May 8, 2026

Saturday’s with Shandy Showers

October 6, 2012 by
6 Weeks to Make Your Home Shine for the Holidays!
Week One by Shandy Showers
 
Forty-seven. Seventy-nine. Eighty-six. Do those numbers mean anything to you? I’ll give you a hint… Thanksgiving. Christmas Eve. New Year’s Eve. Can you believe it?  Have you done anything yet to prepare for the most wonderful time of the year?
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How many of us have had holiday celebrations over the years that have been marred by anxiety because our house wasn’t as clean as we would have liked it to be, or because we waited until the last minute to do everything and exhausted ourselves in the process? I will be the first to raise my hand and say, “ME!” But not this year. Not for me, and not for you if you follow along with us!
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Welcome to “6 Weeks to Make Your Home Shine for the Holidays!” Whether you are a domestic diva or don’t know a duster from a dishcloth, this is for you! Every Saturday for the next six weeks, we will meet right here on the blog to learn how to prepare our homes for the upcoming holidays. (And when we’re through, don’t go anywhere, because we will have a new series on decorating for Christmas and making handmade gifts!) You will check here for your weekly assignments, and are welcome to leave comments and/or ask questions. Maybe you’re not sure how to do something or are wondering if there‘s a better way to do it… just ask 🙂 Then we will head on over to our secret Facebook group, where we can post before & after pictures and have some fun with what we’re accomplishing!
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In my experience, any successful cleaning spree starts with clutter control! So to kick off the first week, we are kicking out some of that clutter! I just moved to a new state this past weekend, and did some major purging the last week of packing. We took nearly 20 bags to Goodwill, made 4 trips to the city dump, put several items out for bulky waste pick up, and gave our neighbor several pieces of furniture and knick-knacks. Even after all that, I bet I can come up with more to banish from my home, so I’m going to do this with you.
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Let’s dive in, ladies! First, take a garbage bag and quickly go through every room in your house. Anything that needs to be thrown away, throw away! Last week’s newspaper, that drawer full of old makeup, junk mail, those shoes that should’ve been retired a year ago, the sweater that’s beyond repair, the bag in your teenager‘s room from last night‘s fast food run… fill up that garbage bag! Now you’re going to take a box or a bag and find 25 more things to either give away or throw away… the pile of sweaters you never wear anymore, the jeans that don’t fit or went out of style in the 80’s, the old toaster you have stashed away as a backup, the old books you’re never going to read again. 25 things. It’s really easy, and your house will start to breathe again.
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I’ve done this before, and because I love a good challenge, I found my first 25 items, then found a bunch more! It feels so good! I encourage you to have your kids do this as well. Maybe start small with them and have them put 5 things in the giveaway box. Or maybe 10. Make it a game and see who can fill up their box the fastest! The only rule: don’t overthink anything. If you have to think about it, it doesn’t mean as much to you as maybe you thought it did.
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We want to see how much you’re clearing out and cleaning up and congratulate you on a job well done, so be sure to take before & after pictures every week! You’ll have the opportunity to share them each Saturday in our facebook group! A clean home is a happy home, and your home is going to be very happy for the holidays!
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Let’s pray:
As we prepare our homes for the holidays, let us remember to do everything enthusiastically, as something done for You, Lord. (Col 3:23-24) May our preparations be done decently and in order (1 Cor 14:40) and let them be an act of service to You and our families, so we are able to welcome the holidays with gladness rather than anxiety, keeping You at the forefront of all our celebrations. Thank you, Father, for these women and for this opportunity to support and encourage each other. Bless our efforts, Lord, and help us make wise decisions so we do not become distracted or discouraged. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Your assignment:
TODAY – Comment below to let us know you’re taking part in this series and let us know the biggest challenge you face in preparing your home for holiday celebrations.
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Today & Mon – Throw Away & Give Away Challenge (see above) Remove those items from your home right away.
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Tues – Gather/Buy/Make Cleaning Supplies, and you’ll need a 3-ring binder (w/ a clear pocket on the front) and a 3-hole punch. You will be using this binder for this series, as well as future series. We’ll have some free printables for you along the way!
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Wed – Front Porch: Shake out welcome mat. Use your outdoor broom to knock down webs, and to sweep the front porch and walk. Wash windows facing the porch, as well as your front door and doorbell. If your siding or trim is dirty, or if you have railing, take a bucket of warm, soapy water, and wash that as well. Clean outside light fixtures. Tidy things up, and put up some fall decorations if you’d like!
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Thurs – Entryway/Foyer: clean out & organize the coat closet. Wipe down closet door. Wipe down walls, trim, and baseboards if dirty or dusty. Wipe down light switch(es). Sweep and mop floor. Clean light fixture.
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Fri – Catch up on anything you haven’t completed, then enjoy your evening! You’ve earned it!
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We’d like to invite you to be part of our online Bible study! Click on the “Sign-Up Here” button at the top of the page to learn more or to register for the Women’s Bible study and be added to our Facebook group!
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If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord & Savior and would like someone to pray with you, email  Robin@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com and someone from our Prayer Team will contact you soon.
Blessings,
Shandy

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Shandy lives with her husband, Scott, and daughter, Gabriella, in Kirkland, Illinois. She also has an adult daughter who lives in Wisconsin.

