November 24, 2024

Glorious Living w/ Coach Megan: Guarding Your Heart

April 19, 2013 by

 

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Dear Megan,

I am really struggling lately and everywhere I turn I hear “guard your heart,” but I don’t feel like I really know what that means. I want to just shut my heart down so it won’t hurt anymore, but I know that isn’t what God is calling me to do. HELP! Any guidance would be appreciated!

~S.

This is such a great question, S, and it is so important to get our heart around it to truly be living the abundant life God calls us to! Thank you for reaching out!

So….What does it really mean to “guard your heart?”

I keep coming back to the same verse: “… and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).  There’s so much meat in this verse; but today I want to talk about a particular piece – “guard your hearts.”

It seems to me, the best way to protect ourselves in this world, in relationships, jobs, dreams, or whatever, is to keep our expectations in check.

There are two verses people often quote with regard to guarding one’s heart. The first is Proverbs 4:23. In the NIV it reads “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The King James and the NASB, however, choose a slightly different word than “guard.”  NASB says “watch” and KJV says “keep.” And we must remember that in the Hebrew, “heart” actually means far more than the seat of our emotions. It’s our mind, our soul, our inclinations, etc.

When we consider this, and look at the verse in context, it’s not telling us to guard, in the sense of how we might use this word in modern English. It’s not telling us to clamp down, be closed off, walled apart…it’s just telling us to be wise.  Solomon is imparting wisdom to his son and is telling him to remember his words, embed them in his heart and try to keep himself from going astray. It means that we should pursue the truth of scripture, such as that God loves us, is trustworthy, and is for our good, so that we make wise decisions. I don’t believe it means we’re to tense up in self-protection…. But that is what we tend to do, isn’t it?

If we only consider this first verse, we might be inclined to actually forget the truth of God’s ways, His sovereignty, and His love, and take too much into our own hands. We’ll try to desperately control our environment, and every thought and emotion, thinking we’re doing the right thing. We are told to take every thought captive, but here’s where that, in excess, falls apart and ceases to be of God.…

How much angst and stress are you putting into trying to figure out how to guard your heart?

How crazy are you making yourself trying to figure out what to do and not do, so that you won’t get disappointed or disappoint someone else?

 That is not God’s will for you. God wants you to trust Him, be in the moment, and seek His wisdom and guidance ALONG the way…not build a fortress around you so you can’t experience anything! Do you realize that if you guard your heart too much…you may actually miss what God has for you? You may entirely sideline His will and plan because you’re too busy protecting yourself. We need to learn to be okay with uncertainty and just go with it, maybe even open our hearts up a little, remembering that God is good no matter which way things go.

This is where we bring in the second verse. Philippians 4:6-7 reads “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is a little different than in the first verse, and they have to be taken together.

Here, it is God’s peace that guards your heart. It is a work of God…not a work of you. God doesn’t want us to live in anxiety and worry. And uncertainty sure causes this, doesn’t it? But instead, God wants us to lay our requests at His feet, thank Him for who He is and what He has already done…and leave it at that, knowing He’ll continue to do good in the future.

We don’t pick it up again. We let the peace of laying it down guard our hearts. This submission is based on that constant insistence that God loves us and is for our good. I’ll say it 1000 times because it IS the most important thing for us to EVER understand. God loves us with an immeasurable love. God loves us so much in fact, that we may not get our way, because He knows better. He will do what is for our good. Pray this deeply into your heart. Confess and release all your fears that are keeping you from this truth in the wholeness of your life. That is where you’ll find peace and how your heart will be guarded in a way that you can experience all God has for you, in wisdom, joy, and grace.

You see…the enemy wants us to miss out on all the good things God has for us by getting us to worry and doubt. Sometimes we need to sit in uncertainty when we want to RUN!!!! But if we run, we will miss God. We will miss what He wants to show us in the situation, things He wants to teach us, ways He wants to bless us, and ways He wants to use us to bless others. God just wants us to believe Him and go with it. He wants us to have the freedom to experience what He has for us without fear. That may mean living in a lot of uncertainty, but don’t wall yourself up to avoid getting hurt. Just be at peace, let God be God, and take it all one day at a time.

Where might you be wrestling with expectations today? Is it a struggle at work? A living situation? A family situation? A relationship that you just don’t know which way it’s going to go?

