November 25, 2024

Crazy Love – Week 2 / Chapter 2: “You Might Not Finish This Chapter” pgs. 40-45

It is Tuesday, and my day to blog.  Please don’t tell Christi, our Administrator,  but I don’t have a blog ready to post.  Absolutely nothing would come to my mind to write.  Well, nothing that was creative, descriptive, fun, exciting – – something that I thought would impress you and keep you leaning on your seats for more of my writing.

So, for the past week, I have gone to bed every night, shall we say, a little bit – – STRESSED.

I so related to Chan’s thoughts on worry and stress as it pertained to the ministry God has called him into on pages 40-41.  For the past few years, God has opened up doors of opportunities for me to write and teach that I never dreamed would be a part of my life.

“Hey, God,” I want to shout:  “You have opened up doors for me, but it is killing me at times trying to meet all these deadlines.  I don’t mean to complain, but I thought I had retired.  Talk about justified stress!  I think I fit the bill!  Just take a look at the things You are asking me to be responsible for.  For starters  – – – –

“Whoa, whoa,  whoa,” I suddenly heard God shouting back at me. “Go back and read Chan’s words on page 44:  “You need to get over yourself!”

As that phrase zoomed out in front of me, my thoughts turned back to writing this blog.  Perhaps that is why I couldn’t think of anything to write this week – – God was trying to teach me a lesson. Did He really need me?  After all, where was I when He created the world?

At that point, a song kept going over and over in my mind, and that is what I want to leave you with today.  Perhaps it will minister to you more than any words I could pin at this time.

Let’s listen to it together.

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Be blessed,

Martha


Let’s Pray

Father God, help us to remember that life is like a vapor.  May we relax and enter into Your presence, rejoicing always and not be anxious for anything.  May we roll all our cares on You, knowing that You are in control.   In Jesus name I pray, Amen

 

Your Assignment

Be honest.  Tell how those words “You need to get over yourselves”  relate to you?”



If you would like more information about Crazy Love Bible study, please email us at: GCH_Womens@girlfriendscoffeehour.comOR click HERE to be taken to the sign-up page.

If you would like to send Martha a personal message in regards to this blog, you may email her at: Martha@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

Crazy Love – Week 2 / Chapter 2: “You Might Not Finish This Chapter” pgs. 39-40

James 4 13-14

Do you live each day as if your life could go on forever… or like you could die at any moment?

A little light discussion for today, right? I know, I know….. you’re thinking:

“But Megan….. it’s MONDAY!!!!!!” Yes, it is… and what if it was your LAST?

If you’re anything like me, on any given day you are spread in any number of directions. You are top chef, home manager, taxi driver, appointment setter, taker and reminder. You take care of everyone in your life…. and pray you maybe have some time in your day to care about YOUR hopes, wants, dreams ands needs in there, too.

Mr. Chan brings to our attention in our reading today that “on the average day, we live caught up in ourselves.” Ouch. I hate to admit this as much as you do, but he’s right….. isn’t he? Today needs to be the day that you look at every day forward (including today) differently.

Just stop for a second and catalog what all had to happen in order for you to even be reading this blog….. What does that REALLY look like? It doesn’t just happen, you know?  I’m not even going to get unto how you actually got to the place where you are reading this blog because I could write for days just on that idea alone……. but simply for your computer to be able to function in such a way as to bring these simple words and images on a screen for your eyes to feast on….. THAT is amazing. I realize that this blog is probably not a life-saving thing for you and you would certainly survive if, for some reason, technology wasn’t being your friend today and you were unable to read these fine words……

….but how AWESOME is it that it DOES work? Each little megabyte and gigabyte…. they all work together for the glory of God to give you some food for thought as you prepare your day. That is pretty neat… and it is certainly bigger than you or me.

