November 23, 2024

Winning Him Without Words … Our Journey Begins!

September 30, 2012 by

Good Morning!

My name is Christi Wilson, and I am the Founder of Girlfriends Coffee Hour and the Women’s Ministry Leader.  I, along with an amazing team of bloggers, will be leading you through this study, “Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in a Spiritually Unequal Marriage” by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller.

I want to welcome you to Girlfriends Coffee Hour!  We are a group of women all across the world who love the Lord Jesus, and are always looking for ways to better our walk with Him, and improve not only our selves, but our marriages, as well.

PLEASE be sure to read this blog post all the way through, as there are some very specific directions for you towards the end.

I can’t begin to tell you just how excited I am about this study!  Being involved in Women’s Online Bible studies for quite a while now, I have learned that many women across the world struggle being in spiritually unequal marriages!  It’s heartbreaking to hear some of their stories!

2 Corinthians 6:14 tells us to not be yoked to unbelievers. But what happens if you become a Christian AFTER you’re already yoked to an unbeliever?  You are going to love this book, if you are in this position today.  This book truly is an encouragement to all of us who are spiritually unequally yoked to an unbelieving spouse!

As I began reading this book, I wanted to write down all of the things I could find that would help explain to you what you can expect from this study.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that it IS possible to thrive in a spiritually mismatched marriage!  The authors of this book Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller, have an amazing way of making you feel right at home with this study!  They are real, authentic, funny, and so encouraging!  I’m sure you will begin to love them just as much as I do, once you dive into this study with us!

So, with all that said, I want to tell you what you CAN expect from this study:

  • you will experience the wonder of Scripture as it comes to life in this book
  • truths that will rock your world
  • fresh perspective and optimism
  • no matter “how” you arrived in your spiritually unequal marriage, God’s plan for your marriage and your future are fantastic and may take turns that are often unexpected
  • you will find that God is the Master of redeeming our past and our pain to reveal  a life He has always desired for you to live
  • you will discover a hope so wild that you will thrive in your challenging marriage
  • you will find healing and wholeness
  • you will find hope and practical tips
  • you will discover the key principles to thriving in your marriage
  • you will find prayer, support, encouragement, accountability, motivation, love, from other women, just like you, who are struggling or have struggled and found freedom in their spiritually unequal marriage, through Christ Jesus

Wow!  Now can you see why we are so very excited to go on this journey with you!!??

Let’s talk about HOW this Online Bible Study works.  

1.  Each SUNDAY, you will want to come here for your reading assignment for the week.

2.  Every Monday through Friday, you will come here to read what we have blogged about for that days lesson.  Saturday’s will be a day filled with DIY projects, crafts, recipes, homemaking tips, and more!!  🙂

3.  You can leave your comments in the comment section of this blog, if you wish.  We actually like it when you do because it gives us feedback on how we’re doing!  So please do comment!  Remember, anything shared here on our blog is open to the public.  It is not private.  HOWEVER, you do have the option of commenting anonymously, as well.

4.  Then you will go to the Facebook Online Bible Study Discussion Group that you have been assigned to, to discuss that days lesson just a bit deeper than we do here on the blog.  THIS is where you will be able to share openly and honestly without anyone outside of that group reading what you’ve posted.   This Facebook Group is set up to be a SECRET Facebook group.  That means two things:  1) No one outside of this group can even find this group, and 2) Everything shared within the group cannot be seen by anyone outside of the group!  How cool is that, huh?  We want to make sure that we provide a place for you to share your heart without the concerns of a friend or family member seeing what you are posting!  We take every precaution to make this a SAFE place for you!

That’s it!  Pretty Simple, huh??  There are just TWO places that you will want to check every day:  HERE (our blog) and Your Facebook Group!  It can’t get much easier than that!! 🙂

In your Facebook Group, we have a team of women put together for you that will be there to pray with you, and encourage you along the way.  They are members of our Prayer Team, who have specifically asked to be placed in the Women’s Ministry group.  They have a heart for prayer, and for women’s ministry!  I’m sure you will grow to love them just as much as we do!!

We also have an AMAZING Team of Bloggers, who will be blogging about this study!  You are going to love these women, and their hearts for the Lord, and for Women’s Ministry!  We took quite a while looking for the perfect women to work with us on this journey, and we believe we have found the perfect women for this study!  We can’t wait for you to meet them!  Their names are Beverly McCormick, Donna Day, Jennifer Mlenczynski, and Sarah Boyer.  Amazing Women!!!

Well, now it’s time to actually begin this study!!  Below you will find your reading assignment for each day, Monday thru Friday, and who will be blogging for that day!  So, let’s begin!!