She’s a Titus 2/Proverbs 31 “virtuous woman in progress” and has a passion for homemaking and raising a family. She considers it a huge blessing to be a modern-day archetype of the classic housewife. Though her infertility diagnosis has prevented Shandy and Scott from growing their family, they are not putting God on a shelf, and are believing Him for their miracle baby.

Shandy believes in old-fashioned traditions and family values, and loves the music and movies of the 1940’s… especially the musicals. She’s loves Elvis, contemporary Christian and country music. She enjoys genealogy, knitting, crafting, country road trips, cozy fires, horseback riding, and living history museums. Her favorite season is autumn, and she loves everything about Christmas!

In addition to blogging about homemaking for our women’s ministry, Shandy is the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Founders of Girlfriends Coffee Hour. She has also served as a Sunday School and VBS teacher in her church, and has also been in puppet ministry, choir, and handbell choir throughout the years. She loves to be involved and bloom where God plants her!

She is blown away by what an awesome God we serve, and endeavors to be salt and light in this world so that others may come to know and love Jesus.

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Saturday’s with Shauna Jared

October 6, 2012 by

This blog is brought to you today by Shauna Jared

I am so excited that I was asked to do the Saturday craft/fun blog for the Singles Ministry here at GCH!  I love all things crafty, although it’s hard for me to find time to actually do them… but recently I’ve discovered a new craft obsession that’s relatively easy and inexpensive as well as relaxing, so I thought I would share it with you guys!  Hand embroidery! 

 

Now, I know what you’re thinking.  Embroidery?  You mean dishtowels with animated vegetables and teacups on them?  Puppies doing laundry and washing dishes?  Well, you certainly can embroider those patterns if you would like (I’ve found TONS of free vintage embroidery patterns online… see the links later in this post) and I actually find some of those old patterns quite charming!  As the Bible says in Revelation 21:5, “Behold, I make all things new.” 😉  But there are plenty of modern embroidery patterns out there and you can make anything from tea towels to quilts to embroidering on clothing and tote bags!  And embroidered items can make fantastic gifts!  (Christmas is only 79 days away, ladies…. )

 

So, let’s get started, shall we?

 

I’m currently working on a tea towel with some funky flowers on them (see photo above), so I’ll tell you what you’ll need for this project and where to get patterns and how to get them on your tea towel (or pillowcase or whatever your project is going to be!)

 

Basic tools you will need:

 

Embroidery pattern ( this is a link to Aunt Martha’s, but there are plenty of other options.  The one I’m using is “Fantasy Flowers” found at sublimestitching.com)  

Embroidery needles 

Embroidery hoop (5” – 7”) 

Embroidery floss (how many and colors will depend on your particular project) 

Blank Tea Towel (or pillowcase, tote bag, shirt, quilt piece, baby bib, whatever… you get the picture.  A “blank” just means an item that has no design on it – it is awaiting your brilliant embroidery masterpiece)

An iron and ironing board… I think most everyone already has these 😉

 

And depending on what type of pattern you have, you may need the following:

 

Vellum tracing paper 

Iron-on transfer pen

 

 

First, let’s talk about the pattern.  You can buy iron on transfer patterns and all you will do is simply follow the instructions on the package and iron it on to your blank.  Simple!  You can find the “Aunt Martha’s” brand of iron on transfers at Wal-Mart or JoAnn’s and these are usually the vintage type patterns.  I’ve also found a couple of awesome websites that offer iron on patterns for purchase:

 

Pattern Bee:  http://patternbee.com/MENU.html

Sublime Stitching:  http://www.sublimestitching.com/ (the pattern I’m currently using in the photo at the beginning of this post is “Fantasy Flowers”… they also sell everything else you would need for embroidery in their shop!  Even beginners kits!

 

You can also find patterns online (some free, some purchased PDF’s) to print at home.  You would then need some vellum tracing paper and an iron-on transfer pen in order to get the design onto your blank.  I’ve found many websites that offer free vintage embroidery patterns, so you would need the tracing paper and transfer pen to use these.  You would simply print your pattern out, then place a piece of tracing paper over it.  It is thin, so you can see the pattern underneath.  Use your iron-on transfer pen to trace the design onto the paper.  Then follow the instructions that come with the pen and iron it on to your blank.  Easy peasy!  (NOTE:  If there is lettering, make sure you are tracing it BACKWARDS so that the words show up correctly on your blank when you iron it on!  Let’s not talk about how I found this out…)

 

Here are some resources I’ve found for free patterns:

 

Pattern Bee:  http://patternbee.com/MENU.html (offers some freebies)

Vintage Transfer Finds:  http://mytransfers.blogspot.com/

French-Knots: http://www.french-knots.com/

nanaCompany: http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/ (beautiful blog and they offer some freebies)

 

I’m sure there are other ways to get your pattern on to your blank, but these are the two best ways, in my opinion 

 

Now that you have your pattern on your blank, you’re ready to go!  