We always act like we have more time… That we will just do “it” tomorrow or that “it” can wait. What if there is no tomorrow? Y0u certainly would have missed this message if you didn’t read it today and I can’t help but then think that maybe lives would miss out on your perspective about it as a comment that you didn’t post as a comment for the world to see all because you missed the message.

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Goodness gracious…. please leave a comment today because it certainly is not guaranteed that you will be able to do it tomorrow 🙂

I think that NOW is a good time to pray <3

Dear Lord, thank You for this revelation as we begin our second week of this study. Help us today to begin anew living in the moment and not caught up in the past or the future…. but letting YOU lead and guide our steps in the now to be able to live abundantly in Your presence daily. Thank you, Lord, for this provision! Help us to live with a new sense of urgency with Your plan in the forefront of our hearts and minds. We love You Lord and we thank You for this guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen <3

Your Assignment…..

How DO you live each day??? Do you live each day as if your life could go on forever… or like you could die at any moment? What do you need to change TODAY to begin to live with the urgency that God wants of you? Please leave me a comment below and let’s get this conversation started without delay!

Blessings,

Megan 🙂

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

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

 

Crazy Love – Week 2 / Chapter 2: “You Might Not Finish This Chapter” Reading Assignment

1Cor10_31

We made it through week one! And what a week it was! There is so much to dig through in this book! This week’s chapter will really get your wheels turning and make you think about how you are spending the time you have on this Earth. So, let’s get right to it!

 

Chapter 2: “You Might Not Finish This Chapter” Reading Assignment

Monday: Chapter 2 “You Might Not Finish This Chapter” pgs. 39-40 (Megan)

Tuesday: Chapter 2 “You Might Not Finish This Chapter” pgs. 40-45 (Justified Stress) (Martha)

Wednesday: Chapter 2 “You Might Not Finish This Chapter” pgs. 45-47 (Thank God We Are Weak/Are You Ready) (Donna)

Thursday: Chapter 2 “You Might Not Finish This Chapter” pgs. 47-51 (Brooke’s story through end of chapter) (Jennifer)

Friday: Chapter 2 “You Might Not Finish This Chapter” Weekly Review and Chapter 2 Study Video from YouTube (Megan)

LET’S PRAY:
Lord, we come before You this Lord’s Day and ask that You prepare our hearts and our minds as we read the next chapter in our study. Convict us where we need convicting; teach us where we need teaching; guide us where we need guiding. Father, show us how to live our lives here on Earth to the fullest, following your lead, and doing Your will. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen!



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

Once you are registered, you will receive an email with further details.

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

 

Crazy Love – Week 1/ Chapter 1: “Stop Praying” Weekly Review

 

Can you believe the first week of the incredible study is coming to a close? I am in shock! What an awesome week! Not only have the blogs been amazing, but I have enjoyed reading all of your comments and insight so much! God is so good! Please join me as I take a brief look back on week one…

Monday you and I were urged to stop praying and start exploring how we are coming to God in our quiet time. Mr. Chan asked us to take some time to dig deep and really take a look at our posture as we come into the presence of Our Lord and Savior.

Martha took a deeper look at God’s vast creation with all of us on Tuesday and she also had us think back about our relationship with our earthly father. We were asked to meditate on God’s greatness and wonder.

Donna took us on quite a journey on Wednesday as we explored the many attributes of God. We were asked to take a look at what holds us back from acknowledging God for who He is.

On Thursday, Jennifer worked through with us how so many aspects of God are bigger than anything we can even comprehend. We read about Isaiah and John and we were urged to again to be quiet and still before our Creator as we focus on His greatness in awe.

Francis Chan has a video for you as we complete chapter 1. I would love for you to watch it now….

In this video, Mr. Chan talks about asking God to create something new for you… not to repeat great quiet times you have had with Him in the past but a NEW awesome time with Him and in His presence! A new fire… a new passion! Let’s take a hard, real look at our prayer life where it maybe has become routine and breathe new life into it TODAY!

Let’s Pray….

