May 8, 2026

Winning Him Without Words: Are We the Sweet Aroma of Christ, Or the Stench of Death?

October 31, 2012 by

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those perishing. To one we are the smell of death, to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

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I had an Aunt that I loved to hug when I was a child. She always smelled like Lillie’s of the Valley. Her aroma was always so sweet to me, not only because of her perfume, but she radiated love to me. She always showed love and attention to me when I was with her. She made me feel special and that I mattered to her. Her love was genuine and I could sense it, smell it and see it every time I was with her. I want to smell as sweet as my Aunt did to me.

I don’t know about you , but when I get ready for a special occasion, or a date with my husband, I take time to put on special lotions and perfume. This part of our chapter really spoke to me. I never once gave a thought, before now, how I “smell” as a christian! But God wants us to know we give off an aroma to our loved ones, be it death or life. WOW! It is really an eye opener to me to know that.  I know that I can speak life or death to my husband, but what do I smell like when he is next to me??

Does he see me living out my faith as the aroma of Christ? Does he something in me that he longs for in the deepest depths of his soul? Or does he see an ugly example that turns him off?

I agree with Dineen when she says she gets excited because the verse uses the present tense of the verb, “those who are being saved”. I love that because it gives us hope that God’s work in our spouse, or loved one, is NOT done. It is an ongoing process, continual. He hasn’t given up on them. As we pray for our spouses we can be assured that God is still working on them , even if we don’t see anything changed in them. On Page 89 Dineen says, “According to Paul, God may have put us where we are because we are to be a key factor to our spouse’s salvation. We may be one of the tools God is choosing specifically to use in bringing our loved ones to Him. God may have called us to this exact place at this exact time.”   This just gets me so excited!! First that God would use me, just a wife, mother and grandmother, but I love God and I want my whole family to know and love Him. Second it excites me because I don’t ever have to give up, God is always working!! God has placed us in our loved ones lives for a purpose. That purpose is the privilege of showing them Christ!  What an honor!

From now on I will pay close attention to the aroma I’m giving off, not only on special occasions or a date, but everyday life. Ask yourself, “Do I want to be the aroma of death, stinky, decaying, rotting, death? Or do I want to give off the sweet, loving, breathtaking aroma of Christ?” I choose Christ.

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Let’s Pray:

Lord I pray for myself and all the beautiful women involved in this study. Help us to give off your aroma to our spouses and loved ones everyday. Let them notice it and long for that aroma for themselves. Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your plan of salvation in their lives. Give us strength and life to pass along to them and bring it to fruition we pray.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Your assignment:

What kind of fragrance are you giving off to your spouse? Is it life giving or death? Share and tell us, if it’s the wrong one, How you plan to change it through Christ.

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For the “Winning Him Without Words” Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website by clicking the “sign-up here” button at the top of our webpage; which is also where you can sign up to participate in this awesome bible study!

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Lady in Waiting: Seeking True Love

October 31, 2012 by

True love.

I think these are two words that every woman wants to not only hear, but two words that she wants to feel. As a single woman I felt that I was unable to find true love. As a woman in a failed relationship I felt that what I thought was true love, truly wasn’t  and that true love was something I could never truly feel. The true love that I was seeking always seemed to be out of my grasp.

In retrospect I learned a lesson. Whether I was single, dating, married, divorced. Whatever stage of life I am in there is one person I need to seek true love from. God.  It’s not about where I am in life; it’s about my personal relationship with God. It’s about me seeking him with an open heart, a clean heart. It’s about me seeking him with all of me. It’s about the relationship between my God and me.

Seeking God isn’t some elaborate, grand quest. Like the authors of the book said, it is similar to developing a friendship. We can talk to Him, we can listen for His answers, we can write our thoughts and prayers to Him, and He has written the most beautiful book to us. We can think and meditate on His promises and on His word.  We can set our minds on pleasing Him, and on walking in His will.