Your Reading Assignment:

Oct 1 – Matthew 28:20 –  Introduction / Know You’re Not Alone –  Beverly

Oct 2 – The Alone Factor – Jennifer

Oct 3 – Is it Really Possible to Thrive / Mismatched Marriage – Donna

Oct 4 –  Placing Christ on the Throne – Sarah

Oct 5 –  Jesus With “Skin On” / Discovery / Prayer –  Christi

DON’T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Tuesday, October 2nd, Conference Call Special Guest Speaker is:

Lynn Donovan

Co-Author of “Winning Him Without Words”

If you would like to take part in this call, please EMAIL US at:

Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com

YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THIS ONLINE BIBLE STUDY GROUP TO PARTICIPATE.

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Let’s Pray:

Father, as we begin this new journey learning how to thrive in spiritually unequal marriages, we ask Lord for Your wisdom, direction, discernment, and guidance.  We ask Lord that You open each heart that is represented in this study; prepare that heart Lord to receive what YOU have for them.  Remove the veils Father, so we can each clearly see what Your intentions are for our marriages.

I pray Lord for each woman that is hurting in her spiritually unequal marriage.  I ask that You touch her Lord, and love on her.  Help us to minister words of love and encouragement to her Lord.  Help us to see her and her marriage Lord, through Your eyes. Father break our hearts for what breaks Yours, in this spiritually unequal marriage study.  Lord, I also pray that You show us through the first few chapters of this book that there is HOPE, and that it IS possible to thrive in these marriages!  That it is possible to get past the hurts and offenses of the past.  That it is possible to forgive and forge ahead in the plans that YOU have for us!

Lord, Your word tells us that You have plans for us.  Plans not to hurt us, but to prosper us, and to give us HOPE and a FUTURE!  Lord, I claim that now for each woman who has signed up for this online Bible study, and I thank You now Lord, for the mighty work You are doing in each life represented here.  Lord, we give You honor, glory, and all praise for the good work that You have begun in each us, and for continuing that work!!  In Jesus’ Precious Name, AMEN!!

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If you have just stumbled across this website today, and you would like to join us for this Online Bible Study, please click on the “Sign-Up Here” button in the Menu Bar at the top of our website and follow the instructions.  We’ll get you placed in one of our discussion groups as soon as possible!

Be Blessed, 

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Resolution for Women – True Love

September 10, 2012 by

1 John 3:18

“We must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.”

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Are you a “loving” mom, or a mom who is “in-love” with your child?

Is it important to you to be your child’s best friend, or to be one that shows them true love?

I’ve been both.  I’ve been the one that shows love discipline and teaching; and I’ve been the one who just wants to be their best friend!  Let’s fact it, parenting is not for the faint-hearted, is it??

Priscilla makes some very good points in this chapter:

  • Our primary goal as mothers is teaching our children God’s truth.
  • Love doesn’t always come in the form of words.
  • Love is an action.
  • Parenting is not an easy job!
  • Parenting is a rewarding job!
  • A fair share of your actions toward your children will not always translate love.
  • Sometimes kids see our love action as being too strict, or overbearing.

I remember times when my kids were little when they used to think that I was over-protective, to the point that they told all their friends that I wouldn’t let them play out in the street for fear that a plane would crash into them! 🙂  Yes, it was a joke, but in their eyes, they really did see me as too protective.  In my eyes, I was loving them.  Huge difference.

We used to laugh about the plane crashing into them, but today they are both mothers, and the one daughter who used to joke about the plane the most, is the mom who is the strictest with her children! Ha!    I just want to look at her one day and say “When will the plane crash??” 🙂

I’ve seen parents who think their only responsibility is to be “friends” with their kids.  Friends to the point that it was unheard of to say “no” to their kids.  I saw this in my own home when my husband and I moved under one roof.  He had two teenage boys still at home, and his only goal was to be their friend.  All I saw was two boys who were headed for a serious crash when the reality of True Life hit them!  They had much to learn that life wasn’t all about getting whatever they wanted, when they wanted it.  This type of “friendship” with his boys caused us, and the boys, a lot of heartache for the first few years as a family.  But, my husband began to see how important it was to change that relationship with his boys and start teaching them to be responsible adults, who would be ready for real life when they left home.  It wasn’t an easy change-over, that’s for sure.  But we all made it out alive, Praise God!

Really, the only advice I can give new parents, or parents with fairly young children at home, please stop worrying about being their best friend!  As Priscilla said in this chapter, True Love is serious business!  We have the responsibility of training this human life in the way he/she should go, so that when they are old, they will not depart from it.  Your children need YOU to be a parent….not their friend.  There’s always time to be their best friend later in years, when they really need it!

As my youngest said to me one day, “Mom, you were always the hardest on us; but because you were, I always knew that you loved us.”  You will never know what music that was to my ears!

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Let’s Pray:

Father, we lift our children to You today and we thank You for the awesome responsibility You have given us.  We thank You Lord for loaning these children to us for a short period of time, to train them in the way they should go.  We thank You Lord for the patience we will need during this time of actually demonstrating our love through action, and not just through words.  Help us Lord to be the parent that YOU need us to be for each child in our life.