Release it.

It’s going to work out exactly as God has planned and it WILL be good, any which way. Just enjoy today. Enjoy God. Enjoy the process. Enjoy the uncertainty with great expectations of what God will do through it. Submit to trusting God, ask Him for discernment in wise actions, and leave the rest to Him. Remember, His ways are not our ways, so we probably won’t be able to figure it out anyway.

AMEN!….. and blessings to you,

Megan 🙂

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At Home with GCH – Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs

April 15, 2013 by

Here on our At Home with GCH  blog, Monday’s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  This month I am on a “7” month journey with a few friends AND my husband!  We are fasting from some of the excess in our lives, and endeavoring to establish better boundaries to help us keep God as the focus of our hearts.  It is a ‘mutiny against excess!’ Our journey has certainly come along with quite a variety of challenges…but not necessarily setbacks!

This month, our journey is focusing on dealing with excess in the category of food.  In keeping with the “7” theme, we are choosing seven (ONLY!) foods.  That comprises our menu choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.  Total.  So here’s what Robert and I are keeping in our NON-excessive food list for 30 days (20 down…10 to go).  (Ready? it really is a short list.) Eggs, chicken, salad greens, grapes (me) and strawberries (him), potatoes, broccoli, -and- protein bars/smoothies.  Also, I am endeavoring to have everything that my husband and I eat be UNprocessed and made from fresh ingredients.

Needless to say, I am becoming very proficient in different methods of cooking eggs.  (Practice makes perfect, y’know!  If you made eggs virtually every day….)  But I have never prepared the PERFECT soft-boiled egg.  You know…firm, tender white with runny, yummy yolk.  I perused the Internet and found out that *Cook’s Illustrated and America’s Test Kitchen had set out to accomplish this task and communicate it to all of us.*  I am here to tell you that you, too, can perform this task in your own kitchen…here’s how!

Perfect Soft-Boiled Eggs

Be sure your eggs have no cracks and are straight out of the refrigerator. You can use this method for one to six large, extra-large, or jumbo eggs without changing the timing.

tools:
medium saucepan, with lid
tongs

ingredients: 
4 large- or extra large-size eggs
kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

frozen hash-brown patties

directions: 
Follow package directions for baking the desired number of hash-brown patties.

Bring 1/2 inch water to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Using the tongs, gently place eggs into the boiling water (eggs will NOT be submerged). Cover saucepan and cook eggs for 6+1/2 minutes ONLY. Remove saucepan from stovetop.

Bring saucepan to sink, remove lid and run cold water over eggs for 30 seconds to stop cooking. Remove eggs from saucepan and serve, liberally seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.  Perfect!

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God loves you!   ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥ coleen

______________________

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

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* Read all about it!  This is a link to the article from Cook’s Illustrated.  Very informative!   http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/article.asp?docid=41579

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Glorious Living w/ Coach Megan: Discerning The Will of God

April 12, 2013 by
http://girlfriendscoffeehour.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/GL-header.jpg

Dear Megan,

How can I discern God’s voice from my wants so that I can be in His will? 

I know that God will open the right doors, but in the meantime trying to wait and not push what I want to have happen is so hard.  Sometimes it is so hard to discern His voice when our desires are so strong and the enemy starts to make us doubt, plot and plan, and he makes us think that we are in God’s will when we are really just doing what we want. Looking forward to your thoughts!

Blessings!

~C

 

My dear C, this is one of the questions I get asked most as a Christian Life Coach and I am so excited to discuss it with you and a few friends here today!

One thing I know for sure is that the more you are in the Word, and have a consistent, deeply intimate relationship with the Lord, the more your will will be aligned with His and the easier it will be to discern His voice through your wants.

I think it is important to begin this discussion with a few Biblical facts about the will of God:

1. God’s will for you was prepared in advance:

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

2. God desires to reveal His will to you in a personal way:

Acts 22:14

“The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will.”

3. God reveals His will primarily through the Spirit of God and the Word of God:

John 16:13

“…the Spirit of truth… will guide you into all truth.”

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”

4. God sees the whole big-picture of your life…past, present, and future. Discovering God’s will for you is like unrolling a scroll….  He unrolls it one line at a time:

Psalm 32:8

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you and watch over you.”