 

Next, you need to put the hoop on your project to help you make even stitches and keep even tension.  Take the hoop apart and put the piece that isn’t adjustable underneath your fabric.  Your whole project doesn’t have to fit inside the hoop, you can move it around when you need to work on another part.  Now put the piece that has the adjustable screw on it on top of your fabric, over the other hoop, and push down until they go together.  Then you will need to tug at the fabric all the way around the hoop edge to make sure it’s good and tight.  And tighten up the screw if you need to.  Be sure to remove the hoop from your project when you’re not working on it for an extended period of time.  You don’t want it to get “hoop burn”!

 

Now, thread your embroidery needle with some floss and make a knot at the end… then we’ll take a look at a basic embroidery stitch!

 

The Back Stitch

 

 

So easy!  This is the stitch I’m using in the photo at the top of this post. Simply bring your needle from the back of your work, up through at “1”, back down at “2”, then back up again in front of “1” at “3”.  Then you would go back down at “4” and so forth.

 

There are other stitches you can do to get different effects, such as the stem stitch, satin stitch, split stitch, and French knot.  If the pattern you choose requires one or more of these stitches, it should give you a tutorial in the instructions.  If not, you can Google the stitch to find instructions or even find video tutorials on YouTube 

 

So that should be enough to get you on your way!  Are you addicted yet?  I certainly am.  I can’t wait to see your projects and hear about your new found love of embroidery, so please make sure to share in the comments below!  Praise God for embroidery!  Have a blessed day! 

 

<3 Shauna

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Lady In Waiting: Match Made In Heaven

October 5, 2012 by

As I re-read these six paragraphs for the third time now, I remember the thoughts the Lord put on my heart after reading this for the first time almost two years ago.  I highlighted many sentences, BUT this particular one stuck out, “courageously determine to pursue Jesus with your whole heart, soul, and mind”.  I had never heard it put like that before.  Those words changed me.  It was then I started to think about what a relationship with Jesus could be like.  Surely it couldn’t be like having a husband here on Earth, could it?  I remember specifically asking God that question.  Over the next few months He gave me reason after reason why it is not like having an earthly husband, IT’S BETTER.

I know what you are thinking because I thought the same things.  How can God hug me when I need a hug?  How can God really talk to me?  How can I ever have my dream wedding with God?  The Lord showed me the answers to all of these questions, and much more.

I have felt the Lord hug me before, His hugs are real.  It has been few and far between, BUT I tell you what, it was the BEST feeling I have ever felt.  I am confident HIS hug feels better than a husband’s hug.  The Lord talks to me every day.  He talks to me through His LIVING word, through the nudges he puts on my heart and through prayer.  We talk face to face, I just cannot see His face, but He sees mine!  Ok, here comes the tricky one, the dream wedding.  SIDE NOTE: Prior to reading this chapter, I had never thought of God being my “fiancé” this revelation intrigued me, and it also changed my dreams into God’s dreams for me.  Post having this revelation, I trust completely in the statement “The Lord gives me the desires of my heart” (Psalm 37:4).  This does not mean I will definitely get the wedding I have always dreamed of.  This statement means I will DEFINITELY get the life God has dreamed of for me.

Let this sink in and let’s think about this quote on page 22 “It will require a determined heart and more than a little courage to wrench ourselves loose from the grip of our times and return to biblical ways”.  Our times say you have to be married to be happy, you are miserable without a man to love you, and hold your hand.  You are incomplete without having a house full of kids and a perfect husband to go along with it.  Turn on television and all you see are “couples” that validate these ideas.  Watch any romantic movie and it leaves you falling for a false sense of what real love and real relationships are all about.  Look at the Bible and you will see the truth.  Nowhere in the Bible does it support the idea that you need a man to be happy, complete, or satisfied.  In fact, the Bible tells us, all we need is God.

Colossians 2:10

So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Philippians 4:19

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 63:5

You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.

I know there are some of us, including me at times, that know these truths, and are comforted sometimes by the words the Lord and loved ones give us.  But what about the times these words are just not enough because we still are eating alone on a Friday night?  We are still missing something to make us feel complete in Christ.  The Lord spoke to me my missing piece, “You were created for more than a marriage here on Earth; YOU were created for a perfect marriage in Heaven with ME, your Heavenly Bridegroom”.  WOW, Thank you Jesus for being my match made in Heaven.  When the encouraging words no longer bring me comfort the Lord’s words always will.  Knowing that I am created for God, for HIS purpose, for OUR relationship- will always be enough for me, even on the nights I have to order take out for one.

This is what God has shown me will bring a lasting comfort and how we can truly be satisfied solely in our heavenly fiancé.  We must train our mind, body, and soul with heavenly training.  We must go on a journey to find your satisfaction in God alone.  You must not sulk about having a ring less finger; you must EMBRACE the perfect, never-ending love of your perfect fiancé in Heaven.  When your mind gets filled with thoughts or feelings that are not from God, you must pray instantly and get rid of those thoughts.  Vow to God to love Him first, and to trust Him to guide you in the plan He has for you.  Pray about the desires He has for you.  Learn those desires, accept those desires, and live out those desires.  That is where you will be the happiest and feel His hugs!