Lord, thank You for all of the wonderful insight given to us this week about our prayer time with You. Thank You for so faithfully meeting us right where we are, and Father we thank You for breathing new life into our souls today! Help us to be contagious, spreading your light to all the lives we interact with today and may our passion for You be evident to every life we touch. We love You in a crazy way, Father, and we ask You to keep stoking this fire that is growing within. We crave to be forever changed by You and Your Word. In Your Son’s matchless name we pray, Amen <3

Your Assignment:

Remember yesterday when Jennifer asked you to really think about what the first words out of your mouth would be when you are in the presence of God…. if you literally saw Him right in front of you?  You KNOW it is TIME to fall CRAZY in love with God, ladies……. How will you NOW incorporate THIS new posture and language into your prayer time with God? Leave me some comments below all about it!

Blessings,

Megan 🙂

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

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

Crazy Love: Week 1 / Chapter 1: “Stop Praying” – Before the Throne (pgs. 34-38)

This week we have looked at creation from the expansive galaxies to the smallest creatures. We have examined the eternal attributes of God. But, have you ever spent time thinking about what it must be like to BE with God in Heaven; to actually BE in His presence; to SEE Him? If you have not taken the time to read Revelation 4 and Isaiah 6, click this link and read it now.

What image comes to your mind of what it must be like to be in the actual physical presence of God? As Isaiah said, “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5). What a powerful statement! As sinful humans, we aren’t worthy to be in God’s presence. We just aren’t. God is perfect and holy. But, He loves us so very much that He sent Jesus, His Son, to make a way for us to be with Him in Heaven one day. What response do we have other than bowing down in worship to our King?

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
To receive glory and honor and power,
For you created all things,
And by your will they were created
And have their being.” (Revelation 4:11, emphasis mine)

God created every single galaxy, placed each star; he created every creature that roams the earth… including you and me. He could have created anything, but it is by His Will that we are here. He wanted us. He wants us still. And even though we are human and cannot seem to get out of God’s way most of the time, He still loves us without conditions and without expectations. His only desire is that we acknowledge Him, accept Him, and love Him with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. He wants to be part of our lives; to walk this rocky road of life with us. He wants our heart. And not just a piece of it – He wants the whole thing.

Will you give Him your whole heart and trust in his enduring faithfulness to see you through?

I leave you with one of the most incredible worship songs ever – Revelation Song by Kari Jobe. Spend some time worshiping the King of Kings today. Imagine that you are John standing in the Throne room, experiencing what he experienced. Put yourself right there. Think of it each time you begin your prayer or devotional time. It’s quite a picture, isn’t it?!


LET’S PRAY:
Father, you are deserving of our enduring love, praise, and worship. You create and sustain all things. It is by YOUR WILL that all life was created, Lord, and we can do nothing but bow to you in thankfulness for who you are and what you do for us each and every day. Help us to see You in all things and to see beyond our current circumstances to the abundant life that you have for us in Christ. And it is in His precious and holy name that we pray, Amen!

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
I have the “Living Crazy Love” study guide to go along with this book and I’d like to pose the question that is in the guide because it goes so well with today’s blog post. What do you think would come out of your mouth the moment you first saw God? What would be the first words you would say?



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

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

Crazy Love: Week 1 / Chapter 1: “Stop Praying” pgs. 29-34

I love what Francis Chan says on page 29 of our study today: “Most of us know that we are supposed to love God; that we are supposed to read our Bibles and pray so that we can get to know Him better; that we are supposed to worship Him with our lives. But actually living it out is a challenge.” I was so blessed when I read that! To actually have that said, out loud, was a relief to me, because some days it IS a challenge. Life just seems to get in the way:  husband, kids, school, job, dishes, just everyday life. Hard things we can’t understand too, like divorce, betrayal, death. Wow! Those things pull us away from reading, praying and worshiping. That “amnesia” flares up and we forget!

Let’s go over the defining attributes of God that Francis Chan pointed out to us in this section.