5. Sometimes God’s will for our lives includes sorrow and affliction. Suffering gives us compassion for others and allows us to see God’s sufficiency as we learn to depend on Him:

Psalm 119:71

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”

Okay! Now that we have that background established, let’s move forward and discuss what decisions are pleasing to God. One thing I know is that God doesn’t play hide-and-seek as you try to discover His will! As you sincerely place HIS desires above YOUR desires, He will be faithful to point the way. Let THIS be the prayer of your heart:

 Psalm 40:8

“I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

In His Word, God states that He blesses decisions that…

 

He initiates (Proverbs 4:11)

line up with His Word (Psalm 119:33)

accomplish His purpose (Philippians 2:13)

depend on His strength (Philippians 4:13)

result in giving Him glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)

promote justice, kindness and humility (Micah 6:8)

reflect His character (Romans 8:29)

come from faith (Hebrews 11:6)

consider the interests of others (Philippians 2:4)

are bathed in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

My friend C… I so wish that I could just tell you exactly what to do and what decision to make, but we all know that is not possible (and you probably don’t even want that)!  I do know, though, that God is guiding you each and every day as you discern which path to take:

  • through your spiritual gifts, talents and abilities
  • through your understanding all facets of this decision
  • through impressions God is making on your spirit in the form of convictions and  establishing truth
  • through knowing that God placed certain desires in your heart for a reason
  • through advice from trusted sources who God so divinely places in your path who are grounded in the Word, who are mature in godly wisdom and who might also have overcome similar circumstances in their own lives
  • through the possible necessity of the situation (like having to move because of a sick parent, etc.)
  • through seeing beyond circumstances (Proverbs 16:9)
  • through the elimination of options which you discern are not the best options (1 Corinthians 10:23)

I pray that this has helped you to have a better understanding in your current situation and know that even if time has run out on this decision and you still don’t know what to do, you can still pray!

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Because You know everything, You know the decision before me and the way I should go. I want only YOUR will, Father. Because I no longer have the option of waiting, I will choose one option. If this decision is not right in Your sight, I ask Your Spirit in me to put a heaviness in my heart. If this is the right direction for me to walk, please confirm it with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. I am willing to take whatever detours You decide to put in my path, as long as I reach the destination You have for me. In Your Son’s matchless name, I pray, Amen. <3

 

Blessings,

Megan Smidt, CCLC

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At Home with GCH – Protein Bites and Bars

April 8, 2013 by

Here on our At Home with GCH blog, Monday’s are always focused on healthy but oh-so-yummy! recipes.  This month, along with the next six months also, I am on a “7” journey with a few friends.  We are fasting from some of the excess in our lives, and endeavoring to establish better boundaries to help us keep God as the focus of our hearts.  We are, it has been said, having a ‘mutiny against excess!’ It has been very good but not without challenges!  But I think challenges and trials are a necessary part of the journey when you are making lifestyle changes.  If you would like to take a peek at what we have committed to do, please follow this link and visit my friend Megan’s website,  The Future

Also here is a link to Jen Hatmaker’s book we are reading on our journey:  7 Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

This month, we have begun the journey dealing with excess in the category of food.  (Say, WHAT?!?) Yes, yes…. So here’s what Robert and I are keeping in our NON-excessive food list for the next 18 days (ready? it is a short list): eggs, chicken, salad greens, grapes (me) and strawberries (him), potatoes, broccoli, -and- protein bars and smoothies.  Also, I am endeavoring to have everything* that my husband and I eat be UNprocessed and made from fresh ingredients.

A few of my friends are supporting their desire to keep to this discipline of  “7” by having protein shakes and bars as part of their foods.  ‘Wow,” I thought, “that is a great idea…why didn’t I think about that?!?”  So, I did think about it!  And found some incredible ideas out there!  The two recipes that follow are adaptations of what I found.

I think that these bites and bars are healthy and satisfying on so many levels!

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  • The bites are “raw;” so good for you.  The bars are only lightly baked.
  • They are loaded with protein.
  • They are chock full of nutritious dried fruits.
  • Use ‘better-for-you’ alternative sweetener.
  • Great chew factor – ok, maybe only important to me 😉
  • Easily adaptable to fit almost any eating style (vegan: substitute agave nectar for honey; gluten-free: substitute chia seeds–or just more flax–for wheat germ)

This recipe comes together almost more quickly than you can gather the ingredients!  Super simple, easy…and in the end…super healthy but oh-so-yummy!