Father, for struggling families out there, Lord, I ask for Your help in repairing damage that has already been done.  Help restore the relationships that have gone sour.  Help restore forgiveness, as well, Lord.

In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!

Your Assignment:

Please leave a comment below telling us in what way you struggle the most in demonstrating love to your child, in action. How can we pray for you today to have a better relationship with your child(ren)?

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

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

Don’t forget to stop by Craig’s blog to see what the guys are up to with The Resolution for Men.

www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com

 

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

 

That’s it for today!  Megan will be here tomorrow blogging about the next chapter, “The Soul Shaper”.  I hope you will join us!

 

Living Intentionally to Be a Blessing to My Children,

 

 

 

 

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Resolution for Women – Chapter 11 – Loving My Children

September 9, 2012 by

“We must not love with word or speech,

but with truth and action.”

1 John 3:18

 

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This week we dive into Chapter 11 full force and learn how to resolve to train our kids in righteousness.  How to demonstrate to our children how to really love God with all their hearts, minds, and strength, and to train them to respect authority and live responsibly.  This is going to be yet another amazing Chapter!!

Your Reading Assignment for this Week:

Monday:  Read pages 206 thru 210:  True Love

Tuesday: Read pages 211 thru 216: The Soul Shaper

Wednesday: Read pages 217 thru 221: The Intentional Encourager

Thursday:  Read pages 222 thru 226: The Discipline Dealer

Friday: Come back here for our Weekly Overview

Be sure to come back here each day of this week to read our blog posts about this awesome chapter from The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer.  We have just 2 more sections to complete before we end this current bible study!  Wow! Where did the time go!!

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I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your prayers for my family.  We lost a very dear loved one this weekend, to cancer.  He was my step-father for many years.  He and my mother were divorced many years ago, but he always remained my step-father in my heart; and always remained the PawPaw to my children, and their children.

Delvis Glenn Chandler

you will be missed by many.

We love you!

Rest In Peace

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On October 1st, right here on the Featured section of our blog, we will begin this 13-week bible study

“Winning Him Without Words…

10 Keys to Thriving in your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage”

by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller.

We will cover topics such as: Staying Connected to Your Man, Discovering the Essentials to Love; Trading perfection for authenticity; Cherishing each new season, and so much more!!   This book is amazing ladies, and I can’t wait to get started studying it with you!!  You will need to purchase this book for this study.  This book, a journal, and your bible is all you will need to participate.

If you haven’t already signed up for this particular study, please email us at

Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com

and we will send you all the details you need to get signed up!!

Enjoy the rest of your Weekend!

In His Love,

 

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Resolution for Women – Weekly Overview “Fulfilling My Husband”

September 7, 2012 by

Happy Friday!!!  🙂

Here is this weeks video blog!! 😉

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Have a GREAT Weekend Everyone!

See you on Sunday!

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Resolution for Women – Hopes and Fears

September 5, 2012 by

If your husband were to describe your marriage to a stranger, what do you think he would say?  If he were to describe you, as his wife, to this stranger, what do you think he would say?

Last night, Girlfriends Coffee Hour hosted a conference call with two women who have both been married 30+ years.  In today’s society, 30 years is an amazing feat!  Together these two women shared much wisdom!  I would like to reiterate what was shared on this call because it just fits perfectly with this chapter of The Resolution for Women.

The keys to a successful marriage:

  • Jesus has to be the foundation.  Without Him, our foundation will not be secure and stable.
  • Choosing is critical to a successful marriage.  Choosing to love him, respect, and encourage him, on a daily basis.  Choosing to see the best in him.  Choosing to always provide for him, and be there for him.
  • Remembering that marriage is a COVENANT.  There is no room for the word “divorce” in your vocabulary!  “No matter what, I will choose to love and to stay!”  Divorce is NOT an option!
  • Mutual respect
  • Never taking each other too seriously.  Being able to laugh with each other.
  • Dating at least 2 times a month to keep the romance alive.
  • Know each others “love language”.
  • Spend time in the Word, and in Prayer.  This is the glue that will hold your marriage together.
  • Love Unconditionally
  • Show your husband respect.
  • Encourage your husband.
  • Support your husband in every way.
  • Pray for your husband.
  • NEVER speak badly about your husband to others.  EVER!

This was an amazing call last night, and I was very blessed by the words of wisdom that were shared by both of our Guest Speakers!

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In this chapter of Resolution for Women, we are discussing our husbands Hopes and Fears.  The two fears that were mentioned in this chapter were “Fear of being inadequate” and “Fear of being controlled.  I’m not going to spend a lot of time going over the details of each of these fears, because it’s all available to you in the book.  But, what I am going to focus on today are some statements that were shared in this chapter that stood out to me.  I’d like to reiterate these statements that Priscilla mentioned, to help us remain focused on areas that will benefit our ability to fulfill our husbands.

I want to start by asking a question mentioned on page 194, but in my own words:  “What would your husband do differently if he knew he couldn’t lose your love and respect, no matter what he did?”