God is Holy: In Exodus 3:14 we read: “God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am’.” No one can change that. And yet it is so hard to fathom! So, in other words, He is everything. He is our all. We just can’t brag on Him enough because He IS all that and even more!

God is Eternal: Francis points out that we would probably all agree to this, and yet we don’t really comprehend it because we are limited to time, beginnings and endings. God has always been and always will be. Psalm 102:12,17 says “But you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever, your renown endures through all generations….. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” We, however, are here only for a short time.

God is All-Knowing: YES in the deepest part of me that I hide from everyone else, God knows me! Hebrews 4:13 says “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.” That is sobering. I like that “He doesn’t have to know us so well, but He chooses to.” In spite of my sinfulness. So why do we question? Do we know more than the One who created us? He sees the whole picture from beginning to end. He is not obligated to explain Himself, we just need to trust Him.

God is All-Powerful: Psalm 115:3 says: “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever pleases Him.” If He wanted He could destroy us in a second. He could create a whole new world and not even blink an eye. And He can take care of every little thing we have on our plates if we yield it to Him.

God is Fair and Just: One definition Of justice, Francis tell us, is reward and/or penalty as deserved.  God never excuses sin. We must let God decide and mete out justice and judge what is fair. He is always consistent. And thank God He does it!  I don’t want that responsibility!  As Francis Chan says, When you get your own universe you can make your own standards.

Let’s put it all into perspective as much as I can: When life gets in the way, when the hard times come, when we struggle sometimes to just keep it together – remember God. Don’t let the amnesia take over or you will miss out.

God is Holy and you can’t change that. Even if you think He’s far away, He’s not. And He is working it out for us.

Because He is eternal, He is not limited by anything.

Because He is all-knowing He sees us and knows the deepest parts of us that we keep hidden from everyone else. He knows your doubt and your lack of faith. He chooses to know us well.

Because He is all-powerful He’s got it under His control; we need not question, we just need to trust.

Because He is just and fair He has to punish sin. But because He loved us, chose to know us, and is concerned for us, He made a way. He sent His son to be spit on, laughed at, beaten and killed to pay the penalty of our sin that we could know Him.

Because He is GOD He knew it was the only way.

He loves you – worship, praise and adore this God who is our Father and loved us that much.

When you can’t see His hand, trust His heart.

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Let’s pray:

Father we are so humbled that You love us. We thank You that you have all of these attributes that we can count on. Help us to trust You. To keep in perspective that You are GOD. Let us not forget to worship and pray and adore You. Be with every woman today reading this. Pour Your love out over them and let them bask in your Holiness. In Jesus name we pray-Amen

Your assignment:

Name some of the things that hold us back from acknowledging God for who He is? What steps can you take to not let the amnesia set in and live a full life in Christ? Then let us pray over these for you and bless you.

In Christ,

Donna



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

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

 

 

 

Crazy Love: Week 1 / Chapter 1: “Stop Praying” (pgs. 25-26)

 

Were you shocked by Mr. Chan’s 1st chapter title…. STOP PRAYING?

I think it is one majorly BOLD statement….. so you KNOW I love it! 😉

I pray with all my heart that it made you stop for a minute or two in order to fully understand why THAT would be the first thing he would ask you to do.

The Bible tells us to “pray without ceasing,” but Francis wants us to STOP praying. So what does he mean??? Well….

For some of us, our relationship with God has turned into only coming into His presence when we have a grocery list of demands from Him. Ouch. Now is a good time for a heart check and really understand the place we are in with our relationship with Him. Are we just wanting to take and take and take but not give Him our time and devotion in return?

I urge you to stay with this thought for a little while today and really dig deep into your heart and soul to see what your heart condition is like as we begin this journey to be OVERWHELMED by our relentless God.