Jeremiah 29:12-13

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

His is a true love that we are promised to find. A true love that is unconditional.  Like many promises God makes to us we have a responsibility to do our part. We can seek and find this true love but we must do so with “our whole heart, a clean heart.”  We need to seek God for who He is, not what He can do. We previously talked about motives. Why do I desire to seek God? Because I feel that it will make me look better in God’s eyes and I’ll receive what I’m asking for?  We need to seek God’s face, not just His hand.”

We will find the true love that we seek when we seek God with an open heart, a pure heart and a willing heart.  Despite where we are in our lives, married or single, this true love needs to be the desire of us all. It was promised to us all, and it is our responsibility to be seekers of true love.

God Bless,

Tonya

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Lets Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the promise of true love. Thank you for an unconditional love. Create in us pure hearts Lord, so that we may seek you with a pure clean heart, with all of our heart, soul and mind. Please teach us how to seek you intimately, teach us how to build a relationship with you. We want to be the woman in Jeremiah 29, the woman who finds you. Thank you for giving us your true love.

In Jesus Name I pray, Amen

Your Assignment:

The first part of this section lists how we can develop a friendship with someone, then compares this to developing a relationship with God. How can you apply these steps to your daily life? How can you apply them to building a relationship with your Heavenly Father?

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For the “Lady in Waiting” Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website by clicking the “sign-up here” button at the top of our webpage; which is also where you can sign up to participate in this awesome bible study!

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Lady in Waiting: Two-Way Conversation

October 30, 2012 by

Today we will be starting meditations. We will do these once or twice a week through the rest of our study. This is to get you to pray about, think about and write about some of the topics that we have been discussing. It is not enough to simply read the individual quotes, write a few words, and then move on. The authors, as well as Jackie and I, encourage you to prayerfully meditate on these powerful truths. As you do so, these meditations can become a powerful resource that will draw you into a deeper level of intimacy with Jesus and prepare you for deeper relationships with those around you.

 

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Some tips for doing your meditations:
• Find a quiet place where you can be alone
• Read each passage several times
• Allow the Spirit to enter into your presence and thoughts

 

Quote from pages 161 – 162 in Lady in Waiting:

Meditative reading is choosing some important practical or speculative truth, always preferring the practical, and proceeding thus: whatever truth you have chosen, read only a small portion of it, endeavoring to taste and digest it, to extract the essence and substance of it, and proceed no farther while any savor or relish remains in the passage: then take up the book again, and proceed as before, seldom reading more than half a page at a time.

It is not the quantity that is read, but the manner of reading, that yields us profit. Those who read fast, reap no advantage, than a bee would by only skimming over the surface of a flower, instead of waiting to penetrate into it, and extract its sweets. Much reading is rather for scholastic subjects, than divine truths; to receive profit from spiritual books, we must read as I have described; and I am certain that if that method were pursued, we should become gradually habituated to prayer by our reading, and more fully disposed for its exercise.

With all that being said, here is your meditation for today:

 

Two-Way Conversation

Have you ever tried to develop an intimate relationship with Jana Jabberbox? She’s the gal that has lots to say and loves to hear herself say it. You try to say something when she takes a breath – which isn’t often – but she keeps right on talking. She never listens. It’s a one-way conversation, and you are left out. Even when someone is very special to you, you do not get too excited with a steady monologue. Listening is an important part of developing a closeness with someone else. If you want to get to know the Lord, you must seek Him not only with a whole, clean, and pure heart, but also with a listening heart.

As you spend time with God during your daily devotional time, learn to listen to Him as you read of His love and thoughts about you in the Bible. Think about what He is saying to you personally. Sit silently and write what impressions come to your listening heart. As you read and study His love letters, the Bible, you begin to see what He really thinks of you and what wonderful plans He has for you. As a result, your devotion grows and grows.

LET’S PRAY
Father God, we treasure our time with you. So many times we talk incessantly about our needs, our wants, our hopes and dreams. We know that you love hearing our cares, but we also know you love to speak to us also. Help us to slow down in our prayer and devotional time so that we can hear from You. It is You who guide us, and without taking the time to listen to the guidance we will become lost. Thank you Jesus for your patience and love as we continue the process of drawing close to you.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Please share your thoughts on today’s meditation, either in full or in part, below as well as in our Facebook group. Our hope is that you take the time to journal these meditations so that you have them to look back on and use them to help you grow.