Would he be able to be free to do what he’s always wanted to do?  Or would he be held back by his fear of what you would think of him?

Would he be assured of your encouragement and support?  Would he know without a doubt that you would support him and inspire him to do even greater things?  What do you think it would do for him emotionally if you were to be 100% supportive of his dream?

As Priscilla says, “Only one way to find out.”

Your husband needs to know that you trust him.  He needs to know that you believe that he is capable, honorable, and worthy of your attention and admiration.  He needs to know that you believe in him despite his inadequacies.  He needs to know that you are praying for him.  He needs to know that your expectations of him are not higher than they should be!  None of us are perfect, and we all have inadequacies.  Ask yourself how it feels (or would feel) if your husband did not support your dream.  Put yourself in his shoes, and think about what YOU would need from him…and then give exactly that to him in support of his dream.

Maybe your husband hasn’t always made the right choices.  Maybe he isn’t the best with money.  Maybe he hasn’t been the best role model to your children. But even so, YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT HIM!  You can resolve to be a better encourager.  You can become better at affirming him, supporting him, and respecting him.  If this is an area that you struggle with, seek counseling from your Pastor, or a Christian Counselor to help re-establish this trust and confidence in him, and to become more of his cheerleader than someone who constantly puts him down.

You are the helpmeet God created for your husband.  God created YOU to be the one who shows respect, love, honor and encouragement to your husband.  If this doesn’t come easy for you in your own marriage, then seek God for His wisdom and direction. Ask God into your marriage if He isn’t a part of it already.  Pray for your husband.  Ask God to help him in the areas that he is weak, or needs wisdom.  PRAYER WORKS Ladies!  Prayer works MUCH BETTER than nagging does, any day of the week!!  🙂

These ladies on last nights conference call shared much wisdom with us.  After 30+ years of marriage, they still go out on dates.  They still hold hands.  He still opens the door for her.  He still puts his arm around her when they sit together.  They still laugh together.  They pray together.  They trust each other.   They both respect their husbands.

What can you do today, right now, to start showing your husband the respect and honor that he so strongly desires?  To feel like a real man?  I want to reiterate what Priscilla shared in this chapter on how you can start making the necessary changes to fulfill your husband….today:

  • Start with just one day.  24 hours.
  • REFUSE to allow yourself to correct him, or offer any unsolicited advice, or criticize his choices.
  • Go to the restaurant HE wants.
  • Let the kids wear the clothes HE picked out, even if they don’t match!!

Here a few of my own:

  • Don’t criticize his driving.
  • ASK for his opinion and then listen to it!
  • Don’t put down his family in front of others.
  • Don’t disrespect him at home, or in front of others; especially in front of the children!
  • Have a good meal on the table when he gets home.
  • Thank him for being a hard worker and taking care of the family financially.
  • Thank him for being such a good dad.
  • Tell him what a great lover he is.
  • Tell him what a great husband he is.
  • Tell him how handsome he is.
  • Tell him you love him every single day.
  • Kiss him hello and goodbye, every day.
  • Tell him how proud you are to be his wife.

These are just few suggestions.  I know there are plenty of books and online sites that are great tools to use to find ways to encourage your husband.  Focus on the Family has some great articles on this subject!!  Take the time to look it up, and then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!  🙂  I know without a doubt your husband will appreciate it, and you will begin to see changes in him that are for the better! And that’s a promise!

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Let’s Pray:

Father, thank You so much for the husband You have given each one of us.  Help us to be the kind of wife that he needs every day.  Help us to be the perfect helpmeet that You created us to be.  In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

Your Assignment:

In the comment section below, list 3 things that you LOVE about your husband, and then tonight when you are alone with him, tell him exactly what you have shared here.  I KNOW he will appreciate it!!

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After you have commented below, go back to our Online Bible Study Group on Facebook to see what our Daily Activity is. If you do not yet belong to our OBS Facebook group, and would like to, please send an email to: GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com  

We’ll send you the details needed to get you into this group!

Don’t forget to stop by Craig’s blog to see what the guys are up to with The Resolution for Men.

www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com

Be blessed!

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Resolution for Women: Marriage Proposal

September 4, 2012 by

I was so excited when I logged on to Facebook this morning to see that a very good friend of mine got engaged over the holiday weekend. HOW EXCITING…. right?!?!??!

I noticed yesterday that she had started pinning things like bouquet designs and wedding dresses on Pinterest… so I did have a hunch, but seeing it on my Facebook homepage made it real. She is about to live a wonderful season of planning and prepping…. designing her special day that she has dreamed of since she was a young girl. As I read today’s chapter, I wondered if anyone would be having the real-deal conversation with her like Priscilla’s friend had with her so many years ago.