Francis Chan asks us to view this video from his website. If you haven’t been able to view it yet, please do so now…

Our God is sooooo big! This presentation is certainly overwhelming and awe-inspiring! I know that I have been through seasons where I have been so boastful as I have come to the Lord…. full of “me me me” talk and so conceited in my language to our Creator. If that sounds like you today, please repent and quickly make this right. Your heart condition is so important and we all need this reminder now and then…….

We are here to serve God…. He is not here to serve us. He loves us and truly wants us all to have the desires of our hearts, but we need to strive to want those desires to line up with His. The more we grow closer in our relationship WITH Him, the more our will and His will fall in line together. So awesome! What an incredible promise from our Lord and Savior!

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You this morning asking for forgiveness if we have come to You in any way at all except full or awe and adoration. Search our hearts today, Father, and help us to see where we need Your supernatural cleansing in our souls. Help bind any condemning thoughts but give us a strength in our spirit that can only come from You to know that we will be changed from this day forward. We love You, Lord, and we thank You for bringing us together for this study. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen <3

Your Assignment:

In the grand scheme of life, you ARE insignificant…… but to God, you are EVERYTHING and you are VITAL to fulfilling His purposes on this earth. Let’s begin today exploring in a deep way HOW we really are coming to God. Is it with humility or entitlement? Are we BOLD or timid? Is it with adoration and thanksgiving or pride? Please share your thoughts with us in a comment or two here on our blog…

Blessings,

Megan 🙂

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

If you would like to send Megan an email in regards to this blog, please send it to: Megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

Crazy Love: Week 1 Reading Assignment

Hi there friends! Are you as excited as I am to journey through this Crazy Love study?! The time is finally here!

This book was very difficult to section off into daily reading assignments. So if you have any questions about what to read and when, please leave a comment or email me at Jennifer@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

On tap for today is reading the Foreword written by Chris Tomlin and the Preface written by our author, Francis Chan. There are so many convicting things just in these few pages. I practically highlighted every word! I thought about sharing some passages here with you, but I want you to read it for yourself first and soak in every word. Read through the foreword and preface a couple of times. Let it marinate. Ask the Holy Spirit to work in your heart and speak to you. Be open and willing to change; to think differently. This book very well could change your life.

So, without further ado, here is the rest of our week one reading assignment!

WEEK ONE

Sunday, January 6th: Foreword/Preface/Chapter 1 Reading Assignment (Jennifer)

Monday, January 7th: Chapter 1 “Stop Praying” pgs. 25-26 (Megan)

Tuesday, January 8th: Chapter 1 “Stop Praying” pgs. 27-28 (Martha)

Wednesday, January 9th: Chapter 1 “Stop Praying” pgs. 29-34 (end at Before the Throne) (Donna)

Thursday, January 10th: Chapter 1 “Stop Praying” pgs. 34-38 (start at Before the Throne) (Jennifer)

Friday, January 11th: Chapter 1 “Stop Praying” Weekly Review and Chapter 1 Study Video from YouTube (Megan)

Let’s pray: Father we bow before you, hearts and minds open and alive in hopeful expectation for what You have for us in this study. Please reveal to us each, individually, the crazy, powerful, immense love that You have for us. Help us to release our doubts and fears to You and receive this love that You so freely give. Show us how to live boldly for You and allow You to do amazing things in and through us. We are at your feet, Lord. In Jesus holy and precious name we pray, Amen!

Your Assignment: Tell us one part of the Foreword or Preface that tugged at your heart. It can be one line, one paragraph, or more. I’d love to know what the Lord brought to  your heart as your read these pages. Once you comment here, head on over to our Facebook group and let’s talk some more!

It’s All Because Of Crazy Love…..

If you’re reading this, God brought you here for a reason. I hope you know that in your dear heart, precious sister.

I’m Megan and it is so very nice to meet you! I’m one bold Jesus Diva and I love that our Divine Creator has crossed our paths so intentionally as we begin 2013 and prepare our hearts for Girlfriends Coffee Hour’s latest online Bible study for women…. Crazy Love.