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For the “Lady in Waiting” Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website by clicking the “sign-up here” button at the top of our webpage; which is also where you can sign up to participate in this awesome bible study!

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A Daughter’s Worth Week 5 – Day 2: God Helps You Manage Anxiety

October 30, 2012 by

 

I have to admit something to you.  When I saw the list of topics I was to write about during this study, I laughed.  Out loud.  That’s right! LOL  I thought Ms. Megan had played some kind of cruel joke on me.  That’s right, this topic caused me ANXIETY.  How did she know that anxiety and depression are something I deal with on a daily basis?  How was I going to talk to you guys about managing my stress and control issues when I still struggle with it myself?  I am going to show you what I have learned and Who I go to when I feel anxious and stressed out.  I have found ways to control the stress and anxiety instead of letting it control me.

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ANXIETY

Distress or uneasiness of mind caused by FEAR of danger or misfortune.A State of apprehension and psychic tension occurring in some forms of mental disorder.

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CONTROL   To exercise restraint or direction over; dominate; command.To hold in check; curb: to control a horse; to control one’s emotions.

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STRESS

Importance attached to a thing.

The physical pressure, pull or other force exerted on one thing by another; strain.

Synonyms: 

Significance, meaning, emphasis, consequence

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Psalms 34:17 says:

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

You might say, “But I’m not righteous, I’m a teenager”.  The Bible says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33  Hopefully, by now you are beginning to seek God when troubles come to you in your life.  He is our Source and our Hope.  We will all have troubles in this life, but by placing our hope in the LORD, we will have renewed strength (Isaiah 40:31).

What Is Anxiety? 

For teens or anyone else, anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. Things like tests, meeting new people, speaking in public, going on a date, and competing in sports can make us feel apprehensive. Some of us feel stressed at the thought of posting something about our lives on our secret Facebook Prayer Groups.  Some teens react much more strongly to stressful situations than others. Even thinking about the situations may cause them great distress.  I think that no matter how you were raised, how you handle stress now or how you plan to handle stress in the future, the Bible has the answers as to how and why we feel that stress and anxiety.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Anxiety can be a good thing when it helps you deal with a tense situation. For example, when you’re studying for a test, a little anxiety can make you want to study hard so you do well. But at other times, anxiety can be harmful, especially when it is excessive and irrational, and prevents you from being able to focus.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Sometimes the anxiety can come between you and your friends, especially when you avoid going out with them or calling them because you’re too panicked or tense. That’s when you need to do something to feel less anxious, so you can fully enjoy your teenage life. (This is where your secret Facebook Prayer Group would come in handy).  You are not alone.  Every human goes through stressful times.  It is in these times that we get to practice what we are learning from our study.  We get to share our experiences with other who are going through the same troubles we have gone through or are going through.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

In our study, the author states that “even though God removes worry from your mind, He might not remove the source of anxiety.  The coach may never treat you fairly; your boyfriend may dump you, and your parents may get on your nerves.  But somehow, in the midst of the stress, you can feel an unbelievable calm.” (p. 64)

I try to make a conscious effort to replace stressful thoughts with prayer, scripture, or praise songs.  One of my favorite verses is one with ATTITUDE…whatever…

Let’s PRAY:  Heavenly Father, we come to you and bring the stress of our day.  We bring you all our anxiety, all our issues that cause us to take our eyes off of YOU.  Father, we claim your peace and your compassion and your comfort.  We want what only you can provide for us.  We know that you are the Source that heals our broken hearts and you bind up our wounds.  Father we pray that as we find comfort and peace in you, we would be able to share what we have learned with our friends.  We want them to come to know you the way we know you…LORD.  We love you.  We thank you for caring for us and for removing the worries from our hearts and minds.  Amen

Much love to all my girls,

Mama T  <3

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For the A Daughter’s Worth Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book 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 megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information

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A Daughter’s Worth Week 5 / Day 1: God Helps You Deal With Disappointments

October 29, 2012 by

 