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LET’S PRAY:

Lord, I thank You so much that You love us perfectly.  I thank You that You have a beautiful plan for us.  I ask that You help each and every one of us to live for YOU alone.  I ask that You get rid of any desires that we have that are not what You want for us.  We trust that Your desires are not only best for us but will also bring us the fullest measure of joy when lived out.  I ask for Your continued comfort and that we are able to experience Your hugs!  We love You so much, Amen.

You’re Assignment:  

Please answer any of the questions in the comment section below.  What is your missing piece?  Is it the same as mine?  Do you believe God really is your match made in Heaven?

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Want to join the conversation in our Online Bible Study Facebook Discussion Group?  We would love to have you, just click the Sign Up Here button at the top of this page and follow the directions.  See you there!

If you have not accepted Christ as your Lord & Savior, we would love to pray with you.  Please contact our Prayer Team leader by emailing  Robin@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.  Someone from our prayer team will contact you soon!

God Bless, 

Diane

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Winning Him Without Words: Jesus with “Skin On” / Weekly Review

October 5, 2012 by

 

The young mother tucked her little boy in bed, turned off the lights, and walked out of his room.  It was then she heard him cry out:  “Mom, turn the lights back on; I’m scared of the dark.”  The mother walked back into his room to reassure him.  “Now, son, don’t be afraid, Jesus is here with you.”  To which he replied:  “I know Jesus is in here with me, but I want somebody with some skin on!”

Can we admit that we all have felt that way?  “Yes, I know you are near Jesus, but, I really want someone to pray and study your word with me, someone to sit beside me in church, and most of all, Jesus, I want to talk to someone about I much I love YOU.   That someone is my husband.  Won’t you please tell him to come into the room with me?  I am scared of being in this dark room alone.”

Thirty eight years have passed since the day I accepted Jesus as my Savior, and my husband still hasn’t shown up in that dark room with me.  But, my goodness how God has blessed me by sending so many Jesus with “Skin On” people!  They brought light into my dark and lonely room!

Allow me to introduce a few of them to you.

  1. Jackie:  Always saved a seat for me in church so I wouldn’t have to sit alone.

  2. Gerry, Beth, Gloria:  Spent hours cleaning their homes for the weekly bible study.  Oh, yes, Beth Moore  taught me much, but it was these ladies who made it possible by opening up their homes to me and all the other ladies.

  3. Sylvia, Irene, Susan:  Prophets that God used to give me a prophetic word at times when I thought I couldn’t take another step.

  4. My Pastor:  Preached sermons that I know he prepared just for me!

  5. Melba, my pastor’s wife:  Gave me opportunities in ministry.  Quite frankly, I had always thought that I couldn’t go into ministry with an unsaved husband. What do I have to offer if the head of my household is not serving the Lord?

I just know that these people will receive a special reward in heaven one day for being obedient to God, and being there for me.

But, I have to confess that when the journey stretches into years of being unequally yoked as it has for me, there is a tendency to grow weary.  As the year 2010 was drawing to a close, I felt like I had reached my limits. “When is this man, my high school sweetheart, father of our two daughters, and grandfather of three going to fall down at the feet of Jesus?”  I felt the lights being turned off in the room again.

And then one day in March, 2011, God showed up with a whole army of Jesus with “Skin On” people.  It happened like this.

I stumbled upon the book, Winning Him Without Words by Lynn and Dineen.  In all my many years of being unequally yoke, I had never read a book about the unequally yoked, nor had I been associated with anyone “like me.”  But, God in his perfect timing introduced me to these two ladies, along with their community of women on their website, Spiritually Unequal Marriage.  And then, He introduced me to you, my friends, at Girlfriends Coffee Hour.

I’m not alone in the dark room anymore. – -I’m hanging out with – – Jesus with “Skin On” people from all over the U.S. and world who are “just like me!”

As for my husband?   “He has made  everything beautiful in its time.” [Ecc. 3:11]

Let’s Pray:  

Father God, I ask you in the name of your son, Jesus, that every lady taking this course be blessed with Jesus with “Skin On” people so that they will not sit in a dark room alone.  We need each other to help us walk out our lives before our husbands according to 1 Peter 3.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Your Assignment:  

Who are your Jesus with Skin On people?  Take time today, not only to thank God for them, but call or send them a note expressing your appreciation for being with you on your journey.  For starters, list them in the comment section.

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And now, as we come to the close of the first chapter of Winning Him Without Words, review this past week:

Monday:  Know That You are not Alone:  Beverly pointed to page 27 in our book that described her feelings of being alone: yearns for her husband to sit with her, feel his arm come around her shoulder, desires to have him look up Bible verses together,  hold her hand after they found it.  But, Beverly made a decision she has stuck with for 33 years.

  • Stopped worrying about her husband, and left him in God’s hands.

  • Kept going to church and serving God in areas that He led her into.

  • Kept asking her hubby to come with her.

  • Took her children with her so they could learn about Jesus.

  • And thanks God that He is sitting with her in that pew, along with  friends who support, embrace, and pray for her.

May we do likewise.

Tuesday:  The Alone Factor:  Jennifer pointed us to reality:  we are alone by not having a spiritual connection with our husbands, and it hurts.  But, she learned the real truth:

We live for a Savior who desires to do life with us. That actually gives me a sense of peace. I am truly not alone in this. Our Heavenly Father is walking right alongside us, infusing us with power and strength every single day. He knows the aching of our hearts. He knows our longings. He wants the same thing for our husbands and for our marriages. He will not leave us flailing.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20(b), NIV)

May we do likewise.