Pistachio-Cranberry Energy Bites (makes 48 or so)2013-04-07 10.20.51

Ingredients:
8 ounces (about 1 packed cup) chopped dates
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 tablespoon wheat germ
pinch of kosher salt
1+1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (dry, not cooked)
1 cup shelled pistachios
1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
Combine the dates, honey, flax seeds, wheat germ and salt in a food processor, and pulse until smooth and combined. You should be able to stir the mixture—if it is too thick, add in another tablespoon or two of honey.

Transfer this mixture to a large bowl and add in the oats, pistachios, dried cranberries until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Once the mixture has been refrigerated (so much easier to work with), use a spoon or cookie scoop to portion out the energy balls, and give a quick roll to them.  (Mine were about 1-inch in diameter.)  Occasionally, you should rinse your hands and dry them; then start rolling the mixture again.  Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. (Storing them in the refrigerator especially helps the bites keep their shape.)

Note: Instead you can line a small baking pan with parchment paper, and press the mixture evenly into the pan, let it cool, and then cut into bars.

  * ————————————- *

Now, these bars are of a totally different consistency…more like a cereal bar.  Very filling, tasty and delicious!

Breakfast Protein Bars (Paleo-friendly)2013-04-07 11.54.51

Ingredients:
1 cup blanched almond flour**
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds
1/2 cup raisins

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.  In a food processor combine almond flour and salt.  Pulse in coconut oil, honey, water, and almond extract.  Pulse in coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds and raisins.
Press dough into a 8x8inch baking dish, (your hands should be slightly damp to pat dough down.)  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool.  Cut into 16 pieces.

NOTES: *The only “processed” thing that I am including in anything that I am preparing is protein powder for our bars and smoothies.

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

______________________

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

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Glorious Living w/ Coach Megan: How to Stay Motivated

March 29, 2013 by

 GL header

Dear Megan,

How do I stay motivated? To reach goals? I try to lose weight and exercise but I keep losing my ambition. I also am struggling in doing my bible studies.

Thank you.

~D

Oh, my dear…what a perfect question to start off this blog with! This is something almost every single person who comes to me for coaching needs help with, and it is certainly so important in every aspect of our lives! Here are a few ways you can endure success in staying motivated in areas you know God has called you to have focus on. 

1. Accountability

Share your new goal or endeavor with the people closest to you so that they can ask you how it is going and hold you accountable to getting it done. Use discernment about who to share with.  When you share what you are endeavoring to do with someone you trust, you are more likely to stick it out just from knowing that they know and will ask you about it! If you can enlist someone to go on this adventure WITH you, that is even better!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16

2. Surround yourself with cheerleaders!

This is so important! When you make the commitment to do something new whether it is a new weight loss challenge or start a daily quiet time with the Lord, it becomes so much harder to do if you are surrounded by people who don’t believe you can do it or do what they can to discourage you. Even if your closest circle is full of Negative Nancy’s, that’s okay! Make sure you are keeping in frequent contact with the positive people God has so intentionally placed in your life!

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

3. Know you are not in this alone

You are not created to do ANYTHING in your own power. You know that, right? God is with you and wants to walk this out with you every step of the way! Please do not try to do anything alone. <3

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,

for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

4. Create margin in your day

Are you too busy? That is a big big way we all get unmotivated. If you are going to take on something that will take an hour of your time a day, make sure you make room for that to physically be able to happen. God does not intend for our lives to be so stretched that we don’t even have time for Him! Take some time to really look closely at how you are spending your time and see where you might be able to delegate tasks or delete time-wasters!

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

5. Just do it

Sometimes, it just comes down to those three words…. JUST DO IT! If you know that God has called you to it then He will equip you with all you need to get it done… you need only get out of the way! It really is that simple sometimes, and sometimes the only answer is to JUST DO IT!!!

As long as you are going to do it, you might as well do it right. Right? As long as you are going to show up for work, you might as well do your best on the job. As long as you are going  to raise a family, you might as well make it a happy, well-adjusted one. As long as you are going to have a life, you might as well live a life of excellence and live it with intention!