I had to think back to my teenage years for this blog. For most things from my teenage years, it is difficult to remember the details of excitement surrounding certain events.  Prom, I know it was great, I remember the dress I wore, but who all went with us, what car did we take, where was the prom, where did we go afterwards??  I am just not sure of these specific details.  School, I remember the good times, I remember the papers I wrote, the classes I hated, all of the information I learned though I am not too sure about.  In fact I think I told myself to forget if ice cubes are a solid or a liquid…it worked because I still am not too sure.  But certain things I can try to forget but I never will be able to.  The disappointments that I went through in my teenage years, I remember them all.  I can tell you very specific details of just about every disappointment I faced as a teenager.  I am sure you can think of several disappointments you have gone through or are going through right now.

When disappointments come into our lives they cause so much pain and hurt.  But, when you are finally able to look back on them you can be thankful for those disappointments and where they brought you-closer to God.

How many of you desire to be close to God?  How many of you desire to hear from God?  How many of you desire to feel love from God every moment of every day?  I know when I was your age, I desired those things.  I would hear older, wiser women talking about their time with God and what He spoke to them, and I always wondered how to get that with God.  Yes I want to hear from God, but he is not talking to me.  I believed that because I was younger than the women who I heard these tales from God was unable to communicate with me and be close to me.  What a lie-if we open our hearts to God no matter what age we are God will make Himself known to us, we will feel His presence.

If I really think about why these women were able to hear from God and I was not I believe I know the answer.  It was how I was handling my disappointments when I was younger.  I was trying to fix all of my problems on my own.  I was not asking God for help through the pain, I was hiding it all inside.  There were even times I was disappointed in God because of the trials I was constantly going through.  By taking God out of the equation for fixing disappointment I was pulling myself further away from God.  I was making it impossible to hear from Him.  I was avoiding hearing from Him simply because I thought I could not.  I did not know God was capable of helping me.

Do you believe God is able to help you?  Romans 8:26 insures He does!

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 

One thing we can be certain of is that disappointments will come our way.  There is no way to avoid disappointments in this world.  But, take heart because God has OVERCOME THE WORLD.  When disappointments do come into your life, ask God for help.  Tell Him your desires to grow closer to Him and to feel His presence more through this disappointment.  Use this disappointment to hear from God.  Instead of turning away from God, run into Him will all of your strength, help, and love.

When I look back on each disappointment I do not feel pain, I see God working to make my life just how he intends it to be.  I see the Lord’s love in each one of the trials I have been through.  I get to experience HIS comfort.  I am thankful that what was intended to cause me pain, God used to bring me closer to HIS comforting arms.  Just a little fun fact for you: an ice cube (not melted) is a solid.

Let’s Pray:  Lord, I thank you so much for each one of these girls in this study.  I ask that you make yourself known to them.  I pray that they are able to see YOU and feel YOUR comfort, and know YOUR help in the midst of disappointments.  I ask that you use these painful times in our lives to draw us closer to you.  Thank you for praying for us when we are just not able to.  We love you so much and we thank you for each disappointment we face, because we trust you are there through them with us, each step of the way.  AMEN.

Much Love,

Diane

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For the A Daughter’s Worth Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book 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 megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information

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Lady in Waiting: Lady of Devotion

October 29, 2012 by

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Girlfriends, today, I want us to go on a journey to the place where it all began, to the Garden of Eden.  Let’s go back when everything was beautiful, pure and unstained.  Before sin entered the world.  We meet a beautiful woman named Eve.  Can you imagine how the first woman ever to be created looked like.  She had no one to compare her looks with.  God created her not as an afterthought but as the ultimate work of art.  This is just my opinion, but I must say when God created Eve, He must have showed her off to everyone present.

Adam and Eve had the best of everything life could offer, the perfect place to live, food in its abundance and the best and most loving Father anyone could dream about.  Can you imagine what it was like talking and walking with God in the cool of the day?  The Creator of the Universe taking His time to have fellowship with the two people created in His image, teaching them everything they needed to know about life.  Eve just like every woman must have listened attentively and dreamt that one day she would share what she was learning with her children.  This is what we call “the fullness of devotion.”