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Believe me, ladies….. when I was a little girl twirling in my bedroom fantasizing about my wedding day, I never dreamed of having 5 kids at the altar along with my 2nd husband! YIKES!!! Not what dreams are made of, right? Well, before Craig and I even said “I do” we had gone through more in the year and a half we dated than most couples go through in their whole lifetime of marriage! In fact, to this day, I have friends who come to be at the blossoming of a new, blended family relationship for advice because they saw what we lives for so many years and how hard it was and want me to answer for them “So…… has it been worth it?”

Wether you are in your first marriage, second, third or fourth……. your spouse must come first and they must intentionally get your very best or it will just not work. You can not give your kids, family or friends that top spot under God Almighty! Once Craig and I understood this balance and started living our life this way, everything in our relationship came into focus and our entire household was positively effected.

No matter what stage of life, or marriage, we are in, we all want to be fulfilled. We all want our deepest needs to be met and our husband wants this same thing. As Priscilla points out, “He may not be fulfilling his side of the bargain at the moment. But remember, this book is not about him. The reality is, you cannot change him. But you can pinpoint some changes in yourself, and then you can bring that new resolve to your marriage. You can be faithful. That much you can do.”

You may not WANT to do it, but you really need to do it anyway. God calls you to do it. You answer to Him above all else… and He calls us to act and live above our wants as we are not of this world.

I have a story to share that is not a-typical for second marriages, especially when there are children involved.

After the first few years of our marriage, Craig and I were not doing well as we let our house and our lives be led by fear. Craig was not putting me first (after God) because he was scared of his ex-wife and what she might do if he ever stood up to her or “rocked the boat.” This was killing our marriage because not only was I the primary caregiver for all the kids, but I had no voice and no rights. He would give-in to her requests even when it was not in the kids’ or our family’s best interests just to avoid her anger or her wrath. Slowly, it made me retreat and was killing me on the inside because I felt like I didn’t matter and I was scared that it could all be taken from me at any moment. I had given my heart away to these kids and my heart got trampled on every time I turned around. I did not feel safe and I did not feel valued.

Craig finally realized what he was doing and saved our marriage and our family by putting us all in our proper place. It took only saying to his ex a few times “I’ll talk to Megan about it and get back to you” before she got the drill and soon started to say to him “I know you need to run this by Megan but…” VICTORY!!!! He showed me that I came first which also showed the kids how to value their spouse.

I need to do the same.

I cannot have the kids or work or other people taking my top spot. Craig has to come first, or we are out of balance again. What we have found is that once we have our marital balance in place, everything else falls into line and we have a much happier home. It takes a lot of work and intentional actions, but it is so worth it to be able to model this to our kids and show each other how much we value our God and our family by having our spouse in their proper priority.

As you begin this journey this week, list some of your husband’s characteristics that you wish would change but likely will not. Then, record the way YOU can change to adapt to your husband’s characteristics if these attributes are never altered. We’ll look at this later in the week.

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Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father….. no matter what marital season we are in, we need to check our priorities to Your Word. Help us today to begin to “do it anyway” to fulfill our husband’s needs for Your to get all the glory! Lord, show us today how we can make the most immediate impact and help us to lift each other up in prayer to be our best in our marriages. Lord, for those of us who are not in a marriage currently, speak to our hearts about how to best prepare to be able to give our best to our mates. We love you, Lord, and we thank you for showing us all we need to be our best for Your glory! In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, amen <3

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Your Assignment:

In the comment section below, tell us what you might say if you were counseling young woman on the eve of her wedding day. Do you feel that you have accepted the responsibilities marriage has required or have you resisted them?

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After you have commented below, go back to our Online Bible Study Group on Facebook to see what our Daily FUN Activity is. If you do not yet belong to our OBS Facebook group, and would like to, please send an email to:

GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com

We’ll send you the details needed to get you into this group!

Don’t forget to stop by Craig’s blog to see what the guys are up to with The Resolution for Men.

www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com

Many blessings,

Megan 🙂

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Resolution for Women – Chapter 9, My Heart – PLUS … BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

August 26, 2012 by

“He has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and

to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

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This week we deal with the heart.  What does God want from our heart?  This scripture above gives us a clue:  He requires us to pursue justice; love mercy; and walk humbly with Him.   He wants our hearts to break for what breaks His heart.   He wants us to have a revelation of what His will is.  He wants us to respond to what God has called us to.  He wants us to have His heart.

This week, we are going to see the heart of God and what He wants our heart to look like!  It reminds me of a song that I will post below…..  READ the lyrics and let them sink deep into your heart.  Pray these lyrics as a prayer to our Lord & Savior!

What stirs compassion in your heart?

What tugs at your heart?

Your Reading Assignment for this week:

  • Come to our blog on Monday, where Christi will do a preview of this weeks topic “My Heart”
  • Come to our blog on Tuesday, where Megan will be discussing pages 164-168 “Look Again.”
  • Come to our blog on Wednesday, where Kelley will be discussing pages 169-173
  • “How Do You Heal an Unbroken Heart”
  • Come to our blog on Thursday, where Beverly will be discussing pages 174-179, “Mercy Me”.
  • Come back on Friday, where we will do an overview of the week, AND sign this weeks resolution!