Wednesday:  Is it Possible to Thrive in a Mismatched Marriage?  Donna assures us that we can thrive in a mismatched marriage and this is how she learned to do it:

When I let God be in control he takes away the anxiety of my life. God meets me right where I am and meets hubby where he is too. My marriage can grow and THRIVE!! I can rest assured God has our backs in this marriage-After all he created marriage! All I need do is get off my “throne” and hand my scepter over to God, pray for my husband and let God work!

May we do likewise.

Thursday:  Placing Christ On The Throne:  Sarah makes a statement that all of us could probably admit to when she says:  To surrender your power and control is a hard thing to do. Some may say impossible.

But, Sarah has made a commitment to start each day with the following prayer no matter how silly she may feel: Jesus, right now as I begin this new day, I surrender my place of authority over my life to You.  I am placing You firmly on the throne of my life.  Teach me to focus on Your desires for living.  I give you my entire life this day.  In Your powerful name Jesus.  Amen

May we do likewise.

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For those who are reading this blog and would like to join the Bible study, we would love to invite you to join us!  Click here and follow the instructions, (you can also click the SIGN-UP link in the menu bar above to be taken to the form). It’s that simple!  We hope to see you soon!

Above all, if you have not accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, and would like to have someone pray with you, please email our Prayer Team Leader:  Robin@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com, and one of our prayer team members will contact you.

Blessings to you,

Martha

 

 

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Winning Him Without Words: Placing Christ on the Throne

October 4, 2012 by

And Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

MATTHEW 28:20

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Placing Christ On The Throne by Sarah Boyer

To surrender you power and control is a hard thing to do. Some may say impossible. But by relinquishing all the power to Jesus and letting him fill your heart, mind and soul, you will experience the greatest feeling of peace. I know; I’ve done it.

I am a control freak and a worrier. If I don’t have a perfectly laid out plan for everything in my life, I feel out of control, unorganized and frazzled. I am not at rest until I have that plan! This is something Jesus has been tugging at me to fix. I am a work in progress, but this is how I am evolving:

I used to sit and make MY plan of how I think things should go.

My plan would fail and I’d become anxious, angry and uptight, snipping and yelling at everyone in my path.

Then I’d start all over again with a new plan.

Big Fat Fail! It never occurred to me to ask Jesus what His plan was for me! I always thought that Jesus didn’t care about my little day-to-day affairs. He only cared about the big stuff, where I should go to college, whom I should marry, live etc.

I’ve recently learned that Jesus wants to guide your every move, from the little things such as what you eat all the way to the big stuff such as how to speak with your non-believing spouse. It’s sort of like how you help your children. You help them make the simple choices in hopes that when the big decisions come, they will come to you for guidance. Jesus wants to do the same. He wants to guide you through it all. This brings to mind Proverbs 16:9: The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

So this is my new plan!  

I am going to start each day with this prayer from now on!

It is suggested in our study today, that you get out of bed and fall to your knees when you say this prayer. At first when I started doing this, I felt silly. Not because my husband would see me and judge me because he leaves for work 3 hours before I even get up. But because I felt foolish. Isn’t that silly? No one around but me and Jesus and I felt silly. But I made myself do it and have been doing it for the past few days and the foolish feeling is wearing off and the peace and comfort of surrendering to Jesus is taking over. I’ll trade that for foolishness any day! Besides, what better way to start your day then arming yourself with the power of Jesus inside you?

I am now better prepared to handle anything that comes along throughout the day because all I have to do is recall our simple prayer, surrender my authority of the situation and give it to Jesus to handle. And He always does!

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord, I pray that you can help us all to surrender our authority over to you. Remind us there is no problem big or small for you to handle for us. Please fill our heart, mind and soul with your leadership so that the troubling, painful and fearful circumstances of our lives lose their power. We can do all things through you. In Jesus name, amen.

Your Assignment:

Your assignment today is to write out a prayer that you will begin praying each day, just after you get up. A prayer that gives Jesus control of your day. A prayer that asks Him to direct your day, so you can stay on task for the things that He wants of you. Post this prayer in the comment section below, so we can be praying with you, as well.

If you are interested in joining us in our Women’s 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!

Godspeed!

Sarah

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Lady In Waiting: Dividends from High Places

October 4, 2012 by

Choices.  Doesn’t it seem like we are making choices constantly from the time we get up, until the time we go to bed?  What’s for breakfast?  What to wear? What route to take to work?  Meet that friend for dinner?  All day long we are called on to decide.  Many of these decisions are not life changers.  We don’t fall to our knees and ask God if we should have raisin toast or Cheerios.  Thankfully, most choices we make are based more on preferences than facing a real consequence.

In our book, we see a difficult life changing decision that Ruth had to make.  Should she stay with ‘her people’ or does she follow God and go with Naomi?  As we know, Ruth made the decision to follow God, and we see the blessings she received because of it.  How did God reward Ruth’s choice to follow Him rather than the “do whatever you want”, hedonistic society she came from?  He provided her with a godly husband, a son who would be King David’s grandfather and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  Not a bad deal!