How I wish life could just remain forever like this without what happened next.  How the same woman was deceived by the Devil to question her devotion to her Lord.  Just like Eve most of us have been deceived to doubt how much the Lord loves us because time is going and we have not yet met the love of our life, or the one whom we gave our body, mind and soul has told us he has found someone else and leaves our heart so scarred that we feel no one else will ever love us again.

This is how Naomi felt when she left Moab to return to Jerusalem, she left Jerusalem so full of life but she returned empty.  “She said to them, ‘Do not call me Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. …the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?’ ” (Ruth 1:20-21).

Our devotion to the Lord should not depend on our past experiences, present circumstances, or our parents’ devotion or lack thereof may cause us to have an incorrect view of God.  Life is so full of trials.  We experience pain, loss, fear, and so much more.  People will hurt us in ways that we could never think of.  However, to take what life and people have done to us and think that God will do the same to us is a misconception.  Don’t allow guilt, fear, your inabilities or imperfections to cause you to hold back from receiving what God has in store for you.

The Love of God is so much different and it cannot be compared to human love.  When we want to know how much God loves us, we should look to the cross.  How God spared His only Son, Jesus Christ to redeem us from our sins.  It took Jesus Christ to die for us in order for us to return to the “Garden of Eden.”  In order for us to regain the devotion we lost when Adam and Eve sinned.

God loves us so much that each day He waits for us to go to Him to have that fellowship with Him, He longs to hear about the plans we have made.  He longs to share with us what plans he has for us as He says in Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“As a single woman, you have a wonderful opportunity to use your time to maximize your fellowship with God. When you love someone, you give them your heart, the center of your being. God asks for no less.  He desires a totally devoted heart.  Deuteronomy 6:5 says that you are to love Him with all your heart (deepest devotion), your soul (what you think and what you feel), and your might (your strength and energy).”

Furthermore, “as a woman, you have been created with a desire to be known—not just in a physical or general way, but deeply known and intimately loved. If you are hoping a man will one day fill your heart’s desire for intimacy, you will be disappointed. God knows your deep longings for intimate love. Only He, the Lover of your soul, can fill this need completely. Your heavenly Father tenderly created you with needs that only God can fully understand and fulfill. As you come to know who He really is, He will meet your needs for love.”

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LET’S PRAY

Lord, I come to you to ask for forgiveness, there are times when my devotion to you has died because of what life and others have done to me.  Father, forgive me for comparing your love with the love of those around me.  I realize that you love me unconditionally, you long to have fellowship with me each day, and your thoughts towards me are not of evil but good.  Create in me a clean heart Lord and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Restore to me the joy of my salvation.  May I know you intimately, personally and devotedly.  Take me back to the Garden of Eden.  In Jesus Name Amen.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Meditate on your picture of God.  Has a wrong picture of God been invented by the enemy in order to rob you of a true knowledge and love of God?  Read Psalm 103: 8 – 14 to help you with the wrong assumptions that you have about God.

 

Be Blessed,

Jackie

 

 

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 For the “Lady in Waiting” Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website by clicking the “sign-up here” button at the top of our webpage; which is also where you can sign up to participate in this awesome bible study!

Please email Christi@girlfriendscoffeehour.com if you have any questions, or if you have a private comment that you would like to forward to one of our bloggers in regards to their post that day.

 

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Lady in Waiting: Lady of Devotion

October 28, 2012 by

 

Wow girls!  I can’t believe that we have made it through our first month of our study!  I know it has stretched a lot of us, and it has been difficult for many of us, but ladies – we are doing it!  This is what God wants.  God wants us healed.  He wants us close.  He wants our undivided attention right now.  I am proud of each and every one of you for taking this journey and wanting to be the best you can be, no matter what your marital situation.  Remember, that doesn’t define you, our Lord and Savior does!