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Now for our BIG ANNOUNCEMENT….

 Our Next Women’s Bible Study

Girlfriends Coffee Hour is so excited to announce the next brand new Online Bible Studies that will begin October 1st!

If you are struggling with being in an unequally yoked marriage, this study is for YOU!!

“Winning Him Without Words –

10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage”. 

To join this study, please send an email to GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com with “Winning Him” in the subject line.  We’ll send you all the details you need to get signed up!

This book is based on the scripture from 1 Peter 3:1 “…they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.”   This Online Bible Study will be led by Christi Wilson, Founder of Girlfriends Coffee Hour.  Beverly McCormick and Donna Day will help with the blogging for this study.  You won’t want to miss this study!! It is AMAZING!!!

If your husband does not share your faith, you may feel like you are walking a tightrope of spiritual survival – guarding the flame of your belief in Christ, yet unable to share it with the person you love most in the world.  But your spiritually mismatched marriage can be a vibrant, blessed relationship where you’re free to grow in love with God and your man! 

Winning Him With Words, written by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller, both Christian women married to unbelieving husbands, is your invitation to thrive instead of survive!  This study begins October 1st right here on our website:  GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.

PLUS, YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS OUR OCTOBER CONFERENCE CALL!!!

Mark your calendars also for October 2nd when Lynn Donovan,

one of the authors of this book, “Winning Him Without Words”

joins us for our monthly Conference call!!  More details to be given soon!! 

If you’ve made it this far, GREAT!  Because I am actually giving away a FREE copy of  “Winning Him Without Words” to ONE person.  This person will be randomly chosen.

All you have to do is:

1.  Comment below WHY you want to win a copy of “Winning Him” 

and

2.  Comment on our FACEBOOK Community Page why you love Girlfriends Coffee Hour! (Click HERE)

You MUST do BOTH in order to be entered into this drawing!

We will announce the winner on our FB Community Page Monday Morning!!!

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Be sure to check out our Teens & Singles blogs, also, for details on their next study, as well!   Go back to our front page … CLICK HERE …  and you will see the Teens & Singles blogs under the Featured blog.  This is going to be an amazing time with GCH!!

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If you haven’t signed up for our Online Study Groups on Facebook, and you want to be a part of this amazing trend, send us an email at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we’ll email you the details that you will need to get added to these groups!  You will have a blast with women all across the world who loves the Lord, and enjoys studying His word!

Wow! I’m tired just from typing all this!  We have some AMAZING things happening here at Girlfriends Coffee Hour, and we hope you are enjoying the ride, as well!  Stay tuned for more announcements this week!

Living Intentionally to Be My Very BEST for Him,

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Resolution for Women: The 3% Difference

August 22, 2012 by

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless”  

Psalm 119:1

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As I read this chapter, I just couldn’t stop thinking of Girlfriends Coffee Hour and how much of what Priscilla was saying about us needing friends to hold us and keep us accountable to living a life of integrity, just fits with what GCH is all about!!

But, before I go there, I want to discuss the 3% difference.  All I can say is OUCH!  This is a tough chapter!  I’ve had to look at myself with a magnifying glass this week, so I could find everything that was keeping me from living a life of Integrity!!  I’ve had to look deep into what my life really is like behind closed doors, and not just what I put out there for everyone to see.  Again, OUCH!!

The information that Priscilla shared about the rat poison and how just 3% of the whole ingredients of rat poison is what actually kills the rat….while the other 97% is what draws the rat to the poison!

What draws you to the poison?  Is it television shows, books, music, gossip, lying, stealing?  Is it what you look at on the computer?  Is it that glance at work with your co-worker?  What is it that is drawing you closer to the rat poison?

Integrity to me means doing the right thing even when others are not looking.  It means doing the right thing….period.

When you leave Wal-Mart, do you park your cart next to your car, or do you put it in the cart rack?

Do you gossip about others in your life?  In your church?  At work?  In front of your children?

Do you talk mean about others?  In front of your kids, and then expect them not to bully others?

Do you stand aside while someone is digging for extra change to pay their grocery bill?  Or do you offer to help them by giving them the extra change they need?

Do you hold the door for others as they enter a building at the same time as you?  Or do you walk through as if they didn’t even exist?

What do you watch on television?

What do you look at on the computer?

Every one of these things fit into the 97% category that entices you to get to the 3%!  Did you know that?  If not, now you do!  What are you going to do about it?

There are so many things satan uses to try and trip us up; to taint our integrity.  Sometimes we don’t even realize it…until it’s too late.

We are Christians.  We are to be the light of the world.  We are to bring honor and glory to the name of Jesus.  We are to be on our guard, so that our minds are not dulled, as it says in Luke 21:34.