And if you throw yourself wholeheartedly into everything you do, with a total commitment to excellence, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. It is time to get up and give God 100% no matter what gets thrown your way! Satan would love nothing more than for you to stay right where you are and never move forward toward the life that God has intended for you…. Will you let him win or are you going to do your due diligence and just make it happen?

With God on your side….you’ve got this! 🙂

Blessings,

Megan Smidt, CCLC

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If you are interested in contacting Megan about personal coaching, please go to:  www.megansmidt.com

 

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Introducing “Glorious Living w/Coach Megan”

March 22, 2013 by

I am so pleased to announce a brand new addition to our ministry.  Many of you know our Co-Founder, Megan Smidt.  You know her heart.  You know her love for helping women.  You know she pours her heart into everything she does.  You know above all else, her love for our Lord Jesus.

Megan wears many hats, one of which is a Certified Christian Life Coach.  Being a Life Coach is Megan’s calling.  It is very evident in how she reaches out to other women, and guides and encourages them in the way God is calling them.  She has an amazing heart, and I am so very blessed to know her, and have her as my partner here at Girlfriends Coffee Hour.

Beginning March 29th, Megan will begin a brand new blog here on GCH, titled Glorious Living with Coach Megan.  This blog is for YOU, our readers, to have your questions about life answered.  Megan will be answering your questions each Friday!  All you have to do is submit your questions to her.  She can address them anonymously, as well.  Email your questions to Megan at Megan@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.  

We’ve set aside some time today for you to get to know Megan a little better.  I’ve interviewed Megan recently, and we want to share that interview with you!  May I introduce Megan Smidt, CCLC….

megan

Where were you born?

Lynwood, CA.

Out of all the places that you have lived, which one is your most favorite?

Tennessee!!! I love having seasons and the people here are amazing.

What were you like as a teenager?

I was… ME!  I loved music, singing, reading, writing, and being with my friends. I wore every color at the same time and I certainly danced to the beat of my own drum. I guess I haven’t changed too much since then!

Did you go to college? If so, what degree(s) do you hold?

Yes, I went to Fullerton College right out of high school and earned an AA degree in Liberal Studies. I then transferred to CSU, Fullerton where I earned Bachelors of Arts degrees in English and Women’s Studies. I went back to school and earned my Christian Life Coaching Certification from PCCCA in 2011.

Tell us about some of the jobs that you have held over the years, and which one is your most favorite?

My first job was “magazine manager” at B.Dalton Booksellers when I was 16. From there, I was manager and buyer for a Papyrus store, and retail manager for Hallmark Creations, Ice Accessories, and Victoria’s Secret. I was a manager and scheduler for Bank of America and most recently, I am Personal Assistant to Yancy (www.yancynotnancy.com) and, I “work” as a Certified Christian Life Coach.

It is hard to pick a favorite because there are things about most of those jobs that I loved, but I would say that working for Yancy has been a whole lot of fun and I LOVE helping people grow in their walk with the Lord and in their life in general as a life coach.

If you could have lunch with anyone that is living or has passed on, who would it be? Why?

Oh, that’s a tough one! I would have to say my gramma. I miss her terribly and even though I had a lot of time with her here on earth, I miss our talks so much that to have one more would just be wonderful.

If money was not an object, and you could do anything that you wanted to do and know that you would not fail, what would you do?

I would travel around the world helping as many people as I could come to have an intimate relationship with God and intentionally live the life God has called them to live. I pray that Craig, our kids and family could join me along the way!

What is your most favorite thing about blogging?

Encouraging people to intentionally live the life that God has called them to live.

Tell us how you came to be a Christian Life Coach.

God told me to. I had been fired from my job and let myself be still and wait for God to show me what He wanted me to do. He showed me this and I had no clue what it even was! So, I began looking into it and, after 6 months of prayer and research, I found the perfect program for what God had shown me. I became certified and have loved every minute of this journey living out my calling!

If there was one piece of advice that you could give the women of Girlfriends Coffee Hour, what would it be?

Do not be content to merely survive! God calls us to a life filled with joy where we are content in every season. It IS possible or God would not command it in His Word! It takes diligence and intentional living to make it happen but, with God, all things are possible!