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Here is our reading assignment for Chapter 5, you will notice we will be adding some meditations this week, we hope they bless you and help you carve out some time to spend with Him:

October 29:      Lady of Devotion – Jackie
October 30:      Meditation – Michelle
October 31:      Seeking True Love  – Tonya
November 1:    Meditation – Katie
November 2:    An Advantageous Position  – Diane

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LET’S PRAY

Lord Jesus thank you.  Thank you for loving us so completely.  Thank you for continuing to draw us close even when we wander.  I pray for each and every lady in this study.  I know that life circumstances sometimes seem to get in the way of the study, or other things seem more important, but Lord we know that it is time with you that is truly most important.  Help each of us make time to dedicate not only to you, but to this study.  You know each woman’s struggle, you know the challenges they face.  Come along side of them and give them the strength they need to continue.  Thank you Lord, we love you and are so grateful for you.  In Your Name we pray.  Amen

In Him,

Michelle

For the “Lady in Waiting” Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website by clicking the “sign-up here” button at the top of our webpage; which is also where you can sign up to participate in this awesome bible study!

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Winning Him Without Words: Believe Your Marriage Is Blessed

October 28, 2012 by

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one.  

Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Mark 10:7-9

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I just wanna celebrate!

 

Will you celebrate with me??

 

This week is my 9th Wedding Anniversary

and my husband and I are taking some time away to celebrate!!

 

 

So my part of this blog today is going to be short, sweet, and simple! 

We didn’t have the opportunity to go away for a honeymoon, nor have we ever had the chance to go away for our anniversary!  So this year, we are taking some time for ourselves and we are headed to a nice little B&B nestled in the woods, where it is nice and quiet!  This time of year here in Wisconsin is BEAUTIFUL!!  The trees are many shades of reds and golds; amber and more!  It is breathtaking!

So while we are away, here is your reading assignment this week!  I hope you have an amazing week!  

Be Blessed,

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– Chapter 5 –

Winning Him Without Words

Reading Assignment

Oct 29 

Believe Your Marriage is Blessed / Mismatchdom – Beverly

Oct 30

Obedience / Plan for Marriage – Jennifer

Oct 31

Biblical Truths – Donna

Nov 1

Blessed Doesn’t Mean Easy –  Sarah

Nov 2

 Discovery / Prayer –  Martha

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If you would like to join us for this Online Bible Study “Winning Him Without Words”, and our Facebook Discussion Group, please click on the “sign-up here” button at the top of the page, and complete the form.  Once we receive your registration, we will be glad to place you!

If you have any questions, or would like to forward a comment on to one of our bloggers, email Christi@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.

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Introducing Laurie Ellis: Victorious Healing Ministry Leader

October 27, 2012 by

 

I grew up in a middle class family, the youngest of four children. I had to try to ‘measure up’ to my siblings (2 sisters and 1 brother).  My dad was military so I spent many days trying to meet his expectations. To this day I cannot remember a time I met those expectations. My mom was a stay at home mom due to responsibilities of my brother – who has developmental challenges. She was the peacemaker in our family. We grew up in church; however I did not really know God.  James 2:19 states, ‘ you believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.’ You see, I did believe in Him, but had not received Him as my Lord and Savior.

When I was 12- (a very impressionable age for girls), I was very active in sports at school. As I spent more time at school, my PE teacher began paying more attention to me – this was my first encounter attaching to a female.  I remember wanting to be around this teacher, yet knowing it was not right for her to be interested.  So, for the next 6 years, I tried everything to ‘fit in’ with my friends.  If they wanted to go out drinking, I would – if they were hanging around guys – I would. At home though I would keep my grades up – you see I was playing both worlds.

At the age of 19 I became actively involved in the gay lifestyle. It was at this time my family found out of my ‘hidden life.’ My dad told me to leave and I was no longer his daughter – that I had ruined the family name. For the next 3 years we did not speak – avoiding each other every time we saw each other in town. My family searched for help at this time – they joined a Full Gospel Church in town and began talking with me. I knew God was tugging on me, but I was not buying into it completely. I would go to church and feel great, trying to follow what I thought God wanted – then I would go home and would fall.  One night I went to church with my mom and decided I would try this ‘Jesus thing.’ I actually felt good about it, but again it was surface, as I continued living the lifestyle. Six years later, my mom passed away suddenly.