As single women in our society, we have to decide to break from the “American way” constantly.  Sometimes this is not easy.  I know personally there are times when I am tempted to take the easy way out.  Why not have a few drinks?  I will be more relaxed.  Why not watch those movies?  I’m not hurting anyone.  Why not let that guy in even though I know he isn’t the right one for me?  I’m lonely.  Why not sacrifice my purity?  Girls, I know these are not easy decisions, and these scenarios are just a few that we face.  Our friends may treat us differently when we make the right choice, we may even lose some of those friends.

We may face lonely weekend nights because we have nowhere to go.  We may be made fun of, or looked down on.  I was actually told by a male friend that I would never have the chance to get married because I won’t have premarital sex.  Now I KNOW that is not true, it isn’t God’s truth, but don’t you know that during those times when the nights are long, and hope is fleeting, the enemy uses those words.  I have wondered if maybe my friend was right, and I will never find someone because I don’t follow the way of this world.  These are the times I need to cling to Him, and His truth and have faith that that is what is real.  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. (2 Peter 2:4)

But why?  Why bother following His ways when the other ways seem to be so much more fun, or seem to have a better pay off.  I say to some trusted friends all the time, “I don’t understand, why do I have to be “perfect” for God to give me someone?  This Christian here is messed up, that one over there is messed up, yet God gave them someone to love them.  Why am I different?  Why not me?  Does God think I’m not good enough?  Is he punishing me?”

Girls, the reality is that God is not punishing us in our singleness, and we are definitely worth it.  He has amazing plans for us, if only we put our trust in Him.  Look what He says in Matthew 19:29: And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Ruth received her 100 times.  She found her godly husband and all that went along with that.  Is that God’s plan for all of us?  I can’t say it is.  What I do know is that the rewards for following Him are far greater than any temporary pleasure that come of following the ways of this world.  Stay strong girls.  You are worth it!!

Let’s Pray
Father God, we ask you to give us strength.  We want to stay strong in your promises.  Some days the temptation of worldly sin seems so strong.  We don’t know if we have what we need to overcome it.  But we know that when we don’t have what we need, you supply it.  In Your strength we can conquer anything and make the choices that are best for us.  We know you have amazing plans for us. Even when we don’t know exactly what they are, we rest in the promise that they exist.  Thank you Lord for being there for us in our weakness.  In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Your Assignment
Please leave a comment below sharing your struggles with obedience.  Is it hard to resist the temptations of this world?  If you don’t struggle, what are some of the strategies you use to avoid these feelings?  How can we pray for you?

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If you are interested in joining our Singles Online Bible Study Discussion Group, please click on the “Sign-Up Here” button located at the top of our web page, and follow the instructions!  We’ll be happy to add you to our group!!!

God bless,

Michelle

 

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Lady In Waiting: New Friends / New Surroundings / New Faith

October 3, 2012 by

 

Today’s lesson is brought to you by Tonya Ellison – GCH Singles Ministry

I want to be a woman of God. I want my thoughts and actions to glorify Him. I want to find my worth in Him before I look for that love and validation in any other person. I want to develop a relationship with Him before I invest time into any other relationship. How do I fully embrace this?
When I started reading this book last week I came up with a little saying on these three sections:

 

Person, Place and Faith

(because faith is more than just a thing)

New friends (person):  Who am I allowing to influence me?  How many times have I found myself spending time with friends and something just didn’t feel right? I’ve been in seasons in my life where I have to stand back and ask God and myself “How did I get here? What’s the deal? And to be perfectly honest I didn’t consider my friends to be part of the problem. I’m grown, I’m not doing what they’re doing, and I’m just there spending time with them.  I’m not letting them control my thoughts or actions either.

I was wrong. Like the authors said, I wasn’t spending time with other Christian women who encouraged me to live my life for God, women who “spurred” me forward on my journey.  My friends weren’t necessarily pulling me down but they weren’t pushing me forward either.

I’m not sure if you’ve experienced this but being a Christian woman in today’s society isn’t always going to make you the most popular person in the group. I found myself looking the other way and ignoring the behaviors of my friends because I didn’t want to lose them as friends and because I didn’t want them to look at me differently, mainly because I didn’t want to feel alone.

“Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals”

1 Corinthians 15:33

New Surroundings (Places):  I have to ask God where He wants me to be. Like the example in the book it can be something as minor as a choice between two activities, or something as big as a move across states. He has places picked out for us, whether it is a church, a job or a home. He knows where He wants us.

Surroundings pt. 2: Culture. The culture we find ourselves in today is not always the most growth producing place to be. I have to ask myself on a daily basis if I am reflecting a “Christ-like culture, or am I molding to the culture of the world? I understand how hard it is to not do as others do.

We need to reflect His culture;

we need to be influenced by his behavior.

New Faith:  “…devoting as much energy to Jesus as I would in a relationship with a boyfriend.”  Wow! I want to devote more to Him than I would, my husband, my kids, my job, my friends, more than everything. Without a true relationship with Him, without a true journey with Him, I am not going to become the woman He destined me to be.

I have to give Him my all

before I can give any part of me to anyone or anything else.