Explain what your new Glorious Living blog will be about, and how women can submit their questions to you.

I am so excited about this opportunity to help all of my GCH friends! Glorious Living is a weekly blog where I answer questions posed by friends simply sending an email to me at megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com . The questions can be about anything they might need help with in their life to propel them forward where they might be feeling stuck. This can have to do with relationships, career, values, life purpose, priorities, and their walk with the Lord… Anything, really!  I have already received some great questions and, I am so excited to get started with this new adventure! I pray God works through this blog to help heal and propel women all over the world forward toward the life that God has created them for!

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Meet the Founders of Girlfriends Coffee Hour

March 18, 2013 by

Christi Wilson

Founder  –  Blog Contributor 

Meet Christi Wilson.  She lives in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

Christi is the wife to her wonderful husband Gary, mom/step-mom to her amazing kids Tiffani, Heather, William, and Joshua, and grandmother to her awesome grandchildren Michael, Brandon, Makenzie, Brooklyn, Kyler, Alaina, Jayden, Austin, Kylee, and CJ.

Christi has been involved in Women’s Ministries for ten years.  She was part of the Women’s Team with Christian Motorcyclists Association for nearly 9 years.  She  has been coordinating Online Bible Study/Prayer Groups on Facebook, since 2011, when she created the first Facebook Prayer Groups for Proverbs 31 Ministries.  The Lord led her into starting her own online Bible study ministry, and that’s when Girlfriends Coffee Hour was born!

After over five years of being empty-nesters, Christi and her husband became foster parents for children in crisis.  Although foster parenting can be quite challenging, the rewards are far more numerous!  This was truly a God-thing!  Coming from a background of physical and emotional abuse, she can relate to the hurts that many of these children go through in their life!

She also loves to read, study the Word, cook, and play word games.

She gave her life to Jesus on March 23, 1984, when He saved her from suicide, drugs, and alcohol.  She believes that without Jesus, we are nothing.  He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness in our lives and accepts us right where we are in our lives…blemishes and all.

 

Megan SmidtMegan Smidt, CLC – Co-Founder –  Blog Contributor 

Megan is a Certified Christian Life Coach specializing in Relationship Coaching and more specifically, Blended Family Relationships. She also works part-time as Personal Assistant to Christian Musician Yancy.

She and her husband Craig have been married 8 years.  She is the adoptive full-time mother to Craig’s 5 children from a previous marriage, all ranging in age from 21 years old to 14.  Megan is from sunny Southern California, but has lived in middle Tennessee since 2007.

Megan is very active in her church and in ministering to women. She leads a family small group in her home every week along with her husband and she works with teenagers at church on Thursday nights.   Megan also regularly does speaking engagements on various topics concerning Christian Women and is a Certified Christian Life Coach with clients all over the world.

Megan loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. She enjoys reading, music, movies, photography, paper crafting, sewing and roller skating.  She is silly, fun, and loves making new friends!

You will learn more about Megan when we introduce her new Glorious Living blog on Friday!

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We are so very excited to start this next study, Girls with Swords, with you! Lisa Bevere is an amazing author who will bring you deeper and deeper in your walk with the Lord!  If you haven’t signed up for this study yet, you will want to TODAY to reserve your spot!  To sign up, click on the picture below, and you will be taken to our sign-up page.  Once you complete the registration process, we will email you further details.  

GWS

Study Begins March 24th!

Sign Up Today!

 

 

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Crazy Love: Our Final Week – “Is This What I Want to Be Doing When Christ Comes Back?”

March 11, 2013 by

What Will YOU Be Doing

 

My dear friends,

I believe with my whole heart that we are living in the end times. You might agree with me, you might not….  Really, that is not the issue.  I believe it, and I vow to live each day as if I will meet Jesus.

I live intentionally.

I live with purpose.

I live on-purpose.

I believe that revival is coming and that it will begin with our youth; God showed me this and it has been confirmed for me three times. I like to be where God is moving and shaking, what about you?

I will do my part intentionally.

I will encourage with purpose.

I will do my part on-purpose.

God has shown me through this book what I need to do next, and that is to have my own mutiny against excess in my life. I will be starting this journey March 25th and you will be able to follow along with me here:

www.megansmidt.com

This is essentially a 7 month fast and it will not be easy by any means. I know, I know…. It sounds “extreme.”  I hear that a lot.  I think it sounds necessary.  I am being obedient and I pray it stirs something new in me like never before.  I am believing God for great things through this experience.