At this time I was sincerely trying to get out of the gay lifestyle. I met a ‘charming’ man at my mom’s funeral – married him 6 weeks later with my family’s blessings. Everyone thought this would ‘fix’ me. My marriage became a battleground – I left after a short time, seeking love I had not received and fell back into a lesbian relationship. What next? I found out I was pregnant.  My son, now 21, is the blessing God had planned for me through this marriage. Things were going well at this time – or so I thought. My ex-husband obtained custody of my son. You would think all of this would make me think – but this just made me more set on doing my ‘own thing.’

My life now became survival of the fittest and I was going to conquer the world. I completed my Masters Degree, got a good job, nice house, friends, and was involved in a long relationship. I had won right? Wrong – I still had no communication with my family, my dad had passed away, I had no relationship with God, lost custody of my son and was alienating myself from my friends due to the shame of the relationships I was in. As if life wasn’t enough, a friend of mine asked if I would adopt her grandson. Sure, why not? How could adding one more thing change anything?

My son is now 11 years old and the 2ndbiggest blessing of my life. It was about this time I started going to church – for my boys. Every Sunday the message was for me – ever been there? The more I went to church, the more miserable my life became at home – ever been there? At that time, I began going to a cell group at church – we were studying John Baker’s Life’s Healing Choices.

During my times of reading, God took me to Romans 1:26-28, ‘God gave the women over to shameful lusts. They exchanged the natural for the unnatural.’ Vs. 28 states furthermore ‘since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a debased mind.’  Then Luke 11:23 – He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.  Romans 2:8-9 to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness – indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish on every soul… God was telling me I could no longer ride the fence. I had to trust Him with ALL my heart. I knew at that moment I could no longer live the gay lifestyle.

I continued studying His word. The more committed I became – He started taking me to many passages on His love and grace. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 speaks first of those who are unrighteous not inheriting the kingdom of God. But the grace comes in vs. 11 “and such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” Psalm 103:11-13 states “for as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Then, Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

How awesome is our God that even when we were causing His heart to hurt, He sent His only son to die for us? I stand amazed daily at how He has transformed my life from confusion to peace – from sin to salvation – from knowing of God to truly knowing God. Exactly two weeks after total surrender to God, I received a call from my doctor. I was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical and uterine cancer and needed immediate surgery.  Prior to surgery, my doctor informed me I would need to follow up with chemo and radiation.  I came through the surgery well and received another call from my surgeon two weeks later – all tests came back negative.  I would not need follow-up chemo or radiation – God had healed my cancer. Praise God!!

Two years ago, after moving myself away from the environment and friends of my ‘old self’ – I came upon Celebrate Recovery. This is a Christian 12 step program based on the 8 Beatitudes and Jesus’ most famous sermon – Sermon on the Mount. Through these 12 steps and God’s grace, He has taken me full circle and placed me exactly where I needed to receive full Victory from the gay lifestyle.  Initially I felt heavy doses of shame and guilt. Immediately God took me to Isaiah 61:7 – Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.” Through Celebrate Recovery and ‘pressing on’ I have discovered I have no shame because of the grace of God, He has turned that into joy through my total surrender to Him.  I became involved in an ex-gay ministry and also lead women’s groups through Celebrate Recovery (doesn’t God have a sense of humor?).

God has taken me on an amazing journey. He is giving me freedom that can only come through His grace. When I now talk with people about coming out of homosexuality, the responses vary “I didn’t know you could get out of that,” or “Weren’t you born that way?” My response is always with God ALL things are possible. Do I still have trials or temptations, yes – Jesus said we would.  But John 16:33 “in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

You see, my identity is not in my past. My identity is now I am loved, valuable, precious, talented, gifted, capable, powerful, wise, redeemed and a child of the most High God. How do I know that? My Father, the Father of all creation told me so. Many people go around looking for miracles – take a look around, we are each a miracle.

God has taken me in my most sinful nature and by grace transformed me into a child of God.

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LaurieEllis

Laurie Ellis was raised in Southern Illinois. She is the youngest of four children.

Currently, she is a single mom of two sons, Elijah (21) and Dalton (11). They are the joys of her life. Along with her boys, her brother Roger lives with them.

