable for the tasks He has assigned specifically to you for they are “preparation” for the great “whatevers” He still has yet to come in your life.

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Let’s pray:
God I thank you for all the ladies who are participating in this Bible Study and I pray that You help us all to “see” that we don’t have to “do everything” and that it is OK to say no, or there may be times we need to put things in the background and wait a while (until You are ready for us Lord), help us Lord to seek You so that in “whatever “ we do, we do it ALL for Your glory. Amen!

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Your Assignment:
Share some of your whatevers with us and also share if there are some whatevers in your life that God is showing you needs to be shifted to the background and replaced with what currently matters most with where He is moving you to in this season of your life.

After you have completed this assignment here, go back to your Facebook Online Bible Study Group, and see what fun activity we have for you there! You never know what we will come up with!! If you do not belong to an Online Bible Study Group, and would like to, please email us at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we will be happy to add you!

Love to all,

Beverly

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: Balance, Bible, bible studies, bible study, faith, marriage, ministries, Prayer, priscilla shirer, resolutions, resolutions for women, time management, women's bible studies

The Resolution for Women- Week 5: Timing is Everything

July 31, 2012 by Megan Smidt

“If you do your best but you expend much of it on the wrong things, you’ve not only wasted a lot of your energy and resources, you’ve also lost time and opportunities you may never recover….. being your best at what God wants you to be doing – that’s the thing to shoot for.” (page 94)

Being aware of what the season is that you are currently walking in is so important. My days and priorities will and should look a lot different as a mom of older teens and young adults than when I am retired and all my kids are grown. If I lived the retired lifestyle NOW sure I would be having a blast…. but my kids would not get the nurturing and guidance they so desperately need at this crucial time in their development. If I was retires and constantly in the “business” of my kids and grandkids, that would be just as inappropriate.

It is important that we carefully consider what we are currently “owning” and start giving back any situations or stuff that belong to other people in our lives that we have taken on for them. Do you know what I’m talking about?

There is a fine line between having compassion for others and wanting to serve and help them and carrying their burdens more than God ever intends us to. The more intimate your relationship with the Lord is, the more easily you will be able to discern if you are properly owning the right “stuff.”

As a mom of teens…. for my own sanity I HAD to become a master at this!!!! Here is my favorite example….

It is 8pm and your 9th grader (Tim) comes up to you right after you got on your comfy jammas and got settled in nicely to your favorite spot on the red sofa:

Tim: Um, mom…… I need you to go take me to get poster board.

Queen Mom: Ok, when do you need it by?

Tim: Well, my project is due tomorrow morning, so I need it tonight.

QM: When did you find out about this project?

T: Two weeks ago….

QM: Oh, ok. Did you forget about it?

T: Yeah.

QM: Well, I have two options for you.

1. I can pick up poster board for you tomorrow when i go to the store and you can turn in your project late for less credit. OR

2. It will take me a half hour to get dressed and go to Wal-Mart to get it for you. It would take you that long to make lunches for all the kids for tomorrow and vacuum the living room to help me. If you do that for me, I will go get your poster board when you are done.

…the decision is theirs and DO NOT go get the poster board until they have completed what you asked them to do for you. This shows them that your time is valuable and teaches them to create boundaries and think ahead. You did not own their issue.

How else does this happen to you in your life? OR…. are you the one who tries to have others own your stuff? Have you mastered this already and have your own wisdom to share?

It is okay to say NO!!!!! What you will find is that the more you say NO to the things that God is not intending for you in this season, the more time you will have to say YES to fill spaces and gaps where HE uniquely designed you to be!

NOW THAT IS FREEDOM!!!!!

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Let’s pray:

Lord, please show us today the areas in our life that we so desperately need YOUR discernment!!! Help free us of our selves and see each situation how You want us to see it and not take on more than You want us to take on… one season at a time! Help us to continue to be more comfortable and confident in our own shoes so that we will not be tempted to take on things that are not ours to carry or own. I thank you in advance for all you will do in our hearts, minds and spirits this week, Father, and may You get all the glory! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!!! <3

Your Assignment:

As you think about those things you want to do but can never seem to make time for, remember the biblical appeal that says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) How could this deliberate act of trust and perspective free you to invest yourself more joyfully in TODAY? Please share your answer with me below….