So, what does this all mean to me? I need to look at who I spend time with, where I spend my time, and my willingness and readiness to place all of my faith in God and focus on my relationship with Him.

Who and what am I allowing to stand in the way of my reckless abandonment?

Let’s Pray:
Lord, I pray that you open our eyes and our hearts to the new things we need in our lives. The new areas that will allow us to grow in your love and to be the women you destined us to be. Please help us to love our friends who have not broken their alabaster box at your feet without allowing them to influence our thoughts and actions. Please help us to seek your will when it comes to where we need to be, where we need to work, worship, live. Lord please give us strength when we walk our journey with you, when we choose your culture over the culture of the world. Thank you for your grace in this journey. Thank you for your hand on our lives as we strive towards reckless abandonment.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

Your Assignment:

In the comment section below, please answer the following questions:  What do you look for in friends? What do you do, or does a friend do for you in regards to encouraging growth, and a stronger relationship with God?

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24

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If you would like to take part in our Online Bible Study Facebook Discussion Group, please click on the Sign-Up Here button located at the top of our website, in the Menu Bar.  Once we receive your request, we will add you to our group!

 

Blessings,

Tonya

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Winning Him Without Words: “The Alone Factor”

October 2, 2012 by

 

We can depend on the Lord to show us where we are today in our marriage and where He wants us to be in the future. (Lynn Donovan, pg. 27)

My husband is not a believer. Although he supports me, he does not share my faith. I have come to accept his decision and respect his choice; however, there will always be a part of my life that I feel I cannot share with him.

And it hurts.

My belief in God began at a very young age. My relationship with Him began only two years ago; four years into my marriage. It was like a light bulb clicked on and life finally made sense to me. My friend invited me to a women’s retreat with her church. I accepted. And life has never been the same. But, my zeal for God seems to not make sense to my husband. At first, I had to hide my faith. I hid my Bible. When I was going to a Bible Study, I would tell him I was going to meet with some new friends from church. When we got in the car to go somewhere, I immediately changed the Christian radio station to the more mainstream station he prefers.

I had no idea how to act. I felt isolated and alone. There was this newfound blossoming of faith within me, but I could not share it with the one person who is closest to me. I felt like I was living a double life.

In fact, I still am.

I am still trying to figure out how to live this spiritually mismatched life. Although I have come a long way (I can now openly read my Bible in front of my husband and talk about my church activities without feeling uncomfortable), I still flounder. God still has much to teach me about honoring Him despite my circumstances.

“It matters not how we came to be in our crazy, mixed-up and unexpected marriage situation. What matters is that God desires that we honor our marriage commitment and fulfill our marriage vows through His power and His strength. We can’t do it on our own.” (Lynn, pg. 28)

Lynn’s message hit me at my core. God wants our marriages to be beautiful and thriving. He desires us to honor our commitment and fulfill our vows. And the only way we can do it is through HIS POWER and HIS STRENGTH.

We cannot do it on our own.

Did you catch that?

We cannot do it on our own.

And why would we want to?

We live for a Savior who desires to do life with us. That actually gives me a sense of peace. I am truly not alone in this. Our Heavenly Father is walking right alongside us, infusing us with power and strength every single day. He knows the aching of our hearts. He knows our longings. He wants the same thing for our husbands and for our marriages. He will not leave us flailing.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20(b), NIV)

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Let’s Pray: Lord, help us to see and to understand that we truly are not alone in our mismatched marriages and that you are right there, walking side-by-side with us through every step. Show us how to release the pain that binds us and causes anguish in our spirit for our unsaved spouse. Provide us with your power and your strength to get through each day and teach us to fix our eyes solely on You, the One responsible for our husband’s salvation. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray, Amen.

Your Assignment: Leave a comment below telling us one thing you can do for your spouse today to honor God and your marriage.

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For those who are reading this blog and would like to join the Bible study, we would love to invite you to join us!  Click here and fill out the form at the bottom of the page (you can also click the SIGN-UP link in the menu bar above to be taken to the form). It’s that simple!  We hope to see you soon!

Blessings to you,

Jennifer

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Lady in Waiting: Ruth’s Reckless Abandonment

October 2, 2012 by

Ruth is one of my favorite characters in the Bible.  Every time I read her story I discover new things about this dear Lady of Reckless Abandonment.

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But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1: 16).

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What a profound statement from Ruth to Naomi, her mother-in law.  Today we are taking a trip to meet this wonderful woman.  What makes her say such words to Naomi?  What did she “taste” to make such a reckless decision to leave her people to follow her mother-in-law to Bethlehem in Judea?

Let us read the Bible to meet these two precious women of Faith.

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

3 Now Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

When she heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me.9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”
Then she kissed them and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has gone out against me!”

14 At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her.  15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”  16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.”  Ruth 1:1-18 NIV 1984

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When Ruth married into Naomi’s family, she saw something different about the way this Jewish family lived their life.  She must have wondered about these people who were foreigners in their land.  They had different gods in Moab and Ruth and her people worshipped them.  However, these foreigners worshipped only one God, Jehovah.

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You see Naomi and her family did not leave their God and faith behind when they left Bethlehem in search of food.  They did not try to fit in so that the people of Moab would accept them.  They didn’t comfort to the ways of the Moabites.  They knew that their stay in Moab was temporary and when the famine is over they were going to return home.