Have you heard the song “Crazy Love” by Hawk Nelson? If not (and even if you have…) PLEASE drop everything you are doing and watch this music video:

 

 

I’m not sure if Hawk and Francis are friends or even if they even know about each other, but the lyrics of this song so perfectly encompass what the Crazy Love journey is all about.

“They say it sounds insane, we say that we’ve been changed

By the power of crazy love

This world, it looks at us like we’re ridiculous

Maybe it’s all because of crazy love”

Have you been changed?

Maybe you got saved last week or maybe you were saved back in 1975…. I don’t know your story, but I am eager to learn it! Maybe you were changed for the first few years, but lately you have struggled with not “being of this world.” Is that you? I know that I have lived through those seasons and it is so hard because you KNOW what you SHOULD be feeling inside and you CRAVE it…. you NEED it, but it can be so hard to find your way back. Relationships take TIME….. and building our relationship with our Heavenly Father is no different from any other earthly relationship we have. I am so excited to see your time with Him change and grow as we go through this study together. If you invest your precious time and give God all you have through these next weeks, people will surely be saying that you sound INSANE from the power of God’s CRAZY LOVE!

 

Do people look at you like you are ridiculous?

I had a very limited amount of shopping time before Christmas which had me out in the stores in the hustle and bustle of the busy season! I think you can imaging that many of the check-out lines I homesteaded in were full of some pretty cranky elves. One circumstance I found myself in, many of my fellow shoppers were actually visually and verbally upset with me for not “losing it” with the frazzled worker. I actually ended up crying with her and praying over her cash register with her because I was so sad for how frustrated she was. One woman actually told me that I was “crazy.” I’ll be honest with you, it felt good! While I have my moments just like every other human, I know that God was up there smiling and happy with my job well done… and what a stand for His Kingdom! You might think I’m crazy too, and that’s okay….. but by the end of this study, my prayer is that you would, in a heart-beat, jump out of line and lay hands on that machine along with me! In Jesus’ name!

It’s all because of crazy love, dear sisters… and it IS contagious! Bless you for taking this bold stance in faith and know you are not alone! <3

Blessings,

Megan 🙂

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Hey there, ladies! Just a quick note from me (Jennifer) to say I am so excited to begin this study with each and every one of you! The depth and breadth of God’s love for each and every one of us surpasses anything we can even imagine. How does it feel to know you are LOVED that much? To know that no matter what you’ve done or think you’ve done, that God still loves you with an all-consuming love and desires a deep, personal, intimate relationship with you?

I know some of you may read that and think “He wouldn’t love me if He knows what I’ve done”. Let me tell you, sweet sister… God already knows what you’ve done. And He loves you anyway. He is just waiting for you with arms wide open. He is waiting for you to run to Him and begin walking alongside Him and do this life together.

Are you ready?

Are you ready to experience what God’s crazy love for you is all about?

Our study begins this Sunday, January 6, 2013!

What you will need:

  • Your Bible
  • A copy of the book CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan (hardcover, paperback, ebook – whatever you choose!)
  • A notebook, pen, and highlighter to take notes while reading!

How the study will work:

Every Sunday, I will post your weekly reading assignment.

Mondays-Thursdays, right here on the the blog, a member of the women’s blogging team will post their thoughts regarding that day’s reading assignment. Read the day’s assignment in the Crazy Love book, come and read the day’s blog post, leave a comment for the blogger. Then head over to our SECRET Facebook group and discuss what you’ve read! The FB group is where we will dig deeper into what we are reading. This group is private and no one outside the group will be able to see what is posted.

Fridays – Weekly wrap up and study video

Saturdays – off/catch-up day (if needed)

If you have not yet joined the study, there is still time! Head on over to our sign-up page and get registered! We can’t wait to study along with you!

Much love and blessings,

Jennifer

“Crazy Love” Coming Soon to Girlfriends Coffee Hour

Crazy Love