We are to protect our minds, our hearts, our homes, and our walk with the Lord.  We are to stand up and ask for accountability if we are struggling with a certain area in our lives.  We are not to allow even a hint of immorality, impurity or greed enter into our lives. (Eph 5:3)

Even a hint…. Just 3 % is all it takes to kill a rat.  Just 3%.  Think about that for a minute.  Out of 100% of the rat poison….all it takes is just 3% to kill the rat!  The other 97% is what tastes good, looks good, and feels good to the rat.  But it’s the 3% that kills him….  Just 3%.

We could stand all day and look at just that small tiny little 3%, but ask yourself about the other 97%.  What is it in your life that is drawing you, feeding you, enticing you, and making you “feel” good?

You know it’s there.  You’ve known it was there for quite a while now.  You’ve tried your best to get rid of it…to tame it….to stop it…to put it aside….but it just keeps coming back to entice you.

That’s where accountability comes in.  After you’ve made the choice to step away from these things and start living a life of integrity, confess this to the Lord, and then reach out to someone you trust who can hold you accountable to that choice you have just made.

Girlfriends Coffee Hour is a great place to do just that!  A group of Christian women who love the Lord; who strive to live their lives to bring honor and glory to our Lord; who strive to encourage one another; lift each other up in prayer; and support one another along this journey.

GCH is a place where you can come to let your hair down….to get real.  To laugh.  To cry.  To pray.  To fellowship with women all across the world, who are in this journey together!

GCH is a place for others to hold you accountable.  We won’t coddle you.  We won’t baby you.  We’ll give it to you just the way you need it.  Straight up and in truth!

For some, it’s just what they need.  For others, it’s a good kick in the pants.  For even others, it’s just what God has called them to.

If you are looking for a place to call home; a place to come for fellowship; a place for accountability; a place to pray for and encourage others and to be prayed for and encouraged, we want to be here for YOU!

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend”.  That is the scripture the Lord gave us for this ministry.  We want to help sharpen you to be the very best that you can be for our Lord and Savior!

We love you!  I hope today’s lesson sinks down deep into your heart. I hope it brings you to a place where you will give your ALL to the Lord, so you can become your very best for Him!  That’s what we pray for you!

Let’s pray:

Father, as I lift each woman who reads this blog today, I ask that You reveal Yourself to them in ways they’ve never seen before.  Help them, Lord, to dig deep and really search their hearts for things that are prohibiting them from walking in integrity.  Help us help them, Lord, as we walk alongside them today and every day, to bring You glory and honor!  We love You Lord, and we constantly want nothing more but to bring You honor in all that we do, and say!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Your assignment:

Describe below in our comment section how we can help hold you accountable to what God is doing in your heart this week.  What would that look like, and would you be willing to submit to it?

Now head on back to our Online Bible Study Facebook Group for the Daily Activity, and be sure to let us know today what this chapter has said to you!  If you don’t belong to our OBS FB Group, and would like to, simply send us an email at: GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to send you the details you will need to get started!

…don’t forget to read what the men are up to over on Craig’s blog…

www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com

Have a BLESSED Day!!!

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The Resolution for Women – Integrity

August 20, 2012 by

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless”

Psalm 119:1

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This week in The Resolution for Women, we will discuss Integrity, and what that means in our own lives.  When I think of the word Integrity, it says to me

  • Am I the same person in public that I am in the privacy of my own home?
  • Is the life that I lead honoring God?
  • Am I compromising my own moral values for what society calls “Okay”?
  • Am I accepting evil in a justifiable way?

Most people look at integrity as a way of being perfect; no sin, etc.  That, we know, will never happen because man has a sinful nature.  The only human that ever walked this earth was Jesus himself.  But with the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we are able to live a life of integrity if we allow Him to guide us.

I am going to, once again, post a video here by Priscilla Shirer speaking about this chapter of her book.  At the beginning of this video, she briefly discusses the last chapter on Forgiveness, but it then moves in to this weeks lesson on Integrity.

After watching the video, I will post something that she shared that I thought was rather interesting…..here’s Priscilla….

(Girlfriends Coffee Hour does not in any way endorse the Crossroads Membership Pledge mentioned at the end of this video)

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Did you catch what she said about the Rat Poison?

3% of the ingredients in rat poison is actually poison.  Just 3%!!  The other 97% is stuff that will actually taste good to the rat to attract it to the poison.

What 97% of the things in your own life is pulling you to the 3% of the poison (evil) ???

How many marriages focus on just the 3% of the “poison” in their marriage, only to end in divorce and never even think of the other 97%???

What 3% in your own life is keeping you from God’s fullness?

Ask yourself this question:  Is what I am doing behind closed doors bringing honor to God?

Or, Can I ask God to bless what I am doing or saying?

If the answer is no to either one of those last questions, maybe it’s time to talk to God about what is happening in your life. God does not want the activity in your life to bring you to dulled spiritual sensitivity.  He wants you to be filled to the fullest that You can have through Christ Jesus!