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As Naomi spent her time with the two women Orpah and Ruth, she must have told them how God took them out of Egypt to the Promised Land.  How God fought their battles as they passed through other countries on their way to the Canaan.

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However, we should note that this family lived in Israel during the time when the Judges ruled.  This was a time when people lived as they pleased.  They would do all sorts of evil things in the sight of the Lord.  God would use other nations to oppress Israel in order to get them on the right track.

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So to have this family to live their faith in such a time as this and in a foreign land for that matter is something to be applauded.  Their faith won Ruth’s heart and she didn’t want to stay behind and continue to live a mediocre life.  She wanted to go with Naomi so that she could meet this God and know Him the way Naomi knew Him.

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Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi to Bethlehem impacted generations for eternity.  Ruth is found in the genealogy list of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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LET’S PRAY
Father, I realize that the time that Naomi and Ruth lived is not different to ours; I pray that as we live this life, we will fearlessly share our faith and let others know whom we serve, the One True God.  Like Ruth and Naomi, I want to live my life with reckless abandonment to you.  Help me Lord in this decision I have made.  In Jesus Name. Amen.
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YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
Answer one, or all, of the following questions below in our comment section:

  • If you look at your own life, how are you living your faith?
  • Are you living in such a way that someone can leave their lifestyle to follow you?
  • What impact am I making for the generations to come?

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We would love to invite you to join us for this Online Bible Study!   The Sign-Up button is located at the top of our website page, in the Menu section. Click on that button and follow the directions. It’s that simple! We hope to see you soon!

Be Blessed,

Jackie

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Lady In Waiting: Lady in Reckless Abandonment / Alabaster Box

October 1, 2012 by

I started this book with excitement.  As someone who runs the book club at her church as well as bible studies, I enjoy reading, and I get to read a lot of quality Christian books.  But one thing I do not get to do is focus on myself and my ‘singleness’.  Our church is mainly composed of families, so in planning events singles are rarely taken into consideration.  So I sat down with eagerness to focus on me a little bit.  Then it hit me, the emotion.  I was taken aback when I saw my feelings in print.  So yes, I struggled a bit, but the message in our chapter this week is just amazing ladies.  Have you been thinking about your alabaster box?

Did you all know the meaning of the alabaster box?  I had heard of it of course, but I did not know how significant it was, and how relatable it was to me as a single woman.  Throughout the whole chapter I just kept wondering, “Could I, would I have done what Ruth did?”  Recklessly abandoned.  Am I?  Are you?

We face a lot of challenges as a single woman in our society.  The pressure to be pretty, to be thin, to be sexual and through all this we are trying to draw closer to Jesus.  As you were reading did you think of each little section as I did?  Like a little checklist to take my “reckless abandonment” temperature?  I like to think that I am close to Jesus.  I have used this time of my life to work on my spiritual growth.  I lead Women’s Ministry at my church, I am a Youth Leader, I am the administrator for our youth group as well as our Worship Team, and I sing on the worship team.  I run bible studies and retreats, I talk to trusted Christians to help me in my walk, I thought I was doing just fine.  Sure, I’m close to Jesus!  Then the “checklist”:

~ Am I willing to let friends go if they are standing in the way of my growth?
~ Am I willing to switch churches or jobs if that is what God wants me to do?
~ Am I spending enough time WITH Jesus instead of just trying to serve Him?
~ Am I willing to let go of society’s norms and take the chance of being singled out for being “different”?

I may be clutching my alabaster box a little more tightly than I thought I was.  Letting a few drops out here and there, maybe even a little stream if I am feeling really good (or really bad) that day.  But have I smashed my alabaster box at Jesus’ feet?  I can’t say I have.  I still struggle with the “missing puzzle piece” as Jackie and Debby call it.  Knowing that the only way I will be complete is through Jesus.  When I am lonely I wonder how that can be enough.  Even as I just typed that out and read it as it went across my computer screen, I realize how dishonoring that is.  How can Jesus be enough?  Really Michelle?  Did you just say that “out loud” for everyone to see?  So yes, through the study of this book, I will be working on fully and completely smashing that alabaster box at the feet of Jesus as I ask His forgiveness.  Are you with me?

Let’s Pray
Father God, we ask today for Your forgiveness.  We are sorry for not being fully and recklessly abandoned to You.  Please help draw us closer to You.  We love You Lord and we want to trust in the truth that You are all we need.  We will never be complete without You.  No matter who comes into our lives, they will not be able to fill the void that only You can fill.  Renew our minds and hearts as we seek to live fully in Your love.  In Your Holy Name we pray.  Amen.

Your Assignment
Please leave a comment below sharing whether or not you have broken your Alabaster Box at the feet of Jesus.  Are you afraid to break your box?  Why?  How can we pray for you as you start this journey?

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.  He is the head over every power and authority (Col 2:9 – 10)

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If you would like to take part in our Online Bible Study Facebook Discussion Group, please click on the Sign-Up Here button located at the top of our website, in the Menu Bar.  Once we receive your request, we will add you to our group!  🙂

 

Blessings,

Michelle Graziano

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