After you have completed this assignment here, go back to your Facebook Online Bible Study Group, and see what fun activity we have for you there! You never now what we will come up with!! If you do not belong to an Online Bible Study Group, and would like to, please email us at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we will be happy to add you!

Be a blessing,

Megan 🙂

…Don’t forget about the Men’s Journey over here:

www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com

The Resolution for Women: Week 5 – Boxes

July 30, 2012 by girlfriendscoffeehour

Today, in The Resolution for Women, we talk about boxes. Not the kind of boxes you bring your groceries home in, or the kind you pack your belongings in, or even the kind that you ship something in. We are going to talk about the many boxes that women have in their lives, while still trying to achieve perfect balance in their life.

Are you guilty of having too many boxes? Before you can answer that, you have to know what that question means first. What I am asking here is how many things you have going on in your life that is pulling you in this direction, and that direction, and making you feel like your life is so out of balance!!!

Let’s take a look at our lives for a minute….. How many boxes do we women have in our lives?

1. Box for the Lord

2. Box for husband

3. Box for children / children’s activities

4. Box for taking care of home

5. Box for work

6. Box for family / friends

7. Box for church / ministry

8. Box for Self

9. Box for bible study

10. Box for community outreach

That’s ten different boxes, and that’s even with doubling some of them up into one box!

We women have a lot of responsibilities in our lives! Many different boxes to take care of. As you can see just from the boxes above that include just normal life, there is real good reason to see how a woman can get stressed sometimes, especially if she is focusing in so many different boxes that she isn’t able to give completely to the boxes that are important.

When we take on more than what God has called us to take on, our boxes begin to fall and crumble. They don’t stay in their neat stack, the way God designed them to be. When we don’t consider God’s priorities in our lives, we find ourselves having to move this box ahead of this one, and pushing that one behind another, and stressing because we really did need to do something with the original box, but now it needs to wait because you’ve fallen short in another box. Can you see how this can happen??

God has called us to have order in our lives. He has called us to set priorities and boundaries so that we can live a life that is balanced and not in chaos; feeling as if we are being pulled in so many different directions, that we don’t even know which direction we are supposed to go anymore.

So, how do we get our boxes neatly stacked and in order again? You start by seeking God and what He wants as a priority in your life. Then you start removing the boxes He says needs to go. If that means you don’t do as many bible studies or serve in as many ministries as you once did, then so be it. God knows what will bring balance into your life; and He knows which bible studies you need to be working on!

Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing, that we find ourselves involved in so many bible studies, or Facebook groups, outside activities, community events, and so on, that we find other areas of our life is suffering because we are spending so much unnecessary time on these other activities that God didn’t want us in, in the first place!

Home life begins to suffer because we have so many different boxes that we are involved in. Which is our main priority…home or ministry (also insert community events here)? Your home is your first priority. Your home is your ministry. If your home is suffering because you are never home due to the number of ministries you are serving in, or other events you have volunteered for, you need to learn to start saying no. God will find someone else to fill that position for that ministry or event, no doubt. You do not have to do it all. You are not Superwoman! We like to think we are….but we are not!

Another thing to consider about being out of balance is that once we stretch ourselves into so many different boxes, we begin to get weaker. Think of a rubber band. Before the rubber band is stretched, it has a lot of strength and resistance. But the more and more we stretch the rubber band, the less strength and resistance it has, and sooner or later it snaps!!

Spreading yourself too thin and into more and more of what God has not called you to do is like stretching your own rubber band. The more boxes you put into your life, the further and further you are being stretched. The further and further your rubber band is stretched, the less strength and resistance you have; the more health problems you begin to have; the more chaos you will see at home; and so on….and sooner or later, YOU WILL SNAP!! Then what good are you to anyone, especially God??