I will be obedient intentionally.

I will be obedient with purpose.

I will let God mold me on-purpose.

THIS is what I want to be doing when God comes back.

I want to be doing exactly what God asks me to…no matter how crazy it sounds to this world.

I pray that Crazy Love has forever changed you and began a revival with you that will only gain more momentum. I am believing this over you and I am praying for you with my whole heart.

Let’s pray:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your Promises. Give us all the fortitude and strength to stand intentionally for Your Kingdom in our everyday lives. We can’t wait for Your return, and we vow to live our best life for Your glory until that day arrives. We have repented of all our ways that are not pleasing to You, and we mark today as the beginning of a new life.  May You get all the glory, Lord!  In Your Son’s matchless name we pray, amen <3

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GWS

Our next Women’s Online Bible/Book study will begin March 24th!

We hope you will join us!

To sign up for this amazing study, click on the picture above and complete the registration form.  

Once we receive your registration, we will email you further details.

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Crazy Love: Chapter 9 Weekly Review – “Who Really Lives that Way?”

March 8, 2013 by

WOW!!!! Week 9 of this study has come to a close, and it was a good one.

On Monday, you and I met Nathan Barlow, Simpson Rebbavarapu and Jamie Lang. I also asked you to be a little introspective on Monday and begin to write your story as we learned about these incredible lives for Christ! Then, on Tuesday, Martha introduced us to Marva J. Dawn, Rich Mullins, Rings, and Rachael Saint…as well as a few souls who have impacted her life personally. Jennifer talked about transformer toys on Wednesday and asked us to look at the lives that God has so divinely placed around us and see how we can best impact them for His glory. On Thursday, Donna introduced us to a few more of Chan’s friends and his church as we looked at more lives who are living out God’s will in this earth.

Please take a few minutes to watch this brief video from Francis Chan about this chapter. We only have one more chapter left after this week…let’s finish strong!

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Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord, we thank You for all of the wonderful examples of lives furthering Your Kingdom on our earth. Use them to stir a deep passion within us to follow in their footsteps in our own unique way as only we can. Bind up any fear or insecurity that might be holding us back and give us Your supernatural strength to be our best for Your glory! We thank You for Your mighty provision, Father! Help us strengthen each other and propel each other forward as me take this bold step for Your Kingdom!  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. <3

 

Your Assignment:

Who do you look up to? Name some people you look up to as Christians. Then, think about your own life; what type of legacy will you leave behind?  What will you be known for? What do you believe God created you to do on this earth?

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GWS

Our Next Women’s Online Bible Study

Begins March 24th!

CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO SIGN UP TODAY!

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

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“Glorious Living — Intentionally Living for God” by Megan Smidt, Certified Christian Life Coach

March 4, 2013 by

glorious living

Beginning March 29th, 2013, you will see a brand new blog appear on Girlfriends Coffee Hour.  Our Co-Founder, Megan Smidt, who is also a Certified Christian Life Coach, will begin taking questions via email from YOU, and then addressing those questions here on her new “Glorious Living” blog, each Friday!

Megan received her Life Coach certification in 2012 through Professional Christian Coaching & Counseling Academy.  She also has Bachelors of Arts degrees in English and Women’s Studies.

We are super excited about this blog, and feel it will be a great addition to GCH!  Megan has been successfully coaching others for some time now and is very excited to answer YOUR questions, as well!

Some topics you may want to ask Megan about:

  • Learning to manage change effectively
  • Getting unstuck, out of ruts and moving forward
  • Learning to think and see things differently
  • Expanding the capacity to take action
  • Finding clear values
  • Discovering and developing passions
  • Finding a life purpose
  • Building a clearer vision for the future
  • Finding meaning in what you are doing
  • Building self-confidence
  • Learning to relate to people effectively
  • Getting the courage to take risks
  • Getting free of self-sabotaging behavior and destructive self-talk
  • Building communication skills
  • Learning to take responsibility
  • Developing a closer walk with God

You may email your question to Megan at: Megan@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com.  If you prefer your question to be anonymous, then just let her know in your email.

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2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

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