Besides, God already knows what goes on behind closed doors.  He already knows what you are watching on television, or looking at on the computer.  He already knows what is happening in your marriage, or at work.  He already knows the things you are involved in, or the things you are addicted to.

All He is doing now is waiting for you to bring it to Him, confess it, and ask for forgiveness, so you can walk in the Integrity , the fullness, that He has for you!  What are you waiting for?  He’s ready when you are…..

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Let’s Pray:

Father, this week in this bible study, we talk about Integrity and what that means.  The resolution calls for us to no longer tolerate evil influences, even in the most justifiable form; either in our homes, or in ourselves.  It calls for us to embrace and encourage a life of purity.

Lord, if there are things in our lives today that prevent us from living this life of purity, we ask that You reveal it to us now.  Once they are revealed, Father, we will confess it out loud to You, so we can hear it with our own ears.  We then will seek You for forgiveness of those things in our lives.  In 1 John 1:9, Lord, Your word tells us that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  

We ask You today Lord to forgive us for the things in our life that are causing us to walk with an unclean heart, and outside of integrity.  We ask that You create in us a clean heart, as we strive to grow deeper in our walk with You, and more intimate in our relationship with You.

In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

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Your Assignment:

Answer below in the comment section what the word Integrity means to you.  Who do you know in your life that walks with the utmost integrity?  Tell us about that person.

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After you complete this assignment, then go back to your Facebook Group and see what Megan has for us for our daily activity.  I’m sure it is going to be interesting!!  If you do not belong to one of our FB Groups, and you wish to be added, please send us an email to: GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com, and we’ll be happy to add you!!

Tomorrow, Megan will be with us to discuss the next chapter of this section:  Structural Soundness

Have a GREAT Week Everyone! I look forward to reading your comments below!

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The Resolution for Women – Chapter 8 – My Integrity

August 19, 2012 by

“Blessed Are Those Whose Way Is Blameless”

Psalm 119:1

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This week we will discuss “My Integrity” in this Chapter written by Priscilla Schirer, in the book “The Resolution for Women”.  I have to say that this book has been one of the BEST books / bible studies I’ve ever done!  It has truly been life-changing, not only for me, but for many other women doing this study with us here at Girlfriends Coffee Hour!!

This is our 3rd study at GCH; and it’s just one of MANY more to come!  For just a moment, I would like to talk to you about Online Bible Studies, since we are close to the end of this study!  I’d like to start by telling you first what an Online Bible Study is:

An Online Bible Study is a place where Christian and non-Christian women gather to study God’s word, online!  It usually consists of a group of women who join a group, like Facebook, or Google Groups.  Here at GCH, we first decide on the book that we want to study, and then we begin with blogging about it on our web site.  We then take the study back to the groups for discussion in our Facebook Group.

Why an Online Bible Study?

There are so many benefits to doing an Online Study!  I submitted this question to the women in our current groups, and this is what they came up with:

  • Good way to meet and share faith with other women
  • Go at your own pace
  • Can go back and review at your own convenience
  • Can participate from anywhere..carpool, school, vacation, etc.
  • Can study in the convenience of your own home AND in your jammies!!
  • Fellowship w/ women all across the world
  • Expanding your experience outside of your denomination
  • Participating in studies that may not be available in your area
  • Fellowship of other Godly women that listen, support & encourage each other
  • Meeting new folks
  • Growing and going deeper in the word with each other
  • You can study when it is convenient for you…day or night!
  • Working women don’t have to worry about what time or day a public study takes place
  • New Mommies can study with the group whenever the new baby allows her to study!
  • Those who’ve had surgery and can’t leave the house don’t have to worry about missing bible study!
  • And the list goes on……..

The benefits of an Online Bible Study outweigh the reasons not to.  And to be fair, I want to share the points these women shared with me for the reasons an OBS doesn’t work out:

  • Miss the one on one fellowship
  • May spread yourself thin by participating in too many at a time
  • Tempted to check in too many times a day
  • Not being able to ‘really’ tell is someone is genuine
  • If you’re not computer savvy you may get discouraged and quit

In my past experience of hosting Online Bible Studies and creating OBS Groups on Facebook, I can honestly say that it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in ministry!  I’ve seen women grow in leaps and bounds.  I’ve seen women become friends from all across the world!  I’ve seen women experience the goodness of God from all kinds of different backgrounds.  Women have made amazing friendships in these study groups.  It has truly been an amazing blessing in so many ways!!

We will be introducing brand new studies coming up SOON!!  Studies for our Women’s, Teens, Singles, and Fitness Ministries!  We are so very excited to be able to offer YOU these studies, and to see what God will do in YOUR life through this ministry!

So, stay tuned!  We’ll be making our announcements SOON!

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Your Reading Assignment this week can be found by clicking HERE

If you do not yet belong to one of our Facebook OBS Groups, and would like to be placed in one, please send us an email to:  GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to place you!!  

See you tomorrow … right back here for this weeks first lesson on Integrity!

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