Ladies, it’s time to take a serious look at our lives and the boxes we have lined up in front of us with our name on it. It’s time to start seeking God and asking Him which box you can close and put it away neatly until He calls you to take that box out again. It’s time to set some priorities. It’s time to say no to some things, even if they look fun or popular!! It’s time to step away from the things in our lives that is sucking the life out of us. It’s time to start taking back your life, your family, your time with God, and time for yourself!!

Priscilla says on page 91, “Balance is not when the boxes are equally filled but when we are free to fill only those that are important for now, without feeling guilt over the ones that we’ve left for another time and place. This is balance, little sister. Remember it.”

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Let’s pray:

Father, we seek You today and ask Lord that You show us the boxes in our lives that need to be removed and stored away for another time in our life. Father we ask that You give us wisdom as we review the areas in our lives that may be causing us to become out of balance, and give us direction on how to close these boxes. Lord, help us to say no, when we need to say no. Help us to not feel guilty, or that we are letting someone down if we don’t say yes. Help us to achieve the kind of balance that YOU want in our lives; the kind that will bring us the peace that we so desire Lord. Father, help us to put our priorities back into perspective, once again. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Your Assignment:

Share below which boxes you currently have in your life. How many different boxes are you handling? Then ask the Lord which box(es) He wants you to remove from your life, to help you find more balance. In the comments section below, share which box(es) that is, and how you plan to put that box away for now. How will you find balance in your life so that you are more able to serve Him.

After you have completed this assignment here, go back to your Facebook Online Bible Study Group, and see what fun activity we have for you there! You never now what we will come up with!! If you do not belong to a Online Bible Study Group, and would like to, please email us at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we will be happy to add you!

Be Blessed,

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: 1 Corinthians 10:31, Balance, bible studies, bible study, Courageous, faith, family, finding balance, marriage, priorities, priscilla shirer, resolutions, The Resolution for Women

The Resolution for Women: Week 5 – My Best

July 29, 2012 by girlfriendscoffeehour

I can’t believe that we are already into Week 5!! Wow, how the time has flown by during this study! I truly hope you are enjoying this study as much as I am! This book offers a wealth of information to help us grow physically and spiritually!

I have tweeted with the author of this book on a couple of occasions. Priscilla has told me that she is praying for our group, and is very excited that we are using her book for our bible study! I think it’s great that she has taken the time to reply to my tweets! 🙂

In this next section of The Resolution for Women, we will study “My Best”; which means we will cover areas such as achieving balance in our lives, time management, avoiding perfectionism, and taking care of ourselves physically. Another week of awesome topics!!

So, with that said, do you have your seat belts fastened for another amazing ride to our next Resolution?? If not, you had better buckle up, because this is going to be another awesome journey! Let’s give everything we have to this study this week, to bring glory of God!

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Here is this week’s reading assignment:

(Week of July 30th – Aug 3rd)

30^th: Week’s Assignment / My Best / Boxes – Christi

31^st: Timing Is Everything – Megan

Aug 1st: Anything, Everything, and Whatever – Kelley

2^nd: It Only Works When I Breathe – TBD

3^rd: Week Overview – Christi

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Let’s Pray:

Lord, we lift yet another amazing week of the Resolution study to You, and we ask that You help us to remove all distractions that would prohibit us from hearing from You this week. Help us to focus at least 10 minutes a day with You, Lord. Help us to give this study what time it deserves, Lord, so we can learn what You are trying to teach us. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!

If you do not yet belong to our Online Bible Study Facebook Group, and would like to, please send us an email to GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com and we will be happy to add you!!

Be Blessed & Be a Blessing to Someone Else Today!!

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: 1 Corinthians 10:31, bible study, faith, priscilla shirer, resolutions, The Resolution for Women, women's bible studies

The Resolution for Women: Week 4 Overview

July 27, 2012 by girlfriendscoffeehour

Weekly Review

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Don’t forget to head back over to your Facebook OBS Group and see what we have in store for you today!! If you don’t yet belong to a Facebook OBS (Online Bible Study) Group, and would like to, please send us an email atGirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we’ll be happy to add you!!

Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: bible study, faith, family, marriage, resolutions

Resolution for Women — Chapter 6 Overview

Weekly Review