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Following her divorce, she returned to college, obtaining her Bachelors in Social Work (1998) and then her Masters in Healthcare Administration in 2005.  She has spent over 25 years working in the healthcare field with youth, developmentally disabled and most recently in the geriatric population.
For the past two years, Laurie has spent time in Celebrate Recovery on the ministry T.E.A.M and Exchange (an ex-gay ministry) – leading several women’s groups.  She is grateful to be used by God to minister to women searching for recovery from various issues.

 

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If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, please email Laurie@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Saturdays with Shandy: 6 Weeks to Make Your Home Shine for the Holidays! Week Four

October 27, 2012 by

Today’s blog is brought to you by Shandy Showers

I am so excited! We are halfway there, and already the hardest part is behind us! That’s very encouraging!

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As I write this, I am listening to my Michael Buble© Christmas album. I am feeling joyful, at peace, and excited for Christmas as I listen to my favorite crooner sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” There is nothing like Christmas. It makes me overflow with happiness and nostalgia.

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Speaking of Christmas… it is less than 2 months away! Time to start planning if you haven’t already, so today, after you read your cleaning assignments for the week, be sure to head over to our Facebook group for some free printables to help you get ready! (I just love printables. It’s an addiction, really.)

In week one, I had you get a 3-ring binder. You will start to put it to good use today! And be sure to share your pictures from this past week! We want to “oooh!!!” and “ahhhh!!!” over your organized pantries and sparkling appliances!
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Let’s pray:
Lord, as we prepare our homes in anticipation of Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, let us do so with joy in our hearts. We know you love a cheerful giver, and it’s my prayer that as we make out our gift lists, you put it on our hearts to happily give to those in need, Lord. Christmas isn’t about the latest gadgets and games. Help us to keep the focus on You, Jesus. Help us to remember the “Christ” in Christmas. Give us the desire to serve others and to help spread Your love and the joy we have because of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Your assignment:
***For some fantastic cleaning and organization ideas, go to our Saturdays with Shandy board on Pinterest! You’ll find all kinds of tips relevant to this week’s assignments. http://pinterest.com/gchministries/saturdays-with-shandy/

Today – Time to clean out those kitchen cabinets. Take everything (yes, EVERYTHING) out of your cabinets and put them on your table or kitchen island. Use hot, soapy water or cleaner of your choice to clean the insides of your cabinet. Then take a clean towel to wipe them dry. Put in new shelf liner if you wish. Throw out all the things you never use. (How many empty whipped cream containers does one need anyway?) Then put everything back, organizing as you go.

Monday – Today we will tackle our kitchen drawers. Follow the same procedure for cleaning the cabinets. Be very selective in what you choose to put back in the drawers. A place for everything and everything in its place. Make that your mantra, and you won’t have a junk drawer.

Tues – Now that the insides of our cabinets and drawers are clean and organized, we are going to focus on the outsides. Get some hot, soapy water to clean them. Don’t forget the top of your cabinets and any decor that’s up there! Dry with a clean towel. And to really make a difference, use your favorite oil, or product like Old English furniture polish, to make them shine! (There is a DIY furniture polish on our Pinterest board!) Once you’re finished with that, take the time to wipe down your walls & switch plates. Use touch up paint if needed. And lastly, dust wall hangings and other decor.

Wed – Time to make those windows and patio doors sparkle! We are cleaning the windows, blinds, and window treatments today. (*Hint: crumpled up newspaper works like magic to shine those windows!) Then, move on to the sink and make it shine! I like to disinfect mine with bleach water. Then I rinse it out very, very well before freshening up my garbage disposal.

Thurs – Today, we are cleaning light fixtures and replacing bulbs if need be. Next, wipe down your counters. Now move on to the baseboards, then sweep and mop. (My plan is to get down on my hands & knees and give the floor a good scrubbing since we’re deep cleaning.)

Fri – Today is a good day to clean out your garbage can, inside and out. Recycling bin if you have one in the house, too. Catch up on anything you haven’t completed. Step back and admire your work! Then, enjoy your evening!
Blessings,

Shandy

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You can visit Shandy’s personal blog at:  http://aprons-n-pearls.blogspot.com/

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